“So…to the islands huh?” Flitter asks as Sky dresses up in armor.

“Yes…where is Fluttershy? I called for her as well.” Sky says.

“I'm coming!” Fluttershy calls running over.

“You're out of breath?” Sky asks.

Fluttershy pants and then falls and slides down in front of him. “I'm sorry. The salamanders are…quite…I need breaks!” She yells at the end as she covers her face with her hooves.

“Water?” Sky asks giving her his drink.

Fluttershy quickly takes it and starts to drink heavily as Flitter sighs. “Such a young traveler.”

“And yet that is one of the main reasons we now have salamanders.” Sky says.

Fluttershy pants heavily and tries to get back up as Flitter notices him staring at Fluttershy. “Another?” She asks suddenly.

“Huh?” Sky asks confused and before she could answer, they heard a horn.

“Time to go.” Flitter said looking up to it.

“The ships came huh?” Sky asks looking at the hastily constructed wharf.

Flitter nods. “Make sure you don't do anything bad, got it?”

“I so wish we had those in my tribes that knew how to build a good…Tear, please send a letter to your father asking to send his tribesponies to help construct a proper port.” Sky says.

Tear nods. “I'll send it right away.”

“Thank you. Burning, are you and the others going to be ok looking after the house?” Sky asks.

Burning nods. “We’ll be fine.”

“Good girl.” Sky says petting her.

Burning purrs happily.

“After I get back, I will give you all a reward depending how good you do.” Sky says.

Burning purrs louder and leans into his petting.

“Come on Sky, the ships are here. Time to board.” Tear says dragging him away.

Sky chuckles as Burning whines in the loss of her petting. “I'll be back.” He said following along.

“Well, the Wee Bala wasn’t hard to stake a claim on.” Sky says getting on the ship out of the water.

Tear hums as he comes onto the deck. “Are you okay still?”

“I’m fine. The captain of that ship said they will stay and set up a rest point.” Sky says.

Tear hums and looks around. “Do you want to rest up?”

“Nah, let's make for Big Bala.” Sky says.

Tear nods. “Let's wait until the captain is ready to sail again.”

“This is the one you want to go to most, right?” Flitter asks.

Sky nods. “Could provide something big.”

“Like salamanders?” She asks smirking.

Sky chuckles. “Yeah.”

“I thought as much.” Flitter says as Fluttershy wasn’t doing so well on the ship.

“Ohhhhh…” Fluttershy moans as she leans off the side of the ship.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy. We will be on land soon.” Sky says.

Fluttershy just moans more.

“So you really think there are salamanders there?” Snow asks.

“They have been reported.” Fluttershy says before trying to contain her barf.

“Let it out Fluttershy.” Sky says rubbing her back.

Fluttershy barfs heavily as Sky kept rubbing her back and Tear shakes her head. “Land dwellers are not used to the sea.”

“Here we are.” Sky says seeing land coming into view.

Fluttershy sighs in relief as she rests against Sky. “Good.”

“The trip back won’t be as bad.” Sky says.

Fluttershy almost barfs at the thought of that.

“Get ready to get more salamanders Fluttershy.” Sky says happily.

Fluttershy nods as she controls herself and wipes her mouth. “Okay.”

“It begins.” Sky says smirking.

“How are we doing so far?” Sky asks.

“We have rounded up eighty already.” Flitter says as they started making camp on the beach.

“Tell the captain of the fleet to send a message to the rest of his tribe that we will need more ships.” Sky says very happily.

Tear smiles as she sits in his lap. “We’ll have it done.”

“Thank you, Tear.” Sky says holding her.

Tear giggles and leans against him. “How long would we stay here?”

“We will get as many salamanders as we can and start the training here. We can’t send entire ships full of them back so we will ship the salamanders trained with their riders back little by little and also mine out this island for the resources.” Sky says.

“Want to take a look around then?” Tear asks looking up to him.

“No. The sun is setting and...hello. What do we have here?” Sky says seeing a fire launching over the fence they had constructed.

“Well, that is something.” Tear said seeing it land.

“It is a salamander, but bigger and meaner.” Sky says smirking as if he had hit a jackpot.

Tear raises an eyebrow before getting off of him. “Go ahead.” She said walking away.

“Back off. This one is mine.” Sky says getting off.

Everyone backed off as the fence was pushed down and a large salamander-like creature hisses as its several sharp horns on its head and frills flare slightly with skin plating with spikes around it and on its legs as its tail had a burning flame on the tip and spikes around it around three times the size of the regular salamanders.

“Oh you are a big boy, are you. Well, I think I will take you as my mount.” Sky says before dashing forward before Snow could grab him and slams into the salamander.

They all went wide-eyed at the sight of the large alpha pushed back and staggers to regain footing as it hisses at him.

“Oh, you think you're a boss huh? Well, I have experience crushing such individuals.” Sky says starting to launch shards of shadows at the salamander.

The salamander hisses loudly and breathes out a gout of fire and melts away the shadows as it lights up the area.

“Bad move.” Sky says as this intensified the salamander’s own shadow under it.

The salamander kept breathing fire before a wall of shadow flew up below it and makes it stop breathing fire and allowed the shadow to keep flying high before it collapses on it and makes it hiss loudly as the shadows wrap around it like straps around its limbs and tail before wrapping around its mouth and holds its neck.

“Now you are mine.” Sky says as he motions for Fluttershy.

“You have to be kidding!” Flitter yells hard for the first time Sky has been married to her.

“Is it so ridiculous to want more of them if we can get them?” Sky asks wondering what made the salamander become what it is.

Flitter sighs and face hooves.

“You saw what it did. It is far stronger than a normal salamander and even smarter.” Sky says thinking.

Flitter keeps shaking her head.

“Now tell me, what is the current number of salamanders we have after three days?” Sky asks.

“Three hundred.” Fluttershy said.

“At this rate, we will easily double our riders.” Sky says as a warrior came into his tent.

“Sir, we have an unknown ship approaching the island.” The warrior reports.

“Bearing any kind of emblem and have they spotted our camp?” Sky asks not looking to him as he finishes the last of his meal.

“I do not think they have spotted us. They are bearing the emblem of the Gual providence.” The warrior informs.

“Hum. Go and double check if they are coming to us and have spotted us.” Sky instructs.

The warrior nods and hurries off.

“What do you think Flitter?” Sky asks putting down his bowl.

“We have company. That much is true.” Flitter said leaning on his back.

“And this is the first time we will meet with one of the Gual fiefdoms.” Sky says getting up.

“How are you going to meet them?” Tear asks.

“Let's see if they come to us. Tell me, what would you think would bring them to this island?” Sky asks.

“Resources most likely.” Flitter said shrugging.

“My thoughts exactly.” Sky says.

“So what's the first meeting going to be like?” Snow asks throwing her bowl behind her.

“We will be cordial as the tribes can be. I wonder how they will try and negotiate with us.” Sky says.

“Maybe crazy yelling.” Tear thought out loud.

“Keep the salamanders out of sight.” Sky instructs getting up.

“So they refuse to get off their ships?” Sky asks the warrior.

The warrior nods as they watch from the high tree line. “Yes. Not a dinghy or even a plank. No one even swam.”

“Troublesome. Alright. Have it their way.” Sky says annoyed getting up.

“Sir?” The warrior asks.

“I am taking the nearest ship. We will head for that one.” Sky says unfurling his wing.

“Yes, sir.” The warrior said getting ready to move.

Sky took off and flew to the nearest tribe ship. “Captain.” Sky calls.

The whole ship soon bustled awake as hoof steps sounded all over and deck hooves and sailors came out onto the deck and looks up to him as they raise their crossbows.

“Take us beside the lead Gual ship.” Sky orders.

The captain looks at him and nods as the warriors took their places and helped sailed the ship as Sky lands into the crow’s nest as it started to sail toward the Gual ships.

Sky waits and watches the Gual ships carefully as they seem to be scrambling as well. “Ready arms!” The captain below him calls.

“Belay that order!” Sky orders.

The warriors below him stop gathering weapons as the ships come up beside the Gual as the sailors on them were aiming crossbows and spears at them.

Sky seeing this jumps down landing on the deck.“Now that is rude. You force us to meet you out here and then point weapons at us. I guess I shouldn’t expect nothing from Gual butchers.” Sky says.

The sailors on the ship seem to glare at Sky as he flies up and hovers between them. “Enough. What is the meaning of this? This land is now the property of Gual.” A white mare asks walking up glaring in what Sky could only describe as a too high-class dress.

“Oh. I am sorry, but this isn’t your lands. This is an island.” Sky says landing a little to the side as some warriors bring a plank for the two ship before sending it over and for their training as sailors on both sides started to secure it without much thought.

“Well, we calm it in the name of Gual.” The white mare proclaims.

“Then why are you not on it. Oh wait, I get it. You can’t because of the salamanders.” Sky says smirking under his horned helmet.

“Those ruffian beasts will be evacuated from the island soon enough. Just give us a day.” She said glaring at him.

“Is that why several of your ships have fire damage?” Sky asks.

“You do not know of which you speak. I suggest you take your leave before something…uncouth happens to you.” She warns.

Hearing that ,many on Sky’s ship start chuckling. “Not used to violence?” Sky asks controlling his need to laugh.

“What is so humorous? You are just barbarians and nothing more.” She said glaring again.

Sky smirks as he keeps moving a hoof around and swirls the shadows under them without them noticing. “Really? Barbarians? That's all? If anything you are far more barbaric. Tell me, have you slaughtered any villagers lately?” Sky asks sarcastically.

“Well, that's rich, coming from you.” She said huffing and turning her head away.

“Captain, back to the shore.” Sky says.

“Yes, sir.” The captain said trying to turn the ships around.

“Well, that was a waste of time.” Sky says before seeing a knight go up to the white mare and talks to her.

Sky whistles loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Holy in the name of Celestia. That is a hot and tough looking flank.” He calls smirking.

“Who said that!?” An anger mare yells.

Sky grins. “Right here and IYIPE!” Sky yells as he ducks his head and a spear embeds itself into the mast of the ship as he looks the orange mare knight who seemed pretty steamed. “Oh. You're the hot flank mare. Do you train constantly because you seem to have gotten such a good flank shape on you?” He asks chuckling as he prepares to move. “Captain, are you waiting for something?” Sky asks.

“Sir, some of them seem to be debating and are constantly looking at us.” The captain calls to him.

“They gave their answer already. Now sail.” Sky instructs.

The captain nods and orders the warriors to get the ship moving. “Stop!” The white mare calls.

“Yes?” Sky asks leaning on the railing.

The white mare frowns. “We need your help.”

“Come again?” Sky asks smirking.

The white mare groans. “We need your help.” She said emphasising each word.

“Oh, that was good. One more time.” Sky says.

“I will not give you the satisfying pleasure of it.” The mare spits out as if poison.

“Captain, we are still leaving.” Sky says.

The captain nods as they unfold the sails again before the mare calls out, “We need your help!” The mare yells angrily.

“Hold captain.” Sky says. The captain waves a hoof and all the sails fall at that point. “So what are you doing here? I can't exactly help you if I don't know.” Sky asks grinning.

“We were going to gather resources.” She growls.

Sky hums. “Seems the help is going to slip away. I need more information than that.” Sky says loving playing to them.

The mare growls as the knight from earlier tries to calm her.

“I’m waiting.” Sky asks.

“We…need…resources…from…the…caves…” The white mare groans out in anger.

Sky grins. “Alright then. Captain, dock the ship on the beach nearby. Make sure you follow them.” He orders.

“Aye aye sir.” The captain said saluting as they sail slowly and the white mare huffs and walks away as their ship starts moving quicker as Sky sighs in relief a bit as he stares at the orange mare knight.

“Good shape.” Sky mutters to himself as the ships slowly come to a stop and they both drop anchor. “Alright, everyone off, but watch them.” He orders and flies off down to the land and stretches.

Sky sat in his tent with Snow, sitting across from the other two mares. “So if we help you, what can we expect in return?” Sky asks.

“A cut of the resources.” The white mare grumbles.

“Half.” Snow says immediately.

The white mare growls. “Half…” She draws out.

“Hum…I am not sure.” Sky says tapping his chin.

“What do you want?” The orange mare knight asks covering the white mare’s mouth with a hoof to quiet her from saying something worse.

Sky smirks and leans on the little table between them. “Your…” He says smirking as he points a hoof to the orange mare knight. “Fief in an alliance with us.” Sky says faking them out.

The white mare slumps her head on a table. “Conditions?!” She yells muffled by the table.

“Are you at liberty to negotiate such things?” Sky asks a little disappointing that neither gave him an opportunity to make a joke there.

“Not really.” The orange mare said blandly as she rolls her eyes.

“Then we can’t discuss anything.” Sky says leaning back.

“But we can provide temporary agreements.” The orange mare said calmly as she crosses her hooves.

“Unless you have someone who has the power to make such deals in your fief, then your fief will not honor the deal.” Sky says bluntly surprising them that he knew that.

“I do.” The orange mare said frowning. “Captain of the guards. I can make temporary deals that will hold somewhat of an alliance until the real one can come along.”

“How long?” Sky asks.

“A few months.” She said raising an eyebrow at him.

“Not good at lying are you?” Sky asks.

The orange mare sighs. “Then I guess you won't get anything.”

“From you, no. The thing is we don’t need you. You need us.” Sky says.

“And we can still return with an army.” She said tapping the table.

“And by then you will have to assault fortified positions and how will the other tribes react to you picking a fight with us? How long till we make enough boats and invade your territory from the sea?” Sky asks completely serious.

“How long till we get the other fiefs on our side?” She asks huffing.

“You won’t. They don’t want to fight the ‘barbarians’ with each other, knowing that they will just stab each other in the back. That is why many knight orders refuse to aid your providence’s fiefs.” Sky says making them sweat.

Snow clears her throat and makes Sky and the orange mare realize they were standing and leaning on the desk almost close together. “You need us, we don't need you. It's a win-win for us and a lose-win for you. Send for a diplomat from your fief and we’ll talk.”

“We won’t budge on this.” Sky says.

“Go.” The orange mare said.

“But…?” The white mare starts.

“You know I'm not that good. Besides, you can convince them faster. Now get on a ship and sail. I will stay and make sure they won't cheat out of a deal.” The orange mare said watching the two.

“We are done here.” Sky calls and a few warriors come in.

The orange mare stares at the white mare before she sighs and gets up and leaves as the orange mare returns to watching the two.

“What do you think?” Sky asks looking to his wife.

Snow watches the orange mare. “They are…weak. Both in position and fief power placement.” She said and inwardly smirks at the sight of the mare frowning.

“I figured this is probably all the could muster for a fleet. There are no reinforcements.” Sky says.

“Or maybe redemption.” Snow suggests thinking on how she talked.

“Either way, tell the warriors to take the salamanders into the wood tonight and gather all of them there.” Sky whispers to her.

Snow nods and gets up and walks off as the orange mare kept staring at him calculatingly.

“So…hopes to be a knight huh?” Sky asks.

“Yes.” She said rolling her eyes.

“This is going to be an awkward wait.” Sky says.

For the next few weeks, Sky’s and the Strike Terror warriors proceed to harvest wood and start constructing a port on the beach while several other secretly kept gathering salamanders, but with the attempt to maintain the secrecy, the gathering was slowed greatly and only two hundred more were gathered.

Sky sighs before yawning as he lays down on the tall cliff. “So tired…so needy.” He yawns out.

“Oh?” Tear asks walking up.

Sky lifts his head to look at her. “Where's that crazy knight?”

“Still at the port. Making sure we aren’t mining.” Tear says laying beside him.

Sky hums. “You think she has a great flank?”

“I don’t like females like Snow does. Also, a new ship is approaching.” Tear says.

Sky sighs and lifts his head up to look. “Ah. Good. She must have returned with a diplomat. Better go to our meeting place.” He said getting up and leaving.

“My husband, can we lay here a little longer?” Tear asks.

Sky looks back at her with an eyebrow raised. “You sure about that?”

“They won’t be able to dock for a while.” Tear says moving his head into her lap.

Sky smiles and looks up to her. “You are such a cutie.”

“No, I am your wife.” She says.

Sky chuckles. “You know…we haven't had fun in a while.”

“Not that much time.” Tear says.

Sky shrugs. “Oh well, guess we can't enjoy each other.”

“I am enjoying spending time with you.” Tear says.

Sky sighs. “So you won't mind me taking more slaves or wives?”

“I expect you to if we continue on conquering.” Tear says before leaning down and kisses him.

Sky chuckles into the kiss before pushing her head away. “You need to work a bit more on techniques.”

“I could say the same.” Tear says.

“Oh, is that a challenge?” Sky asks.

Tear grins. “Yes.”

“Oh ho. We will have to practice more.” Sky says.

Tear smiles and nuzzles his nose and kisses his cheek.

“And now I better head off.” Sky says.

Tear nods and lets him up as she stays still as she kept sitting.

“Come on. Let's head back.” Sky says rubbing her back.

Tear smiles and gets up and starts to follow him.

“So we are in agreement? We both get to have the resources and have an alliance?” Sky asks.

“Yes.” The diplomat said glaring slightly to the white mare.

“Then our business is concluded…oh, one last thing I want to add. We have all rights to the salamanders on the island.” Sky says.

“Salamanders?” The diplomat asks raising an eyebrow.

“You heard me. Without that, no deal.” Sky says.

The diplomat sighs. “Fine. It's agreed as well.”

“Now our business is concluded.” Sky says.

The diplomat nods as he gets up and leaves with his guards as the white mare and the orange knight mare stays and stares at him as most of the guards leave.

“Right, back to work.” Sky says. Sky and Snow get up to leave as the mares stares at them. “I think we can start mining now.” Sky said smiling as he adjusts his armor.

“Oh yes. We finished the loading pier already.” Snow says.

“Good. Maybe we should send some stuff back to the northern tribe. I think they would love the resources.” Sky said chuckling.

“And the first batch of ships are ready.” Snow said smirking.

“The salamanders.” Sky says.

“Waiting for the next batch.” Snow informs.

“Have they been trained enough?” Sky asks.

“For more training if needed.” Snow said walking away with him.

“Must you always try and be elusive and just tell me if they are ready to be sent back to our territory on the boats or will they burn them?” Sky asks.

“We are putting them in an area on the ship where they can't catch fire.” Snow said smirking to him.

“Where is that?” Sky asks.

“On the deck with their riders.” Snow says.

“Seriously?” Sky asks.

“Yes.” Snow said proudly.

“I'll trust your judgement.” Sky said walking away and leans over to the orange mare. “Watch for the crazy things my family does.” He whispered before quickly rushing off.

“Huh?” She says confused.

Sky hums as he watches from a hill and grins. “Hey! Muscled flank!” He calls.

“What are you do…” The knight stops seeing ponies riding on the backs of salamanders.

“Muscled flank, you can learn this soon enough…but not right now.” Sky said walking past her.

“Applejack.” The knight growls.

Sky grins. “Whatever you say muscled flank. Still a sexy flank I like to put on the table.”

“I dislike you so much.” Applejack says.

“So what brings you here?” Sky asks.

“Protection.” Applejack said huffing.

“Oh whoa. You are very forward.” Sky says.

Applejack glares at him. “Shut up.”

Sky leans over. “I would still like to own that flank.”

“Why are you going after me? Why not a noble mare?” Applejack asks annoyed.

Sky grins. “Better shapely flank. Besides, the white mare is too stuck up.”

Applejack snorts before chuckling. “Yeah, she is a bit.” Applejack says.

Sky chuckles. “Know that would get a laugh out of you. Say…want to go for a walk with me? I know some good trails we can…scout.”

“No, I am not doing that. Now back on topic, we have a site what looks to be ruins.” Applejack says.

Sky leans over. “Where?”

“Over there.” Applejack says pointing in a direction before Sky whistles.

Applejack quickly steps backwards as a large salamander crawls up and Sky gets on it. “You…ah! Forget it!” Applejack calls waving a hoof.

“Get some warriors and your soldiers together. We are going to investigate.” Sky says.

Applejack rolls her eyes as she walks off.

“Let's go.” Sky says before the salamander takes off. As he rode, Sky noticed this one wasn’t as fast as normal salamanders he had encountered. “All this extra mass and power must have taken away your speed a bit.” Sky says.

The salamander hisses at him before he receives a shadow smack across the face.

“Don’t forget who is the master, but with all this power. I think it was a good trade, don’t you?” Sky asks as the salamander bashed through trees, barely slowing down.

The salamander growls under its breath.

“Chief.” Fluttershy calls causing the salamander to skid to a halt.

Sky groans as he hangs onto the saddle as Fluttershy flutters up close by. “Ow.” Sky groans rubbing his head. “What did you do?”

“Where are going chief? That area hasn’t been cleared.” Fluttershy says breathing heavily.

Sky sighs. “Ruins. Kinda wanted to look around and see anything interesting.”

“Oh, isn’t that where you ate that thing that turned you into your current form?” Fluttershy asks the salamander.

Sky raises an eyebrow as the salamander hisses at her.

“Really, you ate something?” Fluttershy asks.

“Fluttershy, translation please.” Sky says.

“Oh yes. She says she became like this after eating some sort of fruit she found near ruins like what you are talking about.” Fluttershy says.

“This thing is a she?” Sky asks surprised.

“Yes.” Fluttershy says as Sky’s curiosity of these ruins grew.

“And the ruins?” Sky asks leaning forward toward them.

“She doesn’t know much. What she is describing is along the coast a bit away from where we landed.” Fluttershy says.

“Alright. Fluttershy, I want you to go back and get some warrior to follow and check for this location. Tell them this is my order.” Sky instructs.

Fluttershy nods and flies off back camp.

“Alright, back on track.” Sky says returning to his seat.

The salamander growls before another shadow slap made it move again.