You know most people would be ecstatic being on a flying boat! Me on the other hand, I was miserable. Turns out that after about thirty minutes or so my mind and ADD thought that it was too much like flying in an airplane. So now here I was a day after arriving in a new world filled with magic and riding on an airship bored out of my mind. Yesterday I slept in a cell in the drafty old guard house only to dragged onto the ship. Not my worst flying experience, that goes to when I had to wake up before 5 to catch two different flights after working till 12 am.

You know reminiscence sure does kill time. But I should use it for more important things. Like figuring out WHERE IN THE HELL I AM. Following that logic, I started searching for a nice library or book cove.

‘Well that was a waste of time’ my brain informed me. Despite this boat being the size of a nice navy ship it seemed more built to carry large amounts of people with some comfort. Like there was a kitchen and dining hall but much else. I guess I should be grateful that everybody’s room came with a toilet and nobody had to have roommates. Except for apparently the lower ranking soldiers and me. The reason I Now know this is because of a gold stormtrooper who ran up to me. He led me to where I would be staying, a cot in the corner of the room, thankfully there were no bunk beds on this ship.

Having fully investigated the bottom maze of the ship I slowly made my way upstairs. Having checked earlier I regretfully couldn’t kill any time on my phone. I miss my phone. I miss the internet. Walking above deck I saw the sun start its descent in the… west, hey I was never good at boy scouts.

“Oh, look who decided to come top side.” Turning my head away from the array of colors the sun was making as it set, I saw Lemon sitting around small fire with other gold and black troopers. “Come on over, we were just about to do a guard pass.”

Something on my face must have given away my confusion because I heard one of black troops chuckle. “Listen civie the guard pass is where the sun guard pass off their duties to us harder working night guards.”

“Harder working my ass, if I didn’t find the kitchen so dirty every morning, I might call you okay working.” One of the sun guard, see I learn things brain, retorted causing a few chuckles to pass through the circle. Though if the gold meant morning then that meant Indigo and Lightning were night guards, maybe, I need more info. Seeing an open seat between Lemon and a random sun guard I took my seat.

“Come on guys don’t scare him away. So as Bushwhack was saying the guard pass takes about an hour so we usually use the time to catch up with each other sense the others are catching up on their sleep.” Huh how relaxed, I think. I mean I’m not in the military or anything but an hour for people to get to their stations and swap info sounds good.

“Newbies got it right although with this type of trip only some of us are actually needed. So, the rest of us try to keep the others busy.” One of the night watch explained happily.

“Is that your excuse for dirtying the kitchen?!” The grumbling sun guard yelled.

“Gives you sun lovers something to do doesn't it?” The night watcher explained as if it made perfect sense. “I mean if it’s not enough work for you we could always do better.”

“Please don’t the man has been going to bed with a mop and broom for the past few nights.” Sun guard two with his face in his hand causing the first to shoot him the most betrayed look ever. “So how about you civie what's your story. I mean that dungeon supposedly hadn’t been explored in ages. How’d you get in?” Ah the old topic change classic, now if only it hadn’t involved me.

“Oh, you know the old teleport and grab. Bastard took my entire wallet.” Thank you mouth, being useful besides bringing me fresh air.

“Man, that sucks,” Night one said leaning back, on the air, how? Looking I saw that somehow, he had produced tiny wings on his feet. Kind of like the depictions of Hermes in Greek mythology except that these were pale blue and see through. “So, let me guess. Shining has you on track to be put on trial.” At my nod the guy let out a sigh. “I like the guy and know it’s part of the reason he became captain, but does he have to do everything so by the books.”

“Yes, I do.” Everybody around me and totally not including me, shot up at hearing the stern voice. “Now scoot over I have a few things to add.” Like the red sea a fresh spot was made for the heavy armored man. Though that might explain why Shining’s armor was so different than the others. “Those rules were made by the Princess or those before her and all of us took up an oath to protect and uphold them.” As his gaze swept over us, I felt my mouth start moving.

“Hey don’t worry about man. I get it, it’s your job.” Everyone’s gaze leapt to me. Whelp topic change time. “So… anyone ever heard the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?”

“Do you mean Clover the Clever?” Somebody asked confused.

“No, for you see Darth Plagueis was not clever.” Though I made a note in my head to look up this ‘Clover the clever’. “Plagueis was a powerful sorcerer who started studying how to control life…” I started getting into my best storytelling mood. Hey how often do you get to use your Darth Sidious impersonation? I’m milking this for all I got.

“... and so, it was while he slept that his apprentice snuck into his chamber and killed him where he lay. Ironic is it not that the man who could keep those he loved alive could not save himself.” I finished letting out a dry chuckle. I think I did a good enough job. Changing out a few things like the force for magic. Didn’t need them questioning everything I say. Plus, magic was real here so when in Rome.

“So, what happened to the apprentice?” One of the guards who joined the circle part of the way through the story asked. It seemed that the fact that Plagueis could raise the dead was interesting them. Well then again, he would probably be considered a necromancer. If there was anything that fiction taught me it’s that necromancy was a very dark magic, especially if this world followed Dresden logic.

“Oh, that’s a story for another day.” I said letting out a sigh. Seeing the looks on the faces around me I continued, “But to make a long story short. He got himself two appreciates. The second to replace the first after an unfortunate ‘accident’.” I said slowly pushing myself up content with a job well done.

“Hang on you never said the apprentice name.” Shining said in a thinking position. “And how did you hear of this story anyways?”

Crap, well cover time, “Quite simple, I heard it from a fellow traveling storyteller, never got his name. It was like Sidious or something. And well we both had places to be so he never gave it to me. I mean he did tell me what became of the apprentice but… little details sometimes slip you know?” Please buy it. “Add to it the fact that when I tried to find him again to get those details nobody knew where he was. It was almost like he vanished.”

“So, you’re a traveler? Know any songs.” Thank you, Lemon. Though when I was telling the story she seemed disturbed by it. Must be because of her recent encounter with the zombie horde back in the dungeon.

“I know quite a few, but I shall spare your ears from my off tune singing attempt.” Giving her my best smile, I once again attempted to he’d down stairs only to be meet with a ballistic missile.

*****

Sunset watched from above as Oz started to leave the circle. The tale he told of the necromancer Plagueis had caught her attention. She would have to check the books in Canterlot but the she was sure the story was fake. Someone of that stature would have been written somewhere for her to read about.

THAWK

Being pulled out of her thoughts she saw the sight of Oz being launched back by Lightning Dust having rammed into him.

“Hey watch where you're going!” Came the expected response from Lightning.

“Did anybody get the number of what hit me?” At this Lightning Dust’s face turned red and a couple guards jaw fell. Even Sunset felt stunned by his boldness.

“Did you just ask for my numbers?!” Her night guard yelled as the traveler got up.

“Something wrong? Sorry it might be the concussion but you seem embarrassed.” Was this guy really that bold or did he not realize what he asked her for.

“Damn right something's wrong. For this I demand a fight to avenge what you just did!” She was really mad.

“Well I would love to accept. But I don’t have my weapon. So, I’ll- “

“Wait they haven’t been returned to you?” Shining asked seeming really interested all of a sudden. Then again if the rumors were to be believed then he was dating the love of his life. He must think that Oz or Lightning needed taught a lesson. That or this was teach both of them. “I’ll go get them for you.” With that the Captain was off to get Oz’s weapons.

“Thanks buddy you’re really helpful.” He seemed happy to have his sword and shield back. Even if he wasn’t showing it on his face.

“Looks like we’re getting that fight.” Lightning stated excited at the prospect of a fight, as usual. “Can’t wait to put you down.”

Oz seemed to stare off at the sunset for a few seconds before turning his heterochromia gaze toward her. “Yeah this will be an interesting fight.” The air became saturated with the growing tension as a few soldiers ran off to tell the others about the coming battle. From her perch above Sunset felt her hairs raise up, even she couldn’t help but want to see what would come from this fight.

Author's Notes:

I know I said I would start making them longer but come on its my first cliff hanger. Can you blame me.

The answer is yes, you may.

I don't know what my upload schedule looks like but I hope to keep pumping these out for you guys. I means a lot to me that you take time out of your busy lives to read this.