Eric walked around, unaware of where he was. No matter where he turned, he found nothing but darkness. As he continued to walk, he heard a voice.

No… a scream.

“Eric! ERIC!”

Bursting into a full blown sprint Eric followed the scream. It grew louder and more desperate, ringing in his ears. Whoever was screaming needed help. Now!

“I’m coming!” he wanted to say. “I’m coming!”

But the scream would not be silent. And soon enough, he saw why.

Out from the darkness came a house. A familiar house; his house. It’s front door torn off.

Running inside, the Shadow Man saw an amber furred Crystal Pegasus lying dead on the ground. Before he could approach, a large shadow rose from the pony’s corpse.

“You did this!” the shadow screamed to Eric. “You were supposed to protect her! And you failed!”

Eric shook his head, wanting to protest. But the shadow didn’t give him the chance.

Its arms turned to blades. “YOU KILLED HER ERIC!!”

The shadow slashed and carved at Eric’s body. His screams were drowned out by the roars of the monster.

“ERIC!”
“ERIC!”
“ERIC!”
“Eric Wake up!”

Suddenly, Eric jolted awake, finding himself being shaken. Instinct took over, and his hand went around Starry’s throat, lifting him into the air.

"Eric, stop!” Starry choked out. “Its me!”

“Hoshizora?” Eric quickly let go of the pegasus, pulling himself from his hammock. “I’m sorry…” he murmured. Lost in thought, he staggered out to the deck.

The deck of the ship was bathed in Luna’s moonlight. Yet it did little to soothe Eric, as he ran his hands through his hair and tried to forget the nightmare. It was eased when he felt the presence of Starry’s shadow.

"You want to talk about it?" the samurai asked.

“I’m sorry about that,” Eric repeated, not looking to his companion. “I’m… constantly plagued with nightmares every night. It’s…”

“Don’t worry too much,” Starry replied. “I’ve been choked by worse. Also, I have a… ‘rough’ understanding of your nightmares.”

“I’m forced to relive my greatest sin,” Eric said, gazing over the horizon. “I failed to save my wife from Sombra. Back when he wasn’t in control.”

"Well…” Starry glanced over the side of the boat. I guess you and I are in the same boat then.”

Eric didn’t laugh.

Starry sighed. “Alright, enough joking around. What you went through was very horrible and anyone in your situation would be in a much worse position than you."

“You may be right,” Eric said with a chuckle. “But on the inside, I am more damaged than a shattered sword.”

As Eric lamented neither he nor Starry Sky noticed the grey unicorn at the foot of the stairs. Sombra looked down in pain and regret before returning to his hammock.

“I’m sorry, Eric…”

Eric dropped himself against the mast before staring at the moon and star-filled night. “You don’t need to stay,” he noted to Starry. “This isn’t the first time I’ve done this”

"Perhaps,” Starry replied with a smile. “But this is the first time this happened and I'm here.”

Eric grinned. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

---

Days passed. Weeks. To alleviate the boredom and to keep their skills sharp, Eric trained his small group, learning their strengths and weaknesses. Though it was important to keep their skills sharp, the more impulsive, like Rainbow Dash, craved action.

After two weeks of nothing, Dash got her wish, when a violent rocking of the ship interrupted their latest training session.Racing to the side, Eric beheld a large shadow moving underneath the ship.

“Rainbow…” Eric asked. “Are there Sea Kings in the water?”

Starry blinked. “What’s a Sea King?!”

“No,” Rainbow said as the ship rocked again. “But we do have Sea Serpents.”

Right on cue, a large Sea Serpent emerged from the water. A second followed shortly, both gazing at Iron Horn’s ship and the naval ship with hungry red eyes.

"Ancestors help us," Starry whispered in horror.

The sea monsters let out twin roars before rushing the ships. White Knight jumped from the upper deck, slashing into the serpent's lower jaw. The beast snarled, briefly diving into the sea before coming back up for another attack.

"Paw Rush!" Starry shouted.

Several paw like projectiles hit the Sea Serpent, once again knocking it off course.

“AJ; give me a boost” Rainbow called.

Nodding, Applejack planted her foot into Rainbow’s, and kicked the pegasus into the air.

Rainbow engulfed her fist in flame before slugging the sea serpent in the face

“Fire Fist!” Rainbow boasted as the serpent fell forward.

Eric grabbed the farm mare by the back of her shirt. They shared a grin before Eric threw AJ into the air. As she soared through the sky, Applejack shifted her arms into blades.

“X-Dicer!” Applejack called out, severing the serpent through the middle with a large X.

“One down…” Eric turned to the Iron Maiden, just in time to see the other serpent fall into the now reddening sea.

“Make that two down!” Iron Horn boasted from his ship.

Starry sheathed his sword, gazing down at the red sea with trepidation. “So… were those sea kings?”

“In a way,” Eric answered, before White Knight drew his attention.

“Well done,” White Knight praised. “It would seem you all can hold your own in a fight.”

“More than you know, pony,” Iron Horn put up his weapons and dusted off his hands. “Now, I’m going back to reading the newspaper. God, I need some of that ‘cough-fee’ that they call in Equestria…”

Unfortunately, before Iron Horn could leave, the two ships got a good view of sharks descending on the sea serpent corpses. Rainbow Dash and Applejack turned green at the sight of the feast, and raced to the other side of the ship to relieve themselves of breakfast.

"They're not used to gore?” Iron Horn mused, crossing his arms and glaring at Eric. “You've done a good job at training them but not a good one at preparing them for awful things.”

“They’ve fought an army of Zombies,” Eric shot back. “There wasn’t much to learn.”

"Power Fruit user? Or Umbra Fruit users… I prefer the latter, it sounds cooler." Iron Horn said with a shake of his head. "Either way, I need a disguise if I am to go into the Kingdom. I was already recognized outside of Minos, I can imagine it'll be worse coming in to Minos."

“Then find one fast,” Eric said rising from a shadow aboard the Iron Maiden, pointing to an island in the distance. “We’ve arrived.”

Sure enough, the Minos royal flag was visible, waving from a building set at the shore of the island.

Iron Horn paled. "Uh… I'll be right back!" The minotaur dashed down to the lower decks of the ship. Briefly, Eric heard metal crashing and paint spraying. Eventually, Iron Horn came back out, his armor painted red and blue with fire accents. He struck a pose. “How do I look?”

“Like someone who will stand out,” Eric said coldly. “Sometimes simple black works the best.”

"And sometimes, standing out is the best way to stay hidden,” Iron Horn refuted, patting his painted armor. “No one would expect one of Royalty to dress up like… this.” He struck another pose. “Hence forth, call me… Orion Prime."

Before Eric could respond, the growl of an empty stomach emanated from him. Before Iron Horn could laugh, an equally loud growl bubbled up from the minotaur’s stomach as well. The two stared at each other in embarrassment.

“You know a place we can eat on Minos?” Eric asked.

"You like meat?"

“I do.”

“Good.” Iron Horn pointed. "There's a restaurant called the Golden Axel, where my youngest brother visits frequently. Hopefully, he's still the pure little man he used to be." Iron Horn chuckled, remembering his fond times in Minos.

“Alright, I’ll inform the others.” Eric merged with the shadows of the ship before emerging from the shadows of the naval vessel. “Captain Knight,” he called. “The Island of Minos is just ahead.”

“Thanks for the report, Shade,” White Knight replied, turning to the crew. “Alright, everypony; prepare to dock!”

The two ships docked in the harbor. No sooner had the boards come down before a red minotaur stomped up and planted himself between them and the dock.

“If you all want to dock here, it’ll be sixty bits.”

Eric started to reach for his money pouch, but the minotaur held up a hand.

“Each,” the red beast added.

Stamping down his irritation, Eric paid for himself Sombra And Starry Sky. Immediately, the minotaur’s hostile gaze was replaced by a friendlier grin.

“Thank you very much. Enjoy Minos.” The minotaur turned his sights on Captain Knight. The captain sighed.

“I’ll handle this,” the captain said to the Shadow Man and his group. “Go on ahead.”

“Thank you, captain,” Eric said, joining his friends on the dock.

"As for me," Iron Horn said, his voice different and more robotic. "I'll pay for my two companions here." Iron Horn stepped up to the Red Minotaur and paid for himself, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack.

“Enjoy your stay in the Minotaur Capital,” the dock guard said cheerfully.

As the group left the docks Eric walked up to the prince’s side. “Was it always this expensive to dock here?” Eric asked the prince.

"We need it for the many women of Minos,” Iron Horn explained. “They care for our children so we must provide them with any resource to help the young grow. Unless times have changed and they’re just pouring resources into the military… I'd be disappointed if that was the case." Iron Horn crossed his arms with a grunt.

“If they take so much money then why are they wasting it on buying Slaves?” Eric grumbled. “It’s bad enough they enslaved Dragons.”

"I didn't enslave shit!” Iron Horn barked. “I was banished for ten years and fought in a war for even longer, but I don't ever enslave living beings. I give them their freedom after they serve a sentence.” Iron Horn flexed his shoulders. “Honestly I am offended that you even considered me a slaver."

“Did you at least know an ice dragoness?” Eric pressed. “She would have had her elemental gland removed.”

Iron Horn shook his head. "Father never let me into the slave region. He said to wait until I was thirty. I was only twenty-nine at the time." Iron Horn looked away. “Now, enough talk. Give me a minute to find the Golden Axel.”

Eric sighed, but didn’t protest, letting Iron Horn lead them through town and eventually, to the restaurant. The second Iron Horn opened the door for Eric and his companions, the Shadow Man felt all eyes fall on them.

A female waitress – a Minotaura - walked up to them. "Are you beings of different races a party?"

“We are, Ma’am.” Eric tried to keep a respectful tone and even grinned, but the female was unimpressed.

"Quite a lot of you. Ah, well; allow me to take you to your seats." The Minotaura elegantly maneuvered herself to one of the biggest tables. "Please have a seat."

"Thank you, ma'am." Iron Horn spoke.

Despite his changed voice, the Minotaura tilted her head at him in confusion.

“Have we… met before?” she asked. “What’s your name?”

"My name is Orion Prime. I wasn't born on Minos, but I heard stories from here by my father. So, I decided to pay a visit to where I belong."

The waitress seemed to accept his word, and the party took their seats without further questioning. However, as the waitress got their requests for drinks, ‘Orion’ felt someone’s eyes remain on him. Glancing to the one who was staring, Orion smiled.

“Von Shadow,” he whispered. “I believe my younger brother is currently here."

Eric followed his gaze, before turning both of their eyes away. “So long as he stays over there, we’ll be fine” Eric responded.

But Rainbow noticed another detail that made her stiffen. “Eric,” she hissed. “He’s got several mares around him. Mares with collars!”

Eric took another look, his eyes widening. “I…Orion,” he hissed. “You don’t think your brother is the one buying the slaves?”

“He can’t be,” Orion insisted, but his eyes didn’t deceive him. “It can’t be…” His fists shook with rage, coating themselves in Armament Haki. “That… bastard… he’s not my brother if he…”

"Slaver scum," Starry growled, reaching for his katana.

“Don’t do something foolish,” Eric warned the two. “Remember; we aren’t in the Equestrian Nation anymore. We must follow their laws. Which includes ‘no attacking the Royal Family.’”

Starry grimaced, but let go of his katana hilt. “The first chance I get,” Starry warned. “I shall run him through.”

That chance came sooner rather than later. As Iron Horn and Starry settled into their seats, a pair of powerful arms suddenly yanked Applejack from her chair.

“What in Tarnation!” Applejack roared, thrashing from the arms of the Royal Guard. Before the guard could try again, Orion jumped to his hooves.

"HEY!" Orion boomed. "That is no way to treat a lady you fiendish bilge rats!"

“Sit. Back. Down.” Iron Horn’s brother ordered.

The minotaurs bowed, but Iron Horn did not. As he glared his brother down, Conqueror’s Haki emanated from his form.

"Make me." Orion dared.

Iron Horn’s brother stood, a smug grin tracing his features.

“You don’t seem to understand who you’re dealing with,” he noted. “I am Prince Diamond Bling.” He pointed at Applejack. “And this mare will be my new bride.”

“Yer what?!” Applejack shouted.

"You don't have one already?” Orion mused. “What a pathetic excuse for a prince. One of your status would have already chosen one.” He shook his head. “I guess even the mightiest of Minotaurs are still weak."

In his moment of boasting, the prince pulled a dagger, driving it into Iron Horn’s gut. “You will not speak to me like that again!” Diamond Bling roared.

"Bastard!" Starry yelled. Feinting at Diamond Bling, Starry redirected his katana, freeing Applejack from the Royal Guard… and relieving the royal guard of his arms.

Orion backed up, yanking the dagger from his gut and stopping the blood. But before he and Starry could charge, Eric bound them with his shadow.

“Forgive my companions your Noble Highness” Eric said with a respectful bow.

"What are you doing?!" Starry said to Eric.

"Stand up, you are no subject of his." Orion demanded.

But despite their protests, the prince did stand down with a grin. “At least one of you knows how to act in front of Royalty.” Prince Diamond scoffed

"Pathetic…" Orion spat, glaring at Diamond, throwing away the dagger. He looked down at his wound and chuckled. "I don't even feel it…"

“However,” Eric continued. “You cannot claim her as yours. The Element of Honesty is a national treasure to the Equestrian Nation. “So I humbly apologize, but she is off the market.”

Diamond Bling rolled his eyes and pulled out a flintlock pistol. With a BOOM, he sent a bullet into the Shadow Man’s head.

“YOU BASTARD!” Sombra boomed

"Die slaver scum!!" Starry yelled as he tried to unsheath his katana… only to find he and the others were still bound in shadow.

"Tch…" Orion Prime glowered at his bindings, while his brother turned to his remaining guards.

“Take her to the castle.” Diamond ordered.

However, they barely got Applejack out of the restaurant before Rainbow Dash made her move. Erupting in a fountain of fire, she broke through the shadow bindings.

“No way am I letting this scumbag win,” Rainbow Dash snarled, racing after them.

"Miss Dash, calm yourself!" Orion ordered the Element of Loyalty.

However, before Rainbow could save Applejack, the Element of Honesty saved herself. Turning her arms to blades, she relieved the guards of their fingers. Applejack walked up to the Prince before turning her blades back to normal

"Stop it you two! That's enough!" Orion ordered the two.

However, the Banished Prince's words fell deaf on the farm girl's ears as she punched the prince in the face, and the minotaur was thrown back into the bar.

“ARREST HER!!” Diamond Bling roared, and all the minotaurs rushed the earth pony.

Applejack tried to fight, but the minotaurs soon overwhelmed her. It was impossible to even see her as they pinned her down and knocked her out.

The prince stood over her, boiling with rage, before sadistically smiling.

“I’m going to thoroughly enjoy breaking you,” Bling said, before walking to the castle with the minotaurs and his prize in tow.

"I'm going to enjoy breaking you," Starry thought darkly.

Orion kept silent, not saying a word as she was taken away. Orion then took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

“Alright Eric, the spoiled bastard is gone,” Sombra said. “You can quit with the act.”

"Yes, let me go as well. We both know you’re not dead" Starry added angrily.

Eric rose from his slumped form and dusted himself off. “Sorry about that, but I figured it was the only way to prevent another war.”

"...You're a wise man,” Iron Horn admitted with a sigh. “I still have much to learn." Releasing himself from his bonds, he tipped the waitress 5,000 bits. "Take this, I apologize for my actions."

"You may be right,” Starry said. “But before this is over, I'm will see him dead.”

“But what do we do now?” Rainbow demanded. “We just let him take AJ away?”

“You don’t have a choice,” the waitress said. “You can’t defy the royal family; otherwise you’ll be killed or imprisoned.”

“So, there’s no way to get her back?” Rainbow asked, on the verge of defeat.

"Didn't you say she was a national treasure?” Starry asked. “Wouldn't that already make the minotaurs be on uneasy grounds with Equestria.”

“The Element of Honesty is a jewel,” Eric admitted. “Anyone with a powerful sense of honesty can use it.” He sighed. “It was a bluff that honestly backfired.”

“There is one way,” the Minotuara noted, gaining their attention. “There’s a law that allows you to claim anything on the island.”

Orion gasped. “The Duel Law.”

The Minotuara nodded. “You must defeat three of the strongest minotaurs in order to claim your prize.”

"I'll go." Orion stood up to his feet, "Would you like to come as well Rai-"

Unfortunately, when he called her name all he saw was the flashing out line and a trail of fire leading to the castle.

"The fool,” Starry hissed. “She's going to get herself taken as well!”

“Worse,” Eric said, running to the castle. “She’s going to get herself killed. She’s never fought a Minotaur before! She can’t even beat me.”

"Let’s hope they’d rather capture her than kill her," Starry said

"Tch, idiot!" Orion growled, following the others as they sprinted to the Palace.

---

Rainbow burst through the windows of the King Cloven Iron’s throne room. The guards gasped in shock, but the King merely raised an eyebrow

“You’re either here for the Duel Law or you’re a really bad assassin,” the King noted. “Which is it?”

“I want my friend back,” Rainbow demanded. “She’s an earth pony with the power to turn into blades. If I win the Duel Law, I want her back!”

“Very well,” the King said, rather bored. “I could use some entertainment.” Rainbow beamed before the king interrupted her. “Should you lose, however, you will serve the Royal Family for the next hundred years.”

Rainbow blinked. “Ponies don’t live that long!”

“You can have children,” the King replied, causing horror to cover the mare’s face.

“Hold it!” a voice boomed, before Orion burst in as well. "I want to take part in this Duel Law as well!”

Starry burst in next. “You’re not the only one here that wants to fight!”

“Sorry,” the King replied. “First one gets dibs. She’s going to partake in the gauntlet.”

"ARE YOU MAD?!" Orion cried out in worry, shaking the whole Castle. He whirled on Rainbow Dash. "They're Royalty! Meaning they’re the strongest warriors on this Island!"

Eric said nothing, walking past his friends and smacking Rainbow Dash’s head.

“OW!” Rainbow Dash yelped.

“You are an idiot,” Eric glared at the mare.

“She’s not the only one,” the King noted, crossing to Orion. “You’re not supposed to be on this island…” He ripped off Orion’s helmet. “Iron Horn.”

Despite the King crushing his helmet in his grip, Iron Horn’s expression remained defiant. "I literally beat an army of a thousand every single time I went into battle. I deserve to be here, father." Iron Horn boomed. "You KNOW I'm way capable of doing ten thousand wins, and I did it in the war."

“And how many have you beaten after you were banished?” the King replied coldly.

"One on one battles? Well, two thousand. How many one on one battles have you fought? Oh right, ya don't do one on ones anymore!"

“Get out Iron Horn” The King ordered. “You were banished and banished you will stay.”

"Let me stay!” Iron Horn insisted. “I'll fight in the arena, with Rainbow Dash or otherwise!"

“You will not,” the King said, pushing past his son. “She wants to enact the Duel Law, she’ll fight By. Her. Self."

Iron Horn still followed his father. "Please Father, then let me go against her for my freedom and Applejack's!"

“You want to stay, Iron Horn?” King Iron asked.

"Yes!" Iron Horn said, clenching his fists with determination.

“Then take her to the arena and inform her of the gauntlet” the king said with a grin. “And pray she isn’t defeated, otherwise you’ll share her fate.”

"So be it." Iron Horn said solemnly, he turned around and exited the castle. "Goodbye Father, and prepare to be surprised."

---

Eric and others stood in the waiting room of the arena as Iron Horn explained the Duel Law.

"Alright Rainbow Dash, let me tell you about who you'll be facing. There are two fighters you'll be facing, they have no Devil Fruits. I'm confident that the first one is Diamond Bling. He's the weakest out of all of us as far as I can tell, but as long as you can keep to the skies and shoot fireballs at him you'll win. He has no way of reaching you, so keep flying and shooting. The second… I have no idea who that will be, but the third one will most likely be Tungsten Will. He has a Paramecia Type Umbra Fruit. If my memory serves me correctly, it's the Spring Spring Fruit he wields. He can fly using Elastic Force so you're not safe in the skies, though you should attack him before he picks up momentum. If you don't you're fucked."

"Don't get too confident in using your ability to fly and control flames,” Starry added. “I wouldn't be surprised if they've fought Devil Fruit users and Pegasi like you before."

“You all are putting too much confidence in her,” Eric noted. “She’s fighting Minotaurs, and she has no control on precision attacks.”

"My literal fate is with her." Iron Horn snarled with a huff.

“Then tell me this,” Eric replied coldly. “Are they three fights over three days or three fight back to back?”

Iron Horn looked down. “Back to back,” he admitted, “With a small break in between.” He looked up in defiance. “Which is why I'm giving tips to her!”

Eric just turned to leave the room. “You’re fucked.”

"I'M TRYING ERIC!" Iron Horn roared, before turning desperately to Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash, please… you're not only fighting for your freedom and Applejack's but mines as well. Please do not fuck this up!"

“I…” Rainbow Dash shuddered, struggling to keep up her confidence. However, before she could find her voice, Iron Horn left.

“Rainbow,” Sombra said, getting the mare’s attention. “Conserve your Devil Fruit, rely on hand to hand combat as much as possible.”

Rainbow Dash nodded, struggling to keep from folding in panic, when a knock on the door alerted the group inside.

“The fighters are ready,” a voice called out.

“Well…” Rainbow swallowed, clenching her quivering fists. “Pray for me.” She forced her mouth to stretch into a smile, and entered the arena.

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