Power Vessel
Chapter 16: 16 Just chinchllin
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Airship room
After the little lesson with Spike and Snipe, we chatted for a while until dinner rolled by. We were served mac and cheese with scones for dessert. However, I skipped out on the pastries and decided to head straight to my room, giving my goodbyes as I left.
Once I got to my room, I grabbed a quick shower and threw a towel round my waist once I had finished. Stepping out of the bathroom, I went over to the corner of the room and took a seat on the floor, resting on a pillow next to my luggage. I didn't pack much so It was only one fairly sized bag. And after a moment of meditating, said bag began making a familiar noise as it slightly wobbled.
Getting used to the whole procedure, I led the case on its side and unzipped it. Opening up the black bag revealed the book of powers atop the luggage where I left it. It wasn't left open, as the green light was seeping out of it.
Waiting for it to finish, I took note that the process took considerably longer this time. Was this a really good one? Or maybe just really intricate.
Once the glowing had finally faded, I reached a hand out and opened the cover. Flipping the pages one by one, I eventually turned over the newest page to reveal a name I was more than happy to see.
"Ser-Veresta."
On cue, I gained all of the necessary info on the newest addition to my arsenal. I found closing my eyes and concentrating made the whole process smoother, and gave me less of a headache. Once I had finished, I opened my eyes to see the weapon in front of me. Or should I say, it's handle.
I picked up the weapon to be, and stood up with it held in my right hand. Looking around it, it looked identical to the one in the show, right down to the last millimetre. It was light for me as expected, but what I didn't expect was how well it fit in my hand. It may as well have been moulded around it. "Frociesta's really pulling here wait nowadays." I mumbled to myself, before taking a few steps back to unleash the swords energy.
Thankfully I wasn't bounded by the shackles of my long lost sister, so I was able to unleash the sword without the ritual. And in doing so revealed the mighty weapon in all its glory.
Staring at the blade in aw, I waved in around a few times to find that not only did it feel natural to hold but it felt natural to swing. Moving my left hand closer, I could feel the raw energy coming off of the blade. It left a small burn mark, which healed it self after a sec, just from placing my hand an inch away from the blade. Truly destructive.
Remembering its other uses, I switched the blade form to a sleek katana. It soon took a more precise shape, and was evidently easier to swing, but placing my hand onto the side of the destructive end proved that it loses its raw power in this form. I'll be sure to use that in battles of speed.
After waving it around once more, I made use of a little touch Frociesta added for me. Reverting it back to just the pommel, I reached over my back with it before letting go. Surely enough, it sat, rested on my back, without falling off. My back wasn't even touching it in fact. There was a gap about an inch thick that I slipped my hand through to see if it stayed. Sure enough, the Ser-Veresta held in place.
Unsheathing it from my back, I placed it back in my bag for the time being. I doubt I'll need something of this magnitude for anything we encounter on our journey. Grabbing the top half of the bag, I began to close it but stopped once I noticed the book glow once more. It wasn't as strong but still there.
Cocking a brow, I reopened the bag, and turned the page once more.
"Power transfer."
It didn't take long to transfer that info, as it was a simple process. One that I am thankful for.
Turning the page to check just in case, I found it empty; so I closed the book and zipped up the bag before standing up. All the pieces were falling into place for my plan to protect Equestria, just needed the approval.
Exiting the room, I opened the door to find the little shits; they were probably just about to enter. "Hey you two, off to bed already?"
"Nah," Spike began, "Twilight asked me to grab you so we could do something fun on the deck."
"I see," I was hoping to get some training in early, but I guess I could skip out, "what are we still doing here then?" The two smiled and we made our way up. Snipe had a question about the bow I was using, but I told him no weapon talk until we get back. Especially when Twilight could be anywhere.
Once we were at the top we found everyone that came along as well as their guards. They were all stood around in the centre talking amongst themselves. "We got him." Snipe said before running over to the rest of the group. Spike joined him as I slowly walked up to them and gave them a wave.
"So what's up?"
Twilight stepped forward with a large smile on her face as she explained. "Pinkie had the idea that we could play some games before we head off to bed. Though, were not sure what to play........."
She looked up at me, probably hoping for a game to play. "Sorry Twi, none of the games I know are suitable for those two." I nodded towards the youngest members of the group.
She sighed before turning to the rest of the group for any ideas, but got nothing. That's when an idea came to mind.
"Hey guys, all of you got bits on you?" All nodded except Snipe. "Splendid, how would you like to play a betting game? Kids go free of course, I'm no monster."
RD stepped forward with a curious look on her face. "Go on......"
Pulling out a bit from my pocket, I bent it in my fingers to make a ninety degree angle. "Rules are simple, take this coin from me. If you can, I'll give you all the money I have racked up since then. Starting cash grab is twenty bits. Any takers?"
"You're on!" My multicoloured friend exclaimed before pulling out five bits and placing them on a barrel. I nodded and placed twenty bits on top of hers.
"I'll give you one minute."
The group formed a circle around us and Spike pulled out his pocket watch to time us before counting down. "Three, two, one, go!"
RD instantly shot towards my right arm, as it was extended out with the coin in between my thumb and index finger. She was faster than I was expecting, but I still managed to raise my hand in time so that she narrowly missed her mark. I heard a triumphant laugh behind me followed by a groan of realisation. Turning around to look at her, I tossed the coin up and down in my hand. "You're pretty fast."
Practically growling at me, she summoned her wings and dashed towards the coin once more. We went on like that for a while until Spike called time.
"Guess you just didn't have what it takes." I said, with a cocky smirk sprawled across my face.
"We'll see about that!" She seethed, before slamming another five bits onto the barrel.
Putting my hand up to grab her attention, "You must bet at least one more bit than the last, otherwise it's no fun." She did so and placed one more bit down, albeit not before mumbling a few un-family friendly words to her self.
She made two more attempts but also failed both of them, but on her fourth, I noticed something that shocked me. Not only was she moving a considerable amount faster, but you could faintly see tears in her eyes. At first I thought it was due to the wind pressure, but the look on her face was undeniable.
Frowning a bit, I murmured 'Mind reading' under my breath to see what was going threw her head.
How is he so fast?! Speed is my thing! It's my special talent! I don't have anything else. Rarity's gonna think I'm super lame! Come on Rainbow, jut a bit faster!
Well this isn't a great position to be in. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. One, I let her win and she walks back with the cash, however I gave her the win and she'd kill me if she found out; or two, I beat her for a fourth time and she takes a serious hit to her self confidence. I can't win!
Running plans through my head, I began trying to find the best out come whilst also dodging RD still. Then it hit me. It would require just the right timing, but it would do.
Spike called out there was fifteen seconds on the clock, so I dodged a few more grabs until the time was just right. Once there were only ten seconds on the clock, I waited for her final jump with my hand out in front of me and the coin in my palm. However, Rainbow just stopped. She didn't make a move, but just looked down at the ground in frustration and sadness. No one noticed but me thankfully.
Well, me and one else. "Go get him Darling!" Rainbow perked up, and looked behind me to see Rarity with her fists clenched and slightly bent knees. She was holding her breath, obviously hoping for RD to win. Who in turn stood still with a surprised expression.
"Five seconds!" Spike called out, snapping Dash out of her stupor. She gained a determined look and a large smile before she took a stance in the air, wings glowing brighter than before. I didn't move my palm from in front of me, but instead waited for her approach. And after a moment of adjusting, she burst forwards at a speed twice her original. She reached out her hand to grab it, and I reposition the coin in my hand so that it was placed between my thumb and index once again. She managed to grab a hold of it as soon as the timer went off, but lacked the strength to take it from my hands.
Spike walked over to the two of us to see us both holding the coin. He looked in amazement before uttering in an unsure tone. "Tie?"
I nodded. "In the event of a tie, the challenger gets their money back and we pretend the match never happened"
"Okay." Spike said before moving to the stash of bits and handing them back to RD. She slowly took them and placed them in her pocket with a sad look on her face. Not wanting to put a damper on her moral, I placed my hands on her shoulders before speaking.
"Why'd you look so down? You just matched Equestria's most powerful fighter in speed." Leaning into her ear, I whispered so no one else over heard. "And between me and you, I've never lost at that game, nor have I ever tied."
Leaning back, her satisfied grin returned as she punched me in the gut. "Guess I still am the coolest."
I chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Tell me that when you win."
"I'm gonna make you eat those words." We laughed together for a sec, before I heard the sound of heals from behind me. Rarity ran past and wrapped Rainbow in a hug.
"That was just wonderful, truly brilliant Darling!" I walked away from the two and over to the stash of bits to collect it for myself. However, I was cut off when someone slammed eight bits down on the barrel. Looking up I found Applejack, grinning at me with determination in her eyes. I matched her look, and we made our way over to the middle.
We continued to play for a few hours, with Applejack, Thunderlane, Blossomforth, Crusty, and Shining being the main contestants. Each using their own method such as martial arts, wit, and duking me, however none came close. The kids gave it a shot too, but neither had any form of plan and went in with the mind set of 'just take the coin away from him'. In the end I took the money and handed it to the captain as a tip. He tried to refuse but I insisted so he ended up accepting the money. Spike and Snipe went to bed and the girls went to Pinkies room to have a sleep over, including Cadence and Blossom. I instructed all the personal guards to rest up, but Thunderlane and Crusty said they didn't need it. And so, all who remained were me, Crusty, the lieutenant and Shining. All being men of combat, we decided to go up to the crows nest and share some stories, but not before grabbing Swerve and Swivel.
We spoke and drank until around quarter to twelve. Though, only me and Shining opted for the alcoholic beverages, as the others were on the job. We didn't get hammered or anything, but we had a few cans between us. It reminded me of home, with the crew.
Once we noticed how late it had gotten we got up and made our way to our rooms, promising to do it again sometime. I quietly snuck into my room, Spike and Snipe fast asleep, and laid down in the corner with my pillow. I ran over some things in my head, before finally catching some Zs.
Waking up from a dreamless slumber, I sat up and stretched my arms before standing. I began my morning stretches and all that jazz, before I heard the sound of yawning from my right. I looked over to see the little shits had sat up and began clearing the sleepy dust from their eyes.
"Mornin' boys."
"Morning Phoenix."
"Morning Phoenix."
Shortly after the greeting, a bright flash took over the room, leaving four cloaked figures standing between me and my roommates.
"Shit, wrong room." The one closest to me spoke, before each of them sprouted kagune.
"Who cares, let's just kill them too." One of them responded, before turning to me. Judging form their voice, I assumed they were female. She had a yellow koukaku that came down her left arm.
Stepping towards me, she swung the blade, aiming for my left shoulder. I turned and grabbed the blade with my left hand before shattering it. Then, turning to the now horrified ghoul, I put on my best Shreck impression and spoke. "Heh, like that's ever gonna happen."