Then, turning to the now horrified ghoul, I put on my best Shreck impression and spoke. "Heh, like that's ever gonna happen."

The female ghoul backed up after I let go of her koukaku, and from behind her came three crystal bolts. I stopped them with my telekinesis before sending them back at the user and landing them in his right thigh, dropping him to a knee. Running past the group at full speed, I grabbed the two boys, flung them over my shoulders, waltzed over to the door, and threw them out. After closing the door behind them, I span around to see my company ready for battle.

"Right, now where was I?"

A rain of bolts came down towards me, as two of the users were ukaku wielders. Levitating and dropping any shards coming my way, I slowly made my way towards the group. Summoning Shadowfall to my hand, I made quick work of the koukaku I had wounded before, and used my blood bending to internally puncture the other ghoul in between me and their backup.

The two fell to the ground as I walked past them and over to the ukakus. They had stopped their borage at this point, and were slowly backing away from me in fear. The one I had injured was limping with the other one helping him stand up. Using air bending, I blew their hoods off to reveal a middle aged man and a woman with similar looks and matching red hair. They both had multiple scars across their faces, and both of them had a missing ear. They looked petrified to say the least.

"Names." I said in a cold tone to keep up the intimidating act.

"N-Nissa Dreven," They woman spouted, "a-and this is my brother, Oliver Dreven."

Siblings huh. "Surrender now and I'll let you live."

A look of hope came to their faces upon my words. "R-Really?" Oliver asked. I nodded.

The two leaped to the floor, bowing and kissing my feet. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Thunderlane, Blossomforth and Crusty burst threw the door at that moment along with many other guards. I turned around to look at them as the lieutenant spoke in an official tone. "Phoenix is everything-!" He stopped once he took in the scene and gave me a confused/weirded out look.

Sighing, "Thunderlane, I know what this looks like, but this was of their own volition." I stepped away from the Drevens and made my way to the lieutenant.

"Whatever you say......"

I slapped him on the shoulder for even thinking I was such a man before speaking, now standing just to his left. "I'll explain later, but these two have handed themselves in, treat them with care."

"Yes sir."

He, and Blossom moved over to the two, and I saw some other guards walk over to the corpses as I left. I walked out of the room to find my friends just down the hallway, all with blunt objects in there hands (except Shining who had a longsword). I assumed Shining put his family and fiancés lives first and decided to hold back and protect them, which I couldn't blame him for.

I spoke in an official tone to the group. "The situation has been dealt with, please go back to what you were doing." Some went to question me, but the look I gave them prompted otherwise. They began to turn and leave, but I grabbed Shining and Cadences' attention with a shout before they could leave.

"Yes sir?" Shining stopped and turned to look at me along with the princess.

"My I have a word with you two in private?"

"Of course." I gestured for them to follow me and the two did so without question. We came to the top deck were I took a seat on the railing. The two staid stood up in front of me. "To cut a long story short," I began, "I have reason to believe that Princess Cadence was the assassins target."

"What!?"
"What!?"

"I'll explain. We all know the assassins entered via teleportation, and appeared in my room. At first I thought they were after revenge for the other ghouls I had disposed of, but after they teleported in, one of them said that they were in the wrong room. That ruled me and the boys out, and I doubt it's the element bearers as from what I've heard they have yet to fight any ghouls. It could've been the lieutenant or sergeant Blossomforth but I ruled that out by the fact the remaining ghouls evidently didn't recognise him. Now, it wouldn't be unlikely that someone would attack the head of the army, but I think the most reasonable explanation would be that they were after one of the Princesses, especially considering the lack of defence built onto this vessel." I tapped the railing with my hand as I finished. The two had listened to it all carefully, and Cadence began looking more and more worried as I went on. Shining was surprisingly calm about the situation, which told me that he was confident in his combat abilities.

"So what do you suggest we do?" Shining asked, interlocking his fingers with Cadences.

I thought about the question for a second before answering. "I'll speak to the captain about how I think the guards should be placed. We can't rule out someone else being the target entirely, or maybe it's the entire ship. But for now just stick close to each other and pass on the information to the others."

They nodded, and Cadence spoke. "Should we tell the boys?"

"Of course. They're old enough to handle themselves as well as anyone else on this ship."

"But Spikes only thirteen!" Cadence shouted in shock. "And Snipe doesn't look much older."

I gave her a blank stare that probably came across worse than it was intended to. "By that age I was taking lives." She gasped at my confession and placed her hands over her mouth. Shining's eyes widened a little, but he gave a look of understanding. "I don't expect those two to do battle or anything, but not telling them won't benefit us. At least they'd be prepared to run." They nodded before taking their leave, whispering to them selves as they walked. I sighed, lazily standing my self up off of the railing and making my way to captains quarters. "Can't I just wake up normally for once?" I mumbled, before knocking on the door.

"Come in!"

I stepped inside to find Swerve and Swivel looking over a map on a table with their backs facing me. "Mornin'"

"Mornin'"
"Mornin'"

They didn't turn around so I walked up to the two and stood next to Swerve, Swivel just to his right. "Heard about the attack this morning?" They both turned their heads to look at me in confusion.

"What?" Swivel asked.

I explained what happened, and they thanked me for minimising any damage done. I told them to place one guard outside every door, with only me, the captain, Shining, and Thunderlane being aloud to excuse them; they said it would be done. After finally telling them about my suspicions about the target, they got to work (making sure to place their most adept soldier outside of the princesses and Shining's room). I left the room, and made my way back to my room. The mess had been cleared up, and a crewmate informed me that the remaining ghouls had been taken to the cellar.

The rest of the day went on without a hitch. Spike notified the Princesses via some green flame thingy, and they thanked us for letting them know. I spent most of the day in my room working out and meditating, but I did step out to play some soccer on the top deck. It was me, the little shits, RD, Pinkie and Applejack; boys vs girls. We won 3 three to one with a goal each. Then after grabbing dinner we all went off to do out own thing. My thing being training. After about three hours or so, I called it a day and hit the hay.

The next four days past pretty much the same, minus the whole assassination attempt. I taught Twilight some more Japanese, drew some animals from earth for Fluttershy, told Rarity about some cloths I used to wear that I had yet to see here, showed Pinkie how I could make a cake with nothing but chocolate and eggs because she didn't believe me, taught Rainbow a bit about aerodynamics to help her fly faster, and discussed different harvesting techniques with Applejack. I was beginning to get to know them all a bit better as individuals.

Today was the day we arrive at the Griffon Kingdom. Everyone was atop deck with their luggage on hand. We were descending rapidly towards what I assumed to be the docks.

"Excuse me, may I have your attention." I said, in a loud tone so everyone could here. Everyone turned to look at me (The main six, the kids, Crusty, Thunderlane and Blossomforth), as I was at the back of the group. "I'm going to be blunt with you all, Snipe has three options." I gestured for him to step forward and he did. "Firstly, Snipe, you can flee. Flee to a far away land where they'll never find you."

"Don't tell the boy that!" Applejack shouted in disapproval. She took a step forward and looked at me in slight anger.

I put my hand up and gave her a look to say that I wasn't finished. She stepped back but still looked miffed. "Secondly, I bust in there, slaughter anyone who refuses to let you go, and make an enemy out of the griffon kingdom."

"Phoenix!" Rarity and Applejack shouted. I think the lack of smile on my face told them that I was being dead serious.

"I'm not done!" I retorted. Rainbow placed a hand on Raritys shoulder and Twi did the same for AJ. They calmed down a bit but looked just about ready to slap me. "And third," I started, placing both my hands on Snipes shoulders. "You become my very first student, and I show you how to beat your competition with ease, crowning you as the next griffon king." Everyone gasped at my proposal except Shining and Thunderlane, which was just about what I expected.

I was going to train up a new generation of fighters anyway, but I was gonna do it with kids at least sixteen. The reason being is that I can't save everyone, and I found that out the hard way, but if I raise a group of ten or so exceptionally skilled fighters, I can retire early and let them carry the torch; though, I'll probably be forced to fight for hundreds of years to come. Sixteen is the perfect age to learn combat. You're old enough to have gained a moral compass, you're in your prime physical health wise, you learn very quickly, and you can live on to save people for many years to come.

"Now Snipe, I am in no way forcing you, and you can say no at any time if you do agree. I know you wanted me to teach you anyway, but now you're learning to survive, not fight. Obviously I won't have you do anything you're not comfortable with, and I promise I won't work you past what I think you can achieve, but it will be tough." Snipe looked very torn between, and slightly scared. "Don't worry, you'll have until we return to Equestria to think about it." He nodded, before walking off over to Rainbow, who rapped an arm around him and spoke words of encouragement. I noticed Rainbow had become some what of his guardian. I'm pretty sure he's staying at her house too, whereas he used to live at the orphanage.

I watched as he walked away, and in the corner of my eye I could see a familiar fashionista and farmer making their way towards me. I turned to Rarity, and quickly stopped her right hand before it could make contact with my face. "Unhand me!" She shouted in anger. I did so, and she went to slap me again.

Taking a step back to dodge it, I spoke in a calm tone and made sure to not come across as threatening. "You don't want to do that Rarity, Fluttershy can vouch." The purple haired woman turned to Fluttershy in slight confusion, and she shook her head. "Rarity, Applejack, I know you're against my options, but what else can I do? Training Snipe results in the least amount of casualties, and that's always the main objective."

"Ah understand that," Applejack started, "but he's too young! He should be playing sports or worrying about his next assignment at his age! Granted he doesn't go to school, but this isn't fair on him!"

Now slightly miffed that she brought up fairness, "If he says he doesn't want to, then he doesn't have to. This is his call, and I will support his decision. I'd like a different outcome, I really would, but I haven't been dealt a very good hand."

She went to respond but was cut off by a voice to my right. "Excuse me." We both turned and saw Spike with a determined look on his face. "Phoenix, if you're going to teach Snipe, then I would like you to teach me as well."

"Spike!" Twilight cried from behind him. She stormed over to him in shock and turned him around to look at her. "Fighting is very dangerous, and you could get severely hurt! Why in Celestia's name would you want to do it! You never had an interest in it before!"

"Well," Spike began rubbing his arm, knowing that Twilight wouldn't like what he was about to say. "I can't let Snipe go through all this by himself......."

Twi froze and turned to Snipe. He had been watching the entire encounter with mixed emotions, and was currently beaming at Spike. Probably realising she couldn't stop him, Twilight sighed and ruffled Spikes hair. "I see." Spike stood, awaiting for the idea to be shut down. "Well in that case I guess I can't say no."

"Really?!"

"You are almost an adult now Spike, well, at least in human years." What? The kids thirteen?! "You can make your own decisions. However!" She let go of the boy and made her way over to me, now stood only a foot away from my chest. "You mister, have to promise me Spike won't get hurt."

Looking at the Spike and then back to her, I sighed and answered. "I can't do that." She went to respond but I continued. "I'd be lying to you if I said that Spike wouldn't get hurt. He'll probably feel like jelly for a good while. Hell, I'm doubt he'll be able to lift his arms. But I can promise you that all of that pain will make him stronger. Nothing more nothing less."

Shining stepped over to us and gave his take. "I believe what Phoenix is saying is right, and I support Spikes decision to study the art of combat. Twily, do you think my shields would be as strong as they are if my higher didn't drag me through hell?" She shook her head.

I nodded to Shining in thanks for tipping the scales, and then turned back to Spike. "I'd be happy to train you Spike, though, Snipe hasn't made his decision yet. But if he says no and you still-"

"I'll do it!" I was cut off by a voice to my right. Everyone turned to the voice to see Snipe, looking just as determined as Spike. "I'll learn how to fight!"

Smiling at him, I walked over and rapped an arm round his shoulder. "That's good to hear! You two will be fine fighters." Letting go of him, I gestured for Spike to come over. He did so and give Snipe a fist bump. Placing a hand on both of their outer shoulders, I spoke, everyone watching intently. "You're training will start once you both correctly answer my question. You can not look to anyone but each other for the answer."

"Okay..."
"Okay..."

"Two fighters are in an arena. Fighter A, and Fighter B. They both fall down. Which one wins?"

The two looked confused for a moment before nodding. I released their shoulders and they walked off to discuss it.

"I believe they will do well." I turned to see Shining and Cadence.

"Let's hope so."

Just then, Swivel came out from the captains quarters and whispered something to Swerve. He nodded and looked to us all before speaking in a loud voice. "We will be touching down shortly! I advise holding onto something and or sitting down!"

The girls giggled for some reason before grabbing hold of the railing. They all looked down with their hair blowing in the wind. And after a few moments we made contact with the ocean, and began slowly sailing towards the island in the distance.

Hey thanks for reading! Any critisism helps, good or bad, Hope you enjoyed!

This one is very fast paced, and it was a difficult one to write cause of the amount of people, but I hope you still enjoyed!