Chapter 3: Lift Off

It was a nondescript warehouse near the docks in Timbucktoo, It was owned by a company that didn’t exist and occupied by something that preferred to operate away from public eye. It was to this warehouse that Mark Canary came to the moment he had returned from the desert.

‘I have failed you, miserably and utterly. I submit myself to your mercy.’

Pleading did nothing; the monster sat on his throne, calmly stroking a white cat with the hand on the end of his tail. Ahuizotl was not known for his mercy.

‘When I gave you the location of Imzohtep’s tomb I gave you a task, pray, remind me what that was.’ Ahuizotl waited patiently for the response, Mark Canary’s wings twitched as they begged to fly away.

‘he’s giving me rope, to hang myself or to escape,’ Mark thought, ‘you asked that I lead Daring Do to the tomb and aid her in her investigation.’ he gulped, ‘and if she found something you wanted me to bring it to you, or if impractical to do so I was to bring news of what it was.’

Ahuizotl rose from his throne, cradling his white pet cat in his tail as he stood. A massive creature Ahuizotl stood more than twice the height of even the largest ponies, equal in stature to the Princess Celestia herself with a set of hands instead of hooves. He appeared to be a cross between a diamond dog and spider monkey, as greedy as the former while being as mischievous as the latter.

The monster seized the Pegasus by his wings in both his hands, lifting him helplessly into the air and bringing him to his face, eye to eye.

‘So my little Canary, I see you have returned, alive, without any relic or the body of Daring Do.’ The monster’s voice became quiet, ‘I hope you have brought me information on what Daring found, for your sake’

‘I-It was a box, I uh... a coffin, thing’

‘Sarcophagus,’ Ahuizotl corrected

‘Yeah the sarcophagus, uh, the thing with the zebra in it’

‘I have no use for old bandages and bones, what else’

‘There was nothing else,’ panic rose in Mark’s voice

The monster’s eyes narrowed, ‘nothing, then what use are you to me?’ he began to pull the wings out, stretching them away from Mark’s body as he yelped in pain.

‘Daring thought it was important,’ he said, voice cracking under the pain

‘Really? What gave you this impressive opinion of somezebra’s corpse.’ his grip loosened

‘Daring loaded it in her cart and brought it here to Timbucktoo, the journey would have taken days through the desert. Would she have brought back a heavy stone box if she thought it was worthless?’

Ahuizotl smiled, revealing his predatory teeth, ‘It seems to you do possess some intelligence after all. Tell me, do you know who Imzohtep was?’

Mark Canary shook his head; Ahuizotl sighed while rolling his eyes back, dropped the Pegasus and returned to his throne.

‘Perhaps you would be more familiar with the ancient unicorn sorcerer Star Swirl the Bearded?’ Ahuizotl received a blank look from the Pegasus and he calmed himself by stroking his pet cat before explaining. ‘Don’t you ponies learn your own history? Star Swirl was a one of the greatest practitioners of unicorn magic who ever lived; Imzohtep on the other hand was the origin of zebrican alchemy itself. The ancient zebra king could cure any disease, create the deadliest poisons ever known and as legend would have it he was on the brink of achieving immortality when he died.’

‘So you want his body?’

‘No you imbecile, zebra are entombed with their possessions to carry into the next life. A master alchemist would have taken his work with him, sealed with him in his own sarcophagus.’

The bit dropped and Mark Canary finally understood.

‘You want his coffin?’ the Pegasus asked

‘I want his work; the scrolls of Imzohtep, the secrets of zebra alchemy and perhaps even immortality itself!’ Ahuizotl rose in dramatic gesture then sat down again drilling his gaze into Mark’s eyes, ‘Which you failed to bring me,’ he pronounced.

‘Well... but, Daring figured me out from the start, she knew I was working for you,’

‘Of course she did, the entire point of that trip was to get her to bring the Sarcophagus of Imzohtep back to Timbucktoo.’ The monster brought his fingers together, tapping them together in a complex rhythm beyond any equine. ‘Now that she has done the hard work for us, I can claim my prize from her.’

Ducky woke up in the City Guard’s drunk tank where she was lying on the bench with her back at a surprisingly comfortable angle. Her hind legs hanging off the bench with her back curving up the wall, thankfully the cool brick of the wall helped calm her headache as feeling returned to her body. Now alert Ducky attempted to slide gracefully onto her side, but overbalanced and fell onto the floor instead.

Ducky decided that morning could wait and tried to fall asleep where she was on the floor. She drifted in and out of consciousness in the limbo between proper sleep and actually being awake.

Eventually the sound of a hoof being run back and forth across the cell bars woke her up properly, she opened her eyes to glare at the sound to shut it up so she could go back to sleep. The source of the sound was the guard outside the cell, who was deliberately trying to get her attention.

‘What do you want,’ ducky groaned

‘Miss Duck Tape?’

Ducky groaned wordlessly in the affirmative

‘I’m sorry can you repeat that?’ the guard asked sweetly

‘Yes,’ Ducky answered quietly

‘No answer? Well we were going to let miss Duck Tape out, but if she’s not here...’

‘Yes, I’m Duck Tape,’ Ducky answered before adding quietly, ‘you jackass’

‘Last time I checked I was a pony, not a donkey,’ the guard replied as he opened the door, ‘if you’re still drunk we can extend your stay, since it’s clear you can’t tell the difference between a pony and a donkey.’

It was too early in the morning and Ducky was too hung over to deal with a smart ass, she rose to her hooves, wings spread to give her balance as she performed the manoeuvre. She trudged toward the exit glancing at the annoyingly cheery guard,

‘Why am I being let out?’

The guard shrugged, ‘you’re not one of the usual suspects so you’re clear to go and your Captain came to get you himself, He’s waiting outside for you.

Ducky trudged out of the guardhouse into the light of Celestia’s sun, which did not agree with her at all. In the harsh sun glare a familiar silhouette formed in front of her, she smiled up at it like a sheep.

‘Good morning Captain Albatross’

It was early morning when Daring Do finally left the Tavern. Mark Canary had been watching the entrance all night from his spot on a roof across the street. Daring had brought out her cart with the casket covered by a blanket before going back inside and covering herself with a brown cloak.

If Mark hadn’t been watching the exit continuously nopony would have realized it was Daring, her paranoia was reaching new heights if she was disguising herself for the short trip to the docks. As Daring started to pull her cart down the street Mark began to follow, leaping from rooftop to roof top by gliding on his wings, keeping close enough to the disguised mare to keep her in sight without getting close enough to tip her off.

Once she was out of sight of the tavern Mark reached for a pouch tied to his left foreleg, inside was a carved whistle – given to him by Ahuizotl – he pulled it out and blew. He only heard a brief puff from the whistle, his employer had assured him it would work and that he only needed to follow Daring while giving another puff every minute or so.

Eventually the disguised explorer reached the end of the docks where a long pier sat vacant. The explorer pulled her cart out onto the pier walking out over the bay all the way down to the end. Mark Canary saw his opportunity, Daring only had one way off that pier if she wanted to keep the Sarcofiguffin thingy and if she refused to fly off and leave it behind that was fine with him as well.

Mark gave the whistle a long blow as he glided down to the pier, as soon as he landed his backup had arrived. A small pride of large cats stood behind him; a panther, two leopards and a cheater, these cats were Ahuizotl’s favoured goons, loyal, fast and powerful. Mark led the cats forward, his wings flared out as they stalked closer, their quiet approach was spoiled by the creaking of the pier’s floorboards but the point of stalking here was to look.

The explorer noticed the impending attack, unhitching herself from the cart and standing between Mark and her prize.

‘We meet again Daring Do,’ Mark called out, ‘I doubt you expected to see me again so soon, I fully intend to pay you back for the kindness you showed me by leaving me in the desert to die.’ He chuckled menacing as he stalked closer, ‘you should have killed me when you had the chance.’ This was priceless; Mark could see the mare shaking with fear trapped out in the middle of the bay with nowhere to run. Beginning to celebrate his victory he struck a pose,

‘So Daring Do, any last words before I have my feline friends tear you limb from limb?’

Daring’s horn lit up, glowing as it pulled the hood of her cloak back.

Oh pony feathers… Mark thought, the bit dropping in his mind.

‘I’m not Daring Do,’ the Unicorn declared, ‘but she said to say, “You fell for the old switcheroo”, whatever that means.’

‘Get her!’ Mark yelled, the cats leapt forward toward the unicorn their sharp claws extended.

Before they could get their claws on the unicorn a net flew past, snatching their prey from the end of the pier. Mark Canary flew to the cart, tearing the blanket away already knowing that what he wanted with not beneath it. A sea chest sat under the blankets, within was a pile of sand, an empty water bottle and a length of rope tied in a knot.

Cheated and humiliated Mark Canary screamed at the heavens in rage;

‘CURSE YOU DARING DO!’

Rainbow Dash broke into laughter, falling onto her side dropping the book – which Twilight caught – ‘that was classic, a great prank,’ Rainbow said as she sat upright again while Twilight just giggled quietly while she took a few notes.

‘Do you want to continue?’

‘Yeah, of course’

Twilight returned the book to Rainbow

Literal List looked up at her rescuers; a pair of pegasi pulling the net beneath them, Daring was on the right, giving a wave at the passenger.

‘Sorry we took so long, somepony needed a hangover cure.’ The explorer gestured to the Pegasus on the left.

‘Hey there, good looking,’ Duckie added, giving List a wink from her position on the left. List blushed at the complement and tried to hide it by talking to Daring.

‘Did you get it to the ship?’

‘Easily, Ahuizotl wouldn’t have fallen for a trick like that but Mark Canary is a prize idiot, he fell for it; hook, line, sinker, rod and a copy of fishing-pony magazine too.’ Daring laughed to herself at her own joke

‘Where are we going?’ List asked

‘Sorry to string you along List, but we’re going right to the ship. I hope you packed everything because we’re leaving, right now.’

‘The MacGuffin is right ahead of us,’ Duckie added, ‘take a look’.

List looked out into the bay, Sailing toward the exit of the harbor was the ship; Like most of the airships that crossed the Canterbean Ocean it was a combination of airship and watercraft, its hull was similar to most water going ships; containing cargo hull, crew quarters and ballast tanks. The balloon was strung above the deck, an envelope containing the helium that lifted the airship, as well as the anchor point for the sails that gave the craft power.

As they flew closer List noticed more details, it was only a schooner; a small craft for carrying messages and small loads of cargo. The paint was peeling in many places and the sails were stained from use, the ropes didn’t seem to be frayed. Apart from cosmetic issues the rest of the ship seemed to be in shape.

Daring and Duckie lowered Literal List onto the deck of the ship, where she struggled out of the net and stood on her hooves as the two pegasi landed next to her.

Duckie lifted a hoof in salute, ‘reporting in Captain Albatross. The passengers have been secured.’

‘Aye, ah can see that ya rubber necked layabout,’ returned a gruff voice, ‘get up to the fo’c’sle and prepare to open the ballast, we’re gettin’ out of the water the moment we clear the bay.’

List turned to look at the source of the voice, standing looking down from the upper deck at the rear of the ship was a unicorn. His coat was a deep naval blue; his mark a brass navigational instrument, his grey mane tied into a pony tail and on his face was a beard that matched the grey of his mane. His horn was lit with a grey mist that adjusted the steering wheel behind him as well as the sails along the ship.

‘Welcome aboard the MacGuffin you fine lasses, tis a fine journey we’re startin’ and I hope ye enjoy it.’

‘Thankyou Captain Albatross,’ Daring said, ‘I hope our departure wasn’t too much trouble?’

‘Captain or Alby will do lass, but it was ‘nay trouble to cast off, but I have my doubts ‘bout the cargo’

‘You have doubts Captain?’

‘Tis frightfully bad luck ta bring a zebra aboard an airship, or ta keep a corpse on board, ye be bringing both in a single basket.’

List rolled her eyes, ‘what does bad luck have to do with anything?’

‘A great many things lass,’ Albatross began, ‘it’s a dangerous thing to be traveling beyond the reach of Celestia; need not make it more so by invitin’ disaster. Ah just be saying ta expect difficulty on this trip, ah already gave me word to convey the pair of ye – and the cargo – to Canterlot. Just be keeping a fair eye out for danger,’ he added.

‘So Daring,’ List asked, ‘do you trust him?’

‘He knows what he’s doing and it was your boss that picked him to take us home. Plus it’s not many sailors that can sail a ship like this alone and he cast off to set sail while we were picking you up.’ Daring shrugged, ‘he’ll do.’ List accepted Daring’s opinion with a nod.

‘If you two lassies are done gossiping, ye might want ta get to the side, We’re about to get to the fun part.’ As Daring and List made their way to the side of the ship the Captain called out, ‘Duckie, let it out!’

At the front of the ship Duckie pulled on a rope, opening a hatch on both side of the ship allowing a torrent of water to pour out from both. As the ballast water left the ship began to creak as the front of the ship – or bow as Duckie would say – began to lighten and slowly rise out of the water. Another rope at the rear – stern – was pulled up by Albatross allowing the rear ballast tank to empty.

As the ship lightened it began to rise, slowly lifting out of the water into the air. Soon List could see all of Timbucktoo from above as they rose further into the air. Eventually Albatross joined them with a flask and four glasses, pouring a drink for everypony.

Once Duckie joined them he raised his own in a toast,

‘To ah successful trip,’ he declared before slugging the shot.

List copied the Captain’s example and nearly choked on the strong liquor. Daring chuckled while the other two ignored List’s discomfort entirely.

‘Kid, you have to be careful sometimes, exploring is all about seeing new sights and trying new things, not all of it safe,’ Daring finished.

‘Is it always like this, I-I felt so scared on the pier,’ List admitted while remembering the experience, ‘I thought those cats would kill me.’

‘I don’t think any less of you List. I put you in a dangerous position and you’re right, those cats would have killed you.’ She gave List a meaningful look, ‘I’d be more worried if you weren’t scared honestly.’

‘Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.’

‘Hey,’ Daring said as she took the glass of liquor out of Albatross’s grip, ‘here’s looking at you kid.’ Daring slung back her glass before copying List’s reaction to the strong drink.

Back in Timbucktoo the MacGuffin had an unexpected audience to its departure; Ahuizotl stood on the roof of his warehouse watching his prize sail off into the metaphorical sunset. Behind him stood Mark Canary who had been returned to him by his loyal cats, a panther was sitting on his back to prevent him from flying away.

‘You have failed me again, Canary. Not only have you been fooled by Daring Do twice but you also failed to plan for her escape.’

‘But I—‘

‘No excuses you pitiful pony.’ Ahuizotl seized the pegasus with his tail and held him over the edge of the roof, ‘In my disputes with Daring Do I have learned much about the pegasi, the most interesting thing I have learned is the one thing that all pegasi fear without equal. Do you know what It is Mark? I doubt you have even admitted it, even to yourself.’

Ahuizotl brought the failure before him and took a rope in his hands, tying his wings to his flank before holding him out over the edge again.

‘Your greatest fear, Canary, is that someday you will fall and that your wings won’t be able to save you. Your greatest joy, flying, linked to your greatest fear, falling.’ He gave Mark a toothy smile, ‘Poetic and ironic, yes?’

With no warning Ahuizotl released Mark, allowing him to fall from his grasp toward the ground below.

Mark screamed, he had no composure and no longer cared if he sounded like a little filly as his life flashed before his eyes. As the ground loomed closer he recalled his colt hood fear of this very thing happening, falling from the clouds with nopony to catch him.

A meter from the ground his fall stopped, the rope around his wings pulling taught as his entire body was wrenched to a stop. Above him Ahuizotl laughed evilly, the kind of laugh that only comes from subjecting others to cruelty. His amusement continued as he slowly lifted Mark Canary back up, the Pegasus struggling in an attempt to get free.

As he returned to roof level Ahuizotl seized him with the hand on his tail again, bringing him to eye level.

‘Were you fortunate enough I would have simply killed you, but I still have a need for you.’ The monster untied Mark, ‘I cannot walk down the street without drawing attention, an unfortunate part of my nature. So what I want you to do is head down to the dock to find me a ship, I need something large and fast enough to catch Daring Do and you’re going to make it happen.’

Mark nodded, extending his wings wincing with the motion of the bruised limbs

‘Don’t think you can fly away either. My cats are excellent predators, as they have no doubt demonstrated to you. You wouldn’t be able to fly away or hide for long.’

Ahuizotl threw the Pegasus off the ledge, watching Mark catch himself in the air and fly away.

‘Do not fail me again, Canary!’

‘Wow, that was intense,’ Twilight Sparkle commented to Rainbow Dash, who didn’t answer.

‘Rainbow, you okay?’

‘Yeah, it’s just… he’s right you know,’ Rainbow responded glumly.

‘Who’s right Rainbow?’

‘Ahuizotl, about pegasi I mean, falling is probably our greatest fear.’ Rainbow said before adding quietly, ‘I know it’s mine.’ Twilight embraced Rainbow in a hug

‘I understand, did you want to stop here Rainbow?’

‘I’m fine, let’s keep going Twi’

Twilight brought the next chapter out while making some notes on her pad, passing the chapter to Rainbow.

‘Chapter 4: The MacGuffin, what kind of name for a ship is that?’

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