Braeburn and Daring Do had hit a brick wall. They’d been dropped off in Emerald Hollow by Derpy and Time Turner two days earlier to meet the seven ponies they were supposed to find. The problem was they had no idea where to find them. All they had to go by was a picture of two cutie marks, so they’d spent all day showing them around the city.
After several fruitless hours, they made their way back to the inn for dinner and sleep so that they could continue their search the next day. Braeburn flopped forward onto the soft bed, eyes dropping closed. He was almost asleep when he realized there was something underneath him. He pushed himself up and reached under his chest until he found the sheet of paper.
The message was scrawled messily, as though the pony who left it didn’t write much.
I’ve heard you’re looking for two mares. I know where they are and can help you. I have a message from the princess. Meet me tonight under the south side bridge just past town square.
“Hey, Daring,” Braeburn said. “Look at this.”
*****
“And then I stared those griffons down, planted my hooves in front of me like this, narrowed my eyes, and said ‘make my day’,” Dash said, taking an agressive pose. The crystal ponies laughed and gasp as she continued. “Of course, none of them spoke english, but they could tell see my meaning in my eyes. We all stood like that for a long time, nopony wanting to set the other side off. Finally, the leader backed down and I was able to get past.”
Iron Will grumbled under his breath at the back of the room.
“Is that not what happened?” Twilight asked, hearing him and turning.
“Not exactly,” the minotaur said in his slow cadence. “She did say that to the griffons. But instead of backing down, they decided to feed her to a hungry manticore. An angry, mean, hungry manticore with a freakishly large stinger.” Iron Will shuddered at the memory.
“Well, why doesn’t she tell the story like it happened. Escaping from a hungry manticore sounds exciting.”
“It’s because we agreed to never speak of it again.”
Outside, two ponies stood on the balcony, enjoying the gentle breeze. “So, you said you’re the captain of the Equestrian Guard?”
“Yeah. Uh, I mean, yes, your highness.” Shining smiled embarrassedly. “Sorry, spending a few weeks aloft with these bounty hunters and pirates can make a pony forget his manners.
Princess Mi Amore Cadenza giggled. “Please, just call me Cadance. What was it like, chasing pirates and diving in for a daring resue?”
“Honestly? It was more tiring than anything. My work’s usually more interesting, exciting even, but this time my sister was in danger.”
“I see. Well, have you been on any other adventures? Something more exciting than tiring.”
“Hmm,” Shining mused. “Well, there was this one time.” He laughed as the memory came back to him. “My friend Sterling Silver and I had just been accepted into the Royal Guard.”
*****
Braeburn and Daring reached the south bridge just before midnight. A figure stood in the shadows, taller and broader than either of them. It looked up as they approached.
“Uh, hey there. Are you the one who left this for us?” Braeburn asked, holding up the short note. The figure nodded. “You said you had a message for us? From the princess?”
“Eeyup.”
I am operating under the assumption that short updates are better than no updates. Don't worry everypony, I still remember this story and am working my way to more exciting stuff. Have a dread pirate.
i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/5319834112/hAF211341/
I find it amusing that I think of Rarity, and kinda almost only Rarity as the hero here. i.e. I'm thinking the well deserved rest is/was for her.
The plot's only gonna get deeper from here, I imagine.
anyone else get just as excited for the title of the next chapter as they are for its content?
I KNEW IT!!
I FKING KNEW IT!
Short chapter is short.
2075800
Derpy's muffin. She often refers to Dinky as her little muffin in fanon.
i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/square/000/006/482/template.jpg
2076038
Knew what?
I think I like the longer chapters better personally.
2076038
I've already had someone guess this, but honestly this fic is too lighthearted for something like that. I can't guaranteeing the safety of anyone else *evil laugh* but I won't be killing off any foals.
Or will I?
But no. No I won't.
2076060
Big Mac was an agent of Celestia. Which in turn implies she set this whole thing up to get the elements together, along with any other competent individuals (such as Shining) that they run into, in order to defeat the returning Nightmare Moon.
I think longer chapters are better too, even if you have to wait longer.
2076070
Oh, I don't think that happened in story. That was just where my mind went with that pic you posted.
erza09 we meet again....
2076304
Dun dun dun!
....?
2076563
just good feels
Longer chapters are better.
2076038 2076060 2076073
Eheh, what I meant to say is "Short updates are better than NO updates." >.> <.<
2076939
This is true!
No update = //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Vinyl_sad.png
Short update instead = //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Sweetie_happy.png
Oh man! I dove into this thinking it was finished, now I have to waaaiiiiit
The sheer anticipation of what's going to happen next is killing me.
This story seems like it's going somewhere interesting. Favorite and upvote.
Honestly after how many characters you've involved in this story so far, I'm interested in how your gonna put the CMC in here
2076070 Ahh but the problem is that you can't kill what's already dead... or can you?
Cue Admiral Ackbar....
IT'S A TRAP!!!
Wow, this has been very fun so far. Nice lighthearted adventure. Time Turner was a neat addition. Very interested to see what's going to happen next. I can't imagine that Celestia has allowed ANY pony hung for piracy. More likely a rumor they support to discourage it. XD Be interesting to see if Braeburn recognizes his cousin and why exactly Mac is helping pirates. Still, good story.
So, is this foreshadowing future romance between Armor and Cadnece?
The "Eeyup" at the end made go
Cadence and Shining Armor are so cute together.
2080548
Because I'm a poor college student who sadly can't spend all his time with ponies. Sad but true
And the spark is lit. Soon, Braeburn and daring will know the location of the pirates, and all hell is going to break loose.
In short, party time.
Oh, and this is your rating in mustaches:
You toy with my emotions, only 20k words of this amazing premise? AAAAAUUUGHH
Why did the Crystal ponies not arrest Big Mac along with the rest of the pirates?
2089454
Actually, that part wasn't edited.
I'm not sure what it is about this story but I just could not stop reading it until I caught up, it was just so much fun.
iambrony.steeph.tp-radio.de/mlp/gif/157289%2B-%2Banimated%2Bcursor%2Bderpy_hooves.gif?1333659283
2076070 Well, as I recall, Time Turner only said that the stallion took her muffin, which could just mean a custody dispute. But as much as I love the adorableness of Derpy/Ditzy and Dinky, it's just plain sillier if it actually is about baked goods.
2088293 Because Mac is apparently working for Celestia and she sent word ahead?