Ciraxis

"I told Young Master the same thing. But he said that statistics don't show everything." answered Oak branch... "I don't know anything about any job. Maybe Young Master will have something for you to do but I can't speak for him. By the way...where he could go?" At the same moment ghost of Bubble suddenly vanished - and with him the illusion of well kept manor. * * * * * * * "Idiot, idiot..." Swift muttered to himself as he troted trought the manor halls. Squall was so disturbed that he didn't even realised that his surroundings changed to their real form. Yes, he got the courage to take of his shades (which returned to their rightful place right now) and spitted out the whole truth...well almost whole truth. He skipped....many details but even this was too much. The only thing that scared Swift was his own failures...be it in past or present. He knew that it was silly but he couldn't help but freak out. Suddenly the corridor ended. In the place where was supposed to be door, huge hole in the wall was present. He stopped surprised but walked outside neverthless. He was greeted with the sight of unkept mansion grounds, fully visible from the hill at which Squallcoast Manor stood. It reminded him heavily of his time in the road. The sight of setting sun calmed Swift somewhat. "I am terrible house host..." he sighted "...Or maybe not? It is my first time after all." he spoke to himself but it didn't sound very convincing. He walked down to inspect the garden when suddenly his hoof slipped. "Oh cr...!!" but he didn't finish. Swift tried to regain balance which he would achive easliy normaly. But the wet and long grass and element of surprise vere enought to bring him to the ground. As unicron rolled downhill he thinked how humiliating it was for him - who could pull of cartwhell, somersault and other fancy gymnastic winouth the blink. He rolled into the grass when unexpectedly the ground ended. "Oh noes...." he managed to say, feeling that he was falling. The contact with bottom of the pit was brutal and unciorn lost consciousness when his head hit some rock.

In Latveria inspectors have no power! In Latveria the only law is DOOM!

RIDICULOUS! Such thing like shooting accursed Richards is below the One and Only DOOM. Of course it implies that...ones which you all are at odds with are pathetic enough to perish from a simple gun. And one is defined by his enemies so it's say much of you. Doom concludes that you all have long way ahead of you... Yet Doom is not only generous enough to grace of you with his presence, Doom himself took over the world twice and will do it again...saying nothing about the time durning the Secret Wars when universe itself was in grasp of Doom's hand. So ask Doom he will aid you with ideas of his unrivaled mind.

"Actually, many are. Pirates come from all kindes of places...except nobility altrought there was some exceptions in history. Griffons...are common on pirate ships..." Swift answered when first Dunder and the other pegasus stallion who introduced himself as Willow Wing dissmised his warnings. "And I am Swift Squall, and I can tell the same." he gave his name. This armored stallion looked like the one who could take care of himself...his movements did not showed any hints of official training trought. Interesting. His attention shifted back at Dunder after he examined. "Ok lets go with you reasoning Dunder. If they wouldn't bother with this ship why they would bother with lone pegasi? There are no skyship which can catch up with pegasus...yet. Besides they can attack as for the spare parts alone, it issn't like they can walk to shop and buy them, right? And airships needs much maintenance. " Squall said and looked aroud as if he was looking for something. And he found, his horn glowed when unicorn picked simple twig from the ground and started drawing something in the dirt. "I done some...research about methods of this criminals. I would like to share it with all of you." Swift said, putting emphasis on the word research. He was sure that only Dunder got the allusion of his crusade agains crime. "Sky pirates of Everfree don't patrol the sky like one's outside the forest because it wouldn't made sense." he continued "Reason? Wind currents...or rather lack of stabe wind currents over the Forests. I belive that you - as the pegasi - are familiar with the problem. There are no maps of Wind Routes of Everfree cose it's changes constanly. And so do trails of this few tradeships who fly over Everfree. As reasult corsairs can't fly along the currens, expecting trade vessels like - for example, pirates of the Frontier do - to come into their arms." he finished drawing and troted back to evaluate it. " Flying aimlessly would be waste of the fuel. On the other hoof before they would gain necessery high they prey would be long gone. To counter this air pirates use this." he pointed at the drawing. It showed simplified intersection of some mechanical device situated in some hole. " This is the Catapult. They build them terrain depressions, preferably between hills. This way it is hidden by both the trees and shadows. It's practicaly invisible from air. The airship rests on the platform which proceedes to lunch it, giving meaningful quick rise in altitude. The time to prepare the Catapult for another use is the reason why it was dissmised for public use. But for them? It's perfect." he finished and paused for the moment. "I belive that would be enought for now. The pirates themself prefer to lurk at edges of the forest, where skyships are more often. I belive we wouldn't need to worry about them in the center. But unlikeness of the danger donsn't mean we can't prepare for it...just in case." Squall said and smilied slightly. "And besides...you know what Blusty?" he 'asked' and jokingly tousled Dunders mane with his hoof. "I am only three years older then you and I already learned that one in a million chances happen nine times out of ten." "Leave that to me as well. I know where to buy some stuff usefull for dealing with both corsairs and...unwelcoming denizens of the Everfree. Any specifict tactics we can discuss later." Swift answeared with confidence "You coming Dunder? You don't expect to carry all stuff alone huh?" he asked in playeful tone...but in truth he wanted to discuss some things with his pal...privately.

Nice armor you have there Issac. Too bad it's made of METAL!

This nice fella for ya. Eating astronauts since 1979.

One sin, even if it is Capital Vice can not beat being made of many, many, MANY more.

It's Over! Darkness beyond twilight Crimson beyond blood that flows Buried in the flow of time In thy great name, I pledge myself to darkness Let all the fools who stand in our way be destroyed by the power you and I possess... DRAGON SLAVE! Hurt: Lyra -6

VOLTEKKA! Hurt: Lyra -6 Hex: Lyra x2

Apocalypse? Bah! NO Apocalypse can happen at MY birthday! Well, except this one.

By Celestia! Drink?! Honestly, next time I turn around FiM painted Airbus will pop up. Not that I will be complaining.

"Good point. Let's roll." muttered Swift through clenched teeth. He was okay with the fact of taking on Gilda in public...well more public. If he will be able to beat griffon outside, then her pride will be shattered completly - at last that is what he assumed. Waiting for the aquellian resoponse he glared back at Polaris. He could see his view on things but as all things it was only one side of the coin. Still he didn't have time to waste his focus needed at upcoming struggle for debate about that with Glistering Aristocratic Tongue. "Whatever" Squall said clinically, this one word being his only response after Duke speech.

Swift stood silent for the moment, trying to ingest the words of the two pegasi. So both of them have experience with REA just like him. But it appeared that while Fire Walker is active and lieutenant to boot. Dunder - opposite, applied to the army but was rejected. When he thinked on it, Squall himself - who had training, but quit before entering service - would fall somewhat in the middle. Then unicorn realised that is was his turn. "Oh...sorry. I spaced out for the moment, wasn't avoiding a question...where do I start?" he pondered for the moment. Should he tell them everything? He took a deep breath and removed his sunglasses. Oak Branch yelped in surprise as his jaw dropped. "I am Swift Squall. I was born in Manehattan to Hasty News and Graceful Squall." he said and looked at Dunder and Fire seeing their reaction. "Yes, that Graceful Squall and that Hasty News." he confirmed. Being son of former famous sportsmare and press magnate had many adventages but also some flaws. Like having to reapeat himself every introduction. He then proceeded to tell about everything. He retold his Cutie Mark story, his running away from home and reason for that, joining REA, passing for Honor Guard training and quiting before Vowmaking Ceremony, mercenary days. He pasused when story got to 'Doing Things Done' group time. Swift gathered his courage and continued with glum expression. He spoke about Unayasi, conflicts there, his role in it and reunion with his pops. He finished at leaving Stalliongard after his failure there. "I..I sorry I need a break. There are reason why I come here too but...please..later..." he said rubbing his head with his hoof. He then trotted out of room to clear the mess in his mind. "I...I am astonished" said the Oak Branch his voice stuttering "Young Master NEVER took his sunglasses off in somepony presence - excluding me and his parents - he avoids eye contact at all cost!" butler then gazed at the pegasi. "He would never admit it...but he is very lonely. In his attempt to eliminate crime he is trying to do impossible and I fear it's too much for him. The fact that he took his shades off and he told all of this shows how much he is willing to trust you Mr. Dunder and Miss Fire. Please don't betray that trust." he begged them. "And I hope you appreciate this gesture too Mr. Bubble."

I can see what you wan't to do and I say - Chill. Rainbow will win just like that...becaose she is so much cooler. The hell itself will freeze before she falls and I will stop you cold in your tracks. So you either give up or suffer more icy puns. Heal: Rainbow +5 Hurt: Lyra -1 Power Up: Rainbow x2

WE. MUST. NOT! <cleaves> Hurt: Octavia - 3 Bon-Bon -3 Hex: Lyra Power Up: Rainbow Dash

"D-Dunder?! What are you doing h..." Swift was caught completly off guard. Here he was standing, ready to berate this mare when suddenly one of his few friends appeared - from Squall's perspective, literally out of nowhere - and hugged him interrupting his speech. He hesitated for the moment, Swift wasn't accustomed to such things. But second later he returned the brotherly hug with slight smile. "You and the jokes of yours..." he answered at the teasing. But now that Blust showed himself up and revealed that he was friend of Candy turned situation around. He will need to be more...gentle. "Help me? Well I don't think so." Swift answered when he finaly freed himself from Dunder's thight squeeze. "In fact it is I who will help you." unicorn said in calm voice. He pointed at yacht with his hoof. "Let's start with this ship. A fine vessel it is indeed, grace, luxury....but it is totally not adjusted to type of mission you require from it. Over Everfree are two types of threats a flyer needs to be wary off - air pirates and unpredictable weather. This airship can take on neither. It's too slow to escape corsairs, and any - even smallest - storm will snap this ship in two like a twig. It was just build that way." he paused for the moment to take a breath. "I not gonna ask why you selected this ship Mrs. Candy. I assume that you didn't chose it at all. It was only sky ship available isn't it? It's nice to know that some things change but Royal Canterlot Financial Department attitude remains the same be it REA or RCZS when it comes to lending some bits." Squall said in sarcastic tone. No one liked Royal Canterlot Financial Department. It was thing as constant as earth and sky. He gave her a an inquiring look. After that he glance the two other stallion pegasi. "Seeing that crowd that was standing there just a while ago I was prepared to give you a lecture about assorting the crew...but it seems I misjudged you in that regard. Not only you are a friend of Dunder - one of few I would entrust my life too - but this two..." unicorn pointed at Gambit and Willow "...looks promising enough." He stopped for the moment and adjusted his sunglasses and duster. " That said...supplies on the ship are not sufficient. And I see no reson to transport such...creature..." Swifts voice gave slight angry overtone in word 'creature' "...in the first place. But I am not the one who would argue with member of Royal Canterlot Zoological Society." He stopped there and sighted. " But as I stated...being friends with Dunder imply you will do it despite anything I say, don't you Mrs. Candy? Even as unpropable as it is right? Fine. Swift straightened up. " In that case I volunteer as well. In regards of my qualifications - I was sky ship escort for nine months in my sell sword days, I even survived a crash landing..." he gave Dunder a amused look. It was funny when both of them finded that they had a mutual experience "... I have also full REA and Honor Guard training, proficiency in material arts, first aid, hiking, star navigation and many more. I was in Everfree seven times and spent two years in Unyasi which is very much alike." he paused for a moment and leaned towards the mare. "And if you will give me six hours I can get all the equipment and supplies you need and more - free of charge."

Hmm...missed a vote yesterday. Oh well. Heal: Rainbow +5 Hurt: Bon-Bon -1 Power Up: Rainbow x2

METEOR SMASH! Hurt: Applejack -2 Derpy -2 Lyra -2 Hex: Octavia Power Up: Rainbow Dash

Voting once more. Hurt: Queen Chrysalis -1 Octavia -1 Bon-Bon -1 Derpy -1 Lyra -1 Applejack -1 Power Up: Rainbow x2

It had to, indeed... Let's us clash in epic duel then, tyler! Hurt: Lyra -6 Power Up: Rainbow x2

This. Or maybe Mark Hamill.

Swift Squall stopped in his track. That kind of griffon...no...that kind of personality was what he despised with burning passion. Yes...unicorn could easily imagine doing something wicked. "Ah that kind of worldview. How about...putting it to the test?" he asked. With the sudden burst of speed he come in front of her. It almost looked like a teleportation but the hat laying on floor proved otherwise. Before anypony could react his face was just the inch from her beak. "One should trample other huh?" he asked, his voice cold like the midnight air in middle of winter. " Very well then. Let's see who will trample who...." his horn glowed and the crow around was taken aback, thinking that Swift is casting a combat spell. To their surprise the other, unused table was flying trought air. It landed just next to Swift and Gilda. "...at legwrestling." he finished. Unicorn detached one of the swords that was hanging on his belt and throwed it at the table. "My parlay is this aquellian, while the only thing I require from you is your pride. We use this..." his horn flashed again as Swift removed the solid piece of cloth that holded his mane together in the ponytail. The cascades of hair falled on his back and shoulders. "...to tie our limbs, so nopony gonna backtrot form this. So how about griffon? Up to it?" he asked in mocking tone - sure that Gilda will not ignore the challenge. Waiting or the replay he glared at the Duke of Manehattan without moving his head, giving him the flash of one of his emerald eyes. "Don't you dare interrupt Polaris. I know you mean well...but some things can't be solved by words alone." Squall said in tone reserved to his equals.

Silly weesh. There are muffins and there are muffins<ominous thrunder>. The muffins<ominous thunder> are just like the Evil Pizza but sweet. Oh and they have extra bits of dark chocolate. And yes, only EVIL have them.