PIRATES vs. NAVY BATTLE LOG

[highseasmods]

December 9th finds some new arrivals to this world, the same curious phenomenon that's been occurring for the past few months.

This time, however, the Navy is prepared -- or so they think.

They've got troops stationed around the island, and ships on the water to stop any arrogant, foolhardy pirates and would-be sailors from trying to make port.

So hit them with all you've got, but they're not going down easily...

Comments

[letteropener]

"I can. And no, you do not want to. I will explain everything when we are safe."

She lifted a leg to him, an offer to take hold of it. He'd best decide, since that motion spooked the Navy into action...

[heartismyown]

To do this, he lets Oathkeeper vanish and he held onto her leg. If he thought the horse talking was strange, he didn't say so. Roxas wasn't sure what would happen when he grabbed onto her, but he did it anyway. It was that, or fight through what looked like a ridiculous amount of people.

[by_heart]

Playing keep away from the guys with the guns was no big deal, even with his usual methods apparently not working, so Lea's a bit disoriented, but not at all out of his element.

No, what's finally managed to throw him is seeing that familiar mop of blond hair. He doesn't quite know what to do or say, beyond watching from the shadows, and when some sort of magic talking pony shows up to save the day...well, there's no need for him, then, is there? Not that that means he's going to let Roxas out of his sight for a second.

[ooc: So here's your BFF, Roxas. Stalking you. You and Celestia are free to notice him whenever.]

[heartismyown]

Unfortunately for Lea, Roxas didn't see him before Celestia teleported him away, so it was still going to be a surprise when they did meet.

[by_heart]

Well, he certainly didn't expect a magic teleporting pony. Lea curses under his breath and looks around for a way to get a better vantage point. Maybe if he keeps a low enough profile, no one will notice if he climbs up on the roof of a nearby building.

He makes short work of the climb, pulling himself up the low overhang of a nearby shop and scrambling up the slope of the roof. Luckily, a shiny white winged pony is kind of conspicuous and it doesn't take him too long to figure out where he needs to go. He just hopes Roxas will still be there when he catches up.

[TO BE CONTINUED DOWNTHREAD WHEN THE TIME COMES]

[letteropener]

As soon as he had a grip, she teleported them away in a flash and a warm feeling. Just in time, too, to avoid a hail of fire from the Navy men. Poor fountain, but surely it's had worse.

They reappear on the top of a building some distance away, where the Navy most certainly wasn't. Celestia gently lowered her leg, signalling that he no longer needed to hold on. "Are you all right?"

[heartismyown]

The teleporting was a bit of a surprise and Roxas looked around. Where was the black gate? He wasn't even sure he could use it himself. Now he was up high and he looked down at the mess below.

"I'm okay, I think."

Roxas let go of Oblivion and it disappeared too. He looked at Celestia, tilting his head a bit. "What are you?"

[letteropener]

She lifted her head, swiftly checking around to make sure they were indeed safe, before inclining it to him once more.

"I am a pony, brought here from my own land of Equestria as you have been brought from yours, and as many others have been brought here in turn. My name is Princess Celestia."

[heartismyown]

"Okay." Roxas looked like he was processing this before he looked down below again.

"Where am I - and where's Sora?"

[letteropener]

Celestia would grant him all the time he needed. It was a lot to take in.

"This is Isla Empieza, the place where all new arrivals to this world have so far appeared. Unfortunately, the Navy believes all new arrivals to be criminals and pirates -- not entirely without cause -- and so has locked down the city and seeks to arrest the new arrivals, as you have seen."

[heartismyown]

He blinked at her a few times as he tried to follow her. "So this is another the world? But I didn't come here on purpose. I was supposed to join Sora. Namine said it would work..."

[letteropener]

"It is. Nowhere on my own world is like this." She frowned darkly out at the forbidding, battle-fraught sea in the distance. "We were brought here without any regard for our business in our world, I am afraid."

[heartismyown]

"I don't understand." Roxas said, getting frustrated.

"Why? What's going to happen to Sora? Doesn't he need me?"

[letteropener]

She relaxed her irritation with the Navy and Davy Jones and the world at large, aware that she was only making matters worse. Turning to face him, she dropped to her knees, the better to speak with him on a more even level.

"I cannot speak to events back on your home, but we have been promised a way back to our proper places. From what we've been told, if we gather the pieces of a magical gem back together, we will be able to use its power to make a wish -- a wish that will place us back where we belong, in time and in space." She smiled sympathetically, adding as much warmth to her voice as she could. "I understand your concerns. Being taken away from your friends and your responsibilities is... painful, at best."

[heartismyown]

He shook his head a bit. "He's not my friend. I'm his Nobody. I don't even really know him."

Roxas exhaled. What was he supposed to do in a place like this with a pony? Get a gem. "Then we need to find those pieces. I don't think Sora can wake up without me."

[letteropener]

Ooo...kay, Celestia didn't know where to begin with THAT statement. She set it aside for the moment. "That is what we are working on, but it is not a quick or easy path. The gem appears to be splintered into many, many fragments which much be assembled. That is why..."

She straightened, spreading one wing to indicate the distantly-visible sea. "We have all become 'pirates'."

[heartismyown]

"Pirates? What's that?" Roxas asked, watching her wing in fascination.

"It's going to take a long time? Really?" He looked a little disappointed and unsure what to do with that.

[letteropener]

"We live on ships with our crewmates, seeking the shards... or doing as the Captain of our vessel pleases. The Navy views us all as pirates and lawbreakers..."

She looked out over Isla Empieza sadly, not just at the fighting going on but at the remnants of the attack that had provoked it as well. "In some cases, they are correct."

[heartismyown]

"I didn't break any laws though...oh but I was lying on the ground sleeping. Is that against the law?"

[letteropener]

"Not being native to this world is grounds enough for them, I am afraid." Celestia lowered her head slightly, dismayed by the complete failure of rationality and harmony. If only they could all work together...

[heartismyown]

"That's not fair, I didn't even do anything bad." Roxas answered, looking out at the town.

"I went to lots of worlds before, but no one's ever tried to kill me when I got there."

[letteropener]

"I agree, it is not fair. But they are acting out of fear and a desire for peace and order, even if their actions are misguided. To protect what they value, people will often place less value on others than they should..."

She sighed, then lifted her head and spread her wings a bit more in an effort to be encouraging. "But you are not alone on this world, and you will make friends and allies here as well."

[heartismyown]

"I can make friends?" Roxas asked, tilting his head curiously. He wasn't too sure about that, but he did make friends with Axel, so he must be able to. As far as his three friends were concerned, he wasn't sure it was real or not.

"I would like that."

[letteropener]

"You can. I'd be happy to be your friend, whether or not you end up a part of our crew."

Who says the middle of a battle was the wrong time to express friendship? In fact, what better time?

[heartismyown]

Roxas gave her a big smile and came closer to her, suddenly a little less distracted. He put his hand on his chest. "I'm Roxas."