Storm King's POV
Present Time
In the skies, our airships soared through leaving the past cities of Abyssinia behind. To the distance, we could see the capital shining with all of its glory aside from the grouchy frown upon my own face as I eyed at the castle of their own leaders, the king and queen who represented the land.
The ship I stand on is that of my own flagship, leading the charge with other ships in various numbers following right behind me. Soldiers trained over the years on the island I grew up on, having convinced them I was the righteous one to follow. On the other airships were those of the treasures I had taken in my own right, and the other half being mostly military and invasion weaponry.
Yes, this was my intention. We were finally going to invade the capital of Abyssinia, Panthera after Tabbytown had been completely wiped clean of their gold and jewels on the path there.
My second-in-command, Strife was right behind me. He himself looked very much like a dark cloud with purple highlights in the mist, and blue dots for his own eyes to turn and look. He had arms for quite a cloud himself, though I was not aware of what kind of race he was in all of Equus. Three of my own highly-ranked minions stand right behind me, awaiting orders.
"Strife." I grabbed his attention, never turning my eyes away from the approaching city.
I can sense that he has floated like any other cloud over beside me. I only catch glimpses of that haze in the vision, especially with the deepened and dark tone in his voice as if he was one of those butlers. "My lord?" He questioned.
"Is everything ready for the invasion?" I asked, expecting nothing more than an answer from my most trusted commander himself.
The handling part of a spear is heard setting to the ground as I can tell one of my highly ranked minions would have to take in as much brief rest he could until I had announced that the storming could very well begin, thinking only of the fortunes worth there should the feline king and queen themselves be holding it from my own hands.
"Oh yes, my lord," the low-pitched tone spoke to me. "Your armada has already conquered the rest of Abyssinia. Only now the capital of Panthera, still stands... and your forces only await your command."
"Good... good." I responded quite calmly and well, placing my right hand in front of me in a closed manner.
I signal for one of my warriors to stand in front of me and to embrace the feeling of what was yet to come in our victory upon their own doorstep. I pulled out one of those fancy hats that I managed to take from the mayor of Catskills himself that contained a faux flower on top of it for decoration. I proudly place it onto the soldier's head.
A smile forms on my face, and I don't look so grouchy now. "After the invasion, I should do something for the soldiers," I suggested to Strife in quite a relaxed, yet pleasured tone that was contained in my voice. "You know... like a Pizza Party! Or a Funny Hat Day!" I turned around to see that annoyed look upon the cloud's own face, knowing that it was typical of me to make comments like that. "Something to show that I appreciate all their hard work pillaging and looting!"
Strife groans for a moment, knowing that I was starting to act off-point again. He places his hand onto his own head, an annoyed expression shown on his own face.
A second had passed and he spoke once again with the same tone as his expression. "As you say, my lord. Shall we begin the invasion?"
The invasion? "Oh! Right!" I paused for a moment, bringing myself back on track from the soldiers. "Yeah, let's hit it!"
I turn towards my obedient soldiers who look to me with proudness, finally relieved to receive that order that they were waiting from me. "Onward, my minions!"
They nodded their heads, signalling to the other airships of my command. They too begin to make their descent towards the capital. I walk towards the railing, and look below at the faces of cats with expressions of worry and fright on their own faces, unaware of the conquest I had down my own sleeve. I raise my left hand and cletch it into a fist, my eyes directed right onto the capital's palace... home of the King and Queen of this land.
"...And make another empire fall."
Capper's POV
The sounds of screaming and fire in the city could be heard from my own ears as I was held back to cover under the Kibble cart in front of the Yarn shop. I had been unaware of the trumpet that warned of danger even when it had become too late.
Cats were running in fear past the stall for their own lives, and from above in the smoke for those barely visible airships were those of the Storm King's minions dropping down with a slam and onto Panthera soil. Armed with dangerous spears, I could see a few of them trashing up the place and creating damage around the streets ahead from where my head was peeking out.
My friend Chummer is right beside me, almost afraid to move as a grey and white cat runs off screaming past us to move away from the oncoming march of the white coated minions with even their own faces covered to avoid having their identities exposed, I assume. Perhaps they are born with it.
However, I am merely interested in getting a good look at the airships above, despite the smoke barely covering them up. Curiosity is what grabbed me for the Storm King's flag ship and how much larger it is from the rumors of the other cities that reported in on it. Didn't expect that they would even strike here at all.
"Come on, Capper!" I can hear Chummer whispering to me with fear in his own voice. Already he was scared out of his own wits from the numbers of the minions marching on through the city towards the palace.
I stood my ground though as I needed a better look at the sky and the shadows of the transportation above. "I wanna get a better look at their ships, Chummer!" I whispered back to him, despite how he was trying to pull me away from there.
From above and in a good perspective from the Kibble Cart, I could see at least three... no, six of the hairy minions hopping down from the airship above with an object that they would use to barge on through the doors of the palace. Well, that's what I can gather... until there is a much bigger slam to the ground that almost caused me and Chummer to stumble.
My eyes could finally grasp onto the figure who was standing there in front of the minions. He is beside the pillar-like object, but even his height was much taller. I couldn't see his face from the angle I was at, but from what looks like either a helmet or a crown... I can tell that this could be the Storm King himself making no distraction ahead as he readies his troops to march to the doors.
One of the spear-holding minions that was marching with his king, turns his blue dotted eyes underneath that mask of his right at us. He noticed us spying, and even I can hear its growl of intimidation for us both to back off. Neither of us move at all, nor did we even expect the first move that he made towards us.
The minion charges his spear at the Kibble Cart's umbrella and begins to tear right at it. Almost like committing a riot, he smashes the cart down with its sign flying apart, knocking us back but knowing now that they want violence if watched with either fear or intimidation from us, let alone resistance!
"Let's beat it!" Chummer shouts at me, by which I agree with him at this point.
Both of us run off from the damaged cart, hearing only the snort of the minion the further we moved away from the area. I knew that it was a lost cause trying to go back and see what was going on with our majesties, the King and Queen...
No... the airships are of my interest. I think I'll go and check them out when they aren't so crowded by the minions. Though I am sure that Chummer will insist on tagging along.
Storm King's POV
At last... we're right at the doorstep of where our last stop would be in ravaging the city of Panthera.
The soldiers for a while had managed to barge into the banks of Panthera, and loot the gold from there, taking the jewels from the aristocrats living in the high estates close by the palace and having savaged shops indoor and outdoor for gold. Hmmmm, heard they call these bits on the other side of Equus.
I raise my hand, issuing a signal to the soldiers to begin breaking down the door on the count of three. They keep the pillar in hands, their eyes perched onto the large double door of fancy carved wood. Despite all the screaming in the fiery city and the crackling of flames in the distance, I began my countdown by my own fingers.
Three... two... one...
They barge forward, banging the pillar onto the door at least once before moving back for another charge. It took a few times to knock with force but I was starting to see cracks there... a weak point starting to crumble as even the doors were almost trembling the faster and the harder we pounded.
I can presume that the King and Queen of Abyssinia won't take it so easy on having their treasures being taken from them for my own self. They most likely have a small resistance, ready in there and hostile should we start coming in. No worries though, for so long I have trained them how to ravage... to fight...
The doors open a large hole into the doors, exposing the inside of the palace. I can hear a bit of movement in there when the soldiers pulled back and threw the pillar in the opposite direction, having nearly hurt some of the citizens. I make my slow approach to the door, being that it might be one of the royal guards coming to investigate past the hole and why it had all of a sudden, stopped the door attack.
I must have gave the kitty there quite a heart attack there when I popped my head past into the light of the hole, seeing him stand there with curiosity at first but then turning to surprise to see that smile upon my face. "Hellooooo?" I stated out loud to the soldier as he almost jumps out of his skin. "Anybody home?"
The pillar pulls back one last time, moving my head out of the way to allow the doors to go swinging open. The dust from the damage could be seen lifting upwards into the air outdoors, some of the haze moving indoors. I took one step forward into the palace with my soldiers following right behind me, sticking their spears of steel at the royal guards and the civilians who looked to have been lucky to step in... well, at least until I manage to get in.
"Hope you don't mind me letting myself in," I responded to the two royal figures in front of me. Both of them had violet or purple robes that they wore. Both of them have two different crowns with complex designs, something I'll be happy to take. "But I practically own the place already, don't I?"
I move forward towards the king and queen, a grin of ease posing onto my own face. The slits in their own yellow toned eyes can only watch me in fear as I made my slow approach. By the division of royal guards trying to stop me from moving closer, they are unable to from the defense I had. "Your majesties... King and Queen of Abyssinia..." I took the time to properly give them the gratitude of my own introduction. "You should surrender now."
"...Storm King," The king responds to me with fear and without any hope left for himself or the queen looking at him with a glare towards me, already on terms with surrendering and offering me his crown for the taking. "You have conquered this nation. Abyssinia is yours." I could only practically yawn as he spoke.
I take the crown into my hands. "Thanks for the offer, but I'm not really into the whole 'ruling' thing," I responded. My hands krinkle and crunch up the crown, turning it into nothing more but a gold mush featuring a red jewel that came along with it. "You folks can keep Abyssinia."
"W-What?" He almost sounded quite surprised to hear that answer.
I toss the wrecked crown to one of my soldiers who practically stuffs it into a sack for the cargo ships from where I stored the other treasures of Abyssinia. I wipe my hands to get the minor dust off, turning back to the king. "I know I call myself a 'king' but frankly, Monarchy just isn't my thing," I explained to them. "You take over one country, next thing you're dealing with taxes and committees and retirement packages!"
"No... I don't want Abyssinia-" I moved closer to them, snatching one of the Queen's rings to peek through the hole at them both. "-Just its riches."
I slip the ring onto my ring finger, remaining quite calm with them... this being almost too easy for me. "The treasure vaults of Abyssinia are filled with strange and exotic wonders, so they say," I continued with a bit of detail on what exactly it was. "Magical artifacts, flawless jewels, golden trinkets... I'd like them all, please." I at least show some proper manners to actually say please there, in that sarcastic way of course.
The king himself was almost speechless. "You want... our wealth?"
"The wealth of all Abyssinia!" I exclaimed as I look and admire the ring on my right hand. Strife comes floating right into the room like the dark cloud he was, just watching everything that was going on. "Everything shiny, valuable and... or at least, semi-precious!"
The tone in my voice precisely changes to that which I almost sound like I am boasting and complaining at the same time. "Running a whole armada is expensive, you know... you wouldn't believe the upkeep on all those airships." I said to them.
By this point, I am pretty sure the queen has had enough and finally took a stand to speak out. "You... you can't!"
Two of her cat servants pull out a map featuring all of these trade routes on the map that involve catnip, milk, yarn and kibble. Various others are not really that of my own concern. "Abyssinia is a trade nation," She started up. Oh goodness... boring. "We need our wealth to import crops, feed our citizens, build our homes! Almost the other half is for shippings that go out to Equestria, so the story of our heritage can be shared!" Her own paws are held together as if she was begging. "Please... you must leave us something!"
I wasn't backing down though, so too bad for them. "Oh I will," I said to them, expressing false sorrow in the tone of my voice and walking towards a wall next to their throne. "After I empty your vaults, I'll leave you alone."
The speed and strength of my left hand pounds in the shape of a fist straight to the wall while the queen can do nothing but hiss and spit at me. The impact wasn't one to shake the whole building but is enough to leave a large gapping hole in the wall to reveal what was inside there.
"There we are!"
Golden bits were scattered about as if they were small hills with candles about, jugs filled with probably more gold as ever. Milk containers are there, but most likely in storage for the king and queen in case of emergency. Money bags and chests can also be seen throughout the room, even a large ball of yarn... not my interest, but I shall take it regardless.
"Haul it away boys!" I commanded to the troops who are already en route with grabbing the first closest chest in sight. I left them with an expression of good graces. "Don't forget: lift with your knees, not with your back!"
One of the soldiers gives me a thumbs up in understanding as he is walking out to the airships with paintings under his right arm. I turn towards the royal felines, placing both of my hands onto their shoulders. "Come with me, your majesties." I offered to them, moving close to the treasure room - Strife keeping close by in case any of them try to attack.
"So tell me," I began, moving my hand to the treasure room and walking inside with them. I removed my hands from their shoulders. "All this gold and jewelry and stuff is great, don't get me wrong... but what I'm really looking for is some magical treasures. You know, charms... amulets... strange artifacts."
"...No." The king manages to find confidence to speak with me again. He moves his paw forward in the attempt to give me reassurance. "Abyssinia has little use for magic. You won't find treasures of that kind in our vaults."
"No?" I questioned to him with a clever grin on my face, placing my left hand onto my chin to act like I was thinking, before moving right to a green chest that had a lock designed in the shape of a heart with spike coming out of it. "So what's in there?" I pointed out, placing my hands onto the top of the chest.
I suspected that they might just be hiding more gold or jewels, but everything seems to change when I lift open the chest...
A green light caught me off guard but nevertheless, my eyes could clearly see what this was when catching this 'stone' in there among files. I grab onto it by the iron chains and look at this thing with wonder filling into my own eyes.
"Ooh, an ominous glow!" I nearly exclaimed, almost as if I discovered the mysteries of the heavens itself in my own hand. "That's promising..."
"No! Not that!" The king shouts to me with warning in his own voice.
"That will only bring ruin!" The queen belts out, almost as if she is in a panic.
"What... is it?" I almost questioned, caressing the green stone and feeling how smooth it was despite the rough texture. "I can sense... incredible magic in it..."
"Indeed, it is powerful... but also cursed." The king tells me, alarm in his voice when he spoke to me.
The queen speaks up once again to explain what that was in my hands. "That's the Misfortune Malachite! No one should use its power!" She exclaims. "The malachite brings bad luck and woe to any who possesses it. It was passed down and kept locked up for ages when the kings of the past had received it from the Princess of Equestria, to ensure that it would kept out of anyone's hands as she had given birth to a child those thousands of years ago!" Bah... history. Not of my interest. "You nor anyone else should have it! Whoever holds it for too long, or who uses its power, will come to ruin!"
"Really?" I pretend to sound almost surprised by that, tossing the jewel behind me for one of the soldiers to catch. "Well then lucky for you both, I'm taking it off your hands!"
I began making my way out from the palace, leaving the king and queen behind with shock in even their eyes to what was going on. "I appreciate the donations, folks!" I shouted at him who were behind with a smile on my face. "You'll keep me conquering for years to come!"
The airships outside were filling up with the last of the treasures, as the others began to carry up the last of the boxes they contained the wonders inside. My own feet board onto the plank, carrying me upwards to the flagship from where I carried my royal soldiers who were that of the top ranks, everyone else who was a soldier would maintain the task of raiding and taking the treasure for storage.
I stepped on deck for the flagship and turn towards the railing, placing my hands onto the fancy crafted wood and watching over the soldiers from there. My ears could pick up a bit of speaking, so I was able to catch a bit of it.
"Come on, Capper! Now's our chance!"
Hmmm, probably some cowards running away from the disaster that their own city has been placed into and what their future would be without wealth for the first time. I don't really show too much attention to that though, as my focus is on the soldier loading the last boxes in.
"Make sure it's stowed away tight, guys!" I called out to them. "We don't want anything shifting in transit."
"Wait! You can't!" I can hear that female voice speaking out to me. I proceed to take the golden ring with the red ruby engraved into it as I look down to see the queen with the tone of begging. "We have nothing left! Why have you destroyed Abyssinia?"
All I can do is grin with a chuckle, flicking the ring out of my own hand with a 'ping' heard. "Because it was next on my list."
I finally turn around and leave the king and queen there as the flagship takes to the skies once again, feeling nothing for their despair when they enter their collapse in the economy and have nothing.
For that ending, the king can only hold his queen close to him when the tears began to flow, amid all the screaming and chaos I created below.
The smoke was being left behind as the airships in the fleet accelerate past the walls of the capital below. No remorse is shown from the soldiers for what they did, as I trained them to show no feelings - something I learned when in the past years of my life. I can only look towards the fiery ruin of Panthera as the ships rise above the clouds.
"Another successful invasion, Strife." I commended to the dark cloud right behind me, hearing him write down the numbers of all the treasures for what they were worth.
"Yes, my lord," The low-toned pitch he has responds to me. "A masterpiece of strategy if I may say."
"Another country plundered of its riches," I sounded quite proud to hear him acknowledge my wondrous plans being that of a success. "They're barely even a challenge anymore... and do you know why?"
Silence could only come from the cloud as he dropped the pencil. I can feel his presence when he floats beside me. He seems to be quite eager to know why for probably the fifteenth time... or is it ninth time? I don't even know anymore.
"Because I have no friends," I revealed to him just like last time before. "Friendship is a weakness... a liability."
I move my arms, displaying my royal soldiers in sight who stand there, spears in hand awaiting for my orders should I command it, and ready to defend if necessary. "Friends distract you... make you weak..." I continued. "Friends can betray you, make you forget your goals. I have soldiers... commanders... workers... but no friends. Which means nobody will ask me to sacrifice my ambitions. My goals are my own." In my own eyesight, I can catch the little hedgehog janitor Grubber mopping on deck with an iron bucket filled with water.
Ah, I recall when I first met the little bud himself. He had been cast out from the tribe he had grown up, because like the other hedgehogs there... he didn't want to be like them. So he was thrown out in exile. Soldiers found him one day, and I was tempted to throw him overboard, but I saw some good use to have him as the janitor for the ships - so I welcomed him aboard. Without open arms, of course.
I move my right arm and turn my eyes to the dark cloud himself who remains silent, but appears to be listening by the look on his face. "Even you, my right hand creature! Even you are not a friend. You are an agent of my will."
He blinks as I clenched my right hand into a fist as he places his misty left hand onto his chin. "You serve me not out of some misguided sentimentality or imagined camaraderie...but because you know I will win, in the end. I will be the most powerful creature in the world." I took in a breath and silently exhaled. "...And you want to be at my side."
"...Yes, my lord." He says to me again with the same acknowledgement. "I am your servant."
From there, I can feel something come over me as I move my hand close by my mouth, unveiling a yawn that all could hear. "Well!" I said, a bit tired. "I don't know about you, but I am quite exhausted! I'm heading to my stateroom." I move past the cloud and opened up the double doors which by all means would allow me entry.
I turn to Strife again, seeing him float there and observing the skies above with both his hands pressed calmly together. "Wake me if anything happens, won't you?"
"Of course, my lord." Strife says to me, keeping a neutral tone as he was calm. "Sleep well."
I said nothing else when I turn away and enter the stateroom, closing the doors behind me. Good thing too, I deserve the rest.
So there you go, gentle readers. A glimpse into the life of me... the Great Storm King.
A small invasion, a little plundering...and a valuable magical artifact in the bag. Not a bad day.
That Misfortune Malachite... that gem has remarkable magic. Perhaps powerful enough to achieve my ultimate goal: Control.
Enough magic to conquer the whole world. That's all I've ever wanted and now...now it's almost within my grasp.
Now, I'm sure some of you may be asking: Why? Why do I desire conquest above all else? For that matter, who is the Storm King?
Was I the child of a thundercloud and the sky? Was I born from an egg on a mountaintop? Or... I am merely an ordinary creature with dreams of greatness?
What does it matter? I am purely what I am... no more and no less.
I hear only the rumors from even the whispers of this 'princess' from Equestria that had given birth to this child that they claim is not even their own race. Seems to protect them, but I don't even know the entire details. I only know of the description, just like the other one that is in my grasp.
Only other thing known, is that this 'child' has a blade of silver with golden markings that shine brightly. Should I meet him face-to-face, he will know very well that I am not the king of the storm...
...I am a king who is a storm. I am a force of nature. I am greater than any one creature, even better than he shall ever be, and I will prove it by-
There is the sound of a rumble and I can stumble momentarily with the ripped pyjames in my right hand as I broke out from the narration and wondered what the heck that noise was.
"What the-?!"
I barged right out from the stateroom, with hopes that the royal soldiers or Grubber didn't mess around with the wheel of the ship and crash us next to a mountain of some sort. Should any of them, they do have some explaining to do after all, especially since I was about to tell proof of what I would do to this 'child' to the readers of this story and chapters.
Yes, that's right. I can see you writing that review. Don't try to hide it.
The doors swung open, banging onto the walls. I was already quite angered by this disruption. "What is happening out here?" I demanded almost instantly.
I was completely thrown off when Grubber made the call out especially with the large spear piercing right onto the side of the flag ship. "PIRATES!"
From the flagged ship in front of us, we could see seven wingless parrots swinging on the ropes wearing those ridiculous hats and bandanas. They jump over from their own ship, taking ahold onto our fleet and bringing the fight to my soldiers, unordered.
"We're under attack!" One of the soldiers screams out, unable to do anything about that as they finally got on board my own.
"Yarrr!" The macaw-like parrot screeches out, his dagger in possession.
The other next to him wearing an eye-patch calls out to the rest of their crew. "Avast, ye scallywags!"
I am left speechless as those few pirates began to attack the soldiers, who are doing all they can to protect themselves and the treasures we got on the other ships in the fleet. Grubber doesn't fight at all due to his own size, but instead just tosses himself right into the janitor's closet to hide in.
"Take the wheel, boyo!" One parrot commands.
"Aye-aye!" Another voice responds, and I can feel a shift as one of the parrots takes ahold of the wheel that stirred my ship.
I wasn't going to let them sabotage anything that I owned, so without even my staff to help me in this battle, I moved forward towards the pirate who is shoving the soldiers out of the way - even doing what they can to stop him. He moves the wheel in a rather odd tilt, but I am able to grip onto his back and turn him around to face me.
He shows no fear and tries to swing at me despite how far he is from me, even when I held him away. All I can do is chuckle and toss him like a bowling ball to the side, allowing him to slam into two of these pirates.
My attention is drawn towards the other ships as I can see them overflowing to the others, and their directions are beginning to be thrown off-course. Worse of all that I can even imagine is that there are the treasures of mine on there.
"They're stealing my ships..." I finally made the realization that this was the true purpose of pirates when it came to this kind of stuff. "THEY'RE STEALING MY SHIPS!" I sounded very enraged by the time I said that again.
Wait a moment though...
I place my hands onto my hips and began to think for a moment. "What's going on?" I questioned out loud to myself, demanding an answer. "Where are the sentries? How did these pirates get so close to my armada?"
"Thanks to me, my lord."
Low-toned is the voice that I recognized when the expression of shock crossed onto my face and turned around to see him floating there... Strife. He is being guarded between three pirates who are pointing their blades of iron and steel right at me in case I tried anything at that cloud.
"I told the pirates where our fleet would be flying, and when," He confessed to me, opening his arms almost as if he is showing off in the way that he's the captain now, and I'm not. That'll never be the case though, as he is not as powerful as I. "I then took our sentries off-duty, leaving the armada unprotected." I began to move forward slowly towards him, still unable to respond. "These pirates are going to steal all your treasure ships...at my suggestion."
"Strife?" I finally managed to get out, swallowing down a bit of my own spit. "You... betrayed me?"
"No, Storm King." He responded to me, blinking his eyes and turning around so I couldn't see his face. "As you said... friends can betray you. I merely have my own goals..."
The pirates around us grab their ropes featuring little anchors that could be used to attach to their own ship, being that the treasure ships were under their control and our soldiers forced onto this flag ship. They were just about ready to go, but not without final words from the cloud itself.
He turns around and points at me. "...And they do not include you."
The pirates swing from the ship over to theirs with Strife floating across the sky towards the other ship as I was trying to feel no expression over being betrayed. When he crossed over to the other side, I know that even my words could bring him back to face me, even if I try once.
"You- You can't do this!" I begin to feel rage building up inside of me when I clench the both of my fists and nearly growling.
"I already have, King," He responds to me, his eyes glancing at me one last time. "You claimed to have no friends...but you trusted me. That was your mistake."
He finally turns around, getting out of sight as the pirate ship began to make its course through the night time skies filled with clouds like something that was common when there wasn't a thunderstorm going on.
My rage became too much though, as I let out a violent "RRAAAAH!" in frustration and what looks to be defeat... something I'll never accept.
I quickly turn to one of the soldiers, barely noticing Grubber get out of hiding in the closet nearby. From the quick turn, I can tell that he is struggling to get a small bucket off of his head. "You!" I ordered to one of the soldiers on the wheel. "Follow them!"
"I- I can't, sir!" The soldier tells me in his gruff-sounding voice as the rest of my soldiers did underneath their masks. "She's not turning right... Strife must've sabotaged the ship!" You don't say?
A brief glance was enough to turn me to the ships that are moving all towards the moon in the distance. I was already growling... I had no second-in-command now, and without one... wait! Grubber!
I move forward towards him when he was already in relief from pulling the bucket off from his head and tossing it to the side with a sigh of relief from him. I grab onto that white colored mohawk of his, hearing a "Gak!" coming out from him when I lifted him up off the ground.
"You," I acknowledged him, pointing a finger at him while holding a look of aggression. He looks rather nervous with fear, as all soldiers or servants should be if I am driven this far. "Small, weak, useless creature."
He gulps from a moment and fakes a smile. "T-that's me!" He says.
"You are too cowardly to ever attempt to betray me, are you not?" I questioned to him, almost as I was demanding answers out of him - even if it meant to scare him. "Too spineless to consider your own wants... aren't you?"
"Y-y-y-you got me pegged, boss." He stutters for a moment, but gave me an answer that I would consider as something that he would never betray me. He was a complete idiot anyway.
I tossed him over to the side, letting him roll on the floor and get back up onto his tiny hedgehog feet. "Good," I responded to him, still a bit enraged but enlightened as I issued him a new order. "You're my new second-in-command. Order the soldiers to get my ship repaired and follow those pirates."
For a glimpse towards the moon, I can those treasure ships of mine going far beyond my reach, allowing my clench only one fist this time in anger as the thought of Strife betraying me for pirates and theft from someone who will one day rule all of Equus by land and sky, above their heads... under their own feet or hooves.
"And summon my most trusted warrior who is resting in his private cabin to join me up on deck." I made the final order, my eyes only filled with that of wanting revenge. "We have a traitor to catch..."