Firehearted

"Fine then, here it is" I used my flawless method of picking good places to go. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, "That one!" I pointed at some random bar that looked alright. I pushed open the door to the strong smell of alcohol and bread. That great smell. The place looked like something our of a movie. On the bar regulars sat drinking and in the place's corners shady looking ponies did their business. "What'll it be far ya?" Asked the barkeep cheerfully seeing us walk in. "Surprise me" The barkeep seemed to get a devilish grin. "Whatever you say, sir" "How about you, lad?" He asked Cosmo.

I did a quick mental check of my Trottingham criminal record... That's taken care of... I was framed for that one... I framed someone else for that one... That guy did try to mug me though... He deserved it... I guess I'm clean here, good, I won't have to pay off the mob again... I waited until I was sure Cosmo was with me. "So the plan is we get train tickets and head out to Ponyville where my house is. One of my other friends might be there since half the time I'm not there and a few of my friends use it as a place to stay for a bit" Hunter was probably there right now... Oh fun, I'd have to make sure Cosmo doesn't see any clues about Hunter being a werewolf and all.., that should be easy, I've done it before. "Oh, and whatever you do there DO NOT OPEN the BLUE fridge... Don't do it..." That's where Hunter stashed the meat he hunts so he can eat well and it gives my griffon guests some food too. Hunter... He was one of my closet friends. I'd made a vow for him that every full moon I'd stay awake watching the moon and he vowed to the same for me. He had no choice but to turn in the full moon and he'd have to hide out in the woods until dawn, unlike if he turned willingly. It was more of a comfort thing. Under the full moon neither of us felt alone wherever we were. We were like brothers... I was the closest thing he had to family. The same attack that gave him his curse took away his family. I snapped out of my thoughts and got back to business. "The station shouldn't be too far. It'd be better to walk than take a taxi, come on" The city felt strange now... All the people and buildings. "Nice to be back around people besides sailors, eh?" And the food... And showers, Celestia, I haven't had a proper both since I left port on the way to the island... That explains the looks I was getting... That look you give a hobo... Yeah, once I was home I'd be taking a bath... And Cosmo, he probably need one too. "Hey, if you see a place to grab a bite speak up, we haven't eaten real food in... Months, right?" I smiled again happy to be back.

OOC:http://mlpforums.com/topic/127483-after-the-island-private/ I stepped off the boat onto the Trottingham Dock. Finally. Dry land or at least dry land were my chances of getting eaten by giant birds were a lot lower. The dock bustled with workers doing this and that, whatever dock workers do, I’m no sailor. “Let’s see…” I thought aloud. I checked the side pocket on my bag. That should be enough bits for two tickets to Ponyville. “Looks like we’ll be taking the train, Cosmo” I said assuming he was right behind me. “You can crash at my place until the heats off you which, as soon as my letter gets to Canterlot, will be off… Oh, and you might want to where a cloak or something when we’re around police" I smiled looking at the city. I'd be home soon and, after that place we'd just been through, that was all I could as for. "Time waits for no one, Cosmo!" that wasn't exactingly relevant but I felt like shouting something right now with how happy I was.

This... is... Great! My only problem is the soul piercing eyes but I can can fix that.

@@SharpWit, The Emporer had been sick for a worrlingly long time. It was enough we had to turn away the Kaiser. "Sir" I began slowly creaking the door to his bedchambers. "Yes, Atlas?" "The Kaiser came by" "He did? Where is he?" "We had to turn him away" "Ah... I see..." He seemed dispointed. He hated being ill. It made him feel weak and he felt it made the naiton weak. "Feel any better, sir?" "I can't tell" "At least it isn't worse... I'll let you get your rest" "Yes... Thank you, Atlas" I slowly shut the door. Damn. "You, servent" I stopped one of them at in the palace. "Yes, sir?" He asked looking worried now. "Go run and send a message to the Kaiser. Tell him I'll see him" "Er, um, yes, sir!" "Well go!" The Griffon half ran half flew off. That was taken care of. Now we waited.

I felt like shit. Mentally and physically. I'd never show though. The years of being in the wilderness and being in tough spots have taught me how to keep emotions and feelings locked away for the most part. I could feel the closet in my mind banging. It wanted out. I barricaded it more and ignored it. I hated myself. But I'd never tell. I busied my mind with other things. What did I have to do once I got home? I had to check reports from the Griffon Kingdom... Find out what Hunter's up to... Check up on mom and dad... Clean out the blue fridge... I've got to send more bribe money to the Manehatten police chief and mayor, keeping them in my pocket was expensive... I've got to solve that dispute in the Saddle Arabian network cell... Oh, and I've got to integrate Cosmo... I could mark him as part of the mob cells... Nah, he doesn't fit... Odd job cell?... No... Private group maybe... Outer private group... I'll see once we're off this rock... What do I need to get him?... An apartment... One for his family if they're in the street too... Regular food drops... I've got to make sure they get glossed over when it comes to taxes or I could just pay for them... Overall Cosmo will probably be a net loss for the network... No matter. The rest of the network makes enough bits to make up for this. In the big picture he's not costing us that much... ... We came upon a slow moving river, perfect to wade in and bath. It looked to nearly mid day. Now might be a good time for lunch. It occurred to me I hadn't said a word to Cosmo the whole hike... Then again I had nothing to say. Without a word I dropped pack and took off my fez. With a sigh I walked into the cold river. It didn't bother me. The cold felt nice on my hot skin. I stood in the river silently taking deap breaths with my eyes closed letting my sticky skin and coat clean. I was in my own world. I was one with the jungle and river. It belonged to me and me to it. I was calm.

I'll never say a word of what happened and what I'd done... Or so I told myself. "The nearest body of water then deeper inland" I told him, my voice still emotionless. "We need to wash up and maybe, if it's good enough, keep our water supply high. Not staying clean is a surprisingly terrible thing to do out in the wilderness. You won't be able to walk from the burn" I threw my heavy pack on. "We eat on the trail" I took out my morning rations at tucked them under my wing and tucked my machete in the other. Teaching myself to use my wings as extra grabbing appendages was one of the best choices I'd made. I could put food in my mouth with one wing and chop with the other. It required strong wings though, which is something I have. "Come on. We don't got time to stand around"

There are few things that can make he cry like some kid: my mom, my closest friends, and this. Hate me. Hate me. Hate me. I was not about to tell Cosmo about this. I haven't even told Hunter, the person I trusted most and the person who trusted me the most. "Cosmo... I've done some things" Hate me. Hate me. Hate me. "Things no one should do" A monster. "The noose is too good fore me, got it. The only reason in keep myself kickin' is because I've got too many people that depend on me" That was half true. I was afraid to die but I'd never show it. Then again who isn't? Then again I don't know what's in store for me after the crimes I've committed. I sobbed a bit more as I tried to get this off. I locked the thoughts away in the closet in the back of my mind. I put a big chest in front of the door and let it be. I knew it was banging in the door though. It would only be a matter of time before it burst free. "Come on, Cosmo. We can't burn daylight like this" I needed some place to clean off and get the tears out if my eyes and coat. I grabbed my rifle and packed up. "Whenever you're ready" I finished emotionless.

((I'm using mobile so I can't mention right now)) "I dunno. Whatever I can. Keep in shape, serve my time, write some letters, not too much. I'm pretty sure Sal's got nothing on her mind to do either" She kept quiet but I could hear her grumbling. "Anywho I'll just go where you do"

((Note for everyone eavesdropping, when Sal is talking aloud (red text) Atlas sounds like a MARE cause Sal is talking)) "Gimme that!" Sal snatched the coffee from Jay (See: Sal is a jerk). She jugged the whole cup wiping some off her lip. "Okay, that's enough for you" I took back control. I could Sal was TOTALLY okay with it by her long tangent of expletives. I failed to notice Cosmo's spell. I really should have caught onto those by now. I sat there waiting. For once in my life I didn't have a ready question... Meanwhile, Somewhere in the Griffon Kingdom... "No! We can't fit a whole musket in a cake!" "But what if we made it a REALLY LONG cake?" "No, Swift... Just no" "A knife?" "We don't want him in for another murder" "Explosives?" "No..." "..." *Puts file into cake to Swift's disappointment* "Now go and mail this" "Fine..."

@@Eternal Night,@@Pripyat Pony, "It's fine, man, don't sweet it" "Sure, I wanted to talk to her anywho" Food. It was disgusting as usual but food. "Hey, Jay. You sleep well?" I took a sip of the coffee. Ugh. This stuff was terrible. I don't really need the coffee anyway. Don't you dare stop drinking that, jackass. What got into you? Shut up, and let me drink it. Fine jeez. I let Sal take control to drink the coffee. Maybe it would make her cool off some. Well as soon as Sal was in control she swapped from my chipper face to looking like she was ready to murder someone. "What the hell are you two looking at?" Now, now, Sal. No need to be a jerk. Shut up.

Atlas Rainbows Lightfeather Male Pegasus Head: http://i.imgur.com/nlqRVun.jpg I'd rather it be less spiky though. My sig has a few more bits about him that are important to his appearance. His cutie mark may be a bit complicated so it's alright if it's simplified. Think Blueblood's now stick that onto a map that's a bit ruffled and curled toward the top and bottom. The compass rose is a bit big. If something's wrong or you don't know, just ask. Thanks!

I walked out of the cell with a yawn. I guess it's time for breakfast. I popped my back and wings a bit, that felt a bit better. @@Eternal Night, I walked toward the mess keeping an eye out for Cosmo. "Hey, Cosmo!" I called approaching him. "I'm sure you slept well! I sure did!" I clicked my hooves smiling at him. You are WAY too happy. Just because you're not a morning person doesn't mean you have to drag me down. Just go get some coffee. Fine, just don't expect me to be a dud like you! Did you take too many crazy pills today or something? I ignored Sal as she groaned. "SOOooo. What are you doing today?" Meanwhile, somewhere in the Griffon Kingdom... "So your amazing plan is to send him a cake with a file in it?" "Yes... Yes it is. It's so cliche no one will suspect it" "...Vanilla or chocolate?" "Swirl!"

I made my way back to my cell. Today had been strange. Just strange. At least I knew Cosmo was here. It was someone I knew... I ignored the odd shout from other prisoners. I didn't care about what they had to say. I plopped down onto my "bed." For others it may have been uncomfortable but I could sleep most anywhere. I tried to get some sleep for tomorrow. Meanwhile, Somewhere in the Griffon Kingom... "We clear?" Asked SwiftWings as his friend walked in. "All connections are cut. We're off the grid and off the hot seat... The Griffon Kingdom cell is in the clear" "Good" IronClaw sighed. "We can operate without Equestria on our tail-feathers" ... "So now what... We know he's in this prison and he's in tight... We can't do much" SwiftWings asked idly. "I would get the other contacts but, one: we're cut off from each other, and, two: I don't want to start a war with Equestria by blowing a prison to bits" "Sooo... What do we do?" "I don't know yet. I guess keep out heads down and the cell together. We can try and hook up with the other parts of the network soon, once we've made sure the cell is completely secure and all portions have gotten back on their paws, hooves, and claws. Till then we aren't going anywhere" "Right... I'll send the letters and check on our people. I'll have reports to every sect, regional, and operations leader and safe-house by the week's out" "Good. Get to it" SwiftWings gave a nod and left. IronClaw sat down with a sigh. They had a big job ahead of them.

NationStates. https://www.nationstates.net/nation=the_united_lands_of_ash Or YouTube. One of the two.

“Not getting hit was like running through the rain and not getting wet.” The last few seconds were a blur. I was lying stomach down in the sand behind a rock looking for any Japs through my Springfield's sight. Napalm got to them before I did though. I regrouped wit my squad, a bunch of strangers to me. At least it wasn't the beach. "Tank support? I give 'um five minutes before they're either at the bottom of the sea or blown to bits. I don't think the Japs will wait around for us to let them show up either. We've got to keep on our toes and keep them on their toes... But that's just my opinion. What do you thin, Sarge?"

@@cybernote nyan,\ "Huh?" I looked at him confused. "I've got no heavenly clue what you're talkin' about" Play dumb, no one here would talk and he'll just think he's hearing things. @@Pripyat Pony,@@Snowflake Frostflame, Discreet enough. I hoped this new guy would bugger off. "Say, Officer, you know when I'm up for interrogation? Tomorrow was it?"

I wanted to throw up. I'd seen war before. I'd fought in war. This time felt different though. I should have signed up for the army while I had the chance. "I sure hope so... If that didn't kill 'um I don't know what will" Gun and some more gun maybe? These damn Japs are like cockroaches. I wondered how the boys fighting the krauts were doing. They've got to worse off than us. Sure they did. Damn. I forgot they gave us this plastic bag things for our guns. I really wanted to make sure my Springfield was working BEFORE we hit the beach. I stood waiting out the longest thirty seconds of my life.

Alabama Baptist! Woot, woot!

@@cybernote nyan,@@Snowflake Frostflame, @@Pripyat Pony, "I'm fine with that, I just want someone to talk to right now. It's a bit boring 'round here" Then I saw the one on his hind legs. The one of us with the strongest emotion, considering no one is pushing, will normally come out. "Ти виглядаєш так чертовски нерозумно! ХА! Чому, чорт візьми, ви навіть зробивши це?!" Remember how I said she could be a jerk? This is now. I forced Old Griffon onto her and tried to force her down in general. Basically I can swap her form speaking English to Old Griffon if I force it on her, she can do the same to me. I also made her sound a bit stupid if you translated what she said. Not the best insults. Now all I had to do was bluff to two other ponies that they were hearing things. "How are you two doing?"

@@cybernote nyan,@@Snowflake Frostflame, @@Pripyat Pony, "I'm fine with that, I just want someone to talk to right now. It's a bit boring 'round here" Then I saw the one on his hind legs. The one of us with the strongest emotion, considering no one is pushing, will normally come out. "Ти виглядаєш так чертовски нерозумно! ХА! Чому, чорт візьми, ви навіть зробивши це?!" Remember how I said she could be a jerk? This is now. I forced Old Griffon onto her and tried to force her down in general. Basically I can swap her form speaking English to Old Griffon if I force it on her, she can do the same to me. I also made her sound a bit stupid if you translated what she said. Not the best insults. Now all I had to do was bluff to two other ponies that they were hearing things. "How are you two doing?"

And I was stuck standing around like an idiot. Now what? I guess I'll just be standing around... Maybe I could talk to Jinx/Jay. I had nothing better to do. Cosmo was off somewhere and I could catch back up with him later. I walked off to find her. @@Pripyat Pony, "Sooo... What's up?"

@@SharpWit, Dock workers cleared the way as the four approached. A few crewman darted back into their ships. In seconds the dock was almost empty of life. The only noise was the sea and the creek of walking on the dock. "Can we help you?" Asked an aging Earth Pony flanked by tow Griffons, one with on oar, the other a sword as they emerged from a small building built onto the pier. "I'm the dock manager and I say you can't just come barging into our harbor! State your business" Meanwhile... "Cap! They need us at the docks!" Shouts a young solder to his CO. "Wa? What?" He bumbled waking up. "Some random Bat Ponies showed up with a whole fleet!" "Ring up Command then get to the harbor, I'll get the others" "Yes, sir!"

@@Snowflake Frostflame, Maybe I could try acting batshit insane like I did in front of Cosmo back on the boat. Nah, I need a sword for that. Cause that's a great idea with armed guards 'round. "Okay, fine we were talking about that AND catching up. Simple as that, sir. I was trying to help her really. You see, before I got locked up in here з поважних причин style, I was a archaeologist/explorer so I know a thing or two about dangerous artifacts. I thought I might be able to help her but I can't 'cause this was all a different kind of magic than I'm used to and I'm no unicorn" I finished fluttering my wings. "We weren't trying anything, sir, honest. Just talkin' and we like privacy, Cosmo can testify that I like privacy. I haven't seen him in forever so it seemed like it would be nice to talk to him too. I've got nothing else to say, sir. You've milked this source dry"

@@Snowflake Frostflame, ((Did you mean me or Cosmo, the unicorn?)) Atlas tapped Cosmo on the hoof as he went to the guard. I think that means a yes... I don't know, probably. "Yes, officer" Alright go sit down Sal, you got your sentence. No buts! I walked toward her slowly and deliberately "You beckoned for the pegasus?" "Oh, and my unicorn friend over there really does need his meds... What were we talking about?" Like I'd tell you. "Nothing really, just catching up an getting stuff straight. Rumors said little miss Jay over there was one of the most dangerous here so I wanted to talk. I talked a bit then we just kept talking and my friend, Cosmo joined us for the talk. Simple as that" I swear I could hear Sal snickering somewhere in my head.