Nuuk had gotten her this far. Who knows where she’d be, what she’d be in, or how many pieces would be left of her, had she ventured into the jungle alone. Skyheart settled her plump body down against the watchful zebra and joined him in the impromptu surveillance. At least I can rest a bit, she mused, scanning the temple grounds for any more activity. The bright fire atop the temple gave her plenty of light to make out individual members of her crew. A fair amount were present, but just as many were absent. Are they in the temple? Back up on the ship? Where is the ship? Damn it Seras…

Skyheart figured she must’ve been fidgeting, as she found Nuuk bring a hoof to the base of her neck and press gently. It took a moment for her to realize he was steadying her. The mare took a deep breath and relaxed. Now wasn’t the time to curse the imminent grave of the hybrid now controlling her ponies. “More out somewhere,” she said in barely a whisper. “Many. Mystery. Uh… Unknown.” Whether Nuuk understood her caution, she couldn’t tell, the zebra laying stock-still, eyes intently staring outward. Skyheart sighed, and watched with him. Some of her crew patrolled the single entrance as if it were their own fortress. Sneaking in unnoticed was going to be more difficult than Skyheart had thought.

We just need some kind of diversion… Maybe we can go get Nuuk’s tribe and get ‘em to chase us? Then we’d be free to just take the treasure, take my ship, and go. Skyheart took another breath. No, Nuuk would never betray his tribe like that. There’s gotta be someone else–

A fierce, rumbling avian cry speared through the relative silence of the night. Too deep for any small bird or raptor. In the next instant the clear sky filled out, over a dozen griffons descending on the unsuspecting crew. Skyheart dipped lower and flinched, as if one was going to descend on her hiding spot, but she and Nuuk were untouched. She brought her attention back to where Nuuk’s never left, watching the clash of pirates unfold before her eyes. The largest of the griffons, standing out like a sore hoof, took out a pony with one deft swipe of a claw. Skyheart’s tail flicked in joy. “Gullthunder. You’re right on time.”

Skyheart picked herself up and dusted off, giving her body a good, jiggling shake in the process. “Alright Nuuk, now’s our chance. We go in while they’re all killing each other.” Nuuk rose, but kept his senses focused on the potential threats beyond. Skyheart waved a hoof in front of his face. “Hey Nuuk, don’t worry. Pirates aren’t gonna be searching for us! They’re too busy having fun!” Skyheart almost wished she was there with her crew, getting in on the action. A good fight was always followed by a hearty, squirming meal, and hunger started to nag at her at the thought. A griffon or two even began indulging themselves mid-combat, hefting flailing ponies into the air, only to shovel them down their throats. The ringing sounds of battle were occasionally dwarfed by the sounds of squealing prey and powerful swallows.

Skyheart shook her head and stepped out into the grounds. “C’mon Nuuk, it’s now or never! Not like I know the way through this place!” After a bit more coaxing, Skyheart tugging on a still hoof, Nuuk carefully rose and stepped out with her. Both gazed at the chaos unfolding, then to the unguarded, unnoticed doorway. “Let’s go!” Skyheart took off at a sprint, her chunky body protesting and jostling all about. Nuuk easily outstripped her, but she didn’t care as long as they both made it. Skyheart stole one last glance at the unfolding pirate battle going on: Not a soul was so much as looking their way, ponies and griffons alike locked in deadly combat with one-another. Skyheart motored ahead, kicking up dust and flung herself into the darkness that was the temple that allegedly held the sought-after treasure of Baleful Bay.

Skyheart and Nuuk stopped when they were clear of the grounds and several meters inward, the mare grateful that there seemed to be light flickering along the stone hall that lay before them. The sounds of Skyheart panting heavily bounced about the cavernous area, with the fat mare leaning against the wall to catch her breath. “Made… It...” she managed. Nuuk didn’t respond, the zebra still staring down at where he thought danger was (deeper into the temple, Skyheart noted) and not seeming like he just ran full-sprint at all.

“Alright Nuuk… Lead on?” He shot her a sidelong glance but didn’t move. “Argh! Stupid languages...” she cursed, stumbling forward and gesturing with a hoof. “Treasure?” she tried. This time, Nuuk seemed to comprehend, carefully trotting with his ears and eyes focused forward. Skyheart could only guess what the zebra was listening for, until she heard it herself: Water splashing, and a bubbling throaty growl. Noises that got louder the further they walked, with the sounds of the pirate battle outside quickly drowned out. “Oh, this is just perfect,” Skyheart moaned.

The pair turned a corner, and were met with much brighter torches, the large room ahead lit up like a mid-summer day. Nuuk again put a hoof out to Skyheart, who was all-too-eager to stop and stare. Not 100 paces away was a larger-than-life cragadile. The stone-faced reptile’s tail flicked about eagerly in an elongated pool of water it was perched against, looking riled up, impatient, and hungry. Beyond it and the water that flowed from one end of the large room to the other, was another hall, and it seemed as if there was no other way to go.

“This damn treasure better be worth it!” Skyheart yelped, only to find another hoof to her muzzle. She pulled away from Nuuk and huffed, wondering what to do next. There was just no way they’d both make it across alive. Only a well-fed cragadile would settle and leave them alone. She almost wished a pirate had followed them in.

But none did. Skyheart’s only option for bait was… Nuuk. The stoic zebra stood still, waiting. Not fearful, just watchful. It would be easy to go in with a purported plan, then give Nuuk a shove right into the jaws. Then she’d be home free!

On the other hoof, Skyheart would then be without a guide, and who knows what other dangers awaited? Not to mention how the chubby pegasus felt it wouldn’t be fair to Nuuk, who’d led her this far. Even at her angriest, Skyheart had never thought of sacrificing a crew member to get out of a dire situation.

A louder growl snapped the mare from her thoughts. The cragadile was sniffing the air, its long snout gradually turning towards the pair. Nuuk gave her an urgent look, and it didn’t seem like he would wait much longer. What should Skyheart do?