My Little Pirate: Buccaneering is Magic

Setting Sail

The ponies exited the train and were greeted with the cool humid breeze of the ocean that lay in front of them and by the sounds of seagulls cawing in the air above them. The large dock bustled with activity as sailors and dockworkers went about their business. Ships entered and exited the dock and the sound of shouts, bells and rope rubbing against wood echoed throughout the bay.

“Wow it’s so…oceany!” Pinkie exclaimed, jumping with excitement.

“Oh my, this humidity cannot be good for my mane.” Rarity said worriedly as she fiddled with her hair which was in fact a bit more puffy than usual.

“Don’t worry Rare, it’ll be fine.” Rainbow said, setting down a rather average looking box which contained the Elements of Harmony and then rubbing her hoof upon the unicorns head. Rarity gave her a glare and she chuckled. “So where’s the ship?” she asked scanning the area.

“Hmm, it has to be around here somewhere.” Twilight responded as she too began looking around. She noticed a grey stallion galloping towards them, his braided black mane highlighted with streaks of grey, flopping from side to side.  He skidded to a stop and bowed before her.

“Greetings princess, I apologize for the wait…I was busy repairing an ol’ sloop and didn’t see the train come.” he said.

“Oh, it’s fine and please call me Twilight.” the Alicorn said, motioning for him to rise.  “What’s your name?”

“Just call me Docker like everpony else does.” he said with a nervous giggle.

“So can you point us to the Hippocamp?” she asked.

“…Oh, a course. Sorry bout that, I’m just not used to bein around royalty.” he said, letting his true accent come out.

“Follow me.” he said, turning himself around and beginning to stroll ahead. They followed, looking around in awe at the large and fancy ships floating in the ocean to the side of them. Docker turned his head and began to speak. “Now the Hippocamp, she ain’t the newest or the nicest ship on the seas but she’s sure reliable and seen a lot a experience. She’s strong, quick, easy to handle, and just about perfect for a crew yer size or a bit larger…and there she is!” he said with a smile as he stopped in front of the ship. They all stood in silence examining the adequately sized but rather basic ship. Its large masts towered into the air above them and a crow’s nest sat atop the middle one. Its decks laid clean, flat and empty except at the back where two sets of stairs led up to a raised deck which the helm sat upon. Between the two staircases was a small door, leading to the chambers below. At the bow of the boat was a large figurehead of a creature that looked to be the combination of a pony and fish. “Not bad eh?” he asked, breaking the rather awkward silence.

“Aww, I like it!” Pinkie said, squishing her face together with her hooves.

“She’ll be perfect for yer trip.” Docker responded. “She’s stocked with food, water, and other necessities enough to last about a month if you ration it. Ye should be fine but you may wanna restock once you do whatever it is ye need to at The Cutlass Coast and are ready to return. There’s stuff for entertainment too, books, a few instruments and cards. Boredom is somethin every sailor dreads and something we all prepare for. I was told that ye need to blend in with the dwellers a the coast. Yer gonna have to learn the personality yourself, can’t really teach it. But, I did leave some sailing clothes on the ship for ya. You’ll be needin them to look the type. Oh!” he said with surprise. “Nearly forgot, the Hippocamp has recently been updated with a magic powered motor.” He pointed to two large brass objects on the back sides of the ship with a set of tubes extending from each and a large propeller in the water. It’s not very practical but when there’s no wind ye may be needin it. This time a season there should be plenty a wind though. Lastly, you’ll be needin these.” He handed Twilight a set of maps, a compass, sextant and other items for navigation.

“Thank you, we can handle it from here…I hope.” she said somewhat worriedly.

“I wasn’t told exactly what yer all up to but good luck on yer journey and may the winds and seas carry ye well.” Docker said with a wave as they walked up onto the deck.

“Okay everypony, we need to get this ship out of the dock.” Twilight said, trotting up the steps to the helm. Untie the ropes holding us to the dock and I’ll get this ship turned in the right direction.” The ponies quickly followed her instructions and began untying the ropes and placing them on the deck of the ship as she struggled to crank the large wheel. The Hippocamp began to creak as it slowly turned. It nearly smashed into the large ship beside it and Twilight blushed and laughed nervously as Docker watched. But finally it was in position and ready to sail ahead. “Okay now we need to lower the sails to half-mast!” she yelled. The others looked at her with confusion. She paused for a moment not wanting to leave the helm yet. She scratched her head with her hoof and realized that she could use her magic. A magenta glow enveloped the wheel and she rushed down onto the decks. “Like this.” she said, showing them how to use the system of pulleys to lower the sails. After learning what to do the ponies quickly began doing the same. As the sails were lowered, they were caught in the wind and the Hippocamp began to lurch forward. “Okay now then…we need to head southeast. She said, running up to the helm once again. As she placed her hooves on the wheel she picked up the compass with her magic, and held it in front of her face, cranking the wheel, turning the ship in the correct direction. “Alright, now full sail ahead!” she yelled and her friends let the sails drop all the way down and the ship was thrust forward out into the open ocean.

The ponies wandered about the ship, excitedly exploring their new home. “This is gonna be funna fun fuuun!” Pinkie yelled.

“Oh, I just wish our transport was a bit more…accommodating.” Rarity said, coming out from below the deck.

“Least it’s better than swimmin the whole way.” Applejack responded.

“Ah yeah! This is gonna be so awesome!” Rainbow Dash interrupted, flipping and spiraling through the air. “Traveling to a strange and distant land to uncover an ancient relic with untold power, it’s like I’m Daring-Do!”

Fluttershy was too distracted to listen to or join in on the others conversation. She had noticed a seagull sitting upon the crow’s nest and decided to go take a look. She slowly flew up, gently setting her hooves down upon the wooden boards beneath her and moved over to the gull which sat atop nest’s railing.

“Hello there, I’m Fluttershy. Are you heading to The Cutlass Coast too? You can certainly ride with us the whole way if you want. The bird cawed with appreciation.  “I’ll call you Gavin, Gavin the gull.”

Alright everypony, sorry to break it to you but sailing isn’t all fun and games!” Twilight yelled, still at the helm. She then motioned for them to come nearer. Once they broke away from their conversation and Fluttershy made her way down from the crow’s nest, she began to speak again. “It takes a lot of work and we’re all gonna have do it together. Since we have such a small crew, each of us needs specific tasks and jobs aboard the ship. Rainbow Dash, you’ll be in charge of keeping this ship defended, just in case anything goes wrong. Along with that, you’ll be a deckhoof, helping to lower and raise the sails along with other manual tasks. Applejack, you’ll also be a deckhoof and help Rainbow.  Along with that, you’ll be in charge of keeping the Hippocamp in top shape and making any repairs we need. Rarity, you’ll be in charge of keeping this ship clean and shining and if the sails, clothes or any other fabrics need repairs, we’ll be depending on you. Pinkie Pie, you’ll be in charge of keeping our moral up and entertainment. Along with that, we need a cook. Applejack if you’re not busy with your other duties you can always help Pinkie with that too…and Fluttershy.” She said, watching the Pegasus staring at the crow’s nest. “You can be our lookout and tell us if you see any other boats, land or anything else that may be important or a danger to us.”

“Oh thank you so much Twilight.” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“Of course, I didn’t have anypony else to do it anyways.” The Alicorn responded with a chuckle. “You’ll be needing this.” She said, handing Fluttershy a spyglass. She then quickly flew back up to the nest to see her new friend. “and that leaves me, your Captain.”

“Aww, why do you getta be captain?” Rainbow whined.

“Ah come on Rainbow! You wouldn’t even know the port side from starboard…and ah wouldn’t either.” Applejack said with a laugh. “But Twi, she has more knowledge bout boats then all a us combined.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Rainbow said with a huff.

The ponies went about their duties. Fluttershy sat atop the crow’s nest, peering out onto the flat horizon beyond her while feeding Gavin some bread that she had sneaked out from below deck.  Rarity furiously scrubbed certain areas of the deck that she thought seemed grungy but to the average pony would've seemed just fine. Rainbow flew back and forth across the deck, making sure no enemy approached and out of boredom would ask Twilight if anything else needed to be done. She eventually gave up and took a nap in a small hammock she had found and set up between one of the masts and the railing going around the deck. Applejack examined the Hippocamp’s every last nook and cranny, searching for any weak points and repairing any she found as she went. “Hey everpony, looky what I found!” Pinkie yelled, appearing from below deck with a large box of clothes. The others took a break from their tasks to take a look and Rainbow jumped up from her nap. “Argh, me ponies!” Pinkie said, breaking out in laughter as she tied a red bandana on her head, her pink curls popping out from the sides, along with placing an eye patch over her left eye. She then squeezed herself into a white blouse and put a vest over top of it. “Looks pretty good huh?”

“Awesome!” Rainbow said, tying a bandanna around her neck as she noticed a belt which held a sword on one side and a dagger on the other. She strapped the belt around her waist and then grabbed the dagger with her mouth and pulled out the sword with her hoof. “How do I look?” she asked through her teeth.

“Just one more thing!” Pinkie said, slapping an eyepatch onto Rainbow’s head. “Perfect!” she then rushed over to Applejack, pushing a tattered white and red striped shirt over her head and then taking off her cowpony hat and placing a simple brown tricorne in its place. “There we go!” She then rushed over to Fluttershy, giving her a brown vest and then folding up a bandana and tying it around her head like a headband. For a finishing touch, she put a few beads in her hair and clipped a golden ear cuff onto one of her ears. “Lookin good!”

“Not bad but I’ll have to make a few improvements.” Rarity, said looking at a rather fancy velvet plum colored dress with cream accents that she had put on. “Do you like?” she asked, placing a matching laced tricorne atop her head.

“Oh it looks great.” Fluttershy said with a smile.

Twilight dug deep into the box pulling out a navy blue double breasted captains coat trimmed with gold and a matching tricorne with a plumed white feather sticking out of it. “Perfect.” she said with a smile as she put on the coat, concealing her wings. “Now nopony will know that I’m an Alicorn or think I’m working with Celestia…alright everypony this ship can’t sail itself! Back to work!” she yelled, placing the tricorne on her head.

The ponies continued their duties until the sun got low on the horizon and the skies began to glow a warm orange. Pinkie and Applejack disappeared to the kitchen below deck to make a grand dinner while the others helped roll up the sails and drop anchor for the night.  As the skies turned from orange to a fiery red, Pinkie appeared from below deck. “Grub time!” she yelled.

“Oh my, I certainly hope you’re not being serious.” Rarity hacked with disgust.

“No silly, just the expression.” Pinkie said, beginning to giggle.

Below deck they sat down at a large round table and Pinkie and her cooking partner, Applejack, set before them plates of tasty tarts, pies, and pastries along with a large bowl of stew. “Now we didn’t have much to work with…mainly just a lot of lemons and limes but hey it prevents scurvy and tastes lemony and limony am I right?” Pinkie asked.

“A lot different than the apples back home but ah think we did good.” Applejack said proudly.

“Mmm, I can’t wait!” Rainbow yelled, rubbing her hooves together excitedly.

“Well go ahead, dig in.” Pinkie responded, shoving some food her way. All the ponies ‘dug in’…Rarity rather delicately, enjoying the hardy stew and the tart and refreshing lemon lime treats. “So, after we’re done… eating I want to… have a little boat party.” Pinkie said in between bites. “I’m in charge of entertainment and this will keep us super entertained.”

“What can we do on this boat for a party?” Rainbow asked.

“Well I found these!” Pinkie said, holding up a fiddle in one hoof, a whistle in her mouth and a drum in the other hoof. Then these!” she said dropping the instruments and holding up a few decks of cards.  “Along with music and cards there’s some tasty juicy stuff in barrels. I don’t know what it is but it’s really good.” She said placing a cup in front of Dash. Rainbow stared at the strange liquid in it and shrugged, grabbing the cup with her hoof and gulping it down.

“Wow that’s really good. So sweet! This could actually be fun!” she said with surprise, placing the cup back on the table.

“Be careful it’ll make ya feel funny!” Pinkie teasingly warned. “Alright everypony, yummy drinks all around!” Pinkie yelled, noticing that they had finished their dinner.  She poured the juice into cups and handed them out. “Now let’s go up on the deck. Its gonna be a nice night!” she yelled, hopping up the stairs.

***

Twilight stood silently at the bow of the ship, staring into the clear night sky above her, she could see many more stars than she ever had back in Ponyville and many constellations that she’d heard of before but never seen. She could hear the sounds of laughter and talking behind her, coming from the others sitting in the warm glow of the lanterns that surrounded them. She glanced back, noticing Pinkie Pie silently walking towards her. “What are you doing over here?” she asked.

“Just looking at the stars.” Twilight responded with a sigh. “The skies are quite beautiful out here.”

“There’s something else too isn’t there.” Pinkie said with concern, placing her hoof on Twilights back.

“Yeah…I’m just worried…if we don’t make it back in time, if we can’t find what we’re looking for..I…” Twilight struggled to let out.

“Look at everything else we’ve done…” Pinkie said. “Do you know how many times we’ve saved the day? A lot. This time won’t be any different. We’ve done it before and can do it again. Cheer up!” Pinkie said comfortingly and then tightly hugged her friend.

“Thanks Pinkie.” Twilight said, embracing the hug.

“I’m just doing what the cap’n ordered and helping out a friend.” she responded. “Now come on, we’re practicin’ are pirate accents, we landlubbers need a bit a practice.” Pinkie said in her best accent, followed by a laughing fit and a few snorts.

“Aye.” Twilight said with a smirk and followed Pinkie back into the warm lantern light.

The friends all attempted to speak their best pirate accents, talked, joked, sang as Pinkie played the instruments she had found, played cards and laughed late into the night. Finally heading below deck and settling into their bunks for the night, awaiting another day of traveling the seas.