Rum, Powder, and a Scarred Drake

by Bilbo Dingo

Rating: teen
Tags: Sex, Random, Adventure, Alternate Universe, Sad, Main 6, Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spike, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Romance
Length: 24596

Seven years after an incedeint with Spike. The mane six, the CMC and the princesses take a ride on a galleon. Which is soon taken over by an enemy ship. They take the ponies in board and plan to hold them captive for ransom. But a certain drake comes

Seven years after an incedeint with Spike. The mane six, the CMC and the princesses take a ride on a galleon. Which is soon taken over by an enemy ship. They take the ponies in board and plan to hold them captive for ransom, leaving the crew on small rowing boats. It seems there dates are sealed. Until a Drake, his ship and crew board the ship. It will be a very interesting week's ride home.

Proofread by StarBrony3

Published 2015-03-08 17:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2017-03-17 09:04:29 UTC

Sunk, Captured and Rescued

Out in the tropical sea, as waves crashed and Ships sailed. A lone galleon was out at sea, headed to the Capital of the Equestrian colony Mamajia. This galleon was named the ERN Trottington. It was one of the normal standard class brigs of the Equestrian Royal Navy, but was certainly nothing like the navy’s huge flagships, the ERN Princesses Pride and the ERN Shining Armour. But the brig was carrying far more important cargo than any other ship in the sea.

The Brig had passengers on board. Very special passengers, since it was none other than three princesses of Equestria, the former bearers of the elements of harmony, and to have more pressure, three sisters of the Bearers also came along for the ride. That’s some pretty important people to protect, especially with threats from not only the Gryphon’s Navy and their colonies; even though the two have finally come to a truce. But diseases, rats, horrible ship food and sleeping conditions. And worst of all, Pirates.

Yes, Pirates stroke fear in the heart of any sailor of any navy of any species. Whether they be Pony, Gryphon, or any other in the two rivalling naval powers. These bands of species would attack any ship for ether gold or merchandise to sell to fulfil their desire for alcohol and coitus. Showing no mercy to those who opposed them, and where the lowest form of scum on the planet. That’s what the Ponies and Gryphons in power thought of anyway.

But Celestia herself did fear they would be attacked by pirates but as they were soon to arrive in Port, she felt that the cruellest of the cruel wouldn’t be able to hurt her or her little ponies.

She was on deck right now, along With Princess Luna, Princess Twilight, the former bearers and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Have you enjoyed the trip so far?”

“Eeyup, nice to get off of tha farm from time ta time.” Applejack said.

“Of c-c-coarse I’ve h-had a wonderful-“Rarity was cut off as she placed a hoof on her mouth and her cheeks turned green. She quickly ran to the side and threw up over the sick.

“Sorry Princess, My sister’s not used to the ocean.” Sweetie Belle said. Now seven years had gone by since the Cutie Mark crusaders were the little fillies that always got into trouble. Although they still do, they were nearing adulthood. Sweetie Belle’s mane and tail had gotten longer but stayed the same style. She had gotten her cutie mark in singing, which was a clef note surrounded with a ribbon of music bars. She was nearing the height of her sister.

Rarity groggily came back, hiccupping little.

“I must apologise your majesty. P-please forgive me.” Rarity bowed.

“It is quite alright. I know how the sea can affect others. On many trips like this there is always at least one who cannot take the motions.” Celestia said.

“Hey Princess. I’m just curious but why do you have to go to Mamajia?” Scootaloo asked. Like Sweetie Belle, she had also grown, and surprisingly at the same height. She still kept her purple mane messy and ruff, her wings had grown out a lot better, no longer the little wing she had seven years ago. She had also earned her cutie mark. It was a red scooter wheel that was on fire.

“The governor of Princesston wanted to talk to me and Luna about more Guards for the colony, and possibly more Money in the budget.” Princess Celestia told her.

“Is that all? Then we won’t be there for long will we?” Applebloom asked. She has also aged and gotten taller. She was Also taller than her older sister, although she no longer was wearing her pink bow. Her mane did still seem to be in the same style, and had gotten her Cutie mark. It was a picture of a hammer and a spanner crossed over a red apple.

“Yes, but this is manly for business. But you still get to see another land, and what life is like in Mamajia.” Princess Celestia replied.

“Don’t ‘cha worry Applebloom. We’ll be back in Ponyville before ya know it.” Applejack said. Applebloom smiled, knowing her sister was right.

“Ship off the Port bow!” the group looked up to see the sailor in the crow’s nest shouting down to the crew. Princess Celestia was the first was to walk over to see what it was, the rest soon following. They gasped as they saw what seemed to be a frigate slowly approaching them. The frigate then turned sideways, its starboard cannons aiming at the Equestrian brig. Celestia herself gasped as the Gryphon flag could be seen flying over the masts. The captain of the brig soon came up to the group with a worried expression.

“Princess, I ask of you to seek shelter in my quarters. Please! Before one of their cannons hits one of you." The group didn’t need any more persuasion, as they bolted for the cabin. Scootaloo and Applebloom closed the doors but not before seeing the deck get blown to pieces and the shrapnel hitting some of the panicking sailors.

Now all the group could here was gunfire, cannons, screaming, yelling and explosions. They were shaken left and right as the brig was torn apart. All were cowering as they fear one of the cannonballs might hit them.

“Rarity, I’m scared.” Sweetie Belle said as she held onto her big sister.

“So am I Sweetie Belle.” Rarity said as the two siblings hugged each other tight.

Soon the gunfire stopped and the boat stopped getting shocked with cannon fire. The group could hear cheers coming from outside, and the double doors opened to reveal the captain standing there with his head down. The group slowly got up thinking that the enemy ship had been taken care of.

“Well done Cap-“

Princess Celestia stopped talking there and then when the captain fell to the floor, blood slowly flowing onto the floor. A hole in his spine. Behind him was a gruff looking Gryphon holding a sword, with a whole bunch of other gryphons cheering on deck. But none of the ERN sailors were standing or breathing.

“Well, looks like we found the jackpot.” The Gryphon said as he laughed, the group shivered, and chattered their teeth with fright. Not knowing what these gryphons planned to do to them.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Soon the group of ponies were forced onto the ship, and watched as the ERN Trottingham was finally sunk before them. As they were forced into the Gryphons quarters, which had a strangely fancy desk and a huge Gryphon navy flag behind it. The group soon saw the gryphon captain walk back in, now wearing very formal clothing and sitting down at his desk. He rang a bell and a gryphon waiter then came in carrying a tray of tea and a meal that any of the ponies would love to have.

“Who are you?” Twilight spoke up.

“Well, that really doesn’t concern you does it? You my captives and have to do what I want.” The Gryphon said smugly, trying to knock them back down.

“Why do you have a Gryhpon Navy flag hanging up if your pirates?” Twilight asked again. He again laughed.

“Pirates? Those rats? No, no, no, we are buccaneers. Working for our country but under the disguise of pirates.” He responded. Celestia herself had heard of stories of these tactics but had never actually seen it written down in the Royal archives or the Equestrian Royal Navy’s tactics.

“…What do you plan to do with me and my little ponies?” Celestia asked.

“It’s quite simple your ‘majesty’. The truce between both of us agreed to stop trying to fight for control of this sea. But if I bring the rulers of Equestria, we Gryphons could make any deal we wanted.” He said as he temptingly took a bit out of his meal, but since it was meat, most of the ponies nearly gagged, fainted or threw up. The Captain then called for some of his crew to take them to their cells.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next week was living Tartarus. The food they were given was crust, black bread and weak ale. They were cramped into two

different cells just outside of the captain’s quarters. These cells there were for the captain’s delicate and special prisoners, but the group were taking turns as to who would sleep on the wood bench and who would sleep on the floor. The bars had been sprayed with a potion to make it anti-magic, so the princesses and unicorns couldn’t escape. But the captain understood the importance of the day and night, so every morning and evening, the Gryphons took ether Luna or Celestia, put them in magic and wing restraints. And took them on the deck so they could change the day and night. Each of the group having a different experience.

Rarity herself was about to break, her fur was dirty, she had barely gotten any beauty sleep, and her normal clean, curly mane was messy and tattered. She was just about ready to break the cages down to get a hair brush.

Rainbow Dash tried all her might to fight against the Gryphons from since they were captured, but ultimately failed. She was also dealing with a more personal matter. She hadn’t stretched her wings and had a good flight in days, and it was starting to worry her. What if by the time she got out of here, her wings would be nothing but limp bones?

Fluttershy was so scared of what the gryphons would do to her and her friends. But she was more concerned about her animals back home. She had asked ponies to look after her animals, but if she goes, they might wonder where she’s gone and go loose onto the citizens of Ponyville. But there has also angel, he was a handful and the other ponies might decide to get rid of him if she doesn’t come back in time.

Applejack herself put up a fight, but the slow energy in the food they were given was slowly picking away at her. She thought that if she was save, at all, then she wouldn’t be able to help on the farm anymore because her legs would be down to the bone.

Pinkie Pie’s mane had gone to the straight hair when she thought her friends were sending her away, she had a thousand thoughts going through her at once. Would she see the Cakes again? Would she see her family again? Would she be trapped in the ship forever? Would she ever see the two Cake twins grow up? And the most important one. Would she be able to through a party for anypony ever again?

Princess Luna was trying as hard to not look beaten, but on the inside, she was slightly scared. She knew the relationships between the two species and nations hadn’t been the strongest. But she didn’t know what the gryphons would do if they were able to get their way.

Scootaloo looked at her wings regularly, thinking that at the rate they were going and the food they were receiving. Her wings would get smaller again. Which reminded her of all the years of bullying and teasing from ponies. She had started to have nightmares again, at first it wasn’t as often but they slowly became frequent.

Sweetie Belle’s main fear wasn’t the food, or the conditions of the cell. But the captain had been eyeing her a lot. And feared that he might have his way with her.

Applebloom was usually thinking of how she may never be able to live her life like she wanted. Open up a workshop, make a decent job, and maybe meet someone and get married. But the marriage was for later in her life. She mainly wanted to do what she wanted to do. But something else dragged her down. Ever since she was a filly, she wanted to get her cutie mark. And now she finally got it, it would go to nothing if the gryphons would take her and the ponies away.

Princess Celestia constantly thought about her kingdom and her subjects. If she and her sister and former student were forced into handing over their kingdom, what would the gryphons do to her little ponies? And how long would they have to suffer because of this.

And finally, Twilight Sparkle. She herself was the most scared. She thought the gryphons would do horrid, terrible things to the ponies around her. And also all the other ponies in Equestria, thinking of all the horror and destruction that would be caused. She also thought that these Gryphons would also try to…get them in bed. She tried her hardest to fight against these thoughts but they all came back, torturing her.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At the beginning of the new week, the day started out like it would on the ship. The group sat in their cells. The captain watched on deck as his crew slaved over the ship, heading for their destination. The captain was thinking all morning if to finally…unstress himself. He finally decided enough was enough and began to walk to the cells with his two guards. A yell was screamed from the crow nest.

“Ship off the Stern!”

“Someone get me a spyglass!” The captain yelled. A sailor soon came up and held the spyglass in front of the captain. He quickly swiped the spyglass out of the sailor’s talons and quickly zoomed on the ship. He saw what looked like a brig of some sort, and was waving the gryphon navy’s flag. He turned towards the sailor and hit him on the head with a spyglass.

“You idiots! That’s one of our own!” The captain yelled. He groaned and continued on his path to the cells.

Meanwhile on the other ship, a tall figure wearing a shirt and a leather robe, with leather pants and boots. Wielding a sharp sword, two pistols, and a rifle slung on his back, looked through his spyglass and watched as the Captain yelled at his crew and walked on. The figure grinned and put his spyglass away, before looking down at the crew.

“It’s working! Full sail! We need to get close fast!”

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile the ponies all tried to stretch in the limited room they had, before the captain barged the double doors open. The ponies covered their eyes from the blinding light, slowly adjusting to finally seeing the sun’s rays after a day without it.

The Captain pointed to Sweetie Belle and whistled, the two guards opening the cell door and grabbed Sweetie Belle. She immediately struggled against the grip, with the ponies getting up to grab her back, but the guards had already locked the cell door on them. All the ponies got up and looked in worry as to what the captain would do to her.

“What are you doing!?” Sweetie Belle asked, still struggling.

“Well, when a male like me is out at sea for a long time. He needs to fulfil certain…desires.” He said with a grin. Sweetie Belle screamed and kicked rapidly. The guards now having troubles to even hold her straight.

“Oh shush, when you’re on my ship, you follow my orders. So save your enegy for the bed, because-“.

A large boom went off as the ship was pummelled from the Port bow, causing the ponies and gryphons to all fall down. Gunshots and screaming could be head outside. The captain quickly got up and shouted.

“You two! Put her back in the cell. And you, I’ll be back for you so don’t think this is over.” The captain pointed at Sweetie Belle. The guards quickly opened the cell and threw her in before quickly closing.

The captain and the two guards barged out to see his crew being overtaken by ponies, Gryphons, and many other races in tattered and normal clothes. The Captain heard two thuds and a shot, he turned to see his top two guards dead on the deck while a sailor was looking worried.

“They have scouts!” the sailor yelled.

The captain then saw a gryphon swing on a rope and landed on two of his sailors. The gryphon then pulled out a pistol with two barrels and shot the two. As some sailors surrounded him. He quickly out two swords and slashed them all. Not without breaking a sweat.

The captain started to worry, and was even more scared when a huge Zebra crashed onto his deck, shaking some of his sailors off of their feet. The zebra pulled out a huge hammer, and smiled and the sailors surrounded him. He laughed and started to pulverise them with his hammer cracking bones and skulls.

The captain slowly started to walk back, scared that he might be next. Soon explosions rocked the boat as a mare with googles came onto the deck, pulling out three pistols and killing the three sailors around her. She then pulled out a sword and charged at more of the sailors.

Two sailors walked up and grabbed the captain’s shoulder. The captain snapping out of his trance and looked behind him.

“Sir! Let’s get you onto the rescue boat!”

But before anything, a sailor went up and stabbed one sailor, before pulling out a pistol and shooting the other in the head. The captain jumped back as the sailor was engulfed in a green flame to reveal a changeling.

“You slimy-“The captain was about to reach for his pistol until he heard a voice behind him.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

He turned to see the gryphon, pony and Zebra standing there all smiling. The gryphon swinging his swords, the mare aiming both her pistols, and the zebra spinning the hammer in its hooves. He soon found himself surrounded by the four different creatures.

He then saw his ship and almost fainted. His masts on fire, his crew either dead or on their knees while the pirates cheered, smoke emiting from a gap the four creatures had made. He was praying to get back to his country.

But he saw something he had never seen, a phoenix literally flew past his face and back into the air. He looked at it with aw as it flew around a burning mast before finally swooping down towards him. He saw the bird fly over and go over the smoke.

The last thing he ever saw was a figure and a purple sword right between his eyes.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The group of ponies heard the cries of victory, thinking the gryphons had beaten whatever had attacked them. Sweetie Belle grabbed the nearest pony next to her. Which was Rainbow Dash.

“No. please, don’t come in.” She whispered quietly.

Rainbow soon wrapped her hooves around the teen, clenching her tight. But the group heard a different voice outside this time.

“Alright, be ready for anything behind those doors. And fire only when I say or if they fire back.”

The voice seemed familiar, but it also had gotten more deeper.

The double doors flunge open as they saw a group of different species holding pistols. But one stood out from the rest. In the middle, was the figure that had been on the pirate boat earlier. Slowly lowering his rifle.

“Holy Hell.” The figure said.

The group of ponies stood shocked, total silence fell, before Twilight slowly jittered out the words.

“S-S-Spike.”

"Let's get one thing straight."

In the golden oaks library, as the morning began with the sun rising. A smaller purple and green dragon just started to arise, rubbing his eyes and crawling out of his basket. As he stretched a tiny orange bird flied down towards the dragon. The dragon saw the little bird chirping on his bed and held one of his claws down for the bird to jump onto. He soon raised the bird up to his eyes.

“Morning Peewee, you sleep okay?” the dragon asked.

The little bird responded by looking up chirping happily.

“Well I had a good one, some issues like-“

“Spike! Can you come down here please?” a voice was heard from downstairs. The dragon named Spike sighed and set the bird on one the drawer before making his way downstairs.

“No rest for the wicked, as they say.” He said to himself.

As he reached downstairs, he saw a purple unicorn reading a book with her magic, with a finished plate of breakfast in front of her. She moved the book out of the way to see the drake.

“Morning Spike.”

“Good morning Twilight.” Spike said as he made his way to the kitchen to make breakfast for him and some food for Peewee.

“Be sure to get ready straight away, we have to go and help Fluttershy with her animals today.” Twilight yelled from the table before using her magic to chuck her dishes in the sink and walked away to gather stuff for the day.

Spike meanwhile made a quick breakfast and some food for Peewee, ran back to his room and set the two plates down. Peewee flied down and dove into the food.

“He, at least you’re there for me Peewee.”

The phoenix tilted his head in confusion.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Come on, let’s finish this and head off.” Spike said. The bird agreeing, both of them digging in. they both finished, grabbed a bag full of backup supplies. Even though Twilight said was unnecessary. Spike, With Peewee sitting on his shoulder, walked downstairs, ready for the job he had today.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As the powerful Gryphon ship was blown apart and was sunk to the bottom, the crew cheered as they relaxed in their plunders with rum and coin. The group of ponies were brought onto the ship, with unhappy banterer from the crew of this new ship they knew not the name of. As they were directed to the captain’s quarters by the Earth pony with goggles, they had a slight feeling of relief. They had been taken away from the cruel Gryphon captain, but were now in the presence of not only pirates, but an old friend who they had no idea of what he had done since…then.

They entered the cabin and was amazed. On one wall was an array of weapons, some that they had never seen before. Mainly swords and firearms. On the other side, an array of flags where hanging up. One was the Equestrian Royal Navy flag, another a Gryphon Navy flag. And an arrange of other flags, possibly for other Powerful Navies. All over the floor and desk were books, lots and lots of books. And a huge map in the middle of the desk with some ink and a feather.

But the one main obvious thing, was an angry looking drake. Rifle along his back, sitting in his chair. With a phoenix next to him looking equally angrily.

“Spike…” Twilight tried to come up with something to ask. But she had nothing. Not after what happened.

“Well great. As my life is going well right now. The past keeps coming back to haunt me. Fate really hates me doesn’t it?” Spike said out loud.

“…is this is what you have become? A pirate? A thief, a murderer?” Twilight asked.

“Well, what did you except for me to do? Dance like a bucking idiot in the street for money in front of the greediest bastards? Not for me thanks.” Spike responded.

“Well, you wouldn’t have had to go if you didn’t-“Twilight said.

“Oh, this brings back memories. Being told what I should have done because little miss princess knows all so bucking much. I’m not a little baby dragon any more. Hell, I was nearly you guys age and I was still treated like I just learned what 2+2 is.” Spike pointed out, the grown up Peewee nodded in agreement.

Now to the Cutie mark Crusaders and the Princesses, they sensed Spike was mainly letting out his anger at the mane six. The Cutie mark crusaders were told a safe version of what had happened, the princesses knew what had happened from Twilight’s eyes.

Although, they always had some doubts about it. Princess Celestia decided to break it up before the argument ended them up in dinghies in the middle of the ocean.

“I believe we have some bigger matters to discuss. Like where what we shall do.” Spike calmed down and got serious.

“Okay. So where do you think you need to be dropped off?” Spike asked.

“Mamajia is where we were headed. Where are we currently?” Celestia asked.

“Right here.” Spike pointed to the right side of the map, slightly north of a Gryphon colony. Mamajia was on the opposite side of the Sea. Celestia paled when she saw how close they were to the colony. She started to breathe faster when she saw how far Mamajia was. She slowly calmed down and asked.

“Spike, I normally don’t negotiate with pirates. But if you help us get to Mamajia, then you and all your crew will be rewarded.” She said, this got Spike’s attention. He pondered before coming up with an answer.

“Alright, I’ll take you to Mamajia.” Spike said.

“Oh, Spike, thank-“Twilight was interrupted.

“But let’s get one thing straight. If I hear anything from the crew or my band about you attacking them verbally or physically, and all fingers point guilty to you. I will not resist to leave you in a boat or an island and sail away.” He said, pointing mainly at the mane six.

The six gulped in fear and nodded quickly.

Now the CMC watching this all noticed something. Not only had Spike changed, but he must have been hit hard to threaten the elements of harmony in front of the princesses. Maybe it had something to do with what happened.

“Alright. Now I’m going up to man the wheel and explain to the crew what’s happening. I’ll ask one of my band to help you to your new quarters. And don’t think you getting anything special because you’re wearing a crown. If you want to get to Mamajia, then you’ll have to follow the rules and the conditions the crew has to go through. Including beds and food. Although do feel free to come on up to the top deck if you’re not tired. Get to see what life on the other side is like.”

Spike finished before getting up, leading the group to the double doors and leading them outside. Peewee taking this chance and lying out of the cabin and up to the crow’s nest. While the Gryphon with the swords was waiting.

“Guerrier, can you show our guests to the beds? I have to go and address the crew.” Spike asked.

“Of Course.” Guerrier said with a slight Prench accent.

“Thanks.” Spike said as he walked up to the wheel, leaving the group with the Gryphon.

“If you would follow me.” Guerrier said as he opened the hatch which lead below deck. He held it open as the group all walked down and entered the lower deck. Guerrier lead them to some hammocks and wooden bunks with mattresses on them.

“Have a good rest ladies, you probably deserve it after staying on that ship for so long.” Guerrier said as he left the group be.

The mares where left alone inside the wooden sleeping areas, with Princess Celestia soon addressing to all.

“Well, it seems we are stuck here. But do not fear, we shall be home soon, if Spike keeps his word. Let us rest our backs now, the floors where not the best to sleep on back there.” Celestia said as she herself laid on one of the beds and stretched herself out. The Mane Six soon followed ether choosing the blankets or Hammocks. While Luna and the CMC where still up.

“Well, I shall see to top deck, and see if the Moon needs to be lifted.” Luna said as the left the CMC by themselves.

“So what do you girls wanna do?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I say we should go top deck, have a look at what real pirates are like. Plus I get to stretch my wings.” Scootaloo asked.

“Ah’ll go up, but to see if they need any help. They may be pirates but it don’t mean they don’t need help.” Applebloom said.

“Okay, let’s go.” Sweetie Belle said.

As the three pushed the hatch open, they looked around to see most of the crew paying attention to Spike.

-And if anyone of you are caught trying to have your way with the guests. Rese here has agreed to teach you some manners.” Spike yelled, the giant zebra from before nodded and smirked, sending shockwaves of fear throughout most of the crew.

“Alright then, why are you still standing around? We’ve got some passengers who need to be delivered.” Spike said.

Most of the crew dispersed and went back to many of the jobs aboard the ship. Adjusting the sails, checking the cannons, scrubbing the decks, all that. The CMC soon left there little hiding spot and walked up to the wheel where Luna and Spike where currently talking.

Spike pointed to the crow’s nest and Luna nodded before flying up to raise the moon. Spike then noticed the three Mares that had just arrived.

“Hey girls. Wanted to see what it’s like on a pirate ship?” Spike asked.

“Well, yeah. But also some other things.” Scootaloo said.

“Oh?” Spike became curious.

“Yeah, we wanna help ya’ll out around here.” Applebloom said.

“Hmm…alright then. I see no harm with that.” Spike said.

“Cutie Mark Crusader Pirates!” the three girls announced. Spike just chuckled, they may have gotten older but something’s never change.

“Okay. Scootaloo, how about you help with the rigging up top? There’ll be a Changeling up their named Viva. Go ask her what you can do and say Spike sent you up.”

“Roger.” Scootaloo saluted before flapping her wings and flying into the sails.

“Applebloom, one of my first mates could use an assistant to help with her machines and designs and all that. She should be below deck but you go right instead of left and find a door with some wrenches on it. Her name is Gear Wrench and tell her I sent you down to help.”

“Alrighty then.” Applebloom said as she ran off for the lower decks.

“And Sweetie Belle, do you know any maritime songs?” Spike asked.

“Yeah, I learned some before we were captured. Why?” Sweetie asked.

“How about you start up a tune to get the crew going? Nothing gets them working faster than a catchy tune.” Spike said.

“Alright, I’ll try. Just don’t expect any miracles.” Sweetie said as she cleared her voice and started the song.

I thought I heard the Old Stallion say:

"Leave her, Johnny, leave her."

Tomorrow you will get your pay,

And it's time for us to leave her. The old Stallion say:

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!

Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!

For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow

And it's time for us to leave her.

By this point as Sweetie sung loud, some of the crew had noticed. And not only did they think it was sung beautifully, they soon joined in with Sweetie Belle.

Oh, the wind was foul and the sea ran high.

"Leave her, Johnny, leave her!"

She shipped it green and none went by.

And it's time for us to leave her.

I hate to sail on this rotten tub.

"Leave her, Johnny, leave her!"

No grog allowed and rotten grub.

And it's time for us to leave her.

By now the entire crew was singing, creating what seemed like a positive atmosphere as the crew sailed for Mamajia. Spike smiled to himself from behind the wheel. The ship soon slowly sailing into the now lifted Moon, finishing the song.

We swear by rote for want of more.

"Leave her, Johnny, leave her!"

But now we're through so we'll go on shore.

And it's time for us to leave her.

Learning the ropes

Spike was walking next to Twilight with Peewee on his shoulder. They were walking through the town on their way to meet the rest of the bearers. It seemed like a normal walk for Spike, ponies saying hello to the two, but mainly saying hi to Twilight. Innocent acts or going about their business, the population of Ponyville was peaceful.

Spike looked around to see if there was anything really interesting to look at. But it just seemed like a normal, not crazy day in the little town. As he started to just look at his feet and count his steps in his head. He looked up and saw something which immediately drew his attention. He walked over to the building and looked up.

It was a poster, one that had the picture of a Stallion on it. He seemed to be wearing a vest and had a giant hat, his grin symbolising all evil in Equestria. Below his picture it said wanted and 10,000 bits under it.

“Spike! What are you looking at!?” Twilight asked as she walked over before noticing the poster. She gasped as Spike asked Twilight a question.

“Who is he?”

“…He’s no one Spike. No one important. Now come on, we have to get to Fluttershy’s.” Twilight said as she dragged Spike away. Although Spike still had the picture of the stallion in his mind.

Scootaloo flapped her wings past the sails and crew that were tending to the ropes. The sea breeze passing through her feathers and fur, her messy mane shaking on her head as she got higher and higher.

She didn’t know what to think of the situation. She was relieved that she would no longer be in chains, but the group she was with now didn’t make that much of a good impression. She didn’t fully trust Spike since from what she had heard. But he didn’t kill or shot them so there was something that gave a good impression. Spike was much mature and awesome looking, as Rainbow Dash would say, then when she last saw him. But she still wasn’t sure about the rest of his crew, and what seemed to be his new group of friends hadn’t really split themselves from the rest to her.

She soon found herself above the ship, and looked around to see nearly nothing but ocean. She could only faintly see the smoke from the ship wreckage that she was glad was sinking to Tartarus. But the faint image became fully black as the moon raised into position.

Scootaloo could still see the crow’s nest as the Changeling lit a lantern. Scootaloo saw Princess Luna and the Changeling nod to each other before Luna descended to the deck of the ship. Scootaloo remembered that her name was Viva and slowly flapped down to the Changeling.

“Hey, Spike sent me up here to help you.” Scootaloo said as she landed down in front of Viva. Viva smiled at Scootaloo as she landed.

“Well nice to see you. You know how to tie rope?” Viva asked her.

“Umm, I know a couple of knots. They only taught us the basics in school.” Scootaloo said.

“Well then. Let me show you how to do a few more,” Viva said as she grabbed a spare piece of rope.

“K…thanks.” Scootaloo said. She felt really arkward right now. She had only met Changelings all those years ago during the Changeling invasion of Canterlot. She knew nearly nothing about Changelings like the majority of ponies in Equestria.

“What is your name?”

“Huh?” Scootaloo asked, knocked back into reality.

“I asked what your name was.” Viva asked.

“OH. It’s Scootaloo.” She said.

“Scootaloo...You must be a fast flyer with that name.” Viva pointed out at her wings.

“Yeah, I’m second best in Ponyville.” Scootaloo said proudly

“Who is the fastest?”

“Rainbow Dash.”

“Ah. The captain has only mentioned few ponies from his past. I believe he said something about a Rainbow once but I’m not sure he went into much detail. Now pay attention.” Viva spoke as she begun to tie the rope in her hooves. Scootaloo paid attention as Viva tied the first knot.

Viva went on for a while until she had taught all the basics. Scootaloo practised the knots, usually messing up on the first go but then nailing it on the second attempt. Viva placed the rope down and flapped her insect wings up into the air.

“Okay, our first job is to light the lanterns so we can see what exactly we’re doing. I can see fine in this dark sky, but you on the other hand...” Viva said.

Scootaloo was about to argue back but she realised that she actually could only see the mast’s outlines and the deck below her light up by its own lanterns.

“Yeah, your right.” Scootaloo said as she also took to the skies.

The two flied above the ship together, although it was really Viva guiding Scootaloo through the darkness as Viva lit the lanterns. The ship looking much more orange then black now to Scootaloo.

“Can you see now?” Viva asked.

“Yeah, I can see fine.” Scootaloo said.

“Good. Then follow me.” Viva said as she flew to the mast closest to the Stern, Scootaloo followed.

“We’ve got to tie up the masts so there at half sail!” Viva yelled to Scootaloo as she landed on the mast and began to tie the sail still. The crew below were pulling on ropes so the sail would stay in place. Scootaloo landed on the other side of the mast and tied her end of the sail.

Scootaloo and Viva were quick to tie the sails and secure them into place for the night. The Ship ready for the smooth sailing it would do for the night. Scootaloo and Viva retreated to the crow’s nest to rest.

“Not bad for a newbie.” Viva said.

“Thanks…So, Changelings have night vision?” Scootaloo asked, remembering Viva’s statement from earlier.

“Yeah, it’s one of our many talents.” Viva said.

“What else can you do?” Scootaloo asked.

“That’s for me to know and you to never know.” Viva said.

“Really?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yep, even the Captain doesn’t know.” Viva said.

Scootaloo kept silent; the situation very awkward for the pony. The only time she had meet Changelings was in the Canterlot Invasion, back then she was only a filly.

“What do you do Scootaloo?”

“Huh?”

“At you home. What is your hobby?” Viva asked.

“Oh, I usually do tricks on my scooter or test my flying skills.”

“Are you good?”

“Are you kidding? I’m the best in all of Ponyville, no one can beat me on the Scooter!” Scootaloo said proudly. Viva chuckled.

“You proud of your title?” She asked.

“Yep.” Scootaloo said. She was about to say something else but she was cut off by a yawn.

“Sorry, I’m probably more tired than I thought.” Scootaloo said.

“You should rest. You and your group have had a tough time.” Viva said.

“Okay; what are you going to do?”

“I’ll stay up here. I usually stay up here on night duty anyway.” Viva said.

“Alright…see ya.” Scootaloo said as she flied down to the deck while Viva scanned the beautiful night sky.

Meanwhile, as this scene was happening.

Applebloom walked through the ship, trying not to lose her balance as the ship slightly wobbled on the sea. She looked around to see the crew being what she expected a crew to do. Poker, drinking, sleeping or just chatting, Applebloom tried to ignore the looks some of the male crew were giving her as she saw the zebra on the ship and she had to tell Big Mac he wasn’t the largest pony she had seen.

She soon found a door were noise emitted from behind it and it had a wrench nailed on the door. She walked up and knocked on the door. She was greeted by the mare from before called Gear Wrench who had a light brown coat with a darker mane and tail.

“Howdy, Spike sent me down here ta help ya.” Applebloom told the mare.

“You know how to use a tool?” Gear Wrench asked.

“Eeyup, all the time.” Applebloom answered.

“Right, come on in then.”

Gear Wrench stepped aside for Applebloom to walk into her workshop, which had a benches all around and a main table in the middle. The room filled with weapons, metal, tools, wood and numerous other pieces of technology.

“Welcome to my little cove.” Gear Wrench said as she closed the door.

“Wow, ya sure got alotta neat stuff here.” Applebloom said.

“Thanks, made all of it myself.” Gear Wrench said back.

“So what can ah help ya with?”

“You can first help me by grabbing that bag over there and bringing it to me.” Gear Wrench said pointing to a small bag in the corner.

Applebloom gladly grabbed the bag with her mouth and walked over to Gear wrench who was holding on a ranged blunderbuss. Applebloom placed the bag on the counter and Gear wrench reached in with a hoof to pull out hoof full of purple powder before throwing it in the barrel, she then grabbed a huge cartridge and loaded the blunderbuss. She then placed it in a container in the back which had a lot of other guns and swords inside.

“Ya make the guns?” Applebloom asked.

“Special ones, not the ones the crew uses, there standard muskets.” Gear Wrench answered.

“So ya make anything else?” Applebloom asked again.

“Yeah, gadgets and such to use. In fact you can help me with a project I’ve been working on. “Gear wrench said.

“Sure, what is it?”

“Well before that I’m going to teach you how to use some of this stuff.” Gear wrench reached for a wrench and held it in front of Applebloom.

“You know how to use this?”

“Yeah, ya just twist tha bolts to screw ‘n’ unscrew” Applebloom said.

“But do you know how to use it with different bolts?”

“Sure.”

“Prove it to me then.” Gear Wrench said and pulled out a piece of wood with and some bolts.

“Screw all these bolts tight and I’ll trust you with a wrench.”

“Alright, this’ll be easy.” Applebloom said and got to work.

It took her three minutes to screw all the bolts in; Gear wrench checked each individual one and smiled.

“I’ll be damned, you did good kid. You might just help me finish the project.”

“What is tha project?” Applebloom asked.

“Ah, ah, ah. I’ve got to make sure your familiar with ALL the tools.” Gear Wrench said with a smile.

“Ok, how many are there?” Applebloom asked.

Gear wrench smiled and pulled out a giant tool box, filled with hundreds of tools and equipment. Applebloom jaw just dropped.

“How many tools do ya have!?”

“Lost count after hundred and fifty, so you’ll have to wait some time until you can help with the project.” Gear wrench said.

“Why do ya need so many tools?” Applebloom said still amazed.

“I’m the ships engineer, never know when you’ll need the right tool. Some I’ve bought, some I’ve stolen, and others I’ve made myself. Now come on, you’ve got some training to do.” Gear Wrench said and began to search for a tool, Applebloom sighed and looked at the tool box.

“Hopefully this doesn’t take too long.”

By the end of the night, she had gotten used to seventy five tools. Some familiar, others new and generally draining on her mental state slowly.

Sweetie Belle walked down the stairs to below the decks, she said goodbye to Spike before going to bed herself. She walked the halls before stumbling on a drowsy Applebloom.

“Hey Applebloom, you get along with that mare?”

“Ya, Gear Wrench made me use and remember how to use seventy five tools.” Applebloom said holding her head.

“Seventy-five? How many tools does she have?”

“Ah don’t know and don’t care right now, I’m more beat then Applebucking before cider season.”

“What’s with Applebloom?”

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom looked to see Scootaloo join them.

“She’s had to remember how to use seventy five tools a once.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Oh, you okay Applebloom?” Scootaloo asked.

“Defiantly not, let’s just get some sleep.” Applebloom said as she opened the door to their rooms.

“Applebloom! Where tha heck have you been!?”

Applebloom cringed from her sisters yell, her mind already deprived.

“We were just helping ‘round the ship AJ, no biggie.” Applebloom said as the three walked in and closed the door behind them.

“Why were you helping them out? Their pirates!” Rainbow Dash said from her hammock.

“But its Spike, and unlike the last ship we were on, none of them locked us up.” Sweeite Belle said.

“Yeah but-“

“Girls, just leave them alone. And get some sleep yourselves, I really don’t want to deal with this right now.”

Applejack and Rainbow looked to see Twilight looking at them with baggy eyes and an irritated look. The two mares grumbled before they and the Cutie Mark Crusaders all jumped into the spare beds and hammocks. Twilight lied back down to sleep, trying to ignore recent events for some good rest.

Supply run

Spike and Twilight were walking on the only pathway to Fluttershy’s house, the image of the stallion still in Spike’s head. So many Questions still through his head. Who was he? What did he do? Why was he wanted? What was his story? Twilight told him it his nothing but he knew better, he knew she was hiding something from him to protect his innocence.

He sighed, PeeWee noticing his master’s sadness and nudging his cheek to try and cheer him up. The dragon smiled and petted the little bird's head, giving him thanks for trying to cheer him up.

“Spike, wake up, where here.” Twilight said.

Spike suddenly noticed they were in front of Fluttershy’s house, and Twilight began to knock.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Knock *Knock* *Knock*

“Oi! Rise and Shine ya mongrels! Capt’n wants ya on deck!”

The former captives began to wake up to the wooden beds and the shaky floor, the knocking finally stopping and the crew member walking away. The mane six and the cutie mark crusaders each getting out of their respective beds, and noticed both princesses were gone.

“Where’s the princess?”

“Probably up deck with Spike. Let’s go.” Twilight said as she opened the door.

“You okay?” Rainbow asked.

“Not really, let’s just go.” She said as she walked out.

Rainbow and the rest kept silence as they followed her outside to the deck. They walked through the crew’s activities below, either cleaning the cannons or falling face first after a massive hangover.

The group found the stairs and walked up them to be exposed to the daylight, causing many eyes to cringe, becoming blind for a few seconds before the world returned to them. The waves calm and the crew starting their naval duties, they saw the two princesses behind Spike as he held onto the wheel. Their horns glowed as the moon was lowered and the sun was being set in place.

Celestia finished setting the sun into place and looked to see the rest of her group.

“Good morning all.” Celestia said.

“Morning.” They all responded.

“I hope you each got some rest last night. We all deserve it after staying in those cells.” Celestia said as she and Luna walked down to the group.

“Well I try to give my crew the best.” Spike said with a small smile, indulging in himself a little.

“So Spike, you know what we could have for breakfast on this ship?” Scootaloo asked, her stomach rumbling.

“Well, you could have some moldy cheese or bread with maggots. And if you’re extremely lucky, you’ll get some actual bruise fruit.” Spike said in a deadpan manner, needless to say, the group was greatly disgusted by what he said. Rarity turned green and grabbed her head.

“I do believe I’m going to be sick.”

Rarity was hunched over the ship's side and projectile vomiting in less than three seconds after that sentence.

“That joke backfired. Although seriously, all we’ve got left is scraps though.” Spike told them. Although he wasn’t really keen about the elements, he did feel sympathetic for Rarity being seasick.

“And how do we survive on scraps all the way to Mamajia?” Twilight asked.

“Simple. We dock into a harbour and get supplies.” Spike said simply.

“And what’s tha closest harbour?” Applejack asked.

“Well its good news and bad news. Good news for us because we get to resupply and get good food. Bad news, it’s Nahvaa.” Spike said, pulling his spyglass out.

The ponies immediately shot straight up, memories of what could have been haunted inside their minds. This didn’t help Rarity either, she was already sick but memories of that…devilish Gryphon caused her to keep vomiting. Rainbow came up and patted her on the back and tried to help her friend.

“Couldn’t you try and dock in a more friendly harbour?” Twilight asked.

“My crew was already just getting by when I found you. And it’s either dock into harbour or loot Gryphon naval vessels, and I assume none of you want to die?” Spike said. The group slowly nodded, although slightly reluctant.

“Good. Okay I can see the harbour, we should be docking in a few minutes. Now the Gryphon Empire is probably still out for you, or they might not but either way, Pony Princesses aren’t really welcome in gryphon colonies because of nationalism and crap. So you need to stay below deck while I get supplies for the ship, unless you want to die or be captured again. We clear?” Spike said to them. Rarity got up and finally stopped vomiting, not without help from Rainbow and her sister. All the ponies nodded, although Rarity just slightly moved her head.

“Hey Guerrier! Can you come over here?” Spike yelled, The Prench Gryphon landing next to Spike.

“Yes Spike?”

“Get a bucket and help the poor mare over there, she’s absolutely sick.”

“Of course.” Guerrier walked over and guided Rarity and the rest of the group down below deck. Spike looked through his spyglass to see the town start to take shape. And to see PeeWee come back into sight with a piece of paper in claw.

“I wonder how much money those ponies will cost me.” Spike said to himself.

Guerrier got some of the crew and instructed them to get certain supplies while Rarity was laid down in bed. Her friends stayed by her side until Guerrier came back with some buckets, a towel, a glass of water.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be docked soon and hopefully your sea sickness should wear off. “ Guerrier said as he placed the bucket next to the bed on a towel, and gave Rarity the glass of water. She took a sip before vomiting into the bucket again.

“Do any of you have any spells to help with seasickness?” Guerrier asked.

“We would, but we don’t have enough energy to cast a spell right now.” Twilight explained.

“Ah, I see. I am personally embarrassed that a gryphon would stoop to such a level, he was scum and glad he is gone.” Guerrier said, rage in his voiced.

“Oh thank you dear for helping me.” Rarity told him.

“It is no problem miss. I simply do what my captain asks of me, no more.”  Guerrier said.

“Excuse me.”

The group turned to see Gear standing there, now equipped with a strange gun and a sword.

“We’re about to dock but the captain wanted to know if anypony wanted to read anything while we’re getting supplies for the trip. I think he was hinting towards you, Twilight.” Gear said.

“Read? Oh yes please! I haven’t read anything since we got captured!” Twilight said as she got excited.

“My sister and I shall join you Twilight, I am curious as to see what a collection of books Spike has earned over the years.” Luna said, this made Twilight even more excited.

“Alright, you three follow me. Also Applebloom, can you make sure the workshop is ready to go when I return? Cleaning up the place or getting rid of the spare wood.”

“Sure, no problem.” Applebloom said proudly.

“Okay, anypony else want to come?”

“No, I’m going to stay with Rarity to make sure she’s okay.” Sweetie Belle said.

“I’ll help to…I-If that’s o-okay with you.” Fluttershy said.

“I would be glad to have your help.” Gurrier said to the two of them.

“Yeah, the rest of us are good.” Rainbow said.

“Okay then.” Gear soon left the room with Twilight, Celestia and Luna behind her. Twilight’s excitement causing Gear to smile.

“Wow, I knew Spike said you loved books but I didn’t think you loved them that much.”

Twilight lightly blushed from embarrassment, but then picked up on something. Spike talked about her to his new friends? She thought he wanted to keep everything in the past, but this seemed now not to be the case. Twilight pondered over this as they walked to the cabin.

Meanwhile, back in the living quarters, The rest of the ponies decided what exactly to do.

“Need some help Applebloom?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yeah thanks.” Applebloom said, the two leaving the room and heading for the workshop.

Now all that was left was Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkie who had nothing to do.

“Well now what do you want to do?” Rainbow asked.

“Oh! I know!” Pinkie said.

“What?” Rainbow said.

“Watch!”

Pinkie bounced out of the room, Rainbow and Applejack following her to see what she was doing. They saw her bounce over to a table that had about four crew members playing poker, One Gryphon, One Unicorn and two Pegasus; one a stallion and another a mare. They all looked to see the bouncing pink earth pony with a giant smile on her face.

“Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie!”

“…Hey.” The unicorn said

“Whatcha playing?” Pinkie asked as her head loomed over one of the pegasus's cards, who brought the cards closer to her chest.

“Poker.” The Gryphon simply said.

“Oh, I’ve never played Poker before, can I play?” Pinkie asked.

The Four poker players looked at each other and talked to each other, trying to at least not let Pinkie hear any of the details.

“Should we let her in?” The Unicorn said.

“We did just start, no harm in restarting.” The Pegasus Stallion said.

“And the captain told us not to hurt them, nothing against interacting with them.” The Gryphon said.

“So yes’s all around?” The Mare asked.

“Yep.”

“Hey.”

“Sure.”

The four got out of their huddle, the Gryphon grabbing all the cards and shuffling the pack again.

“Okay, you can join in.” The Mare said.

“Yay!” Pinkie said as she moved at neck break speed, coming back with a chair before sitting down on it.

“Well go easy on you since it’s your first time.” The Unicorn said as he dished out the cards.

“Okie Dokie Lokie!”

Rainbow and Applejack didn’t even question Pinkies actions as they had already known, don’t question Pinkie Pie. The two then heard a familiar noise, their stomachs growling.

“Oh man, I haven’t eaten a full meal since we got captured.” Rainbow said.

“What ah wouldn’t do ta have a fresh Apple right ‘bout now.” Applejack said.

“Do we even know how long Spike will be?”

“No idea sugarcube.”

“Great, so we’re stuck here starving for Celestia knows how long.” Rainbow complained.

“You got another idea?” Applejack asked.

Rainbow Dash looked around, taking in her surroundings, a plan beginning to formulate into her head. The voice saying ‘Drop Anchor!’ above deck giving the final confrontation of the plan.

“How about we sneak out and get something to eat?”

“WHAT?” Applejack said as her eyes opened wide.

“Shh! Keep it down Applejack! You want to get locked up?” Rainbow said, putting her hooves over Applejacks mouth.

“Have you lost ya mind Rainbow? Ya want to go out into the town that’ll either capture or kill us? And try to get food when we have no bits.”

Applejack said as she took Rainbow's hooves off of her mouth.

“That’s just it Applejack, we’ll disguise ourselves with these rags.”

Rainbow said as she walked over to a box and pulled out two cloaks, throwing one to Applejack.

“We still don’t have tha bits to buy any food.” Applejack said.

“Don’t worry, I’ll just try to scavenge around; this is a pirate ship, there’s bound to be some gold laying around. Meanwhile you look for a way to sneak off of this ship.” Rainbow told her as she put her cloak on, leaving the Earth pony to look for some cash.

Applejack just sighed and put the cloak around her, tightening the hood so she couldn’t be seen. She checked herself to make sure she was covered before looking for an exit.

“Now where in the hay can I find a way off this tub?” She said to herself.

Her answer came when a door opened and the zebra known as Rese walked past her to on top of deck, forgetting to close his door. Applejack waited for the zebra to get out of sight before taking a look into his room. It was a small simple room but what really got her attention was the large window at the back. Applejack slowly walked to it and tried to see if the window would open, making sure to keep an ear out in case Rese came back.

She pushed the window and found that there was enough space for her to jump out of the ship.

“Nice work Applejack.”

Applejack jumped high and saw Rainbow Dash behind her. She gave the rainbow mare a glare as she took a deep breathe while Rainbow quietly laughed.

“Don’t scare me like that again!”

“Sorry Applejack, but your reaction was priceless.” Rainbow said, still slightly giggling.

“Hardy ha, ya got tha money?” Applejack asked.

Rainbow just smiled and pulled out a bag of what Applejack could guess was coins.

“How’d ya get that?”

“Couple of ponies were passed out on the floor, found this next to one of them.”

“Ya stole from a pirate!?” Applejack said, her mind questioning Rainbow’s sanity.

“Relax, we’ll just walk into town, find a quick bite to eat and then hurry back before they know what happened.” Rainbow said.

“…Okay, ah’ll trust ya. But if this stuffs up, ah’m blaming you for it.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it under control.”

Rainbow grabbed Applejack by her shoulders and took flight before heading out of the window. She flew low to the water to avoid detection, much to the dismay of Applejack.

“Don’t ya dare drop me,” Applejack warned her.

“I won’t, just gotta land somewhere so we don’t get caught.” Rainbow said, who eventually found a small abandoned jetty. She was quick to fly to the jetty and land, the two ponies making a final check so they couldn’t be identified before walking into the town.

The two strongest and stubborn ponies of Ponyville we’re very close to making a mess of themselves as they walked the street. They saw hundreds of gryphons walk the streets with them; some in military uniform, others with no clothes, and others who were sitting on the streets drunk or begging for money.

Rainbow tried to avoid eye contact with any of the gryphons but struggled to find somewhere they could eat. But a majority of the buildings seemed to be slums or homes. Applejack just kept her head down, trying to ignore any of the gryphons.

The two eventually found a place, a small pub made of brick instead of wood, a small sign that couldn’t be read and was about to fall. The two disguised ponies walked into the sound of talk and music that seemed very weird to them, they had never heard it before.

“This doesn’t feel right.” Applejack said.

“Come on, we’ll just grab something small then get the hay out of here.” Rainbow said, walking up to the counter and knocking on it to get the attention of the bartender. Said bartender walked over with a look of uninterested.

“Yeah?”

“Could we get something to eat here?” Rainbow asked.

“Sure, what you want, chicken, pig, cow, lamb?” The bartender asked.

Rainbow Dash felt like the biggest idiot of all time right now. She was so caught up about getting something to eat she forgot what gryphons liked to eat, meat. Being a pony eating meat was a taboo and wasn’t natural as they were herbivores. She looked back, unable to see Applejack’s face but knowing it was one of complete frustration.

“Well?”

Rainbow looked back to see the bartender slightly irritated.

“What will you have?” He asked again.

“Um…I’m suddenly not hungry, sorry.” Rainbow told the bartender, who just rolled his eyes and went over to another customer.

Rainbow turned fully to face a dark hood but one emitting disappointment. She just lowered her head, and Applejack just sighed.

“Let’s just go.” Applejack said.

“Yeah, sorry.” Rainbow apologised.

The two we’re about to leave but was blocked by a drunk gryphon.

“Hey sexy, ya want *hic*…this body?” He asked.

“Um, no.” Applejack said, pushing him out of the way before walking through.

“Oh come on babe!” He yelled, grabbing the cloak and pulling it off before hitting his head on the floor and passing out.

Needless to say, all the noise stopped as soon as the gryphon smacked his head. All the gryphons staring down the bright orange pony who had just been exposed. She looked back to see some reach for knives or prepare their talons to probably knock HER out.

“Rainbow?” Applejack said, her voice cracking slightly.

“Just run!” Rainbow yelled, pushing Applejack out as the two ran out of the bar, and into the heavily populated streets of Nahvaa.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“More supplies than usual Spike. You’re boyfriend leave you so you need to eat to feel better?”

“Ha ha, very funny.”

Spike was currently discussing with a gryphon while his crew carries several crates and began to walk back towards the ship. Rese and Gear Wrench standing next to Spike while Peewee sat on his shoulder.

“So you want those receipts?” The gryphon asked.

“Yeah, one of the usual receipts and one with today’s costs included.” Spike reminded her.

“Yeah, Yeah. Just because I’m getting older doesn’t mean I’ve gone mad yet.” The gryphon replied, chuckling as she handed Spike two pieces of paper.

“Thanks again for this-“

Spike was cut off as he heard a scream came from nearby, he and Rese looked around to find the source.

“What was that?” The gryphon asked.

“Peewee, find out where those screams are coming from.” Spike told the phoenix, who nodded before taking off and flying and taking flight. Spike and Rese waited for the bird to answer before it squawked in a direction, which the two turned to and saw Rainbow Dash and Applejack run through the street, follows by several gryphons with knives.

“What are they doing off the ship?” Spike asked, his teeth grinding against one another.

“No clue captain.” Rese said.

“I take it those two are with you?” The gryphon asked.

“Unfortunately. Gear Wrench, you stay here and load the rest of the cargo onto the ship. Rese, Peewee, you follow me.” Spike said.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” Gear Wrench said.

Spike then turned around and ran down the street, his loyal zebra first mate and deadly phoenix behind him.

Rainbow and Applejack ran as fast as their hooves and wings could carry them, trying to outrun the xenophobic gryphons. They puffed what they could, their malnutrition affecting their speed greatly.

“Just keep running!” Rainbow yelled.

“What do ya think ah’m doin’!?” Applejack replied.

“Run, run, run little ponies!” one of the gryphons said.

Rainbow looked behind her and yelped as a gryphon was flying right behind her, swinging his knife around, attempting to stab her. The two turned another corner, and ran through to a jetty, their legs and wings almost about to pass out. They were waiting for pain but instead heard a shot behind them.

Rainbow looked behind her to see the gryphon so close to stabbing her now on the jetty, laying still as blood spilled from his head. She also looked up to see the gryphons focusing on the intrusion, which turned out to be Spike holding his rifle, Rese holding his hammer, and Peewee in the air above the two.

Applejack and Rainbow watched in anxiety as they feared what would happen to the three. The gryphons looking eager to end them so they could chase down the ponies again.

Spike put his rifle away and pulled his sword out as he blocked a shiv from one of the gryphons. He knocked the gryphons arm away and punched him right in the beak, knocking the gryphon out.

Rese laughed as he swung his hammer and knocked three in the head simultaneously, all of them knocked out.

Peewee fought an aerial battle with one of the gryphons, pecking at its face and eyes as it struggled to swat the phoenix off his face, but no luck. The bird too quick for him to it.

Spike blocked another attack from the gryphons, although this enemy was smarter than the previous; with him actually deflecting attacks from the dragon. Spike was focused on the gryphon but out of the corner of his eye could see a gryphon pull out a sword and charge at him from behind. Spike reacted quickly, getting the upper hand of his current foe, knocking the knife out of its talon and pulling out a pistol, shooting his foe into the sea to sink. Spike then threw his sword to his left claw before slicing the throat of the charging enemy, and stepping out of the way as he joined his friend in the sea.

Spike looked to see Rese and Peewee finish the last of the gryphons, and sheathed his sword before looking over to the two mares on the jetty, scared out of their minds at the spectacle.

“Rese, hide these bodies. I’m going to have a talk with these two.” Spike said.

“Yes Captain.” Rese said, as he started to push the dead bodies into the sea.

“Peewee, head back to the ship, I’m going to talk to them alone.”

His phoenix nodded before flying off towards Spike’s ship, the dragon now fully focusing on the mares. He walked up to the two as they stared I fear at the dragon.

“T-thanks for the help Spike-“

“I gave you one order. One simple order for you to follow. Don’t leave the ship unless you want to die…What part of that is hard to understand!?” Spike yelled, causing the two ponies to jump.

“You may be able to do what you want back in Ponyville, but as long as you’re with me, when I give you an order, you follow the order! Is that clear to you two?” Spike asked the two.

“Yes!” both ponies said, fear deep in their voice.

“I don’t even want to know why you wanted to come out here, but I don’t care right now. When we get back to the ship and I’ve calm down, you’ll both get your punishment.”

“Punishment!?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yes. When I took you on board, I said you would get the same treatment of my crew. You disobeyed an order, you get the consequences.” Spike said.

Spike took a deep breath before standing tall and walking back towards the ship, Rainbow, Applejack and Rese joining him all the way back.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight couldn’t believe it! She had spent the whole time looking at the collection of books Spike had, and there was still so much more left to read! Twilight thought she had read every book known, being a princess of a nation and all, but now she had a whole new world of books to explore.

Celestia and Luna were entertained by the antics of Twilight, the excitement of a child inside the body of one of the most powerful beings on the planet was something that brought charm to the sight. Although they were intrigued by the books, being thousands of years old they had read several texts and books, and had lost the excitement of new books.

Twilight was ready a gryphon book on the history of the colonies, noting certain points of the gryphons expansion and comparing it with Equestrian expansion.

“I take it you’re enjoying yourselves.”

Twilight yelped and dropped the book she was levitating, and looked over the pile of books she had created to see Spike smiling at her. She pouted at Spike while he just laughed.

“Don’t scare me like that!” Twilight said. Spike stopped laughing and wiped a tear from his eye.

“I was just checking in on you, making sure you girls were comfortable.” Spike said.

“We are fine Spike. I must say this is an impressive range of books.” Luna said.

“Well you spend some time on the high seas, you find something new or two.” Spike said. He then walked up to Celestia and put a piece of paper in front of her.

“What’s this?” Celestia said.

“The bill.” Spike said, Celestia’s eyes widening at the sight, watching in shock as Spike walked away.

“Never said this was free Celestia.” Spike said as he left the three to read.

Rarity felt tired, even though she hadn’t moved all day. Her sea sickness sticking to her like barnacles on ships. Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle and Guerrier tried what they could with what they had but nothing worked. Rarity once again blew chunks into the bucket, which had gone many trips to the upper deck and then once again back below.

“It’s no good I’m afraid, we’ve tried all we could with what we have yet it is simply not enough.” Guerrier said, his Prench accent clearly noted in his sentence.

“O-Oh dear, w-will she’ll be okay on-n this ship? N-not saying I-it’s a-a bad s-ship.” Fluttershy asked.

“As long as we’ve gotten enough fresh water, we should be fine. I hope the captain’s got enough for the trip.”

“Maybe I can help you Guerrier.”

The three looked up to see Rese there, holding a bottle of mysterious liquid.

“Rese, is that what I think it is?” Guerrier asked.

“Yep, sickness potion.” Rese says, as he walked up to rarity and lifts her head from the bucket, holding the potion.

“Drink this and you should be fine.”

Rarity groggily picked it up with her magic, popping the cork before slowly drinking the potion. She felt strange for a while before she began to feel a sense of relief.

“Better?”

“Oh much better. Thank you darling for that potion.” Rarity said, feeling relaxed for the first time since she got onto this ship.

“Do not thank me, thank my sister for her gift.” Rese replied.

“Your sister?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes, Rese here has a sister that makes potions for him so he’s healthy on the high seas. She also gives a few extras just to help the rest of us.” Guerrier explained.

Rarity began to stretched before beginning to stand up, although being on her back and sick for most of the day, she did so slowly and wobbly. She struggled to stand, being caught by Fluttershy and her sister, before finally standing at her usual height.

“Thank you. All of you. I sincerely appreciate your assistance.” Rarity told them all.

“Guerrier! Rese!”

The group turned to the door to see Applejack and Rainbow walked in the room, followed by Spike who just stood in the doorway.

“I’d like you two to keep an eye on these two. They are to stay here until I think it’s appropriate for their punishment.” Spike said to his crew, who nodded at their captain.

“Punishment? For what darling?” Rarity asked.

“These two left the ship and disobeyed an order I gave you this morning, and since their one my ship, they get punishment for disobeying orders.” Spike explained, Fluttershy, Rarity and Sweetie Belle all looking at Rainbow and Applejack in shock while Applejack looked down in shame and Rainbow looked slightly pissed.

“But as a positive from all this, it’s good to see you up and standing Rarity. You give her the potion Rese?”

“Yes Captain.”

“Good, that should probably last the whole trip. Nice work Rese.” Spike congratulating Rese.

“Thanks captain.”

“Oi captain! We got the stuff you wanted.” A crew member said outside the room.

“Ah, good. Pass it here then.”

Spike was then handed three boxes, each box the rough size of two shoeboxes together, and all three stacked atop each other. He then placed the boxes in the room.

“Alight, here’s some food and water for you.” Spike said, opening each of the boxes, revealing water, apples and oranges. The ponies each going for the fruit, Rarity mostly taking water instead of food. They bit into the food and was relieved to have fresh food in their stomachs.

Applejack bit into the apple, and got a taste of familiarity.

“Hang on a minute! This is from Sweet Apple Acres!” Applejack stated, her friends all looking at the bitten fruit and realizing she was saying the truth.

“Of course, I always get the best for my crew.” Spike said before he left the ponies to head back to the wheel. Along the way, he spotted Pinkie Pie with a huge stack of bits in front of her, his crew mates probably losing their salaries each hand. Spike chuckled to himself and walked back up top.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spike felt calm as he felt in a familiar setting once more. His grip on the wheel relaxed as his ship sailed out of Nahvaa, The wind across his scales. He looked down as his crew carried some boxes to his cabin, allowing food for the ponies inside his library. He sighed as he looked out into the sea.

“Hey Spike.”

He looked over his shoulder to see Sweetie Belle there.

“Hello Sweetie Belle.” He said.

“So I take it their not having fun.” Sweetie Belle said, pointing to the deck.

Spike looked down to see Rainbow and Applejack Scrubbing the deck with toothbrushes while Rese stood as guard.

“Probably not, feel free to join them.” Spike said.

“Nah, I’d rather sing instead.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Well what are you waiting for then?” Spike replied.

He looked back out to see, smiling as he looked over the horizon as Sweetie Belle sung once more, the crew almost instantly caught up in the tune.

Oh, don't yiz hear the old stallion say say?

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

Oh, don't yiz hear the old stallion say?

Hoor-raw me colts! We're homeward bound!

We're Homeward bound to Baltimare Town,

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

Where all them judies, they will come down

Hoor-raw me colts! We're homeward bound!

An' when we gits to the Wallasey Gates

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

Sally an' Olly for their flash men do wait

Hoor-raw me boys! We're homeward bound!

An' one to the other ye'll hear them say,

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

Here comes Johnny with his fourteen mont's pay!

Hoor-raw me colts! We're homeward bound!

We meet these fly fillies an' we'll ring the ol' bell,

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

With them judies, we'll raise merry hell

Hoor-raw me colts! We're homeward bound!

We're homeward bound to the fillies o' the town.

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

And stamp up me bullies an' heave it around.

Hoor-raw me colts! We're homeward bound!

An' when we gits home, colts, oh, won't we fly round.

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

We'll heave up the anchor to this bully sound.

Hoor-raw me colts! We're homeward bound!

We're all homeward bound for the old backyard.

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

Then heave, me bullies, we're all bound homeward.

Hoor-raw me colts! We're homeward bound!

Heave with a will, colts, oh, heave long an' strong.

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

Sing a good chorus for 'tis a good song.

Hoor-raw me colts! We're homeward bound!

We're homeward bound, we'll have yiz to know.

Goodbye, fare-ye-well! Goodbye, fare-ye-well!

An' over the water to Equestria must go!

Hoor-raw me colts! We're homeward bound!

Tales from a Drake's crew

“Good morning Fluttershy.”

“Oh good morning Twilight, good morning Spike,” Fluttershy said to the two visitors at her doorstep.

“Are you ready for the picnic?” Twilight asked.

“Oh yes, I was just about to go,” Fluttershy said.

Spike watched as a little white bunny hopped from behind the door, immediately beginning to feel a lot more annoyed.

“I hope it isn’t any trouble t-to bring Angel along? I-I won’t if you mind.” Fluttershy said.

“We don’t mind Fluttershy and I’m sure the girls will also be fine with it,” Twilight told her friend.

“Speak for yourself,” Spike said in his head.

“O-okay then,” Fluttershy said, grabbing her saddlebags and putting them on her back while Angel hopped up and onto her back. Fluttershy locked her door while angel pokes his tongue out at Spike and Peewee, taunting the two. Spike saw the look in Peewee’s eyes, knowing what the bird was thinking.

“No Peewee, don’t eat him,” Spike whispered to his bird. Peewee gave Angel a look saying you’re lucky this time.’ and stood done.

“Good bird, I’ll try to sneak you some extra food,” Spike told his bird, who chirped up fast.

“Spike! Pay attention!”

Spike looked to see Fluttershy and Twilight already walking towards the picnic, the two waiting patiently for him.

“Hey wait up!”

_________________________________________________________

The waves brushed upon the ship, the sun hovering right above as the crew basked in the hot sunlight with the cool sea breeze also rolling in as they maintained the ship.

Below the decks, inside Gear’s workshop, the mechanic was working on a new powder for the cannons to help the cannonballs penetrate the hull, Applebloom assisting her when she could.

“So ah just hold tha cannon still?” Applebloom asked, holding a spare cannon that was to be loaded with the power.

“Yep, just keep it still while I finish the powder.” Gear Wrench said, working over a small chemistry set.

“So what exactly does tha powder do?” Applebloom asked again.

“Well it’s a special gunpowder recipe, Rese got it from his sister, supposedly draconic.” Gear Wrench said.

“Draconic? Ya mean made by dragons?”

“Yep, legend says this powder let a lone brig destroy three frigates without much but a scratch from the battle.” Gear Wrench explains, placing a final ingredient in, causing a puff of smoke and the concoction to be finished.

“Okay, just have to wait for the powder to cool before we test it.” Gear told her assistant.

“How long?” Applebloom asked.

“Not too long; so what do we do in the meantime? Anything you want to talk about?” gear asked Applebloom.

“Um, actually; There’s one thing ah’m curious ‘bout,” Applebloom said, looking slightly away.

“Ok.” Gear replied.

“How did ya meet Spike?”

“You mean when I first met him?” Gear asked.

“Yeah, I always wondered what happened to Spike after... The incident,”  Applebloom said.

“Well, I guess I can tell you.” Gear Wrench said.

“Thank you kindly.” Applebloom thanked her mentor.

“No problem kid, now listen up.” Gear Wrench told Applebloom before clearing her throat and telling her story.

_________________________________________________________

No matter what the others might say, I was the first to meet the captain. Guerrier or Rese might disagree but I was the first! I met the guy before he was even a captain, let alone a pirate.

I was just in a small harbour town as I used to do, travelling around towns, looking for odd jobs, seeing if anypony needed a mechanic; and as usual, I was at the local pub, taking in the fine ale and quenching my thirst from a morning or walking. Back then I still wore my goggles like a hat and carried saddlebags that had all my stuff inside.

I was in the middle of my second round, enjoying the songs of the pub before the doors opened up and everypony in the pub looked over. I myself looked over to see a surprising face. I saw him wearing nothing but a pack whose handle wrapped around his shoulder, a rifle strapped to his back and a belt that held a sword and probably a pistol. On his shoulder was a Phoenix, sitting comfortably.

Now everypony in the pub was either shocked or disgusted at what just walked into their pub, but I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the fellow. I’d never seen such a colourful character as I did then because back then I’d only heard tales of dragons and phoenixes. I heard one was a beast the other was a personal pet for the Princess, so a mix was surprisingly odd but the fire aspect also gave me a connection between the two, he just looked at everypony with a deadpanned stare but it told everypony he really didn’t want company, his bird copying his stare before he sat down at the bar, a few seat down from mine.

“What’ll it be?” The barkeep said in a tone like he’d asked it time and time before.

“Ale.” The drake said.

“That’ll be three bits.” The barkeep replies.

He just pulled three bits easy out of that satchel by his side, which the barkeep took and replaced with a cup of frothing ale. He drunk from the cup like he hadn’t had it in weeks.

“So what brings you to our little pub?” The barkeep asks.

“Just a traveller, looking for work, looking for a new place.” The drake replied.

“Right then, best of luck to ya.” The barkeep says as he goes to take another customer's order.

“You too.” The drake replies, taking another sip of his ale.

That’s when I decided to help the guy. Anypony else would have probably left him alone but I knew what it was like, looking from town to town for a place to call home.

“Hey, I heard you're looking for work,” I said to him, he looked back at me with intrigue.

“Yes, I am looking for work.”

“Well, I think I could help you,” I told him.

“Why would you help me?” He asked, his brow raised slightly.

“I overheard what you said, I can relate to you. I’m also looking for work, it’s hard keeping a good mechanic job.” I explained to him.

“…Okay, I’m listening.” He says after a small silence.

“Name’s Gear Wrench,” I say, offering a hoof. He looks at it before shaking it with his claw.

“Spike.”

“Well Spike, I was down South in one of the bigger ports, when I came across this job offer,” I explain to him as I pull out a piece of paper and hand it to him. He looks at it while I take a sip of my ale. He then folds the paper and shoves it into one of his pockets.

“Thanks.” He said before he chugged the last of his ale and slammed it on the counter.

“See you around?” I say to him as he gets up. He looks back and smirks.

“Sure, see you around.”

He left after that. I meet him again later in life in one of the larger ports but this time he was the captain of his own ship! A pirate one as well! But naturally I had no bits left and he offered me a job on board his ship so I took it. I’ve travelled with him ever since.

_________________________________________________________

“So yeah, that’s pretty much it.” Gear Wrench said as she finished her story.

“So that’s what happened ta Spike after the incident,” Applebloom said to herself.

“Now come on! I want to make sure the powders good to go; I’m getting hungry.” Gear Wrench said, as she grabbed a bag and dug into the bowl to get as much powder as she could. Applebloom saluted before holding the cannon in place as Gear Wrench smiled, excited to see the results of her work.

_________________________________________________________

Scootaloo grabbed the rope with her teeth, pulling on it with her might as the knot tightened around the wooden pole. She let the rope go as she flew back up to look at her work. She smiled as the sail was hanging proud and caught the wind to display itself to the rest of the world.

Her wings flapped as she ascended to join Viva in the crow’s nest, the Changeling already waiting for the Pegasus.

“So? How’d I do that time?” Scootaloo asked.

“Better, but still not fast enough,” Viva said.

“Oh come on! Really?” Scootaloo said, frustrated.

“Yes, now would you like to try again or would you like a break?” Viva asked her.

“I’ll show you! I’ll beat that time easy!” Scootaloo said.

“Your wings look tired, you should really take a break Scootaloo,” Viva warned her.

“I’m fine.”

“Scootaloo, you won’t beat that time if you don’t have the energy,” Viva warned again.

“I’ll be fine,” Scootaloo said, aggressively.

“Please don’t make me have to hold you still,” Viva said.

“How will you be able to do that?” Scootaloo asked.

(Five minutes later.)

Viva held her hooves up as a makeshift photo frame as Scootaloo found herself tied to the crow’s nest pole with a rope.

“I wish I could capture this moment,” Viva said.

“Let me go!” Scootaloo demanded.

“Told you,” Viva said to her makeshift captive as she pretended to frame the photo.

“I’ll break out of here sooner or later!” Scootaloo told Viva as she shook herself, trying to free from the rope.

“Later probably,” Viva said.

The two stayed like this for a while, Scootaloo attempting to free herself while Viva watched in enjoyment.

“At least you’re finally resting,” Viva said.

“Can you let me out now? I think I’m getting rope burns.” Scootaloo asked.

“You’ll get used to it, rope burns aren’t the biggest problem on board a ship like this,” Viva said.

“What do you mean like this? What’s worse than this ship?” Scootaloo asked.

Scootaloo waited for an answer, and waited, but all the noise heard was the crew and waves below. She looked up to see Viva sitting in front of her, her eyes fallen to the floor.

“…Viva?”

“…Do you know what happens to us? To us Changelings?” Viva asked, looking directly into Scootaloo’s eyes.

_________________________________________________________

Queen Chrysalis was an idiot, and a failure of a military strategist; she threw all of our troopers into the invasion, leaving our workers and eggs defenceless. I’m told promises of land, wealth and love were made by her, rallying the troopers for a glorious conquest of Equestria; except it wasn’t a conquest, it was a complete and utter failure.

After the invasion, Changelings were no longer considered just weird creatures from the Badlands; we were the enemies of equestrian. Whole armies of ponies marched through the Badlands with one goal and one goal in mind. To finish off the Changeling race. This was an expedition led by Prince Blueblood, which was possibly the worse fact of the whole ordeal.

The spell that launched the Changelings out of Canterlot separated whole divisions into small ragtag groups, with no idea as to how to get back to the home base. Some starved, some died from the heat, and some crossed back into Equestria and got captured. Only a few made it back, and even then the worse was to come.

When the guards stumbled onto the home base and found the workers and eggs, they were surprised to find no troopers and no Queen Chrysalis. When Prince Blueblood heard of this, he decided he could profit off of us; and he did it in one of the worst ways possible. Underground Slavery.

I was just a pupil, only a year or two old, when the guards marched in and grabbed us. I was confused, I was scared, and I screamed when they began to grab us and threw us into cages.

Prince Blueblood and his rich friends were able to capture the whole of the Changeling race. So much history, so much culture, and so many Changelings futures. Gone, all gone.

From there it got worse. I grew up being whipped, seeing death, used for pleasure and being treated with less respect than the gardening tools. I’ve heard stories of Canterlot snobs having their Changeling slaves disguise themselves as pony servants, Changelings sold to Diamond Dogs to mine.

For the most of my early life, I believed there was nothing left for me but work, nothing but serving the next snobbish unicorn who punishes us because his horns bigger than his dick and he need to compensate.

I was eventually sold onto a slave ship, waiting for the next snob to use me and then sell me or kill me again. But on the way, we were attacked; it was right then and there I thought I would finally be released, that I could be lifted off the curse of constant work and pleasure and I was released, but not by death.

I remember the first time I saw the captain. The sun shone brightly from above, and the first thing I saw enter from out of the blue sky and the floating clouds was a purple dragon, rifle in his claw and on one knee as he looked below us. I could only describe the look on his face as one of complete horror and shock. He later told me it was because he could never believe what he had seen, that he couldn’t believe *somepony** could allow this.*

The captain gave us an option when his crew freed us. Either we can join his crew and him, or we can be free, get help, and have our future back. I decided to join him, I was the only one who did. The captain smiled at my enthusiasm and patted me on the back and said ‘welcome aboard’.

We were soon fed food, actual food. I don’t believe I’ve ever felt more stuffed than at that moment. We sailed for several days before we docked, my fellow Changelings being taken to a care house before they would be helped back into the real world. I wished them the best of luck, as they did to me before we sailed away.

_________________________________________________________

“The captain saved me, he saved us all from a shallow life; for that, I am forever in his debt,” Viva explained.

Scootaloo felt a whole lot of what could only be described as ‘pony guilt’. She had no idea what happened after the Changeling invasion, she always thought once the invasion was stopped, ponies would steer clear of the Badlands. She was wrong, so wrong. Viva had slumped down looking at her hooves, Scootaloo not sure what to say for the longest time. Scootaloo finally summoned some words.

“I…I know how you feel.” She said.

“You know what I feel? How could you know!? You’re a pony! How could you possibly understand what I’ve been through!? What us Changelings have been through!? How dare you say that! What gives you a right to say that!?” Viva screamed at Scootaloo, tears whelming up in her eyes. Scootaloo just sighed before looking at the Changeling.

“When I was a filly, my wings weren’t fully developed. Growing up I had friends and I had food, but the one thing I didn’t have, the one thing I couldn’t have, was the ability to fly. To a Pegasus like us, flying is everything. We created a city made of clouds, we create our homes from clouds, we create factories and schools and stores and roads and pretty much everything from clouds. But the only way up there is either a hot air balloon or flying. I always dreamed of going to Cloudsdale growing up, I wanted to see the cloud buildings and the liquid rainbow. But I couldn’t because I couldn’t fly. My wings weren’t developed enough to fly, so while other fillies and colts flew up to Cloudsdale, I was stuck on the ground, landing on my face constantly. Ponies would make fun of me because I couldn’t fly, they made fun of me because I was different. I was lucky enough to have my friends with me all the way, but if it wasn’t for them, I would be all alone. That’s why I looked up to Rainbow Dash so much because she was so amazing at flying that I kept telling myself I was going to be just like her when I grow up. She was so awesome to me that I even created a whole fan club around her. When I eventually was able to fly, I flew straight towards Rainbow Dash and hugged her. I hugged her and cried into her fur while she hugged me back. I was so happy, I could finally fly. But I had to wait a long time for it to happen. I know that I can’t even begin to be on the same level of discrimination that you Changelings have gone through, but if it makes you feel any better, I can relate, in a weird way…I’m sorry Viva, I’m sorry.”

A silence enclosed the two ponies, both of them not saying a single word, just staring at each other for what felt like hours but was really a few minutes. The Changeling let out a silent whisper.

“Thank you Scootaloo,” Scootaloo smiled at Viva and nodded.

“You’re welcome Viva.”

The two just stayed in the crow’s nest, feeling the cool sea breeze blow over.

_________________________________________________________

Rainbow and Applejack scrubbed the deck of the ship, the toothbrushes they were given almost breaking into two from the pressure they put on the stick of wood. Rese the zebra watched the two work as he was placed in charge of the two, his strength that matched Big Mac’s was perfect for guard duty, especially since he had to guard Applejack, who was almost as strong as Big Mac.

Rainbow was concentrated on her work, trying to finish her punishment in the fastest time possible. Whenever a wild wave hit the ship and her bucket of water spilt, her patience got shorter and shorter, mumbling and grumbling insults as she scrubbed the wooden planks. Applejack, however, was actually more curious on Rese. She had never seen a stallion as strong as Big Mac, let alone a zebra. She thought he could give Bulk Biceps a run for his money. Just what did this guy do?

“So, Rese was it?” Applejack finally asked.

“Yes.” he replied with a deadpanned tone.

“How exactly did ya get so big?” she asked.

“Fighting,” Rese responded again.

“Fighting?” Applejack asked, sounding like she didn’t believe him.

“Fighting,” Rese replied again.

“Well, how’d ya get on tha ship in tha first place? Or meet Spike?” Applejack asked again.

Rese looked up in the air, appearing to reminisce of past memories. Applejack paid attention while Rainbow Dash jus continued to scrub fast.

_________________________________________________________

I grew up with a father and a little sister. My mother died from childbirth after my sister was born, so it was only us. We lived in a small port, in a small house, it wasn’t glamorous but it was cosy and we were happy. Many small fishing and merchant ships travelled there, sometimes a warship or a fleet would arrive but it was rare. My father worked on the docks, loading and unloading shipments and supplies from whatever ships arrived, so he was naturally strong. My little sister and I were usually alone at home, she and I would always play together, there weren’t a lot of other foals in town we could play with and our whole family wasn’t social.

My sister found that she had a talent in potion making, which father said was because his grandmother also made potions. She started small, simple potions and brews that could help with cuts or common diseases; but she soon began to advance onto more complex potions. My father was all too happy to support her, telling her that our mother would be proud of her. But the issue was the ingredients she needed were expensive, many had to be imported, some had to be found in the jungles and forests around the port, but father still supported her.

I loved my sister with all my heart, she was my little sister and I made a promise to my mother I would always protect her. When we began to run low on money, I joined my father at the docks to bring more money in. Over time, as I entered my adolescence, I had grown greatly, almost as strong as my father; but even with both of our jobs, we struggled to meet ends meet. My little sister always asked if her potions were too much trouble for us, but father told her not to worry, as long as she was happy it didn’t matter. We were all happy together, but it wasn’t to last.

While unloading metals from a merchant ship, my father suffered a fatal accident, he drowned below along with a crate of metal. I wasn’t working that day, one of his co-workers told us later that night, I stayed with my sister alright as we wept for our father.

My sister almost put off potion making, she partly blamed herself for his death since he was working to help her dream. I convinced her otherwise, saying he and mother wouldn’t want her to quit her dream when they worked so hard for her. I think she was able to make peace sometime afterwards, as did I, but I don’t believe we ever really recovered.

Soon my sister also began to enter adulthood, by then she had become so advanced that she could treat a wide range of injuries, becoming a local doctor for our part of the port. It gave us some money but the supplies cost more than the payments, and the docks didn’t pay as well as they had so we were on the brink of losing our home. I searched for another job, anything that could bring in the silver and gold we needed to live. I searched for a month before I heard of a place, an underground boxing rink of town that rewarded the winners of matches. I had become immensely strong from working at the docks so I decided to see if I was any good.

In my first fight, I knocked out my opponent with one hit. I was soon given as many coins from one match I would get from a month at the docks, I had found my calling.

My sister didn’t agree with my decision, believing the docks was better than fighting for money; but she understood the urgency of the issue, so she went along with it. She never felt alright with it, sometimes saying she could quit learning more potions so I could go back to the docks; but I always said to not worry about me, I was the older brother, I had to protect her, I made a promise.

I fought fight after fight after fight, eventually keeping my career up as local champion through to early adulthood. My sister had also reached adulthood, becoming what many considered a beautiful zebra, I was always there to scare the creeps away. With both of our careers, me as a boxing champ and her as a local potion brewer, we had enough to keep a roof over us and food to eat.

One night she told me she had overhead of a place in Equestria, a place where all the herbs and plants she ever needed were right there, called the Everfree forest. She said it housed ingredients she would normally have to import plus some that grew locally. She told me she was going to move there, to continue her work with potions, so that she could master potion crafting. I first said no, how could I protect her if she was in another country? But she convinced me to let her go, saying she was a grown zebra and didn’t need protection from her older brother all the time. I was reluctant, almost going as fast as to lock her away to make sure she couldn’t leave, but I released I had to let her go, it’s what my father and mother would want, for her to continue her dream.

She and I paid for her trip, one pass to Equestria and a train ticket to the nearest town from the Everfree. I almost cried as I waved to her, the ship disappearing over the horizon.

More time passed, and I was still the champion of the boxing rink. My sister and I would usually send letters to each other, I was glad to hear she was happy in Equestria. Although the letters helped, I was usually alone in the port. I had no friends as I was not very social, the only times I had the company of a mare she was paid for. All I truly had was that house, myself and the letters. That changed when the Captain arrived in port.

When I heard a challenger had arrived, I thought it would be like many of the other challengers to my title. They usually wouldn’t last a few hits before they were on their backs. But I was surprised to see a purple drake standing there, his fists ready to fight. One thing about the boxing rink back in my town, there were not gloves used, it was hoof-to-hoof fighting, but in this case, it was hoof-to-claw fighting.

As the bell rang, the two of us began to fight. I believe the fight would be mildly entertaining, but I was wrong as I found myself actually matched for strength. He and I must have fought for almost an hour, each of us almost ending the match but the other recovering, continuing the fight.

There were more viewers and more bets than any other fight I had been in, the height of my career.

I lost that fight, the captain finally won the match. He offered me his claw as I heard arguments erupting all around the ring. I grabbed his claw and pulled myself up, he patted me on the back saying thanks for the match. After the fight he walked up to me wearing his usual attire and gave me a bag, it was the money he received for winning the match.

I had never met someone that could beat me, and I had never met a dragon as well. He then offered me a position on his ship, one of his first mates. I accepted the offer, even though he informed me of his pirate traits and background, I never had the cleanest history as well. I took what little I had in my house, said farewell to my mother and father before I left the port, now a part of the captain’s fine crew.

_________________________________________________________

“Since then, I have had no regrets joining. I have learned how to wield a weapon, I have learned how to maintain a rowdy crew, and I got myself some friends for once.” Rese said, finishing his story to Applejack.

“Wow…That’s a mighty fine tale right there.” She said.

“Oh come on, you can’t be falling for this right Applejack?” Rainbow said.

“What?” Applejack said, astonished at Dash’s tone.

“Really? For all we know he could be making this stuff up, maybe Spike told him some things before we got here. How many zebra’s in the Everfree do we know Applejack? I bet he made it all up, his little sister and everything; he didn’t even tell us her name!” Rainbow explained.

“My sister is real, and so too is my story.” Said Rese, not losing his cool at all.

“Oh really? What’s her name?” Rainbow asked in a sarcastic tone.

“Zecora,” Rese said.

“WHAT!?”

_________________________________________________________

Guerrier the Prench gryphon walked through below deck, he was going to check on the passengers and see if they required anything. He recently had been reading one of his personal books, before practising his swordsman skills for three hours straight. He took a break and decided to try his claw at beating the pink pony that had stolen a lot of the crew’s salaries, losing several coins and a badge or two he honoured.

“The pink devil will put us in debt by the time we reach Mamajia!” Guerrier thought to himself.

He opened the door to see Rarity still laying in her bed while Fluttershy was looking out of the window of the room, the random islands of jungles catching her eye as the ship passed them by.

“How are you, fine ladies?” Guerrier said, walking into the rooms.

“Oh, I’m feeling much better now.” Rarity said, holding her head with a hoof, her headache still remaining.

“Good, tis no fun being sick on the high seas,” Guerrier said, he turned his attention to Fluttershy and slowly approached her. She was too distracted by the waves and islands of the ocean, with Guerrier joining her by her side.

“Eep!” Fluttershy yelped.

“Oh, sorry Madame, I did not mean to frighten you.” Guerrier apologised.

“T-that’s o-okay.” She said, before returning to her gazing, Guerrier joining in.

“Beautiful is it not? Majestic waves crashing through the seas, pushing this fine vessel along, almost as if Faust herself is blessing us with our voyage.” Guerrier said. Fluttershy just stared at the gryphon before just slowly nodding her head, not aware of how to respond to such a statement. The two just stood in silence, watching the waves roll by the window, both avoiding each other’s eyesight. Guerrier was the first to break the silence.

“So what were you doing watching out the window?” He asked.

“O-Oh, I was just thinking a-about m-my cottage and my a-animal friends,” Fluttershy said.

“Ah, a case of homesickness, oui?” Guerrier asked.

“Y-Yes…” Fluttershy squeaked.

“Don’t worry, it is common for sailors to feel homesick, I am no different. These waves remind me of my home in Prance” Guerrier reassured Fluttershy with a claw on her back, patting her. She flinched from the feel of a claw on her back but relaxed as it simply patted her back.

“M-Mr. Guerrier, h-how exactly do you meet Spike if y-you lived I-In Prance?” Fluttershy asked the gryphon.

“Please Madame, just call me Guerrier.” The gryphon said.

“O-Oh sorry.” Fluttershy apologised.

“Not a problem, but on the question on how I meet mousier Spike? Well…”

_________________________________________________________

I came from a moderately wealthy noble family on the coast of Prance, we weren’t the richest but we still had a mansion and servants. I was raised in the ways of noble ponies, meaning learning how to eat, talk, and dance with every other member of the Prench nobility.

My childhood was like any other for the child of nobles really, but I began to change severely as I entered adolescence. I became a cocky runt who would rarely listen to his parents when he stepped out of line or was flirting with the noble mares and gryphons and local fillies. I think it was teenage spirit, resisting the authority of the rich and noble rules that had been placed on my social life

My real passion was fencing, no pony else on the West coast of Prance could beat me in a duel. I was always cocky when I fought a challenge, thinking that my skills were enough to defeat any foe until the captain showed up.

He entered the area, throwing his coat off and challenging me for my title as champion, as well as betting his ship that he could defeat me. I laughed at him and made the bet even more interesting by betting a sizable amount of my wealth.

So we duelled, I immediately thought that I would win and looked backwards, taunting him as a pretended to yawn. But I soon felt my sword had left my claw and I looked back to see a sword an inch away from my face.

I was so amazed by this, not once had I been beaten but he had done it so quickly. He just put his sword back in his sheathe, took the money I had placed on the bet and grabbed his coat before leaving the building. I stood there for some time, not believing that I had just been defeated. But I was grateful for that defeat because it opened by youthfully blinded eyes. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life but I knew then that this dragon could teach me what I needed to become a master with the sword.

I packed up many of my valuables, left a letter for my family explaining my departure and meet with the dragon at the docks, asking to teach me to use a sword like he could. He accepted and I became a fellow member of the crew.

_________________________________________________________

“I have improved greatly since my adolescence, and I have matured greatly thanks to the crew, my friends and the captain.” Guerrier said.

“D-Don't’ you miss your family, though?” Fluttershy asked.

“Of course, I love my family, but I want to improve my skills, maybe one day become world champion of sword fighting. Until I feel like I’ve done enough training, maybe I’ll return home, but I’m perfectly happy here.” Guerrier explained.

Guerrier looked at Fluttershy and smiled, Fluttershy slowly growing a tiny grin on her face as well. The two then looked out the window once more, watching the waves roll by, peacefully.

As the waves rolled by, fog could be seen over the horizon. Guerrier looked at the fog, seeing a faint yellow glow within the fog. He eyed the glow as it reveals what looked like a frigate. Fluttershy noticed Guerrier glance and looked towards the fog, finding the ship Guerrier had spotted.

“I-Is that a p-p-pirate ship?” Fluttershy asked, her legs starting to shake.

“I am not sure, but it looks like a frigate,” Guerrier said.

“Should we tell Spike?” Fluttershy asked.

“Not yet, let’s wait and see what flag their flying,” Guerrier said.

They watched as the frigate sailed towards them, slowly escaping the fog, the flag could be seen flying over the fog as the ship was moving at full sail speed. The flag was a pony skull, a pair of skeleton wings on either side of it and two swords crossed over each other behind the skull on the black flag. Guerrier’s eyes went wide and he uttered a single word.

“Merde.”

_________________________________________________________

Viva looked through her hourglass in the crow’s nest, Scootaloo flapping her wings above Viva.

“Viva, who’s that?” Scootaloo asked, a little scared.

“I know who it is, and one thing comes to mind whenever I see it,” Viva said.

“What?”

“May Faust have mercy on the Captain’s soul.”

_________________________________________________________

“So let me get this straight. Your sister is Zecora?” Rainbow asked Rese.

“Yes.”

“And she sends you letters and potions every week?”

“Yes.”

“And she never told any of us about this?”

“Well to be fair, we didn’t exactly give her a warm welcome when she came to Ponyville.” Applejack cut in.

“Yes, I am aware of your actions, but she has told me she holds no grudge,” Rese stated.

“Then why not tell us about you?” Rainbow asked.

“Perhaps it just never came up or it is personal for her. It does not matter, you know about me now.” Rese said.

Rainbow Dash still stared at Rese, her mind still getting around the idea of Zecora being related to his zebra. But out of the corner of her eye, she saw Spike enter his cabin and close the doors behind him.

Probably going to check on Twilight and the Princesses. I’ll admit it, though, Spike’s defiantly gotten some muscle since he left, but if he hurts a single hair on Princess Celestia, Princess Luna or ESPECIALLY Twilight. I’ll hurt him so much he won’t know what hit-

Rainbow’s train of thought was cut off as she saw a shadow cast over the deck she was scrubbing. She looked to her left and saw the Frigate from before coming dangerously close to boarding them. Rese and Applejack also saw the ship, all three equines on the deck expressing distress on their faces.

“Rese! Who in Celestia’s name is that!?” Rainbow asked, flaring her wings, ready to take on any gryphons or rival pirates that board.

“The Devil herself…” Rese said, his knee’s slightly wobbling.

Rainbow and Applejack looked around at the crew, a lot of them running away from the ship, others trying to hide behind barrels.

“Rese!”

Rainbow, Applejack, and Rese all looked up to see Viva and Scootaloo fly down towards them.

“It’s the Feme Fatale!” Viva yelled.

“I noticed!” Rese said back.

“We gotta tell the captain!” Viva said as she flew towards the cabin. The ponies on-board all asking the same question. Who was on the ship?

_________________________________________________________

Twilight levitated another book off the shelf and opened the first page, a huge smile on her face as she read the contents. She had cleared the whole left section of the cabin and was beginning on the right section.

She, of course, placed all the books back into alphabetical order, which was easy as Spike himself seemed to organise everything alphabetically too. She guessed that a little bit of her rubbed off onto Spike.

She was about to read the first paragraph, but she looked over the book to see Luna and Celestia examining several of the trophies and objects spread around the cabin.

“I have not seen this many treasures since the Canterlot museum,” Celestia said.

“Indeed sister, this is a material I have not seen before,” Luna said, holding a small statue that seemed to be made of a green material.

“It seems to be made of some type of stone,” Celestia said.

“What about this sword here, it appears ancient,” Luna said, placing the statue down and levitating a sword that was hanging on the wall.

“Look, carvings. What does it say though?” Celestia asked.

“I do not know sister,” Luna responded.

Twilight looked at the two, a small part of curiosity sparked within her as her fellow princesses looked at the different treasures. What did Spike have in his drawers? Should she look? No, no, its Spike desk, she probably has personal stuff inside. Then again, it had been several years, and she did wonder what Spike had collected on his travels as a pirate. She pondered what to do for several minutes, before deciding to try and sneakily open Spike’s desk and have a quick look inside, nothing more.

Twilight placed the book down, and quietly walked on her hooves as to not alert her other roommates, and made it over to Spike’s desk. She looked at the last draw and quickly opened it, making sure she was hidden behind the desk.

She looked inside to see a single note. She was confused at first but decided to quickly read the note and put it away, to calm her mind down. It probably wasn’t even important. She began to read the note and she silently gasped as she read the note.

My first mate Spike, if you are reading this, it means I have met me fate. Don’t ya cry for me, me time was up anyway. I’ve lived a good life, and I’m sure I went out tha way I was supposed to. But I’m rambling here, I’d better talk about why I’m leaving this note. I leave this ship and its crew to you, ye an excellent leader and the crew'll follow ya to Tartarus and back. Ride tha waves me boy, ride till the sun sets over tha sea. See you in Davy Jones Locker.

Captain White Death.

Twilight scanned the note one more time, trying to analyse the data. She, however, heard footsteps outside, meaning someone was coming into the cabin, probably Spike. Throwing caution and subtlety to the wind, she placed the note back in the drawer, slammed the drawer and rushed to her previous spot, picking up her book with magic as she jumped back down. Luna and Celestia looked behind them, hearing the drawer being slammed, but Spike entered the cabin before they could ask any questions.

“Morning ladies,” He said, closing the door behind him.

“Good morning Spike, how are you doing?” Twilight said, a huge fake smile on her face, trying to through Spike off. Spike just raised an eyebrow and looked at Twilight.

“I…I’m fine…”

“That’s great! I’m just sitting here, reading my books!” She said again.

Spike just looked at her before walked towards his desk.

Okay…That just happened. Wait, what am I saying? I lived with Twilight for years and I’m a pirate, how am I freaked out about that? It really has been a long time…

Twilight immediately shoved her snout into the book she was pretending to read, looking at Spike and hoping he would open the drawer she plundered a few minutes ago. He opened a drawer, and Twilight closed her eyes, hoping he didn’t notice anything.

“There it is.”

Twilight opened her eyes and looked at Spike, who was holding a brown bag in his right hand.

“I just needed Peewee’s food, I’ll leave you ladies to do whatever you were doing before,” Spike said, closing the drawer and walked away from the desk. Twilight let out a deep breath, finally calm now she hadn’t been caught. She soon levitates the book away from her snout and began to read once again.

Or she would have if Viva didn’t bust down the doors, startling everypony and dragon inside the cabin.

“Captain, we got a problem!” She said.

“What’s the problem?” Spike asked, placing the bird seed into one of his pockets.

“It’s her.”

Spike’s eyes widened as he was paralysed for a second from the news.

“Are you sure it’s her?” He asked.

“It’s her, she’s about to board any second now,” Viva said.

“Okay, you three, stay here,” Spike told his guests as he walked outside onto the deck.

“Spike, what’s going on?” Twilight asked from inside the cabin.

The dragon walked out onto the middle of the deck, turning left and facing the frigate that had pulled up beside his ship.

“Twilight, stay inside the cabin and try to not be seen!” Spike ordered.

“Why?” Twilight asked.

“Don’t ask why just-“

Spike didn’t finish his sentence as a green blur on one of the ropes from the frigate let go and tackled Spike to the deck. Twilight immediately got up and ran outside the cabin, the princesses following her, only to be held back by Viva.

“Hold it!” Viva told the three as they all looked at the dragon.

Spike was currently being held down on his back as a dark green mare with a short cut Pink mane and tail, wearing a belt that had two swords and a number of pistols attached, nuzzling the dragon’s face.

“Spikey! I missed you so much!” The mare said, kissing his snout.

“WHAT!?”

Sea Pepper

Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike all walked towards the hill overlooking the Everfree forest. Twilight and Fluttershy both talking to each other while Spike trailed from behind, with angel bunny giving Spike the stink eye from his position on top of Fluttershy’s back. Spike just ignored the rabbit and instead scratched Peewee, the little bird chirping happily.

Soon Spike could see the rest of the group sitting down on a picnic blanket, Rarity having brought her iconic red sofa, Applejack and Rainbow Dash having a hoof wrestle and Pinkie Pie devouring any nearby sweets she could find.

“Hello, everypony!” Twilight called.

“Hey, Twilight! Hey, Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie called, chocolate covering her muzzle.

“Good morning dears, I must say you two are looking grand.” Rarity said, looking over her sunglasses.

“Thank you Rarity,” Twilight said.

“Hey, ‘bout time you guys finally showed up,” Rainbow said, all the while straining as she tried to slam Applejack’s hoof down, the earth pony barely putting her all into it.

“Howdy y’all” Applejack said, waving her other hoof as a hello.

Twilight and Fluttershy both sat down and started talking to Rarity and Pinkie pie whenever she took a break from eating all the food, Twilight lifting the saddlebags off their backs and next to Spike.

“Spike, could you please start handing out the food and drinks?” Twilight asked.

Spike let out a deep sigh before he opened Fluttershy’s saddlebags.

“Sure Twilight, whatever you say.”

Spike reached into the saddlebag, when suddenly he felt something. It felt like something was stabbing his stomach from the inside. He recoiled and grabbed his gut in pain, when as soon as it begun the pain stopped. Spike let go of his stomach and looked down in confusion, before he shook it off and once again reached into the saddlebag.

________________________________________________________________

The whole ship was silent. The three princesses couldn’t believe the sight in front of them, the only sound they could hear was the waves crashing against both ships, and the affectionate purr the mysterious mare gave off as she nuzzled Spike.

Twilight’s mind was in a rush, trying to comprehend what was happening to her previous number one assistant. She looked over to Applejack and Rainbow, who were equally as confused, Applejack’s hat fell to the ground and Rainbow Dash was struggling to speak.

Luna was in a familiar state, but being millennia old, fighting monsters and watching over ponies dreams left less of an impact on her than Twilight or Celestia. What did catch her attention apart from the new mare, was how the crew of pirates, hardened killers and thieves all seemed to shiver and cower at the sight of this pony, almost like she was the devil reincarnated.

Celestia’s full attention was on the mare, for she knew immediately who she was. Being the Princess, her day guards and military officers informed her of the most wanted of criminals that attacked her kingdom and her ponies. Murderers, thieves, criminal masterminds, paedophiles, psychopaths, all that were deemed highly dangerous and needed punishment on an Alicorn level. But for years she had heard of the most deadly criminal out there, a pirate that was ruthless and she was uncatchable, with a reputation for leaving little to now sailor onboard alive. Only a few have been lucky to escape to tell the tale, but the last survivor was a year and a half ago since then nothing had been heard. She was heard by many a name, the Devil, the Feme Fatale, the Grim Reaper, Plague of the seas, and many others, but Celestia knew her real name from her background. Sea Pepper.

“WHAT!?”

The silence on the ship was broken as Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs, staring at disbelief of the sight in front of her. Sea Pepper stopped snuggling the mighty dragon captain and looked up at the princesses all standing in front of the cabin doors.

“Oh hello, I didn’t see ya there.” Sea Pepper said as she trotted off Spike and towards the monarchs, Spike pushing himself to his legs.

“My name is Sea Pepper, as I hope you already know from my reputation.” She said as she bowed to the three princesses, which was a surprise to everyone on the ship and even some onlookers from the other ship.

The surprise was replaced with shock as Sea Pepper drew two pistols from her belt and aimed it at the princesses.

“Please hand over your crowns and jewellery please, I’d hate to get blood on the ship.” She said with a smirk.

“Pepper!” Spike said as he grabbed her hoofs and pulled them down so her pistols face the deck.

“Could I speak to you in private please?” He said through his teeth.

Sea Pepper put on a frown before putting her pistols away and following Spike to the cabin, passing by the princesses. To which she responded to the shocked faces of Luna and Celestia, along with the pure loss and broken mind state of Twilight, with a smirk, a quick glance at Spike’s posterior, a wriggling of the eyebrows and a shaking of the hips as the two cabin doors closed behind her. Spike gave the princesses a look which spoke of how he was sorry for Sea Pepper’s attitude before he shut the double doors and locked the room shut.

“What!?” Twilight yelled once again, a single hair of her mane sticking out.

“Calm down Twilight, there must be a reasonable reason for what we just saw,” Celestia said, trying to calm down her former student.

“But-Spike-he-her-what!?” Twilight yelled again.

Meanwhile below deck, Applejack, Rainbow and Rese watched as Twilight went through a mental breakdown.

“Does your friend do this often?” Rese asked.

“Ah’d be lyin' if ah didn’t say Twi did this a lot.” Applejack said.

“Yeah, she’s a regular egghead,” Rainbow said.

“But ah hafta ask, cause I’m just as confused as Twi, why in the hay is she treating Spike like her own teddy bear if ya so scared of her?” Applejack asked Rese.

Rese shuddered before letting out a deep breath.

“You probably have never heard of her, considering where you’re from, but out on the seas, she is one of the most wanted pirates in the world. Some have called her death herself, and she is truly terrifying to any that cross her path.” Rese explained.

“Really? She doesn’t seem that tough, I could take her on.” Rainbow bragged before Rese walked up and put a hoof on Dash’s mouth.

“Shh, do you want the crew to hear that? You could fight her hoof to hoof, but she’s a pirate, and pirates don’t follow the rules. You’d be dead before you could flap your wings.” Rese warned.

Just then, the hatch to below deck opened up as Guerrier and Fluttershy walked up on deck,  Viva and Scootaloo both flew down to join the rest of the crew on deck.

“So is there anyone else on that ship you know?” Scootaloo asked as she landed on deck.

“Well, the regular crew we don’t know much, except their very ruthless. However, there’s one or two we know.” Viva said.

“Like who?”

“RESE!!!”

The group looked over to see a female Minotaur standing tall, two silver rings were pierced into her horns, who seemed to only wear a pair of cloth pants, two straps wrapped around her shoulders holding the two giant axes held up behind her back.

“Oh no…” Rese said, as he tried to back away from the group and run for the lower decks.

“You won’t escape me this time Rese!” She said as she jumped from ship to ship, her landing causing the ship to shake from side to side as she chased after the zebra.

“Okay, who was that?” Scootaloo asked, balancing herself after the Minotaur’s landing.

“That’s Bertha. She and Rese have a rivalry between each other to see who’s the strongest. It’s been going on for years, with the strongest between them changing each year, although I think it’s gotten more serious than that.” Guerrier said as the noise of the chase could be heard from the upper deck.

“I will get that kiss Rese!”

“I’ll jump off the ship before I do that!”

“Then I’ll jump after you!”

“HELP!”

Viva looked over to the cabin, looking past Celestia and Luna who had finally gotten Twilight to calm down.

“Hope you can end this quick captain, I don’t think the ship can take much more than this.”

__________________________________________

Spike locked the cabin doors as he turned around to see Sea Pepper, her hips shaking every step she took.

“So what’s this? I haven’t seen you in a month and here I find you have three princesses on board? What? You couldn’t wait too long so you decided to look elsewhere?” Sea Pepper asked as she stopped and turned around.

“No, it’s not like that-“

“Am I not good enough for you!? Do you not like my ass anymore?” Sea Pepper said as she turned around and shook her flanks up and down, to which Spike simply rolled his eyes.

“And you haven’t had any sex since I last saw you? None of your crew finding themselves in your bed?” Spike asked.

“Spike! What do you take me for? I am the most faithful mare on the high seas!” Sea Pepper said, eyes closed as she looked up and away from Spike, a hoof on her chest.

“When we meet you were seeing fifteen stallions,” Spike said deadpanned, Sea Pepper just pouted and walked to Spike’s desk chair.

“Why do you have to bring that up? It’s not fair, I don’t win when you do that.” She said.

“I’m a pirate, I’m never fair.” Spike retorted.

“So you never answered my question, why do you have the princesses on board?” Sea Pepper said, sitting in Spike’s chair.

“I found them on a Gryphon ship. I’m taking them to back to Mamajia, where they’ll pay me a hefty amount for the escort.” Spike explained.

“Oooh, is that Twilight pony you told me about on this ship? Along with all her friends.” Sea Pepper teased.

“I thought we agreed to not talk about that stuff,” Spike said, leaning onto the table.

“And why not dear? Try to refresh my memory as to what we agreed on?” Sea Pepper said as she spun around and around on the chair, hooves in the air.

“You don’t bring up my past in Ponyville, I don’t bring up a certain twin sister called Mint-“

“Ah Ah Ah, okay, okay. For the record, never bring up that name again.” Sea Pepper said, who stopped spinning and faced Spike.

“So why did you board my ship?” Spike asked.

“It’s been a month Spikey, I’ve been waiting a whole month.” Sea Pepper said, lust dripping from her voice. Spike instantly knew what she meant and stood up straight.

“No. There is no way I am doing that right now while the Princesses of Equestria outside my cabin door. I’m trying to get to Mamajia as fast as possible, and a roll in the hay with you will really slow me down.” Spike said defiantly.

“Well then,” Sea Pepper said as she pulled two pistols out and pointed them at Spike, “I’ll just be taking the Princesses and your guests with me. They could sell for quite a lot of bits, I might even retire if I get a high enough price.”

“I’m not scared, you won’t kill me,” Spike said.

“And why not?” Sea Pepper asked.

“Because I know there is no other male in the open seas who could satisfy your sex drive.”

“Why not Rese? He’s large enough, I think he can replace you.”

“Good luck, you’ll have to pry him away from Bertha first.” Spike countered.

“Damn, how’d you know?” Sea Pepper asked, her backup plan failing.

“Because I just heard her scream his name as they run through my ship” Spike finished.

“Well, it seems I can’t kill you Spike, but I can certainly kill your guests.” She said with a smirk.

“You know I’m too stubborn to let you do that,” Spike said.

“Yes I do, which is why my crew is simply waiting for me to give the order and they’ll unload the mother of all salvos into your ships’ side.” Sea Pepper said, grinning as Spike’s jaw dropped and his eyes shrunk.

“You’re bluffing.”

“Am I? Are you willing to risk it, my little dragon?” Sea Pepper said, putting one of the pistols on her lip and putting on an innocent look.

Spike’s nostrils flared as a bead of sweat fell down his head. The two remained silent for a minute before Spike let out a sigh and looked dead in Sea Pepper’s eye.

“What do you want?”

“Sorry Spikey?” Sea Pepper asked, tilting her head to the side.

“What do you want me to give you so you don’t take the Princesses or hump me on the desk silly right now?” Spike asked Sea Pepper, smiled.

“I’m not sure, what are you willing to offer?”

“20% of the loot,” Spike said.

“Oh, that’s a bit low. 70%, you can take the 30%” Sea Pepper said.

“You get 35%, I get 65%.” Spike offered.

“Nope.”

“You get 40%, I get 60%?” Spike offered again.

“No.” Sea Pepper said.

“Oh come on, I’m doing most of the labour, you just ran into me,” Spike said, anger rising in his voice.

“I’m a pirate honey, I’m never fair.” Sea Pepper said with the largest grin, Spike let out a sigh as his own words came back to haunt him.

“Better think fast, I’m getting impatient.”

“Two days.”

Sea Pepper blinked, confused at what Spike had said.

“Sorry?”

“Two days, you can have me for two days. After I’m done with the job, I will sail straight for the nearest port where you can have me for two days straight.” Spike offered, almost with a defeated tone.

“Five Days.” Sea Pepper counter offered.

“Three Days.” Spike counter offered back.

“Four Days, Final offer.” Sea Pepper said.

“Three Days and I give you a back massage each day and I do the thing with the claws and tongue,” Spike said.

Spike watched as his marefriend seem to think on his proposal, he waited for what felt like an hour before she finally put both the pistols away.

“Alright, you have yourself a deal. 40% and three days with my favourite dragon.” Sea Pepper said as she got off Spike’s chair and walked over to the dragon.

“Thank you. I know this is tempting for you, but I’m glad you took my offer.” Spike said.

“Eh, retirement isn’t for me. I’m gonna die doing what I love.” Sea Pepper said as she walked towards Spike. She got closer to the ground, her hooves in a position that made it look like she was ready to pounce.

“Wait, Sea Pep-“

Spike was interrupted as for the second time that day his marefriend jumped onto his chest. He hit the cabin floor as Sea Pepper sat on his chest looking down at him.

“Before I leave, I have a gift for you.” She said.

“What?” Spike asked cautiously. She smiled as she leant closer and closer to Spike’s face until they were centimetres apart. Sea Pepper lifts a single hoof and poked Spike’s nose.

“Boop.”

Spike just looked up in amazement at the childish mare above him.

“Really?”

“Why not? I’m a crazy pirate mare with a dragon, I can do what I like!” Sea Pepper said as she gave his snout a big kiss, ending with a ‘Mwah’.

“You know I’ll be holding you to that deal Spike. You know it’s not gentlecolt like to leave a mare waiting.” Sea Pepper said.

“Have I ever let you down before?” Spike asked.

“No, no you have not.” Sea Pepper said as she just laid on top of Spike, relaxing.

“Do you remember the first time we meet?” Sea Pepper ask.

“I don’t think I can forget it,” Spike said, bringing his arms up to hold the pony on his chest.

“I heard there was a new captain of The Serpent, I decided to put you to the test. I thought you were a bit of a novice, but you surprised me at every turn.” Sea Pepper said reminiscent of past memories.

“I bet you weren’t expecting a dragon,” Spike said, chuckling.

“I wasn’t expecting a surprise boarding, in more ways than one.” Sea Pepper said, wriggling her eyebrows at Spike.

“Yeah…” Spike said, a frown on his face as he looked away from Sea Pepper. He closed his eyes before a hoof pulled him by his chin to look at Sea Pepper with a sincere smile.

“Hey, I know for a fact the old guy’s proud of you.” Sea Pepper said.

“Thanks, Pepper,” Spike said thankful his marefriend could find the time to be caring in between bloodlust or sexual lust.

The two shared a small hug before they both got up from the floor. Spike walked over and unlocked the door, holding it open for her.

“Milady,” Spike said, Sea Pepper just giggled before walking out the cabin with Spike following.

The two walked outside to see the Princesses still waiting outside the cabin, while everypony else had backed away from the main mast, as Bertha stood defiantly while Rese was hanging for dear life halfway up the pole.

“Come down Rese! I will kiss you!!!” Bertha bellowed.

“You’ll have to climb up here to get me!” Rese said as he tried to climb higher up the pole.

“Very well!” Bertha said as she pulls one of her axe’s out from behind her and prepared to chop the mast down.

“Bertha!”

The Minotaur stopped as she looked over to see her captain walk over to some planks that had been put down between the two ships as a board by the crews.

“We’re heading out, leave that poor kitten alone.” Sea Pepper said.

Bertha snorted, a puff of air leaving her nose before she put her axe away and stomped over to the planks, following Sea Pepper onto the other ship. Rese slowly lowered himself down from the mast until he was back on deck, Guerrier, Viva and Applejack walking over to check on the zebra.

“Rese, are you okay?” Guerrier asked.

“I’ll be fine. I just need…a rest.”

“Ah gotta say, partner, she seems to have it out for ya, badly.” Applejack said.

“Come one, we’ll take you down below deck, see if we can patch you up,” Viva said as she started lifting Rese, grunting as she indicated to Applejack and Guerrier to help her. The three soon had the zebra off the ground and began to walk below deck.

As soon as they closed the hatch, the two ships separated, the crew of the Feme Fatale pulling back the planks as the ship began to sail away from The Serpent. Spike stood on the starboard side of the ship as he watches his marefriend sail away.

“Farewell to you all! See you later Spikey! I’ll be seeing you in Port de Prance real soon!” Sea Pepper yelled as she waved goodbye before her ship turned around and sailed into the open ocean.

The crew all looked at the drake, who simply stood there as he watched the ship sail away. Soon Spike turned around and faced the crew.

“Well, what are you waiting for!? Mamajia’s still a few days out, back to work you lot!” Spike ordered.

The crew quickly jumped back into their usual work habits, the ship's anchor was lifted and started to move again. Scootaloo quickly flew back up to the skies, waiting for Viva to come back from helping Rese. Fluttershy made her way downstairs to see if she could help in any way. Rainbow Dash, seeing as how there was nopony around to boss her into cleaning the deck, silently followed Fluttershy below deck.

Viva, Applejack and Guerrier finally laid Rese down on a hammock. Fluttershy and Rainbow following them as they found Rarity and Sweetie Belle in the same room.

“Miss Fluttershy, can you come over here and see to Rese’s wounds?” Guerrier asked.

“Oh, of course, I’ll help the poor dear,” Fluttershy said as she flew over to Rese, quickly checking his body to find any wounds.

“I think you guys have got it from here, I’ll head back up and see if Scootaloo needs help,” Viva said as she left the room.

“Are you guys okay?” Rainbow asked Rarity and Sweetie Belle.

“Just a little sick dear, what in Celestia’s name was that racket?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, turns out a Minotaur has the hots for zebra boy over there and tried to kiss him, they went on a wild goose chase. And Sweetie Belle when did you get down here?” Rainbow asked.

“I came down to check on Rarity after Spike went to talk to that Sea Pepper mare, I wanted to make sure she was getting better.” Sweetie Belle explained.

“Hold on a moment!” Rarity said, jumping up from her bed giving Rainbow and Sweetie Belle a scare.

“Did you say that Rese has caught the eye of someone?”

“Yeah, a Minotaur if you can believe it.” Rainbow explained.

“Hmm, interesting…” Rarity said, rubbing her chin with her hoof as she looked over to the exhausted zebra.

Gear Wrench and Applebloom soon came walking into the room.

“What the hell happened? We were just working in the workshop when the boat started to shake.” Gear Wrench asked.

“Bertha and See Pepper,” Guerrier said, concentrating mainly on Rese.

“Oh no, what did they do?” Gear Wrench asked.

“Spike talked to Sea Pepper while Bertha chased Rese here up the main mast.”

“Oh, so not that bad then?” Gear wrench said, less panicked than before.

“Ah’m sorry, who are Sea Pepper and Bertha?” Applebloom asked.

“I’ll explain it to ya kid.” Gear Wrench said as she wrapped a hoof around Applebloom and walked her back to the workshop.

“You can go back outside if you want to Sweetie Belle, I’m perfectly fine.” Rarity said.

“You sure Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yes, yes, I’m quite fine dear. I think I’m finally adjusting to the sea life, just a little queasy but by tomorrow I’m sure I can finally get out of this bed and get some fresh air. Maybe I can finally do something about my mane…” Rarity said, slightly upset she had let her mane, coat and fur get this messy.

“Don’t worry squirt. I can take care of Rarity from here, you can go up and sing if you want.” Rainbow said.

“Okay then, if you say so.” Sweetie Belle said, she left Rarity’s bedside and walked out of the room.

Sweetie Belle past by Pinkie just before she walked up the stairs.

“Hey Pinkie, do you-“

“Knowthatspike’spiratemarefriendboardedourshipandwenttogotalktospikeaboutbouncybouncyfuntimesortakingusawayandhesaidshecouldhavehimasateddyforthreedaysandthataminotaurnamedberthawhohadacrushonresechasedhimaroundtheshipforakissandnowspike’smarefriendsgoneandreseislyingdoneinbed?” Pinkie said all within five seconds. Sweetie Belle blinked before she just walked up the stairs and opened the hatch.

“Right, Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie.” She said.

“YUP!” Pinkie yelled back.

__________________________________________

“I’m okay, I’m okay…” Twilight said, taking deep breaths as Celestia flattened her mane out.

“Are thou sure Twilight? You were looking like you had seen Nightmare Moon come back.” Luna asked.

“Yes Luna, I am fine. I just needed to get that out I think. Thank you.” Twilight said, to both Luna and Celestia.

The three alicorns were soon joined by Spike, who walked up the stairs as the ship’s sails caught the wind.

“I am sorry about that, I didn’t expect us to be interrupted and I apologise for Sea Pepper’s behaviour,” Spike said.

“That is fine Spike, we know you could not have prevented such a thing,” Celestia said.

“Right, well then if you’d like you can head back inside and-“

“Hold on a minute mister!” Twilight said, walking up to Spike.

“Yes?”

“Just who was that mare?” Twilight asked.

“Sea Pepper, my marefriend,” Spike said.

"How is she your marefriend?” Twilight asked.

“Like how many relations, we just meet at a certain place and we took it from there,” Spike explained.

“You know she’s a deadly criminal?” Twilight asked again.

“Yeah, but I can handle it,” Spike said.

“How do you know that?” Twilight asked once again.

“Well I’m not dead yet so that’s something.”

“Spike you should be serious about this! Just think of what could happen to you.” Twilight said.

“I’m in control of my own life, I know what I’m getting into, and I’ve been on the seas longer than you have. I think I’ll be fine.” Spike said with a snarky and frustrated tone.

“I’m just worried about you Spike. I don’t want you getting hurt.” Twilight said.

Spike simply got on one knee and looked Twilight dead in the eye.

“Then maybe you should have thought of that when you sent me away,” Spike said, toxin in his voice.

Twilight stood still in silence, the two of them staring at each other for who knows how long, but it was soon cut short by Celestia’s hoof.

“Twilight, I believe it’s time to return to the cabin,” Celestia said.

Twilight looked up at her former mentor and saw a gaze she had rarely seen. It was a gaze that told her that Celestia was deadly serious, and Twilight should listen right away.

Twilight nodded as she followed Celestia back into the cabin, Luna trotting in right after and closing the doors.

Spike stood up and rubbed his eyes. He had hoped this day would be an easy one, but it seems Faust laughed at his plans and decided to make it exhausting instead.

“Are you okay Spike?”

Spike turned around to see Sweetie Belle behind him, a concerned look on her face. Spike’s face softened and he gave her a small smile.

“Yeah…yeah, I’ll be fine.” He said as he grabbed the wheel. Eyes forward as he looked ahead.

“So what song will you grace us with Sweetie Belle?” Spike asked.

“How about one about a fair maiden?” Sweetie Belle asked as she stood beside Spike.

“Why not? This day’s already been mad enough.” Spike said as he pulled out a compass in his side pocket, quickly finding what direction he needed to go. He turned the wheel as Sweetie Belle began to sing.

In Trottingham there lived a maid

Mark well what I do say!

In Trottingham there lived a maid

And she was mistress of her trade

I'll go no more a-roving with you fair maid!

A roving, a roving

Since roving's been my ru-i-in

I'll go no more a roving

With you fair maid!

I asked this maid to take a walk

Mark well what I do say!

I asked this maid out for a walk

That we might have some private talk

I'll go no more a-roving with you fair maid!

A roving, a roving

Since roving's been my ru-i-in

I'll go no more a roving

With you fair maid!

Then a great big Dutchcolt rammed my bow

Mark well what I do say!

For a great big Dutchcolt rammed my bow

And said "Young stallion, dees ees meine frau!"

I'll go no more a-roving with you fair maid!

A roving, a roving

Since roving's been my ru-i-in

I'll go no more a roving

With you fair maid!

Then take fair warning boys from me

Mark well what I do say!

So take fair warning boys from me

With other men's wives, don't make too free

I'll go no more a-roving with you fair maid!

A roving, a roving

Since roving's been my ru-i-in

I'll go no more a roving

With you fair maid!