Pirates of Equestria

13: Secrets

Sky Runner navigates across the tossing waves of the ocean. To his right, Jack eyes the crew, ensuring that they stay on task. To his left is Vinyl Scratch. While Vinyl normally had wandered the deck barking orders, she now opts to stay be Sky’s side. It has been that way since the argument with Jack regarding the attack on Shining Armor. Since then, she had been less inclined to question his actions when taking ships, almost as if she felt her opinion did not matter, only his. Sky had considered asking the unicorn why she stuck so close to him, but he enjoyed her being around. With his life the way it is, it does give him some semblance of normalcy.

Off in the distance, Sky spots a white spot on the horizon. He takes his spyglass and peers out to see a ship just as the lookout calls out the sighting. As he closes he notices that the ship is a brig design like his, one outfitted for combat. The Royal Coast Guard are definitely stepping up in firepower to combat the infamous “Demon Captain.” Despite that, it is still a lone ship, and a perfect target to test out a new set of weapons.

“Make ready for battle!” Sky barks.

“You heard the captain! Move it!” Jack shouts, reinforcing the order.

“Load up my new toy!” Sky says with a sinister smile, referring to the newly installed mortar cannons.

Ponies scurry about, loading cannons and taking their positions. Sky eases the Sparrow Hawk towards his victim and begins calculating the distance and angle for the mortars. To ensure an early decisive blow, he waits until the ship is within range of his forward guns. By now the other ship has no doubt already noticed that they were being targeted and were beginning preparations for their own strike, but they are still too slow. Sky smiles as he gives the order.

“FIRE!!!”

The two mortar cannons roar as they lob heavy shot onto the enemy deck. At the same time, the forward cannons cry out, sending chain shot into the masts and rigging. The mortar shot pummels the opposing deck while the chain shot snap and twist rigging as well as break through the fore mast. After the initial onslaught the two ships glide forward, lining up for broadside fire. The victim crew is disoriented and slowed granting Sky the first strike.

“FIRE!!!”

The port side lights up as though breathing fire sending cannonballs crashing into the opposing ship’s side. With such a heavy barrage in the first strike, the guard ship fails to launch a strike. The two ships slide passed each other, the guard brig burning from the heavy assault. Sky calls for half sail and comes about for another strike. As the ship turns, he calls for another mortar barrage.

Mortar shot rains down on the guard brig while the Sparrow Hawk lines up for another broadside barrage. A call for fire and the port side once again breathes its deadly flames. Cannon shot tears into the opposing vessel and brings down the rear mast and nearly causes the main mast to collapse. The small swivel guns fire repeatedly at the vulnerable sections of the ship causing more destruction. Seconds later, Sky calls for all fire to stop. It is time to board.

Sky eases the Sparrow Hawk alongside the opposing brig to allow the grapples to grab hold. Once locked on, he releases the wheel and charges to the side with Vinyl close to his side. The pegasus leaps and glides across to the other deck. He draws his swords and bears down on two guards standing on the side waiting to repel the boarders. Sky plunges his blades into the guards bringing his hooves down on their heads killing them instantly. Vinyl materializes beside him and the two split off to cut down more of the crew. Sky tackles another guard and impales him with his blades. He pulls out his swords and cuts down two more guards before they bring down their own blades on him. He charges again and hacks off the head of the ship captain before cutting down two more guards. Seconds later the overrun guards surrender.

Sky walks over to the center of the ship where his crew are gathering the prisoners. He puts away one sword as he walks up and down the line of guards huddled together. Fear is on the face of every pony as the "Demon Captain" licks the bloodied blade. He stops for a moment and examines his sword.

“I wonder if there are any among you who know about the assassination attempt on Princess Celestia not too long ago. If such a pony were to speak up, I may be inclined to show mercy on the others.”

The guards stare at the pegasus in fear, afraid to speak. A couple begin to murmur, prompting Sky to turn to them.

“Well?” he asks. “Anyone?”

The guards keep quiet out of sheer terror causing Sky’s patience to wear thin. Finally, one pony speaks up.

“Why should we tell you anything?” he demands.

Sky remains silent, anger in his eyes. He reels back and plunges his sword into the closest guard’s abdomen.

“That’s why,” he replies.

He pulls out the blade letting the lifeless guard slump to the deck as blood pools underneath him. The others stare in fear knowing they would be next if the pegasus did not get the answers he was looking for. With the others still silent, Sky draws his other sword and moves to execute two more. Another guard yells out as the Demon Captain beheads the ponies.

“Wait!”

Sky looks over to the outspoken pony as the two heads roll across the deck. “I’m sorry. You were saying?”

The guard stands up, determined to end the slaughter. “I know about the assassination attempt.”

“I’m sure you do,” Sky says with demented sarcasm. “But the real question is, what do you know that I don’t?”

The pony swallows hard before answering. “I was part of a coup d'état trying to overthrow Princess Celestia.”

Sky lowers his swords and stares with intrigue. That would explain the activity leading to the incident.

“The coup failed,” the pony continues, “and we moved on to our fall back plan, the assassination of one of the princesses.”

“But of course that failed as well and I took the blame for attempting to assassinate Celestia.” Sky moves closer, bringing his swords to bear. “Was that part of your plan as well?”

The guard drops to his knees and begins pleading. “I blended back in with the Royal Guard before the assassination attempt. I didn’t know anything about you being blamed until the trial.”

Sky pins the guard down and crosses his swords across the pony’s neck. “Who else was involved? How many? What started this whole thing in the first place?”

“I don’t know, I swear. Please don’t kill me!” The guard whimpers as he begs for his life.

Sky lets up and takes a few steps back. “Vinyl!”

The unicorn uses her magic to pull the pony in towards her and holds her own sword to his neck. Sky turns and signals to the rest of his crew.

“Slay them all and set the ship adrift.” He turns to the whining pony. “Leave him for now.”

“Please don’t!” the guard pleads as the others are slaughtered. “They aren’t involved! Let them go!”

Sky quickly moves in close. “This is all your fault. If the coup had not even been attempted, I would have a good life and you would never have gotten into this position. Now they will suffer for your actions. The mercy they receive is being killed now and not made to suffer.”

Sky begins walking off when Vinyl speaks up. “What do we do with him?”

Sky is silent for a moment then turns back. “I have something special in mind for our traitorous friend here.”

The pegasus smiles sinisterly. It is time to send another message.