Pirates of Equestria

18: Loss

Shining Armor looks out at the open sea over the rail of the Crystal Princess. His mind continues to drift back to the death and destruction witnessed at the ruined outpost and the numerous questions as to why Sky would attack the base. With so many unanswered questions regarding Sky’s motives, the prince had decided to continue his search for the pegasus. Soarin was back at the remains of the outpost, heading the recovery effort while Braeburn remained at Shining’s side. The prince looks over at the settler pony. A strange feeling stirs within him that this was a mistake.

Perhaps I should have left Braeburn back with Soarin.

Shining’s thoughts are quickly shoved aside when the lookout calls out a ship sighting. Shining takes out a spyglass and looks towards the sighting. A mix of emotions causes his heart to sink and his anger to boil as he spies Sky Runner’s ship. The brig style ship now sports a set of black sails, adding to the demonic persona that the pegasus has adopted. Given Sky’s action in their last encounter, it is doubtful that he will be willing to simply talk.

“Prepare for battle! Load cannons and-”

Shining cuts his order short at the sound of a distant roar. He looks over to see smoke pluming from Sky’s brig. A second later, cannonballs rain down on the Crystal Princess as the deck explodes. Shining looks around to see that several guards are already injured. But there is no time to worry for the wounded.

“Head towards that ship! Stand ready to-” Another roar interrupts. “BRACE!!!”

Fire rains down as ponies scramble for cover. The cannonballs splinter wood and send shards flying in all directions. Shining feels a small splatter on his back and turns to see one of the guards missing his bottom half, blood pooling on the deck. The two ships close the gap between them, each side preparing for broadside fire. Sky’s ship lets loose a small volley of fire from its bow. Several cannonballs chained together in pairs fly in tangling rigging and snapping pieces of the masts. One of the chained pairs hits just below the crow’s nest, snapping the wooden beam and causing the pony to fall to his death on the deck below. His scream is drowned out by the battle cries of the pirates onboard Sky’s ship. Time seems to slow as the two ships come alongside each other. Darkness hangs over the battlefield as storm clouds quickly roll in.

“FIRE!!!”

Shining’s command is a fraction of a second behind Sky’s, giving the pegasus a slight advantage in the volley. Fire erupts from both sides, filling the gap between each ship. Cannon shot tears away at each ship sending wood and metal flying in all directions. Several cannonballs tear across the decks taking a few poor souls with them as they fly towards the opposite end. The prince even hears a bizarre ring as a couple of cannonballs crash into one another in midflight. One such cannonball sails onto Sky’s ship, crushing a pony underneath.

Sky’s assault never lets up even as the ships glide past each other. Several shots from small deck guns pelt the Crystal Princess in vulnerable spots along the side. Powder kegs explode in fire, increasing the heavy devastation. Despite being a frigate, the Crystal Princess is out matched. Sky’s vessel is more versatile and Sky himself is far more adept at sea warfare than the prince. As Sky circles around behind, Shining cries out to continue the attack.

“Fire rear guns!”

The four stern cannons cry out like a dying animal, desperate to preserve its own life only to be drowned out by the roar of Sky’s broadside guns. Cannon shot tears into the back of the ship followed by the screams of the small deck guns, taking the helms pony with it. Without a pony at the wheel, Shining is forced to await the final volley. While the port side has taken severe damage from the initial volley the starboard side is relatively intact. But the damage has already been done. Before Shining can call for fire Sky breaths his flames for the last time. The deck and side erupt as cannon shot tears a gaping wound into the mighty vessel. The small guns are silent this time as Sky circles around like a predator waiting for the moment to go in for the kill.

Shining looks to his side to see Braeburn still present. Miraculously neither are injured, save for minor cuts from flying debris. Sky settles along the wounded port side as grappling hooks fly in. Shining draws his sword, holding it high with his magic. Braeburn takes a sword from a nearby dead guard, shaking but prepared to fight. Thunder crashes overhead as rain begins to fall mixing with the small fires across the deck making for a terrifying battlefield. It is time to end this terror.

Shining lets off several magic shots, knocking two swinging pirates to the ocean. Moments later, the deck of the Crystal Princess is swarmed by the invaders. Shining parries several swords, cutting down two pirates while Braeburn struggles to fend off another. Shining runs the pirate through and begins searching for another. All around him, ponies battle one another, swords flashing in the lightning as blood splashes across the deck, mixing with the sea water. Then, he appears.

Shining watches as the dull orange pegasus soars overhead. He draws two swords using his wings and dives into a helpless guard below, plunging one sword through the abdomen and the other through the neck. Blood spills as the black coat wearing pegasus slowly draws the swords out and turns to face the prince. A look of bloodlust covers his face.

“Braeburn, stay back!” Shining yells as he lunges forward.

Sky easily parries the blow with his twin swords. He spins left, slashing at Shining who rolls to avoid getting cut down. Shining lunges again with a flurry of blows only to be held back by the superior fighter. Sky sidesteps right and sweeps high with one sword and low with the other. Shining gives as small hop and blocks the high blow, the blade still cutting his cheek. When Shining lands, a heavy kick sends him tumbling across the deck and into the side rail. Sky bears down on him, swinging over and over again. Shining struggles to keep from taking a vital strike.

Just before Sky can land a decisive blow, a pony blurs in from the right, slamming into Sky and sending him sprawling across the deck. Shining looks up to see Braeburn standing defiantly before the pegasus. Sky gets to his feet and wipes a small trickle of blood from his lip. He looks at the settler pony in frustration and anger, unwilling to accept the interference. Braeburn grips the sword in his mouth tighter and prepares another charge.

“Braeburn! DON’T!!!”

But the call comes too late. The settler pony charges again. Sky swiftly plunges one sword into the deck and grabs Braeburn by the neck using the free wing before driving the other sword through his heart. Blood spills down Braeburn’s rain soaked body as the sword is withdrawn. Sky nonchalantly tosses the settler pony aside and recovers his second sword. The pegasus takes a few steps towards the prince to finish the fight, spilled blood splattered across his face and black coat. Shining cries out and charges.

“SKY RUNNER!!!”

Before the two can finish their duel, the ship lurches as a large wave rolls across the water, slamming the Crystal Princess into Sky’s ship. Both Sky and Shining stumble as the ship rocks in the torrential storm. A changeling appears from out of the chaos next to Sky, sword held by his changeling magic.

“Captain, the storm is too great we must fall back or we will all be pulled to the bottom!”

Sky stands for a moment on the rocking ship staring at Shining. He takes another step forward in a vain attempt to finish the fight but is stopped as the ship rocks from another wave. He maintains his balance, continuing to stare down at Shining. He huffs in anger and orders his crew to fall back.

“BACK TO THE SHIP YOU DOGS!!!”

The pirate crew retreat to their ship cutting the grappling lines as they leave. With the ship free, the sails drop and Sky steers towards the Crystal Princess. He slams into the side, causing minor damage before sailing out. As he sails off, several flaming barrels fall from the stern and into the water. The small deck guns fire away at the fiery barrels, each exploding and rocking the Crystal Princess more. Shining watches as the ship disappears into the darkness of the storm.

The prince crawls over to the bleeding Braeburn, hoping and praying that the settler pony would live. The storm continues to rage but all seems quite to the prince as he reaches Braeburn, lying in a pool of bloody water. He scoops the pony up and holds him close.

“Braeburn? Braeburn, speak to me!”

Braeburn turns his weary head towards the prince. “I’m…sorry.”

“It’s alright Braeburn. You’re going to be okay, just stay with me.”

The settler pony struggles to raise his hoof in an attempt to salute the prince. “It was…an honor…to fight…by your side…Mister Shinin’ Arm…or, Sir…”

Braeburn’s eyes slowly close as death clothes him. The prince grasps at the limp hoof.

“Braeburn? Stay with me! Braeburn!”

The settler pony’s head hangs as his body goes slack. His gives a final breath and is still. Pain and regret fill the prince who holds the brave soul close. All around him, the sea rages as though it too is crying. Yet one more lost under the command of Shining Armor.