Pirates of Equestria

19: Love

Sky Runner sits at the desk of his cabin examining one of his twin swords. The blade gleams in the light of several candles reflecting his face in the cold steel. His thoughts drift back to the recent encounter with Shining Armor more than a day ago. He dwells on the moment he nearly killed the pony who had been amongst his friends before that other pony interfered. Could he really have killed Shining? During the first encounter it had been easy to simply fire on the debris field. At that time the death would not have been personal. Shining would have died as a casualty along with all the others. But this time they had been face to face. In the heat of the moment Sky could very well have killed his old friend but now that he has time to reflect on it he begins to question that possibility. And that other pony. The mere thought dredges up old forgotten memories, memories of the two that died so long ago.

Sky slams his hoof on the desk in frustration and anger. He is the dreaded “Demon Captain,” the scourge of the sea. He is the one accused of attempting to assassinate Princess Celestia of Canterlot. And yet his attachments to the things of the past still haunt him, causing him to question his actions. If only Shining had not gotten involved. What reason did that fool have for hunting him? There are no politics involved, only personal feelings. Why can he not let the past die as Sky had done?

A knock at the door interrupts his raging thoughts. “Enter.”

Sky stands and sheathes his sword as the door opens, revealing Vinyl. A look of worry and concern is on her face as she cautiously steps in. Her voice is soft and full of care.

“I was just checking to see if you were alright.”

“I’m fine. Now-”

“No you’re not!”

The words are sharp but still full of care. Her emotions betray her look of calm as she steps forward. The shock of her statement holds Sky in place as the unicorn comes close and nuzzles his neck. Her blue and turquoise hair brushes against his face. Even her horn provides comfort as it rubs against his dull orange body.

“I know what happened to you during that storm,” she says softly. “I watched the whole thing. I don’t know exactly how you are feeling but I…I know what it’s like to face down some pony you used to call your friend.”

Sky simply stares at Vinyl for a moment contemplating the meaning of the last statement. His mind is sent back to the town where he met Octavia. What had happened between the mares after he left the alley? Before he gets a chance to ask, Vinyl steps back and asks a question of her own.

“What happened between you and Shining Armor to make you hate him so much?”

Suppressed memories resurface as Sky recalls that haunted day. A mix of anger and sorrow fills his heart as his mind wanders back to the days of old. Despite wishing to keep the past buried, he tells his story.

“Shining and I joined the Canterlot Royal Guard around the same time many years ago. Because of our prowess and skill, we were moved to the Elite Guard along with four other ponies. One of those ponies was a mare who I fell in love with. Shining was said to be a natural leader and as such was made leader of our squad. But he always has been and still is a fool. He was always slow to act and had a tendency to make tactical errors.”

Sky stops for a moment and turns to his desk, staring in the light of one of the flickering candles. He stands there for a full minute staring into the burning light before continuing his story.

“Then one day…Our squad was on a routine patrol when we were ambushed by a pack of barbarian Diamond Dogs. Shining’s inability to react in time resulted in two of our squad members being killed. One of whom was the mare I fell in love with. After the fight I actually held her in my wings and hooves as she died.”

Anger and sadness arouses in the pegasus as he tells his story as though he is there at the scene once again, holding her as she dies.

“I will never forget the words she said to me that day.”

Vinyl listens carefully but the pegasus is silent, keeping the sacred words to himself.

“At the time, each of us blamed ourselves for the result, but I soon realized that Shining was to blame. It was his inability to react and his pitiful leadership skills that got her killed!”

Sky boils with anger as he speaks, grinding his hoof against the cabin floor. Vinyl starts to take a step forward to comfort him but holds back.

“He is the reason I lost my first love! And after that failure he was still granted the position of Captain of the Royal Guard!”

Sky raises his hoof, ready to smash it against the desk. But a gentle touch stops him. He looks to see Vinyl’s hoof holding his. He looks into her violet eyes and the sorrow they hold. A gentle smile sits on her face as she speaks softly to him.

“Enough,” she says moving close and nuzzling him once more. “I am here now and I will never leave you. I cannot replace the one you lost but perhaps I can heal the hole within your heart.”

Sky is silent. Feeling her gentle touch eases his raging emotions. He wraps his wings around her to take in all the warmth that she willing gives to him. She looks up at him with a final request.

“Dance with me.”

“Wha-”

The pegasus can hardly react as Vinyl pulls on his wings with her magic, dragging him out onto the deck. The crew turn and watch with curiosity. Even Jack cannot divert his attention.

“Play some music!” Vinyl commands and draws close to the one she loves. “Dance with me right here and now. Leave the past behind and focus only on me.”

Sky can hardly complain or object as several crew members begin playing a lively tune. Vinyl begins to move and he falls into step, the two gliding across the deck as the sun sets on the horizon. When the sun finally sets, Vinyl whispers into her love’s ear. Sky eagerly accepts the hidden desire as the pair glides back towards the cabin door and lock themselves within.