9: Terror

Sky Runner stares out at the horizon of the vast ocean as the Sparrow Hawk hits a wave splashing water on the deck. A smile forms on his face as he thrills in the freedom of the ocean. He looks down from the helm at his crew as they scurry about pulling rigging and performing a variety of other tasks. He keeps his ears open for the cries of the lookouts for word of any ships nearby to prey on. To his right is Jack who keeps a watchful eye on the ship and crew, ensuring all goes well.

As Sky glances over his crew he spots Vinyl Scratch making her way around the deck, barking orders and keeping the ponies on task. Although it is unnecessary for her to do so, since Jack is the quartermaster and is more than capable of doing so, it does keep her busy and make her feel needed. The crew seems to not care who gives the orders and continue with their tasks.

A wind blows past causing Vinyl’s hair and simple coat to flutter as a spray of ocean water mists by. An odd feeling slams Sky in his gut, the feeling of attachment and longing, and he struggles to ignore it. He had felt this way before when he used to look at Octavia and had always had trouble ignoring it. He shakes his head a tries to dismiss these feelings trying to remind himself that he is in love with Octavia not Vinyl. But the past few weeks with the unicorn have caused a shift in his feelings. It is hard to keep Octavia in mind with her being so far away for so long.

Sky manages to get his head back on task at the sound of a lookout reporting sails on the horizon. He looks through the spyglass and sees that the ship is a schooner belonging to the Royal Coast Guard. It is likely a scouting ship but a prize nonetheless.

“Prepare the cannons and stand ready!” he shouts.

“You heard the captain!” Jack relays. “Move!”

The crews takes their positions as Vinyl pushes them to move faster. “Quickly you mules! Load those guns!”

Sky eases the ship closer and holds out a wing. As he closes in he raises his wing, signaling all hands to battle. One pony quickly raises the flag while the rest move the cannons forward to firing position. The flag flying on the Sparrow Hawk has a pony skull, representing death, with a bone and spear crossed behind, representing decay and war respectively. To one side is a pegasus wing, representing swiftness, while the other side displays a bleeding heart, representing no mercy and bloodshed. Sky looks over at the other ship and sees the shocked faces of the guards on board. They never saw it coming.

“FIRE!!!”

The cannons flash, hurling the cannonballs at the opposing ship tearing across the deck and blow holes in the side. The fore mast splinters as one cannonball tears a chunk out of it causing it to come crashing down. Three ponies are caught underneath, one of whom is crushed and killed almost instantly. As the Sparrow Hawk passes by Sky barks out more orders and starts to bring the ship about for another pass.

“Reload! Pull in all but main sails!”

“Quickly now! Half sail!” Jack relays.

Sky straightens up once the ship is fully about and calls out again. “Drop those sheets! All sail!”

Jack and Vinyl continue to relay as Sky brings the ship in for the second pass. With the damage from the last attack the schooner is limping at near half speed. The Sparrow Hawk easily catches up and comes alongside.

“FIRE!!!”

Cannons flash again as cannonballs tear apart more of the ship. Rigging snaps, the wheel is blown apart, and several more holes are blown open in the sides. With the second volley, the schooner loses all momentum and drifts in the water. Sky repeats his previous orders and comes about once more. Once he settles up next to the ship he barks his next order.

“Grapples away! Bring her in and take them!”

The crew shouts and cheers as they hurl grappling hooks and begin pulling in the ship. Sky lets loose of the wheel and heads to the side. He leaps over, spreading his wings, and glides over with his crew. He pulls in his wings and draws his swords, pointing them down and plunging them into one of the guards below. He draws them out and charges another, slashing his side open with one sword and nearly cutting off his head with the other. Two charge form either side but Sky twists out of the way causing them to collide. The pegasus then impales both and proceeds to kill another coming up from behind. Blood spills across the deck as the guards are slaughtered.

The fighting quickly resolves when more than half of the guard crew lay dead on the deck or floating to the bottom of the ocean. The remainder surrender in a desperate attempt to save their lives. Sky’s crew gathers the survivors in the center of the deck and begin plundering the ship. The pegasus captain walks over to the survivors, stepping over bodies and through pools of blood. The guards cower in fear at the sight of the pegasus. Vinyl stands watch and gives a simple salute as he passes by.

Jack walks up next to Sky. “What are your orders, Captain?”

The pegasus captain eyes the guards with distain and turns to head back to his ship. As he leaves he gives an order to the ponies holding the guards.

“Take any resources we can use and anything of value then sink the ship. Kill the living.”

“Aye, Captain!” the changeling answers and proceeds to kill the guards.

Vinyl watches in horror as the first guard is run through. As the guard slumps to the deck, blood spilling from the fresh wound, she quickly turns to catch up to Sky while the others are massacred. She leaps over the rails and moves to intercept him before he gets back to the helm.

“Why did you have those guards killed?” she demanded. “They were unarmed and helpless!”

Sky stares at the unicorn in anger. All the feelings he had earlier resurface despite his fury and he struggles to suppress them.

“For four and a half weeks we have done the same thing to ship after ship and you never said a thing. Why?”

Vinyl’s face of outrage is replaced by a face of remorse. “I couldn’t bring myself to question you. I promised I would stay with you no matter what so I said nothing. But I can’t stand by any longer if you continue to slaughter like this.”

Sky stares her down and lowers his tone. “Why are you here?”

Vinyl looks down at the deck, almost asking herself the same question.

“Why are you here?” Sky repeats.

The unicorn looks up, struggling to hold back her tears. “Why are you here?” she asks. “Why are you killing those who are part of what you used to be a part of?”

“Do you even know why I am on the run in the first place?” Vinyl stays silent. “I was accused of attempting to assassinate Princess Celestia, one of the ruling ponies of Equestria. I was betrayed by ‘her highness’ as well as the entire Canterlot Royal Guard as I was put on trial for a crime I tried to prevent. I was sentenced to death for something I never did. I am sending a message to those backstabbers and that ‘greater-than-thou’ princess.”

Vinyl simply remains silent as Sky rants. Each word is filled not only with hatred and malice but with sorrow and regret. She can hear in his voice and see in his face the betrayal he had witnessed. He cries out for justice along with his revenge. She wants to despise him for his current actions but only sympathizes with his cause. Through all this, her heart beats ever more fervently for him.

Sky turns to take the wheel as the cannons roar once more. The enemy schooner creaks and buckles as it breaks apart and begins to sink, taking all hooves with it. Sky stares straight ahead and signals to drop the sails.

“All sail! All sail!” Jack commands.

Sky continues to speak, now with a lower voice. “I will find out the truth of that assassination attempt and exact my revenge on whoever is responsible. Justice must be served.”

The pegasus goes quiet and Vinyl is left to ponder his words. Her mind and heart are split in two, causing a pain in her head and chest. She desperately struggles to find the right path but it always leads back to the dull orange pegasus standing before her. She has watched him eye her for some time now, struggling to keep his heart open only for Octavia. The white unicorn turns and walks down the steps to leave the captain to his sailing. She stops at the edge of the steps and turns to look at Sky. She whispers softly to herself.

“I will never leave you or abandon you. I will never let you be alone ever again.”

Author's Note

In regards to the images on Sky Runner flag: Pirates of the 17th and 18th century did decorate their flag with similar symbols, each representing things like death, battle, etc. rather than just the iconic skull and crossbones.
In regards to the tactic used by Sky Runner: The tactic of not displaying colors or displaying the colors of a friendly ship was often used by pirates to get close to their victim before launching their attack. A similar tactic was to raise the white flag then strike.