Chapters Chapter 1. A Promise Kept
Gallant Topsail leaned against the railing of the ERS Resplendent, a first rate ship-of-the-line of 100 guns. The Resplendent was the largest, most powerful ship in the Equestrian Navy, and he was stationed aboard it. Unfortunately he held the time-honored position of cabin boy. The dreams he'd had as a child were nothing like this, fighting the ocean, breathing the salty air, feeling the sea against your face as you sailed to your destination. Instead, it was swab the decks, tie off mooring lines, secure the cargo, bring the captain his supper. Put simply, it was tartarus. However, one thought always plagued his mind more than anything else, where was Flareluck. They had enlisted together, with utmost confidence that they'd be stationed aboard the same ship, but when Gallant arrived aboard, he was no where to be found.
That was nearly a year ago, and the memory hasn't faded in the slightest. Gallant constantly wondered where his best friend was. Was he aboard another ship? Was he a higher rank than Gallant? Was he even alive? He had no idea, and not knowing drove him crazy. Unfortunately it's not like he could go anywhere, he was essentially trapped within a wooden prison. This was not what he'd dreamed of, not what he'd promised to do with himself. What was he doing here? Gallant figured it best to put his thoughts away now, and he timed it perfectly as one of the ship's officers trotted up to him.
Gallant's mind raced in his sleep. What would his training entail? He pondered the thought for what seemed like an eternity. His dreams were interrupted by the sound of whistling coming from the lower bunk.
Before either of them could continue their conversation, the sound of the ship's alarm bell echoed throughout the decks. The officer's could be heard shouting orders to the crewmen. Suddenly, their bunk was flooded in light as the quartermaster entered carrying a large lantern.
Light slowly started to enter back into Gallant's vision as his eyes drew open. Some of the crew, including Carronade were standing over him.
Chapter 3. The Legends Say...
The calm sea was nearly soundless around the small speck of an island. The crew of the Resplendent had decided to take a days rest, and put some solid land under their hooves for once. Captain Mainsail couldn't help but agree, after all, even the saltiest of sea ponies need to take a short hiatus every now and then. Gallant however, couldn't relax. His mind held onto the word that the captain spoke to him before they landed. He'd never thought of the sea as cruel, what pony in their right mind would want to sail the sea if it was constantly trying to kill them.
That night, the crew lit a bonfire. Mainsail had caught a few more fish for the crew to eat, and broke out a barrel of beer from the ship's cargo hold for them to drink. Gallant was having a good time drinking with the rest of the crew, but every now and then he'd glance over at where the captain was sitting and notice something else out of the ordinary for him. He'd be telling a joke to his crewmen, dancing like a buffoon around the fire, he even convinced the crew to break out into song at one point.
The next morning the Resplendent set sail once more. Gallant wondered what made the captain say that last night, it seemed like most of the crew were surprised by his reaction. Did the captain not like his past being brought up? He thought it would be best not to think too much into it, as he wanted to follow the captain's advice. Ever since yesterday, Gallant's new position was either at the helm of the ship, or in the captain's quarters. Mainsail surprisingly didn't ask him to do much, he mostly just wanted him to listen to how he commanded the ship. He often pulled Gallant aside to give him advice on how to treat the crew, or how to act in certain situations.
A seemingly uneventful week passed. The Resplendent stopped for supplies at Hispantlerla, and was now headed to Horseshoe Island. They didn't know why, the captain didn't tell them anything of their missions unless they needed to know. Out on deck, Gallant was daydreaming when he heard the captain call out to him.
Author's Note
http://s29.postimg.org/p4a3s3zt3/Map_of_Eternal_Strait.png
This is a map of the area that the fanfic takes place in. You can use it to help discern where they are at a given point in the story.
Chapter 4. Under Celestia's Light
Mainsail trotted to the starboard side of the ship. Three ships were on an intercept course with the Resplendent. He turned towards the lookout.
Gallant was astounded at how many crew were aboard this small brigantine. There was no way that this attack was a coincidence, it had to have been planned. He didn't have much time to think as an enemy charged up to him, yelling in anger with every step. Gallant sidestepped his aggressor's enraged swing, and stuck him in the side with his blade. It was the first time he'd ever killed someone, and he barely had time to think about it was more came to attack him. He'd never experienced this type of adrenaline rush before. His body was moving instinctively, dodging and parrying attacks, then striking his enemies without a second thought of what he was doing. Gallant knew he couldn't think about what he was doing, if he did, he may hesitate, and his enemies would be the ones killing him. He heard a battle cry echo out from behind him, as he turned, he say a bulky stallion with his cutlass raised to strike him. Gallant froze, his body didn't know what to do. For a moment he knew he was about to die. Suddenly, the crack of gunfire shot past him and struck the stallion in the chest. Gallant turned towards the source of the gunfire. Carronade stood about ten feet away from him, a smoking pistol being levitated by his magic.
Gallant was still frozen, he couldn't believe he was about to die there. His mind told his legs to move, but they wouldn't respond. Four ponies ran toward him from all sides, swords raised to attack. Gallant's mind yelled at his legs to move, but they still stood there, frozen in shock. As the four attackers drew close, he snapped back into reality. Just as he was about to dive out of the way, something pushed him to the ground. Gallant looked up to see a dark grey mass standing there, with four blades piercing his body, the familiar coat with a captain's insignia was stained red.
Mainsail dropped the swords and toppled to the deck.
For nearly a minute no one moved. They frankly couldn't believe it, their captain had died in front of their eyes, and now some whelp had been asked to take his place.
Chapter 5. Earning Respect
As the battered ERS Resplendent sailed away from the remnants of the battle, Carronade stared at Gallant. The look in his eyes as he shot that sailor, he couldn't quite put his hoof on it, but he knew it wasn't good.
That was easier said than done, the ship was damaged from the battle, the crew sustained heavy losses, and their captain was dead. What's worse, Gallant didn't think of himself as a captain, he knew he wasn't. Just because Mainsail said he was captain didn't mean the crew would listen to him. To them, he was some impudent cabin boy who suddenly became too big for his britches. Even so, the captain gave him a mission, to get the ship back to port safely, and that's what he was going to do.
The nearest port to them was the city of Casco, on the island of Hispantlerla. There, they could contract a local shipwright to conduct repairs on the Resplendent. The crew could also use the time to recover from the battle. As they moored themselves off the coast, Gallant decided now was the time to speak to them.
Gallant personally didn't want to go ashore, but it was his responsibility to get the Resplendent repaired, and Casco's shipwright was reportedly one of the best. The crew pulled themselves from the longboats onto the busy docks. Gallant was astounded by the sheer number of people out there. His home town of Caballito paled in comparison to the size of it all. As Gallant looked around with great curiosity, he noticed a dark red earth pony eying the crew, mouthing numbers off as though he was counting. Gallant turned away from him towards Carronade.
The two pushed and shoved their way through the crowded streets, careful not to draw too much attention to themselves, but not to loose sight of their target. The red pony ducked into an alleyway, and they followed him down it, but were careful to check and see if he hadn't turned around or stopped. The alley turned a corner, and ended behind a general store. There, the red pony stopped and began to speak to two deer.
Back at the docks, the crew were still unpacking the longboats. Gallant leaned into Carronade's ear.
Chapter 6. Ambush at Midnight
At midnight, as planned, two small gunboats approached the massive Equestrian man o' war loaded with bloodthirsty mercenaries who were eager to get paid. Each ship's lamps were doused to help mask them in the night's cover. One gunboat approached from the starboard side, the other from the port side. There appeared to be dead silence aboard the Resplendent as the gunboats drew ever closer. Both of their crews were itching with excitement, drooling at the amount of gold that the Ciervans had promised to pay for this job. As they prepped the boarding hooks, and drew into the light of the Resplendent's lamps, a single voice called out from the main deck of the man o' war.
As the sun rose over the horizon the crew moved about the deck busily, prepping the guns in case of another attack. Carronade, Stark, and Gallant discussed their objectives at the helm.
Author's Note
I know this is the first time I described what Gallant looked like, and it's kind of late, but I felt it wasn't necessary until now. Mostly because it actually matters to the current part of the story as to what he looks like. Hopefully it isn't too big a goof on my part. :)
Chapter 7. The Shipwright of Casco
As they paddled towards the docks of Casco's harbor, Carronade couldn't help but wonder if this was a bad idea. It wasn't like an Equestrian ship-of-the-line was inconspicuous while anchored in a busy port. The Ciervans probably had informants everywhere in the city, and every merc on a payroll. If he asked someone about anything to do with Ardid or the Ciervan Empire, they'd probably report it back to them, and he'd be found out.
Chapter 7.5. The Jig Is Up
Stark pushed open the door of the tavern. Inside was packed with deer and ponies alike, all loud, all rowdy, and all drunk off their flanks. None of them would be useful for information, except maybe one pony, the bartender.
"You did what?" Gallant yelled out in surprise.
Stark nodded to Carronade and Keel that they could enter. The green unicorn nodded back, and trotted in.
Chapter 9. Beacon of the Counterattack
"What is wrong with you?" Gallant and Carronade stood at the bow of the ship, he was clearly displeased with his friend's action.
Keel had already began work on the damaged starboard hull of the Resplendent. She'd never worked on a ship as grand as this before, much less with a few of materials as she had currently. The crew gave her the captured gunboat to dismantle and use as materials to patch the hull. She wanted to go into town and get new, high quality materials, but Gallant told her that returning to town after Stark's blunder was an impossibility. The Ciervans would be out in force searching for them, and he was surprised that warships hadn't already been sent out to sink them. Keel hammered and sawed away at the gunboat's remaining hull. With the use of her magic, she could bend the lumber to her will. It was something she's practiced on ever since she was a filly. She also managed to fuse the new pieces together with the old pieces on the Resplendent's hull. To finish it off, she cast strengthening spells on all the patched areas, to refresh the hull's integrity. She then painted over the patched sections so the colors matched up perfectly. By day's end, the Resplendent was back to her former glory.
As Celestia's sun set, Gallant mustered the crew on the main deck.
As the crew prepared themselves to go ashore, Gallant called a strategy meeting with Carronade and Stark.
The crew split into their three groups for the attack, as they took the longboats ashore, Gallant couldn't help but feel as nervous as he did when the privateers first attacked. Only this time, they were the ones attacking. As they ventured through the thick jungle surrounding the plantation, Gallant could suddenly hear the cracks of musket fire. Carronade's group had started the attack. As the looked closely at the plantation, he could see the Ciervan guards rushing towards the commotion with weapons readied. The plan was working. As they drew closer to the west gate, Gallant could hear the clanging of swords. He looked again to see Stark's group had successfully broken through the east gate, and had gotten the guards caught in a pincer. Carronade's group had also charged the south gate, completely trapping the unprepared Ciervan guards. By the time they reached the west gate, there was no one in their way to stop them. Gallant's group stormed the house in full force, it seemed only a few armed guards were stationed inside. Gallant bolted up the stairs to the second floor, finding the bedroom, and kicking the door open furiously. Inside was a deer, he'd obviously heard the noise, and had taken refuge under his bed. Gallant trotted over, and pulled him out from underneath it.
They didn't have time to celebrate however, Gallant could only assume that Ardid kept a close eye on Canalla and the plantation, and he'd soon know of the attack. They had to act fast. Before the sun had risen over the horizon, the Resplendent was anchored back in Casco, almost exactly where it was before. Upon threatening Canalla for further information, he revealed that La Caja Fuerte was on the eastern edge of the city, close to the shoreline. Gallant and a few crewmen took a longboat out into the harbor to survey, from the boat, they managed to spot the inn. It was a fairly run down looking building, with the words 'Caja Fuerte' plastered on the front. When the longboat returned with the information, they began to devise a plan.
Chapter 10. Upstart Newcomer
Ardid sat behind the desk in his room, writing a report back to the king of the Ciervan Empire, King Regio. The king had asked him how the operation was progressing, and currently, as he looked out into the harbor at the still floating ERS Resplendent it was not going smoothly. He had no idea what had been happening ever since the night of the raid. All he knew was the ship was still out there. Did the mercenaries forget to sink it, did the crew repel them, it was all he could think about. So in a hurry, he ordered Gamberro to sail for the island of Costa Reinca to the south, and return with his warships. The Resplendent had to be sunk, and only a military vessel could do it. He took a sip of a glass of wine he had on his desk, calmly thinking over his plan of action. He'd never been bested before, and he didn't intend to let it start now.
The deer's thoughts were cut short as a Ciervan Guard burst into his room, a look of panic on his face.
When Ardid awoke, he was on the deck of a ship, with his hooves hogtied together. He saw Gallant and a few other crew standing near him. Every now and then, one of them would glance over at him, then continue the conversation. Ardid looked around at the ragtag group of what remained of the ship's crew. How did they even manage to get this far. He then looked at Gallant, it had to have been him. Perhaps he'd underestimated him, perhaps he was of a greater military mind than he thought, and where in tartarus was Gamberro?
Gallant looked around at his crew, they were prepping the ship for the journey to the mainland. With the bulk of the threat of the Ciervans removed from Casco, they could purchase all the supplies they needed without interference. Gallant also turned to Keel, who he'd asked to join them. He handed her a blueprint for a design.
Chapter 11. Arca Del Imperio
"Captain, ships sighted of the port bow! They're flying Ciervan flags!" The lookout called down. Gallant galloped over towards the port side of the ship, and looked towards the horizon. There were three Ciervan warships on course to intercept.
Aboard the Arca Del Imperio, Gamberro looked closely at the ERS Resplendent through his spyglass. The damage she'd received appeared to have been repaired.
Gallant watched the frigates split off from the group.
Ardid stared in shock as the Ciervan frigate quickly sank below the surface. He'd never heard of a man o' war use a battering ram, much less be outfitted with one. The same could only go for Gamberro, he looked in shock as the Equestrian warship tore the frigate in half.
Gallant stood in shock as the three allied frigates surrounded the Ciervan warship. Suddenly, the crew broke out into a frenzied cheer. Gallant couldn't help but join them, they danced about the deck like a bunch of hooligans. One of the frigates pulled up alongside the Resplendent.
Chapter 12. The 1st Royal Fleet
The four warships sailed into the harbor of Pony Royale. It was about a four days journey from Hispantlerla to the island. As they entered the harbor, they noticed the amount of warships was staggering.
As he climbed aboard a longboat, he gulped in anticipation. He couldn't help but stare at the Sunfire in awe of the sheer size of it. He was ushered into the captain's cabin, where two ponies waited for him. Both of them he instantly recognized. One of them was none other than Princess Celestia herself, but the other pony was the one who truly surprised him.
Back aboard the Resplendent, the crew waited anxiously for their captain's return. Even though they were in a friendly port, the air on deck was incredibly tense.
Chapter 14. Equestria's Off to War
As I woke up this mornin' Equestria's off to war
Say, hey jiggy jiggy jiggy ya ya Equestria's off to war
In the name of ol' Celestia Equestria's off to war
Say, hey jiggy jiggy jiggy ya ya Equestria's off to war
We fought the lord King Sombra and felled his crystal fort
Say, hey jiggy jiggy jiggy ya ya Equestria's off to war
We fought the mean Queen Chriss' Liss' and all her Changeling horde
Say, hey jiggy jiggy jiggy ya ya Equestria's off to war
Say, hey jiggy jiggy jiggy ya ya and now we're off to war
The crew chanted that and many other shanties as the newly renamed ERS Hunter left Pony Royale harbor. Accompanying them were two other first rate man o' wars. The ERS Royal Moonbeam, and the ERS Radiance.
Surely enough, in a few days, the princess received word that Ardid and Gamberro had both been executed, and that a majority of the Ciervan navy was spotted off the coast of Cuernba, which was a week's venture south of Pony Royale. Any day they'd spot them on the horizon, and when they did, the war would be decided then and there.
Chapter 15. Arca De Tormenta
"What in tartarus is that?" Some of the crew of the Ciervan ships began asking.
Aboard the Hunter, Gallant calmly turned to Carronade.
Aboard one of the ships, the captain called out to the lookout, "Can you see anything?"
Before they could even return to Pony Royale, they'd received word from King Regio himself that they accepted the terms of surrender. They had to, their navy had been completely decimated by one ship. The Hunter's reputation began to spread rather quickly too, even though the rumors forgot to mention the presence of Celestia. Once back in the harbor Celestia decided to speak to him.
Over the next few days at port, Gallant couldn't get Celestia's words out of his mind. The thought of doing what he loved destroying him, it couldn't possibly happen. Only, this wasn't what he loved. He'd wanted to be a captain, and as a captain in the navy, he'd done things he never though he'd have to. As the Hunter prepared to set out to sea once again, Gallant called a meeting with the entire crew out on the main deck.
Author's Note
I made a few edits in an attempt to polish the story's ending. I may still change things if I'm not completely happy with it.
Prologue: Dreams of the Sea
The clacking of small hooves hurried down the streets of the small port town of Caballito towards the harbor. The ringing of the harbor master's bell signaled one thing and one thing only, the arrival of the navy. The young colt Gallant Topsail knew that all too well. He hurried toward the harbor with curiosity flaring through his energetic young mind. His friend Flareluck, and his younger brother Royal Topsail were in tow.
Caballito was a small town that dotted one of the many islands throughout the Eternal Strait. As such, it was a busy port and trade post where many a tired and weary sailor would stop for rest on their voyages from Equestria to Ciervias, or perhaps even as far reaching as the Griffin Empire, or Zebrica. The thoughts of venturing out into the endless blue expanse, discover new worlds, and braving the rough ocean; this was what Gallant always dreamed of doing.
The three colts pushed their way through the busy streets, longing to catch site of the navy ship entering the harbor. A stack of boxes caught the Gallant's eye, leading him to climb to the rooftops, he'd give anything to see that harbor in full bloom. As he pulled his friends up, three towering masts caught his attention.
Chapter 13. Hunted Become Hunters
The same day they landed, they held a proper funeral for Captain Mainsail. Surprisingly few people attended, namely the crew of the Resplendent, and Princess Celestia. Even though she only stayed for a few minutes, Gallant could tell she was more hurt than most. Before he could get a chance to speak to her, she left. Leaving the crew alone to mourn their captain. Even though most of them had already mourned their captain from a week ago, they attended to pay their respects all the same.
That night, the crew retired to a tavern close to the docks. They drank cider, and acted like idiots, while the more seasoned crew told stories about Mainsail's great adventures as a captain. Even though Mainsail personally didn't like the stories, Gallant loved them. The grand tales of fighting pirates off with a stare, battling giant rogue waves in hurricanes, and of course the mystery behind himself and Celestia. These stories were all so grandiose that anyone who didn't know the captain probably wouldn't believe them. Gallant took it all in a laughed to himself. He planned on living by the captain's motto from now on. The time you spend on land is the time you take a load off.
The next day, Gallant asked Keel to rebuild the battering ram for him. Only this time, it would be a permanent addition. He'd seen what she could do in an hour, so he only could imagine what she could do with a week. He also promoted Carronade to quartermaster, now that he officially was a captain he had the authority to do so. They also re-outfitted the ship with new guns, and new sails. The crew also was reinforced with more men, who at first were skeptical of their captain, but upon hearing the story from the other crew quickly changed their attitude. By the end of the week, the ERS Resplendent was back at full fighting strength.
The day Gallant met with Celestia was a fairly quiet one. The crew were all relaxed up and ready to head back out to sea, they just needed their orders. Celestia sent a carriage for him, and upon arriving at the small colonial house she was using, couldn't imagine the princess living there. Gallant was ushered into the house's office, where Celestia was waiting for him.
In the small town of Caballito, a young colt sat on the dock, singing an all too familiar tune, "In the name of ol' Celestia, Equestria's off to war, say..."
Author's Note
I know most of you probably weren't expecting the end to be here, but I feel this is the place to end Gallant's story. Keep in mind, I'm going to be writing stories about both Flareluck, and Mainsail. So don't think I'm leaving everything open ended.
