Pirates of Equestria: Curse of The Black Pearl

Chapters

A Colt in The Water
Captain Rainbow Dash
Crossing Blades With A Pirate

A Colt in The Water

In the middle of a deep, dark mist we find a large ship, the EMS Dauntless, sailing on the seas. On the bow of the ship was an alicorn filly with a pink coat and a purple and dark pink mane and tail, both of which had a yellow highlight. Her name was Cadence, and she was the daughter of the governor of a newly-established port called Port Royal. Cadence was singing a merry little pirating tune as the ship sailed across the dark waters.

“Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me. We foalnap, we loot, we cheat, and we don’t give a hay, drink up, me hearties, yo ho. We’re Discords, we’re black mares, we’re really bad apples, drink up, me hearties, yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me,” sang Cadence.

Before Cadence could start the next verse, a hand belonging to an orange Earth Pony mare with a blonde mane and tail wearing a tan cowboy hat covered her mouth.

“Quiet! Cursed pirates sail upon these waters. You wouldn’t want to bring them down on us, would you?” hissed the mare.

“Miss Applejack, that’s enough,” said a bold pegasus stallion. With him was his daughter, who was about Cadence’s age and was the spitting image of her father. They both had turquoise coats, and amber manes and tails.

“She was singing about pirates! It’s bad luck to be singing about pirates with us stuck in this unnatural fog. Mark my words,” said Applejack.

“Consider them marked. Move along,” said the stallion.

“Aye, Lieutenant,” said Applejack as she left with the stallion, leaving Cadence and the young pegasus behind.

“You know, Lightning Dust, I think it’d be exciting to meet a pirate,” said Cadence.

Lightning smirked. “I don’t think so, Cadence. Vile and dissolute creatures, all of them. When I’m big enough to join the navy with Dad, I’m going to see to it that every pony who sails under a pirate flag or wears a pirate brand gets what’s coming to them: a hanging,” said Lightning.

From behind came an older, red alicorn stallion who greatly resembled Cadence. “Miss Lightning Dust, while I appreciate you fevor, I’m worried about the effect this subject will have upon my daughter,” said Governor Romeo Mi Amore.

“Sorry, Governor Mi Amore,” said Lightning before she went to find her father.

“Actually, Dad, I find it all quite fascinating,” Cadence told her dad.

“What do you think concerns me?” asked Romeo before he moved off.

Cadence groaned and looked off the side of the ship. That’s when something caught her eye.

Huh. That’s a weird place to leave an umbrella,thought Cadence.

Quickly following the umbrella was a much more frightening sight: a unicorn colt with a white coat and a dark blue mane and tail, both of which had a light blue highlight , and wearing a soaked gray shirt, brown vest, brown pants, stockings and buckle shoes on his hind legs, on a piece of driftwood.

Cadence gasped. “Look! There’s a colt in the water!” she yelled.

The crew of the Dauntless looked over the side of the ship and saw the colt.

“Pony overboard!” yelled Lightning’s father. “Haul him aboard! Fetch a hook!”

The sailors hauled the colt onboard, where they learned he was still breathing.

“Lauren, mother of Faust!” yelled Applejack.

It was quite obvious as to what Applejack had exclaimed about: a merchant ship that completely engulfed in flame.

“What happened here?” asked Governor Mi Amore.

“It’s most likely the powder magazine, merchant vessels run heavily armed,” said Lightning’s father, even thought the words sounded empty even to him.

Applejack shook her head. “A lot of good that did them,” she said. She looked at the gathered ponies. “Oh, come on, everypony’s thinkin’ it, I’m just saying it: pirates.”

“Come on, there’s no proof of that, this is probably an accident,” said Governor Mi Amore.

As Lightning’s dad barked orders, Governor Mi Amore gave his daughter an important task.

“Cadence, I want you to accompany the colt. He’ll be in your charge,” said Mi Amore.

“Yes, father,” said Cadence.

As the crew set out to search for more survivors, Cadence sat and looked at the colt. She ran her hoof through his mane.

The colt woke up with a jolt, gasping as thought he had just broken the surface of water.

“It’s okay. My name’s Cadence Mi Amore,” said Cadence.

“Sh-Shining Armor Sparkle,” gasped Shining Armor.

“I’m watching over you, Shining Armor,” said Cadence.

Shining Armor passed out again, and something caught Cadence’s eye: a necklace. Picking it up, Cadence realized it was a golden medallion with a silver skull dead in the center.

“You’re a pirate,” she gasped.

“Has he said anything?” asked Lightning’s Father.

Swiftly hiding the medallion behind her, Cadence said, “His name’s Shining Armor Sparkle, that’s all I found out.”

“Take him below,” said Lightning’s Dad.

As the sailors and Lightning Dust’s dad brought Shining Armor belowdecks, Cadence looked at the Medallion.

That’s when she saw it.

Out in the distance, emerging from the fog, was a ship with torn black sails. From her point of view, Cadence thought she saw a griffon at the helm.

Atop the highest pole was a flag bearing a skull over a pair of crossed swords.

Cadence awoke in her bed, having awoken from the dream that had actually been a memory from eight years ago. She got out of bed and went over to her drawer. Opening a secret drawer, she found the medallion that she’d taken from Shining Armor.

Cadence put on the medallion and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

Beautiful, as always, she thought.

Just then, somepony knocked on her door.

“Cadence? Are you up yet?” came Mi Amore’s voice.

Cadence hurriedly put on a robe and slipped the medallion underneath it. “Yes, come in,” she said.

Mi Amore, who now had specks of gray in his mane, entered along with two maids.

“Still in bed at this hour?” said Mi Amore. “ It’s a beautiful day.”

As a maid opened a window, letting in the beautiful Mareibbean sunlight, Cadence noticed the second held a box.

“I have a gift for you,” said Mi Amore. He opened the box to reveal a beautiful dress.

“It’s beautiful!” said Cadence. “What’s the occasion?”

“Does a father need an occasion to dote upon his daughter?” said Mi Amore as Cadence went behind some changing curtains to get dressed. “Although, I’d hoped you’d wear it to the ceremony.”

“Ceremony?” asked Cadence from behind the curtain.

“Captain Lightning Dust’s promotion ceremony,” explained Mi Amore.

“I knew it,” said Cadence.

“Commodore Lightning Dust, as she’s about to become. She really is a good mare. Remember when you two were fillies? You never let each other out of your sight,” said Mi Amore. He frowned when Cadence gave a loud gasp. “Are you okay? How’s it fitting?”

“It’s… difficult to say,” said Cadence.

“Well, I’m told it’s the latest fashion in Canterlot,” said Mi Amore.

Well, mares in Canterlot must’ve figured out how to survive without breathing, thought Cadence.

Just then, the butler came in.

“My lord, you have a visitor,” he said.

Downstairs, Shining Armor, now a full-grown stallion with a long black case under his arm and wearing a brown coat, a black vest, a white shirt, brown pants, stockings, and buckle shoes, was looking for a place to hide the broken piece of candelabra he broke off. Finally hiding it in a umbrella rack, he waved as the butler walked by.

Governor Mi Amore came into the room. “Ah, Mr. Sparkle, good to see you again,” he said.

“Hello, sir. I have your order,” said Shining Armor, placing the case on the nearby entable and opening it.

Inside the case was beautiful sword. Mi Amore took out the sword and looked at it.

“The blade is folded steel. That’s gold filigree laid into the handle,” said Shining Armor. “If I may.”

Mi Amore gave Shining Armor the sword, who held it perfectly flat in his hand.

“Perfectly balanced. The tang is nearly the full width of the blade,” said Shining Armor, before he performed a neat trick with the sword.

Mi Amore laughed as Shining Armor gave him back the sword. “Commodore Dust is going to be very pleased with this. Do pass my compliments onto you master,” said Mi Amore.

Shining Armor froze. Once again, I’m not getting credit for my work, he thought. “I shall. A craftspony is always glad to hear his work is appreciated,” he said.

Cadence then started coming down the stairs. Both stallions turned to look at her.

“Ah, Cadence, you look absolutely stunning,” said Mi Amore.

“Shining Armor,” said Cadence, hurrying downstairs to meet the young unicorn. “I had a dream about you last night.”

“About me?” asked Shining Armor.

“Er, Cadence, is it really proper for you to-” said Mi Amore, but his words seemed to fall upon deaf ears.

“About the day we met, do you remember?” asked Cadence.

“H-how could I forget, Miss Mi Amore?” said Shining Armor.

“Shining, how many times must I ask you to call me Cadence?” asked Cadence.

“Well, at least once more, Miss Mi Amore… as always,” said Shining Armor.

“Well, at least the colt has a sense of propriety, now, come Cadence, we really must be going,” said Mi Amore.

“Good day, Mr. Sparkle,” said Cadence as she followed her father out the door and into the waiting carriage.

Shining Armor followed them out. “Good day… Cadence,” he muttered.

Captain Rainbow Dash

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Meanwhile, a small dingy sailed towards Port Royal. Standing atop the mast was an anthropomorphic pegasus mare. She had a sky-blue coat, a rainbow-colored mane and tail, and rose-colored eyes. She wore a rusty lightning bolt pendant, a dark blue shirt, a black vest, a black overcoat, black pants, black bell-bottom boots, a brown three-pointed hat, and a belt which held a compass, a sword, and a pistol. This was Captain Rainbow Dash.

Looking down, Rainbow saw that the boat was taking on water. She grabbed a rope and slid down. After rummaging around for a bit, Rainbow grabbed a bucket and started to haul water out of the boat. After a few moments, however, Rainbow gave up and flew back to her perch at the top the dingy’s mast. The boat sank just as it reached the dock, allowing Rainbow to simply step off the mast and onto the dock.

Now, then, let’s see if we can find me a ship, thought Rainbow as she walked right past the dockmaster.

“Hey, you!” yelled the dockmaster.

Rainbow turned on her heel and walked back towards the dockmaster. “Yes, can I help you?” said Rainbow.

“It’s a bit to tie up your boat at the dock, and I’ll need your name,” said the dockmaster.

“What do you say to four bits,” said Rainbow, holding out four bits in her slightly scarred hand. “And we ixnay the name.”

The dockmaster thought about it for a moment, before taking the bits and saying, “Welcome to Port Royal, Miss Flash Sentry.”

Rainbow smiled and said, “Thanks a bundle.” As she walked away, Rainbow nabbed a small bag filled with at least twenty bits and slipped it into her overcoat pocket.

Sucker, she thought.

Meanwhile, at the fort, the ceremony was in full swing as Commodore Lightning Dust, new sword in hand, performed several ceremonial-type moves with it.

As for Cadence, who was hardly watching, the corset underneath her dress was causing such discomfort that she was actually starting to have trouble breathing.

Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, had found her way to the naval docks.

That smaller one looks pretty speedy… thought Rainbow. But, as she made her way towards the ship, two unicorn guards, who looked almost identical, save that one had a mustache, blocked her way.

“This dock is off-limits to civilians,” said Flam.

“My apologies, I had no idea. I’ll let you know if I see one,” said Rainbow.

But, as she tried to move past them, the two guards kept blocking her.

“Apparently, there’s some sort of big party up at the fort. How did you two not get an invite?” asked Rainbow.

“Well, somepony has to make sure this dock stays off-limits to civilians,” said Flim.

“Sounds good, but if you ask me, that smaller ship makes the big one look a little too superfluous,” said Rainbow.

“Well, The Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough. But, there isn’t a ship out there that can match The Interceptor for speed,” said Flim.

“Oh, I think I know of one. Supposed to be very fast and virtually uncatchable: The Black Pearl,” said Rainbow.

Flam scoffed. “There isn’t a real ship out there that can match The Interceptor,” he said.

“Actually, The Black Pearl is a real ship,” said Flim.

“No, it isn’t,” said Flam.

“Is too, I’ve seen it,” said Flim.

“You’ve seen a ship with black sails, that’s crewed by the damned, and captained by a griffon so evil, that Tartarus itself, spat her back out?” said Flam.

So caught up were the brothers in their argument that they didn’t see Rainbow slip past them and onto The Interceptor.

At least, not at first.

“Hey! You don’t have permission to be aboard there!” said Flam as he and Flim ran onto the ship, muskets at the ready.

“Sorry, it’s just such a pretty ship,” said Rainbow as she walked away from the helm.

“What’s your name?” asked Flim.

“Flash Sentry. But, you can call me Flash,” said Rainbow.

“What brings you to Port Royal, ‘Miss Sentry?’” said Flam.

“And no lies!” said Flim.

“Okie-dokie. I admit it. I’ve come here to commandeer one of these wonderful vessels, more specifically this one, then I plan to pick up a crew in Tortuga, swiftly followed by raiding, pillaging, and plundering my black guts out,” said Rainbow.

“I said no lies!” said Flim.

“Actually, I think she’s telling the truth,” said Flam.

“Oh, come on, Flam. If she was telling the truth, she wouldn’t have told us,” said Flim.

“Unless, of course, I knew you wouldn’t believe the truth, even if I told it to you,” said Rainbow.

Back at the gala, Lightning Dust tapped the pained Cadence on the shoulder.

“You wanna hang out by the bell?” asked Lightning.

Lightning and Cadence made their way to the old stone arch with a bell over it.

“You know, Cadence, my promotion made me think about something I haven’t achieved: marriage to the stallion of my dreams. You remember that colt we rescued on our way here? Well, I’m thinking about asking him out,” said Lightning.

“I can’t breathe!” gasped Cadence, before falling over the ledge.

“I’m a bit nervous about… Cadence!” yelled Lightning as she lunged for Cadence, but failed to grab her in time.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was telling the Flim and Flam about an adventure she had involving some Barbarian Changelings.

“And then they made me their chiefess,” said Rainbow, just as she saw Cadence hit the water. “I think somepony just fell! You two gonna save her or just stand there like doofuses?”

When Flim and Flam just gave her blank looks, Rainbow scoffed. “Pride and joy of Celestia’s navy, you are. Do not lose these,” she said, giving Flim and Flam her hat, overcoat, and belt before she dove into the water.

As Cadence sank, the medallion around her neck let out a shockwave of some type.

“What was that?” Flim asked his brother.

Almost instantly, the sky began to get darker and the wind picked up out of nowhere.

As for Rainbow, she managed to get Cadence, but was weighed down by the dress. Only by removing it could Rainbow safely haul Cadence to the surface.

Flim and Flam ran to help Rainbow haul Cadence onto the dock.

“She’s not breathing!” said Flam.

“Move it!” yelled Rainbow.

In one swift motion, Rainbow tore open the corset Cadence was wearing, allowing her to breathe again.

“I never would’ve thought of that,” said Flam.

“Obviously, you’ve never been to Lingapore,” said Rainbow.

It was then that Rainbow saw the medallion. Holding the coin part in her hand, Rainbow asked Cadence, “Where in the name of Tartarus did you get this?”

Abruptly, Rainbow Dash found a sword and several muskets aimed at her.

“On your feet,” said Lightning.

Rainbow stood up. Mi Amore helped Cadence up.

“Shoot her,” said Mi Amore.

“Father! Commodore, do you really plan on killing my rescuer?” said Cadence.

Lightning Dust put away her sword. “I believe thanks are in order,” she said, holding out her hand.

But, when Rainbow reached to shake Lightning’s hand, Lightning grabbed her wrist and pulled up her sleeve. Burned onto her flesh was the letter P.

“Had a run-in with the East Equestria Trading Company, did we, Pirate? Keep your guns on her! Gillette! Get some irons!” barked Lightning.

“Hang her!” said Mi Amore.

“You’re Rainbow Dash, right?” said Lightning.

“Captain Rainbow Dash, if you don’t mind,” said Rainbow.

“Well, forgive me if I’m wrong, but I don’t see your ship, Captain,” said Lightning.

“It just so happens that I’m in the market for one,” said Rainbow.

Flim cleared his throat. “Well, she said she’d come here to commandeer one,” he said.

“Told you she was telling the truth. These are hers, ma’am,” said Flam, giving Lightning Rainbow’s belongings.

Lightning Dust took out the pistol and examined it. “No additional shots, nor powder,” she said. Lightning then took the compass. “A compass that doesn’t point north.” Lightning then took Rainbow’s steel sword part way out of the scabbard. “And I half-expected it to be wooden. You are, without the shadow of a doubt, the worst pirate I’ve ever heard of!” said Lightning.

“Ahh… but you have heard of me,” said Rainbow.

Scowling, Lightning grabbed Rainbow and led her over to where Gillette was waiting with the cuffs.

“Commodore, I really must protest,” said Cadence. “Pirate or not, this mare saved my life!”

“Cadence, one good deed is not enough to redeem a pony of a lifetime’s worth of wickedness,” said Lightning.

“But, it looks like it’s enough to condemn her,” said Rainbow.

“Indeed,” said Lightning.

Once the cuffs were on Rainbow, she broke free of Gillette’s grasp and put the chain of the cuffs around Cadence’s throat.

“I knew you’d warm up to me,” Rainbow whispered in Cadence’s ear, before addressing the soldiers. “Commodore, my effects, if you don’t mind. And my hat.”

Very reluctantly, Lightning handed Cadence Rainbow’s belt and hat. Cadence, scowling the whole time, put them back on Rainbow.

“You’re despicable,” hissed Cadence.

“Sticks and stones. I saved your life, now you’ve saved mine, we’re even-steven,” said Rainbow, before once again addressing the soldiers. “Fillies and gentlecolts, you will always remember this as the day that you almost caught… Captain… Rainbow… Dash!” said Rainbow, before pushing Cadence at the soldiers and making a flight for it, with the Pegasi soldiers right behind her, shooting.

I gotta find a place to hide! thought Rainbow. Spotting an open door, Rainbow flew in and slammed the door.

Had she looked at the sign, she’d have noticed the sign that read, Sparkle and Brown: Blacksmiths.

Crossing Blades With A Pirate

As soon as Rainbow Dash set foot in the building, she knew that she’d found a blacksmith shop.

There’s bound to be something in here to help me with these cuffs, thought Rainbow.

Just then, she heard the clink of a bottle hitting the ground. Rainbow turned to find a passed out unicorn stallion dressed in blacksmith’s attire. After making sure he was effectively conked out by poking him and yelling, Rainbow set to work on breaking the cuffs.

She placed her hat on a small anvil and grabbed a hammer and began trying to break the cuffs against a larger anvil… unsuccessfully.

Rainbow looked around and saw that there was a donkey hooked up to a set of gears. Grabbing a superheated poker, Rainbow poked the donkey in the backside with said poker.

“Yeow!” cried the donkey, who happened to be somewhat blind. He began to make the gears turn and Rainbow Dash hung the chain of the cuffs on a gear that spun sideways. A larger gear broke the chain.

All right, now then, I’d better- thought Rainbow, before the doorknob turned. Hide!

Rainbow managed to conceal herself just before Shining Armor came in.

What the heck? thought Shining Armor as he went to stop the donkey from turning the gears.

“Something hot poked me in the behind!” complained the donkey.

Shining Armor payed this no attention and went to see his partner, who was still fast asleep.

“Right where I left you,” said Shining Armor with a smirk.

As Shining Armor turned towards the anvil to start work, he saw that the hammer was out of place.

“But you’re not where I left you,” muttered Shining Armor.

He then saw Rainbow’s hat. Before he could grab it, a sword slapped his hand.

“Don’t touch my hat,” said Rainbow Dash.

As Shining Armor backed away from Rainbow’s sword, he said, “You’re the one the soldiers are hunting. The pirate.”

“You know, now that I get a good look at you, you seem kind of familiar. Have I ever threatened you before?” asked Rainbow.

“I tend to try to avoid familiarity with pirates,” said Shining Armor.

“I see. Well, it’d be a shame to put a black mark on your record, so if you’ll excuse me,” said Rainbow as she turned away. Out of the corner of her eye, Rainbow saw Shining Armor grab a nearby sword. Turning back towards Shining Armor, Rainbow said, “Do you really think this a wise move? Crossing blades with a pirate?”

Shining Armor held his blade a little higher. “You threatened Miss Mi Amore,” he hissed.

Rainbow ran her blade along Shining Armor’s. “Only a little,” she said.

Rainbow swung her sword at Shining Armor, who parried the blow with his own. For the better part of five minutes, the two ponies fought backwards and forwards.

Finally, Rainbow grinned. “You certainly know what you’re doing, I’ll give you that much. Excellent form. But, how’s your hoofwork? Say I were to step here,” she said, stepping to the right as she spoke.

Shining Armor mirrored the movement and was able to block Rainbow’s swing.

“Very nice. And now, I step again,” said Rainbow.

As she moved to the left, quicker this time, Shining Armor again mirrored the movement and blocked the attack.

Rainbow struck two quick swings, both of which Shining Armor blocked, before putting her sword away. “Laters,” she said as she made her way back to the door.

Shining Armor, with a little help from his magic, threw his sword into the door latch, preventing it from being opened.

Rainbow Dash grabbed the sword and began trying to remove it, but quickly found she couldn’t.

“That is a nice trick. Unfortunately, you are once again between me and my exit. And now,” said Rainbow, drawing her sword again. “You don’t have a weapon.”

Shining Armor quickly grabbed a superheated sword from the nearby melter.

“Uh-oh! Not again!” said the donkey, who then began to turn the gears again.

Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash began clashing blades again. After Rainbow disarmed Shining Armor, Shining Armor grabbed another sword from a spinning station.

Rainbow looked around at all the swords. “Who makes all these swords?” she asked Shining Armor as they fought.

“I do,” said Shining Armor, who swung his sword at Rainbow while he spoke. “And I practice with them three hours a day… even on holidays.”

Rainbow smirked as she swung her sword at Shining Armor. “You really need to find yourself a mare,” she said.

Shining Armor grabbed a second sword as the fight continued into a sword-lock.

“Or maybe the reason you practice three hours a day 365 days a year is because you’ve already found one, but are unable to woo said strumpet,” said Rainbow, who then frowned. “You’re not a eunuch, are you?”

“I practice three hours a day so that when I meet a pirate, I can kill them!” said Shining Armor as he broke the lock.

The two ponies fought their way onto a small two wheeled trailer. They continued to fight until Shining Armor stuck one of his swords into a link of the chain of Rainbow’s broken cuffs. Shining Armor then stuck the sword into a board on the rafters.

Rainbow continued to fight one-handed, and managed to knock Shining Armor off the trailer by hitting him with a loose board. She then tried to get the sword her chain was stuck in loose.

Although she managed to get loose, she fell on to the trailer and sent Shining Armor, who had just gotten back on the trailer, onto the rafters.

Rainbow Dash flew up to the rafters and continued the fight, eventually disarming Shining Armor and knocking him back to the ground. Rainbow flew down and grabbed a bag of molding sand and sent a burst of the contents into Shining Armor’s face.

As the momentarily blinded Shining Armor stumbled around, Rainbow got behind him and pulled out her pistol.

Realizing what just happened, Shining Armor said, “You cheated!”

“Pirate,” said Rainbow, pointing at herself with her free hand.

No sooner had she said than Royal Soldiers began trying to break down the door.

Shining Armor grabbed a small hammer and stood in front of the back door.

“Get out of the way,” said Rainbow.

“No!” said Shining Armor.

“Please move!” said Rainbow.

“No! I refuse to stand aside and let you escape,” said Shining Armor.

Rainbow cocked the pistol. “This shot isn’t meant for you,” she said.

Just then, Rainbow was hit in the back of the head with a cider bottle. Holding the broken bottle was Shining Armor’s partner.

“Ow,” said Rainbow as she fell on her face, knocked out.

Almost at the same time, the soldiers broke through the door and surrounded the unconscious Rainbow Dash, muskets at the ready.

“Well done, Mr. Smith,” said Lightning Dust. “You’ve assisted in the capture of a dangerous fugitive.”

“I can’t take full credit. I merely finished her off. It was Shining Armor here who held her off,” said Smith.

“Well, then, good job, Mr. Sparkle. Well, I trust everypony will remember this as the day Captain Rainbow Dash almost escaped. Take her away,” said Lightning.