1: Introducing Captain Brig
High in the Canterlot sky-docks a dark ship hung in it's berth, alone. Above her the moon was just ending it's descent over the horizon, and the sun was just begging to warm the land.
In the suns rays the elegant lines of the dark ship began to show themselves. She was a heavy frigate , and a bit of a relic. The heavy frigate was designed to smash through enemy flotillas or chase down large merchant vessels during times of war. But Equestria had enjoyed more than half a century of peace (at least as far as the navy was concerned). With this peace came trade and with this trade came the a new generation of smaller ships that only needed to escort the merchants. So the massive heavy frigates of the fleet were cast aside. Now only a hand full of them were still in existence and serving the navy. Of these few only a few were still at full battle capability. And of those few only one was conveniently in Canterlot. The frigate Merciless,
As the sun roes in the sky more light flashed about her dark hull sheathed in Steal with bronze artfully accenting it. It took too her 44 cannon hatches and monstrous Bronze mortar. It showed that she had no engine, but three tall and strong mast. For an engine was to slow for the navy, and at the heights that they operated in wind was constant. A Bronze Alicorn sat just below the bow over a massive naval ram.
From with in the bowls of the ship a piercing whistle echoed. Then A marine's drum sounded accompanied by the thunder of 200 hooves. From one deep powerful throat a Song began, and was taken up by the entire crew as the marines played their instruments.
I've got the reach and the teeth of a killin' machine with a need to bleed you when the light goes green,
best belive, I'm in a Zone to be, From my Yin to my Yang to my Yang Tze. Put a grin on my chin when you come to me,
'cuz I'll win, I'm a one-of-a-kind and I'll bring death to the place you're about to be: another river of blood runnin' under my feet.
The crew rushed to there bronze cannons and shined them till they refection was blinding.
Forged in a fire lit long ago, stand next to me, you'll never stand alone. I'm last to leave, but the first to go,
Lord, make me dead before you make me old
Ponies sanded the deck smooth and doused the lanterns.
I feed on the fear of the devil inside of the enemy faces in my sights: aim with the hand, shoot with the mind, kill with a heart like arctic ice!
The marines hurried on deck with there instruments as there leader, with his massive lungs, belted out, 'I am a soldier and i'm marching on." The entire ship replied "I am a solder and I'm Marching on!"
The head marine bellowed "I am a warrior and this is my song." The crew yelled, "I am a warrior and this is my song!"
Amidst all of this singing light blue Pegasus with a cutie mark of a ship at sail walked onto the quarter deck. His name was First Lieutenant Jet Stream and his talent was navigation. Seeing that all was going well on deck He prepared himself to go below and report to his Captain. As Lieutenant Stream was adjusting his royal blue and gold uniform the leader of the marines marched over to him.
"Sir, Mail for the Captain," the Marine bellowed
"Ah, yes very good, dismissed," Stream said as he inspected the letter. I was enveloped in unusually fine parchment. As he flipped it over in his hooves he noticed the seal smudged beyond recognition. Naval mail was rarely kind with the letters that were moved through it. Placing the letter in his coat pocket he headed down to the Captain's cabin. At the door was young marine sentry staring ahead. Stream passed the guard and entered.
The room was fairly massive taking up all of the space under the quarter deck. Directly below it were the Captain's bed room and chart room with. In sided of the main cabin was a large table set on top of two massive carronades. During battle the table top would be removed and the carronades would be run out the window. Similar arrangements were made in the Captain's bed room and chart room providing four heavy guns to protect the stern of the ship. Lining the walls of the cabin there were books cases and small tables with smaller nik-naks on top of them. Directly above the door hung an ancient admirals sword. But all of this, Stream ignored, he had spent countless hours with in this room.
Behind the Table sat his Captain, the most honorable Brigantine, as he finished his breakfast or oat meal. The captain looked up and smiled, "Good morning Lieutenant. What have you there?"
Stream relaxed at his Captains words and took and seat at the table, "A letter sir."
Brigantine reached for the envelope opened it and read the letter inside. As he read the note his expression changed to horror. He handed the message to his Lieutenant. It read...
Dear Captain Brigantine
You are needed in the Palace Court Room as soon as possible
You ruler
Celestia
Stream looked up at the Captain
"How long has this been waiting?" Asked Brigantine.
"Longer that it should have, Sir." Replied Stream
Brigantines expression became stern as he growled, "Mr. Stream set sail immediately."
Stream all but galloped out of the room, leaving Brigantine to think. I can't believe I let the royal sisters wait. I'm doomed. Brigantine gobbled his oat meal then left the bowl abandoned on his table with the rest of his breakfast wear. He bolted out the door down a flight of stairs to his bedroom. With as much speed as possible he dragged on his uniform placed his hat and reached for his sword... witch was not in his room. The old admirals sword that his father had given him was up in the main cabin. Short a sword Brigantine looked in his mirror. Staring back was a striped Pegasus with dark grey stripes alternating with gold. The product of a Zebra mother and a pony father. His cutie mark was the Jolly Roger with a sword entering the top of the skull and existing the mouth.
He stretched his wings and jumped out of his rooms rear window moving as fast as possible back to the cabin, the he grabbed the sword from it's display stand. He looked over the blade. It was made from an odd white steal and inlayed with gold. A blade that his family had passed down for generations. It had killed in many battles not all being on I the air. This old naval sword had served in the members of Brigantines family in ever part of the military. It had even belonged to a Wonderbolt once. He quickly sent the sword into its scabbard.
All ready to go out on deck Brigantine froze. His expression became calm almost stern. His shoulders were thrown back and his step came with purpose. Brigantine changed into the type of calm and strong willed Captain his father had been. The type of Captain he himself aspired to be.
Captain Brigantine strode out onto the deck. The hands were aloft in the rigging ready to loose the sails at his command. He took a square stance on the Quarter deck and looked over his crew. Each one standing with the clam professionalism that he had trained into them. With in him, his pride swelled, this was a ship worthy of the royal sisters.
"Mr. Stream set sail for the royal sky dock," at his words the ship jumped to life. White sails fell from the mast and were pulled taught to the wind. Bronze cannons were secured to the deck, and a choruses of bells and whistles alerted the ship to her new instructions. Then she moved. Slowly and clumsily at first as she freed herself from the port, but she rapidly picked up speed. For such a huge vessel her progression was graceful, and her pace seamed leisurely and pleasant. This effectively masked the real hurry that she was in, but the well drilled crew kept the façade going.
Within minuets she was docking in the royal berth. As soon as Merciless was secure the crew assembled, in orderly ranks, at the ships ladder to see there captain off. Brigantine allowed himself a brief but powerful smile to his crew to convey his pride. Then he disappeared over the edge.
Two royal Guards awaited him as the bottom. Brigantine barely acknowledged them before barreling to the thrown room. At the door four more Royal Gauds stood at here post. The Captain stopped and waited for the guards to open the door and announce his name to all within the room.
With is calm and collected mask on Brigantine entered the chamber with an internal hurricane or worry threatening to end his composure. He bowed to the three gathered princesses, Celestia, Luna and Twilight Sparkle, then stood squarely waiting for them to speak. Brigantine also noticed the keepers of the elements of harmony in the room.
"Captain Brigantine," Celestia said, "Your ship is required as transport of Prices Twilight Sparkle. She shall be going to Oceanan republic to help negotiate there new relations with Equestria." Brigantine growled under his breath Oceana was a country formed by former pirates. Scum that had until recently been The Merciless's prey. Her heavy armor and large asorment of weapons made her the perfect pirate hunter. Witch happened to suit his special talent, pirate hunting. These Negotiations would render his beloved ship completely obsolete. "For this purpose you shall be given a flotilla and The rank of commodore," Celestia continued, "They await you in the town of Ponyville. You shall be taking the council of Friendship there with you."
"When do I leave?" aas all that the Captain could say.
...
Two hours later the counsel came aboard. They were greeted by the crew with the same calm professionalism they always showed as they stood in there ranks. Only their icy eyes betrayed their worry. Merciless was an prestigious ship with a tight bond among her crew. Her role as a pirate hunter meant that there was plenty of glory and prize money to be had. With the creation of the new Oceana or Pirate republic, piracy in the Equestrian sea would end, as each Buccaneer captain became a merchant, and the fate of there beloved ship would become uncertain.
The Captain approached the party with and completely neutral expression. "We shall be setting sail in a few minuets during this time I must request that you remain in your cabin. Mr. Breeze shall show it to you." The ships second Lieutenant Sea Breeze approached the counsel. He was young for his position due to his unusual intelligence knack for leadership. His youth indered him to the crew like a nephew. For this reason Brigantine used him as a messenger between himself and his ponies. Breeze guided the six mares to the main cabin. As they departed Stream bellowed out orders and Brigantine retreated to his quarter-deck. He looked about him as the crew began to relax and preform there tasks. Stream came up next to him.
"Mr. Stream I believe this shall be one of the more challenging assignments of our Careers."
"Sir, if this mission is a success what do you think will be her fate?" Stream
asked as he gently almost lovingly rubbed one of the ships guns.
"Decommission."
Author's Note
So this is my fist time writing here. I'm not sure if I'll continue this but I will fi you guy like it so yah. This short introduction is meant to present the idea so yeah comment and give me advice thank you.
2: Say Hello to My Party Cannon
Sea Breeze moved stoically across the deck as he guided the council of friendship to there temporary quarters in the Captain's cabin. With Breeze being a young stallion he couldn't help but "asses" the mares that were now temporarily in his charge. They were all in there early twenties about his age and all very attractive. A brief thought went through his head about his Captain. He surly wasn't to old for them he being in his early thirties and all.
The main Reason that the Captain had gotten a command so early was his father. Not so much that the Admiral had used his influence to get his son a ship, no since the Captain had been a small colt his father had trained him to be an officer. The Admiral had, had his son assigned to his ship so that he could control how his son would be educated. The proses had created a great Captain but it had come with a sad price to the Brigantine.
As his train of thought continued Sea Breeze got closer and Closer to the Cabin door. Before he knew what had happened the young officer had walked right into it, snapping him out of his trance instantly. He turned to see the mares that he had been escorting turn there faces away to hide there giggles. Breeze's checks reddened and he took a sudden disliking to these fillies. "You quarters for the voyage," he said and beat a hasty retreat.
Twilight quickly opened the door as her friends fushed inside, to begin laughing at the poor colts discomfort. Once they had gotten the cruelty out of there systems they took a look at there surroundings.
"Whoa" Rainbow Dash muttered.
"What is it darling," Rarity inquired.
"This guy eats on a table made of cannons," Dash said as she went about examining the Carronades.
As Rainbow Dash occupied herself under the table the rest of the Counsel sat at the chairs. They noted that they chairs were actually very comfortable, and as they settled in Applejack began to speak.
"They don't like us here."
"Why do you say that," Rarity replied.
Didn't you see thier faces? They were hiding what they were thinkin' about us." Apple jack retorted.
"Maybe they were just sad" offered Pinkie, "this place doesn't look like the most fun spot in Equestria."
"I saw it too," Flutter Shy said quietly.
"Wait how do we know that every one doesn't like us they don't even know us," Dash said as she crawled into a chair from under the table, "maybe its just the Captain."
"Maybe, but I'm pretty sure it's everypony," said Apple jack.
Pinkie stood up and placed her for hooves on the table, "I know why don't we throw a party, then the crew won't be so sad and Captain will like us."
"I don't know Pinkie" Twilight answered
As she said this Pinkie pie slipped one of the Carronades out of the table and was loading it with confetti that had come from... where did it come from?
"Come on guys I'm the element of laughter right?"
"Well yah," Applejack answered.
"Then" Pinkie said as she rammed the shot home, "I should know how to make a pony laugh!" The party pony then turned the cannon toward the door. And with all of her might pushed it out the doors and onto the deck.
On the quarter-deck Brigantine looked down at the development. "That's my carronade," He muttered... "That's my carronade! What are you..."
Before he could say anything else the cannon went off, covering the ship in smoke. A collective shout of alarm rose from the crew. Jet Stream drew his sword and vaulted the railing coming down on top of the pink terror. He then bodily dragged the stunned pinkie up to her hooves and put his blade to her throat. From inside of the Cabin a rainbow streak flew like a missile into Jet Stream freeing Pinkie Pie and knocking Streams sword away. "Stop," Brigantine roared from the Quarter Deck. He surveyed his ship, it looked like the entire thing had been converted into a celebration of Garishness. Pink streamers hung from every line. A dance floor was over the deck and the cannons were now painted baby blue. A cake large enough to feed all 200 ponies rested atop the mortars. In the shape of none other than the party pony herself. And to top it all of every pony onboard, except for all those who were on the quarter deck, was wearing an outrageously large party hat.
As the crew recovered an saw what had happened they were all dumbstruck. "What is this!" Brigantine bellowed.
"It's a party!" the Pink Pony answered.
"Why would you commandeer my cannons to fire on my crew?"
"How else would I spread that much party supplies so quickly?"
Brigantine's eye twitched, rage built up with in him. How could she just run in and blemish his ship, his beautiful ship. He braced him self to roar out his rage like a dragon then froze. His face relaxed back into his calm mask. "Miss. Sparkle," He bellowed.
The purple Alicorn cautiously came out onto the deck "Um it's Princes Sparkle Captain Brigantine."
Brigantine's composer lapsed as he yelled at the princess, " On my damn ship I'll call you as I bloody please Miss Sparkle." He forced himself to calm down. The crew looked at him as if they were seeing an alien They never saw this part of there Captain. Looking at his stallions with shame throbbing in his heart he said, "Please forgive me."
Twilight looked at him for a beat to long as she realized that he was waiting for her to speak, "Oh... no it's okay."
"Miss Sparkle" Brigantine said, he could not let his crew see him crawl away defeated after all, "what do you make of this."
"Well you see," Twilight began, "Pinkie is the element of Laughter. So she has a way of understanding when ponies are well feeling bad. She thought that your crew could use some cheering up so she made a party cannon and used it to set this up."
Brigantine looked over Pinkie Pie, "Captain Hoof," Brigantine bellowed. The Captain of the marines and ship's song leader Thunder Hoof Marched to the base of the Quarter deck stairs.
"Yes, Sir" Thunder Hoof replied
"Arrest Miss Pie she is to remain in Irons till the end of the voyage," Brigantine said in a clear even voice. Hoof nodded before he had the party pony restrained in his hooves. He had acted much faster than anypony could have reacted to. Rainbow Dash Made a move to liberate her friend, but Jet Stream placed himself between her and the marine.
"Captain is this really necessary?" Twilight asked.
"Yes ma'am," Brigantine answered, "Return to your Cabin, now."
"What?" Twilight asked caught of guard by the command
"Hey you can't boss her around like that," Rainbow Dash said a touch of malice flavoring her words.
"I can, and if you question the legitimacy of my order you will find a copy of Equestrian Naval law in the great Cabin."
Stunned the two ponies slowly backed into the cabin. "Mr. Hoof Please take Miss Pie to the brig."
The marine who looked just as stunned as the two elements of harmony collected himself and nodded. Then being carful to be gentle carried Pinkie bellow decks. Once he was out of the Captains hearing he began to speak in his deep resonate voice. " I must apologies for what you are going through ma'am. The Captain runs a tight ship and your little stunt, as entertaining as it was, disrupted his order. Captain Brigantine is not the understanding type, and it's not his fault, no not at all. When he was a young stallion he served under his father the Admiral Ironclad. His fathers training left something to be asked for when it came to his social skills." By the time Thunder hoof had finished speaking his mind they were in the brig. A sing;e marine sentry guarded the cells. "This one is to be given your utmost respect you hear that private!"
"Aye, Sir" the marine replied.
Thunder placed Pinkie Pie into the most pleasant looking cell. Not that, that meant much for all of the cells were dank, dark and smelly.
"Again Miss Pie, sorry,"
Thunder returned to the quarter-deck just below him the Counsel of Friendship was in sessions.
"He can't talk to you like that" Rainbow yelled.
Around her were looks ranging form out rage of sorrow. Twilight's nose was buried in the Book of Naval Law.
"Found it" she yelped "A ship is under the command of the Captain, Commodore or Admiral placed over it. any other ponies onboard the ship are subject to his orders this includes Princesses Although any princess on board a Captain's ship my demand an explanation of any order, operation or subject relating to the ship they are on."
"So he can order you around," Applejack said.
"I don't like the Idea of you alone here with these guys," Rainbow said, " The Captain doesn't like you he will make your life miserable. Plus when you talk to pirate your going to need some one backing you up who is actually loyal to you."
"You want to come with me?" Twilight asked.
"Buck yah!" Rainbow Exclaimed.
"I'm comin' too" Applejack said, "first of all I can tell if somepony is lying when dealing with these pirate you'll need that. Secondly I'm a better fighter that Rainbow." Rainbow Dash turned to Applejack and opened her mouth to say some thing when Twilight interrupted her.
"Okay but no body else I think this cabin is all the living space we get and lets face it this isn't much." They all agreed.
"What are you going to do about the Captain," Rarity asked.
"Well put him in his place," Rainbow answered with an evil grin.
"No, no, no," Twilight said, "I want to understand him."
"What why," Applejack said.
"Didn't you guys see him? He almost exploded on us then some thing clicked in him. He just switch personalities doesn't that seen weird to you."
"Really Twilight I bet it's nothing he want's to talk about," Apple jack said.
"No guys come on I'm the Princess of friendship I got this." She said
Her friends still looked unimpressed.
"Trust me this is the best cores of action," twilight said with a smile.
Above them an other conversation was taking place.
"She got to me," Brigantine said mortification in his voice.
"Come now Brig," Stream said, "you've never dealt with some thing like that before,"
"That is no excuse," Brigantine answered.
"Sir if I may you screwed up don't beat your self up learn from this," Hoof offered. Both of the other officers turned to regard Thunder Hoof. His bluntness has caught the other two off guard. "You shouldn't hold this to them either, sir," Hoof continued, "she genuinely thought she was doing the ship some good."
"Aye... I... I... your right," Brigantine said, "Thank you but I can't just turn around when I've made such a big deal out of this. The crew will see me as indecisive. I will... do nothing. I must avoid her."
"Brigg I don't think that will work," Stream said.
"Yah, she is the princess of friendship she is probably going to try to start a friendship... like... thing with you. Just indulge her be open," Hoof said.
"No... no trust me this is the best coarse of action," Brigantine said with a small smile.
Author's Note
Hey I couldn't get the writing bug out of me so I made two chapters yay. Any way comment and tell me what you think.
