PONY EMPIRES: A New World

A looming dark hulk of cloud hung above Ponyville, the slow rumble of thunder set an ominous precedent for the rest of the day. The windows of the town were all shut in anticipation of the storm that lay ahead. A light wind kicked up; the sign that hung above the door of Sugarcube Corner swayed in the gust creating a harsh squeal as metal scraped against metal. Light shone through the window of the top floor rooms revealing an array of colourful streamers and balloons. In the middle of the room Fluttershy hovered above the table decorating the simple chandelier that hung from the ceiling.

Pinkie Pie traipsed over to the window and let out a 'hmmpf', "Where are they? They'll be late for my super splendiferous party!"

"I'm sure they're late for a good reason Pinkie, don't worry yourself. I'm sure they'll get here soon enough." Said the pegasus as her hooves settled on the floorboards.

"They'd better!" Said the earth pony, "Or I'll go mad trying not to eat this scrummy cake!"

“Ugh, where are those two? They should be here by now.” Moaned Rarity, “Do you think the train was delayed Twilight?” The grey sky above them slowly crept its way across the heavens, an icy chill carried along by the wind.

“I certainly hope not. I wouldn't want them to miss the 'Welcome back from the Wedding' party Pinkie Pie has put together.” Replied the Alicorn, “Although there is a long way from here to Appleoosa, anything could have happened between here and there. Last time we went certainly was eventful.”

“I just don’t know why we decided to bring these three with us.” Rarity gestured to a group of fillies huddled together on one of the wooden benches that lined the brick wall of the station building. “I wouldn’t want Sweetie to catch a cold out here, and no doubt they’ll soon become restless enough to begin one of their silly games.”

“Oh, there she goes again.” Muttered Sweetie Belle, thin wisps of vapour following her voice out of her mouth. She shivered, though winter in Equestria was officially over and Winter Wrap Up had taken place days ago the last remnants of the cold front hung in the air.

“With what?” Apple Bloom turned her head to look at her friend.

“Oh you know, calling us silly, acting like were babies.” Retorted Sweetie Belle, “She doesn’t think of me as able to look after myself you know. I’d just like a bit of respect on her part.”

“There you go, being that dictionary again.” Hummed Scootaloo, a smirk evolving on her face.

“Oh knock it off.” Sweetie Belle let out a groan, “I’m so bored!”

“Well then, why don’t we play a game?” Apple Bloom looked as though she didn’t know why no one else had suggested this.

“Like what?” Scootaloo jumped down from the bench, shaking her wings. “Oh Celestia it’s cold.”

Apple Bloom dug her hoof in to her mane, scratching her head as if digging for thoughts. As she slid off the bench she began to speak. “Maybe… A game about… umm… Sea Ponies?”

Sweetie Belle cocked an eyebrow at her. “Do you see water anywhere near us?”

“Oh, no. I guess yer right.” Apple Bloom hung her head and pawed at the ground.

“I like where this is going though. What about… Pirates.” Said Scootaloo. Jumping back onto the bench she landed right next to Sweetie Belle who gave a startled squeak at the sudden invasion of her space.

“Pirates?” Apple Bloom’s head shot up.

“Ay, swashbuckling raiders of the high seas.” Said Scootaloo commandingly. After a small pause she added, “Arr.”

“But we would need a ship to be raidin’, plus a victim to steal from.” Said Apple Bloom.

“Sweetie Belle just volunteered for merchant duty.” Growled Scootaloo, brandishing an imaginary cutlass at the unicorn.

“Aaagh!” Squealed Sweetie Belle launching herself off the bench with a grin, “You’ll never catch me Captain Scoots!”

Sweetie Belle darted off down the platform and away from her pursuers who gave chase whooping with glee. All seemed to be going as well as it could for the embattled seafarer, the wind was filling her sails as she set course for the nearest port and away from the pirates. That was until she crashed into Rarity's leg.

"Sweetie Belle!" Cried Rarity, "Do you have to play your silly games out here? We are next to a railway line as well, you could get hurt!"

Sweetie Belle had, by the end of her sister's exclamation, recovered herself to sitting on her haunches. "I'm sorry Rarity, we were just having some fun." She gestured to her friends in a plea for support but was met with no interjection on their part.

"Go and take you silly, silly game inside now!" Rarity dramatically pointed to the door of the waiting room.

Just as Rarity made her demand the first splashes of rain landed on the stone tiles of the platform floor. The Crusaders gave a cry of "Eww!", before scuttling through the doorway of the waiting room. The white painted wood slammed shut behind them leaving Twilight and Rarity alone on the platform.

Rarity gave a sigh. "Twilight my dear, you don't happen to have a spell to conjure an umbrella do you? I would hate for my mane to get wet."

There was a puff of purple magic and a sparkling umbrella appeared above the two ponies. "You would't be the only one with the desire to keep dry here Rarity, but we really should wait out here for our friends." Said Twilight, giving a small grin.

"How do you think the wedding went? Braeburn and Little Strongheart certainly did wait a while before letting anyone here know about there relationship." Rarity began, "Why, I wouldn't be surprised if Applejack and Rainbow Dash got off the train and revealed that they had been secretly dating for years and are going to get married themselves."

"Neither would I Rarity, neither would I." Replied Twilight, seemingly uncertain about something.

Rarity decided she would just brush it off and continued." Of course, if they did do that, I would have to make them simply the most divine dresses for the occasion. Oh those two simply are perfect for one another." Rarities imagination then ran off, dreaming of her two friends wearing dresses fit for princesses. Then Rarity came back down to Equus with a thud, "And what about you your Royal Highness, how did your most recent date with Master Flash go?"

Twilight shrank as she blushed, "Oh, you know... Just fine."

"Why Flash is certainly something isn't he. I shouldn't be surprised if your knight in shining armour came along and proposed to you Twilight." Rarity squealed, "Oh, I could design dresses for all of you! It would be so utterly perfect!"

In her excitement Rarity had not noticed that she now held Twilight in a choke-hold and the Alicorn was now having difficulty breathing, "R-Rarity..." She rasped, "Please... L-let me go!"

Rarity's eyes widened as she released Twilight, "Oh, I'm so terribly sorry Twilight but you know that I can get worked up about these sorts of things."

"It's fine Rarity, really. And I promise that on the day I get married you can be there to design my dress for me." Said Twilight after clearing her throat, "But right now I would just like this train to hurry up."

Inside the waiting room was a very different scene. The floor had become an imaginary ocean brimming with sharks and other vicious sea creatures. An island of chairs in the middle made up the Pirate's ship, the three fillies were standing on it. In the corner an old stallion sat asleep, his head resting against the wall.

"We should try and be careful not to wake him up." Said Sweetie Belle, "I wouldn't want to be if I was him."

"He's looks 'bout as dead as a doornail, 'part from his breathin'. I think if we don't make too much noise we won't wake him up." said Apple Bloom, her hooves shifting over the wooden seats.

"Now you scurvy dog, tell me where ye hid the loot and I won't make ye walk the plank." Growled Captain Scootaloo, a menacing grin aimed at her helpless captive as she turned to face her.

"No, no, please no!" Giggled Sweetie Belle, "I'll tell you anything, just don't feed me to the sharks!"

"Arr, ye be telling me where you hid the loot and I won't." Scootaloo repeated, "First mate, ready the plank for me in case this fish-food doesn't cough up the goods."

"Aye aye Captain!" Barked Apple Bloom. The smallest member of the Apple Family danced from one end of the island of seats to the other, standing to attention next to the opening to an imaginary gangplank.

"Now!" Said Scootaloo, "The Treasure."

"It's er... umm..." Sweetie Belle backed away still giggling.

"Too late!" Yelled Captain Scootaloo, wheeling round to Apple Bloom, "Get this filly off my ship."

"Aye aye Captain!" Yelled Apple Bloom once again. She moved around Scootaloo and stood over the cowering Sweetie Belle. "Come on Sweetie, it's time to walk the plank."

"No!" Sweetie cried, still laughing as Apple Bloom hoisted her onto her back.

The stallion in the corner shifted and gave a long sigh. The three exchanged looks of worry before Scootaloo wiped her brow, "Okay AB, get her over to the plank."

The two made their way over to the other end of the seats, Apple Bloom visibly struggling under the weight of her friend. After they passed her Scootaloo began to march behind the pair, clomping her hooves down hard on the seats.

The old stallion gave another grunt, the loud noise of Scootaloo's hooves working their way into his sleep.

"Scoots! Keep it down will ya!" Hissed Apple Bloom, unable to turn around due to the mass of white fur riding her back.

"I'm sorry! Now get that prisoner to the plank!" Replied Scootaloo, huffing at her first mate's insubordination.

As Apple Bloom slid Sweetie Belle off her back she gave a groan, "Oh my Sweetie. Ya do certainly weigh a... Whoah!" Apple Bloom shouted as she lost her footing, sending herself over the edge of the seat dragging Sweetie down onto the floor with her. The was a loud clattering as the chair they had been perched on followed them over and smashed onto the floor.

The stallion's head shot up, bleary eyes looking for the noise that had roused him from his sleep. "What's... What are you doing?" He looked down at the fillies in a pile on the floor, "I'm guessing it was you who made that noise."

Scootaloo grinned sheepishly, still perched on top of one of the chairs. "We're sorry mister. We didn't mean to wake you up."

Apple Bloom joined in as she extracted herself from the wreckage, "Yeah. We're real sorry sir." She looked down at the floor again trying in vain to hide her embarrassment.

"Oh, that's alright. I'm not going to stop a few fillies from having fun. Besides it's probably time I woke up anyway." He looked down again at Sweetie Belle, who was still tangled with the chair on the floor. "What... were you doing?"

Scootaloo grinned, "We were playing a game about pirates!" She jumped off the chair, her enthusiasm having returned to her.

"Pirates?" Said the old stallion, "I could tell you a few stories about pirates."

"Really?" Said Sweetie Belle, "My sister Rarity doesn't tell stories very often, but I always like it when she does."

"Well then maybe you'd like to hear one." Replied the stallion, "Well, this story isn't really about pirates. But it does include pirates. Hmm... Let me see. Ah..."

The stallion's speech was cut short by the door of the waiting room being pushed open. Twilight and Rarity walked through the frame, the dismal shower of rain cutting through the air behind them.

"Sweetie, it's time we go now. The Station Master has just received a telegram that Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack's train has been forced to stop due to the inclement weather between here and Apploosa. In fact all of the trains in Equestria have been grounded due to the storm and we need to leave before it gets worse here. Twilight has invited us all to come and have tea at the library and if you girls are lucky you might just get a sleepover with Spike." Said Rarity, eyes fixed on the fillies not once interrupting her spiel until she had finished.

"Well, well, well. Twilight Sparkle." Said the stallion, "It really has been a long time since I saw this student."

"Professor Black!?" said Twilight, raising an eyebrow at the old stallion.

"Ay, it's me. And you Twilight, you've got wings." He replied, "Should that be Princess Twilight?"

Twilight looked sheepish, "Please don't call me that. It far from enough having everyone address me as Princess, but my old history teacher? That would be too much." She chuckled, "What are you doing in Ponyville?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just visiting some old friends." Said Professor Black, "I was hoping to catch the train back to Canterlot but it would seem that it won't be possible today according to your friend here."

"Well, I would be delighted if you were to join us for tea then." Said Twilight, "I have been meaning to visit the school since I became a Princess but never found the time. We could catch up on what's been happening."

"Since I've no place to go I think I'll have to take you up on your offer Twilight." replied Black, "But I also promised these fillies a story, so maybe I could give to them at your house?"

"It's more of a library... In fact it is a library. You could give them some of those stories you told us about the old Equestria like you told us when I was at the school." Said Twilight, "I've got a blackboard and everything so you can use that."

The interior of the library had been returned to its former glory, after the destruction wrought upon it by Tirek. Twilight had made sure that everything remained just the same and even tried to use some of the leftover materials.

"I suppose Rarity and I will get started on dinner then." Said Twilight cheerily, "Anything I can get you Professor? Tea, coffee?"

"Yes please Twilight. Tea if you're offering." Replied the Professor, settling down in an armchair strategically placed by the now roaring flames in the fireplace.

"Will you tell us the story now?" Said Sweetie Belle, the three young fillies slouching over a bean-bag opposite the professor.

Spike sat down next to them, "What's this about a story."

"Professor Black said he would tell us a story about pirates!" Said Scootaloo, her excitement causing her small wings to flutter uncontrollably.

"Not about pirates ya silly filly. Just with 'em." Said Apple Bloom, rolling her eyes at her friend.

The professor cleared his throat before they started an argument. "Now. I want to take you back a few hundred years. To a small island off the south coast of Equestria. The Island is called Molte..."