Dark Clouds Over Yonder

''We will be arriving in Baltimare within the hour.'' The conductor announced as he moved through the train car. Twilight and her friends had boarded the first train to Baltimare as soon as they reached Ponyville. She had given Spike a long list of chores to keep him busy in the library while she was away, which the little dragon was not too happy about. He had begged to go with them, but Twilight told him to stay and keep the library clean and organized in her absence.

Everypony else had also taken care of whatever business they had before departing. Applejack reminded Applebloom to do her homework and help Granny Smith and Big Macintosh at the farm, Pinkie had asked the Cakes if they would be fine for a while without her, Fluttershy got somepony to look after her animals, Rarity finished some pending orders and Rainbow had given Scootaloo one more flying lesson.

''So what's next Twilight? Are we gonna have a look 'round town first or head straight for the harbor?'' Applejack asked.
''Well, getting supplies before anything else is the most logical choice. Princess Celestia did mention that Coltalla was in the north, so we should be prepared for cold weather.''
''I already took care of that.'' Rarity said as she took out six capes from her bag. ''One for each of us.'' She continued as she handed the capes to everypony.
''I should have known that you would come prepared. Next we should get some food for the journey. It will no doubt be a long trip.''
''Ooh, ooh! I got something for us!'' Pinkie exclaimed as she took her bag and showed all the various cupcakes and sweets that she had in it.
Applejack chuckled as she took out an apple pie from her bag. ''Looks like Pinkie and me brought enough food to last us for a while.''
Twilight sighed with relief. ''Since we have food and warm clothes that saves quite a lot of bits. We have no idea how expensive securing a ship will be.''

Once the train arrived at the station the ponies headed for the harbor. The sun was setting and Twilight had hoped that they could find a ship before it did. As they made their way to the harbor, they did buy the few odds and ends that might be useful.

Once the ponies reached the harbor, they had to take a moment to take in how big it was. There were ships left and right. Big ships and small. Some were docking, others were loading up cargo and some were departing. There was one huge ship departing that had a whole lot of ponies waving it goodbye. On the deck of the ship were more ponies yelling their own goodbyes. As Twilight and the rest passed the ship and the crowd, she noticed that the ship was named Ponic.

Further in the harbor there was a small ship getting ready to depart. On it a grey and white pegasus was moving stuff around. Twilight approached the ship and asked: ''Excuse me, but we are trying to find a ship that could take us to Coltalla. Is there a possibility that you might be able to do that?''
The pegasus looked at Twilight and shook his head. ''I'm afraid I'm heading into the opposite direction. Besides that area is very stormy and I don't think my little ship could handle storms like those. But good luck to you and have fair winds.''
Twilight thanked the pegasus and left him to his work. His ship, named E.S.S. Cousteau, was small but it looked like one would be comfortable in it if they were doing marine research or something like that.

Even further in the gang found a big, sturdy looking ship into which ponies were carrying boxes and very heavy-looking crates. Near the workers a pony was shouting orders and various curses at them. Twilight figured that he must be the captain of the ship and approached him.
''Excuse me, but are you the captain of this ship?''
The pony glanced at Twilight with a sour look and replied with: ''I might be. Who's asking?''
''My name is Twilight Sparkle. We were wondering if you might be heading out to sea soon?''
''No, the ship is getting loaded just so the guys could have something to do.''
''R-really?''
''Of course not! The only reason I said that is because you are so moronic that you can't even tell if a ship is leaving or not.''
''Oh. Well, you didn't need to be so rude about it.'' Twilight replied with a huff.
''I didn't, no. But I've had a long day, the guys are being whinier then usual, and then you show up asking stupid questions. So you'll have to just deal with my temper little miss Sparkle.''

''Speaking of questions, you still have not answered Twilight's properly. Are you or are you not the captain of this ship?'' Rainbow Dash said.
The pony sighed. ''Yes. I'm the captain of this ship, The Wavechaser. Name's Wind Jammer. Captain Wind Jammer.''
''Well, ignoring the rough start we had, it is a pleasure to meet you Wind Jammer.'' Twilight said as she extended a hoof towards the captain.
''That's captain Wind Jammer.'' Wind Jammer replied and shook Twilight's hoof. ''Now did you actually need something or are you bothering me because you have nothing better to do?''
''Well yes, we did actually need something. We are looking for a ship to take us to Coltalla and were wondering if you could take us on your ship?''

Wind Jammer stared at the ponies for a while. Then he simply said: ''No.''
''Um, is there a specific reason why you can't take us?'' Fluttershy asked meekly.
''Yes. The simple fact that it's a long way to Coltalla, it is really stormy this time of year and I don't like you.'' Wind Jammer said and turned around. ''But don't worry. You can remember this day as the day when you almost got to ride on the ship of captain Wind Jammer.'' He continued while walking away from Twilight and the rest.
''But we are under orders from Princess Celestia herself!'' Rainbow said as she landed in front of Wind Jammer.
''Remind me to send her a letter of apology.'' Wind Jammer said as he walked around Rainbow.

''We can pay you!'' Twilight shouted. This made Wind Jammer stop and turn around.
''How much?''
Twilight took out the bag of bits. ''200 bits should cover all six of us.''
Wind Jammer laughed. ''For 200 bits I'll let two of you on the ship. So you'd better choose who goes and who doesn't.''
''But 200 bits is like, a really big amount of bits! Why can't more then two of us get on the ship?'' Pinkie Pie asked.
''Simple. I'm greedy.''
''Is there any way we can persuade you to take us to Coltalla?'' Applejack inquired.
Wind Jammer looked at Applejack for a moment. ''Well, you could join me in my cabin...'' He said with a mischievous grin. ''...but I doubt that will happen, so no. Not unless you work for the trip.''

Twilight looked at her friends. They all nodded. They needed to get to Coltalla by any means necessary.
''Fine. We will work and in exchange you will take us to Coltalla without delay.''
Wind Jammer grinned. ''Then we have an agreement. He then took off his hat, revealing his horn. Wind Jammer then used his magic to yank the bag of bits from Twilight. ''Consider this a compensation for feeding and giving you a place to sleep for the next few days.''
He then ran up to his crew. ''Listen up you lot! We are getting a few extra hooves to help on the ship.'' He yelled whilst gesturing towards Twilight and the gang. ''Be sure to show them the ropes and make them feel welcome.''
The crew murmured for a while whilst making devious grins and licking their lips.
''They are also under orders from her highness the Princess, so hooves off!'' Wind Jammer yelled to his crew, who simply groaned with displeasure as they walked onto the ship. Wind Jammer then turned to Twilight.
''Ladies, your ship awaits.'' He said while bowing. The ponies didn't like his manners or those of his crew, but at least they now had a sip to take them to Coltalla.