Dark Clouds Over Yonder

Twilight followed Wind Jammer as he ran out of his cabin and onto deck. A mob had gathered there, and they were armed as well.
''What's the meaning of this!? Why are you not at work!?'' Wind Jammer yelled at the mob.
''We are done taking orders from you! It was bad enough when you took over and started going after small fries instead of the big fish, but now you take passengers as well!? You are turning this proud ship into a husk of her former self!'' A muscular pony shouted.
''Deep Blue. Once again spearheading a mutiny. You really should have become captain yourself two years ago instead of having me shoulder that burden.'' Wind Jammer said as he walked down to meet the mob.
''I'm not captain material. Or so I once thought. But after recent events, after you let a target escape since there were sick and injured on board, I have begun to think otherwise. Old Thunderstorm always sunk a ship rather then let one go, but you are too kind. You always have been.You should've been replaced after the first couple of raids we did. But we kept hoping that Old Thunderstorm's little prodigy would rise to the challenge. How wrong we were.''
''Captain Thunderstorm may have tutored me, but he knew that he'd have to stay as captain for quite a while before I would've been ready to take the mantle. But you were too impatient. You saw that he was growing older and becoming fragile. So you took the opportune moment and staged a mutiny to end his run as captain.''
''I did start a mutiny, yes, but I didn't kill Thunderstorm. You did.''

Wind Jammer pounded the deck. ''Shut up!''
''Why? I'm just telling things as they are. You killed Thunderstorm during the mutiny. If you don't remember, I'd be happy to remind you.'' Deep Blue said with a devious smile.
''Shut up! Shut the hell up! I do remember! There is no need to tell that story!''
''Why not? I'm sure our passengers would like to know what happened.'' Deep Blue said and cleared his throat. ''Two years ago, during the last mutiny, we had gathered in this very same place for the very same reason. Funny how history repeats itself, eh? During that time, you drew your sword to stand with Thunderstorm. You wanted to help. But what help were you, a whelp still wet behind the ears? All your bravado managed to accomplish about was the death of Thunderstorm. You ran him through with your sword. His blood is on your hooves.''
''Be quiet!'' Wind Jammer cried out.
''That was the moment when we mutineers saw a glint in your eyes. We saw the fire inside of you that Thunderstorm had once held inside of him. That is why we made you into the captain. We wanted to see that small fire to grow into a raging inferno. But you doused the fire before it had a chance to grow. During these last two years we hoped that it might reignite within you, but we see now that it was foolish to hope for a miracle.''
''I never meant to kill Thunderstorm! He jumped in front of my blade! My blade was meant to pierce your chest, not his!'' Wind Jammer yelled.
''Why would he have jumped in to protect me?''
''I don't know! Maybe he hoped that you'd see reason and stand down.''
''In time I may have realized what he was doing, but you didn't really give him a chance to explain his actions. You charged at me, and the price of that was Thunderstorm's life. Your recklessness does make me wonder though, did you even like him? What was he to you?''
''He was like a father to me! More then my own father ever was!''
''And yet he died because of you.''

Twilight could see that Wind Jammer was in agony, and she wanted to help him stop this. If the mutiny kept going and they replaced Wind Jammer with somepony else, then she and her friends would be thrown overboard without a second doubt. And there was no way they could swim to Coltalla. So Twilight leapt in and stood between Wind Jammer and Deep Blue.
''This has gone on long enough! There is no point to this fight. Once we reach Coltalla, you won't have to look at us any longer. We can get another ship to take us back home. And you can go back to being pirates.'' Twilight said as she stood defiantly between the two.

Deep Blue looked at the princess for a moment. He then let out a chuckle.
''Now Princess, things work differently out here on the open sea. We solve conflicts like this as they arise. If we didn't, we'd never reach a port since the crew would be split two ways.'' He explained.
''Also, you may be a princess, but out here your title means absolutely nothing. We follow the rules of the sea, not the orders of a little alicorn.'' Deep Blue added as he approached Twilight.
Twilight started to back away from Deep Blue. He was big, probably bigger then Big Macintosh, and he clearly had no respect for her or any authority she held.

That was when Wind Jammer planted a hoof into Deep Blue's face.
''I have had quite enough of you and your guilt trips! We will end this now!'' He said and drew his sword. ''It's true. It's true that my sword was the one that went through Thunderstorm's chest. It's true that I killed him. I wanted to forget that. There has not been a single day since then that I didn't regret what I did.''
Wind Jammer swung his sword around to make the mob behind Deep Blue retreat a bit.
''But no more. It's time I face my past. It's time I forgive myself and get rid of the one thing that keeps using my past against me. It's time I get rid of you.'' He said as he pointed his sword towards Deep Blue.

Deep Blue shook his head to recover from Wind Jammer's punch, after which he drew his sword.
''I can see it.''
''See what?''
''The spark I saw the last time we were here. I can see it again, and it's growing. You are finally becoming the captain you should've been all along.''
''Well I'm glad that you get to see your wish come true. I guess even those about to die deserve to see something nice before death takes them.''
Deep Blue started to laugh. ''Boy, I hope you have been practicing. Because I am going to be testing your mettle to see if you will once again extinguish that spark. For your sake, you'd better fight like a pony possessed.''
''Oh I will. And I hope that you'll put up a decent fight to honor Captain Thunderstorm.''
''Heh. For him, I most certainly will.''

''You don't need to do this! You could-'' Twilight spoke out before she was stopped by Wind Jammer's sword pointing towards her.
''Miss Sparkle. Back off. I am only going to ask nicely this once.''
''But-''
''Unless you wish to have third eye on your forehead, I suggest you do as I say.''
Twilight looked at Wind Jammer and swallowed nervously before backing off from him. It was now clear to her that he had no interest in listening. But she was Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship, and Celestia's protégé. She knew she could end this conflict before things got too violent. She charged up her magic and prepared to freeze both pirates in place. But she only managed to make a few sparks before she felt a sharp pain in her neck, and then she felt her eyes clouding and her mind trailing. As Twilight fell unconscious, Darius caught her.

''I do apologize Miss Sparkle, but I'm afraid I can't have you interrupting this fight. Whatever you were planning might have ended with both of them living, but that would have been only a temporary solution. And right now we need a permanent one.''
Darius turned away from the fight and headed towards the doctor's cabin.
''Now hold on a moment!'' Applejack yelled as she and the others ran after Darius. ''What in tarnation did you do to Twilight?''
''I used a trick that was once used to subdue unruly patients. A quick and precise poke to the right spot and they will be off talking with the Princess of the Night for a good few hours. And do not worry, she is unharmed. She may have a minor headache once she wakes up, but nothing serious.''
''Where did ya'll even learn such a fancy trick?''
''Miss Apple, please. I am a doctor on a ship full of pirates who are bound to cause trouble in one form or another. Knowing something like this is basically a mandatory skill.''

Wind Jammer glanced back to where Twilight had been standing not a moment ago. Darius had stepped in at just the right moment to prevent any harm from coming to her or her friends, and he was thankful to the doctor for that.
''What's wrong? Do you already miss your marefriend?'' Deep Blue asked mockingly.
''What's wrong with you? You haven't attacked me yet. Do you need more time to talk about your new residence with the Grim Reaper?''
Deep Blue grinned and charged towards Wind Jammer.

The sound of steel meeting steel rang out as the two ponies crossed swords. Wind Jammer used his magic to hold onto his sword, which allowed him to move it around a lot more, while Deep Blue held his in his mouth. They blocked each others swings a few times, and the ones that connected did nothing more then flesh wounds. Both fighters were skilled with the sword, but Deep Blue held the advantage with more power and combat experience.
''We both know I'm the better fighter, but I have to admit that you put up a good fight when you need to.''
''Shut up and fight you damn oaf.''
''Hah! More and more like old Thunderstorm with each passing moment.'' Deep Blue laughed as he raised his sword up high and swung it down. Wind Jammer jumped back to avoid the blade, dodging it by a hair's width. He thursted his sword towards Deep Blue's leg in an attempt to throw him off balance by crippling him. Deep Blue however saw his attack coming and stepped to the side before tackling Wind Jammer and throwing him towards the mast. He followed up his charge with a slash and this one managed to tear through Wind Jammer's clothing and skin. While it was painful, Wind Jammer ignored it and lifted his sword up again, this time trying to pierce Deep Blue through the back.

Deep Blue noticed what he was doing and swung around, hitting the floating sword with his own and throwing it overboard. He then turned back towards Wind Jammer only to get punched in the face again.
''That sword was Thunderstorm's old cutlass you arse.''
''Doesn't mean a damn thing to me.'' Deep Blue said as he wiped blood off of the corner of his mouth. ''Well actually, it does mean something. It means that you now lack a weapon.''
Deep Blue swung his sword towards Wind Jammer's neck, but the captain ducked under the blade and landed an uppercut into Deep Blue's jaw.
''I am without a sword, yes, but I am not without a weapon.''
''You're as clever as a seapony.''
''And you are as dumb as a rock.''

Deep Blue charged in again, aiming to end the fight with a well aimed thrust. Wind Jammer jumped to the side to evade the thrust, but Deep Blue knew what he was trying to do and spun around and managed to put his blade through one of Wind Jammer's hooves. He cried out in pain and Deep Blue picked him up and threw him towards the mast. Wind Jammer hit it with a loud thunk and slumped down. At this point he was bleeding badly and had most likely several broken bones. Deep Blue walked up to him and laughed.
''You put up one hell of a fight. Had I not been on the ship for twice as long as you, you might've beaten me. But you did fight like a captain should fight, so I'll give you that. Now then, any last words before I send you to meet old Thunderstorm?''
''A few, yes.'' Wind Jammer said weakly as he slowly stood up. ''Come closer. I think one of my ribs pierced a lung and it's hard to speak.''
''Aye, captain.'' Deep Blue said mockingly as he leaned closer.
''Do you know how the ship works? Do you know how to use each and every part of the ship to the fullest?''
''I know enough to pilot her.''
''Well I know more.''

Before Deep Blue could reply, Wind Jammer used all the strength he still had to plant a hoof into his gut, causing him to cough and gasp for air as well as drop his sword. Wind Jammer then picked up the end of a rope, spun it around Deep Blue's neck and with a swift kick, he flipped a lever that caused a counterweight to drop and lift Deep Blue up towards the crow's nest.
''I know the ship inside and out! I know each weak point and how to keep them covered in a fight! I know how to use not only the ship's cannons as a weapon, but to use the ship herself as a weapon! As far as being a captain goes, I know much more then you do!'' Wind Jammer roared.
Deep Blue struggled and tried his best to free himself, but the rope around his neck had become even tighter as he had been lifted up.
Wind Jammer looked at the rest of the crew. ''If any on you have any problems with me being the captain, speak up! There is still room up there with Deep Blue!''
There were a few grumbles and murmurs, but nopony spoke up.
''Nopony? You are all satisfied then?'' Wind Jammer asked as he looked around. ''Good. Then keep the course towards Coltalla. We still have a long sail ahead of us.''
Wind Jammer started to slowly trot towards the doctor's cabin while Deep Blue kicked around for the last time before the last bit of air escaped from his lungs. With a final gurgle of pain, Deep Blue lost whatever resistance he might have still had and succumbed, dangling high from the mast for all to see.