"A hundred years ago, the world was destroyed. Many variations of the World's End differ from pony to pony, but they all agree on one conclusion: 'The Nightmare did it'. However, to every end there is always a beginning, and Star Swirl made sure that came to reality. The land that had once resided with the core was now above the skies, floating like balloons on a midsummer day. Miles below them laid the molten heat of the earth's core. From young age even into death, Star Swirl and his advances in science shaped New Equestria and its surrounding islands for the best. His disciple, Twilight Sparkle, has advanced it even further and completed her teacher's work by creating New Equestria's number one transportation: the Skyships, born to sail the skies like the seas they once sailed. Because of her courage and daunting acts of hope, Twilight had been granted the gift of immortality; letting her live to the edge of eternity.
"And so the Age of Skybourne began. There was no rulers, no laws, and unlimited freedom. Ponies set out across the skies to discover the bountiful lands that laid before them. As time progressed, so did the small factions of ponies that survived together. Soon, there were two large surviving factions: Crystal Faction, led by the brave and courageous King Somber Crystal, and the Changeling Faction, led by Queen Chrysalis. Together, the two factions built the world stronger through what some may have called 'conquest', whilst others called is 'savior'. However, many believed in the freedom that they had once enjoyed, and with the new rules and factions rising out of the shattered world, several ponies left the factions to sail the skies in isolation. Out of these ponies, several were made enemies to the Factions. They ravaged the skies, plundering the islands and thieving from merchant ships. They despised the new way of life, and these scourges who rose out of the shadows became known as-"
"Pirates! In the skies below!" A pony shouted,and the stallions scurried about the deck, getting to their assigned stations. "Battle stations! Get there unless you want to be blasted into the Core!" They all hurried to their stations, but suddenly the starboard wing exploded and was sent through the clouds in a hurling fire. The stallion became scared as they readied their stations.
"Who the hell's shooting at us?!"
"Pirates, you twit! Who else would be shooting at us?!"
"Are we gonna sink to the Core?!"
"Moonstones are still functional, sir! We've lost starboard wing but we're still afloat!"
"Stop you're whining! You're soldiers! Man your stations!"
Yards behind the Navy Vessel, a large ship chased after them, it's deck and upped half the only thing seen above the clouds. It was a decent sized ship, durable to withstand cannon fire, but fast enough to escape it. It's giant masthead was that of a steel black dragon with glowing amber eyes, only known in legends and tales as "The Nightmare". The ship itself was a dark blackwood type ship and had dark purple railings along the ship. It's three towering masts were also lined with dark purple on the steel, and the dark blue sails held the emblem of the Lunar Pirates: the Mare in the Moon with glowing eyes. Even through it looked majestic, The Lunar Frontier was centuries old.
At the wheel stood a tall stallion wearing a dark blue coat with a small ornate hat atop his head. He was narrowly guiding the ship through the clouds and dodging cannon balls left and right. He was a tall white unicorn with a blue man that had light blue stripes in it. As the masts yet again avoided another contact, the First Mate turned and shouted, "Captain! We have another Navy Transport vessel in our sights!"
The doors behind him, that led to the Captain's Cabin, burst open and a tall blue mare strode out and forward. Her star-filled blue mane was tied back into a ponytail, and it flowed by itself, like it was magical. The top of her forehead and mane was covered by a large black pirate captain's hat - which had a purple feather sticking out of it - that rested on her head. She had a large black cloak with golden buttons that was set on her shoulders, which had purple lining on the edge of the flaps and the cuffs. She wore a dark blue vest with purple buttons, and her neat black pants went over her shiny black boots.
"Avast, mateys!" The Captain shouted, her smile big and adventurous. "Onward to glory! That ship is ours for the taking!" She called to the stallion steering. "First Mate Armor, take us to starboard side! She pointed at a pegasus who was running towards the artillery cannon. "Comadier Soarin! Take out the portside wing of that vessel! I want it burning as it falls to the core! We must not let this ship get out of our clutches!"
"Of course, Cap'n!" The pegasus called back.
"And you, Rainbow Dash!" The Captain pointed at a cerulean pegasus with a rainbow mane. "Get down to the Brig and tell Head Engineer Applejack that her dragon needs to get the engines primed and ready for a quick getaway!" She gripped the banister and shouted, "And fast! I didn't pluck you off of Cloudsdale just for you to laze around!" The pegasus charged below deck. "And everypony!" Everypony froze and looked up at her. She spread her arms wide and shouted, her smile big, "If you find spoils, it's yours!" They all roared in excitement and ran about the ship, preparing for boarding.
The Captain took the helm and Shining placed a hand on her shoulder. "Artemis..." He softly said her name. "This is the tenth ship we attacked as your crew. Do you think it's there? Her halberd."
Artemis' smile faded a bit and she sighed. "I really hope it's there..." Her expression turned dark. "If not, I'll feel better when I see their ship burning as it falls to the Core. This is my goal, and I will not fail."
"The Lunar Pirates. Scourge of the scourges. They attacked Military Faction ships(or Factionaires), plundering and taking what they wanted, and sent them below the clouds into what is knowns as 'The Core' - hot, molten lava that is the center of the world. In her lifetime, Captain Artemis alone has destroyed 500 Factionaire Ships and earned herself a name. With a bounty of 10,000 bits, not even the most experienced of bounty hunters could take the Lunar Captain down; and no one could figure out how she has escaped death so many times. Half a millennium, ago, the Lunar Pirates disappeared, after terrorizing the sky for 300 years. Many thought that Captain Artemis herself died, or that her crew betrayed her, or that the gods themselves simply wished her away. Today was the first sighting of the Lunar Pirates. Today would change history, and change the entire face of New Equestria."
"Are these all the stallions on board?" Artemis asked Thunderlane, a pegasus stallion with a flattop Mohawk.
"Not all. We're finishing up the lower decks. Y'know, This ship looked smaller from very far away. Never figured it could have four decks." he tightened some of the binds on the soldiers and stepped back. Artemis nodded softly and slowly walked towards one of the tied soldiers. As she crouched to see him eye level, she could see the blood leaking from where he was hit in her mouth.
Artemis crouched down and smiled softly at the stallion. "Now, young lad, to make this easy on all of us, why don't you go ahead and tell me what you're transporting? I mean, my crew's already searching, but I happen to be a mare with a schedule. Hmmm?"
In response, the grey unicorn spat blood into Artemis' face. "To 'ell with you bloody pirates! I ain't telling you nuthin'!" The ship suddenly swayed, nearly knocking Artemis off of her feet. It then rumbled down below, like some explosion was triggered. "You angered our guard! He'll show no mercy unless you spare us! Then maybe we'll leave you on an abandoned island alive." He smiled a toothy grin.
Artemis' head bobbed around like he made a good deal, and said, "Well, that sounds interesting, and your guard won't be a problem. Do you know why most pirates don't mess with Factionaire ships?" Before the stallion could answer, she answered for him. "Because they have mercy towards you that they don't want to risk. With your offer, most pirates would mercy that and let you mercy them." Her hand moved lightning fast, faster than eyes could see, and several soldiers jumped when a loud Blam! filled the skies. Their leader slumped over, a hole in his head, and Artemis' barrel of her steel pirate revolver sizzled as smoke came out.
Her smile faded as she stood up slowly, looking down at the body in disgust. "But I show you no mercy..." She said softly as she held her gun and let it twirl it on her finger. "Well, perhaps that was a bit harsh." She began pacing around the deck slowly, moving one foot in front of the other. As more prisoners were brought up to the deck she continued. "Perhaps...well, I'll make it a little fair. If anypony speaks up now, I'll at least let you call for your precious Faction." There was silence among the ship, nopony wanted to confess. "No....? Going once....going twiiiiice..."
"W-Wait, m-ma'am!" A young colt cried out. He was a white earth stallion with a brown mane and a few brown spots on his coat, one of the spots was over his left eye. "I-I can tell you, m-miss!" He said quickly, stumbling over his words.
Artemis' smile returned and she went over to the young boy. She guessed he was hardly a teen, no doubt a child. He wore ragged clothes, which also hinted that perhaps he was the ship's 'cabin boy'. She crouched down to him and asked, "Okay, what's your name?"
"P-Pipsqueak!" He almost responded immediately. After thinking for a brief second, Artemis snapped her fingers and motioned for a grey older stallion with a black mane and purple eyes came forward reaching into his black trench coat. Artemis nodded for Pipsqueak to continue while the stallion looked for something. "W-We're just carrying weapons and supplies to the Changeling Faction..." He swallowed as the gray stallion pulled out a scroll. Artemis looked at the scroll, then at the kid, then back at the scroll. The other Factionaires glared at Pipsqueak like he was a traitor - which he was. "W-What's gonna happen to me if I tell you what you need to know?" He couldn't help but ask.
Artemis looked at Pipsqueak and said, "Listen, darling. I know that's not all you're telling me. What secrets is this ship hiding?"
"He won't need to answer your question, Captain." Shining said as he came out from the lower decks. The crew behind him carried chests full of valuable treasures that the ship was transporting. He had sadden eyes. "Ran into a bull knight. We lost half of our crew." Artemis stared at him in confusion, and he said, "That's why the ship seemed to be rocking in the wind." He held up a long object wrapped in cloth. "But we did find something...peculiar."
Artemis' sad eyes lit up as she took the object gingerly, as if it were to shatter if she dropped it. She stared at it, and said, "The rest of you that were with me above deck, get out wounded and our dead. Get back onto the ship while I wrap up here." She pointed at Pipsqueak. "Spike! Come get the little one here." A tall, 8-foot dragon lumbered over to the colt, picked him up, and with the rest of the crew, filed out to The Frontier.
The only ones left on the ship was First Mate Armor and the Captain, both anxiously awaiting the revealing object from inside the cloth. Artemis unraveled the cloth, and both of them held their breath as she pulled out the weapon she had been looking for. Her eyes widened, and she breathlessly said, "A...a sword...?!" It was a strait sword with a light blue tinted blade and a sapphire handle. A crescent opal moon was engraved within the handle. When Artemis grasped the handle, it glowed slightly. A look of disappointment and anger came upon her face. "Just the sword...?!" She huffed and whirled on one of the stallions. "Where is the halberd?! The golden one?!" Blackness creeped over her fur as she became more angry, and her eyes began to cnage to a sky blue. "WHERE IS MY SISTER'S HALBERD!?" She roared, and Armor lightly put a hand on her shoulder.
"Artemis, relax." He quietly said, calming the Captain down. "We've got your sword, right? Just like you wanted. Maybe we just missed the ship with the halberd." He swallowed, knowing exactly how angry and fearful the Captain could be. "At least we've got one half. Saves trouble in looking for it, right?"
Artemis' colors returned as she calmed down, and she slowly nodded. "You re right, First Mate. I do tend to get ahead of myself." She smiled a bit and yelled, "Applejack, your turn!" as Artemis crossed the plank onto The Lunar Frontier. Applejack jogged back onto the Factionaire ship and down into the lower decks. Moments later, the whirring sound of the ship began to die and it began to lose power. Applejack came back up carrying a few large red gems. On her way, she cut one stallion loose, and the stallion looked confused as Applejack crossed ships. "Good lad," Artemis said, resting her heel on the foot of the Factionaire ship's railing, her arms crossed. "In the few moments left to live, send word to your precious Faction and tell that dastardly fellow Somber that The Lunar Pirates are back; and we will not fail."
The stallion trembled and crawled froward, shaking terrible. "B-But what about letting us live? We spoke up! We spoke up!" He cried out.
Luna leaned forward as spoke with an eerie voice, "I. Mercy. No. One." She said and pushed the ship away from hers. The ship lost power and began sinking below the clouds. the stallions began screaming as they plunged to the molten Core below. Back on The Lunar Frontier, the bodies of their fallen crew were being ready to be thrown overboard with respect. "They will live long in Elysium," Artemis said, "And may those Factionaire bastards rot in Tartarus." That was all she had to say - most of them didn't have any parents. The bodies went overboard, one by one, sailing doing into the Core.
As the crew began to man their stations once again, Artemis called out. "Ahoy!" They all looked up to her. "I know we've lost many good crew today, but cheer up! We sail for Ponyville tomorrow! If you are sad, how can your shipmates rest in peace?" The crew raah'd in agreement. She spread her arms as the moon rose out of the clouds. "Sing on, you bloody scallywags!" The crew raised there fists as they roared in agreement. As the ship sailed in the silver moonlight through the silent sky, a heart-racing shanty could be heard over the wind, slicing through the silence of the night;
"All deckhands on deck!
Swasher and blackjack!
Peel off to port tack!
Blimey, you got me sold!"
"Argh! Boon-a, come steal my heart made of gold!
Live in my dream, we'll fight scallywags and the mold!
Scream out ahoy!
Lift up our spirits;
Live on the vessel of the Lunar Pirate!"
The cacophony inside the pub quieted as the doors opened and a tall black figure strolled in. From head to toe, he was covered in black: black cloak, black gloves black jeans, black vest, and black shoes. He wore a black steel mask that covered from his neck to the bridge of his nose, and had aviator goggles the color of charcoal black. His medium white spiky mane covered some of the goggles and hung around his shoulders. All eyes followed him in silence as he crossed the pub to a table in the farthest corner from the bar.
As soon as he sat down, conversations resumed and a waitress shyly came over to him. "U-Um.. w-welcome to 'The Sky's Thirst'... what would you like...?" She was real nervous around the blue unicorn.
"Everfree." Came the reply in a deep voice that was muffled by the mask. He pulled out a ruby and handed it to her. "And a plate of fried eggs. Lots." He gestured to all of the bar. "Why did they act that way?"
"M-Manehatten doesn't take kind to strangers, Outsider...S-Sorry, but they have a low level of trust to newcomers..." She backed away a little. "May have your name, sir...?"
He coughed and said, "Requiem." As the mare walked away, his pointed fluffy ears flicked as he concentrated on the multiple conversations that were going about around him. However, there was one conversation that drew him an interest, so he began focusing on a table that three stallions and a mare were sitting at. Their conversation was hushed, as if they didn't want anypony to hear what they were saying.
"Didja year? I heard that The Crystal's Glory was destroyed a couple of days ago. Went straight to the Core without so much as a peep." The first stallion said.
"The Crystal's Glory? Isn't that one of the Factionaire transporter ships?" Queried the second.
"Yeah. Anyways, my friend's brother's father's cousin worked with the Comms Unit for the Crystal Faction. She responded to a distress called and recorded the emergency call." The first started.
The third rolled his eyes and snorted as he took a swig at his beer. "Sure it was a Factionaire ship?"
The first nodded and stood up with several papers in his hand. He strolled over to the bartender, but Requiem focused on the table.
The third stallion snorted. "Whomever attacked, be it Pirates or Rogue Factionaires, there is not a single ship that can escape Crystal nor Swarm Factionaire ships. Not. A. Single. One."
The mare snapped her finger. "You're wrong. There's one ship that can out-maneuver, out-fight, and out-run any Factionaire ship. All of you know the legends of that Ghost Ship."
The second one shook his head. "Puh-leeze, The Lunar Frontier is but a legend and the ship resembling the legend hasn't been seen in 500 years while the Captain hasn't been seen in 600 years. There's no way the damn ship could survive this long."
The three of them argued, their arguments getting as loud as the pub, but the first stallion stood on a stool and shouted, "May I have your attention!" The pub quieted down and everyone looked at the man. The waitress came over with Requiems food, but he only took the bottle of Everfree and waved the eggs away. "As you all know, most of you, I work at the Bounty Factionaire Office. Every month, we update the bounties, old and new, and bring to local pubs like this for local militia and bounty hunters. Today, there is only one new bounty, and she is worth a whopping 50,000 bits - a bit less than Blackmane the Storm Pirate." He flipped the paper around revealing a tall mare with a swashbuckling outfit of a pirate, and the pub exploded into a cacophony of shouts and gasps and confusion as the stallion hung up the bounties.
The pub quieted down as the Outsider walked slowly across the pub, his boots thudding across the floor. He lifted a finger and hovered over the several bounties that updated and were pretty high. His finger slowed down as it passed over Blackmane, but completely stopped when it hit the Lunar Pirate, Captain Artemis. As he slowly pulled the bounty paper off, the pub rioted into laughter and jeers.
"She may be dead, but no bounty hunter can catch her!"
"She's stronger than Demons!"
"She's fearless! Have fun in finding her!"
In the midst of jeers and laughs, Requiem nodded, like he made up his mind. "Yeah..." He softly said, his confidence building. "That will be fun." The pub stopped laughing, staring at his serious posture. He pulled an emerald out of his pocket and tossed it at the bartender. He strolled towards the exit saying words that they could never forget:
"The Lunar Pirates are back, and I'm sure she'll need a fresh crew."
"Alright, you scallywags!" Artemis called out to her crew they were all assembled on the deck at attention, save for the First Mate who had the helm, and the Captain was pacing back and forth. "We are a few miles from Ponyville, so we all need to get the behavior straightened out. Ponyville is a neutral Faction of it's own, but that doesn't mean that there aren't Factionaires there. I'm not sure if my bounty still exists, but be wary of them. Don't steal, kill or taunt the Factionaires or the landlubbers. Understand?"
"Aye-aye, Cap'n!"
"Good." She waved her hand. "Back to your stations." Everypony filed out and Artemis called out to an orange mare with a blonde mane and green eyes. "Head Engineer! Applejack!" She wore a bra and short shorts, along with a headband to keep swear out of her eyes. She jogged over to the Captain.
"Yes'm?"
Artemis held up the large red gem that Applejack acquired on their previous loot. "This gem is Moonstone material, but it's not any of the ones we've see. It won't function with our ship at all. You're related to the Moonstone-farming Pie family, no?" Applejack nodded. "Excellent. I need you to take this gem and have one of them inspect it." Artemis placed the gem in Applejack's hand, and Applejack jogged down into the lower decks.
Artemis walked up the steps to the helm and took it from Shining. "What are you plans, Captain? Once we hit shore." Shining asked. "If I may."
She shrugged. She hadn't really thought thought about it much - she was used to living in the skies and on remote islands, the idea of civilization didn't really interest her. Sure, there was the occasional island pub in between ship routes, but those weren't in a city. "Perhaps stay on board...not used to a throng of ponies." She patted the wheel. "Or maybe fix up this old girl. I'm not the only one who needs a fix" She chuckled a bit.
Shining looked at Artemis thoughtfully, and Artemis looked back. Their eyes locked for a moment, and Artemis tore her eyes away from him, blushing slightly. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"
He pushed himself away from the railing and strode down the steps. "Oh, no reason at all. I just worry for my Captain. That's all." He went below decks right as a call came from the bow of the ship.
"Island spotted! Ponyville's in our midst!"
"Alright, my mateys! Gather 'round the helm!" The crew assembled themselves as Artemis placed the ship on auto-pilot, and sat on the railing that was in front of the helm. "I do not know how long we will be in Ponyville, but let's say three days. You may do what you like, but remember what I have warned out. I'm not quite ready for Hunters yet." There was a light chuckle throughout the crew. "Alright! Gather whatever belongings you'll take with you! Thunderlane, Soarin, you two have aerial duty while descend to the Underearth. Don't want any Sky Behemoths getting this ol' girl before she has a chance at a second life." She clapped her hands. "Chop-chop! Away with you all until we land!" The crew began to depart.
"Rainbow Dash!" Captain Artemis shouted. The pegasus turned around, looking at the captain, before fluttering over to her. "When we land, I'll have either Soarin or Thunderlane walk you through the process of recruitment. Bless the stars above that we need it." She nodded and fluttered up to the nest. "And no drinking contests, you hear?!"
"Ponyville itself was a marvelous sight. Even though some of the old cities i from Old Equestria fell apart during the Rising, Ponyville soon became a center for knowledge and trade. After a couple of hundred years Ponyville soon began to reach its peak, and became a small Faction of the Skies: Star Faction, led by none other than Queen Twilight the Wondrous. However, unlike other Factions, Star Faction was led by the Queen and her Star Order. As a matter of fact, The Lunar Pirate had picked up two of the Star Order on remote sky islands; Rainbow Dash the Loyal and Applejack the Honest. Ponyville had obtained its glory and knowledge because it was run on a mysterious element known as Harmony.
"Ponyville did not consist of one island, but several. The center island was the Castle Island(Castle District) - residential places for soldiers, scientists, technicians, and the Star Order - and surrounding the island were six different islands; all connected by bridges. The first island on the outer ring was for shopping and buying wares from trade(Market District); the Second for luxurious places like spas and pubs and restaurants (Luxury District); the Third for housing and schooling(Residential District); the Fourth for building materials and other hands-on occupations such as forging, smithing, ship building, crafting, etc(Business District); the Fifth was a large island, commonly referred to as 'The Docking District' because it was used for ship docking and repairing or upgrading; and the sixth was usually an empty island for festivals and ceremonies(Ceremony District), where several people who had 'business' to settle would meet and fight.
"The following measurements of the islands goes as follow in diameter: Castle District is in between 1400-1500 feet; the Market District is 500 feet across, as well as the Luxury District; the Residential District is 900 feet across; the Business District is 300 feet across; the Docking District is 1300 feet across; and the Ceremony District is 1000 feet across. All of the outer districts, save the Residential and Docking Districts, were set up like the olden Equestrian Wild West towns, but definitely larger.
"On most islands, the cloud sea would reach to the island's 'drop-off'(a place where you would fall below the clouds to the Core if you were to step off), but Ponyville's position in the skies was higher than other islands. When Ponyville survived the Rising, a huge chunk of the earth's crust - like most islands - stayed attached to the bottom. Many refer to these pieces of crusts as 'Underearth' or 'Undercrust'. Beneath the tip of the Underearth was another island, but this large island that spanned across Ponyville was in the clouds; only the canopies of trees could be seen and the cloud covered the island like a thick fog. Many believe that dangerous monsters lurk under there, and if anything precious was dropped into the 'Everfree'(as they called it), then it was considered Lost.
"The crust that ponies walked on in Castle District was only about 30 feet thick. The Underearth directly below Castle District was completely hollowed out, and inside resided the biggest Underground Market - literally - that the skies knew existed. Any outsider to the UM knows nothing of its location, but like everypony else, they knew of its existence. It was home to many pirates, criminals, and traders, and there was order among them when they interacted. In the top of the cavern was several boardwalks for ships to dock at, at least the ones with a reasonable size. Stolen goods, homemade wares, Factionaire valuables, even old and ancient artifacts(though they were fakes) were all brought and sold or traded. It was a place that the enemies to the Factionaires could reside peacefully for a shore leave break from the sky life. The exit into Ponyville was in a pub on the outskirts of Castle District."
There were gasps and murmurs in the busy Underground Market as the crowds parted, letting one sole group pass through with ease. Shining Armor leaned over and whispered, "Captain, they're staring and murmuring....why?"
Artemis responded as she strode pride-like. "I told you before, Shining. They're practically witnessing a ghost. Nopony believes that the Captain Artemis is still alive."
There was a brief silence then a shout rang across the cavern. "The Nightmare is alive!" Immediately the market exploded into jeers and insults, all directed towards Artemis.
"She's a liar!"
"A fake!"
"The real Artemis is more cruel! More brutal!"
"The Lunar Pirate is dead!"
A tomato whizzed by Artemis' head and almost hit Dash. Dash, infuriated by the jaunts, marched over to the edge of the crowd where the tomato came from. "Who the hell threw that?! Have you know respect for the Captain?! If you want her gone, you'll have to get me first!"
She didn't see the large fist coming until it slammed into her cheek and sent her practically fighting. Dash was a small pegasus compared to most, so the force was like throwing her. Suddenly the cavern was cut quiet as Blam! Blam! Blam! rang about the cavern. There was dead silence, and everybody looked at the Captain: she was holding Dash, Artemis' arm around Dash's back to keep the pegasus close to the Captain, and her large pistol in the other hand with the look of death in her eyes. Her coat fell off, revealing tattoos that crawled all the way down her arms until they hit an inch away from her wrists - cracked tattoos with chain tattoos that spiraled around her arm. She set Dash upright and looked down at the three dead bodies that laid on the floor.
"Nopony, and I mean nopony hurts my crew like that." The tattoos on her arms was all the ponies needed for proof. First Mate Shining picked up the Captain's coat and helped her get it back on. She loaded her pistol again and 360'd slowly. "Anypony else want a crack at me ore my crew?" There was dead silence, but an older stallion hobbled forward. He immediately fell to the ground with his head on it, much like the Japony style of forgiveness.
"Oh bless us, Lunar Pirate! Forgive these tthree who are slain! They are of the New Age and do not know what fear is when it stares them in the face! Please mercy us! We beg your forgiveness! Please do not slaughter this marketplace!" He continued on begging for everypony, crying with real intent. The rest were in complete shock.
"Shut it." Came the cold harsh voice of the Lunar Pirate. Everypony trembled as she walked towards the stallion a little. She stared down at him, then softly said, "Good sir," He stopped trembling and looked up slowly. Everypony held their breath, suspecting the fate of the old stallion. The Captain holstered her pistol and the tension was thick. Suddenly a warm smile spread across her face and she helped him up. "Would you be so kind and to show me the way out? I have not been to Ponyville in Centuries."
He swallowed and said with a shaky voice. "I-It has been the same exit as it's always been, your greatness..." He pointed to the north of the cavern. "T-The stairs l-lead all the way t-to The Silver Plate, the old tavern f-from long ago." He swallowed heavily.
In one swift move, Artemis began striding towards the exit, and the cavern remained quiet for the remainder of her leave, only her boots making echos around the silenced cavern.. Once they hit the stairs, the marketplace resumed slowly, as if they all were recovering from shock. Captain Artemis stopped before the stairs and swiftly turned on Dash, who flinched. "Dash, are you okay?" The old captain was back to herself again with her calm voice. She moved Dash's eye, revealing a cut underneath her eye and the eye was all swollen up. "He did a number on you, didn't he?"
"I-I'm fine, Captain..." Dash said quietly as she winced when Artemis touched her bruise.
Artemis shrugged. "Fine..." She grinned mischievously. "But this eyepatch will make you look a lot cooler." She said as she held up a black eyepatch.
Dash was a mare who acted tough(and is), and tried to keep her cool-like attitude. However, she was a young mare, so her eyes lit up and she smiled big as Artemis put the patch on. "Suh-weet!" Dash said, pumping her fist. "I'll definitely be 20% Cooler with this!" The crew burst into laughter as they all head up the stairs. As they waked up, Applejack walked next to the Captain.
"Jus' like th' stories said, Cap'n." Applejack said. "Brutal an' cruel as evah. But they ain't neveh said anythin' about th' other side." She smirked. "Who knew even th' 'darkest ponies' could haf a soft heart."
"True, AJ" Artemis said. "But we will face more prejudice like that." She shrugged. "Unless they wise up and alert the whole town before I even get up there." The two chuckled. Artemis looked at AJ. "Tell me about this friend of yours. The one who you waited for on that island for 5 years."
Aj rubbed the back of her head and said, "Weeeellllll she's a real nice lady. Cares for alluv us in th' Star Order. She's bright, an' intelligent, an' knows magic that no other pony knows. She's a mare who would never break her promise." Her ears drooped. "But why did she break that one?"
Artemis smiled. "I never told you, AJ, but before I picked you up off of that island, I had to scare a Leviathan away. Perhaps your friend couldn't get past the Leviathan." AJ's eyes lit up at that news, and Artemis simply smiled.
The entered into the pub from a back room, and it instantly quieted down. Everypony stared at The Captain, and it was so quiet that anypony could hear the beat of a butterfly's wings. No pony dared to move. No pony dared to speak. A lone stallion, a blue unicorn with a white mane, stood up. He wore a steel mask and goggles that covered his face. He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. He held it up, as if down a comparison. "Captain Artemis, I presume?"
Dash and Applejack stepped forward, as if shielding the Captain, as the man reached into his pocket. He was tall and slender, and looked like he was ready for a fight. "Who's asking...?" Artemis asked slowly. The stranger tossed something shiny to the bartender, and he said one thing before the bartender announced on the house drinks and the bar cheered:
"Just an Outsider, Cap'n."
