Time passed by for the crew aboard the Howling Pearl, eventually Dustchu had spoken with Pearl about the colt Peaky, and after bribing her with ten kegs of rum she allowed him to stay on board as long as Firefly looked after him. Cause she said she didn’t: 'need another lil trouble makin’ shite running around.'

Firefly had showed the small colt her room, telling him that she wouldn’t be there much, but he was welcome there anytime. Peaky just needed to help take care of Emerald and stay out of the way of everyone else. The bouncy little colt happily agreed, happy to help take care of a pet.

Her claustrophobia getting to her, she decided she would rather stay awake all night outside than sleep in a small cramped room. And so, that’s where she stayed, patrolling the perimeter of the ship in the night with only Pearl to keep her company, silent as she was anyway.

At the helm of the ship, stood the captain of the Pearl, standing a silent vigal over everyone on board and keeping the ship on course. The cold night air was blowing across the ship gently as they soared above the clouds, the sounds of the wood creaking ever so slightly could be heard, along with the propellers that gently cut through the air with a dull thumping noise.

Captain Pearl seemed at home by the helm, one hoof on the wheel while the other was in her coat. She sat by the wheel, looking straight ahead into the nighttime sky as the stars above could be seen, unhindered by any clouds of smog that sat above most cities in Equestria.

It was beautiful.

Firefly went to the front of the ship, her mane being blown behind her. She sat down and watched the sky fly past them at a slow but managable pace, liking that she didn’t need to flap her wings to fly for once. A certain ghost floated into view, seeming to enjoy himself immensely. “Hey Ghost, where’ve you been? Causing trouble?” She giggled as the ghost cat settled down on his owner’s head.

The silence was comforting to those on board, giving them a semblance of safety above the cloudline as they were free to relax. But then, the silence was broken by a soft tune coming from the helm where Pearl was sitting. The mare had let go of the wheel, and was now holding a small and shiny black object in her hooves, up to her mouth as she played a gentle tune.

The melody was a soft one, a gentle tune that carried over the winds filling the air with something soothing, something that felt calming. Pearl herself had her eye close, the wind blowing her mane to the side and making her coat billow slightly. Everyone on board could hear the melody, and couldn’t help but feel at ease.

For one brief moment… everything felt right.

Letting out a small breath, Firefly looked down at Ghost, to see him glowing brighter than normal, and anypony around that happened to glance at the two, they would be able to see the ghost cat. And everypony aboard heard a mournful yowl from the ghost cat. Tears welled up in the pegasus’ eyes, as she gently put her hoof on his head, being able to feel him again for that one brief moment for the first time, in a long time.

The melody continued on into the night, seemingly growing more powerful and yet, keeping its gentle soothing tune and washing over the crew and soothing their hearts and woes. Pearl herself seemed to have a glow about her horn, and the ship’s creaking grew silent as she continued her lullaby, as if wanting to hear the melody in its entirety.

The tears began to roll down the pegasus’ cheeks as she gently picked up her deceased cat, holding him for the first time in three years.

By the hatch stood Dustchu, who had heard the music and wanted to hear it up closer. However, once he came up he found his eyes catching a glance at something Firefly was holding in her hooves, which appeared to be a light of sorts, and her cutie mark was glowing. As though sensing the other pegasus, Firefly turned to look at him, tears rolling down her face, and the light had taken shape, into one of a cat.

Dustchu had a slight look of awe, as he exchanged looks between Pearl and Firefly. He wanted to speak, to say something but found he couldn’t. His throat closed in on itself, so he stayed silent as Pearl played her melody, and Firefly was able to hold her cat once more.

The fiery pegasus looked down at her spectral cat, as he jumped from her hooves, and padded over to Dustchu, unable to float. Ghost sat down directly in front of the white pegasus, eyeing him up. The cat gave a nod, then released another mournful yowl, before going back to Firefly. The song started to end and Ghost began to float again. He circled Firefly’s head once, and began to nuzzle her cheek. The song ended, and so did Ghost, as he fazed back into the world of where only a select few could see him, and none could feel.

Firefly’s tears began to stream down her face, and her head lowered to the ground in sadness.

Pearl’s lullaby ended at last, and she pulled her instrument away, opening her red eye and looking down at the small black object, an ocarina. “Tis the Lullaby of the Pearl,” she spoke gently, in a tone very few heard her speak in. “A song of loss, sorrow, and remembrance.” With gentle care, she put the Ocarina back within the folds of her coat.

Dustchu slowly made his way over to Firefly, and once he was by her side he gently pulled her into an embrace. She allowed him to embrace her, and continued to cry for almost five minutes. Her body was shaking as she sniffled, “That was Ghost… he died of a terrible sickness three years ago... “ She took a shuddering breath, “I never thought I’d be able to feel his fur again… I see him all the time, but I can never touch him… except for then…” Her eyes followed the floating cat in the air, as he floated around again.

The Howling Pearl made a noise as it sailed, although it was only for a brief second before it disappeared into the night. “Things like that… they happen on this ship,” Dustchu told her as the ship creaked again. “Its brief… but...” he trailed off, looking off into the sky as Pearl hummed the same tune to herself softly, gripping the wheel with one hoof and keeping the other in her coat.

Firefly looked up at him, a new determination in her eyes, “I think I’m ready to face them now.” She nodded, “Yeah, I am ready now.”

Dustchu didn’t acknowledge her, only looking out ahead with a grimace, however, Fuse did when she came up. The pegasus having been perched somewhere nearby, she landed next to Firefly. “I’m glad...” She poked Firefly, gesturing out ahead. “We’re here… Canterlot.”

Firefly looked out ahead, “Be prepared Canterlot, we're coming.”

Author's Note

Melodies are always nice.