Flintlock smiled at the mare in the dim candle light, her grin was so sweet that he feared that she’d give him a sugar high. She leaned in and kissed him, a kiss that he returned with just as much fervor. What had he done to deserve such a mare of quality? How was he so lucky?

“I love you, Lieutenant,” her words were silent and Flintlock heard a whistle.

“What?” he questioned, as the whistling grew in volume.

“Captain?” Flintlock’s face contorted in confusion, her voice was deeper than he remembered.

“Captain Flintlock? Are you alright?” the voice changed again to Princess Celestia’s.

Flintlock’s eyes opened blearily and he cursed as he felt his body ache, “Damn, how long was I out?”

His quartermaster, Featherstone, mumbled an apology to the Princess of the day whom sat under a palm tree patiently as the captain got his bearings. It was evening, far too long to be passed out from drink.

“About ten hours sir, The Princess would like a word regarding our next sortie,” Featherstone informed before he quickly left the area at Flintlock’s piercing stare.

The captain shook himself before he looked to Celestia, “Something wrong Princess?”

“I wanted to have a word with you regarding Rarity, you see I was speaking to your crew and they seem convinced that me going with you is a very bad idea,” Celestia said, which brought out an amused snort from the red bearded stallion.

“They think that a mare aboard ship is bad luck. And? One or two think that I walk about without a soul but it doesn’t effect me,” Flintlock responded as he headed to the water and plunged himself into it.

“Yes, they were convinced that you’re controlled by a Zebra witch, but that wasn’t all they told me. They spoke of a Ms. Coco Pommel,” Celestia said and watched as the shivering stallion froze at the mere mention of the name.

“Who told you that?” his reply was in anger as his eyes settled on her.

“It doesn’t matter. The point Captain, is that I would like you to be honest with me. Can you?” the glare faded as Celestia asked her question.

She signaled for Flintlock to follow her into a bar to sit in the shade. When they sat Celestia noticed an old sailor telling tales about Captain Flintlock to a group of fillies and colts.

“Well, you know the stories that Mr. Fibs likes to tell. I somehow sold my soul to a Zebra priestess in exchange for invincibility. That’s the story at any rate. The truth is rather boring, at least to some. The story wouldn’t be half as interesting if they said that Captain Flintlock used to make his home in Manehattan with a nice earth pony who shared his love of the theatre,” Flintlock adopted a sad smile on his face as he was handed a pitcher of orange juice.

“And that’s why you want to come along? Too get even with Rarity?” Celestia asked with an eyebrow arched.

Flintlock shook his head after he swallowed a good amount of juice and said, “No Princess, Ms. Rarity isn’t whom I’m after. I give you my word, there will be no interference by me in regards to Rarity.”

Flintlock held his hoof out for Celestia to shake which she did so slowly, apparently satisfied with the promise.

It was then that the pair noted a crowd was gathering on the fading beach.

Both Flintlock and Celestia squinted to see what it was as the sun set. A little sloop, flying a plain black flag.

Flintlock smiled and chuckled before he spoke, “Well, congratulations are in order to Commander Sidewinder, and Mr. Pipsqueak. A full day ahead of schedule. If you’ll excuse me Princess Celestia, I owe my Boatswain a drink.”

***

Sidewinder hovered above the beach with an anchor in his grasp, which he planted in the dirt seconds after he went well passed the water line.

He panted, sailing that fast took a lot out of him. He looked to the crowd and nodded in conformation, they’d won. Fleetfoot, who stood at the front of the crowd before him grinned before she grasped his face and pulled him into a fiery kiss. The two other Thestral grinned as they stepped off but it was short lived as they knew what was about to happen.

The crowd laughed as the two continued but it quieted as the Thestral of the crowd noted that two were missing.

Sidewinder broke the kiss with an apologetic grimace to Fleetfoot as everypony bowed their heads.

“Secure Banks and Scarlett Carson, are at rest,” he said over the wind.

The crowd whispered prayers of mourning of the two Thestral. Many leaned on others for support, whilst others stood alone in grief.

“We’ll meet up later, I have a mission report,” Sidewinder said in regret to Fleetfoot as he nuzzled the Pegasus mare.

“Don’t make me wait too long Sides,” Fleetfoot replied as she flew to Sidewinders’ den.

Princess Celestia, regal in her approach didn’t break stride as her little ponies bowed before her. Celestia nodded towards the commander whom whistled sharply before he left the scene to report to Princess Luna.

The crowd cheered when Pepperjack dismounted the vessel as he lifted a bound, gagged and blindfolded Applejack into the air and set the mare down upon the beach in front of the regal Princess.

“Ya’ll better let me go or I swear I’m gonna boil ya’ll down for grease!” Applejack roared aloud as the gag was taken away and the blindfold removed.

Applejack stopped as she saw the passive Princess. She couldn’t believe her eyes, or ears for that matter, as the Princess began to speak.

“Boil us down for grease? Is it so casual for you to resort to such cruelty, Applejack?” Celestia asked, her voice as cold as ice and her eyes shown only steely resolve.

“You’re not real, if this is a joke Ya’ll ain’t funny,” Applejack shouted to the other ponies as they fixed her with glares.

“I can assure you Ms. Apple, I am very real. Real enough to do this,” Celestia said as she ripped off Applejacks eyepatch to stare into it’s unholy gaze.

“My name is Celestia Del Sol, Princess of the sun, bringer of crops and swift justice. For the crimes of treason, torture, murder, and sedition. You are under arrest,” Celestia proclaimed to the eye before she placed an aura of magic around it.

The orb went dim then black. It’s uselessness sent Applejack into a stunned silence. The eye always worked perfectly and now it told her the cold, brutal, and honest truth, this was the real Princess Celestia.

The silence didn’t last, “Ya’ll left us to our own! You ain’t nothing but a tyrant, always living in fancy castles, while me and my kin have had to work to the bone to survive.”

Celestia nearly couldn’t believe her ears, but replied calmly, lest she reduce the mare to cinders, “Let me tell you something Applejack, I’ll have you know I would’ve traded places with you any day of the week. I would have loved nothing more than to simply do a hard days work, toiling the lands, providing food for everypony. I provided for ponies freely, whether they be free or prisoner. I gave your great, grandfather an enormous amount of farming land, for free. The only thing I asked for was to have him help form a town in the area. Is that so much? Does that sound like something a tyrant would do? He’d be ashamed of you, not only him but your parents would be ashamed.”

Applejacks’ visage contorted in rage as she struggled to get loose and strangle the princess, only the ropes constricted her more as she did so. Celestia replaced the gag before a storm of curses could be heard.

Celestia felt tears roll down her face before she continued, “Mr. Pepperjack, take her from my sight.”

The crowd dispersed as the unicorn did so. Pipsqueak finally stepped off the boat, and stood face to face with his captain.

“Captain Flintlock, sir,” Pip said with a salute.

“Are you alright Mr. Pip?” Flintlock said as he ignored the salute.

“Got pretty banged up sir, but nothing I can’t handle,” Pip responded without looking the captain in the eye.

“That isn’t what I meant. I can see you’re fine, but are you ok?” Flintlock said as he glared hard at the younger male.

Pip swallowed and shivered violently as he answered, “I got the rotten bastard. He’s dead, but I feel… hollow, sir. He’s dead but I still want to kill him for what he did to me.”

Flintlock nodded in understanding, before he gently placed a wing over the younger stallion’s shoulder and lead him back to the tavern, “Come on, I have a promise to keep. Years ago, when I said that when you got him, I’d buy you a drink. You’ve earned that drink. Been saving a bottle of brandy for just this occasion.”

***

The sun rose, signaling a new day. Sidewinder grunted as Fleetfoot opened the palm branches that cut off his alcove from the morning sun.

“After last night you’d think that I’d be the first to arise,” Sidewinder grumbled as he turned over in his hammock to shield his eyes.

Fleetfoot giggled as she climbed into the bed and snuggled her lover, “And what a wonderful night it was, working off steam.”

“I’m still surprised that we got to position three before we gave out, reading does that too you,” Sidewinder said before he chuckled.

“Sides, I don’t know about you but I feel like I could go again,” Fleetfoot murmured as she nipped at the Thestrals ears.

“Yes, so could I but I think we should skip the foreplay and head straight into the main event,” Sidewinder responded before he turned to face her.

The mare pecked him on the nose and nuzzled close to the Thestral.

“Well, what’re we waiting around for?” Fleetfoot grinned as she questioned her lover.

Sidewinder smiled as he leaned up and captured the mare in a kiss before Pepperjack’s voice was heard beyond the palm branches.

“Commander? Princess Celestia would like a word,” Pepperjack’s voice ruined Sidewinders’ mood.

“Why does it have to be now?” the Thestral grumbled as he pecked the Pegasi on the cheek before he went to find his sunglasses.

He then flew passed Pepperjack after they were attached to his face, who received a pillow to the head courtesy of a disgruntled mare.

***

Sidewinder sat beside Flintlock as Celestia unveiled her plan, “I will pose as a pirate who’s gathered much wealth and will seek asylum with House White-gold. To insure a good standing with Fancy Pants, Captain Flintlock will be my prisoner. Since Flintlock knows about the Manehattan jail weakness he will be able to escape. After a long pony hunt I will capture Rarity and bring her to The Walrus. Any questions?”

Sidewinder leaned back in his chair before he spoke, “And what will I be needed for, Princess?”

Flintlock answered for the Alicorn, “I’ll need somepony that my crew trusts to make sure things run smoothly while I’m gone, since I know and trust you, you’re the stallion for the job.”

Sidewinder nodded before he downed a glass of orange juice and said, “Getting in isn’t the hard part, that comes after. How do we get the whole of Manehattan to keep their mouths shut? I don’t know about you, but isn’t our secrecy the best asset we have right now? With respect Princess Celestia, ponies are tired of this war and are starving for hope. And us of soldiers.”

Celestia nodded and replied, “A valid point Commander, and easily answered. House White-gold’s main power, from what Captain Flintlock has told me, is the slave trade and weapons manufacturing. All we need is somepony who can rally the slaves to revolt.”

“Fortunately, I know of somepony who felt the lash and escaped, somepony to rally them and bolster our ranks. I can think of no others who’d be more itching for a good fight,” Flintlock added after a moment of silence.

Sidewinder nodded in satisfaction before he stood, “When do we leave?”

Princess Celestia answered the question, “Tonight, midnight. Now, if you will excuse me Gentlecolts, I have a costume to prepare.”

Sidewinder and Flintlock bowed as the Princess left them.

“I know that you want to torch Manehattan for what Fleur di lis did to Coco,” Sidewinders statement made the Pegasus turn to him.

“Either it will die or I will,” Flintlock replied with a sneer.

“Flint, look at the bigger picture. We don’t need to lose anypony else. The princess needs you, the navy needs you,” Sidewinder tried to reason only for Flintlock to take a shot of rum.

“No, they’ll get by. They always do. When the mission is over Manehattan burns,” Flintlock growled out, and tried to storm out of the bar, only Sidewinder blocked him.

“Coco would never forgive you for that, and you know it. Spare the city for her, and you can have your vengeance on Fleur,” Sidewinder pleaded to his friend.

Flintlock’s face contorted in fury, “I know she would, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay to make sure that those greedy monsters never do that to anypony again! You, of all should understand that after your son was murdered!”

Sidewinder took a breath to calm himself and replied, “We, the two of us, decided that we’d bring down those who started this. And we both know who did that, think for a second and tell me who that was.”

Flintlocks’ face slowly morphed into one of understanding, “Twilight Sparkle.”

Sidewinder nodded and extrapolated, “Yes, Twilight Sparkle. We can bring the whole thing crashing down around her. You and I can and will have justice, not vengeance. We will bring Canterlot to it’s knees, and when we’re done we will hold all of them accountable for starting this mess. We both are angry, but we cannot let it control us or we are no better than them.”

Flintlock paused in contemplation, there wasn’t many that he’d listen to, but Sidewinder was one of them. The bat pony was right, as much as Flintlock wanted to deny it.

The Thestral stretched his foreleg out to shake before he said, “For Coco Pommel.”

Flintlocks’ eyes flicked to the hoof and back to the sunglasses that his friend wore and clasped the hoof with his own as he replied, “For Thunderbolt.”

***

Within her domain Archmagister Twilight Sparkle stared outside her window at the setting sun in a tad bit of nervousness. This was taking far too long. How hard was it to find a simple filly?

A light knock was heard upon the door, enough to jar her out of her thoughts.

“Archmagister, we’ve used tracking spells to try and locate her, but she’s gone ma’am,” a guard said and tried to abruptly close the door to miss the mages’ fury only he gagged as a magical aura choked him

Twilight levitated the unfortunate to face her and she whispered, “Find her, you have three days to do so or I will induct you into the corpse brigade. Do you understand?”

The guardspony was dropped to the ground, and Twilight gazed out of her study window again.

“Flash Sentry,” Twilight called out, to which a pale orange stallion dropped to the floor from the rafters above her.

“Yes, my Archmagister?” he questioned with a rasp in his voice.

Twilight looked at him, he was perfection, the culmination of her efforts to perfect the Flutterbat spell. A legitimate cross between vampire bat and Pegasus, a perfect weapon. Unlike Fluttershy, who was afraid of everything up to and including her own shadow, Flash was trained and conditioned to respond to any command with utter fealty and zeal.

“Find my niece, and bring her to me. Alive and unspoiled,” Twilight ordered her creation who opened her window and took off into the evening sky.

Author's Note

Guys, thanks so much for the support with this project of mine. Please note I will be going to school during the summer semester thus new chapters will be a tad slower. Also please note that Captain Flintlock is based heavily on the Black Sails/ Treasure Island character Captain Flint AKA James McGraw whom is played by Toby Stephens.