Bleak Sails

Chapters

Chapter one: Return of The Dead Stallion
Chapter Two: So...We're Off!
Chapter Three: A Sparring Match
Chapter Four: A Maremaid's Song
Chapter Five: The Dead Stallion's Grief

Chapter one: Return of The Dead Stallion

The rather cold morning was not the best way that one could start their day, nor was it a good way to start the end of a school day. The young foals all left the local schoolhouse without so much as a whisper, their teacher standing by the door frame of the double doors as she watched them all either trot over to their parents who had come to pick them up or just lazily trot off in the directions of their homes. She looked up at the sky, cloudy, looks like it’ll rain again.

As she headed inside, one of the foals looked up and spotted something she couldn’t exactly understand, pointing at it with a hoof. “What’s that?!” she asked, her father looking up and squinting his eyes to see the sight of a lone blue pegasus among the dull clouds.

“Why, if it isn’t the local daredevil,” He said with a small smile, watching as said pegasus suddenly dived bombed towards the school house, the foal and stallion being the only ones left. As soon as she almost crashed to the ground, her wings flared, allowing her to come to a graceful halt just beside the two. “Good evening,Ms. Dash,” he greeted.

“Evening, Mr. Pot,” Dash replied, nodding her head in hello. “How’s life?”

“Ah, you know...the usual,” The stallion responded, smiling. “And I never expected you to be so formal...specially since I work for Applejack.”

“Yeah, I know...sorry Tea,” Rainbow apologized with a small chuckle. “You know Applejack makes me say that.”

“Yeah…” Tea chuckled as well before looking down at the little filly. “You remember my silly filly, right, Rainbow?”

“Course I do,” Rainbow answered with a sweet smile before looking down to the filly. “How are you, Dumpling?”

The tan filly smiled as she looked up at the rainbow pegasus, pushing the fallen bit of her brown mane out of her eyes. “I’m okay, how are yuu?” she asked, her tone of voice practically radiating with innocence, causing both adults to smile.

“Good to hear, little guy,” Rainbow said with a smile, ruffling up Dumpling’s mane with her hoof before turning to Tea. “I better get going, Spike invited me to play Pony Kombat at his place since Twilight is in Canterlot.”

“Really?” Tea asked, not noticing that he was kind of extending the conversation a bit. “Doing what?”

“Princess training...or at least that’s what I-” Rainbow began before the sound of an argument could be heard from the center of town, causing Rainbow to frown, especially when the sound of a bubbly and hyper active voice could be heard among them. “...I...I’m going to go check that out, you stay safe, Tea.” She then began to gallop towards the noise, Tea and Dumpling waving her goodbye.

The crowd had become much larger than any normal argument gone bad would have attracted, multiple voices going off at once as they tried to see what all the fuss was about. The shouting in the opening becoming louder with Applejack standing there as one of the first of the crowd. The sight simply confusing her to no end as the scene played out before the watchers.

There were three ponies in the opening, on the left was a frail looking brown Unicorn, his angry scowl, rusty coat and ginger mane being met with the equally large scowl and dreadlocks of the zebra on the right, gritting his teeth. In the middle of the two, trying her best to make sure that the disagreement didn’t escalate further, was the ever so bubbly Pinkie Pie. “C-Can we please calm down?” She asked, unnaturally timid in her speech. “We don’t have to have a party...”

"Well you don't have to be an ass about it!" the unicorn yelled, ignoring the earth pony and looking at the zebra, his eyes narrowed with annoyance. "She offered to throw us a party and I think we should take it, we deserve it Black.”

"We're not here for pleasure you dumb-buck, and I'm sorry but, I thought it was you who was the ass, or was that just your mama?" the zebra spat back, the unicorn taking great offence to having his adoptive donkey mother brought up like that.

“You take that back you bucking little sh-” he began before being stopped by applejack, who had walked up to the two while they had not noticed and had pushed the two equines away from each other so that things didn’t get physical.

"Now just a darn minute here, you fella's better not be scraping here. We're in a marketplace, not some school parking lot!" she scolded. The unicorn and zebra looked at each other for a moment, thinking before the backed off, their aggressiveness towards the other dropping, causing Applejack to sigh with relief. “Now then,” she asked with a friendly smile. “Just who are you two, anyhow?”

The zebra was the first to speak up, snapping his head towards her as he seemed to be waiting for something. “I’m Black Spot,” he said before looking over at his friend, who’s eyes were zipping from side to side, the disapproving look Black gave him caused him to look back to Applejack. “And my genius yet still a bucking idiot friend here, is Flintlock...”

Applejack then began to introduce herself, with the two showing some amount of respect towards her, the sight of a very angry looking Rainbow Dash came into the corner of her eye. But, before she could react, the pegasus was already in the zebra’s face.

"Hey! Who do you think you're starting with here?" Rainbow shouted, thinking the zebra was having an argument with Pinkie. ”This is a marketplace, some ponies are trying to make a profit here!"

Black Spot and Flintlock looked at each other for a moment before they burst out into laughter, the unicorn’s horn glowing with a flintlock pistol appearing his magical aura while he kept laughing. The sight of the pistol caused the now much larger crowd to start panicking.

"I think we will be taking those profits you mentioned, blue girl!" he shouted, firing his shot into the sky, the crowd began to panic even more so when, due to the shot, many strange ponies, griffons and even a few changelings emerged from the alleyways, attacking the crowd.

The mighty Equestrian capital was in a panic as multiple squadrons of guards stormed out of the large open gate, the bolts almost being ripped off as more and more armored ponies marched out towards the small town of Ponyville after receiving reports of an attack from a massive party of those identified as pirates. As more guards marched down towards the soon to be battlefield, the princess of the sun herself and her former student stood on the balcony, waving them off as they marched.

"I just don't understand,” Twilight said, bringing a hoof to her chin as she lay deep in thought. “How...and why, would pirates of all things attack a landlocked village? They could have easily used the river in order to perform an attack on Canterlot...” the lavender Alicorn pondered as she looked over the tactic that the pirates had used. “It doesn’t make sense..”

"They are pirates Twilight,” Celestia reminded as she continued to wave the troops off while she looked down to her former pupil. “They are not well known for their tactical minds,” she added abruptly with an almost cold and distasteful tone.

Twilight looked at the other alicorn with a small bit of surprise and shock, never really hearing such distaste from Celestia before. “Where did that come from?” She thought, still trying to look over the rather limited amount of knowledge about the situation. Just why would Pirates attack Ponyville? It didn’t make sense to her, perhaps it would be a distraction? No...that would be silly.

“Your highness! Your highness!” a voice of a guard shouted as he galloped towards the two, stopping at their hooves and saluting but it was clear he was freaking out. “Something has happened!”

Celestia turned to the guard with patience. “Calm yourself, private…now, what has happened?”

“...The Guards…” The guard began. “T-they’re out cold...two of the merchants...are running around the castle...it seems they are responsible..”

Celestia and Twilight’s eyes widened from the news, the two alicorns looking at each other in the eyes. Twilight could see the growing worry and anger in Celestia’s eyes, almost as if they both knew that this attack on Ponyville was not an idiotic attempt of robbery or other such nonsense. With deep breath, Celestia broke away from the three, heading for the door. As Twilight and the guard began to chase after her, she spoke.

"WE MUST NOT LET THEM REACH THE TREASURY!!!”

Minutes rolled by, the three continuing to run as fast as their legs could carry them as they made their way to the single most secured room in all of Equestria, the royal treasury. The sense of danger and urgency loomed over all three of them, the princess of the sun in particular, had a face that could only be described as fury incarnate. The clip-clop of their shoe covered hooves rang throughout the halls they ran through, turning the bend once they reached the end of one corridor only to find the unconscious bodies of several of the guard, Pony and Threstal a like.

Celestia turned to the guard, her eye twitching in rage and irritation. Her horn illuminating an almost heavenly gold aura. The guard was dragged by the collar of his armor, brought face to face with the enraged alicorn.

"How in the name of the gods could one damnable pirate do this?!” she demanded, shaking the guard a small bit as said guard was trying to think of an answer, his eyes darting from side to side, not sure of how to respond.

"W-well it was reported that two of the merchants were acting strangely, the Griffon and the Diamond Dog, your highness...maybe they co-”

“Was the griffon wearing an amulet around their neck?”

“W-what?”

“WERE THEY?!”

The guard gasped a small bit, thinking it over, he remembered seeing the griffon by the pier, feeling awkward about it. “Y-yes...he was, said he was a veteran of the Prench Foreign Legion…” he responded, causing the angry face of the sun goddess to drop, then and there. Her face turned to that of dread, looking on into nothing, as if she had just witnessed a horrible tragedy before her.

Without warning, she dropped the guard, galloping towards the direction of the treasury with no words to be spoken. Twilight’s horn glowed, picking up the guard and plopping him down on his hooves before she galloped after Celestia with the guard following soon after, his armor smacking against his body.

They reached the treasury door after a while of running down more corridors and up a massive amount of stairs, so much so that Twilight and the guard were out of breath once they reached the top. However, Celestia moved with no hint of fatigue at all, coming towards the now unlocked door. When she was younger, she would have taken note of the red wood used to make the double door, comment on the beauty of the its framework and decoration. But, she was not the same alicorn all those years ago, she knew that was a fact.

As Twilight caught her breath, she looked up and peered through the slightly open door, seeing the blurry form of a massive creature. With a scowl, her legs with into autopilot, running past Celestia and knocking the treasury doors open. The first thing she could see was the treasury itself, mountains of wealth for as far as the eye could see, the room barely being able to contain all the gold that Celestia had obtained in her long life. The gold mountains had other treasures decorating it, from rare looking fabrics to silks and gemstones, the room would have put an elder dragon’s hoard to shame.

As Twilight began her trek among the pearl floor, making sure to not disturb the rather fragile pieces of wealth as she followed the sounds of the two pirates, Celestia and the guard entered the room. Celestia was silent when she entered, her horn glowing as she tried to search for the two pirates’ central magic core. “Don’t let them reach the Elements!” she shouted, chasing after her former student with the guard following suite.

One the other side of the room, past the immense piles of wealth and gold, the two pirates had reached a large, elaborate glass holding case attached to the wall. The polished oak that made up the body of the case shimmered a bit when Franz approached it, the golden amulet around his neck glowing, causing the locked hatch on the case to also become engulfed in the amulet’s red aura. After a few seconds, the lock fell off, the aura now engulfing the case’s hatch, opening the case before he peered inside.

Gnash looked up, inspecting the room just to be sure of no possible aerial attack from guards, what he thought was odd, however, was the old pirate flag attached to the wall just above the case, looking moist despite being pinned to the wall with dead barnacles and old rips in the fabric.

“Well Gnash…” Franz Whistled, taking in a breath as he gazed upon each golden necklace that lay before him. Honesty, Kindness, Generosity, Loyalty, Laughter...and Magic, they were all there. “...They’re a thing of beauty, aren’t they?”

“Yep...though, boss? I don’t think we shouldn’t get caught up in it,” The diamond dog responded, turning around only to see the angry lavender alicorn finally catching up to them.

"How dare you!” Twilight shouted, stumbling through another small pile of coin. Her mane was messy, her face showing only fury. “You won’t be able to get away with this!”

The griffon could only chuckle, a claw putting one of his brown feathers back into place as each element of harmony lifted one by one around him, spinning slightly. He turned to face her, locking eyes with the alicorn with smug plastered all over his face.

"Very sorry yer Majesty, but I have to use these for the moment, I promise to bring them back when I'm done with them,” he replied, the large diamond dog jumping back to Franz’s side to protect his friend.

As Twilight seemed to get angrier by the second, her horn glowing brighter as she prepared a spell, the sound of Celestia’s stern, emotionless voice caused her to stop. Franz and Gnash snapped their heads towards the sun goddess, the diamond dog looking at eye level with the larger alicorn while Franz had to look up, a smug smirk still on his beak.

"No Le Mann...you won’t,” Celestia challenged, locking gazes with the griffon as she stepped forward, her eyes just as golden and bright as her glowing horn. “Even if you do escape this room, unlikely as that may be, you shall find that the only ones able to use the Elements are those who match it’s title...as I’ve already told you once before.” She then flared her wings, her voice rising in volume until it dwarfed that of Luna’s royal Canterlot voice.

“YOU SHALL UNCLAW THE ELEMENTS, CALL OFF THE ATTACK ON PONYVILLE AND FACE LESSER PUNISHMENT!” She shouted, her voice cracking somewhat due to the volume of her speech. Twilight had covered her ears when Celestia shouted, as did the guard who had finally arrived. However, neither Franz nor Gnash showed any signs of pain or even acknowledgement that Celestia had even raised her voice.

Franz chuckled before taking a defensive stance, the diamond dog taking one as well, his being more of a boxing stance. “I be incredibly sorry, your highness...but We don’t plan to be giving up our chance of freedom after so many years of pain…”

Franz then turned to Gnash, who stood closer to his smaller friend. “But, now we must be off, for ye have made me plan a bit more difficult…Ta ta, your majesty.” His amulet began to glow brighter, both the bodies of the griffon and diamond dog being covered in the red aura, as well as the Elements.

But before anyone could react, both Celestia and Twilight fired their magic towards the two pirates, the two magical beams spiraled around each other before they struck the amulet, causing both Franz and Gnash to be thrown against the case from before, crushing it. The combined magic forces combining caused a massive wave of magical discharge to spread throughout the room.

Celestia gasped in horror when the wave washed over the black, barnacle ridden flag, ripped slightly more than usual as it appeared to be moving in an non existing wind. What terrified her, though, was the small amounts of water that dripped from the old, equine skull and crossbones in the middle.

Franz seemed to get up straight away after he was hit, not even being winded. Gnash on the other hand, was still on the ground. “Ye bleeding tarts!” he shouted, his amulet powering up again as he gazed daggers at them...But, neither of the two alicorn were looking at the griffon, they were too busy looking at the flag.

But, before anyone could do anything, the small droplets of water seemed to meld, twisting and turning as the made their way down the walls and onto the floor, meeting in between the two parties. The sound of raspy laughter could be heard as the water began to enlarge, contracting until it began to take a solid form.

Franz looked confused at the sight before looking over and seeing that the princesses were too busy staring at the...monster, Twilight looked on with awe and fright while Celestia looked horrified, shaking a little. Franz then looked out the window, in the direction of the town. His angered frown slowly turned into a smirk when he saw the sight of a flare go into the air, looking down to see that the maremaid was making it’s way out to sea already. “Good timing as always, lads,” he whispered to himself before he took both Gnash and the elements in his magic before disappearing.

Ponyville was in a massive panic, the sounds of screams and fighting could be heard all around as multiple ponies had tried to put up a fight against the attacking pirates. But, even though they put up some fight, they were like kittens going to fight against gorillas. Most of the civilians had been tied up, rounded up just outside of the town hall.

Two pirates were walking past some of the captives, one of the captives looking upon the two with hatred and fury. “This the guy?” the small, almost feminine stallion asked the other.

“Yeah, Blake.” the other pirate sighed. “This be the noodle shop owner who beat the living shit outta me.”

"I would have done even worse if you actually hurt her!" the tan earth pony shouted back, the mare beside him looking at him with concern.

"Please Chopstick, please calm down,” she asked her sibling, who turned his head towards her with tears in his eyes.

"No! he punched you in the face, he nearly broke your nose!” Chopstick argued back, looking back and forth between his sister and the pirates before he was suddenly smacked hard by the mare-like stallion, grabbed by the neck so they could look eye to eye.

"You're lucky we didn't cut your throat in front of her for that,” Blake warned, the stallion shutting his mouth but continuing his hateful gaze. He was thrown to the ground, his sister rushing to check on him as the pirates started to laugh, walking away.

The two pirates walked down the road, trotting towards the stern looking form of Black Spot. As they approached the striped stallion they gave a salute, the zebra returning the gesture before speaking.

"So, I take it that most of the townsfolk are tied up?" he asked, the two straightening themselves before answering.

"Yes, Black Spot, though we are not sure where the rest are...” Blake said with a frown, the other remaining silent. “My guess would be the farm we passed making our way here.”

"Well you would be correct in that assumption,” Black Spot noted, looking to the captives. “Make sure that the captives don’t try anything...rough ‘em up a bit but no killing, understood?” Both pirates nodded as they returned to their posts.

Applejack stared down at the group of pirates that had just been defeated, some normal ponies or Zebra, even the few changelings were some tough varmints for her. Her bones and muscles ached as she scanned for any more opponents. It was then that she heard the sound of a metal object hitting something hard, then the large thud of something heavy hitting the ground. After she made the connection, her eyes widened.

She rushed around the corner only to see the sight of two pirates, Big mac on the ground, out cold. She looked furious as she raced towards them, only to be stopped in her tracks, feeling the tingling sensation of being locked in a magical grip. As she was forced to slightly calm down, she could see that the smaller one of the two, the one she knew as Flintlock, had trapped her in his magic.

The other one, standing over the unconscious body of her brother, stood just as big as Big Mac himself, his dark red coat almost mixing in with the barn doors just behind him. His bald head, showing a scab or two, and slightly ripped left ear showed his damaged form. His beard and tail were a chestnut brown, the beard being a large lumberjack in style, combed and maintained as it extended past his neck. The curled, barbershop styled mustache on his upper lip showed some sort of care done to himself, but Applejack didn’t care for his face that much, all she could see was the metal cannon that had replaced the large stallion’s left forehoof, the small amount of blood on it suggesting that it had just been used.

"Now ms,” Flintlock started, panting softly. “I do have to give you credit, you and your kin are good fighters with taking out most of our guys. But please, just give up...its obvious from your friend over there and your brother here that, you aren’t winning.”

“I’m not giving up till you all leave, partner!” Applejack shouted, looking over to where the unicorn had mentioned only to see the knocked out form of Rainbow Dash. This seemed to only anger Applejack more, so much so that her struggling against the magic hold.

The unicorn sighed, he didn't know why he always tried the diplomatic route against those they attacked. He turned to his massive friend. ”Blunderbuss, could you please use the new ammo type I gave you?" he asked, the larger stallion nodding in response.

Blunderbuss then proceeded to lift the only organic part left in his arm as he aimed for the trapped mare and fired, a goofy smile never leaving his lips.

Before Applejack could react, the cannonball-shaped projectile that flew towards her split into four quarters, freeing the clustered net that was crammed inside an hour ago. The net flew onto her. The four parts of the ammo's shell combined together, trapping the earth pony.

"Wha-what the hay!?" Applejack shouted with confusion in her voice as the two pirates stepped forward, the unicorn having a satisfied look on his face.

"Well, that worked better than I thought it would,” he said with genuine surprise in his tone at the sight.

The red giant turned to his smaller friend with confusion and annoyance on his face."You didn't test this out? what if it exploded my cannon like last time!?” he roared, his stalliongrad accent being quite thick, the unicorn chuckling as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, it’s still a prototype Blunderbuss, and besides...it worked, didn't it? come one and help me get these guys back to Black Spot,” he retorted, grabbing a part of the net with his teeth, Blunderbuss doing the same as they pulled the captured trio back to town.

As the three last ponies were put into the center of town, tied up with the rest of the captives, Black Spot stepped forward calmly, a rather smug look on his face. By the time everyone was captured, Rainbow Dash woke up slowly, looking around until her gaze went to Black.

"Now...Mares and Gentlecolts, I must thank each and every one of you for remaining as calm as you could during this whole thing and I-” he started before Rainbow Dash rushed towards him, the other pirates not noticing until a second later before they began to creep forward.

"YOU CREEP! YOU'RE GONNA WISH YOU'D NEVER STEPPED HOOF HERE WHEN I'M DONE WITH YOU!" she threatened, the zebra sighed as she was grabbed by the pirates, dragging her back to her spot.

"Well, you certainly are a fighter...I like that, But you won’t be able to do much…”” he admired as one of the other captives began to speak.

"But what have you done with our things you roughian?!" she asked, gritting her teeth at the memory of her jewels being taken by the seafaring drunks, how much they had scared her when they attacked.

Blunderbuss quickly poked his head to the white unicorn with the purple stylish mane, his smile confusing her. ”Little baby mare need not worry. We take good care of belongings,” he mockingly reassured as his accent swept into her ears.

Black spot looked at the gigantic stallion and smiled. "Now that you mention it Blunder, could you please fire the signal? I think it's time to leave,” he gestured with a wave of his hoof.

Blunderbuss nodded as he raised his cannon into the air once more, the sound was deafening to those around as the flare flew into the air. It burst into much smaller pieces of fire and disappeared into the dreary sky.As the sound of the royal guard's hooves could be heard and the sight of their almost holy shining armor bringing hope into the eyes of the captive townsfolk another bright shine of light blinded everypony in the area. When the crowd opened their eyes, the pirates that had attacked their town were gone.

Author's Note

Just to let you know, Twilight is an Alicorn but this takes place before the tree of harmony arc
so the Elements of Harmony are still there.

Again please give me constructive criticism to make my stories better.

Chapter Two: So...We're Off!

The halls of the royal treasury shook with a mighty roar from Celestia, her horn glowing in a fast, desperate motion as the being of water continued to grow from its previous state. She fired shot after shot of scorching hot magic at the puddle, only for the water to twist and contort at impossible angles in order to evade the attacks.

“No...no, come on!” She shouted, continuing to fire until her horn fizzled out, small sparks flying in all directions when she tried to charge up another shot. As the horror on her face continued, a small amount of dark, sadistic laughter could be heard from the growing form of water.

“I see your distaste for your failures staring ye in the face is still as strong as ever...Your majesty,” The being spat, his slightly raspy but deep cockneigh accent ringing in the air in a small echo.

“...The only thing I see is a heartless, traitorous monster…” Celestia responded coldly, staring the form of water down with hatred building up in her eyes.

The form began to enlarge again, this time taking on a more equine shape. The water twisted away as if it were molding something out of itself, leaving behind the skeleton of a stallion. As the being grew to nearly the height of Luna herself, the water continued onward, forming the dark brown fabric that made up the skeleton’s jacket, which hung to his slender form.

“I may be a monster to ye, but I have a heart...even if it feels like it be black as soot ...” He stated, standing proud as his mane grew from his head, a mane of colour and texture to that of seaweed, perhaps that was it just was. “But, I know I’d be back, I told ye I’d come back for my vengeance ye damn sea witch!”

As the two ponies stared each other down, pure disdain for the other, Twilight looked on with confusion and fear. She couldn’t think of a single rational way to explain what she was witnessing before her. She could hear the sound of multiple guards rushing towards the room they were in, causing the skeleton to smirk. “Well...looks like the cavalry is arriving. Shame, though...I should be going…” he said, still staring into Celestia’s eyes.

As the guards began to march through the door, their eyes locked on the skeleton pirate, their horns glowing with violent intent, his did too. Before the guards could fire but a single shot of magic, a massive, scalding geyser erupted out of the stallion’s hoof...if he could be called a stallion at all. All the while, Celestia’s horned sparked back to life with anger, Twilight shaking her head as she fired a shot of magic alongside her former mentor.

But before the magic blasts could hit the undead pirate, his form changed to that of the same water from before, quickly rushing towards the window and shattering it with ease, falling down the side of the castle, the side of the mountain as he made his way to the river.

“No!” Celestia shouted, rushing to the broken window, crushing any broken shards in her way with ease before looking down towards the mad pirate.

“Just be sure to ready your sister for when I be getting back, Celly! I’ll be getting the Trident this time!” The falling blob of water shouted upwards, cackling madly at the enraged expression on Celestia’s face.

“You’ll never get close enough to try Jolly, do you hear me!? Never!” Celestia shouted, so much anger coming out of her that spit dribbled out of her teeth baring jaws like a wild animal. She continued to stare down as the small mass of water fell towards the river below, her breathing becoming harder, longer as tears began to slowly descend down her face. “...Never…”

“Um...Celestia?” Twilight asked, regretting it much sooner than later once Celestia snapped her head towards Twilight, grabbing the smaller alicorn in a panic.

“Twilight! I know this may be of inconvenience to you and your friends...but, you must go after him,” she ordered, sounding desperate. Twilight looked at her with concern but also with a stern, curious look.

“Celestia, I will go after that...thing, but I must know what I’m up against.”

“There isn’t time, this is of great importance, if not for the fate of Equestria itself...then for the fate of my sister. Twilight, I know you are told of who you are up against normally, but I can’t bring myself to do it.”

Twilight looked at her friend for a small moment before she nuzzled her gently, after another moment, Celestia nuzzled back, holding back more tears. “I understand, Celestia. If I should be a princess then I don’t need you to things for me.”

“Thank you, Twilight Sparkle...Please, return in a few days with your friends. Use that time to gather whatever belongings you can get, you’ll be gone for a long time.”

“The only thing I ask is the name of this...pony, and also the griffon.”

Celestia looked almost torn up at the request, swallowing a lump in her throat. “...The name of the dead stallion is Jolly Roger, find out as much as you can about him...you will need the knowledge.”

“And the Griffon?”

“That pitiful excuse of a creature is Franz Le Mann...a face I hope to never meet again…” Celestia responded. “You will be going after Le Mann with the help of one of the best Privateers in the business to get the Elements back...good luck, Twilight. Now, go!”

After hearing that, Twilight rushed out of the treasury, a mental checklist forming in her mind.

~A few days later~

Down in Fishnett, a large gallion slowly sailed into the port and dropped its anchor. It’s singular occupant slid out the gang plank and slowly trotted down it. The light purple mare lifted her head and looked out at the town from under her black tri-corner hat and let a smug grin come across her features.

“I’m home if only for a little while.” she stated as an orange unicorn with a tri-colored mane and a cutie mark of an open book in a ring of fire approached her. Her smile grew and she spoke up. “Do it be that mine eyes deceive me or doth the Librarian approach?”

“You could really do with some form of discreteness Miss Sellick” The unicorn said in response as a smile formed on his face.

“That’s Captain Moll “Tall Story” Sellick to you my dear Booksy,” Sellick retorted before throwing a hoof around the stallions shoulders “It’s been so long and you’ve gotten so old my friend.”

“It’s been longer than you think Moll, but that happens when you work for the ponies we work for.”

“I, for one, am glad that we are able to work together once more just like when we were little, right Booksalot? Going off to the ends of the world to look for ancient artifacts and villains of the worst kind?”

Booksalot nodded and opened his mouth to respond when a pegasus in royal guard armor cleared his throat, Too long had he waited for the two to be finished.

“Escuse me, miss, but I must ask you some questions about the ship and you’re the only one I’ve seen come off of it.”

Moll let out a sigh. “Alas I must be off to yond paperwork. We shall talk more upon the Bronze Millennium.” She finished. She turned and left with the guard to fill out the paperwork for pulling her ship into the dock.

Booksalot watched her leave before turning to face the grand ship that sat upon the water. Its three masts went up into the sky seemingly impossibly high while it’s deep purple sails laid curled upon the cross beams. The flag of Equestria flew near the top of the main mast right underneath a purple jolly roger with a small logo in the corner that was hard to see from the shore.

The small port town was bustling with hardy sailors and guards, the small of the sea was in the air as boats, gallions and other sea worthy vessels were being tended to by experienced craftsponies. Small foals of both Pony and Zebra descent played among the small griffon cubs, racing through the streets while singing songs of the future, songs of romanticized adventure. Not knowing the harsh reality of those grand escapades. The large town gates opened slowly, revealing a group of six ponies and a small dragon, a few bags of luggage behind them as they began to make their way to the pier on the other side of town.

“OH! Thisisgonnabesosuperdupermegaexciting! Right Rarity?” the pink, overactive pony asked the white coated fashionista to the left of her, who scoffed at the suggestion.

“Oh, Darling, don’t you think that maybe we could of been in Prance and not on some salty, disgusting harbour with some catcalling roughens?” she moaned in despair, remembering how some of the sailors had whistled at her and “promised her a good time”, the thought made her shudder.

“B-but, Rarity...” questioned the normally silent yellow pegasus with the long pink mane who walked a bit in front of them, turning her head back to face the unicorn. “I t-thought you said you liked it ‘rough’?” she asked, not knowing what she said before she had completed the jest.

Three out of the seven giggled from the newly found information, the white unicorn’s face turning redder than a tomato as the yellow pegasus hid her face behind her mane.” Oh...my”.

“Um...what’s Fluttershy mean by ‘rough’?” the asked, being the last one that wasn’t laughing. The others fell into awkward silence, no one wanting to explain the joke to the young drake.

“We’ll...ah, tell yuh when your older, Spike,” reassured Applejack, the rest of the girls sighing in relief that the awkwardness subsided, Spike, however just huffed and crossed his arms, the mares giggling again.

As the group arrived to the entrance of the port, a single guard marched towards them. His dull gray coat and spiked up blue mane made him stand out from the common guards in the area.

“Good evening your Majesty, fellow Element bearers,” he greeted, his stalliongrad accent softly daincing in the air. Rarity’s eyes widened as the image of the hulking mass of a pirate came back to her, causing her to become silent.

Twilight had been deep in thought as they came to Fishnett, not noticing much as she walked. Once she saw the helmetless guard, she shook her head. “Hello there, sir...I presume that you must be the Akula that Celestia told me about?”

“You would be correct, your highness, I was instructed in helping you take back the Elements of Harmony,” he said before turning to the docks. “I was informed that our ship had arrived in the morning, come, we shall see it,” he added before he began to trot in the direction of the vessel.

As the group began to follow the armored guard to the docks, the many eyes that watched them turning away as they headed towards the large gallion that sat at the end of the dock. The orange unicorn ready to greet them as the guard looked him in the eyes.

“Hello there, are you the captain we are to meet?” Akula asked with a tilted head, trotting up to the older stallion.

The unicorn looked right back at Akula with a raised eyebrow before asking “Do you really think a fifty something year old unicorn that smells of musty books is the captain of a seafaring vessel?”

“Trust me, I have met a few strange fellows at the helm of a ship,” Akula retorted. He looked around the area before meeting the unicorn’s gaze once more, an almost bored look on his face. ”Is the Captain around?”

The unicorn let out a sigh before replying. ”No, she will be back shortly so I recommend that you get yourself aboard before she get’s back,” he finished before trotting up the gangplank.

Akula turned to Twilight and the other Element bearers with a small smile. “You all better get aboard, I’ll wait for the Captain to return and then we can depart,” he instructed, Twilight and her friends nodding in response before, heading up the gangplank, the guard trotting beside the gangplank to wait.

Moll came out of the registration office grumbling to herself as she trotted over to the Bronze Millennium. She noticed the stallion in armor standing outside of her ship and Booksalot on board with presumably the ponies she had been told to pick up. “You can be leaving anytime now.” she dismissed the guard as she headed up the gangplank, changing her frown into a smile because she knew she would be leaving for the sea once more soon enough.

“Actually Miss, I am to be heading with them,” he blurted as he stepped aboard the ship, a stern look on his face. ”Now, apologies for not knowing but would you care to release your name to be heard? I was not informed.” he asked in a joking but still serious manner.

Moll turned on him and glared at him from under her hat before saying “Booksy be a dear and get the ship ready to leave, it shouldn’t be that hard”. She then turned and leapt up next to the wheel. “And all you lovely lasses have found yourselves aboard the Bronze Millennium. Her captain is me, Captain Moll “Tall Story” Sellick, and her crew is you lot of yella-bellied landlubbers,” Moll boasted as the grin grew upon her purple mussel.

Rainbow hovered in the air, her face almost oozing the excitement that was held in her soul. ”This is gonna be so awesome! It’s time to kick some Pirate butt!” she shouted with joy, grinning madly.

Twilight simply sighed at her friend’s Pirate butt kicking fantasy as she quickly flew over to Moll, a confused look on her face. “Miss. Sellick, if you don’t mind answering my question, do you know anything about Franz Le Mann?” she asked, sighing a bit at the limited knowledge she had obtained.

“One, that’s Captain Moll “Tall Story” Sellick, to you Lass. Two, Franz Le Mann is a Griffon that has one to many hideouts that he believes are all secret.” Moll almost growled in response to Twilight’s question, causing the young alicorn to frown and grumble softly to herself with the answer she was given.

Booksalot finally pulled the last rope and the ship started to slowly drift away from the dock, “I would get used to doing what she asks if I was you. Her word is law out on the sea upon this ship and if she wishes to throw you off, she can.” Booksalot warned the group of mares and young drake as he heads down below deck to set up his quarters.

The group nodded in return waiting to hear any instruction that the captain may have. The stallion that had boarded with them also waiting to take any orders from the mare.

“If you waiting for me to tell you to do something get your bunks ready and then be in the galley later tonight for dinner.” Moll shouted to them with a small sigh as she slowly followed them.

As the group of mares and the one stallion began their descent to the numerous bunks down the flight of stairs, the luggage that was being dragged along behind them by Spike hit a small bump. Soft voices could be heard within.

“Is it safe yet?” one voice asked, the other little stowaways quickly turning to shut her up.

“Nah, we’re still moving,” one responded as they checked outside the bag.

“Shut up! They’re gonna hear us!” the last one silently screamed at them, the others silencing themselves as they hid once more. Not knowing that they has been heard.

But, before they could realize it, Moll came over to the bag and gently picked it up in her hooves. She removed it from the stack without Spike realizing, setting it upon the ground before opening it quickly and grinning wildly upon its occupants “Hey there kiddies! Wanna see a dead body!?” she cackled.

The fillies screamed out in surprise as they jumped away from the sudden loud voice of the mare, two of them instinctively running towards their siblings with the last one running to Rainbow Dash as the laughter of Moll Sellick followed them. Shocked faces filled the group with angry ones being seen on Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow.

“Wha- What in tarnation!” Applejack shouted in surprise at the sudden and unexpected pressure of her sister hugging her leg. ”A-APPLE BLOOM!” she shouted, anger rising in her eyes as she looked down at her sister.

“I’m sorry Applejack, we really wanted to help you out this time! Honest!” The young, yellow earth pony apologised with small streams of salty tears running down her face.

“Yeah! We just wanted to help you guys out instead of being stuck in ponyville,” Scootaloo continued as she looked into Rainbow’s eyes, also having tiny rivers in her eyes.

“Please don’t be mad!” Sweetie Belle pleaded as tears began to well up in her eyes.”Please!”.

Rarity sighed as she rubbed her little sister’s head softly, her annoyance subsiding as she spoke. ”We’ll handle you three when we have time but for now, you just don’t get into trouble. Alright?” she asked in an assertive “older sister” tone.

“Oh, Don’t worry about them, I’ll keep them plenty busy as Deck hooves.” Moll hollered as she stopped laughing, walking over, still smiling wickedly.

“That’s fine”, Applejack answered as she turned towards her still cowering sister. ”That’ll be your punishment”, she said with a smug voice.

Twilight then turned to Moll, another question on her lips. “Moll, another question of you don’t mind. Do you know anything about “Jolly Roger?” she asked, hoping that her questions hadn’t annoyed the mare. The name triggered something in the Captain’s mind as the name reached her ears causing her to freeze in place.

“I’m sure that if you know that name then you must know at least the most basic of stories related to it.” Moll Stellick asked slowly as she turned toward Twilight, a slight hint of fear within her eyes.

“The only thing I found out was the fact that he was born on the same day that Nightmare Moon was banished,” she replied with the confusion still on her mind.

“Jolly was the first Pirate King in history. Honestly he was the best, that’s why he got the title.” Moll started before heading toward her quarters closer to the stern of the ship “He is also the reason Piracy has such a bad name.” Moll finished as she then entered her cabin and slammed the door shut behind her.

Chapter Three: A Sparring Match

The water flew underneath the Bronze Millennium softly as the crew went about their duties. It had been a week since Twilight and her friends had even seen, felt, or had breathed in anything other than salty sea air.

It hadn’t been all bad though, during that week they had been trained how to properly handle and maintain the ship thanks to Moll and Booksalot. Luna’s night was young and calm, the lamp lights still needing to be lit. As Twilight was trotting past one of the many freshly lit lamps she took a moment to look up into the night sky and admire the work of the Princess.

Though, as she looked upon the stars in the sky, the look in her eyes seemed to show that she was troubled with something. She didn’t know why but she was nervous about this trip, something just tugging at the back of her mind about the danger of the journey, especially since she had little to no knowledge on who they were facing.

She knew about Nightmare Moon, she knew her story and past and had an explanation for her. She knew about the legends and facts of the Discordian Era of rule, she could call off the exact number of years that it had been when Discord was in charge. She had studied changeling biology in school, hell, one of her teachers was a changeling, so she understood why Chrysalis would be inclined to attack and attempt a military takeover.

The only ones that had put her in a position like she was now were Sombra and Tirek. She hadn’t known of the Crystal Empire or it’s dark history with the umbrum unicorn. She didn’t know of the magic stealing centaur, nor of his desire to take over the land. But, the differnce was that she was given information before she went on those missions.

This one, however, was different. She barely had a clue on who these two pirates were. The only thing about Jolly Roger that she could find was the old urban legend about how if a young foal goes to deeper waters alone, the skeleton would drag them to tartarus. But, other than that, nothing of importance came to her.

Franz was a little bit easier to get information on, or, at least information that she wasn’t entirely sure the accuracy of. She looked down towards the shifting tides of the sea for a few minutes before sitting down, returning her gaze to the sky above.

“Bit for your thoughts?” Booksalot asked calmly, walking up towards her before he sat down on the deck next to her and joined her, joining in watching the night sky.

She looked beside her, raising an eyebrow in confusion. “What do you mean Booksalot?” she asked, tilting her head.

“I can tell that you have something on your mind.” Booksalot replied kindly as a smile came to his face, “It has something to do with not knowing much about Jolly Roger, isn’t it?”

Twilight stared back in surprise by the correct answer that Booksalot gave her.” How did you know?”.

The older stallion gave a shrug and says “I know more than that. For example I know you grew up in Canterlot within the Sparkle household. You had a doll named Smartie Pants, that has recently gone missing to you but I’ll tell you right now the farmer’s brother still has him. You had a magical surge at a young age giving you a cutie mark and hatching the young drake aboard the ship. And you broke three ribs and your snout during your fight with Tirek a year ago yet never realized it until after you returned the excess Alicorn magic within your system.” Booksalot stated without skipping a beat, “I can tell most of that from just various scars that only the trained eye would notice as well as the fact that I’ve worn the face you are wearing right now and just moments before I sat down many times myself.”

Twilight’s surprised face became that of confusion at the stallion who had just summed up her life in a few quick sentences.

Booksalot looked over at Twilight smiling with amusement at her confusion before asking “So where would you like me to start? I may not be as old as Granny Smith but I do know a thing or three.”

Twilight thought long and hard about what he meant by that before finally coming up with an answer. ”Who was Jolly Roger?” she asked as the stallion turned his gaze back to the starry canvas in the sky.

“Jolly Roger was in simple terms a stallion with a heart of black.” Booksalot began, “Jolly was a Pirate, Murderer, Betrayer, Father, and Husband. His life started out simply as most ponies lives do. He was born the day after Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon and was banished to the moon.” Booksalot then looked over and focused his gaze upon the moon.

“Because Celestia originally didn’t know how to have the moon listen to her as Luna did it was sent slightly off course. This forced the oceans to rise and flood the land. Using the Elements Celestia was able to keep her little ponies safe during this time of turmoil. At the age of twenty Jolly became a Captain within the Royal Navy for Equestria. He also had recently married and she gave birth to a wonderful daughter. “The most beautiful mare I have ever known has given me something for us to cherish with our lives and that nothing could ever replace.” I believe were the exact words of Jolly’s about that time of his life.” Booksat added with a chuckle near the end.

“I am of course translating that into modern Equish for you to understand dear Twilight.” Booksalot then looked out toward the horizon, “Now where was I… Ah that’s right, Jolly’s daughter had just been born and was nearing a year old when she fell fatally ill, Being desperate for money, Jolly soon performed the very first act of piracy in order to get the money for his daughter. But, like most things, he became addicted to it. He was only supposed to only take one ship and go straight back, but he continued on into the night. This greed took the life of his daughter, who died in her sleep.”

“That’s awful…” Twilight noted, looking down to the ground as she attempted to imagine what pain both Jolly and the wife would have had to feel.

“Jolly, having fallen too far into his greed, was dishonorably discharged by Celestia herself for his actions, causing him to perform his acts of piracy more openly. This resulted in his wife leaving him, driving him deeper into insanity. But, his growing popularity gained way to him being crowned King among his ever growing fleets of down on the luck sailors due to his powerful Aquamancy and also for him inventing the act.”

Twilight stared at the stallion with a bit more understanding in her eyes. But there was still something that confused her. ”How do you know that much about him if most of the copies were destroyed?” she asked with the stallion chuckling again being part of her answer.

“Old journals of not only his and Celestia, but also the one of his wife, ” Booksalot said with a shrug. “My Library has old enchantments upon it to have at least one copy of every book ever written. Anyways, Jolly soon found a way to become immortal and was going to share it with his crew. An artifact called the Trident, said to be created by the Spirit of the sea, Davy Jones...I am rambling again, aren’t I? When he first got his hooves on it, the Equestrian Navy had followed him with his wife, who had since married the captain of the vessel. But, she was killed in the ensuing fight. Jolly took the Trident and lead a direct assault upon Canterlot which ended at the end of a long combat with Celestia locking him within his flag using the Elements.”

As this new information reached Twilight’s ears and embedded itself deep into her brain, the sudden voice of Rainbow Dash dragged the two ponies’ attention towards the crowsnest. Rainbow had been sitting there for at least five hours, being ordered to command that section of the ship and to keep an eye for the little scalawag they were hunting.

“Ship! There’s another ship to the west!” she screamed from her position on the tall main mast. Her Pirate lingo not being that great as she signaled for the rest of the crew to meet on the deck.

As the rest of the crew made it to the deck, Moll stepped forward and took out a telescope, putting it gently near her left eye to see what Rainbow shouted for.

Floating in the salty waters of the sea just 500 metres away, sat the silhouette of a large ship. Four masts could be seen on the ship and by the looks of it, the ship appeared to be a heavily modified slave vessel. Moll gave out a smug grin as she put her telescope away as she turned to the rest of crew. She knew exactly whose ship it was, she knew exactly who captained that particular vessel and she also remembered exactly why her distaste for the Captain had arisen before Pinkie Pie spoke up.

“Who is it?” She asked with her normal cheerful tone of voice, bouncing up and down in place as Moll put the brass telescope into a pocket.

“That my friend, be the ship captained by the very griffon we are looking for,” she answered, silence falling upon the group before Sellick gave out a hearty laugh.

“Well, what are we waiting for!” Rainbow shouted as she descended from the crowsnest. ”Let’s kick their butts and get the Elements back!”

“Do you really think that it is wise to charge directly at a ship of professional Pirates when you all haven’t even finished learning the basics?” Booksalot asks Rainbow Dash sternly

“Booksy is right Lasses, for now we shall sail onward toward Clustered Isle so that ye lot pox mussled, grog snarfing, mild maids.” Moll says as she continues to laugh, “And please don’t take any of my insults toward you lot seriously I just need to practice.”

“Why?” Rarity asked with a smirk raising on Moll’s lips being part of her answer.

“That’s a part of fighting as a Pirate. You have to be able to throw around as many pirate curses as you can.” Moll Stellick says as she heads to the helm and starts to steer the ship away from the Maremaid.

Booksalot then let out a chuckle as he watched Moll before saying “I know you’re actually turning us away because you don’t want me to get hurt protecting all of you.”

“Oh har har, like some old guy like you could even hurt a feeble stallion!” Akula commented with a cheeky smile. Before he could continue the joke, his mouth was closed by Moll’s hoof, a stern look on her face.

“Shush boyo, we gotta be quiet or else they’ll hear us and believe me that some of them have good hearing,” she warned, getting shocked faces from the others as she quietly steered the Millennium to the right, away from the silhouette of the Maremaid.

As the Bronze Millennium drifted through the waves, Akula training Twilight and the rest almost brutally on how to fight with a sword. The way he had before been jokingly insulting the unicorn yesterday to becoming the most strict of training officers they had ever seen.

Fluttershy seemed to be having difficulty with the sword that she was given, almost as if she weren’t even trying to strike at Akula, who had assigned himself to be her sparring partner.

“Are you having difficulties, Miss?” he asked with a concerned tone of voice as he lowered his cutlass. “Would you prefer a lighter sword?”

The shy pegasus simply stared towards the battle hardened soldier that stood before her with worried eyes. ”I would prefer if I didn’t have a weapon, Mr. Akula,” she calmly stated, the stallion’s eyes widening a bit before his expression became detached, his voice almost emotionless.

“And, why would that be Miss Fluttershy?” he questioned, sheathing his cutlass in his scabbard as he stepped to her, his build dwarfing her and slightly intimidating her as she opened her mouth to respond.

“Because she’s the Element of Kindness. Fluttershy has always helped other no matter what and hates bringing them harm.” Booksalot started, speaking up from near the bow. As he slowly turned around “Your teaching methods are best suited for some but definitely not Miss Fluttershy.” Booksalot then trotted over to Akula and poked him in the chest with a hoof. “If I remember correctly you asked me last night how I could protect you all. How about I give you a demonstration of how, personally.”

Moll looked on from near the helm slightly interested in the outcome of the argument. She noticed how Akula almost looked insulted, his eyes becoming narrow and cold, nodding as he chewed on nothing from her position at the helm of her vessel.

“If you wish Mr Booksalot, it might do these mares some good,” he agreed, holding his cutlass and releasing it from the confines of his scabbard. ”If you will sir, please stand at least five feet away. That should be enough space for a fair match of sparring.”

Booksalot stood where Akula requested and nodded simply to himself, “I’m assuming that the rules will be of the classic Naval Dueling System?” he asked as his horn lit ruby red and a flaming cutlass appearing next to him. “Light touches and winner is declared when the other yields or is dead?”

The gray stallion simply nodded again in response, admiring the sword that was in the unicorn’s magical grasp. ”Of course Mr. Booksalot, we are at sea aren’t we?” he joked, trying to think of a way to get past the older stallion’s advantage of his magic. “Are you ready, sir?”

“No better time like the present.” Booksalot called, giving a wide swing of his cutlass toward Akula to test his defences. Moll then came down from the helm and said “You Lasses will want to be with me back at the helm. And then my Bits are on Booksalot mopping the deck with Akula.”

No sooner had the flaming sword been caught in Akula’s vision he had swiftly blocked the swipe with his own weapon, his brutal red army training coming back to him as he smiled. “I was going to suggest playing rock, paper, scissors to get the first blow but if you insist,” he hollered as he thrusted his sword towards the unicorn’s left shoulder.

Booksalot easily parried the blow twisting both of their blades in a full circle before his forced Akula’s to the side his went toward Akula’s right hoof. “That game is for the newer rulings in competitive settings. I meant the original rules from when Jolly Rodger was originally alive.”

Akula jumped back a bit to avoid having his hoof struck, still smiling at the thought of this unicorn being a challenge. “My apologies, but if you will. I doubt that our captain would enjoy us talking each other to death,” he stated before trying his hoof at a combo of swings and strikes, the motion catching the audience off guard.

Booksalot was able to quickly and delicately parry or block every bit of it as a smile grew upon his mussel. “So you’re using the Swashbuckler style, originally founded approximately one thousand nine-hundred fifty-seven years ago by a Naval Commander named Swash Le Mann.” Booksalot then sent a flurry of blows toward Akula, the flame from his blade adding an extra sense of elegance to the swings and the movements of the attack. “But, I know something you don’t know.”

Akula barely managed to dodge or block the strikes, being extra careful to avoid the possible burn the sword would leave. “And what might that be?” he asked, the two circling each other as the rest looked on with shocked expressions, Moll smiling at the spectacle and saying “Once again anypony wanna place bets?”

“Eh, buck it, I’ll put one on Akula,” Rainbow shrugged, causing Moll to smile.

“Just know that I’m throwing two-hundred bits on Booksalot winning,” Moll reminded.

Booksalot’s cutlass then changes into a scimitar as he speaks, “I know the Saddle Arabian Buckler Breaker style which was founded a year after the Swashbuckler by Swash Le Mann’s mortal nemesis Teiner the Wise,” he stated before ducking quickly and swiping at the gray stallion’s hooves. As Akula tried to gain his footing, his armor was grabbed by the magic of the unicorn and with a great thud, the stallion was on his hindquarters, his cutlass too far away to reach for and with the flaming scimitar pointed at the guard’s neck. “Do you yield?”

Akula stared up into the older stallion’s eyes, seeing the lack of anger, hate and other emotions that he would use to be better in battle. With a sigh, he yielded. “You’re better than you look I’ll give you that,” he stated before turning towards Fluttershy, who had come back to the deck after the duel was over.

“But what I was going to say before Miss, you might be the Element of kindness and may not want to hurt these individuals. But they are bloodthirsty murderers and I don’t want to see any of us hurt. I hope you can understand this.”

“I do understand Mr Akula but if you wouldn’t mind, I think it might be better if I just learn some disarming techniques. If you don’t mind of course,” the shy little pegasus responded, the little repeat sounding quite cute to the others.

“Oh and you owe me two hundred bits.” Moll almost laughed, turning to Rainbow Dash with a smug grin at making money. “Booksy won, Akula lost.”

Booksalot then had his constructed blade disperse as he started to limp toward the door that lead below deck.

“So Moll,” Rainbow groaned as she handed over the two hundred bits. ”Are we stopping at someplace near here or what?”

“We be laying anchor in the Clustered Isles. It’s another few days trip and we will be stopping at some of the uninhabited parts first to gather some supplies for free.” Moll Stellick started as she took the bits, counting them as she put them in her hat. “Then we will get to Trotuga and rest in some proper beds before chasing after Franz Le Mann.”

The group went back to their stations as usual, no one noticing that Akula was grumbling to himself. The Bronze Millennium continued it’s way through the salty waters as it drifted into the direction of the Clustered Isles.

Chapter Four: A Maremaid's Song

Calm nights at sea allowed the sounds of merriment and fun carry far and wide from the confines of the Maremaid. It’s crew drinking, singing songs, and feasting for the successful raid on Ponyville, and the obtaining of the Elements of Harmony, the latter only being known to Captain Franz Le Mann and a few selected crewmates.

As most of the crew were too busy stuffing their muzzles full with delicious treats or drinking rum and grog while breaking the tables with their dancing, the first mate of the ship strolled his way down to the captain’s quarters. He quickly knocked on the oak door in the familiar shave and a haircut fashion.

“Franz...It’s me, Black Spot. Do you have a minute?” he asked, waiting patiently for the griffon’s response. As he waited, he began to reflect on the raid. Sure it was harder than he had expected, but ever since everyone got back to the ship he couldn't get his mind off that cyan pegasus. He had to admit she had guts to stand up for the town but something else about her that just enticed him and he didn't know why. Though, before he could continue his though, the sudden voice from behind the door caught him off guard.

“Of course I have time for ye, Spotty!” the griffon chuckled as he swung the door open, catching Black Spot off guard. “Come on in!”

As Black Spot was practically pulled by his captain, he noticed how strange Franz’s living quarters were, it wasn’t a pigsty or anything he would expect after being his friend for the last 10 years. It was as if you had combined a bedroom, study and a library into one room, and since the ship was pretty large to begin with, it was a massive, magnificent room.

He did notice however, that sitting in the six chairs in the middle of the room were the Master Gunner, Head Treasure Inspector, Head Demonologist, Lead Engineer and the Master Thief. They all turned to the zebra as he himself sat down in a chair, not knowing what was going on.

The Thief smiled, his beak turning upward in a seemingly caring way. “I’m glad that you could finally join us, Deary.”

“Yes, very good that you could join, little Spot,” Blunderbuss admitted, slapping Black Spot on the back lightly with his non-artificial arm.

“Alright, I guess that since the good doctor is busy, we should just get started,” Franz declared as he stood in front of the group, the others paying close attention to the griffon before them.

“Now I know what you may be thinking, what did I take when I went to Canterlot? It is very simple and I think that we will all enjoy it,” he began, his amulet glowing and a box floating quickly towards him. “As ye lads may or may not know, the Elements of Harmony are very powerful artifacts protected by Celestia, I’ll just cut to the chase and say that... I stole them.”

He then used his magic to open the case, the shine of the Elements almost blinding everyone else in the room. “Now, ye may be wondering, ‘Why?’, well, from my studies, I have discovered that these Elements are the key to artifacts of equal power, maybe even more powerful,” he started, putting the box inside a vault and shutting it.

“But Captain, why are we trying to find these artifacts? Aren't we big strong manly
Males?!” Blunderbuss boasted in confusion, looking over only to notice the young filly who sat two seats from him. “And strong female as well,” he corrected himself.

“If you were paying attention ye Blundering Buffoon. The Captain was more than likely about to tell us.” spoke the Master Thief, “Now how about ye shut your lips and listen for once.”

“Lads, if ye won’t shut yer cluckin mouths, I will hit ye with my ring claw,” Franz threatened, raising his right claw in a back handing motion as the two silenced themselves as he continued. “Now, while Shades is right, I do suppose that I should of told ye sooner.”

He quickly walked towards the only window in the room, opening the view of the night sky and sea for the rest to see.

“Mr. Rip, have you ever heard of an artifact called ‘The Trident’?” he asked, his back turned to the other griffon as he looked out towards the sky, thankfully the moon was hidden between some clouds.

“I would be lying if I said it hasn’t been a dream to obtain it.” Shades Rip replied with a childlike chuckle.

Franz smiled at his friend’s memory, turning around and letting out a loud laugh, the others feeling compelled to join in. “Good, good...then could you tell the others what it is please?” he asked with a wave of his claw.

“Well Dearies, The Trident is a mystical artifact that is said to belong to the Spirit of the sea, Davy Jones. It was used in a war a long time ago and was put away by the victorious alicorns,” Shades explained, gesturing with his talons in the air to emphasize his point.

Franz nodded, impressed at Shades’ bare bones knowledge of the artifact. With a smile on his beak he went over to the young filly, who had been sitting in silence with a blank, emotionless face while the others talked.

“And you Eclipse, since ye are our demonologist, then ye must know a bit about this Davy Jones don’t ye?” he asked, putting his talons on her shoulders before they were shoved off by the filly.

“Yes… But unfortunately we don’t know about where the alicorns hid the Trident, the only thing about Davy Jones is that it was imprisoned in a sword called Torn, ” she responded, her zero emotion not really helping matters as Franz gave a sly smirk.

“Well it’s good that I, with a little help from Shades, have been able to “acquire” the maps and clues to find the Island where the Trident is held,” he stated as he then put a claw on Shades’ shoulder. “Thank you for that by the way”.

“You’re welcome,” Shades said with a hint of pride, “What are we without a bit of honor amongst each other, but animals with no sense of how to appreciate a good heist.”

Franz nodded as he turned to the treasure inspector, the earth pony looking back with a calm smile. “Hermetic Lexicon! Do you know how much this artifact would be worth?” he asked with the biggest grin on his face, said earth pony thinking about it for a moment.

“Well, judging by the fact that it is said to be as old as the first alicorns. The only descriptions along with the only picture that exists show that it was made of solid gold that was encrusted with ancient solidified water spirits. I would have to estimate that it would be worth about…” he stopped as he scratched his chin in thought.”About, two hundred billion bits at the least,” he stated before his eyes widened in surprise. “...B-by the gods…”

“Two hundred billion ye say? Well that’s just a bonus,” Shades stated in mild shock.

The others stared at each other with wide eyes, how could they even manage to share all of that with the rest of the crew? All of them would be richer than rich!

“Yes...two hundred billion bits, with that kind of money we could all live in luxury! Now whe-,” Franz began before the sound of the door opening caused everyone to turn their heads.

Walking through the door, pulling a metal cart with delicious treats which made some of the mouths in the room water, was a red female unicorn. She calmly walked
to the middle of the room and let the cart go, fixing up her her two toned mane of yellow and blue and sitting down beside Shades.

“Sorry for being late everyone, I was busy treating Blaze, seems he and Stryker got into it again... I got us lunch!” she apologized while turning to Shades. “And how are you Shades?” she asked, a smile on her face.

“I’m doing wonderfully.” Shades responded smirking, “Thank ye for asking Madam Rose.”

Rose giggled in response to the way Shades spoke, still smiling as she turned to Franz. “Captain, have I missed anything?” she asked with a chuckle being Franz’s answer.

“My dear Rose, you haven’t missed a thing. Well, except most of it but that doesn’t matter. How is Gnash?” he asked, Rose frowning in response.

“He’s still bed ridden, Captain, poor thing keeps saying your name.”

Franz looked down, leaning on his desk for a bit. “I’ll visit him once I get the chance...can you tell him that when you return to the med bay?”

“Of course, Captain,” Rose answered with a small nod.“

“Now, back to business, shall we?” Franz asked before his amulet began to glow softly, a rolled up map coming to him from one of the vast amounts bundled together on the many selves on each side of walls. “Once Shades ‘Acquired’ the map that we needed, I’ve been studying it non-stop for weeks...cracking the codes that the good Ole Commander of the Equestrian army had placed in order to keep the Isle of Deceit hidden from the world…”

He then put the map into his desk, turning to the others as he smiled, quickly beginning to hover in the air. “So, ye filthy, scum sucking maggot molestors, do you want to be richer than yer wildest dreams?!”

“Ye know, I definitely wouldn’t be minding that sort of investment,” Shades Rip said, throwing a wing around Rose with a smile.

“Da! We will be very rich, manly stallions!” Blunderbuss shouted with glee. Turning to Flintlock who had been staying silent the entire time. “Don’t you agree Flint?”

“Wha-oh, yeah, it’ll be great,” Flintlock admitted, going back to thinking his projects over. “I could definitely use the money for my experiments.”

“I don’t mind it,” Rose started, giggling as Shades’ feathers tickled her. “Shades, could you please s-stop that, you-you’re gonna m-make me blush.”

“Apologizes Rose, I just be excited about all this,” Shades apologized with a hint of romance in his voice, causing most of the others in the room to glare at the two with varying degrees of disgust and envy.

“Ah, even among pirates, love finds its place in our crowd,” Franz sighed with his grin being sincere. “Shades, when do ye think you’ll stop with the flirting and just get a room?” He chuckled while teasing the fellow griffon.

“Whenever the lady is more comfortable with my ways,” Shades returned with a hearty and gentlecolt’s chuckle.

“Now, since that’s about it, I think it’s about time to cheer up the crew, they are probably really bored, wouldn’t ye agree?” Franz asked as he started to head out the door.

“I do,” Shades Rip replied, standing with the others and heading for the door.

As the rest of the group left the cabin, Black Spot stayed behind, still thinking about the Blue pegasus through most of that group talk. With a sigh he got up and left through the door, he knew a song was on it’s way.

The only word that could describe the deck of the Maremaid was chaos. Most of the crew being under the influence of rum as they danced about, not noticing the captain staring at them with cross eyes.

“HEY, YOU FILTHY PIGSKINNED SLAGS!” he shouted in the most threatening way he could. The crew stopping almost instantly as they all lined up, saluting as the captain walked passed them. “I can’t believe this! Dancing and drinking most of the rum, and you didn’t even invite me??” he said as he began to laugh a hearty laugh.

The crew looked at their captain with confused eyes before laughing along with him, the pirates with instruments beginning to continue their Jig as the party started again.

Franz turned to Black Spot and put a claw on his shoulder. “Come on, let’s sing that song you like so much," he asked, Black giving a small smile before nodding his head. He then turned to Shades, who was beside the pirate band.

“Shades, if you would?” Black asked with a patient smile.

With a nod Shades turned to the pirates with instruments and softly said “And a one… And a two… And a one, two, three.” The band then changed songs

*The lyrics to “Yo Ho(A pirate's life for me)"*

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

The crew began to dance, every one of them enjoying the music as they jigged until they could jig no more. Black Spot and Franz were drinking rum and dancing on the table, almost breaking the wooden structure a few dozen times.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We kindle and char and in flame and ignite.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

The sound of Blunderbuss’ laughter dwarfed everypony else as Flintlock triedall he could to stop his larger companion from drinking all the rum. “Blunderbuss you dumbbuck, leave some for the rest of us!” He shouted in annoyance.

“Oh, come on Flintlock,” Rose said to the unicorn as she danced with Shades. “Let Blundy have his fun!” She then turned to her dance partner. “I never knew you were a good dancer,” She complimented.

We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villians and knaves.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

“Why thank ye kindly, Rose.” Shades thanked as he gave the mare a twirl and a dip, “I do find dancing as quite the way to express one’s self in the deepest of ways.”

“I agree,” Rose giggled as she was twirled. “Though...I think your dancing is better than anything I could do,” she said before looking into his eyes, blushing slightly.

We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!

Shades smiled and gave Rose a quick peck on her cheek as a unanimous “Dawww, look at the lovebirds.” came from the rest of the crew.

“I’ll claw out each of ye eyes ya yella bellied whale blubber sacks if ye say one more word!” Shades shouted back in response.

Rose simply blushed as she was kissed. “...Thank you,” She said with a smile before she laughed at his outburst. The dancing continued for some time before it was finally stopped.

Franz stood up onto a table with a smile. “Every one of ye stinkin, bilge rats listen up!” He shouted, the entire crew turning to their captain, the music having ceased. “I believe a toast in order...as it time for that thing ye all enjoy quite a bit!” He said with a smile. The entire crew smiling as well.

“What is it Captain?” One of the crew members asked rather impatiently, one of the other members smashing his head with an empty bottle of rum. Franz laughed as he saw this, turning to Shades. “Would you please?” He asked with a wave of his claw.

“To good fortune and riches for us all!” Shades called out raising a glass in his talons, “And to our lager, which art in barrels, hallowed be thy drink, thy will be drunk. At home is upon the sea, and forgive us for our spillages, as we forgive those that spill against us. For thine is the beer, the bitter, and the lager. Forever and ever Pirates.”

The crew listened to the “prayer” with closed eyes, when it was finished, they all opened their eyes and raised their cups. “Amen to that!” They all shouted in unison before the music and dancing continued.

Franz smiled before he turned to the sky, the moon was about to come out again, which caused him to worry for a bit, he looked at his claw and saw it to be bone. He quickly put the claw into the sleeve of his jacket, hugging his chest, hoping that no one noticed. “I shall be heading off to my quarters for the night, set a course for Trotuga...we be needing supplies soon,” He said quickly, in a sharp and almost nervous tone. “Wake me if something goes awry…” He said before he made his way into his quarters, closing the door and locking it.

Chapter Five: The Dead Stallion's Grief

Through the thick, suffocating fog on the sea’s surface, an old ship drifted through the waters. The wooden boards that hung to the ship’s frame barely managed to stay attached after the many conflicts that it had just been through. The steel and iron used for its frame and more important things were rust filled carcasses of their former selves, much like the only inhabitant on board at the moment. The flag that the ship wore was pure black with no insignia in sight. The only thing that the ship reeked of was death, causing most life to stay away.

The agonizing silence was executed when the sound of hoof steps crept its way down the stairs to the captain’s quarters. The captain’s quarters itself was the only room that managed to stand the test of time, but only barely. The wallpaper that once decorated the room was peeling off the wooden surface. The only things of value that were still intact was the silverware, which was splayed out for the longest time.

“Ah…It feels so good to be back on the Hydra...” Jolly sighed with relief as he calmly trotted his way through his ship. His ship, known to many who sailed the ocean as the Dead Hydra, creaked and groaned in response to him, as if it were alive. “It is good to see you as well, me old friend,” Jolly said with a smile as he walked towards the mirror.

As he approached the mirror, a few thoughts rolled around in his old head. Would the Trident still be there? Was he right in doing this? Would Honey have wanted this? No, he would have to think it through more thoroughly when he got everything ready. He looked into the mirror, wishing for his old self to remain in the reflection. How he dreamed of seeing two eyes in his sockets, how he hoped to see skin on his face after so long. But, what stood there was just the hollow husk of a stallion who should have been long since dead. With a frown on his lipless lips, he turned and slowly hobbled his way to his desk.

Walking along the edge of his desk, he looked out towards the large window for a small bit, almost entranced by sheer nothing before he turned back to the desk. Coming to a stop at the spot where he would sit, his horn glowed a pale blue colour, the handle of the small bottom left drawer also lighting up and pulling open. There, among the old journals and books, lay a small, heart shaped locket made of silver with golden lines across its surface. Jolly looked upon the locket with fascination.

“...After all these years…” He whispered softly, his voice echoing all throughout the room, “...ye still be here for daddy to find…”

As he looked at the locket, water began to come up through the cracks of the floorboards, forming a tendril of foul tasting liquid that slowly rose up into the air and descended down, carefully taking the silver locket and bringing it forward to the skeleton’s face.

“...I thought I had lost you,” he commented, another tendril slowly rising out of the floor and opening the locket with precision and care.

On one side of the locket was the expertly crafted form of a small music box, the small notes playing a tune that to anyone else would sound like a first attempt in the art, but to Jolly, it was a thing of beauty. On the other side was a picture of three ponies. One was a young unicorn stallion with a brown mane and tail, small signs of growing facial hair present. He wore a blue navel jacket, with white stripes going down the edges, hiding his olive coat.

Beside him stood the most beautiful mare Jolly had ever seen, her golden locks of a mane were long and slightly curly, the dark orange of her coat still looked stunning after all these years, the sparkle in her light green eyes would still make his heart flutter. She was pure bliss for the eyes, she was gorgeousness and gorgeosity made flesh…and he loved her.

The last one in the picture was held in the stallion’s magic, wrapped in a clean white blanket lay the sleeping form of a baby filly. Her little golden body tucked into the blanket as she slept soundly, her white mane covering one half of her face. Even though he couldn’t see it, he could still remember her adorable brown eyes...remember the feeling of being told that his baby filly wouldn’t live past two years of age.

It was at this time that he really wanted to be alive again, to feel again...if not to feel the wind on his face, to be able to hold food in his mouth without it falling through him, forcing him to starve but not die. If not to finally taste the sweet taste of apple cider without it turning to dust on his tongue...then it was to cry. He wanted to cry so much, he wanted to feel the tears fall down his face. But, he couldn’t, no matter how hard he tried, no matter how sad he would get locked up inside that damnable flag...no tears would escape him.

Was it his fault that he became this...thing? This monster? He didn’t know, but, when he looked down onto the picture of the family, he knew that he wasn’t a monster...at least back then. “...It’s May the 8th…” he said quietly, his eye looking at the little filly. “...Happy birthday, Hope...D-daddy loves you.”

As he looked at the picture, sighing a bit as he reached out to it with a hoof and hoping that in some fake future he’d be able to see them again, the music on the locket stopped. With a choking, tearless and emotionless sob, he closed it slowly...and then reopened it, listening to the simple tune again, never taking his eye off of his family.