Ponies of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

by Razor Blade the Unicron

Rating: teen
Tags: Rainbow Dash, Romance, Fluttershy, Original Character, Adventure, Violence, Pinkie Pie, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 11771

Blacksmith Rainbow Dash teams up with eccentric pirate Captain Pinkie Pie to save Dash's love, Fluttershy Breeze, from undead pirates led by Pinkie's mutinous former first mate, Captain Sparkle.

Blacksmith Rainbow Dash teams up with eccentric pirate Captain Pinkie Pie to save Dash's love, Fluttershy Breeze, from undead pirates led by Pinkie's mutinous former first mate, Captain Sparkle. Pinkie wants revenge against Sparkle, who left him stranded on an island before stealing his ship, the Black Pearl, along with eight hundred and eighty two pieces of cursed Aztec Gold.

Edit: Changed Comedy tag to Romance tag.

Published 2017-02-11 04:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2017-03-28 03:50:24 UTC

Eight Years Later

Fluttershy's eyes snapped open wide, startled with fear. She remained still on her bed, breathing heavily. She slowly looked around the room, but saw no movement. Fluttershy sat up on her canopied bed, and turned up the flame on an oil lamp next to it. She climbed out of bed, and walked across the room, carrying the lamp, to a painting on the wall. She gently took the painting off the wall, and pulled back the wallpaper to reveal a hidden area. She reached in, and pulled out the gold-and-silver medallion that she kept for all these years. It still frightened her.

"Where did it come from?" she whispered.

There was a sudden knock on the door, and Fluttershy jumped up, startled.

"Fluttershy?" asked her father, "Are you decent?"

"J-just one moment!" she replied nervously.

Fluttershy quickly put the medallion on around her neck, and threw on a dressing gown, which covered it. She opened the door an inch, and her maid, Stella Bright entered, along with her father, who was carrying a large box.

"Still abed at this hour?" asked Governor Sky, "It's such a beautiful day!"

Stella pulled back the curtains, revealing a beautiful blue sky, the bustling town of Port Royal, and clear blue water.

"I have a gift for you." continued Fluttershy's father, opening the box.

Fluttershy let out a gasp, as he revealed a gorgeous green-and-blue dress, and a butterfly mane-clip, "It's beautiful! May I inquire as to the occasion?"

"Is an occasion necessary for a father to dote upon his daughter with gifts?"

Fluttershy smiled, and walked behind a screened-off dressing room. Stella followed her, holding the box.

"Although," her father continued, "I did think you could wear it to the ceremony today."

"Ceremony?" asked Fluttershy.

"Captain Rarity's promotion ceremony."

Fluttershy's face fell. She didn't particularly care for Captain Rarity.

"Or, rather," her father continued, "Commodore Rarity... A fine gentlepony, don't you think?" Fluttershy chose to remain silent, "He fancies you, you know."

Fluttershy let out a sudden gasp as Stella tightened the corset she had put over her. She was trying to hold her hair and the medallion out of the way, so they wouldn't get stuck.

"Fluttershy?" asked Governor Sky after getting no response, "How's it coming?"

"Um..." said Fluttershy, letting out another gasp, "Just a little difficulty."

"I'm told that dress is the very latest fashion in London."

Mares in London must have learned how not to breathe! thought Fluttershy as her corset was tightened even more.

"Governor?" said a butler, "A caller is here for you."

Governor Sky nodded, and then headed for the stairs. Downstairs, a pegasus stallion stood wearing rough clothing. He held a long presentation case, and continually eyed at it.

"Ah, Mr. Dash!" said Governor Sky, arriving downstairs, "It's good to see you again!"

"Good day, sir," said Rainbow, holding out the case, "I have your order."

Rainbow opened the case to reveal a beautiful sword and scabbard. He gently pulled it out to present it to the governor.

"The blade is folded steel," he said, "That's gold filigree laid into the handle," he paused to take the sword, and balance it on his hoof at the point where the blade met the guard, "Perfectly balanced. The tang is nearly the full width of the blade."

"Impressive..." said Governor Sky as Rainbow carefully placed the sword back in its scabbard, "Very impressive... Commodore Rarity will be very pleases, I'm sure. Do pass my compliment on to your master."

Rainbow's face fell for a second, before he simply nodded, "I shall. A craftsman is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated..."

He trailed off as Fluttershy appeared at the top of the stairs, now wearing her beautiful dress.

"Fluttershy!" said Governor Sky happily, "You look stunning!"

Rainbow opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't seem to speak. Instead, he gave Fluttershy a broad smile.

"Rainbow!" said Fluttershy dashing downstairs to her friend, "It's so good to see you! I dreamt about you last night."

"Really?" asked Rainbow in surprise.

"Fluttershy," interrupted Governor SKy, "This is hardly appropriate-"

"About the day we met," continued Fluttershy, seemingly oblivious to her father, "Do you remember?"

"I could never forget it, Miss Breeze." said Rainbow, somewhat solemnly and somewhat happily.

"Rainbow, how many times must I ask you to call me 'Fluttershy'?"

"At least once more, Miss Breeze. As always."

"Well said!" said Governor Sky before Fluttershy could say anymore, "There's a boy who understands propriety. Now, we must be going."

He took the case from Rainbow, and opened the door for Fluttershy. She stood tall as she had been taught, gathered her skirts, and strode past Rainbow.

"Good day, Mr. Dash." she said, trying not to sound sad as she left.

"Good day," replied Rainbow, who watched as she was helped aboard a carriage by the driver, "Fluttershy..."

"Dear," said Governor Sky as the carriage began to roll along, "I do hope you demonstrate a bit more decorum in front of Commodore Rarity. After all, it is only through his efforts that Port Royal has become at all civilized."

"Yes, father." said Fluttershy glumly; oh, she missed Rainbow already!

Author's Note

This chapter is a bit short, but I felt that a certain someone needed their own chapter to be introduced...

Arrival of a Captain

The skeletal remains of four pirates, still clad in buccaneer rags, hung from gallows erected on a rocky promontory. There was a fifth, unoccupied gallow, bearing a sign: Pirates - Ye Be Warned. The top of a billowing sail passed regally in front of them. On the landward face of the sail, apparently high in the rigging, was a stallion for whom the term 'swashbuckling rogue' was coined: Captain Pinkie Pie.

He gazed keen-eyed at the display as they passed, his blue eyes sparkling, and raised a tankard to his light blue captain's hat in salute. Suddenly, something below caught his attention. He jumped from the rigging, down to the "dock" of a underwhelmingly small ship that he was sailing. Pinkie quickly began bailing the leaking, sinking boat with his tankard, and stepped back to the tiller. Using a single sheet to control the sail, the ship came around the promontory, the whole of Port Royal laid out in front of him.

Smoothly and with no wasted movement, Pinkie hauled down the sail, stowed it, and guided his boat alongside a dock. A pony watched with curiosity as Pinkie's almost completely sunk ship arrived at the dock, at the perfect level for him to step off it on to the dock. Pinkie quickly grabbed a rope from his ship, and tied it to the dock. The pony who had been watching walked over.

"If you're out rolling scuppers in this tub," said the pony, "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid."

"It's remarkable how often those two traits coincide." said Pinkie, before starting up the dock, his belt loaded with a sword scabbard, a compass, a pistol, and a small powder horn.

"It's a bit for the dock space," said the pony, making Pinkie stop, "And you're going to have to give me your name."

Pinkie quickly pulled out three bits, and held them out to the pony.

"How about three bits, and we forget the name?" asked Pinkie, a sparkle in his eye.

The pony paused, before accepting the coins, and nodding towards Pinkie.

"Welcome to Port Royal." he said, before walking off.

Pinkie gave him a half-salute as he walked past, and smirked as soon as he couldn't see him. He held five bits in his hooves that hadn't been there moments before.

Fluttershy tried to watch the ceremony with interest, but the heat and her tight corset was preventing her from having any. She tried to loosen her corset, but couldn't figure out how to without taking off her dress. She simply clapped along with the surrounding crowd as Captain Rarity was promoted to Commodore Rarity. That corset was just so uncomfortable!

Pinkie casually strolled down the dock, glancing at ships as he went.

"Too short..." he muttered, "Too garish... Not enough weapons... Don't like the color..." he paused as he saw a large flagship, "Perfect..."

Pinkie walked down the dock towards the large flagship, where two Royal Navy guards were standing. They were trying to stand in the little shade on the dock, but immediately went on alert as Pinkie walked up.

"This dock is off-limits to civilians." said one of them, blocking Pinkie.

"So sorry, I didn't know," said Pinkie, hearing some music drift down from Fort Chanter (where Commodore Rarity had just been promoted), "Some sort of fancy-party up at the fort, huh? But why wouldn't they invite you? That seems awful mean."

"No," said the second guard, "Someone has to make sure that this dock stays off-limits to civilians."

"Hm..." Pinkie eyed at the beautiful ship, "This must be some important boat."

"Ship." said both the guards at the same time.

"Yes, yes. Ship."

"Captain Rarity-" started the second guard before the first one interrupted him.

"Commodore."

"Right. Commodore Rarity just made it his flagship. He's gonna use it to hunt down the last few pirates on the Spanish Lake."

"That's a fine, while not that fun, goal, I'm sure," said Pinkie, pointing at another ship in the water near Fort Chanter, "But it seems to me that a ship like that one over there makes this one just a bit less impressive."

"Oh," said the first guard, "The Dauntless," he pointed at the ship Pinkie had gestured to, "Is the power in these waters, true enough -- but there's no ship that can match the Interceptor," he pointed at the ship they were guarding, "For speed."

"Is that so?" asked Pinkie, "But I've heard of one ship that's supposed to be not just fast, but uncatchable. I'm sure you know about it: the Black Pearl."

"You know of a real ship?" asked the first guard.

"The Black Pearl is a real ship." said the second guard.

"Not it's not."

"Yes it is."

While the two continued arguing, Pinkie slipped by them and on to the Interceptor. The ship was very large, but it would be very difficult to get it all set himself. Even if, no, when he got away with it, he would need at least a second pair of hooves to help him out. But who in Port Royal of all places would want to help him? He simply toyed with the wheel, until the two guards finally noticed him.

"Hey!" cried the first guard, as her and the other one ran over to Pinkie, "You! Get away from there! You don't have permission to be aboard there!"

"So sorry," said Pinkie, taking his hooves off the wheel, "It's just such a pretty boat. I mean, ship."

"What's your name?" asked the second guard suspiciously.

"Magenta."

"What's your business in Port Royal, 'Mr. Magenta'?" asked the first guard.

"And no lies!" added the second guard.

"No lies, eh?" asked Pinkie, "Very well, then. I confess: I intend to commandeer one of these ships, pick up a fun little crew in Poni, and go out to do some honest pirating."

"I said no lies!" said the second guard.

"I think he's telling the truth." said the first guard.

"No he's not!"

"But he may be."

"If her was telling us the truth he wouldn't have told us something like that!"

"Unless, of course," said Pinkie, a silly smile on his face, "He knew that you wouldn't believe the truth unless he told it to you and therefore you would think he's lying, but he's not, but you can't be sure either may, now can you?

The two guards blinked in confusion, and Pinkie smiled even more.

Fluttershy gently tried to fan herself as other ponies chatted. She was very warm, and it was getting difficult to breathe.

"May I have a moment?" asked Commodore Rarity, walking up to her.

Fluttershy gave a shallow nod, and followed Rarity away from the party, towards the parapet. Rarity was silent for a bit, and Fluttershy continued fanning herself.

"You look lovely, Fluttershy." said Rarity finally.

Fluttershy frowned. Did Rarity only see her as pretty?

"I apologize if I may seem rather forward," continued Rarity, seeing Fluttershy's frown, "but I must speak my mine. This promotion confirmed that I have finally accomplished the goals I set for myself in my career."

As Rarity continued talking, Fluttershy began to sway back and forth. She was so hot, and the corset felt so tight. Finally, she manged to whisper.

"I can't breathe..."

Before she fainted off the railing and fell into the water, just barely missing the rocks below.

I'm a bit nervous myself," said Rarity, turning just in time to see Fluttershy hit the water, "Fluttershy!" he cried.

Pinkie looked up instantly as he saw the splash. He saw a pink mane get washed under the water, and his eyes widened.

"FLUTTERSHY!" cried a voice from above where whomever had just fell.

Pinkie looked at the two guards next to him, who nervously looked at each other.

"We can't swim..." said the first guard.

Pinkie rolled his eyes, and pulled off his hat, and belt.

"Don't you dare lose these." he said, before quickly grabbing onto a nearby rope on the ship, and swinging out over the water.

Pinkie dove into the water, and quickly swam down to where the pony had fallen. He saw a young mare drifting slowly down towards the bottom, and swum at double time. He made it to the mare quickly, grabbed her, and began to swim towards the surface. He quickly pulled the dress of the mare, leaving her wearing just her under-dress and corset, which made it far easier to swim. A gold-and-silver medallion floated off of the mare's neck, much to Pinkie's surprise, but he needed to get the mare to the surface first. The medallion caught the sun's ray, and let out a beam of light into the ocean.

Pinkie broke surface with the mare, and swam over to the dock. He quickly laid the mare down, but she didn't seem to be breathing. The two guards hurried over holding Pinkie's stuff, and he quickly grabbed his sword of of its scabbard. Pinkie quickly sliced the corset down the middle, releasing the mare from its tight hold. She instantly coughed up some water, and rolled over onto her side.

"Wouldn't have thought of that..." said one of the guards, as Pinkie took his belt and put it back around his waist, returning the sword.

"Clearly you've never been to Singapore." said Pinkie, eyeing the gold-and-silver medallion that the mare was wearing, "Where did you get this?"

Before the mare could answer, a shining sword was pointed at Pinkie's face. He looked up to see Commodore Rarity glaring at him.

"On your hooves." said Rarity.

Pinkie quickly got to his hooves, as several other ponies ran up to the scene.

"Fluttershy!" said Governor Sky, wrapping his jacket around her, "Are you alright?"

"Y-yes," stammer Fluttershy, "I'm fine... But... Commodore Rarity!" she said, seeing the hate in Rarity's eyes, "You're not going to kill the pony that just rescued me!"

Rarity eyed Pinkie coldly, who gave a small smile.

"I believe thanks is in order." he held out his hoof to Pinkie.

Pinkie hesitated, before reaching out his hoof in response. Rarity quickly pulled down Pinkie's sleeve to reveal markings on his arm. Most notable, a large black 'P' on the underside.

"Well, well, well," said Rarity, "A pirate," the many guards who had come down instantly pulled out their guns and pointed them at Pinkie, "Keep your guns on him, men. Shifter, fetch some irons," Rarity eyed Pinkie, before coming to a realization, "Well, well, Pinkie Pie, is it?"

"Captain Pinkie Pie," he replied, "If you please."

"I don't see your ship."

"He said he was going to commandeer one." said one of the guards who had been talking with Pinkie earlier.

"This is his, sir." said the second guard, holding out Pinkie's light blue hat.

Rarity took the hat, and noted what was on Pinkie's belt.

"It seems like you have powder, but no extra shots," said Rarity, "A grubby old compass that doesn't look like it works, and a rusty-looking sword in a dirty scabbard. You are, without a doubt, the worst pirate I have ever heard of."

"But you have heard of me." said Pinkie with a grin.

The guard called Shifter returned with the irons, which they quickly wrapped around Pinkie's front hooves.

"Take him away." said Rarity.

"W-wait!" said Fluttershy, pushing her father's jacket off, "You can't just do that! He may be a pirate, but he just saved my life!"

"One good deed does not make up for a lifetime of wickedness."

"But its enough condemn him." said Pinkie in a mater-of-fact voice.

The manacles were clicked shut on Pinkie's hooves, and the guards lowered their weapons. Pinkie gave a smirk.

"Finally," he said, before quickly kicking the pony holding him captive, sending their pistol flying into the water, and wrapped his chains around Fluttershy's neck, "I knew you'd warm up to me."

Fluttershy remained frozen in fear as the guards reached for their guns, but dared not shoot because of Fluttershy being held captive and in the way. Pinkie began to back away from them towards the land.

"Commodore, my effects, please," said Pinkie, pointing towards his hat.

Rarity glared icily at Pinkie, but dared not do anything because of Fluttershy. He roughly handed the hat to Fluttershy, who Pinkie spun around to face him.

"Fluttershy," started Pinkie, before briefly pausing, "It's Fluttershy, right?"

"M-Miss Breeze." said Fluttershy, with a mix of anger and fear.

"Miss Breeze, my hat, please."

Fluttershy placed Pinkie's hat on his head, and he smiled.

"Thank you, friend," said Pinkie, backing farther away from the guards, "I saved your life, and now you've saved mine. We're square."

Pinkie turned Fluttershy back around towards the guards, and grinned at them.

"Ponies," he said, "You will always remember today as the day you almost caught Captain Pinkie Pie!"

Pinkie suddenly yanked Fluttershy back with him, and grabbed a nearby rope. Fluttershy realized that Pinkie had somehow managed to loop his belt around both his and her waist, as he kicked free the pin holding the rope in place. A counterweight dropped, and Pinkie and Fluttershy were lifted up in the air. Fluttershy let out a scream, and grabbed on to Pinkie so the chain wouldn't choke her.

"Let me go!" she cried, just as Pinkie grabbed on to second rope.

"I'm trying to help you!" hissed Pinkie.

Pinkie swung out on the rope, with Fluttershy clutching on with fear. Pinkie landed on a wooden surface, and let go of the rope. He then swung his hooves over Fluttershy's head so the chains were no longer around her neck, and put them over around rope. Pinkie zipped down the rope like a zip-line (even though those hadn't been invented yet), and landed on the deck of another ship.

"Listen, little pony," said Pinkie to Fluttershy, who was too scared to try and get away from him, "Tell me where you got that medallion." he suddenly unwrapped his belt from around Fluttershy.

"L-let me go!" cried Fluttershy.

Pinkie rolled his eyes, and jumped on to another boat, still holding Fluttershy.

"Other pirates are going to being coming soon in search of that medallion," said Pinkie, "Tell me where you got it!"

Fluttershy whimpered, "My friend. It's his!"

"Who is your friend? Tell me, and I'll let you go! I promise that I'm not going to hurt him!"

Fluttershy locked eyes with Pinkie, and she realized that he looked completely sincere.

"R-Rainbow Dash," she whispered, "H-he's a blacksmith."

"Rainbow Dash?" asked Pinkie, his eyes widening, "Thank you so much, Miss Breeze. Do be careful with that medallion. They're going to be looking for it."

Pinkie realized Fluttershy, and jumped to shore, leaving her on the boat. Fluttershy remained still as guards ran up to the boat where she was lying. What did Pinkie know about the medallion? Why had he just let her go instead of continuing to hold her hostage? And what was he going to do with Rainbow?

To the Blacksmith: Pirates are Coming

Fog crept into the town, casting an eerie twilight pall. An armed search party was moving along the street, looking for the pirate. Pinkie peeked up from his hiding place beneath the eaves of a building, having somehow removed the chains and manacles. Across the street from him was a shop with a sign of a black anvil: the blacksmith. Pinkie looked around as the search parties moved away, and quickly ran into the blacksmith shop.

There were no windows in the shop. The forge was dark, lit by various lanterns. There was stuff scattered around: wagon wheels, broken iron gates, pipes, and even a broke cannon. However, all of the tools were in place, and the workbench was tidy and neat. A noise surprised Pinkie, and he turned around to see an old, sleeping blacksmith, cradling a bottle. Pinkie gave him a hard poke, but the stallion didn't move.

There was the sound of the latch on the door, and Pinkie dove for cover under a table. He watched as a young stallion entered, and shut the door behind him. Rainbow, who had just shut the door, glanced around the room. His eyes narrowed at seeing hoofprints on the ground.

"Who's there?" asked Rainbow, just as a sword was suddenly pointed at him.

Pinkie stood, holding his sworn level at Rainbow. Rainbow backed away from the sword, and Pinkie walked forward.

"You're the one they're looking for," said Rainbow angrily, "The pirate."

"Indeed I am," said Pinkie, "Boy, what's your name?"

"I don't need to tell you."

"I'm holding a sword in your face."

Rainbow quickly grabbed a nearby sword, and pointed it at Pinkie.

"And I'm holding one in your's." said Rainbow, his eyes narrowing.

"Do you think that it's wise to cross blades with a pirate?" asked Pinkie, "I just want to know your name."

"You threatened Miss Breeze."

"Not threatened, per say, just used to escape. Plus, I gave her a helpful little warning, and she in return led me to here."

Rainbow suddenly thrust the sword at Pinkie, who parried it. The two exchanged several feints, thrusts, and parries, until Pinkie spoke again.

"Your name, please."

"I will not tell a pirate my name!" said Rainbow.

The two began to circle each other, and Pinkie gave a small smile.

"You know what you're doing with that sword. Maybe if I knew your name, I would be able to tell you something of interest."

"You're lying!" snapped Rainbow, thrusting at Pinkie, again.

They began to fight once more, until Pinkie suddenly hit Rainbow's sword out of his hoof. Rainbow simply picked up another sword, and Pinkie became aware that the room was filled with many different bladed weapons.

"Who makes these?" asked Pinkie as they fought.

"I do!" said Rainbow, "And I practice with them three hours every day!"

"You really need to find yourself a mare," Rainbow began to fight with more vigor, "Or maybe the reason you practice for three hours a day is that you've found a mare, but can't get her? Perhaps Miss Breeze? Listen, I just need to know your name."

"Why do you care about my name?" asked Rainbow.

"Because if you're who I think you are, then I know that you're probably looking for your father."

"Wh-what?!?"

That caught Rainbow off guard, and Pinkie quickly disarmed Rainbow. He quickly pulled out his gun, and pointed it at Rainbow, who froze.

"You cheater..." said Rainbow softly.

"I'm a pirate, what do you expect?" asked Pinkie, "Now, just tell me your name, and I promise I won't shoot."

"Rainbow Dash."

"Was that really so hard?" Pinkie lowered his gun, much to Rainbow's surprise, "Now, listen. And don't just grab a sword, because as you can see, I'm trying to talk with you." Rainbow's eyes narrowed, but he didn't reach for any weapon, "Thank you. Listen, Rainbow, I need your help with something."

"Why would I ever help you?" snapped Rainbow.

"Two reasons. One: I can tell you who your father was. Two: pirates are coming to Port Royal. Does a gold-and-silver medallion sound familiar to you?"

"... My father sent one to me as a gift..."

"Well Miss Breeze has it, and that's what the pirates are after. They'll stop at nothing to get it."

"Why?"

"Because-"

Before Pinkie could say another word, he collapsed on to the ground. The unconscious blacksmith had woken up, and smacked Pinkie with his bottle. The door burst open, and Royal guards ran in. Rarity rushed forward to see Pinkie on the ground, and smiled.

"Excellent work, Mr. Brown," said Rarity, speaking to the blacksmith, and not Rainbow, "You've aided in the capture of a dangerous fugitive." he looked down at Rainbow, "I believe you will always remember this as the day Captain Pinkie Pie almost escaped. Take him away."

The guards hauled Pinkie away, and Pinkie followed them. Rainbow stared at them, unable to say a word.

"He broke my bottle." grunted Mr. Brown, and Rainbow rolled his eyes.

Pinkie laid down on the straw in his cell, not doing anything. In the cell next to him, the prisoners were trying to coax over a dog who was holding the keys in his mouth.

"Come here, boy!" said one of the prisoners, "Come here, ya pup!"

"You can keep doing that, but the dog is never going to move." said Pinkie.

"Excuse us if we resigned ourselves to the gallows just yet."

"Well, I suppose that's a good point."

There was a sudden cannon blast, and Pinkie's ears perked up. There were more blasts, and Pinkie quickly jumped up to look out the window.

"I know those guns!" cried Pinkie, as the other prisoners looked out the window, "It's the Black Pearl!"

"The Black Pearl?" asked one of the prisoners nervously, "I've heard stories... She's been preying on ships and settlements for near ten years... And never leaves any survivors."

"There sure are many stories," said Pinkie, "But if they leave no survivors, then where do the stories come from?"

"Huh. That's a pretty good point."

"I know."

Rainbow looked outside at the chaos as cannon balls were launched into buildings, people, and everything else. He quickly grabbed several axes and swords, and ran outside to help. The pirates had come ashore.

Fluttershy looked out her bedroom window in horror at the scene below. Even through the thick fog, she could see many fires, and heard many shouts and cries of pain. She noticed movement below, and saw two shadowy figures approaching the house: pirates. She quickly bolted from her room, and ran towards the door. Just as she reached the railing overlooking the foyer, the butler opened the door, and was shot. Fluttershy quickly ducked down so she couldn't be seen, and stifled her scream. The pirates scanned the foyer, and one of them looked up at the railing.

"Up there!" the pirate cried to his friend, and the two ran towards the stairs.

Fluttershy scrambled into the nearest room, and locked the door shut. She bumped into her maid, Stella, who looked terrified.

"Miss Fluttershy!" said Stella, "You must hide! They're likely to try and kidnap you! The governor's daughter would be very valuable for ransom!"

Fluttershy nodded, "Stella, they haven't seen you yet. Get out while you can!"

Stella nodded, and Fluttershy dashed off into another room to hide. She heard the door in the other room swing open, and slam against the wall. She continued running, until she suddenly felt somepony grab her mane. Fluttershy whipped around to see a pirate holding her mane, and instinctively kicked him away. The pirate lost their grip on her mane, and Fluttershy continued running.

She ran into the dining room, and shut the door, bolting it shut. She looked around for something to protect herself with, but there was nothing. The blade of an axe suddenly broke through the door, and in a panic, Fluttershy jumped into the dumbwaiter box.

"We know you're here, posy," came the pirate's voice, "Come out and we promise we won't hurt you!" Fluttershy tried not to make any noise, "We will find you, posy... You've got something of ours! It calls to us!"

"The gold calls to us!" said the second pirate.

Fluttershy looked down at the gold-and-silver medallion around her neck, and held it with her hoof. Pinkie had been telling the truth! The pirates were after the medallion! But why? Fluttershy looked up to see the pirate looking in the dumbwaiter through a crack in it.

"Hello, posy."

The pirates whipped the door open, and Fluttershy quickly thought about what she had learned about pirates, when she remembered something.

"P-parlay!" she cried as they brandished their swords.

"What?" asked the first pirate.

"Parlay!" Fluttershy tried to remain calm, "According to the Pirate Code, you must take me to your captain!"

"I know the code!"

"Th-then bring me to your captain! You can't harm me until the parlay is complete!"

"It appears that you do, too."

"To blazes with the code!" snapped the second pirate.

"She wants to be taken to the Captain, and she'll go without a fuss. Right, girl?" Fluttershy nervously nodded, "Then we must honor the code."

The pirates roughly grabbed Fluttershy, and began to lead her outside. Fluttershy tried not to panic.

Rainbow was running towards the Governor's Mansion. Fluttershy was in trouble! Suddenly, Rainbow was smacked in the head by something, and fell on the ground, unconscious.

"Duck!" cried Pinkie, as a cannon ball came flying towards the prison.

Everypony jumped down on the ground as the cannon blasted through the wall, leaving a large opening in the cell next to Pinkie's. The other prisoners quickly scrambled outside, and Pinkie stared at them.

"My sympathies, friend!" called one of the prisoners, "You've no manner of luck at all!"

"You just go and be free!" cried Pinkie, "Hurry!"

Pinkie sighed, and looked at the dog holding the keys.

"You gonna help me out or you just gonna sit there?"

The dog got up, and ran off. Pinkie sighed again, when he heard a ruckus at the top of the stairs.

"This isn't the armory!" said a pirate.

"It's the dungeon." said a second one, before noticing Pinkie, "Hold up, Twig. What do we have here? Captain Pie."

The two pirates walked down near Pinkie, but stayed out of the single beam of moonlight that saw shining through.

"Huh," said Twig, "Last time I saw you, you were all alone on a God-forsaken island, shrinking into the distance. I'd heard you'd gotten off, but I didn't believe it. Too bad your fortunes aren't improved much!"

"Worry about your own fortunes," said Pinkie, "The lowest circle of hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers."

The other pirate reached through the bar, and grasped at Pinkie's neck. Pinkie's eyes widened: in the moonlight, the other pirate was skeletal. The pirate glared at Pinkie, and shoved him backwards, moving back out of the moonlight.

"The stories are true..." whispered Pinkie.

"And you know nothing of hell." said the other pirate, before he and Twig left Pinkie in the cell.

Pinkie smiled as they left, and laid back down on the straw.

"Too bad you don't know where Mr. Dash is..." he said softly, "And tomorrow, I'll probably be free..."

Sailing Away

Amid the thunder of cannon fire, a longboat slipped through the fog. Fluttershy sat nervously at the prow, with the two pirates she had said parlay to rowing. Columns of water from the cannon balls sprayed up around the boat. Fluttershy looked up to see a tall galleon in front of her, with black sails looming high above her. At the bow was an ornately carved figurehead of a beautiful mare, her forehoof head high, and something she couldn't identify flying out of her hoof.

The longboat was attached to several lines dangling from a winch, and was raised up to the deck. The pirates on board stared at Fluttershy as she nervously stepped on to the deck, and one of them spoke to the two pirates that had brought Fluttershy aboard.

"I didn't know we was taking captives." he said gruffly.

"She's invoked the right of parlay," replied one of the pirates who had brought Fluttershy, "With Captain Sparkle."

A figure by the wheel turned their head at the mention of their name, and strided down the steps and on to the main deck. Fluttershy could tell that this was none other than Captain Sparkle himself.

"Hello, sweet miss," said Captain Sparkle, "Now tell me: what do you want to have done a parlay onto me ship?

"C-Captain Sparkle," said Fluttershy, standing tall so her shaking wouldn't be noticed, "I-I have come to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Port Royal."

"There was a lot of long words in there, miss, and we're not but humble pirates. What is it you want?"

"I-I want you leave. A-and never come back."

The pirates all laughed, but Fluttershy refrained from having a nervous breakdown.

"I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request," said Sparkle, to which Fluttershy blinked in confusion, "Means 'no'."

"F-fine then!" said Fluttershy, strolling over to the side of the ship.

She quickly slipped the gold-and-silver medallion off, and held it over the edge of the ship. The pirates fell silent, and stared at the medallion.

"I'll drop it." said FLuttershy, surprised at her own willingness.

"...Why?" asked Sparkle.

"Because it's what you're been attacking the town for. You've been searching for it. I recognize this ship. I saw it eight years ago, when we made the crossing from England."

"Did you, now?"

"But I suppose if it is this worthless, there's no reason to keep it."

Fluttershy casually tossed the medallion into the air, and all of the pirates moved towards it. Fluttershy caught it before it could slip away, and looked at Sparkle.

"You have a name, missy?" asked Sparkle.

"Fluttershy," she said, before hesitating slightly, "Dash."

"That's one ironic name." said Sparkle.

"One doesn't argue about their family name."

"And where did you get that there trinket? A family heirloom?"

"Why, yes it is."

"Very well then. You hand over that medallion and we will never come back to this town again."

"Can I trust you?"

"It's you who invoked the parlay! Believe me, Miss, you'd best hand it over, now... Or these be the last friendly words you'll hear!"

Her courage spent, Fluttershy held out the medallion and Sparkle eagerly grabbed it from her.

"Or deal?" asked Fluttershy, barely able to say the words.

"But of course." Sparkle nodded towards one of the other pirates, who called out to the others.

"Still the guns, and stow 'em! Signal the men, set the flags, and make good to clear port!"

Fluttershy took in a deep breath, and then realized that Sparkle had started to walk away.

"W-wait!" she called, "You must return me to shore! It says so in the code-"

Sparkle turned around and glared at Fluttershy, "First. Your return to shore was not part of our negotiations nor our agreement, and so I 'must' do nothing. Secondly: you must be a pirate for the pirate's code to apply. And you're not. And thirdly... The code is more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules," Fluttershy's eyes widened, "Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, Miss Dash."

Rainbow groaned as he came to, and slowly got to his hooves. He paused for a second, before running of towards the Governor's mansion. He zipped upstairs to Fluttershy's room, but she wasn't there. His eyes widened in realization: the pirates had taken Fluttershy! Rainbow exited the mansion before anypony could see him, and thought of what he could do. Sure, the Royal Navy would be looking for Fluttershy, but they were no match for pirates. The only real match for pirates were other pirates. Rainbow's eyes widened.

"Pinkie Pie..." he whispered, before sprinting off towards where the prisoners were kept.

Pinkie casually toyed with the straw that was his bed, when the sound of the door latch opening caught his attention. He quickly jumped up and stood waiting at the bars of his cell as Rainbow ran up to him.

"They took Fluttershy," said Rainbow, "Where did they take her?"

"Took ya long enough to come here," said Pinkie, "I know where the pirates took her, but I don't really need to tell you, do I?"

"I can get you out of here."

"The keys ran off."

"I helped build these cells. Those are hook-and-ring hinges. The proper application of strength, the door'll lift free. Just calls for the right lever and fulcrum..." Rainbow quickly grabbed a nearby chair, and wedged into the bars.

Rainbow pushed down on the chair, and the bars snapped off the wall. Pinkie smile, and stepped over to Rainbow.

"I knew I could count on you breaking me out of here," said Pinkie, "Now I'll help you get your mare, and you'll help me get back my ship."

"What ship?"

"The Black Pearl. The ship that was here last night."

"The Black Pearl isn't a real ship."

"It's as real as me, boy. Now let's move it. We don't want to get caught in the prison of all places."

Pinkie quickly grabbed his hat and belt, and the two ponies ran outside. Near the docks, in a hiding place, Pinkie quickly checked the shot in his pistol.

"Why are you bothering with that?" whispered Rainbow.

"My business, Rainbow," said Pinkie, placing his gun back in his belt, "As for your business, one question, or there's no use going. This girl, what does she mean to you? How far are you willing to go to save her?"

"I'd die for her." said Rainbow with no hesitation.

"Well, that makes it much easier!" said Pinkie, pointing at the HMS Dauntless out on the water, "Okay, now we're heading out to that ship."

"We're going to steal a ship?"

"Commandeer. We're going to commandeer a ship. Nautical term.

"It's still against the law!"

"So is breaking a man out of jail. Listen, you said you'd do anything to get your little Fluttershy back, so we're going to commandeer a ship!"

"Fine."

"Good. Now let's go get one of those longboats. I've got a plan."

Rainbow and Pinke quickly sneaked out to one of the longboats lying on the sand. Pinkie flipped it over, and grabbed the front end. He signaled to Rainbow, who grabbed the back end. Pinkie ducked his head under the boat, and Rainbow followed. The two walked into the water, but there was still airspace under the boat for them to breath.

"This is either crazy or brilliant." said Rainbow.

"Why can't it be both?" asked Pinkie, "Uh, you can swim, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Now as soon as we get to the Dauntless, we're going to swim up, and take over the ship. Don't say anything stupid."

Rainbow nodded, and they made it to the ship with some air left. They quickly swam to the surface, and climbed up the ship's ropes on to the deck, where the Navy sailors were playing dice.

"Everybody stay calm," said Pinkie, "We're taking over the ship!"

"Um, aye?" said Rainbow uncertainly.

The sailors all looked at the two ponies, and burst into laughter. However, they stopped when Pinkie pulled out his pistol and cocked it.

"Get off the ship." he said.

Back on shore, Commodore Rarity was examining a map, and Governor Sky was watching. They were trying to make a plan to find Fluttershy.

"Commodore," said the Governor, "Those men on that longboat seem to be calling for your attention."

Rarity looked up from the map, and pulled out a telescope. The Royal Navy sailors on the longboat were waving and pointing at the Dauntless. Rarity looked over at the Dauntless, and saw Rainbow and Pinkie standing on it.

"Rash, Dash," he said, "Too rash. That is, without doubt, the worst pirate I've ever seen. That ship cannot be readied by only two stallions. Everypony to the Interceptor before they make away!"

"They're coming!" said Rainbow as the Interceptor approached the Dauntless.

"Perfect," said Pinkie, "You know the plan?"

"Yes."

"Even more perfect."

The Interceptor came alongside the Dauntless, the decks empty. Grappling hooks were throw onto the Dauntless, and sails swarmed across onto it.

"Search every cabin, every hold, down to the bilges!" called Rarity, "Find them!"

As the ponies serached the Dauntless, Rainbow and Pinkie swung across onto the Interceptor high above their heads. Pinkie quickly sliced away the grappling hook's with his sword, and Rainbow steered the Interceptor away from the Dauntless. Rarity looked up from the Dauntless as he saw his ship sail away, and realized what was going on.

"Back to the Interceptor!" he cried.

One sailor tried to swing across to the Interceptor, but fell into the water because the ship was too far away.

"Thank you, Commodore for getting our ship ready to make way!" called Pinkie gleefully, "We would've had a hard time of it by ourselves!"

Rarity glared at Pinkie with anger.

"Raise the sails." he ordered.

"The wind is quarter from astern..." said one of the sailors, "By the time we're underway, we'll never catch them."

"We need only to come about, to put them in range of the long nines."

"We are to fire on our own ship?"

"Better to see it at the bottom of the sea than in the hands of a pirate."

"Captain, there's a problem!" called the sailor at the wheel, "He's disabled the rudder chain!"

Rarity witheld a groan as the Interceptor sailed farther away. The sailor next to Rarity watched with some degree of admiration.

"He's got to be the best best pirate I've ever seen." he said.

"So it would seem," said Rarity, his eyes narrowing, "So it would seem..."

The Curse Revealed

Fluttershy nervously strolled back and forth in the Captain's cabin, until two pirates entered. It was the two pirates who had brought her aboard the ship, and one of them was holding a black silk dress.

"You'll be dining with the captain," he said, "And he requests you wear this."

"Tell him no thanks." said Fluttershy.

"He said you'd say that. He also said if that be the case, you'll be dining with the crew. And you'll be naked."

Fluttershy's face turned red and she instantly grabbed the dress. The pirate frowned, and he and the other pirate exited. Fluttershy quickly slipped on the dress, and hurried off to eat with Captain Sparkle.

"You look very lovely, dear." said Sparkle as Fluttershy sat down at the full table.

"Dare I ask the fate of its previous owner?" asked Fluttershy nervously.

"Now, none of that. Please dig in."

Fluttershy picked up her knife and fork and gently cut off a piece of the bread on her plate.

"No need to stand on ceremony, and no call to impress anyone," said Sparkle, "You must be hungry."

Fluttershy hesitated, before scarfing down the bread on her plate.

"Try the wine." said Sparkle, watching her intently as she ate.

She took a large gulp of wine, before scarfing down a roll.

"And the apples, one of those next."

She chomped down on an apple, before stopping. Sparkle wasn't eating anything.

"It's poisoned?" asked Fluttershy, nervously pushing away her plate.

"If I wanted to kill you, Miss Dash, I would have done it earlier." said Sparkle.

"Then why aren't you eating?"

"Would that I could," Sparkle pulled out the medallion, and held it loosely from his hoof, "Do you know know what this is, then?"

"It's a pirate medallion."

"It's a piece of the treasure of Isla de Muerta," Fluttershy blinked in confusion, "Ah, so you don't know as much as you pretend. Back when the great Treasure Hunter was cutting a great bloody swath through the New World, a high priest gave him all the gold they had, with one condition: that he spare the people's lives. Of course, Hunter being Hunter, he didn't. He would've made a great pirate, that one."

Sparkle stood up from the table, and moved over to a shelf. He put a key into a medium-sized polished wooden box, and opened it.

"So the priest, with his dying breath, called on the power of the blood of his people, and put on the gold a curse. If anyone took so much as a single piece, as he was compelled by greed, by greed he would be consumed."

Inside the chest was charts, some gold, a sextant, and a few pages of Mayan Codex, pieces of tree bark inscribed with Mayan glyphs. Sparkle carefully removed them, and set them on the table.

"Within a day of leaving port for Spain, the treasure ship carrying the gold... Something went wrong. The ship run aground, every man aboard dead, save one. He survived long enough to hide the gold ashore," he paused, "Over time, the dark magic of the curse seeped into the place, making it a cursed island. An island of death. Isla de Muerta."

Fluttershy snapped out of her absorption in the story, and looked up at Sparkle.

"That's all very interesting," she said, "But I don't really believe in ghost stories anymore. Too scary."

"You idiot girl!" cried Sparkle, sweeping the food off the table and causing Fluttershy to flinch nervously, "It's no make-believe! My crew and I, we found the gold, and we did more than take one piece, we took it all. Rich ponies we were and we spent it and traded it and gave it away in exchange for drink and food and pleasant company. But we found out: the drink could not sate us, and the food turned to ashes in our mouths, and no amount of pleasant company could ease our torment."

He stood back up, more calm. Sparkle took a breath before continuing "We are cursed ponies, Miss Dash, condemned, to be forever consumed by our own greed. Gold calls to us, always, and we are driven, always, to find more, and add it to the treasure. There is but one way to remove the curse. All of the scattered pieces of the treasure must be restored in full, and the blood repaid."

He threw away all the stuff he had taken out of the chest, "We've recovered every piece," he held up the medallion, "Save for this. And as for the blood... That's what we have you for. And that's why there's no sense in killing you. Yet."

Fluttershy stared at Sparkle in horror. He casually picked an apple up off the floor, and extended it out towards her.

"Apple?"

Fluttershy back away from Sparkle, towards the door. She slipped on the silverware on the ground, and accidentally managed to kick a knife into Sparkle's hoof. Her eyes widened as Sparkle casually pulled the knife out, and the wound didn't bleed.

"Now, Miss Dash, there no need to try and kill me."

Fluttershy turned away and ran outside, but came to a dead stop. Every single pirate in the moonlight was a skeleton. She quickly turned away, only to run into Sparkle in the doorway. He quickly whipped Fluttershy around towards the skeletons.

"Look!" he said, shaking Fluttershy, "Look! The moonlight shows us for what we really are! We are not among the living and so we cannot die," he spun Fluttershy back around to face him, "But neither are we dead!" Sparkle moved forward so his face was in the moonlight, and it became skeletal, "We have all the desires of the living, but cannot satisfy them! Ten years I have been parched of thirst, and unable to quench it! Ten years, I have been starving to death, and haven't died!" Fluttershy began to hyperventilate, "And I have not felt anything for ten years... Not the wind on my face, nor the spray of the sea... Nor the flesh of a mare..."

Fluttershy broke away from Sparkle, and backed out onto the deck. Sparkle stepped out into the moonlight, and began completely skeletal. He pulled out a bottle of wine, uncorked it with his teeth, and raised it above his head.

"You'd best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Dash. Because now you're in one."

He tilted back the bottle and drank from it. The dark red wine ran over his jar, and onto his ribs, making them appear to be bloody. Fluttershy quickly ran back inside to the cabin, and shut the door behind her. She huddled in the far corner of the cabin, terrified.

"Rainbow, save me..." she whispered.

Onward to Poni

The Interceptor cut across the waves, with Pinkie at the wheel. Rainbow tightened a rope, and then began to sharpen his sword.

"For a stallion whose made an industry of avoiding boats, you're a quick study." said Pinkie.

"I worked passage from England as a cabin boy," said Rainbow, "After my mother passed, I came out here... Looking for my father."

"Is that so?"

"My father. Jetstream Dash."

"I was one of the few who knew him as that. Most everyone called him Wave, or 'Sharp-Winged' Wave."

"'Sharp-Winged' Wave?"

"Good pony. Good pirate. And clever. I never met anyone with as clever a mind and hooves as him. When you were puzzling out that cell door, it was like seeing his twin. Well, son, I guess."

"That's not true." said Rainbow, holding his sword more tightly.

"I swear, you look just like him. And not just because of the mane."

"It's not true that my father was a pirate."

Pinkie shrugged, "Figured you wouldn't want to hear it."

"He was a merchant marine! He was a respectable pony who obeyed the law, and followed the rules-"

"He was a pirate."

"My father was not a pirate!"

Rainbow pointed his sword out at Pinkie, who sighed.

"Put it away, Rainbow," he said, "It's not worth getting beat again.

"You didn't beat me. You ignored the rules of engagement. In a fair fight, I'd kill you."

"Then that's not much incentive for me to fight fair, is it?"

Pinkie suddenly kicked a lever on a wench. The sail boom suddenly whipped around, and slammed into Rainbow, sweeping off the ship. His sword clattered onto the deck, and Rainbow dangled above the water. Pinkie slipped a loop of rope around the wheel to hold course, and picked up Rainbow's sword.

"As long as you're just hanging there, pay attention. Must, should, do, don't, shall, shall not: those are just suggestions. There are only two absolute rules. What a pony can do. And what a pony can't do," Rainbow looked away, uninterested, "For instance: you can accept that your father was a pirate and still a good pony... Or you can't. Now me, I can let you fall off and drown, but I can't bring this ship into Poni by myself."

Pinkie swung the boom back in, and Rainbow dropped onto the deck. Pinkie pointed the sword at him.

"And you can have the sword pointing at you," he tossed the sword around, and Rainbow caught it in his hoof, "Or you can be the one holding it."

Rainbow stood up, and Pinkie returned to the wheel.

"You ready for Poni?" he asked.

There were pirates, privateers, thieves, drunkards, and so many more in Poni. There was rotting docks, weather-beaten buildings, and livestock running free everywhere. Pinkie and Rainbow moved through the crowd, and a mare noticed Pinkie.

"We need a crew," said Pinkie to Rainbow, "We can manage the ship between islands, but the open sea, that's another matter."

The pony walked up to Pinkie, who turned to look at her.

"Why hello, Sea Sw-" started Pinkie, before the mare slapped him and walked off, "I don't think I deserved that..."

"Pinkie." said a griffin, walking up to him.

"Gilda!" said Pinkie, before the griffin snapped him and walked off.

"I suppose you didn't deserve that either?" asked Rainbow.

"No, that one I deserved," said Pinkie, "Don't worry. I've already got my Quartermaster!"

Pinkie quickly grabbed two buckets, one for him and one from Rainbow, that were filled with water. Rainbow looked at Pinkie in confusion, but didn't say anything. Pinkie walked over to a drunken pony laying on the ground, and splashed the water over him. The pony sat up sputtering.

"Hey!" he cried, before realizing that Pinkie was the one who threw the water, "Mother's love, Pinkie! You know better than to wake a stallion when he's sleeping! It's bad luck!"

"Well, fortunately, Applejack," said Pinkie, "I know how to counter it. The pony who did the waking buys the pony who was sleeping a drink, and the pony who was sleeping it drinks it while listening to a proposition.

"Aye, that'll about do it." said Applejack, getting to his hooves.

Rainbow suddenly threw the water he was holding at Applejack, who took a step back in surprise.

"Blast it, I'm already awake!"

"I know," said Rainbow, "That was for the smell."

"Can't argue with that..."

Pinkie and Applejack sat at a table in a bar, where ponies were stumbling around and yelling. It made an easy cover. Just to be on the safe side, Rainbow was standing away from them, keeping watch. Applejack lifted up his tankard to take a swig, when Pinkie interrupted him.

"Just the one drink." he said.

Applejack paused, and then took a small sip than he had previously planned. He then set the tankard down, and looked up at Pinkie

"Make it fast, then," said Applejack, "Now, what's the nature of this venture of yours?" he picked up the tankard, again.

"I'm going after the Black Pearl."

Applejack straightened up like he'd been hit, and stared at Pinkie. He gently placed dwon his tankard.

"Say again?" he asked.

"I'm going after the Black Pearl," repeated Pinkie, "I know where it's going to be, and I'm going to take it."

"Pinkie, it's a fool's errand! You've heard the tales they tell about the Pearl!"

"Aye, and that's why I know where it's going to be. I know where Sparkle is going to be. All I need is a crew."

Applejack shook his head, "It's a fool's errand.

Pinkie grinned, "Not if the fool has something Sparkle wants. In facts, he doesn't even want it, he needs it."

"And you've got that, have you?"

Pinkie's smile grew, and his eyes shifted over to Rainbow. Applejack raised an eyebrow at Pinkie.

"That there is the son of Sharp-Winged Wave," said Pinkie softly, "His only child."

Applejack's eyes widen, and he glanced at Rainbow. He then smiled, and looked back at Pinkie.

"Well, lookee there," he said, "I'll allow you may be onto something, Pinkie. There's bound to be sailors on this rock as crazy as you. I'll find you some ponies.

Applejack drained down what remained of his drink, and slammed the tankard down on the table. He glanced at Rainbow, again, and then turned to Pinkie.

"You know, once you think about it," he said, "The mane color makes it pretty obvious."

"Eh, kinda." said Pinkie.

On the docks, a disheveled, motley, and weatherbeaten group of about a dozen ponies stood in a ragged line-up. Pinkie was looking them over, and Applejack was smiling. Rainbow was sharpening his sword, again.

"Feast your eyes, Cap'n!" said Applejack to Pinkie, "All of 'em good, sea-faring ponies. Faithful hooves before the mast. Every one worth their salt," he lowered his voice so only Pinkie could hear, "And crazy, to boot."

Pinkie nodded, and faced towards the ponies.

"All of you!" he said, "Danger and near certain death are nearby if you wish to be part of this crew. For we are going to sail to the Isla de Muerta! And-"

"What's in it for us?" snapped a familiar voice.

Pinkie paused, and walked down the line to someone who's face was blocked by a hat. He pulled the hat up, to reveal Gilda, who slapped Pinkie, again.

"You stole my boat!" snapped Gilda angrily.

"Merely borrowed it!" said Pinkie, "Your boat is fine! And if you aren't satisfied with the condition its in, I'll get you a new one."

"I'll hold you to that."

Pinkie nodded, and continued looking down the line. He stopped in front of a white unicorn with a spiky blue mane, who had a colorful parrot on his shoulder.

"Vinyl here is mute," said Applejack, "Poor devil had his tongue cut out," Vinyl opened his mouth to prove it, and Pinkie grimaced, "So he trained the parrot to do the talking for him."

"Okay..." said Pinkie, "Mr. Vinyl, do you have the courage and fortitude to follow orders and stay true, in the face danger, and almost certain death?"

"Wind in your sails!" cried Vinyl's parrot, "Wind in your sails!"

Pinkie glanced over at Applejack.

"We mostly figure that means 'yes'." said Applejack.

"Alrighty, then!" said Pinkie, "Let's get moving! The Pearl is sailing, but we are going to get to her soon!" he glanced up at the sky, and saw that it was rapidly darkening from storm clouds that were being blown in, "Hope you can all deal with some weather..."

Sailing Through the Storm

A flash of lightning and a crack of thunder exploded in the sky, while rain poured down heavily. On board the Interceptor, ponies scurried about their tasks, pulling lines and trimming sails. Though they had all sailed through bad weather before, this storm was a nightmare. Gilda gripped the helm of the ship tightly in her talons, and squinted through the rain and clouds to try and see.

"That fool will have us lose the canvas and the masts!" muttered Applejack before calling to Pinkie staring out at the ocean. "We'd best drop canvas, sir!"

"She can hold!" called back Pinkie. The wind began to pick up, and he smiled.

"What's in your head to put you is such a fine mood?" called Applejack.

Pinkie grinned. "We're catching up!"

On the Black Pearl, Fluttershy was curled up in a corner, whimpering softly to herself. The rain was pounding down on the deck above her, and the waves seemed to be growing larger and larger.

"Isla de Muerta!" cried a faint voice from high above. "Isla de Muerta off the port below!"

Fluttershy whimpered once more, and gazed back out the small window.

This is so terrifying... thought Fluttershy. At least I know that everypony else I love should be safe at home.

Pinkie continually glanced down at a compass he held in his hoof, while the last of the storm died away. The arrow on the compass seemed to be moving on its own, and not according to where north was.

"Bear three points starboard." said Pinkie to Gilda.

She easily made the adjustment, and Pinkie looked back down at the compass.

"Six points port."

Gilda frowned, but turned the wheel accordingly. On deck, Rainbow was coiling a rope and glancing over at Pinkie with interest. Applejack came over to him, noticing his frown.

"What be the matter?" asked Applejack.

"Well..." said Rainbow. "How exactly do we expect to find an island that no one can find, with a compass that doesn't work?"

"Now, lad, just because it don't point north don't mean it don't work." Applejack grinned. "That compass gives bearings to the Isla
de Muerta, wherever it may lie."

"That's oddly specific."

"Aye."

"But then why does Pinkie carry around that pistol? Doesn't it only have one shot?"

"Ah, that one is far more interesting. See, Pinkie Pie has an honest streak, which is where this whole problem starts. He was once the captain of the Black Pearl. He hired a crew and promised each pony an equal share." Applejack lowered his voice. "So they're forty days out, and the First Mate goes up to Pinkie. He says that everything's an equal share, and that means the location of the island too. So Pinkie told him." He sighed. "And that night there was a mutiny."

Rainbow frowned. "Harsh."

"Such as it is for a pirate. The crew marooned Pinkie on an island, and he was left there to die."

"How'd he get off?"

"See, he chopped down every tree on the island, and made a small raft. Then he hitched it to dolphins and sailed off the island."

Rainbow paused to think. "What did he chop down the trees with?"

Applejack opened his mouth to respond, but had no answer.

"Applejack, can you come figure out what Vinyl is saying?" called Pinkie, startling Rainbow and Applejack.

"Sure thing!" said Applejack, getting up and hurrying over.

Pinkie casually strolled over to Rainbow, who had resumed coiling the rope.

"I'd tell you how I got off the island," said Pinkie, "But that's a dark and unpleasant tale. Best left untold."

"But what about the pistol?" asked Rainbow.

"Ah yes, the pistol. See, when a pirate is marooned, he's given a pistol with a single shot. Not very useful for hunting since you've only got one. But after three weeks of starvation and thirst, that pistol starts to look like a good option." Pinkie smiled. "But as you can tell, I didn't go that way. I survived. And I have this single shot. Can you guess who it's for?"

"Your first mate that caused the mutiny?"

"Yep. You know who that was?"

"Sparkle."

Pinkie nodded and started to walk away. He paused, and turned back towards Rainbow. "You know, you're so much cleverer than your father. He'd be proud of you."

Rainbow simply stared at Pinkie as he walked off, and wondered if the compliment was really good or not.

Fluttershy shuddered as she was brought towards the Isla de Muerta. The deep fog was not just freezing, but very eerie. She briefly considered jumping out of the small boat she was in and swimming away, but knew that she would have no place to hide from the pirates.

"Isn't it just beautiful?" asked Sparkle to Fluttershy. "Hidden from others not just by fog but by so much more? And such a name. You'd think that someone would think twice about going to an island with death in the name. What do you think, Miss Dash?"

"I-it's dark." managed Fluttershy.

"Quite. Until we light up the inside with our lovely little torches. Then you'll be able to see all of the treasure." Sparkle paused. "I'd recommend not touching any of it. You probably don't want to risk ending up like us, now do you?"

Fluttershy gave a small shake of her head, before having to resist the urge to curl up into a small ball and cry.

Oh, Rainbow Dash. At least I know that you're okay.

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a Pirate's Life for Me (Re-Written)

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me," sang a soft, sweet voice over the foggy ocean waters, "Yo ho, yo ho, it's a pirate's life for me..."

Young Fluttershy stood at the bow railing of the ship, the HMS Dauntless, gazing out towards the seas. Her pink mane blew slightly in the wind, and she continued to sing.

"Drink up me hearties, yo ho-"

"Quiet, missy!" said an orange stallion, running up to Fluttershy, "Cursed pirates sail these waters! You want to call 'em down on us?"

Fluttershy's eyes widened in surprise, but a voice caught both hers and the stallion's attention.

"Mr. Jack," a dashing young stallion wearing a Royal Navy uniform said, "That will do."

"She was singing about pirates," said the orange stallion warningly, "Bad luck to sing about pirates, with us mired in this unnatural fog. Mark my words."

"Consider them marked. Now, on your way."

"'Aye, Captain," the stallion walked back down towards the deck, "Bad luck to have a mare on board, too. Even a mini'ture." he returned to swabbing the deck, taking a sip from a flask when nopony was looking.

"I think it would be rather exciting to meet a pirate, Mr. Rarity." said Fluttershy to the young stallion wearing the uniform.

"Think again, Ms. Breeze," said Rarity, looking out at the waters through the ominous fog, "They are awful creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see to it that any stallion who sails under a pirate flag, or wears a pirates brand, gets what he deserves: a short drop and a sudden stop."

Fluttershy blinked in confusion, and on the deck, the orange stallion helpfully mimed a stallion being hung.

"Captain Rarity," said Fluttershy's father, Governor Sky, "I appreciate your fervor, but I am concerned about the effect this subject will have on my daughter."

"My apologies, Governor." said Rarity simply.

"Actually," said Fluttershy, "I find it all fascinating."

"And that's what concerns me," said Governor Sky, "Fluttershy, dear... We will be landing in Port Royal very soon, and beginning our new lives. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we comport ourselves as befits our class and station?"

"Yes, father," she turned away, to look out over the bow rail, and whispered to herself, "I still think it would be exciting to meet a pirate..."

The fog was still obscuring almost everything, and very little of the sea was visible. Fluttershy's eyes trailed across the water, until a figure suddenly came into view. It was a young colt, appearing to be about the same age as her, floating on a piece of wood in the water. Fluttershy's eyes widened in surprise. She quickly leaned far over the edge to look at the colt, when she suddenly lost her balance, and fell over the edge.

"Eeek!" cried Fluttershy as she fell into the water.

"Fluttershy!" cried Governor Sky, running over to the edge with Captain Rarity following, "Save her!

As he was saying this, Fluttershy burst out of the water, and grabbed onto the piece of wood the colt was on. She held one hoof on the board, and wrapped her other one around the colt so he wouldn't fall off.

"Ponies overboard!" yelled Rarity at the crew, seeing Fluttershy and the colt in the water, "Fetch a hook! Haul them out of there!"

Quickly, the sailors threw a rope into the water, which Fluttershy caught and gently tied around her and the colt's waists. She might have been scared, but she was no fool. The sailors pulled her and the colt up, and Fluttershy landed roughly on the deck. The rope was untied from her and the colt, and Fluttershy instantly ran over to her father.

"That was so scary..." she whispered to her father.

Rarity, after making sure that Fluttershy was okay, hurried over to the colt to check on him. Fluttershy, worried about the colt, broke away from her father to look.

"He's still breathing." said Rarity with relief.

"Where did he come from?" asked Governor Sky.

"My God..." whispered the orange stallion in horror, facing towards the waters instead of the young colt.

Everypony turned away from the colt, to see that the sea was no longer empty. Wreckage from a ship littered the water, along with the macabre sight of the dead crew. What remained was burning, notable a ragged British flag hanging limply from the stern. Everypony on the HMS Dauntless fell quiet.

"What happened here?" whispered Governor Sky nervously.

"An explosion in the powder magazine," said Rarity in a hushed tone, "Merchant vessels run heavily armed."

"Lot of good it did them..." muttered the orange stallion, "Okay, everypony's thinking it! I'm just saying it: pirates!"

"There is no proof of that," said Governor Sky softly, "It could have been an accident. Captain, these stallions were protection. If there is even the slightest chance one of those poor devils is still alive, we cannot abandon them!"

"Of course not, Governor," said Rarity, before turning towards his crew, "Come about and strike the sails! Unlash the boats! Gunnery crew, jackets off the cannons!" he turned towards Governor Sky, "Hope for the best... Prepare for the worst," he turned back towards two of the crew members, "Move the boy aft. We'll need the deck clear."

The two crew member carefully lifted the colt over to a safe area. Governor Sky pulled Fluttershy away from the awful scene on the water, and towards where they were putting the colt.

"Fluttershy," he said to her, "I want you to accompany the colt. He's in your charge now. You'll watch over him?"

Fluttershy nodded nervously, and her father hurried away to help the crew. She then sat down next to the young colt, where the crew members had left him. She gently pushed some of his mane away from his eye, when he abruptly grabbed her hoof. Fluttershy's eyes widened once again, but she kept a soft, kind voice to calm him.

"My name is Fluttershy Breeze." she said.

"R-R-Rainbow D-Dash." said the colt nervously.

"Don't worry. I'm watching over you, Rainbow."

Rainbow gave a small smile, before he slipped back into unconsciousness. Fluttershy noticed that he had a thin chain around his neck, and gently tugged it free to reveal a gold-and-silver medallion. She turned it over from the back side, to reveal an ominous skull on the other. Fluttershy's eyes widened, once again, and she looked down at Rainbow.

"Y-you're a pirate..." she whispered.

Fluttershy glanced back at the crew, and nervous grabbed Rainbow's medallion, hiding it in her coat.

"Did he speak?" asked Rarity, suddenly arriving next to Fluttershy.

"His- his name is Rainbow Dash," she replied nervously, "That's all I found out."

"Very good." Rarity hurried back down towards the crew.

Fluttershy looked back down at the creepy gold-and-silver medallion, when a wisp of wind caused her to look up. Out over the sea, moving through the fog, as silent as a ghost, was a large sailing ship with dark blacks sails. Fluttershy stared at the ship in fear, noticing the skull on the faintly-visible flag matched the one on the medallion. Fog surrounded the closed in on the black ship, all except for the ominous black flag. As Fluttershy continued to stared, the skull on the flag seemed to turn and grin at her. Fearfully, Fluttershy shut her eyes tight.