Daylight could be seen coming over the horizon of Las Pegasus mountains. A yellow peguses mare exits her house, closing the door behind her, she starts her morning stretches and warm ups. Once she was done she took in a deep breath of air.

*BBBBBBUUUUUUURRRRRRMMMMM* “GUH!” she shouted as she took off straight into the air, by the sudden noise from the nearby fog horn.

After calming herself down, she looks towards the only fog horn nearby. As she got closer to the lighthouse she could hear laughter inside the build. She then frowns coming to the conclusion of what just happen.

Landing in front of the building the mare prepares herself for some good old pay back. “DASH! If this was one of your gags, I am going to show you just how much I enjoyed it.” She said entering the building then closing the door behind her. Then was then the sound of panic followed by crashing and smashing of random objects, before two blurs could be seen coming out of the building moving towards the harbor.

“Hum?”

“What’s wrong Twilight?”

“It’s the fog horn. Normally it’s only used to signal incoming ships of where the island is during a foggy day. And right now, it’s clear.”

“Yeah that is weird.”

“Anyways we are closing in on Las Pegasus, and we better check up on the captain to see what is going to happen next.”

“Right.” Twilight and Sunset were about to leave their room when they remember someone. “Spike I know you are awake. So, you can either get up and come with us on your own free will or I am going to drag you with us?”

“Fine I am coming.” The trio made their way on over to the captains quarters and found him behind his desk.

“Good morning to you all. I was afraid for a moment that we were going to have to help you get out of bed again.”

“Thankfully not this time or ever again.”

“Never say never my dear Sunset.” “Now then I assume you are here for more than a friendly chat with an old sailor like me.”

“Yes, straight to business. Captain once we arrive at shore, where are head to?”

“You are to head to town hall and meet with Mayor Hooves. She will then show you to the artifact which we are after.”

“Artifact!?”

“Yes Spike, Artifact.” Sunset said turning her attention to the young drake. “Celestia said that what we are after is import. So, in this case it is an artifact of some kind.” She then turned her attain back to the captain. “Do we know anything specific about it?”

“Nothing that I can for sure. Only that it is no bigger than a bit and that Celestia wants it.”

“Fair enough.”

“Right then I will be assigning you some guards for your safety on shore.”

“Are they necessary?”

“Just a precasion. Las Pagegus is known for as a poor but peaceful island, but it does have its fair share of crime. And we cannot afford to lose that artifact.”

“Ok, however Captain. The way you talk about the package, makes me think that you know more than you are willing to share.”

“Call it a hunch, but whatever it is Celestia has put a tiet lid on it. However, based on the size, I can only guess that it might be one of the shards of harmony.”

“A Shard of Harmony? What is that?”

“Really Sunset? You remember the legend about the Elements of Harmony and Discord.”

“Oh, right! Now I remember. After the Elements of Harmony were lost, Ponies and other creatures have claim to have found them. However, it turns out to be random crystals or shards of a crystal instead.”

“And in some of the cases the crystal shards had a unique spell place on them, to make them seem like the real thing.”

“That is right, but Captain you can’t seriously suggesting that we are after a real piece of an Element of Harmony, do you?”

“Can’t you let a stallion dream for a little?”

“Right. Anyways how long do we have until we depart back to Canterlot?”

“It depends on the news we receive from the local weather ponies around here. If the weather is clear for the next two days. Then we will be on our way by tomorrow morning. If not, we will have to wait it out.”

“Well then let’s not waste anymore time than. Come on guys.”

“You will find your guards waiting for you at the gad plank.”

“Thank Sir.”

With that they bid the captain farewell and left the room. Unaware that one of the crewmember who was working nearby the cabin stop what they were doing and once no pony was looking he went to the other side of the ship. After the ship arrive at the dock Twilight’s group left to the town hall, another group of crewmembers went to the market place, other stay on board the ship. However, no one paid attention to Trixie and her wagon when somepony came out of it when she was heading to the market place. This pony made her way to a small café and order coffee. During the wait the mare pulled out a red flower from her bag and place it in her hair next to her left ear. Shortly after she finish her coffee another mare came from the sky and took a seat next to her. After ordering her own coffee the mare with the red flower look at her once before she set her cup down.

“Isn’t a little late to be having coffee today Miss?”

The pegues mare looks at her before looking around before addressing her “It is never too late to have blue coffee”

“Excuses me? But I never heard of blue coffee. Don’t you mean red coffee”

“No blue coffee.”

The mare with the flower groan with a hoof over her face. “Let’s try that again. The purple sun melts the red snow.”

“And the river runs upstream”

“Secret Agent Hooves?”

“Secret Agent Sweetie Drops?”

“What was wrong with your counter sign?”

“What do you mean what was wrong with it? I gave you the counter sign for the red flower.”

“But that the wrong counter sign.”

“It is not!” she then reaches into her bag sand pull out a roll up scroll. “See, right here.”

Sweetie drops looks at the scroll before looking at the issue date on the scroll. “That’s the old counter sign.” She then pulls out her own scroll and shows it to her.

Agent Hooves look at it before she starts to wine “I am sorry Agent Sweetie Drops. I should have known that you would have the right counter sign. It's just after all these years undercover hiding in trees, walls, and small spaces. You can get out of the loop. And you know I am getting tried of it.”

“Calm down agent hooves we all have to make sacrifices on the job. Here, take my code scroll.”

“I can't do that.”

“its fine I already memorized it.”

She takes it and sniff a little. “I won’t forget this. I will pay you back Sweetie drops.”

“Thanks, and that’s is nice and all but could you please give me your report.”

“right.” *ahem* “mostly everything is the same here. Nothing major has happen expect for Rainbow scaring the feathers of off Spitfire earlier.”

“That must have been funny. Anything sign of 'black hooves' around here?”

“nothing yet, but I will keep an eye out for them.”

“you better. The princess wants to own if they are friendly or not asap.”

“will do. That concludes my report and I better get going before anypony starts missing me.”

“alright then carry on the agent hooves.”

“You can count on me.”

An hour. Later At the storage room of town hall.

"And this my friends the what you are here for. I am not aloud to tell you what it is with all the hush hush going around it.”

“thank you, Mayor hooves, but I do have one question."

"Yes?"

"Why is the box the size of a wagon?" Sunset said gesturing to the box. “is it really that big?"

"No that just to throw ponies off from what’s inside it."

"Oh, so it small!"

There was a moment of silence before the mayor said anything” you did hear that form me.”

"Don't worry we won’t tell anypony. Okay boys get this create moving." Twilight told the guards as the began to move the box.

Once the box was out of storage room. The mayor pulls Sunset aside.

"How did you know it was smaller than it appears to be?”

“you just told me.” Sunset said as she moves to join the others.

“clever girl.”

It didn't take long before they rejoin the crew at the ship. They got word from the captain that everything is ready to go and would be on their way back shortly if the weather ponies tell them other wise. He also informed them that they would be bring along three other crewmembers. After their talk Sunset and the others went back to their cabin and a wait for the journey back home.

“You know this wasn't as exciting as I thought this trip would be.” Spike said as they enter the room.

“well what did you expect Spike? This was no more than a milk run.”

“we I know that but I was kind of hoping for action. You know fending of pirates, holding out against a great storm, or maybe even fighting a giant sea creature!”

“oh, spike that is the last thing we want to happen on this journey. Imagine if it did happen?”

“yah”

“Stop encouraging him. “Twilight said to Sunset. “Spike. I don't think we can survive if something like they happen. We are out at sea. My magic is unless out here. I have no form of training in hoof to hoof combat and if you did use your fire you risk burning the sea down and then we will be lost at sea.”

“sorry Twilight I didn’t think about it that way.”

“it is ok spike.” Twilight said as she hugs the little dragon.

Meanwhile outside every sailor on board was getting ready to shove off. As they were doing so some of them notice an orange pegues looking around the last of the supply crates on the deck.

“Hay Miss get away from there!”

“In a minute I am look for somepony.”

“then I’ll help you.” The sailor said going down to join the search.

Meanwhile rainbow was hiding behind one of the farest barrels and notice the top was open. Quickly she hid inside and left the top open so she can breathe and get out. After three minutes she heard s

The new pony telling Spitfire to leave. Rainbow was about to leave her box but then the lid was forced closed and she started hearing the hammering of nails. She tried to open the box but with the limited amount of room she was stuck. Then the barrel started moving rolling her around for a bit before stopping.

“Hay Henry this water barrel is a little light is it supposed to be empty?”

“Nay dud I guess they forgot to fill it. Take it back and fill it up before we head out.”

“On it.” Then the barrel started rolling again. Rainbow was starting to get dizzy but then a small hole open and water started to fill it. But then it stops half ways then something else started to fill it. And it smelled familiar to her. After a quick taste “Cider?”

As the sailor was rolling the barrel back he thought he was hearing thing like the barrel drinking itself. “I got to lay off the hard stuff. I am hearing things.” He said to himself as he put the barrel in storage.

“Wait! I need to get on this boat!” Bon bon said trying to get pass the guard on the gad plank.

“I am sorry madam put it is not up to me it up to the captain and we are already full on crewmembers as it is.”

“But I must you know never mind I am good.”

“You are?”

“Yes I am. Have a good day.” She then started walking away.

“Hun that was odd.” He said as Bonbon snuck on to the boat by hang on the ships anchor when nopony was looking. Once. There were on their way bonbon got on board.

It has been seven hours since we left that little town. But I do have to get spikes idea for thought.

This vogue has been to peaceful. I have read reports from other captains and everyone of them have had some serious problems no matter how short the voyage was. I fear that soon we will have some problem on our hooves soon that maybe more than than we can handle. Especially with now down below deck. I have no idea what it is but if the princess what’s this it has got to be something important. I know that I am not allow to look inside it but that doesn’t mean I can kept an eye on it.

Sunset then made her way below deck and let the others know where she going to be. However, on her way there she started hearing somepony singing. It was very quiet but it got louder the closer she got to the storage area. Once inside. She notices that she’s not the only one who heard the singing. A couple of the crewmembers where gather around a barrel looking at each other then back to the barrel.

“Hay is everything alight here?”

“I am not sure but this barrel is started singing ten minutes ago.”

“Well what’s in it?”

“We were just going to find out, but the label says water.” The sailor then grabs a crowbar and pry the lid off.

“Annand IIIIIII will always love you!!” a cyan pony with a rainbow-colored mane said grabbing the closest pony in a hug. “Have I ever told you about the time when I made a rainbow from just free falling?”

“No.”

“it was glories”

“Let me guest she is not a member of this crew?”

“Nope she is definitely a storw away.”

“And she very friendly. Let’s see if we can get her without causing a raucous.” Slowly sunset and the other pony closed. In on the new mare before she notices them as well.

“Oh, look so many ponies here. Are you all part of my fan cub?”

Sunset has no idea what this mar was talking about when she started smelling cider coming from this mare direction. “Excuse me miss…”

“Rainbow dash! The fastest pony alive! In the flesh.”

“Miss dash but have you been drinking cider?”

“Naaa this was only. Titse little sips from this barrel.”

“And how many of these tissey little sips did you have?”

“272.”

Sunset looked down the barrel and found it to be empty. “Do you normally have this many sips of cider?

“Nope first-time honey dew.”

“Honey dew?!”

“Well you look like honey. I bet you taste great.”

“Ok enough of this get her out of here, I will inform the captain.” Sunset then left the two ponies to deal with rainbow heading back to top deck. However, as she did she started to notice a change in the weather. The clouds where gathering in thick grey clumps in the sky the wind is starting to pick up and the ship is starting to rock.

“Hay sailor! Does the captain know that we are in the middle of a storm?”

“I am not sure haven’t seen him since we left port.”

“That’s odd I am on my way to see him now anyways I will let him know.”

“You do that. These clouds are making me nerves.”

Sunset hurried to the captain courters and knocked at the door but there. Was no answer she tried again calling out to him but still no answer. Fearing the worst, she opens the door.

“Captain are you here?”

“What do you want?” storefront said from his desk.

“I here to tell you about the storm outside.”

“You leave that to me and the crew my lady. In the mean time I suggest you batten down the hanckes and wait with your friends until this blows over. Don’t worry only ponies on the deck are at risk of falling over board. We will be fine.”

“Okay then captain.” She turns to leave but then stop. “Oh, I just remember captain we have a stowaway on board.”

“We will deal with that after the storm but for now get below deck and wait farer orders. Understood?”

“Yes captain.” Sunset then left to join the others below deck. Once there she told them what was happening and the captain’s orders. Twilight thought it was odd they entered up in the middle of a storm just form without anypony noticing. However, spike thought it was hilarious hearing about the pony in the barrel.

“Spike it wasn’t that funny. Which reminds me of what I was doing before all this happen.”

‘But what about the captain’s orders?”

“I am not going to stay there I am just going to have a peek insi- um erm I mean make sure the crate is in tack. Yes, intact totally wasn’t trying to look inside.”

Twilight just looks at her with a mall glare. “Um hum. If it is all the same for you I better tag along.”

“What why, don’t you trust me?”

“Last year hearts warming eve.”

“Oh right. But to be fair that was a big box Twilight.”

“And you couldn’t have waited two more hours.”

“It was practically morning.”

“Say the one who wore a black ninja outfit crawling across the floor. And then causing unsuspecting ponies to fall down the stairs!”

“Okay that was your fault for not looking where you where going. And what about me? I got hurt as well.”

“That was only because spike thought you were stealing his presents.”

“ha-ha yeah I remember that. If couldn’t have them then no pony can.”

“You are lucky Mr. that the only things that got burn to dust were half of the present and the tree. Never did get to see what was in the box. Ah fine then if you want to tag along there is no reason why not.”

“By the way. Whatever did happen that the mare in the barrel?”

“My guess she was taken to the brig.”

As sunset and the others made their way to the storage area of the ship. The storm outside was growing worst. Lightning flash across the sky, waves of water crash into the sides of the ship sending sailors across the deck and cabins. Wind blow the sea across the deck soaking everyone on deck. Sailor struggle to man the stations to keep the ship from tilting over. Stormfront was at the helm struggling to guild the ship to the storm. However, though all this storm the was a sound. It started small then it started to grow.

Sunset look through one of the windows below deck and can see a red glow in the distant. She knew it was the sirens but gave it no sound thought for they are safe as long as they don’t go the light.

But then sunset notice that for some reason the ship was turning I. The direction of the sirens.” What is the captain thinking!”

“What is wrong?”

“He is guiding the ship into siren territory!”

“What is he thinking!”

“Something wrong here. I may not no the captain well but he would never in danger the ship like this. Especially since he is probably the only pony who knows what is in the crate. Am going to have a talk with him to see what’s going on in that thick head of his. You to kept going to the storage room.”

“Okay but why!”

“Something wrong here and somepony needs to make sure that the crate is intact.”

“Don’t worry we are on it. Be careful sunset.”

“Same to you two.” With that they went their separate ways.

The storm was getting worse be the minute. Forcing ponies to hang on the wall just too kept on their hooves. A lantern fell to the floor in front of sunset which burst into flames. She manages to not get burn and moved away from the dire. Lucky there was another pony came by and started putting out the flames.

“You there make sure the lanterns are put out on the deck I got this floor.”

“On but can you get somepony to the captain he is head straight into siren waters.”

“Don’t question the captain’s judgement miss. He has gotten us out of storms before and he can do it again. Now off with you!”

“Aright.” Sunset then struggle to the other lanterns and quickly put them out. As she did so the song of the sirens was growing louder.

Author's Note

i hope you all enjoy this story, and don't worry next chapter is going to be interesting.
laters.