Chapters The waves of the ocean roared as they slammed into the cliffside, like a giant beast crashing into the walls of its cage. Atop the cliff sat a welcoming sight to any traveler. An inn stood a couple of hundred yards away from the cliff edge. It's brick and wooden walls worn down by years of weather, stood strong and stubborn. The comforting smell of wood smoke and good food wafted from the inn. Bright lights shown from the windows along with loud cheers and boisterous laughs. A single sign swung above he door, welcoming travelers with its name. The Carousel inn.
Inside it was a madhouse of activity. Men, Women, Minotaurs, Griffins, and Ponies of all kinds were clustered around tables, conversing, eating food and drinking. The owner of the Carousel inn, a White furred, purple mane, and tail colored unicorn Pony by the name of Rarity, was directing her staff like a general directs his troops,
"Honey Dew, make sure to keep an eye on the beverage stock, we don't want to run out again like last year." She called to the pony bartender above the din.
"Gustav! Applejack! We need the meals for tables 3,16 and 20 quickly! The customers seem to be getting a bit upset that their food hasn't arrived yet." Rarity poked her head into the kitchen looking left and right for her two cooks.
"Ve just vinnished ze their meals mademoiselle Rarity." The prench accent of her Griffin cook greeted her as he turned around, balancing the steaming plate of food on his wings.
"Yeah, the food's done, but those three boys ain't here to pick'em up." Said her other cook, an Earth Pony with a blonde mane and tail and orange fur. Rarity huffed in annoyance.
"Those three..." She took a deep breath and Applejack quickly stuffed some rags into her and Gustav's ears.
"JIM HAWKINS! SPIKE! THORAX! FRONT AND CENTER NOW!!" She bellowed at the top of her lungs, causing most of the customers to startle and all talk to cease. The regulars just grinned widely. A griffin turned to an old human sailor near the fire.
"Looks like the boys have riled the beast again, eh Billy?" The sailor chuckled at the Griffin,
"Aye, they have. They'll be paying for it too. extra chores for the lot of 'em." Billy laughed. Brown, wild hair fell to his shoulders and an unkempt beard covered his chin. He wore a long,black canvas jacket and had a cutlass belted on his left hip. His ice-blue eyes shone with cunning and intelligence. Billys' face quickly turned dark.
"The punishment they get is nothing. Captain Flint would've strung'em up by their toes and lit a fire under them." Some onlookers shivered at the thought, most just groan because they knew where this would lead.
"Oh aye! Flint was a terrible man, a great sailor and a better captain, but you would never find a more black-hearted, scum-sucking bilge rat than Captain Flint... Probably why no one's gone looking for his treasure hoard, they fear his spirit will curse them." Billy said, sitting over his shoulder to war off evil spirits. several others did the same. A Pegasus stallion spoke up?
"What do you mean treasure hoard." The regulars groaned inwardly at the new guys' question. Billy grinned and leaned forward. looking the stallion in the eyes he began his tale.
"I was flint's first mate that voyage." He said, causing the Pegasus to gasp slightly.
"Three days east off Tortola in the carabi... Flint knew an Island, that's where we buried the treasure, gold, and blood, those were Flint's trademarks." He looked around and he had the attention of the crowd. Even the regulars listened in, to them it was still a good story. Billy looked back to the stallion,
"He'd leave both behind him that day."
(Replace most of the Muppets with Caribou)
Billy got up and spit into the fire causing it to hiss and sputter.
OH AYE! Fifteen men went ashore that day, and only Flint, his own self, returned." He let his gaze drift around the room. He gestured to the stallion.
"OH aye and then old Flinty, up and died a'fore he could get back to that accursed island and dig up the treasure." Billy walked back to his set and sat down. Looking at the faces in the Inn.
"No one knows to this day who has old Flints' map." He took a breath to finish but was cut off by all the regulars there.
"Now isn't that a story worth the hearing." They all said in unison. Billy just blinked in shock.
"It was the first dozen time we heard it." A Minotaur joked, a Griffin raised his mug.
"I'll drink to that." The crowd laughed. Billy just smirked, the teasing was all good fun.
"But who has the map now?" He asked getting most of their attention back.
"Some black-hearted, squid sucking buccaneer?" He noticed three bodies entering the dining room from the kitchens and his smirk grew.
"Or maybe it's our very own Jim Hawkins! Eh, Jimmy!?" Billy smiled at the boy and his two companions as they rushed around the room delivering the food and drinks that had been ordered and picking up the dirty dishes. Jim Hawkins was 15 years old, standing at 5'5" with a light brown hair down to the middle of his neck and pulled into a ponytail. He a white cotton shirt and a red vest with brown pants and simple shoes. He laughed slightly.
"If my friends and I had it, we wouldn't be here serving you rum Mister Bones." He set the mug of rum on mister Bones's table.
"Jim's right. We'd be out searching for that treasure. Sailing the seven years on a five-year mission, boldly going where no one has gone before!" Thorax proclaimed loudly, then leaning toward his friend Spike he said,
"I tell you that's catchy." He said. Thorax was the oddball of the three, a complete mystery as to what race he was or his age. Not even he knew. A black chitin shell covered his whole body, from the tips of his fingers to the bottom of his hooves. His eyes, a bright blue, sparkled with barely suppressed enthusiasm and excitement. He was the tallest of the trio at 5' 9", he wore brown pants and a grey shirt. A mouth full of sharp teeth grinned widely at his friend.
"Heh, not me, if I had that treasure map I'd be trading it for decent gems," Spike replied. He was a young 16-year-old Drake with purple scales on his back, arms, and legs. His eyes', belly scales and spines were all bright green. He was just a few inches shorter than Jim, a bit of a sore spot for Spike. He only wore a pair of black cotton pants. Spike picked up an empty mug,
"Hey Thorax you think you can eat this?" he asked seriously. Thorax just shook his head. Billy Bones knocked back the entire mug of rum he had been given. Jim could tell he was getting tipsy and Billy Bones being tipsy, meant loud outbursts.
"AYE! BEWARE THE ONE LEGGED MARE! SHE'S THE ONE TO FEAR!" He yelled flailing his arms wildly. Jim tried his best to calm him down.
"Don't worry Captain Bones, we'll watch for her." He said quickly, not wanting to git mister Bones angry, but Spike had to open his big mouth.
"Yeah, we'll watch for her, if she's delivering a pizza." He and Thorax laugh while Jim slapped his face with his palm. In a Blur, Billy Bones Grabbed Spike and shoved him headfirst into a barrel next to the fireplace.
"Get me out a here!" He yelled struggling. Jim walked over and pulled Spike out of the barrel. Trying to keep Mister Bones calm he said,
"Don't worry. If we see her we'll tell you." Now it was Thorax's turn to learn his lesson.
"Yeah, one leg, two heads , a couple of dozen noses, anything weird w..." Billy Bones reached over the table, grabbing Thorax by the neck and dragging him to his face.
"This ain't no joking matter Bug breath!" He said his voice dangerously low.
"The one-legged Mare brings death!" He shoved the severely scared Thorax back and onto the floor. Luckily for the boys' Rarity walked out just at the right time.
"Alright Gentlemen, It's closing time! Finish your meals and if you don't have a room, I must ask you to please leave." Her sharp blue eyes swept the room. She wasn't pleased with what she saw. Jim, Spike, and Thorax saw her change in mood and double-timed it with their cleaning.
"Boys look at the state of this place, why do you let it become such a pigsty in here?" She yelled at them. Billy just laughed as he stood, wobbling slightly. He tossed a few coins on the table to pay for the drinks he ordered. grabbing the last mug he downed it.
"Here's to you boys! I'm away to my room!" he said and stumbled out of the dining room. Rarity was at the door giving her farewells to her customers.
"Thank you for coming, don't forget to come back tomorrow for our lunchtime special, Roast chicken..." All griffin heads turned and looked at her. She started to sweat a little.
"Potatoes." she corrected with a sheepish smile. The griffins shook their heads and left the inn. The last of the guest's left and Rarity shut the door with a heavy sigh.
"Boys," she said, getting their attention, she walked toward the stairs to go to her room for the night.
"When you've finished in here you can go to the kitchen, Applejack and Gustav left your supper's there." They nodded that they understood. She made it to the landing when she remembered something.
"Oh yes, and Boys!" Rarity yelled down to them, they looked up and shivered at her stern face.
"Last night you forgot to put out the lantern! If you forget it again, you'll have triple chores for a week!" The three paled. Raritys' shoulders slumped from stress and she closed the door to her room behind her.
(Outside the Carousel Inn)
"Why do they have to build these things so high?!" Spike complained nervously and she swayed on the shoulders of Thorax. Spike had the snuffer on the end of a short stick and was trying to reach the lamp to put out the light. Jim was behind them trying to make sure they didn't fall.
"Ow spike, your standing on my ear!" Thorax yelled,
"Sorry. whoa steady, whoa, whoa!" Spike yelled as Thorax lost his balance for a second. Jim caught him and kept them straight. Jim sighed heavily.
"I hate my life," Jim said,
"I hate your life too," Thorax replied, ever the wise guy.
"If I had a life I'd hate it." Spike said, sticking his tongue out in concentration. Jim had a thoughtful look on his face.
"I should just run off to sea as my father did, He was my age when he sailed to China as a cabin boy and he wound up at first mate." Thorax twisted his head slightly to look at Jim, causing Spike to wiggle a bit.
"Wait, just run off to sea and leave everybody?" He asked, Jim just gave him a deadpan stare.
"Whose everybody, I'm an orphan I've got no family." Jim's eye's saddened slightly as the words left his lips. Thorax looked shocked.
"Hey, you got us." He said smiling, Spike spoke up as well.
"Yeah, we're family." He had just put out the light when the stone under Thorax's foot gave and they both tumbled back onto Jim with startled yelps. Groaning in slight pain they sat up. Spike grabbed his head and twisted it to get the kink out of his neck. Jim just sighed.
"Some family we are, be serious Spike I mean we don't actually look alike." Spike just shrugged.
"Okay, okay, so I'm a dragon and your a human being and Thorax is...a....a..." Thorax just gave an exasperated sigh.
"A whatever?" He offered the usual description to Spike. Spike chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, I mean we're still..." Jim had gotten to his feet.
"We're still family." Spike tried to cheer his friend up following him. They walked to a boulder near the cliff edge, Jim smiled at his friends.
"Yeah, but I wish my life was more like one of Captain Bone's adventures. Sailing the high sea and searching for buried treasure!" He hopped up onto the rock and struck a pose pointing out to sea. Jims' eyes sparkled with youthful excitement, and Thorax wasn't far behind his human friend.
"Yeah discovering lost Islands and weird Civilizations." He said. Jim smiled at him and pulled something out of his pocket.
"We'll be navigating my father's old compass to where ever the wind may take us!" Jim smiled excitedly at his companions. Thorax was just as pumped.
"Off to Zanzibar, to meet the Zanzabarbarians!" He proclaimed, hopping up and down. Spike just shook his head at his two friends.
"Oh boy, here they go again." He sighed, but couldn't keep a smirk from gracing his face.
"To the southwest, pirate galleons!" Jim proclaimed pointing in that direction.
"To the southeast, multi-armed Neighponian shark women and their exploding waves of death!" Thorax shouted. Jim and Spike just gave him deadpan looks till their ears were assaulted by a loud voice.
"TO THE NORTHWEST DIRTY DISHES!!" Raritys' voice boomed and made the boys flinch. Thorax just looked at the inn in amazement.
"How does she do that?" He asked to no one in particular. Jim just sighed.
"It's my turn this week, I'll wash." He put the compass away and turned to the inn.
"I'll dry," Spike said as he followed Jim.
"I'll break." Thorax joked, earning him a light punch in the arm by a smirking Spike.
Having finished with the dishes, Jim was sweeping the floor, Spike was wiping down the bar and Thorax was moping behind Spike. Music started to play from thin air, as it often did so they just went with it.
(Start at 1:24 in )
As the final notes of their song together faded, they were startled by loud yelling.
"ENOUGH WITH THIS SINGING!" Captain Bones yelled at the three boys who scattered like leaves in a stiff breeze Bone's drew his cutlass and slashed at some empty bottles on a table, smashing them to pieces.
"Alright, alright! Just one small one." Jim offered. A happy smile spread across Bone's face and he sheathed his cutlass. Before Jim could go get the rum Rarity's voice echo throughout the building.
"DON'T BE GIVING HIM ANY MORE RUM!" She yelled. All their head turned and looked up to were her door on the second floor.
"How does she bloody do that?" Bones slurred. Then a sound reached his ears that made him skip hangover and jump straight to sober.
"Shh, shhh." He told the boys and he crouch slightly. They followed suit and kept low. A steady tapping of wood on stone could be heard coming closer. The small crack of moonlight under the door was slowly covered by the shadow of someone. It stayed there for a few tense seconds when three loud knocks broke the tense silence and made the captain and the boys jump.
Jim cautiously made his way to the door. Something about this set him on edge, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Slowly he reached out his hand and gripped the door handle. He turned it and started to open the door when it was shoved open and he was pressed into the small space between the door and the wall.
"Aha! Billy Bones! It's me! blind Pierre." Said the clocked diamond dog in the doorway with a slight french accent. All the blood drained from Bill's face as he stared at Pierre. Both of Pierre's eyes had patches covering them. not much of his body could be seen because of the heavy cloak he wore, but his fur was a dark grey.
Pierre tapped his way inside.
"I know your here Bill-aaahh!" He yelled as he tripped and stumbled across the threshold. Righting himself his ears twitched as he tried to pick up any sounds.
"AH, You sniveling, chow head!" He bellowed in frustration.
"I think it's some kind of a blind fiend," Spike whispered to Thorax, unaware of Pierres' ears snapping to attention. Billy waved his arms frantically trying to get them to shut up, but they didn't see him.
"I think they prefer visually challenged fiend," Thorax whispered back and Billy could only grimace. Pierre turned and started walking toward the now scared Spike and Thorax.
"I heard that! There's someone HERE!" He lunged forward only to be hit in the stomach by a table. getting to his feet Pierre tried again.
"No? Over here!" He jumped to his right, tripping on the mop handle and tumbling to the floor. Jim was struggling not to laugh at him. He glanced at mister bones and Billy put a finger to his lips telling him to keep quiet. Jim had never seen such a deadly serious look on his face before, It made Jim worry. Pierre had picked himself up yet again. and was tapping around trying to find Billy.
"Over here maybe?" He was walking straight at the wall. Jim thought if he told the guy the inn was closed he would leave and they'd be okay. He stepped out from behind the door, ignoring the panicked look and gestures of Billy and slowly made his way toward the Diamond dog.
"I'm sorry sir but the inn is clo-OOH!" Jim yelped as Pierre shot at in a blur, grabbing one of Jim's arms and twisting it behind his back. Jim grunted from the pain as Pierre talked in his ear.
OH! Ah! Yea, a pretty little girl is it!" Jim looked quite put off at that remark.
"Yes, take me to Billy Bone my pet!" He twisted Jim's arm harder making him hiss. Billy slowly reached for the flintlock pistol in his belt. pulling it out carefully so as not to make a sound. Jim was not very happy about the situation he was in.
"You've...ah... Come to the wrong place. There's no Billy Bones here." Jim struggled a bit but Pierres' grip was like steel.
"And I'm not a girl," Jim growled trying all the harder to break free from his assailants' grip. Pierre chuckled lightly.
"OH, I may be visually challenged, but I can 'see' your lying." Billy carefully aimed his pistol at Pierres' head and pulled back the hammer which made a loud click. Pirre's ears snapped to attention and with a loud battle cry, he twisted away from Jim and spun his way straight at Billy.
Pierre's stick slapped the pistol to the side just as Billy pulled the trigger, sending the bullet into the floor. Pierre's right hand shot forward and grabbed Billies' neck, kicking his legs out from under him and slamming him into the floor.
"Good evening Bill," Pierre said, in a sickly sweet voice, a mirthless grin plastered on his face.
"I know it's you. yes, you thought you could get away with it didn't you?" He asked stroking the shaking Bill's cheek like gently like one would a pet.
"Just take it all for your self, and leave your shipmates with nothing." Pierre sighed and reached into his cloak.
"We're not pleased with that bill, not at all." He pulled something out of his cloak.
"We want you to have..." he raised his fist high
"THIS!" He slapped something into Billies' open palm. Jumping off of him Pierre ran across the room and out the door laughing insanely.
Jim rushed to close the door, but not before he heard a cat yowl.
"Watch where you're going you stupid cat!" Pierre's distant voice bellowed. Jim quickly shut and locked the door. He turned and found a pale, shivering Billy Bones starring at a small piece of paper. The boys were so freaked out by what had just happened they couldn't bring themselves to speak. Billy whimpered slightly, his breathing came in ragged gasps.
I-i-it's the B-Black Spot!" He yelled. dropping the paper like it was a lump of red hot coal, He screamed in fear and ran upstairs like the all of Hell was biting at his heels. His scream startled the boys to their senses and they followed. Jim picked up the piece of paper Billy had dropped.
They found him in his room, frantically stuffing his belongings and clothes into his sea chest. Jim was more terrified then he'd ever been
"I don't understand, what is the black spot?!" Billy rounded on him, fear showing in his eyes.
"The black spot is a pirates death sentence!" He said, grabbing all the clothes from the top dresser drawer. Spike and Jim paled, Thorax's eyes sparkled.
"Fabulous." He murmured, they all looked at him like he had grown a second head.
"They'll be coming to kill me, tonight!" Billy bolted around trying to find all his things.
"We better help," Spike said, not sure what else to do. Thorax knocked out of his daydream, agreed.
"Yeah, let's get his stuff." They hurried over to the second dresser.
"It's me old sea chest them lubbers are after!" Billy said tossing in a bag of coins.
"Here's some spare underwear," Thorax said throwing them into the chest.
"But I'll take'm! I'll shake on a reef and scuttle them again!" Billy proclaimed as he slammed the lid shut. Spike was confused.
"Uh, You want to run that by us again in English this time Mister Bones?" He asked. Billy turned and glared at the young drake. Pointing at Spike he yelled,
"It's mine! I'm going after that treasure meself! and no one-legged, bitch of a bilge rat will GGRRUUH!" He cried out in pain, clutching his chest and falling back onto his bed.
"Captain Bones!" Jim cried and rushed to the bedside but Billy lay there, unmoving. The boys were completely stunned.
"He swore and died? And this is supposed to be a kids' story!" Spike complained as he slapped his claw to his head. Jim and Thorax glared at Spike. Suddenly Billy's hand shot out and grabbed Thorax by the horn.
"JIMMY! Jim, Jimmy, Jim, Jim, Jim, Jim! you've always been a decent sort... to old Billy Bones." He rasped. Thorax managed to squeak out a response with a heavy blush on his face.
"I'm not jimmy Jim Jimmy Jim Jim Jim Jim, He's Jimmy Jim Jimmy Jim Jim Jim Jim!" Thorax said while pointing at Jim. Billy huffed in annoyance and shoved the flustered Thorax away and grabbed Jim's shirt.
"Jim?" He asked
"Yes, captain." Said a worried Jim Hawkins.
"Jim Jimmy Jim Jim Jim Jim?!" Billy asked again. now Jim was getting a bit annoyed.
"Yes captain what is it?"
"Take the map!"
"What map?" Jim asked. Billy's face erupted in anger.
THE MAP TO OLD FLINT'S TREASURE! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU!" He yelled at them. Gasping for air he continued.
"I was Flintys', first mate and my old mates, are coming to kill me." He moaned.
"Me old shipmates! They'll gully me for sure and anyone else to get their mitts on that map!" He said.
"A-And gulling hurt's right?" Spike asked shaking slightly in fear. Billy's eyes drilled into his.
OOOH AYE! a lot!" he said, Spike look thoroughly spooked.
"So quick go to my sea chest! Get the map!" Billy roared and the boys scrambled to the chest, flinging the lid open.
"Hey guys, look!" He said as he put them on.
"I got a mustache!" he proclaimed proudly.
"Spike!" Thorax and Jim yelled at him making him huff in disappointment, they dove back in and continued looking. Thorax pulled out a strange book titled 'how to serve humans.' but threw it away. After what seemed like hours, Jim slowly stood up with a rolled piece of weathered parchment in his hands.
"Spike look." Thorax got Spike to stop searching and turned stood next to there friend. Jim untied the string holding it closed and unrolled it to reveal an incredibly detailed map of a lone island. They stared at it, each feeling something different.
"It is a treasure map!" Jim exclaimed.
"We're going to be rich!" Thorax's eye's spun like a slot machine and became dollar signs.
"We're gonna be dead." Spike whimpered his eye's showing skull and crossbones.
"BEWARE HER, ME LADS! Beware her!" Billy said startling them. Jim rushed over to the captains' side.
"What? The one-legged mare?" He asked Billy nodded.
"AYE! but also beware, running with scissors, or any other pointy object!" The boys exchanged glances of confusion while Billy ranted on.
"It's all in good fun before someone looses an ey-AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Billy screamed in pain and collapsed on the bed.
"Captain!" Jim yelled in panic but was unable to rouse him. The captain's eyes stared at the ceiling but were seeing nothing. Thorax made an audible swallow. Spike started to shake violently.
"We're standing in the room with A DEAD GUY!" He screamed clutching at and shaking Thorax. Jim and Thorax followed suit screaming in fright as they rushed out of the room and down the stairs. The made it to the ground floor when the windows shatter as torches and rocks flew through them. They froze. Jim, holding the map tightly to his chest and stared at the door as a heavy, steady pounding was heard. The door was smashed from its hinges and in stepped Blind Pierre followed by a large mass of humans, a few Griffins, Diamond Dogs and a Minotaur. All were heavily armed.
"OH BILLY BONES! TRICK OR TREAT! HAHAHA!" Pierre screamed out. The boys didn't need any more encouragement, they screamed in terror and fled in different directions. Jim ran back upstairs and Thorax and Spike ran towards the storeroom. Thorax and spike Slammed the door shut began throwing things in front of it trying to blockade it from the intruders.
Jim made it passed the window just as a pirate tumbled through and down the stairs. He rushed forward as fast as his leg would carry him. Jim could hear the Pirates' breaking things as they searched. Jim made it to the end of the hall and started pounding for all his worth on Rarity's door.
"MISS RARITY!" He yelled startling Rarity awake. She lifted the night mask off her face and grabbed her night robe off the nightstand.
"Can't a lady get any beauty sleep anymore!" She yelled and opened her door. Jim rushed in and slammed the door shut locking it behind him.
"Jim! What are you doing!?" Rarity asked, she was startled by his sudden entrance. He ran to the window and looked out.
"We've got company Miss Rarity." Jim said and began quickly explaining what was happening.
(Back with Thorax and Spike)
"Okay, I found the gun!" Spike hauled the heavy blunderbuss over to the table.
"Alright, now we gotta load it," Thorax said and started pouring Gunpowder into the barrel, making some dust and causing Spike to feel like he'd sneeze. Spike jumped back and turned around, sneezing a plume of green fire out of his mouth.
"DON'T MAKE ME SNEEZE AROUND GUNPOWDER THORAX!" Spike yelled at his friend. Thorax ignored him as he then turned and started looking for something.
"Okay, now where does Miss Applejack keep the bullets?!" He rushed around looking through the shelves, unknowingly trailing a line of gun powder behind him. The two could hear shouting outside the storeroom door.
"Billy's dead and he hasn't got the Bloody map!" A female voice was heard shouting in anger. Then Pierre's voice was heard.
"Those little girls must have it! GET THEM!" He roared and cheers that followed made Spike and Thorax panic. Spike climbed up the shelves in a last-ditch attempt to hide and found a welcome sight.
"Thorax! I found the bullets!" Spike yelled as he grabbed the bag, not being as careful as he should have, his claws tore a hole in the cloth.
"You did! where!?" Thorax ran over to Spike who was climbing down. Spike held the bag out to Thorax.
"Here they are, see! They were..." They froze as all the bullets fell out of the hole in the bag, tumbled to the floor and rolled down into the grate that led to the plumbing pipes. Spike and Thorax just stared in absolute horror.
"Oops." was all Spike could say.
Jim had just finished explaining what was happening when someone pounded on Rarity's door.
"Open up in there!" The person yelled,
"We want to map and we'll skewer anybody who gets it away!" Rarity rushed Jim to a door on the far side of her room.
"Quick Jim, the back stairs, we need to run." She pulled a key from around her neck and unlocked the back door. She pushed Jim inside before following.
"Run Run!" She yelled. The door handle to her bedroom was blown off and sail past her head, missing it by mere inches. She took one fearful look back and saw Pirates pouring into her room before she slammed the door shut and locked it behind her. Jim and Rarity ran down the stairs as fast as their feet and hooves would carry them.
(The pirates in Rarity's room)
A black feather griffin cursed as he watched the door close.
"After them! They know where the map is!" He turned to head back downstairs and cut around the inn to catch them, but was stopped by a large, iron frying pan to the beak knocking him out cold. His men instantly froze and turned their eyes to the attacker.
"Now ya'll just go and made me mad." The voice of Applejack was calm and cold. She wore only a shirt and shorts and held a frying pan in each hand. Her blond mane fell over her eyes, shadowing them from view. One of the pirates lunged at her, sword thrust forward trying to stab her in the chest.
Using the concave side of the frying pan, Applejack deflected the blade away from her, making the pirate off balance and letting the rim of the second pan come up and hit the pirate's jaw. Another knock out. as He's crumpled to the floor a smirk spread over her lips.
"Who's next?" Applejack asked. The pirates enraged by the fall of their comrades and the cool attitude of the mare in front of them charged her with a battle cry. They should've run while they had the chance.
Applejack dodged, ducked, sidestepped and struck the pirates with the speed and cunning of a snake. Slamming kicks into stomachs, knocking out teeth with the pans blows, jumping and leaping like an acrobat around the pirates making them dizzy. in mere moments there was only one, shivering, young griffin pirate left. Applejack slowly made her way toward him as he scrambled to get away from her.
The griffin tripped and dropped his weapon as he fell. he crawled backward as fast as he could to get away from the steadily advancing mare. Applejack stopped a foot away from the cowering pirate. She leaned down and got her face close to his. Her emerald eyes seemed to glow with anger though it didn't show on her face. The griffin was about to shit his pants.
"Boo." Was all Applejack needed to say. The Griffin screamed like a hatchling, jumping up he crashed through the third-story window to escape Applejack. His scream turned to one of panic and then silence. Applejack's face was set in an unreadable mask. She dropped the frying pans and quickly made her way to her room. Opening a trunk at the foot of her bed she pulled out a large backpack and slung it onto her back. also grabbing a belt with two pistols and a powder horn as well.
The last things she grabbed were two pan like objects. the disks were made of rare tempered, Damascus steel and the handles wrapped in brown leather. They were so well kept she could see her face in them. She looked at her reflection for a second and shivered. Old memories and nightmares started to surface, but she pushed them back and stood up. She turned and left her room jogging down the stairs and beating through the pirates on her way out the door.
(Back with Thorax and Spike)
"The gun is useless! you've lost all the bullets!" Thorax yelled as he looked around the floor trying to find any ammo. Spike scoffed.
"Well, you're losing the powder!" he retorted. The door smashed open to reveal the large Minotaur. Thorax twisted violently to face the door flinging gun powder in Spikes' face.
"The map! Tell us where it is or die!" the Minotaur bellowed. Thorax tossed the barrel into the air, made an about-face turn and ran. Spike couldn't hold his sneeze back any longer.
"GET THEM!" The Minotaur yelled as Spike sneezed a large gout of green flames at the floor, igniting the gun powder trail. Spike screamed and ran after Thorax with the pirates in hot pursuit. it took a few seconds for them all to see the blazing trail of powder following them, Thorax, Spike and the pirates screamed and ran around the room as the sparking, and the blazing trail of powder followed them.
"Oh, Crapbaskets." He said as the fire reached the barrel and it exploded into a raging inferno that engulfed half the inn. Outside a few hundred feet away stood the small group of Rarity, Applejack, and Jim as they watched the Carousel inn go up in flames. two sets of screams could be heard getting closer very fast.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
"GERONIMOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Where what Spike and Thorax yelled as they flew through the air, leaving a trail of smoke before landing hard next to their friends.
"Guys!" Jim cried with excitement and worry. Thorax jumped up as if nothing had happened
"WOW! What an exit! right though a brick wall! HA!" He pumped his fist into the air. Spike was jumping to but that was because he was trying to put out his pants.
"I am in such pain!" Spike groaned as he finally put out his trousers. Another explosion made them all duck. They gazed back at the building. Rarity noticed there was one missing from their group.
"Where's Gustav?!" She asked. Rarity turned to Applejack, only to see her with a sad frown and shake her head.
"He didn't make it." Applejack said quietly and locked her eyes on the burning inn.
They all stood there in silent mourning. Spike was the first to break that silence.
"What are we going to do?" He asked looking at the faces around him. Jim gestured to the inn.
"Well, we can't go home so..." He held up the map. A smile started to spread across Thorax's face.
"OOOOOO," he said, Spike, looked at his friend like he just lost his mind.
"OH NO! Nuh-uh! NO way, you are not taking me on some crazy treasure hunt! I am staying right here." He stopped his foot and crossed his arms. Applejack turned to look at Spike with a stern face.
"That's a good idea, Spike, ya stay here so ya can see what half-burned, vicious pirates look like." She said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. As if to solidify her point, something in the inn exploded.
"What are we waiting for, let's go." He said and started walking toward the road that leads to the nearest town. they rest followed him, leaving the glowing fires of their old home behind.
(Back at the Carousel inn)
"I think I smell something burning, no?" Pierre asked. He was standing outside the burning building. The tall figure next to him grunted in annoyance, drew a pistol and shot him in the head. They figure tucked the pistol back in their belt as Pierre crumpled to the ground like a sack of rags.
"I was finally able to shut him up." The figure said with a sigh. The voice was female. Her eyes turned toward the road and just caught a glimpse of a small group making their escape from the area. A growl of frustration came from deep in her throat.
"If you want it done right you have to do it yourself." She said as her Magenta eyes glowed with fury and cunning in the firelight.
Jim, Spike, Thorax, and Rarity all sat in the back of a small cart as it bumped and clattered over the cobblestone street. It had been a stroke of luck that they got the carts owners' attention and were able to get a ride to town. Applejack was helping pull the cart along as a thank you. The port town was just starting to wake up. Street lamps were being snuffed out, small groups of people milled around.
An old lady had a small stand for selling hot pies and was calling out letting all know she was open. Thorax and Jim looked around, they didn't come to town often and they were looking for a specific place. Spike just yawned deeply and stretched his stiff muscles. None of them had gotten much sleep last night.
"Ah, what a night." Spike grumbled rubbing his bloodshot eyes.
"I completely agree Spike dear, it was absolutely dreadful." Rarity sighed. She was still in her rode as all her clothes had burned along with her inn. While Spike and Raritys thoughts' were about the past, Thorax and Jim were scanning the buildings for their future.
"Where is it? Where is it?" Thorax mumbled to himself as he quickly read another business plaque.
"There it is!" Jim said as he pointed toward a tall building to their right. He got Applejacks' attention and the cart came to a halt. They all climbed out of the cart and Applejack thanked the stallion who gave them a drive.
"Thanks for the ride big guy." Applejack shook the hand of the large, red stallion.
"Eeeeyup." He said and started pulling his cart further down the street. They all gathered around the brass plaque next to the front door.
"Trelawney and co. Master shipbuilders." Jim read out loud, smiling happily. Rarities reading lessons had paid off. He walked up to the door and knocked three times. The sound seemed to shake Spike back to reality.
"Whoa, whoa reality check here guys!" He exclaimed getting all their attention.
"Do we actually believe some bozo is gonna give us a ship just because we show him Captain Bones' old map?" His question made them all think. It did seem a bit crazy when it was put like that. Jim just shook his head.
"It's worth a try Spike." He said, his enthusiasm deflated slightly. The door opened slowly and an old, green-furred mare in a simple dress walked out onto the doorstep. Her mane was white and tied up in a tight bun.
"What can I do ya for, youngins?" She asked. She may have been old but her amber eyes still shown bright. Jim decided he was the spokesman for the group.
"Yes, thank you, We wish to speak with Squire Trelawney the shipbuilder... we need a ship." he said. Spike rolled his eyes.
"You should be a captain with how obvious that was." He mumbled softly. not softly enough, since that remark earned him a smack on the back of the head from Applejack. The green mare looked the group over, then sighed sadly.
"I'm sorry youngins, the Squire's in Neadry for the Rock Hopper season. He won't be back till the big shindig for Saint Lulu." Thorax and Jims' shoulders slumped heavily. Spike had a look of "I told you so" on his face as they said thank you and started to turn away. They were stopped by the mare continuing.
"Of course his daughter is here, you could talk to her as she handles most of his finances." The mare leaned in conspiracy style.
"But just between ya'll and me, in mah opinion, she's not all there." She stood back up.
"It's ya'lls choice." Jim almost had his hopes dashed once, he wasn't missing a chance like this.
"We'll see her then." He said. the old mare nodded and motioned for them to follow her inside. She led them up a large staircase and stopped at a pair of double doors before she knocked.
"Miss Pie, You got some company here ta see ya for a business venture." She called. They heard some movement behind the door.
"New faces! Please show them in Granny!" Granny opened the doors and let them inside. The room was well furnished, with a desk, a few chairs, and a couch. on the far wall plans and schematics for ship-designs were tacked up with notes and scribbles. The one they were supposed to meet was no were to be seen.
"Where is she?" Spike asked and was answered by an explosion of confetti in his face. When their vision cleared the entire room had changed. there was a cake present and a table gladdened with food.
"SURPRISE!" They heard someone yell and turned to see a Pink mare standing behind them. Pink was an understatement, her fur was pink, her mane was pink and looked like a mass of unspun wool. The only thing not pink was her eyes which were sky blue. She wore a white puffy-sleeved shirt, brown cotton pants, and a blue vest.
“Hi! It’s nice to me you, my names Pinkie Pie, daughter of Feldspar Trelawney, at your service.” She held out her hand and shook all of theirs. She made a sweeping gesture toward the table.
“Please, help yourselves, it’ll go to waste if you don’t and besides you all look like you could use it.” Pinkie gave them a once over. Jim and the group looked at each other and saw what she meant. They were a bit of a mess, their clothes had a few burns and tears, not to mention the soot patches.
“I’m terribly sorry about our appearance miss Pie.” Rarity said,
“We had a bit of… trouble, last night our home was burnt to the ground.” Pinkie was shocked.
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” She said, here hair suddenly went flat. Jim ignored this and held out the rolled map to Pinkie.
“This is why we came to your fathers' company.” Pinkie took the roll of parchment and looked at it curiously, her hair puffing back to the insanely curly way it had been before. They all just blinked at the odd mare.
Pinkie brought it over to the desk and unrolled it, gasping and grabbing a magnifying glass and looking at every inch of the map. A small noise was heard and a massive smile broke out on her face.
“Well ladies and gentlemen, this is a genuine, bonafide, treasure map.” Jim, thorax, and Spike were excited. Rarity was intrigued but Applejack looked worried.
“Your sure?” Jim asked, wanting to be absolutely positive. Pinkie nodded.
“Oh yes, Mr. Gummy told me so.” She reached behind the desk and placed a small purple-eyed reptile on the desk. They all stared at it and it licked its eye. Pinkie saw the look of confusion on their faces.
“Oh, Mr. Gummy is my advisor, he’s very smart. He’s even been to the moon.” She stated matter of fact like. The small creature blinked. Pinkie nodded at gummy.
“Thank you, He’s been to the moon twice.” She corrected. Spike leaned in so only Jim and Thorax could hear him.
“I smell a bozo.” He whispered Thorax and Jim could only nod their agreement. Their meeting was disturbed by a massive explosion that ripped apart the wall. A grey object flew across the room screaming and embedded its self into the opposite wall.
All heads but Pinkies' snapped to the struggling limbs of a grey Pegasus pony whose head was stuck inside the wall.
“Well done Derpy!” A voice called through the hole. A purple unicorn stepped through the wall holding a lighter stick.
“Now we know that is definitely too much gun powder.” She quickly made her way to the flailing Derpy. Pinkie cleared her throat getting the unicorns attention. She gasped as she saw the boys, rarity and Applejack. She tapped Derpy on the side making the struggling pony stop.
“Derpy stop fooling around we’ve got company.” She forced a embarrassed smile and walked over. Derpy placed both hands and hooves on the wall and gave a mighty push. The wall decided it liked Derpy and wanted to stay. A portion of the wall came off with Derpy, making a collar of plaster and splintered wood.
Now that most of Derpy was visible the group could see, she, had a blond mane and golden eyes. Her eyes faced in completely different directions though, but it didn’t seem to hinder her in the slightest as she walked over.
“OH! Good morning girls!” Pinkie greeted the two like crashing through a wall was commonplace.
“Everyone, This is Dr. Twilight Sparkle and her assistant Derpy Hooves, they do research and development for my dad.”
“Hello” Twilight waved. Derpy gave a closed eye smile and waved as well. The mention of Pinkie’s dad jogged Jims' memory.
“Actually Miss Pie…”
“Please, call me Pinkie.” She insisted. Jim nodded.
“Actually Pinkie, we were hoping to meet with your father, we need a ship for an ocean voyage.” Jim explained. Pinkies' eyebrows shot up in confusion.
“Ocean?” she asked then turned toward Gummy.
“Ocean?” Gummy just sat there like a statue. Meanwhile Dr. Twilight and Derpy were looking over the map on the desk. Spike had had it with the insanity and tried to put some order back into reality.
“You know the ocean… The big, blue, wet thing.” He tried to describe it to Pinkie. Her face scrunched as she tried to see if she knew what they were talking about, then her eyes widened in understanding.
“OH! The big, blue, wet thing, yeeees.” She nodded her head. Spikes' mouth dropped in complete amazement and he looked at Thorax who looked equally confused.
Twilight had been listening and spoke up.
“I think I see what’s happening here, You want to sail to this Island here, to dig up this treasure.” She said. Jim nodded his head. Applejack spoke up for the first time since outside.
“Yeah, but we need to be quiet about it, we got pirates after us.” Pinkie and her comrades looked shocked by that tidbit. Thorax had to add his two pence.
“Yeah and they want to kill us too, isn’t that exciting!?” He asked and Derpys' face went chalk white. Spike shook his head violently no and punched Thorax in the shoulder. Pinkie’s eyes got wide with excitement.
“Pirates huh?!” She said, an even bigger smile forming on her face.
“Well that just settles it, we'll use one of my daddies boats and I will personally finance the voyage for the treasure myself.” Pinkie said with a determined look. All in the room were stunned.
“You’ll do that? Really?” Jim asked trying to get his head around what was happening.
“Certainly, otherwise it would be a really short story.” She said. Cheers went up from Jim and thorax, Spike just shook his head even though he was smiling. Rarity was seemed hesitant but kept her thought to herself.
Applejack was the only one who was completely stone-faced. Thoughts and emotions were racing through her mind like a typhoon.
I’m sorry, it looks like I can‘t keep that promise Applebloom. Applejack thought to herself.
(Morning of the voyage- 3rd person- Applejack)
Applejack just starred at the clothes she had laid out on the bed. Memories of her past buzzing in her head like a swarm of angry hornets. She’d swore never to wear these wretched garments again but, fate deemed her promise invalid.
She glared at them, the deep crimson coat with black cuffs and collar, the brass buttons that shone like small suns. The cream cotton pants and the black knee-high boots polished to a mirror shine. A single tear fell from her eyes before all her doubt and sadness was pushed back down into the box she kept it in.
Her face became a mask of strength and control. She picked up her clothes pulling on the pants, pants, the boots and slipping her arms into the coat. Applejack walked over to the side of the bed and picked up her musket that leaned next to the window, placing the strap across her chest, the weight of the firearm feeling familiar, like the touch of an old friend.
She hesitated slightly when she reached for her melee weapons, but steeled herself and clipped them onto her belt. Lastly, she picked up the hat that had set her apart from all the others that had been around her.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror and lowering her head slightly, she placed it on her head. Lifting her gaze to look at herself, her back straightened and her gaze became hard. No longer was she Applejack, simple cook and employee to Rarity, now, once again, she was, once again, Lieutenant Apple “Iron pain” Jack, of her majesties 51st infantry division, the “Stormtroopers.”
Applejacks' mouth was a firm line of determination.
“I won’t lose anyone I care about again.” she spoke softly to her reflection, before turning swiftly and with quick powerful strides she marched out the door of her room.
(Morning of Voyage- 3rd person- docks)
It had taken a few weeks for Pinkie to get everything in order but quicker then they had thought Rarity had wished them luck, she had opted to stay at the Trelawney estate while they were gone, so Jim, Spike, and Thorax found themselves navigating the docks in the suns morning rays.
“Well here’s the docks, Jim where’s our boat?” Thorax asked. Jim heard Spike grumble and turned his attention to the drake.
“We’re on a dock, no wonder I’m seasick.” He said ruefully, making Jim chuckle slightly. He and Thorax tried to find their ship but weren’t successful. After a few moments of searching, they were greeted by the smiling face of Pinkie.
“Good morning to you boys.” She said warmly. She was dressed in a loose cotton shirt, simple brown pants a black belt, overall, not what Jim and his friends expected from a rich, shipbuilders' daughter.
They all offered their good mornings in return and soon were ushered forward to a specific dock. The vessel that lay in anchor there made them gasp in awe.
“Well, here she is! The R.L.S. Legacy!” Pinkie said sweeping her arm in grand motion. The ship was a sight to behold indeed. Triple masts rose from her decks, with the lines and rigging strung between them as intricate as a spiders' webs.
Jim could see the crew running back and forth on her deck like a bunch of ants, picking up cargo, securing lines and going about their duties.
As they neared Jim got a closer look at some of the crew, many were ponies, there was one in particular that made him slightly nervous. A massive Pegasus with tiny wings, his muscles bulging with strength, picked up a canon and hauled it onto the ship… by himself. Jim made a mental note never to make that one mad. He and his friends were caught in a daze as Pinkie lead them onto the ship.
(Elsewhere)
The figureheads of the “Spirit of Harmony” Grumbled.
“Take a cruise you said, see the world you said.” The head of a female donkey, her name was Matilda, gripped at her husband Cranky.
“Nowhere we are, stuck on the front of this stupid ship!” She yelled in his ear.
“Well it could be worse, we could be stuck out there with the readers,” he said snorting with laughter.
“Shut up you two!”
“You first” Cranky yelled
“Can’t you two just be nice?”
“Sure I can be nice… Nice enough to recycle this story as toilet paper.” Matilda cackled.
“Come on you guys give me a break and let me do my job.”
“What job?” Cranky laughed hard.
“Come on, don’t do this, I got a story to write.”.
“Hey, does your brain work?” Matilda asked
“Does my brain work? Of course, it does!”
“Then it should ask for a raise.” Cranky and Matilda cackled together
“I’m sorry readers, these two keep getting me into trouble, Let’s get back to Jim and the others, I’ll try to keep these to occupied.” Matilda, who had fallen asleep, starts awake.
“Uh, wake me when the story starts.” She said, getting a confused look from Cranky.
“It’s already gone on a while.” He said. Matilda blink twice then closed her eyes again.
“Oh... Wake me when it’s over.”
Jim and his friends followed pinkie up the gangplank and onto the deck of the ship. Pinkie pulled out a quill and parchment from… somewhere and began looking it over.
“Okay, the ship is provisioned, the crew is in place and the captain should be arriving within the hour.” She turned her head to look at the small reptile on her left shoulder.
“You have been a busy little guy this morning gummy.” She said. Gummy blinked his eyes. Spikes' left eye twitched at the sudden appearance of Gummy on Pinkies' shoulder.
“I swear life hates me right now.” He said, deciding to ignore what just happened. Jim glanced around the ship until he caught sight of the helm, with no one around it. Jim showed his age and quickly made his way toward it.
“Jim! Wait up!” Thorax yelled and followed him with Spike close behind. Jim jumped the last step and walked behind the helm. Running his hands over its smooth, polished, wooden frame feeling a sense of excitement and happiness course through him. Spike and Thorax quickly joined him.
“Oo look! It’s the boat steering thing!” Thorax said making Jim chuckle.
“It’s called the helm Thorax,” he said shaking his head, but Thoraxs' good mood would not be denied.
“So, how does it feel… Captain Hawkins!” He said with a massive grin. Thoraxs' smile was infectious and Jim smiled widely, standing tall and gazing off into the horizon.
“It feels like… like we’re really doing it.” Jim said, his eyes sparkling with wonder lust.
“It feels like we’re finally going on an adventure,” Thorax added. Spike just shook his head and peered over the railing.
“Yeah… I’m starving, where’s the kitchen?” He asked. He didn’t wait for an answer as he quickly went back down the stairs. Jim and Thorax shared a good-natured eye roll and followed him.
Spike made his way to a small set of stairs leading below deck. Sniffing deeply he licked his lips.
“mmmm, something smells good,” he said and darted down below. Jim and Thorax followed their friend bellow and found themselves in a small eating area. 8 benches and their respective tables were bolted to the floor to keep then from sliding. The walls were packed with different sacks and barrels, most likely food provisions for the crew. Near the back of the eating area was a small walled-off area.
The trio could see someone moving inside it and heard a womans' melodic voice singing, her movements timed with her song. A steady thumping could be heard as she chopped something to the music.
“Hey-ho and up she rises, Hey-ho and up she rises, Hey-ho and up she rises, early in the morning…” The boys made their way over to the small area and saw it was a kitchen, stocked with different spoons, pots, pans knives and other equipment found in one. The chopping stopped and the mare had her back turned toward them. She picked up a small knife and started to peel what looked like a potato and she continued to sing.
“Put’em in the longboat till he’s sober, Put’em in the longboat till he’s sober, Put’em in the longboat till he’s sober early in the morning…”
Her fur was white, and her mane and tail were a soft shade of pink and neatly tired back to keep out of her way. Her voice was nice to listen to but Spike thought the food was better than music. He cleared his throat getting the attention of said mare. When her magenta eyes locked onto them, her face erupted is a snarl and she raised the knife high, ready to stab them if they got close.
“STOWAWAYS!” She bellowed making the boys jump and huddle in fright. Her presence seemed to tower over them, making them feel small and helpless.
“I’m afraid we shish kabob and barbecue stowaways on this ship!” She sneered and her eyes were glowing with furry. Spike gulped loudly and Thorax was shaking like a leaf. The mare glared at the boys for a few more seconds before she bowled over laughing her head off, much to the confusion of the boys.
“You thought I was serious! The look on your faces!” She managed to wheeze out between her laughs. Spike and Thorax laughed nervously while Jim relaxed from their scare.
“Thanks for that I needed a good laugh.” She said. Wiping some tears from her eyes. She looked them over seriously this time and then a look of understanding flashed on her face.
“I know, you must be the cabin boys.” She said her smile warm and welcoming, relieving all of the tension that had been there before. The boys nodded and there was a chorus of “yes” and “yeah’s”. Spikes' stomach gave a loud grumble getting all eyes on him and he grinned sheepishly.
“Hungry lad?” She asked him and he nodded. She made a sweeping gesture to the entire room.
“Well in my galley, you're always welcome to help yourselves.” She smiled as Spike wide-eyed look. Spikes' eyes caught sight of a chicken in the kitchen and chuckled.
“Yes! Thank you!” He yelled as he barreled and jumped over the low wall like a hurdle and started to devour the chicken like it would be his last meal.
The mare blinked twice in surprise and then chuckled.
“Well, he has a healthy appetite.” She picked something up from behind the short wall she was sitting on.
“How about you there funny face?” She said tossing an object toward Thorax. He caught it and saw it was a ripe apple.
“Oh thanks,” he said.
“My name is Thorax and the drake that ate your chicken is Spike.”
“Ate?” The mare asked and looked back to find that Spike had finished with the chicken, ate three loaves of bread and was on his fifth pie.
“YO!” He said with a wave and then continued to eat. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish In shock for a moment but she shook it off and her smile was back. She looked at Jim and her grin widened.
“And you must be Hawkins right?” She asked. Jim smiled at the thought someone actually knew him.
“Why yes ma’am.” He said politely but was waved off by the mare.
“Oh, no need to be calling a simple galley cook ma’am, my name is Celestia…” She gave them a small bow,
“At your humble service.” Jim and thorax were a bit confused by her actions.
“But we’re just cabin boys, Miss Celestia,” Jim said and receiving a pointed look from Celestia.
“Tia, to her friends,” She said with a small smile. Then her face grew serious.
“And a friend you can trust is worth their weight in gold.” Her quick change from smiling and laughing to this serious look had both boys on edge.
“There are many a dark-hearted scoundrel in these ports.” She said, getting a faraway look in her eyes.
“You mean Pirates?” Jim asked. Celestia’s face suddenly flew into a panic, pressing a finger to her lips she shushed them loudly, but the damage had already been done.
“Pirates?!” A voice called. Jim and thorax jumped and turned around and came face to face with another mare. They couldn’t tell much about her other then what was sticking out from the top of the barrel she was in. She had blue fur, her mane was a lighter shade of blue with a spiral horn on her forehead with a potato speared on it and her eyes were a shining, light purple.
“Did they say Pirates, Ha, what an imagination.” The mare said as she climbed out of the barrel.
Jim and Thorax turned their heads to look at Celestia only to see her slap her head with her hand.
“Trixie, what have I told you about climbing in the barrels?” She asked. Trixie looked confused.
“Trixie wasn’t climbing in them, Trixie was inspecting the potatoes at the bottom of the barrel to make sure they weren’t squished.” She huffed slightly than taking notice of the spud on her horn, she pulled it off before hiding it behind her back in embarrassment. Celestia just shook her head and gestures toward the newcomer.
“Allow me to introduce my kitchen assistant, Trixie.” Trixie shook both Thorax and Jims' hand vigorously.
“Pleasure to meet you, a pleasure to meet you.” She said before going over to stand next to Celestia, who ruffled her mane.
“I found her when she was just a filly in the streets and took care of her. I’m very proud of her, she and my pet monkey Steve have been a boon to my life.” Celestia said. Said monkey Chitered and appeared from behind her to sit on her shoulder and Trixie blush hard.
“But I thought sailors had talking parrots as pets,” Thorax said making Celestia tilt her head.
“Talking parrots?” She asked, Trixie just started laughing.
“Talking Parrot! What an imagination! What’s next? Celestia’s a princess, ponies walk on all fours and Friendship is Magic? HAHAHA!” Trixie laughed hard. Celestia smiled at her ward.
“Don’t you have chores to do Trixie? Now, off with you.” She gave Trixie a well-meant shove toward the stairway. She didn’t realize how powerful a shove it was, cause Trixie was sent sailing through the air and was sent falling “up” the stairs and out. The boys and Celestia flinched hard, and She gave an embarrassed chuckle.
“I sometimes forget my own strength.” She said scratching the back of her head. She brushed some food bits off her simple shirt and stood up giving Jim and Thorax a clear view of her back for the first time.
They discovered she was a Pegasus, but felt a twinge of sadness as one of her graceful white wings was a bonny stump. She didn’t notice them and she got her self ready.
“Right my boys, I’m going to give you a cooks tour of this fine vessel.” She announced glancing over where Spike was. He was lying on the floor, his belly was a large hump. He groaned softly, raising his head up to speak,
“If you’re going to be the cook on this ship Miss Celestia, I am definitely gonna need bigger pants.” He said, then let his head thump back to the floor. Celestia laughed loudly as she grabbed something leaning against the wall.
She reached down and unlocked the small gate in the wall and then slipped a crutch under her right arm. The gate swung open revealing she had only her left leg. Jim and Thorax recoiled a step as the warnings words of Billy Bones echoed in their heads.
Celestia gave them a confused smile.
“What’s the matter, lads?” She looked at their nervous face and followed their gaze to her absent leg.
“Oh, that?” She said gesturing to it and giving the boys a questioning look. She chuckled slightly.
“I lost that limb and my wing in the griffon war when I was fighting under Admiral Spitfire.” She explained as she hopped out of the kitchen a bit.
“There’s many a person whose lost limbs and worse in the service of the queen.” She said calmly. Thorax and Jim were still a bit shocked by the missing leg and didn’t see the shimmer in her eyes.
Celestia raised her right hand, drawing their attention and they gulped as they saw she was missing her ring and pinkie finger.
“Why, look what a cannibal took off me in exchange for my own life.” Her face was dead serious. Jim swallowed hard.
Celestia gave a snort of laughter showed she had had the fingers curled behind her hand. She laughed loudly at the dumbfounded looks plastered on Jim and Thorax’s faces.
“Oh, you boys are just to easy.” She hopped over to them and clapped Jim on the shoulder while smiling
“Ah, a fine bunch of lads you are, bright as buttons the lot of you.” She chuckled happily. A loud ringing bell was heard and a voice shouting.
“ALL HAND ON DECK!” it said. Celestia grinned.
“Come on then lads“. She quickly hopped over and climbed up the stairs and out followed by Jim, Thorax who were pulling their overstuffed friend behind them.
When Jim emerged from below deck he saw the crew zipping about as fast as they could. He looked over to where the bell was being run and saw a large minotaur ringing it and bellowing orders.
“Hurry up! Look lively! If you get in the way I’ll make you pay! The Captain will be here soon.” The minotaur saw a few of the crew stop working and he yelled at them.
“MOVE IT!” The crew members jumped and ran like frightened mice.
As they stood amongst the crew Jim noticed movement on his left and turned to see Pinkie there.
“Who’s that?” He asked her pointing to the large minotaur giving orders. Pinkie smiled widely.
“Oh him? That’s Mister Iron Will, the first mate, a capital fellow.” She said smiling. Unnoticed by anyone was the quick glare of intense annoyance directed from Celestia at Iron Will.
Trumpets were heard in the distance and Iron Will snapped to attention.
“The Captain Approaches!” He bellowed. At this time Jim spotted Applejack not too far from them. What surprised him was what she was wearing and how different she looked from how he’d seen her at the inn. She used to smile and look happy, but all he could see now was a stern, blank face and an arrow straight back.
The loud rumbling of a carriage and the blare of trumpets caught his ears. He Thorax and Spike all looked toward the docks and saw a large, pure black carriage come thundering up the road. It was pulled by massive earth ponies, each wearing a silver chest plate and helmet with a midnight blue plume at the top.
Iron Will saw some of the crew still dawdling.
“Move aside! Make way, Make ready for the captain! Any lollygaggers will suffer his wrath!” His threat seemed to kick them into gear as they doubled their efforts to get their jobs done.
“Wrath? Is the captain bad-tempered?” Thorax asked First mate Iron Will. Iron Will snorted and got within an inch of Thorax’s face before yelling.
“Is he bad-tempered?!” Thorax flinched from the volume.
“The stallion is a raging volcano! Tormented by inner demons the like of which mere mortals can not fathom!” He said and strode off making sure to get the ship in shape.
“He’s got demons? Cool!” Thoraxs' smiled wide. Jim and Spike just looked at their friend, not sure if he was crazy or not. The carriage drew closer nearly running over several people and ponies in the process before quickly coming to a halt on the dock next to the gangplank.
Many of the crew, including Jim, Thorax, Spike, and Pinkie stood by the rail and waited in silence to see who their captain was. The door to the carriage slammed open making most of them flinch. A small staircase was kicked out with a thud and out strode a man who fit Iron Wills's description perfectly. He had scars all over his face and a single, milky white eye seemed to bore into their souls. He was dressed in black with silver trim, it seemed to block the light making him look like he was a living shadow. He gave a growl like huff as he gazed at the crew. Jim felt a shiver crawl up his spine and saw Spike shaking violently.
The man sneered reached up, took off his hat and stepped to the side as the carriages second occupant stepped out.
“Hello everyone.” A voice called out, it had a somewhat cockney accent to it. The crew stared at the small stallion now at the base of the carriage stairs. He wore a deep blue pants and jacket with brass buttons, a cream shirt with a red sash around his waist, and light brown boots. His fur was a patchwork of browns and whites with the most noticeable feature was the brown patch over his left eye, making it seem like he was wearing an eye patch.
Jim watched in complete shock as the Stallion walked toward the ship.
“That’s the raging volcano?” He asked quietly to his friends.
“He’s tiny.” his friend nodded in agreement.
“Hey…” Spike got Jim and Thorax’s attention.
“Maybe his temper has a, short fuse.” He said giggling slightly. Jim and Thorax allowed themselves a small laugh at the bad joke. A piercing whistle drew their attention to Iron Will. He had a silver whistle and was blowing a signal as The short stallion walked up the gangplank.
“Piping aboard Captain Pipsqueak!” He called as The captain stepped onto the deck. Captain Pipsqueak placed a hand on the railing and gave looked around at the crew before speaking to his first mate.
“Good day Mister Will,” he said politely, before walking toward the center of the deck. A shocked look of fear crossed over Iron wills face and he quickly inspected the railing, running his fingers over it and saw they had a tiny coating of dust.
“I knew it! He’s furious.” He mumbled to himself, his gaze zeroed in on the massive Stallion with tiny wings.
“YOU THERE!” He bellowed. The stallion in question jumped, looked left and right then pointed to himself. The stallion gulped and stepped forward.
“You were in charge of railing dust! Thirty lashes and then you walk the plank!” Iron Will said harshly. The stallion looked surprised and worried. Captain Pipsqueak turned around and gave his first mate a raised eyebrow.
“I didn’t say that Mr. Will.” He said. Iron Will made a quick about-face and gave a slightly apologetic look.
“I was anticipating your whim, sir.” Captain Pipsqueak just shook his head slightly. His eyes caught sight of Jim and his friends and he made his way over to them.
“You three must be the cabin boys?” he asked, making the trio start slightly. The captain was talking to them of all people. Thorax was, as always, the first to speak,
“Yes, sir!” He said happily and smiling widely. The captain smiled in return.
“Which one of you is Hawkins?” He asked.
“I am sir!” Jim said a little faster then he needed to. The captain just smiled.
“I knew your father Jim… He was a good man.” He said making Jims' face shine like the sun with happiness. The captain smiled again before turning and walking off with the First mate Iron will.
“Well.” Jim, Thorax, Spike and unknown to them Applejack as well turned and looked at Celestia.
“This is shaping up to be a fine voyage.” She gave the boys another look over before smiling brightly.
“Yes indeed.” She said before hopping off toward the bow. Thorax chuckled nervously as she left. Leaning in and whispering he spoke to Jim.
“One leg Jim, count’em, shes got one.” Jim cast a glance at Celestias' way.
“Remember what Billy Bones said,” Thorax added. Jim looked at Celestia who was talking with another sailor. She started to laugh at something the other had said, her smile seemed to brighten up the place.
“Well Thorax, She seems alright… I mean, Celestias' only a cook, how dangerous can she be?” Thorax and Jim watched as She continued to laugh and joke with others and even thorax wasn’t so sure he was right.
“I don’t know Jim but… Hey?” He looked left then right.
“Where’s Spike?” They both started looking around when they spotted their scaly friend over by the gunwale. He was taking cards and coins from small Breezies' that were boarding the ship.
“Enjoy your cruise sir. NEEEXT!” He shouted, way louder then he needed to.
“All right please make all IOU’s out to Dragon Tours! Remember we put the D in Daring Entertainment!” He excepted the next small group of Breezies.
“Mmhhmm, thank you Mr. Pluffman, NEEEXT!” He yelled as the group passed. Thorax and Jim came up behind their friend.
“Spike! What are you doing?!” Thorax asked, completely confused with his friend while Jim just looked on with an amused grin.
“What?” Spike asked before looking back at the line of Breezies behind him.
“Oh! This! Well, I figured if the maps a dud, the trip won’t be a total loss.” He patted a large pouch tied to his hip. It jingled with coins.
“Financially speaking.” He gave them a sly grin, making Thorax roll his eyes and Jim to chuckle. They turned back to the deck when they heard the crew start to move around a bit faster. The captain could be heard talking with First mate Iron Will.
“The wind seems to be freshening and the tide is with us.” The captain turned to face his first mate.
“Mister will, this Voyage has begun,” he said. Iron Will looked like he’d been given a cookie.
“THIS VOYAGE HAS BEGUN!” he bellowed making all around him flinch at the volume.
“Raise the gangplank!” He yelled and the crew scrambled to follow orders.
“Let go Fore line! Let go Aft line!” Iron will called out as the ropes holding the ship to the docks were uncoiled and pulled up.
“Hard to Starboard! Anyone caught dawdling will be shot on sight!” He yelled making the crew run all the faster.
“I didn’t say that Mr. Will.” Captain Pip said, giving his First mate a questioning look. Iron Will looked slightly sad.
“I was just paraphrasing.” He said looking to his feet. Captain Pip gave a sigh,
“Mr. Will just set the sails.” He said, then wished he hadn’t as he clapped his hands over his ears to keep his eardrums from bursting.
“SET THE SAILS!” Iron Will’s voice erupted. Many of the crew scrambled into the rigging like spiders using the footropes they climbed out on the yardarms and unfurled the sails.
The sail fell down like a white waterfall before billowing with the wind with a solid snap as they took the curved shape. Jim looked out toward the horizon as their vessel gained speed, driving through waves and casting a slight salty spray over him. He grinned wildly, the lust and call of adventure and freedom on the high seas becoming him like a siren. It wasn’t long before he heard what sound like music starts to play.
He looked at the crew on the deck and saw them going about their business, only to the beat of the music. It wasn’t long before the singing and dancing started making Jim smile all the harder.
(Trixie is the switch with the lobster Snails is the switch for the goat Snips is the switch for the creepy thing with the weird top hat. All three Unicorns make up that trio.)
As the last echoes of the whole crews' song faded, Jim knew this would truly be something to remember.
Applejack heard the music start and she desperately wanted to join in but she pushed that want away and carefully made her way through the dancing crew members along with First mate Iron Will. He nodded his head in approval as she followed him in his rounds, making sure everything was getting done properly.
She had heard what those three unicorns had said and it made her suspicious. She’d have to keep a sharp eye on those three. She glanced up to where Jim and Celestia were in the rigging. She had had her doubts about the mare due to Mr. Bones' warning Jim and the boys had told her off. But seeing Jim smile, laugh and be the boy she knew he hadn’t had the chance to be made her stay her judgment.
I won’t make any calls yet. She’s not off the hook, just lower on the pole. She thought. She allowed herself a chuckle as she watched Thorax and Spike performing a can-can with a few other sailors.
So far so good. I pray it stays that way. She thought as the song came to an end.
Meetings, fears and Thorax is nuts
The shrill sound of Iron Wills' signal whistle caught everybody's attention.
“ROLL CALL!” He yelled, making the crew quickly gather on the main deck of the ship. Iron Will and Captain Pipsqueak looked over the railing to make sure everybody was ready. With a nod of his head, The captain signaled Iron will to begin
“Celestia Solaris,” He called,
“Aye-Aye Sir!” She called back, showing a great deal of discipline.
“Short Stack Stevens,”
“Aye!” shouted a human male that was barely 4 feet tall.
“One eared Jack,”
“Yeah!” yelled the aptly named stallion since he only had one ear
“Black-eyed Pea,”
“Here!” The guy had two black rings around his eyes.
“Wall eyed Pike,”
“Aye!” He was an ugly earth pony stallion with misshapen teeth, one eye stuck out farther than the other and his whole face was lopsided.
“Trixie Lulamoon,”
“Trixie is here!” She called out while jumping up and down like an excited school filly.
“Snips,”
“Aye,” The unicorn stallion said, his eyes shifting back and forth.
“Sweetums,” Iron Will squinted trying to make sure he got the name right.
“YEAH!” The giant pegasus stallion with tiny wings roared behind the Iron will and the Captain making them jump in surprise. The stallion gave a sheepish smile before saying.
“My name is actually Bulk, that’s a nickname of mine. I was busy with loading the cargo and one of my friends signed me up.” He explained and Iron Will nodded in understanding before going back to roll call.
“Old Tom,”
“Aye-Aye!” Called an old man. He looked to be in his 70’s
“Real Tom,”
“Aye!” The raspy voice of a stallion standing next to Thorax. He looked over at “Real Tom” and he noticed the guy looked like a walking, talking piece of beef jerky. He was a bit disturbed but kept it to himself.
“Dead Tom,” Iron Will called out and sighed internally. There was always one crewman who fancied himself a joker.
“Clackity-clack clack!” A loud noise could be heard by the crew and Iron will looked toward the back and his jaw dropped. Standing there was the skeleton of a pegasus Pony clacking its jawbones together like it was trying to talk.
Iron Will rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things but when he looked again the Skeleton was still there. He shivered slightly but forced his mind back to the list. He may have not been the only one creeped out but others were curious.
“So cool!” Thorax whispered in awe as he looked back and forth between Real Tom and Dead Tom with a massive grin on his face. Spike was watching him and face clawed hard.
“Snails,” Iron Will called out.
“Aye.” came the somewhat slow response from the unicorn stallion. Iron Will sighed in relief, at least this one was normal.
As his eye read the next name he felt his stomach twist.
“Headless Bill,” He called out. There was no reply, giving a small spark of hope to both the Captain and Iron Will.
“Headless Bill!” Iron Will called out again and was going to assume it was a joke before a bit of movement caught his eye. He leaned to the left a bit to peer around the mainmast and his heart stopped for a second.
There stood the headless body of a earth pony stallion. It gave them a salute making both the men cringe hard.
What the hell kind of crew am I commanding?! Thought Pipsqueak as he tried to get the image of a headless corpse out of his mind.
Thorax seemed to be having the time of his life. Spike looked like he was going to be sick from the shade of green his scales were turning.
Iron Will read the next name on the list and his blood ran cold.
“Big-fat-butt-ugly-bug-faced-baby-eating-O'Brien,” He saw the captain peer at the list as well trying to wrap his head around the name. Iron Will braced himself for the worst and… was completely confused.
The Pony that raised their hand was a drop-dead gorgeous unicorn mare. She already had many of the males drooling just at the sight of her. Then she opened her mouth and all their fantasies shattered like glass under a hammer.
“Aye,!” Her deep, rumbling, bass like masculine voice answered his call. Iron Will resisted the extremely strong urge to smack his head against the railing… multiple times and continued on to the next name.
“Angel Marie,” seemed normal enough… till the deformed shape of a diamond dog male jumped up and down and yelled with a voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard.
“AYE! AYE!” Captain PipSqueak slowly reached over and took the list from Iron Wills' hands, who gave it up gladly as his brain tried to process what the hell was going on. Slowly turning to look at his first mate he said,
“Iron Will will you please gather the benefactors of this voyage and meet me in my cabin please,” His voice was even and calm, but the underlying steel in his voice snapped Iron Will out of his daze.
“Immediately.” Pipsqueak added as he slowly walked toward his cabin. Iron Will swallowed hard.
This is going to be bad He thought to himself as he went about gathering up Miss Pie, her attendants, the cabin boys, and the lieutenant.
Very bad indeed
“WHO HIRED THIS CREW!!?? THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE SEEDIEST BUNCH OF CUTTHROATS, VILLAINS AND SCOUNDRELS I HAVE EVER SEEN! SO WHO HIRED ‘EM!!” Captain Pip bellowed at the top of his lungs, panting hard as his rant finished with slamming a fist onto the table. The white patches on his face turning a shade of scarlet as his anger boiled over.
Everyone gathered there all cringed slightly in fear of the diminutive captains' rage. Nobody wanted to be the target of his wrath so, as if they had all read each other's mind they all pointed at Pinkie. Pinkie wilted slightly as Captain Pips' eyes narrowed on her and she could have sworn she heard the words ‘Target Locked’ being spoken but she ignored it.
Pinkie pointed at Gummy who was sitting on her left shoulder making Pip blink in confusion.
“Your lizard hired the crew?” He asked, clearly not believing what Pinkie was showing him. Pinkie scoffed.
“Of course, I leave all the important stuff up to him.” Pinkie leaned her head down closer to gummy as if to hear better and gummy clamped his jaws on a tuff of her mane. Her eyes widened.
“He said he relied heavily on the advice of our amazing cook, Celestia Solaris.” She said with a happy smile. Captain Pip just gaped at her for a few moments before sinking into his chair and started to rub his temples. Iron Will, who stood next to his captain, looked about ready to have a conniption fit if his rapid eye twitch was any indication.
“A cook? And a lizard who organized it?” He asked wishing praying it wasn’t true.
“Exactly!” Pinkie exclaimed happily. Captain Pip just let his head fall onto the table with a bang and Iron will started grumbling about ‘insane ponies’. After a few short moments and a few deep breaths for Captain Pip, he continued the meeting.
“I’m starting to worry about this expedition.” He said with a sigh, getting a few nods from Applejack, Iron will and Spike. The Captain turned and faced Jim.
“Mr. Hawkins, I know from what you’ve told me that Billy Bones gave you the map, but I’m hoping you’ll hand it over to me for safekeeping.” He said. Jim was definitely not happy with the request.
“I’ll be careful with it, sir.” He said defensively, his hand moving to grip the inner pocket of his vest. Captain Pip just shook his head.
“That’s not the point Mr. Hawkins,” he said but before he could continue a knock on the door drew all their attention. Jim quickly got up and opened the door, letting in Celestia as she hopped forward, pushing a small cart.
“Begging your pardons gentlemen, gentlecolts and mares, But I thought a bit of a treat was in order.” She said as she came to a stop and they could all see a glass decanter with multiple glasses on the cart.
“Tis my very own best brandy, Laid down by the brothers of Buckfast Abbey, Vintage 1643, to toast to our prosperous voyage.” She stated and uncorking the decanter started pouring some brandy into the glasses. Pinkie and a few others quickly came over to the cart and picked up a glass, clearly liking the idea. But it was not to be.
“I’m sorry Ms. Solaris, but I’m not going to allow any drinking of alcohol on this voyage.” Captain Pip stated firmly. Celestia looked slightly shocked and Pinkie shrugged her shoulders.
“Oh well, rules are rules.” She said and jerked her glass toward an open window sending the brandy inside it out the window. Celestia looked slightly upset and tried to convince the captain to change his mind.
“But sir, it’s a tradition for the officers to toast to the success of the voyage.” She said. Pinkie nodded in agreement.
“Very true.” and she filled her glass again. But before she could take a sip The captain spoke up.
“No, Ms. Solaris, we must set an example for this questionable crew.” He locked his gaze with hers making sure she got his message. Celestia flinched like she’d been slapped.
“There will be no consumption of alcohol of any kind.” He said firmly. Celestia nodded her head in understanding but spoke up in defense of the crew.
“Sir, I can vouch for this crew myself, while they may be a bit rough around the edges I’d stake my life on them, they’re admirable. You could sail to Heaven and back with these men.” She said passionately. Jim actually found it quite admirable that she was defending the crews' honor.
“Well, I’m afraid I must disagree with you.” Captain Pip said calmly, propping his chin upon his laced fingers. They stared at each other for a few moments, both in a battle of wills.
Pinkie who still had a full glass in her hand sighed and tossed the liquid out the window again, only to get a yell of indignation in response drawing everybody's attention. She turned to look out the window and saw three breezies on the window sill. The male crossed his arms in annoyance before he spoke.
“You wanna knock it off with the booze? It’s peeling the paint of the shuffleboard court.” He announced making pinkie scratch the back of her head sheepishly.
“Sorry.” She mumbled to which the breezes just huffed and floated away. Celestia turned back to the captain and he raised a single eyebrow. Celestia sighed and nodded her head in defeat.
“And that’s that. This conversation is finished.” Captain Pip said as he leaned back in his chair. Celestia was obviously not happy with it but she relented and nodded her head.
“I, understand sir. I shall tend to my duty and see to it that every drop of alcohol is thrown overboard.” She said glumly and started to hop out of the cabin but paused and made a ‘follow me’ gesture to Jim.
“Come along Jim, no need to be bothering the captain.” She said and continued hopping out the door. Captain Pip sighed and nodded his permission to Jim who quickly followed after Celestia. Spike and Thorax started getting up to follow when the door closed behind them with a loud bang. Spike huffed and crossed his arms giving the door a light glare.
“Oh, well. I guess those two rain clouds wanted to hang out together.” He grumbled angrily to Thorax who looked slightly saddened at being left behind.
“They don’t want to spend time with a dragon and a… a…” Spike stumbled again much to Thoraxs' chagrin.
“A whatever?” He supplemented and Spike nodded his head
“Yeah.”
Nothing else of note happened for the remainder of the day. The legacy made a good time, the wind was strong and didn’t slack in the slightest. The sunset was a brilliant symphony of reds, golds, oranges, and pinks as it dipped below the horizons of endless water. As the moon lifted its silver gaze over the sea Celestia, who was relaxing after cleaning up from supper, was leaning against the rail on the aft port side of the ship. Jim was on her left and they were simply gazing at the stars.
While usually, it would have been a fun thing for Jim to do he wasn’t feeling very happy about earlier today. Tilting his head so he could look up at Celestia he spoke.
“I’m sorry that your present didn’t work.” He said. Celestia gave him a soft smile. She could tell he was genuine with his words. She chuckled softly and shook her head.
“Oh Jim, Captain Pip sails by rules and laws. That’s what being a captains all about. Me… I sail by the stars.” She said looking up into the sky wistfully. Jim didn’t understand.
“Stars?” He asked, curious about what she was talking about. Celestia smiled indulgently and gestured out toward the horizon and the sparkling diamonds in the sky.
“North, Jim, Find me north out there among them stars.” She said. Jim smirked and pulled out his dad's old compass.
“Well, that’s easy.” He said but before he could open it it was snatched away from him. Celestia smirked playfully as she held the compass out of his reach.
“Ah, yeah, but what if you don’t have a compass?” She snarked as Jim tried to get it back. She laughed in amusement till her arm went over the railing and she saw his face pale in fear.
“Please Celestia, don’t drop it! It’s all I have left of my father. Please give it back. Please!.” His voice was desperate. Celestia flinched slightly and carefully held it out to him and he snatched it back.
“I’m sorry lad, I were only fooling.” She apologized, her ears fell down low. Jim nodded his head in understanding even though he still held the compass tightly. She looked back toward the sky, her eyes had a faraway look to them.
“How old were you when he died, then?” She asked solemnly. Jim held the compass close to his heart and paused before he answered.
“Seven.” he said, his voice soft, full of longing. Celestia nodded her head, deciding whether to say something or not.
“I was eight when my father died at sea.” She said. Jim looked at her in surprise and found a pair of eyes he’d seen reflected back at him in mirrors ever since his dad died. Eyes that wished they’d just had more time. Giving him a sad smile she closed her eyes and lean her back against the rail.
“First mate he was, on a merchant frigate.” She said making Jim’s eyes widen in shock.
“My father was the first mate too,” Jim said, slightly amazed they both had somethings in common. Celestia looked at him with shock until she let out a few barks of laughter.
“Really? By the powers, what a coincidence.” She slapped Jim on the shoulder and gently turned him around so he was facing out to see. Leaning down a bit so she was on his eye level she pointed out into the sky.
“Now Jim, that there, is Polaris, the North star.” She pointed to a single bright star in the sky. Jim followed her finger and kept his gaze on it.
“Even in the Neighpon sea, that’s north.” She explained. Jim made sure to memorize its placement.
“She’s always there every night, never moves, never changes. Always there to guide and help you. If you can find her, she’ll never steer you wrong.” Celestia said wistfully, her mind turning to someone who fits that description and it made her heart twist in pain. She quickly locked away those feelings before they showed. Jim pointed toward the star.
“North, Polaris,” he said out loud looking to her to make sure he got it right. Celestia nodded her head and smiled. Jim looked at the start again, his brain working out a problem quickly.
“Than we must be heading southwest.” He said. Celestia beamed at him actually surprised he figured it out so quickly.
“Smart as paint you are lad, smart as paint.” She praised. Jim smiled widely looked back out to sea and missed the look of dark triumph that flashed in Celestias' eyes. She leaned her back against the rail again and looked into the rigging as she spoke.
“Now, that got this old mare thinking. Why would we be sailing southwest?” She ponders out loud. Jim stiffened slightly at her words and did his best to make no outward sign that he was on edge. Celestia continued her ponderings out loud as Jim tries to keep calm.
“There’s nothing out that way and if we keep this heading will miss the new world by a long shot.” Celestia glances down at Jim and locks eyes with him for a split second before his dart away. A small predatory smirk grows across her face but she quickly schools it back to neutral.
“The scuttlebutt among the crew is, get this, we’re sailing for buried treasure, but that can’t be true, right?” She looks at him with a smile and a laugh like it was a good joke. Jim gives an awkward laugh and smiles back at her while trying with all his might not to panic.
“And it gets even better lad, they’re saying someone on board the ship has the map to the said treasure.” She gestured to the rest of the ship with a lazy wave of her hand, but her eyes watched Jim like a hawk. Jim swallowed nervously and hastily agreed with her.
“Yeah, crazy, right.” He said, starting to feel the sweat form on his brow. Celestia smiled at him, but this time it felt too sweet, to put on and it set Jims' teeth on edge. He didn’t like where this conversation was going and the silence between Celestia and him was growing extremely uncomfortable. Luckily it was broken by Celestia sighing and stretching a bit before she started talking again.
“ ‘course, even if such a thing was true, it’s none of my concern. I'm just the ships' cook after all. Such things are best suited for Captain Pipsqueak. He runs the ship, not I.” She said, shifting her leg a bit to a more comfortable position. Jim saw that she looked slightly sad and wanted to cheer her up.
“Oh come on, Celestia.” He said patting her back lightly.
“You could captain a ship.” He said with a smile before looking back out to see. Celestia looked at Jim before a dark glint in her eye sparkled.
“That I could, lad and maybe someday I will.” She said hiding the dark pleasure she felt at the thought. She wrapped an arm around Jims' shoulder and started pointing out different constellations to him. Plans forming in her head, personal plans, dark plans. Jim said she could captain a ship, he didn’t know how right he was.
Back in the captain’s cabin
Pipsqueak heaved a heavy sigh. It had been a crazy first day, what with the sudden creation and hiring of the crew, his near last-minute summons as its captain and now the one who carried the most important item, Jim, was being unreasonable. Pip leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his brown mane as he went back over today's events looking for where he could do better next time.
As another sigh escaped his lips his eyes switched focus to a framed picture on his desk. Reaching over he picked it up and gently caressed the glass. A single tear fell from his eyes.
“Why did I have to be born such a coward?” he asks to an empty room. Raising from his chair still holding onto the frame he walked over to the large windows and his eyes find a star like they have countless times he’s been at sea. Staring up into the brilliant night sky, his heart ached with loss and longing.
He could still hear her voice as if it was just yesterday. The way she laughed at his bad jokes like they were the best one she’d ever heard. How she’d always cock an eyebrow at him when he was learning to chart a course by just the stars and he’d get the names wrong. He chuckled at the memory at how annoyed she’d been as she was an avid astronomer he’d started doing it on purpose to tease her and it worked without fail.
His eyes misted heavily as he gazed up into the sky and caught a brilliant shooting star blaze into sight for a brief moment before fading in the inky black between the stars.
“Oh Starlight, where did you go?” He asked the sky softly wishing he had an answer to that question. When none came he hung his head and sighed. Walking back to his desk he set the picture back in its place and started to get ready for bed. He had a crew to oversee and a voyage to command. As he blew out the candle he vowed to make sure not to make the same mistakes a second time.
Days turned into weeks and started to blur together. There was always something to do on the ship so there were not many down days as it were. It wasn’t until nearly a month into the voyage that such a day came. Spike and Thorax both were taking the day and enjoying while they could.
They both had been working hard with whatever they were shown and given to do. Both had been shown the ropes of how things worked and they had the sore muscles and slightly bloody palms to prove it. So it was to nobodies surprise that they could be seen lounging on the main deck near the stairs to below deck just sitting and eating a few apples.
Both of them were startled by a loud shout.
“JAMES HAWKINS! You give that back right this instant!” They heard Celestia yell and they saw a mischievous smiling and laughing Jim running up on deck, carrying a crutch, followed closely by a, surprisingly swift, hopping and scowling Celestia. Thorax and Spike tried to greet them both but it didn’t turn out well.
“Hey, Jim! Morning Celest…” Was all he got out before the two had disappeared below deck again. They both just stared as the stairs before Spike huffed in annoyance and plopped back down to the deck.
“Well, at least one of us is having a good time,” he commented glumly. Thorax patted his shoulder trying to comfort him and his eyes lit up as he remembered something
“It’s not so bad Spike, Angel Marie said that later on, he’d throw a line out the back and let me drag along the bottom.” Thorax laughed in excitement while Spike could only stare at his friend like he’d grown a second head. Shaking his head to clear the confusion Spike continued his rant. Neither he nor Thorax noticed the three pairs of eyes gleaming at them from the darkness just inside the hold.
“Yeah, but I don't know what to think about this crew though. I feel like they're always watching us, just waiting to pounce,” he said and bit into his apple, munching on the sweet fruit and completely oblivious to the two pairs of hands reaching for hips and Thorax’s necks.
“Ah, that’s just a figment of your imagination Spike.” Thorax waved off the comment. A few seconds later they both felt hands clamp over their mouth and they were dragged back into the hold. No one on deck had seen them vanish.
Half an hour later
“This is just a figment of my imagination?” Spike asked Thorax his voice dripping with sarcasm. Spike was tied tightly to one of the deck support posts. He’d tried breaking free but even his strong arms could break the bonds. Thorax was lying flat on a table with his arms tied over his head and his ankles tied as and the ropes connected to some kind of pulley system.
They’d already tried yelling for help but no one seemed to be able to hear them mush to Spikes growing panic. They hadn’t seen their attackers yet, but a door banging open drew both their attention.
Into the room, they were in marched the unicorns Trixie, Snips, and Snails. Spike growled slightly at the smug smirk on Trixies' face and hoped the bluff he planned would work.
“Let us out of here or I’ll torch you to crisps!” He yelled letting out two small jets of green fire from his nose with a snort as a threat. It didn’t have the effect he wanted, the opposite in fact. Trixies' smirk only grew.
“You’d really kill everyone on this ship just to stop us? Finally showing that cold blood you're known for aren’t you, dragon.” Trixie said as if she was paying a compliment. The comment stung, making him wince. Most dragons tended to be arrogant in their supposed invulnerability and strength and were aggressive toward other races. Many well-known criminals were of the Draconic race, painting them as killers, murders, and monsters too many peoples.
Spike looked away from her and Trixie smiled in triumph. casually walking over to thorax she leaning over him slightly.
“Now if you would be so kind, please tell Trixie where the map is…” She paused for a split second before her right arm blurred and a knife found itself embedded into the table right next to Thoraxs' eyeball. Thorax froze in pure fear and Spike stared wide-eyed. Trixie just smiles sweetly making her all the more intimidating.
“Or Trixie will have to hurt you, naughty boys... badly.” She said in a slightly chiding tone while standing over Thorax, like she was explaining things to a child. Thorax swallowed hard before his eyes took on a steely gleam.
“Never! My friend and I will never tell you anything!” He said defiantly and spat right into Trixies' face. Trixie didn’t even flinch as the spittle hit her upper lip. She just giggled happily before she gave Thorax a half-lidded gaze and lick the spit into her mouth with a soft moan. Thorax and Spike both were freaking out and scared beyond belief.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” She said sweetly as she dug the knife out of the table and started bringing it toward Thorax’s face. Spike just started babbling trying to stop Trixie from hurting Thorax.
“Hey, hey, there could be extenuating circumstances you know!” He yelled out, gaining Trixie’s attention, which he wasn’t happy about, it only made him babble more as his brain went into a panic over time.
“I mean, you know uh… If,... ah... uh… maybe they’ll ask real nice?” He said hoping beyond hope that someone would save them. Trixie cocked her head to the side as she just stared at him with a blank look. Spike gulped loudly as he held her gaze. Than that terrifying smile was back.
“Nah, Trixie doesn’t think so.” She said making Spikes' heart flutter in fear. She turned to snips.
“Turn the wheel snips.” She told him He grinned evilly. Spike watched in horror as Snips gripped the wheel with a happy smile and he suddenly realized what was about to happen.
“STOP!” He screamed but Snips was already yanking the wheel. Spike clamped his eyes shut waiting to hear the pained screams of his friend. And waited. And waited some more. Spike cracked his eyes to peak and they snapped open on complete shock, amazement, and relief.
Snips was still turning the wheel in dumb shock as Thoraxs' limbs stretched beyond what was normal or even abnormal. Thorax’s face was crumpled and pinch as if he was trying to hold something back. He obviously counted hold it and he burst out laughing like an idiot.
“HAHAHAHA! STOOOP! HAHA! IT TICKLES! HAHA!” Thorax wheezed as tears of mirth pooled from his eyes and ran down his cheeks in streams. His arms and legs were now reaching the six-foot lengths. Trixie looked completely shocked but regained her composure and stopped Snips from turning the wheel.
“This won’t work, he actually likes this.” She pouted angrily. Thorax gasped for breath as he got his laughter under control. She nodded her head.
“Let’s torture the dragon.” Spike panicked.
“What?! NO! No, no, no!” Spike yelled and thrashed against his bonds but they still held firm.
“Yes.” Snails said as he appears with a brilliant red hot tipped metal rod.
“Did you know that while dragons are fireproof on the outside…” Trixie said slowly running her hand up and down his scally chest. He shivered at the touch as she slowly peeled back one of his longer chest scales and he felt his blood run cold. She smiled sweetly but it never reached her eyes.
“That all stops once you get past the first layer though.” She finished her sentence. Spike glanced fearfully at red hot iron slowly closing in on his now flammable spot on his body.
“And I’ve got a lovely recipe for blackened drake.” Snails said as he brought the iron closer and closer. Spike screamed in fear praying to whatever deity would listen that this would end! As if his prayers were answered The door slammed open drawing all their attention.
Trixie, Snips, and Snails all pale fearfully as the bodies and furious faces of Iron Will and Applejack quickly entered the room with weapons drawn and at the ready.
“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?” Iron will bellowed out as he pointed his cutlass at the trio while Applejack aimed a pistol at Trixies' face. Snails, in his panic to hide any evidence as he was ordered to do if they were found out, grabbed the red hot end of the rod with his left hand. It took him four full seconds before the pain hit him and he let it go screaming bloody murder.
Trixie still in shock about the two officers showing up acted on instinct as she’d had to ask this hundreds of times before.
"What happened this time?” She yelled at the bawling Snails. Tears pouring from his eyes and cradling his left hand he answered.
“I burned my hand! Kiss it make it better! please! Kiss it!” He begged. He didn’t get an answer as Trixie was clubbed over the head and knocked out by Applejack while Iron Will did the same to Snips with the butt of his cutlass. They both just looked down at the crying snails in anger and annoyance.
Spike felt such relief that he just started to laugh even as tears flowed from his eyes. They were safe.
An hour later
"Are you sure this will work miss Twilight?” Captain Pip asked her. He wasn’t certain this plan if one would call it that, would actually work.
“Of course sir, I wouldn’t suggest it if I wasn’t certain,” Twilight answered with a confident voice. Captain Pip wasn’t completely convinced but he had nothing else that could work so he nodded his head in agreement.
“Than make preparations to begin.” He said. Twilight eyes sparkled with an intensity that made Pip shiver.
“At once captain… oh, this will be so interesting! I better take notes.” She said before she rushed off to set things up. Putting his uncertainty out of mind for a moment he turned and glared daggers at the trio of Unicorns tied up in front of him. He shook his head in disgust.
“First mate Iron Will.” He said not breaking his eye contact with the trio in the slightest.
“Yes sir?” Iron will waited for his orders.
“Lock these three in the brig for the remainder of the voyage. When we return home they’ll stand trial for their crimes.” he ordered.
“Aye sir!” Iron Will snapped a salute and grabbed the struggling trio and dragged them off to the brig followed closely by an armed and glaring Applejack. Captain Pip sighed, sometimes he hated being a captain. With that aggravation out of the way he turned his attention to the main deck where Twilight and her assistant Derpy were prepping Thorax for the operation. A bit of movement caught his eye and he turned.
He saw Jim watching the preparation with a worried expression on his face. Captain pip took a deep breath before he approached him and getting Jim's attention before he spoke.
“Mister Hawkins, I’d like to speak to you in my cabin please.” he said. Jim glanced back toward his friends but gave a hesitant nod.
“Yes sir,” he said sadly and made his way to the captain cabin. Pip watched him go for a few moments before turning back to the main deck again. He couldn’t help the smirk that made its way onto his lips as Thorax kept chasing Derpy around the deck trying to tickle her with his long arms. He sighed before he followed Jim into his quarters
At least Thorax is enjoying himself Pip thought as he went inside his cabin after Jim.
Thorax waited anxiously for it to start. After a few more moments and a scolding from Twilight, he was hooked up to whatever Twilight had created using the rigging, ropes and a few pulleys. a few more moments and he was hoisted up till he was completely stretched out. She giggled slightly and held up a pair of scissors.
“Ready mister Thorax?” She called up to him. Thoraxs' eyes shined with excitement.
“Ready!” he yelled down. Spike stood by nervously chewing on his claws. Twilight nodded and called to her assistant.
“Tie off the rope Derpy!” She yelled and Derpy saluted and tied it off. Twilight leaned closer to Spike and said.
“I call this the 'Window Shade' cure.” She said, an excited smile on her face as she snipped the scissors in the air quickly. Giving it a name didn’t make Spike feel any better about this.
“Alright, here we go and… a snip, snip, snip.” She said and sniped one of the ropes in her contraption. As soon as the rope was cut Thorax shot into the air like a bullet out of a gun, his arms and leg retracting back into his body, flinging him upward.
“YEOW! WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!” He yelled as he was spun around the spreader for one of the sails. He stopped with a jerk and hung in the air by the rope he held onto with his arms back to their original length.
AH! Great! Wow!” He exclaimed in relief but in said relief, he let go of the rope.
"AHH!” he screamed and feel down toward the deck. His fall was broken somewhat as he landed on top of Twilights assistant Derpy and the two became a tangle of limbs as they tried to get up. They soon untangled themselves and got to their hooves.
“That was so cool!" He yelled thrusting his hand in the air. He looked at Derpy only to see that both of her golden eyes were staring straight at him and they didn’t look happy.
“What?” he asked her and she pointed harshly at her eyes making him wrack his brain in thought before he ‘oh’ in understanding.
“Ah, I can fix that.” He said and brought his fist up and than down on top of Derpys' head like a mallet hitting a gong. She rubbed her head where Thorax struck in pain before she glared at him again and her eyes were back to looking in two different directions
“You're welcome,” Thorax said smiling unperturbed by her glare, that is until she slapped him across the face and stormed off. Thorax held his stinging cheek in awe as he watched her stomp away. Spike quickly made is way over to him.
“You okay Thorax?” He asked, wanting to make sure his friend was okay.
“I think she likes me!” Thorax squealed like a filly and hopped up and down on the spot in happiness. Spike just blinked and stared at his hopping, squealing friend before slamming his claw into his face for what seemed like the millionth time.
Author's Note
It's been awhile. Figured this deserved an update.
