Secret of the Alicorn

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Chapter 1

Another week another market day in Ponyville.

A tall Unicorn stallion sat having his picture drawn, or caricatured to be more precise. The artist narrowed his eyes and stuck his tongue out “Could you perhaps remove the hat sir?”

“Certainly not,” the stallion said offended “it’s a symbol of my status.” He glanced down at the white wire-haired fox terrier at his hooves “Be patient Snowy, not much longer.”

“I must say,” the artist said, “you face is familiar, have I drawn you before?”

“No,” the stallion replied, “but I am known throughout Equestria.”

The artist paused and blinked astonished “Of course, Prince Blueblood. I did not recognise you with the hat.”

“Ponies rarely do.” Sighed the Prince “And I’d prefer it.”

“Why are you not in Canterlot?”

“It’s a bit quiet up there right now. Anyway, I have friends and associates here in Ponyville I want to catch up with.”

“Princess Twilight?”

“Maybe, but in her current condition, it might be best to give her some peace and quiet, Miss Rarity perhaps as well, I haven’t seen her and Moonlight Spectre since Screaming Lord Sutch’s performance at the Lyceum West a few weeks ago. No, it a Miss Bon-Bon and a Miss Heartstrings I wish to see at the immediate time.”

The artist nodded and put his brushes down and took hold of the board “There,” he turned it around revealing a cartoonish rendering of the Prince’s face, his eyes shadowed by the long brim of his distinctive headwear. “I believe I have captured something of your likeness.”

Blueblood levitated the piece of paper and chuckled “Not bad, you have skill sir.” He turned to his side and asked, “What do you think, Snowy?” he blinked, frowned and looked around the immediate area he gave an exasperated sigh “Snowy.”, he gave a few bits over to the artist and walked about the market for his stray.

Snowy, he recently took home from the Sweet Feather Sanctuary, with Fluttershy’s blessing, the little chap really seemed to like him, and as a dog person himself, he couldn’t say no.

He passed a pair of Royal Guard ponies, who nodded acknowledgement at him. Chrome Blade and Dauntless Doo, both family stallions, the former, Mister Blade, the Earth Pony, Blueblood understood to be the father of young Scootaloo of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Doo, husband of the Ponyville Post Mistress, a Pegasus named Muffins, sometimes called “Ditzy” for her clumsy behaviour. Both only back less than a year ago after serving long tours in Saddle Arabia, then transferred to the Everfree Guard under the command of Captain Flash Sentry, but also under, ultimately, Princess Twilight’s command.

Following them came a pair of near identical ponies. A pair of mares. You would think them related if not for the fact of one being a Bat Pony and the other an Earth Pony. Even their name almost perfectly matched, just different spelling. And not very flattering names, Berk and Burk. The Earth Pony being Berk with an E. Burk with a U he knew would be somehow related to two figures of Bat Pony culture.

Burk’s Peerage listed the noble families of Equestria, including himself. Noble Burk also made the Gothic Almanac which listed Bat Pony noble families, many of them extinct like the Royal House of Bazar Robin, but a few survived, including the family of the Head Mortician and of Lord Moonlight Spectre, he also knew of another noble Bat Pony family, couldn’t remember their name, he would need to speak with Moonlight again.

But back to the name Burk, a criminal called Burk lived a few centuries ago. Most ponies falsely called him a graverobber. In truth, the Royal Hospital Trottingham needed bodies for examination, indeed, dissection used to compulsorily for training and legal supply failed vastly to meet demand. Burk took advantage of this and murdered, as far as could be determined, sixteen ponies. When the head surgeon Doctor Knox revealed this Burk got arrested and sentenced to death by the Grand Duke, ironically his body got sent to Knox for dissection.

As for Berk the Earth Pony, the Prince couldn’t quite understand why any-pony would call their child a word for idiot.

Although, the manner which they dressed made the two of them look as much idiots as their names suggested. Frock coats and parasols, he wouldn’t be surprised if they wore corsets as well. If they were meant to be plainclothes officers of the Everfree Guard their brains seemed to be several decades, perhaps centuries in the past.

Quite why the Everfree Guard needed expanding he didn’t quite know. What with the young princess’s dragon Spike recently spurted to full maturity, magically it would seem, you would think he’d be quite the deterrent, besides in his occasional talks with her on more private matters she said she would prefer not having many guards marching about the Castle, and she, much like his Auntie Celestia preferred to be as self-reliant as possible, so this pair couldn’t be here in a servant capacity.

His musing stopped when he heard a bark. He stopped by as stall selling mirrors as his recently acquired dog, Snowy bounded up, Blueblood stroked his fur “Where have you been?” he asked as the white fox terrier reared up and played about with him “Chasing cats again?”

As he chuckled he glanced at a mirror and paused. In the reflection behind him sat a model ship. He blinked and turned around “Snowy, look at this.” He whispered with awe. He approached the model. A yellow sailing ship “Three masts, double decked, fifty heavy-crossbows.”, ships as recently as fifty years ago did not have explosive projectile weapons, and incendiary weaponry got banded hundreds of years before.

The Prince smiled “Isn’t she a beauty, just what I’ve been looking for.”

The bric-a-brac sales-stallion smiled and leaned in spoke “That’s a unique specimen that is, from an old Sea Captain’s estate.”

Blueblood continued to look at it, the figurehead of his Auntie Celestia, her wings swept behind her covering the bow, he then looked to the stern to read the name “The Alicorn.”

“Alicorn.” The seller continued “Stallion of War Sailing Ship. Very old that is. Sixth century of Celestia Reign.”

“Seventh actually, I read it once in the Canterlot library, the 670s if I remember.”

“Oh, a scholar then? Well, that’s as fine a ship as any that’s sailed the seven seas, you won’t find another one of these, mate.”

Blueblood nodded “Okay, name your price.”

The seller blinked and nearly fell off the chair “Name my price! You serious?”

“Of course,” Blueblood charged his horn and pulled a small booklet out of his coat “You don’t mind if I pay by check?”

“No, no!” the seller said smiled “You’ve just become my favourite customer!”

Blueblood rolled his eyes before he focused on the check, writing out a price not to be spoken out in public. He gave the check over and the seller pocketed it carefully. Then he opened the door to the case. Blueblood took the model in his magic and put it on his back.

He heard Snowy give a curious whine as another stallion, crystal by appeared, almost running into the Prince, having seemingly run across the marketplace, looked to the seller “Hey bud,” he panted “How much for the boat?”

“Sorry,” the seller said rummaging through a chest of other knickknacks “I just sold it to this stallion in the hat.”

The Crystal Pony turned to Blueblood “Oh yeah? Tell me what you payed, I’ll give you double.”, Blueblood scoffed “I highly doubt that. Besides, it’s not for sale.”, the Crystal Pony glanced over Blueblood’s shoulder and whispered, “Listen Your Highness,”, Blueblood’s eyes widened as the Crystal Pony continued “I’m trying to help you out, I don’t think you realise this, but you’re about to walk into a whole mess of danger, get rid of the boat and get out as fast as you can, these ponies do not play nice.” He then ran off.

Blueblood narrowed his eyes into a scowl ‘What ponies?’

“Wonderful!” said another voice. The Prince turned around to find a Bat Pony mare, a medium grey coat, her muzzle made of sharp curves, and two sickly green eyes, a finely brushed and cut black mane and dressed in a burgundy dress. She grinned with a smile just a little too nice to be good, her eyes focused on the model of the ship “It’s just wonderful.” She glanced to the seller “Don’t both wrapping it, I’ll take it as it is. Does any-pony object if I pay by check?”

The seller blinked “Another one?” He shrugged “Sorry, but if you want to buy it talk to this feller here.” Nodded to Blueblood “I just sold it to him less than a minute ago.”

The mare turned to the Prince and raised her eyebrow “I see. Well then, let the Gentle-colt name his price.”

The seller fell back onto the back rest of the chair and muttered “Celestia, who breeds these nuts?”

Both Blueblood and the Mare glanced at the seller before Blueblood looked to her “I’m sorry, I already explained to the other Gentle-colt…”

The seller shrugged “Crystal pony he was, all sparkle and little substance.”

Blueblood narrowed his eyes at the seller, after conversing with his cousin Cadance after she become the Crystal Princess he liked the Crystal Ponies. However, he returned to the Mare and explained “It’s not for sell.”

She hummed and looked back to Blueblood “Well good sir, let me appeal to your, better nature, I have recently acquired Sagittarius Hall…”

“That on the outskirts of Bridle City?”

“Yes, and this model was a part of the estate…”

“Of the late Sea Captain?”

“Exactly, and I simply wish to restore it to its proper place.”

“I accept your motive madam, however, I have my own reasons, I have friends who would be interested in this model, and as my property I have the right to do with it as I please, as I said it’s not for sale.”

The Mare’s eye twitch, she then sidled up to his side “Then perhaps I should talk to your moral stances. The family of Sagittarius Hall fell into an endless string of bad luck, they believed their name to be cursed, now if there’s any truth to that, a fine young and handsome stallion in the prime of his youth such as yourself does not need that. I am willing to take the ship from you and take any possible curse it may come with.”

Blueblood shook his head “I believe, like Princess Twilight, that curses don’t exist. As I’ve said twice already, it’s not for sale, that’s my final word. Now if you excuse me, I must be going.” He tipped his hat, turned around and walked away with Snowy close at his side.

The Mare glanced to the seller “That stallion, who is he?”

The seller shrugged “Don’t know. Seen him about on market day I think he lives locally.”, the Mare’s eyes narrowed.

Prince Blueblood did indeed live locally. With Burning Heart and Aura so to train the filly.

The Prince lived a second secret life, an Aura Guardian. Aura, the substance is an energy distinct from magic, for magic is tied to the physical body, aura is tied to the soul. It would take powerful magic to harm a spiritual being, Discord for example, the magics of the Elements of Harmony didn’t really hurt him, just encased him in stone. Whereas even the weakest of aura attacks could inflict damage onto him.

When Discord originally attacked Equestria he tricked and trapped many Aura Guardians in Tartarus leaving the land open to his nonsense.

Cipher, the, relatively new Post-stallion’s pet, a curious creature called a Jakhowl, a bipedal canine, could manipulate aura.

Being an Aura Guardian now, well, it’s a dying art. In the days before the coronations of Celestia and Luna the Order of Aura Guardian protected the three tribes in secret, only a hoof-full of Aura Guardian are even vaguely know, Sir High Mountain of the Royal Knights, another more public order, second only to the Princesses in military power, being the most well remembered, and only really by the Royal Sisters, other Royal Knights, or old noble families. Aura, the filly here in Ponyville still needed years, if not decades to be even considered a full Guardian.

Recently his first life back in Canterlot became a little more enjoyable. Previously like in the Grand Galloping Gala over three years, the one to which the Council of Friendship first attended and made a mess of it, Blueblood acted as an arrogant and stuck up pony, his family, especially his father, gained a, reputation, one which every-pony pessimistically expected him to live too. For most of his life as the head of the Blueblood family he did, but after talks with Miss Rarity and his Auntie Celestia he decided to drop the act, a parody of his father, completely.

Still here in Ponyville as an Aura Guardian, he could truly be himself without any-pony judging him.

Blueblood passed the downstairs where the filly and her godmother and legal guardian Burning Heart lived, his apartment being one floor above them, Burning Heart owned the flat, and he dutifully paid his rent, he could afford it.

He climbed the stairway and unlocked the door. Once inside he placed the model ship of the dresser beside the fireplace “What is it about this ship that’s attracted so much attention, I knew Miss Heartstrings was interested, but a Crystal Pony and a Bat Pony?”

Snowy whined equally confused.

Blueblood’s eyes narrowed “And how did the Crystal Pony know me? The Bycoket,” referring to his hat “has a glamour to it, ponies only see me if I let them, or they know about it and see through it. Whoever he was, he must be part of some well-informed organisation.”, he returned to the model “What secrets do you hold?”

He went into his study, around him hanging articles of the Ponyville Express since acquiring a second home in Ponyville he started writing a column in the local paper. Opening the top drawer, he hummed “Where did I put that magnifying glass?” He didn’t want to ask Twilight for another. He checked the other drawers. Then the shelf on the wall.

A small grunt caught his attention, he turned. Snowy stood at the door with the magnifying glass in his mouth. Blueblood smiled and took it in his magic “Thank you.”, he turned and jumped.

A cat meowed in fright. Snowy barked furiously and gave chase.

“No! Snowy!” the Prince called as feline and canine jumped over furniture, knocked artefacts off the wall and made a mess of the apartment living room.

Blueblood caught one artefact in his magic.

SNAP!

The Prince looked back and gasped.

The model of the Alicorn sat on its side, middle and tallest mast and most of its rigging snapped. Blueblood picked it up and stared “Look what you did.” He turned as the cat ran out the door and he scowled at Snowy “Bad dog, I’ve told not to chase cats in the apartment.”

Snowy stepped forward slightly and began sniffing the floor.

The Prince rolled his eyes, animals, he needed to speak with a pony. He stepped forward and put the model back on the dresser “If I remember, something happened on this ship.” He went to the door “And I know the pony who knows about it.” He glanced back at Snowy, who stared at the floor of the dresser “Come on Snowy.”, the terrier, reluctantly followed.

Lyra Heartstring’s eyes widened as he finished explaining, she smiled and exclaimed “You have a model of the Alicorn?”

Bon-Bon covered her ears at her mare-friend’s squeals.

Blueblood nodded “Yes, but it’s damaged.” He glanced at Snowy, but returned to the Unicorn mare “The name of the ship is familiar but I can’t quite remember the details, I hoped you’d have it since you were so interested in it.”

Lyra nodded and went to her desk. She returned swiftly with a bunch of notebooks “Got it here, I wrote down what I found in the Canterlot library a few months ago.” She cleared her throat and started reading aloud “Sir Bold Star of Sagittarius Hall…”

“The Marine Knight?”, the first Sailor Pony to be accepted into the ranks of the Royal Knights.

Lyra nodded and return to her notes “…the last captain of the ill-fated Alicorn. The ship left Bridle City Port in the year 676 of Celestia’s Reign to explore the waters and possible lands west of the South Luna Ocean. Possibly to find an alternative route of the legendary east settlements, such as the rumoured Stalliongrad and the lands spoken by Meadowbrook and Macro Pommel, without going through the contested Griffon and Dragon Lands, and the hazardous Bug Bear Territory. Others theorise the voyage was also to find any possible evidence the mythological island continent and, or city state of Metropolis and, or Utopia, sometime referred to as Paradise Lost.

“The last voyage of the Alicorn has become one of the most ruinous and infamous journeys in maritime history. Ship never returned, attacked by pirates, all hooves lost expect for one survivor. When Sir Bold was rescued, after being stranded on an island for almost two years, and returned home, where he was convinced his name had been cursed.

“The ship’s manifest stated it was empty of cargo and Sir Bold kept up this claim. But, it has been long claimed the ship carried a secret cargo.”

Blueblood narrowed his eyes and began wondering, most likely the interest in the ship lay in this mystery.

The Unicorn mare continued “Historians have tried and failed to discover what happened on that fatal voyage. What the crew might have discovered. But Sir Bold’s last words “Only a true Star will discover the secret of the Alicorn.” To this day no descendent of the Marine Knight has ever decided to venture out and discover the secret, possibly out of the belief of the curse upon their name. Princess Celestia herself has banned any such endeavour to do so without a Star leading the voyage. So, the secret will remain hidden until a time when hearts and minds changed and courage, not fear with motivate a Star once more.”

“The Star family?” Blueblood murmured “That sounds so familiar,” he tapped his hoof on his horn “I just can’t remember.”

Bon-Bon called out flatly “Maybe, instead of sitting on our flanks trying to remember something, we should see if this model of yours has anything?”, the two Unicorns nodded.

They quickly returned to apartment and Blueblood opened the door for them. Lyra rushed in and asked, “So, where is it?”, the Prince quickly rushed in and stopped agape.

The dress stood bear. No model anywhere.

Blueblood banged his hoof on the floor “Of course it’s gone!”

Bon-Bon raised an eyebrow “Let me guess. You and Lyra weren’t the only ponies interested in the model?”

“No, we were not.” He explained about the ponies he met in the market.

Lyra blinked “Odd pair?”

“They weren’t together. The Crystal Pony, I think he was warning me about the Bat Pony, I don’t about him, but I know where I can find her.”

Bon-Bon frowned “You sure, your Highness?”

“I can handle myself, I’m an Aura Guardian, I don’t run from an enemy.”

After taking the first train to Bridle City he could get on, the Prince and Snowy, horn illuminated slowly walked up to the gates of Sagittarius Hall. Said gates being looked with strong chains. He charged his horn. Then, a bark caught his attention.

Snowy stood on the opposite side of the locked gates, Blueblood raised an eyebrow “How’d you do that?”, the little white dog proceeded to walk over to a large hole in the brick wall. The Prince laughed “Atta boy!” and he clambered through.

Walking up the long straight entrance lane, he studied the Hall. Two square buildings flanking a thin entrance like a tall tower. The building overgrown with ivy, and not a nice kind like Virginia Creeper, no, the common ivy, Hedera Helix. He understood ponies used to plant it as a form of natural insulation, but not many took the time to keep the ivy in check.

At the doors, he examined the decoration on the top of the archway “A coat of arms!” He eyes narrowed “Mullets? A star?”, in heraldic terms a mullet is generally a five-pointed star.

The coat of arms depicted a weighing scales surrounded by many of this mullet stars, above the helmet rested the crest, a lion lying down but with its head raised with another five-pointed star on its body.

It dawned on him “Of course! Sagittarius Hall is the old Star Family Estate.”

Snowy suddenly ran off.

A growl filled the air. Blueblood turned. A Rottweiler barked at him. The Prince ran for it. The hound followed. They went into the tree. Blueblood pushed a branch out to smack the dog. The Rottweiler just bit it in two. Blueblood stopped at a wall. The hound bounded up. The Prince shut his eyes.

Another bark started. Blueblood looked down. Snowy yelled at the Rottweiler, and miraculously subdued it. The Prince sighed relieved “Well done Snowy.” He scratched the terrier’s ears and said, “Good boy!”

They returned to the house, while the two dogs played in the yard Blueblood found a broken window and managed to open it.

Inside the hall looked just as bad, if not worse than the outside. Chandeliers hung at different heights from the ceiling, some of the lights on them flashed on and off.

Blueblood knew, like Ponyville, Bridle City got its electrical power from a hydroelectrical dam built Upriver, Ponyville, Canterlot and Huntersfield used the River Canter with the dam at Saddle Lake. Bridle City, and the Upriver settlements like Hitchville and Trot Town used the damn beyond the logging camps of the River Neigh. Indeed, to get to the Hall the Prince needed to change trains and travel up the Neigh Valley Railway, the common name of the branch of the Equestrian National Railway.

The Prince continued through the room. Passed the scaffolding and the upturned furniture.

Through the entrance building and into a room at the front of the Hall. It looked like a gallery, and one where most of the work, presumably renovations clustered. A large covered glass case caught his attention. He pulled the sheet off and nodded “Well, well, well.” He carefully pulled the model out of the case.

Behind him came a huff. The Prince quickly turned around. A shadowy figure of an aged Unicorn. Next moment, a sharp blow to the side of his head, and everything went black.

Blueblood found himself on the floor, his hat in place, his identity still safe, but voices talked “The model appears undamaged Miss Cobalt.”

Cobalt? A Bat Pony Mare named Cobalt. The name seemed familiar. His head hurt as he got up.

“Welcome to Sagittarius Hall,” said a familiar voice, Blueblood spied the Bat Pony mare called Cobalt as she continued “I see you let yourself in.”

Ignoring the pain Blueblood stood up and his magic covered the model of the Alicorn “I came to retrieve me property.”, the older Unicorn, dressed as a butler fought with his magic.

Cobalt glanced at him “I’m sorry, I’m not sure I quite follow you?”

Blueblood scowled “Oh, I think you do.” He pulled at the model “This ship was stolen from my apparent a few hours ago.”

“I’m afraid your mistaken.

“I’m not mistaken.”

“Are you sure?”

Angry he flared a touch of aura into his magic and pulled the ship from the surprisingly strong magical grip of the old butler “Of course I’m sure.” He examined the model “I took it home, I put it on a cabinet in the living room, then Snowy chased the cat and knocked it over…” he paused and looked at the unbroken mast “it fell and broke.”, he turned around, just catching the glance between Cobalt and her butler, resisting the urge to raise an eyebrow he gave the model back to the butler but confusingly stated “This isn’t my ship.”

“No,” Cobalt said as the butler place the ship back into the case, “Indeed not.”

“I’m sorry.” The Prince said, “it looks identical.”

“Well,” Cobalt said, the end of a cane, with a horse skull crook, tapped Blueblood’s shoulder and she pulled him alongside her, “Looks can be deceiving.”

Blueblood pulled the cane of him and turned back to the model “I don’t understand. Why did Sir Bold Star make two ships exactly alike? And you have one already, why do you want another?”

Cobalt sniffed “I’m a perfectionist, those two models started here, they should be together, I’m so sorry to hear about the other.”

Blueblood nodded “What would motivate some-pony to steal it?”

Cobalt chuckled “Goodness me, why so many question?”

“It’s for a friend of mine.”, Cobalt twitched “Well, it’s no great mystery. Sir Bold Star was a broken pony after his rescue, and his doom got bequeathed to his foals.”

“So, it’s true? The Star Family is cursed?”, the cane went across his body and Cobalt muttered sinisterly “What else have you learned?”

Unflustered Blueblood moved the cane aside “What is there to learned?”

Cobalt quickly moved the cane to his side and continued her threatening tone “That depends what you’re looking for.”

Sternly Blueblood heightened himself up “I’m looking for answers Miss Cobalt.”

She smiled “You’re looking in the wrong place.” She moved the cane away “It’s getting late, I think you should return to Ponyville. Parker will escort you out, won’t you, Aloysius?”

“Yes, Miss Cobalt.” He walked passed Blueblood and said, “This way sir.”, he talked with an aged voice, but distinctly like Screaming Lord Sutch, he must have originated from Trottingham’s East End.

At the door, he whispered to the Prince “It’s a pity sir, that the mast broke on your model ship sir, I hope that you’ve found all the pieces, things are so easily lost.”

“Aloysius!” came a shout, Aloysius Parker grunted and sniffed, he turned to Blueblood “Goodnight sir.” And he closed the door.

The town clock struck a quarter past ten as Blueblood and Snowy walked down the street to their apartment “Things are so easily lost?” He glanced at his dog “What did he mean by that Snowy? What was he trying to tell me?”

He opened the door and almost walked into his, sort of land-mare, Burning Heart. A Unicorn mare, her age about ten less the senior to Blueblood, with a pink coat, a dark heliotrope mane and tail with moderate heliotrope eyes. Her cutie mark, a flame behind a symbol of a circle with an arrow sprouting forth from the circumference. On her back perched a crow. Another flew over and landed at the side of Snowy, unnerving the white dog.

Miss Heart raised an eyebrow “And where have you been Your Highness?”

“Trying to solve a mystery, and getting more questions,” he inched passed her and head from the stairs “I’ll tell you in the morning.”

Snowy ran up the stairs ahead of him and scratched at the door, which opened by itself. The Prince paused at this. Illuminating his horn, took the doorknob, pushed the door wide open and hit the lights.

The living room look a mess. Even more so than after the cat catastrophe. The place ransacked. Some-pony somehow got in, how behind Miss Heart’s skills? Not important right now.

Snowy quickly went to the cabinet and attempted to squeeze under it.

“What is it Snowy?” He got onto the floor and looked under. Something glinted in the light of his spell. Swiftly, he pulled the cabinet from the wall and pulled a tiny metal cylinder, it dawned on him “This was in the mast!”

He went to his study, returned the desk lamp to its place and switched it on. Snowy appeared with the magnifying glass. Blueblood took it in his magic, and with his telekinesis opened the cylinder and removed a piece of parchment. He also pulled out a notebook and quill. When a Prince, even one without a defined role, an Aura Guardian, a celebrity, patron of the Arts and a hobby journalist, you really needed to learn to multitask.

The piece of parchment contained a poem and three unicorn heads and three pairs of wings. The poem read ‘Three Siblings joined. Three Alicorns in company, sailing in the noonday Sun will speak. For it is from the light, that light will dawn. And then shines forth, the Eagle’s cross.’

“Three Siblings, Three Alicorns? There is the family legend of an elder sibling to Auntie Celestia and Aunt Luna, but…”

Then looking underneath, he saw a few odd markings “Secret language or code?”, he didn’t understand them so left them from his notes.

Snowy whined.

“It makes no sense. But it does explain why they, whoever they were, ransacked the flat. They were looking for this, but they didn’t find it.” He blinked “Which means, they come looking for it again.”

The doorbell rang.

Blueblood quickly went to the door and listened in. Behind his back he readied a crossbow pistol.

Burning Heart sternly spoke to the pony at the door “I’m afraid his Highness doesn’t see visitors after dark.”

His Highness? Cobalt didn’t appear to know who she faced, although as she said, looks can be deceiving, but he did have a good idea as to who inquired about him.

The Prince put the parchment inside the fold of his hat brim and went down the stairs “It’s alright Miss Heart, I’ll handle this. You make sure Aura’s okay.” He stepped up to the door.

“Hey?” a familiar, male voice asked, “Your Highness? That you? Please, open the door.”

Blueblood glanced at the gap. The Crystal Pony from the market stood there anxiously, “What do you want?” the Prince asked.

“Look, the game is up. She’s going to be back. I know she wanted those boats, but Sombra, she willing to kill some-pony over them!”

“Cobalt?”

“I can’t say…”

The sound of slings and arrows filled the area. Spikes pelted, lodged into and flew through the door. Blueblood flared his aura to protect himself.

The door slid open. The Crystal Pony stood shocked, he dropped a newspaper, then slumped to the floor.

Swiftly, Blueblood shouted “Miss Heart! A pony’s been shot on the doorstep! Call the guard and the hospital!”, he ran out the door and saw a black cart sped passed him. Snowy ran after it barking madly.

“Snowy! Leave it!”, dog and master returned to the Crystal Pony, one of the crows looked him up and down before cawing. The Prince sighed and took his hat off. Then he noticed the blood stains over a bunch of letters on the newspaper page.

Chapter 2

“The victim’s name was Lucky Encouragement,” Berk, or Burk, the Prince didn’t really care, why they came instead of Flash or Chrome, or even Dauntless he didn’t know, whichever of the pair, or maybe the other now, the two really did confuse him, the Earth Pony one, continued “He was an Agent of SMILE.”

SMILE, the Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria. Not many knew of it, not after a Bugbear escaped Tartarus, Bon-Bon, or to give her proper name and title Secret Agent Sweetie Drops was be the only member he knew personally.

Berk, the Earth Pony continued “Like us.”, Burk, the Bat Pony mare tapped her umbrella on her associates shoulder “Formerly like us Berk, we were transferred.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, these two openly admitted themselves to be ex-members of a secret organisation, founded by Sir Defender Warden, Royal Knight of Equestria and Flash’s ancestor? No wonder the ex exists.

Behind him Bon-Bon glared daggers at them, while Lyra look confused.

Berk nodded at her colleague “Yes, of course.” She turned to Blueblood “We don’t have a clue on what he was working on.”

“Quite right Berk, we’re completely clueless.”

‘Indeed.’ Blueblood thought. “I might be able to shed some light on the matter.” He explained about the ships and Cobalt.

“Fascinating!” Berk said, “What do you think Burk?”

“Cobalt?” Burk tapped her hoof on her chin “Perhaps the middle child of Lord Onyx Vision.”

“Lord Onyx Vision?” Blueblood frowned “Is he of a Bat Pony noble family?”

Burk nodded but looked unsure “We can’t be sure if your information is helpful. There’s current some troubles with that family.”

“Precisely Burk,” Berk said, “a troublesome family.”

Lyra tilted her head “You don’t have any other leads?”

“Steady on Miss Heartstrings,” Burk said, “we’re still filling out the paperwork.”

Berk nodded “Police work is not all glamour and firefights, there’s an awful lot of filing.”

Bon-Bon stepped forward and took the paper and a pencil “I might have an idea.” She looked at the letters marked out in blood and spelt out a word “Mister Encouragement I think was trying to give the Prince a clue.” She wrote it down “Karaboudjan.”

“Karaboudjan?” the others repeated. Burk quickly took the paper from her and went to the door “We’ll consider this immediately. Never fear, the evidence is safe with us.” A shrill meow sound and series of clatters and thumps followed.

Berk ran to the door “Burk? What happened?”

“Well,” Burk called seemingly confused “I’m already downstairs. Do try to keep up.”

The Prince and the two mares watched from the window as Berk and Burk walked down the street. Lyra raised an eyebrow “Isn’t the Castle in the other direction?”

“It is,” Blueblood said going to the door “And I think we should go down there.”

Bon-Bon raised an eyebrow herself “How come?”

Blueblood took the out the parchment with the poem on it “Because Cobalt will stop at nothing to get this, she’s already proven that. If something happens to me, I’d prefer this be in safe hooves.”

Lyra nodded “Like under the care of Twilight and Flash.” She said it more as a statement than a question. Blueblood nodded.

Flash nodded and took the parchment “Well keep it safe Blueblood, if you need any help as well don’t hesitate to call on us.”

“Thanks.” And Blueblood left.

As the trio and dog returned to the apartment they considered the evidence “Karaboudjan.” Bon-Bon repeated “Not like any word I’ve heard.”

“I think,” Blueblood said “it’s Western Arabian, or Akhal-Teke. Made up of three words. I may be wrong, but I think it means ‘The Black Spirit.’”

Lyra shuddered “Well, that’s ominous.”

They reached the door and a stallion stood their “Excuse me Mr, Ladies, delivery.”

The three looked back at the crate being carried by two other ponies, Blueblood turned suspicious “I didn’t order anything. And I sure the mares would never send anything to my home without my knowledge.”

“Well,” the stallion said pulling out a special crossbow pistol “that because you lot are the package!” he quickly fired three small darts at them. The three collapsed, tranquilised.

Blueblood starting come too. He heard voices, the sound of searching.

He blinked still feeling funning, two stallions searched him, arguing over where something might be. He felt something on his head lighten. Then a pair of gasps.

“Sweet Celestia! It’s, he’s…”

“Prince Blueblood!”

“Nightmare Moon, we’re going to be in peeving trouble.”

“Get the boss!”

“No need.” Cobalt called as she walked in “Have you found it?”

“He hasn’t got it, neither him or the mares.”

Blueblood growled “You frisked unconscious mares?”

“Don’t worry your Highness.” Cobalt said “I made sure your two friends came to no harm. Look behind you.”, Blueblood did so. He found immediately in front of him the bars of a cage, then beyond them another cage where Lyra and Bon-Bon sat starting to wake up themselves.

Cobalt continued “Their only here because we couldn’t afford witnesses. No doubt this endeavour is now known to the authorities, but I’m too far in to stop now. The scroll.” She pulled a familiar piece of parchment out of her burgundy coat “A piece of paper like this.”

“The poem?”

“Yes.”

“It was inside a cylinder.”

“Yes.”

“Hidden in the mast of the model.”

“Yes.”

“You really think I would tell you where it is?”

Cobalt twirled her cane and one of the stallions grabbed it. She pulled the crook out and revealed a blade. “You know the value of it.”

“Two ships?” Lyra muttered and every-pony turned to her “And two scrolls?”, Bon-Bon unemotionally added “And both part of a puzzle no doubt. There’s something else isn’t there?”

Cobalt twitched “I will find your scroll, with or without your help. You three need to think about exactly how useful you are to me.”, she swung her blade up and the stallion threaded the cane back into place. They proceeded to leave the room. Which Blueblood recognised as a cargo hold of a ship. And from the vibration and the small but steady rocking, a ship at sea.

The door slammed shut, but a bark echoed through the room. Blueblood looked up and smiled “Snowy?”, the little white fox terrier bounded up with a happy yip, the Prince smiled “It good to see you too. See if you can chew through these ropes.”, Snowy sank his teeth into the ropes tying up Blueblood’s back hooves.

Bon-Bon meanwhile wriggled her ropes off her and started untying Lyra, “Escapology, we had Hoofdini in a few lessons.”, after Lyra got up Bon-Bon quickly went to the door, grabbed a crowbar and jammed it into the wheellock, then she took a piece of board and covered the porthole window “Not sure if that’ll stop them, but it gives us a chance.”

Blueblood nodded “We’ve got to get out of here.”

Lyra raised a hoof “And how do we do that when the door is now jammed?”

Blueblood looked to the window on the side and went to it, Bon-Bon protest “You can’t swim your Highness!”

“Just having a look.” He poked his head out the circle and looked about. Night time, the rain poured hard, and the wind blew fierce. He looked to his left, and to his right, neither rooms of the ship shone with light. Being just above the water line he looked up. As he suspected the ship appeared to be one of those shoddily built metal freighters, Glittering Iron, the Kingdom Engineer and the First Viscount Boxer, proposed a design of a metal hulled ship powered by steam, but too busy with the Equestrian National Railway, he never go around to building his dream-boat, so to speak. Only the seedier of shipbuilders in the south of Saddle Arabia adopted and built the vessels, and not always to anything resembling good quality.

A light shone from the room above them, with an open window. Unsure he turned back and explained.

Lyra asked, “How do we get up there?”

Bon-Bon went to a nearby crate “I think I know how we get up there.”, she pulled a strut off the crate, then another.

The wheel of the door jerked. Muffled voices argued and one of the hence-stallions from before shouted “They’ve bolted it from the inside! You want to play like that do you your Highness? Get the TNT.”

Eyes widened. Bon-Bon took a rope as Blueblood and Lyra thought about what to do. Blueblood unfurled a tarpaulin from a crate and pulled out a wine bottle, and narrowed his eyes “Champagne?” He hummed “I wonder.”, the mares glanced confused at each other.

Bon-Bon ignored the Prince’s unusual preparations and tied the rope around the struts. She went to the window and swung the makeshift grapple. It fell back and hit her on the head. Lyra nudged beside her “Let me help.” She charged her horn and shut one eyes. Bon-Bon threw it. Lyra’s magic took hold. Posted it through the window. Bon-Bon pulled. The rope tightened.

“Snowy first.” The Prince called putting a third crate of Champagne into place.

Lyra grabbed the dog and started shimming up. Bon-Bon next, and glared at the Prince “Don’t get any ideas, I could kick you into next week.”

“I won’t say you’re without fault for thinking that, but,” he looked to the door, “now is not the time to argue.”, the two quickly grabbed the rope and jumped out the window.

A bang and some flame and smoke burst through the window under Blueblood. Narrowly snigging his tail. The sound of crossbow firing and loud pops escaped.

The Prince smirked, his distraction worked. Given his high society life he often saw a Champagne bottle popped, and as he learned, the warmer a Champagne, the larger the CO2 cloud in the bottle is, meaning more pressure. An explosion would give off a lot of heat, thus the gas pressure became too much and the cocks popped by themselves. Given the thugs something to deal with while they made their escape.

He reached the window and fell onto the bed. A growl rumbled beside him. He turned and blinked. Another Rottweiler.

“Blake, down boy.” Another stallion called, the dog sat. The Prince looked to the table in the middle of the cabin.

A Unicorn stallion sat in the chair. Bon-Bon meanwhile examined the lock on the door. Lyra kept Snowy under control.

The Unicorn looked familiar to the Prince. A dark blue and whited maned Unicorn and a ship's wheel in front of a five-pointed star cutie mark, also he dressed in a naval jacket reminiscent of the Royal Marines. It dawned on him “Captain Bright Star, isn’t it?”

Lyra looked up “Star?”

“Yes, your Highness.” The Captain said glumly “I shouldn’t be surprised Cobalt knapped some-pony else.”

Blueblood’s eye twitched “Else? Did she take you from Bridle City?”

“Not initially, she requested I command this expedition. And my son Ten Bits became interested.”

“Ah yes,” the Prince glanced at the Rottweiler “this is his guide dog, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Blake is Ten Bit’s guide dog. Cobalt has my son imprisoned to keep me cooperating. But locked me in my cabin so I can’t rescue him.”

A tumbler clunked and the creak of a dog sounded. The three others turned to a smug Bon-Bon “Lock picking was a forte of mine in SMILE.”

Blueblood smiled “Good work, now, let’s rescue the colt and get off this creaking tub.”, Captain Star nodded “We should be able to get to the longboats on deck. Follow me.”

The four ponies and two dogs crept through the halls of the ship. Occasionally crewmembers would rush around the next junction on the maze of corridors, anger and fowl word stained their characters,

Lyra shuffled up to the Captain “Excuse me sir? Perhaps you can answer a few questions.”

“Depends on what they are, I am an angry father right now.”

She gulped “You wouldn’t happen to be related to the Star family of Sagittarius Hall, by any chance?”, he looked at her shocked “Yes? Why do you ask Miss?”

“Heartstrings, Lyra Heartstrings. It’s about a shipwreck I researched, in region called the Undiscovered West. A Stallion of War sailing ship, with three masts, double-decked and fifty heavy-crossbows.”

Star quickly grabbed her with his magic and pushed her, gently, into a wall, he asked, somewhat threating “What do you know of the Alicorn?”

Fearfully, she shook her head “Not a lot. That’s why I’m asking.”

His eyes turned both angry and glazed “The secret of that ship is known only to my family, passed down from generation to generation. My dear Grandfather told me the story with his dying breath!”, she nodded “Yes?”

He made a big sigh “I suddenly forgot it.”, the three others flinched in shook, Bon-Bon opened her mouth to shout, then passed and softly exclaimed “How could you forget something like that?”

He shook his head “Grandfather told me, the tale has a memory spell to it. It can only be told when a Star of Sir Bold’s bloodline is in a life or death situation and a member who hasn’t heard it is present.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are there any other members in family who might be able to break through the spell?”

Star shook his head “Sir Bold Star had three foals, all but the line of the middle son, Nickle’s, failed, myself and Ten Bits are the last of the Stars.”

Blueblood and Lyra glanced at each other “Did you say three foals?”

The sound off hooves approached. The group ducked under a flight of gantry stairs.

When the crewmembers left they climbed the stairs. Bon-Bon paused “I know what Cobalt’s looking for.”

Captain Star looked back as he opened to door to the corridor of the neck deck “What are you on about?”

“It was written on the scroll.”, Blueblood nodded and repeated it “Three Siblings joined. Three Alicorns in company, sailing in the noonday Sun will speak.”

The Captain blinked “What scroll?”, they explained about the models and Bon-Bon concluded “Sir Bold made three models of the Alicorn for his three children and their descendants, three scrolls, we found one, so did Cobalt, and now she’s looking for the third.”

Star nodded “Then we’ll find it first. I’m not letting her get her wings into my family secret!”

The Prince nodded “Good fellow, let’s get your colt and get away quick.”, they entered the corridor and Blake ran to the door at the end of it. The Rottweiler pawed it whining.

Star pushed the handle down, but it wouldn’t move “Blast! They’ve lock it!”

Bon-Bon knelt at the lock “Let me have a look.” She shut her left eyes and squinted at the lock. Her hoof hit the floor “Just our peeving luck!”

“Bon-Bon!” Lyra exclaimed “Language, please!”

“Sorry,” she said getting up “but it’s a non-stranded lock. Against building regulations, I’ll be reporting that to my superiors.”

Blueblood rolled his eyes “Is there a key?”

The Captain gave an unsure hissing inhaul “Yes, but it’s very risky.” He walked over to the nearest door and inched it open. The three peered in too.

A dorm like room full of swinging bunks. Crewmembers slept. The Captain shook his head “I’ve never seen such an incredible bunch of seahorses. Cobalt hired them so I’ve had only a few days to get to know them. A ludicrous parcel of drivelling galoots.”

Blueblood smirked “A very poetic description Captain.”

Bon-Bon nudged them both “Excuse me, but who’s got the key?”

Star pointed to the stallion on the top bunk of the middle row “Mr Jager, the keeper of the keys, the black sheep of a family of hunters.”

“Why he the black sheep?” Blueblood asked.

“He didn’t get a cutie mark in hunting. We have to be careful, he’s restless sleeper because he loss of his eyelids.”, the three cringed and looked with the most reviled shock, Lyra asked the question on their minds “He lost is eyelid?”

“Apparently it happened in a vicious game of cards.”

Blueblood blinked “I wouldn’t have liked to have been there. I assume it’s a sleep spell which lets him drop off.”

“In his coco, yes.”

Bon-Bon sighed and began to creep in.

Star continued to whisper as he called out “Be careful you don’t wake Mr Hobbs. Expert barber, very skilled with a razorblade.”

She climbed the spare bunks and slowly crawled around to the bunk of Mr Jager. The keys dangled in his hoof. As she reached the stallion edged his hoof away. She fumed. A small bark sounded beside her. Snowy managed to climb up too. She rolled her eyes and grabbed Snowy. The terrier whined as he approached the keys, then noticed something else.

Bon-Bon whispered desperately “Not the sandwich! The key Snowy.”

The bunk she sat fell forward and hit the other. Every-pony fell off. Surprisingly none woke up. Bon-Bon’s hoof emerged with the keys.

Lyra thrusted her hoof in the air “Yes!” she quietly exclaimed.

Quickly Star went to the door. Bon-Bon stumbled out and threw him the keys, he caught them in his magic “I can’t thank you enough for this.” He filed through them and slotted the right one in. The lock gave up and he threw the door open.

Blake barked happily and lunged. A laughter sounded “Blake! Stop boy, down.” Said the teenage Earth Pony, light blue with a white mane, ten gold spots on his flank as well as his cutie mark, an anchor and behind it a walking lion. A pair of mirrored sunglasses sat over his eyes and a cane sat propped up against the wall.

Captain Star hugged his some “Thank Celestia you’re alright, you are alright, aren’t you Ten Bits?”

“Yeah Dad,” the colt said hugged his father back “I was brave like you said.”

Bon-Bon peered into the room “They’ve not chained you up? Why didn’t you escape?”

“I’m blind Miss, even with Blake I wouldn’t know where to go.”

Blueblood cleared “I’m sorry to interrupt this reunion and argument, but we have to get off this ship.”

Ten Bits glanced at the Captain “What’s the Prince doing here?” he said grabbing his cane and feeling about for Blake’s lead. His father explained and took the cane “We can’t run the risk of the crew hearing your tapping, we have go as quietly as we can.”

Reaching the top door to the deck Blueblood paused “There’s one pony outside.” He inched the open and charged his horn, the pony collapsed to the floor asleep. The Prince looked up, his eyes narrowed ‘What are they making?’

Stretching before him to the stern a large group of the crew lowered and welded large lengths of metal.

Bon-Bon appeared at the Prince’s side “Looks like their building a landing pad.”

Blueblood then looked at the tarpaulined object, from the shape he suspected Cobalt brought an airship with her.

It didn’t matter right now. They got down to the lowest open deck. The Prince and Star pushed the middle boat out. Bon-Bon then tapped the and they all ducked.

On the highest deck, the two head minions of Cobalt walk to a room.

The Captain gritted his teeth “Mr Stone Maze and Twin Crook.”

“Is that the bridge?” Bon-Bon asked, Star nodded “On the other side of the Radio Room.”, Bon-Bon smiled “Radio Room? Wait here.”

“Bon-Bon?” Lyra asked.

“I’m going to send a message. Hopefully Dauntless Doo or Doctor Time Turner’s got their radios working.” She looked to Lyra specifically “Don’t worry about me.” She hugged her “I’ll do my best. See you in Tartarus.” When Lyra blinked confused Bon-Bon sighed with a smile “It’s a common goodbye we have in SMILE. Sound the alarm if any-pony comes” And she ran to the stairs.

The Prince and the Captain managed to untie the ropes to the boat, now they waited.

From under the tarpaulin came a stallion with a crossbow “Hey! Put your hooves up.”

“If you insist.” Blueblood said letting go of the rope. The boat fell and the stowaway go tangled in the rope. The Captain blinked “Not my usual method for handling stowaways, but effective.”

Lyra leaned down and watch the boat sail away “Should we help him up?”

Ten Bits shook his head “He shouldn’t have been here in the first place. Let’s give him something he won’t forget.”

“Wow,” Lyra said as she watched the three walked over the next boat “that’s cruel.”

The Captain cut the tarp rope to check for anymore stowaways.

“Here!” some-pony shouted, “At the lifeboats!” a stallion drew a large crossbow on the four ponies and two dogs.

Bon-Bon rushed out from the room behind the stallion, followed by Stone Maze and Twin Crook.

Blueblood and Star pushed the opened boat over the water. Then helped Lyra and the dogs in.

Crossbows fired.

“Bon-Bon!” Lyra shouted.

The Earth Pony mare appeared now with her own crossbow. She fired a shot at a spotlight and it glared down at her chasers. She jumped into the boat. The Prince and Captain quickly followed and let go of the ropes. Star clutched Ten Bits. Ten Bits clutched Blake. Lyra and Bon-Bon held each other. And Blueblood, with a hoof on the side of the boat protected Snowy with his body. They fell onto the sea.

A few seconds passed. Then arrows narrowly missed them. Lyra and the Captain grabbed the oars and they quickly started rowing away from the ship. The Prince glanced back, he saw Cobalt on the top deck.

Then a thought crossed him “I left my hat in the cargo hold!”

“Nuts to your hat!” Bon-Bon called.

“You don’t understand, it’s important to me as an Aura Guardian.”

Then Ten Bits added his two cents “We’ve got more important things to think about your Highness.”, Blake barked.

The Karaboudjan started turning sharply. A flare sailed through the air. Bon-Bon and Blueblood quickly pulled the below the rim of the boat.

A shrill whistle blew. The sound of smoke and metal cutting through water increased. Every-pony shut their eyes.

Wood crashed. The ship passed. Then everything quietened. Blueblood, Bon-Bon and Star pecked over the rim. The Prince and the Captain chuckled and Lyra sighed with relief “They took out the other boat.”

The Captain nodded “The one time I’m thankful for stowaways.”

They waited until they float out of range of the searchlights.

“Dad,” Ten Bits said, “wake me in the morning.”, Captain Star chuckled and patted his son’s shoulders “Goodnight my boy.” He turned the others “Right, where to?”

Bon-Bon immediately blurted out “Cartus.”, they all looked at her confused.

Captain Star asked, “The port city in northwest Saddle Arabian?”

“Why there?” Blueblood said.

“Because that’s where Cobalt’s going.”, Blueblood scowled “And why should we go where our enemy’s going?”

“Because, of what I learned in the Radio Room.” Bon-Bon said pulling a brochure “The Khedive, Omar Ben Salad, collects old model ships.” She opened the paper to a specific image “And this is the prize of his collect.”

The three other’s eyes widened at the image. Captain Star blinked with an opened mouthed grin “By Celestia, that is the Alicorn!”

Bon-Bon nodded “Yes,” she then tapped the image of the case “and see the distortion?”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow “Magically treated glass? Guaranteed not the break?”

“Correct. But Cobalt has a secret weapon, the Stalliongrad Songbird.”

The Captain nodded “And with it, she going to steal the final scroll.”

Lyra then spoke up “But she also needs you Captain to solve the mystery.”

“Only a true Star?” He sighed “I’m not sure I am, I haven’t really focused on the family history since Grandfather died. I’ve been too busy, Naval College, the Royal Marines, married life, rising Ten Bits after losing my wife, starting and running my Wagonway Company in the port.” He sighed again.

A small hoof touched his and he looked down at Ten Bits who said, “I miss Mum too.”

“Silver Crown died the hour you were born. How can you miss some-pony you can’t remember?”

“I just do, that’s all.”

The Captain smiled and nuzzled his son “I said it before, how you mother would have loved you.” He sighed again “Which is why I must love you for the both of us.”

Lyra wiped a small tear. Bon-Bon cleared her throat “Captain Star, can you get us to Cartus?”

Star nodded determined. He charged his horn and from his jacket he pulled a sextant and a compass. After a few second of adjustments he asked “Time?”

Blueblood pulled out a pocket watch “Ten past Eleven.”

“Thank you, your Highness. We’re already in Saddle Arabian waters. I’ll take the oars. Every-pony else get some sleep.” Blueblood nodded and lay down on a seat. In his half-opened eyes, he saw Lyra remained awake and taking one of the oars “It’s naval regulation that two personal ponies remain on the bridge, per se.”

“Naval background?”

“My Dad is Vice-Admiral Nelson Shrouds.”

“Really? I knew him at Naval College, Head-colt in my second year.”

“Small world.”

“Not really, it’ll be sometime before we get anyway near to Cartus.” They pulled on the oar “Tell me, what made you so interested in in the Alicorn?”

“Well,” she began “it goes back to when I was a filly, Dad told me this seagoing legend of a great civilisation, with creatures could Humans…”, sleep overtook the Prince.

A licking awoke Blueblood. Snowy started barking, the Prince wiped off the saliva and asked, “What is it Snowy?”, the white terrier pointed with his noise to the sky. Early morning daylight broke.

Bon-Bon and Ten Bits woke up too and tired for a night of rowing, Lyra and Captain Star took a break.

The Prince looked up at where Snowy pointed. A dot in the wild blue yonder appeared and grew larger. It dawned on the Prince, an airship. The flying vessel turned slightly and revealed the writing on its side.

“That’s a Saddle Arabian registration.” Blueblood turned to the Captain “Which port is the Karaboudjan registered?”

Before any-pony could answer arrows flew from the aircraft and they ducked as the blimp flew over their heads.

Bon-Bon pulled out her crossbow pistol “Bad news every-pony, we’ve got one bolt left.”

Ten Bits asked, “Well, is there any good news?”

“Yes,” she said, “we’ve got one bolt.” She readied herself.

Every-pony ducked as the airship came over.

Bon-Bon followed the engine. Fired. The engine spluttered. The boat like design of the hanging gondola allowed it to land on the water.

Bon-Bon smiled “Well that’s stopped them for the moment.”

“Good shot.” Blueblood said, he wondered about recommending for the Princess’s Medal of Champion Shot, although it might be a military excusive award, he couldn’t quite remember. An idea crossed his mind “Keep low every-pony. I going to see if I can, persuade them, to give us a lift.” Making sure the two ponies on the gondola did see, he jumped under the water and swam. The pressure of the fluid pounded against his skin and the taste of salt in his mouth, and the water filling his nose and ears made him felt most uncomfortable. His lungs screamed for air as he reached the floating hull, and he quickly surfaced just as he heard one of the pair grumble “Lucky shot.”

The Prince charged his horn with both magic and aura, creating a sphere “Put your hooves up!” He demanded. The two, a stallion and a mare, who’s presence in the endeavour made Blueblood somewhat surprised, what with the large number of stallions encountered during this madcap adventure.

With the pair’s, cooperation, the Prince signalled for the others to row over and climb aboard. Bon-Bon tied their hooves together in strong knots. Captain Star, using his technical knowhow from the Royal Marines repaired the engine. Blueblood meanwhile checked the controls.

Ten Bits sat in a passenger seat in the cabin behind the cockpit, with Lyra opposite and, Blake and Snowy sitting at his hooves. The blind foal looked up “Do you know how to fly this thing your Highness?”

“Yes,” he took the manual “My family, for the last couple of generations have owned an airship company, the Aerial Transit Company. I’ve had training.”

Captain Star entered the cockpit and took the co-pilot seat “Engines should be operational.”

“Let’s hope so.” Blueblood said “Contact.” He charged his horn.

The auto-magic engine spluttered into life. The Prince pulled the steering column up and the dirigible took to the air.

Blueblood looked back at the Captain “Star? What the average and top speeds of the Karaboudjan?”

“Roughly twenty knots cruising and twenty-five tops.”

“About twenty-three and twenty-eight miles an hour. This type of airship cruising speed is thirty-five miles an hour, wind speed depending, and top speed is about fifty-eight, let say we go at fifty-five.” He increased the throttle “That way we can overtake and increase a good lead.”

Star looked back “I’d recommend safety belts.”

“Which way to northwest Saddle Arabia?”, Star checked the compass and the map supplied “The quickest route to Cartus is over the Great Desert, ninety-five degrees starboard.”

“Hey look!” Lyra called and every-pony looked out the portside.

The Karaboudjan slowly sailed under them.

“Good,” Blueblood said, “we’re ahead now.”

“Wonderful.” The Captain said, “But I think we should change course.” He pointed his hoof ahead “Because we’re flying straight into danger!”

An utterly and monstrously vicious storm loomed over their path in the sky, supported by in infinite number of high voltage legs.

“We can’t turn back.” Blueblood said somewhat shaken “Not now.”

In his seat Ten Bits calmed Blake and Snowy “Braveheart all.” He prayed.

Lightning attacked the air as they entered. Thankfully, Equestrian Airship Building Regulations insisted, and enforced, a no hydrogen gas policy. And the Alchemists managed to invent a fast processes of Helium production, and Helium is non-flammable.

The storm seemed alive. As if performing, the waves roared their applauses. A performance which Blueblood viewed with extreme criticism. The Prince fought for control.

A bolt stuck a side wing. The hull shook. Aura flared from the Prince.

The storm backed away.

Blueblood sighed.

As if seeing this show of weakness, the storm struck again. This time to the elevators. The blimp dived sharply.

Every-pony started feeling weightless.

Blueblood pulled up. Gravity hit them hard. The wheel crashed into the Prince’s foreleg. He winced.

“Land ahoy!” The Captain called. Blueblood looked up as a desert dune appeared through the storm. He took the wheel again, fighting against the damage on the ship and his arm.

Another thunderbolt hit the engine.

Hooves sounded. Bon-Bon shouted “Hey!”, the Prince glanced back as the captives jumped out with the parachutes, two they wore, the rest they carried.

Anger filled him, his aura burned. He covered every-pony. They hit the dune.

Chapter 3

A licking woke him up. Snowy nudged him frantically. The Prince smiled and rubbed his dog’s head. Then he checked on the other. Turned out the others checked on him, they all stood crowded around him.

Ten Bits stood shaded from the sun by Captain Star’s jacket. Blake stood by the colt’s hooves panted loudly. Lyra and Bon-Bon stood inseparably together, Lyra started tying bandanas to cover their heads.

Blueblood stood up “Nothing broken, I think.” He looked about. They all went from a sea of water, a few hours ago, to a sea of sand. Already his forehead felt sweaty “We need to keep moving. The nearest Royal Guard outpost is…”

“Northwest, on route to Cartus.” Captain said, “Some of my Saddle Arabian comrades in the Royal Marines told me about the Silk Road, I initially coursed our flight path to go over it.”

“Well,” he said starting to walk, and wincing slightly from the pain of the earlier hurt foreleg, “the further we walk, the better chance the Guard will find us.”

“Easy Dad,” Ten Bits called from behind Prince Blueblood as they trudged across the shifting miles.

The winds carried off the miniature stones as their hooves buried themselves into the sun-baked ground.

Seemingly out of every-pony, Captain Star fared the worst. His seahorse blood must react badly to the desert.

Suddenly he spoke “Look, water!” He broke off from his son’s embrace and ran over the top of a dune.

“Star!” Bon-Bon called as she and the Prince followed him quickly.

“Dad!” Ten Bits rushed passed them “It’s just a mirage!”, the blind colt grabbed him. Star blinked “I saw it.”

Blueblood knelt beside him “It was your mind playing tricks, if we muck about following every hallucination then we’ll die!”

The Captain spoke again in a hush “I have to go home. I have to go back to the sea.”

“Dad?” Ten Bits place a hoof on his father’s shoulder “You alright?”

“Look!” Star said pointed out with his hoof, his eyes glazed over as his horn sparked “Did you ever see a more beautiful sight?” He smiled as he stood up “She’s turning into the wind, all sails set. Three masts, double decks, fifty heavy-crossbows.”

Lyra jumped up “The Alicorn?”

Blueblood and Bon-Bon glanced at each other “The spell.” They whispered together.

Star embraced Ten Bits “Is she a beauty?”, his horn sparked again, and the spark fell on Ten Bits, the colt took off his sunglasses, blinked and reached out “I’m, I’m seeing her, I’m blind, but I’m seeing her!”

Blueblood glanced to Lyra and with an encouraging “Shall we try a mental simulation spell?”

“You got taught that?”

“Auntie Celestia herself, guess you leant it at the school?”

“Well, Twilight reintroduced me to it.”

Star continued “She’s got the wind behind her, look at the pace she’s setting! Barely twenty-fours since the completion of her mission, with the hearts of the sailors’ set non-stop for home!”

The two Unicorns flared their magic and it latched to Ten Bits.

From the desert, a set of masts materialised. Over a dune crested a ship. Yellow with a figurehead of Princess Celestia, her wings out wide and covering the deck. The Alicorn. The sea flooded in from under her completing the illusion the magic users cast.

Stood behind the images of the Sun Princess, a Unicorn resembling Captain Star. Dark blue coat with a white mane, only with a trimmed beard. His dress, an embroidered yellow coat with white facing, a wide brimmed and floppy hat with a few feathers. His cutie mark, a golden lion lying down, but with its’ head raised and red five-pointed star on its’ body.

Blueblood blinked “Sir Bold?”

Star nodded.

On deck the Marine Knight’s eyes widened. Reflected in the spyglass, a pair of flag, first a black field with a side facing skull and crossed swords, both shining white, below a plain blood red banner. He fearfully muttered “Pirates, and the Red Banner.”

Captain Star continued “The blood runs cold in every seahorse who seas that red flag, it means no quarter, a fight to the death. But Sir Bold, is a Star. And Stars never flee.”

Sir Bold Star called out the order “Ready the starboard artillery! Incendiary bolts!”

The starboard weapon ports on both gundecks opened and the heavy crossbows were prepared.

Sir Bold Star then ordered “All hooves on deck! Archers to their stations!” He and his first mate walked on the main deck “Let’s unload the Princess’s shot into these yellow-belled lily-livered sea slugs. Prepare to bring her about Mr Nickel.”

“Aye-aye Captain,” the First Mate said and repeated the order. The helms-mare swung the wheel around.

Blueblood felt a vague feeling of recollection with seeing Mr Nickel.

A large wave hid the pirate ship. The heavy twang of bowshots rang and a pair of spear sized arrows crashed into the bow. The figurehead of Celestia deflected them.

Immediately after, the Alicorn fired her flaming crossbows bolts in a clockwork procession and set the pirate vessel on fire.

The two ships meet each other on the crest of a high wave. They rammed into each other, the smaller schooner of the pirates felt the brunt. But the Alicorn crew stumbled as well. The top rigging on the tallest masts entangled with each other. The two vessels became stuck together, wherever one went, the other would follow.

Sir Bold Star nudged his First Mate “Mr Nickle,” he then whispered, “secure the cargo.”

“Right you are sir.” He ran down below as Sir Bold took out his cutlass “Prepare to repel all boarders!”

The wave flattered. The heavier and taller frigate of the Alicorn recovered pulling the pirate ship out of the water. The schooner swung and turn to swoop over the deck of the Stallion of War.

Bon-Bon raised an eyebrow “That where the ride came from?”

The pirates jumped down and started fighting, slaying and shooting the crew. The crew fought back as well. Sir Bold proved the best fighter.

The schooner swung and crashed into another wave. The wave grew on both sides and the field of battle turned virtually vertical.

Sir Bold jumped onto the mainmast and ran up it. He cut a rigging line and swung around the main-topmast platform and up to the tip beyond the crow’s nest.

With a swing of his sword, he cut the rigging keeping the ships together. The momentum of schooner’s angle made it tip too far. Water filled its deck and the pirate ship sank quickly.

The Marine Knight ziplined down a long rigging. He neared the foremast. The sails burned, apparently the pirates also fired incendiary arrows. He let his hoof continued to hold the sling rope, suffering the burns, he then cut it and swung back onto the deck. He slashed a pirate. Then with both hooves he kicked another overboard.

He landed and looked about.

From a broke piece of mast, calmly walked a figure illuminated by the fire.

Ten Bits looked to his father “Who’s that Dad?”

Lyra appeared next to the Captain “Is that the pirate captain?”

Star didn’t answer, instead, he collapsed. The spell disappeared and the desert remerged.

“Dad!”

Blueblood and Bon-Bon slung the Captain over their shoulder, the Prince gave an order “We better continue moving, before the heat gets too much. Lean his weight onto me Miss.”

Bon-Bon glared at him as they walked “You do know we Earth Ponies are very strong?”

“Forgive me, I was only being chivalrous.”

“This isn’t the time or place for chivalry.”

The heat didn’t get to them in the end. Exhaustion and the chill of the desert night did.

Blueblood, half asleep and half dead, look out blurry eyed at the starfield of Luna’s night. Having lived in Canterlot with its bright lights and to a certain, lesser, extent Ponyville, he never saw so many stars in the night sky. He thought he glimpsed a shooting star.

The only other thing he could register, the dogs’ howling.

He felt the sand shift slightly and a new voice “Good dogs!” After a moment or two it called out “The mares and colt are alive. Check the other two.”

“Yes ma’am!”, Blueblood smiled, the Guard found them. As he drifted into unconscious he heard the other guard called back “Ma’am, you’re not going to believe this.”

The Prince awoke in the medical ward of a distinctly Saddle Arabian styled Royal Guard Outpost.

The door opened and Pegasus Mare, white coated with dull armour walked in with a smile “Ah, your Highness, Captain I see your both awake.” She saluted with her wing “I’m Lieutenant Sunny Bee, welcome to the Hidden Barrier Outpost.”

Blueblood nodded “Thank you Lieutenant, we owe you our lives.”

Bee chuckled “Well, we wouldn’t have found you if our patrol hadn’t heard your dogs.”

Snowy bounded up and pawed at Blueblood’s bedside. The Prince smirked and rubbed his little terrier’s head “I’ll get that blue toy you wanted when we get back to Ponyville.”

Ten Bits inched out from behind the Lieutenant “Dad?”

Captain Star, in the next bed called over “I’m here my boy.”, the colt used his stick to find the clear path. Once at his father’s bedside he jumped up and hugged him tightly.

The Prince looked about “Where are Miss Bon-Bon and Miss Heartstrings?”

Bee looked a little sheepishly “They went to the Mare’s Room for some, private time, unsure when they’ll be back.”

“It’s alright Lieutenant.” Bon-Bon said walking in. Lyra behind magical combed her mane, once done she walked over to Captain Star “Excuse me sir, but, the story of the Alicorn?”

Star’s horn sparked “I think I can remember it. I think the spell cancelled out once it started to be told.”

Bon-Bon whispered to Lieutenant Bee. Quickly she ordered every-pony out.

The Captain took a sip of water and cleared his throat “Where did get to?”

Ten Bits spoke up “Some-pony started walking down a broken mast towards Sir Bold.”, Star’s eye widened and his horn flared, as did Blueblood’s and Lyra’s.

The simulation covered the ward and the scene started playing again.

The figure walked down, dressed in a red cape over a dark grey body, the ends caught fire. A red bandana covered the figure’s nose and mouth. The wide brim of the hat obscured the eyes, but the tip of a horn pecked from the feathers.

Sir Bold Star steeled himself and readied his cutlass “So you’ve shown yourself Red Rackham!”

The now identified pirate said nothing.

“If it’s a fight you want.” Star said twirling the sword in his magic “You’ve met your match. To the death then, Red Rackham.”

Rackham jumped of the debris and slowly approached. Suddenly Rackham furled the flame cape at Sir Bold. As Sir Bold dodge Rackham pulled out another cutlass via magic. The pirate tried to strike. Sir Bold blocked. Rackham went low. Blocked again. Rackham spun around. Sir Bold leaned back. The flames of the cape bushed his beard. Both struck. Metal rang. Rackham took the cape off. Hurled at the Marine Knight. He dodged it again and thrusted. The blade went into Rackham’s cape.

Rackham laughed, with a distinct delicate and light voice. The cape twirled, revealing empty air. In the shock Sir Bold failed to register the burning cape covering him. Rackham tripped Sir Bold up. He fell to the ground. The chuckle came again and Rackham walked away.

Sir Bold got up. A crack sounded above him. He looked up.

A yardarm of the Mizzenmast, the one closest to the stern, fell. He dodged by rolling. Before he could get up, the remaining pirates drew their swords to his neck.

Red Rackham looked down at him “The Princess’s Dog.” The voice, unmistakably female. “Celestia thinks she can get every-pony to behave? I’m doing what I do best, and she can’t accept that.” She glanced up at the Mare in the Moon, “Is she going to banish me to the moon too? Of course, that’s if she ever catches me.” She turned back to Sir Bold “If you’re the type of Pony she’s going to send as a Pirate Hunter to reclaim our hard-earned plunder, then I don’t need to worry.” She nodded to her crew. A few of them grabbed Sir Bold and slammed him into the mast.

Sir Bold growled “Is that why you attack us? Pure spite to a pony a thousand times better than you’ll ever be?”

Rackham spoke annoyed “No, not purely to spite Celestia, neither is it only revenge for my colleagues in our little Brethren Republic. No, I know you have quite the valuable cargo aboard,” she narrowed her eyes “where is it?”

Sir Bold smirked “You’ll have to kill me first.”

“Not first.” Rackham said and turn to the deck. She pointed with her sword “I’ll start with your fellows.”

The pirate crew start to push the tied and tired crew of the Alicorn onto planks.

Sir Bold’s eyes widened “Promise me you won’t kill them, I’ll show you the cargo you seek.”

Rackham turned to him with a quint in her eye “Very well, if I’m satisfied I’ll allow your crew to live.”

Under guard Sir Bold lead Rackham and a few of the pirates down into the lower decks. He went to a bookcase and pulled out a specific book. A mechanism sounded. A piece of the floor pivoted down.

Rackham walked down it and stopped to behold the sight. A room filled more than a foot deep with treasure, gold coins, jewels, finely crafted artefacts.

Lyra gasped at a pair of coffin like objects.

Captain Star nodded “Four-hundred pounds of gold, jewels and treasure. Tribute to Princess Celestia, from the last of the Sun Worshippers of the Utopian Archipelago, included among them, two hermetically and magically sealed sarcophagi of their last King and his Queen, along with equally protected writings of the entire Human culture and history on Equus.”

Lyra turned to him “Last?”

“Humanity four-hundred years ago was already dying out.”, Lyra dropped her head.

Sir Bold glared down at Rackham “Satisfied?”

Rackham took a necklace in her hoof. Her eyes glanced back to him, and the edges of her bandana wrinkled in what could only be described as a smirk. “No.” She turned back to him “You see, the Code of Conduct set down by my father Gracious Rackham when he founded the Brethren Republic of Pirates, stipulates and I quote ‘The Captain and Quartermaster to receive two shares of a prize: the master, boatswain and gunner, one share and a half. And other officers one and quarter.’ And if I offer your crew membership into my crew, well, I don’t think the share will be big enough to truly enjoy it.”

“You could simply let us go.”

“True, but if word got to Equestria that the might Alicorn got captured and its mission plundered, well, what hope would there be for the Brethren Republic?” she pointed her sword up to her guard and shouted, “Kill his crew!”

Sir Bold eyes widened as through a hole on the hull he saw his crew drop, tied and weighed, they sank into the cold and salted clutches of cruel ocean hundreds of miles away from anyway remotely resembling Equestria. Lost.

The pirates tied Sir Bold to the Mizzenmast.

Captain Star spoke again “Sir Bold knew he was doomed, that he would be hang from the nearest yardarm. But the pirates did reckon on one thing, Sir Bold was a Star, and a Star always has a trick up his sleeve.”

Sir Bold waited for the pirates to fall asleep, they oddly did so on deck. Once sure he would be undetected, he lowered his head, jerked it up, one of the plumes of his hat fly up, then fell straight down. He grabbed it with his teeth. Turned his head. Spat it out. Grabbed it with his hoof. And with the blade at the end of the feather, cut through the rope.

Free he headed down to the lowest of all the decks, grabbing a discarded cutlass on the way.

He entered the most secure area of the vessel. Captain Star smirked “Sir Bold later said, “If not for the rum rations the mission might well have been abandoned”, but Sir Bold knew to keep the drink from running ramped. The one place where a steady hoof would be needed was the magazine, where they kept the gunpower for the incendiary arrows.”

Ten Bits started shaking. The Captain held him tightly “After a few accidents in later years, for the safety of the crews of ships, incendiary weapons were banned, until recently of course.”

Lyra smirked. Blueblood knew why, her father Vice-Admiral Nelson Shrouds and his peers experimented and perfected firework munitions. Of course, the Great Fire of Bridle City Port, almost a year ago, did stirs the Navy a bit, but it all came down the blustering incompetence of a Naval Officer named Bluenose, acting all high and mighty and disobeying safety protocols. The Prince then glanced to Ten Bits, reports said he lost his eyesight due to the fire. In an act of bravery, the colt pushed a smouldering tank of alcohol out of the city, when it exploded the flash severally damaged his retinas and thus blinding him. Auntie Celestia though awarded the child the Clover Cross, the highest award for bravery outside of a combat situation.

The Marine Knight, unware by centuries of his descendant’s tragedy picked a small barrel with his magic and began spilling a trail of burnable powder.

He made it to the top deck. A voice stopped him “You dog!”

Red Rackham stood behind Sir Bold with her cutlass angrily gripped in her magic “You’d blow us sky high?”

Sir Bold put down the barrel. “Come on then.” He said drawing his blade, “Let’s have you!”, he slashed a rope to his side. The rope held a candle lantern. It crashed to the wooden floor. The flame jumped onto the power and raced along the black pathway.

The blade met. Rackham dodged around Sir Bold “Not this time!” she proclaimed, and kicked the flame out.

Swashbuckling continued. Sir Bold stepped back, in a step he nudged the lamp. The flame touched the remains of the earlier power and the journey started again. Went under Rackham’s legs. She stopped and looked back as the sparks fell down the steps to the first gundeck. Following, and almost tumbling down to the floor she turned back and blocked a slash from Sir Bold. Rackham grabbed a pirate and threw him into Sir Bold. Free she kicked the flame out again. Sir Bold jumped up and flung himself at her. Clashes sounded. Rackham lunged. The Marine Knight stepped aside, and pushed her away. Now with an opening, he cut another lamp off its hanging place. The powder reignited.

Rackham jumped him and pushed him aside. Again, she snuffed the fire. Sir Bold swept under her feet. After she fell he sent one more lantern off its hook. The fire burned down into the second gundeck.

The Knight and the Pirate still fought upstairs. Rackham put her offensive into overdrive. Sir Bold blocked and dodged. Rackham lunged. Sir Bold spun aside. Twirled his cutlass back. Deep into Rackham. The end of the blade stuck out her back. He pulled the sword out of her abdomen. Rackham collapsed to the floor.

Sir Bold flicked the red bandana off Rackham’s face, and revealed a muzzle made of sharp curves, two sickly green eyes, and a finely brushed and cut black mane.

Blueblood blinked “It can’t be!”

Ten Bits asked, “Can’t be what?”

Captain Star turned to him “More like it can’t be who. In this case, Rackham looks very much like are mutual friend or fiend, Miss Cobalt.”

Lyra turned to them “But Cobalt’s a Bat Pony?”

Bon-Bon theorised “Rackham could have had relatives who married into a Bat Pony family.”

Captain Star held his son tighter “This isn’t just about the scrolls, or the treasure that went down with the ship. It’s us she’s after. She wants vengeance.”

Rackham stared sternly at Sir Bold “You’ll suffer a curse upon you and your name Star.”

Sir Bold turned away toward an open gun port. Rackham threw her sword. It lodged into the wall beside Sir Bold, “Come back and face me.” She growled.

Sir Bold paused “See you in Tartarus.” He jumped out and dived.

Bon-Bon’s eyes widened for a faction of a second.

The water shock violently. He surfaced with a gasp. The Alicorn broke into two burning halves. The mainmast narrowly missed him. He grabbed the now driftwood.

“I curse you!” Rackham called. She feebly held up part of the floor above her as she sank with the ship “I curse your name! And all who come after! We will meet again Star. In another time. In another life!”

The bow blew. Further collapsing and silencing the pirate.

Treasure flew. Sir Bold fished his hat out and with if caught as much of the raining riches as possible.

He looked up and beheld the sight.

The bow of the ship upturned and plunged. The gleaming figurehead of Princess Celestia dulled as she disappeared into the brine of the ocean depths.

The spell disappeared. The ward returned.

Captain Star finished the tale “After eventually being rescued, Sir Bold told only Princess Celestia about what happened, before retiring to Sagittarius Hall. And Celestia, bless her, made sure to keep the secret hidden.”

And silence.

Ten Bits spoke first “It wasn’t over. And Sir Bold knew it. He’d be cursed before he’d let Red Rackham have the Alicorn.”

Bon-Bon then muttered, “And he was.”

The colt nodded “But he couldn’t let it lie.”

Blueblood took up the conversation “He left a clue. Three clues wrapped in a riddle concealing the secret, but only a true star would be able to solve it.”

Lyra nodded “The location of the treasure and its content. Cobalt means to steal it, and she need the scrolls.”

Captain Star gritted his teeth “By Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Twilight together, as the last of the Stars we’ll reclaim that treasure for Equestria!”

Every-pony smiled. Blueblood asked “To Cartus?”

“To Cartus!” they all answered.

It took a couple of days along the Silk Road, but with enough supplies, carried by camels and native nomad guides, they reached Cartus with no trouble.

Sitting upon, and practically carved into the cliffsides of a large bay, the one of the great port cities of Saddle Arabia. A river trickled through the centre and out to the ocean, damned by a massive wall, beside it, the Khedive’s Palace.

Bon-Bon looked down at the bay and frowned “She’s here.” She pointed.

The Karaboudjan sat anchored just outside the jetties.

They headed down to the market of the city itself. As they walked through many of the native Saddle Arabian Ponies did their best to sell their wares. They stood a little taller and built thinner than Equestrian Ponies. The Royals and Nobles on the other-hoof, they rivalled the Royal Sisters in height, the advantages of wealth and health.

Blueblood understood from history, the Saddle Arabians broke from the Equestrian branch of the Pony Race very early on and formed their own civilisations in the desert lands. Only in the past three-hundred years did the Desert Kingdom become a protectorate of Equestria. After the reign of its greatest King, Suleiman, internal, economic and social issues weakened the nation.

As they stopped at the gates to the Palace Road a poster started being unfurled. The headline took the interest of Blueblood and Bon-Bon, for it said ‘The Stalliongrad Songbird.’, it lowered revealing the image of a Crystal Pony mare. Yellow-cream coated, with a cutie mark of a musical notes and a masquerade style mask, a three-toned mane and tail of a rich purple, then pale purple and finally a greyish blue. Underneath the bold name ‘Humble Spurgenev’

Bon-Bon narrowed her eyes “Spurgenev? I remember the Waterbury family taking care of an Iron Spurgenev last summer.”

“Humble Spurgenev is Iron’s wife.” Blueblood explained “They escaped Stalliongrad, she’s become a renowned opera singer in the Crystal Empire so Cadance says. But what could Cobalt achieve with her?”

Lyra spoke up simply “Why don’t we go and find out? The poster says she’s performing at the Palace, I’m sure as a Prince of Equestria you can get us in your Highness.”

The guards let them in as soon as they saw Prince Blueblood, and escorted them to an open hall was fountains and a stream built into it. At the end of the hall stood dozens of encased modal ships.

Standing by the collection with a cheery face stood a stallion in an ankle length white robe. A scarf on his head. A pair of round glasses on his nose.

The guard cleared his throat “Your Excellency, we have unexpected guests. His Highness Prince Blueblood and company.” He pulled out a clipboard as the identified Khedive turned with interest. The guard cleared his throat “Dame Lyra Heartstrings of Canterlot and Ponyville, Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorious Order of the Griffish Isles. Her escort Sweetie Drops of the SMILE Organisation. Captain Bright Star of Bridle City, late of Princess Celestia’s Royal Marines and son Ten Bits, Clover Cross.”

Khedive Omar smiled, he grabbed Blueblood by the hoof “You’ve made my day even better your Highness. I haven’t seen you since the Gala five years ago.”

The Prince smiled as he looked up at the Khedive, one of few Viceroys of Saddle Arabia, “It’s nice to see you too your Excellency.”

“First the great Humble Spurgenev agreed to have her first Saddle Arabian show here in my little city. And you come as well. You and your interesting party. Tell me what brings you here?”

A load of hoof-steps sounded and every-pony turned.

Humble Spurgenev walked into the open hall to an array of photo flashes and reporters. Beside her walked a Crystal Stallion, his coat, a pale blue, and his triple toned mane and tail, of orange, grey and a creamy yellow, possessed a shine to them. His eyes, grey like the streak of his mane with the polygon reflection. His cutie mark, a crown inside a thought bubble.

Around them a quartet of fillies, manes and coats a mixed combination of the adults, and a very young colt, his colours exactly as the stallions.

Omar smiled wider and walked up to the mare “Madam Spurgenev, we are blessed by your presence!”

Humble blushed “Please your Excellency, it should be me who is impressed.” She glanced to the stallion at her side “My I introduce my husband Iron. The Crystal Empire’s foremost political philosopher.”, Iron bowed.

The Khedive smiled “I’ve read your works sir.”

Iron looked up with a hopeful expression.

“Very amusing.”

Iron twitched. Both Humble and his son comfort him. Iron looked sternly at the Khedive “Amusing enough,” he said in a thick accent “that I was imprisoned for three years and then sent into life exile in Bug Bear Territory.” He looked to his son “I missed my boy’s birth. I missed my girls growing up. I suffered for my works, and you find it amusing?”

The Khedive gulped “I meant no offence good sir, your writings brought happiness to me that’s all I meant.”

Iron sighed “If you excuse me your Excellency,” he looked up at Blueblood “Your Highness, I shall escort my wife to her dressing room. Miss Cobalt will wish the performance to happen exactly on time.”, the family left.

The Prince turned to Omar “This Miss Cobalt, did she organise it?”

“Yes, very impressive. Do you know her?”

Captain Star muttered “Oh yes, we know her, very well.”

“Something wrong?”

Bon-Bon walked up and whispered, “We need to be quiet in case some-pony hears us, but…” she started explaining.

At the end Omar blinked “A remarkable story, but how does Miss Cobalt plan to break the glass?”

“We don’t know.”

Omar smiled “Oh well,” he glanced back as chairs began being put in place “We can dwell on that later. Right now, Madam Spurgenev is almost ready to sing. I’m afraid I can only spar some of the back-row seats my friends.”

Blueblood smiled “Not to worry, from what Cadance says we’ll be able to hear her.”

They took their seats. Close by Blueblood saw author A. K. Yearling in the audience.

Humble walked onto her plinth. The music started. She broke into a Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano.

Lyra as a musician herself followed the piece with a trance like state.

The Prince thought about the opera the song originated from. The Queen of Spades. Set during the reign of the Grand Prince, sometimes King, called Great Ruler, he ruled the Crystal Empire, or maybe its proceeding nation, a loose federation of Crystal Pony tribes, the history of the Crystal Empire suffered greatly under the tyrannical hoof of Sombra.

The play is a fable against gambling. The song Spurgenev sang is the last part of the Countess, a mare of over eighty years, she keeps a secret gambling trick, but she doesn’t reveal it because of a promise made to only use the trick once. The main character of the story the Solider, who has racked up a lot of debt because of gambling, wants to know the secret. In end, he threats her to reveal the secret at crossbow point, but seeing the lengths he goes to, she suffers a heart attack.

After the funeral, the Countess suddenly reappears to him and teaches him the trick, before disappearing again. He uses the trick twice and wins, on the third instead of getting the needed winning ace, he instead gets the titular Queen of Spades, on closer inspection the image of the Queen turns into the Countess. The Solider is driven mad.

The song is at the point when the Countess appears on the card and spells doom to the Solider.

Snowy began to growl. Blueblood took notice. He looked up.

Cobalt stood on the balcony above with a bat beside her. She didn’t notice him or the others. The Prince followed her eye line. Straight to the model ship at the end of the collection. The third Alicorn, he took a pair of the provided opera glasses, the compact binoculars comically stereotypical of operas and focus on the model itself. Immediately his heart stuttered. The glass of the case vibrated.

Before he could do or say anything. Humble reached her peak note.

Glasses in hooves burst.

Omar’s glasses cracked. His own eyes widened.

The chandeliers broke up, only the brass chains kept them up.

And the glass of the model ship cases collapsed.

Together, Blueblood and Omar turned to Cobalt. She smirked and tapped the bat. It started flying.

Omar took his glasses off and shouted “Guards! Stop that bat! Arrest Cobalt, she’s after my models.”

The Bat Pony mare’s eyes widened. She looked about and stopped at Blueblood and the others. She gritted her teeth, put her hoof to her mouth and whistle. The bat quickly spun around and flew back to her. She ran off.

Humble walked down from her plinth and looked to the Khedive with a confused expression “Why did you think Miss Cobalt was after your collection?”

“Well,” Omar said “not the entire collection, just one. The Alicorn.”

Iron walked up scowling at the balcony “Why? What is so important about the model?”

“We can explain that.” Blueblood said stepping down towards them. Both the Prince and the Khedive explained to the audience.

Omar then turned to Humble “Set up for an end or not, I must congratulate you Madam. A most wonderful performance.”, every-pony nodded and clapped. Omar then chuckled he looked up to the chandeliers “I think we should make a proper theatre for any future performances, with no glass.”

Blueblood and Bon-Bon went over to the model of the Alicorn. While Iron talked with Captain Star and Lyra.

The Prince carefully moved the model from the now useless case. Omar quickly rushed “Be most careful with it.”

Blueblood nodded “We’ll do are best. Now,” he turned to Bon-Bon, “as far as I can remember from Cobalt’s model there was no damage to the mast. So, either she broke it, got the scroll out and had the model repaired before going after my,” he stopped and sighed before grumbling “at current, missing presumed stolen, model. Or there’s a way of getting the scroll without causing damage.”

“Why not remove the bottom?” said a voice. The three turned as A. K. Yearling walked up, her large, almost comical glasses removed due to the fragmented lenses. Miss Yearling continued “The bases are usually screwed on. Maybe Sir Bold made it so the scroll could be removed when the base is.”

Blueblood gently turned the model on its side and indeed found the screws. Gingerly he unscrewed them with his magic. Tipped the model up slightly and the metal cylinder slide out. Bon-Bon caught it.

The Prince replaced the bottom, and then the model back into place. He turned and nodded to Miss Yearling “Thank you so much for your suggestion.”

The author waved it off “Think nothing of it.” She then looked about at the dispersing crowd before leaning into the Prince “If you don’t mind, I wouldn’t mind adapting this adventure of yours for one of my novels, ponies and names will be changed of course.”

Blueblood glanced at Bon-Bon, who gave him an unsure look, he turned back to AK “We’ll discuss it later. We’ve still got to get Cobalt’s scroll.”

A guard walked up to the Khedive “Forgive us your Excellency, but Cobalt has evaded us.”

Bon-Bon turned to the guard incredulously “You let her escape? She’s only one pony!”

“One crafty Bat Pony, with a viscous pet bat.” He outstretched his hoof revealing bite marks.

AK cringed “Nasty, those would definitely hurt. Any evidence of diseases?”

The guard gulped “None so far. But…”, the author rolled her eyes “I’d better go tell the doctors here what to look out for.”

Omar raised an eyebrow “And how is it you would know what diseases a bat might carry and its symptoms.”

“In my line of work, you have to do research on these sorts of things.” And she trotted off without another word.

Bon-Bon still fumed “She’ll have the Karaboudjan out of port at full speed by the time we get to the docks.”, the Prince nodded “There are two places should could possibly go, Bridle City or Ponyville.”

Bon-Bon shook her head “I don’t think so. I bet, having figured we told his Excellency here about her, then she more than likely assumed we informed the authorities, I mean I got caught in the Radio Room. She’d go somewhere the authorities don’t know is linked to her.” She stopped and blinked, then smiled “The Radio Room!”

Captain Star and Ten Bits walked up “What are you on about now Miss Bon-Bon?”

“I sent a signal on the Karaboudjan’s radio, I noted down the frequency their using, before I changed it to the Everfree Guard’s. And given how you describe the crew Captain, I’m pretty sure they’re lazy enough just to reset to the old one.”

Captain Star nodded “So we can follow them?”

Blueblood gave an unsure grumble “It would be a whole lot better if we get to where she’s going before she arrives.”

Ten Bit shivered “Well, I’m not flying again.”

Iron walked over “If you wish you can join me and my family on are trip back to the Crystal Empire.”, Blueblood turned and opened his mouth, but Iron stopped him “Before you ask, we are travelling on a steam powered superyacht, capable of 53 Knots, so the captain says, paid by Miss Cobalt herself.”

The Prince smirked “Looks like she gambled and lost, like the Solider in The Queen of Spades.”, Iron chuckled himself “Very droll your Highness.”

The Karaboudjan sailed into Tall Tale. Cobalt apparently needed to deal with some family business.

Blueblood watched from the roof of a dock warehouse. Next to him a derelict crane with a long-unwound chain. He hoped he could find his Aura Guardian’s hat in the ship.

Just as she walked off the gangplank onto the dock, a pair of voices called down “Lady Cobalt. This is Berk and Burk of the Everfree Guard. You are to come with us because of your crimes against Equestria.”

“To be precise.” The other said “You’re under arrest.”

The Prince rolled his eyes.

Before Cobalt could do anything, the sound of wings filled the air. The Pegasi member of the Everfree Guard Reserves followed by several Night Guard Bat Ponies landed on the deck of the ship and began storming about arresting the crew.

Captain Star walking out from the door warehouse with a naval cutlass held in this magic “I suggest you surrender Cobalt, or would you prefer I call you Rackham.”

She turned to him with a pleased smile “Oh, so you know now?”, with her wing she reached into her coat and pull out her scroll, then with her hoof she pulled out a lighter and sparked it alight “You’re not going to be able to solve the mystery with this scroll.” She chuckled “The legend said only a true Star can solve it, but I took a Rackham to get the job done.”

The Prince acted. He grabbed the chain with his magic and swung down. He used this aura with his sight to better assess his surroundings. Time would be everything. He sailed between the two foes and held a hoof out. He looked to the hoof and found the scroll in it. He landed, looked back at Cobalt and smirked.

Cobalt sneered and started to move. Captain Star put the tip of his blade to her throat.

From behind walked out a few Night Guards, who cuffed Cobalt’s hooves and wings “Anything you say may be taken down as evidence.” The leading Guard said as they escort her and the crew away.

Bon-Bon, Lyra and Ten Bits, and the dogs, came from the warehouse, followed by Berk and Burk. The former SMILE Agents gave Blueblood his original scroll. Holding the three out in his magic he examined them “The markings under the poem are different.”

The sun rose over the horizon and the scrolls became translucent. He glanced to Bon-Bon. She nodded. The Prince shuffled the three scrolls together. The marks merged together ‘20 37 42 N 70 52 15 W’.

Captain Star blinked “There coordinates, longitude and latitude.”

Lyra start wriggling with excitement “We’ve found it then?”

The Captain nodded and Ten Bits hugged him “That’s the location of the treasure.”

Lyra hugged Bon-Bon “We did it!”

Blueblood turned to Captain Star grinning, but then noticed the Captain’s expression “What’s wrong?”

Every-pony turned to Star. The Captain pulled out a map from his coat, unfurled it and traced it with his horn “If I’m not mistaken, the coordinates on the scrolls lead to…”

Blueblood blinked still unbelieving as they disembarked the coach “Sagittarius Hall?”

Bon-Bon looked equally confused “The treasure can't be here?”

Captain Star looked back “Only one way to find out.” He turned to the door and got ready to knock when it opened.

Cobalt’s former butler smiled “Master Bright Star. Your Highness. I’ve been expecting you and your guests.”

Captain Star blinked and smiled “Noisy, you’re still here?”

“My family’s contract is to the house sir, not to the owner.”

Ten Bits stepped up “Dad? Who’s this?”

“Ten Bits my boy, this is Aloysius “Noisy” Parker, he’s a descended of Sir Bold’s favourite First Mate, remember Nickel?”

“Right I see.” He held is hoof out “How’d you do?”, Aloysius took the hoof “How do you do young master?” He stepped back into the house “Welcome to Sagittarius Hall.”

They all entered and the Captain looked about amazed “Hasn’t changed since Grandfather showed me it when I was,” he looked down to Ten Bits “when I was younger than you son.”

A bark sounded and the Rottweiler of the hall came bounding down the stairs.

Snowy barked the larger dog sat.

Blake trotted up as far as the harness on him allowed him and started a canine converse with the halls’ hound.

Aloysius smirked “Nice that me hound has a few friends now.”

Ten Bits looked at the butler “More than friends Mr Parker, your dog’s a girl.”

Aloysius blinked.

Captain Star cleared his throat “Excuse me Noisy, but I think we should get down the business.”

“Quite so sir. And might I say how nice it’ll be to have a Star back in charge of the Estate.”

Star frowned “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a bit more for that Noisy, I can’t afford to live here.”

Blueblood trotted up “Not unless we find the treasure? You said you know the house, where should we start?”

The Captain looked to the floor “Is the cellar still here?”

Aloysius escorted them down a flight of starts and into a dark room light by a small grated window near the celling and candle lamps. The dogs started playing about in the columns and the stacked furniture.

Star looked about and narrowed his eyes “No, this isn’t it.” He turned to Parker “I remember we had a bigger cellar.”, the butler shook his head “I’m sorry sir, but the house has only one cellar.”

A muffled bark and a pair of frantic whines caught the Prince’s attention, he looked to the wall, finding Blake and the Girl Guard Dog scratching at some of the furniture. One little chap appeared missing.

“Snowy?”, a bark came from the other side of the wall. Aloysius and Ten Bits pulled the Rottweilers away. Blueblood, Captain Star, Lyra and Bon-Bon started moved the obstructing furniture away.

They found a hole in the wall, only one brick thick, with light streaming in. The little white terrier scurried up and licked Blueblood on the nose.

Bon-Bon cleared her throat “Out of my way!”, she walked back to the end of the cellar. Every-pony, dogs included jumped out of the way. The yellow Earth Pony charged. Put her shoulder to the loose bricks.

SMASH!

She landed hoof first into a large section of the cellar filled with more furniture, many older and finer. Suits of armour with various weapons hang from the pillars.

Captain Star helped Ten Bits through “Grandfather must have walled it up before he lost the house.”

Bon-Bon dusted herself off and walked to the end of the room, she hummed “And then shine forth the Eagle’s cross?”

Blueblood looked up as he and Lyra squeezed through and narrowed his eyes.

Lyra walked up to a statue of a young stallion, with a halo, holding a cross standing next to a globe.

Captain Star and Bon-Bon came to her side, Bon-Bon raised an eyebrow “Well, I see the cross, but where’s the Eagle?”

Lyra looked down at the name under the statues’ feet and read it out “Gracious Thunder.” She blinked and looked up again “Oh, I think I see. Minuette told me about him. He wrote the Fourth Book of Silver Light, he’s often represented by an Eagle, I think he is the Eagle. Pretty colt, isn’t he?”

Blueblood walked up “Auntie Celestia told me that for a time, because the Holy Books suggest he’s the youngest of the Apostles it gave artists freedom to depict him as a youth. Trouble is by today’s standards he gets mistaken for a mare.” He narrowed his eyes “What’s he trying to tell us?”

Captain Star looked at the globe. It included Equestria in the middle and the as the foremost landmass, to its east, the Dragon and Griffon Lands. The land extended from Equestria to the west, the Undiscovered West, stopped with ill-defined ends, and the sea continued. A small speck on the globe caught his attention “That must be Sagittarius Island.”

Ten Bits and Lyra looked at the Captain “Sagittarius Island?” they asked, then glanced at each other due to their simultaneous question.

Star nodded “Remember, Sir Bold spent nearly two years on an island before he was rescued. He named the island that because he had an amazing view of the constellation of Sagittarius when he landed. The mythological character became a sort of guardian in his mind, and thus when he built the hall he named it after his guardian. It’s a family legend.”

Blueblood looked at the speck “Only a true Star.” He murmured looked up to the Captain “Sir Bold wanted his inheritance to go to a pony worthy of it. Some-pony who without relying on his family history, could recognise one small island on a globe, one no-pony else would know about and know it to be true. Most would probably call it a mistake, an error in the cartography or the casting, I would,” he placed his hoof on Star’s shoulder “but you didn’t.”

The Captain looked to the globe again “I think every-pony should stand back.”, they all backed up. Captain Star pressed the island. The northern hemisphere busted open.

Every-pony crowded around and peered in. Ten Bits nudged his father “What is it?”

The Captain charged his horn, and carefully pulled out a wide, floppy brimmed hat with feather. Inside the crown sat a few hoof-full of golden coins and jewels. He typed the treasure into a large silver cup resting on the floor, and with a grin, placed the hat on his son’s head, he chuckled “Maybe you should take off the sunglasses.”

The colt did so. Bon-Bon chuckled “It suits you.”

Aloysius walked in with a silver platter, on which rested a bottle of champagne, a couple of glasses and a glass of apple juice “I think this calls for a celebratory drink. I imagine that treasure there is enough allow you to live here?”

Star looked back and chuckled “I think so.” He turned back and took a glass “But of course, I have my company to run.”

“A simple matter of acquiring a coach sir.” He levitated the glass of apple juice to Ten Bit’s hoof “If you need a driver sir.”

The Captain rolled his “I’ll think about it.”

Blueblood took another glass “It’s a little odd. Sir Bold created that wild goose chase, and only a what he managed to get the night the Alicorn sank.” He shrugged “Oh well,” he charged his horn. His bycoket appeared on his head “some secrets are best left so.”

“Maybe.” Lyra said looking down into the globe, before magically pulling out another new scroll “But this was under the hat.” She unwrapped it and grinned “There’s still four-hundred pounds of treasure waiting at the bottom of the sea, along a wrecked ship and two coffins.” She glanced to the others “How’s every-pony’s thirst for adventure?”

Blueblood and Bon-Bon smirked. Ten Bits started wriggling with joy and he hugged Blake. Snowy barked excitedly.

Captain Star looked at them all then turned to the Unicorn mare and answered, “I’d say unquenchable.”

Lyra smiled and turned the scroll to them.

Chapter 4

Blueblood and the Captain finished putting the Prince’s apartment back in order.

The team stopped in Ponyville to sort out any immediate affairs after getting permission from Princess Celestia to sail to the wreck. Seeing Captain Star properly at the helm this time, and with Blueblood and both Secret Agent Sweetie Drops and Lyra the Princess of the Sun gave them her blessing, with full cooperation from the Royal Navy. They would go to Bridle City Port to meet up Captain Star’s company employees and their flagship in the endeavour.

Ten Bits played with Aura downstairs.

Blueblood put his typewriter back into place on the desk. Snowy put a magnifying glass on it as well. The Prince wiped his brow and walked into the living room.

The Captain gently placed the rediscovered model of the Alicorn. Cobalt did indeed take the model. Aloysius Parker, Captain Star’s butler kept it secret until after they were finished with the scrolls hidden in the ships. They still needed to repair the mast, but it could wait.

Blueblood smirked and shook his head “Those ponies of Cobalt were rough, good thing they weren't so thorough or else they might have found the scroll.”

They opened the apartment door and walked out onto the staircase.

A knock came from the front door.

Burning Heart walked out of her apartment followed by Ten Bits, Blake and one the mare’s crows. The older mare opened the door.

On the doorstep stood an elderly male Bat Pony, with a greyish brown coat. A three-tone mane of a brownish cream, then a milky tea colour and final coffee brown, the same colour as his small bushy handlebar moustache and pointed goatee beard. He wore green coat, and a green, slightly batter bowler hat. A pair of glasses distorting his pale blue eyes.

The stallions on the stairs glanced at each other.

Burning nodded “Yes?”

The Bat Pony smiled before he spoke “Good day,” with one wing he doffed his hap “I’d like to speak with Prince Blueblood.”

Burning nodded “I’ll get him, hang on.”

“He’s gone?”, this response made every-pony do a double take. The Bat Pony sighed “Oh dear,” he put the hat back on “maybe another time.”

“Wait!” Blueblood called descending the stairs and walked up beside Burning Heart “Can I help you?”

The Bat Pony smiled “Prince Blueblood. How do you do?” He stepped into the building, both Burning Heart and Blueblood walked back suprised. The stallion continued “My name is Professor Calculus, I understand you’re off on a treasure hunt soon.”

Captain Star walked down and stood with Ten Bits “So?”

“Have you considered the sharks?”

Ten Bits jumped “Sharks!”

Calculus nodded “They are very dangerous creatures you know. That’s why I invented an Anti-Shark Submersible Vessel.”

Blueblood spoke up “I’m sorry Professor, but we don’t have the time for this.”

Calculus nodded “Yes, tomorrow is fine.”

Captain Star blinked. The Prince shook his head “No sir!” He put his hoof to his mouth “I’m sorry but the answer is no!”

“Right now?” He turned to the door “Of course!” He trotted out the door “Let’s go. My laboratory and workshop are in Camberwick Green, shouldn’t take us too long.”

Indeed not, Camberwick Green, like Huntersfield rested on the outskirts of Ponyville, sometimes ponies call both villages suburbs of Ponyville.

Still, Captain Star grumbled with annoyance and Prince Blueblood blinked with bemusement.

Burning Heart raised an eyebrow “How ironic, a Bat Pony who’s hard of hearing.”

Captain Star sighed and turned to Ten Bits “You’d better tell Miss Bon-Bon and Miss Heartstrings about this. If we’re not back by the time the train departs then keep the crew and ships waiting for us.”

Ten Bits saluted “Aye-aye Dad.”

And the stallions and Snowy followed the Professor.

Calculus opened the door to the workshop “I’m so glad you agree to come gentle-colts.”

Blueblood looked about at the different machines and blueprints neatly arranged about the large room “Quite incredible.” He uttered.

Captain Star paused at an odd contraption. It looked like a wheel with scrubbing brushes attached with springs. Belts and gears ran around the wooden body. The Captain flicked the switch. The machine whirled and spun violently. Quickly, Star switched it off. “What was that?” He loudly asked as he returned to the others.

“It’s a Clothes Brushing Machine.” Calculus said, then he pointed forward with his wing “Here we are.”

The two stallions paused, and Snowy growled.

In the corner, on two wooden beams sat a small tubular thing. Painted like a shark. Calculus flew up and opened the cockpit window “My Anti-Shark Submersible is an exploring machine. It can dive down to a depth of nine-hundred hooves, travels at up to six Knots and has a two-hour oxygen supply. I’ll show you how it works.” He climbed inside.

When he retraced his wing, the submersible creaked.

CRASH!

Calculus emerged bruised and bemused from the twisted and buckled remains.

Blueblood shook his head “I’m sorry Professor,” he said, as he and the Captain help him up “but your machine won’t do.”

The Professor shook his head and looked at the Prince “For two? A two-seater?”

“No!” Blueblood shouted, “It won’t do!” he turned and hurried out the door “Goodbye!” Captain Star and Snowy follow swiftly behind.

Next morning in at the docks of Bridle City they crews started to load the cargo.

Without a big crane, like Big Mickey, which collapsed with its jetty during the Great Fire, taking its operator Pulley with it, the Naval Ponies and the strongest of the Star Company pulled the loads up and into the holds.

Blueblood walked onto the deck of the flagship vessel, the Sirius. He heard a shout from the quay “Bring it up Big Jock!”, the Prince went to the side and looked down.

Two Unicorns with the Star Company neckerchief stood with clipboards and pencils in their magic. One, a tall lanky green fellow with a golden mane, purple waistcoat and glass monocle, his name Top Hat. Blueblood knew of this fellow, for as he discovered, Top Hat and Rarity, of all ponies, knew each other from childhood, their parents being each other’s godparents. The other, a colt, one white with an orange mane, Ten Bit’s friend and usual partner in the Wagonway Company, Sunshine, from up the River Neigh.

The stallion called Big Jock, similar in size to Big Macintosh, brown with a black mane, walked forward. His yoke tugged the rope and the load lifted.

Some-pony taped him on the shoulder. The Prince turned. A male Unicorn in an ornate naval uniform stood there. His coat a light grey, his curled mane made up of three shades of blue. Each on the different colours of the ocean, the light blue of a calm beach wave in summer, the middle shade of the high sea at day, and the dark and harsh, almost black blue of the deep.

Lyra walked up the gangplank, stopped. She straightened up and slowly march towards the naval pony “Hi Dad.”

The identified Vice-Admiral Nelson Shrouds turned to her with a smile “Ah, my little bard is finally on a boat.”

She feigned and scowl, but blushed “I have been on a ship before.”

“I heard.” He chuckled “And you said you took more after your Mother, yet here you are, working with an ex-Royal Marine Officer, and solving just about the greatest mystery in Equestria’s maritime history.” He turned to Prince Blueblood “I was going to say it’s an honour to have you patron his expedition Your Highness.”

“My pleasure sir. Although I didn’t expect you of all ponies to be with us.”

“And miss out on an adventure with my Daughter? What kind of father would I be?”

Blueblood sighed “At lot better than mine, at least you were busy with your duty. I can’t even recall if my father did any real work.”

The Star Ponies started assembling on the deck. Captain Star and Ten Bits walked out from setting up their cabin.

Blueblood, Bon-Bon and Lyra watched as the company lined up. And they went through the rollcall.

In order. Big Jock as Blueblood saw him earlier.

An elderly, but still very large and strong Earth Pony stallion, light purple pony with a grey mane and an old clock cutie mark, he identified himself as OJ.

Next Top Hat, he raised a hoof “I just want to report that I came across that odd fellow Calculus, he carted in two crates with an image of a shark on it. I made sure to demonstrate we didn’t want him.”

The Captain hummed “It wasn’t that we didn’t want his help. It’s more that with his apparent hearing disability he would be quite hard to handle. Still, if you managed to make him see sense then good work Top Hat.”

The green Unicorn bowed “Thank you sir.”

Beside Top Hat another large brown Earth Pony stallion. Only with a yellow mane. His cutie mark featured a dumbbell and a banana peel. Captain Star stopped at him and spoke clearly “Now Warrior I want you to keep things simple, unless it’s an emergency please stay out of trouble.”

“I’ll do me best sir.” Came the, somewhat, dim-wittedly voiced response.

The Captain walked along again to the next stallion. A large Pegasus, his coat a dark blue and his mane a dark red, a pair of wings linked in friendship was his cutie mark.

“Hercules,” Star began “I want you to help with the quick response team should the voyage hit trouble.”

Hercules saluted with his wing “Aye-aye sir.”

Captain Star told both Ten Bits and Sunshine to remain on the ship unless allowed otherwise. And told Sunshine to keep Ten Bits from any life-threatening heroic.

Finally, at the end stood a small, smaller than Sunshine even, grey Pegasus, “Grampus,” ordered the Captain “I want you on the radio, keep in constant contact with the other vessels of the flotilla as best as you can.”

Like Hercules, Grampus saluted with his wing, and responded with his slight lisp “Yes sir.”

Bon-Bon looked over the side “Who’s this?”

The others of the team turned as a white Pegasus stallion with a blue mane, a filmstrip cutie mark, a fedora with Press stuck in the ribbon and a camera rigged around his neck walked onto the gangplank. He turned to Blueblood and smiled “I got your message Your Highness.”

The Prince smiled and introduced the mares “Miss Heartstrings, Miss Bon-Bon, this is Eff Stop, he and I are acquainted through certain circles.”

Bon-Bon raised an eyebrow “He’s an Aura Guardian, isn’t he?”

Eff glanced both ways and whispered “Not so loud, it’s a secret remember?” He straightened up and projected himself “His Highness hired me to photograph the expedition.”

Some-pony cleared their throat, they turned to the gangplank again and found A. K. Yearling with a large suitcase “I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to get the story of this adventure from you all.”

Prince Blueblood nodded remembering the agreement in the Khedive’s Palace “Alright Miss Yearling.” He glanced back to Lyra and Bon-Bon “We’re going to run out of cabins at this rate.”

Vice-Admiral Shrouds walked up to Captain Star “We’re ready to set sail Captain. Princess Celestia put you in charge, are you ready?”

The Captain nodded “I am sir.” He charged his horn to make a volume spell “All hooves to stations!”

A pony on each of the ships rang the ship’s bell.

Shrouds took up the orders “Raise anchor, run the flag, loose the sails.”

Lyra rolled her eyes, then she waved her hoof about and mimed her father’s orders.

Stifling his laugh, the Prince looked to the flag being raised up to the mainmast. After the unveiling of the Everfree Flag a noble named Tricolour petitioned Princess Celestia to have an official Equestrian Flag made.

The one used over the last few years, like the one Princess Twilight and her friends raised in their play of the Hearth’s Warming Tale, the vertical swallowtail, or Gonfalon, as Tricolour called it, is not the official flag of Equestria, Princess Celestia decreed it as the Royal Standard of the Two Royal Sisters.

Princess Celestia charged Tricolour with the task of designing the new flag. He asked several subject across the nation to get opinions on the design. Ultimately, after many conflicting ideas he decided to just design it. He did ask Princess Luna her opinion, but she declined being included, since as not a ruling Princess of Equestria, merely her elder sister’s closest advisor she did not feel she needed to be represented in it, not to mention she didn’t yet feel ready for as much a public role as Celestia, she still needed to work on her smile. She did say if her subjects, the Bat Ponies wished their own flag to represent her, she would accept.

Tricolour designed the flag with only two colours, white and gold. White representing peace and harmony, and Celestia’s coat, and Gold like the sun and the prosperity and joy she brings to her subjects. He placed the gold in a Y shape, a Pall to use the heraldic term, turned horizontally so the arms of the shape touched the corners of the hoist and converged in the middle of the flag’s white field to become one going the rest of the way to the fly end. No other symbols adorned it. Very plain and simple

Captain Star walked onto the bridge and took the helm, he sighed and turned the wheel as the wind caught the sails “Next stop, the Alicorn.”

Next morning the team stood on the deck. A couple of the crew mopped the deck and Eff Stop took the opportunity to photograph them at work, and of Snowy and Blake playing “I like the capture the mundane as well as the fantastic, just to show they aren’t so separated. It’s the real story I look for in my pictures.”

Bon-Bon raised an eyebrow “Weren’t you one of the Paparazzi ponies chasing Fluttershy about when Photo Finish made her a model?”

Lyra turned to her “You were among her fans too.”, Bon-Bon huffed “I was just bending into the crowd, I didn’t mean any of it.”

Eff Stop sighed “I’ve got to get Bits somehow and my boss told me to get in on the action, I could tell from her aura the poor filly was destressed but…” he sighed again “Being an Aura Guardian today isn’t as cracked up as it used to be.” He glanced to Blueblood “He’s lucky to be a Prince, he’s had a lot more time to practise, which is why he's much better skilled with his Aura then I’ll ever be.”

“I can hear you.” The Prince called “And frankly I prefer being an Aura Guardian than a Prince. I get to travel, it’s my passion and my calling, going wherever I’m needed to help, Aura Guardian are a type of Knight-Errant and that’s what I wanted to be, being a Blueblood means I can’t fully commit myself to it.”

“Captain!” called a voice, every-pony turned to the bridge.

The chef walked up to the Captain at the helm “I just check the stores, some-ponies being stealing food.”

“Sounds like we have a stowaway.” He turned to the elderly Earth Pony “OJ take the wheel, I’m going to investigate.”

“Aye-aye sir.”

Star looked down to the Prince “Would you like to join the search your Highness?”

“I think I’d better.” He turned to the mares and they nodded, Lyra spoke up “You go with the Captain.”

“Right.” And he followed Star down to the lower decks.

They reached the cargo hold and the Captain stop. Before Blueblood could ask a ticking caught his ears. It came from one crate, their eyes met in worry at the possibility of a bomb onboard. Gingerly they inched towards it and opened the lid. A half circular panel with gauges met their gaze. The clock on the sighed ticked to the twelve, the hour hand went into the red.

Alarms went off. Captain Star hit the deck. Blueblood’s aura flared.

Nothing.

The two sighed and Blueblood switched the alarm off and moved the panel out of the way, “If this isn’t a bomb, what is it?”

The Captain stood up and inspected the unassembled parts “Also how did it get onto the ship?”

Snowy barked. They looked to the side of the crate and narrowed their eyes. A label stuck to the side showed a black shark with a cockpit, crossed out in pencil.

Captain Star turned around “Wait here, I’ll get Top Hat and Sunshine.”

He returned with the Unicorns of his company. He showed them the label and tapped his hoof “Well?”

Top Hat blinked “Well, sir. I,” he hummed “When Professor Calculus arrived I crossed out that shark to try and tell him we didn’t want him or his submarine onboard. Some-pony handling the loading must have mistook the meaning, and I think I know who.”

Sunshine turned to the monocle wearer “Let me guess, Warrior?”

Blueblood cleared his throat “There’s no point in arguing who did what, it’s happened, and I have a good idea who our stowaway is.”

A knock came from the door and Ten Bits stood there with Blake “Bon-Bon and Lyra said they’ve heard snoring from one of the lifeboats. They want back up.”

Captain Star turned to Top Hat “You come with me.”

“Yes sir.” Top Hat wearingly acknowledged.

On deck the search party surrounded the lifeboat. Blueblood, Bon-Bon, Star and Top Hat undid the cables holding the tarpaulin. They took it off and found a familiar pony asleep with his resting on a tin of biscuits.

Captain Star sighed “Calculus.”

The change in light stirred the Bat Pony. Sleepily he sat up and took his hat off “Good morning every-pony. Thank you for waking me. I was hoping you could give me a cabin, I slept rather badly last night.”

Top Hat held his nose and counted to five, before protesting “A cabin? We ought to throw you overboard! Do you hear me?”

“With a view of the sea? Delightful!”

Top Hat groaned and collapsed.

Calculus bunked up with OJ, the old Earth Pony understood about the Professor hearing trouble, and started communicating to him by notes.

It took a couple of days to sail the Undiscovered West, they chattered the route as they went, but no land came into view. Indeed, a fog rolled in.

On the deck Sunshine gulped “This reminds me of that winter last year.”

Grampus, with a pair of binoculars chuckled “I still can’t believe Top Hat slept out in the streets that night only to be five-hundred yards from the Star Building.”

Top Hat grumbled “To quote my dear friend Rarity, I thought we agreed never to speak of that again.”

Captain Star shook his head “After hearing about what you saw that night, Windigo and Sea Monsters, I can see why you called it “The fog that nearly sent you crazy”, Celestia only knows what we’ll find in this weather.”

From the crow’s-nest, a voice called down “Land ahoy!”

A shape emerged from the fog. A jungle island with a small barren mountain range.

Captain Star smiled riley “That has to be Sagittarius Island. We’re a little off course, nothing drastic, the Alicorn sunk within sight of the island so three miles at most.”

Ten Bits jumped excitedly “I want to go ashore! Stand where Sir Bold did.”

Captain Star turned to Blueblood who nodded “I don’t see why not.”

Bon-Bon and Lyra shook their heads “We’d like to stay on the ship. We have, things, to do.”

Eff Stop picked up his came “I’ll come.”

A. K. Yearling nodded “I just need to get changed.” He looked to every-pony “And want this kept secret.” She turned to Eff Stop “Not pictures of me while on the island okay?”

“Got it.”, with the assurance of the crew she trotted off to her cabin. The landing party shrugged and began Warrior, one of the Earth Star Ponies chose to row them to the shore. And Sunshine decided to stay with Ten Bits, as the youngest of the Star Ponies the two often worked together and developed quite a friendship and partnership.

OJ and Big Jock yoked themselves to haul the lifeboat down. Every-pony clambered into the boat. Warrior and Blueblood took the oars. Eff Stop, readied his camera. Sunshine sat with Ten Bits. They sat in front of Captain Star at the tiller for the rudder. The dogs lay under the plank benches.

A throat cleared, they all turned and their eyes widened.

A light gold Pegasus mare, with a mane of grayscale colours. Dressed in green khaki with a pith helmet.

Sunshine blinked and rubbed his eyes “Miss Yearling?”

“Who else?”

“But, but, your, your…”

Blake barked and Ten Bits jerked his head up and his eyebrows shot up and exclaimed “Daring Do?”

Daring smirked “You didn’t think I just made everything up. Princess Twilight and her friend know about it too. They’ve kept it secret, I expect the same from all of you.”

Ten Bits nodded “Yes ma’am.”, she smiled and climbed in “Well, are we going to go or not?”

Eff Stop put his hoof over the lens “Good thing my friend Big Shot isn’t here. He’d explode at the thought of not being able to reveal this.”

Captain Star shook the shock from himself and turned to Big Jock and OJ “Right let us down, slowly.”

“Aye-aye sir.” They both responded and slowly walked forward.

Blueblood turned to the Captain “Thank Celestia we don’t have the same situation as the last time we were in a lifeboat.”, the Captain hummed his agreement.

When they hit the water Captain Star and Eff Stop took the hooks for the ropes off and Warrior and Blueblood started rowing.

Eff Stop took a picture. The flash scared a couple of gulls away.

Then landed and Warrior pulled the boat onto the sand.

Captain Star helped Blake out as the other disembarked. Ten Bit tapped his cane on the shore, to make sure he didn’t get wet.

Daring looking about “Come on, let’s look around.”

Warrior started walked ahead “I’ll go first,” he turned back to address them “never know what we run into.” He went head first into something. He rubbed his head and looked up “Who put this here?”

The this being a mast two-hundred feet tall standing buried in the sand. Warrior looked back to the others “Did any-pony notice this?”

Captain Star shook his head “From the Sirius I thought it was a tree.”

After Sunshine told him about it Ten Bits tapped his way to it and felt it “Dad, you don’t think this is…”

Blueblood finished “The mainmast of the Alicorn?”

Ten Bits nodded “Has to be, the story said he drifted to the island on the collapsed mast. Must have taken in ages to dig into sands and get it into place.”

“Well,” Captain Star said, “he did have almost two years, he had something to pass the time.” He took out his spyglass and focused on the top. A few faded and tattered flags flew in the breeze.

At the top, a pair of Maritime signal flags. The very top one, a blue and white chequered flag, below it, a flag made of five horizontal line, the colours in descending order, blue, white, red, white and blue.

Captain Star hummed “November Charlie, I am in distress and require immediate assistance.”

Below the signal flags fluttered a swallowtail flag. The image turned sidewise showed a simplified rendition of Princess Celestia on her throne, her wings spread far out, over them, the sun and the moon. The “Royal Standard” before Princess Luna’s return, and the de facto flag of Equestria for one-thousand years.

Below the standard a heraldic banner. A blue field, in the centre a golden weighing scales surrounded by eight golden five-pointed stars. Captain Star put his telescope away and chuckled “If that didn’t tell any-pony who Sir Bold was, nothing would have.”

Eff Stop took picture of the mast and the flag.

Blueblood narrowed his eyes “If the old Royal Standard is flying, then, did Sir Bold make a formal claim of the island for Equestria?”

Captain Star shook his head “No record of him doing so exists.”

Daring Do looked to the Prince “You can’t just stick a flag in the ground and claim a place. Screaming Lord Sutch made a joke about that.”

“I know,” Blueblood said “I heard him say it. But if there’s no-pony, or any other sentient creature living on this island, then we could formally claim it and set it up as a stopping point for any ship wishing to explore the Undiscovered West.”

Captain Star hummed “We’ll consider that later.” He looked to the jungle “Right now, we have an island to explore.” He glanced to his son and Sunshine “Stay close to me boys.”, they pair nodded.

Warrior and Daring walked ahead and cleared through the vines and scaring a few parrots as they did. Eff Stop stopped every now and then to capture the wildfire but when something possibly dangerous came slivering or crawling it he would flare his aura.

They reached the top of a waterfall and Snowy jumped along the exposed stepping stones. Blueblood ran after him. Daring and Eff Stop flew over the rushing waters. Captain Star and Sunshine together carried Ten Bits over with their magic. Warrior stayed on the shore to let every-pony go before him, he then slowly stumbled and slipped on the stone. Sunshine used his magic to make a rope appeared around the large Earth Pony.

Daring sliced another vine.

A howling came from the path ahead. Blueblood’s eyes widened “Snowy!” he ran to the source. He entered a clearing and stopped in his tracks.

Snowy sat and finished his howl before lying on his back.

Before him stood a five-foot tall, bipedal, canine creature. With fur predominantly blue and black. It possessed a short, round spike on the back of each forepaw, in addition to a third on its chest. A long snout and equally long and pointed ears. Cream-colored fur on its torso, and thick blue fur on its thighs resembles shorts. A medium length tail of the same blue colour as well. Standing on its toes rather than on its entire foot. And finally, four small black appendages on the back of its head.

It looked up at Blueblood and the others as they arrived.

The Prince blinked and uttered “An adult Jakhowl!”

The Jakhowl raised its eyebrow, his eyes glanced between Blueblood and Eff Stop. Shut its eyes and raised a hand. The appendages rose and seemingly defied gravity. A voice spoke “You show no ill intent, but you have two Guardians with you.”

The voice deep and authoritarian simply appeared in Blueblood’s head, without needing to go through his ears. He looked to the others, they show equal surprise and confusion. Daring narrowed her eyes “I hate telepathy.”

Deciding not to ask Blueblood walked up and stood before the Jakhowl with Snowy sitting at his hoof “Greetings, I am Prince Blueblood of Equestria.” He introduced to the others “…We are simply exploring.”

“Star?” the Jakhowl said looked to the Captain and Ten Bits “We have tales of a Pony called Star.”

The Captain nodded “My ancestor Sir Bold,” then he explained both Sir Bold’s reason and their own.

The Jakhowl nodded, then glanced to Blueblood “You have considered claiming our Safety for Equestria?”

“Safety? And how, wait, telepathy, you read my mind?”

“I only caught a small bit when studying your aura. Safety is what we call this island, but Sir Bold’s name for it is fitting if I understand the constellation correctly. But you have yet to answer me, you wish to claim it?”

“I considered it.”

“Is Equestria safe from Discord now?”

“Yes, and Auntie Celestia has made efforts to reform him.” He started explaining about Fluttershy and her friendship with the Spirit.

“I see, Celestia believes it best to have the demon as an ally, then be in his path.” He stood straight. Clapped his hand together and bowed “Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am King Fumio of Sasa’e, or East Side.”

“East Side?” Daring asked.

“We have split the island into two equally sized kingdoms, both in territory and population, five thousand of us Jakhowls in all. My counterpart is King Yukio of Pito’I’sisifo, the West End.”

Blueblood’s eyes widened “Interesting.” He cleared his throat and awkwardly continued “How do you feel about becoming a protectorate of Equestria?”

“To be known? I don’t quite know, we, the five-thousand Jakhowls here, well need to discuss this.” He turned back to the forest “Return to your quest, inform your leaders if you must, I must return to my kind.”

“Of course.” Blueblood bowed. Fumio bowed as he did before, then turned and scurried into the undergrowth.

The others filed back the way they came, Daring Do walked the slowest back.

Back on the boat Daring and Blueblood couldn’t help but look back at the island.

Daring looked back “Very interesting, but how do we know the treasure isn’t buried on the island?”

Ten Bits spoke up “The vision and the story say Sir Bold only brought the treasure he had in his hat to the island, and that’s all be brought back with him after being rescued. The rest went down with the ship somewhere on the ocean floor.”

Blueblood turned back “On top of finding the wreck we’ll also need to radio Equestria about this.”

Sunshine getting bored put his hoof in the sea and splashed the water about.

Suddenly, blurred shape formed under the surface. It came closer. A shark!

Sunshine jumped back into Ten Bits and Blake.

The shark surfaced. Its mouth missed the hoof and snapped into one of the oar.

Warrior lost balance. As he got up he watch the shark dive “Nightmare Moon!” he exclaimed, he turned to the colts “You alright Sunshine?”

Sunshine shook “He nearly had me hoof off!”

Blueblood looked to the Sirius as another black fin surfaced “We seem to be surrounded.”

Sunshine charged his horn “This’ll teach them not to attack innocent hooves!” He fired a small beam. It bounced off the fin with a metallic clang. The fin rose further, revealing a cockpit and a familiar pony inside.

Captain Star rolled his eyes “Calculus.”, the Professor unsealed the cockpit door and looked about, then he spotted the group and took his hat off “Hello!” he called.

Blueblood shook his head as Eff Stop took a picture of the sub.

Back aboard the team decided it would be best to explore the ocean in Calculus’s Anti-Shark Submarine. Despite his best efforts the Professor couldn’t redesign the craft for two ponies to sit in one, so decided to bring two, however, Top Hat only marked one of the crates he brought, so could only assemble one.

Lyra volunteered to pilot the sub. She climbed in and the Earth Ponies of the crew and Stars readied themselves to lower her and the sub into the water.

Calculus went through the controls “Now remember,” he concluded “the clock show oxygen supply and the red button is a smoke flare.”

Nelson Shrouds added “For when you find the Alicorn. Good luck girl.”

She smiled “Thanks, I’m ready, lower me down.” She closed the cockpit and sealed the locks making the inside airtight and waterproof.

OJ, Big Mac and Warrior, slowly feed the ropes around the pulleys and soon the submarine floated. Lyra concentrated on the clatches on the ropes with her magic and they let go. She then dived down and started the engine.

She didn’t kind how the hearing-impaired Bat Pony managed it, but the steam turbine engine of this sub used an alchemical spell, like an Auto-magic cart, like Cipher used on his rounds in the areas outside Ponyville, to power it. Bat Ponies were rumoured to have occult knowledge, but both she and Bon-Bon decided not to ask, especially Vigil, the Ponyville Undertaker, maybe Lord Moonlight Spectre.

Still, more pressing matters. She drove deeper and deeper, as she continued she noticed a few underwater volcanos, and several coral reefs.

A shadow covered the sub, she looked up shocked. A large ray swam over, not a shark. As he eyes followed it she spotted something sparkling in the sunrays. She got closers and a shape started to former from the rocks and reefs. Her eyes widened and her smile grew with delight.

Sitting on the seabed, rotted and covered with reefs, a wooden ship. A dull metal figurehead of a pony she most definitely remembered.

As she circled around the Alicorn she noticed a scattered trail of jewels, gems and metal coins. However, she wanted one treasure of the vessel above all others.

An alarm sounded and she looked at the oxygen gauge. It just entered the red. She stopped the engines and pumped out the ballast tank.

On the Sirius Bon-Bon called over “Lyra’s surfaced.”

As every-pony rushed to the starboard side of the bow, Calculus turned around “Lyra’s in Stratusburg? How’s that possible?”

The Unicorn brad opened the cockpit and used a volume spell “I’ve found the Alicorn! It’s right underneath me!”

Vice-Admiral Shrouds smiled “Well done Lyra! That’s my girl.”

“Dad!” she called blushing. He chuckled and turned to some of the Naval crew “Get the SCUBA and wetsuits ready.”

“Aye-aye sir.” The saluted and ran off.

Captain Star turned to him “Scuba?”

“Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. The most successful version, the one employed by the Navy was designed by a Pony named French Coast. It allows freedom of movement without the use of pressure suits, hard helmets and long umbilical tubes to pump.”

The Captain smiled “That should make the savage and exploration a whole lot easier.”

“That’s the idea.” He turned as the sub, and Lyra were hoisted back onto the ship. She looked down “Well, I’m going down again, there’s something I need to find.”

Eff Stop nodded “And I came to photograph the search. I’ve got a special underwater rig for occasions like this.”

Daring Do walked up determinedly “And you’re not going to deny me the chance of some treasure hunting.”

Nelson rolled his eyes “Any-pony else?”

Hercules, the large Pegasus of Captain Star’s company walked up smirked “Well sir, was thinking of doing something different to my usual routine. I’m usually up in the air, why not go swimming?”

Captain Star chuckled “Very well Hercules.”

“Thank you, sir.” He glanced to the others “Forgive the pun my dears, but I hope we get on swimmingly.”

Eff Stop groaned, Lyra giggled and Daring rolled her eyes and muttered “This was partly why I worked alone before meeting Rainbow Dash.”

Hercules blinked “You know Rainbow Dash? She’s one of my commanding officers.”

Daring raised an eyebrow “Commanding officer? To me she’s a, very helpful, if euthanistic fan.”

“I’m a Wonderbolt Reserve, and she’s a Wonderbolt.”

Lyra glanced to her too “I live in Ponyville, Rainbow’s a common Pony to come across.”

Eff Stop “May have ran across her path trying to find Fluttershy, I think I saw her at the Grand Galloping Gala three years ago.”

“Huh,” Daring said, “small world.”

Hercules smirked “Isn’t it just darling.”

Lyra tilted her head confused “Why is it you talk like Rarity?”

He shrugged “We probably took lesson in eloquence ma’am. I just think as a colt from Knightsbridge in Trottingham, a Ducal Borough, I should learn to speak properly.”

Bon-Bon helped Lyra struggle into the wetsuit “Celestia, you need a large field to get into these.”

Daring pulled up her zipper “Your just not used to it that’ll all.”

Eff Stop readied his rig but turned to Top Hat standing by Sunshine and Grampus, the small Pegasus set up a radio and began tuning the system. The paparazzi pony walked over to the green unicorn and gave him another camera “This is the camera with all the surface pictures. Would you mind photography us before we dive?”

“Certainly sir, as long as I get credited.”

Eff Stop nodded and returned to the others.

Hercules studied himself “My wings feel a bit tight.” The wetsuit meant he wouldn’t be flying, since they trapped his flying appendages. “Still, I bet I cut a daring and handsome figure. Wait till the mare’s back home see the pictures.”

Daring eyed him annoyed “Are you mare mad?”

“No sweetheart, I’m just bit of a stallion for the ladies.”

Suddenly another pony in a wetsuit pushed his way between the two. A large male Earth Pony given his build. However, no-pony could see his face since he wore a face concealing one-way visor helmet.

Bon-Bon narrowed her eyes and turned to Vice-Admiral Nelson “Who’s the fifth guy?”

“He’s a member of one of the flotilla vessels, he’s mute, or at least, he hasn’t said anything.”

“And what with the helmet?”

“His friends said he’s got facial scaring he’d prefer to conceal.”

The Grampus spoke up and talked into the microphone “Okay, radio check, are you receiving me?”

The divers all wore earpieces to communicate with each other and Grampus on the Sirius, they nodded.

“There should be a microphone in your mouthpieces. Let’s test them.”

The four ponies put their mouthpieces in and one by one spoke. The voices came a little muffled, but legible, they also hear each other in their earpieces. For some reason when Daring spoke, the helmeted pony flinched and turned away from her.

Captain Star address the diving team “Right, you understand that everything you collect is to be put in the collection buckets from the Sirius, the other vessels in the flotilla are simply guarding against any intruders, pirates or any-pony wishing to make away with this Wreck or her treasure, understood?”

They all nodded, however Blueblood, Bon-Bon and Daring noticed the helmeted pony’s shoulder bounce slightly as if he laughed. The team walked over opening in the deck and jumped into the brine.

The quintet swam down to the seabed and Lyra lead them to the wreck.

Daring paused at the figurehead. An octopus briefly latched onto the head of Princess Celestia before swimming off.

The helmeted pony quickly began collecting as much of the coins and jewels as possible, filling the buckets he carried. He went into a gap between the two halves. Daring quickly followed. Inside the fish, sponges and other sea life continued their occupation.

Eff Stop constantly took pictures.

Daring turned to the others “We can’t lift the ship, can we?”

Lyra shook her head “We never planned it.”

Grampus’s voice spoke “Even if we did, we don’t have anything that could do it, I don’t think any-pony’s come up with something like that.”

Hercules meanwhile swam over to the corner of one of the wreak “I think I know who this is.” He said pulling out a rusted cutlass and some torn, faded and most defiantly wet, and clammy suit, and a red bandana.

Every-pony, apart from the helmeted one swam over, Lyra picked up the skull with a Unicorn bone horn, “Red Rackham.” She wanted to spit, but firstly she would need to take off her mouthpiece, secondly spitting into saltwater didn’t seem like a good idea and thirdly, spitting would just be vulgar.

Eff Stop took another picture “What do we do with her, and presumably the remains of her crew?”

Vice-Admiral Nelson took up the coms “When it comes to pirates, those that die at sea, are buried at sea. Sir Bold took care of that.”

Lyra sighed and put the skull down “You know Dad, this type of cruelty is why I have a dim view of the Navy.”

“It’s not for every-pony, I understand that.”

Daring meanwhile swam to the crew’s quarters and notice something on the floor. She picked up a golden cross, with ornamentation and an image of an Earth Pony nailed to it “A Silver Enlightened Crucifix?”

The Silver Enlightenment is the largest religion in Equestria, however it is still a small grouping of about one-hundred-thousand practitioner throughout the continent.

Captain Star spoke on the radio “If I recall what Parker said, his family, including Sir Bold First Mate on the Alicorn, Mr Nickel was Silver Enlightened. I think that cross should go back to Parker.”

Daring nodded and swam back to the others. Hercules put the cutlass in a bucket with a rope attached. Daring put the crucifix in and tugged the rope. The bucket then got pulled up to the surface.

A scream shrieked through the earpieces.

Every-pony turned as the helmeted pony swam out the other half of the ship followed by a shark.

Hercules quickly kicked it in the noise and it swam off.

“NO!” The helmeted pony cried pushing the others away “That beast has my treasure!”

Daring turned to her “I know that voice.”, the pony turned to her and began swimming away.

Lyra charged her horn and teleported in front of the intruder. Hercules tackled him to the seabed and put him in a pinning hold and Daring Do took the helmet off.

Revealing a grey stallion with stubble. Daring scowled “Caballeron.”

“Dr Caballeron, my enemy.”

Hercules tightened his grip over the profiteer. He looked up at the others “I’ll bring him up to the surface.”

Blueblood spoke on the coms “We’ll throw him in the brig. Miss Sweetie Drops has given us his criminal record, and those are the only one SMILE could verify.”

Caballeron growled and stared hard at Daring “I’ll get you, Daring Do!”

Daring just smirked “I’m looking forward to it.”, and Hercules slowly ascended with the villainous archaeologist in tow.

Eff Stop meanwhile shot an aura blast into the shark and it fell flat onto the seabed. Cheekily he tied a rope to the tailfin and tugged the rope.

After a few moments, they heard a shout over coms “Sweet Celestia! They’ve sent up a shark!”, it sounded like Top Hat.

Gradually, the team of four filled and refilled the buckets with the treasure. They even sent the heavy-crossbows and the figurehead up.

All the while, Lyra searched the ship. She forced many fallen planks aside, causing a school of fish to swim away. She gasped.

Two ornate coffins sat awkwardly, one on its side, the other upside down. Both bore painted faces, human faces.

She called the others and together with the crew on deck brought them to the surface.

Lyra couldn’t get back onboard fast enough. She glanced between the two “These are supposed to be the sealed sarcophagi of the last King and Queen of the Sun Worshippers.”

Captain Star nodded “Hermetically and magically sealed.”

The Unicorn brad traced the gap of one of the lids with her horn. She tried her magic. A clank sounded. The face split in two and slide aside revealing a window and inside a skull. Lyra rushed up and look at it. She narrowed her eyes “Judging from the appearance of the skull alone I’d say Humans were a primate species.”

Bon-Bon looked at her “That’s it? After years and years of searching, and me thinking you were mad for thinking these creatures were real. And all you can say is that their very tall talking monkeys?”

“More likely apes Bon-Bon.” She giggled and jumped up and down “We found them! Humans!”

Nelson Shrouds gabbed her shoulders “Calm down Lyra, you’re showing us up!”

“Let them stare Dad. I’ve just achieved my life’s ambition! Humans lived in Equus! The legends were true!”

Hercules walked up carrying something on his back “I also found this with the pair.” He put a large chest down. Lyra tied her magic again, using a more powerful unlocking spell. The lid flung open revealing books and pages, in Middle Equestrian. She picked one up and blinked “Wow! They even sent music!” she smiled and tilted her head “I think I could adapt this to the harp.” She then put it back and shut the lid “If you don’t mind every-pony.” She picked the chest in her magic “I’m going to my cabin to study these.” And she rushed off.

Bon-Bon and Nelson watched her go, and they both shook their head smiling.

Nelson then walked over to Professor Calculus and put a volume spell on “I must say Professor; your submarine is quite impressive.”

“Yes, it was quite successful, and I’m very pleased with the subs’ performance.”

“I hoped you might be willing to sell the design to us at the Navy, we could us it.”

“Not a bad idea, although I hoped to sell it to the Navy.”

“Done!” Nelson shouted and shock his hoof, but he glanced to OJ “Do you mind helping to negotiate the price with me and Professor?”

“Not at all sir.”

The artefacts found were brought to Canterlot for study before Blueblood set up a special exhibition and his Auntie Celestia gladly offered the use of the Gala Hall to house the event.

Included in the show, the Sagittarius Estate model of the Alicorn, with pictures of its sisters, Blueblood’s and the one belonging to the Khedive of Cartus.

The sarcophagi stood proud and opened, showing the two wrapped and dressed skeletons. Lyra also displayed the documents and books, including one of her own possession she bought from the Trottingham Library.

The Princess of the Sun looked at the now polished and shining gold figurehead, one of the centrepieces of the exhibition. She smiled “This brings back memories.” She turned to Luna “I remember posing for the pattern to make the mould.”

Luna smirked “Did you wonder how Discord felt as a statue?”

Celestia rolled her eyes “To be honest after all that time I had quite forgotten about Discord.”, both Royal Sisters glanced about, expecting the Spirit to appear.

Blueblood walked up instead “I don’t think he’ll be attending, not with me and Eff Stop here.” He gestured to wall where said paparazzi pony showcased the photographs of the endeavour.

Luna nodded “I suppose not.” She then looked to Lyra explaining to a party about the King and Queen of the Sun Worshippers “I find it pleasing to see Miss Heartstrings has fulfilled her dream. Of course, the question of what happens next is hanging in the air.”

She glanced back at the figurehead, her eyes narrowed and she glanced to her side, only to find her shadow. A little shaken she walked off.

The team, Captain Star, Ten Bits, Lyra and Bon-Bon walked over. Lyra looked at the figurehead too, and then she blinked astonished. She murmured something about a dream, and looked a little off. Blueblood looked at wait the two mares might have seen.

In the reflection stood a shadowy figure of a Unicorn stallion.

Celestia looked to Captain Star and Ten Bits, and smiled “An impressive display Captain. I’m very pleased to have Sir Bold’s story final out in the open.”

Blueblood nodded, he just knew his Aunt knew about the whole thing, but her more off-hoof approach to running Equestria managed to keep the Kingdom working. Lord Shadow Mark of the Necropolis must have taken inspiration from her.

Calculus walked up “It was nice speaking to Princess Luna, she same to be the only one who isn’t shy when speaking to me.”

“Shy?” Bon-Bon asked.

Celestia giggled “The dear Professor seems to only understand things when spoken in the Royal Canterlot Voice.”

Captain Star sighed “Oh well, all’s well that ends well.” He projected “Don’t you agree Professor?”

“No thank you Star, never between meals.”

“No Professor,” Star shouted, drawing a bit of attention “I said ‘All’s well that end well’!”

Calculus nodded “Without any doubt. Which reminds me of that old saying, all’s well that ends well, wouldn’t you agree Captain?”

Captain Star sighed with a smirk “Without any doubt.”

Simultaneously, Blueblood, Celestia, Lyra and Ten Bits burst out laughing.

Author's Note

As some of those who read The EK may remember I’d been building up to this story.

I just thought about giving Blueblood more character, and I had re-watched the film and I just thought of using Blueblood as Tintin. I also have plans to go further into this in The EK.

I of course needed Lyra in this as it was a part of her subplot in The EK and I decided to add Bon-Bon/ Sweetie Drops to the story, while writing I released the film, and the original comics by Herge I believe, did not pass the Bechdel Test, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but as MLP: FIM showcase the many ways to be a girl, well, I knew to keep more to the spirit of the show.

As I wrote the story I ended up pairing Bon-Bon and Blueblood, not as a couple, I’ve already stated Lyra and Bon-Bon are a couple. No, this partnership between them is more akin to a pair of detectives, who’ve work with each other for years, like Robin and Raven in the Teen Titans Animated Series.

When I initial thought of the idea for the story, I thought of including Captain Star and Ten Bits from Bridle City Port. Captain Star I knew would be in place of Haddock, but I knew not to have him the drunken washed up character of the film.

The Queen of Spades mentioned in Chapter 3 is a Russian Opera, composed by Tchaikovsky based on a story of the same name by Alexander Pushkin. As I was unable to find anything relating to the opera I just guessed, and I assuming myself to be incorrect.

Chapter 4 follows on from the film by adapting the 1991 cartoon series adaptation of Red Rackham’s Treasure.