A huge storm ravages the water near a small port town. The town of Horseshoe Bay weathers the storm, like always. Even the few boats in the port seem to be protected, some magical property put on Horseshoe Bay by the bombs. One of the few buildings that dares still be awake in the storm is the tavern.
One particular individual sits in the corner of the tavern. A brown earth pony. One with dreadlocks, both in his hair and beard. He wears a brown overcoat and a tricorn hat. Under his hat is a red cloth that covers a lot of his hair and under his overcoat is a white shirt with puffed up sleeves. A sword rests comfortably in one sheathe, and a pistol on the opposite holster. His boots lay roughly on the ground as he drinks up some more rum. Jack Sparrow, ex raider.
In walks a different pony into the tavern. Stamping along the ground confidently with hooves that wear tough boots. He wears a wide brimmed hat to hide most of his wild, brown hair that clashes against his grayish fur. A white band can be very slightly seen on his head, suggesting injury from something else. He wears a fine leather tunic and a black overcoat with a strap running on top both of them. His sword confidently holstered near his hips, and a pistol worn on his neck, ready to be reached in an instant. Barbossa, Captain.
He instantly spots Sparrow in the corner, and swaggers over to him. He takes a seat across from him, and refills his mug of rum. Barbossa then pours himself a glass of rum, and smiles at Sparrow, “So, yer Jack Sparrow.”
Sparrow takes a sip of rum, “Depends on who’s asking.”
Barbossa reaches a hoof over in greeting, “Captain Hector Barbossa.”
Sparrow shakes his hoof back, “Jack Sparrow.”
Barbossa nods, “Pleasur’ to meet ya, Sparrow. Best criminal this side of Baltimare. Is that correct?”
Sparrow takes a sip of rum, “Aye, that it be. What’s one like you gotta do with me?”
Barbossa leans back, and looks right into Sparrow’s eyes, “Well, I may be a Captain, but I still need a crew. Havin’ somepony skilled as a second mate seems like a great idea, don’t it?”
He slightly nods, “What’s the ship?”
Barbossa smiles, “The Black Pearl. Fastest ship ever made... until the modern pre-war era, course.”
Sparrow perks up at the mention of the ships name, “Black Pearl, eh? Yeah, I remember hearing about that once or twice before.”
Barbossa smiles, “Well, this is your once in a lifetime chance to join me. Together, with a crew, and with all our skills, we can become the best pirates of the Grifonian Sea. Think of it, Sparrow. All the gold, jewels, food, rum, mares you could want.”
He nods, “Well, it’s always been a dream of mine to be a pirate. To feel that freedom, the sea mist rushing by your face. The excitement of hopping onto another ship and taking it over. To be known as a great pirate, not just a common raider, but a pirate.”
Barbossa nods back, “That’s what we could do here, Sparrow. You can feel that mist, get that reputation, feel that excitement! You can know what it’s like to be rich and to spend gold on everything you could need.”
Sparrow nods, “Gotta say, I do like jewels.”
Barbossa leans in even more, “Opals, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, all can be our for the taking. Every piece of gold that travels between the two seas. To have everyone look up to you and respect you. Respect as the best pirate crew to exist.”
He nods, “I do like the sound of that.”
Barbossa continues, “You could get all the mares ye’ could ever want. All the flank in Flank. Hell, we’d be rich enough we could buy the town itself! That’s what I promise, Sparrow.”
Sparrow nods along, “Sounds nice.”
Barbossa smiles, “With all that money, imagine how big a hat you could buy. A hat so big that it requires ten ponies to carry it.”
He nods along even more, “I do like hats.”
Barbossa lays down the final blow, “We will capture ships. And I will obviously give a few to my closest mates. Imagine you having a ship of your own. Becoming Captain Jack Sparrow, best pirate of the Grifonian sea! The brave and rich handsome swashbuckler that has managed to take entire ships on his own! The most opulent and rich pony alive! The handsome man that always has a mare around! Owner of the best hat on the high seas! Admiral Hector Barbossa and Captain Jack Sparrow!”
Sparrow gets into it, and slams his rum down, “Sign me up! Captain Barbossa, I am ready to die for the quest of becoming the best pirate on the seas!”
Barbossa laughs, “I knew you would, Sparrow! And we only need to best and most motivated for our crew! Welcome aboard the Black Pearl. Let’s be introducing you to yer crew mates.”
They both get up, and walk out into the storm. They walk all the way to the docks, and board a boat with slightly tattered, but pure black sails. A wooden hull, reinforced over time. A pirate ship. They both walk down into the crew quarters, when other ponies wait.
Barbossa points Sparrow to each of them, “Here we got Mister Tide Turner, fine young lad he is. One Miss Swann Song over here, the only lass on board might I add. Gibbs, our navigator, fine navigator he is. Cotton, and Cotton’s Parrot. Pin Tell, and Spagetti. Boring Ton, use to be a officer in the NCR. Sweepy, he sweeps the floors. Murtogg, Mallory. And, well, a bunch of other people that don’t have high positions.”
A monkey comes running up Barbossa’s shoulder, “Oh, and the monkey, Jack.”
Sparrow nods, “So, where will I be sleeping?”
Barbossa motions to everything, “Anywhere you want, Sparrow. I suggest you talk to the others, they will be the only ones protecting your back after all.”
