The Rarity and Gearbox Chronicles

The Ship of Curses.

Written by:

Rarity, Gearbox

In the weeks after the incident with Lyra, Gearbox and Rarity grew closer to each other with every day that passed. The rest of the Mane 6 found it wonderful that Rarity found the love of her life. Gearbox and Rainbow sometimes had a race against each other. But no matter how hard she tried, Gearbox was always faster. Spike didn’t like it at first, but after he and Rarity talked for hours, he accepted it. She knew he had a crush on her. But he is a dragon, she is a mare. And she is a couple years older than he is. So it would have never worked. And for Sweetie? She was as happy as she could be. But who wouldn’t if your sister met the stallion of her life. Every time Gearbox came back in the Boutique, Sweetie was most of the time to greet him first. Both didn’t mind that. They loved it. Next to his job in the Canterlot Castle, Gearbox also helped out on Sweet Apple Acres with whatever job Applejack could come with for him, bucking, sorting, you name it. But one day, things turned out other than planned.

Applejack ran to Ponyville, harder than she ever ran. To find Rarity, which she found at the market. “Rarity, Acres, NOW! I’ll explain on the way.”, said Applejack with a exhausted voice. Rarity nodded and she went with Applejack and both started running to the Acres. “It’s Gearbox, he was sitting, under a old tree, then I bucked the tree to hard, It broke and fell on him. We must hurry!”, said Applejack along the way. “I hope we aren’t too late.”, said Rarity worried. As they rushed to the Acres Rarity saw what happened. The old tree had fallen onto Gearbox. Big Macintosh tried his best to move the tree, but it just wouldn’t budge. Gearbox was laying under it, he lost his consciousness. “Applejack, I need you to buck this tree, harder than ever before, Big Mac, same goes for you. Gearbox, you will make it. Just stay with us”, said Rarity. “Got it sugarcube”, said Applejack when she started bucking the tree. “Alright then”, said Big Mac. Both bucked harder than ever before. Rarity tried to lift the tree with her magic. “Come on, come on.”, she said. But it didn’t work. She wasn’t too strong to do it. The moment she realized it, something snapped. Her manes started to get fire and she lifted the tree almost instantly. Applejack and Big Mac looked with open mouths. Rarity moved the tree off Gearbox and teleported Applejack, Big Mac, Gearbox and herself to the hospital where her manes became normal again.

“What happened to him, if I may ask?”, asked the doctor. Applejack explained the whole story. The doctor brought Gearbox to the operation room immediately. After a couple hours he came back and said: “He will make it. But he will be asleep for quite some time.” And he let all of them to Gearbox’s room. “Thank you doctor.”, said Rarity with tears in her eyes. Applejack and Big Mac went back to the Acres. And a couple hours later Gearbox woke up, “Ugh… Where… Where am I? Am I dead?” “You aren’t dead. You are still in the land of the living.”, said Rarity. “I think and hope, I will get rid of these bruises.”, said Gearbox when he looked at himself. “You will, you are a strong stallion Gearbox.”, said Rarity, after which she gave a kiss on his forehead. On what Gearbox reacted on that with a lot of joy in his voice: “I just hope I can go home soon.” And after those words he started to cough up blood. The doctor was called and he said it was some heavy internal bleeding. He needed to go back to the operation room again.

It took hours, but finally, the operation was over. Gearbox slowly woke up and asked: “Doc? Am I dead yet?” “You, dead? Oh goodness no. In all my years of service, none of my patients passed away. And I didn’t have any plans on making you the first. It was though, I admit that. But we found out why you were coughing up blood. Might I add one more thing? You have remarkable surviving skills.”, said the doctor to him. On what Gearbox answered: “I’m not surprised about my survival skills, after all I have been trough. Anyway, why was I coughing up blood doc?” “A vein in your spine snapped, which caused a vein your lung to snap, thus resulting in you coughing up blood. Oh and, you have a couple visitors.”, explained the doctor.

“Let them in please, I could use some company now.”, said Gearbox. The doctor nodded to him and opened the door the Mane 6 entered and greeted Gearbox happily. “Thank you all so much for coming…”,said Gearbox with a tear in his eye. “Welcome back to the land of the living.”, said Applejack. “Hooray! You are okay Gearbox!”, said Pinkie. “I’m glad you are okay Gearbox.”, said Fluttershy. “Well, well, well, still alive and kicking. You better not die on me, cause I still have a race from you to win.”, said Rainbow teasing. “Thank you all, but Rarity, you have been here the whole time?”, Gearbox asked. “The whole time, I wouldn’t have dared to leave you alone.”, she answered. A couple days later Gearbox got out of the hospital and went back home. Everything went back to his normal going. But every time Gearbox left the Boutique, he had the feeling somepony was watching him, observing him, following his every move. He didn’t want to bother Rarity with it, as she was always busy. But one day, while walking to the Acres to buck trees, Gearbox got hit by something in the back of his head. He passed out.

When Gearbox woke up he was laying on the street, he saw a figure, hooded, with no visible face, its entire body was under a long raincoat like jacket. Then it spoke with a dark voice: “I finally found you. You thought you could hide from him couldn’t you. You were wrong. 13 years ago you wished to be an Alicorn so you would be accepted in these lands. 13 years an Alicorn, for a lifetime of service onboard.” “Who… Who are you, what are you talking about?”, asked Gearbox confused. On what the voice said: “You don’t remember it at all do you. 13 years ago you made a deal with him. That monster made you who you are today! And you were foolish enough to agree, 13 years an Alicorn, A lifetime aboard his ship. Your time is up. You need to keep your end of the bargain now. Captains orders.” “Wha-. Just who is this captain and ship you are talking about.”, asked Gearbox confused. “ Davy Jones and the Flying Cloud.”, said the dark voice. “Oh no…No, no, no, you got the wrong person here buddy.”, was all Gearbox could say. “No, I got the right stallion. He knows with who he dealt with. He sent me, to collect my best friend. He is a heartless one. But I must fulfill my task given to him.”, said the dark voice.

“Wait, b-b-best friend?”, was all Gearbox could bring out. “You still haven’t recognized me haven’t you.”, said the dark voice. It removed his hood, only to reveal a horrified face… Manes were clouds, parts of his face got traded in for clouds. And on his cheek, a giant ladybug. Unable to move. Just embedded there. “Remember me now?”, he asked. “S-Sp-Spectrum? Is that you!?”, asked Gearbox. “Aye, it is me Gearbox.”, said Spectrum, he continued “You have to come with me. Or he will destroy this whole town. Searching for you.” “No, no, I won’t go! You hear me Spectrum! I’m not going!”, said Gearbox while he was getting up from the street and making himself ready to fly off. “ Then you brought destruction to this town Gearbox. But I will tell you this before I go. HE always gives his becoming crew members a choice. Or come aboard peacefully and sit out your debt, or offer something more valuable. I will try to give you more time to make your decision.”, said Spectrum as he raised to a cloud, only to disappear. Gearbox couldn’t get his head around what just happened, or he got tackled again. “You still own me that race Gearbox. Let’s do it. Right here, right now.”, said Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow, I would love to, but I have to go. I have some imported business to do.”, said Gearbox in the hope she would leave. And she left, a little disappointed, but she left. Then he teleported himself to the Carousel Boutique.

“Rarity, Sweetie, I… I will be gone for some time, I don’t know if I even return. But please… Whatever happens, never forget me.”, said Gearbox. “But where are you going to then? Can’t you tell that in the least?”, asked Rarity. “I will be going where the wind takes me.”, answered Gearbox. “What is the supposed to mean Gearbox?”, asked Sweetie confused. “If I tell you, both of your hearts will be broken. I need to pack my bags. And then I need to go.”, said Gearbox. “But… Why?”, asked Rarity again. “I told you, if I tell you that, your heart will be broken.”, answered Gearbox. After he packed his gear he gave Rarity and Sweetie a goodbye kiss. Then, he went to all his friends to say goodbye. And after that it was time. Time to serve… Onboard the Flying Cloud. A life time of service on board that cursed ship. A little while later he reached the top of the highest hill near Ponyville. He had a clear view on the horizon. Out of one of the clouds came Spectrum: “Are you going peacefully?”, he asked. “Don’t have much choice do I? Watch the destruction of Ponyville, or give something of more value, which I don’t have.”, Gearbox answered. Spectrum nodded and said: “Now, look at the horizon. When the sun sets it will come.” And as the sun slowly started to decent, Gearbox saw something. A ship. A cloudship, entirely made out of clouds. No balloons to keep it in the air, no, it had sails. It appeared to be sailing against the wind instead of with it and a faint organ music was heard. Gearbox took a better look as the ship came sailing closes and closer. He saw it was a triple-master, the gun ports looked like demonic pony faces, and on the bow, the skeleton of a pony with a scythe. Upon that sight, Gearbox desperately tried to find telepathic contact with Rarity and told her the whole truth. Rarity burst into tears when she heard it. She knew the stories. Once on, there is no way of. Not until your debt is fully repaid. Spectrum broke contact with the two. He said it would be better that way.

Gearbox wanted to strangle Spectrum for doing that. But the Flying Cloud docked near the hill. “Now, there is no way back, not until the debt is paid. Take a good look Gearbox, she is the worst to be on.”, said Spectrum. Both of them went on board. Gearbox took a look around and said: “There is nopony here, is this a joke or something” “It is everything but a joke. The Captain always has a few words to anypony who comes aboard.”, said Spectrum, and with those words, the entire crew came out of the walls of the ship. All of them, hideously deformed, part pony, part cloud, part flying animal. “Sweet Celestia! How?!”, said Gearbox. “I will explain later. The Captain comes.”, said Spectrum. The organ music stopped, the door of the captain’s cabin went open, and there it came. The Captain of the Flying Cloud. Gearbox took a good look. A long raincoat that covered most of the body. The left foreleg was transformed into a toucan beak which opened by every step. The right hind leg, an eagle foot. The manes, clouds… Parts of the face, replaced by clouds. The color of the coat itself was green, as far as Gearbox could tell. But yet, under all of that, Gearbox recognized something in the Captain. The Captain spoke: “So you are Gearbox, aren’t you?” “Right then ‘captain’, why do you need me here?” The crew burst out laughing. “13 years ago… You wished to be an Alicorn. To be accepted by the Pony Society. Since you weren’t from their kind, you had a hard time fitting in. And I grated you that wish. An Alicorn for 13 years, against a lifetime of service. That was our agreement. REMEMBER?”, said the Captain. Gearbox stared menacingly at the Captain and said: “I’ll destroy you all…” “AH! Good luck with that boy. The last pony who said that, well, let’s say it didn’t end well. Prepare to sail full speed! By the first the best cloud we dive in!”, said the Captain. “Aye Captain!”, said every crewmember. As they started to depart, Gearbox felt his whole life flowing away. The Cloud rose back up into the sky, and started sailing, away from Ponyville, away from Rarity.

“I will show you the ways of the ship, I know you don’t thrust me anymore, but I’m you only chance to survive this Gearbox.”, said Spectrum. “Right, show me what to do. And maybe I spare your life.”, answered Gearbox. On what Spectrum continued: “There are a few things you must know, every time we fly through a cloud, we appear or disappear for anyponies eyes. Second, listen to what your orders are. Or you will meet the boatswain’s whip. And he loves to cleave flesh with every swing he does. Third, the longer you serve, the more you will lose who you are, until there is nothing left of you. And lastly. Do what the Captain says. She is even worse than the last one.” “Wait… She?”, asked Gearbox confused. “Aye… she, she stabbed the heart of Jones. Thus replacing it with her own. To feel nothing again. It was a tragic story from that I heard. The transformation of how she looks now didn’t took long. Even less than 2 days.”, explained Spectrum. “But who is this ‘she’ you are talking about?”, asked Gearbox. “A pony named: ‘Lyra Heartstrings’.”, said Spectrum. Gearbox’s green eyes became as big as they could be and said: “You can’t be serious here mate.” “I tell you the truth as I know it.”, said Spectrum. “It is all my fault.”, said Gearbox while let his head hanging. “Wait, what? But how? How can you be involved by this?”, said Spectrum confused. “I… I have torn her heart to pieces… She tried to use the Chest before… But, but how did she got access to it now?”, said Gearbox. On what Spectrum answered: “There are 2 Chests. One was meant for Jones and is connected to the ship. The other was for Jones his love. She stabbed Jones his heart. Only to take its place…” “This can’t be happening.”, said Gearbox, on what Spectrum answered: “I wish that every night mate, but this is all real.

As the Cloud started to sail, orders were yelled. “You! Greenhorn!”, said Maccus, one of the longest serving crewmembers, “Help me opening those gun ports.” “Unicorns! Make the starboard side ready! Prepare the bow chasers as well! We found our next crewmember.”, said Lyra. “Who would that be captain?”, asked Gearbox. “You will see soon enough. Unicorns ready? Fire on my command! Helmsman, we go through that cloud, and give the Pegasus Navy a surprise.”, said Lyra with some evil joy in her voice. “Spitfire… Time… Is… Up.” “Spitfire? NO!”, said Gearbox, but he was too late. The Cloud raised out of the clouds and the unicorns started blasting with everything they got. The Pride ship of the Pegasus Navy was no more. All that was left was a load of smouldering timber. Any survivor was taken aboard the Flying Cloud. “Now, where is Spitfire?”, asked Lyra to a survivor. “She is right here Captain!”, said Maccus, as he pointed to Spitfire who was shaking in fear. Gearbox couldn’t stand it anymore and his manes started to turn into pure electricity: “No! You can’t do this! I won’t allow it!” “Do not interrupt with business that aren’t yours boy! Keep him in his place!”, said Lyra. “I don’t care what may have happened between us Lyra! I will kill you!”, said Gearbox, on what Spectrum answered: “No! Don’t, please. She is to powerful! Remember, we are all part of the ship. Once on, no way off.” “Not if I do this!”, said Gearbox, and with those words, he started running up to Lyra and stabs her in the heart. “It’s a good thing I’m an Alicorn!”, said Gearbox as he drilled his horn deep in Lyra’s body. “Ugh… Did you forget? I’m a heartless wreck. Tie him to the mast!”, said Lyra. “What? No! Damn you all! I will kill every last one of you right here, right now!”, said Gearbox, but his manes lost the electricity. “This again Gearbox? I though mister Spectrum had taught you it by now. Boatswain, you know what to do.”, said Lyra. While the boatswain was getting ready, Gearbox found contact with Rarity again, he told her everything what happened. And she promised him to help, to find a way off the cursed ship.

“15 would be on its place I think”, said the boatswain and he started whipping. Gearbox didn’t let a single tear go. He was too busy talking to Rarity to care about the whip. “He didn’t even cry during it. He is stronger than I thought.”, said Lyra, on what Gearbox answered: “Cry? Ha! I’m not as weak as you and your stupid crew.” “Mind your words boy, most of them are here longer then you are even alive. Now, where was I… Oh yes… Spitfire… 20 years ago, you agreed on our deal. Becoming a Wonderbolt for 20 years. Against 40 years of service. Time to pay up.”, said Lyra. “Why now? Why?”, asked Spitfire. “Time… Is… Up…”, said Lyra. “What of the other survivors?”, asked a crewmember. “There are no survivors.”, said Lyra. And any other survivors got slaughtered.

“Prepare to sail out! We are done here. I place both Spitfire and Gearbox under your watch mister Spectrum.”, said Lyra. “Very well Captain.”, said Spectrum. Lyra went back to her cabin and started to play the organ again. “I’ll help you off this ship, but do as I say, or you WILL get yourselves killed.”, said Spectrum. “Everypony, you know what to do! I want movement!”, yelled Maccus over the decks and everypony started to work. “What are we going to do?”, asked Spitfire. “Don’t worry, I have a plan.”, said Gearbox. “This isn’t the time for plans Gearbox. We need to work. We need to clean the deck, after that mess… Spitfire, can you give me those buckets over there?”, said Spectrum. “Sure.”, said Spitfire was she walked to the buckets. But as soon she got the scare of her life. “What is this!?”, she said. “What is what?”, asked Gearbox. “This!” said Spitfire was she pointed to a pony that was half stuck in the hull of the Cloud. “That, is Wyvern. He is mostly asleep. He is here the longest of all of us. It will not be long before he is a part of the ship. A fate we have all in common here.”, said Spectrum. “No… It can’t end like this.”, said Gearbox with tears in his eyes. “There is a way… And that is the only way.”, said Wyvern, “The Dead Pony Chest. Stab the heart. No! Don’t stab the heart. The Flying Cloud needs a living heart. Without a heart, there is no Captain, and with no Captain, there is nopony to have the key!” “The key?”, asked Gearbox. “I have spoken too much”, said Wyverns as he retreated back inside the hull. “Stay with me Wyvern!”, said Gearbox, but it was too late. Wyvern was back in the hull again and asleep. The three of them started to clean the top deck, as that was the most imported one. And after a couple hours they were done. “Everypony done?! Then you may all rest.”, said Maccus. Gearbox was among the first to fall asleep. “Gearbox. Wake up.”, said Spectrum after a while. “What? What is it?”, said Gearbox with a sleepy voice and his eyes half closed. “Spitfire may have found a way to escape.” As soon as he heard that, his eyes were wide opened. “Remember what Wyvern said? Without a captain, there is nopony to have the key. So the Captain knows where the key is. And there is this game called Liar Dice. Challenge her. The stakes? The key, against your soul, eternal service. I know it sounds crazy, but when you know where the key is, winning or losing doesn’t matter.”, said Spitfire. “Right. Let’s do this.”, said Gearbox. “You know how the game is played? Every dice counts. Any offer goes. Like 4 4’s you may chance the number to lower then, but you may not lower the eyes. You can say 3 5’s but not 3 3’s after 4 4’s. 6 3’s may. Good luck Gearbox”, said Spectrum. “I challenge the Captain.”, said Gearbox. Everypony started to look to him, the organ music stopped, and Lyra came beneath decks and said “I accept the challenge.”

“The stakes?”, asked Lyra. “My soul eternal service, against the key to the Dead Pony Chest.”, smiled Gearbox. Lyra walked closer to Gearbox and asked: “How do you know of the key?” “That isn’t part of the game. You can still get out.”, said Gearbox and he sat down, thus accepting the game. Lyra didn’t have much chance. The entire crew gathered around them. The only thing she could do, was accept. She showed Gearbox the key. “This is the key you are looking for.”, she said and hid it again, “Now, let’s start the game.” As the first cup of dices is being cast, a second one comes, and a third. It was Spectrum: “I’m in as well, same stakes.” “Fine then mister Spectrum.”, said Lyra annoyed. And even a fourth cup of dices landed on the table. “Same wedges.”, said Spitfire. “Any more? No? Then let the game begin.”, said Lyra. And thus the game started. After long guessing how many eyes there are up, it has reached a ridiculous amount. The order of bidding is: Spitfire, Gearbox, Spectrum, Lyra. “5 dices each, we are with the 4 of us. I say. 19 sixes. Place a higher bid, or call me a liar Captain.”, said Spectrum. “And being called a liar myself?”, said Lyra angry. She took the cup of Spectrum and saw no sixes. “Spectrum, you are liar and you will spend an eternity on this ship. For the two of you. Feel free to leave, the next time we make port!”, said Lyra laughing after what she and the crew walked away.

“Dammit Spectrum!”, said Gearbox. “I’m sorry… I couldn’t get it over my heart to let any of you lose.”, said Spectrum, and what Spitfire answered: “It was never about winning or losing remember!” Later that night Gearbox, Spitfire and Spectrum made up their plan. Gearbox and Spitfire would get the key, Spectrum would make a longboat ready. While Spectrum was making the longboat ready, Gearbox and Spitfire got back with the key. “Spectrum, do you know where the Chest is hidden?”, asked Spitfire. “I have heard rumors it is somewhere in a cloud group, somewhere in the eastern skies. That is where you need to search.”, said Spectrum. “Are you not coming with us Spectrum?”, asked Gearbox. “No, then they immediately know where you are up too. Besides, what more can they do to me? I already have to serve an eternity here. Now go. The longboat will take you to the ground, and the ground only.”, answered Spectrum. As he lowered the longboat with Spitfire and Gearbox. The longboat brought the both of them to the ground, familiar ground. It was Sweet Apple Acres! Both of them went to Twilights Library as fast as they can. They opened the door, to see everypony there. None of them couldn’t believe it. Gearbox was back. Everypony hugged both Gearbox and Spitfire and they told their stories. Gearbox went into a deep talk with Rarity over what happened. “The group of clouds you speak about does exists. But neither the earth pony or unicorn navy can get there. It is far too dangerous to go. Air currents everywhere and don’t forget the skyserpents. Only the Pegasus navy can make it through, if they survive the storms above it. We can go in the balloon while Rainbow and Fluttershy pull us. ”, explained Twilight. “But that is crazy Twilight! And you know it. The clouds are moving on their own there!”, yelled Rainbow Dash to her. “Do you have a better idea then?”, said Twilight. “Ugh... No.”, said Rainbow annoyed. “Then make the balloon ready. Everypony that wants to come says 'I'.”, said Twilight. And everypony in the room said it. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and even Fluttershy.

Meanwhile on the Flying Cloud, Lyra had discovered what Spectrum did. “You thought to be smart didn't you. But you forgot you place!”, said Lyra as she smacked Spectrum with her toucan beak foreleg. Spectrum landed on the ground and said: “You are not cruel, you are just pure evil. It is all because of him isn't?” Spectrum got up again and said: “What more can YOU do to me. I already have to serve an eternity on this hellbound vessel.” Lyra's eyes got full with anger, and she grabbed Spectrum by his neck with her toucan beak leg: “You don't even know. I will tie you up to the bow, and let you rot there.” She let him go and ordered to set sail to the Forgotten Clouds. “And make sure I get there before them. Or you all will pay the price.”, she said, “First?”, asked a crewmember. “Since they knew of the key, they must have figured out the location by now. Now get you flank moving! And tie mister Spectrum up in the brig, I have changed my mind for him, he will never see the light of the sun or moon again.”, said Lyra annoyed.

The Mane 6 flew with their balloon over mountains and valleys they have never even seen before until they reached it. The Eastern Skies over the Eastern Ocean. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy took a break as they made a plan together. “Now, we need to stay clear from the lighting. We know Rainbow Dash is the best spotter for those. Gearbox, are you ready to pull together with Rainbow?”, said Twilight, on what Gearbox said: “I am. Rainbow, when you are ready, we pull like never before.” “You bet ya!”, said Rainbow while she was getting up. “Okay, the Chest is somewhere along the western beach of the northern island. Thus somewhere here.”, said Twilight while she marked the spot. “Rarity, Fluttershy, you look for anything that looks like the Flying Cloud. Applejack, Pinkie Pie and myself will start digging. Rainbow and Gearbox you take a rest when we get there. That is the plan everypony. We need to get moving. Now!”, said Twilight. And everypony agreed on their given task. Gearbox and Rainbow made themselves ready for the long journey ahead.

“Gearbox, lighting at 12 o'clock, to the right!”, said Rainbow. “Understood!”, said Gearbox as they went to the right, and not even a second later, a flash of lightning, if they would have went straight, they all would have been toast. “GEARBOX! Hard to the left!”, yelled Rainbow, but it was too late, they got hit by lightning. The balloon started to decent. Slowly, but then it went fast and faster.

The balloon crash landed on one of the clouds. “Ugh... Where... are we?”, asked Applejack. “Oh my goodness... This isn't like the EverFree Forest at all.”, said Fluttershy. “Come on everypony, we need to find that chest.”, said Twilight. Everypony got back on their hooves and started to do their tasks, Gearbox and Rainbow rested, they deserved that after that long flight. “It has to be here somewhere...”, said Twilight. “Twilight, I think I found it.”, said Applejack while she pointed to a couple of cloud trees. “That is indeed the spot it says on the map, everypony, you know what to do.”, said Twilight. Everypony nodded and did their work. Applejack, Twilight and Pinkie Pie started digging.

Fluttershy and Rarity kept an eye out for the Flying Cloud. “We found it! We found it!”, yelled Pinkie. Everypony looked up to see it. “That is it... the Chest.”, said Rarity. “That is all fine and dandy, but who is going to stab it?”, asked Applejack. Everypony looked to each other, they didn't thought of that part at all. A couple of lightning strikes scared everypony, and under the sound of the thunder was it there, the Flying Cloud. The crew started to jump off the ship and surround everypony. They couldn't do anything against the crew. Everypony was brought onboard the Cloud, but not before Gearbox passed the key to Rarity. One by one they shivered in fear, afraid of what might happen next.

As the Cloud started to sail again, all the ponies where gathered on the deck. The Chest was placed in Lyra's cabin. Lyra stopped playing the organ and came outside. “Nopony leaves my ship without permission. Now, Gearbox, the key. HAND IT OVER!”, said Lyra angry. “I don't have it. I lost it when we crashed with the balloon.”, said Gearbox. “Search him.”, commanded Lyra. 2 crew members started to search for the key. “It’s not here!”, said one of them. Lyra grabbed him by his neck wanted to say something but held her mouth, she let him go and turned back to Gearbox. “You still have to pay your debt Gearbox.”, said Lyra. “And what of the others?”, asked Maccus. “We finish them off. All of them.”, said Lyra while she grabbed Gearbox by his throat, “And we start with you.” Lyra drew her sword and carved it right through Gearbox’s heart. Everypony started to cry, the crewmembers started to laugh. Gearbox disappeared in a cloud of fog, and reappeared behind Lyra. Nopony could believe it. “The old switcheroo, my oldest trick. Illusion magic is my specialty.”, said Gearbox. Everypony looked with a open mouth. Gearbox grabbed a sword from a crew member and started to duel Lyra. Everypony and every crewmember looked at them, what they didn't know was that Wyvern came out of the hull with all his power, walked to Rarity, which was sitting all the way in the back, and he asked for the key, he had a plan. Rarity trusted him, even though she never saw him before. Wyvern took the key and went back in the hull of the ship. Rarity watched him disappearing and hoped she did something good. Because Gearbox wasn't the best dueler out there and had a hard time against Lyra. Then, the doors of the cabin opened and there was a figure standing. It walked forward and got everyponies attention, including Lyra's. It was Wyvern, with Lyra's heart in his hooves. “Today, your tyranny ends!”, he said and stabbed the heart. “NO!”, yelled Lyra, but she was too late, she felt her life flowing away, started to walk backwards, only to fall over the railing, into the Eastern Ocean. Every crew member said the same: “Part of the crew, part of the ship. Part of the crew, part of the ship.” Spectrum came walking from the brig up decks saying the same things, he had a knife in his hooves. As he walked toward Wyvern he said: “The Cloud needs a living heart.” Gearbox knew this would get messy, he, with the help of Twilight and Rarity, teleported all of them away, to the beach of the mainland. There they saw the Cloud, going down, crashing in the Eastern Ocean, and sinking...

All of them were ready to go home, but then, the Flying Cloud rose out of the water. Instead of its grey look, it was white, as white as the clouds. The demonic pony faces got replaced by gold faces and the skeleton replaced by a gold Pony holding a gem. It was the most beautiful thing to see, yet everypony was on his or her guard. As the cloud sailed closer, the gunports stayed closed and no orders were shouted. The Cloud landed near the ponies, and a walkway came out of it. And dozens of ponies left the ship, they weren't the horrible figures as they were a couple minutes ago. They were they normal self again, they all left the ship, not noticing the other ponies. The Mane 6 and Gearbox went on board, and there they saw the new Captain of the Flying Cloud. It was nopony else then Wyvern. He noticed them coming onboard and said: “I shall bring this ship back to its original duty. Sailing the souls of those who are no longer among us, to the world hereafter” While he looked into the sky. Spectrum was still on board, Wyvern walked up to him and said: “You are free to leave my friend. I can handle it on my own.” On what Spectrum answered: “I still have a debt that has to be paid, plus, I have lost far too much to return. I'm sorry Gearbox. But I stay, I stay on board.” Wyvern nodded and said: “Alright then, I want you get the helm mister Spectrum.” Gearbox walked to Spectrum and they started talking, about what happened after they separated, and Spectrum told him the whole story what happened to him, how he came on board the ship. Rarity asked to Wyvern: “Wyvern, what happened after we left?” Wyvern explained: “After I stabbed Lyra's heart, the geis did its work. My heart was cut out and placed in the Dead Pony Chest. And with that, the ship was given back its original purpose. And I will make sure it stays that way. But you need to from board now, we need to set out.” Everypony went from board, Gearbox and Spectrum hugged each other and promised him to visit from time to time, then Gearbox left as well. As everypony left, the Cloud made itself ready to go, and started sailing towards the horizon, only to disappear in a green flash.

As everypony else went back, Gearbox and Rarity stayed at the beach, looking towards the horizon, then, then started to kiss each other, deeply. For a long time. And after the kiss Gearbox asked: “Rarity, we have been together for some time now, and I think this is the best time to ask it: will you marry? And never leave my side?” “Yes Gearbox, I will be your wife. And I will never leave your side. No matter what happens.”, answered Rarity. None of them said anything, as the continued kissing in the descending evening sun.