An hour passed before the boy woke and as promised BlueBlood returned with a basket of food. Much to Luna's dismay, as she predicted he only brought a few sandwiches and a cup of tea. However, Knuckles brought back a basket full of different foods and one with several drinks.

When the mysterious pony woke,opening only one eye, he ate the food from both baskets and downed nearly all the drinks. By the time he was done, the pony was leaning against the side of the boat sipping from one of the cups he balanced on his hoof.

"Do you feel better?" Luna asked.

Blinking for a moment the pony smiled sheepishly. "Ummm… yes… a little." He replied.

"I'm terribly sorry. But I must ask. What can you tell me about yourself? Do you have any relatives?"

"I… I don't have anyone." He sighed looking out over the water.

The others looked at each other as the princess gave him a remorseful expression. "I… I'm sorry to hear that." She sighed, as thoughts of what to do rushed through her head. To her surprise, one option that had come front and center was to adopt him.

"Auntie Luna? Why are you smiling so suddenly?" BlueBlood asked.

"Because, if he doesn't have a family. Then we shall be his family." Luna replied.

"What? But… How? Isn't he too old to be adopted?" BlueBlood asked as Knuckles gathered the dishes.

"Perhaps." Luna replied, moving to his side. "There is another option other than adoption."

"And what's that?" Both the pony and BlueBlood asked.

"Well… thanks to my time on the moon. I am rather close to his age. And unlike my sister. I do have an interest in starting a family."

"But… What about the scandals?" BlueBlood countered. "If you marry a commoner… you…"

Luna sighed. "That… is one thing I will need to think about. If he was a noble…"

The pony thought to himself. "Maybe I should keep quiet about where I'm from, for now."

"Regardless. It seems my sister had gone to get ready for the night." Luna explained. "Come. You can stay in my room."

The pony rubbed his closed eye as he looked away in concern. "Would you mind if I find some rags quickly?"

"Rag?" BlueBlood balked at the idea. "Auntie can't be seen in public with riff raff like that."

"What, are you thinking, BlueBlood?" Luna asked flatly.

"If he is going to stay with us. Then I insist that I get him properly washed and dressed."

Luna smiled and nodded. "Do take care of our young friend. I'll go and see about a bed for him." With a nod, Luna flew off leaving the two to go into town.

As the pony followed the fancy stallion, Knuckles followed behind to keep an eye out to make sure they were safe. The three made their way down the street and stopped at a spa.

Inside as BlueBlood talked to the mare at the desk, the pony looked over each of the guests and even some of the staff members. With a smile the stallion stepped over to one of the workers and whispered in her ear. Blushing, she nodded back to him.

Once BlueBlood finished talking he motioned for the pony to follow the staff.

One "The Works" treatment, and a happy ending later the once dirty pony walked out with a complimentary eyepatch. His coat now shimmered a crimson red and a slightly lighter red mane.

"There. Don't you feel better? A nice clean coat helps make everypony feel better." BlueBlood praised.

Smiling back at the worker he whispered to earlier, the stallion nodded. "Much better."

"Lovely. Now to get you a saddlebag and some proper clothes." BlueBlood exclaimed, as they left the spa and made their way down the street. "Now… I know just where to go. A shop nearby has splendid outfits."

Once they arrived at the boutique, the stallion fought back a gag at the sight of high-class outfits he saw as they entered. "Is… is there another place we can go? Or can I at least get something less…" He stopped at a rather expensive outfit. "Poofie?"

BlueBlood looked back at the stallion and noticed the outfit he was looking at, then looked at himself. With a sigh he shook his head. "No no no. I suppose such a look wouldn't suit you." Turning to look around the room he tapped a hoof to his chin. "Now let's see…"

"Might I suggest a Old Ponish inspired look with a touch of naval flair?" A nasaly voice called an uptight unicorn came over.

"Mr Conper! My good sir. I believe you have a good idea of what he should wear." BlueBlood praised.

"Right over here." Conper replied, motioning to a group of manacines. "I made these outfits myself. And I can promise they will look splendid on him."

"Is this real gold?" The pegasus asked looking at a gold clip.

"Of course it is." Conper huffed. "I only work with the highest quality…" He explained before getting cut off by a crunching sound. "What…"

All eyes turned to the pegasus as he held a piece of the clip in his hoof. "High quality?"

BlueBlood blinked in shock. "What… how did you bite solid gold?"

"It's gold plated." The pegasus explained. "I can tell."

Conper let out a snort. "How dare you claim I would use such cheap material. You obviously planted that."

The pegasus glared at him before taking a second clip in his mouth in full view of the staff and BlueBlood. With a quick yank he pulled it from the vest, bringing with it a long thread.

As he bit through it a loud scream was heard from the door. All eyes turned to the source, and saw a white mare with a smooth flowing mane. Her eyes were wide and locked on the pegasus.

"What in heavens are you doing?" She pleaded.

Dropping the clip in his hoof, the pegasus turned to the mare. "Exposing a con artist, my lady."

"C-c-c…. CON ARTIST?!" She gasped. "Explain yourself."

"The proof is in my hoof and on the floor." He replied, biting the clip in two. "Would my lady like to see for herself?"

The mare took a deep breath before trotting over and looked at the two clips. "I see…" She muttered softly, before stepping back and smiling at him. "Thank you darling. You saved me from making a terrible decision." Turning to the two stallions her eyes narrowed. "As for the two of you." She huffed, causing the two to gulp.

"My lady." Conper said, with a gentle bow. "I can assure you that my wares are…"

"Complet fakes." She spat, ripping a gem from a nearby dress. "I heard you have some of the most lovely outfits… however." Dropping the gem she watched as it shattered on the ground. "Consider yourself busted." Turning to BlueBlood her appearance turned to one of pure disgust.

"I promise I didn't know." He protested.

"That I believe." She huffed. "You never really had much of a clue. Unless it worked in YOUR favor. Now if you don't mind. I'll take this poor stallion to get him a proper outfit."

"But… we still have things we need to…"

"If you have an appointment. Then I'll make sure to deliver him AFTER I get him properly dressed." She snapped. Turning to the pegasus she smiled. "Now dear. If you would. Please come with me."

The stallion smiled and followed her. Glancing back he saw BlueBlood going off on Conper, as the other workers went to work examining the outfits and ripping off pieces. Taking the opportunity his wing extended as he swiped a bag off the counter before tucking it under his wing.

"This promises to be an entertaining place." He thought.

In a distant town a group of creatures gathered and began heading out singing. "Pillage, plunder, rifle and loot…"

Author's Note

A pirate must look his best. No half-baked outfit will do. After all, if you're going to steal goods. Why not show off how good you look in it?

Any ideas on what'll happen next?