[Arrival in Manehattan]
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets of Manehattan. The air was crisp and salty from the nearby sea, carrying the faint scent of sea foam and trade winds. Ships docked in neat rows at the harbor, their sails fluttering gently as tugboats bustled about their business. The city was alive, a sprawling metropolis of brick buildings, bustling docks, and ponies with purpose.
Twilight Sparkle and her friends stood at the edge of the bustling port, their hooves clacking against the cobblestones as they took in the sights and sounds of one of Equestria’s largest cities. Unlike the peaceful streets of Ponyville, Manehattan hummed with energy and industry. This wasn’t a casual visit, though—they had come at Princess Celestia’s request to assist with an ongoing investigation.
“We’re supposed to meet with the Equestrian Sea Patrol here at the Manehattan docks,” Twilight explained, glancing down at a scroll from Celestia. “They’ve been reporting some strange activity out at sea, and the princess thinks we might be able to help them get to the bottom of it.”
Applejack adjusted her hat, squinting at the rolling waves off in the distance. “Sounds like we’ve got some heavy-duty investigation ahead of us. Hopefully, it ain’t anything too dire.”
Pinkie Pie was already busy greeting every dock worker that walked by with an enthusiastic wave, a cheerful smile, and, in one case, a flying cupcake. “Hi there! Oh, my gosh, nice to meet you! We’re here on a very important mission—don’t worry, we’re friendly! You like cupcakes, right?”
Rainbow Dash chuckled, landing beside her friends with practiced ease. “Pinkie, try not to give away all our secrets before we even meet the Sea Patrol. Let’s keep a cool, professional vibe here.”
Rarity adjusted her mane and smoothed out her cloak. “Indeed. We’re representing Princess Celestia and all of Equestria. We must make a good impression.”
The sound of clanking metal and the distant cry of gulls grew louder, and a patrol boat came into view. It was sleek and purposeful, a stark contrast to the trade ships and cargo barges. The Equestrian Sea Patrol’s emblem—waves and a compass rose—was proudly displayed on its hull, a symbol of their mission to protect Equestria’s waters. The boat slowed as it approached the dock, and a group of disciplined ponies leapt onto the dock with practiced precision.
Commander Tidal Crest stood at the front, a tall, imposing sea-green pegasus with sharp eyes and an air of calm authority. Her wings flapped gently as she descended onto the dock and approached Twilight and her friends.
“Welcome to Manehattan,” she said with a professional tone, her voice steady and commanding. “I am Commander Tidal Crest of the Equestrian Sea Patrol. You must be the representatives from Princess Celestia.”
Twilight stepped forward, bowing her head respectfully. “Yes, Commander. I’m Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends. We’re here to assist in any way we can.”
Tidal Crest nodded, her gaze sharp as she looked over the group. “We’ve encountered some odd reports in recent weeks—strange signals, noises in the dark, and sightings of large ships with no clear origin. We feared the worst, but we couldn’t verify much without additional resources. Your assistance is most welcome.”
Before anyone could reply, a crew member, a sleek blue pegasus with a well-maintained mane and a curious smile, approached the group. His name was Wave Runner, and his demeanor was eager but professional.
“Commander, we’ve got the reports coming in from the usual patrol boats,” Wave Runner said, holding out a small communication device. His voice was excited but steady. “They’re hearing strange signals from the northern docks. Sounds like a distress call, and it’s coming from a very large vessel.”
Twilight’s ears perked up, and her curiosity grew. “Strange signals?”
Commander Tidal Crest glanced at Wave Runner with a bit of hesitation before speaking. “We’re not sure yet. These signals could indicate a number of things—bad weather, mechanical failure, or something else entirely. However, the timing is… concerning. We’d hoped to investigate, but if you and your friends could lend your insight, it would be greatly appreciated.”
Rainbow Dash hovered beside her friends, her voice steady. “Let’s see what this is about. I bet we can help figure it out.”
[The Report]
Commander Tidal Crest was preparing her crew to launch when a young patrol pony, an earth pony named Harbor Breeze, trotted up hurriedly. His expression was tense, his mane windblown from his dash down the docks.
“Commander! New report just came in!” Harbor Breeze panted, saluting quickly.
Tidal Crest turned sharply to face him, her authoritative presence commanding attention. “What is it, Harbor Breeze?”
“One of the trader vessels entering the harbor—the Seafarer’s Gale—just docked. Their captain reported something unusual out at sea. They said they heard a loud horn, one they didn’t recognize, and hollering. It came from what they described as a massive ship. They caught sight of it for only a moment through the fog, but they couldn’t get a clear view before it disappeared from their line of sight.”
Twilight stepped closer, her brow furrowed. “A massive ship? But Equestria doesn’t have anything like that in our waters, does it?”
“Not even close,” Tidal Crest replied, her wings twitching. “The largest vessels we’ve got are the trade liners, and they’re well-documented. Anything out of the ordinary would stand out immediately.”
Harbor Breeze nodded quickly. “The trader captain provided a general bearing. It’s out past the northern cliffs, just off the shipping lanes. They couldn’t pinpoint its location, though. The fog was thick, and whatever it was, it didn’t stay visible for long.”
Rainbow Dash hovered in the air, her wings flapping with excitement. “Sounds like something worth checking out! A mysterious, massive ship? That’s gotta be connected to those strange signals you’ve been picking up!”
Applejack adjusted her hat, her expression serious. “Whatever it is, sounds like there’s somepony—or some creature—out there that needs help. We’d best get to it.”
Tidal Crest turned back to her crew. “All right, everypony! Double-check your gear and prepare to launch. Harbor Breeze, I want that bearing mapped immediately. Twilight Sparkle,” she added, turning to the alicorn, “I suggest you and your friends get ready as well. We’ll need every set of eyes and ears out there for this one.”
[Aboard the SS Pendleton]
The steady thrum of the SS Pendleton’s engines echoed through its steel hull, a sound that usually brought comfort to its crew. Tonight, however, it only heightened their unease.
Captain John J. Fitzgerald stood on the bridge, his hands gripping the brass railing as he stared out into the fog-shrouded sea. The usual glimmers of moonlight and distant stars were absent. Instead, the darkness felt oppressive, the kind that made even seasoned sailors glance over their shoulders.
“Anything?” Fitzgerald asked, his voice low but steady.
First Mate Sam Harlan, a wiry man with a perpetual furrow in his brow, shook his head as he adjusted the ship’s binoculars. “Nothing but fog, Captain. Whatever this place is… it ain’t the Atlantic.”
Fitzgerald frowned. “I don’t like it. One moment, we’re heading south through calm waters, and the next, the ship feels like it’s been yanked sideways by a hurricane. No wind. No storm. Just—” He paused, searching for the right words. “That shift. Like the world tipped over for a second.”
“Yeah,” Harlan muttered. “Everyone felt it. Whatever it was, it wasn’t natural.”
Below deck, the situation wasn’t much better. The bilge pumps hummed as they worked tirelessly to keep the water at bay. Chief Engineer Raymond Sybert wiped sweat from his brow, his face illuminated by the dim glow of the engine room’s emergency lights.
“How’s it holding?” Fitzgerald’s voice crackled over the intercom, the static adding an ominous edge.
Sybert grabbed the handset, his voice gruff but controlled. “We’re stable for now, Captain, but I won’t lie to you. That hull breach near the stern is slow-leaking seawater into the lower compartments. Pumps are keeping it out of the engine room, but if it gets worse…”
“We’ll lose the engines. Understood,” Fitzgerald replied. “Keep me updated.”
Back on the bridge, Fitzgerald glanced at the radar screen, only to find it as useless as it had been for hours. The strange interference looked more like a swirling mass than anything solid, making navigation nearly impossible.
“Captain!” one of the younger crewmen, Tommy Daniels, called out from the starboard lookout post. “I hear something!”
Fitzgerald moved quickly to the starboard side, squinting into the fog. “What is it?”
“A horn,” Tommy replied, his voice tense. “And voices. Hollering, like they’re calling for help. It’s faint, but—there it is again!”
Fitzgerald strained his ears and caught it too: a deep, echoing horn blast that sent shivers down his spine. The sound was unnatural, unlike any ship horn he’d ever heard.
“Could be another vessel,” Harlan suggested cautiously. “Or it could be…” He hesitated, not wanting to say the obvious.
“Trouble,” Fitzgerald finished grimly. He turned to the intercom and picked up the handset. “All crew, stay alert. Something’s out there. We’re not alone in this.”
As the crew prepared for the unknown, the fog seemed to shift, swirling like living smoke. The Pendleton pushed forward, its floodlights cutting through the darkness, but every step into this strange new world only deepened the mystery.
[The SS Pendleton Encounters the Equestrian Cargo Ship]
The SS Pendleton continued its slow crawl through the dark, unfamiliar waters. The steady chug of the engines reverberated through its massive hull, masking the faint creaks and groans of the ship’s strained structure. Captain John J. Fitzgerald stood on the bridge, his gaze fixed on the thick fog ahead.
The fog clung to the Pendleton like a shroud, giving the air a heavy, otherworldly quality. The faint beam of the ship’s floodlights cut across the darkness but revealed little beyond a gray, swirling haze.
“What’s our heading?” Fitzgerald asked, his voice calm but laced with tension.
First Mate Sam Harlan checked the compass again, frustration flickering across his face. “Still north by northwest, Captain. But… I can’t make sense of these readings. It’s like the compass doesn’t want to decide on one direction.”
Fitzgerald nodded grimly. The erratic compass had been another unsettling sign that they were far from familiar waters. “Keep us steady. Whatever’s out there, we’ll deal with it when it comes.”
“Captain! Contact off the port bow!” came a shout from lookout Tommy Daniels, his voice sharp with urgency.
Fitzgerald and Harlan moved quickly to the port side, straining to see through the mist. For a moment, it seemed like nothing was there—just the endless, shifting fog. Then, faintly at first, a shape began to materialize.
It was a ship, smaller and more agile-looking than the Pendleton. Its silhouette was low and sleek, with what appeared to be sails furled tightly against its masts. The glow of lanterns on its deck gave it an almost spectral appearance, flickering like will-o’-the-wisps in the haze.
“Cargo ship,” Harlan muttered, narrowing his eyes. “But what’s a ship like that doing out here? It looks ancient.”
Fitzgerald’s gut told him something was off. He picked up the ship’s signal light and began flashing a series of short, sharp signals—an international request for identification.
The smaller ship didn’t respond. Instead, it seemed to hesitate for a moment, its lanterns flickering wildly, before it abruptly turned away. Its engines roared, and it began cutting through the water at a speed that seemed impossible for a vessel of its size and design.
“They’re running,” Daniels said, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “Why would they run?”
Fitzgerald didn’t answer. He watched the smaller ship disappear into the fog, its faint wake fading into the blackness. “They were afraid of us,” he said finally. “They took one look at the Pendleton and decided we weren’t worth the risk.”
“What the hell kind of place is this?” Harlan muttered.
Fitzgerald turned back to the bridge, his face set in grim determination. “I don’t know, but we’re not stopping until we find out.”
Scene Shift: Twilight and the Equestrian Sea Patrol
The deck of the Equestrian Sea Patrol’s cutter was alive with activity. Commander Tidal Crest stood near the helm, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon as the ship pushed through the open waters. Twilight Sparkle and her friends were clustered near the bow, their expressions ranging from curiosity to concern.
A burst of static came through the ship’s radio, followed by a voice crackling with urgency. “This is the Northern Gale reporting to Manehattan Harbor Guard. We’ve sighted the unidentified vessel. Repeat, we’ve sighted the unidentified vessel!”
Tidal Crest snatched up the receiver. “This is Commander Tidal Crest of the Equestrian Sea Patrol. Report your findings.”
The voice hesitated for a moment before continuing, clearly shaken. “It’s… massive. Larger than any ship we’ve ever seen. Black hull, red underbody, towering masts… it looks like something out of a nightmare. The fog around it made it look like a ghost ship.”
Rainbow Dash leaned closer, her wings flaring. “A ghost ship? Seriously?”
“Not a ghost ship,” Tidal Crest replied, her tone firm. “But something’s definitely not right. Where’s the vessel now?”
“Still heading north,” the voice replied. “We got out of there as fast as we could. Whatever that thing is, it’s not from around here.”
The transmission ended, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake. Twilight turned to Tidal Crest, her voice steady but concerned. “That’s it. We need to find this ship.”
Tidal Crest nodded. “Agreed. Adjust our heading. Let’s see if we can catch this thing.”
[Report from the Cargo Ship]
The Equestrian Sea Patrol’s cutter sliced through the open waters, its engine humming steadily. Commander Tidal Crest stood near the helm, her eyes locked on the horizon as her crew worked diligently around her. The tension was palpable, even among Twilight Sparkle and her friends, who had fallen silent as they listened intently to the radio.
Another burst of static broke through the air, followed by the voice of the Northern Gale’s captain. “This is the Northern Gale calling Manehattan Harbor Guard. We’ve got more information on the unidentified vessel.”
Tidal Crest leaned closer to the radio, her tone sharp and commanding. “This is Commander Tidal Crest of the Equestrian Sea Patrol. What’s your report?”
The voice on the other end hesitated for a moment, as if the captain was piecing together his thoughts. “The ship… it tried to signal us. Used some sort of light—looked like a flashing lantern or something. We couldn’t make sense of what it was trying to say. The flashes were steady, but… the pattern didn’t match any known signals we’ve seen.”
Twilight furrowed her brow, her curiosity piqued. “That sounds like a code—some kind of signal they were trying to send.”
“Maybe they were trying to communicate,” Fluttershy added softly. “But if they’re from somewhere far away, their signals might be different from ours.”
The voice from the Northern Gale continued, cutting through the static. “It didn’t try to approach us, Commander. Once it realized we weren’t responding, the ship just kept going. Didn’t change its course, didn’t speed up, didn’t chase us. It was… eerie, honestly. Like it didn’t care that we were there.”
“Anything else to report?” Tidal Crest asked, her tone steady but laced with unease.
“Just its size,” the voice replied. “It’s massive. Bigger than anything we’ve seen in these waters. And the way it moves through the fog… it’s like it’s not even cutting the water. More like it’s gliding over it.”
A murmur ran through the crew, and even Rainbow Dash looked unnerved. “Gliding? That’s weird.”
Tidal Crest exchanged a glance with Twilight, her expression unreadable. “Thank you for the report, Northern Gale. Maintain your course and stay clear of the area for now. We’ll investigate further.”
The transmission ended, leaving the deck of the cutter in heavy silence. Twilight stepped forward, her voice calm but resolute. “Commander, if that ship was trying to signal them, it means they’re not hostile. At least, not yet. We need to figure out what they’re trying to say.”
Tidal Crest nodded slowly, her wings twitching in thought. “Agreed. If this ship isn’t turning aggressive, it might mean they’re just as lost as we are.”
Applejack adjusted her hat, her voice steady. “Either way, sounds like they’re in trouble. We’d better find ‘em before things get worse.”
The cutter pressed on, its crew now more determined than ever to uncover the truth behind the mysterious vessel looming in Equestria’s foggy waters.
Author's Note
Hello, this is the second book I’ve ever written and it’s inspired by the movie, the finest hours of my favorite movies and I do hope you enjoy the story
Aboard the SS Pendleton
The Pendleton creaked and groaned as it pushed through the thick fog, the sound of its engines reverberating across the eerily calm waters. Captain John J. Fitzgerald leaned over the bridge railing, scanning the darkness ahead with his binoculars. The weight of their situation pressed heavily on his shoulders—this wasn’t the Atlantic, and whatever waters they had been thrust into were unlike anything he’d seen.
“We need a plan,” said First Mate Sam Harlan, his voice breaking the silence. “We can’t just keep drifting aimlessly. The pumps are holding, but the engine room won’t hold forever if we don’t stop and figure things out.”
Fitzgerald lowered his binoculars and nodded slowly. “Agreed. We need land. Somewhere we can anchor, repair what we can, and try to figure out where the hell we are.”
“But how do we find it in this soup?” Harlan asked, gesturing toward the fog that seemed to stretch endlessly around them.
“Lights,” Fitzgerald said firmly. “We find lights, we find civilization. That’s our best shot. If there’s anyone out there, they’ll have electricity. And if there’s land, they’ll have ports. We need help, and lights mean help.”
Harlan nodded. “Makes sense. I’ll pass the word to the lookouts.”
Above on the deck, the crew worked in quiet coordination, the air tense with anticipation. The fog muted every sound except the steady hum of the engines, making the ocean feel more like a vast void than a familiar, navigable expanse.
“Portside lookout, anything?” Fitzgerald called through the intercom.
“Nothing yet, Captain,” came the reply from Tommy Daniels, stationed near the bow. “Wait—hold on, I see something. Lights! Off the port bow, faint, but they’re there!”
Fitzgerald grabbed his binoculars again, training them on the horizon. There it was—a faint but unmistakable glow cutting through the mist. A cluster of lights, flickering like a distant promise.
“That’s it,” he said, his voice resolute. “Helm, bring us about. We’re heading toward those lights.”
“Roger that, Captain,” replied the helmsman as the Pendleton began to turn, its massive hull cutting through the water with deliberate precision.
As the ship swung around, the faint glow grew brighter, confirming the presence of land—or what the crew hoped was land. Fitzgerald stood at the bridge window, his gaze locked on the distant lights. “All right, gentlemen. If there’s anyone out there, we’re going to find them. Let’s hope they can help.”
Aboard the Equestrian Sea Patrol Vessel
The Equestrian Sea Patrol’s cutter pressed through the fog, its crew tense as they closed in on their target. Twilight Sparkle and her friends stood near the bow, watching as the waters ahead seemed to shimmer faintly with magical energy.
“Commander!” a crewpony called from the helm. “We’ve got another update from the Northern Gale. They say the ship has changed course—looks like it’s heading toward Manehattan.”
Commander Tidal Crest turned sharply, her expression serious. “Heading toward the city? Are they looking for land?”
Twilight stepped closer, her brow furrowed. “If they’ve been lost for a while, it would make sense. Lights are the universal sign of civilization. They’re probably hoping to find help.”
Applejack glanced toward the horizon. “Well, reckon we’d better catch up with ’em. Don’t want ’em comin’ ashore without knowin’ what kinda place they’ve landed in.”
“Agreed,” Tidal Crest said. “Adjust our course. Let’s intercept them before they reach Manehattan. If they’re lost, we’ll need to explain things quickly. And if they’re a threat…” She trailed off, her expression hardening.
“They’re not a threat,” Twilight said confidently. “At least, not intentionally. But we need to approach carefully.”
As the cutter changed course, Pinkie Pie bounced in place, her usual cheer tempered by curiosity. “Ooooh, do you think they’ll be friendly? Maybe we should throw a ‘Welcome to Equestria’ party! Or would that be too soon?”
“Let’s wait to see what we’re dealing with first,” Rainbow Dash said, her tone firm. “If they’re heading toward Manehattan, we need to make sure everypony there stays safe.”
The fog grew denser as the patrol vessel pressed on, the tension rising as they neared their target. Somewhere ahead, the Pendleton loomed, its massive hull cutting through the unknown waters, unknowingly drawing closer to its first contact with Equestria.
The steady hum of the patrol vessel’s engine seemed louder in the fog, its vibrations echoing through the hull. Everypony aboard was tense, their eyes scanning the surrounding waters for any sign of the mysterious ship. Commander Tidal Crest stood near the helm, her wings slightly flared as she listened intently.
Twilight Sparkle stood beside her, her horn glowing faintly as she tried to sense anything magical in the area. “It’s close,” she said quietly. “I can’t explain it, but there’s definitely something ahead of us.”
Before Tidal Crest could respond, a low, mournful sound cut through the fog—a deep, resonating horn blast that seemed to vibrate through the air and water alike. Everypony froze.
“There it is,” Tidal Crest muttered, her voice steady but sharp. “That has to be it.”
The horn sounded again, this time louder and closer, its eerie tone sending a shiver down the spines of the crew. Rainbow Dash hovered nervously above the deck, her wings beating a little faster than usual. “That’s… not normal. I mean, who has a horn that loud?”
“It sounds like it’s calling out,” Fluttershy whispered, shrinking slightly. “Maybe it’s trying to find someone?”
Applejack adjusted her hat, her voice firm. “Whatever it’s tryin’ to do, it sure don’t sound friendly.”
Pinkie Pie tilted her head curiously. “Or maybe it’s a really big party horn? Like, ‘Hey! Over here!’”
The horn blasted a third time, this one even more prolonged, as if the massive vessel was announcing its presence to the world. Tidal Crest turned to her crew. “Steady the course. We’re getting closer. I want all eyes on the water—this thing’s big, and I don’t want us running into it.”
As the patrol vessel continued forward, the fog seemed to pulse with the sound of the horn, amplifying its ominous presence. Then, faintly in the distance, a shadow began to form—a massive shape looming in the mist, its outline just barely visible against the dull glow of its lights.
“That’s it,” one of the crewponies said, their voice barely above a whisper. “That has to be the ship.”
Aboard the SS Pendleton
On the bridge of the Pendleton, Captain John J. Fitzgerald leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge of the console. The crew had been quiet since spotting the lights from the shore, the faint glow guiding their course. But now, something new caught their attention—a second light source, faint but unmistakably moving toward them across the water.
“Captain, we’ve got something,” called Tommy Daniels from his lookout post. “Off the starboard bow. It’s small, but it’s moving fast.”
Fitzgerald grabbed his binoculars and trained them on the faint light. It was definitely closer than the city lights, bobbing slightly as it approached. “Another ship,” he said. “Smaller than the last one. It’s headed straight for us.”
“Think they’re friendly?” asked First Mate Sam Harlan, standing nearby. His tone was cautious, but there was a glimmer of hope in his voice.
“I don’t know,” Fitzgerald replied, lowering the binoculars. “But if they’re coming toward us, they’ve seen us. Daniels, signal them. Same code as before.”
Daniels grabbed the signal light and began flashing it toward the smaller vessel in steady bursts. The Pendleton’s horn blasted again, long and loud, as if to ensure the smaller ship couldn’t miss them.
“Do you think they’ll understand it this time?” Harlan asked.
Fitzgerald shook his head. “We’re not in the Atlantic anymore, Sam. Who knows if they even speak the same language, let alone use the same signals.”
The smaller vessel didn’t stop, its light continuing to bob closer as it pushed through the fog. Fitzgerald’s gut tightened. “Stay sharp, everyone. Whatever’s out there, we’re about to find out.”
The Patrol Vessel Approaches the SS Pendleton
The fog parted in thin, curling waves as the patrol vessel advanced steadily, its engine humming against the eerie stillness of the water. Every set of eyes on deck was trained forward, scanning for any sign of the massive ship that had been haunting the reports. The tension was palpable, and even Rainbow Dash, who usually thrived in high-stakes situations, found herself unusually quiet.
“There!” a crewpony shouted from the bow. “Lights ahead! Fog lights—big ones!”
Commander Tidal Crest stepped forward, her sharp gaze locking onto the faint glow cutting through the haze. “That’s it. Helm, reduce speed. Let’s approach cautiously.”
Twilight Sparkle squinted into the distance, her horn glowing faintly to enhance her vision. The lights were steady, strong, and impossibly large. As the patrol vessel drew closer, the shape of the ship began to emerge from the mist—an enormous, towering outline that seemed to dwarf everything around it.
“That’s…” Fluttershy began, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s huge.”
“No kidding,” Rainbow Dash muttered, her wings twitching. “I’ve never seen anything that big before.”
Applejack adjusted her hat, her eyes wide as the silhouette became clearer. “That thing’s gotta be ten times the size of this little cutter.”
The Pendleton loomed before them like a steel giant rising from the depths, its black hull gleaming faintly in the muted light. Its towering masts and smokestacks reached high into the foggy sky, and the faint hum of its engines resonated across the water, adding to its imposing presence.
Tidal Crest let out a low whistle. “Now I see why the other ships were spooked. This thing could swallow us whole.”
As they edged closer, a sudden burst of light caught their attention—a rapid series of flashes from the massive ship’s bridge. Twilight’s ears perked up, and she watched intently as the lights flickered in a deliberate, repeating pattern.
“That’s it!” she exclaimed. “Those quick, repetitive lights—the other ship mentioned them in their report. This must be how they’re trying to communicate.”
Tidal Crest frowned, her expression thoughtful. “Morse code, maybe? But the pattern doesn’t match anything in our standard signals.”
“It’s possible their code is different from ours,” Twilight said, her brow furrowed. “Or maybe they’re just trying to get our attention. Either way, they’re not acting hostile.”
The crew watched as the lights continued to flash, steady and deliberate. The patrol vessel slowed to a near crawl as it approached the Pendleton’s starboard side, its own floodlights illuminating the massive ship’s hull.
Rarity stepped closer to Twilight, her voice soft but anxious. “Do you think they know we’re here?”
“I think they’re trying to figure out the same thing about us,” Twilight replied, her eyes fixed on the Pendleton’s bridge. “Whatever happens next, we need to be ready.”
Tidal Crest turned to her crew, her voice calm but firm. “Hold position here. Let’s observe for a moment before we make any moves. Keep the lights on them, but don’t provoke anything.”
As the patrol vessel held steady, the Pendleton’s towering form loomed over them, its lights cutting through the fog like beacons. For a moment, it was as if the two ships were frozen in time, each crew waiting to see what the other would do.
Contact from the SS Pendleton
The patrol vessel held its position, its lights illuminating the steel behemoth towering above them. The crew stared up at the Pendleton in silent awe, its sheer size and looming presence more intimidating the closer they got.
Then, breaking through the eerie stillness of the fog, a voice called out from the bridge of the Pendleton. It was faint at first, muffled by the distance and the hum of the engines, but unmistakably clear.
“Ahoy! Can you hear us?”
The ponies on the patrol vessel froze, ears swiveling toward the sound. Commander Tidal Crest furrowed her brow, her wings twitching slightly. “Did… did that come from the ship?”
Twilight Sparkle nodded, her eyes wide. “It did. And… I understood that.”
Applejack’s expression turned skeptical. “That don’t make a lick of sense. They’re speakin’ plain as day. How’s that even possible?”
“I don’t know,” Twilight replied, her brow furrowed. “It shouldn’t be possible, but we can understand them.”
Another voice rang out, louder this time, as though the speaker had moved closer to the bridge’s edge. “This is Captain John J. Fitzgerald of the SS Pendleton! Identify yourselves!”
Tidal Crest exchanged a glance with Twilight. “SS Pendleton?” she repeated. “That must be the ship’s name. But how can they—”
Rainbow Dash hovered nervously, cutting her off. “Who cares how they’re doing it? They’re huge, and they don’t sound hostile. Should we call back?”
The captain’s voice called out again, more urgent this time. “We’re not here to harm you! We’re looking for help! Please, respond!”
Tidal Crest stepped forward, raising her voice to carry across the water. “This is Commander Tidal Crest of the Equestrian Sea Patrol! We hear you, and we mean no harm. Who are you, and why are you in our waters?”
There was a pause, during which faint murmurs could be heard from the Pendleton’s bridge. It seemed the humans were just as surprised as the ponies.
Then, the captain’s voice returned, hesitant but steady. “We don’t know how we got here. Something happened—something we can’t explain. We’re trying to find land. Can you help us?”
Twilight’s ears perked up at the tone of the voice. She glanced at Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “They’re scared. They don’t know where they are.”
Tidal Crest’s firm voice broke the silence. “Hold your position. We’ll come aboard to speak with you directly. Stay calm.”
More murmurs echoed faintly from the Pendleton’s bridge, followed by the reply: “Understood. We’ll hold position. Please hurry—this ship isn’t in great shape.”
The patrol crew exchanged uneasy glances, the enormity of the moment weighing heavily on them. Twilight stepped forward, her resolve clear. “We need to help them. Whatever brought them here, we’ll figure it out later. For now, they need us.”
Tidal Crest nodded, her expression hardening. “All right, everypony. Prepare to approach.”
As the patrol vessel maneuvered closer, the Pendleton’s towering form loomed above them like a silent giant. Both crews were unsure of what to make of the other, but one thing was clear: something impossible had brought them together, and neither side had any answers.
Aboard the SS Pendleton—The Unexpected Visitors
The bridge of the SS Pendleton hummed with tense conversation. Captain John J. Fitzgerald stood near the window, his eyes fixed on the smaller vessel now lingering near his ship. The lights from the patrol vessel cut through the fog, a sharp contrast to the dark, unfamiliar sea that surrounded them.
“I don’t see how they’re planning to get up here,” Fitzgerald muttered, his voice gruff. “It’s not like we’ve got a ladder hanging off the side for them.”
First Mate Sam Harlan leaned back in his chair, shrugging. “They’d need a crane to get aboard a ship this size—or a miracle. I don’t even know what kind of boat that is. It’s too small for a tug.”
“And the water isn’t calm either,” Fitzgerald added, gesturing out the window. Though there wasn’t a raging storm, the waves were choppy enough to make boarding difficult, if not dangerous.
The crew exchanged uncertain glances as they mulled over the strange events of the past hour. The eerie fog, the unexplainable lights, and now this peculiar, tiny vessel. Every man on the bridge was strung tight with nerves.
Then it happened.
THUMP!
A sudden, heavy sound echoed from outside the bridge door, followed by a series of loud, deliberate knocks.
Everyone froze.
“What the hell was that?” Harlan blurted, springing to his feet.
“Something hit the door,” Fitzgerald said, narrowing his eyes. “Who’d be knocking on the bridge? We’re—” He cut himself off, the impossibility of the situation dawning on him.
The knocks came again, sharp and demanding. Harlan, being closest, exchanged a look with the captain before cautiously approaching the door. The rest of the crew watched with wide eyes, tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Harlan grabbed the handle, hesitated, then flung the door open.
What he saw made him stagger back.
Standing in the doorway were three… ponies.
The first was a cyan-blue creature with an impossibly bright, rainbow-colored mane, hovering with wings that flapped like a hummingbird. Beside her was a purple one—taller, with an even darker purple mane and a single, polished horn sticking out of her forehead. The third stood out most of all: a stern, sea-green pony with wings tucked neatly to her sides and an air of authority that seemed almost military.
Harlan blinked. “What in the—”
Fitzgerald stepped forward, his brow furrowed deeply as he tried to process what he was seeing. The ponies stood there calmly—too calmly—despite the collective panic unfolding on the bridge.
“They’re… they’re ponies,” someone stammered from the back of the room. “And they’re… flying. Captain, what is this?!”
Fitzgerald didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His brain was still catching up with the sheer impossibility of the scene. It wasn’t until he noticed the purple one’s horn and wings that his thoughts crystallized: One of them has both wings and a horn. What does that even mean?
The sea-green pony, who seemed to be leading the group, stepped forward and cleared her throat. “I am Commander Tidal Crest of the Equestrian Sea Patrol. Are you the ones we were speaking to earlier?”
Silence.
The crew stared at her, mouths agape, their faces a mix of confusion, fear, and disbelief. Harlan rubbed his eyes, muttering, “Nope. I’m dreaming. That’s it. We’re all dreaming.”
The purple pony smiled hesitantly. “We’re not here to hurt you. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and we’re here to help.”
The rainbow-maned pony hovered higher, grinning. “See? Told ya we’d find ‘em.”
The crew erupted.
“What in God’s name is happening?”
“They’re talking!”
“Am I going crazy, or is that horse flying?”
“Enough!” Fitzgerald barked, his voice cutting through the chaos like a whip. The bridge fell silent as every crew member turned to face him. He turned back toward the three ponies, his jaw tight. “What… what are you?”
“I told you,” Commander Tidal Crest said evenly. “We’re here to help. But we’ll explain everything—if you let us.”
Fitzgerald exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. Come in. But don’t expect us to stop asking questions.”
As the three ponies stepped onto the bridge, the crew pressed back against the walls, unable to take their eyes off the impossible visitors. Fitzgerald watched them carefully, his mind still spinning. Flying ponies. Talking ponies. What kind of place have we landed in?
The Bridge—Escalating Crisis
As the conversation between Captain John J. Fitzgerald, Commander Tidal Crest, and Twilight Sparkle continued, the sharp buzz of the intercom suddenly broke through the air, jolting everyone’s attention. The sound was punctuated by the steady flash of a yellow light next to the word ENGINE ROOM on the panel, its glow rhythmic and ominous.
Fitzgerald frowned deeply and strode to the panel. He pressed the button, his voice cutting through the tense air. “This is the bridge. We read you. What’s going on?”
The intercom crackled before Chief Engineer Raymond Sybert’s voice came through, tight with urgency. “Sir, the water is getting close to the air intake of the engines. We’ve got about three feet left. I’m estimating we’ve got four hours before the engines start taking on water.”
Sybert paused for emphasis before continuing grimly. “When that happens, we’ll lose all power, including the bilge pumps. The ship’ll take on water fast and sink.”
Fitzgerald’s expression hardened, his jaw set like stone. He turned sharply toward the ponies and then back to the intercom. “There’s been a serious change in the situation, Sybert. There’s a patrol vessel here to assist us. They’re here to help, but they aren’t the Coast Guard.”
There was a brief, crackling pause before Sybert’s confused voice replied, “Who are they—”
“Just keep me updated,” Fitzgerald cut in firmly. He released the button and stepped back, turning to the others as the intercom light faded. The tension in the room had grown palpably thick.
Twilight’s ears flattened slightly as the gravity of the situation hit her. “You’re running out of time…” she said softly, her voice a mix of concern and determination.
Commander Tidal Crest stepped forward, her professionalism taking over. “We’re going to return to the patrol vessel to prepare. My crew needs to know what we’re up against so we can board and assist as soon as possible.” She turned her sharp gaze toward Twilight and Rainbow Dash.
“You two will remain here with Captain Fitzgerald,” Tidal Crest ordered. “Assist him and his crew in any way you can until we get this ship to Manehattan.”
Twilight nodded, standing tall. “Understood.”
Rainbow Dash gave a casual salute, though her expression was anything but relaxed. “We’ve got this, Commander. Don’t worry.”
Tidal Crest gave a curt nod and turned toward the bridge door. Using a flick of her wing, she opened it, glancing back briefly before stepping through and closing it behind her with quiet finality.
Fitzgerald exhaled slowly, as though centering himself. He turned his attention back to Twilight and Rainbow Dash. “Come with me. We’re going to the engine room. I need to see this damage myself.”
Before either pony could reply, Fitzgerald stepped over to the ship’s PA system. He grabbed the microphone and pressed the call button. The speakers crackled to life across the Pendleton, echoing his voice through every corridor and deck.
“All hands, this is the captain speaking. I need your attention.” Fitzgerald’s voice was sharp and steady, though tinged with the weight of the situation. “We have two visitors aboard. They’re here to help us. I repeat: they’re here to help. Do not be alarmed by their appearance. That’s all.”
He replaced the microphone and turned briskly to Twilight and Rainbow Dash, his tone all business. “Let’s move. We don’t have time to waste.”
The two ponies followed him as he pushed open the bridge door, leading them down into the bowels of the ship. The sound of their footsteps—boots and hooves alike—echoed eerily off the steel walls as they descended deeper into the ship.
NOT A FINISHD CHAPTER!!!!!!
Author's Note
Sorry that this chapter is not finished it is really late for me but I will try to get it finished tomorrow.
