Gatling Rain On a Steam Filled Mornby Bro DashChaptersLaunch......Crew......Losses...Launch...Storm Wind picked up each tool, wrench last, and placed each in the toolbox, letting his favorite ambidextrous style wrench hang at his side, where it belonged, then latched the tool box and turned to the captain. Storm Wind was your average heighted teenager stallion. Greyish coat, no horn, no wings, same Victorian engineer get up as any stylizing engineer on a ship. "Sorry to break it to you, but just looking at it, two bolts are broken, the main steam pipe has dropped somewhere out in the field, and to top it off, your magic tank has a bullet puncture. No magic means no steam, no steam means no movement, and if you are missing the whole pipe, no way to get it working, even with that puncture fixed.", Storm confessed. The captain let out a breath of sadness, then swallowed hard. "We've still got a left engine..." "Won't be good enough.", Storm interrupted, "If you don't have two, you can't compete in the cross country race. Sorry, but unless you have the parts in cargo, there is no way you'll be able to stay in." The captain nodded, and took out a bag of bits, then weighed it generously. "Listen, I'm willing to pay you however much is in this bag to please keep quiet. This is old Berta we're talking about. She's the first engine to get this ship moving before we renovated the Hurricane after the third fight, and added this old model to the left side. I can guarantee, that with a little luck, and hard work, I can win at least sixth and get a twentieth of the pay back." "You already entered, and if you drop out now, you'd get more than what you will even if you make fifth." "But it's not really for the money, anyway. I need those parts." "Listen, sir, I understand, but I've seen this too many times to let you go on. Really, I'm not trying to discourage you. Wait until next month, and you can compete if you have replaced the necessary parts." The said engine moaned loudly for a second and stopped, catching their attention. Nothing. "Alright, you might also want to-" The restraints holding the engine snapped with a loud Clank, and the engine dropped out, falling a few hundred meters before a loud explosion rang from the bottom of the canyon. Storm turned to the captain, who now had both hands coverign his face in grief. "It's over...I can't repalce that part, I'll have to sell my ship!", he ranted. "Listen!", Storm tried to calm him, "I know how to get you another engine. Now, I'm not guaranteeing that it is new, as I've seen it, and it's been through quite a few battles, to be exact, but, nonetheless, I've seen it work, and it's pretty reliable. so, as long as you can come up with at least five grand, they will let you keep it, but you're not going to like this next part." "...Please don't tell me it's the pirates..." Storm stayed quiet. With a sigh, the captain swallowed the lump in his throat, and shook his head, looking down. "I'll be crazy for it, but, I'll take it. Tell me where, and I'll be there tomorrow." "Oh, I'm not it, but, I can give you the location still." Pulling a folded piece of paper from his pocket, storm handed it to the captain, and he examined it closely. "It's not far in their territory, but, wave a bit of money, and they should let me in." "So, what are you, Equestrian?" "Neutral. I fly under my own white flag." "Well, they shouldn't be too hard on you, so long as you meet the right guys, but, for now, that's all I've got knowledge of." "I won't ask where you got it from. Well, I'll pay you fifty bits as thanks, both for telling me what was wrong, and giving me a bit of help." "Thanks, but I don't need it." "No, really, just take it." "Alright, then. thanks." "Just keep to your job, Storm Wind. I've seen you work more miracles than one on these ships, I know you won't fail. See ya round." Storm smiled, "See ya, Bullet." Grabbing the rope which had been latched to the ship, he swung down and dropped onto the deck, then followed it out, until he was past the right engine, and hollered to the ship, assuring it a safe take off, and that is what it did, slowly rising off until able to take off at full steam. Making his way back to the office he had been assigned, he was surprised to find his door cracked open, and opened it warily, seeing no one inside. "Hello?", he called. "Up here, Stormy." It was his boss. He was the only one who called him Stormy, so far. Going up the stairs the voice had come from, Storm came face to face with several redcoats. In other words: pirates. "Ey! there 'e is!", a mare called, dropping her arms. "Yes, this is Storm Wind. My best mechanic, but also my youngest worker." "He seems like he could barely lift a wrench, but I'll take your word for it, seeing as you gave him middle office." "Uhm, could somebody explain what's going on?", Storm asked. The mare laughed. "Well, boyo. You sure are one that will need to learn to figure things out quick. We've got a ship waiting on the dock that needs something to be fixed, before the race begins. We've tried everything, and in the end, threw our old engineer overboard for sabotaging the main engine. So, we need someone to fit a new magic converter into it's compartment." "...That's three layers of work! I'd have to restrip the wires, open the tank up with a torch, put in a new pin nozzle, switch the magic line with another, hook up the converter, wire by wire, then put it back together and seal it all up with a blow torch!", Storm explained, having taken only a glance at the butchered engine. "Heh, well, kid, you sure know your stuff, but, as race rules go, we can halt the start time till later to get a sabotage taken care of, that is, if we know about it, and we do." It was true. the race rules were designated by his own boss nearly half a year ago when the race course was set up, and the docks built into the side of a mountain. "...Alright. Then you have to supply me with whatever I need.", Storm crossed his arms. "Fine. So long as it doesn't cost more than third." "It won't nearly cost as much as third gives you. I need a new tank of torch fuel, the replacement converter, magic line, and pin nozzle, AND...well, that's pretty much it." The mare dropped a box of the requested items in front of him. "There you go. Get to work." Storm nodded, and did just so. About fourty seven minutes later, the mare came back while he was stripping the wires, and stopped the other crew members outside before walking in, then closed the door behind her. "Hey." "I'm just now getting to the wires. Replacing a pin nozzle is not easy." "Well...", She leaned against the engine, observing what he was doing, "You're pretty good at this." "Yeah, I've been doing this since my dad taught me." "Well, it's the best I've seen." "Heh, thanks.", Storm smiled. "Listen. I don't like being a pirate." "Well, some just can't handle the brutality and stupidity." "I know. I'm one of them. But, I didn't exactly make the choice to join them either. I was brought in with my brother, who, as we were young, really hated the Equestrian side. But, after seeing him go down during a gunfight...Everything's changed." "So, what do you want to do?" "Leave. Get off this ship, join the Equestrians, and hope to never see the red flag again." Storm set the converter into the engine, and bolted it down. "Well, it's not exactly that easy." "You could help me though." "I'm just an engineer." "I know, but, you know these docks." "Yeah, dock, dock, office, dock, dock." "By that, I mean, you know how to hide someone." Storm stood and began repiecing the engine parts on. "It's not that easy, and you know what the pirates do to those who leave, and those who help." "Kill them on sight. I know. I watched them do it to a young mare who didn't want to be on the ship anymore. Stripped her of her clothes then threw her overboard." "I don't want to take that chance." "But I do, and currently, I'm still a pirate, so, I'll be ruthless if I need to." Storm set the hatch onto the casing, and stopped, letting his head rest on it. "Come on. I just want to sneak off, and you're the only one who can help.", Sally begged. Storm thought about it, then picked up his wrench, tightening the bolts. "...I don't know. Where do you plan on going, exactly?" "Well...Can't stay here, so I guess I'll leave." "Not very many ships leave in the middle of a grand prix." "Well, then, I..." "Tell you what. I've been building a small ship for about eleven months from parts that fall below from the crashes, gunfights, and even the mishaps, like that poor captain's left engine. Take a spot on it as part of the crew, with me, and we can leave together." "What about your boss? what about your job?" "He asked me to leave." "What?" Storm set his wrench in the belt on his waist, and put on the blow torch equipment. "He said I was too young to hang on a boarder. Some fights get rough, and things can go astray, kill those who aren't even fighting. He keeps saying I'm too young for the job, but would be perfect for a job as an engineer on a ship." "So, he basically wants you to stay safe." "Yeah." "so, do we have a deal?" "I will hide you off the ship, in the rungs of the dock below. They won't be able to see you, and the rope tethering us, can serve as a better way down than the ladder. Just wait until no one passes by." "Alright, thanks. I just hope that you don't get caught." "I'm great at keeping secrets. don't worry." She smiled, and grabbed hold of the rope, checking for anyone on the dock before swinging down. Once on the dock, she hurried onto the side, and grabbed onto the rungs, finding a comfortable position against the large girders to lay in waiting. As Storm finished sealing the tank, the door opened, and a rather angry captain walked in. You could tell it was the captain, because he wore the hat that said his name on the side in gold stitched letters. "Hey, kid!" "Uh, yes sir?" "Are you almost done?" "Yes, I'm actually completely done, You can fire her up any time now." "So you fixed everything that traitor sabotaged?" "Yes sir. Everything, form the-" "I don't care what you fixed, just get off my ship. Now, my boys said that Sally had passed through here, alone. You must have seen her, blue coat, sky wear of the latest." "Uh, yes, she actually left out a few minutes ago. No one must have seen her yet. If she's not on deck, she's probably blowing off some steam somewheres on the ship, alone." "Thanks kid. Sounds just like what she would do." Storm nodded, and finished packing his tools, then swung down the rope onto the dock, making the way back to his office leisurely. Not even a few seconds after he closed the door behind him, his boss walked downstairs, and back out, up to the announcement station, "Just in time Stormy!" About a minute later, he grabbed the microphone and his voice was broadcast throughout the narrow canyon, signaling the beginning of the third match in the grand prix. "Let's get started, fliers! Start your engines!" A loud roar echoed through the canyon as seven engines began working, having been fueled previously with the needed magic, and sent through the loud conversion into the engine, driving propellers and turbines, both. "In three! Two! One! GO!!!" Some started off slowly accelerating, and others, getting off to a good start, aided by turbines, instead of propellers, nonetheless, with the force being put forth, every racer was out of sight, and around the bend, leaving the docks, once again, empty. "I'll admit, that was the best under-pressure announcement yet.", Storm's boss walked in, closing the door behind him. A few seconds later, a knock came from that exact door, and he turned, opening it to a familiar blue mare. "Oh. Did they forget you, or something, miss?" "No, sir, they didn't." "Then...why are you here?" "I can answer that.", Storm piped up, "She wanted out of the pirates, so I helped her." "Ohhhhh, boy. Do you know what you have done?" "Yes, they'll come looking for her, but not if we leave first!", Storm said with a smile. "Kid. If there's anything more demotivating than a gun to the head, it's definitely not that smile. So, what plan do you have of getting her out of here?" "Well, that's just it, Mr. Sprint. I'm leaving too." "Oh, well, it seems that I was misunderstanding. So, you actually plan on leaving, huh?" "Yes." "Well, before you go, mind showing me your way off this continent?", he asked. "Gladly.", Storm smiled. Having brought the two followers to the end of the farthest right dock, Storm stopped on the elevator and waited for them to follow, before bringing them down to the bottom. Once there, it wasn't far into where they were going. A large crack in the mountain, making a big enough cave to fit a freight air ship inside. The illusion was, the massive amounts of junk stashed there from the many past crashes, battles, and incidents at the docks. But something always stood over it all. "You know how we always used the small airship to move the junk out of the canyon, Mr. Sprint?" "Yeah?", the stallion responded, looking at the heap of junk. "Well, I assure you, I didn't take her apart, but I used her as a model of sorts." "You built one?" "You should see for yourself." Walking up the winding wall ledge, Storm brought them both into a sight that peaked over the first heap, and into a cleared out area where in the center, a massive, unlaunched airship awaited, looking like a gem among gold. "So this is where you go every night?", Sprint asked. "I live here, or rather, in the captain's quarters. I find it a bit more comfortable, how I have it, than the old bed you gave me." "Well, I won't argue. Where did you get the wood from?" "I salvage a lot of it from several different ships, but it took a long time getting the right color and sizes. Eventually, I had a full wood covered deck with a metal underneath, and voila, she was beginning." "Wait...You even got cannons set to the sides!", Sally noticed. "Well, when sailing under any flag, gotta be prepared." "You do know that most have asked for whatever could be salvaged, right?", Sprint asked seriously. "That's where I chose the right thing to do. I gave anything that worked perfectly, and took anything that was too out of shape. Some don't work quite yet, but they're in the cargo right now." "You can easily fit seventy on that ship. are you sure you and that mare can handle it alone?" "Mr. Sprint, I built it! Took months, even with the help of a crane airship, but I still made it, piece by piece. I know how to fly it, and I have even set it to make it possible for small party launches, like with just me and her." "Stormy, you're the smartest kid I've ever come across, but, It's still a dangerous world out there, even if it's not as much as on those docks, just you alone, working on ships." "I know." "Well, if this is goodbye, then, Stormy, it was wonderful working with you." Sprint held his hand out and Storm took it, shaking it lightly. "Likewise, Mr. Sprint. And thanks for taking me in." Sprint smiled, "I couldn't have just left you like that." Storm saluted to Sprint and the two hugged, departing for the last time. "Alright.", Stormy began, turning to the ship, "We have less than thirty minutes to get her running hot, and out of this cave." "She's nearly as big as a freight ship, are you sure she'll get through?", Sally asked, taking his side. "I've measured the entrance more than fifty times. If she doesn't fit, it's because this mountain moved." "I'll take your word for it, but we have to move now." "Alright. See ya round Mr. Sprint!" The stallion nodded to him and Storm took off, Sally in tow. Getting on the ship was easy, as a rope ladder hung low to the ground, half flat on the ground. When on deck, they both rushed to the captains cabin, and stopped. "So, you ready?", Storm asked. "Aye, aye, Captain Stormy." "Good. Now, I need you to go down and loosen the intake valves." "I've never heard of an intake valve starting a ship." "Well, It's not exactly the Mark 1 Twilight Victorian, anymore." Sally smiled, "I see. I'll get to it. Where are they exactly?" "Just go below deck, down the two stair cases, and there should be two Magic tanks, untouched." "Alright.", she head towards the hatch. "And as for me.", he spoke to himself, looking at the cave entrance, "Let's get the Eloise out of here." Climbing the stairs, he reached the wheel, and put a good grip on the handles, then looked at the gauges that sat next to it. Nothing. Storm flicked them, and each began to move slowly, signaling that the magic was flowing freely through the system. He had never tested it before, so, he's crossing his fingers mentally. As the gauges reached into the green, he pulled the left most lever to his right, and the engines began to spin up, a soft whir coming from the hull, then a loud hum as the two enclosed turbines sped up. Pulling the right most lever, the turbines turned downwards, and the ship began to rise, until... Boom. A loud explosion sounded from inside the hull and the left engine cut off, the ship lowering in response. "No!", he cursed himself. In the moment, ship working perfectly, the last thing you want to hear, is an explosion. The ship settled back into the harness it had sat in for ages, the hull grinding against it sligthly as it was righted with the hull. "No..." turning around to check the equipment on board, the gears turned slowly, each not having anything to do with the insides, other than to show that there was movement. each fitted in the diameters of each five centimeter hole, showing what was off, and he noticed one. The engine was jammed. The left to be exact. The one that sounded like it blew up. Removing his wrench, he twirled it once, then hit the exact gear and the engine whirred to life, which, was saying a lot for such an action of anger. But, nonetheless, the left engine began workingjust as Sally walked up the steps. "Is she running alright?" "Should be.", Storm returned to the wheel, pulling the left most lever, and raising the ship faster. Once at level height, he pulled two levers at once, and pushed down a pedal that stuck where it was, another of the four moving up. Pushing the right most left lever, the engines dipped forward, in turn, moving the ship forward as it balanced itself, moving slowly through the gap. He did it. He launched his own ship. Passing by the docks, Storm hurried to the edge, and waved to the stallion on the roof of the office building, who had been waving for some time now. "I'll come back!", Storm called out. Returning to the wheel, he grabbed the right most lever, and moved it, watching where he slotted it into, and squeezed it's handle, allowing the turbines to spin faster, pushing the ship forward. Pulling the second to last left lever, two large metal wings slid from inside the hull, he pushed the right most lever, and the engines dipped forward all the way, pushing the great mass of a ship out of the canyon, and the updraft carried him up, over the dusty plains. So far so good. Shifting another pedal down completely, the ship began speeding up even faster, and was soon going forward, creating a strong breeze that nearly pushed you back. "You did it!", Sally yipped excitedly. "Yes! The Eloise is up and flying!", Storm said in excitement. "Oh my Celestia, this is so wonderful. I've always wanted to say that!" "Well, if you really want to, we could grab a blue flag.", Storm suggested. "You'd really do that?", Sally asked, suppressing a scream. "Sure, why not. Make it a bit easier on ourselves, not have to fight the good guys." Sally screamed in joy, grabbing Storm. Giving him a big kiss, she giggle happily. ...Crew...There is one thing that's important about owning a ship, especially one you built from scrap. A crew. Making head way to an Equestrian docking station, one further in the territory than the first they saw, they chose an empty spot nearest the market, and docked there, coming to a rough halt. The bow stuck far enough over the walkway that you had to duck under it. As Sally and Stormy got off of the Eloise, several stallions engulfed them, each with either a question, offer to buy something, or something about the ship or money. "Your captain must be rich." "Since you seem to have good tastes, take a gander at my new wares..." Sonny, you've gotten lucky. Who's your captain?" "I am.", Stormy spoke seriously. All fell silent, then a few chuckles arose. "No...Seriously. I built the Eloise from scrap collected at the racing canyon on the boarder. Not even half a day's flight from here." "Wow. that story would actually be believable if you weren't a kid." "Shyeah right, and who's this young mare? You're first mate?" "Kid,I would believe you, but..." "No, really. I used a crane ship, and pieced her together from pieces of nearly every salvageable crash, even fixed half the stuff to work, and made a new engine in the process." The stallions continued to bicker, not a single one able to believe the story of such a young stallion, especially half his own age. "Hey, hey, hey!" It was a mare. More than likely a more mature one, at that. "Why don't you scabs go stick on another person, he doesn't need hassle from you guys." The stallions all left, silently. "Wow, thanks.", Stormy thanked. "Don't mention it. So, You said that you built this sucker from scraps?" "Nothing but. Engineering has been my favorite hobby since I was three - piecing together toys without instructions." "Wow, smart. So, how old are you exactly?" "Well, counting my latest birthday, I just recently turned sixteen." "Well then, what about you, miss?" "I'm only seventeen and a half." "And you're the only two in the crew, so far?" "Yes ma'am." "Well then." "We actually came here only to find anyone willing to join our crew." "Hey, I can help you with that. In fact, I can get you a few good young people like yourself." "Well, the max that can live aboard is eighty, so." "A good start, I'll say. I began with a ship that was not even a fourth that size, and began working up from there. Now, I own a ship just as big as your ship, if not, bigger, and with a full crew. every spot filled." "You must be a good captain, then. I'm Captain Stormy. My real name is Storm Wind." "I'm Captain Yollossandra. My real name is actually Blue Cay." "Well, it's been a pleasure meeting you." "Likewise. So, I can really help you, but if you don't want me to, I could stay out of your hair." "Well, it would be a big help if you could get me up to a crew of ten, at least." "What? I could get you at least twenty with a single flier." "really?" "I'm well known here. Best flier, bounty hunter, pirate dropper, and, I've even met THE Twilight sparkle, inventor of the Mark 1 Twilight Victorian." "Well, I don't like bragging much, but, my ship doesn't use a Twilight Victorian. I made my own engine. In fact, you don't find a ship that has enclosed turbines like she does." "I thought they were cannons...", she peered up at the large masses hanging to the ship's side. "Nope. Each has a turbine enclosed in a specially made engine compartment. Get's better acceleration and speed than the Twilight Victorian by at least six hundred kilometers." "Impressive. Maybe later, once I get you a few, you can test your crew, and we can see just how well you've built your ship. I see at least a league of cannons up there, and there is this pest that has been refusing to move his ship for the past week. "Who? A white flag, or red?" "Red. Damned pirate hasn't moved from where he was, and that's not good in any tactic against us. Just, if I went alone, like I usually do, he'd shoot down the Golden Bullet." "Well, I've not tested her in combat yet. I'm a bit afraid to." "Well, you have to some time. Your guns do work, do they?" "Manned and unmanned." "Good. I'll get you your crew, and we can see what she can do." Stormy nodded. "Now, why don't you come with me. You have to get your title registered, and your ship registered as well. Don't want anyone else claiming her, her name, or anything else you own." "Understood. And...Well, I'd have to say sorry for the rough docking." "Oh, well, it's understandable. Just yesterday a fool rammed into the dock, crumpled it, and even knocked a house over the cliff edge into the clouds below." "Oh, Celestia, I hope no one was in there." "heh, it was his house that went down, and the only place he lost was a place to bring a few mares." Stormy chuckled. "Well, come on, let's get you situated." Having registered at the local post office, and gotten fliers out, by Captain Yollossandra's word, and immediately, they were swarmed by at least seven or eight people. Having gotten that done, there really wasn't much to do, and, so, turning back to the ship, there was much more than just a small crowd hanging around. Above that, the ship had been moved to make way. Easily done by towing, but, it was still moved. It made Stormy feel a bit edgy. "Ah, Stormy!", captain Yollossandra called him over. "I see you got quite a crowd here. It's been only about fifteen minutes" "Yes. To tell the truth, maybe only about twenty of them are as young an age that would even listen to you. Half just want to be on a ship, as part of the crew, no experience, no goal, the other half, they actually want a specific spot. So, I brought them here, you choose. I'll give my best word to you about those I know, and those I don't, but, of coruse, I'm not choosing, so, if you want one on board, they will be, but if not, I have nos ay, I won't argue." "I appreciate the help but...It's a bit too easy." "You own a big ship that you took months to build, alone, I assume, by what you've told me. It's too big for just two to handle it alone. You need to have at least a crew of eight to help manage the guns, and below deck." "True. I guess we should find the best of them all." Captain Yollossandra nodded, and led him to the bickering crowd. "Alright!", she silenced them, "This here's the captain of the ship you see docked right here: The Eloise." "Uhm, hey.", Stormy said, unsure. Immediately three young stallions took the head, gibbering about something cool, and each were pushed away by Captain Yollossandra. "Calm down. Treat him like you would me, a little more respect.", she calmed them all. "Gotcha, Mrs. Yollossandra." "That's my captain name, buddy." "Alright.", Stormy began, confident once more, "I've got several spots that need to be filled. First test fight is to take place in the next hour, I'm guessing, so, let's take our time, just to get everyone situated on the Eloise. Let's start with the sharp shooters. Whoever can handle a heavily caliber cannon, step forward please." Immediately, four stallions and two mares stepped forward. "Hateful!", one mare said to the stallions that pushed ahead. "Hey, guys, seriously, let them through, that was a bit mean." The three stallions which had blocked the two, let the mares passed, and each stood in the ring they had made. "Hi, I'm Eva, and this is Ellen. We're sisters." "Cool. So, you obviously don't look like sharpshooters, but I've seen the impossible happen, so, what makes you a good gunner?" "We prefer working on large guns.", Ellen began. "I aim and shoot.", Eva admitted. "And I reload for her." "What if I were to pit the two of you on opposite sides, needing them to both be covered, as two airships flank us?" "We work our best when together, but that doesn't mean we can't rack out the best shots.", Ellen said with a smug look. "I have better accuracy, she has better reload time. It stacks up, and makes do for the lower skill." "Well said.", Stormy nodded, "We can test that in the battle coming up. Now, you four.", he looked to the stallions. "We're a group of friends. The Young Gunners Clan.", the largest spoke first, "I'm the leader, but that doesn't make me any better. Each of us can dish out the best we can on a gun. We've had a lot of practice, training with a few of the ships that pass through here." "Hmm. I'm not really sure I can trust that, but, prove me wrong. You're in." The stallions each high fived, then stood behind Stormy, next to the two mares. "Alright. Now, I need deck hands, three engineers, and, those who just wish to join, unsure of what to do, come on, I'll set you up where you seem to belong the most. For now, you are still being judged, except for the two gunner mares here. I want you two to dedicate ourselves, both, to great gunners, even if you two are horrible at first." "He's doing it just for the mares...", one stallion muttered to another. Stormy chuckled, stepping up the ladder. "Come on!" Once on deck, he waited for all who were coming aboard, and held them all in one spot. "Get to where you would like to start. There are eight manned guns on deck, a heavy artillery cannon below deck. The gear that needs to be managed by engineers, it's all at the back, below middle deck. Right now, everything is fine, and doesn't need to be messed with. I've pieced this ship together myself, even tested cannon fire on the hull. If we get into a heavy fight, they'll be shooting for a long time before we go down. Any questions?" "Yeah, when do we get back?", one mare asked It's a test run, in teh battlefield. It could take from fifteen minutes, to two hours. We apparently need to take a pirate ship down for good. Understood? Now, let's go." "Wait!", Sally stopped him. "Yes, Sally?" "For good luck!" Sally grabbed him by his old coat and pulled him into a quick kiss, making stormy blush a deep red. "Now, let's go." "Heh. alright, let's go. She moves fast, so, you might want to hold onto a rail or something." Everyone took their place, may they have wanted to, or not, the spot taken by someone faster. Nonetheless, the ship's needed spots were filled quickly. "Hey, Stormy!", Captain Yollossandra called from her ship. "Ready to go!", he signaled back with a wave. Shortly after, the whir and hum of large propellers sounded off from Captain Yollossandra's ship, followed by the kick up of The Eloise's own engines. A constant hum, then a loud whir that gained in pitch, until the ship moved from the dock, and began to turn, following after the slowly escaping ship. The next controls were simple, pushing levers that just put more gears on gears, and eventually, began turning the turbines faster, the Eloise taking off towards the opposite ship, the Golden Bullet. As they gained to be parallel with the Golden Bullet, Stormy saluted to Captain Yollossandra, and she, back. The next step was to be prepared, and quick. A dot seemed to grow only larger and larger as they both sped forth. Going below deck with a few of his own crew, stormy helped pull the ammo cases out as Sally held the wheel. After a few minutes, every gunner was ready, and Stormy's own firepower was ready for a pass each. The ship they had targeted was not far away, either, having only a few kilometer's distance from them. It was moving. Away. "He's trying to escape.", Stormy pointed out, "Wait until Captain Yollossandra opens fire first. If she does, target the lower back of the ship first, blow their engines.", he commanded. As he had predicted, the Mare Captain made her command, and deafening explosions rang next to the Eloise, followed by the firepower of the very ship, blasting off nearly the entire lower bottom half of the pirate airship. Stormy looked to Captain Yollossandra and she nodded, a silent message passing between them. Turning the wheel, and a few navigations later, Stormy pulled a lever, the starboard side cannons protruded out, ringing a loud explosion, followed by The golden Bullet's own port side cannons. The pirate ship's hull was mostly a metal chassis, but the wood that was there splintered like glass, torn by pellet balls, twenty pound cannonballs, and even an airborne torpedo that ripped through half the hull before detonating. The results, the main mast fell within a few seconds, the above fell in, and the back left rigging holding the air balloon in place was snapped, forcing the ship to dip back to the left. Then it hit him like a stone against glass. Really, it's a common mistake when you want to be cool looking on the first expression but, even if it was to someone that was an enemy to his own nation, it was still like...bullying, being a tool, acting cool. At that moment he felt the awkward feeling of foolishness set in. Retracting the cannons, Stormy took place at a single cannon, and aimed it, firing one more shot that happened to grapple the pirate ship, and pull it closer to the Eloise. Once it was close enough, Stormy dropped down on the enemy ship alone, telling even Sally to wait. Calmly, and carefully, walking to the captain's cabin, he opened the door and met a scared stallion. Overweight, and sweating heavily, even breathing heavy, that very stallion laughed. "I was attacked by a child?" "No, I'm pretty sure I'm no longer a colt, but better known as a young stallion. Is there anyone else aboard this ship?" "My engineer, but, I'm not sure she made it. She was below deck, managing the engines trying to get them to go faster, that is...until you blew the entire thing off....", he deadpanned. "Hmm..." "Stormy!", Captain Yollossandra barged in, sword at ready. "Calm down, he's just a single stallion, and a single engineer. I have to go search below deck, so I'll go fetch Sally and a deck hand. for now, make sure he doesn't pull anything off that might kill us all." "Can do, but...what are you searching for?" "Every pirate has a treasure. and, to tell the truth, I'm not after money." "Kid, you're already playing like a righteous stallion." "I'm not a kid, and I certainly will make sure to do what I wish to. If I want to play hero, I will. But that's not what I'm doing. I'm making up for what is called a misdeed." Captain Yollossandra shook her head, and grabbed the large stallion by the gruff of his neck, leading him out. Stormy hurried to the edge of the deck and called Sally down, a stallion in tow. "Alright. there were only two people on board, the captain, and an engineer. We should see if the engineer is still alive. If she is, bring her on board, I will have a chat with Captain Yollossandra afterwards if she fusses. Understood?" "Why are we trying to find an engineer?", Sally asked. "Because I'm not a heartless brute. If you didn't notice like I did, for about the entire gunfight, they didn't fire at us, and above that, they were trying to get away. And there was even something behind THAT reason as well. I accepted an offer to test my guns, and measured firepower of two to one. I don't even see guns on this ship, and to top it all off, I did it because of the moment. I wasn't thinking." Sally shrugged, and followed him below deck, jumping down the misshapen stairs. No machinery running, and the smell of a magic leakage in the air, it wasn't really healthy, but not like breathing in large amounts of smog. It just gave an unpleasant feeling in the lungs. Truth of it all, it looked more like someone went through, and twisted, cut, and bent every metal every which way without actually destroying the ship. It's what they did. Only with cannons. And explosions. Walking further along the remains of the ship, Sally was the first to notice something in contrast to the metal and wood. A white blouse, and regular Victorian-wear. "There she is.", Stromy said, approaching the fallen mare. He looked at teh dripping blood first, of which slid down the bent metal floor, and out the bottom of the ship. Rolling her onto her back, he found where she had been hurt. A gash that looked like it tore deep into her side. Stormy turned to the stallion that was with them, "What's your name?" "Maxim." "You think you can pick her up?" "Yeah. Pretty easy, should she not wake up and freak out." "Good enough. Help me pick her up, we need to get her out of here. If there is a fire somewhere in here, and it touches that magic...boom." "Understood." Picking up the mare, she woke up, hands immediately grabbing her side, hissing in pain. She took a few heavy breaths, then began pushing at Maxim, trying to get away. "Let me go!" "Calm down, you and your captain are coming with me.", Stormy admitted. "No! I'm not going to jail!" "I never said I was going to take you to jail, and, to tell the truth, never thought of it till now." "So, you're just going to kill me? Is that it?" "Uhm...No. I'm pretty sure I came down here to help you. Maxim, Sally, we found what we came for, let's get above deck, quickly." They both nodded and followed him out quickly, slowing at the misshapen stairs to push the engineer up slowly. Up on deck, Several other crew members from the golden Bullet had ventured onto the ship, making a small crowd around the Pirate Captain, and to Stormy's disapproval, some of his own crew members. the mare coughed, taking her first breath of fresh, non-magic tainted air, "You're with that witch?" "Yes, but as I may have, or may not have said before, I'm not a brute. You won't go to her, neither will your captain. Captain Yollossandra!", Stormy called. "Stormy!", the mare captain made her way to him, "I see you've got the engineer.", she smiled. "Yes, now, do you plan on arresting the captain?" "Yes. The original idea was to just drop this ship out of the sky." "But has he done anything worth arresting him for?" "Listen, Stormy. I was given orders to drop this ship, by the mayor. If he says drop a ship, I have to drop a ship. If there is a casualty, then it's his own fault." "No. It's not his, it's yours. You make the decision whether to obey him, you can make the decision of whether or not you kill innocent people." Captain Yollossandra's smile faded. "Kid, you're getting to be a bit smart there, maybe you should watch what you say before you get smacked." "...I've not once had a single worry. If I want to save these two innocent pirates, then yes, I'm allowed to, you can drop the ship, grab your pay, but, I will still have saved two lives that you wouldn't have cared for." The mare captain opened her mouth to speak, but turned away with a growl. "Exactly. Now, sir,", Stormy approached the pirate captain. "What is your name?", Stormy approached the pirate captain. "Captain Red Coat.", he responded. "Well, Captain Red Coat, you are coming aboard my ship, with me. If Captain Yollossandra says anything, she has to answer to me, whether or not it's arrest." "Th...thank you..." "Hey!", The mare captain exclaimed, "You can't just take an arrest from me!" "Maxim. Bring his engineer on board, Captain red, you can get on board yourself, can you not?" "I can." "Good. Captain Yollossandra, you're clearly not a police officer. Just a hired gun. If you wish to take him from me then you answer to my ship's guns. I have no trouble dropping anyone out of these skies. And, to top it all off, I've got enough fire power to win a two on one ship, odds opposite my favor. Easily." "Boasting will only get you in trouble, kid", she said angrily. "I'm pretty sure I have the firepower to back myself up. Really. I can even prove it by saying this one thing. I built her from scrap. I own her, she obeys me. I pull a lever, your ship drops like a stone." "Look kid, it's my job to rank new pilots. This is a pirate ship, we give no care for pirates, he was basically a sitting duck waiting to be shot." A moment of silence fell between the two. Stormy took a breath, breathing through his nose, "When we get back, I'll depart for another dock. I thank you for helping me get a crew started, but, I refuse any more help. I can take it from here, on my own." "Your welcome.", she walked off, climbing aboard her own vessel. As Stormy returned to his own, he was stopped by Sally. "I guess that kiss was for nothing...", she said, not even making eye contact. "Hey. You didn't bring luck to me. But you brought luck to them..", he motioned to teh two pirates on board. She huffed, "That was nice of you, bringing them aboard, saving them." "Well. I'd not be a good captain, now would I? If someone deserves the right to live, then I will very much give them that right first." "What would take away that right?", Sally asked, looking up. "Depends. I don't know yet. I'm not a pacifist, but I'm not a doormat, either. We need to start dropping ships in battles of our own. We need money too. So, once we get to the port, we get a job." "Understood. Are we going to get there quickly, or no?" "Let's stop by a neutral dock first. There should be one nearby." Sally nodded her head. The trip was silent from then on. Stormy just guessed that everyone on board knew what they had done. It's one thing to kill someone innocent. But, tricked by an ally...That's something harsh. Leisurely pulling into the docks, Stormy helped his passengers off, Bringing the engineer to the hospital that was positioned there, and without another word, returned to his ship. The voyage back was quick, bringing a not so familiar sight to his eyes. The docks. But, they were a bit empty, save for Captain Yollossandra's ship. Stormy picked out a few mares and stallions. Six. All who had changed their mind about being on an airship or couldn't handle the job, and led them off, then got off himself, Sally in tow. "Sally, I'm not going to be long. Right now, I'm only looking for a small job to begin with." "You don't know, Captain Yollossandra is not so easily trusted, so, I'm not letting you go alone. She's lied once, don't want to take any chances of her tricking you, or worse." "I can respect that." The message board was filled mostly with bounties, and a few for cargo shipping. Picking up one that gave out a full ten thousand bits, Stormy nodded at the wanted poster, agreeing with it. "Found one. Your old fashioned pirate. Been dropping other ships, stealing their cargo, twelve ships downed, totaled, or raided." "Sounds like he's been busy. Does it show the ship?", Sally asked. "Yeah, that's the picture on the front. They want it to be dropped like a stone. True test for firepower." Sally nodded in agreement, and turned to go. "Let's go drop a pirate, and collect a bounty. Wait, how would we prove that we dropped the ship?", Sally asked. "I guess they go and check for themselves." "Alright then." Returning to the ship, Stormy once again took the wheel, and steered the Eloise out of the port, and off in some random Direction. The second day of searching, a hot lead was found out. The old mare said that they always come from a nearby mountain. It may not be a perfect lead, but it was a good lead. The cave was, to their luck, occupied by a rather large ship. To be exact, this ship was nearly half the size of the Eloise bigger, and sported a bit more firepower, including a large cannon where the mast would be placed. Stormy cut the engines, and with the remaining forward momentum, got the Eloise to turn with her port side to the cave opening. "Sally." "Yes, Captain?", she replied, turning from the opposite rail to view what he was looking at. "I want you to tell Eva and Ellen to ready up the sniper cannon, and aim directly at that large cannon. Have it ready to fire, but don't fire yet." Sally nodded, "Aye, Captain." Quickly getting set up, Stormy pulled the red lever which he had marked specifically to open the upper deck floor up. Cargo ships used this to put cargo in through the top, but he had other plans when building the Eloise. A few seconds later, gears kicked into place with clangs that rang throughout the ship, raising a large cannon that took up a whole third of the ship's deck, and had a large slender barrel to put the muzzle just over the ship's port side. Walking to the cannon, and the two readying mares, Stormy smiled as Ellen did her job very efficiently, and Eva doing her job as fast as she could. But, then again, the wheels that moved the cannon only worked at very slow paces, and considering that the Eloise was still moving, albeit slowly, it was like trying to keep a speeding target in her scopes. "Eva!", Stormy took her side next to the seat, "Are you able to keep those crosshairs lined up with that large cannon?" "Nothing I can't handle. We have a chance to miss if the ship is hit with a large gust, but we should wait till she stops moving before I prime this sniper cannon. This cannon looks like it's a very high caliber." "It's a five-point-seven caliber. I had to make the barrel wider, and switched the enire loading system. Though, now it is currently a bolt action cannon, which is more like saying it's an artillery cannon than a sniper cannon, but it makes up for it's incredibly accurate shots." "...How accurate?", Eva asked. "I saw the ship this was on, take to the top of a mountain that was easily the entire length of the Grand Prix away. you do know the Grand Prix on the boarder, right?" "Yes. I've seen it, but not really been there." "Needless to say, that's about a fifty kilometer distance. this cannon downed a ship that had made it to first first place, in one shot, and, ended up toppling the ship it was on. The idiot bought a gun too big for his ship." "...This gun won't flip this ship, too, will it?" "I have no idea, fire." pulling the latch which loaded the cannon, Eva lined up the cross hairs one last time, and kept them steady as she slowly squeezed the trigger. Not even reacting a nanosecond later, the hammer slingshot into place, activating the gunpowder through the casing and the heavy caliber bullet shot forth, not only blasting through the pirate's cannon's barrel, and out the back, but it also activated the loaded round in that cannon, creating an explosion that left a small fire on the ship. A few seconds later, bow chasers began rounding to the front of the ship, and Ellen and Eva were at it. As fast as Ellen could get those heavy shells in, and out, Eva was blasting one cannon off after another, soon, leaving the ship defenseless from the front. "They can't shoot unless they come out, and if I'm right, they come out, and you drop them.", Eva devised. "Half correct, but, I want you to aim at the starboard and port sides, and fire a round about a full two meters into the hull, counting from each side, in, just below the front-most bow chasers by at least half a meter." "Got it." A few seconds later, she fired one shot, and began lining up another, which, as soon as it was loaded, tore through the ship once again. "Now, the remaining cannons they have left should be the stern port and starboard cannons, leaving them as sitting ducks. Ellen." "Yes, Captain?", Ellen answered, holding a large, unfired shell up. "Put that down. Grab that shell that says: Handle with care." Ellen set the shell down, and looked through the large ammo crate again, pulling out a rather slim shell, and looked it over. "Is this it?" "That's the one. Load it up, and Eva, this time, aim for the roof of that cave, and fire." "I'm guessing we're about to give them a real artillery shell.", Eva smiled as she watched her aim. "I wouldn't exactly say that. It's a much bigger explosion. Should cause the entire roof to collapse in, raining about five hundred tons of rock onto their ship. They'll be crushed." "What about the stolen cargo?" "They sold it all." "So, not much to do. Alright." Locking the shell into place one last time, Eva fired the artillery round, and it hit it's mark, only cracking the roof of the cave, heavily. "It didn't cave in?", Stormy asked. "Wait...", Eva said, hopping down off the cannon. As she said, he did, and a few seconds later, was satisfied, once the roof gave out, and did what he had expected it too. The ship was chrushed, and the bow was even cut off, falling over the edge into the clouds below. "Wow. I'll say, Eva, that was fine marksmanship. As you had promised me...well, as you and your sister promised, you two dished out the best sniping I've ever seen." "Aw, it was nothing.", Eva blushed. "Heh, thanks!", Ellen smiled. "Captain Stormy?", one stallion approached. He was one of the Young gunners. "Ah, Maxim. Is there anything you need?" "Well, you see, the guys and I are worried, now. Seeing as you took out a ship with just a sniper cannon, it doesn't really seem fair...or fun..." "Maxim, I really don't see anyone here as a better priority for every fight. the sniper cannon here took a full half minute to deploy, and another minute for Ellen and Eva to get it ready to fire. Really, I only wanted to test it, see if it even worked, because, really, that barrel you see there was bent in more ways than I thought possible, until I salvaged it. It's the first actual fight we've had in the skies. Don't worry, there will be more." "Well, I didn't really think of that. Well, I also have a concern. Your ship has barely any heavy artillery aboard. I see three mounted machine guns, a gauss cannon, and the remaining are flak." "The argument here, is that you want quality over quantity. While it may be a good moral code, it doesn't apply here. You can try to put five explosive shots into the hull of another ship within half a minute, but with a gatling gun, you could put in five hundred. The reload time usually depends on who is using the gun, or cannon, but, I prefer to get something done, and be more precise, than be erratic, brutish, and slow. We're all amateurs here, even me. I'm an amateur captain, you're an amateur gunner, all of us. Except for Ellen and Eva. They're pros." Eva and ellen each smiled with pride. "Now, girls, later on, I want to know where you two trained in weaponry like you had. But, right now, let's check to see if anyone is still alive over there." Needless to say, the trip to the mountain cave, which had recently been turned into a pille of rubble, was short, and a good short. Docking on the wooden dock that had been set up, Stormy got off first, only a cutlass at his aid. Then came Maxim and another stallion named Tree Bark. Following the dock along the mountainside, it lead in, even passed the rubble, and, sure enough, not the entire ship had been crushed, leaving a few stallions to crawl out of the wreckage. Aproaching the only Pirate wearing a hat, Stormy rolled him onto his back, and put a foot on his chest. "Are you the captain?", he asked. He coughed, "You took us down!? A *cough* chi-ild?" "Uhm. I'm pretty sure I'm not a child, but I am sure that I've got guts for even taking up as a captain. Now, answer me." "Yes, I am you halfwit..." Stormy bent down, and took the cutlass from the captain's hip, and then picked him up, shoving him into Maxim, who reacted perfectly, grabbing a hold of the pirate with enough force to hold him. "Well, aren't you a strong boy.", the captain remarked as he was hoisted up like cargo. "Throw him against the wall, Tree Bark, toss me the rope." Bark waited until after the captain was thrown before tossing the rope, and Stormy got to work, tying up the older stallion with ease. "This seems a bit too easy." "I'm not resisting, you dumb ass." "Well, that would explain it. I don't know why." "Because it's one against three, I'm not stupid, kid." "Fair enough. I just assumed all of you were senile, or idiots, or something much less than that." The captain rolled his eyes at the taunt, and stormy stood him up. "Let's go throw this guy to the authorities. Bounty should pay for the much needed supplies." Having returned the captain of the very ship that had plagued a fraction of the neutral and Equestrian sides, he was given the bounty on the spot. But one thing he didn't brush off, was how the captain kept smiling at Sally the whole trip back. She even requested that someone take him away, put him in the brig, out of sight, and the stallion laughed as he was dragged away. Though, dismissing it as, more than likely, some deranged pirate, he didn't worry about it any more, and returned to the ship with the three members of his crew. After passing by a bakery, his stomach growled loudest out of the group. "Oh, by the way, Captain.", Maxim spoke up, "We kinda need to eat. You're not one of those weird people that refuses food, are you?" "Of course not! I mean, It may be just because I've been in the moment. Once we get back to the ship, we'll make a pass by the sky market, and grab some food for the whole week. Sound good?" "Alright. I'm up for helping with groceries." "Heh. Well, we're going to need someone strong to carry the barrels of water and whatever else we choose to drink." "Let's not get any tea. I hate tea." "But I love it. I'll get a keg for myself then." "Alright. Sounds good to me. I think it would be great to talk it over with the guys and galls over what we should get besides water." "Eh, I can deal with it. Nothing that's outrageously expensive. Remember, we all need this money to pay for food and other supplies. Like twenty wrenches." "Wrenches?" "So I can throw em!", Stormy smiled. "...What?" ...Losses...He tested the weight and distribution of each wrench, tossing them up, but, now that he had twenty wrenches set to throw, at his disposal, he was really wanting to see how funny, or anger relieving it was to peg somebody in the head with one of these. And being the teenager he is, he's hoping it would be funny, like most his age would. "Hey!" Dropping his smile, he turned, and looked over the edge of the ship. A stallion. He had a blue coat, captain's hat, he was a captain, which is basically an instant respect switch in Stormy's mind. "Ahoy!", Stormy leaned over the edge. "Could you get this heap of junk out of the way, so I can park there?!" Stormy's smile disappeared, noticing two things in this picture. One, that stallion was dead serious. Two, he had a beer jug in his hand. With a devious smile, Stormy grabbed one of the wrenches and tossed it up. He threw it. And just as he wanted it to, it pegged the stallion in the head, knocking him over. "Well, that played out more avenging and funny in my head. Oh well. That's one less Wrench I'm going to worry about. Only nineteen heavy carbon steel wrenches to go!" Second meeting of the week with the police force on the same docks he turned his first bounty in to, it was a bit harder than the last. The captain wouldn't quit struggling. "Would you quit?", Stormy asked, helping Maxim to hold him down. "Why? I'm a PIRATE! What do you expect?" "Good point." Taking the wrench from his belt, Stormy knocked it against the captain's head. It worked Effectively. The once writhing stallion was literally, now, an unconscious villain with a large bump on his head. "Let's get him to the constable." Maxim hoisted the captain over his shoulder, and walked beside Stormy to the designated building. Inside, there were seven officers already, each trying to hold down just one stallion. "Stay back, kid! He's a feisty one!", one police stallion warned. Stormy, absolutely going to take advantage of this situation, held his wrench up and tossed it at just the right moment, pegging said struggling stallion in the head, knocking him out just as easily as Stormy did to his captive. "Uh...Thanks.", one officer thanked Stormy. "I need that wrench by the way." Retrieving the wrench as he approached the counter, a mare responded with a smile, opening the barricade on the other side of the wire mesh. "Hello~!" "Yes. I have the captain of the Red Flower in custody. In fact, it's that red coated stallion in the red colored stalion's arms." "You mean the red colored stallion in the red coated stallions arms?" Turning to look behind him, Stormy noticed that his captive had awaken, but, as he was, that stallion was dazed, struggling like a weak child against Maxim. "Nope, the red coat. I wacked him just before walking in." "And chunking your wrench at the other stallion." Stormy laughed, "I just can't believe how effective and funny that is! Anyway. I'm here to collect the bounty on him and his ship. If you need the coordinates for his ship, you might want to bring a search party to check near the wastelands." "Oh, we'll take your word for it. But, I still need to get the coordinates marked. did you check the compass before you departed from the site?" "Well, I did, but I shot them down from afar. Sniper cannon works best when battling a ship bigger than yours." "Tactical. So, about how far away?", she began writing. "About seven to ten kilometers." Stormy finished by giving her the coordinates to the location, and collected his pay. That's it. Nothing else. Returning to his ship, the sun had set already, having been peaking just beyond the horizon before he walked in. "I guess it's time for bed.", he said to Maxim. "Yeah. But, when are we all going to get in on a fight, and not just Ellen and Eva?" "Well, the weapons I have are mostly short to medium range, and seeing as I have had less firepower than the last two ships we went against, using the sniper cannon would ensure that we were all safe. Just thinking about keeping us alright." "Alright, Captain. Oh, here comes Sally." "Stormy.", Sally addressed her captain. "Yes, Sally?" "Can I speak to you?" "Sure." "Alone?" "Oh...Well, see ya tomorrow Maxim." "Alright." Stormy walked with Sally to his cabin, and, expecting her to go inside, stopped in front of her. "We don't really need to go inside, do we?" "No, not really. I still needed to tell you something important." "And what would that be?" "My family. My dad's a pirate." "Well, that's not really a big surprise." "Well, it's who he is that's got me worried. He's a very powerful pirate. High ranked, and the way that the leadership system works, he, or she, who kills the leader, is the leader. So... "So, since you think he is such a powerful pirate, he could easily get leadership over the entire pirate nation?" "Not exactly, just, you gain your rank by killing whoever commands you in fair - ish - combat." "So, you think that he may be higher up than he was before?" "Yes, that exactly, just wanted to help you get a grasp of how the system works." "Why?" "Because, if he gets higher up, then that endangers us all. Even me." "Why do you say that?" "Well, if you had a daughter, and she went missing, wouldn't you go find her, and possibly slaughter anyone who took her?" "Depends mostly on how you put it, but I understand. And, seeing as I worked at the Boarder Grand Prix, that means they could easily find us. Thanks for the heads up, I never thought of it before. In fact, tomorrow, we'll go check out the grand Prix, make sure that Mr. Sprint is still alright." "Ok." "But, really, thanks. Is there anythign else?" "No..." "Doesn't look likke it to me." "I'm worried." "About the ELoise going down?" "About you...You helped me escape, and rather flawlessly. You're a good Captain, but...Maybe you've just gotten a good fortune, and it may soon come to an end." "Don't say that." "Why? Because you want it to stay easy like this? You've gotten more than twenty grand in bits for dropping two Pirates in the paste two weeks, each of which you dropped using only one gun. You helped me escape, and I just so happened to be there to ask for help when the Eloise was perfect, and ready to go. Everything has been too easy..." "...You're right. But, even then, we shouldn't worry about it being something like faith mixed with karma. I've never killed anyone in my life, until recently, and it's because I've destroyed two ships, which, only the captains, and a few others, survived. It's not a way of life, but it is getting by in life. I've never once stopped thinking that if I keep doing this, something bad is going to happen. It's like being a thief. You know that if you continue to be a thief, you'll soon be caught, and killed, or sent to prison. But we've not done this a long time. And I'm not trying to hide." He leaned against the wall, and sighed, "If I am ever confronted with a ship twice the Eloise's size, do you know what I would do?" "What if that ship was my dad's?" Stormy thought for a few moments. "...That ship's faith would become my decision, and my decision would be made, depending on who he is to you, and his intentions towards you. Do you sitll love your dad?" "...No...I never really did. I found out my dad was a pirate just half a year ago. We haven't even been able to meet yet, and seeing as I have run off, and joined the Equestrians, he's probably going to flip out, and go after you, kill you, your crew, drop your ship, and take me home, probably beat me." "So what would you want me to do?" Sally stared at the ground, and looked up, "I want you to blow his ship to shreds." "Then that is what I will do." She half smiled, "Thanks." Sally pulled Stormy into yet another kiss. But this time, there was a little more passion. The events afterward quickly led into Stormy's cabin and, as any couple would do in a bed, they made love. It was a bonding moment. Stormy really didn't pay much attention, worrying about what he was doing, and what he had to do, managing his own ship, but tonight...Tonight was for Sally. Left to stare up at the ceiling as he lay there, Stormy thought mostly about the conversation before, and Sally. He felt like he had accomplished something that, otherwise, may have taken a lot of effort to do. But, he also felt like he could take on the world. Probably just the after feel of sex. Though, it happened as if only to be brief. One moment, they're talking, and the next, stripping each other slowly. Turning his head to look at Sally, she seemed content as she slept. Arms crossed under her head, on her stomach, like it wasn't just enjoyable, but...something more. It left Stormy to think. He's a young stallion, and she a young mare. He may be smart, and has outsmarted more than about ten pirates in his life, intentionally. But...He's still a kid, he has limits. and he knows that. He's not some buff teenager who prefers to work out all the time, he's not the one kid that has low metabolism, and a love for books. He's just your average Teenager. What if he was taken by surprise? Boarded? Attacked as he tried to defend his crew, alone. He was one sword, but unexperienced. He'd need to be better than this. Stormy was the first to awaken. Silently getting out of bed, the first rush of sunshine he got that morning was soothing. It was starting to head into wintery climate already. A few others were on deck, including Maxim, who, not one bit surprising, was lifting weights. Well, crates, to be exact. A simple workout. Except those crates were filled with very heavy artillery shells. It wasn't worrying Stormy that he could drop them, no. Just, the ropes he had tied around the crates, are what worried him. If one broke, and the crate fell... "Hey, Maxim!", Stormy called. "Yes sir?", he put the crates down. "I think its alright to work out, especially with crates that are as heavy as fifty pound weights, but, really, at least get some thicker ropes. You might cut your hands, or worse, those crates could fall." "Yes sir, it's just, this is the only rope that I could find that could be used without them being needed later for the ship." "Well, we have enough rope to re-rig the ship's balloon more than four times." "I didn't want to bug you about it, because, there might not have been enough. It's just me thinking of the ship." "Well. Might want to start cooling down, Maxim. We're going to depart as soon as everyone is wide awake. We're about ten minutes away from where I want to go, and I'd fly us there now, but, I also run the risk of not being ready for an impending airship battle." "Well, I'm up for anything, if you are." "I'm not.", Stormy confessed, "Not anymore." "Did we lose something? Are one of the engines shot? A weapon messed up?" "No. I'm just not ready anymore. Maxim, think of yourself as a captain. Then think of yourself as the only commander among a total of twenty people. Do you really know what would happen if you went down?" "Well, I'd imagine the others would be a sitting duck in the water for a pirate to shoot, easily." "Exactly. Well, I've recently had a confidence killer seep into my thoughts. I don't even expect you to understand this all. But, we need to make a trip to the Grand Prix. Maybe I will regain my confidence there." "Why?" "I have a friend that lives there." "Oh." "Hey, captain.", Eva called to Stormy. turning to the mare as she walked from the other side, she stretched contently, a good thing. "What do you need, Eva?" "Well, nothing really, just saying hey. It's a good morning." "For you at least. Well, we're going to be taking off as soon as everyone is ready, so we have some time to kill." "You look a bit upset." "Just something that shouldn't be too hard to control." "If you need someone to talk to, just call me." "Thanks." The next hour or so was a bit slower than Stormy had hoped. It even got to the point where he was willing to wake everyone up. But, sure enough, everyone was around and ready for a good day. It was a good day, just...He hoped it wouldn't end badly. Stormy passed through the middle deck bunk room, and made sure no one was asleep before returning to the wheel. Sally wrapped her arms around him, putting her muzzle in his neck. "Good morning." "It is.", Stormy replied. "It feels like today is the perfect day. As if no one would even be touched today. A day to just...relax." "Yeah, a day that everyone, except for me, can relax." "What's wrong?" "What you said last night. I realized that I'm not ready, I'm not experienced. Maybe we've just gotten lucky the past few times." "What do you mean?" "I've lost a lot of confidence in one night. I plan on heading toward the Grand Prix on the boarder, see if I could regain some of that confidence, and then start training everyone. That's what I've been forgetting. I just realized that." "Well, I say it's about time to leave." "Yeah, well, everything feels different right about now. I'd prefer to keep silent, so, if you wouldn't mind, I could use some help getting orders out." "What do you need?" "I need the engineers to start the engines. We're about to leave." "Alright." Sally ran off. Steadying his arm on the wheel, Stormy looked past the hull of his own ship, to it's very heart. It was not just a ship. It was not just his ship. It was a place to live, where a few crew members lived, now. All too young for this whole thing. But start at a young age, you get more experience earlier in life. It helps in this world of steam, metal, and gunpowder. Looking at how his ship was built, it was easy to drop something like this. Just puncture the balloon. But, even then, you'd have to kill the engines that sat at the ready for when that happens. The engines rumbled to life. It's the sound of an engine that runs Stormy, not the thrill of being a captain, not the thrill of running a crew. He loved to own his own ship, of which he built from scrap in less than a year, but...It just doesn't feel like this should have been what he is supposed to be doing. Lever after lever, he pulled the Eloise out of the docks, and made way for the boarder. It was only a few minutes later when the mountains came into view, and several...new features. As Stormy approached the wall of mountain tops that hid the Grand Prix docks, he held up his telescope to see further than able, and spotted the docks. Two things were wrong. Several white flags and Blue flags lay on top of piles of metal and wood, where ships would be docked, but, there was also a red flag adorned at the top of the building that sat in the middle of the docks. "We've got a problem.", Stormy held the telescope to Sally. "They took it!", she spotted the red flag. "Mmhmm. I'm going to land her next to the docks, and take Maxim with me to go check the building. I have to find Sprint." "Aye, Captain Stormy." Directing the Eloise to said location nearby the docks, a loud...sound, caught Stormy's attention, bringing his sights to rest on a black bow of a ship that hung just over the edge of the mountains. A few seconds later, a loud explosion rang next to him. In fact, it was the docks, the building which sat in the center. So easily wiped from existence. A small building which Stormy had known for a really long time as a place to work, and help others. Now, a childhood memory was destroyed, taken from him like a precious item you could never replace, or get back. One that had more sentimental value than your own belongings. He didn't hear much of what went on afterwards. But he knew there was panic. He gave an order that he knew would be right, commanding all who could get off the ship, to get off, by any means possible. Immediately, those who could, began running, all except him... And Sally. "Sally!", Stormy yelled at the blue mare, "Go! Leave!" "No!", she refused, "Not without you!" He wanted to scream, yell at her, get her off, save her, but...then that last part caught him off guard. "Sally, I can't leave." A grappling hook tore through the deck, and jerked the ship upwards, towards the black mass. "As a pegasus, I would rather die than leave the Eloise." Turning to the approaching ship, or rather, the black mass that the Eloise was approaching, he turned to Sally and began taking off his jacket, and shirt. "What are you doing?" "I'm going to save your life!" He jumped at her, and grabbed a hold, wings taking them both overboard. The first few flaps were uncomfortable, having not used his wings in almost a week. But, he got it right, and slowed to a stop just above the ground, setting Sally down. "Stormy!" "No! Stay here! Get to cover! I can already tell what's going to happen. The captain always goes down with his ship." Stormy flew back up to the eloise, and was grabbed by several pirates as he landed. Forced to the ground and bound. He didn't struggle, he didn't fly off. One pirate grabbed his right wing, and ran Stormy's own cutlass through it, severing a good part of it. He did not scream. He may have cracked his own teeth, having clenched his teeth so hard, but did not utter a sound. "Tough kid...", the captain admitted as he approached. The captain was a fair blue. Kind of like Sally, but...Darker. "And who are you?", Stormy asked. "Captain Black Powder, proud owner of the Black Behemoth, largest airship to ever fly, and has the most capable firepower." "You destroyed the dock house!" "That racing track pit stop? Well, of course I did, it pissed you off, didn't it?" "Are you Sally's dad?" "She's told you about me? Heh. Good to see she knows me." "I new today was going to be a horrible day. Every horrible day I've had in my life always started good, then turned sour." "Well, it may be a horrible day. For you. But, for me, not so much. You've brought my daughter to me, and that's all you needed to do." Captain Black Powder looked passed Stormy at the small vessel that brought the said mare up, and smiled. "There she is." Captain Black grabbed Sally as she passed by, and threw her in front of Stormy. "See? Even if you tried to save her, you did nothing. It doesn't take long to find someone on solid ground. I thank you for bringing her back to us, but, that doesn't let you off the hook." Captain Black turned to the row set before Stormy. All of his crew that was on board. It was only nine people. Inlcuding Maxim. He was thankful that at least Ellen and Eva were safe. But, it didn't dismiss the fact that Maxim, and all his friends were in that line. He remembered their names like kin. Era, Maxim, Heavy, Bulk, Piston, Engine Block, Amy, and Betty. With an equal amount of pirates lined behind them, Stormy knew what would happen next, and regretted having even come here, more. Holding that lump down, he forced himself to anger, just to enable him to talk. "You are such a fucking worthless person.", Stormy spoke up. Captain Black slowed his step, and even put little jaunt into it as he turned around, facing Stormy once more. "Oh, look, such big, harsh words coming from a kid. Listen, kid. No one will come for you, no one will care. If anything, it may just let those Equestrian blue coats know that this war just got a lot more serious. Kill them all." There wasn't even a grunt, only surprised gasps as each of Stormy's crew had a cutlass shoved through their chest. That's just like those Pirates. "Let Stormy go, and leave him. Once we get off, blow this ship in two, and destroy whats left." They threw stormy against the deck, and hurried off, leaving him to stand on his own. The amount of anger, the amount of sheer hatred, the amount of sadness that not even his pride could not hold down, all of it. Not a single thing showed. All Stormy could do was stare up at the larger ship as each cannon nearest aimed at the Eloise and fired. He was blown off the edge, shrapnel digging into his front side from the first blast. It was painful, and made him feel like he couldn't breath. The sheer force of the blast winded him. A few seconds after he was blown off, the Eloise was literally split in two, each half beginning to tumble down the side of the mountains. The stern was headed straight for him. Rolling at first, it hit a small cliff, and began to tumble awkwardly, then began to fall, top over bottom towards him, gaining. Reaching him first, it slammed Stormy against one wall throughout the tumble, until it came to a stop at the bottom, slamming him against the suspended walkway opposite of him. With no momentum holding him, Stormy fell down, landing on the untouched magic tank below. It busted in some places, mostly around the seems where it was welded, or bolted. He could feel it. Several spots of pain mixing. The intoxicating magic in the air, stinging his lungs like heavy smog, the shrapnel in hes chest, the broken bones in his back, and the heavy pain reaching through his severed wing. It was all he could bare. Pain forcing him to begin to black out, the last thing that was on his mind, was how easy this had happened to him alone. His eyes shut, the air stopped, and another explosion rang far away, then another... It was white. Everything. It's all he could see. His coat had turned white, the floor was white, the endless area around him was white. Soothing. He didn't want to move, he didn't want to think, only enjoy it. Then something flashed through the white background. He only caught a glimpse, but knew what it was. A scream for him. Stormy... Thoughts kicking up quickly, he didn't really know what to do. His life played before him, fast. Going through what he had accomplished in his life, and slowed down to the most recent events. When he met Sally, their night together, then it came to a real time movement once his last moments were there. His crew. He saved most, but some still died. It was his fault. Sally was taken, also his fault. Maxim was a good friend. The one he remembered the most out of those nine crew members. The tears began to fall, one after another, creating black dots against the white colored floor. Every tear created another dot until, finally, there was a hole in front of him. Then one thing caught his mind like a hook thrust through fabric. Sally. They took Sally. His mind began running through the hatred, and the tears dried up. But the hole in front of him grew, soon, covering the entire floor beneath him, and dimming the background to a solid black as well. All except his fur. Sparks danced across his chest, and he could feel his heart kick up. He felt it. Then another, he cringed. And another. He woke up. Eyes wide open, thinking right, heart beating, body moving... He should be dead. If not from an explosion, from the poisonous magic that leaked from the tank. A doctor flashed a light in his eye, checking his pupils, then spoke. Something he Couldn't hear. "...fine. You said you wanted to speak to him?" He could hear now. "Yes." It was Captain Yollossandra. "Stormy." Her voice was harsh. Looking at her, the world did not slow at all, keeping it's quickened pace. "What the hell was going through your mind?" And then the scolding came. He wasn't even related to her, she even refused to ever bother him again, and here she is, scolding him. For...what happened to him...his crew... Oh my Celestia, this is worse than the time that I let that old stallion get away." Stormy took a deep breath, and let it out. "What happened?", he asked. "Besides the fact that you wreak of magic, you almost got killed." "I know." "You've started a war, Stormy." "I thought there was a war already going on." "That was a more...mutual war. Like a clan war. Now, there is a real war going on. Pirates and Equestrian alike, are claiming anything neutral, and are already fighting." "And you think it's because of me?" "..." "Because I know it's my fault." "Yeah, you've started a war. A war that this world did not need." "And I will take part in it." "No you won't. Like that doctor just said, you will stay here, and recover from the magic poisoning." Stormy grabbed the IV and ripped it from his arm, then sat up, pointing at the mare captian. "You will NOT tell me what I'm going to do." The doctor tried to push stormy back down, and Stormy pushed the doctor away. "Get off me, I'm fine." "I'm sorry, sir, but you are not. Now, if you do not lay back down, and rest, I'm going to have to restrain you." Stormy threw the covers off and stood. "Then come at me." He walked out quickly, making his way down the hall. That's when he ntoiced two things. Not a single pain, or scratch. Four wings instead of two. He now not only had things that needed to be done, but things to discover. But he didn't stop at all. Throwing the doors to the waiting room open, he turned to the desk. "Where are my clothes?" "Sir, please go back to your room.", the mare at the desk asked. The doctor which had been tending to him, as well as Captain Yollossandra, grabbed him, and pulled him back. "Stop, Stormy! That's enough! You are sick, and you need to rest!", the mare captain yelled at him. "How about you stop. Do you know how you found me? Did I have four wings then?" "Yes, it's a condition!" "Condition my ass! Before I passed out, I had half of my right wing left, my chest was filled with shrapnel, and I had a broken back!" The room fell silent, and he yanked his arms from the two. "I'm going to get a new ship, and hunt down that bastard that killed my crew, and took sally. You want me to stay until I'm better, then back off, I don't want to be better. If I want your help, I will ask for it. It's my choice. And my choice is to end this war." "You can't end a war alone.", Captain Yollossandra's voice was raspy. "Watch me." The following events were quite obvious. He was given his clothes, and allowed to leave. No one spoke to him, no one followed. But now he had a new challenge. He needed a ship, and he needed a new crew. He knew where to get a few. Back at the Grand Prix docks, probably where a few Pirate ships would be, but nothing he couldn't handle with where he was going. He need a junkyard, just as he had last time.
Launch...Storm Wind picked up each tool, wrench last, and placed each in the toolbox, letting his favorite ambidextrous style wrench hang at his side, where it belonged, then latched the tool box and turned to the captain. Storm Wind was your average heighted teenager stallion. Greyish coat, no horn, no wings, same Victorian engineer get up as any stylizing engineer on a ship. "Sorry to break it to you, but just looking at it, two bolts are broken, the main steam pipe has dropped somewhere out in the field, and to top it off, your magic tank has a bullet puncture. No magic means no steam, no steam means no movement, and if you are missing the whole pipe, no way to get it working, even with that puncture fixed.", Storm confessed. The captain let out a breath of sadness, then swallowed hard. "We've still got a left engine..." "Won't be good enough.", Storm interrupted, "If you don't have two, you can't compete in the cross country race. Sorry, but unless you have the parts in cargo, there is no way you'll be able to stay in." The captain nodded, and took out a bag of bits, then weighed it generously. "Listen, I'm willing to pay you however much is in this bag to please keep quiet. This is old Berta we're talking about. She's the first engine to get this ship moving before we renovated the Hurricane after the third fight, and added this old model to the left side. I can guarantee, that with a little luck, and hard work, I can win at least sixth and get a twentieth of the pay back." "You already entered, and if you drop out now, you'd get more than what you will even if you make fifth." "But it's not really for the money, anyway. I need those parts." "Listen, sir, I understand, but I've seen this too many times to let you go on. Really, I'm not trying to discourage you. Wait until next month, and you can compete if you have replaced the necessary parts." The said engine moaned loudly for a second and stopped, catching their attention. Nothing. "Alright, you might also want to-" The restraints holding the engine snapped with a loud Clank, and the engine dropped out, falling a few hundred meters before a loud explosion rang from the bottom of the canyon. Storm turned to the captain, who now had both hands coverign his face in grief. "It's over...I can't repalce that part, I'll have to sell my ship!", he ranted. "Listen!", Storm tried to calm him, "I know how to get you another engine. Now, I'm not guaranteeing that it is new, as I've seen it, and it's been through quite a few battles, to be exact, but, nonetheless, I've seen it work, and it's pretty reliable. so, as long as you can come up with at least five grand, they will let you keep it, but you're not going to like this next part." "...Please don't tell me it's the pirates..." Storm stayed quiet. With a sigh, the captain swallowed the lump in his throat, and shook his head, looking down. "I'll be crazy for it, but, I'll take it. Tell me where, and I'll be there tomorrow." "Oh, I'm not it, but, I can give you the location still." Pulling a folded piece of paper from his pocket, storm handed it to the captain, and he examined it closely. "It's not far in their territory, but, wave a bit of money, and they should let me in." "So, what are you, Equestrian?" "Neutral. I fly under my own white flag." "Well, they shouldn't be too hard on you, so long as you meet the right guys, but, for now, that's all I've got knowledge of." "I won't ask where you got it from. Well, I'll pay you fifty bits as thanks, both for telling me what was wrong, and giving me a bit of help." "Thanks, but I don't need it." "No, really, just take it." "Alright, then. thanks." "Just keep to your job, Storm Wind. I've seen you work more miracles than one on these ships, I know you won't fail. See ya round." Storm smiled, "See ya, Bullet." Grabbing the rope which had been latched to the ship, he swung down and dropped onto the deck, then followed it out, until he was past the right engine, and hollered to the ship, assuring it a safe take off, and that is what it did, slowly rising off until able to take off at full steam. Making his way back to the office he had been assigned, he was surprised to find his door cracked open, and opened it warily, seeing no one inside. "Hello?", he called. "Up here, Stormy." It was his boss. He was the only one who called him Stormy, so far. Going up the stairs the voice had come from, Storm came face to face with several redcoats. In other words: pirates. "Ey! there 'e is!", a mare called, dropping her arms. "Yes, this is Storm Wind. My best mechanic, but also my youngest worker." "He seems like he could barely lift a wrench, but I'll take your word for it, seeing as you gave him middle office." "Uhm, could somebody explain what's going on?", Storm asked. The mare laughed. "Well, boyo. You sure are one that will need to learn to figure things out quick. We've got a ship waiting on the dock that needs something to be fixed, before the race begins. We've tried everything, and in the end, threw our old engineer overboard for sabotaging the main engine. So, we need someone to fit a new magic converter into it's compartment." "...That's three layers of work! I'd have to restrip the wires, open the tank up with a torch, put in a new pin nozzle, switch the magic line with another, hook up the converter, wire by wire, then put it back together and seal it all up with a blow torch!", Storm explained, having taken only a glance at the butchered engine. "Heh, well, kid, you sure know your stuff, but, as race rules go, we can halt the start time till later to get a sabotage taken care of, that is, if we know about it, and we do." It was true. the race rules were designated by his own boss nearly half a year ago when the race course was set up, and the docks built into the side of a mountain. "...Alright. Then you have to supply me with whatever I need.", Storm crossed his arms. "Fine. So long as it doesn't cost more than third." "It won't nearly cost as much as third gives you. I need a new tank of torch fuel, the replacement converter, magic line, and pin nozzle, AND...well, that's pretty much it." The mare dropped a box of the requested items in front of him. "There you go. Get to work." Storm nodded, and did just so. About fourty seven minutes later, the mare came back while he was stripping the wires, and stopped the other crew members outside before walking in, then closed the door behind her. "Hey." "I'm just now getting to the wires. Replacing a pin nozzle is not easy." "Well...", She leaned against the engine, observing what he was doing, "You're pretty good at this." "Yeah, I've been doing this since my dad taught me." "Well, it's the best I've seen." "Heh, thanks.", Storm smiled. "Listen. I don't like being a pirate." "Well, some just can't handle the brutality and stupidity." "I know. I'm one of them. But, I didn't exactly make the choice to join them either. I was brought in with my brother, who, as we were young, really hated the Equestrian side. But, after seeing him go down during a gunfight...Everything's changed." "So, what do you want to do?" "Leave. Get off this ship, join the Equestrians, and hope to never see the red flag again." Storm set the converter into the engine, and bolted it down. "Well, it's not exactly that easy." "You could help me though." "I'm just an engineer." "I know, but, you know these docks." "Yeah, dock, dock, office, dock, dock." "By that, I mean, you know how to hide someone." Storm stood and began repiecing the engine parts on. "It's not that easy, and you know what the pirates do to those who leave, and those who help." "Kill them on sight. I know. I watched them do it to a young mare who didn't want to be on the ship anymore. Stripped her of her clothes then threw her overboard." "I don't want to take that chance." "But I do, and currently, I'm still a pirate, so, I'll be ruthless if I need to." Storm set the hatch onto the casing, and stopped, letting his head rest on it. "Come on. I just want to sneak off, and you're the only one who can help.", Sally begged. Storm thought about it, then picked up his wrench, tightening the bolts. "...I don't know. Where do you plan on going, exactly?" "Well...Can't stay here, so I guess I'll leave." "Not very many ships leave in the middle of a grand prix." "Well, then, I..." "Tell you what. I've been building a small ship for about eleven months from parts that fall below from the crashes, gunfights, and even the mishaps, like that poor captain's left engine. Take a spot on it as part of the crew, with me, and we can leave together." "What about your boss? what about your job?" "He asked me to leave." "What?" Storm set his wrench in the belt on his waist, and put on the blow torch equipment. "He said I was too young to hang on a boarder. Some fights get rough, and things can go astray, kill those who aren't even fighting. He keeps saying I'm too young for the job, but would be perfect for a job as an engineer on a ship." "So, he basically wants you to stay safe." "Yeah." "so, do we have a deal?" "I will hide you off the ship, in the rungs of the dock below. They won't be able to see you, and the rope tethering us, can serve as a better way down than the ladder. Just wait until no one passes by." "Alright, thanks. I just hope that you don't get caught." "I'm great at keeping secrets. don't worry." She smiled, and grabbed hold of the rope, checking for anyone on the dock before swinging down. Once on the dock, she hurried onto the side, and grabbed onto the rungs, finding a comfortable position against the large girders to lay in waiting. As Storm finished sealing the tank, the door opened, and a rather angry captain walked in. You could tell it was the captain, because he wore the hat that said his name on the side in gold stitched letters. "Hey, kid!" "Uh, yes sir?" "Are you almost done?" "Yes, I'm actually completely done, You can fire her up any time now." "So you fixed everything that traitor sabotaged?" "Yes sir. Everything, form the-" "I don't care what you fixed, just get off my ship. Now, my boys said that Sally had passed through here, alone. You must have seen her, blue coat, sky wear of the latest." "Uh, yes, she actually left out a few minutes ago. No one must have seen her yet. If she's not on deck, she's probably blowing off some steam somewheres on the ship, alone." "Thanks kid. Sounds just like what she would do." Storm nodded, and finished packing his tools, then swung down the rope onto the dock, making the way back to his office leisurely. Not even a few seconds after he closed the door behind him, his boss walked downstairs, and back out, up to the announcement station, "Just in time Stormy!" About a minute later, he grabbed the microphone and his voice was broadcast throughout the narrow canyon, signaling the beginning of the third match in the grand prix. "Let's get started, fliers! Start your engines!" A loud roar echoed through the canyon as seven engines began working, having been fueled previously with the needed magic, and sent through the loud conversion into the engine, driving propellers and turbines, both. "In three! Two! One! GO!!!" Some started off slowly accelerating, and others, getting off to a good start, aided by turbines, instead of propellers, nonetheless, with the force being put forth, every racer was out of sight, and around the bend, leaving the docks, once again, empty. "I'll admit, that was the best under-pressure announcement yet.", Storm's boss walked in, closing the door behind him. A few seconds later, a knock came from that exact door, and he turned, opening it to a familiar blue mare. "Oh. Did they forget you, or something, miss?" "No, sir, they didn't." "Then...why are you here?" "I can answer that.", Storm piped up, "She wanted out of the pirates, so I helped her." "Ohhhhh, boy. Do you know what you have done?" "Yes, they'll come looking for her, but not if we leave first!", Storm said with a smile. "Kid. If there's anything more demotivating than a gun to the head, it's definitely not that smile. So, what plan do you have of getting her out of here?" "Well, that's just it, Mr. Sprint. I'm leaving too." "Oh, well, it seems that I was misunderstanding. So, you actually plan on leaving, huh?" "Yes." "Well, before you go, mind showing me your way off this continent?", he asked. "Gladly.", Storm smiled. Having brought the two followers to the end of the farthest right dock, Storm stopped on the elevator and waited for them to follow, before bringing them down to the bottom. Once there, it wasn't far into where they were going. A large crack in the mountain, making a big enough cave to fit a freight air ship inside. The illusion was, the massive amounts of junk stashed there from the many past crashes, battles, and incidents at the docks. But something always stood over it all. "You know how we always used the small airship to move the junk out of the canyon, Mr. Sprint?" "Yeah?", the stallion responded, looking at the heap of junk. "Well, I assure you, I didn't take her apart, but I used her as a model of sorts." "You built one?" "You should see for yourself." Walking up the winding wall ledge, Storm brought them both into a sight that peaked over the first heap, and into a cleared out area where in the center, a massive, unlaunched airship awaited, looking like a gem among gold. "So this is where you go every night?", Sprint asked. "I live here, or rather, in the captain's quarters. I find it a bit more comfortable, how I have it, than the old bed you gave me." "Well, I won't argue. Where did you get the wood from?" "I salvage a lot of it from several different ships, but it took a long time getting the right color and sizes. Eventually, I had a full wood covered deck with a metal underneath, and voila, she was beginning." "Wait...You even got cannons set to the sides!", Sally noticed. "Well, when sailing under any flag, gotta be prepared." "You do know that most have asked for whatever could be salvaged, right?", Sprint asked seriously. "That's where I chose the right thing to do. I gave anything that worked perfectly, and took anything that was too out of shape. Some don't work quite yet, but they're in the cargo right now." "You can easily fit seventy on that ship. are you sure you and that mare can handle it alone?" "Mr. Sprint, I built it! Took months, even with the help of a crane airship, but I still made it, piece by piece. I know how to fly it, and I have even set it to make it possible for small party launches, like with just me and her." "Stormy, you're the smartest kid I've ever come across, but, It's still a dangerous world out there, even if it's not as much as on those docks, just you alone, working on ships." "I know." "Well, if this is goodbye, then, Stormy, it was wonderful working with you." Sprint held his hand out and Storm took it, shaking it lightly. "Likewise, Mr. Sprint. And thanks for taking me in." Sprint smiled, "I couldn't have just left you like that." Storm saluted to Sprint and the two hugged, departing for the last time. "Alright.", Stormy began, turning to the ship, "We have less than thirty minutes to get her running hot, and out of this cave." "She's nearly as big as a freight ship, are you sure she'll get through?", Sally asked, taking his side. "I've measured the entrance more than fifty times. If she doesn't fit, it's because this mountain moved." "I'll take your word for it, but we have to move now." "Alright. See ya round Mr. Sprint!" The stallion nodded to him and Storm took off, Sally in tow. Getting on the ship was easy, as a rope ladder hung low to the ground, half flat on the ground. When on deck, they both rushed to the captains cabin, and stopped. "So, you ready?", Storm asked. "Aye, aye, Captain Stormy." "Good. Now, I need you to go down and loosen the intake valves." "I've never heard of an intake valve starting a ship." "Well, It's not exactly the Mark 1 Twilight Victorian, anymore." Sally smiled, "I see. I'll get to it. Where are they exactly?" "Just go below deck, down the two stair cases, and there should be two Magic tanks, untouched." "Alright.", she head towards the hatch. "And as for me.", he spoke to himself, looking at the cave entrance, "Let's get the Eloise out of here." Climbing the stairs, he reached the wheel, and put a good grip on the handles, then looked at the gauges that sat next to it. Nothing. Storm flicked them, and each began to move slowly, signaling that the magic was flowing freely through the system. He had never tested it before, so, he's crossing his fingers mentally. As the gauges reached into the green, he pulled the left most lever to his right, and the engines began to spin up, a soft whir coming from the hull, then a loud hum as the two enclosed turbines sped up. Pulling the right most lever, the turbines turned downwards, and the ship began to rise, until... Boom. A loud explosion sounded from inside the hull and the left engine cut off, the ship lowering in response. "No!", he cursed himself. In the moment, ship working perfectly, the last thing you want to hear, is an explosion. The ship settled back into the harness it had sat in for ages, the hull grinding against it sligthly as it was righted with the hull. "No..." turning around to check the equipment on board, the gears turned slowly, each not having anything to do with the insides, other than to show that there was movement. each fitted in the diameters of each five centimeter hole, showing what was off, and he noticed one. The engine was jammed. The left to be exact. The one that sounded like it blew up. Removing his wrench, he twirled it once, then hit the exact gear and the engine whirred to life, which, was saying a lot for such an action of anger. But, nonetheless, the left engine began workingjust as Sally walked up the steps. "Is she running alright?" "Should be.", Storm returned to the wheel, pulling the left most lever, and raising the ship faster. Once at level height, he pulled two levers at once, and pushed down a pedal that stuck where it was, another of the four moving up. Pushing the right most left lever, the engines dipped forward, in turn, moving the ship forward as it balanced itself, moving slowly through the gap. He did it. He launched his own ship. Passing by the docks, Storm hurried to the edge, and waved to the stallion on the roof of the office building, who had been waving for some time now. "I'll come back!", Storm called out. Returning to the wheel, he grabbed the right most lever, and moved it, watching where he slotted it into, and squeezed it's handle, allowing the turbines to spin faster, pushing the ship forward. Pulling the second to last left lever, two large metal wings slid from inside the hull, he pushed the right most lever, and the engines dipped forward all the way, pushing the great mass of a ship out of the canyon, and the updraft carried him up, over the dusty plains. So far so good. Shifting another pedal down completely, the ship began speeding up even faster, and was soon going forward, creating a strong breeze that nearly pushed you back. "You did it!", Sally yipped excitedly. "Yes! The Eloise is up and flying!", Storm said in excitement. "Oh my Celestia, this is so wonderful. I've always wanted to say that!" "Well, if you really want to, we could grab a blue flag.", Storm suggested. "You'd really do that?", Sally asked, suppressing a scream. "Sure, why not. Make it a bit easier on ourselves, not have to fight the good guys." Sally screamed in joy, grabbing Storm. Giving him a big kiss, she giggle happily.
...Crew...There is one thing that's important about owning a ship, especially one you built from scrap. A crew. Making head way to an Equestrian docking station, one further in the territory than the first they saw, they chose an empty spot nearest the market, and docked there, coming to a rough halt. The bow stuck far enough over the walkway that you had to duck under it. As Sally and Stormy got off of the Eloise, several stallions engulfed them, each with either a question, offer to buy something, or something about the ship or money. "Your captain must be rich." "Since you seem to have good tastes, take a gander at my new wares..." Sonny, you've gotten lucky. Who's your captain?" "I am.", Stormy spoke seriously. All fell silent, then a few chuckles arose. "No...Seriously. I built the Eloise from scrap collected at the racing canyon on the boarder. Not even half a day's flight from here." "Wow. that story would actually be believable if you weren't a kid." "Shyeah right, and who's this young mare? You're first mate?" "Kid,I would believe you, but..." "No, really. I used a crane ship, and pieced her together from pieces of nearly every salvageable crash, even fixed half the stuff to work, and made a new engine in the process." The stallions continued to bicker, not a single one able to believe the story of such a young stallion, especially half his own age. "Hey, hey, hey!" It was a mare. More than likely a more mature one, at that. "Why don't you scabs go stick on another person, he doesn't need hassle from you guys." The stallions all left, silently. "Wow, thanks.", Stormy thanked. "Don't mention it. So, You said that you built this sucker from scraps?" "Nothing but. Engineering has been my favorite hobby since I was three - piecing together toys without instructions." "Wow, smart. So, how old are you exactly?" "Well, counting my latest birthday, I just recently turned sixteen." "Well then, what about you, miss?" "I'm only seventeen and a half." "And you're the only two in the crew, so far?" "Yes ma'am." "Well then." "We actually came here only to find anyone willing to join our crew." "Hey, I can help you with that. In fact, I can get you a few good young people like yourself." "Well, the max that can live aboard is eighty, so." "A good start, I'll say. I began with a ship that was not even a fourth that size, and began working up from there. Now, I own a ship just as big as your ship, if not, bigger, and with a full crew. every spot filled." "You must be a good captain, then. I'm Captain Stormy. My real name is Storm Wind." "I'm Captain Yollossandra. My real name is actually Blue Cay." "Well, it's been a pleasure meeting you." "Likewise. So, I can really help you, but if you don't want me to, I could stay out of your hair." "Well, it would be a big help if you could get me up to a crew of ten, at least." "What? I could get you at least twenty with a single flier." "really?" "I'm well known here. Best flier, bounty hunter, pirate dropper, and, I've even met THE Twilight sparkle, inventor of the Mark 1 Twilight Victorian." "Well, I don't like bragging much, but, my ship doesn't use a Twilight Victorian. I made my own engine. In fact, you don't find a ship that has enclosed turbines like she does." "I thought they were cannons...", she peered up at the large masses hanging to the ship's side. "Nope. Each has a turbine enclosed in a specially made engine compartment. Get's better acceleration and speed than the Twilight Victorian by at least six hundred kilometers." "Impressive. Maybe later, once I get you a few, you can test your crew, and we can see just how well you've built your ship. I see at least a league of cannons up there, and there is this pest that has been refusing to move his ship for the past week. "Who? A white flag, or red?" "Red. Damned pirate hasn't moved from where he was, and that's not good in any tactic against us. Just, if I went alone, like I usually do, he'd shoot down the Golden Bullet." "Well, I've not tested her in combat yet. I'm a bit afraid to." "Well, you have to some time. Your guns do work, do they?" "Manned and unmanned." "Good. I'll get you your crew, and we can see what she can do." Stormy nodded. "Now, why don't you come with me. You have to get your title registered, and your ship registered as well. Don't want anyone else claiming her, her name, or anything else you own." "Understood. And...Well, I'd have to say sorry for the rough docking." "Oh, well, it's understandable. Just yesterday a fool rammed into the dock, crumpled it, and even knocked a house over the cliff edge into the clouds below." "Oh, Celestia, I hope no one was in there." "heh, it was his house that went down, and the only place he lost was a place to bring a few mares." Stormy chuckled. "Well, come on, let's get you situated." Having registered at the local post office, and gotten fliers out, by Captain Yollossandra's word, and immediately, they were swarmed by at least seven or eight people. Having gotten that done, there really wasn't much to do, and, so, turning back to the ship, there was much more than just a small crowd hanging around. Above that, the ship had been moved to make way. Easily done by towing, but, it was still moved. It made Stormy feel a bit edgy. "Ah, Stormy!", captain Yollossandra called him over. "I see you got quite a crowd here. It's been only about fifteen minutes" "Yes. To tell the truth, maybe only about twenty of them are as young an age that would even listen to you. Half just want to be on a ship, as part of the crew, no experience, no goal, the other half, they actually want a specific spot. So, I brought them here, you choose. I'll give my best word to you about those I know, and those I don't, but, of coruse, I'm not choosing, so, if you want one on board, they will be, but if not, I have nos ay, I won't argue." "I appreciate the help but...It's a bit too easy." "You own a big ship that you took months to build, alone, I assume, by what you've told me. It's too big for just two to handle it alone. You need to have at least a crew of eight to help manage the guns, and below deck." "True. I guess we should find the best of them all." Captain Yollossandra nodded, and led him to the bickering crowd. "Alright!", she silenced them, "This here's the captain of the ship you see docked right here: The Eloise." "Uhm, hey.", Stormy said, unsure. Immediately three young stallions took the head, gibbering about something cool, and each were pushed away by Captain Yollossandra. "Calm down. Treat him like you would me, a little more respect.", she calmed them all. "Gotcha, Mrs. Yollossandra." "That's my captain name, buddy." "Alright.", Stormy began, confident once more, "I've got several spots that need to be filled. First test fight is to take place in the next hour, I'm guessing, so, let's take our time, just to get everyone situated on the Eloise. Let's start with the sharp shooters. Whoever can handle a heavily caliber cannon, step forward please." Immediately, four stallions and two mares stepped forward. "Hateful!", one mare said to the stallions that pushed ahead. "Hey, guys, seriously, let them through, that was a bit mean." The three stallions which had blocked the two, let the mares passed, and each stood in the ring they had made. "Hi, I'm Eva, and this is Ellen. We're sisters." "Cool. So, you obviously don't look like sharpshooters, but I've seen the impossible happen, so, what makes you a good gunner?" "We prefer working on large guns.", Ellen began. "I aim and shoot.", Eva admitted. "And I reload for her." "What if I were to pit the two of you on opposite sides, needing them to both be covered, as two airships flank us?" "We work our best when together, but that doesn't mean we can't rack out the best shots.", Ellen said with a smug look. "I have better accuracy, she has better reload time. It stacks up, and makes do for the lower skill." "Well said.", Stormy nodded, "We can test that in the battle coming up. Now, you four.", he looked to the stallions. "We're a group of friends. The Young Gunners Clan.", the largest spoke first, "I'm the leader, but that doesn't make me any better. Each of us can dish out the best we can on a gun. We've had a lot of practice, training with a few of the ships that pass through here." "Hmm. I'm not really sure I can trust that, but, prove me wrong. You're in." The stallions each high fived, then stood behind Stormy, next to the two mares. "Alright. Now, I need deck hands, three engineers, and, those who just wish to join, unsure of what to do, come on, I'll set you up where you seem to belong the most. For now, you are still being judged, except for the two gunner mares here. I want you two to dedicate ourselves, both, to great gunners, even if you two are horrible at first." "He's doing it just for the mares...", one stallion muttered to another. Stormy chuckled, stepping up the ladder. "Come on!" Once on deck, he waited for all who were coming aboard, and held them all in one spot. "Get to where you would like to start. There are eight manned guns on deck, a heavy artillery cannon below deck. The gear that needs to be managed by engineers, it's all at the back, below middle deck. Right now, everything is fine, and doesn't need to be messed with. I've pieced this ship together myself, even tested cannon fire on the hull. If we get into a heavy fight, they'll be shooting for a long time before we go down. Any questions?" "Yeah, when do we get back?", one mare asked It's a test run, in teh battlefield. It could take from fifteen minutes, to two hours. We apparently need to take a pirate ship down for good. Understood? Now, let's go." "Wait!", Sally stopped him. "Yes, Sally?" "For good luck!" Sally grabbed him by his old coat and pulled him into a quick kiss, making stormy blush a deep red. "Now, let's go." "Heh. alright, let's go. She moves fast, so, you might want to hold onto a rail or something." Everyone took their place, may they have wanted to, or not, the spot taken by someone faster. Nonetheless, the ship's needed spots were filled quickly. "Hey, Stormy!", Captain Yollossandra called from her ship. "Ready to go!", he signaled back with a wave. Shortly after, the whir and hum of large propellers sounded off from Captain Yollossandra's ship, followed by the kick up of The Eloise's own engines. A constant hum, then a loud whir that gained in pitch, until the ship moved from the dock, and began to turn, following after the slowly escaping ship. The next controls were simple, pushing levers that just put more gears on gears, and eventually, began turning the turbines faster, the Eloise taking off towards the opposite ship, the Golden Bullet. As they gained to be parallel with the Golden Bullet, Stormy saluted to Captain Yollossandra, and she, back. The next step was to be prepared, and quick. A dot seemed to grow only larger and larger as they both sped forth. Going below deck with a few of his own crew, stormy helped pull the ammo cases out as Sally held the wheel. After a few minutes, every gunner was ready, and Stormy's own firepower was ready for a pass each. The ship they had targeted was not far away, either, having only a few kilometer's distance from them. It was moving. Away. "He's trying to escape.", Stormy pointed out, "Wait until Captain Yollossandra opens fire first. If she does, target the lower back of the ship first, blow their engines.", he commanded. As he had predicted, the Mare Captain made her command, and deafening explosions rang next to the Eloise, followed by the firepower of the very ship, blasting off nearly the entire lower bottom half of the pirate airship. Stormy looked to Captain Yollossandra and she nodded, a silent message passing between them. Turning the wheel, and a few navigations later, Stormy pulled a lever, the starboard side cannons protruded out, ringing a loud explosion, followed by The golden Bullet's own port side cannons. The pirate ship's hull was mostly a metal chassis, but the wood that was there splintered like glass, torn by pellet balls, twenty pound cannonballs, and even an airborne torpedo that ripped through half the hull before detonating. The results, the main mast fell within a few seconds, the above fell in, and the back left rigging holding the air balloon in place was snapped, forcing the ship to dip back to the left. Then it hit him like a stone against glass. Really, it's a common mistake when you want to be cool looking on the first expression but, even if it was to someone that was an enemy to his own nation, it was still like...bullying, being a tool, acting cool. At that moment he felt the awkward feeling of foolishness set in. Retracting the cannons, Stormy took place at a single cannon, and aimed it, firing one more shot that happened to grapple the pirate ship, and pull it closer to the Eloise. Once it was close enough, Stormy dropped down on the enemy ship alone, telling even Sally to wait. Calmly, and carefully, walking to the captain's cabin, he opened the door and met a scared stallion. Overweight, and sweating heavily, even breathing heavy, that very stallion laughed. "I was attacked by a child?" "No, I'm pretty sure I'm no longer a colt, but better known as a young stallion. Is there anyone else aboard this ship?" "My engineer, but, I'm not sure she made it. She was below deck, managing the engines trying to get them to go faster, that is...until you blew the entire thing off....", he deadpanned. "Hmm..." "Stormy!", Captain Yollossandra barged in, sword at ready. "Calm down, he's just a single stallion, and a single engineer. I have to go search below deck, so I'll go fetch Sally and a deck hand. for now, make sure he doesn't pull anything off that might kill us all." "Can do, but...what are you searching for?" "Every pirate has a treasure. and, to tell the truth, I'm not after money." "Kid, you're already playing like a righteous stallion." "I'm not a kid, and I certainly will make sure to do what I wish to. If I want to play hero, I will. But that's not what I'm doing. I'm making up for what is called a misdeed." Captain Yollossandra shook her head, and grabbed the large stallion by the gruff of his neck, leading him out. Stormy hurried to the edge of the deck and called Sally down, a stallion in tow. "Alright. there were only two people on board, the captain, and an engineer. We should see if the engineer is still alive. If she is, bring her on board, I will have a chat with Captain Yollossandra afterwards if she fusses. Understood?" "Why are we trying to find an engineer?", Sally asked. "Because I'm not a heartless brute. If you didn't notice like I did, for about the entire gunfight, they didn't fire at us, and above that, they were trying to get away. And there was even something behind THAT reason as well. I accepted an offer to test my guns, and measured firepower of two to one. I don't even see guns on this ship, and to top it all off, I did it because of the moment. I wasn't thinking." Sally shrugged, and followed him below deck, jumping down the misshapen stairs. No machinery running, and the smell of a magic leakage in the air, it wasn't really healthy, but not like breathing in large amounts of smog. It just gave an unpleasant feeling in the lungs. Truth of it all, it looked more like someone went through, and twisted, cut, and bent every metal every which way without actually destroying the ship. It's what they did. Only with cannons. And explosions. Walking further along the remains of the ship, Sally was the first to notice something in contrast to the metal and wood. A white blouse, and regular Victorian-wear. "There she is.", Stromy said, approaching the fallen mare. He looked at teh dripping blood first, of which slid down the bent metal floor, and out the bottom of the ship. Rolling her onto her back, he found where she had been hurt. A gash that looked like it tore deep into her side. Stormy turned to the stallion that was with them, "What's your name?" "Maxim." "You think you can pick her up?" "Yeah. Pretty easy, should she not wake up and freak out." "Good enough. Help me pick her up, we need to get her out of here. If there is a fire somewhere in here, and it touches that magic...boom." "Understood." Picking up the mare, she woke up, hands immediately grabbing her side, hissing in pain. She took a few heavy breaths, then began pushing at Maxim, trying to get away. "Let me go!" "Calm down, you and your captain are coming with me.", Stormy admitted. "No! I'm not going to jail!" "I never said I was going to take you to jail, and, to tell the truth, never thought of it till now." "So, you're just going to kill me? Is that it?" "Uhm...No. I'm pretty sure I came down here to help you. Maxim, Sally, we found what we came for, let's get above deck, quickly." They both nodded and followed him out quickly, slowing at the misshapen stairs to push the engineer up slowly. Up on deck, Several other crew members from the golden Bullet had ventured onto the ship, making a small crowd around the Pirate Captain, and to Stormy's disapproval, some of his own crew members. the mare coughed, taking her first breath of fresh, non-magic tainted air, "You're with that witch?" "Yes, but as I may have, or may not have said before, I'm not a brute. You won't go to her, neither will your captain. Captain Yollossandra!", Stormy called. "Stormy!", the mare captain made her way to him, "I see you've got the engineer.", she smiled. "Yes, now, do you plan on arresting the captain?" "Yes. The original idea was to just drop this ship out of the sky." "But has he done anything worth arresting him for?" "Listen, Stormy. I was given orders to drop this ship, by the mayor. If he says drop a ship, I have to drop a ship. If there is a casualty, then it's his own fault." "No. It's not his, it's yours. You make the decision whether to obey him, you can make the decision of whether or not you kill innocent people." Captain Yollossandra's smile faded. "Kid, you're getting to be a bit smart there, maybe you should watch what you say before you get smacked." "...I've not once had a single worry. If I want to save these two innocent pirates, then yes, I'm allowed to, you can drop the ship, grab your pay, but, I will still have saved two lives that you wouldn't have cared for." The mare captain opened her mouth to speak, but turned away with a growl. "Exactly. Now, sir,", Stormy approached the pirate captain. "What is your name?", Stormy approached the pirate captain. "Captain Red Coat.", he responded. "Well, Captain Red Coat, you are coming aboard my ship, with me. If Captain Yollossandra says anything, she has to answer to me, whether or not it's arrest." "Th...thank you..." "Hey!", The mare captain exclaimed, "You can't just take an arrest from me!" "Maxim. Bring his engineer on board, Captain red, you can get on board yourself, can you not?" "I can." "Good. Captain Yollossandra, you're clearly not a police officer. Just a hired gun. If you wish to take him from me then you answer to my ship's guns. I have no trouble dropping anyone out of these skies. And, to top it all off, I've got enough fire power to win a two on one ship, odds opposite my favor. Easily." "Boasting will only get you in trouble, kid", she said angrily. "I'm pretty sure I have the firepower to back myself up. Really. I can even prove it by saying this one thing. I built her from scrap. I own her, she obeys me. I pull a lever, your ship drops like a stone." "Look kid, it's my job to rank new pilots. This is a pirate ship, we give no care for pirates, he was basically a sitting duck waiting to be shot." A moment of silence fell between the two. Stormy took a breath, breathing through his nose, "When we get back, I'll depart for another dock. I thank you for helping me get a crew started, but, I refuse any more help. I can take it from here, on my own." "Your welcome.", she walked off, climbing aboard her own vessel. As Stormy returned to his own, he was stopped by Sally. "I guess that kiss was for nothing...", she said, not even making eye contact. "Hey. You didn't bring luck to me. But you brought luck to them..", he motioned to teh two pirates on board. She huffed, "That was nice of you, bringing them aboard, saving them." "Well. I'd not be a good captain, now would I? If someone deserves the right to live, then I will very much give them that right first." "What would take away that right?", Sally asked, looking up. "Depends. I don't know yet. I'm not a pacifist, but I'm not a doormat, either. We need to start dropping ships in battles of our own. We need money too. So, once we get to the port, we get a job." "Understood. Are we going to get there quickly, or no?" "Let's stop by a neutral dock first. There should be one nearby." Sally nodded her head. The trip was silent from then on. Stormy just guessed that everyone on board knew what they had done. It's one thing to kill someone innocent. But, tricked by an ally...That's something harsh. Leisurely pulling into the docks, Stormy helped his passengers off, Bringing the engineer to the hospital that was positioned there, and without another word, returned to his ship. The voyage back was quick, bringing a not so familiar sight to his eyes. The docks. But, they were a bit empty, save for Captain Yollossandra's ship. Stormy picked out a few mares and stallions. Six. All who had changed their mind about being on an airship or couldn't handle the job, and led them off, then got off himself, Sally in tow. "Sally, I'm not going to be long. Right now, I'm only looking for a small job to begin with." "You don't know, Captain Yollossandra is not so easily trusted, so, I'm not letting you go alone. She's lied once, don't want to take any chances of her tricking you, or worse." "I can respect that." The message board was filled mostly with bounties, and a few for cargo shipping. Picking up one that gave out a full ten thousand bits, Stormy nodded at the wanted poster, agreeing with it. "Found one. Your old fashioned pirate. Been dropping other ships, stealing their cargo, twelve ships downed, totaled, or raided." "Sounds like he's been busy. Does it show the ship?", Sally asked. "Yeah, that's the picture on the front. They want it to be dropped like a stone. True test for firepower." Sally nodded in agreement, and turned to go. "Let's go drop a pirate, and collect a bounty. Wait, how would we prove that we dropped the ship?", Sally asked. "I guess they go and check for themselves." "Alright then." Returning to the ship, Stormy once again took the wheel, and steered the Eloise out of the port, and off in some random Direction. The second day of searching, a hot lead was found out. The old mare said that they always come from a nearby mountain. It may not be a perfect lead, but it was a good lead. The cave was, to their luck, occupied by a rather large ship. To be exact, this ship was nearly half the size of the Eloise bigger, and sported a bit more firepower, including a large cannon where the mast would be placed. Stormy cut the engines, and with the remaining forward momentum, got the Eloise to turn with her port side to the cave opening. "Sally." "Yes, Captain?", she replied, turning from the opposite rail to view what he was looking at. "I want you to tell Eva and Ellen to ready up the sniper cannon, and aim directly at that large cannon. Have it ready to fire, but don't fire yet." Sally nodded, "Aye, Captain." Quickly getting set up, Stormy pulled the red lever which he had marked specifically to open the upper deck floor up. Cargo ships used this to put cargo in through the top, but he had other plans when building the Eloise. A few seconds later, gears kicked into place with clangs that rang throughout the ship, raising a large cannon that took up a whole third of the ship's deck, and had a large slender barrel to put the muzzle just over the ship's port side. Walking to the cannon, and the two readying mares, Stormy smiled as Ellen did her job very efficiently, and Eva doing her job as fast as she could. But, then again, the wheels that moved the cannon only worked at very slow paces, and considering that the Eloise was still moving, albeit slowly, it was like trying to keep a speeding target in her scopes. "Eva!", Stormy took her side next to the seat, "Are you able to keep those crosshairs lined up with that large cannon?" "Nothing I can't handle. We have a chance to miss if the ship is hit with a large gust, but we should wait till she stops moving before I prime this sniper cannon. This cannon looks like it's a very high caliber." "It's a five-point-seven caliber. I had to make the barrel wider, and switched the enire loading system. Though, now it is currently a bolt action cannon, which is more like saying it's an artillery cannon than a sniper cannon, but it makes up for it's incredibly accurate shots." "...How accurate?", Eva asked. "I saw the ship this was on, take to the top of a mountain that was easily the entire length of the Grand Prix away. you do know the Grand Prix on the boarder, right?" "Yes. I've seen it, but not really been there." "Needless to say, that's about a fifty kilometer distance. this cannon downed a ship that had made it to first first place, in one shot, and, ended up toppling the ship it was on. The idiot bought a gun too big for his ship." "...This gun won't flip this ship, too, will it?" "I have no idea, fire." pulling the latch which loaded the cannon, Eva lined up the cross hairs one last time, and kept them steady as she slowly squeezed the trigger. Not even reacting a nanosecond later, the hammer slingshot into place, activating the gunpowder through the casing and the heavy caliber bullet shot forth, not only blasting through the pirate's cannon's barrel, and out the back, but it also activated the loaded round in that cannon, creating an explosion that left a small fire on the ship. A few seconds later, bow chasers began rounding to the front of the ship, and Ellen and Eva were at it. As fast as Ellen could get those heavy shells in, and out, Eva was blasting one cannon off after another, soon, leaving the ship defenseless from the front. "They can't shoot unless they come out, and if I'm right, they come out, and you drop them.", Eva devised. "Half correct, but, I want you to aim at the starboard and port sides, and fire a round about a full two meters into the hull, counting from each side, in, just below the front-most bow chasers by at least half a meter." "Got it." A few seconds later, she fired one shot, and began lining up another, which, as soon as it was loaded, tore through the ship once again. "Now, the remaining cannons they have left should be the stern port and starboard cannons, leaving them as sitting ducks. Ellen." "Yes, Captain?", Ellen answered, holding a large, unfired shell up. "Put that down. Grab that shell that says: Handle with care." Ellen set the shell down, and looked through the large ammo crate again, pulling out a rather slim shell, and looked it over. "Is this it?" "That's the one. Load it up, and Eva, this time, aim for the roof of that cave, and fire." "I'm guessing we're about to give them a real artillery shell.", Eva smiled as she watched her aim. "I wouldn't exactly say that. It's a much bigger explosion. Should cause the entire roof to collapse in, raining about five hundred tons of rock onto their ship. They'll be crushed." "What about the stolen cargo?" "They sold it all." "So, not much to do. Alright." Locking the shell into place one last time, Eva fired the artillery round, and it hit it's mark, only cracking the roof of the cave, heavily. "It didn't cave in?", Stormy asked. "Wait...", Eva said, hopping down off the cannon. As she said, he did, and a few seconds later, was satisfied, once the roof gave out, and did what he had expected it too. The ship was chrushed, and the bow was even cut off, falling over the edge into the clouds below. "Wow. I'll say, Eva, that was fine marksmanship. As you had promised me...well, as you and your sister promised, you two dished out the best sniping I've ever seen." "Aw, it was nothing.", Eva blushed. "Heh, thanks!", Ellen smiled. "Captain Stormy?", one stallion approached. He was one of the Young gunners. "Ah, Maxim. Is there anything you need?" "Well, you see, the guys and I are worried, now. Seeing as you took out a ship with just a sniper cannon, it doesn't really seem fair...or fun..." "Maxim, I really don't see anyone here as a better priority for every fight. the sniper cannon here took a full half minute to deploy, and another minute for Ellen and Eva to get it ready to fire. Really, I only wanted to test it, see if it even worked, because, really, that barrel you see there was bent in more ways than I thought possible, until I salvaged it. It's the first actual fight we've had in the skies. Don't worry, there will be more." "Well, I didn't really think of that. Well, I also have a concern. Your ship has barely any heavy artillery aboard. I see three mounted machine guns, a gauss cannon, and the remaining are flak." "The argument here, is that you want quality over quantity. While it may be a good moral code, it doesn't apply here. You can try to put five explosive shots into the hull of another ship within half a minute, but with a gatling gun, you could put in five hundred. The reload time usually depends on who is using the gun, or cannon, but, I prefer to get something done, and be more precise, than be erratic, brutish, and slow. We're all amateurs here, even me. I'm an amateur captain, you're an amateur gunner, all of us. Except for Ellen and Eva. They're pros." Eva and ellen each smiled with pride. "Now, girls, later on, I want to know where you two trained in weaponry like you had. But, right now, let's check to see if anyone is still alive over there." Needless to say, the trip to the mountain cave, which had recently been turned into a pille of rubble, was short, and a good short. Docking on the wooden dock that had been set up, Stormy got off first, only a cutlass at his aid. Then came Maxim and another stallion named Tree Bark. Following the dock along the mountainside, it lead in, even passed the rubble, and, sure enough, not the entire ship had been crushed, leaving a few stallions to crawl out of the wreckage. Aproaching the only Pirate wearing a hat, Stormy rolled him onto his back, and put a foot on his chest. "Are you the captain?", he asked. He coughed, "You took us down!? A *cough* chi-ild?" "Uhm. I'm pretty sure I'm not a child, but I am sure that I've got guts for even taking up as a captain. Now, answer me." "Yes, I am you halfwit..." Stormy bent down, and took the cutlass from the captain's hip, and then picked him up, shoving him into Maxim, who reacted perfectly, grabbing a hold of the pirate with enough force to hold him. "Well, aren't you a strong boy.", the captain remarked as he was hoisted up like cargo. "Throw him against the wall, Tree Bark, toss me the rope." Bark waited until after the captain was thrown before tossing the rope, and Stormy got to work, tying up the older stallion with ease. "This seems a bit too easy." "I'm not resisting, you dumb ass." "Well, that would explain it. I don't know why." "Because it's one against three, I'm not stupid, kid." "Fair enough. I just assumed all of you were senile, or idiots, or something much less than that." The captain rolled his eyes at the taunt, and stormy stood him up. "Let's go throw this guy to the authorities. Bounty should pay for the much needed supplies." Having returned the captain of the very ship that had plagued a fraction of the neutral and Equestrian sides, he was given the bounty on the spot. But one thing he didn't brush off, was how the captain kept smiling at Sally the whole trip back. She even requested that someone take him away, put him in the brig, out of sight, and the stallion laughed as he was dragged away. Though, dismissing it as, more than likely, some deranged pirate, he didn't worry about it any more, and returned to the ship with the three members of his crew. After passing by a bakery, his stomach growled loudest out of the group. "Oh, by the way, Captain.", Maxim spoke up, "We kinda need to eat. You're not one of those weird people that refuses food, are you?" "Of course not! I mean, It may be just because I've been in the moment. Once we get back to the ship, we'll make a pass by the sky market, and grab some food for the whole week. Sound good?" "Alright. I'm up for helping with groceries." "Heh. Well, we're going to need someone strong to carry the barrels of water and whatever else we choose to drink." "Let's not get any tea. I hate tea." "But I love it. I'll get a keg for myself then." "Alright. Sounds good to me. I think it would be great to talk it over with the guys and galls over what we should get besides water." "Eh, I can deal with it. Nothing that's outrageously expensive. Remember, we all need this money to pay for food and other supplies. Like twenty wrenches." "Wrenches?" "So I can throw em!", Stormy smiled. "...What?"
...Losses...He tested the weight and distribution of each wrench, tossing them up, but, now that he had twenty wrenches set to throw, at his disposal, he was really wanting to see how funny, or anger relieving it was to peg somebody in the head with one of these. And being the teenager he is, he's hoping it would be funny, like most his age would. "Hey!" Dropping his smile, he turned, and looked over the edge of the ship. A stallion. He had a blue coat, captain's hat, he was a captain, which is basically an instant respect switch in Stormy's mind. "Ahoy!", Stormy leaned over the edge. "Could you get this heap of junk out of the way, so I can park there?!" Stormy's smile disappeared, noticing two things in this picture. One, that stallion was dead serious. Two, he had a beer jug in his hand. With a devious smile, Stormy grabbed one of the wrenches and tossed it up. He threw it. And just as he wanted it to, it pegged the stallion in the head, knocking him over. "Well, that played out more avenging and funny in my head. Oh well. That's one less Wrench I'm going to worry about. Only nineteen heavy carbon steel wrenches to go!" Second meeting of the week with the police force on the same docks he turned his first bounty in to, it was a bit harder than the last. The captain wouldn't quit struggling. "Would you quit?", Stormy asked, helping Maxim to hold him down. "Why? I'm a PIRATE! What do you expect?" "Good point." Taking the wrench from his belt, Stormy knocked it against the captain's head. It worked Effectively. The once writhing stallion was literally, now, an unconscious villain with a large bump on his head. "Let's get him to the constable." Maxim hoisted the captain over his shoulder, and walked beside Stormy to the designated building. Inside, there were seven officers already, each trying to hold down just one stallion. "Stay back, kid! He's a feisty one!", one police stallion warned. Stormy, absolutely going to take advantage of this situation, held his wrench up and tossed it at just the right moment, pegging said struggling stallion in the head, knocking him out just as easily as Stormy did to his captive. "Uh...Thanks.", one officer thanked Stormy. "I need that wrench by the way." Retrieving the wrench as he approached the counter, a mare responded with a smile, opening the barricade on the other side of the wire mesh. "Hello~!" "Yes. I have the captain of the Red Flower in custody. In fact, it's that red coated stallion in the red colored stalion's arms." "You mean the red colored stallion in the red coated stallions arms?" Turning to look behind him, Stormy noticed that his captive had awaken, but, as he was, that stallion was dazed, struggling like a weak child against Maxim. "Nope, the red coat. I wacked him just before walking in." "And chunking your wrench at the other stallion." Stormy laughed, "I just can't believe how effective and funny that is! Anyway. I'm here to collect the bounty on him and his ship. If you need the coordinates for his ship, you might want to bring a search party to check near the wastelands." "Oh, we'll take your word for it. But, I still need to get the coordinates marked. did you check the compass before you departed from the site?" "Well, I did, but I shot them down from afar. Sniper cannon works best when battling a ship bigger than yours." "Tactical. So, about how far away?", she began writing. "About seven to ten kilometers." Stormy finished by giving her the coordinates to the location, and collected his pay. That's it. Nothing else. Returning to his ship, the sun had set already, having been peaking just beyond the horizon before he walked in. "I guess it's time for bed.", he said to Maxim. "Yeah. But, when are we all going to get in on a fight, and not just Ellen and Eva?" "Well, the weapons I have are mostly short to medium range, and seeing as I have had less firepower than the last two ships we went against, using the sniper cannon would ensure that we were all safe. Just thinking about keeping us alright." "Alright, Captain. Oh, here comes Sally." "Stormy.", Sally addressed her captain. "Yes, Sally?" "Can I speak to you?" "Sure." "Alone?" "Oh...Well, see ya tomorrow Maxim." "Alright." Stormy walked with Sally to his cabin, and, expecting her to go inside, stopped in front of her. "We don't really need to go inside, do we?" "No, not really. I still needed to tell you something important." "And what would that be?" "My family. My dad's a pirate." "Well, that's not really a big surprise." "Well, it's who he is that's got me worried. He's a very powerful pirate. High ranked, and the way that the leadership system works, he, or she, who kills the leader, is the leader. So... "So, since you think he is such a powerful pirate, he could easily get leadership over the entire pirate nation?" "Not exactly, just, you gain your rank by killing whoever commands you in fair - ish - combat." "So, you think that he may be higher up than he was before?" "Yes, that exactly, just wanted to help you get a grasp of how the system works." "Why?" "Because, if he gets higher up, then that endangers us all. Even me." "Why do you say that?" "Well, if you had a daughter, and she went missing, wouldn't you go find her, and possibly slaughter anyone who took her?" "Depends mostly on how you put it, but I understand. And, seeing as I worked at the Boarder Grand Prix, that means they could easily find us. Thanks for the heads up, I never thought of it before. In fact, tomorrow, we'll go check out the grand Prix, make sure that Mr. Sprint is still alright." "Ok." "But, really, thanks. Is there anythign else?" "No..." "Doesn't look likke it to me." "I'm worried." "About the ELoise going down?" "About you...You helped me escape, and rather flawlessly. You're a good Captain, but...Maybe you've just gotten a good fortune, and it may soon come to an end." "Don't say that." "Why? Because you want it to stay easy like this? You've gotten more than twenty grand in bits for dropping two Pirates in the paste two weeks, each of which you dropped using only one gun. You helped me escape, and I just so happened to be there to ask for help when the Eloise was perfect, and ready to go. Everything has been too easy..." "...You're right. But, even then, we shouldn't worry about it being something like faith mixed with karma. I've never killed anyone in my life, until recently, and it's because I've destroyed two ships, which, only the captains, and a few others, survived. It's not a way of life, but it is getting by in life. I've never once stopped thinking that if I keep doing this, something bad is going to happen. It's like being a thief. You know that if you continue to be a thief, you'll soon be caught, and killed, or sent to prison. But we've not done this a long time. And I'm not trying to hide." He leaned against the wall, and sighed, "If I am ever confronted with a ship twice the Eloise's size, do you know what I would do?" "What if that ship was my dad's?" Stormy thought for a few moments. "...That ship's faith would become my decision, and my decision would be made, depending on who he is to you, and his intentions towards you. Do you sitll love your dad?" "...No...I never really did. I found out my dad was a pirate just half a year ago. We haven't even been able to meet yet, and seeing as I have run off, and joined the Equestrians, he's probably going to flip out, and go after you, kill you, your crew, drop your ship, and take me home, probably beat me." "So what would you want me to do?" Sally stared at the ground, and looked up, "I want you to blow his ship to shreds." "Then that is what I will do." She half smiled, "Thanks." Sally pulled Stormy into yet another kiss. But this time, there was a little more passion. The events afterward quickly led into Stormy's cabin and, as any couple would do in a bed, they made love. It was a bonding moment. Stormy really didn't pay much attention, worrying about what he was doing, and what he had to do, managing his own ship, but tonight...Tonight was for Sally. Left to stare up at the ceiling as he lay there, Stormy thought mostly about the conversation before, and Sally. He felt like he had accomplished something that, otherwise, may have taken a lot of effort to do. But, he also felt like he could take on the world. Probably just the after feel of sex. Though, it happened as if only to be brief. One moment, they're talking, and the next, stripping each other slowly. Turning his head to look at Sally, she seemed content as she slept. Arms crossed under her head, on her stomach, like it wasn't just enjoyable, but...something more. It left Stormy to think. He's a young stallion, and she a young mare. He may be smart, and has outsmarted more than about ten pirates in his life, intentionally. But...He's still a kid, he has limits. and he knows that. He's not some buff teenager who prefers to work out all the time, he's not the one kid that has low metabolism, and a love for books. He's just your average Teenager. What if he was taken by surprise? Boarded? Attacked as he tried to defend his crew, alone. He was one sword, but unexperienced. He'd need to be better than this. Stormy was the first to awaken. Silently getting out of bed, the first rush of sunshine he got that morning was soothing. It was starting to head into wintery climate already. A few others were on deck, including Maxim, who, not one bit surprising, was lifting weights. Well, crates, to be exact. A simple workout. Except those crates were filled with very heavy artillery shells. It wasn't worrying Stormy that he could drop them, no. Just, the ropes he had tied around the crates, are what worried him. If one broke, and the crate fell... "Hey, Maxim!", Stormy called. "Yes sir?", he put the crates down. "I think its alright to work out, especially with crates that are as heavy as fifty pound weights, but, really, at least get some thicker ropes. You might cut your hands, or worse, those crates could fall." "Yes sir, it's just, this is the only rope that I could find that could be used without them being needed later for the ship." "Well, we have enough rope to re-rig the ship's balloon more than four times." "I didn't want to bug you about it, because, there might not have been enough. It's just me thinking of the ship." "Well. Might want to start cooling down, Maxim. We're going to depart as soon as everyone is wide awake. We're about ten minutes away from where I want to go, and I'd fly us there now, but, I also run the risk of not being ready for an impending airship battle." "Well, I'm up for anything, if you are." "I'm not.", Stormy confessed, "Not anymore." "Did we lose something? Are one of the engines shot? A weapon messed up?" "No. I'm just not ready anymore. Maxim, think of yourself as a captain. Then think of yourself as the only commander among a total of twenty people. Do you really know what would happen if you went down?" "Well, I'd imagine the others would be a sitting duck in the water for a pirate to shoot, easily." "Exactly. Well, I've recently had a confidence killer seep into my thoughts. I don't even expect you to understand this all. But, we need to make a trip to the Grand Prix. Maybe I will regain my confidence there." "Why?" "I have a friend that lives there." "Oh." "Hey, captain.", Eva called to Stormy. turning to the mare as she walked from the other side, she stretched contently, a good thing. "What do you need, Eva?" "Well, nothing really, just saying hey. It's a good morning." "For you at least. Well, we're going to be taking off as soon as everyone is ready, so we have some time to kill." "You look a bit upset." "Just something that shouldn't be too hard to control." "If you need someone to talk to, just call me." "Thanks." The next hour or so was a bit slower than Stormy had hoped. It even got to the point where he was willing to wake everyone up. But, sure enough, everyone was around and ready for a good day. It was a good day, just...He hoped it wouldn't end badly. Stormy passed through the middle deck bunk room, and made sure no one was asleep before returning to the wheel. Sally wrapped her arms around him, putting her muzzle in his neck. "Good morning." "It is.", Stormy replied. "It feels like today is the perfect day. As if no one would even be touched today. A day to just...relax." "Yeah, a day that everyone, except for me, can relax." "What's wrong?" "What you said last night. I realized that I'm not ready, I'm not experienced. Maybe we've just gotten lucky the past few times." "What do you mean?" "I've lost a lot of confidence in one night. I plan on heading toward the Grand Prix on the boarder, see if I could regain some of that confidence, and then start training everyone. That's what I've been forgetting. I just realized that." "Well, I say it's about time to leave." "Yeah, well, everything feels different right about now. I'd prefer to keep silent, so, if you wouldn't mind, I could use some help getting orders out." "What do you need?" "I need the engineers to start the engines. We're about to leave." "Alright." Sally ran off. Steadying his arm on the wheel, Stormy looked past the hull of his own ship, to it's very heart. It was not just a ship. It was not just his ship. It was a place to live, where a few crew members lived, now. All too young for this whole thing. But start at a young age, you get more experience earlier in life. It helps in this world of steam, metal, and gunpowder. Looking at how his ship was built, it was easy to drop something like this. Just puncture the balloon. But, even then, you'd have to kill the engines that sat at the ready for when that happens. The engines rumbled to life. It's the sound of an engine that runs Stormy, not the thrill of being a captain, not the thrill of running a crew. He loved to own his own ship, of which he built from scrap in less than a year, but...It just doesn't feel like this should have been what he is supposed to be doing. Lever after lever, he pulled the Eloise out of the docks, and made way for the boarder. It was only a few minutes later when the mountains came into view, and several...new features. As Stormy approached the wall of mountain tops that hid the Grand Prix docks, he held up his telescope to see further than able, and spotted the docks. Two things were wrong. Several white flags and Blue flags lay on top of piles of metal and wood, where ships would be docked, but, there was also a red flag adorned at the top of the building that sat in the middle of the docks. "We've got a problem.", Stormy held the telescope to Sally. "They took it!", she spotted the red flag. "Mmhmm. I'm going to land her next to the docks, and take Maxim with me to go check the building. I have to find Sprint." "Aye, Captain Stormy." Directing the Eloise to said location nearby the docks, a loud...sound, caught Stormy's attention, bringing his sights to rest on a black bow of a ship that hung just over the edge of the mountains. A few seconds later, a loud explosion rang next to him. In fact, it was the docks, the building which sat in the center. So easily wiped from existence. A small building which Stormy had known for a really long time as a place to work, and help others. Now, a childhood memory was destroyed, taken from him like a precious item you could never replace, or get back. One that had more sentimental value than your own belongings. He didn't hear much of what went on afterwards. But he knew there was panic. He gave an order that he knew would be right, commanding all who could get off the ship, to get off, by any means possible. Immediately, those who could, began running, all except him... And Sally. "Sally!", Stormy yelled at the blue mare, "Go! Leave!" "No!", she refused, "Not without you!" He wanted to scream, yell at her, get her off, save her, but...then that last part caught him off guard. "Sally, I can't leave." A grappling hook tore through the deck, and jerked the ship upwards, towards the black mass. "As a pegasus, I would rather die than leave the Eloise." Turning to the approaching ship, or rather, the black mass that the Eloise was approaching, he turned to Sally and began taking off his jacket, and shirt. "What are you doing?" "I'm going to save your life!" He jumped at her, and grabbed a hold, wings taking them both overboard. The first few flaps were uncomfortable, having not used his wings in almost a week. But, he got it right, and slowed to a stop just above the ground, setting Sally down. "Stormy!" "No! Stay here! Get to cover! I can already tell what's going to happen. The captain always goes down with his ship." Stormy flew back up to the eloise, and was grabbed by several pirates as he landed. Forced to the ground and bound. He didn't struggle, he didn't fly off. One pirate grabbed his right wing, and ran Stormy's own cutlass through it, severing a good part of it. He did not scream. He may have cracked his own teeth, having clenched his teeth so hard, but did not utter a sound. "Tough kid...", the captain admitted as he approached. The captain was a fair blue. Kind of like Sally, but...Darker. "And who are you?", Stormy asked. "Captain Black Powder, proud owner of the Black Behemoth, largest airship to ever fly, and has the most capable firepower." "You destroyed the dock house!" "That racing track pit stop? Well, of course I did, it pissed you off, didn't it?" "Are you Sally's dad?" "She's told you about me? Heh. Good to see she knows me." "I new today was going to be a horrible day. Every horrible day I've had in my life always started good, then turned sour." "Well, it may be a horrible day. For you. But, for me, not so much. You've brought my daughter to me, and that's all you needed to do." Captain Black Powder looked passed Stormy at the small vessel that brought the said mare up, and smiled. "There she is." Captain Black grabbed Sally as she passed by, and threw her in front of Stormy. "See? Even if you tried to save her, you did nothing. It doesn't take long to find someone on solid ground. I thank you for bringing her back to us, but, that doesn't let you off the hook." Captain Black turned to the row set before Stormy. All of his crew that was on board. It was only nine people. Inlcuding Maxim. He was thankful that at least Ellen and Eva were safe. But, it didn't dismiss the fact that Maxim, and all his friends were in that line. He remembered their names like kin. Era, Maxim, Heavy, Bulk, Piston, Engine Block, Amy, and Betty. With an equal amount of pirates lined behind them, Stormy knew what would happen next, and regretted having even come here, more. Holding that lump down, he forced himself to anger, just to enable him to talk. "You are such a fucking worthless person.", Stormy spoke up. Captain Black slowed his step, and even put little jaunt into it as he turned around, facing Stormy once more. "Oh, look, such big, harsh words coming from a kid. Listen, kid. No one will come for you, no one will care. If anything, it may just let those Equestrian blue coats know that this war just got a lot more serious. Kill them all." There wasn't even a grunt, only surprised gasps as each of Stormy's crew had a cutlass shoved through their chest. That's just like those Pirates. "Let Stormy go, and leave him. Once we get off, blow this ship in two, and destroy whats left." They threw stormy against the deck, and hurried off, leaving him to stand on his own. The amount of anger, the amount of sheer hatred, the amount of sadness that not even his pride could not hold down, all of it. Not a single thing showed. All Stormy could do was stare up at the larger ship as each cannon nearest aimed at the Eloise and fired. He was blown off the edge, shrapnel digging into his front side from the first blast. It was painful, and made him feel like he couldn't breath. The sheer force of the blast winded him. A few seconds after he was blown off, the Eloise was literally split in two, each half beginning to tumble down the side of the mountains. The stern was headed straight for him. Rolling at first, it hit a small cliff, and began to tumble awkwardly, then began to fall, top over bottom towards him, gaining. Reaching him first, it slammed Stormy against one wall throughout the tumble, until it came to a stop at the bottom, slamming him against the suspended walkway opposite of him. With no momentum holding him, Stormy fell down, landing on the untouched magic tank below. It busted in some places, mostly around the seems where it was welded, or bolted. He could feel it. Several spots of pain mixing. The intoxicating magic in the air, stinging his lungs like heavy smog, the shrapnel in hes chest, the broken bones in his back, and the heavy pain reaching through his severed wing. It was all he could bare. Pain forcing him to begin to black out, the last thing that was on his mind, was how easy this had happened to him alone. His eyes shut, the air stopped, and another explosion rang far away, then another... It was white. Everything. It's all he could see. His coat had turned white, the floor was white, the endless area around him was white. Soothing. He didn't want to move, he didn't want to think, only enjoy it. Then something flashed through the white background. He only caught a glimpse, but knew what it was. A scream for him. Stormy... Thoughts kicking up quickly, he didn't really know what to do. His life played before him, fast. Going through what he had accomplished in his life, and slowed down to the most recent events. When he met Sally, their night together, then it came to a real time movement once his last moments were there. His crew. He saved most, but some still died. It was his fault. Sally was taken, also his fault. Maxim was a good friend. The one he remembered the most out of those nine crew members. The tears began to fall, one after another, creating black dots against the white colored floor. Every tear created another dot until, finally, there was a hole in front of him. Then one thing caught his mind like a hook thrust through fabric. Sally. They took Sally. His mind began running through the hatred, and the tears dried up. But the hole in front of him grew, soon, covering the entire floor beneath him, and dimming the background to a solid black as well. All except his fur. Sparks danced across his chest, and he could feel his heart kick up. He felt it. Then another, he cringed. And another. He woke up. Eyes wide open, thinking right, heart beating, body moving... He should be dead. If not from an explosion, from the poisonous magic that leaked from the tank. A doctor flashed a light in his eye, checking his pupils, then spoke. Something he Couldn't hear. "...fine. You said you wanted to speak to him?" He could hear now. "Yes." It was Captain Yollossandra. "Stormy." Her voice was harsh. Looking at her, the world did not slow at all, keeping it's quickened pace. "What the hell was going through your mind?" And then the scolding came. He wasn't even related to her, she even refused to ever bother him again, and here she is, scolding him. For...what happened to him...his crew... Oh my Celestia, this is worse than the time that I let that old stallion get away." Stormy took a deep breath, and let it out. "What happened?", he asked. "Besides the fact that you wreak of magic, you almost got killed." "I know." "You've started a war, Stormy." "I thought there was a war already going on." "That was a more...mutual war. Like a clan war. Now, there is a real war going on. Pirates and Equestrian alike, are claiming anything neutral, and are already fighting." "And you think it's because of me?" "..." "Because I know it's my fault." "Yeah, you've started a war. A war that this world did not need." "And I will take part in it." "No you won't. Like that doctor just said, you will stay here, and recover from the magic poisoning." Stormy grabbed the IV and ripped it from his arm, then sat up, pointing at the mare captian. "You will NOT tell me what I'm going to do." The doctor tried to push stormy back down, and Stormy pushed the doctor away. "Get off me, I'm fine." "I'm sorry, sir, but you are not. Now, if you do not lay back down, and rest, I'm going to have to restrain you." Stormy threw the covers off and stood. "Then come at me." He walked out quickly, making his way down the hall. That's when he ntoiced two things. Not a single pain, or scratch. Four wings instead of two. He now not only had things that needed to be done, but things to discover. But he didn't stop at all. Throwing the doors to the waiting room open, he turned to the desk. "Where are my clothes?" "Sir, please go back to your room.", the mare at the desk asked. The doctor which had been tending to him, as well as Captain Yollossandra, grabbed him, and pulled him back. "Stop, Stormy! That's enough! You are sick, and you need to rest!", the mare captain yelled at him. "How about you stop. Do you know how you found me? Did I have four wings then?" "Yes, it's a condition!" "Condition my ass! Before I passed out, I had half of my right wing left, my chest was filled with shrapnel, and I had a broken back!" The room fell silent, and he yanked his arms from the two. "I'm going to get a new ship, and hunt down that bastard that killed my crew, and took sally. You want me to stay until I'm better, then back off, I don't want to be better. If I want your help, I will ask for it. It's my choice. And my choice is to end this war." "You can't end a war alone.", Captain Yollossandra's voice was raspy. "Watch me." The following events were quite obvious. He was given his clothes, and allowed to leave. No one spoke to him, no one followed. But now he had a new challenge. He needed a ship, and he needed a new crew. He knew where to get a few. Back at the Grand Prix docks, probably where a few Pirate ships would be, but nothing he couldn't handle with where he was going. He need a junkyard, just as he had last time.
