I heard a poof behind me, and was surprised to find the same black parchment. Death has to have been waiting for me to find that crystal. I sent the letter to Death about a few seconds ago, and got a reply instantly. I stared at it in awe, before grabbing it.

“Dear Jake.

The red gem’s abilities are to make your ship fly like the Flying Dutchman’s ship from Spongebob, minus the green glowing thing. Anyways, hope this helps you get to somewhere on land, quicker than a blue prius!

From your friend, god and GF

Death!”

I blushed a little bit, yeah I haven’t seen how Death looked like, but I had images! Okay, there I said it. I had images, I thought about naughty things, alright I am not shameful for assuming things.

Anyhow, I told the two major ponies about the red, saying that it’s a gem that can allow the ship to fly like it’s on water. They both took my explication pretty well, obviously still in awe and shock of the currently flying ship, but I didn’t care much. I love my ship like it was my newborn baby, technically it is, but still.

I got back outside and found the both Rough and Charmer mounting the chariot, obviously to get back to New Saddle. I sighed, I can finally have some time to think.

=====================================================================

I woke up, slightly refreshed and got outside. I could see that we were still stationed at New Saddle, and still stationed at the same place we docked. I shooked my head, slightly amused.

“Everyone, we’ll be heading off to Canterlot at noon. Pack up your things, and get some supplies from the town if you need anything.” they all nodded, and went off to do their things. The deck was in half bloom, a few skellies were running downstairs to their rooms while the others were running outside. I didn’t know that they installed a rope ladder but I didn’t really care.

I walked back to my office, and sat down for a while, contemplating on what I should do next. “I could start up a fleet or something. Creating an independent military organization? I could do all this, but I got a limited budget so I’ll just wait this out.” I thought, maybe creating a military organization isn’t such a bad idea.

I shook my head, “No, that’s an absolutely bad idea. How about I join Celestia’s Navy, teach them a few thing or two. They are pretty undeveloped.” I started to think about it a little more, “If I joined Celes- no, Equestria’s navy I may have to take orders and such. I wouldn’t like that very much. Taking orders isn’t my thing, so independant fleet or organization.”

I shot back up to my full height, and went outside. The ship was moving, surprisingly; I didn’t find a manual on how to steer the darn thing, but steerers are steerers.

“Hey cap’n, just to inform you ETA to Canterlot is two weeks to five days.” Luke said, still looking at the map. That kid will never ceased to amaze me, anyway. The ship is moving at a reasonable pace, and the deck is bustling with energy. Everyone were either looking outside relaxing or partying.

I smiled, “This is going to be a good week.” I went back inside and left my clothes on my wall hanger, and went to bed. “This is going to be a good week, indeed.”.

=====================================================================

I got out of my bed stretching a bit, and hearing a satisfying crack of bones. I took my jacket off of a hanger and grabbed my tricorn. I looked towards my weapons rack on the far corner, and found my musket, saber and flintlock all neatly stacked. I looked beside it and found my workbench, still full of gunpowder residue and bite packs.

I left my bedroom and went on deck. Everyone was still anchored in New Saddle, and was surprised to find a few ponies onboard. I looked around for Matthew, and was glad to find him chatting with one of the ponies. I walked towards him casually looking around deck. The ponies were helping with work, and speeding up the process of us leaving New Saddle.

“Morning cap’n.” I heard a familiar skeleton say. I looked towards Matthew, looking at his yellow flames. I smiled at him, trying to hold back the urge to shout from my lack of coffee. “Hey Matt, mind telling me why we have some new bones?”. Matt smiled at my use of puns, and looked towards the pony he was talking to minutes before. “This here is Iron Mallet, he’s the one in charge of everpony on board. Oh, and about the ponies onboard, they decided to join our bunch of misfits!”

My smile grew, a crew of ponies, “Matt, I don’t know if I should be offended by this, or extremely happy. The latter seems more appealing to me.” he smiles, and gestures Iron to introduce himself. Iron was a grey colored earth pony, a little well built and had a slightly black colored mane. He was wearing what appears to be a uniform, maybe a noble, guard or somepony from an organization. It was white and blue in color, resembling the old navy outfit from the second world war, and to top it all off he has a nice cap. I couldn’t see his cutie mark, but by the sound of his name it’s either a hammer, or a blacksmithing cutie mark. “Greetings cap’n, as Matthew said before; I am Iron Mallet of the Equestrian Navy.”. I stared at him, “Equestrian Navy?”. I placed a hand on my non-existing chin and contemplated on his rank.

“So, how did a sailor, such as yourself and probably everypony onboard, decided to join us?” I asked, trying not to anger myself further with my lack of caffeine. He smiled, and simply said, “Because I figured out that the Equestrian Navy is lacking in terms of offence and defence of it’s surrounding waters.”

I smiled devilishly, “I’m starting to like how he thinks.”. I stared at him, with my smile still plastered vividly on my face, and looked at Matthew. “If I find a shipyard, think you can find a schematic on making a smaller, or medium version of this? Or maybe making a galleon or man o’ war?” I asked him, making him ponder on what I just said. “Yeah, if I remember correctly, I think we have a few builders and designers on board.”

My devil smile grew in size, making the ranked sailor shiver a bit. “Excellent, make the designers work on making a few schemes of a galleon, man o’ war or a smaller version of this here fine vessel. I want you to find a few suitable leaders to make ‘em captain if we have the time and money to construct an armada.”. I looked at Iron Mallet, and looked at his stripes and cap. It looked like the hat that Liam Neeson wore on Battleship, and the stripes too resembling that of his wear.

“Hey, Iron, just out of curiosity are you mayhaps an admiral?” it was a simple question nothing more, nothing less. He looked at me, then turned his gaze towards his stripes and smiled. “Why yes indeed, I am an admiral.”

I eyed him strangely, “An admiral of the fleet, of the Equestrian Navy, here on my ship, claiming the Equestrian Navy’s methods and uses are as slim as princess Celestia?

“If the Equestrian Navy is weak, but the Guard, Army and Air force are the main hands. What happens on sea? If Equestria can protect its borders, can it protect its shores from enemy, and possibly criminal refugees?” With my internal conversation done, I looked at Iron sympathetically.

“So, if the Equestrian Navy is lacking, is the majority of the Equestrian ground force focused on the Guard?” I asked, making him look at me strangely. “How do you know about the main focus of Equestria’s military?” he asked me, mildly hostile.

I raised my arms in a defensive pose and looked at him. “I took a wild guess, seems it’s correct. Looks like Princess Celestia has either a lack of knowledge of the outside world, a big pacifist or a naive mare.”. He nodded in an empathetic way.

"Celestia has been lacking in protecting Equestria’s borders, thanks to the return of her sister, and the new element bearers. I have had reports from a few friends on the Guard, Army and AF that Equestria’s borders are hot, and the shores are no different from my end.

The Navy are heavily lacking in terms of weaponry, tech and moral. Since the defeat at Tempest’s Cove, our sailors are slowly diminishing on, work getting done, we get wrong intels from time to time, HQ not responding, HQ not sending in support. Our sailors and soldiers aren’t getting a good pay in helping Equestria defend itself."

I looked at him, this knowledge wasn’t with me for the past month, week. I started to think a little. Then, out of nowhere. I finally got one of my EUREKA! moments. “Iron, what kind of weaponry, ships and tactics.”. He started to think a little, “Well, we got a few magic induced ballistas and repeating crossbows. Our ships are consisted of carracks and brigantine.”

I looked at him, “How could Equestria have survived with these sorry excuse of ships, not to mention the weaponry is full of crap.”. I gestured him to follow me, going down towards where I thought Matthew might be.

“Admiral, we all due respect, I have no idea how your Navy, or even Equestria for that matter, have survived for years with those pre-dating things you call ships and weapons.” I said, in a matter-of-factly tone. He nodded simply, “I know. Like I said before, Celestia hasn’t been on the liking side of admitting that war always happens, no matter what you do or did.”

Author's Note

Finally got this done, writer's block is a bitch to please. Hope you enjoy this chapter!