Fire and Steel

They say, there is a ship out there, crewed by the damned, the abandoned, and the rejects, looking for a place to belong. The ship spits fire from her bow, burning everything in her path. The crew, vicious and vile, kills anypony who challenges them and tries to take their way of life away. It is said that the fearsome bombardier is captained by a pegasus of fire; he breaths fire like a dragon, and is vicious with the sword and accurate with the gun.

They cause terror through the Equestrian Sea, pillaging ports and slaughtering anypony who refuses to join the crew. The ship has sunk many a frigate and sloops. She is scarred with wounds from many naval battles, coming out victorious in every single one.

She has been dubbed undefeatable, fast, armed to the teeth, and captained by the most fearsome pirate to ever sail the seas.

That is until the ENS Talon rises up to the challenge…

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“Commodor! The Magma Storm has been spotted!”

“Wonderful, we will stay put, they will come to us.” She smiled. The sleek ship sat low in the water, cannons protruding out of the sides, blades gleaming in the sun. The ENS Talon brought in a new kind of naval warfare, using long and sharp blades that folded in on the ship’s sides. The ship was one of the first ever switchblade battleships.  She was the most technologically advanced battleship in ever to set sail.

Well, other than the Magma Storm. The pirate bombardier ship was captained by the infamous Fire Wave, who as pillage practically every single port in the Equestrian seas. The ship was feared for her large cannon on the bow, capable of shooting round up to unprecedented ranges and was able to double as a fire cannon, capable of burning entire ships into ashes in mere minutes. She and her crew was a threat to the seas, and Princess Celestia wanted the captain to be tried and sentenced

She had sent three ships out to take the Magma Storm out, the ENS Ark Royal, the Provost, and the Talon, only to have the two former to be sunk by the Magma Storm, with relative ease.

The captain of the Talon sat in her quarters, waiting for the pirates to make a move. She tipped her hat over her eyes and dozed off. She would wake when it was time.

Out on the deck, near the stern of the ship, a unicorn looked through a spyglass. She pushed her blue and violet mane out of her eyes and peered at the red and orange ship several miles away. Twilight Sparkle, the navigator of the Talon, peered at the deck of the bombardier in the distance. She saw the crew galloping back and forth across the deck, obviously preparing for combat. She saw the ship’s cannons appear on the sides; the crew readying their slowmatches.

Twilight only had one reason to come on this mission. She had a daughter, who had been kidnapped by these same pirates according to official reports. She hoped to try and find her daughter in this brawl, however slim her chances are. A slim chance is better than no chance at all, am I right?

Up above, at the top of one of the masts, a cyan pegasus scanned the pirates ship in the distance, checking for any moves on them. Rainbow Dash. She had come along due to her undying loyalty. She spotted the Magma Storm from her spyglass. The pirate ship was moving, towards them.

“So, it’s time.” She said to herself. She jumped down and flew to the captain’s quarters. “Rarity! It’s time!”

Said unicorn lifted her hat, and walked out into the life. Rarity looked through her spyglass at the pirates who were currently coming at the Talon.

“So it is.” She looked at the crew messing around on down on the deck. She yelled out a speech to the crew.

“Alright ponies! It’s time for us to triumph over the beastly pirates! Load the guns! Man the blades! It’s time to fight, for Equestria!”

The crew cheered and went on to load the cannons and such, readying for battle. Rarity went up to the ship’s wheel and turned. The crew dropped the sails and the Talon surged forward towards the Magma Storm.

Said bombardier was sail towards them at ridiculous speeds, due to the wind picking up. Rarity looked over to the pirate ship and could see some of the pirates readying flintlock pistols and swords.

“Oh, I see, they want to board us don’t they.” She thought. “Get ready for boarding!” She warned the crew.

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Over on the Magma Storm, a light orange pegasus was at the helm, nodding to his first mate. She insantly knew what he wanted and yelled out to the crew. “Convert the main cannon to long range!”

A large cannonball shot out of the cannon with a loud bang. It flew over to the Talon with insane speeds and struck the switchblade. The cannonball tore through the switchblade’s deck, throwing wood splinters all over the place. The crew members dove to the ground, covering themselves from the flying splinters.

Fire Wave smiled. He dealt the first blow; this would be over soon.

The distance between the two frigates soon disappeared. The two ships lined up side by side, parallel to each other.

On the switchblade, the crew braced themselves. Rarity waited until the opportune moment to unload all her guns. Then she yelled at the top of her lungs.

“FIRE!”

On the bombardier, Fire Wave expelled out a small flame and gestured to his first mate. She nodded and yelled, “FIRE ALL!”

*BOOM*

The sound of cannon fire rang through the air. Cannonballs started flying through the air, smashing through the hulls of the two battleships. A lead ball flew through the air and smashed through one of the Talon’s masts. It fell into the water with a splash. The Equestrian naval switchblade wasn’t done yet. They returned fire, eighteen pound lead balls smashed through the hull of the Magma Storm, destroying a few cannons here, killing some crew members, and there and putting huge holes in the hull.

At the helm, Fire Wave shook his head and pointed his hoof at the large cannon at the bow. He heaved out a small flame from his mouth. His first mate then yelled, “FIRE THE FLAMETHROWER!”

There was a whirring sound from under the deck, and the huge barrel of the cannon rotated towards the Talon. Twilight took notice of this and yelled out to the white unicorn at the helm. “Rarity! They’re firing their flamethrower!”

Rarity blanched, and warned the crew. “Brace yourselves!” The words barely left her mouth, then massive flames engulfed the Talon’s bow. The unfortunate individuals who were caught in the inferno were instantly incinerated. The onslaught wasn’t over though.

Fire Wave gestured to the pirates armed with pistols and swords. He nodded at them and they nodded back. “FOR PIRACY!” They rallied and put their swords in their mouths. They grabbed a rope and swung over to the still recovering Talon.

The boarders landed gracefully on the deck of the enemy ship and pulled out their swords. They bellowed a battle cry and proceeded to swing their swords at the crew of the Talon. The crew fought back of course, starting an epic sword fight down on the deck.

Twilight ran through the warring crowd, evading a few swings at her. She levitated herself to the top of a mast and called out to Rainbow Dash, who had pulled out a flintlock pistol and shooting into the crowd below.

“Rainbow! They’re going to fire another fire shot! I need you to fly over there and take out the ones controlling the giant flamethrower!”

“On it!” Rainbow hastily reloaded and flew over to the other ship, along with a few Equestrian soldiers attempting to board the Magma Storm. She flew low through the pirates pulling out swords and melee weapons. She fired her pistol and looped around for another pass. She pulled out a sword and landed next to a stallion rotating the large flamethrower. She thrust the sword into the stallion’s chest and pulled it out with haste. She tried to pay no mind to what she had done; she did what she did for Equestria, for the Greater Good. She pulled out her flintlock and fired it at a gunner. It hit her right in the head. She fell to the ground, unmoving.

Over at the helm of the Talon, Rarity commanded her first mate to do something. Her first mate went down under the deck.

“Hey, you three! Go and extend the blades! Get to it, NOW!” She commanded.

The deck above the area of impact collapsed, taking many ponies, both Equestrian and pirate, down with it. That didn’t stop the warring though. The combatants got back to their hooves and started going at it again.

Fire Wave had enough. He got back on his hooves and shoved his first mate to the helm. He pulled out his swords and ran into the heat of the battle, guns blazing. He swung his sword into an Equestrian sailor’s neck and pulled out his pistol. He went postal on another Equestrian sailor and took him down with ease. Behind him, a sailor tried to decapitate him, but Fire Wave clubbed his assailant’s head with his flintlock before he could get decapitated. He weaved through the battle to the main mast. He grabbed the rope and started to climb up.

At the top of a sail, he looked over the mayhem down on the deck. The stallions and mares were swinging their swords with a fiery hate. Fire Wave looked over to the Talon and saw Rarity down on the deck, fending off his boarders.

He smiled cruelly and reloaded his pistol. He hooked his left hoof over a rope to balance himself and aimed his pistol at the unicorn on the enemy ship. He steadied himself and was about to pull the trigger, when a lead pellet exploded next to him. He swore mentally and spied the enemy sailor being stabbed through the chest by one of his crew members. He went back onto aiming his pistol. He pointed the barrel right at Rarity’s head and pulled the trigger.

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Thing has gotten worse for the crew of the Talon. Their ship was being continuously pelted by cannon fire and they were pinned by the blades. Rarity had taken matters into her own hands and sliced and diced at the pirates invading HER ship. She swung her sword with amazing speed, a fire clearly burning in her eyes.

She wouldn’t fail the Princess now. She thrust her sword into a pirate’s stomach and pulled it out. A stallion then tackled her to the ground and tried to stab her, but suddenly went limp. She pushed his body off her and saw a hole in his back. She looked up at the mast of the Magma Storm and saw the infamous Fire Wave, smirking at her. He fired his pistol at her again. Rarity ducked and the pellet hit the floor behind her. She growled at him and rushed to the edge of the deck. She grabbed a rope and was about to swing over to the pirate’s den when a voice called out to her.

“Rarity! Where are you going!?” Twilight rushed up to her, throwing a pirate overboard with her magic.

“Taking out that beastly pirate, Fire Wave.” She swung over the gap and landed on the other ship, to see ponies swinging swords at each other like no tomorrow. Rarity weaved through the crowd and ran up to the helm. She saw a jet black mare wearing a hood. For some reason, the mare looked vaguely familiar, but she paid no mind to it. The mare got up on her hind legs and pulled out her sword and Rarity followed suit. They circled around the helm, like lions fighting over territory.

The mare made a move first. She charged at Rarity and swung her sword with super-pony speed. Rarity ducked and swung her sword at the mare’s feet. She jumped and brough her sword down on Rarity’s head. Luckily, Rarity was able to block the swing with her own sword. She pushed the black mare off her with all her might. The black mare hit the mast behind her hard and did not stir.

Fire Wave had watched the short battle between his first mate and that Equestrian navy commodore. He was outraged that that Rarity had dared to mortally wound his first mate. She would pay. He jumped off the mast and glided down with his wings. Strangely for him, he couldn’t fly, and he could not talk. His wings were unnaturally weak, though they made for good intimidation.

Anywho, he hit the ground in front of the Equestrian Navy commodore, between his first mate and her. He glared at her and ignited his wings. He got up on his hind legs and ripped out his sword from its holster.

Rarity took a defensive stance and glared at Fire Wave.

“Your rule of terror and piracy ends here.” She lunged at Fire Wave, thrusting her sword at him, only to find him not there anymore.

“What?” She felt heat behind her and ducked. A sword cut the air where her head was only moments before. She swung her sword again, and clashed swords with Fire Wave. They pushed, trying to gain the upper hand on one another.

Fire Wave looked over Rarity’s shoulder and saw the still form of his first mate. Anger boiled inside him. He opened his mouth as if he was going to scream in rage, and gave a mighty push. He pushed through the stalemate and shoved Rarity down from the helm deck. Rarity fell to the deck below painfully.

“Ugh…” Rarity got up and levitated her sword into her hoof. She turned around to see Fire Wave jumped down from the deck above.

Rarity quickly dodged his first strike. She then kicked Fire Wave in the chest with her hind legs. She proceeded to then throw a flurry of punches to miscellaneous parts of Fire Wave’s body, knocking down to the ground.

Fire Wave got up, obviously shaking from the assault. He looked up, revealing the state of his face. He had a cut lip, and blood was dripping from his mouth. That didn’t deter him though. He drew his sword and lunged. He swung his weapon at Rarity’s chest, but she dodged easily. While she was dodging, Fire Wave threw an uppercut at Rarity, striking her under the chin. She saw stars and was knocked back, dazed.

Fire Wave advanced on her and watched her get up again. She reached over and lifted her sword to meet Fire Wave’s.

“Shall we have a proper duel then?” She snarled. She didn’t wait for an answer, she just lunged. Fire Wave met her attack with a block and swung his sword, that being blocked by Rarity. They traded thrusts, lunges, and swings, none actually hitting. They moved back and forth in their duel. A few foolish bystanders tried in intervene by helping their leaders, but were quickly put down by the opponent.

Around them, pirates and Equestrian soldiers dueled to the death, many falling in the process. Cannon fire had not stopped and rain started to pour. The Talon’s blades had been retracted and went for another blow, this time make the massive cannon on the bow collapsing. It came down knocking down one of the Magma Storm’s masts.

Rarity went for a lunged, attempting to catch Fire Wave off guard. She succeeded, knocking his sword out of his hoof. She thrust her sword into Fire Wave’s right shoulder, him wincing in pain. With his other hoof, he punched Rarity in the stomach. She keeled over in pain, and Fire Wave back flipped to his sword lying on the ground.

Rarity recovered, though still dazed. She advanced, and saw Fire Wave with his sword holstered. His eyes glowed a blood red, his mane ignited, despite the rain, and his cutie mark, which was a 火 symbol, glowed a bright orange. His body heated up, Rarity could feel it. He then spit out a huge flame. The rain didn’t even make it shrink. Rarity felt her hat burn and she threw it to the ground, her indigo mane flowing down her neck.

“Alright, no more Ms. Nice Mare.” She swung with ferocious dexterity, this time going to overwhelm Fire Wave. He was ready though. He ducked and dodged, throwing in a few swpes here and there. One of his swiped clipped Rarity in the chest and left a gash. It bled freely, and Rarity gasped in pain.

Fire Wave took this time and sucker punched Rarity, knocking right off her hooves. She hit the ground and opened her eyes to see a sword pointed at her. Fire Wave pushed the sword into her neck, not breaking the skin. He looked into Rarity’s blue eyes with his scarlet eyes. She saw something flicker inside his eyes. He lifted the sword from her throat and holstered it. He turned and walked away.

She looked around and gasped. The pirates had what was left of her crew tied together at the Magma Storm’s main mast. Rarity got up, shaking and walked over to the edge of the ship. She saw her ship, the Talon, wrecked. Holes were all over her and all the masts had collapsed. Water was quickly flowing and the Talon sank below the waves.

Tears threatened to pour out of her eyes. She had failed. She had failed her country. Behind her, a pirate wrapped a rope around her neck, threw a sack over her head, and dragged her away.

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“Captain, the prisoners are secured in the brig!” A colt who looked only 15 gave Fire Wave a salute.

The pirate captain nodded and leaned back in his chair. He picked up a bottle of rum and chugged it down. He slammed the bottle on the table and looked up his first mate. He nodded at her and she nodded back.

She gestured at the colt.

“You may go.”

Fire Wave got out of his chair and went out the door. His first mate followed.

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“What’s going to happen to us? Oh, no, they’re going to skin us alive and wear our skins has clothing!” Rarity paced back and forth in the brig.

“Rarity, calm down!” Rainbow Dash sat in the corner of the cage. Her wings were bandaged up, red seeping through the cloth.

“No, I will not calm down! We are going to die at the hands of these savages!” Rarity flipped her shit and started ranting about how painful their death was going to be.

Twilight just lay down on the bench, ignoring the ranting unicorn. She had hoped that her daughter was on this ship, but had found no sign of her. She finally accepted the fate of her child; she was probably dead.

Twilight heard hoofsteps getting louder and louder. She didn’t pay any mind to it; it was probably that Fire Wave coming down to execute them.

Rarity stopped her ranting momentarily to glare at the pirate lord in front of them. He smiled warmly at them.

Rainbow Dash shrieked. “What are YOU smirking about?!”

Fire Wave said nothing, as he couldn’t say anything. He only kept smiling. He stepped aside and a jet black mare walked forward.

Twilight gave the newcomer a strange look. She got up off the bench and walked up to the mare, looking at her through the bars.

The mare pulled down her hood, revealing a black and red mane. Her mane had the exact same style as Twilight, and her eyes were violet, the exact same shade as her. They looked almost like twins; the only difference was their color scheme.

Twilight’s jaw dropped. “M-M-Midnight?”

The mare smirked. “Hello mother.”