Pirate Nights, Book One

Chapters

Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV

Part I

Part I

Friendship’s Passing

Chapter 1

Twilight Sparkle couldn’t recall ever being so sad in all her life. Waiting outside Princess Celestia’s throne room was not an easy thing when the young mare needed counsel so urgently. Just a few days ago Twilight remembered having everything she ever hoped to have. As a matter of fact, the purple alicorn pony had never thought of herself as anything but lucky. To feel betrayed all of a sudden with the tragedy of her recent falling out; it was a feeling she almost couldn’t bear.

After leaving Ponyville that morning to confront Celestia with her friendship problem it was still hard for Twilight to face all the facts. This was a problem that probably meant the end of her friendships, and it was something she definitely didn’t want for anypony. As tears rolled down the side of her face she tried covering them up with a look of confidence.

“Pull yourself together Twilight,” she told herself. “Once you speak to the princess you’ll know what to do.”

While she was trying to control her sorrow one of the royal guards poked his head through the door and spotted Twilight sitting not far away. “Her highness will see you now Twilight,” he said.

Twilight was a little startled when she realized he was addressing her and not somepony else. Quickly wiping away her teary eyes, she inhaled a deep breath and stepped towards the door. “Thank you,” she said.

After the guard let her into the throne room Twilight Sparkle stepped across the rug and saw her teacher and mentor, Celestia, standing beside her throne at the far end of the hall. While the princess was wrapping up a conversation with two other ponies she didn’t notice Twilight coming her way. After the princess dismissed her guests, Celestia turned just in time to see Twilight stopping a short distance away.

“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia smiled. “I am glad you are paying me a visit so soon after your coronation.”

“I’m really glad to see you too princess,” Twilight nodded. Although she was smiling she couldn’t hide how upset she was underneath. Celestia took notice and closed her eyes to meditate.

“I know you’re coming to me in a time of great trouble,” Celestia said, her voice becoming serious in tone. “Care to tell me about it?”

Twilight was a little surprised that Celestia had already noticed how upset she was. Maybe it was obvious by the way Twilight’s eyes were watering but she tried to feel passive as she answered her teacher.

“It was... not long after the coronation that it happened,” she began. “I took some time off to get my affairs in order like you recommended. It took time adjusting to my new life as an alicorn, as well as a princess. But I must have spent too much time away from Ponyville, because when I returned... all of my friends got into this fight.”

“Care to elaborate?” Celestia asked. “What did you do for your friends?”

“Well... that’s just it! There was nothing I could do!” Twilight exclaimed. “My friends... Applejack... Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy... they all blame me just as much for their falling out as they blame each other.”

Celestia bowed her head and was silent for a moment. When Twilight looked up at her mentor she couldn’t read what the princess was thinking. Whether the princess was going to laugh with amusement or look away in sorrow, it was impossible to tell. After going a moment without a response, Twilight continued.

“I’ve tried reasoning with them, but they won’t listen,” she explained. “My friends won’t listen to my lectures either, and everything I learned about friendship from before seems meaningless to them.”

Celestia interrupted. “And so you believe this is the day your friendships have come to an end, is it not?”

“Well... yes, but how did you know I would say that?” Twilight wondered.

“You are not the only one of my subjects who gives me regular reports on the wellbeing of Ponyville,” Celestia answered. She turned and walked around to the other side of her throne as she continued. “An informant of mine couldn’t help but notice a certain ‘falling out’ between you and your friends. He also informed me you seem to blame yourself for being an alicorn, like that was somehow the reason for this friendship problem. Care to tell me about it?”

Twilight Sparkle did not feel like talking about it. Just a few days ago she and her friends were celebrating her transformation from unicorn to alicorn, and all six of them were in agreement that nothing between them had changed. They were still the same friends as before, which was the greatest thing Twilight could ever have asked from her friends. Discovering only now that it was an entirely false assumption made Twilight ashamed to answer the princess.

Regardless, Twilight sighed and explained as best she could. “If I had not abandoned my friends in Ponyville for the short time that I had, maybe I could have been there for them. If I had remained in Ponyville I could have given them the chance to show them nothing has changed between us. But now... I come home and they act like I’m not Twilight Sparkle anymore. They act like I’m more of a princess than their friend. It’s become awkward for them to share their feelings with me, and this friendship problem has even made some of them hateful of what I’ve become.”

Twilight looked away in shame. “I... I almost wish I wasn’t transformed into an alicorn,” she muttered under her breath.

Celestia felt upset that her student was hurt in this manner. Becoming an alicorn was supposed to be a great gift. But although Princess Celestia had been listening to every word Twilight spoke she did not immediately give her student any words of encouragement. Instead, she turned to a shelf full of old book of magical spells and incantations. Then using her magic, she sorted through the books and did not give any hint what she was looking for as she searched.

Finally, in the very back was a dusty old book with a worn out cover Celestia had not opened in many years. The princess looked down at the book and hesitated for a moment to be holding it in her hooves. After a moment she turned around and faced Twilight.

“I have something for you,” she said. “Twilight Sparkle, I want you to take this book back to Ponyville and consult its advice. Invite your pony friends and read this book together while you try and work out your problem.”

Twilight Sparkle had to admit, this was rather unexpected. Using her magic, she took the book from Princess Celestia and looked down at its raggedy old cover.

“Pirate Nights?” she read.

Celestia approached Twilight and gave her a smile of complete confidence. “It is a story book of my own creation,” she explained. “It was one that I wrote many years ago before you were even born. It is about time its pages were read again.”

Twilight Sparkle almost forgot how upset she had been a moment ago and was downright surprised to discover that Celestia actually wrote fiction books. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it when she looked down at the picture of a pirate ship drawn on the cover. Writing books was the last thing she ever expected of Princess Celestia.

After giving it a quick look over, Twilight looked again at the princess but was unsure of how to put her thoughts into words. “Princess Celestia... I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for your council but I don’t understand how a book like this is supposed to help rekindle our friendship.”

Celestia couldn’t help but laugh. “Twilight Sparkle,” she chuckled. “Am I right in assuming a book worm like yourself does not have confidence a book will have an answer?”

Twilight understood the irony in those words, but was quick to rephrase what she was trying to say. “It’s just... when I came asking for your council I didn’t know you were sending me back to Ponyville with a plan such as this.”

“I have complete confidence you will find a way to save your friendships, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia smiled. “This is a book I have been meaning to give you for quite a long time. I kept it for myself because I knew there would come a time when your friendships where in a crisis. When every other option ceased to work, this book was my very last hope for you.”

Twilight Sparkle was still puzzled how this one book could be so important to saving her friendships.

Princess Celestia noticed that Twilight was still in doubt but she remained calm while giving her student all the encouragement she needed. “Twilight Sparkle, you mustn’t forget that you are the element of magic. Your friends have all been good to you, up until this falling out that has divided you so. But that is why the task falls upon you to rekindle the magic of friendship. This is a task that is for you alone to undertake.”

Upon hearing that, Twilight’s ears fell and her heart was overwhelmed after realizing the responsibility she had been given. But when Celestia saw her, she stood tall and full of confidence. “It may do you some good to read the book, Pirate Nights,” she continued. “It is a magical book, enchanted with magic of my own design. When you read it, your understanding of friendship will be enlightened and your friends will see it too. But most important of all, you must make sure that all your friends agree to read it together. Do you understand my request?”

Twilight Sparkle wasn’t sure. She looked at the book again and then at the princess. “This wasn’t the kind of council I was hoping for,” she said. “Princess... I was merely thinking that there were no more lessons to learn on the magic of friendship. If my studies in Ponyville were completed, I was assuming you’d have me back in Canterlot resuming my normal studies.”

Upon hearing that, Celestia seemed to have a hint of surprise in her eyes. It was the strangest thing, because there was hardly anything that surprised Celestia. But after hearing what Twilight had to say, she closed her eyes and looked away for a moment. “Maybe the book will do you good just as well, Twilight Sparkle. Don’t just speak the words. Understand them as well. I have asked you to have faith in me before, my student, and I need you to trust me again like before.”

Twilight Sparkle had to admit, this was among the most peculiar discussions she ever had with Princess Celestia; and there had been many peculiar discussion before.

“I have confidence in you, Twilight Sparkle.”

It was at that point, Twilight understood what she had to do. Maybe from her point of view this sounded like a crazy idea, but never before had Celestia steered her wrong. When Twilight closed her eyes for a second she felt all the sincerity she needed to trust that this was what she was meant to do.

“In that case... I promise I will do the very best that I can for my friends,” Twilight answered, as strongly as she could say it.

Celestia smiled with approval. Before showing her student to the door and saying good bye, the princess had just one last thing to say. “I want you to remember Twilight, that the only hope you have is if you can remember how important your friendships are to you. I want you never to forget that.”

Chapter 2

Twilight took the train home, the same as she always had. While there were still many hours left in the day she considered everything she would do as soon as she was back in Ponyville. Keeping the book, Pirate Nights, safe where it wouldn’t get lost, she left the Ponyville train station in the early afternoon and found her way back to the library.

Twilight returned to the Golden Oaks Library and stepped into the place she had called home since her arrival in Ponyville a long time ago. Memories returned to her of how much she used to resent this horrid place, up until she discovered her friends. Now, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere but in this library that had become like her very own.

Scurrying down the stairs to meet her was her faithful assistant, Spike. The young dragon had been so long without Twilight to keep him company he couldn’t help but wrap his claws around her foreleg as he hugged her. “Twilight, you’re back!” he cheered.

Twilight was happy to have at least one friend still waiting for her when she returned home. “Spike, I’ve only been gone for the morning,” she laughed. “You shouldn’t be missing me quite yet.”

Spike let go of her leg and looked up at his best friend. “I know,” he sighed, becoming saddened. “It’s just... while you’ve been away it’s not like I didn’t know what was happening. I tried visiting both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie today. I still can’t believe how upset all you ponies seem to be with each other. I mean... all of you have had fights before but never anything this bad.”

“What did they do when you tried visiting them?” Twilight wondered.

“That’s just it,” Spike shrugged. “They’re ignoring me like I’m the plague. Even... even Rarity won’t talk to me!”

The baby dragon’s eyes began to water with tears as the memory of Rarity’s rejection returned to him. When Twilight saw Spike was about to have a break down her heart ached for him. With her head held low, she walked passed him and stepped into the center of the library. Spike quickly wiped his eyes dry before the feelings became too painful.

“So... did you see Princess Celestia?” he asked. “Did she have a solution?”

Twilight turned and looked at him with a smile on her mouth, but not a very confident smile. “I have something,” she finally said. Using the magic of her horn, she lifted the large dusty book out of her traveling pack and handed it to Spike.

“What’s this?” the baby dragon asked.

“Princess Celestia said it would help,” Twilight explained. “I’m not sure how, but I have this feeling it’s the only option I have. If I can’t think of any another way to save our friends, I have to believe this book is the only thing left that will.”

Spike opened the book and was surprised when he saw the contents. “This book is blank!” he exclaimed.

Twilight Sparkle had a nervous grin. “Yeah... I peaked inside the book as well when I rode the train home.” Although Twilight was trying to have faith in Princess Celestia, she too was finding it hard to believe the book would prove itself useful when it had no writing.

When Spike saw Twilight’s nervous look he slapped the book closed and weighted it in his claw with a very testy look in his eyes. “When the princess said the book would be useful, how exactly did she mean it?” he asked.

“That’s what we’re going to figure out,” Twilight answered, “and that also brings me to your very next job Spike. I need you to write five copies of the same letter for me. I’m going to invite all my friends on a little camping trip for the weekend, where I will read this book aloud to them.”

Spike frowned. Already, this sounded like a stupid idea. While Twilight and her friends were in the middle of their worst falling out ever, she expected them to agree to a camping trip so she could read them a book without any words in it. This was making about as much sense as a boy enjoying something made for little girls.

Still, the young dragon didn’t have any better ideas. Since Twilight asked him to make a letter he went to his work bench and found himself a quill pen and some parchment to write on. “I can write, but I doubt the other ponies will agree,” Spike hated to mention. “Rainbow Dash is holding this grudge worse than any of them, and Rarity downright hates camping.”

Twilight Sparkle hated listening to Spike, considering that every word he said was true. But if she wanted any hope in saving her friendships she had to believe Princess Celestia’s plan would work. With a heavy sigh she answered the baby dragon with as much confidence as she could muster.

“We’ll just have to hope that maybe the others will come round. Even though we’re fighting, I can’t believe just yet that this is the end of our friendships. If I’m willing to fight to set things right again... I can only hope the others might be willing too.”

Chapter 3

Twilight Sparkle almost couldn’t believe the five messages she delivered were just enough to convince her friends. Their responses were ‘yes’ but only Fluttershy bothered to say it politely. The others were less than enthusiastic about this little camping trip that was being arranged. When evening approached Twilight and Spike got everything packed and felt as ready as ever to spend a night out in the wilderness.

Twilight was almost forcing herself to remain calm. Trying to have blind faith in Princess Celestia with a plan that sounded downright ludicrous was really testing the young alicorn’s fortitude.

“Just one thing,” Spike said as they approached the door. “Why a camping trip? Wouldn’t it be just as easy to invite the other ponies to a nice sleep over?”

“I chose camping so no one would try and run away,” Twilight answered. “While it’s dark and everyone’s too tired to make the journey home I’m sure that will keep them long enough to see if this plan works.”

“Rainbow Dash might be the only one I’m not sure of,” Spike shrugged. “It doesn’t take her long to get anywhere. Applejack too. She’ll brave the journey home without us if she feels up to it, I’m sure.”

Twilight ignored the baby dragon’s logic as she used her magic the turn the door handle. When the door swung open she stepped outside the Golden Oaks Library with her camping pack and Spike follow behind. Outside the library, they were a bit alarmed that no one was there waiting for them. The two of them became nervous the plan may have already failed.

But just as they were thinking that, Twilight and Spike heard a familiar springing sound coming their way. Turning around, the two of them saw Pinkie Pie coming their way; prancing with the hop she was known for doing. “Pinkie!” Twilight smiled.

Suddenly, another voice startled them from behind. “Don’t tell me you and Pinkie are in on this together just to get back at me!”

Twilight and Spike spun around again and were startled to see Applejack coming their way. Although the alicorn and the dragon were happy to see her, the orange colored earth pony had a very cross look in her eyes. “I’m... I’m so glad you agreed to come,” Twilight smiled.

Suddenly, Applejack came at Twilight and poked her hoof into her ex-friend’s chest. “Don’t think this is making up for what you’re responsible for!” she thundered.

Twilight became nervous when she saw the way Applejack was looking down at her. “Uh... I wasn’t trying to apologize when I invited you to come camping,” she stuttered. “I was just hoping this get together would do us some good.”

While they were talking, the others came around and the six of them reunited. Rainbow Dash came soaring out of the air and hovered overhead. Fluttershy was quiet and kept to herself. Oddly, Pinkie Pie did the exact same. The disgruntled look on their faces did not escape Twilight. Rarity, however, kept a safe distance away and pretended like she didn’t even notice the other ponies while she was minding her luggage.

Twilight Sparkle looked at every one of her friends and felt strangely upset. She saw five familiar faces that were not happy to see each other like every other time they got together. Everypony here who agreed to the camping trip looked spiteful and angry. Nobody was excited for this little get together. Twilight Sparkle could hardly keep a smile on her own face when she saw her friends this way.

“Okay everypony,” she said. “Since it seems we’re all here, I say we waste no time and get started. We have a long hike ahead of us.”

“Fine!” Pinkie Pie lashed out. “Maybe while you’re busy trying to fix our friendship problems like you always do, maybe you can tell Rainbow Dash to apologize for the names she called me!”

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “It’s not like you didn’t have it coming Pinkie!”

“Oh, this petty bickering is going to get us nowhere,” Rarity sighed.

Twilight almost couldn’t believe that Rarity seemed opposed to this fighting, even though she had the right to be just as angry as the others. “Rarity has a point!” Twilight told the others. “At least until we reach the campsite, can all of you promise not to make fun of each other.”

“I will if Rainbow Dash does,” Applejack spat.

“Why is everyone trying to gang up on me!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Twilight felt her patience beginning to slip away. “Starting NOW!” she yelled.

The volume in her voice caught the other ponies off guard. Though it startled them, it didn’t change the hatred everyone felt for each other. Instead, everypony focused their anger on Twilight instead as she walked passed them and led the way out of Ponyville. Twilight knew they were staring at her but didn’t mind. If she had to be the object their hatred she didn’t care if it at least got them to cooperate.

After she was a good distance away he looked back and spoke to her friends with a voice of authority. “Now, I can see you’re all ready to begin, so I say we get going and start making our way to our campsite. If anyone has any objections... they can wait. I will hear no words from any of you until we have our tents pitched and we’re all ready to listen to reason.”

It killed the other ponies on the inside to obey Twilight like this, but they had no choice. Since they had already agreed earlier that day that they would be attending this camping trip, it didn’t make sense to destroy the camping trip before they had even started it. Reluctantly, the five ponies followed Twilight outside the town and Spike joined them. While their friendships might have been in crisis, Spike knew he was going to be the middle ground between them if worse came to worst.

Chapter 4

Twilight Sparkle lead the hike through the hills and into the forest as she guided the others to their campsite. Not entirely sure where they might make camp, she was just glad to make it this far without losing any of her friends to argument. Not wanting to tempt fate, she didn’t speak a word or even look at her friends until she found the place she wanted to settle for the night.

About half hour after they left Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle at last found a pleasant camping spot she knew would serve them well. It was just far enough to keep the others from leaving; if it was possible to keep them from leaving, that was.

After giving the site a quick inspection Twilight faced her friends and gave them the news. “Okay, girls,” she smiled. “Let’s stop here for the night and get settled.”

At that point, the others realized they were free at last to insult each other again. Having only promised to keep quite until the campsite was found, Rainbow Dash became the first to speak her mind. “Great job Twilight,” she remarked. “You managed to pick a campsite that’s not a complete dump.”

Applejack scowled. “It’s that kind of insensitive badgering that caused the most of our friendship problems, don’t ya know that Rainbow Dash!”

Rarity became upset. “You two are not going to make this any easier if you keep arguing back and forth like that!” she stated.

“Well, maybe if ya stopped acting like a know-it-all like Twiligh’ then maybe I would be listenin’ to you,” Applejack responded. “For the record, I blame you, Rarity!”

“I beg your pardon!” Rarity gasped.

“Ya’ll heard me right,” Applejack stated.

“If the blame game is what we’ve been reduced to, then I have a good mind to point the hoof at Pinkie Pie!” Rarity yelled. “It was her who started this feud between us!”

Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened. “Excuse me!” she squeaked. “I did not start anything! You can bet your flank Fluttershy is the one who started it!”

Upon hearing that, Fluttershy’s eyes beamed with a great intensity that caused everypony to become silent when they saw her. The lemon colored pegasus had been so quiet and so seclusive this whole time, nopony had paid any mind to her until now. Fluttershy burned with so much anger, she jumped into the air and stared everyone down with her gaze.

“I DON’T THINK I CARE TO KNOW YOU PONIES ANYMORE!” she yelled. “WHY IS IT ALWAYS FLUTTERSHY THIS AND FLUTTERSHY THAT!? YOU CAN BLAME FLUTTERSHY ALL YOU WANT BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T CARE! WELL I’M SICK... AND I’M TIRED... AND I CAN’T STAND TO HEAR IT ANY LONGER WHEN YOU PONIES ARE TALKING ABOUT ME BEHIND MY BACK! I CAN’T STAND IT!”

Everypony was silent for a moment. The volume of Fluttershy’s voice was so loud, it made even Applejack a little afraid. Only during the most stressful situations did Fluttershy loose control of herself like that and nopony dared talk back to her.

After a moment, Spike stepped closer to Twilight Sparkle and elbowed her. “I think now might be a good time to tell them about the book,” he whispered. “I doubt anypony else will wait much longer.”

Twilight Sparkle agreed. Bowing her head, she spoke up and got everyone’s attention. “Everypony...” she began. “Maybe it’s about time I told you the reason I invited you here to this camping trip.”

Everyone turned and looked at Twilight. After Fluttershy’s outburst, nopony dared interrupt again. Even Fluttershy calmed down after realizing the shame of what she’d done.

After Twilight saw she had everyone’s attention, she used her horn to grab the book from out of her bag and show it to everyone. “I visited Princess Celestia earlier today,” she began. “Girls... I don’t know how much you care to save the friendships we had, but I was curious to know what you’d be willing to try anyways.”

Rainbow Dash looked away. Though she had a grudge against the others, she couldn’t bring herself to use that grudge against Twilight; now of all moments. “I’m not sure there’s anything anypony can do,” the tomboyish pegasus hated to admit. “Twilight... I don’t think there’s anyway things can go back to the way they were before.”

Rarity stepped forwards. “As much as I hate to agree with Rainbow Dash, I do believe she is correct,” she said. “Twilight, it is better if we went our separate ways. At least we should say good bye to each other on peaceful terms.”

Twilight almost couldn’t believe it. Even when her friends were kind of getting along they were still plotting to leave each other. But seeing as though there was more to explain to them, she cleared her throat and continued.

“Princess Celestia had just one favor to ask of me before I let you say good bye like that,” Twilight said. “When I visited her for advice, she lent me this book and told me to read it aloud to you girls. I thought it was silly, but I was hoping you’d give me this one last chance to make it right before we said good bye forever. What do you all say? Want to give it a try?”

The others looked at each other. The grudge was still apparent but at least they were not lashing out. Applejack stepped forwards and spoke for all of them. “We’ll give you this one chance Twiligh’,” she answered. “As upset as we are with each other, this is Princess Celestia we’re talking about. This is the least we can do for her.”

Twilight was almost too happy for words to express. When she saw that the others were in agreement it felt too good to be true. After all the arguing that had divided them for the past few days, it felt like a miracle that they had reached a decision without going for each other’s throats.

A tear nearly dripped from her eyes, but she quickly wiped it away. “Okay,” she smiled. “Let’s get camp set up real quick and then we’ll get started.”

Chapter 5

Everypony set to work, pitching their tents and getting a fire started. A truce was drawn and everypony promised not to fight until they had the camp set up. Regardless, none of Twilight’s friends dared get in each other’s way. Each pony set up their own tent a safe distance apart from the others and no one made eye contact as they worked.

Twilight felt happy for her friends that they were almost getting along. It was an improvement from the endless bickering, but it was still not the same as the friendship they had before. After a fire was started and they were all settled for the evening, Twilight knew it was time.

She and Spike were the only two who sat together. Everypony else sat apart from each other while Twilight lifted the book to her face with her magic. As she opened it to its first page she and Spike were both sweating nervously.

“Okay, this is it,” Spike hesitated. “We’re about to read a blank book to the other ponies. You think this will make them only hate each other more?”

Twilight had a smile across her face but couldn’t deny her heart was pounding like crazy. If this ludicrous plan didn’t work she’d never forgive herself if it only made things worse like Spike suggested. But with her eyes closed, she flipped the book to the very first page and opened her eyes to begin reading.

“Pirate Nights,” she read. “A thick fog had settled across the waters of the Cascade Sea that blocked out the light of the sun and brought great unrest to everypony. The wind had been slow for hours and the crew of the Red Reef believed this was a bad omen as their ship crawled along at a snail’s pace.”

Upon hearing those words, Spike almost jumped with surprise. He clambered over, looking above Twilight’s shoulder and couldn’t believe it when he saw it. The book, indeed, had words in it. All he saw were the first two sentences Twilight read, but even so, he could have sworn those words were not there before.

The others, however, were not sure what to make of this. “Wait a minute!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Is this a pirate story?”

“Why... yes Pinkie. I guess it is,” Twilight answered.

“Ooohhh... I thought this book was going to be something boring like the stuff you usually read, but this is much better!” Pinkie said, smiling for the first time since the trip began.

Twilight ignored that comment and continued reading. Spike couldn’t help but wonder where the words were coming from. As his friend continued reading words began to magically appear across the page. Twilight didn’t seem to notice it. The faster she read, the more the words seemed to engross her.

“The Red Reef was a medium class water-fairing ship that sailed under the command of Captain Razor Sharp. Hailing from the Nation of the Sun, it was set to sail across the Cascade Sea to undertake a very important mission for the princess. Per her request, Razor Sharp made it his priority that this mission should succeed at all costs.”

As Twilight read the words that magically appeared, she found herself slowly drifting into a slumber. Looking up from her book, she found it curious the others were already sleep. Even Spike was resting. But most peculiar of all, Twilight looked into the sky almost thought she saw the Red Reef.

The ship from inside the story book appeared before her, exactly as she pictured it in her head. Almost like a dream, the presence of the ship did not disturb the tranquility of the night. The sound of ocean waves and the creaking of the ship’s timbers naturally became apart of the starry night as the ship steered its way towards Twilight.

The alicorn only became more and more tired as the ship came upon her. Nothing in her mind suggested to her this vision was dangerous. As Twilight Sparkle rested herself down the only thing she considered was going to sleep and letting this waking dream take hold of her.

Twilight and her friends slept there together under the stars as a calling from the book drew them to the path of a bold new adventure. An adventure known only to them as Pirate Nights.

Chapter 6

“Sister, don’t tell me you seriously considered that plan!” Princess Luna exclaimed.

“I have, and it’s already too late to go back on it” Princess Celestia answered. “Twilight Sparkle has the book, Pirate Nights. I need you to have faith in me, my dear sister. Twilight Sparkle’s friends are important to us. You and I both understand that discovering the magic of friendship is just as important to you and me as it is to my student.”

“But Pirate Nights...” Luna objected. “The magic of that book is dark and mysterious. I know you created it but even the two of us don’t know the limit its power has grown to since then. If Twilight Sparkle and her friends fall too deep into the magic of that book, there is a chance they shall never return.”

“But I am confident Twilight can handle it,” Celestia argued. “And if she does... you and I both know what comes next. We will one day need Twilight’s experience to overcome a mighty evil. Pirate Nights shall be among her greatest challenges... a challenge that shall one day decide the fate of Equestria.”

Part II

Part II

Captain Egghead

Chapter 7

At the bow of the Red Reef stood Princess Twilight Sparkle. The young alicorn stared ahead, fearlessly. Although the fog and the slow winds spooked many other ponies, Twilight did not allow that to frighten her. Not in the least. It wasn’t her position as princess that made her strong in the face of danger, but rather, her pride in being well-read and educated. She wasn’t superstitious like the others that this fog was a bad omen.

It had been nearly a week since the Red Reef set sail from the Nation of the Sun. The Cascade Sea that divided the Nation of the Sun from the Nation of the Moon was a neutral ground both countries had been at war over for almost all of known history. After passing the Islands of Bravado, Twilight understood that the Red Reef was entering some of the most hostile waters in the Cascade Sea. It was here that navy forces from both sides began to thin and pirates were known to roam wild. Although it was lucky no war had happened during Twilight’s short life, that didn’t mean the waters were entirely safe.

Twilight Sparkle, however, looked upon this as an opportunity. While the captain, Razor Sharp, thought of this voyage as another routine mission, Twilight was glad to get out of the royal palace and experience life first hand. Twilight was royalty, as most alicorns were. For as long as she could remember she had been under the wing of Princess Celestia, the benevolent ruler of the Nation of the Sun, as well as a gifted teacher. Never before had Twilight been asked to leave the Nation of the Sun; by the princess herself, no less.

While Princess Celestia was considering a permanent peace treaty with Princess Luna from the Nation of the Moon, Twilight Sparkle was sent as her liaison to supervise the meeting place between the two rulers; right here in the Cascade Sea. Peace between the two nations sounded like a good idea... if Twilight believed she knew what she was doing.

It didn’t take the younger alicorn long to feel out of place when the voyage started. Though initially happy to put all her research and studies to good use, Twilight didn’t feel any different onboard the Red Reef than she did at the royal palace. Like the princess that she was, everything had to be done for Twilight; whether it was getting dressed, having a meal or just trying to lend a hoof. Although this was Twilight’s first time experiencing the thrill of sailing, it didn’t feel like a special occasion to her when everyone was so protective of her.

Maybe not without good reason, however. The most mysterious thing Twilight had not yet figured out was the pendant she kept hidden under her blouse at all times, even in the presence of Captain Razor Sharp. When no one was looking, she used her magic to retrieve the pendant and looked down at it.

“This is one of six legendary stones known as the Harmonious Gems, Twilight Sparkle,” the young princess remembered being told. “This is one of the most precious royal treasures I have, and I’m leaving it in your care during your voyage to the Cascade Sea. I know this makes little sense to you my faithful student, but I trust you will know what to do when the time comes.”

Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes and was still trying to make sense of what Princess Celestia meant when she had been told all this. It had been over a week since she had been lent the gem. Hanging around her neck, the Harmonious Gem was the shape of a bright star with six points, twinkling a light magenta color. Besides being a stunning piece of jewelry, Twilight didn’t have a clue why this gem was left in her possession. It wasn’t her place to question the princess, but Twilight was loyal and knew she would lay her life down for Celestia if she had to.

“Your highness!” came a sudden voice.

Twilight Sparkle was startled and hurried to hide the Harmonious Gem back in her blouse. When she turned, she was relieved to find it was only Captain Razor Sharp. Twilight knew she didn’t need to fear the captain because he was a loyal subject to Celestia, the same as herself. However, Twilight didn’t risk knowledge of the gem even in his hoofs.

“Sorry Captain,” Twilight said, dusting herself off.

“Don’t say that princess,” Razor Sharp answered. “I am the one who should apologize to you. I clearly startled you.”

“No apology is necessary,” Twilight answered.

Razor Sharp was a pegasus, and a rather tall one. His golden brown coat was nicely complemented by his burned orange mane. He was strictly professional and hardly a pony for simple small talk. “I was curious to know why you were keeping a watch,” he said. “Princess, you mustn’t concern yourself. Nothing could be the matter.”

“I just want to enjoy myself, that’s all,” Twilight answered. She turned back around and looked at the water again. “I was thinking about the fog. Why does it scare everypony? They act like it’s a bad omen.”

Razor Sharp chuckled with amusement as he stood beside the young princess. “You see,” he began, “many of the most infamous pirates were pegasi, like myself. Because pegasi can control the weather it was an old pirate trick to lure ships into a thick fog and ambush them. Of course, many ponies forget the difference between a trap and fog that is naturally rolling in. I’m pretty sure no trap is waiting for us.”

“I wouldn’t mind meeting a pirate,” Twilight smiled. “I’ve read books on them. I mean... it’s not like anypony has been rude to me on this voyage, but I wouldn’t mind a chance to meet a pony who didn’t look up at me like I was royalty.”

Captain Razor Sharp chuckled with amusement as he walked away. Although Twilight was being serious, the captain couldn’t help but mistake it for a joke. Before Twilight could correct him, Razor Sharp told her one last thing before leaving. “The sun sets quickly on the open sea, so don’t stay up too late,” he said.

At that, Razor Sharp turned and went to his cabin, leaving Twilight to mind the look out. As the rest of the pony crew went to get some sleep as well, the deck became scarce and only a few remained to keep watch through the night.

As Twilight enjoyed a few last minutes of freedom without the responsibilities of a princess, she looked into the fog and almost believed she saw something. She lost her train of thought when she looked again but found nothing there. Curious to know what she could have seen, Twilight galloped across the ship’s deck and spoke to the helmspony.

“Did you see something there?” Twilight asked, pointing to the ship’s starboard side.

“Not a thing, your highness,” the helmspony answered. “Can’t see a thing in this fog. We will see even less when the sun sets.”

Twilight was not satisfied. If she thought she saw something she naturally believed it had to be investigated. Still, the question was how. After a moment, the helmspony spoke up with a wide grin across his face. “Hey, look at that,” he said. “We’re escapin’ the fog... no problems either. No pirates at all.”

As the Red Reef passed slowly out of the fog and back into clear view of the open ocean, Twilight realized that was her moment to confirm her suspicions. While there were still a few minutes of daylight left, she rushed to the starboard side of the ship and looked out across the water.

There was nothing for a moment. But just as Twilight Sparkle was about to turn away, she looked again and was startled to see another ship. It was a few hundred yards away and was a different class of ship from the Red Reef. It was an airship, different from water-fairing ships in that it hovered above the water using the hot air in a balloon secured above the vessel. This particular ship seemed to be taking a risk flying so close to the water when it could have been hundreds of feet in the air.

Other ponies suddenly took notice of the ship as well. “What is that?” the helmspony wondered.

Twilight was nervous, yet excited as she reached for a spyglass to take a good look at the other ship. “That doesn’t look like a navy ship,” the alicorn said, using the information she remembered reading in books.

It wasn’t long before she noticed a flag. Being hung right underneath the hot air balloon was a black piece of cloth with the symbol of a white skull with two cross bones. Twilight Sparkle lowered the spyglass slowly. There were two things she was sure of now.

One: the crew of the other ship was a band of rogue pirates.

Two: it had just become their intention to come and attack the Red Reef.

Twilight remembered thinking that an encounter with a pirate would have been fascinating. But now, it dawned on her that they might be in a lot of trouble if the pirates were waving their flag.

The other ponies gathered around Twilight to discover what was obviously troubling her. “That other ship...” the helmspony began. “Is it...?”

Twilight looked up and regained her train of thought. “They’re pirates!” she told them.

The other ponies stepped back. Though they maybe should have seen this coming they didn’t want to believe it until now. The gravity of the situation began to sink in when they looked again and saw the airship steering its way towards them.

“Pirates!” the other ponies yelled. “PIRATES!” they yelled again.

Suddenly, the ship began bustling with activity as the night watch ponies sounded the alarm and everypony jumped into action. Ponies rolled over in their hammocks, some even falling onto the floor as they hurried to their posts. There was still daylight and no pony could believe a pirate attack was happening this late in the evening. But sure enough, all the crew looked across the water and didn’t even need a spyglass to identify the enemy vessel when it came close enough. They were definitely pirates who were manning it.

Twilight felt lost in the crowd; the first time she ever recalled feeling lost in all her years of service to Celestia. It was at that point Twilight realized it was time to put her knowledge to the test. All those books she read on pirates and high seas battles were going to prove their worth. Without a moment to lose, Twilight hurried to find the one pony she knew might save them from this predicament.

Chapter 8

“Captain!”

Twilight burst into Razor Sharp’s personal quarters but was startled to find the captain resting. After the ruckus heard throughout the ship she thought Razor Sharp would have woken up by now. Hurrying to his bedside she tried to get him up.

“Razor Sharp, we’re under attack by pirates!” Twilight exclaimed. “The crew needs your help!”

Twilight tried shaking him awake but Razor Sharp was as limp as a rag doll. He was sleeping so deeply that saliva was drooling from the side of his mouth. Twilight realized this couldn’t be a natural sleep. “Somepony must have drugged him with something!” she exclaimed.

Twilight looked to the side and noticed a platter of muffins. Razor Sharp had muffins every night for a snack but it was curious that the captain took a bite out of one but didn’t bother finishing it. Curious, Twilight picked up one of the muffins and smelled something peculiar.

“Starlight petals!” she exclaimed. “An herbal sleep remedy!”

It didn’t take the alicorn long to make the connection. “We have a traitor among us,” she said aloud. Still, who was the traitor she wondered to herself. It could have been the cook, or maybe his assistant. It could also have been the butler who had time to sprinkle the flower petals on top of the muffins while they were being delivered.

Whatever the case, Twilight knew they didn’t have time to weed out the traitor. The pirate ship was nearly upon them. They needed everypony to trust each other in this time of crisis without pointing the hoof at potential suspects.

Hurrying outside the captain’s cabin, Twilight looked at the crew as they scurried about. Scattered and leaderless, they tried preparing themselves for battle but did it without anyone to command or motivate them. Twilight Sparkle became nervous that maybe this battle was already lost. Without a captain, she didn’t know how this ship would last in a fight.

“We need orders!” one of the ponies yelled. “Where’s the captain? We need his help!”

Twilight wasn’t sure what to tell the other ponies. While they were still trying to prepare themselves for the inevitable, the young princess felt out of place. It wasn’t like she had a part to play. She knew for a fact that she didn’t have anything to contribute to the battle-ready ponies, which made her feel even more useless to them.

But at that moment, an idea suddenly entered Twilight Sparkle’s mind. Her heart was pounding under the stress of the situation, but something about her crazy idea made her seriously consider it. Hurrying to the rail, she looked behind the Red Reef and saw the pirate ship that was gaining on them.

The pirates were still a considerable distance away. Although Twilight had never seen the range of cannon fire before she estimated that they had a few seconds of time before gunshots would be fired. Twilight recalled the information she remembered reading about in books and started formulating a plan. All her research and studies on the art of naval combat; maybe it wasn’t such a waste of time after all. But still, knowledge versus practical experience... Twilight could only assume she was just as prepared as she was ever going to be.

Twilight removed the outer layer of her dress, tossing aside her title of princess with it and prepared herself to assume the role of ‘captain’. “Everypony!” she called.

The crew stopped when they heard her voice and gave her their full attention. “My name is Twilight Sparkle!” the young alicorn told them. “Captain Razor Sharp has been drugged and it seems impossible at this moment to wake him from his sleep! Seeing as we have pirates tailing us, I will assume the role of acting captain! Do I have your support!?”

There was an awkward moment of silence. Twilight felt nervous volunteering herself for such a position, especially when the crew gave her no response. Instead, the colts and mares looked at each other to exchange opinions and it became apparent they didn’t think highly of Twilight as a leader. Even without her complete dress they still thought of her as nothing but a princess.

But suddenly, gunfire sounded in the distance. The very next second, cannonballs struck the Red Reef and the whole ship was shaken by the impact of enemy fire. After the Red Reef was damaged the pirates set to work reloading their cannons so they could fire another round. As the second wave of cannonballs collided with the Red Reef, Twilight Sparkle came forwards and began giving orders like she was the captain. Whether they accepted her or not, it was apparent they needed somepony to lead them

“Alright mares and colts!” she called. “Be at your stations and have every gun loaded and ready to fire!”

After understanding her orders, everypony obeyed and did just that. Twilight Sparkle, meanwhile, paused and considered the words she just spoke. “I hope I said that correctly,” she thought aloud. “I wish I had my book with me to tell me what I’m supposed to do next.”

Chapter 9

The distance between the two ships shrank as the pirates began to close in on their prey. The Red Reef couldn’t hope to outrun the airship. Although she had more sails, the pirates didn’t have to fight against the water while they were in the air. It was only a matter of time before the ships would engage each other in real battle.

It wasn’t long before the pirates were close enough to be identified. Nopony was quite sure which band of pirates they were dealing with until a hoof full of crew members recognized the ship. “It’s the Dark Fortune!” one of them called.

Twilight Sparkle rushed to the edge to see for herself if that was true. It was strange, but she had the feeling she had heard that name before, maybe from a royal report. Though the name was familiar she couldn’t remember anything more than that.

“What are your orders?” one of the colts asked her.

Twilight tried weighing the options in her head but an ideal plan was not coming to mind. Looking ahead of the ship, she noticed a storm in the distance. Without fog blocking their line of sight they could see as far as fifteen miles in every direction. The storm looked dangerous but was thankfully a safe distance away.

It was at that point Twilight developed a rather peculiar idea. “Turn this ship port side!” she told the helmspony. “Take us into the storm!”

“Into the storm!” he yelled. “Do you have any idea how intense a storm on the open ocean can be!?”

“But I read in a book there’s a fifty percent chance pirates won’t follow their prey into a storm!” Twilight responded, grinning sheepishly.

The helmspony was reluctant to obey Twilight’s plan, but turned the wheel and steered the Red Reef into the storm. When the storm lay dead ahead of them a feeling of dread came over the whole crew. The storm clouds were as black as night and the wind blew hundreds of miles an hour. Twilight realized the brilliance of her plan when she realized an airship couldn’t hope to survive such harsh weather. Being suspended above the water, the wind would blow the pirate’s airship away like it was a feather.

But as the Red Reef inched closer to the storm, the Dark Fortune did not break away and the pirates continued to follow. The skies were already becoming darker under the clouds when Twilight checked to see what had become of their pursuers. Much to her surprise, the Dark Fortune was actually following them into the storm.

“Their captain must be crazy!” she exclaimed.

The battle lines were drawn. Rain started pouring from the sky and waves began rocking the Red Reef up and down. Lighting struck with greater intensity than any cannon blast. The Dark Fortune came right alongside the Red Reef and both ships realized there was no escaping a fight. As the storm threatened to sink both vessels under its strength the two crews got a look at each other and began yelling their battle cries.

The navy officers stood proud and dignified on the deck of the Red Reef. The pirates on the Dark Fortune were crude and ragged, but no less brave when they yelled at their opponents.

Twilight Sparkle became nervous. “Wow... I certainly hope studies have prepared me for this.”

“Orders! Princess, we need orders!”

Twilight looked down at the crew and saw them all staring up at her. Without her instruction they were hopeless against the pirates. That was when the magnitude of the situation began to sink in and Twilight realized the huge responsibility of captaining these ponies.

She looked again at the Dark Fortune and saw cannons revealing themselves through the portholes on the side of the pirate ship. Twilight realized she had to hurry and make a decision. “Ready the cannons!” she yelled.

The portholes on the Red Reef opened as well. As the Dark Fortune came alongside the Red Reef the two ships had a face off, wondering who would shoot first. While the wind and the waves were rocking both ships around it became a question of when their aim would be good enough to give the order and start firing.

Twilight Sparkle remembered reading that it was a bad idea waiting for your opponent to fire first, so decided she would make the first shot when the ship was ready. The Red Reef went into a dive for a minute, but as soon as the ship leveled off and came back to the same height as the Dark Fortune, Twilight saw her chance.

“FIRE!”

The captain of the Dark Fortune got the same idea and gave the order to fire the very same instant Twilight Sparkle did. Smoke clouded the air. Cannons exploded like the sound of thunder. The two ships battled in the heart of the typhoon to prove their supremacy over the other.

Chapter 10

The strike of lightening on top of the sound of cannon fire was deafening to the ears as everypony opened fire. Twilight Sparkle had never imagined such destruction and mayhem. The wood along the ship’s hull splintered to pieces as the cannonballs smashed their way through. The pirates didn’t have it any easier, but it seemed they were already prepared for this kind of chaos.

After every cannon was exhausted, Twilight Sparkle almost forgot it was her duty as acting captain to lead these ponies. “Get the cannons reloaded!” she called.

The ponies scurried about the deck to obey her orders. They had no choice but to obey or be crushed by the pirates. But while the crew of the Red Reef needed time to load their guns, so did the pirates onboard the Dark Fortune. But curiously, that was when they began steering their ship away and Twilight realized they were changing their battle tactics.

“They’re going to make an overpass,” she thought to herself.

“What?” one of the ponies asked.

“I read about it in a book,” Twilight explained. “It’s when an airship tries flying in between the masts of a water-fairing ship.” Sure enough, the Dark Fortune continued flying away from the Red Reef until it turned back around and came heading straight for them.

“Are they crazy!?” the same pony exclaimed. “Can they seriously expect to maneuver that carefully in the middle of a storm!?”

Twilight couldn’t afford to wonder whether or not it was possible. The Dark Fortune was heading straight their way, about to fly overhead. If they did not make the maneuver with enough precision it was possible both ships would collide and be tangled in each other’s ropes.

“Ready the anti-aircraft cannons!” Twilight yelled.

Immediately, the crew obeyed and opened up trap doors along the deck of the ship. Then, elevators slowly rose out of the floor, revealing six highly advanced cannons, specially designed for shooting at airships.

But unfortunately, the Dark Fortune had a trick of its own as it came closer. On the underside of its hull the pirates opened trap doors that revealed guns that were pointing straight down.

There was no going back. When the Dark Fortune picked up enough speed the pirates flew their ship over the Red Reef. Luckily, their aim was precise enough that no real harm came to either ship as they passed each other. But that was when the pirates saw their chance and began firing their cannons downward, raining gunfire on top of the navy ponies below them.

The deck of the Red Reef began to collapse as its timbers buckled under the enemy’s fire. But while the pirate ship was still making its pass the cannons from the Red Reef opened fire as well and punctured through the Dark Fortune’s hull. Both ships endured heavy damage, everyone realized, after the Dark Fortune finished its pass and retreated back to the open waters.

“This isn’t over yet,” Twilight mumbled.

Sure enough, the Dark Fortune came alongside the Red Reef again and the pirates onboard did not look pleased with the damage done to their ship. After screaming yet another fierce battle cry some of the pegasus ponies jumped from their ship and flew towards the Red Reef.

Twilight Sparkle, at first, thought it was the rain but was surprised to find actual beads of sweat dripping from her face when she saw the pirates coming. “Oh my gosh... Why did I skip the chapter on boarding parties?” she wondered to herself.

Chapter 11

The pegasi came out of the sky like the rain as they landed on the deck of the Red Reef. Rising to confront them, the navy ponies drew their swords with their mouths to battle the pirates. The struggle escalated quickly. The deck of the Red Reef was a virtual war zone as ponies on both sides were clashing their blades together, trying to best their opponents in combat.

Twilight Sparkle was used to feeling in control of her surroundings but felt her composure slipping away as the fighting took on a life of its own.

Quite suddenly, Twilight Sparkle was startled when she heard a pony sneaking up behind her and turned just in time to discover he was a pirate. “Ah, a lovely mare in distress,” the pirate chuckled, with his deep voice.

Twilight was not one to criticize another pony for poor hygiene, but her opponent’s appearance was quite shocking to her. The pegasus had a filthy coat of fur with a matted mane and dusty feathers. His teeth were yellow and one of his eyes seemed stuck in a permanent squint for some reason. Twilight would have recommended a book on tooth decay but was terrified by the way he came and stood over her.

“Ah, not just any mare!” the pirate smiled. “She’s a princess too! What a lucky day! Your country might pay a handsome price for your safe return!”

He was about to reach for his sword, when another sword came flying their direction and stuck itself into the railing. Twilight tried pulling it out with her horn, but was surprised how deep the sword had cut in.

“Let me show you how to really play with swords,” the pirate laughed. Drawing his own blade, he was about to scare Twilight away from the sword, when Twilight managed to pull it out the last second and strike his weapon away.

When the pirate realized he had some challenge he tried striking Twilight for real this time, but Twilight managed to block him. Holding the sword with the magic of her horn, she fought back with everything she had. The pirate began to retreat, even though he looked bigger and stronger.

Twilight was too afraid to even look with both her eyes. Simply studying the other pony’s move and tactics, she recognized his lunge, thrust, parry and knew exactly how to overcome his style. “Geez, forget the book on dental health,” Twilight groaned. “I should recommend a book on decent sword fighting to you instead.”

Suddenly, a huge pony with a much larger sword came down on top of Twilight and the young alicorn had only an instant to block his attack. Staring up at her new opponent, Twilight retreated in fear when she saw his menacing, bloodthirsty eyes. This new pirate was bigger, meaner, and most definitely a greater challenge than the pirate Twilight had been fighting a moment ago.

Chapter 12

The Dark Fortune came around again as it prepared to make its next attack. As the two ships went deeper into the heart of the storm, the wind and the waves became increasingly harder to steer through. Giant waves rocked the Red Reef back and forth while gusts of wind threatened to blow the Dark Fortune off course.

In a last ditch effort to take the Red Reef, the helmspony of the Dark Fortune steered the ship hard to starboard and collided the two ships together. The force of the impact could be felt across both ships and knocked everypony off balance. But after the two ships were together, the earth ponies began crossing over next. A second wave of pirates began boarding the Red Reef and the navy crew found themselves overwhelmed.

It only lasted for a moment. After most of the pirate crew boarded the Red Reef, the Dark Fortune backed away and disappeared into the storm. Just as suddenly as it appeared, the ship disappeared from view and no one paid mind to it.

Twilight Sparkle got up and tried to recover her balance. She looked around and was thankful the pirates attacking her were now gone. The crash of the ships maybe sent them overboard, but in any case, she knew she wouldn’t have stood a chance against them.

Picking up the sword she had used before, Twilight hurried to the ship’s stern where she hoped to avoid anymore fighting. The deck was in complete chaos as pony battled pony for supremacy. The ponies from the gun deck came upstairs with weapons of their own and it was yet to be decided who had the upper hoof.

Twilight hurried to figure out what she could do next. “What do I do, what do I do?” she worried. “This isn’t like I imaged it would be.”

“I should think not,” came a voice.

Twilight spun around. Just when she though the battle had no more surprises in store for her, nothing could have prepared her for what she saw next. Landing onto the ship’s deck a few hoofsteps away was not just another pirate. It was the captain herself. An infamous pony of legend know far and wide across the Cascade Sea for her ruthlessness, as well as her fury in battle.

The clash of the thunder and the violence of the battle became like a quiet noise in the distance as Twilight Sparkle backed away from her opponent. The pirate captain looked down at her with pink eyes that seemed to glow as fire reflected in them.

“I almost don’t believe it,” the pirate captain laughed in her harsh, raspy voice. “I’ve found not just anypony! I’ve found the princess herself! I almost didn’t believe it when they told me Twilight Sparkle was attending this voyage!”

The pirate captain slowly reached for her sword and drew it from her scabbard with dramatic effect. In her mouth, she held a rapier; a sword longer and more dangerous in combat than the preferred cutlass.

Twilight Sparkle was trembling as she was backed into a rail and found she had nowhere to go. Against any other pirate maybe Twilight would have had the confidence to defeat them in a sword duel, but not against the captain of the Dark Fortune herself. The captain was a pony she should have remembered from before when she studied current events in the Cascade Sea. Twilight tried not to be afraid as she stood under the shadow of her opponent.

“Prepare yourself princess!” the pirate told her. “Mark this the hour of your doom, because the fearless and totally awesome Captain Rainbow Dash takes no prisoners!”

Part III

Part III

The Age of Pirates

Chapter 13

Twilight Sparkle wasn’t sure how she was getting out of this. Captain Rainbow Dash seemed intent on fighting her and the young alicorn could only search her knowledge of books for information that might be helpful to her. Nothing came to mind.

But while she was thinking, the Red Reef began to lean forwards as the ship went down the side of a massive wave of water. Because the ship was sailing against the wind it stalled for a moment on top of the wave before it began plummeting downward.

The tilting of the Red Reef was so extreme everypony began standing one hoof against a wall or a mast; anything to keep them from slipping across the deck. But Rainbow Dash, standing not that far from Twilight, didn’t move an inch. Using just her wings, she made it look effortless as she stood in place while the whole rest of the ship was leaning forwards.

Twilight Sparkle was so distracted by Rainbow Dash’s appearance she didn’t even notice the tilt of the ship until she suddenly fell over the rail. Landing on the lower deck, Twilight recovered and looked up... just in time to see her necklace sliding across the floor.

When Twilight saw it she almost couldn’t believe her eyes. Quickly checking her blouse to make sure she wasn't just seeing things, sure enough, the Harmonious Gem wasn’t there. It had somehow slipped off her neck when she fell over and it was now sliding across the floor, away from her. Twilight Sparkle saw the gem skidding through crowds of fighting ponies, and wanted very badly to run through them and retrieve it. But before she even had the chance, the necklace and the gem together disappearing down a hole and she lost them.

“No, I can’t loose that!” Twilight exclaimed.

No pony else seemed to notice. After the Red Reef finally splashed against calm level water the ship began to straighten itself out and no pony needed to fear sliding across the deck. The fighting continued but it seemed the pirates had the upper hoof.

Rainbow Dash slowly stepped down from the ship’s stern and addressed her crew. “Already you maggots!” she yelled, trying to sound tough. “Get the ship secure and begin searching! I know it is here somewhere! Don’t leave until you’ve found it!”

Those instructions seemed difficult for the pirates to obey while there was still fighting. But, as the navy ponies realized they were outmatched they began surrendering one by one. It wasn’t long before the pirates could afford the time to start scouring the ship like Rainbow Dash commanded.

Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle realized how hopeless she was against the boarding party and tried hiding from view. Retreating behind a stalk of barrels near the door to the captain’s quarters, she tried not to give herself away while she also kept watch. Captain Rainbow Dash was standing not that far from where she was hiding. No doubt, the captain of the pirates would find her if she didn’t think of something fast.

But amidst the confusion, there was something about the captain that made Twilight curious. “What exactly is she looking for?” she wondered to herself. “She was almost about to mention something important that she wanted.”

Suddenly, a voice caught the alicorn off guard. “Captain Rainbow Dash! I found her! I found the princess!”

Twilight looked to her side and was surprised to find it was a certain young pegasus pony with a gray coat, yellow mane, cross eyes and a bubbles cutie mark who was giving her away. When Rainbow Dash heard, she turned around and found Twilight Sparkle hiding behind the barrels she was using for cover. Rainbow Dash and the other pony stood there, looking down at Twilight with a triumphant look in their eyes.

“Derpy!” Twilight exclaimed. “I... I can’t believe it’s you! You were the traitor all along!?”

The young alicorn needed to pause for a moment as she tried to make sense of this. “But... I don’t understand! You’ve been apart of this crew since day one! Why did you drug the captain with one of your own muffin recipes!? You seemed like such a good friend!”

Derpy stood there a moment, looking rather confused like she always did. After a second, she pulled a book from one of her pockets that had the title ‘How to be a Pirate if You’re Not Really Good at It’.

After researching, Derpy closed the book and a smile crossed her face. “I’ve only been pretending to be one of the crew,” she giggled. “I really work for Rainbow Dash here. We were planning this since before the Red Reef set sail last week.” Twilight rolled her eyes as she found it hard to believe her treacherous crew mate needed time to research that.

“Alright, that’s enough Derpy!” Rainbow Dash told her underling. “I don’t want you slipping anymore information to the enemy... like you did the last time.”

“Oh... okay,” Derpy responded; clearly not realizing the fact that Rainbow Dash was embarrassed by her.

After Derpy turned and walked away, Rainbow Dash stepped closer to Twilight Sparkle and looked down at her with a very intense expression. “I just want to make it clear that escape is impossible!” the pirate captain told her. “Don’t think you can escape my awesomeness!”

“You can’t win!” Twilight answered, trying to sound brave. “The Red Reef has employed the very best soldiers in the whole navy! There’s no way you’ll get away with this!”

Rainbow Dash’s expression suddenly changed. Staring at Twilight for a moment, the rainbow colored pony suddenly leaned back and burst into laughter. After Rainbow Dash contained herself and wiped away a tear, she then looked at Twilight again with a smile. If something about this situation was amusing to her, Twilight obviously didn’t see it.

“Don’t you see?” Rainbow Dash eventually asked. “I’ve already won! The Red Reef is as good as mine!”

Twilight Sparkle almost didn’t want to believe it. As she stood up and peaked over the barrels she had been hiding behind, she was startled to find most of the crew surrendering. It was alarming that Rainbow Dash’s words happened to be true. The pirates had actually defeated the officers of the Red Reef. The only ponies still brave enough to fight were nearly about to surrender, but it was no question that the victor of this battle had already been determined.

When Twilight Sparkle looked away a feeling of dread overcame her. “Oh my gosh,” she mumbled to herself. “I was supposed to be acting captain... and I failed them...”

Rainbow Dash looked down at Twilight with an expression that seemed halfway between pity and boredom. Although Twilight seemed like a pathetic excuse for an acting captain, something compelled Rainbow Dash to keep that thought to herself. Instead, she looked up at the helm and gave instructions.

“Derpy, take the wheel and steer us out of this storm!” Rainbow Dash ordered.

“Okey Dokey,” the ditzy pegasus answered.

Chapter 14

Despite all Derpy’s clumsiness, it didn’t take the young pegasus long to navigate the ship out of the storm. The winds quickly died down and the Red Reef reached calmer waters that went easy on the ponies prone to sea sickness. On the way, the pirates secured the ship and beat up everypony who was still resisting. After most of the soldiers had been defeated the rest of the crew just surrendered there on the spot.

While the pirates began scouring the ship for treasure, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle stood outside the captain’s cabin and didn’t say anything for a while. When the Red Reef passed into calm waters, the stars began to appear, as did the moon. It was already late into the evening and the pirates began lighting lanterns across the deck so they could have visibility.

After it seemed the pirates had made themselves at home, Rainbow Dash turned towards Twilight and confronted her. “I know there’s something valuable aboard this ship!” she stated. “Princess, I’m going to ask you this only once! Where is the Harmonious Gem?”

Twilight nearly jumped with surprise when she heard that question spoken to her. “But... how did you know!?” she gasped.

“Don’t interrupt me!” Rainbow Dash yelled. Quickly loosing patience, she drew her sword and rested it against Twilight’s shoulder to show the alicorn she was not joking around. “I don’t have time to play stupid with you! I know it’s around here somewhere! If you want to save yourself some trouble, tell me where I can find it!”

Twilight Sparkle didn’t know what to say. Naturally, she didn’t want to betray Princess Celestia by agreeing to such a demand. But more importantly, it was only a few minutes ago Twilight remembered dropping The Harmonious Gem and it could have been anywhere onboard the ship by now. The gem was as good as lost.

But just as Rainbow Dash was threatening to cut Twilight’s throat, a pirate suddenly appeared who approached the captain. “Ma’am, the ship is ours,” he told Rainbow Dash. “Orders?”

Rainbow Dash hated to be called away while she was still in the process of interrogation. But putting her sword down, she turned and gave her underling some quick instructions. “Search the ship!” she ordered. “Find us any treasure we can bring with us quickly. Don’t bother with any chests that are locked. I don’t think we have time to waste on those.”

“Yes ma’am,” the pirate nodded.

After he left, Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight again and gave her a sigh of frustration. Although it seemed like only a moment ago she had been hostile, there was a hint of sympathy in the captain’s eyes. But just as Twilight thought she was seeing a hint of Rainbow Dash’s true self, the rainbow maned pony picked her sword back up and became her pirate-like self again.

“I really don’t have time to argue with you,” she said. “Princess Twilight Sparkle... if you give me the Harmonious Gem, I promise I will leave without harming anypony.”

“But you told me you took no prisoners,” Twilight pointed out. It didn’t take her long to realize her mistake.

“Do you want me to stand by that remark?” Rainbow Dash asked, holding her sword closer to Twilight’s neck.

Suddenly, they were both interrupted when the doors of the captain’s cabin swung open and Razor Sharp came out. The captain of the Red Reef seemed to be in a daze when he stepped out, but otherwise seemed alright. When Razor Sharp stumbled out, he yawned deeply and began mumbling the first thing that came to his mind.

“Geez, someone tried to drug me with Starlight petals again,” he said. “That’s the forth time this month. I must be growing an immunity to it... or... something.”

Razor Sharp paused as he studied the unusual situation he happened to stumble into. The captain of the Red Reef was very confused when he saw a pirate, Rainbow Dash, threatening Twilight Sparkle with a sword. After a moment, Razor Sharp turned his focus toward the rest of his crew further across the deck and almost thought he was dreaming when he found all his officers surrendering to a whole boarding party of pirates. After Razor Sharp realized he wasn’t dreaming it didn’t take him long to connect the dots. Realizing that this was an invasion, he slowly turned his sights back on Rainbow Dash and both of them stared at each other for a moment without either of them saying a word.

There was an awkward moment of silence for a few seconds. Twilight looked up at both ponies but couldn’t tell what either of them were thinking. The way they stared at each other didn’t betray any hint of emotion or expression, but there was definitely a certain tension that she felt in the air.

After nothing had been said for almost half a minute, Razor Sharp sprang into action and suddenly drew his sword to strike Rainbow Dash down. But just as his sword was being drawn, Rainbow Dash swung her own blade around and the swords of both captains collided together. Locking their blades, they pressed all their weight against each other and each captain struggled to overcome the other.

But while their swords were locked Razor Sharp knew this was the opportunity he was hoping for. Turning his eyes to Twilight he spoke to her through the sword in his mouth. “Princess, get out of here! Hide!” he yelled.

Rainbow Dash suddenly realized her mistake. “No!” she yelled.

Twilight Sparkle wasn’t entirely sure she understood the captain when she heard his instructions.

“Teleport or something! Just get out of here while I have this pirate distracted!” Razor Sharp told the princess again.

Rainbow Dash wasn’t about to loose Twilight or the Harmonious Gem, but at the same time, she knew she couldn’t let her guard down and give Razor Sharp the opportunity to stab her. The rainbow pegasus was trapped underneath his sword and couldn’t move a hoof to stop Twilight from escaping.

When Twilight realized she was being given the chance to flee she closed her eyes and focused all her concentration into her magic. Her horn began to glow as she conjured a teleportation spell to take her away from this place. When her horn was bright enough, there was a sudden flash and Twilight Sparkle was gone.

Watching from out the corner of her eye, Rainbow Dash suddenly gasped in horror. Never mind the soldiers and the treasure she and her pirate crew had already captured. Something about Twilight Sparkle and the Harmonious Gem meant more to the captain of the pirates than all the other prized she already had.

While all these thoughts were crossing her mind at the same time, Razor Sharp leaned over his enemy and stared Rainbow Dash in the eyes. “I’ll never let you get away with this,” he grinned. “I’ll see you hanged by a rope, you can guarantee that!”

Rainbow Dash slowly looked up at her nemesis and something suddenly changed about her. After realizing she had lost the most important thing she had come here to find, her eyes began to light up like fire and an uncontrollable rage overcame her. With a fierce battle cry, Rainbow Dash knocked Razor Sharp away and came at him with her sword. She didn’t care anymore to talk or make witty puns about her awesomeness. The only thing she cared about was getting back at the one pony who ruined everything she came here to find.

Razor Sharp was almost afraid when he saw the change in Rainbow Dash and raised his sword to defend himself.

Chapter 15

There was a great flash of light and Twilight suddenly found herself in a place she didn’t recognize. She was surrounded by crates that were tangled up in some fishing nets and sand bags. That was the only thing the young alicorn noticed before all the supplies that weren't secured suddenly came tumbling down on top of her. After teleporting, the last thing Twilight expected was to find herself buried under so much junk. After the supplies stopped falling onto of her, her first instinct was to untangle herself from the mess and Twilight began doing just that.

But just as she started untangling herself there were faint noises Twilight heard in the distance that made her stop. Unsure of who the voices belonged to, the princess didn’t want to risk making any sounds that would give her away.

“Alright everypony, get a move on!” she heard somepony say. “We don’t have all night!”

Twilight made her way forwards and peaked in between two of the crates to see what was happening. To the young alicorn’s surprise, her teleportation spell hadn’t even taken her off the ship’s deck. In fact, the spell had not sent her that much further than where she was standing before teleporting. At least no pony seemed to notice her.

From underneath the crates and the litter of supplies, Twilight had a clear view of the ship and everything the pirates were up to. With guns and swords drawn, the intruders began gathering the crew of the Red Reef to the top deck and made them get in line. There was very little resistance. It was apparent the pirates had taken all the crew captive and there was no way of escaping from them.

“What are you going to do with us!?” one of the younger ponies cried.

“Quiet, you!” a pirate shouted. “Don’t you dare make another sound! Captain’s orders!”

Twilight Sparkle suddenly wondered what had become of Razor Sharp since she last saw him. From where she was hiding she didn’t have a clear view of him, or the pirate captain, Rainbow Dash. Although she considered sneaking out to go and check on him, Twilight didn’t want to risk revealing herself, even if it was the only way she could figure out what had become of her captain.

But, Twilight didn’t have to wait long before she heard a noise that caught her attention. Peaking in between the crates again she looked just in time to see Razor Sharp coming into view. He looked beat up as the pirates stood him at the front of the line they made with his crew. A second later Rainbow Dash also came into view, looking tired as well.

Twilight didn’t have to be a smart egghead to realize Razor Sharp must have lost the fight against Rainbow Dash. She almost couldn’t believe it but the evidence was apparent. While Rainbow Dash stood a distance away from the navy crew, one of her pirate underlings stepped forwards and spoke to her.

“What shall we do with them?”

“We question them,” Rainbow Dash answered, trying to sound like the fight had not worn her out. Without hesitating for a moment, she went straight to Razor Sharp and pointed a hoof at him. Two other pirates quickly surrounded Razor Sharp on either side and placed their swords against his neck.

“I’ve got questions that I need answers to, and I need them fast!” Rainbow Dash stated, already very agitated and impatient. “I’m going to ask you these questions once and I want you to answer them immediately! Do you understand me?”

Razor Sharp was nervous that he was stripped of his weapons and being threatened in front of his own crew, but he still had his pride. “I’ll never betray my mission, if that answers your question!” he responded.

Rainbow Dash ignored that last comment and asked anyways. “Where did Princess Twilight Sparkle teleport to?” she asked, in a commanding tone of voice.

“I don’t know,” Razor Sharp answered, putting it bluntly. “What is your interest in the princess anyways?”

“I’m the one asking the questions!” Rainbow Dash yelled. After a pause, she continued. “I’ve heard the princess has something I want very badly! It’s called a Harmonious Gem! There’s only six of them in the whole Cascade Sea! As you can imagine, something like that must be pretty valuable, so I don’t really have to tell you how much I want it!”

This was news to Captain Razor Sharp. Though he himself wasn’t aware of all the details when he first agreed to be captain of this mission, he never knew anything about a Harmonious Gem being onboard. In fact, he didn’t actually know anything about the Harmonious Gems themselves, but if there were supposed to be only six it was no wonder why a pirate would be interested.

“I’m going to ask again, and I’m not going to repeat myself!” Rainbow Dash said. “Where. is. Twilight. Sparkle?”

Razor Sharp simply shook his head. “I can’t tell you,” he answered. “I can guarantee you one thing, however. You’ll never find her.”

Rainbow Dash looked very cross. There was a look in her eyes that caused even her own crew to back away in fear. It was odd, but it didn’t appear to be a look of frustration or anger. There was almost a hint of tragedy in the way Rainbow Dash looked up at the captain, but she did a pretty good job making herself intimidating by the way she expressed it.

“Alright...” Rainbow Dash sneered. “If you want to do this the hard way, then fine! We’ll do this the hard way!”

At that, Rainbow Dash drew a gun from her belt and fired it straight into Razor Sharp’s chest. There was a gasp from everypony, pirates and navy alike, the instant the shot was heard and Razor Sharp stumbled back. Right before his body touched the ground, the two pirates who stood beside him lifted his body and dumped it over the side of the ship.

Twilight Sparkle was paralyzed with shock at what she had just witnessed. “Rainbow Dash... she’s a cold blooded murderer!” she gasped.

Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, dropped her gun to the floor and turned away. Even after what she had done to Razor Sharp there was not a hint of remorse in her stone cold eyes. After a moment, she turned again and faced the next crew member standing in line.

“Your turn private!” she stated.

At that, the same two pirates from before came around, threatening the hostage with their swords. The small filly Rainbow Dash had picked was hardly even old enough to work on a ship. When Rainbow Dash looked down, all of the crew became afraid of what she might do to him.

“Alright worm, start talking!” the pegasus yelled. “Where is Princess Twilight Sparkle!”

The poor filly was drowning in tears when he responded. “I don’t know where she is!” he cried. “Honest! I’m not lying!”

Rainbow Dash simply stared, cold and emotionless. “Then I’m sorry I have to do this to you as well,” she decided. At that, she slowly reached for her next pistol and prepared to fire it.

“WAIT!”

Everypony turned, just in time to see Twilight as she came running out from behind her hiding spot. But while Twilight was trying to make a dramatic entrance, she stumbled suddenly when the fishing nets tangled around her. There was an awkward moment as everypony stared at her while she untangled herself. After Twilight freed herself from the netting she stood up and faced the pirates.

“I’m here!” she told them. “Rainbow Dash... you don’t need to hurt anypony else!”

Rainbow Dash seemed pleased as she gave the pirates permission to lower their swords. The life of the young filly was spared, but Twilight knew it meant sacrificing herself. It was a fair trade, she decided.

As the pirates came and surrounded her, Rainbow Dash faced Twilight and had a peculiar expression in her eyes. Whether it suggested smugness or relief, Twilight couldn’t be sure. There was something strange about Rainbow Dash she noticed since the moment they first met, but she couldn’t put her hoof on it.

“Alright princess,” the rainbow pony smiled. “Now that I’ve found you again, answer me this one simple question. Where is the Harmonious Gem?”

Twilight Sparkle wasn’t sure how to answer that question. It wasn’t just Rainbow Dash that made her nervous but also the half dozen other pirates standing over her. She wasn’t sure how to tell them the bad news as she swallowed. “I... don’t have it,” she eventually said.

There was a pause and a frown crossed Rainbow Dash’s face. “What!?” she asked.

“I don’t have it!” Twilight repeated. “I lost the gem! I don’t know where it is!”

“No! NO NO!” Rainbow Dash cried. She entered a fit of hysteria, which came as a surprise to the pirates who were looking up to her for guidance. After she got herself back under control, the pirate captain put her hoof down. “Search her!” she ordered.

The pirates began checking Twilight Sparkle. There wasn’t much to check, since she only had the under layer of her dress and there were only two pockets to search. Checking her mane, her tail and finally her neck for any necklaces, the pirates shrugged their shoulders. “She doesn’t have anything,” they said.

Rainbow Dash seemed too shocked for words to express. After all the trouble she went through to secure this ship, the one prize she wanted for herself wasn’t here to be found. It was more than just that. Something about the Harmonious Gem was important to Rainbow Dash besides its material value. Whatever it was she wanted from the gem, it couldn’t be her’s anymore.

Before long, another pirate came around and spoke to Rainbow Dash. “Ma’am, I suggest we secure the booty we’ve collected and get out of here!” she said. “We’re nearing navy controlled waters. If we stay much longer this small window of opportunity will close on us. We don’t have the resources to challenge the navy of Cretaceous.”

Rainbow Dash seemed distracted but somehow found a way to listen. After shaking herself back to her senses, she looked at the pirate and nodded her head. “Fine then,” she decided. “Let’s get everything else we came for and make our escape.”

The pirates understood and set to work. Giving themselves only a minute’s notice to get everything together, many of the pirates actually abandoned the navy crew they were supposed to be taking hostage and even allowed them to roam free. Even Twilight was not being guarded as the ponies went to secure their spoils of war.

Gathering together all the treasure and food they could find, the pirates regrouped on the deck of the ship as Rainbow Dash stood on the railing. Retrieving a whistle from her belt, Rainbow Dash blew into it and signaled for her ship to return.

Waiting only a minute after the whistle had been blown, the Dark Fortune suddenly appeared again and the pirates waited as their ship came their way. Coming alongside the Red Reef, the pirates quickly made their way back onboard the Dark Fortune and completely abandoned the hostages they were leaving behind. After the food and treasure was transported to their own ship, the pegasi began helping the earth ponies next who couldn’t jump the distance.

The navy crew stared in confusion for a while as the pirates cleared out. While everypony was leaving, Rainbow Dash stayed and was among the last to depart. It was the captain’s duty, after all, the ensure the safety of her crew. When everything was ready and most of the pirates were back onboard the Dark Fortune, Rainbow Dash perched herself on the railing of the ship and prepared to leave as well. But right before she flew away, the young pegasus paused for a moment and looked back into Twilight Sparkle’s eyes.

After the two ponies made eye contact, Twilight Sparkle suddenly got the most peculiar feeling. The princess couldn’t mistake what she felt, because it was a feeling of sentiment beyond any shadow of a doubt. Almost like a memory from her fillyhood, Twilight Sparkle had the feeling she and Rainbow Dash once knew each other. It was difficult to understand how they shared the same feeling for an instant when they should have been like enemies to each other right now.

The sentimental feeling between the two ponies came for only second before disappearing as suddenly as it came. When Rainbow Dash returned to her senses she looked away and then flew into the air. Twilight Sparkle also came back to her senses as well when she hurried to the rail to see what would become of the pirates, now that they were gone. When Rainbow Dash landing on the deck of the Dark Fortune, the pirates steered their ship away and began climbing higher into the sky as they made their departure. The pirates left, leaving nothing of their’s behind.

Climbing in altitude, the Dark Fortune became darker and darker against the night sky until the ship retreated behind a small cloud. Then, almost like it had never been there to begin with, the ship disappeared entirely. Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the crew stood there for a moment, unable to believe what had just happened. Just a moment ago they remembered being threatened and having swords pressed against their necks. Now, apparently, the Dark Fortune was gone and they were allowed to continue on their way with hardly any bloodshed.

Still... their lucky escape didn’t come without its price. A moment of silence befell everypony when they remembered the loss of their captain. A few of the ponies even went to the side of the ship where they remembered his body being dumped.

“Captain Razor Sharp!”

Although they called his name the crew did not honestly expect to hear a response. If his body was lost at sea it was unlikely the captain would ever be found again. All the rest of the crew, including Twilight, gathered around the ship’s rail and looked down at the place Razor Sharp’s body had fallen. But just as they were leaning over the rail and stared down into the water, something caught their attention that caused everypony to gasp in amazement.

“Somepony... help!”

“Ra... Razor Sharp!” Twilight stammered.

Much to everypony’s surprise, Razor Sharp was hanging their against the side of the ship, still alive. A rope was secured around one of his hoofs for some reason and was suspending him a safe height above the water. Although the captain seemed a little disoriented being hung upside down for so long he seemed alright, even though he should have taken a bullet through the chest.

“Hurry, let’s help him!” one of the crew yelled. Finding the rope Razor Sharp was tied to, everypony pulled and gently hoisted their captain back onto the ship’s deck.

After lifting him over the rail, the crew sat him down and Twilight was the first to rush to his side. “Captain... I don’t understand!” she exclaimed. “What happened! You were supposed to be dead!”

“I thought I was,” Razor Sharp breathed. “When I saw the gun fire straight into my chest I felt certain I was dead. They threw me over the side of my ship, but when the rope stopped me from hitting the water, that’s when I realized it. I wasn’t dead after all. There wasn’t even a bullet.”

Twilight checked and was surprised to find it was true. There wasn’t any bullet hole or anything to suggest Razor Sharp had been shot. “You mean... Rainbow Dash fired a blank round?” she wondered.

No pony answered. It was such a relief that Razor Sharp was alive, none of the crew bothered wondering how it was possible. They were glad just to have their captain back, and in one piece too.

But while they weren’t looking, Twilight turned away and tried to make sense of this. “So... Captain Rainbow Dash only pretended like she was killing ponies,” she thought to herself.

This whole idea was a real head scratcher to the princess. Twilight had done her studies on pirates but this was very peculiar behavior for the captain of any sort of pirate crew. It was even more puzzling that Rainbow Dash would go to such lengths to make herself look ruthless and terrible, when really she wasn’t.

Twilight Sparkle didn’t know what to make of this. For some reason, the young alicorn got the feeling there was a connection of some kind between her and Rainbow Dash. Maybe not a friendly connection or a relationship built around any sort of emotion, but she was curious to know why the Harmonious Gem had been so important to her; important enough to fake the killing of innocent ponies. Whatever the reason for doing this, Twilight couldn’t help get the feeling there was going to be more between her and Rainbow Dash in due time.

Chapter 16

“Applejack! Applejack! Are you in there!?”

Applejack lazily rolled over in her bed and hoped the noise would go away as she tried returning to sleep. But while the intruder was continuing to call her name there was also knocking on her bedroom door. The young earth pony was hardly in the mood to answer it this early in the morning. After the knocking continued for a few more seconds Applejack turned over again and tried hiding beneath her pillow but it hardly did any good.

“Lieutenant Applejack!” the visitor called. “I seriously think you won’t want to be missing this!”

Upon hearing those words Applejack awoke from her slumber, groaning in frustration. Still half asleep, she raised her tired head from her mattress and looked out her window. Much to her surprise, it wasn’t even light out. It was still a few minutes before sunrise and she couldn’t believe there was any excuse for bothering her this early.

The knocking at her door continued until Applejack finally couldn’t take it anymore. “What!? What the dangnabbit is all the ruckus about!?” she yelled.

The bedroom door swung open and a teal colored pony stepped through. Applejack recognized her as Ensign Upright, an upstanding and loyal pony who served under her in the navy. Although Upright wasn’t much of a fighter or a sailor Applejack appreciated her as a type of personal assistant. Whenever there was important news it was always Upright who was the first to inform her of it.

As her underling came around to meet with her, Applejack sat up in her bed. Her mane and her bedsheets were both in a mess, just like the whole rest of her house. Being a lieutenant in the navy was a hard, time consuming job that hardly gave Applejack time to manage her living space, but that was the price she paid for her career.

After rubbing some of the sleep out of her eyes, the earth pony stared at Upright and tried deciding if she was upset or concerned to be awoken so early. “What’s so important that you had to wake me up before it’s even daylight out?” she asked, still making up her mind.

“I’m sorry to wake you,” Upright said. “I thought you would have liked to know, the Red Reef is coming into port. We received word she’s less than a few minutes out.”

“If that’s the case, then why couldn’t I sleep in until they actually got here?” Applejack demanded to know.

Upright nervously bit her lip. “We got word that also... they were attacked by pirates.”

The moment Applejack heard those words she paused midway through a yawn and froze. The mention of pirates caused the lieutenant to worry. “Wait... say that again!” she said, still unable to believe what she heard.

Upright inhaled a breath and started from the beginning. “As you know, we have ships on patrol just outside the waters of Port Cretaceous,” she explained. “Just a week ago they received the instructions to escort the Red Reef into port once they reached the rendezvous point... just like you asked. When one of our ships made contact with the Red Reef, she was damaged and required assistance while making her way in. A pegasus messenger reached us a few minutes ago, giving us the news of what happened.”

Applejack sat there in bed for a moment, considered what she had just heard. “I cain’t believe it’s actually happened,” she thought aloud. “It was my responsibility to keep the waters safe for our important guests... and you’re telling me I failed them!”

“You mustn’t blame yourself,” Upright insisted. “The pirates chose their moment of attack very precisely. They managed to catch the Red Reef in that small gap between us and the Nation of the Sun where navy forces are thinnest.”

“No excuse!” Applejack declared. After a moment, she calmed down and pulled herself together. “How is the Red Reef faring now?”

“The Red Reef is fine. She’ll make it to port, no problem.”

“Then maybe the best we can do is wait and be patient on them.”

“But that’s exactly the reason I came! We can’t wait!” Upright exclaimed. “Lieutenant Blazing Trail is trying to take charge of the situation!”

Applejack needed a moment to realize the problem. “What!?” she exclaimed.

“Your career rival is already awake and on duty,” Upright explained. “He’s probably riling up the officers as we speak. I’m sure you and I both know what he’s up to. Lieutenant Blazing Trail has been hoping to undermine you since he arrived. He’s probably going to use this incident with the Red Reef as some kind of excuse to overthrow your authority.”

Applejack almost couldn’t believe it. Hurrying out of bed, she got herself dressed in uniform and rushed to the door; leaving herself just enough time to grab her hat. “Of all the times Blazing Trail could have picked to cook up a scheme to undermine me...” She couldn't finish her own thought.

As Applejack stormed out of her house, she knew that it didn’t really matter what she said out loud to herself. If she wanted to stop Blazing Trail she had to hurry fast and confront him directly. It was all she could do to save her career, as well as her reputation as the head of the authorities in Port Cretaceous.

Chapter 17

The Red Reef made its way slowly across the open water as it approached the island of Cretaceous. Its white sandy shores were just coming into view right as the morning sun was coming up. A virtual circle shape, the island was distinct by the earthquake that split it in half more than a century ago. In the Cascade Sea, where pirates and smugglers were rampant, Cretaceous was one of the few strongholds the Nation of the Sun kept in close contact with.

Another ship, the Goliath, graciously escorted the Red Reef as they made their way inland and provided the assistance the crew desperately required after the pirate attack. To Captain Razor Sharp, this was a relief. He accepted the help he was offered and the crew of the Goliath set to work, making temporary repairs and helping the ponies drain the water that was flooding the cargo hold.

After conditions aboard the ship were becoming manageable, Razor Sharp almost wanted to retire so he could catch up on some sleep he missed. But while his crew still needed his instruction he stayed awake and alert while he and the captain of the Goliath both supervised the repairs. As the labor of all the ponies continued the two captains stuck together and walked across the deck side by side as they talked and caught up with each other.

“I still can’t thank you enough,” Razor Sharp said after a minute.

“I’m sure your crew could have handled it on their own, but I’m happy to lend my assistance anyways,” the captain of the Goliath nodded. “As soon as we have your ship pulled into port the shipwrights can have a look at it immediately. I trust your mission was not jeopardized by that pirate attack you mentioned, right?”

Razor Sharp frowned. “That... I’m not sure of,” he answered.

“In any case, I must return to my own ship. Razor Sharp, if there’s anything else you require, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you,” Razor Sharp bowed.

At that, the captain of the Goliath opened his wings and flew into the air. He then retreated back to his own ship and trusted the crew he was leaving behind to manage the Red Reef while he was away. While the ship was still damaged, it seemed the ponies had everything under control as well as could be expected.

Captain Razor Sharp took a moment to look across the deck and appreciate the work the ponies were doing for him. Repairing a ship at sea was difficult. It wouldn’t be much longer before they were safe in a port with warm meals to look forward to when they docked. After everything that happened, the crew definitely deserved some rest.

After a moment, Razor Sharp suddenly remembered Twilight Sparkle. Nearly forgetting the most important pony onboard, he went downstairs below deck and found her personal quarters. It was rare anyone besides the captain should have personal quarters but there was no expense that was too much for royalty.

Raising his hoof, he knocked on the door and was a little surprised to hear an immediate response.

“Please just go away...”

It definitely sounded like the princess’s voice, but faint and not very happy sounding. “Princess Twilight!” Razor Sharp called. “Are you alright in there?”

Twilight seemed hesitant to answer. “No... I’m not alright,” she eventually answered. “But you can just leave me alone if it's not important. I don’t feel in the mood to talk right now.”

Razor Sharp frowned. “I just thought you’d like to know... we found the necklace you lost. Can I return it?”

There was silence for a minute before Twilight slowly turned the doorknob and let him inside. Razor Sharp stepped through and was a little startled by the surprisingly colorful decor inside princess’s cabin. Undoubtedly, it was the maidservants who decorated this place to be more comfortable for a pony of Twilight’s cast.

Razor Sharp kept his rather negative thoughts regarding the decor to himself as he instead turned and faced Twilight. When he looked at the young princess he suddenly felt a little disheartened to see a very subtle hint of depression in her eyes. Remembering the reason he came, Razor Sharp reached into his jacket and pulled out the necklace. At the very end was the Harmonious Gem, hanging like a decorative pendant.

When Twilight saw it she took it from Razor Sharp’s hoof with her magic and placed it around her neck where it was supposed to belong. “Thank you,” she said, as she looked up at him. “I was afraid I lost it for good.”

“You shouldn’t have to worry so much,” Razor Sharp told her. After a second, he took a moment to look around the cabin again and made an interesting observation. “I’m surprised. There doesn’t seem to be that much missing for your quarters, even though there’s an assortment of things I’m sure the pirates would have wanted to rob.”

“They were in a rush for some reason. They didn’t take the time to bother, I guess.” After commenting, Twilight turned away and went to the window. As she looked out at the open water it actually came as a surprise to the captain when he realized she was sulking with regret.

Captain Razor Sharp wasn’t sure what to make of this when he realized how upset Twilight seemed to be. Slowly, he stepped closer and wondered how he could help. “Princess... care to tell me what’s troubling you?” he asked.

“Nothing! Nothing at all!” Twilight said. “... Unless you count the fact that I failed everypony! When I voted myself acting captain of the whole ship I should have done more when the pirates attacked us and nearly killed all the crew!”

Razor Sharp was surprised how bluntly Twilight Sparkle seemed to state her answer; blaming herself very harshly for what she felt responsible for. The captain wasn’t quite sure how to answer her, now that he understood the problem. When it came to battle tactics and naval concerns he knew exactly what kind of advice to give, but not when it came to personal dilemmas. But when Razor Sharp looked again at the princess sulking in misery he sighed and tried speaking the first piece of advice that came to his mind.

“You shouldn’t be upset,” he said. “I wasn’t your place to lead these ponies.”

“Gee, thanks,” Twilight said with sarcasm.

“What I mean to say, is that nothing is your fault!” Razor Sharp insisted. “Maybe it was mine. I was foolish enough to eat those muffins when I should have smelled the Starlight petals somepony obviously sprinkled across the top.”

Twilight turned and faced him. “I was meaning to ask you why you didn’t notice them before. I could have smelled Starlight petals from a mile away.”

“Haven’t you ever been onboard a navy ship before?” Razor Sharp chuckled. “All of our food smells horrible.”

Although it was meant to be a joke, Twilight didn’t find it at all funny. She turned away again and looking out the window, remembering the way she had failed everypony. “ I should have been better prepared,” she said, partly to herself. “All that reading didn’t do me any good.”

Razor Sharp rubbed his forehead. There was no advice he had left to give, since he wasn’t good at this sort of thing. But without any other option, he gave Twilight the straight facts. “We’ll soon reach our destination,” he told her. “As soon as we dock, you can meet your correspondent and fulfill Princess Celestia’s mission. Although... there might be a report you’ll have to fill out regarding the pirate attack. I’m not sure what the navy will do concerning the pirates who attacked us, but I think you aught to know what you’re in for.”

Upon hearing that, Princess Twilight didn’t feel any better concerning her failure, but it reminded her that she had responsibilities to attend to. Standing upright, she tucked the Harmonious Gem away where nopony would see it and put her feeling aside as well. No doubt, there would be a lot for her to do once they pulled into Cretaceous and her assignment from Princess Celestia was going to become her chief concern. There was no longer going to be any time for regret.

Chapter 18

Slowly, the Red Reef made its way around the side of Cretaceous and found the long straight created by the earthquake that split the island in half over a hundred years ago. Cretaceous was a rather large island several miles across, covered in a thick forest that wrapped its way around the small mountain range. The straight going through the island cut right through those mountains, splitting some of them in half right down the middle.

The Red Reef sailed up the straight, falling underneath the shadow of the mountains as it passed. Although there was plenty of room to maneuver it was still claustrophobic to have cliff walls on either side. Interestingly enough, it was here that traffic became dense with both airships and normal ships sailing in and out of the island.

The Red Reef followed the ships going inside the island and Twilight was curious to see where they were all heading. No doubt, they had to be nearing the port that had to be somewhere on this island. It was after the Red Reef sailed around a bend in the path that it came into view. When Twilight Sparkle saw the town settled on the inside of the island, it nearly left her speechless.

Port Cretaceous was unlike anything the princess imagined it would be. The settlement was constructed on both sides of the narrow straight, standing against the sides of the two cliffs that were facing each other. For that reason, the buildings were constructed upwards rather than to the side like normal towns. There were different levels to the town going up the cliff face and nearly half the architecture was carved out of the mountain itself. The design of the port was so well conceived that there were even bridges connecting the two halves of the port with enough room for ships to sail underneath them. There were docks for both airships and normal ships, which the Red Reef pulled into as it made its way in.

Twilight Sparkle only read about Port Cretaceous but never imagined it being quite this impressive. It was not the biggest town she ever traveled to but it was amazing such a place could thrive when the Cascade Sea was supposed to be such a primitive and underdeveloped part of the world.

As the Red Reef pulled into port Twilight got the idea that maybe it was wrong of her to think that way of the ponies who lived in the Cascade Sea. When the ship was docked she and the crew were immediately greeted by navy officers. They came up the gangplank and confronted both Twilight Sparkle and Razor Sharp together. It was a bit awkward to be approached so suddenly after arriving but the navy officers didn’t waste a second of their time.

“Our lieutenants have requested to speak with you at the fort,” one of the officers said to Razor Sharp and Twilight. “Word has reached our ears regarding the pirate attack you experienced. Our commanding officers would appreciated handling this matter quickly, if it’s convenient with you.”

Razor Sharp wasn’t sure what to tell them at first. “I can’t afford the time right this minute!” he exclaimed. “I’ve got wounded crew mates here! I need to make sure they’re taken care of!”

It was at that moment Twilight stepped forwards to volunteer herself. “Don’t worry about that,” she told him. “I’ll go and cover for you.”

The officer sighed. “Fine. As long as at least one of you is coming...”

Chapter 19

After Twilight agreed to go with the officers to the fort, they didn’t stop for anything as they escorted her. After walking a considerable distance through the town’s market and rural district they arrived at the fort soon enough. The fort was constructed high against the cliff wall where it had a clear view of the entire harbor. The bridges around town were arranged specially to give the cannons clear shots of any ships that might appear to be hostile. It was heavily fortified, though, the rest of the town was fortified almost just as much, being carved out of the same stone.

Another pony, Applejack, arrived at the fort just as Twilight was. Meeting close to the entrance, they didn’t pay any mind to each other as they were both escorted to the same meeting room. After they arrived, both Twilight Sparkle and Applejack had mixed feelings when they saw a meeting that had started without them. Gathered around a long table, they saw an assembly of navy officers all listening to a black pegasus at the far end of the room.

“It’s just as we feared!” the pegasus told all his listeners. “The threat of piracy is becoming a problem we can’t afford to ignore anymore! It’s even worse when you realize we can’t protect ships on important missions handed down to us from Princess Celestia herself! There must be something done to stop traitors like Rainbow Dash!”

The black pegasus, who Applejack remembered as Blazing Trail, really took charge of the meeting as a few of the ponies noticed. Applejack, herself, couldn’t believe her rival would take a liberty such as calling a meeting without her consent. But when Blazing Trail noticed Applejack had arrived, he stopped and allowed her to come forwards. The orange earth pony waited a moment before storming up to him.

Applejack walked passed Blazing Trail, and without saying a word, she signaled for him to follow her. Walking together, the two hated enemies retreated to the far corner of the meeting room where nopony else could hear them.

As soon as Applejack was sure she could speak freely without being overheard, she faced Blazing Trail and didn’t hesitate to give him a piece of her mind. “What in tarnation are you doing!?” she whispered.

“My job... as well as yours, apparently,” Blazing Trail grinned. “Where were you Applejack when the report came in? Did you sleep in, or was walking from your home on the other side of town too long for your earth pony legs?”

Applejack tried not to loose control of herself, even thought she couldn’t stand to be in Blazing Trail’s presence. The only thing the black pegasus needed was just one screwup to pin on his rival in order to destroy her reputation, which was the very reason Applejack was cautious when speaking with him. For many months, both Blazing Trail and Applejack had shared the authority of Port Cretaceous, but it was regrettable to some that they spent the majority of that time being enemies to each other. It was no secret to either of them what their intentions were. Applejack worked hard to have a reputable career in the navy. Blazing Trail, on the other hoof, saw Applejack as an inferior with influence he hoped to steal from her. Deep inside, tormenting Applejack actually amused him; which was the one thing the orange earth pony couldn’t tolerate.

But while the two of them were still lieutenants there was no greater authority in Port Cretaceous to separate them. The rivalry between them had been allowed to go back and forth with nopony to stop it. It persisted simply because nopony outranked them.

While the rest of the ponies were waiting at the meeting table, Applejack stared her opponent down and quickly got to the point she wanted to make clear. “We have an understandin’ from Princess Celestia herself!” she stated. “Blazing Trail, your authority is squarely airships! Anything that swims below the air is my concern!”

“Oh, I wish you told me that before I convened this meeting,” Blazing Trail answered, in a mocking sort of tone. “You see, I’ve already gathered our captains and they are eager for me to take charge of this case. What am I going to say when I surrender this case to you? Don’t you think they’ll be suspicious of the reasons you were late?”

Applejack scoffed. She knew better than to fall for Blazing Trail’s trickery. Although he was pretending to sound concerned for the greater good, it was not a secret to the earth pony that he had staged this meeting as a way to embarrass her. But, Applejack was not going to let that bother her.

With a determined look, he pushed her hoof into Blazing Trail’s chest and gave him a stern warning. “If the Red Reef is a water faring ship, I will take this case off your hoofs and ask you to leave, Blazing! Don’t let me catch ya doing this again!”

Blazing Trail only smiled. Whether it was overconfidence or the sign of a true mastermind, the pegasus clearly did no consider his opponent a threat to him. But after getting the message, he stepped aside and allowed Applejack assume control.

Applejack gave her rival a sharp look before approaching the table and addressing all the ponies present. She stood at the end of the table where Blazing Trail had been a moment ago and everypony including Twilight Sparkle stared up at her. Since it was no secret what Applejack and Blazing Trail had been arguing about, nopony was sure what to say at first.

“Uh... do you have instructions for us ma’am?” one of the officers eventually asked.

Applejack hated that she had to give them a less than satisfactory answer. Looking across the table, she sighed before addressing them all. “I don’t know what purpose Blazing Trail summoned yall here for but I appreciate your readiness. I’m adjournin’ this meeting until I investigate the incident with the Red Reef a little further. I apologize that yall had to be awoken so early for nothing, but I assure you, I will do everything I can to set things right.”

There was an odd silence inside the room as everypony made sense of Applejack’s instructions. Blazing Trail’s plan to humiliate her was clearly working. Everypony seemed frustrated to dismiss a meeting before anypony actually got the chance to talk, but they knew it wasn’t their place to question the lieutenant. While the officers got up to leave, only Applejack and Twilight Sparkle remained.

Once everypony else had left, Applejack looked up after a minute and noticed Twilight still there in the opposite corner of the meeting room. The earth pony was a little confused at first regarding the reason the alicorn princess was hear. After giving it some consideration, Applejack came around the table and stopped a distance away. “Your highness,” she bowed.

“Um... no need to bow,” Twilight insisted. “It sounds to me like you’ve had it pretty rough.”

“Tell me about it.” Applejack chuckled. After a second, the earth pony suddenly realized her mistake and quickly silenced herself. It wasn’t her place to express opinion like that in front of royalty.

But, Twilight didn’t find herself offended at all by Applejack’s remark. As a matter of fact, the princess didn’t mind socializing at all with another pony. Forgetting about her status of royalty and her superiority to Applejack, Twilight became curious of the problem that seemed so apparent.

“So, what was happening between you and that pegasus?” she asked.

Applejack hated explaining it to a pony she had only just met, but she couldn’t resist letting out just some of her pent up anger. “Me and Blazing Trail are both the authorities in these parts,” she began. “Every since that pegasus showed his ugly face, he’s been trying to squeeze me out of my place... and dare I say it... it’s working!”

Twilight Sparkle was almost alarmed to hear the news. “Why don’t you trying reporting it?” she wondered.

“To who!?” Applejack exclaimed. “Me and Blazing Trail are the authorities, and no pony else cares. Blazin’ Trail is a pegasus after all. If any scandal unfolds, I will be the one ta take the blame. I’m only a mere earth pony, after all.”

There was something in that remark that made Twilight concerned. “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” she frowned. “Why would it make a difference whether you’re an earth pony or a pegasus?”

Applejack laughed with amusement. “I might have guessed you wouldn’t understand,” she commented. “You might not know it, princess, but earth ponies are not a very respected race of pony. The alicorns and unicorns are the highest and most privileged cast, I’m sure you understand that much. The Pegasi, on the other hoof, are the warriors who believe themselves to be the best for being brave in the face of danger. But if you ask about earth ponies, we are the working class; hardly more than slaves to the other two casts. I have great authority in these parts as a lieutenant, but that's as much as an earth pony like myself can ever hope for. I’ll tell you, it is hard making your way in the world when you have to work for everything you rightfully deserve.”

After she was done talking, Twilight Sparkle just stood there for a moment. The rant Applejack ushered came as a surprise to her because it was the last thing the princess expected to hear when she was summoned to this place. After the orange colored pony realized what she must have put the princess through, she bowed her head in regret.

“Beggin’ your pardon princess,” she sighed. “I won’t hold it against you if yall are angry with me. Sometimes, taking out my frustration on others the only way I know I’m still in charge of this place.”

Twilight stared. “I’m not angry with you,” she said after a moment. “Tell you the truth, I’m surprised this is happening to you. Is this really what it’s like in the Cascade Sea?”

“I’m afraid the real world ain’t pretty when you look at it properly,” Applejack sighed. She paused for a moment and then began to chuckled. “But, I know yall didn’t come here to listen ta my ranting. We gotta problem with a pirate, as I understand it. Wanna fill me in on the details while we walk?”

Twilight Sparkle wasn’t sure. She wasn’t sure of a lot of things. Applejack was clearly a pony with a lot of issues related to her job, but handled it surprisingly well for the stress it seemed to cause her. But since Twilight understood the real reason she was here, concerning the pirate attack from last night, she agreed to walk with Applejack and answer her questions. The sooner Twilight had all of this out of the way, the sooner she knew she’d be freed. She had greater responsibilities she couldn’t wait to get to as soon as this was all over with.

Chapter 20

As Twilight Sparkle and Applejack walked through the fort, the two of them discussed a number of important matters. Although they talked about each other’s problems it was interesting that neither of their responsibilities seemed that big a concern to the other. Twilight was the one who noticed it quite quickly.

It was Applejack’s responsibility to hunt down pirates and the only reason Twilight cared was because she had been attacked by one just last night. Meanwhile, it was supposed to be Twilight’s responsibility to arrange a meeting between Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and the only reason Applejack cared was because it would cost her her career if anything went wrong; security wise.

But although the relationship between their two problems seemed awkward, Twilight noticed the two of them seemed to get along very well as they talked. Maybe they were naturally good company to each other, but it still felt strange being an upperclass alicorn standing next to an earth pony struggling to make her way in the world. They were given tons of respect by everypony they passed, but it was apparent that Twilight was the one they respected. Applejack knew in her heart that she didn’t really have the respect of her soldiers.

“I really cain’t stand it,” Applejack mumbled. After sighing, she changed the subject to help her forget. “But, I definitely cain’t stand the pirates even more,” she thought aloud. “While they roam the waters freely, it’s all the navy can do to keep the people safe. I especially hate Rainbow Dash in particular. I wish I was there last night with you ta give her a piece of my mind.”

“I imagine you would have made a better captain than I did,” Twilight sighed, speaking partly to herself. She paused for a moment and then asked a question that had been on her mind. “By the way, where are we walking to?”

“The detention level,” Applejack answered. “There’s somepony down there I want you ta talk with.”

Twilight was curious who could possibly be down there that she’d want to talk with. Still, following out of curiosity, the lieutenant and the princess made their way down to the lower dungeons where they passed the armory and the barracks. At the far end of a long corridor, they passed through an iron gate that stood before a row of prison cells. Standing at the door was just one guard who let them pass after he recognized Applejack.

“This won’t take up too much of your time, if you don’t mind,” Applejack said.

“No, I don’t mind at all,” Twilight answered.

Applejack turned and guided Twilight to one of the prison cells at the far end of the dungeon. It made the princess nervous to be down here; a very low and grimy place she thought she’d never have to visit. In the very last cell, Applejack and Twilight stopped and inside they found just one single pony who was sitting there alone. Twilight could not recall ever seeing such a pathetic looking pony in all her life.

The prisoner only continued to sit there in the corner of her cell when they arrived, sulking in the worst depression imaginable. She didn’t even notice she had visitors. Nopony else was there in the whole detention level to keep her company except a few empty soda bottles and cupcake wrappers littering the floor. Although the pony was awake it was apparent she was having a sugar high from all the sweets she had been given to guzzle down.

“Up and at ‘em Ms. Pie!” Applejack called after a moment.

Upon hearing her name, prisoner slowly stood up on her wobbly legs and looked through the bars of her cell. When Twilight looked into the prisoner’s eyes, she almost couldn’t believe the emptiness she saw in them. It was a type of cruelty she never imagined. “Who are you?” she asked out of sympathy.

“Pinkamena Diane Pie, at your service,” answered the pony.

Pink was right, since her coat was exactly that color, except for a few sprinkles and frosting smudges. Her hair was also a shade of pink that was almost red, which hung flat down one side of her head. Her coat, unfortunately, was not a very bright shade of pink like others would have expected, and it only seemed to exaggerate the sadness Pinkamena seemed to contain.

When Twilight realized the cruelty of this prison it nearly tore her up inside. She quickly turned and faced Applejack to demand an explanation. “What has this pony been locked up for?” she wanted to know.

Applejack smiled with amusement. “Funny you should ask,” she began. “We caught Pinkamena not that long ago. She was just as much a wreck back then as she is now. She was an out-of-work pirate. I captured her with the intent of hanging her sorry neck from a rope... but the judge decided otherwise. She was so bad with her line of work it was impossible to pin any specific crimes on her head, so the judge decided life imprisonment instead.”

Pinkamena sighed. “It’s not that bad, really,” she moaned. “It’s not any worse than the place I used to stay at.”

Twilight still couldn’t accept this. It seemed so cruel... but who was she to question the system. Still, she paused for a moment when something in her mind distracted her for a moment. “I’m certain I’ve heard the name Pinkamena before,” she said aloud. “But where did I hear it... I can’t quite put my hoof on it.”

Applejack suddenly interrupted and got them back on topic. “Pinkamena sits here all day eating candy and sweets to help her forget her failures as a pirate,” she said, in a taunting sort of tone. “She’s been insistin’ on paying us back with information on pirates, but, much of what she knows is starting to get dated. She’s been here six months.”

“Hey!” Pinkamena exclaimed. “I’m not the one who voted for life imprisonment!”

“Go ahead Pinkamena,” Applejack grinned. “Tell us a little somethin’ about the attack last night. The princess here was ambushed by a certain pony I know you can tell us somethin’ about. Does the name Rainbow Dash sound at all familiar?”

“Rainbow Dash!” Pinkamena exclaimed. She seemed to have trouble remembering because of her sugar high but began recalling just a few things.

“Give us some details,” Applejack insisted. “Why would that scalawag attack the ship carrying Ms. Twilight Sparkle?

Twilight stepped forwards and tried using a kinder approach. “Please, anything you know might be of great help,” she said.

Pinkamena shook her head. “Beats me,” she shrugged. “Ever since Rainbow Dash abandoned the Nation of the Moon, I’ve had no clue what she’s been up to.”

Twilight paused. “What was that again?” she asked. “Something about the Nation of the Moon?”

“You mean you don’t know?” Applejack wondered.

Pinkamena shook her head. She knew it was going to be her job to tell the story to Twilight Sparkle, so didn’t wait for permission to start explaining. Clearing her throat, she started at the very beginning. “Captain Rainbow Dash is a very tricky and very clever pony,” she started. “She’s been working on pirate ships since she was just a little filly. She has a natural talent for that sort of thing.”

“Anyways,” she continued, “Rainbow Dash was destined to be a pirate. When she was still very little, she approached Princess Luna at great risk and asked for Letters of Marque. With it, she would become a privateer; a pirate working under the permission of her native country. After being given the Letters of Marque like she was asked, Rainbow Dash’s name quickly became like legend all across the Cascade Sea. She was feared by the Nation of the Sun; the country she was commissioned to attack.”

Applejack made a face. No doubt, it was because she was loyal to the Nation of the Sun that made her resentful of a pirate like Rainbow Dash. Regardless, she and Twilight listened as Pinkamena continued.

“Things were going well for little Dashie for about a year. But then... something terrible happened that made everything change. One day, during a mission I think, Rainbow Dash was accused of murder. That’s how it happened. The Nation of the Moon accused her of killing somepony very important and Rainbow Dash became the most hunted fugitive in all the Cascade Sea. I don’t know what she does with herself nowadays. She’s always either running from the pirate hunters or stealing instead from anypony she can catch off guard. A few came close to catching her but always she evades them.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, heard it all before,” she mumbled. “What I’m guessing, then, is you don’t actually know anything that might help us track that pony down, right Pinkamena?”

“You can stand to be a little nicer!” Twilight suddenly interrupted. “Pinkamena’s been very cooperative, don’t you think?”

Applejack shrugged. “It’s not like anythin’ she’s said is going to get us any closer to Rainbow Dash or the Dark Fortune before it’s too late.”

Suddenly, Pinkamena’s ears perked up and her expression changed. The once sad and lonely eyes were now open and alert. “Did you say... Dark Fortune?” she repeated.

Twilight was the first to notice the name of the Dark Fortune sounded familiar to Pinkamena. Approaching the bars of the cell, she put her hoof against the door and Applejack stepped closer as well. “What do you know about the Dark Fortune?” the young princess asked.

For a while, Pinkamena only stared. The pink pony didn’t say anything as her visitors waited for a response. After giving it some thought, Pinkamena shook her head and turned away. “I don’t know anything,” she pouted. “Don’t worry. You can go. I’m sure that’s just as useless to you as everything else I’ve said.”

Applejack rolled her eyes and suddenly felt like leaving. “Come on sugar cube,” she told Twilight. “Pinkamena’s right. No sense graspin’ at straws.”

Twilight Sparkle didn’t want to go. Seeing the way Pinkamena reacted when they mentioned the Dark Fortune had to have meant something, she knew. But still, if Pinkamena didn’t want to talk and Applejack was insisting on leaving, Twilight was forced to turn around and go with her.

“It’s for the best,” Applejack told her as they left. “Pinkamena’s gonna start slippin’ away from us when all that sugar gets to that memory of hers. No pony can last forever in a cell like that.”

Twilight Sparkle was alarmed that maybe Applejack was right. It shocked her even more that Applejack seemed content to just leave Pinkamena in such a state. Looking back at the prisoner and her cell, Twilight felt sorrow like she never felt for anypony before. But, she had no time to stop and consider it when Applejack pulled her away and began showing her the way back out.

Chapter 21

“You can stand to be a little more considerate of Pinkamena, you know that?”

“That is not included in my job description,” Applejack answered as she and Twilight Sparkle walked back into broad daylight. “Princess Twiligh’, there’s something you have to understand when you’re taking care of yourself in a place like the Cascade Sea. When Rainbow Dash attacked your ship, do you think she was being considerate of your feelings?”

Twilight stopped when she realized maybe Applejack had a point. However, it was also curious to her why Rainbow Dash had allowed the Red Reef to go free at all, and with hardly any casualties too. But whatever her reasons for doing that, it would never be enough to convince Applejack because that was how much she hated pirates.

After making their way through the fort, they arrived at the front gate and stopped there. Just outside was the whole rest of Port Cretaceous. Applejack knew that this was where the two of them would say good bye and go their separate ways. Although she couldn’t say her experience with Twilight was a pleasant one, at least it wasn’t bad.

The earth pony tipped her hat to give Twilight a happy fair well. “Do you need an escort to help you find your way back?” she asked. “Yall can get lost pretty easily in a port as large as Cretaceous.”

“I’m sure I can manage,” Twilight nodded.

“Then take care your majesty,” Applejack bowed. After a moment, she turned back towards the fort and was about to forget Twilight as she walked away. But after walking just a few steps away from her new friend, Applejack suddenly felt the urge to turn and say one last thing.

“Princess... I doubt I’ll see yall again,” she said. “Just... rest assured, no harm will come to yall while your enjoying your stay. Just thought you’d like to know.”

Twilight nodded with gratitude when she saw there was genuine concern in Applejack’s tone. But just as Applejack was beginning to feel a certain connection to the princess, she turned and walked away. As the orange earth pony left to start her work day, Twilight thought it was a good idea to turn away and do the same herself.

But just as Twilight took her first few steps away from the fort something made her turn around and look back. Although it probably wasn’t her concern, Twilight felt compelled to go back and talk with Pinkamena again. Whether it was fate or just curiosity that made her consider it, Twilight knew there had to be more to this that she just had to figure out.

Staying carefully out of view of the guards, Twilight decided to sneak back into the fort and found her way down into the lower dungeons. Retracing her path from her memory of this place, it took her a minute but Twilight arrived back at the cell block she and Applejack had visited just a minute ago. After passing through the iron gate, the guard Twilight remembered from before was alarmed to find she had returned. “Wait, I can’t allowed you to be in here!” he stated.

“Please, if you don’t mind!” Twilight insisted.

The guard paused for a moment. Seeing Twilight’s horn and wings, he knew he was speaking to a princess but he was still unsure. “Applejack will get me in trouble if I were to let visitors come and go as they please.”

“No one has to know,” Twilight grinned. Seeing as the guard was still unsure, she tried her very best to convince him. “Please, there is still something I need to know,” she begged him. “You saw how impatient Applejack was being with Pinkamena. Couldn’t I please have a few minutes to learn just a little bit more?”

The guard lowered his head and sighed. “Alright, just a few minutes,” he agreed.

Twilight Sparkle didn’t know how to express her gratitude when she thanked him. Feeling hopeful this trip wasn’t going to be for nothing, she turned around and hurried to the cell she knew Pinkamena was kept in. Upon arriving, she found the pink earth pony in the same position she was in the first time they were introduced.

When Pinkamena saw that Twilight had returned she was genuinely surprised to see her again. “Does Applejack know you’re here?” she wondered.

“No. I was hoping to speak to you alone,” Twilight smiled. “I wanted to learn more about the Dark Fortune. You know something about it, don’t you?”

Pinkamena stared. “But I told you, I know nothing.”

“I... have this strange feeling you’re not telling me the truth,” Twilight responded. “It doesn’t take a genius to see you were obviously trying to avoid the subject. Why?”

Pinkamena groaned. She began shoving cupcakes into her mouth to help cheer her up but it didn’t seem to be working. If anything, it was only making her more miserable than she was before. When Twilight saw the way she was stuffing her face, it made her feel upset to see anypony doing this to themselves.

“Is there anything I can do to help you, Pinkamena?” she eventually asked. “Since I am a princess, do you think I could maybe get you a cell that’s a little more comfortable?”

“It wouldn’t make a difference,” Pinkamena groaned. “You can hear the story of the Dark Fortune if you want, but I doubt you’ll find it useful.”

Twilight smiled. “So you DO know something!”

Pinkamena stood up and looked away. Staring out the window of her cell for a moment, she seemed to be considering whether or not it was worth it to tell Twilight Sparkle the truth. There seemed no way the alicorn was leaving without knowing it. With a sign, she mumbled a few words.

“It’s not a very long story,” Pinkamena explained. “I can, however, guarantee that it will be unlike any other story you’ve ever heard. It’s a story from long ago I promise you won’t believe after you hear it.”

Twilight chuckled with amusement when she heard those words. All her life, she always thought of herself as an open minded individual, although that wasn’t always true. But no matter how far fetched the story might be, she felt opened minded enough to believe whatever Pinkamena had to say.

Pinkamena slowly turned and looked at Twilight out the corner of her eye. “Are you sure you want to hear the story?” she asked.

Twilight Sparkle nodded. She felt ready. Whatever the backstory, no matter how crazy or far fetched it would appear, she simply had to hear it. She didn’t come down here to not hear it.

After Pinkamena understood that Twilight was on leaving without hearing the true tale of the Dark Fortune, the pink earth pony stepped towards the bars of her cell and stared her visitor in the eyes. “Then I guess I’ll start from the beginning...”

Part IV

Part IV

The Friends I Don’t Remember Having

Chapter 22

“I was a dark and strange time,” Pinkamena began, as she told her tale to Twilight Sparkle. “There probably isn’t a pony alive who is old enough to remember this, but it’s something that really happened. It all started during the Last War. The Nation of the Sun and the Nation of the Moon were at each other’s throats. This wasn’t a matter territory or power. Both nations were bent on destroying the other once and for all. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna collected all their forces to make the greatest war ever fought. That included the pirates of the Cascade Sea.”

“But, pirates have always inhabited these waters. As soon as the Last War was declared there was an immediate action to rid the water of pirates. All the pirates who didn’t join sides in the war were immediately exterminated. At that time, there were two ships that were both owned by privateers. One of these ships chose sides with the Nation of the Sun. The other chose the Nation of the Moon. There must have been some miscommunication, or something, because both ships were sent on a mission to destroy the other. They believed each other to be rogue pirates who were not loyal to either side. Before the war started, both captains believed the destruction of the other ship was necessary to purge the Cascade Sea and make it ready for war.”

“This must be it!” Twilight suddenly interrupted. “This must where the Dark Fortune comes in, right?”

Pinkamena seemed upset to be interrupted like this, but nodded her head. “You probably recognize the Dark Fortune,” he continued. “It was a sleek frigate class airship that could cruise faster than any ship of its time. Single decked with a furnace inflated balloon, yellow along the bottom with blue painted across the side... It had twenty six guns; eight on either side, two in front and two in back with an extra six on its underside. That is the Dark Fortune.”

Twilight couldn’t believe how accurate Pinkamena’s description was. It was like the pink earth pony had seen it herself maybe once during her life. The alicorn did not interrupt as the story continued.

“The Dark Fortune was loyal to the Nation of the Moon. She always was,” Pinkamena explained. “But the Nation of the Sun had their own flag ship. A privateering vessel that was almost just as infamous as the Dark Fortune was. She was a galleon class airship known as the Death Rage.”

“She was a monster of a ship who appeared frightening from whichever angle you looked at her. The hull of the ship was painted black and her massive hot air balloon was red like blood. She had two decks of guns, twenty on each side with even more on her bow, stern and underside which made fifty two altogether. But most distinct of all was the black flag of a pony being stabbed through with a giant dagger that seemed to symbolize the way she would crush her prey without mercy.”

“The two ships were given instructions to destroy each other,” Pinkamena continued. “Little did they know, this was the very first battle of the Last War. Neither side knew that they had already sworn allegiance. They were both under the impression they were each battle rogue pirates. High above the sky, they engaged and found each other.”

“It was close to a forbidden island known as Grimdark Rock that they battled. It was daylight when their cannons opened fire and the battle for the Cascade Sea began. Although they were like tiny specks from below on the ground, their cannons thundered loud enough to be heard for miles. Battle continued through the night as the Death Rage nearly had her prey trembling underhoof. But, the captain of the Dark Fortune was a tricky one who always had something up her sleeve. She stalled the battle long enough for a lightening storm to roll in and give her plenty of cover.”

“It continued to be a very intense fight for more than three days! Cannons fired shots back and forth for hours on end. Unicorns even used magic to command the lightening to strike each other’s ships with devastating force. Neither side was about to yield. It got to the point where the sun rose on the forth day and the storm cleared itself just in time to reveal how tired this battle had made everypony.”

“It was then during that morning that the most unexpected thing happened. The captains of both the Dark Fortune and the Death Rage declared a truce and met each other on the peak of Grimdark Rock. Meeting each other face to face, they talked and tried to work out their differences. They actually started laughing when they realized what fools they were. When they discovered that neither of them were rogue, a strange respect and admiration between the captains created a friendly sort of rivalry.”

“At the peak of Grimdark Rock, the two captains made a pact. Since it was never determined which of their two ships was the stronger, they came to believe that neither ship would ever destroy the other without destroying itself as well. So at Grimdark Rock, both pirates swore that anypony who captains their ships would be bound to the fate of their ships. If either ship were to sink, their captain would die with it. If a captain died, the ship would go down with her. It was a strange sort of oath, but they agreed to it and each captain went their separate ways.”

“Almost a week on the open sea, both sides were tired and their ships were hardly airworthy when they returned to their nations. The battle was so incredible... well... nopony believed it when the story was passed down. Everypony simply forgot about the story as the Last War went underway and battles raged for months at a time. But since that fateful day, the Dark Fortune and the Death Rage would never cross paths again. But still... the few who remembered that day never forget the pact the captains made and the battle that had yet to decide a victor.”

Chapter 23

When Pinkamena was done with her story, Twilight Sparkle knew the earth pony was right about one thing. She didn’t believe the story at all. After Pinkamena returned her mind from imagination back to reality, she could tell what Twilight was thinking just by looking into her eyes.

“I knew you’d find it hard to believe,” he mumbled.

“Hard to believe!?” Twilight found herself laughing after a moment. “How could a battle possibly last for three days? Are you sure you haven’t gotten the facts mixed up with some other story, maybe?”

Pinkamena’s expression only darkened. “Don’t laugh at me,” he said under her breath.

By the way she was grinding her teeth and giving Twilight the cold stare, Twilight realized this was no laughing matter to the earth pony. Becoming like a serious investigator, the young alicorn asked the one question that bothered her the most. “I don’t understand one thing. How is it you know so much about the Dark Fortune when you claim everypony else has forgotten? That kind of story sounds exactly like the kind of folklore that finds it way around.”

Pinkamena simply turned away and returned to her cupcakes. “That is everything I know,” she said, putting it bluntly. “I know it’s true, even if everypony else laughs at me when I tell it to them. You can go ahead and laugh if you want but I’m not going to answer any other questions. You might as well go if you don’t believe me! I just hope you have lots of funerrific fun being free while I stay here and enjoy myself.”

At that, Pinkamena shoved another cupcake in her mouth, but it didn’t cheer her up in the least. But with her mouth full and with nothing else she wanted to say, she stared at the wall as she waited for Twilight to leave.

When Twilight realized how she offended Pinkamena, she couldn’t help herself. She felt downright horrible for laughing, even if she thought it was all in good fun. Although she wanted to stay and apologize properly, it was apparent Pinkamena would not accept it.

Suddenly, the guard who had been waiting patiently all this time came behind Twilight and put a hoof on her shoulder. The princess was startled when she forgot he had been there all this time. Facing him, Twilight already knew what he was going to tell her.

“Princess, I just thought you aught to know, it’s time you should be moving on,” the guard began. “I’m sorry that I have to insist. It’s just that, Pinkamena doesn’t talk with anypony else when she becomes like this. It’s better if you left before anypony else finds you down here.”

When Twilight Sparkle heard she nodded her head and understood. Though the conversation with Pinkamena seemed like a pointless waste of time to the young alicorn, she couldn’t help but look back, wishing there was something she could do to help the little pony. But since she had already wasted enough time trying to sneak her way back into the fort, she knew it would do no good hanging around any longer if there was nothing she could do to improve her situation.

With a heavy sigh, Twilight turned and found her way out. She left the prison block behind, as well as the dungeon and the fort. None of this mattered to her any longer. Only her official duties concerned her, which Twilight was all too happy to get started on.

Chapter 24

Twilight Sparkle left the Port Cretaceous fort and found her way back to the Red Reef. It was quite a distance to walk. Although Twilight could have flown with her wings, walking was her preferred method of travel. Back home there was hardly ever a reason to rush to wherever it was you wanted to go.

After paying a visit to Razor Sharp the princess was actually pleased to discover most of the crew gone. With the ship secured and everything in order, everypony had the free time to catch up and pursue their own interests. Since Razor Sharp was happy to report everything was as normal as could be, Twilight didn’t see any reason why she couldn’t get started with her own royal responsibilities.

After giving her maidservants the rest of the day off, Twilight left the Red Reef and followed the street signs that pointed in the direction of the library. Going by herself seemed a little odd for a princess, but after the way she failed the crew during the pirate attack, Twilight thought it best if she didn’t show her face around them for a while. Although she still beat herself up for the things that happened last night, she was just glad to finally have time to herself.

“First, I’ve got two ponies to meet,” Twilight Sparkle said to herself as she walked. “I’ve got my liaison named Spike. Geez... hardly a fitting name for a pony. Then after him, I’ve got the governess. I hope they’re both good company. I can’t say most of the other ponies I’ve met have been friendly.”

Twilight went up and down the winding roads that zigzagged up the cliff face until she found the financial district. This part of Port Cretaceous had many of the rich, upper class ponies she was more accustomed to meeting with. Walking a short distance up the road, Twilight came to a stop when turned to the side and saw the place she had been waiting all day to visit. Next to town hall, almost like an extension of the building, was the library. When Twilight saw the library and town hall next to each other it made her hopeful that she could complete her task quickly.

“Look’s like things are finally looking up,” she smiled. Stepping towards the door, she signed before turning the handle with her magic. “I can’t say this has been the best errand I’ve ever run for Princess Celestia... but now I guess I’m finally on the right path.”

At that, Twilight opened the door and stepped through. Inside, the library wasn’t very big and there definitely weren’t as many books as Twilight was accustom to seeing. But to say the least, all the books were preserved nicely along oakwood shelves with some of the more valuable hardcovers protected under glass display cases. There was also a sitting area and a staircase that Twilight assumed led to the bed room she’d be staying in.

Twilight took a moment to consider her surroundings. “It’s not much, but I guess it’s alright,” she smiled. “Nice and tidy, but I bet they couldn’t have anything that Pincess Celestia’s library doesn’t already have.”

“Oh really?” came a voice.

Twilight’s ears perked up with surprise as she looked around for the pony who just spoke to her. “Hello!?” she called.

“Give me just a minute,” the voice answered.

Twilight searched but couldn’t tell which direction the voice was coming from. It sounded low, almost like the voice of a younger colt. The princess smiled with amusement as she wondered what interest a filly could possibly have with the library. She never knew of a boy who liked to read.

Curious, the princess began searching in between the shelves for him. “Where are you?” she called.

“Just a few shelves over,” answered the voice. “Sorry, but I’ve been busy shelving books all morning. I’ll be done soon. My name’s Spike by the way.”

“Spike!”

Twilight suddenly remember, that was the name of the liaison she was supposed to contact. The young alicorn felt excited that something was going right for once. Standing upright, she closed her eyes and put a hoof against her chest so she could properly introduce herself.

“I’ve been hoping I’d find you soon. My name is Princess Twilight Sparkle. I believe I was expected.”

At that, a young dragon suddenly came into view with a very surprised look in his eyes. His arms were piled high with every kind of book but he hardly seemed to notice when he stared up at her. “Princess Twilight!?” he gasped.

When Twilight opened her eyes and looked down at him, the princess suddenly screamed in surprise. “Wh-what in the Cascade Sea are you!?” she yelled.

It took the baby dragon a moment to realize it must have been his appearance that frightened her. His scaly skin with both grey and purple hues was no doubt a change from a nice fur coat. Putting down the books he had been carrying he took a few steps towards Twilight and tried to explain. “It’s okay, it’s okay. There’s nothing to worry about.”

As Twilight began to recover from her initial shock she changed from frightened to curious. “Are you Spike... the one I was just talking to?”

“Yup, that’s me,” the young dragon smiled.

“But... I thought I was meeting with another pony,” Twilight said, partly to herself.

Spike simply shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you,” he answered. “I got the letter from Princess Celestia just last week. She told me I’d be meeting with you and I’d be promoted to your personal assistant once you got here. I’m guessing the princess didn’t fill you in on all the details either, did she?”

“What do you mean ‘either’?”

Spike sighed with frustration as he answered. “Well... when Princess Celestia wrote to me about my new assignment with you, she didn’t include the fact that I’d continue managing this library at the same time. As if this job wasn’t already hard enough as it is,” he muttered to himself.

Twilight Sparkle took another look around and was actually impressed how clean and tidy the library truly was. Half the ponies in the Cascade Sea couldn’t even read. It made her pleased that somepony... or somedragon, actually cared to keep these books protected. Even though Twilight still had mixed feelings about Spike, she knew there was at least one thing they had in common.

After deciding she wasn’t afraid of Spike, Twilight figured she’d help him out. Using her magic, she lifted his pile of books off the floor and began reading their titles. The instant Twilight saw the front cover of each book she immediately knew where the book belonged.

“These are some good books you have here,” Twilight smiled as she put them away. “You’ve got some titles that even I have trouble finding.”

Spike wasn’t sure how to answer. “If you say so,” he shrugged.

Twilight pulled out a book from the stack and read the title aloud. “Tales of Equestria. I’m surprised. That’s a very rare edition.”

Spike chuckled with amusement. Even though it was only his job to maintain the library he felt flattered somepony cared enough to complement his work. Twilight, meanwhile, became hooked sorting through the books he had been carrying and had them all sorted by their title in less than a few seconds. Then suddenly, she scattered them across the library and had them stacked all at once on the shelves exactly where they belonged.

Spike almost couldn’t believe it when he saw it. “Oh my... gosh! Gee... thanks Twilight!”

“No problem,” Twilight grinned, feeling particularly proud of herself. Without even thinking, the young alicorn galloped to the check out desk and wondered what else she could do. Spike, meanwhile, watched her from a distance and was puzzled by this strange pony’s obsession with the library. Out of curiosity, the baby dragon followed her to see what she’d do next.

Chapter 25

Twilight Sparkle felt right at home in the library with Spike by her side. There was so much for the young alicorn to do she didn’t realize how much she missed library management during her week-long trip. She was eager to set everything up exactly to her liking while the baby dragon was just happy to have a break from his work at long last.

After Twilight got a feel for how each book was organized she set to work taking inventory of the library’s treasures. There weren’t many but there were a few very impressive things to look at. In particular, she looked into one of the glass cases and saw something she didn’t quite recognize.

“Spike, do you mind if I ask what this is?” she called.

The baby dragon got down from the bench he had been resting on and went to take a look. The two of them had a look of astonishment that stared back at them through their reflections in the glass protecting the treasure underneath.

Spike quickly identified the relic. “That thing is known as the Gauntlet of Chaos. It’s a very old treasure. Some believe it was created by the Ancient Ones themselves.”

“Ancient Ones?”

“Guess you never heard the story, huh?” Spike grinned. “Some ponies believe the Ancient Ones created the Cascade Sea many thousands of years ago... before ponies even as old as Celestia and Luna can remember. Of course... it’s all just a legend. Stuff like the Gauntlet of Chaos are among the only things we have left that hint they might have once been real.”

Twilight didn’t find it far fetched that there might have been civilizations that lived here before ponies, but she was finding it hard to believe that a certain civilization thousands of years ago created the whole Cascade Sea. Staring into the glass case again, she studied every detail about the gauntlet in fascination.

Strangely, it seemed perfectly molded to fit a pony’s hoof. It was a gold cylinder shaped device with strange writing on it. On the very end were two strange appendages that Twilight would have never identified before she met Spike.

“There are claws on the end,” she pointed out.

“Only two,” Spike added. “Some ponies say the Gauntlet of Chaos is supposed to have as many as five, but I doubt anypony knows where the other three claws might be. It’s probably not that big a deal aways. Nopony is sure what the Gauntlet of Chaos was created for.”

After Twilight felt she had stared long enough at the ancient relic, she turned and looked at Spike. While they were on the subject of other people and other civilizations, she couldn’t help wonder about her new liaison. “So what’s you’re story, exactly?” she asked, almost forgetting to phrase her question politely. “How did a baby dragon like you end up here in this library?”

“You’re guess is as good as mine,” Spike shrugged. “I’ve been the librarian of Port Cretaceous for almost as long as I can remember.”

That wasn’t a very thorough answer but Twilight didn’t blame the baby if that was all he really remembered. After a second, something that was almost equally as peculiar crossed her mind. “Does anypony ever mention that your fur... I mean scales, are two toned?”

“Two toned?”

“You know... the scales on one half or our body are grey and the on the other half they’re purple instead. Is that natural for a dragon to have?”

Spike wasn’t sure. For as long as he could remember his scales had always been this color. He was never conscientious of this, unless he took time to notice most ponies had only one color in their fur coats.

“I really don’t know if two toned scales are natural or not,” he eventually said. “It’s never bothered me, though.”

“I’m sorry if I come across as rude,” Twilight eventually said. “I’m just really curious to know everything about dragons there is to know. I’m especially curious to know if Princess Celestia knows she gave me a dragon for a liaison.”

“Oh, she knows alright,” Spike chuckled. “She’s one of my oldest memories. When I was given the position of librarian I almost think Princess Celestia herself was the one who gave it to me.”

“That really is strange,” Twilight thought aloud. “I don’t think there’s been a dragon in the Cascade Sea for hundreds of years. It makes me feel lonely just thinking about it.”

Spike looked the other way. “Eh... it’s not that big a deal,” he responded. “Besides, me and Princess Celestia keep in touch... which reminds me!”

Spike hurried to a writing desk and drew a piece of parchment paper and a quill to write with. As he wrote a letter, Twilight paid attention to the unusual way he held the quill with his claw. The princess had never seen a pony holding a quill with anything but their mouth or their horn, but it didn’t surprise her a dragon happened to be holding it by his claw tips instead.

Spike spoke the words aloud as he wrote his letter. “Dear Princess Celestia. I have received your letter from before and am reporting to tell you Princess Twilight has arrived safe and sound. She is with me at the library and we’ll get back to you as soon as we have something to report. You’re faithful servant, Spike.”

Twilight blushed with embarrassment at the way Spike worded the letter. He failed to mention the pirate attack that delayed her, but she decided not to worry Princess Celestia about it. Maybe if the story was important only sometime in the future she didn’t see any reason why the princess had to know right this minute. Without speaking up, she allowed Spike to sign the letter as it was and didn’t ask him to change anything.

After Spike had the letter rolled up and sealed, he went to the open window and inhaled a deep breath. Then, much to Twilight’s surprise, he blew green fire from his mouth and the letter was suddenly burned.

Twilight almost couldn’t believe it. “Are you crazy!?” she gasped. “You destroyed it!”

Spike chuckled with amusement. “Relax Twilight,” he smiled. “Ponies aren’t the only creatures who can use magic.”

Then, quite suddenly, Spike’s chest began to swell up and he looked sick for a moment. But then, he suddenly let out a large burp and Twilight was shocked to see a scroll fall out of his mouth. After Spike recovered, he bent down, unrolled the letter and read it aloud.

“Dear Spike, thank you for informing me of Twilight Sparkle’s safe arrival. Keep me up to date regarding any further progress my pupal has made during her stay in Port Cretaceous, and please provide her whatever she needs. I look forward to my own visit in the next two weeks when Princess Luna and myself shall be there to discuss the first peace treaty between our two nations in over a thousand years. In the meantime, I trust you and Twilight Sparkle shall get along splendidly and I look forward to meeting with you both in good time. Sincerely, Princess Celestia of the Nation of the Sun.

After Spike finished the letter, Twilight wasn’t sure which of the two peculiarities she was more impressed with. Either the letter of complement from Celestia... or the way in which it arrived.

Spike could tell Twilight was surprised by the look on her face as he rolled the letter back up. “Princess Celestia keeps in very close touch with Port Cretaceous,” he said, smugly. “There’s a reason why news goes back and forth so quickly.”

Twilight believed Spike. She couldn’t begin to understand what kind of magic he was using but she was curious to figure it out later. Right now, however, she had something more important she knew she had to get to.

“It seems Celestia doesn’t want me wasting a moment to get my assignment underway,” the alicorn said.

Spike wasn’t sure if the letter he just read was implying that, but if that was what Twilight wanted to do he didn’t see any reason why she couldn’t do exactly that. After putting the princess’s letter safely away he walked towards Twilight and stood beside her.

“The princess told me I’d be acting as your liaison... whatever that is. But, is there anything I might be able to help you out with? Seems we’ll be working together for a time.”

Twilight smiled with amusement. As young and inexperienced as Spike might be, it made her happy her new assistant was enthusiastic to help. After hearing the dragon’s question, Twilight searched her memory and tried remembering the first thing she knew she needed to do.

“Well... I’m new to these parts,” the princess answered. “Do you mind introducing me to the governess of Port Cretaceous?

Spike’s expression suddenly changed. His face was blank for a second before his mouth curled around and his eyes became dreamy. “Oh... I can most certainly help introduce you to her”

Chapter 26

Spike and Twilight walked together out of the library and went next door to town hall where they hoped to find the governess of Port Cretaceous. Twilight did not know what kind of pony the governess was expected to be. She didn’t receive any hints from anypony during her voyage, but it was apparent Spike already knew who the governess was.

The baby dragon had a peculiar smile across his face, like he was some kind of hopeless romantic. Twilight wasn’t sure how a dragon still so young could have a crush, but it made her all the more curious to meet this governess for herself.

Opening the doors into town hall, Twilight Sparkle was blown away when she stepped into a room that was beyond anything she expected. The entrance hall passed the front door was decorated like it was already prepared for the visit of Princess Celestia and Luna. When Twilight stepped inside she couldn’t take her eyes away from the decor.

“Is... is this really the right place?” she gasped.

Spike chuckled. “Yup,” he answered. “Governor Rarity is very excited to be visited by royalty. She’s getting this place set up well in advance.”

Twilight suddenly got the feeling Rarity might be a very welcoming pony to visit with. With all these decorations, the town hall was almost as grand as the royal palace itself. There were gold tapestries glowing with the light of wax candles. Polished silver was positioned where the most light could touch them and gleam with brilliance. Fruit was even chosen as a decoration and placed near the paintings that had complimentary colors to help make them more noticeable.

As Twilight tried finding her way in this neatly decorated town hall, she got an idea of where to go when she heard a voice coming from one of the doorways. Following the noise, she peaked around the corner and saw exactly the pony she was looking for.

Spike peaked around the corner too and held his breath. “Isn’t... isn’t she beautiful!?” he exclaimed.

Twilight couldn’t deny, the governess was a well-groomed and very tidy pony. Her coat was perfectly white and her purple mane was curled and shined more than seemed necessary. Not noticing her visitors, the governess was busy sorting through decorations as she began fixing up the next room.

“This won’t do at all!” she said aloud. “Why do I have to work with only second hoof decorations? This won’t be nearly enough for Celestia upon her arrival!”

Twilight Sparkle slowly stepped inside while Spike waited at the door. The baby dragon seemed shy to follow her in. After the princess was in the middle of the room, just a few hoof steps from her host, she cleared her throat to introduce herself.

“Uh... excuse me?”

“In a moment my dear, I’m very busy,” Governor Rarity answered.

Twilight Sparkle wasn’t sure how to interrupt without appearing rude. Rarity definitely seemed in a zone of some kind. The white colored unicorn refused to take her mind off her work as she lined the walls with even more tapestries.

After a minute, Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat again and spoke louder. “Excuse me, my name is Princess Twilight Sparkle and I represent Princess Celestia of the Nation of the Sun.”

Upon hearing those words, Rarity suddenly froze in place with a look of shock; which Twilight didn’t notice.

“I’m here to lend you my services as thee representative of Celestia to guarantee the successful meet up of the two princesses and their peaceful diplomatic mission.”

“IF YOU MIND!” Rarity suddenly spat. “YOU CAN WAIT YOUR TURN IF YOU WANT MY ATTENTION SO BADLY!”

Twilight stumbled back in surprise; her eyes wide and her heart skipping a beat. To be suddenly yelled at while trying to be polite, it was the very last thing she expected. “I was only thinking that maybe we could acquaint ourselves,” Twilight said after a moment. “Since we’re going to be working together for a time you don’t think that’s too much to ask, do you?”

“I can handle my end of the responsibilities without your help,” Rarity responded. “Just stay out of my way while my schedule is busy. I have a lot to do besides decorating this place for royalty.”

“I’m surprised you care,” Twilight interrupted, starting to grow impatient. “I don’t normally care to tell other ponies that I’m a princess, but you’re not exactly being a gracious host to the ponies you’re trying to impress.”

“Correction,” Rarity cut in, “I’m trying to impress our esteemed ruler, Celestia. Not some underling who has the title of princess but without any actual power. Twilight Sparkle, if you want to make yourself useful, you can get started on some paperwork and leave it on my desk when you’ve arranged it for me. In the meantime, I’ve got other things to attend to.”

“I... I can’t believe you’re being like this!?” Twilight exclaimed. “I’m only trying to help! You act like I’m already useless to you!”

Rarity sighed. Maybe deep down she didn’t really mean all the harsh remarks she said but she was too preoccupied to care. Turning around for the first time to face the princess, she spoke her honest opinion.

“Princess Celestia only sent you here to make sure I can do this job properly, but I already know that I don’t need you looking over my shoulder to tell when I’m doing something wrong,” Rarity stated. “I know that I have to tolerate your presence while you’re staying, Princess Twilight Sparkle, but let’s not make this anymore complicated between us than it has to be! You mind your own business and I’ll mind mine!”

Twilight found herself loosing her temper as she put her hoof down. “Governess or not, I am still higher within the hierarchy than you, and I have the right to get into your business!” she stated. “Actually, now that I’m on the topic, I have a bone to pick with the way you seem to be running this town! You know you have two lieutenants, right!? One of them is trying to undermine the other and you could probably lend a hoof to stop it!”

“Lend a hoof?” Rarity wondered. She laughed after a second before getting back on topic. “Those lieutenants can work it out for themselves. I couldn’t care less... even if I had the power to stop them. And besides, I think Blazing Trail is right to put Applesauce back in her place. An earth pony like her shouldn’t have that much authority.”

Twilight Sparkle found herself even more disgusted by Rarity. “Do you want me to report you to Celestia?” she asked, grinding her teeth.

Rarity continued to have an air of confidence as a smug grin crossed her face. “Go ahead if you want,” she responded. “I can save you the trouble and tell you it won’t do any good.”

Twilight Sparkle didn’t mean to actually send a letter. It was an empty threat she was hoping would scare Rarity, but it alarmed the young alicorn that it had no effect at all. Instead, it backfired and Twilight found herself afraid that her sincereness was not going to win her the respect she deserved.

After a second, Rarity turned away and went to continue her decorating. “Now if you don’t mind,” she said, “I have important business to attend to. It was a pleasure to meet you, your highness.”

Twilight didn’t feel satisfied at all. She was almost traumatized to discover there existed such an unpleasant person... and it was worse that she was going to have to put up with her for the next two weeks. Never before did she feel helpless in quite this way. As Rarity ignored Twilight and started again on her decorations, the princess lowered her head and decided her only option was to walk away.

But just as Twilight was about to do that, there was a sudden sparkle from Rarity’s jewelry that caught her attention. Twilight looked again and was alarmed to find a sizable gem on the front of Rarity’s dress. They were so busy arguing, Twilight didn’t notice it. Despite the immense size of the gem, it hadn’t stood out very well considering the dress’s color scheme.

Calling to memory the Harmonious Gem that Twilight was wearing around her neck, she realized both gems were about the same size. However, Rarity’s gem was shaped like a four sided diamond and was a light purple color. Twilight almost laughed when a curious thought crossed her mind. “No... it couldn’t possibly be another Harmonious Gem like mine.”

Suddenly, just when she least expecting it, Spike appeared and tapped the young alicorn on the shoulder and broke her concentration. Twilight looked down at the baby dragon and saw the sad look in his eyes.

“Uh... sorry about Rarity, Princess Twilight,” he said. “Do you want to maybe come outside?”

Twilight suddenly remembered that she was supposed to be leaving. Looking just one last time at the white unicorn, the princess had mixed feelings when she considered all this. After turning away, she tried not to bring it up again in her mind and tried to forget she ever met Rarity. Just when things had started to get better, the day was once again ruined by yet another pony who didn’t seem to appreciate the magic of friendship. With no choice, Twilight left town hall and Spike went with her.

Chapter 27

Twilight and Spike exited town hall and stood there a while on the front step without saying anything. After the nightmarish visit with Rarity, the princess didn’t feel in the mood to talk with anypony else for the rest of her life, as far as she was concerned. But as she paced back and forth she noticed Spike sitting there on the front step, looking to be in some kind of trance.

With a sigh, Twilight confronted him. “Spike... I don’t want to pry into your personal feelings, but I really need to ask you something,” she began. “Why do you have such a crush on Rarity? She seems like such a horrible person!”

“You’re telling me,” Spike thought aloud. After a second, he rubbed his forehead and tried to explain it. “I thought she was nice too, at first. She’s the most beautiful pony in the whole world, don’t you think? Who doesn’t love pretty ponies like her?” The dragon became dreamy again just thinking about Rarity.

Twilight rolled her eyes in frustration. “Yeah... except she’s snobby and crude and completely impossible to get along with!” she exclaimed.

Spike suddenly became disappointed again when he was reminded. It was curious to Twilight that Spike seemed torn between loving Rarity and hating her for two very apparent reasons. When Twilight looked into the baby dragon’s eyes, she couldn’t help feel sorry for him as well as a little guilty for putting him up to this. If Spike understood the dilemma just as well as she did, Twilight didn’t see any reason to rub it in his face.

Shaking her head, she turned away and looked out towards the harbor. Below, there was a hundred feet of vertically descending walls and houses going straight down into the ocean. Port Cretaceous was still an engineering marvel, even if Twilight hadn’t enjoyed a moment of her stay so far.

Still, the princess tried to be strong and confronted Spike with just one request. “Guess I should be making myself at home right about now,” she smiled. “Spike, I hear there’s a room above the library we would be sharing. Mind if I get settled in?”

Spike seemed surprised by Twilight’s change in attitude. “You really want to do that now?” asked the baby dragon. “I mean... there’s still plenty of time in the day, and anyways, I didn’t think you’d care after the way Rarity treated you.”

With a sign Twilight answered with as much optimism as she could muster. “Whether I like it or now, I’m stuck here for the next two weeks. I’ll just have to put up with everypony and somehow find a way of doing my job in the process. It’s a lot to hope for... but I have to trust Princess Celestia knew what she was doing when she picked me for this job.”

Spike seemed to admire Twilight’s attitude; enough to make him stand on his feet and accompany her to the library. As they went he spoke his mind. “You seem to have a lot of faith in Princess Celestia,” he pointed out.

Twilight sighed. “I’ll be honest, it’s sometimes not easy to have that kind of faith in her,” she explained. “Celestia often puts other ponies up to some very hard tasks. Those tasks are sometimes tests and not everypony passes. But, you have to trust you can do it if you try your hardest.”

Although Twilight wanted to sound encouraging to herself as well as to Spike, her words only caused her to lower her head and sigh with regret. “But... this is one time I really don’t feel up to the challenge.”

Chapter 28

Twilight Sparkle and Spike spent the next hour setting up so the two of them could live together from the next couple of days. It was a rather easy task when Twilight didn’t have anything else concerning her at the minute. Captain Razor Sharp was minding the ship and the crew. Twilight was no longer under his watch for the time being. Lieutenant Applejack and the navy were about doing their business that didn’t include her. And also, Rarity had given Twilight the boot and refused to be bothered by her.

While Twilight Sparkle and Spike were stuck with just each other for company, they set to work minding the library and keeping it tidied up. To the princess, this felt like the perfect way to unwind. Libraries where like her second home and it pleased her to dust off some of the older shelves and then take a book for herself to read when things slowed down.

After many long hours had passed and the sun was setting in the west, Spike prepared a surprisingly appetizing looking supper for them both to eat and then the two of them retired to bed immediately afterwards. Twilight got the big bed close to the window. It seemed unfair to take it and leave Spike just a little basket to curl up in, but it seemed familiar for some reason. This was how it was going to be for two weeks, she knew.

After night fell and the stars were twinkling in the distance, Twilight found she couldn’t get an ounce of sleep. She couldn’t stop watching the stars as their light came in through the window and shined upon her. Something about the stars made her feel empty inside and she felt like pulling the covers over her head. The sudden emptiness she felt was frightening. Without any explanation for her own fear, Twilight tried hiding under her pillow to feel better, but it only make the young alicorn even more scared that she was truly alone with no pony to share her feelings with.

As she squeaked the mattress springs with her constant moving about, Spike was awoken and looked up at her. “Twilight... what are you still doing up?” he groaned. “It’s been a long day. You should be asleep.”

“I don’t know Spike,” Twilight sighed. “I just... I just can’t.”

Spike sat up. While he was disgruntled at first, he couldn’t help but notice how scared she seemed. Giving the princess a moment to settle down he asked the first question that came to his mind. “Care to talk about it?”

Twilight wasn’t sure she had an answer as she looked up at the stars again. She turned over and faced the baby dragon. “It’s like... like reading a book,” she began.

“Reading a book?”

“Yes,” Twilight began. “I feel like my misadventure in the Cascade Sea has so far been all wrong. Nothing about my assignment from Princess Celestia was supposed to entail all the things that have happened. I got attacked by pirates... questioned by the navy... rejected by the governess herself...”

“But how does that relate to reading a book?” Spike wondered.

Twilight paused as she tried finding the words to explain it. She found it strange she was explaining herself to a baby dragon she met only this morning, but he was the only one she cared to talk to. With a sigh, she answered him with whatever words came to mind.

“I’ve read lots of stories in my time,” she began. “Whenever you start a story, you naturally believe the hero is going to win in the end; defeating the monster and saving their friends from doom. But ever since I left the royal palace a week ago... I feel like everything is wrong.”

“I feel like those ponies important to me are just not there. I feel like I’m fighting somepony else’s battle and this is not where I really belong. I know it sounds silly comparing my problems to some fillyhood stories I’ve read, but I can’t help myself. I feel like there’s something I was meant to do besides this mission for Princess Celestia, but I can’t tell what that might be. While Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity are all such unlikable misfits, I don’t feel any point behind it anymore.”

Spike scratched his head. “But there must have been other ponies you’ve met besides just them,” he pointed out. “I mean... you’re not really here for their sakes, right?”

Twilight didn’t find it at all peculiar that the names of those four ponies came up. They were simply the names that came out while she was trying to explain her own sadness. Whatever the reason why, it didn’t cross her mind why those four seemed the most important ponies she met on her visit. All that mattered was the feeling of being alone without the company of friends she couldn’t remember having.

Spike couldn’t help but share Twilight feeling of emptiness. It was odd but the baby dragon almost had the same feeling himself but he couldn’t explain why. Only this morning did he meet Twilight and they already were like best friends.

After pondering the situation until her head began to hurt, Twilight fell backwards and allowed her head to hit her pillow. She was very exhausted and all this confusion didn’t help.

Spike looked at his friend again and shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe you can think more about this in the morning Twilight,” he said. “But I don’t think it’s all bad. You made it to Port Cretaceous, after all. You could have just as easily fallen to Rainbow Dash and never made it at all.”

“I guess you’re right,” Twilight smiled. Feeling a little better she had somepony to express her concerns to, she turned over and tried getting some rest at long last. “I’ll see you in the morning then.”

“Yeah,” Spike smiled. Although he cared for the princess, he was all too happy to just lay down and go right back to sleep. “I’ll see you in the sweet sweet morning,” he said aloud. At that, he closed his eyes and began snoring until saliva started dripping from his mouth.

Chapter 29

As the hours passed later into the evening all of Port Cretaceous went to sleep and everypony settled in for the night. Every door was locked and only the soldiers on patrol walked the streets under the stars. A quiet peace descended upon the inhabitants of the small town in the Cascade Sea. Nothing was suspicious or out of place; no reason at all for alarm while everypony dreamed. But as the citizens of the quiet town rested peacefully, nopony noticed the ship that was slowly makings its way into port.

She was a monster of a ship who appeared frightening from whichever angle you looked at her. The hull of the ship was painted black and her massive hot air balloon was red like blood. She had two decks of guns, twenty on each side with even more on her bow, stern and underside, which made fifty two altogether. But most distinct of all was the black flag of a pony being stabbed through with a giant dagger that seemed to symbolize the way she would crush her prey without mercy.

Port Cretaceous continued to sleep calmly without knowing their doom had come knocking.