//------------------------------//
// Sailing Through the Storm 
// Story: Ponies of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 
// by Razor Blade the Unicron 
//------------------------------//

	A flash of lightning and a crack of thunder exploded in the sky, while rain poured down heavily. On board the Interceptor, ponies scurried about their tasks, pulling lines and trimming sails. Though they had all sailed through bad weather before, this storm was a nightmare. Gilda gripped the helm of the ship tightly in her talons, and squinted through the rain and clouds to try and see.
"That fool will have us lose the canvas and the masts!" muttered Applejack before calling to Pinkie staring out at the ocean. "We'd best drop canvas, sir!"
"She can hold!" called back Pinkie. The wind began to pick up, and he smiled.
"What's in your head to put you is such a fine mood?" called Applejack.
Pinkie grinned. "We're catching up!"





On the Black Pearl, Fluttershy was curled up in a corner, whimpering softly to herself. The rain was pounding down on the deck above her, and the waves seemed to be growing larger and larger.
"Isla de Muerta!" cried a faint voice from high above. "Isla de Muerta off the port below!"
Fluttershy whimpered once more, and gazed back out the small window.
This is so terrifying... thought Fluttershy. At least I know that everypony else I love should be safe at home.





Pinkie continually glanced down at a compass he held in his hoof, while the last of the storm died away. The arrow on the compass seemed to be moving on its own, and not according to where north was.
"Bear three points starboard." said Pinkie to Gilda.
She easily made the adjustment, and Pinkie looked back down at the compass.
"Six points port."
Gilda frowned, but turned the wheel accordingly. On deck, Rainbow was coiling a rope and glancing over at Pinkie with interest. Applejack came over to him, noticing his frown.
"What be the matter?" asked Applejack.
"Well..." said Rainbow. "How exactly do we expect to find an island that no one can find, with a compass that doesn't work?"
"Now, lad, just because it don't point north don't mean it don't work." Applejack grinned. "That compass gives bearings to the Isla
de Muerta, wherever it may lie."
"That's oddly specific."
"Aye."
"But then why does Pinkie carry around that pistol? Doesn't it only have one shot?"
"Ah, that one is far more interesting. See, Pinkie Pie has an honest streak, which is where this whole problem starts. He was once the captain of the Black Pearl. He hired a crew and promised each pony an equal share." Applejack lowered his voice. "So they're forty days out, and the First Mate goes up to Pinkie. He says that everything's an equal share, and that means the location of the island too. So Pinkie told him." He sighed. "And that night there was a mutiny."
Rainbow frowned. "Harsh."
"Such as it is for a pirate. The crew marooned Pinkie on an island, and he was left there to die."
"How'd he get off?"
"See, he chopped down every tree on the island, and made a small raft. Then he hitched it to dolphins and sailed off the island."
Rainbow paused to think. "What did he chop down the trees with?"
Applejack opened his mouth to respond, but had no answer.
"Applejack, can you come figure out what Vinyl is saying?" called Pinkie, startling Rainbow and Applejack.
"Sure thing!" said Applejack, getting up and hurrying over.
Pinkie casually strolled over to Rainbow, who had resumed coiling the rope.
"I'd tell you how I got off the island," said Pinkie, "But that's a dark and unpleasant tale. Best left untold."
"But what about the pistol?" asked Rainbow.
"Ah yes, the pistol. See, when a pirate is marooned, he's given a pistol with a single shot. Not very useful for hunting since you've only got one. But after three weeks of starvation and thirst, that pistol starts to look like a good option." Pinkie smiled. "But as you can tell, I didn't go that way. I survived. And I have this single shot. Can you guess who it's for?"
"Your first mate that caused the mutiny?"
"Yep. You know who that was?"
"Sparkle."
Pinkie nodded and started to walk away. He paused, and turned back towards Rainbow. "You know, you're so much cleverer than your father. He'd be proud of you."
Rainbow simply stared at Pinkie as he walked off, and wondered if the compliment was really good or not.





Fluttershy shuddered as she was brought towards the Isla de Muerta. The deep fog was not just freezing, but very eerie. She briefly considered jumping out of the small boat she was in and swimming away, but knew that she would have no place to hide from the pirates.
"Isn't it just beautiful?" asked Sparkle to Fluttershy. "Hidden from others not just by fog but by so much more? And such a name. You'd think that someone would think twice about going to an island with death in the name. What do you think, Miss Dash?"
"I-it's dark." managed Fluttershy.
"Quite. Until we light up the inside with our lovely little torches. Then you'll be able to see all of the treasure." Sparkle paused. "I'd recommend not touching any of it. You probably don't want to risk ending up like us, now do you?"
Fluttershy gave a small shake of her head, before having to resist the urge to curl up into a small ball and cry.
Oh, Rainbow Dash. At least I know that you're okay.