//------------------------------//
// Chapter One: Pride of the Privateer. 
// Story: We're not Pirates, We're Ponyteers 
// by overlord-flinx 
//------------------------------//

	From Ponyville, the scent of the sea's salty air and cooling brush was near impossible to feel. There wasn't a drop of salt water for miles of Canterlot or Equestria. But, that didn't stop Twilight Sparkle from feeling the maritime gusts of the open sea when she went through town. In honesty, the thought of going out to sea didn't appeal to Twilight Sparkle on the whole; in never has. But the idea of pleasing her teacher and expanding the kingdom was something that brought a smile to her face. In three days, she would be out on the open waters in a ship made by the best shipwright that the royal treasury could afford; the flag of Equestria flapping in those maritime winds.

For now though, she had an important task that would make or break her whole task. While the treasury of Canterlot could afford to equip and ready the ship with all the necessaries, it couldn't provide for a crew to occupy it. Under Celestia's order, Twilight Sparkle was named the captain of the unnamed ship; thus putting her in charge of gathering a privateer team. If Twilight's research was correct though, she would only need a pony that could repair the ship if anything bad happened to it: a shipwright. She would also need a pony who was well adjusted to mapping and navigation: a navigator. A crew of a few deckhands or just random patrons that could help keep morale up and simply lend a hoof wouldn't hurt either. Of course if they gather enough ponies, they would need a medical professional on staff. Finally, unlikely as it may be, they may come across other races that may not understand their language; this leading to the possibility of a linguist.

In theory, this wouldn't be too hard... At least, that's what Twilight had hoped.




The door to Sugarcube Corner opened with a little jingle of bells. Pinkie Pie, who had been working the counter sprang right to a stand and looked at the entrance. "Welcome to---BAH-HAH-HAH-HAH!" Pinkie Pie couldn't finish her greeting when she saw who had entered and what she was wearing.

Kicking the door closed behind her, Twilight Sparkle walked to the counter with a sigh. For a moment, Twilight waited at the counter as Pinkie Pie laughed away. Twilight watched as Pinkie fell to the floor with a thud, still wracked with laughter until Twilight finally spoke up. "Are you done?"

Staggering to get back up to the counter's level, Pinkie wiped away a tear, still holding in a snorting laugh. "W-what are you wearing?" Pinkie eyed Twilight's attire once more, trying to refrain from laughing.

Adorning Twilight had been a navy blue doublet with golden stitching around the hem lines. A frilly collar stuck out around the top and framed Twilight's neck nicely. Though, what probably drew the laughter was the ridiculously over-size black bicorn hat on Twilight's head; which dwarfed her horn and hid most of her mane. "This is Canterlot's traditional privateer captain uniform..." Twilight informed Pinkie once while also adjusting her hat with a spare hoof.

"Canterlot has a privateer order?" Pinkie managed to ask between little snorts.

"Yes, it does. As a matter of fact..." Twilight was going to say something before the door to the store opened and, again, the store was filled with laughter.

"D-Darling. What are you wearing?"

"Gathering a team may be a bit harder then I guessed..."




"Did you hear about Twilight Sparkle?" Normally, Pipsqueak wasn't one to listen in on a conversation; but something just told him to listen in just this once as he turned the corner into town.

"Yeah. Wasn't she wearing some kind of pirate get-up?"

...Pirate...?