There have been many sightings of the terrifying Dutchpony Ghost ship and no pony dares faces it in battle. Until one day.
Long ago Horsdrick von der Decken tried to sail through the stormy night around the cape of Harmony's hope to reach Table bay. The wind battered the ship more and more and Der Decken swore to the sky that he would make it into the bay or be eternally damned. He failed and the ship sailed for all eternity never making port. This was the tale of the Flying Dutchpony and her crew.
The young captain of the 'Crystal Soul' who adored the tale, vowed that he would face the spectral ship and send it straight back to hell.
I really love ships so I may be explaining things in a little bit of detail, such as cannons and all that. Also I may be doing future naval based stories too so look out for them.
"And the ship and her crew was doomed to sail the seas forever."
Silver helm spoke aloud as he finished the book on the fabled Ghost ship 'The flying Dutchpony', closing the book Silver helm stares at the cover, the cover shows an image of the Phantom Ship rising over the raging waves, looking very menacing while doing so. Sighing he stores the book away on its shelf, after gathering his thoughts he rises from his desk and makes his way up on deck. Silver walks around the crew of his ship as they go about their specific job, he sees some adjusting the sails and others cleaning the deck and all were working very hard to control the ship. As Silver helm walks up on to the poop deck he marvels at the strength in the several ponies turning the helm so the ship would stay on course, they looked tired but still pushed on, then he stared at the ship itself, Silver helm's ship was his pride and joy the ENS Crystal soul was a 5th rate pegasus-class war frigate with 44 cannons, it had 28: 18 pounders on the upper deck, 10: 9 pounders on the quarterdeck, 2: 9 pounders and 4:18 pounder carronades on the forecastle and finally two swivel guns at the stern. She had a crew of around 280 and a hold depth of 4.17 metres, despite her armament she has only engaged in three battles, only one of which did she successfully disabled and eventually sunk, but Silver did not mine the lack of combat he preferred to sail the seas with minimal problems anyway.
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As Captain Silver helm continued to scout the approaching rock island, a lookout pony yelled out to him "Captain, burning ship about 5 knots on the port side!" he shouted.
Silver looked to his left and just off in the distance was a burning ship which only seemed to have one mast still standing. "Boys, hard to port, let's check out this ship!" Silver ordered to his men, they all began to scramble to move the ship to the left so they could sail towards the mysterious burning ship. Sailing closer towards the ship Captain Helm couldn't shake the feeling of dread, it felt very strange going up to the soon to be wrecked ship it almost felt spectral. "Slow her down to a stop" Silver commanded the crew, after the ship came to a halt Silver helm and the rest of the crew studied the burning ship. It looked like a frigate of their rate but it had only 32 cannons instead of the Crystal soul's heavy 44, bodies were very few most were probably in the drink or below deck, although the ones that could be seen did not show any damage, that couldn't be said for the ship itself though, the main and aft masts were gone, massive gashes tore across the hull were cannon fire landed, the railings of the ship was smashed to pieces and the helm as well as most of the rudder was in splinters. Silver helm could just manage to translate what was left of the name plaque on the stern 'Everfree'. 'The Everfree? How could that be, it was en route to the unis isles and was meant to make port there 2 two days ago' Sliver thought as he continued to look at the burning remains of the ENS Everfree.
'What could of done this?'
"Captain, up ahead another ship!" the lookout pony called down to Silver helm, Silver in turn of this call looks ahead to what the lookout pony could see...and what he saw was a Phantom ship sailing around to their starboard side, several knots out, the crew of the Crystal soul could not believe their eyes at the very sight of the ghostly ship. It's sails were tattered and ripped, the hull seemed hastily repaired from cannon fire, the bow had multiple wooden spikes that jutted out like a malefic maw and lastly the crew, spectral ponies that thanks to their captain were condemned to sail the seas for all eternity. The sight was horrifying yet amazing to see, but that was short lived when the Phantom ship's cannons appeared.
Silver reacted as quickly as the cannon's fired on them "Hit the deck!" he shouted as the many cannon's of the ghost ship fired upon them, smashing holes into the Crystal soul's hull, but not so it filled with water. As the cannon fire stopped Silver rose to his hooves and yelled out "Fire!", the cannon ponies didn't need to be asked twice to light and fire their cannons back, the roles were reversed as cannon fire landed on the Phantom ship smashing holes and breaking apart already broken railings.
Silver knew if this was indeed the Flying Dutchpony, he would be outmatched and out gunned. The damage the Soul took looked (from Silver helm's view) to be more severe than what was expected from one full salvo, they had to flee now.... or die. Silver ordered the crew to let the sail's fully loose and escape to the nearest friendly port. Surprisingly their attacker didn't follow, instead it turned around and sailed off into mist that previously wasn't there. Silver helm's first mate, Dart eye, made his way to the captain's side and began to question him, "Cap'n what the bloody hell was that?" Dart eye said in his gruff tone.
Silver didn't say anything at first, instead he gazed back at where the Phantom ship was wondering if it really was true. He eventually said something to Dart eye "I'm not entirely sure Dart, but if I'm correct, that may just of been the you know what" Silver said implying to Dart that he should know the tale.
Dart caught on quickly "Ahh the Flying Dutchpony, but that is a mere fable is it not?" Dart eye asked.
Silver replied "It is...well it was, but this is the real deal now and if it has intentions to destroy our ships....then it is no different to our common enemies and what do we do to our enemies?" Silver trailed off twirling his hoof for Dart to finish the sentence.
"We destroy them?" he replied trying to answer correctly.
After escaping the attack from the supposed Flying Dutchpony, Silver helm and his crew sail to the closet friendly controlled port they could find, Etvers island, and get patched up and refitted. The Crystal soul made port with Etvers island and Silver helm with Dart eye in tow make their way to the nearest tavern while the ship was being fixed. Stepping through the door, Silver made brief eye contact with the tavern's...colourful residents, ponies such as thugs, thieves, pirates and pirates for hire, several normal sailor ponies and the all too familiar lowlifes. Most looked at Silver helm and Dart eye with burning eyes that were attempting to bore a hole through their heads and make them squirm in fear, but Silver knew this tavern well, so well in fact that he and Dart were good friends with the bar pony, eventually they all went back to their own business.
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The bar pony while cleaning a glass picks up on the newcomers and turns to greet them, when he sees their faces a smile, a smile that he would only show to good friends. " Silv, Dart, it's good to see ya, what can I do for you today?" the barpony greeted Silver and Dart.
"Hey Dax, just the usual, we may only be here for a few hours" Silver replied.
"What for?" Dax asked as he goes about getting their 'usual'.
"We took a beating on the starboard side, not entirely severe but another beating like that with no repairs would put most if not all our starboard cannons out of operation" Silver explained.
"Who dealt this kinda damage to the Soul, Silv?" Dax asked again.
Silver paused, he didn't want to seem crazy saying that a Ghost ship attacked him, but all his crew saw it and Dart too, who was right next to him. So gathering up his courage he replies "The Flying Dutchpony was our attacker."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked once again to Silver and Dart, Dax looked at them wide eyed for a moment then adjusted his gaze to the other ponies in the bar who were also staring over at them. "What are all of you looking at, mind your own business!" he shouted, that told them, as the ponies all went back to their own activities, Dax sighed heavily and spoke once more to Silver and Dart giving them their orders. "The Dutchpony eh, well while that is meant to be a tale to scare sailors, it has recently become more common and there have been numerous sightings of the Ghost ship destroying your navy's ships."
"That's how we found her, a ship not too far from here, the Everfree, was burning from a recent attack and then suddenly it appeared and attacked us." Silver replied
"Not only that Cap'n here thinks he can destroy or send the Dutchpony running" Dart spoke up.
"You intend to stop the Dutchpony? Silv that's just insane, it's basically the same as facing two man o' wars by yourself, it can't be done!" Dax replied hilariously.
"Aww, don't say that Dax, you know just as well as I that anything can be done if we put the effort in to try" Silver said as he smiled in a mischievous way before taking a swig at his drink.
"Yeah I guess, but still don't expect that Phantom ship to not hurt you back, I've heard that she could take on an entire class of ships by herself and I'm not talking about bloody little two masted schooners either" Dax replied.
Dart finished his drink before Silver did so that he could reply first, "I'm sure he knows that, but many ponies in the navy know Silver's passion for the sea and to fight to protect it, despite him preferring to avoid engagement, the soul may of been in only three battles but she sure knew how to fight in them, even if we take a beating again with Silver commanding it we will be protected"
"Dart speaks the truth Dax, we won't fail and if we do...then you'll never get your tip" he smirks as he flips the bit in his hoof.
Dax couldn't suppress from smiling at Silver's mischievous charm "Very well, it's a deal" Dax replied as he held his hoof out for a shake.
Silver complied but not before Dax gives him a smirk back "But if I find out you are alive and haven't paid me back then... I'll have to kill you"
Silver couldn't help but roll his eyes as they shook hooves "You never change" Silver said.
"Neither do you" he replied.
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Saying their goodbyes, Silver and Dart meet back up at the Crystal soul to get an update on the repairs. "How's she going Addie?" Dart asked the bandanna wearing pony.
"Good, she took a mighty beating back there but nothing we can't fix" Addie returned back.
"That's great to hear, when will she be ready?" Silver speaks up.
Addie gives a rough guestimate "About two to three hours, give or take of course"
"Excellent, al right then Dart, I need to discuss my plan of attack with you" Silver turns to Dart.
"Very well Cap'n take it away" Dart replies.
Silver begins discussing the plan "OK so basically what we need to do is..." as the discussion of the plan went on, they talked about if that would work or if that would, that wouldn't fit there etc. Eventually the ship was ready to sail and Silver was pumped up to get started, "Good job boys, now let's get the soul out to sea, we have a Ghost ship to find" Silver cheers the crew on to prepare to set sail.
"Cap'n the Dutchpony won't be the normal kind of adversary, if this plan works and the Dutchpony is defeated, they may just name a ship after you. So if you want that I suggest you bring your A-game" Dart speaks with Silver as the Crystal soul sets sail.
"I don't care for that kind of honour Dart, all I want is others to know we defeated the fabled malefic Ghost ship, if we can accomplish that, then that's all I can ask for." Silver replies
Dart grins and looks ahead at the crashing waves spilling over the deck "Spoken like a true humble captain" he said.
Silver grins too before yelling out "We sail into a battle like no other, for we face the beings of eternal damnation at sea, for we fight the Flying Dutchpony!"
The Crystal soul sailed out from Etvers Island, ready to find the Ghost ship 'Flying Dutchpony', they took a beating from her the last time the crossed cannons but now Silver and his ship were prepared and they were going to make sure she sunk.
Captain Silver Helm used his spyglass to look for any clues of the Dutch pony's current location, wreckage from non phantom ships, random mist or stranded sailors that could tell their tale. Silver couldn't find anything and he felt like this was turning into a wild goose chase. Is first mate, Dart, trotted to his side eager to ask a question.
"Cap'n be straight with us, you have no idea where the Dutchpony is am I right?" Dart asked his unsure captain.
Silver lowered and put away his spyglass before replying "Yes I don't, I thought if I could find some clues of it's presence, we would find her easy."
Dart scratched the stubble on his chin before responding "It's too bad we don't know where she is intending of going, most tales of Ghost ships say the ship sails the waters surrounding its wreck location or that it constantly tries to sail to it's original destination" Dart stated.
'Constantly tries to sail to it's original destination' Silver thought over in his head, suddenly he remembered something "Dart, that's it!" Silver shouted with joy.
Dart looked puzzled "What part?"
Silver responded with "The Dutchpony tried to sail around cape harmony's hope for table bay. That's when she sunk in that violent storm, don't you see Dart, she's heading for table bay. That's were we need to go right now."
"We have our course captain?" Dart asked.
Silver replied "We sure do"
Dart walked over to the banister of the staircase and shouted out "We have a course men, set sail for Table bay!" The crew shouted their approval and began to move the soul forward to Table bay.
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The Soul was nearing Table bay and the Flying Dutchpony was nowhere in sight, Silver scanned the horizon from his spyglass and he still couldn't find anything to give them a clue of the ghost ship's presence. Silver was about to give an order when the lookout pony, scuds, shouted from above.
"Sails on the horizon captain!" Scuds shouted. Silver responded instantly, he focused his spyglass to the front and true to scuds, a set of sails were blowing on the horizon. These sails though, had a swirling mist surrounding them that meant only one thing, that was the Dutchpony.
But something else was odd, she wasn't sailing away, she was sailing towards the soul and she didn't look happy. "Bow chaser fire!" A crew member shouted breaking Silver from his stupor.
"Every pony brace!" Silver shouted as the chain shot hurtled by, only one managed to hit the soul, but the damage was minimal considering they were designed to destroy masts. The Dutchpony had made the first move but it wouldn't make the last.
"Battle stations, load all cannons and await for your superior's command to fire!" Silver commanded the crew. The many sailors scrambled to load the Soul's cannons for any ordered attack. "Turn the soul when we get closer enough to the Dutchpony's starboard side!" Silver ordered to the steering crew.
The soul pushed forward, the ghost ship was coming closer too and she seemed ready to fire a broadside as well. The soul sailed closer and closer until, she turned just several metres from colliding with the Dutchpony and sailed along the starboard side "Fire!" Silver shouted, the commanding officers then yelled the same command at the cannon crew. A volley of cannon balls fired at the Dutchpony's hull smashing wooden to pieces and taking out several of her cannons, the Dutchpony fired back, her cannon balls smashing wood work and taking out a few of the soul's crew.
The soul sailed off from the Dutchpony, Silver assessed the damage "Damage report!" he yelled. An officer responded after taking note of the recent damage.
"Slight damage to the hull but nothing to serious, four crew are dead unfortunately sir!" the officer said.
Silver cursed under his breath, "Turn her around to port. When she is in range, let loose the cannons. And make sure the Starboard's are loaded asap!" Silver ordered. The crew understood and they went ahead to be ready to fire.
As the soul steered around to port the cannons fired at the Dutchpony once more, doing much more damage this time. "Excellent work men!" Silver shouted. The ghost ship fired once more, also dealing great damage to the soul, "She doesn't miss when she doesn't want to" Silver said to no pony in particular.
Silver thought of the next move, "We could circle around the front and attack the other side, but then the Dutchpony might try to go for a ram or a near point blank chaser shot. I can't afford to risk that, so maybe we could slow down and let her sail around us then attack her port when we are in range"
Silver satisfied shouted out his orders "Slow her down to half sail, we need the Dutchpony to come around and attempt to attack us on the right, when she is nearly in range, we gun it forward to her port side and fire!" The crew didn't reply, they instead went to slowing the speed of the soul down so the Dutchpony would come around.
As the the ghost ship started to circle around, Silver shouted out to go all sail for her port side. The Dutchpony was caught of guard as she was turning, as the soul came into range of her port side Silver bellowed "Fire!" The cannons roared their ammunition out at the enemy, smashing her hull and taking out more cannons. "Yes, we have her where we want her now!" Silver said with glee. Or he did until the Ghost ship fired back, with a powerful volley that took out some of the soul's cannons this time, a few more crew and the biggest injury...her aft mast. The mast closest to the stern fell down smashing some of the deck before snapping rigging and plunging into the raging sea.
Dart ran over to Silver "Cap'n are you okay, the aft mast is gone. and we lost some heavy cannons too. We can't take another hit like that or we will sink for sure!" Dart stated to Silver. "What do we do!?"
Silver helm thought for a moment. He looked to the crew surrounded by shards of wood, he looked to the Dutchpony sailing around, preparing another attack and lastly he looked at Dart's slightly worried face. Then he came up with only one option they could carry out that would insure their victory.
"Dart, we're ramming that son of a bitch!" Silver shouted.
Dart's face changed to that of a grin "Yes sir!" he saluted. "You heard the captain, turn the soul over to ramming speed, if that ghost ship wants to take us down, then it's coming with us!" he yelled to the crew. The crew in return cheered out before going back to work to turn the ship so she rammed the Dutchpony's hull and essentially sink her.
The soul sailed forward, her sails were open completely and blowing hard making her sail faster into the hull of the Dutchpony. She got closer and closer until....*crash!* a loud wood splintering crash could be heard. The soul was firmly lodged in the Dutchpony's Starboard side, a massive gash was apparent and if the Soul let go, the Dutchpony would sink. "Alright men, lets board her!" Silver commanded. The crew wasted no time running about grabbing weaponry and leaping over to the Dutchpony and begin to fight. Silver followed behind with just a cutlass, slashing down the occasional enemy, Silver trotted up to the poop deck where he found....him.
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Horsdrick von der Decken. The captain of the infamous ghost ship, wore a fine navy captain's jacket, brown pirate boots, a large hat with a few feathers stuck in the side and a large beard. Der Decken's eyes looked like they had seen hell itself and they weren't afraid of it either, Silver stood a few mere feet from the ghost captain his sword drawn and at the ready.
"Captain Horsdrick von der Decken I presume?" Silver said in a serious tone. Der Decken gave a scowl to the living Captain before speaking in an unholy voice You have prevented me from arriving at my destination. I have stopped many others from going into table bay....but you! Der Decken practically spat the word 'you' Have been nothing but trouble to me!"
Silver responded "Why are you destroying ship's like mine, are you just jealous because they can meet port but you can't?"
Der Decken growled I have been destroying ships so they never can arrive in Table bay. If I can't enter the bay, than No one can!" Der Decken shouted before lunging at Silver. The two captains clashed swords, Der Decken would slash overhead or thrust, while Silver would counter Der Decken and attack down below. This went on for about another minute until Silver managed to get Der Decken off guard and sweep his sword out of his grasp, Silver kept his sword directly in front of him as he began to speak "Stop this Horsdrick, why can't you give this up? You may be dead but that doesn't mean you can just continue to rob others of their life" Silver stated in an attempt to persuade the ghost captain.
Horsdrick lowered his scowl to a frown "I see that now, I was just angry that I failed to make it to the bay and to see those other ships sail in like it's no great deal. I thought, if I stopped them I would feel satisfied....but I don't I feel even more empty" Der Decken sighed, he turned around and looked at the carnage "You can leave, I can now and go to rest ...finally."
Silver nodded "It was a pleasure to meet you" Silver said as he began to leave for the soul. "Men pack it up, we are gone!" Silver ordered his boarding crew. The crew stopped their fighting and followed Silver back to the soul. "Dart pull her out of the Dutchpony" Silver asked his first mate.
"By your orders Cap'n" Dart replied, the soul backed out of the hull of the ghost ship and began to sail off. As the soul sailed into the horizon, Silver looked on as the Dutchpony sank below the crashing waves never to be seen again.
"What now Silver? The Dutchpony is no more, do we head for our original course or do you want to head somewhere first?" Dart questioned the contemplating captain.
Silver scratched his chin, then he smiled "I know exactly where to go first" he replied.
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At the Etver's island inn, Dax was wiping down the bar top when a customer entered. He looked to the door and went to greet the customer, when he noticed who it was. "Well well well, look who we have here" Dart said to the newcomer as he came up to the bar.
He placed a shiny gold bit on the bar top and pushed it over to the bar pony. Silver looked up and smiled "A deals a deal"
