//------------------------------//
// Ch1 The Noble Pirate 
// Story: Under Crimson Sails 
// by Priceless911 
//------------------------------//

Prologue
Sail Senior

The wind flapped through the sails as the large brig rocked back and forth on the gentle sea. As it rocked, the ships captain trotted up the steps to the upper deck as he turned to face the bow and spoke, “Steady as she goes helmscolt.”
The sailor on the helm nodded, “aye captain.”
As the captain looked over his ship, the ships Sea Artist trotted up to the top deck as the captain smiled, “Mr. Point? How’s our heading?”
The skilled navigator replied, “Steady and fair captain. On this heading, we should be able to see the port in a few hours.”
The captain smiled, “Good to hear, I was worried I wouldn’t make my son’s ball this evening.”

At the moment the quartermaster stepped onto the upper deck as he heard the comment and replied, “Ah the young Master Sail’s betrothal ball. Might I expect an invitation to such a glamorous event?”
The captain smiled, “you can and will…” He looked over his crew, “And that goes for the lot of you!!!”
With that, the rest of the crew cheered as the captain let them cheer for a few second until the barrel colt in the crow’s nest called, “Captain Sail!!!”
The captain looked to the nest as he replied, “Aye? What is it?”
The pegasus called as he pointed, “Sir! Mast spotted of the starboard stern! Looks to be bearing down on us!” 
The three officers looked to the horizon as Captain Sail pulled out a spy glass and looked at the distant ship before turning back and speaking to his navigator, “Mr. Point… how far are we from port?”
The quartermaster took the spyglass and looked at the ship as Mr. Point shook his head, “nearly thirty nautical miles… well outside the royal navy’s routes.”

Captain Sail looked to his quartermaster, “Mr. Quin… what do you make of her… is she who I think she is?”
Mr. Quin nodded, “Aye captain… it’s the Iron Wing.”
“You think we can outrun her?”
The quartermaster shook his head, “the wind is against us… I doubt it… but we can try.”
Captain Sail nodded as he replied, “we have no guns… so for the crew’s sake we better.”
With that the captain turned to look over the lower deck as he call, “All hooves on deck, and to your stations!”
The quartermaster trotted behind him as he also called, “Unveil all sails! Put her along the wind! We need to outrun our guests.”
As the crew scrambled to follow both their captain and quartermaster’s orders, Mr. Point looked at the approaching ship in confusion as he asked, “Captain?... Who is it? Pirates?”

The captain looked at the ship as he replied, “Aye… but not just any pirates. Only one ship in these waters bears that Jolly Roger. Captain Iron Hoof.”
Mr. Point was confused, “Iron hoof? In Equestrian waters? Isn’t he just an old sea tale?”
Captain Sail nodded, “No… he’s as real as you and I. And to make matters worse, He is just as evil as the stories say. No ship caught in his spyglass ever makes port. And as for their crews… well… dead colts tell no tales.”
Mr. Point was concerned, “what should we do?”
Captain Sail sighed, “For a ship like Annabelle who holds no guns… all we can do is run, and hope we get away.”

Under Crimson Sails
 Chapter 1
The Noble Pirate

Fare on the edge of Horseshoe Bay, sat a large seaside manor as carriages from all over Equestria arrived for a grand ball being held inside. As the guests arrived, the hostess made her way through the herd greeting everypony by name. As she continued, one of the butlers approached her as he spoke, “Lady Sail, may I present Lord and Lady Mist, and their daughter, Miss Jasmin Mist.”
As soon as she saw them, Lady Sail smiled, “Ah Lord and Lady Mist, I’m so pleased you could make it all the way from Canterlot to attend. How was your trip?”
Lord Mist nodded, “it wasn’t comfortable, but it was nice to see the countryside.” His wife spoke up, “and the sea is just beautiful.”
Lady Sail smiled, “Marvelous, I’m pleased to hear it.”

Lord Mist spoke again, “Will Lord Sail be joining us this evening? It was my understanding that his ship was supposed to dock this afternoon.”
Lady Sail sighed, “Alas he did not. I called the pier earlier but they say that his ship has yet to arrive. Perhaps he was caught up at the last port. Nevertheless, he will be attending next week. I will not allow him to miss his own son’s wedding.”
After that was said, the teenage mare who was with them spoke up, “um… and what of Master Sail? When will he arrive?”
With an annoyed sigh, Lady Sail replied, “He is already here, out on the terrace. Sadly rather than entertaining the guest at his own betrothal ball, he chooses to spend his time fantasizing about grand voyages of adventure on the seas. It was cute when he was a colt, but now, I wish his father would spare him all this sailing nonsense. Then maybe he will consider the future of the Sail Shipwright, and Transit Company.”

Jasmin replied, “Having dream isn’t that bad.”
Lord Mist objected, “Yes, but having a dream and living in reality are two separate issues.”
Although she didn’t like what her father was trying to say, Jasmin held back her objection as she replied, “Nevertheless, I will go speak with him. After all, what’s a betrothal ball if the bride and groom aren’t together?” She looked at Lady Sail, “if you will excuse me.”
Lady Sail smiled, “Of course.”
As Jasmin left the group, Lady Sail smiled as she looked at the teenager’s parents, “For a mare barely passed eighteen, she is quite bold for her age.”
Lady Mist replied, “yes, but boldness isn’t the only quality a mare should have.”
Lady Sail asked, “So, for her anyways, would boldness be a good thing? Considering her future endeavors with… you know who?”
Lord Mist shook his head, “In order for her to take the scythe, she needs to be more then bold. Luckily she still has many year to get ready… all in good time.”

Outside the ballroom on a porch that overlooked the entire bay, a  nineteen year old colt stood looking into the sea at a ship that sat anchored in the center of the bay. As the grey colored pony looked out into the bay with his mind wondering, Jasmin trotted up behind him as she spoke, “Is that your father’s boat?”
The young stallion looked back at the mare, “pardon?”
Jasmin trotted up beside him as she pointed out to into the bay, “that boat out there… is that your father’s?”
The Stallion shook his head, “don’t see me rude… but that isn’t a boat. That my dear lass, is a ship. And no, it isn’t my fathers.”
The mare smiled in a sarcastic way as she replied, “Really?... What’s the difference?”

Not realizing that she was joking with him, the stallion sighed, “Ya see the small object floating between the ship and the dock?”
Jasmin looked again and saw a rowboat between the two as the stallion continued, “That, lass is a boat. The diff-”
Before he could explain the difference, Jasmine giggled, “Crimson… I’m only kidding. I know the difference between the two. A boat is just a small object that allows ponies to travel over water but a ship is a majestic vessel used to do the same, only it can travel at much longer distances. Right?”
Crimson replied, “Well… a technical use would object, but I’d agree. A ship is majestic while a boat is just a boat.”
She gave him a cheeky smiled, “So I was right then?”
Crimson smiled, “aye you were.”

Jasmin could only giggle at his reaction, “Aye?... You sound more and more like a sailor every time I see you.”
Crimson gave her an annoyed look, “Is that a problem?...”
Jasmin smiled as she shook her head, “You’re asking if dreaming is a bad thing? To that, I would say no. It’s good to have dreams, we all have them, even me.”
Crimson smiled at her comment for a few seconds then his smile faded as he replied, “and do you dream of… how did your mother put it… protectin’ the kingdom?”
Jasmin’s smile faded, “you mean killing others… no… mother wants me to follow into the family business just like you, but… I don’t know if I’m ready. It’s not at all what I dreamed.”
“And what did ya dream?”
Jasmin blushed as she replied with a quiet tone that was only barely understandable, “to… be a bride…”

All of a sudden, Crimson’s dim grey face started to turn as red as his eyes as he gave her a surprised look, “a… bride?...”
Jasmin smiled as she replied, “yes… and, in less than a week, it will come true.”
Crimson looked back into the bay as he replied, “Yea… right… um… Lass?”
“Jasmin… a groom shouldn’t refer to his bride as if they had just met.”
Crimson nodded, “right… Jasmin… What is your view on this betrothal thing?”
Jasmine didn’t like his tone, “What do you mean?”
Crimson replied, “We’ve been betrothed since you were born. And… I was wondering if, this is what you really wanted. To be… with me of all colts?”

Jasmin smiled as she leaned against him, “Well it was never my choice to marry you… but you know it could be a lot worse, at least I’m marrying somepony who has a sense of adventure. Most mares in my family are paired with little preppy foals who spend their time counting their money and looking down on others. At last I’m with somepony who… isn’t boring, and… who… I’d like to be with.”
Surprised by her answer, Crimson looked at his bride to be as she smiled as she leaned against him and looked out into the sea. Although he was happy about her answer, part of him disagreed with her words exactly which concerned him in an unusual way. But rather then ruin the tenderness of the moment he just felt it was best to keep silent as he put his arm around her and joined her in looking into the ocean.

Down in the bay, as the rowboat reached the dock, one of the ponies on the boat called dockside, “Somepony get a surgeon we rescued a cast away!”
As soon as they heard the call, the ponies on the pier rushed to the boat as they all helped to pull the weak stallion form the boat. As the castaway was pulled onto the dock, he looked at the ponies helping him as he spoke, “a carriage… get me to a carriage.”
The dock worker replied, “don’t worry lad, we’ll be getting’ ya to a hospital soon.”
“No… take me to the Sail manor… I must speak to Lady and Lord Sail.”
The dock worker was confused, “I’m afraid that won’t do ya any good. Captain Sail hasn’t returned from his voyage yet. And tonight they are throwing some swaray that’s invite onl-”

Before he could finish, the dockworker stopped talking as the castaway grabbed him by his color and looked him in the eye, “Listen here boyo, my name is Pinpoint, and I’m the Sea Artist of Captain Nathanial Sail’s ship, The Annabelle. Captain Sail, his crew, and ship, won’t be arriving into port because they met their fate to Captain Iron Hoof of the Iron Pirates! Now either you get me to that manor on the next carriage, or I'll trot there myself after leavin’ you in a worse shape than I… Aye?”
Seeing the tense and angry look in his eye, the dockworker looked to another worker as he spoke, “get the carriage driver here now! We got to get him to the Sail Maner as soon as possible.”

About an hour later back at the manor, the guests’ attention was gained by the hostess as she made an announcement to everypony in the room, “Attention? May I have your attention if you please?” When the ballroom went silent, she continued, “First I would like to thank you all for taking the time out of your schedules to attend this grand betrothal ball. And though she isn’t here with us tonight, I would like to extend my thanks to Princess Celestia who was so gracious as to ask Cloudsdale for a beautiful and clear night for this very occasion. We all know that as Princess of Equestria, she must work day and night to oversee the sun and moon’s movement across the sky, so it is expected that she was too busy to attend tonight. Next I would like to thank our pristine guests of honor, Lord and Lady Mist, and their beautiful daughter Miss Jasmin Mist. Which I’m happy to be saying, will soon be my daughter in-law. And now, I will like to bring both my Son, Crimson Bartholomew Sail, and Young Jasmin Garden Mist to say a few words pertaining to their upcoming wedding.”

With that the entire ballroom cheered as Both Crimson and Jasmine made their way to the center of the ballroom so that all attention could be paid to them as Crimson spoke, “First off I'd like to thank ya’ll for c-”
As soon as she heard his accent, Lady Sail cleared her throat loud enough for him to hear as a reminder to speak properly as he paused cleared his throat and continued, “You all for coming out on this fine Evenin’. Both Miss Mi-”
Once again, he was interrupted by his mother’s noises to stop speaking like a sailor as he gave her an angry look while Jasmine giggled and spoke, “Forgive my fiancé, it would appear that his excitement is leaving him a little chocked up this evening. It would appear that I’m going to have to take over sooner than expected to finish his speech.” A few random chuckles were heard from the guests as Jasmin continued, “As my husband-to-be was saying, we are both delighted that you would meet us here in Horseshoe Bay to attend and provide us with both blessing and luck. And tho-”
Trying to finish, Jasmin paused as a loud commotion could be heard outside the main ballroom doors. Trying to ignore it she hesitated for a brief moment then continued, “Although our wedding is set for the end of the week, we hope you can all attend as we k-”

The commotion was heard again only this time it was louder as voices could be heard from the other side of the door, “But sir, you must have and invitation to-” “Shove your invitation right up your-”
At that moment the double doors flew open as the stumbling Pinpoint stepped into the room and called, “Lady Sail! Master Sail! I must spe-”
Lady Sail interrupted, “What is the meaning of this?”
Crimson spoke next, “Mr. Pinpoint? What ar-”
“The Captain! The Annabelle something’s happened!”
As soon as that was called, the guests started whispering amongst each other as Crimson noticed this and replied, “We will speak of this elsewhere. Mother, Mr. Point. Join me in father’s study.”
As the three made their way through the crowd, Jasmin spoke next, “I’m coming too.”
Crimson stopped her, “no, this is a matter for us to handle. It’d be best if you keep the guests entertained. We’ll only be a tick.”
Seeing the serious expression on his face, Jasmin nodded as she replied, “Alright then… come back soon.”
Crimson smiled as he nodded his head, “Aye, I will.”

With that, Crimson, his mother, and Pinpoint left the ballroom and trotted into the master study as they entered the room, closed the door behind them, then turned to their guest as Crimson spoke, “Here should be fine, now tell us… what happened to father?”
Pinpoint spoke as he sat down, “I’m sorry to inform you sir… but the captain… Captain Nathanial Sail, has gone down with ship.”
Hearing the shocking news, Lady Sail put her hooves over her mouth in shock as Crimson spoke, “What?... Where?... How?”
Pinpoint replied, “A number of miles off the coast. We were on our way back with our shipment, but… We were attacked by a pirate ship.”
“Pirates?...”
“Aye… Captain Iron Hoof, and his ship, the Iron Wing.”

Crimson was still surprised, “Captain Hoof? You mean from the old stories?”
Pinpoint was surprised, “you heard of him?”
Crimson nodded, “aye. Father told me about him when I was little. He says that Captain Iron hoof and his crew have been terrorizing these waters for over three hundred years… but that was supposed to be nothing but ghost stories.”
Pinpoint shook his head, “Sir… that was no ghost. His ship sailed in from behind and gained speed on us as we tried to flee. Before we could get away though, we heard a devilish chiming sound as if she was bashing an iron club against a sheet of clad. Then she fired chain shot that damaged our foremast but destroyed our mainmast leaving us dead in the water. So… knowing our defeat, we happily waved out in surrender… but… he had other plans. As the ship came about, it sailed right up to our starboard bow… chimed a second time before firing a volley from all of her guns at once. Grape, chain, and explosive shot peppered our starboard side as we all did our best to take cover from what had to be at least thirty guns firin’ on us at once. When the first volley ended, I and the captain survived, but Mr. Quil, took a ball to the chest, and… was parted.”

Hearing the event, Lady Mist covered her face as she tried not to imagine the horror as Crimson replied in complete shock, “Celestia’s word…”
Pinpoint sighed as he continued, “After that, the pirates threw out grappling hooks to hook our ship, and pull her close… but I’m afraid that was just a ploy, once the hooks lines were tight, she fired a second volley on us this time tossing me from the deck as I flew over the port side and into the drink. As soon as I hit that cold grave like water, I swam to the surface but when I reached it, our aft must have been torn down from the second volley cuz it fell over the deck of our ship before rolling into the ocean right on top of me. I thought the sail would do me in when it draped over me, but I managed to swim around and over it before one of the shattered booms came down and hit me on my head, knocking me unconscious.”
Amazed at the story Crimson spoke, “how did you survive?”
Pinpoint replied, “I was over the sail, so I just laid on it while unresponsive for a bit of time… but… when I awoke, I awoke just in time to see the last bit of the Annabelle’s bow, before it sank below the tide.”
“And the crew?”

Pinpoint looked at the ground as he shook his head, “There was no crew… No bodies floating amongst the waves, nothing… I can only assume… they were on the ship when it went down. I myself, drifted atop the mizzenmast for a few hours before being picked up by another vessel.”
With no form of optimism in the story, Lady Sail could only broke out in a fit of tears as one of the maids tried to comfort her. Hearing his mother’s cries, Crimson looked at the maid as he spoke, “Take her to her room through the servant’s corridor. Her guests shouldn’t be see her like this.”
The made comforting her nodded, “Yes master.”
As the maid and his mother left the room through a secret doorway, Crimson looked at Pinpoint and spoke, “Mr. Point… did you see what Captain Iron hoof looked like?”
Pinpoint shook his head, “I could see a few ponies on his ship, but I’m afraid I didn’t know which, if any were their captain.”
“Did you at least get a good look at his ship?”
Pinpoint nodded, “aye I did. A good sized frigate or a man-O-war, maybe something in between… sorry, my minds a little fuzzy from the shock it took.”

Crimson stepped forward with hope, “So if you saw it again, say in a port… would you recognize it off the bat?”
Pinpoint nodded with curiosity, “That I would, aye.”
Crimson smiled, “Good… that’s all I need to know.” he turned to his servant, “Jeeves… you keep record of fathers business. How many ships did my father have on contract?”
The butler replied, “I believe he had twelve master.”
“And how many have guns, and are ready to sail?”
The butler didn’t like the question as he replied, “O-one sir… a frigate contracted by her majesty Princess Celestia for the Royal Navy.”
Crimson smiled “perfect…” he turned back to Pinpoint, “Mr. Point? What role did you play on my father’s ship?”
Pinpoint replied, “Well… I was a Sea Artist sir… a um… Navigator of sort.”
Crimson nodded, “okay… were you also the Quartermaster?”
“No sir.”
“Then perhaps First Mate?”
“No sir.”

Crimson thought to himself before replying, “If given the chance… would you be willing to set sail again to find this pirate Iron Hoof?”
Pinpoint nodded, “Aye… I owe it to your father.” 
Crimson smiled, “Good… then welcome aboard. You are now my Quartermaster and Navigator.” He looked back at the butler, “Contact all my father’s employees who have sailing experience and the families of the sailors lost on his ship. Let them know that any who are willin’ to get revenge for the loss of the Annabelle need to go to the dry-docks as soon as possible. I need to round up a crew quickly.”
The butler tried to interject, “Um master, surely you aren’t considering taking the royal frigate from your father’s shipyard?”
Crimson smiled, “Why not? It does belong to me since it’s technically still under my father’s care.”
The Butler replied, “But sir… that’s just it. Since your father only recently passed, it is set that the Sail Shipwright and Transport Company will fall unto your mother until after your wedding. Therefore, you are not authorized to take the ship until the following day, with proper permission from the ships main contractor as well.”

Crimson looked at his butler as he smiled in a sinister way, “then… I’ll just have to take it without permission then. I don’t have time to wait for the wedding, and I know for a fact that the princess won’t give me the chance to take it out, so… I'll just have to… commandeer it.”
The butler was shocked with what he was hearing, “S-steal it? But sir I-”
“Jeeves… you’ve been a fond friend to the family for many generations correct?... So when the family faces an emergency you’re obligated to help right?”
“Of course Master, but I-”
“Then if you don’t agree to help… then perhaps I will find somepony who will… and to do that, I would need to… empty an employment space for that pony to fill… understand?”
Hearing the threat loud and clear, the butler nodded, “Yes master… I understand. I will begin contacting those you requested immediately.”

Crimson smiled, “There’s a good lad… then have them meet me at the docks as soon as possible, we need to prep the ship for sea.”
As the butler turned and left the room, Pinpoint gave Crimson a confused look, “Sir… if w-”
“Captain… that’s what I am so I'd appreciate referring to me as such.”
Pinpoint corrected himself, “Captain… If we take that ship, then we are no better than those pirates… in fact that is exactly what we will be.”
Crimson nodded his head, “if that is what we will be, then that’s what we will call ourselves. Pirates… but we won’t be like Iron Hoof. We will carry on our own way, and if the royal guard tried to stop us… then we will fight back. Either way, I will find Captain Iron Hoof, and I will send he and his crew straight down to Davy Jones’s Locker. Mark my words Mr. Point, he will pay for this someday.”

At that moment, the butler returned as he spoke, “Master, a runner has been sent to deliver your message to all whom you’ve requested.”
Crimson nodded, “thanks you, now I believe the ball is over. Please announce that I and mother have met with terrible news and that we request that everypony leave.” 
Then butler nodded his head as he left the room, as he did, Crimson spoke, “Mr. Point lets go, we will better be on our way.”
Back in the ball room, Everypony’s focus was on the butler as he announced what he was told. As he spoke, Crimson and Pinpoint made their way through the room behind the herd as they tried what they could to sneak out of the room unnoticed. However, as they did, Jasmin saw them as she didn’t point them out, but tried to quietly make her way through the herd towards him without drawing attention to herself. But with the herd too crowded for her to move quickly she was unable to keep up as Crimson made it to the main doors and left the room before she was able to get to them.

Trying to keep up with her fiancé Jasmin made it to the ball room doors and rushed down the manor’s corridor as fast as she could. Unfortunately as she reached the doors to the manor, Crimson and Pint point had already entered a carriage and were rolling away from the estate. Disappointed that she missed him, Jasmin watched as the carriage rolled away and vanished into the darkness of the night as she mumbled, “I guess… I'll wait here till you get back then.”
With that, Jasmine stood at the doors to the manor as the guests started exiting the manor and passed by her with no knowledge of Crimson’s departure.

Minutes later at the Sail Shipwright Graving Docks, Crimson and Pinpoint arrived as they entered the facility as a royal guard stopped them, “Halt! This area is restri- oh, Mr. Sail, What brings you out here at this hour?”
Crimson replied, “The ball ended early, so I decided to come out and oversee the status of our most respected customer.”
The guard smiled, “Sure, from what I understand the ship is finished and supposed to be launched in the morning.”
Crimson nodded as he looked at the large wooden vessel as it sat in the center of the dry-dock, “right… well perhaps we should speed up the process.” He looked at Pinpoint, “Mr. Point make sure the lines are tight then fill the dock.”
Pinpoint nodded, “Aye sir.”

As Pinpoint trotted to the pump house, the guard became concerned while keeping up with Crimson who was trotting down the dock, “Wait… launch now? But the schedule says it will be launched in the morning during the christening.”
Crimson replied and he started casually looking at the ships exterior, “yes… but as the shipwright I think you can take my word that it is fine to launch now.”
“But the christening… it’s an official ceremony that begins the launch. The ship must be christened before launch as all Royal Navy ships are.”
Crimson nodded, “Aye all royal navy ships are… but then again who says this ship is goin’ to the navy?”
The guard gave him a distrusting look, “what are you saying?”

At that moment a large number of stallions trotted onto the dock as Crimson smiled, “ah, perfect timin’.”
As the ponies approached, Crimson stepped passed the guard as one of the stallions spoke, “Mr. Sail?”
Crimson replied, “Captain, now.”
The Stallion nodded, “Aye… Cap’n Sail. My brother sailed with your father… is it true that they were lost at sea?”
Crimson nodded, “It is… but if ya’ll sail with me… we will find the pony responsible… and we will make him pay.”
The pony nodded, “aye… I hope I get that chance.”
Crimson nodded, “You will…” he called out, “as will the lot of ya. Sail under me and your loved ones lost will be payed back in full. WHAT SAY YOU!!!”
With that, the entire crew of ponies cheered “AYE!!!”

As the crew cheered, they were silenced by the sound of a sword being unsheathed as they all looked to the royal guard who was holding his sword at the ready, “What you’re saying is borderline treason! I don’t care who you or your father is, I will not allow you to steal a ship from the royal navy!”
Crimson smiled, “Not very wise, drawing a sword on a ship’s captain in front of his crew. Especially considering the fact that it’s only you, versus all of us.”
Realizing his situation the guard replied nervously, “w-well… I-”
Before he could finish, a loud sound was heard as the doors to the dry-dock opened up leaving water come pouring into the empty dock as it quickly filled the dock causing the ship to slowly lift off the support block as the royal guard turned to the source of the noise in surprise. Using the opportunity, Crimson lunged forward as he grabbed the guard by the collor of his armor and punched him in his face as hard as he could as the stunned guard dropped the sword and fell to the ground.

Before the guard could react to the hit, Crimson picked up his dropped sword as he held it to the guard and spoke, “Calm yourself lad… remember I’m a noble, and this noble has had fencing lessons since he was a wee lad, so don’t think that for a second I will have trouble dealin’ with the likes of you. Now stay down and pay attention. We are takin’ this ship and it will be used by me to hunt down Captain Iron Hoof, so if you have any objections, then feel free to come and fine me”
Crimson lowered the sword as he spoke so his crew could hear, “Bind and gag him, then leave him in the pump house. We have an hour and a half before the change in shift comes around, so it be best if we make ready to sail before then.”

A few sailors trotted to the guard and tied him up as Crimson turned to the rest and spoke, “open the dock storehouse and gather everything we can. Food, munition, supplies, if it can be used, eaten, or sold I want it on board. NOW GET TO IT!!!”
Understanding the call, the crew split up and did everything they were told as half went to make the ship ready to sail while the rest looted the dock’s storehouse and took everything of value, to include everything not owned by the Sail Shipwright Company.

An hour later, Jasmin Mist stood on the terrace of the Sail manor as she watched a ship leave the bay, not knowing that her fiancé was aboard. As she watched, her mother and father approached as her father spoke, “Princess? I understand your waiting for your future husband to return, but perhaps we should return in the morning. I’m sure he will be back by then.”
Jasmin shook her head, “He said he would return… so I will wait for him to return.”
Jasmin’s mother spoke, “But perhaps something came up that would hold him up… it would be bet-”
All of a sudden, Lady Mist stopped speaking as she, her husband and her daughter immediately looked to the closest shadow as Lord Mist spoke, “We know you’re there… come out and speak.”
Knowing he was caught, a young stallion stepped out of the shadows wearing a long black cloak as he lowered the hood and spoke, “forgive me for disturbing you boss… but I believe a matter of great importance had just come up here in Horseshoe Bay.”

Lady Mist stepped forward as she replied, “Really? What is it that you would have to tell me when I deliberately said I was busy tonight?”
Haring the irritation in her voice the stallion replied, “Forgive me… but a vessel was recently stolen from a dock here in the bay by a crew of pirates.”
Lady Mist replied, “Are the pirates wanted?”
The stallion shook his head, “no… I would say not.”
Lady Mist sighed, “Then it’s a matter that doesn’t involve the Cutters. We uphold the Kingdom’s safety from behind the veil of the crown. Matters involving rookie pirates are none of our concern.”
The Stallion replied, “But boss… the ship stolen was a royal warship. A frigate to be more precise. It was docked in the dry-dock of the Sail Shipwright Company.”
Jasmin stepped forward, “Who was the captain of the pirate crew?”
The young stallion replied, “I believe it was… your betrothed. Crimson Bartholomew Sail.”

The three looked at one another as Jasmine looked back into the bay as she sneered at the ship that was leaving port. With the evil glare on her face, Jasmine stayed silent as her father spoke, “With this act of piracy… Crimson will already build up a reputation as a criminal. And now a wanted pirate.”
Lady Mist nodded, “Agreed, and the wedding is officially off.” She looked back at her subornment, “Thank you Fancypants, gather info on his crew but do not peruse him. If he is leaving the kingdom then he is of no threat.”
The young stallion bowed as he put the hood of his cloak over his head and stepped back into the shadows, “Understood boss.”
As the stallion vanished back into the shadows, Lord Mist spoke, “Princess? Are you alright?”
Jasmin didn’t replay, instead she looked away from the ship and paned up to the alicorn imprint that was placed on the moon’s surface as she sighed to calm herself down. Then she turned to her father and smiled with a smiled that was both pleasant, but was easily hiding an intense rage, “of course father… I’m fine… Maybe we should head back to Canterlot while the evening is young.”

With nothing more to say and without letting her father reply, she trotted back into the ballroom and made her way towards the door. However as they trotted through the large empty room, Jasmine saw a large family portrait on the wall over the main doors as she drew a hidden dagger from under her dress and tossed it across the room, hitting and embedding it deep into Crimson’s forehead. Then acting if she did nothing at all, Jasmin continued out of the room as Lord Mist couldn’t help but mumble quietly to himself, “Too bad the wedding is off, a son as bold as him would be something to brag about. Who else would do this to the future Reaper?”

Far out on the mouth of Horseshoe Bay, Crimson looked out the stern of his ship at the bay as Pinpoint approached, “Any regrets captain?”
Crimson looked at Pinpoint as he asked, “Regrets? About what?”
Pinpoint replied, “Well leaven your loved ones for starters. Other than my sister, I ain’t got no family to come back to, so it don’t bother me to leave like this.”
Crimson shook his head, “Nah, Mother may be hurt that father is gone but she don’t need me to make her feel better. If I catch and kill the one responsible I think that will do her just fine.”
Pinpoint gave him an annoyed look, “I was talkin’ about your bride to be.”

Crimson shook his head as he turned to trot away, “nah, she will get over it… She is a strong lass with plenty of charm. She will have no problem findin’ another suitor.”
As Crimson trotted away Pinpoint replied, “But… isn’t she supposed to be part of a secret organization?”
All of a sudden Crimson stopped as he replied without looking back, “’what?...”
Pinpoint replied, “yea, she is the daughter of the Mist family right? Don’t that mean that she is supposed to be part of a group that are known for killing ponies for a living? In fact they are supposed to be so skilled that Lady Mist is actually called The Grim Reaper and will be passing the title onto her daughter in a few years right?”

Realizing his Mistake, Crimson stood there with a nervous expression on his face as he replied, “wh-what?...”
Pinpoint continued, “yea… she is supposed to be like a skilled assassin or somthin’, so… wouldn’t she be a little spiteful for you leaving like this… especially the week of your wedding?”
Crimson stood frozen place as he said the only words that came to mind, “oh… Crap…”
Pinpoint gave him a confused look, “wait… you didn’t even consider it!”
Crimson smiled nervously, “well… I kinda jumped in the moment….”
Pinpoint Sighed, “I guess this means we ain’t commin’ back to Equestria any time soon are we captain?”
Crimson shook his head as he trotted to the helm, “nope we certainly won’t.”

Pinpoint sighed as he trotted up and stood beside Crimson as the captain took the helm, then the navigator replied, “Well, good thing my only family is my sister. Otherwise I would feel a little stern over what we found ourselves into.  So, where about should we set a course? Judgin’ by our loot, we have plenty of supplies to take us all the way across the world if need be.”
Crimson replied with a tone that says he had everything planned out, “First thing is first, we need to change the way the ship looks. All this gold coloring is too conspicuous for my taste. I’m thinking a dark finish, and the sails, black, NO… Crimson. The color that will let everypony know who’s captaining this ship.”
Pinpoint smiled at the idea, “Sound good captain, we will also need a Jolly Roger. Even a pirate ship must fly its own colors.”

Crimson nodded as he looked to the mainmast as he imagined the flag flying over it, “aye, and a mighty flag it will be.”
The Pinpoint spoke up, “Well as all pirate ships need, we need a jolly roger, a powerful vessel, a fearless captain, and finally a Name for the ship. Something that can drive fear into those who hear it.”
Crimson thought to himself for a few seconds as he replied, “Well the sails are going to be Crimson… so how about we name her The Bloody Tide.”
Pinpoint gave him a curious look, “really? Why do ya say that captain?”
Crimson replied, “Well our sails will be as red as blood, and The Tide will be her nickname. Cuz when she rolls in, very few ships roll out.”

Pinpoint gave his captain a hopeless look, “By the sound of it, you’ve had this name in mind for fare longer than just today.”
Crimson rubbed his head in embarrassment, “well, I’ve always imagined sailing away ever since I was just a wee lad. So ship names have always been somethin’ of a preparation in case I did.”
Pinpoint thought to himself, “hmm, The Bloody Tide egh… Not the worst name I’ve heard, so I'd say it’s something that won’t be hard getting used to.”
Crimson smiled, “oh good… cuz if ya didn’t like that, The Plot Kicker was my second choice.”
Pinpoint replied with an unamused look, “Yea… let’s take that name, bury it under the sea, and never speak of it again.”

Crimson smiled as he griped the helm and looked out into the sea, “agreed… so what’s our heading sea artist?”
Pinpoint looked into the sea as he replied, “Our heading should be northwest. With the wind at our stern we should make port in about three days. What are our plans once we make port captain?”
Crimson nodded, “First we sell all the unneeded loot in our cargo bay. Then we need to round up some munitions and other supplies, before refinishin’ the ship. Once all that’s done, we will start there and make our way to every port from here to Atlantis. We need to round up every lead that will tell us where to find Iron Hoof. That includes hittin’ up the pirate bays as well. Father has had quite a few sailors under him. No doubt we may happen across a few who are livin’ as pirates now. Either way, we will hunt down Iron hoof, and take down anypony and-or ship that stands in our way.”