//------------------------------//
// The Voyage has BEGUN! 
// Story: Pony Treasure Island 
// by QuirkyGallade 
//------------------------------//

Jim, Spike, Thorax, and Rarity all sat in the back of a small cart as it bumped and clattered over the cobblestone street. It had been a stroke of luck that they got the carts owners' attention and were able to get a ride to town. Applejack was helping pull the cart along as a thank you. The port town was just starting to wake up. Street lamps were being snuffed out, small groups of people milled around.
An old lady had a small stand for selling hot pies and was calling out letting all know she was open. Thorax and Jim looked around, they didn't come to town often and they were looking for a specific place. Spike just yawned deeply and stretched his stiff muscles. None of them had gotten much sleep last night.
"Ah, what a night." Spike grumbled rubbing his bloodshot eyes.
"I completely agree Spike dear, it was absolutely dreadful." Rarity sighed. She was still in her rode as all her clothes had burned along with her inn. While Spike and Raritys thoughts' were about the past, Thorax and Jim were scanning the buildings for their future.
"Where is it? Where is it?" Thorax mumbled to himself as he quickly read another business plaque. 
"There it is!" Jim said as he pointed toward a tall building to their right. He got Applejacks' attention and the cart came to a halt. They all climbed out of the cart and Applejack thanked the stallion who gave them a drive.
"Thanks for the ride big guy." Applejack shook the hand of the large, red stallion.
"Eeeeyup." He said and started pulling his cart further down the street. They all gathered around the brass plaque next to the front door.
"Trelawney and co. Master shipbuilders." Jim read out loud, smiling happily. Rarities reading lessons had paid off. He walked up to the door and knocked three times. The sound seemed to shake Spike back to reality.
"Whoa, whoa reality check here guys!" He exclaimed getting all their attention.
"Do we actually believe some bozo is gonna give us a ship just because we show him Captain Bones' old map?" His question made them all think. It did seem a bit crazy when it was put like that. Jim just shook his head.
"It's worth a try Spike." He said, his enthusiasm deflated slightly. The door opened slowly and an old, green-furred mare in a simple dress walked out onto the doorstep. Her mane was white and tied up in a tight bun.
"What can I do ya for, youngins?" She asked. She may have been old but her amber eyes still shown bright. Jim decided he was the spokesman for the group.
"Yes, thank you, We wish to speak with Squire Trelawney the shipbuilder... we need a ship." he said. Spike rolled his eyes. 
"You should be a captain with how obvious that was." He mumbled softly. not softly enough, since that remark earned him a smack on the back of the head from Applejack. The green mare looked the group over, then sighed sadly. 
"I'm sorry youngins, the Squire's in Neadry for the Rock Hopper season. He won't be back till the big shindig for Saint Lulu." Thorax and Jims' shoulders slumped heavily. Spike had a look of "I told you so" on his face as they said thank you and started to turn away. They were stopped by the mare continuing.
"Of course his daughter is here, you could talk to her as she handles most of his finances." The mare leaned in conspiracy style.
"But just between ya'll and me, in mah opinion, she's not all there." She stood back up.
"It's ya'lls choice." Jim almost had his hopes dashed once, he wasn't missing a chance like this.
"We'll see her then." He said. the old mare nodded and motioned for them to follow her inside. She led them up a large staircase and stopped at a pair of double doors before she knocked.
"Miss Pie, You got some company here ta see ya for a business venture." She called. They heard some movement behind the door.
"New faces! Please show them in Granny!" Granny opened the doors and let them inside. The room was well furnished, with a desk, a few chairs, and a couch. on the far wall plans and schematics for ship-designs were tacked up with notes and scribbles. The one they were supposed to meet was no were to be seen.
"Where is she?" Spike asked and was answered by an explosion of confetti in his face. When their vision cleared the entire room had changed. there was a cake present and a table gladdened with food.
"SURPRISE!" They heard someone yell and turned to see a Pink mare standing behind them. Pink was an understatement, her fur was pink, her mane was pink and looked like a mass of unspun wool. The only thing not pink was her eyes which were sky blue. She wore a white puffy-sleeved shirt, brown cotton pants, and a blue vest.
“Hi! It’s nice to me you, my names Pinkie Pie, daughter of Feldspar Trelawney, at your service.” She held out her hand and shook all of theirs. She made a sweeping gesture toward the table.
“Please, help yourselves, it’ll go to waste if you don’t and besides you all look like you could use it.” Pinkie gave them a once over. Jim and the group looked at each other and saw what she meant. They were a bit of a mess, their clothes had a few burns and tears, not to mention the soot patches.
“I’m terribly sorry about our appearance miss Pie.” Rarity said,
“We had a bit of… trouble, last night our home was burnt to the ground.” Pinkie was shocked.
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” She said, here hair suddenly went flat. Jim ignored this and held out the rolled map to Pinkie.
“This is why we came to your fathers' company.” Pinkie took the roll of parchment and looked at it curiously, her hair puffing back to the insanely curly way it had been before. They all just blinked at the odd mare.
Pinkie brought  it over to the desk and unrolled it, gasping and grabbing a magnifying glass and looking at every inch of the map. A small noise was heard and a massive smile broke out on her face.
“Well ladies and gentlemen, this is a genuine, bonafide, treasure map.” Jim, thorax, and Spike were excited. Rarity was intrigued but Applejack looked worried.
“Your sure?” Jim asked, wanting to be absolutely positive. Pinkie nodded.
“Oh yes, Mr. Gummy told me so.” She reached behind the desk and placed a small purple-eyed reptile on the desk. They all stared at it and it licked its eye. Pinkie saw the look of confusion on their faces.
“Oh, Mr. Gummy is my advisor, he’s very smart. He’s even been to the moon.” She stated matter of fact like. The small creature blinked. Pinkie nodded at gummy.
“Thank you, He’s been to the moon twice.” She corrected. Spike leaned in so only Jim and Thorax could hear him.
“I smell a bozo.” He whispered Thorax and Jim could only nod their agreement. Their meeting was disturbed by a massive explosion that ripped apart the wall. A grey object flew across the room screaming and embedded its self into the opposite wall. 
All heads but Pinkies' snapped to the struggling limbs of a grey Pegasus pony whose head was stuck inside the wall.
“Well done Derpy!” A voice called through the hole. A purple unicorn stepped through the wall holding a lighter stick.
“Now we know that is definitely too much gun powder.” She quickly made her way to the flailing Derpy. Pinkie cleared her throat getting the unicorns attention. She gasped as she saw the boys, rarity and Applejack. She tapped Derpy on the side making the struggling pony stop.
“Derpy stop fooling around we’ve got company.” She forced a embarrassed smile and walked over. Derpy placed both hands and hooves on the wall and gave a mighty push. The wall decided it liked Derpy and wanted to stay. A portion of the wall came off with Derpy, making a collar of plaster and splintered wood.
Now that most of Derpy was visible the group could see, she, had a blond mane and golden eyes. Her eyes faced in completely different directions though, but it didn’t seem to hinder her in the slightest as she walked over.
“OH! Good morning girls!” Pinkie greeted the two like crashing through a wall was commonplace.
“Everyone, This is Dr. Twilight Sparkle and her assistant Derpy Hooves, they do research and development for my dad.”
“Hello” Twilight waved. Derpy gave a closed eye smile and waved as well. The mention of Pinkie’s dad jogged Jims' memory.
“Actually Miss Pie…”
“Please, call me Pinkie.” She insisted. Jim nodded.
“Actually Pinkie, we were hoping to meet with your father, we need a ship for an ocean voyage.” Jim explained. Pinkies' eyebrows shot up in confusion.
“Ocean?” she asked then turned toward Gummy.
“Ocean?” Gummy just sat there like a statue. Meanwhile Dr. Twilight and Derpy were looking over the map on the desk. Spike had had it with the insanity and tried to put some order back into reality.
“You know the ocean… The big, blue, wet thing.” He tried to describe it to Pinkie. Her face scrunched as she tried to see if she knew what they were talking about, then her eyes widened in understanding.
“OH! The big, blue, wet thing, yeeees.” She nodded her head. Spikes' mouth dropped in complete amazement and he looked at Thorax who looked equally confused.
Twilight had been listening and spoke up.
“I think I see what’s happening here, You want to sail to this Island here, to dig up this treasure.” She said. Jim nodded his head. Applejack spoke up for the first time since outside.
“Yeah, but we need to be quiet about it, we got pirates after us.” Pinkie and her comrades looked shocked by that tidbit. Thorax had to add his two pence.
“Yeah and they want to kill us too, isn’t that exciting!?” He asked and Derpys' face went chalk white. Spike shook his head violently no and punched Thorax in the shoulder. Pinkie’s eyes got wide with excitement.
“Pirates huh?!” She said, an even bigger smile forming on her face.
“Well that just settles it, we'll use one of my daddies boats and I will personally finance the voyage for the treasure myself.” Pinkie said with a determined look. All in the room were stunned.
“You’ll do that? Really?” Jim asked trying to get his head around what was happening.
“Certainly, otherwise it would be a really short story.” She said. Cheers went up from Jim and thorax, Spike just shook his head even though he was smiling. Rarity was seemed hesitant but kept her thought to herself.
Applejack was the only one who was completely stone-faced. Thoughts and emotions were racing through her mind like a typhoon.
I’m sorry, it looks like I can‘t keep that promise Applebloom. Applejack thought to herself.





(Morning of the voyage- 3rd person- Applejack)

Applejack just starred at the clothes she had laid out on the bed. Memories of her past buzzing in her head like a swarm of angry hornets. She’d swore never to wear these wretched garments again but, fate deemed her promise invalid.
She glared at them, the deep crimson coat with black cuffs and collar, the brass buttons that shone like small suns. The cream cotton pants and the black knee-high boots polished to a mirror shine. A single tear fell from her eyes before all her doubt and sadness was pushed back down into the box she kept it in.
Her face became a mask of strength and control. She picked up her clothes pulling on the pants, pants, the boots and slipping her arms into the coat. Applejack walked over to the side of the bed and picked up her musket that leaned next to the window, placing the strap across her chest, the weight of the firearm feeling familiar, like the touch of an old friend.
She hesitated slightly when she reached for her melee weapons, but steeled herself and clipped them onto her belt. Lastly, she picked up the hat that had set her apart from all the others that had been around her.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror and lowering her head slightly, she placed it on her head. Lifting her gaze to look at herself, her back straightened and her gaze became hard. No longer was she Applejack, simple cook and employee to Rarity, now, once again, she was, once again, Lieutenant Apple “Iron pain” Jack, of her majesties 51st infantry division, the “Stormtroopers.”
Applejacks' mouth was a firm line of determination.
“I won’t lose anyone I care about again.” she spoke softly to her reflection, before turning swiftly and with quick powerful strides she marched out the door of her room.





(Morning of Voyage- 3rd person- docks)

It had taken a few weeks for Pinkie to get everything in order but quicker then they had thought Rarity had wished them luck, she had opted to stay at the Trelawney estate while they were gone, so Jim, Spike, and Thorax found themselves navigating the docks in the suns morning rays.
“Well here’s the docks, Jim where’s our boat?” Thorax asked. Jim heard Spike grumble and turned his attention to the drake.
“We’re on a dock, no wonder I’m seasick.” He said ruefully, making Jim chuckle slightly. He and Thorax tried to find their ship but weren’t successful. After a few moments of searching, they were greeted by the smiling face of Pinkie.
“Good morning to you boys.” She said warmly. She was dressed in a loose cotton shirt, simple brown pants a black belt, overall, not what Jim and his friends expected from a rich, shipbuilders' daughter.
They all offered their good mornings in return and soon were ushered forward to a specific dock. The vessel that lay in anchor there made them gasp in awe.
“Well, here she is! The R.L.S. Legacy!” Pinkie said sweeping her arm in grand motion. The ship was a sight to behold indeed. Triple masts rose from her decks, with the lines and rigging strung between them as intricate as a spiders' webs.
Jim could see the crew running back and forth on her deck like a bunch of ants, picking up cargo, securing lines and going about their duties.
As they neared Jim got a closer look at some of the crew, many were ponies, there was one in particular that made him slightly nervous. A massive Pegasus with tiny wings, his muscles bulging with strength, picked up a canon and hauled it onto the ship… by himself. Jim made a mental note never to make that one mad. He and his friends were caught in a daze as Pinkie lead them onto the ship.

(Elsewhere)

The figureheads of the “Spirit of Harmony” Grumbled.
“Take a cruise you said, see the world you said.” The head of a female donkey, her name was Matilda, gripped at her husband Cranky.
“Nowhere we are, stuck on the front of this stupid ship!” She yelled in his ear.
“Well it could be worse, we could be stuck out there with the readers,” he said snorting with laughter.
“Shut up you two!”
“You first” Cranky yelled
“Can’t you two just be nice?”
“Sure I can be nice… Nice enough to recycle this story as toilet paper.” Matilda cackled.
“Come on you guys give me a break and let me do my job.”
“What job?” Cranky laughed hard.
“Come on, don’t do this, I got a story to write.”.
“Hey, does your brain work?” Matilda asked
“Does my brain work? Of course, it does!”
“Then it should ask for a raise.” Cranky and Matilda cackled together
“I’m sorry readers, these two keep getting me into trouble, Let’s get back to Jim and the others, I’ll try to keep these to occupied.” Matilda, who had fallen asleep, starts awake.
“Uh, wake me when the story starts.” She said, getting a confused look from Cranky.
“It’s already gone on a while.” He said. Matilda blink twice then closed her eyes again.
“Oh... Wake me when it’s over.”







Jim and his friends followed pinkie up the gangplank and onto the deck of the ship. Pinkie pulled out a quill and parchment from… somewhere and began looking it over.
“Okay, the ship is provisioned, the crew is in place and the captain should be arriving within the hour.” She turned her head to look at the small reptile on her left shoulder.
“You have been a busy little guy this morning gummy.” She said. Gummy blinked his eyes. Spikes' left eye twitched at the sudden appearance of Gummy on Pinkies' shoulder.
“I swear life hates me right now.” He said, deciding to ignore what just happened. Jim glanced around the ship until he caught sight of the helm, with no one around it. Jim showed his age and quickly made his way toward it.
“Jim! Wait up!” Thorax yelled and followed him with Spike close behind. Jim jumped the last step and walked behind the helm. Running his hands over its smooth, polished, wooden frame feeling a sense of excitement and happiness course through him. Spike and Thorax quickly joined him.
“Oo look! It’s the boat steering thing!” Thorax said making Jim chuckle.
“It’s called the helm Thorax,” he said shaking his head, but Thoraxs' good mood would not be denied.
“So, how does it feel… Captain Hawkins!” He said with a massive grin. Thoraxs' smile was infectious and Jim smiled widely, standing tall and gazing off into the horizon.
“It feels like… like we’re really doing it.” Jim said, his eyes sparkling with wonder lust.
“It feels like we’re finally going on an adventure,” Thorax added. Spike just shook his head and peered over the railing.
“Yeah… I’m starving, where’s the kitchen?” He asked. He didn’t wait for an answer as he quickly went back down the stairs. Jim and Thorax shared a good-natured eye roll and followed him.
Spike made his way to a small set of stairs leading below deck. Sniffing deeply he licked his lips.
“mmmm, something smells good,” he said and darted down below. Jim and Thorax followed their friend bellow and found themselves in a small eating area. 8 benches and their respective tables were bolted to the floor to keep then from sliding. The walls were packed with different sacks and barrels, most likely food provisions for the crew. Near the back of the eating area was a small walled-off area.
The trio could see someone moving inside it and heard a womans' melodic voice singing, her movements timed with her song. A steady thumping could be heard as she chopped something to the music.
“Hey-ho and up she rises, Hey-ho and up she rises, Hey-ho and up she rises, early in the morning…” The boys made their way over to the small area and saw it was a kitchen, stocked with different spoons, pots, pans knives and other equipment found in one. The chopping stopped and the mare had her back turned toward them. She picked up a small knife and started to peel what looked like a potato and she continued to sing.
“Put’em in the longboat till he’s sober, Put’em in the longboat till he’s sober, Put’em in the longboat till he’s sober early in the morning…” 
Her fur was white, and her mane and tail were a soft shade of pink and neatly tired back to keep out of her way. Her voice was nice to listen to but Spike thought the food was better than music. He cleared his throat getting the attention of said mare. When her magenta eyes locked onto them, her face erupted is a snarl and she raised the knife high, ready to stab them if they got close.
“STOWAWAYS!” She bellowed making the boys jump and huddle in fright. Her presence seemed to tower over them, making them feel small and helpless.
“I’m afraid we shish kabob and barbecue stowaways on this ship!” She sneered and her eyes were glowing with furry. Spike gulped loudly and Thorax was shaking like a leaf. The mare glared at the boys for a few more seconds before she bowled over laughing her head off, much to the confusion of the boys.
“You thought I was serious! The look on your faces!” She managed to wheeze out between her laughs. Spike and Thorax laughed nervously while Jim relaxed from their scare.
“Thanks for that I needed a good laugh.” She said. Wiping some tears from her eyes. She looked them over seriously this time and then a look of understanding flashed on her face.
“I know, you must be the cabin boys.” She said her smile warm and welcoming, relieving all of the tension that had been there before. The boys nodded and there was a chorus of “yes” and “yeah’s”. Spikes' stomach gave a loud grumble getting all eyes on him and he grinned sheepishly.
“Hungry lad?” She asked him and he nodded. She made a sweeping gesture to the entire room.
“Well in my galley, you're always welcome to help yourselves.” She smiled as Spike wide-eyed look. Spikes' eyes caught sight of a chicken in the kitchen and chuckled.
“Yes! Thank you!” He yelled as he barreled and jumped over the low wall like a hurdle and started to devour the chicken like it would be his last meal.
The mare blinked twice in surprise and then chuckled.
“Well, he has a healthy appetite.” She picked something up from behind the short wall she was sitting on.
“How about you there funny face?” She said tossing an object toward Thorax. He caught it and saw it was a ripe apple.
“Oh thanks,” he said.
“My name is Thorax and the drake that ate your chicken is Spike.”
“Ate?” The mare asked and looked back to find that Spike had finished with the chicken, ate three loaves of bread and was on his fifth pie.
“YO!” He said with a wave and then continued to eat. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish In shock for a moment but she shook it off and her smile was back. She looked at Jim and her grin widened.
“And you must be Hawkins right?” She asked. Jim smiled at the thought someone actually knew him.
“Why yes ma’am.” He said politely but was waved off by the mare.
“Oh, no need to be calling a simple galley cook ma’am, my name is Celestia…” She gave them a small bow,
“At your humble service.” Jim and thorax were a bit confused by her actions.
“But we’re just cabin boys, Miss Celestia,” Jim said and receiving a pointed look from Celestia.
“Tia, to her friends,” She said with a small smile. Then her face grew serious.
“And a friend you can trust is worth their weight in gold.” Her quick change from smiling and laughing to this serious look had both boys on edge.
“There are many a dark-hearted scoundrel in these ports.” She said, getting a faraway look in her eyes.
“You mean Pirates?” Jim asked. Celestia’s face suddenly flew into a panic, pressing a finger to her lips she shushed them loudly, but the damage had already been done.
“Pirates?!” A voice called. Jim and thorax jumped and turned around and came face to face with another mare. They couldn’t tell much about her other then what was sticking out from the top of the barrel she was in. She had blue fur, her mane was a lighter shade of blue with a spiral horn on her forehead with a potato speared on it and her eyes were a shining, light purple.
“Did they say Pirates, Ha, what an imagination.” The mare said as she climbed out of the barrel.
Jim and Thorax turned their heads to look at Celestia only to see her slap her head with her hand.
“Trixie, what have I told you about climbing in the barrels?” She asked. Trixie looked confused.
“Trixie wasn’t climbing in them, Trixie was inspecting the potatoes at the bottom of the barrel to make sure they weren’t squished.” She huffed slightly than taking notice of the spud on her horn, she pulled it off before hiding it behind her back in embarrassment. Celestia just shook her head and gestures toward the newcomer.
“Allow me to introduce my kitchen assistant, Trixie.” Trixie shook both Thorax and Jims' hand vigorously.
“Pleasure to meet you, a pleasure to meet you.” She said before going over to stand next to Celestia, who ruffled her mane.
“I found her when she was just a filly in the streets and took care of her. I’m very proud of her, she and my pet monkey Steve have been a boon to my life.” Celestia said. Said monkey Chitered and appeared from behind her to sit on her shoulder and Trixie blush hard.
“But I thought sailors had talking parrots as pets,” Thorax said making Celestia tilt her head.
“Talking parrots?” She asked, Trixie just started laughing.
“Talking Parrot! What an imagination! What’s next? Celestia’s a princess, ponies walk on all fours and Friendship is Magic? HAHAHA!” Trixie laughed hard. Celestia smiled at her ward.
“Don’t you have chores to do Trixie? Now, off with you.” She gave Trixie a well-meant shove toward the stairway. She didn’t realize how powerful a shove it was, cause Trixie was sent sailing through the air and was sent falling “up” the stairs and out. The boys and Celestia flinched hard, and She gave an embarrassed chuckle.
“I sometimes forget my own strength.” She said scratching the back of her head. She brushed some food bits off her simple shirt and stood up giving Jim and Thorax a clear view of her back for the first time.
They discovered she was a Pegasus, but felt a twinge of sadness as one of her graceful white wings was a bonny stump. She didn’t notice them and she got her self ready.
“Right my boys, I’m going to give you a cooks tour of this fine vessel.” She announced glancing over where Spike was. He was lying on the floor, his belly was a large hump. He groaned softly, raising his head up to speak,
“If you’re going to be the cook on this ship Miss Celestia, I am definitely gonna need bigger pants.” He said, then let his head thump back to the floor. Celestia laughed loudly as she grabbed something leaning against the wall.
She reached down and unlocked the small gate in the wall and then slipped a crutch under her right arm. The gate swung open revealing she had only her left leg. Jim and Thorax recoiled a step as the warnings words of Billy Bones echoed in their heads.
Celestia gave them a confused smile.
“What’s the matter, lads?” She looked at their nervous face and followed their gaze to her absent leg.
“Oh, that?” She said gesturing to it and giving the boys a questioning look. She chuckled slightly.
“I lost that limb and my wing in the griffon war when I was fighting under Admiral Spitfire.” She explained as she hopped out of the kitchen a bit.
“There’s many a person whose lost limbs and worse in the service of the queen.” She said calmly. Thorax and Jim were still a bit shocked by the missing leg and didn’t see the shimmer in her eyes.
Celestia raised her right hand, drawing their attention and they gulped as they saw she was missing her ring and pinkie finger.
“Why, look what a cannibal took off me in exchange for my own life.” Her face was dead serious. Jim swallowed hard.
Celestia gave a snort of laughter showed she had had the fingers curled behind her hand. She laughed loudly at the dumbfounded looks plastered on Jim and Thorax’s faces.
“Oh, you boys are just to easy.” She hopped over to them and clapped Jim on the shoulder while smiling
“Ah, a fine bunch of lads you are, bright as buttons the lot of you.” She chuckled happily. A loud ringing bell was heard and a voice shouting.
“ALL HAND ON DECK!” it said. Celestia grinned.
“Come on then lads“. She quickly hopped over and climbed up the stairs and out followed by Jim, Thorax who were pulling their overstuffed friend behind them.





When Jim emerged from below deck he saw the crew zipping about as fast as they could. He looked over to where the bell was being run and saw a large minotaur ringing it and bellowing orders.
“Hurry up! Look lively! If you get in the way I’ll make you pay! The Captain will be here soon.” The minotaur saw a few of the crew stop working and he yelled at them.
“MOVE IT!” The crew members jumped and ran like frightened mice.
Jim, thorax, and Spike followed Celestia as she hopped over to where the crew was gathering.
As they stood amongst the crew Jim noticed movement on his left and turned to see Pinkie there.
“Who’s that?” He asked her pointing to the large minotaur giving orders. Pinkie smiled widely.
“Oh him? That’s Mister Iron Will, the first mate, a capital fellow.” She said smiling. Unnoticed by anyone was the quick glare of intense annoyance directed from Celestia at Iron Will.
Trumpets were heard in the distance and Iron Will snapped to attention.
“The Captain Approaches!” He bellowed. At this time Jim spotted Applejack not too far from them. What surprised him was what she was wearing and how different she looked from how he’d seen her at the inn. She used to smile and look happy, but all he could see now was a stern, blank face and an arrow straight back.
The loud rumbling of a carriage and the blare of trumpets caught his ears. He  Thorax and Spike all looked toward the docks and saw a large, pure black carriage come thundering up the road. It was pulled by massive earth ponies, each wearing a silver chest plate and helmet with a midnight blue plume at the top.
Iron Will saw some of the crew still dawdling.
“Move aside! Make way, Make ready for the captain! Any lollygaggers will suffer his wrath!” His threat seemed to kick them into gear as they doubled their efforts to get their jobs done.
“Wrath? Is the captain bad-tempered?” Thorax asked First mate Iron Will. Iron Will snorted and got within an inch of Thorax’s face before yelling.
“Is he bad-tempered?!” Thorax flinched from the volume.
“The stallion is a raging volcano! Tormented by inner demons the like of which mere mortals can not fathom!” He said and strode off making sure to get the ship in shape.
“He’s got demons? Cool!” Thoraxs' smiled wide. Jim and Spike just looked at their friend, not sure if he was crazy or not. The carriage drew closer nearly running over several people and ponies in the process before quickly coming to a halt on the dock next to the gangplank.
Many of the crew, including Jim, Thorax, Spike, and Pinkie stood by the rail and waited in silence to see who their captain was. The door to the carriage slammed open making most of them flinch. A small staircase was kicked out with a thud and out strode a man who fit Iron Wills's description perfectly. He had scars all over his face and a single, milky white eye seemed to bore into their souls. He was dressed in black with silver trim, it seemed to block the light making him look like he was a living shadow. He gave a growl like huff as he gazed at the crew. Jim felt a shiver crawl up his spine and saw Spike shaking violently.
The man sneered reached up, took off his hat and stepped to the side as the carriages second occupant stepped out.
“Hello everyone.” A voice called out, it had a somewhat cockney accent to it. The crew stared at the small stallion now at the base of the carriage stairs. He wore a deep blue pants and jacket with brass buttons, a cream shirt with a red sash around his waist, and light brown boots. His fur was a patchwork of browns and whites with the most noticeable feature was the brown patch over his left eye, making it seem like he was wearing an eye patch.
Jim watched in complete shock as the Stallion walked toward the ship.
“That’s the raging volcano?” He asked quietly to his friends.
“He’s tiny.” his friend nodded in agreement.
“Hey…” Spike got Jim and Thorax’s attention.
“Maybe his temper has a, short fuse.” He said giggling slightly. Jim and Thorax allowed themselves a small laugh at the bad joke. A piercing whistle drew their attention to Iron Will. He had a silver whistle and was blowing a signal as The short stallion walked up the gangplank.
“Piping aboard Captain Pipsqueak!” He called as The captain stepped onto the deck. Captain Pipsqueak placed a hand on the railing and gave looked around at the crew before speaking to his first mate.
“Good day Mister Will,” he said politely, before walking toward the center of the deck. A shocked look of fear crossed over Iron wills face and he quickly inspected the railing, running his fingers over it and saw they had a tiny coating of dust.
“I knew it! He’s furious.” He mumbled to himself, his gaze zeroed in on the massive Stallion with tiny wings.
“YOU THERE!” He bellowed. The stallion in question jumped, looked left and right then pointed to himself. The stallion gulped and stepped forward.
“You were in charge of railing dust! Thirty lashes and then you walk the plank!” Iron Will said harshly. The stallion looked surprised and worried. Captain Pipsqueak turned around and gave his first mate a raised eyebrow.
“I didn’t say that Mr. Will.” He said. Iron Will made a quick about-face and gave a slightly apologetic look.
“I was anticipating your whim, sir.” Captain Pipsqueak just shook his head slightly. His eyes caught sight of Jim and his friends and he made his way over to them.
“You three must be the cabin boys?” he asked,  making the trio start slightly. The captain was talking to them of all people. Thorax was, as always, the first to speak,
“Yes, sir!” He said happily and smiling widely. The captain smiled in return.
“Which one of you is Hawkins?” He asked.
“I am sir!” Jim said a little faster then he needed to. The captain just smiled.
“I knew your father Jim… He was a good man.” He said making Jims' face shine like the sun with happiness. The captain smiled again before turning and walking off with the First mate Iron will. 
“Well.” Jim, Thorax, Spike and unknown to them Applejack as well turned and looked at Celestia.
“This is shaping up to be a fine voyage.” She gave the boys another look over before smiling brightly.
“Yes indeed.” She said before hopping off toward the bow. Thorax chuckled nervously as she left. Leaning in and whispering he spoke to Jim.
“One leg Jim, count’em, shes got one.” Jim cast a glance at Celestias' way.
“Remember what Billy Bones said,” Thorax added. Jim looked at Celestia who was talking with another sailor. She started to laugh at something the other had said, her smile seemed to brighten up the place.
“Well Thorax, She seems alright… I mean, Celestias' only a cook, how dangerous can she be?” Thorax and Jim watched as She continued to laugh and joke with others and even thorax wasn’t so sure he was right.
“I don’t know Jim but… Hey?” He looked left then right.
“Where’s Spike?” They both started looking around when they spotted their scaly friend over by the gunwale. He was taking cards and coins from small Breezies' that were boarding the ship.
“Enjoy your cruise sir. NEEEXT!” He shouted, way louder then he needed to.
“All right please make all IOU’s out to Dragon Tours! Remember we put the D in Daring Entertainment!”  He excepted the next small group of Breezies.
“Mmhhmm, thank you Mr. Pluffman, NEEEXT!” He yelled as the group passed. Thorax and Jim came up behind their friend.
“Spike! What are you doing?!” Thorax asked, completely confused with his friend while Jim just looked on with an amused grin.
“What?” Spike asked before looking back at the line of Breezies behind him.
“Oh! This! Well, I figured if the maps a dud, the trip won’t be a total loss.” He patted a large pouch tied to his hip. It jingled with coins.
“Financially speaking.” He gave them a sly grin, making Thorax roll his eyes and Jim to chuckle. They turned back to the deck when they heard the crew start to move around a bit faster. The captain could be heard talking with First mate Iron Will.
“The wind seems to be freshening and the tide is with us.” The captain turned to face his first mate.
“Mister will, this Voyage has begun,” he said. Iron Will looked like he’d been given a cookie.
“THIS VOYAGE HAS BEGUN!” he bellowed making all around him flinch at the volume.
“Raise the gangplank!” He yelled and the crew scrambled to follow orders.
“Let go Fore line! Let go Aft line!” Iron will called out as the ropes holding the ship to the docks were uncoiled and pulled up.
“Hard to Starboard! Anyone caught dawdling will be shot on sight!” He yelled making the crew run all the faster.
“I didn’t say that Mr. Will.” Captain Pip said, giving his First mate a questioning look. Iron Will looked slightly sad.
“I was just paraphrasing.” He said looking to his feet. Captain Pip gave a sigh,
“Mr. Will just set the sails.” He said, then wished he hadn’t as he clapped his hands over his ears to keep his eardrums from bursting.
“SET THE SAILS!” Iron Will’s voice erupted. Many of the crew scrambled into the rigging like spiders using the footropes they climbed out on the yardarms and unfurled the sails.
The sail fell down like a white waterfall before billowing with the wind with a solid snap as they took the curved shape. Jim looked out toward the horizon as their vessel gained speed, driving through waves and casting a slight salty spray over him. He grinned wildly, the lust and call of adventure and freedom on the high seas becoming him like a siren. It wasn’t long before he heard what sound like music starts to play. 
He looked at the crew on the deck and saw them going about their business, only to the beat of the music. It wasn’t long before the singing and dancing started making Jim smile all the harder.

(Trixie is the switch with the lobster
Snails is the switch for the goat
Snips is the switch for the creepy thing with the weird top hat.
All three Unicorns make up that trio.)



As the last echoes of the whole crews' song faded, Jim knew this would truly be something to remember.





Applejack heard the music start and she desperately wanted to join in but she pushed that want away and carefully made her way through the dancing crew members along with First mate Iron Will. He nodded his head in approval as she followed him in his rounds, making sure everything was getting done properly.
She had heard what those three unicorns had said and it made her suspicious. She’d have to keep a sharp eye on those three. She glanced up to where Jim and Celestia were in the rigging. She had had her doubts about the mare due to Mr. Bones' warning Jim and the boys had told her off. But seeing Jim smile, laugh and be the boy she knew he hadn’t had the chance to be made her stay her judgment.
I won’t make any calls yet. She’s not off the hook, just lower on the pole. She thought. She allowed herself a chuckle as she watched Thorax and Spike performing a can-can with a few other sailors.
So far so good. I pray it stays that way. She thought as the song came to an end.