Captain Sail, Powder Keg, and Pinpoint followed Barge to the boarded up entrance to the old Sail Dry Docks as they approached the plywood that covered the front gate. As soon as they reached the gate Captain Sail sighed, “it really is closed down ain’t it?…”
Barge nodded, “aye it is… well…” He pushed on a portion of the plywood as a hidden door opened, “it is to anypony who doesn’t know it enough.”
Powder Keg smiled, “A secret entrance… nice.”
As the ponies entered the blocked lot, Barge spoke, “now captain I'll warn ya that everypony here ain’t the most honest lot you know. So they may seem a little skeptic to ya.”
Captain Sail gave him a dull look, “So… your sayin’ they’re a bunch of land based pirates?…”
Barge thought to himself as he replied, “Actually… Forget I said anythin’ you’ll be fine.”
As the group continued into the dry docks they met up with a few stallions who were standing guard as one saw Barge and smiled, “Mr. Barge, come to win back what you lost on Monday?”
Barge smiled, “Aye I did, how are the tables playin’?”
The bouncer shrugged his shoulders, “So, so, but the night is young.” He looked at Captain Sail, “And who are your guests?... they… look familiar.”
Barge smiled, “Don’t cha worry yourself none, they‘re on the up and up. Just a few shipmates from my pirate days.”
The guard started to reply with a smile, “From the old days well then I gu-” He saw Captain Sail’s hat and cape as he realized who he was looking at before continuing with a slightly nervous tone, “Oh… well… um… Welcome captain… it’s a… pleasure meetin’ ya.”
Captain Sail smirked, “Fine establishment ya got here lad… keep up the fine work. I'd expect my visit to be profitable with you on guard.”
The guard smiled as he replied, “you humble me too much Captain.”
Captain Sail smiled “aye… then don’t let me down. Come along gents, the scent of treasure is in the air here.”
With that the four sailors continued into the docks as the second guard looked at the first, “Who is that?”
The first guard replied, “Hold your tongue, that’s Captain Crimson Sail. With an untrained crew and five minutes of planning he managed to steal a frigate from the princess’s Royal Navy. He’s the most wanted pirate in Equestria.”
The two bouncers continued talking as Powder keg watched them as they trotted on, “That was strange… Seems like he knew ya capt’n.”
Barge nodded, “Captain Sail and his crew are well known in these parts… anypony with the brass to steal from princess Celestia is a pony you shouldn’t tussle with.”
Mr. Point nodded, “and I’d assume you added a little flair to the story.”
Barge smiled, “What’s wrong with a little flair? I would think you would enjoy the attention.”
Powder Keg nodded, “lord knows I do…”
Captain Sail could only shake his head in hopelessness as he and his shipmates made their way to the edge of the drained dry dock as they looked into the bowl like area that was the construction site for over a hundred vessels, but was now an area full of tables and gamblers. As they looked down into area that was three stories below sea level, Captain Sail studied each table as he tried to find who they were there to see, but before he could spot her, Pinpoint spoke, “Captain… second table from the dock doors. Is that her?”
Captain Sail looked at the table mentioned as he saw a beautiful fawn mare with an azure blue mane sitting at a poker table with an orange vest and a green tricorn hat on her head at the base of her long, braded, and beautiful mane. As the beautiful mare sat laughing at the conversation she was having with the other ponies she was with as Captain Sail accidently commented on her appearance, “wow…”
Although he said it quietly Pinpoint heard him as he replied, “What was that captain?”
Slightly embarrassed but still able to hide it, Captain Sail replied, “Nothin’.” He turned to his crew, “You three can go about your own, I’ll take care of the lass. But be ready to leave once we get what we came for.”
Pinpoint nodded, “Aye captain.”
With that, Captain Sail trotted to the scaffolding ladder as he used it to climb down into the dry-dock’s pit. As he climbed down, Powder Keg sighed, “Shame… I wanted to meet her. A mare that gorgeous would make a fine Mrs. Keg.”
Pinpoint shook his head, “not unless ya want her killin’ ya in your sleep. Just looking at her tells me all I want to know. She’s beautiful, no doubt about it, but she ain’t one to trifle with.”
Powder Keg gave him a curious look, “ya sure?”
Barge nodded, “aye… just look at her. A mare like that has seen plenty of death and is responsible for half. The way she sits is enough to see that… it’s as if she’s waitin’ for somepony to try stabbin’ her in the back. And if they tried… they’d be dead before they could.”
Pinpoint nodded, “And that’s the reason we should keep our guard up. Captain can handle himself, but something tells me that things will be getting lively soon. Mr. Keg, take a look around, I don’t know what it is… but it feels like somepony is expectin’ a show tonight.”
Powder Keg nodded, “Aye sir, I'll keep my eyes open.”
Captain Sail slowly descended the scaffolding latter as he finally reached the bottom of the dock and trotted through the area that was teaming with ponies gambling away all they had. As he trotted through he eventually reached the table that the mare was sitting at as he approached the table and spoke, “Evening gents, lass, what game are ya playin’?”
One of the ponies at the table replied, “The game be poker… but I warn ya, we be betting high staked here Mr…”
“Captain… but thanks, I'll join ya.”
As Captain Sail pulled out a chair to sit, he took off his hat as the mare spoke, “A captain… funny, I’m the same. What ship are you captain of?”
Captain Sail smiled at the gorgeous mare as he replied, “The Tide… and you Captain?…”
She replied, “Siren… I am… was captain of The Lullaby.”
Before Captain Sail cold ask more, another pony spoke as he started dealing the cards, “Captain of The Tide eh?… can we expect it to go easy on us next it comes in?”
Knowing the sailor was trying to make a joke about the actual sea tide, Captain Sail chuckled, “We’ll see, depends on if she gets what she’s here for.”
As the groups started playing a few hands of poker, Pinpoint watched from the top of the dry dock as Powder Keg approached and spoke to him without bringing attention to himself, “You were right. I was trotting the fence… and… I spotted a few royal guards.”
Pinpoint replied, “Were they patrolling the area?”
Powder Keg replied, “Didn’t seem like it, they seemed more like they were waitin’ for somethin’.”
Pinpoint took no time to figure it out as he replied, “An ambush… somepony sold us out.”
Barge shook his head, “Don’t look at me, I wouldn’t sell my old crew out for all the treasure in the seas. Besides I’m more scared of what the captain would do to me, then the royal guard.”
Powder Keg nodded, “so fodderin’ ponies isn’t a new thing is it?”
Barge shook his head as Pinpoint replied, “Nevertheless the captain is in danger. Mr. Keg you stay here and watch over him. Ya don’t have to tell him, but make sure he gets out when the ambush begins.”
Powder Keg nodded, “aye sir, but what are you going to do?”
Pinpoint replied as he turned to leave, “I’m going back to The Tide to make her ready. We may need to leave in a bit of a hurry.”
Barge asked, “What should I do Mr. Point?”
Pinpoint looked at Barge then motioned towards Powder Keg, “Keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.”
At first Powder Keg gave Pinpoint an angry look, but then after thinking on it for a moment, he started to nod as if to say, yea you’re right.
Down in the docks, the players at the table played a few hands of poker with Siren winning each one. As the next hand was dealt, Siren asked, “So, Captain of The Tide… what brings you to these docks? Surely it isn’t your poker skills.”
Captain Sail replied, “Perhaps it’s the challenge then… and what about you? What’s a lass like you doing in a place like this?”
Siren smiled seductively, “Really captain?... a pick-up line that predates even this game? You ain’t as smooth as you think you know.”
Captain Sail smiled, as he adjusted the cards in his hoof, “Now if ya knew me lass, then you would know I am as smooth as I think.”
The clever mare replied, “I do know you captain… just as anypony observant enough would.”
With that the mare drew a hidden dagger and tossed towards the dry docks doors that were about ten feet away as the dagger embedded itself into the photo of one of the wanted posters plastered on the door.
The action caught most of the gamblers attention as everypony in the dock looked at the wanted poster that the dagger hit, then at the pony who threw it before realizing that the pony sitting next to her was the same stallion on the poster. As they looked at Captain Sail’s impaled wanted poster Siren smiled sinisterly, “two hundred thousand bits… now that’s quite the booty, even for me. So what did you do that would cause a princess like Celestia, to put such a bounty on your head?”
Captain Sail looked around as he noticed a number of ponies in the area were now readying themselves for a fight as he looked back at the mare and replied, “I commandeered a royal frigate.”
Siren replied, “Your Tide I’m guessing?”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye… it is.”
“And what could compel you to steal a ship as fine as a royal frigate from a princess who is revered as… a god? Partial insanity perhaps?”
Watching the sailors around him subtly cut off his escape routes, Captain Sail replied, “I needed it to find and kill a fellow pirate.”
Siren smiled as she laid the cards in her hoof on the table faced down, “Really… and who might that be?”
Captain Sail smiled sinisterly, “Captain Iron Hoof of the Iron Wing.”
All of a sudden Siren’s confident smile faded to a serious expression as she replied, “Really… captain?… with a ship as fine as a royal frigate sitting in the harbor and you sitting here. What would happen if The Tide’s captain were to get captured and turned in to the royal guards for the bounty?”
As Captain Sail could see what was about to happen, he smiled as he replied with a confident tone, “Now, now lass, it isn’t nice threatening me when I was so kind as to keep your cheatin’ to myself.”
One of the other players at the table stood up in anger as he yelled, “CHEATIN’!!!”
Siren tried to hide her nervous expression as she cleared her throat and replied, “That’s a… mighty serious accusation captain, Somethin’ like that would need some proof wouldn’t it?”
Captain Sail smiled, “Sure… flip your cards lass… let’s see what ya got.”
Siren flipped her cards over and showed them as she replied, “Three of a kind… kings… see nothing suspicious about that?”
Captain Sail laid his cards down as he replied, “I got two pair, fives and kings… hmm funny I ain’t ever come across a deck with two king of hearts before… strange how a second one found its way into this one… Aye?”
The standing sailor drew a dagger and dug the blade into the cards as he yelled, “YOU CHEATIN’ WENCH!!!”
Captain Sail stood up, “calm down, I’m sure she had a real good reason for doing it. Well lass?”
Siren stood up with an offensive stance, “don’t take this off you and the prize on your head captain! Although I'd be willin’ to-”
Before she could finish trying to turn everypony back on him, a faint booming sound was heard as all the gamblers in the area started looking around in confusion as Captain Sail mumbled, “that sound… It’s?”
All of a sudden, the faint sounds were followed by loud whistles as cannonballs flew in from the coast as some colligated with the dry dock gates and the rest fell onto the upper and lower dock as they crashed down with a shockwave that knocked most of the gamblers to the ground along with dust and debris.
While everypony both in and on the dry docks were stunned, a team of royal guards stormed the area as they and the bouncers became locked in a skirmish. As Captain Sail and Siren picked themselves up from the ground, they looked at the damaged dry dock gate, to the battle on the top of the docks with the Royal Guard, then back at each other as they both spoke at the same exact time.
“You’re coming with me!”
“I’m going with you!”
“What?”
“What?”
Siren spoke, “you’re after Captain Iron hoof right?... I want in.”
Captain Sail thought to himself then replied, “I’m not lookin’ to add a member to my crew, I only need to know where to find him.”
She shook her head, “Well too bad cuz unless you take me with you, I ain’t telling you squat.”
Before Captain Sail could reply, both ponies felt water run by their hooves as they looked to the dry dock’s heavily damaged gate as the sound of breaking beam could be heard as water slowly started draining into the dock. When they both saw this the two looked back at each other and spoke at the same time again, “We’ll talk about this later.”
With that the two rushed to one of the four ladders leading into the docks as sailors fought to get out of the pit before the dock’s gate could give way. As the two fought through the herd of fleeing ponies, it wasn’t long before they both managed to get onto one of the ladders just as the dry dock’s gates broke open as thousands of gallons of water rushed into the dock picking up everypony and table in the area and slamming them against the inside wall with enough force to kill any who were unfortunate enough to get caught in it. With the water rushing in with enough force to break the ladder below them, Captain Sail made it to the top of the dock as he quickly turned around and helped Siren out before the rising water could grab her.
As soon as Siren was up on the top dock, both she and Captain Sail looked into the flooding dry dock as Powder Keg and Barge rushed up as Powder Keg spoke, “Capt’n! You alright?”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye, were fine, Mr. Keg meet Lass, Lass, Mr. Keg. Good, now we are caught up. Where is Mr. Point?”
Before Powder Keg could reply, a royal guard that made it through the bouncers charged them with a spear, “CAPTAIN SAIL!!!”
Seeing the charging guard, Captain Sail stepped out of the way of the approaching spear blade as he grabbed the spear’s shaft, flung the guard off of it before bringing it back around and bashing the shaft against the guards face causing the now stunned guard to fall into the flooded dock. As soon as the guard was out of commition, Powder Keg replied to the question, “Mr. Point is back at the ship. We spotted this ambush a mile away… although, we didn’t expect them to fire cannon at us first.”
Siren replied with a casual tone, “They fired to disorient us while their guards waited at a safe location. Then while we scrabble in surprise, the guards move in to catch us while we recover. A simple but effective tactic, luckily it means they won’t fire a second volley.”
Surprised with her intuition, Powder Keg gave her a surprised look as he slowly replied, “I’m both surprised… and attracted.”
Barge spoke up, “That’s fine and dandy, but it would be wise to get out of the bay as fast as we can. It looks as if the entire royal navy is down on us now.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye, we need to get to the end of the dock as quickly as we can.”
Powder Keg nodded, “We can do that… but um… why, do we need to get to the dock?”
Captain point replied, “Cuz that’s where Mr. Point will be meetin’ us?”
Siren replied, “he’s a member of your crew?... how do you know he’ll be there?”
Captain Sail smiled, “cuz he is a member of my crew. And any member of my crew needs no direction on what must be done. Now quit fussin’ and get to it!”
Barge reached into the flooded dry dock and grabbed onto a broken table leg as he held it like a blunt weapon and replied, “On it Captain.”
Captain Sail tossed his spear to Powder Keg as he looked at Siren, “You coming lass?”
Siren looked at the battle happening around them between criminals and royal guards as she sighed, “Whether you like it or not, I am?”
Captain Sail looked into the water and saw a floating beam with a dagger lodged into a wanted poster as he reached in and pulled the dagger from it, “then ya better keep up, cuz I ain’t waitin’ on ya.”
Siren approached Captain Sail and yanked her dagger from his hoof as she replied in annoyance, “Fine… but remember what I said before, I am not a member of your crew. I’m only joining you till I get what I want.”
With that the small group of pirates started towards the closest dock to them. As they all tried to flee, four guards tried to stop them, as one tried charging with his sword in hoof. Seeing the attack, Barge who was closest to the guard used the make-shift weapon he had to block the attack as he parried the sword away and brought back his table-made club bashing the guard helmet in as the unconscious guard fell to the ground with his helmet barley saving his life, from the massive pony’s attack. Seeing his partner fall, a second guard charged at Barge but before he could reach the large earth pony, Siren quickly blocked his path with a speed that nopony amongst the guards or pirates expected. Trying to react the guard continued his charge as he raised his sword up to strike the mare down, however before he could, Siren used her unexpected speed a second time, only this time it was on her hoof, as she jabbed her dagger into the guard’s chest three times in the blink of an eye before shifting herself out of the guards way as the guard fell onto the ground she was standing on.
Although the entire group was surprised by her speed and actions, it didn’t slow their pace as they continued with their escape. Then the third guard tried to attack Powder Keg with a vertical swing, only to have the clever earth pony use his spear to knock the blade away before spinning it around and lunging the back of the weapon between the guard’s hooves before picking him up and tossing him over the entire group of pirates. Seeing that he was the only one left of the four, the final guard armed with a heavy shield, planted his shield on the ground as he spoke, “You’re not getting passed me!”
Captain Sail who was now the lead of the herd smiled as he charged at the guard’s before leaping towards him. Seeing his target airborne, the guard thrusted the face of his shield forward in an attempt to knock the airborne captain to the ground. However, as the shield moved towards him, Captain Sail used his front hooves to grab the top of the shield as he used his hind, to jump off its face as his momentum flung him over the shield twice as fast as his initial approach.
Still holding onto the solid weapon, Captain Sail aimed his hind hooves to come around and hit the royal guard in his face with well more than enough force to knock him out. As the guard fell to the ground, Captain Sail picked up the shield and called to Barge as the large stallion approached, “Mr. Barge here!”
Barge dropped the table leg as he caught the shield and put it on his back for safe keeping. As the group continued towards the dock they were met with four archers as they lined up and drew their bows while the leader called, “Make ready!”
Seeing this Captain Sail called, “Barge now! Everypony file up!”
With the order, Barge pulled the shield out in front of him as he continued his full on charge, while everypony else in the group lined up behind him as the charging pirates now resembled a freight train with an armored locomotive.
Seeing their incoming enemy the leader of the archers called, “RELEASE!!!”
With that, all four archers fired their arrows but to no avail, two were knocked away by the solid shield while the other two embedded in it without piercing it. Before the archers could fire again, Barge focused all his strength as he lunged forward colligating with one of the center archers as the group trailing behind him scattered at that moment to each attack an individual target. Captain Sail with his hooves, Siren with her dagger, and Powder Keg with his spear. As the wave of pirates succeeded in neutralizing the blocking guards, they continued on for the next hundred feet or so until they found themselves at the end of a long wood dock. As soon as they reached the water they looked around as Siren spoke, “great… now what captain? Where is your escape plan?”
Captain Sail turned around to see a large number of approaching guards running down the dock towards them as he replied, “patience lass, he’ll be here.”
At that moment the large group of guards stopped at the base of the dock as the officer called, “Captain Crimson Bartholomew Sail! You have nowhere to go! Give yourself up and surrender! There is no need for further bloodshed.”
Captain Sail stood with his head held high, “You’re daft, if ya think I'll give up that easily.”
The officer replied, “if you surrender now, then we can consider sparing your crew’s sentence… don’t make this any harder for them captain.”
Captain Sail smiled as everypony around him readied their stance for a fight, “I ain’t makin’ this harder for them boyo… I’m makin it harder for you.”
The officer sighed with disappointment as he drew his sword and started trotting towards them, “you brought this on yourself captain.”
As the officer closed in, Captain Sail smiled, “No lad… you brought this on yourself.”
Before the officer could get half way there, a high whistle could be heard as one of the guards looked up, “INCOMING!!!”
Reacting the royal officer jumped back as a large mortar shell with a lit fuse came crashing down as it hit the dock right between the guards and pirates punching through the wood and splashing into the water beneath it. As soon as the splash subsided Captain Sail called, “EXPLOSIVE SHELL!!!”
With his words echoing out loud, his crewmates dropped to the deck as the royal guards did the same to brace themselves for what was supposed to be an exploding shell right under the dock. However the explosion that occurred didn’t destroy the dock like a shell would, instead it only threw water in the air before filling the air with a thick white smoke that completely cut off all sights that the royal guards had on the cornered pirate crew.
As soon as the pirates could no longer see their royal guard foes the Bloody tide sailed across behind them as the ship came closed enough to the dock to graze the structure as Captain Sail, Siren, Powder Keg and Barge managed to jump aboard as they grabbed onto a hanging Jacobs ladder and climbed onto the ships main deck. As soon as they were aboard they were met with Pinpoint who was standing on the deck waiting with Powder Keg’s musket in hoof, “Welcome back captain, did ya win big money?”
Powder Keg and Pinpoint traded weapons as they tossed their carried weapon to the other while Captain Sail replied as he gestured to Siren, “Sadly… this lady luck wasn’t so lucky. That was a fine shot Mr. Point. Good use of the smoke shell.”
Siren gave captain sail an annoyed look as Pinpoint rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, “Actually captain… I was aiming for the guards.”
Pinpoint checked to see if his musket was loaded as he replied, “And that’s why you leave the aiming to me.”
With that the group made their way onto the top deck next to the helm as Pinpoint looked at Barge, “Welcome back aboard The Tide. You returning to the crew Mr. Barge?”
Barge shook his head, “Nah, but I can’t return to Equestria anymore, so I'll go with ya for now.”
Captain Sail looked over the ship and replied, “Then earn your ferry, Take the helm.”
Barge took the helm as Pinpoint looked to the bay and called, “Equestrian navy in sight! Two brigs… must be the ones who fired on the dry dock.”
Captain sail looked to the two royal ships as he called, “ALL HOOVES ON DECK!!! Get to your positions and prepare to flee!”
Siren gave Captain Sail a confused look, “Flee?… Captain it’s time to fight! This ship is a royal frigate is it not? All they have are a few brigs. They don’t stand a chance against us.”
Captain Sail gave her a stern look, “This is Equestria… the ships aren’t my biggest worry Captain… it’s the shadows they cast… I don’t know how you command your Lullaby. But here on the Bloody Tide, I look for my crew’s best interest. And right now that interest, is getting out to fight another day. Now if you don’t want to come along then feel free to go ashore, but right now, we have a battle to get out of. Cuz if the shadows aren’t already here, then the rest of Princess Celestia’s navy will be soon.”
Siren gave Captain Sail a confused look as she stayed where she was on the top deck, while Captain Sail, Pinpoint, and Powder Keg trotted down the steps onto the mains deck while Pinpoint asked, “That’s the mare we are here for? And what’s this captain business about? She have a ship in the harbor we don’t know about?”
Captain Sail replied, “All in good time Mr. Point.” He called out, “Let loose the main sail, let’s take her out to sea.” He looked at Powder Keg, “Load all main deck cannon, chain shot only, and put the mortar away, we won’t need it anymore.”
Powder Keg nodded as he rushed off to follow his order, “Aye Capt’n.”
The crew quickly scrabbled to follow their orders as Barge turned the ship away from the harbor and strait out to the bays entrance.
On the coast a flare flew up signaling the royal brigs’ as a guard aboard one of them called, “Captain Sail is aboard that ship and is fleeing!”
Hearing this a guard standing next to the brig’s captain turned to him and spoke, “Captain… I gave you this information in confidence. We can’t let him escape. Not now that we are this close.”
The captain replied, “He won’t. Unlike you lubbers on the land, we don’t let pirates get away.” He called to his crew, “All hooves to battle stations! Load the guns and be ready for a fight! Let’s show them what happens when pirates sail in Equestrian waters!”
Following the order, the two brigs started sailing towards their enemy that was fleeing in their direction.
As the Bloody Tide continued towards the two brigs, Captain Sail watched as he trotted back to the top deck as he stood beside his temporary helms colt and spoke, “Take her right between them… let’s give Mr. Keg an easy target.”
As the ship sailed closer, Siren who was standing next to Captain Sail spoke, “Now you’re going to fight?”
Captain Sail smiled, “Be patience lass… I don’t know what kind of captain you are, but your about to see the kind of captain I am.”
As the three ships started to line up in a row, Captain Sail called to his crew as the enemy ships got in range, “Brace for impact!!!”
As everypony aboard the Bloody tide did what they were told, the two brigs on each side of the ship fired off the volley from their single row of cannon as the cannons hit the pirate ship sending smoke and splinters into the air. Amit’s the chaos aboard The Tide, Captain Sail stood tall next to the helm as he called, “Mr. Keg!!! Make the call!!!”
Powder Keg picked himself up and called to the crew, “FIRE!!!”
With that order, all upper deck cannon which were about three feet over the railing of the smaller brigs, fired off as they had no objects to make contact with other then the masts and sails of both brigs as the spinning chain shot cut through the thin masts of both smaller ships. As the masts toppled over like trees on a small island, the two brigs quickly found themselves without any means of travel as the two royal vessels quickly slowed until they found themselves dead in the water. Now with no enemies to worry about, the crew of The Tide cheered in pride as Captain Sail called out, “We ain’t out of the fire yet lads, keep her going as fast as we can.”
As the pirate ship continued passed the now immobilized brigs, the guards who organized the plan called in anger, “He’s getting away!!! Pull her around and chase them down!”
The ship’s captain replied, “With what sail? We can’t bring her about without a means of travel.”
“You’re just gonna let them get away!?!”
The captain shook his head, “we ain’t that stupid lad.” He looked to his first mate, “Signal the boom team! Close off the bay before they get away!”
On the mouth of the bay, a group of royal guards waited by the Horseshoe Bay Lighthouse as they spotted a flair that was launched by the immobilized brig. As soon as they spotted the flair, the group went to work as they tightened up a boom chain that stretched over the opening of the bay as the massive chain completely closed off the only escape that the fleeing pirate ship had to work with. As soon as the chain was raised, Powder Keg looked ahead as he called, “Capt’n! Boom Chain ahead!”
With that every pony’s attention went to the entrance to the bay as they all saw the chain that was raised in hopes to stop their escape.
Pulling out a spyglass, Mr. Point looked at the chains and spoke, “they’re tryin’ to block us in… These guards must be desperate to keep us here.”
Pinpoint passed the spyglass to Captain Sail as the captain looked at the chains and replied, “Aye… now I feel slightly flattered that they’d resort to such trickery.”
He lowered the spyglass as he called, “All Sails loose! Let the wind take us to sea!”
Thinking she heard him wrong, Siren trotted to him, took the spyglass from his hoof and looked at the massive chain hanging across the bay.
As soon as she saw them, she lowered the spyglass as Siren spoke, “Captain… those chains are high and thick enough to clip the mast from your ship. Why are you speeding towards it?”
Captain Sail smiled, “Cuz The Tide will make it through… I guarantee that.”
Captain Sail looked at Powder Keg, “you got any of your special chain shot?”
Powder Keg smiled, “aye I do capt’n.”
Captain sail nodded, “Then I'll leave this in your hooves… take care of it Mr. Keg.”
Powder Keg’s smile turned sinister as he replied, “Aye, aye capt’n.”
Powder Keg stepped down to the main deck and started barking order, “Load the starboard chase gun! Blank shot but don’t measure the fuses till I’m down there! Bring me a grappling hook and the red chest from my cabin! Get to it or I'll load you into the cannon myself!
As the crew followed the orders given, Siren was confused, “The links on those chains are at least four inches thick… there ain’t a chain shot in the world that could cut through that.”
Hearing her complaint, Pinpoint replied, “Don’t underestimate the Crimson Pirates, lass. Just watch and see.”
As soon as the red chest was brought out, Powder Keg looked inside as he pulled out what looked to be two explosive cannon balls that were connected by a chain that was about eight feet long. As soon as the blanks were in the chase guns, Powder Keg tied the grappling hook to himself as he connected the hook to the ships bow railing before climbing down and loading each end of the special chain shot into the two chase cannon on the bow of the ship.
After the cannons were loaded Powder Keg climbed back up and looked at the harbor chain and called to the ponies arming the cannons below, “Cut the fuse to the same length, and raise the right cannon by five degrees!”
The pirates did as they were ordered as a few seconds passed before Powder Keg called, “Synchronized fire on my mark… Ready!... FIRE!!!”
At that moment, both cannon fired at the same time as the chain shot flew through the air stretching the chain at a vertical angle that hit the distant boom chain before wrapping around it bringing the two explosive shells together on one of the links.
As soon as the special chain shot was wrapped on the boom chain Powder Keg smiled, “Perfect shot… BRACE FOR EXPLOSION!!!”
With that call, Everypony on The Bloody Tide braced themselves for a shockwave while Captain Sail held his stance as everypony excluding their captain waited for the chain shot to explode. However as the Bloody Tide eased closer and closer to the massive boom chain, no explosion came. Confused Powder Keg stood up and looked to the chain as he mumbled, “what?”
Captain Sail called over The Tide, “Mr. Keg! What’s the hold up?”
Powder Keg looked back to his captain and shrugged his shoulders, as Pinpoint replied, “The fuses went out?”
Confused, Most of the crew looked to the boom chain as Barge asked, “should I deviate course Captain?”
Captain Sail shook his head, “No… continue with this heading.” He called out, “Mr Keg! We are nearing the boom, I'd suggest you fix this before we meet it!”
Nervous Mr Keg looked back to the approaching chain that was now less than five hundred feet from the ship as he rushed back to the where he left his musket as he picked it up and aimed it at the wrapped explosive shot. As Powder Keg fired his musket, the small lead bullet hit one of the explosive cannonballs on the chain shot, but was ineffective as the lead bullet bounced off the solid iron casing of the shot.
As soon as he saw I'd didn’t work, Powder Keg lowered his musket as he mumbled, “Great… now why-”
As the chain started to hover over the bow of The Tide, Powder Keg could see sparking from the fuses of the chain shot as he called in a panic, “ITS STILL LI-”
before he could finish, the chain shot exploded in a power force that caused everypony on board to fall over as the shockwave blew apart a small portion of the main deck and the foremast as the now parted heavy chain fell onto the deck shattering the ships side railing and increasing the damage on the deck as both halves of the massive chain ran off the edges of the ship taking the damage railing and a cannon with it.
As soon as the chain fell into the sea and the damage was done the crew picked themselves up as Powder Keg called, “Uh Capt’n?... I did it!... We’re good now!”
Captain Sail stood up and adjusted his hat as he replied, “Aye ya did… Mr. Point take a damage assessment I want to know what we can and can’t use. Mr. Barge, get us out of the bay and as far away from the coast as possible. Mr. Keg, get into that crow’s nest and keep a lookout for more Equestrian ships, make sure we ain’t followed.”
With that, the crew hurried to follow orders as Captain Sail stood next to Barge watching the situation as the Bloody Tide sailed away from Equestria’s coast.
Far off on top of the Horseshoe Bay lighthouse, The Reaper and Aria stood on the roof as they watched the pirate ship successfully escape the bay. As they watched Aria couldn’t help but applauded the fleeing pirates as she spoke, “I was skeptic when you said to remain uninvolved… but seeing him in action, I truly am impressed I didn’t think he would be able to escape so easily.”
Jasmin replied with a casual tone, “Crimson Sail, or captain as he goes by now… Was once in training to become a Cutter. Once we were married he was supposed to be recruited as one, and in time I would have recruited him and assigned him as a privateer for the Cutters.”
Aria looked at Jasmin, “really… thinking about it that would be a perfect place for him. A contracted pirate working for the cutters would have excelled our security on the sea.”
Jasmin shook her head, “he wouldn’t have gone for it… he never liked the idea of being a cutter, he didn’t want to be responsible for killing another pony. Then again… that was before his father died. Now… I don’t even know what kind of pony he is anymore.”
Aria nodded, “he is much different than he was back then… a little more charming to be honest.”
Jasmin gave her an unentertained look as Aria shrugged her shoulders, “just saying…”
Jasmin sighed as she looked into the distance, “Any news on the mare he picked up?”
Aria nodded as she replied, “She said her name was Captain Siren of the Lullaby… a pirate, though I’ve never heard of her or her ship. We tried to confirm her story, but there are no ships in port by that name, nor is there any record of a pirate ship with that name.”
Jasmin asked, “How did she come to Equestria then?”
“We don’t know, but we assume she hitched a ride on a merchant ship. A few days ago a vessel arrived from pirate’s cove, but the ship’s captain was found dead in his cabin, shortly after arrival.”
“She killed him?”
Aria nodded, “yes… the captain gave the order to cast off and set a course for Equestria, but then he went into his cabin and didn’t leave till he was found after arrival. We assume she killed him that day and passed on her own orders till they arrived. Whoever she is, she is clever, bold, and dangerous.”
Jasmin gazed at her ex’s ship for a few seconds as she mumbled, “The Lullaby… Why does that sound familiar?”
Aria asked, “Should we look into her further?”
Jasmin nodded, “yes, But unless she decided to return, we will leave the matter alone. Captain sail invited that murderer aboard at his own risk. Whatever nails he drives into his own coffin will be dealt with by himself and his crew. Here on out, he is on his own. I waited for him once… but never again.”
Back on The Tide, Equestria was slowly fading from view as Powder Keg called, “Captain! We’re out of Equestrian waters and there are no sails on the horizon! We’re in the clear!”
Hearing the good news, the crew cheered with accomplishment as Captain Sail turned to Siren, “Now lass… if you could, meet me in my cabin, we can discuss matters in a more private setting.”
Siren took the comment as a cheap pickup line as she replied, “In your dreams captain, anything that we can discuss down there can be discussed right here.”
Captain Sail replied, “Fair enough, tell me about your connection with Iron hoof.”
Siren smiled, “How about… no… if I tell you now, then I lose my bargaining chip, and you will dump me at the nearest port.”
Pinpoint shook his head, “that’s not true… we just escaped from the nearest port. We would happily wait till we reach the next.”
Siren replied, “You know what I mean… If ya want me to give ya information on Iron hoof, then you’ll get it as needed. That way, I'll be with you when we close in on him. Do we have an accord?”
Captain Sail gave her a curious look, “Why do you want him lass? How exactly did Iron Hoof scorn you?”
Siren sat down and slightly hid her metal horseshoes as she replied, “He sank my ship and took my crew from me… that’s all you need to know… So… Do we have an accord captain? Or should I take my information elsewhere?”
Captain Sail knew that there was a lot of things she wasn’t telling him, but since some of it was what he needed to know, he replied, “We have an accord, but while aboard my ship you will either be useful or stay out of the way... anypony not willing to work is a stowaway and will not receive any share to any prize, Iron hoof included.”
Siren nodded, “Agreed, then set a course for the Leviathan Sea, and w-”
Captain Sail smiled, “no…”
“wh-what?”
Captain Sail looked over The Tide from the top deck as he replied, “My foremast needs repair and we are down one gun… Our course is set for Pirate Cove. We need to repair the ship before we continue.”
Siren replied with an impatient tone, “The ship is fine, we can still sail as is.”
Captain Sail shook his head, “You’re a captain right? Then you know as well as I that the needs of my ship and crew always come first.”
Siren gave him a confused look, “What? But… if we wait then he might get away. I’m not sure how long he will be in his location. We need to go now.”
Captain Sail ignored her as he turned to Barge, “set a course for pirate Cove. We will repair and restock.”
Barge nodded, “Aye captain setting a heading for the cove.”
Siren objected, “Captain! We need to get to those seas first. Granted the crew’s need is high but we can’t wa-“
Captain Sail interrupted, “If he is still there now, then he may be when we arrive. I can’t risk my crew’s life for any prize.”
“We need to leave now!”
Captain Sail sighed as he turned completely to her, “Lass… I am captain of this ship…and I say we repair first. Trust me, I know all too well what it means to be patient, so quit sqaublin’ and make yourself useful. Otherwise, Mr. Point can show you to your temporary quarters. Sadly it’s with the rest of the crew, but if ya be needing somethin’ more private…” he smiled in a smug way, “I'd be obliged to settle ya into my quarters, less you’re willin’ to share that is.”
Smiling confidently, Captain Sail waited for Siren to reply as she glared at him angrily for a few seconds, before turning to Pinpoint and speaking, “Where are the crew quarters?”
Pinpoint replied, “This way.”
As Pinpoint showed her down to the lower decks, Captain Sail could only smile, “That what I thought.”
As Pinpoint guided Siren below deck as she sighed in irritation, “That pompous, pig headed blowhard… how can a captain claiming to be huntin’ Iron Hoof be so full of himself.”
Pinpoint stopped in his tracks as he turned and glared at Siren, “I won’t tolerate one cross word about the captain! You’re lucky, if not for his request, your quarters would be the brig, so be grateful.”
As Pinpoint turned back to their path, Siren smiled, “so… you really trust him don’t you… tell me… what is his end game? What is it that drives him to continue on this mission of his?”
Pinpoint replied, “The captain has his reasons just as you… although… I’m not too certain your reason is as simple as you say. So what’s your end in all this?”
Siren replied with an uninterested tone, “Don’t ask questions ya don’t want to know the answer to.”