After the battle with the now badly beaten buccaneers, a few ponies were assigned to each hip to keep a close watch as they headed for Halifax.
"That's right, ya scurvy curs!"Applejack said, getting into the spirit, "Ma friends and Ah'm here ta make sure y'all behave. Savvy?"
One of the pirates spoke up. "Ha! Atchyer size? Whatcha gonna do? Snuggle us to death?" he laughed uproariously, along with several others.
"Ya heard him ask, fellas." Applejack said, waving one hoof in a 'go ahead' gesture.
Immediately, the dissenters felt pain in their shins as they received some bites(1).
"Welcome ta th' herd, fellas." Applejack quipped, grinning quasi-sadistically. "Any more arguments?"
No voices were raised.
"Right. NOW GIT A MOVE ON, YA SWABS!!" Applejack roared, sending the remaining sailors moving to their stations. She then addressed the ones bitten. "Don't worry. Bein' a Pony does have its perks, though Ah may be a mite biased, fer obvious reasons."
Meanwhile, flying overhead, Twilight was going to lash the ships together, ensuring that they stuck close by. Then she thought better of it and just stuck the three ships into one makeshift large one. Much easier.
Rainbow Dash was standing near the helmsman of the combined ship. "Don't get any ideas, either bucko. You're in this up to your neck." she threatened icily, one wing (blade still equipped, shimmering as if on cue) extended, right close to the man's throat.
He, for his part, gulped audibly. His previous captain had made similar threats, but never with his weapon brandished. "You don't hafta tell me twice!" he said in a nervous tone, setting the proper course.
The multi hued mare just smiled...
Eventually, all of the ships arrived in port. Most of the pirates were taken to be imprisoned. Those remaining were made to pinkie promise that they'd behave, under threat of... well, Pinkie Pie.
Houghton trotted over. "Bang-up job, ladies." he said, approvingly. "With a few words and a small show of force, this ship has a..." pause, "largely fresh crew. Well done, indeed." he finished.
"Please. We weren't doing anything more important there anyway." Twilight quipped, to the amusement of her friends, old and new.
The newly merged ship was repaired, christened the H.M.S. Hydra, and given a fresh coat of paint. It would be the flagship that the new Lord Governor would use when he went out to sea.
The Lord Woolmer, beaten up as it was, would be in the shop for a while.
Tenacious itself was in very good condition, having taken very little damage during the trip, thanks in large part to the ponies' timely arrival.
The admiral of the visiting fleet debriefed evrryone a few hours later, saying that he was proud of all of them. "Especially the nine of you." he said to the visiting Ponies, as well as Storm Blade and Twister Dash.
"You proved that big things can come in stall packages. For this, I award you all an Outstanding Volunteer Service medal." he said, placing said medals on the visiting Ponies' chests.
"And as for yyou two," he said, now adressing the two newly minted ponies, "You've been courageous under fire, adjusted well and handled yourself well in a very serious situation. All of this as your own bodies were working aganst you. For this, i can see no less than to give you the Meritous Service award, and promote you to Leftenant Commander and Leftenant Junior Grade. Congratulations." he finished, handing out the awarded items.
The Mane 7 cheered for their friends and their promotion.
"You know what this calls for, right?" Pinkie said, a large grin on her face
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Three... two... one..."
"A PARTY!" the pink mare exclaimed on cue, throwering confetti into the air.
"Nailed it." Rainbow said.