//------------------------------// // Not So Different // Story: A World Above // by KidatHeart5 //------------------------------// The group had been ambushed by Captain Hoof’s motley crew and the captives were now being taken back to the Polly Roger. Ruff protested loudly, “You’ll never get away with this, you curvy pirates!” The pirates laughed at the cuteness of Ruff’s words. Boyle, the bulky parrot with a hook joked, “I do have some curves around me frame, don’t I?” He and his crewmates laughed at this. Blaze scowled, “You won’t be laughing when we give Hoof a piece of his mind!” Mullet, the parrot with red feathers on his head and an eye patch, gave a sinister chuckle, “Heh-heh. I’d like to see you try.” The boats stopped at the ship’s side and ropes were lowered to raise them up. When the pirates and their captives got onto the deck, the cook Lix Spittle bounced and clapped in glee. She cackled excitedly, “Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo! You got them! I’ll tell the captain the good news!” After she went into the captain’s cabin for almost a minute, she walked back out with a malicious grin. She then said softly, “This is going to be good.” Sky had always imagined what his inevitable meeting with Captain Hoof would be like, the banters they’d exchange, and the eventual duel they would have. But every possibility he thought of soon went down the drain, for as soon as the captain walked out the door, he was shocked to discover that Captain Hoof – scourge of Paraddock and Pony Pan’s eternal nemesis – was a female! She had a crystal peg leg where her right leg would’ve been; her yellow outfit tightly fit her lean frame; and her sharp green feathers spilled out from her large captain’s hat. She walked slowly towards the group as she said with a menacing grin, “Pony Pan…the colt who never grew up. I finally have you in my grasp after so many years. Anything you wish to say before I end your career for good?” Sky was still gawking from the revelation that Captain Hoof was a female. All he could sputter out was, “You’re a girl?!” Hoof held her sword close to Sky’s neck and growled, “I warn you, Pony Pan. I am no mere girl. My skills and ruthlessness rival that of even the greatest warriors and make me feared by all but you. You, the one who has given me grief since the beginning.” She then gave a wicked chuckle, “But now that I have you, I will finally end this feud once and for all.” Mischief retorted, “That’s what you think!” In a blast of magic, he repelled the dastardly crew and freed everyone of their bonds. Roller chortled, “Now we’re cooking!” Before his friends could start fighting the pirates, Sky cried, “Wait, stop!” He turned towards Captain Hoof and said, “I’m the one you want. I surrender.” Everyone gasped at this stunning turn of events. Even Captain Hoof was in disbelief. She spoke in surprise, “Wait, what? Oh, I see. This is a ploy! You must have something big planned! That’s why you want to misdirect me!” Sky shook his head, “Nope. I surrender. Take me as your captive. Feed me to the sharks. Tie me to the mast as your trophy. Do anything you want with me.” Captain Hoof was more bewildered than ever. She then said in confused agitation, “Wha- ? No! No! You’re Pony Pan! Pony Pan never gives up without a fight!” “Well, too bad, because I’m not Pony Pan.” The pirates gasped. One of them cried, “Say what?!” The Pegasus continued, “I’m Sky Stinger of Stratusburg. I’m part of a long line of Pony Pans who roamed Paraddock and defeated you and your pirates time and again.” Everyone stood in stunned silence until Hoof suddenly burst into laughter. Mullet asked in confusion, “Captain?” Blaze said, “This just got a lot weirder.” Sky asked, “What’s so funny?” Hoof answered as she caught her breath, “It’s funny because we aren’t so different.” The group of travelers uttered, “Huh?” She explained, “You see, I’m not really Captain Hoof. My name’s Celaeno, and I’m part of a long line, too. There were lots of Captain Hoofs before me and I mean lots. Every time a Captain Hoof died or retired, a new Captain Hoof would take his place. I just happen to be the first Captain Hoof to be female. I took over from my father, who took over from his father.” Gabby added, “Who took over from his father, right?” She smiled as she shook her head, “No. I’m the third in my family line. Sometimes a past Captain Hoof was part of a family line, but other times he simply chose his first mate, his cabin boy, or even an orphan he found to succeed him upon his death or retirement. Most of the Captain Hoofs were parrots like me, but there were some who were different, like a griffon, a hippogriff, and even a Storm Creature!” Vapor asked, “So what was the original Captain Hoof like?” “Why tell you when I can show you?” Nova remarked as Celaeno pulled a book from a bookshelf of nearly identical books, “It’s amazing you have a recorded history of past Captain Hoofs!” Blaze smirked, “I know Aunt Twilight would go bonkers over this.” Celaeno said as she set the book down on the table in her cabin, “Well, we pirates make it a point to record our deeds and lives so we can be remembered…” She then said uneasily, “…even if some of us are more bad at our job than others.” She opened the book and pointed to an illustration of a fearless and ragged parrot captain. “There’s the original Captain Hoof, so named because of the shape of the peg leg he had. He lost his real leg to a duel with Pony Pan. Er, the original one, it would seem.” She turned the page to reveal a drawing of the original Pony Pan, who was flying while holding a dagger between the teeth of his confident grin. “And that’s him right here.” She then asked, “Hey, Sky, do you know what his real name was? You should know your history of Pony Pans since you are one.” Sky answered, “He never really said his real name in the journals he left. He just called himself ‘Pony Pan’.” “Huh. Same thing with the original Captain Hoof. Never gave his real name, either.” Skater asked, “So did you guys know that there were different Pony Pans or Captain Hoofs or did you assume the other was immortal?” Celaeno responded as she flipped the pages, “I was always taught that Pony Pan would don different disguises to misdirect the pirates. After all, he’s supposed to be the colt who never grew up.” Sky said, “And I thought Captain Hoof found some way to be immortal and disguise himself, too.” Everyone uttered in understanding, “Ohhh.” Zealot said, “Well, that explains a lot.” Roller asked Celaeno, “So what about the weapon Captain Hoof was said to have?” The captain asked in confusion, “Weapon?” “Yeah, the one with really serious magic.” Celaeno’s eyes widened as she realized what he meant, “Oh, wait! I think there’s something in one of the books about it!” She rushed to her nightstand and grabbed a book similar to the first one. She said as she flipped the pages, “It might be the treasure my grandfather Redfeather had once.” When she stopped at a certain section, she set it down on the table and said, “There’s a story that goes with it. When my grandfather became Captain Hoof, he had a wife and baby son with him. He was unlike most of the captains who came before him because he valued treasure more than his inherited enmity with Pony Pan. If anything, he would use Pony Pan and his Lost Colts to find the various treasures on Paraddock. One day, a spy returned with word of a powerful prize…” Many years ago, Redfeather played jacks with his son to bide the time. Suddenly, he heard his beloved seagull Scout calling in the distance. He stood up to see the bird land on the railing of the deck. He asked, “What have you learned?” Scout smiled wickedly, “It’s real juicy this time, boss. Pony Pan and the Lost Colts have cotton candy and toy necklaces and lots of toys and –“ Redfeather glared at the seagull, “How is that juicy?” “Because, get this, they got them from someone named Capri!” The captain repeated in disinterest, “Capri? Is that all?” “But wait, there’s more! They said she can do all sorts of things, like summon a waterslide or make things float! Or even create priceless jewels out of thin air!” Redfeather’s eyes widened at the tidbit before his mouth curled into a sneaky grin, “Now that sounds promising. If we capture Pony Pan and his annoying little crew, they can lead us right to Capri. We will capture her and force her to –“ He stopped as another malicious idea entered his head. “No. I’ve got a better idea…” When his pirates came back with Pony Pan and the Lost Colts in chains, the boys protested, “Let us go! You mean old pirates! I’ll knock your lights out!” Pony Pan, who was actually Blue Star, scowled, “Whatever plans you have, Captain Hoof, we’ll thwart them before you can blink!” Redfeather answered slyly, “Curiously enough, those plans don’t involve you. Well, they do to a degree, but for the most part, I’m willing to set you and your Lost Colts free…if you do something for me first.” Blue Star rebuked, “Never! We won’t help you even if you give us everything we want!” “I thought you might say that. I have a special song prepared to warm you up to the idea. Maestro!” After he snapped his fingers, a parrot began to play the piano. The captain then sang, “Well, your good luck has departed…and your Lost Colts soon will die…Au revoir to happy times and hello, blues…But because I’m so good-hearted…I’ll let you go free to fly…I like our games, so how could I refuse? But to give me some incentive…there’s just one thing I require…and it’s something very easy to produce… “And it’s nothing that inventive…Just the one thing I desire…Where Capri is, yes…How could I refuse? Oh, don’t let your spirits falter…These two choices I’ve prepared…Either fight me and their measly lives they’ll lose…Or tell us where to find her…and all of you will be spared…Yes, tell me now…for how could you refuse? How…can…you…refuse?” Suddenly, a bright light filled the scene as a commanding voice shouted, “STOP!” Celaeno read her grandfather’s words, “’Though she was very intimidating and hideous, the creature named Capri was quite a sight to behold. She radiated powerful magic that was beyond my wildest dreams. I could feel it in her bright glow, in her breath, and even in her strong voice. If she had the chance, she would’ve inflicted grievous damage with her wrath. Thankfully, the stars were with me that night and I...’” She then said, “That’s where the words end before the rest of the page got torn out.” Sky said, “Just like how Blue Star tore out that missing page in the journal.” The captain asked to clarify, “He was the Pony Pan my grandfather faced, right?” He nodded, “Yes, if the dates are any indication.” Vapor surmised, “So that means Capri was the friend Blue Star had mentioned.” Mischief added, “And if that’s the case…Uh-oh.” Flurry asked in concern, “What is it, Mischief?” “Celaeno, you wouldn’t still have the weapon, would you?” The captain answered, “No. My grandfather wrote that one of his crewmates betrayed him and stole the weapon before losing it. Why do you ask?” “That’s what I was afraid of. What if someone found the weapon and could be using her magic to destroy Paraddock?” Skater said, “Then we need to find her, and quick!” Suddenly, the ship rocked as if hit by a cannonball. After the rocking calmed, Mullet opened the door and announced with worry, “Captain, there are swells battering the starboard bow and I think they’re getting bigger!”