"Well, a few more details and everything will be ready." Said Twilight finishing the preparations for the great trip.
"But Twilight, why can’t I go with you?" Asked Spike displeased.
"Oh Spike, it's a long trip, and I need you here to take care of the castle and minor details of the School," explained the princess to her faithful assistant.
"But I can help you, I didn’t separate from you at any time when the Storm King attacked Canterlot." Spike was trying to convince Twilight, but her decision seemed firm.
"I know Spike, and I'll be always grateful for that, but now we have lots of responsibilities here, and since Equestria is not in danger, this mission requires our maximum attention." Spike's wings fell showing his disappointment.
"Okay, the others are waiting for you in the hall," said the dragon and went out the door.
Twilight felt sad by the dragon's reaction. “Actually, I did want him to come with us to Eponia, but I couldn’t leave the castle alone, and let the School without supervision.” Thought the princess. “I would try to compensate him somehow when we return.”
Upon reaching the hall she met those who would take care of the School in his absence: Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Zecora, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Maud and Discord.
“Are you sure you can handdle this?” asked Twilight to Starlight Glimmer a little bit nervous.
“Come on Twilight, what could go wrong?” asked Starlight.
“Well... I don’t know.” Said Twilight looking worried at those who would help Starlight to take care of the School.
“Oh, Twilight, Twilight ... you worry too much, don’t you see that I'm here?” Said Discord suddenly appearing next to Twilight and petting her.
“That's why I'm worried.” Said the princess almost whispering with an annoyed expression.
“It is certainly ironic that the oldest of us needs more supervision than the youngest ones.” said Maud with her monotone voice.
“You can say that again Maud.” Said Scootaloo looking towards Discord.
When Twilight reported that she was going on a trip with Sunset and the girls, Starlight agreed to take charge of the School, on the condition of being able to bring friends in order to strengthen ties and make her work easier, Twilight couldn’t argue with that, in fact she encouraged the idea.
As for Starlight, the ponies chosen to help her with the classes were Maud and Trixie; the Cutie Mark Crusaders joined as soon as they knew that their sisters were going on a long journey. On the other hoof, the fact that Twilight could count on Zecora was a big stroke of luck, since she was good as a teacher. With what she didn’t count on, was that Discord would join, but apparently Fluttershy told him the need of substitute teachers for the School at the last tea party they celebrated, while the shy pegasus was preparing her stuff for the trip.
Obviously everyone knew that Discord wasn’t very interested in classes at the School in the least, but rather it was the boredom, and the prolonged absence of Fluttershy, that pushed him to want to be there.
“Don't worry princess, the Great and Powerful Trixie will be able to keep the clumsy draconequus at bay!” Said Trixie too much self-assured, as always…
“Oh, isn’t that charming, coming from the illusionist who always speaks in third person?” Discord suddenly grabbed Trixie's horn and made it disappear to the horror of the blue unicorn, he snapped his fingers and the horn appeared in Discord’s head, while he was doing a bad impersonation of the magician. Trixie turned red with anger…
“Give me back my horn!” Shouted Trixie, chasing Discord through the hall.
“ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU!” Shouted Twilight, teleporting between them. “Discord, give that horn back to Trixie.”
With a grimace Discord snapped his fingers and Trixie's horn returned to its legit place.
“Look, Discord, you can stay, but I want to see my castle in one piece and the school in order when I get back, understood?” Said Twilight firmly.
"Ten-four" replied Discord, wearing a denim vest and a trucker cap, and taking an intercom out of nowhere.
Twilight sighed thinking that this was going to be a recipe for disaster.
“Princess, you do not have to worry about us; because our efficiency in the School is not a matter to discuss.” Said Zecora rhyming as usual.
The words of the zebra were like a painkiller for the agitated mind of Twilight. When she thought about it with cold mind, the choice of staff wasn’t outlandish at all:
Starlight Glimmer had shown to have enough experience in Friendship. After all, if Twilight was willing to send her somewhere to continue her apprenticeship, why not put her in charge of a class and demonstrate what she learned?
Trixie was still a bit selfish and quirky, but making new friends really changed her. It was no longer that manipulative pony who tried to use forbidden magic to defeat Twilight and gain the attention and adoration of ponies at all costs.
The CMC, although they were quite young, they already knew more of friendship and its details than Twilight at them age. Their lessons learned about the Cutie Marks could be very useful to adult and young ponies, as well as to other creatures that seek their purpose in life. Not in vain, they helped Gabbi with that.
Maud was very intelligent. Maybe not too talkative, and too serious, but she wasn’t alien to personal relationships. She loved her sister with madness, she had good friends and, surprise, she had a boyfriend almost stranger than her.
Zecora was quite hermit, but if it wasn’t for many of her advices, Twilight wouldn’t have gotten that far. The zebra would be a great teacher, there wasn’t doubt of that.
As for Discord... he was a troublemaker, chaotic, didn’t give a damn about almost anything, and he was an irritating joker. However, although it cost him a lot, thanks to Fluttershy he learned the importance of having friends and know how to keep them. If somepony comes to tell Twilight years ago, that Discord would end up partying with Spike and Big Mac as if they were lifelong friends, she would have laughed at him. Also, even if she didn’t want to admit it, she knew that Discord could do such fun classes as Pinkie Pie herself.
The next day, with all the preparations already finished, the ponies went to Ponyville train station. The plan was, first go to Manehattan, and there they would take a boat to Neightucket island. Next to them was his farewell committee, which included the princesses Luna and Celestia, as well as Shining Armor, Cadence and Flurry Heart who came expressly from the Crystal Empire only to say goodbye to Twilight ...
"Maud, I'll miss you!" Cried Pinkie Pie, about to burst into tears as she hugged her older sister, who didn’t move an inch.
“I’ll miss you too Pinkie.” She said, the girls could not decipher the expression of the gray pony, she didn’t even blink, but knowing Maud, they knew that deep inside, she would miss her little sister very much.
“Awright family, Ah'll be back soon.” Said Applejack hugging her brother, sister and grandmother.
“Just come back safe, honey.” Said Granny Smith.
“Eeeeyup.” Said Big Macintosh as brief as usual, but with melancholic expression.
“Take care sugarcube.” Applejack said while hugging Applebloom. “Be sure ta help in everything ya can.”
“Ah’ll do it,” Applebloom had a few tears in her eyes… “Be careful out there sis.”
“Ok Scoot remember, don’t get into trouble, or at least not without me.” Rainbow Dash winked at the little pegasus while stroking her head, she just nodded.
"Show those ponies in Eponia who is the most awesome pony in Equestria!" Scootaloo cheered her idol / adoptive big sister.
“Sweetie Belle dear, although you got engaged with the School, remember to take a look at the Carrousel Boutique from time to time.” Asked Rarity to her little sister.
“Relax Rarity, I've got this, you can trust me.” Answered Sweetie Belle convinced as Rarity similed.
"Discord, try not to be too rude with Trixie, please?" Fluttershy gave a pleading look to the Lord of Chaos, at which he could not resist.
“Ah, all right Fluttershy, I won’t bother Trixie ... more than the usual.” Promised to Fluttershy, saying that last line almost in a whisper.
Fluttershy hugged Discord and he corresponded the hug with a smile.
“Well Twili, be careful wherever you go.” Said Shining Armor hugging his sister.
“And remember to come back soon, Flurry wants to spend time with her favorite aunt.” Cadence said while the little filly let out a laugh.
“Don't worry, if everything goes well we will be back soon.” Said Twilight convinced. “Goodbye Flurry, you know that I will miss you.” She said giving a kiss on the forehead of her niece.
Sunset on the other hoof said goodbye to Starlight Glimmer as well as the princesses. Of all the ponies she was the most anxious to leave, she wanted to find that mysterious land, but above all, she was convinced that the trip would allow her to unravel the secrets of that mysterious horn that she had owned since she was a filly.
“I know something bothers you Sunset, do you want to talk about it?” Celestia asked, calling the attention of her former student.
“Oh it's nothing, I'm just a little anxious about this trip.” Said Sunset trying to hide the truth, which Celestia realized, but decided not to reproach her.
“Either way, I wish you the best, and I’m sure you will find your way Sunset.” After this, Celestia hugged Sunset and she closed her eyes with satisfaction, feeling momentarily protected by the warmth of her former teacher.
"All aboard!" Yelled the pony with the same name, as they all entered into the train.
“Wait a minute, where’s Spike? Didn’t he come?" Asked Twilight worried about her assistant.
“I have not seen him since yesterday.” Said Starlight, “also ... he seemed feel bad for not let him go with you.”
“But I did not say it in a bad way.” Said Twilight sad looking around, hoping to see the little dragon.
“Princess Twilight, get on the train please, we're two minutes late.” Said All Aboard.
The little assistant didn’t appear, Twilight resigned herself and entered the train sad for not being able to say goodbye to Spike.
In a few minutes the machinery started to work, and with a wave of good-byes the train left Ponyville station.
Sunset Shimmer approached Twilight who was staring out the window with a long face.
"Are you okay Twilight?" Asked the orange unicorn.
“Yes, it's just that I'm sorry I did not say goodbye to Spike,” said Twilight, “he has to be very angry if he didn’t want to say goodbye.”
“Well, don’t worry about this,” said Sunset trying to cheer up her friend, “I'm pretty sure he doesn't hold a grudge on you, come on, it's Spike who we're talking about!”
Twilight smiled at Sunset and suggested to eat something in the restaurant car. The others simply stayed in their seats doing different things, like Applejack and Rainbow Dash who decided to play a game of cards, or Pinkie who took out a box of cupcakes that she prepared before leaving.
The journey to Manehattan was long, but without complications, and although Rarity decided to stop by her shop to see how things were going, and took the opportunity to pay a visit to Coco Pommel. They didn’t take long and went directly to the docks.
The ship trip did not have anything special, and it did not take more than half a day for the girls could listen the gulls welcoming them to Neightucket. The ship docked at the port and the girls proceeded to disembark and take a look at the town.
Neightucket did not particularly attract attention for anything. It was evident that it was a fishing and mercantile town. The harbor area was full of quaint houses, as well as small businesses, and the sound of the wind whistling between the masts of the boats and the sails gathered mixed with the squawking of the gulls.
“Well, it looks like a nice town ta me” Said Applejack.
“Yes, but let's not forget why we are here,” said Twilight covering herself with a cape, “we have to find that pony, Blowing Wind.”
“Twilight why do you cover yourself?” Asked Sunset Shimmer surprised.
“This is a small town, I presume that, as it happens in Ponyville, all the ponies here know each other,” explained Twilight to her friend, “we would call too much attention being seven strangers to add that there is an alicorn in the group.”
The girls seemed to see the logic in Twilight's approach so they did not bother to replicate their arguments.
“So, we shouldn't draw too much attention, right?” Asked Rainbow Dash.
“Exactly.” Said the Princess
“Ok, but, what about Pinkie?”
To everypony’s surprise, the pink mare was in front of a gift shop playing with a conch.
“Uh, I can hear the sea.” Said Pinkie smiling, amused with the conch in her ear.
“That’s because you are in the harbor kid.” Said laughing the shop keeper, an old green earth pony mare.
“Pinkie! Com’ere! Yelled Applejack to her.
“I gotta go, good bye” Said Pinkie returning with her friends jumping.
After that bizarre moment, the girls decided that it was time to leave the docks.
With the croaking of the seagulls serving them with melody, and the cats of the port searching for something to eat attracted by the smell of fish, Rarity thanked the porter pony that lowered her suitcases with a tip, and she levitated it with her magic. As they walked towards the village, they were carried away by the scent that the sea breeze brought with it.
Passing one of the main streets, they decided to stop a pony that was heading there transporting barrels in a car.
"Excuse me, sir," said Rarity, calling her attention. "We're new here and we're looking for a pony named Blowing Wind, you will nott know him by any chance ..."
"The old seadog?" The car pony assumed, "well of course I know who he is, I suppose he would be in the Drunken Griffon’s tavern at this time. I'm heading out there, if you want I can accompany you ladies.”
“Oh such a gentlecolt, much obliged sir.” Said Rarity with her usual charm.
The ponies continued down narrow alleys near the harbor, until they found the place where there was a sign with the silhouette of a griffon lying down with a jar in the paw and the words Drunken Griffon just below.
“Well maidens, here it is, I have to unload this beer;” said the pony untying himself of the car. “By the way, watch your flanks, there are some sailors who after a few drinks have long hooves if you know what I mean...”
“Thanks for the warning friend, but if that happens I'll send them to fly.” Said Rainbow decided.
After saying goodbye to the transporter, the girls entered the place. It was a dark tavern where they could see several ponies chatting quietly, drinking from jars filled with what they assumed was cider or beer. Others, on the other hoof, were simply lying on the tables too drunk, or tired, to watch the seven mares that came through the door, something that the other part of sailors who drank, nonchalantly did. The atmosphere was warm because of the hearth’s fire and the smell of burning wood, mingled with the smoke of the tobacco that came from the pipes of some of the ponies.
The girls walked to the bar without looking at anypony in particular, but without taking their eyes off everypony at the same time. There, there was the owner, a copper-colored earth pony with thick black whiskers on his cheeks and wearing a baggy shirt and an apron. When the girls approached, he left the cigar he was smoking in an ashtray and received them with a smile.
“Good evening misses, what brings seven continental beautiful mares to me humble little pub?” Asked the owner while the girls were surprised by the compliment.
“It won’t be bad a drink to start, have ya got cider pal?” Asked Applejack.
“Well of course, Neightucket’s best spiced cider.”
“Good, then can Ah have one please?” Said the farm pony.
“I’ll take another!” Said Rainbow Dash eager to taste that cider.
“Eh... could it be three if it's ok?” Asked the shy pony of the group.
“Of course precious, it will be three spiced ciders then.” Fluttershy blushed and hid part of his face with her mane at the innkeeper’s compliment.
“Can I get a pint of oat stout?” Said Sunset Shimmer. “It’s been an eternity since a had one.”
“May I have a cup of fruit punch please?” Asked Rarity.
“A pint o’ stout, and fruit punch; got it.” Said the bartender. “And what about you pink?”
“Mmm, I don’t know, I want something with good flavor.” Said Pinkie Pie undecided but without losing his characteristic smile.
“How about a jar of homemade grog? It's a recipe that comes from me great-grandfather.” Proudly said the owner.
“Uh sounds tasty, okey dokie lokey.”
“Just find a table to sit down, I'll bring your drinks.”
The girls decided to sit at a nearby table, but Twilight, who hadn’t order nothing, stay in the bar to speak with the owner.
“Excuse me mister...” Asked Twilight realizing that she didn't know his name.
“Strong Grog, that's me name.” Said the bartender introducing himself.
“It’s a pleasure Strong Grog, I'm looking for a pony that's supposed be around here, he's called Blowing Wind.” Asked Twilight.
"That old grumpy captain?" Asked Strong Grog surprised, “sure, is that pony in the corner.” Strong Grog pointed to a pony hidden in the gloom of the pub. “But I warn you, he is quare suspicious with ponies who doesn’t know, let's say he doesn’t like company too much.”
“Well, that can be a problem.” Said Twilight worried.
“Listen, I have no idea why you are looking for him, but if you want to start a conversation with him, don’t go with empty hooves.” Strong Grog took out a jar and a bottle, poured the liquid in the first one, and gaved it to Twilight. “Here you got, with a jar of grog, he will open like squeeze lemon juice on a raw clam.”
“Thanks sir.” Twilight levitated the jar and went to the dark corner where Blowing Wind was.
As she approached, dodging the other ponies sitting or perched on the wooden columns of the room, she could see the captain better. He gave the impression of being a weather-beaten sailor, dressed simply with a black vest and a tricorn hat on his head covered his face. He was smoking in what looked like a corn pipe. Even with the darkness Twilight could see a short brown beard already with gray hair, as well as his mane, his fur was beige color, and in his flank lied his cutie mark: a ship moved by the wind and two seagulls.
"Excuse me, Blowing Wind?" Twilight asked, drawing the attention of the pony.
"Do I know ye?" He asked suddenly, without looking up and with no response from the princess, "then it's Captain Blowing Wind for ye."
Twilight was surprised at the seadog’s acid response, but decided to stay calm and do what she could to maintain a friendly conversation.
“I’m sorry to bother you, I just want to chat for a while.” Twilight placed the jar full of grog on the table. “Do you want a jar of grog?”
With a naked eye, Blowing Wind did not raise his head, but Twilight could swear with a shudder, how his eyes looked her up and down despite seemed to be hidden by the shadow of the tricorn hat.
"No offense lass, I never say no to a free drink, but don’t ye think I'm a little older for ye?" The princess could not help but open her eyes wide to the comment, “I mean, I could be yer father.”
“Excuse me? What do you imply mister?!" Twilight asked blushing and a little bit offended.
“Well, I don’t know how things work in yer homeland, but here in Neightucket when a mare offers booze to a stallion out of the blue, she is usually looking for something else.” Explained the captain, it was not that his reasoning wasn’t correct, but the intentions of the princess were much further away from that plan.
“No, look I just want to talk to you about one thing.” Said Twilight sitting on the banquette in front of him. “I come from a common friend, you know Daring Do right?”
“A reckless and stubborn archaeologist?” Said as he took a sip to his drink. “Sounds familiar.” For some reason the captain was being evasive all the time. Twilight remembered what Strong Grog said about him.
“Listen, I know this is strange and I understand your distrust, but it’s a very important issue, you are a veteran sailor and maybe you’re the only pony who can help us, I will say it bluntly: my friends and I need to go to Eponia.”
After saying that name, Blowing Wind choked, coughed, and for the first time looked into Twilight's eyes without covering himself with the shadow of the tricorn, showing his deep, ocean blue eyes.
"Listen gal, I don’t know what ye have heard, or what have they told ye, but I haven't been there for years,” said the captain more quite serious. “Besides, it’s not a place that any pony can reach.”
“That's why we need you, Daring Do told us that you are the only pony in Equestria that knows how to get to Eponia and return.”
“And she told ye the truth, but that doesn’t mean I want to go back there.” Blowing Wind took a long gulp to his drink and cleared his throat after leaving the jar on the table.
“Why? Is that so dangerous?” Twilight asked, not knowing how to convince the sailor.
“It IS dangerous, but not much more than other lands beyond Equestria for example; besides, I'm not sure Daring told ye the hell we went through to get there, it's not a pleasure cruise that we talk about.” Blowing Wind's gaze did not leave Twilight's, showing great firmness in his words as he gave puffs to his pipe. “Look gal, let's simply say, that I have me reasons to don’t go there, it's something personal...”
“Whatever the reason is, is not my business, but we really have to go there, it's very important.” Twilight tried to appeal to the captain's compassion, but he remained impassive.
“No offense, lass, but what do yer problems have to do with me?”
Twilight did not know what to say to convince Blowing Wind. Suddenly Sunset Shimmer appeared calling her attention, she looked worried.
“Twilight, I think we’ve got a problem.” Said Sunset.
Looking at the table where the girls were, she saw Pinkie Pie on the top of it, singing a song and dancing as if she were the only pony in the place.
“I think Pinkie Pie drunk too much.” Said Sunset worried.
"Are you sure it's not just Pinkie being Pinkie?" Twilight asked, trying to dismiss what seems to be obvious.
“She drunk three jars of that grog already, I think something has to do with it.” Explained the fiery mane unicorn.
“Oh shut... well, try to control her, I’ll be there in a minute.” Said the princess. Sunset went back to try to calm the group party animal.
"Who was that pony?" Blowing Wind asked without taking his eyes off Sunset, the sailor's expression certainly changed at that point. Surprise? Curiosity? No idea. Twilight wished for a moment to have Applejack nearby to try to decipher what was going on in the head of that old captain.
“She is one of my friends, Sunset Shimmer is her name.”
Twilight could not be sure, but she would swear that the eyes of the old seadog gleamed as soon as she mentioned Sunset’s name. A silence formed between the two, as Blowing Wind took another sip of his grog.
“Tell me, why are ye so interested in reaching Eponia if ye don’t mind to tell me? What have ye lost in that Celestiaforsaken land?” Asked the captain.
“If I'm honest I don’t know, the only thing we know is that we’re needed there, or at least that's what our magic map tried to show us.” Twilight hoped that being sincere with Blowing Wind, this one finally agreed to take them to the lost land.
“Magic map? Do they need ye there? And who in Davy Jones' name are ye young pony?” Blowing Wind asked the most important question.
“I am Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship.” Finally the alicorn introduced herself without attracting too much attention.
While Blowing Wind was not very impressed with the revelation, he was certainly surprised by it. The old sailor leaned back against the back of the chair and turned his head, looking nowhere. After a few seconds that seemed like hours to Twilight, he rejoined and looked into the eyes of the princess.
“Very well, I accept to take ye and yer friends, but as I told ye, it won’t be a pleasant journey.” Blowing Wind explained, “it is a hard trip and even if ye are me guests, ye will have to do what I say, understood? On me ship, I’m the pony on charge, I don’t care if ye are a princess of Equestria or empress of the Moon, on board the Northern Star ye will answer to me, is that all clear?
“Clear as water, captain.” The attitude of the sailor pony seemed strict, but Twilight couldn't say no. Not this time.
“Very well... Bowsprit!" He shouted suddenly, surprising Twilight, and saw how a pony, that until that moment was lying back in a chair, was running towards Blowing Wind.
“Aye aye cap'n.” Said the pony saluting.
“Prepared yerselves, tomorrow we will go back to the sea.” Said the captain
“What course to steer sir?”
Blowing Wind finished his remaining grog in one gulp and answered the pony.
“We're heading to Eponia.” Said the captain.
"Are we going back?" Bowsprit's expression changed suddenly from surprise to emotion.
Blowing Wind simply nodded. The face of the so-called Bowsprit lit up completely, and as soon as he assimilated the news, he asked to Strong Grog to serve a round to him and his companions.
“Princess, I would recommend ye to rest as much as possible, tomorrow we’ll set sail in the morning.” Blowing Wind said as he prepared to leave. “By the way, yer friends and ye are invited to the drinks.”
"Thanks, Captain," Twilight said with a smile, but shocked by the sudden change of attitude of the old pony.
Blowing Wind nodded and left a bag of coins in the bar indicating something to Strong Grog and walked out the door.
“I am the one who should thank you.” The old captain smiled for the first time outside the tavern, without anyone being able to hear him.
Twilight tried to analyze the change of attitude of Blowing Wind, had she done something without realizing it? Without giving it much importance, she returned with her friends to give them the good news and to try to control Pinkie, who kept singing and dancing, and many sailors accompanied her and made choirs. Twilight recognized that Pinkie being tipsy was quite funny, and she seemed to have a good time without bothering any pony, well, sort of; so for once she stopped worrying, and asked Strong Grog for a jar of cider.
While they were chatting and laughing, they could hear how one of the sailors was beginning to sing a song while others followed the lyrics...
"In Canterlot there lived a mare mark well what I do say!
In Canterlot there lived a mare
And she was mistress of her trade
I'll go no more a-rovin 'with you fair mare!
A rovin ', a rovin'
Since rovin's been my ru-i-in
I'll go no more to rovin '
With you fair mare! "
"Come on everypony! Let's celebrate!" Shouted Pinkie standing at the table with a jar in her hoof. Rainbow Dash couldn't stop laughing at Pinkie's behavior, and Twilight started to worry about her.
But even with the princess' concern, she and the girls let themselves go by the festive atmosphere, it wasn’t like when they first entered at all, they were drinking and humming with the songs the sailors sang. After finishing the first song, they immediately started another one. This time playing some instruments, while the rest of the pub sang and danced like if there were no tomorrow, as if their intention for this night was to paint the town in red.
Luna’s moon bathed the town of Neightucket with its light, but in Drunken Griffon’s pub, the night was young...
It dawned on Equestria, the sun's rays began to enter through the windows of the tavern room. The girls rented that room with some bunk beds, so they could spend the night after the party that Pinkie and the sailors put together.
As always, the first one to get up was the early bird Applejack, who was already got used to wake up at the same time Celestia raised the Sun. She was with Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Sunset Shimmer in the bar having the breakfast Strong Grog cooked for them.
"Enjoying your breakfast?" Asked Strong Grog.
“Yeah, it’s very good.” Said Rainbow Dash eating a sadnwich.
“Where are the other two?” Asked the innkeeper.
“Still sleeping, Rarity is one of those who needs her sleep, and Pinkie... I think she is a little bit wasted.” Laugh Sunset Shimmer.
“Yes… your friend were fairly ossified last night, isn’t she?” Said Strong Grog.
“Applejack, could you wake up them?” Asked Twilight finishing her piece of carrot cake. “I don’t want to be late.”
“Ok Twilight.” Applejack went upstairs and entered the room.
There, she found Rarity and Pinkie still slept in the dark room. Rarity wearing her sleep mask and Pinkie with her head drowned in the pillow.
“Cock a doodle do ladies! Time ta wake up, Adventure awaits us.” Said Applejack opening the windows visibly excited.
“Good morning Applejack.” Yawned Rarity, while taking her mask off.
“Awwwww, my head!” Complained Pinkie Pie hiding her head under the pillow.
“It's normal, last night you drank too much darling.” Said Rarity stretching.
“That grog was tasty, but now I feel like my head is drilled.” Pinkie Pie raised her head showing huge eye bags.
“Goodness Pinkie, you look terrible.” Said Rarity totally tactless. “Thank Celestia I always have makeup for these cases.”
“Well, don’t take it long with that, Twilight wants ta march soon.” Said Applejack going back to the bar.
After leaving the room Pinkie and Rarity arrived with the rest and Twilight delivered the keys to Strong Grog.
Applejack glanced at Pinkie Pie who still had a sick face despite trying to hide it with Rarity's makeup.
“Hahaha, for anypony not accustomed to the grog it hits hard, and your friend took five jars.” Strong Grog said laughing and remembering the show that Pinkie Pie mounted, “you must remember to have more moderation lass, although I have to recognize that you knew how to cheer the place.” Strong Grog gave a smile to Pinkie.
“Okey dokey lokey.” She said still suffering the effects of the hangover, but returning the smile to the innkeeper.
“At least you were not mistaken for a ... bad life mare…” Rarity said indignantly, remembering how the last night a drunken sailor made an indecent proposal to her.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack chuckled at Rarity's comment.
“Ehm ... I think he didn’t tell you that in a bad way Rarity.” Said Fluttershy, but she shut her mouth at the stare of her friend.
After finishing the breakfast, the girls said good bye to their host.
“Thank you so much for your hospitality Strong Grog, I hope we'll see you soon.” Said Twilight Sparkle.
“Safe travels lassies, it was a real pleasure to have you here, may the winds always be at your backs.”
After saying goodbye, they left the place and went to the docks. In one of them, they spotted Blowing Wind talking to the same sailor from the previous night: Bowsprit. Behind them was Blowing Wind’s ship, a nice black carrack with white sails, and on top of the mainmast there was a flag with the captain’s cutie mark waving in the wind. Blowind Wind was wearing this time a long black trench coat and his tricorn hat, giving him the look of a veteran captain.
“Good morning captain.” Greeted Twilight to Blowing Wind.
“Ahoy me young ponies, I thought ye’d never come.” Blowing Wind took a whistle, blow it, and immediately some ponies and a griffon appeared beneath the captain. “Let me introduce ye to me crew: This griffon over here is Silver, our lookout; nothing can escape from his eagle eye.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet ye lassies:” Silver was, as the name indicated it, a silver colored griffon with a patch on his left eye.
"This one here is Salmagundi, our cookie," Blowing Wind said, pointing to a chubby, cream-colored unicorn, with a stewpot as Cutie Mark.
“Ahoy! If ye want grub or grog, I’m yer pony.” Said the chef.
“Please don’t speak about grog for now.” Begged Pinkie while her friends laugh.
"This one here is Ish, our harpooner, he saved our arses so many times." The captain continued this time, pointing to a young dark orange pegasus with a scar on his right cheek, and a boat and a harpoon as cutie mark.
“There is no sea creature that can handle me.” Said the harpooner pony with a kinda dark tone.
“This is Doctor Scurvy, our sawbones.” Blowing Wind pointed to a unicorn dressed in a white apron and with round glasses on his snout, and whose cutie mark was saw and a syringe. “don’t be fooled by his name, he has saved us from more wounds and diseases that ye can see in yer whole life.”
“It's not right to brag, but the captain’s right.” Replied the doctor adjusting his lenses.
“Ye already know Bowsprit, he's me quartermaster, and our bo’sun, if I'm absent this is the pony ye should look for.”
Bowsprit was an earth pony with a sextant as cutie mark. He seemed to be the same age as Blowing Wind, and looked like another old salt as the captain.
“And finally our cabin foal: Jimmy Shanty.” Then, Blowing Wind introduced a foal with a small guitar in his back, who apparently was the same age as Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, but he still didn’t have his cutie mark, which surprised the ponies a lot.
“Don’t you recruit them a little young?” Sunset asked.
“Is not that we had many choices,” explained the captain, “aye, he’s young, but he’s also hard-working and he is unique cheering the crew on the high seas with his shanties.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Said the young colt shy.
After the introductions, the crew and the girls got on the ship. Them laugage were uploaded by Ish and Jimmy, who were surprised at how heavy Rarity’s bags were. Blowing Wind guided the ponies to the lower deck, and indicated their cabins. One for Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and another for Twilight, Sunset and Rarity.
“I know it's not a luxury cruise, but I hope ye're comfortable in these cots.” Said the captain.
“Thank you very much captain.” Said Twilight.
“Ye’re welcome princess.” Said taking off the tricorn. “If ye need something, I will be in me cabin, on the deck.”
“When do we depart cap’n?” Asked Applejack.
“Immediately, as soon as the crew release moorings. Ye can go up on deck if ye want to fare thee well to dry land, trust me, ye won’t see it for so long...”
Blowing Wind went up and the girls followed him, watched carefully how the ponies prepared everything for the ship to travel to the sea.
“Raise the anchor! Release ties and release the largest!” Shouted Bowsprit to his companions, “c’mon bunch of carousers, hurry!”
The ship began to move while the wind blew the sails. Blowing Wind put his hooves on the rudder and prepared to steer his ship.
“C’mon lads, chase the wind!” The captain shouted. “Make her fly!”
With the ship on full sail, she went into the sea, leaving behind Neightucket and Equestria.
“I was eager to leave.” Mentioned Jimmy Shanty while watching the waves break against the prow of the ship.
“Hey boy, Why don’t ye show our guests yer privileged voice?” Asked Silver to the cabin foal.
Shanty blushed when he realized that all the mares were looking at him expectantly. The poor foal stammered something incoherent and scratched his neck with his hoof.
“C’mon, don’t tell me ye're going to feel intimidated by a bunch of mares rookie…” Said Ish hitting his side while winking an eye
“Don't play tricks on me Ish.” The young pony answered annoyed, “it's just that ... I didn't tune me guitar.”
“Chill, chill, no fights, I'll start to help us work better.” Said Silver with a concertina and starting to play.
Jimmy Shanty decided to play his guitar with the griffon and they both sang the song. Ish joined them with the fiddle, and the rest of the crew sang with them. The girls enjoyed the spectacle the sailor ponies offered to them and Blowing Wind smiled pleased from the command booth at seeing his crew so happy.
The atmosphere seemed as jovial as the night before in the tavern. The ship was moving away from the coast, while the merry sailors navigated the ship, and the girls began to enjoy the journey. It was the beginning of a new adventure.