//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: The Shipmare of Great Harmony // by Dwindle //------------------------------// While most people would have felt the need to pace about in order to vent their frustrations if they found themselves in Yamato's shoes-or horseshoes considering her present circumstances- Yamato was not only one of, nay, the greatest battleship produced from earth, she was also a twenty-year-old woman with two younger brothers. So she could handle herself in the most stressful of situations without loosing her cool. So instead of pacing around the cabin she had been led to like a caged animal, she instead chose to glare in annoyance at a group of her marines that were currently creating a miniature pillbox above the door to her room, a defensive position that would hopefully end up being unnecessary. While the ponies of this ship had yet to give her any reason to doubt them, if anything they had been so courteous that Yamato was beginning to grow suspicious of their motives, she couldn't be too careful with her defenses. Which was why when one of her lieutenants had made the suggestion that they set up fortifications in case of pony subterfuge she hadn’t hesitated to agree…although she was trying her hardest to not question just where the tiny pony marines had gotten even smaller type 96 machine guns. Nor did she desire to understand just how exactly they were managing to hold them in their hooves when such weapons were designed with apposable thumbs in question. Fortunately, she didn’t have to ponder the strange magic of shipmare existence for long, as her XO squee’d at her that the senior members of her crew had been gathered in her bridge as she had requested earlier. “Understood.” Yamato quietly replied, as she didn’t want to risk somepony outside overhearing her talking to herself, she didn’t need them to think she was crazy. Now she just had to figure out just how she was going to have an important conversation with beings inside her head. Although, considering I am quite literally a ship myself, it would be far more convenient if I could just join them on my bridge myse-. Yamato started to think before a blinding flash of light engulfed her vision. The shipmare nearly cried out in fear at the unexpected flashbang, but before she could utter a single syllable she found herself standing upon her own bridge, the mare recognizing it despite the fact that she had never stood within it. And gathered before her was a group of equally as colorful ponies as those she had met just minutes ago, each one standing at attention and staring at her. Ponies that she recognized instantly despite their new bodies; they were her crew. “Captain on deck!” The lead pony, her XO, shouted, each of the gathered stallions all somehow standing even straighter at his call. “…As you were.” Yamato calmly ordered despite how completely done she was with the whole magical shipmare situation,- and she had only been here for a little over a day! How the heck was she going to handle whatever the next few days were going to throw at her -the gathered stallions relaxing only slightly at her words. “I apologize for calling each of you away from your work, but there is an issue that I feel each of you must be made aware of. And a decision that you each must make.” Yamato paused then, not really certain of how to broach the subject, but eventually decided to forge ahead with as simple of an explanation as she could. “I do not know if everypony on board are aware of this fact, but I am not just the embodiment of the ship that you sailed upon. I was human myself only days ago.” “…We’re aware ma’am. You did mention it yesterday.” Her XO answered after a moment, the other stallions nodding in confirmation. Yamato blushing slightly at the realization that every member of her crew had heard her freaking out when she woke up, but she forced those emotions back down. “I see. Then I shall cut to the chase. It is my intention to return to being human regardless of what is necessary for me to do so. I will will not relent until I find a means of return…which would be an issue for everyone here. While I have no way to confirm this, it seems likely to me that the moment I return to being human I will no longer be Yamato, which will leave everyone on board without a ship to sail on.” Yamato explained calmly, her senior officers not even blinking as she continued. “Which is why I will not protest if any member of the crew decides to disembark when we reach shore and forge their own path. We lack any form of bonds, any loyalty, that would normally exist between a ship and her crew, and I will not force others to risk their lives for my selfish reasons. And as such I grant any creature on board a full release from their duties once we arrive in this Equestria.” The shipmare finished, internally squirming a bit at the stem looks she was now being given by her officers. She had debated this very idea for most of her shakedown cruise yesterday and eventually came to the conclusion that just like her, her crew had been likely just as forced into this situation as she had. And if she was going to try so hard to return to who she was before, to try and remember her name and identity, then it wouldn’t be fair for her to force others who had lost their own identities. Of course, she could be crippling herself if too many of her crew decided to accept her offer, as she was still half ship and a ship without a crew probably wouldn't get too far in the world. But at the end of the day, despite how much she wanted to go back to being human, there was still lines she wasn’t willing to cross, and one of those was forcing others to suffer for her benefit. For a minute the bridge remained deathly quiet as the officers exchanged glances, the only sound being the clopping sounds of other members of the crew moving about the corridors. It was starting to get to the point where Yamato was to fidget slightly, not at all bothering to put on the same show of serenity she had displayed for the crew of the ship they were riding on, but eventually her XO stepped forward to look her in the eyes, a resolute look on his muzzle. “Ma’am, thank you for the offer, but we respectfully decline.” The pony announced, Yamato’s eyes widening slightly in response. “…While I won’t deny that I’m thankful for such an answer, may I ask why you all have decided to remain?” Yamato couldn’t help but question, a part of her mind screaming at her not to look a gift horse in the mouth-really brain, really? Already with the equine puns?- but a larger part just had to know. Her XO closed his eyes in thought for a moment before once again returning her gaze. “It is true that we have not served with you for long and that your mission may not directly benefit us, your crew. However, I have to respectfully disagree that you have not earned our loyalty already. Every member of the crew awoke at the same time as you ma’am. We saw you fight against the force trying to drag us all back to the deep. That showed strength. We witnessed you, after nearly loosing yourself to despair at having been taken from your home and forced into this situation, pick yourself up and move forward. That showed courage. And finally, you just now showed us that you do not see each of us who man your battle station’s as simple pawns to be thrown away for your own desires. That showed compassion.” Her XO smiled then, a stark contrast to the look of shock on Yamato’s face at his words. “You have proven yourself a ship that any sailor would be honored to serve on ma'am. And while we will most certainly share your words with the rest of the crew, I highly doubt that you will hear a single pony make a request for shore leave.” “And if they do, don’t worry! We’ll beat some sense int’a the fool for ya!” Her chief engineer shouted, the other ponies smiling and nodding in agreement. “We’re with you ma’am.” Her XO finished, Yamato lowering her head as she shook with barely repressed emotion. “I Yamato, thank you for your loyalty. And I shall endeavor to continue to prove myself worthy of such a crew.” The shipmare declared, the stallions before each snapping off a salute in response. “Then with my offer out of the way. It is time for the next order of business; determining our next step.” Yamato continued as she forced her turbulent emotions to the back of her head in order to maintain some measure of composure. “Quartermaster, about how much fuel do we have left?” “We’ve got plenty ma’am. Yesterday’s shakedown cruise only used about a third of the fuel we had in reserve.” The Quartermaster answered after a moment, the pony rubbing his chin in thought. “However, it would still be best for us to restock ASAP.” He finished, Yamato nodding in understanding. “Alright then, I shall see to securing us some provisions. As I do so, I will attempt to obtain more intelligence beyond what Captain Whitecap revealed to us earlier. I want our intelligence officers on standby to record any and all information I can gather, as we do not have a baseline for what would be relevant or what isn’t.” Yamato ordered her XO saluting her at her orders. “Well then, if there is no other concerns you all wish to bring forward?...very well, then I will take my leave.” “Ah, one moment ma’am.” One of the junior officers called out before Yamato could try and make her way back to the real world, causing the shipmare to pause with a questioning look on her face. “Have you determined what punishment for the radar technicians who failed to report the two contacts from earlier, or did you wish for us to determine how they should be disciplined?” Ah, that. Yamato belatedly remembered. In truth, she wasn’t truly angry at her crew at this point, as it hadn’t taken her long to realize that Jade Wing and Sundance were living beings not planes as she had feared, and that it was hardly their fault that they had missed them. …But then again, Yamato was feeling somewhat vindictive due to all the stress of her current situation and it would be nice to take it out in a more cathartic way. “I shall leave it for now, but I expect them to rectify this failure for any future engagements.” Yamato declared, the officer nodding in confirmation. “XO, you have the conn.” “Aye aye Ma’am. I have the conn.” Her XO finished; Yamato’s body being enveloped in a white light before she found herself once again standing in her cabin. “…I feel like I should be a little more upset at how quickly I’ve adapted to all of these magical shenanigans...Hah neverminded.” Yamato couldn’t help but sigh, her marines staring at her in confusion for a moment before returning to their duties. It wasn’t long until Capitan Whitecap knocked on the door to her cabin and asked if Yamato wished to have something to eat, the shipmare agreeing immediately, as doing so would allow her to work on accomplishing both her current objectives. She had discovered some things from their brief exchange when she arrived on board, that this ship was manned by ponies, that they hailed from a nation called Equestria, and considering the fact that the Wavecutter was still using fabric sails for propulsion the level of technology was likely far behind anything she had in her hull. But there was still more for her to learn, and the best place to do so would be where the most ponies gathered. Not to mention, she was getting pretty hungry so now she could complete both objectives simultaneously. “…I apologize if the cabin isn’t up to your standards, Lady Yamato. Wavecutter may be an impressive ship, but she is still a military vessel. And as such she is missing some of the comforts that I'm sure your used to.” Whitecap apologized, Yamato smiling patiently in response as she shook her head in denial. “You need not worry Capitan, the accommodations are more than adequate. Not to mention that if not for you and your crew discovering me, I would have been forced to sleep upon the waves. So any form of bed is a godsend to me.” Yamato refuted easily. In fact, the cabin had far more amenities than she had expected, to the point that she had been somewhat suspicious that she had been taken to the captains’ quarters from the mare at her side. The only slight issue being the bed that was slightly too small for a battleship of her size, though considering she practically towered over the other ponies on board that was hardly surprising. Whitecap froze for a moment when she realized just what Yamato had implied. “…You would have slept on the water? You can do that?” she breathlessly asked, Yamato continuing to smile as she nodded. “Oh yes, its quite an interesting feeling trying to sleep while bobbing up and down with the waves. Although it can be quite disquieting to be awoken by a rouge wave, but I’m sure sailors such as yourselves have spent many a night out on the water, correct?” Yamato coyly asked. Of course, she had no idea if she could actually sleep out on the water, but after so many nights of sleeping on her father’s old sailboat she at least knew the feeling quite well. “Oh…yes…of course we have.” Whitecap stuttered, her eyes shifting to the side in an obvious misdirection if she had ever seen one, a look that caused Yamato giggle at her unease. “I apologize captain, I am merely jesting.” Yamato said, though internally she made sure that a member of her crew noted that it sounded like Shipmares were quite uncommon considering that the Capitan was so shocked by her ability to stand on water. Her surprise at Yamato's admission likely meaning she was the first of her kind to sail these seas...or that she was a unique existence in this world. Whitecap blinked at her for a moment before laughing herself, though Yamato could hear that it was a slightly forced laugh. “Ah, good one ma’am…though if you don’t mind me asking, how are you able to stand on the water like that? Is it some sort of artifact? Or some kind of magic?” Whitecap questioned as they neared a door, the sound of loud conversation echoing from the other side. Yamato didn’t answer immediately, having to debate between the merits of answering truthfully and building trust with the Equestrian navy versus remaining evasive just in case it turned out that it wasn't in her best interests to align with these ponies. But in the end, Yamato decided to skirt the line between both options in order to start building trust while keeping a few of her cards close to her chest, or her barrel as it was now. “It is magic, a magic intrinsic to my kind.” Yamato answered, praying that she was indeed a different species than the other ponies onboard based of her size. However, considering how wide Whitecap’s eyes widened and the look of respect on her face, Yamato couldn’t help but think she had made an error in judgment. “Amazing, I wasn’t aware that there were other paths for a pony to ascend other than becoming an Alicorn. Your nation must be honored to have you.” While she was certain that Whitecap didn’t mean anything by her words, Yamato couldn’t help but flinch at the mention of the country that built her. Her words reminding her of her sisters-both those of who shared her class and those who were sisters of battle- who were sent off to the fight never to return, of all the civilian lives wasted, and the many horrors the military perpetuated in their vain attempts to create an empire of their own. “…Yes, I suppose they were proud of me.” Yamato sadly muttered, Whitecap quickly picking up on the taller mare’s sorrow and dropping the subject. The two mares remaining silent un until they arrived at the mess hall, the Capitan holding open the door for Yamato in a show of deference. Unfortunately even arriving at the source of food, Yamato's crew tensing in anticipation at the thought of an incoming resupply, her mood failed to improve. As the moment the door opened all conversation within abruptly died as all eyes turned to the shipmare. Yamato, in order to keep her mask of serenity in place, quickly forced a neutral smile back on to her face as she started to make her way to the line for food, Whitecap quickly following after her. It didn’t take long for the two to move through the line, mostly due to the fact that most of the ponies in said line simply stepped aside for the two mares. Unfortunately, the speed at which Yamato made it to the food presented yet another issue, one she had been hoping to solve through observation of other ponies in the line; how exactly she was supposed to pick up a tray with only hooves?! Even ignoring the oddity of the meal, a bowl of leafy greens and what appeared to be flowers and a glass of some sort of juice- though she supposed that it made sense considering that she was now a herbivore- how exactly was she supposed to pick up something without opposable thumbs? “…Is there an issue with your food, Ms. Yamato? I assure you that the cooks on board are quite skilled at their jobs so I can personally assure you of our foods tastiness.” Whitecap eventually asked when Yamato made no move to pick up her own meal. “Oh no, I have no doubt of the meals deliciousness, it is simply…-.” Yamato started to deny before one of her fairies interrupted. “Squee Squee Squee? Squee Squee.” The sailor offered, Yamato blinking in surprise before giving the fairy permission to try the idea it had put forward. A second later the tray of food sitting before Yamato glowed with the same white light that had engulfed her rigging earlier, the food vanishing into thin air. “Wh-what just happened? D-Did you use magic ma’am?” Whitecap nervously asked, a murmur passing through the gathered ponies that had been watching Yamato at the strange display of power. “In a manner of speaking. I am simply storing it in another place for the moment until we sit down through the use of...of magic.” Yamato answered easily despite the fact that she wanted nothing more than to sigh with relief. The fact that her fairies could apparently store things within her hull was something that would be immensely useful, not least of bit was the fact that she wouldn’t have to embarrass herself trying to pick up her tray with nothing but her teeth. The captain’s look of awe only continued to grow more apparent as she led Yamato to one of the many tables, the other ponies finally starting to go back to their own meals as Whitecap lead the shipmare to a table towards the center of the mess hall. A table that had two familiar faces amongst the ponies sitting there. “Ah! L-lady Yamato! Your gonna eat right now too? That’s awesome!” Jade Wing gushed, Sundance staring at the green furred pony with a look of exhaustion. “No need to yell Jade, and of course she was going to eat at some point, she’s just as much a living pony as everypony else.” The other Pegasus reprimanded with no real heat in his words, Yamato only flinching slightly at his words. Considering that she was part ship at this point, though thankfully nopony noticed due to while Jade's embarrassed giggling. “Oh, ya, I guess that makes sense. But its still pretty neat that we managed to meet back up after the rest of our patrol!” Jade continued as Whitecap and Yamato took their own seats, Yamato only finding it slightly awkward to sit like a dog on the bench. “Indeed, I Yamato, am happy to have met you once again, Ms. Jade Wing, Mr. Sundance.” Yamato greeted, Jade Wing only looking even more embarrassed at her words. “Oh, just Jade is fine. It feels kinda weird to have someone as cool as you be so respec-!” Jade started to say, but squeaked in surprise when Yamato’s tray appeared just before her in a flash of light. “Squee squee squee!” One of Yamato’s fairy reported dutifully. “Understood, but for future reference, you do not need to check over each and every thing I bring into my hull for dangers unless I specify to. It was highly unlikely that they would welcome me onto their ship only to then poison me.” “Woah…that was awesome!” Jade cheered, Yamato giggling at the mare’s excitement. “It truly is ma’am. I don’t know of any spell quite like that.” One of the unicorns at the table complimented. “Ah, that would be because it is a magic that only I, or others like me, can use.” Yamato answered calmly as she realized she was faced now with yet another challenge, the question of just how exactly she was supposed to eat. She continued to field questions from the curious ponies that were sitting with her as internally she ordered her spotters to quickly gatherer as much information as they could from her surroundings, particularly how exactly they were eating. Her fairies scrambling about her hull as they moved to fulfill her orders. They quickly reported back that the ponies appeared to eat in all manner of ways, some somehow using utensils with their hooves, said appendages bending in ways they definitely wouldn’t back on Earth, while others simply stuck their muzzles directly into their bowls like the animals they appeared to be. Which left Yamato with a difficult decision. she could either attempt to use her hooves like the others despite the fact that she had no idea how to do so, or she could try to eat without holding the utensils and just try to make it appear elegant. Well, considering I haven’t ever held something in my hooves, the choice is kinda obvious. Yamato couldn’t help but complain as she slowly and carefully lowered her muzzle into the bowl, plucked a single flower from the salad, and lifted it back up before proceeding to eat. Oh, wow, this actually tastes really good! The shipmare couldn’t help but praise in her head before voicing her compliments, Whitecap beaming in pride and saying she would pass her words on to the cooks. The meal continued on in a similar manner for a time, with the ponies asking her all manner of questions and she answering as best she could. She wanted to answer them truthfully, but without knowing more about the world at large she couldn’t exactly say how the things she revealed would be taken. Not to mention she really hadn’t decided on her own story. Was she a ship built at the Kure Naval Arsenal in Japan? One who fought with everything she had for a war they had no hope of winning, only to be condemned to the depths of the ocean after being sacrificed in a fruitless last stand because the Emperor had questioned her crews honor? Or was she a young woman who had been plucked from her home, seemingly for no reason, only to find herself in the form of a pony and cast out to sea? Which was why when Jade asked about Yamato’s home, the shipmare decided that it was time for her own questions instead of elaborating on questions she would rather not answer. “Speaking of countries, I would very much like to learn about Equestria if you are willing to teach me about your homeland.” “You have not heard of Equestria, Ms. Yamato?” Sundance couldn’t help but question, the surprised look on his face showing that Yamato had stepped into the very trap she had been hoping to avoid, a look that was mirrored on nearly every pony present. “Unfortunately, no.” Yamato admitted, the shipmare pausing for a moment when one of her spotters reported something particularly odd, Yamato looking out of the corner of her eye at a curious sight before returning her attention to the other ponies at the table. “I have been...away, for quite a while, and I fear that the world has changed greatly since I last ruled the seas. So long did I slumber that I had never heard of Equestria until Captain Whitecap told me what nation you serve. So, I would very much like to hear about the land you hail from, if you’re willing to do so that is.” Yamato finished with a sad smile. True, what she was saying wasn’t quite a lie, as Yamato sunk seventy-six years ago and her human side most certainly hadn’t heard of a nation called Equestria, but it still made her feel somewhat sick to lie to such kind ponies, even if they were just lies of omission. “It would be our honor ma’am” Whitecap agreed with a particularly serious tone. The other ponies at the table, even an equally as solemn Jade Wing, nodding in agreement. Yamato stared out at the sea before her, the dark waters only illuminated by the light of the moon and the few lamps spaced about the deck. Capitan Whitecap had retired a few minutes ago for the evening, Yamato declaring that she wished to have a moment to herself before returning to her cabin. They had spent the last few hours going over the charts of the sea they were currently traveling through, a body of water known as the Celestial Sea, and the information she had obtained only proved the truth that she had been putting off since she woke up. She really was in an entirely different world. There was no Japan, no America, just lands she had never known that almost sounded like parody names based off of what species lived within its borders. Where two practically immortal ponies called Alicorns controlled the sun and moon, two ponies known as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. It sounded so outlandish, to think that two living beings were in charge of the day/night cycle. But here she was, a part human, part ship who was now in the form of a pony, staring up at a moon from the deck of a ship maned by ponies of three different species. Which was why she was staring forlornly out at the inky black waters that surrounded the Wavecutter, the shipmare trying desperately to keep her emotions under control so as to not worry the crew that was still on deck. With everything she had learned, she had to accept that there was a very real chance that she would not be able to go back to what she was before. That she would never get a chance to roll her eyes at her brother’s antics, or join in on them if she felt like it. She might never see her parents ever again, never get the chance to remind them of how much she loved them. That she would never have the chance to fall in love, have children of her own, and grow old like a normal person. And now she was possibly condemned to spend the rest of her life stuck as an equine. She had never felt so heartbroken, so alone. Even the near three thousand fairies that stood silently within her hull in respect for their ships pain, ready and waiting to offer comfort if she but asked, not that Yamato intended to. And regardless of her human side or her ship side, neither part of her wished to force others to listen to her woes. Which was why she was surprised when she felt a hoof on her withers in a clear attempt to comfort her, the shipmare noting distractedly that acts of comfort where apparently universal despite the fact that she should have felt terrified that somepony managed to sneak up on her so easily. Yamato turned slowly to see a young mare looking up at her with sympathy in her eyes, said mare having to stand on the tips of her hooves in order to comfort the larger Yamato. “Please don’t be sad miss, e-everything’s gonna be alright.” The young mare tried to soothe Yamato despite looking like she might cry herself. Yamato’s surprise immediately overcoming her sorrow as she turned back to the sea for a moment. “…Thank you, little one.” Yamato mumbled as she drew in a deep breath in order to get her emotions under control before once again returning her gaze to the young mare, said pony flinching under her gaze. She was clearly the youngest mare Yamato had met, though she wasn’t so young that Yamato would consider her a foal. The equivalent of a pony teenager then? She had a dark brown coat, so dark that she practically melded into the night, with a bright white mane and equally as bright blue eyes. “You are…You are Wavecutter, are you not?” Yamato eventually asked, because while she was a very pretty mare, the fact that the pony before her was slightly transparent was still her most noticeable feature that led credence to her conclusion. Yamato, or rather Yamato’s spotters, had noticed the young mare watching her throughout the day. From seeing her hiding beneath one of the tables in the mess hall to poking her head occasionally around the door frame of the captain’s cabin when Yamato was learning about the world. She was always just around the corner observing Yamato. And considering that Yamato had yet to see any other pony interact with the spirit it left Yamato with only a few options to consider. “Y-yes ma’am!” Wavecutter answered immediately in a tense tone and nearly snapping to attention, though whether that was out of fear or respect Yamato couldn’t tell. “U-um, ma’am? If you don’t mind me asking, how can you see me? Not even my captain can see me so how…?” the mare continued, looking confused. “Because I am just like you.” Yamato answered as simply as she turned her full attention to the teen. “I am Yamato, battleship of Japan and name ship of the Yamato class of ships. And it is my pleasure to meet a fellow shipmare.” Yamato greeted, Wavecutter looking absolutely shocked at her admission. Though Yamato could understand why, as she doubted Wavecutter had ever encountered anypony quite like her. No doubt she would have many questions that Yamato would have to try and answer to the best of her ability. Questions that even Yamato might not know the answer to. “What’s a battleship?” Or she could ask a question that even a child back home could answer and completely destroy Yamato's expectations. “…Exactly what its name implies. A vessel meant only for battle. One who stands tall against her enemies and challenges them with all the might of her cannons. Who protects those who stand behind her with the strength of her armor.” Yamato explained simply as she returned her gaze to the sea, her memories of battle rising to the forefront of her mind. “S-So you fight things?” Wavecutter clarified, Yamato nodding in confirmation. “Then, are you gonna fight against my crew?” the spirit continued. “…If it becomes necessary for me to accomplish my goal, then yes.” Yamato admitted, having grown tired of the lies she had to tell throughout the day and not willing to do so to a fellow shipmare. “…Please don’t. ‘cause I’m gonna stop you if you try, and I really, really don’t wanna fight you.” Wavecutter threatened quietly, Yamato turning back to the mare in surprise. Just as Yamato could tell what Wavecutter was, she had no doubt that Wavecutter could tell, at least partially, what Yamato was, and what Yamato could do to Wavecutter if she wanted to. In truth, Yamato wouldn’t even need to use her guns, she could simply ram Wavecutter at even a single knot and suffer no real consequences other than cutting Wavecutter into pieces. Yet even though she likely understood such a fact, the younger ship still stood resolute in defense of her crew. Something that brought a smile to the taller mare’s lips. “Good, that is exactly what a truly great ship should do for her crew. Never abandon your loyalty for your crew, and they shall not betray your trust in return. For there is no greater power upon the sea than the trust between a crew and their ship, a quality you embody perfectly.” Yamato praised, her unexpected compliment causing Wavecutter’s previous serious expression to morph into one of confusion and embarrassment. “Oh, um…thanks.” The teen mare mumbled, Yamato nodding before looking back out to sea. “Thankfully, I cannot imagine a situation that would lead me into conflict with your crew or their nation, with the sole exception being if they should attempt to conscript me into their service.” Yamato continued to explain. “I apologize if my words have caused a misunderstanding, but I just…I wish to return home, to see my family once more. And I will do nearly anything to accomplish this wish.” Yamato admitted, Wavecutter’s embarrassment giving way to understanding. “Ohhhh, I get it now. I’d be pretty upset if I couldn’t see my sisters anymore too.” The younger shipmare admitted before standing up straight with a serious expression on her face. “Don’t worry Ms. Yamato! I’m sure you’ll see your sisters again one day! And me and all my big sisters can help!” So, there are other ship spirits beyond this one, but considering the shock that Capitan Whitecap displayed at my powers, its unlikely that any have manifested themselves physically. I wonder why…Yamato couldn’t help but think as she smiled and nodded down at her fellow shipmare. “Thank you Wavecutter. I, Yamato, will not forget your offer. And should you ever require my aid, you need but ask, and so long as your objective does not go inhibit my ability to return home, my rifles will be at the ready.” “Cool! I donno what a rifle is, but if its as cool as you are then it’ll probably be really awesome!” Wavecutter cheered, Yamato giggling lightly at the spirits excitement. “Indeed, they are…well then Wavecutter, I bid you goodnight.” Yamato finished as she started to make her way back below decks. “Oh, ok then! Goodnight Ms. Yamato!” Wavecutter said, Yamato starting to trot away. But before she could even make it more than a few steps, the younger spirit stopped her. “Oh wow, I really like your cutie mark Ms. Yamato! Is that what your homeland’s flag looks like?” Wavecutter questioned, a question that caused Yamato to freeze in her tracks. “…I’m sorry?” Yamato couldn’t help but question as she turned her neck to stare back at the ethereal mare, said pony gesturing with her hoof at Yamato’s flank. “Your cutie mark! I’ve got the same one as all my big sisters so I figured yours was something like that.” Wavecutter continued as she turned to the side and gestured to her own flank. A tattoo showing what Yamato now recognized as the flag of Equestria on her rear, the blue and white ponies embroidered there a stark contrast to Wavecutter’s fur. Yamato had noticed the strange tattoos on the sailors that surrounded her, such as the large wave on Whitecap, the green star with two wings upon Jade Wing, or even the sun cresting over a cloud on Sundance. She had assumed they were some form of cultural mark that a pony received at some point in their life-perhaps upon reaching adulthood? - but when no pony had made mention of them, she simply put them out of her head for the moment, choosing instead to focus on gathering far more important information. But Wavecutter’s words sent a jolt through Yamato’s hull, and slowly but surely Yamato turned her neck back around to examine her own flank. There, imprinted upon her fur so naturally that she had never noticed, was her. Or rather, it was Yamato the ship. Almost as if she was streaming directly off her fur, the mark showed the front of her bow, the Chrysanthemum, her front turrets, and her bridge all clearly visible. And behind the tiny depiction of her were a number of beams of light, each one a different color. Almost as if a rainbow had exploded behind her. “…No, it is not the flag of my nation.” Yamato eventually said. “It is…an image of myself, of what I once appeared as.” She continued, a faint smile forming upon her muzzle. “And a message of hope for those who lack the strength to stand against the dangers of the deep. That by the fire of my rifles, those who would abuse the love of the oceans will know no peace."