//------------------------------//
// Bk8/Ch3 The Crimson Ghost Hunter. 
// Story: Love's Lost Decade 
// by Priceless911 
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Book 8 / Chapter 3
The Crimson Ghost Hunter 
(Year 5, Month 6, Day 3)
The sounds of creaking wood and battering rain was heard below deck as the ship rocked with high and long strides as Princess Skystar sat in the corner of the galley moaning in sickness, “Oh… why won’t it stop?”
General Arnold held his composer as he replied, “Calm yourself your highness, you need to hold yourself high, less risk looking weak and frail to these pirates.”
Though he spoke as if he were unaffected by the ships rocking, it was easy to see by the expression on his face that he too was feeling sick. Ignoring the complaints, Zeil and Silver also sat in the galley as they both did their best to avoid talking in hopes that the previous night’s conflict wouldn’t be repeated. As the room sat in silence, the door to the deck above opened as rain and water started pouring down from the gun deck above as Jim, and Pinpoint trotted down as the quartermaster spoke, “The storm above is getting’ worse! We need more hooves on deck! Sir Zeil, Miss Mist and Arnold we-”
Arnold corrected, “General.”
Pinpoint replied in anger, “Whatever… you three are needed on deck! Princess you stay here, your safety is what’s important.”
General Arnold argued as he stood up, “Absolutely not! I will tolerate you and your crew’s vulgar attitude, blatant disrespect, and… questionable hygiene… but there is no way I’m allowing the princess to remain here alone in this time of crisis.”
Seeing the conflict, Pinpoint hesitated for a moment in thought till Jim spoke up, “I’ll stay with her sir. I’ll protect her.”
Pinpoint thought about the situation, thought he knew Jim would be better on deck, he also understood the unspoken trust that he and the princess shared as General Arnold started to argue, “Now wait just a minute, I’m not about to leave her with a pi-”
Pinpoint interrupted, “Done… Arnold get your plot on deck and help secure the sails.” He looked at Zeil and Silver, “We need you two also, be sure to secure your lifeline while on deck and help where it’s needed. Mr. Keg can direct you but tread lightly, this storm is a killer.”
As Pinpoint started up the stairs, Jim trotted towards the princess as General Arnold continued trying to argue, “Did you not hear me? I said I w-”
For the first time, Zeil felt intimidated by Pinpoint’s aura as the quartermaster paused and spoke with an infuriated tone, “I said… get on deck. I may be the most reasonable sailor on this ship… but that doesn’t mean I won’t dispose of unneeded cargo… whether it be boxes… or you. Now get on deck Mr. Arnold that is an order.”
With nothing more to say, Pinpoint continued up the stairs as Zeil, Silver and General Arnold trotted up the stairs as they reached the main deck of The Bloody Tide.
As soon as they were on deck Daring Do was waiting next to the mast as she handed each a rope as she spoke, “Tie on your lifeline, and make sure its tight, this will save you if you fall overboard.”
As Zeil looked across the deck, he was surprised by what he saw. On deck the sailors were quickly rushing to each station to fight the rains and wind as the storm poured down with so much force, that everything outside the railing of the ship was almost impossible to make out amongst the rain and darkness. As the sailors rushed to quail the chaos on the deck, Captain Sail stood at the helm on the upper deck as he yelled his orders to all he could see, “Mr. Keg! Get those cannons secured! You lot, pull in the main sails but leave the aft sail! Miss Do! I need ya in the crow’s nest lass! Look out for reefs and the coast! Call if ya see anything!”
Daring who has just ensured her lifeline was secured to the mast nodded as she turned twords the nearest Jacobs ladder, “Aye Captain!”
As Daring started climbing the Jacobs ladder, Captain Sail continued, “Mr. Zeil, Miss Mist, Get on the sail!”
Silver nodded as she put up the hood on her cloak, “Aye Captain!”
Before following his orders, Zeil noticed that Captain Sail had no lifeline as he called, “Captain! Shouldn’t you secure your line?”
Captain Sail laughed out loud, “Don’t worry ‘bout me lad! The sea wouldn’t dare claim me just yet… she ain’t that merciful.” he looked at General Arnold, “Arnold, see to the cargo on deck! Work smartly lad we need that cargo secured less it break loose and hurt the crew.”
Although he wanted to tell the captain to refer to him as General, General Arnold decided to ignore it as he and Zeil separated to follow their orders. As Zeil trotted towards the nearest group of working sailors, a massive wave came crashing into the side of the ship leaving gallons of water to rush over the deck as the crest of that same wave hit Zeil and knocked him off his hooves. As he was being washed across the deck, Zeil eventually colligated with the portside rails as he fell to the deck stunned from the impact. As he tried to stand, Powder Keg rushed to his side as he helped Zeil onto his hooves and spoke, “Up ya go lad… anythin’ broken? No? Good then get to the sails. We need them closed before the mast gets sheared off!”
Zeil nodded, “Yes sir, I’m on it.”
Quickly getting to work, Zeil rushed to a group of sailors pulling a rope as he helped to close the sail. 
Up in the crow’s nest Daring Do did her best to hold herself steady as she looked out for the next incoming wave. As she did it was only seconds before she saw a towering wave approach from the starboard bow of the ship. As The Bloody Tide started dipping down into the wave’s saddle, Daring Do called, “Captain!!! We have a big swell off the starboard bow!”
As he heard the warning Captain Sail looked towards the approaching wave just as the bow of the ship started tipping upward as he called, “Brace for a climb! Make ready to close the aft sail!”
As he called this order, Captain Sails steered the ship towards the center of the approaching wave as Zeil and Silver got to the rigging near the aft sails and readied themselves to pull it in.
As The Bloody Tide started climbing the massive wave, everypony on the ship to include Daring in the crow’s nest grabbed onto the railings as the stem of the large vessel soon found itself pointing to the sky. As the ship climbed the wave, Captain Sail called, “She’s a big’n lads, brace yourselves!”
Slowly with only three aft sails helping their movements, the large ship rose over the crest of the massive wave then went from pointing to the sky, to leveling out at the wave’s peak. As the ship seemed to slowly roll over the crest, Captain Sail called, “NOW, PULL IN THE SAIL!!!”
Reacting to the order, Zeil, Silver and a number of other sailors pulled the rope in their hooves as the aft sails were closed just in time for The Bloody Tide to begin its downward motion before plummeting down the back of the massive wave in what seemed to be almost a full freefall. As the ship fell down the wave the entire crew braced themselves for the fall as The Bloody Tide quickly fell before hitting the saddle with a large splash that forcibly jerked the ship to a level plain. As the ship was quickly leveled out, the crow’s nest at the peak of the ship’s mast was jerked the hardest as the shock tossed Daring against railing hitting her wing and injuring it as she grunted in pain. Hearing the grunt from below, Silver looked to the nest as she called, “Dazzy? You oka-“
before she could finish another large wave colligated with the side of the ship as Daring who was busy holding her wing, was tossed over the railing of the crow’s nest as she quickly reached out just in time to grab one of the yardarms.
As Daring Do held onto the yardarm, she could only cringe in pain as Silver saw this and called, “Dazzy!!!” she looked to Zeil, “You’re a changeling aren’t you? Fly up there and help her!”
Zeil looked up at Daring who was starting to lose her grip as he looked back and replied, “I can’t, my wings are severed. I can’t fly.”
Silver sighed in hopelessness as she looked up the Daring Do and replied, “Never stopped me.”
Right after that was said, Silver reached up and unlaced the tie on her cloak that kept it on her body as the whipping winds pulled her unsecured cloak away revealing her scarred body underneath. As Zeil saw the bat pony’s body for the first time, he could only stare in shock. The three claw shaped scars that could be seen before she removed the cloak, now appeared to run along the entirety of the bat pony’s torso but what really surprised him was when they reached her wing, it revealed that whatever it was that gave her those scares also severed her wing, but what remained was a prosthetic assembly of aluminum frames all sharpened to a razers edge with canvas that was connected to her torso by a series of straps and buckles. The other side of her torso held no real scars, but her wing on this side was also severed at the half way point with the same assembly of prosthetics connected to it. Seeing both her artificial wings only shocked the changeling enchanter as Silver opened them up and used the passing winds to lift herself from the deck as she flew upward towards Daring Do. However as Silver started to close in on the hanging explorer, a loud snap was heard as one of her prosthetics fell apart causing Silver to lose control. Seeing this Zeil called, “SILVER!!!”
Before anything else could happen, Silver used her loss of control to bank into the Jacobs ladder as she quickly grabbed onto the rope structure stopping herself from being thrown overboard by the passing winds.
Sighing in relief, Silver looked to Daring Do who now was losing her grip as the skilled assassin quickly tried to finish reaching her friend by climbing the ladder as fast as she could. However, before she was able to reach her, another wave collided with the side of The Bloody Tide as the impact caused the ship to dip to the port side leaving Daring Do to lose her grip just as the yardarm hung over the sea. Seeing Daring fall, Silver called, “No! DAZZY!!!”
As Daring Do fell over the ship’s railing and into the water, Zeil saw something that worried him. After hitting the sea, Zeil saw the other end of Daring Do’s lifeline follow her into the water as he called, “NO!!!” 
Reacting out of impulse, Zeil darted towards the portside rail as he stepped onto the railing and jumped off of the ship as he quickly changed into a sea pony leaving his own lifeline to fall off with his transformation. As Zeil hit the water, he wasted no time in diving deep into the sea as he followed the sinking rope until he saw the fading mare attached to it. Without hesitation, Zeil grabbed Daring Do and swam to the surface as fast as he could as Daring Do held onto him tightly. After breaking the water’s surface, Zeil quickly looked around as he fought the rough sea until he could see The Bloody Tide still rocking amongst the waves. As the two held onto each other, Daring spoke, “There it is… but… how do we get back on?”
Zeil studied the wave’s movements as he looked at a large approaching wave as he spoke, “With the right timing… hold your breath.”
Doing as she was told, Daring Do held her breath as Zeil waited till she was ready, then dove deep into the water before turning around then darting back towards the surface in an angle. As the two breached the surface of the water, the speed that Zeil had built caused both creature to jettison from the sea as their angle along with the timing of the waves ensured that they both would land on the main deck of The Bloody Tide just as the ship’s deck was tilted down so that their landing would be on the center of the ship. After the two crashed onto the deck of the ship, the crew of The Bloody Tide quickly surrounded the two as Zeil turned back into a zebra while he and Daring Do coughed up what water was in their lungs. As the crew surrounded them, Pinpoint helped Daring onto her hooves as Captain Sail helped Zeil as he spoke, “Lad… that has to be one of the craziest saved I have ever seen. S’pose you earned your knighthood didn’t ya.”
Zeil smiled as Daring Do regained her strength and spoke, “Zeil… thanks… I own you one.”
Zeil shook his head, “We’re even… you got me on this ship didn’t you?”
As Daring smiled to his response, Silver who was still on the Jacobs ladder sighed with relief as she mumbled to herself, “Its only morning and I’m already wishing this day would just end… I can barely take this tensions anymore.”
As she rubbed her head in irritation, Silver looked forward as her eyes crossed over a dark figure in the distance. Confused Silver started climbing higher up the Jacob’s ladder to get a better look.
Back on the deck Daring Do spoke, “Seems that Lifeline didn’t do much did it…” she held up the loose rope that was tied to her, “If it’s going to snap like this then what’s the point?”
Pinpoint followed the rope to its end as he spoke, “Captain…”
Captain Sail looked at the end of the rope as he spoke, “The line didn’t snap lass… it was cut.”
Daring Do and Zeil quickly looked at the rope to confirm what was said as Zeil spoke, “Cut… but… who would cut it? And why?”
As Captain Sail looked at the rope his expression became angry, “Where is Arnold…”
“CAPTAIN!!! SHIP OFF THE STARBOARD!!!”
As Silver called what she saw, everypony on deck looked to the side as they saw a small brigantine sailing in line with The Bloody Tide. Seeing the distant ship shrouded in darkness, Captain Sail watched until faint flashes of light could be seen from the vessel as Captain Sail called, “CANNONFIRE!!!”
As that was called, a small cluster of cannonballs collided with the deck of The Bloody Tide as the thick falling rain was soon joined by splinters from the wooden deck.”
Down below in the galley, the plank wall lining the starboard side of the ship jutted inward in random places as Jim and Princess Skystar stumbled from the impacting cannonballs leaving the princess to ask, “Wh-what was that?”
Jim replied, “Cannon fire… we are under attack?”
The princess looked at Jim, “What should we do?”
Jim replied, “We stay put, and stay away from the starboard walls. I told you I’ll protect you and that’s what I’ll d-”
“If you want to go above… then you can leave the princess in my hooves. She has better chance with me then with a pirate anyways.”
Hearing the voice, both hippogriffs looked to the stairs as General Arnold trotted down and smiled. As this was seen Princess Skystar spoke, “General what’s going on? Why i-“
Before she could finish, Jim stepped between the princess and General Arnold as he spoke, “The ship is under attack. Why aren’t you on deck?”
General Arnold nodded as he replied, “I don’t answer to you boy… so don’t address me like some peasant.”
Seeing something was wrong Princess Skystar replied, “General… are you alright? Your acting stra-”
Jim raised his hoof as if to protect the princess behind him as he spoke, “So the snake finally bears his fangs.”
General Arnold replied in false confusion, “Snake?”
Jim replied, “Don’t play dumb… Captain Sail warned us that there was a traitor amongst the princess’s group. And you were the only one that fit the bill.”
General Arnold asked, “Really… how so?”
Jim replied as he made sure he was completely between the general and the princess, “There were a number of ships in Framage too many to count… but amongst them was one that Captain Sail knew well. The Cross Saber.”
General Arnold drew his sword as he replied, “I don’t see how that has anything to do with me.”
Jim nodded, “It wouldn’t… but then again, that particular ship is crewed by a very specific group of pirate hunters that are well known for working with generals of other kingdoms… Defecting generals.”
Princess Skystar was surprised, “Defecting generals? You mean?...” she gave General Arnold a confused look, “Are… are you betraying use?”
General Arnold shook his head, “With all due respect your majesty… It was the queen who betrayed use first.”
Princess Skystar was concerned, “Wh-what?”
General Arnold paced as he explained, “For centuries, the leviathan has restricted his waters and tasked the guardian to protect the pearl from all who intend to misuse its power. Then when the last pony guardian passed, the task was placed upon our queen, who so foolishly took the pearl from Home and hid it in a place where it became vulnerable even to the Storm King. That… I could overlook. But when the storm king was defeated what did she do?... She pleaded with the Leviathan to open his waters to outsiders, and broke apart his relic! She put all of our lives at risk just to please her new pony friends! But the last straw, the very thing that set me over, was placing her trust… on the very pirate that killed the last guardian of the pearl. She trusted Captain Sail the pirate that murdered Siren, with the protection of her daughter’s life over her own navy… if she has such little trust in her own, then what point do we serve her?”
Angry Jim replied, “You serve your queen because it’s where your loyalty lies! You made an oath to protect the crown!”
The soldier stopped pacing, “Don’t talked about what you don’t understand boy! I made an oath to the Hippogriff Kingdom! But if she wants to turn her back on what we stand for, then she is no queen of mine.”
Princess Skystar asked, “What do you intend to do?”
The general smiled, “I’m going to take what’s left of the pearl, and guard it myself. I’ll ensure that it will be safe… even from you! Now… hand over the key to the chest.”
On the main deck, everypony was picking themselves up from the recent attack as Captain Sail called, “ALL HOOVES TO THE CANNONS! Make ready with explosive shot and hold to fire!” he looked at Powder Keg, “Mr Keg, get to the gun deck and make those cannons ready as well.”
Powder Keg nodded, “Aye Capt’n.” he looked to a few sailors, “You lot! On me we need to load the cannons below!” he looked back to Daring, “Miss Do? A little assistance?”
With her strength regained Daring stood up, “Sure, as long as I don’t need my wing I can help.”
With that said, Daring Do, Powder Keg and a number of sailors went down to the next lower deck to load the cannons there as the rest stayed to load the cannons on the main deck. Back Below in the galley, the three hippogriff could hear the crew above on the gun deck loading cannons as Jim spoke, “Okay… so you’ve established your plan… so now what? You think the captain will just let you trot away with the chest?”
General Arnold replied as he put his talon on the pearl shard around his neck, “No… but with the Cross Saber hunters as a distraction, all I need to do is get to the water, and change into a sea pony. Now, Princess Skystar, there was no part of this plan that involved hurting you, so if you want it to stay that way… hand over the key to the chest.”
Nervous Princess Skystar took a step back as Jim stepped further in front of her as he replied, “You ain’t gettin’ anythin’ from her highness. Not now, not ever.”
General Arnold chuckled, “And who is gonna stop me boy… you? I doubt you know any better, but an inexperienced fool like you is nothing to me. I’ve been fighting wars since before you were even born.”
Above on the main deck a sailor approached Captain Sail, “Captain, all cannons loaded. Should we fire?”
Captain Sail put his hoof up as he watched the opposing ship closely, “Hold fire… just a little bit longer.”
As the storm fueled waved continued rocking both ships, the small brig finished reloading as that ship’s captain who couldn’t be seen through the thick rain called over the distance, “FIRE!”
With that order the small brig fired all of its guns, however with a large waves pushing against the opposite side, the cannon’s aimed was forced downward as all twelve guns that fired sent their cannon balls into the water just a few feet short of The Bloody Tide. Smiling at the rookie mistake, Captain Sail waited just a little bit longer and readied himself to give the order.
Back below, Jim responded to General Arnold comment as he glared in anger, “You got experience in a fight. That I’ll agree… but there is something you don’t have that I do.”
General Arnold shifted his eyes to the princess and back as he chuckled, “Oh… don’t tell me you’re gonna say something sappy like, the love of a princess, or someone to protect right? Don’t be a hopeless romantic… this ain’t a fairytale where the colt gets the girl at the end.”
Although he blushed slightly, Jim replied as if it didn’t faze him, “Not that… what meant something that gives me an advantage in this fight… the thing that guarantees your gonna lose.”
General Arnold replied, “Oh? And what’s that?”
Above on the main deck, Captain Sail watched as the large wave that sent the brigantine’s cannon fire into the sea slowly passing under its keel raising the small vessel higher than The Bloody Tide and allowing it to expose its underside just as it crossed the crest of the wave. Seeing the smaller ships belly Captain Sail called, “FIRE!!!”
hearing the order, Powder Keg on the gun deck below relayed the call, “FIRE!!!”
In the galley as the order was heard above, Jim replied to General Arnold, “What I have… is my sea legs!”
That said, Jim charged towards the armed general as the general readied himself for an attack from the unarmed hippogriff. However as he readied himself, the cannons on both the main deck and the gun deck above fired off as the sudden recoil of all seventeen cannons caused the ship to jerk in the opposing direction causing the unsuspecting general to stumble as Jim grabbed a chair in his charge and swung it as hard as he could leaving the small piece of furniture to shatter against the general’s head while knocking him to the floor. Above all seventeen explosive shells hit and buried themselves into the small brig along the ships keel as they each exploded with enough force to shatter that very backbone of the small ship as the weight of the ships mast and the pressure of the massive wave caused it to break apart. The bow towards the front and the stern to the rear.
Back below, with the general stunned momentarily, Jim had reached the attacker as the unarmed sailor tackled the soldier slamming him against the ships mast. After hitting the large pillar like structure, General Arnold tried to regain his senses but before he could Jim grabbed his beak with his talon and continuously began slamming his head against the mast over and over as each hit made the general become even more disoriented. As the fight continued below, Captain Sail stood amongst his cheering crew as they all looked towards the sinking brig off their starboard side. However as they cheered, Captain Sail felt uneasy as he turned to look out the port side as he yelled, “BRACE!!!!”
At that moment, a second ship this one a frigate slightly smaller then the tide emerged from the darkness as the smaller ship collided with The Bloody Tide’s Port Side. Down below, Jim continued to bash General Arnold’s head against the mast in hopes of knocking him unconscious, but as the opposing ship collided with The Bloody Tide, the shockwave knocked Jim to the floor as General Arnold took this opportunity to kick the younger hippogriff away before picking himself up and wiping the blood from his face, “You stupid fool… I wanted to leave this ship without harming anyone, but look like I’m going to have to teach you a lesson.”
As General Arnold started to approach Jim, Princess Skystar stepped between the two as she spoke, “No general… you stay back.”
General Arnold sighed, “Don’t bother princess, we both know that even you don’t have the strength to stop me.”
“But I do…”
as General Arnold turned to look towards the voice, a spyglass was swung as if it were a club as the brass tool shattered against General Arnolds head as the impact caused the general to fall to the floor unconscious. Confused and relieved, Princess Skystar and Jim looked to Pinpoint as the Quartermaster looked at his destroyed spyglass and sighed, “Pity… at least this gives me a reason to buy a new one now.” He tossed the spyglass away, “You alright Jim?”
Still on the floor Jim nodded, “Uh… Aye sir.”
Pinpoint replied as he tossed a set of shackles and a leather belt on the deck as he spoke, “Well… on your hooves lad! Put this traitor in chains and bind his wings. Captain will have a talk with him once we deal with what’s happening on deck. Till then, Stay with the princess.”
Moments ago, as the second ship colligated with The Bloody Tide, grappling hooks were tossed from the attacking frigate as a number of sailors jumped onto the main deck. Seeing the attacking sailors, Captain Sail called, “The Cross Saber! ALL HOOVES ATTACK!!!” he looked to his quartermaster, “Mr. Point, Find Arnold, and put him in chains… but don’t kill him… that honor is mine.”
Nodding to the order, Pinpoint drew his sword and tossed it to his captain as he replied, “Aye Captain… consider it done. Just don’t die.”
Captain Sail smiled as he caught the sword, “I ain’t heard her song yet… so that ain’t happenin’.”
Smiling Pinpoint rushed down the stairs in the lower deck as Captain Sail turned to face the pirate hunters. 
As the pirate hunters jumped across the ships railings onto The Bloody Tide, Zeil saw a few charge at him as they drew swords and called, “Any who sail with pirates deserve death!”
As they neared their changeling target, a wave from the surrounding storm washed water over the deck and through Zeil’s hooves as he placed his hoof in the moving water and flung it towards the attackers. As his hoof swung upward, the water it carried turned to a solid vertical stream as a large amount of water flew towards the attackers, hitting them like a solid brick wall and knocking them to the ground. As the sailors laid incapacitated, Zeil looked at his hoof and mumbled, “Wow… I didn’t think that would work. Thank you Matthias.”
“LOOKOUT!!!”
Quickly looking back up, Zeil noticed that a larger stallion had charged through the wave and was close enough to strike Zeil with his sword. However before he could finish his swing, Silver dropped out of the rigging as she used the sharpened metal of her prosthetic wing to stab the stallion in his back as her weapon dug deep with the weight of her fall.
After impaling her target, Silver tried to pull her prosthetic from the corpse but as she did the blade was stuck as the straps holding the prosthetic onto her body gave way first leaving the weapon to break free from her body and remain stuck in the dead sailor. As Zeil looked at the exposed scars on the remaining half of Silver’s wing she gave him an annoyed look, “What, never seen a bat pony without wings before?”
Zeil nodded, “Actually… I haven’t. Where is your Scythe?”
Silver sighed in irritation, “Below deck, I wasn’t expecting to fight anyone today… oh well, this will give me practice in hoof to hoof. What about you? do you intend to stick with your no killing rule? Or will you be joining the fight?”
Zeil smiled, “I’ll be joining the fight but I still won’t be killing anypony. I have my pride after all.”
Silver nodded as she smiled sinisterly, “Well, seems we both will be challenged here then wont we?”
Zeil nodded, “I think I can manage… can you.”
That said, Zeil gestured behind Silver as another enemy sailor approached and readied his sword to strike her in the back. With the target too close to dodge and her only means of defense lodged in the dead stallion, Silver stepped back in worry but as she did a gunshot rang out as a bullet flew over Zeil’s shoulder, passed Silver and hit the pony in his face as the attacker fell back dead.
Confused Silver turned and looked passed Zeil as Zeil turned to Powder Keg who was standing at the top of the stairs leading below deck as he started reloading his musket. Seeing this Zeil smiled “Good shot Mr. Keg. Captain Sail was right when he said you’re the best sniper on the sea.”
Powder Keg smiled, “And don’t cha be forgettin’ it neither.”
As the gunner went on to join the fight Silver looked at Zeil with confusion, “Did… did you know he was there?”
Zeil smiled, “I’m a changeling, I could sense him while he was on his was there.”
As Zeil went on to join the fight Silver sighed, “You really are crazy… my mechanic and you would get along great.
Up on the top deck Captain Sail and a few of his sailors fought their way through the invading hunters as he looked across the stormy darkness to see the opposing Frigate’s captain climb up from his slightly smaller ship. As he stepped over the railing onto The Bloody Tide, the Pirate hunter smiled, “Captain Crimson Bartholomew Sail…”
Captain Sail nodded, “Ah, the captain of the Cross Sabers I presume… forgive me for not knowing your name lad… all pirate hunters of my age are either dead or retired. But I’m guessing it was you who made the deal with the snake on my ship.”
The captain nodded as he replied, “Captain Cutler… at your service. And yes, Mr. Arnold wanted us to attack you… but don’t take it personal Captain. Pardoned Pirates aren’t nessisary my favorite to hunt. After all, any who choose to put away their life of crime are better for it in my book.”
Captain Sail readied his swords, “Then why attack me at all.”
Cutler sighed, “An accord is an accord. I was paid to come here, collect the traitor and his cargo and leave. In all honesty, you aren’t even part of the arrangement.”
Captain Sail smiled, “Then you’re out of luck… Mr. Arnold is most likely indisposed right now… and if you know who I am… then you know he is already dead.”
The Captain readied his sword, “I can’t take your word for it captain. Pardoned or not… your still a pirate.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Then let a pirate be what he is… after all… you’ve hunted enough to know.” He raised his sword, “No prey?...”
Captain Cutler drew his sword, “No pay.”
Captain Sail smiled, “Now who sounds like a pirate laddie.”
That said, Captain Cutler charged at Captain Sail as the older sailor stood his ground and only blocked each skillful attempt that Captain Cutler made to kill his target. With Captain Sail only using his skills to block parry and deflect, Captain Cutler started getting irritated as he spoke during his attacks, “What?... what are you doing?”
Captain Sail deflected and parried the enemy away as he replied, “What’s it look like?”
Getting angry Cutler charged, “Looks like your running from me… why? Why don’t you fight back?”
Blocking three more attacks Captain Sail replied, “This is the skill of a modern pirate hunter? How disappointing.”
Cutler was getting enraged as his attacks became more unfocused, “Disappointing?... are you mocking me?”
As Cutler attacked, Captain Sail lead him closer to the ships railing as he blocked a vertical attack, parried his opponents weapon away and pinned it to the railing as he forced Cutler’s blade partially into the rail. Trying to pull himself free, Cutler spoke, “Wh-what?”
Captain Sail spoke with a dark tone, “This is all you can do? All of that time hunting and slaying pirates and this is all you can muster? You’re supposed to be a pirate hunter, a challenge for any skilled pirate… but to me… you’re just a disappointment.”
Then with only one attempt, Captain Sail grinded his blade up Cutlers sword as he raised it over the hunters guard and buried it into his chest.
Stunned by the sudden shock, Cutler tried to understand what happened as Captain Sail spoke, “I hoped for more… but if this is all todays pirate hunters can do, then I’m glade I’m no pirate anymore. You wouldn’t even be enough to make me proud of removing you. I guess is just goes to show. They don’t train ‘em like they used to.”
With the last of his consciousness fading Captain Cutler tried to speak through his pain, “Bu-but… I’m… s…”
With no way of finishing his final words, the Dying captain fell to the deck as Captain Sail sighed, “Don’t take it personal captain… if it were up to me, I would have spared you and only Arnold would have to be the one to die today… But that sory excuse for a soldier crossed the line when he threatened my family. Any you… agreed to help him. For that… I wont spare you… and he… he will be far worse then you once im done with him.”
That said, Captain Sail grabbed the dying stallion by his hind hoof and dragged him across the top deck as he looked over the chaos on his ship before calling, “ALL ABOARD THE BLOODY TIDE!!! ATTENTION ON DECK!!!”
With his call everypony on board to include his own crew and the pirate hunters looked to the captain as Captain Sail tossed Captain Cutler onto the main deck as the impact in combination with the sword still imbedded in his torso proved fatal as Cutler died instantly upon hitting the deck of The Bloody Tide.
Seeing their dead captain laying on the deck, the Pirate hunters slowly lowered their weapons as all eyes slowly moved back to Captain Sail who stood over the ship. With an expression of anger on his face Captain Sail called, “All hooves on my crew, Get back to your stations and bring in all sails… as for the rest of ya… GET YOUR SORRY PLOTS OFF MY SHIP!!!!”
As the order echoed through the misty air, lightning from the surrounding storm struck the waves behind him as the seemingly divine action also struck fear into the pirate hunter as they all immediately fled and quickly jumped back to The Cross Saber. As the scrambling hunter crew fled Pinpoint came from below deck dragging the chained General above as the quartermaster saw the chaos and smiled, “Looks like I missed the fun.”
Captain Sail trotted down to the main deck as he looked at his quartermaster and nodded, “Impeccable timing as usual Mr Point… I’m to assume Jimbo had no problems dealing with the snake?”
Pinpoint threw General Arnold down on the deck as he replied, “Jim did well, but he still needed a little assistance.”
Stunned the chained General struggled to free himself, but the chains on his talons and hooves and the leather belt around his torso holding his wings shut proved too strong as he looked around and found himself lying next to the dead Captain Cutler as he spoke, “Can’t trust a wannabe pirate to hunt a pirate now can we.”
Captain Sail nodded, “That reminds me…”
With no concern, Captain Sail trotted to the dead Captain Cutler as he picked up the corps by the very weapon still impaling the captain. Leaving a trail of thick blood in his path, Captain Sail dragged the dead captain by the weapon in his chest, stepped up onto the portside railing, and looked to the smaller frigates rushing crew. With one hoof on the Jacob’s ladder and the other carrying the dead captain by the sword in his chest Captain Sail called, “You there! Don’t forget to take this with you!”
With that said, Captain Sail reared back the swords handle in his hoof as he thrusted the sword with enough force to throw the dead captain from the blade as the captain of the Cross Saber fell onto the deck of the hunter’s ship. Though the falling corps caught the attention of the opposing crew, it didn’t slow their actions any as they quickly worked to cut the lines tying the ships together and quickly opened their sails to flee the site as fast as possible.
As Captain Sail Stood upon the railing looking down onto the fleeing opponent, something seemed somewhat iconic about this particular sight. Zeil didn’t understand it too much, But with the angry captain standing on the rail, blood dripping sword in hoof and a vigorous storm behind him, causing his cape to wave in the wind. This, was the sight that pony tales always showed, when they described the captain of a crew of pirates, this was the Crimson Ghost Hunter. As he watched the pirate hunters flee, Captain Sail held his unamused expression as Daring Do, Princess Skystar, and Jim stepped up from below deck as the princess Spoke, “Captain Sail, is it safe to come out n-“
Before she could finish, Princess Skystar looked to General Arnold who was still laying on the deck, then to the trail of running blood that lead all the way to the ship’s captain as the sight alone was enough to silence her. Though water from the storm washed some of it away, the blood was still thick enough to remain as Daring Spoke next, “The battle is over captain, the ship is still yours.”
Captain Sail turned to the group and spoke, “I would say it is… but then again… there is still one more enemy aboard the Tide that must be dealt with.”
Stepping down from the railing, Captain Sail passed his sword back to Pinpoint as he spoke in anger, “Get him on his hooves.”
With that order, a number of sailors picked Arnold up and held him up as Captain Sail gave the traitor an angry look. As Captain Sail looked upon the hippogriff, Powder Keg approached, “What’s the order capt’n?”
Captain Sail replied with an angry but calm tone, “Ready number three… Solid.”
Powder Keg smiled sinisterly, “Aye aye Capt’n.”
With that order Powder Keg approached on of the cannons and started loading it by himself as Captain Sail continued, “String em’ up…”
With that order the sailors holding General Arnold tied a rope to the chain that bound the hippogriff’s talons as Princess Skystar spoke, “Captain, what are you going to do to him?”
Captain Sail shifted his eyes to Princess Skystar for a mere moment, then to Daring, “Miss Do?… Take her majesty below… she’s fare to innocent to whiteness this.”
Daring Do nodded as she replied, “Aye captain.”
Daring approached Princess Skystar she spoke, “Your majesty, the captain is right, we need to go below deck.”
Princess Skystar objected, “N-no I need to know what your g-“
As Princess Skystar tried to reply, Captain Sail looked towards Jim and interrupted her, “Jimbo?”
Nodding at what he was wanting, Jim looked to Princess Skystar as he spoke, “Your majesty… please… I know you don’t understand but I would advise against disobeying the captain.”
Seeing Jim agree, Princess Skystar sighed in disappointment before nodding, “Alright Jim… I… I trust you.”
With no further objections, Jim and Princess Skystar went below deck as Daring turned to follow, but before she went below Daring Do spoke, “Captain… I know I can’t change your mind… but I at least thank you for taking the princess into consideration.”
Captain Sail didn’t reply, instead he just nodded in agreement as Daring Do turned to the stairs and went below deck with the others. As soon as they were gone, the crew of ex-pirates hoisted General Arnold up by his chained talons as the general spoke, “What are you going to do captain… kill me? Just like you did her… right?”
Captain Sail replied with an unamused look, “Lad… Ya don’t have to remind everypony here who killed Siren… but know this… General… She died like a Captain. But you… you will die like a traitor.”
Zeil could only give Captain Sail a surprised look as the captain turned to the rest of his crew as he spoke, “Lads! Listen up! General Arnold here… Betrayed his kingdom. Made a deal with pirate hunters and waited like a snake in the grass to strike us amidst a storm like an amateur assassin.”
All of a sudden Zeil could feel anger build up from the surrounding crew as Captain Sail smiled, “But he made a mistake… he didn’t realize I can smell a land snake from anywhere at sea.”
Zeil started to feel nervous, not only was the aura of anger from Captain Sail as strong as a pony ready to commit murder, but the same aura of anger was rising from everypony within his crew. Meaning that the only word to describe his company, would be a crew of murderous pirates. Nervous, Zeil held his silence as Captain Sail continued, “So… let me ask you somethin’ Mr. Arnold… Have you ever been to the East Atlantian Sea?”
As General Arnold was lifted from the deck and moved passed the starboard railing till he was hanging over the sea, the general replied, “The East Atlantian… what are you talking about Sail?”
Captain Sail followed the hanging general to the ships railing as he continued, “Out there… there is a pagan village that have the strangest religion. Seems that they believe that when you die, you are judged for your sins. If they are little or fruitless, you go to a place of endless bliss and happiness. But if they are bad… you are sent to a place of endless fire and pain… a place crafted of nine circles… each one more torturous then the last. And the bottom of this… Hell… is the deepest darkest circle, meant specifically for traitors and mutineers… ya know what that means?”
General Arnold could only give the angry captain a nervous look as he was hoisted in front of the cannon that Powder Keg was loading. Seeing this concerned Zeil as he started to step forward to say something, “Capta-”
Before he could say enough to get Captain Sail’s attention, Silver put her hoof out stopping him in his tracks as Zeil looked to the composed assassin who only shook her head as if to say, Stay out of it. Getting the message but still worried, Zeil looked back to the hanging captive as Captain Sail smiled the most sinister and evil smile anypony had ever seen, “It means… that when I die and go to this hell… I won’t be passing you by.” He held his head high as he spoke calmly, “Fire...”
As that was said, General Arnold’s eyes locked on Powder Keg who was standing behind the cannon as the gunner smiled for a mere moment before pulling a cord and setting the cannon off. At that very moment time seemed to have slowed for Zeil as he watched in shock as the large plume of smoke and fire exited the bore of the cannon as the smoke concealed the solid cannonball as it exited the bore in a flash and cut through everything, the air, the rain, and the target. As the cannonball hit the hanging general, the force from the impact destroyed the officer and snapped the rope holding his chains as he the cannonball and all debris created from the cannon shot flew into the sea and sank into the waves. Stunned by what he just witnessed, Zeil stood in silence as Captain Sail looked over the railings into the water below, removed his hat, and brushed a few specs of blood from the recent event away. As he put his hat back on, he looked into the sea and shook his head as the rain above stopped falling bringing his attention to the sky. Seeing that the storm was ending and the sea was calming, Captain Sail turned back to his crew as he looked at the herd of ponies that looked to him for instructions. Seeing their silence Captain Sail called, “Well… what cha gawkin’ at? The rain stopped but the swell is still rough so I’d advise you open the main sail and get the Tide back on course. We are one body less… so we better be movin’ faster!”
With that order, the crew quickly started following their instructions as Pinpoint turned to the crew and relayed the order, “You heard the captain! Open the main sail and get us to the wind! Due south lads! Straight to Zebrica!”
As the crew got back to work, Zeil and Silver stood in silence as Captain Sail started to trot passed them to the upper deck. As he passed, Captain Sail stopped for a moment as he looked to the serious expression on Silver’s face as he spoke, “Somethin’ wrong Miss Mist? Any comment on my actions?”
Though she knew she was stronger than the old captain, she still understood the risk of angering him further as she shook her head, “not at all Captain… as you said before the voyage, at sea… you’re judge, Jury, and… Executioner.”
Captain Sail nodded, “I see…” he looked to Zeil, “Sir Zeil… judging by your expression, I’m assuming the sight was a little much for ya… and I apologies. I assumed a knight such as yourself were familiar with a little bloodshed. If I knew it was too much for ya, I would have sent you below with the princess.”
Still a little shaken by what he had seen, Zeil shook it off as he replied, “No… I’ve seen plenty of blood and death in my life… I just didn’t expect to see something so… sudden.”
Captain Sail nodded, “At sea outside national waters, the law is upheld by the captain and his officers. If one breaks the law… the captain has the choice to deliver the criminal to the next port or… punish the criminal himself. So… I was just doing my civic duty.”
Silver nodded with an unconvinced expression, “And what did you call it before you were pardoned… back when you were still a pirate.” 
With no concern Captain Sail replied, “Discipline, making an example of one to remind the rest… who is captain here. That’s how ya keep mutineers at bay, and how loyalty is maintained.”
With no more words in his defense, Captain Sail started back to the helm as he spoke, “The sea is calming now… we don’t need you two on deck anymore so if you feel ya need it, go below and rest.”
As the captain Started up the started trotting towards the helm, Silver spoke to Zeil, “C’mon, let’s go check on the princess.”
Zeil nodded as he followed the bat pony below deck. Up by the helm Captain Sail stood next to the helmscolt as Pinpoint approached, “Funny… you seemed to have gotten more merciful in your old age.”
Captain Sail smiled, “Don’t ya go calling me old… you have two decades on me remember?”
Pinpoint smiled, “I was talking about letting that crew of hunters go like ya did… in the old days we would have raided their ship and sent them off with nothing more than enough food to make it to the nearest coast.”
Captain Sail nodded, “They ain’t pirates, so raiding their ship would be theft which… we don’t do anymore. Sides, I was seein’ too much red to think clearly. Seein’ what almost became of Miss Do put me in a bit of a foul mood.”
Pinpoint nodded, “Aye… we need to thank Sir Zeil for that. Without his actions she would have been lost to the swell.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye… good thing he is here. Even if he doesn’t know where he should be.”
Pinpoint nodded as he looked over the ship, “So… what are we going to do about this? It’s possible that the princess will be unhappy with your actions… that may even put a scare on our relations with Queen Novo.”
Captain Sail shook his head, “No scar can cut deeper then when Siren died.”
Pinpoint nodded, “Aye… and that statement alone falls onto all who knew her.”
Captain Sail nodded, “And killed her…”
Pinpoint sighed, “Don’t go talkin’ that again… we did all we could. Was her choice to go down with her ship, can’t fault her for that… or us for that matter.”
Captain Sail sighed, “Sorry, just having that pearl on this ship again brings back too many memories. But either way… it’s a good thing the princess and Jim are getting along as they are.”
Pinpoint smiled as he looked back to his captain, “He managed to protect her… just as you thought. I had to step in at the end, but I have no doubt Jim would have found a way out of the trouble he was in. So… you expected him to stay with her highness didn’t ya?”
Captain Sail nodded, “I saw how they acted last night, easy to see that he fancies the young princess. As… she fancies him too. I knew that the only way to drag out the snake, was to separate him from the princess, so I felt it best to send Jim below with you when you got more hooves to help on deck. I knew that if the general argued about leavin’ the princess alone, then Jim would volunteer to stay with her.”
Pinpoint chuckled, “Playin’ matchmaker are we?”
Captain Sail smiled, “He’s young, as is she… If Jim truly feels for her, then I’d like him to have the chance to tell her now before she goes ashore. That way, he can have the chance to be with her if he chooses, better that then to hoard regrets. Besides not all treasure be Silver and gold. S’pose he found his and doesn’t know it. Isn’t that what love is?”
Pinpoint’s expression became depressed as he continued, “And what of my niece… easy to see that she also has feelings for one aboard.”
Captain Sail sighed as he replied with an unhappy tone, “She does that’s easy to see even if she tries to hide it… sadly I fear the noble knight doesn’t feel the same. I only hope that her story that is in progress doesn’t have a sad ending.”