In the late afternoon, ponies flooded the streets of Seaddle. Dockworkers headed home from a long day’s work to the warm embrace of their families, and shop owners calculated their earnings, locking their places of business for the evening. A cacophony of shouts and curses filled the air as everypony fought to reach their destination.
Rainbow Dash found herself staring at this chaos from a bench on one of Seaddle’s main streets. She continuously rubbed her chin or fiddled with her hat—eyes darting between passerby—while next to her, Rarity mumbled complaints about the sea breeze messing up her mane. Rainbow Dash tuned her out. Looking up, she saw that the sun was hanging just above the buildings. Already the sky was beginning to change colors. Her eye twitched. “This is getting us nowhere,” she said finally.
“It was your plan, Captain,” Rarity replied.
Rainbow Dash groaned. “And what a brilliant one that turned out to be. We’ve searched every corner and back alley of this city, and we still didn’t find a single member of Bronco’s crew. What else can we do?”
“We could start kicking down doors. Eventually we’d find the ponies we’re looking for,” said Rarity.
Rainbow Dash straightened in her seat, a crooked grin appearing on her face that matched the sinister glint in her eyes.
“I was jesting. You’d be arrested long before we found them,” Rarity continued. The smile fell from Dash’s face, and she slumped back in her seat. “Perhaps Applejack is right. Going to the authorities may be our only choice.”
Rainbow Dash shot her a look. “And on what grounds would we get them to start searching? It’s too early for Ms. Sparkle to be considered missing. Besides, what would we do if they recognized you?”
Rarity softly bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, that would be troublesome.”
“Exactly why I’m against it. I need you on the crew, not rotting in some Marine dungeon.”
Rarity gave a low laugh. “You may not have a choice.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Rainbow Dash said, shaking her head. “I won’t let it.”
It looked like Rarity was about to argue, but the sudden ringing of the bell tower cut her off. It tolled three times, marking the beginning of a new hour—the sixth that had passed since their search began. The sound echoed throughout the city and drowned out the din of the crowd, if only for a moment. When it finally passed, Rainbow Dash got off the bench.
“It’s time,” Dash said, fixing her hat. “We need to meet Applejack and Pinkie at Ironside’s.”
Rarity nodded and stepped off the bench. “Hopefully they had better luck.”
Together, they trotted down the crowded street towards the stairs as a cold breeze blew in from the ocean, sending shivers down their spines. A heavy silence fell over the two that lingered the rest of the trip. Rainbow Dash tried not to worry too much about Twilight, instead doing her best to focus on the warm mug of cider waiting for her at Ironside’s Bar. It was only a small recompense, but it was enough to keep the situation from digging at her, at least in a small way. When they came up to the building with a sign advertising it as Ironside’s Bar, a sigh escaped Rainbow Dash. Applejack and Pinkie were waited just outside the door, and Rainbow Dash waved at them as she and Rarity stepped forward.
“Hey y’all,” Applejack said when they were in earshot. “How’d the search go?”
“Badly.” Rainbow Dash exhaled sharply. “What about you?”
“We didn’t find anything. And we looked everywhere,” Pinkie answered, dragging out the last word. “I tried climbing a building to get a better look, but Applejack stopped me. Spoilsport.”
“We got enough enough trouble on our hooves without ya fallin’ through the roof of somepony’s house,” said Applejack, groaning. “So, what’re we gonna do now?”
Rainbow Dash fell silent. Her gaze trailed to the horizon, where the sky was painted a deep orange. She could see the docks from where she stood. Even her little caravel was visible, bobbing slowly up and down in rhythm with the waves. Fluttershy was down there, probably worrying about them. They’d been gone for hours and hadn’t sent word back.
A salty sea breeze blew over the town, beckoning Rainbow Dash to the open ocean. Most of Ms. Sparkle’s coin was still on the ship. How easy would it be to just take it and leave, forgetting everything that happened here?
“I don’t know,” she said. “But we’ll think of something. Besides, I need a pint or two,” she added, brushing past her crew and entering the building.
The rest followed right after, stepping into the smoky bar. The place wasn’t as crowded as she thought it’d be; a few tables were occupied by rugged stallions and mares, whispering amongst themselves. A steel-grey pegasus mare was absently cleaning a wooden mug with a rag behind the bar. Only one stallion sat in a stool, lost in his cider. When Rainbow Dash saw him, a wicked smile broke out on her face, and she couldn’t contain her laughter.
Applejack raised an eyebrow. “What is it, Cap’n?”
“Nothing,” Rainbow Dash said between breaths. “It’s just that we spend all day looking for one of Bronco’s guys, and he’s in the only bar we didn’t check. It’s so stupid, it’s funny.” She pointed a hoof to the bar, and the others turned to look. “And it’s the stallion I kicked the crap out of in Baltimare. This is too rich.” She took a single step towards the bar, but Rarity moved in front of her.
“Wait, Captain,” she said. “What is your plan here?”
“I’m gonna drag him back to the ship, of course.”
“We have to be more careful than that. Let’s observe the situation for a moment before acting. Pinkie, would you be a dear and get us some drinks?”
“Oki doki loki!” Pinkie bounced her way over to the bar while Rarity led Rainbow Dash and Applejack to a table in the back corner. Pinkie returned moments later with the gray pegasus in tow, who was balancing a tray of four frothing cider mugs on her head. She sat down across from Rainbow Dash as the pegasus placed the cider on the table. They all nodded their thanks as she turned and trotted back to the bar.
Rainbow Dash was the first to snatch up her mug. She downed a good portion of the cider in one gulp, then set the mug back down, a small smile spreading on her lips. The rest just slowly sipped their drinks. “So,” Rainbow Dash said finally, “how’s this gonna go down?”
“Beats me,” Applejack mumbled.
“Oh, we could lure him back with cake,” Pinkie spoke up. “Everypony loves cake.”
The other three stared at Pinkie, each with eyebrows raised. Rainbow Dash shot Applejack a glance, who offered a small shrug. Rarity cleared her throat. “Right, ummm… that was an, erm, interesting idea, darling. I don’t see it working out, though.”
“Darn.” Pinkie’s face fell. “You don’t have any ideas, Captain?”
“Knock him out and carry him back,” Rainbow Dash said.
“We must gather information first, Captain,” Rarity interjected. “Just keep quiet.”
Rainbow Dash grumbled into her mug, slowly looking Blitz up and down. “Hey,” she said, “you notice the bruise on his cheek?”
Rarity nodded. “Yes. What about it?”
“It’s new. When I got in a fight with him, I gave him a black eye. Ms. Sparkle gave him the other one when we left port. But that bruise… neither of us did that.”
“Hmm… interesting,” Rarity mused. ‘How do you suppose he got it?”
“Who cares?” Applejack asked. “We aren’t gonna learn anythin’ just sittin’ here.”
“Patience, Applejack. Let’s wait and see what happens.”
“Hey, barkeep!” Blitz suddenly shouted in slurred words. “Gimme another round.”
The grey pegasus glowered at him. “I think you’ve had enough cider, buddy.”
“I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough, ye wench. I’ve had enough when I run outta bits.” He lifted a small burlap sack and shook it. “And I still got plenty of those.”
The mare looked like she was ready to stick a knife in him, but must have decided his coin was worth the insults. She filled another mug of cider and placed it on the bar in front of him.
Rainbow Dash smiled. “I have all the information I need.” She drained the rest of her mug and slammed it down on the table.
“Hey! Wait… Captain? What are you thinking? Captain?!” Rarity called out.
Rainbow Dash ignored her and slumped in the seat next to Blitz. “Hey there, big guy.”
Blitz looked to her with distant and half-open eyes. “Who’re you?” he asked, dragging each syllable out.
“You don’t remember me? I’m offended,” replied Rainbow Dash with a smirk.
“I can’t be bothered to remember every mare that approaches me in a bar.”
“Really? The list can’t be that long.” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Besides, what we had was special. I, for one, had a really great time kicking your flank back in Baltimare.”
“What?” Blitz twisted his head to get a better look at her. His mouth hung slack for a moment but quickly snapped shut as he started to get up. “You’re—”
“Now he remembers! Give the stallion a medal.” Rainbow Dash cut him off, shoving him back down into the seat. She rested her hat on the table. Behind it, the bartender eyed them suspiciously. “No need to be so hasty. Sit down. Have some more cider.” The smirk left her face, replaced by a tight line. She narrowed her eyes at Blitz. “I have some questions for you.”
Blitz glared at her. “Oh? About what?”
“Don’t play dumb. You kidnapped my passenger. Why?”
He scoffed. “I got nuthin to say to you.”
Rainbow Dash leaned in closer. “I’d think twice before playing it hard. You’re outnumbered here.” She indicated to her crew, who were staring at them like a trio of gargoyles. “Now answer the question.”
Blitz glared at her for a moment. “Ye think I’m just gonna admit to it? Whaddaya take me for? An idiot? For all I know, you got a squad of city guards outside just waitin’ to pounce on me.”
“No authorities,” Rainbow Dash said with a shake of her head. “This stays between us.”
“Like I can trust you.”
“You can’t,” came a voice from behind them. Both turned to see that Rarity had made her way over to the bar. She took the stool on the other side of Blitz. “But she’s telling the truth. We haven’t contacted the Marines yet.”
Blitz flitted his eyes from her to Rainbow Dash, shifting in his seat. “Ye gangin’ up on me now or somethin’?”
“No, dear. I’m merely here to offer my thoughts on the subject. Correct me if I get something wrong.” She smiled coldly. “We already heard from Spike—he’s the baby dragon that got away—that this wasn’t planned. You ran into them by coincidence. But it wasn’t her you had a grudge against. Even you know that when she hit you, it was out of self-defense. No, the one you wanted was Captain Dash.” Blitz squirmed ever so slightly. “But you had no idea where she was, nor any way to find her. You had one opportunity, so you took it.”
“Literally,” Rainbow Dash mumbled.
“That is why you kidnapped Ms. Sparkle, right?” Rarity asked. “To get to Captain Dash?”
Blitz stared straight ahead, fidgeting with his mug. “I don’t know what yer talkin’ about.”
Rarity ignored him, continuing her relentless interrogation. “But things didn’t go according to plan, did they? Spike got away and was able to inform us of what transpired. That’s not all, though… This wasn’t authorized by your captain, was it? If he had, we would’ve heard word from him by now. When he found out what you did, he was livid, wasn’t he?” Her smile grew as Blitz rubbed the bruise on his cheek. “Especially if he found out who Ms. Sparkle was.”
“You were kicked out of the crew, weren’t you?” Rainbow Dash added.
“I wasn’t kicked out!” Blitz shouted. “I was—” He stopped short, gathering himself. “I wasn’t kicked out,” he repeated.
“Doesn’t look that way to me. You’re here, by yourself, drowning your sorrows in cider. Care to explain that?” Blitz remained silent. “Didn’t think so. Now that we have that out of the way, how about telling us where you took her.”
Blitz shook his head violently. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” asked Rarity. “You still feel loyal to your captain? Look how he treats you. You don’t owe him your allegiance.”
“Ye don’t know what he’ll do to me if I tell ye.”
Rainbow Dash gripped the back of his head and forced him to look her in the eyes. “And you don’t know what I’ll do if you don’t. Trust me, you don’t want to find out.”
Blitz laughed. “Ye think I’m actually scared of ye? Captain Bronco is ruthless. Compared to him, yer just—”
Rainbow Dash didn’t let him finish. With a quick jerk of her leg, she slammed his head down on the bar. He slumped over, unconscious. The whole room went quiet and stared at them. “Very subtle, Captain,” Rarity deadpanned.
“This is me being subtle.” Rainbow Dash snatched the burlap sack from the bar and tossed it to the grey pegasus. “Sorry about my friend here. He passes out after having a little too much cider. The next round is on him,” she said loud enough for everypony in the bar to hear. After a moment of silence, all the patrons raised their mugs and gave a cheer. Rainbow Dash returned her attention to the bartender. “You can keep the change.” The mare shifted her gaze to the sack of bits, then back to Rainbow Dash. She gave a small nod, and Dash smirked. “Come on, Rarity,” she said, placing her hat back on her head. “Help me with him.”
They each placed one of Blitz’s forelegs around their neck and dragged him to the door, where Applejack and Pinkie were waiting. Together, the crew exited the bar to another chorus of cheers. Outside, the streets were still packed with ponies. Some gave them a curious look when they first stepped out, but a pleasant smile from Rarity seemed to assuage their doubts.
Applejack, meanwhile, nervously shifted her weight. “How’re we s’pposed to get him back to the ship like this?” she asked. “And how do we know somepony in there won’t run straight to the Marines?”
Rainbow Dash laughed. “One thing you outta know about sailors, Applejack, is that they will ignore a lot if someone buys them a round or two. Still, I don’t want to explain this to any squads that might be patrolling. You and Pinkie walk ahead of us and keep a lookout. Stop if you see any Marines. And try to keep to the side streets.” Both gave a nod of agreement and trotted ahead.
The way back to the ship was slow going. Several times they had to stop and wait for a squad of Marines to pass out of sight before continuing. Surprisingly, Blitz never stirred. Rainbow Dash counted herself lucky for that. By the time the docks were in sight, the sun was hanging just over the horizon.
They took the walkway down to their ship, hoping that none of Blitz’s crewmates saw them. “Ahoy there!” Rainbow Dash called out. “Lower the gangplank!”
There was the scuttling of feet on the ship deck, and soon the wooden plank was set in place on the dock. The four ponies made their way up, dragging their captive behind them. Spike was waiting at the top, eyes wide. “What took you guys so long?” he asked when they stepped onto the deck.
“It took some time to find one of Bronco’s crew members,” Rarity said. “We apologize for worrying you.”
Spike’s eyes went to Blitz, looking the unconscious stallion over. “Did he tell you where Twilight is?”
“Not yet,” Rainbow Dash answered. “But we’re working on that now. Rarity, Pinkie, take him down to my quarters and tie him to the chair. Make sure the ropes are tight.” The two gave a salute and began dragging Blitz into the hold. Rainbow Dash turned her attention to Fluttershy, who was standing off to the side, and walked over. “Hey, Fluttershy. How have you and Spike been holding up?”
Fluttershy’s eyes sank to the deck. “H-he’s been worried the whole time. I tried to keep him calm, like you said, but... I don’t think I helped much.”
“I’m sure you did fine. He’s scared.” Rainbow Dash placed a hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “You did all that you could.”
“Captain,” Rarity said from behind them, “he’s ready for you.”
Rainbow Dash nodded, and returned her gaze to Fluttershy. “You and Pinkie keep a lookout up here. I’ll be done soon. And… I’m sorry,” she added in a near whisper.
Fluttershy shook her head. “You’re doing what you have to do. I understand.”
Rainbow Dash smiled softly. “Thanks.” With a sigh, she turned to face Rarity. “Let’s get this over with.”
Together, they trotted down into the hold. Rainbow Dash cocked an eyebrow when she saw Applejack and Spike waiting for them. “Y’all are really thinkin’ of goin’ through with this?” asked Applejack.
“We don’t have a choice,” Rainbow Dash replied. “The authorities wouldn’t take us seriously. We have no actual proof that Ms. Sparkle was kidnapped.”
“Ya mean besides the stallion tied up in yer office, who admitted to kidnappin’ her?”
“He could just deny it later. Besides, how would we explain how we got that information, or how he wound up here?”
Applejack snorted. “Exactly why I was against this plan in the first place.”
“Right now, it would just be Spike’s word against Bronco’s. The Marines can’t help us if that’s all we have. Maybe we could try to convince them that she’s Princess Celestia’s student, but do you really think they’ll believe us?” said Rainbow Dash.
“Wait a second,” Spike interjected. “You said we don’t have any proof?”
Rarity blinked. “That’s right.”
“What if I sent a letter to Princess Celestia? Would that help?”
Rainbow Dash and Rarity shot a glance at each other. “Well… technically,” Rainbow Dash said. “If we brought them that, they could seize Bronco’s ship for a few days while they investigate.”
“But there’s no guarantee they’ll actually find her, though,” added Rarity. “There is a system to the Marines. And if Bronco finds out he’s under investigation, he could relocate Ms. Sparkle to a new hiding place. Or kill her, if he hasn’t already.”
“Whoa, wait!” Spike exclaimed, eyes going wide. “What do you mean, if he hasn’t already?”
“Bronco will see her as a liability,” Rarity responded. “He didn’t want this trouble. Killing her would be the quickest and easiest way to handle things.”
“Y’all really think he could get away with that?” Applejack asked.
“Not all Marines are interested in seeing the law carried out, Applejack,” Rarity said. “I would bet any number of bits that Bronco has some of them in his pocket. It would explain why he hasn’t gotten caught yet. Even if he didn’t, they can only investigate for so long before he could claim they were infringing upon his rights.” She sighed deeply. “As much as I hate to admit it, we can’t rely on the Marines. Especially when we head further east, where they don’t have much of a presence. Reputation is an important asset on the high seas. If you are seen as weak, you’ll be torn apart. Best establish that we are not to be trifled with as soon as possible.”
“Y’all talk about reputation, but who’s gonna work with a captain that tortures other ponies? We wouldn’t get any work from honest folk.” Applejack shook her head. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is a bad idea.”
“Enough, both of you,” said Rainbow Dash. “This is my decision, not yours.”
“Then what’ll it be, Cap’n?” Applejack asked
Rainbow Dash bit her lip, shifting her gaze between Rarity and Applejack. After a moment of silence, she exhaled deeply and shut her eyes. “We do this on our own. The longer this takes, the longer Ms. Sparkle rots in whatever hole they have her in. Rarity, give me one of those swords.”
She nodded to a nearby stack of crates and barrels, one of which contained several cutlasses and a pair of rifles. One of the cutlasses shimmered with a light blue aura, and floated over to Rainbow Dash, who took in her her hoof. With downcast eyes, she flew over to the door leading into her office and opened the door.
“If y’all do this, ya aren’t any better than Bronco and his crew,” Applejack called out.
Rainbow Dash gave Applejack one last look before setting her jaw. “I never said I was,” she responded, and shut the door behind her.