With storm and perils fading beyond the horizon, the tenor aboard ship lightened resplendently. Clouds and squall gave way to crisp ocean air on a sun-warmed breeze. Sails replaced Sea Ponies and the ship sailed south toward the forbidden territory far beyond the desolate plains of the Badlands bordering Equestria. Twilight spent the remainder of the day engaging with the crew and learning everything there was to know about navigating the high seas. Starswirl seemed content to sit back and reflect while gazing out over the whitecaps and perhaps gather strength for what was to come.
Satisfied with their progress for the day, Seachelle gave the order to drop anchor and settle in for the night. Drinks were poured and they all settled in for a meal to celebrate their survival. Congratulations and commendations for a job well done were dished out as the captain regaled her crew and passengers alike for their devoted service and selfless heroics.
“I propose a toast.” Seachelle stood and tapped her glass with a long knife. “A toast to the crew of the Flying Dutchmare—never a finer crew that ever sailed the salty seas.” A clinking chorus joined with lively shouts of here, here. “To the tenacity of an old wizard, and, I can’t believe I’m saying this, the fortuitous assistance of some new friends from below the waves, the Sea Ponies.”
Twilight nearly lost her balance as she perched on the table edge and raised her glass above the rest, joining in the cheer. “Here, here!” Starswirl reached up to steady her exuberance and got an accidental tail lashing for his efforts.
“And last, but surely not least, to Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Seachelle held her glass level with her head as Twilight receded from the table top. “A true heroine and friend to all. May you always have the wind at your back and a bright star to guide your way.” Twilight partially withdrew. A sudden redness filled her cheeks.
Starswirl raised a glass and added his voice to the chorus. “Here. Here.” He tipped back his glass and downed the contents in a single gulp. Wiping away the remnants of his drink, Twilight could barely make out something he mumbled under his breath. “The Scion is ready at last.” Before she could ask what he meant, he shouted out to the group, “Time to celebrate!”
Buckaneer looked oddly at the tipsy sounding wizard and raised his glass even with the captain’s. Standing up, he cleared his throat. “May I once again add my thanks for restoring my sight, your highness. An impetuous young buck’s follies rectified and made whole by your grace.” He bowed his head toward Twilight and paused for her reply.
Twilight waved off the gallantry and shrunk away from the table. “I’m glad I could help, but I can’t really take credit for anything. Sort of a happy accident is all. Without Starswirl’s help, none of that would have been possible.”
“I merely provided the instruction. The magic was all yours, princess.” Starswirl poured himself another glass and motioned across the table. “Unfortunately, we may have to find another name for a certain member of the crew.”
Pegleg raised his hoof with glass in tow and tossed the drink down his throat. Shaking his head and staring down at his fully realized leg, he shared his thoughts. “I ain’t never thought I’d be nothing more than a Tripod. Me parents named me that when I was born with only three legs. The name weren’t nothing mean, just fit the situation is all. At least becomin’ a sailor meant I could blend in with the rest that were missin’ all sorts of parts and pieces. I left me old name behind when I strapped on me peg and joined up with the crew—all of that’s changed now. It’ll take some getting used to, but I figure I can make a new start. At the very least, I ain’t complainin’ none—ain’t that right Buck?” He gave the Deer next to him a sharp jab in the ribs.
Buckaneer brushed him off and shook his own head from side to side. “Losing my eye was my own fault—and a stupid fault at that. Who ever heard of a Deer that runs into a tree and takes out his own eye? I left home and family behind and became a privateer to hide my shame. The freedom of the sea and a captain who saw past my mistakes landed me here. Maybe it was fate, and maybe I’ve served my sentence, but after this voyage, I might just see about making peace with my past—sure to be returning to duty when my shore leave is up, Captain Seachelle.” The deer’s cloven hoof clanged against his antler as he saluted.
“I think you all deserve some shore leave once this voyage comes to a close. What do you say, Landlubber? Gold Doubloon? Sharkbait? Got somewhere to go, somepony to see?” Seachelle pounded back her glass and swung back into her chair.
“This may have to be my final voyage, captain. I think it’s time I settle down—find a place to put down some roots.” Landlubber finished off his glass and settled back into his chair. He fumbled with the empty glass between his forehooves to avoid addressing the table directly. “Sailing with this crew has been the best experience in my life so far, but a life at sea can’t be all there is for me. Maybe I’ll find a little island somewhere and see about raisin’ up a family.”
“The life of a sailor is all there could ever be fer one such as I. You’d have to pry me hooves from the deck before you set me to land fer good.” Gold Doubloon tossed back his drink and slammed the cup down on the table. “I was born to the sea, and I’ll go down to her in the end.” He grinned from ear to ear showing his many gold capped teeth and slapped Landlubber across the back nearly knocking him out of his chair.
The last of the batch seemed at a loss for words. “Um… I mainly cook, umm…” Sharkbait fumbled with his glass. “But I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be than servin’ grub than to the lot of you blokes.” He stuck his glass in the air. “To the finest captain and crew of the finest boat to ever sail the high seas.” Lowering his glass, he downed its contents and sunk back in his seat once more. His outburst was met by more than a few stares which turned to chuckles and then outright laughter. The crew met his toast with mostly empty glasses.
“Here, here!” Twilight raised her glass and drunk it down in fluid motion. She settled back down and pondered a moment. Semi-drunken thoughts of sleep clouded her mind. The cider on board was pretty powerful stuff, and she could feel its effects even though she had only had half a glass to drink. Through her drooping eyelids, she turned and addressed Seachelle. “What about you? What does the future hold for Captain Seachelle?”
“I’m afraid the future for me has already been decided, princess.” Seachelle pulled down the brim of her hat and tipped back on her chair. “I’m married to the Flying Dutchmare—ain’t nothing I can do to change that. My destiny was decided before I was even born.”
“I totally get what you—” The fog of Twilight’s mind parted momentarily. A sudden revelation leapt to the fore. She looked down at the captain’s exposed flank and gasped. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize it earlier. You don’t have a cutie mark!” Starswirl gagged on his second drink, spraying amber liquid over half the table.
Seachelle nearly tipped over. Grabbing onto a rope tossed over a beam above the table, she avoided the fall. Righting herself, she brought her chair to rest on all four legs. “So what if I don’t have a cutie mark—Buck doesn’t have one.” She pointed over to her first mate who was waving his hooves in front of his chest in a way that suggested Twilight had crossed a boundary that she probably shouldn’t have.
Twilight immediately pulled back. “I’m sorry. It’s really not my place to say anything.” She tried to take back her words, but the outburst was already in the open.
Seachelle sighed. “Say what you gotta say, princess. Don’t leave it there.”
“I didn’t realize. I-I’m just so used to everypony having their cutie mark…” Twilight buried her head in her hooves. “I must be drunk, I don’t know what I mean.”
Seachelle placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Twilight, it’s fine. I’m good with it. There’s nothing that having a cutie mark can tell me that I don’t already know.” She tried to suppress a bit of a laugh. “It is kind of funny though that it took you so long to notice. Maybe a cup of cider helped you see the light?”
“I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. I guess I wasn’t paying attention or had so much weighing on my mind.” Twilight stopped and lifted her head. “Wait a minute.” She stood and turned to face Seachelle nearly knocking over her glass in the process. “You haven’t got a mark because you haven’t found your true destiny yet!”
Seachelle waved off Twilight’s suggestion by swinging a foreleg in a playful gesture. “That’s nonsense. I know what my destiny is and it’s everything to do with this ship and the oath my ancestors swore to the Guardian.”
“No it’s not!” Twilight got up and paced the room. “Every pony gets their mark when they come to realize what their true destiny is. I got mine when I discovered my love for magic and learning. Apologies to your first mate here, but that’s how it works for every one of us ponies.” Twilight stopped and pointed over at the sailors still seated around the table. “Take a look at your crew—each of their marks show their special talent or depict something that means something important to them. Landlubber has a mark of an island with a palm tree; Gold Doubloon has a few bits of treasure; Sharkbait has a cutting board and chopped up vegetables; Even Pegleg—I mean, Tripod—has an image of… a camera tripod? That does seem a little weird for a sailor…”
Tripod shook his head and stared down at his flank. “Not at all. I always dreamed of becoming a photographer. I guess I floated a bit off course while trying to pretend I was somepony I wasn’t. I should probably get back on track and start living my dream. Can’t say anything’s holding me back now.”
Seachelle tossed a hoof in the air. “What does all that have to do with me? So what if my destiny’s been decided already? So what if I don’t have my own cutie mark.” She roughly tossed her glass onto the table where it broke into a hundred sticky shards. She crossed her forelegs and leaned over the arm of her chair in a challenging pose. “I’m totally fine without it.”
Twilight turned and met Seachelle muzzle to muzzle. “What if we were to find a way to release you from your obligation? Wouldn’t you be free to choose your own destiny then?”
Seachelle swung away and tossed her hat in the air. She let it fall over her face as she bent over the far armrest and stared up at the ceiling. “Fat chance of that happening. The contract is rock solid. There’s no way I’m getting out of that.”
Twilight rubbed her chin. “Do you actually have it in writing? Can I see it?” She was intrigued by the prospect of seeing the ancient document. Perhaps there was something in it that could be used as a way out of the deal. Gaining some insight into the dealings of the Guardian might also come in handy to prepare for her own engagement.
“It’s late, princess. Perhaps we should hit the hay and maybe we can look into it tomorrow. We still have a ways to go if we’re going to deliver you to the Bay of Ages before noon tomorrow.” Seachelle adjusted her hat and spun her hoof around the brim as she got up to leave. “Let’s go catch some rest, boys.”
Without another word, captain and crew vacated the room. In short order, they left Twilight and Starswirl the last to retire. Twilight turned to the wizard wondering why he had remained so quiet throughout the discussion. “Do you know of anything we can do to help the captain?”
“Such things are not within my purview.” Starswirl got up to leave as well. “Perhaps you should ask the Guardian regarding his contractual affairs. It’s really none of my business.” He stretched and yawned and twisted his shoulders from side to side. “It is getting quite late. We should follow the captain’s advice and get a little rest—got a big day ahead of us tomorrow.” With that he turned away and strode into the hallway leading to the passenger’s quarters.
Twilight looked down at her own cutie mark and mulled the implications of Seachelle not having realized hers. Making up her mind, she resolved to bring it to the Guardian’s attention and work to correct the injustice that had been forced upon the good captain. First, however, she was going to make it to bed and see about correcting the amount of sleep she was currently being deprived of herself.
The sun broke over the watery horizon. All hooves made ready and the vessel began its journey south once more. Wind caught the sails and the ship dove through the waves as they passed into the southern regions not often seen by pony kind. Having long since passed the last of the peaks of dragon country ringing the Badlands, they crossed into territory uncharted on any map Twilight had ever studied. Buckaneer held steady on course as the captain entertained Twilight’s curiosity in the confines of the captain’s private quarters.
“Like I said, there’s no way out.” Seachelle shook her head and rolled up the ancient parchment. She gently placed ancient parchment back in the ornate golden tube she retrieved it from moments before and sealed the end.
“There has to be a way out. You can’t let a deal like that keep you from realizing your destiny.” Twilight looked out over the waves and tried to think of another option.
“When my father died, I became the captain of the Flying Dutchmare. That’s all there is to it—that is my destiny. This ship’s been passed down through generations of my family. I’m the last direct descendant of the pony that made that deal, and I don’t want to know what the Guardian would do me, my ship, or my crew if I crossed him. Making a deal with somepony like this Guardian, whoever he is, isn’t something that happens every day. The only way I know to bring it to an end is to stop having family to pass the curse down to.” Seachelle reached up to the highest shelf of the bookcase behind her desk and shoved the tube behind a row of dusty old books.
“So you decided to never have a foal of your own because of this contract?” Twilight sat down on a padded bench near the window as Seachelle took up residence in her captain’s chair.
“Exactly! Being born into a life where everything is decided for you is like being permanently locked up in jail. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. Why would I ever want to subject my own child to it?” Seachelle leaned back in her chair and spun around completely. “Since we’re on the subject, why don’t you have a foal, princess?”
Twilight blushed. “I-I guess I haven’t found the right stallion yet.” She waved her hooves in front of her face to scatter thoughts of stallions and foals. “But that’s not the point.” She turned and faced Seachelle, speaking in a much more serious tone. “A pony needs to be free to choose for herself who she wants to be. Having that choice taken away must feel awful. Becoming a princess was part of my destiny—it’s who I was meant to be, and I used to think it was something I was forced into. I felt that I had to live up to everything that was expected of me—like I didn’t have any say in the matter. I know now that isn’t true. It was my destiny, but it’s what I chose to become. It took me a while to figure that out, but now I know who I am and that my life has a purpose because I made that choice.”
“I’m happy for you Twilight, and I hope you find the right stallion someday. Still, that doesn’t help me any.” Seachelle slumped down over her desk and rocked a sextant back and forth. “I’m just a pony without a real destiny, bound to the sea and the prospect of an empty life that goes with it. The curse of the Shell family legacy has to end with me. I can’t bear to saddle anypony else with my pitiful life.”
Twilight stood up and crossed over to the desk. “That doesn’t sound like the captain I know. I can’t believe you’d give up without a fight.” She put one hoof down on the rocking sextant and lifted Seachelle’s with another. She grasped her hoof in her own and gripped it tight as she swore an oath. “I promise I will do everything in my power to restore the choice that was stolen from you. You have my word as a princess, and as a friend.”
Seachelle looked down at her hoof locked with Twilight’s. “I’m sorry, princess Twilight. I don’t want you to have to make any deals with that Guardian fellow on my account. Let’s just leave well enough alone and not rock the boat, so to speak.” She retracted her hoof and got up from the velvet-lined captain’s chair.
“A promise is a promise.” Twilight sat back on her haunches and acted out a little skit. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
Seachelle gave a little giggle. “What’s the deal with the little promise dance?”
“Oh, just something a friend of mine always does. It seems to get the point across.” Twilight got back up on all fours and looked back at Seachelle who had cracked a wide smile and was continuing to giggle at her antics. “Just go with it.” Twilight broke out into a chorus of giggles herself as both ponies turned toward the door and headed back out on deck.
Starswirl gave no indication that he noticed Twilight as she came to rest her hooves on the railing near the ship’s bow. She felt they needed to finish their conversation before they arrived at their destination, and with that moment fast approaching, there wasn’t much more time to make it happen. It was hard for her to tell if he wasn’t in the mood to talk or just lost in thought. Following the incident with her crown, discovering the source of his magic, and then saving the life of a young Sea Pony, there was quite a bit of catching up to do.
Twilight tapped the rail and tried to get his attention. “I think I’m ready to finish our discussion. We should probably clear the air before we get to where we’re going, don’t you think?” She tried to follow his line of sight to pick out the features he was staring into the distance after.
Starswirl blinked and stepped back from the rail. “You remind me so much of her. I wonder how things would have been different back then. If only…” He looked up at Twilight with her mane blowing in the breeze and the spray off the bow scattering into the backdrop.
Twilight stepped back from the railing as well. She regarded the somber expression on the much older looking Unicorn that stood before her. Starswirl’s beard ran nearly to the ground. Instead of the previous grey that matched his coat, the entire length twisted in a winter’s path of white to just below his knees. “Starswirl?” Twilight took a step back before taking two more steps forward to more closely examine her traveling companion. “What happened to you?”
“Did you forget that I’m supposed to be a two-thousand-year-old Unicorn? Even for two hundred, I would be looking mighty fine for my age. I just hope the magic lasts long enough to get you where you need to go. The lessons were much more intense than I had planned on.” The ship crested a wave and Starswirl nearly tipped over. Twilight sprung to his side to steady him.
“Maybe we should take a seat in the forecabin—you really don’t look too well.” Twilight helped to guide the old wizard down the steps and back across the deck to the door of the cabin. Starswirl made no objection to her assistance and actually leaned into her for a little support. Twilight’s magic opened the door ahead, and she led him inside. He gave out a beleaguered sigh as she helped him into one of the high backed chairs in the corner before taking the other for herself.
“Thank you, my dear.” Starswirl settled back into the chair and managed to pull his cloak closer around his exposed side. “Growing old is never fun, especially when you’ve done it as many times as I have.”
“Are you ever going to tell me about that green glowing sphere I saw you with the other day? Why don’t you just use it again?” Twilight settled into her own seat and locked a worried stare on her partner.
“My aging spell isn’t important now. Even so, there’s only enough magic left for me to finish my task.” Starswirl coughed and tried to pull his cloak tighter around himself.
“Should I get you a blanket or anything? You look terribly uncomfortable.” Twilight scanned the room in search of any such accessory. “I’m sure I could find something to help keep you warm.”
“Don’t worry about me, dear. We’re almost to the bay and we need to finish our talk. Before you start worrying about me, let me finish worrying about you.” Starswirl closed his eyes and started moving his head around in a circular motion. His horn fizzled, but nothing happened. He opened his eyes and reached up to feel the tip. “Drat! I guess I’ll just have to explain the old fashioned way.”
Twilight didn’t move, unsure if she should react in any way. After another sigh and another cough, Starswirl continued. “I failed, Twilight. One thousand years ago, I brought the Scion to the Master and I failed to prepare her for what she would face. Fortunately, her Trials were placed on indefinite hold due to mitigating circumstances and the consequences of my failure were avoided for a time.”
“I-I don’t know what you mean. Who was this Scion and how was it you failed?” Twilight shifted in her seat. She felt a tingle in her legs like the blood wasn’t circulating as it should.
“Princess Celestia was just like you once. A prodigy and a leader—I felt she was ready to face the Trials and brought her to my Master completely unprepared. Since that day, I vowed that the next Scion would not be so ill-equipped to succeed, and here you are.” Starswirl held out his hoof and Twilight reached across to hold it. She saw a tear roll down his cheek and felt the tremble in his limb.
“I still don’t understand. How can Celestia be the Scion when you said that’s who I was? How am I any better prepared to face these Trials than she?” The trembling passed into Twilight’s leg and fed up into her shoulder and neck.
“Celestia’s failure was all my fault. I failed to understand what it would take to surpass the challenge. I failed to factor in the impact of her sister, Luna. That will not happen this time. Throughout the past few years, I’ve kept my eye on you, princess. Over the course of our journey together I have witnessed firsthoof everything that will be required for you to overcome the Trials and claim what is yours—it’s your destiny, and I can see it plainly now. My only regret is that I failed to see it a thousand years ago when I pressed Celestia into action despite the now obvious gaps in her instruction.”
Twilight pulled back her hoof and tucked it back underneath her body. “How am I any different? I’ve only been a princess for a very short time compared to her. All the knowledge and experience Celestia gathered over the years would surely make her much more qualified to take a huge test like this, wouldn’t it?”
“Conventional wisdom would agree, but when it comes to the Trials, no one is more prepared than you. Even with your relative youth, you are more ready than you know. I’ve seen it in you; I have no doubt. My faith has blossomed into trust and I know there is nothing that can stop you, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Starswirl laid his hoof on the floor and leaned forward to evacuate his chair. “We should be nearly there, and I must return to my post and finish what I started. If you would lend me a hoof, I would be most appreciative.”
Twilight jumped out of her chair and rushed to his side. She led him out on deck without questioning his actions, even though a proper analysis would dictate she do otherwise. They slowly walked the length of the boat, climbing at last to the bridge and taking up position near Captain Seachelle and her first mate.
Starswirl reached down in his pouch and brought out the delicate green-glowing orb. “Give an old pony some space and let’s see if we can’t work a last little bit of magic here.” He stepped to the railing and held the orb in front of him. Closing his eyes again, the swirling mist inside the crystal came free and traveled up to his horn. The glowing vapor wrapped around the twist of the spike and seeped in before rising up and shooting out from the tip. A direct beam of light shot over to the shore a small distance ahead, and the sandy beach there melted away to open ocean passage. The towering mountain peak that almost reached down to the water’s edge beyond also disappeared into thin air. Twilight gasped as the entrance to the Bay of Ages opened before her eyes.
“Hold onto your tails!” Seachelle swung the till and the ship leaned on the rudder as they arced into the newly opened passage. “Take in the sails and drop anchor!” she yelled to the waiting crew below. The ship passed into the bay and slowed to a stop as the crew executed her orders.
Twilight took in the view all around. In every direction, an oasis sprung in opposition to the desolation further out. At the far edge of the bay stood an ornate building. The glittering dome above was supported by six massive pillars and could fit the entire boat and more beneath its covering. Marble steps led up from the water’s edge to the massive oaken doors leading inside.
Starswirl leaned over to Twilight and tapped her on the shoulder breaking her concentration. “You might want to gather your belongings and find a paddle. You have another bit of rowing ahead before all is said and done.”
Seachelle left the helm muttering to herself. “Least I should get is a thank you for early delivery—a whole hour before his deadline, and nothing.”