//------------------------------// // Chapter 18 // Story: Captain's Journey // by Sphinx_Herald //------------------------------// Rose sighs and put down the rag she was using to clean off the counter. She looks around her tavern with a smile. She sees Ebony trotting to one of the tables with a bowl of apples on her back. She trots over to the disguised changeling. "Sweetie, I think we need to talk about something." “About what?” Ebony asks around a mouthful of fruit. “Well, seeing as to how someone new has arrived and she doesn’t have anywhere to stay. I was thinking of having her stay with me until she gets a place of her own.” “Okay…” “That means you’ll have to move out, sweetie.” “What, why?” “Well, unless you want her to find out you’re a changeling. Anyways, you’re the one with the most chance of being able to stay with Captain on his ship and spend a little ‘quality time’ with him.” She receives a cold glare from the changeling, though it has little effect on Rose's mood. “But I mean it, Willow needs a place to stay and I don’t think she’ll like sleeping on a ship. Either way, I’ve given you enough time to get some money and a place of your own, sweetie.” Ebony skulks for a moment. “Don’t suppose you could give me some money to get a place?” “I already told you, I only pay for services. I’d be more than happy to give you the money if you spend a little ‘quality time’ with me, sweetie.” Rose adds a wink at the end. “Fine, I’ll stay with Captain.” “Good to see he finally gets a piece of the action.” An apple is thrown from the other end of the table hitting her squarely on the forehead. “Ouch,” she mumbles as she rubs the spot it hit.They hear heavy hoofsteps outside the door. "Looks like you can tell him the good news." The door to the tavern is pushed open and Captain walks in. “Can I have some rum?” “Sorry sweetie, after last night I don’t have too much left. You’re just going to have to wait from my next shipment.” He frowns and walks over to his usual spot at the counter. “Hey Captain, what are we going to do about the ship issue?” Ebony asks. "What ship issue?" "The fact it looks like a pirate ship and we'll be arrested when it comes into port." “I don’t think we need a new ship, can’t we just take the flag down when we come into port?” “Oh yes, why didn’t I think of that?” Ebony says sarcastically. “Do you really think taking the flag off of a dark red ship with black sails will do anything?” “Guess you’re right, but I don’t want to get rid of Misfotune.” “Wait, you two need a new ship?” Rose asks. “Yeah, I think that they might arrest us if we go into Hayvana with the ship as it is,” Ebony says A mischievous glint flashes in her eyes. “I think I might have something mutually beneficial in that case. One of my competitors is receiving a shipment of alcohol today. You can take the ship, drink what you want and give me the rest and my competitor loses a ship.” “We’ll do it! We kinda need to go get the money from your friend anyways.” Captain shouts for the other end of the tavern. “Wait, Misfortune is still being repaired, how are we supposed to get there?” “Well, as it turns out, I have some business in Hayvana. You could hitch a ride in my ship though I can only bring about three other member of your crew.” “I guess that can work, we’ll have to bring Howler, Twigs could be useful to get the ship moving, and Arr--” “Alright we’ll go, we’re going to take Howler, Twigs and Willow with us.” Captain interrupts. “Willow, I don’t think it’s a great idea taking her back there, wouldn't it be a better idea if we bring one of the others?” “I want to see what she can do.” “Excellent!” Rose shouts. Captain, Ebony, Howler, Twigs and Willow all relax on Rose’s schooner as it enters Hayvana harbor. Willow looks down at her new possessions, a small dagger and belt to sheath it in and a blowpipe with a dart pouch. She looks over at Captain then back at her weapons. In two days this pirate has freed her from slavery, as well as the other deer that were at the plantation. Accepted her into his crew, made her feel more welcome than anywhere else she has ever been and now he has bought her weapons. No one has ever shown her this much kindness and she was confused why a pirate of all ponies would. “Captain,” Rose calls from the bow of the ship. He gets up and walks up next to her. “That’s the ship you’re after,” she says pointing to a schooner docked a small ways up the harbor. He can see ponies going on and off the ship, presumably unloading or loading the ship. He walks back over to his group. “Twigs, you’ll have to wait till we take the ship. Ebony, you’re going to get the money from… that guy whatever his name is. Willow, you and me are going to take the ship.” She gives a quick nod. “Howler, if it looks like she’s in trouble you’re to help her, but only if she’s in trouble.” He trusts me to help him take a ship! I’ve heard a few rumors about Howler, if he doesn’t want him to help he must really think I’m able to do something. I have to try, he’s putting this much faith in me and I will not let him down, Willow thinks. They split ways once the ship is docked. The group ducks into an alleyway not too far from their target. “I thought we were going to take the ship,” Willow says. “Can’t, we can only take it if they’re about to leave or if Ebony comes back. We can’t leave without her.” “Oh…” She looks back at the ship, she can see four stallions unloading cargo and two others moving crates around on deck. They're not military, but they still have weapons most likely to defend from pirates while out at sea. Twigs quickly falls asleep, Howler busies himself with polishing his katana. They sit in silence for several minutes, all the while Willow watches the stallions. “Captain, there’s not many crates left. I think they’ll be leaving soon.” Captain snaps out of a slight daydream he was having and look at the ship. “Looks like you’re right, Howler wake Twigs. Come on, Willow, we have a ship to take. You take out the two on deck, I’ll take the others.” Captain unsheathes his sword and charges. “Wait, how am I…” She hesitates as Captain charges, after a moment she draws her dagger and runs after the pink headed pony. The stallions on the dock turn to face them as they draw their own swords. Captain punches one in the chest sending him flying into the side of the ship. Willow runs up a small pile of crates and jumps on deck, without missing a beat she runs at the stallions as soon she her hooves hit the wood. She lunges at the closest one she manages to make a large gash in his shoulder, though not fatal it's enough to slow him down. The other one strikes at her, she quickly jumps out of range. She runs around the enemy and lunges for his gut, she catches a flash out of the corner of her eye. Reacting quickly, she jumps back just the blade of the first one comes down where her head was moments before. She sheathes her dagger and climbs onto a pile of crates. She brings her blowpipe up to her lips and sends a dart into the first one’s foreleg. He stumbles but keeps his balance, he looks at his partner and whispers something to him. The second one runs over to the rail of the ship, Willow gives chase. She leaps into the air, avoiding a strike that would have taken off her legs, and draws her dagger. She hears a splash come from the side of the ship, Willow silently curse herself knowing that the second one has. She deflects a blow, the stallion staggers from the follow-through. She takes the moment to sink her blade deep into his thigh. He screams in pain and attempts to return the favor, but she jumps out of the way and he falls to the ground. Whether it be the poison from the dart or from blood loss, he is no longer able to fight. She slits his throat and runs over to the rail and see the other stallion running off into the streets. She hears heavy hooves landing on deck. Turning she sees Captain, Twigs and Howler climbing onboard. He managed to kill four in the time it took me to kill one . He runs over to a crate and smashes it open with his hoof and pulls out a bottle rum. He pops it open and begins chugging. “I’m sorry Captain, I let one get away.” He stops and looks at her. “Doesn’t matter.” “But he’s going to tell the army!” “How many ponies do you think saw me over there?” he says nudging his head toward the dock. His ears flick as he hears shouting coming from the dock. He looks over as a group of soldiers try to force their way through the crowd. “Twigs, get the sails up. Howler, you and me are going to stop anypony from setting hoof on my new ship.” The diamond dog gives a quick nod and walks over to the gangplank, Captain follows suit. The soldiers line up on the dock and aim their rifles. “Surrender now, pirates, or die!” “Funny, we’ll be hung anyways if we give up. So, let’s see how many of you we can take with us,” Captain shouts. “Have your way scum. Ready. Aim… Fire!” Captain and Howler take cover behind the rail as the barrage of bullets fly past them. “Charge!” Captain jumps over the rail delivering a punch to the head of a soldier. He hits the soldier away and deflects the blow from another. Howler lands in the middle of the group and in one swift motion cuts the group in half… literally. Bringing his eyes away from the bodies cut clean in half, he looks at the sky and see a beige pegasus flying toward the ship. He jumps onto the ship, quickly followed by Howler. “Twigs!” “Got it, Cap’n!” The schooner lurches forward as the sails unfurl. Captain take the helm and steers for the open sea. “Good job, Cap’n.” “Say that to Willow.” He looks back at the crowd, just as a white stallion with a black mane shoves his way through the crowd. Captain stares in shock at the soldier, his face contorts in rage. Ebony jumps back at the wave of anger. He makes a sharp turn, Willow and Howler manage to keep their footing, Twigs stumbles to the deck and slides over to the rail. Ebony grabs the mast to stop herself from being sent into the rail as well. Crates slide across the deck and into the water. “Captain, what are you doing?” Ebony shouts, he doesn’t answer. She turns to Howler, “Get him away from the helm!” He jumps onto the upper section and tackles Captain to the ground, Ebony take the wheel and steers away from the dock. “Let me go, I have to kill him!” Captain shouts. He shoves Howler off of him and runs at the helm. Before he can get too far Howler is in front of him again. Captain runs into the diamond dog, “Get out of my way!” Howler’s claws dig into the deck, but it does nothing to stop him from being pushed back. Captain feels a little sting in on his right thigh, he swings a punch at Howler, sending him flying across the deck. Captain feels another dart hit him on his right shoulder, he stumbles a little but continues on toward the helm. Another dart sticks into his neck and he tumbles to the ground. Ebony looks at Willow, who is holding her blowpipe. “Good job.” She turns to Howler as he picks himself off the deck. “Tie him to the… scratch that, chain him to the mast. I don’t want him getting free.” Captain bolts awake, covered in a cold sweat. He looks around at the familiar wall of the Misfortune. He soon calms down from the comforting sway of the waves. He hears some coughing over by the door. He look over at a changeling, doubled over a bucket as she coughs something up into it. He can see a small stream of blood running out of her mouth. “What happened?” he asks. Ebony vomits into the bucket again and wipe her mouth. She walks over to the bed and slaps him across the face. “I don’t know, you tell me! You could’ve killed us and everyone on the dock!” she shouts. She rubs the foreleg she had hit him with, damn, he’s stronger than me even when he’s asleep! “It’s my business, no one else’s.” She slaps him again. “Well, your ‘business’ damn near got us killed and made you go on a frenzy!” Her eyes soften and she speaks in a nicer tone. “We’re a crew, that means it’s all our business. Like when we helped Arrel with his sister.” Captain rubs his jaw and sighs. “His name is Gallows.” “And…” He lets out an annoyed groan. “And he… he… he’s the one that killed my parents.” Ebony takes a step back. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have someone to kill.” She steps in front of the door. “No, I know you’re angry and want revenge, but that’s not the way to go. Revenge isn’t the answer, it almost got us and a lot of innocent ponies killed today. Don’t go after him.” He glares at her, she glares right back. After a few moments he looks away with a sigh of defeat. “Fine, I won’t go after him. I’ll pretend that I didn’t see him.” She smiles at him and levitates two bottles of rum over. “What was that about?” he asks pointing at the bucket. A slight blush comes to her cheeks. “While changelings can feed off of love, they can also syphon off other emotions such as anger. Problem is that it’s not healthy and kinda causes that.” He blinks at her a few times and tilts his head to the side. “I ate your anger so you’d feel better.” “Oh… uh… thanks." He thinks for a minute then rises his bottle. “How about this, I promise I won’t go after him so long as you promise to tell the crew what you are someday.” She taps her bottle against his. “I promise.”