The next days went by rather quickly. Every one of them being the same as the last. Rainbow ordered her fellow captains and crew to prepare for their heist of an Empress. Ships were rearmed, supplies replenished, and sails refitted. Even I was worked with the more experienced crew. Rolling barrels up gangways and counting the amount of black powder we had stored. It was tedious work, but much better than Vinyl's task of cleaning the cannons and mortars.
Vinyl had ceased to become more beast like, but her fangs and eyes remained there. I could not keep my mind off them whenever I spoke to her. Her new features dominated her face. She now had a reason to wear her mask and I now encouraged it since she was becoming a topic of worry and gossip among the crews. The annoying and scrawny Thunderlane stopped his unromantic chasing of her and solely focused on me now. She was grateful for that in her pursuit of Neo. That man has livened up to her since yesterday, relieving me greatly as it showed I was not the only one brave enough to keep talking with her.
Rainbow's zealousness increased since we formed our plan. I often found her jumping in place from sheer anticipation. Each day brought a new tale about how she would subdue the spoiled Empress. It seemed she had some personal vendetta against Celestia. I did not know why she would and I never asked. I assumed it was due to her Chaotic side, but Vinyl did not show any similar traits.
By the time we had set off on our task, the plan was mesmerized among all the crews. Thunderlane was going to lead us to the Empress' location, not because we didn't know where she was, but because he volunteered to be the first distraction. He would fire harmlessly upon some of the smaller escort ships, making them chase his Stormrider. While he did that, the rest of the ships would hide behind some tall but narrow islands. The likelihood of all the escort ships taking chase was unlikely, so Maud, Mac, and Berry would distract the remaining ships. Then, the Ragnarok would sneak beside Celestia's docked ship and we would infiltrate it and take the Empress. I was certain it wasn't a foolproof plan, but I couldn't come up with anything better.
"Lay off the sail! We don't want to slam in Maud's slow ass ship!" Rainbow called out in annoyance.
"I heard that!" Pinkie screeched angrily from the back railing of her sister's frigate.
I could see Pinkie shaking her fist from the bow where I was stationed. Rainbow was unsure where to place me if our plans went awry. Zecora said that they could use another with the mortars, thus that was where I was ordered to be. I had no previous knowledge about how to fire such a massive weapon, but a quick demonstration by both Rainbow and Neo showed me that it wasn't overly complicated. I had another to help me aim the vertical cannon, so I only had to load it.
The ship rocked up and down in the moonlit waves of the Isles. We had gone much farther into the Isles than I had expected. The deeper we went, the more and more islands surrounded us. The islands themselves were beautiful and all covered in palm trees uniquely. Some had high Minotaur ruins that overlooked the lesser islands. Not only were the islands plentiful, but the numerous other ships that sailed these waters astounded me. We saw Equestrian, Griffonian, and even Republican vessels before sundown.
"We're closing on her docks. No loud noises ya hear?" Rainbow shouted in whispering voice.
"Alrighty! We'll be quiet as ever!" Pinkie happily shouted back.
Rainbow grunted and slapped her face with her hand. Pinkie's grin stayed even after Rainbow's clear frustration. All the ship's slowed down next to a long and tall cliff. From how the crew acted as we waited, I knew we were close to the Empress. My heart started to pound with worry. Everything that could go wrong played in my head. There could be an ambush for us right on the other side of the island where the dock was located. Celestia knew we were coming, but I was not sure if she knew how or when. She may have told her officers about us or she was keeping our arrival a secret. I could not predict anything.
The Stormrider lowered her sails and jumped in front of the other ships with ease. Once it left the safety of the cliff, it was in the sight of the Equestrian ships. Thunderlane fired his cannons first before fleeing the scene. Since the Ragnarok was in the very back of our small fleet, I could not tell how many ships chased him.
Without a word from any captain, Maud and Mac's ships followed Thunderlane's example. The cannons echoed and smoke rose to the heavens. I could now see how we could go to the Empress without being seen. The fog of war was dense and blinding in the moonlight. When the Ragnarok rounded the cliffs, I could barely see the Equestrian ships that defended their leader. As Maud and Mac distracted them, we coasted to the ECS Solaire with the half sails.
A wave of suspicion fell over me as we approached. The grand ship that towered over everything else present floated lazily as the sea battle raged in front of it. There were no signs of crew scrambling to guns and certainly no attempts to even set sail. I glanced back at Rainbow to see if she felt the same concerns, but her confident smirk told me otherwise.
We cruised next to the ship, our main mast only reaching the poop deck of the monster. It was almost an exact copy of Luna's ship. Seven rows of cannons stretched upward and above them stood masts of an inconceivable height. I now knew why only two of these ships existed as it would take decades just to make one.
Rainbow released the wheel and we gathered on the main deck. We attached hookblades that Vinyl had made to our wrists and prepared to infiltrate the Empress' grand vessel. Rainbow was the first to leap across and began her ascent immediately. Vinyl was the second to leap and I was the third.
"Gotta be sneaky. We don't know how many Guards will be up there." Rainbow whispered.
The climb felt that I was ascending a spire in Canterlot. The higher I went, the farther away the destination felt. Vinyl's hooks made it easier for me to latch myself into the yellow wood but it was still exhausting. Rainbow had no trouble and climbed with tremendous speed.
She swung herself swiftly over the railing and out of sight. Vinyl wisely held herself at the railing and peered over the deck. I caught up with her and to my surprise; there were no Guards on the deck at all. It seemed that the ship was abandoned. Rainbow whipped her head around in search of anyone in particular, grumbling all the while.
"They knew we were coming!" She hissed and then paused. "But they're still here. This is odd."
The captain waited until most of her crew was with us. She then gestured for us to gather in front of the door to Celestia's obvious quarters. We drew our weapons and waited until she counted down to our barging in.
"Three....Two....One!" She kicked the door open and ran inside with her swords blazing.
We all halted upon entering and seeing the Empress herself smile at us warmly while she sipped a small cup of steaming tea. There was no one in the decorated room with her. Confusion swept through the crew and Vinyl while I stood there knowing exactly what was going on.
"Nice of you to join me this lovely night." Celestia said in such a voice that certainly made half the crew groan with the thought that we her kidnapping her.
Rainbow boldly stepped forward with her sword pointed at the Empress. "Ha! We got you now, Your Highness."
"It does seem that way." Celestia nodded. "There are plenty of seats available. Would you kindly partake in some tea and discussion?"
This made the captain falter. "Uh....No? I mean we kinda in a rush."
Celestia beamed even brighter. "Well, I'm not. I actually have all night. Octavia, will you sit with me?"
All eyes turned to me instantly. I felt my cheeks burn and my eyes dashed about wildly. I even felt Vinyl's raised brow beneath her mask. My feet walked before I told them too and I found myself next to the Empress in seconds.
"What the hell is going on?" Vinyl exclaimed. "Tavi, what's up with ya? We need to get this Empress and go."
"I'm sorry Vinyl." I told her earnestly. "But the Empress is not our enemy. She's been expecting us for some time now. We had no need of any special plans."
"Why didn't ya tell us that?" Rainbow yelled. "You know what? I don't care. We got what we came for. Discord's gonna be happy."
At the sound of the demon's name, Royal Guards sprouted from behind furniture and dark corners of the room, each pointing a pistol at us. In no time, we were surrounded. Celestia's face did not change at all as she refilled her cup with more tea. I felt the barrel of a pistol nudge the back of my head.
"We do not speak of that name here." Celestia told Rainbow in a sweet but scolding voice. "I am disappointed that you Assassins work for him. Are you a Survivor, Miss Dash?"
"It's Captain Dash to you!" Rainbow growled.
"Watch your tone! Be grateful you have not been sent to gallows yet pirate." A familiar and rude voice rang behind me.
"I did not know Trixie was here." I muttered.
"Yes indeed, Octavia. Trixie is here to protect the Empress and bring fugitives like you to justice." Trixie said in a painfully loud voice.
Celestia turned her head. "Captain Lulamoon, lower your weapon. Octavia is no threat to us."
I felt the barrel leave my head and Trixie grunted in disapproval. The rest of the Royal Guards held their guns at the pirates. Rainbow cursed and sheathed her blades, instantly cooling the room.
"Does that mean there are no hard feelings?" Celestia asked. "My men only point at you for my safety. Once you calm down, we will not raise any weapons against you. Is this clear?"
"Yeah yeah..." Rainbow muttered in defeat.
"Good." Celestia smiled. "Now my ships will stop their chase after your allies."
The Empress raised a hand and the night became day almost immediately. All the cannons from outside ceased and with that, the new light faded back into darkness. It was a casual gesture by Celestia, but the pirates and I gaped at the power she had just demonstrated.
"You see. Discord is not the only one who can manipulate the world. Now, about Discord, I assume he has sent you to kidnap me so that we can talk. Yes, he's predictable even under all that Chaos. I also assume you will not meet a pleasant end if you fail to capture me."
"That's right." Rainbow confirmed.
"Then I will come with you. But only if you agree to not assault any of men and that I be escorted by my own ships, including this one. Discord probably did not say you had to whisk me away without anyone knowing. He's terrible at loopholes."
Celestia stood up and her white and gold gown ruffled with the movement. The Royal Guards stood agape as their leader gracefully walked over to Rainbow. I was expecting an objection by a Guard and Trixie delivered.
"You cannot be serious! These pirates are unfit of your presence. You canno..."
"Trixie, I value your silence more than your judgement." Celestia said.
This made the Imperial Captain shut her mouth, much to my appreciation. The Empress stopped in front of Rainbow, the massive height difference made the pirate even smaller than before. Despite this, Rainbow glared up at the Empress fearlessly. This made Celestia place a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle.
"Oh Rainbow Dash of Cloudsdale, your boldness knows no bounds. Quite fitting for a pirate and a Bearer of Harmony. Though, I sense you dislike your Element as you have yet to even show its power. Yes, I know those swords are not affiliated with your Element. It makes me rightfully curious on how you obtained them."
"That's none of your business." Rainbow muttered quietly.
"Fair enough. We will know each other well soon. I hope your ship has room for me." She clapped her hand joyously. "Oh! I've been many things in my life, but never a pirate! I'm sure it's fun to kick back on the seas and simply sail. These men of mine never allow me to help with the rigging or any ship-caring at all. You will let me help you, won't you captain?"
Rainbow rubbed the back of her head. "Uh...Sure....Only if ya can keep up with my boys."
"Oh, you'll find that I am quite knowledgeable in seafaring."
With that, Celestia made her way past the staring pirates and out of the room. The Royal Guards mumbled and lowered their weapons with disgust. Some were remarking about this being "the usual Celestia" and others grumbling about how hard it was to protect an Empress that runs off with pirates. The most angered by far was Trixie who stood with her arms crossed and rejecting Bulk's soothing paw. The Enforcer retracted his hand like she was about to bite him.
I got up and followed the Empress. All the other pirates had left already. When I passed Rainbow, she grabbed my shirt and yanked me to her level. I was filled with rainbow hair and bright red cheeks.
"Ya think ya can get away with this?" She asked aggressively. "Ya got some explainin' to do Canterlotian."
"I said I was sorry." I pleaded nonchalantly.
"That don't cut it here." She hissed quickly. "Go to my quarters and wait there. We'll gonna have a long, long chat."
I gulped and she pushed me away. Rainbow walked off to Neo and Zecora who were in the middle of the main deck. I sighed and started walking to the edge of the ship when I felt an armored hand grab my shirt and forcefully turn me around.
"Trixie does not see what Celestia sees in you." Trixie pulled me close to her head and almost slamming me into her helmet. "But do not forget that I remember you from the Old Dungeon and how your Bearers made me a fool at your hanging. To Trixie, you are nothing more than a criminal and you should pay for what you've done. Maybe not at this moment, but soon. Remember that."
Just like Rainbow, Trixie pulled herself away and stormed off with the Enforcer chasing after her. I sighed once again and returned to my trip to Rainbow's quarters, only to walk into a solid and hard-breathing Vinyl.
"That's two you've pissed off, but I'll make it three. I'm not an idiot, Tavi, I know you're keeping secrets. I wanna hear them."
"Vinyl, I know I know. I'll tell you in Rainbow's quarters, alright? I promise I will."
"Ya better."
She then walked off like the previous harassers. However, hers was by far the worse. I did not feel like walking any farther and forced myself to do so. Despite the warm islands and breezes, the night never felt colder.
~