"What ya mean, they mutinied?"
"I just could not believe it, Rainbow! When I went back to the ship last night, they bound me and Coco and threw us overboard! They said something about "not enough rest" or something along those lines. Complete nonsense!"
"Wait, they bound you? How did you escape?"
"I am a Bearer, Rainbow. Such things come in handy. I summoned a large bowl over my head. I probably looked ridiculous, but it made an air bubble for me and gave me time to slice the ropes open with my hidden blade. Coco was less fortunate, but I saved her in time as well.
"I came so close to dying!"
"Yes, yes, we know, Coco."
Coco scrunched her face as Rarity dismissed her cry with a brief wave of her dainty wrist. Everyone but myself ignored the young woman's reaction. With a quiet and indignant huff, Coco crossed her arms and lifted her head away from the Bearers.
"So ya stuck with us eh?" Rainbow chuckled. "Might as well get comfortable."
"Certainly." Rarity nodded. "But I must ask, why is Trixie on board?"
The Imperial Captain jumped in on the scene once her name was uttered. She had spent the first half hour of daylight adjusting her armor and fixing her hair. From that I could tell that the Imperial and Rarity would get along on some points.
"Trixie is here on a mission for Her Highness." Trixie practically boasted.
"I see." Rarity responded skeptically. "To have such an alliance with the Empress...These are peculiar times."
The last sentence was said to no one. It was barely a breath that was audible. As my body felt the heat of wearing my now itchy Assassin robes, I considered her words. These, indeed, were peculiar times. Much had changed throughout the past year. Most of it for the worst. My life before all this seemed so simple...and boring. I now idolized it. Wished that I could one day return to such a life. However, the road I was taking did not lead to it any time soon. Everyone talks like some sort of end is approaching, but I cannot see an end.
"I never thought Twilight was capable of something so fiendish." Rarity sighed. "However, I am not completely surprised. It just seems like that sort of outlandish behavior happens in startling frequency."
"I hear ya, Rares. The Brotherhood was must more honest back when you and I joined. Who knows if Assassins are even worth it now."
Rarity raised a brow at Rainbow. "Hm, I should think your Loyalty would keep you ahead of all that nonsense."
"Loyalty also knows when to be blunt." Rainbow retorted. "And when to move on."
"Let us not speak of such things." I jumped in. "As of last night, there's a fleet of enemy ships hunting us. Maybe we should prepare for them before we even start thinking of Twilight."
Rarity nodded in agreement. "You are right, Octavia. If we risk Baltimare, they will no doubt be there. Maybe we should avoid that port altogether. We can sail outward and curve our way to Fillydelphia instead."
"That'd take forever!" Rainbow excalimed. "Besides, you're on the Ragnarok: "Gods' Destiny!" Those Gryphons can't take her down."
"I hope your right, dear."
"How many times have I been wrong?"
"Several injuries too many." Rarity said.
Rainbow crossed her arms at this response. Coco giggled girlishly, which made everyone give her a stern look that quickly shut her up. I found my thin hand rubbing my face in annoyance. Whenever these Bearers partnered up, I seemed to always be aggravated to no end. They were friends, I knew this, but they acted too much like siblings for me to take them seriously.
"Well, this has been the most boring day ever."
"Don't you dare say that, Vinyl."
"Why? It is."
"Ship sighted! No, many ships! There's a fleet ahoy, Captain!"
"Good job, Vinyl."
"Now I see what ya meant, Tavi..."
I threw the cards I had in my hands at Vinyl, who reacted rather calmly when the cards struck her face. All morning and afternoon I had been preparing for when the outlook would say those bloody words. I yearned that the battle would be pushed off to tomorrow or forever, but those Gryphonian ships on the horizon ruined that feeling.
"Prepare yourselves lads, those aren't friendlies!" Rainbow yelled.
I did not want to look at those ships. Ever since the hurricane, I wished desperately that a naval battle would never occur in my life again. Well, that was a useless wish. Luckily this battle lacked severe weather. In all actuality, it was a pleasant day with very little wind. A nice, boring day...By Celestia! Why couldn't it stay that way?
I took my position at the cannon far before anyone on the ship had moved to a battle position. There was nothing for me to do at that moment. The enemy was still far off. I was just so anxious. So nervous. Assassins usually laugh at fear. However, we never disregard it. I at one time was able to use fear to my advantage, but out on the waters, it was anything but helpful.
"Rainbow Dash, I hope you know what you are doing. By the rigging, those are Man-O-Wars!" Trixie yelled.
"Of course they are!" Rainbow fired back. Why would they send anything smaller against us?"
"Rainbow, remember, you get over-confident when you're scared." Rarity said casually.
"I'm not scared!" Rainbow growled.
"Duly noted." Rarity returned sarcastically.
"Do not fret, pirates!" Trixie sang proudly. "The ECS Solaire is on our side. Those Gryphons cannot win!"
"Just a moment ago you were worried 'bout me not knowing what to do." Rainbow observed.
"Well, that's because Trixie wishes to not only have victory, but to come out of it alive." The Imperial Captain told her.
"Oh."
How could they be speaking like that with those massive ships heading straight for us? I took a deep breath, trying desperately to regain control of my emotions. I leaned on my assigned cannon. My eyes risked a daring glance at the Gryphons. They indeed were coming closer, though it was hard to track their progress. The ships were like ghosts. Always moving when you aren't looking and still when you do.
"Well, see you guys later!" Coco squeaked and ran below deck to supposed safety.
Just as I took my relieving breath, the sun was blocked by the ECS Solaire striding to the front of us. She was no doubt rushing to be the leader of our small pack of ships. The armor-clad sailors on board gleamed in the sun's light. The decks of cannons reached far higher than ours. The glory of the ship made the Ragnarok appear nothing more than a fisherman's craft. As the massive ship tried to sail in front of us, Empress Celestia, along with the ever-laughing Discord in his human form, came to the railing to speak to us.
"Bearers of Loyalty and Generosity," the Empress began, "we have it from here. You have no need to risk your lives in battle."
"Are you kidding?" Rainbow shouted at her. "This ship's fought worse, and so have I! We don't let others do our work."
"Now you know why I like her. She's feisty." Discord chuckled.
Celestia ignored him. "No offense, Captain Dash, but the Solaire is much more capable of handling a fleet of this size..."
"Shut it, Empress!"
Trixie gasped at Rainbow's disrespect. I was so used to this behavior that I barely noticed what she said. Rarity covered her face in disappointment. Celestia smiled at this. With a subtle nod, she gave up on convincing the pirate and moved back to the forecastle.
"We sail as equals then." She yelled. "Do make sure to be clear of our cannons though. Stronger ships have been sunk by our friendly fire."
"Gotcha." Rainbow curtly responded.
The small amount of hope I had for getting out of the battle was now completely gone. I didn't expect anything different of course, but I was trying to expect the unexpected. I probably muttered a strong curse under my breath, but if I did, I hardly heard myself.
"Hmph, I guess you're in one of your bloodthirsty moods today?" Rarity asked the pirate.
"Naw. I jus' know Caramel wouldn't have backed down from a fight. These Gryphons are looking for us! Probably me above all else. I should be the one to confront them. It's my battle. No, it's the Ragnarok's battle. "
"I understand. Pirate culture, heh." Rarity huffed.
"I'm not a pirate."
"Are you still saying the "rogue privateer" nonsense? What you are is the definition of a pirate, Rainbow. Never have been anything else."
"Shut it Rares." Rainbow mumbled.
The Ragnarok struck a wave that sent us all back to the formidable task at hand. The Gryphonian ships crept closer, their sails fully drawn and no signs of slowing down were present. As I watched them carefully, a flash emitted from the leading ship, followed by a splash just meters in front of us.
"A warning shot?" Rainbow laughed. "Please."
To our surprise, Celestia sent out her own warning shot from the bow cannons. The cannons boomed in a low tone that vibrated our ship. Large splashes could be seen near the Gryphonian ship. After this happened, the enemy fleet started moving slightly away from each other.
Rainbow called out to her crew. "They're getting into attack positions. Get ready boys! This fight has just begun!"
Yes, the battle started indeed. The sounds of frotnal cannons sending desperate shots at the opponent filled the water and air. Smoke rose high above us, forming dark clouds that began to block the sun.
"Don't get caught between their ships, Rainbow! They all have better firepower than us." Rarity told the captain.
"I know!" Rainbow shouted back. "Let me handle this, woman!"
Rainbow steered the ship to the left, aiming for the edge of the enemy fleet. Mortars flew through the sky like balls of fire, landing sparsely on the battlefield. The Solaire rumbled as she sent off an endless barrage at the enemy.
"We'll pick one off at a time." Rainbow informed us.
"Their flag ship is headin' for us!" A crew member shouted.
"That's the Valkyrie." Rarity said. "From what I've heard, she's one of the largest Man-O-Wars ever created."
"Just how I like 'em." Rainbow grinned.
The Valkyrie edged towards us. She was much slower than the Ragnarok, so she had trouble getting in range. However, her mortars fired off. I could only keep my head low and hope that their aim was off target.
It was. The water whirled above our heads and landed all over the ship. Waves were formed as the burning shards of metal ripped through the previously peaceful waters.
"Keep it up! We ain't never lost a battle and we won't now!"
Rainbow's words of encouragement could barely be heard as the Gryphons fired once more. The Bearer steered the vessel away from their fire and set the broad side against one of the frigates. With a single word, she ordered us to return the fire. I lit the fuse, covered my ears, and waited for my cannon to explode with the powder within it.
"We hit her!"
Splinters of wood flew through the smokey sky. One piece of wood embedded itself quite close to me on the railing, causing me to duck behind my cannon. Rainbow laughed madly and sent us deeper into the battle. The Man-O-War was now on our tail, but again, it was too slow to keep up.
As the sunny sky was replaced by the darkness of fog and smoke, we pressed on with our attacks. Celestia's ship was reigning hell upon the other Gryphon frigates, making one sink less than ten minutes into the battle.
Despite our helpful allies, The Valkyrie chased us without hesitation. She seemed to ignore all other ships in the battle and solely focused on us. The cannons on the side that I was not on fired upon a smaller frigate, blasting some of her cannons into the air. The Ragnarok was doing surprisingly well as the enemy frigates seemed to keep missing us.
"I believe the Man-O-War wants to take us out personally." Rarity concluded. "It doesn't make sense why the frigates refuse to tear us apart!"
"I think ya right, Rares." Rainbow agreed. "If that's how their captain wants to play it, let's reward him!"
Rainbow made the ship take a tight turn towards the massive Man-O-War. The Valkyrie, with a carving of a ferocious female warrior on her bow, charged at us with ceaseless tenacity. The images of proud gryphons were painted on her large whitish sails. She was a monster in every meaning of the word. However, this did not intimidate Rainbow as much as it did me.
"Load the frontal cannons! Give her everything we've got!"
The two cannons on the bow fired upon the Man-O-War. The fiery cannonballs glanced harmlessly on the bow of the enemy ship. No cheers rang from the crew this time. The Valkyrie's reply was a counterattack with its six front cannons.
"Head for cover!" Rainbow ordered.
I did not need to be told twice. I threw myself to the deck and covered my head. Before I could brace myself fully, a cannonball sliced through the hull of the ship, making her rock back from the force. A wave of energy speedily crawled through the deck and when it reached me, I was thrown up into the air and pushed into the railing of the steps that led up to the forecastle.
"Rainbow! We can't take hits like that!" Rarity scolded.
"This is not looking good for Trixie..." The Imperial gulped.
"I know!" Rainbow shouted back. "I got this, alright?"
"I hope you do." I whispered.
I recovered to my feet. Well, if one counted throwing myself on my cannon to stand up as a way of recovering. We were still heading straight for the behemoth of a ship. Blows were now being traded as our front cannons battled theirs. The waves saved us from most of the cannonballs but also saved the enemy as well. Mortars were fired on both sides, but neither gained an edge.
Rainbow turned the ships sharply to give a quick broadside at the Man-O-War. The cannons were fired and the enemy ship was lost in the puffs of smoke that followed. The sounds of wood cracking met my ears. For a moment I thought we had won this confrontation, but the roar of their retaliating cannons sent me back to the deck.
I saw one of my fellow crew mates disappear with a cannonball taking him to the waters. Other than that, not else happened to our ship. Rainbow turned the vessel away from the Man-O-War with a curse to the foggy heavens.
"Damn it! How much can she take?" She yelled.
"We need to back off! We have allies, let's use them." Rarity told the captain sternly.
"Fine!"
The Ragnarok spun on a high wave. I held on tight to the railing as we rolled down the wave. The Gryphonian ships circled around us, but only the Valkyrie pressed on. Rainbow ignored them and focused the ship's path towards the last sighting of Empress Celestia's ship. The fog of war made it difficult, but I could tell Rainbow knew which direction she was going.
The ECS Solaire was battling two frigates when we found her. The raw power of the conqueror class vessel was in full display as its dozens of cannons wrecked through the tough hauls of the frigates. Wood and fire sprung from the Gryphonian ships as they were completely overwhelmed by the ferocity of Celestia's ship.
The Valkyrie chased us from behind and continued to fire upon us with mortars. Rainbow ordered for powder barrels to be thrown in the Man-O-War's path as mines. The speed of the crew was tremendous as they cast off the barrels. I could not see if the mines were effective, but from the lack of explosions, I could assume they did not help.
"Keep her off us!" Rainbow screamed.
I saw in the corner of my eye one of the Equestrian escorts go down bow-first into the sea. In the chaos of the battle, I could not tell who was gaining an advantage.
The Solaire sunk the two frigates that boldly opposed her. Her mortars reigned the heavens and covered the Gryphonian fleet. The Valkyrie did not hesitate, however, and continued to pursue us with mad ambition. Trixie hollered in delight as she saw her Empress take care of her enemies so swiftly.
"Her Highness knows what she does! Why doesn't a pirate with more experience flee?" She rudely questioned Rainbow.
"Shut up! Ya not helping!" The captain barked.
"Coming in from the left sir!"
All eyes turned to the other side of the Ragnarok. We were so focused on the Man-O-War behind us that a Gryphonian brig was speeding towards us unhindered. I barely saw her massive ram before she slammed straight into the side of the our ship. The force of the impact sent me tumbling over the railing.
The salt and smoke in my face made it difficult for me to see the side of the ship. My hands slipped on the first holds I found. I finally took hold of a board and hung there as the ship rocked back and forth. Cannons ignited on the other side and ripped into the opposing brigantine. I then tried to pull myself up with the only hand. My feet could not find a place to stick in the wet and damaged wood.
"C'mon!" I shouted at myself.
My ears then rang and stunned my head. I was hanging right next to a window for a cannon and it fired, leaving me dazed. I tried to bring myself together, but the ringing remained and the ship kept rocking.
"Tavi!"
I looked up to see Vinyl leaning over the railing. Fright was in her eyes and she was clearly trying to decide whether to come after me or not. This made me angry. I started to wave my free arm about.
"Forget me! Get to your station and continue the fight! I'll be fine!" I told her.
"Don't forget Valor!" She yelled back.
My palms started to tingle with life upon hearing those words. I tried to summon the spirit, but it did not come out right away. I focused harder and its bluish arm started to rise out of mine. Unfortunately, it was taking its time.
"Look out!"
I risked a glance upwards to see Vinyl pointing out towards the sea. I then followed her finger. A Gryphonian frigate was readying for a broadside. I saw dozens of cannons pop out of their windows to point at me. In the adrenaline, I pulled myself up a little and covered my head.
The cannons roared and the world collapsed around me. I could feel every impact that each cannonball made. Even with my strength, it rattled the wood so hard that my hand slipped. I tried to hang on as the wood blew up around me, giving me large splinters in my legs and arms, but it was too much. I felt myself slipping and could do nothing about it.
"Hang on!"
To my astonishment, I saw Rainbow Dash climbing sideways towards me. She was using her swords like climbing picks in the side of the ship and expertly traversed the awkward wall. I had never seen anything like it before. When one of her swords was embedded, the other came out to be placed in another position. She was doing this with the speed of a sprint, dodging any late cannonballs and protecting herself from shrapnel all the while.
I tried to dissuade her. "Bearer! Do not risk yourself for me! Command the ship!"
"I ain't leaving you! Who ya think I am?" She yelled.
She reached me in no time, placing both swords deeply into the wood. I placed my arms around her shoulders, giving her my entire weight. She did not even grunt and started to climb upwards. One sword in, the other out. One sword in, the other out. Each fluid motion was met with a deep breath by the Bearer. My blood started to mix with her cyan robes, but nothing seemed to distract her.
"Bearer, you didn't need to save me." I started.
"Shut it! You're part of my crew, so I treat you like family. I'd never back off from keeping any of ya alive."
We reached the railing and I pulled myself over it. She then followed and placed her swords back into their sheaths on her back. She didn't even look my way again and started to command the crew once more. Rarity was now steering the ship and I couldn't help but notice Trixie's bewildered face.
"Trixie is impressed." She said. "Never have I seen such courage..."
"Get used to it, darling." Rarity told her. "Rainbow's got a knack for the heroics."
I was hugged by Vinyl as she came out from cover. I couldn't hear her whispered words over the cannons that came from the ships around us. I guessed what they were though and patted her lovingly. My arms still bled from the splinters that stuck out of my limbs, but I felt no pain from them.
"We gotta get to a good position!" Rainbow shouted. "Listen, we need to regroup! Stick with the Solaire, Rarity!"
"Of course, darling!"
Though the Ragnarok was damaged and burning in some spots, we pressed on towards the capital ship. The ECS Solaire had sunk another Gryphonian ship with ease and was charging towards the great Man-O-War. The latter, though, seemed to ignore her and chased after us.
"I think they want to board us, dear." Rarity called out. "That would only make sense since they haven't sunk us yet."
"I think they want the Elements." I told Rainbow, who was next to me. "If Twilight's behind all this, then that would be important in her plan."
"I doubt Twilight wants to kill us." Rainbow scoffed. "There's no gain."
"Maybe there is. We can't risk it!"
"Alright, alright! It doesn't matter. Either way, we're sinking all these bastards!"
The Solaire fired upon the Valkyrie, taking out one of her smaller masts. It was an impressive strike upon the legendary Man-O-War. This seemed to have finally made the Valkyrie think of the other ships in the battle. The captain steered her quickly and she bombarded the Solaire in retaliation. I could not tell how much damage was done by the quick broadside, but it did make the Solaire back off slightly.
"Get lined up with her!" Rainbow ordered Rarity. "We'll double team the bitch!"
Rarity gave a proud salute before turning the Ragnarok around. We were not the only ones targeting the Valkyrie. Maud's frigate was close by, shelling the Man-O-War with her few mortars.
"Get her close, but not too close!" Rainbow yelled.
"I understand! I can handle it!" Rarity yelled back.
"I won't risk my ship!" Rainbow pounded the main mast to drive in her point.
The Valkyrie fired her mortars on the Solaire, just like we wanted. The massive ships danced about the waters, each looking for a window to strike. We headed towards the Gryphonian's backside, hoping to take her by surprise.
"Keep her steady!"
Rarity angled the ship so that our broadside would meet their back corner. Maud's mortars started to fall down from the blackened sky, making it difficult to get close. The fiery scrapes of metal splashed between us and the Man-O-War.
"Just a little closer!"
I ran over to an unmanned cannon with Vinyl and started to prep it. Since we have already done this routine many times, we prepared and loaded the cannon in no time. I only now started to feel a sting in my limbs. I almost pulled some of the splinters out, but I knew that would be unwise.
"Little more..."
We were terribly close to the Man-O-War, which started to turn about due to our presence. I could see the brawny, but feminine captain of the ship glare at us with large yellow eyes. She was in the usual Gryphon uniform of browns and blues. Her sturdy arms turned the wheel with ease and wild determination.
"Fire!"
I lit the fuse and covered my ears. Almost all of the cannons on this side of the brig fired upon the Man-O-War. The Gryphonian captain barely flinched at out attack and kept turning the wheel. The back windows of the ship shattered as it took the blunt of the attack. Our attack was a successful one, but it did not even stagger the great Man-O-War. The enemy ship turned around and I saw the captain's hand go up. I ducked for cover as I saw her hand go back down, motioning to her crew to counter attack. The cannons fired and I braced myself.
It was going to be a long battle indeed.
~