Without a second thought, I leapt into the fray, seizing a nearby boathook as a rudimentary weapon. With my first charge, I tripped one of the pirates and shoved him roughly off the deck, to land in a loud splash below. The sharkponies gave way, not expecting to face such fierce opposition, and I quickly rallied the marsupials behind me. Together we held our ground, pausing to see whether the sharks would attack or flee.
Then the shark I had shoved overboard resurfaced, leaping back onto the deck. He was a muscular beast, and from the deference the other invaders granted him, I realized that he must be their leader. He sized me up cautiously, and then a crooked grin broke out over his face.
I barely had time to prepare myself before he was upon me, fighting with the strength and tenacity of a demon. I tried to bring my improvised weapon to bear, but he caught hold of the shaft in his jaws and with one terrific crunch, shattered the wood in twain.
Undeterred, I fought back, but his strength was more than I could bear. He forced me over to the rail of the ship, as if I were a mere colt, roughhousing with a stallion.
“I must repay you,” his deep voice rasped out, in accented Equestrian. And then, wrapping his forelegs around my torso, he leapt overboard, dragging me down with him.
I struggled valiantly as we plunged into the depths…
I froze, clutching my assailant as we hit the water…