The story of how Captain Mainsail went from a lowly deckhand aboard a civilian vessel to a legendary captain of the Equestrian Navy.
Captain Mainsail, a name that inspires awe in the hearts and minds of ponies, and strikes fear into the minds of their enemies. However, it wasn't always that way. Mainsail started his naval career as a deckhand aboard a civilian transport vessel, a nobody. However, when the vessel is tasked with ferrying a certain royal family across the Eternal Strait, a series of events unfold that changed his life forever, and made him into a legend.
"Auntie Celestia!" Mizzen yelled excitedly as he opened the front door of his Caballito home to reveal the alicorn princess standing in the doorway. "Hello Mizzen, how have you been?" She asked, with a big smile spread across her face. "I've been great, Father didn't tell me you were the one who was going to be watching me while he was away." The colt hopped around the foyer, beaming with young energy. "Aye, I wanted it to be a surprise." Gallant slowly trotted into the room, a sack swung over his back, "Now, why don't you go upstairs and fetch your scarf. It's a little chilly out today." The colt rushed up the stairs to get his scarf, Gallant then turned to Celestia. "I don't know for the life of me where he gets that energy." Gallant shook his head, "You sure you're alright watching him?" "Of course I am Gallant," She responded, "everyone needs a break from the norm every now and then, even leadership." "Aye, that's true." Gallant agreed. "Well what about you?" Celestia asked worriedly, "Privateer work must be tough. You spend so much time out a sea, you must miss your son a lot when you do so." "I'll be honest, it's tough. But at least I have the free will to pick and choose my jobs. So I'm only gone for a few days at a time. This job in particular is a well paying one, so I'll be able to take a nice, long break afterwards. The crew will certainly thank me for that as well." Gallant looked out the window of his home towards the harbor. Celestia looked at him, and couldn't but smile a little, "You know, this suits you a lot more. You actually didn't seem happy as a captain in the navy." The stallion looked at his hooves, "You're right. I wasn't happy, it was torture. The only reason I kept it up was because Mainsail wanted me to." "Yes, I picked up on that," Celestia nodded, "I was fine with you resigning, but you took nearly all of the Resplendent's crew with you." "Aye, when they said they'd follow me to tartarus and back, I didn't know they actually meant it." Gallant thought for a second, "So she's called the Resplendent again?" "Yes, it was a more fitting name," She chuckled, "Flareluck took her as his flagship." "I wouldn't trust her with anyone else," Gallant turned towards the stairs, "Mizzen, what's taking you?" "I can't find it Father." He called back. "Search for it later, I have to get going." The stallion urged. "Alright." The colt bolted down the stairs.
As the three of them trotted towards the docks, Mizzen couldn't help but speak up. "Father told me some of the stories about Captain Mainsail, you know." He turned to Celestia as he spoke. "Did he?" She asked, "Which ones?" "The one where he got the pirates to surrender by staring them down, and the one where he battled a storm with fifty foot swells, oh, and the one where he caught the vicious kraken and gave it to you as a pet." Mizzen's face lit up as he recanted the stories. Celestia laughed a bit, "Ah yes, those stories." As they drew closer to the docks, three tall masts came into view. When they reached the docks, the sight of a grand east indiaman came into view. "So that's her is it?" Celestia asked. "Aye, I've named her the Reliance." Gallant turned to his son, "Now I'll only be gone for a few days Mizzen, in the mean time, you be good for your auntie Celestia alright?" "Right, Father." They went in for a quick hug, then Gallant trotted off towards the longboat waiting for him at the dock, waving back as he ran. "Hmm," Celestia pondered to herself, "he forgot to say goodbye." Mizzen glanced at her, "Father never says goodbye, he told me you only say goodbye to someone when you're never going to see them again." Celestia nodded, "Good words to live by." The two of them watched for a while as the Reliance set sail out of the harbor. Eventually, Mizzen broke the silence, "You know, Father never told me about how Captain Mainsail became a captain in the first place. All he told me was all these grand stories of his adventures." "Did your father ever tell you about how he became a captain?" Celestia asked, still watching the ship. "Yes, he told me after my pet goldfish died," Mizzen recanted, "he said I would understand the story now that I knew about death. Did Mainsail really die to save my father?" Celestia looked at Mizzen, and nodded. The colt could feel tears beginning to well up in his eyes, but managed to hold them back, "Mainsail really was an incredible pony wasn't he?" "Yes, that he was." The princess placed a hoof on Mizzen's shoulder, "Tell you what, how would you like to hear the story of how Mainsail became a captain?" Mizzen's face lit up, "You know the story?" "Know it," Celestia started, "I lived it."
In the year of 1600 we took to the open sea For the glory and the name of the East Griffin Company
We sail to friends and neighbors and bring all prosperity For the glory and the name of the East Griffin Company
From Equestria to Cierva it's for all the world to see For the glory and the name of the East Griffin Company
The glory and the name of the East Griffin Company
The sailors aboard the Valiant chanted the shanty to themselves as they loaded the cargo for their venture. The Valiant was a barque, an East Griffin Company trade vessel. Among the group of sailors, one pony felt discontent. "Hey," He said to one of his crew mates, "do you ever wonder why you signed up for this job?" "No Mainsail, I don't." They responded. Mainsail gave him a surprised look, "Really Marco, not even the slightest?" "No," Marco gave him a confused look, "why do you ask?" "Because I constantly wonder why." Mainsail stopped loading, and leaned against the deck railing. "Really? You didn't take this job for a love of the sea?" Marco asked rather mockingly. "Oh no, I did. It's just that, I want something more out of it. I don't want to be stuck as a deckhand for my whole life." Mainsail kicked the railing as he lamented. "Well, get used to it," A deer crew member piped in, "because it probably won't change any time soon." "What makes you think that Ayudante?" Mainsail asked. "Look at who you're working for. The East Griffin Company only takes the rich and powerful as their officers. If you want to get anywhere, you need to become a privateer." Ayudante pointed out. "Hey, you lot," The quartermaster yelled, "get back to work!" The sailors went back to chanting and loading as a carriage pulled up to the dock where the Valiant was moored.
Inside the carriage, a young Celestia and her father, Seraph were conversing. "So it's just going to be the two of us Father?" Celestia asked. "Yes Celestia, your mother is teaching your sister how to control her power. She didn't catch on as quickly as you did." Seraph pointed out. "Right," She looked disappointed, "it's just that, I wanted Luna to come with us." "I know, and she wanted to go too, but she must learn to control her powers soon. It could be disastrous if used improperly." Her father spoke sternly. The carriage came to a halt, and the two climbed out.
"Hey, Mainsail, do you see who's getting out of that carriage?" Marco asked in disbelief. Mainsail turned to see who it was. "If you think you're seeing things, then I must be too." He added. "That's King Seraph and his daughter, Princess Celestia." Marco gawked. "Aye, but what are they doing here?" Mainsail asked, eying them curiously. The captain of the Valiant approached the two royal family members. "Your highness," He bowed in front of the king, then turned to Celestia and bowed again, "my lady." "You must be Captain Driftwood." Seraph extended a hoof to the captain. "Aye, that I would be." Driftwood extended his own hoof courteously. Celestia looked around at the barque, ignoring their conversation completely. She'd never seen a ship before, let alone one of this size. "Is this the ship we're going to be sailing on, Father?" Celestia interrupted. "It is, and it's not polite to interrupt." Seraph motioned to Driftwood, who stood there sheepishly. "I may interrupt him if I wish." Celestia looked impudently at her father. Who glared at her sternly. "I apologize for my daughter's rudeness," Seraph spoke to Driftwood, "I don't know what's gotten into her today." "Oh, it's quite alright your highness." Driftwood bowed again, "You have to admire her tenacity." "Tenacity without humility is nothing." Seraph glared at his daughter as he spoke. After a moments silence, Driftwood spoke up, "Well, I'll have the crew fetch your belongings."
The captain chose Mainsail to fetch Celestia's belongings, which she had a lot of. He slowly trudged towards her cabin, and wrapped on the door three times. "Who is it?" Her voice called out. "I've got your belongings here milady." Mainsail grunted under the weight of her luggage. "Right, enter." She responded. Mainsail opened the door, revealing Celestia sitting on her bed, staring out the porthole. Mainsail couldn't hold up anymore, and collapsed under the weight of her baggage. Celestia gasped, "Good lord. What have you done?" "Apologies milady," Mainsail pulled himself up, "it's just that, there is a lot of it." "A lot of it? You drop my belongings on the floor, and you say it's because there's a lot of it?" She huffed. "Well, yes milady. There's a lot of baggage." Mainsail spoke sheepishly. "A lot... of baggage?" Celestia fumed. "Yes, a lot of baggage." He said flatly. He then turned around, and trotted away. "Hey, where do you think you're going," She followed him out the door, "don't you ignore me. Get back here a clean this up!"
Out on deck, the rest of the crew prepared to set sail. The Valiant was fully stocked, and ready for its voyage to Cierva. Mainsail trotted up to Marco and Ayudante with a scowl on his face. "What's wrong with you?" Marco asked, chuckling slightly, "I'd think you'd be happy, given that this is the first time our rusty old tub has carried such precious cargo." "Aye, precious is the right word." Mainsail huffed, "All I did was drop her luggage, and she looks at me like I insulted her mother." "Wait wait wait," Marco stopped him, "you dropped the princess' luggage?" "Aye, but what does that..." Mainsail was interrupted by his friend's sudden fit of laughter. Ayudante clonked him on the back of the head with his hoof. Marco stopped laughing, "I mean, yeah, what's her deal huh?" He covered his mouth to hold back more laughter. "Mainsail!" The howl of the captain echoed out across the deck. Mainsail turned to see Driftwood trudging up to him. "Yes, sir?" He asked. "What are you trying to pull?" Driftwood spat and he got up in Mainsail's face. "Nothing, sir." He responded flatly. "Oh really," Driftwood twitched in anger, "well I think you're trying to make me look bad in front of the king! You're lucky I even let you on this ship you bottom-feeder, and if you pull something like that again, I'll throw you into the sea!" As the captain angrily trotted off, Ayudante got Mainsail's attention. "How is it that you're the one who always manages to piss the captain off?" He asked. "I suppose I just have a natural talent for pissing off authority." Mainsail responded, the group all burst into laughter at his plight, including Mainsail himself.
As the barque began to pull out of the harbor, Celestia sat in her room, fuming. She couldn't believe the nerve of that sailor, treating her with such disrespect. She hoped the captain thoroughly punished him for his insolence. It was the first time someone had ever treated her like that, and she didn't like it at all. There was a quiet knock on her cabin's door. "Enter." She did her best to calm herself down, but it failed as she saw who opened the door. "Begging your pardon milady," Mainsail started, "I hope I'm not intruding." "What do you want?" Celestia grumbled. "I just wanted to talk." Mainsail entered the room, closing the door behind him, "I think we got off on the wrong hoof, and I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. It's just, I didn't like the way you spoke to me back there, so I stormed off without thinking. Even though it was my fault dropping your belongings like that." "You're exactly right," Celestia started, "it was your fault. You're lucky that after that little stunt you pulled that I'm even allowing you to speak to me. Even though a matter like this is completely beneath me I would highly suggest that you..." Mainsail snapped, he galloped towards Celestia and pinned her against the wall of her cabin. "You know something Princess, I think I can teach you something about leadership," Mainsail's voice growled with anger as he spoke, "if you treat everyone like they're beneath you, one day you'll find someone who won't take it. That day will be the day you regret the most." When Mainsail finished, he released her, turned away, and left the room. Leaving Celestia standing there, shaking with fear.
Out on deck, Marco and Ayudante were lazing around. There wasn't much to do on the ship while she was sailing, so they mostly spent time telling stories to one another, or making up songs. There were many stories to tell, as the East Griffin Company hired practically anyone, whether they were pony, griffin, or deer alike. "Did I ever tell you the story of the Ciervan Civil War?" Ayudante asked. "Yeah, only about a million times," Marco flung his hooves into the air and flopped onto his back, "I need something exciting to happen or I'm gonna go nuts of these days." "You should know better Marco," Mainsail warned as he trotted up, "it's a bad omen to ask for excitement aboard a ship." "So you're suddenly a superstitious pony?" Marco taunted. Mainsail leaned against the Valiant's deck railing, "No, it's just that you're idea of excitement worries me." He and Ayudante laughed. "But I'm not wrong am I?" Marco asked, "It's the same thing day in and day out aboard this tub. I just want something different to happen." Ayudante nudged Marco, "Well, you may get your wish." Mainsail turned to see Celestia angrily trotting toward him. "Ah milady," Mainsail bowed, "care to join us?" Celestia stood inches away from him, glaring, "What was that back there?" "Just a piece of friendly advice Princess." Mainsail spoke mockingly. "That 'advice' was anything but friendly. Celestia huffed, "Try anything like that again with me, and I shall have the captain throw you into the sea." She turned and began to trot off. "You shouldn't get the captain to do your dirty work for you." Mainsail called to her, to which she she spun glared at him for a moment, the continued to trot away. "Well, she's a feisty one isn't she?" Marco chuckled silently. "If by feisty you mean unbearable, then yes." Mainsail murmured. He was about to turn back towards the seascape before them, until he heard a loud thud. He turned back to see the princess slumped over on the deck. "Hey, Princess." Mainsail ran up with a worried look upon his face. Celestia mumbled, "I feel so weird." "She's seasick," Mainsail motioned to Marco and Ayudante, "help me get her to her cabin."
When Celestia woke, she was in her cabin, the light of the day had faded to dusk. She began to wonder how her mother and sister were doing. The light of the sun was barely visible over the horizon, and the dim light reflected across the sea, bathing it in a warm glow. Her parent's dusks were always beautiful, but sea made it more so. She wondered, when her sister and her took over, would they be able to make dusks look like that? Her thoughts were interrupted by another presence in her room. "Good to see you're awake." Mainsail called out from the doorway. "Oh great, it's you. Come to make fun of me perhaps? The princess who collapsed on deck in front of everyone." Celestia threw her arms out in exaggeration. "No, I came to see if you were okay." Mainsail sat beside her bed, "It's something that happens to most ponies when they first venture out to sea. Although, most don't have cases as bad as you did." Celestia looked shocked, "You really came to see if I was okay?" "Well, yeah," Mainsail was surprised by how shocked she was, "I may not like you very much, but I don't like seeing anyone getting hurt. Not to mention, your well being is our responsibility." He pointed to himself as he spoke. Celestia chuckled at him, "Right, and my father?" "He just left," Mainsail motioned to the door, "he sat by your side almost the entire time you were out. You're lucky to have someone like him keeping his eye on you, you know." "Yeah, I am." With that, Mainsail got up and left the room. Celestia looked back at out the porthole, the sun had completely set beyond the horizon, leaving her mother's night to watch over the ship.
Out on deck, Mainsail leaned against the railing, watching as the moonlight reflected against the calm sea. He really liked the way the sea looked at night, a peaceful white glow radiating across the small swells. It was times like this that he could forget all of his troubles and think. He hummed the tune of Randy Dandy-O to himself, the night breeze rolling over his body, the smell of salt in the air. "What do you think?" A stern voice called out from behind him. Mainsail turned to find King Seraph standing behind him. "Think of what, your highness?" Mainsail asked casually. "My beloved Selene's moon, she works hard on it you know." Seraph stated matter-of-factually. "Aye, it is a beautiful sight." He looked out at the nightscape. "I'd like to apologize on behalf of my daughter," The king sighed, "she still has much to learn about becoming a leader." "It's alright your highness," Mainsail nodded, "besides, it's kind of my fault. I sorta keep pushing her buttons." Seraph leaned in to Mainsail's ear and whispered, "Well keep it up." Mainsail looked at the King in surprise, "What, you want me to keep irritating the princess?" "Put bluntly, yes." Seraph nodded surely, "Celestia needs to learn to to deal with these types of matters. Not everyone she meets is going to bend over backwards to please her. So I'd like to ask you to keep it up, she needs this, even if she doesn't think it." Mainsail contemplated refusing, but gave in, "Alright your highness, I'll do it." "That's a good lad," Seraph pat him on the back roughly, "now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to bed." Mainsail nodded, and watched as the king trotted off. He certainly was an odd one, Mainsail gave him that.
The next morning, Celestia woke to the sound of singing. She wearily trotted outside to find a large portion of the crew singing chanting some old tune she'd never heard before. Mainsail was leaning against the main mast, when he spotted her. "Hey Princess, care to join us?" He called out. "In your buffoonery? I'd rather eat sand." She huffed. "That can be arranged if you'd like." He teased. She shot him a look of detest, "Why are you singing anyway?" "Boredom, mostly." Marco piped in, "It's not every day something exciting happens out at sea your highness." Celestia roller her eyes, "Well you can keep up your 'singing,' but I'll not be joining you." "Suit yourself. Give us another one boys!" Mainsail yelled out to the crew. "Why don't you start one ey, Mainsail?" Someone called back. "Yeah, you never think of one." Another piped in. "I dunno boys, I just..." He was interrupted by Celestia. "Yes Mainsail, why not start one." A smirk hit her face. "Alright, if you insist." He started to sing the tune of Leave Her Johnny. He started off alone, but when the chorus hit, the rest of the crew joined in the song.
When the crew finished, he looked to see Celestia staring at him, a genuinely surprised look on her face. "Not what you were expecting, huh?" Mainsail poked at her. She quickly regained her composure, and huffed at him, "It was alright, but I've heard better." "Really?" He asked, "I think I'm an awful singer. Thanks for the compliment." Her face went red with embarrassment, "Fine, it sucked!" Mainsail laughed a little, "Just teasing Princess." He gave a big smile, and after a moment, decided to ask her again. "Why don't you lead us in one milady?" "What?" She sounded surprised, "I don't even know any of your songs." "Doesn't matter if you know the words or not, just sing what your heart feels, and the words will find their way out." Mainsail responded.
As she was about to start, the alarm bell suddenly interrupted her. The quartermaster ran up to the main deck. "Hey you lot, look alive, we're sailing into a storm!" He yelled, and pointed towards the bow. Celestia looked up to see a large row of storm clouds, ahead. The crew immediately hopped into action, furling up all but the main sails of the Valiant. Captain Driftwood approached the helm. "What's the problem helmsman?" He asked. "We're sailing into a storm Captain." The helmsman answered. "What?" Driftwood yelled in surprise. "Well what are you waiting for, turn away from it!" "It's too late for that sir, we're already caught in the swells." The helmsman retorted. on deck, the crew moved to tie down as much loose cargo as they could. The Valiant began to buck and sway in the ever increasing swells. A torrential downpour of rain began to batter the barque as she sailed deeper into the storm. Celestia had no idea what to do, she stood on the deck in awe what was happening around her. A few of the crew bumped into her in their hurry, and said nothing.
Back at the helm, Driftwood argued with the helmsman. "What are you doing you imbecile, sail around the storm!" He yelled. "We can't do that Captain. We've already sailed into the storm." The helmsman yelled back. They could barely hear each other over the roaring sound of the wind, and the pelting of the rain. Driftwood suddenly grabbed at the wheel, and spun in around to starboard. The Valiant turned hard just as a massive swell was about to hit them. It collided hard with the port side of the barque. Most of the crew were thrown about the deck, but in her daze, Celestia had been thrown overboard. She flailed about in the water, yelling out for help. Her calls went unanswered as she quickly sunk beneath the surface. She unfortunately didn't know how to swim, and she flailed about under the water's surface, sinking deeper. Eventually, her lungs began to cry out in agony at the lack of oxygen. Celestia could feel herself dying, even her magic couldn't help her in this situation, her energy had been drained completely. Her vision began to darken, just as she passed out, she felt something grab her.
Light slowly entered Celestia's vision. She wondered to herself if she was dead. As she felt her eyes open, and her vision cleared, she felt something coarse and rough against her back. She shot up to find herself sitting on a beach. The sea calmly rolled against the shore, she felt the sand below her, rubbing her hooves around in the granules. "Sleep well?" A familiar voice called out to her. She spun around to find Mainsail sitting about ten feet away from her, attempting to break open a coconut on a rock. "How did you get here?" She asked. "You fell in, I jumped in to get you, we got washed up here." He answered flatly. "Wait a minute," She thought to herself, "you jumped in to save me?" "Aye, I did. Why is it that every time I do something nice, it surprises you?" He questioned. "Because you're a raging flank-hole." She pointed out. After a moment's postulation, he nodded, "Yeah, but do you really think I'd knowingly let you drown?" "Well, you didn't so no, I guess not." The princess admitted. "Still, why'd it have to be you?" "What do you mean?" He sounded mildly hurt. "Why did you of all ponies have to save me? Anyone else would've been better. Captain Driftwood preferably." When she said this, Mainsail broke into a fit of laughter. This confused her, "What in tartarus is so funny?" "What's funny," He began, "is that you think Driftwood would risk his sorry hide to save you, that's what." "He's your captain." She pointed out. "Aye, and he's a sorry worm who would sooner have let you drown then even contemplate taking a single step to save you, much less jump in for you." Mainsail hit the coconut hard, and it broke apart in his hooves, spilling the liquid everywhere. He flopped back on the sand, and looked up at the sky, he never expected to be on a deserted island with a princess of all ponies. "How long was I out for?" Celestia asked suddenly. "A few hours," Mainsail answered, "you had a surprising amount of water in your lungs when I went to revive you." "Revive me," She pondered to herself, the blushed as she realized what he meant, "does that mean that you..." She stopped, and placed her hooves on her lips. "Would you prefer I have let you drown?" He asked sarcastically. "No," She squeaked out, "I just didn't expect you to be so forward about it. In fact, I could've died without knowing you did that to me!" "What is your problem?" Mainsail stood up. "My problem, is that my first kiss not only went to a man who I don't even like, but I wasn't even conscious when it happened!" She yelled without thinking. When she realized her blunder, she spun away from Mainsail. She wanted to run, but she didn't know where. The two of them sat for a long time, the awkward silence lingering over them. Eventually, Mainsail couldn't take it anymore. He kicked at the rock he was sitting beside, "Look um...I'm sorry." Celestia's ears twitched as he spoke. Mainsail continued, "I didn't know your first kiss meant that much to you, but what would you have expected me to do?" Celestia sighed, and turned back to face Mainsail, "I...I'm sorry too, I overreacted. It's just, so much just happened, and I don't really know how to cope with it. I needed to vent a little, and I shouldn't have chosen you to get angry at." "I'm the only one here, who else could you get angry at?" Mainsail reasoned. "That's the point," Celestia piped in, "I shouldn't be angry at anyone for this. Here you went and just saved my life, choosing to get stuck on this island with me, and I'm getting mad at you. Do you know how awful that makes me look?" Mainsail didn't answer, he could tell she wasn't expecting one. "Either way," He said, "we need to think of a way to get out of here. I'm going to start collecting wood to build a signal fire, you explore the tree line and see if you can find some food. Don't go in too deep though, we don't know what's on this island." He explained. Celestia nodded at Mainsail, and set off down the coast line. She looked for what seemed like hours, and came up with nothing. She looked at a clearing in the tree line, "It can't be too bad if I go a little further in." She trotted off through the clearing in her search. The jungle began to intensify, growing thicker with each step. She soon found herself surrounded by thick trees, which almost completely blocker her field of view. Without looking where she was going, she tripped on an exposed tree root, and slid down a muddy embankment. Celestia felt a sharp pain emanate from her wing as she tried to stand, so she waited for a moment. Upon looking around to get her bearings, she noticed that she was in a small clearing. At first, she felt relieved that she was free of the thick foliage, but upon further inspection, all of the pathways out of the clearing looked quite similar. "Oh, which one was it?" She looked around at the possible routes, "Was it that one, or maybe that one. Well, that one looks kind of familiar too... oh no, I'm lost aren't I?" She began to feel panicked. She'd never been lost anywhere before, much less in an unknown jungle. After a moments thought, she decided that there was only one thing she could do. "Mainsail! Help, I'm lost!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, hoping it would get his attention. After a few minutes of repeating her calls, she gave up. Slumping over in depression. "I'm going to die out here." She whimpered. As she lay there the trees across the clearing began to rustle. "Mainsail?" Her head perked up, until she saw what came out of the foliage. Her calls had attracted the attention of a leopard. Upon seeing her, it slowly crawled its way out of the treeline, hunched over and ready to attack. Celestia knew enough about animals to know that it wasn't friendly. She slowly stood up, trying to make herself as appear as tall as possible. She began to stomp at the ground, perhaps the noise would scare it off. It didn't, the leopard growled ferociously at her. This startled her, she had no idea what she was doing. This was a dangerous animal standing in front of her, it could kill her at any moment. The leopard drew ever closer to her, maintaining a low growl as in approached. She found herself moving backwards towards the edge of the clearing, eventually she'd have nowhere to go. She had to think of something, fast. The leopard, however, didn't give her time to think. Just as it was about to leap at her, a wooden spear flew past Celestia and struck the ground inches from the leopard. She turned to find Mainsail standing within the tree line, brandishing a second wooden spear in his mouth. He quickly jumped in between Celestia and the leopard, spear raised, and ready for a fight.
The leopard jumped at Mainsail with its claws extended. Mainsail rolled out of the way, and the leopard chased him. It seemed to completely forget about Celestia's presence. It concentrated purely on its new target. Mainsail and the leopard circled one another, seeming to size each other up. They did so for about a minute, until suddenly, the leopard jumped at Mainsail again. This time, he sidestepped the attack, and brought the blunt end of the spear down on the leopard's right eye. It yowled in pain, and swung its left paw at him. The leopard's claws hit their mark, scratching a deep wound into Mainsail's right foreleg. Mainsail growled in pain as the leopard wheeled around to attack again, this time, he spun around and thrust the sharpened end at the leopard. The animal ducked the attack, and pounced onto Mainsail, pinning him to the ground. Mainsail attempted to swing the spear at the leopard, but it brought its paw down upon it as he swung, snapping it like a twig. Mainsail's eyes widened as the leopard brought its head back to deliver the final strike.
Suddenly, the leopard roared in pain as Celestia dug the spear Mainsail had thrown earlier into the back of the leopard's shoulder. It twisted to get free, snapping the sharpened end off, and fled into the jungle. Celestia stood over Mainsail grinning. "I guess that.. makes us... even." He huffed between exhausted pants. "I guess so." She agreed, "But we still have a problem." "Oh, and what's that?" He asked, still lying on his back. "It's growing dark, and we're still lost in here." Celestia worried. "No we're not," Mainsail pointed to a column of smoke above the treeline, "look there." "A signal fire, when did you do that?" Celestia asked. "While you were busy getting yourself lost. I managed to do that, and make these spears to fish with, but now that's kind of out of the question." He pulled himself up with a grunt. "Yeah, sorry about that." She kicked at the ground in disappointment. Mainsail shrugged, "What can you do, I'll make more tomorrow." He then noticed Celestia's wing, "Uh, I'm no expert, but that looks like it hurts." "I tripped, and I think I sprained it." She winced in pain as she tried to move it. Mainsail thought for a second, then an idea hit him. He ran off into the jungle, leaving a confused Celestia standing in the clearing. In a minute or so, he came back with a bunch of vines draped across his back. "Give me the spear." He ushered. She gave him a quizzical look, but handed him what was left of the spear. He placed the spear on top of the injured wing, and tied the vines around it, forming a makeshift splint. Celestia looked over the splint. "Wow Mainsail, this is pretty good work." She said, sounding rather surprised. "Hey, a sailor's gotta know his knots." Mainsail crossed his forelegs and nodded, a big smile plastered on his face. "What's with the smile?" She held back a chuckle as she spoke. "Well, that's the first time you've complemented me." He looked at Celestia to see her blushing ferociously. Without saying another word, the two of them trotted back to where Mainsail had set up the signal fire.
As Celestia lay beside the fire, she could only feel one thing, hunger. Even the pain of her injured wing couldn't overwhelm hunger. She glanced over at Mainsail, who was laying on his back, looking at the stars and whistling a tune. "How do you do it?" She asked. The question slightly confused him, "Do what?" "How do you act so relaxed in a situation like this?" She spoke a little louder than she intended to, "I mean, we could die out here, and you don't even look bothered." "Believe me, I am bothered by it, scared to death in fact. But there's no point in worrying about something we can't change. We've done what we can to get ourselves rescued, and if it doesn't work then it doesn't work." He responded flatly. Celestia wanted to say more, but couldn't find the words. She just looked intently at the fire, and let Mainsail for back to his tune. Eventually, it was Mainsail who decided to speak up. "I honestly think you worry too much." He said bluntly. "I do not!" She blurted back. "Uh, yeah you do." He chuckled to himself as he retorted. "How do I worry too much?" She stood up, genuinely irritated with him. "Well for starters, we're marooned on an island that overlooks one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world, with a giant signal fire lit, mind you. Secondly, you're Princess Celestia, and your farther, the king, probably has all of the royal navy out searching for you by now. By tomorrow we'll be rescued, and this whole ordeal will all be over." Knowing he made his point, Celestia slowly lay back down on the sand. "Thank you." She spoke softly. "For what?" Mainsail asked. "For saving my life, twice." She responded. "I did do that didn't I?" He asked rhetorically. "In that case, that doesn't make us even." "What?" Her head shot up. "Yeah, I saved you twice, and you only saved me once. You still owe me one." Mainsail sat up, the same big grin plastered on his face. "Oh?" Celestia stood up, and slowly stepped towards him, "Well in that case, I think I know of a way to make us even." "And what would that be milady?" He asked. Celestia suddenly jumped on top of him, pinning him to the ground. "M..milady?" He asked again, beginning to blush. She said nothing, only drawing her face closer to his. Mainsail's heart thumped like a war drum. Was she seriously about to do what he thought she was. He closed his eyes in anticipation, he could feel her breath on his lips. Just as they were about to meet, she stopped. "Or not." She whispered, and quickly drew her head back. She picked herself up off of Mainsail, and returned to the fireside. His face was so bright red from blushing that it nearly glowed in the dark. He did his best to calm himself as the stared up at the night sky.
