> My Little Pony Friendship with Pirates. > by Regis Stella > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 Rise of the White Fox > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The ending of Friendship is Magic broke the whole of the Brony fandom into tears and to some with fears of the unknown for the future fo My Little Pony as a whole. I remembered being unable to live my life through happiness and peace until I discovered F.I.M, and it brought a light that I thought would never be snuffed out. Until I saw that announcement that said the FIM was ending after the ninth season. I was brought to tears when I saw the ending. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to these ponies or to that world, after the end of 2020 and the pandemic that followed it, I founded a new place where freedom is the key feature of that world, and it's residents, The Sea of Thieves. It's 15 Million Pirate citizens have made a home in that place to learn the world, raid forts and fellow Pirates alike, fighting the monsters and the undead of the realm and bringing in all of the treasure and the loot by the thousands. I was now standing at the entrance of the first-ever Sea of Thieves Festival in England in a town near where the RARE HQ is, and there was a lot of fans of Sea of Thieves in this one place. After three years since the announcement of this Festival, it's nice to see that even the local and national news networks like the BBC cover this event. Everyone was dressed in a Pirate in some way, shape or form. I was dressed like a Pirate. I wore a white dress shirt, a purple vest, one leather bracer, one plated glove, a pair of black pants, a yellow scarf belt, a couple of black boots, a purple and yellow tricorne, a finely forged rapier, a flintlock pistol and a captain's coat that I wear like a cape like they do in One Piece. The man in a Pirate cosplay accepted my ticket, I was allowed into the Festival, and it was a sight to behold. It was my first convention that I was allowed to go to. The stall was caching me as I saw a fresh-off-the-workshop star-shaped necklace made in the Sea of Thieves style. "What are you buying?" The vendor asked me, and I knew what that voice was from as I looked up and saw the Merchant from Resident Evil 4. "I'm Looking something that I need to complete my costume," I said to him, "And are you a little out of place, mate," The Merchant laugh a husky laugh, "I go where there is money to be made," I looked down at the necklace, "How much?" I asked him. "50 pounds, my friend," He replied. I paid him the money, "Another hero in the making," I heard him say before the world faded away. "Ow, my head," I said to myself. "I knew that would happen," "Be careful, sir," A voice came from my left, and my eyes shot open as I saw who it was. It was Fluttershy, pre-finale Fluttershy to be precise. I haven't seen or heard Fluttershy's voice for a couple of years. I all but abandoned the Brony Fandom when the last F.I.M episode was released to the public years ago. So to hear her voice after such a long time was really something. And this was average pony Fluttershy, not an anthro or a human version of Fluttershy, Thank the gods. "Something wrong Mr Fox?" Fluttershy asked me. The word 'fox' snapped me out of my trans and made me look at myself, and I was shocked, to say the least as my human body was replaced with an anthro fox's body with white fur, fox hind legs, fox ears, fox muzzle and a long bushy fox's tail. I was still wearing my Pirate outfit except for the hat, my captain's coat, my weapons and my boots, which I can't wear the boots anymore. I was a little scared that I was in a new body that was far from my human one, Fluttershy must have seen me terrified of my own body. "Are y-y-you alright, Mr Fox?" Fluttershy asked me worriedly as if she has done something wrong. "I'm fine Miss," I replied to her, "I wasn't ready of this kind of transformation thing to happen to me," Fluttershy looked confused, "You weren't a fox that walks on two legs?" "Yes," I said truthfully then decided to get the truth out of the way, "I was a human originally, and was not from this world, to begin with," "Human's are, or in this case, were myths and legends," Fluttershy said to me. I rose from the couch and was putting on my equipment as I was trying to walk on these new legs of mine, wobbling as I go. 'I need to get used to these new legs. It looks like my tail can keep me balanced,' I thought to myself. But it wasn't the only thing that I noticed. I saw a health bar and a magic bar on the upper-left-hand or paw corner of my eyesight in the corners of my eyes and an EXP bar on the bottom of my vision. I sighed and thought to myself, "Looks like I have the powers of The Gamer,' I only read a little about The Gamer Korean Manga series, and it was an exciting idea, and I have seen it adapted to some Fanfics over the years. So this is a significant change for the future, and I look forward to seeing how far I can push it before it breaks. "It seems that I have gained something more than a new body," I said to myself, looking over to Fluttershy and seeing a level number, name and a title over her head that reads as follows. Fluttershy. Keeper of Animals. LV 5 "Like what Mr Fox?" Fluttershy said. "Like I can see your level, Name and title above your head miss," I said to Fluttershy as she looked for the thing over her head but cutely failed to see it. "I don't see whatever you see over my head," Fluttershy said with a puzzled look on her face. "That's because only I can see it," I told her, "Let's see, STATS!" I then said and got a stat screen. It was pretty balanced, that's the that I prefer to be balanced than all points in one stat and stick with it. William Hunter The White Fox LV 5 HEALTH: 5,000 EXP 0 out of 5,000 STR 5 PER 5 DEX 5 INT 5 WIS 5 CHA 5 TRAITS NONE "What's that?!" Fluttershy squeaked in a cute but scared voice. I looked over to Fluttershy. Poor Flutters, she was scared out of her mind. I need to explain fast but careful. "It's my stats bar, and it shows how strong I am," I told her, Flutters looks to be a lot calmer than before. "So, like a game of O&O?" She asked me. "Yes, in a way," I told her as I pick up my rapier as looked over it. It was a real rapier made of real metals, and I got a pop-up for my first skill. Steel Rapier. A blade that is perfect for a new Pirate Captain Due to the continuous observation, a new skill [Observation] is created. It shows information about the target. "More things just popped up in front of you Mr Fox," Flutters said. "Please call me by my name, William Hunter, a Captain looking for a crew," I said as Flutters looked up in wonder and hope for some strange reason. "Fluttershy. Wait, you're looking for a crew?" She then asked me, but before I asked her, she went on rambling like Twilight, "I always wanted to be with a brave and strong Captain for some time. I always dream that I'm sailing on a ship with a pony captain by my side," She stopped for a second and asked me shyly like she always does. "Are you a Pirate Captian by chance?" "I guess yes, now that I'm in this world," I said to her then Flutters cheered a squeaky and adorable cheer then her shyness returned, and she was blushing? "I was, um, hoping that I can join your crew, that is with your permission if you're alright with it?" Flutters asked me shyly and with a big blush on her face. "If it's alright with you, Miss," I answered her. "Oh, but I need my friend's permission to go with you," Flutters said, "She would be mad if I didn't tell her that I was going with a Pirate like you. More likely, she'll probably ask to go with you," "Okay, let's go," I told her as I went to the door. Then I got a popup saying the following. QUEST: Find and ask Rainbow Dash to allow Fluttershy to join your crew. REWARD: 2,500 EXP, Fluttershy joins your crew, 100 Gold Coins. "So, do we follow the road into town?" I ask Flutters. "Yes, I'll lead the way," Flutters said as she leads me into Ponyville. PONYVILLE. 100 EXP The popup came up near my face. As we came into town, Ponies gave me a scared look in their eyes as we pass them. Then a flash of colours came into me as me, and the rainbow object rolled for a little like Tigger does to Pooh Bear. Then an onslaught of words came into my new ears, really loudly as I caught a glance of the rainbow pony's name. Rainbow Dash. The Fastest Pony in Equis. LV 5 "OH MY GOODNESS, A PIRATE, ARE YOU A PIRATE?!" Rainbow said at a rapid pace, hurting my ears in the process. "PLEASE LET ME JOIN YOUR CREW, PLEASE!" "OW OW OW OW," I said as I tried to stop the ringing in my ears, "I'll let you join," "Oh, I'm so, so sorry there, Captain," Rainbow said then she looked over to Flutters, "Flutters, what are you doing with this Pirate?" "I was hoping to get your permission to leave Ponyville and join the Captain that you just tackled," Flutters told Dashie. "Oh, and leave without help from the fastest pony in the world?" Rainbow said to Flutters and then looked over to me and asked, "Do you want me on your crew, or do you want to take Flutters with you?" "Yes, I want you and Flutters to join my crew. If you want to join Miss Dash," I told her with full honesty. "YES!" Dashie yelled out loud and made my fox ears ring again. "OW, ears Dash!" I told her. "Sorry, Captain," Rainbow apologies to me and then a popup came near my face reading. QUEST COMPLETE. Find and ask Rainbow Dash to allow Fluttershy to join your crew. REWARD: 2,500 EXP, Fluttershy joins the {Insert Pirate Crew name}, 100 Gold Coins. BOUNS QUEST COMPLETE: Recruit Rainbow Dash. BOUNS QUEST REWARDS: 2,500 EXP, Rainbow Dash joins the {Insert Pirate Crew Name}, 200 Gold Coins, 1+ CHA LEVEL UP! 5--6 Gain 6 STAT Points. "What are those things," Dashie said as she looked at the popup in front of her as well as Flutters. "I saw them earlier. But I have never seen this one before," Flutters said as she looked over the popup that was the same as Dashie's. It reads: Do you want to join William Hunter's {Insert Pirate Crew name}? {YES} {NO} If you do, then you will gain the abilities of William Hunter. "I guess this is a contract of some kind for proof of you two joining my crew," I said, "I know I need a name for our crew, but we'll worry about that when we get more members," "I think we should press yes then," Flutters said. "I guess," Dashie said to Flutters as she and Flutters pressed the {YES} button. "What's all this in my vision?" Rainbow said. I gave a quick rundown of what Dashie and Flutters can now see. "So, we can see the health, LV and title that everypony has and we all have the abilities of this 'Gamer'?" Dashie asked me. "Yes, Pretty much that's all I know about that story," I said to my new Nakama. "Well, I can live with that," Dashie said to me as my stomach growled a little. "Sorry, I haven't eaten in a while," I said. "Well, Sugarcube Corner is just down the street," Dashie said as she led the way to the cafe. "Welcome to Sugarcube Corner!" Dashie exclaimed as we entered the gingerbread cafe. "SURPRISE!" All the Ponies in the room yelled as confetti fell from the roof as I read the banner saying, 'WELCOME TO PONYVILLE,' "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, were ya surprised? Were ya, were ya. uh uh uh?" Pinks said at a mile a minute. Pinkie Pie. The Pony that Parties. LV 5 "Alright, alright. Calm down please, Miss, please my ears," I said to Pinks as I held my ears in my hands. "Ohh, I soooooooooooooooooooo sorry there, Mr Fox," Pinks said as I looked up to Pinks' mane is a little less puffy. "It's alright, Miss," I said to the party Pony, "It's the ears, they're a little bit more sensitive. My name is William Hunter, by the by," As soon as I said what was said, Pinks' mane was now back to normal, "That's okay, Willy," Pinks said, then she yelled, "Let's get this party started! Pirate style!" As the party was going on, I saw Applejack and Rarity come my way, but no Twilight. I must have been placed here before Twilight arrived. "Sorry, I'm late, everypony," A voice came from the front door, and it was Twilight. Then she saw me, rushed over to me and was already bombarding me with questions of where I was from and what race I am and why I'm dressed like a Pirate. Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia's Student. LV 5 "Please calm down, Miss," I told her and she noticed that my ears were folded to my head. "Sorry, but I want to know, I must know, please," Twi Replied. "How about I tell you all a tale from my time as a Pirate? Will that be nice for your research?" "Yes, please!" everypony in the room said as I sat down on the floor. "I was on a Galleon, with three other Pirates on board, sailing to a Skeleton Fort named Shark Fin Camp. There were alright two Sloops at the fort fighting the undead there," Everyone was scared of the thought of the dead walking around the world, "One of the Sloops sailed away from the fort as we sailed close to it. The other stayed and fought until we sank it to the depths of the ocean. After the sloop was sunk, we began to fight the Skeleton Pirates that were occupying the fort. But the Sloop we sank, came back and we sank it again. We were close to finishing the fort when the same Sloop came back, but this time, with a friend, a Skeleton Galleon to match our Galleon." Everyone gasped in fear. "With a few kegs of gunpowder. We sank the Sloop and the Skeleton Galleon. But at the cost of our ship. But our rowboat was still intact, and we began to load all of the loot onto the rowboat, and we rowed and rowed all an Outpost named Dagger Tooth," The Ponies in the room was liking this tale of mine, "When we came to the Outpost, we turned in all of the loot and gained more treasure for our troubles. But the Mysterious Stranger rewarded me with the title of Pirate Legend and the boons that come with it. I said my farewell to my crew, headed down to Pirate Legend Tavern and sat down with other Legends to swap stories like this one and drinks till we passed out drunk on the Tavern floor," Everyone was clapping their hooves together as I finished my story. "That was so awesome, captain!" Dashie said to me as she flew up to me. "It was nothing, Dashie," I told her as Pinks was sticking her hoof in the air like she wanted to ask a question. "Yes, Pinks," "What songs do Pirates like to sing?" She asked. "Shanties," I told her but seemed to confuse her, somehow. "S-S-Shan-what?" Pinks asked again. "Songs of sailors, you know," Again, everyone didn't know what I was talking about, "Alright, maybe you heard of this one," (You all know this one) [William Hunter] "What shall we do with a drunken sailor? What shall we do with a drunken sailor? What shall we do with a drunken sailor? Earlie in the morning!" "Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Earlie in the morning!" "Shave his belly with a rusty razor! Shave his belly with a rusty razor! Shave his belly with a rusty razor! Earlie in the morning!" "Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Earlie in the morning!" "Put in a longboat till he's sober! Put in a longboat till he's sober! Put in a longboat till he's sober! Earlie in the morning!" "Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Earlie in the morning!" "Put him in the bed with the Captain's daughter! Put him in the bed with the Captain's daughter! Put him in the bed with the Captain's daughter! Earlie in the morning!" "Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Earlie in the morning!" "That's what we'll do with a drunken sailor! That's what we'll do with a drunken sailor! That's what we'll do with a drunken sailor! Earlie in the morning!" "Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Earlie in the morning!" "Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Way hey and up she rises, Earlie in the morning!" END SONG. TO BE CONTINUE. > Chapter 2 The Princess and the Pirate. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "So let me get this straight," Twi said as she then tried to retell what I told her, "You're not from this world but rather from a world where magic and creatures like me are myth and legends. You were a 'human' before coming to this world, you went to a festival called the S.O.T Fest and got that necklace from someone called the Merchant and transformed you into this White Fox body. And gained something called The Gamer, that turns everything around you into a video game, and you want to recruit my friends and me to go with you to become part of your crew called 'The White Fox Pirates'?" "That's pretty much it," I said to Twi and the rest of my new friends, "That is with all of your permission," Applejack chuckled a little. "Well, that's some tale you got there, William," "It's not a tale like the one before I sang Drunken Sailor," I told her, "How else can you explain the popup that appeared, after the singing, in front of me," A.J then looked a little embarrassed, "Fair enough," A.J chuckled. "And what about you being a Pirate?" Rarity asked me. "Well, that's what I wanted to be for a long time," I told Rares. "I love the boundless freedom that the open waves give to all who raises the Black Flag, and the Sea of Thieves is one place that I would love to go to, someday soon. Once I have a ship and a crew to call my own," The girls must have noticed that last bit because what Twi said next surprised me a lot. "I would like to go with you if you want to," Twi said to me, then I got voices of approve from A.J, Pinks, Rares, Big Mac, Thunderlane, Bon Bon, Time Turner, Bulk, Redheart, Lyra, Spike, the CMC, Rumble, Pipsqueak and Skeedaddle. "You all want to become part of my crew, as Pirates?" I asked them all. Then they nodded yes to me. "Okay, then. Welcome aboard," Just as I say that my Gamer powers' messages popped up and scared my new friends, they were the same messages that Flutters and Dashie got then they were accepted into my crew. "Don't worry. It's just the crew message that Flutters and Dashie got when they were accepted into my crew," I told them as they then pressed the {YES} button and became members of my crew. "Now this is something I've never seen before," A.J said as she and the rest of my crew looked over their STATS and their positions on the crew. “I believe everything is alright, Applejack,” a voice came from the doorway of Sugarcube Corner, “I hope I’m not interrupting anything?” “Princess Celestia!” Twi said as the whole room bowed to the leader of Equestria. “Rise, my little ponies,” Celestia said then she looked over to me, to which I became filled with nervousness. “You must be the white fox that everypony was talking about,” “Y-y-yes, I am the white fox,” I said to her with me kneeling to the Princesses. Celestia chuckled, “There’s no need to kneel before me, young Pirate. And excellent work recruiting my student and her friends and then some,” Everyone’s eyes were shot wide open at what the Princesses just said to me. Celestia laughed, “There’s no need to worry. I wasn’t going to arrest you all for being Pirates of this white fox’s crew,” Everyone breathed a sigh of relieve, “Thank the gods,” I muttered to myself. “Although I am going to help you all with getting a ship and getting stronger and increase your STATS,” Celestia said that made everyone look at her like she was crazy. “Don’t believe me, look above my head and see what I mean,” We all looked up and saw Celestia’s name, title and level and the latter made us all take a double-take. Celestia Princess of Equestria LV 10,000,000 “YOU’RE AT LEVEL TEN MILLION?!” I yelled at the top of my lungs and gave my ears a bit of a painful ringing. “My bucking ears!” Celestia laughed a little, “I know I’m a bit overpowered, but you will soon get there, my friend,” She said to me. “I only a tenth of the way there,” “That’s not even a possible level to reach and maintain,” I said to Celestia, “But if you can reach it then I will at least try to get there and grow past that,” (Cue Spectral Sails from Sea of Thieves in the background) Just then, a loud, window breaking, lightning strike. Scaring all of the ponies in the town as the lighting strikes slowed down a little. Skeleton Pirates began to fight and scare the ponies of Ponyville. "What the Hay?!" Dashie said as she saw the skeletons attacking the ponies. "Skeletons!" I said as I draw my Rapier and headed outside to fight them. "Captain, wait!" Twi said as she and the rest of the crew let the building and saw the chaos that will make Discord proud. "Protect the Princess!" One of the guards that came with Tia yelled to his fellow guards to protect the Princess and save the ponies. "Die fleshies!" One of the Skeletons said and scared the guards into dropping their spears and running for the hills. "Why does Tia even recruit them if they can't even stand there ground," I muttered to myself. "Nevermind about that, Young Pirate," Tia said, now wearing a new outfit that made her look like a Pirate Queen or something. Then I saw her new title and name. Calypso Pirate Queen of the Sea of Thieves LV 10,000,000 "Princess?" I heard Twi say in a quiet voice like Flutters to Tia. "Stand and fight me, you good for nothing undead Bastards!" Tia yelled as she attacks the skeletons with sword and pistol in her magic. "What in tarnation is going on here?" A.J asked everyone as the skeletons began to attack my crew to which I strike one of them down then I turn to my crew and say the following. "Don't just stand there in shock and awe and fight these undead forces!" I told them then weapons appeared in front of them like swords, pistols, axes, halberds and rifles as I then said to them, "Fate or something is helping us and is telling us to fight like hell!" Like a thundering herd, my crew began to fight the undead with a little more skill with their weapons than the undead did. "Pirate!" I heard a voice from behind me, "Looks like you're a creature worth at least something!" said Rathbone, the Gold Hoarder Skeleton Lord as his green gem eyes, glowed in excitement for me at the prospect of selling me to the highest bidder for a lot of gold. Rathbone The Gold Hoarder Lord LV 10,000 "I won't go easy!" I told The Gold Hoarder Skeleton Lord. My first fight was now beginning. Rathbone charged me with a Gold Hoarder Shovel and tried to stab me with it. I tried to dodge it, but Rathbone was too quick and nearly took out all of my health in one attack. "Now, you're mine, White Fox," The undead Lord said to me as he was going to attack me. BANG A gunshot was heard as Rathbone was quick to react to it as he was the one that was shot in the back of the head with an electric gunshot. "What the devil is this?" He said as he turned around to see Celestia standing there with a flintlock pistol in her magical grasp. "Hello, Rathbone," Celestia or Calypso, in this case, said as Rathbone was trying to fight back as Celestia began to sing. (Cue Valhalla Calling by Miracle of Sound) Calypso: "Ships on vigour of the waves are skimming Barren summits to the verdant plains Each horizon is a new beginning. Rise and reign Far from the fjords and the ice-cold currents Ravens soar over new frontiers Songs and sagas of a fate determined. Shields and spears Vows of favour or the thrill of plunder Pull together for the clan and kin. Clank of hammers and the crash of thunder Pound within Oh-ho-oh The echoes of eternity Oh-ho-oh Valhalla calling me Oh-ho-oh To pluck the strings of destiny. Oh-ho-oh Valhalla calling me Valhalla calling me" As Tia sing the song, Rathbone looks like he is pooping his pants, if he even had poop, to begin with. Calypso: "Sails a' swaying on the crimson rivers Blood and glory in the fighting fields Shields a' shatter into splintered timbers. Iron and steel Fires are rising, and the bells are ringing. Glory takes us into Odin's halls. Golden glimmer and the sound of singing Asgard's call Oh-ho-oh The echoes of eternity Oh-ho-oh Valhalla calling me Oh-ho-oh To pluck the strings of destiny. Oh-ho-oh Valhalla calling me Valhalla calling me" Rathbone was now trying to get away from a now scary Tia and her power that only a Pirate Queen, no Pirate Goddess like her can have. Calypso: "Wind and the waves will carry me Wind and the waves will set me free. Wind and the waves will carry me. Wind and the waves will set me free. Oh-ho-oh The echoes of eternity Oh-ho-oh Valhalla calling me Oh-ho-oh To pluck the strings of destiny. Oh-ho-oh Valhalla calling me Valhalla calling me" (SONG END) "PLEASE, SPARE ME!" Rathbone pleaded to Calypso for mercy. "Like you did to Ramsey?" Calypso said with venom in her voice. "I know what you are, Rathbone. You don't care if one of your slaves betrayed you, so long as they give you the gold to make you happy and pleased. You want the Sea of Thieves to yourself and all of its gold and jewels. Claiming that, and I quote. 'because I think he's wrong to hoard the knowledge.' You wanted all of the gold for yourself you piece of dung," "Parley?" Rathbone pleaded again to Calypso. "No," Calypso said then in one swift move, she cut off Rathbone's skull, and it rolled over to my pawed feet. The skeletons that were attacking Ponyville all turned to dust, and the storm was turning into normal clouds and was leaving the town's sky. Ponyville's citizens were now coming out of the building and celebrating the defeat of the undead invaders, but then they saw Calypso and were worried for themselves. "It's okay, everypony," Calypso, now Celestia but still in her pirate outfit, said to her fellow Ponies. "The enemy is no more and will not be returning anytime soon," Once the Ponies saw that it was their Princess and that all was safe to come out. "Princess Celestia!" Twi said as she and the rest of the crew came out wearing some new outfits that made them look more like Pirates. The Mane Six was wearing their Pirate costumes from the My Little Pony Movie toyline where the Mane Six were dressed like Pirates. The rest of the crew wore outfits like Bulk was wearing plate armour, Bon Bon was wearing black clothing to blend into the world's dark places, Time Turner wore a Tinker's costume, Lyra wore a bar maid's outfit, Thunderlane wore the same outfit as Dashie wore, but in Wonderbolt colours, the Cabin Foals wore the same outfit like what Jim Hawkens wore in Muppets Treasure Island. QUEST COMPLETE SURVIVE THE ATTACK BY THE GOLD HOARDER REWARDS 13000 EXP, 10000 GOLD, 10 LV'S OF EQUESTRIA REP, 2 STR, 4 DEX LEVEL UP TIMES 2 TRAIT GAINED: GOLD HOARDER SURVIVOR: GAIN 20% MORE GOLD FROM ORDER OF SOULS SOLD LOOT "Nice to know that we got something from that fight," I said to myself, then I turned myself to Celestia, who was still in her Pirate Queen's outfit. "Now, can you please explain why you're dressed like, and have the title of Pirate Queen of the Sea of Thieves? Before I lose my head trying to figure it out," Celestia came up to me, towering over me with her height alone and said, "I know it's a lot to explain, but give me a tankard of rum and let me tell you and your crew everything about why I'm the Pirate Queen," "After today, I think a drink is what we need. And if it's the Apple family's famous Apple Cider, all the more to have a drink," At the local Ponyville Tavern. Celestia, myself and my crew were now in the tavern, as we entered everyone in the tavern was looking at us, but the most of the tavern's ponies were looking at Tia with eyes the size of dinner plates. "Don't mind us my little Ponies, please return to your drinks," Tia said to everyone minus those who entered the tavern. "Princess," I said to her. "Please, call me Tia, Young Pirate. We're Pirates, aren't we?" Tia said to me. "Okay, Tia," I agreed to her request then asked her as we found a table for all of us. Everyone was looking at us like we were the bad guys, we do look a little scary for the Ponies of Ponyville, as well as them seeing their Princess in an outfit worthy of a Pirate Goddess like her. "First Question. Why do you have the title of Pirate Queen of the Sea of Thieves?" I started my questions. Tia sighed, "The year was 1730 in the human world, near the end of the Golden Age of Piracy. I was one of the Pirates to enter the Sea of Thieves with Ramsey Singh, the man you know as the Pirate Lord of the Sea of Thieves. He had grand plans for the Sea of Thieves, but someone or something took him to the grave. But he was still alive to run his faction, Athena's Fortune and made me the Pirate Queen of the Sea of Thieves in secret. Only a few know of my existence in the Sea, now you and your crew know of this. I was foolish to reveal my Pirate self to all of you and Ponyville. I hope I can fix this problem before the nobles of Canterlot get news of this," Tia then took a long drink of rum. "But how were you named Calypso when you changed into your Pirate form?" Time Turner asked her. "The reason is that only Ramsey and his inner circle know of my real name. Outside of his council of Allies, and the rest of the Sea of Thieves only know me as Calypso, the Pirate Goddess of the Sea of Thieves," Tia told me. "Then how did the undead got into this our town?" Big Mac asked Tia. "It's because of the necklace that your captain is wearing," Tia said as she used her wing to point to the necklace that I was wearing. "That is a Star Amulet. It has the power to open gateways to other worlds. In your case, it opened one between this world and the human world with the Sea of Thieves in it. For this one, it can be activated by singing shanties," "So, I caused the undead of the Sea of Thieves to come to Equestria?" I said, my spirit now down lower than the ground on which I stood. "You had no idea that it would become active as you were singing Drunken Sailor, William," Tia said, but it did little to make me better. "But I nearly brought the kingdom to ruin!" I said as I slammed my hands on the table, gaining the attention of the tavern. "William," Flutters said to me in a calm voice that she is known for, "No one knew any of this would happen," "I know, but it's not like this thing (Points to the necklace) came with instructions," I said to Flutters, "But, the Merchant never said anything about this being anything of power. I guess that's the price I paid for being in the Displaced Multiverse," "We all make mistakes like that, William," Tia said as she began to sing again. (Cue The Dawn will come from Dragon Age Inquisition In-Game version) Celestia: "Shadows fall And hope has fled Steel your heart The dawn will come The night is long And the path is dark Look to the sky For one day soon The dawn will come." One by one, my crew begin to sing. Ponies of Ponyville: "The Shepard's lost And his home is far Keep to the stars The dawn will come The night is long And the path is dark Look to the sky For one day soon The dawn will come," "Bare your blade And raise it high Stand your ground The dawn will come The night is long And the path is dark Look to the sky For one day soon The dawn will come," "Even the greatest leaders make mistakes," Tia said to me then we continued drinking. To Be Continued. > Chapter 3 Swearing my oath > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Never thought that I would be the one to bring the undead into Equestria," I said to myself as I left the tavern to take a moment to calm myself down. It was already night time, and I was still feeling bad for causing the undead invasion into Equestria. I should've known. It's not like they give a rulebook on what rule not to break when you're Displaced. "What I was thinking?" I said to myself, "I wanted to meet my heroes and live in Equestria for the rest of my life. But now I have made them a part of my crew called the White Fox Pirates, let the undead into Ponyville and let Tia show her true self to the rest of the world as the Pirate Goddess of the Sea of Thieves no less!" I was now at the nearby lake as I saw myself as an anthro fox and not a human that I have grown up with for all of my life. "How can I even go to the Sea of Thieves and not be called a monster? Why did I even buy this thing anyway?" I said as I looked down at my Star Amulet. "Nopony knows why fate works the way it does, young Pirate," A voice came from the sky above me, and it was Princess Luna. "Here to arrest me?" I said to Lulu. "No, little one," Lulu said as she landed next to me, and she places a wing on my back. The little one comment was weird because I was a foot shorter than her, with Ponies like Big Mac as tall as me. "Nopony can blame you for what happened to Ponyville today, little Fox," "I want to sing one of my favourite shanties," I said, "I had no idea that it would cause today's invasion," “Things don’t always work out the way you always planned,” Lulu said to me with a sad face. “I should be saying sorry to all of Ponyville if that’s what will make them feel better,” I said. “No need to do that, William,” A voice came from behind me, I turned to see who it was, and it was Tia and all of my crew with her. “They’ve already forgiven you,” "I still have to pay for the crimes that I have commented to this kingdom," I said with one hand crossing my heart with the other behind my back and kneeling to Tia as much as my digitigrade legs can do, "I am willing to surrender to you," Everyone was looking at me like I was crazy beyond crazy. "Captain. Why are you doing this?" Twi asked me, nearly yelling at me. I can tell that Twi will go mad, trying to understand the Sea of Thieves for years to come. "I, William Hunter of Tasmania, Australia, Captain of the White Fox Pirates. Swear to you, Calypso of Canterlot, Equestria, Pirate Queen of the Sea of Thieves, to live long and plunder in your name and fight the enemies that threaten Piracy, foreign and domestic. So help me, Faust!" (Calypso by John Denver) [William] "To sail on a dream on a crystal clear ocean, To ride on the crest of a wild raging storm. To work in the service of life and the living, In search of the answers to questions unknown. To be part of the movement and part of the growing, Part of beginning to understand!" "Aye, Calypso, the places you've been to, The things that you've shown us, the stories you tell. Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit, The men who have served you so long and so well." Everyone except Tia was looking at me like I was out of my mind. "Like the dolphin who guides you, you bring us beside you, To light up the darkness and show us the way. For though we are strangers in your silent world, To live on the land, we must learn from the sea. To be true as the tide and free as the wind swell, Joyful and loving in letting it be." "Aye, Calypso, the places you've been to, The things that you've shown us, the stories you tell. Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit, The men who have served you so long and so well. Aye, Calypso, the places you've been to, The things that you've shown us, the stories you tell. Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit, The men who have served you so long and so well." (End Song) By accident, I let out a howl at the end of the song. It manages to freak everyone out, including me. "I'll admit that I did not see that," Tia said to me, "That is what I think that song that you sang is a confession of love," The last thing that Tia said made my eyes nearly popped out of my head as I looked up to Tia with my white coat of fur on my face turning to a light shade of pink. "Also, I thought that you were a Fox, not a Wolf. You were howling in the middle of the choirs and at the end of the song," "But Flutters, even The Gamer's System said that I was a Fox. was it a glitch of some kind?" I asked Tia, seeing as she was the expert on this whole thing. "Well, it is known that the system is a bit unreliable at times," Tia said, "And don't worry about your 'confession of love' to me. I'm already married. Captain William Hunter of Tasmania. I accept your oath of loyalty to the Sea of Thieves, and me," "Thank you, Ma'am," I said, "I won't let you down, Ma'am," The rest of my crew looked at me again, like I was crazy. "Why did you give up your freedom like that!?" Dashie asked me. "I wanted to pay for bringing the undead into this world." I told Dashie and all of my crew, "I want to show that pirates like me can have some honour and decency to all creatures and other Displaced people in the Multiverse," HIDDEN QUEST COMPLETE JOIN CELESTIA/CALPYSO'S FACTION: ATHENA'S FORTUNE REWARDS 17,000 EXP, 19,700 GOLD COINS, +4 WIS, +4 INT, +20 ATHENA'S FORTUNE FACTION REP LEVELS. TITLES GAINED, Champion of Athena's Fortune, The White Wolf Buccaneer. TRAIT GAINED: CHAMPION OF ATHENA'S FORTUNE: +20% BOUNS GOLD AND REP FROM ATHENA'S FORTUNE LOOT DO YOU WISH TO CHANGE TO A NEW NAME FOR YOUR PIRATE CLAN? [YES] [NO] "Well, that's just weird," Lulu said with confusion. I pressed yes and changed it to The White Wolf Pirates. "I guess Tia didn't tell you about The Gamer System, did she?" I asked the moon princess. Lulu tilted her head to the left a little, "No, she didn't," She told me, then asked, "What's a gamer?" "Did Tia tell you about her adventures in the Sea of Thieves?" I asked Lulu, "And how she is the Pirate Queen of the Sea of thieves?" Lulu's eyes went wide, and then this happened: "YOU'RE A PIRATE?!" She yelled in her Royal Canterlot Voice. Easily make my and everyone else's ears ring for the next hour. "Lulu, normal voice, please," Tia said to her sister. Lulu then looked embarrassed to have nearly woke up the whole Kingdom. "Sorry, sister. But how are you a Pirate? A Pirate Queen no less?" "I knew this would bite me in the flank later," Tia muttered to herself, "It was only 34 years before you came back, and I wanted to bring you back sooner, but Mother was saying that it would interfere with destiny and all of those horseapples," Everyone stared at Tia with mouths wide open on the ground. "So in protest, I felt this world for one with pirates and boundless freedom. I changed my form and became a young scholar and study the so-called 'New World', but females at that time were nothing more than housekeepers. A young but ambitious Pirate captain named Ramsey Singh showed me the ropes on how to be a Pirate and gave me a way into the place that will be known as the Sea of Thieves. After 21 years on the Sea, I was called back to my homeworld by Mother, saying if I didn't, she would send you, Lulu, further away from the Equis System," Lulu was now steaming at the bits, now pissed off at her Mother for using herself as a barging chip to keep her sister in line. "I was able to come back to Equis, but before it happened, I was made the Pirate Queen of the Sea of Thieves and was married to Ramsey Singh, who became the Pirate Lord before I ascended to the Pirate Queen Throne in the Pirate Legend Hideout," "Wait a minute," I interrupted the two Princesses talking, "You're married to the Pirate Lord of the Sea of Thieves?" I asked Tia. "Yes," Tia said. "Oh," I said, then I fell on my back and passed out in shock. I soon awoke to the sight of the Ponyville Library that Twi was staying in. With some voices coming from downstairs. I went down with some trouble with my new legs and the stairs. "Will he be alright?" I heard Twi asked someone. "Yes, he will be alright, Miss Sparkle," I heard Nurse Redheart, "He's just suffering from shock. That's all," "Thank ya kindly, Redheart. I'm glad the Captain made you a part of the crew," AJ said to Redheart. "Thanks, Applejack," Redheart said. "Nice of that's why your the clan's doctor," I said, making my crew jump a little "William, you're up!" Flutters said to me with relief in her voice. "I was wondering when you would wake up from your shocked state," Tia's voice came from the kitchen. Then she came out with some pancakes likely made by her. "Eat up everypirate. We have some training to do later," "Training?" everyone asked, including me. "For what reason?" Scoots asked Tia. "As plain as I can get, you all under-levelled for the Sea of Thieves," Tia said as we all looked like we took some morale hits. "But under my teachings, I can make you all the best Pirates will ever sail the multiverse," "I think after the invasion by Rathbone, we do need at least some kind of preparation for the Sea of Thieves. Since we WILL be coming across, Krakens, Skeletons, Megalodons, Skeleton ships, Skeleton Lords like Rathbone, Captain Flameheart, Ghost Ships, Ashen Lords, Phantoms, and more can and will be there," I said as I was listing out the enemies in the Sea of Thieves, my friends, even Tia was looking at me as I was saying those treats so casually and without a care. "I don't even know those threats are real in the Sea of Thieves, even Phantoms," Tia said to me, then asked, "What are Phantoms?" "Phantoms are Pirates who have fallen and sent back to the Sea of Thieves from the Sea of the Dammed by the thin barrier between the land of the living and the Sea of the Dammed," I told Tia and the rest of my crew. "They are skilled Pirates that have left their mortal form behind but held on to their love of a good tussle. They fight with fast-paced “hit and run” tactics, bolstered by their ghostly abilities, and Phantoms use speed and numbers to overwhelm enemies but can’t take a lot of hits," "When do they appear?" Turner asked me. "I think 37 years after Ramsey founded the Sea of Thieves," I told Turner and the crew with Tia's Eyes going wide from my words. "It's only been 13 since I came back to this world and left the Sea of Thieves behind," Tia said to me. Then she got up and told us, "Eat and meet me at the meadow outside Ponyville," Everyone looked at me like I've done something wrong, "I should've kept my muzzle shut, should I?" "YES!" Tia yelled after she left the house. "Alright, Pirates!" Tia said as we all lined up in front of her like soldiers from the military, "You're going to train as you've never been trained before. We'll work on both your bodies, minds and magic," Then she looked at me, "William Hunter, step forward," "Yes, ma'am," I said in a professional soldier-like matter as if I back in the Australian Army Cadets. "I would like to give you this," Tia said as she gave my Rathbone's skull that was in her magical grip, "It will help you with the fight ahead and will give you more," "What do you want me to do?" I asked Tia. "You need to do a ritual to gain the abilities from this skull," Tia said as she handed me an Order of Souls Smoking Pipe, "I would assume that you know the way to do it?" "I think," I said as I grabbed both the Skull and the Pipe. (William Hunter peppers the skull with glowing dust from the pipe, then inhales the dust to blow onto the skull. He whispers an incantation to activate the skull, then inhales the memory-filled dust.) NEW ABILITIY GAINED SUMMON SKELETON PIRATES LEVEL 1 [MAX 2 SKELETONS. 1 SKELETON PIRATE DECKHAND (DUAL SWORDS), 1 SKELETON PIRATE GUNNERY MOB (PISTOL)] "That's something that, I hope, will come in handy in the future," I said as I then summoned the Skeletons to my side. Once the Skellies were summoned, my crew took defensive moves, "It's alright, everypirate," Tia said to them, "They're new members of the crew," Everyone looked a little bit more relaxed, "Now, let's begin with some melee combat," (You know this one) [Tia. We were handed some wooden poles and were taught some basic moves, and we're asked to take turns fighting each other, without magic or wings and other things. Then Sweetie Belle hit Tia by mistake and gotten a death glare.] Let's get down to business, To defeat the Huns. Did they send me daughters, When I asked for sons? You're the saddest bunch I ever met, But you can bet before we're through, Mister, I'll make a man out of you. LEVEL UP FIGHTING SKILL. LEVEL UP FIGHTING SKILL. LEVEL UP FIGHTING SKILL. LEVEL UP FIGHTING SKILL. LEVEL UP FIGHTING SKILL. [Tia. Next was Firearm training. It was not easy since nopirate ever had shot and reloaded a gun before.] Tranquil as a forest, But on fire within. Once you find your center, You are sure to win. You're a spineless, pale, pathetic lot, And you haven't got a clue. Somehow I'll make a man out of you! LEVEL UP FIREAMS LEVEL UP FIREARMS LEVEL UP FIREARMS LEVEL UP FIREARMS LEVEL UP FIREARMS [Everyone on the crew. As we did some different tasks, my crew were getting stronger every day with some hiccups along the way like cannon training, rigging the sails, repairing the hull and getting some basic knowledge of the Sea of Thieves.] I'm never gonna catch my breath! Say goodbye to those who knew me! Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym? This guy got 'em scared to death! Hope he doesn't see right through me! Now I really wish that I knew how to swim! LEVEL UP CANNONEER X10 LEVEL UP RIGGING X10 LEVEL UP REPAIRING X10 LEVEL UP SUMMON SKELETON PIRATES X19 [MAX 40, 20 SKELETON PIRATE DECKHANDS (DUAL SWORDS), 20 SKELETON PIRATE GUNNERY MOB (PISTOL) LEVEL UP COMMANDING SUMMONS X20 [As Tia was getting to the chorus, we were trying to focus on getting our stats to improve all the way for the voyage ahead.] Be a man You must be swift as the coursing river Be a man With all the force of a great typhoon Be a man With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon LEVEL UP STATS TO LEVEL 30 [Tia. Tia was now training me in the art of magic and crafting some weapons and armour for my crew and was doing some quests throughout Ponyville, in the name of James (Jim) White AKA Glitterbeard: (a member of RARE who passed away on March of 2020 and was immortalised in the game a year later): We are Pirates, yes, but we are all people too.] Time is racing toward us 'Til the Huns arrive Heed my every order And you might survive You're unsuited for the rage of war So pack up, go home, you're through How could I make a man out of you? NEW ABILITY GAINED: MAGIC BLAST NEW ABILITY GAINED: MAGIC GRIP NEW ABILITY GAINED: MAGIC ROPE NEW ABILITY GAINED: TELEPORT NEW ABILITY GAINED: MAGIC SHOCKWAVE [Tia. Then Tia duelled me with no restrates on me or her] You must be swift as the coursing river (Be a man) With all the force of a great typhoon (Be a man) With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon! You must be swift as the coursing river (Be a man) With all the force of a great typhoon (Be a man) With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon! (End song) [NEXT TIME. NEW SHIP AND SAILING TO THE SEA OF THIEVES] [ANTHOR'S NOTE. I wanted to show the crew training in piracy and who better to teach than Celetisa/Calypso. Also, I want to show that William is willing to give up his freedom and his shot of being a Pirate Lord in his own right as punishment for bringing the undead to Ponyville. Also also, how many of you think how long it would be until the song Calypso by John Denver would appear? Also also also, I have made it to the Keelhauled Podcast as part of the Keelhauled community's episode, so if you want to listen to me and some other Sea fo Thieves Players talk about the game and its future, please check it out and the next one and more will be released near the end of the month. Links here: One. Two. Still, as always, I'm Regis Stella and remember: LIVE LONG AND PLUNDER! > Chapter 4 Goodbye Equestria, Hello Sea of Thieves. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was standing at the Ponyville Train Station, waiting for the train to come and pick myself and my crew. It's been a month since we started our training for the Sea of Thieves, and we've grown a lot since then. "Stats," I said to myself as my STATS appeared in front of me. Name: 'White Wolf' William Hunter. Titles: The White Wolf Buccaneer, Champion of Athena’s Fortune, Captain of the White Wolf Pirates, Calypso’s Pirate Apprentice. Level: 49 Bounty: $0.00 Faction: Athena’s Fortune, Pirate Clan: White Wolf Pirates. Money: 1,725,974 Gold Coins. EXP: 48,999 out of 49,000 STATS: STR 50 PER 50 DEX 50 INT 50 WIS 50 CHA 75 TRAITS: Captain of the White Fox Pirates. Gold Hoarder Survivor. Champion of Athena’s Fortune. Calypso's Pirate Apprentice. SKILLS [Observation] [LV 45 Fighting Skills] [LV 21 Sword Skills] [LV 21 Marksmen Skills] [LV 21 Sailing Skills] [LV 75 Diplomacy Skills] [LV 21 Crafting Skills] [LV 25 Singing Skills] [LV 21 Medical Skills] [LV 100 Summoning Skills] [LV 15 Parkour Skills] ABILITIES Summon Skeleton Pirates. 720 MAX. [Three 160 Skeleton Pirate Deckhands. (Dual Swords) 120 Skeleton Pirate Gunnery Mob. (Pistol and Sword) 120 Skeleton Pirate Gunnery Mob. (Handguns)] Magic Blast. Magic Grip. Magic Rope. Magical Teleport. Magic Shockwave. Fire Bolt. REPUTATION Gold Hoarders. Level 75 Merchant Alliance. Level 75 Order of Souls. Level 75 Hunter’s Call Level 50 Sea Dogs Level 50 Reaper’s Bones Level 75 Athena’s Fortune. Level: 20 "Checking something, Captain?" Twi asked me. "Just reminding myself how strong I've become over the past month," I said to her. "I hope that it's enough for the foes we will face in the future," "From what you told us, the future of the Sea of Thieves is a dangerous time to be a Pirate, or alive for that matter," Twi said to me. "Princes- I mean Celestia trained us pretty hard over the last month," "At least you stopped yourself," I said, teasing my Quartermaster, to which Twi blushed a little. "I'm still not used to calling the Princess by her name!" she said. "TOOT TOOT!" the train went as it came into the station, and everyone on my crew made their way to the train. "All aboard, next stop, Manehattan!" the conductor said as me and my Nakama boarded the train. [ON THE TRAIN TO MANEHATTAN] I looked out the passenger car window as the train raced across the land to the Pony version of New York City. And then began to sing. (Cue Morningtown Ride by The Seekers) [William] Train whistleblowing makes a sleepy noise, Underneath their blankets go all the girls and boys. Rocking, rolling, riding out along the bay, All bound for Morningtown many miles away. Driver at the engine fireman rings the bell, Sandman swings the lantern to show that all is well. Rocking, rolling, riding out along the bay, All bound for Morningtown many miles away. Maybe it is raining where our train will ride, All the little travellers are warm and snug inside. Rocking, rolling, riding out along the bay, All bound for Morningtown many miles away. Somewhere there is sunshine, somewhere there is day, Somewhere there is Morningtown many miles away. Rocking, rolling, riding out along the bay, All bound for Morningtown many miles away. Rocking, rolling, riding out along the bay, All bound for Morningtown many miles away." (End to a classic for Australian song by an old but great Aussie folk band) When I finished the song, I got a popup saying the following: NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED! Sleep Song. [Sing a lullaby-type song to make everyone around you sleep a few hours] I blinked at the popup when I read the text, closed the popup and then looked over to my crew and saw that they'd fallen asleep. "Opps," I whispered to myself as I looked over the crew sleeping after my singing. "Maybe I should be more careful next time," Manehattan As the train came into the station, I was the first of my crew to walk out of the train onto the station waited for my crew. They then came out of the train car all a little sleepy and tried from the lullaby I sang on the way here. "Did you have to sing that song, William?" Rares said to me in a tired voice, trying to get her mane and her outfit clean and free of creases. "Sorry, Rares. I can't help it sometimes," I said to her. "Anyway, we should get to the Manehattan Harbour," Twi said. "Captain!" A voice came from behind us. We turn to see a dark orange Unicorn Stallion with a dark orange and black mane and tail with a black office shirt on and had a cutie mark that's a dark red flame with a black flame surrounding it. "Captain Hunter," The Stallion said to me and then explained himself to me, "I heard you and your crew were leaving to another world with the heroes of Equestria and their friends. And I was hoping to employ myself to your crew. I'm a scholar, and I can be a great helmspony by getting there faster than anypony better," "Well... I do need a helmsperson to steer the ship. And we do need a scholar to help keep the record of the voyages in order. So Welcome aboard, mate," I said. In the end, I put out my paw and shook his forehoof, "I didn't catch your name," "Call me Cyrus Colter Wolfy, Captain," Wolfy said as he introduces himself to the rest of my Nakama as one of my own. Ponies were looking at us as we walked to the harbour. When we made it to the harbour, we saw some platform with reporters and camera equipment as we saw a huge metal ship. Unlike modern-day battleships, it was a fully metal-plated ship from the Ultimate Admiral Age of Sail game. "Admiring your new Flagship, Apprentice?" I heard Tia said from behind me. "Yes," I said, then looked to the ship, "It's a little bit overkill, isn't it?" "I don't think so," Tia said, "It's a sigh of great power for the Pirates in the Sea of Thieves to see a ship of this size," "If you say so, Tia," "Now, if you don't mind, I have a press confess to begin," Tia said as she left to talk to the reporters in front of the platform. "Good afternoon, my little Ponies. Today we see the launch of this good ship, taut and free, with the crew that will be sailing on her. Now I have some news for all of you today. No doubt that you've heard the reports from Ponyville, like two-legged skeletons attacking the town and myself fighting the skeletons as a Pirate. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's all true," Everyone looked at Tia as she revealed her Pirate Queen form to the reporters who stop taking notes and had their eyes and jaws wide open. Then Tia continued, "I was fighting the undead in Ponyville, and I was dressed like this during the fight. And I'm here to tell you another thing as well. Myself, Luna and Cadence are leaving this kingdom and this world to live our life as Pirates!" "WHAT!?" The City of Manehattan yelled at the top of their lungs. "I've been the guide hoof to this kingdom for a thousand years and nopony, no, NOPIRATE! understands what was going behind the scenes. I was all alone for that long, and nopirate noticed me as I have to hide the pain away from all of you, and It was all in the name of destiny. when I got a taste of freedom and truly living the way I want to, my mother disagreed with my freedom and forced me to return to my 'homeland'," "In the words of a great man. Choose your own path, do not follow mine," Tia said as she put on an Italian accent at the last part of her speech, then she turned to me. "Let's leave this place, Apprentice," "Aye aye, Tia," I said as myself and the crew boarded the ship and left the Equestria behind. THE OPEN SEA. "Tia, would you like to do the honours?" I asked her. "With pleasure, Captain Hunter," Tia said as she began to sing Old Maui. Tia: "It’s a damn tough life full of toil and strife, We, Pirates, undergo. And we won’t give a damn when the gale is done, How hard the winds did blow." Lulu: "For we’re homeward bound from the Arctic Ground, With a good ship taut and free. And we don’t give a damn when we drink our rum, With the girls of Old Maui." Everyone: "Rolling down to Old Maui, me boys, Rolling down to Old Maui. We’re homeward bound from the Arctic Ground, Rolling down to Old Maui." Flutters: "Once more we sail with a Northerly gale, Through the ice, and wind, and rain. Them coconut fronds, them tropical shores, We soon shall see again." Dashie: "For Six hellish months we passed away On the cold Kamchatka sea But now we're bound from the Arctic ground Rolling down to Old Maui" Everyone: "Rolling down to Old Maui, me boys, Rolling down to Old Maui. We’re homeward bound from the Arctic Ground, Rolling down to Old Maui" Pinks: "Once more we sail the Northerly gale, Towards our Island home. Our whaling done, out mainmast sprung, And we ain't got far to roam." A.J: "Our stans'l booms is carried away, What care we for that sound. A living gale is after us, Thank the Gods. We're homeward bound." Everyone: "Rolling down to Old Maui, me boys, Rolling down to Old Maui. We’re homeward bound from the Arctic Ground, Rolling down to Old Maui" Twi: "How soft the breeze through the island trees, Now the ice is far astern. Them native maids, them tropical glades, Is awaiting our return." Wolfy: "Even now their big, brown eyes look out, Hoping some fine day to see. Our baggy sails running 'fore the gales, Rolling down to Old Maui." “White Wolf” William: "Rolling down to Old Maui, me boys Rolling down to Old Maui We're homeward bound from the Arctic Ground Rolling down to Old Maui Rolling down to Old Maui, me boys Rolling down to Old Maui We're homeward bound from the Arctic Ground Rolling down to Old Maui..." After everyone finished singing of the shanty, something was happening to me. I was glowing in a sea-green glow. "Captain? What's happening?" Wolfy asked me, then I vanished. I awoke to the smell of salt and grog, "What the?" I said as I sat up and looked around and saw the familiar sights and sounds of a Sea of Thieves Outpost, more accurately, it was Ancient Spire Outpost. "Fuck," To be continued. > Side Chapter 1 The Future of the Sea of Thieves. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "So you claim to know the future of the Sea of Thieves for at least the next three years and a bit, my appetence?" Tia asked me after my training duel with her, "I don't believe that you have such knowledge," "I do know the future, Tia," I said, "I already spilled the beans on the enemies that can and will come in the future. It's only a matter of time until they do come and give the Pirates of the Sea more riches and more things to do," "I had my fair share of others knowing the future like my Mother, who turned herself into a mad pony with that power to keep things the future of this world intact and even went to great and madding lengths to keep it so. Like when she told me to ignore my sister from all of her sadness and despair, but I wouldn't do what she said, so years later, Mother used her god-like magic to turn my sister into Nightmare Moon, used the Elements of Harmony on her and then have the history books say that I was the one who defeated my sister in battle. Just to keep fate in check," Tia said with huge amounts of venom in her words. "This time, I won't be driven mad with this knowledge of the future," I told her, "Unlike her, I was going to tell you about the future of the Sea of Thieves and the threats that come with it," "You may continue," "The words I will be using will be in gaming terms, like content updates, human release dates and nicknames for the threats in the Sea," I told her before I began to explain the future threats and changes of the Sea of Thieves. I took a drink of water before I began to explain the future of the Sea. "The first is The Hungering Deep. Released on May 29, 2018, it was about the arrival of the Megalodon to the Sea of Thieves, brought by 'Merry' Merrick by translating the cave paintings throughout the Seas and making shanty and brought the Megalodon to the Sea of Thieves by mistake. The update gave us the Drum, the Speaking Trumpet, Flags, Tattoos and scars, and a new permanent threat into the world," I took a drink, "Next is Cursed Sails. Released on July 31, 2018, It brought with it Galleons that are maned by Skeletons from the deeps of the Seas by a blacksmith turned skeleton name Wanda or her new Skeleton name, Warsmith, after the outpost drove her away from her home and swore revenge on all humans. The update gave us a new ship type, The Brigantines, Alliance Flags, Cursed Cannonballs, new hairstyles, hair colours, new ship liveries, and permanent slashed prices for cosmetics," I took another drink of water. "The third free update is Forsaken Shores. Released on September 27, 2018, it brought a new region to the Seas, The Devil's Roar, a volcanic land that may look like a more 'tamed' version of the Dragon Lands, but it's far from tamed even with an Outpost in that region. There's geezers, lava, falling rocks from the volcano and boiling water surrounding the islands when their volcanos erupt. It gave us rowboats, a new Merchant Alliance voyage, new Ashed versions of the loot that's already in the Seas and Seaposts that are scattered across the Seas," I took yet another drink of water, as the rest of my crew begin to sit and listen to what I was telling Tia. "The fourth update is named Shrouded Spoils. Release on November 28, 2018. It brought new riches to plunder like the famous or infamous Stronghold Gunpowder Barrel or as I like to call them, The Mega-Keg, a new weather type fog, more ship items to customize like cannons, capstans and helms, roaming Skeleton Galleons, Skeleton Sloops, more forts to plunder from, more Megalodons like the Shrouded Ghost (Which is real, fight me), a more aggressive Kraken and Merfolk Statutes that now give mermaid gems," I took a muzzle full of water and continued, "Next is the biggest update to come to the Seas, The Anniversary Update, Released on April 30, 2019, it brought The Arena made by the newest Trading Company called the Sea Dogs that are owned and founded by Lesadi and Demarco Singh, the twin children of the Pirate Lord and now you Tia, 'Merry' Merrick is back with the second post-launch Trading Company called The Hunters Call that brings fishing, more fruit and meat from the animals, harpoons, and a new set of lore-based voyages called Tall Tales that will take you to the Shores of Gold. You will fight Skeleton Lords, sail to new lands and face traps of all kinds," Someone handed me a new bottle of water. "Next several updates are monthly updates. They're as followed. Black Powder Staches on July 17, 2019, is an update that allowed selling the gunpowder kegs to the three Trading companies on the Outposts for the update. Cursed Relics, released on August 14, 2019, an update that brings new items for the Order of Souls to retrieve and sell, and brought Reapers Chests to the world to sell to Duke the Bilge Rat at the Outposts and rowboats that have harpoons on them. Smuggler's Fortune came out on September 11, 2019, an update that brings both the Black Market and the Pirate Emporium to the Seas that sells Pets like Parrots and Monkeys, New Emotes and Ship Cosmetic, can be brought with the new currency, the Ancient Coins. The Fort Of The Damned update came on October 16, 2019, brings a new, corrupted fort to the Seas that sits on the border of the land of the living and the Sea of the Damned and can be activated by the Flames of Fate and a Ritual Skull and gives you lots of loot more than regular forts, a new instrument, The Banjo, new female clothing options and new two-tone hair dyes. The Seabound Soul was released on November 20, 2019, as it gave us a new Tall Tale named after the update, and at the end of the Tale, the person who does the tale is the one that releases the greatest threat to the Seas. Captain Flameheart-" "WHAT!?" Tia yelled with her Royal Canterlot Voice, then can into my face, our muzzles touching each other and eyes locking on to each other as Tia spoke in an angry voice. "You mean to say that WE ARE THE ONES WHO RELEASE FLAMEHEART!?" "Yes," I said in a small voice that only Tia and myself could hear. "We'll be talking about this after you tell me the rest of these 'updates," Tia said in a threatening tone. "Y-y-y-yes, Tia," I said, then carried on with the updates, "The update brings with it Ashed chest that holds Ashed Tomes to collect and sell and a new weapon called Firebombs that can be used as ammo for your cannons or a throwable like the smoke bombs that Trixie uses. The Festival of Giving was brought to us on December 11, 2019. it came with new items like the Generous Gifts, new Skeleton Lords, more Ashed Tomes. The Legends of the Sea came out on January 15, 2020. It brings a new type of Reapers Chest called The Reapers Bounty that gives gold instead of Doubloons, a new island called The Reaper's Hideout on the uncharted island on N-13, more Ashed Tomes and a new Pirate called Umbra, She brings a list of Legends immortalisations for Pirates to find and learn about the legends of the Sea of Thieves that came before us. Crews of Rage came on February 19, 2020. It gave us a new cursed chest called The Chest of Rage, a new potion called The Pirate Appearance Potion, and a new fort in the Devil's Roar called Molten Sands Fortress. The Heart of Fire update came out on March 12, 2020. It brought with it a new Athena voyage called Athena Runs that sends Pirates to Thieves Haven and the surrounding large islands with new Athena loot to gain, a new throw or shoot weapon called the Blunderbombs, a new cannonball ammo type called the chain-shot and a new Tall Tale name after the update that sends you to Flameheart's lair, The Heart of Fire, to save Pendragon's crew from Flameheart. Next is the Ships of Fortune update, released on April 22, 2020. It brings a new way to become one of the Trading Companies Emissary from the Gold Hoarders, Order of Souls, Merchant Alliance, Athena's Fortune, and the newest 'Trading Company' I use that term loosely the Reaper's Bones. They are a company of Pirates that live for battle and bloodshed and will hunt down the other Emissaries for rep and gold. You can also revive your fallen pirates to bring them back into the fight and the arrival of cats. Next was Lost Treasures, which came out on May 27, 2020. but no one talks about that update anyway. On June 17, 2020, Haunted Shores comes with a new voyage and World Event that brings Ghost Ships to the Seas. Flameheart can now summon Ghost Ships from the Sea Of The Damned to conquer the Sea of Thieves. There are also new shanties that you can play on your instruments. Up next is Ashen Winds. On July 29, 2020, another World Event came to us with Flameheart's commanders, the Ashen Lords, they are Old Horatio, Warden Chi, Captain Grimm and Red Ruth. They are slower than Skeleton Lords but are more powerful and can use more attacks to fight off the Pirates of the Seas. Defeat an Ashen Lord and claim their skull, the Ashen Winds Skull, sell them to the Order of Souls or use them as a flamethrower. Now it's time for Vaults of the Ancients. Released on September 9, 2020, you can now plunder the vaults that belong to the Gold Hoarders for a great amount of gold and a new chest, The Chest of Ancient Tributes. Also, the new pet, dogs, can now be found in the Emporium. After Duke's run of bad luck, the leader of the Bilge Rats, Larinna, has taken over the reins of leadership on the Outposts. Two months later is Fate of the Damned. It came out on the 28th of October, 2020, and brings not that much soo we'll skip that. Next is the second Festival of Giving, and it was only remembered for being the last of the monthly updates, so I will go straight to Seasons," I took a big drink of my water bottle and finished the talk of the future of the Sea of Thieves Seasons with Season 1. "The first Season is Season One. It was released on January 28, 2021, and it comes with it 100 levels of Renown to grind through with things for regular Pirates, Pirate Legends and never-before-seen items from the Plunder Pass. It also comes with a new Merchant Alliance voyage that lets you play detective to find the missing Merchant Ships lost to the waves for unknown reasons. The next and final update that I will talk about is Season Two. Released on April 15, 2021. And it brings another 100 levels of Renown, more rewards to gain and more things to do in the world, like proper Merchant Trading that allows you to bring goods from one Outpost to another and gain a bit of coin if you bring the right resource to the right Outpost. A new World Event will appear, and it's called the Fort of Fortune. It's the hardest fort in the Seas up to that point, with Skeleton Captains every three waves, a Skeleton Lord on the 16th wave, two Skeleton Lords on wave 17th and an Ashen Lord on the 18th wave, defeat them, and the rewards will be worth it," "That's a lot of things to come to the Sea of Thieves," Tia said at last. "And that all three years worth of content?" "Yes, Tia," I told her, "Every update will change the Sea of Thieves and will make the Pirates stronger and richer along the way," "I see," Tia said, then got on her hooves and said this to me, "I don't want this info to spread to the other Pirates on the Seas. If word gets out about a Pirate who knows the future of the Sea of Thieves, we will be a target for our enemies to exploit and make things harder to predict," "Once the first three years and a bit of Sea of Thieves content updates are over, then we will be sailing blind from then on and forevermore," I said as we got back to training, now harder than ever before. TO BE CONTINUED. > Chapter 5 In the Sea of Thieves > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Welcome to Sea of Thieves!] [EXP 1000] [LEVEL UP X1] [Location: Ancient Spire Outpost] "Yup," I said to myself, "This is the Sea of Thieves," I was now standing up on my hind paws and walking to the edge of a cliff, where behind me was The Unicorn tavern where Tasha lived and worked. Down below me was the rest of the Outpost, with some differences. There was no Castaway Camp, the Pirate Emporium was not open, and there was no Reaper Shrine nor a Quest Board near the Shipwright. "Looks like I'm in year one all over again," I said with some nostalgia in my voice. Being a year one vet of the game meant I saw the game evolve from one update to another. "Now, how do I bring my crew here without screwing things up," I asked myself again. "I may be able to help with that," A voice comes from behind me. I turned around to see George the Mysterious Stranger, the Athena's Fortune Envoy, on all Outposts. "Oh, hello there," I said to him in a poor Obi-wan Kenobi voice. "You must be Captain William Hunter the White Wolf Buccaneer," George said to me, looking at me with wonder in his ghostly eyes. "The description by the Pirate Queen is on point. But, I wasn't expecting a real white wolf that walks on two legs and wears clothes like us, humans," "I have a feeling that that's going to be asked about and said to me a lot in this world," I thought to myself as George walked around me to get a better look at me. "So Calypso told you about me and my not-an-human-more-like-an-animal appearance?" I then asked him. "Yes," George said, "And was told to expect you, your ship, and your crew. Though you're here, but not your ship," "That seems to be the problem right now," I said as I walked to the Outpost's Docks, George waling behind me, "Maybe I was focusing on bringing myself to the Sea of Thieves and not my crew, ship, or Calypso here," "Then let's try that," George said then he gestured to the open waters of the Sea of Thieves, "Sing a shanty and bring your crew, ship, and my Queen here (George points to the end of the pier), and then we can get on with your first voyage," I took a deep breath, "Okay," I said. The Star Amulet began to shine a bright sea green as I began to sing South Australia. William Hunter: In South Australia I was born. Heave away! Haul away! In South Australia round Cape Horn. And we're bound for South Australia! Heave away! Haul away! Haul away, you Rolling Kings. And we're bound for South Australia! As I walked out one morning, fair. Heave away! Haul away! It's there I met Miss Nancy Blair. And we're bound for South Australia! Heave away! Haul away! Haul away, you Rolling Kings. And we're bound for South Australia! Nancy is standing on the quai. Heave away! Haul away! She wipes her tears as she waves to me. And we're bound for South Australia! Heave away! Haul away! Haul away, you Rolling Kings. And we're bound for South Australia! There's but one thing that grieves my mind. Heave away! Haul away! To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind. And we're bound for South Australia! Heave away! Haul away! Haul away, you Rolling Kings. And we're bound for South Australia! When we wallop around Cape Horn, heave away! Haul away! You'll wish to hell you'd never been born. And we're bound for South Australia! Heave away! Haul away! Haul away, you Rolling Kings. And we're bound for South Australia! Port Adelaide's a grand old town. Heave away! Haul away! With plenty of ale to go around. And we're bound for South Australia! Heave away! Haul away! Haul away, you Rolling Kings. And we're bound for South Australia! I wish I was on Australia's strand. Heave away! Haul away! With a glass of whiskey in each hand. And we're bound for South Australia! Heave away! Haul away! Haul away, you Rolling Kings. And we're bound for South Australia! But here I stand on a foreign shore. Heave away! Haul away! I'll drink to the girl I adore. And we're bound for South Australia! Heave away! Haul away! Haul away, you Rolling Kings. And we're bound for South Australia! Heave away! Haul away! Haul away, you Rolling Kings. And we're bound for South Australia! The water started to bubble and boil. Then my ship rose out of the water, and I heard some coughing and gaging and swearing from my crewmates. "Captain!" Flutters called out, flew off the ship, and slammed hug into me. "Ha ha ha ha, alright, Flutters, I'm alright," I said while flutters hugged me with like a plush toy. Very tightly. Then she looked at me with a stern glare, "DON'T leave me like that ever again, Will," She said, then she hugged me again. "Captain Hunter," Tia said, getting my attention. "Yes, Ma'am?" I asked her as I got up from the pier's wooden planks. "Great job with bringing your ship, your crew, and myself to the Sea of Thieves," She said with a nostalgic smile as she looked around the Outpost. "Thank you, ma'am," I said. "Now that we are in the Sea of Thieves, there's something that needs to be done," I took off my Star Amulet and handed it to Tia, "I believe that this will be much safer in your hooves," Tia looked at the Amulet and then me, "Why? My faithful pirate?" She asked me. "I don't want to summon or send myself or my crew to another world by mistake when we sing shanties," I said. Tia took the Amulet from my paws with her magic, "I'll take this and keep it safe for you, Captain," She said as she put it in a pocket on her overcoat. "Now, I believe that you have some reputation to gain for you and your crew?" "Oh ya," I gasped, "Alright, crew, follow me to the Gold Hoarder Tent," I said in an excited tone. "He's a happy one, isn't he?" George said to Tia, "Just like you when you were a fresh face pirate," "Yes, yes he is," Tia replied. [Gold Hoarder Tent] [Owner: Herbert the Hoarder] [Quest Gained: Complete a Quest from the Ancient Spire Gold Hoarder] [Reward: Crew Reputation for Gold Hoarders to Level 3. Crew Reputation for Ancient Spire Outpost to Level 1] "What the hell are you?" Herbert asked rudely to me. "William Hunter, Captain of the White Wolf Pirates," I told him, "And I'm a wolf, a special wolf," Herbert snorted. "You're not like any wolves I've ever seen," He said. I sighed, "We're new to the Sea of Thieves, and we were told that we should get a voyage from here. So what do you have to offer?" "Straight to business, I see," The crazed gold man said with a sly grin, "I got a good voyage for you and your crew of horses to go on," I sighed again, "They're ponies, but I'll let that slide. How much for a beginner voyage?" "No coins are needed to buy one voyage from me," Herbert said, "But don't let this be a returning thing when working with us Gold Hoarders, GOT IT!" "Got it," I winced as he handed the voyage to me. I turned back to my crew and signalled them to follow me, and we headed back to the ship. We got back to the ship, and I got out the map and looked at it with wide eyes. "What's the wrong captain?" I heard Time Turner ask me. "This map happens to have a lotta treasure chests on it," I said as I turned the map around for the rest of my crew to see, "See what I mean," They had a look of surprise on their faces as they counted the x's on the map. "Eighty treasure chests on this one island?!" Twi said in a loud voice, "Who would place so much treasure there?" "Someone who did a bad job of keeping their gold safe and sound," Dashie said. "Either way, it's just waiting there. Ready to be taken away by a bunch of young and inexperienced pirates..." I said slyly to my crew. "Think about all of that money that you could have..." My friends agreed to the voyage, and we set sail to Devil's Ridge. Devil's Ridge was just ahead of us as we were on the ship, and my crew wondered how they would get to the shoreline. "Well, I, for one, don't want to get wet at all. Unless it's a shower, then no thanks," Rares said to the crew. "COME ON, RARITY!" Dashie groaned. "Everyone has to pull their weight around this crew, guys," I said to my friends as I got on top of the railing on the ship, "And the quickest way to get to the shore without using a cannon is this," I draw my sword and charge it up for a new move, "SWORD DASH!" I thrust my sword, and the weight of my attack made me dash to the water and appeared on the island of Devil's Ridge. "Come on, you guys!" I said to my crewmates, "This treasure isn't going to dig itself up anytime soon," [NEW SKILL GAINED] [SWORD DASH LEVEL 1] [Charge your sword for a dashing attack against a foe. (Also useful for launching yourself from a cliff or a ship)] "And you get a new skill if you do a sword dash," I added. Eventually, everyone got to the shore, got out their maps, and tried to find the treasure. "Alright, everyone, once you dug up a treasure chest that you find, bring it back to the ship," Everyone nodded and got to find their share of the treasure chests. (Sing along everyone!) William Hunter. (I soon found a Captain's Chest and hit another treasure chest. I began to sing a very fitting song in times like these. And soon all of my friends brought their Captain's Chests.) "I got this map from a friend of a friend, He's a bloke who met an unfortunate end. He stole it from a thief he knew well, Is the map for real? Time will tell, hahaha," White Wolf Pirates. (I brought my Captain's Chest back near the ship. And it was piling up.) "Treasure, Treasure, And plenty of it in a sunken chest. Treasure, Treasure, Yes, we love it, no time of rest. Buried in water, icy cold, He who finds it gets the gold. Treasure, yes we love it, Treasure, and plenty of it," William Hunter. (We got the next quest, a riddle quest, and it was the same one from the E3 2017 gameplay trailer. But at the end of the quest, As Flutters was Digging it, we found something more.) "It's down below in a creepy cave, All the riches will come to he who is brave. She was brave and he who is not, Yes, the booty was here, and X's mark the spot, That's right, hahaha," White Wolf Pirates. (We got a Chest of Legends. And we were some very happy pirates. And we all sing together.) "Treasure, Treasure, And plenty of it in a sunken chest. Treasure, Treasure, Yes, we love it, no time of rest. Buried in water, icy cold, He who finds it gets the gold. Treasure, yes we love it, Treasure, and plenty of it," (We got another treasure map, and it was double the amount of treasure chests, we all raced to find the chests and brought them back to the ship and sailed back to Ancient Spire Outpost. As soon as we reached the docks, I summoned a lot of my Skeleton Pirate Deckhands to bring the treasure chests to the Gold Hoarder and place them near him.) "Treasure, Treasure, And plenty of it in a sunken chest. Treasure, Treasure, Yes, we love it, no time of rest. Buried in water, icy cold, He who finds it gets the gold. Treasure, yes we love it, Treasure, and plenty of it," William Hunter "Hahaha, the first voyage is a success laddies, we have three hundred Captain's Chests and an Athena Chest," [NEW SKILL GAINED] [Inspiring Song] [Sing an inspiring song to make your party members better at their tasks] Herbert looked surprised beyond surprised at the sight of the Captain's Chests. "How?! How did you get all of those treasure chests in just one voyage?!" "I guess we got fortunate," I said, and then I cringed at the joke I made, "Pun not intended," I muttered to myself. "Well..." Herbert said, "I take them in," I then commanded my skeletons to start turning in the loot that we gained. I held the Chest of Legends in my paws and took it to George in the tavern as the skeletons were doing that. "Well, well, well," George said while smiling, as he looked at the chest in my paws, "Your first Chest of Legends, on your first voyage, too," "I was not expecting an Athena's on my first voyage, in the Sea of Thieves," I said as I put the chest down near his feet. George smiled, "Call it a gift from my queen," He said, then he opened the chest and turned it to me to see the crazy amount of gold in it. "Holy crap," I said in awe of the gold that was in that chest. I kneeled to get a better look at it, and I was amazed at the sight of it. I reached out to the gold and took a handful of it. And for some reason, I was happy to have so much gold in one place. "How much of this will go to Calypso?" I asked George. "Not a single coin, all of this gold is yours," He said. My jaw dropped at the words of what George just said to me. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," I said as I hugged him. "No problem, sir," I heard him say. [GOLD INCOME: 2,000,000 Gold Coins into Crew Treasury] "Two million gold!?" I whispered to myself. [QUEST COMPLETE: Gain 5 Reputation for Ancient Spire Outpost for your crew, Gain 1 Reputation on all Outposts for your crew] I let go of George and thanked him, closing the Athena's, picking it up, and taking it to my crew. To be continued.