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Two: Equestribbean Tale

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The ship pitched and rocked in the storm. The Dauntless was a proud ship. Small compared to many war vessels, and nearly microscopic compared to the Concordia. Had anyone told Cannonfire that the pride of the Royal Navy would have her keel broken ten years from now, he wouldn't have believed them. His own vessel was fast with the wind, and quick against it, had an armament that the crew was well experienced with, and a hull that was strong for its size. It had weathered many storms and could no doubt weather many more… if it got out of this one.

Trying to avoid the strong winds of the hurricane that was beginning to form, the Dauntless rose in the sky, headed for the clouds in an attempt to get above them. Cannonfire, Captain of the vessel, stood at the wheel. Grapeshot, his Quartermaster – a brony of great command ability, Sureshot, his Gunnery Officer – a pony with the most remarkable aim, and Deadeye – the brony in command of the vessel's marines, were giving orders, making sure that hatches were shut tight, and ensuring that safety lines were secured.

"Captain!" Grapeshot called as he rushed up the steps to the aftcastle, "Unless we get above these clouds quick, the sails are going to come apart!"

"They'll hold, Grapeshot!" The Quartermaster gave his Captain a doubting look. "If it makes you feel better, get Weaver and have him standing by in case they start to tear." Weaver was the ship's sail maker, and a Pegasus. Grapeshot was a regular earth brony, and Sureshot and Deadeye were unicorns. Cannonfire had made sure of all of that for a reason. Officers were usually regular bronies because they were down to earth and level headed, thus able to think quick in a pinch and make decisions. Those that were put in a maintenance role were usually a Pegasus because they could get to the repairs quickly. Those that dealt with the cannons and firearms were unicorns, for they could use the weapons quickly and effectively.

Grapeshot was about to go away and do just that when there was another shout, and he turned back to Cannonfire again. "Apparently Stitches thinks that the whole inside of the ship is coming apart!" The Quartermaster laughed.

"He's always worried about that!" Cannonfire shook his head, pulling the ship up to a higher angle, and making it climb faster. "Regardless, make sure Carver is checking everything out below. I don't doubt that he is, but just in case, eh?" Grapeshot nodded. Stitched was a unicorn, and the ship's doctor, but he most certainly was not used to being aboard a vessel yet. He didn't really want to get used to it either. He didn't like being in the sky. Carver, another Pegasus, was the ship's carpenter, and loved it.

"Aye-aye, Captain!" Grapeshot replied with a nod, and then went down to make the rounds as he had been instructed. Cannonfire was sure that the sails would hold; they'd seen worse wind than this – but he had also learned that Grapeshot had a knack for knowing when something was under too much stress. It wasn't long before he could see Weaver up in the rigging, flying about and checking the sails for even the smallest tear, and admittedly, seeing that made him feel a bit better himself.

It was right about the time that the bow of the ship pierced the top layer of clouds, and he heard it – the sound of cannons firing from their stern. The fires blast blew through the rear railing and tore through one of the sails. Weaver was on the repair immediately. Cannonfire turned to look to their stern, but as he did the stern passed through the clouds. There was another short moment, and then six distinct blasts. Cannonfire knew what they were immediately. "Bowchasers…" He thought, and not but a moment later the ship was rocked as three hits were scored. Two on the underside of the hull, and one on the port bow stabilizer – one of the four enchanted pylons that allowed the ship to be controlled while in flight.

Cannonfire pulled back on the wheel and hard to starboard to keep the ship level, and then shouted his command. "All hands, we're under attack! Battle stations!" In an instant the ship's bell began to ring furiously, and the crew was scrambling to their stations. Heading starboard to get out of the way of the enemy ship that was most likely rising up after them the crew of the Dauntless readied their sternchasers. At the same time the colors were raised: a black flag with a red winged hourglass and crossed cannons in white beneath it.

When the attacking vessel burst up through the clouds, the name was the first thing that everyone noticed. It was the Revenge; one of the most feared ships in the Equestribbean. Cannonfire was the most effective pirate captain by far, but the Revenge was what struck fear into the merchants and military alike. Cannonfire tended not to kill without need. Few survived encounters with the Revenge. So few survived that nobody even knew who captained the vile vessel.

"Orders sir?" Grapeshot shouted, bringing Cannonfire out of his state of shock at seeing the monster that was after them.

"Fire!" Cannonfire didn't even pause to give the order once asked, and the four sternchasers soon boomed away. He didn't wait to see if even a single hit was scored though, and dove the ship down and to port, letting the damaged pylon aid them in their escape. "Everyone hang on!" The dive was a sharp spiral to port, and it barely let the Dauntless avoid the fury of the Revenge's first broadside. It was a lucky miss, too. The Revenge was a good size larger, with about double the weight of guns on each side, not to mention heavier guns for the bow and stern chasers. Compared to the Dauntless it was a monster.

The clouds were soon high above the wounded vessel, and it was headed for the sea until Cannonfire fought to level it off. As it leveled though, another six booms were heard from above and to the rear. The ship steered hard to starboard, and all but two shots missed. The first smashed down through the aftcastle and lodged itself in the bilge, and the other was a lucky break – it hit the rear starboard pylon, and let the ship resume being level on its own. It wouldn't be even half as maneuverable as normal, but at least he wouldn't have to fight it every step of the way.

The Revenge swooped down close on the port side, and as it did, Cannonfire saw what they intended to do. The cannon doors were open, and he spotted a couple of the crews as they finished loading their guns. "Canister shot! Take cover!" Bronies on the deck began to scatter and jump behind masts and barrels, but it was too late. The broadside might as well have been a shotgun blast, and most of the crew on the deck was blown away. Sureshot was quick to react below on the gun deck, however, and a powerful broadside was returned with regular cannonballs into the Revenge's gun deck.

Most of their cannons out of action, and being so close, the Revenge now had two options: board, or flee before another broadside could be readied. Her captain was not one for running from a fight. Grappling lines were thrown across, and the ships pulled together until their hulls hit one another. The crew of the Revenge stormed across, swords and, in the case of unicorns, pistols at the ready. Swords were kept on by straps around the leg to enable them to fight. The fighting went on for a good few minutes before the captain of the enemy vessel finally came across, and made his way to engaging Cannonfire himself.

The enemy captain was young, but exceptionally skilled with a sword, and quickly took the upper hand…

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"Eventually overcame me, knocked me back and…" He looked down at his front peg leg. "Well, simply put, he disarmed me." He sighed, "Was going to take my head, but my gun crews got their guns reloaded just in time to fire again, knocked everyone off their feet, and then he ordered his crew back to his ship to avoid losing her." He shook his head, "Unfortunately, when the gun crew fired, his swipe meant for my head got my rear leg instead." He glanced back at the blunderbuss that he had there now, then at the two ponies. "And… now you know."

"How did you make it out of that alive? You must've been bleeding like crazy!" Applejack piped up, surprised that the brony before her was alive after hearing that.

"She's right. You should have bled out in minutes." Rarity added, curious herself about how he had survived.

"I'm only alive because of Stitches. He kept me alive. Was him, Carver, Deadeye, Sureshot, and Grapeshot that got me these limbs and made sure they were enchanted."

"Enchanted?" The two ponies blinked, and Cannonfire smirked.

Showing them his hind leg, the hammer abruptly cocked back on the blunderbuss, and then slowly lowered back in place. Then he raised his forward limb and with a simple flick, a cutlass blade and guard flicked out. Another flick and it went back in. Then he flicked again, and a flintlock pistol popped out before going back in. The two seemed surprised by the things the limbs could do. "Weaver made this cape for me. It hasn't come apart yet. Been through water, fire, ice, and all sorts of other weather."

"So what happened after they went back to their ship?" Applejack asked.

"Well, simply put, they weren't done with us yet. In that time they'd gotten their guns reloaded and gave us another swipe. Damaged another pylon, and we had to set her down. We sailed back to Saint Colts, most of what was left of the crew resigned, and that was that. My officers and I hired a small crew, got our ship repaired, and then returned to Equestria." He gave a wry grin, "They would've strung us up, save for the fact that when we got back, the Dauntless crashed in Everfree Forest. They didn't even come looking for us for a while, and when they eventually did, it was to give us a pardon courtesy of Celestia." He chuckled, "Apparently she wanted to talk to me. Hear some of my old sea tales."

"She pardoned you so you could tell her your story?" Rarity blinked.

"She did, believe it or not. Got a full military escort. You should've seen all the guards – especially since they couldn't have me remove the weapons." He paused, and then sighed. "Or at least that's what I thought at first. Thankfully Celestia showed up before they could start yanking limbs off and start putting pegs in their places." He smiled then. "Ever since that… well… I've lived out on my ship in the swamp; she was so busted up and lodged in place that nobody saw a point in trying to pull her out. Grapeshot lives in Canterlot. Everyone else lives in Port Mustang out on the coast."

"Wow…" Applejack let out, not really meaning to, but unable to help it as she thought about the tale.

"Any idea what happened to the Revenge?" Rarity asked.

"Not a clue. Probably still out there, if the same captain is in charge." Cannonfire shrugged, and Rarity nodded. "Hopefully he just never comes here."