AUTHORS NOTE:
Hey guys, thanks for all the support and reviews recently, greatly appreciated!
As well as my thanks for you reviewers I need to go over an issue that is happening with the paragraphing in this story. You see, I write this fanfic on my iPad and while that is effective and I can still put the paragraphs in properly, they don't turn up in the story. I'm deeply sorry about this as it makes my story a confusing pile of words all jumbled together with no breaks or pauses this is especially a problem when I'm switching point of view.
From now on until I fix this problem I will leave three dots in between each paragraph to show when one paragraph stops and another starts, just in case the gaps I purposefully put in between paragraphs decide to not show up in the story.
For example:
Words
...
New paragraph
Hopefully this isn't too much of an issue for now while I edit the other chapters like this and try and resolve this problem.
Regards,
The author of this fanfic you are currently reading.
A PIRATE'S LOVE
CHAPTER 21 A Serene Song
Hushed whispers sparked through the air, an ear twitching in response as the words reached the organ.
Fluttershy let loose a small yawn, sleepily opening her eyes the teal orbs focusing at the sight of three excited foals chatting in whisper shouts.
"Good morning silly fillies." She giggled softly as the foals darted to her side, their eyes shining with joy.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" Scootaloo cried, jumping up and down and Fluttershy noticed the lack of chains clanging against the floor.
"For getting your jobs back?" She questioned and the three foals cheered, giving each other hoofbumps in celebration.
"Ah' just can't believe it, ah' didn't even have a job before, but now ah' do!" Applebloom giggled with delight, her face beaming with joyous, childlike happiness. And for once she looked like a normal filly her age.
"And we have you to thank for it!" Sweetie gave a wide, jovial smile, her green eyes shining with a buoyant sparkle as a small green flare shot from the tip of her horn with excitement.
Fluttershy watched contentedly as the green spark floated to the stone floor where it sizzled and burnt out with a small flash.
The princess yawned again, the exhausting situation finally settling on her shoulders, making her spine feel like it could cave from the pressure.
Her eyelids drooped precariously as she tiredly grinned at the three foals still galloping around cheerfully, vastly unaware to her current condition.
Fluttershy glanced over at the three foals, a fogginess clouding her mind as her brain shouted at her to rest.
Perhaps if they didn't notice she could go back to sleep...
Her teal orbs trailed over the trio currently stomping around in a circle, their hooves clomping on the ground.
An orange pegasus buzzing her wings with ecstatic cheer.
An yellow earth pony who had unraveled her tattered bow and was currently twirling it around as the ruined red material fluttered through the air.
And a white unicorn who was, in her excitement, shooting green sparks from her horn, the twinkles of light floating about her as she jumped with her friends.
Fluttershy smiled, these fillies were an odd trio that's for sure.
But at least they looked like regular foals now due to their upbeat, lively, spirited attitudes. The princess could almost ignore their ribs that showed through their ratty clothing.
The pegasus mare shuddered, a small tingle coursing up her spine.
Soon the sound of hoofsteps reached her ears and the organs perked up as the noises made them twitch.
"Somepony's coming girls." She alerted the blissfully unaware foals to an arrival as they stopped their jumping and curiously peered into the dark shadows.
A familiar unicorn soon appeared from the depth of the blackness, her fake eyepatch lifted up to reveal both her purple eyes as they scanned the dungeon only to stop at the sight of the three foals and mare.
"Have a nice last night in the dungeon girls?" Twilight questioned jokingly with a laugh as the foals started prancing around her hooves, singing a small chant.
"We're gonna work! We're gonna work!" Their loud voices carried through the dank prison and Fluttershy, although tired, found herself delighted to see them so happy.
"Yes, yes, now hurry on up there Rainbowdash has some training to give you to get you in shape!" The pirate gently lashed her indigo tail at the fillies, the hairs swatting them in the face before they spluttered and pulled away.
"Wow cool!" Scootaloo pumped a hoof in the air with a cheer before scampering away towards the stairs.
Despite the fact that her trainer had previously tried to get her killed the foal seemed very eager to be back in the field of being a pickpocket and darted up the stairs to her training.
The other two shared a knowing glance before following blindly as their hooves clattered agains the stone.
They listened until the last hoofsteps could be heard no longer.
Twilight sighed with contentment, a smile tugging at her lips.
"I love those girls, I just hope they don't rush into anything."
"They have each other to look out for them." Fluttershy answered with an understanding nod and the pirate's head snapped around as if she had forgotten the princess was still there.
"Of course. Now about you, are ya' ready for a day in the crow's nest lassie?" Twilight put on a pirate accent, and the prisoner laughed wholeheartedly.
"Aye aye captain!" The pegasus saluted and the mares snickered at their jokes.
"Just one question...what's a crow's nest?"
...
"I'm not sure I like it up here!" Fluttershy shrilled as she hung onto the edge for dear life, her muscles clenching as she wrapped herself desperately around the wood.
She was up high.
Higher than she expected, sure they had tall towers in her castle back home but none were quite as open.
"Oh you'll be fine, plus you have your number one look out Derpy with you!" Twilight was currently clinging onto a rope ladder, the rungs held still by her magic grip as she spoke calmly.
The grey mare in question saluted, her tongue hanging out as the bubbly mare giggled.
"I'm not sure that's much of a comfort..." The princess murmured softly under her breath only to cling tighter to the edge of the crow's nest as the whole boat shifted over a minuscule wave.
Her stomach flipped as her insides felt like worms tangling themselves together, her teeth grinding together as she struggled not to chuck up her only breakfast.
"You'll get used to it I promise!" Derpy smiled comfortingly, patting the princess on the back just a little too hard.
Fluttershy groaned and Twilight rolled her eyes teasingly before letting go of the ladder with her magic, sliding all the way down the rope rungs like an expert.
The princess glanced down as she watched the unicorn hit the deck, her hooves making a sound inaudible to the pegasi high in the sky.
"So.. Whatcha wanna do first? We can play cards!" The grey mare held up an ace, the card fluttering wildly in the wind before being snatched from her hooves and darting away from the pair as it was flung through the air.
"Maybe not the best idea!" Derpy gave a genuine smile, her amber eyes crossing over as they rolled lazily about in her skull.
The mare had a blonde mane in smooth spikes, a shiny golden earring clipped to the tip of her ear was the only pirate feature visible...unless her eyes were a result of a fight.
Derpy was an unusual pirate, she seemed not under the corruption spell which meant either she joined the crew willingly or was a recruit under Discord's name.
The mare was bubbly and always kept giving her comforting words and phrases that while nice to hear, made her feel even worse.
"Hey Fluttershy, have I told you that your face is green?"
This was going to be a long day...
...
The incessant rocking of the boat had ceased and most of the movement was stilled, giving the princess more time to relax.
The wind tugged at her face, her eyes squinting as the eyelids struggled to keep the air from stinging her teal orbs.
Her mane blew widely about her neck, caressing the fur with it's soft pink hairs.
The prisoner glanced over at her partner, the grey mare had became quiet a while ago, staring out at the ocean with a deep longing pooling in her eyes
The pirate's wings had been flung out and from here the princess could see the wind course through the fluffy grey feathers.
Fluttershy gazed back at her own back, the green dress still pulled tightly over her own feathered appendages, keeping the wings pinned to her back.
The butter coloured mare staggered to her hooves, her legs trembling as she steadied herself on her weakened limbs. Fluttershy slowly took a step, her hoof coming into contact with the wood floor of the crow's nest.
She gasped and clenched her eyes shut, the lids quivering under the pressure.
After no giant wave knocked her from her platform the princess sighed with relief, stepping unsteadily towards the pirate with shaky hooves.
She finally got a glimpse of what Derpy was staring at so devotedly.
It was beautiful.
The sea was a magnificent azure, the sun glittering on the surface of the water as gentle waves rolled past. The sky was a brilliant blue, the clouds like something Fluttershy would imagine from a dream as the puffy white masses of condensed water vapour traveled gracefully through the sky, the sun illuminating the edges in an elegant golden brightness. A few birds flew past the sun, the orange ball of light and energy shadowing their features as the avians swooped through the blue.
The princess gasped at the incredible sight, a grin playing on her features as she gazed over the scene, awe clearly evident on her face.
"I think I can see why you enjoy it up here so much." Fluttershy smiled at Derpy, the cross eyed mare beaming back with a large grin.
The princess felt curiosity gnaw at the edges of her mind and she carefully trailed to another edge of the crow's nest until she was staring down at the boat.
Numerous activities were occurring below.
Fluttershy could see a blue Rainbowdash and an orange Scootaloo doing push ups, the eager filly going as fast as she can to match her trainer.
Another green and purple blob, suggesting Spike as he watched over Applebloom and Sweetie belle, who were busy scrubbing their deck.
Despite this task that would one day get tedious the foals seemed to be dancing while they worked. Fluttershy sighed with happiness for the trio.
Another flash of colour attracted her attention to the other side the deck where Applejack and Starlight seemed to be fighting with swords.
The princess could only just hear the clanking of metal past the rushing wind berating her words.
"Well Ah'll say! Your just about the dang best fighter on this ship Star!" Applejack's loud voice reached her ears and Fluttershy listened intently as the mares stopped their fighting and gave each other a congratulatory pat on the back.
"It was an honour to be trained by the second mate!" Starlight started to bow and the earth pony nodded with satisfaction, a glint of pride shining in her green eyes.
So she must be a pirate now, what did she have to do to deserve it? Fluttershy watched for a few more seconds before turning back towards Derpy.
The wind tickled her fur and her mane blew behind her like a flag as she stared out at the open water.
She felt amazing.
She felt like she could fly.
Fluttershy glanced back at her own wings, the appendages still tied to her body.
"I know what your thinking and it's a no, you have to keep your wings down." The pirate stated and the princess jumped back, startled.
"How did you-" she started to ask but was cut off by Derpy who continued talking.
"If ya' can fly ya' can escape. Captains orders." The grey pegasus yawned, leaning over the edge of the crow's nest as she stared down below.
"O-oh." Fluttershy blinked in surprise at the mare's words.
So the captain and crew thought she could fly.
That could become a problem...
A sudden flash of bright colours caught her eyes and the orbs darted towards the vibrant glints of colour, curiosity mingled in her gaze
"What's that?" Flutterhsy pointed a hoof towards the colours currently edging closer to the boat.
Derpy jumped towards where she was pointing, flinging a pair of binoculars to her eyes, the object coming out of nowhere.
"How?" She whispered but was denied an answer as the bubbly pegasus gasped and nearly dropped her binoculars with shock.
"W-what, what is it?" Fluttershy neared the edge and clung onto it as the grey mare stuttered seemingly in fright.
"The sirens!"
"The sirens?"
"Magical creatures who use their voices to attract males towards them, and then eat their souls!" Derpy explained and rushed to the other side of the crow's nest, binoculars flinging out of her grasp.
Fluttershy leant over the edge, the wood digging painfully into her leg as she just snatched the binoculars from falling into the waters below.
Sighing with relief the mare peered into the eyesight magnifying object herself.
There were three forms visible, their tails splashing up water as the liquid melded around their shapes.
The forms were yellow, blue and purple and had what looked like the body of mare with powerful fish tails.
The siren's swarmed towards the boat, and had their mouths wide open.
They started singing, and although Fluttershy could barely make out the words the mare couldn't deny how beautiful their voices were.
Their words grew in volume, their voices twisting and turning through the air in an elegant fashion, their song enchanting, enticing.
Fluttershy peeled herself away from the binoculars, glancing at Derpy with a worried glance as the mare filled with a horn in her hooves.
The pirate gasped in a deep breath, her chest puffing out from the air being inhaled in her lungs.
The pegasus then lifted the horn to her lips and Flutterhsy squeaked with surprise, covering her ears from the barrage to come.
Derpy blew into the horn, and a loud bellow came from the small object, radiating across the ship.
The crow's nest shook under her hooves as the loud sound violated her ears, the noise
Filling her brain until it was the only thing she could hear under the sound of the horn.
The noise soon started to slow as Derpy ran out of breath and Fluttershy's ears were ringing, her brain numbed considerably.
"Sorry princess, but a mare's gotta do what a mare's gotta do!" The pegasus ruffled her wings before turning back to the sirens below with her amber eyes glaring at the mermares.
Now that the horn had stopped their song reached their ears, the music alluring as it gracefully weaved through the air, reaching all who dared listen.
The siren's were now directly beside the boat, their scales shining in the light as their bodies glistening with water droplets, their fins dripping with the liquid as they took turns rising to the surface to sing.
"Ugh, I swear they always follow our ship! Luckily this crew is made of mares am I right?" The grey pegasus nudged the butter coloured mare, the pair worriedly glaring down at the sirens below.
"But what about Captain Discord and Spike?" Fluttershy bit her lip anxiously and the bubbly mare giggled.
"Don't worry Fluttershy the Captain can handle himself and Spike, well he may be dragon but he's only a little thing, we can hold him down." Derpy explained, humming along to the siren's tune.
"So we have absolutely nothing to worry about?" Fluttershy questioned, her eyes still fixed to the singing magical creatures below.
"Nope, not a thing."
"Well that's a relief." Fluttershy sighed, sinking to the floor as she lay down tiredly, the wood uncomfortable against her back.
...
The rest of the day passed quickly, the sirens the only interesting event to occur.
The view was still fantastic though and Derpy and Fluttershy played many games to pass the time, a popular favourite being eye spy.
A little bit past lunch Derpy had pulled out two muffins, handing one to the princess.
"Muffin?" She giggled and Fluttershy accepted, heartily digging into the food, the flavour singing against her tongue.
"Thank you!" Fluttershy said out of manners before stuffing her face with the muffin.
After lunch the day continued on, and Fluttershy had grown to enjoy the high platform, the sights fantastic and the fresh air welcomed in her lungs.
Her heart had soared as the excited energy buzzed around her.
Before she realised it Twilight had brought her down from the crow's nest for dinner, the sun already dipping behind the ocean.
She was currently sitting contentedly in Discord's cabin, the blindfold tied around her eyes although she didn't mind, the scene she had been showed today enough to last her a lifetime.
"I take it you enjoyed your day?" Discord questioned as if sensing the joy that flooded from her veins.
"Oh yes! She sights, the scents, it was all so welcoming!" Fluttershy said a little to eagerly than she had meant to but didn't take back her words as the captain hummed with understanding.
"Thank you." Fluttershy nodded gratefully and a wave of surprise was felt from the captain as it wafted around her.
"Your thanking me?" He seemed confused and she nodded heartily.
"Of course, despite it being punishment you did something great for both me and the girls today, that was very kind of you."
"I'm not supposed to be kind..."
...
Although she was happy for the girls the dungeon was very quiet that night, and empty.
She had never realised the big difference three little foals could do for space.
Fluttershy sighed and curled into a ball, the hairs on her tail tickling her nose as she lay against the stone floor, it suddenly seeming less cold.
Her eyes fluttered closed and she easily fell into a relaxed sleep.