A Pirate's Love remake

by wildfur123

*Remake and continuation of vhdc1234's amazing story* On her wedding day a princess is kidnapped and held for ransom by pirates until her parents pay the price, but as she starts to fall in love with the captain will it be a life she never could have had back home? Especially when the captain won't even let her see him...*fluttercord*

34. Chapter 34: Diamond in the Scuffle

A PIRATE'S LOVE

CHAPTER 34 Diamond in the Scuffle

The feel of wet grass leaving dew stains on her cheeks was the first thing she noticed that morning, the startling noise of a hoof pounding on a door making her jump from her bed in shock, her body reacting to something her mind hadn't comprehended yet. Fluttershy peeled her head from the ground, her eyes opening in confusion as they focused to see the floor centimetres away from her.

She weakly lifted a hoof, removing a few stems of wet grass from where they had gotten stuck to her face, with a swipe, blinking to rub the sleep from her eyes.

She yawned sitting up slightly, her soft blankets strewn over her body so that some parts were warm and others had already been introduced to the cold chill of the morning, the sheets crumpled and wrinkled. As the mare pulled herself from the ground, her long mane came with her, the pink hairs sliding from their places woven among the grass, bringing grains of soil and sand with the strands as her fur also let go of many stalks of grass and dirt.

She yawned, her ears perking as she heard another impatient sounding knock on her door, the sound jarring to her organs of hearing that were still getting used to the noise of the day.

Fluttershy weakly clambered to her hooves, her legs quickly adjusting to the pressure of standing and she rubbed the rest of the grass from her cheeks, the green stalks falling to join their brethren still standing tall.

The dazed Pegasus took a quick glance at her beanie which had fallen off her head and onto her crooked pillow, and the striped scarf that was hanging off the edge of the bed, it's tassels amongst the grass like colourful little snakes.

Fluttershy turned and quickly hurried to the door, the springy ground lifting her upwards almost like she was bouncing, the mare trotting along the grass path and refusing to succumb to the sweet scent of the beautiful flowers that wafted through the air towards her nostrils, rejecting the offer of the magnificent garden.

She reached for the cold door handle, opening the door with a creak, her eyes already squinting as they prepared for the onslaught of light that immediately flooded in.

Another mare was standing outside, waiting silently for her. She was tall and slim, with long, elegant legs that adorned silver bracelets encrusted with purple gems and a rather slender waist. She had an arching neck that cast shadows on her alabaster fur, and bedazzling darker blue eyes that complemented her pale complexion oh so perfectly. She was a unicorn, with the longest eyelashes Fluttershy had ever seen, each curled strand seemingly darker than the last as they fluttered over her blue orbs.

"R-rarity?" The pegasus squeaked, clutching against the doorway as she almost shrunk back into the room. The pirate, who was grooming her glossy purple mane with a pink comb, glanced up with a stern expression that warmed slightly.

"Ah! You're here my darling!" She tucked the comb away after a last tug through her gracefully curled mane of deep purple.

"Y-yes... I didn't know you'd-" Fluttershy started a little nervously, peeling slightly away from the door to talk to the unicorn, her hoof scraping against the ground.

"That I'd be here today? Well somebody had to babysit you, I was the simply the chosen one!" The alabaster mare explained with a flutter of eyelashes.

"O-oh i see..." Fluttershy watched at the mare beckoned the princess outside with a wave but the Pegasus hesitated, worry filling her thoughts. The last time she had really interacted with Rarity... The crack of a hoof against flesh rang through her mind, echoing in her skull as if it had happened yesterday. The princess flinched away from the unicorn involuntarily, her muscles shivering slightly at the spasm.

"You don't have to be afraid, I won't hurt you dear." Rarity soothed gently, offering an outstretched hoof towards the butter coloured Pegasus. Fluttershy accepted the limb, the pirate gently tugging her outside and into the light of day as the suns warmth fluttered over her coat.

Without warning Rarity's hoof pulled the princess closer, until they were muzzle to muzzle and Fluttershy felt the urge to bend under the pirate, looking into her eyes with confusion. Rarity's warm breath filtered over her muzzle and the Princess squinted to avoid the rush of hot air as it incased itself over the hairs of her noise.

Suddenly Rarity's eyes shrunk into her skull, the eyelids pulling so tight over her orbs as they glared menacingly at the princess, leaving but a sliver left, it was like the iciest of glaciers. Her sclera grew and her pupils constricted, turning into cat-like slits that barely pierced the dangerous blue abyss of her iris. "If you do as I say." She hissed in command and the princess was frozen with fear, nodding in agreement as the pirate dropped her grip on the pegasus's hoof.

The mare shied away, the timid equine shivering with anxiety as the muscles spasmed with fear, her wings jerking under the wool sweater on instinct.

Rarity's posture straightened, her spine lining out again until she was standing tall over the pregasus, her eyes going back to their normal state.

"Lovely sweater by the way, suits your pale complexion." She commended, praising the butter coloured prisoner as she moved to walk away, her long, elegant legs crossing over in her dramatic turn and creating grey shadows.

Fluttershy watched the mare start to stroll away and as the princess left the comfort of her doorway to step into the great unknown of the day, the tempting thought of hiding in her room and shutting out life's problems crossed her mind more then once, a truly enticing offer. Alas it was a proposal she had to refuse, given the pirate's violent nature and how she could easily boss ponies around by striking fear into their hearts, it made the rejection of the temptation worth it.

Fluttershy anxiously followed, shutting her door behind her with a small click as she worriedly trotted after the unicorn, her hoofsteps wide as she quietly strode to catch up with the alabaster equine.

She was now behind the pirate, Fluttershy watching nervously as the mare almost...paraded across the ship.

While Rainbowdash had more of a confident, almost cocky, stroll, Rarity seemed to have an elegant saunter, her hips sashaying gracefully with each hoofstep, her limbs crossing over in a way that made her body roll in such a confident, beautiful way. Each hoofstep of hers was filled with mannerisms and a polite, ladylike nature, from the way she held her head high with her chin pointing straight to the way she always kept her chest pronounced. It was clear Rarity was proud of her looks, but also perhaps...insecure? Like she felt if she dropped the ladylike posture she would no longer be beautiful. Something about her elegance almost seemed forced and Fluttershy watched as the pirate gracefully swept across the ship like a ghost, her hoofsteps not making a sound against the wood flooring as she bid her fellow crewmates good morning with the nod of her head that made her mane bob ever so perfectly.

How could one pony be the embodiment of perfection in the eyes of society?

Fluttershy followed the unicorn, watching the mare's smooth movements that just rolled into each hoofstep and she could do nothing but gaze on in awe as she watched the pirate saunter. Rarity was like... A male peacock, elegant and graceful, beauty at it's finest already, and then it ran into others it had to impress, so it showed off it's brilliant array of feathers and plumage, the image of what was deemed true perfection.

"Now darling, I need to ask you something." Rarity's smooth voice interrupted Fluttershy's train of thought, halting the cargo of ideas in it's tracks. She glanced up at the mare almost in surprise, her teal orbs glancing at the dark blue ones of the pirate's.

"U-uh...yes?" She replied a little nervously but the unicorn paid no mind to her worried tone, instead carrying on with her question.

"What do you think of when you hear the word pirates?" It was such an odd request and Fluttershy paused, unsure of what to say in return as her thought process started up again. She couldn't say what she used to think about them, all the horrible things she was taught as a filly about pirates and their wretched ways.

She struggled to think of anything to say, her jaw opening as a reply stumbled from her lips.

"W-well, I, uh, I think that pirates are...rather interesting and uh, have a great taste for jewels?" She bumbled out and Rarity raised an eyebrow in response, turning to glance at the Pegasus with a frown.

"Don't lie. When you hear the word pirates you think of vicious brutes, ruffians who steal and murder without mercy." Fluttershy was stunned, that was exactly what had come to mind, well not in those words, but that's how she used to think before she got to know the members of the crew and their... Interesting captain she considered a friend.

Taking her silence as agreement Rarity continued her sentence, the two still strolling across the ship.

"It's quite alright to say so, I do know of the image we give off with our fake accents, phoney outfits and our on and off menacing attitudes."

"And I guess for some pirates, they really do have all those things. But what's important about being a pirate is being on full alert, prepared to drop anything their doing at the shake of a hoof, they need to be able to hold themselves with honour and dignity as we defend our ship until the very end!" Rarity's passionate speech continued as the mare sped up slightly, her trotting increasing in pace along with her words. Fluttershy hurried to catch up, her own pace becoming faster and faster and her hooves lightly thudding against the ground.

"I mean after all, there is no such thing as clumsy during anything, pirates need to hold themselves with the proper balance of intimidation and grace, especially during a fight."

Rarity and Fluttershy approached a small cabin, the unicorn not hesitating before tugging open the door with her magic, her blue aurora wrapping around the handle as she pulled the wooden entryway in her direction.

"And that, my darling, leads us into what we're doing today." The initial revealing of the room blinded the Pegasus, her pupils shrinking rapidly as they struggled to not intake anymore light. It was golden, piercing, and her whole body reared away in shock as the yellow glow encompassed her form in it's obnoxious light.

As her eyes adjusted they focused upon a mountain of riches, a tower of gold, a true hill of treasures. Fluttershy spotted crowns, necklaces, expensive jewels, all scattered amongst a ginormous pile of bits and gold. Her eyes sparkled with awe, the orbs widening with wonder as they gazed upon the copious amounts of glittering jewels, glimmering gems, shiny silver and shimmering gold.

Was this where the pirates kept everything they had ever stolen?

Her curiosity grew until it was as large as the pile she saw before her, the mare taking a few more tentative steps into the cabin, her eyes still fixed on the gold like it was the light of her life.

The clinking of metal brought her attention to Rarity who was currently sliding past he mountain of gold, the bits and coins crashing into each other under her slender hooves, the unicorn confidently striding towards a wall as the silver brackets on her ankles shone, reflecting onto the gold below them.

On the wall was an array of what appeared to be weapons, sharp swords, deadly daggers, killer knives, cut-throat cutlasses... If you could name it, it was on the wall, all stacked in either piles or in specially designed racks that kept them pinned to the wall.

Fluttershy's jaw fell to the floor as her eyes were torn off the pile of gold just left out sitting in the middle of the cabin, to the wall stacked with so many weapons it was unbelievable.

Something clicked in her mind, and she worriedly turned to rarity, her head whipping to stare at the pirate in fear as her mane followed, nearly covering her muzzle with the flying hairs.

"W-wait, what are we doing today?" She questioned, her gentle tone quivering as it wavered through the air towards the alabaster unicorn.

"Why fighting of course!" Rarity answered immediately, not moved by the princess's anxious voice as she squinted at the wall, seemingly deciding her weapon of choice.

Fluttershy's face was devoid of emotion, her jaw slack and her eyes had lost their spark, like the teal oceans had been stilled with the absence of the moon, the tides pulled away, leaving a grey, empty shell of what used to be. Her mane was strewn across her face it's blown strands casting the side of her head in shadow that enveloped her pale flesh.

Then her nostrils flared and her chest rose as her lungs were inflated with air, like balloons getting a taste of the helium they crave. Her eyes were filled with crashing waves, the ocean tumbling back in what only could be described as a tsunami as the teal water roared against the shore and beyond. Her jaw tightened and her teeth ground together, her whole face springing to life in a moment as she glared at the unicorn still peering at the wall.

You could practically see the words rising in her throat as she struggled to hold them from tumbling from her lips in an angry gush, the most ferocious of sentences, like a raging fire was coating the words in it's hungry flames, starving for fury.

Her chest rose with air, each fine hair on her coat standing upright as it peeled away from it's kin under the inflating lungs still ballooning.

The mare's lips formed a shape and a screech exploded from her mouth, her muzzle rolling back into folds of menacing flesh that revealed her pearly white teeth as the grounding fangs clashed together like they were in a brawl of their own.

"What?!" But of course, it was Fluttershy and her loudest of shouts could be classified as squeaks, and all her anger was over and gone in a split second, Rarity not even noticing the pegasus's seemingly upset words as she continued to peer at the wall like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"What was that dear?" She called over her shoulder, the unicorn not bothering to turn around and instead gave the princess an acknowledging wave of her elegantly styled tail, the perfect, purple curl flicking gracefully through the air as the silky hairs followed the dock of her tail in a rather aesthetic manner.

Fluttershy squeaked, her head bowing slightly in embarrassment as her own mane slid down her face until it covered half of her features, a front hoof nervously picking at the ground.

"N-nothing." She gave a small sigh, the sound barely audible as the shy equine's eyes shifted nervously.

"If it's nothing then get over here and pick your weapons!" Rarity chimed glancing to the side as her dark blue eyes slid into the corners, peering at the bashful Pegasus who stood a few steps away from door with her peripheral vision.

Fluttershy silently nodded, hesitating slightly before taking a few more tentative steps into the large room.

The pile of gold was rough under hoof and startlingly cold, pieces of metal sending shivers of chill through her bones as she scrambled past the mountain of treasure.

She awkwardly stumbled through the gold and jewels, the mare's hooves sliding unsurely on bits and coins as the tinkle of metal and riches rang through the cabin, the unmistakable sound of coins clicking against each other as they tumbled downwards, sliding around her hooves like her limbs were tree stumps in the middle of a river. Each jewel was patterned on her coat, catching the light from the doorway and shining on her fur, splotches of rich reds and regal purples showing along with elegant golds and graceful silvers, her pale coat reflecting the colours perfectly.

Eventually Fluttershy managed to shift through the sea of riches, her slender limbs sliding awkwardly over the treasures as the Pegasus stumbled past coins and other items of high respect and symbols of high status.

When she got closer to the wall the princess nervously wandered up to the weapon's rack, her tail lashing behind her in a symbol of worry, each pink strand a hair of trepidation.

The shine of the sun peeking through cracks in the cabin's wooden walls appeared on a sword, the gleam reflected in Fluttershy's eyes like two silver crescents shimmering in her pupils.

Her teal orbs wandered over all the weapons, her eyebrows drawing closer and closer with each new sharper, more dangerous tool until her brows were completely knitted, shadowing over her eyes in anxiousness, the teal sphere's flickering between sharp object to sharp object, each new weapon giving her another shard of anxiety that pierced her heart until it was pumping fast to rid itself of the pieces.

Her mouth felt dry as a desert, her tongue the sand as it rose like a sandstorm, running along the roof of her mouth, her throat constricted, gulping nervously.

Fluttershy didn't want to find herself face to face with any of these weapons and she certainly didn't feel like using one herself, the princess could only imagine herself, squealing with fright as she dropped to the ground to avoid a barrage of arrows and swords coming her way, her own weapon thudding onto the ground with a clatter.

She shivered, a shudder trailing up her spine and leaving obvious ripples in her coat as the mare stepped closer to the unicorn focused on the wall in front.

As she stood beside the pirate, a particularly odd looking weapon caught her eye and she scrunched her muzzle in confusion, her head cocking to the side as she anxiously glared at all the sharp objects.

"What is all this...?" She whispered, mainly to herself as Fluttershy felt her anxiety grow in her chest, like a heavy weight as it landed on her shoulders and took up all the room in her stomach until she thought her innards would explode with the pressure.

Rarity unexpectedly answered, seemingly taking the princess's question seriously.

"Why, it's everything you could ever use for battle dearest." Another shiver travelled down her spine, the hairs along her back spiking along with the movement as she peered at the unicorn nervously.

Fluttershy heavily doubted she could use any of these... For anything really, just the thought of picking up a blade in her hoof, the feel of it's freezing cold metal pressing against her flesh until her skin went numb, like her mind as she grew scarily used to the sounds of screams piercing her ears as she used the weapon like it was an extension of her limb, the thought of the weapon scared her. And the thought of how much power she could gain from it and how it would effect her, that scared her even more.

Anxiety welled up in her like a butterfly, it's wings exploding open as the appendages took up all the room in her stomach. The insect then proceeded to lay it's young in her body, the caterpillars tearing at her innards like they were leaves, leaves of thoughts that anxiety lived on like leeches.

Fluttershy almost felt like she was in another dimension and what she was perceiving with her eyes was suddenly not reaching her brain, the fuzzy outline of black crawling across her vision and Rarity's figure was shrouded in grey and each movement made it seem like the unicorn was made of stone. The only noise she could hear was the steady beating of her heart in her ears, and although she was convinced there was other sound elsewhere, it was distant, as if in the back of her mind, writhing under piles of thoughts in its desperation to be free and to be heard.

"Here, take these!" Rarity's words pierced through the loud silence and Fluttershy's vision cleared, her ears popping with a nervous swallow of saliva that ran down her oesophagus like a waterfall. Everything cleared and just in time for a pile of weapons to be placed in front of her. The princes flinched, her hooves jerking backwards as she squeaked with fright, her eyes flickering between the sharp objects and the pirate in front of her, the alabaster mare dumping more weapons onto the steadily growing pile.

Fluttershy inched forward again, peering with trepidation into a blade's shiny surface, watching as the reflection of a nervous mare stared back at her and she glared into the pale pony's eyes, the teal orbs shimmering with fear and self doubt under layers or anxiety.

The princess peeled herself away from the reflection, glancing at Rarity, the unicorn busying herself with picking out the best, and seemingly the sharpest, weapons.

"Come on darling! we don't have all day! Help carry these!"

Fluttershy reluctantly inched closer to the pile, stretching out a foreleg nervously as she wrapped a hoof around the hilt of a sword, the cold metal startling and she realised how warm her flesh really was as the chill seeped into her bones.

She slid the blade from the top of the pile, the metal making a scraping noise as it glided across the other weapons.

Just as the sword's tip had almost left the pile, it slid down startlingly fast, Fluttershy lacking the strength needed to lift it into the air as the blade dragged her to the floor with a fearful, high pitched shriek.

It fell to the ground with a clatter, Fluttershy landing beside it with shock glazed in her eyes, her dazed and startled reflection shining back at her from the blade's surface.

"Too heavy my darling? We're going to have to strengthen those muscles of yours up! You simply must be able to hold a weapon if you want to win a battle!"

Rarity's horn lit up in blue and the entire pile of weapons rose into the air, a few nearly scraping by Fluttershy's head on their ascent towards the roof. The weapons stopped, floating above and to the side of Rarity's head in a cluster of pointed blades and sharp spikes, sticking out at all angles.

Fluttershy gaped up at the pile, almost floating above her own head and she darted back, scrambling to her hooves as her long tail flicked by the mountain of gold, coins spraying up behind her before raining back down with many clinks and clatters.

"This way darling!" Rarity cooed invitingly before sliding back over the hill of treasure, beckoning the princess with a swish of her elegantly curled tail.

The Pegasus felt the urge to ruffle her wings, but remembered she was restricted by the cute sweater she adorned, Fluttershy instead settling for a lash of her tail as she started to follow the pirate.

Her hooves slid awkwardly over the riches, and she instead settled for taking long strides to catch up with her 'babysitter', each hoof sinking past coins and jewels before rising to land on the next patch.

Soon both mares were out the door, their eyes adjusting again to the light of day as the sun's rays shone down on them.

"Now darling, Usually we get straight into weapons training but I think you'd be a little more appreciative if we went through some of the basics first?" Rarity suggested and Fluttershy found herself nodding gratefully in return.

"Oh, yes please, thank you!" She smiled appreciatively although the smile didn't reach her eyes.

Rarity lead them both further onto deck, her cluster of weapons still floating above her head like an ominous dark cloud that the unicorn seemed oblivious to, each point sticking from the pile like a separate entity, ready to strike.

Fluttershy had shied away from the mare, the pale yellow equine keeping her distance from the multiple weapon wielding pirate.

"Why darling, your looking at me like I have suddenly sprouted a second head!"

Rarity's voice chimed and Fluttershy's wide eyes flicked over to the alabaster pirate, watching as the shadow of the weapons above bobbed over her, occasionally coating her eyes in darkness where the dark blue orbs flashed dangerously.

A squeak escaped the princess's lips as she watched the pile's shadow arrive and retreat over her form in a hovering motion, almost like a dark buoy floating upon waves of alabaster.

They stopped in a relatively clear patch of space, a few pillars spotted here and there holding up various plaster white sails on the ginormous ship and a couple of random cabins in sight, most seemingly empty.

Rarity lowered her weapons, setting them down neatly beside her as she began organising them with the magic, swiftly sorting them into smaller piles with tiny clinks and clangs of metal and wood.

The Pegasus awkwardly stood there, as if lost without direction and Fluttershy bashfully began scraping her hoof against the wooden flooring as she shyly watched the pirate organise her weapons into neat piles as if they were pieces of clothing that needed to be categorised by colour and design.

Rarity spent a minute or so with this task, entirely focused on the job at hoof when her dark blue eyes floated upwards so suddenly, catching the unsure princess in their icy gaze. The orbs were like two diamonds, sparkling and beautiful but equally as sharp and intense and it took effort not to be cut by the glare or sucked in by the enchanting offer they promised. They were enrapturing, intense and gorgeous, like crystals, enticing gem-

"Well darling, are you just going to stand there?"

Fluttershy squeaked in response, an embarrassed blush coating her cheeks a gentle pink and she timidly retreated until her mane had slid across half of her face, the pale strands only showing strips of teal eye, the orb shimmering with mortification.

Rarity blinked with a tiny sigh, her gaze dropping back to her weapons before flitting across the embarrassed mare still awkwardly standing.

"I suggest you get out of your sweater, as cute as it is on you darling I don't think you'll want it ruined."

"R-right." Fluttershy nervously stuttered in return with a small nod that made her mane shake out of her face and back into its original position. The yellow mare grasped the bottom of her sweater with a hoof, the warmth of her limb radiating against her stomach as she grasped the rim of the material tightly. She then began to slide the sweater over her body, using her firm grip on the fabric to tug it past her chest and onto her neck where it concealed her face in a cave of mostly pale green and pastel pink as her own mane became tangled with her face, each strand messing itself up while the woollen sweater passed. Her skin prickled with the sudden chill it had been introduced to, each coat hair standing tall in an effort to defend her body from the seeping cold that seemed to encase her body as a replacement of the sweater she had removed. The chill soaked through her skin entrapping her bones in a layer of ice as she slid the sweater off her head, the wool was suddenly very warm in hoof and the difference in temperature made her skin crawl with confusion, shudders traveling up and down her spine.

She was naked, not just literally but also metaphorically as she felt oddly vulnerable, like the sweater had protected her, a woollen guardian, and it's removal had left her exposed to the harsh cruelty of the world.

Fluttershy shivered a little, tenderly uncurling the fabric until the front pattern was visible again, the cutesy pink skull and crossbones symbol making her lips tug upward in a smile as she remembered the pirate's snap when the sweater had materialised on her body. As the princess's mane fell messily back into place she gazed upon the pirate across from her, the mare swiftly and efficiently removing the silver bracelets around her ankles, the purple gemstones catching the light in their reflection as the metal bands slid from her elegant legs and floated into the air, captured by a sparkling blue aura.

"What should I do with it?" Fluttershy lifted up the sweater unsurely, reluctant to put the fabric on the ground, which, judging from the look of the stained and dusty wood, she doubted had been cleaned in a while...If ever.

Without a moments hesitation the unicorn replied, removing what seemed to be a coat rack from one of the many weapon piles, it's gold, shiny surface nearly blinding to the eye as the Pegasus flinched away from the brightness.

Rarity used her magic to make the coat rack face the right way, the metal standing tall as she floated it away, setting it down near a cabin.

Fluttershy nodded and started to step towards the coat rack, only stopped when the pirate shook her head with a tsk noise.

"Not a chance darling, I'll take care of it!" Rarity hummed, gently but forcibly lifting the sweater from the yellow mare's grasp with her magic and Fluttershy watched in amazement as the fabric was turned the right way and straightened under the pressure of the blue aura.

It then joined the four silver bracelets that had once adorned the pirate's legs and the articles of clothing and jewellery began their journey to the coat rack, where the four, shiny leg ornaments were slid on one hook with clinks and scraping sounds, and the sweater was placed on the end of another upwards curving hook, the neck of the fabric on the bulbous tip.

"Right, now that that's out of the way." Rarity started while clearing her throat, her bell-sounding voice catching the attention of the bashful princess, who stood shivering against a small breeze that tugged at her fur and lack of muscle.

"I usually like to teach ponies how to battle using a set of...rules."

"...Oh?" Fluttershy answered, honestly a little curious at the thought of a guideline to follow instead of just picking up the complexity of fighting as she went along.

"Yes, five simple steps to remember while learning to battle and during real fights."

Rarity chimed, striding from one end of her weapon piles to the other like a sergeant giving commands to her army as her luscious, purple tail swished behind her with every step.

"Rule number one!" The white pirate called and the yellow princess nearly jumped at her clear, loud words, her eyes flashing with worry as she realised the start of the training had already begun.

"Use anything and everything as a weapon." Rarity declared, facing the princess behind her wall of sharp tools and objects.

Fluttershy nearly flinched at the words, the rules were already off to a bad start in her eyes as the yellow Pegasus nervously stared down at the row of weapons with fear dancing in her eyes like an anxious flame.

"First, let's run through some of the more common weapons." Rarity stated, her blue magic encasing a single tool on one of the piles.

Fluttershy retreated slightly as the sharp object was lifted up and in her direction, it's shiny surface nearly blinding her as it reflected the sun.

"This is a simple sword." Rarity said as she took a giant step over her row of weapons, Fluttershy flinching with worry as the alabaster mare's hooves almost skimmed the sharp spike of an object.

"Swords are usually separated into two categories. Thrusting and slashing." The pirate explained, her deep blue eyes focused intently on the sword she held in her magic grasp, the weapon floating in between both mares.

"Thrusting swords are often created with a pointed tip and are straightened, more designed for a simple stabbing motion." Rarity's words poured from her mouth, seemingly like she had memorised every single sentence off by heart, as if the mastery of these weapons of her passion in life, their creation her driving force.

Rarity stepped back in a fluid movement, Fluttershy cautiously copying her actions as she too joined the mare far back from the floating sword.

The unicorn proceeded to demonstrate the sword's purpose as the sparkling, blue weapon jerked through the air while it stabbed at the open space in single thrusts.

Rarity nodded with satisfaction, the sword twirling on the spot as she lowered it and returned it to it's pile with a small clank.

Fluttershy looked stunned, her eyes still trailing over the spot where the sword had previously been, the teal orbs blinking with surprise at the absence of a shiny tool.

Rarity, without looking, picked another weapon from the piles she currently had her back to, another sword slicing through the air to join the mares.

"Slashing swords are usually curved, with one side of the blade more jagged, the little bumps designed for slicing."

The words were filled with an undeniable knowledge, a passionate wisdom for something other than the norm.

How long had Rarity been on this ship so that each and every weapon and it's design and uses had been ingrained into her mind like a catchy song on repeat?

"As you can see here, the blade is used in a more diagonal or side to side slashing motion, whereas the thrusting sword is more designed for jabbing or a direct stab."

The unicorn lectured, Fluttershy focusing her attention back on the sword as it cut through the air like a boat through water.

"While the swords are different in use, they both hold similar advantages during battle." The alabaster mare started to pace again, striding across the floor as the floating sword trailed after her, following her every move.

"Such advantages include but are not limited to; the weapon is almost silent, making for an easy stealth attack; When you become a master of sword-fighting you'll find the blade is rather quick and efficient, for an easy way to wound an enemy and the fact that most enemies rarely have any gear to protect them from swords and other blades, leaving them defenceless."

Fluttershy stared in a numb-stricken confusion while the pirate ranted, watching as the sword that followed her seemed to bob with her every word, slashing slightly as she started off on new points and twirling with her words as her exclamations grew in excitement.

Rarity stopped, facing the princess mid rant, the sword halting in its tracks and floating dangerously close to the alabaster mare's head.

Fluttershy could only watch with nervousness as the weapons dangled above the unicorn's head, the tip of the blade almost touching the horn spiralling out of her forehead.

"Darling, are you listening?" Rarity questioned with a slight frown, the words catching the Pegasus off guard as her teal orbs flitted from the sword floating above to the alabaster mare's deep blue eyes.

"Huh? Oh! Oh yes!" Fluttershy snapped out of her trance like state to mutter her words sheepishly, a blush tinting her ear tips a light pink out of embarrassment.

"You seem a little distracted." The pirate pointed out, titling her head slightly so her purple mane fell away from her face. The sword slid with her, titling so it's blade nearly grazed past a ridge on her horn, the metal surface reflected in her shimmering horn and it's blue aura.

"Oh I get it, you're more of a hooves on pony!" Rarity straightened with a tiny smile on her features as she took a few steps towards the yellow princess.

"Wait what?" Fluttershy barely had time to comment before a sword was being thrusted in her direction, the mare squeaking in shock and nearly falling over backwards to get away from the weapon violently pointed at her.

The princess was wide eyes, her pupils pinpricks in her sea of teal and white as she squealed, heart racing in her chest like a cheetah chasing its prey, causing her wings to flex from the sudden pump of adrenaline.

The sudden back-pedalling her hind legs were not prepared for made her stumble, a hoof trodding on her lengthy pink tail and ultimately making her trip and fall onto her rump with a rather startling thump.

Fluttershy lay their awkwardly, her back propped up by a hastily thrown fore hoof that was now stinging from the impact and her wings twitching at the sudden flow of blood to their veins while her heart hammered in her chest.

Rarity, seemingly not troubled by the mare's dramatic fall, instead held a manic smile plastered on her face, the pearly whites gleaming like miniature moons as she stared down at the princess.

"Take it!" Rarity Insisted eagerly, a whoosh of sound greeting Fluttershy's ears as the weapon zoomed closer, the mare flinching dramatically and ducking to avoid it.

Fluttershy squeaked in protest but the sword was already being thrusted into her hoof, Rarity's magic encasing her limb and curling it around the weapon.

The princess sat there, her hoof tingling from the remnants of the blue magic and shock painted onto her pale face as she held a cold blade.

"Now I can teach you the parts of the sword!"

Rarity hummed with delight before eagerly pointing at areas, Fluttershy's head spinning as she struggled to catch up.

"This is the main part of the sword, the blade. The blade in itself has many different parts and labels, but those are primarily for experts on the subject."

The princess's brain began to swim as words like 'pommel' and 'crossguard' were thrown at her, the mare blinking worriedly down at the cold weapon in her shaky grasp while the pirate continued to explain away.

...

The morning continued on like this, the alabaster unicorn explaining the ins and outs of different weapons, how to use them, their parts, their advantages and disadvantages. It was very thorough, albeit confusing.

"So darling, after all that information do you still remember the first rule of battle I taught you?"

Fluttershy glanced up from the weapon in her trembling grasp, her sweaty hooves barely managing to keep a tight hold on the mace as the spiky tool slid towards the ground.

Her teal eyes caught those of her teacher and the anxious and confused glint in them was not lost on Rarity, who nodded with understanding.

"The first rule is to use anything and everything as a weapon." The pirate repeated and Fluttershy felt a flash of recognition slip across her own face as she remembered, blinking gratefully up at the mare casting shadows on her seated form.

Rarity cleared her throat, shifting a little as she used her magic to swiftly sweep up the mace from her pupil's quaking hooves, setting it down with the rest of the weapons.

"Now that we've covered how to use actual weapons to your advantage, let's try regular everyday items."

Fluttershy's gaze widened in alarm and she opened her mouth to speak, her chapped lips trembling.

"W-what do you mean, regular, everyday-" she started but was cut off by the pirate who hummed a little giggle, continuing on.

"Well my student, you can't always expect to find yourself near by some weapons by chance when a battle occurs, do you?"

"W-well I suppose not...but-" the stuttering mare was once again interrupted by the swift movements of Rarity, who grasped Fluttershy's hoof and tugged her upwards in one strikingly smooth motion.

"So let me ask you dearest, do you see anything here you could use as a weapon?"

Rarity questioned near the prisoner's ear and Fluttershy flinched before she nervously eyed her surroundings with a flickering gaze.

"Go on, take a long look, always good to study your surroundings!"

Rarity encouraged taking a step away from the princess and almost immediately Fluttershy felt relief at not having her captor hanging over her shoulder, watching her every move.

She looked all around herself, teal eyes glancing up, down, left, right and everywhere In between, becoming more frustrated by the second at not being able to find anything to say in reply.

"Don't be deterred darling, can be quite tricky on your first attempt."

At Rarity's words Fluttershy glanced back helplessly, looking at her surroundings a minute longer before bashfully shrugging in defeat.

"Nothing? That's quite alright, it does require some level of skill." Rarity stepped forward so that Fluttershy was behind her, able to see the pirate's every direction.

"Here, I'll point out the simplest ones."

Fluttershy frowned at this, lines creasing her forehead. Simplest ones?

Maybe it had just been her innocent, anti-violence mind but she hadn't seen anything she could've used as a weapon.

Rarity lifted her hoof, directing it at the floor near the coat rack.

"There, that floor board that has been worn away by the weather, easy to break away from the rest and good for short distance fights." Fluttershy blinked with surprise at this but before she could ask how the mare had seen such things the unicorn swivelled in another direction pointing at a cabin a little while away.

"There, The railing near the roof has started to come off, you can see by the way it's bending that it'll come off with some effort. Kick the cabin on the opposite corner and boom the railing will come down and whack your enemy." Rarity instructed rapidly before swirling around to point above Fluttershy's head. The Pegasus ducked with a startled squeak in response, nervously looking above her while her shaking forelegs clutched at her scalp like they could protect her.

"With your wings you could fly up and unhitch the ropes on that sail, it covering your enemy or multiple enemies."

Seeing that the pirate had stopped swirling madly to point around the princess gingerly unhooked her hooves from where they had latched onto her mane, covering her head.

Fluttershy nervously stood back up, glancing up into Rarity's smug face as awe wound it's way through her heart.

"Y-you could see all that just by looking around?" The butter coloured mare ruffled her wings with surprise, now glancing around herself as if her eyes had been opened to a whole new world.

"Of course darling, to observe is to win." Rarity shifted until she was standing proudly, watching with a small smile as the Pegasus looked around as if seeing everything for the first time.

"Would you like to try again dearest?" The alabaster unicorn encouraged, waving her on with a hoof as the Pegasus hesitantly nodded.

Fluttershy looked around a little unsurely, her teal eyes flickering about as she tried to spot something to aid her in battle. The princess took a few little steps, turning in a circle to get a full view of the area.

"Uh well... I suppose I could use the coat rack?" She looked towards the pirate for reassurance, the unicorn nodding much to her delight.

"That's it dearie, just like that!" Rarity encouraged with a smile gracing her features, her tail lashing excitedly as she watched her student eagerly.

"Uh..." Fluttershy stuttered, nearly stumbling over one of her own hooves as she tried to spot something else.

"Uhh..." She muttered again, her worried eyes flashing at the pirate for assistance and the unicorn nodded, striding to stand next to the mare.

"How about over there?" Rarity directed, guiding Fluttershy's gaze with a hoof and the princess's eyes followed.

"Oh...?" The Pegasus questioned, a small frown wrinkling her features as her teal eyes took in the sight.

"Do you see it?" Rarity asked, stepping back out of the mare's vision as she watched her pupil decipher the scene in front of her.

"The...bucket?" Fluttershy's frown increased as she confusedly glanced back at the observing pirate.

"Yes, the bucket." Rarity confirmed with a satisfied nod, her grin spreading to encompass the entirety of her lips and reveal a sliver of pearly white teeth as her eyes held a glimmer of pride.

"Oh, well... I guess I could use it to...make them trip over the edge?" Fluttershy nervously asked, biting her lip in worry as she glanced over at the unicorn, rolling the chapped flesh between her own teeth.

"Why of course darling!" Rarity agreed, blinking her long, dark lashes in surprise "I didn't even think of that one myself!" The alabaster equine's grin increased and Fluttershy felt a spark of pride simmer deep down in her chest, kindling the growing fire in her chest. She couldn't help but stand a little straighter, slightly more confident with her decisions as her own smile split her dry, cracked lips.

"Well, what would you do with the bucket?" She questioned, feeling a little more relaxed as the pirate gave a small laugh before telling the princess her plans.

...

They continued on with the first rule, practicing using multiple, everyday objects as weapons as well as using the actual weapons to their full potential before moving on.

"Right dearest, that's enough of that, are you ready to move on?" Rarity questioned and Fluttershy seemed a little startled at the inquiry, her long tail flowing behind her and sweeping along the ground as it curled around her back hooves.

"Move on?" She replied, cocking her head at the alabaster unicorn in confusion as her pink mane slid along her shoulders at the movement.

"Well yes darling, onto the second rule?" Rarity answered, lashing her own elegantly curled tail as she set down some weapons with her magic, a few loud clangs and clinks resounding and making her words seem quieter.

The mare hastily neatened her mane with a hoof as she gathered some fraying hairs and pushed them back into her curls, seemingly much more satisfied with the better appearance of her mane.

Fluttershy hummed with remembrance, frowning. It was odd to think they were only onto the second rule, they had been training for ages.

The sun was now beating down on their backs as sweat formed on the hairs of both mares, trickling down their sides as they breathed, the oxygen hot on their lips.

Fluttershy's skin felt oddly taut and inflexible after holding cold metal for a while and the flesh was surprisingly numb again the wood floor.

"Yes...so what's the second rule?" Fluttershy replied with a nod, lashing her long tail behind her and Rarity coughed gently, ruffling her fur until it appeared smooth and silky.

"The second rule is to asses your enemies strengths and weaknesses as well as your own." The pirate stated in her clear voice, her incredibly straight posture indicative of the pacing to come, and therefore the tangent to come, Fluttershy settling down on the floor to get comfy in advance.

"This rule is imperative during a fight, and you should do it throughout the whole battle, not just after the first rule." Rarity started on her lecture, taking a step as she started to pace side from side in her speech, Fluttershy watching her curiously with wide eyes from where she sat on the floor.

"If you can find your enemies weaknesses you can figure out how to beat them and if you find their strengths you can be ready for their attacks." She continued and Fluttershy felt oddly calm, the weirdly content feeling in her heart setting of a question in her mind. Should she really be so comfortable near this crazed mare with a history of violence, a deadly knowledge of fighting and a startling array of weaponry while she went on a rant about how to defeat your enemies?

Fluttershy followed the mare with her eyes as she spoke, her head lolling back and forth at the constant pacing. Behind her seemingly calm eyes was a sea of thoughts, the waves currently plunged in a storm. After all, this was the mare that had beat her own sister, albeit under a spell, but did it really excuse her violent nature against her own kin? This mare had even threatened her this morning, dragging Fluttershy to her eye level like she had weighed as much as a feather.

"Let's start simple, shall we darling?" Rarity broke Flutttershy's concentration and the mare met her eyes again, a chill running along her spine as a feeling of unease rolled under her skin like a stampede of bugs. The princess gave a simple nod, a nervous smile crossing her face as she ruffled her feathers in discomfort. How could she feel so comfortable around this vicious pirate with no mercy even for her sibling?

"I will discuss your own strengths and weaknesses as an example." Rarity continued, pausing her pacing directly in front of the yellow prisoner as she peered down at the Pegasus. Fluttershy watched the unicorn's eyes, observing with unease as the dark blue orbs swept over her body, taking her form in their icy cold grasp, each feature of her body turning to stone and breaking out into chills under the startlingly fierce gaze. Once done observing, Rarity straightened her spine, peering down at the mare with her cool stare, her slender body shadowing the mare below her.

"For strengths..." She started, inhaling sharply "Your'e slender and slim, this could make you swift and agile during a fight, and it might be easier for you to avoid my attacks." Fluttershy's flickering teal gaze swept over the mare above her, watching intently as the pirate paused, cocking her neck as if to get a better angle to stare at the princess with.

"You've also proven quite capable of thinking of a way to beat me using your surroundings, this means I should lead you away from anything you can use to beat me with." Rarity nodded, satisfied with her simple deductions.

"For one last, easy point, your a pegasus. This means you could easily spring and fly away from my attacks, even though I can chase you with my magic."

Fluttershy stayed silent through the observations, a tingle of restlessness itching through her skin and picking at her mind like her imagination was a thread, steadily coming undone.

"Yes..." Rarity whispered, her face a blank slate with a small frown creasing her forehead, her eyes looked empty and yet all seeing and Fluttershy felt like the piercing, dark orbs could see through her soul. Had the pirate noticed her distress?

"Right. Shall we move onto weaknesses then?" The unicorn suddenly asked, emotion springing back onto her face as the alabaster equine rolled her shoulders, putting them in place with satisfying and yet alarming cracks. Fluttershy silently nodded, her lips sealed as she watched the pirate take a step, and another, and another until Rarity was circling the seated princess. Her eyes were hungry as they snatched up details like a starving creature might steal food. The orbs were prodding and poking yet still guarded and Fluttershy felt violated by the stare.

"For weakness, your slender frame will make you the worst in the strength areas and it might be easier for me to beat you in hoof to hoof combat. Not to mention your lack of training." The urge to follow the pirate as she circled like a shark hungry for blood was incredibly tempting but Fluttershy sat still, her head bowed and her teal gaze watching as Rarity's shadow flowed past on the ground like a ghost.

"Your long tail might serve as something to turn against you, I could easily trip you up if your not careful." The unicorn giggled, gingerly pawing the princess's silky, pink hairs on the way past, Fluttershy struggling against the urge to flinch.

"And while you're a pegasus, you're weak in the flying area. Your natural instincts will urge you to fly away, even though you're certainly not the best at it." Rarity came to a stop in front of the mare, her eyes a lot less intense than before and holding an almost sympathetic shimmer in them.

"Do you see how I can asses what advantages and disadvantages you have based upon physical traits and what I know your capable of darling?"

Fluttershy lifted her head to meet the pirate's eyes, giving a sharp nod in assurance.

"Good." Rarity stated, extending a hoof down to the seated princess.

Fluttershy frowned in hesitation, unsurely glancing at the alabaster limb and back up at its owner. After another moment of reluctance the Pegasus gingerly grasped the hoof in her own, pulled up onto her hooves as she stood just below eye height of the slender unicorn, their eyes connecting in a moment of curious eye contact.

"Now dearie, you should try and asses my strengths and weaknesses." Rarity spoke and Fluttershy blinked, breaking the eye contact and she shook her head, struggling to think of a reply.

"Uh... Okay...Sure." She eventually uttered and she dropped the unicorn's hoof, setting her own back on the ground as she unsurely glanced at the pirate.

"Go on darling, just use things like your knowledge on the body, my personality and what you've found out about my past history." The unicorn instructed and the princess nodded with a nervous hum, peering at Rarity as she pretended she knew what she was doing.

"Uh... Well for, uhm, strengths you're a...skilled fighter, especially with weapons..."

She stuttered out in her soft voice and the alabaster pony nodded in encouragement with a small, oddly comforting smile.

"Um... Well you are a unicorn...which allows you to stay away from your opponent and wield weapons easier..." She continued unsurely, ruffling her feathers as her wings nervously clamped to her sides.

"And... you have a set of clear rules which tells me you're organised and prepared?" Fluttershy finished although her words made it seem like she was asking the pirate for confirmation for her discoveries.

"Excellent darling! I must say you are a natural!" Rarity praised and although it shouldn't have made her feel better, the words did make Fluttershy feel pride sing in her veins if only for a second.

"Now try weaknesses." Rarity coached calmly and Flutterhsy nodded in understanding, licking her dry lips as she nervously studied the equine in front of her,

"Uh, well... I think you rely too much on your magic, if you were blinded in battle your biggest weapon would be useless..." She paused and after seeing that the pirate did not seem offended or angry, continued.

"Uh... You seem disgusted by mess, Which means that fighting during the elements or in mud or dirt might distract you?" Rarity nodded in delight, elated at her 'student's' success and she commended the mare.

"How incredible darling, your observant nature is extraordinary! I must say how excellent you are in the field."

A spot of happiness bloomed in Fluttershy's chest, the petals of a flower expanding over her steadily pumping heart and encasing it in pride and a weird sense of joy.

Rarity sure knew how to give compliments.

"Now, using your knowledge of my strengths and weaknesses, I want you to strategise a way you could beat me in a fight, if I had a weapon." Rarity further instructed and Fluttershy nodded, her eyes flickering about as a plan formed in her mind.

"W-well, since you can hold weapons in your grasp and swing them at me from far away I need to be a respectable distance, and I guess I need to think quickly?" The butter coloured mare theorised, lost in thought.

"Good idea dearest. What would you do then, in the situation?" Rarity followed along, getting caught with the story as well.

"Well I guess I could... Run at you?" Fluttershy continued and even though Rarity looked like she wanted to question the strategy she stayed silent, waiting for the princess to finish.

The mare in question stumbled upon an idea, her face lighting up in a telltale sign of her mental findings.

"And I could swipe my tail in your face!" Rarity blinked with surprise but agreed with a grin.

"Brilliant idea my darling, but please elaborate on what such a move would do." She coached, leading Fluttershy in the right direction.

"It would blind you, I guess leaving you vulnerable for a few seconds? It might distract you and maybe your magic grip on your weapon will falter?" Fluttershy said, lashing her own tail behind her and Rarity hummed with comprehension, her eyes flicking from the pink hairs sweeping across the floor and back to the pegasus's face as she continued to formulate a battle plan.

"Perfect, you've got the hang of this I must say!" The unicorn commended "But let's say that I saw you coming and instead of you hitting me, a sliced at you with my weapon first?" She continued and Fluttershy's train of thought halted in its tracks, changing direction as cargo in the form of ideas were placed on board.

"Uh... Well, I would duck...and whack you in the face with my tail from below?"

The princess developed her idea, the pirate running along with it.

"Exceptional, truly, but surely you could pull off a different manoeuvre with your tail dearest?"

Fluttershy felt like she should still be uneasy but yet she couldn't help but run along with the lesson in complete comfort, she wasn't talking to an old pal, she was talking to the abuser of one of her closest friends. Why was she so calm, was it the pirate's alarmingly nice way of compliments? Her breathtaking appearance?

"You mean like... Grabbing your sword?" The princess had whispered out loud before she could stop herself and so the plan continued.

"Exactly! Disarming me before delivering a swift uppercut from below would be the perfect battle move. I know tail movements are easier to pull off if you're an earth pony, and that pegasus tails are just supposed to help them with flight, but surely that long tail of yours can do some kind of trick?" Rarity purred with delight, buoyant at her student's surprisingly quick learning.

"Well I guess I'm ok with spinning movements..." Fluttershy quickly agreed, a little bashful at the thought of boasting about any sort of talent as a small embarrassed blush overcame her pale cheeks.

"Why that's perfect darling!" Rarity praised and the compliment went straight to heart.

"So... I'd run at you, slide under your attack, use my tail to knock your sword away and kick you in the face with my legs?" Fluttershy recapped and the pirate commented on the strategy.

"Yes, pretty much. I do believe you've got this in the bag, this time try using one of my strengths to your own advantage."

The princess was a little confused by this, but after taking a glance at the unicorn's encouraging smile she decided to have a go.

"Um... I'd make my own weapon... And corner you into a tight space, so uh... That way I could disarm you and your connection with weapons would not help you?" She nervously finished, her wings ruffling worriedly as she waited for the pirate's reaction with baited breath.

"Nice try, but with a makeshift weapon I'd be able to cut you and your weapon half in an instant." Rarity didn't seemed phased or even concerned with the prisoner's worry.

"Uh..." Fluttershy simply muttered, pawing at the ground with a hoof as she looked around as if the sight of something would give her a sudden epiphany.

"Try avoiding one of the areas I'm best in." Rarity gently guided her back on path with her soothing voice and Fluttershy found herself nodding as she geared herself to speak again.

"W-well then... Before fighting I would make sure there are no weapons or anything you could make into a weapon around. Um... If there are I would lead you away quickly...?" She asked, quite unsure but the pirate gave her a calming nod of agreement.

"That's right darling! Good job!" the alabaster pony cooed proudly, her voice laced with praise making the Pegasus feel like her heart was singing.

"Can you see how knowing an enemies strengths and weaknesses could almost guarantee your win in a battle?" Rarity made sure the lesson was well known and the Pegasus nodded, a small smile sliding over her lips.

"Right, let's move on then. Now your task is to figure out how I could use your strengths and weaknesses to beat you in a battle so you can avoid said situation"

Rarity went on her way with teaching as the Pegasus listened intently to every word she had to say.

...

They had formed many plans about different situations, figuring out how to use knowledge on advantages and disadvantages to aid them in every kind of battle and Fluttershy could feel the lesson winding to an end.

The sun was high in the sky, only gaining heat as the ball of gas ascended into the blue abyss at an agonisingly slow pace. Fluttershy watched the star crawl it's way through the vast azure that was the sky, squinting to shield her eyes from it's blazingly bright rays that beamed down on them.

Her throat had started to burn, constricting with the lack of water she had been supplied with. And her stomach had started to growl consistently like an angry raccoon, causing her to blush embarrassedly. She hadn't had anything to eat today though, had she?

"Uhm Rarity?" She asked shyly, the timid mare awkwardly addressing the pirate.

"Yes darling?" The unicorn replied, seemingly surprised by the interruption but not frustrated with it.

"W-well, I-it might be a, uh little silly but..." She stuttered out and the pirate chuckled at her nervousness with a good natured eye roll.

"Spit it out darling, I won't bite." Fluttershy doubted that statement but did hurry on with her question as to not anger the pirate.

"Well, I uh, I was kind of getting a little bit thirsty?" After the request the princess had retreated behind her mane, letting the pink hairs from a curtain over one of her teal eyes as the other nervously watched the unicorn's reaction.

Rarity simply nodded in agreement, a small frown creasing her forehead as she too acknowledged the heat beating down around them.

"I was at first going to soldier through, it's easier to simulate a battle after all if your not prepared with a good morning meal and drink but this heat is admittedly getting to me." The unicorn explained, stretching her limbs one at a time and straightening her mane until it looked presentable in her eyes.

"Let's go get something to drink my darling!" The unicorn excitedly exclaimed, her horn suddenly lighting up in a sparkly blue aura as she slid off her ankle bracelets from the hook they hung on. With a few clinks the silver bands had begun floating over to her, the pirate lifting up her legs systematically to slide each gem encrusted bracelet into their correct spot.

Without uttering another word the pirate was off, the mare beginning her trotting across the ship as she started to saunter through the giant boat like she owned the place. Fluttershy dutifully followed, taking longer strides in an effort to keep up with the alabaster unicorn who was sashaying across the ship like it was a parade and she was leading everyone through. Every fluid step she took just emanated elegance and attitude and Fluttershy still couldn't believe the mare could be so perfect.

They wandered out of the remote area on the ship, strolling back into the main place the crew populated, currently going on about their own business.

Rarity stopped in the middle of the area, Fluttershy curiously trotting up to stand beside her. The pirate seemed to be looking for something, or rather, someone, and Fluttershy inquisitively peered around as well.

Abruptly the unicorn stamped a hoof on the ground, the sound of her hoof impacting the floorboards echoing around the area.

Almost instantly the sound of four sets of limbs hitting the floor in scurry was heard as four creatures came racing into sight.

Fluttershy gasped as her friends came running to stand in front of them, their chests puffed up and spines rigidly straight.

The three foals and dragon struggled to keep straight, professional expressions on their young faces as they stood at attention for the pirate.

Without even looking Rarity pointed at Applebloom, the yellow foal standing taller in response as her eyes widened at being chosen.

"You. Fetch us two glasses of cold water." The unicorn instructed and the filly nodded, her bow bobbing with the movement. Applebloom turned and raced off, her rounded, red tail streaming behind her like a messy flag as the young equine bolted away from the scene, her wide hooves thudding against the ground.

Fluttershy watched as her friend fled, turning to give a smile to her three remaining friends who in turn gave her a happy glint in their wide and colourful eyes.

"You." Rarity moved on to point at Scootaloo, not even glancing at the eager Pegasus practically bouncing in front of her. "Get us two small freshly prepared meals." Scootaloo puffed out her chest at the task, her tiny wings buzzing excitedly and the orange filly muttered out a determined hum, turning around to race across the boat in the same direction as her companion.

"You." Rarity swiftly moved on and Sweetie visibly tensed, her muscles going stiff as she hopefully looked up into her sisters eyes with her own pair of shimmering green ones.

"Bring us a pair of lawn chairs and for Celestia's sake don't get the broken one." She instructed rather harshly and Fluttershy winced at the command, seeing the white filly's hopes get crushed, her faith crumbling away in her lost eyes. Spike gave the young pony a comforting pat, his claws rubbing soothing circles into her greyish white fur, an empathic look on his young face that made him appear older and wiser. Sweetie Belle nodded in response, a small but fake smile crossing her face to indicate she was fine. The foal clasped at the dragon's claws, tenderly removing them from her back and Spike nodded understandingly, offering a half-hearted fanged smile. The filly trotted off, her curled tail dragging behind her as the slim foal slipped away almost sulkily.

Spike's smile faded almost immediately after her departure, leaving his dark green eyes brimming with worry, he shot Fluttershy an anxious look before turning his attention back to the pirate in front of him.

"And you, Spikey. Bring me my parasol and sun hat." Rarity cooed, glancing down at the drake and fluttering her long eyelashes at the purple reptile.

Spike frowned at the notion but nodded respectfully to his superior, giving her a polite salute before flashing Fluttershy another look and scurrying away.

Fluttershy looked worriedly back in the direction Sweetie had disappeared in, seeing the white filly fade from view.

The princess turned back to the pirate, staring directly into the mare's dark blue eyes. The orbs were so inviting but so cold. How could the owner of such beautiful eyes be such a demon?

"Do you mind if I wander around for a bit?" Fluttershy asked and Rarity seemed surprised at the questioned but nodded anyway ushering her away with a hoof.

"Why sure darling, I'll just be here waiting." Fluttershy didn't wait for the mare to utter another word, turning tail and swiftly trotting across the boat in search for the filly.

Her teal eyes flickered all around looking for the white equine, her hoofsteps light on the ground as she followed Sweetie Belle, her strides wide and loping in order to catch up with the distressed filly.

She spotted the foal just ahead, just approaching a small cabin. Her head was bowed, and her tail was dragging behind her like a dead weight.

Fluttershy bit her lip, clenching the cracked skin tightly in her teeth as her worry spread through her veins like fire, it's burning flames eating up all her nerve endings until they felt like they were fried to a crisp.

The princess hurried up until she was racing towards the foal, her hoofsteps gradually becoming louder as she steadily approached the filly.

Sweetie turned around, startled at the noises and to Fluttershy's distress she caught tears in the foal's gaze, festering in the bottom of her eyes as she tried to erase the sorrow on her face.

"O-oh, Fluttershy, you're here?" The small equine hiccuped, surprised at the princess's sudden appearance and the filly hastily wiped away any remainder of liquid on her cheeks with a shaking hoof.

"Yeah, I'm here. Are you feeling alright?" Fluttershy worriedly asked, the foal letting out a trembling breath as she leaned up to open the cabin's old door, her hoof clenching over the knob and her watery eyes glanced away from the princess.

"I'm fine" Sweetie gave a smile, but she saw the foal's lips quake and they struggled to remain upright, the tears clouding over her pale green eyes.

She was trying so hard to be strong and deal with this and it broke Fluttershy's heart, nobody this young and innocent should be dealing with physical and verbal abuse and trying to act like it didn't matter. Her heart gave a physical pang of pain with it's next pump, like the organ was so done it needed to shrivel up and get away from the world.

Sweetie Belle opened the door, it swinging open with a creak to reveal the cabin's contents.

The foal paused in the doorway, glancing to her side at the yellow mare looking empathetically down at her.

Without a word Fluttershy gingerly kneeled down on the ground, stretching her forelegs wide open.

Sweetie looked at the princess's gentle face and then her outstretched hooves and crumbled. Tears slid down her cheeks one at a time, the sparkling drops of liquid cascading down her pale cheeks to rest at her quivering chin before dropping off onto the floor below.

The filly whimpered, a weak sound deep in her throat and she ran and jumped into the mare's inviting forelegs. Fluttershy nearly gasped as the foal slid onto her lap, Sweetie's forehead buried into the fur of her chest.

She could feel the foal's ragged breathing, her chest heaving as hot oxygen left her mouth and tangled with Fluttershy's yellow fur.

More tears poured over Sweetie's soft, pale cheeks and she let loose a series of strangled cries, desperately burrowing into the hug of the Pegasus.

Fluttershy brought her hooves down around the quaking foal, encircling the young equine in a warm embrace as she cried,

Fluttershy offered soothing words of comfort as she tenderly pat the filly's curly mane with one hoof, the other rubbing calming circles into the young pony's back.

Sweetie curled herself in the hug, hiding from the harsh world as she tried to take solace in the embrace, she felt protected in those kind and comforting forelegs, loved by that gentle and soft voice, happy when held so tenderly and gingerly, like she was a fragile vase that could break if she wasn't held together.

The distressed equine sniffled, her muzzle pressed against the most calming and silkiest fur she knew, her nostrils blowing small patterns in the coat.

Fluttershy held the warm filly close to her chest, gently rocking her back and forth as she continued to utter her words of comfort, consoling the sorrowful foal as her whimpers of sadness drifted further apart from one another.

"I-I just" Sweetie started with a hiccup "Want this all to end" after her words the filly continued to snuggle deep into the princess's arms, the pegasus's eyes flicking back and forth in worry at the statement.

Fluttershy wanted to console the young unicorn, say something like 'it's ok.'

But it wasn't ok, and to say such words would be an outright lie.

So they sat in mostly silence, Fluttershy clutching Sweetie Belle to her body like she was a delicate piece of china and the filly clinging to her like a newborn monkey might to its mother.

Fluttershy sat and listened at all the foal had to say, listening to her sobs and whimpers, listening to her tiny heart beating against her own body, listening to her choked breaths until they calmed enough to be considered normal.

...

They had waited until Sweetie had felt a little better, the foal eventually untangling herself from the warm embrace with a grateful smile where Fluttershy had tenderly wiped away the tear tracks lining her cheeks and smiled herself.

They then had completed the unicorn's take of retrieving two lawn chairs and set on their way back, carrying one each.

"So, what happened next?" Fluttershy laughed, a smile on her face as she walked side-by-side with the foal, her eyes wandering over the now happy equine's face.

"Oh well, I don't really remember that part, I was really young you see." Sweetie giggled, so joyful with her storytelling that she was practically prancing, her legs surprisingly slender and long like her sister's.

Fluttershy laughed too, the joyous giggle was like a little bell tinkling in the air and the infectious sound made her join in.

"Oh darling, your just in time!" Rarity's voice interrupted their casual conversation and both ponies lifted their heads to spot the pirate ahead, standing amongst three other small creatures, each with things held or balanced on them.

Sweetie kept her strong smile, taking both lawn chairs in her green aura and without hesitation confidently striding towards her sister.

The small foal approached her towering sibling, peering up with every ounce of courage she could possibly muster and connecting her pale green eyes with the dark blue orbs of her sister's. The pirate stared back, her eyes so fierce and piercing yet they seemed so distant and not quite all there and it truly made Fluttershy wonder how much of the unicorn was actually still behind them.

"I brought your chairs." Sweetie spoke in her shrill voice, levitating the lawn chairs to float on either side of her, setting them down and stepping backwards and behind them.

Fluttershy trotted forwards, coming to a stop near the filly.

Rarity paused, her mouth open as if she wanted to say something. The pirate seemed lost for words, and her blue eyes seemed to spring alive for a second, the mare blinking rapidly as the wheels turned in her had.

"S-Swe..." She muttered, her usually smooth tongue stumbling over her words and the foal's eyes widened in shock, her ears perking and she peered hopefully at the stuttering mare.

Rarity continued trying to pronounce what she wanted to say for a few seconds before her eyes clouded back over with iciness once more, returning to their chilled state as she herself became cool and collected. Even though a frown now creased her beautiful face, the pirate refused to say anything harsh and instead settled for a simple nod of gratitude.

Sweetie held a content smile, and she returned the thankful nod, an unsettlingly wise sparkle in her eyes.

Rarity looked away, turning around and gracefully plopping herself into her chair. She waved at the three standing off to the side, the young creatures scuttling forward to present their offerings.

Spike scurried around the back, a fancy umbrella clutched in his claws and he placed the blue and white striped parasol in between the chairs, digging the end of it into the floorboards as it cast an equal amount of shade over the two chairs. The dragon nodded, satisfied at the job well done and hurried over to the mare lounged in her chair, handing the pale pirate her sun hat. The mare hummed gratefully, placing the wide-brimmed hat over her head and perfect mane.

Rarity clapped her hooves together and Applebloom strode forward, a silver tray in one hoof, two tall glasses were perched on said silver platter, shiny ice blocks floating on top if the crystal like water and a straw emerging from the liquid and bending over the edge of the glass. The earth pony bent down, offering the tray to the mare currently seated, the unicorn elegantly taking a glass in hoof, bringing it to her plush lips to take a drawn out sip from the straw.

Seeing the pirate was satisfied with the water she moved on, bringing the platter to the standing Pegasus.

"Princess." The yellow filly muttered jokingly, a teasing twinkle in her orange eyes and Fluttershy couldn't help but giggle, offering a little playful bow in response as she gently took the glass in hoof.

"Thank you!" She whispered and Applebloom nodded with a proud smile, prancing away with her tray in hoof but not before offering Sweetie a consoling and imploring look. Sweetie responded with a nod and the mouthing of the word 'later' as her friend pranced off.

Fluttershy grasped the cold glass in hoof, a little stunned as the chill seeped through her skin and Sweetie, still beside her, offered her a gentle nudge, nodding towards the lawn chair.

The princess smiled and walked around to the front of the chair, the yellow pony getting onto its surface and settling down into it's relaxing embrace.

The ice blocks clinked against the sides of her glass at the movement, making a delightful sound in her ears, a reminder of the enchanting drink in her hoof.

With her back pressed against the plastic Fluttershy felt her muscles start to relax, becoming loose and flexible once again and whole shudders went through her body as her spine started to stretch itself out.

Scootaloo rushed forward, sliding the plate that had been balanced on top of her head onto the lap of her superior, Rarity cooing with delight at the sight of her small meal and picking up the small fork on the plate's surface.

The orange Pegasus trotted on over to Fluttershy, lifting the small plate from her back and sliding it over to the princess, who gratefully took the ceramic dish into her hooves.

"Thank you" She giggled and Scootaloo beamed, flapping her tiny wings. Fluttershy leant down, placing her plate in her lap as to ruffle the mane of the small foal, the messy fuchsia hairs curling under the treatment. Scootaloo laughed, ducking away from the hoof to shake her mane back into place, a happy smile lighting up her dirt covered face.

"I'll cya later!" Scootaloo whispered before moving to where Sweetie was standing beside the chairs.

They started to mumble in whispers and despite the quiet words, Fluttershy could hear the conversation between the two fillies.

"You alright?" Scootaloo questioned in a whisper.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine!" Sweetie mumbled back, her tone oddly happy.

"Are you sure...?" The Pegasus asked again, and the unicorn giggled, reassuring the young equine that everything was all fine and well with a few words and the two slipped into a moment of playful banter.

"We should be off now." Scootaloo stated to Fluttershy, the mare turning in her seat to see the two small ponies give her a wave, the young prisoners starting to walk away, no doubt to catch up to Applebloom and Spike.

"Ok, I'll see you soon, take care!" Fluttershy called after them, giving a small wave with her free hoof as the two foals took off.

"Oh, this was just what I needed!" Rarity groaned with satisfaction, bringing the princess's attention back to the cold glass she held in one hoof and the plate of food placed on her lap. Just the sight of the crystal clear water and the food made her throat clench in thirst and her stomach continue to grumble it's protests.

She lifted the glass to her lips, taking hefty sips through the straw and relishing the cold water that filtered through, cooling her tongue and soothing her burning throat on the way down.

The two mares ate their simple meals and drank from their glasses until they were just sucking air through the straws, the princess and the pirate relaxing in their chairs.

Fluttershy felt like she was practically bathing in the heat of the sun, the warmth swarming over her belly and hind legs and encasing them in an inescapable blanket of sweltering but addicting heat. Her upper body was protected by the shade of the parasol, offering a calming coolness to contrast the blazing heat.

The mix of the hot and cold was making her feel lazy, every muscle relaxing into the chair's comforting surface as she fought to overcome a wave of drowsiness that rolled over her like a tsunami.

One glance to her right showed Rarity lying very still in her chair, one hind leg crossed elegantly over the other, the silver bands around her ankles shining, the purple gemstones shimmering in the sun, the light showing off their depths. Her forelegs were over the arm rests, running along the provided space. The pirate was so still she could've been asleep for all the princess knew, her chest gently rising and falling with every breath.

"Just a few more minutes darling and then we'll get right back to it." Rarity abruptly spoke and Fluttershy jumped, her muscles flinching with surprise as the still mare came to life.

"O-ok" The princess stuttered with a startled smile as she settled back down into the chair to enjoy her last few minutes of relaxation.

...

Once finished Rarity had opted to call the three cleaners and the cabin boy back to clean up the mess they had left, Fluttershy had been about to protest until Starlight had swooped in out of nowhere. The newest pirate had swiftly grasped everything in her magical aura, claiming she would clean everything up for them. Rarity had swooned at the offer, thanking her crew mate to which Starlight had dismissed her gratefulness.

They now wandered back to that remote area of the ship, Fluttershy with that unease crawling in her skin and Rarity with that empty yet piercing stare.

"So... What were we up to?" Fluttershy timidly attempted to restart a conversation, the pirate turning to face her to answer the question.

"Rule three darling." The alabaster unicorn replied and Fluttershy hummed with remembrance, the princess drifting off into thought.

They eventually reached the same area, Rarity quickly pulling off her fancy bracelets with her magic and with clinks she slid them back onto the coat rack where they would stay for another considerable amount of time. Clearly the mare made a large effort into looking truly jaw-dropping around the rest of the crew.

"Yes. Rule three." The unicorn commented and Fluttershy, who had mostly lost patience for the pirate's dramatics continued.

"Which is?" Her soft voice sounded oddly commanding but the pirate didn't seem to notice, or care if she had noticed, instead checking to see if her weapons were all accounted for, words visible on her lips as she mouthed numbers.

"Right. Yes. The third rule is to let emotions guide you, not blind you." After the declaration of the rule Fluttershy waited for the long and winded explanation of the rule and how it could help her in battle that was sure to come afterwards.

Sure enough, the detailed speech arrived when Rarity started up her pacing again, strolling along the pile of organised weapons.

"During any fight it's imperative to feel emotion, but that emotion must be controlled." Rarity's eyes had closed as she started to pace, the unicorn strolling back into that familiar rhythm of movement she repeated so often.

"Yes, controlling how you feel and how you use those feelings is mandatory if you want to win." Fluttershy watched the mare's long, slender legs stride across the floor in the practised pattern, her teal gaze fluttering back up to where the mare's eyes had snapped open, staring at her, asking.

"How so?" Fluttershy questioned in response, seeing satisfaction glint in the mare's eyes at the inquiry.

"Let's use the age old example of anger shall we darling?" The mare paused her incessant pacing, leering at the princess as an air of professionalism took over the tone of her voice.

"Too little anger, you won't be as driven or passionate enough to want to fight in the first place." She started her example, lifting her left hoof to symbolise the lack of anger.

"On the other hoof, too much anger and you won't be able to think properly or concentrate, the only thing feeling your actions being pure rage." Rarity continued to explain, setting down her left hoof and picking up her right limb.

"But" she paused, planting both her hooves back on the ground, making the floorboards creak under the added weight "If you were to have the perfect amount and know how to control it, you're already on your way to victory." Fluttershy listened to her words, but her face was blank and empty and she didn't comment, standing in silence. Rarity blinked inquisitively, noticing the pegasus's lack of response to her words, her eyes wandering over the still form of the princess to pick up any kind of reaction. After finding nothing she frowned, her brows furrowing as the creases on her forehead appeared, a signal of her curiosity or annoyance. Fluttershy couldn't be sure what emotion the pirate was feeling, it was impossible to tell by just facial cues alone.

"Should we try that then darling?" Rarity started, leaning away from the mare, her dark eyes flitting away and a hoof absentmindedly moving to fiddle with a purple curl of her mane.

Fluttershy didn't respond in words, her teal gaze cast to the floor as she waited for instructions rather solemnly.

"First, think about things that anger you." Rarity coached and Fluttershy wanted to scoff. There was no shortage of things there.

She was angry at her parents for trying to marry her to someone she hadn't even met.

She was angry at the pirates for kidnapping her.

She was angry she hadn't had a chance to talk to Twilight yet.

She was angry she wasn't able to see Discord.

She was angry that he had made her spend a day with this violent mare without warning.

She was angry that Rarity had abused her sister and herself.

She was angry there wasn't anything she could do about it.

She was angry at the way her friends had been treated by the crew.

She was angry that she had started to see Rarity in a positive light despite everything she had done.

Thoughts struck at her mind one by one, their impacts leaving sharp pinpricks of emotions in her brain, the feelings taking root deep in her heart and filtering through her veins with each pump of the organ until her blood felt like it was running on fire.

Her limbs started to shake at the intense feelings, her eyes fluttering closed as the lines of a scowl were etched into her forehead.

"Good." Rarity whispered, Fluttershy's ears jumping with surprised as the noise invaded them, the organs of hearing deciding to press against their owner's head to get away from the word.

"Feel the rage burn inside you like an unavoidable fire." Rarity coached in a muttered whisper, Fluttershy's muzzle crinkling at the words as her scowl deepened.

"Feel the fire engulf you, imagine there is no escape from this feeling." Fluttershy wanted to lean away from the words but she stood rooted to the ground like her hooves had been coated in glue. She hated that voice, like the smoothest of honey, the softest silk, the purest of bells. It was enchanting, enthralling, intoxicating and no matter what she did she couldn't escape the voice.

She was angry she had to listen.

She was angry that Rarity could so easily manipulate her.

She was angry that she had been turned into this beast of rage.

"Perfect." Rarity purred and Fluttershy's eyes snapped open, the pupils constricting as they adapted to the change in light. She felt violated, manipulated.

Only the devil should be able to turn somepony into a furious monster.

She wasn't supposed to be angry, she shouldn't be. Yet she was, and she couldn't stop it.

"Excellent." Rarity hissed, much akin to a snake as she smirked at a job well done, her eyebrows rising as her entire face twisted grin at the sight of the shy and timid mare turned furious.

Fluttershy could only feel anger at the facial expression and she felt revolted at the emotion that coursed through her. Tears clouded the bottom of her eyes but they refused to fall, boiling in the intense wrath she felt.

"Hmm. Let's move on to happiness shall we?" Rarity spoke, her voice very nonchalant despite how easy it could be used to manipulate a pony.

Fluttershy had to wonder, in her anger induced state, wether the pirate had cast a spell to make her easy to control.

"I promise this one is a lot easier to deal with darling." The unicorn comforted but her words were not soothing, more mocking if anything.

"Imagine your happiest memories, what are you happy about dearest?" No, Fluttershy wanted to stay angry! But she couldn't help but listen to the voice, following it's commands.

She was happy she hadn't been married to that Prince.

She was happy she was free on this beautiful ship instead of locked up in the castle.

She was happy she now had friends, friends who she could help and who could help her in return.

She was happy with her amazing and indescribable garden.

She was happy she was going to have another delightful meal with Discord tonight.

Sure enough her anger slowly burnt out, a puff of smoke the only remainder of the previous feelings. From the smoke a small seed of joy was visible, it's roots planted deep into her heart. With another rush of memories the seed burst open, a flower of happiness blooming in her chest as the petals of glee left no room in her body for anything but the pure cheer that now sang in her veins.

The tears that had been festering in her eyes gracefully slid over the edge, tumbling down her cheeks in small streams as her lip quivered, her eyes were closed as happy memories flashed past them.

"It's easy to get lost in emotion isn't it my darling?" Rarity said almost sympathetically and Fluttershy was surprised to feel her warm hooves so tenderly scraping the tears off her cheeks, the princess nearly leaning into the comforting touch.

"Now, open your eyes and connect back with reality, taking in your surroundings." Rarity calmly instructed and Fluttershy's eyes fluttered open, readjusting to the intake of light.

The teal orbs flickered about, taking in the desolate area of the ship that looked a lot older then the rest of the boat, the pile of weapons in an organised mess of metal and shiny objects, the coat rack holding the four silver bracelets on one hook and her green and pink sweater on the other and finally the alabaster unicorn standing in front of her, a slight smile on her enchanting face.

Fluttershy felt a little lightheaded, like everything she saw was a little foggy and distant.

"It's quite a journey isn't it." Rarity soothed with her silky voice, watching intently as the yellow pony returned back to normal.

Fluttershy could do nothing but nod numbly, an explosion of shock in her eyes. She had just been controlled so easily, like a puppet.

"Can you see how learning how to control your own emotions can help you to no end in a battle?" Rarity cooed quietly and the princess nodded again, a hoof reaching up to run through her messy pink mane, the hairs parting way for the limb.

"Even learning ways to make your enemy feel certain emotions can aid you." The pirate continued and Fluttershy blinked, trying to clear her head as every memory from the day came flooding back all at once.

...

From there Rarity had explained everything there was to know about how to control and channel feelings, even going into detail about how to inflict certain emotions on enemies.

"Time for the fourth rule now, don't you agree darling?" Rarity questioned, rolling her neck until it made a satisfying crack, the equine stretching each limb rather elegantly. Fluttershy peered up at the pirate, her eyes soulful yet done.

After suffering emotional torture and learning how to inflict it upon others she was more than ready to move on. Rarity took the eye contact as a yes.

"The fourth rule of battle is to always have the element of surprise, throughout the entire fight." Fluttershy waited for the lecture, but it never came, instead the pirate jumped straight into the questions this time.

"Could you think of any ways you could surprise an enemy during the battle?" She asked, her deep blue eyes wandering over the princes as they soaked up her reaction, watching intently as the Pegasus shook her head, a confused frown upon her features.

"Surely you can think of something darling?" Rarity raised an eyebrow and Fluttershy flinched under the hard stare, the eyes boring into her and she frantically peered around the area, hoping to find something to help spur an idea. Luckily she spotted something that might aid her.

"Uh...Maybe a...Surprise weapon? She nervously smiled, watching as the pirate hummed with thoughtfulness, nodding in agreement.

"Yes, perhaps a hidden dagger or use of a random object as a weapon would come as a surprise to your opponent." Rarity went along with the idea but it was easy to see the other plans she had hidden behind her stare and the mare rolled her hoof in a circular motion as if the action would tempt more ideas out of the timid and tired princess.

"Uhm...Well, I guess a...Uh...Fright?" Fluttershy supplied, the confusion evident on her face as she pleaded with the pirate for more guidance, using her eyes.

"Well yes, a fright could surprise your enemy if they were less experienced, but a properly trained pony will have complete control on how they feel, especially terror wise." Rarity agreed but her eyes were facing upwards, as if trying to read a script she had going on in her mind.

"How about...The use of your wings?" The unicorn coached, pointing with her horn and the tilt of her head towards the princess's feathery appendages that lay at her sides.

"My wings?" Fluttershy frowned, looking back at one of her wings and she unfolded it from her side, the feathers flexing apart at their sudden use.

The sight of her extended appendage gave her and idea and she looked back at the pirate maybe a little bit too eagerly.

"If somepony is a Pegasus they can choose wether or not to use their wings." She uttered and Rarity nodded, a smile crossing her lips.

"Your onto something darling." She called in an almost sing-song voice, encouraging the shy mare.

"Well... If they chose not to use their wings the entire battle and then suddenly unfurled them midway-" She was interrupted as Rarity almost bounced with excitement at her pupil catching onto her plan.

"Bingo!" Rarity declared enthusiastically and Fluttershy was taken aback by the energy behind the words.

"How easy would it be to confuse and surprise an enemy by choosing to withhold a certain talent or skill until the perfect moment?" Rarity cooed, her lashes fluttering as she eagerly spoke.

"Very?" Fluttershy added bashfully, leaning away from the unicorn as she sensed the intensity in her words.

"Exactly darling. Exactly." The pirate commented rather calmly. Rarity peered upwards, as if admiring vast blueness of the sky, squinted to avoid the suns rays as she hummed in thought. You could practically see the calculating of time behind her eyes.

"Well, we don't have time to waste and this is a pretty easy rule... Want to move on?" Rarity glanced back down at the princess, lifting a hoof to fiddle with her perfectly curled mane as she switched looking between the mare's eyes.

"Oh! Well ok?" Fluttershy blinked with surprise, her eyebrows lifting as she curiously watched the pirate get ready for the next lesson, stretching out her limbs like they had cramps.

"Right where were we?" Rarity rolled her shoulders gracefully, asking as more of a conversation continuer instead of an actual question.

"The...fifth rule?" Fluttershy answered, edging the unicorn mare onwards, albeit a little impatiently. It was hot and she was tired and emotionally drained, she didn't really want to sit through the unicorn taking her time.

"Aha, yes." Rarity finished her routinely stretches by lashing her elegantly curled tail, the glossy, purple hairs flowing aesthetically as they followed the dock of her tail. Fluttershy couldn't help but wonder how natural the excessive curl really was.

"The fifth rule is probably the hardest to manage, it takes time and immense concentration. Nobody expects you to be able to master it, especially not in one day." Rarity explained and Fluttershy's eyes automatically went to the unicorn's hooves, intensively staring as she waited for the white limbs to start moving.

Sure enough they did, falling into the incessant pacing pattern that Fluttershy had become well accustomed to, the hooves falling with precise taps on the wooden floor.

"While not as important as the other rules it can certainly give you an advantage during a fight. It comes naturally to some and takes a lot of effort for others." Rarity spoke while pacing, her hips rolling with the familiar movement.

"And the rule is?" Fluttershy urged the pony to continue, the butter coloured equine deciding that if this was going to go on for a while she might as well be comfortable. She placed her rump on the floor, wrapping her long tail around her fore hooves in a swift motion.

"The fifth rule of battle is to never let your enemy know your wounded." Rarity clarified and after a bit of thought Fluttershy felt like that rule would be very difficult to master...And difficult to teach. Rarity wouldn't hurt her would she?

Fluttershy wanted to shake her head to rid her mind of the thoughts, a snake of unease winding up her spine and coiling up at her back, ready to strike at her head with its fangs of nervousness.

"If your opponent knows your weak spot or an area that has already been damaged during the battle they can further use this to their advantage and it can be important to hide certain wounds from your enemies if possible." Rarity paced, rattling of the words like she had memorised them ages ago, her tone making it seem like she was reciting a prepared speech.

Suddenly the mare paused her pacing and glanced up at the sun. Noticing how high it was in the sky the mare bit her lip in panic.

"And so on and so forth, right well we're finished with that let's continue!" Fluttershy frowned confusedly at the abrupt words, watching as the mare races towards the weapons pile in a hurry.

"We're...done?" She asked, discombobulated at the pirate's sudden need to rush, her eyebrows knitted tight with confusion.

"Well with the rules darling, we took way too long with that and now we need to hurry up if we want to finish today!" Rarity called behind her, the mare facing the line of weapons as her eyes hurriedly zoomed over each one.

"... Finish today?" Fluttershy's frown deepened and her eyes flickered back and forth. What was she missing?

"Yes darling, you know we still need to finish our battle training with a fight!" Rarity distractedly muttered over her shoulder and Fluttershy froze. The words sunk in and she felt panic creeping up on her. No. No. No. She had just learned to fly yesterday, she wasn't ready to face this violent mare with a lengthy knowledge on fighting in combat! Anxiety crawled over her like bugs and she could feel them skittering over skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. She had forgotten all about having to fight!

A nervous sweat broke out over her skin, and her gut clenched in panic, the mare suddenly feeling like she wanted to throw up, her stomach anxiously wanting to empty the contents of her stomach.

Her head whipped around and she peered around them. Was escape a possibility? Her mind asked urgently and she looked around, her hooves twitching nervously. The mare stood silently, crouched as if getting prepared to run. The Pegasus might have even done so if her legs weren't shaking like maracas, the muscles quaking as trepidation rolled over her in crashing waves.

Rarity swirled around, presenting two weapons in her magical grasp. A sword and a spiked mace.

Fluttershy squeaked, frightened at the sight and she felt herself go pale, the blood rushing from her brain and the floor swayed under her hooves.

"I'll give you the sword darling, much more advantage in this situation." Rarity causally said, floating the weapon over towards the panicking mare and Fluttershy flinched away but Rarity grasped one of her forehooves in her aura, making her limb wrap around the cool hilt of the sword. The weapon was surprisingly light but Fluttershy still stumbled at the sudden weight, the tip of the sword almost immediately driving into the floorboards. Oh no, no, no, no, no!

Rarity held out her hoof, as if commanding the mare to stay.

"Lets begin."

...

They stood several feet apart, opposing each other. Fluttershy's entire body shook, waves of quaking crashing over her, taking her limbs captive as they trembled and quivered. Her heart was thundering in her chest, slamming against her ribcage as it desperately tried to escape it's prison, the organ wailing so loud it's constant jackhammering was the only thing she could hear, her pulse pumping in her ears. Her insides weren't much better, her guts twisting and her innards clenching painfully as they anxiously tied themselves in knots. The princess trembled, her wings folded but away from her sides as blood was pumped furiously through them, leaving the feathered appendages twitching.

Rarity looked so calm, so collected, so dangerous. She looked the exact opposite of what Fluttershy was feeling.

The pirate was standing stock still, her long elegant legs poised perfectly as she stood at the ready. Her menacing blue gaze was unwavering, a concentrated and malicious twinkle in them that danced in her iris and made her pupils turn to fierce slits. Fluttershy felt her blood run cold at the sight, watching as Rarity crouched, her shoulder blades visible discs underneath her alabaster fur as she leant downwards, preparing to charge. The unicorn let loose a rumbling growl, the sound deep and guttural, tainting the air with its harshness.

Fluttershy's breathing grew faint, her lungs struggling to intake air as her throat closed over from the fear. Her mind was screaming at her to run, to flee, to hide, to do anything! Her body wouldn't listen, shaking and quaking as she stood rooted to the spot like her hooves had been encased in glue and were stuck to the floor.

The spiky mace floated in a blue magical aura, the weapon levitated next to and above her head, it casting a shadow on her bowed head.

Her own weapon was shaking in one of her hooves, the sword quivering almost as much as it's wielder as it almost slipped free from her sweaty grip.

Fluttershy didn't know how to fight, she barely knew how to fly! Fear was wracking through her every fibre, filling her veins and splintering her bones with its cruelness until Fluttershy felt she would collapse.

"We start in ten." Rarity's voice rang through the area, clear and concise and Fluttershy froze at the words, her muscles going rigid and locking in place.

"Ten." The word was sharp and it went straight to Fluttershy's heart as she gasped with fear.

"Nine." This was really happening, disbelief clouded her mind, shrouding her head in a veil almost as thick as the anxiety that had overtaken her brain.

"Eight." She gulped nervously, tremors of fear shaking down her spine.

"Seven." She wished that Discord would swoop in and save her.

"Six." Rarity was giving her a steely glare, muscles twitching in anticipation and Fluttershy couldn't even begin to imagine how many times the pirate had done this as she watched the flexing tendons.

"Five." Panic gripped her and she started to hyperventilate, her chest heaving with the effort of breathing as her throat grew more and more choked.

"Four." It was getting closer to the start of the battle and Fluttershy felt like a clock was ticking in her head, counting down the time to her doom.

"Three." The sword in her grip started to slip with the amount of sweat pouring off her in waves and she grasped onto it tighter, her hooves shaking as they turned stark white with the effort of clutching it desperately.

"Two." Her heart stopped in her chest, only to jump back to life at twice the speed.

"One." Fluttershy barely had time to take another panicked breath before the mare had started. The pirate charged towards her, her elegant legs long and precise as they swiftly bolted across the floor, leaving thuds against the wood that pounded in time to her racing heart. Rarity looked so menacing as she ran, a maniacal twinkle in her eye that was joined by a fierce passion, making her dark blue orbs look like that of a predator's, determined and concentrated with a fiery rage. Her face was sharp and dangerous, her muzzle gaping as if she could taste Fluttershy's fear on her tongue.

Fluttershy heard a scream and she assumed it was her own, her mouth gaping in terror and she scrambled backwards away from the steadily approaching pirate, her hind hooves scrabbling on the floor desperately.

Rarity soon came into swiping distance, the weapon above her head floating maliciously and Fluttershy nearly dropped her weapon out of fright. The alabaster unicorn's muscles coiled like a spring, the tendons visible underneath her coat as her well toned body locked itself into place. Fluttershy could recognise that crouched stance anywhere, it was of a predator about to pounce on its prey and she squealed, her own legs kicking into motion just as Rarity sprang, leaping through the air and landing where the princess had just been with a heavy thud.

Rarity's head whipped around, her mane flying from its previous position on her neck as the unicorn turned so quickly Fluttershy could've sworn she had heard a crack from her neck. Upon seeing where the princess had gone Rarity adopted a creepy smile, Fluttershy watching fearfully as a maniacal, wide grin spread across the mare's lips. And that glint in her eyes, it was feral, predatory, animalistic. A flash of an image sparked across Fluttershy's mind and a bolt of terror shot through her heart as she desperately tried to rid her brain of the memory of Twilight looming over her, a similar glare in her purple eyes.

Rarity leapt back to her hooves, straightening her spine with loud clicks as she came chasing after the princess. Fluttershy screeched, her voice piercing the air as the Pegasus felt her muscles contract and before she knew it she was moving, running. Her body didn't feel like it was her own as she dashed for her life, her breathing ragged and her heart beat pounding in her ears, like a constant ticking clock that was a reminder that she was alive and breathing.

Her weapon had somehow moved to being clutched by her tail although Fluttershy was confused by how, everything rushing by her in a panicked haze that rendered any coherent thought impossible.

The thudding of Rarity's hoofsteps behind her heightened her terror as fear struck every nerve with lightning, setting them on fire.

She swore she could feel Rarity's breath hot on her neck and the mare wanted to gasp in fear, her mouth left open in shock but every single sound was caught in her throat, like a net had been pulled tight over her larynx.

On instinct she made a mad dash to the right, ducking out of the way as Rarity pounded behind her, the unicorn's breathing coming out in heavy gushes that sounded so menacing that Fluttershy felt her legs wobble, waning to collapse under the anxiety and fear that raced in her blood.

Rarity pounced again, landing near the princess's head and the Pegasus's breath choked in her throat, her hind legs scrambling desperately on the rough wood for purchase as she took off in the opposite direction to the menacing pirate.

A sound rang out and Fluttershy barely heard it over the adrenaline pumping in her ears, it was a war cry, a cheer of battle. The noise was so frightening and the Pegasus felt her legs speed up, accelerating until they simply couldn't go any faster, her limbs a flying blur.

Abruptly the pirate came speeding up beside her and Fluttershy watched in horror as the unicorn easily passed her, the muscles rolling under her glossy coat as the fit mare raced past her.

Fluttershy screeched to a stop, her hind legs back-pedalling furiously against the wood as the pirate now stood in front of her, blocking her previous path. The princess whipped around, her body twisting scarily as it struggled to turn to get away from the terrifying unicorn. Rarity laughed at the sight and Fluttershy's heart thumped fiercely with each elated, malevolent sound, the noises mocking her, teasing her.

"Come on darling, this is a fight!" Rarity cried after her, but Fluttershy could barely hear the words as she blasted away in a blind panic back the way she had came.

The thunderous hoofsteps of the pirate soon came into focus, the mare's ears pinned against her head and she shrieked silently, her breaths ragged and weaving through her trembling body as she ran.

She knew the pirate was faster, having a lot more practice and a much more fit body, but the fact only made her run faster until her muscles were straining, burning as they screeched out, desperate for a rest. Her mane was flying behind her, whipping rapidly with each frantic hoofstep she took.

The fear was dancing on every single nerve, terror screaming through her every fibre and her muscles were pleading desperately for a rest, but her mind made her keep moving. The adrenaline was pumping through her veins, her jackhammering heartbeat one of the sounds in her ears that helped create the entire orchestra of battle noises.

She could hear the pirate gaining on her, her hoofsteps quickening to create a steady thud against the floorboards. Fluttershy was galloping now, her tail streaking behind her, still clutching her sword in the hairs.

Rarity's hoofsteps lessened and Fluttershy's heart sang with relief but her legs still kept racing. She heard a whoosh of wind and her head whipped around, spotting the pirate soaring through the air towards her out of the corner of her eye. Her teal orbs widened, struck with fear before she felt two hooves collide with her back.

Her legs instantly collapsed under the pressure and she was sent sprawling to the ground with a hard thwack as Rarity stumbled beside her.

After a second of lying on the hard and rough ground Fluttershy was cursing, her legs scrambling on the floor as she struggled to get up. Her wings her pressed painfully against her side and the ground as she quickly rolled over in order to stand.

Rarity growled low in her throat, the sound rumbling in her chest and the pirate lunged towards the mare, her hooves cracking against Fluttershy's shoulder and sending her crashing to the ground. Pain splintered up her spine but Fluttershy didn't care as she was pinned to the ground, her legs flailing wildly. Her wings her crushed under her and Fluttershy could already feel the current bruises on her appendages swelling as more were added to the brown, black and blue spots.

Rarity loomed menacingly above her, casting her shadow over the Pegasus and she trembled with the fright that coursed over her.

Rarity scoffed, easily keeping the pony to the floor underneath her her muscles barely straining to keep the princess trapped. The pirate levitated her weapon over with a swift flick of her head, the floating mace coming closer and closer to Fluttershy's head. She struggled to move away, inching as far as she could until she couldn't move anymore.

Rarity watched the restrained mare as she struggled desperately, a malicious glitter in her eyes as she dragged the mace closer.

Fluttershy nearly jumped as the mace was brought over to touch her fur, one of the spikes of the weapon trailing across her jawline and tenderly pressing against her cheekbone. It wasn't done hard enough to break the skin, but it was certainly leaving a dent in her flesh as the weapon was so casually drawn across her face, leaving a fiery chill in it's wake. Fluttershy didn't dare move as the mace danced across her skin, it's spikes ever so carefully touching her fur and leaving her struggling not to fidget.

Rarity spoke as she drew the mace ever so carefully over the mare's soft cheeks.

"You know darling in this fight we really should be practicing with our weapons." She commented so nonchalantly and Fluttershy felt a chill shudder up her spine, her fur standing on end but she didn't dare move with the mace pressed so tightly against the skin of her face.

"So, are we going to fight like mares?" Rarity teased, the mace flying away with a flick of her head and Fluttershy stared up into her fierce gaze, panic-stricken as the weapon moved to float above her.

No, Rarity wasn't fighting like a mare. She was fighting like an animal and if she wanted to fight like an animal, so would Fluttershy.

Fluttershy's face suddenly hardened, her brows drawing tight over her eyes and her muzzle curling with distaste and anger.

Her spine arched off the ground, her rump lifting into the air as her hind legs bunched up until every muscle felt so tense she could swore every ounce of her power and strength had been trained in on them.

With a sudden movement she sent her hind legs rocking upwards until they connected with Rarity's abdomen, the limbs pommeling the flesh with a sickening crack.

Rarity's mouth gaped in shock and her eyes widened as she was sent rearing backwards, her stomach rippling from the impact. Fluttershy sat up, leaping to her hooves as the freed pony started to run, not looking back as Rarity snarled angrily.

Rarity gave chase, quickly catching up to the fleeing princess with her long strides.

Fear had mostly been replaced by determination as it pumped in Fluttershy's veins and in every aching hoofstep, the mare feeling the pirate hot on her trail.

Rarity gave a breathy whinny and an angered snort, thundering behind the Pegasus until she had caught up, narrowly avoiding the sword intertwined with the mare's tail. The pirate used her head as a weapon, whacking her neck and side of her face into the princess's ribcage, her horn missing the flesh by a hair.

The impact sent the mare stumbling, her weak legs struggling not to cave as she continued to move, nearly tripping over her own hooves. A quick glance backwards provided the mare with a glimpse of the pirate, Rarity racing behind her trying to recover from the hit as well, still running side by side with the princess. To Fluttershy's relief the mace was nowhere to be seen and Rarity must have dropped it on one of the impacts and in the thrill of the chase had forgotten to pick it back up. To her horror Rarity was gearing up to give another hit and Fluttershy wanted to screech with terror, there was no way her legs could take another hit!

Sure enough Rarity swung her head forward again, it connecting with her shoulder and the Pegasus shook from the impact, a shock of pain rattling in her bones.

The hit caused her forelegs to slip, the mare tumbling as her opposite shoulder hit the floor, her hind legs slipping and accidentally striking the unicorn mare on the way down. Rarity soon followed, the hit from Fluttershy's hind legs tripping her up and both mares fell to the floor.

Rarity performed a practised roll, springing to her hooves and leering at the princess as she stood over her. On instinct Fluttershy found herself taking a swing at the pirate with a hoof and the unicorn easily dodged the limb, raising an eyebrow with surprise at the pegasus's sudden violent nature.

Fluttershy wasn't so sure herself why she had tried to hit the mare, it must've been the anger sparking in her veins and the basic instinct that ran through her, telling her to survive at all costs. She took another swing, this one only narrowly avoided by Rarity, the hoof skimming her horn as she ducked out of the way. While the pirate was distracted by the limb Fluttershy sent another one into her chest, the hoof punching into the mare's sternum with considerably less force then she had intended.

Fluttershy slid out from under her and scrambled to her hooves, swiftly going into a gallop as she cantered away from the pirate.

After hearing no sounds at all, no hoofsteps following, no mocking laughs, no animalistic growls or neighs Fluttershy slowed to a steady trot, nervously looking behind her.

Rarity was hunched over were the princess had ran from, her chest heaving as she took in shaky breaths.

Fluttershy drew to a stop, staring across at the pirate with a concentrated face as she too tried to catch her breath, fresh oxygen eluding her lungs as her sides shook.

Rarity turned around, and the panting mares shared eye contact, the steely teal orbs meeting with the malicious spheres of dark blue.

They opposed each other once more and Fluttershy felt the need for comfort, she clutched her sword, dragging it from where it had rested in her tail and holding it in her hoof. Rarity seemed to gain a grin at the movement, a smirk resting over her face.

The unicorn gave a snort, her nostrils flaring as the sound escaped them, the alabaster mare dragging her hoof across the floor.

Fluttershy recognised the movement, it was one an animal made before they charged. She grasped her sword tighter in hoof, her spine straightening as she stared at Rarity head on. She was nervous but a fire of determination had started growing in her gut and she couldn't help but glare back, her eyes fierce and Fluttershy finally felt dangerous, strong, powerful.

Rarity took a giant leap, springing into motion as she charged at the mare ahead, racing at her in full speed. Fluttershy watched her run, unflinching and unmoving as she stood still, the pirate bolting towards her.

Seconds before the unicorn reached her Fluttershy bunched her muscles until they were clenching tightly. She sprang, leaping high into the air.

And suddenly everything was in slow motion behind her eyes.

She saw Rarity's eyes dramatically widen with shock as surprise flickered through them, her head titling back as she craned her neck to stare up at the leaping princess.

Fluttershy's wings exploded from her body, unfurling sharply as the giant appendages flung themselves into the air, feathers flying free at the incredibly rapid pace of their unfolding. And suddenly she was soaring over the unicorn in slow motion, her long tail whipping up behind her as the pink hairs followed her movements. She was glancing down at Rarity who was following her ascent with startled eyes, the first explosions of panic filtering into them and the sight sent a tingle of satisfaction down Fluttershy's spine.

And suddenly she had raised her sword high in the air, her limbs not her own as she lifted her other hoof to join its partner, both limbs clutching the weapon tightly.

She held the blade high above her head, her muscles straining to keep the weapon there and the sun caught the metal in its rays, making the sword shine like the star had been caught in its surface. With a sudden and forceful movement she thrust her forelegs downwards, the sword grasped so tightly in her clutches following.

And against everything she had ever thought possible, she sliced.

The shriek pierced the air like a spear, unbearably sharp as the shrill note cut through the air in an abrupt, deafening cacophony of noise.

Seagulls squawked in alarm to the scream, fluttering away from the ship in a clatter of disorderly flaps, the White avians cawing on their sudden ascent into the sky.

...

The sword fell from her loose grasp, the weapon spinning as it tumbled to the ground, landing against the floorboards with a sharp clatter that sent it bouncing upward from the impact before finally laying still on the wood, the shocked princess in it's shiny reflection.

She stood there, stunned into silence as her mouth gaped in shock, her eyes wide and unblinking, the teal orbs exploding with emotions that danced on their surfaces, her small pupils shaking with fright.

She took a tentative step forward, her hoof silent against the ground.

She stared down at Rarity in horror, frozen with fright. Her wings were rigid, like they had been encased in ice as they stood wide open with adrenaline and shock.

She couldn't believe she had done it and a shaky hoof was lifted to her face to cover her mouth, the first bubbling tears springing to the surface of her eyes as mortification and guilt swept through them.

Fluttershy stared down at her victim in pure shock, her legs finally working as she rushed over from where she had landed, her limbs shaky underneath her.

Rarity was sprawled on her floor, her chest heaving in choked pants and her sides trembling as she lay still. Her eyes were empty and glassy, staring up into the sky and Fluttershy's lip quivered as she approached the mare.

"I can't believe you chopped my tail off." Rarity deadpanned and Fluttershy whimpered, a tear trickling down her cheek as she stared guiltily.

"I-I know, I'm so, so sorr-" she started to desperately apologise but was cut off by Rarity who sat up, staring at the spiky end of her short bob tail.

"Don't apologise darling, this is barely a battle wound. I was just amazed you managed to pull it off." Rarity hummed, glancing at the shortness that was her tail with wonder, blinking curiously at the long, curled length of purple hairs that sat beside her.

Fluttershy's lip trembled as she sniffled, she too staring at remainder of her tail.

"B-but your beautiful tail-" She started but was cut off again as Rarity signalled her to shush with a hoof, sitting up further to gently pat the mare's shoulder comfortingly.

"It'll grow back in due time. Besides, short tails are in this season." Fluttershy couldn't believe the mare was so calm about this and as she looked into those dark blue eyes she saw a gentleness, a kindness and the unicorn grinned with a smile that finally touched her eyes, a sincere, genuine show of happiness.

Her mind had been calling Rarity things all day, a demon, the devil. But that wasn't her doing all those manipulative and evil things, it was the corruption. Rarity under that wicked spell was a violent pirate with a knowledge of weapons that abused those who still tried to love her. Fluttershy knew that without that spell Rarity was just a normal mare who wore gorgeous dresses and loved to make others look amazing, who probably sewed and gossiped with friends, a mare who loved her sister with all her heart.

As she looked down at the pirate she felt like she was finally seeing the real mare for the first time.

She offered out her hoof and the unicorn grinned, albeit surprised, but seemingly touched at the gesture.

Rarity took the limb and Fluttershy gripped her tight, pulling her to her hooves.

"Well darling." The unicorn started with a tired huff, shaking dirt off her once white coat. "After an exhaustingly long day like this one I know just the place to go." She finished and Fluttershy fixed her with a curious gaze.

...

They entered the room and the door shut behind them quietly. Rarity used her horn and flipped a switch with her magic, the lights flickering on and the swift sound of bubbles roared through the room before falling much quieter, humming in the distance. It was a fancy looking room much akin to a bathroom with glossy white tiles. A bench was on one side, above it a shelf with various items of mane and coat care as well as things of luxury. Next to the shelf sat a silver towel rack, already holding a fancy looking white bathrobe. There were three steps made out of white marble, surrounding what appeared to be a small, triangular spa starting to fill water.

Rarity swiftly crossed the floor over to the bench, peering above it at the shelf. To Fluttershy's surprise, Rarity grasped something in her magic, tilting the object from the shelf and the wall behind the bench gave a creaking sound.

"Here we are!" Rarity called with delight and Fluttershy watched in shock as a secret opening was formed, two sections in the wall sliding apart to reveal what appeared to be some sort of cooler or fridge. Inside was multiple different types of drinks in cartons and bottles, along with a series of wine glasses.

"Wha...?" Fluttershy questioned, barely able to from words as she blinked, stunned into silence.

"Ponies kept taking my supplies, installed this to keep my things hidden." Rarity explained with a slight smirk at her work and a Fluttershy couldn't help but gawk in awe.

"Isn't that... A little too extreme?" She asked, facing the unicorn with an amused sparkle in her teal eyes.

"I have no clue what your talking about darling!" She joked in reply, using her magic to grab two glasses and a bottle of apple juice, floating them up onto the top step surrounding the spa, setting them down on the far side.

"Right. Now it's time to get in!" Rarity nudged the Pegasus beside her, using her magical aura to tilt back the object on the shelf and close the secret fridge.

"O-oh right." Fluttershy turned to face the spa.

Fluttershy stood staring up at the triangle, her hoof bashfully scraping against the ground as she looked at the water a little uneasily.

Rarity didn't seen to notice her unsureness and strode ahead, placing a pristine white towel on a rack along with an unbelievably soft looking white bath robe, the collar large, fluffy and golden and a purple 'R' stitched onto the side. The unicorn hummed a small tune in her enchanting voice, stepping up steps of white marble to reach the spa. The pirate stepped into the water, swiftly sliding into the liquid and settling into place with a satisfied 'Ah'.

"Come on up darling, the water is marvellous!" She called, her silky voice like a bell and Fluttershy watched as the alabaster equine hummed with delight, relaxing into the water with a look of bliss on her sharp but beautiful face.

"Uh... Well ok..." Fluttershy timidly whispered in response, walking towards the marble steps, hanging her own borrowed pink bathrobe onto the silver towel rack alongside the other articles of material.

She gingerly took a step onto the marble, the smooth stone cold and inviting under her limb and Fluttershy relished in the feeling.

She cautiously inched up the other two steps and looked down at the small spa.

She stretched out a limb, slowly moving the hoof towards the water, her appendage coming into contact with the liquid and it rippled away from her, sending little waves rolling outwards. Oh Celestia it was warm.

The princess made contact with the water again, her hoof sliding into the water as the warmth encased her limb. She gave a satisfied sigh at the feeling, carefully stepping into the spa as all four hooves got covered by the relaxing water.

She cautiously sunk into the liquid, feeling the water surround her abdomen as her fur started to float, the individual hairs lifting away from her skin. She sunk further into the water until her rump touched the bottom of the spa, each new inch of skin introduced into the water like a new shock of warmth.

She felt her uneasiness all wash away like the grime in her coat that was being cleaned by the water.

Her hind hooves nearly touched those of Rarity's, the limbs narrowly avoiding brushing against each other constantly.

Rarity had her head lolled back, displaying her arching neck and the sections of her oesophagus showing through her skin. Her eyes were closed, a gentle smile of satisfaction playing on her lips as she leaned back against the edge of the spa, her purple mane falling away from her scalp to hang dramatically over the edge.

Fluttershy felt her own smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she felt the heat seeping into her coat and relaxing her muscles. A mare could get used to this. She should feel uneasy right? After all she was literally sitting in a spa with a mare who she had jut fought. Yet she didn't feel discomfort at all.

Rarity's head rolled upright again, her eyes fluttering open and she let loose a sigh, the mare visibly sinking further into the spa.

"Isn't this the life darling?" She cooed and Fluttershy nodded with a hum in response, feeling her shoulders slide down the back of the smooth plastic-like surface. Their back hooves were destined to touch now due to the lack of space and both mares shifted so they could make room for their long and slender limbs, the water sloshing around them.

Silence filtered through the air, peaceful and tranquil until Rarity using her magic, her blue aura encasing the juice bottle in its glittery presence, levitating the plastic bottle until it was floating in the air. With an audible crick the mare opened the bottle, twisting off the cap, setting the lid aside. She also grabbed two wine glasses with her magical aura, pouring the golden liquid into them while Fluttershy watched the magic happen. When finished Rarity beamed, using her magic to float the two glasses into the air, sliding one into her own hooves and the other over to the smiling princess. Fluttershy gingerly took the glass from the air, the blue aura fading out and leaving the thin stem of the glass clutched delicately in a hoof.

"Here's to living like royalty!" Rarity declared, raising her glass into the air, water dripping from the fur of her foreleg back into the water. Fluttershy's smile spread and she laughed at the words, she copied the action, lifting the glass of apple juice into the air and watching the liquid get hit by the light until it appeared glossy and golden.

Both mares brought down their drinks in unison, holding their glasses out towards each other and they tapped the rims of the glasses together with a satisfying clink.

The ponies brought their glasses back to their lips, taking sips of the sweet liquid.

Silence filtered around them and Fluttershy felt at peace.

It didn't last long, but the interruption to the tranquility was still welcomed.

"You know...Rainbowdash won't admit it, but she too likes to take an occasional trip to this little spa." Rarity suddenly spoke and Fluttershy blinked with surprise, a smile crossing her lips at the thought. The over confident and brash Pegasus taking occasional trips to the ships spa? Now that piqued her internet.

"Oh yeah?" Fluttershy questioned, an amused twinkle in her eyes as she entertained that thought.

"Yeah. Caught her once, she was so embarrassed. I'll never forget the look on her face as she sprang from the spa and tried to fly to the floor." Rarity started to explain and laughed, giggling joyously at the memory. "The poor thing had forgotten how wet her wings her and stumbled down the steps!" She added, her chest heaving as more laughs left her lips and Fluttershy couldn't help but join in, imagining with glee the cyan mare tumbling down the marble steps and landing face-first on the floor.

"O-oh! And I nearly forgot!" Rarity cried cheerfully, lifting her free hoof to signal that there was more to come after she finished laughing.

"I walked in on Spikey once too!" Fluttershy continued to giggle, feeling joy sing in her veins and her grin grew wider.

"Spike?" She laughed and Rarity nodded, letting out a few more choked chuckles as she struggled to continue her story.

"Yes, the dearie was playing with some figurines while singing." The unicorn paused to let a few laughs escape. "He screamed the girliest scream I've ever heard and ducked down into the water!" Rarity couldn't continue her story she was laughing too hard, her chest shaking as the elated sounds floated from her lips. Fluttershy grinned at the infectious noises and joined in, the image of the dragon singing to a song while playing with figurines before being walked in on brought a wide smile to her lips.

Fluttershy couldn't believe she had gone from fearing and despising the pirate to gossiping with her in a spa like they were the oldest of pals.

"You certainly seem to walk in on a lot of ponies, got any more stories?" Fluttershy prompted, her eyes sparkling and she sat forward in the water, eager to hear more.

"Well, there was one time when Derpy lost one of her golden earrings down the drain, poor love." Rarity tapped her chin thoughtfully with her free hoof, her grin still spread wide over her lips. "We fished it out, but her ear smelt like soap for weeks!" The pirate exclaimed with a giggle and Fluttershy chuckled too, that was certainly something she could imagine the sweet grey Pegasus doing. Rarity drifted off with a thoughtful hum and silence fell over them once again.

Fluttershy sunk back into the water, feeling the liquid just under her shoulders. She took another sip of her drink, the apple juice leaving a nice taste in her mouth.

"You know..." Rarity started back up again, lost in thought. "It was Applejack and Discord that taught me to fight." She said suddenly and Fluttershy glanced back up at the pirate, surprise evident on her features.

"Oh?" She inquired curiously, sensing the mare's need to tell her story.

"Yeah..." Rarity looked a little lost, the dazed and faraway look in her eyes made it obvious she was reminiscing. "Applejack taught me all the physical aspects of how to battle, gosh she was brutal with the training, no mercy that one. It worked though, she was hard on me and now I'm ready for anything." Rarity explained and Fluttershy nodded, it was easy to imagine the second-mate forcing her pupils to the limit in training. Rarity paused, watching the liquid slosh around in her glass as she tilted it in circles in her hoof.

"Discord taught me the five rules of battle." She started up again and Fluttershy blinked with surprise "He was always so patient with me, it was surprising considering who he was" the pirate finished and the princess couldn't help but drift off into thought. So Discord had been the one to teach her how to inflict emotionless trauma on her enemies? It was a little silly but Fluttershy wondered what the day would've been like if the captain had been the one to teach her too.

"Who he was?" She eventually asked and Rarity nodded with a smile at the question.

"Oh yeah, you know, the whole 'spirit of chaos and god of disharmony' thing. I think he's just a big softy but he tries to act like he's as cold as stone." Rarity finished with a giggle and lifted the glass to her lips, taking a sip of the golden liquid.

Fluttershy chuckled softly, a big smile wandering over her face at the statement.

"He is certainly sweet..." She was lost in thought, that grin never fading as she stared down at her own glass.

"Well, only for you it seems." At the words of the pirate the princess's grin widened, a pink blush painted across her cheeks as she refused to glance up from her drink and make eye contact with the mare.

Rarity sighed, sinking into the water and the base of her glass sunk in with her. The unicorn crossed her legs over each other, the limbs nearly touching the other side of the spa wall and Fluttershy moved to accommodate the new appendages in her space, copying the unicorn's pose.

She wasn't quite sure were she stood with the pirate.

They weren't friends... Or maybe they were. The feelings were...complicated and all Fluttershy could really do was go along with them. Maybe they weren't friends, but there was certainly something there and despite how cruel the unicorn was under the corruption spell, Fluttershy had come to understand her. Maybe that understanding would be all that was needed to lead the way into a new friendship.

...

AUTHORS NOTE:

Wow you made it to the end! I must congratulate you for surviving this colossal beast of a chapter! (My longest by far, over 23,000 words...WHAAAT!)

I am terribly sorry for the many months I was absent and apologise for the...oddness that is this chapter.

So much stuff has passed wowee, so Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy new year, Happy Valentines day and Happy Easter to all those who celebrate those events, I hope you have had wonderful holidays and those events were filled with cheer!

Another exciting thing has happened, the one year anniversary of this remake!

I would love to thank everyone immensely. If you've ever favourited, followed, reviewed, read or even just glanced at this story thank you very much, you all mean so much to me as a fanfiction author and I hope I can continue to produce satisfactory content in the future. Thank you everyone! Thank you so much!

Be sure to go read the original story on vdhc1234's fanfiction page and support the amazing fanfic, it deserves everyone's love!