Cainiam

I would like to join a spin-off story, that sounds like a good idea. Is this set in the same world as this main Pony Pirates rp? And can we rp as characters from our ship? And how do you feel about multiple characters? So this one will be almost completely land-based, as an opposite to the almost complete ship-based one that this is? Good idea. I am 100% behind this.

Yeah, I'd better stop posting too until Talex returns. Sorry, Chardude.

Lance began to visibly shake as Black Powder spoke back. [colour=#00ff00]"I am not a filly!"[/colour] He bellows as he lunges forwards with the bayonet at the captain's eye, but regains control and stops it mere millimeters from Powder's pupil. With a shaky hoof he throws the bayonet onto the floor where it clatters loudly as it comes to a rest. He meets Black Powder's stare and just stops for a few seconds. His eyes burning with rage, but he manages to contain it this time. He stands back and regains his formal officer's stance. [colour=#00ff00]"Well, Captain, we can play it your way. You have called my bluff regarding physical harm, but there's nothing to stop me robbing you of your precious food and water, and sleep. That's right. A guard will be in to make sure you're awake every ten minutes until you send for me. And not one of them will bear your daily bread." [/colour]Lance said with a vicious sneer, before storming out of the room, forgetting his discarded bayonet. A few minutes after he's gone, the guard returns and shuts the door then resumes his guarding position on the outside. Brass's smile is no longer nervous as he's genuinely happy that he has made Sleek happy. Then he sees her smile vanish and suddenly he's really concerned. Add to that the damp patches under her eyes... she must have been crying. He makes a pledge to himself to make sure that this beautiful mare will have her face lit up with a smile again, no matter the cost. Before he has a chance to ask her what's wrong, a little pout appears on her face and she asks him to release her hoof. Something that goes against every code of being a guard, but she made a good point. How were they supposed to eat if they were chained? It didn't make any sense. Still it would be breaking another code... then again breaking the last one had been kind of thrilling. Suddenly she curls up in pain and without hesitation he pulls the keyring off of his belt and quickly unlocks both of her forehooves. As much as he wanted to undo all of her locks just then, some rational part of his mind stopped him, and he stands back. [colour=#ffa500]"Er... excuse me, Miss, but the name's Brass. Not Mr. Marine,"[/colour] he said quietly while he had her attention. ([colour=#00ff00]Lance[/colour] rages at Black Powder and stops the guards from sending food and water, and to stop him from sleeping, before leaving him... and his bayonet.[colour=#ffa500] Brass[/colour] unlocks both of Sleek's forearms and introduces himself.)

Sergeant Major Lance was expecting some verbal backlash, but he still found his teeth gritting as he had to stop himself from plunging the bayonet into the restrained captain. [colour=#00ff00]"You still think you're in control here?"[/colour] he eventually says through gritted teeth, [colour=#00ff00]"you still think that there's a chance of escape? Well, let me tell you something." [/colour]Lance leaned in closer until his mouth was right beside Black Powder's ear. [colour=#00ff00]"You'll be doing the gallows dance soon enough, and I'll be there. A quick word to the executioner and I can make sure your neck snaps, an instantaneous death. If you still think you're in control, then go ahead, resist me. I'll enjoy watching the life squeezed from you, the slow choking which for you, will last eternity."[/colour] Lance then drew the bayonet in a thin line across Powder's throat. [colour=#00ff00]"An eye for an eye, eh Captain?"[/colour] Lance said with a slight chuckle at his word choice. [colour=#00ff00]"Now I wasn't born yesterday. There's no way you buried anything on Mare's Mile. That place is swarming with Naval troopers after its acquisition from Griffonia. Now I will ask you one more time, or that precious other wing of yours might get some permanent nerve damage." [/colour]Lance grinned as he took a step back, holding the bayonet outwards with a smile. [colour=#00ff00]"The treasure, if you'd please."[/colour] Brass rose to his hooves with a start, his cheeks somehow getting even more flushed, as he tried to get control of his tongue and apologise. It took a good fifteen seconds before he was able to mumble an apology.[colour=#ffa500] "I'msosorry! Ididn'tseethewater!"[/colour] He spat out at an almost incomprehensible speed. He struggled to get control of his beating heart, as he listened to what Sleek had to say. [colour=#ffa500]"I'm fine! Tip-top! Absolutely peachy!"[/colour] he said with a nervous smile in response to her first question, then she asked about the barging. He stumbled through his mental dictionary to find words to put to use. [colour=#ffa500]"I... er... I..." [/colour]he stuttered when suddenly she somehow managed to look even cuter. He felt his heart almost leap out of his chest as he practically melted into her hooves. He almost missed what she said he was so out of it, then he remembered that she was actually talking and managed to just catch the end of it. [colour=#ffa500]"Food! You want food! I'm on it!"[/colour] he said with a prim salute, then he remembered she wasn't an officer, and dropped it straight away. He tried to repair it with a wave and a smile, before bolting out of there. He stalked the corridors feeling like the biggest loser to have ever Graced Celestia's Equestria. He kept his head down as he passed fellow crew members who were talking eagerly among themselves. The ship's galleys weren't far, and he quickly arrived. He knew that the typical Navy fair could do little more than bread or water, and that the Captain was the only one to have access to sweets and pastries. But he made a promise, and just picturing her fluttering her eyelids gave him the strength to break the laws a little bit. He snuck in to find the place empty. The ship's cook must still be helping with the cannons. With a quick dash he's in the captain's pantry, grabbing a few of the more luxurious items. Apple danishes, plums, a bottle of fine wine, and some lightly chargrilled hay with herb seasoning, still in a magically sealed container. He pocketed the lot, except the wine which he managed to squeeze into his sword sheath after removing the sword, and shut the cupboard. He then took back to the corridors, keeping his head low to hide his face. A few minutes later and he reenters Sleek's room. His heart is beating for a different reason this time. The thrill of theft, and not getting caught. He couldn't help but smile as he placed the foodstuffs on the bedside table, then lifted the bottle of wine out of the sheath and handed it to her too. He had no idea how good the stuff was, but if it was the captain's private stock, it couldn't be cheap. If she was observant she would notice that he had left his sword behind in the kitchen, and was now actually unarmed. [colour=#ffa500]"Here you go!"[/colour] He said excitedly.[colour=#ffa500] "The captain's finest food and drink! Just don't tell anyone that you got those items from me! And... uh.,.. maybe hide the wine once you're done with it."[/colour] ([colour=#00ff00]Sergeant Major Lance[/colour] taunts Black Powder and lightly cuts his throat in retribution for Black Powder doing it earlier. He then threatens him even more and demands to know where this treasure is. Meanwhile, [colour=#ffa500]Brass[/colour] breaks into the Captain's food stores and lifts some choice items for Sleek's dinner, somehow managing to leave his sword behind in the process.)

If it'll budge us along, I'll make a post. Although I'll have to miss out Royal Range and True Majesty until Black Mane replies. So that doesn't really help StringHeart.

Well, I can't really post until Black Mane replies.

Sergeant Major Lance was practically glowing about his new promotion as he stalked the halls. Why, the only thing that could make this day better was... maybe a little revenge. He reached up with a hoof and rubbed at the bandage wrapped around his neck. Oh, he hadn't forgotten how that pirate had marked him. And now the big, gruff captain was strapped to a bed and awaiting execution. Oh how Lance couldn't wait for a noose to be around his neck. He'd have a front row seat to that show. He arrived at the makeshift prison and waved away the guard at the door. [colour=#00ff00]"Take a break,"[/colour] he ordered. The guard complied and Lance entered the room. He trotted over to the end of the bed, a big smile on his face, and the bayonet off of his musket in his hoof. He coughed loudly to get the Captain's attention. [colour=#00ff00]"So, Captain Powder. Still feel like you're the pony in charge, eh? Going to try and make a demand of me? Go on, I dare you, let's see how far you get."[/colour] Lance strode around and sat in a chair conveniently propped beside the bed. [colour=#00ff00]"How things have changed now, eh? Not long until you do the gallows dance. What fun," [/colour]he said icily. He then lifted up the bayonet and held it up against the light shining through a porthole.[colour=#00ff00] "Now I know that pirates like you amass quite the fortune. I also know that pirates like you don't share. Now, how about you tell me where you've been stowing away your spoils, and maybe you'll make it to the noose in the same condition as you are now."[/colour] True Majesty grew tired of waiting for Black Mane, and after a few short words from a sailor or two, he found himself and Royal Range wandering into the brig. He strode on in to see Black Mane speaking with one of the imprisoned captains. Soul Flash or something like that. He'd be sure to get his name now.[colour=#ffd700] "I hope I'm not interrupting " [/colour]he said impertinently as he trotted right in between the two.[colour=#ffd700] [/colour][colour=#ffd700]"Captain Black Mane, may I remind you that the only reason you are onboard this ship is because you have information vital to the Equestrian Navy. Now if you would be so kind as to share it, then we can start on our mission, and you can belittle the prisoners as much as you want on your own personal time."[/colour] Royal Range meanwhile took great interest in the prisoner. He had never seen a pirate captain that looked quite like him. Why he looked much more like an explorer than some pirate, but the case Sergeant Major Lance made against him seemed ironclad. A shame. He then remembered the report concerning a book he refused to part with. Perhaps there was some kind of deal going on there. For now though, he and the book would be fine in their cell. Royal turned back to the bickering captains, and piped up to support Majesty.[colour=#00ffff] "In order for these pirates to go before a judge, we must first return to an Equestrian port. The closest is Baltimare, back the way we came."[/colour] A certain young pegasus guard felt his back grow tired and he sat back against the door only to cause a loud creak which made him jump back upright again. He looked around to see that nopony had noticed his brief lapse in duty, and sighed with relief when he found that was the case. At least until he heard the prisoner call out for help. He suddenly froze. He couldn't go back in there! Not after last time. The look Black Mane had given him. He shuddered at the memory. Then he heard the sound of smashing glass and suddenly images of the pretty mare throwing herself out of a window and drowning came to mind. Without hesitation, he spun around and kicked open the door, galloping in to see... that she was completely fine. He stood there for a few seconds breathing heavily, with his heart in his mouth before shutting it and trying to regain some composure. He put on an awkward smile, and turned to shut the door gently behind him, before turning back around and trotting over to her. [colour=#ffa500]Come on, Brass, you've already made a donkey of yourself, no need to make it worse.[/colour] He once again began to find himself entranced by those deep blue eyes, and he didn't notice the spilt water. A hoof came down onto the wooden floor and then flew straight back as it slipped in the liquid, and sent him flying forwards. He closed his eyes as he felt the inevitable impact coming, and he couldn't help but think about how clumsy and stupid he must appear to the mare, as he landed in a pile of limbs on top of her legs at the foot of the bed. [colour=#ffa500]Nice going, Brass.[/colour] ([colour=#00ff00]Sergeant Major Lance[/colour] gets ready to interrogate Black Powder over the possibility of buried treasure. [colour=#ffd700]True Majesty[/colour] and [colour=#00ffff]Royal Range[/colour] grow tired of waiting for[colour=#000000] [/colour]Black Mane[colour=#000000],[/colour] and burst in on his meeting with[colour=#a52a2a] Soul Flare[/colour] to demand the information. The young guard enamoured with Sleek is revealed to be named [colour=#ffa500]Brass,[/colour] and makes a real fool of himself.)

The Sergeant reached for his throat with a hoof as he felt his precious lifeblood being scattered across the deck. Just when he was about to crumble, Black Mane burst in and saved his life. He quickly regained his composure, but refused to mumble a thanks to the pirate. He and the other troopers followed their orders dutifully and escorted the prisoners and Black Mane back to the ship, leaving Black Mane's own vessel abandoned. The healthy prisoner, Soul Flare, was escorted below deck and into the cells, while Black Powder was taken into another bedroom that had been converted into a ward and a prison. There he would receive some treatment so that he wouldn't die on the trip, and made presentable for the courts, while being restrained of course. A guard was assigned to watch his room as an extra precaution. The Sergeant himself returned to meet with True Majesty and Royal Range. Royal Range sighed as he saw the Scorbuto Cane vanish into the distance. Why the captain had ordered them to stay was a mystery. The crew were bound to go and ravage somepony else. The earth pony strode over to the unicorn captain, and they both trotted below deck, and away from the crew. [colour=#00ffff]"With all due respect, sir, we could have taken that vessel."[/colour] [colour=#ffd700]"I know that, Royal, but right now there are much more pressing concerns. We would have wasted time and resources had we pursued them, for now we have a much more worthy prize. Black Mane is aboard, along with two other pirate captains. We are in the unique position of having three of them onboard at once. Two of them are set for the gallows, and I'm hoping to convince Celestia about the third, but he may get a free pass,"[/colour] the captain replied. [colour=#00ffff]"Sir, but what about their ships? Both of them are ready to sail off. Even leaderless, they still present a threat!"[/colour] [colour=#ffd700]"Look, Royal, I know you're new and excited, but we go after those ships and we could waste weeks, when we could head back right now and show these scallywags the meaning of justice. Captain Black Powder is easily worth the two vessels alone. The amount of death caused by his hooves alone. He is a catch."[/colour] [colour=#00ffff]"If you're sure, sir."[/colour] [colour=#ffd700]"Besides... we hit it with a track shot. With one of those enchanted compasses, anypony could find their ship no matter where it is. If it continues to cause trouble, then we can take care of it. Nothing can cleanse that magic aura, even if they could somehow detect it."[/colour] Before Royal Range could reply, the Sergeant trotted in and True Majesty turned to him instead.[colour=#ffd700] "Status report, Sergeant!" [/colour]The Sergeant retold the events of what happened, with a little glorification of his own actions. True Majesty nodded along and patted him on the shoulder at the end. [colour=#ffd700]"Very well done, Sergeant-Major Lance," [/colour]he responded with a big smile. [colour=#ffd700]"Now to just hear Black Mane's intelligence and then we can act."[/colour] The young pegasus trooper from earlier watched as Black Mane strode out of the room with a big smile across his muzzle. The trooper saluted as the captain passed, and then took up his assigned position of watching over the prisoner. Wouldn't that be easier from inside the room though? Why did he have to stand outside? Technically he had already breached protocol with his last visit, but then what did that big mean looking pirate want with such a sweet mare? he shook his head, it hurt to think about. No, he'd stand guard as ordered. From outside. If she wanted anything she'd have to shout... yeah, that made sense. The trooper stood dutifully outside the door and guarded. (The prisoners are escorted aboard. We learn that True Majesty has placed a powerful tracing spell aboard the Scorbuto Cane. The Sergeant is promoted to Sergeant Major and revealed to be named Lance. The officers wait for a debrief from Black Mane. The young pegasus guard is assigned to guard Sleek's room.)

Do you want us to summarise our previous posts to make it easier for you?

The Sergeant listened to Black Powder's soliloquy. He really had given up, and he sure could picture himself standing there at the trial in his snappy new dress. He was suddenly ripped out of his daydream by the sound of cannon fire in the distance. He smirked, another group of pirates were no doubt being put to the sword. He turned back when suddenly cold steel met his throat, and he held up his forehooves. The other troops all raised their muskets once more and pointed them at Black Powder. [colour=#00ff00]"Captain! If you don't want to die right here, then put down your sword!" [/colour]The Sergeant barked. Then the blade grew tighter on his throat, a bright shock of scarlet began to appear through his green coat. The Sergeant began to panic. [colour=#00ff00]"T-t-there's nothing I can do! I only command these pegasi! And the captain's onboard the ship! All killing me accomplishes is you dying here on the Celestia forsaken sea with noone to bear witness! You'll die a nobody![/colour]" he babbled. Above deck Royal Range and the other ponies saw the pegasi make it back to their vessel. They were now effectively useless, unless True Majesty gave them the order to pursue. However, True Majesty was hesitant to order a pursuing action. These pirates were a paltry prize compared to what he could get from Black Mane... but he couldn't very well let them escape. He trotted over to one of the cannoneers. [colour=#daa520]"Load the track shot, and don't miss," [/colour]he said succinctly. The unicorn loader saluted dutifully before scurrying below deck to return with a different cannonball. Unlike the others it had a sort of green glow to it. The unicorn hurriedly loaded it into the cannon, and lit his horn as he triangulated the target and sent it blasting. (The Sergeant is taken captive by Black Powder, but insists he can't give him what he wants. True Majesty authorises the use of a special magica cannonball, a track shot.)

Royal Range lowered the loud hailer and attached it to a loop on his belt. Everything had gone silent, but that certain tense silence that only came before a storm. He pulled out his carbine and pointed it straight ahead. He turned to the left to see the same determined look written across all of the soldier's faces. Not just anypony was assigned to the Alicorn, and every single one of these ponies had earned their place. It was an honour to serve under True Majesty, but as True Majesty often said it was an honour to have them serving him. Their eyes were all locked forwards, their muskets poised. The cannoneers were also right and ready, but discipline was a bit scarcer in the navy. Some of them shook a little. All was quiet however. At least until a force of Pegasi came tearing across the sky, shouting obscenities. It didn't take an officer to realise these were pirates, and they were spoiling for a fight. A variety of crude blades and other weapons graced their hooves.[colour=#00ffff] "Line Formation! Present Arms!" [/colour]Royal Range bellowed as he too rose his carbine. As a single unit, every musketeer raised their rifles. The cannonballs were too precious to waste firing a volley at something the army should be able to deal with. Those warning shots alone were hundreds of bits thrown into the ocean. There was one principle that was drilled into every soldier given a musket. The golden rule. Not to fire until ordered to, so every pony held their fire. Royal Range stuck to the age old adage: Not to fire until you see the whites of the enemy's eyes, and at the speed they were bearing down on them, that would be any second. Just as he was about to give the order, the pegasi all turned mid-air, and began to fall back to their ship. Royal Range gave the order to fire anyway, and the guns all went off in a line, throwing their small payloads at the fleeing pegasi, but due to their speed and distance, a lot of the shots went way off course. The ship in the distance suddenly began to move, and Royal Range bellowed to the cannons below to open fire. They couldn't let this ship escape, not now that they were so close. All the cannons on the deck roared out with their special supersonic magic shots, flying at the Scorbuto Cane as it began to float away. The Sergeant pulled his hoof against the trigger threateningly, locking eyes with the zebra.[colour=#00ff00] "Pirates or no pirates, you just assaulted an ally of the Equestrian Navy. You can present your plea before the judge,"[/colour] he spat. When the griffon flexed his talons, the large trooper lunged forwards and held the bayonet against the griffon's throat. He growled menacingly as he did so, a rough smile forming across his face and accentuating a long scar that crossed over his mouth. The Sergeant stopped and turned his head to hear Soul Flair's offer. He listened intently, then Black Powder suddenly appeared to and all the soldiers raised their muskets... only to lower them again when they heard his conflicting offer. Now a new dilemma had presented himself, and something else the Sergeant definitely hadn't prepared for. His only job was to assist Black Mane and bring him back alive. Now he had two captains surrendering to him with conflicting conditions. What one of them said was true though, his crew were small fry compared to the captain himself. And just imagine the prizes he would get if he could bring both captains aboard! He could be promoted! The Sergeant lowered his musket, and nodded at the large trooper to do the same. [colour=#00ff00]"Well, it seems your captains most impassioned speech has moved us,"[/colour] he said with a genuine smile. [colour=#00ff00]"You two are free to return to your vessel, and I suggest you do so with haste,"[/colour] he said to the Griffon and the Zebra. With a curt nod he turned and trotted over to where the two captains had now both issued formal surrenders. The large trooper however kept his eyes fixed on the two and made sure they were leaving. The Sergeant saw that Black Powder's bright spark behind his eyes had extinguished. He really had given up, and he was a much bigger prize. However, he also had no leverage. Since Soul Flair's crew had left, there was quite simply no way possible for them to escape, especially with him injured as he was. Two captains was an almost assured promotion... but if Soul Flair destroyed that book, and if it was as important as he said it was, he'd be lucky to get away with a career.[colour=#00ff00] "I have a new proposition. Your crew have been released as a gesture of goodwill. Now if you hand over that book, then I can let you go as well, and Black Powder here will be taken before a tribunal and executed."[/colour] The Sergeant held out a hoof for Soul to place it in. After watching a very angry Lavender barge out of the room, the pegasus soldier who had flown Sleek back to the ship knocked on the door.[colour=#ffa500] "Is everything quite alright in there?" [/colour]he asked, his voice softer than most of the troopers, and a little more hesitant. He checked his orange coat and black mane quickly, making sure he looked smart and presentable, before then entering the room and closing the door behind him. He trotted slowly over to the bed to see she was not looking good at all.[colour=#ffa500] "Are you quite alright?"[/colour] he said in the same soft voice as he checked over her visible wounds, and then laid eyes on her face. Her sparkling blue eyes shone the same colour as the sea, pulling in his own purple eyes and trapping them in their briny depths. He realised with a start how long he'd been gazing at her face, and took a step backwards with a crimson flush of his cheeks. He quickly babbled the first thing that came into his mind, [colour=#ffa500]"S-s-so you're a-a-a pirate?"[/colour] (The Alicorn is charged by pirates who suddenly withdraw. The Alicorn then opens fire on the Scorbuto. The Sergeant lets Soul Flare's crew leave, but take the captain, along with a returning Black Powder, into custody. The Sergeant asks for the book. Meanwhile one of the pegasi who escorted Sleek back to the Alicorn has taken a shining to her, and shows some concern for the injured mare.)

The Griffon and the Zebra each found themselves up against a well armed, well drilled member of the Equestrian Navy's finest. The Sergeant took the Zebra, while the leargest trooper took the Griffon. Both ponies stood proud and tall, muskets loaded with one shot, and bayonets fixed ready to stab if need be. The sergeant spoke for both himself and the other trooper. [colour=#00ff00]"Lay down your weapons, and put your hooves or talons in the air. You are both being arrested on suspicion of piracy pending a sentence from a tribunal," [/colour]he said curtly as he brandished his musket. Meanwhile the eight pegasi followed Black Mane's orders and surrounded the intruders. The bayonets on their muskets on their bayonets pointed straight for the prisoner's stomachs. And that's not mentioning the fact the muskets were loaded. One captain seemed to back down, but the other captain played out a desperate gambit. The eight pegasi assigned to his detainment saw the wild look in his eyes and pointed their muskets ready to fire when the entire deck shook with a explosion and threw them off of their hooves. By the time they'd recovered the pegasus was flying into the distance. They spun back around and tried to catch sight of the other captain. The HMS Alicorn was ready and waiting in battle positions, poised to open fire at a moment's notice, but that moment didn't come. Not a peep was heard from the opposing ship. The pirates had all vanished from the deck, and the Scorbuto Cane looked like it might have already been abandoned. Royal Range had seen this trick a million times before though. He motioned to the two cannons closest to open fire near the ship and they did so. The cannons barely made a whisper as the unicorns covered them in their bright blue glow and caused special compounds in the magical powder to fire the lightweight but amazingly sturdy ball at super sonic speeds. The shots smashed into the water with such force that they caused a massive ripple effect and large waves buffeted the two ships, as well as any pony unfortunate enough to still be in the open ocean. Royal Range rose the loud hailer again.[colour=#00ffff] "We will not be ignored! Those were just warning shots. If you do not offer your surrender immediately, then these cannonballs will be tearing through your decks. You are all to stand on deck, toss your weapons overboard, and fly the white flag. Then we can talk about your future. Any pirate who refuses to comply with this, or opens fire on us, will be immediately charged with piracy and executed by musket. If any of the cannons onboard your ship are fired, then we will return fire with all of our batteries. So play this smart, and surrender!"[/colour] He bellowed through the device. The ponies all around him still stood, cannons ready to fire, and muskets loaded and ready to go. (The Navy apprehend Soul Flare and his crew, but the slippery Captain Black Powder escapes back to his ship. Meanwhile the HMS Alicorn fires warning shots at the Cane and awaits a response.)

(Sorry. I'm at university now, so it's a bit more difficult to find time for posts.) Royal Range couldn't make heads or tails of what was happening aboard Black Mane's ship. It seemed like every pirate was against every other pirate. This was going to be just too easy. While two particularly exuberant fighters seemed to be fighting to the death, the Alicorn arrived onto the scene properly to see that Black Mane's ship had been overrun, but the captain was still somehow holding his own against the attackers. True Majesty turned to Royal Range and issued some more orders. [colour=#daa520]"Royal, order the pegasi to get in there and assist the captain. If his ship is lost, then tell them to bring him back here. The rest of the crew should bring us around and we can open fire on that vessel boarding Black Mane's. Even these minor captains are a prize."[/colour] He then picked up a spyglass and peered at the decks of the closest vessel, the Scorbuto Cane and noticed that there were still quite a few pirates onboard. Still, the Alicorn was one of the finest ships in the navy, he was sure he could handle them with ease. Royal Range meanwhile strode up to the bannister and shouted over to the scurrying ponies below, [colour=#00ffff]"Attention! All naval pegasi are required to grab a musket and fly over to Black Mane's vessel. It is of the utmost importance that he survives this, his ship is secondary. All other ponies not graced with wings are to bring us about, so that we can open fire on the closes pirate vessel. The captain's left it a sitting duck."[/colour] As soon as he finished a chorus of "Yes, Sir!" rang out from below as ponies rushed to carry about the orders. Within a minute a well drilled wing of eighteen pegasi armed with muskets and affixed bayonets had assembled on deck. With a look to the captain, who nodded in return, the wing took off and flew towards the opposing ship. Meanwhile the ship made a turn to starboard, and brought it's cannons to bear against the opposing ship. Royal Range strode down the main deck now as pony rushed to prepare the cannons with powder and enchanted shot. The cannonballs themselves had to be loaded by unicorns thanks to their enchantments, so a steadily increasing number of earth ponies had nothing to do. Royal continued his stride as he began to bellow,[colour=#00ffff] "Prepare the muskets! Form up on the port side, and prepare to open fire!"[/colour] As soon as he finished shouting, the spare soldiers on board quickly grabbed their muskets and rushed to the side. Meanwhile some sailors prepared more muskets as they took the job of loaders to keep the real soldiers supplied. Royal himself pulled out and loaded his carbine musket, essentially a musket with a specially shortened barrel. Despite the shorter barrel reducing accuracy, Range had trained it with it so much he could actually compensate, and instead enjoyed it's faster reload and easier handling. The Alicorn pulled up alongside the Scorbuto with its cannons ready to fire and a large compliment of armed soldiers on deck in their glistening alabaster uniforms with muskets poised. Royal once again brought up the magical loud hailer.[colour=#00ffff] "In the names of Celestia and Luna, we order you to surrender and face your crimes before the court of Equestria. Any acts of aggression will be returned ten fold. Any pony who does not surrender right now, will be charged with piracy on the spot and sentenced to summary execution."[/colour] Meanwhile the wing of pegasi landed on the deck of Black Mane's ship with their muskets drawn and ready to fire. None of the pegasi had any idea which pirate was working for who, so the only course of action seemed to be to appeal to the captain, and hope he could mark out their targets. [colour=#00ff00]"Captain Black Mane!"[/colour] The sergeant, a green pegasus with a slightly larger hat than his comrades, shouted.[colour=#006400] [/colour][colour=#00ff00]"We are here to assist you against these buccaneers!"[/colour][colour=#006400] [/colour]The sergeant saluted briefly then brought his own musket back up, waiting for some indication of who to fire at. (The Alicorn engages the Scorbuto Cane and Royal Range demands the surrender of the crew. Meanwhile a detachment of 18 Pegasi fly over to Black Mane's ship armed with muskets to help Black Mane fend off the enemy.)

(Sorry about taking so long, but I had a lot on my plate. Now The HMS Alicorn is ready and at your service.) After a long delayed launch, the HMS Alicorn was finally patched up and resupplied after ending the reign of terror of Captain Powder Keg off the Equestrian coast. It had been a hard battle, but the staunch ponies of the Equestrian Navy had won out, mostly due to the brilliant tactics and unflinching will of the Ship Master, True Majesty. After such a battle though the ship had needed repairs, but it was now once again flying across the waves in search of pirates. Supposedly a legal pirate in the area by the name of Black Mane would meet them at Colt's Cove, and direct them to the hideout of the dreaded Captain Roaring Flame, a pirate who had evaded the navy for too long without facing the gallows. The Alicorn glided through the waves at a speed only possible thanks to its magical imbued sails and the fact it was made out of whispering oak, a rare tree known for its lightness. A mix of seamen and soldiers patrolled the decks. Thanks to its status, the ship always carried some professional soldiers aboard to support the seamen. Armed with muskets and bayonets, the troops were the best defence against boarders. At the back of a ship a pony manned the helm, and stood behind him was First Mate Royal Range along with Captain True Majesty himself. Both were dressed in the white uniform of the Equestrian Navy, but there was no question who was in charge, as gold medals and a flamboyant hat graced True Majesty. The unicorn captain stood and looked down upon his crew who rushed around to help maintain the speed. His rich golden fur blew with the breeze and his deep blue eyes penetrated all those he gazed upon. Royal Range coughed politely and the captain turned to him. Royal Range brought his vivid green orbs to meet the captains.[colour=#00ffff] "Sir, the headwind will only take us so far. Colt's Cove is due North. We're going to have to..."[/colour] he began, waving one of his pale blue hooves as he spoke. A sudden voice interrupted his speech.[colour=#ff0000] "Captain! There's a naval battle going on up ahead! I see.... Pirates! And one of the ships looks like Black Mane's. Sir! Our informant is being attacked by a flotilla of pirate ships! Due North-West."[/colour] True Majesty nodded once as he heard the news. As much as he'd love to let another pirate fall prey to their own kind, this particular one had vital information that would help bring one of the greatest criminals to sail the sea to justice. He turned to Royal and said,[colour=#daa520] "Order the ponies to prepare for combat."[/colour] Royal Range nodded, cleared his throat, and bellowed with his strong earth pony lungs, [colour=#00ffff]"Set sail to half-sail! Open up the gunwales! Load the cannons! Prepare the muskets! We're entering a fight between a legal pirate, and some buccaneers. Stay sharp, and make sure to stay in control!" [/colour]The troops instantly obeyed as they galloped around the ship to carry out the orders. The helmspony in front turned them North-West, and they bore straight towards the besieged ship. As they grew closer, Royal lifted up a magically enhanced loud hailer and bellowed into it. [colour=#00ffff]"All enemies of the Sovereign Nation of Equestria are ordered to surrender immediately or face summary execution!"[/colour] (The Alicorn arrives on scene and we meet Captain True Majesty, and First Mate Royal Range. We then learn of their alliance with Black Mane, and the Alicorn sails over to help Black Mane defend his ship from being attacked on both sides.)

Status: Legend Begins (for him) Legend Continues (for the ship) Name: Royal Range Sex: Male Age: Stallion Species: Earth Pony Eye Colour: Vivid Green Coat Colour: Pale Blue Mane and Tail: Both are blonde, cut short and well-kempt. Appearance: Royal Range wears the coats with tails of the traditional naval officer in a bright white, like many in the Equestrian Navy. He always stands straight, and pays meticulous attention to his looks. No errant hair out of place, no marks on his uniform and certainly no stains on his coat. A sword that is mostly for show sits on his hip, while on his back he carries his weapon a choice, a flintlock carbine. Cutiemark: A flintlock musket in the process of being loaded. Ship: The HMS Alicorn is the pride of the Equestrian Navy, and the charge of the renowned Pirate Hunter, Ship Master True Majesty. She is a large frigate that has had its tonnage specially reduced so it can keep up with lighter, more agile ships. Her design was the work of the brilliant pegasus master shipbuilder, Wind Wolff, and constructed at the famous earth pony shipyards of Baltimare, with help of several of Equestria's greatest mages.This experimental design proved too costly to mass produce, so the Alicorn is the only one of her kind. A true blend of earth pony craftsmanship, pegasus design, and unicorn magic. As a side effect of her design, the 28 cannons on her top deck are constructed out of a magical alloy, and the cannonballs are specially constructed in a workshop in Baltimare. This means she can only be resupplied with ammunition in Baltimare harbour. Fighting Style: There's only one class Range flunked, and that was hoof to hoof combat. He is quick at loading and accurate with a musket or pistol, and will try his best to keep out of a mêlée, but if he gets caught, then he'll stay mostly defensive, and hope that somepony on his crew might get him out of it. He wields a flintlock musket carbine, a specially shortened rifle that affords him a bit more mobility and faster reloading than the average musket. A gift from his uncle. History: Royal Range comes from a family who has served in the Equestrian Navy for the past six generations. As such he knew from birth that he would be a seapony, and couldn't wait to grow up and experience it. He has a somewhat naive thirst for adventure, considering his grooming, and is a glory seeker, eager to prove himself to his father, who happens to be Lord High Admiral. One day he hopes for his own charge, but he has a deep respect for Ship Master True Majesty. Personality: On the outside he is prim and proper, formal to a fault. His upper class upbringing has made him a little indifferent to the plight of the common sailor, but his youth means he gets on quite well with a few of the other newbies. Likes to take chances, and is unafraid to get stuck in, but his lack of experience and ability leaves him on the rear lines. Is quick witted and intelligent, as well as unafraid to break protocol if it means a pony's life. Qualities that True Majesty respects and understands. (I hope you don't mind me rping as a Naval Officer. Also could I technically rp as the captain as well? Just that he isn't the focus of the narrative, but I'd prefer to retain control of the ship.)

Going to post here and say I'm still up for this if everypony else is. It looked like a pretty good idea, and I'm glad it's being reconsidered.

(Sorry about taking so long to post.) Clear Skies looked at the massive queue in front of him, and cast one more forlorn look to the group of his old friends busy talking to each other. These new guys all needed keys though, and that was his job. He decided to try and get this done with as quickly as possible. He turned to the queue and called to them. "Okay everypony. If you want keys then just tell me which type of room you're after. The paperwork is just a formality. I'll make sure to chase you up later. If all of you don't mind. For now." He trotted around to behind the desk and unlocked a door which swung open to reveal a load of keys on hooks. "Pick any of them that you'd like, and I'll have a staff member escort you to your new rooms." Meanwhile Watcher nodded at Chrysalis and trotted over to the building when he saw everypony gathered at the main entrance talking frantically. Part of him wanted to run forwards and immerse himself in with the group, but he had much more interesting stuff to do. Or so he convinced himself. As much as he wanted to meet them all, he didn't need the attention right now, and they'd all be discussing such inane things. Instead he turned abruptly back around and trotted around the building. Looking for the back entrance.

"No need to be worried, there!" Clear shouted in a friendly voice. "My name's Clear Skies, and I run these Condominiums. If you're wanting a room just sign onto the document which I'm sure my lovely secretary Snowy here can provide," Clear said as he nodded his head to Snowy. "So, if you don't mind me asking, what's your name? It's my job here to make sure everypony is comfortable, and the first step towards that is being on a first name basis with everypony! So, don't be afraid to call me Clear," he continued in his friendly, but rather showy tone that he always used when first meeting ponies. It was all part of a routine he had worked out a long time ago, and now stuck to rigorously. Too many ponies coming through for him to spend enough time to tailor his greetings like he used to.

Clear Skies saw all of his old friends mobbing together at the entrance, and was about to bound off to join them when he suddenly spotted a new customer. He had to keep up his professional appearance, at least for now, so he trotted over to the pony talking to Snowy. "Hello there and welcome to the Grey Area Condominiums," he said in a practised and grand tone. "Did my ears fail me, or are you in need of a room?"

Watcher smiled at Chrysalis. "I've been great. Ever since I retired as a security guard, I've been feeling a little bit misplaced, but now... now I feel great! It's this fitness regime I've gotten myself into, I swear, it works wonders. I'm never inactive, and Clear and Guardian both need me on hoof. They're good, don't get me wrong, but every so often they need a little nudge. My life isn't interesting though, but I'm sure yours is. How's the family? I'm sure being king is interesting? (OOC: Waiting for Snowy to reply before I approach Shame..."

Clear Skies trotted out of his brand new office on the bottom floor, and past a couple of ponies trotting off to some room. He gave a polite nod and smile as he passed. Business was booming now. Almost every room was full, and Clear had a full staff of ponies working at all times. He still made a point of sticking to the values that he had learnt from Grey though, and insisted on greeting everypony who came through those double doors, and committing their names to memory. Although technically he was the manager of these condominiums, almost all of his work was delegated down the chain, though he tried to do his fair share. It's just paperwork was not his forte. At all. Thanks to his dyslexia. He had been so surprised when Grey Matter had approached him and offered him the job as manager. He had served his best as security for a time, before his promotion to head of daytime security, and then general security after Watcher had stepped down. Now security was under the ever watchful eye of Guardian, although Clear liked to check up on him every so often. Although security had never really been an issue. All the ponies here were so peaceful, and everything so ordered. Sometimes he missed the tumultuous times that he had had with his old friends. Ah, well. He had a job to do. He headed over to the secretary's desk and smiled warmly at a familiar blue pegasus. "Morning, Snowy. Any new arrivals today?" he asked with a chipper smile. It was hard to keep track of everypony, but Snowy somehow still managed, despite being pregnant. Watcher was doing his morning gallop. It paid to stay healthy. Despite now being retired, he had actually started to open up to life a lot more. He still regarded his life on the service as time well spent serving the greatest country on the planet, but he was more open to other ideas and philosophies. Heck, he'd even made things up with Chrysalis after her attack on Canterlot all that time ago. He was still a pony of routine though. And it was almost time for breakfast. Time to get back. Watcher turned and started to canter back when he spotted a familiar face up ahead. "Hey there, Chrysalis. Good to see you. Taking a walk?" He asked, not aware of the younger changeling flying around their heads.

Attention, everypony. We are going to be holding classes in four separate threads. Each thread will be moderated by a GM, who in turn plays two teachers each. We have scheduled the day though, so that each GM has only one teacher active at a time, so that the thread is only being used by one class at any given time. We will also be having a break between period two and three that will be lunch. That will take place in the Breaks and House Chat thread. Please head to these threads to start up your day: Flight: http://www.canterlot.com/topic/11074-hoofington-high-flight-and-magic-private/ Art: http://www.canterlot.com/topic/11072-hoofington-high-arts-and-history-class-private/ Science: http://www.canterlot.com/topic/11075-hoofington-high-science-pe-and-games-private/ Maths: http://www.canterlot.com/topic/11073-hoofington-high-math-and-alchemyprivate/

Yeah... sorry about that wasn't 100%. The change has been made now though, Thyme has PE second period instead of magic.