LotPP! The Legends Continue!

[Talex]

Link to the 10th page of OOC

3 weeks have passed since we we left off....

...But the Legends have not come to a close!

[StringHeart1257]

The wind was strong and the day was young, nary a cloud in the sky and plenty of fish in the sea. It was a good day to sail...a great day for adventure.

and a horrible day to be locked up in a cell.

[colour=#b22222]Yaaaaaaaaawn~~ [/colour]the sound of a bored out of his mind unicorn stallion echoed through the halls of the HMS Alicorn's lower deck. it's source was a red unicorn by the name of soul flare, arrested almost three weeks ago.

Soul let out another yawn and stretched, his chains rattling as he moved. [colour=#b22222]"three whole....flippin' weeks"[/colour] he grumbled with a groan, how long till they got to a port with a ship he could steal? the adventure loving stallion was growing more impatient each day.

his only entertainment was his book, the passing scenery, and what ever navy officer happened to take the time to talk to him. as the only one in the hold who hadn't tried to escape (or add to the body count) three weeks ago, he wasn't treated too coldly, but he wasn't getting the royal treatment either.

Soul flare sighed and flipped through his book, finding a page that appeared to make hims smile a little. The stallion then glanced up at his cell door, wondering who would grace him with their presence today.

[chardude]

Powder bumped open the door to Souls room, in the time since he was captured he was now the first mate of Black Mane. As such he was no longer a prisoner.[colour=#000080] "Ello once again soul."[/colour] Started the pegasus with a plate of food on his flank, [colour=#000080]"Lunch time buddy."[/colour] Black Powder slid the food into the unicorns cell before sitting down next to the door with some rum and a sweet roll for himself.

[colour=#000080]"Three weeks, can you believe it? a busted wing, new hair cut... your horns healing nicely." [/colour]Powder chuckled to himself, in the three weeks passed Powder has regularly brought soul food. sitting down with him when he had the free time to chat.

[colour=#000080]"Never thought i would be a navy dog once again..." [/colour]Powder said with a bite of his sweet roll, looking a bit depressed. [colour=#000080]"how's life in the cell been soul?"[/colour]

[StringHeart1257]

Soul casually takes his plate and looks it over. [colour=#b22222]'not bad'[/colour] he thinks [colour=#b22222]'but Zou is still a better cook [/colour]'. he then looks over at the door and replies to Powder, "[colour=#b22222]not too bad",[/colour] the unicorn smirks [colour=#b22222]"I've had time to catch up on my reading. and that's always a plus."[/colour]

Soul flare slowly ate his food, not in much of a hurry, since he wasn't planning to escape yet.[colour=#b22222] "it would be healed by now if i was still with my zebra friend."[/colour] he says with a smile [colour=#b22222]"i can't really test it out in this room though"[/colour]. soul chuckled as he touched his horn "[colour=#b22222]hows your wing doing?"[/colour] he asked.

[chardude]

[colour=#000080]"Still missing a few feathers," [/colour]Powder stated stretching out his damaged wing. [colour=#000080]"it stings when i fly and its not as strong as it use to be, but at least I'm not grounded." [/colour]Taking a swig of rum Powder looked over at the book,[colour=#000080] "Is the book that long? I mean, you've been reading the same thing for about a month." [/colour]Power handed Soul the cup of rum, [colour=#000080]"want some? i know im not supposed to but its got to be boring as all buck in there."[/colour]

[StringHeart1257]

Soul smiled, waving his hoof slowly "[colour=#b22222]no thanks, mate. Never touch the stuff."[/colour] he turned back to his plate and finished eating. [colour=#b22222]"but your right about it being boring, i might start going a little bonkers if i on't get some action soon".[/colour]

the red unicorn snickers [colour=#b22222]"but i'll just have to drink my fill of adventure then next time we make port." [/colour]he glanced at powder[colour=#b22222] "unless you can put in a good word for me to that royal range guy."[/colour]

[Cainiam]

Acting Captain Royal Range was up on the hastily repaired deck of the HMS Alicorn. He had yet to adapt his uniform to show it though, and still wore the same naval uniform as he wore three weeks ago. The entire ship could do with more work, but the crew had done their best all things considered. As soon as they arrived in Baltimare harbour he would put in a requisition for official repairs. Until then the crew just had to be careful, and the two missing armaments and the deceased crew members did little but exacerbate the problem. Still the ship was running at around 90% efficiency, or at least it would be if moral wasn't at an all time low. The loss of Captain True Majesty had hit all the crew hard, especially the veterans. If Black Mane hadn't taken the handle for those few precious days, it would have been doubtful they ever would have made it to Colt's Cove where they had shored up for the past two weeks while repairs were under way.

Royal lifted up Majesty's old spyglass to his eye as he surveyed the open ocean. At his side was acting first mate, navigator and chief medical officer, the multi-talented Chiron Crux. The impatient scholar was not best pleased about his new profession. He preferred to stay in his cabin with all of his books and studies, but his unwelcome promotion had brought him out into the open. The dark purple unicorn adjusted his spectacles. [colour=#800080]"We won't see another landmass for a good six hours,"[/colour] he said with thinly veiled anger at being second-guessed.

[colour=#00ffff]"I'm aware of that, Chi,"[/colour] Royal replied. He grinned a little as he saw Chiron's teeth grit slightly at the nickname he had given him. "[colour=#00ffff]The ship is running at full speed, everyponies in place, there isn't much else to do."[/colour]

[colour=#800080]"Then perhaps we should return to our cabins? Invest our time in doing something useful."[/colour]

[colour=#00ffff]"We need to keep in sight, Chi. Moral is still pretty low. As long as we're in plain view and look like we're occupied, the others are going to work harder. Besides we'll be in Baltimare soon. The ship'll get a new captain and you can barricade yourself back in your cabin again." [/colour]Chiron's eyes narrowed again, but before he could offer his rebuttal the sound of somepony clearing their throat had the two of them wheel around to see none other than Sergeant Major Lance. The pony had settled into his role as commander of the army complement with gusto. The officer had made some big changes in staffing, some of which were rather unwelcome. He'd replaced a lot of the officers with troopers he deemed more qualified. Needless to say he wasn't a hit with the men, although they still followed their orders to a tee. The few who didn't agree jumped ship at Colt's Cove, as well as a certain orange earth pony trooper.

[colour=#00ff00]"I have a request, Acting Captain,"[/colour] Lance said with extra emphasis on the "acting".

[colour=#00ffff]"Speak," [/colour]Royal replied in the same tired tone he always adopted when talking to Lance.

[colour=#00ff00]"Black Powder has once again been sighted on our vessel. That sorry excuse for a pony deserves the noose. I understand that he is now part of Black Mane's crew, but that does not exempt him from his crimes!"[/colour]

Royal sighed loudly as Lance started up the same rant he always seemed to do. [colour=#00ffff]"We've been over this, Sergeant. Black Mane has taken him on as first mate. That means he is also a legal pirate now. Not to mention that Black Mane has personally vouched for him. As long as he has Black Mane's protection, then he is exempt from all previous crimes. There's no way around it. It's a loophole that they've exploited. So please, for the love of Celestia, stop asking!"[/colour]

Lance bristled at the comment, but saluted anyway. [colour=#00ff00]"Understood, Acting Captain." [/colour]He then turned away and trotted back down below deck.

Royal turned to Chiron and said,[colour=#00ffff] "Suppose we'd best go see what Black Powder's doing." [/colour]He attached Majesty's spyglass to a space on his belt and headed for the entrance to the lower decks.

Chiron followed closely behind. [colour=#800080]"He'll be talking to Soul Flare again. It was his lunch time, and you know how Powder likes to deliver it."[/colour]

A pair of sailors passed up and through the doorway with a quick salute at the captain as they passed. Royal responded with a brief nod to each before heading down the stairway and into the lower decks. He heard Chiron's voice speak up behind him. [colour=#800080]"I don't know what to think about the two of them socialising so much. After how Black Powder broke out and his lack of respect for the Navy leads me to assume it can't be anything good for us."[/colour]

Royal snorted with a brief laugh. [colour=#00ffff]"They're both adventurers on the high seas, they have plenty of other stuff to talk about."[/colour]

[colour=#800080]"Like that mysterious book of his."[/colour]

[colour=#00ffff]"For one." [/colour]The pair then rounded a corner and past a pair of saluting guards to what would be the brig. Sure enough Black Powder and Soul Flair were talking to each other. Royal caught the tail end of the conversation.[colour=#00ffff] "I hope we're not planning on jumping ship," [/colour]he said as he stopped right next to Black Powder. [colour=#00ffff]"Because if that were the case then all the good words in the world wouldn't put you back in my good graces."[/colour]

[StringHeart1257]

Soul flare smiled brightly[colour=#b22222] "no worries captain, i'll stick around for a while."[/colour] the unicorn chuckled slightly [colour=#b22222]"If i made a break for it now, there would be no one around to keep black powder and you ever faithful guards company." [/colour]

Soul then took a deep breath and changed his tone. he spoke with authentic sincerity when he said [colour=#b22222]"and while i know it's a little late, I never really did get the chance to give my condolences for your captains passing. so i'm glad i can say it to you directly, instead of asking to have the message passed on".[/colour] soul smiled [colour=#b22222]"i didn't know him, but from what i could tell he was a great stallion and captain... if not a bit up tight" [/colour]soul attempted to say the latter part of his speech quietly.

The red stallion unicorn looked in Chiron Crux's direction, [colour=#b22222]"so what brings you and your friend here down to our humble little hold." [/colour] soul snickered slightly and look back at the captain[colour=#b22222] "well, i guess it's yours, and i'm just renting it for a bit~."[/colour]

[chardude]

Black Powder took the last bite of his sweet roll,[colour=#000080] "There probably checking on us."[/colour] he stated with his mouth full. He sipped his last bit of rum and said,[colour=#000080] "They like to do that, they don't exactly trust me yet. i explained at colts cove that i was done with the hole, 'Kill and take' part of the pirate life... still like the taking part, but i wont take anything here."[/colour] Powder said with a chuckle, [colour=#000080]"Any ways i was thinking of doing some fishing on the upper deck, catch some dinner and what not."[/colour] Powder grabbed his tray and started to walk away, [colour=#000080]"Unless you need me for something else... cap'in" [/colour]

[Cainiam]

[colour=#00ffff]"You may leave, Powder."[/colour] Royal said to Powder before trotting forwards then suddenly stopping again. [colour=#00ffff]"Oh, and If I were you though then I'd keep away from the soldiers. A few of them have been baying for your blood lately, and with Lance in command I'm afraid he handles discipline among the troops."[/colour]

Royal Range then turned to Soul and grinned back at Soul's response, but his grin was quickly replaced when a pang of sadness hit him about True Majesty. [colour=#00ffff]"He was a great stallion, and he'll be missed by every Celestia serving sailor on this ship. His absence leaves a hole that I have no chance of filling in. Thank you for your kind words,"[/colour] Royal said with a solemn nod.

Chiron, noticing that Royal was about to do one of his self-introspection things that he did whenever True Majesty was brought into the conversation, shuffled forwards to answer his question. [colour=#800080]"We are on course for Baltimare harbour, and will be arriving before day's end. Just before we left Colt's Cove we received a message saying that some representatives from the academy will be waiting to receive you in Baltimare. They have agreed not to press charges, so you won't be going before a court, don't worry. They just want to speak with you about the book, then you should be on your way."[/colour]

[Shame]

Red casually whistles a tune, holding his wheel steady as the iron behemoth cuts through the ocean like a knife through butter. Everything was finally going according to plan, nothing was a match for him anymore, he was unstoppable. His hubris was not without reason. Sure, the Tsar Pushka was gone, but in it's place, he had the greatest ship to ever sail the seven seas. He grinned as the wind caught the sails and brought the ship just barely out of the water. Oh the power...

"Telesny (Corporal), to quarterdeck!" He calls out, drawing the attention of a rather small pegasus, who flies up to the quarter deck and bows to the captain.

"[colour=#0000cd]Yes captain, what is it?[/colour]"

"Head below deck and report back with the status of the engines... I am unimpressed with their performance..."

"[colour=#0000cd]Yes ser![/colour]" He quickly jumps the railing and glides to the closest hatch, climbing down below deck.

Midst the movement of burly pegasi moving gunpowder barrels and rope, he manages his way to another hatch, lowering down to the engine room where he is immediately struck with an oppressive heat. He climbs down the ladder into the center of the room where his is met with a... Disturbing sight.

None on the ship had been to the boiler room, this was obvious, otherwise there would be discussion... 4 unicorns stood in bracing positions, chained by their necks to a massive engine. Their horns glowing bright white light, connecting to a massive amorphous blob of red. It spins and strikes the walls of the engine violently, turning a massive iron poll in the center, probably turning the propellers. Another two unicorns appear to work on fuel, one chops logs while the other forces the wood into the blob, which apparently consumes it. The unicorns all appear malnourished, all are chained down and look like they haven't slept in days, the conditions were... Revolting.

A pegasus sat, napping on a stool near by, propped against a wall. He had a whip around his belt and appeared very 'gluttonous'. The corporal made his way over and nudged the pony a few times, bringing him back to consciousness.

"Hu-Wha?" He looks around, finally looking down to the corporal. "What the hell do you want?"

"[colour=#0000cd]Captain sent me down to find the problem with the engines...[/colour]" He looks over to the unicorns. "[colour=#0000cd]I think I found it...[/colour]"

"What? Oh, them? Naw, they just haven't been given proper motivation in a while, is all! Watch." He stands up, cracking a few joints before drawing his whip, he steps forward and he cracks it behind them. Startled, the unicorns send a massive pulse of energy into the engines, kicking the boat forward. It is followed by a steadier beam of a higher power. The pegasus sighs contently and sheathes his weapon. "See? Easy as pie."

The corporal steps back, horrified at what he is seeing. He turns and flies back up the ladder, feeling no need to return to the captain, as he will no doubt notice the results. Instead, the corporal returns to his post, controlling the upper deck. Yet he is unable to ignore the digging feeling that he has a part of such an awful thing.

[StringHeart1257]

Soul flare put a hoof to his chin and thought for a moment[colour=#b22222] "well that makes things a tad more difficult"[/colour] he mumbled to himself, thinking [colour=#b22222]'is it really worth the risk? maybe it can wait...'[/colour]

The unicorn groaned softly [colour=#b22222]'no it can't...'[/colour] He looked obviously un-amused with the news, [colour=#b22222]"I should have expected a welcome committee”[/colour] soul said out loud[colour=#B22222] “but I can work with that, I’m curious who they’ll send”[/colour]. He smiled towards royal and chi, [colour=#b22222]“Thanks for the heads up my bespectacled friend.[/colour]"

The red unicorn flipped open his book for a moment and flipped through it, appearing to be reviewing something in it[colour=#b22222] “uh-huh”[/colour] he said with a nod before closing it. Soul then looked at them once more and said[colour=#b22222] “I look forward to when we make port. Especially now that I don’t have to go to some silly little court”[/colour]

[korok132]

Coltuga. The largest pirate haven and the only truly "neutral" territory on the seas. So long as you didn't mind the whole "hive of scum and villainy" part of it.

It was also one of Roaring Flame's favorite ports to sail to. Willing recruits, cheap booze, and interesting company, Coltuga had it all.

[colour=#006400]"Sir, you can't be serious. Coltuga?"[/colour] His first mate, Wild Winds, a dependable green pegasus who's judgement Flame trusted wholeheartedly. Usually [colour=#006400]"You know, the place that almost tried to kill you and sink the ship when you-"[/colour]

[colour=#800000]"Thank you, Wild Winds, for the reminder,"[/colour] Flame interrupted him. [colour=#800000]"But unless you know of a closer port that won't open fire on us as soon as we're seen, I'm all ears."[/colour] Food was beginning to run short on the Eternal Flame, and most of the crew was starting to get antsy from being on the ship for so long. They needed to stop somewhere, and Coltuga was the best option available, and both Wild Winds and Flame knew it, even if Wild didn't like it.

[colour=#006400]"Very well then. I'll[/colour][colour=#006400] [/colour][colour=#006400]tell the rest of the crew.[/colour][colour=#006400]" [/colour]Wild flew straight up from Flame and the wheel he was at, calling the crew's attention. [colour=#006400]"We'll be docking at Coltuga in the next two hours. Everypony is free to go ashore once we hit port. Enjoy yourselves tonight, mates!"[/colour] There was some cheering as the ponies returned to their duties. Wild lowered himself back down next to Flame, who smiled at Wild.

[colour=#800000]"Apparently the first mate doesn't need the approval of the captain to give free leave to the crew," [/colour]Flame put a hoof to his head and gave an over-exaggerated sigh. [colour=#800000]"Oh, woe is me! The captain that can't even trust his own first mate! Alas, it appears that I am now little more than a figure-head! What ever shall I do?!" [/colour]Flame put his hoof back on the wheel to steady it. Wild began to chuckle at his captain's antics. Flame laughed back at him [colour=#800000]"It's fine that you gave them all shore leave. I would have done the same."[/colour] He patted Wild on the back. [colour=#800000]"You'll make a fine captain one day." [/colour]

The Eternal Flame continued on it's journey towards Coltuga, winds in their favour, hoping to get there soon.

[Shame]

The corporal stood by the captain's side for the rest of the afternoon. As the sun fell, and everypony made their way off to sleep, he remained on deck, fixing the rigging. Once the last lamp went out, he snuck his way below deck, climbing down to the engines.

Again, struck with the heat, he immediately sighed, figuring they would still be there. The guardspony had left, and the unicorns had been chained up further. Their legs had been chained down with slack, and their horns covered to prevent magic. All 5 of them stood, swaying on their hooves, their eyes half-lidded. The corporal fumbled with his saddlebas and pulled out his ration pack. He pulls out his last 3 rations and looks them over solemnly. He steps up the the unicorns and sits down. He hands his rations to every other one.

"Share." He 'commands'. The unicorns ignore however, saahely digging into the rations, eating right off the filthy floor. He steps back, looking over the unicorns.

"My name is Gold Star..." He extends a hoof, giving a joyful smile, which quickly fades as they look to him and back to the rations, finishing up. He closes his saddlebags and clears his throat. "So, how often do they f-"

"Corporal..." Red Sail pipes up, at the bottom of the ladder. He slowly makes his way towards Star, each step forward, responded with one step back until Star hits the wall behind him, startling a bit. "What are you doing down here..." He asks in a low tone, a look of malice in his eyes.

"I-I was feeding them... Nopony fed them..."

"For a reason."

"There's no reason to starve them!"

"Corporal, you're a man now, it's time to grow up and think. Unicorns have tortured our families for hundreds of years, they put us down for as long as we both lived in the motherland. I saved you from them, rescued you from the peril! And THIS is how you repay me!? By feeding your mortal enemies!?"

"These unicorns had NOTHING to do with your oppression!"

Red draws an extraordinarily fast and brutal back-hoof, knocking Star to the ground, scurrying backwards, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Get to your bed, corporal. Now."

"But!-"

"NOW!!!"

Star reluctantly gets to his hooves and flies out of the hatch and making his way to his room, bleeding and crying. Sail, wipes off his hoof and turns to the unicorns, pacing in front of them twice, grinning at them. He stops in front of the middle one, the smallest, seemingly only a child of about 14 to 16. He bares down on the child, snarling at him. "Are you hungry, little one?" He growls, bringing a slow nod, tears welling in his eyes as the other unicorns begin to cry. Sail stands back up, making his way to a rack on the wall. He picks up 5 bits and brings them back to the unicorns, strapping them into their mouths, tight as they can go. "Enjoy." He chuckles evily, exiting the deck and returning to his quarters.

Although, before he can enter... A voice rings out from the crows nest.

"Land ho! Coltuga ahead, Captain!" It calls out, bringing another grin to Sail's face. He stops. Steps to the side. And rings the bell, waking the crew.

"ALL HANDS ON DECK!!" He shouts.

(Sorry for such a long post (My longest post evar!) but if tl;dr, Sail rescued the corporal (Gold Star) from unicorns in Russia, and is torturing the ones below deck for it. Also the ironclad has spotted Coltuga amist the fog and the night.)

[StringHeart1257]

(long posts are enjoyed. they tend to move things along, and have lots of detail)

[Cainiam]

Royal Range suddenly returned to the land of the living with a loud cough[colour=#00ffff]. "Oh, sorry about that,"[/colour] he said with a thin smile.[colour=#00ffff] "Chiron has caught you up to date then? Very good. If you don't mind, I have matters to attend to,"[/colour] Royal Range nodded his head before taking his leave.

Chiron however decided to stick around for a bit and nodded tersely at the thanks.[colour=#800080] "While you are technically a free pony, we have been asked to keep you under guard until the hoof-off, otherwise we would have let you out of that cell a while back. Lance and a few of his men will take you to the arranged meeting point where the academy representatives will receive you. I'm afraid I'm unaware who the sent though. They didn't mention that for some reason,"[/colour] he replied sensing that Soul was perturbed about this change of events. [colour=#800080]"I don't suppose you'd be willing to divulge anything about that book now?"[/colour] Chiron added with a raised eyebrow. He knew the answer would be another resounding no, but the fact that he kep the secret so closely guarded interested Chiron to no end.

Lance trotted past Black Powder without almost realising while descending into the ship, but then he spun around when he caught site of the pirate. [colour=#00ff00]"You!"[/colour] Lance said with a grimace and a growl a she followed him back up to the top deck. [colour=#00ff00]"You have the gall to stand on this ship again! You're lucky the captain says your off limits, or I'd have your guts for garters before you could say "Black Mane save me!" Not to mention I'd cut out that lying tongue of yours. You'd best keep one eye open while you're on this vessel."[/colour]

[chardude]

Black Powder glanced back at Lance,[colour=#000080] "Shove it in your plot Lance. I've taken on stronger fillies than you." [/colour][colour=#000000]He[/colour] stuck his tongue out at Lance,[colour=#000080] "If you want it so bad take it~"[/colour] He laughed out loud turning before turning around.[colour=#000080] "Now if you don't mind I'm going to tie a cloud to the boat and go fishing. You're welcome to join... i guess."[/colour] With that Powder flew off to grab close by cloud.

(catching up to the time frame of Shames post)

Night fell, Powder had end up falling asleep on the could before the bell in the buzzards nest rang, [colour=#008080]"[/colour][colour=#008080]Baltimare[/colour][colour=#008080] strait ahead!"[/colour] Powder jumped from the cloud almost falling into the water.[colour=#000080] "By Luna's left flank! do you have to wake Everpony!"[/colour] -[colour=#008080]"Yes i do, pirate!"[/colour] Shouted back the pony in the nest. Powder sight before flying back up onto deck. [colour=#000080]"Where's the caption...?"[/colour] He began with a yawn. [colour=#000080]"you think he would be the first one up here..." [/colour][colour=#000000]Powder dodged the other ponies as he took to the air looking for the standing caption to show up on deck[/colour]

[StringHeart1257]

Soul smiled to chiron [colour=#b22222]"of course they would keep their roster under wraps, my friend.[/colour]" the red unicorn chuckled a little [colour=#b22222]"the last thing they want is for me to have a plan prepared for when i arrive. It was hard enough getting out of that school once, and i don't want to do it again."[/colour]

soul tugged slightly at his chains, listening to them rattle [colour=#b22222]"as far as the book goes, specs...i don't feel like giving you the whole story, but since your so interested..."[/colour] he got closer to the door[colour=#b22222] "...i guess i could give you something."[/colour]

The young adventurer sat back and smirked [colour=#b22222]"the author's name, should wet your curious whistle for now. Her name is Gala, I think it was short for something" [/colour]he pondered her possible full name for a moment then went back to speaking[colour=#b22222] "she was called many things, my favorites are 'Star Swirl's second coming' and 'a real life Daring Doo".[/colour]

soul flare's face showed how fondly he remembered the mare [colour=#b22222]"she was a friend, a hero, my inspiration, a role model, and my mentor."[/colour]

he stopped and placed his book in his vest pocket [colour=#b22222]"so yeah, there's your tidbit for the day chi-chi. not sure what else to say."[/colour]