Burning Through the Ranks Ch3

I am sooo sorry everyone for this late of an update, I have had serious writers block but thanks to my good friend 'With Death Comes More Death' I can make this chapter. Now it is another time skip two years so the ages are now.

Shooting Star- 8

Creed- 7

Anyway without further ado, let's begin.

I don't own MLP or AC. I don't own Creed or Faith Breed or a character that is in this chapter. I do own Shooting Star, Stardust and Blazing Star.

It was a new day, and for the past two years Shooting Star and Creed have been rising through the ranks and Creed learned the memory skill after a very long time.(Shooting Star is not the best teacher) now today they were meeting their Mentor. Shooting Star has been through quite a few battles and had a couple of scars to prove it, it seems when he is in battle his wings always get hurt.

Creed however didn't have as much scars because he is more strategic than his friend. The two young Assassins have slightly warmed up to each other, even though Creed still gets annoyed at his partners childish antics.

As they met with their Mentor, they placed their right hoof on their chests.

"Safety and Peace Mentor." They greeted.

Faith Breed smiled. "Hello you two, now today your going to do something a little different."

Both of the colts tilted their heads in wonder.

"Both of you have the sea in your blood, Creed because of your father and Shooting Star because of Edward Kenway. But you need to know how to sail so that's what your going to be doing today, follow me."

Shooting Star and Creed were confused. Where is Faith Breed taking them? They were not in the guild anymore but at a dock not far from it. As they walked through the small village next to the dock, Shooting Star saw a hard working community within the villagefolk.

"Do these ponies know about us?" Shooting Star asked.

"Yes and they respect our cause, some are even Assassins themselves."

They stopped in front of a ship and what a ship it was. It looked old but it still looked new, it had armoured hulls and a load of cannons as well as a polished surface, the two colts saw the flag. It was the Assassin symbol with a skull inside it with a black background. On the front was the word 'Fratellanza' It was a mighty fine vessel.

"Wow, it's amazing." Creed awed.

"And it's yours." Faith Breed chuckled.

"What?" Shooting Star and Creed said.

"Well, actually it belonged to your father."

"My father?" Creed whispered.

"Yes, he was a great sailor and a great pirate. His last will was to hand this ship to you when he passed away."

"Wow this is cool, I have my own ship." Creed cheered.

"However, you have to share with Shooting Star."

"What?" Both of them said again.

"Well, both of you have to learn and it would be a great idea so one can drive and the other can attack. It's like they say. 'Strength comes in numbers.' So since your both partners, you have to share."

Creed did not like the idea of his partner driving the only thing left of his family. He knows Shooting Star is reckless. But Creed is not greedy, whatever money he gets from missions he gives to more deserving ponies.

"Very well." Creed sighed, not liking this idea one bit.

"AHOY FAITH BREED!" A voice called from above the ship.

They looked up and saw an old Earth Pony. She had a black mane and tail tied in a loose ponytail and had gray streaks in it. She had a pink coat and blue eyes, she wore a pirate hat and was equipped with two cutlasses and had a hidden blade.

"Ahoy Mary." Faith Breed greeted. Mary dropped down and walked up to them.

"What brings you here friend?" Mary grinned.

"Just introducing the new captains to their ship."

"Um forgive me Faith Breed, but they look like foals."

Creed and Shooting glared at Mary, they didn't like being called foals.

"The Earth Pony is the son of the last captain." Faith Breed replied. "And the Alicorn is the son of Stardust and Blazing Star."

Marys eyes widened at that. "Oh forgive me, I did not know."

Faith Breed turned around. "Shooting Star, Creed. Meet your teacher for sailing school, Mary Read. I will leave you to it."

As Faith Breed disappeared from them Mary turned to the colts. "So captains, since I now know your names let's begin but first off with the robes."

The two colts looked offended at that but before they could react they were stripped of their robes and had trenchcoats on. Creeds was brown whilst Shooting Stars was blue. They then got tri-horned hats plopped on their heads. Creeds was black with a red stripe whilst Shooting Stars was blue. (Again.)

"How did you do that?" Creed asked. "Your not even a unicorn."

Mary smirked. "That's for me to know and for you to find out."

So they went on the ship and the two young Assassins were feeling excited. They were giving a tour of the ship and were getting comments from the crew.

"Hey isn't it past your bedtime?" One crew member jeered.

Shooting Star walked over to him. "I may be little but I'll still pound you into the ground."

The crew member was about to retort but there was something about this pony that scared him so he shut up.

"These 'colts' are the new captains mateys, so show them respect." Mary announced.

"Mary, how can those two be the new captains? They reach to my hooves."

"Never judge a book by its cover. But let's set sail boys."

Pretty soon they were on the open sea and boy was it magical. The wind in your mane, the water splashing up occasionally. Whilst Creed was admiring the scenery, Shooting Star was talking to Mary Read.

"So how did you join the Assassins?" Shooting Star asked.

"Well, I lived in Hayngland (Pony version of England) and at the time my mom dressed me up as a colt which actually fooled the other sailors giving me a job. At that time my ship got invaded by pirates which I then joined. It was great but two years later me and my crew got captured, luckily I was pregnant at the time so I got spared death until the birth and then the Assassins saved me. They told the ponies who captured me I perished. I owed them my life so I joined them."

"Wow." Shooting Star said. He may be eight years old but his mind was much older than that so he understood everything she said.

Mary grinned. "Get Creed, it's time to begin your lessons."

Shooting Star saluted. "Aye aye."

So the two colts were there on deck. "So you two have to learn to sail. Well do not worry, it's like riding a scooter only it's big. And on the water. Aaaand it has a big... you get my point. So Creed come on up."

Creed went up and took hold of the wheel, feeling the rough surface. He got a weird feeling when he touched it. It was like his father was right here beside him.

"Okay captain, let's do a little sailing test." Mary said. "Let's uhhhh see how you do going around that island over there." Pointing to an island that had a lot of turns and hazards.

"Molto Bene (Very Well). Let's do this. I need full sail."

"You heard him lads. Full sail!" Mary ordered.

As they were sailing towards the island, Creed steered across some rocks, being reeally careful so the ship doesn't get that damaged. Mary, sensing Creeds cautious nature said to him. "It's okay Creed, she has taking a lot more than mere rocks. She is strong."

Creed nodded and loosened a little bit, eventually getting to the other side.

"Well done Creed." Mary praised. "Now to see how Shooting Star does compared to you."

As the alicorn took the wheel they turned around and went through the island again. Shooting Star was reckless even at sea, crashing a few rocks with Creed glaring at him the entire time. At the end Mary gave her analysis.

"Well, based on what I've seen. It is safe to say that Creed is the safer sailor but that is because Shooting Star takes more risks. Now it is good to see if the cannons are still working so Creed. Give the command, line it up and yell fire."

"WAIT FOR IT!" Creed yelled. Shooting Star was surprised at how loud Creed was. The cannons were aimed at a shipwreck.

"FIRE!" The cannons blew cannonballs at the shipwreck, obliterating it.

"Woo! That's what I'm talking about!" Shooting Star cheered.

"Okay boys, it seems you know the basics. Now let's-" Mary began.

"ENEMY SHIPS OFF THE PORT BOW!" A crew member yelled.

The Assassins looked out and saw two ships flying the Templar cross.

"Just our luck." Mary mumbled. "BOYS! READY THE CANNONS!"

"But Mary, there are two of them and one of us." Creed said.

But they were suddenly right next to a ship, turning around they saw Shooting Star at the wheel.

"What are you doing?" Creed growled.

Shooting Star smirked. "Sharing." He did a broadside rake against a ship.

"Your turn Creed." Shooting Star said shoving him to the wheel.

"Wait, what?" Creed said.

"PREPARE TO BOARD!" Mary yelled. Some of the crew got to work gathering weapons. Shooting Star went and got two cutlasses and grabbed a hook tied to the mast and shot up to the top, he then took a piece of rope and swung to the other ship, kicking a guard off while he was at it.

"Well we should take care of the other one." Mary said.

"Si (Yes) let's go." Creed replied. He turned towards the other ship and lined up his sight, but nature wasn't on his side as a rogue wave came up to him.

"BRACE!" Mary yelled. He gripped the wheel and felt the wave slosh over him.

"Get the cannons ready." Creed called out. He was right next to the ship and gave the order.

"FIRE!" The cannons fired and took out a chunk of the enemy ship, Mary noticed the barrels of gunpowder. (They use gunpowder for cannons, as far as I'm concerned. Guns don't exist in this time)

"Creed." Mary yelled. "Get the unicorns to aim for the gunpowder."

"UNICORNS GET READY!" The unicorns readied a deadly spell that acts like a gun.

"FIRE!" They released the spell and struck home, the ship erupted into flames and explosions.

"We did it." Creed cheered. "Let's go back to Shooting Star."

Mary nodded. "Yes. Let's."

Meanwhile, the alicorn was helping wipe out the enemy crew. One tried to stab him but Shooting Star ducked and grabbed the guards head and stabbed his neck with his hidden blade. Shooting Star then threw the corpse overboard. Wanting to test his new weaponry he drew his cutlasses and stabbed two guards whilst helping up one of his crew.

"We're outnumbered mate." Shooting Star said.

"It's not the first time Shooting Star, it won't be the last."

"Show no mercy everypony, and give none either!" Shooting Star yelled charging and started slaughtering the enemy crew, letting his Assassin instincts kick in. Eventually the crew was wiped out and Shooting Star went up to the captain and stabbed him in the neck.

"So, the Assassins are getting desperate huh?" The Templar chuckled. "Letting foals fight their battles."

"This 'foal' was the one who wiped out your crew and killed you." Shooting Star retorted.

"That may be true, but your are still but a foal, there are a million ponies like me with much more experience whilst you have so much more to learn. Enjoy your life while you can, Assassin." Then the Templar went limp.

"Don't fear the darkness, but embrace it. Rest in peace." Shooting Star recited closing the Templars eyes. Turning around he saw Creed with the Fratellanza.

"He took out an entire crew." Creed said in disbelief.

"The alicorn is skilled, and his determination is what is driving him." Mary replied.

"Hi guys." Shooting Star grinned.

"You two have proved that you can sail and are great at securing ships. You have earned the respect of both me and the crew." Indicating to the crew who were congratulating them. "You two have earned the right to call yourselves captains." Mary took of her hat and placed it to her chest.

Both the colts held their heads up high and had proud smiles on their faces.

"But now is a good time to go back now." Mary said.

Both the young Assassins nodded and leaned on the rails letting Mary take the wheel. What a day huh? They are colts yet they own a ship now, they are just as great pirates as they are Assassins. This is a great life, or is it? Because it has its bad parts being an Assassin and our two trainees will learn that the hard way.

Aaaand that's a wrap. For people that are confused. 'Fratellanza' means 'Brotherhood' in Italian. And yes this is the same Mary Read from the history books. I went through a lot of decisions which pirate I wanted in this story. I didn't choose Blackbeard because I'm not a bitch, my second option was John Nutt because it was close to MAAAAAARK NUUUUUUUTT! And anyway when we get back we will be going forward a year.

Favourite, Follow, Review.

Safety and Peace and may the gods of Budder protect you.