The Captain stamped her hooves on the deck impatiently. She adjusted the bicorn hat that rested atop her head and lightly brushed the small gold ropes hanging from her epaulettes so they wouldn’t get tangled.  What is taking Twilight and Spike so long? 

She looked to her left and received only a nod from an orange pony who had donned a standard stark white uniform identical to the captain’s.  The exception being she didn’t have the roped epaulettes, instead there was a thick gold cord that wrapped around her upper right leg and shoulder, marking her as First Mate.

Atop her blonde mane was a brown stenson hat, obviously not standard or royally-issued, and attached to it were two pins: a blue diamond on one edge of the brim and a cloud with a colored lightning bolt on the other.  First Mate Applejack had become rather quiet and was staring off toward the ocean.

The sky had an amber glow, as it was nearing dusk.  The captain sighed and looked down at the ropes tying her ship to the dock.  She then looked past the dock at the staging area.  Countless ponies were loading crates and cannons onto hundreds of warships that were docked.

“Twi should’ve been here by now don’t ya reckon?” Applejack said, a bit worriedly.  The First Mate’s emerald eyes were now focused on the Captain.

The Captain gave her a smile, “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about her.  I’m sure she and Spike will be here in a jiffy!”

A voice came from the dock, “I was sent here by Princess Celestia and you WILL tell me where the captain of this ship is located!” Soon after the nervous stammering of the dockmaster, the sound of hooves were heard making their way across the wooden boards connecting the dock to the ship.  

The purple unicorn’s hooves started to make a slightly different clop after she stepped off the wood of the boardwalk and onto the hardwood of the deck.  Head held high, she trotted up the steps to the quarterdeck where the First Mate and Captain were talking.  As she reached the quarterdeck the two ponies stopped their conversation and smiled at the unicorn.  The unicorn turned toward the captain and the shock of recognition left her speechless, eyes as wide as they could go.  It took a considerable amount of time and a nudge from Applejack for her to gather herself.

“PINKIE PIE?!  You’re the captain of the forward cruiser?!”, ever since Twilight was on deck, Pinkie’s demeanor lightened dramatically.

“Yes indeedy!!! You’d think a pastry chef would be better suited to the galley and not the quarterdeck, but I was chosen to be captain by all the old navy veterans who knew my dad!”

“B-b-but do you even KNOW anything about ships?!” Twilight asked in exasperation.

“Well, duh!  My dad always said ‘Party pony or no party pony, you need to know how to maintain a rock farm and sail a ship.’  At the time all I knew was that he used to be in the Equestrian Navy, but not a captain! Imagine that! My dad the boring rock farmer was a captain in the navy!”

Twilight looked like she was about to shout out more inquistions, but Applejack had loudly cleared her throat and interjected.

“Don’t worry Twi, she’s perfectly capable. Ah wouldn’t have volunteered to be her First Mate if she wasn’t.” Applejack smiled and raised her right hoof, “Honest.”

Twilight visibly relaxed, returned the smile and faced the Captain. “Sorry Pinkie, I’m sure you’ll do great.”

Applejack looked Twilight up and down and gave out a long whistle. “Ho-ho Miss Sparkle, don’t you look fancy.” The unicorn had a yoke around her neck.  

It was golden and slender with gems in the shape of stars embedded in it.  Not for functional use like Big Macintosh’s but for presenting a regal appearance, as it was very much like Princess Celestia’s.

Twilight smiled wide and blushed, “Oh, this? The Princess gave it to me as a gift a few months ago but I didn’t wear it because it seemed a bit ostentatious.”

“Osten-what-now?” Pinkie asked giving Twilight a confused expression.

“It means I thought it was too fancy for me to wear around, but since the attack and all the ordering I’ve had to do, it seems to feel right wearing it.” Twilight answered in a voice all too familiar to the other ponies as the voice she used when explaining things that she thought were obvious.

“Well, ya sure do look fancy....reckon you’d do Rarity proud.” Applejack said as her jovial mood seemed to lessen.

“Is everything OK Applejack?” Twilight inquired as she noticed the two pins on the First Mate’s hat.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. I’m doing...swell. Just swell Twilight.” Applejack replied as she broke eye contact with the unicorn.

Twilight turned to Pinkie and gave her a concerned look, which Pinkie shared.  “Right. Well, Captain Pinkie, how are the preparations?  I hope all the plans I organized in the Canterlot War Room are going along smoothly.”

“You betcha!  My ship is war-ready and the rest of the fleet will be ready to go whenever Admiral Fancypants gives the order to set sail! ”

“Good. Well, it is getting late. Pinkie, do you think we can go to the galley and have a snack? I haven’t had anything sweet to eat in weeks.” Twilight asked, forcing a smile.

“Weeks?! Are you loco in the coco?! Just because I’m the captain doesn’t mean I’m not an awesome chef anymore! C’mon! I’ll whip you up something super-duper-mega sweet!  Applejack, I can make you something too!” Pinkie exclaimed, eager to do something she normally did before the attack.  Before everything changed.

“Eh. No thanks sugarcube.  Ah’ll go see how Fluttershy’s doing. She’s been underdeck all day.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at Pinkie, obviously not knowing Fluttershy was aboard, but didn’t say anything so she wouldn’t hold Applejack up.

“Oh. Well, okay. Dismissed.” the Captain sighed.

Applejack stood rigid and gave Pinkie a salute, Pinkie returned the salute after a tiny pause. Dad didn’t say how weird it’d be to have your bestest friends salute you.

“...and the oatmeal said ‘No Pinkie Pie! You’re crazy!’”

Twilight’s head flung back as she was unable to hold in another fit of laughter.  Pinkie looked at Twilight, She has an amazing smile. So does AJ. Everypony’s smile is amazing. But nopony seems to smile now...

“So Twilight, I thought Spike was coming with you?”

The question instantly ceased Twilight’s laughter and put a very serious expression on her face.  Pinkie immediately regretted asking.

“I’ve been meaning to speak to you about him.  Ever since the attack he’s been worried sick about Rarity.  I’ve been able to keep him in the dark so far, but...”

“But what???”

“Princess Celestia spoke to me. She told me is it very important Spike doesn’t find out what happened to Rarity until right before we begin our voyage.”

Pinkie’s face twisted in confusion. “Huh? Why not? He has a right to know! Especially with the way he feels about her!”

“That’s exactly it Pinkie! The Princess taught me something while I was in Canterlot after the attack. Spike has had to be kept in the dark all this time. Or it would’ve put a dent in all of my attack plans.”

“Hmmm. I see. You better get some sleep Twilight! We have a big day tomorrow!”

“Okay Pinkie, sleep well” and with that Twilight gave a very awkward salute and started walking to her quarters.

I can never sleep well anymore Twilight.

        The sun broke over the horizon and the entire Equestrian Fleet was already prepared to set sail.  They were all just waiting for Twilight Sparkle to give the signal to Admiral Fancypants.  

“Twilight, we can’t waste much more time.  We need to set sail!”

“I know Pinkie. I know! I just need to talk to Spike. Someplace where there is a lot of room...”

“Well here he comes” Pinkie said, gesturing toward a convoy of horse-drawn carriages. “Talk to him over where we kept the cannons, they’re all already aboard ship so there’s plenty of room.”

“Thanks Pinkie. Did you want to come with me?”

“Why yes I do! As captain I do need to be near this, being that it is such an integral part of your plan.  Are you sure this is going to work?”

“Princess Celestia talked to me a great deal about it. It should all go as planned.” Twilight said matter-of-factly.  She didn’t even say anything before she teleported her and Pinkie in front of the convoy.  The pink pony looked around quickly to analyze the situation around her and scan for danger, as her father had taught her whenever her surroundings changed.  

“Spike? Spiiiiiiiiike!!”

The baby dragon looked up from his lap and lightened up at seeing both Twilight and Pinkie Pie. “Twilight! Pinkie! It’s so good to see you again!” He ran over and hugged both ponies.

“Heh, hey Spike. It’s nice to see you too.” Twilight said once he had let her go.

“What’s wrong Twilight? And why do you look so serious Pinkie?”

“Spike, I need to tell you something...about the attack, about Rarity.”

“Oh...really?” the baby dragon’s mood had turned from happy to gloom in an instant at the mention of a certain pony’s name.

“As you already know, The Komodo attacked Ponyville, among other towns and cities in Equestria..”

“Yeah...”

“They killed many and took thousands of ponies on their ships back to their land across the sea to be worked as slaves or used as sacrifices.”

“...No Twilight...don’t tell me... don’t tell me she’s dead.” Spike’s fists had clenched and his eyes were closed shut but there were tears coming out.

“Spike, Rarity isn’t dead.”

“Huh?” Spike opened his eyes and a spark of hope shined in them.

“Rarity, as well as Rainbow Dash, were captured by The Komodo, and are most likely on their way back to their homeland, surely as sacrifices due to them being the elements of  generosity and loyalty incarnate.”

Spike shut his eyes once more.

Pinkie then took Twilight by the leg and whispered harshly to her, “Why did you tell him that! We don’t know that! They could just be used as slaves!” Twilight opened her mouth in response but was cut off by Spike.

“And you say their homeland is across the sea...” he half-asked and half-stated.

“...yes Spike, and we need you. More importantly, Rarity and Rainbow Dash need you.”

Spike opened his eyes and looked at Twilight quizzically. “Me? But what could I do? I’m just a baby dragon.”

“The Princess taught me a very powerful alteration spell.  It will... age your body into a fully grown dragon.”

“W-what? I dunno Twilight...” Spike said as he remembered the last time he was anywhere near that big, and very much wished not to experience it again.

Twilight seemed to notice this and laid a hoof on Spike’s shoulder, “It won’t be like then Spike. Trust me.”  The baby dragon gulped and steeled himself for whatever Twilight had planned to do.

“Okay Twilight. Go ahead."

“Forgive me Spike, this will hurt, but I need you to be brave, we all need you to be brave.” Twilight whispered to him.

Without much preparation or ceremony, Twilight angled her horn at Spike and a beam of solid yellow light shot out from her horn and engulfed Spike in golden flames.  After what seemed like an eternity, the flames had subsided and Spike was sprawled out on the ground, light wisps of smoke drifted off of his body and into the air.  Pinkie moved in to see if he was alright, but Twilight stopped her with her hoof.

“No Pinkie. Move back. Actually, we both need to move back. Far.”

“What? Why-”

Spike twitched and started to slowly rise.  He was on his knees and breathing heavily.  Then without warning he pierced the air with a long wail, full of anguish, and became silent again.  

His breathing became more ragged and he let out another wail, this one deeper in pitch, and as he did he started to grow considerably larger. He roared again, this time louder and more fierce.  He roared again and again, each time getting larger, spines on his back became more prominent, claws and teeth getting sharper.  

His last roar was accompanied by a huge spout of flame up into the air.  The dragon looked down at the two ponies below him and his eyes narrowed.  

Pinkie looked into his eyes and saw the same Spike she’s always known, but there was something new in them, the intelligence of a fully grown dragon, and the ferocity of one as well.  Spike then focused his gaze on Twilight, any other pony would’ve wilted under that gaze, but Twilight didn’t even blink.  She met his stare head-on and gave him a very grim nod.

Spike’s eyes widened a small fraction and he turned toward the ocean, facing the direction where the enemy continent lay.  Without taking his gaze off the ocean, he huffed a breath of smoke out of his nostrils, acknowledging Twilight’s silent order. He shifted his whole body toward the ocean and in a few earth-shaking, four-legged strides he dived into the sea. The huge dragon turned into a dark blur under the waves, slithering toward the enemy continent past the horizon.

“I was a bit worried there Twilight.” Captain Pinkie nervously chuckled as she noticed all the nearby ships’ cannons were aimed right where Spike just was, ready for anything.

“There were hundreds of ways that could’ve gone wrong, thank Celestia it did not. The devastation he causes will distract The Komodo enough to give our assault a better chance at success.  I just hope he doesn’t get hurt too much...”

        An hour after Spike’s transformation, the fleet had begun their journey.  The wind favored their sails as they cut through the waves.  

Dolphins swimming alongside the hull was the most interesting event of the day, being that it finally brought Fluttershy out from belowdeck. The sails were still at full-mast, Princess Luna was about to bring night and the sun was only an orange semi-circle of fire above the horizon.  

Pinkie stood at the bow of the EQS Friendship, the ship which she commanded.  She stared at the open ocean and with the realization that her friends’ lives were at stake and that she was going to end many other lives to save them, she steeled herself for the bloodshed and hardship that lay ahead.

But she knew one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt, she was going to save her friends and avenge those slaughtered in Ponyville. She would leave no Komodo left breathing.

        Twilight stood on the quarterdeck with Applejack, discussing the journey.

“Twi, I’m worried about Pinkie.”

“So am I AJ.” Twilight said as she looked toward the bow at Captain Pinkie Pie and frowned.  The party pony’s mane was unusually...flat, “So am I...”