“What?!” Alexander exclaims as he and the other crew members on deck look up to see their captain standing at the wheel.

“Has he gone off the deep end?” Slasher adds in shock.

“He has to be. We’ve almost died on Alicorn Island, now he expects us to go to war?”

“We have to do something!”

“And we will do something,” Rarity sternly replies, “you all will gather up members for Faction Two as quickly as possible while I try to convince Korsan to hold off the attack.”

“No,” Twilight retorts, “he’s too unstable right now. Especially after you just rejected him, he might kill you just like he did to Isyan. I’m going to go to him, he trusts me.”

“Are you sure?”

“I just sent a letter to Celestia declaring my ‘turning against her’.”

“Okay. Oh! You’re still tied up.” Quickly, Rarity and the other pirates loosen the ropes around Twilight. “Hold still…” Rarity then pulls out her rapier and stabs it into the anti-magic strap around Twilight’s horn as she climbs out of her binds. The green band snaps off of the purple horn and falls onto the wooden deck.

“Thanks.”

“Good luck, and don’t get hurt.”

“I’ll try not to.” Twilight then immediately gallops towards the quarterdeck, watching the brown stallion head into his quarters with his smug grin returned to his face. Making it to the beginning stairs, a pair of yellow stallions meets up by her sides, both in a panic.

“Oh, hello there Ms. Sparkle,” the left one quickly speaks.

“Uh, hi,”

“So, what are you doing?” the right one replies.

“What are you doing?”

“…”

“Hey,” the left stallion retorts, “we asked first.”

“But she’s new to the crew, we should be courteous.”

“Don’t give me that courteous garbage. We’ve already been given enough lip about that.”

“Hey, I don’t want to risk being smashed in the face again. Remember that yellow devil?”

“Of course I do, I was right beside you with a busted nose of my own.”

“Exactly my point,”

“Whatever, this is getting us nowhere. Twilight, what are you-”

“Wait,” Twilight interrupts the duo, “a ‘yellow devil’?”

“She was furious!”

As the three ponies reach the third floor of the quarterdeck, the right stallion speaks up, “Hey, we’re here.”

“You know what? We’ll find out what we’re all doing once we get inside.”

“Fine.” Swiftly, the three ponies hurry into the captain’s bedroom. As they frantically look around, they hear distorted music coming from the large instrument in the back.

“He might be in the garage with that new weapon he’s been working on.” With the two pirates leading the way, the three turn towards the metal doors. They swing open the gates without hesitation, only to be met in the face by six long, thin pipes swirling at blinding speeds and emitting deafening noises of gears and pistons. They stop dead in their tracks and freeze in shock as they look down the circling pipes aimed at their heads, seeing metal bolts in each of them.

“Oops,” a mischievous voice echoes from behind the pipes, “my bad, let me turn this off.” Soon, the device stops moving and is turned away from the onlookers, revealing its massive size. Twilight and the two pirates gaze in dumbfoundment of the vast collection of razor sharp gears and cables, jumbled together in a solid cannon of mechanical terror.

“What is that?” Twilight mutters in her breath.

Korsan appears at her and the others’ sides and frenziedly replies, “It’s my newest weapon, sort of a scaled-up version of my crossbow. I hope you like it, because you’re going to be seeing it a lot in the coming years. It’s accurate, it’s powerful, it’s strong, it’s continuous, it’s everything a tool of war should be!”

“Uh huh…”

“So, what brings you all here?”

“I’ll let these two stallions start. What they have to say is probably more important.”

“So then, Mr. Shou and Mr. Shou, what is it?”

The left stallion takes a gulp of air before answering in an uncontrollable tone of uneasiness, “We’re here to ask you about a few… aspects of your newest command.”

“Ask away. But make it quick, I’m going to have a lot of my plate very soon.”

“Well, don’t you think the timing of such a ‘war’, as you put it, is a bit sudden?”

“Sudden?”

“Yeah,” the other brother proclaims, even more squeamish than the former speaker, “we just had a big adventure and all. Can’t we have a bit of a rest?”

“Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no, this war must begin now, and I’ll need all of you to be ready when it begins.”

“What if some of us, not me nor my brother, just, hypothetically speaking, what if some of us don’t want to join in this war?” Korsan doesn’t respond and instead silently paces across the room, never taking his scarred eye’s view off of them. “Also, Captain, you’re eyepatch is still-”

“Still what?”

“Eep!”

“Well?”

“Still over the wrong eye Sir,” the first brother answers.

“Oh, so it ‘tis. Huh. I guess I’m taking a liking to this new view.”

“Are you sure you can see fine that that eye?”

“Oh, I can see much better with this one.”

“Okay…”

“Yep, seeing everything a lot clearer than before with this here eye, I never thought of removing the eyepatch,”

“Sir, you still haven’t answered our question.”

“Oh yes! I forgot, silly me, well, if anypony doesn’t want to participate, they’re free to do so.”

“Really?”

“Yes, they can help me in here, performing tests.” Slamming his claw against the machine, Korsan springs the weapon to life once more. The onlookers jump in place as the cannon roars and begins to slowly rotate in place, aiming towards them. “Stay still.” The mighty cannon scans the three statues of ponies before moving on around the metal chamber. Korsan turns off the device once more and walks up to his guests with his tongue licking his chops. “Are we clear?”

The two unicorns stutter, “C-c-c-c-c-c-cryst-tral-l.”

“Any more questions?”

“N-no!”

“Very well then, be on your merry way.”

“Yes Sir!” Quickly, the stallions run out of the captain’s quarters in a sweaty panic, leaving Twilight alone with Korsan.

“Now what about you Ms. Sparkle?”

“M-me?” The mare replies, still frozen from the machine’s quick drive. “What about me? What do I think about your suit? It’s good! All refilled with anti-magic, it looks like-”

“What have you come to see me for?”

“Oh, yes, I was just wondering…”

“Wondering?”

“Wondering if I should be getting any training.”

“You seemed pretty capable during our little, moment, on Alicorn Island. By the way, who taught you those moves again? You never really clarified.”

“My brother, the Captain of the Royal Guard in Equestria.”

“I see. I don’t recall seeing such a stallion during the night of the gala three weeks ago.”

“He was busy at the Crystal Empire, had to take care of certain affairs.”

“Interesting, most interesting.”

“…”

“And curious, might I add. You are oddly open with these more personal details. Mind if I ask why?”

“I just thought you would know since you’re the captain.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, no. There shouldn’t be one right?”

“Y-yeah,”

“…”

“Korsan?”

“Oh, I was just thinking. Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

“Well, what are your current feelings towards Rarity?”

“Ms. Rarity…”

“…”

“I’d rather not think about her all that much. I’m more concerned about urgent matters.”

“I see.”

“You know about these urgent matters I assume.”

“…What do you-”

“Those matters,”

“…” Twilight loudly swallows air in anxiety as the bipedal stallion gives her a very self-aware and knowledgeable glance.

“What’s wrong?”

“I-I think I should check on our prisoners, Captain.”

“Ah, yes, a very wise decision, I congratulate you Ms. Sparkle. They will need to be secured for what’s coming. War often begins at the most, unexpected, and sudden times don’t you think?”

“Uh, yeah,”

“Shoo.” Slowly, Twilight backs away from the chamber and Korsan’s sight before frantically accelerating into a gallop and flight to the bow of the long airship. As she soars between the masts of the boat, the sounds of maniacal laugher echo from behind, followed by the cold screeches of a familiar bird. Eventually, she sees the base of the first tall mast, noticing the large group of pirates, including the two yellow stallions, surrounding it.

The purple alicorn hovers above the mass gathering and asks, “What’s going on?”

“What’s going on?” One of the pirate mares replies, “We’re listening to what Yin and Yu have to say.”

“He’s off of his rocker!” One of the named brothers proclaims to their audience.

“Called it!” A stallion cheers.

“He wants us all to get ready for this war now!”

“Now?!” Butch asks in shock, “What if we aren’t ready?”

“You better be ready! There’s this giant, super-crossbow-cannon that he’s going to use to maim any of us that doesn’t fight.”

“Well then,” Ryan immediately declares, “we better get ready.”

“Wait!” Slasher retorts. “Why do we have to? Why can’t we fight back?”

“Did you not just hear Yin?” Alexander asks. “Korsan’s going to skewer anypony that he doesn’t like!”

“Not if we all work together.”

“Are you kidding?” Hans responds. “He’s got Chopin, Gofu, Pip, Horus, Ivan, Phlox, Barbara, Hotus, and several others glued to his side. None of us have been able to beat those guys in sparring tournaments, even when it’s two of us against one of them."

“But-”

“And besides, what are we going to do after that?” Maria adds. “None of us know how to run this ship. We’ll be caught and executed for our crimes, and loose our second chances at life that Korsan has provided. For a moment, I, and nine others with us, thought the same thing as well as you did, we wanted to overthrow Korsan in order to start anew. Only now do we realize that our only lives are now at the hooves of him. He’s ended his own cousin’s, why not us?”

“What life is there in constant fear and destruction?”

“Korsan’s life. Look at him now, terrified of all of us, yet still has the biggest grin on his face. He has ended thousands of lives, and will end millions more without remorse. Whatever this cause he is fighting for is, it is keeping us all alive and living a good life.”

“But it’s wrong, and you know it.”

“Is it?” Butch asks.

“What?”

“After all of these years, we’ve been almost unstoppable because we can use magic. We can teleport, levitate objects from afar, and cast all sorts of other spells.”

“But that doesn’t mean we should end the lives of millions of non-unicorns.” Rarity retorts.

“As much as I hate the violence,” Alexander replies, “if there isn’t a worthy reason to rebel against Korsan, and defend the lives of those lesser than us, you and anypony else that joins this ‘Faction Two’ are signing into a pointless suicide pact. It’s either life or death, and I’m going with the former.” Slowly, most of the pirates gathered break away and head back to their stations on the ship, choosing to stay with Korsan. Horrified, Twilight and the few others remaining watch over the mass exodus, thinking of some way to bring them back, but can’t for as hard as they try.

“But-but-but,” Slasher stammers, but is cut short by the blue, suited pirate staring back at her with an intense stare. “…I’m so sorry…”

“Don’t worry sugar cube,” Applejack comforts the brown mare, “you tried your best.”

“Don’t be sad.” The three filly friends add.

“We can still hold up a good fight.” Rainbow Dash replies.

“No meanie’s going to stop us.” Pinkie cheers.

“We still are on the good side.” Fluttershy gently responds.

“We’re all still standing aren’t we?” Spike proudly asks.

“In-spirit in your case.” One of the yellow stallions, Yu, accounts to Spike.

“Perhaps me and my brother could join this little rebellion.” The other brother follows up.

“I got your back.” Rarity concludes, holding her rapier between her and her cat-loving friend.

“Thanks,” Slasher sniffles, smiling as she sees her friends around her. As Twilight watches above, a brilliant thought bursts in her head. A thought so grand, she almost loses control of her hovering. Immediately, the alicorn soars around the mass of retreating pirates, catching their attention.

“Listen up!” She exclaims as she lands herself in the middle of the gathering. “Korsan knows about my false allegiance to him, and how I have sent Princess Celestia a letter for her to come and save us at any hour or day.”

“Oh that’s reassuring!” One of the stallions sarcastically shouts towards the speaker.

“But that is not a call of despair! Instead, let it be a call of rejoice! Listen, as Korsan holds his expectations high towards all of you, it will be all the more crippling to see his expectations shatter before him when Princess Celestia comes with her army.”

“But why should we even rebel?” Alexander asks, “What cause is there if we’re going to get caught?”

“All ponies are equal, each in their own right!” A series of groans and boos erupt from the mob. “Listen! Over the past three weeks, I have witnessed many things that I would’ve have taken for granted. My friend, Fluttershy, a pegasus, talks fluently with animals, something that no magic has been able to replicate. She is also one of the kindest and bravest mares I know, facing her greatest fears, even death, in order to help those in need. My other friend, Rainbow Dash, another pegasus, is fast, really fast, faster than any speed spell and can go farther than any series of teleportation spells. She can create storms with only a beat of her wings. But most importantly, she is more loyal to me and my friends than anypony I know. Another friend, Pinkie Pie, an Earth pony, even in the worst of times, she’ll almost never frown and keep a positive attitude. She’ll always find a silver lining and find some way to keep both friends and enemies happy. Applejack, the Earth pony that had temporarily joined you all, is the strongest mare in Equestria. Without my magic, I depended on Applejack most of all to keep me safe. And although she betrayed us, I understand why she did it. She had an honest reason, to protect those she loved, even me and my friends. That’s right Applejack, I forgive you!”

“This is all very touching and all,” Maria replies with a sense of her coldness beginning to melt in her voice, “but what are four lucky mares compared to millions of tortured lives?”

Rarity answers, taking Twilight’s place as the speaker, “The same as a crew of one hundred compared to billions of other ponies that love and are loved by the millions. Remember that day three years ago? The day when you all destroyed an entire kingdom, sending those thousands of families to their deaths? Are you ashamed of that day?”

“…Yes, but-”

“Why? There isn’t a worthy cause is there?”

“…”

“But there is, and you all know it. The reason why all of you are so ashamed of that day, and why you should fight against Korsan, is that you know the truth. Although we are more versatile in some aspects, doesn’t mean we are any better than pegasi and Earth ponies. You know why? Souls, personalities, friendships, all of these play equal factors in each and every pony that Korsan has never seen and that all of you have taken a blind eye to. My friends, mostly all non-unicorns, are far better, happier ponies than many unicorns I have come across. They, as well as I, have helped so many others to live better lives with just their voices alone. Heck, magic sometimes is the source of the many problems we come across. Without magic, all of you were powerless, not knowing what to do. Wiping out two thirds of all ponykind and replacing it with magic is not going to solve anything.”

“We’ll most likely destroy ourselves.” Twilight responds. “Instead, how about you all turn a new leaf, and better yourselves. Use your talents for helping those that can help you in return when you need help with a problem you can’t solve with magic. Their humility may be your reason you will still be alive and live as you will in the future.”

Alexander retorts, “But we’re criminals. No pony is going to look at us any higher than scum.”

“Criminals can be heroes, as well as non-unicorns.”

Rarity concludes the speech, “I know this is scary for a lot of you, abandoning your luxurious lives on this ship to possibly die. But what is a life in shame and fear other than Korsan’s, the maniac that keeps you prisoner on here? His way of life is bringing death to thousands. Even if you die fighting, you would have lived a better life in those few seconds than serving him for however many years. If you still decide to stay loyal to Korsan, then go ahead. We shall meet again when the battle begins, and even there, we will still offer mercy. If you want to end this guilt of being his lackey, then join us, and together, we’ll end Korsan’s tyranny once and for all. Choose wisely, please.” Silence washes over the flying airship as the massive sea of motley ponies stare off into their own personal subconscious worlds. As they all think, Twilight hears the revving of Korsan’s weapon at the other end of the boat. Soon, Maria and a few other pirates leave the meeting and head back to their regular posts.

However, just as it seems to appear that Faction Two is going to remain tiny, Alexander proclaims, “You know what? You’re right. More it is noble to live a short life fighting for what is right and pure, than to forever live in shame and wrong.” Slowly, the blue unicorn walks over to Slasher’s side and faces the gathering. Instantly, the mob bursts out in small talk and cheers, splitting apart and taking sides. As one pony joins Twilight’s and the others’ side, another goes back to their station and prepare to fight them. Yet, even with this vast split, the thirty-nine members of Faction Two, including Twilight, Rarity, Spike, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Slasher, Alexander, and several others, stand firm and triumphantly glance around to their own personal army of justice.

“Hey!” Yin declares as he and his brother run towards the resistance team. “Don’t forget us!”

“Yu! Yin!” Slasher cheers. As the later brother, Yu, reaches the brown mare, the yellow stallion then immediately stares into her own eyes with a dumb smile on his face.

“Before we all probably die in some horrific fashion, I just need to get this off of my chest.”

“Wha-” Without hesitation, Yu grabs Slasher with his magic, pulls her into his face, and locks his lips into hers. At first shocked, Slasher soon succumbs to the kissing and locks the bond even tighter. Their eyes close as the two collapse onto the floor in a cuddling fit while Yin and the others watch in shock.

“Aww!” Pinkie cheers. “It’s so romantic!”

“When was this going on?!” Yin exclaims in confusion.

“It doesn’t matter silly, it’s love.”

“It just came out of nowhere, no exclamation or any-”

“You will feel the love tonight!”

“But-”

“Just ignore it Yin.” Applejack replies.

“How? My brother is sucking the face off of Slasher out of nowhere!”

“Ahem…” A soft voice calls out from a few metres away from Twilight and the gang. They look towards the source and see that it’s Maria, sheepishly standing in front of them with a glint of fear in her red eyes.

“Maria?” Rarity responds.

“Is it too late to join you guys?”

“It never is too late.” Twilight cheers, “Welcome to Faction Two!”

“So, what are we going to do now?”

“…I’m not sure. There’s a bit of a time gap in my plans.”

“Your best bet is to sabotage the cannons, take as much armour and weapons from Korsan’s stock as possible, and assign groups and positions to each of the forty-two ponies present.”

“…That will work. Want to be our leading strategist?”

“I’m already way ahead.”

“Well then, let’s do this!”