The next morning, Twilight and Spike are back at their home and are now packing their bags for their upcoming quest.

“So Twilight,” Spike asks Twilight as he’s putting a large collection of colourful gems in a suitcase, “What’s the plan again?”

“After Korsan and his crew raided the gala,” Twilight replies, “Rarity and I watched their airship fly off in a specific direction. I looked at several maps after the raid and discovered he’s most likely heading northeast out to sea. There’s a location that’s directly in Korsan’s path called Thieves’ Hold, an infamous gathering place for criminals. Princess Celestia gave me permission for me, you, and our friends to take a ship to there and hopefully reach it before he does and cut him off, taking the Diamond Eye back and apprehending him.”

“Sounds great,”

“I knew you’d say that.”

“But, once you catch up to him, what are you going to do? I heard that one third of the guards were hospitalized after the raid and the other two thirds were unable to fight right from the start. How are you even going to be able to take care of Korsan, let alone the ship? What do you know about him?”

“Well, from what the guards, the princesses, and I experienced, Korsan is highly adept to mechanical arts, close-range combat, leadership, navigation, animal taming, and anti-magic, despite him being a pegasus.”

“Wait, how does that work? Isn’t anti-magic an advance spell?”

“Yes, but this stallion did something new. The straps he used to disable the other princesses’ magic power contained an unknown substance that nullifies magic. This substance is also probably used in his harness, his swords, and his ship. But that’s not the weirdest part. He stands, walks, and fights on his hind hooves and wears these weird claw-shoes on his front hooves, like you.”

“Wouldn’t that be hard for him, being a pony and all?”

“No, in fact, he’s even more agile than most normal pegasi. That’s what’s so uncanny about him. I think it has to do something with his mechanical exosuit based on what he said.”

“He sounds tough, any weaknesses?”

“Uh…”

“Please tell me you know some weakness to him before you attempt to fight him.”

“…He… He has a distaste for Earth ponies and pegasi for some odd reason and wears an eyepatch.”

“Those are not weakness! What are we going to do then?”

“We’ll… improvise.”

“With what?”

“Spike, why are you being so hypercritical about this?”

“I just don’t want you or anypony getting hurt when we’re going after this stallion, that’s all.”

“I guess you have a point. I guess I can do some research while we’re out at sea.”

“That sounds good. By the way, you said something about him being a pegasus, yet he has a distaste towards them. Is that right?”

“Yeah, he immediately acted kind of aggressive when Celestia brought it up. He then explained that he was going to use the Diamond Eye to fix that or something, not sure how though.”

“Twilight, are you sure you want to do this only hours after his attack? This is starting to sound like this Korsan character has something big going on, something that we might not be ready for.”

“I am sure. Cadence worked hard for the presentation for the Diamond Eye and it’s one of the only historical artifacts of the Crystal Kingdom lasting beyond King Sombra’s reign. And besides, if we don’t go now, Korsan might go somewhere else and we’ll lose him, possibly forever.”

“Alright…”

“Are you fully packed Spike? This will be a long trip.”

“Almost,”

“Hurry up please, we’re expected at Vanhoover in a few hours.”

Meanwhile, at Rarity’s boutique, the white unicorn is also packing several suitcases. However, a smaller unicorn mare is following her around.

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity calmly exclaims at the filly, “for the fifth time, no. You cannot join us.”

“No fair!” Sweetie Belle screams, “Applejack’s probably letting her little sister join, and Scootaloo’s going to want to tag along with us.”

“Applejack’s half as firm as I am, and even she wouldn’t let Applebloom join us for such a dangerous trip. We’re spending at least a month one open waters with pirates and storms around every corner. Not to mention that that Korsan creep we’re after has the hots for me.”

“Then why are you tagging along if it’s so dangerous?”

“The only reason I’m joining my friends is because somepony needs to keep the integrity of the ship we’re going on up. Mom and Dad will look after you while I’m gone. And besides, Applebloom and Scootaloo will still be around to keep you company.”

“But we Cutie Mark Crusaders must join you guys, think of all the possibilities for cutie marks we could get out there.”

“The only things you and your friends will get on your flanks out there are splinters, bruises, seawater, tons of dust and dirt, or all at once.”

“Please!”

“For the final time… No!”

“Do you really need all of those large suitcases?”

“What?” Rarity takes a moment to look behind her and see a three metre tall pyramid of large purple suitcases, teetering back and forth from its height. “Oh… Well yes, yes I do.”

“Really?”

“…Maybe one or two too many,”

In the meantime, on the distant outskirts of Ponyville at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack is rummaging through the central barn with a yellow Earth pony filly watching.

“Applejack,” the small mare speaks, “can I-”

“No Applebloom.” Applejack quickly responds.

“But why?!”

“First off, it’s dangerous. Second off, you’ll mostly be alone while we run the boat on our journey. Rarity’s twice as strict as I am, so there’s no chance Sweetie Belle will come along.

“What about Scootaloo?”

“She’ll also be alone on the ship since I said no for your permission. Third off, somepony’s gotta take care of my work at the farm while I’m gone. Big Mac has enough work on his plate already and he gets easily seasick, so he can’t take my place.”

“Darn it…”

“Don’t be so sad about it, you’ll be fine. Let’s see, what else do I need? I got a compass, some books, plenty of drinking water and plenty of food, clothing…”

“Doesn’t this fancy ship you’ve been talkin’ ‘bout have all of those things?”

“It doesn’t hurt to pack extra. Oh I know!”

“It better not be-”

“Apples! Lots and lots of apples, crates of them,”

“…that.”

“Don’t be such a neighsayer. I can bake up all sorts of goodies on my trip with a healthy surplus of apples.”

“Can I help you bake-”

“No.”

Meanwhile, high above in the clouds, Rainbow Dash has already packed her things in four large saddlebags and is now flying with them resting at her sides. Behind her follows an orange pegasus filly.

“…As fun as it would be Scootaloo,” Dash says, “I don’t think this mission would be that much fun for you.”

“Oh come on,” the small mare confidently retorts, “my wings just developed and now I can fly. I could be of great help in recovering the Diamond Eye and beating that pirate for stealing it.”

“I enjoy your enthusiasm, but I’m afraid it’s too dangerous as well.”

“Danger’s my middle name.”

“No, I mean really dangerous. I saw what Korsan and his crew did. They didn’t hesitate when they levitated the guards into the air, with only the unicorns breaking free. I can barely imagine the damage they would cause if you crossed into their territory.”

“Whoa, this must be super serious if that’s coming from you. You’d usually laugh at something that seemed threatening.”

“Quite, so you know you can’t join me on this.”

“I guess so.”

“I’m happy you understand. I’ll be back in hopefully a month or two.”

“Okay. Bye Dashy!”

“Bye Scoots.” Hm, the cyan pegasus thinks to herself as she sees her filly friend turn around and fly away, she seems to be taking this awfully well. She didn’t even bring up the CMC or wanting cutie marks… Meh, just might be me.

Down below from where Rainbow Dash is flying, on the rolling grassy hills just outside of Ponyville, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie are walking side by side pulling wagons of stuffed suitcases on them.

“I knew it!” Pinkie cheers, hopping up and down as she moves forward. “You tempted fate, and now you must pay up.”

“Are you still going on about the bet?” Fluttershy groans, “You’re right, whoo-hoo, but there’s a bigger issue at hoof.”

“You’re not backing out of it are you?”

“No. We just have to deal with this Korsan stallion and then we can take care of the bet.”

“How about this, how about we make a new bet.”

“Oh no…”

“I bet that we’ll come across a giant carnivorous squid on our travels at sea.”

“Pinkie, that’ll never happen.”

“It’s an adventure at sea, of course it’s going to happen.”

“No it won’t.”

“Fine, then the bet is on.”

“Wha-”

“If I win, then you have to pay me twenty bits, if you win, you don’t have to pay anything.”

“Hmmm… Fine, it’s not going to happen anyways.” I pray that nothing like that happens. I’d have a heart attack or something if some squid attacked us!

“Are you excited?”

“Excited for what?”

“Excited that we’re going on a grand adventure out to sea against a pirate crew of course silly,”

“Oh, well, it will be a pleasant cruise if that’s what you mean.”

“I’m so excited! Just imagine the things we’ll be doing out there. Riding our ship throughout the storms, fighting pirates, getting in pirate bar fights, swing across boats onto the pirate ship, telling pirate tales, telling ghost tales, telling ghost pirate tales, getting pirate loot, getting kidnapped by pirates, being turned into pirate loot, and so much more!”

“Most of those things you listed, if not all of them, are not going to happen.”

“Wanna be-”

“No.”

A few hours later, at the ocean docks of the coastal city of Vanhoover, Twilight, Spike, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy meet up with their luggage in tow at the entrance.

“So,” Twilight proclaims, “is everypony here?”

“Yep,” Rainbow confirms.

“Anypony forget something before we go?” Applejack asks the group, oblivious to the fact that her cargo of four massive crates of apples dwarfs the others’ luggage.

“Well,” Fluttershy answers, “I wonder if I left enough food open for my animal friends…”

“No,” Pinkie sharply replies, “you gave them quite enough. I could see the pile from outside.”

“It seems we’re all set then.” Rarity says.

“Now the only question remaining is,” Spike adds, turning his attention to the vast array of large and small ships scattered throughout the harbour. “Where’s our boat?”

“That’s a very good question,” a familiar older mare’s voice announces behind him. The seven look back and see Celestia standing with them.

“Princess Celestia!” They all exclaim in surprise.

“Hello my little ponies.”

“What are you doing here?” Twilight asks, “Aren’t you supposed to be in Canterlot right now after the robbery?”

“Don’t worry, Luna’s taking care of the delegates. I just came here to wish you all good luck.”

“I see.”

“Your ship is over there.” The white alicorn raises a hoof towards the far right of the docks. The others look to where she’s pointing and sees their ship. It is a massive galleon with a solid red and gold painted exterior. Three tall masts on the ship pierce the sky, each with two wide, white sails sporting the symbol of Equestria, a shield with the sun and the moon together. Ten small steel cannons poke out of each side of the vessel. At the stern of the boat, hosts a large quarter deck with windows revealing the large galley and captain’s quarters. “The SS Raindrop, a fifty metre long, one-hundred fifty metric ton luxury behemoth of oak and steel, made to sail anywhere. Armed with twenty quick-fire cannons and a hundred metric ton anchor, this ship will take on any challenge and escape with only a few scratches. Although it may not be as powerful as Korsan’s airship, this will certainly strike fear in any small ship that wants to pick a fight with you. I’ve already taken care of food and water resources on board in the cargo bay, they should last you at most three months.”

“Oh my… Celestia, are you sure you want to give us this massive ship?”

“I’m certain. I well comprehend your understandings of ship operation and maintenance. Now, are all of you ready?”

“Yes we are.” With a flick of the large alicorn’s horn, the eight ponies and cargo disappear from the wooden docks in a flash of light and reappear on the main deck of the large galleon. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Good luck all of you, come back safely.”

“We will.” The white princess’ wings then unfold and Celestia takes off into the clear sky. With the vast blue sea ahead of them, Twilight returns her attention to her friends. “Alright, let’s take off.”

“Aye-aye captain,” Pinkie promptly responds before saluting in her own random way.

“Alright, first, we hoist the anchor.” Twilight’s horn glows as she focuses her attention to the unseen anchor over the edge of the bow. A loud rattling is heard as the ship begins to shift back and forth upon being freed from its restraint. “Done.”

“The sails appear to be already opened.” Spike announces.

“Right then, and finally…” The purple mare then swiftly runs up to the top of the stern and finds the wheel standing at the center of the deck. Grabbing it with her magic, she gently sets the steering wheel stiff and centered. “How about a little wind Dash?”

“Gotcha!” Rainbow hollers. In a single bound, the pegasus launches herself into the air and hovers behind a sail at the center mass. Rapidly beating her wings, Rainbow Dash soon causes a large gust of wind to pump into the sail, jerking the entire galleon forwards.

“That’s enough.” With the ship now pulling out of the harbor, Twilight gently turns the wheel clockwise, turning the ship as well. “Let’s see, it was seventy-eight degrees clockwise from the east…” As the ship almost becomes parallel with the coast, Twilight straightens the wheel, stopping the turning. “There, now we should be heading straight for Thieves’ Hold.”

“Now what do we do?” Rarity loudly asks.

“Just kick back and relax. We have a good tailwind now.”

“Yay!” Pinkie exclaims, “Vacation Time!”

“Good,” Applejack adds, “now I can start taking care of my stuff.”

“Are all of those massive crates apples?” Rainbow questions the orange Earth pony.

“They sure are.”

“You realize that Celestia already stockpiled some food for us?”

“Yeah, but you can never be too prepared. You don’t see me whining about Rarity’s stack.”

“Rarity is ‘excessive for personal reasons’, Twilight is ‘too prepared’, you’re entering psycho territory.”

“It doesn’t hurt,” Fluttershy retorts.

“Whatever, I’m going to take care of my things and find a room.”

“We should all at this point really.” Spike declares.

“May the adventure begin!” Twilight proudly shouts. With the wind brushing over her shoulders and the waves rushing past the sides of her ship, high hopes fill the young mare’s head.