So, second fanfic (yay me). Hopefully I can get as good a turnout as my last fic, if not better. So no one gets confused, this story takes place after MMMMystery on the Friendship Express but before Canterlot Wedding, so no Changelings and Shining Armor and Cadence probably won't have a major effect on the storyline.
Anyway, I don't own My Little Pony and any characters associated with that show, and I don't own Pirates and any ships or crew from that game. The Ottomare Empire, Ponaeus, and any OCs from those nations are mine, however, so if you want to use them please ask permission first.
Comments are appreciated, as are likes. I want to know what you all think, and I would like to improve in any way possible

The ocean draws many different emotions. For some, the vast expanse of water is a mystery waiting to be unlocked, one that draws in the eager and curious with promises of adventure and the thrill of exploration. Others, however, see the ocean as a haven for monsters, pirates, and other terrors just waiting to rip them apart the instant they step off dry land. In some ways, both sides of the argument were right, although to an extent that most would rather not want to acknowledge.

The galley drifted in the night, a small speck against the darkened ocean. Normally the crew would be taking this time to tend to the sails, keep their course straight, or say a few late night prayers, but tonight the ship was silent, as if it had been abandoned. Its crew was down below, huddled together in the hold, trying desperately to be silent. Only grim looks were exchanged amongst the sailors, most of them knowing what exactly they were facing. some, however, had no such knowledge, but they trusted the more experienced sailors to guide them through what to do next.

One of the younger sailors peaked out of a small hole, giving him a view across the silent deck. He was unsure as to what exactly was going on, or why the older sailors were making such a fuss, and now seemed like the perfect time to find out. He would have continued looking had not an older stallion pulled him back down.

“You fool!” the older sailor said in a hushed tone “Do you wish to attract their wrath with your ignorance?”

“Don’t mind him,” another sailor said “He’s young; it’s not like he knows better.”

“If you want us all to die, then go ahead and encourage him.” The first pony grumbled and pushed the younger sailor away.

“I just want to know why we’re all huddled down here.” The younger pony said. “Why aren’t we out there battling this threat like real stallions?”

“Demons, that’s why. Spawn from the depths of Tartarus come to reap all that show devotion to Güneş kral. No mortal with a right mind would try to stand against them.” The younger pony shivered; he was not the most devout of ponies, but he still knew enough scripture to know what exactly the Sun King had locked away in Tartarus.

“I don’t think they’re from Tartarus,” another pony said “I think they’re Tirek’s spawn.” there was a slight murmur amongst the crew; normal demons were one thing amongst the sailors, but Tirek was something completely different. Even the most stoic of the crew had become nervous at the mention of his name, and this only added to the tension amongst the ponies.

“You know better than to mention that name.” the first pony said, still trying to keep his voice as hushed as possible.

“But it’s true. Ten years of nothing, and then not but a month ago ships begin vanishing, and all the survivors can talk about is a green glow. The Great Demon must have a hand in this.”

“Silence, before you summon more of his ilk.” the pony was silent. The youngest of them looked at the other sailors; never since he first joined this ship had he seen such fear in their eyes. It was a bit ridiculous to think about it; they were servants of the Ottomare Empire, blessed by the Sun King Himself, and here they were cowering like foals separated from their caretakers. So much nervousness, so much tension, and it had driven the most stalwart of ponies into cowering wrecks. He prayed to the Sun King that he would grant him some way to alleviate the tension, but Güneş kral did not respond that quickly.

“What must we do?”

“Pray; pray that the spawn of hell do not find us here.”

“Too late, they’re here.” the entire ship fell silent. For a few moments, there was no sound asides from waves lapping against the galley’s hull. Then there was a droning sound and a green glow swept across the deck of the ship, as if it was searching for something. The youngest managed to find a small enough crack to look through, and he saw the source of the light.

It was a ship. It was huge, much larger than the galley, and its bulky design and square rigged sails showed Equestrian or Ponaean influence. But everything else about it was wrong; the sails were in tatters and weeds hung off loose planks, and it flew a flag that he had never seen or heard of before: a crimson field behind the profile of an ape’s skull. He shivered again, staring at that flag: something about it screamed evil, as if he was looking into the face of Tirek himself. He decided that when they returned to port, he wanted to spend a few days in a mosque before setting out again in order to purge the evil from his mind and soul.

And then he saw him: a soot grey unicorn, wearing a tattered overcoat and old hat. A sword was strapped to his side, alongside two objects that looked like miniature cannons. His attire and position on deck made him out to be captain, and most likely some kind of pirate. The young stallion had heard of pirates before, but they sailed smaller skiffs to catch merchant ships, not huge open-ocean vessels like this one. In his mind, the idea of these ponies being the spawn of Tartarus became more and more likely.

But the worst bit was the stallion’s eyes; they were bright red, brighter than blood, and they glowed with magic. The idea that somepony could have eyes such as these was unheard of, at best used as a tale to keep children in bed. For the briefest instant, the pirate looked and fixed his eyes upon the watching pony, causing the observer’s blood to run cold. Images flashed before his eyes; of those he knew, those he loved, all in pain while this... creature stood over them, laughing with glee. The young pony looked away, trying to clear his mind.

Those eyes... that must be what the others said... he must be the spawn of Tirek.

He prefers a different name, boy, A deep voice echoed through his mind. The sailor went rigid with fright.

Had that pony just infiltrated his mind? No, that was not true. Nopony could force their way into another pony’s mind; the Elders had told him that when he was a little colt.

But this is no ordinary pony...

“Stay calm,” one of the older ponies said “It’ll pass soon.” The younger pony nodded, but he felt as he would never be fully calm again. His legs were trembling slightly, he had begun to sweat and his breathing had sped up. Closing his eyes only brought back visions of the other ship’s captain, his stare piercing the younger pony’s soul. Oh merciful Sun King, please drive away these demons so that your servant may live.

As if somepony had been listening to his prayers, the droning stopped. The light faded and all was quiet again. The ponies inside the galley looked at each other, some murmuring about what had happened. The oldest was still on edge, but some of the others began to relax.

“It’s gone... the hellspawn have left us.” one of the others said.

Just before a salvo of grapeshot tore through the galley.

Most of the ponies below had no time to react. As the attacker poured salvo after salvo into their craft, all they could do was watch as the grapeshot tore their fellows to pieces. Some made it to the deck, only to be confronted by boarding pirates. Although to call them pirates was not a full description; their flesh was rotting, their bones exposed, and some bore no resemblance to ponies anymore. The tide of cursed pirates surged across the survivors, cutting down all that stood in their way.

The Spectre had claimed another victim.

El Fantasma walked across the deck of his new prize. It was small and poorly armed, only twelve light cannons, but from her rigging and oars he could tell she was fast, perfect for his plan. El Fantasma’s crew had brought out as many of the corpses as they could feasibly carry (some had taken more of the grapeshot than others). He inspected them individually, like a shopper inspecting produce, before taking a step back.

“This will be perfect.” His horn lit up with magic, and the pile of corpses was encased in a red glow. Slowly, the corpses rose under their own power, rebuilt with the dark magic inside every member of the Cursed. Soon a new crew, built from the torn remains of the old, stood before El Fantasma, awaiting orders.

“You serve me now,” he said to the new crew “And my orders and the orders of my master are to be carried out to their fullest. You shall spread fear and disorder amongst the waves, so our enemy will be lured in.” he chuckled a little “You will most likely be destroyed, but that is needed for my plan to succeed. Go now and fulfil what I have commanded.” With that, he turned and dissipated into a cloud of black smoke, drifting back to the Spectre. When he reached his ship, he rematerialized and walked towards the helm.

“Set course for the last archipelago; It’s time we paid our first recruits a little visit.”

“Captain.” one of his servants said “Look what we found.” El Fantasma turned and saw two unicorns dragging a young Pegasus across the deck. The cursed pirate smiled.

“Well well, if it isn’t the curious pony himself.” using his own magic, El Fantasma pulled the sailor in closer.

“P-Please,” the Pegasus said “I’ve done nothing blameful-”

“Well of course you have, boy!” El Fantasma said cheerfully “Otherwise you’d have died in that first salvo.” he laughed before turning his attention back to the pony in his grasp “Tell me, do you have a fathom as to what exactly comes now?” the captive slowly shook his head. “You and I, we’ll be having a chat later once we reach dry land.” He tossed the pony across the deck, two of the other pirates catching him. “A few days in the brig should do wonders for him, don’t you think?” the pirates that caught the Pegasus nodded and dragged their captaive to whatever fate lay below deck.