"GASP!!!" Jace's eyes flung open as he woke up with a jolt. It was dawn when
Jace woke up and a light golden, pink, and purple sunrise was peeking through the
window to Jace and his crew's room. Thrasher and Casie ended up both pitching
towards the room for the night. Jace remembers asking them to, and they were not
impressed. But they covered the room anyway. Jace was the first one up again,
everyone else was passed out. Thrasher was sprawled out on the floor, snoring away
with his mouth wide open and drool spilling out. Casie and Flamett were both sleeping
in the other bed together, both also loudly snoring, cuddling their blankets and pillows.
And Jace was just chilling in his own bed. As Jace sat in his bed for a while, he felt a
need for some fresh air.
"I think I'm just going to sneak out of here and go for a walk." Jace got out of his
bed and very sneakily tip-toed through the room, lightly jumped over Thrasher's body
and quietly opened the door so he wouldn't wake anyone. Jace made his way through
the Pirates Guild, and it looked like he was the only one awake in the building. There
were a couple of passed out pirates at some tables with their mugs still in their hands.
The bartender, Cinder was still sleeping and so was Cindy. Jace opened the doors of
the Pirates Guild and stepped into a cool but warm morning. He walked out into a quiet
but stirring port. There were some people awake and setting up their stalls or just
having a morning walk like Jace was doing. As Jace walked through Port Savvy, he
breathed in the fresh and salty morning air. He strolled by more people that were just
waking up. People that were either sitting in their houses by their windows eating
breakfast. Or drowsy people that were still waking up and getting ready for another day
working their stalls and jobs.
"I wonder if the dock is empty, I could use a quiet moment by myself by the
ocean." Jace said to himself as he kept walking through Port Savvy. Jace made his way
towards the dock and found that it was quiet. The end of the dock is what Jace had his
eyes on. He just wanted to stand on the end of the dock and think while he listened to
the seagulls gull and the waves pitter against the dock's supports. Jace calmly headed
to the end of the dock, each of his steps sounded with a gentle creek of the dock's
boards slightly bending. Once Jace arrived at the end of the dock, he took a deep
breath and just relaxed. He watched as the sun rose more and more over the horizon
with its warm and inviting presence. As Jace watched the sun rise in between the two
tall cliffs that guarded the island. He noticed something was starting to block the sun's
gaze. It looked like a silhouette of a ship.
"Huh. A ship. I wonder what one is doing here at this hour. It does look kinda far
away, it almost looks like it's sailing past the island." As Jace said that to himself, he
heard light popping sounds, they almost sounded like firecrackers going off. He then
noticed very small clouds of smoke coming from the ship that was sailing by the island.
Jace's eyes grew big and he tracked his view upwards and saw dozens of cannon balls
flying towards Port Savvy in a glorious volley. All the cannon balls, before they could
even touch the Port blew up in mid-air with a loud and riveting explosion, revealing a
capsule-like barrier around the entire island. It hummed as it blocked the volley and had
a white glow to it. Jace admired its protective beauty.
"That must be the magic seal that Cindy told me about last night." Right after that
thought trailed out of Jace's mouth, he heard more firecracker like sounds and he grew
a worried expression as the next perfect volley of metal came crashing down on the
magic seal again. But this time, to Jace's and everyone who was now awake's horror,
the entire magic seal shattered with a thunderous crashing and fell apart into many
pieces that found their way into the ocean and bay, and some pieces even landed on
the Port itself, causing damage to multiple buildings.
"You've got to be kidding me! They found us already?!" Jace yelled out in
frustration as he noticed the ship he saw before sailing between the two cliffs and enter
the Port's bay. The ship that sailed into Port Savvy's bay effortlessly sailed with red sails
and proudly flew the colors of the evil pirates. It was a large galleon of a ship with three
levels of guns and hundreds of evil pirates manning its every rope and pulley and its
every cannon and fuse. The two big, but not as big ships in the harbor that blew up Jace
and his crew's commandeered evil pirate ship started to turn themselves to an angle
where they could fire and sink the evil pirate ship. But before they could fire, the evil
pirate captain sailing the evil pirate ship used a magic spell to project his voice so
everyone in Port Savvy could hear him.
"Avast maties! Me and my mates come in peace, we mean no harm! We just
want to talk, on behalf of our leader, The Shadow! Please don't fire, I repeat, we just
want to talk!"
The evil captain's familiar voice could be heard everywhere, and if someone was
still somehow sleeping, they were surely awake now. Shortly after the evil captain made
his announcement, Jace heard frantic footsteps behind him. He looked behind himself
and saw his crew all running towards him with worried and shocked looks on their faces.
"Jace! Who is that! Are you okay?!" Casie said with worry.
"I'm all good. And I think that might be one of The Shadow's evil captains. He
sounds oddly familiar though. Like I've heard his voice from somewhere before." Jace
said with dread. Casie noticed a look of unearthed worry in Jace's eyes and she grew
worried for Jace.
"It looks like they found us." Thrasher stated stoically.
"How did they get here so fast?! I wonder if it was that ship that attacked us on
our first voyage! Maybe it was already looking for Port Savvy!" Flamett explained with a
shocked realization.
"You actually might be right about that Flamett." Jace replied with anxiety. "That
evil pirate ship looks just like the one we fought just outside of Port Savvy!" Jace and his
crew watched as the evil pirate ship laid anchor and started getting a row boat ready for
the evil captain to make his way into Port Savvy. As Jace and his crew watched in
tension, they heard a single set of fast paced footsteps behind them. They all looked
and saw that Cindy was approaching them with purpose.
"Hey guys! I need you to come with me to BOOM! This evil captain is bad news. I
have a funny feeling that he's going to make a stop at the Pirates Guild. So we should
hide out at BOOM! and wait for this evil captain to make his rounds and leave." Cindy
explained with earnestness.
"I kinda have a bad feeling about this evil captain as well." Jace stated. "We'll
come with you Cindy, just lead the way." Cindy nodded, turned, and headed towards
BOOM! with Jace and his crew close behind her. But as they were leaving the dock, the
evil captain and some of his crew mates were rowing towards the dock and the evil
captain saw them leave. He had a gut feeling that those were the people he was here to
find, so the evil captain cast a tracking spell in the form of a parrot. The evil captain
raised his right hand to the sky and chanted an incantation.
"Eyes that see everything, the watching presence from the shadows, form into
the animal that can traverse anywhere with its flight." Once the evil captain finished his
incantation, a ball of dark and purple energy swirled above his raised hand. It spun and
melded together and after a short while took the form of a jet black parrot. After the
parrot finished forming, the evil captain commanded it to follow the people he saw on
the dock.
"Follow those people that left the dock just now, show me where they are going.
Stay close, but out of sight." The evil captain gave the orders to the parrot and its eyes
flashed purple. It squawked, "aye, aye!" And flew away towards where Jace, his crew,
and Cindy had just gone.
"You can run, but you can't hide." The evil captain said to himself with an evil
chuckle and grin. As the evil captain arrived at the dock, there were two high ranking
civilians waiting there. They helped the evil captain and his four crew mates up and out
of their boat and helped tie the boat to the dock.
"Welcome to Port Savvy! We hope you find your visit a memorable one." One of
the high ranking civilians said.
"It will be, I'm sure." The evil captain said haughtily. The evil captain was dressed
in high quality leather and cloth. He wore a big and robust black hat that had a big rose
red feather on top, he also wore a thick and sleek black leather jacket with an exposed
fiery red undershirt. He had heavy and fancy deep black boots that were complimented
with even darker pants. He had a very young face oddly enough. He was actually pretty
young, you could say that he looked just a bit older than Jace, but not by much.
"We're sorry that our home doesn't seem like it's all that unique from any other
port, but we do have our quirks." The other high end civilian commented.
"Show them to me." The evil captain demanded. "I want to see all this port has to
offer." After the evil captain said that, his eyes started to glow purple.
The two high ranking civilians noticed the evil captain's eyes, but just shrugged it
off and gave the evil captain and his four crew mates a tour of the port and its best
qualities. They started by showing the evil captain and his companions the bay. The evil
captain was impressed.
"This bay looks like it would be very efficient. It's very large, it can probably fit lots
of ships in it with room to spare. Great for trade I can imagine."
"Yes, it is very useful for trade, very efficient like you said." One of the rich
civilians explained. The two high class civilians continued to show the evil captain and
his four crew mates around Port Savvy, showing them stalls, bars, and other businesses
all while they drew closer to the Pirates Guild.
The parrot that the evil captain conjured silently and gracefully flew just behind
and above Jace and his crew as they ran through Port Savvy. It's eyes glowing a steady
purple.
"So why are we going to BOOM! Cindy?" Flamett asked from the back of the
group with a raised voice so Cindy could hear.
"I thought it would be a good place to hide. It's in the middle of nowhere, a place
that's out of the way. I don't think it would be important to this evil captain." Cindy
explained over her shoulder to Flamett, also with a louder voice.
"But why do we need to hide? We could just blend in with all the civilians."
Thrasher asked quizzically as he was close behind Cindy along with Jace.
"I have a gut feeling that this evil captain isn't just here for sightseeing. He might
be looking for something, and by something, I mean all of you guys."
"But why would he be looking for us?" Casie wondered.
"I mean, you guys sure made quite a ruckus on your first voyage. You know,
destroying that whole operation on that island and finding the Cutlass of Light. The
Shadow was probably suspicious of something and I guess he thought to look here first.
I know The Shadow has been looking for Port Savvy for a long time. So he took the
opportunity of a ship being conveniently sailed right to it and pinpointed it on his maps."
As Cindy said those words, she gave Jace a sharp and reminding look with a hint of
playful jabbing.
"Hey! Lay off Cindy, it was an honest mistake!" Jace said with a squeaky voice of
defense. As Jace and Cindy bantered with each other, Cindy, Jace, and his crew
entered the outskirts of Port Savvy and could see the small building that was sitting all
by itself in a field. They all made a b-line for BOOM! so they could wait out the visit of
the evil captain. As they ran on the road leading to BOOM! The parrot still followed
everyone with stealth. It looked ahead of everybody and locked its eyes on BOOM!
They glowed even brighter and the evil captain, who was now standing outside of the
Pirates Guild, his eyes glowed an even brighter purple as well and he saw BOOM!,
Cindy, Jace, and his crew running towards it.
"And here is the Pirates Guild! Home to our most brave and strong pirates!" The
other high class civilian said proudly as he showed the Pirates Guild to the evil captain
and his crew mates. But the evil captain and his crew mates showed almost no interest,
they just looked at the Pirates Guild and scowled. The evil captain's eyes glowed an
even brighter purple and his expression changed to an evil smirk and he thought to
himself. "I was sent here to look for a certain group of people and their leader, but I
know where they are now." He then asked a question to the high ranking civilians.
"It seems like this port is a very economical one, with lots of businesses and
opportunities for money. I'm just curious. Are there any other shops that you would like
to show me?"
"Actually, yes! There is one. We almost forgot to take you to it. It's kind of a long
walk, it's in the middle of nowhere."
"Take me to it. I would like to see it." The evil captain replied with a sinister
commanding voice. He then trailed off into thought as they started walking in the
direction of the shop called BOOM!
"We're gonna find more than just a shop, I have a slight feeling about that for
sure." As the evil captain thought that to himself, his eyes continued to glow a brighter
purple.
"BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!!" Three loud and frantic knocks could be heard from
inside BOOM! and the owner, who was reading a book in his office chair, looked up from
his book in annoyance. He got up and went to answer the door with a grumble. The
owner of BOOM! was a tall and older looking man. He wore a gray tunic with oak brown
pants that were complemented with old and flaky leather boots. He had long black hair
that was accompanied with a thick and rustic coal black beard, both of which had gray
hairs that were decently noticeable.
"What is it? Can't you see we're closed for the day?" The owner of BOOM!
unlocked and opened the door and was met with a familiar face that made his eyes
open wide in surprise. Flamett, the person that he fired recently, was rushing into his
shop with a group of people that he didn't know from Adam.
"What in the, huh?! Who are you?! Where did you?! What in the hell is
happening?!" The owner bursted out in confusion as a group of stressed out and heavy
breathing strangers and one familiar face ran into his shop unannounced.
"Hi again sir, sorry we barged in. I know that it's your day off and all, but we gotta
hide here." Flamett explained as she wiped sweat off of her forehead.
"You can't hide here! I need a day with no craziness so I can rest! And then you
all came here out of nowhere! Get out of my shop!" The owner said with a frown and
pointed aggressively to the door.
"We can't leave! We think someone might be looking for us!" Jace blurted out
loudly in retaliation.
"Why yes! Someone is looking for you!" A voice from outside called that sent
nostalgic shivers down Jace's spine. Everyone in BOOM! turned their heads in worry
and stared towards the sound of the voice they heard. Everybody found a window or a
crack in the wallboards and peeked outside to see who called out to them. All the eyes
in the shop fell on the evil captain and his company of the two civilians and four crew
mates who just arrived at BOOM!. As they arrived, the parrot that was trailing Cindy,
Jace, and his crew landed on the evil captain's shoulder and started to evaporate into
purple and black foggy smoke. The evil captain had a big smile on his face and once
Jace's eyes fell on the evil captain's face, he was shell shocked and frozen.
"I know him." Jace said quietly in baffledness.
"What did you say Jace?" Casie asked with concern in her voice as she noticed
the spirit in Jace fade.
"I know that freaking guy!" Jace yelled out in panic and fear.
"Wait… What?!" Everyone except the owner who was still confused yelled
together in shock.
"Obviously one of you knows who I am, and I know who you are, Jace! Get your
asses out here before I blow up this entire shop!" The evil captain yelled as he reached
for his pistol.
I wouldn't do that if I were you! If you blow this shop up, you'll blow up a quarter
of this island!" Flamett yelled from inside.
"Then come out! If you come out, then I won't have to blow up a slice of this
island will I?" The evil captain replied with his pistol now aimed at BOOM! with the
hammer cocked back and ready to fire.
"Ok, ok. We're coming out!" Jace called. "Just don't shoot!" Jace turned to the
owner and said. "Hey man, you stay here. I doubt that this evil captain wants anything to
do with you. Just stay inside and stay safe, he probably doesn't even know you're here."
"Thanks mate. I'll just sit here and watch to make sure he doesn't do anything
crazy." The owner said with gratitude in his voice. Jace and his crew, along with Cindy
slowly exited BOOM! with their hands up.
"Hey Cindy. How did he find us so fast?" Jace asked with a hushed voice.
"I have a pretty good idea. Remember that parrot that landed on his shoulder and
disappeared?"
"Yeah." Jace agreed.
"Well, I think that parrot was some kind of tracking magic. It's a rare magical
ability that takes a lot of skill and costs lots of mana to use. I think our hunch that he
was looking for us was right." Cindy explained.
"I see. I guess all we can do now is hear this guy out." Jace said with worry in his
voice.
"Isn't it good to see you again Jace! It sure has been a while!" The evil captain
said with a hint of antagonization. As he said that to Jace, Jace could feel his gut shrink
with stress and his worry was noticeable on his face. Casie, Cindy, Flamett, and
Thrasher noticed the look on Jace's face and grew ever more curious as to who the evil
captain was and how Jace and him knew each other.
"Let's get down to business here." Cindy started to talk. "What are you doing here
and why were you looking for Jace and us? What are your intentions?"
"My intentions? I said them when I got here. I don't want trouble. I just want to
talk. And why was I looking for Jace and you guys? Direct orders from The Shadow,
that's all you need to know." The evil captain explained. Jace stared at the evil captain
with horror and disbelief.
"How is he here?! This doesn't make sense!" Jace muttered under his breath as
his eyes darted back and forth. Casie heard him and asked.
"Who is this guy, Jace? Why do you know him? Why are you so scared?"
"I…" Jace started to speak but was interrupted by the evil captain.
"How about this! Let's all go to the Pirates Guild and grab some drinks and talk.
I'll explain what I was told by The Shadow and things don't have to get hairy."
"Alright. That sounds like a plan. Clear the air and explain." Cindy said in
agreement. After Cindy agreed to the evil captain's offer. Everyone, with the evil captain
and his company leading, headed to the Pirates Guild to talk. And Jace and his crew
followed in the back as Jace was still freaking out internally.
"This doesn't make sense…"