A friend turned on them?

The treasure was always rumored to turn the minds of all who travel the seas. It is within human nature to feel greed and the desire to keep treasures to themselves. James had never given it a thought, he planned to share the treasure with the friend he had promised. What he hadn't expected, however, was the turn of events that now put him between a rock and a hard place- literally.His thin form was pressed against the cave's wall, rock edges digging into his back, as he stared at the sharp tip of the coral arrow aiming between his green eyes. 

"I want this for myself, mate. I got a wish and I won't let yah take this for yourself." James felt a shiver run down his spine, green eyes holding both confusion and hurt. Over time, he had grown to think of the Stonefishman as a brother of sorts, and here he was, at his mercy.

"I wasn't gonna take it, Kieron. I promised we was gonna share!"
"Shut up," the fishman snarled, arrow trained on the pirate as he slowly backed away, heading towards the golden chest.
"Kieron, ih's gonna curse yah! Stoppih!"
"Don't yah come near me, mate. I got me a plan!"
"An' I'm gonna be stoppin' yah," James yelled, running forward and tackling the fishman, causing him to miss the chest's handle and, instead, roll down towards the water. It may have been an advantage against him, but James wasn't about to risk it. Kieron was and would always be his friend, betrayal or not. And,even if Kieron hated him forever after this, he would never regret saving him from an eternal curse. 

An enemy started being nice?

"Yer called The Nothin' now, ain't yah," James asked quietly, gloved fingers reaching out slowly to pat the large being's muzzle. A low growl was the response, neon green saliva dripping from between sharp teeth. The large being crouched over the small, shaking pirate as he got a closer look. Bright green eyes narrowed into slits as he lowered his muzzle, nostrils flaring as he took in the scent of the human. The moss and seaweed growing from his body dripped with both water and saliva getting caught in the trappings. James gave the muzzle a light pat, staring with wide eyes as the being huffed out air from his nostrils.

"A-are yah gonna be nice t'me now," he asked, shifting his weight as he stood tall.

"Ja..."
"Yeah,"James asked, patting the muzzle, "I keep thinkin' yah're gonna bite me hand off." The being growled loudly, teeth baring as he made the pirate jump back. Leaning forward, the beast brought his muzzle to the pirate's face and rubbed along the side of his face. It was the only form of affection he could show in his current form, claws too big and sharp to touch the pirate without shredding him to pieces. A low growl emitted as he felt fingers pat his muzzle once more.

"I missed yah too, dad..."

They become permanently crippled.

The moan of pain brought Kieron to attention, his head turning. He felt something sharp shoot up his spine and he cried out, his back archingoff the ground slightly. He fell against the ground, fin twitching weakly as he rolled over. He could barely move, and it took him a moment to realize why. Part of his fin had been smashed by the fallen beam, solid spine shattered slightly in one spot near the end of his fin. He slowly turned his head, eyes glancing around for his friend.He spotted the hat, hedgehog squeaking from inside. 

"Aye,Rhyme. Aussie, c'mere," Kieron muttered, holding out a numb, webbed hand. The hedgehog refused to budge, but finally moved, and the fishman stopped. He felt the small pet climb into his hand and rest there, but Kieron couldn't take his eyes from the sight of his friend. James was slumped against a burnt piece of the ship, a cannonball blast clearly having knocked him off his feet, and a beam pinning his body there. Shards of gold littered the area around his legs and the fishman struggled to get up and move over. As he stood,he felt his legs give out and he fell once more, whimpering in pain.The spinal injury he had received was beginning to take feeling from his body.

"James," Kieron mumbled, "Mate, get up." He crawled over, forcing himself to move. Something warm met his sensitive fingers and he paused, pulling his hand up. Something red was coating the orange, scaled fingers. 

"Mate... mate, you're bleeding," he said, grabbing onto the pirate's arm. He gave a hard tug, but James did nothing but moan.

"Hang on, Aussie,"Kieron said, pushing the beam on the pirate's legs. He shoved and,with a sudden jerk, the beam was lodged aside. Kieron grabbed the pirate's arms and dragged him away before the entire part of the ship collapsed. 

The water was beginning to fill the bottom of the ship and Kieron knew he didn't have enough time to get them both out.He shook James slightly, but stopped when his eyes landed on his legs. Both metal shin plates were destroyed, shattered and revealing his legs. In his right, metal pieces were lodged into his skin, and his left was entirely broken. Both legs were burnt. Kieron shuddered as he felt the tingling in his spine. At this rate, they were both useless to swim. 

"Nnnh...," James groaned,"K-Kieron...?"

"Yeah, mate?"
"I can't feel me legs..."
"...I'm starting to lose the feelin's in my arms. We have to go. Can yah hang onto my back?"
"...I can try,"James replied, grabbing onto the camouflage material. Kieron hoisted him up and held the hedgehog in his webbed hands. He lifted them and waited for James to hold onto the small creature. 

"Deep breath,you two," the fishman said, sinking into the rising water.

It was no surprise that, after being pulled ashore by fellow Stonefishmen, the two were treated. The damage, however, was too severe for both. Kieron now lacked the ability to solidify his fin,cutting down his swim speed, and had constant spinal problems. James,on the other hand, wasn't able to walk on his shins much. He needed the help of braces attached to his legs and even then, walking was too painful.
"I won't leave yah alone, mate," Kieron mumbled,"Yah wanna find that treasure still, right?" James stared at hisship, eyes dull.
"I don't wanna find anythin' anymore," the pirate muttered, frowning. Kieron scowled, but didn't argue. Losing his ability to walk, run, climb and jump really broke the adventurous pirate's spirit. 

They became president/king?

Exiting the cave, the two beings stared out at the horizon. The treasure had been destroyed, no more rumors and legends to tell. James sighed,shaking his head. He grinned over at his friend and nodded, leaving towards the ship. Kieron sunk into the water and headed back to his foreign waters. Their goodbye was silent, knowing that nothing could really stand in their way. As years passed, stories of the great pirate James and his first mate, Kieron, stretched across the seven seas. The tales told of how the two destroyed the treasure and saved the world from an eternal curse. 

"An' tha's how he saved the seven seas," the young woman said, waving her hands, "James is one o'the best pirates."
'But, momma, what about James now?"
"James now? Aye, James still roams the seven seas in search of other treasures. I grew up with him. I used t'tease him." 

Boots thudded against a brand new dock, golden shin guards glistening in the sun. Long, garnet red dreadlocks tangled as the wind blew, gloved hand holding the hate secure on his head. A small squeak emitted from the hat and a small head poked out. "Yah ready fer this one,Rhyme?" The hedgehog squeaked and settled in his spot. The green jacket's coat tails flew back as he stood on the edge of the railing,his grin spreading wide. He closed his eyes, feeling the air and tasting the salt of the sea. 

"Mornin', Captain," a voice sounded behind him. The tall pirate turned, glancing at the fishman climbing over the railing. With the lack of his eye, Kieron looked much older, but not much different. He lifted a hand, setting his quiver and bow down on the deck.

"Long time no see," he mused.
"New adventure," James replied.
"I heard that you're a king now," Kieron mused, standing next to him, "You have my tribe's assistance."
"Yah lead the tribe now?"
"I do."

The two laughed, the pirate shaking his head.
"Captain, headin' north towards the coordinates!"
"You got a big crew. A bigger ship," Kieron mumbled. More splashes were heard and other Stonefishmen began to climb onto the rails, but only clung to those. They didn't dare board unless the Captain said so.
"Yer highness," James mused, looking at Kieron, "Your people got permission t'get on me boat."
"Get on, yah idiots!"
"Set sail, yah idjit! Put up the flag! Show the seven seas the kings they be messin' with!!"