A/n: Nah, I don't have much to say in the A/N from the chapter beginning...  Though, let me tell you the abuse of alcohol is dangerous for you own health, if you're old enough to drink ! Personally, I don't drink so much alcohol cause the taste is too sour for me XD

(And don't worry, neither Travis nor Tressa will drink any drop of alcohol ! So you don't have to freak out !)

You will understand that warning while reading the chapter.

See you at the end !

~Third's POV~

In the deep wet caves of Maiya, the pirate crew was happily laughing after successfully robbing the harmless merchants of Rippletide, and were having some fun between singing old pirate songs, and starting to eat some of thto stolen products without having spent any leaves. Some pirates even opened some of the cargo and were already making fun of the merchandise, by sometimes breaking a few pots during their own amazement.

The two captains Mikk and Makk were having fun as well, laughing in the middle of the treasures with their mateys, as Mikk the slimmest pirate smirked loudly.

"Harharharh ! Those landlubbers didn't even put up a fight !"

"Prolly don't even know how ! From the looks of it, their crustly barnacle of a town don't get many pirates.", said his fellow Makk.

"The strong take while the weak quake."

"An' that's the way the world works !"

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAARR !!!

Every pirates laughed in belief, feeling so arrogant and confiant after their successful robbery, as Makk smirked.

"Hee hee ! Words to live by, courtesy of Cap'n Leon Bastralle, scourge of the seas ! Aye. We set out to follow in his footsteps, and ain't looked back since."

"There ain't no better life than just takin' what ye wants !", cheered Mikk.

"Cap'n ! Cap'n !", exclaimed a voice.

A quite excited matey just joined the two captains and their comrades, while rolling carefully a wooden barrel.

Mikk felt quite anxious, when he blamed him.

"I told you ! There ain't enough room for two cap'ns round here !"

"Right ! Like I said, yer just the first mate...", replied Makk.

"GRRRRR !!!..."

The two captains both glared menacingly at each other, ready to fight, when they got interrupted by the sentinel pirate.

"Set yer squabblin' aside, Cap'nses ! We got more wine here !"

"Did he say... WINE ?!", exclaimed the captains together in excitement.

While the rest of the curious mateys gathered around the barrel, the thirsty captains started to drool happily, when the sentinel added proudly.

"Those kids came by, said 'eir town was sorry for what it done."

Everyone in the room exchanged some glares, feeling more and more excited, when they all cheered.

"YEAAAHHH !! SOMETHIN' TO DRINK !!"

They were all attracted by the content of the barrel, totally enticed by the good smell of the wine which filled for at least 10 liters of rhum, still fresh despite all the time the barrel was warmed up by the sun.

The captains immediately asked one of their mateys to bring a tool for opening the barrel. After opening their gift with difficulty and removing the cover, the sight of the attractive alcoholic drink made all of the pirates amazed, so much that they couldn't resist at the temptation.

The entire crew was now around the barrel, even the sentinel, and each of them holding a pint of lager stolen at one of Rippletide's merchants filled of the rhum contained in the gift, as Mikk smirked.

"He he he he he ! Those landlubbers are fast learners... or they're too yellow-bellied to put up a fight ! Aharhar !"

"Yosh ! A toast to the landlubbers !", cheered Makk while lifting his drink.

"To the limp-legged jellyfish of Rippletide !"

CLING !

"Cheers, mateys !"

"To the piratin' life !"

"CHEERS !!!!!"

All the pirates immediately started to drink their beverage in only one gulp, with some of them poured the liquid on their clothes or even on their beard. They all enjoyed the taste while the effects of alcohol started to make them crazy. Some of them didn't hesitated to drink a second one, others even decided to make some gurping contest.

The time passed, and their were still half of the barrel contained of rhum, despite the number of pirates. They become crazier and crazier, happily walking, singing and laughing through the caves with their pints. There wasn't any single pirate who decided to stay sober and to not drink some rhum: every pirates have drunk at least two pints, some of them were still able to drink more before becoming dizzy. This is what we could call the pirating life.

At the strorage room where was the barrel, a mad matey was immediately plunging his head inside the barrel for drinking what was left, as the two dizzy captains were twisting their drink and wetting the room of the rhum they spilled while singing crazily , when Makk started to feel sleepy.

"Oh yeah... That feel so good ! So good... that I'll just take a rest..."

"Yeah... Me too...", said Mikk, who suddenly lost his balance and fell next to his comrade.

"RRRRRRRRR.......ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ !!!!!"

~Tressa's POV~

"It should be about time. All right, let's go !"

Me and Travis both penetrated in the caves, without showing any fear of the pirates.

We arrived inside a large cavern which was surpringly much darker than we though as we entered it progressively. However, we could still see clearly thanks to the sunlight and a few torchs probably put by pirates. It was such an amazing place with all these giant stalactites three times taller than me. The trail and walls were quite soaked by the humid climate of the ocean, and we could even notice a pool of sea water which the ocean was able to reach by the coast's underground.

I've already been to the caves of Maiya several times with my father when I was quite younger: at the time, it wasn't supposed to be a place where lost treasures could be found, but I enjoyed to do some exploration with my father besides work. At the beginning, I was scared there were ghosts inside, especially when I heard some legends in the village telling the story of a band of bloodthirsty pirates who outraged the twelve gods. As a punishment for their crimes, the gods provoked a powerful storm in the ocean, making their ship capsizing and crushing next to these coasts, and now their spirits would haunt this place according to the tales.

Today I'm always frightened by ghostly stories, but now I'm quite used to go in that cave, even it's been a long time I've never been here.

We were walking through the way, when we noticed a pirate sleeping.

RRRRRRRR..... ZZZZZZZZ !!!!

It was the sentinel from earlier whom we gave the gift. He was sleeping like a baby while holding his pint of rhum quite filled on the ground.

"Well, that was easy.", said Travis.

"Hah ! That's what they get for underestimating me !", I exclaimed, but not too loud for not waking up the pirates.

RRRRRRRR.... ZZZZZZZZ !!!!

I was glad our plan was working exactly like I expected !

We even observed from far other pirates who were all sleeping peacefully on the way, snoring so loud that it even echoed through the cavern. After all, why bothering to attack them ? It's just like instead of attacking them like how would do a lion, we just poisoned them with a snake !

"It was such a good plan to put sleeping tablets inside the barrel of rhum !", said Travis happily.

"You say so ! The sleepweed is well known in medecine for putting patients in a sleep in order to examine them and provide them medical assistance. It's quite rare to find that herb, but we were lucky that they were selling a few ones !... Anyway, I think we should be fine for 1 hour before they woke up. Now, try not to make a loud noise, alright ?"

"Alright !", he shushed, still determined for that adventure.

"Okay, let's go finding their booty !... I mean their "treasure", ok ?"

I bounced slightly my backpack and started to walk through the way which could probably lead to the place where all the stolen goods must be located.

I walked in front with my spear behind my back, followed by Travis, taking the path by carefully making sure to not wake up the drugged pirates.

The place was still very dark, but thanksfully I got my small lantern, which was offered by my parents for celebrating my 16th birthday. It might be small, but the light was shiny enough to illuminate our way.

There were many pirates sleeping on the path, who must all having good dreams while resting in uncomfy positions. For exemple, one was sleeping on the head of another, and another was even sleeping on a puddle of rhum from his pint.

Blblbl !

BWEEEEH ! That's disgusting !

They were stinking up the rhum so much that the air started to become unbreathable, and the poor Travis almost wanted to throw up as he was pinching his noise.

Still disgusted by the odor, he suddenly stepped on a matey by accident.

"Oops !"

He immediately stepped back, as we both stayed calm and patient, quite stressed as we saw the pirate moving. Will he wake up ?

"Mmmh...", mumbled the pirate in his sleep, rolling his body a meter away while smiling.

"Phew..."

Thanks the 12 gods he hasn't waken up, but we still have to be careful: if ever we manage to wake up one pirate, he will immediately alert the others and our plan will be completely ruined...

We continued on our way through the caves, when we observed at our left something which caught our eyes.

"Wow..."

"You say so... We could say it isn't a very good parking job.", I mumbled.

A big ship was completely capsized in a large pool, his size being twice less bigger than the travelling merchant's ship at Rippletide. The hull was destroyed and the sails were such in a bad mood. As it was impressing Travis a lot, I started to think back at bad memories by remembering a certain story which made me scared.

By considering his awful location for parking a boat like this one, I guessed it must be the pirates's ship they must have broken while installing in those caves. Also, I was wondering how 20 pirates were still able to fit inside a ship of this size...

Anyway, I don't think the pirates could sail with that boat anymore. That could clearly explain why they decided to make their basement here. But seriously, I could admit they weren't very smart !

We joined the end of the path, when we arrived in a quite large room.

Is that... a stockage room ?

There was a lot of merchandise spreaded at the end of the room, like barrels, package, or even wooden coffers, as it was difficult to count how much things they were stocking. A giant luster was suspending at the ceiling.

In the middle of the room, alongside with broken bottles, we noticed the two leaders of the crew sleeping next to the now empty barrel, fast asleep just like their comrades. We could really say they tasted a new kind of savior in that drink !

We were both excited to finally find the stolen goods.

"The merchandise !", cheered Travis, who then observed curiously the room and asked."How many things have they stolen before ?"

"I don't know. It seems those pirates haven't only robbed the treasures of Rippletide, but also gathered all what they have found during all their previous misadventures.", I explained whil feeling quite impressed by the large amount of merchandise.

I observed that the great majority of the stolen goods was still in good state, quite well stowed at the end of the room. However, I also noticed some traces of broken pots around the sleeping pirates, and some products seem to have been eaten. It hurted me to see that: I couldn't support the idea of people robbing possessions just to make fun of it.

No way. No way I could tolerate this.

Even Travis still seemed shocked to notice the rests of one of the goods in pieces. He watched at me with pity, just like he was feeling exactly like I did...

I just nicely patted his head, chasing these bad memories.

"I...I'm fine...", he sighted calmly.

Thanksfully, there was still a large majority of products which the pirates haven't still used, but we had to be quick to make sure they wouldn't destroy more...

We both calmed ourselves.

"I wonder how this pirate crew manage to install themselves in a place like this. If I were them, I wouldn't live in such a dark cave.", added Travis.

"Maybe they have known some concurrence..."

Despite their belligerent behavior, those pirates weren't the smartest. Even the two captains didn't seem quite clever to not fall in such a childlike trap. Seriously, look at this: they were both sleeping right in the middle of the room, and we could even hear one of them singing in his sleep.

"I'm... the cap'n... It's me... not the fat..."

RRRRRRRRR.... ZZZZZZZZZZ !!!

Me who always believed pirates to be serious and evil like people told in their tales, we could really say they bring shame to all pirates from Orsterra's ocean.

"They are so loud for sleeping people.", I commented, making Travis chuckling.

However, it wasn't time to criticize other people's way of work, we have still to focus on our mission and to retrieve all the stolen goods.

I observed the amount of merchandise which I recognized to be from Rippletide, making sure to take first in priority the most valuable ones because we don't have a lot of time.

Despite all the work we should have, I was very determined to take back everything. There was no way I would gave up all those honest merchants who worked so hard to get these products ! No way all their effort will be in vain !

"Okay, I think we need to make a lot of go and back for retrieving everything. Let's start by the lightest packages, fine ?", I said to Travis.

"Alright ! I'm starting right now.... Gnnn !", he answered by using some effort to lift up a small but heavy box.

He has already started to lift up a package in his small but quite strong arms.

"Hu hu hu..."

It makes me giggling to see him working without hesitation ! I didn't even have the time to advice him what he could take first, but it makes me pleased to see him so helpful despite his age !

He might be adorable, but he was really nice and sympathetic. Seriously, he reminded me of myself when I had his age, at helping my parents for their work.

RRRRRRRRRR !!! ZZZZZZZZZ !!!

I looked down at the 2 lazy captains resting, and smiled.

I hope there's treasure in your dreams... Because there won't be any here when you wake up ! Hehe.

While Travis walked slowly towards the exit without any problem, I decided to do the same, so I spotted a nearby coffer next to the barrel, which was placed on a bunch of cereal bags.

That was quite reckless from those pirates to put such an heavy chest right here. I have to remove it carefully before someone make an accident.

But when I managed to lift up the heavy chest from the top of the bags and putting it slowly, so slowly on the ground with attention.

I rised the head and noticed in surprise the bag from the summit slowly sliding and falling.

"Oh !"

I quickly manage to catch it, when another bag fell on the ground.

SBAF !

It made a loud noise, so loud that it echoed in the cavern, as Travis also frozen in place from the noise I just made.

Ooops !

What an idiot am I ! I just provoked a lot of noise which could alert the pirate !

I just watched one of the captain slowly waking up by singing.

"Aaaahhh... I'm the rightful cap... Hey ! What're you doin' here ?!", he yelled at me, surprised.

That's no good... He just saw me. What do I do ?!

"W-who ? M-me ?...", I mumbled nervously.

"Yeah, you ! Not your hat !"

Say somethin', Tress ! Try to dissuade him !

"What am I doin' here... Er, well, I just came back to get the cask. I'll be going now...", I answered him with a nervous grin, while picking up the empty barrel.

"Oh, that's mighty kind of ye."

"Hehe !"

He watched at me with a naive smile, still feeling all the rhum he had gulped down, as I sighted.

That was close !...

RRRRRRRRR..... ZZZZZZZZ !!!

We both stared without nothing happened, hoping the pirate would immediately go back to sleep, when he suddenly yelled.

" !!!... Makk , ye lazy sack of bones, get up ! We got ourselves an intruder !"

"!!!... What ?!", yelled his comrade, who quickly woke up in surprise.

"Uh-oh."

Oh no... They spotted me ! What an idiot am I...

They quickly got up angrily, as I stared at them angrily, when the mustached pirate noticed me.

"Hey, I know you ! Yer that brat from the town... Ohhh... I gets it now: ye came to steal our loot while we was sleeping, didn't ye ?"

They both approached slowly, when I stepped back and remained serious.

"You don't miss a thing, do you ?"

The bearded pirate continued.

"Ye got guts, kid. But guts alone won't get ye far in this world. We don't forgive none what tries to take our hard-earned loot."

"Hard-earned ?! You stole all of this !"

"Yaahr ! That we did. Which makes it ours now.", smirked Makk.

I couldn't tolerate these guys speaking about robbery just like it was nothing for them more longer. It was time to put an end of their crimes !

I decided to teach them a good lesson..

"... You don't understand the meaning of earning anything ! You don't understand all the love and care that went into making those products... How hard those people have to work to earn the satisfaction of their customers ! And it's up to merchants like me to make sure these products find their way into the hands of those who can appreciate them !... So on my honor as a merchant, I will get those goods back !"

I was feeling so different while speaking to these pirates, stronger and more determinated than before. There's no way I would run away from such foolish pirates !

They both took their saber from their belt, without being affected by my menaces.

"He he he he he ! Yer shark bait, brat.", smirked Mikk.

"Don't expect us to go easy on ye. The world's a harsh place... as we're 'bout to teach ye !", added his buddy, grinning at me.

It was now or never: I know I didn't expect to fight directly those pirates, but I had no choice if I wanted to bring back these goods where they come from.

I can't go back... Not anymore.

I took the wooden spear behind my back, and held it tight, pointing them towards the pirates, who seemed amused.

"Oh... Will you try to harm us with that stupid toy ?"

Despite the situation, and the fact their blades seemed sharper than my spear was tough, I was brave anough to face them without stepping back.

"Me too I have a lesson to teach ye: first, I'm gonna remind you the principes of merchant with that "stupid toy" ! And second... I'm not alone !"

Kling !

"What the..."

We looked up to see Travis suspending over the chandelier without anyone notice, when he yelled at me.

"WATCH OUT !!!!"

It suddenly fell, ready to land on the heads of these two surprised pirates, who tried to avoid it.

CRASH !!!

"AAAAHHH ! MY LEG !",l,yelled in pain the slim pirate, his leg being stuck under the chandelier.

"Why you little... !", exclaimed the fat pirate at the boy.

"Uh oh !"

Travis quickly left the chandelier and ran in direction of where we come from, chased by the slow but angry Makk who manage to avoid the chandelier, as he wanted to take care of him. I know he had magic to defend himself, but I'm still hoping he would be fine.

As I watched him escaping, the other pirate manage to remove his leg.

"You'll regret to have crossed pass with us !"

"Err... Tactical withdrawal !"

He then started to go after me, so my first reflexe was to run away from him and his sharp saber.

Over there ! Quick ! Or I'll get caught !

Honestly, I don't think my wooden spear would resist that sharp blade. If my weapon wasn't powerful enough against his sword, so I have instead to trick him to get the advantage !

Maybe if I could find a room full of obstacles practical to hide and to surprise that pirate, I will have a chance if I manage to lure him in a place like this...

~2 minutes later~

"WHERE ARE YE, LITTLE MISS ?! COME HERE THAT I SLICE YE UP INTO PIECES !", echoed the slim pirate voice.

After running away from that insane pirate, I should be quite far from him for a small moment... However, I still have to find a perfect place to hide.

I finally found it when I arrived in another storage room not so far from the one where were stowed the stolen goods, except that there were much more merchandise, in particularly high stacks of bags placed on top of each other which formed small hallways.

I'm gonna hide here for a while...

I penetrated calmly inside the storage room, holding tight my spear and staying attentive at any movement and sounds, when I walked between the hallways, looking for a good hiding spot. Me who wanted to just drug those pirates, I never expected it would end in a game of hide-and-seek...

What is that merchandise ?...

I think I've arrived in a quite interesting room: most of the products didn't seem to have been stolen from other villages or commercial ships. Indeed, I can deduce these goofy pirates were still able to collect a maximum of random merchandise, including those bags which were filled of sand by observing one at the bottom slightly opened.

Seriously, it was just sand... I know it was white sand, but there were just numerous bags of sand ! Did they have to steal all that sand in one island ?

Anyway, I feel quite concerned by that stockage room, which seemed quite older than the other one, and there were even 2 or 3 tools which seemed quite unique. I wonder how these pirates were able to find these things... Was it by simple luck, or there was a time when they were a more serious crew than today ? And by the way, why did there are two captains leading this crew ? Was there another captain who has led the crew before, who passed away for some reason ?

That could explain how they manage to land in these caves and why the crew became much weaker since the old captain's disappearance...

"FOUND YE !"

"AAAHH !"

My pursuer jumped out from nowhere and tried to slice me in half, but he instead broke a few furnitures as I dodged by sidestepping.

"Ha ha ha !", he grinned badly, watching me lying on the ground.

"Oh..."

I didn't have time to contemplate these products: I have actually a pirate to deal with, and I don't think his sword was just made to play waith.

So, I slowly got up with the help of my spear, glaring at the evil intruder while supporting my other hand against the wall of bags. He really seem to be ready to attack a young girl like me, his smile being as sadistic as his greed that I couldn't tolerate.

"He he he ! I think I'll have a lot of fun with ye ! While my subordonate should be beating up that little brat, I'll make ye regretting to provoke wild pirates !"

"As long as I'll be standing up, I won't let you harming my friend to make sure you and your comrades will learn the biggest lesson you should have learnt since you were born !"

"You foolish girl... Do you really think you can fight someone with a sword with that ?!"

"RAAAH !"

I dashed towards him, my spear's tip pointed towards his slim body, when he ran towards me as well, ready to strike his saber.

But at the last moment, I jumped on a small pile of bigs to take a few altitude, jumped back onto the pirate's head, sweeping my spear quickly as he hardly countered its tip with his sword.

"Gnnn !"

We both continued to pushing each other's weapons, but when he started to push better than me, I quickly managed to swipe my spear at the left, perforating a nearby sandbag with a tip before throwing a few sand right into his eyes, blinding him.

"Arghh ! You'll pay for this !"

I took the opportunity to run away from him, moving through the hallways, when I heard him rushing back.

"HAAA !!"

I jumped once to avoid his slice, and sidestepped to avoid another blow.

I went up through a bunch of bags piles like they were stairs, when the pirated pursued me,  trying once more to cut my head when he instead sliced a bag which opened it wide.

After reaching the top of the  pile of bags, I was so high that I could almost touch the ceiling, when I observed around me so many piles of bags in the room. After getting my balance, I saw the pirate going up too.

"WANNA PLAY TAG ?!"

"Uh oh !"

I noticed a near pile's top, when I jumped further to reach it for escaping the pirate. But he then did the same by making falling apart the pillar of bags like a house of cards.

GRUMMMBLE !

And then I jumped again in another pillar and another one, making sure to be at a good distance to attack him with my spear. He still continued to pursue me by jumping and slicing his hands several times in the air, making collapsing more pillar like dominos. I have to be quick to jump at the next plateform before I fall with the precedent one !

I finally changed my direction and jumped at th eleft, when Makk tried to follow me.

"STOP RIGHT THERAAAAAAAAH !"

He finally fell with the pillar collapsing under his feet, loosing his balance after jumping too quickly. He landed on the bags when I appeared out of nowhere and

BUNK !

I hit him with the opposite side of my spear, making him falling backwards.

"Grrrr... RAAAHHH !"

He dashed towards me and started to strike me with his saber, while I manage to counter the blow with the blade of my spear.

CLASH ! CLASH !

He advanced progressively at each blow while I continued to step back, trying to figure out the right manner to improve my skills during the fight.

He's quite tough... but I think I can handle him !

Yep, by dodging and observing the pirate's movements, I felt like all those heroic warriors who fought bravely their foes in singular fights in order to defend people and their rights. Me I was fighting bad people to retrieve back all they have stolen from innocent people with such a feeling of justice !

While we fought in the middle of the room, the slim pirate smirked.

"Not bad, for a brat like ye... But what do ye think of that ?"

SLASH !

He suddenly sliced my weapon in half !

"Oh no !"

The weapon the travelling merchant gave me was broken ! Even the remaining bladed part was totally useless now it was too heavy to lift it with a small handle !

The pirate smirked, while pointing his saber towards me.

"How do you do, now ? Will you still fight with a broken weapon ?"

That's no good... I didn't have another weapon to fight him back. I must quickly find another one ! Maybe there is an old sword or something like that stowed in that room...

"haaaaAAAAAHHH !"

The pirate charged and was about to strike me, but I quickly manage to grab a broken but hard woodplank, paring the blow.

"YAAAHH !"

The shock was so strong that I fell on my back, next to a bunch of merchandise placed against the wall.

I winced in pain after the fall.

"Gnnn !..."

The pirate jumped with his sword above his head and exclaimed.

"I'll show you how merciless could be pirates !"

I rolled over to avoid a fatal blow which broke a few furnitures.

"Ye're cute when you scream, you know !"

He tried to attack me again, but I rolled over and managed to get up quickly, running through a labyrinth of bags.

A weapon ! Quick !

"I GOT YA !!!"

The pirate jumped from nowhere again and tried to slice me one more time, but I jumped on the floor to avoid again.

SLASH !

He hit a shelf instead, but he thansfully stucked his sword in the wood, when he tried quickly to remove it.

Lying defenseless on the ground, I noticed a dark brown stick under a broken shelf, and reached my hand to grab it.

The pirate finally removed his saber from the shelf.

"Uh ?!"

"HAAA !"

BUNK !

"Ugh !"

I caught him in surprise by directly striking his head with the stick, knocking him like he got hit by a bone.

I flew again through an hallway of bag, when the pirate appeared out of nowhere.

Oh ! He took a shortcut !

"HAAAAA !!!"

I quickly manage to counter the sword with my new found stick.

CLAAASH !

I tried to push the strongest I could, when he suddenly kicked me by the side.

"AAAH !"

Being pushed far, I fell on my back and landed on a bunch of sandbags.

"Gnn..."

I started to be exhausted after using some effort.

When I tried slowly to get up, when the pirate tried to slice me again.

"He he he !"

CLAAASH !

I moved my head at the left to avoid the sword which instead hit at a few centimeters of my head, making me surprised by the weapon's strength.

The pirate Mikk stood a front of me, smirking, grinning, ready to slice me like how would do merciless pirates. His eyes were full of sadism, very close to take revenge of what me and Travis put him and the rest of the crew through.

"He he he !..."

I wouldn't have enough time to avoid... No, I can't avoid that blow, neither countering it with my stick as he would perfectly aiming my head. There was nothing I could do, except holding tight that unfortunate stick with both hands...

Was it already the end for me ?... Without I couldn't even fulfill my dream ?... To explore the whole world on my own and to discover new treasures from the land of Orsterra for selling them at an audience being won over ?...

No... I couldn't pass out like this... I can't pass out like this...

"You should have stayed home with your mom, instead of staying out on our way !", exclaimed the pirate while raising his weapon, ready to strike me at full strength.

Before being touched, I closed my eyes and held tighter the wooden stick, when I felt my finger pressing something.

Click !

I then heard like a rattling sound inside my stick, which slowly started to vibrate and

SBUNK !

"GAAAAAAHHHH !"

At my big surprise, the pirate yelled in pain, knocked out by the end of the stick which suddenly became much longer than it was !

As the pirate fell backwards and dropped his sword, I watched at my left to see the other end of the stick which suddenly turned into a blade.

"Huh ?!!"

I was completely surprised ! What did just happen ?! Where did I get that ?! What happened to my stick ?! Unless...

Did that stick just... turned into a spear ?!

This spear looked more resisting and sharp than the one which the merchant gave me, and was a little more longer. The handle has still the same color and harness than before, but there was now a diamond shaped blade which left out from the other end of the stick which revealed an opening. The blade was made of a more polished metal than the broken spear's blade, and the tip looked very sharp. If I was holding my stick the other way, I would have pierced the pirate's skull !

I manage to slowly get up with my new weapon, holding it the other way, as I watched the pirate getting up as well, breathing with effort as he looked angrily annoyed.

"GRRR !!! YE DAMN BRAT ! DO YE REALLY THINK A STUPID MERCHANT LIKE YE COULD TAKE DOWN ON PIRATES WITH YER CHILDISH TRICKS ?!"

"IT'S YOU WHO SHOULDN'T UNDERESTIMATE MY CHILDISH TRICKS !! YAAAAAHHHH !!!!"

"HAAAAAAH !!!!"

We both charged towards each other, me holding tight my new spear towards the pirate who ran with his saber.

Now I have a weapon, there's no way I would give up so fast, and it was like a miracle to find such a weapon disguised as a simple stick ! No way I would neglect that miracle while poor merchants stay stripped !

I've finally found my bravery, no matter if I was exhausted and running like into the mouth of a lion, my will to not loose was still burning in me, so much that all the fear disappeared instantly. No matter how much this pirate were vicious, there's no way I would run away from them with empty hands !

In this world, the strong take while the weak quake...

As we progressively charged, there was a few meters between us, when the pirate dodged my blade and was about to slice me, when I unexpectedly fell and slided on my back through the ground, still holding tight my spear while the pirate was confused.

Here I go !

"HAAAA !"

PIK !

"AAAAAAAHHHHH !!! MY AAAAAAAAASSS !!!!"

I tricked one more time my foe to aim right into his ass !

The blow hurt him a little but the spot was fragile, as he was screaming stupidly in pain, jumping in surprise when he accidentally sliced a pile of bag which suddenly fell appart over him.

GRUMBLE !

"WOUAAAHHH !"

All the bags fell above him, knocking him out, as he was now stuck and buried underneath numerous sand bags, where only his hand could be seen reaching for getting out of there in vain.

What a mess: after the fight, the room became such a Capernaum with all the sand bags which have fallen, and some of them were opened, letting all that sand covering the room. Thankfully those bags didn't belong to the inhabitants and were just containing sand, instead of flour and wheat, else it would be such an horrifying waste. And all those broken shelves which fell apart could really show how much the fight was impressive, especially because I wanted more to save my own skin than trying to protect a few poors sand bags.

But now, it was over: it was hard, but I finally beat a pirate by myself and without even dying !

I sighted after finally defeating my enemy, and laughed calmly.

"He he he ! Who's the strong, now ?"

~Third POV~

"COME ON, YOU LITTLE BRAT ! BE NICE AND LET ME CAPTURE YOU KINDLY WITHOUT TELLING STORIES !"

"NO !"

Meanwhile, the other autoproclamed captain Makk was chasing Travis though the dark caverns, running over puddles of cavern water in the middle of rocks splashed by his heavy steps.

Travis was easily running away from him, knowing where to hide, and refusing his advances, when he continued to ran through the puddles of water as Makk spotted him from far.

"Ah, there you are !", exclaimed Makk, trying to catch him, when Travis disappeared from his sight.

The fat pirate then slowed down, being obviously exhausted after running for so long, when he stopped in the middle of the puddle by catching his breath.

"Phew... Can't... run... should... train more my... body..."

"He he he !...", giggled Travis, well hidden not so far behind a rock.

"Ha... Stop that !... This... isn't funny !"

Gzzz ! Gzzz !

" ?... What was that sound ?..."

Makk was well confused, as a big silence opressed the place. Only the noise made by his steps splashing around him and the ambiance of the caves could be heard.

GZZZZZZ !!!!

Makk didn't notice a blue trail ran on the puddle a few meters behind him, splashing around him.

"Mikk ?... Is that ye, scrawny stick ?...", he asked in fear and confusion.

He waited a little, fear starting to gain him after hearing electrical noises in the deep cavern, while he was trembling in place with his saber in hand.

Gzzz !

"H-huh !"

He finally noticed a silhouette furtively passing at his right, but he didn't have time to figure out what it was, when he suddenly turned around.

GZZZZ !

SPLAAASH !

Something then hit his leg from behind, making him falling in the puddle, wetting his bandana, when he quickly got up as he became more stressed.

"W-what was that ?!..."

HEEEEEE..... HOOOOOOOO !

Travis's voice echoed through the cavern.

"Over there !"

He started to run at the right, in direction of the voice, when suddenly

IIIIIIIIIII'M HEEEEEEERE !

Travis's voice now echoed from the left, making Makk confused as the boy played hide-and-seek in his own manner.

"No ! There !"

The pirate quickly drifted at the left and ran though a serie of puddles which started to inundate his shoes.

"He he he !"

Travis still giggled behind a rock, crossing his fingers as he dashed at lightning speed without the fat pirate noticed him.

Gzzzz !

NOOOOOO IIIIIIIIM HEEEEEEEERE ! NOOOOOO IIIIIIIIM HEEEEEEEERE ! NOOOOOO IIIIIIIIM HEEEEEEEERE ! NOOOOOO IIIIIIIIM HEEEEEEEERE !

His child voice echoed again, but this time he was moving again and again, to make believe Makk his calls were everywhere in the cave.

"Wha..."

He stood in place, overwelmed by the boy's calls which started to invade his head and making him crazy, when he dropped his saber and screamed.

"RAAAAAAH ! STOOOOOOOP THAAAAAAT !"

GZZZZZ !

SBUNK !

SPLASH !

Travis dashed at high speed, jumped and kicked his waist without Makk didn't have the time to fight back, before he ran away to an hiding position while the pirate fell again in the water.

Most of his clothes were wet when he got up in difficulty, when he started to be angry.

"Grrr... Stupid brat ! Ye should have stayed playin' in yer sandbox !"

GZZZZ !!!

Between Travis who hid in the cavern, called to disturb the pirate, ran at full speed in a furtive manner by profiting to annoy Makk, the pirate became angrier and angrier, upset to be pratonized by a little boy who made fun of him, but refused to believe this kid was much stronger than he looked.

The mad man started to get really mad. After all the fear he endured, he couldn't accept to be frightened by a child, so much that he was like hallucinating of what he just saw.

So, he took a big breath and screamed.

"COME AND BRIN' IT ON IF YE HAVE..."

GZZZZTT !!

"I'M HERE !", exclaimed Travis, who suddenly climbed on his back.

Without Makk had the time to fight back, Travis grabbed his bandana and pulled it so hard that he tightened it around his eyes, blinding him before he flew.

"AAH ! GET IT OFF ! GET IT OFF !", screamed the pirate, who tried to remove his bandana while gesticulating, when he slipped on the wet floor.

SPLASH !

The unlucky Makk got up again from the puddle of water, as the fall helped him to remove his bandana, revealing his slightly bald head.

"He he he !...", giggled Travis.

After Makk went back on a dry ground, he became as mad as he was angry, as it was a shame for him to be turned to glue like this.

"Ngh !... Ye... freakin'... little... brat..."

GZZZT ! GZZZT ! GZZZT !

"Huh ?!"

He felt the boy passing just next to him at full speed, at high speed when

GZZZZZTTT !

SCRAAAAAAAAAATCH !

"WOUAAAAAAAHHHHHH !!!!"

Makk was electrocuted by Travis's power, trembling in pain by the shock as Travis touched his shoulders with his palms like he was an human taser.

His clothes being slightly torned apart by the electrical shock, and his skin a little carbonized, he was knocked out and fell on the dry ground.

He noticed the boy's legs a front of him.

"Ngh !... You... little... monster..."

The pirate was too exhausted by the shock to move, when Travis took his breath, a little tired too after using his powers for a long.

Gzt ! Gzt !

He deactivated his powers, when he glared angrily towards the large pirate and said.

"That's for stealing my friend !"

Travis then ran back for the stockage room to find Tressa's back, leaving the pirate alone who screamed.

"WAIT ! I'M NOT DONE YET !... Ngh !..."

~Travis's POV~

After running for a few minutes while looking for my friend, I finally reached the room where were the stolen goods, while looking at the left.

Where's Tressa ?!

SBIM !

"OUCH !"

I suddenly bumped into someone.

"Oh ! There you are !", excited a familiar voice.

It just Tressa ! I'm so glad she was here !

We were both completely excited in our minds after what we've just done, when I exclaimed.

"I was looking for you !"

"Me too I was trying to find you !"

"I was just right there playing hide-and-seek with the pirate !"

"This is exactly the same game I was playing with the other one !"

"Don't worry, I'm fine !"

"Me too, I'm fine !"

"Have you found a new weapon ?"

"Did you beat that pirate alone without weapon ?"

"It's pretty cool !"

"You're awesome !"

We then slowly calmed ourselves, staring at each other as speaking with such an excitement was quite tiring as well.

I believed she would need my help to take down the other pirate, but I was happy to hear she was about to defend herself, like she was glad I was safe. By the way, now that I think about it, her weapon looked slightly different compared to before...

Anyway, he were both happy to see each other, but we still have a mission to accomplish.

"...I think we can start back to retrieve the merchandise now."

"Okay ! I made sure to have knocked out the pirate who chased me. Have you checked if the one with you was unconscious ?"

"Ah... Errr..."

I might have manage to take that fat pirate down, but that's right I totally forgotten to have...

"THERE THEY ARE !", yelled a voice.

" !!!... You again ?!", exclaimed Tressa

"Hee hee hee hee !"

The two captains just arrived together, still standing up as we were surprised.

They came from each side where me and Tressa came from, and didn't seem very happy, as they were still glaring menacingly at us with a sword in hand.

While the mustached pirate has his skin being slightly soiled by my lightnings, his buddy was as well in a bad state with all that sand covering his clothes, his bandana and his beard. Were they mostly angry because we have attacked them or because we messed up their clothes ?

While Tressa took her spear and stayed close to me, they approached us with such a furious stare, when they spoke together.

"This time, ye'll pay for the beating ye gave me... WAIT ! Ye've been beaten too ?! By a brat ?! Ye shame me ye know ! I should be the cap'n instead of ye ! NO ! I'M THE CAP'N !"

"And stop repeatin' what I'm sayin' !"

"No it's you who's repeatin' what I'm sayin' !"

"No ! It's ye who started first !"

"No, it's ye !"

"Ye such a borin' guy !"

"I'm not borin' ! Yer borin' !"

Are they... arguing ?!

How could these guys arguing at each other while they were about to deal with us ? They were totally ignoring us, and were like 2 child brothers who were fighting for nothing. And seriously, are they really the two captains of that pirate crew ? They looked like more simple pirates...

Tressa was slightly embarassed as well, when she dared to interrupt them.

"Err.. Hey."

"It's ye at the contrary who... HUUH ?!"

The pirate instantly stopped to argue and stared furiously at us.

"We haven't got all day..."

The fat pirate sighted.

"Oh whatever ! Just shut up and let's capture these brats !"

"Pretty sure I'll catch one first before ye !"

"We'll see about that !"

They started to dash wildly with their swords, when me and Tressa stared at each other and nodded.

"Let's go, Tressa !"

"HaaaaaaAAAAAHHHHH !!!!"

We both charged towards the enemies as well, with Tressa running towards the slim pirate, and me heading towards the one who was present with me earlier.

We were at one meter from the pirates who were about to slice us, Makk using a vertical sword strike about to touch my head and Mikk on the verge to slice Tressa horizontally, when she exclaimed.

"NOW !"

We suddenly both exchanged our position and the pirate we were aiming for, at their big surprise.

"Wha..."

SBUNK !

"OURGH !"

SCRAAAAATCH !

"AAAAAAAAARGHHHH !!!"

After we avoided easily the blows, I just jumped at the right to kick the slim pirate on the waist by electrocuting him, and Tressa just knocked violently the fat one in the face with the side of her blade.

We could really say they didn't see that one coming !

Our blows were powerful enough to send them away against the wall, in the middle of already broken pots.

SBAM !

SBUNK !

CRASH !!!

They were lying against the wall in pain, agonizing as they weren't able to fight anymore.

Me and Tressa jumped happily and exclaimed.

"Yeah ! We won !"

"Great job ! Little chief !"

We high-fived with both hands, when Tressa profited to lift me up, making me giggle, as we cuddled happily, when I exclaimed in joy.

"You were really awesome with your stick !"

"And you, with your trick, you're really amazed me !"

She then put me down on the ground, when we stared at each other.

"I'm glad you're ok..."

"Me too..."

We were a little tired after our fight, but still remaining a smile, when we heard some voices.

"What a shame... Defeated by kids..."

"It's such a shame that no one would believe us..."

"Oh, shut up...", said Makk, who slowly tried to get up.

"HEY ! You two !"

We stood up a front of us, with a serious glare and ready to another fight.

"We'll continue to fight you if you don't surrender !", I exclaimed.

"Now hand over those goods ! We've got a festival to prepare !", ordered Tressa.

After what they did to those merchants, it's normal that we were still furious after those pirates and thieves. Now they were defeated and aware we were stronger, we wanted to give them one last chance to give us back everything they have stolen.

They were catching their breath, when the fat pirate named Makk spoke.

"We can say... ha... ye're really tough... ha... for merchants..."

His mate continued.

"Especially you, lass... ha... yer one tough barnacle to pick... But we're just gettin' started ! MATEYS !!!"

His call echoed through the caves, at our surprise, when me and Tressa flinched of what we were hearing.

"WE'RE COMIN' ! CAP'NSES !"

Oh no ! The rest of the pirates whom we have drugged finally woke up from their rest after hearing their captains calls !

Some of them where first a little confused of the situation.

"What just happened ?..."

"Hey ! There the kids of the market from earlier !"

"Let's go get them !"

Without waiting, the pirates joined their captains, and at least 20 men surrounded us, all armed with their swords or their knives, smirking at our sight.

"He he he !"

"Ack...", mumbled Tressa anxiously.

She tightened her spear in place, while we watched all those evil pirates who seemed ready to harm us just like it will be fun. The two captains just stood up again, smirking to see us well trapped by the entire crew.

Those damn rascals... They just dared to call all their men instead of fighting us properly, and just prefered to see us being attacked by the entire crew instead... For setting us such a trap, those captains were really a band of cheaters, of cowards, or even more cursed pirates !

But despite their number, I didn't want to give up yet and crossed my fingers again.

"Here we go..."

Gzzt... Gz !...

At my big surprise, my powers suddenly stopped to work.

"Oh no no no no !... No more battery !"

I watched myself in despair, while hearing those pirates laughing together of our failure.

That wasn't good... Those pirates were too many for us, and I couldn't use my powers for a long time before I've been fully charged. What did he take me to have used them too much against one of the captain earlier ?! We can really say we were in trouble...

The pirates continued to laugh at our powerlessness against their number.

"Guess we'll have fun with those brats..."

"What if we took them in hostage ? Then, that stupid village of fishermen could give us the rest of their goods as a ransom..."

"Let the cap'nses decide !"

HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE !

"Stay close to me !", told me Tressa in a protective manner.

I desperately tried again to summon my powers, in vain, when Mikk grinned at me.

"Well, little brat ? No more powers anymore ?"

As I stared at him angrily, the other captain Makk smirked.

"He he he he ! Yer ninnies fer challengin' us all on yer own. In this world, the strong take while the weak quake ! Time to learn yer place, ye squirmy li'l maggot !"

The whole crew slowly started to approach us, smirking and clashing theur weapons, obliging us to slowly step back, until our back where against the wall.

But I still refused to give up, so I searched inside my bag for Iron Luck, when a small bright blue light shined from the inside.

"Ohhh... That's quite shiny, what you have in your bag !", smirked Makk.

"Heard yer keepin' a precious treasure for yerself, lad !", added Mikk.

They now wanted to steal my precious stone like how they have stolen these goods. Why no one didn't want to stay away from one of my keepsake ?

"No way we give it to you ! It's his and no one else !", protested Tressa while I hid the stone inside the snatchel.

"Don't ye understand, lass ? We would like to make a deal with ye: if ye give us the stone, we'll have the kindness to release ye and to forgive and forget what ye put us through...", proposed Makk.

"We're just givin' ye one more chance to give up all what ye have before we use the hard way !", pointed out Mikk with a sadistic grin.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !

"And maybe the cap'nses will capture them even if they give us the stone... He he !...", sushed one of the pirates in the crowd.

We both watched at them, quite tensed, when Tressa exclaimed.

"...There is nothing nice about that deal !"

The captains chuckled, when Mikk answered her.

"The world isn't nice, my poor cutie..."

"Ye and all yer beloved village should have learnt this lesson for a long time... Now hand it over to the captain !", ordered Makk.

We were about to be captured, but if ever I give them the stone, maybe I would save both of us... But where is the evidence that they will freed us like they have promised ? That they won't instead capture us even if we obeyed ?

Do I really have to give the stone to one of the captains ?!...

Wait...

"W-which one ?", I asked.

Everyone was slightly confused, when Mikk asked.

"What do ye mean by "which one" ?!"

"To which captain do I give the stone ?"

"Huh ?"

Even Tressa didn't understand my question, but it was a pretty obvious one, I think !

The rest of the crew seemed concerned as well.

"What is he talkin' about ?..."

Mikk and Makk sighted and answered me.

"Which captain, ye say... We're both the captains !"

"We're the two leaders of this damn pirate crew of ours !"

"Err... excuse me... It's just... a pirate crew with two captains doesn't exist ! Else that doesn't make any sense !", I explained nerviously.

Everyone suddenly became perplexed, just like the captains, about what I was traying to say. That's right it was quite weird a pirate crew led by two captains. Honestly, I just think one is well enough !

"...Yeah, the lad is right !", sushed a matey.

I then continued by pointing over to the two leaders.

"So... That can be only one of you !"

" !!!", Tressa finally understood.

The captains hesitated, when Mikk finally answered.

"The cap'n could only be me, so give me that damn stone !"

"H-hey ! I'M the cap'n ! So, give the stone to ME and no one else !", insisted angrily Makk.

"Oh no ! Don't start again, Makk, ye scurvy Swine !"

"Well, I told ye it's me the cap'n of that damn crew !"

They started again to argue a front of us and their crew who didn't dare to stop them, both determined to be the captain.

Tressa smiled a little and interrupted them calmly.

"If I may say so... The true captain should be the strongest of you ! The most muscular one !"

"Well I'm the strongest !"

"No ! I'm stronger than ye, Makk !"

"What're ye talkin' about ! Ye don't have even the strength to lift up a melon, ye scrawny stick !"

"And ye over-grown slug ! Yer big belly doesn't even count as a muscle !"

Mikk pushed Makk's belly with his finger, provoking his anger.

"YE KNOW WHAT HE SAYS, THE OVER-GROWN SLUG ?!"

Me and Tressas stared at each other with a smile, when I informed the two pirates.

"Me, I think the captain should be also the one with the biggest mustache !"

"Ha ha ! I've got a mustache, and not ye !", exclaimed Makk proudly.

"Grrr !!!..."

"Or the one with the longest beard, maybe ?", added Tressa.

"He he he ! It's me who has the longest ! It's me who has the longest !", smirked Mikk in a childish manner.

"No way ! A mustached captain is much better than a bearded one !"

"In yer dreams, Makk ! The beard has much more style than this stupid mustache of yer !"

"Mustache !"

"Beard !"

"Mustache !"

"Beard !"

"Mustache !"

"Beard !"

They faced at each other angrily, their noses pressed against each other and their eyebrows becoming furious, when Tressa, quite amused, proposed.

"And why not the captain with the most beautiful name ?"

"Yeah ! Thats one is great !", exclaimed Makk.

"Mikk is a great name ! A name so intimidating that it could bring the thunder and provoke tsunamis whenever someone mention it !", said proudly Mikk.

But Makk smirked ironically.

"Yeah, that's right ! Yer mother just named ye after her horse !"

"And ye ?! Don't ye really think yer own mother had enough imagination to choose yer stupid name ?!"

"ARE YE INSULTING MY MOTHER !"

"IT'S YE WHO STARTED FIRST !"

"NO YE !"

They were now angried than before, glaring menacingly while gripping each other collar like they were about to fight, by totally ignoring us and their men, who started to be worried.

"Err... Capn's ?"

"Are ye sure it is time to argue ? We're just managin' to catch these..."

"And what if the crew itself decides to vote for their captain ? They too have the right to express themselves !", interrupted Tressa happily.

"Oh yeah ! Good idea !", I exclaimed.

The pirates looked pretty surprised to our proposition.

"To vote ?!"

"For our captain ?!"

"Yep ! We can perfectly choose who will be the unique captain with the majority of votes ! He he !", giggled Tressa.

They all watched at each other, and already started to choose their captain.

"...I would like to vote for Makk !"

"Meh. Makk isn't really good. Mikk would be a so much better cap'n !"

"No way ! It's Makk who has to be the cap'n !"

"WHAT ARE YE TELLING ?! MIKK IS OUR CAP'N ! NOT THAT SCURVY SWINE NAMED MAKK !"

"WE REFUSE THIS HALF-PINT NAMED MIKK TO LEAD THIS CREW ! SO PISS OFF !"

"HEY WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME ?!", yelled Mikk angrily from the insult.

"Hee hee hee ! Look. I'm pretty sure I got more votes than you !", smirked Makk.

"What are ye talkin' about ?! I GOT MORE VOTES THAN YOU !"

"NO, YE DON'T !"

"YES, I DO !"

"NO !"

"YES !"

"NO !"

"YES !"

There was now such an hubbub in the room: all the pirates were quarelling for their rightfull captain without not even paying attention at me and Tressa. They were surprisingly more concerned about choosing their captain than we expected...

Maybe if we keep making them fighting each other, they will finish to be all beaten without we even need to lift a single finger to defeat them !

All the crew were about to start a war between those who voted for Makk and those who had chosen Mikk, as they were still revolting between each other and about to fight, while me and Tressa watched the scene.

"MAKK IS OUR TRUE CAP'N !"

"NO WAY ! MIKK IS MUCH BETTER THAN THIS FAT SWINE !"

"YE WANNA FIGHT ?!"

"MIKK IS TOTALLY RIGHT !"

"NO, HE'S WRONG !"

"NO, HE'S RIGHT !"

"NO, YER ALL WRONG !"

"Can we cast a blank vote ?!"

They continued to argue, as me and Tressa were really surprised of how it ended.

"Wow, this whole thing stinks like mutiny to high heaven !...", said Tressa.

"You say so..."

The two captains continued to fight each other.

"YE, A CAPTAIN ?! ARE YE KIDDIN' ?! YE LIKE A SCAREDY CAT WHEN YE SEE A SMALL KNIFE !"

"AND YE, BY THE WAY ?! YE ONLY STEAL THE FOOD FOR YER OWN GOOD, INSTEAD OF LOOKING FOR REAL BOOTY ! YE FREAKIN' FAT MAN !"

"DO YE KNOW WHAT HE TELLS YE THE FAT MAN ?!"

"THAT YE'RE SUCH THE BIGGEST IDIOT OF THE REALM ! AND WHY WOULD WE CHOOSE YE AS OUR CAP'N ?! YER SO DUMB THAN YE DON'T EVEN KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRICORNE AND A STRAW HAT !"

"DON'T YE THINK YE HAVE NOTHIN' TO REPROACH YERSELF TOO, YE BRAINLESS DUMB ?! IT'S BEEN FOR MONTHS YE PREFER TO LAZE WHILE ME AND THE OTHERS ARE DOIN' THE DAMN WORK !"

"MONTHS YE SAY ?! JUST LEARN HOW TO COUNT, YE DIRTY BOAR ! IT'S BEEN ONLY FOR WEEKS THAT..."

"HA ! WEEKS ?! LET ME LAUGH ! IT'S YE WHO DIDN'T EVEN KNOW TO COUNT AFTER 9 !"

"THAT DOESN'T MEAN AN IDIOT LIKE YE WOULD FIT TO BE THE CAP'N !"

"GRRR !!!... I'M GONNA PROVE YE I'M A BETTER LEADER THAN A STICK INSECT LIKE YE !! FOR THAT, I'LL TAKE THAT DAMN STONE FROM THESE KIDS AS THE TRUE LEADER OF THAT CREW !", challenged Makk at Mikk while pointing at us.

"Uh oh..."

"I'LL TAKE IT BEFORE YE HAVE THE TIME TO DO A SINGLE STEP !", exclaimed Mikk.

"I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT !"

HAAAAAAAAHHHHHH !!!!!

All the crowd dashed towards us with their captains front, and were about to catch us.

SLASH !

"Argh !"

"Ngh !"

"?!!"

Suddenly, a few pirates were pushed away from us, and lied in pain.

"That's quite enough.", said a voice.

"CAPTAIN !", me and Tressa exclaimed.

It was the travelling merchant from earlier !

He just appeared a front of us, standing in the pirates way while holding a long spear, with a kind of rope around the handle which was also tightened around his wrist. It was even longer and sharper than Tressa's weapon !

It was him who pushed back those pirates, but what was he doing here ?!

"Where... where the hell did this guy come from ?!", said a pirate.

"SILENCE ! Those who only pick on the weak and defenseless have no right to speak of the way the world works.", answered the blond merchant with a serious tone.

He seemed quite furious after those pirates, when Mikk stayed indifferent.

"Well, if it ain't the lily-livered scalawag from before... What difference does one more make ?! Get'em !"

HAAAAHHH !!!

All the pirates charged towards the merchant, who stayed focused while tightening his spear. Was he really about to fight all of them alone ?!

"Here we go...", he just pronounced.

SBUNK !

He suddenly knocked the first three pirates with his spear in a flash with extreme ease.

He then disarmed two more pirates very quickly before hurting them with his sharp spear by moving with such an incredible speed that I almost couldn't see his movements. While 7 more pirates finally surrounded him and were about to strike him, he planted his spear into the ground, tightened his hand around the handle, jumped before grabbing a pirate's head with his legs, and spinning like an amazing acrobat around the pole while lifting up the pirate he caught and using him for hitting the other pirates for wiping them out.

He's very strong... But who is this guy ?

Me and Tressa were totally surprised to see how powerful he was: this man was fighting with a lot of grace and swiftness, and his battle style was completely unique with such a weapon. I noticed his speed reminded me of Therion's speed, and his agility was astonishing. For a merchant, his skills were really remarkable !

While still spinning, his legs then released the pirate he has caught only to send him away hitting three more pirates like how a bowling ball would hit pins !

The rest of the pirates surrounding him, quite hesitant, tried to attack him as well, when the merchant jumped high enough to avoid all of them, before dashing at an incredible speed, his blue scarf and hair flying, by passing through the pirates without they had the time to react. A second later, all the foes suddenly fell to the ground, being hurt by the spear.

SLASH !

In front of their crew totally defeated, Mikk and Makk were totally powerless against him, trembling in place as fear started to appear on their stressed face.

They hesitantly headed furiously towards him, refusing to not assume of being defeated, when the merchant dashed much faster and immediately defeat them.

SLASH !

"AAARGH !"

"Urgh..."

The two captains were not kneeled on the ground, their body covered of injuries, while the rest of the crew didn't even have the force to get up.

I couldn't believe that he would beat all those pirates, including the captains, so easily. Even Tressa was really surprised, so much that we almost got her tongue.

But she just pronounced.

"And without even aiming for their butt ?..."

The entire crew have been definitely taken down, not even those who has still the strength to get up didn't dare to approach him more.

Makk was totally desesperate.

"Arggg ! He done swabbed our decks ! Just who are ye ?"

"Hm ? I'd think any pirate worth his brine would already know.", answered the merchant with his not hidden eye full of charisma, while staring back at the mustached man and keeping an incredible pose with his spear held in one hand.

"Wha...what do you mean ?!", I asked, confused.

The two pirates then became suddenly surprised, when Mikk pointed out.

"Oh !...That blue spear..."

"With the strength and swiftness of a viper...", added Makk by mumbling in fear.

"Could it... really be..."

"Cap'n Leon Bastralle ?!"

"!!!"

His name was Leon Bastralle ?! Why did he never tell us about it before ?!

I didn't seem really impressed by the mention of that name, but Tressa was really, really, surprised.

"WHAAAAAT ???!!!"

All the crew gasped as well by the simple mention of his name, as they all gave a shout out of surprise.

I was the only one to not understand.

"How... how such a famous pirate captain like him is doing next to these coasts ?!", exclaimed Mikk.

"A... pirate captain ?!", I exclaimed in surprise, really not expecting the merchant was in reality a pirate himself.

"Captain, are you really... the Leon Bastralle ?!", asked a concerned Tressa.

"Aye, in name, though a pirate no longer. Now I'm just the captain of a humble merchant ship.", answered Leon in a wise tone, when he adviced to the pirates. "Here's a lesson for you lads, from a true man of the sea... Dead men tell no tales."

All the pirates who weres till able to get up, were frightened by Leon's menace, so much that they all dropped their sabers.

"I... I ain't ready to be a dead man yet !!", groaned a scared Mikk.

"Haul bottom, mateys, else it be the locker for us !", blurted out Makk.

All the pirates then flew away from us, running off like rabbits, and disappearing in the darkness of the caves for heading to the exit.

"Err... Hey ! Wait for me, mateys ! OUCH !", begged Makk, who tripped on a rock, before quickly getting up as fast as he was scared, and trying to pursue his mates. "Don't leave me, guys ! Don't leave me !"

Now the pirates and their cries of panic were gone, we were alone in the cavern, right in the middle of the stockage room with the pirates abandoned weapons.

Honestly, I was quite reassured they were finally gone.

"They just went the same way they came..."

"They were just passing...", added Tressa.

"Heh. Their feet are as quick as their wits are slow.", spoke Leon, while stowing his weapon behind his back.

Tressa had something to say to the captain, feeling quite responsible.

"Um... Captain ?"

"Call me Leon, lass."

"Mr Leon... Thank you for saving us. We could have never get away without your help, that's right... it was quite stubborn for me to attack those pirates, but..."

"What are those pity eyes ? I'm pretty glad that you're both fine, instead... You might want to show your bravery, but what kind of merchant am I if I don't provide assistance to others ?"

"..."

Tressa was quite touched by his words. This Leon might be a pirate, but he was now a merchant just like us, after all. I almost forgotten that he too showed some respect towards his fellow men, like Tressa.

Me too I was grateful towards him, but also felt bad.

"You're right, mr Leon... We too wanted to provide assistance to the village, especially with the festival and everything which means a lot for the inhabittants... We just never expected we also needed some help, after all..."

He silently watched at our sad expression, when he spoke.

"I admit: you were both pretty reckless to confront them although they were 10 times more numerous than you... However, keep in mind that it's mostly thanks to you the pirates are no more causing trouble."

"R-really ?", answered Tressa, slightly surprised.

"Of course, I both rescued you at the last moment, but if the boy haven't won some time before they took you in hostage, I wouldn't be able to do anything. Mutinying the pirates for choosing their leader, it was such a smart plan very well found !"

We both felt quite better after listening his remark, as we progressively smiled wider, when Tressa added.

"Ah yeah... It was Travis's idea, by the way."

"He he he ! They shouldn't have underestimated us !"

"You say so !"

Leon chuckled, when I asked.

"What's so funny about this ?"

"After what you done, I don't think I'll watch the youngling in the same way than usually. I've no doubt: you two have both an amazing potential to go further.", explained calmly Leon.

It might not be the first time we talked about my potential, but I feel quite concerned that Leon even acknowledged our actions, just like he was totally believing in us. It's just like me and Tressa were the real heroes who fought the pirates !

As Leon smiled a little, I grinned happily.

"And you, sir, you were pretty cool with your spear ! Me, I thought you were just a simple merchant captain !"

He chuckled at my amazement.

"Hu hu hu... Ye know, kid. Merchants have still the right to learn martial arts. It's pretty useful in my work, especially when I sail on the dangerous seas and "negotiate" with some enemies ."

"Well, you must have known so many amazing adventures, as a pirate captain ! That should be pretty awesome to fight sea monsters and to find treasures at the bottom of ocean ! I would like to do that, one day !"

"Let me tell you something which will help you in your life: if you believe a lot in yourself, you will be able to accomplish all your craziest dream, no matter all the obstacles you meet one your road. Understood, lad ?"

"Aye captain !", I answered happily, saluting him like how would do a true marine.

His advice might be quite simple, but it encouraged me a lot.

Tressa giggled.

"I'll make sure to remind of that one too !... By the way, mr Leon, I'm sorry but I broke the weapon you gave me while fighting one of the pirates."

"Oh, so you really confronted pirates in single battle ?", he asked, when Tressa nodded, when he added curiously. "Both of you ?"

I nodded proudly and exclaimed.

"And without even dying !"

"Impressive. And you don't have to worry, lass: I've still have 10 others basic spears in my merchandise, one more or one less... what's the matter ?"

Tressa sighted a little, she who has accomplished a lot of effort while fighting the pirates with me, being still preoccupied by people's stuff.

The captain Leon then rised his spear proudly and spoke.

"But there's no way I would give my precious spear ! Do you know what they call me ?"

"The scourge of the sea !", exclaimed Tressa who already knew the answer.

"Wow ! Nice one !"

She must know a lot about him, especially because she knew a lot of things about the sea and the treasures it hides. I would like her to tell me a day more stories about that famous pirate !

Leon then noticed Tressa's spear, when he asked curiously.

"Mmmh... Can I see the weapon you have, lass ?"

"...Yes, of course.", she gave the long weapon to the captain, who started to examine it carefully, when she added. "I've found it in one of the pirates storage rooms, there weren't any of the robbed goods in there."

"What a delicate conception... The blades, the handle... This spear has been carefully made by an advanced magic technology... These pirates might not be as smart as donkeys, but they didn't even notice they have found a real treasure during their activities..."

An advanced technology ? Is that right ? I thought we were in the middle age...

However, I was pretty concerned that the spear Tressa has found looked really precious and sophisticated despite its basic appearance. I wonder who could have made such a thing...

"That spear is a treasure ? Really ?...", asked Tressa, who searched for any details on the weapon. "Indeed, its quite light to carry it with one arm, the material's handle looks like the same one used for a basic spear, but it seems much more tougher, just like iron... And the blade looks quite sharp as well..."

Me too I tried as much to look for any interesting detail, even if I wasn't as observant like Tressa and Leon, but nothing came into my mind. They seemed very well attentioned towards that amazing object.

Tressa then noticed something in the middle of the handle, when she touched it with her finger.

"Mhh... It's a button."

Click !

WOOOSH !

The spear suddenly became less longer before becoming into a simple stick !

"WOOOAAAH !"

"It turned back into a simple stick ! Like a magical weapon !", I exclaimed, really amazed by what I just witnessed.

Tressa too couldn't believe she was holding such a weapon between her hands, her emerald eyes full of surprise and excitement.

It was incredible that people from this world could build an object which can turn into a weapon and go back to it original form in only 1 second ! We must have discovered an amazing treasure together for the first time !

While me and Tressa were totally speechless, Leon stayed calm and spoke.

"Aye. That explain why those mangy dogs haven't noticed it before. They should have been more occupied by their own greed instead of paying intention to their stolen merchandise's values. Anyway, what if you decide to keep it ?"

"To... keep it ?", asked Tressa, surprised by his request.

"Exactly. You seem to wield that spear with ease, and I don't think the pirates would have been able to use it properly without understanding its importance. Plus, it fits you quite well.", he explained, while giving her back the hidden spear.

Quite surprised by Leon's words, Tressa was completely aware of the responsibility she would endure.

She watched her weapon with such attention, with such amazement, like one of her very first treasure she has found by herself. She was aware of the value of the stick, and I could see how much that could mean for her.

Leon then continued.

"Of course, you aren't obliged to keep it, you can still..."

"I'll keep it.", she decided.

She watched proudly at her weapon, her eyes full of determination, as she felt totally worthy to possess her own weapon. Quite excited in her mind, she smiled faithfully.

I was pretty glad she got a weapon like I did, so I had an idea.

"I think you should give it a name."

"Mmmhh... Let me think: it as long as the wingspan of an eagle, it's hard like a turtle's shell, and the blade looks as sharp as a narwhal's tusk... I'm gonna call it Narwhal !", she exclaimed.

We were all proud for her, as Leon declared.

"That's sounds like a nice name. Just promise me to take care of it wisely, alright ?"

"I will !"

Then, Leon watched the whole place.

"I believe one good turn deserve another. Now, have you gathered all you need ?"

"Yup ! All that's left is to bring back the goods !", answered Tressa.

"Excellent work. Now you can return home... your honor as a merchant all the greater.", he answered, his words making Tressa totally proud, when he started to head to the exit with a natural walk. "I must make for the docks. It's nigh time I set sail."

"You're leaving so soon ?"

"But you will miss the festival !", I said.

Me and Tressa were feeling bad that captain Leon was leaving this night, when he told us.

"The sea calls me, kids. But before I do..."

"Hm ?"

"Why don't you come by my ship ?"

"R-really ?!", exclaimed Tressa.

"Of course. Let me tell you in advance that you're not dreaming and that I'm not joking."

"Awesome !", I cheered happily.

Finally, the captain has accepted us to visit his ships and to look for the treasures he has found !

Tressa and I stared happily at each other, completely excited and impatient, when Leon told us.

"But first, don't forget to bring back the goods, okay ?"

We both answered together.

"Ah, yeah ! We're starting right now !"

~

 A/N: I'm gonna tell you something: I improvised a little of the dialogue to make the chapter funnier, cause me too I have the right to have fun while writing ! After all, I hope you liked the comedy connected to that chapter !

And yeah, it's been almost 2 weeks since I uploaded the chapter 26, but thankfully, I'm almost in vacation so I will have more writing time and extend my publication rhythm with 1500 words written per weeks !

I think I'l also modify some old chapters, especially for erasing some fails, like the squirrel's gender in the chapter 24, but also in the one of the oldest chapters. If you read again the first chapters, some of you might understand which change has been made, but don't worry I won't rewrite the entire chapter. I can't just explain now, for the moment...

Also, my book has been noticied for the 2019 Wattys and it is eligible ! I'm quite happy, but unfortunately, I won't participe because my book must be only on Wattpad, but it's also on Quote TV and Deviantart, and I don't want to erase them from these sites...

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed that one ! Next chapter will be the last one involving Tressa, and don't forget Octopath Traveler is now available on PC !

See ya !