(A/N This chapters a bit shorter, because the last one was massive.)

"Pretty nice? Wow, you're calling us monsters... nice?" Pyronica giggled, smacking me on the back.

I flinched at the sudden impact, laughing nervously, "Well, I mean it's just my first impression..." I muttered, glancing at her momentarily.

Realizing Bill still had his arms around my neck and I tried to get out of his hold without making him notice. It went more like awkwardly poking and nudging his arm lightly.

He noticed my attempt and smirked, releasing me casually.

The smaller man with red hair skipped towards us. His name was Teeth, I believe? I'm assuming he got that name because of all the puns he tells.

"Hey Dipper! We're pretty swell people, huh!" he shouted, winking at me.

I didn't want to be rude and not laugh. I faked a chuckle, pretending to be entertained by his lame teeth puns. Bill downright howled with laughter, encouraging Teeth to go on. Having enough of that, I walked over to a group of Bill's mates that were playing games on the ground.

"What are you doing?" I asked, scanning over the metal cups, and the sacs of treasure resting at each pirates sides.

"Liar's Dice." Eight replied, not bothering to look up.

"Liar's Dice? What's that?" I asked.

"It's a betting game, Pines. Don't tell me you've never heard of Liar's Dice." Kryptos replied, throwing down a handful of silver coins.

"No, I lost my memories... so I wouldn't remember much." I sighed.

Kryptos seemed to react to that, his light grey eyes trailed up to look at me.

"Memories... you say?" he said, his lips curving up, leaving the slightest smirk.

I stared at him with confusion, "Yeah?" I responded.

The grey haired man laughed, "I see..." he said, then went back to look at the game.

That was a peculiar reaction, I decided
to question him.

"Why?" I asked, sitting down next to the people that were holding odd looking cubes with various numbers of dots on each side.

"Let me just say this..." Kryptos began, "you're being played, Pines." he grinned, slamming his cup on the floor.

"LIAR!" Amorphous shouted, lifting his cup to reveal two of the oddly shaped dice.

Eight groaned, "How did you know, Amorphous?" knocking his cup over in frustration.

Kryptos laughed, his attention now away from me, "You're just not very bright." he grinned.

Eight paused, "What... did you say?" the green-haired teen growled, his eyes darkening.

Kryptos snickered, "I said you're not. very. bright." he said mischievously.

Pyronica sighed, "Not again." the female said, getting up to walk out of their area.

Eight's cool complexion then changed, his eyes flashing yellow, "Take that back, bastard!" he shouted, tackling the other angrily, rapping him with his knuckles.

Kryptos just laughed hysterically while his face was busted up.

I scooted away, not wanting to get caught in their brawl.

I looked at Bill who was now egging Eight on, "Kill him, Eight! Aim for the throat!" he cheered enthusiastically.

Lunatics.

That was the first thing that came to mind.

While everyone was distracted, I decided to sneak off. These guys were great, but I needed someone I could actually have an intelligent conversation with.

I walked down the wooden steps, the atmosphere changing into a more serious feel.

There were people tying knots, and others cleaning the deck. Some were
staring hopelessly at the sky, bickering about something I had no idea about.

"Hey Rookie!" a man said, walking up to me.

He was considerably taller than me, his eyes looked down on me.

He didn't look pleased at all, "What did the captain want with you?" he asked, emphasizing the you, like he was disgusted with my existence.

This guy wasn't very nice, I could tell. He had a scraggly half-shaven beard, and a very stern expression.

His breath also stank of alcohol, I tried my best not to show any reaction to it.

"He was introducing me to his friends." I replied nonchalantly.

He squinted his eyes at me, giving me a very intimidating look and posture.

I wasn't fazed by this guy at all.

"You're not permitted to talk to the cap'n, " he said, "We work so hard to get noticed by 'im, and then you come along one day and get to be his 'friend'? Fat chance!" he shouted angrily, his face turning red, a vein showing itself near his forehead.

"You can't order me around." I said firmly, glaring at him.

I felt pain across my cheek, the impact almost made me fall over. I touched my face, wincing slightly because it stung. I looked at the man's angered face, his fists balled, then felt the pain pulsing on the one half of my face. This guy just punched me!

A moment occurred to how I should respond. Despite the pain, I didn't want to return the punch. If what he said is true, he has a reason to be angry. My eyes focused on the rapier at his side, his hand was dangerously close to the hilt of his own weapon.

The man stared down at me, "Nothing to say, weakling?" he said tauntingly, watching me for any expression I would make.

Just stay relaxed, Dipper.

I slowly faced him with a neutral expression, exhaling deeply, "Why... would you do that?" I asked calmly.

That earned another strike to my face, I was surprised at having the wind knocked out of me yet again. Now both sides of my face hurt.

I could feel a low roar of anger bubbling in my gut.

I looked at him once more, a bit more seriously, "Why. did. you. do. that." I said, my expression almost challengingly.

The man raised his fists again, but this time I grabbed his wrist, holding it in place. My skinny physique against his burly one was difficult to overpower, but the man was drunk and woozy. I had the advantage.

He glared at me, and I returned it. I tried to be the pacifist, but sometimes you have to solve things with violence. I wouldn't be able to get anything through his thick skull, so why not speak his language?

The man pushed me back, pulling out his sword. I did the same.

Bill said I used to be quite talented with swordplay, so perhaps I still had that spunk he spoke of.

He came at me, swinging his sword upwards. I jumped back, my boots sliding against the damp deck. A bunch of people formed a circle around us, some hollering for him, most just cheering in excitement.

I think everyone assumed this was a friendly match between senior and rookie, but I'm pretty sure this guy was out for blood.

I has no intention of killing him. I just wanted to immobilize him so he'd leave me alone.

It was funny since all I wanted to do was find someone to talk with, but now I'm entertainment for the entire ship to enjoy.

I guess I hadn't realized my life was on the line as the others' metal sword grazed the side of my arm. I hissed in pain, splotches of blood staining my shirt. The crowd getting even more rowdier.

My heartbeat quickened, and I decided to back as far away as possible. The man grinned, revealing rotten teeth that were probably as crooked as they could get. His face was covered in sweat and his hair looked all the more greasier.

I didn't know how to fight! Right! The painful reality coming back to me! I panicked, thinking of the absolute best thing I should do.

The man charged at me, raising his sword up high to strike down. His chest was wide open! I could probably just plunge my sword in there, but I already vowed I wouldn't do anything so cruel.

Instead, I used the hilt, using all my weight to slam it into his gut. He grunted at the sudden impact, getting knocked over completely.

The crowd boo'ed, yelling at me for not being man enough to use the blade.

I ignored them, but took advantage of the time he was down.

"...Clench your goddamn teeth!" I shouted angrily, tightening my knuckles and punching him hard in the face.

He was instantly knocked out, and I felt accomplished. I returned the favour.

My fists kind of stung, but the cheers around me helped me feel better.

I looked towards the upper deck, and I wasn't surprised at what I saw. Everyone I had met was watching from the railing.

Pyronica, Amorphous, Key and Teeth were grinning, yelling that I did a good job. Eight was grinning, while Kryptos looked kinda disappointed. His face was all bandaged up, and wounded. Hector was just staring at me passively.

"I've killed thousands." Paci said in a deep voice, catching almost everyones attention.

Bill was smirking, his golden eyes shining brightly. "Not bad, Pine Tree! Looks like you still got those fighting instincts!" he shouted, placing his hands on his hips.

All the crew members on the lower floor stared at me, then to Bill.

Their expressions changed from encouraging and cheery to something more envious and spiteful.

I shivered at that, it was scary to think that everyone would become like the man I just defeated.

I probably wouldn't be able to stand that.

(A/N Posting this at midnight for all you late night readers. ;) )