In case the title didn't give it away, this will be a series of short stories about the Mysticons. Mostly fluffy stuff, with a few missing scenes thrown in. Some will be longer than others. I'll do my best to keep everything canon-compliant. Everything in this fic exists in the same continuity, so events from one chapter might be referenced in another.

This specific scene takes place during Episode 13, "All Hail Necrafa" and shows how I think the Mysticons brought the Pink Skulls onboard with the plan (pun intended). All the dialogue up until Zarya says, "We'll figure this out," is from the episode.

I don't own Mysticons!

Pirate Collaboration

The Mysticons were sitting down on the Astromancer Palace walkway with their legs dangling over the side.

"Those mages really burn my forge! Why would Malvaron go along with this?" Em ranted.

"'Cause he's a spell-slingin' liar face!" Piper shook her fist in the air in frustration.

Arkayna sighed. Zarya put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. We're here for you. We'll figure this out." She paused. "And I know just how to do it."

Arkayna looked up, her expression hopeful. "Really?"

Zarya nodded. "It's not entirely legal, but yeah, I've got a plan."

"Then… what are you waiting for?" Arkayna asked.

"Making sure no one overhears, but I think we're in the clear." Zarya pulled out her phone, selected a contact, and put it on speaker. "Doug? You're on your way back to the hideout, right?"

"Umm… yeah," the Cyclops answered.

"Good. Change of plans, though; I need you to go into the palace, get the statues of the king and queen, and haul them out onto the balcony. Got it?"

"Get the statues to the balcony, okay. But… why?"

Zarya shook her head. "There's no time; I'll explain later." She made as if to disconnect the call, but then pulled her hand back and added, "And if anyone stops you, tell them you're there on orders of the princess. We'll see you soon."

She hung up for real this time and selected another contact. Arkayna stared at her. "That's it? That's your plan? How does that help me restore my parents?"

"I'm not done yet, princess. Time for phase two!" Zarya hit the call button.

The phone only rang once before it was answered. "Go for Kitty."

Zarya didn't waste any time. "It's me. How'd you like to pull a heist on the royal palace and totally make the Astromancers look like fools at the same time?"

There was a pause, then… "You know me way too well, Z-Star. I'm in. PINK SKULLS, MOVE IT OR LOSE IT! WE'VE GOT A JOB TO DO!"

The other Mysticons had yelped and covered their ears when Kitty started bellowing. Zarya hadn't flinched. "Okay, here's the plan. I need you to fly up to the palace balcony—you know, where we partied that time? There, you'll meet a Cyclops named Doug. Load him and his cargo onto the ship, then fly over to the Cliffs of Courage. Once you're there, look for an explosion in the sky—that'll be the signal for go time."

"Got it, see you soon." Kitty clicked off.

Zarya put her phone away. "Like I said, not entirely legal, but this might be our only chance."

"I don't like it, but you're right. And the Pink Skulls helped us get the Dragon Disk back, so I guess they're all right." Arkayna eyed her friend. "There's a couple things I'm worried about, though. Won't Kitty get suspicious when she shows up at the Cliffs of Courage to find the Mysticons, and Zarya Moonwolf is nowhere to be found?"

Zarya suddenly developed an extreme interest in her boots. Arkayna sighed. "You told her." It wasn't a question.

"I had to." Zarya didn't look up. "Maybe it was a risk, but I knew Kitty wouldn't work against me if she knew that's what she was doing. We know each other better than anyone; we can practically read each other's minds. I'm still not sure how I didn't pick up on her intention to steal the Dragon Disk from us before. Kitty looks out for her people, though, and that still includes me. So I told her my secret, and the Pink Skulls are now solidly on our side. Which is good, since it doesn't look like the Astromancers are anymore. I'd rather not fight the Spectral Hand, the Astromancers, and the Pink Skulls. Now we don't have to, and we have new allies."

"Will Kitty be expecting a large amount of gold for this?" Arkayna asked.

Zarya burst out laughing, but quickly got herself under control when Arkayna glared at her. "Sorry. It's just that I offered her some gold after we got the Dragon Disk back. She shoved it back at me and said, and I quote, 'Don't be ridiculous. The Pink Skulls work for the Mysticons now.' She values friends more than money; she always has."

Arkayna didn't want to think about the implications of that statement and instead turned to her other concern. "They'll be cutting it close. Nova Terron said we're leaving within the hour."

Zarya smirked. "Please. The Pink Skulls have the fastest ship in the seven skies; it's how no one's ever caught them and hauled them in for pirating. As long as Doug holds up his end of the deal, they'll get there long before us. Although, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to stall the Astromancers a little. Hmmm… Em, Arkayna, when they're ready to leave, can you guys pretend to get into an argument? And once they break you up, Choko, you run off, and Piper, you run after him. That ought to give us," she paused, calculating, "at least ten extra minutes."

"Got it!" Piper saluted cheerfully. "Why the Cliffs of Courage, though?"

"The Cliffs of Courage are on a direct course between the Astromancer Palace and the Crystal Archipelago. They're also a direct flight from the royal palace. Zarya's right; if we stall the Astromancers, Kitty should get there way before us."

Zarya, Piper, and Arkayna all stared at Em, who shrugged. "What? I mapped the layout of the entire city from griffin-back. It's kinda my job."

Zarya nodded. "She's right, which means it's the perfect spot to hijack the Codex and abandon ship."

"Okay, so we've got a plan." Arkayna stood up. The others followed. Arkayna put one hand out in front of her. Zarya grinned and placed her own hand on top of Arkayna's. Em and Piper quickly did the same. "Ready, girls?"

The four quickly flung their outstretched hands toward the sky.

"Mysticons!"