Disclaimer: I do not own Skies of Arcadia Legends, any of its characters, etc. However, one upcoming character is mine. Though his name must currently remain hidden, you will know who I'm talking about when I get there. Any similarities between my character and anyone else, living, dead or fictional, are purely coincidental.

Gilder's Chance

Chapter 1: Light, Darkness, and Bikinis

Vyse, Aika, and Fina were relaxing at Crescent Island by the pond. Fish swam by as Fina crumbled up some bread and tossed it to them. Aika and Vyse were sitting and admiring Izmael's most recent carving, a spectacular image of Vyse looking heroic. The three friends had not a care in the world now that the world had been saved.

Ramirez was dead, Soltis had returned to Deeper Sky. Enrique and Moegi had returned to Valua to supervise the rebuilding. Lawrence had disappeared, joining Domingo in a search for treasure. All of the crew members of the Delphinus had gone their separate ways and gone all over the world. Now the only ones left were Vyse, Aika, Fina, and they had joined Dyne and his crew as Raiders. For the moment, though, the three were taking some time off to enjoy the peace and quiet of Crescent Island.

After Vyse rejoined his father, the Dyne family developed a way of using Crescent Island as a secret secondary base. If Pirate's Island ever got attacked, special teleport pads borrowed from the design of the pads in Soltis would teleport people to Crescent Island. The pads had been installed recently, and everyone enjoyed coming to Crescent Island for a day off.

"Vyse, would you like to take a dip?"

"Sure, Aika. Come on Fina, come with us!"

"Okay!"

The three went to their old rooms in the Yafutoman style quarters and got changed into their swimsuits. Vyse walked out in a pair of blue, knee-length trunks, climbed up to the flag pole, and dived into the pond. He looked up and found to his astonishment that he could see into Aika's room. Just as he looked, Aika turned around, saw him staring, and quickly slammed the shutters, blushing bright crimson.

Fina left her room next in a suit of alien design. Shw wore a white bikini, the top white with the triangle cut out she adopted from her old outfit. The bottom was blue with white stripes. She was about to enter to go out to the pond when Aika's door slid open. Aika was wearing a bright yellow bikini that would have made Vigoro go wild had he been there.

"Fina! You look so cute! Where did you get that suit?"

"Oh, I made it last week. Do you really like it?"

"Yeah! Fina, I got an idea . . ."

She whispered in the Silvite's ear, and Fina giggled.

"Okay, Aika!"

Fina walked out to the pond and Vyse's jaw dropped. He had never realized just how beautiful this girl was.

"Fina, is that really you?"

"Of course, Vyse! Do you like my new bikini?"

"Like, I love-"

At that moment, there was a splash behind him. There was a yank on his shorts, and suddenly Aika was standing next to Fina, holding up his new trunks.

"Hey Vyse! Are you missing something?"

Vyse blushed and quickly covered himself with his hands.

"Aika! Give me back my trunks!"

The girls laughed uproariously.

"Aika, that idea to use Quika to get behind him was genius!" giggled Fina. "Do you think we should give them back yet?"

"No, I think he needs to cool down . . . hahahah!"

Suddenly, Luke the Raider warped into Crescent Isle.

"Vyse, Aika, Fina! The captain wants you all immediately! Let's go!"

Aika tossed Vyse his trunks and they ran off to Luke.

"Vyse, we've just received word. Baltor has amassed a giant crew of Black Pirates! They're heading right towards Pirate Isle! We have to intercept them!"