A/N: Yep. You're really seeing this. Yet another AU that was inspired by my new found love of Neo and Yang. So yep, going pirate with this one. This is just a VERY short prologue chapter as you won't really meet a ton of the cast yet in this. I just want to see how this is received before being fully committed to it as I still have other stories to attend to! Um, anyways let me know what you think so far.
Enjoy!
This has to be the worst day ever.
First Yang and her sister; Ruby got scammed on their earlier selling of their products, and after finally accepting that they had been ripped off in the town of Haven, they reluctantly returned to their ferry, with whatever goods they had left.
All seemed well enough back then, it wasn't always you could make a profit selling spices, and so the sisters accepted their losses and prepared themselves for a long voyage to their next destination. Sleeping on the decks of the boat, it was in the dead of night before both of them were woken up by the sounds of cannon fire.
Yang remembered the thundering and ear splitting noise that filled the night air. The smooth swaying of the boat that was lulling her to sleep under the starry night sky soon changed motions as the ship twisted and rocked under the relentless cannon barrage. Yang and Ruby had woken up in alert and at the vision of multiple sailors and seamen clamoring away, pulling at sails and desperately trying to defend their vessel.
Amidst the chaos though, Yang had heard one thing that scared her more than anything else in her life.
"Pirates!"
And now look where she was. Locked away in some musky cabin within the large pirate ship that just moments earlier had captured them. But glancing over to her right at the small sleeping form of her smaller sister, Yang smiled. At least she Ruby had not sustained any serious injuries. After the pirates had boarded; they made short work of anyone who tried to resist, and so Yang and Ruby both hadn't tried anything reckless. Of course the two were well versed in the art of sword play and fencing; thanks to their father but they relinquished their weapons without confrontation.
This of course meant that the sisters also lost their entire shipment of spices that they were currently trying to sell. This caused Yang more anger then the loss of her blade. But focusing on the present for now; Yang ran her hands through her long and rebellious blonde locks and looked towards the rest of the captives that were journeying alongside her before the pirates had taken them captive.
Most were just traders and merchants; much like herself, but there were a few seamen who had operated the boat that she had taken refuge on earlier, although most looked much too scared to do anything like rebel.
So Yang sighed and inched closer to her sister. The cell they all were currently in was cramped and smelled of piss. The wooden walls leaked sea water and the entire vessel creaked and moaned as if it were on the verge of sinking.
There wasn't much to do but wait until they reached wherever the destination was that they were heading in. Yang more than likely knew that they were going to be sold as slaves in some faraway land but for some reason the blonde wasn't scared or terrified in this moment. She took deep calming breaths; ignoring the putrid stench and focused her nerves to hatch a plan.
If and when the pirates come down to unlock the cell to herd all of them out, they could of course fight back, even weaponless. There were at least fifteen people in the cell excluding herself and Ruby. Of course people would die in the process but granted a few would be able to escape to…
Well, Yang couldn't think that far. Plus that was even if the others agreed to such a reckless plan. But it was the best she had, for Dust's sake she was only a traveling merchant girl! Not some seasoned war admiral. So Yang steeled herself in preparation to announce her plan to her fellow prisoners; peering through the dim cell and taking in the glum and gloomy faces.
These people look defeated already, there's no way they'll agree to this.
But before Yang even had a chance to speak; a familiar sound rang out through the confines of the boat and even if it was muffled by being deep below deck she knew what it was.
The sounds of cannon fire.
By it sounded as if it were incoming cannon fire, not outgoing. Yang felt Ruby jolt awake at the sounds and watched her rub the sleep out of her eyes before glancing up at her elder sister with fear and confusion plastered on her young face.
"Yang, what's going on now?" She asked.
Yang peered into her sister's twinkling silver eyes and felt a slow smile form on her own face. She could now feel the boat rock and tilt as whoever was piloting the vessel took evasive maneuvers to avoid the cannon fire Yang had guessed.
Maybe she wouldn't have to risk her and everyone else's lives. They were going to be rescued! It seemed as if the sentiment had spread among the other prisoners as their glum expressions shifted to hopeful at the hearing of battle above them.
Yang soon become drunk of the thoughts of freedom once more. It had only been a few hours of being captured but it was much more than enough time to be taken and held as a prisoner. She started to wonder which navy was handing the pirates their asses so handedly.
We should still be in Vale controlled waters; so it could be Vale or Atlas as they're pretty close as well.
It didn't matter to her though. Both navies would release them at the first docking back in their respective countries. And maybe Yang could grab her supplies that were stolen from her as well and try to turn a profit at where ever they would be let go.
"We're gonna be saved, Rubes!" Yang finally replied to her sister.
She watched on as Ruby's eyes lit up and her small and dirty face brighten into a wide grin at the words. She let out a small squeal of joy which also caused Yang to giggle in delight. Even the other prisoners who had been so quiet moments before were speaking to themselves and talking about what they would do once they were free of the confines of this damp enclosed space.
It wasn't long before the cannon fire was increased in volume and the motions of the vessel were steadied. Until it rocked to its side violently, knocking Yang, Ruby, and the rest of the captured onto their backsides and sliding into the opposite wall.
"What the hell was that?" Yang questioned, picking herself up from where she was knocked over.
It felt as if the boat was hit by something massive. Almost like a…
Ram.
A boarding attempt!
They really were going to be saved! The violent toss must've been the other ship ramming into the pirate's vessel in an attempt to board. This meant the pirates had already lost. It was only a matter of time until they would be found below deck and rescued.
"We're saved!"
"We're as good as free!"
"Damned pirates, they got what they deserved!"
"I never wanna be on another boat, ever again."
These words and more were heard as the mood in the cell rose significantly. Everyone was on edge, just bristling with hope and joy. Glancing back down at the shining and hopeful silver eyes of Ruby, Yang ruffled the girl's short crimson hair and chuckled.
"After this, we're definitely returning to Signal to see mom and dad! I think we deserve a little vacation!"
She watched Ruby nod her head in agreement. The thought of returning back to their island port town of Signal was extremely endearing to Yang. She and Ruby hadn't returned home in years, leaving one night to make a name for themselves as famous merchants. Which turned out to be a lot harder than they had originally planned.
Quickly they found themselves with no goods to sell which was their first mistake. Second they hadn't thought of the idea to arm themselves, and after many close encounters because of this fact the sisters finally scrounged enough money to buy their own respective shoddy blades. But probably their biggest blunder at the beginning of their adventure was the prospect of starting money. They had none.
Of course throughout their beginning months, they had journeyed throughout the lands and waters and had indeed made a name for themselves in a few specific towns. Of course their names would probably be tagged on with scoundrel or thieves or better yet; drunken wretch, the last one being mostly for Yang.
But they had survived, and even managed to get their foot in the door and start their peddling and trading business! They had sometimes even made wonderful profits which of course fueled Yang's addiction to rum, but that was another story.
Perking up now, Yang shook her thoughts away and noticed that she could now hear the yells and screams of dozens of men and women possibly fighting for their very lives above deck. The sounds of swords clashing together and pistols being shot could be heard through the heavy oaken boards.
Any minute now their saviors would come storming down to open their cells! Yang and Ruby both could smell the open ocean air already!
And finally all was dead silent. The only sounds heard was that of the waves slapping against the ship's sides and the heavy breathing of everyone in the cell.
And so they waited with bated breath.
And waited.
Until finally the sounds of heavy footsteps could be heard walking down stairs into the lower deck.
Yang felt her chest tighten and her stomach flip at the sound. Freedom was as good as ever! Their rescuers had won and come to save the day! She felt Ruby hug her from the side as the girl squealed yet again with anticipation. In mere moments they would catch a glimpse of their saviors!
Until he rounded the corner.
Yang froze in her spot and quickly felt her smile fade into a frown at the sight of the man in front of her as he too stared back at her and the rest of the prisoners in a mix of surprise and malice.
The first thing Yang had noticed though was that he was missing his left leg, which was replaced by a wooden one from the knee down. Her first sign that something was very wrong. Finally glancing back towards the rest of the man's ensemble though only furthered Yang's suspicions.
He was dressed in an open white overcoat that was faded to a dull gray, with various pouches and belts attached to it. His trousers were a dirty black in color with his boot being the very same shade. His bright orange hair; that was swept over his right eye was filthy and rugged as if he had not showered for days, as he covered it up with a black and red bandana.
The man stood still and focused his dark green eyes towards the cell and its occupants in front of him as if now contemplating something. He raised his right hand to his chin and rested his left on his belt; which had a sword dangling in its scabbard attached to it, next to a small flintlock pistol tucked away next to it.
But just as Yang felt her stomach drop at the sight of this man who dressed, looked, and smelled like a pirate, she heard a new sound make its way down the stairs. Although this persons footsteps sounded graceful and collected, not as loud as he had been.
Turning her gaze to the corner of the cell where a new figure appeared though; Yang felt her breath hitch, as well as Ruby's own.
There stood a woman of average height; dressed in a crimson overcoat that mirrored the other man's own, but this one looked pristine. She had a black shirt underneath it that seemed to hold her ample chest in place, and tight fitting leather black leggings that tucked into deep brown calf length boots. This new mysterious woman had long black hair that seemed to flow down to her shoulders with a faded black tricorne atop of her head.
The woman then also peered into the cell with calculating eyes but kept her expression indifferent. Her amber eyes seemed to scan each and every individual that was currently locked away until they settled onto Yang's own. Before shifting ever so slightly to the blonde's right.
At Ruby.
The woman held her gaze there and Yang could have sworn she watched the woman's lips curve upwards in a very hungry looking smile.
But the sound of a gruff, but seemingly respectful tone of voice sounded.
"Seems like we won't have to search too much harder for a profit. We just inherited some slave traders' cargo!" The man from earlier spoke as he glanced towards the cell's occupants once again before turning towards the alluring woman to his side.
"How many times have I told you Roman, we don't deal in slave trading." The woman replied in a smooth and affirmative voice.
Yang continued to keep her lilac eyes on the woman as she turned to look towards her fellow male companion. The way the woman spoke made Yang think that she was in charge of whoever had now controlled the ship and ultimately them. It worried the blonde tremendously at the hearing of how they don't deal with slave trading. Although it sounded like a good thing, that also could mean that they would just leave them locked up in the cell as they plundered the ship and left them there. Or even worse yet, sunk the vessel.
"Well then, what d'ya wanna do with them?" The man who was referred to as Roman asked as he pointed a thumb towards the cell.
An eternity seemed to pass before the woman rested her hands on her belt loops before turning on her heel to head back up to the deck seemingly ignoring the man's question.
"We bring them with us, of course." She then called out over her shoulder as she disappeared up the stairs.
Roman seemed to chuckle to himself at the command and withdrew his pistol and aimed it at the cell door. Yang and the rest of the prisoners seemed to gasp in surprise at the move; thinking he was going to shoot them, but he directed his weapon towards the cell's lock before he pulled the trigger and fired.
The sound rang out in Yang's ears causing her to hear nothing but a metallic ringing at the unexpected noise. The smell of gunpowder soon filled the air as the cell door was opened with Roman standing at the exit with his long rapier unsheathed and pointed at the captives, wearing a malicious grin on his face.
"You heard Captain Cinder; we're all going for a little ride." He uttered, making a gesture with his weapon for them to move along.
Yang felt herself want to throw up. Captured by not one but two different groups of pirates! No honor among thieves it seemed, but she was forced to comply, yet again.
And so she latched her hand into her sister's own and filed out of the cell and up the stairs outside to an unsure fate and a new adventure.
This day couldn't get any worse, could it?