Hey everyone, me again, back with another update. Did my fellow Americans enjoy their Thanksgiving? I know I did. And also Thank you to LaZy-RaIn-DaNcEr for the character submission, I'm sure I'll be able to work him in somewhere :). And here is the next chapter. Enjoy it.
***
"Um...Iris?"
"Yes?" The two were walking down on of the outskirts of the island of Crocodile Rock, looking for a place to buy a ship ("Now we really have to find one" Mentioned Shade).
"Well, I was just wondering," Asked Shade. "I mean, you've joined my crew, yet I still don't really know that much about you."
"Really?" Responded Iris slyly. "Well, you know, I don't really know much about my captain now either. Don't you think that's a little more important?"
"Well..." Pondered Shade. "I'm from Chronic Island, here in the West Blue, and, well...there isn't really much to say..."
"Oh, come on," Said Iris, her gaze attempting to pierce Shade. "You must have more than that."
"Well, what about you?" Shade argued back. "You're asking me all those questions about me, yet you won't tell me anything about yourself..."
"I come from Kuraki Island." Said Iris. "Not that far from here."
Shade looked at her, as if he was expecting her to say something else. "...That's it?" He asked her.
"Well, all you've told me is where you're from, so I figured I'd say the same." Said Iris.
Shade was getting frustrated at this woman's way of talking. "Alright fine, forget about it then." He said. "For now, let's just focus on finding a place that sells ships and be done with it."
"You mean like that one over there?" Asked Iris pointing ahead of them
Shade looked and saw a fairly large shop that had a sign on it that read "Sam's Shipyard" in big, bold red letters. The shop was located right in front of the ocean, as several ships that were anchored behind it, waiting to be sold.
"Well, yeah, I guess that could work." Said Shade, a little embarrassed for not seeing the place earlier. The two walked into the shipyard, where they were greeted by an elderly man, looking even older than the bartender they had met at the tavern. He was wearing a worn-in cap with a plad patterned vest.
"Hey, there. My name's Sam." He greeted them warmly. "You guys lookin' for a ship?"
Shade nodded.
"Well, you came to the right place. I got all sortsa ships. Big ones, small ones, fancy ones, cheap ones, you name it. Just name your price."
"Price?" Asked Shade. He had totally forgotten that he needed money for a ship. "Um...how about free?"
Sam's face suddenly gave Shade a sour glance. "Free? Just who you think you talkin' too boy?!" He spat angrily. "My family's been dealing ships for over two centuries, and you expect me to just hand you over one like that! Get some money, you freeloader!"
"C'mon, you gotta have something." Protested Shade. Sam just shook his head.
"C'mon, pleeeease?" Asked Iris with a cute smile.
"Hmph. I won't fall for that." Said Sam. "Get some money and then we'll talk."
"Isn't there anything you have that's really crappy?" Asked Shade. He didn't care what he got at this point. "Something you'll never sell anyway?"
Sam was about to speak, but then something stopped him. He thought hard for a moment then spoke. "Well, you're right, I do have something I'm dyin' to get rid of. But I highly doubt you'll want it."
"Show me it!" Demanded Shade. "I don't care about it's condition it's in, I just need a ship to start with is all."
"Oh don't worry, it's in perfect condition." Said Sam. "And that's exactly why you won't want it."
"Huh?" Asked Shade. The statement didn't make much sense to him.
"C'mon, follow me, I'll show ya." Said Sam, as he began to lead Shade and Iris to a part of his shipyard.
***
"Well, here it is." Said Sam, as they stopped right in front of a ship. Shade looked at the ship and gazed in awe at what he saw.
The ship was a very fearsome sight. Ship was very large looking as if it could be fit for 100 people. It's mast were long and tall and at the top of each one was a skull-shaped figure. The sails hung from what looked like bat's wings. And at the front of the ship, there was a figurehead of a large, red, demon head.
"Wow, this ship is awesome!" Remarked Shade.
"Very intimidating." Noted Iris. "I wouldn't want to be seeing this ship if I were an enemy."
"Yep, she's a beaut', all right." Remarked Sam. "The Bat Out of Hell. Armed to the teeth with cannons, very strong structure, it could probably last a trek to the whole Grand Line and back. It' truly one of a kind."
"But why would you be wanting to just give this away?" Asked Shade. "If I were you, I'd charge over 100 Million for this ship!"
"Well," Said Sam seriously. "You haven't heard the story behind this ship."
"Story?" Inquired Shade.
"Yep. It's got quite a tale behind it." Said Sam, beginning the story. "I've told you about my family being in this business for over two centuries, right? Well, we've got records on every shape we've bought or sold. All except this one. No one in my family knows how it landed in our hands. My dad told me he thought it came straight from hell itself..." He paused again, to clear his breath. "Well, the real spooky part is, this ship's been bought by plenty of times. Pirates, Explorers, even a Marine squad bought it once."
"Wait," Interrupted Shade. "What do you mean 'plenty of times'?"
"Well," Said Sam. "Every single one of those pirates, explorers, and marines who've bought it...every single on of 'em was killed. Entire crews were massacred while riding on this ship. From pirate attacks, freak storms, illnesses, you name it, the number of people who've died riding on this thing is so much I don't even wanna know. But the ship...the ship has stayed intact. No, not just intact, it's practically untouched. And it's found it's way back to this place every time."
"Hmm...very frightening indeed." Said and amused Iris.
"Well...that is...pretty scary." Said Shade, a little shaken up by the story. But soon he found his voice again. "But...I still want it!"
"Really now?" Asked Sam. "Are you prepared then, to die a horrible death upon this ship?"
Shade gave a hard stare back at Sam. "No," He answered. "Because this is the ship on which I will become the Pirate King on!"
"Pirate King?" Said Sam. A grin showed up on his face. "I see, so your a pirate. The journey's going to be hard enough with an ordinary ship. Do you think you could make it with a cursed ship such as this one?"
"Of course!" Said Shade, with his confidence rising. "If I can't conquer this ship, how can I think of conquering the Grand Line?"
This caused Sam's grin to widen even more. This kid, He thought, He's got some spunk. And there's something different about him, something different from the other people who've bought this ship... "Alright kid, tell you what. I'll give you the Bat Out of Hell, free of charge. But in exchange, you gotta promise me one thing, alright?"
"Sure old man," Said Shade. "What is it?"
"If you use this ship, you gotta promise me you won't go dyin' on me. And if you and your crew do die on it, try to at least take the ship down with you. I don't want it showin' up back here, you understand?"
This time it was Shade's turn to have a grin appear on his face. "Heh, that's all?" He remarked. "I was planning to do that even without you telling me!"
"Then it's a deal." Said Sam. "By the way, I never got your name. What is it, boy?" He inquired suddenly.
"My name?" Responded Shade. "My name...is James D. Shade! Don't you forget it!"
"Shade, huh?" Said Sam. "Don't worry, it's a name I'll be sure to remember!"
***
"Wow, this ship really amazing!" Called out Shade, as he was examining the interiors of the ship, while Iris was sitting out on the front of the ship. "The kitchen looks amazing! And so does the downstairs area! I can't believe we got this for free!"
"I'll say," Hiccuped Iris. "The space out here on the front is niiiiiiceeee and ooooopen..."
"Hey," Called out Shade. "Don't tell me you're wasted again already?"
"What *hic* are you talking about? When did I say anything like that?" Called out Iris as she took another sip of the wine bottle, given to them by the bartender for defeating Iyaz.
Shade couldn't do anything else in this situation but groan.
***
Unbeknown to the two Renegade Pirate members, the ship was rapidly approaching the next island. The island was known as Rebirth Island, as the first settlers on the island arrived there to seek a fresh start in life. It was also the location of a Marine base.
"C-captain Gei!" Called out one Marine rom inside the base, as he rushed into the captain's room, binoculars in his hand. He saw the familiar sight of his captain, a large, burly man wearing a marine captain uniform."Forgive me for barging in, but I have urgent news to report!"
"Hmm, what is it?" Asked the Captain known as Gei.
"Just now," Said the Marine. "I've just spotted an incoming Pirate Ship!"
"A Pirate Ship?!" Said Gei in alarm. "Are you sure?"
"Well, it doesn't have a Jolly Roger to speak of, but the design of it...it s without a doubt a pirate ship in my mind!"
"Let me see!" Said Gei as he and the marine rushed outside to the base.
"Well I'll be," Remarked Gei as he laid eyes on the ship. "That's a Pirate Ship without a doubt!"
"Should we star preparing, sir?" Asked the marine.
"Yes. Alert everyone." Answered Gei. "You're right that they don't have a Jolly Roger...they must be fairly new. We should hopefully be able to take them down if they attack us."
"Do you think," Asked the marine. "We will have to use them to help us?"
Gei shuddered at the thought. "Hopefully not. Those guys don't follow true justice...oh, what are we saying?" He said, smiling. "This job will be accomplished by us, the marines! Now, go alert the other men!"
The marine smiled. "Yes sir!" He said, giving a salute to his Captain before running off to alert the other marines.
***
Well, there you have it. How did you guys think of it? Please review, and let me know how you feel, it'll make future chapters better. Trust me on that one. And feel free to submit your own Character, if you want to.
