Author's Notes:
Originally, I had planned a different ending for this chapter, but I decided to change it in the end.
The funny part is, while writing the battle scene, I listened to "Liberi Fatali" (The music played during the opening scene of Final Fantasy 8. It's so EPIC!). Perhaps of this, I might have gotten a little too carried away there, but see for yourself. I had lots of fun writng this chapter.
Chapter 2 - Proving
"So, has he come round yet?", Aaron asked, staring out of the window, in which glass the piratess reflected.
Dixie, who just entered the captain's cabin, looked at the beige hardwood desk, on which a map of surrounding islands was placed. Aaron had marked a particular one with a red cross. This room was appealing, the carpenter had an eye for beauty and precision. The three shelves to the left were finely made, giving enough space for all the books and maps Aaron collected over the time. He was quite the reader. Also, the captain saw to it that his room was clean and tidy, he disliked messes. The broad blue carpet with its detailing beared witness to Aaron's sense for art.
"Yea, and he really is hot-headed.", Dixie answered disparagingly, "Say, is that our next destination? Cabelle-Island?"
"Always well informed, as expected from my best crew member. Yes, we are going to anchor there. I have some unfinished business I need to attend to.", he grinned, "Besides, our supplies and provisions are getting low."
"Anyways, what are we going to do with our captive?", the piratess inquired.
Aaron ran over his chin.
"His eyes... something springs from them. He has a strong will and I'm sure he would make a good addition to our crew, don't you think?"
He turned around, facing Dixie.
"I want you to..."
"You want me to convince him... Am I right?", the girl folded her arms and put on a look of expectancy.
"Harharharhar... That's my Dixie, cheeky like no one else. Do what it takes, I know you are suited for this."
"What is that supposed to mean?", she yelled with a resentful voice.
"Harharhar... You're cute when you're angry. Tell me his name."
Dixie blushed a little involuntarily, babbling: "Diddy. At least, that's what he said."
"Diddy, huh? Yes, he will be of use. Go now."
"Aye!", the girl obeyed and left the cabin.
Aaron turned to the map, looking at his mark. His face was thoughtful.
Diddy leaned against the wooden wall with closed eyes.
"'You stay here and don't make a noise!'. Who does she think she is? Bossing me around like that... Hah, no way! I'll show her!"
The boy pushed himself off the wall and walked towards the door. He opened it carefully and peeked through the small gap. Jibbering, which drowned in dirty laughters, was all he could hear from afar. To see, was nobody. Diddy considered this as his chance, whereon he left his 'prison'. He could see a part of a balustrade in front of him, as the wall blocked his sight to the right. A stairway descended to the left from it. Becoming a little curious, Diddy stepped forward, and realized, that the balustrade was part of a huge room, in which heart several tables and chairs with monkeys sitting on them were. Small ones, tall ones, ones with differently colored furs among them. They wouldn't notice the boy high up here, as they were much too occupied with drinking and talking and laughing. In that order. If he would be silent, he could make it to the door with an oculus inserted, built-in in the room and leading outside. Being halfway down the stairs, someone shouted:
"Hey!"
Diddy winced instantly and turned slowly to the direction the voice came from. The whole room fell silent and looked up to the balustrade.
"Could you guys keep it a little lower, I don't feel so well.", it sounded again, this time with a calm voice.
One of the monkeys stood up and clapped his fists at one another,
"Dixie, I could help out, if ya know what I mean.", he answered, causing the audience to chuckle.
The girl smiled and steadied her head on the hand, the elbow resting on the handrail, responding: "Hah, nice try, Jake. But I'm afraid, I have to refuse."
"Too bad, hehe.", Jake grinned dirty and sat down again, causing the monkeys around him to laugh even more.
Diddy, meanwhile hidden inside of a barrel which leaned against the stairway, hoped for a proper moment to escape through the door. While the others were busy making fools of each other, so his reasoning, the hot-blooded boy slowly climbed out of his hideout and sneaked towards the exit. Turning around one more time, to ensure no one noticed him, he turned the doorknob and left the room. As soon as the boy set foot on deck, he closed the door behind him, releasing a sigh of relief. Diddy walked around, eager to explore the ship he was bound to. He took a deep breath of the salty air and raised his eyes up to the sky, startling.
A gigantic mast soared towards the altitude, girded by deep black sails. Along with the dark clouds, this picture created a feeling of indiscribable fear in Diddy. He tried to avert his regard, but he was unable. He was stunned, mesmerized and scared. Slowly recollecting and shaking his head after being overwhelmed, he deduced that this must have happened because of the state he was in, due to his injury, which he almost forgot about. The boy intended to go on but suddenly someone patted him on the back. Diddy turned around and caught a punch in his face. He landed on the ground with a heavy impact and a hollow sound. Covering his wound, he opened his eyes and got sight of his attacker, yelling:
"You again? You're annoying!"
"Look who's talking!", Dixie responded with a bugged voice, "Didn't I tell you to stay in that room?"
"Heh, as if I would do that. Why should I?", Diddy answered while getting up.
"Because you will bring yourself in trouble? Don't you think before you act?", the piratess had to think of Aaron, saying the same thing to her, and smiled to herself.
"Well, I can't get in more trouble than I am already. You want something from me, otherwise I would be dead by now.", he said calmly while folding his arms.
"Heh, you feel so cool, don't you? Well, can you prove yourself? I take it you know how to fight?", the girl prompted.
"I can take on you, anytime.", Diddy responded, grinning.
The other pirates, who left the room, followed the event up until now. They knew Dixie was quite skilled with the saber, but they had no idea what to expect from the boy. So they waited, in hopes to see something new.
"Janok, your weapon!", the piratess requested with a slight bit of anger.
One monkey of the crowd drew his weapon and threw it over to Dixie, who caught it elegantly at the hilt. She in turn threw it over to Diddy. As she drew her own saber, she said:
"If you can land one hit, we shall see about your future on this ship!"
Diddy, picking up Janok's saber with his right hand, didn't answer.
Dixie didn't waste time and started to attack. She rushed for Diddy, who already waited for her. She dealt a blow from the left and immediately one from the right afterwards, trying to finish him off quickly with a third move, in which she thrusted. Diddy however managed to parry the first hits and avoided the third attack with a dive to the right, ready to counterattack. Jumping forwards with his sword above his head, launching a leap attack, constrained the piratess to block the incoming offense, one hand at the hilt, the other hand at the blunt side of her saber. As both blades impacted, Diddy continued with a rising hit from below, and, as Dixie barely defended herself against that, pushed her with a series of thrusts and blows. The piratess was able to dodge most of them, parrying only a few and waiting for an opportunity for a riposte. Both combatants had amazing footwork, which could drive the battle to the extreme.
As Diddy cornered her, the blades clashed at each other, the girl backed against the wall with one foot and managed to gain enough power to knock him back. Now she nailed him down with continuous attacks, maintaining their dance. It was beautiful to watch, yet two times deadlier. The sound of the constantly recurring steel collisions could be heard throughout the whole ship and should last for quite a while. Both competetors were soon worn out, but didn't even think of letting the other one become the victor.
The fight raged on, the viewers were totally mesmerized, they didn't even dare to move. The sea enjoyed it as well and participated. Suddenly it began to rain, the wind blew heavier, the clouds darkened even more. Under the menacing black sails, they fought a seemingly endless battle.
And there was one, who watched over them...