Chapter 3

"Hurry up!" I called to the rest of the crew. I was starting to get impatient. I had been ready for atleast 30 minutes. The entire crew was coming. Sandra needed cooking supplies. Allen needed to find someone to sharpen his swords. Mellony needed more paper to draw maps on. Colton needed more sharp objects for his slingshot. The list went on and on.

"Okay. We're ready." Mellony said as her and the rest of the crew came out.

"Okay then! Let's go!!!" I called as I jumped down of my resting place at the front of the ship.

We set out toward the middle of the island. I was in the front with Mellony standing beside me pointing out directions according to her compass. Lissa would occasionally point out interesting artifacts and explain their history to us. When we arrived at the town, we all went our seperate ways. We agreed to meet up at the town square in exactly two hours. Then we would go back to the boat, Thousand Sunny. Our wonderful boat.

Meanwhile at Phantom Castle

"I see we have visitors." a man said. "It looks like they are pirates. You know what to do."

"The usual?" his advisor asked.

"No. Not this time. I want to play with them a bit. Bring them back alive and I'll give them the special treatment." the man replied.

"Aww. I see. But sir, alive?" the advisor asked.

"For now anyway." the man replied. Then they both burst out laughing.

Back in the Town

"Guys?" I called. "Guys?! Hmmm...I know! I must be early! Yeah! That's it! Mellony wold never be late so that must be it!"

I looked around. The town seemed to be deserted. "That's strange." I said outloud. I walked on down the street toward a small diner. I decided to go inside and see if they had seen my friends.

"Hello?" a voice called. It sounded like the voice of a young woman.

"Um...hi. Have you seen my friends?" I asked as I walked toward the corner. I could now see that it was in fact a young woman. It didn't seem like anyone else was in the diner.

"Your friends? You aren't from around here are you?" she asked.

"Huh? How did you know?" I asked.

"We never have visitors anymore. I guess they all got smart. After what used to happen to visitors around here and all...oh! Where are my manners? My name is Kiki. Can I get you anything?" she asked.

"Um...no. But what used to happen to the visitors? And where is everyone?" I said.

"I probably shouldn't tell you this but I will. Are you sure you want to hear it? I'm afraid your friends may have suffered the same fate." Kiki said.

"Yeah. I'm sure." I replied. "How bad could it be?"

"This island used to be one of the most succesful pirate ports. We had untold riches and life was good. Then-" Kiki started to explain but I interupted her.

"Wait! This was a pirate port? I thought you guys used to be attacked by pirartes! And then this king guy fixed-" I said but was shushed by Kiki.

"That is the lies that he has told." she explained.

"He who?" I asked.

"I was getting there." she replied. "Anyway, as I was saying about 15 years ago a man came to this island. He declared that he could make us even more succesful then we were. And at first we believed him. His ideas were spread around the island and he became very popular. With in a year, he had become our king. That's when things went from bad to worst. We soon figured out that he was a former pirate that had come after our treasure. He had a crew that he revealed soon after he became king. They raided our village and took all our money and valuables. Some of the villagers were even killed. Those of us who were still alive begged for our lives. He spared us as long as we acted like nothing had happened and we are supposed to report any new comers to the island. Most of us lost our shops and businesses. I was allowed to keep mine but I have to provide him with food. There aren't many of us left now. King Drago has finished them off. And he doesn't allow any new comers on the island. He has spread rumors that he has made things better for us but in reality he has made them worse. He won't allow any visitors. He says it's becase they might threaten us but really he's afraid if them finding the one thing he never found."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Once the elders of our village figured out what Drago really wanted, they hid away our greatest treasure. Even I don't know what it is. I've heard rumors though. When I was little they used to talk about a super weapon. One that could destroy our entire island. The elders feared what would happen if Drago got ahold of it, so they hid it away." Kiki explained.

"So he's looking for this weapon that he thinks exsists?" I asked.

"Yes, but he'll never find it. I trust the elders. When they wouldn't give up it's location, King Drago had them killed. He will never find it. I'm sure of it." Kiki explained.

"So is that's why he stays here." I said quietly. Then to Kiki "So you never told me. What do you think has happened to my friends?"

"I'm afraid that King Drago has gotten ahold of them. And if that has happened, well, things won't be to pretty. Atleast you aren't pirates." she said with a small laugh.

"Umm...why do you say that?" I asked nervously.

"Because then they would be goners for sure." Kiki replied. "...you're pirates, aren't you?"

"Umm...well...yeah...sort of." I said nervously.

"Oh. I'm so sorry. I have some errands to do. I'm afraid you will have to leave." she said and with that pushed me out the door.

"Wait! What does being pirates have to do with anything?!" I yelled as I was being pushed out the door.

"I'm sorry but I can't talk to you anymore. I have to be somewhere else." she replied as she shut the door in my face.

"Wait! Before you go, atleast tell me where I ca find this Drago guy and my friends." I said.

"Fine. Try the castle. But I'm afraid you might be to late. If he asks who sent you, it wasn't me." and with that said she locked the door.

I just stood there for a minute looking at where she had just been standing. I wondered what to do. Maybe I should go back to the ship. They might be there, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that was just wishful thinking. I was getting a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew what I had to do. "Up to the castle I go." I said and with that I was off.

At Phantom Castle

"So the captain is coming?" Drago asked.

"Yes." his advisor said. "Kiki told her about what has been going on at this island. What should we do with her?"

"Nothing. That woman supplies us with food. She is to valuable to lose. For now anyway. The captain will do for now."

"Hello?" I said as I knocked on the castle door. I was starting to wonder if this had been a good idea.

"Yes. May I help you?" a man asked as he opened the door.

"Um...I came to see the King." I replied. This was going better then I had expected.

"Right this way. His majesty is expecting you." the man replied.

I stepped inside and into a dimly lit corridor. The man closed the door behind me. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could see that Drago was a proud man. He had displayed every bit of gold he had in the various hallways. As I stood there gawking, the man said, "Right this way." we walked down a long hallway to the right. We then arrived at two giant doors. He opened them and then we walked in. Inside was a huge chamber. In the middle was a throne with a tall man sitting on it. I assumed this was Drago. He had long black hair and wore a crown on his head. He had a purple cape over a simple shirt and pants.

"Hello. I have been waiting for you. I believe I have something you want." he said.

"So you are King Drago. Where are they?" I asked angrily.

"Now, now. No need to lose our calm. Your friends...well, I'll let you see them yourself." and with that he pressed a button on the arm of his throne. A wall slid back to reveal...

"Uhhh!" I gasped. For there, behind that wall, was my crew. They appeared to be unconscience. There hands and feet were in shackles and they were hanging on the wall. "What have you done to them?!?!!" I cried.

"Oh nothing. Just a little dose of this." he said as he held out a bottle to me.

I could clearly see the skull and crossbones on the label. "You poisoned them?!!" I yelled.

"Yes. But there is a cure. It comes at a price though." he stated calmly.

"What? I'll do anything!" I cried. I was on the verge of tears.

"Here's the antidote. But to get it, you have to defeat me. You have two hours until they die." he said.

"I'll do it! You are going down!" I cried. And with that, I ran at him and swung my fist at his face.

"Is that the best you can do?" Drago asked as he caught my fist in his hand. He let go and jumped back. He pulled of his crown and cape. And then he slipped on these gloves with about three inch claws. "Here I come!"

He lunged at me with amazing speed. I jumped aside but not quick enough. He managed to nick the side of my arm. "Is that the best you can do?!!" I cried. "A little scratch! I've had worse!!!"

"He he he. Not just any scratch. That scratch contained twice the amount of poison that your friends got. You are just as dead as they are." he cried.

I looked down. My arm was bleeding pretty bad. I wouldn't give up though. My crew needed me. I ran at him a second time but once again he dodged my attack and cut me on the back. This time, the claws went deeper. "Uhhhh!!!!!" I cried in pain. We went at it like this for about ten minutes. Finally, my body couldn't take anymore. I collapsed.

"Ha ha ha. I told you you had no chance!" he cried.

I didn't say anything. Infact, I was beginning to lose conciesness.

"What shall I do with the body sir?" I heard a man asked.

"Take it back to the ship. She will be dead within the hour." Drago replied.

"No...my...crew...I must...save...them." I managed to say before I fainted.