More chapters. Yay! I know, you're all thrilled. As you may have noticed, I'm running out of things to say in these author's note-things. So, in an effort to avoid making this awkward, I'm going to make it look like I have lots to say by making these things as long as possible but really not saying anything of note at all. Woohoo!

Disclaimer: First chapter. It hasn't moved from before.


"Have you heard of her?" Iridian asked from where she leant against the side of the ship, her arms crossed over her chest and her bright yellow eyes shining. Alexi frowned and shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. You, Keelan?" He shook his head as well, and Iridian sighed.

"Well, that's just fabulous."

"I agree. While it would have helped us to have prior knowledge of this 'Maya Hawkins', the Commodore obviously chose her for a reason, so we have to try and find her." Iridian nodded, a slight frown on her face.

"I know that, I was just saying it's going to be difficult." Alexi shot her a smirk.

"Whoever said that war was easy?" She didn't respond, and Keelan sighed in relief as they passed through the edge of the Stormgate and arrived in Mooshu. He docked at the sole island in the Skyway, and the three of them made their way through into the small township. Iridian looked around, her eyes wide.

"This place...it's so pretty..."

"Makes a nice change from the barren hills of Monquista, that's for certain." Alexi commented, but Keelan was unable to share in their tranquillity. Something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it. They passed a small gazebo with a plain wooden floor, and suddenly it hit him.

"Hey, you guys?" They turned to him.

"Is it just me, or does it seem really...quiet?" They both frowned and listened, but they heard nothing other than a slight whisper of wind through the trees. They moved closer together, standing back to back in a tight circle and examining their surroundings suspiciously. There wasn't a single sign of life to be seen.

"What...what happened here?" Alexi murmured, and Keelan was about to respond when Iridian suddenly grabbed at their elbows.

"What is it?" He hissed at her, and she pointed at something in the distance. His eyes followed her finger, squinting but still seeing nothing. Iridian slunk forwards, gesturing for them both to follow, and they stuck close by her as she led them over to a large, multiple story building. She peered through a small crack in the door and frowned in confusion, then drew one of her pistols and crept inside. The boys followed her and they stopped in the centre of the room, looking around cautiously. After a few moments of tense silence, Alexi shook his head.

"I don't think there's anything here."

"Then you think wrong." Said a deep voice from somewhere above their heads, and their eyes shot up to see a dozen pigs drop to the ground, armed with axes, clubs and crossbows. None of them looked very nice, either. Keelan reached for the hilt of his sword but froze when an axe was pointed right at his throat, the pig holding it giving him a look as though daring him to move. He didn't, and his hand froze on the hilt. A quick glance told him that Alexi was in the same position, and Iridian was in the middle of an intense stare-off with a pig, her pistol and his crossbow raised and ready to fire. The apparent leader of the pigs stepped forward, a grin on his greasy pink face.

"Now, let us do business. You hand over your weapons, your gold and all of your possessions, and we let you leave here with your lives."

"Hmm, tempting, but how about no?" Alexi replied, and Keelan's eyes widened as the studded club connected forcefully with the older boy's back, the impact sending him to his knees. The pig leader opened his mouth to speak, but a voice from outside interrupted him.

"Alright, I think that's quite enough." The pigs whirled around, trying and failing to pinpoint the sound of the voice.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" The pig howled.

"You want me to show myself? Very well, I shall indulge you."

The door opened slowly, revealing...nothing. Everyone frowned in confusion, and the pig leader sent two of his lackeys out to check. They went out the door and looked around, and then they vanished from sight without a sound. Two more were sent, and they didn't come back either. The leader was beginning to look nervous, and he ordered another one to close the door. He waddled over and reached out, but a hand suddenly clamped itself around his trotter and he was pulled out the door, and they heard scuffling and a small shriek before it all fell silent again.

"Who...what? Show yourselves, or I shall have to force you!" The leader squeaked, trying to be intimidating but failing utterly. They heard a chuckle from outside.

"Very well, then. Since you asked so nicely..." What happened next was a bit of a blur for Keelan. A green and gold mass suddenly seeped through the door, lunging at the pigs and knocking them, squealing, to the floor. He managed to catch a glimpse of Iridian and Alexi being pinned just before he too fell to the ground by a knock to the back of his knees, and a silence fell over the room once again. Keelan didn't dare look up as he heard heavy footsteps on the wooden floor, heading right towards him.

"Well, who are you, then?"

"...My name is Keelan. I come from Skull Island with a message from the Commodore."

"Is that so? And what is the nature of said message?" Keelan hesitated, and Alexi jumped in.

"Our message is for the ears of one person, and one person only. We cannot tell you."

"And who is this message for, then?" The man seemed to be losing his patience.

"Her name is Maya Hawkins." Silence filled the room, and Keelan took the opportunity to look up at the face of their potential saviours. It was a bull standing on its hind legs, and decked out in some of the toughest armour Keelan had ever seen. As he looked around the room he saw at least a dozen other bulls dressed in the same fashion, all wearing uniform armour of gold and green. Samoorai, he thought, looking around with wide eyes. He'd heard about them back on Skull Island, but he'd never actually seen one before. The bull standing in front of him exchanged a glance with the rest of his team before saying, "...and, this message...it is urgent?" Iridian nodded.

"It is of the utmost importance that we deliver it as soon as possible. The fate of the Spiral hangs in the balance." The Samoorai was silent for a long time, but he eventually nodded.

"...Very well. We will take you to the Chief."

"Chief?" Alexi repeated as they were allowed to climb to their feet. None of the Samoorai responded, instead herding them out the door and back to the docks.


Hooray for evil pigs and ninja cows! Anyway, I forgot to ask earlier, but what do you think of Alexi and Iridian? Do you like them? Do you hate them? Are you indifferent to them? Do leave your opinions. I am very curious as to what you think of them. I will be putting up the next chapter in a week or so, because I might be doing something between now and then. Not likely, but you never know. Anyway, see you next time! :D