"I don't know where Ratbeard's gone, but I wager I know who does. He's the hidden mastermind behind every black market, criminal scheme, and dirty deed from here to MooShu. Go to Jonah Town, and find Captain Ahab. Tell him you want to talk to the Frogfather."
"Ok. Thanks Lasko. And don't worry, we'll catch Ratbeard." I said and he nodded.
We left the cavern and boarded the Lucky Rabbit and sailed away from Blood Shoals.
"So. By any chance, do any of you know where Jonah Town is?" I asked.
"From what I hear, it's built on the back of a giant whale." Emmett replied.
"Wait. What? A giant WHALE?" I asked surprised.
"Well, Sky whale, but yes."
"How do we track down something like a giant sky whale?" I asked steering the Lucky Rabbit through the Windlane.
"The whale stays south of Rapa Nui, so we'll find it around that area." Emmett answered.
We sailed past Rapa Nui, home of the Nui Water Moles. Soon we saw Jonah Town, on the back of a giant sky whale like Emmett said. It was a sight behold. I wondered how they got the town to to stay on without being bucked off.
We made port at the docks and asked around for Captain Ahab, we found him standing outside near the Golden Fin Tavern. Captain Ahab was an elderly pelican wearing a dark blue hat and a button down coat, holding a telescope in his right hand.
"Excuse me, sir, but have you heard of the Frogfather?" I asked.
"The Frogfather? Ayuh, I've heard of him." He looked at us closely and rubbed the bottom of his beak.
"You seem a decent sort – what the blazes do you want with the Frogfather?" Captain Ahab asked.
"We're…looking for someone, and we were told that the Frogfather can tell us where he is." Egg Shen answered.
Captain Ahab shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't help you. I know where the Frogfather is, but I don't talk about it – the Frogfather is not someone I want to offend." Captain Ahab said. "I have other troubles to see to. We here in Jonah Town are humble fisher folk – our lives are only as good as the day's catch."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" I asked.
"Hmm, now that you mentioned it. My best fisherman, Brody, was due back yesterday, and there's no sign of him. He was trawling for Sky Clams out by the Vortex of Doom." Captain Ahab continued. "Hmm… Now that I say that out loud, it doesn't sound like a good idea at all!"
Bird brain.I thought to myself.
"I fear the storm may have drawn him in! Captain, you're tougher than any of us fishermen, can you brave the Vortex and see if you can find Brody?" Captain Ahab asked. "It's not far from here. Basically it looks like a giant tornado, you can't miss it."
"Ok. Don't worry, Captain Ahab. We'll bring back Brody." I said.
We headed back to the docks and boarded the Lucky Rabbit. We sailed toward the Vortex of Doom, the winds so loud, you had to shout to be heard. "Everyone, brace yourselves! We're going in!"
With the sails raised for maximum speed, we entered straight through the walls of the vortex.
In the center of the vortex, was a ship with a Pelican on it, he was wearing a green fisherman coat and hat, holding a fishing pole in one hand and a lantern in the other. Across the bow read "Amity"
The Amity was surrounded by sharks; were leaping out of the sky to try and get Brody. "Help!" I heard him shout.
"Prepare to board!" I shouted over the winds as we drew next to the Amity.
We boarded the Amity, and quickly went over to Brody.
A storm shark flew toward me, it's jaw open and I dodged an electrically-charged bite. I hit it with my sword and sent it flopping onto the deck, where Egg Shen stabbed it with his spear.
Bonnie was down on one knee, where she shot a storm shark in mid-leap, and it fell down into the clouds below.
Emmett had pulled out both his pistols, and as two sharks leapt towards him at the same time, he pulled back the triggers, stunning both of them.
"Ahoy there, mates! Good thing you happened along, Captain! Aye, if I'm going to trawl a vortex, I need a bigger boat!" Brody said as he hopped onto the Lucky Rabbit.
"This fishing boat's all beat up – we'll have to put her out of her misery." Rena said sadly.
"I'll ride with you then." Brody said. "But first…"
With a sigh, Brody took the still burning candle out of his lantern and threw it onto the deck of the Amity, and everyone except for Rena took off their hats and we all had a moment of silence for the Amity as it burned and sank below the clouds.
We return to the docks where Captain Ahab greeted us.
"Well done, Captain! Well done indeed! You've saved one of our best!" Captain Ahab cheered. As Brody left, Captain Ahab said, "I'm afraid I have another problem, and this one's even more serious…"
"My son Norville's not back yet – he went to Rapa Nui to sell the month's catch of fish and clams, you see. I expected him back while you were off finding Brody – it's not like Norville to be late. I'm very worried! We're just humble fisher folk – if we don't get that money soon, we won't be able to pay our… eh… upkeep. Go to Rapa Nui and find Norville, and maybe I can help you find the Frogfather."
"Alright, sir, we'll head there straightaway." I said as I climbed back aboard the Lucky Rabbit.
As we made port at the small docks of Rapa Nui next to their canoes, we were warmly greeted by the Water Moles as we passed by.
"No sign of any Pelicans here, Captain. Let's ask that Trader over there." Emmett remarked gesturing to the trader.
"Good idea, Emmett." I said as we entered the marketplace, we say several objects for sale.
"Market is open again! You have goods? We will trade." The Water Mole said cheerfully. He was wearing a head wreath of leaves, a necklace made of black nuts and he wore a white short robe with an orange hem.
"Oh, no. We're not looking to buy anything right now; we're actually looking for someone." Bonnie said.
"Oh, you looking for someone?" he asked.
"Have you heard of anyone named Norville?" I asked.
"Norville? Ah, you mean Fisherbird! Yes, I saw him. He was at last market, sold his fish, and got his pay." "Do you know where he is now?" Emmett asked.
"Where did Fisherbird go? Did not see. He left when Rat Pirate caused all the troubles, and the Waponis came – much confusion."
"You don't think he means Ratbeard, do ye?" Bonnie asked looking at me.
"Rat? Long story. Ask Chief Omutu about that." The Water Mole said, pointing at the Water Mole with the large mask with the mane of palm leaves and the carved wooden staff standing in front of the largest hut."
As we approached the chief I asked, "Excuse me, sir, have you seen Ratbeard?"
"Ratbeard was a friend of the Nui. But he betrayed us – he stole the Sacred Feathers for the Waponis, our enemies!" Chief Omutu said.
"I think he does mean Ratbeard!" Emmett exclaimed. "Ratbeard's allied himself with the Waponis?"
"The Waponis have no honor – they worship an evil Fire God, and forget their ancestors. Now they circle Rapa Nui, singing mocking songs at us!" Chief Omutu continued. "The Nui are peaceful, the Nui are traders – friends to all! We have no warriors to find the Waponis. Can you help us?"
"Of course, sir."
"Take your mighty ship and turn your cannons on the Waponis. Destroy their War Boat, and the Nui will do you great honor."
"Right." I said as I turned to my crew. "Well mates, let's go sink some War Boats."
