A/N: Greetings from never-land! Hope you all have been enjoying the story. Now, however, is the time where we will stop beating around the bush and get Luigi's trials started. Will he make it through? Why do I sound like a TV announcer? I dunno, read and find out.

As always, thanks for all your wonderful reviews. Don't worry though; This story is going to be extremely long. So, trust me, we're nowhere near the time to call it quits!

Chapter 14: Battle aboard the SS Teacup

Early the next morning…

On deck, Flavio's voice was heard shouting wildly as he rang the large brass bell. The loud rings sounded as he gave warning calls; "All hands on deck, we've got a situation here! All hands on Deck!"

Luigi woke with a start, finding his friends doing the same. "Urggh… why so early?" he groaned.

"Get yer boots on, boy!" Gadd hollered, shaking Breaker awake. Further down the hall the other sailors were quickly waking up, grabbing any weapon they could find as they did so.

Syrup's angry voice drifted down the hall, "Who does that impudent little cuss think he is?!" She shouted, "I'm the captain of this ship!!" She stomped past Luigi's room, "On deck all hands! Come on, move it!" She stormed up onto the deck, her faithful Bosun following at her heels, shouting something in Desert-speak.

Marius removed his white-marble hammers and swung them expertly while Breaker and Hammer, still groggy, each pulled out two standard Hammer Bro hammers for themselves. Maverick squeaked frightfully, burying his face in Luigi's shirt as everyone rushed out of the room, leaving them alone.

Luigi fumbled with his boots. "Mav, can you give me a hand?" Maverick looked at his curiously; all fear gone from his small, innocent face before clapping his flipper-like arms together several times. Luigi looked up at him with a smirk, "You're a real card…w-Woah!" He overbalanced and crashed to the floor. Maverick squawked apologetically as he helped him up. Luigi finished putting on his boots as the small boo strapped the Key's silver scabbard to his friend's waist.

"Whark!" He barked, letting Luigi know he was done. Luigi rubbed his head, "It's alright, you can stay here if you're scared… I wish I could." Maverick stared at him for a moment with his large rosy-pink eyes before adopting a more courageous look on his face. He warbled loudly, flying in circles before settling on Luigi's head and bristling menacingly.

Luigi chuckled lightly, "You're gonna protect me, then?" Maverick nodded. Luigi grabbed his hat and put it on his head over the little ghost. A loud SHINK behind him made him whirl around apprehensively. Kalliel stood with a borrowed rapier in hand. "Something's amiss," he stated. "Let's go." He flew up through the ceiling onto the deck with everyone else. Luigi ran up the steps, joining the rest of the crew. Loud murmuring could be heard over the flap of the sails.

Luigi made his way over to Kalliel, staring intently at Flavio who had climbed up on top of a barrel, cutlass in hand. "I tell you my friends, fiends are upon us! Look, look to the sails!"

Everyone turned; Syrup gaped angrily at the large, smoldering hole in the main sail- the charred canvas flapping loosely in the early morning air. "We're under attack, my friends!" Flavio bellowed over the excited crowd of pirates.

"If we are under attack, then where are the oppressors?" Kalliel called out. A chorus of "Hey, yeah," filled the air as everyone turned their attention back to the flamboyantly-dressed young man. Flavio gulped, "Very difficult to explain, you see… The ship appeared before my very watchful eyes, fired a warning shot, then poof! Gone!"

Luigi rolled his eyes and looked off the starboard side. He squinted as something caught his eye. He hurried to the railing, eyes fixated on whatever it was. Kalliel looked to where he was a moment before spying him over at the railing.

"What is it, Luigi?" He asked slowly. A low hum met his ears. Turning his head down, he saw Luigi's right hand crackled with fiery blue sparks. "Look…" Luigi quietly said. Kalliel turned his eyes to where he pointed. The murmur of the congregation behind the two continued as Kalliel squinted, seeing something against the horizon. The light was being bent strangely. "What is that?"

A large ship with black sails appeared where the mirage was and fired a long-nine cannon in their direction. "Get down!" Luigi shouted leaping into the air. Kalliel leapt out of the way, shouting, "They're aiming for the main mast!"

The blue fire in Luigi's hand crackled as he flew in front of the cannon ball, striking it sharply with his fiery hand. The ball exploded into a hundred fragments, falling to the deck with tiny clatters, most of them semi-molten at the edges and crackling with electricity.

Gasps and shouts were heard from the crew as Marius and Kalliel stood speechless. Luigi landed back on the deck and waved away the smoke that wafted over his hand. Syrup caught sight of the ship before it reverted back to its mirage shape. "Load the licorice cannons! Aim for the ripples in the light!" She shouted to the gunners as the group of koopas and toads ran below deck to load the cannons. "Let's try to get in closer!"

The Bosun ran to the helm and brought the large ship around so the oppressors stared at the Teacup's broadsides.

Kalliel walked over to his young apprentice. Luigi stared down at his glove, now charred, shaking his head. Kalliel clapped him on the shoulder. "St. Elmo's fire… Very powerful. Good thinking." He patted him heartily on the back. Luigi took a deep breath and sighed.

"I'm tired now…"

"It's a new spell. Of course you're tired. Pace yourself though, 'tis only the start of this battle."

The corsairs that had remained on deck covered their ears as the cannons were fired with loud booms. Everyone watched as the large black balls sailed through the air, missing the ship except for one. The one that hit smacked the ship's port side, damaging several cannons as it exploded on impact. Syrup smirked. "Behold the wonders that are the licorice cannons. Their ammunition explodes on impact, sending out several small exploding charges."

"Madam!" Shouted Raaj, who apparently came back during the night as they could see from his tired look, "How long till we fire de next round?" His voice was thick with a desert accent, much like the majority of the crew.

"Might take several minutes," she answered.

"Weege!" Breaker hollered, "Gadd's gone down to the hold! He says he's helping with the cannons! What do we do?" Breaker and Hammer surprised everyone, their demeanors changed almost instantly the moment danger was present. The normally goofy young men were now doing what they could to show courage and take charge.

Luigi turned to the Captain, unfazed at their changes, "Syrup! Tell the men to hold their fire!" With Gadd down there, they'll have the cannons loaded in half of what it takes. If I can have some time, I may be able to finish this, He thought to himself.

Syrup stared at him. "Just do it!" Luigi yelled, running over to the mast. She looked around for a minute before nodding. "OY!" She yelled down into the Cannon hold. "Hold your fire, you scurvy dogs!" She turned back to Luigi, "what are you planning?"

"They're running on a cloaking device!" Luigi called as he leap up the mast, jumping across to the other one and doubling back the other, landing on the horizontal cross beam that suspended the sails.

"A cloaking device? On a ship that big?!"

"Yeah. If I can get a clear shot, I can take it out. Trust me, I know my gadgets." Syrup stood silent for a moment, looking off the other side of the ship. Rocky crags and cliffs were visible and off in the distance, a long, curved shoreline stretched. They were coming around the rear-end of the turtle-shaped island; almost to their destination. "Alright, good luck… Luigi. Our fate rests with you. Bosun!" She called, "Make sure Luigi gets a clear shot at their mast."

"Aye aye!"

He steadied the ship as Luigi braced himself. Syrup paced her hand comfortingly on Aldjin's lamp, seeking comfort. She wasn't afraid of anything, but she couldn't fight anything she couldn't see. The ship brought its bow directly on a perpendicular path with the SS Teacup, giving Luigi a clear sight of the Mizzen mast. He charged up his left hand. (His right one was slightly numb from the spell earlier.) If he was going to do this, he needed a steady hand and a lot of energy. After a few short seconds, thanks to a heap of practice, a large ball of electricity crackled in his hand. Clenching his hand into a fist, the ball of electricity contracted to the size of a small plum. Raising his thumb up and pressing his index and middle finger together, he made a gun-shape with his hand and putting his arm up horizontally, used it as a mount for his makeshift 'Lightning sniper.' He carefully aimed, closing one eye.

Maverick peeked out from under his cap at the bright blue light. "3…2…1… you're done," Luigi murmured. He shot the bolt out with a bang, the kickback flinging him against the solid wooden mast behind him. The ball flew in a straight path, hitting the main mast with a bright explosion. The ship came into view as the cloaking device was destroyed.

"Yeah!!" Breaker, Hammer and Marius cheered, slapping each other high fives.

"Alright!" Syrup cheered, hugging the Bosun tightly. "Okay crew. FIRE!!"

The licorice cannons all fired at once, rocking the ship and jarring Luigi from his position. He hollered as he fell headfirst towards the deck. At the last second, he swung his body around and swept his arm out in front of him, causing his fall to instantly stop. He gently put his feet on the ground as Kalliel smiled at him. "Good job lad, looks like you are getting the hang of this."

"Too bad the ship's right there," Breaker said. Sure enough, the ship had made it through that final barrage, though sustaining ridiculous amounts of damage, and was now side to side with the Teacup. Syrup drew her sword and forcefully rang the alarm bell, "All able bodies on deck, NOW!!" a group of pirates filed out onto the deck, drawing their cutlasses as a group of evil-looking koopas swung on ropes across the gaps between the ships and flooded the deck of the Teacup. All pirates fought bravely as the smell of gunpowder from the cannons mingled with the sounds of crashing steel. Here they were, fighting off the far coast of Isla Tortuga, so near to their destination.

Luigi put his hand defensively on silver pommel of the short sword, "All right, mom. Let's see what this thing can really do." He drew it, silver sparkling in the morning sun. He discarded his blackened gloves and shouted as he leapt into the fray, swing wildly at anything he didn't recognize.

Kalliel swept beautifully amongst the ranks of invaders, swinging his cutlass with precision and speed. He bashed an unfortunate pirate beetle over the head before kicking a dark Koopatrol over the edge with a "Hya!" On the other side of the ship, Syrup and the Bosun with their massive scimitars sent several koopas screaming as they flew off of the boat.

The Bosun grimaced, "ooh, dis will be a mess to clean up later, m'lady."

"Aye," Syrup agreed, incinerating another one of the koopas with a cyan fireball. "Luigi!" She called. "These are soldiers from Darkland! They're after you, so don't let yourself get beat!"

Luigi replied with a loud "Hyaaah!" As he sliced a Koopatrol across the chest with the Key, slicing his armor off before sweeping his arm in front of him, gracefully unleashing an arc of green flame. Strange, How could Kamek know I was here? Luigi thought. He wasn't afraid, must be because he was fighting to protect his friends. It relieved him, actually.

Meanwhile, Breaker and Hammer swung their hammers wildly, doing pretty well for themselves. Marius, however, truly was a sight to behold. White marble hammers glittering in the tropical sun as he slammed them on the helmets and shells of Koopatrols and koopas alike. They all stopped when the deck gave a huge shudder. Something had made its way to the deck, something very big.

"Sledge bro!!" Breaker screamed. The massive koopa leapt up and slammed back onto the deck with a huge crash! Several bold corsairs charged him but were swiped out of the way with a mighty swing of his enormous hammer. The ones hit sailed through the air and crashed into masts, planks, everything. The sledge bro gave a deep, throaty laugh in its triumph. The battle resumed.

"Kyaaa!" Breaker and Hammer shouted as they linked arms and spun across the deck, bowling over a group of soldiers. "Awright!! Stee-rike!!" Breaker cheered doing a small victory dance.

Luigi called for Marius to help him with the Sledge Bro while he ordered Hammer and Breaker to do what they did best: cause a ruckus to distract the others. "Just a sec, Luigi," Marius said, raising his hammers over his head. They began to glow before a ripple sent itself over the weapons, giving them the appearance of semi-molten metal. Marius slammed them together; the glow faded and in his hand rested a single, large sledge hammer, exactly identical to the two he had before.

"See if you can stun him, I'll go for a homerun!" Marius said, resting the huge hammer head on his shoulder. Luigi put both hands out in front of him and gathered a collective ball of energy before releasing it with the call, "Thunder-r-r!!" It merely bounced off the large turtle's shell. He guffawed heavily before knocking Luigi to the ground with a swing of his fist.

"Agh…" He groaned, vision going funny. That may have been a glancing blow, but man did that hurt… Marius tried in vain to protect his friend, finding himself knocked to the ground and sprawled on the deck, head spinning. Luigi blinked a few times, trying to keep hold of his conscious as he saw the sledge bro wander over to him. At the last possible second, Maverick appeared between them, doubled in size and snarling viciously.

"Holy crap…" Luigi muttered as Maverick rushed forward, sinking his fangs into the Sledge bro's shoulder. Luigi thought to himself for a moment before hearing Kalliel, St. Elmo's fire- it'll do damage and stun him long enough for Marius to defeat him, go on, and hurry! "Right…" After a few minutes of charging and praying that Maverick didn't get hurt, Luigi aimed his hands for the Sledge bro, Marius looking up wearily as he did so. Maverick was flung to the floor, back to his normal size, whimpering in pain. The behemoth wiped at his bloodied shoulder, growling in annoyance. Maverick bravely picked himself up and floated trembling between Luigi and the monster.

"Mav, Vanish!" Luigi yelled. The little boo disappeared as Luigi flung the burning blue fireball at the opposing turtle. The sledge bro sat paralyzed as he smoldered and sparked. "Marius!"

"You got it, chief!" The young man had picked himself back up and was now running full tilt at the monstrous Sledge bro. With a mighty swing, he sent the enemy flying directly into the air before (still running) slamming the hammer into the deck, launching himself into the air. He wound up, a grin spreading across his face.

"FOOORE!!!" He screamed, spinning with his hammer and hitting the dazed sledge bro in a perfect arc. Breaker giggled as he watched the smoking turtle sail through the air and land it the water with a massive crash. Marius landed on the deck, once again shouldering his weapon. Luigi clambered to his feet, covered in smudges and scrapes.

A small group of koopas were all that remained, and they all had been rounded up into a group in the center. A small group of battered corsairs trained pistols, muskets and in Raaj's case, a bow and arrow on the captives.

"Drop your weapons!" Syrup, brushing a few strands of flyaway hair, strode over, grimacing angrily. They did as they were told, raising their arms over their head. "Lock them in the brig, Mr. Porter," she motioned to a large Toad with Black spots on his cap. As they were taken below, Syrup called out several final orders, "Get the wounded to the infirmary, Bosun? Help organize the rest of the crew for clean up and ship repairs. Anyone able to work, get busy. This thing's not going to sail with holes in the broadsides, now is it?"

Luigi sighed, cleaned his blade on a piece of discarded canvas and examined the damage. The battle in reality had not lasted long, but the after effects would take a while to get over. Several crewmembers, bleeding and groaning, were being hauled below deck while other crewmen were tossing dead Koopatrols over the railings. Syrup wandered to each fallen member of her crew, sometimes with shouts of "Here's another!" before some koopas or toads took him below deck to be taken care of. Luigi walked over to her as she knelt down beside a few of the ones who had been brutally thrown by the Sledge bro.

"Are they okay?" He asked quietly.

There was a long pause as she quickly examined them. "Sort of… they'll need proper medical assistance, good thing we're near the port." She removed the lamp from her pocket and rubbed it. The genie from earlier appeared. "Aldjin," she sighed, "Please can you give us a little assistance? Not so rough this time."

He nodded before appearing behind the ship. He gave several short puffs and the ship was sent on its way again. Some crewmen hopped amongst the rigging, trying to patch up the hole in the mainsail as Breaker and hammer swept the debris off the side "You okay, hon?" Syrup asked Luigi as Kalliel wandered up behind him.

He nodded after a long pause. "I'm fine. A few scrapes, but I'm just shaken…" He looked at the three injured koopas. "I'm sorry…"

"It happens. I never said being a pirate was glamorous. Don't be too hard on yourself; at least no one was killed. I wonder why they would trail you all the way out here." She looked up at the approaching Bosun, "Status report," She barked.

"Twelve eenjured and in the infirmary. Everyone else ees fine, except for a few scrapes." He wandered off to help with repairs.

Luigi smiled a bit, "Yeah… No one was killed." Syrup stared at his saddened face for a moment. "What did you notice about yourself?"

"Not now…" Luigi murmured.

"Luigi…"

With a sigh, he thought. "Magic's becoming easier for me… I didn't freak out as bad… and, I didn't screw up with a sword." A smile found its way to Syrup's lips, "Well." She took out a pair of black, fingerless gloves and handed them to Luigi, "Magic needs a port of exit, your fingers, so when you cover them up it's harder to use it." He looked at his hands (blackened with soot) before slipping them on. On the backs of the hands were thin plates of armor, small and unrestricting. "As for the fear, you were trying to protect all of us." She grinned at him, "You must be a really good friend to everyone at home."

Luigi chuckled nervously, "Sometimes. I guess being out here helps a lot. One can't find time to panic when your friends are in trouble, now can you?" Syrup nodded. "Come on," Luigi finished, "I'll help you clean the ship."

Flavio picked that exact moment to give a speech. "Well, done, my friends! We sure showed them who was boss!"

"Oh, Shut up!!" Marius exclaimed.

"You didn't even do anything; you hid in a barrel the whole time!" Luigi scowled.

Maverick appeared in midair and snarled, causing Flavio to hop back into an empty barrel with a yelp. Maverick sat there for a moment, glaring at the container, growling like a puppy.

About two hours later, the ship docked at the wharf of Isla Tortuga's port. They were greeted by the workers rather warmly, but upon entering the town, they found that it was almost deserted. "Where is everyone?" Marius questioned, glancing around at all of the closed shutters on the buildings.

"First thing's first," Syrup said as she turned to the Bosun. "Get the injured up to the hospital. I'm going to look around for dry dock vacancies."

"I'll find a hotel somewhere," Luigi piped up. Marius, Hammer, Breaker, and Gadd nodded as they followed him up the hill amongst the buildings. The sun was bright, but where was everyone?

The group wandered into the lobby of a large hotel. Breaker looked around nervously as Luigi called out a shaky, "H-Hello?"

"Yes?" A toad-clerk from behind the counter replied.

Luigi swallowed for a moment. "Um, yes, hi. We're looking for accommodations for our crew… we just pulled into port."

"For what reason you came out here, I dunno… but ye all look like ye've been through hell."

"Well, we had a little scrap offshore with some pirates…"

"Yeah!" Breaker blurted, "You should've seen it! We were all like BLAARGH! And he was all like, FWOOSH, flame, BOOM! And-" He was silenced as Hammer and Marius clapped their hands over his mouth. Luigi pulled out the old parchment letter he had gotten at Mario's place and showed it to the clerk. "I got this about a month ago… We've been traveling here this whole time… sorry for the wait." The clerk was silent as he put on a pair of Half-moon spectacles, opened the letter and read it.

"I see," he said after a silence. "So you're Mario, correct?"

"Oh, geez… Here we go again…" Luigi groaned.

A/N: They have arrived (Dramatic music)