This chapter was hard to write :D I'm trying to get through a tiny writers block. I have it written and everything, but I just can't seem to shove it out of my system X_X

It rots.

Anyway...

On with the chapter! Stay tuned until the note at the end for a special question of the day!

Chapter Twenty:

I led Max down the halls of the below deck, making sure to side step or freeze at the sound of noises. I was praying to Arceus that nobody came down deck, but I wasn't sure. Better safe than sorry.

Max was following me slowly, as though not sure if he could trust me or not. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, and instead stopped suddenly and pulled him backwards when I heard another noise, this one an echo from the above decks.

"Just in case." I whispered, when Max shot me a look.

The Prince just grinned and nodded, before following me with a slightly faster pace.

We entered Dawn's "cell" first, opening the door slowly before I rushed inside.

Dawn had been tied up and was sitting with a cross look on her face, but when she saw me her eyes lit up. "Princess Maybelle! What are you doing here? You'll get caught!"

Max frowned as I began to cut the ties on Dawn's wrists. "What does she mean? I thought you had tricked the pirates!"

I sighed and cut the remaining ties loose, and Max helped Dawn up. "I did, but I tried to bring Dawn fresh water and they caught me." I lied, not giving Dawn eye contact. "It took a little bit of trickery to get out of that one, and ever since I have tried not to risk visiting her."

Max frowned but bowed slightly to Dawn and kissed her hand with a proud look on his face. "Good afternoon fair lady. My name is Prince Maxwell of Hoenn. King Norman is on his way to pick us up and take us safely back to Hoenn. Just follow us, and stay silent, for the pirates are still around."

Dawn is a brilliant actress, because I would have smacked Max for being so arrogant. He seemed to forget I was the reason he "escaped" because he showed no sign of acknowledging me.

The second Max turned around towards the door, Dawn shot me an "are you kidding me?" look, and mimicked throwing up, with almost caused me to break my pretty princess act by bursting into laughter. I muffled my mouth with my hand and shot Dawn a quiet look. Behave, or the plan might fail.

The next part was going to get tricky.

"Okay Max, now we have Dawn. We need to find the General." I whispered, though there was really no need. "Why don't you borrow my sword and go get him and explain what is going on. His room is the sixth down this side of the hall. Dawn and I will double check the room and make sure we have all our valuables. No pirate is going to steal from our father." I growled, handing Max the sword. "Just remember, don't show yourself or attack any pirates. There will be time for revenge later." I added, trying to make sure Max didn't lose his cool.

Max nodded and took my sword, leaving the room without another word.

Once I made sure he was gone, I rolled my eyes and turned to Dawn with a grin. "You alright? You want some sanitizer for your hand?"

Dawn grumbled something about arrogant royals and rubbed her hand warily. "No I'm alright. I'm more concerned about part three of the plan to be honest."

I winced slightly and shivered. "Agreed. I hope my Dad decides to delay."

Dawn opened her mouth to speak again, when Max blew the door open. He was smiling widely as he stalked inside, pulling a bloodied up and bruised Brendan with him.

Brendan looked at me in suspicion as he followed a little more slowly.

"Maybelle?" Brendan growled lowly, and I turned and looked at the white haired man with a raised eyebrow. "Yes General?" I asked innocently.

"Is what Max tells me true? You... only acted out to protect your well being?" Brendan whispered, looking at me in slight anger, but fearful hope as well.

I nodded slowly, not looking at him in case he could see the regret in my eyes. This is the part I was going to have to hate the most. But I had to. For the Dark Rose. And for Drew.

"Yes General." I whispered. "Did you really believe I would choose to stay with filthy pirates?"

Slowly, I looked up and saw Brendans eyes light up and he rushed forward. I instantly tried to cover my face in case he would hurt me, and Dawn narrowed her eyes, but they relaed when Brendan just picked me up and swung me through the air in a circle, before placing me down rather gently.

"Thank goodness!" Brendan squealed like an excited little kid on Christmas morning. "This is perfect! Your father will come and take us home, and then everything will be right again! We'll get married straight away!"

I winced internally but tried to keep my voice bubbly. "Fantastic!" I beamed, but my voice cracked at the last syllable. I coughed to cover it up. "Excuse me." I mumbled.

Dawn had her mouth drawn in a hard line, but she turned away so the boys wouldn't see it. I could tell she was getting frustrated, but there was nothing we could do now. We could only wait.

Luckily it seemed we wouldn't have to wait much longer. A loud cannon sounded from the upper decks, and the four of us jumped in surprise at the noise.

"Father has arrived!" Max grinned, turning to poke his head out the door. "And there isn't a pirate in sight! Hurry, let's get upstairs quickly!"

Sharing a terrified look with Dawn, I grabbed her wrist as a sign of reassurance. The girl nodded once to me, so smoothly the boys didn't even notice.

"Your right your highness." Dawn managed to get out. "Let's hurry!"

We darted down the hallways, and up to the main deck, Max pushing us behind a mast as he looked around. All of the Dark Rose members were crowding around the edge of the ship, where a humongous ship was sailing directly towards us. It was easily three times the Dark Rose and had more military officers then I could count. Luckily, the Shooting Rocket's were nowhere in sight. That meant they were with the Burning Wave.

So far, the plan was working.

There stood my father, glorious crown of solid gold, and he seemed to be shimmering in the sunlight. His booming voice rang for miles, and had some of the crew trembling under his wrath, but I wasn't fazed. I had heard it to may times to find it scary anymore.

"Barbarians!" He roared, his eyes flashing in anger. "Give me my children right now, or I will chop off your heads!"

It's getting intense now. I'm currently making the end of this gradually slower, so I can get everyone waiting like the jerk I am :P

That just makes it more fun.

Question of the day!

Would you like a sequel? If so what would it be about? If I do a sequel it would be at least 10 years from right at this moment. I'm thinking about maybe next gen, but I don't know for sure.

Love y'all!

Shelbs