"I absolutely refuse." Wren crossed her arms taking a stance, "it's an absolutely idiotic, reckless, pointless endeavor."
Chris oohed, "Good word Wren."
Wren put a hand to her chest, "It wasn't too much?"
"No. no. it's good." He nodded his approval.
"Thanks Chris," She turned back to Silver, "It's too risky."
Silver sat behind his desk facing the girl who confronted him in his office, "Well it's too late, we've already accepted the request from Avery."
"A month ago you said no to him. You can change your mind again, Captain Avery will understand."
Silver frowned, "If we pull this off we can make more money than we'll have made in the past year. This is not an opportunity we can pass up."
Wren growled, "Money again. There's no point if half of us are dead at the end of it. We're good Silver but even we'll have trouble taking on a whole fleet of ships. There are too many-"
The other members of the crew, Chris, Prich, and Era all shifted uncomfortably.
Silver slammed his hand on the table and stood, "That's enough Wren, I said we're doing it, so we're doing it. It's not your place to question me."
Wren glared at Silver her stubborn streak showing in her blazing gold eyes. Those caught in the same room as the two quarreling natural disasters wanted nothing more than to escape.
It looked as if Wren was about to start throwing punches when Era placed a hand on Wren's shoulder, "Wren, I'm sure the captain has thought this through. He trusts that we'll be able to pull this off, we should trust him too."
Wren looked up at Era and his kind glowing smile, she sighed and rubbed her head, "Sorry. Your right." She turned to Silver, "My bad Silver."
Silver grinned, "No worries little bird, I was just afraid you'd start punching again."
Wren colored, "I can use my words now!"
Silver nodded, "Then it's settled, we're going in. Prich gather everyone we'll go over the plan."
"Aye Captain." Prich said cracking his neck, "Wren, can you wake up Tamai?"
Wren made a face. "Is he napping again?"
"Of course."
"Why do I have to do it?"
"You're the only one who knows how." Prich said.
"And he won't stab you." Chris added.
Wren sighed, "Bartiiiiiiii… Tamai's scary when I wake him up." she exited.
It took ten minutes before Wren found Tamai. He wasn't in any of his favorite spots, most likely because he didn't want to be found. She finally found him hiding behind some crates on deck basking in the sun. His long body was stretched out on the planks as he dozed lazily. He had one arm on his belly and one arm under his head. He had gone through another growth spurt and was a monstrous six foot and a bit now, a full foot taller than Wren. His clothes were all new as a result of his new size. He had discarded his leather jacket for his nap but he still had his raw linen shirt and black breeches which accentuated his long lean legs that were capped in well fitted boots. His Guandao lay next to him, the blade covered with a piece of cloth and leather ties. Wren watched it wearily, she'd have to move faster than it when Tamai woke up. She glanced at his face, his hair was getting a bit long and the bangs covered his forehead which was unfortunate because his forehead was a prime target for spit balls. Wren sighed crouching behind the crates.
The golden eyed girl took a deep breath, "Tamai!"
She quickly dove behind cover again waiting to see if a glaive crashed through the boxes. She peeked back at Tamai's sleeping form and found her shout hadn't done anything.
She leaned over and poked him, "Hey. Tamai. Wake up!"
He didn't so much as twitch.
Wren frowned, "Tamai! It's time to get up you lazy oaf." She shook his shoulder and he merely wrinkled his nose. He resumed sleeping without a problem.
She would have to resort to more creative measures. Luckily after five years of experience she'd amassed some techniques to deal with the sullen thunder cat. Tamai had some interesting quirks which she had the privilege to be privy to. She watched his peaceful, rather adorable, sleeping face and grinned evilly.
Wren tried one more time to wake up the beast with normal methods, "Tamai! Wake up!"
He didn't stir.
Wren leaned down so that her face was next to his ear and she gently blew on it. His ears flicked automatically and he groaned and rolled onto his side. She grinned, perfect, she had him right where she wanted him. Wren reached out and wrapped her hand around his tail which he'd exposed by turning over. She gripped the black velvety appendage and after pressing her lips together gave a tug.
Tamai nearly jumped six feet into the air. It was like someone had shocked his spine with lightning. Upon landing he took up his Guandao and was about to start swinging when he saw wren grinning down at him.
"Morning!"
Tamai's eyes were still wide from shock and his spine tingled. However the second he saw Wren's grinning face he lowered his spear.
"Jork Wren. I told you not to pull on my tail."
Wren helped him up, "Sorry, you wouldn't wake up." She grinned, "you're quite the heavy sleeper you know."
He put his hand over her face, "Shut up."
"Wren, is Tamai awake? Is it safe to come out?"
Tamai sighed and rested his spear on his shoulder, "yeah, It's safe."
Micky peaked out from behind the crates, "Hey Tamai!"
"Hey Micky."
Wren grinned, "threetwoone!"
They both leapt at each other, "Thief off!"
Tamai sighed as the two goofballs tried to steal things from each other's pockets with an impressive blur of hands. Finally they both stopped each carrying a sizeable pile of things.
Tamai peeked over Wren's shoulder and poked at her pile, "Why do you have pink mittens Micky?"
"Did they do another thief off?" Dante appeared from around the corner.
Both Wren and Micky turned to Dante and held out their armfuls of stole objects.
"Dante! Who won?" Micky demanded.
Wren glared at Micky, "Obviously it's me dumbbutt."
Dante moved his long blonde hair out of the way, frowned and inspected both the piles, "Tamai what do you think?"
Tamai came over and shrugged, "I still don't get the point of this, what's the point of picking someone's pocket if you can just knock them out and steal their stuff?"
"Because some of us prefer the delicate and refined thieving arts you violent beast." Wren said and made a face.
Tamai grinned, "You're just jealous I can actually knock someone out, unlike someone and their puny hands."
"My hands are perfectly normal for my size!" Wren shouted angrily.
Dante looked through Micky's pile which was larger than Wren's, in actuality he was just impressed that she managed to carry all this junk with her, what did she need so many cotton balls for?
"Sorry, Wren. I think Micky finally beat you." Dante finally nodded.
Wren gasped, Micky gasped. Tamai pretended to gasp by putting a hand sarcastically to his mouth and then grinned.
"Actually I'll have to overrule those results." Tamai said and then quirked a thumb at Micky's pants, "since Wren stole Micky's belt."
"Huh?" Dante asked and his question was answered when Micky's pants dropped to the deck.
Micky yelped and instantly pulled them back up letting all the things in his hands fall. He snatched his belt back from Wren who laughed and apologized.
Tamai wrapped an arm around Micky's shoulders as the poor brown haired boy buckled his belt with a blush joining the freckles on his cheeks.
"Nice boxers Micky."
Micky shoved Tamai and the taller boy didn't budge.
Dante kneeled down to help Wren pick up the things that were dropped onto the deck. She was going through them surprisingly quickly and stuffing things back into her pockets and shirt. Dante picked up a crystal powered fan and he blinked, things were getting stranger and stranger. She appeared in front of him and snatched it out of his hands.
"Don't look." She said.
Dante instantly backed up and grinned, "Sorry."
Wren laughed and patted him on the head, "Don't be sorry. I was actually-"
Tamai's hand came down on Wren's shoulder, "What's this?" He asked with a growl.
Wren jumped and turned to see Tamai holding up a bag of catnip.
She laughed, "Uh, it's for an experiment?"
Tamai frowned, "Were you going to drug me?"
"No." Wren grinned, "Well, maybe just a little."
"Wren!"
"I wasn't actually gonna do it!"
Tamai shoved the catnip in her face, "Then why do you have it on you?"
"I didn't get a chance to throw it away yet! Give it back it's expensive!" She jumped and Tamai held her down.
"I'm taking this away before I get poisoned." He held it out of reach.
Putting a hand on his hip Dante sighed, "You guys are always fighting."
Tamai glared at Dante and butt heads with him, "What did you say pillow stuffing?"
"You heard me fuzzy face." Dante said a hand on his sword.
"Guys! Don't ignore me!" Wren complained as Tamai easily held the catnip too high for her to reach despite staring down the golden haired boy.
Dante swept back the ends of his robe and was ready to pull out his sword. Today would be the day he finally beat Tamai. There seemed to be an implicit understanding that Tamai was the strongest. After all he was the bedrock on which their group stood. He even challenged Prich and Zeus's strength despite the difference in years. Yet the dark haired boy always seemed to take Dante's challenges seriously, whether it was out of respect for their friendship, or because Tamai didn't actually understand his own power.
Wren stood back with Micky, both of them regulated to the sidelines as the two bigger teens got ready to have another duel. Dante had taken to wearing robes recently. The elegant and breezy clothing in off white and embroidered in gold. There was a shirt and breeches and an over robe that tied at the waist. Dante said that it was the traditional garb of his people. Wren thought he wore it for dramatic flair. Of course, given the chance she would too. But only the beautiful Dante could pull off that look.
Tamai set his glave and Dante put a hand on his sword.
"That's enough you two!" Wren smacked them both.
Micky grinned, "We're supposed to be in a meeting right now. If we're late Silver will have our hides!"
Dante and Tamai both froze, jork.
Wren returned something to Micky that had gotten caught up in the mess.
Micky sighed, "I really thought I had you there."
Wren tried to look as wise as possible, "Soon my pupil, soon. The student shall surpass the teacher."
"Really?"
"Of course!" Wren gave him a thumbs up, "Who do you think is teaching you?" She turned to the other two, "Let's get our butts in gear while we still have them."
Everyone jogged below decks.
"What are you thinking about?" Tamai asked Wren seeing the slightly furrowed brow.
She shrugged, "A few things, but, right now I've got an idea."
Tamai sighed, he knew that mischievous, bright eyed look anywhere. It meant that he was going to have to be on guard the rest of the day. Being around this girl was so tiresome, but there never was a dull moment.
The Black Erebos sunk through the clouds of Ostile a planet inhabited by enormous beautiful crystals that were almost the size of sky scrapers. The crystals weren't worth anything, they were mostly just pretty rocks that grew at an abnormally fast rate. And as the wind wore down the crystals they became shining sand that coated the planet's surface. However, due to the extremely fast growth of the crystals the planet was completely uninhabited. Only the most foolhardy of ships dared land. There were two there now.
Wren watched her reflection as she walked past a giant green crystal and her outline rippled in it's imperfections.
"Wow. These are huge!" She said craning her neck back she looked up at the top of the tower of green. She looked back down and jumped.
Tamai's face was magnified through the crystal as he stood on the other side and he growled, "Let's go Wren."
"Okay!" Wren ran around the crystal and found Tamai waiting for her on the other side. They followed the rest of the crew who didn't even glance at the shining crystals around them. Wren tugged on Dante's sleeve and pointed at a marbled blue pillar.
"Yes, that's really nice Wren."
She picked up a rock and dusted it off. Glancing at Tamai Wren hopped over, "Here."
"What is it?"
"Amethyst, I think." She said and wiped off some more dirt, "It's the same color as your eyes."
Tamai took the stone in his hands and as the light shone through it he had to acknowledge that it was indeed the same color. "Yeah, it really is."
She patted his hand, "It's yours now. Pretty isn't it?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
She danced over to a huge topaz jutting diagonally out of the dirt. "Look this one is the same color as mine! Dante! Micky."
Tamai came over and looked at the yellow crystal and looked at Wren who tried to open her eyes wider so that they could see.
"Wow, your right!" Micky smiled.
Dante nodded in agreement.
Tamai smirked at the stone's color, Wren's were nicer.
"Right! Right?" Wren pointed enthusiastically between the rock and herself, "I want it."
Dante sighed, as Wren hugged the crystal that was the size of a house. "Sorry Wren, I don't think we can bring it with us."
Micky pushed it, the yellow light making him glow a bit. "It won't budge, not even with my super strength."
Tamai smacked him, "what super strength are you talking about?"
Wren sighed "Alright."
Tamai glanced at Wren who looked dejected. He sighed and tucked his rock into his pocket.
"Move." He said and Dante backed away.
Taking two quick steps he swung the butt of his spear against the rock face with an enormous CRACK!
The surface instantly spider webbed underneath the blow, the sound echoing in the valley. The other three took a step back in awe as the entire golden crystal cracked in an infinite pattern, spreading from a singlular point. Then after a moment of silence crashed to the ground. Tamai held his spear behind him as the crystal fell in pieces. He snatched a small shard out of the air and made his way back to the others.
Micky had to step back as a larger piece of rubble rolled and stopped next to his foot. He wished that he could be surprised at Tamai's massive strength but in all honesty he wasn't, every other week the teen was cutting ships in half.
Tamai handed Wren the piece of crystal that was about the size of her palm, "Here."
Wren looked at the crystal and smiled, "Thanks Tamai."
Tamai shrugged, "No problem." He shouldered his Guandao and watched Wren play with the rock.
Dante and Micky both stared open mouthed at Tamai, No problem? The problem was that it really did look like no problem to him.
"Wow! Look it's so shiny!" Wren said and held it up to one of the suns. She looked rather nonplussed as well for having a boy destroy a house sized rock with one blow.
Micky grinned and looked at the crystal, "It's nice! But… did you really have to destroy the entire thing for that?" He asked indicating the pile of rubble.
Dante came up picking his way over stones, "You could've broken off a piece you know."
Tamai kicked a rock, "That's what I meant to do, but I guess it was more fragile than it looked."
Micky and Dante glared at him. "You're a monster you know that?"
Tamai's tail snapped in irritation, "It was an accident."
Wren clutched onto her stone and danced around, "This is the prettiest thing anyone's gotten for me!" She laughed.
All the other boys sighed and resolved to buy her more things.
"TAMAI!" Silver yelled.
Tamai winced, "Burtock."
Silver stomped over as well as he could, "Do you want everyone in the galaxy knowing where we are? Damn it! I thought you were supposed to be the responsible one!" He grabbed Tamai by the ear.
"It was an accident."
"Accident my ass! You don't think I see Wren over there playing with her new toy?"
Wren showed the crew her new rock which she looked too happy to have.
Tamai sighed, "Maybe we should buy her better toys."
Silver growled, "She doesn't need toys she's fifteen." The captain let go of Tamai's ear and Tamai rubbed it straightening.
"Silver! Look! Isn't it nice? It's the same color as my eyes!" Wren showed the captain her rock.
Silver nodded, "Yes Wren. It's nice."
Wren grinned, "Thanks Tamai!" She hugged the tall boy around the middle and skipped off, her image flickering on the faces of the crystals.
Silver sighed, "Let's go. We've kept Avery waiting for too long."
"That's right get your hineys in high gear! Captain Avery is waiting!" Wren shouted clearly too excited to see the other captain.
Silver found a new target, "WREN! Get back here! What did you say?"
Micky and Dante patted Tamai on the back and he frowned at both of them.
The crew of the Black Erebos emerged from the forest of crystals with Silver in the lead. On the surface they all looked like hardened professionals from their serious gear and the atmosphere of extreme proficiency that precluded all their entrances. But then you noticed a lovey-dovey couple making kissy faces at each other, a blue skinned man and a silver haired young man nerding out about machinery, a man smelling like oranges telling bawdy jokes to a man with gravity defying blonde hair, and four youngsters who looked like they were joined at the hip.
"Avery!" Silver bellowed, "Sorry we're late." Silver walked up and clasped hands with a man in his twenties. "Somebody decided to destroy rocks on our way here." He eyed Tamai who managed to look innocent.
Captain Avery laughed and firmly shook hands with Silver, "Don't worry about it. I'm glad you guys could make it." Captain Avery was an exceptionally handsome man with dark hair that was swept back into a small tail, he had dark eyes and a weather worn face from sailing in the black for years. He was a little shorter than Silver and had a crease on his cheeks from where he smiled. He always had a perfect five o'clock shadow on his jaw line. As all good pirates did he had a mischievous glint in his eye. He was a sparkler, as in he could make sparks jump from his fingers like fireworks. Avery was captain of the Tern, a sleek ship three masts long made on Anegada a planet well known for their fast and beautiful ships.
"Oy! The guys are here!" Someone from the Tern shouted.
The two crews came together with enthusiastic greetings. The Black Erebos and The Tern had worked together before with great success, robbing an armada and a few small kingdoms. Captain Avery contacted Silver about an opportunity to hit the Andover company as they were shipping out of their main base. It was supposed to be a huge shipment with most of Nexus's assets guarded by his main fleet and alot hired hands.
"Captain Avery!"
"Wren!" Avery laughed hugging the small girl, "You've gotten so big! Look at you, I'll have to start calling you a lady now."
Wren smiled at the handsome captain, "How are things going?"
"Almost as lovely as you Wren." Avery smiled winningly.
Wren blushed really hard.
Silver butted in, "Why don't we get this briefing underway!" He clapped his hands together and frowned when it didn't make a noise like he wanted.
Avery laughed, "Don't be so uptight Silver, it's just a joke. I'm sure Wren's used to getting flirted with. Isn't that right Wren?"
She sighed, "You're going to make Silver blow a fuse."
"Flirted with? Over my dead body." Silver muttered darkly.
"Oh dear, I guess complimenting Silver's protégée comes with some dangers."
Wren grinned, "you have no idea."
"Well let's get going." Avery said, "Shall we Wren?"
Wren nodded and followed Captain Avery to a table set up in the middle of the clearing.
"Prich."
"Aye captain?"
"If Avery touches Wren cut off his hands… and bring me his ears as souvenirs."
Prich sighed, "Aye captain."
Micky stood next to Wren who was facing the table, Dante appeared on her right and nudged her, and Tamai came up behind all of them and then putting his arms around their shoulders leaned forward on everyone. They all squealed and laughed as they had to push back on his enormous weight.
"Tamai!"
"What are you doing?" Dante asked bracing himself.
"I'm sleepy." Tamai mumbled in Wren's hair.
"You're heavy!" Wren complained getting pushed over.
Tamai grinned evilly and made himself heavier to the complaints of the three underneath him. Avery watched as the four youngsters all laughed as they tried to fight off Tamai who just grinned and squeezed them tighter.
"Tamai!" Wren laughed and tried to push him back.
Micky laughed too getting squeezed into Wren, "What have you been eating Tamai?"
"The same as you guys." Tamai muttered getting increasingly heavier.
"Are you sure it's not rocks?" Dante asked flipping his hair out of the way.
"Oh no. I think I'm going to fall asleep."
"Tamai!" Wren whined.
They all fell over as Tamai rested his full weight on them.
"Oof." They fell creating a cloud of dust.
"I thought you guys would be able to hold me up with all three of you." Tamai sighed.
"We weren't ready!" Micky and Dante said in unison.
Ian laughed at the four kids playing around in the dirt, "we were like that too weren't we?" He asked Rider.
Rider grinned, "Kids will be kids."
His brother smiled, "I remember you would come crying to me any time something happened."
"I don't remember that." Rider crossed his arms with a frown.
"Will you four stop goofing around? We have to start." Nab said with disapproval.
They all stood up properly but not without some echoing giggles. Wren elbowed Tamai in the ribs as he teased her, pointing at her dust covered shirt and they both tried getting it off. Members of the Tern gathered around and waited for the meeting to start.
Captain Avery smiled at the four kids standing in front of him and then looked down at the maps.
"Alright. Let's get this show on the road." He started, "As you know we're hitting the Andover company's main fleet. Our reports say that we'll have to deal with about eighteen ships. However, only the three galleons in the center will be carrying goods, the rest around the outside-" He pointed to the diagram of the fleets formation, "Are presents for us."
Everyone chuckled at that.
"The plan is to hit them here while they're passing between Karupos and Menoise, The Black Erebos will do what it does best and while they're causing chaos The Tern will steal away with two of the cargo ships. We'll hide out on a nearby planet, and rendezvous there. Of course, the plan merely requires distracting the entourage until we can safely get away, however, should Captain Silver feel so inclined, destroying a few ships wouldn't be unappreciated." Another chuckle, "Silver, your thoughts?" Captain Avery was taking point on this raid, but since Silver was the senior captain, with a sizeable amount of experience under his belt the younger captain deferred to him.
Silver rubbed his stubbled chin for a moment frowning, "It's true that a prolonged engagement would not be wise with our numbers, however I don't like the idea of leaving half a fleet on our tail." He said already deciding to take out at least half the ships, "Ideally we'd destroy or cripple enough of the ships to deter them from giving chase."
Avery frowned, "And how many ships would that be?"
"fifteen, not including the cargo ship. We can't leave more than three or four left." Silver said doing the math quickly, "but in the time frame I don't think the Black Erebos can take out more than nine, and that's if everything goes right."
Captain Avery also frowned, "that leaves the Tern with six, and since we'll be taking care of the other cargo ships, the best we can do is three."
"So that leaves us three short." Silver frowned at the dilemma.
Avery cracked his jaw, "Well, if we make a fast enough get away we should be fine.
"Avery there's a reason why we shouldn't leave so many ships behind us. Destroy them now-"
"-and they can't come back and bite you in the ass." Everyone from the Black Erebos intoned, all too familiar with the phrase.
"That's right." Silver nodded.
Everyone from the Tern was a little scared with how in sync the sailors of the Black Erebos were.
"Well like you said, we're at least three ships short, if not more. Either we do a quick hit and run, or we find a way to make up a loss of three ships." Avery said clenching his jaw clearly starting to become agitated.
Wren raised her hand, "I have a question."
Avery blinked, "Yes Wren."
"What's the gravitational pull of the planets nearby?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Of Karupos and Menoise. What's the gravity like?"
Captain Avery raised an eyebrow and turned to his first mate, "you have the numbers for those right?"
"Uh…"
Wren stood and made her way to the table. Taking a quick look at the maps she pointed to a spot between Karupos and Menoise, "Is this where we're hitting them?" she asked.
"Approximately." The first mate said.
"It's a yes or no question." Wren demanded.
"Yes ma'm."
She nodded in approval. "Good. Silver I have an idea."
"Not this again. What did I say about your ideas little bird?"
Wren frowned, "I'm trying to help."
Silver frowned, "Are you? It looks like your goofing around to me."
Avery smiled dispelling the tension between the little girl and the captain, "It's fine, why don't we at least listen to her idea." He indicated with his hand, "Go ahead Wren."
She nodded, "Well I think our biggest advantage here is the element of surprise, if we use that to its full potential it will multiply our force and taking out an extra three or five ships shouldn't be too difficult."
"And how do you expect us to do that?" One of the members of the Tern asked, he was a little miffed because he'd helped Captain Avery come up with the plan.
Wren leaned down and picked up a handful of dust grinning, "With this."
Silver sighed as the meeting broke up and the two crews mingled. He watched Wren grin at a boy around her age from the Tern who blushed and roses popped up on his cheeks, literal roses and Silver watched as several more flowers grew from the boy's green skin.
Avery stood beside him, "She never ceases to surprise me." Avery said with a grin, "You've taught her well."
Silver rubbed his face, "I can't take credit for that. She's beyond my teachings now."
"And so the student surpasses-"
"She's not there yet." Silver growled and then sighed, "These kids grow up so fast."
Avery nodded in agreement although he was only a few years out of his teens himself. They both watched as Wren accepted a flower from the boy smiling sweetly.
"Have you ever been to the Galadrian system?" Avery asked.
Silver frowned confused by the sudden question, "I can't say I have, why do you ask?"
Avery smiled, "That's my home system, it's a nice place."
"Is it?"
Avery nodded, "I was thinking maybe I'd bring Wren there."
Silver's head snapped to the other captain who looked back at him with a mischievous look in his eye, "Always so serious Silver." The captain admonished, "Your blood pressure won't thank you."
"Don't joke around with me Avery."
"Fine…"
"Captain Avery!"
Speaking of the devil, Silver sighed as Wren bounced up a flower tucked into her mess of black hair.
"I have a name for the mission!"
"Sorry?"
Silver sighed, "It's a rule that whoever comes up with the plan gets to name the mission." He turned to Wren, "Wren, I think the rights go to Captain Avery since he came up with the idea in the first place."
"Okay…" She grinned, "Can I suggest one?"
"'Sure." Avery smiled.
Wren waved her hands, "Super Secret Nexus Infiltration Surprise Explosion, Sneaky Sneaky. Operation 'Drop the Mic' for short."
Avery blinked.
"Think about it." Wren smiled winningly.
"I'll take it under advisement."
"Look! I got my very first wanted poster!" Wren unfolded a piece of paper and held it up.
"Wow! That's great Wren!" Captain Avery congratulated Wren and examined the poster as she held it up next to her face.
"The likeness is… frightening." The captain said.
The drawing on the poster pictured a fierce young lady with wild black hair. Her eyes were explicitly golden and glaring. Somehow Wren had acquired fangs and horns. Avery looked back and forth at the real Wren smiling with puppies and rainbows and at the wanted poster which showed dead puppies and destruction raining down from the sky.
"Wow, that's amazing Wren." Charles said as he passed by, he was a sailor with a falcon's head.
"Look how much I'm worth!" She said pointing to the rather large number printed on the bottom, "I could turn myself in and retire!" She laughed.
Everyone just stood there and gapped.
Silver rolled his eyes, "Stop showing off Wren, put it away."
Wren obliged and folded the poster up and tucked it into her pocket.
Tamai grinned, "What's there to brag about? I'm worth twice as much."
Wren kicked him in the shin.
Avery smiled, "That just means you guys have been doing very good work." Avery kneeled down and took one of Wren's hands, "Wren I want you."
Both Tamai and Silver tensed up.
"Would you come work for me?" Avery finished, just in time to stop his decapitation.
Everyone looked to Wren for her answer.
"No thanks."
Tamai laughed at the captain's rejection and Wren elbowed him for being rude.
Everyone from the Tern sighed as the captain was shot down so casually.
"Very well," Avery sighed and then turned to Tamai, "How about you Tamai? I'll pay you double what Silver does."
"I'm listening." Tamai smirked.
"Tamai!"
"What?"
Wren gasped, "Wait, double?"
"Of course."
Wren stood in front of Avery, "Make it three times and Tamai and I can go as a package deal. Friends and family discount!" She started haggling.
"Wait! Wait!"
"Come on Silver at least hear him out." Wren said.
"Yeah, I'm interested." Tamai agreed.
Silver grabbed the little deserters, "Maybe I should let Avery take you just so I can have some peace and quiet."
"Aw. It's okay Silver, I know I'm your favorite." Wren grinned from under his arm.
Silver let Wren go, "What gives you that idea little bird?" He asked.
"You only abuse me!" She said proudly.
"You're an idiot." Tamai said still under Silver's arm his ears flattened to his skull, "This isn't favoritism, it's torture. You should know the difference."
Silver released Tamai who shook out his hair, "It's like a furnace down there."
Avery sighed, "What I could do if I only had a Tamai."
Tamai shrugged, "Sorry, Captain looks like I'm stuck with these idiots." He jerked a thumb to the crew behind him.
"I get it. I get it."
Silver grinned, "Alright, enough playing around, we need to get in position in case the fleet decides to move out early. Let's go!"
"Aye Captain!"
Wren gave Avery a hug as she was actually a very good natured kid and gave him a peck on the cheek for good luck.
"Silver." Avery got the other Captain's attention all business now, "Could I borrow Era? I need his help on something."
Silver nodded, "Sure. Era."
Era came up to the Captain, "Aye Captain?"
"Could you help Captain Avery with something?"
"Of course."
Silver nodded and looked at Avery, "Make sure you return him undamaged."
"I would never do anything less." Avery nodded.
Silver grinned, "Good luck Captain, I'll see you on the other side."
"Same to you." Avery and Silver clasped hands one last time before Silver turned away and made his way to his ship.
Wren hugged Era, "I'll see you Era." She said already missing his warm glow.
Era hugged the small girl tightly, "don't worry."
Wren nodded and followed the rest of the crew, "Let's make it rain up in this piece!" She shouted.
Avery and Era watched the girl go and tackle Tamai who didn't even flinch when she clung to his back like a monkey.
Avery looked at Era and Era looked back and quickly away.
Avery turned to his crew, "Alright! Let's fly boys!
Tamai sighed leaning against the railing for a breather. "Bartock Wren, did you really have to come up with a plan that involves so much heavy lifting?" He'd been forced to carry huge bags of sand and dust on board. He took off his jacket and shook it out.
Wren laughed, "Sorry, it was all I could think of at the moment." She dusted the sand off her shirt.
"So I'm guessing this is what you've been thinking about the entire time?" Tamai asked
"And bumble bees, but yeah, mostly this."
He stretched out his back, "You couldn't have included a fork lift with it?"
Dante flew in raising another cloud of dust, "Don't worry Wren, Tamai's just complaining, it's a good plan."
"Thanks Dante." Wren smiled.
Tamai frowned at Dante.
Micky helped Wren brush the dirt off her face, "I don't know how you come up with these things Wren." He said honestly, "Sometimes I wonder what goes on inside that head of yours." He rubbed her hair and sand fell out everywhere.
She scrunched her nose, "Nothing different than you guys."
Tamai shrugged, "Don't sell yourself short."
Wren looked at Tamai who looked back down at her with a raised eyebrow, "What?"
Wren smiled, "To be honest, I only come up with these things cause I know you guys can pull it off."
All three boys blushed at the compliment.
"Are we done yet?" Silver bellowed.
"Everything's ready Captain!" Prich bellowed back.
"Let's get a move on then!"
Silver went over assignments one last time as they waited at their ambush point, "We've got thirty minutes tops and then we're pulling out whether we have the loot or not." He said firmly, "Our biggest ally is speed and surprise so don't stop during those thirty minutes, Ian, wait for as long as possible before you go full berserk on us, Dante, don't go flying off by yourself, do you understand?"
"Aye Captain."
"Once the shit hits the fan communication will be difficult so you boys look after each other out there and keep an eye on the time and flow of the battle. Each group needs to take out at least two ships." He grinned, "But if you want bonus points you can try for three, but you'll have to make sure you get them before someone else."
Everyone grinned.
"Make sure your gear is in order before we go in and Wren!"
Wren jumped, "YES!"
"First stop making that face."
"What face?"
"Your 'doom is approaching face' it's bad luck."
"I don't make that face!" Wren defended herself.
"yes you do." Ka said.
"All the time." Ga said.
"Sorry." Wren fixed her face.
"Now you just look creepy." Chris said.
"Jork you!"
"There you go." Chris said nodding in approval, "Much better."
"Boys." Silver sighed, "Wren, good job on the plan."
Wren was practically glowing. "Thanks Silver."
"Alright, Dismissed."
Everyone scattered to get their gear in order.
"Tamai."
Tamai stopped and went back to the captain, "Yes Silver?"
Silver sighed, "You still don't call me captain."
"Habit."
He smiled and looked at the young man who used to be a boy. The little boy who had tried to fight him before stowing away on his ship, "Remember what I told you."
Tamai smirked, "If she dies it's my fault." He looked out the window, "Don't worry, I've remembered it since the first day I met her."
Silver looked into Tamai's eyes and adjusted his hat, "Well then I ain't got anything to say."
Tamai nodded to Silver and left.
"They sure grow up fast."
Wren laced up her arm guards and tightened one of the knots with her teeth and quickly tied it off. She turned to the other one when Tamai's hands appeared to help her. He tightened the laces with his strong hands and Wren waited patiently for him to finish.
"Did you empty your pockets?" Tamai asked.
Wren frowned, "Of course I did!"
Tamai looked at her suspiciously. Finishing tying off the arm guard he put his hands around her waist and picked her up. He nodded seemingly satisfied, "Alright, I'll believe you." He weighing her, "Wow, your like fifty pounds lighter without all that crap in your pockets."
"Jork you Tamai."
Tamai chuckled, "You know, I would take you more seriously if you couldn't be blown away in the breeze."
She smiled putting her hands on his shoulders, "Don't worry I have a person who weighs a thousand pounds I can hold onto."
Tamai put her down, "Idiot."
"Loser." Wren grinned, "We're together for this fight, you know what that means right?" She smirked.
Tamai grinned evilly back and they bumped fists, "We're definitely winning." He fixed his sleeve, "Of course that's only if you don't hold me back."
"Whose going to hold who back?! You freak of nature!" Shouted Wren her hackles raised. "I just hope you can keep up with me!"
Tamai laughed, "You're too easy to tease you know that?"
A sudden bout of blushing hit Wren's face, "Well… You're a meanie."
"That I am." He gently bopped her head, "come on Wren, it's time to do some pirating."
Silver's voice sounded like a fog horn, "That's the call boys! Places! We're going in!"
Dante and Micky joined Tamai and Wren standing on the deck.
"You guys ready?" Wren asked with that brilliantly confident smile.
The other three smiled back and nodded.
Nexus stood at the helm of his ship, looking out over the entire fleet with pride. He wasn't actually steering the ship, but he like to stand next to the wheel and pretend he was. The weather was perfect, not a single breeze to disturb their progress. The fleet was nearing Karupos and Menoise, beautiful orbs of blue and red hovering in the stillness of space. Suddenly a huge cloud of dust exploded at the very front of the entourage. Followed by loud gun fire.
Nexus stood at alert as the huge cloud of dust slowly expanded and the entire fleet ground to a halt, "What the hell is happening?" He turned to the deck, "You! Get the lead ship on the line!"
"I'm sorry Captain! There's too much static! The dust is interfering with communications!"
"What?"
Suddenly several more dust explosions enveloped the fleet in a huge cloud of particulate matter, it was so thick that Nexus couldn't see the ship flying next to him. He protected his face as dust covered the deck, hanging suspended in space.
"What is going on? Where is all this dust coming from? Someone give me a report!" Nexus demanded. He looked absolutely livid, this was definitely the Black Erebos's doing. "SILVER!" He screamed.
Prich helped Barney tip the last bag of dust over the side of the ship. The bag emptied creating a huge cloud of dust behind them covering the last of the Nexus's fleet in an impenetrable cloud of debris. It would've been beautiful had it not been used to such destructive purposes.
"That's the last of it!" Prich shouted as the Black Erebos flew a safe distance away to observe its handy work.
Wren grinned as the dust descended around the entire fleet, cutting off communications and throwing the fleet into disarray just as she'd planned. The idea of a smoke screen was an old one, but it simply wasn't viable in space. Firstly there wasn't enough smoke in the world to cover an attack this size, second, fires didn't do so well in a vacuum, third smoke tended to disperse given time. Luckily dust was readily available anywhere, and thanks to the particular phenomenon known as zero gravity, it didn't settle and just floated wherever you threw it. Of course hauling that much dust around wasn't fun. The entire deck of the Black Erebos, was covered in bags of it.
"It worked better than I expected." Wren murmured as she heard the splintering crack of one ship ramming into another.
With the reduced visibility, the advantage turned entirely to the smaller, faster crew that wanted to steal some cargo. It also kept their small numbers hidden.
"You got the count right?" She asked Tamai.
Tamai nodded, "twenty ships, a little more than we planned, but now there's plenty to go around.
"To your places! We're going in!" Silver bellowed
Wren and Tamai hopped over the side into the long boat that was waiting below.
Zeus was piloting the small craft and racing into the dust cloud quietly wound his way through the chaotic fleet. He hovered over a ship near the east end of the attack, they could see the crew running around in panic below. He gave them both a thumbs up in support and they grinned back. Without further ado they leapt over the side. He zoomed away, as he did he fired pistol into the air intermittently as to confuse the attackers of their movements.
Tamai and Wren both hit the deck running.
"I call the big guy!" Wren shouted dibs.
"Damn it! Fine." Tamai growled swinging his Guandao into an oncoming sailor.
The deck was in chaos, sailors ran around in confusion, unsure of where the enemy was and even who they were.
Wren quickly slashed her way across the deck, most of the sailors not realizing they were under attack before they hit the deck. Tamai followed behind her his spear absolutely devastating the crew leaving blood and body parts in his wake. To everyone watching it seemed like a monster had appeared on the deck his giant glaive cutting down everything around him. Which made the small little wasp buzzing around that much more deadly, as they focused on the huge boy with the spear they didn't see the little girl taking them out from behind. One of the masts fell with one easy slice of Tamai's spear and it crushed a few sailors underneath it.
"Hurry up and take the big guy before I do!" Tamai whipped the guandao around cutting down the men in front of him.
"I'm going! I'm going!" Wren ran to the giant cyclops standing at about eight feet tall who smelled like rotting cantaloupe. She quickly dodged his club that smashed into the deck, she spun on one knee and with a reversed hand hacked out the back of the Cyclop's knee. The cyclops screamed and collapsed to his knees. Wren didn't waste a moment. Using a fish sailor's face as a spring board she leapt up and cut through this jugular. His blood sprayed out spectacularly across the deck. The body fell onto the deck with a heavy thud.
She landed in front of Tamai and held her hands out. "Tada!"
"five out of ten."
"Damn." Wren sighed. "Hard crowd." She ducked as Tamai cut down the sailor behind her.
"Who gets to take the bridge?" She looked at the men standing at the platform.
They looked at each other.
"Rock, paper, scissors! Shoot!"
Tamai wrapped Wren's rock with his paper and she cursed.
"I'll hold the deck, lucky bastard."
Tamai winked and easily leapt over the railing. He blocked an arrow shot at his chest and tsked. With a flick of his arm everyone standing on the platform was blown back and didn't move.
"Wren!"
Wren blocked a sword on her knife and quickly sliced open the man's side, "What?"
"cut the rigging!
Wren evaded a sailor's knife and dealt him a high kick to his face. Dashing to the side she didn't spend time being choosy and just ran down the side cutting all the rigging on the starboard side.
Two of the sails crashed to the deck and Wren had to leap out of the way.
Tamai spun the wheel of the ship and it started tilting to the starboard side. He leapt back over the railing onto the deck and cutting down a last sailor jogged to Wren who just finished dispatching another sailor with a spin.
"Let's go."
Without hesitation she put an arm around his shoulders and held on.
Tamai picked her up around the waist and grasping his glaive jumped off the port side. His leap brought them onto another ship with strange blue planking. The first ship with the dead cyclops crashed into another one right next to it and there was much yelling and an explosion that Wren 'oohed' at. Luckily with Tamai's hearing the dust was no hindrance to him since he could locate ships on sound alone. They landed on the next ship's deck. Unfortunately this one was more ready than the last. They started firing shots at the scary boy and tiny girl.
As they hit the deck, Wren lit the fuse of a bomb she had on her belt and tossed it. They both dove out of the way behind some crates and Tamai covered her as the bomb made a hole in the deck with an explosion that rattled his eardrums.
"Damn Barney, what do you put in those?" Wren muttered.
Tamai chuckled and Wren could feel it against her back, "He knows you like fireworks."
Wren covered Tamai's sensitive ears and blew her whistle to signal they'd taken out a ship.
"Thanks Wren."
"Of course."
Tamai kicked the box they were hiding behind and it crashed into several mercenaries as the pair darted onto the deck. Tamai instantly took out five sailors standing within his swing range. Wren was a little behind, first kneeing one in the face and then spinning, drop kicked him. She darted to the right and cut open another sailors belly, rolling left she got up and stabbed another in the chest. She blocked a swing on her right and cut off the man's arm with her left.
"Jump."
Wren obeyed immediately and Tamai's Guandao flashed underneath her feet in a deadly arc and several legs went flying. He blocked two swords on his handle and pushing them back and quickly cut his guandao across his body.
"The laundry after this is going to be horrible." Wren sighed looking at Tamai's pants already covered in sprays of blood.
Tamai nodded, "Sorry."
A piercing whistle sounded, another ship was down, Wren checked the time, it had been eight minutes already.
Wren held up her knife and a bullet ricocheted off the blade, "eight minutes."
Tamai whipped the guandao around them and some of the sailors fell back. "I guess at the rate we're going we can safely take out another three or four if we want."
Wren threw a knife and grinned, "we are totally going to win."
Tamai advanced forward quickly with Wren following in his wake throwing knives in the safety of his swing.
A three headed oak tree roared and Wren looked at Tamai, "you can have this one."
Tamai grinned, "You sure?"
Wren nodded, "Have fun."
Tamai dashed forward and greeted his opponent by chopping off one of its limbs. It screamed and swung one of its other dozen arms down on him, he dodged to the side and whistled as the cut arm grew back.
"You're going to be a fun one."
Tamai twirled his guandao deflecting an attack to his left, and then stepping forward sliced at the tree's body. His spear left a deep gash that instantly closed. He ducked cutting his blade up and around slicing off another limb followed by another when he cut his spear back. Tamai thrust and gauged a deep cut into the tree's body, pulling his blade free he immediately reversed it and hit one of the tree's heads with the other end. The head shattered with a scream and Tamai leapt back as it thrashed. He watched as all his handiwork was undone and the tree grew back just as good as before. With a flash of irritation he swung his spear and cut the thing in half. The tree's body slid along the diagonal cut and the top half fell to the deck.
Much to Tamai's chagrin they both started growing into two separate bodies, he smacked his face.
"Wow Tamai, Two. You're such an over achiever."
Tamai made a rude gesture at Wren as she continued bashing heads. She blocked a down swing from a sailor, she quickly spun and struck a sailor who was trying to get to Tamai. She launched a back kick and tossed her hair out of her face.
Tamai, assured in the safety at his back could focus on the problem infront of him. The newly formed trees screamed at Tamai and his shaggy hair got blown back away from his face and he spat.
Spinning he deflected one attack and quickly took off a head since the heads seemed to take the longest to grow back. He tried to buy time to think.
"Tamai!"
Tamai turned and cut a canister in two that was thrown at him. The liquid in the pouch coated his blade and he quickly smacked one of the trees away with the butt of his spear.
Tamai knew exactly what Wren had thrown at him, he quickly smashed a solar crystal generator on the deck and the oil coated blade burst into flame.
The two trees screamed and turned their heads away. Tamai waved his spear at them in large arcs forcing them back. Choosing the one on the right he raised his guandao and brought it down cutting the thing completely in half, and this time the fire caught and started to spread. It screamed waving its arms desperately tring to put the flames out. It fell over the side of the ship in its efforts to get away from the fire. Unfortunately the fire on Tamai's blade also went out with that one blow.
He cursed and dodged out the way as the remaining tree hurled itself at him. He frowned and twirled the blade around his neck and took several stabs at the thing keeping it back.
"Wren! Bomb!"
"Got it!"
Tamai twirled his spear and in a clean cut took off all three heads. As it screamed grasping at its empty necks he took a flying leap and stabbed his Guandao deep into its chest.
"Tamai!"
Tamai reached out without looking and caught the lit bomb Wren tossed at him. He twisted his guandao with the sound of breaking wood and pulled it out leaving a gaping hole. Before the wound could close he thrust the bomb deep inside the tree's chest. The bark closed again over the lit bomb and he leapt back.
"Carefull." Tamai shielded Wren as the tree exploded into a million shards.
Wren covered her head and Tamai frowned batting away a chunk of wood.
"You okay?"
"Yep!"
Tamai did a quick check over his small friend with his eyes and was satisfied she was unscathed.
"How many of those bombs did Barney give you?"
"Three." Wren touched a small cut on his cheek. "don't scar your face."
Tamai smirked, "I'm fine."
They quickly took care of the members on deck who surrendered and Wren tied them up as Tamai took out the equipment that allowed them to sail. Wren looked at the deep gauge in the deck that Tamai's guandao had made and was glad that he was her friend for the umpteenth time.
Wren tied up the last guy and suddenly heard a yelp. She instantly turned to Tamai, "Was that…"
"Micky."
Wren felt her heart kick into a gallop, "Let's go get him."
Micky struggled with the four sailors on him, the cut on his arm throbbing. He grimaced and swung a staff at his four attackers and they easily avoided it. One kicked him hard and he stumbled against the mast.
Micky glanced over and Dante was busy near the wheel holding off a hydra that was lashing out at him with its four heads, no help there.
Micky ducked as a sword swooshed over his head. He yelped and hopped to his left and then to his right as the blade whistled behind him too close for comfort.
Micky leaned against the column behind him panting as the four sailors advanced on him ready to deal the final blow. He suddenly heard a clear whistle from behind him. Micky sharply glanced up as Tamai appeared from the dust and took out his attackers with a roar. Wren caught him as his knees gave out.
"Micky! Where are you hurt?" She asked lowering him gently to the ground.
Micky smiled, "I'm okay Wren, just a paper cut."
Wren quickly found the source of the bleeding and started bandaging him up, "You dummy, I told you to be careful."
"Sorry."
"Is he okay?" Tamai asked keeping his guandao lowered at the rest of the sailors.
Wren nodded, "He's okay."
Tamai nearly sighed in relief.
"Dante." Micky pointed a little woozy and Wren gave him a drink with a shot of red nectar melted in water, which woke him up real fast.
Tamai sharply glanced up as Dante staggered back from the Hydra his wings fluttering weakly, the hydra was breathing out a purple mist and Dante tried covering his mouth. Tamai growled and taking out the sailors around him in a wide swing he adjusted his grip and brought his arm back. With a grunt he hurled his massive spear like a javeline and it sailed in a beautiful arc before falling with deadly accuracy. It landed with a heavy crack in the hydra. Dante blinked in surprise, Tamai's spear suddenly jutting out of the hydra's body, it twitched once and lay still. He looked over at his three friends standing on the deck, who waved, and he waved back.
The remaining sailors couldn't believe their luck, the dark haired boy had thrown away his spear, this was their chance.
However Tamai and Wren didn't allow them an opportunity to capitalize. Wren threw her knives, each finding their mark with deadly accuracy as Tamai used his massive strength to punch and kick with all the elegance and power of an earthquake
"Jorking hell Tamai," Wren muttered, "What do you even need your guandao for?"
Tamai's elbow replaced a man's jaw, "to look cool." He flashed her a grin and she broke a man's arm in rebellion.
Dante fought his way in, his sword flashing in elegant patterns. He cut down an enourmous sailor holding an ax with a beautiful sweep of his blade as his hair splayed in a golden halo around his face, well, the wanted posters didn't call him the Angel of Death for no reason.
"I'm okay Wren. Really." Micky said patting her on the head, "See? Right as rain!" He smacked himself on his cut and winced.
Wren raised an eyebrow, "Alright. Let's grab Dante and blow this popsicle stand."
Dante and Tamai had been fighting towards each other, sprays of blood going up at each elegant swing of Dante's sword. He spun and cut down enemies in a perfect arc. Meanwhile Tamai was making people go flying with nearly bored punches. He blocked a kick easily and punched the man hard enough to fling him over the side. He broke a man's arm, with his elbow, stomped on his foot and grabbing him by his broken arm swung him around to hit his fellow comrades. The last sailor standing between Dante and Tamai got cut in two and a punched in the face. Dante and Tamai stood facing each other above the now lifeless deck.
"Good to see you."
"Thanks for the help."
"Dante!" Wren ran up and hugged him.
Dante smiled and hugged Wren back, "hey Wren. Did you make it okay?"
"Yep!"
Dante wiped some blood from his cheek and kneeled down to check on Micky who assured him he was fine.
"Thanks for coming guys." Dante said with a smile.
Wren hugged him to her chest, "of course Dante."
"Anything for you bird brain." Tamai smirked.
Wren stepped away, "I'm going to check the solar charger, I'll be back."
They all nodded.
"You sure you're okay Micky?" Tamai asked as the curly haired boy rose to his feet.
Micky grinned and held up his injured arm, "I'm great! Check out these guns!"
Both Dante and Tamai looked at him suspiciously, Tamai shrugged and Dante sighed.
"Fine."
Tamai walked away to go and retrieve his Guandao. With a small 'hup' he vaulted over the railing to mount the bridge. His guandao was wedged deeply into the hydra's body and into the deck. Wrapping his hand around the handle he easily pulled it free. The wood crackling and the sound of bones and flesh snapping as he pulled it out. The hydra's deep red blood dripped off the end. He grimaced and snapping the blade flung most of it off.
Suddenly from below decks there was a loud guttural roar. It shook the masts and sails and Tamai winced.
"Woahhhhhhhhh!" Wren sprinted onto the deck. She dove out of the way just as a massive blob thing exploded through the entrance.
Dante and Micky both sighed.
Wren rolled out of the way as goo slapped down to the right of her and she nearly shrieked at the smell. She dropped the bag she was holding in order to cover her nose. Dante's wings flashed and he dropped in from the sky. At the same moment Micky dashed in and scooped up the bag Wren had dropped. Dante leapt up carrying the girl to safety as Micky also dashed away. Before the blob could register what had happened and where the small girl had vanished too. Tamai dropped in from above. His boots hit the deck with a heavy thud. He glared at the monster, holding his glaive like the heavy hand of fate. He snarled and ripped his guandao up through the center of it. It groaned and Tamai didn't wait wait for it to reform, he flipped his spear around putting his hand on the butt thrust it forward and it pierced through the center of the blob's dark heart. It screamed and its body collapsed into a rather gross smelling puddle of green goo.
Tamai rested the end of his blade on the deck and spat. "That's disgusting.
Wren hopped up behind him and pointed her finger, "That's right! How do you like me now you disgusing pile of Undalack! Take a jorking bath once in a while! You smell like rotten eggs!"
Tamai turned slightly as she continued to pile abuse on the dead goo monster.
"Try to sneak attack me! HA! I am the master of sneak attacks! Don't think you can get the drop on-!" she took a step into the goo and her foot slid out, she yelped and nearly fell backward into the puddle when Tamai caught her.
He sighed with his arm around her waist, "I understand you want to berate this monster, but please be careful." He tipped her back onto her feet.
She grinned sheepishly, "Sorry Tamai."
Micky poked at the goo with a stick, "Why does it smell so bad?"
Dante shrugged keeping his distance, "Beats me." He covered his nose.
Micky handed Wren the bag she had been holding and she thanked him. She looked off the port bow and pointed, "There's our next target."
Both Dante and Micky squinted trying to see what Wren was pointing at. When they couldn't see anything through the dust they looked at Tamai who nodded.
"It's coming this way, we should intercept them in forty five seconds." Tamai said.
"The solar engine is out, we'll have to do this the old fashioned way." Wren said sticking a match in her mouth opening the bag she'd brought on deck. Micky and Tamai stood by the railing and waited for the next ship and Wren tossed the gun powder she had in the bag onto the goo and it dusted the top in a rainbow coating. The next ship emerged from the dust, the Osprey. It was close enough to read the letters on the head. Wren set a line of powder leading away from the pile sitting at the center, she managed to hold in the urge to sneeze. Gun powder always smelled like burning pepper to her, slightly spicy. She lit the match and dropped it on the line of gundpowder which flared. Micky and Tamai both had one foot on the top of the railing and Wren jumped into Dante's arms and they all leapt onto the next ship just as a huge explosion turned the red planked ship into popsical sticks.
As soon as they landed they split down the middle as the sailors fired at them. Micky leapt and kicked a man's face. He turned and punched a small fish looking thing. Back flipping he drop kicked a sailor that was pointing his gun at Tamai. Tamai simply tore through the deck, he glanced to the side and dashing to the right took out five sailors including one who was about to toss a grenade. He picked it up and flung it over the side just as it exploded.
Dante slashed through a hail of arrows, the shafts clattering to the deck. He spun and slashed through another his eyebrows lowered in concentration. Wren ducked under a punch and she elbowed him in the stomach, spinning she took out his legs and rolled out of the way. Coming up she turned and back hand stabbed a sailor in the neck, she pulled the knife free and blood sprayed the deck. She switched her feet and kicked the sailor into two others advancing on her.
"Get out of the way!"
Wren glanced up and saw sailors scatter to reveal the cannon pointing its nose at her. She tsked and grabbed the man attacking her. Turning her hips she dropped onto the deck holding the sailor over her. The canon fired a millisecond later and a ball of energy took out the man she was holding and nearly fried her as well. She quickly rolled to her feet and threw her knife which lodged itself in the gunner's forehead. He looked surprised as his body fell back and hit the deck. It was nice that the sailors had cleared a path for her to reach the canon mounted on the side of the deck. She pulled out another knife and darted across the deck, she slashed at knees as she went, doing just enough damage to immobilize them as to not follow her. She dove through a man's legs who tried to stand in her way. She quickly regained her feet and leapt ontop of the cannon that wanted to decapitate her. It was warm and she dealt a kick to another mercenary who tried to approach her. She knealt at the controls and turned it so that it faced over the deck and pointed it down as far as it would go, however to fire it she'd need a key that was missing from the controls.
Micky appeared by her side knowing exactly what to do. She abandoned the controls to defend them as Micky yanked out wires from underneath the machine. Tamai appeared infront of the cannon that they had apparently made into their base. Dante swooped down and stood next to Tamai. Micky stripped the wires with his teeth and tested the spark that flew up when he touched the ends together. Wren stood ontop of the prepped canon as Micky rolled out of the way.
"Tamai!"
Tamai deflected some bullets with his blade and turning lifted his leg in the air and brought his heel down on the nose of the canon. The far end leapt into the air, its bolts torn out of the deck as the nose dipped sharply to point at the deck. Pieces of wood flew into the air and Wren perched ontop of the flying cannon thumb on the trigger. With a grimace she fired the canon. It shot a ball of energy through the ship with a massive 'BOOM!' The entire ship shuddred. Wren had aimed at the central power unit usually kept at the bottom of the second mast. She jumped off the canon as it crashed into the deck. Dante spirited her away to a safe distance as the canon gave one loud click as a warning and then exploded, shrapnel flying into the unprepared sailors standing on the deck.
"Oh, fancy." Wren muttered appreciating the colors.
Dante covered her again as three shots were fired just off to their right, much too close for comfort.
"I got him." Dante immediately took off to the bird's nest where a sniper lay in wait.
Wren got up and immediately had to duck again as a blade wooshed just over her head. She turned over and donkey kicked her attacker in the chest. He stumbled back and Wren didn't waste a moment to cut open his belly. Wren ran to the bridge just as Tamai arrived. He rolled to a stop with his back againts the wall. Shots smashing into the deck next to his feet. Wren rolled across him taking shelter. They looked at each other before Tamai quickly stood and leveled his guandao parallel to the deck. Wren jumped and landed on the flat end of the blade, she balanced easily on the deadly blade, her small feet perfect for perching and with barely a grunt Tamai flung her up onto the bridge where they were busy reloading their guns. She barreled into their midsts and took out the captain first. She pivoted and cut off a man's hand that pointed a gun at her. Using his body as a shield she drew the sword at his hip as bullets hit the sailor. She let him drop as she spun out taking off a man's leg. He screamed and Wren deflected another shot and cut through an amphibian's chest. She dodged to the side as a mercenary lunged at her raising up her sword she cut his back. Wren grabbed another man's wrist just before he swung down and stabbed her blade into his chest. The blood that sprayed caught her by surprise and she didn't close her eyes fast enough. She let him go and backed up trying to rub the blood out of her eyes.
She could feel her eyes stinging and she blinked trying to see her attackers. She stumbled as her foot hit a body laying on the deck.
"oh Kurchak, it's just a kid."
Wren could hear them moving and she held up her sword in a futile attempt to defend herself.
"She's not a kid, she's a monster, hurry and finish her off-"
There was a massive whoosh, Wren felt the strong wind that always accompanied Tamai's blows, and she nearly fell over. The blood spray came after. There were screams as bodies hit the deck.
Wren could hear Tamai's footsteps run across the deck to her. She kneeled on the ground covering her eyes.
"Tamai?"
"It's me."
She reached out and wrapped her hand in his shirt. "There's something in my eyes."
He reached out and touched her face the blood starting to dry, "Don't worry I got it."
The fallen sailors groaned around them as Tamai pulled out his canteen and opened it. He gently poured the water over her eyes.
She winced, "what a rude guy, bleeding all over my face. Who does he think he is?"
Tamai chuckled and gently wiped away the blood with a clean cloth he pulled from his pocket.
Wren blinked testing her eyes.
"Better?"
Wren nodded, "But I think I'd rather stay blind if I have to look at your ugly mug." She grinned as Tamai bopped her on the head.
They turned their attention to the members on the deck who weren't dead yet. Dante and Micky had taken care of the stragglers on the deck. Micky and Dante held thumbs up and Wren gave them a thumbs up and a circle with her index finger signaling that they had prisoners.
Wren started tying up those who looked like they could still cause trouble. She put those too injured to recover out of their misery and wrapped the injuries of those she could. Tamai made his way over to a man trembling in the corner, he seemed to be frozen in fright.
"You monsters! You monsters. How did you? There's only four of you."
Tamai sighed, "It's part of the job."
The man begged for his life, "Please! I'll give you anything! Please! Spare me!"
Tamai tried to look less threatening which was impossible, "Okay. Okay. It's fine." He turned and shouted over his shoulder, "Can I have the rope?" He came back to the man, "If you allow us to tie you up no harm will come to you."
Wren appeared behind Tamai, "Here."
Tamai turned to accept the rope Wren handed to him when she suddenly grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back.
"Watch out!"
Tamai lost his balance and fell over as a blade wooshed past his nose.
Wren quickly threw a knife. It stuck in the sailor's chest and he gasped before he flopped to the ground.
Wren and Tamai both let out a breath and relaxed which involved Wren letting go of her vice grip on Tamai and Tamai slumping to the deck.
"Thanks Wren."
"You have to be more careful Tamai." She growled angrily.
"Sorry."
"Sorry isn't going to cut it." She squeezed his hand, "Butterscotch, I thought my heart was going to burst." She held his hand to her chest, "Does that feel healthy to you?"
Tamai suddenly blushed red, "No." He said feeling her thundering heart through her rib cage.
She sighed, "No thanks to you."
They both stood.
"How many ships have been taken out so far?" Wren asked relying on Tamai's ears.
"there's been thirteen whistles so far."
Wren raised the whistle to her lips covering Tamai's ears and blew.
"Make that fourteen."
"We've still got ten minutes left." Wren said letting the whistle fall.
Tamai's ears suddenly flicked up, he heared a mysterious buzzing noise, he swiveled trying to get a lock on it. It sounded a bit like the humming of electricity but louder and signifigantly more dangerous. Wren seemed to be oblivious to his attentions as she raised her thumb for Micky and Dante. Tamai continued to narrow down the source of the sound his ears pivoting. Suddenly the pitch of the noise changed, his eyes widened and he pulled Wren to the deck as a giant beam of light cut through the top of the ship. Tamai covered Wren's head as the beam cut across the top of the Osprey. The masts crashed to the deck their beams incinerated.
"what the jork?" Tamai asked pushing himself up so that he wasn't crushing the small girl beneath him.
Wren coughed, "MICKY! DANTE!"
"We're okay!"
Both Wren and Tamai sighed in relief.
"Stay where you are!" Tamai said hoping they had enough sense to stay put.
"What was that?" Wren asked.
Another arc of light cut through the dust incinerating everything in its path including a ship which exploded on impact.
"Fire again!"
"It has to recharge first captain!"
"Well make it charge faster!"
Tamai watched the burning pieces of the ship hit the by the lazer, "That's fifteen."
Wren stood up, "we've got to stop it or our cover's blown." She said her mouth set in a grim line. She peeked over the hole cut into the back of the Osprey, the edges of the hole was charred and her hands came away black with soot.
She could make out a glittering gold ship sitting in the dust, perched on the deck just visible over the railing a giant canon buzzed loudly, and even louder than that, Nexus's voice screaming commands.
Tamai pulled Wren down into cover as another beam of light shot out of the canon. Tamai watched Wren's face worried, her brows were creased in concentration and she covered her mouth with a hand trying to think of something. Wren's brain was racing leaping from one thought to another.
Another explosion and Nexus cursed as one of his own ships got hit in his blind firing. The dust cover was getting thinner with each shot, it wouldn't be long till they were exposed.
Wren squeezed her head and shook it, "come on. Come on!"
Tamai put down his guandao, "Calm down Wren, it's okay." He took her hands, "Don't worry, it's okay."
She had her eyes squeezed shut trying desperately to think, her mind raced through the possibilities. She had to think of something.
"Wren, look at me."
Wren's eyes opened and looked into Tamai's face, always steady, never moving. Tamai was always so strong. Wren swallowed, it'd be alright if Tamai was here.
Another beam of light shot out clearing a path through the dust. Suddenly the Black Erebos was in view.
"There! There! There it is!" Nexus shouted excitedly.
"Shit." Tamai said.
Wren looked at her home and then back at the canon. Her eyes were brilliant and her thoughts had focused into perfect clarity.
"Throw me."
"What? No!" Tamai.
"You have to!"
"Dante can fly you!"
"It'll be too late!"
"I am not throwing you Wren!"
Wren stood up to him, "Can you jump that far?"
"no."
"Can you destroy it from here?"
"no."
"Do you have any other ideas?"
"no!"
Than you have to throw me!" Wren's eyes were blazing, "Dante can follow after me! But we need to stop this right now or we'll lose the ship!"
Tamai twitched.
"TAMAI!"
"God damn it!" He grabbed her around the waist and took a few steps back, "I'm following right after you."
"Don't keep me waiting."
He took a running start and then threw her with all his might onto the gilded ship.
Wren soared through space and true to form, Tamai's throw was perfect. She landed on the other ship's deck to all their surprises.
Nexus blinked as a girl fell from the sky and landed on the deck.
"Get her!"
Wren burst into action drawing her knives she threw her last ones at the oncoming sailors who tried to stop her. Vaulting over their bodies she cut down two more sailors blood spraying into the air. Her eyes were focused on the huge canon standing imposingly on the deck.
"Stop her! Stop her!" Nexus shrieked.
She dodged to the side as a man tried to stab her and she broke his arm. Turning she kicked away another sailor's gun pointed in her face and finishing her spin kicked him in the side of the head. Wren knew that she couldn' lose her momentum if she were to make it to the canon. Dashing forward she dodged their bullets and blows. Wren cut down the man standing behind the controls and looked at the buttons and dials for a fraction of a second before she was tackled to the ground.
Nexus laughed and ground his boot into Wren's back as she squirmed. "Now you can watch your ship burn little girl. Any last words?" He pulled her hair back so that he could look her in the face.
Wren grinned and spat her last match in his face.
"Wha-"
The bomb exploded with magnificent colors. It shook the entire ship. Wren covered her head and was sent sailing as were the people holding her. Parts of the machinery flew in all different directions embedding themselves into the wood. She hit one of the sailors in her trajectory, and his body cushioned her crash into one of the masts. She bounced off him and hit the deck with a groan.
Wren opened her eyes and tried to level herself up on her arms, the ringing in her ears made it impossible to hear anything. The world was swimming the colors bobbing in and out. Someone was screaming something but it sounded far away. She blinked and shook her head trying to get her senses in order. Wren lay there a moment and things finally started clearing up.
"You bitch!"
A foot crashed into Wren's stomach and she gasped in pain flopping onto her back. There was another savage kick to her exposed side and she yelped.
"Do you know how much that cost?!" He screamed and kicked her again.
Wren rolled out of the way and felt her belt for a weapon, oops. It seemed she was all out.
She looked up just in time to block a kick to her head. She leapt back her arms aching from saving her face.
"Poor girl." Nexus grinned pulling out a pistol covered in gold. "You may have saved your ship but you're going to die here."
Wren winked at him, "We'll see."
His minions rushed forward and Wren set her mouth. She ducked under a cut and sharply drove her palm up into the man's elbow with a crack. She turned and kicked another's knee, they both fell to the ground with screams and she took the chance to leap and kick another in the neck. She dodged to the side just in time to dodge a bullet which hit a sailor behind her. She turned slightly to avoid being cut in half and completing her spin smashed her heel into his face. She picked up the sword he dropped and met another with a crash. She pushed him away and ducked under his second cut and sliced opened his stomach. She parried a cut, the weight of the sword throwing her off a bit since it was half her size. She spun and cut off a head the blood spraying everywhere. Not having a moment of rest Wren brought the sword down on a man's shoulder. He grunted but the sword didn't cut cleanly through his shoulder like Wren had expected. He grinned at her and held the sword in place and pointed a gun at her face as she tried to pull the blade free. She growled and smacked the gun away as he fired, she twisted his wrist and wrenched the pistol out of his grip and kicked him away. She leapt and wrapped her legs around a stocky sailor's neck. She pressed the gun againts his skull and pulled the trigger. It clicked empty and she tsked, she reversed her grip and smacked the gun into his skull.
"Get her! She's one jorking girl! What do I hire you for?"
Hitting the deck she cracked the gun down on someone's knee cap and it broke with a crack. She used it like a hammer and cracked several skulls in a row. She ran and back flipped off the mast, landing she pistol whipped a man in the face and he fell to the deck. Drawing back her arm she flung the pistol, which was surprisingly balanced, it spun and smacked a man just to the right of Nexus and he blinked in surprise as the sailor held his face in pain. Wren stuck her tongue out at him despite the immediate danger she was in. Nexus sniffed in offense and raised his pistol. Wren pulled a sailor in front of her as Nexus fired three bullets. Wren could feel herself tiring she was a fraction of a second slower than she should be. Panting she pushed the sailor away. Only to have a knee appear in her face. She just managed to block it from breaking her nose and she stumbled back and got tackled to the deck. Her chin slammed into the deck and she winced.
"Finally!" Nexus said.
Wren squirmed on the deck gasping.
"Let me go! Let go!" She struggled.
A pair of boots appeared infront of her face and she stilled. Calming her thundering heart she turned her head to look up. A middle aged sailor had a pistol pointed at her. Wren looked up at him with her huge golden eyes, and his heart squeezed to see such a young kid in this line of work. Wren refused to look away as the pistol aimed at the spot right between her eyes. She wasn't particularly afraid of death but she felt rather helpless. If she died like this it would just be pathetic, what would the others think? What would Silver think?
"WREN!"
Everyone looked up as Tamai roared her name. Wren took the momentary distraction to push off the man holding her down and she flipped over and swept out the other man's legs who had been aiming a gun at her head.
"WREN!" Tamai shouted his guandao tearing across the deck.
"TAMAI!" Wren stood and yelled back. "TAMAI!"
Tamai instantly swiveled toward her voice and their eyes met.
"Damn it they're here! Damion kill her and let's go." Nexus turned away to the escape boats. The rest of the decimated crew started fleeing.
Wren turned just in time to dodge a blade, but she was too slow to avoid the sailor who grabbed her hair and threw her on the deck. He held her down and drew his sword. Wren's eyes flew to the sharp blade, Damion flipped it in his hand with a flash and plunged it to her chest.
"WREN!"
Wren's trembling hands gripped the sailor's wrist with a strength she didn't know she had. She grit her teeth as her arm screamed trying to level the blade away. The sword's tip inched ever lower and Wren gasped clenching her jaw. The mercenary smiled and Wren could feel her grip slipping. She franctically searched for something with her other hand on the deck, something, every second the blade got closer. In her scrabble her hand hit her pocket and she remembered she hadn't completely emptied her pockets. The tip of the blade pressed into her skin drawing blood. Desperately she reached into her pocket and pulled out the shard of crystal Tamai gave her not hours before. With a yell she plunged it into the sailor's neck.
The crystal jut out of the sailor's neck. Blood sprayed everywhere and he dropped. His three hearts pumping out all his blood. Wren gasped looking up at the sky the blood soaking into her shirt.
Wren lay there panting the sword dropping to the deck with a clatter. Her head dropped onto the deck and she looked up at the sky. The dust was starting to clear and she could just make out the light of some nearby stars.
Wren!" Tamai shoved the body off of her and he dropped his guandao so that he could embraced her as she leapt into his arms. He buried his face in her blood soaked hair and held back tears. She buried her face in his chest and and held on.
"Are you crying?"
"I thought you were dead." Tamai said and wiped his eyes.
Wren smiled and took his face in her hands lowering it to hers so that they could press their foreheads together, "You're a big softie."
"You didn't empty your pockets you liar." Tamai's smile was wobbly.
Wren laughed, "Aren't you glad I didn't?" She hugged him again, "Thanks for coming for me."
"Why won't any of you just die!" Nexus screamed.
Dante and Micky joined Wren and Tamai as Nexus threw a temper tantrum.
"Time to go." Micky indicated they needed to leave.
Wren grinned and stood, albeit on shakey legs, "Sorry Nexus! Play time's over!" Wren grinned and Tamai held her up.
"I'll get you! Just you wait! I'll kill all of you bastards!" Nexus screamed his face turning red. "I'll make you pay!"
Wren laughed, "Don't you know Nexus? We're pirates! We never pay!" She gave a sarcastic salute "Until next time Nexus!" She tossed a bag of dust into the air which created a dust cloud.
Nexus fired shots into the cloud but it was too late, by the time the dust settled, the four of them were gone.
"CHEERS! For a raid well done!" Avery raised his cup into the air and everyone else cheered with him knocking their mugs together.
The crew of the Black Erebos were all piled onto the Tern as they celebrated their victory and sang songs together. Ka and Ga laughed along with a member of Tern who had rainbow scales. Almost everyone from the Black Erebos were covered from head to toe in bandages. Prich had laughed and explained that they tended to get a little too excited. Which was good because their excitement had made up for the tern falling behind quota. Leo had stayed on the Black Erebos with his paitients, Rider and Nab who were on bed rest because of their injuries. Rhett had stayed behind too to keep his husband company.
True to his word, Avery had returned Era without a scratch. The first thing Wren did when she go on board was run to him and hug him.
"Good job lads!" Silver roared, "You never fail to surprise me!" He chugged down his beer. "I thought we were done for when Nexus pulled out that canon."
Avery put an arm around Silver's shoulder. "I thought you were done for too! Damn Silver, you're one lucky bastard."
Wren was swamped by admirers from the Tern who looked at her battle wounds with both admiration and tenderness. She smiled at all of them.
"Wren did you really take out four ships?" The flower boy from earlier, his name was Amber, asked.
Wren laughed, "Well Tamai helped a bit. Right Tamai?"
Tamai raised a hand in acknowledgement and took another swig of his drink.
"Did you get hurt Amber?" She touched the boy's arm, "You have to be carefull about scars or else you can't give me pretty flowers anymore."
He stammered, "y-you c-can have as many flowers as you want Wren!" He squeaked.
"Wren, I can't believe how beat up you got." April said, he could teleport, but only short distances.
She waved his concern away, "No more than any one else, I'm used to it. But I'm glad you guys are okay."
They looked at her her arms and legs which were bandaged, as well as half of her face, Leo had put a compress on her ribs where some bastard had kicked her. Despite that she was grinning as bright as the sun.
"We're sorry we didn't take out more ships Wren. It would've made it easier for you." Brian sniffed already drunk, he hiccupped and accidently breathed out a bit of fire.
"You guys did great. I don't know what you're talking about," Wren laughed, "It's thanks to you we got away with anything at all." She saw Captain Avery motion her over, she got to her feet, "Sorry friends, your captain wants me."
They all awed but let her go.
Wren wove across the deck and had to leap over Orange's drinking game againts three other sailors. Caribe swept her up in a dance and she laughed when he spun her out and let her go. She stopped spinning and pushed her hair out of her face with a laugh.
"Hey Wren. I've been waiting for you." Avery said and patted a spot beside him. Wren grinned and sat down accepting the juice he had saved for her. The other sailors who were sitting down next to their captain all got up and left to join the merriment closer to the center of the deck.
Wren sipped the fruit punch her hands wrapped around the mug. "Thanks Captain Avery." She pursed her lips at the sweetness.
Avery nodded and poured himself some juice as well, he didn't drink much as a rule.
"I wanted to congratulate you on a job well done. You were really amazing today Wren." He looked a bit baffled, "Sometimes your ideas are so insane I don't know what to do."
She blushed trying to cover her face with her mug, the bandages already did a pretty good job at that, "It's nothing." She mumbled.
Avery put down his drink, "No, it's really something special Wren." His deep black eyes looked into hers, "It'll take you great places." He pressed his lips together, "Wren, if you ever want to leave Silver, you should know that the Tern would love to have you."
She looked up at him and saw he was being serious, "Thank you. But the Black Erebos is my home. I don't think I could ever leave them." She sighed, "Besides, with the shite we pulled off today, Silver's going to want to pull off even riskier Mardo and if I'm not around who knows what'll happen."
Avery chuckled, "Sounds like your plate is fulll."
"You can say that again, I tried to convince him not to take the job." She muttered, "I thought it was too much even for us." She smiled, "But I guess you and Silver really knew what we were getting into."
"Yeah." Avery had to look away. "Your Silver really couldn't pass this opportunity up."
"You bet. He's a greedy old sea dog." She bad mouthed, "But he really cares about us and he's nice in his own way."
"Really?"
Wren grinned, "It's a secret. He doesn't like people knowing he's actually a big softie."
Avery laughed, "That's interesting. Silver actually soft? I'd love to see that."
Wren giggled, "Maybe you will."
Avery looked into his drink, "Do you think I'll ever be as good as Silver?"
Wren put a hand on his arm, "You're good Captain Avery." She smiled, "But, I don't think you're like Silver. You're your own person." Looking at him gently she said, "That's a good thing. You should be your own person. You'll do things Silver never can." She smirked, "You're much smarter than people give you credit for, you aught to take some of this praise they're heaping onto me."
"You think I'm smart?"
She nodded, "Most definetly, but you hide it too well. You aught to use it more."
Avery blinked, it seems he'd been found out, "You're a little scamp." He ruffled her hair, "Now you're just messing with me."
She giggled, "and you're playing dumb."
"By the way did you come up with the whistle idea? It's ingenious. I never would have thought of it."
"Tamai helped out." She put down her drink, "here." She lifted the whistle from around her neck, "This is for you." She put the whistle in his hand. Its thin steel body shining in the lamplight. "It's to remember to rely on your friends."
He closed his hand around it and put it around his neck so that it hung with several other necklaces he was wearing, the wooden beads were painted black with small designs in white. He looked down at his chest, "Do you rely on your friends Wren?"
Wren grinned, "of course. They are a little strange but I wouldn't trade them for anything. Micky, Dante, and Tamai, They're always helping me out." She laughed, "I don't think I'd be standing here without them."
"I think it's the other way around." Avery smirked.
Wren made a face, "I don't think so. I wish I could fight like they can. But I'm not a six foot monster." She growled, "One day I'll pound in Tamai's smug face."
Avery laughed.
The crew roared as Zeus got up on a table and started air guitaring like a rock star.
"They're really silly." Avery sighed as they started singing even louder. Chris leapt ontop of the table with Zeus and started belting rock tunes.
"Yeah."
Avery heard a slight warble in the kid's voice and looked over. She looked at the crew with such sadness and deep pining that it almost hurt to see. "Wren, are you okay?"
She shook her head turning away, "It's nothing.
Avery turned her to him, "what is it?"
She looked down pressing her lips together, there was a moment of silence and Avery waited for the girl to speak.
"I was really scared." She said into her hands, "I was really scared today. I thought everyone was going to die." She laughed, "I know it's stupid."
He raised an eyebrow and leaned back, "No it's a perfectly reasonable thing to be worried about."
She sighed, "Man, having friends is such a pain."
Avery reached out and put a comforting hand around the girl's shoulders, "It's alright Wren."
She nodded.
"How long are you two going to keep being so chummy?" A voice growled behind both of them.
Captain Avery instantly pulled away from Wren.
Wren turned around with a smile, "Silver!"
Avery sighed, "Did you have to interrupt Silver? We were just getting to the good part."
If looks could kill.
Wren got to her feet and jumped to hug Silver. Silver happily accepted her hug, "Did Captain Avery do anything to you little bird?"
Wren smiled, "Not at all, we were just talking."
Avery nodded, "An opportunity missed."
Wren stuck out her tongue at him, "Don't tease him, you know it's my ass that'll be in trouble later."
"How are you feeling little bird?" Silver asked, glaring at Avery sitting on the deck.
Wren smiled, "I'm fine. Just a little sore." She pecked him on the cheek, "Be nice okay?" She waved good bye to captain Avery and hopped away.
"There you are!" Micky said holding two plates of food, "You have to try this." He put a plate in her hand and she looked down at the loaded plate.
"Wow. It looks so tastey!" She started digging in. She stuffed her cheeks and they grinned at each other.
Micky lead her to the spot the others were sitting at.
Dante smiled at her, "Hey Wren. Did you try the rice?"
"Mmmmhm." She nodded mouth full.
Dante gently brushed away a grain of rice on her face with a napkin. "It's good right?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"Chew Wren." Tamai handed her some water.
She swallowed the rice and chased it down with the water. She coughed, "Thanks."
Tamai opened his mouth and Wren scooped up some rice and placed it in his mouth.
"Mmmm." He chewed, "Tha- tastey."
She put down her spoon and plate and reached in her pockets, "I got you guys presents!"
"What?" Tamai asked.
"When?" Dante said incredulously.
"Where?" Micky said perplexed.
"How?" Tamai finished.
Wren grinned and pulled some things out of her pockets, "I was going to wait until Christmas but I thought, why not now?"
"For Dante." She held out the crystal powered fan that he saw earlier, "This is for when you can't fly around."
Dante accepted his gift graciously, "Thanks Wren." He turned it on and felt the breeze blowing in his face, "It's lovely." He smiled into the wind and let it blow on him it really did remind him of flying.
"This is for you Micky." Wren handed him three sparkling rubber balls, "So that you can practice your juggling."
Micky took his gift and grinned from ear to ear. "They're so sparkly." He gave them an experimental toss, "Thanks Wren!" he gave her a peck on the cheek in thanks.
Wren turned to Tamai who waited patiently his purple eyes lowered on hers, "And what did you get me Wren?" he asked tilting his head.
Wren squeezed her lips together, "Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like your going to eat me."
Tamai blinked and smiled, "Sorry, you just look so tastey."
"Tamai!"
"Sorry! Sorry." Tamai sat up and crossed his legs politely.
Wren held up what looked to be headphones. She scooted closer to him and raised the ear muffs to his head. He followed her face as she placed the headphones over his ears.
"I hope you-"
Wren's voice suddenly cut off as the headphones covered his ears.
Wren saw Tamai's pupils narrow instantly and his eyes opened wide.
Tamai looked around, he could see people's mouths moving, he saw Dante and Micky watching him and they said, something. But there wasn't any noise. Just beautiful silence. He couldn't hear the rowdy drinking songs, the hum of the ship, the distant stars. For the first time in his life it was absolutely silent.
Wren saw the look on Tamai's face and was glad she hadn't waited to give out her gift. He looked around in awe, eyes opened so wide, like he was seeing everything for the first time. He reached up and felt the headphones over his ears, when he touched them he grapsed the black plastic and grinned.
He didn't say a single word, just kept on grinning boyishly reveling in the silence.
Dante, Micky, and Wren all stared, they had never seen Tamai so happy before. It made them blush a bit, it felt too intimate for them to be watching. It was adorable seeing him look around in absolute ecstacy.
Tamai didn't say a word and he grabbed two spoons. Watching them intently he hit them together and he looked up at the other three in excitement when he couldn't hear anything. His face was soft and glowing as he held up the spoons to his ear and tapped them together again.
He looked back at his friends and saw with sudden fear that Micky and Dante were crying, he was worried for a moment before he realized they had smiles on their faces that shone through the drops running from their eyes. He smiled at them and they grinned back. He looked out to the stars and breathed. It was the only thing he could hear. His breathing and his heart beat. Steady in his ears. He knew the sounds of the stars and the movements of the universe. He knew the sounds of his friend's voices, their footsteps, their heartbeats, and for once he didn't have to hear them to know they were there. He was surprised to find himself tearing up. He quickly looked down and covered his eyes.
The other three panicked.
"Wren. I think you broke him." Micky said.
"What did you do?"
"I don't know! I don't know!" Wren said.
They watched as their strongest friend silently wept.
Tamai fell over onto the deck trying to stop his crying. He covered his face embarresed at being such a wimp, crying over a pair of headphones. He felt Micky's tumulous hair rest on his hip. Dante's arm around his shoulder. A small hand touched his cheek and he opened his eyes to see Wren's face inches away from his. She smiled sweetly.
Are you happy?
Tamai looked at her hearing the words that she'd mouthed silently and passed to him through her fingertips.
He smiled. Tamai moved the headphones off his right ear and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Thank you Wren." He whispered againts her skin.
After Tamai calmed down he let Micky and Dante borrow his headphones. They too were amazed, although their reactions weren't nearly as visceral as Tamai's.
"Now I feel bad, we don't have anything for you." Tamai said looking down at Wren as Dante and Micky tried to juggle.
Wren smiled, "Don't worry I already got my present."
Micky and Dante came over and sat down next to the other two.
"Did you guys have fun?" Wren asked.
"Yep!"
"I'm glad!" There was a sudden twinge in her ribs when she reached out.
Micky frowned, "Are you going to tell us what happened on Nexus's ship?" he asked.
Wren recovered and laughed, "Nope." She patted to her side, "He's a good kicker though."
They heard a loud crack and they all looked at Tamai who had popped his knuckles.
"What?"
"Tamai's scary when he's angry." Micky whispered.
"I'm not angry." He frowned, "I just want to punch something."
Wren scooted away a bit, "he's definetly angry."
With a 'poof' Wren was encircled by a wreath of notchoos, a vine with pale green arrow shaped leaves and yellow orchid like flowers. She looked down at it and then sharply glanced up at Gerald who had drapped it on her.
"No."
Gerald grinned at her with his fangs, "yes."
Wren looked over at circle of lookers who grinned at her.
"No. No." She hastily took off the wreath, "I am not doing it."
Ka shouted at her, "You know the rules Wren!"
She glared at them, "You mother jorkers. Who's idea was this?"
Everyone laughed.
"Come on Wren!"
She begrudgingly got up and walked into the center of the circle because she knew well that she couldn't break tradition or the rules of notchoos wreaths. Dante and Micky dragged Tamai into the circle. He glared at them and stuck the headphones on in rebellion.
Wren sighed and adjusted the wreath around her neck and tucked some stray flowers down. Whoever made the wreath wasn't nearly as skilled as she. She put her hands on her hips and surveyed the circle with a turn. She stopped and with a grin pointed at Gerald since he was the one who had stuck this wreath on her in the first place.
"Come on Gerald." She gestured for him to join her.
Gerald smirked and got up.
The audience all clapped and hollered, whistling in good fun. Gerald met Wren in the center of the circle simply towering over her.
Wren plucked off an arrow shaped leaf from the wreath and handed it to him. He took it and stuck the stem in his mouth so that the leaf hung out.
Wren held out a hand and Gerald held up his own so that they nearly touched. Wren narrowed her eyes, a leaf gently tapped at her neck as the breeze blew. The audience leaned forward in anticipation.
The two stared each other down each waiting to see if the other would move first. Wren saw Gerald twitch, he telegraphed his strike when his eyes darted to her wreath.
She quickly dodged to the side as he reached out in an attempt to grab a flower. Darting forward her hand snatched the leaf out of his mouth as fast as lightning.
It was over before the audience knew that either had moved. Gerald blinked his hand grasping at air, he looked at Wren. She grinned and held up the leaf teasingingly between two fingers.
"Sorry Gerald." She smirked.
The crews roared in astonishment.
Gerald bowed his head in defeat and accepted his punishment. As everyone around them cheered she dealt a flick to his forehead. As far as punishments went it was pretty mild. Notchoos punishments have ended in getting marooned on moons before.
Wren raised her fist in the air as the crews chanted her name. They all wanted a chance to have a go at the queen of notchoos wreaths.
The point of notchoos was that one person would be bestowed the Notchoos wreath. He or she would be allowed to choose challangers. The challengers would be given a leaf to hold in their mouths, which tasted like bitter melon, not the most pleasant taste in the universe. The challenger's goal is to take a flower from the wreath. The bearer's goal is to make sure that doesn't happen. If the leaf falls out, or is taken from the challenger's mouth, the bearer is allowed to deal a punishment. However, if the challenger manages to take a flower they are to receive a kiss from the bearer. The game is over when the wreath either runs out of flowers or leaves. The game started as a May Day festivity, however it gained popularity amoung sailors since it was so cheeky and competitive.
Wren turned once more seeking out a challenger, she stopped after completing a full circle, "Amber." She smiled, "Get up here."
Amber blushed so hard that he started growing apples. He got up on wobbly legs as sailors on both sides clapped him encouringingly on the back. He grinned weakly at everyone and managed to make it to the center of the circle without falling over.
Wren handed him a leaf and he took it with shaking hands.
She smiled, "You grew the notchoos didn't you?"
Amber froze and looked at the deck, "I-I didn't m-mean too." He stammered.
Wren laughed, "It's okay Amber, but you shouldn't let the others push you around so much." She stepped back until they were the correct distance away and held up her hand. "Ready?"
Amber hastily stuck the leaf in his mouth and held up his own trembling hand.
When he was ready, Wren took a test step in to gauge his reaction time. He didn't move.
She frowned and stepped in again. Still he was frozen.
She sighed and dropping her hand walked toward him. Stopping right infront of the poor boy she waited to see if she would get a reaction. When he stayed frozen she gently took the leaf from his mouth.
"Good try amber."
He blinked and Wren smiled kindly tapping his nose as punishment.
Amber was lead back to his seat with pittying looks.
Wren pointed at Zeus next who looked surprised.
"Are you sure Wren?" He asked getting up, "I won't go easy on you."
She smirked, "I know. But something tells me I'm going to win today."
He raised an eyebrow, "Bold claim from a student of mine."
She handed him a leaf which he stuck in his mouth with a grin. They put up their hands and and faced each other.
Zeus's hand blurred going straight in hoping to catch Wren off guard. Wren deflected his hand with her left and went for his leaf with her right. He turned his face so that she just barely missed. He pushed her arms out of the way and came in from the left. She ducked under his arm and turning wrapped a leg around his arm and hoisted herself up striking at his leaf. He managed to toss her off and Wren rolled careful not to loose any flowers.
The circle of sailors hooted in appreciation at the dazzling display of martial arts.
She stood and they circled each other. Staring the other down as the audience followed them go round and round. Wren frowned, the problem was that Zeus had much longer arms than she, which put her at a disadvantage, no matter how fast she was, he could always reach her before she could get close enough.
They both stopped and Wren set her feet as Zeus did. They darted in and Zeus knowing his advantage went to grab at the wreath. Wren ducked under his arm, which he expected and his faint was perfectly delayed so that he could reach out again. But Wren had ducked so quickly that the wreath stayed floating in the air. She stuck her left hand through the wreath and pulled it away. Zeus didn't have time to react as she reached out with her right hand and snatched the leaf out of his mouth.
The wreath twirled once around her wrist resting safely out of his reach and Wren grinned.
"Gotcha."
The black Erebos burst into applause.
Wren laughed and hopped in a circle.
Zeus grinned as well accepting his defeat graciously. "well played Wren."
He knealt down with dignity waiting for his fate. Wren solemly approached him and then stuck her hands in his mass of hair and rubbed it viciously so that it stuck up even more than anyone thought possible. She nodded in satisfaction and let him leave with a little bit of his dignity intact.
Tamai watched with satisfaction as Wren quickly cycled through the crews one by one and had to let out a laugh when one of the members of the Tern taunted her and she made him strip to his underwear and sit around the circle in only his boxers. Chris had gotten pretty close but had grabbed a leaf instead of a flower to everyone's disappointment. Eventually through sheer luck Era managed to get a flower as it fell from the wreath. She had just backflipped out of the way and Era had simply bent over and picked up a flower. Wren had smacked herself in the face. Per tradition she bestowed a kiss on his cheek and his glow flickered and he meekly returned to his seat. The remaining participants seemed even more fired up now. Tamai got up to go get a drink, sneaking away so as not to disturb the game.
Silver and Avery watched with mild interest knowing Wren would not let anyone else win. Avery swirled the juice in his cup and watched the entire event with piercing black eyes. As he'd heard, the Black Erebos really knew how to cut loose. Half the booze that he'd stocked on his ship for the month had vanished throughout the night. Their capacity for alchohol was truly legendary. He'd expected most of them to fall over dead from the amount they'd drunk. He took a sip of his drink and smiled.
Wren frowned, "Who have I not picked?"
Micky and Dante both raised their hands enthusiastically.
"Oh hey! Are you guys the last ones?"
She looked around and it was true, they were the last ones. "Since you guys are last, why don't you both come up?"
Everyone oohed.
Micky and Dante looked at each other and nodded.
"Double stakes huh?"
"I like it."
They stood and took their leaves from Wren.
"We'll go easy on you if you want Wren." Dante said sticking the leaf between his perfect lips.
"Yeah! You're injured after all." Micky said teasingly.
Wren smacked both of them, "Don't you dare."
They all stood in a circle and Wren held up her arm palm up to signal she was ready. The two boys mimicked her grinning. She raised an eyebrow in response.
"What?"
"You got a little cocky Wren."
Immediately Dante leapt high and Micky dashed in low. Wren didn't have anywhere to go and they tackled her to the deck.
Micky immediately stole the wreath from around her neck and ran away as Dante held her down. Micky laughed as Wren shouted curses at him.
Micky twirled around with the wreath taunting Wren. He plucked a flower and held it teasingly toward the crew.
"Come back here!"
Wren managed to get free from under Dante and chased after Micky.
"Micky! Don't you dare!" She yelled and ran after him as he managed to stay out of reach.
He laughed and just as it looked like she would catch him he threw the wreath to Dante who jumped and caught it. As Wren leapt on Micky, Dante held up the wreath to the cheers of the entire deck.
Tamai sat down in the circle again. He ignored the idiots dancing around and was instead paying intense attention to the whistle he had in his hands. He blew on it and still didn't hear anything, it was marvelous.
Suddenly Tamai was showered in yellow notchoos flowers. He blinked as a bunch of them were shoved into his hand.
He looked up and around not being able to hear what anyone was saying. Micky grinned at him and said something. Tamai removed one side of the headphones and tilted his head.
"huh?"
"You can thank me later."
Tamai removed the whistle from his mouth, "What for?"
He looked over at Dante who was tapping his lips looking at Wren. Tamai then looked at Wren in confusion wondering what was going on. She had set her shoulders and her mouth was pressed into a hard line. She stalked over to Tamai with determination.
Tamai narrowed his eyes and glared at Dante, "What the hell is going-"
Wren grabbed his jaw, tilted her face and firmly pressed her mouth against Tamai's. Wren's face filled the entirety of Tamai's vision and he went so rigid if someone touched him he would shatter. He froze looking like he had gotten struck by lightning. The split second seemed to last forever. The next millisecond after the initial shock Tamai realized how soft and sweet Wren was. Her long eyelashes brushed his cheek and she tasted like honey. The millisecond after that Tamai could feel a warm flush well up from his chest and expand into the very tips of his fingers. Millisecond 3 he could hear the audience around them come back into his consciousness cheering like little kids. Wren adjusted her grip on his face so that it was softer, more like her usual hands and for some reason that snapped him out of it. As the fourth millisecond came around Tamai grabbed Wren's cheeks and pulled.
"Ow! Ow!" She complained as Tamai pinched her cheeks forcefully.
"What the Burtok was that?" He demanded gasping for air.
"I- sorwy! I'm sorry! Dante and Micky-" She tried to push him away when he pulled harder. "Ow."
"You idiot! What did I say? Don't go around kissing people!" Tamai growled.
"I- fine iff is you, righ?" She asked as her cheeks were getting stretched, looking up at him with pitiful gold eyes.
Tamai pulled harder unmoved by her doe eyes, "It doesn't matter who it is! You can't kiss people out of nowhere!"
"Bu- Nachoos is ba- luck…"
"There's no such thing as bad luck!" Tamai growled.
Wren closed her eyes, "I'm sorry!" She tapped his hand, "Please stop, i- hurts."
Tamai let go and Wren rubbed her sore cheeks.
He immediately got up and snatched the wreath from Dante's hands and threw it overboard, "There. Game over."
Everyone 'awed' but immediately shut up when Tamai shot them all a glare.
They all meekly shuffled away and Tamai sighed rubbing his face.
Silver watched the poor boy and sighed, "Poor kid."
Wren stood at attention, "If you want, you can punch me now." She sucked in a breath readying herself, "But please not my ribs, you might break them."
Tamai frowned at her, "I'm not gonna punch you."
"Yeah, Tamai would never hurt you Wren." Micky smiled.
Tamai punched him a little harder than necessary.
Silver watched Tamai eventually softened as Wren conjoled him, the tall boy never could stay angry at Wren for long.
"Cute kids." Avery smiled. "Quite the pair those two are." He said looking at Tamai and Wren who were back to their usual antics. Wren trying her hardest to put a smile on Tamai's face and Tamai trying his hardest not to let her.
The captain of the Tern pursed his lips, "Do you ever regret going into pirating?" He asked suddenly.
Silver gave no indication of his surprise, he paused a moment. "Do you?"
"Sometimes." Avery replied honestly, "It's hard work, and you lose half your crew by year's end, often times you fight for scraps."
Silver grunted.
"But then there are days like this when I wouldn't give it up for the world." He smiled. "But I suppose you havn't had many losses to speak of, right Silver?"
Silver looked at Avery wondering what this was all leading too. "I can't say for sure. When I started we had many losses. We couldn't afford to be choosy either."
"You're saying the great Silver, infamous and holy be the ground on which he walks, had a time when he wasn't so great?" Avery asked jokingly, "I can't even imagine that."
Silver chuckled, "Of course you can't. That was long before you." He patted his metal knee, "Pirating is a young man's game, and I'm starting to get on in years. Maybe it's about time I retire."
Avery looked over at him, "You can't be serious?"
Silver shrugged, "Prich would make a fine captain."
"He's nearly your age."
"He ain't got gears instead of joints." Silver smiled, "But I can't see myself leaving the game. I've been at it so long I can't remember a time when I've been with out it." He looked at the four youngsters on deck, fooling around. "And I think there are some little tykes who still need me."
Avery looked at the kids Silver so desperately wanted to protect. He smiled, "You're getting soft Silver."
Silver grunted, "And you?"
"What about me?" Avery sipped his punch.
"I guess you've just started the game but you should think about your retirement plans now."
Avery raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "Wow. Advice. Thanks Silver."
Silver rolled his eyes at the man's sarcasm. "Be snarkey if you want Avery. But I happen to be very successful."
"Yeah, but we're criminals. Retirement can very well be the gallows." Avery looked into his drink, "Pirating is the end of the road for most. There is no after."
"Yet tomorrow comes."
"You ever feel guilty for the things you've done?" Avery's face was like stone
"I try not to." Silver answered, "Sometimes it's hard… sometimes it's easy." He admitted.
"Too easy." Avery agreed.
"So what are you doing next?" Silver asked, "Taking a break or off on the next job?"
"Well, I've got another bit lined up really soon after this one."
"So, no break?"
"Unfortunately not." Avery grimaced.
"Anything we can help out on?" Silver asked.
Avery laughed, "I can't let you take all my profits Silver. Besides, I don't think you'd really like it."
Silver nodded.
"Silver, Orange is babbling again." Prich had walked up and whispered into Silver's ear. He nodded to Avery.
Silver sighed and got up with a small groan, "Alright." He turned to Avery, "Sorry Avery, I have to go deal with this. Good luck though on your next job."
Avery raised his glass, "Thanks."
Half the deck had fallen into a drunken sleep. It was much quieter now than it had been earlier. Silver walked past the four kids that seemed to use up half his energy. They were asleep.
Tamai was leaning with his back to the railing dozing. Dante was curled into Tamai's right side his head on Tamai's shoulder and Micky was slumped on his left. Wren had curled up in Tamai's lap, easily fitting inside the hollow of his crossed legs. She was loosely cradled by his arms that were in turn embraced by her own. They all peacefully slept. Their breaths rising and falling in a soothing rhythm.
Silver turned away to make sure Orange didn't babble himself into a depression like last time.
Wren opened her eyes slowly. She blinked, her eyelids feeling like sandpaper. Looking down she realized she was wrapped in a protective layer of arms and legs. She slowly lifted her head off of the arm underneath it and looked up. Tamai was sleeping above her, sandwiched by Dante and Micky. She turned over and Tamai twitched as she sat up.
"mmm. Wren?" He said sleepily, eyes barely opening.
She gently caressed his ears, "I'm just going to the bathroom." She whispered as to not wake the other two.
He nodded as he fell back asleep arms empty.
Wren picked her way across the deck, around the sleeping forms of pirates. Her bladder protested all the juice she drank before and she rubbed her eyes as the deck remained almost completely silent. The only sound was the gentle sound of steam from some of the geysers around them. The moon was rather active, constantly spewing hot gases into the air which added to its thick atmosphere they were hiding in.
Wren made it below decks without tripping over anyone. It was rather dark and she groped her way down the halls searching for the bathroom. She stumbled sleepily trying to remember where the bathroom was. It was deserted and completely silent, or else she would've asked someone for directions. Finally she lucked onto the restroom and opened it forgetting to check if anyone else was in there. Luckily it was empty. The cold tileing made her shiver a little as she entered a stall and did her business still half asleep. She sat on the toilet, her feet swinging a few inches off the ground.
In her stupor she fumbled and nearly dropped the toilet paper. She quickly caught it before it hit the ground and the sudden movement woke her up. Yawning she flushed and washed her hands. She noticed the soap had a nice unexpected pine scent. Now that she was awake she noticed the peonies that sat in a vase mounted to the wall. It gave the room a nice floral aroma that it sorely needed. Amber must have put them there. Pleased by the arrangement she dried her hands and left. Finding her way back to the deck she glanced around never having had the freedom to truly look around Captain Avery's ship. She didn't want to pry though, she stuck to casually looking into the open rooms on her way back. Nearly to the galley loud noises and muffled shouting reached her from the deck.
She instantly turned away from the room she was peeking into. Wren ran down the hall towards the glowing orange that was the light from outside. The shouting became clearer as she climbed the stairs and burst onto the deck.
What she saw didn't make any sense. The crew of the Black Erebos were lined up against one side of the ship. Their hands held over their heads. Wren's eyes raced from each of her friends faces and she frantically looked around. The crew of the Tern all had their guns pointed on her family. Faces mean and threatening. At the top of it all was Captain Avery standing imperious on the bridge looking down at it all and smiling.
Tamai glared at the pirate infront of him his hands on his head and he glanced over. He did a double take as he saw Wren standing there and his amethyst eyes widened. Suddenly the butt of a rifle slammed into his face and he was knocked to the deck as a pirate kneeled on his back and screamed abuse at him.
Wren took a step and suddenly she was tackled to the deck. The wind was knocked out of her as she was crushed into the planks. She gasped in pain her already bruised ribs flaring. There wasn't even enough air to express a whimper. She squirmed desperately thinking she was going to die if she couldn't take a breath soon.
"I got her Avery!" Gerald yelled past her ear.
Avery grinned in sadistic pleasure, "Ah! Wren! Perfect."
The enormous weight finally lifted off her and she inhaled deeply as several faces turned to her. She coughed as she was hoisted up.
"Wren!" Micky yelled.
Wren's eyes made their way to Micky's face and she saw the welts there and instantly her blood began to boil. "Micky!" She glared at the Tern. "What the hell is going on?"
Captain Avery made her way to her. "Wren. Wren. Wren."
"Avery! You sick bastard! Let us go!" Wren struggled and Gerald twisted her arm so that her shoulder nearly popped out and she grunted.
"Wren. I'm giving you a chance." Avery said.
Wren glared up at him.
"You see, you're the only one I want." Avery caressed her cheek, his face grinning confidently, "I can give you anything you desire, riches, power. I could bring your talents to light." His voice was like oil. "I appreciate you Wren. Truly appreciate you for what you are. Only I can bring your talents to fruition. I would not let you waste away your days." He leaned in holding her face in his hands, "Join me. Wren." Wren's family all looked at her wide eyes. "And we could own the galaxy."
Wren snarled at him, "Fuck you."
Avery sighed. He gestured to Gerald, "Don't put her with the others, she has a bad habit of ruining my plans."
Wren spat curses at Avery until he smacked her rather hard in the head, with his fist. It was enough to daze her for a bit.
Gerald grunted and dragged Wren to the opposite railing of her crewmates. He tossed her to the ground and Wren sprang up ready to kill him when a gun was pointed in her face and she slowly sat back down. Looking past the gun Dante, Micky and Tamai all sat directly across from her. They looked at her and she smiled to show she was alright.
Silver growled, "We had a deal."
"You're so naïve Silver." Avery said straight faced. "Like I was." He stood infront of the captain, "Do you know where I was born Silver?"
"How would I know?" Silver glared at the crazy captain.
"Take a guess." Avery growled, "Take a wild jorking guess. In all your years pillaging, and looting. Which planet do you remember? Which planet did you destroy?" His voice was rising.
Silver stared at him blankly.
"Does Dannato ring a bell?"
Silver's eyes widened.
"That's right. That was my home you destroyed." Avery spat, his handsome face contorted angrily. "Mine! And now you'll finally pay for what you've done." He smirked, "I've waited years for this. Watching, plotting. But you've always been surrounded by protectors. By brainless followers. But it seems like I'm not the only one you've managed to piss off." He stepped back spreading his arms, "I enlisted a little help from a mutual friend of ours. Captain Nexus and I get along surprisingly well."
Silver's muscles were strained barely staying in place.
"He and I made our plans. I knew you couldn't resist such a tempting haul. All I had to do was call you. But you were proving more difficult than I thought. So I enlisted some inside help." Avery smiled pointing.
Wren looked to where he was pointing. To Era, standing unthreatened and pale on the bridge. Wren felt all the blood rush from her. She couldn't believe it. There was just no way it was true.
"Era here, helped convince you to make an appearence, as well as gave me some tastey tidbits of information."
Era's light flickered.
Wren looked at the man who was the closest thing to what a real father could be. She remembered every smile he gave her. His warm glow in the darkness. His hand on her head congratulating her. His kindness, the way he hugged her when she was scared.
"You can't believe the price he sold you out for."
Era flinched.
Everyone stared at Era who couldn't look any of them in the eye, and couldn't speak a word in defense.
"We were supposed to eliminate you in the raid. But no. You're little Wren here saved your pathetic ass. You're just too jorking stubborn to just die. Things are never simple with you. But look, look at you now. I didn't even need Nexus. All I needed to do was invite you on my ship. You just fell into my lap. Now I'm just waiting for Nexus. He has something special in mind for you Silver." He laughed, "you've been number one for too long Silver! You've gotten soft. You let your guard down."
Wren looked around, searching for a friendly face amoung the crew of the Tern. They were all hard.
"It was almost too easy. After so many years. It was almost too easy!" he laughed, "Look at you! The great Silver! Brought so low!" he laughed, and laughed. Head tilted to the sky. Now they could all see the hint of madness in him. His laugh echoed all around them.
"Hahahahaah! I've finally done it! HAHAHA-"
A boot cut off his laugh.
He stopped and looked down. Wren lowered her arm, one shoe missing. "Shut up."
The deck went completely silent. Avery stared at her. Almost in disbelief.
Wren glared at him. She trembled in anger. How dare this man insult Silver.
In two strides Avery was infront her. She didn't have time to react before he slammed a powerful kick into her abdomen.
She gasped as all the air was forced out of her lungs. She collapsed on the deck, and didn't have time to recover before Avery savagely kicked her over and over again. His boots ramming into her torso with angry thuds.
Every kick was punctuated with a sort of gasping yelp. Wren thought he was going to kick her ribcage out of her back.
The entire crew of the Black Erebos had to watch as Avery tried to kick Wren to death.
Micky heard a crack and Wren cried out. Her sweet face contorted in pain. He had to look away.
Dante saw her hands shaking in pain scrabbling on the deck. She gasped for air. He started crying.
Tamai felt every blow shaking in his bones. The girl he was supposed to protect. His Wren, his responsibility, his hope, his salvation, being beaten to death and he couldn't do anything. Her eyes met his. Gold to Amethyst and he held her gaze, refusing to look away.
Eventually Avery got tired. He gave Wren one last savage kick and spat. "Hope you've learned your lesson."
Wren coughed trembling, trying her hardest to breathe. She sucked in air desperately, and she glared at Avery holding her middle. She glared at him with such hate and anger that he had to frown and turn away.
Wren felt her abdomen feeling for her bruised insides. She looked up and could see her friends her dearest brothers across the deck. She tried to smile at them to show them she was okay.
Micky stood up.
"Micky!" Dante grabbed him trying to pull him back down.
"What are you doing?" Amber pointed his gun at Micky.
Micky shook him off and started walking across the deck.
"Stop!" Amber yelled.
Micky ignored him, "Wren, are you okay?" He asked.
Wren looked at him trying to sit up, "Micky."
He smiled, his kind brown eyes looking at her. His freckles arching along his cheeks. His wild brown curls bouncing like always. "Don't worry." He was nearly to her.
Wren managed to sit up and smile.
He grinned back at her never taking his eyes away.
Then there was a bang.
And a splatter.
Wren felt something wet on her face.
Micky stopped. He wasn't smiling anymore.
Wren stopped. She wasn't smiling anymore.
"Wren."
Micky's body fell and hit the deck with a heavy thud. Inches away from her lap.
Wren stared, eyes wide and disbelieving. She reached out with her trembling hands.
"Micky?"
He didn't move, he didn't answer. He didn't laugh and say it was all a joke.
Blood seeped out onto the deck soaking into her knees.
She looked up at Avery's still smoking gun. His cold eyes and stone face.
Just then there was a call from the sky. Ships started descending. Wren's family all gasped and rushed over holding Micky's body, calling his name. And he didn't answer.
Wren continued to stare at Avery.
"Micky!" Wren could hear Dante's heart broken wail.
Her body moved on her own, her mouth only catching up to scream furiously. She snatched a knife from someone's belt and threw it at Avery. He dodged and it flew past him. Wren threw herself at Micky's murderer with a yell. She was so enraged she struck at him with everything she had, screaming out her pain, encased with all the happiness she had with Micky and lost.
Avery grabbed her and threw her off. Her tortured body hit the deck with a crack.
"You stupid girl." Avery snarled pointing his gun at her.
Wren looked up. Defiance in every line of her face.
Suddenly there was an explosion. It rocked the entire ship, making it tip heavily to the starboard side. The knife Wren had thrown had landed perfectly in the generator. Everyone slid across the deck.
Wren tumbled backwards, she hit the railing and bounced off. She was falling through space. She could see the Tern trying to right itself, most of the crew falling overboard. She fell the distance from the ship to the ground and landed on her back with a thud. Raising a cloud of dust. It hurt like the dickens. Her abused head was swimming again. She could barely make out was going on around her. She rolled over with a groan her fingers digging into the dirt.
"To the ship!" Silver yelled, "To the ship!"
She saw figures running past her and Wren got to her feet. She stumbled her body feeling like lead, but started running.
Nexus's ships were decending from the clouds like large prowling beasts. Sharks circling in the sky.
Wren gasped running as fast as her legs would carry her. Her breaths ragged and hitched. She threw herself to the side to dodge an eruption of steam that came from the ground and heaving more breath got to her feet. Desperation fueled her already spent muscles. Fear drove her lungs that had long since stopped working. Anger put her mind in focus.
She started running for her home. Limping, as bullets and cannon fire rained down from the sky. Explosions erupted from her left and to her right. The rubble bouncing off her skin. She ignored it as she drove her feet to safety. Suddenly her left arm and leg went numb and she crashed into the ground unable to keep running and unable to stop. She raised a cloud of dust as the dirt slowed her body to a rest. Laying on the ground she could hear the sound of gunfire, screams. There was a roar in the distance. Wren looked down at her arm and leg too far in shock to feel anything. There was blood everywhere. She had a hole in her upper arm and two in her thigh and calf. She bit back a scream and turning back around started crawling with her last two remaining limbs. A fire burning in her chest kept her conscious as she reached out and pulled herself forward, desperate to reach her home. She could almost see it protected by an over hang of rock. Her breath raised clouds of dust into the air as her body slowly gave up.
Suddenly something scooped her up. She looked up and saw a familiar sight. The underside of Tamai's jaw.
"Tamai." She breathed.
"Just hold on Wren." Tamai said looking down at the girl in his arms. Half out of consciousness. "I've got you." He raced across the ground. Feeling her start to slip away.
"Tamai…" her voice barely audible against the explosions and hot steam.
Tamai looked around desperately and found a rock. He ducked into its cover and immediately started ripping up his shirt. He tied the long strips tightly around Wren's wounds as her half closed eyes went in and out of focus.
He tied the last one and by some miracle the blood seemed to be slowing.
"Tamai."
Tamai searched his pockets, he pulled out a cube of red nectar that he always carried on him for emergencies. But he had no water.
Wren's head rolled and his name was on her lips but she didn't have enough breath to say it.
Tamai broke off a piece of the waxy nectar and stuck it in her mouth.
"Come on Wren. Eat it." Tamai begged her.
Wren couldn't even though she wanted to. She really wanted to.
"Please Wren. Please." Tamai was crying, pleading with her.
Wren's eyes started to close.
Tamai panicked. He stuck the cube in his mouth and chewed desperately. It was sticky like wax. He could taste a bit of Wren's blood that was on his hands. He hoped his saliva would be enough. The nectar finally started to dissolve in his mouth and he quickly leaned over and opened her jaw. Pressing his mouth to hers he used his tongue to shove the mixture in as deep as it would go. Wren's eyes flew open and she swallowed. The red nectar instantly warming her body, energy shooting into her limbs. She reached up and grabbed Tamai. Wren buried her hands in his hair and held his mouth to hers trembling, searching for more. She licked up every last trace of the nectar exploring every corner of Tamai's mouth. When she was satisfied she finally let him go with a gasp.
Tamai panted on his hands and knees. His heart beating irratically in his chest.
Wren gripped his arm feeling the blood rush back into her, "Thanks Tamai." She breathed.
Tamai nodded, "Don't mention it."
When he'd recovered enough of his faculties Tamai gathered Wren up, she bit back a yell.
"I'm sorry." He said when Wren gripped his shirt, her bullet wounds biting.
Getting to his feet he looked around and ran across the almost flat geyser field that stretched between them and safety. They could both hear the sounds of their friends being mowed down like animals. Tamai held her closer to his chest and rolled out of the way as a depth charge dropped from a ship above with a scream. It exploded and Tamai protected Wren from the rubble his eyes focused on his goal ahead.
"Tamai, you need to leave me."
Tamai dodged a spray of bullets.
"Tamai."
"No."
"I'm only slowing you down Tamai." Wren pleaded with him, "One of us should make it."
"I'm not leaving you Wren."
Wren clutched his shirt, "Tamai. Please. If you won't do it I will."
Tamai smacked her, "Don't you dare say that." He growled glaring at her eyes so bright they hurt to look at. "I promised I wouldn't leave you. Ever. I won't let you cry. Remember?"
Wren looked up at him her eyes involuntarily tearing up.
Tamai gripped her, "Hey, hey. Don't make me a liar."
Wren sniffed, "Sorry." She winced as a piece of rock from a blast hit her injured arm.
"Tamai!"
Dante emerged from the dust and ran up to them.
"Dante!" Tamai and Wren smiled relieved to see him alive.
"Wren! Dante ran to them. Blood ran down his back, feathers stuck to his shoulder. He grasped her hand happily. As they ran Dante's hair glint in the orange light. He still looked beautiful, even with the grim and the worry.
Wren looked at his face as they ran.
"Shit."
An explosion threw them all to the ground and Tamai held onto Wren as they slid in the dirt.
Wren coughed and Tamai shook his head trying to clear the dust from his ears.
A line of bullets appeared in the dirt heading right to them marching like so many soldiers in a row. They didn't have time to get out of the way. Tamai covered Wren and braced for impact. Instead he felt a gust of wind and soft down feathers.
Tamai and Wren opened their eyes to see Dante above them. His white wings stained red.
Wren was inches away from his face and her eyes searched every part of it. She reached out and touched him, "Dante. Dante?"
Dante coughed blood splattering onto Wren.
Tamai stared at Dante. Unable to move, unable to speak.
"I'm sorry Wren." Dante caressed her face the way she did. The way that soothed him, and made him able to touch people again. To trust people again.
Dante looked at Tamai, "Go."
Tamai nodded and grabbed Wren. He took off as Dante slipped to the ground.
"No! Dante! NO! No!" She struggled against Tamai who carried her forward, "Dante! DANTE!" She cried, "Go back! He might still be… Dante might…"
Tamai stopped her, "He's gone Wren."
Wren stilled as Dante faded from sight. His beautiful wings laying still amoung the orange dirt. The only color he never managed to pull off.
Wren grasped Tamai's shirt and pressed her face into his chest unable to express the grief she felt.
He felt her shaking. They were almost there. He could see the ship through the haze. He looked up at the sky where Nexus's ships were hovering. Dark and threatening in the sky. How had this happened? They never should've trusted Avery. They never should've come.
His breath came out in gasps.
The images were burned into his retinas. The bullet entering Micky's back. Micky's grin. His courage. His fearlessness. The blood and Wren's wide eyes. His body hitting the deck. The silhouette of Ian's monstrous form rising in the dust. Roaring and tearing down ships. And his long howl as he fell. Tamai had stumbled over Zeus. His blue eyes staring at nothing. His body riddled with holes. The blood soaking the dirt around him. Wren, crawling on the ground, leaving a trail of red behind her.
Tamai stumbled and dropped to his knees.
Wren looked up at him her face ashen. She looked so afraid. The terror was written in every breath she took in and desperation in every breath she let out.
Tamai heaved them up and continued running.
He could see Dante, above him. Trusting him. Scared and alone. The light fading from his eyes as he threw away his life for them.
He could see the ship clearly now. The dark planks. The masts. The sails. His blood rushed and he felt adrenaline push him forward.
He could hear Wren. Her breath, her skin, her heart. Beating inside like a drum. He could hear her voice. Calling his name. He could hear her silence. The deep peace that she could bring him, the tranquility to his turmoil. His sun and moon. His name on her lips. His name in her voice. His name in her touch. His name that she made him love.
"Tamai."
Tamai held her tighter, "Yes Wren. We're almost there."
Red lights appeared on her torso and he gasped. She looked down and saw it too. They stayed on her as they ran and Wren looked up at Tamai. Golden eyes terrified. Tamai closed his eyes and knealt, curling around Wren for the last time.
Wren didn't have time to realize what he was doing before the crack of the bullet covered her in his blood.
Tamai swayed.
Wren scrabbled to hold him as he collapsed into her arms.
"Tamai!" Her voice cracked. She turned him onto his back.
He looked up at her. Not feeling a thing. Cold slowly creapt through him as she held him.
"Wren." He gasped.
"No. No." Her hands shook trying to cover the wound that was pumping out blood. "Tamai."
"Wren. Wren. Stop." Tamai said grasping her hands and she looked down at him. "I'm sorry."
Wren stilled the realization setting in. She took a breath and smiled lips trembling, "It's okay." She gripped him.
"You finally caught me." Tamai smiled.
Wren laughed, "Loser."
"Idiot." Tamai returned. He clenched his jaw the cold spreading, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving you."
Wren looked down at him gently, taking in his face and voice. His strong, gentle spirit. "It's okay." She whispered holding back tears, "It's okay." She held his face, "It's okay Tamai. Tamai... Tamai." His name coming out like prayers.
He reached up and touched the face he loved so much. "Don't cry."
Wren caressed his ears as his blood soaked into her. "I won't."
He smiled when he saw she wasn't. He hated it when she cried. "Wren." He held her face, warm in his cold hands, and she put a hand over his.
"Be happy." He told her. "Eat your vegetables."
Her laugh chimed in his ears, "I will."
He smiled, that brilliant heartstopping smile. "You've… made me so happy."
"You made me happy. Tamai." Wren said his name for the last time in a whisper never taking her eyes off his.
"Thank you." He breathed.
It seemed to last an eternity, and yet it was over in an instant. They looked at each other Wren holding Tamai as the light faded from his eyes. His heartbeat slowing, his hands growing cold. His brilliant violet eyes closed. The last thing he saw was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
Wren felt him become completely still. His chest that she had always been safe against had stopped breathing. His ears no longer hearing the pain in the universe. Silence. Silence at last.
She held him to her, the sobs muffled in his shoulder.
"Tamai!" She wailed, her voice hoarse from screaming and crying and calling his name. Her greif and agony could not be measured in tears, or planets, or galaxies.
She lost him.
She lost them all.
"WHY?" She screamed to the sky, hoping it would give her answers. But like with her parents, like in Nesoi, like when she had cried her hopelessness to it. It remained silent.
The roar of a solar engine made her gasp. Her eyes landed on the Black Erebos. She took a deep breath and put Tamai on the ground. Laying his head down gently she leaned over and kissed his forehead. She didn't say any goodbyes since he had always loved silence.
She got to her feet. Looked to her home and started walking. What was grief had become anger. Such deep and coursing anger that she had not felt in so long.
She made it to the ladder swinging over the side. The adrenaline coursing through her body, the sadness and the fury somehow managed to get her up the ladder and over the railing. She hauled herself over the side.
Silver was kneeling on the deck grimacing in pain.
"Silver!" She raced to him. "what happened?"
"Wren, go. Save yourself." Silver grit out.
"Wren."
The sound of that condescending oily voice made her turn.
Avery held out his arms to her. He smiled as if what had just happened hadn't just happened. The Tern had descended and rested herself on the Black Erebos's bow. Pinning her down.
"Wren. Wren. Wren. Back again." Avery sang.
Wren grabbed Silver's gun from its holster and turning pointed it at Avery.
"Up, up." Avery said pulling Era infront of him. "Carefull."
Era looked at Wren his glow flickering. "Stop. Let me go!" He gasped.
"You wouldn't hurt your crew mate right?" Avery smiled victorioiusly. "You might hit him. And you've never used a gun. Right?"
"Wren…" Era pleaded.
Wren kept her gun level on them both. Her golden eyes were cold and hard as metal.
"I'll give you one more chance Wren. I can see now, how great you are." He smiled, "join me and live. Or stay here and-"
Wren shot him between the eyes. The captain flew back and hit the deck.
Era gasped and turned around to look at the dead captain, shaking. He turned back to Wren smiling and Wren pointed the gun at him.
"Wait! Wren, I swear I didn't know he'd hurt you. Please, you have to believe me." He put his hands together, "You know me! I would never hurt any of you! You know that! He promised to help me avenge my family. You know what that's like! You understand!"
Wren didn't waver. "We were your family." And pulled the trigger.
Era fell dead to the deck.
"Captain Avery!" Someone on the Tern yelled seeing his body. He barely saw Wren raise the gun before the bullet exited out the back of his head. She calmly walked toward the tern picking up Avery's gun on the way. She mounted the Tern and stood on the bow holding out her gun. She fired eighteen shots and then turned and stepped off. The Tern slid off of the Black Erebos and keeled to the side. With a groan it fell toward the surface of the moon with its geyers. It hit the ground with a terrible crash impacting the rock.
Wren stumbled back and dropped the guns.
She kept on walking backwards until she couldn't stay upright anymore and fell onto her back. She felt the eruption rather than heard it. Jets of steam erupted into the air engulfing some of Nexus's ships. After that massive jets of lava spewed from fissures in the crust throwing the fleet around them into chaos. But Wren didn't notice any of it. She closed her eyes as the Black Erebos rose and finally broke the atmosphere. She dropped into unconsciousness at last when the stars could see her once more.
Two weeks later Silver sat with his last good arm in a sling. He looked down at the paper work on his desk. He remembered sailing out of there. Ga crying without his Ka. Rhett looking shell shocked as he held Leo's diamond body. Rider's face blank. Barney and Chris laying dead on the ground below them. Nab holding Orange who was sobbing. When they had finally reached a safe spot they sent out candles for their friends they'd lost. He'd looked over at Wren. She hadn't cried. Not a single tear. Covered in their blood. She hadn't said a single word.
Silver sighed and put down his pen. There was a soft knock on his door and he looked up.
"Come in."
Wren slowly opened the door, stepped in and closed it behind her.
He smiled when he saw her. She was nearly healed. Atleast his little bird had survived.
"What is it little bird?"
She bit her lip as she looked at him, "Silver, I'm leaving."
Silver froze and then looked down, "I see."
Wren looked at him wondering if he would ask her to stay. She would stay if he asked. She didn't think she could leave if he asked.
Silver nodded, "Alright. I promised, you could leave if you wanted." He smiled, "Good luck little bird."
Wren flinched, "I'll come back. I'll see you again."
Silver nodded knowing she wouldn't. "And I'd welcome you."
Wren couldn't move her feet forward or back. "Thank you Silver. For everything."
Silver nodded. Neither could move, the desk separating them.
Wren finally turned and left, without hugging him, without saying good bye.
Jim looked at both of them. Wren and Silver had fallen silent. Neither spoke for a long time.
Finally Jim broke their silence, "So, what happened?"
Silver frowned and raised his cup, "They died."
Wren tensed in her chair.
Jim stared at them, "All of them?"
Wren gripped her breeches, "Prich, Ka,"
"Leo, Zeus."
"Barney, Ian."
"Chris, Era." Silver's eyes were downcast.
"Micky, Dante… and Tamai." She whispered the last three names.
Jim sat back in his chair. He'd been listening to their stories for hours. The ones they told with smiles on their faces. The people they had made him know over the hours. How had he ignored the trembling tragic undertone to it all? The way they spoke about their friends in the past tense.
"After Wren left. Everyone else went their separate ways. There wasn't much to hold us together anymore." Silver said continuing their story.
"That can't be it." Jim said.
"It's been two years Jim." Wren smiled wryly, "And here we are." She got up, "I need to use the bathroom." Before she left she put a hand on Silver's shoulder and Silver pat her hand.
Silver didn't watch her walk away.
Jim did.
"Silver…" Jim didn't know what to say.
Silver smiled, "Don't worry about it Jim. It's been two years." He took a swig, "People live, people die. Life goes on."
Jim flinched, "Still, I'm sorry."
Silver smiled, "Thanks Jimbo." He put down his mug.
"Is Wren… is she going to be okay?"
Silver gripped his mug and nodded, "Wren will be just fine. She's the strongest lass I know." He chuckled, "Stronger than me even."
"Yeah." Jim nodded still worried. "Silver… why did you tell me this?"
He raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"All of it. About them."
Silver put down his mug, wondering himself.
"Well, someone should remember them." Silver finally said. He looked at the dark night sky, "It's gotten late." He turned to Jim, "It's time you were off to bed."
"But Wren…"
"Will be fine." Silver said firmly.
"But-
"He's right you know." Wren smiled as she approached the table. For all intents and purposes looking like her normal self. "I'm fine." She smiled and motioned to the door with her head, "Come on, I'll walk you back puppy eyes."
Jim looked at the both of them. Their tragedies now his. The pain fading in their eyes as the memories became only memories once more. He looked at Silver sitting in his chair that twinkle in his eye. Wren standing smiling at him. They both looked normal. But Jim knew that they contained infinite depths. Like an infinitly expanding universe. Stamped with the mark of tragedy.
"Why don't you walk back with us Silver?"
Silver looked at him in surprise and got up, "Alright."
They all got up and left together.
