Sorry about last week! I really didn't have much motivation, but I am back!

I.O.N

Enjoy!

Previously: She personally dragged him back to the castle, where the captain promptly dropped him when she saw a man, older than she remembered but still unforgettable, standing in the courtyard.

Now:

The man glared at Ladybug, who was too shocked to notice. Before the man could speak, the rest of the pirates showed up and the more seasoned pirates similarly froze. Once they were all assembled the man slowly stalked towards the group. "Ladybug! And her motley crew of rats! What a surprise!" he said sarcastically.

"What do you want Dylan." Alix nearly spat, the shock already wearing off, as she readied to stab the man.

"You pirates know exactly what I want."

"It's been nearly eight years! Get over yourself!" Queen Bee sneered. "Clearly if 'your' Marinette wanted you back, she would have gone back!"

"YOU SHUT UP!" He roared. "YOU KNOW NOTHING OF OUR LOVE!"

"If the only reason you're here is to insult us and try to intimidate us, then can you leave. We've got better things to do." Jade Turtle said, not intimidated in the slightest.

Dylan took a moment to compose himself before smirking. "Actually I come with news. See a little birdie once told me of this little island harbor that you filthy sea rats seem to frequent." The pirates grew stiller and angrier the more he talked, "Imagine my surprise when I find it! And all those little people just sitting there! Of course, I have them now, and I see no reason they should not be returned to their homes in the same state they were removed from them. If you give me exactly what I want."

"And if we don't?" Kim growled.

Dylan shrugged, "Well, what's one or two shop keepers in the grand scheme of things?"

Every experienced pirate in the courtyard glared at Dylan, fully prepared to end him should Ladybug give the word. Yet she stayed their weapons and with ice in her voice spoke, "What are your demands."

"Obviously I want my Marinette returned to me. All your stolen goods. And one more thing..." Dylan listed off his demands with the confidence of a man who clearly thought he had won, "I want Ladybug, Paon, and Rena Rouge's complete and utter surrender. Give me all of those and I will happily release the peasants." Dylan walked through the gates before turning around and saying, "You have until midnight tonight to meet my demands or I kill all of them!"

Then he was gone.

As the gate doors swung shut with an ominous thud Paon roared, "I'M GONNA KILL THAT BASTARD!"

Two hours later found every member of the seven ships aboard Tikki preparing for an all-out war. Guns were cleaned and checked, cannonballs were weighed, swords were sharpened. Though the newer members knew that only the original crew of Tikki would be going on this mission.

The first hour had been spent arguing over this decision until Marinette snapped and said they were wasting time at which point all seven captains ordered the newer crew to stay behind. It was still a sore point for the ten, but they could see how it was a personal matter for the others.

Time both flew by and crawled by at snail's pace until it was an hour to midnight. Tikki sailed out of the harbor with her crew ready for a fight.

With the completion of this chapter, I can say that we are still on track for a finale in four chapters!

Comment what you thought!

Hope you enjoyed!

See ya next time!