Authors Note: This might be the last one for a while, and I'm not kidding on this one. I didn't even think I was gonna finnish this one in enough time. Starting next week, I've got 9 hour days of non-stop work, and then the next week its 12 hour days. Yes, pity me. Anyways, REVIEW! Oh, and since nobody gave me any suggestions for a name for my guy, I had to make one up on my own. Thanks guys. Lol.
A Pirates Tale
Chapter 4: The Past is Past
Thud...
Thud...
Thud...
"Owww..."
Thud...
Thud...
A dull pulsing beat brought Sora back in to the living world, and he made an attempt to sit up. He failed miserably. Moaning, he fell back down, finding the pain in his head rather unbearable. Lying on the hard ground, waiting for the pain to subside in to at the very least a light hurt, Sora started listening to the sounds around him. A few voices could be heard not too far away, and they were soon followed by the creaking of wood and a loud THUNK of something falling heavily on the ground. The voices came nearer, and someone shouted:
"Hey! There's a kid here!"
The pad of feet increased, and Sora opened his eyes to the morning sun, only to see two men standing over him.
"Hey kid, are you all right?" One asked, moving down as if to help him up. Sora held out an arm to stop him.
"I'm fine, just took a bad whack on the head." He said slowly, and closed his eyes, letting his arm slump back down on to the ground. Sora hoped the men would just move on, leaving him alone to plan out what he was going to do next. Obviously, he had to get his ship back. Somehow, he had to find out a way to find a pilot, chase down the King of Hearts, and get back his crew...and Kairi. Of course, Ansem most likely took her for ransom. He, unfortunately, understood the way his first-mate thought, how his crew thought. How he himself once thought.
It's all about the money. He thought, not without an amused smile on his face, which quickly vanished as realization dawned on him. I can't do this alone... He thought, groaning inwardly. He would need another crew, another group of pirates, to aid him...And I only know one ship than can do it...of course, it'll take some explanation, but maybe Ri-
"1...2...3!" The voices said, and Sora barely had enough time to react, as two pairs of rough hands hauled him up. Sora's headache immediately split again, and he swayed against the support of the men's bodies. He silently cursed at himself...he hated to show weakness.
"Easy there, little man. We're taking you to the hospital on the third island, along with a few others."
Sora was about to argue loudly, but abruptly shut his mouth. The third island was the best place to find a ship, and the best way was to go over by hospital boat. He could always just jump ship once they docked. After all, being a pirate made you extraordinarily good at escapes. Sora allowed himself to be dragged towards the docks, feeling very pleased at his own cunning.
However, Sora later realized that escaping would be easier than he first thought. He was brought on to the craft, where he was immediately placed in a room, laid on a cot, and left with a doctor. Too easy. The extremely old and wrinkled doctor peered at Sora through rather large glasses.
"Now, son...what is your name?" He asked, taking a pen out of his pocket, and prepared to write on his clipboard. Sora closed his eyes, and leaned back against the cold metal wall.
"Sora." He said shortly. He didn't see it, but the man gave him an odd look.
"And your last name too, son." He said, obviously thinking Sora just forgot it.
"I don't have one." Sora explained, re-opening his eyes to look at the old doctor. The man gently set his clipboard on the table beside the cot, and leaned forward. He stared hard at Sora.
"You don't have one, or you cannot remember?" He asked. Obviously, he thought this answer somehow tied in to Sora's kick to the head. Sora sighed irritably, and ran his hands through his now dirty mahogany hair. His headache had stopped pounding away like a jackhammer some time ago, but all he wanted now was to sleep.
"No, I've never had one. If I had one, I would remember it. I didn't hit my head THAT hard." He said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. The old man appeared un-phased by Sora's tone.
"I see...an orphan, then?"
"What was your first clue?"
The old man merely chuckled, and removed the medical slip from the clipboard. Pocketing it, he left the room, the mechanical door sliding shut behind him. Sora sighed, and closed his eyes again. Slowly, he faded in to sleep.
"So...you're leaving, are you?" The voice, Sora knew it well. He didn't turn to the speaker as he continued to pack his bag.
"Don't you dare try to stop me." Sora said menacingly, standing upright, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Heh...I won't. I know you, Sora. Or...I thought I did." His once friend said, adding the last part to get his point across. Sora's grip on his sword lessened slightly.
"You're more than welcome to join me." He offered, knowing he didn't want to go it alone.
"No thanks, I won't become a traitor like you. I choose to remain loyal." He spat, pure malice radiating from his body. Sora's body tensed again.
"Fuck you, Riku."
"See you around, Sora." Riku said, flipping white hair from his face, and turned to leave.
Loud horn blasts from the ship awoke Sora, announcing their arrival to the third island. Leaping up, he shoved the dream from his mind. He didn't have time to dwell on the past. The past is past...Sora moved hastily towards the door. Letting it slide to the side, he peered in to the dim corridor. Seeing that nobody was around, he dashed out, heading towards the exit.
The above deck was a commotion of people in bandages stumbling off the plank, followed by a few stretchers and medical personnel. Not wanting to go that way for fear of getting caught, he poked his head over the railing. The drop was a few feet, and Sora had jumped from higher. Standing back a few paces, he took a running leap...
And landed neatly on his feet. Giving himself a mental pat on the back, Sora set out from the docks to find the space port.
The streets of the third island were so different from that of the second, that Sora had trouble believing it was on the same planet. People of all different sizes, yet not without a certain tan color to them, shoved past the once Captain, not paying any attention to him what-so-ever. He could tell he was nearing the space port, however, when ships appeared, flying closely over the tall, imposing sky-scrapers. Crossing a busy street at a leisurely pace, eliciting a few honks and curses from drivers, Sora spied the nearest bar. If he was going to find a pilot, it would be here. Of course, I could just steal a ship...Sora quickly shut that thought out. If he was going to do this, he was going to do it legally. For once.
Shoving open the door, Sora entered the dimly lit bar. Nobody seemed to take notice at his arrival. Coming up to the counter, he got the attention of the bartender, who surveyed Sora, but commented nothing about his age.
"What can I do you for, kid?" He asked, cleaning a glass with a rag. Sora leaned against the counter, staring hard at the man.
"I'm looking for a pilot to take me outta here. Know where I can find one?" He asked, adopting the slur that scumbags were so often attached to. The bartender put down his rag, and set the glass on the counter.
"Sorry kid, but I dunno nothin' about any pilots here." He said, and Sora frowned, irritated. Turning from the man, he surveyed the bar. A few men were playing cards in the corner, and one or two guys were at the bar.
"You lookin' for a ship?" A voice asked, and Sora turned to a young man to his left. He was thin, built like a runner. Ringed fingers grasped a beer bottle, which he took a drink from while surveying Sora with violet eyes. A thin scar ran across his left cheek, leaving a pale contrast to the rest of his tanned skin.
Sora nodded, and the man set down his bottle. He was wondering if the guy could legally consume alcoholic drinks. He didn't look much older than Sora.
"Where you gotta go then, mate?" He asked.
"Traverse Town." Sora said shortly, it was best to keep conversation to a low. The man nodded again.
"That's fine, I'm heading that way anyways." He said, and held out a hand.
"The name's Faustus." He proclaimed, and Sora took his hand, still not sure if he could trust the guy.
"I'm Sora." With his free hand, Faustus paid for his beer, and then shoved his hand in the front pocket of his dark red and tan sweatshirt. Releasing Sora's hand from his grasp, Faustus laughed.
"Heh, another nameless one, huh? That's cool." He said, and started walking towards the door, beckoning for Sora to follow. Making his way in to the hanger, earrings and chain bracelets jangling melodiously, Faustus slowed down to meet Sora's pace.
"So," He began, stale city breeze playing with his long, shoulder length black hair. "What business takes you to Traverse Town?"
Sora averted his eyes, not willing to meet his own brilliant blue with Faustus' shadowy purple. "I'm chasing someone."
"Hmm...it wouldn't have anything to do with those pirates, now would it?" He asked casually. Sora was about to retaliate as he turned to Faustus. The young man was smiling at him, and a rather disarming smile at that. Sora sighed.
"Yes. They took something from me." He said simply. All right, they took everything from me. He admitted to himself. Faustus nodded, understanding.
"I see." He said slowly, his eyes scanning the rows of gummi ships for his own. The pair was silent for a while, until Faustus let out a contented sigh.
"Ah! Here she is!" He proclaimed. With a slight smile on his face, he faced a ship. Sleek curves defined the one-person fighter gummi, painted black and silver. Bulky, class 3 jets popped from under pointed, silver- streaked black wings. Sora gave a low whistle. It's not the King of Hearts...He thought slowly, allowing a very rare, small smile...but it'll do.
"Sora, my nameless friend, I give you: the Black Chimaera."
Authors Note: This is by far the longest chapter I've ever done. And yes, I did drop an f bomb there; I felt it was appropriate for the scene. If it offended anyone, I apologize. But hey, it does say PG-13. I swear (obviously, but thats not the point) that it won't happen again. Anyways, I NEED SOME REVIEWS! This is the fourth chapter and I've gotten two! ARG!