Reviews: Kiwi - You're one of the 10 people in Neopia who
don't see it, and the lipstick thing was something I noticed from
playing HATPC. It looks like she's wearing makeup, and is about 10
years older than she was in HATIC.
Disclaimer: Neopets and all related things are owned by The
Neopets Team obviously. I am not a staff member so I have no right to
the characters besides to use them in demented works such as this. This
story, however, was written and planned by me-myself-and I. Do NOT
attempt to steal it for whatever reason. Just ask me and I'll happily
let you post this wherever.
One: Vanishing Point
Light Side: Krawk Island
Morning came over Krawk Island as it did every day.
Today, however, didn't seem right.
Hannah woke up with a sigh, still bitter about what happened last night. None the less she felt better than she did the last few days now that she knew Kanrik was okay. Today she didn't have to work so they could work things out. She sat by the window while she brushed her hair.
Good thing she did too, since someone was looking for her.
" Hannah! " She stopped brushing with a blink, and looked out the window. Angie the Ashia was standing there with a few other girls from the bar gathered around her. " Are ya decent up there, hun? "
The usul leaned over the windowsill to look down at them. " I'm fine. " A slight sting in her stomach caused her ears to pin back. " At least I was before you bellowed. What's wrong? "
One of the other barmaids called up. " Did you see Kanrik at all this morning? "
Kanrik usually got her up in the morning since she's a heavy sleeper, but not today. " No ... I didn't. " Now that she thought about it, that was strange! " Hold on. "
She backed away from the window and left her bedroom to go downstairs. The bad feeling in her stomach was getting worst when she smelled the air. Something was wrong. Not finding him on the couch was normal since he was an early riser, but not smelling smoke from cooking or moisture from a shower was a sign that no one was here.
Hannah's stomach twisted in a knot. " He's gone. "
The first thought was that he ran because he couldn't keep his promise! That's why he didn't want to spend the night with her. He couldn't leave with the guilt of leaving her and sleeping with her the night before. A million questions ran through her mind as she opened the door to meet the other barmaids, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.
Angie could see right through it. She grabbed Hannah's shoulders and pulled her into a hug just as she sobbed. " Hannah, please listen... " Her friend's knees gave way so she slowly lowered down into a kneel. " Hannah... " She tried to comfort her friend. " Somethin's wrong an we really need yo- "
" What the hell am I supposed to do? " Hannah said between coughs. " Sure I was pissed, but I didn't want him to leave... "
" That's just it. We don't think those men left on their own. " Said a middle aged Green Yurble.
Hannah looked up. " What do you mean? "
Angie filled her in on the details as they made their way to the Golden Dubloon, now populated with the women's children. They seemed oblivious to what was happening since they were born into family of Pirates. Their fathers went away on business for days at a time, after all. Still today was different. All their ships were parked neatly in the marina, untouched. No treasure was taken from their ships or houses, and nothing seemed to be gone from The Dubloon either.
The nervous looking green Yurble from before witnessed what happened first hand. She worked the night shift on The Golden Dubloon with her husband when he suddenly blanked out on her! As she tried to help him regain his senses his eyes took on a ghostly glow and he pushed her to the ground. He walked out in a trance towards the port, and it wasn't just him out there. It seemed like every man in town was down at the docks heading towards a boat she never saw before. Somehow they were conscious enough to know she didn't belong, and pushes her back when she tried to get close.
" Eventually they got tired of pushing me back and tied me up. It took them about an hour to board and set sail, but something didn't seem right. The ship didn't make any noise. None at all. Otherwise everyone on the island would've been stirred by the noise. " She finished while looking down at the ground.
Hannah nodded in understanding. " Did you see the name of the ship? "
" If there was one, I didn't see it. The bowel was as black as a Pawkeet's pelt. "
That was a problem since ships were identified by either their name or captain. With neither that were left with nothing to go on. " Where did they sail? " Hannah asked.
" Oh dear, I'm bad with directions. " The Yurble looked down at her apron. " I'd say they went West from the front door of the Golden Dubloon. " She finished shyly.
" Northeast then. " Angie finished, looking out the window. " A lot of good that'll do us. We have no way to get off the isl-. "
" There's a hundred ships out in the port! " Hannah snapped.
There was an awkward silence, then a Uni spoke up. " It is forbidden for someone to sail a ship that isn't theirs. Even if we did mean good by doing so we would still be breaking the law. "
" To hell with the law! " Hannah fumed. " The Faeries only know what'll happen to them when they get wherever they were called. They'd care less about the law when they're dying! "
" Lass, it is understandable that you have no respect for pirates but these women respect their husbands too much to even think a thing like that. " A hoarse voice broke the air before the door of the pub was opened. A long-lived Eyrie limped into the tavern, one that everyone knew quite well. The white Eyrie was missing one of his legs, replaced with a wooden peg, thus his name. " But aye think I can help you still. "
He grunted just before he fell to the ground. The Green Yurble caught him and lowered him down gently. " Captain Threelegs, why were you left behind? " She asked softly.
" Those sea rats must've thought this sea dog was too old to work. Must've think I was a broke down old man. " He growled while he tried to get up. " I ani't the only one they left behind. They just took the young bucks. Everyone down at the safe house is still there. "
As expected. They needed young men for something, but what? " You said you can help us. " Hannah reminded. " How? "
Threelegs looked up at the Usul from his pathetic position on the ground. " There be a rubbish ship down in the basin that's unclaimed. It's Captain passed on years ago so the Captains took turns pulling the loads. It's a little dingy compared to the other ships, but without a load it's faster than anything else on the seas. "
A rubbish ship was better than no ship at all. " Thank goodness. " Hannah sighed. She really didn't want to fight one of the other barmaids over a ship. " Okay ladies. " She turned to the others. " Anyone who cares enough about their mate to come, get your things and meet me down at the... Erm... What is the ship called? "
" Rubbish ships don't have names. "
Hannah flushed a bit. " Right. Well just meet me down at the rubbish ship. "
The turnout was just as Hannah expected: poor. About twenty girls were huddled around in the bar in concern, but only four pets showed up down at the docks. Fear stopped them from going to save them: Fear of what is out there on the seas and fear of punishment for trying such a stunt. Females were normally not allowed to join crews unless they were exceptional with the blade, so all they had to go on were stories. Stories from the captains and legends from books. Both showed a very terrifying perspective of the seas.
Among them was Angie, who she knew would follow her to the ends of the earth and back. She had a hip bag and a couple of those 'gun' things she liked so much. As far as Hannah knew Angie was the only expert on them around these parts. That may be helpful.
Then there was the green Yurble who looked scared to death to even be here. The girl was still wearing her apron over a simple blue housemaid's dress. She was such a shy girl that no one even remembered her name! " It's Mindy. " There was a mix of worry and doubt in her voice, like she had already given up hope. " Even if we find nothing I will find peace knowing that I tried. He would've did the same for me. "
" I'm Nightmare. " A fire Uni wearing a red tube top with dark red shorts shook her hand, looking out at her from behind rose tinted glasses.
Hannah looked a bit confused. " You don't work at the bar. " She was sure of it.
" I'm a book keeper, revising, recording, and archiving the Captain's logs from all over the Pirate territory. " She explained while picking up a pile of books. " I don't have a mate lost out there, but without the Captains around I'd be out of a job. "
" That explains it. " Hannah didn't even know there was a place like that on this island! " But that wouldn't explain why you are here. " She said while looking at the crippled white Eyrie that laid down on a box.
" I couldn't call myself a Captain or a gentleman if I let three young women go out on the seas by themselves. " He explained simply while pulling himself to his feet. " Besides, you lassies don't know how to run a ship. "
" Run a ship? We're just going to go get them and come right back. " Nightmare corrected.
Threelegs let out a hearty chuckle. " There's a reason we don't allow you women folk out there: as soon as you get a whiff of freedom you'll fly off and never come back. "
Angie smiled softly. " Then leaving would do these girls some good, eh? "
Threelegs immediately took charge of the ship once they climbed aboard. He was humble enough not to take over the position of Captain like they all expected him to do, but act as an advisor. Nightmare was given the job of Navigator since she was the most educated out of the group, and didn't mind being up on the crow's nest. Mindy was content being a swabby and chef since housework was the only thing she knew how to do. Angie was an ammunition and weapons expert so she'd train the others on combat whenever they had the time.
Then there was Hannah. " You are a jack of all trades, girl. " Threelegs commented. " But I figure you don't know how to steer a Pirate's ship with all the malice you hold for 'em. "
She leaned over the wheel with a sly look on her face. " Are you trying to say something, old man? "
" Nothing at all. " He grinned. " Your hatred for your Uncle and his crew is understandable. I hate that inbred cur myself, but why all of us? "
" That's none of your business. " Hannah said bluntly before looking out on the ocean. There was a pretty dense fog forming over the water that made her gasp. " Is that normal? "
They'd get their answer soon after. Before Threelegs even had a chance to look their ship rumbled from a cannonball that missed them by only a few feet! Out of the fog came a ship that dwarfed their little rubbish ship. Black sails with a black flag that screamed of danger, and some very wicked looking pets on board. They were looking down on them with a superior grin, knowing that this would be a very easy takeover.
At least this time they could clearly see the name on the ship. Near the tip of the ship written in what appeared to be dried blood was...
REVENGE.
Let me just say that 'Attack on the Revenge' (the Game) sucks. Jacques constantly lit the same cannon twice in a row on me. That set it on fire, which set me on fire, and stopped me from stopping A MILLION PIRATES FROM INVADING THE SHIP. Sheesh. I thought Jacques was Garin's friend. x.x
Anyway. Let me do a little explanation on the characters here:
Angie is a name I made up for the Cork Gun Gallery owner if you haven't caught on by now. Guns aren't used anywhere else on Neopia (Places off Neopia's surface don't count, in my opinion) so she should be an expert.
Mindy is another character from around Neopia, and a rather recent one at that. I made up her name though and tweaked her personality for a reason that'll spoil a major point of the story if I said it here. She wasn't given a name, but it won't be hard to miss her if you follow the news.
Nightmare is a fan character based off the librarian from Neoquest II, who's also a Uni. I couldn't use her because she simply didn't exist (in a physical body). Enough said.
