I found it absolutely funny (and ridiculous, that, too) that I wrote a chapter instead of the whole story and that I insisted myself to keep on writing. Oh well, enough head notes, here's the second chapter. Don't worry; it's a whole lot longer than the first one.

A Thief's Story

Chapter 2-New Troubles

Hawk… Hawk… Can you hear me…?

…Hmm…? Who's there…? Hawk replied.

Hawk… it's me… don't you remember my voice?

A female voice was there inside Hawk's world of unconsciousness. Oddly enough, it did sound familiar.

Yeah, your voice does ring a bell…hmm… I think I know who you are…

Yes?

You're my conscience, aren't you? You womanized your voice to remind me of Carlie and Lise… Pathetic, really. Changing your voice…

No, you dumbass. It's me, Faerie.

Faerie?... Wha…Faerie, what are you doing in my head?... And not once, but twice? Shouldn't you be the Mana Tree in development?

Hawk, I come to you because I need your help again.

WHAT? Oh, come on! I saved the world already, and I want some time off, for my needs. MY NEEDS! MY NEEDY NEEDS! LIKE STEALING FROM HUMAN PIGS! Hawk realized he was about to sobbed next if he doesn't stop. Can't you do this by yourself?

I'm sorry. But… I can't, Hawk.

Huh? Why not?

It's a long story.

You're in my head, Faerie.

(Sighs) Good point. Well, here goes. A little while after you guys left, I was starting to take the place of the Mana Goddess. During this time, I was, well, vulnerability. Anyway, I was starting my long transformation when I immediately sensed evilness in the Mana Holy Land. A… new evil. It was very unknown to me. Whatever it was, it started to attack me. I tried my best to stop it, but I was too weak. It forced me to revert back into my spiritual form and flee here, in your world. The evil then projected a barrier that I can't break through. I couldn't do a thing, so I thought about you and the others instantly. I mustered all the energy I can to reach you. I was hoping that you could help save the world once again.

Damn, an evil that strong? The only one who can have such power is the Dark Prince. But, he's dead. Are we dealing with another those big jackasses that just oh so love to destroy and/or rule the world, Faerie?

Uh, I believe so. But the thing is Hawk, I'm worried. I've never seen or felt this kind of evil before. I think we are dealing with something that… that… I mean, this being seems to appear from another… world.

Hmm? Wadda ya mean, another world?

Do you remember when we were on that Ghost Ship and we found Shade?

Oh yeah. Horrible. Just horrible.

All right, remember that Shade told us about the Mana Stone of Darkness and the God-Beast that lives within it?

Yeah. Told us about how the stone disappeared into another world after the mass destruction by the God-Beast of Darkness, right?

Yes. Hawk, I'm afraid to say this, but… I think… no, believe that this evil is… from that world.

What? Wha… Wha…You're saying that this… evil is from another world? The one that the stone was in back then?

Yes. I couldn't believe it either. But, I knew deep down inside, it was the only explanation.

So, what're you're saying is, we're dealing with what, an alien or something?

Yes, but I wouldn't call it an alien. In fact, I wouldn't jump to conclusion to what it is.

(Sighs) So… how do we stop it, Faerie?

That's the problem, Hawk. I don't know.

Shit. Great. I was hoping to get back home, grab some R&R, and get on with my life, and this pops up. Looks like I'm going to extend my 'fun' adventure much farther. So fate decided that I should prevent this evil from rising to rule the world, right?

Hawk! You know that you can't do this alone. What about the others? You can't save the world by yourself.

I don't see the reason why this has to involve Carlie and Lise in this. They've gone back home now, having their rest. The girls are worn out from the great battle, too, you know.

How do you think you won the battle? Not by yourself, of course. At least, not when I was unconscious. You didn't hog all the attacks and defeated the Dark Prince by yourself while Carlie and Lise just stand there and watch? Or they were knocked out to unconsciousness and then not using Angel's Grails to give them a second chance to battle, did you?

Of course not. (Sighs) Fine. I guess you're right. It might be nice to fight together again and maybe even nicer to see L… Oh, uh, you can read my thoughts, I forgot.

Yeah… I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

That's right. You didn't. It's between you and me.

(Sighs) So, what do we do now?

Well, we shou…

"PIRATES! MEN! TO YOUR BATTLESTATIONS!" yelled somebody.

"Huh… Wha… What's going on?" Hawk woke up abruptly from the voice.

Hawk heard the thumping of many boots on each floor, all seeming to get to the deck. He shook his head. He then looked up to hear what was going. All he heard were orders of sailors, something about getting cannons ready, and being braced for the worst.

"What's the hell going on?"

Faerie came out of his head and exam the situation.

"I think pirates are trying to pillage this ship." she replied after awhile.

Hawk looked out the window. It was afternoon, but that wasn't what caught his eye. Another ship that seemed to loom out of nowhere was at least a klick away.

"Pirates, huh? Well, being a Thief myself, I say no Thief will steal from me, even though what they are stealing isn't mine to begin with." Hawk got his 'game' face on.

Another one of his 'I'm the king of thieves' scheme. (Sighs) Why did I get stuck with him? Faerie shook her head and flew back into Hawk's head.

Hawk headed out of his room just to see a sailor running down the hallway he was in. The sailor stopped when he saw Hawk come out of his room.

"Sir Hawk! Please sir, I suggested you stay in your room until we have the situation under control, sir."

"What, and miss all the fun? No way, a hero doesn't sit around and have other people save the day for him." Hawk answered back with confidence.

"But sir, what will happen if you got killed?"

"Don't worry about me. Worry about those sea scums taking this ship. Come on, show me the way to the deck."

The sailor showed doubt for a second, then nodded and went upstairs. Faerie appeared for moment from Hawk's head.

"He's right, Hawk. What happens if you… got killed?"

"Ah, don't sweat it. I took on the Arch Demon with the girls and beat his ass, remember?" Hawk grinned. "I sure some pirates ain't going to stick me without first paying a visit to Death."

"I hope you're right."

"Since when you get to care what I do now, Faerie?"

"Since Fate chose you to be one of the heroes and when the Mana Goddess passed away. I can't let anything happen to you. You're one of the heroes needed to save the world."

"Ah, geez. So you really DO care about me, don't ya, Faerie?" Hawk looked all interested at Faerie.

"What… not like that… not like… (Blushed) you… you…" she disappeared back into Hawk's head.

"Heh heh. Even holy spirits can't resist me."

Hawk followed behind the sailor, who was waiting for him.

When they reached the 4th floor (Hawk's room was in 2nd), they heard a yell.

"Cannonball!"

EEEWWW! CRACK! A cannonball hit the side of ship's hull to the floor that Hawk and the sailor was in, and it came within a yard close to Hawk. He froze up and time slowed down as the cannonball shattered the ship's hull, through the room, and descended down to the lower floors, sending sailors below yelling and screaming. Shrapnel flew everywhere, some of them bounced harmlessly off Hawk and the sailor, while the dangerous ones they moved out of the way. Hawk just barely dodged a considerable large and quick chunk that was aiming for his body. It went straight through the hull to outside.

Hawk stood there, just witnessing the two near-death experiences.

Shit, I would have had a hole in me by now had it not been my luck that saved me. He thought as time began to revert back to normal.

"Sir Hawk! Are you hurt?" the sailor said, looking all worried.

"Nah, of course not. Do I look hurt to you?"

"No, sir. It's just that the cannonball nearly killed you."

"Well, you can thank my luck. Too slow to notice the death shrapnel coming toward me, now, did ya? Now, we gotta get to the deck, or else those pirates will make a laughingstock out of me."

"Hmm? Laughingstock?"

"It's a common pride thing. Now, come on!"

Be careful, now. The world doesn't want to lose you. Faerie spoke in his head.

The world, or just you, Faerie? He responded back.

Ju… Just shut up! Go do your… whatever.

Hawk followed the sailor with a smile on his face.

The two continued toward the deck. When they reached it, Hawk was amazed that everybody was doing something to stop the pirates. Cannons were firing. The ship's crew fixing damage and throwing water overboard. Sailors running about. Orders were being carried out either by the captain or messengers. Others either were doing their tactical jobs or were scrambling down the stairs to repair cannonball damages.

"Sir Hawk! This way!"

Hawk turned around to see his companion run up toward the captain. The captain was shouting orders left to right, while trying to steer the ship away from cannonballs.

"Where were you, Ben?" the captain yelled when he saw the sailor run up to him. "I need someone to steer the ship!"

"I'm sorry for my late arrival, Captain!" Ben yelled back. "But I had to escort Sir Hawk to the deck because he wants to help us!"

"What? Sir Hawk is up here?

"Captain, let me help you out a bit!" Hawk yelled when he heard his name in the question.

"Sir Hawk! Return back inside the ship until everything is calm here!"

"I'm not gonna sit around while pirates are shootin' their cannonballs at us!"

"Sir! I beg of you to return to your safety!"

"Look! A cannonball!" Ben yelled out.

EEEWWW! CRACK! The cannonball hit the middle of the deck and taking down with it some crewmembers.

Hawk, recovering from what he saw, pointed at the pirates' ship from the starboard side.

"Look, those pirates are going to win if I sit around! It's more common sense that I should help you win this battle instead of waiting for defeat!"

The captain looked at Hawk for a moment with remorse, then looked around and pointed at the cannon third from the left of the starboard side.

"Can you man a cannon!"

Uh-oh. Man a cannon? I didn't expect that. I only have little experiences with cannons, and those times were when I was the ball, not the shooter. Hawk thought about it nervously.

"Um, I'll… try my best!" he answered nervously back.

"Don't worry, Sir Hawk! The crew will help you!"

"All right…"

Hawk rushed toward the assigned cannon. He looked at it, not sure what to do first.

Damn. How am I supposed to use this cannon if I don't know a thing about it? Hawk shook his head. Wish Bon Voyage could help me right now.

Just then, two sailors ran up to him.

"Sir Hawk!" the first one on the left said. "We were ordered to help you fire that cannon!"

"Shouldn't you guys be manning the cannon yourselves?" Hawk confidently asked.

"Sir, it takes three men to properly use a cannon. One to shout out aiming orders, one to reload the cannon, and one to position the cannon in the right angle and fire, sir."

"And you are the…?"

"One to shout out the directions, sir."

"And what about you?" Hawk looked at the second sailor.

"I reload the cannon, sir." he answered gruffly.

"So I'm the…"

"Yes, you are the one who aims and fire, sir." the first sailor answered for him.

"Crap."

"Just follow my instructions and fire quickly, sir."

"All right."

Hawk manned the cannon, while the first sailor stood next to him and the second sailor loaded up the cannon.

"Move the cannon up by 30 degrees," the instructor called out, "and turn 5 degrees by port,"

"Huh?" Hawk looks dumbfounded at the instructor.

"CANNONBALL!" someone yelled.

Hawk look up just to see a cannonball break through the hull. Water started to pour in.

"We better hurry up, or else there won't be much of a ship to defend. Now, the instructions. Could ya simplify it?"

"Uh, right, sir. Move the cannon up just a bit and a pin's distance left, sir"

"You got it."

Hawk positioned the cannon to the way the instructor wanted.

"All right. Now what?"

"Fire, sir, fire!"

Hawk pulled the line. BOOM! The cannonball went flying to the pirates' ship. It missed about a just below the ship.

"Uh… maybe a little higher next time, sir." the instructor pointed out.

"Right, right. I got it." Hawk said sheepishly, fingering his head.

You're bad at this, Hawk. I thought you were good at everything. Faerie said obnoxiously.

Ah, how sweet. Deep down inside, you just want to say 'You're the best, Hawk. You're the best at everything.' But you just love to be obnoxious right now, don't cha? Hawk answered back.

No, you're really bad. You're not good. I never said that you were good.

Really? Let's rewind. 'You're bad at this, Hawk. I thought you were good at everything.' You just have think before you say something, Faerie. Oh, wait. The things you said are your thoughts, aren't they? You just really want take back what you thought and think what you REALLY want to think, don't cha now, Faerie?

T… You… Why I… You… just nothing but… a big, dumb head!

Hawk chuckled to himself.

"Sir Hawk?" the instructor asked, being freaked out by Hawk's chuckle.

"Huh? Oh, uh, sorry. Carry on with the firing coordinates."

"Oh, I forgot, sir. Ships always move when they're under fire to avoid the cannonballs, so you will have to change the direction to the desired one that I will point out, sir."

"Just tell me where to shoot, and we'll be all fine."

"Another cannonball!" another person yelled out.

EEEWWW! WHISH! The cannonball barely hit the ship, just falling short to the water.

The calm instructor looked out to the ship and analyzed it.

"Down 12 degrees and 8 degrees port from last position, sir!"

"Whoa, not what I wanted to hear!" Hawk rolled his eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sir. Position the cannon down just a finger's length and a shorter finger's length to the left."

Hawk positioned the cannon and fired. This time, the cannonball hit the pirates' ship, leaving a hole on the hull.

"All right! Got me a bull's-eye! I'm the best, leaving you in a hell of a mess!"

On the pirates' ship

"Ahh! Uggh! A cannonball hit my ship!" the captain growled after the impact of the cannonball. He pointed to a person.

"Hey, you, mate! Who hit my ship with the last cannonball!"

"Uhhhhh…"

The person looked through a telescope to see where the cannonball came from.

"Uhhh… I think it's the… third cannon from their starboard side, captain!"

The captain took his telescope to look at the source.

What the… the guy who's manning that cannon is one of the ones that have the thing our boss wants! Shit! It looks like he helping those sailors out. He then rubbed his chin. Hmm. If I could capture him, the boss will be pleased!

"Hey, you scumbags!" he yelled out to everybody. "I want this ship to get next to theirs so we could take 'em out and grab a major booty!"

"Aye aye, captain!" came a big response.

On the main ship

"Hey guys…" Hawk peered out, "it looks like the pirates are on the move."

"Hey, I believe you are right, sir. I think they are retreating. Heh heh. We showed them with that last shot, sir." the instructor laughed.

"If so, why are they moving toward us?" the reloading sailor questioned.

"What!" he looked at the ship, "Then this can only mean one thing. Grab your weapons!"

"Huh? What's the hell going on?" Hawk wanted to know.

"The pirates are gonna cruise to this side and take the ship by landing pirates here, sir!"

Well, that'll explain why we needed weapons. He thought. Good thing I brought the daggers just in case something goes wrong.

"Don't worry, remember, I'll take care of myself. I'm good in combat. You guys just be careful."

"Thank you, sir. May the Goddess watch over you."

The two sailors grabbed swords and ran off to different parts of the ship to defend it.

If he only knew that she's been banished from the Mana Holyland and is now inside my head. He shook his head. And that she got the hots for me. Nah, she'll kill me if I said that. Hmm. She got a crush on me. That's her style. Heh heh. The Mana Goddess has a crush on me. That sounds so out of the ordinary. Luck is truly a thief's best friend.

The pirate ship was next to theirs now. Then, swinging from the mast are pirates. They landed on the deck, swords drawn and ready.

Time for a daily dose of ass whopping! He grinned as he charged in.