Hey, long time no see. Dart&Wil are back, after another extended hiatus. This chapter is still on Dart, because... well, because I saw Pirates of the Caribbean the other day. I'm just trying to cash in onthe Pirate love-fest is all.So you can thank Johnny Depp for this chapter. The next chapter will be about Wil, though. Pinky swear.

Oh, and writing pirate dialogue is so much fun, I could write pages and pages of the stuff.

Har matey, so'ere's 'opin' ye enjoy the story, an' don' ferget t' review, lest ye feelparticularly keen on walkin' the plank. Savvy?

Chapter 5: Dainty, Darling Dart and the Dread Isle

Dart woke up coughing and sputtering, his mouth on fire. He heard a round of laughter around him.

"Our delicate Dart lives!" came a cry, followed by more laughter.

"Wha… what's going on?" mumbled a dazed Dart, managing to hoist himself to his feet. He looked around him in bewilderment. He could only make out blurry shapes around him. He rubbed his eyes, and the world slowly came back into focus.

"Ha, you had bit of a nappy, my dainty, darlin' Dart," laughed the pirate in front of Dart. The lines sharpened, forming Flynn's ugly figure. "Luckily, there ain't no ailment on the seven seas wot can't be cured wit wyvern whiskey," he shouted, brandishing a grimy, half-empty bottle, which he took a swig from. More laughter from the pirates around him.

Dart took the time to look around him. He was back on the deck of the Davros, and the galley was nowhere to be seen. They were moving a long at a brisk pace, and most of the pirates were drunk.

"Tell me again Darty, why'd the cap'n let you on this vessel again? Certainly twasn't for yer fightin' skills, was it? Cause if Fargus be lowerin' 'is standards, I got a sister or two wot would love to sign up. Ahahaha."

Dart stood there in silence, trying to keep his composure. What could he possibly say? Flynn was right. What kind of pirate was he? Couldn't even kill a man without passing out.

Dart's train of thought was broken as the door to Fargus' cabin flung open. Mr. Collins stepped out, adjusting hat, followed by Fargus. The pirates, who had formed a menacing circle around Dart, instantly whirled around to face their captain.

Fargus started talking, oblivious to the conflict that he had inadvertently averted.

"Mates, we lost some fine men back there," he said solemnly, and a few pirates muttered 'Aye' in agreement, "but let no man say we didn't give as good as we got!" The crew met this with a rousing cheer. "Those merchant dogs will think twice afore they try t' cross Cap'n Fargus and the Davros again!" The pirates erupted in another round of drunken cheers.

"Now, to matters of money," interjected Mr. Collins, which did a great job of silencing the crowd, "we have divided the spoils accordingly, and each crew member shall of course share in it equally."

"Wot about dainty Dart? He surely don't get a full share," said Flynn, indignantly.

"As a member of the crew, Mr. Dart is entitled to his fair share, same as everybody else, Mr. Flynn."

"Fair share?" said another pirate, the left side of his head wrapped in a bloody bandage, "He didn't even do nuffing!"

"Yeah!" joined in another, "He spent the whole fight sleepin'!"

"Saw 'im wif me own eyes I did!" said yet another.

"Tha's enough o' that!" boomed Fargus, stepping forward, his hand placed on the handle of his sword. "Dart's a member o' this crew, so you mooncalves 'ad better get comfortable with that."

"But cap'n-" said one brave sailor.

Fargus' sword whipped out, coming within an inch of the pirates nose.

"Stow it ye scum suckin' wad o' putrid filth, lest ye fancy a meetin' wit Davy Jones afore yore time." Fargus sheathed his sword, and turned to the crowd. "Anyone else think they can decide how the Davros is run?"

"Cap'n, all we is sayin', is that Darty over there ain't done nuthin' to earn his spot on this ship. Why should he get t' share in the spoils?"

Mr. Collins jumped in before Fargus could respond.

"Mr. Flynn, I would suggest that now would be an appropriate time to stop talking. The captain has made it abundantly clear that Mr. Dart has a place on board this ship. However, if you continue to let your mouth get away from you like that, you may find your own place here in question."

"Har, ye heard the first mate. The next one wot questions Dart's place here will answer directly t' my steel, d' ye all savvy?" There were scattered nods among the gathered crew. "Now get away, the lot o' ye. Ain't there work t' be done?"

The crowd cleared, leaving Dart standing with his back to the main mast, staring sheepishly at Fargus.

"Thank you Cap'n, I-"

"Tisn't in me job description t' be babystittin' ye lad, remember that," growled Fargus, clearly annoyed.

Dart stood speechless, not expecting Fargus' ire.

"I ain't about t' risk mutiny over ye Dart. I like ye, I do, but ye ain't worth a whole crew.

"I'm sorry cap'n."

"Don't be sorry lad, just don' let it 'appen again. I expect ye to shape up or ship out"

"I won't disappoint you!" said Dart snapping a smart salute.

"Har," chuckled the old captain, "yer a good man Dart. Ye might be cut out fer the pirate life after all."

"Thank you Cap'n!"

"Oh, and Dart, there ain't any need for none o' that salutin' business. I don't know what kind o' ship ye think this is."

"Oh, right."

"Now, if yer lucky, we'll soon find ourselves another Guild ship, an' then you can show me crew that ye belong 'ere," said Fargus with a fatherly smile. "Til then, ain't there a deck t' be swabbed? Get t' work!"

"Right Cap'n!"

"Stop worryin' yer little head mate, ain't worth thinking about," said Jake languidly, rocking slowly in his hammock.

"I'm just saying, for my first time, it couldn't have gone worse." They were below decks, both in their respective hammocks.

"Do ye think anyone else is perfect on their first raid? Of course not."

"So you passed out your first time?"

"Well, actually, come t' think of it, I did quite well meself," Jake chuckled. "But, I mean, more generally speakin', nobody gets it right their first time around."

"Nobody faints either!" said Dart, indignantly.

"Hah, c'mon that was a little funny," Jake cracked a grin, "Just a little bit. No?"

But Jake never found out Dart's opinion on the matter. A call to arms sounded from above, and both men were quickly on their feet.

"Well, here's yer chance mate. Try keepin' both feet on the ground this time," winked Jake.

They emerged onto the sunny deck, the ship a swirl of activity. The sails were open and the Davros was skipping along at top speed, bearing down on dark ship slightly to port. The two made a beeline for the captain.

"What d'ye mean there's nobody on the ship!" snapped an exasperated Fargus, snatching the eyelglass from his first mate. "If'n there's nobody on board, who, pray tell, is steerin' 'er?"

"I only report what I see, Captain. Look for yourself, I think you will agree."

"Well I'll be… what manner of devilry is this?" said Fargus, slowly lowering the telescope.

"Tis a ghost ship!" cried one nearby pirate, earning himself a sharp cuff from his captain.

"Belay that talk, ye lily livered worm. Tis no such thing as ghost ships!" barked Fargus. "Naught but stories t' scare silly sailors what can't tell truth from tales."

"But they're true Cap'n!" said another pirate, jumping in. "I saw one wit me own eyes when I was wit the Gamot. I swears it!"

"Pffaw. Let me guess lad, twas none other than the Flyin' Dutchman? Stow it." The pirates burst out laughing, silencing the voice of dissent. "I'll hear no more talk o' ghost ships, else some man jack feels like getting acquainted with the cat-o-nine-tails." Silence. "Now then lads, tis clear this is naught but some sort o' trick, a poor one at that. T' will take more 'n that t' shake the Davros." The crew cheered.

"Back to your stations men," said Mr. Collins, taking charge. "You know the drill. Mr. Flynn, have your Suicide Squad ready for action. Oh, and Mr. Dart, If you should at any time feel at all frightened, don't hesitate to have a little sit down. We don't want you passing out on us again."

Dart fumed silently, as the nearby pirates laughed.

The Davros continued to pursue the mystery ship, but even going as fast as she could not seem to close the gap. Dart took up a position near the front, where he could over hear the captain and the first mate talking.

"What in the name of St. Elimine!" cursed Fargus, standing at the fore. "On the open seas, no ship is a match fer the Davros!"

Gradually, the once blue sky began to cloud over, until quite suddenly the sun was gone. More ominously, a great fog began to roll over the ship, covering everything in a layer of wispy white. The mystery vessel took on a now ethereal appearance draped in shimmering mist, and whispers began to circulate through the crew.

"Captain," started Mr. Collins.

"I don't want to hear it Collins! We ain't giving in t' these mooncalves. Ain't no ship has ever survived once the Davros set 'er sight on it, and tha's a streak I intend to maintain. Any questions?"

"I only feel that the crew may not perhaps share in your idealism, sir. Sailors are a suspicious lot, and even you must admit Captain, this does not bode well."

"You too Collins? I thought you were above that kind o' junk. Ye know full well there ain't no ghost ships floatin' about, and that this is naught but a cheap parlour trick."

"Perhaps Captain, but this fog also makes navigation doubly difficult. There is the risk that, sailing blind, we may find-"

"Rocks!" came a panicked shout from the crows nest. Sure enough, dozens of craggy rocks materialized in the dense fog, their sharp teeth inviting the Davros to land on them.

"Hard t' starboard!" shouted Fargus gripping the railing in desperation. "Steady now lads, else we're dashed t' pieces!"

The Davros' quarry slipped into the fog, seemingly unperturbed by the imminent danger surrounding it. Fargus cursed loudly and passionately, slamming his fist on the gunwales.

"Ye know what, I'm startin' to come around. 'Twas no earthly presence what could summon that fog and sail through the crags like they weren't there."

"Some things are better left unknown Captain."

"Har," said Fargus, stroking his beard, "we'll turn around I s'pose. Tisn't worth riskin' the Davros in these waters."

"Ay Captain. I'll spread the order. We've spent enough time here, wherever here is."

"Ye don't know where we are then?" said a wizened voice, and the hunched figure of Ol' Jack materialised in the fog.

"And you do?" asked Mr. Collins, not trying to hide his contempt.

"I do lad. We're but a stone throw from the Dread Isle," Jack said.

A number of sailors who had been pretending to work, gasped out loud at the mention of the name. Dart looked about himself quizzically. It meant nothing to him.

"Har, are ye sure greybeard? Tis is no laughing matter," said Fargus sternly.

"I'd swear on me mudder's grave," he responded solemnly.

"If he's right…" Mr. Collins trailed off.

"If he's right, then we would do well t' remove ourselves from this position, wouldn't ye say?"

Mr. Collins, now visibly shaken, merely nodded.

"Ye can check yer charts Cap'n, but tha' ship led us straight t' Valor."

"I don't like this Collins, ghost ships leading us t' the Dread Isle? Something ain't right here."

"Ye know wot they say 'bout t' Dread isle, Cap'n."

"Course I know the stories Jack! Don't mean I believe 'em," he said dismissively. "Ar, I've changed me mind. I'm startin' t' think that twas no phantom ship after all. Mayhaps they were some smugglers wot has found themselves the perfect hideaways?"

"Maybe Cap'n," said Mr. Collins, looking about nervously, "but this hardly the time to start investigating."

"But think of it Collins! What if we had a whole island t' ourselves? A pirate paradise t' would be! Har, t' would no longer be cap'n, but King Fargus. Har, a man could get used t' tha."

"Really Captain, that is fascinating but-"

"Yar, if yer too scared, Collins, tha's all ye have t' say. We'll leave the Dread Isle fer another day.

It was only till later that night, with the Dread Isle far in the distance, that Dart was able to get any answers. Whispering to Jake, he asked, "That place today, the Dread Isle, why was everyone so scared of it? I thought pirates weren't afraid of anything."

Jake, raised himself off his hammock, where he had been trying to sleep, and glanced both ways before meeting Dart's eyes in the semi-darkness.

"Mate," he said seriously, "any man would 'ave a healthy respect fer the Dread Isle if'n he 'ad heard the stories."

"Stories?"

"Aye, the stories!" said a pirate lying to Dart's right, now sitting up, a strange gleam in his eye.

"Bargan, now ain't the time fer ghost stories," Jake admonished, "Let the lad sleep."

"Har, but 'e don't even know 'bout the Dread Isle! An' he wants t' be a pirate."

"Aye, I've heard tell of an army o' the undead, who wander the island lookin' fer fresh brains t' feed on!" said another pirate, throwing his two cents in.

"Ar, ye've got it all wrong Mungo, tain't zombie's on the island, but 'orrible beasties what eat human flesh. Half-man, half-vulture, half-wolf, they're a right terrible sight!" said Bargan, fervently.

"Don't be daft man! Ye can't 'ave tree halves," scoffed another pirate. "'Sides, everyone knows that the island's haunted by the ghosties. 'Orrible, 'orrible ghoulies wot pluck the eyeballs out of men 'n feed 'em to the birds!"

"Yer all a bunch o' gullible ninnies. Ghosts an' monsters, don' make me laugh. Any sailor wit half a brain knows that wot's really on tha' island is actually-"

Dart never found out what really prowled the island's shores, because he drifted off to sleep, lulled by the sound of pirates arguing.