CHAPTER 9

Rottenbeard and Zigzag rushed frantically down a hallway towards the main deck, with several dozen angry ghost pirates hot on their tail.

"We're almost there laddie!" barked Rottenbeard in delight.

Zigzag smiled weakly, but a troubled look appeared on his face.

"What are we gonna do when we reach the deck cap'n?"

"I've got it a plan matey, don't ye worry." assured Rottenbeard, but Zigzag didn't feel any better. The deck was a dead end as far as he was concerned, and unless Rottenbeard planned on jumping overboard, the ghosts were going to catch them.

As the two pirates neared the end of the hallway, One and Leena suddenly came into view, also on their way to the deck.

Rottenbeard snickered as he rushed toward them, giving them no choice but to run from the ghosts as well.

"Nice of ya to join us!" he teased as they rounded the corner into the next hallway.

One ignored him, and instead focused on where they were headed. It looked like the door at the end of this hallway led straight to the main deck.

Rottenbeard suddenly took notice of the flashing light that was emanating from One's necklace and frowned.

"I see ye found yer bloody crystal."

"That's right." acknowledged One sternly.

"Aye, go ahead and take it." grumbled Rottenbeard. "Keeps me up all hours with that there bleepin' and flashin'."

As the foursome neared the end of the hallway, Rottenbeard took the lead and leaned forward. He ran full force at the upcoming doorway, crashed straight through it, and stumbled into the foggy night air.

One, Leena and Zigzag rushed through the doorless frame, and followed Rottenbeard to the center of the deck where he finally came to a halt.

The pirate ghosts emerged next, spilling out onto the deck, and surrounding the group.

Leena crossed her arms and glared at Rottenbeard.

"Great, now what do we do?"

Zigzag tugged on Rottenbeard's sleeve, pulling him down to ear level.

"Cap'n, now'd be a good time for that plan of yers." he whispered.

Rottenbeard nodded in agreement, stood up and faced the pirate ghosts.

"Ahoy there ghosties, I've come to see yer captain." bellowed Rottenbeard. "Where be Blackjack?"

"Right here, Rottenbeard." replied Blackjack's ghostly voice as he materialized before them. "Have ye come back to hand over me coin?"

Rottenbeard scoffed.

"Don't be flatterin' yerself, I've come for a duel."

"A duel ye say?"

"Aye." nodded Rottenbeard. "If I win, ye leave me and me crew alone."

"And if I win?" asked an intrigued Blackjack.

"Ye get yer gold coin back."

Blackjack scratched his chin as he considered Rottenbeard's proposal.

"Throw in yer ship and ye've got yerself a deal."

"Alright then Blackjack." grinned Rottenbeard, and raised his large sword. "Let's settle this once and fer all."

- - - - - - - - - -

One stepped back, followed by Leena and Zigzag as the ghosts formed a tighter circle around Rottenbeard and Blackjack. A single ghost floated in carrying a sword in both arms, and handed it to Blackjack.

"Rottenbeard's braver than I thought." whispered One.

"More like stupid." corrected Leena. "No one can beat a ghost in a sword fight. They're already dead!"

Zigzag sat down on the wooden floor and closed his eyes as his captain and Blackjack approached one another.

"I can't watch!" he whimpered.

Swords clashed furiously as both Captains swung with all of their might at the other. The determined looks on their faces and the intensity of their attacks indicated that neither Rottenbeard nor Blackjack were planning on losing this duel.

They had already traversed the entire circle, smashing their blades against one another in all directions, and taking turns pushing each other back. It was clear to all that both Rottenbeard and Blackjack were almost evenly matched. Almost.

Rottenbeard smirked as he lifted his sword, parrying Blackjack's oncoming attack. His old Captain was just as skilled as during their last duel, only something seemed different this time around.

It was Rottenbeard's turn to strike now. He took a few quick swings at Blackjack's blade, and pulled back his sword, suddenly noticing that his opponent had left his entire upper body wide open for an attack. Rottenbeard didn't waste a moment and took this opportunity to run his sword straight through Blackjack with all of his might. Immediately realizing his blunder, Rottenbeard began to topple forward, with nothing to support him. How could he be so foolish? In the heat of the battle, he had completely forgotten that he was fighting a ghost, made up of nothing but air! Blackjack could be as careless as he pleased, and unlike Rottenbeard, he was in no danger of losing his life.

"Is your captain always this thickheaded?" Leena asked Zigzag with a sigh, as they watched Rottenbeard pass straight through Blackjack and crash to the floor of the deck.

"Well.." Zigzag began to reply, but was interrupted by a sound coming from behind him.

"My necklace, it's starting to blink again." exclaimed One in confusion, while looking down at it.

"Why's it do that?" inquired Zigzag, squinting from the bright flashing light.

"That's what I've been trying to figure out." One told him. "It first did it just before that evil shadow attacked us, then again right before we were chased by those ghosts, and now..."

One stopped mid-sentence, as though he had suddenly figured it out. He sprung into action, grabbing a sword from a nearby ghost. He then front flipped right over the circle of ghosts and into the battle arena, just in time to intercept Blackjack's downward strike on the floored Rottenbeard. Blackjack's sword connected with a loud metal clang against One's, sending sparks flying in every direction. One grunted, and with all of his might, drove Blackjack away from Rottenbeard with his sword.

The circle of ghosts roared in protest at One's interference, and began to move in on them. This forced Leena and Zigzag into the center of the deck as well.

"Get up!" shouted One to Rottenbeard, motioning with his hand.

"Whaddaya think yer doin' landlubber?" barked Rottenbeard as he climbed to his feet. "Ye NEVER go jumpin' in on pirate duel!"

"I'm sorry! But I had to save you!" One tried to explain, but as the surrounding ghosts prepared to attack, he realized that his rescue may have just made things worse.

"Duel's off Rottenbeard!" growled Blackjack. "I'm claimin' yer ship, and yer head!"

Rottenbeard swallowed hard. Things weren't looking good, but he wasn't about to give up just yet. It was time to put his negotiating skills to work.

"Blackjack, me hearty! I'll tell ya what, I'll go getcha yer coin right now! No need to be doin' nothin' drastic! "

Blackjack floated up above the mob of ghosts that had now completely surrounded Rottenbeard, One, Leena and Zigzag.

"Sorry, Rottenbeard, but this here's the end of the line!" he bellowed, pointing at them with his sword.

His ghostly crew held their weapons tightly, eagerly awaiting the order to make mincemeat out of these scurvy dogs.

"KILL EM!" hollered Blackjack.