Chapter 2
The Bilge Rats
"STOP, THIEF!"
There was a familiar cry as Jaden Yuki ran away from the market, carrying a back of coconuts all the while. He had a lean frame, a set of black trunks with red lining and a red vest. Meanwhile, his eyes were brown, as was his hair (albeit in two different tones). He yelled as he came to a screeching halt in front of a small cliff. He quickly turned around and saw his pursuers—a bunch of somewhat dinosaurian creatures, headed by a massive, whale-like behemoth. This was Gantu, captain of the guards, who had been on Jaden's tail for months now and it seemed like he was closing in.
"I'll have your head for a TROPHY, BILGE RAT!" Gantu shouted.
"C'mon, guys, it was just a few coconuts," Jaden called before jumping off the cliff, dodging blaster fire from the others. He landed in a small lagoon with a heavy SPLASH. He struggled up and took a breath of air. When he saw the bag of coconuts floating next to him, he swiped it with a triumphant. "A-HA!"
"There he is!" called one of the raptors from the cliff.
"YOU WON'T GET AWAY SO EASY!" another shouted.
"You think that was EASY?" Jaden asked, playfully. When blasts started flying again, he dove under the water and swam to the shore. Thankfully, there was a village at the bottom of the cliff, so easy cover. He ran into it, finding a poncho and flinging it over himself and taking a straw hat. Not a moment too soon, since he heard Gantu not too far away.
"You two, go that way! You, follow me," the captain barked. "We'll find him this time!"
Jaden hastily sidled over to a group of people doing laundry. "Heya, folks."
"Aren't you getting in trouble a little early today, Jaden?" asked a middle aged woman with a playfully scolding voice.
"Trouble?" Jaden asked. "Nah! Ya only get in trouble if you get caught!"
"Like THIS?" asked Gantu as he grabbed Jaden and dragged him over.
"Yep," Jaden said, worried.
"And this time…" before Gantu could finish, a pair of paws covered his eyes.
"Guess who!"
"Reuben?" Gantu asked, perplexed before he got slapped in the face. He released Jaden, who landed on the ground as a blue cat hopped off of his perch.
"Perfect timing, Gumball, as usual," Jaden said.
"No prob," Gumball grinned. "What's a bro for?"
"Where's Luz and Chazz?" Jaden asked.
"Luz is waiting for us over there," Gumball said. "And Chazz…well, he's being Chazz. Said he's supervising, so know what THAT means."
"Got a friend helping you out, eh?" asked Gantu as he got up. "Well, you two trogs can share a cell now!"
"Later," the two said in unison.
"Gotta get outta here," Jaden said. He and Gumball began running as some raptors began shooting.
Jaden: Gotta keep
One jump ahead of the breadline!
One shot ahead of the guns!
Jaden tossed a card over and smacked a raptor in the face, making him tumble away and crash into his cohorts.
Jaden: I steal when I don't got the funds!
"And that's ALL the time," Jaden clarified.
Jaden: One jump ahead of the lawmen…
Gantu got a shot, narrowly missing and blowing a hole through a hut, making the surprised inhabitant (who was in the middle of a shower) scream out "DO YOU MIND?!".
"Didn't need to see THAT," Gumball commented.
Jaden: And that's no joke!
Some guys can't appreciate we're broke!
Jaden and Gumball grabbed onto a tree and pulled it back before bringing it smashing into Gantu's face, making him stumble back and crash into the other raptors.
Gantu: RIFF RAFF!
Raptors: BILGE RATS!
Scoundrels!
Jaden and Gumball hopped behind another hut, missing various debris chucked at them.
Gantu: TAKE THAT!
Jaden leaned out, holding up the sack of coconuts.
Jaden: Just a little snack, guys!
FWISH!
Jaden ducked as the blasters began firing again.
Gantu: Turn him to dust!
Take it back, guys!
Gumball reached out and grabbed Jaden's arm. He tossed Jaden away and, in turn, he grabbed Gumball by the tail as the two were sent, cartwheeling through the air until they went through a window.
Jaden: I can take a hint,
Gotta face the facts
We could use a friend or two!
Girl: True.
The two landed next to a dark-skinned, brown-haired girl with a staff with an owl head on it, wearing a purple cloak over a pair of shorts and a white and purple short sleeve.
"Hey, Luz," Jaden said as he staggered up, Gumball hopping off.
"Took a little longer than expected," Luz said.
"Got held up…at gunpoint," Jaden said. At that point, they realized that they had apparently broken into a schoolhouse, where some children were sitting around.
Students: Oh, it's sad.
These three have hit the bottom.
Leading to our island's rising crime.
The four made to run, but were stopped by the teacher, who swung a ruler at the three, who quickly ducked.
Teacher: I blame parents!
Luz: Too bad, 'cuz we don't got 'em!
Jaden: Gotta eat to live,
Gotta steal to eat!
I'd tell ya about it, but we got no time!
The three jumped out of the window and hopped onto a nearby canoe. They hopped from canoe to canoe as the raptors ran after, but did so at a slow, clumsy pace. Not helped by Gantu jumping onto one and immediately smashing through them.
Jaden: One jump ahead of the slowpokes!
One skip ahead of my doom!
Next time, gotta use a nom de plume!
Jaden was then grabbed and dragged into some tall grass.
"One job, slacker, you had ONE job," snarled his abductor—a boy around his age with pale skin, spiky black hair, and a black jacket. "Get the coconuts and get out! Where did you screw up?!"
"Uh, well we started singing and," Jaden said, sheepishly.
"WHY is that the norm here?!" the other boy snarled.
"Hey, Chazz!" Luz called as she and Gumball ran by, dodging blasts.
"Running from the law! Just Tuesday," Gumball yelled.
"Lousy slackers," Chazz growled as he ran with them, Jaden in tow.
"THERE THEY ARE!" Gantu shouted.
The four ran along, ducking and dodging as a flock of sheep was herded by. The guards began trying to get through, but…the four had simply climbed up a tree and slid down before nonchalantly walking into the market.
Jaden: One jump ahead of the hitmen!
One hit ahead of the flock!
I think we'll take a stroll around the block…
And then…
"STOP, THIEF!"
"VANDAL!"
"Gumball!" Jaden said, taking the jewelry Gumball stole off.
"SCANDAL!"
That was when they were cornered by the guards, guns pointed at them. Hesitantly, they began backing away.
Jaden: Let's not be too hasty…
At that point, a large woman hugged them tight.
Woman: Still, I think they're rather tasty!
Luz: Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat!
Otherwise, we'd get along!
Guards: WRONG!
With that, the large woman chucked them away. "YOU BETTER RUN!"
"Worst getaway ever!" Gumball yelled as they sailed through the air.
They landed in a heap near the town square. Jaden swiftly picked himself up and bolted, Gumball clinging to his shoulders Luz and Chazz were right behind them. Somehow, the raptors and Gantu were right behind them. Their route brought them to a small pool. Jaden, Luz, and Chazz ran across a series of rocks. Gantu and the raptors ran through the water…and immediately got pinched and snapped by the crabs in it.
Gumball hopped off Jaden's shoulders and picked up a discarded blaster. With a pair of sunglasses that appeared from somewhere, he pointed it right at the guards, who recoiled in fear.
"HE'S GOT A GUN!" one of the raptors screamed.
"Better ask yourself, do ya feel lucky, PUNK?" Gumball asked in the most intense voice he could muster.
"You idiots! WE'VE ALL GOT GUNS!" Gantu shouted. They all loaded and raised their blasters.
"'Cuz I don't," Gumball said, sheepishly, before bolting, leaving the blaster and shades behind.
He caught up with the other three, who were trying, in vain, to shake the guards. Every turn they made, they always ran into more guns.
Gumball: One jump ahead of the blast shots…
Gantu: VANDALS!
Luz: One tip ahead of the tide…
Gantu: BILGE RATS!
Chazz: This thing is a disaster!
Gantu: SCOUNDRELS!
Jaden: Yeah, Chazz, but we're much faster!
The four were then cornered at the docks. Jaden gave a bow before gesturing to the water.
Jaden: Here goes!
Here to throw our hand in,
Wish us happy landin'!
'Cuz now we're gonna RIDE!
With that, they jumped off into the water…before landing about three feet above it and it then propelled away. With a golden shimmer, it turned out they were perched on a motorboat. They sped away as fast as they could, Gumball and Luz jeering at the guards, who shot a few blasts at them that fizzled out as they left them in the distance.
"Another clean getaway," Jaden said.
"Clean?!" Chazz shouted. "You botched the whole thing! You had ONE job—get the coconuts! That's all you needed and you couldn't pull THAT off, you stinking slacker!"
"But we got to SING, Chazz," Luz said, patting Chazz's cheek.
"I hate, so much the things everyone chooses to do…" Chazz muttered.
"So, where to now?" Gumball asked, excitedly.
"Where else?" Jaden asked, holding up his bag. "Golden Island!"
"The ritziest and most high-class island? Why do you think we should even go there?" Chazz asked.
"'Cuz of this," Gumball snickered, holding up a wallet. "Swiped it off the fish guy."
"Gumball, you pequeño ladrón tortuoso," Luz beamed, giving the blue cat a high five.
"Okay, so it wasn't a COMPLETE bust. Congrats, you did the bare minimum," Chazz said.
"He's impressed, too, Gumball," Jaden laughed. He, Luz, and Gumball then began to sing. "We're in the money! We're in the money! We got a lotta what it takes to get along!"
"Hate you…hate all of you," Chazz muttered, darkly.
They came to a halt at Golden Island, the largest isle in Lagoon Reef. Covered in lush vegetation and beautiful houses. It was the center of trade and administration in the archipelago—the home to the rich and powerful.
After getting off, Jaden started tossing their money pouch up and down…until they saw two orphans (a boy and a girl) at the docks, putting fishing lines into the water. Judging by their grubby outfits and thin builds, they weren't successful. And hadn't been for a while. Jaden felt his heart weigh down.
"No, no," Chazz said. "We almost got our butts fried to get that…"
Jaden, though, walked over and handed them the pouch. "Here. Take it."
The orphans looked hesitant, but the girl took it and looked into the pouch to see some money there. She beamed before hugging it close. Jaden ruffled her hair before walking off.
"NO! ALL THAT DOWN THE…" Chazz said. He then sighed as the orphans looked at them. The sight of them looking so pathetic managed to stir something in the more snide member of the group. He walked over to Jaden and swiped their sack of coconuts. "HAND IT OVER!"
"Hey!" Jaden yelped before Chazz walked to the two and shoved it into the boy's arms.
"Here! There's coconuts in there! BE GRATEFUL, YA LOUSY SLACKERS," he shouted. The boy looked scared, but whimpered a 'thank you' all the same,
"That's the most intimidating charity I've ever seen," Gumball commented.
"Aw, but Mr. Princeton has a heart, after all," Luz snickered.
Chazz wheeled over and grabbed Luz by the shirt. "Any of this gets out, Slacker, and you're buried at sea. GOT IT?"
"Boop," Luz snickered, poking Chazz's nose.
There was then a loud horn blaring. A large yacht sailed in before a young man with his entourage marched off. He had pale skin, dirty blonde hair, a fancy suit, and a pair of glasses. He walked down the steps set up as he passed by the four, nose up and a look of haughtiness about him.
"Whoa…who's that?" Gumball asked.
"Don't you know anything? That's Byakuya Togami," Chazz said. "Scion to the richest family a few islands over."
"Ooh…where do you think he's going?" Luz asked.
"I dunno, on the way to the magistrate's?" Chazz murmured.
"Another suitor for the heiress…wanna bet how long this one lasts?" Gumball asked. "Last one didn't even get half an hour in."
"Give 'im a week," Chazz grumbled.
"I give 'im twenty-four hours," Luz said.
The heiress was someone that came to Golden Island a few years ago. The magistrate (whose traditional role was just to administer laws, but over the course of a few decades basically came to run the islands) was looking to marry her off. Most likely, Togami was the latest candidate…and, if past experiences were any indication, this would also be probably short-lived.
The two orphans took up their newly-given bags and made to leave, but cut across Togami's path. He lifted up a foot to kick them. "Out of my way, you filthy plebians!"
Before his blow could land, Jaden bolted over and turned him around, making his blow miss. "Hey! If I was as rich as YOU, I'd afford some MANNERS."
"You want manners? I'll show them to you," Togami said, promptly punching Jaden in the jaw and sending him tumbling back. He hit Gumball and the two were sent back into the water. The people who had gathered for Togami's arrival began laughing their heads off at the two upstarts being put in their place.
"JADEN!" Luz yelled, running over and helping him back onto the docks.
"Hey, no one gets to push those slackers around, except ME," Chazz growled as he plucked Gumball out.
"Jeez, what crawled up HIS butt and died?" Gumball asked, flicking the sea water out of his fur.
Luz summoned a towel with magic and handed it to Jaden, who used it to dry his hair off. Togami was walking away, but the urge to get another shot in was too much. "Hey, guys, this must be a magician. I mean, how else could he put all that ego into one little boat?"
That made Togami freeze. Calling a ship a "boat" was generally an insult to sailors. "Little" was just adding further insult. And insulting a man's ship was worse than insulting his mother. Togami looked over at them, a rage-filled look of disdain on his face.
"At least I have a proper vessel, unlike the one you have. Which I'm guessed was a bargain of a bargain," Togami said, looking at their motorboat. "Fitting for those who were born and will die as worthless bilge rats. And only your LICE will mourn you."
He turned away, giving them a satisfied snort. Jaden made to move after him, but Chazz got in the way. "No. He's not worth it."
"I'm NOT worthless…" Jaden growled. "And I DON'T have fleas."
"Yes. Our mamacita makes sure to clean us VERY well," Luz said.
"Want us to break his legs, bro?" Gumball asked.
Jaden watched as Togami walked away. He just looked down in defeat. "No, guys…let's just go home."
"Are you okay, dude?" Gumball asked, looking at him. Jaden just got back into their motorboat. It was a testament to the situation that Chazz didn't make any snide commentary. He just got into the driver's seat as Luz started it up.
It took off into the sea, going for their home on the much farther off Drift Isle. Chazz kept his eyes on the waters, remaining quiet. Gumball and Luz kept looking at Jaden, seeing that he had been quite hurt by Togami's words. Amplifying that? His breaking into song as the sun began to set.
Jaden: Riff-raff…
Bilge rat…
I don't buy that.
If only they'd look closer…
Would they see some poor kids?
No siree…
They'd know that…
There's more to you…
And me…
It was about nightfall when they came to Drift Isle. Much smaller and less glamorous than Golden Island. It was mostly a rocky crag with a few scattered shacks on it. While Golden Island was home to the rich and influential, Drift Isle was home to those who had a much tighter budget. This had been home not-so-sweet home to them for as long as they could remember.
Jaden heaved a heavy sigh. He had been cut deep and now, it was time to face the most powerful person in their world. With a sense of dread, he lifted his hand and knocked on the door. It opened to show a deceptively-young looking woman with brown hair tied in a ponytail. This was Delia Ketchum—the four's foster mother. Most of the time, she was reserved and kind…but now, she was glowering at them.
"You've been out stealing again, haven't you?" she asked, immediately cutting to the chase.
"Well, 'stealing' is a strong word," Gumball said.
"We gave it all away, though," Luz said.
"That doesn't change anything!" Delia snapped. "You still went out and took things from others! And who do you think has to deal with the guards? You think I LIKE having to lie to them, telling them that you're just out fishing? Over and over again?"
"Mom, I—" Jaden said.
"Your dinner's cold. Again," Delia said, harshly, as she stormed back in.
There was an awkward pause as the four kids looked at each other. They had the feeling that walking in there would be on-par with stepping into shark-infested waters. Jaden took a deep breath before stepping in first.
Their home was small, but comfy. It doubled up as a restaurant, but business had been slow in the last few years. So, the table in the center was cleared and set up as a dining room. On the walls were photos and memorabilia of Delia's son, Ash. Including one trophy prominently displayed on the wall. Mimey (Delia's Mr. Mime) was happily sweeping away, humming to himself. When he saw the four, he waved with a happy exclamation of "Mr. Mime!"
Luz returned it, but was as ashamed and hesitant as everyone. They sat down as Delia dug into her food—some small fish dish. Prepared and quite cold. The four sat down and looked at their food. There was an audible grumbling noise coming from all of them.
"Go on, eat," Delia said.
"Uh…" Gumball and Luz said. That was all they had. Fact of the matter was, despite their bellies' protest, shame had thoroughly strangled their appetites.
"We were trying to help," Jaden said as he picked at his food.
"You don't have to resort to stealing, Jaden," Delia said, coldly. "Money's a little tight now, but…"
"I just thought it was a few coconuts," Jaden said. "A little less for you to spend on—"
"That's not the point, Jaden!" Delia snapped, slamming her hands on the table. The awkward atmosphere intensified as Delia continued, not even looking at them. "It's not just the guards. It's…why do you keep doing this? You can do better! So much better than this! I know you can! But then you do this? You know what I hear from the other parents on this island? About how THEIR children are doing?! I hear them talk about that and all I can think is that MINE are…ALL OF THEM ARE…"
"Losers?" Gumball asked.
"Weirdos?" Luz asked.
"Slackers?" Chazz asked.
"Disappointments?" Jaden asked, thoroughly ashamed.
Delia looked at the four before sighing, sounding ashamed herself now. "I'm sorry. That just…I'm sorry. I can handle to the money problem. Just take that trophy and—"
"Mom, don't," Jaden said, standing up. "That's Ash's trophy. If he comes back and—"
"He's been gone for six years. If he hasn't come back now…" Delia stopped. Her voice broke on the last part. She just stood up and took the trophy before thrusting it into Jaden's hands. "Take it and SELL it. It's doing nothing but gather dust, anyway…"
Jaden saw how Delia was acting. Despite her angered demeanor, she was shaking. This wasn't a decision she could just make like that. She hoped that her only son, Ash, would come back. So, she also kept his keepsakes and trophies. He made to reach her. "Mom—"
"Just get it out of here!" Delia shouted, swatting his hand away. "Take it, sell it, and do something useful for once!"
There was a stunned silence. Delia looked at the three, just as shocked at what she said as they were. Luz was the one who broke the silence.
"I'm sorry…"
Delia then seemed to break. She said nothing as she walked away, leaving her food behind. There was the sound of a door slamming shut, followed by the clear noise of Delia crying.
"Well…we did it," Chazz murmured.
"So, what're we gonna do?" Gumball asked, tapping the trophy.
Jaden simply stood up. He took the trophy and made his way to the door. Luz was quick to follow after him. "Jay, you're not really…"
"No, Luz," Jaden said. He slid the trophy into a holder usually kept for umbrellas, hiding it from view.
"Well, what's the plan NOW?" Chazz asked. "Mom's on our butts and…"
"We'll get out of this," Jaden said. "I'll fix it. I don't know how, but I gotta…I need to…"
Jaden then walked out of the inn, the others right behind him. He sighed as he looked out at their small boat, the setting sun, and the ocean waters going to and fro from the shore. He looked back at the inn. Maybe it was his imagination, but he could still hear Delia crying from inside.
Jaden: Proud of your boy…
I'll make you proud of your boy.
Believe me, bad as I've been, Mom,
You're in for a pleasant surprise.
He then walked away, going into town as he plucked up a few seashells along the way. His route took them far from town, up a cliff overlooking the slowly darkening shapes of the island behind them. Jaden: I've wasted time I've wasted me. So say I'm slow for my age, A late bloomer, Okay, I agree…
Luz began picking some flowers as Gumball ran around, finding what stray coconuts he could find.
Jaden: That we've been real rotten kids.
Compared to your own pride and joy…
Luz: But we'll get over these lousin' up,
Messin' up, screwin' up times.
Gumball: Because now comes the better part!
We're gonna make good,
Cross our stupid hearts!
Jaden: Make good and finally make her…
Proud of her boys…
"And girl," Luz inserted.
"And girl," Jaden laughed, giving her a playful slug on the shoulder.
Gumball: Tell us that we're just some lice or loafers,
She won't get a fight here, no ma'am.
Luz: Says we're some goldbricks, goof-offs, no goods…
Jaden: But that's not all that I am…
The four walked by a running stream as Chazz used a stick to spear some more fish.
Jaden: Water flows under the bridge.
Let it pass, let it go…
There's no good reason that you should believe me,
Not yet,
I know…but…
Having sold off what they collected for a small amount of money, they returned to the inn. It was well after dark by then, so nothing to do but go to bed…after Jaden took Ash's trophy out of the umbrella holder and put it back in place.
Jaden: Someday and soon,
I'll make you proud of your boy…
The four walked into the shared bedroom. Delia was on her mat, curled up and having clearly cried herself to sleep. Each walked to their mat and laid down as they continued their song.
Gumball: Though we can't make ourselves taller…
Luz: Or smarter…
Chazz: Or richer…
Jaden: Or wise…
Jaden looked at Delia before putting a blanket over her, patting her comfortingly, as he walked over to his mat.
Jaden: I'll do my best, what else can I do?
Since I wasn't born perfect, like Ash or you.
Mom, I will try to…
Try hard to make you…
Proud of your boy.
From excitement to sadness to shame. This had been a day for him. He turned over and looked out the window. Off in the distance, he saw some of the lights from distant Golden Island. He looked over at the sleeping forms of his family. An oath came to him then and there…
"Someday, guys, things are gonna change," he said. "We'll get off this rock, live on Golden Island, and never have any problems at all…"