(Blaze, Sora, Ash, and I are in the game room playing Mario Kart 64. Ash manages to win on the Royal Raceway track)
Ash: Yeah! I win!
Me: Come on! I knew I should've used that Star on the second lap.
Blaze: Now, now. There's no need to be upset.
Sora: Blaze is right. You can't just get all worked up over a game.
Me: Yeah. Excuse me a moment, I got a chapter to work on.
Pirate101: The Pirates of Lore
Chapter 11: In the Eyes of the Frogfather
Our crew has descended into the dark underbelly of Jonah Town, known only as Gullet. "So, this is Gullet? What an interesting smell they've discovered." Bonnie Anne commented.
"Yeah. I don't like this one bit." Lindsey spoke.
"Who are you?" The crew was surprised by a Frog Pirate named Slimy Jenkins.
"Uh, hi. I'm Hunter, and these are my friends Ryan, Lindsey, Kyle, and Lola." Hunter gave Jenkins his and his friends' names.
"Never heard of you. What's your game?" Slimy Jenkins questioned them.
"If you want to know, we came down here to see the Frogfather." Ryan told him.
"Oh, you lot want to see the Frogfather. Sure… that can be arranged." Slimy Jenkins said.
"But where can we find him?" Lola asked.
"Just head up the ramp behind me, then turn left and down again. You should see some big double doors straight ahead from there. Knock three times, and ask for Rocco, the Frogfather's doorman." Slimy Jenkins directed them. "He'll let you in. The password is… ah… "swordfish"."
"Swordfish… got it. Thanks so much." Hunter thanked them. The crew followed Jenkins' directions to the double doors. Kyle knocks three times, and they enter the room and see Rocco, another Frog Pirate.
"Hey, who let you lot in here? What's the password?" Rocco asked
Mormo steps forward. "Password is Swordfish."
"Ah, I see. Gatecrashers, is it?" Rocco said. "I'm afraid without an invitation, you'll have to give the undertaker my regards! Get them, lads!" The frogs and crabs attacked the crew.
Hunter and Kyle clash swords with a pair of Crab Thugs. Hunter fires his shock pistol to paralyze one thug, giving Kyle the chance to bash him into the other with his shield. Lola and Lindsey help Ryan with the frogs. Lindsey uses some of her magic to power up the others, letting Ryan and Lola take down the frogs. Rocco looked up and surrendered.
"That's enough!" Rocco pleaded. "Alright, you've survived the audition."
"Audition?" Ryan asked.
"Does this mean you'll tell us where the Frogfather lives?" Kyle asked.
"Yeah. His house is across the square, with the crabs outside." Rocco told them. "The password's "ribbet"."
"Ribbet? Seriously?" Bonnie Anne snickered. "That's your password? That's the silliest thing I've ever heard."
"It's true, frog's honor! Nobody's guessed it yet. Go on!" Rocco told them. They left the den and made their way across the square and saw two crabs guarding a door.
"Those two must be the crabs Rocco mentioned." Lindsey deduced.
"Then this is the place." Hunter said. They approached the two. One of the crabs, Max halted them.
"What's the password?" Max asked for the password.
"What was it again? Uh… Ribbet?" Lola guessed.
"Go on in." Max allowed them entry.
"I can't believe it worked." Ryan said surprised. They entered the Frogfather's home and see him behind his desk.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Frogfather." Hunter greeted the mob boss with a bow.
"Who are these strangers who barge into my house?"
"Honorable Frogfather, forgive our abrupt intrusion into your home. We're just a simple crew seeking assistance."
"You Pirates have spirit, and you're clever. I can respect that." The Frogfather said. "Let us reason together, we can do business. Why have you come to me?"
"Sir, we came to you because we believe you know where Ratbeard is." Lola answered.
"Ah, Ratbeard. It is a favor you ask of me – to give you information." The Frogfather said. "This I could do, but it is not that simple."
"Ah yes, the Book of Favors." Hunter said.
"You know about it?" Barnabus asked.
"I only heard about it back when I was younger." Hunter said. "The Book said that favors cannot be given – only exchanged; something for something. That's the how the Eagles in Aquila say it."
"Hmm, you really know your stuff, kid. I like it." The Frogfather smiled. "Now, you want Ratbeard's location, I want the Monquistans' stores of exotic spices held in their fortress, the Presidio. A favor for a favor. Understand?" The Pirates nod in agreement. "Once you reach the Presidio, you'll find one of my associates, Shady Rufus, waiting for you at a hidden dock behind the island. Do we have an agreement?"
"If it's exotic spices you want, then we'll be happy to get them for you."
"Perfect. I'm counting on the lot of you." The Frogfather saw them off.
"You sure it was a good idea to trust the Frogfather?" Lola asked.
"Probably not – but getting his support's the only way to find out where Ratbeard is." Hunter said.
"You're right." Kyle agreed. "Let's head to that hidden dock."
The pirates leave Gullet and make their way to the hidden dock at the Presidio. Along the way, Lola decided to ask a question.
"Hey, I never got the chance to ask you guys while the Armada had us locked up, but how did you lose your parents?"
"Did you really have to ask us that?" Ryan glared.
"Hey, I'm just trying to know you guys better." Lola shrugged. "But if it makes you feel any better, I'll tell you how I lost mine. One day, while my parents and I were just sailing along the Skyway, a massive sky squid attacked!"
"A Sky Squid?" Lindsey asked.
"Yep. It messed up my parents' ship something awful. Some crewmates and I managed to escape. My folks, on the other hand, weren't so fortunate."
"How horrifying." Ryan said.
"What about all of you? What happened to all your moms and dads?" Lola asked.
One by one, the other Pirates shared a story about how each of them lost their parents. Kyle's parents were slain during an attack by the Armada. Lindsey's parents' crew rebelled against them and threw them overboard, forcing Lindsey to fend for herself. Ryan was among a handful of pirates that survived a terrible storm that took his parents and their ship. And Hunter's parents found a legendary treasure map and left to search for it. They never returned.
"Wow. I didn't know you lost your parents in different ways." Lola said.
"The more you know, huh?" Hunter said with an assuring smile. He looks up and sees a fortress. "We're here."
"Now let's find that hidden dock." Kyle said. They sail behind the island and find the dock.
At the dock behind the fortress, the Frog Pirate Shady Rufus sees the pirates. "You're finally here! Off you go then." Shady Rufus said. "The path runs right to the edge of the wall – you can step right over."
"How are things up there?" Ryan asked.
"All's quiet now, but you may meet some sentries along the way. The best thing to do is silence them quickly. Should they raise the alarm, the whole operation is ruined."
"We'll be careful." Kyle nods. They manage to sneak their way into the fortress. They see patrolling guards. Bonnie Anne notices a door next to the fortress gate.
"Look over there – I reckon that's the storehouse where the spices will be." Bonnie Anne reported.
"Good eye, but we need to get down into the courtyard to get to it." Lindsey added.
"I guess we'll be taking the long way." Bonnie sighs.
"But what about the guards patrolling along the walls?" Ryan asked.
"Don't worry – all we need to do is move quickly but quietly." Hunter told them. "And whatever happens, do not make any sudden noises. Got it?" Everyone nods in agreement. They stealthily sneak along the walls of the Presidio. They get past two guard posts without being seen, but once they reach the third, Sarah's tail starts tickling Lola's nose.
"Ah… ah… ah-ah…" Lola was about to sneeze, but Ryan quickly covered her nose. "Thanks." She quietly thanked him. But the effort was in vain when Lola sneezed.
"Hmm?" They hear one of the guards, a spearman. They quickly take cover behind the dome.
"What is it?" Another spearman asked.
"I thought I heard someone sneeze earlier." The first spearman responded. He was about to check where the sneeze came from.
"It's probably one of the other guards. This Skull Island air can be a pain on your sinuses." The other spearman said.
"I guess you're right." The first spearman agreed and returned to his post. The pirates let out a sigh of relief.
"You really need to be careful, Lola. We were this close to being caught!" Kyle whispered.
"Sorry. Sarah's tail caught me off my guard." Lola apologized.
"Don't worry about it. The courtyard should be down those stairs. Come on!" Hunter said. Everyone descended the stairs and into the courtyard.
"We made it! With any luck, we'll get those spices and be gone before anyone knows we were ever here." Sarah said. They enter the storehouse and see the spices behind a gate. Ryan checks the gate, and they discover that it's locked.
"Blast, the gate's locked!" Emmett spat.
"I knew this felt too easy!" Sarah agreed. "We need to find a key. Let's try the barracks."
"Good idea, Sarah." Hunter agreed, but their plan had a hitch when they heard a voice.
"Stop!" They turn and see monkey guardsmen. They were led by Captain Santiago.
"We're busted!" Lola realized, pulling out her ax.
"You pirate scum, you will pay for this. Take them!" Santiago commanded the guards to apprehend them.
Kyle clashes with a monkey spearman and Ryan is in a firefight with a monkey crossbowman. Captain Santiago is about to sneak attack Emmett, but Barnabus stops him and their weapons clash. Lola backs him up. Hunter and Lindsey handled the rest of the monkey guards.
"Well, that was a treat. Let's go get that key before any more of them find us." Bonnie Anne said.
"Uh, guys? I think that won't be a problem." Lindsey said. She opens the door, revealing several monkey guards in the courtyard.
"The little blighters know we're here!" Bonnie gasps.
"How is that possible?" Lola asked.
"No idea, but we can't go back now! I say we take the fight to them." Hunter pulls out his sword.
"A gathering of bold, unattractive Pirates, eh? You will rue the day you thought to cross the Monquistan Empire, gangly ones!" A Presidio Guard spat. They attack the pirates.
Hunter uses his pistol to blast some crossbowmen and his sword to clash with some spearmen. Ryan and Bonnie Anne give cover fire to Lindsey, who's fighting some spearmen and Lola and Kyle take down the remaining spearmen. They manage to defeat the guards.
"If they know we're here, they must be on high alert! We need to pull out." Lola suggests.
"And disappoint the Frogfather? Not a chance! We're finishing this and we're finishing this strong!" Hunter argued. Everyone was skeptical but everyone agreed to finish the job they started. They make their way inside the barracks and are met with a gathering of guards. Five prisoners are seen inside a cell.
"Ahoy there! Help us!" The rat pirate called for help within the cell.
"I don't believe it! They got prisoners!" Lola gasped.
"Keeping spices locked away is one thing, but prisoners? They've gone too far!" Ryan readied his rifle.
They begin fighting the guards in the barracks. Lola swings her ax at some spearmen. Ryan shoots his rifle in response to some crossbowmen firing at him. Hunter and Kyle take down some spearmen with their weapons and Lindsey stops the last crossbowman with her magic. The group approaches the cell.
"Captain! You're alive! It's a miracle!" The dog pirate cheered before noticing something. "Wait. What're your names, Pirates?"
"Uh, that's Ryan, Lindsey, Lola, Kyle, and I'm Hunter." Hunter gave the prisoners his and his crewmates' names.
"As I live and breathe! I know you, Ryan!" The rat pirate said. "Your mom and dad showed you off to me when you were in diapers – ha!" Ryan blushed in embarrassment.
"And you, Hunter, you're the spitting image of my old captain, so long lost. Look at you… I can barely believe my eyes." The dog pirate added.
"It has been ages since I last said with your mum and dad, Lindsey. I stood by them right to the end. Terrible thing. You have my word – they will be avenged!" The Undead Pirate told Lindsey.
"So, you've become a real Pirate, eh Kyle? Your folks would be so proud." The guinea pig guard spoke to Kyle.
"When I looked at you, little Lola, I thought I'd seen a ghost! What are you all doing here?" The crab thug asked.
"Believe it or not, we came here looking for a key." Lola told them.
"If it's a key you're looking for, the Commander, El Nebuloso has it. He has a whole ring of keys upstairs." The rat told them.
"They should work for every lock in the fort." The crab thug added.
"Once you have those keys, let us out and we'll help you escape this place." The dog pirate finished.
"Thanks very much." Hunter thanked the prisoners.
The pirates go up the stairs and find El Nebuloso with some guardsmen beside him. "What's this? A group of hairless giants think they can steal from the Crown of Monquista? I shall dispatch you with irresistible force!" El Nebuloso barked.
They prepared for battle. "Don't worry about the others. We take out the Commander, the others will retreat!"
"Right! We'll keep the others occupied." Emmett told the pirates.
The pirates start combating the Commander, while Bonnie and the others keel the spear and crossbowmen occupied.
Kyle used his shield to block El Nebuloso's attacks while Ryan provided cover fire. Lindsey used her magic to help Hunter and Lola's axe clashes with the commander's. The commander was strong, but their teamwork was more than enough to best the commander. The guards were shocked and retreated. Lola grabs the ring of keys from the Commander's motionless body.
"Here's the ring of keys! Now let's get going." Bonnie said.
They head back down the stairs and free the prisoners from the cell.
"Freedom! My friends and I thank you. Now I believe there's a cargo you came here for?" The dog pirate asked.
"Yeah, but before we go get it, I believe you owe us an introduction." Hunter said.
"Oh, right. Lucky Jack Russel's the name." The dog pirate gave them his name.
"Gaspard de Vole, at your service." The guinea pig guard introduced himself.
"The name's Milo, Milo Graytail." The rat pirate continued.
"You can call me Dead Mike." The undead pirate told them his name.
"And I'm Birgus Latro. Pleased to meet you all." The crab thug finished introductions.
"That's enough happy reunions. Let's go get those spices from the Storehouse!" They head back to the storehouse.
"Okay, our target's inside. Time to take down the guards and get our prize." Hunter said as they raid the storehouse and take down the guards inside with ease. Using the key they got from the barracks, they opened the gate and obtained the spices.
"The spices are yours! The grate there leads to a tunnel – you'll have no trouble getting out. We'll meet you in Gullet." Lucky Jack said as he and the other prisoners left the storehouse through the grate.
"We did it! I'd say this mission is accomplished." Ryan said. "Let's go and get Ratbeard!"
"First, we go and bring these to the Frogfather." Hunter said before opening the grate. "Let's go." The pirates leave the fortress through the grate, the tunnel leading back to the hidden dock. They board their ship and make for Gullet. They bring the exotic spices to the Frogfather.
"Welcome back. Our mutual friends here told me you did a fine job at the Presidio." The Frogfather said. Lola reveals the bag of spices they looted from the fortress. "They also told me who all your parents are. I did business with them in the past. They were all fine people. I can see the resemblance.
"I have made an oath to avenge your parents, even beyond my mortal grave." Dead Mike continued.
"Dead Mike is right. We followed your parents across the Spiral, young Pirates, and we'll gladly follow you." Jack said.
"Just think about having us on your crew: your steel, my brains… Imagine the possibilities." Milo added.
"You must allow us to join you. It'd be an honor. Really, it's the least we can do, considering all your parents did for us." Birgus nodded.
"Yes, and by helping you I honor the memory of your mothers and fathers." Gaspard finished.
Though they had just met in the Presidio dungeon, these pirates did a lot for their respective parents, and recruiting them is like they're a part of their growing crew. They accepted their offer and allowed them into the crew.
"As much as I hate to interrupt this tearful reunion, the time has come for us to do real business." The Frogfather spoke up.
"Ah yes. We did your favor, Frogfather, and now you will give us Ratbeard's location." Hunter reminded him.
"Apologies, Pirates, but this is one favor that I simply cannot do." The Frogfather admitted, earning a look of shock from the pirates. "I gave Ratbeard my word that I would not betray him if anyone came looking for him. And I cannot break my word."
"Great! I should've known he'd trust that rat more than he would us!" Lindsey complained. Hunter started pondering.
"Something on your mind, Hunter?" Kyle asked.
"Well, we did our favor for the Frogfather, but the Frogfather abandoned his favor for us by vowing never to reveal Ratbeard's whereabouts, so now he owes us a favor." Hunter deduced.
"If I may, the Book of Favors states that any favor owed may be transferred by the holder of the favor to any other party whom the holder owes a favor." Toady chimed in.
"Of course. A favor that is transferred may take the place of a favor the holder owes to the transferred favor's party." Hunter remembered.
"That's a bit confusing, but I'll take what we can get." Lola admitted. The pirates then turned to the Frogfather.
"Okay, Frogfather, if you won't do our favor, who do you know out there who can?" Hunter asked the crime boss.
"I'm glad you asked. There's a rabbit in Flotsam named One-Eyed Jack who owes me a favor – I am holding his favor." The Frogfather said.
"And since you're transferring the favor he owes you to us, that effectively nullifies the favor you owe us." Hunter added.
"Yes, which means my debt to you is paid, and now Jack owes you a favor." The Frogfather continued. "Jack gives you the info you need, my word remains unbroken. Everybody wins."
"Okay, but where can we find this One-Eyed Jack?" Milo asked.
"There's a tavern in Flotsam, the Black Spot. That's his usual hangout." The Frogfather said.
"But Flotsam's pretty far away. A tiny little boat like ours won't be fast enough." Hunter spoke.
"About that, Hunter, your parents asked me for docking privileges at the Starboard Pier a long time ago. Their ship is still there – you have my blessing to take it."
"Your parents docked their ship there?" Lola asked Hunter in surprise. She leaves the sanctum to look for the ship Hunter's parents left.
"What got her all excited over a ship?" Kyle asked. Everyone followed Lola to the Starboard Pier, where they find a blue skiff ship docked.
"Now that's a ship!" Ryan whistles in awe.
"It's no frigate, but anything's better than that rickety old boat we've been riding around in." Lindsey commented.
"Captains, I proudly present you this humble ship. There's more to her than meets the eye." Lucky Jack said.
"Yes, I can see your parents kept her in fine shape and upgraded her too." Dead Mike added. "I pray that she takes you to a better fate than they got…"
"With a ship like that, we'll reach Flotsam in no time." Hunter said as they boarded their new ship, bottling the old raft and leaving for Flotsam.
(After finishing the next chapter, my Shen Gong Wu tracker goes off. It displays a large silver and white bow that shoots energy arrows)
Me: A new Shen Gong Wu has revealed itself!
(Ash, Pikachu and Ryder enter my office)
Ryder: We heard the alert! What's the new Shen Gong Wu?
Me: It's called the Blaster Bow. It allows the wielder to fire arrows of concentrated light.
Ash: Where is it located?
Me: Looks like it's in Scotland. We better call Merida.
Ash: I'll get Sofia and ask to call her. Let's go, Pikachu.
Pikachu: Pika!
(Ash and Pikachu leave to ask Sofia)
Me: Ryder, think you can get the PAW Patrol to help us out in case things get dicey?
Ryder: If anything goes wrong, we'll back you up.
Me: Perfect. I'll contact the monks and tell them to send some Wu our way. You know what to do here, readers. Excelsior!
