Chapter 15: Professional Pirate

That night, the pirates had a campfire party, moving Ben and Kai, wearing blindfolds and hands tied, until they stopped. Their blindfolds were removed to reveal Vilgax, dressed in a pirate captain's attire. "Easy kids. It's all in good fun." He assured the 2. "Pleased I am to initiate you our enterprising…um, company." He said, earning laughs from his shipmates. "Which entitles you to all the benefits thereof." "We don't want any benefits!" Ben protested. "This is a one-time special offer, Kai. Say 'no' and I will be forced to terminate your relationship with Ben." Vilgax threatened. Kai just shook her head. "You're nothing but murduring pirates." "PIRATES?!" Vilgax snapped at his own daughter, but then just laughed it off. "Pirates. Oh kids. If that's what you're thinking, you're dead wrong. He then started to sing.

(Vilgax) When I was just a lad, looking for my true vocation

My father said 'Now son, this choice deserves deliberation

Though you could be a doctor, or perhaps a financier

My boy, why not consider a more challenging career?

(Pirates) Hey ho-ho, you'll cruise to foreign shores (Vilgax: Sing it, lads. Show 'em you've been practicing)

And you'll keep your mind and body sound by working out of doors

(Vilgax) True friendship and adventure are what we can live without

(Pirates) And when you're a professional pirate

(Argit) That's what the job's about

(Vilgax: Upstage, lads. This is my only number.)

(Vilgax) Now take Sir Francis Drake, the Spanish all despise him

But to the British he's a hero and they idolize him

It's how you look at buccaneers that makes them bad or good

And I see us as members of a noble brotherhood

(Pirates) Hey ho-ho, we're honorable men (Vilgax: Oh, I love it! Tis' poetry in motion!)

And before we lose our tempers, we will always count to 10

(Vilgax) On occasion, there may be someone you have to execute

(Pirates) But when you're a professional pirate

(Liam) You don't have to wear a suit (What?)

(Plugg) I could have been a surgeon

I like taking things apart

(Argit) I could have been a lawyer

But I just had too much heart

(Liam) I could have been in politics

Cause I've always been a big spender

(Fistrick) And me, I could have been a contender

(Vilgax) Some say that pirates steal and should be feared and hated

I say we're victims of bad press, it's all exaggerated

We'd never stab you in the back, we'd never lie or cheat

We're just about the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet

"Well, look at us, kids. We're a festival of conviviality." Vilgax said as the others started to laugh. "Congeniality." Liam clucked. "That's conviviality, stupid!" Argit corrected. "That's what I said." Liam said.

Meanwhile, Azmuth, Gwen, Kevin and Zed set off in a longboat while Rook, Blukig and Driba stayed behind, dressed for battle, to guard the ship. "We're ready, Captain." Rook said. "Good. You men guard the ship while I'm gone." Azmuth instructed. "We'll be back as soon as we get Ben and Kai." "Aye-aye, Captain." "Cast off, Mr. Driba." Driba released the line and the 4 set off. "Thanks for coming along, kids." Azmuth said to his landing party. "Are you kidding?" Gwen panted while rowing. "Ben's family." "And what about Kai?" Azmuth asked, knowing Kai was Vilgax's daughter. "She loves Ben. Ben loves her. That's good enough for us." Kevin said.

"Tell the truth, kids. Do you really think the captain and the squire are planning to share the treasure with the likes of us?" Vilgax asked. Ben and Kai stayed silent. "Can't hear you?" Again, they kept silence. "No? And we've been the rightful owners. Flint's own crew who shed our blood getting it here! Join us, kids. Donate your compass to the treasure hunt and get a full share!"

(Pirates) Hey ho-ho, it's one for all for one

And we'll share and share alike with you and love you like a son

We're gentlemen of fortune and that's what we're proud to be

And when you're a professional pirate

(Vilgax) You'll be honest, brave and free

The soul of decency

You'll be loyal and fair and on the square

And most importantly

(Pirates) When you're a professional pirate

You're always in the best of company

As the pirates finished singing, a cannon fired from the ship. "There! Captain Smollett coming to rescue us!" Ben shouted. "Don't get your hopes up, Benny." Vilgax said, hoping this would happen. "I've taken the liberty of hiding a few of my best men aboard. If a second round follows, it means they've taken over the Hispaniola and I'm the new captain." They listened as another round fired. The pirates cheered in victory.

On board, Rook, Blukig and Driba were being tied up by the hidden crew members. "How infortuitous our firearms weren't loaded, Blukig." Driba said. "I'll say. We might've shot somebody." Rook said, making the Galvans turn pale.

Vilgax cut Ben and Kai's bonds. "I'm the only family and friend you've got in the world now, kids." He said, sheathing his sword. "Let's dig up the treasure together. The 3 of us. Shipmates. Remember?" Ben and Kai were unamused. "We'll be needing your compass though, lad." Ben turned shocked. "No!" Vilgax turned serious. "I'll be taking it either way, Ben." He held out his hand. Ben, knowing he was defeated, looked at Kai, who pleadingly nodded. Ben then reached into his pocket and pulled out his grandpa's compass. He regretfully gave it to Vilgax, who cheered with his crew in victory. "Come on then, kids. Let's not waste time" He said as the group started off on their hunt.