Part IV - The Ace of Spades
It had been two days since Black Shuck's visit to the inn and the Captain's, or as he was now open to being called, "Billy Bones'," stroke. In spite of his clear and undisguised contempt for Dr. Joy and everything she said, Billy Bones had listened to her and remained in bed as much as he could; and he was already starting to look the better for it. He still had trouble moving, but he at least was back to his old self. Though, as Jim found out when he delivered Billy Bones his breakfast that morning, perhaps almost too much so.
"Zoey?" Billy Bones asked as the boy entered his room.
"Jim," he replied.
"Damn, I shan't mistake you next," Bones muttered.
"Do remember Mr. Bones, our eyes are different always," Jim chuckled, pointing to his brown irises.
"Right. Anyways, Jim, would you perform a boon for an old sailor?"
"What matter of boon would he ask for?" Jim replied as he placed the tray of food on the nightstand next to the bed.
"To gift him some rum, if you would please?" was the bedridden Blastoise's request.
"By hell's flames, no!" Jim replied. "It's Dr. Joy's orders that-"
"Bah! That doctor is all rubbish and voodoo," Billy Bones grossed. "She has no experience in the healing of sailors. Worse situations than this have crossed me, they have; and rum has been there to heal me through all of it."
"But the rum is what causes your current ill and weakness, and both shall only worsen with more," Jim said in exasperation. "Better luck would be found in trying to suffocate a fire with gunpowder."
Billy Bones chuckled. "Ah, but matey you can do such a thing, as I have before."
Jim could only stare in disbelief at the claim before regaining himself. "Such is beside the point, you aren't in need any rum right now," he insisted.
"Oh, but I am!" Billy Bones cried with an agitated edge in his voice. "A drop of the stuff has not for two days graced my mouth! In its absence I've seen things, Jim. Sights that horrify me and that are only banished by the rum! I've seen Captain Flint in that chair." He pointed to a corner of his room where a single chair for guests was placed, looking quite fearful. "There he sits, leering at me for lying here unmoving when those damned sea scum know of my berth. 'Tis a damn sight scarier than any Scary Face!"
"If it's hallucinations and nightmares that concern you, Mr. Bones, I think a solution of greater use to you might be found with plants," Jim suggested.
The Blastoise scoffed. "Never has the smell of cannabis been agreeable to my nose, if that is your suggestion. Instead, get the rum."
"You've poisoned yourself with it enough already," Jim insisted.
"The rum! Now!" Billy Bones angrily barked, causing Jim to recoil in surprise. "The doctor said one glass shan't slay me, did she not? I need only one glass!"
Jim sighed in frustration, but Bones was not wrong about Dr. Joy's words. "Very well," Jim conceded. "I'll see to your getting one glass, but only one," he added with finality.
The Blastoise suddenly changed his demeanor again; the demanding anger was quickly replaced by a kind and grateful smile. "Thank you, Jim," Billy Bones said sincerely.
Jim quietly left Bones' room and went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare the requested beverage.
"Jim," the voice of Zoey spoke up. "Is the Captain the customer who requested that rum?"
"One glass shan't be much of a problem, will it?" Jim asked.
Zoey was a bit pensive about the suggestion but did not do anything to stop Jim from pouring rum into the smallest glass Jim could probably get away with. She even followed Jim up the stairs to Billy Bones' room. Upon their arrival, the bedridden Pokémon quickly grabbed the glass of rum once it was within reach and drank it down greedily.
"My thanks to you, Jim," Billy Bones said. He followed it with a loud and obnoxious belch.
"Y-you're welcome," Jim replied as the smell of the Blastoise's breath found its way to his nose.
"Right," Billy Bones continued as he began moving to get up. "Now, if you kids would assist my descending the stairs and leaving this place…"
"But Captain," Zoey started. "Dr. Joy instructed that, for at least a week, you are to remain in bed."
"Her words were not lost to me!" Billy Bones cried in indignation. "I am aware bed rest is of great import; but to remain there a week!? By Zekrom I'll not have it! Did I not say two nights past that more shall come for me? They shall be on your doorstep any day now! I must be gone!"
"Mr. Bones," Jim implored. "To travel anywhere in your weakened condition is impossible; this Inn has become your hospital as much as your place of residence."
"Then I should be up on my feet to defend it at the least!" Billy Bones roared. "I fear no mercenary sailing scum; I shall send them back to the sea from whence they came! I shall remind them why 'twas I who stood by Flint's side as his partner Pokémon! I'll-"
There was an unexpected knock on the door, followed by it opening and allowing an annoyed-looking Pangoro to poke his head in. "Pray, would you cease with your shouting!?" he asked with anger laced annoyance. "The mood next door is being quite ruined by it!"
Before anyone could respond, the Pangoro slammed the door and could be heard returning to his room.
Billy Bones chuckled. "Consider that his comeuppance for awakening me at night through the walls." He then resumed a more serious tone. "Now listen here you two, can you summon that Rattata friend of yours here?"
Zoey nodded and briefly left to retrieve Ralph. When she returned with him, the Blastoise resumed.
"Now, you three recall that Houndoom with only one horn, do you not?" Billy Bones asked.
The kids all nodded. "Black Shuck was his name, correct?" Ralph asked nervously.
"Aye," Billy Bones continued. "He's a character straight out of a pile of manure, that Houndoom. And as I did not end him, he shall return with his mind consumed only with thoughts of vengeance; should another not take his place to deliver to me the Ace of Spades first."
"What's-" Zoey tried to ask, but Billy Bones cut her off.
"I have not finished," he barked. "Now I spoke of this to your mother, and now I speak of it to you. That sea chest I have brought into this inn with me, that's what Black Shuck and them sea scum truly pursue. What it contains at any rate. I am loath to seek that swab of a doctor's help, but she must know this place is marked for attack! Go and tell her that Flint's old crew will be here for that chest, and they care not for who should blockade their path to it!"
"But what does the chest hold, Mr. Bones?" Ralph asked.
"The map to Captain Flint's treasure, Ralph," Zoey said as though it was the most obvious thing. "He is the Billy Bones from the story. What else would be of such value that it drives pirates to seek it?"
Billy Bones chuckled. "Aye, that you remember well pleases me, Zoey," he praised. "As I am Flint's sole beneficiary, the rest of his remaining crew has quite hostile intent towards me. They know I hold the map close at hand, and they have quested to catch me with it since I retired."
"And now they have found you once more," Jim stated.
"Aye," Billy Bones agreed grimly. "Now if they should send someone with the Ace of Spades, do as I have told you; hurry to that Dr. Joy woman and bring her and whatever defenders you can muster. And should you ever spy Black Shuck again, or that man with one leg, you do the same, aye?"
"Aye," the kids responded as one.
"Though, Captain," Zoey spoke up.
"A question, Zoey?" Billy Bones replied.
"Yes, sir. What role does an Ace of Spades play in this?"
"'Tis a verdict," Billy Bones explained. "'Tis what pirates hand to them who are condemned as traitors to the crew, to let them know they've been found guilty and their punishment approaches. 'Tis an omen of death."
Ralph shuddered. "Why would they tell you such a thing?"
"'Tis a courtesy, actually; to give the condemned time to consider what they have done."
"Before they are executed," Jim pointed out. "Such an allowance for self-reflection seems pointless."
Billy Bones chuckled. "'Twas not a concept of mine invention," he said. He then gave a tired sigh. "That shall suffice, kiddies. And I tell you this; when my fullest strength has returned to me, we'll take my map and sail to that island where the treasure waits for its recovery with eternal patience. Half shall be mine own, and the other gifted to you and your mother, I swear it."
The bedridden Pokémon settled in and fell asleep, leaving the kids to silently exit. They thought about the Blastoise's vow to take them to the treasure as they did.
"You do not think him serious about such a voyage, do you?" Ralph asked.
"I know not his meaning," Jim replied. "He seemed to grow delirious from exhaustion as he said it, yet I can't imagine why he would say such a thing in jest in an otherwise sober state."
"If he truly speaks with seriousness, I encourage accepting his offer!" Zoey chirped in excitement. "What could be done with such wealth needs no imagining."
Jim smiled as they entered the kitchen, where Ms. Zoroark was working. "I believe funding your own business venture is what you imagine."
"But must such funds be gained through such a dangerous venture?" Ralph asked. "If we undertake such a voyage, the pirates will certainly pursue us as they do Mr. Bones."
"Well, he shall be in our company," Jim offered. "He proved with his defeat of Black Shuck his battling ability, so we should not be completely defenseless."
Ralph sighed. "Perhaps I will simply remain on dry land while Flint's horde is pursued by you."
Ms. Zoroark looked up from her cooking. "Mr. Bones has at last briefed you three on the situation with his sea chest?" she asked.
"Aye," the kids confirmed.
"Then it should need no saying how important it is that we remain vigilant," Ms. Zoroark continued. "That we maintain an eye cautious and watchful over who enters the Admiral Benbow."
The kids nodded and resumed their work.
"And should any of you give to Billy another glass of rum of any size, I'll have who gave it cleaning the outhouse for a month hence," Ms. Zoroark added sternly.
How does she do that? Jim thought.
The day was otherwise banal. Customers came and went through the newly installed door of the inn for breakfast, lunch, and eventually dinner; none of them looking suspicious or seeming interested in anything but a good meal. That being said, the simplicity of this and the recent days was greatly appreciated, after the excitement from Black Shuck's visit. Still, the need to watch their guests more closely served as an ever-present reminder that things were different, and would likely stay that way for a while. As the night came and the inn's family worked to serve their guests, the sound of someone emerging from their room with a great effort was heard. The clumsy heavy steps that followed drew all eyes to the top of the stairs.
"Good evening all," the voice of Billy Bones bellowed.
"Billy," Ms. Zoroark said. "You would do well to return to your bed, I can see your dinner delivered to you."
"No thank you, Madam," Bones responded. "I must regain my mobility, and how better to than by moving?"
Ms. Zoroark shook her head in a frustrated surrender. "If we must suffer such an effort, allow the kids to help you descend the stairs," she instructed.
"That shan't be necessary," Billy Bones disagreed as he confidently moved to take his first step. "I assure you Madam Zoroark; I am again a portrait of perfect-"
His weakened limbs immediately faltered and caved, sending the Blastoise tipping over. He managed to withdraw into his shell, which tumbled down the stairs before landing upside down on the floor. Upon reemerging from his shell, he tried to right himself but found it impossible.
"Mayhaps I am less mobile than I thought," he muttered.
Ms. Zoroark shook her head as she helped Billy Bones back to his feet. "Shall you accept help when it is next offered to you?" she asked sarcastically.
"I might be persuaded to, aye," was the Blastoise's response.
The following evening, Billy Bones once again emerged from his room and worked his way to the top of the stairs despite his still weakened state.
"Ahoy! Jim! Zoey! Would you help an old sailor walk again?" he cried.
Two Jims emerged from the kitchen at Billy Bones' request. They ascended the stairs and took places on the Blastoise's left and right to assist him down.
"Thank you, Jim, Zoey," the Blastoise said, looking at the Jim with brown and the Jim with blue-green irises respectively.
"Captain, you named us rightly!" the Jim with blue-green eyes chirped in a girl's voice.
"Huzzah! At last!" Billy Bones cried in triumph.
"Alright, this will be quite easy," the Jim with brown eyes said in a boy's voice, leading Billy Bones down to the next stair. "Right foot first."
"But Jim, you're on his left," Zoey-as-Jim said.
But it was too late. Billy Bones tried to move his right foot forward to the next stair and collapsed as soon as he put it down, lacking the secure balancing presence of Zoey.
Jim quickly released his hold so he would not be pulled down with the much heavier Pokémon. Billy Bones let out a cry of surprise as he tumbled down the stairs and withdrew into his shell as he had last time. He stayed that way until he finally hit the bottom of the stairs on the back of his shell again. Back at the top, Zoey-as-Jim gave Jim a frustrated look while he gained a nervous smile.
"Never are you to say something will be easy again," she said.
Jim nodded. "I-I shan't," he said.
Billy Bones' head and limbs re-emerged from his shell. "Well, 'twas probably faster to fall at any rate," he said as he tried to raise himself. Once again, he did not. "Shipmates, I seem to be immobile again."
Jim and Zoey-as-Jim quickly came back down the stairs and helped Billy Bones to his feet again. They had much more success simply hauling the Blastoise over to a chair. Once Billy Bones was seated, Jim started busing tables while Zoey went to run her burned candle stand as herself. Ms. Zoroark came over to Billy Bones from the kitchen
"And what would you have to eat this evening, Billy?" she asked.
"My usual vittles, Madam," Billy Bones replied. "The bacon and dressing sandwich upon sliced rye."
"Of course, and you would drink?"
Billy Bones gained a sneaky look. "Mayhaps a glass of rum?"
Ms. Zoroark scowled. "My wards may be susceptible to your requests, Billy, but I am most certainly not. You'll have no rum on this or any other day until Dr. Joy allows it."
"Fine, fine," Billy Bones seemingly conceded. "What of a glass of Wyndon Dry Gin?"
Ms. Zoroark suppressed a chuckle at Billy Bones' attempted loophole. "A valiant attempt Billy Bones, but your drink will be absent of alcohol or absent entirely."
The Blastoise gave up. "Then I shall drink water," he said.
Ms. Zoroark gave Billy Bones a smile and returned to the kitchen to begin making his meal. With little in the way of other customers, the Admiral Benbow settled into a comfortable quietness. It seemed like the evening would be peaceful, so once she had given Billy Bones his meal she took a trip down to the cellars again.
A few minutes later though, a distinct tapping sound that seemed to be getting closer broke through the quiet.
"What causes that sound?" Jim pondered.
"I'm not sure," Ralph admitted. "Perhaps some stick tapping upon the ground."
Billy Bones spit out his water. "WHAT!?"
"Hello?" cried a tired male voice with a noticable Kalos accent. "Is there none who would give aid to a poor blinded man?"
The kids thought to move, but Billy Bones shot them all a dark look that read "stay still."
The message did not get to a man who was taking his leave of the inn, however; and as the kids and the Blastoise listened it was clear he had found the allegedly blind speaker.
"Many thanks, kind sir," the Kalos accented man said. "Would you tell to me where a place called the 'Admiral Benbow' might be found?"
The departing patron gave the Kalos accented man the few directions he needed to reach the inn. The tapping resumed, growing louder as the source of the noise drew closer.
"Merde," Billy Bones whispered as quietly as he could so that nobody would hear him.
"Mind your mouth, Bones!" Ms. Zoroark shouted from the cellars.
"How does she bloody do that?" the Blastoise asked, looking down to the floor.
Jim hushed him as the tapping seemed to reach its loudest and then stopped. There was a strong knocking on the door.
"Hello? Is this the Admiral Benbow Inn?" the Kalos accented voice asked from the other side.
"Who would ask?" Zoey questioned.
"A poor blind man named David," was the response. There was then a harsh pound on the door, which broke a hinge and swung open to reveal the person on the other side. "DAVID PEW!" the man cried without the tiredness he had before.
This "David Pew" looked to be entering middle age. His clothes were rather tattered and stained in various places with the cleanest things he wore being a pair of sailor's boots. In one of his gloved hands was a cane, which he had likely been tapping on the floor. Over his eyes was a dark green cloth tied behind his head, which also sported a cocked hat with a feather in it on top.
"That door was recently replaced!" Ralph cried out as the man entered.
"Ah-ha! So this is the Admiral Benbow!" Pew cried as he advanced. "Black Shuck said the door was damaged when he was here."
As Pew entered Billy Bones made continuous motions to tell the others to be silent.
"So, Billy Bones!" Pew cried out in a sing-song voice as he entered the inn properly, a wicked sneer on his face. "I know you're here. I have-"
Pew then cried out as he walked off the landing and fell onto his front, not having turned right to take the tiny flight of stairs down the floor. He did not stay there long as he quickly brought himself back to his feet and resumed wandering around the dining area.
"Ah, a clever trick Billy, but it merely delays me! I know there is someone here, so you will show me to Billy Bones!" he said to an empty chair. He then set about searching the dining area for any person or Pokémon, knocking over chairs as he did. He eventually found his way to Zoey's burned out candle stand. "What have we here?" he asked as he fondled one of the candles.
"Are you interested in our wares, sir?" Zoey asked.
"I am indeed interested!" Pew cried. "How much must I pay for your entire stock?"
"Each stick is ten Poké, so five hundred," Zoey responded.
"Mon dieu, I think not! I shall only pay three hundred Poké!" Pew replied.
Zoey gained a confident smile. "Four fifty," she offered.
"Three hundred and fifty," Pew bartered.
"Four hundred."
"Four hundred fifty," Pew continued.
"Three fifty," Zoey smiled.
"Five hundred Poké is my final offer. Accept or decline now, peddler!" Pew cried.
"It's a deal," Zoey agreed. She scooped the candles into a satchel and hefted them over to Pew, who handed her a large bag that jingled with the sound of coins inside.
"Now where was I?" Pew questioned.
Jim came up from behind Pew, hoping to get him out of the inn before anything else happened. "You were taking your leave, I believe, Mr. Pew," he said. "The inn shall close within the hour."
With speed and agility of a person more physically fit than he looked, Pew suddenly grabbed Jim by his arm and roughly restrained it behind him. "That's 'Blind Pew' to you!" he cried. "And I was resuming my search for Billy Bones! And you shall take me to him!"
Jim looked around in fright to the others for help. Ralph and Zoey were desperately trying to think of something, while Billy Bones seemed to have an action in mind already. Despite his weakened state, he was carefully shifting one of his water cannons into position to blast the intruder off of Jim. All he needed was some more time to aim, charge his attack, and then fire it.
"Y-you're mistaken, Mr. Pew," Jim said. "There's no Billy Bones here, not anymore."
"There is not?" "Blind" Pew questioned. "Do explain."
"He was in need of urgent medical attention," Jim half lied. "He has been taken to Hulbury for his healing."
Blind Pew nodded. "I see; how tragic for poor Billy," he said with sarcastic remorse. "But it is as well tragic for you, because you're lying! I am most certain of it!"
"I-I'm really not," Jim insisted. Billy Bones had taken aim and was starting to charge an attack of some sort.
"Lies need not be seen to be known, little brat, only heard," Blind Pew sneered. "For I have come here from Hulbury, and had Billy Bones come there I would have known. It is here that Billy Bones remains and hides. Dare says I, even close at hand."
The Blastoise in question fired off a Water Pulse.
And again Blind Pew moved with uncanny acrobatic agility. He swiftly released Jim, throwing him into a table in the process, and dodged the attack, leaving it to hit the wall harmlessly. While Zoey and Ralph tended to Jim, Billy Bones immediately set about charging up another Water Pulse, this time with much less subtlety. However, Blind Pew quickly rushed Bones, somehow vaulting over a table along the way. When he reached his opponent, he used his cane to shove the water cannon upwards where it blasted a hole through the ceiling. Pew then grabbed the Blastoise by the chin and directed Bones to look him in the "eyes."
"Hello Billy Bones," Blind Pew said with a confident sneer. "I know that it's you. You were convinced you had escaped us, were you not? Have you any defense for yourself?"
Billy Bones said nothing; he simply stared back at Blind Pew without a flinch.
"Nothing?" Pew asked. "Not any excuses? Nor any rebuttals?"
Billy Bones remained silent.
"Well, then we are possessed of nothing more to speak of," Pew began concluding. "I shall simply deliver my message. Your selfishness greatly injures I and your fellow shipmates. It even offends us, I might say. Poor Black Shuck is especially wroth with you beating him like a child's rag-doll, and leaving him in the forest to perish."
A recovered Jim moved forward with Zoey and Ralph to come to Billy's aid, but he held up a free hand to stop them.
Blind Pew did not seem to notice. "A vote about what must be done was held, and to tell you our verdict is my mission," he said as he reached into a pocket. "Your sentence is THIS!"
He pulled something out of the pocket and slapped it against Billy Bones' chest. Blind Pew began laughing maniacally as he took his leave. It took him a minute to get up the platform, having again forgone the stairs, and out the door where he immediately began traveling south, presumably back to Hulbury from whence he came.
The kids meanwhile looked to what the departing fiend had left on Billy Bones' chest, an ace of spades card.
Billy Bones did not even look surprised as he glanced down to see it for himself. "Such was inevitable, I suppose," he said casually as he pulled the card off his chest and looked it over. "'Tis even in Flint's favorite colour that they wrote it," he observed.
"Is there something on it, Captain?" Zoey asked.
"Aye, a time of day," he replied. He turned the card around to show the kids. On the not-face side of the card was a slightly smeared but still legible "10:00" inscribed in pink ink.
"What meaning does 10:00 have?" Ralph asked.
"'Tis when they'll be back; back to slay me and claim Flint's map as their own," Billy Bones explained as he looked at the writing again.
"They're to return!?" Ralph cried out. "W-wh-what do we do!?"
"We prepare!" came another voice, Ms. Zoroark had returned from the cellars.
Billy Bones chuckled and crushed the card in his hand. "I assume we proceed as planned, Madam?" he asked.
She nodded. "I simply need to board the windows and door down here. Billy, I would suggest opening your sea chest and emptying it."
"Aye to that," Billy Bones agreed. He glanced at the clock, it read 7:17. "Kids, with me; we've got a few hours and your help is needed to sort my belongings."
"Aye, aye, Captain!" Zoey eagerly answered.
Jim and Ralph simply nodded in agreement, and after helping Billy Bones back up the stairs, they entered his room. His sea cheat was sitting against the far wall, closed with a padlock.
"Where is the key, Mr. Bones?" Jim asked as he looked the chest over.
The Blastoise chuckled. "It has none," he replied.
The kids all looked at him in shock.
"Then how shall we open the chest?" Ralph questioned.
"Stand away from it," Billy Bones instructed. "I shall show you."
The kids did as he had asked while Billy Bones struggled over to the chest. His left hand began to glow with power.
"Brick Break!" he cried as he smashed the padlock to pieces, allowing the chest to open slightly. He turned to the kids with a roguish grin. "The best locks are those only opened by force instead of keys," he said. He moved to flip open the chest, but put a hand to his head and groaned slightly.
"Mr. Bones, are you well?" Jim asked.
"Ah, just a bit light… in the head, Jim," the Blastoise responded. "I need only to lie down."
Billy Bones began to move towards his bed but fell face-first to the floor about halfway there.
"Are you sure you're well Mr. Bones?" Jim asked.
The Blastoise made no response.
"Mr. Bones?"
There was still no answer. Billy Bones did not even seem to move. Zoey cautiously moved forward to investigate the motionless Pokémon.
Even as she prodded and poked him, he still did not move.
There was an eerie silence in Billy Bones' room, not even the sound of the seaside wind blowing against the window.
At least until the kids cried out in unison.
"MOTHER!"