The Knight and The Genie

Chapter 4: Docked in Pridemoor

As Techno Baron fed Shantae the mush her captor, Black Knight, stormed in. He opened the cell door and tossed Techno across the cell. He unshackled Shantae and threw her to the ground. Pointing his shovel at her. "It's time wench." Black Knight told the half genie. Shantae rubbed her wrists, "Why are you guys doing this?" She pleaded, she grew silent as Black Knight gently lifted her chin up with his shovel blade.

"Oh Shantae. You will find out soon enough." The shovel Black Knight was holding was giving a faint pinkish purple glow.

"Black Knight!" Yelled the bellowing Polar Knight. "Put down your shovel. We're here." Black Knight lowered his shovel and lifted Shantae's head with his hand. Giving her an ominous chuckle.

"Your dues will be paid now." Black Knight pointed to Techno Baron. "Tie her up. Madam Risky Boots awaits." Black Knight ordered Techno. The lizardman nodded and grabbed a set of shackles. Ready to tie up the half genie. Shantae knew that it was going to be a long day.

At the docks of Pridemoor, Polar Knight's ship docked in place beside Risky Boots. Risky was waiting outside the ship for her bounty. She gave a smirk as the two knights walked out with a shackled Shantae.

"Ahh~" Risky began, "The little half genie hero~ What's the matter? Not tough enough to beat two Knights for hire?" She joked. "So, you two did the job. Now for my bounty and crew member?" Risky asked, hinting to the lizardman.

Polar Knight dropped Techno Baron to the ground. "Here you go." He tugged on Shantae's chains. "And the wench." At this point Shantae had given up all hope.

"Now for our pay, Miss. Boots." Black Knight told the pirate. Risky nodded. Unhitching a brown spoils bag from her belt.

"Here you go." Risky told Black Knight. "Now hand me the genie." Risky told the knight. Black Knight nodded and motioned to Polar Knight. Polar Knight dragging Shantae towards Risky Boots. The grin on Risky Boots's face grew more devilish and wide. It was at that moment, before Polar Knight handed over the chains, something happened. A loud voice shouted from the distance.

"Steel thy shovel!" The voice yelled. Risky looked around in confusion, turning to Black Knight.

"What in the name of Davy Jones was that!?" She yelled.

Black Knight gripped his shovel. Making it glow in the pink aura. "The biggest pain in my side. Shovel Knight." Black Knight told Risky. Polar Knight dropped the chains and pulled out his snow shovel. The next thing Shantae knew, a man in blue knights armor wielding a shovel showed up. Black Knight grew angry. "Stupid Shovel Knight. Can't you learn to mind your own business?" The dark knight angrily asked.

Shovel Knight stood his ground. "What you are doing is illegal! Slave trading is banned in the Kingdom of Pridemoor!" Shovel Knight retorted.

Black Knight scoffed. "We are simply making a trade. The girl goes to the pirate and we get treasure."

Shovel Knight shook his head and brandished his shovel. "I won't let this happen!"

Black Knight raised his shovel. "Then perish." And blasted a pink energy ball at Shovel Knight. Shovel Knight deflected it with his shovel. Black Knight grew angry. Black Knight shot the energy balls at Shovel Knight, only for each one to be deflected. "Why won't you die!" Black Knight yelled. Polar Knight shoveled up some of the ground. Turning it into snow and launching it at Shovel Knight.

Shovel Knight pulled out a tiny orange stick and waved it. A few fireballs flew towards Polar Knight and Black Knight. The two dodged as quickly as they could.

In the midst of the chaos the shackled Shantae tried to make her escape. "Oh no you don't!" The voice of the pirate queen echoed out. Turning her head she watched as Risky Boots drew out her cutlass. Giving a sly smile "While the boys are busy why don't we play little genie?" Risky was ready to strike. Shantae could barely move as she attempted to wiggle away from Risky. Inch by inch. Risky swung her cutlass in the air. Ready to strike but was nicked out of her hands by a small explosive. "Oh- Hey! Who did that!?" Risky turned to face a small, green robbed man in a bird like beak mask. "Who- What are you?"

The small figure began to laugh. "Hehehe~ the answer you seek is not as clear as you may think." He pulled out another small explosive and threw it at Risky's feet. A slightly larger explosion going off as Risky was knocked into the water. The bird man ran up to Shantae only to be kicked in the mask.

"Who are you!?" Shantae yelled. Still struggling.

"Would you stop squirming!" The bird man yelled back, "I am trying to help you!" As Shantae struggled the beaked man broke her shackles. Freeing her. Shantae finally stood as she stretched her arms.

"Thank you." Shantae told the alchemist.

"You're welcome. Now let's go!" He yelled and grabbed her by the hand and began running towards Shovel Knight. The alchemist tapped Shovel Knights arm.

"Yes Plague Knight? Kind of busy at the moment." He commented, using his shovel to deflect a snowball.

"Let us retreat back to the hideout!" Plague Knight shouted.

Shovel Knight nodded as he sheathed his shovel. Plague Knight pulled out a small explosive from his satchel, "Let's hope this works."

"You mean you haven't tested that before?" Shantae shouted.

"At best; we make it back to the hideout safely." Plague Knight explained.

"At worst?" Shantae asked.

"We explode." Plague Knight replied. Letting out a loud cackle

"What!?" Shantae yelled. Plague Knight gave a loud laugh and threw the bomb to the ground, making a big puff of smoke. Black Knight and Polar Knight used their weapons to clear the smoke to find no sign of the shovel of hope. Polar Knight stomping the ground. Black Knight looked back to a soaking Risky Boots climbing back onto the docks as Black Knight stood over her.

"It appears that now your enemy and my enemy have joined forces." He told the pirate queen. Risky felt something she wasn't used to. Fear. As she stared at Black Knight. "You work for us now, Miss. Boots."