That night on the shores of the island, the pirates all cheered and laughed at their victory of making it to the island, having the treasure map and now having someone to guide them there. As some of them were practically dancing around the campfire, the others had poor Dani blindfolded and her hands tied in front of her. Thanks to the device Skulker had zapped her with once again, her powers were cancelled out for five hours.
The pirates kept spinning and pushing her around, laughing and taunting her as music played over by the rocks. The band playing was none other than Ember and her ghostly band.
One of the band members confused asked Ember, "Hey Ember, I can't figure out what side we're on. Are we with the pirates or the half-ghost captain?"
"Just play the gig. Never get involved in politics." Ember answered and the band just continued to play.
As the pirates continued to toss Dani around the circle like a sack of potatoes, they suddenly stopped and held her still by her arms. A hand then ripped off the blindfold to reveal Skulker standing in front of them, grinning.
"Easy there Dani. Tis all in good fun." Skulker said, but Dani glared at the ghost. "Pleased I am to initiate you into our enterprising company, which entitles you to all the benefits there are."
Dani struggled in the pirates arms as she snapped, "I don't want any benefits you may offer!"
"This is a onetime special offer. If you say no, I will be forced to terminate our relationship." Skulker threatened.
Dani shook her head and spat at him, "You and this lot are nothing but a bunch of murdering pirates!"
"PIRATES?!" Skulker roared, angry for a moment.
His glare then stopped and changed into a grin once more as he said, "Oh Danielle, if that's what you're thinking…..you're dead wrong."
SKULKER
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?"
All the other pirates gathered around Danielle, encouraging her to join them as they sung along. Skulker continued to smile and laugh.
PIRATES
Hey ho ho!
You'll cruise to foreign shores
And you'll keep your mind and body sound
By working out of doors
SKULKER
True friendship and adventure are what we can't live without,-
PIRATES
And when you're a professional pirate….
YOUNGBLOOD
That's what the job's about.
"Upstage lads! This is my only number!" Skulker ordered and some of the pirate members stood on the side beside Skulker.
SKULKER
Now take Sir Francis Drake, the Spanish all despise him
But to the British, he's a hero and they idolize him
The pirates bowed to prove his point about Sir Francis Drake. Skulker then wrapped his arms around Lydia and Wulf as though they were brothers in arms.
It's how you look at buccaneers that makes them bad or good
And I see us as members of a noble brotherhood!
Goliath and Lydia raised Skulker in the air for a moment as the crew began to sing once again and moved him around for a moment before putting him down. Every second, Dani kept hoping that her brother, sister and her friends were working on a plan to rescue her.
PIRATES
Hey ho ho!
We're honorable men
And before we lose our tempers we will
Always count to ten
SKULKER (After hitting Midget Ghost with one of his blasters)
On occasion, there may be someone you have to execute!
SKULKER AND THE PIRATES
And when you're a professional pirate….
BOX GHOST
You don't have to wear a suit! BEWARE!
All of them gave Box Ghost annoyed looks for cutting in with his usual annoying catchline. He looked at them all in confusion and asked, "What?"
Freakshow grabbed a coconut and ripped it right in half, causing Dani to cringe at the idea of that happening to her.
FREAKSHOW
I could've been a surgeon, I like taking things apart!
YOUNGBLOOD
I could've been a lawyer, but I just had too much heart
Youngblood gave Dani an innocent look, but she shook her head, not buying his look for a second.
BOX GHOST
I could've been in politics, cause I'm a big spender!
ONE EYED PETE
And me, I could've been a contender
All of them laughed at his attempt to make a fake Godfather accent, except for Dani not finding them funny at all.
SKULKER
Some say that pirates steal and should be feared and hated
I say we're victims of bad press that's all exaggerated
All of the pirates nodded in agreement with Skulker, not liking how people have described them. Some of them then started pretending to stab each other in the back and take someone's money as Skulker continued.
We never stab you in the back, we never lie or cheat
We're just, in fact, the nicest guy you ever want to meet!
"Don't ya see whelp? We're one big brotherhood! A festival of conviviality!" Skulker laughed along with the rest of the pirates.
Meanwhile back at the ship Ghostwriter, Damon and Technus stood ready on deck, while they looked down at Danny, Jazz and Tucker who were sitting in the lifeboat.
"We're ready Captain." Ghostwriter said.
Danny nodded and ordered, "Good. You three guard the ship while I'm gone. We'll be back as soon as we rescue Danielle. Cast off Technus."
"Yes sir!" Technus said and let go of the rope, allowing Jazz and Tucker to start rowing the boat towards the island, while Danny took control of the rudder.
"Do you think Danielle's alright?" Jazz asked in concern as continued to row with Tucker.
"Danielle has always been a strong, brave girl Jazz. I'm sure she's alright and hopefully, Skulker and his lowdown pirates haven't harmed her." Danny said with confidence, but also concern for the wellbeing of his little sister.
"She'll be okay guys. I know it." Tucker said, hoping to comfort them.
"Tell the truth whelp. Do you really think your brother and Ghostwriter are planning to share the treasure with the likes of us?" Skulker asked Dani.
Dani didn't say anything nor did she want to. Skulker nodded and knew the real answer to his question already.
He glared and said, "We are the rightful owners. Pariah Dark's own crew, who shed our blood getting it here!"
He continued to encourage Dani as he stood above the rest of the pirates, "Join us Dani! Donate your compass to the treasure hunt and get a full share!"
The pirates all held torches in the air and once again encouraged Dani to join their crew, sharing the benefits of being a pirate.
SKULKER AND THE 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 bound to be
And when you're a professional pirate….
SKULKER
You'll be honest, brave, and free!
The soul of decency!
You'll be loyal and fair and on the square
But most importantly,
Skulker floated in the air above all of them and the pirates all gathered around each other and wrapped their arms, once again like they were a huge brotherhood.
SKULKER AND THE PIRATES
When you're a professional pirate
You're always in the best of company!
Suddenly the sound of a cannon could be heard from the distance, Skulker floated back down to the ground as they all were worried for a moment.
Dani smirked and said with full confidence, "There you see! My brother, my sister and my friends are coming to rescue me! Looks like I won't be helping you any time soon Skulker!"
Skulker however merely grinned and said, "I wouldn't get my hopes up young lady. You see, I have taken the liberty of hiding a few of my best men aboard. If a second round of the cannon follows, it means they've taken over the ship and I'm the new captain."
They waited in silence for only a few seconds and then suddenly, the sound of a second cannon blast was heard. All the pirates cheered knowing that the pirates Skulker had hidden on board really have taken over the ship. Dani looked down in sadness and now, with no hope of being rescued.
On the ship Technus, Damon and Ghostwriter were taken below deck and tied to the bottom of the mast with ecto-rope, ensuring that none of them would be escaping any time soon.
"Well….this is not good." Ghostwriter said.
Skulker cut the ropes off Dani's hands, knowing that her powers were still cancelled and she wouldn't be escaping any time soon.
"I'm the only friend you got in the world now Danielle." Skulker said. "Let's dig up the treasure together."
He then gave her a knowing look and finished, "We'll be needing your compass though."
Dani's eyes widened and she looked at Skulker pleadingly while shaking her head, "No."
"I'll be taking it either way Dani. It's your choice." Skulker said, warningly.
Knowing now she had no choice, she pulled out her father's compass and looked down at it sadly as she said in her head, "I'm sorry mum, dad. I'm so sorry."
She then handed Skulker the compass and they all cheered and began to head into the jungles of the island, beginning their treasure hunt.