The sun had just risen over the horizon. The captain, quartermaster and the teens stood together in the captains quarters of the Reclaimer. In the middle stood Columbus. He started concentrating, his arrow started spinning and everyone watched in anticipation. It slowed down and came to a stop.

Columbus opened his eyes and took a deep breath. "His North of Dry Tortuga."

"The naval fort." The quartermaster confirmed. "That place has been heavily guarded ever since captain Roberto tried to take control of it back in 1713."

"Not to mention the fact that it's so close to Havana and defends it's trade vessels." Added the captain.

The quartermaster examined the map. "All we have to do is keep to the far North and we should be able to sneak past in the dark of night."

"It will take at least three days to get to his ship, provided he doesn't move to far in the mean time." Columbus stated. "Do we have the supplies to support us for that long?"

"Thanks to our catch we have more then enough food." Said captain Endo. "Water supplies are fine, however there will be no distribution of rum till after we've completed our task."

"You mean till after we lost have of our crew." Columbus said almost protesting against the captain.

Captain Endo pulled out one of his pistols and aimed it at Columbus, shocking everyone. "Do not test me Columbus. You agreed to this long ago. We all did. And now that we have the final piece you start having second thoughts."

Columbus was in fear for his life, he knows what the captain does to those you stand up against him and the only reason he was still alive was because of his usefulness to the captain.

Captain Endo sheaved his pistol. "If you want to leave then go right ahead. Just remember that we're already out at sea, so you'll be swimming back."

Columbus gulped and quickly left. Everyone else followed and the captain went to go sit down by his desk. Outside Gumball and Simba returned to their post by the cannon.

"You think he'll turn his pistol on us one day?" Simba asked looking at the Freeman's Tracker sailing opposite to them.

"You've ever been in love?" Gumball asked.

Simba didn't see how that was relevant to his question and turned to look at Gumball with a confused expression.

"I haven't." Gumball continued. "They say it makes you do cray things. But because I haven't been in love I can't tell you just how crazy one can get."

Simba nodded to show that he understood what Gumball said, but what he said didn't really put his mind at ease. They were then joined by Dante.

"This is your new post huh?" He asked starting a conversation.

"It's better then swapping the deck." Said Gumball.

"You guys think your ready?"

Neither one of them answered, instead they just looked at each other and then back at Dante.

"Well, you have three days left to make sure you don't leave this Earth with any regrets."

Meanwhile Carrie was sitting down with a frightened Columbus trying to put him at ease.

"His just under a lot of stress." Carrie said.

"Stress?! He pointed his pistol at me and was ready to shoot!" Columbus said hysterically.

"You have sort of been against this whole thing from the start."

"With good reason. How can you not see what I see?!"

"I know what you see Columbus. I just don't see it in the same way. There's a difference between simply facing death and facing death with a purpose." She explained.

"I suppose you have a point." Columbus was starting to see that he couldn't convince anyone to change their mind. He was left with a choice, attempt to leave or face certain doom. Unlike his friends, he had no reason to risk his life.

The day went by without any memorable moments. Simple conversations among the crew and several pirate shanties sung in order to help pass the time. Lexy also managed to do some training with Gumball and Simba, but with the lack of free space and privacy not much could be done.

The night sky brought a more peaceful atmosphere. Most of the crew had settled in for the night. There was still some noticeable activity on deck. Gumball and Jamie were playing an odd dice game, Lexy and Alex or Stalker as she now called him stood in the front of the ship staring at the stars, Dante was sharpening his long sword and Carrie and Simba were having a conversation at the back of the ship.

"So, how long have you been in the navy?" Carrie asked.

"A few months."

"And what have you been doing during that time?"

"I was on the Professor from the start and we mostly patrolled trade routes."

"Have you been in any battles before the one that got you in this mess?" She asked jokingly.

Simba laughed a little. "I have actually, but it wasn't anything major. Didn't have to do much to bring down the other ship."

Carrie stared out into the dark sea, but Simba couldn't focus on anything other then her. He sighed. "Carrie?" He asked grabbing her attention.

"Yes."

Simba took her hand into his, removed the hair from her left eye and looked straight into her eyes. "We have two days left before the unpredictable happens and I don't want to waste another minute not letting you know how I feel about you."

A smile stretched across her face and a warm feeling enveloped her heart. She didn't have the words to respond with, so instead she closed her eyes and moved her head forward until her lips connected with his. The Turtle by the wheel noticed what was happening behind him and made sure not to disturb them.

After a moment of kissing they slowly parted their lips. "I feel the same way." Carrie said looking into Simba's eyes.

Simba took her into a hug and just felt her soft smooth body on his and stroked her hair as the time ticked by.

The remaining days passed by quickly as the crew of both ships became more and more aware of what they were soon going to face. Even Dante and Jamie who didn't seem to be intimidated by anything feared what was to come. The only one who went into this with full determination was captain Endo. He had waited five years for the opportunity to save his love and kill the man who took her away from him. He was prepared to do so at the cost of every man and women on both ships that weren't of use to him later on.

Through the spyglass a small speck could be seen in the distance. Captain Endo removed it from in front of him and gave the spyglass to the quartermaster.

"We'll reach it shortly." Captain Endo said.

"No turning back now. I presume they already know we're heading for them." Said the quartermaster taking a look through the spyglass.

Captain Endo walked to the center of the upper deck. "All hands stop what your doing and listen! This isn't like any other battle we've been in before. No, this Is ten times harder. I need each and everyone of you to perform beyond what you think you can do."

The crew didn't receive any motivation from this and wondered whether he'll just be blunt or whether he was saving the motivational part for last.

"We may have lost good men, but I know that among you are notorious mercenaries and assassins who have seen your fair share of combat, blood and death. The challenge is simply to board their ship, afterwards we have the advantage."

The crew could sense the determination in the captain. They knew very well what he was capable of doing once he got onto an enemy ship.

"We are facing a crew made entirely out of crocodiles. Their backs are hard, but they have soft underbellies. I will lead you into victory and after that victory we shall be the most feared ship in the Caribbean!"

The crew cheered, pounding their fists into the air as they received the motivation they needed.

"Do what ever it takes, but remember, Saigon is mine."

The crew manned their stations and the quartermaster used a rope to swing onto the other ship as he was to take command of it. The two ship then moved further apart from one another, but remained adjacent to each other. Everyone's hearts were pumping and they were filling up with adrenaline. Chances of survival was low, but the glory promised in victory was great.

On board the Red Crow captain Saigon stood by the ships wheels. Two of them were attached to each other. He stood ten feet tall and his entire body was covered in muscle. His skin and scales were so thick that even his soft underbelly could withstand a hit from a sword. He wore only red pants and a black captains hat.

"Bring the anchor up and lower the sails!" He shouted in a deep, threatening voice.

"I've been hopping to get my hands dirty again." He said and grew an evil smile.

Back on the Reclaimer Gumball and Simba were at their cannon which was already loaded with a cannonball. All they were waiting for was that one fateful word.

"Do not worry Gumball, just listen to what I say and you will survive." Said Kira.

Gumball didn't reply, instead he looked over at Simba. "Any regrets?"

"Just that I never got a chance to beat you in a sword fight." Simba joked.

"You can't regret what you can never achieve." Gumball joked back and laughed.

The two ships were now close to the giant that awaited them. It was the largest ship they had ever seen. It's red and black hull along with it's massive ram was made out of iron. it had 60 guns on each side loaded and ready to blow them to smithereens. Each of the two brigs would take a side.

Stalker came up to captain Endo, ready to do his part. "If we want to win we need speed on our side. Fly up when I give the order and rip open their sails. Stay high up, wouldn't want you shot down." Captain Endo said.

Stalker nodded and waited for the order to take flight.

The Red Crow had started moving towards them.

"Winds in our favor captain." Said the only alligator on the ship. He had a scar on his snout and one of his teeth were missing at the point where the scar met his upper jaw.

"Ready the mortars and focus fire on the hunter!" Ordered the captain. "I want to keep the Reclaimer as my price."

As the Red crow was about to pass between the two brigs they turned away from it, going into opposite directions and aiming there guns at it.

"Fire!" Shouted both captain Endo and the quartermaster simultaneously.

Nine guns from each ship went off and the cannonballs pounded against the hull of the Red Crow. Sadly, only a hand full made any noticeable damage and even those were just large cracks.

"We've not pierced their armor captain!" One of the Reclaimer's crewmen yelled.

"Go! Now!" Captain Endo shouted to stalker and he immediately took flight.

He flew towards the upper sails of the Red Crow. This was visible to Saigon. "Fire the mortars at the hunter and shoot down that dragon!"

Two crocodiles standing on a platform at the point where the lower sails meet the upper sails in the center of the ship were armed with rifles. They aimed at the oncoming dragon and waited for him to come into rang. Stalker removed his two pistols and dived down to them. They each fired off a shot, both of which were dodged. Stalker aimed his pistols and fired the one after the other. Both crocodiles had their hearts pierced by the bullets and fell to the ground.

Mortar fire was suddenly shot into the sky. The Freeman's Tracker tried it's best to out maneuver most of it.

"BRACE!" Shouted the quartermaster.

The men did as they were told and braced as the mortar fire came raining down on them. Several rounds tore through the ships sails and came smashing through it's deck. Two starboard cannons were knock overboard along with three crewman. Two others were crushed and killed instantly by the impact. Several more rounds missed there mark and landed in the water around the ship.

"We have them now captain." Said the alligator.

"Turn our guns on them and send them to hell." Ordered captain Saigon.

The Red Crow turned and aimed their guns on the crippled ship. At the same time Stalker ripped through the center of the upper sail and went to go stand on the highest platform of the ship right below it's flag. The black flag had a white crocodile skull on it with two swords crossed behind it. Stalker took a bomb out of his pocket and spat fire onto it's fuse. He dropped it and the bomb reached the lower sails before it exploded. The fire from the blast ignited the sails and they started burning out.

"Captain, we're losing speed and maneuverability!" Yelled the alligator.

"No matter, their ship is just about in the line of fire."

When the captain said this a wave of cannonballs flew towards his ship from the Reclaimer ahead of them. They were aimed in such a way as to hit the ships deck. Three rounds missed and hit it's ram instead. The rest made there mark and impacted on the ships deck. They crashed through it and send some of the men and equipment flying back, badly injuring at least two of them.

"Captain, we must fire now before they outmaneuver us."

"No, lower the sails and let them board us. I have a plan." Said captain Saigon and grew his evil smile.

"They've lowered their sails. Should we board captain?" Asked the turtle.

"Yes, but stay alert. This is far from over." Captain Endo said knowing full well of the blood shed that was to come.

Credits:

Dante: Dante Watterson

Saigon: Dante Watterson

Lexy: Lexboss

Endo: ArcLight Fire77

Kira: Arclight Fire77

Simba: Lionroar123

Columbus: The Double U

All TAWOG characters belong to Ben Bocquelet

side characters and other OC's me

Special thanks to:

Dante watterson for giving me some ideas.

Story Inspired by:

Assassin creed Black Flag

Pirates of the Caribbean

and my general love for pirate themed stories

Note:

I think this is a good spot to end off for the year. The continuation will have to wait until January. Thanks again to everyone for reading and for the reviews. Enjoy the festive season!