All the inhabitants of Outset Island came to the beach to watch Link sail away. That is except Grandma...and Ayrll.

"CRAAAASSSSHHH!" The noise from the struck instrument was heard from all of Outset

The sails came down on the ship and the crash was heard again. The pirate ship started to sail off into the Great Sea. All the people were waving goodbye to Link. Link waved back, already starting to miss them. He looked up to his house, gasped & ran to the front of the ship. Grandma was standing, looking sad and worried for Link. Link waved to Grandma while Tetra sighed.

"Ugh... How much longer is this going to go on, do you think? Do you have an estimate?" Tetra moaned

Link turned to face her.

"Are you sure you shouldn't just quit right now? Seriously, think about it." Tetra suggested

She put her hands behind her head in a sunbathing position.

"I can just tell you're going to get more sentimental from here on out." Tetra said

Link stared at her.

"There's still time you know... Are you sure we shouldn't just turn around and take you back to your island?" Tetra suggested

Link turned back to Outset Island which was now disappearing into the distance.

"No." Link announced "I'll stay."

Tetra winked.

"Link." Tetra started "Go downstairs, to Niko's place. I've asked him to take care of you."

Link nodded. He climbed down the stairs, and through a door. There was a man guarding an open room. Link ignored it & went down the stairs. He walked into the big room, where the boy (Named Niko) was standing.

"Oh! Well! Hello there swabbie! As of today... EH-HEH-AHEM!" Niko grunted "I am your superior... Niko! Now I promise I'll go easy on you, so you do as I say, OK?"

Link nodded

"Right! Now, first off you have to take the test all new pirates have to make. It's a bit of a doozy, so get ready!" Niko ordered "You watch everything I'm about to show you real careful-like so you can cram it into your no doubt mushy swabbie brain."

Link was a bit insulted, but nodded anyway. Niko walked over to a switch-like thing on the floor.

"First off, you gotta press this switch." Niko explained "This is the only easy part."

He jumped onto the switch, and 5 wooden platforms raised up from the floor.

"Now, check it out. After the platforms rise up from the floor, you gotta jump on them!" He explained

He took a big step back, then jumped onto the first platform.

"OK, I was able to jump to this first one myself...but that next one is too far, right?" He asked

Link looked. Sure enough, the gap was too big for someone to jump across.

"That's when you gotta do, THIS!" Niko shouted

He took a step back, jumped and grabbed the rope conveniently placed in the middle of the two platforms. He was swinging back and forth.

"If you jump right at the rope, you can grab you can grab onto it. Swing until you get close enough to the next platform, then let go and jump to it!"

Niko let go & jumped to the next platform & looked back.

"So do you think you know how to do it? You have to swing from platform to platform and try to get to the entrance of that room over there!"

Link looked to the end of the room, and saw the room Niko was talking about.

"Here's the problem though, swabbie! The platforms only stay raised for a little while, so if you don't get there by the time they drop, you have to start over!" Niko warned

He jumped to the end, & stared at Link.

"It will probably take you at least 1 year until you're good enough to make it all the way here. 1 rough year. 1 tough year, full of bumps and bruises." Niko taunted "Of course, if you manage to do it faster, I'll reward you!"

"One year?" Link thought "It took him a whole year?"

"Now, give it a try! This ought to be good for a chuckle or two!" Niko challenged

Link jumped on the switch again, restarting the timer to try it out.

Later

Link jumped onto the ending place, with Niko standing there waiting for him.

"Whaaaaat!? You did it already?" Niko gasped

Link laughed a bit.

"I... I... I'm proud to have you as... As my... As my underling." Niko said embarrassingly

He looked around to see if anyone was watching, he put his head down.

"I... I wonder if it's OK to just give that to him..." Niko thought "...I don't see why not... I doubt I'll get busted..."

Niko put his head up.

"Alright, swabbie! I'll tell you what! You can have the treasure in that chest over there! It's your reward from the great and generous: Niko!" Niko boasted "Hurry and take it before someone comes."

Link stepped into the room, & opened the chest. There was a Spoils Bag inside!

"Sweet! Thanks Niko!" Link thanked

Niko nodded.

"HEY! LINK! WE'VE REACHED THE FORSAKEN FORTRESS! HURRY AND GET UP HERE!" Tetra's voice echoed through the ship

The Main Deck

Link walked out onto the Main Deck, & quickly found that it was night time!

"Hey! Link! Here I am! Up here!" Tetra shouted from the Crow's Nest.

Link looked up, & climbed the ladder.

The Crow's Nest

Link climbed up and quickly saw Tetra staring at him.

"What were you doing with Niko?" Tetra asked "Don't tell me you were playing some stupid game for treasure...were you?"

The guilty look on Link's face gave it away

"...Well, whatever! There's something you need to see! Have a look over there... That's the cursed isle known as the Forsaken Fortress.

Tetra pointed her eyes past the front of the ship. Link looked over, & saw a giant, metal, overly-protected Fortress. There were searchlights everywhere!

"There are all sorts of strange rumours about this place. What I do know is that long ago, it used to be the hideout of a no-good group of pirates we used to compete with... But they were just small-time. Now, the place looks like it's pretty dangerous." Tetra explained "Ah! I knew it! Look! Over there! By that window!"

Link looked over, expecting to see something remotely interesting. He couldn't.

"Have you ever seen so many seagulls flock like that before?" Tetra asked "...I'll bet you anything that's where they've got your sister locked up!"

"Probably." Link agreed

"...But it looks like the whole place is under really tight guard." Tetra said

She sighed

"This won't work... We'd be spotted before we get anywhere near landing there." Tetra doubted

Tetra thought for a minute, then winked at Link.

Moments Later

Link was looking out into the sky, then looked down, and saw a barrel, connected to a catapult! He gasped & started rocking around.

"Look, don't struggle. If you really want to get into a dangerous place like that, this is the only way how to do it. Trust me." Tetra explained "We pirates do this all the time. Don't worry about it! It'll be a piece of cake!"

Tetra turned to the first mate (Gonzo).

"Is everybody ready?" Tetra asked

Gonzo saluted.

"NO!" Link shouted

Tetra ignored him.

"Never you fear, kid. We're pros. We're going to launch you good!" Gonzo said

"What?!" Link asked confused

"3!" Tetra shouted

Link gasped

"2!"

Link thought about what would happen if they overshot.

"1!"

Link closed his eyes & braced for impact. The catapult sprang up, and Link went flying! He was holding onto the barrel for dear life. He saw the wall getting closer.

"BOOOOOM!" The barrel exploded on impact, & the sword flew away

Link slid down the wall, fell off, and landed in the water. He swam to the shore and panted.

Author's Note

Again, sorry for the cliffhanger ending, & the wait time. More chapters coming soon! Stay tuned & Review!