A/N: Wow, am behind schedule with this. sorry for the long wait. new games got in the way. anyway, Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Legend of Spyro, only my OCs.

Chapter 12: Trailing Skabb

Gneiss' POV

As we chased after Skabb and his two birds, they lead us in between the ships of the pirate fleet. We were soon forced to ground however, when we were almost hit by the broadside cannons on one of the ships. We took cover on a small lifeboat. We then glided down to the deck of the next ship in fleet.

As we landed on the deck, the Skavengers on the ship attempted to flee aboard a lifeboat. Only about three of them make it on board before it left, and a couple more couldn't stop themselves in time and went leaping off the edge of the deck into the sea far below.

As a result we were left with only a couple of pirates to fight our way through. As we approached the far side of the deck, we saw we'd have to pass through a veritable minefield of Skurvywings toting bombs. Sparx helpfully flew ahead and guided us down a safe route between the patrolling Skurvywings.

After clearing the deck of the next ship, with some help from some poorly deployed explosives, we boarded the next lifeboat, which ferried us up to the next ship in the line. Here, we used a conveniently placed cannon to blast open the side of the next ship. In this next ship, we fought our way past some more pirates, then climbed up onto the deck and defeated a pirate commander and his minions.

We then crossed the next ship fighting more enemies. We then tried to ride the lifeboat forwards, but we ended up being shot down by the cannons and crashing into the side of then ship. After clearing out the room we landed in, we used another conveniently placed cannon to blast through the crate blocking the doorway. In then next room we fought our way past a Blundertail and a ghost pirate. A Skavenger then descended into the room in an elevator, jumped out, got his foot tangled in the rigging, and fell to the floor knocking himself unconscious.

"Well," I said, "that way odd".

"How does someone knock themselves out from falling such a short anyway?" Jolt asked rhetorically.

We climbed into the elevator and rode it up to the deck above. Here we fought our way past a pair of autocannons, another Blundertail, and a good-sized group of pirates. Eventually, the deck was cleared and we were able to locate the switch to summon a lifeboat… that appeared at the end of a series of flimsy boards. With a bit of careful jumps, we were able to reach the lifeboat. As we rode the boat along we soon realized we were being channeled back through the same alley of cannons as before. Luckily for us, another lifeboat was directly in front of us, and intercepted the cannon fire for us.

Our lifeboat ground to a halt high above yet another ship, with a flight of Skurvywings in between the ship and us. Once again, Sparx decided to be helpful and guided us down a safe path. As we landed on the deck, one of the Skurvywings flew in to attack us.

We quickly took to the air and circled it, attacking it with a combination Magma, Light, and Wind. As a result, the Skurvywing didn't last long. As our foe fell, the small fire burning on the ship reached a powder keg, allowing us to reach a lever to call another lifeboat, along with a useful cluster of red crystals.

On the next ship, we took out more enemies, then used the strangely convenient cannon to open the way forwards. We then crossed to the yet another ship, where we had to flip three switches to open the hatch to the cargo bay, in which we discovered we'd fallen into a trap and had to fight our way through a surprisingly large number of pirates, while avoiding falling through the rapidly burning floor.

Eventually, we managed to take out every last one of our foes, and the hatch up to the deck reopened. We gladly climbed back up, and discovered a lifeboat had arrived to ferry us along to our next stop.

The deck of the next ship was suspiciously quiet. The only things on it were some red and green crystal clusters.

"Seeing what they threw at us on the last ship," said Spyro, "we must be getting close".

"It seems like it," replied Jolt, "look at how eerily calm it is… I feel our goal can't be much further now".

We used the crystals to heal up and recharge after from the previous fight, then hopped onto the next lifeboat, which ferried us to another lifeboat, which stopped hovering over an arena atop the crow's nest of then fleet's lead ship.

As we landed on the arena deck, Skabb spun round to face us. His birds were still sitting on his shoulders, though it appeared he'd grabbed a new sword for this battle. The one he was now wielding appeared very finely made, and its hilt was covered in finely cut gemstones. There appeared to be engravings along the center of the blade, though I couldn't read them from my position. All in all, it seemed to be an extremely valuable weapon, most likely enchanted, but in what way I couldn't tell.

"SUCKA, you just don't know when to quit!" said Sniff.

"Then you don't know us very well," replied Sparx, "I quit all the time!"

We all responded by giving Sparx an annoyed glance.

"Uh… what?" I said.

"Sorry," said Sparx, "I thought it was going to sound cooler…"

With that, the battle began. Skabb began the battle by calling in reinforcements, alternating between small Pirates and Pirate lieutenants, while 'Firing the Cannon' on Sniff's orders. Once we took out one of his waves of reinforcements, Skabb raised his sword to the sky. In a sudden blaze of power, the blade became enrobed in Convexity energy! He then stalked towards us, swinging his weapon wildly.

After missing a few times, he slammed the blade into the ground, creating a series of shockwaves that we leapt over. After the forth set of shockwaves, he had tired himself out and had his blade stuck in the ground. We quickly took the chance and pummeled Skabb as hard as we could. However he soon recovered, and proceeded to call in an air strike. The cycle of the battle then repeated until Skabb was defeated. He stumbled back, dropped his sword to the deck, and started teetering towards the edge of the platform, then went over the edge into the seas far below. Scratch and Sniff however, abandoned Skabb's shoulders and landed on the railing in front of us.

Sniff looked at us derisively, and then foolishly started flapping his beak.

"That ain't nothin'," said Sniff, "We don't need him to take out these punks! I pity the fool that messes with us! Welcome to a world of hurt!"

As Sniff continued to rant we all could easily see Sparx's tension rising, his eye twitching more and more rapidly. He then wound up, and punched that annoying bird out cold.

"Hooo-aah!" shouted Sparx, "that felt good!"

Scratch, knowing he had no chance of winning, took off and flew away into the distance.

"Well, I'm glad this side trip is done with," Jolt said, "but where should we go now? We didn't get much chance to examine the map".

"Would you by any chance mean THIS map?" said Sparx.

"When did you grab that, Sparx?" asked Tempest.

"I grabbed while you guys were busy fighting him," Sparx replied.

"Sparx, I know I don't say this much," I said, "but good work!"

We laid the map down on the deck and unrolled it. Much to our dismay, large portions of the map had been scratched out, leaving only a few recognizable marks behind. However, in one section of the map, we could read the partial words 'W*i*e I**e'. Even with these few remaining letters, there weren't many things it could say.

We were just about to set out when we heard a voice.

"Wait for a moment, young dragons," said a voice that we'd never heard before. It took a moment, but we were able to pin down the source of the voice to the sword lying on the deck!

"Who, or what are you?" I asked.

"My name is… or at least was Aventius," the sword said, "In life, I was a dragon who hatched and lived in a land... far distant from your own. I was known for my fierce combat skills along with great wisdom. As I grew old, I was offered the chance to live on and lend my skills to those in need. I decided that it was a wondrous idea, and as such, allowed my spirit to be imbued into this blade. Whoever wields it can benefit from my strength. While I prefer to be used for purposes of good, I cannot control who carries this blade. I ask you now, please take me from this foul place, wield me just purposes".

"Hmm, I'm not sure," I said, then turned to the others, "what guy think, should we take this blade with us?"

Everyone glanced around, discussing what we should do.

"If what it's saying is the truth, it would be wrong to leave it here," said Spyro.

"I didn't sense any malevolent intentions in it's words, I saw we bring it along," said Jolt.

"Even if it does turn out to be dangerous, it's best we get it out of the hands of these pirates," said Tempest.

"Well I guess it's decided, then," I said, turning back to the sword, "alright then, we're taking you with us".

"You are?" said the sword, "I sincerely thank you young dragons, you will not regret this decision".

I then reached to collect the blade. As I touched it, the sword glowed and changed somewhat, becoming just the right size to rest along my back, between my wings. I noticed that it wasn't actually touching my back, but rather it was floating just above it.

"Well, that was… odd," I said, "Let's get going".

We then took off in the general direction of where the map indicated that the White Isle was. A short while later, Sparx chimed in.

"Did… did you see me back there?" said Sparx, "I was like… BAM! And he was all… oof! Which reminds me… where are we going?"

"The damage to the map didn't allow it to be very clear," said Spyro, "but there's got to be some sort of landmark".

"Sure," said Sparx sarcastically, "I'll just keep my eyes peeled for the flashing sign that says SPOOKY MOON TEMPLE".

"Sparx," said Jolt, "couldn't you at least try to take… this… seriously…"

Suddenly, Jolt trailed off and started flying unsteadily, as did Spyro. Then, both of them nose-dived and spiraled towards the ocean below.

"Oh no," said Sparx, "Please tell me your just pulling over to use the bathroom!"

They splashed down, but a couple of seconds later, resurfaced on the back of a Leviathan Turtle!

Tempest and I landed next to them on the Turtle's back.

"Well, this is strangely convenient," I said.

"That's true, but I don't think we should look a gift horse, or turtle in this case, in the mouth," Responded Tempest.

She then turned to speak to the Leviathan Turtle.

"Excuse me," said Tempest, "but we need travel to the White Isle. Could you take us?"

The Leviathan Turtle's only response was a call that sounded much like whale song, as it turned and headed towards a dense fogbank. I wasn't sure, but I almost felt I could sense something concealed within.

With nothing else to do for the moment, we sat back to wait… both for our friends to regain consciousness, and for us to reach our destination.

A/N: And there we are! hope you enjoyed this chapter, I'll hopefully get the next one done in a more timely manner.