CHAPTER 13: THE SECRET OF THE RING

Dozens and dozens of unconscious bodies covered the deck. The pale light from the East illuminated those bodies. It was dawn, at last. The night was over and the battle - won.

Beast boy stood victorious amongst the sea of bodies. His face was weary, pale. Robin stood beside him, also looking very exhausted.

"This one battle practically equaled to five days of training …" Robin shook his head slowly, glad it was all over.

The Red Daggers, were looking especially happy, this was their first major battle with the Death Skulls and they had won it! A lot came to congratulate and praise Beast boy and Robin for their help. Beast boy, despite being tired, tattered and bruised all over, can't help but feel a sense of pride.

Then, from the distance, a small dot emerged, it appeared bigger and bigger as it came closer.

Beast boy squinted his eyes - It was Starfire! He nudged Robin and pointed. The other boy's face practically lit up when he saw who was coming back. Beast boy looked around Starfire, searching … for a certain Titan who was supposed to come back too.

"Robin!" Starfire flew into his arms and they hugged for a moment before letting go.

Robin had both hands on his shoulders, and seeing her dejected face, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Where's Raven?" Beast boy wanted to know.

"Oh, friends! You must believe when I say that I searched and searched! I searched above and below, but could not find dear friend, Raven! I was almost caught too!" Starfire looked as if she were on the verge of crying.

"You mean high and low, Star." Robin corrected gently, his hand making circles on Starfire's back.

Beast boy's stomach twisted into a knot. Why couldn't she find her? Was Raven in danger? Is she alright? Could she be … Beast boy gulped, dead?

"No! I'm sure Raven's still on the ship!" Beast boy said angrily.

The other two was shocked at his sudden outburst.

"I'm going to go to the ship, find her and bring her back! I'm not giving up hope. She's there, I know it!" Beast boy continued, and started to change into a sparrow.

"Beast boy! Wait!" Robin called.

Beast boy was about to take off, but decided he could just spare one second for his team leader.

"We're not going give up on Raven either." Robin looked at Starfire and she nodded, "We're coming with you."

Beast boy acknowledged with a chirp and fluttered off, with Starfire carrying Robin, flying close behind him.

Upon reaching the ship, they found out that no one was on the deck. Perhaps, the pirates were still sleeping. But they only have very little time, the sky was getting brighter and seagulls would soon appear, squawking loudly.

"Starfire, is there any one place that you didn't search?" Beast boy turned to her quickly.

Starfire shook her head. She now wore a face of deep thinking. Then, she said excitedly, "Yes! There may be one place! It is the … what do you humans call it? Dungrooms? Dungron?"

Robin's mind clicked as he flashed back to that windowless room, sleepy pirate, the staircase and the two guards. Of course! Starfire must be too afraid to search there from her last experience, either that, or she just sincerely forgot.

"The dungeons!" Robin cried.

"Shhhh!" Beast boy hushed him and looked around nervously, "OK, let's go then!"

But when the three were about to enter that windowless room, they heard footsteps coming from behind the door. Robin hid behind a barrel while Starfire flew up. Beast boy turned into a sparrow and flew to one of the ship's masts.

Then, the door burst open and out marched two bulky-framed pirates, dragging Raven behind! She was looking tired, pale and very beaten up. Beast boy choked a little, as he bristled with anger, how could they do this to her!

The pirates were dragging Raven about roughly, and half the time, she kept tripping over her own feet, only to be shoved up rudely by the pirates.

"Stand!" one of them ordered.

They were tugging on some ropes which were tied tightly around Raven's hands. She winced as they pulled, the ropes were cutting into her wrists.

It took all Beast boy's efforts to not jump out, turn into a T-Rex and chew the pirates to death.

The pirates took out another coil of rope, this one, they tied around Raven, wrapping her arms around her body, the remaining was used to tied her knees together. Then, she was thrown onto the wooden deck as one of the pirates banged a gong loudly.

Soon, pirates were shuffling out from every direction, rubbing their eyes and yawning at first, but quickly became excited when they saw Raven all tied up. When the last of all the pirates arrived, the bulky pirates called for silence.

"Good mornin' Skulls! Today, we shall celebrate th' death o' a spy!" One of them said loudly and everyone cheered enthusiastically. Beast boy scanned the pirates and found George amongst them! He was cheering too!

Beast boy took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.

"So without further ado, we shall begin her execution, wit' th' classic, "Walk th' plank"!"

The other bulky pirate went out to the side of the ship and slid out a wooden board - the plank. Beast boy gulped, how could he save her now? He looked around for Robin, Robin's face was just as alarmed and worried, Starfire, floating above, was looking upset and confused.

None knew what to do.

So Beast boy could only watch in silence as the pirates hoisted Raven and put her on the plank. She wobbled, trying to find her balance, it wasn't easy, not with her arms wrapped around her and knees tied together.

Raven's face was expressionless, but Beast boy knew her well enough that that could very well be a mask. She could be hiding her fear, all her worries, only goodness knows what's running through her mind right now.

Then, George came up behind Raven. He was holding out a sword.

"Walk." he ordered quietly.

There was a brief flash of anger across Raven's face, but as soon as it came, it went away. Beast boy could tell that she probably wanted to murder him. Well, who didn't? He'd betrayed everyone after all.

Raven took a step forward shakily. She was finding hard to walk with her knees bound. Then, Beast boy realised that she was all tied up because she was meant to drown in the sea! His heart pumped faster at the thought, he needed to save her!

When Raven took another step forward, she was almost at the edge. Now, she looked a bit hesitant. Beast boy started to fly down. But no one noticed a green sparrow, all eyes were focused on the "spy".

George poked Raven with the tip of his sword and she stumbled forward, gasping. The pirates laughed and started calling her all sorts of rude names.

Now she was at the edge.

"Jump! Jump! Jump!" the pirates chanted.

"You might as well." George said coldly as he nudged at Raven again with the tip of the sword.

Raven closed her eyes, then opened them again. A light breeze tousled her black-violet hair. She looked like a courageous war heroine, about to sacrifice herself for her people. Even when Raven's facing death, she looked calm, poised, dignified … brave.

Raven held out one foot forward and the pirates immediately hushed up, waiting in anticipation. Just when she was about to fall forward. Beast boy flew right in front of her eyes.

Raven's eyes widened, her mask no more, as surprise, recognition, flashed through her face. But it was too late, Beast boy had made her jump in surprise and she was losing her balance, she was falling!

She opened her mouth and gave a silent cry. Beast boy flew down quickly, morphed into a human as he did and just managed to catch her as they hit the water at the same time!

There was a huge splash as they both went under. Above, the ship erupted into applause, cheers.

Under the water, Beast boy grabbed onto Raven more tightly and swam upwards. As they resurfaced, both were gasping for air. Starfire flew down.

"Friends? You are alright?" she asked concerned.

Beast boy could only nodded.

They were both pulled into a rib-breaking hug. Finally, the Tamaranian released them and flew out of the water. That's when they heard thuds and surprised cries on the deck.

"It is Robin. He is doing the kicking of butts, I must assist." Starfire smiled and flew up once more, firing her powerful green star bolts.

Beast boy deftly untied Raven.

"Thank you." her voice sounded hoarse, as if it weren't used for a long time.

He didn't know exactly what he was thinking, but he pulled her in for a tight hug. He felt Raven tense, but then relax. And though she didn't hug back, surprisingly, she didn't push him away like he thought she would.

He stayed there for a moment without saying anything.

"Beast boy. I'm alright. You can let go now." Raven finally said gently.

A bit sheepishly, he released her, "I thought … you, you … I, I really thought that, we, we were n, never going to see you a, again!" Beast boy choked out.

Raven said firmly, "Now Beast boy … don't you dare cry."

"OK …" he sniffled but managed to hold back the tears.

"And if you're feeling better, I would like to wreak havoc on the Skulls, especially George."

Beast boy almost laughed. It was time for revenge.

Raven flew up and Beast boy turned into a pterodactyl. The pirates gasped as they saw him, they've never seen any animal quite that big. Beast boy didn't wait for them to react, she dived at them straight away and with a sweep of his powerful wings, he swept quite a number of them off the deck and into the ocean.

Raven finally found George in one corner. He was still holding that sword, looking around frantically for escape.

"Hello." Raven said.

"Y, you!" He stuttered, backing away and slashing the air with the sword.

Then, there was a cry of pain and a gleaming silver sword flew from the side. Raven caught it in her right and admired the blade, giving the sword a few test slashes.

"You tried to kill me." Stated Raven, advancing on George now.

"No, I will!" George swung his sword at her but Raven blocked it with her's.

Raven hit his sword away and aimed for his stomach. But George nimbly jumped back and immediately tried to deliver another blow to her head. Soon, they were engaged in a sword battle.

George lifted a barrel and threw it at Raven. As Raven jumped to the side, the tip of her sword was just in front of her nose! George came barreling down on her and Raven stumbled back.

Then, somehow, they found themselves to be fighting on the wooden plank.

"Care to take a swim?" George sneered.

"Already did that. I think it's your turn." Raven aimed her sword at George's side.

But he ducked and kicked at Raven with his legs. Raven managed to jump in time.

Finally, they found themselves with their swords against each other. Each side was pushing, trying to overcome the other opponent and at the same time, maintain their balance on the thin wooden plank.

"You can't win!" George panted, and then pushed harder.

Raven felt her feet moving … towards the edge! Yes, she could swim, but soon, the sea will be swarming with sharks, which were drawn to the presence of blood in the ocean, by the other dead pirates.

"We'll see about that!" she circled her sword around George's, still maintaining the contact with his sword, and finally managed to make him drop it! Raven wasted not time and kicked it. George watched in horror as his weapon fell into the depths of the ocean.

Raven aimed a swift kick to his face and he stumbled, howling in pain. Finally, he lost his balance and fell head first into the waters!

Victorious, Raven climbed back up to the deck to see most of the Skulls there evacuating, escaping on tiny wooden boats.

"Let them be." Robin stopped Beast boy from coming after them.

Beast boy grunted his disapproval but nodded his head.

Starfire landed on the deck with a beaming smile. "Glorious! We have won!"

Raven sighed sadly, "No. The ring is lost. George threw it into the sea."

"Ring?" Robin asked.

"It was in a black silk pouch. That was our mission. We were supposed to get it back to Captain Hugh." Beast boy said, his own voice sounded disappointed. They had failed what they were supposed to do.

Poor Katherine! They had promised her, but they let her down! And now, the ring was lost forever.

"Friends?" Starfire spoke up unsurely, "Do you mean this black, silk pouch?"

Then, she held up in her hands, what George had supposedly managed to bury into the sea.

"No!" Beast boy gasped, "Dude! You just saved the ring!"

"I saw a dark object fly out when I was concealing myself at the side of the ship. I was curious and so, caught it in my hands. I never thought it would be of great importance." Starfire explained.

"But what's this all about?" Robin asked, looking back and forth between Beast boy, Raven and Starfire.

Raven wanted to laugh, it was seldom to see their team leader, the Boy Wonder, look so clueless.

"Come. We'll tell you on the way back."

"Ye couldn't 'ave done a greater job!"

Katherine, was beaming when Raven and the rest went down to the secret room and showed her the ring. It was truly a marvelous thing, the diamond was blood-red in colour, and it could almost be mistaken for a ruby, but it had that sparkle and cut of a diamond. Also, if you peered closely, you could see flecks of black inside the jewel. The ring itself, was pure gold, with silver lines intertwining around each other, twisting around the ring.

But the best thing about it, was that it was on Captain Hugh's finger.

He had tears in his eyes when Beast boy gave the ring to Katherine who helped put it onto his finger. The two, human and ghost looked at each other deeply, sharing the same memory of their wedding day and all the other times they've spent together.

Robin and Starfire were briefed thoroughly about everything, the story of George and the Captain and his wife. And despite being told to expect Katherine in ghost-form, they still looked rather taken aback at being in front of the presence of a ghost.

It had also taken a lot of explaining to Captain Hugh about how Raven had solved this whole mystery out. Details were given and though Beast boy and Katherine helped, Raven felt drained after all the explaining. But it was worth it, the look on his face when Raven led him down here and saw Katherine standing before him … it was thoroughly worth it.

"I must thank ye fer bringin' me peace. But I 'ave t' go, now that dear Hugh has his rin', I can cross o'er. But thar be one thin' that Hugh 'n I would mighty much like ye t' see afore I go." Katherine looked at Hugh and they smiled.

"Follow me." Captain Hugh gestured with his hand and led them all up onto the deck and into the dining room. The pirates seated there, resting after their battle looked shocked as they stared at Katherine, their Captain, his ring, Raven, Beast boy, Robin and Starfire. But they did not question, sensing something important was going on. They let them pass without a word.

Captain Hugh led them into the kitchen, and then opened the door at the side.

Was this George's room? Raven could not wait to see what was inside.

It was dark and very small. There was simple furniture about and everything was very neat. Everything looked very ordinary, very in place. But then, Captain Hugh crossed the room and lifted a worn carpet off the floor, throwing it to the side, he revealed a secret trap door!

"This was George's cabin. I reckon he found this trapdoor'n led 'im t' try 'n find th' ring, fer th' keyhole only fits th' diamond on our rings. Then, he must 'ave passed on th' information t' th' Skulls 'n led them t' ambush us while he finds me ring 'n escape. Comin' back t' our ship later, aft we've marooned it 'cause o' th' ambush, t' unlock this door." Captain Hugh explained.

Raven nodded, now, it made perfect sense.

"But pray, do tell what secret the trapdoor reveals?" Starfire pleaded.

"Is it pirate treasure?" Beast boy rubbed his hands together excitedly.

Katherine gave a merry laugh, "See fer yourselves."

Captain Hugh slipped the ring off his finger and pressed the diamond down on the oddly shaped keyhole. And sure enough, it fits perfectly! There was a click and the trapdoor popped up a few inches. Captain Hugh took back the ring and slipped it on again, then, he lifted the trapdoor fully.

The couple stood back and let the Titans enter. Each gasped as they saw what was ahead.

Memories. Paintings and paintings of Captain Hugh and Katherine's childhood. Portraits of them as a child, as teenagers, as young adults. Various old notebooks used by them were also found on wooden shelves. Diaries were on another. Journals of them and their married life were placed on a wooden table. Lanterns hung on the wall were lit by Starfire, and an orange glow bathed the room in its warmth.

It told the story of the life of Captain Hugh and Katherine. They were childhood friends whose parents were fishermen, so when they grew up, they had became fishermen too. Both loved the sea and would spend hours fishing together. One day, there was a bandit raid on their village and Captain Hugh and Katherine escaped on their boats. They went from village to village, finally earning enough to build a ship, this ship. From that day on, they gathered many friends from various villages and helped stranded people on islands. These people became their crew, and the Red Daggers were formed.

Each Titan was touched by all this. Memories and accounts, made purely by the love they had for one another, and the wish to preserve their days together.

There was no gold, no jewels or silver, but this room was priceless and worth more than everyone's gold in the world put together.

When they came out, Katherine looked as if she was starting to fade.

"Thank all o' ye, fer bringin' me 'n Hugh peace." she smiled, before disappearing altogether.

The next day, Captain Hugh sailed his ship to a nearby village to stock up supplies. He was in a good mood and was even whistling merrily. But when the Titans say they must go, he looked crestfallen.

Nevertheless, Raven comforted him and said it was for the best. Finally, after much persuasion, Captain Hugh gave them five bags of gold with some food supplies. When he bid them farewell, Beast boy promised they'll never forget him, Katherine and the Red Daggers.

And no one thought they ever would.

A/N: Chapter 13 done! How was it? It really took me a long time, but I thought it was worth it! I think, my best chapter yet! Oh, and by the way, please don't go, this isn't the end of the story, yes, there's more to come! If there's any suggestions, keep them rollin' in!

Don't forget to review!