Another update, yay! I love updating stories…The responses are amazing. It is snowing here which is wonderful because that means no school and therefore I have plenty of time to finally type this chapter! School have been kind of hectic lately…I'm in my senior year and I'm trying to wrap up school…Blah…Anyway, thanks to everyone for their inspiring reviews. You guys really put a smile on my face.

!#$&()

The Pirate King

Chapter 3: Volcano Island

The next day they once again set sail. The crew, finally believing Serenity would not leap into open water to escape, allowed her free reign of the ship deck. She stood at the bow and gazed at the vast horizon. "Where are we going?" she called to Endymion who stood behind her at the wheel.

"To the Mysterious Isles. We've been led to believe that a legendary pirate left his life's fortune there."

"Have you so little respect for other pirates that you would steal from them, even in death?"

Endymion turned and grinned at her. "Madame, believe me; the most respectful thing you could do for a pirate is steal from them." He said with a wink.

"I'm sure…And where are the Mysterious Isles?"

"About ten miles from the eastern coast of Australia. We do not have the exact location."

"So I suppose you'll just sail about until you accidentally land on them?"

"Most assuredly. I believe, princess, that you are about to have your first pirate adventure."

Twilight was just beginning to fade into night when a large landmass peaked over the horizon. Shouts from the crow's nest assured them it was an island and not part of the mainland.

"I can't believe it." Serenity breathed, staring at Endymion in amazement. "No one before has ever found the Mysterious Isles and you find them in less than a day!"

"There is a reason I'm the Pirate King after all…Besides, all it took was a little common sense and some patience."

"Yes, I see…"

Before long the ship had been anchored a half-mile from the coast and several rowboats were prepared for departure. Endymion strapped his pistol to his waist along with his dagger and saber, preparing to go ashore.

"Would you like to come along with us?" he asked suddenly, turning to Serenity.

"Of course I would!" she exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Terrific, just stick with me and you'll be fine." Malachite and Zoicite exchanged nervous glances before stepping out into the rowboats.

Endymion wrapped his arm around Serenity's slim waist and pulled them both into a rowboat. Two other crew members joined them before they were lowered into the water. Endymion took the oars and propelled them quickly through the waves to the shore, two other rowboats following closely behind.

The boat slid onto the shore smoothly and everyone climbed out.

"Alright men, here is where we separate. Malachite and Zoicite take two men each and explore east and west. Serenity, two men and I shall plunge into the forest.

The crew members separated into the three teams and began exploring. Serenity gazed in awe at the large volcano that stood smoking at the center of the isle. Endymion grabbed her hand and pulled her along after seeing she had stopped. The large trees cast dark shadows on the ground. Serenity nearly shrieked when a mouse scurried through the underbrush.

Endymion's hand tightened on hers in comfort and she could not help but feel safe from then on.

"Where exactly is this treasure supposed to be buried?" she whispered as they tread quietly through the forest.

"Our sources informed us it was not buried."

"Who would leave treasure in plain sight? Then anyone could take it…"

"Exactly,"

"I don't understand. If this guy was a pirate, then he should have buried it or set traps or…" she broke off as her foot was pulled from beneath her and screamed as her body levitated off the ground, upside-down.

"We must be close." Endymion laughed, pulling out his pistol. He shot the rope in two and caught Serenity just before her head impaled the ground.

"That wasn't funny!" Serenity exclaimed, punching Endymion's arm. The other two crew members stepped forward nervously but faltered when Endymion continued laughing. They had never seen their King act this way. They looked at each other in confusion.

"Let's just go. There is treasure to seek, remember?" Serenity said, crossing her arms.

"You are correct princess. Off we go then. Shall you lead or shall I?" She glared at him until he began to move once again. This time she kept her arms crossed and thwarted any of his attempts to help her.

"C'mon Serenity, how long are you going to be mad? If you had seen your face when that trap set you would have laughed to!"

"Humph…" was her only reply. Endymion sighed and pushed through particularly tough underbrush. He suddenly felt the earth leave his feet and he fell. Above him he heard maniacal laughing. Rubbing his head, he looked up to see Serenity standing above him, laughing, and his two crew members looking at him in concern.

"Are you alright, Captain?" one asked.

"Yes, just get me out of this bloody hole!" he said angrily, embarrassed by the accident.

"Just so you know, I forgive you for before…" Serenity laughed as the two men began frantically searching for something to pull him from the pitfall.

After Endymion had assured his crew members of his well-being and dusted off his clothes they set off exploring once again. Serenity took Endymion's hand shyly, smiling when he turned to her in shock.

"How bold of you princess…" he grinned, causing Serenity to blush.

By now night had long fallen and the only light they had was a small lantern. Various animal noises sounded through the darkness, raising the hair on Serenity's neck.

"I hope we are getting close; this darkness is so eerie…" Serenity shuddered.

Endymion had stopped walking, causing Serenity and the men to stop as well. "What's wrong?"

"We're back at the ship. We've circled the entire island." Serenity squinted through the trees to see the dim outline of the beach and the Fool's Gold anchored in the water. Several figures walked slowly around the sand. "Malachite and Zoicite have returned as well…empty-handed."

Endymion pushed through the trees to join his men, the others following closely behind.

"Captain!" Malachite exclaimed. "We've explored the entire beach twice and have not found a scrap of gold.

"It seems we have been given a false lead. Let's return to the ship." Endymion said gruffly, already heading to the rowboat.

The short trip back to the ship was extremely quiet. Serenity knew Endymion was disappointed by their useless searching.

Once they were pulled back up to the ship, Endymion said that they were to remain anchored until morning and then disappeared into his cabin. Serenity walked slowly back to her room and climbed beneath the blankets, glad for the warmth after the chilly expedition. However she could not drift off to sleep. All she could think about was that treasure. If a pirate didn't hide his treasure, he would definitely do what he could to protect it.

The next morning dawned blue and clear, the sun casting a golden glow on Serenity's face. She stretched and sat up sleepily. After tossing and turning for a few hours she had finally drifted into slumber. She rubbed her eyes a few times before a realization struck her. Where, on a volcanic island, would a pirate hide his treasure? What is the greatest defense of the island? She threw the blankets from her and flew to the top deck just as the crew was preparing to depart.

"Wait! I know where the treasure is!" she exclaimed. Endymion stood at the wheel and stared at her confusion.

"And where, pray tell, is it?"

"In the volcano!" she exclaimed, pointing to the smoking mass. Endymion followed the line of her finger to the direction of the volcano and smiled.

"Of course it is…That old hob! He would put it in a place difficult to reach."

"Your orders, Captain?" Malachite asked.

"Drop anchors, ready the rowboats!" He jumped down from the steering wheel platform and ran to Serenity. "Thank you, Your Majesty." He grinned happily.

"You're welcome," she replied.

"I assume you're coming with us?"

"Of course,"

"It will be very dangerous…"

"Hey, I can't miss my 'first pirate adventure,' now can I?"

"I suppose not. Well then, off we go!" They once more descended in the rowboats and traveled to the shore, this time with more crew members and large browns bags. Endymion led the way through the forest to the base of the volcano. Serenity observed the height and nearly fainted. To get to the top they would have to climb around a hundred feet of mountain side. Not too high for a regular mountain climber but for a princess it seemed like a great climb indeed. Endymion noticed her apprehension and smiled in reassurance.

"No need to worry, just imagine it's the crow's nest you're climbing." Serenity gulped and nodded.

"I'm ready,"

They began to slowly ascend the mountain, checking for sure footing and firm handholds. The rock was dark and crumbled easily, inducing many scares from Serenity.

"This just proves pirates will do anything for treasure." Serenity mumbled.

"Ah, you haven't lived until you have dived through fifty feet of shark-infested waters for a single gold coin!" Endymion laughed. "You see Serenity, money rules the world and in order for pirates to rule, we believe we must have all the money. Therefore we go to great lengths for any amount."

"I guess that makes sense. A poor King could not rule efficiently."

"Indeed," Endymion grunted as he pulled himself over the top of the volcano and onto a shelf on the inside. The smoke from the volcano burned his eyes and nose and sweat began to form on his brow.

Serenity soon followed and stood behind him, peering down. Endymion looked down as well to see a lake of burning lava. It seemed as if they had discovered Hell itself.

Endymion pulled Serenity back from the ledge and warned the men to watch their step as they joined him. Once they had all congregated on the ledge Endymion began to search for the treasure. The ledge stretched in a circle around the volcano, allowing them a full view of the inside of the burning mountain.

"There it is!" Serenity gasped. Endymion followed her gaze to see a glint of gold shining through a small cleft below the ledge.

"Very clever of him." He commented. "Alright men, prepare to lower me down."

"But Captain! Doesn't this seem almost…suicidal?" Malachite exclaimed.

"Very nearly…" They rotated around until they were directly above the hole. Endymion kneeled by the edge of the rock and Zoicite grabbed his feet. "Lower me slowly, no need to hurry this mission. The last thing we need is a mistake." The men gulped nervously before making a human chain and lowering their King past the ledge. Serenity watched nervously, preparing to jump forward if needed. Endymion called for them to halt and she could hear metal clanging.

Serenity sighed in relief and settled down to wait while he gathered the bags and sent them up. Sack after sack was filled and sent up, forming a large pile.

A grumble sounded from deep within the volcano and the lava began to boil manically.

"Umm…Endymion?" Serenity called nervously.

"Yes?" he asked, his voice muffled.

"I believe…the volcano is about to erupt." She replied. She had only seen one volcano erupt before and this was beginning to look exactly like that one.

Endymion was silent for a moment before Serenity heard scrambling. "Hoist me up men! The mountain's about to blow!"

A flurry of activity followed as the crew quickly hoisted Endymion back up to the ledge. "Throw the bags over and be quick about it! C'mon princess!" Endymion pulled Serenity over his shoulder and jumped over the mountain side. Serenity bit back her scream as Endymion skidded down the rocks, half-running, half-falling. The other men followed his example, slipping and sliding as fast as they could. Behind them they could hear a loud roar just as the volcano spewed its first round of ash and rock. Serenity felt a sharp rock nick her cheek and ash filled her eyes.

They finally hit the ground and the men grabbed the bags they had tossed down previously, running back towards the ship. Endymion still held Serenity, not trusting her to run fast enough. He could feel the heat of the lava that was now oozing from the volcano. Serenity looked back to see six of the men were falling behind; their heels dangerously close to the lava flow.

"Endymion!" she exclaimed just before they were engulfed by the molten liquid. She closed her eyes and buried her face in his shoulder, wishing she could forget what she had just seen.

They jumped in the rowboats and rushed to the ship. "Grab the ropes! We've no time to hoist the rowboats!" Serenity grasped at one of the many ropes that hung from the boat's deck. "Ahoy! Lift the anchor, release the sails and set the rudder, head north! Quickly!" Endymion shouted to the men who had been left on board. Serenity could hear the anchor chains groan as it was drawn from the water and the released sails snapped in the wind.

Serenity pulled herself to the deck and collapsed in exhaustion. She heard the other men pull themselves up and begin rushing about to help escape. The smoke from the volcano was heavy in the air and ash fell like snow on the boards. Serenity curled into a ball to muffle her sobs as she thought of the men who had died so cruelly.

She felt herself being picked up and carried below deck but she couldn't bring herself to open her eyes or to cease sobbing. She grasped the man's shirt in desperation. He lay her down on her soft mattress and stroked her hair from her face.

"It's okay now…" he soothed, his deep voice vibrating through her. "You're safe, the ship is safe, and we are miles away from the volcano." Slowly her tears dried up and she opened her eyes to find Endymion bent over her in concern. "Feel better?"

"They…they died…" she whispered.

"They knew the risks of the mission as we all did."

"They died for money…" Serenity's voice was bitter.

"No," Endymion soothed. "They died for honor. They died for all the pirates in the world…"

Serenity closed her eyes as she considered his words. She heard him leave soon after.

!#$&()

That's the end of chapter 3! I hope you enjoyed it and, as always, please review.