Major apologies for the long wait! I had finals and watnot, so I was a bit distracted…
To make up for it I've made this one a bit longer than usual. Thanks to FoxyJosh, Jarkes, and dragonite123 for the reviews last chapter! : )
Hoist anchor then!
-O-O-O-O
-O-O-O-
-O-O-
For three days they had been sailing. The weather had been agreeable and the oceans, mild. On this third night, the Seatunder drifted idly with the current, which Dorian confirmed to be flowing towards their destination: Lainaria. The island was exquisitely detailed on the map, far more than any of the others. Neither Skipper nor Flint said much about it, except that it was their homeland. They didn't seem happy or sad, or expressed any emotions at all. In fact, the two treated it as if it were any other stop along their journey. That, or they were really good at hiding their thoughts. There was a sense of urgency, however, that added to the mystery of that marked island.
But for now, all was at peace. The sail was drawn and the stations empty. The little ship was like an apple bobbing in a shallow basin, the reflection of the moon. Horizon surrounded it on all sides, encasing the night in a star-strewn dome. The only sound that could be heard was the water slapping gently against the hull. The virtual silence was welcoming to the only creature awake, a young Squirtle, as he walked along the deck.
"I used to be afraid of the dark," Tottle remembered, as the shadow of a cloud glided past. He was proud of himself, how much he had grown since the fateful day he became a part of the crew. My family. Tot couldn't remember his former family; different streets and different orphanages flashed through his mind but he couldn't grasp the image. "It's better that way," he decided, "so I won't have anything to be sad about." Home… Ayon was one of the best places in the world in his eyes. How he wanted to stay with Bell and the rest… But like Skipper and the crew, he knew his place was here. Beneath that timid shell the Squirtle knew he was like them, a wanderer, an adventurer. I want to grow stronger. He gripped the rail with his tiny claws. Skip and Dori, they moved with such litheness and skill; they did everything with a kind of effortless flow, made it look easy. And even Flint, small but stocky, has a rugged, roguish way about him. They, including Torq, were also adept with a blade. How steel danced in their paws! Then, Tottle remembered that they could be merciless killers as well. He suddenly realized he was like them in this respect. That night in Ayon he had slew just as many pirates as the next beast. He lacked the finesse for sure, but at least he didn't flinch at the sight of blood, or weaken at the thought of killing another creature. Because they were bad creatures, cold blooded murderers. An involuntary shudder ran through the tiny turtle. I did what was right… but killing is still wrong. Besides, those pirates were scary…
Suddenly, he felt like doing something bold, something spontaneous… climb up the mast! Torq always managed the sail from up there while he manned the ropes below, but tonight…! I'll do it!
Five minutes later Tottle was somewhere in the middle, clinging to the cords as if his life depended on it. He gulped, "It looked a lot shorter from the deck. The ropes and his confidence swayed with uncertainty. "Almost there, no point in giving up now," he told himself. The tiny turtle pressed on determinedly. Don't look down, Don't look down… until finally, he reached the crow's nest, trembling with a mixture of fear and excitement. His head swam as he chanced to look over the edge; from the top it looked like the whole structure was leaning. Sighing, he sat down and glanced around. It was a snug space, but not too cramped for a creature his size. A small roof of some sort protruded from one edge, with a curtain hanging from it: Gully's quarters. The parrot's breathing and muttering could be heard through the drapes.
The night was still, and the view from the mast top was enchanting. Tottle leaned against the edge of the basket and gazed out to sea. It wasn't long before his limbs started aching. He yawned loudly. The sudden thought struck him: How am I going to get down?
"Uh… Gully? Can you help me with something?"
"Rrrr… Bite'cher head off!" came the drowsy reply.
The turtle was struggling to find a solution when a blue flash caught his eyes. Just as he located the object its light faded, nothing more than a lump in dark waters. Tot bit his lip indecisively. "Should I wake the crew?"
The blue light shone again, and suddenly everything went black. The Squirtle froze in fear as a tall, ephemeral figure emerged from the shadows. He couldn't make out its face, but it was surrounded by an icy aura and it spoke in a feminine voice, "Help me…" She raised her arms as her frame disintegrated into the darkness.
Tottle gasped as he nearly fell out of the crow's nest. Was that a creature floating out there? Like dim lights, the stars slowly returned to the skies, as all the turtle's senses came back to him as well. Somebeast was out there, somebeast who needed help…
Tot was down the mast in a wink, this was no time to be afraid. He was halfway down the stairs to the bottom deck to alert the others, the crew's breathing audible amid the stifling silence, when that sudden rush of boldness gripped him again. I could save her all by myself.
The next moment his claws were upon the wheel. What would they say when they find out he had steered them off course? "Still," he thought, "This is my chance to be a hero…"
The Squirtle had never steered a ship before, but it looked simple enough. He slowly turned the wheel and wasn't surprised at all when the craft turned as well. The current pushed the Seatunder sideways, but the trusty vessel cut a steady path to the creature in the sea.
He could see her more clearly now. Her face was long and fox-like, half shrouded by a mask of black fur that stretched all the way to the tips of her pointed ears. But so pale, it looked as if she was already…
"Don't think that way." Tot told himself firmly, tying a coil of rope to the rail. He threw the other end towards the creature and whispered urgently, "Grab the line!" But she did not hear him.
Slowly the rope, along with the ship, slipped away from the body. He had to move fast. Before he could assess the situation he had already slid down the length and was swimming towards her. The first thing he realized as he tugged at her paw was the fact that he could not drag her; she was simply too big for him. So he tied the rope around her waist and climbed back aboard, hoping the deck would give him more traction. From atop the mast, a figure stood stolidly with its arms crossed, watching.
It took a while longer for the young turtle to haul the creature onto the deck, especially pulling her body out of the water. By the end of his strenuous task the Squirtle was sweating and gasping for breath. He crawled towards the creature and gave a sigh of relief when he found she was breathing. An odd looking beast she was… yellow fur covered the top portion of her body, with blue and black and her head and limbs. Four bulbous things ("What are those?" Tottle thought) protruded from the back of her head. But most precarious were the three spikes that jutted out of her chest and on the backs of her paws. There were no cuts or bruises on her body, yet she would not wake. Placing a hand on the beast's forehead, Tottle found out why: she was burning up. Fever! Weary as he was, the tiny turtle made his way down to the stores. All the ship's herbs and medicine were stocked and labeled by Buso, some of which he mixed himself. Tot sought out a small, red bottle, remembering that when he came down with fever a few weeks back, this was what was given to him, and he was back on his feet the next day.
He made his way back up to the deck laden with a bowl of soup, a blanket and a pillow. To his surprise, the creature had stirred, and was sitting up. She placed a paw against her head and was trembling. Tot gulped, for she was much taller than he was, as tall as Dorian in fact. But he approached her nonetheless. "Erm… are you feeling alright?"
The creature turned towards him with unfocused eyes and muttered, "Where am I?"
Tottle relaxed, hearing her voice was a gentle one. "You're aboard the Seatunder," he answered.
"S… Seatunder? No…" she stuttered.
"She must be really sick," Tottle thought. "I think you have a fever… You should drink this, I put medicine in it and it should make you feel better." He held the bowl to her snout.
At first, the creature remained unmoving. But eventually her nose twitched, as did the bulbs on the back of her head. Her expression softened and she allowed the liquid to be poured into her mouth.
"Um, I brought you some sleeping things," said Tottle, placing the empty bowl on the floor, "Sorry I can't bring you down to a real bed, but the weather's nice, and I'll stay with you in case…"
Before the young turtle could finish speaking she was already nodding off, so he gently placed her head on the pillow and threw the blanket over her.
A smile formed on her lips. "Thank you…?"
"Tottle," he told her, "What's your name?"
She opened her eyes sleepily and gave him the swiftest of glances. "Carakl," she replied, and spoke no more.
Tottle grinned to himself as he moved a bit away from her and leaned against the rail, his head drooping forward. It occurred to him just how late he was, and just how much work he had done. I did good tonight…It wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep as well.
A stray patch of moonlight slid over the masthead, revealing the lean frame of a sea weasel. With practiced stealth and agility, Skipper slid down the riggings and padded toward the sleeping figures. He cast a stern gaze over the stranger, who he recognized to be a Lucario. She looked harmless enough… but there would be questions in the morning. For now… the Captain scooped up the tiny turtle, a proud smile on his face. "Ye did good, kid."
The Seatunder shuddered gently as her prow pointed to a different star. Already at the wheel, Dorian sighed, "Can't ever get a full night's sleep aboard this ship, eh?"
"Nah," Skipper replied teasingly, "But Tot did a brave thing back there… How far off course are we?"
Checking the skies, the Golduck replied, "Not far. Just don't let the kid near my wheel again." He shot the Buizel a grin.
Skip yawned, "Well, I'm putting this one to bed."
Dorian nodded. "Aye. I'll keep watch, can't go back to sleep now anyways…"
"Keep a sharp eye on the vixen."
"Aye, Captain."
-O-O-
-O-O-
"…Who are you?"
"I'm Skipper, Captain of this ship. One of my crew found you out cold in the sea last night."
"Ah, I remember… Tottle was his name, yes?"
"Aye, and you are Carakl?"
"Yes."
"You had a fever, are you feeling better now?"
"Much better, thank you."
"Very good. So tell me, how did you end up out there?"
"I…I was aboard a ship and was not feeling too well to begin with. I must have fainted and fallen over the rail."
"What kind of a ship?"
"A merchant vessel. I was only a passenger."
"I see… so they won't be searching for you then?"
"I don't suppose so."
"Well then, welcome aboard the Seatunder! We have more than enough bunks and supplies (t'would be below us to toss affair maiden overboard anywho) so make yourself at home."
"Thank you, Captain. You're too kind."
"Aye, I am. (only kidding!)"
-O-O-
-O-O-
The slight sound of laughter rang in the Squirtle's head. Groaning sleepily, he turned and buried his face into his pillow. The warmth of the fabric around him weighed down on… "Huh?!" I was on the deck last night and… Carakl! He tore out of bed and scrambled up the rickety stairs. The laughter came again… And there she was, chatting casually with Torq and Flint, a glimmer of life in her eyes.
"And there's our hero!" yelled the Totodile, dragging the Squirtle forward.
"Aww, Tot, you should have woken us up!" Torq said teasingly.
Carakl smiled down on him. "Thank you, young one. I owe you my life." She closed her eyes serenely and raised a paw to the spike on her chest, head slightly inclined.
"Hehe, it was nothing," Tottle mumbled sheepishly.
The Lucario nodded gratefully, the four things on her head bobbing as she did so.
"What are those?" Tot blurted out. "Er, sorry, I mean…"
"It's alright," she chuckled, "They're sensors. I can see the aura of things around me."
"Really?" the turtle asked in wonderment.
Carakl gave him a sly grin. In a flash she whipped off the Squirtle's bandana and tied it over her eyes. "Brace yourself," she said, turning her back on him.
"Wh…wha?"
Torq and Flint winked at each other and leaned nonchalantly over the rail.
Tottle blinked, and the next moment Carakl's paw was mere fractions from his face, so close he could feel the heat from her palm emanating from it. He gasped and fell backwards.
"Oi! Catch!"
The Lucario spun towards the call, sensors stiff and vibrating. Extending an arm, her paw met the hilt of the rapier flying towards her.
"Good catch," remarked the Captain, blade drawn, "Now lets see you dance! Haharr!"
Smiling, and eyes still covered by the cloth, Carakl stepped forward lightly and blocked his attack. Skipper soundlessly circled the maid. She stood at the ready, ears turning in his direction. It was as if she could see.
The Buizel reached Tottle and silently pressed the blade into his claws. The young turtle gulped and shook his head in fear, but could do nothing as he was pulled up and nudged forward by the sea weasel.
Carakl grinned, "My my. You've grown shorter, Captain."
The Squirtle gulped. She knows.
The Lucario swerved and swung at the tiny turtle, who had to hold the sword with two hands as he tried to balance himself. The rapier was knocked out of his claws in an instant.
Her figure loomed over him and a stern, powerful voice spoke, "You are weaponless, backed up against a wall. There is nothing between you and my blade. What will you do, child?"
Run, was Tot's first thought.
But as if she read his mind, Carakl answered, "You cannot run, my sword will surely slay you first." She advanced on him, rapier point coming dangerously close.
Trembling, the Squirtle remembered the time he and Torq were cornered by that Persian. Torq didn't panic that time, she… she…
"Here goes nothing! Yarghh!" Squeezing his eyes shut, he charged forward and withdrew into his shell.
There was a clatter, an oof!, and a thump! as something hit the ground. And then laughter. Shyly he poked his head out and stood up.
"Well done!" Skipper roared, patting him on the back heartily.
Tottle surveyed the scene: Flint was in danger of falling overboard as he was laughing so hard, clutching his sides in blissful agony. Torq had a bewildered expression on her face, but gave Tot thumbs up nonetheless. Carakl was sitting on the ground, a calm smile hiding behind her muzzle. The rapier lied harmlessly beside her.
"Very… creative."
The young turtle grinned back at all the beaming faces around him.
-O-O-
-O-O-
The Lucario was an amiable creature. Torq was happy to have another gal to talk to rather than "you smell, uncivilized lot," as she fondly called the rest of the crew. Carakl also knew her way around a ship and worked just as hard as anyone else. Most curious though, was her sensitivity to certain topics, like her past. As to why, she wouldn't say. Sometimes at night she would stand on deck, eyes closed and sensors stiff and erect. And after a while, she would sigh with a sort of relief and stride off.
Nobeast bothered her about this though, as most of them had their own secret pasts. "Let her be," Skip would say when a crewmember questioned him. And so for the next five days the vixen was very much a part of the crew, and got along with everybeast. Well, everybeast except one.
"Oi, what's wrong with ye, matey?" The gator frowned at the helmsbeast practically glaring at the Lucario who was standing stoically on the bowsprit just as Skip liked to do occasionally. "Ye don't like her much, do you?"
"What ever gave you that idea…" Dorian replied sarcastically. It was true; whenever she spoke to him he would reply brusquely, and whenever she looked at him he would turn the other way.
"Why don't ye trust her?" asked Flint.
"Why should I? We don't know anything about the maid."
The Totodile scoffed, "Hehe, we don't know much about you either. But we trust you, don't we?"
The helmsbeast gave him a fiery glare. "What matters is that my loyalty lies with the crew, and the Captain knows that as well."
"Heh, whatever ye say, mate. I trust ye, but there ain't anything wrong with trusting her either."
"Let me steer this ship, Flint. We'll be in Lainaria in about two days at this rate."
The gator huffed and stalked off.
Dorian glanced again at Carakl. She had turned towards him so that their gazes now met. Those orbs of hers showed no signs of malice, but there was something hidden behind them that the Golduck just couldn't place. He averted his eyes. Something about her… the way she fought, her scent, her actions… seemed terribly out of place.
-O-O-O-O-O-O-
"Reader, fate is never kind to heroes,
who fight for the good of us all.
Yet always, the good should fall,
while evil seeps through every tale,
and wicked wind fills fast the sail.
But Reader, do not forsake Hope so soon.
There is one who sails the seas,
who believes not in destiny,
who claims, what sets two entities apart,
is a touch of kindness from the heart.
Fearless Captain, draw your sword!
Darkness draws upon you fast.
Horrible darkness… a darkness from the past.
But Captain, you must believe, perhaps not in fate but in yourself.
And the thought that, whatever forces evil sends,
Good always triumphs in the end."
-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-
Hm… an interesting creature, this… Carakl… She's important, so keep an eye on her ; D
Something big in the next chapter…
Speaking of which, I'm so sorry for this, but I won't be updating quickly at all. I have the next part(s) written on paper, but no time to type them yet because I still have a few finals left, then school's over and I have a lot of things planned, like a one week vacation immediately followed by a nine day camping trip. I'll try to squeeze an update in but no promises. AND with school almost over and all I've just been lazier in general. I've lost motivation but not inspiration, so it'll come along eventually. I hope you'll be patient with me, I have not forgotten you lot XD
Until next time!
-Canyx