Chapter 3 is here. This one has two action scenes, sort of, which I think I'm pretty good at writing…

Thanks to the Guest, GraySparkles, PikaMewGirl, blazelight790, joystersm, Kidd Icarus, and the Anonymous Reader for reviewing. And to PikaMewGirl and joystersm: hey, thanks for giving a review! It really means a lot to me. While I understand it may be a bit weird, I do love hearing what my readers think ;) Also, thank you KuraiFlame16 for the favorite.

Okay… warnings for this chapter. Let's see. This chapter proves Ruby is not 'sissy boy', so I guess he's a little OOC… speaking of that, apologies if any of the characters are a little OOC. Sorry if my action scenes/touchy/angsty scenes are a little rushed, and also, is anyone wanting me to do certain pairings between some characters? Right now it's Franticshipping-centric, but I could throw in a little romance hints here and there…

If I owned Pokemon I would fully explain why a huge Gyarados can fit in a tiny Pokeball.

"You do know that Ruby doesn't really go for traditional hand-to-hand combat, right?"

That was Crystal to Gold, who had decided to challenge Ruby to a friendly duel – with daggers. Ruby had received one from Green two days after he'd joined the crew, and he'd been training under Gold for the proceeding five. Thanks to his previous education in the martial arts, he'd quickly learned how to use it (ending up with permanent scarring on his arms – it had taken Ruby a good three hours to accept that they weren't going away, and even then, he'd still been teetering on a full emotional break-down).

"Yeah, I know. He'll probably break my wrist or something." Ruby tucked that tidbit away upon hearing it; perhaps he could use it as a threat against the Johto native. "Still – he puts up a better fight than the rest of you can."

"Say that again to my face," Black remarked while in passing. "Crystal, I believe Green's Charizard pulled a muscle in its wing."

"Again?" Black just gave her a look and she sighed. "All right, I'm on my way. Ruby?" The younger boy looked up at her call. "Don't kill him, okay?"

"Of course not," he replied, bringing his eyes back down to Zuzu. He was currently running his fingers over the Pokemon's body, searching for any traces of dirt. The crew had been surprised to find their new member was surprisingly vain, so much so he spent a good fifteen minutes adjusting the headband he wore each morning.

Ruby had no intention to explain why he wore the headband – his hair was short, after all, and there was really no need – despite questions his mates asked him.

"Ready to go?" Gold asked him, twirling a single wickedly sharp dagger in one hand. Ruby nodded, releasing his Mudkip from his lap, standing up with a stretch and removing the dagger from his belt. He had to admit the uniform was quite comfortable, though he still preferred clothes he made himself. He was actually sewing another white shirt for himself, spending a good hour or so on it every night.

"Make it quick," Black advised, standing a little distance away. "I believe the captain intends to stop at a beach near a town." He raised his voice and cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting, "Emerald! I thought I told you to take the Jolly Roger down!"

It had taken a while for Ruby to adjust to the constant commands Black would issue. The boy had a ridiculously loud voice when he wanted despite his soft-spoken demeanor. And even though he had such a demeanor, White, along with Cheren and Bianca, had told Ruby he was fortunate to not yet have witnessed one of Black's 'episodes', as they called them, due to their unpredictability and danger. Ruby was pretty sure he'd be okay, though; none of the other pirates could stand up to him when he poked their pressure points, after all, and he doubted Black, even while having an episode, would be any different.

A faint "Aye!" was heard, and then the black flag, featuring a skull with crossed swords behind it, was lowered. Ruby watched this with faint fascination as well as observing the way Pearl effortlessly loped along the lines, rigging the sail just so and generally just slacking off and enjoying the breeze.

Even Silver was out – quite a rare occasion, one that his sister Blue wasted no time in exploiting – overseeing as Red and Green worked on tacking. Ruby had learned it was a way to navigate a ship against a wind, basically by traveling in zigzags. Silver had been far from impressed on how slowly Ruby picked up on those things, eventually leading him out of his workplace and informing him he should give up on ever being a navigator. Then he slammed his door in his face.

Ruby didn't let it bother him.

"We're starting!" Gold announced and he lunged at the younger boy with no warning at all. Ruby, only by sheer reflex, managed to block the incoming blow, but the force behind it drove him to the deck, and he had to quickly roll to his feet to avoid a fatal stabbing. They may call it a friendly duel, Ruby thought grimly, nimbly stepping back to avoid a downward cut, but it is definitely far from it.

The two began a dance of diving in and slashing. Or at least, Gold did – Ruby merely dodged and attempted to ram his fingers into choice points in Gold's arms, eventually rendering one useless and forcing the other boy to switch his dagger to the other hand.

Ruby's weakness was his low strength and defense. If one could catch him off guard, or actually land a cut on him, he was done for the count, and if Ruby landed a hit – which he did, often – it more likely than not did nothing to stop the enemy. Gold took advantage of this and kicked Ruby in the stomach, causing the boy to reflexively double over and take a wobbly step back. The older boy was about to drive the hilt of his dagger into Ruby's head, but he stumbled when Ruby landed a weak kick on his ankle. Thus the circling began again.

Gold lunged forward, slashing blindly. Ruby blocked, wincing as the blade slipped off his own. He turned to make the dagger dig itself slightly into his shoulder instead of his face and quickly made Gold release the handle of the blade, kicking it out of reach when Gold reached for it.

It was easy from there. Ruby soon had Gold's other arm immobile and one foot on his stomach, dagger pointing at his throat. "No fair," Gold whined breathlessly.

"We have to watch each other's feet next time," Ruby replied, panting and sheathing his dagger. Black trotted over and handed Gold's abandoned one to him. "You kicked me first, which reminded me I could kick you as well, and, well, you can see how things panned out."

Crystal came up moments later, leading a fire dragon behind her (Ruby had learned it belonged to Green and was called a Charizard) and holding a roll of bandages. She efficiently wrapped Ruby's shallow cut, scolding Gold for making their new member have to sew yet another shirt for himself since his was now stained. Gold could do hardly anything now that his arms were unable to move for a while, so instead, he trailed after Crystal, moaning and groaning as miserably as he was able.

Ruby took a few shaky breaths and went over to the railing, leaning heavily on it. That kick to the stomach wasn't something he could take lightly; he already felt dizzy and bile rose in his throat. His shoulder pulsed painfully, a dull sort of pain that meant it would last for a while. He swallowed, holding his hand in front of him. It was visibly shaking.

He gritted his teeth. Sure, he was the only one who could best Gold in combat, but that was only because he was faster and he could render Gold unable to move certain parts of his body. If Ruby didn't have that training from his father, no doubt he would've lost quickly and badly. And now look at him; a simple kick to the stomach and a shallow cut to the shoulder and he could barely stand! Something was definitely wrong with him.

Someone landed lightly next to him, and when Ruby looked over, he saw it was Pearl, finally down from the ratlines. He sighed inwardly, wondering if he'd get teased again, but all Pearl said was, "You'll feel better if you drink some water. Gold's got a kick like a Rapidash."

"How would you know?" Ruby asked, voice cracking. He coughed into his palm, spitting up – something that he quickly wiped on his black trousers.

"Because he's kicked me before too" was Pearl's mild response, and just like that, the boy was gone, trotting astern to where Platina was playing her flute. He easily engaged her in conversation, sitting cross-legged down next to her and chattering away. It was rather… intimidating. Ruby wondered if he could ever be that people-friendly. Even though Pearl came off as quick-to-judge and impatient, people seemed to think he was a good person and a good friend.

Ruby had also been surprised to learn that several members of the crew were musicians – Black could play the fiddle decently, Platina would often play around with a wood-carved flute her late butler had made her, and Yellow had the voice of an angel – and Sapphire was quick to inform him journeys were long and often monotonous; their three musicians added spice to the trip, so to speak. Ruby had watched the pirates enjoy a calm night at sea while the trio played a variety of songs, from merry to sad to invigorating. It was intimidating as well as amazing. These pirates were so different from what he had thought he knew…

"Ruby?"

He started. He'd been so focused on his thoughts that he hadn't been paying attention to his surroundings. He straightened up with a wince. "Sorry. Yes?"

It was the girl captain, blue eyes neutral, brown hair flowing lightly in the breeze. "Listen, when we hit shore, I want you to go to the town as quickly as you can. I saw a possible prize sail by in the distance, and I want you to see if it holds anything of value."

He hadn't seen a single boat, and Emerald hadn't shouted that there was one, either. Her eyesight was either perfect or she was simply delusional. But to another matter, what exactly was something of value? Bars of gold, perhaps? Pieces of eight? By now Ruby wasn't exactly sure what these pirates wanted. "Of course, captain."

"Just Sapphire is fine," she said. Then she registered his blood-soaked sleeve and frowned, worry gleaming in her eyes. "What happened?"

"Gold wanted to fight," Ruby replied, looking at the red quickly before jerking his eyes away. His stomach rebelled at the sight.

She shook her head, sighing. "He's always been like that, I'm afraid." She propped her hand on her hip, thinking. "Which makes me wonder just how quickly he destroyed his coat. Speaking of that, did you finish yours yet?"

"Not quite." A few more hours of stitching and it would be complete, however.

"Good. It makes it much easier to identify who's who." Ah, so she'd been the one to devise the colored overcoats. Clever of her, really. He had been learning a lot about his captain in the past week, while seemingly did nothing but at the same time did everything on the ship. She had knowledge in about every field needed on the ship, even helping Silver in times of emergency, and she was the only one who boasted more strength than Gold. She was amazing, and yet, and yet… she retained femininity, in some sort of way.

That was the real beauty of it all. She was so masculine, and yet she wasn't. It had taken him a while to get used to, but he had decided that he liked it.

Sapphire's voice broke through on his thoughts, wrenching him back to reality. "Oh, and you'll need to ask about some people."

Ruby nodded. "What are their names?"

She shrugged and said sheepishly, "We don't actually have them."

"That's certainly helpful, wild girl." He had taken to using the nickname after witnessing her chase Pearl around on the ratlines, knock him down and then yelling at him for stealing one of Silver's tools just to irritate the redhead. She had been like a monkey, wild and free, and, well, after he mentioned it to Blue, the name had stuck.

"Don't call me that."

"My apologies, captain," Ruby said with a snicker. He ignored her glare and asked, "Is there descriptions I could use?"

"Yes. We're looking for Blue's parents, Green's missing grandfather and sister, and Silver's father. The rest of us have lost our families, but we're doing all we can to find the others'." She paused, tapping her nose with a finger. "I'm not entirely sure how you could ask about them, but please, do you best."

Only four people still had their families out of the sixteen, seventeen if he included himself, people here? "If – I don't mean to be rude, but – if I could learn of how it happened – ?"

"You can ask them. But… they might not tell you."

For the first time he actually looked into her eyes. They were so blue, as blue as the ocean where she thrived. "And you?"

The question was unmistakably and what happened to your family? Sapphire bit her lip and shook her head; Ruby wasn't going to hear about it that easily.

"Blue will be going with you," Sapphire added a moment later. "Don't let her do anything stupid."

"Cap – Sapphire," he corrected himself when he saw her look, "I really doubt I'd ever be able to control a woman as formidable as Blue."

Some sort of expression flitted past on Sapphire's face, disappearing as soon as it appeared. But her eyes suddenly became more neutral, and Ruby wondered if he'd said something wrong. "Do your best." Then she spun on her heel and walked away, making a beeline for the door that led below deck.

When Ruby returned to the lonely beach early evening, hours after he'd first left, he found Blue already waiting and Green and Red preparing to row them back. Ruby frowned; there hadn't been a rowboat before, Sapphire had forced him to swim to shore and setting off, soaking wet and hiding under a thick, brown cloak.

"Anything important?" Blue asked Ruby, settling down on the rowboat's seat with a quiet sigh as the two older boys splashed the oars in the still water.

He shook his head. "No one has heard of a father or a couple missing a child, and no one knows where the Oaks have gone. Sorry, Green," he said apologetically to the brunette, who merely grunted and continued rowing. "You?"

"Nothing much. The Ingenium was here a week or two ago, but other than that, the sailor didn't tell me more." She sighed, mock-dramatic. "Even with my beauty and charms, he still suspected me."

"Suspected you of what?" Red asked, already covered in thin layer of sweat. Ruby decided he'd try to avoid rowing at all costs.

"Of being not who I said I was. He didn't think I was a pirate, but he certainly didn't think I was a runaway noble's daughter."

"No one would believe that, Blue," Green said with a snort. Blue kicked his shin with her foot and didn't respond.

"The ship Sapphire saw," Ruby said a moment later, "It has grain and sugar, bound for Kanto."

"She saw a ship?" Blue asked, curious. Ruby nodded.

"Grain and sugar?" Green repeated. He exchanged a look with Red, grinning. "Excellent. It's been ages since we've had sugar."

"Is that what you want?" Ruby asked, startled. To think pirates valued food above riches… Even though he'd been here an entire week, he'd learned these pirates were way different from what people had told him. "Sugar?"

"Sugar and grain are worth their weight in gold, if not more," Red told Ruby, his scarlet eyes gleaming. "And of course, sugar itself is quite the delicacy."

"Their weight in gold?" Ruby asked, eyes wide. No wonder the pirates wanted it. Red and Green both nodded.

Blue cackled and exclaimed, "If we're lucky, they'll have some good wine on there too!"

Wine was something Ruby abhorred. The one time he had tried it, a few mere weeks ago, had left the nastiest aftertaste in his mouth. His father had informed him it was an acquired taste, but Ruby was not looking forward to drinking more.

Once he had climbed the rope back into the ship, Ruby was startled to see Green and Red simply abandon the smaller rowboat. "Do we not need that later?" he asked the person nearest, who just happened to be Platina, as he leaned on the railing to watch the smaller craft slowly float away.

She shook her head. "They stole it from the port, you see. It is not ours to keep." Her metallic eyes were laughing as she looked at him. "You remember having to swim to shore at noon, no? Green and Red were sent by Sapphire to get the rowboat for you and Blue to ease the passage. It is something that is commonly done, though admittedly I was surprised the first time I saw it as well."

"I see." Talking to Platina was somewhat of a relief; she spoke like a normal person or, at least, what Ruby considered normal. He didn't like how his words became less formal as the days passed, and thanks to her, he could keep his vocabulary in check.

After a few minutes of companionable silence, Pearl ambled over, per usual. Platina was rarely seen alone, normally having Pearl or Diamond either nearby or next to her. "Hey, Ruby," Pearl said, propping both elbows on the ship's railing.

"Hello."

As usual, Pearl wasted no time in getting to his point. "I've been meaning to ask this, but – why do you wear your headband?"

Ruby's hand immediately went up to the strip of cloth, touching the place where his scars were. "It's for covering – something that happened in the past." His tone indicated he did not want anyone to ask anything more than that.

But Pearl was undeterred. "Something? Do you have a tattoo on your forehead or something?"

"No, it's not like that – "

"Pearl," Platina interrupted, "He does not wish to speak of it."

Pearl fell into a sulking silence. Then he asked, "Will you tell me if I tell you what happened to me?"

Ruby looked over into Pearl's orange eyes. "What do you mean?"

"My hometown was destroyed by a pirate named Cyrus," Pearl said flatly, not waiting for Ruby to give assent. Ruby opened his mouth to insist he didn't have to continue, but the blonde waved it off. "Dia and I – along with his Torterra and my Infernape – were the only ones who escaped. Everyone else was killed or dying."

Ruby stared at Pearl, wide-eyed with shock, as he continued, "We arrived at the Berlitz mansion because it was close by and the nearest place to get shelter." His voice cracked, and he coughed a bit and said more quietly, "The place was already in ruins. Platina's father had protected her from falling debris, but he was – he was still – "

Platina placed a hand on his shoulder, silencing him, and looked up at Ruby, her voice husky with regret. "I was unconscious at the time, but Pearl and Dia tell me my father's final words were 'Protect her'. Since then, they have never left my side." Ruby could see she was keeping her face carefully blank; the expression there was one that he had seen commonly on himself when trying not to melt into a puddle of emotions in front of his father.

After a few moments' silence, Ruby said softly, "You didn't need to tell me." Arceus, his mates seemed to have way worse pasts than he did. How could his even be worth listening to, after a tale like that?

"Yes we did," said a new voice. All three jumped, turning around to see Diamond. "Everyone here knows everyone's stories. That why we get along so well."

The other boy leaned on Pearl's other side, and Ruby looked them over. The Sinnoh trio, they were called, were picked up near Twinleaf on the coast by Sapphire and her crew, near-death and desperate. But now, Ruby could see, they were quite happy with their new lives, even if they lived as outlaws on the seas.

"So you know our story," Pearl said after a while, leaning over Platina's neatly folded hands and poking Ruby's shoulder. "So what's the reason you wear that headband?"

Ruby sighed inaudibly. Then he reached up and yanked the whole thing off, turning to face the three. The scars were large enough that even Pearl gave a little gasp. "I was playing with a friend with her father and my parents watching us. Then pirates came, killing her father and my mother and taking her captive." Ruby fingered the marks on his forehead. "The captain's Persian did this."

"The captain…" Pearl murmured.

Dia asked, "Did you get his name?"

Ruby tilted his head. He did remember the man speaking to him while carrying Sapphire… but what exactly did he say? Then it came to him. "Giovanni," he said, pulling his headband back on. "Yeah. He had four others with him, and he said his name was Giovanni."

"Giovanni?" Platina, Pearl and Ruby all looked at Dia. "Didn't that Cyrus man said he was destroying our town on orders of Captain Giovanni?"

Pearl frowned, exchanging a glance with the other boy. "You're right. He did. Do you think they're the same person?"

"If so, then this may help us in our search for the Ingenium," Platina murmured thoughtfully. "Giovanni was in Hoenn well before he went to Kanto, if Sapphire was captain when she first found the four."

Ruby loosely translated 'the four' as Red, Yellow, Green and Blue. He asked, "Do you think this means that Giovanni and his crew are behind all the tragedies that happened to everyone here?"

The silence he received was answer enough.

"Emerald! The Jolly Roger!"

"Gold, are you ready?"

"Of course, Captain. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe Ruby killed your arms again?"

"Captain, did you tell him he could do that as he wanted?"

"Platina, you really don't have to stay for this…"

"Thank you, Dia, but it really isn't necessary. I will fight as I always do. Isn't that so, Empoleon?"

"Cheren! What are you doing? Get back to where Silver is!"

"I am where Silver is, White. Just a little further than I normally am."

"For Arceus's sake, just let me command Serperior for you, okay? Last time you nearly got yourself killed!"

"And we can't have that, can we?"

"Arceus… Cheren! Stop getting in the way!"

"Ruby!" He started. "What are you doing! Get back to work!"

Ruby looked up. Pearl was pulling the lines on the mainsail tight, indicating Ruby help him. He climbed up to him and grasped the ropes, looking over to the ship in the horizon.

"Green! Green, where the heck is your Charizard? I found the rest of the fire-types, but yours is playing truant again – "

"Shut up, Blue! He's flying up there, over there, you see?!"

"Oh. Sorry, sorry."

"Calm down, please… we're getting close…"

"You don't always have to be peacemaker, Yellow."

"It's in my nature. You should probably know that best, Red."

"Gold, make sure that Typhlosion doesn't overdo it, okay?"

"Anything for you, Crystal."

"Say that again and I'll punch your face."

"All right. Anything for you, Crys – ow!"

"Is the boarding crew present?"

There was Black again, his voice pitched perfectly so it carried throughout the entire ship. Ruby knew if it could be heard by the other ship. Sound traveled, after all, very well over water.

"Everyone's above deck, if that's what you're asking!" Emerald shouted from the crow's nest.

"All right, we're done," Pearl said, and he and Ruby climbed down the ratlines to the rest of the crew. It was pandemonium on deck: the whole crew was running around, Pokemon that were more likely large than not were searching for their masters, and in the midst of it all, Black continuously shouted commands that often did nothing more to irritate.

Zuzu appeared from between a Meganium's legs and leapt into Ruby's arms, trembling. Ruby stroked the small creature, wondering just how close it had gotten to being trampled.

"Everyone, silence!"

Sapphire. Immediately, everyone stopped talking, and people and Pokemon alike stopped moving.

"Green, Gold, Pearl, Black and White, line up your Pokemon. We'll proceed with firing at them as soon as Silver draws close." Sapphire also included herself in the first line, a magnificent Blaziken standing tall in front of her. "As soon as we get close enough, Blue, Silver, Dia, Bianca, have your Pokemon disrupt the waters as necessary to keep them close. The rest of you, back off unless we need extra help."

Zuzu growled and Ruby muttered something under his breath in frustration. Almost everyone doubted his little Mudkip; the creature was so small even Platina, who normally had good judgment, was skeptical of its power. Only Crystal knew the Mudkip was far stronger than anyone thought, so much so that it could perform a Hydro Pump attack.

"Gold, as usual, will lead the boarding crew. Everyone except Yellow, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Emerald, Pearl, Bianca and Cheren should follow immediately. Unless it's an emergency, stay back. And Ruby – " Somehow she found his eyes in the crowd and gazed right at him – "Since this is the first time seeing us take a prize, do not interfere. If we are caught, insist you were press-ganged."

"Forced to join," Pearl whispered next to him, seeing Ruby's confused face at the words 'press-ganged'. Oh. So if they got caught, Sapphire wanted him to get away.

How was that fair? He was – well, he felt like he was family to these people. There was no way he could possibly leave them to die. And, considering the squeaking noises Zuzu was making, his Mudkip felt the same.

"Silver, get closer."

"I'm trying, Sapphire. Be patient, okay? Just because I'm a navigator doesn't mean I'm good at steering this thing."

"No pressure," Gold said helpfully. Silver glared at him and didn't respond.

Ruby watched as they drew next to the ship, mostly observing the expressions on the other crew's face. Fear, occasionally; mostly, though, skepticism and contempt. Well, they were a group of kids, that was true.

"Flamethrower, just to scare them," Sapphire said emotionlessly, and the six fire-types present – Charizard, Typhlosion, Blaziken, Infernape, and two Emboars, one belonging to Black and the other to White – unleashed the attack.

"Better than Greek fire," Pearl said with approval upon seeing the flames, aimed carefully away from the deck – it wouldn't do to burn the other ship to cinders, for no doubt the grain and sugar would go with it. The ship came closer, and closer, and closer, so close Ruby was sure the wood would grind against their ship, but then –

"Go!" Black shouted, and Gold went for it.

Ruby knew he should be away from the boat, instead of leaning on the railing with his Mudkip in his arms, watching the whole spectacle with mild interest. Lots of destruction, lots of screaming, lots of – lots of – gunshots? Oh.

Maybe that was why he'd been told he shouldn't be so close.

Ruby turned and trotted a little distance away, keeping an eye on the combat. Most of the other crew wasn't even attacking, so it was merely the captain and the officers keeping the young pirates at bay. Sapphire was engaging the captain with only a rapier, and he watched with admiration as she neatly made him drop his gun and kicked it away, leaving the older man to draw his sword.

"Uh oh," Silver said suddenly from nearby. Ruby followed his gaze and saw a familiar shock of black hair hit the other ship's decks.

"He got Gold?" That was Crystal, eyes wide with shock.

"That cannot be good," Platina murmured, stepping forward. "Empoleon, be ready." The rest of the crew who owned water-types also stepped forward, but Cheren barred Ruby from getting closer with his arm.

"I don't think Zuzu will be of much help here." Ruby gritted his teeth but kept his mouth shut, instead craning his head to get a better look. Some of the boarding crew, including Gold and Black, were unable to fight anymore, Black sporting a broken arm and Gold… Green was kneeling at Gold's side, examining his – his – Ruby turned away, thinking he'd be sick. So much blood, so much blood was coming from his lower leg. How could Green stand it?

"Oh no – Sapphire!" Bianca shouted, her voice nearing hysterics. Ruby immediately snapped his head back to look and when he saw the situation he swore his heart stopped. Sapphire was holding off a deathblow, just, with her rapier. The small, thinner sword was no match for the other captain's saber, that much was clear.

He felt as if his body moved on its own. Ignoring shouts of protest, Ruby unceremoniously dropped Zuzu, who landed easily on its four stubby legs, and moved fluidly to the other boat; it was so close now that he could easily jump across. Ignoring the rest of the fighters, he plowed his way straight to the captain.

He hadn't actually done what he was planning on a real person before, but now was a good as time as any.

He first got the captain's attention was clamping a finger on a pressure point in the shoulder, rendering the man's left arm useless; that did nothing, it seemed the captain was right-handed. The captain slashed the saber at him and Sapphire screamed at him to run; no matter, it wasn't like he'd get hit by a clumsy attack like that. Gold was much faster, and his father faster still. Instead, he grabbed the man's arm, gently tapped the back of the man's elbow, and then immediately smashed the side of his hand into the elbow joint.

The result was instantaneous: the elbow hyper-extended. Howling, the man dropped the sword and fell to his knees, one arm useless, the other bent at a strange angle. Ruby looked down at him, then ducked to avoid a person who cut at him from behind. Effortlessly he grabbed the offending arm, dragged the man closer and pressed a thumb to the artery in the neck. A few breathless seconds passed; then the man fell, though whether he was dead Ruby wasn't quite willing to check.

Sapphire grabbed his shoulder and hissed, "What are you doing here?"

He blinked at her. Then he looked around. Oh. Oh. Wait a minute, when did he actually – "Good Arceus," he breathed, looking down at the captain. He had never been sure if he'd been able to successfully perform a Golgi organ strike, but now he knew he could.

"Well?"

"Saving your skin," he replied, looking down at the other man and pressing his fingers gently to the throat. There was pulse, fortunately, though the man had probably suffered brain damage if he'd held down both parts of the carotid artery.

"That wasn't necessary – "

"It actually was," Red interrupted, walking toward them. The officers were all down for the count at last. "Admit it, Sapph – if he hadn't come when he did, you'd be lying in a pool of your own blood."

Sapphire scowled and muttered some choice words under her breath. Then she seemed to calm down and raised her voice. "Everyone who is able, get the grain and sugar. Green, if you would carry Gold – "

"Done," Green called, hopping back over the railings and following his fellow mates below deck. Black was staggering back to the Zaffiro with the help of White, and Gold's leg was already being treated by Crystal. The other crew members sported only small wounds and were hard at work carrying supplies.

Sapphire and Ruby went around, gathering the fallen officers and tying the ones who were still alive together. Ruby couldn't believe his own mates were capable of taking human lives, but now, he was looking at direct evidence. "Are you going to attack us?" Sapphire asked the rest of the crew. There were many, but only one stepped forward.

"It's not our ship and it's not our cargo. We're not getting paid much for this," he said simply, and the others nodded agreement. And thus the proceeding events went quite smoothly.

The captain was continuously spitting insults at them, which reminded Sapphire of what Ruby had done. She turned to him, blue eyes questioning. "What exactly did you do to him? All I saw was him, and then bam – his arm is all… weird."

Ruby cast his eyes away as he spoke. "My father taught me ways to hyper-extend certain limbs, one of which is the elbow. I cannot be certain whether it is permanent or not, but…" He shrugged.

Sapphire looked at him for a very long moment, during which he didn't turn his face toward her. Then she nodded. "Your way of fighting is much better than killing. Taking lives is not worth it."

"That's not necessarily true. Who wants to live as a maimed beggar?" Ruby countered. They stared at each other for a moment; then they both looked away at the same time, Ruby only to hide a faint flush on his cheeks.

She was so cute when she was angry.

Ruby could actually sense it when someone was about to clamp a hand on his shoulder. He elegantly shifted, causing the hand to miss, before grabbing a finger and twisting it back. But the offender didn't even make some sort of sound in alarm; instead, a male voice said, with an amused tone to it, "It's just me. And that hurts, you know."

Ruby immediately released the finger, embarrassed. Both Sapphire and Diamond were giving him strange looks, and he turned away and made his way toward the Zaffiro. Wordlessly he padded toward the door that led below deck, his Mudkip immediately at his heels when he snapped his fingers. Then his lithe figure disappeared as the door closed.

After a moment, Sapphire said, "Perhaps he's not as sissy as I thought he was."

"I don't think so either," Diamond agreed.

If anyone noticed that Silver slammed the door – please tell me if you know what I'm referencing there ^^

This chapter probably took me the longest to write. I reread it and revised it about seven billion times – okay, maybe on five times, but still. It took me a while. Which reminds me – are there pairings people want to see? I'm not entirely sure if I can really focus on them, since this is Franticshipping-centric… and also because there's some shippings I don't support… but you know. Anything?

Please review! I'd love to hear what you think!