(Sofia, Ash, Pikachu and I head to the Loch Lomond in Scotland, where we meet with Merida. Sofia has the Tangle Web Comb, Ash the Solar Shield, and I hold the Ruby of Ramses)
Merida: I got your message. What's this about a fancy-looking bow?
Me: It's a Shen Gong Wu; the Blaster Bow. We believe it's somewhere around here.
Merida: We better look for it, then.
(We search the area for the Blaster Bow. We manage to find it resting on a large stone until we run into a familiar telekinetic gorilla)
Grodd: You better stay away from that bow if you value your life.
Me: Gorilla Grodd!?
Grodd: That's right, and I came here to collect my prize!
Sofia: I don't think so! Tangle Web Comb!
(Sofia uses the comb against Grodd)
Grodd: Crafty, but predictable. Longi Kite!
(Grodd uses the Longi Kite to dodge the fibers. He and I grab the Blaster Bow, which starts glowing)
Me: Gorilla Grodd, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown. My Ruby of Ramses against your Longi Kite.
Grodd: The game is Treasure of the Loch. First to find the Blaster Bow wins.
Me & Grodd: Let's go! Xiaolin Showdown!
(The loch transforms into an arena full of rock platforms. We see the Blaster Bow vanish into the water)
Me & Grodd: Gong Yi Tanpai!
Pirate101: The Pirates of Lore
Chapter 12: One-Eyed Jacks are Wild
With the new ship that Hunter's parents left for him prior to their demise, the crew makes their way to Flotsam within minutes.
"Everyone, welcome to Flotsam." Hunter said.
"Whoa. I never imagined Flotsam to be so big." Lindsey said in awe. "The Black Spot could be anywhere."
"Don't worry, I have the map right here." Kyle said, pulling the map from his bag. He starts looking for the tavern's place on the map. "It looks like the Black Spot is… up there." He points to a place near the top of the town. "If we follow this route and take the hoist up, we'll reach the tavern in no time."
"Perfect." Everyone made their way to the Black Spot tavern. Inside, they saw that the place is a bit crowded. They see a rabbit at the counter wearing a bandana and eyepatch over his right eye.
"Uh, excuse us." Lola spoke up. "Are you the barkeep here?"
"Yes, I am. Name's Flopsy. How may I help you?" The barkeep asked.
"Do you know anyone named One-Eyed Jack?" Kyle asked.
"One-Eyed Jack? Of course I know him. He's my uncle, and he owns the place." Flopsy told them. "What's your business with Jack? Maybe I can help you."
"Yes, we believe your uncle may know about a pirate named Ratbeard." Hunter told him.
"Ratbeard? I know nothing about that. If you're here for Jack, you just missed him – he's gone to collect the rent from the other establishments he owns here." Flopsy said.
"Really... Where can we find him?" Lindsey asked.
"I suggest talking to Mustang Sally over at the Flop House. I'll wager Jack's made it there by now." Flopsy said. "If I see Jack, I'll tell him you're looking for him!"
"Thanks very much." Ryan thanked the barkeep before the crew leaves. "So, where is this Flop House?"
"I believe it's this way." Kyle said, checking the map. The pirates follow the path to the Flop House and enter it. Inside, a horse woman is being cornered by a group of dog pirates. They assume the horse woman to be Mustang Sally.
"Sally, time's come to pay the piper. Ratbeard sends his regards!" One of the dogs, Grim Mr. Gordon glared.
"You lot! Lend a lady a hand?" Sally called for help.
"Not good!" Lola readied her ax. "We better help her!"
Everyone started fighting Grim Mr. Gordon. Ryan shot two dog pirates with his rifle and Lindsey blocks an attack with her staff. Kyle backs Hunter against Gordon and a swing from Lola's ax takes down the last one. They retreat from the Flop House.
"That's the last of them." Ryan said.
"Thank you, strangers." Sally thanked the pirates. "I owe you a favor."
"Please, ma'am, you don't owe us anything." Hunter spoke.
"If anyone owes us a favor, it's One-Eyed Jack." Lindsey added. "Speaking of Jack, have you seen him recently?"
"Not today, no." Sally responded to her question. "Why do you ask?"
"We believe he knows where Ratbeard is hiding out." Kyle explained.
"Ratbeard." Sally scowled. "He's no end of trouble."
"Believe us, we know the things he did." Lola said.
"Oh, you know him?" Sally asked to which all five pirates nod in confirmation. "If you guys see him, belt him one for me! Now, where were we? Oh yes, you're looking for One-Eyed Jack. Perhaps Ned over at his Galley knows. Jack's often there."
"Ned's Galley, huh? Thanks very much." Hunter thanked Sally before leaving the Flop House. They look for Salty Ned and they find him at his Galley, like Sally said.
"Excuse us." Lola spoke, startling Ned.
"Did One-Eyed Jack send ye? Hold your fire, young Pirates!" Ned pleaded. "Go tell him I'll have his money in two days' time. Word of honor."
"Actually, we came here looking for him." Ryan corrected him.
"Oh, ye're looking for Jack, are ye? Who did send ye?" Ned asked.
"The barkeep over at the Black Spot." Lindsey answered.
"The Barkeep? I don't follow ye." Ned said clueless before remembering something. "Wait… Let me guess. Was the barkeep a white rabbit with an eye patch?"
"Yeah, that's him!" Kyle confirmed. Ned suddenly starts laughing, earning a look of confusion from the pirates.
"Ye're chasing a wild goose, Pirates!" Ned laughed. "The Black Spot Barkeep is One-Eyed Jack! He's a crafty one, Jack is."
"So, all this time we've been wandering all around this town for nothing?!" Sarah asked.
"Yep. I can't believe you fell for that old trick. You were talking to a one-eyed jackrabbit, you know." Ned laughed. "A friend o' mine has a ship to sell you…"
"Of all the… Captains, I say we go back to the Black Spot and give this one-eyed rascal a piece of our mind!" Lucky Jack scowled.
"You took the words right out of my mouth." Hunter agreed before they head back to the Black Spot. They see One-Eyed Jack at one of the tables.
"Well, look who's here." Jack greeted the pirates. "You managed to find me at last, eh?"
"You have some nerve duping us like that, Jack!" Milo argued.
"Yeah, sorry about that, but a rabbit can't be too careful. Now, on to business."
"That's right, your favor for the Frogfather. He's decided that you repay us instead of him." Hunter reminded the one-eyed rabbit.
"Wonderful – Frogfather's favors can be… difficult to repay." Jack said. "Anyway, I remember you telling me you were looking for Ratbeard. He's hiding out in a cabin I leased him. Or, at least, he was."
"Was?" Louis asked.
"I promised Ratbeard I'd warn him if anyone came asking for him. And that's what I did, after you left looking for me. It was a favor, you understand."
"That would mean Ratbeard's already on to us!" Lindsey deduced.
"She's right. If we move fast, we might be able to catch him!" Fan Flanders said.
"Good idea, Fan." Hunter agreed with her. The crew left Jack to catch up to Ratbeard.
"Ahhh… two favors repaid today, and with nothing but talk; not a bad day for old Jack." The one-eyed rabbit sighs.
With our crew, they search for Ratbeard's hideout. They find it and bust their way in.
"Ratbeard!" Ryan raised his rifle.
"You lot again! You may be quick in the chase, buy ye be too late!" Ratbeard said before jumping out through the window.
"Did you see that? Ratbeard jumped out the window! What a leap!" Milo said. Bonnie noticed some burning paper on the table.
"Look! The paper on the table's still burning. Looks important!"
"We better put it out quick!" Lola said. Lindsey acted on impulse and put out the flames on the paper with a wind spell. One look at its contents confirms the paper's identity to their horror.
"Oh no! It's the Will – Ratbeard's burned it!" Sarah gasped.
"Ratbeard, I curse your name!" Louis spat at Ratbeard. Mormo sees a page intact.
"Look! One page not burned!" Mormo noted.
"You're right, Mormo. What does it say?" Sarah asked.
(The italics here are read in Captain Gunn's voice)
"Whoever reads these words, congratulations! I, Captain Gunn, being of sound mind, hereby name you my sole heir, and bequeath you a king's ransom!
"To claim your treasure, walk the path I lay down here, and learn a few lessons that a master pirate has to teach you."
"Begin at my Refuge at the end of Corsair's Channel. Inside a cask you'll find my next lesson."
"I realize that, as a pirate, you may not have any patience for an old man's riddles. If this is the case, you'll find my treasure at-"
"At where?" Lola asked.
"It's no use! The rest of it is ashes, no thanks to that scoundrel!" Hunter said as he put down what remained of the will.
"Looks like Ratbeard's got a head start. We'd best hurry to Gunn's refuge, double quick!" Bonnie Anne said. Everyone agreed as they head out of Flotsam and make their way to the refuge of the legendary Captain Gunn.
(Grodd closes in on the Blaster Bow)
Grodd: You'll never beat a superior mind like mine!
Me: Maybe not, but I can always outsmart it. Ruby of Ramses!
(I use the Ruby of Ramses to lift the Longi Kite from Grodd's back, causing him to drop to the ground. I grab the Blaster Bow lodged into a platform.)
Me: Even an intense mind is no match for pure skill.
(The showdown ends, returning the loch to normal)
Grodd: You may have bested me, but this is far from over.
(Grodd takes off)
Ash: What a pain.
Me: I hear you. Let's take these back to the temple for safekeeping. You know what to do here, readers. Excelsior!