(We find Infinite, Dr. Eggman, Metal Sonic, and Romeo and his Robot with Chaos Emeralds in a case.)
Infinite: You are here at last.
Me: Indeed we are. Now, hand over the Emeralds.
(A ninja suddenly swoops in and steals the case containing the Emeralds.)
Dr. Eggman: What was that?
Owlette: Night Ninja.
Night Ninja: Thanks for holding onto my treasure for me.
(A magnetic beam causes the case to levitate to a white-haired girl on a moon-shaped hoverboard)
Catboy: Luna Girl too!?
Luna Girl: I think you mean MY treasure. These'll look great in my Luna Fortress.
Me: In your dreams, Luna Girl! Those are ours and we aim to take it back. Tempest Trident!
(I use the Tempest Trident to conjure a wind storm and release the Chaos Emeralds from Luna Girl. Metal Sonic takes this chance to knock the trident out of my hands and it lands onto the ground. Sonic and Metal Sonic run for the trident and grab it in unison, causing it to glow.)
Sonic: Metal Sonic, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown!
Clay: I don't mean to pry, but they don't even have any Shen Gong Wu!
Dojo: Hmm… According to the ever-changing rule book, anything can be considered a wager, provided that the wagered item is just as powerful as a Shen Gong Wu.
Dr. Eggman: I suppose the Chaos Emeralds are the closest wager we have right now.
Owlette: As are our PJ Animal Amulets.
Sonic: I suppose they'll do for now.
Infinite: The game is Treetop Taekwondo. First one thrown out of the ring loses.
Sonic: Fair enough. Let's go. Xiaolin Showdown!
(The area transforms into a taekwondo ring where Sonic and Metal Sonic stand in the middle and the rest of us in the stands)
Sonic: Gong Yi Tan Pai!
Pirate101: The Pirates of Lore
Chapter 15: Diplomatic Complications
The crew travel to Puerto Mico to speak to the Governor to attempt to form a treaty with Skull Island. They dock and make their way to the square.
"So, this is Puerto Mico. It looks…small." Ryan commented.
"Considering that it's completely populated by Monquistans, I completely agree." Lola nodded. "Now, where do you think the Governor's office is?"
"I'm guessing that is it." Hunter pointed to a large palace ahead. They approach and speak with the Majordomo. "Hello, we would like to speak with the Governor, please."
"You wish for an audience with His Excellency? I trust you have a letter of introduction." The Majordomo spoke. Lola hands him the letter of introduction. "Let me see. So you are…"
"Here's hoping the credentials Avery got us are worth the paper they're printed on." Ensign Emmett said.
"Ah, Madame Zardo of Darkmoor. I hope you and your entourage had a good journey. I see the legends of your beauty are… not exaggerated."
"Heh, that's a fine likeness that is! Looks just like ye!" Ratbeard laughed.
"Not funny, Ratbeard." Ryan glared.
"Though the credentials are okay, I cannot allow you five to see His Excellency. At least, not dressed like that." The Majordomo said.
"He's right." Lindsey agreed. "If we go in to see him as we are, we're sure to stick out like a sore thumb."
"Perhaps I have an idea. Bernardo Sastre the tailor could make sure your lack of fashion doesn't disgrace you when you see the Governor. You'll find him at his shop." The Majordomo suggested. They accepted and went over to the tailor, where they meet Bernardo.
"Bernardo Sastre, I'm guessing." Kyle said.
"Why are you looming over my shop, gangly ones?" Bernardo asked.
"Mr. Sastre, we came here to speak with the Governor to discuss a treaty, but we fear that with our current garments, our chances of that happening are slim." Lola told him.
"Yes, I can tell based on what the Majordomo told me – you are all dressed like savages. I'm hesitant to even be seen talking with the likes of you, but I will take pity on your plight."
Ryan looked down ashamed. "Hey, it's not our fault we can't embrace the culture the Monquistans do." Lindsey assured him.
"She is right. Of course, fabricating garments of your size is difficult. I would normally charge your group fifty thousand gold coins, labor included, but I have another proposal in mind." Bernardo said.
"Like what?" Hunter asked.
"House Guzman has an unfair monopoly on Mooshu silk. If you can bring me about three boxes of the silk, I will make your suits."
"It's a deal." Hunter accepted. They went off to gather the silk for Bernardo.
"You guys think we'll be able to form the treaty?" Lola asked.
"It won't be easy, but if we play our cards right with this, Skull Island will be a lot safer." Kyle assured her. They obtain the three boxes of silk from Guzman's ships and they bring them to Bernardo.
"We got the silk, as requested." Lindsey said as the crew gave him the silk.
"Ah, you did well. No doubt my competitors will miss it dearly." Bernardo said. "And about your suits, I've taken the liberty of crafting them while you were gone. And I made extra sure they will fit each of you. I delivered them to the Majordomo at the Governor's Palace."
"Thanks very much." Hunter thanked him before they head to the palace and meet with the Majordomo, with five well-crafted suits behind him.
"I take it you are here for your suits." The Majordomo said.
"Sorry we took so long, but we are here." Lola said. The Majordomo gave each of them their suits. The boys' suits made them resemble monkey gentlemen while the girls now resemble monkey princesses.
"You five look… marvelous. My cousin Sastre the Tailor has done you proud. You're ready to see the Governor now. You may proceed upstairs." The Majordomo ushered them upstairs. "Good luck and do try to behave yourselves – I can dress you properly but making Monquistans out of you is not my strong suit."
"We'll do what we can, Majordomo." Hunter bowed before the crew proceed upstairs.
"Well, guys, you certainly look, uh, well…you look…" Ratbeard trailed off before Bonnie Anne spoke up holding back her laughter.
"Ridiculous, Captains. You all look ridiculous. Those monkeys are making monkeys out of you!" Bonnie Anne laughed.
"You're lucky we're here to discuss a treaty or I'd smack you right in the muzzle." Lola glared.
"Simmer down, Lola. We're here." Ryan said before meeting Governor Medina in his office.
"Greetings. You're very bold to come here wearing last year's fashion." Governor Medina greeted them. "And you came all the way from… Skull Island? Are you… pirates?"
"No, but we have taken refuge there after our home was raided by the Armada." Ryan told him.
"Anyway, Your Excellency, we came here to discuss the terms of a treaty between Skull Island and Monquista." Hunter informed him, revealing the treaty.
"A treaty, you say? How fascinating. I shall give it all due interest and respect." Governor Medina scanned the treaty.
"We also came bearing a gift." Lindsey shows Governor Medina the chalice.
"A gift? I'm honored. It is an exceptionally fine chalice, I'm sure." Governor Medina said.
"Apologies for gawking, Your Excellency, but I was under the impression that we would speak with Governor Ortega. That chalice is an heirloom belonging to his family." Ryan told him.
"Ah, now I see. You were hoping to see Governor Ortega. I humbly apologize, but he was declared a traitor of our realm and banished to a dark pit." Governor Medina told them. "As pleasant as it was speaking with you, I have more important duties to address. As for your treaty, I will consider it closely and carefully – The Majordomo will give you my answer."
"Thank you, Your Excellency." Hunter bowed before they return to the Majordomo.
"I have a bad feeling about this, you guys." Ryan said.
"His Excellency is much too polite to directly refuse, but I assure you, that treaty is one he will never sign. His answer is no." The Majordomo gave him the Governor's response to the treaty.
"I knew it. I knew he'd turn us down." Ryan sighed.
"Your gift was…an embarrassment, to say the least. But there may be something else you can offer in return for signing your treaty." The Majordomo said. He then notices the eyes from behind the monkey masks. "I know you: you're the pirates who robbed the Presidio, yes?"
"That's us." Lola said, surprised that he knew about the Presidio robbery.
"There are some who could make use of your boldness and cunning. You should seek out Bishop Hidalgo in the Cathedral. He may have an offer that could interest you."
"Anything to get out of wearing these stupid outfits!" Kyle accepted before they take off the suits and head to the cathedral, seeing Bishop Hidalgo.
"Greetings, children. I trust you are not here to pray, no? We have much to speak of." Bishop Hidalgo said.
"The Majordomo told us you have something that can help us, Father Hidalgo." Ryan said.
"Yes, I know your errand, and if left to formal channels, it is doomed to fail." Hidalgo told them. "But, on a more informal level… a task must be done, vital to the crown. The demands of honor make it impossible for any Monquistador to do it."
"And I can assume you want us to do this task because we aren't Monquistadors, right?" Hunter asked.
"Exactly. You must act where our strongest cannot. Go to the Isle of Doom, find Gortez, and bring him and this "gold monkey" to the Governor." Bishop Hidalgo told them.
"Isle of Doom?" The pirates asked in unison.
"Yes." Hidalgo said before he told them the tale. "The islands of this cluster are covered in ancient ruins, whose mysterious builders vanished long ago. Nobody knows who they were or what they were doing, but they left a legacy inlaid in the living rock of their temples: gold! You see, Monquista came to Skull Island before any of the other nations of the Spiral."
"You learn something new every day." Ryan spoke.
"The gold we pry from these ruins makes us wealthy and powerful. Bold Monquistadors led the conquest of Skull Island, but one name outshines all the rest." It didn't take Hunter long to guess who it was.
"Gortez."
"Exactly. We owe him our wealth, our influence, and our very empire. Gortez embarked on his latest adventure last year."
"And you're asking us to follow him to this Isle of Doom, right?" Lola asked
"Yes. And do not be afraid – the island is named after its discoverer: Baron Ferdinand von Doom. I would like you to meet him, but unfortunately, a giant snake devoured him. I hear the island is a very pleasant place, as long as you avoid the swarms of carnivorous bees, flesh eating plants, and the savage frog tribes with poisonous skin. I have no doubt you'll do very well there."
"I have a question. What made Gortez go there in the first place?" Kyle asked.
"He was drawn there by rumors of vast treasures on that shadowed island. At first, Gortez was triumphant, as always. He and his troops cut a swath into the jungle, crushing all who opposed them. Gold poured out of the jungle, more gold than ever before."
"And that's when some disquieting rumors reached you here months later, right?"
"They have. Gortez, they say, had lost his way, and was doing…questionable things. We lost all contact with Gortez and his army four months ago. Their fate was unknown until a Monquistador came staggering out of the deep jungle, raving with fever. He said Gortez had built a kingdom for himself in the jungle and ruled it like a tyrant. He also found something wondrous: the Gold Monkey, a treasure beyond reckoning."
"So what you're saying is, if we succeed in apprehending Gortez and obtaining this "Gold Monkey," the Governor is sure to sign our treaty, correct?" Lindsey asked.
"Yes. Arroyo the outfitter will prepare you for your journey." Hidalgo sent them to Outfitter Arroyo.
"Outfitter Arroyo?" Ryan asked for him.
"Yes, and you are seeking to go to the Isle of Doom! Apart from the monstrous spiders, it is quite lovely this time of year." Outfitter Arroyo told them.
"Yeah, and the skyways near there are quite dangerous. The hungry fish and those Scurvy Dogs make it too difficult for a lot of ships to approach." Kyle agreed.
"Nothing we can't take care of, right?" Hunter asked them.
"Oh, before I forget…" Outfitter Arroyo gave the crew crates of food. "Once you sail to the island, take these food supplies to the gold miners stationed there. They've been cut off for a few weeks – you'll be heroes to them."
"Thanks, Arroyo. We'll do what we can." Hunter thanked him as they take the food and sail towards the Isle of Doom. Along the way, Emmett noticed Lindsey pacing around the deck.
"I say, what's with you, Lindsey?" Emmett asked the Witchdoctor.
"Oh, uh, I'm just… scared of all the predators there." Lindsey said.
"Calm down, Lindsey. We shouldn't worry about what lurks there, but rather, the reason we're going there for." Hunter assured her.
"You're right. Why should I be scared? Gortez, we're coming for you!" Lindsey said with newfound gusto. The pirates are now in high spirits as they approach the treacherous Isle of Doom.
(During the showdown, Metal Sonic is about to push Sonic out of the arena)
Catboy: Come on, Sonic. You can win.
Owlette: We believe in you!
(After hearing Owlette and Catboy's words of encouragement, Sonic slips under Metal Sonic and trips him. Metal Sonic recovers and is about to punch him, but Sonic swiftly dodges and performs a pro-level throwing technique, launching him out of the ring. The arena returns to normal and the Chaos Emeralds are in our possession now)
Infinite: I did not expect this to happen. You have earned this victory, but next we meet, you will falter!
(Infinite, Eggman, Metal Sonic, and the PJ Villains vanish via the Phantom Ruby's power)
Knuckles: Well, that was underwhelming.
Raimundo: You kids took quite a risk wagering your powers like that.
Gekko: Well, we had to do something to even the odds.
Sonic: Hey, at least we won the Chaos Emeralds back, right?
Me: That we did, Sonic. That we did. (yawns) Well, we better head back before it gets too late. You know what to do here, readers. Stay safe!