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"This means someone is talking."

'This means someone is thinking to themselves.'

This means it's a flashback.

*This means it's a sound effect!*

{This means I'm speaking in a different language!}

Froppy's Swashbuckling Adventure!

Tsuyu liked to think that she was a good judge of character. Ever since she was just a child, she had a good sense of what someone's intentions were by taking a look at their face. Noting how they breathed, how their eyes moved and other tiny idiosyncrasies. Perhaps it was some minor facet of her froggy quirk, a sort of innate instinct to detect hostility from minute details.

But now, she could not read this Captain Scarlett to save her life!

She really hoped it wouldn't come to that.

For all intents and purposes the redhead seemed to be a polite, even friendly individual thanks to the bright smile she wore on her face and the merry lilt in her voice. Then one remembers that she was the captain of a band of pirates and had just blown five holes in a man with the gun in her hand. And through it all, she acted akin to her excitable friend Ashido playing dress up as a jolly swashbuckler.

Tsuyu didn't know if it was a well practiced facade she used to catch people off guard, or a genuine and/or warped part of her personality to be so cavalier and chummy in front of her captives, but it rattled her either way in the sense that she had no idea what she was going to do or shoot next.

She fearfully eyed the revolver in Scarlett's hand.

Those types of guns had six bullets in them right?

To her immense relief, Scarlett deftly holstered her weapon somewhere behind her back and brought her hand up to her hook in a sort of apologetic gesture.

"Now, I'm very sorry but I am in the middle of something right now. Can you please wait a bit? I'll be right with you in a moment!" She requested.

None of them replied. She apparently took their silence for an answer as she beamed and gave them a thumbs up.

"Thanks! Just sit tight!" She turned away and sauntered back over to where Innsmouth lay.

"So about that discount, I was thinking maybe fortynine percent? You did cost me those bullets lodged in your arms and legs." She asked, but got no response.

"Hello?" She crouched down and lifted him up by his hood with her hook. The octopus man's eyes were glazed over, his pupils completely dilated.

"Oh dear, it looks like he's in shock." She tutted sympathetically, the jury still out if she even cared. Setting his head back down, she pointed her hook at the trio of horrified smugglers.

"The red one, bring him here!" She ordered.

The pirates holding the fellow criminals hostage parted and a couple grabbed the henchman in the red fishing coat, pulling him forward until he was a couple feet away from Scarlett and his leader. The phrase shaking in his boots was apt, as they tapped against the floor from his panic.

"I'd say you're in charge of your little crew for now. How about it?" She stood up and crossed her arms behind her. "Does fortynine sound fair?"

Red took a glance down at Innsmouth at his feet, swallowing audibly before frantically nodding at her.

"Y-Yes! W-We'll take it, j-just give us the boss back, please!" He demanded passionately.

Tsuyu blinked at the villain's sudden bout of bravery. He was in no position to make demands of the pirate captain, who had shown she had no qualms about harming others, not to mention the scores of men under command. Yet he had begged to save his leader.

'Guess there is honor among thieves.' She thought, feeling the smallest shred of respect for him. Apparently she wasn't the only one as Scarlett seemed delighted at his request.

"Ohh, look at you, caring so much for your friend, of course you can! He's all yours!" She gave a nod to her men holding the other two smugglers.

They released their charges who immediately ran to Innsmouth and gingerly lifted the larger man over their shoulders.

"Hoffman, give these men fifty percent for their moxy." She said.

A paltry consolation, but a consolation nonetheless.

At her request, the birdman climbed up the stairs to the upper deck. A few seconds later, a clear plastic bag filled with bills was thrown over the railing, which Scarlett caught and held out to the red villain. He reached over cautiously, as if worried that she would bite his arm off like a shark. When nothing happened, he took the money and stepped back, holding it to his chest.

"Wonderful! It seems that our business is concluded!" Scarlett smiled again. Then she gestured to the side of the ship. "Now, off you pop."

The entire deck seemed to get her meaning all at the same time, reacting in one of two ways. The crew laughed amongst themselves while both the heroes and the smugglers started in shock.

"Y-You, you're kidding! The coast guard and a dozen heroes are looking for us right now!" Red protested.

"Yeah! If you make us swim, we'll get picked up and you bet we'll tattle on you!" Yellow shrilled, then let out a squeak when the taller woman crossed over and pinched her beak shut between her fingers.

"Oh don't worry about us, my cute little friends. We'll be just fine!" She gave her a happy tilt of the head, her earrings jingling. "I'd be more worried about getting your boss to a doctor and that you might be overstaying your welcome on board my vessel." She lowered her voice a bit, sending a visible chill through the three smugglers.

Left with no other choice, the colored trio slowly dragged Innsmouth to the side of the ship, leaving a long red trail behind them. Red jumped into the water, followed by Blue and Yellow lowering their leader down to him and leapt down with a splash.

"Ta ta!" Scarlett gave a little wave. Then she turned back to the lineup.

"Thank you so much for being so patient!" She said as she stepped back over.

"So, you're pro-heroes aye? It's funny, we don't usually run into you guys. We tend to stick to international waters so we're never in any one country's jurisdiction very long. Ah, dammit!" She laughed. "Spouting exposition again, apologies! Let's just get acquainted already! You all know me, Captain Scarlett, etcetera etcetera, so what's your name?" She asked the first person in line, Selkie, who towered over her.

He gave her a dour expression. "I am Captain Selkie of the Oki Mariner. I wish to parley for the release of my crew." He said through his muzzle.

"A negotiator I see. And a seal to boot! You know you'd be so much cuter if you smiled!" She pointed out, making Tsuyu sweat a little. He wasn't going to do what she thought she would, would he?

Thankfully, Selkie only scowled. "I don't smile for pirates!"

"Ooo~, you're a right grump." She teased, followed up with a quick poke on his nose, making him sputter. "Unfortunately you've caught me in a bit of a pickle, my fellow captain. If I turn you loose, you'll surely set the constabulary on my tail."

"You'll be caught either way, we've got coast guard and hero teams all over these waters and they'll find a cargo ship like this easily! So you'd better give yourself up!"

Scarlett's face didn't even twitch.

"Oh really? Did you hear that, boys? The heroes are going to find our rusty old tub!" She said to her crew, who all snickered and guffawed amongst themselves, as if their captain had told a hilarious joke.

All four heroes looked at each other in unease at how unconcerned their captors were. Why would they react that way?

"I dunno captain…" Scarlett turned back to him, looking more than a little smug. "I'm feeling pretty confident about my chances."

She pursed her lips. "Say… that's a nice coat you've got there." She said as she eyed his spotted fur. "Now I kinda want some seal leather boots." She muttered offhanded.

Tsuyu's cold blood turned to ice.

Both Sirius and Mick looked horrified at the prospect while their captain let out a furious growl.

"You're sick!"

"Am I? I feel pretty good actually." Scarlett shrugged, playing the fool as she approached the next person in line, being Mick who immediately scowled.

"I've got nothing to say to you!" He spat!

"Well aren't you dull." She pouted.

Tsuyu continued to watch Scarlett prod at Mick's patience, trying to get him to say anything.

Then she felt Sirius's elbow briefly brush against her arm, making her glance up at her senior.

"Kero?"

"Froppy. Keep quiet." She whispered. "When she gets to you, be as unassuming as possible. If she doesn't find you worth her time, she probably won't hurt you."

"O-Okay."

"And above all else…" Sirius fixed her with a serious look. "Don't let her find out you're a student."

She blinked. "Why?

"If she finds out you're a minor, she'll definitely put you up for ransom and we have no idea if she will honor an agreement. As long as we keep her from contacting the authorities and getting herself prepared for a confrontation, it'll buy us time to come up with a plan to escape. So don't. Bring. Attention to yourself!" She enunciated.

Tsuyu swallowed. That made sense, too much sense. It was one thing to ransom a bunch of heroes, but a minor like her would be taken way more seriously, forcing their rescuers into a horribly unfavourable position.

She also agreed on the second account about Scarlett herself. The woman seemed to have no reservations in hurting people and didn't seem trustworthy in the slightest. There was definitely a risk that she'd doublecross anyone that came for them, likely taking whatever money they asked for and running for it.

That meant for the time being, they were on their own.

"Got it." She told Sirius who gave her what she guessed was supposed to be a relieved smile, which came out more as an uncertain grimace. She nodded at her and they returned their attention to Scarlett, who was currently pinching one of Mick's large biceps appraisingly.

"Here's a good one! Should I call a vet? Because these puppies are sick! Eh? Eh?" She joked, giving a light punch in his beefy arms in an attempt to get him to laugh.

Mick only scoffed and looked away, making her pout again which quickly became a depressed sigh. "Ah damn, now that just reminds me of my last puppy. Poor Bowser number nine, he deserved so much better. You're no fun. Next." She stepped over to Sirius and immediately brightened up, as she seemed to do a lot.

"Oh I love what you did with your hair! And that hat! Your whole outfit is just so cute!" She complimented, gesturing to her clothes.

Sirius blinked, taken off guard. "Um, thank you?"

"Actually…" Scarlett took a quick glance about and leaned in, her voice so low that Tsuyu could just barely hear it. "It's been a while since I've had another girl on the ship. Am I… pulling this off?"

"Huh?"

"Y'know…" Her eye flicked up for a moment. "The hat."

Sirius blinked again, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Oh. Um…y-yeah?"

"Really?" She pointed, the first hint of worry cracking her cheerful face. "You hesitated there, it's too much isn't it?"

"No, no, it really works with your hair! I'd say it's… just enough?" Sirius offered.

Her words seemed to quell whatever insecurity the other woman had, as she smiled again.

"That's great! Thank you so much for your honesty!" She said as she started to turn away.

"Wait, that's it?" Sirius asked, expecting more of an interrogation rather than her opinion on the woman's fashion. Same for Tsuyu.

She was so wrapped up in incredulity of it all, she almost didn't realize a crucial fact.

She jerked, sweat and a bit of mucus running down her neck. She was next. The thud of the pirate's metal pegleg echoed off the deck akin to a clock, counting down the seconds to her death.

'Keep calm! Just keep calm! Just answer whatever she says and don't stand out! I'm just a hero who looks like a froggy girl because of my quirk!' She told herself, taking a shaky breath through her nose. She faced forward, wearing the most neutral expression she could muster.

'All I have to do is be as plain and unassuming as possible.'

"And last but not least…" Scarlett hummed, pivoting and coming to a stop in front of her, head tilted up theatrically before lowering it down to take in the smaller individual. "We have…"

Then she froze and the smile fell from her face. Her eye was now stretched wide open, her pupil a pinprick.

The deck was suddenly silent, all of the pirates worryingly muted. The only ambience was the hiss of the waves.

Tsuyu felt whatever bravery she possessed bottom out.

'Oh god… what did I do?!' She asked, too terrified to move or even blink.

In a second, without a word and a loud scraping of her metal leg on the floor, Scarlett was now inches away from her. She loomed over her, the illumination casted down from the flood lights enveloping her form in shadow. She resembled a demon, the ends of her hat resembling curled horns covered in spikes. She lifted her hook to the light, the pointed steel shining

"YOU VILLAINOUS BASTARD! DON'T LAY A FINGER ON MY CREWMATE OR I'LL MAKE SURE YOU REGRET IT!" She heard Selkie bellow and lunge forward, only to get tackled to the deck by Hoffman!

"No! Leave her alone! Get your hands off me!" Sirius yelled, she and Mick similarly restrained.

Seeing no way out of this, Tsuyu braced herself for the end.

'Okaa-san, Otou-san, Samidare, Satsuki… I'm sorry.'

The pirate's hook flashed and came down!

She flinched and slammed her eyes shut!

…

But nothing happened.

She should have felt something by now right?

A horrible pain in her chest as she was stabbed perhaps?

But no.

Just… a coldness under her wrist.

The next thing she knew, her arm was being pulled up.

She cracked an eye open to see Scarlett holding it up with the curve of her hook and appeared to be inspecting her elongated frog hands with an intense look in her eye. She gave the tip of one of her fingers a light squeeze.

Tsuyu stood completely still, paralyzed as the strange woman feverishly inspected every part of her body. Tugging at the material of her costume, running her hands over her goggles, gently caressing her long straight hair with her hook. The entire time she continued to not make a sound.

It all made the confused girl feel like a specimen in a biology lab, she just really hoped she didn't get cut open like one.

Then she moved onto her face, pinching her cheek between two fingers and stretching it out. It thankfully didn't hurt due to physiology.

She then moved a finger and the tip of her hook into her mouth and much to Tsuyu's astonishment, pulled it open!

"Ahck!" Letting out a surprised gurgle at the impromptu dental examination, Tsuyu glanced towards her crewmates for help even though she knew she likely wasn't going to get it. Both they and even the pirates holding them down looked just as dumbfounded as she was.

Her attention was brought back to the forefront as Scarlett closed her mouth and gripped her head so she was staring her right in the eyes.

Then, in a low whisper, she uttered one word, a single demand.

"Croak."

In the next instant, Tsuyu didn't mean to do what she had been told. It was just the only reaction her instincts could give her.

"Ke…K-Kero..?" Tsuyu quietly let out.

The universe appeared to throw her a bone at that moment, as Scarlett finally released her, throwing her arms out and staggering away as if she had been struck. Her face was completely hidden as she violently shook.

Then she threw back her head.

"EEEEEEEE~!" Everyone recoiled and covered their ears as the air rang from the high pitched, joyous shriek! Sirius had the worst of it, looking like she was in horrible pain with how she clutched at her fins with gritted teeth.

After what felt like forever, Scarlett's squealing abated. Her chest was heaving as she returned her gaze to Tsuyu. Her face was in a red blush, her single pupil was totally dilated and she had the biggest smile that Tsuyu had ever seen.

And something about that look made her very nervous.

Then with the energy of a chocolate fueled eight year old, Scarlett zipped back over and pulled her into a tight hug!

"Omigoshomigoshomigosh!" Scarlett gushed, pressing her cheek against Tsuyu's. "You're so adorable! You're just like my favourite comic book character "Crimefighter Frog!""

At that, the entirety of Scarlett's men audibly groaned. Hoffman slapped his palm to his forehead.

Apparently this was a regular thing.

Tsuyu could care less about that though. She was in the midst of wondering if she had done something to deserve such terrible luck. Not only have she and her crew been taken captive by pirates, it had to be the one gang whose captain would get infatuated with her at first sight!

'Could this get any worse?!'

"Alright boys! Take these heroes except for this one to the brig!" Scarlett grabbed Tsuyu's hand and raised it high!

"Tonight, we welcome our new mascot!"

Tsuyu's legs almost fell out from under her. Sirius, Selkie and Mick gawked.

"Kero…" She croaked helplessly.

To be continued…