Ch.102: Wes vs. Captain Specter! The Rivalry of Specter and Ravenfield!

"…Well…this could've gone better."

Such was the sad truth for Garret Ravenfield, having found himself tied to the mast of an airship. He didn't know what happened. One minute he was digging up a spot for a possible treasure chest, next some alluring smell drew him away from it, where he promptly blacked out. Thinking it over, the smell was awfully familiar, like that of a…

"Salazzle…" he grumbled. While he knew they weren't all bad, he even had friends who were female Salandit in school, their reputation as tricky temptresses was all too real.

"Ah, you're awake." A tail slapped him across the face. He shook his head, then glared up at the one he figured who ensnared him. The Salazzle, dressed in a large green overcoat, red striped shirt, brown pants, and a red bandana around her head, smirked down on him. "The captain has been waiting to speak with ya."

Garret smirked. "Oh? Have I been keeping him waiting? I wouldn't mind taking up a bit more of your time, miss."

She bent down and patted his head. "Oh, aren't you just precious?"

"Zola, quit bugging the prisoner." The Salazzle, referred to as Zola, pouted, but obliged as she stepped away from him. Garret traced the deep voice and spotted a Conkeldurr, who wore dark brown overalls stained black, wore a bandana similar to Zola's, and carried what Garret could only guess to be a bazooka on his back. An odd feature of his was the metal thumb he had on his left hand.

Sitting next to the Conkeldurr was a Darumaka, possibly a preteen. He wore a striped shirt like Zola's, along with jeans, golden bracelets, and a sword strapped to his side.

Zola smirked at the Conkeldurr. "I'm only messing with him, Pelham. Manipulating men isn't my style…unless it involves my cooking."

"OH! Are you making your curry for dinner?!" shouted an enthusiastic Haxorus, dressed in a tattered blue coat with a white shirt and jeans.

Zola sighed. "I would've if someone did the shopping correctly."

"What?! I got you the peppers you wanted!"

"You got me BELL peppers! I needed cayenne peppers!"

"What's the difference?"

"A whole lot of things, you twit-!"

"Hey, pardon the interruption..." The pirates froze, then turned to the mast. Garret, who was on his hind legs, leaned against the mast with his forelegs crossed, with the rope used to tie him up laying at his feet. He tilted his head and smirked. "Was this a formal invitation, because the red-carpet treatment could use some work."

Pelham glared and reached for his bazooka. "How did he escape?"

The Darumaka, known as Jaime, sneered. "I definitely put a constrictor knot on that rope!"

"Do not go to arms yet, you two. We are not dealin' with a common treasure hunter." Garret raised his brow at the sound of footsteps at the upper deck. He watched as the pirates around him stopped what they were doing and bowed to the approaching figure. Curious, Garret dropped to all four paws and walked towards the deck.

He glared as the figure came into view. Immediately, Garret covered himself as a rush of cold wind blew from the upper level and went through his fur. The winds were mixed in a green and blue light, which he recognized was lined with an ethereal magic.

"Spectral Magic…?" he mumbled. He glared back at the figure. "Who are you?"

Standing above him was a Krokorok geared up in the classic attire of a proud ship captain. A black tricorn sat atop his head, with a showy white feather pluming from the left side. Around his right eye was an eyepatch, which seemed to glow with a light underneath. He wore an extravagant blue gold with a fine gold trim and golden buttons, with the inside made from a soft white material. Underneath the coat was a puffy white shirt, only really noticeable in the chest. The pants matched his coat.

Garret's eyes locked on the sword he carried in his right hand. A basket-hilted sword that radiated with that strange magic. Said magic channeled up his arm, meeting with the light shimmering behind his eyepatch.

The Jolteon lowered his head, obscuring his eyes under the rim of his hat. "The Eye and Sword of Silence…so, you're the one who managed to obtain them. I must say, that's quite impressive, but…oh darn, I simply don't know your name."

The pirate smirked proudly. "Commit it to memory, for ye are not long for this world…Space Walker: Garret Ravenfield." He aimed his sword at the treasure hunter. "I've had me eye on you for the longest time. A treasure hunter who has brought down many other pirates in his career. While I appreciate the limited competition, I simply can't go on knowin' someone as crafty as ye stands in me way of conquerin' the skies of Mysto."

Garret smirked. "Oh? I'm flattered you think so highly of me. Someone like you choosing me to be your target of interest? And with the skill to wield both the Eye and Sword of Silence? Isn't it my lucky day or what?"

The captain jumped from the top deck and landed in front of him. "Crew…stand back and watch yer captain closely." He raised his sword to Garret. "This marks a grand day for yer captain, where I shall hold the honor of choppin' down the Space Walker."

Garret chuckled under his breath. "Sure, sure…still haven't gotten that name, you know."

"Hahaha! I like ye already, Ravenfield!" The captain slid his fingers across the blade, then swiped his eyepatch off, revealing the golden eye underneath. "They call me the Phantom of the Skies! Captain Specter! Prepare for battle, Garret Ravenfield!"

The surprise announcement for a battle between Wes and Hal took everyone by surprise. In the vacant space often used by youths for battling, Wes was stretching his legs while his companions and family looked to him with concern. For those who have known Wes the longest, there was obvious tension in his body language.

Ella narrowed her eyes. "I figured Hal would try something like this. That man is a battle-hardened pirate, not a therapist."

Vivian gulped. "Wes…will be alright, yes?"

Ella smirked. "Heh…believe me, this won't be as bad as our other battles."

"Still, I'm concerned," Flint brought up, with Gwyn sitting on his right side, clutching his paw. "Hal may be…err, not young, but he's far from a clumsy fighter."

"When was the last time he fought?" Gwyn asked.

"Last I checked, when those shadows first invaded the campus at our college. Hal scared them off, but…" The Flareon sighed. "He…threw out his back with his last attack."

Tony, who was sitting on a low fence, snickered behind his hand. "Oh, this is going to be nice."

Cheri, sitting in front of said fence, looked up at him. "So…is that Krokorok guy really a pirate?"

"A former one, but yes, apparently. Captain Specter, I believe he was."

Ava glared, then looked at Morgan. "That's a familiar name. We didn't fight him as much as Garret did, but we've had our encounters. Hard to believe this was the same guy that tried to kill Garret a load of times."

Morgan sighed. "Given how obsessive they both were on fighting each other, I think it was more of a mutual frenemy grudge than actual hatred. Now look…a retired pirate captain fighting his sworn rival's son. Talk about fate…"

"I suppose. Still, I wonder what this captain has in mind for battle. If it's to help Wes, I suppose this would be beneficial."

Vivian's ears twitched at the sound of her son's name. She looked at them in concern. "There is something wrong with Wes?"

Ava's eyes widened. "Um…well, you see…"

Morgan, thankfully, came to the Medicham's rescue and raised his hand to the Sylveon. "Perhaps it'd be better if you watched the battle, Vivian."

Her ears drooped, then she looked back at the battlefield. My baby boy…what have you gotten yourself into now?

Unbeknownst to the mother, her son was wondering the same thing. Hal didn't battle unless he absolutely had to. It was odd for him to suddenly declare a match between the two. Wes hasn't even seen his father fight the former pirate in person, so…this would be a first, he supposed. He only knew a few of the old croc's tricks, so he may be in for a few surprises.

Wes sighed to himself. I don't know what you're planning, old man, but I'm just hoping I don't hurt you in the process.

The Umbreon's fur stood on end from a shiver running through his spine. The magically sensitive tensed up at a sudden presence of eerie magic spreading through the air. Cheri tensed up to, shivering a bit, which concerned her mother that she was getting cold. Tony noticed this for half a second before turning his head back to the field.

Wes straightened his battle stance and squatted down, leering at the energy as the figure came into view. With Hal in full view of the Umbreon, his eyes widened in disbelief to see the new look donned by the old croc. No longer was he in his dapper threads, instead wearing a grungy outfit that looked like it was fished out of a trunk hidden away for decades.

It was Hal's old captain uniform, complete with the hat and everything. The only difference is that the feather was no longer as puffy as it was in his heyday, and the coat had some holds, rips, and lasting burn marks covering it. It may be because he has gotten older, but the jacket also looked like it got bigger on him. He was even panting a bit from the weight.

Hal leaned over and held his knees. Good grief, I forgot this was a weighted jacket…curse me and me less youthful age!

Griffin deadpanned at the pirate while his friends and Faye sniggered behind their hands (well, not Mack, he was busting out in laughter). "How old fashioned…"

"He's really getting back into his roots," Holly joked.

"Or he's trying to root himself back into the ground!" Mack exclaimed, laughing his head off.

Angel blinked. Huh…I'm going to have to remember that one for my next pun.

Wes stared in utter bafflement at the exhausted ex-captain. "Hal?! Why are you wearing your old get-up? Geez, I forgot how torn up that thing was!" This wasn't the first time Wes has seen the outfit, but it was definitely the first time he saw the Krokorok wear it.

Hal took a deep breath, then straightened himself up. "Didn't I tell ye, boyo? I'm challengin' ye as the infamous Captain Specter!"

Wes blinked. That's the first time I've heard him drop the 'g' sound in '-ing.'

Hal cracked the knuckles in his real hand. "I told ye that ye needed to get yer mind out of that depressive mindset, boyo! If ye aren't goin' to listen to me as 'Hal,' I'll have to beat some sense into ye as the man who challenged yer father!" He smirked. "I was one of the first opponents in yer father's life to give him a proper battle."

The Umbreon gritted his teeth. Not sure if I should be worried or not…

Hal glared. "I can't say I know what ye are goin' through, lad, but I do know a thin' or two about revenge." He gripped his eyepatch and whipped it off. "Suffice it to say, ye are walkin' yerself down a path of no return."

Wes bared his teeth and growled. "Hal, this is ridiculous! Are you trying to tell me that fighting you will give me some relief before fighting the Shadow King?! I did say I needed to let off some steam, but this will hardly prepare me for-!"

"Silence, lad." Wes shut up at the sudden calm, yet commanding tone of the ex-pirate. For as goofy as Hal was, Wes has never heard that kind of demanding tone come from his mouth. "Courage isn't fearlessness. Courage is the ability to face yer fears. If this Shadow King is what ye fear most, then ye need to stop lettin' those fears consume ye."

"But I-"

"Ye lost three of the Keys of Origin, yeah, I know."

Vivian's eyes widened. "Lost three of the…the what?" She looked at Flint desperately. "Flint, what is going on?"

Flint grew uncomfortable, squeezing Gwyn's hand for comfort. "Um…well…"

Before questions were further pressed, Morgan reached down and gripped the distressed woman's shoulder. She eased up a bit at the contact. "Mrs. Ravenfield…" he spoke in a formal tone. "Please, just watch the battle."

"I…" Her ears flopped down, as did her feelers. Now all she could think about was Wes being in some sort of trouble. Suddenly, all his evasive behavior started to come together. Wes…please…not again…please don't shut me out again…

Hal's golden eye flashed at the nervous Umbreon. "If ye're goin' to let a failure like that hold ye down, then this will be a quick and easy fight for me." He rolled his sleeve back, then twisted off his fake arm, revealing the Sword of Silence. Its magic released out like a jet of steam, then curled around the blade like a spring of flames. "Because, if ye can't work up the nerve to fight me, what chance in hell do ye have of fightin' the Shadow King?"

Wes bared his teeth and looked down at the ground. "I…I…" He clenched his eyes shut. "Hal…it's not as simple as that-" Just as the Umbreon looked up, his eyes widened to the blade that was approaching within a foot of his face. He immediately sprung his body back and watched as the blade grazed across the bottom of his chin. "AH!"

Wes tumbled on his back, then quickly rolled up. Most of the audience was in shock at the distance Hal closed between them. An energy trail left behind by his blade faded into the air, following the swift path it took to where it is now. The former captain looked over his shoulder, glaring with his golden eye.

Holly glared in disbelief. "That old croc…he doesn't have any magic of his own…yet he just crossed roughly ten meters in the time it took most of us to blink."

Faye glared. "This guy is faster than he looks. He must've moved around thirty-three meters a second…"

Wes panted as he felt his heart racing behind his ribcage. Holy shit…he almost slashed my face! He stood up and growled at the old man. "Hey! What the hell, Hal?! That could've actually hurt me!"

"That's the idea, lad." Wes felt the chills return as the pawn shop owner turned around, smirking villainously. "I'm a pirate…and ye're me opponent." He bared the Sword of Silence over his face. "We are not allies on this battlefield. We are two fighters lookin' to win. Prepare for battle, Wes Ravenfield!"

Wes stepped back in shock. Oookay, Hal's taking this a lot farther than I thought he would. He then glared and touched the amulet hidden under his shirt. Still, if he's being serious, I guess I have no choice. The Star Amulet lit up under his shirt and changed his fur to purple. He stamped his paw down. "Alright Hal- I mean, Captain Specter! If this is what you want, then I'm not holding back!"

Hal smirked. "Excellent!" He flashed magic over the blade, then sprinted right for the Umbreon.

Wes summoned a Warp Pad under his feet and fired himself into the air, bouncing around off conjured magic circles as a bolt of purple light. Hal stopped and observed as the Umbreon trapped him in the center of his relentless ricochets. Hal raised his sword arm and closed his left eye.

Wes appeared from behind and fired off Infernius. The white-hot fireball rapidly approached the pirate's back. In a quick heel turn, Hal slashed through the fireball, sending the separated halves flying into the far fence. Wes immediately rocketed himself at Hal with another Warp Pad, intending for a devastating headbutt to the abdomen.

Take this! Wes internally growled.

Hal lit up both sword and eye and coated himself in the spectral aura. Wes' headbutt proved futile as he passed right through the old pirate like he was a body of fog. Caught off guard by the trick, Wes tumbled across the ground and slammed into the fence he burned with his fireball.

"AGH!" Wes collapsed on his stomach.

"Wes!" Vivian cried out.

Flint grabbed her shoulders. "Mom, relax! This isn't that bad!"

"I hate seeing my baby get hurt, though!"

Ella sighed. "Vivian, chill. I've seen Wes take worse hits than that."

Wes struggled back onto his feet and shook his head. "Ugh…" He glared over his shoulder. "When…did you learn to do that?"

Hal laughed. "Separately, the sword and eye can only do so much. The sword projects magic while the eye interprets it. Together…they can do some wonderous things, like turn me incorporeal."

Griffin leaned back and crossed his arms. "The Eye and Sword of Silence…they're some legendary weapons, if I do say so myself…"

Faye raised her brow. "You've heard of them?"

He nodded. "They both belonged to a man named Sherwood Falcons. Legend has it he had his eye gouged out in a fight. He had aspirations to be like a ghost, so he crafted the sword to harness magic off an ethereal plane, while the eye was meant to allow him to see into magic better than ever before. They say he named them the Eye and Sword of Silence because it made him virtually untraceable when used at their full potential. He could do things that were uncommon centuries ago. Nowadays, it's nothing too out of place, but still…"

The Umbreon glared at the taunting pirate, feeling the flames of another Infernius rising beneath his throat. Dammit, old man…you're really pissing me off. Wes formed another Warp Pad behind him, rotating it to build up tension. "I won't fall for that a second time."

Hal's golden eye flashed, reflecting the image of the Umbreon through it. "Good…let's make this interestin'."

Wes fired off his Warp Pad and flew right for the pirate. Hal raised his sword and prepared to slash, but Wes formed another Warp Pad at the last second, just enough to spring right over Hal's head. The Umbreon spun and jabbed his paw for the back of his head. However…

"Think fast!" Hal spun around and revealed a shrunken head. The jaw fell open and released a horrific screech into the fox's eardrums. Wes was thrown off balance and clutched his ears, with his agonizing screams drowned under the intense noise.

The others covered their ears as the screams reached them. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!" Griffin screamed.

Ella bared her teeth. The freakin' Head of a Thousand Screams?! Hal, you still haven't sold that stupid thing?!

"MY EEEEEARS!" Cheri screamed.

Wes cringed under the intense screams, but managed the willpower to spin on his back and kick the shrunken head out of Hal's hand. Its chin hit the ground, closing it up. The Umbreon breathed in relief, then glared. "Okay, you're cheating!"

Hal glared. "The Shadow King won't have a fair fight with ye. Why should a pirate be bound to such laws?"

"Oh, really funny, Hal!"

Hal glowered. "I keep tellin' ye, this is a fight ye need to take seriously. If ye can't face me, what chance do ye have of fightin' that abomination of an apparition?!" He pulled a jar out from under his cloak, filled with red glowing, swarming insects. "Ye think I played fair when I fought yer father?!" He smashed the jar at Wes' feet, releasing the ethereal bugs out into the open.

Wes' eyes widened. "Woodeater locus?! Why are you using those?!" Something else fell at his feet. A small, empty bottle that looked like it once contained a liquid.

"When I went for that first attack, I doused yer back in this cologne." Hal raised his finger. "Woodeater locus are an ethereal species that come from another dimension of Mysto. These little pests go crazy at the smell of wood." He smirked. "That cologne is called 'Arôme de chêne.'"

Ella deadpanned. "…Aroma of oak…"

"Ah shit-AAAHHH!" Wes ran away as the swarm of glowing insects chased him down, attracted to the scent on his back. Wes looked over his shoulder briefly and noticed the wet stain on his jacket. He must've not notice from all the moving around he did. One bite from a woodeater is harmless, but thousands was a different story.

Gwyn's jaw dropped. "This Hal guy is…um…what's a nice way of saying-?"

"Utterly deranged?" Flint finished for her.

"Yeah, that, but not as mean…"

Wes glared at the pirate as the insects chased him around the battlefield. "Hal, this is messed up!"

"That's what yer father said to me! Only he wasn't runnin' like a pansy!"

Wes closed his eyes and suppressed an annoyed growl. "Alright then…" He turned on his heel. "Infernius!" He exhaled the fireball and engulfed the locus in it. The locus convulsed in agony before burning to ashes. Hal has an entire shop's worth of amulets and relics to use! Most of them because of me!

Thankfully, the pirate didn't pull a second trick like that again. In a similar move as the first, he sped towards the Umbreon and slashed with his sword arm. Now more prepared for this, Wes lifted his paws and caught the blade between them. However, that didn't last long as the blade passed through his paws, briefly switching to intangibility, and continued on course for his head.

In the desperate milliseconds he had left, Wes reached for his Vortex Amulet. Starting from the center of his chest where the amulet laid, his form dematerialized and was sucked into the center of the spiral, barely escaping the sword slash. Hal tried to grab the amulet, but it had already sucked itself into its own void before he could get his fingers around it.

Hal glared. "Hidin' from me in another space, eh? Well, points for cleverness, but ye be facin' the wrong opponent to pull that trick." His golden eye glowed. "One of the main abilities of the Eye of Silence…"

A void opened up in the space above Hal. Wes leaped out from it, cloaked in Mystic Burst. Got you!

"…is the ability to perceive the future!" Hal spun on his heel and dodged the Umbreon.

Wes landed on his paws and immediately sprung with some jabs. Hal reacted to each hit, performing minimal movements to effectively dodge any dangerous strikes. No matter how fast Wes went, Hal could match and counter his speed. For an old croc, Hal was surprisingly quick and nimble on his feet.

Hal deflected one of the Umbreon's jabs, grabbed him by the ankle, and flung him into the dirt. Wes rolled to his feet, shook himself clean, then glared vehemently at the pirate. "Aquos Mist!" He expelled a thick mist around the battlefield.

Hal covered his face as the mist hit him. "Wes, boyo, ye think coverin' up yer tracks will stop me?!" His sword lit up in magic. "Mystical Cutter!" He slashed and sent forth a flurry of crescent shaped slashes through the mist, cutting it up and creating a visible path in front of Hal.

The mist cleared partly, but no sign on Wes. Hal's golden eye darted to the right, then he dodged a punch from the swirling space next to him. Wes pulled himself from the Vortex Amulet and swung his legs to kick the pirate. Hal blocked with his arm, then pulled Wes from the vortex.

"I got plenty more tricks up me sleeve, boyo!" He reached into his coat and yanked out a stone orb. "Tell me if this one rings any bells!" He tossed it in the air.

Wes groaned and rubbed his head, then watched the orb fly high above him. His pupils shrank. "Oh no…not that thing!"

Wes tried to dart away, but it was too late. A faint blue glow came off the stone orb. The Umbreon found himself incased behind a square border, two meters for each side. Just as he tried to leap out, a sudden gravity slammed down on top of him. He gasped and lost traction in his paws, slamming down on his stomach and continuously being crushed by the gravity.

Flint and Ella jolted up. "Hold on! That's the…!" Flint exclaimed.

"The Moon of Uzlaefles!" Ella finished in equal shock.

Tony raised his brow. "The what now?!"

"The Moon of Uzlaefles!" Flint repeated. "Back when the three of us were still traveling together, that was one of the items we dug up for Hal! History around it says that it's a fragment of a moon that still holds a portion of the gravitational force it exuded! In combat, it's one big gravity trap!"

"AAAHHH!" Wes screamed as he was pushed into the ground.

"WES!" Vivian screamed.

"To think he still has it after all this time…" Ella murmured. "What are you up to, Hal?"

The old croc stood just out of reach of the moon's territory, watching the Umbreon be crushed under the intense force. Hal's nostrils flared. "I'm not good at this sentimental crap, boyo! This is the best I can do for ye!" He glared angrily. "If ye want to shut yerself out from us, then ye can forget savin' the world! I don't give a damn if ye want to be a leader or not! Actin' like this, scared out of yer mind! Angry at the world! All ye're doin' is makin' yer father's sacrifice a vain memory!"

"AAAGH!" Specter went flying backwards and slammed into the base of the mountain. He fell on his rear and cradled his aching head. "SHIT, OW!"

Garret stumbled backwards and panted heavily, scratched up and worn out from yet another tough brawl with the pirate. He held something in his mouth. A dark-looking mirror with tinted glass and a white flower design on the back. Garret set it at his front paws, then smirked wearily. "S-So…I believe I win…that one…"

Specter pressed his hand against the wall and hoisted himself up. "Argh…what's the score at now?"

"I believe this is my fortieth victory to your thirty-ninth." Garret chuckled with a sore throat and fell on his haunches. "I'm whooped…"

Specter panted heavily. "I could kill ye right now and take that for meself…"

Garret smirked. "Ye said that the last thirty-nine times, ye know!" he reminded mockingly.

"Don't mock me accent! And I wasn't ready those last times!"

Garret sighed and pulled himself up. "Whatever…" He picked the mirror up in his teeth.

Specter narrowed his eyes. "Ye're not in yer usual spirits today, Ravenfield…have ye finally lost yer spirit to battle?"

Garret stuffed the mirror inside his backpack, then chuckled. "Oh no, I'm fine. Still raring to kick your butt as always." He smiled sheepishly. "Though, I sort of overslept this morning. That's what happens when you're in charge of looking for a wedding venue. The right one, you know?"

Specter's eyes widened. "Wedding venue?"

"HOLY SHIT!" They both jumped as Specter's crew started running up, with Zola at the head of the pack. The Salazzle shouted, "You mean you finally proposed to Vivian?!"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I did. Last week, actually." He grinned. "Charming guy, am I not?" He grinned uneasily as the pirates started swarming him. After so many battles with these guys, the treasure hunter and pirates formed a mutual rivalry that bordered on amicability.

"Hey, congrats, man!" Pelham exclaimed with a slap on the back. "Just think, you'll be married, then eventually a father!"

"Should we come?!" Breok shouted. "I know where to steal good formal clothes!"

Zola smacked him across the head. "We're pirates, potato brain! There won't be much of a wedding if we show up!"

Garret laughed as the rest of the crew congratulated him. "Ah shucks, guys! Thanks! Almost a shame you can't come!"

"ARGH!" The crew froze and turned to their captain. "Stop fraternizin' with him! He's our sworn enemy!"

Pelham crossed his arms. "Hey, ease up, captain. Just because we're pirates doesn't mean we have to be rude, right?"

"I…ye can't just…ARGH!" Specter held his face and groaned.

Zola snickered. "Ignore the captain. He's probably still antsy that he lost."

Specter glared at her, then pointed back the ship. "All of ye! Get to swabbin'!" The crew groaned, then marched back to the ship. Specter hissed in annoyance and rubbed between his eyes. "Unbelievable."

Garret chuckled, then rubbed behind his head. "So…still want to kill me or…?"

Specter huffed, then turned away. "Forget it. I'll kill ye some other time." He groaned and rubbed his back.

Garret smirked. "Getting old?"

"Tch. I have centuries left in these bones! Don't ye start callin' me old!"

Garret raised his paws and laughed. "Whatever. I'm off." He turned and started heading down the mountain…until-

"Ye're…goin' to be a might busy once ye get yerself hitched…" Garret stopped and looked over his shoulder. The pirate wasn't looking in his direction, facing his ship with his arms crossed. "Don't tell me I have to start huntin' for a new rival."

Garret blinked, then grinned. "Aww…you're sad that I might not get to kick your ass anymore, Specs?"

Specter growled. "Sad? For ye? HA! I'll be happy to be rid of yer sorry ass! Once ye're out of me way, conquerin' the skies of Mysto will be all the easier!"

The Jolteon narrowed his eyes. "Uh huh…" He looked down the mountain. "Well, don't expect me to be out of the picture just yet. Sure, I'll have my time off, spend some time with the new wife on our honeymoon, then have some…other fun, hehehe…"

Specter growled and covered his ears. "YE BASTARD! Don't make me picture that!"

"Then eventually, I'll become a father. Always wanted a kid? Do you think Tyrone's a good name for a kid?" He snickered and shrugged. "Ah, whatever. I've got time to figure things out. Still, does mean I can't get sloppy with our fights. I'll have to support my family in everyway I can. Kind of sucks I'm away so much from Vivian, but I do bring in the money. Maybe I'll find more time once I have kids."

Specter frowned, looking to the ground. "Tsk…I don't care…" He started walking towards the ship.

"Hey, Specs!"

He staggered to a stop and growled. "WHAT?!" His eyes widened as the treasure hunter held the Dark Mirror up.

"This may be the last time you'll have a chance in hell of getting one of these things from me. So…how's about I let you have it for yourself? Consider a gift to my favorite enemy in the skies."

The pirate blinked, baffled by the treasure hunter's offer. The mirror was tempting him to take it. The pirate gulped once, then clenched his fists.

"Tsk…I don't need yer pity treasure. That useless mirror's all yers!"

Garret smirked. "Useless, eh? That's not what you were jabbering about ten minutes ago." He stuffed it back in his bag.

"…Consider it a weddin' gift…" the pirate grumbled.

"Aww, you do-!"

"Quiet!" He stomped ahead, then stopped briefly. "…And no."

"No…what?"

"It's not a bad name, but I've met yer fiancé before…partly because I kidnapped her once or twice. She might not think 'Tyrone Ravenfield' would roll off the tongue as well."

Garret mouthed it over a couple times, then shrugged. "Eh, if you say it enough, you'd get used to it." He sighed and waved it off. "Whatever. I've got a list of other names to choose from. Issac, Charlie, Flint, Kasper, Camilo, Walter…I do like the sound of Kasper Ravenfield." He chuckled. "Later, Specter!" Garret leaped off the mountain.

The pirate barely noticed the white flash and the disappearing Jolteon as he marched to his awaiting airship. He shuddered with a sigh. "Findin' a new rival…won't be that hard, I guess…" He shook his head. "But…it'll be rough sayin' goodbye to someone ye hate…"

"AAAAHHHH!" Wes continued to wail as the gravity pushed down harder on him. If it weren't for his protective aura, there was a good chance his spine would've snapped by now.

Hal marched around the affected territory. "Come on, boyo! Which is it?! Are ye tryin' to get revenge or not?! Are ye still aimin' to save the world or are ye goin' to run while ye still can?!"

"H…Hal…!" Wes cried out, baring his teeth.

Gwyn had retreated behind Flint's mane, unable to bear watching her brother figure being crushed in such a horrific manner. "Why is Hal being so rough?!"

Flint glared. "I think he's…trying to push Wes…"

"Where?! Into the ground?!"

Vivian, too, covered her eyes. "Make it stop already!"

Ava bared her teeth. "Maybe we should stop this…" She stepped forward. "Alright, that's enough! I'm calling this battle off-!"

"NO!" Everyone recoiled at the Umbreon's defiant shout. He stomped his paws down and slowly pushed up against the gravity, wheezing and panting at the immense weight. "I'm not…down…yet!" His hat was shoved over his eyes from the gravity.

Hal glared. "Are ye done bein' pushed around? I want to see some of that fire!"

Even blinded by his hat, Wes glared up at the pirate. "You made…one big mistake…keeping this thing, Hal…" Wes spread his legs out a bit for a more stable stance. "This isn't…the first time…I got caught under it…" He smirked wearily. "I've grown…quite a bit of pain tolerance…since then…and a few new tricks…!"

Just as Hal was about to question him, the ground cracked under his feet. His golden eye sensed Wes' magic spiking out from under him. Quickly, Hal leaped backwards as a magical sword shot out of the ground, catching the sole of Hal's foot across the edge.

"AGH!" Hal landed on his rear and held his bleeding foot. He glared at the floating construct. "That spell…"

The sword flashed, then split into seven separate blades. They spun and knocked the orb out of its place in the air, canceling the gravity territory. Wes instantly felt better, like a two-ton safe was just lifted off his back after carrying it up forty flights of stairs.

Wes exhaled, then glared directly at Hal. "Septem Gladii Virtutis!" The swords orbited around him in attack position.

Hal tore a piece of fabric off his jacket and wrapped it around his foot. "I see…ye be learnin' some new spells lately. Mighty fine one ye have there. Didn't take ye for the swordsman-type."

"I never got much practice using this spell…but I figured you were the best one to spar on."

Hal huffed. "So…which is it? Are ye still scared? Ye can call it quits whenever ye want…but what would be the consequences?"

Wes narrowed his eyes. No one demanded that I should take this quest myself. None of my friends were forced into this. Destiny, fate, whatever, chose us to complete the task. I don't see why I'm so special for the job. I bet there are a million others who could do the task better than me. So…why do I still drive to try? I'm scared out of my mind, thinking about that horrific monster. I don't want anyone else dying on my account…not after what happened in Ironworks.

Hal raised his sword arm. "Make yer move, boyo."

I don't know why I keep going back to fight. I just hate dragging others down with me. Wes frowned. That's how I felt when Flint stopped adventuring with me…and when I hurt Ella. I dragged people into my own messes and it drove them away from me. Treasure hunting gets harder with the danger and competition…now I'm tasked with saving the world. It…just gets nuts, trying to wrap your head around it.

Wes bared the seven blades and squatted into a lunging stance. Dad's the big hero. If it meant protecting us, he wouldn't hesitate to get the keys himself…even if he might've been terrified. Wes frowned harder. I'm terrified…I don't want to die…I don't want anyone to die…my friends…family…I just wanted to have some fun adventures and live a life free of strife. This was supposed to be, like, one last grand adventure.

His eyes drifted over to his friends, who were watching him intently. It felt strange having so much confidence placed upon him. Had it been anyone else, the pressure might've gotten to him. These five, however, didn't look at him, expecting nothing but perfection and triumph. Not once did they scorn him for his mistake. They saw him as their leader…but he was also the only one with the ambition to get through this nightmarish adventure…and it was rubbing off on them.

They said I had a knack for this stuff. Griffin might be a bounty hunter…Flint might be super smart…Ella might be…well, the most level-headed out of everyone on the team…but I'm the one who has the ambition to get through this. Wes glared at the ground. I want the Shadow King to pay for what he did to my father, no matter what…but Hal's right. I can't let my anger, fear, and grief get in the way of that. It's taking up too much space in my head. I can't act irrationally.

Wes crossed his blades and steeled his gaze. I'm not sure if I'll ever get comfortable in this leadership role…but we're counting on each other to pull through the worst. I don't want to fight the Shadow King…but I also don't want him going after the weak. If he went after Mom…I'd lose my mind.

The Umbreon took a deep breath. Control…Control…

Hal raised his brow as a purple aura flickered over Wes like armor. It wasn't Mystic Burst. It was something…different. He could've sworn he saw claws shaping around the Umbreon. The old croc smirked. I don't know what he's doing…but I think the boy's finally coming to his senses.

Wes hardened his glare, then he sprung into the fight. The swords flew with him, with two shooting ahead and slashed into the pirate, who blocked with his sword arm. He grunted and pushed the constructs back, then predicted the path of three more. He spun and deflected them precisely. Wes boosted off a Warp Pad and flew for the captain's stomach.

Hal channeled the magic of his weapons and briefly became incorporeal, watching Wes sail through. However, once the Umbreon fully passed through, he spun upside-down and fired Infernius into the croc's face. Hal raised his sword and deflected the assaulting attack.

Wes tumbled over the ground and created a purple ring in the ground. "TerraSlash!" The ground underneath him broke apart and rose. In combination with his seven swords and the high velocity speed of the TerraSlash, Wes rocketed the stone shards right for the pirate.

Hal's eye flashed, predicting the intended paths, then weaved through them without missing a beat. He made his way through while extending out his sword, charging magic into the tip. "Mystical Cannon!" It brightened to full intensity, then shot out as a single, straight beam.

Wes activated the Amulet of Umbra in time just as the beam cut into him, harmlessly passing through his shadowy body. The beam nailed the ground behind him and exploded into fragmented shards, raining all across the battlefield.

The others got to cover as the shards shot down at them. Gwyn almost summoned a plant wall to protect herself, but Flint's Guardian pummeled the offending shards to dust before they touched her. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "Aww! My hero~!" she teased thankfully. Flint smiled shyly and rubbed behind his head.

Ella, who caught some rocks in her telekinesis, glared. "Hal's not holding back anymore. Just how far can he go with those weapons?"

Griffin glared. "If he can utilize them as efficiently as their creator, then he can only go up from here."

Going on the full assault, Wes lunged right for Hal and struck relentlessly with the seven swords. Hal swung his sword arm and deflected the strikes despite being outnumbered in weapons. Wes' sword swung with great speed, but Hal's arm swung faster than Wes could command, all while the pirate's eye traced for any openings through Wes' onslaught.

"Finally getting' yer sea legs, Wes?!" Hal shouted.

Wes bared his teeth, then smirked uneasily. "Hard…to say…RAWR!" He swung from the side, forcing Hal to catch the blade in his good hand. Wes then immediately blasted into Hal while he was distracted, ramming his head against the pirate's stomach.

"AGH!" Hal went flying backwards and slammed through the fence.

"Mystic Beam!" Wes charged and fired into Hal.

Hal immediately aimed his swords. "Mystical Cannon: Spectral Boost!" More magic channeled into the blade's tip and fired a much wider beam, meeting into the Mystic Beam.

Wes staggered back from the blow, but kept his spell stabilized as he poured more power into it. Hal rose to his feet and grasped his sword arm, focusing the blade and eye's magic into his beam as well. The light of the two conflicting beams illuminated the battlefield in a purple and green light, forcing the onlookers to shield their eyes.

"The pressure coming off that is insane!" Flint shouted.

"That old pirate is no joke!" Tony added over the rushing wind.

Wes gripped his paws into the ground and growled. "Mystic…BURST!" His body lit up with even more magic, enhancing the power of his Mystic Beam. This got an edge over the Mystical Cannon, pushing it back towards Hal.

The pirate glared, then reached inside his jacket. "Alright lad, I ain't foolin' around!" He yanked out a sun-shaped amulet with a huge ruby in the center. He glared up at the sky, then raised the amulet until it was centered with the sunlight. The ruby in the center glowed.

Ella glared. "What is that?!"

"I'm not sure," Griffin admitted, "but I think that's a soleil jewel in the center! They soak up light like a sponge!"

The amulet blazed in a thick, orange aura. Hal pushed the amulet through his beam until it was centered with his blade's tip. In a flash, the magic came spewing out of the blade, mixing with the Mystical Cannon and transforming into an orange and green, spiraling beam that drilled into Wes' Mystic Beam.

Wes' eyes widened. You've got to be kidding me!

Hal smirked. "I've traveled all over Mysto in search of the rarest artifacts a pirate could dream of! Yer father and I battled for years trying to secure these bountiful treasures for ourselves! I may not have been born with me own magic, but I'm more than capable of utilizing the artifacts!"

The pressure slammed into Wes, pushing him back and nearly destabilizing his Mystic Beam. He dug his claws into the ground and held out as best he could. His ruby eyes blazed with a fiery determination as he pushed into the beam, though it was a futile attempt.

Hal narrowed his eyes. "I have nothin' but faith in ye, boy! Get yer revenge on the Shadow King if ye must, but do not let it consume ye!" He bared his teeth. "Those petty emotions…of rage, greed, and guilt…if taken too far, they will destroy ye from the inside out! Take the advice of an old man who should've died a long time ago…and accept yer defeat with humility! RAWR!" He pumped out as much power from the sword and amulet as possible and pierced through Wes' spell.

Wes' eyes widened. Crap, crap, crap! He didn't have time to reach for the Vortex or Umbra Amulets, and he couldn't think of another spell to protect himself. With all options wasted, he lifted his forelegs to protect himself as the beam blasted into him.

The beam blasted through the fences and curved straight into the air, avoiding further collateral damage. Folks on the street stopped and gawked at the raging blast firing through the air.

Amidst the blast, Hal glared through with an exhausted demeanor. His sword arm trembled, bleeding at the stump infused into the blade.

"HA!" Specter parried Garret's sword strike and kneed him in the stomach, throwing him across the deck of his burning ship. The air vessel was steering out of control, with no one to pilot it. Pelham was going to give his captain hell for stealing it from under their noises, but it had to be done.

Garret stumbled back and wiped the blood from his nose, glaring with a rare hostility. He spat his sword from his mouth to shout, "Are you OUT of your mind?!"

Specter laughed. "The final duel that we both wanted, wouldn't ye say, Ravenfield?!"

"Final duel?! Idiot! Your ship is on fire and we're flying out of control! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Specter sneered. "If we are destined to part ways, me long time rival, then allow us to part with our legacy burnin' across this ship, like a legendary red comet shooting across the sky!"

Garret growled. "THAT'S what this is about?! For Arceus' sake, you deranged pirate! I've got a four and three-year-old waiting for me back home! I'm not dying on this bloody ship because you want to fulfill some vendetta!"

"This is NOT a vendetta!" Specter aimed his sword at Garret and snarled. "No one has given me the satisfaction for battle as ye have! I hate ye with every fiber of me being, Garret Ravenfield, but ye are also me one and only rival! No one else can fill that void! The life of a pirate as a sea of treachery and mayhem! No one but yer own crew to trust! And yet, I find meself fond of ye, Ravenfield! No one else can offer a chance to battle like ye have!"

Garret narrowed his eyes, unsure if he should be boiling with anger or simmering with pity for the pirate. "You have got to be one of the most insane…" His eyes widened. "MOUNTAIN!"

"Who are ye callin' a mountain?!" Specter blinked. "Wait, what kind of insult is-?"

"SPECTER! MOUNTAIN!"

Specter whipped his head around, then his eyes widened at the dangerous approaching mountain. Garret raced for the wheel, but it was too late. The flaming wreckage of Specter's ship collided with the mountain, smashing up the front side and taking it out of the skies.

The rest after that was a bit hazy from what the pirate could recount. He remembered a lot of smoke billowing around him. When his mind cleared up, he felt the intense heat of the flames surrounding him. Walls of fire from all sides, trapping him in an inferno.

"Agh…what happened…?" He reached for his face, then felt the flood dripping over his replaced eye. The Eye of Silence was stained with his blood, his vision reddened through its pupil. "What's goin'…on…?"

He tried to move his other arm, but couldn't get it to abide his commands. Actually, he couldn't feel his arm at all. A careful head turn showed him the cause of the loss of feeling. His eyes widened in horror to find his arm crushed under a rock. The flesh that was still visible was a crumpled, bloody mess.

"Me…Me arm!" he screamed. He suddenly jolted up, then fell back on his back from the intense pain racking through him. "AGH!" He clutched his shoulder with his only useable arm and panted heavily, unintentionally inhaling more carbon dioxide from the flames.

He tried punching the rock wit his free arm, but no amount of thrashing was going to get him unpinned. He dug his claws into the rock, panting as he was on the last leg of his air, seized into a coughing fit. He clenched his eyes shut, but tried to stay conscious.

"This…isn't how…I wanted to go out…ACK…!" He growled and slammed his fist into the boulder. "DAMMIT! DAMMIT ALL!"

"SPECTER!" His eyes flew wide open at the calling of his name. He turned his head and saw Garret emerge from the flames, covered in burns and scratches. He landed, wobbling for a moment, then glared at the downed pirate. "There you are!"

Specter glared. "Leave me be! I don't need yer help! I can get out of this-!" Garret slammed his paws down on the pirate's chest and growled furiously.

"I don't give a CRAP about your stupid pride right now! You got us into this mess!"

Specter sneered, though his anger was wavering. "We've been fightin' less…we've been rivals for the longest time…I just wanted…one last battle…"

Garret's own gaze softened, but he was still pretty irate. "Going out in a blaze of glory, huh? Specter, did your crew know you were planning this?" His expression told the Jolteon everything. "…Unbelievable…willing to die and worry your crew."

"I didn't want them worryin' about me…"

"Yeah…because having a battle on a ship and setting it on fire was a GREAT idea…" Garret glared. "Times are changing, Specter…I have to go my own path now. You have to do the same. Stop getting caught in your own way. You have your own path to follow."

Specter glared. "What…?"

"And it starts by not dying here." Garret pressed his paw to the boulder.

"…Why are you doing this for me?"

The Jolteon paused for a moment, then sighed. "…After a while…I stopped seeing you as my enemy…in a way, I've kind of looked up to you as a friend…" The pirate's eyes widened. "I get it…you don't want the fighting to stop. You live for it. I admit, I'm going to miss our clashes." Garret glared softly at him. "But now we must choose new roads to take. I've paved mine. Now…"

Garret turned his paw, wrapping the boulder in his magic. It condensed down into a white marble that dropped in the Jolteon's outstretched paw.

"It's your turn."

Hal closed his eyes. After that…he took me to emergency care. I had a lot to think about after that…when I ultimately decided to disband the Undying Apparitions. Don't know where half me crew is these days…but that last fight…really did give me a lot to think about. I had to stop…getting in my own way.

He glared ahead at the smoke billowing from his blast. And so do you, Wes Ravenfield…

With such an intense blast, the group was worried Wes was blown halfway across the village. However, Tony was the first to pick out the Umbreon's aura in the smoke. "It's okay, everyone. Wes is still in one piece." Everyone sighed in relief, but then Tony added, "However…something's…off with his magic. Not bad, but…I've never sensed it in this manner before…"

With the smoke fading, the group got a look at the purple magic coated around Wes' right foreleg. And it was massive. It looked like a giant beast leg, with armored skin. One would think it was Wes' manifestation of a Guardian, but…no, it wasn't. It was like it was a part of his arm. Any movement done by his digits was mirrored by the construct's claws.

Wes had his eyes tightly closed before deciding to peek. He was taken back by the giant foreleg overlapping his own. "AH!" He stumbled back, inadvertently dispelling it. "What was that?!"

"Wes!" Unable to take the fighting longer, Vivian raced off the stands and ran to her son, wrapping him in her feelers and coddling him. "Oh, my baby boy! Are you okay?!"

Wes blushed madly. "Arceus' sake, Mom! Stop!" He tried to shove her off.

"Never!" she defied, holding him closer.

Hal eased up, then rubbed the back of his head. "Argh…I'm wiped-ECK!" A sudden jolt of pain shot through his back, locking him in place. "ARGH! BY THE SEVEN SKIES, WHY NOW?!"

The others got off the benches to check on the Umbreon and injured pirate. Ava and Morgan stayed back, watching observantly. "I never realized the potential within Hal."

"True…but did you see what Wes manifested a moment ago?" Morgan pointed out. "That massive foreleg…do you think…?"

Ava smiled. "I think Wes is channeling his rage into something…healthier for him. An outwardly representation of his anger being used for more practical means. It has been a while since I've seen someone use Bestia Lacerna."

The group helped Wes up (with Flint helping him unwind from their mother), with Ella asking, "You alright, Wes?"

Wes held his head. "I'm…doing better, I guess…" He sighed. "Sorry if that got a little…tense."

Flint sighed. "That's good…you looked like you could use a stress reliever."

"Indeed, he did." They all turned and saw Hal walking up to them, after getting his back straightened out. "I couldn't stand watching ye acting all self-destructive. I don't tolerate the shit in my establishment…or me general vicinity."

Wes frowned, then bowed his head apologetically. "I'm…sorry for acting like a total brat, Hal."

The croc frowned. "…Ye weren't a brat, lad. I get it…ye were scared. Ye were angry. Ye had too much to worry about." Hal touched his heart. "Believe me…I'm all too familiar with doing stupid antics because I was caught up in me own way…I couldn't bear to watch ye do the same…ye're like a little nephew to me. Me favorite nephew."

Flint raised his brow indignantly. "Gee, how nice…" Gwyn giggled behind his back, but quickly turned away and whistled innocently when he gave her the stink eye.

Wes lowered his head for a moment, then sighed. "I'm…sorry, Hal…"

"I'm not the one ye should be apologizing to…"

Wes looked at his team and his mother, rubbing his foreleg awkwardly. "Sorry, guys…for…getting all caught up in this shadow nonsense…after what happened with the Shadow King, I…just felt bitter about what happened."

Tony held his hip and smirked. "Nothing personal, Wes. We're just glad you're not tearing your apart."

Wes smiled a bit, then looked at his mother. "Um…Mom?"

Vivian frowned. "Wes…"

He sighed, then pulled her into a hug, taking her by surprise. "…I…I really miss Dad…"

Vivian blinked, then smiled warmly and reciprocated the hug. "No matter what, he'll always be proud of you…I might not understand much of your quest, but…I know he gave up everything to keep you all safe. Now…he's giving you everything he can…to support you on your mission."

Wes chuckled quietly, feeling the tears brim in his eyes. "I just hate feeling so weak and…vulnerable in front of others…"

"I would never think less of you, Wes…" Vivian pulled back and wiped his eye. "How about your brother and I go get something for dinner? As a family?"

He smiled gratefully. "I'd…like that very much…" Flint patted his brother's back and smiled comfortingly.

Hal chuckled to himself, then stepped away. "Me work here is done."

Ella raised her brow. "You planned for this?"

"Same pressure tactic worked on me. I figured if his old man could get me to cool off with a good ol' battle, why wouldn't it work on his impulsive son?" Hal pulled out his arm and stuck it over the blade, locking it in place.

The Espeon frowned at the blood around his arm. "You going to be alright?"

"Eh…this happens when I overdo it. I'll be fine." He wiped some blood away from his golden eye before putting his eyepatch back over it. "Now…if ye would excuse me, I'm going to fix me back…again…" He groaned wearily as he walked off.

Ava and Morgan joined by the Espeon's side, with the Hypno commenting, "He's a lot more…comical than I remember, that's for sure."

"Agreed." Ava smirked down at Ella. "Although, he had the right idea."

Ella raised her brow. "What's that?"

"Everyone else seems to be getting into training for the Gelid Peak Tournament. I believe now is the time to temper your own skills, Ms. Cipher." Ava looked back at the Ravenfields, who shared in a group hug with each other. "One piece of your team is being renewed as well…so must the others be for our sake." Ava crouched down and patted her head. "So…how about I take you under my wing so we can refine your skills?"

Ella blinked in awe, then smirked. "If it means I can do those cool tricks Wes told me you did, I'm game!"

Ava chuckled. "I'm happy to hear." She smiled at the content aura around the rest of Team Ravenfield. "I was worried…"

"About what?" Ella asked.

"I was worried your encounter with the Shadow King would bring down morale. A man of his stature can bring the bravest warrior into a pit of fear…" She closed her eyes and smiled. "This was needed. This is the step in the right direction for Team Ravenfield."