Alright, I'm dipping into the pirate stories. Might as well do my own take on them. This is a little birthday gift from me to you. It's also a screening chapter, to see if this story has a future, or if I'm just wasting my time.

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The light tapping of water across the black obsidian filled the cavern. A deep shadow loomed at the entrance of the cave. The dim light from a small stream of lava flowed along the set up path.

A different type of tapping filled the room as three figures came forward. A tall, fairly muscular one lead the other two forward with a glorious step, "Oh-ho-ho… Finally, I've found it."

"Emperor Steelnik, I'm worried. We are not supposed to be in these waters. What if we are found out?" The Tall one behind him asked in a worried tone.

"Bah, they never come close to this island. A power like no other, and they avoid it because of some superstition." The Emperor laughed, rubbing his hands together in an eager pose, "Not I, though. With this power, I will rule the seas! The World Forge is mine, and no one can stop me! The era of pirates will be over!" He shouted triumphantly, arriving at the end of the pathway.

An inscription was on the wall, an ancient language written in stone. At the bottom was a painted image of the sun. Emperor Steelnik paid it no mind, "Right here."

"I don't see anything." A shorter, smaller armored man mumbled nervously.

"It's quite simple…" Steelnik grinned as he ran his fingers along the text before reaching the center of the sun. He pushed in.

Clicking rumbled and rocks moved.

Emperor Steelnik stepped back and waited oh so eagerly to see a pathway open.

Decoe and Bocoe stood at his side, exchanging glances of surprise and joy. Their adventure was finally over. Hours digging, shoveling and rummaging for this very moment.

Then, the clicking stopped. Instead of a large pathway, a small wall opened up. What was inside was seven long octagonal shapes.

Steelnik mumbled in disbelief, "What… What? We were too late? NO!" He stomped on the ground, the stone cracking under the force of his rage." He snarled and shouted again.

"Wait, Empreror!" Bocoe shouted, "The Inscription here has something to tell us!"

Steelnik stopped his stomping, and took a breath. He returned to a cold, calm demeanor, "Tell me what it has to offer."

"A riddle… of sorts. "The Seven treasures kept away, guard the path to the forge. Keeping the flame bright, they hold on forever, and provide wisdom to the owners." I think" Boeco mumbled.

"That doesn't rhyme." Decoe pointed out, sounding rather unamused in his golden armor.

Bocoe nodded, "Well it rhymed in its native language… sort of."

"The Seven treasures… The Sol Kingdom's jewels…" Steelnik mused.

"But those are always kept in the heartlands. Especially with the war with the Acorns." Decoe pointed out. Indeed, he was right.

"So… should we raise shovels?" Bocoe asked in a deflated voice.

Steelnik wasn't so sure… Perhaps there was a way around this, "No… I will simply get the Sol Kingdom's sacred emeralds."

"But how, We can't afford a war with them." Bocoe pointed out, which was not a bad point. They could afford a war, but there was a far easier solution.

"Indeed, but the seas are rough, and opportunities present themselves often, and pirates are always looking for a way to get more gold." Steelnik pointed out, rubbing his hands together, "They won't mind the risk, we just need a big enough bounty, and a desperate enough pirate." He smiled. His plans always came together.

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The waves howled with the white, cut sails as they rippled in the wind, a small ship floating towards the dock as a blue hedgehog stood over the bow. As it pushed through the waves, The hedgehog grinned and shouted below deck, "LAND AHEAD!"

"Aye, now get helpin', Captain, or we won't make it!" His yellow furred first-mate grumbled back, tossing water over the side of the ship with a bucket before rushing back under.

"Of course." The blue captain mumbled, as his legs wound up, and shot forward with a speed very few in the world had every seen and lived to tell about. The ship began to rise as water was forced out by the super sonic hedgehog. That was also his name: Sonic, Captain Sonic.

The ship below was half flooded, with several hands moving buckets to fling water overboard. A red echidna growled up at the Hedgehog, " Captain Sonic, we be on a good course?"

"Yes, we're heading for the docks." Sonic smiled up at his loyal crew mate.

"Ah, Good ol' Borava. We've actually got a good haul this time." The Red Echidna grinned as he continued to scoop water out of the lower deck.

"Captain, You need to steer us in!" The yellow fox called out from above, "I'll man the anchor."

"Good man." Sonic shouted and ran up to the helm. He grabbed the steering wheel and began to turn it as the ship grew closer to the dock, lining up to get ready to dock the ship. As soon as the bow of the ship passed the first post of the dock, Sonic shouted, "Drop anchor!"

The Fox quickly shot forward and removed the lock on the screw. The ship continued to move forward, until it lurched to a halt.

"Raise the sails and get ready to patch the bloody holes." Sonic called out, before rushing over to the other sail controls, and raised them up.

The two then rushed below deck and scooped up water with the seventeen other crew who finished scooping out enough water to get to the breach.

"Miles-" Sonic called out.

"Already on it, captain!" the fox rushed forward with one of the planks of wood. Sonic ran up to the dock and set down the boarding plank, before rushing to grab the nails at the docking station. He dropped the gold coin on the stand where the dock manager seemed to wait, before rushing back below deck.

The red Echidna held up his fist, and Sonic set up the nails, "When your ready, Knuckles."

Knuckles smacked his fist into the nails, sealing the hole with the board as the nails pinned the board to the side of the ship.

Sonic let out a sigh of relief before turning to the crew… and their guests, "Good work everyone. Thanks for your hard work."

They walked up the steps to the poop-deck and Sonic waved off the extras, "You should be able to get a good spot on a ship, work for passage, you know the type. Just talk to the dock master."

A grey fox smiled up at him as he ran, "Aye, thanks fer not shootin' my heart out. When they catch ya, I'll tell em to just shoot ya instead of letting ya hang."

"Remember, you were sunk by Sonic the Terrible!" Sonic shouted out with a smile. Miles rolled his eyes, before walking down below deck. Sonic's first-mate made no secret of his disdain for the whole "Let them live so we don't get hunted down."

Of course, they were all in a good mood. As Miles, George and Knuckles brought up the boxes to the deck, Sonic rubbed his hands together. Bernard and Kormin were busy cleaning out any bits of water below deck, making sure they would stay afloat long enough for the celebration.

Once they were ready, Sonic looked at the nine large boxes. On their top was the labels, Tea, Coconuts, Mangos and a single one with the title "Medicine".

"I can't wait for the haul. Ya know what I'm gonna spend me share on?" Knuckles rubbed his palms together eagerly.

"That one lass who keeps flinging her tits at ya, and a drunken night with yer sea legs." Miles mumbled flatly.

"Yer damn right I am." Knuckles stood up straight punching his chest.

Miles rolled his eyes, "We got a ship that needs some real fixin, not just some patching with some wood we tear of our target." He put his hands on his hips in frustration at the simple lad's dream.

Sonic rubbed his hands together, "Well, Lads, We'll get a new ship, a new post, and maybe some actual fine beds. First round's on me."

His crew cheered at that thought.

"Well, ya waitin for me bones to dry up? Get openin." George grumbled, the black fox scratching his scruff.

Sonic nodded, "Aye, Here's to our new luck!" He tore open the box titled "Tea". On the side was the word "Tea". And inside, was several small black bricks. Tea.

Their cheers died down.

George mumbled, slumping down, "Bah, we shoulda guessed they'd gave up too easy."

Knuckles blinked, "Where be the jewels? The gold?" His breath was quickly becoming ragged and rough.

Sonic stuck his hand in the bricks, and pulled them out, the tiny squares dividing each portion from the others. He scooped out some more, "This one's a bust." He tried to hide his disappointment.

Miles was good at reading him, "Well, Ya know, we could probably fetch a good price for this. The Acorn Crown will probably go to war in the east for this stuff. Just me two cents."

"How much ya think we get from this haul." George asked, sitting up.

"About enough for us to get piss drunk and a meal in." Miles sighed, "Let's check the others, just in case."

Sonic opened the second crate of tea. Just tea. The Mangoes were green still, and someone had left a few silver coins inside, the Acorn stamps on them. The Coconuts were good and ripe.

Sonic passed out the silver coins, taking only one for himself, "Well, I said the first round's on me. Get yourselves some nice grog. One day it'll be rum, boys." Sonic put his hands on his hips as his crew started to leave.

Knuckles, however, was not content with simply grumbling, "Ya done fucked the sheep again, How much ya even pay for the tip? We both know it couldn'a been much."

"Well… Uh, I got for a moment of me time." Sonic smiled nervously.

Knuckle's forehead popped in rage, "Yer a damn fool! To hell with this!" He stormed off.

Sonic sighed, "Well, I guess we'd best sell it." They had to get the ship fixed. She was falling apart. The Mermaid's Voyage was still the fastest sail in the seas, but her belly was running rough.

"Sonic." Miles offered in a low voice, "We could actually charge for the medicine this time."

"What, and get charged right back for when we come to use it?" Sonic scoffed, "I think we'd lose on that gamble too."

"Speaking of which, ya gonna get yer arm and back looked at?" Miles asked with concern. He was a good lad.

Sonic raised his arm and saw the large cut on it, from his surprise opponent with the sword. His back suddenly started hurting too, Probably a bullet lodged in there, "I guess I best be going. You good?"

"Aye, I was below deck when the fighting started." Miles nodded, before sighing.

"I'll go look for a job I guess. Tell the crew in the morning we're selling the ship." Sonic sighed, picking up the box of medicine, "I'm sure the mango trees need harvesting."

"Come on, We both know ya just need a mug and full belly. Maybe that fine lass who be battin her eyes at ya." Miles flashed a grin in an attempt to raise Sonic's spirits. It worked a little.

Sonic scoffed, "Sure, that's a great way to end my bloody day. Drunk, vomiting and now with the pox."

"Come on, she doesn't have the pox." Miles rolled his eyes.

"Tell me when you find out." Sonic laughed, before rushing off with ship with the box of medicine. He zipped past the dock and up the hill where the small church resided. It was afternoon, so the service was over, not that anyone would mind.

He slowed down, and pushed the door in with his very sore back. His eyes were graced with the sight of the empty room, save the small rabbit who hung close by. The confession booth was closed, for the moment.

Then it opened up, a red pig stepped out, and walked out past Sonic without a word. The nun came out of the confession booth, immediately spotting Sonic, "Ah, good captain, have you come to confess your sins?"

"No, I just come for my monthly tithe." Sonic mumbled, holding out the box.

Vanilla smiled, "You do the Lord's work, even if you don't realize it. Helping others is a good task. The Lord blesses those who help the poor. It patches your soul."

"Speaking of helping the poor, I may need a little patching of my own." Sonic gestured to the cut.

Vanilla sighed, "Very well, come over to the table." She gestured to the door which led to the connecting building.

"You're a Saint, Sister." Sonic exclaimed as the small rabbit followed them. Sonic laid down on the table.

Sister Vanilla sighed, "Well, I only seem to help thieves and lowlifes, so you'll forgive my skepticism." She pushed Sonic down as he went to counter with another word. Vanilla walked over to the large cabinet and pulled out the large bottle of medicine. There were three left.

"It seems you came just in time. The poor souls who come for their body's care would have to settle for their souls in a few weeks." She mumbled, before pouring some alcohol on Sonic's wounds.

Sonic hissed in pain, but it wasn't something he hadn't experienced before.

Vanilla shook her head as she began to stitch up his wounds, "I heard you let another crew off on the island."

Sonic flinched and grunted as she broke his skin again, "I did. They helped patch up my ship."

"You're a good soul, Sonic. Perhaps you might consider doing some good work?" Vanilla asked with a smile as his wound began to close up nicely.

"I'm no good soul. I'm a bloody scourge of the sea. You'd best remember that!" Sonic growled, but he remained still. He knew better than to mess up Vanilla's stitching.

"Yes, Yes, a very scary monster of the sea." Vanilla smiled with a hint of mockery, "The scary scourge who always spares the crews of the ships he plunders and gives medicine to the church and poor. Your father would be so proud."

Sonic could feel his quills threatening to rise.

"I meant no offense. You're a kind soul, which makes you a poor pirate. You might want to consider it's not God's plan for you to be plundering the seas. The new world has no shortage of new people and new heathens. You could be a very kind minister and perhaps save some souls." Vanilla pointed out, pushing some tongs into his back and pulling out the ball. "The Church would forgive any debts you've accrued."

"Please, I'm either going to a pirate lord or a mango farmer." Sonic scoffed, standing as she cut the thread.

"Well, I suppose this is the part where I tell you to take time to recover." Vanilla sighed, shaking her head in disappointment.

"I wi-" Sonic started, putting up a smile.

"Don't! Don't lie in the house of God." Vanilla commanded, glaring at him.

Sonic shrank down and bowed his head, "I'll… do my best."

Vanilla shook her head and sighed, "I suppose that's all we can ask. Take good care, Sonic. Avoid I'll keep you in my prayers."

"God be with you, Mister Sonic." The young rabbit smiled and waved at Sonic as he left. He passed her a wave, and zipped down to the tavern.

The Pink Hedgehog in the corner of the dimly lit tavern winked at Sonic, and leaned down to show off her chest.

Sonic quickly looked for and found his crew down at the bar, "Well Lads, how much is left?"

Miles held up a small pouch, "We be getting piss drunk tonight!"

Sonic raised a mug, and Mark the barkeep came over and filled it with grog. Sonic placed the pouch there, and grumbled, "Keep 'em comin!"

As he raised the wooden tankard to his lips, Sonic overheard the cheers at the doorway. Sonic turned and slumped down. Knuckles scoffed, and Miles groaned.

The black hedgehog came in, with his large crew of eighty, their heads held high. Two of them carried a chest full of gold and jewels, and they began to take up tables.

Sonic groaned, and raised his mug, and began to drink. The night passed in a haze with more grog, dancing and singing, and then…

Blackness.

Sonic slowly felt warm… a smile on a white, fuzzy face. Her angelic voice sang in a soft whisper, "Time to get up."

Sonic's eyes shot open, which was a horrible mistake as light blasted him. He quickly covered his face, as Miles groaned, "Aye, Captain… no more."

"Miles, what's the problem?" Sonic groaned, rising from his stool.

"We be out of cash. We got the coconuts, and nothin' else." Miles groaned.

Sonic sat up slowly, feeling the grog work its way back up his throat. He swallowed quickly, and groaned, "I'll… I guess it's time we go looking for work at the mango farm."

"We be pirates, remember?" Miles reminded Sonic.

Sonic growled, "We're in Borava, you're either a pirate or a mango farmer! No one'll bat an eye."

"Aye…" Miles grumbled.

Sonic worked his way towards the exit, and opened it up. When he did, he noticed a little figure, surrounded by pirates.

He got closer.

"Twenty million Silver pieces for each gem. Double if you bring them all at once." The small creature smiled. He had two small horns that shot up. Sonic was worried he might be Satan for a moment.

Sonic pushed up as the crowd seemed to groan, "Yer pullin one over. I say we blast him!"

The Small creature shrank as two armored guards walked forward, "Show them the gold! Show them the gold!"

One of the guards opened a chest. Indeed, it was full of gold.

"Oi! You know the rules!" A lion shouted, walking down. The pirates parted as he growled, "You got issues, settle them on the waves. No fightin' in my port!"

The pirates around nodded. Indeed, Lord Ashford was gracious enough to let them get repairs and use the port. No one, not even that arrogant bastard Shadow, challenged him.

The small creature nodded aggressively and gratefully, "Aye. So… You can see I got the coin, just come back here and I'll take the gems. We pay well, don't ya worry."

"What kinda gems ya looking for?" One pirate asked.

The guards brought a box full of paper. Most pirates didn't exactly have a good vocabulary, Sonic almost laughed at the idea.

Instead, he unrolled the paper, showing a drawing of a very octagonal looking gem, "Glad you asked. We got plenty of these. Rewards are first come, first served."

Sonic's eyes widened. Maybe this was their break.

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Alright, that was the first chapter of what I am hoping will be a semipopular story. Leaving reviews will increase the likelihood of this getting more chapters. I don't mind if they are negative or positive, so please, just tell me what you think. I will respond in the next chapter if this story gets popular.

Thank you for reading.