Chapter 69: Captain vs. Captain

"Pelipper! Use Body Slam!" the Captain commanded. The Pelipper wasted no time as he launched himself into the air before dive bombing with his wings tucked back and his body angled so that he could slam down upon Jawline. Jawline, of course, had ample time to dodge the attack and did so as he jumped back at the last second as the Pelipper slammed into the ground. This gave the pirate captain the opportunity to strike as he drew his claw back, tightening it into a fist as he focused his energy into. Once he had enough power focused into it, he swung his fist forward to land a hit on the Pelipper, only to meet a barrier thrown up at the last second as the ship's captain ordered out a Protect.

"Nice try," the Pelipper said as the attack failed to hit him. "Nothing can get past that move."

"Tsk," Jawline tsked in annoyance. "T'is just luck you were able to put it up in time. You won't be getting another chance!" He then turned on a dime, swinging his tail around and smacking the Pelipper as his Protection wore off. The Pelipper skidded back a few feet, his wing raised to take some of the attack.

"Now use Air Cutter!" the captain ordered.

The Pelipper leapt back into the air as he, with every beat of his wings, sent out wave after wave of razor sharp wind that left scratch marks upon the floor as the Feraligatr jumped around dodging the attack. However, due to his bulky size, he was unable to dodge for very long as the razor winds slashed across his body. Seeing as how he knew he wouldn't be able to dodge, Jawline crossed his arms, copying the Pelipper to let them take the brunt of the attack. Despite his arms taking most of the damage, there were still parts of him the razor wind managed to scratch him.

"Now, use Wing Attack!"

The Pelipper, ceasing his attack, flapped back a few feet to gain some distance before diving towards the ground, enveloping his wings in a glow of energy as his speed quickened. Pulling up before hitting the floor, the Pelipper flew straight for Jawline, the energy coating his wings expanding as Jawline, glancing up from the previous attack, had almost no time to react as the Pelipper made contact. The force of the attack was enough to slide Jawline back a few feet, his clawed feet digging into the floor to act as a brake as the attack slowed to a stop.

Taking the opportunity, Jawline grabbed hold of the Pelipper's wing before he had a chance to fly away and pivoted his body, slamming the Pelipper into the ground. The Pelipper grunted in response as Jawline slammed a fist down repeatedly against him, laughing all the while. The Pelipper could feel his consciousness slipping with each hit he took and had to act fast before he was beaten.

As Jawline drew back his fisted claw to land another blow, the Pelipper swung his other wing up, smacking the Feraligatr off him as he managed to take the momentary advantage to hop back onto his feet.

"Pelipper, use Body Slam again!" the ship's captain yelled out, prompting Pelipper to launch himself towards Jawline who was stumbling onto his feet, recovering from being knocked off them. Barely just standing, Pelipper made a full on body slam against him, causing him to stumble back even more. However, like anyone who was falling back, instinct took over as Jawline swung his arms to grab hold of the Pelipper, twisting his body as he felt himself falling. He figured if he was going down he would at least take his opponent with him and attempt to do some damage to him.

Using what strength he could muster, he slammed the Pelipper upon the ground once more, the two of them scrambling to their feet in the next instance and jumping back away from one another, leaving a gaping distance between them. "I have to admit," Jawline said, breathing heavily. "You are a worthy opponent I've battled in a long while."

"I could say the same," the Pelipper returned the gesture. "I can say that you live up to your reputation."

"Thank ye for the compliment," Jawline said. "But I have no more time to play with you."

"Then what say we finish this?" the Pelipper suggested, glancing back at his trainer. The captain, noticing his Pelipper's glance, nodded in understanding before giving out one last order.

"Now Pelipper, use Stockpile!"

This caught Jawline's attention as the Pelipper closed his eyes to focus his energy for one final attack. Jawline, however, gave an annoyed 'tsk,' bothered by the fact that the attack would take some time to build up to its full extent, and it was time he had none to wait on.

"Ye be pulling me leg?" he questioned in an annoyed growl. "I know how long it takes that attack to build and I be having no time to wait."

"Well it's a good thing I've been building it all this time," the Pelipper said with a small smile. "Ever since the start of your attack, I've been building it up on the off chance I would need to use it. Seems like I made a good call."

"Now that's more like it!" Jawline said with a cackle

"I commend you for your prowress against me, but when it comes to the level of experience I have the advantage."

"Then let's see if your experience can take this on!" the Pelipper goaded.

"Now use Spit Up!"

With his attack charged, the Pelipper drew his head back before spitting out a ball of energy towards the pirate captain who took an offensive stance, readying to counterattack the incoming attack. Those watching the battle held their breath, their bodies tense with hopeful hearts that the attack would be enough to take down the Feraligatr.

As the attack neared, Jawline let out a battle cry as he suddenly unsheathed his sword, striking with an upward slash as the ball of energy reached him, being cleaved in two. The sheer force of the strike was enough to throw the two halves off center as they passed the Feraligatr harmlessly on either side of him. Those standing behind the Feraligatr quickly cleared where they had been standing as one half of the attack made contact with a potted plant while the other half made contact with a small fountain connected to the wall. Both the plant and the fountain exploded as the attacks hit, sending a large shockwave in their respective areas as those near the explosions protected themselves as best they could from the debris; some getting bruised, a few being knocked unconscious, bleeding from the head wound they received, while others received a few scrapes and scratches.

"Now ye realize," Jawline said grinning wickedly. "The experience between us is too great a distance for ye to beat me. Ye may be tough, but my power has far exceeded even the most powerful pokemon out there." He then began to walk towards the Pelipper, maintaining his wicked grin as the Pelipper, now upon the ground, panted exhaustively, a cold sweat formed upon his body as the Feraligatr neared. "I know all too well the effects of using Stockpile and what the consequences are, depending on which move ye use afterwards. At the current moment, ye are completely defenseless to attack much less guard yeself. Had I not known that, ye might have had a chance to recover some energy, but seeing as how I'm aware of the effects, I ain't going to allow ye the opportunity to recover."

Before the Pelipper had the chance to swallow the gulp in his throat, Jawline swiftly raised the sword and slashed across the pelican's body. A scream rang out from amongst the passengers watching, the captain crying out his pokemon's name as the Pelipper slumped to the floor, staining it red from the cut he now bore.

Jawline laughed, turning his gaze towards the fallen Pelipper. "Ye see now? This is what it means to go against the likes of me." He pointed his blade down towards the Pelipper, his blood dripping down it onto the floor below. "Don't ye worry though. I ain't gonna let ye suffer long. I'll make sure yer death will be quick."

The captain, meanwhile, had already reached for his pokeball and began to recall his fallen pokemon, only for it to be smacked from his hand by the Tentacruel who, unknowingly to all, was keeping a close watch on him. "Not that you can understand me," he said. "But this is the Captain's decree. Don't interfere."

"Thank ye, Kurage," Jawline said, smirking. "Can't go having our fight without a proper ending now."

"My pleasure, Captain," Kurage said with a bow.

"Now then," Jawline said as he slowly raised his sword. "Thank ye for the fight, but ye lost and those who lose pay the price."

"Just like… a pirate… to do, huh?" the Pelipper gasped heavily.

"I couldn't have said it better meself," Jawline agreed as he readied his sword for the final blow.

"What are you all standing around for?" someone suddenly asked, turning all heads, including Jawline's, towards the source. To Jawline's surprise, the girl standing behind the trainer with the Charmander earlier had stepped forth, angrily looking at everyone within the lobby. "Are you all seriously about to let this Feraligatr get away with killing?"

"What can we do?" a random human asked her. "None of my pokemon are currently here."

"Mine too," another human said. "They're out wandering the ship somewhere, possibly even being held up someplace else."

"And what of the pokemon we have here?" Laura asked. "There are more of them than there are of these pirate looking pokemon! By that logic, we can easily overwhelm them."

Both humans and pokemon looked about at one another, her words ringing in their ears as they analyzed the situation with more scrutiny. "She's right!" a Makuhita said as he stepped forth. "How could we as Pokemon stand idly by and watch one of our own be senselessly slaughtered?"

"I agree," a Fletchling said from another part of the lobby. "It doesn't matter if they have weapons! We have strength in numbers so long as we attack together! There's no way they can find us all off!"

The rest of the pokemon began to murmur amongst each other, slowly stepping forward, causing the pirates to back up as they did. "That's the spirit!" Laura cheered. "Go forth and defend the lives of not just everyone on board this ship, but your own lives as well!"

Jawline, meanwhile, scowled as he watched the pokemon begin to advance, bewildered by the fact a mere human was able to boost the morale of the pokemon against him and his crew. He hadn't the time to bother with them all; and they were already held up enough as it was. "So that's yer resolve then?" he growled. "So be it."

"Cap'n," Kurage said as he passed him by towards the advancing pokemon. "Don't worry about these fools. We'll handle things here. Ye just worry about doing what you need to."

"Yeah!" the Dewott said. "They may think they overpower us, but weapons provide better results."

"Thank ye, Kurage," Jawline said. "To all of ye. I couldn't ask for a finer crew." He then turned back towards the Pelipper, lifting his sword back up into the air. "Leave them alive if possible. Kill the humans so that they can live to regret their foolish decision."

"As you command," Kurage said as everyone took their stance to battle.

"Now, now, surely there's no need for such senseless bloodshed to be had, is there?" a calm, collective voice asked, turning heads once more towards the one who spoke. "After all, we wouldn't want more of a mess to be made. Would you not agree, Captain Jawline?"

Laura's expression, confused at first at why everyone's heads were turned, changed completely upon seeing at least one of her pokemon, knowing they were in good paws.

"And who might you be, landlubber?" Jawline questioned with annoyance, only to be perplexingly confused as he simply stared at the Teddiursa who currently sat at a nearby table, taking a sip of a drink he had with an uneaten roll sitting next to the cup.

"Me?" Ted asked as he set his cup down, looking completely relaxed with ease as he side glanced the Feraligatr. "I'm just a pokemon with expressed opinions is all."

"H-hey!" the Simipour said, pointing at Ted. "When did he get there? I'm certain he wasn't there just a few minutes ago!"

"And when did he have time to grab a drink?" the Azumarill questioned. "Surely we would have noticed him!" Ted, meanwhile, took another sip from the cup, lost in his own little bubble of relaxation, prompting the Azumarill to yell. "Don't ignore us!"

"Enough of this!" Jawline said, pointing his sword towards Ted. "State yer purpose, landlubber! What nonsense are ye talking about?"

Ted set his cup down and stretched. "Just keeping things at peace here," was his reply.

"At peace?" a Sentret close by questioned him "I don't know if you've noticed but things are from being 'at peace.'"

"Hmm," Ted thoughtfully murmured as he pondered the statement. "I suppose you have a point there." He stood up. "Then I guess I'll have to bring the peace."

"Ye saying ye are challenging me?" Jawline asked, laughing. "A scrawny landlubber like ye?"

"If it's to keep the situation from escalating then that is what I will do," Ted replied. "It'd be interesting to see how my skills match up to yours."

"Yer skills?" Jawline questioned with pique interest. "Now ye got me curious."

"Then I promise not to disappoint," Ted said as he crouched forward, his paws upon the chair while one foot was bent back behind him. As he was about to launch himself forward, both his and Jawline's attention was diverted over to the side door upon a sudden commotion coming from that particular area, watching as the Seismitoad came walking back in, carrying a small sized bag behind him. What was most peculiar wasn't the bag itself but to whom it was attached to, one that caught Ted by slight surprise.

"Let me go already!" D.Z. yelled, being dragged along the ground as he attempted to regain his footing. "I already told you this stuff is mine. Get your paws off it!"

"What be this you be coming in with?" Jawline demanded.

"Apologies, Cap'n," Rugar said as he flung both the bag and D.Z. before him. "I caught this scoundrel sneaking around with a bag full of loot. I dare say this is an appalling act of mutiny against us."

"Agreed," Jawline said as D.Z. got to his feet. "Those who attempt to steal from us will suffer the worst torture we can give to them, they be begging for death!"

"I don't get what that has to do with me," D.Z. said as he picked the bag he was carrying back up, slinging it around his shoulders. "But good luck in whatever that is."

"I don't think you understand your situation," Rugar said as he spat out a blob of mud at the Drowzee, knocking him off his feet. "Ye be plundering loot that we ourselves are to plunder. That means ye be the one we be torturing."

"Screw that!" D.Z. said, getting up once more. "If you want to torture someone you can do that to the ones who won't leave me alone. That includes yourselves since you intend to bother me!"

"Ye got some sass on ye, that's for sure," Rugar said. "But it won't save you from your fate!" With that, he fired a volley of Mud Shots at D.Z. who leapt out of the way from every round of them, attempting to get around the Seismitoad so as to make his escape and hide away. In his attempt to, however, a splatter of mud managed to find its way under his foot, causing him to slip. Due to the weight of the bag, D.Z. fell forward, allowing Rugar the opportunity to strike.

"Now I got ye!" he said as fired off another volley of Mud Shot. The attack hit D.Z. head on, knocking him back while simultaneously covering part of him in mud.

"D.Z.!" Laura cried out as she watched her pokemon get hit, catching Jawline's attention. From her he looked to the Drowzee before glancing over towards Ted who appeared to have an expression of concern. It was enough for him to have suspicion among the three and the connection they shared.

D.Z., meanwhile, staggered to his feet, attempting to wipe the mud off himself all the while grumbling slightly. "Intriguing," Rugar noted. "I'll give you credit where it's due in enduring my attack, but it's only the beginning of what's to come."

D.Z. glared up at him for only a moment before he lowered his head slightly at the bag he was carrying before, only to find it ripped apart; the contents within sprawled out across the floor consisting of various items and a bit of food mixed in, some of which were sitting in the remnants of the mud attack used against him. Needless to say, it left D.Z. speechless as he stared across the floor, all the items he collected now a mess from the attack.

Rugar noticed his changed expression and gazed across the floor as well, noting all the stuff fallen from the bag. "It baffles me truly as to why ye would be upset over valuables that don't even belong to ye," he stated. "What possible sense is there that ye would cherish items that mean nothing to ye? Does it fill ye with a sense of complacency that fills such a void within? Or do ye just enjoy the world ye live in?"

D.Z. clenched his paws up, his previous expression of anger returning as his entire attention was now upon the Seismitoad. He then began walking at a steady pace directly for him, his glare unwavered as he marched his way closer to the pokemon before him.

"What? Now yer angry because I spoke a spout of truth in what I said?" Rugar questioned him. "Ye can attack if ye like, but doing so will result in the slaughter of the humans aboard this shi-"

Before Rugar could finish his sentence, D.Z. reeled back his fist upon reaching him and slugged him directly in the gut. Rugar's eyes bulged out as his body arched. He felt his feet leave the floor below him as he went flying back into the counter of a small cafe close by. Everyone, including both Jawline and Ted themselves, watched with gaping mouths as the Seismitoad went flying, surprised that a single pokemon had that much strength to pull off such a feat.

"I don't give a crap," D.Z. said with malice in his voice, glaring directly where the Seismitoad flew to.