Battle at the Docks
The sound of the calming waters filled the ears of our pink-haired thief, Hilda, as she stood at the front of the boat. Hilda was sporting her usual pigtail hairstyle. She wore a white tunic shirt and black pants with brown boots. Tavish walked up behind, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. Our prince was sporting his usual green royal attire. Hilda let out a blissful sigh and placed her hands around his. The boat they were on was a fancy royalty ship he got from Bertram. It wasn't hard for Tavish to convince Bertram to let him borrow the boat. Bertram wasn't that hard to talk into letting Tavish borrow anything. Nonetheless, the two were enjoying their boat ride together.
Hilda looked up at Tavish and stared into ocean-colored eyes. The two lovers lean in and share a deep and love-filled kiss. Hilda broke away and giggled softly. "You know…you didn't have to get a boat for us. I would've been fine with sitting out in a field having a picnic,"
"What can I say? I want to get the best for my wonderful little potato," Tavish smiled, rubbing Hilda's cheek.
Hilda snorts and bursts out into a fit of laughter.
Tavish blinked a few times and blushed. "W-What? What did I say?"
"Wonderful little potato?" Hilda held her stomach, trying to control her laughing fit.
"Y-You like potatoes, don't you?"
"I do, I mean, not that much. But, oh my god, that was so corny," Hilda wipes a tear from her eye. She noticed that Tavish was looking embarrassed. She brought him in for another kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. "But..I love you so much for it."
Tavish smiled, and the two shared another loving kiss. Their hands go up and down each other's waist and back. Unfortunately, a specific few individuals would ruin this lovely moment.
"BUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRP!"
Tavish and Hilda's eyes widened, and they turned to Bean, sitting on the main deck with Elfo, Koga, Pendergast, Turbish, and Mertz. Tavish glared, and Hilda buried her face into her lover's chest to laugh.
"Oh, sorry about that lovebirds!" Bean grinned. She was drunk and had five mugs of beer sitting before her. "I didn't ruin the moment, did I?"
"Yes," said Tavish, frowning.
"No," Hilda chuckled. "Nice one beanie!"
"Thanks, Hilda!" Bean waved at her while downing her six mug.
"So, nobody wants any shoe milk?" Elfo asked.
"Ok, why do you keep milk in your shoe?" Koga asked.
"Where else am I supposed to put it?"
"In a bottle? Or a cup?" Koga replied.
"Can I have some more shoe milk, please?" Turbish asked.
"Sure!" said Elfo, delightedly.
Tavish just grumbled under his breath. "This was supposed to be just us on this boat…" He gripes.
"Oh, stop," Hilda nudges the prince. "I don't mind it. We're still spending time together."
Tavish sighs. "If you say so, dear," He gives Hilda a warm smile. Hilda returned the smile, and she embraced him.
Luci gagged as he watched Tavish and Hilda. "Ugh…love," He rolled his eyes. But his eyes would spot something afar. It was a small dingy boat that had vultures swarming around it. Luci takes out his telescope and zooms in on the dinghy. "YO GUYS! DINGHY AHOY!"
"Wha...?" Bean leaned her head back to look up at Luci and succeeded in falling back, bumping her head. "Ow…"
Koga, Pendergast Turbish, and Mertz walk over to the side of the boat to see the dinghy afar. Pendergast ordered the knights to steer in the direction of the dinghy. Once they were close, Koga tossed a rope into the small boat and descended into the dinghy. He gently picks him up, ascends the rope, and hands the man to Turbish and Mertz. Everyone on the boat got a good look at the man named Oscar. He was balled on the top of his head and had strands of white hair on the back of his head and wringly around his cheeks, neck, and forehead.
Oscar's eyes were barely open. The older man let out a few tired groans and could hardly speak.
Luci hops down from the lookout and lands on Bean's shoulders. The demon stares at Oscar and asks, "Did we just rescue a dead body?"
"Luci, you can see he's still alive," said Elfo.
"I really can't," The demon replied earnestly.
"He's just really old-looking," said Bean, followed by a burp.
"One of you go get some water," Koga ordered the knights. The knights hurried into the pantry to get some rassions.
"Should I give him some—" But Elfo was cut off by Koga.
"NO! Don't give him any shoe milk," Koga glared at the elf.
"What's in his pockets?" Hilda asked.
"Hilda, no," said Tavish sternly.
"Whaat? I was checking to see if he had anything important. To see who he is?" said Hilda. "And to see If he might have something cool, maybe."
The knights returned with water and a few loaves of bread. They slowly lift Oscar and help him drink the water. The older man coughs once he swallows the water and lays back on the boat floor.
"I think he's dead now," said Luci.
"We need to get him in a bed with proper care," said Tavish. "Turn back to Dreamland, hurry!"
Pendergast grabbed the ship's helm and steered towards the docks of Dreamland. Once there, Koga, Turbish, and Mertz take the older man, Oscar, to the Apothecary. Looking over his medicines, the plague doctor stared at Koga, Bean, Elfo, and Luci. "The morgue is two blocks down," The doctor told them.
"He's actually alive," said Bean. "We were wondering if you could take him in."
The plague doctor walked over to them and examined Oscar. "Ah yes…I've seen this before," he nods.
Bean looked at him, confused. "Seen what?"
The plague doctor shrugged. "I don't know. I know I've seen it before somewhere. I don't remember where."
"What was the point of that information? Just get us a damn bed," said Koga irritably.
"I don't have a bed, but I do have a stone slab,"
"Oh my god," Koga was losing patience.
Outside of the plague doctor building, loud bells filled the ears of the party and everyone else in Dreamland. Koga gently laid Oscar down on the stone table, and Bean, Elfo, Luci, and Koga stepped outside, stood with Tavish and Hilda, and looked toward the bells.
"That's the emergency bell…" said Tavish.
"Dad probably fell down the stairs again…" said Bean.
"Wait, isn't that the invasion bell?" said Hilda. "
"Is it? These bell sounds are all the same. I don't see how anyone can tell," said Koga.
A Dreamland citizen running down the street stopped and turned toward the group. "THE DARK LEGION IS HERE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! AHHHHHHHHHH!" He ran down the street, screaming.
They watched as he ran the trips, cried, got up, and continued retreating while limping.
"Dark legion? Why does that name sound familiar?" said Elfo.
"Wait, aren't those the guys that tried to kidnap Diana back at the bedrock kingdom?" said Bean.
"You guys had a run-in with the Dark Legion? They're the most dangerous group of the seventeen seas. They have four commanders that lead entire armadas!" said Hilda.
"But why are they here?" said Tavish.
"Well, what are we just standing around here for? Let's go find out," said Koga. He wasted no time and sprinted down the street to the docks.
"Koga, wait up!" said Elfo as he followed along with Bean, Luci, Tavish, and Hilda.
They returned to the docks and stood alongside Pendergast, Turbish, Mertz, and a squad of other knights. Out at sea was a large black and gold ship approaching the Dreamland. Akane was standing at the ship's bow, wearing her oni mask, and her wild hair flowed in the wind. Her eyes set on the castle of Dreamland that stood at the top.
"That's one big ship…" said Elfo, gulping.
Akane's arrived at the docks. She stared down the knights before leaping off the boat, did three flips, landed perfectly on her feet, and then slowly raised her head.
"Show off…" Luci grumbled.
"Oh my god, that mask is terrifying…" Elfo shivered.
"It looks just like those foreign demons…ugh," said Luci.
"Foreign demons?" Elfo looks at Luci curiously.
"Oh yeah, foreign demons are rough…you don't want to mess with those guys," The sub-demon warned.
Tavish stepped forward. "Who are and—"
Bean stepped past Tavish. "Let me do it!" She said, glaring at Tavish.
"What?"
"I wanna confront the invaders! You always talk!"
"Fine…but don't say anything stupid,"
Bean clears her throat and asks, "What in the hell do you jackasses want? Are you looking for another asswhopping? Because I'll give it to ya!" This line got a loud groan from her older brother.
"My name is Lieutenant Akane of the Dark Legion. I am aware that you currently possess an individual who escaped my custody. I suggest that you hand them over now or face dire consequences," She said, her voice cold and straight to the point.
"Oh yeah?" said Bean, unimpressed. "Well, my name is Princess Tiabeanie Mariabeanie De la Rochambo Grunkwitz. Oh yeah, this is my brother Prince Tavish, but don't worry too much about him," That comment rewarded a glare from Tavish. "And your hostage is now on royal grounds, soooooo, that means he's a citizen of Dreamland. So, you can take your ship and that tackie black and gold armor off our land. Pff, I bet it's not even real gold."
"HEY! It is real gold! The latest fashion of gold!" said one of the crew members.
"Your brown pants are tackie," One of them shouted.
"Oh yeah?" said Luci. "Your face is tackie!"
"Nuh-uh!" Another crew member said.
"Ya huh!" Luci shouted back. "Your mom is tackie too!"
"Don't talk about my mom like that! That hurts my feelings!"
"Good!" Luci smirked.
"ENOUGH!" Akane screamed. "I won't waste my time with this childish nonsense. If you do not comply, then we will make you."
Akane's crew leaped off their ship and landed on the docks, standing by her side with their weapons drawn. "Last chance…" She threatened.
"Bite me!" Bean spat.
And with that, the fight started. Both sides charged at each other and commenced in battle on the docks.
Tavish quickly grabs Hilda's arm. "Come on, Hilda, we have to clear!"
"What? We can't leave Bean here alone!" said Hilda.
"She'll be ok! Koga's with her! Come on!"
As the battle grew, Tavish, Hilda, Elfo, and Luci left the docks. They reached a safe spot. Akane rushed forward with her sai's at Bean. But Koga stepped in and blocked her attack. He raised his leg and kicked Akane back. She rolls on the ground and quickly gets back to her feet.
"Hey! I wanna fight the leader!" Bean yelled.
Koga turned to Bean and shouted, "Are you kidding me? She'll kill you!"
"I can handle her! I fought that other woman just fine! I just…gotta figure out how my magic works again!" She flicks her hands, trying to use her lightning. "Wait…how did I do it again?"
"Bean, get out of—" Koga turned forward and saw Akane charge at him. He swings his sword at her, and she leaps into the air, avoiding Koga's mighty swing, and stabs down at Koga as she lands on the ground.
Koga held up his sword, blocking Akane's downward strike. "I don't think so, you wannabe demon," Koga smirked and pushed Akane back. She rushed in and thrust her weapons at Koga. Koga sways and dodges her sharp sai's that nearly pierced his neck. He swings his mighty sword at Akane, but she leaps into the air, avoiding the colossal sword, and kicks Koga in the face. Koga stumbled back, dazed, and Akane took this opportunity to lunge at Koga. Akane would gasp, and in a split second, Koga swung his sword with immense speed, nearly cutting Akane's head off. She managed to leap back, avoiding this killing blow. But, at the cost of her mask, cut in two, it revealed her face, short black hair, tan skin, and bright red eyes.
Koga smirked, held up his finger, and shook it slowly.
Akane narrowed her eyes at Koga. She takes both of her sai's, and connects the ends of the handles. Before Koga's eyes, the weapons began to grow and grow; before it was the length of a spear, Koga blinked a few times. "What the hell?" He said in awe. Akane twirls the newly formed double-ended sai spear and sends an onslaught of slashes at Koga. Koga was now on the defensive as Akane relentlessly attacked him. Koga held up his sword, thinking that Akane was going for a downward strike, but she faked him out, shrunk her weapons back to their standard size, detached them, and thrust her sai's into Koga's stomach.
"ARGH!" Koga winced.
Bean, Tavish, Elfo, Luci, and Hilda gasped. The blood rushed out of Koga's wounds, staining his light brown clothing. Akane yanks the sai out of Koga's stomach, causing him to stumble back, holding his wounds.
Koga coughed. "Ok…you got me on that one. I'll admit that…"
Akane raised a brow. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" She spun her sai's and rushed forward to finish off Koga. "KOOGAA!" Bean cried as she jumped in front of Koga. She reeled back her arm, and flashes of black and blue lightning formed around her arm. She delivers a punch to Akanes face, sending her rolling on the ground and then crashing through a group of crew members and sending them into the waters.
Hilda's jaw dropped. "Holy cow, Bean!"
Tavish was at a loss for words. It was the first time he had witnessed his sister using her magic. Pendergast, along with Turbish, Mertz, and other groups of knights, were shocked at what they saw.
"Yeowch!" Bean yelped, rubbing her hand. "Goddamn, that stings!" She turned around to Koga. "HA! Now, you owe me a drink!"
Koga just stared at Bean while he was holding his bleeding wound.
"Oh yeah…you're bleeding out…my bad..."
Koga smiled at her. "Nice right hook…"
Bean returned the smile. "Thanks,"
Once that was said and done, Akane and her crew members were taken into custody by the Dreamland knights and held in holding cells.
And soon would be questioned by King Zog…once he wakes up from his food coma.