Chapter II.XII - Pirates
StolenMadWolf
Loony Moony
- Pronouns
- He/They
POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON
GUARDIANS OF BALANCE
EPISODE II – DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
CHAPTER XII – PIRATES!
GUARDIANS OF BALANCE
EPISODE II – DARK, WONDEROUS PAST
CHAPTER XII – PIRATES!
Sam tightened his grip on the railing, eyes fixed on the ship as it started to turn towards them. They know we're here!
"She's coming about!" One of the shiphands shouted.
Calvin's roar boomed across the deck, "Rescuers! Get over here!"
Jerking to attention, Sam and Zeke shared a glance as they ran back down the ship towards the centre. Calvin was waiting for them, alongside a rather panicky-looking Dan and a seemingly recovered Bruce. It seemed as if the threat of attack had pushed down whatever seasickness he had been feeling. From further back, he could see the captain at the wheel, shouting for the crew to ready the cannons. With a practised sense of urgency, the crew scurried across the deck, shoving the weapons into position.
As Edward and Denver scrambled from below decks, the Charizard directed his attention to the assembled recruits, "Alright boys, the wind isn't doing us any favours. We can't run until either the wind turns or until one of the flying types can get enough of a gust to turn us. The captain is going to turn us on for a broadside ahead of the Crow, try and keep him at a distance. But there is a good chance they'll try and board us. We need to keep them off the gun crews until we can break clear. Bruce! Edward!"
The Bulbasaur and Skiddo almost leapt out of their skins, "Y-yeah Calvin!?" Bruce barked.
Calvin pointed towards the railings, "I need you two to cover the sides for any water types coming up on us! Denver, I need you to be our fast responder. Sam and Dan, you both know electric moves, right?"
Sam sharply nodded, not thinking about how Calvin knew that. "Got Electro Ball."
"T-Thunder Shock!" Dan weakly replied.
"Then you two head up front. Any flyers come in, turn them round-" Calvin squeezed his fist, "Or blow the bastards out of the sky."
Can't argue with that! Sam flashed a thumbs up to that. "You can count on us!"
That was when Calvin turned to the Electrike. "Zeke, I need you to help them."
Sam's heart instinctively skipped a beat.
Denver's eyes widened, "Are you fucking nuts!?"
Zeke looked just as alarmed, "No no. No! I can't-"
"That wasn't you Zeke!" Calvin barked, cowing the younger Rescuers in an instant. "You're a Rescuer, I trust you to be that!"
"B-But…" Zeke blubbered.
"Flyers leaving the pirate ship!" one of the crew members shouted.
Calvin narrowed his eyes, "You want to keep Pokémon safe from harm? Then help us fight these pricks off, cos there's a good chance of more harm happening with one less fighter."
Sam's eyes flicked towards the Electrike, his mind flashing back to the first fight he had against him in Broken Wood, how easily he electrocuted Aidan in that fight. The Scorbunny did beat him, but he knew Zeke had a lot of power in him. But with Kain… he knew Zeke was terrified of losing himself.
He leaned into view, "We've got your back Zeke." He said firmly, flashing a determined look. "Trust me, I'll take any help we can get."
Zeke finally looked towards Sam, properly, struggling to fight back tears. Terrified.
But whatever he saw in Sam seemed to stabilise him. He narrowed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and turned back towards Calvin, lifting his neck to expose the collar.
With a flash of white, Calvin's Metal Claw easily cut the collar loose, the metal fragments clunking on the floor.
"What about you Calvin?" Bruce questioned, starting to back up towards one of the railings.
The Charizard flashed a grin, "I'm going to have a scrap, buy you boys some time."
With a whump of his wings, he shot up into the air, headed towards the pirate ship.
"Mad bastard…" Denver grunted.
"You heard him though!" Edward replied, starting to trot towards the starboard side. "We need to be ready!"
"Hurrah to that!" Bruce cheered, taking his position on the port side.
Whilst Denver grumbled to himself, Sam flicked his head back towards the bow. "Zeke, Dan, come on!"
As they ran back towards the bow of the ship, Sam could only spare a brief thought back towards the Crow, what was going through Alice's and Nia's heads? Was the captain making a similar call?
He wished he could get aboard the Crow right now, but he knew they didn't have that option. The best Sam could do now was try and defend the Penguin.
Reaching the bow, the pirate ship had closed the gap, and now, Pokémon were approaching in the air and water, running on ahead of the vessel. Bruce and Edward could handle the water, but they needed a good approach to deal with the air. He shuddered, he wasn't an expert on dealing with air targets, and he didn't even need to look to know that Dan was never going to co-ordinate their attacks… so…
"Zeke." Sam started, turning towards him with a firm look, "Can you take point?"
The canine hesitated, but only for a moment, snarling as he looked towards the flyers. "Alright, on my mark!"
An orange dart sliced through the air, forcing the approaching fliers to duck and weave to avoid the Charizard with some turning to take him on. Others closed in on the Penguin, almost all of them birds.
Dan was shaking uncontrollably, his mouth trembling, "Z-Z-Zeke?"
"Not yet."
The birds were nearly on top of them, Sam's heart thumping harder in his chest, "Come on Zeke." He hissed.
"Not yet!" Zeke barked.
Three started to dive towards the ship, Sam sweeping his foot back to ready the Electro Ball. "Now would be a good time!"
"Not yet!"
He could start seeing the features more clearly now of the attackers, the leader, a Fearow, was starting to shriek.
Blue energy crackled around the Electrike, his jaws snapping open-
Sam recoiled as the blue beam of energy shot out of Zeke's mouth, too fast for the Fearow to react. In a flash of light, the bird was blown back, spiralling out of the air. His wingmates squawked, immediately trying to pull away.
"NOW!" Zeke roared.
Eying a fleeing Swallow, Sam booted an Electro Ball into the air. The orb raced after it, and with a twirl, the flying-type barrel rolled away, the attack skimming across their back. Sam growled as with a panicked flutter of their wings, the bird peeled away.
A flash of yellow light erupted in the corner of his vision, another bird being blown out of the sky with the Thundershock attack.
Sam gritted his teeth, glaring at the Swellow scurrying away. At least his attack run is ruined!
"Here they come again!" Zeke shouted, "Sam, we'll fire first, you try and catch anyone evading us!"
Snapping out of it, Sam readied himself for another shot, "Got it!"
Another trio of birds began to dive, at them, coming from two angles to try and throw them off. But another blast from Zeke blasted one back, forcing their comrade to throw themselves aside to avoid them. Gotcha!
Sam's next Electro Ball sailed straight into his target, sending them screaming into the water below.
The rest of the fliers hung back, starting to circle the Penguin to try and find a fresh angle. "They're going round back!" Sam realised, ears going fully erect.
"Go!" Zeke shouted, "We'll keep the bow covered!"
"Y-Yeah! We'll… try!" Dan stuttered, trying to rile himself up.
Sam nodded, sprinting back across the deck, past the cannons and shooting up towards the higher stern. The Dewott captain was at the wheel, still barking orders to his crew. Sam reached the rear railing, just as a bug type tried diving in. Another Electro Ball later, and the bug was sent reeling back, trying to keep himself in the air.
Okay! Just gotta keep the flyers off us!
Another bird flew overhead, a red band wrapped around them. One of the crew. Must be getting ready to get the gust going!
"Surprise!" Bruce shouted.
Behind him, a Squirtle had poked his head up over the side, only for the Bulbasaur's vines to wrap around his neck, "See ya in hell!" he exclaimed with a smirk as he flung the turtle away almost casually.
Another squark came, and he turned in time to see the Swellow diving for him. Yelping, Sam dove aside, the air whistling as the flying type rushed by.
Sweat soaking into his fur, Sam growled and pushed himself back up to his feet. "Buzz off!"
Sam kicked off another Electro Ball, and this time, the Swellow wasn't ready. It struck them hard in the back. The bird's scream was swiftly cut off as he plummeted into the water.
"Hold them off! We're nearly ready!" The Dewott shouted, his eyes fixed on the closing pirate ship. It was close enough now that Sam could now see the forms of Pokémon running or clambering across it, getting ready for their attack. "Starboard cannons ready!"
Someone cried out, and Sam scrambled over towards the wheel to look down at the deck. A Lombre riding a pink Gastrodon had started sliding over the railing, the crew hurrying away from the deck.
The Gastrodon's eyes widened in time for Edward's head to bury itself in them, and with a slimy pop, the slug and the Lombre flipped off the railing and back into the water. "We're clear!" he shouted, "Back on the guns!"
Snapping to attention, the gun crews swiftly took their places, loading shot into the barrels.
"Hard to port!"
The captain started spinning the wheel, and with wood creaking all around, the ship started heaving over as she began to turn. Wind rushed above the Scorbunny, a pair red-sporting flying-types were beating their wings hard to try and add some extra speed to the turn. Sam struggled to keep his footing, one eye still on the sky if another flier tried to have another go at them.
The Penguin creaked even more, juddering as its turn sharpened, the bow peeling away from the pirate ship and slowly exposing the cannons of the schooner. The enemy ship kept sailing at them, its bow remaining fixed on them.
What the hell is he doing!? Sam snapped, He's gonna be a sitting duc-
Four hatches in the bow of the pirate ship sprung open.
He barely heard the shout. "CHASE GUNS!"
Smoke and fire flashed from the guns, wood detonating and splintering as cannonballs blew through the Penguin like an angry god. Pokémon screamed as they took a face full of shrapnel or were blown into the air.
One shot tore through the higher rear deck, Sam immediately shielded his eyes as he rolled back, debris whistling as she rushed past him. He landed hard on his back, the Scorbunny barely managing to keep his head from hitting the floor. His eyes snapped open to find the Dewott captain barely hanging onto the ship's wheel. He was wincing, clutching the side of his body, quickly becoming drenched in blood. Across the way, an unfortunate crewmember lay against the far railing, a grass type that sat unmoving.
Moans and screams echoed across the ship, out of sight of Sam. He only just stumbled to his feet when the whole ship jerked underneath him. Crying out, Sam nearly faceplanted the deck. Holy- did they just ram us!?
Gritting his teeth from anger and his aching arms, he picked himself up again to find the pirate ship's bow high above him, only just prevented from burying itself into the side of the Penguin. The schooner wheezed, water slushing against the hull. "T-There are pushing us aside!" Sam realised, the Penguin being turned to face the direction it had originally been travelling.
His chest tightened as he spun back to face the Crow, the other schooner still sailing onwards.
Into the path of the pirate ship's guns.
"No!" Sam screamed, "Get-"
Cannon fire roared as the pirate ship unleashed its broadside.
The Crow nearly exploded as the cannonballs slammed across her side, punching through her hull in a shower of shrapnel and flame. Sam's words died, as all he could do was watch as the ship heaved and rolled, gaping holes emerging out of the smoke.
"Alice!"
Above his head, war cries started to boom, a bell ringing as the pirates prepared to board the Penguin.
Sam snarled, readying a new attack, "Bastards! Come on! Come and get it!"
Across the way on the Crow, Alice gritted her teeth, her head pounding and her ears ringing. She had been terrified about Sam being stuck on the rammed Penguin when the broadside hit, throwing the Buneary across the deck. Through the ringing, she could make out the agonised cries and the moans of the crew. The captain was trying to get further ahead, to try and avoid striking the Penguin by accident. But then that pirate ship had lined up for its attack, and the Crow didn't stand a chance.
"Alice!" Nia shouted, "Alice!"
Grunting, Alice tossed aside the plank pressing against her back and pushed herself back up. "I'm alright!" She turned to find the Niobat unhurt, lowering herself back towards the deck with a beat of her wings. She must have got above the cannon fire.
The deck itself was ruined, covered in debris and blood from where Pokémon had been caught. We need to he-
Over the side, a team of four threw themselves over the railing, all sporting black armbands or bandanas. An Ambipom waved one of it's tails threateningly in the air, "Kill anyone who resists!" he barked.
Whilst a big Ursaring marched towards the rear of the ship, where a few members of the crew started to rise, the Ambipom, a Yungoos and a Minccino turned on Alice and Nia, moving towards them.
Alice took a step back, one ear already hardening in ice, she had to hope Sam was fine and deal with these guys, and with a smirk, she had the ideal solution. "Nia? You know how we keep telling you to watch your tone?"
She could hear Nia laugh as she floated past the Buneary, "Allow me!"
Her ears perked up, everything seemingly to go silent.
Alice covered her ears.
Nia's ultrasonic scream somehow slammed into Alice's chest, even though she was behind the bat. A scream loud enough that she could see the waves punch through the air. The three pirates screamed, clutching their ears as they tried to block out the sound. The Minccino keeled over, banging her head against the floor.
As the scream ended, Alice sprung forward, swinging her Ice Punch straight into the face of the Yungoos. As they skidded across the floor, the Ambipom shook his head, but his eyes were unfocused as he wildly threw a tail punch. Alice didn't even need to dodge it, letting her other ear glow white as she slammed the Rock Smash into his gut with a crack.
The Minccino looked up in time for Alice's still ice-encrusted ear to smash her face in. The rodent's face slumped into the deck, unconscious.
"Incoming!" Nia shouted as other pirates started throwing themselves over the railing.
Gritting her teeth, the Buneary readied herself for the next fight, hoping that Sam and the others were holding out.
Grappling hooks clunked against the railings, the larger ship reeling the stricken Penguin alongside. Even then, pirate Pokémon, all with black armbands, scarves or bandanas leapt aboard. Sam started to run for the stairs. Got-
A Sandshrew crashed down onto the deck, claws glinting as he charged at the Scorbunny. Sam sprung back, avoiding the slashes. "Out of the way!"
Roaring, Sam leapt back forward, trying to double-kick him away. The Sandshrew spun away, wincing as the kicks struck his back. It tried to swipe him again, but the Scorbunny was faster, leaping above the ground type. His feet connected at the back of the shrew's head.
As the pirate collapsed onto the deck, Sam could see the captain watching him, pressing some kind of paste into his wound. Grimacing, the water-type flicked his deck towards the steps.
Heart pounding, Sam swiftly nodded and leapt down the stairs.
Denver shoved a Tangela into the railing, his stinger stabbing away at the vined Pokémon. "Fuck off!" he bellowed, lifting the grass type in his pincers and throwing him aside. "Sam!" he shouted as the Scorbunny landed next to him, "Bruce and Edward are struggling at the mast!"
Sam didn't question the Skorpi, immediately jogging after the bug type. The Penguin was a scene of chaos, pirates and crew battled each other, trying to fire off whatever moves they could when they weren't fighting hand-to-hand. Sam ducked and weaved through the fights, fighting to keep his balance and not get trampled.
Bruce and Edward were back-to-back, fending off a pair of rock-type pirates trying to batter them. Denver roared as he charged the one attacking Edward, pincers cutting at them. Sam pounced at the other, double-kicking the rock-type away.
"Thanks!" Bruce shouted, "How many of these guys are there!?"
"You can ask them!" Sam panted, backing up to join the other Rescuers. "Any idea about Dan and Zeke?"
"Still at the bow!" Edward replied, the normally reserved goat scraping his hooves on the deck, "But there's so many!"
"If we could get away from these bastards!" Denver snapped.
One of the rock types lunged at Sam, only for Bruce's vines to wrap around their gravelly body and toss him across the ship. Sam couldn't help but smirk at the sight.
That was when in the direction of the tossed pirate, a Krokorok's head poked up from the crowd. Growling, his arm snapped up, a metal object glinting in his hand. Sam gasped, it was a bloody sword!
"Fire type at the mast! Kill him!" he roared.
Sam recoiled, "Wait, wh-"
Five pirates suddenly broke off from the main battle, charging for the Rescuers. Sam didn't think, immediately kicking away another Electro Ball. So close, two of the pirates, both monkey Pokémon, spasmed as the ball struck them. Denver immediately lunged forward, grappling two of the attacking pirates. Edward got the last, headbutting them back.
"Sam!" Bruce roared, vines raised and ready, "We could do with that fire-type shit!"
He gritted his teeth, "I can't just kick fireballs all over the place! I'll burn down the whole ship!" All it'll take is one rope catching and we won't have a Penguin left!"
As the three pirates were shunted back, a much bigger Empoleon and Sceptile barged through, limbs already glowing.
Sam's heart missed a beat, "Fuc – get back!"
Denver and Edward's eyes widened as they stumbled back. Bruce growled as he stepped forward, leaf-shaped projectiles shooting forward from the bulb on his back. But the water-type snapped one fin up, the Razor Leaves helplessly pinging off the steel.
Shit! Sam swept his foot back, feeling the heat underneath, he had to try and get a direct hit on them, or he'd-
The Charizard slammed down onto the deck behind the two Pokémon. They started to turn, but too late, Calvin's hands grasping the side of their heads and with an almighty crack, slammed them together.
"Now this is more like it!" Calvin roared with obvious delight as he tossed the two aside and his Metal Claws formed, "Come on lads!"
With a whip of his tail, he sent two smaller pirates flying, before lunging at an attacking Carracosta, forcing them back and laughing all the while.
"Another fire-type! Take out the dragon!"
"Hate a little firepower?" Calvin snorted, his tail glowing blue as he slapped the Sceptile away. "You're lucky you're not getting a taste!"
As the Charizard battered his way through the pirates, some of the shipmates rallied, falling in behind the veteran rescuer.
"What the hell is with these guys and fire-types?" Bruce wheezed, finally stopping to catch his breath in the lull.
Sam panted, leaning over as he caught his breath. "I'm asking the same."
"Fire hazard?" growled Denver, eyes on the unfolding battle, ready for someone to come at them.
He does have a point.
"There's still too many of them." Edward said, trying to survey the deck, "We need an equaliser."
Equaliser? Sam thought, back stiffening. We need a damn tornado! Could we break the Penguin free? He shook his head, No, the Crow would be a sitting duck! We need some more firepower!
His ears went erect, Firepower.
He looked towards the pirate ship easily overshadowing the Penguin… and the unfired cannons pointed right at it.
"Guys!" Sam shouted, "I've got an idea! Cover me!"
Bruce flinched, "Wha-"
Sam was already atop the guns, hoping Calvin could keep the pirates busy for another moment. Alright! How do I fire this thing!? He scanned one of the cannons, trying to find anything that seemed obvious. Fuses!
And there it was, a little dent to allow it to fire. Sam started to rub his hands together, feeling the heat rush through them.
"Sam on your right!"
The Krokorok's blade came rushing down at him, too close to dodge.
With a panicked yell, instinct fired off the Protect, the blue shield blinking in between them in time for the sword to ping off. The Krokorok's surprise flashed before he slashed again, the Protect fading away. Sam tried to spring away, but his feet slid away underneath him and with a yelp, he fell to the floor.
The croc roared, and the Scorbunny rolled aside, the sword impacting just inches away from him.
The sword came at him again and again, keeping the Scorbunny stuck on the ground. He tried to look back at the others, but all he caught was a glimpse of Bruce diving away from an ice shard. Another slash came and Sam evaded again.
The kick came flying into his gut, Sam barking out as his body spasmed. He tried to gasp some fresh air in, but with a crooked smile, the croc raised the sword again.
FUC-!
A dark projectile struck the pirate in the chest, sending him stumbling back. Rolling over, Sam eyed Dan standing at the bow, looking amazed… before screaming as another pirate attacked him. Hearing the growl behind him, Sam threw himself back onto his feet and fired off his Quick Attack, shoulder-slamming the returning Krokorok.
The larger Pokémon stumbled back right into Calvin's grasp. He had a moment to start crying for help before the Charizard casually chucked him over the railing. "Go on! Light them up!" He bellowed, turning back to grapple with another large Pokémon.
"On it!" Sam scurried back onto the cannon and rubbed his paws together, the heat building. Here goes nothing!
"Fire in the hole!" he shouted with a final scrape of his hands, a tiny Ember emerging and striking the fuse.
His ears rang as the front of the cannon exploded in smoke and flame, followed by the sound of detonating wood. The cannon jumped back, and unable to hold on, Sam flew off and slammed across the deck.
As he stumbled back to his feet, he caught a glimpse of Calvin, the Charizard laughing as the smoke cleared, revealing a gaping hole in the pirate ship. "Have a piece of your own medicine!" he cackled.
Out from the still battling Pokémon, the Empoleon charged, slashing his bladed wing across Calvin's back.
The Charizard roared, spinning around and slashing at the water-type. A Panpour and Mankey leapt onto his back, clawing away at his face. Wildly shaking himself, Calvin shook them loose, only for a Toxicroak to smack a fist across his jaws.
"Calvin!" Sam got back onto his feet, only for the Water Gun to strike his leg like a hot knife. Sam couldn't stop the cry, tumbling back over as he clutched his leg.
The Mankey had got on Calvin's back again, the dragon getting punched in the gut by the returning Sceptile, followed by the Toxicroak again punching his face. Another bird came swooping in, slamming into the Charizard's back. Grunting, the Charizard fell to his knees, getting pounded again and again.
Sam gritted his teeth, trying to rise to his feet, only for something to clamp around them and sweep them out from underneath him. Roaring, he struggled to break free, a Kingler hefting him into the air. Before he could do anything, he was hanging helplessly upside down.
As he struggled to shake himself free, he could only watch as Calvin was forced down to the ground. So was Edward, a Machoke holding the Skiddo by the horns. Bruce and Denver were backed up against the far railing, surrounded by pirates. The ship spun around him, bile burning in the Scorbunny's throat. As the world steadied, he could make out a Marshtomp holding a panicking Dan, whilst Zeke, electricity crackling all over his body, was being forced over the railing by a Sandslash.
Desperate, he tried to punch the claw, only for a wave of pain to flood up his arm. The Kingler could only laugh as he hefted the rabbit up higher into the air, "Just for you kid."
The Kingler smirked, "Greg sends his regards."
Sam's entire body froze, G-Greg!?
And before he could do anything, the Kingler threw him overboard.
And the last thing Sam saw was a blast of water rushing towards him…
Sadly again, this took longer than planned to complete, but chapters which are mainly battles tend to be trickier to write anyway. Either way, GoB's story continues as the pirates make their entry into the story. I hope you guys enjoy this one!
