3"Alright you ladies. Let's clean 'er up." A tall, handsome man ordered out boastfully to the male crew scattered across the lower deck gaining a chorus of 'aye' in response.
The crew got right on with it, clearing up their day's mess and swabbing the deck.
Captain Hyde looked amongst his men with pride, then turned to look over the ocean, a ritual he liked to do every sunset. The gentle waters shimmered so beautifully as the sun set in the sky. One knows not the last time they will see nature's true gift. He gave his flapping jolly roger a deep gaze before stepping to the chain to let it down.
Before he could, a sharp whistle aired out followed by a pained howl.
The captain whirled around to see one of his fellow crewmen on his back with an arrow going through his now bleeding shoulder.
The men didn't have time to react, as a series of gunshots and arrows fired out towards the ship. The sound of the bow snapping and the arrows whooshing rang true as hundreds rained down on them. Screams and bodies hit the floor as Captain Hyde watched his members dwindle.
Hyde's throat rumbled, releasing a loud growl that tore from his gaping mouth. The atmosphere soon shifted as the ocean became aggressive.
Suddenly thunder split through the air around them. Bright blue electricity slowly sparked along the captain's frame and his eyes glowed an icy hue. He thrusted his sword in the air and instant lightning struck down and coated the weapon. His shocking irises darted around until he spotted a crowd of figures darting through the nearby forestry.
"Attack!" The captain roared loud then threw his sword far out towards the ground. When it landed in the ground, the currents flew out frying anything it touched. With a punch to the deck, Hyde flew high in the air and crashed over on the land. He sprinted off, taking out as many of the enemy as he could. The captain glided along, almost effortless dropping bodies along his way. Rage blinded him until suddenly a loud boom caused him to pause.
He slowly turned and his face dropped in horror. His ship was blown to bits, the flaming blue hull once magnificent now sinking below. Charred dismemberments of his crew poured from the sky.
A huge battleship crept into view and the captain quivered when he saw the flag with a red eye dance wildly along with the now fierce wind and the figure watching him with a cynical smile.
Hyde was ready to risk it all. The captain roared, summoning enormous amounts of electricity to erupt with hot intensity, yet it was already over as searing pain suddenly seized his body and everything went dark.
2
Auggie's body lurched forward as heavy gasped passed his lips. His heart raced a mile a minute while his bulged eyes stared out vacantly at nothing. Even though he couldn't recall his dream, it had to have been horrible because sweat clung on to his body like it was a lifeline. After taking a few breaths, he gathered himself, finally taking time to look at his surroundings and seeing that he was in the crow's nest. Oh yeah, he was on watch duty. He must've fell asleep unexpected, which wasn't normally like him.
He clenched his fist tight only to find a soft blanket squeezing between his fingers. He gave the fabric a questioning look and brought his eyes around until they fell on a person. Edge sat on the corner of the nest with his back turned to Auggie. His head was reared as his dark blue eyes looked up at the sky, his thick locs swaying along his back. With the dawn of the day brought dark and light azure skies to surround them.
Auggie shifted his body, causing the wood to creak beneath him. It alerted Edge and he peeked over towards the captain.
"Did you rest well?" His firsthand asked quietly.
Auggie settled on a shrug as he still tried to shake that horrible feeling that continued to linger through him. "I guess. How long was I out?"
"Not too long. I didn't bother to wake you. Figured you needed some sleep seeing as you've been skipping a few nights." Edge said, with a hint of concern.
"I wouldn't necessarily say skipping." The captain stated back.
"Is there something you want to get off your chest, captain?" Edge said with a little bite.
Auggie stilled at that. Out of everyone on the ship, Edge was the only one he was truly close with. They both grew up in the same village and shared the same childhood hardships. Endured the same pain and became tight like brothers. This very ship was one they claimed together as mere boys of 15 and has been sailing the blue sea ever since.
"Nothing." Auggie replied to Edge, then asked, "Why?"
Edge turned around, giving his captain his full attention. "You haven't been sleeping and you've grown quieter with the days."
"You've been watching me?" Auggie spoke, with a little bit of playfulness to his tone.
"Hmm," Edge hummed. "I might be concerned."
Just like Edge. Always thinking of others before himself. Even though knowing that Auggie was more than capable of taking care of himself, Edge clung to Auggie's shadow making it his mission to protect him and have his back covered at all times. If anyone asked the boy for why he did it, he would spout some words about loyalty and brotherhood, but Auggie knew better. Edge felt liked he owed Auggie his life.
Auggie gave his lap one last glance before stretching his arms over his head long and hard, popping some joints out along the way and gave Edge a hard look.
"There's no need to be, brother. I'm better than ever." Auggie said all cool with a big grin.
Edge's stare never wavered as his expression deepened. He wanted to add something else, but as he went to talk, they heard a loud boom from a wood door being slammed open. The boys looked over the edge to see a girl walking along the deck. She had creamy skin with white sister locs pulled up into a messy bun.
"Ahoy, Ollie!" Auggie called down to her with a smile.
Ollie looked up and waved, "Good morning, boys. How was the watch?" She asked.
"Bor-ing." Auggie and Edge simultaneously said before bursting out in a chuckle fit.
The girl only shook her head amused with a roll of her eyes and continued on her way through another door. The suns were beginning to rise up, so she had to be getting ready to prepare breakfast.
"Our little early bird." Edge said and stood to his feet and went to climb down the post. He paused and gave the captain one last look. "You know where to find me." He urged and then he was gone.
Auggie leaned back then closed his eyes and just listened to nature. Auggie's past wasn't something that he shied away from. It's something that molded him into the man he is now. Though the memories still haunt him from time, he's learned to cope with it. He eased his thoughts while rubbing circles along his chest as if to ease his heart as well. The only thing that plagues his mind these days were his reason for being. Like what was his purpose for existing.
With what he could do, his abilities didn't just appear out of thin air one day. He was born the way he was. His very first memory of life is still something he can recall so well and from the very beginning he always had this feeling. He lifted his first item with his ability when he was only 8 months old. Scared his parents, but to him he remembered feeling free.
He took a breath then opened his eyes to gaze at the now clear blue sky.
He sat up and went to climb down. Once on the deck, he went into the kitchen where Ollie was busy making a meal. The kitchen was small, yet it managed to hold a few equipment for meals to be prepared. Auggie sat on top a counter and watched the girl clean some fruits and vegetables. Her milky skin was almost flawless, with freckles kissing nearly every inch of it. She moved almost swiftly, but her face was in deep concentration. She was in her own zone. Beautiful.
Ollie is the twin sister of Ocean, the babies of the crew being 16 years of age. The pair were of albino decent which in many parts of the world was taboo. Auggie met the pair along with their older sister Onyx in a place called Lalane. It was a rundown town with streets filled with orphans, brothels and drunks. Auggie and Edge landed in Lalane 2 years ago at 17. They spent the day enjoying the world of men yet were nearly mugged by Onyx while pissing in an alleyway. The three were orphans, stowing away in an abandon shack and Onyx did whatever she had to do to provide for her siblings. The duo decided to have the trio join their crew.
Auggie smiled at the thoughts from those days. Ollie's green eyes peered over to Auggie.
"What has you smiling?" She asked, as she placed a few pieces of meat into a boiling cauldron.
"Just thinking about the good ole days." Auggie responded.
"Every day is the good ole days." Ollie stated back. Her expression was soft.
"So you like to say." Auggie laughed out. "Some days are just boring."
"You get bored quite easily. You should take this time now to comb out that bush on your head. I see a twig sticking out of it." Ollie said with a giggle. She continued tending to the meal as she drained the meat and mixed it with the vegetables.
Auggie chuckled as he picked around his tangled afro. "Might as well make use of the boring day I guess." He said, then hopped from the counter onto his feet.
"No matter the mood of the day, it's always good to see it. We can crock out of here any time now. Why not see the good in it while we can." Ollie stated, her white lashes brushing against her cheeks with each blink.
"Preach it, sister Ollie." Auggie boasted out sarcastically with a laugh beaming his dimpled cheeks.
Ollie rolled her eyes with a smack of her full pink lips. "Don't you have somebody else to bother?"
"I'm hungry," Auggie groaned out with of sag of his body.
"Please don't start today." Ollie grumbled back and pointed to the door. "It'll be done when I get finished, now get."
Auggie let off a grunt and went out the door.
Auggie stepped out onto the deck and used his arm to shield the bright suns. Both of the suns were bouncing into the sky attached at the hip. Forever together. Such a beautiful sight. Once his eyes were adjusted, he looked around to see that everyone was up now and bustling around doing their daily task. Which was nothing by the way, because today was going to indeed be a boring day.
Over near the edge of the ship, Blackstone and Ocean were relaxed in some lawn chairs with their fishing poles in their hands and the lines casted down into the water below. On the upper deck, he could see Onyx hustling over the crew's findings doing what she does best.
"Captain."
Auggie turned at his beckoning and watched Panky walk up to him. As the sunrays hit her, her strawberry-blonde braided hair was like ablaze ropes stretching down her waist. The vibrant color illuminated her like a halo glowing. Gorgeous. Her stern magenta eyes were homed in on Auggie as she was sure in her steps towards the young man.
"Morning." Auggie greeted.
"Good morning," Panky said back and stopped before him. Her accent was rough and exquisite. "When's our next stop?"
"I'm not sure. Nothing's come to me yet." Auggie stated with a shrug.
"Well, we'll need to stop soon. Those bone heads haven't caught nothing and because of our last failed raid we don't really have a lot to work with. We either need to stop somewhere soon or rob a ship."
Yes, Panky. The boys met her not too long after they first set sail at 15. At the time, they were still learning how to sail a boat, especially a ship. He will admit it was hard, mostly with him using his ability to push the ship along, so the first spot of land they saw they stopped at.
Ulcurich was a pleasant enough town. The citizens paraded around as if they had life figured out, but the place harbored secrets and had a steady gang problem. Auggie and Edge found a spot inside of a pub and set up a booth looking to enlist crewmates and sailors. Many of the people laughed at the teens, but soon a fiery-haired, hot-headed teen girl marched up to the pair and demanded they let her join their crew with one request. That they help her track and kill the men who murdered her family. They had heard floating rumors going around about the girl, yet nothing was being done about it.
Although appalled, the boys agreed with the girl and tracked the perpetrators down. Luckily, they were still in the town. They found out quickly just how good Panky was with a knife. The girl was head-strong and truly had a dominating personality. Sometimes Auggie wondered just which of them were the real captain.
"Well, what do you suppose?" Auggie asked her.
"We'll stop soon." Panky said roughly and settled it.
"Then we shall." Auggie adhered.
"Ooo, I think I got something!" Ocean jeered as he stood grappling onto his vibrating fishing pole. The line was spiraling out of control.
Ocean pulled the pole with all of his strength before being dragged against ship's railing. He placed his booted foot against the railing and yanked harder.
"I gotcha," Blackstone let out as he leaped up and grabbed hold of the boy. They both yanked hard when suddenly a giant tuna flung from the water and landed on the deck. It flopped about as the crew let out loud cheers.
Amidst the cheering, Auggie peered into the skies when he spotted a small speck through the clouds. He squinted his eyes, giving it a confused look as it grew larger at a moderate speed.
Panky must've noticed him because she asked, "Are you good?"
"You see that?" Auggie asked the girl pointing at the sky.
Panky squinted her eyes confused, before she suddenly spotted it too.
"Guard up people!" Auggie yelled as he started to run around. The crew didn't ask any questions as they ran to their stations.
Edge was coming through a door, wiping a cloth over his wet head when Auggie rushed by.
"Captain?" He asked bewildered.
"We might be under attack." Auggie yelped out and turned to his firsthand. "Stay behind me."
He ran and knocked on a plank of wood along his deck and the floor turned in and revealed a ballista. He placed a giant arrow in the slate and locked it in. Running behind the weapon, he grasped the handle and took aim. Behind him, Edge used his spyglass to get a better view.
"Okay, hold it." Edge said slowly urging Auggie to keep still.
"What is it?" The captain asked the boy. The speck was getting bigger now to where he could make out wings flapping.
"I don't know, wait?" Edge paused and Auggie turned to watch the boys intense face scrunching up as he concentrated. "Is that... Uuna?"
"Uuna?" Auggie said in shock, then suddenly jerked in realization and yelled out, "Get the tuna!"
Onyx, Panky, Blackstone and Ocean's head snapped up, still not quite following the captains' orders.
"Get the tuna! Uuna's coming. Get. The. Tuna!" Auggie yelled out. The creature now had its body straight as it dove towards them fast.
With that they all sprang into action and ran for the fish. Auggie jumped over the rail and landed on his feet. He looked up and saw the creature, now larger in size in swooping range. He zoned in on the fish and ran for it. Gathering all of his energy, he raised his palm at the tuna, but a sudden sharp gush of wind knocked everyone off of their feet.
A loud screeching caw woke them from their stunned postures. Auggie sat up to watch as a giant raven with four talons and four blinking red eyes towered over the fish, then lent down to chew into it.
"Be gone you wade of feathers." Blackstone grouched out as he marched to the bird. "We didn't do all that work just for you to swoop in and take our catch." He continued to bellow loud.
The raven jerked its head around at the man then let out a loud screech, however the sound wasn't aggressive.
Auggie jumped up and made his way over to the eating bird. He petted along her fur with a smile. "Hey there girl. What are you doing all out here?"
Uuna looked over to him and let out a caw. This majestic beast belonged to a friend of theirs.
"You must have a message, yeah?" Auggie stated, then reached up towards her neck and unclipped a collar. Attached to the collar was a sealed parchment. The captain unrolled it and started reading to himself. The deep, cursive message was short and straightforward as it read, Emergency meeting now signed Ziwa.
"Is it Ziwa?" Edge asked, walking up on Auggie. Auggie could feel the boy's hot breath tickling his neck as he was trying to read over his shoulder.
Auggie nudged the boy back and gave him the letter so that he could read it for himself. Everyone else was crowding in now.
"Ziwa is calling an emergency gathering." Auggie announced.
"Emergency?" Panky asked up.
"About what?" Blackstone added in as he tried to wrestle away half of the fish from the bird.
"She didn't say. She just said to meet up now." Auggie said.
"That sounds pretty serious." Edge mumbled lowly.
The group looked at one another with a deep expression.
"Well, if we get a move on it, we can make it by the second sunset." Ocean pointed out.
"Sure sure," Auggie said with a wave of his hand then rubbed his stomach. "But first."
"Breakfast is ready~!" Ollie sung as she burst from the kitchen door. The different aromas mingled out and under their noses.
Hmm, looks like the day was going to be interesting after all.
After the crew and Uuna fed, they all set sail and started for their destination. The trip nearly took most of the day as Jellybean sailed ferociously along the waters. To make use of the time, Auggie sat as Panky detangled and braided down his long, thick hair.
While he sat, he pondered over the letter intensely.
Many people were under the impression that the crew were nothing more than ravaging pirates set to roam the seas, leaving destruction in their path. Those idiots were so far from the truth.
There are a set of riders who sail these waters trying to bring peace to those without it and keep the world almost balance. They vow to put others before themselves and always help where it is needed. Though they might exhilarate in their freedom a little too much, Auggie truly believed that it was these people that were making a change in the world. That is what drove the Jellybeans to join the Free 8.
When they first met the circle known as the Free 8, they practically begged to join after witnessing them in action. Yet, they were denied entry because they felt that the crew was too young and inexperienced.
That didn't deter the Jellybeans though, as they continued doing what they did best. Soon after gaining some recognition, they were invited to join the circle and they did with glee thus making the Free 8 into the Free 9.
Every year, the circle chose a new president to lead them, and this year's president was Ziwa. Ziwa was a strong woman so for her to be calling a meeting, an emergency one at that, meant that something was seriously wrong.
"Ow!" Auggie cried out as Panky's brush got caught on a knot.
"Calm down you big baby." Panky growled back. "If you'll stop letting your hair get so tangled up, we wouldn't go through this every time."
"Yes ma'am." Auggie mumbled under his breath.
"Looks like we made it." Onyx shouted pointing ahead.
As the suns were setting in the sky, a small mountain came into view. The hunk of rock was known as Dead zone cove.
This is where the Free 9 gathered. Because of its location, it was well hidden and protected giving the circle a safe haven.
Edge steered Jellybean up to Dead zone cove and parked it along a man-made pier. Already docked were five other ships. Uuna cawed as she flew around in circles.
Once anchoring it down, the crew closed her up and climbed from the ship. Next to all of the other ships, Jellybean seemed so tiny. Yet still, she's proven time and again that she could keep up with the big ones, just like her crew.
The other ships' crews were loud as they manned the ships. Edge and Auggie tended to tie the boat down as the others started heading forward.
"Anything you wanna say before we go in?" The captain asked his first-hand.
"Go in here like we have some sense. We don't need a repeat from last year. Try to keep it peaceful for Ziwa's sake." Edge urged on.
Auggie chuckled with a shake of his head as he gave his best friend a knowing look. "I'll behave."
"You better." Edge said and pointed his finger at his captain.
The two turned and made their way to the others who were waiting. The crew walked into a cave and weaved through the cove until they entered a wide space. They spotted a round stone table and around it sat five other captains. Around them stood a few of their crew members.
Auggie stepped to the table and took a seat onto a hard stone rock. Panky immediately hovered over him to finish braiding down the last of his hair. Beside him was their president, Ziwa.
Her turquoise hair spiraled in tight coils around her body and her matching eyes stared out at her peers. Her chocolate skin was so smooth that it was almost flawless, with not even a pimple gracing it. Though her nose was wider than most women, it adorned her face in the most intriguing way making her even more radiant.
Ziwa
Her tongue struck out to wet plump lips before she spoke. "Thank you all for making this meeting at such short notice. We're all accounted for."
"Don't look like we all have made it." Auggie stated indicating to the empty seats. He flinched with a groan as Panky caught an unruly knot.
"Sadly, that is what this meeting is about." Ziwa spoke with a voice filled with sorrow.
"Sadly?" Auggie asked raising his brows. Looking at Ziwa's wavering eyes, he could tell that something wasn't right.
"Don't tell me it happened again?" A burly man said through gritted teeth. His hair was big and unruly as it flowed down in naps around his shoulders. His caramel skin was covered in scars and his face, which was forever scowling, peered at Ziwa in suspense. This is Lumber, captain of the Steering Stallions.
Everyone around let out gasps, except for the Jellybeans, who looked around in confusion. They were keeping them in the dark and that was unacceptable.
"What's going on, Ziwa? What does he mean by last time?" Auggie asked as he turned to the woman.
"Something you need not worry for." Lumber intervened, giving Auggie a pointed look. "While you kids are out playing, the grown-ups are out here putting some real work in."
Auggie always had a great disdain for this man. Being one of the eldest crews and co-founder of the Free circle has boosted Lumber's ego so much that he didn't even hide being an asshole. The bastard spent his early years as a water guard, working for the authority before he rebelled and became his own man.
"I don't think I was speaking to you." Auggie responded back, making sure to let the venom roll from him tongue.
"Yet, I'm speaking with you." Lumber shot back, always having to get the last word.
"Well, we are a part of this circle just as you are, and we deserve all that it entails. Not to be used at your disposal." Auggie stated back as he glared the older man down.
"Hush down, Lumber." Ziwa's tone stilled the room, and all eyes were once again on her. "Auggie is right. Whether you like it or not, the Jellybeans have rightfully earned their seats amongst us, and it was selfish of us to keep them out. I apologize captain Auggie. I felt I could handle matters without getting you all involved, but because of what happened it seem we may all be in danger. Last night, captain Hyde and his crew was attacked. Majority of his men were murdered and if there were any survivors, they are gone now. Nobody could find Hyde's body."
"Hyde was attacked?" Auggie blurted out almost softly. Confusion deepened his face as he tried to match the loose straws in his head. Now, he wasn't the sharpest tool in the box, but this just didn't add up. Hyde was dangerously strong, yet he was defeated. "That man's insanely tough, no one can take him down just like that."
Everyone at this table right now were just like Auggie in a way. They were all born with a gifted ability and spent majority of their lives using it to provide for the people.
"If you were around more, you'd know that they also hit up Liddy a few months back and Cos too. Every last one of them just vanished." Lumber once again voiced with a mug daggered at Auggie.
"Well, if some people didn't conspire secret meetings, then maybe we wouldn't be behind on the grownup business." Panky spoke boldly giving the man a glare of her own as she finished up the last braid.
Auggie watched as the man's eye twitched, daring not to waver under her stare. Panky had that special hold over people, where even the strongest man would fall to their knees from her glare. It was the most terrifying thing he'd felt, yet strongly erotic if you knew what he meant.
"Do we have a problem?" Auggie asked, sitting up in his seat and slitting his eyes at the older man.
"I donno. Do we?" Lumber returned. "Matter fact, we might do have a problem, and possibly a source. For years we have been sailing these waters. Fighting and keeping the peace. For years. Then soon as Ziwa introduces a new crew to the mix everything starts going chicken shit crazy. So yeah, I think we have a fucking problem." Lumber seethed, spraying spittle across the table.
"What are you implying?" Edge asked, with squinted eyes.
Blackstone huffed out from behind them, "It's clear as day what he's implying."
Panky added with a growl, "I don't like what he's implying."
"Me neither." Auggie stated firmly, with his eyes never wavering from Lumbers'.
Ziwa spoke out with a strong voice. "That's a bold and very colorful accusation, captain Lumber."
Lumber sagged back in his seat with a huff, "Come on, Ziwa. I'm not wrong for voicing my opinion."
"Do you know who could be doing this?" Lady Mihalla asked in such a light tone that she almost sounded like a child. Her straight hair flowing down was platinum and her skin was tar brown. She was captain of Ladies and Lords, an angelic crew from Frida. A place that seemed from a folktale, Frida was the purest place on the planet. Filled with unimaginable feats, the country believed in pure spirits, which they claim is what protects them and their people. Her crew had the same tar skin and platinum hair. A true Fridan adorned these appearances, making them different from the rest of the world.
Lady Mihalla was the sweetest person Auggie had ever met and had such grace around her. The fact that anyone would think that she was evil or wish her harm was bizarre.
The table grew quiet. No one seemed to have any clue on what was going on.
"Don't have the answer for that, but I did find some fancy flyers as I was sailing out West." Big Willie, of Fetch Me Gold, added in. He was a short stump of a man, who was quite ambitious for his age. He spent his travels locating treasures and discovering new places, but his adventures could get a little crazy with all of the hard drugs he endeavored in. He pulled out a stack of papers from his brief and laid them in the center of the table.
Lumber was the first to grab for a few of the pages and studied them as he flipped through it. "Well, I'll be. Somebody actually has numbers on most of us. All of our heads have a price. And you found these out west?"
"Not all of'em. Most come from a big city called Fuergon. It's well known for travelers and could easily be seen by the hunters. If ask me be, I'd say it smells like a set up. The higher ups been gunning for a long time, but this seems dirty even for them." Big Willie sighed.
"Ahoy, look at this. Seems our enemy has a favorite." Lumber carried on, placing a bounty flyer on the table's center. A drawing matching Auggie's features lay for all to see.
Auggie's face crested in as he went to grab the flyer. Whoever drew this made sure to paint every feature right. Right down to his lazy eye and the scar on his chin. He was gorgeous. Written in loud bold was the price of 580,000, wanted ALIVE.
"Oh, wow. Look how much I'm worth!" The young captain enthused nevermore as he showed his crew his mugshot.
His crew eyes bulged out in shock. Auggie just let out a slick chuckle as he stared down at the bounty, yet he was quite unsettled. Who would be after him?
A palm slamming on the table brought the attention back to Lumber. His grinding teeth were bared, every winkle on his frowned face was deep. His mean mug continued flared in on Auggie, which had the young captain nerves standing on edge.
"This is why I didn't want them to join us, Ziwa. Think like a child. Play like a child." Lumber growled out side-eying the president.
Auggie's face went cold as he gave the older captain a hard look. He could feel his nerves vibrating from under his skin. Though he was born with his abilities, there were times when he would lose control. He surely didn't want that to happen, so he tried hard to maintain his emotions. Yet, Lumber was setting him off.
"I assure you I am no child." Auggie said tightly, the small leak of his energy sent a quack under their feet.
Lumber face went through frustration and anger as he eyes roamed around, then he roared, "Are you threatening your elders, you bastard thug."
"Don't you speak to him that way!" Edge intervened, menacingly stepping up towards the table, starting to pull his sword from the hilt.
Auggie laid his hand against his hands' stomach to stop him.
That didn't stop the tension as Lumber's men threw their weapons. The rest of the jellybeans returned by drawing theirs, the sound of cutting iron raining loud throughout the cave.
Ziwa stood to her feet. "Enough!" Ziwa shouted out, so loud it caused the room the rock.