The Troint Post
Shattered Skull Pirates: Glaedr, Dexter Aroughs, and Armand Roberts
Shi Guanno was a relatively well-known and respected Naval Officer that fell directly under Fleet Admiral Wei "Quake" Zho. Today, he had come to the Naval Storage Warehouse here on Ishumo Island to observe the stock and a few other things they had reports on that were irregularities. He had arrived here with two of his subordinates, also fairly high-ranked members of the Navy. The low-ranked sailors who worked there did their best to keep out of the way of the three of them for fear of getting demoted, or worse. However, the head officer of the Warehouse, a Throh by the name of Henderson, kept a close eye on them. There was something about them that was a bit suspicious. It was unusual for the Navy to send an unannounced officer like this. He couldn't read the Pokemon's motives, and quite frankly, didn't trust him.
And for good reason, because this wasn't the Naval Officer Shi Guanno. This was Armand Roberts, the "Skull King", and the two 'officers' with him were his crewmates, Dexter Aroughs and Glaedr. Armand and Dexter have been together for the past five years now. Dexter is Armand's first mate and his closest friend. There is no one else he'd rather have by his side, attempting something like this. Then there was the soft spoken Glaedr, who Armand doesn't know much about, being only with them for a month. However, he's proven he could hold his own, and Armand took him as his third crewmate.
Their target today is the legendary jewel of Partiis, which is said to have been discovered by the Navy Pokemon in this area and locked away in the vault here before it would be moved to the Naval Museum on the mainland in a few days. Armand, knowing an opportunity was at hand, set out to get it before it was moved. It was crazy, but crazy had become the new norm of the Shattered Skull Pirates.
So here they were, dressed as Naval Officers, walking right into a Navy Base, attempting to steal a pricey jewel. A single sailor escorted them to the vault, which they said needed to be 'observed for irregularities' Armand leaned over to the other two and spoke softly.
"Keep yer' head held high. We gotta act the part of these Navy boys." He said, with a wink. The three of them walked through, the sailors trying not to look as them as they passed by. At least they were rattled. The Throh officer, however, was close by, giving them suspicious looks. Armand could hear his heart beating as they walked closer to their goal, the safe.
"'Course cap'n, no reason to barge in here just t'be found out a moment later 'cause of poor acting." Dexter snickered out under his breath, continuing to walk down the hallway with his head raised high and the white navy coat wavering softly behind him.
He had let the goggles he usually wore on his forehead, stay back on the ship, but he was, as always, wearing the red hankerchief wrapped around his neck, draped slightly down over his chest. Glaedr on the other hand, was busy examining his immediate surroundings. He was constantly on the lookout for escape routes if anything went wrong, and pretty much did his bit of acting as a naval officer, since he had worked alongside them for a few years.
As they continued down the hallway, passing the normal marines, Dexter lifted his head high and nodded to them rather meaningfully, absorbing himself completely in the character he was playing. Glancing to his left, first at Armand, his good friend and captain, and then up to Glaedr, his soon-to-be-drinking-buddy-number-two he hoped, he noticed that they, just like him, were looking just a little nervous. Can't help it I suppose, he thought.
As they passed around a corner, a Graveler was doing the exact same thing, accidentally bumping into Dexter, causing him to stumble a little. Immediately Glaedr was on alert mode, his body became stiff and he was immediately ready for combat. The Graveler seemed about to speak up, but quickly widened his eyes in fear at realizing who they were (Or at least pretended to be). "I-I'm sorry, sir! I wasn't looking where I were going!"
Dexter took a moment to get back on his feet, his heart pounding in his chest from the surprise. He tugged on his coat to make sure it sat firmly in place and gave the Graveler a hearty smile, smacking his arm in a friendly manner. "That's alright, lad! Happens to everyone. Go on, go take a break. You look like you could need it."
The Graveler, both happy that he was out of the fire and confused at the officer's informality mumbled a 'thank you sir' and moved on down the hallway, hurrying slightly in case he should change his mind. The Dragonite just shook his head, wondering how the Pokemon in the navy were so clumsy and aloof nowadays.
Dexter sent the other two a glance, as if to say "... What?". They continued onwards, and now, at the end of this rather wide corridor, were a rather large, steel door indented into the wall. They were close now. They just had to keep up appearances for a little longer, get in, hide the gem, and get the hell out of there!
The most difficult part of this plan was to make sure they didn't get identified. Glaedr feared that some old timer from his days with the army would spot him and identify him, blowing the cover of all three of them. With his huge shape he didn't exactly blend into a crowd properly, so being able to hide was not a very easy task.
The small group of undercover pirates continued towards the steel door, when a voice made Glaedr freeze in his tracks.
"...Ah yes, I'd definitely like to see the jewel. I have to check the security around it."
No question about it, it was Captain Norton, the Pokemon he had worked under when he was a bounty hunter. He winced, Norton was the last Bisharp he wanted to meet at a moment like this. He had thought he would have retired by now, but no, he was still here. Always paranoid about security. Definitely not a person he would like to come face to face with right now.
He turned to his crew mates. The only logical solution right now was to formulate a plan. Maybe a distraction? "Hey, Cap'n. We've got a problem over here..." He explained how Captain Norton was a Pokemon they didn't need to encounter right now and how he was going to have no mercy if they were caught.
"I think Dexter or Cap'n should distract him or create a distraction to make sure we don't get caught and this place doesn't get turned into a war zone." Glaedr suggested. He wanted to get out with as little violence as possible.
Armand agreed. Besides, it wasn't like they were in any position to fight their way out. Even for the Shattered Skulls, taking on a base of Navy soldiers with three pirates wasn't the best odds. Armand spoke up.
"I'll distract the Captain. You two get through to the safe and the jewel. I'll catch up with you afterwards. Giving a wink to the two of them, Armand walked off to the direction of the Captain. It was a rather old Bisharp, but his eyes were sharp and fierce. Even though he was seasoned, he could tell he had lots of experience. Armand walked up to him and saluted. The Bisharp, confused by Armand's presence, saluted back.
"Lieutenant Guanno, I presume? Henderson told me about your unannounced visit. This is high irregular, I have to say..."
"Ah, yes!" Armand began. He decided to think quickly of an excuse that would fool the old officer. "Well, you see...ever since the Forsaken Pirate has been stealing essences, Command has been extra tight with security...sir."
The Bisharp gave Armand a long look. Armand thought for sure he was about to get caught. He thought about taking out his club right now and bashing it over the head of the old Pokemon, but decided against it when the Bisharp nodded in approval.
"About time they started taking his actions seriously. Now if you excuse me, I need to go check on the vault..."
"Err, that won't be necessary, sir!" Armand said, patting the Captain on the shoulder and forcing him to walk a different way. "My subordinates are taking care of security measures as we speak."
Another cold glance from the Captain, but it was met with a shrug of the shoulders afterwards. "Hmm...very well." He began. "I suppose I'll go have a nice nap. Thank you, Lieutenant."
"Anytime, sir." Armand said, grinning as he rubbed his hands together, watching the old Bisharp depart. Armand looked back at the direction of the vault, and headed the other way, back to the front of the base. He hoped the Glaedr and Dexter would get the jewel and meet him in the front. Armand began whistling slightly as he walked slowly towards the front of the base.
Meanwhile, as Armand was chattering away with the captain, Dexter and Glaedr hurried past the two, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible (And failing quiet badly), but they made it to the vault no less.
As they reached the vault's door, a Scyther was standing guard, crossing it's scythes as they neared. "Halt! State your business." he exlaimed.
Dexter gave Glaedr a look as if to say "I'll handle it." and stepped forwards, smiling smugly. "We're here on behalf of Shi Guanno on an unannounced inspection. We gotta get into t'vault and have a look 'round." Dexter jabbed a thumb back towards where Armand was standing.
The Scyther's eyes widened a little before nodding faintly. "Oh! Right, well, of course. Give me a moment..." he fiddled with the door, but eventually managed to pull it open, allowing Dexter and Glaedr to enter.
There were various treasures piled up here and there, and thankfully, the Scythe didn't see it fit to enter with the two. Dexter motion for Glaedr to come along and hurried over to the far side of the room, glancing around. "C'mon! It's gotta be here somewhere, we gotta be quick 'bout this..."
After a few moments of searching (And Dexter stuffing a couple of coins and a gemstone or two inside of his shell), Glaedr pointed out the rather large gem sitting on a piedestal, shining it's brilliant light onto the walls.
"... Beautiful. A'ight, uh... carry it under your cape or somethin'. Let's hurry and get t'hell out of here." He waited for Glaedr to hide the gem, as he quickly, but carefully, placed it in a small cloth and put it in his pocket before they both waltzed towards the vault door again, exiting.
Dexter nodded to the Scyther as he exited after Glaedr, trying to keep his cool. Armand had left, probably to go and be ready to head onto the ship, but he couldn't have gone far.
As they were leaving, a ruby dropped out from the underside of Dexter's shell, the Scyther blinking faintly. "Oh, uh, sir! You dropped something!" he said, reaching out towards Dexter, trying to tap him on his back.
Unfortunately, Dexter jumped a little as he did, causing the Scyther's scythe to slice down along his jacket, causing it to rip and fall apart, revealing the rather large mark of the Shattered Skull pirates painted onto his shell.
Set the Mood!
They all three stood, as if frozen to the spot, staring at each other, until Dexter gave Glaedr a shove with his elbow and yelling out "**** it, run!", the Scythe immediately calling out for backup. "Pirates! There's pirates in the base!"
From everywhere, they started hearing commotion, shouting and the flurry of feet hitting the floors, as Pokémon closed in on them, Dexter and Glaedr rushing down the hallway, finally spotting their captain. Dexter than called out "Cover's blown, let's get t'hell out of here!"
Armand didn't have to be told twice. With a grin, he removed his Navy outfit revealing his pirate band. Pokemon began closing in on the three of them. It was time to move. Armand made a break for the exit, but the Throh Henderson was blocking their exit, standing strong. Armand never stopped grinning as he apparently charged the Throh head on. The Throh stood his ground, confident that he could overpower the Marowak physically. But Armand had other plans. Taking out his bone club, he tossed the club right into the face of the Throh in a quick motion. Nailing him right in the eye, the Throh cried out and covered his eye and face. Armand used the Throh's arm as leverage and jumped right over him, heading for the exit. Behind him, attacks of the Naval Pokemon launched out, narrowly missing him a few times over the head. Glaedr quickly knocked out a few enemies without much problems as well, as he followed his captain.
"Haha!" Armand cried out as he exited the base, but the Naval Pokemon continued pursuit. They'd have to make a quick exit. Outside their ship,
The Immortality, stood, the flag replaced with a 'borrowed' Navy flag they stole on an earlier voyage. With a smile, Captain Armand shouted out the orders to the others. Because the Shattered Skull pirates were only made up of the three of them, everyone had to do their part. "Glaedr, raise anchor! Dexter, ready the sails!"
As he assumed the others went about their duties, Armand swiftly climbed up to the top of the mast through the ropes and ripped off the Navy flag, replacing it with the familiar Pirate flag of the Shattered Skull pirates. Attacks of the Navy Pokemon continued, and a few began readying their own ships to sail.
"Time to get out of here, lads! Get it done!" He called down to Dexter and Glaedr, making his way down to the wheel.
"Aye aye cap'n!" Dexter called out, narrowly avoiding falling into the sea after having slid on his shell underneath the Throh's legs, Glaedr using it's weakened state to simply shove it aside, being as massive as he was.
Dexter quickly dashed over to the railing of the ship and climbed up the rigging, expertly swinging on the mast and the ropes, grasping onto a particular rope which he swiftly undid the knot of, and lept down, pulling the rope with his weight as he did, narrowly avoiding an ice beam shooting overheads, as the sail fell down and he landed on the deck of the ship.
Casting a glance over at the exit of the base, several Pokémon were firing beams, rocks, leaves and every other kind of attack at them to try and stop them. "Hah! G'luck with that! The Immortality ain't gonna be sunk by t'likes 'f you!" he called out with a confident grin as he ran over to the rail and tied off the rope, the wind quickly catching onto the sail as Dexter glanced over towards Glaedr to see if he needed any help with the anchor, though he probably didn't. He was -really- strong, in comparison to both Armand and Dexter.
Glaedr didn't have any problems at all, he raised the anchor without needing any sort of help from his companions. He had to dodge a few stray attacks from the officers though, but they were not strong enough to even shake him. In fact, they were more irritating than damaging, and Glaedr just felt annoyed as he worked on deck. He helped the ship to finally set sail, and they were off, with the jewel safe with them as well. A grin spread over his face, but Glaedr knew this battle wasn't over yet. He spotted the ships of the naval officers set sail as well, hot in pursuit of the pirates.
It was quite a small ship, but them being only the three of them to maintain it, it seemed fine that it was. The fact that it was smaller, only meant that it was faster as well! The ship was maneuvered by an expert sailor as well, so there was no way they wouldn't be able to escape this place safely.
"Keep a lookout, Dexter!" Gleadr yelled, then jabbed a finger towards one of the ships. "I'll take care of those..." He muttered, as he spread his majestic wings and kicked off the deck of the ship, soaring through the air towards one of the three ships that was following them. He landed on it, and immediately picked up a Scyther from it, before Sky Dropping him from above which formed a huge hole in the ship. he continued his attack on the ship, as he threw more and more officers off the ship and effectively managed to subdue one of their followers. One down, two to go.
The other two ships were slowly beginning to fall behind the smaller, faster
Immortality. In a head on fight, the odds wouldn't be in their favor, but one of the specialties of Pirates is running away, and the Shattered Skulls were becoming exceedingly efficient at it. Armand was now at the wheel, maneuvering from all manner of attacks as he rotated the ship left and right while still maintaining and strengthening the distance between them. In a last effort to bring down the Pirate Ship, both Naval ships fired attacks from their Water Pulse cannons, which were fueled by the Pokemon on the ship. Armand momentarily released the wheel and jumped to the ledge of the ship in the direction the attacks came from, and prepared. Gathering up energy, Armand tapped into the power of his Thunder Bolt fruit and launched out a powerful Devil fruit-fueled Thunder Bolt at the incoming attacks. The attacks instantly fused with the Thunder Bolt and evaporated from the heat of the heightened ability. Grinning, Armand bowed towards the two ships, and then waved at them as they became smaller and smaller. Risky as this was, the Shattered Skull Pirates came away with the jewel as well as one more insane story under their belts.
"Well done, lads!" Armand said, approaching the two of them. "Now, let's see it!" he said, excited as Glaedr took the gem out and showed it to the Captain. Armand's eyes sparkled as he held the gem in his hands. "Hahaha! This is deserving of a toast!" He said, scrambling over to the side of the ship and grabbing three mug, pouring it for the other two. Handing them the liquid, he held his high in victory.
"A toast to the Shattered Skull Pirates. Another day, another adventure!" The three toasted their mugs together, and drank. As Armand finished his drink, he wiped away his face, and looked at the jewel once more, before looking around on his ship. There, he spotted a Pelipper mail sitting on the deck.
"What's this?" Armand said, walking over to the mail. He picked it up, curiously observing who could have sent it to them, and more importantly what was it's purpose. Rarely do pirates get letters like this, especially since they were...well, pirates. Armand opened it up, and read it to them.
Dear Captain,
Being a loyal servant of the Pirate Council, I, together with my Council Heads, summon you to the Headquarters in full faith of your arrival. There are some things that require our attention, and we need your help. Come to the headquarters soon as possible. Also, send word to your respective Council Captain, via Pelipper Mail of course, when you reach the island. I am expecting you.
Signed,
Heil of the Axe, Pirate Council President.
Looking up at the two of them, Armand gave them a wide grin.
"What did I tell you? Plot a course to the Pirate Council Island, lads! Adventure awaits!"
