The Black Sail Of The Storm Hawks (Pirate AU)

Chapter Thirty Eight - Terra Deep

As both the Cyclonian Armada and the Raptors began their renewed hunt for the Storm Hawks, the Storm Hawks resumed their search for Captain Arygyn's treasure. In the Captain's Cabin on board the Condor, Aerrow was looking over Arygyn's journal. As he looks over the journal, Piper and the rest of the Storm Hawks enter the cabin.

Piper: Anything from the journal, Captain Edwards?

Aerrow: From this entry, Captain Arygyn spoke of something called Terra Deep.

Finn: I know of Terra Deep. It's an old Smuggler's Den. Years ago, it was the Atmosia before Atmosia.

Junko: What happened?

Finn: The same thing that always happens. Some opportunistic band of scoundrels decide that they don't want to share in on the fortune and glory, so they killed up anyone who they didn't like and took over.

Aerrow: Then I guess Terra Deep is our next course.

Finn: It won't be easy, Captain. Those band of scoundrels I mentioned earlier? They're still out and about around Terra Deep. These aren't just any band of pirates you're dealing with. They are the Murk Raiders: the worst kind of scoundrels to ever sail the Seven Seas.

As Finn mentioned the name of the Murk Raiders, the entire cabin fell silent. They all knew of the reputation the Murk Raiders had as some of the most vicious Pirates to ever sail the Seas.

Piper: The Murk Raiders are not to be trifled with, Captain Edwards. Any ship who dares to cross paths with the Murk Raiders end up at the bottom of the ocean.

Aerrow: Nothing worth doing is ever easy, Miss Escuella. The late Captain Harrier spoke of Terra Deep once. When he thought of creating a haven for Pirates, Terra Deep was his first option. He attempted to bargain with the Murk Raiders. When the Murk Raiders refused, the Murk Raiders attacked. Harrier was forced to leave. It wasn't long before he discovered Atmosia.

At that point, it became clear that Terra Deep was their next destination. While the Murk Raiders would make this part of the journey difficult, they had no choice. With a smirk on his face, Aerrow addresses his fellow Storm Hawks.

Aerrow: In an honest service there is thin commons, low wages, and hard labour. In this, plenty and satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the hazard that is run for it, at worst is only a sour look or two at choking? No, a merry life and a short one shall be my motto.

With that, Aerrow made it clear that despite the threat of the Murk Raiders as well as well as the larger threat of the Cyclonian Armada, Aerrow would not let this dim his spirit. With their next destination now known, the Condor begins sailing for Terra Deep. After a day's journey, the Condor closes in on Terra Deep. It was at this moment that a dense fog began to set in.

Stork: Captain, this heavy fog is obscuring my vision!

Aerrow: Lower the sails, Mr. Stork. We'll have to traverse through this fog slow and steady.

Piper: The Murk Raiders might be waiting for us. They'll no doubt be accustomed to this fog.

Aerrow: Which is why the crew will be on high alert. If the Murk Raiders are lurking these waters, then we'll be ready.

With that, Stork slowly sailed the Condor through the dense fog surrounding Terra Deep. As the Condor sailed through the fog, the crew could see treacherous rock formations as well as the wreckages of various ships. 

Starling: Death surrounds these waters. 

Junko: This fog brings bad luck. 

Dove: I've...I've never seen such fog....

Aerrow: Quiet. We mustn't make a sound. If we disturb as much as a flea, then the Murk Raiders will pounce on us like rabid dogs.

After much tense sailing, the Condor soon reached the shores of Terra Deep. To avoid detection, Aerrow alone exited the Condor. He jumped into the water and swam to shore. When Aerrow reached the shore, Aerrow came across a shipwreck near the shores. Aerrow looks into Arygyn's journal to find that this ship was once a ship in Captain Arygyn's fleet. Aerrow entered the shipwreck and searched it. Inside, the wood of the ship had rotted. Aerrow took care to tread lightly. When he reached the captain's cabin, he found skeletal remains clutching a key. Aerrow takes the key from the remains. 

Aerrow: Sorry, mate. I need it more than you. 

Aerrow then looks around to find an old safe. He then walks over to the safe and uses his key to unlock it. Inside the safe was another strange piece of metal.

Aerrow: Too easy. 

Taking the piece of metal, Aerrow was about to leave the shipwreck when he hears cannon fire. Not wasting time, Aerrow exits the shipwreck and swims back to the Condor. He then climbs into the Condor just as it begins sailing away.

Piper: Did you find what you were looking for, Captain?!

Aerrow: Aye! I see we've attracted some attention! 

Stork: They came out of nowhere, Captain! 

Finn: It's the Murk Raiders, alright! It looks like Captain Scabulous has come to greet us!

Aerrow: Then let us show Captain Scabulous that the Storm Hawks will not go down as easily as his previous victims! STORM HAWKS! MAN YOUR STATIONS!

With that, the crew of the Condor prepared for battle. On the waters of Terra Deep, the Storm Hawks would battle against the bloodthirsty Murk Raiders.