The Tragedy of a Pinball Wizard

Volleyball Surprise

As the group began to reach the shore and pull themselves from the water, they all felt a bit worse for wear. They were all wet, beaten, and bruised.

"That certainly could have worked out better, Oliver." Mr. Otis grumbled as he walked on to the beach.

"You could say that again. We lost the ship and we still don't have the pinball table!" Oliver lamented.

"What are we to do now, Master Oliver?" Geeves wheezed. He was the worst off of the group. On top of the exhaustion caused by the long swim back to land, his body was still reeling from the officer's assault. He clutched his back in pain.

"I don't know about you guys, but I am famished." Oliver said thoughtfully.

"I could definitely eat." Wally concurred.

"Chef, you think you could take care of that little problem?" Oliver asked.

Chef responded as he rung out the water from his hat. "I'm trying to turn over a new leaf here, Oliver. I can't be falling back in to old habits so quickly."

"Fair enough. I suppose we have no choice but to find food. I guess let's start heading our way back into town." Oliver shrugged.

With that, the group set off in the direction they believed town to be. As they worked their way up the beach, they stumbled across two people with all too familiar faces. They took notice of our group of heroes as well and called out to them.

"Hey! You bastards!" This froze Oliver and his crew in their tracks.

"You guys are still alive?" Oliver inquired.

"Yeah, we are! Lucky for us, we fell into the exact same lake that you did and were able to survive the fall!" The man speaking was one of the pirates that they had thrown from the ship's deck during their initial boarding. The other pirate appeared to have made it out unscathed as well.

He spoke. "We have a bone to pick with you!"

"That's fair. If I was thrown off a flying pirate ship, I would probably be pretty upset about it too. What do you want from us?" Mr. Otis was hopeful that they could avoid another fight. He wasn't sure his friends could take much more in the shape they found themselves in.

"We want revenge!" The first pirate announced.

Oliver did not hold the same sentiment as Mr. Otis. He was still ready for a fight. He drew his mighty battle axe and waved it in the direction of the two pirates. "You want to go another round with us? Let's do it. We're not afraid of you!"

"Absolutely not!" the second pirate swiftly corrected. "You literally tried to murder us the last time we fought you guys! What on Earth makes you think we'd be stupid enough to try that a second time?"

Oliver had a disappointed look on his face as he put his axe away. "In that case, what do you want from us?"

"We want to destroy you in the one thing that pirates do better than anyone!" the second pirate chimed in.

Wally took a moment to think before asking, "You want to challenge us to a pillaging contest?"

Wendy spoke up before either of the pirates had a chance to respond. "No, worse. They want to challenge us to a game of volleyball."

Mr. Otis turned his attention toward Wendy. "Volleyball?"

"Yes, volleyball!" the first pirate placed his fists on his hips and announced triumphantly.

Oliver felt no fear at the challenge he was presented. "We can do that." He said matter-of-factly.

Wendy attempted to bring Oliver back in to reality. "I don't think you understand, Oliver. Pirates are next level volleyball players. I think it would be best if you left this Chef and I."