Laputa Returns

Chapter 4

(A/N: The next chapter has arrived. I was told to be a little more descriptive with my surroundings, so I tried to do so.)

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 4: Smuggler's Paradise

Avalon turned to Pazu and Sheeta, giving them a smile. "Ready to go?" They nodded, still looking a little nervous from the battle. "Alright then. Stay close, this place can get a little rough."

Janus, Boris, and Don stayed behind with the ship as Avalon and Ray led Pazu and Sheeta through the place known as Smuggler's Paradise. They immediately decided that the place wasn't named properly. This place was anything but a paradise. It was foul, smelly, and had the worst type of people imaginable running lose in the streets, some of them openly stealing and fighting. In fact, during the few short moments that they looked around, they saw three people get pick-pocketed. This was definitely not a nice place to live.

"This is a paradise?" asked Sheeta. She immediately covered her mouth, looking terrified about what she just said. "Oh, Avalon! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to insult your way of life!"

Avalon laughed. "My way of life? This place? Sheeta, just take a look around. No one lives here. This is a place where thieves, pirates, smugglers, and other kinds of crooks come to restock, get supplies, and rest up. Everyone here is a thief, keep that in mind. There is no law here. It's every man for themselves. The police would really love to get their hands on this place. But luckily, only people like us know about it."

Pazu put his arm around Sheeta protectively. "So Dola and the boys are here?" he asked.

Avalon shrugged. "Maybe. They could be pulling another job, but they'll always come back here. I guess we'll have to just ask around and see if anyone knows where they are. If they're not here, maybe we can find out where they've gone."

"Are you sure there isn't an easier way?" asked Pazu. "This sounds like looking for a needle in a hey stack."

Avalon smirked. "Perhaps, but if they are here, I know one place that Dola will definitely be."

"Where's that?" the teens asked.

Ray laughed. "Of course. Treasure Cove."

That sounded reasonable, considering the type of person Dola was. "What's Treasure Cove?" asked Sheeta.

"A bar." Avalon replied. "It's the only place that sells Dola's favorite drink. It's a special kind of rum."

"What is it with pirates and rum?" Pazu wondered out loud.

Avalon snickered. "Just follow me. I'll buy you two a drink."

"But we're not old enough to drink." Said Sheeta.

Ray chuckled. "We just told you that we live outside the law here."

"I think we'll pass anyway." Said Pazu.

Avalon shrugged. "Suit yourself. Just stay close and make sure you have everything. Oh, and try to look like you belong. If they figure out you're not one of us they'll target you."

"We didn't bring anything valuable anyway." Said Pazu, though he still looked uneasy.

"Doesn't mean you still won't get mugged. Just stay close, it's not far now."

She led them through Smuggler's Paradise. Occasionally some people would give them curious looks, but a glare from Avalon quickly made them look away. A few people even greeted Avalon, and she would respond simply by nodding her head.

"You're pretty popular around here, Avalon." Sheeta observed.

Ray laughed. "No, not popular. People just recognize her because of her appearance. How many people do you know that look like her?"