Terminus Part II: The Sea Itself (Draft)

Chapter 78: The Fool's Twelve Captains

 James was taken aback by Gate's statement. Surely there couldn't be that many pirates, he thought. Oh, but there were. The captains here in Farewell Island at the dawn of the new century were all seeking a common goal: an adventure in the Terminus. How exactly all of them came to be waiting at the same time to enter, is a matter known only to each individual crew. As noon approached, each of the captains would meet with one or more of the others.

Outside of a gift shop, Redbeard was having his shoes shined by the boy who had asked him for money.

"That's it boy, back and forth, there is a harmony to all things, and if you do a good job, then that's honest work."

"Leave that kid alone, Redbeard," said a voice. Redbeard turned and saw that a young girl was sitting on a box.

"Oh, it's you. What, would you have him turn to piracy to feed his family? Not all kids are like you, Ponytail. Say, am I talking to the real you or not?"

"That's a poor choice of words, Redbeard. I'm a clone, but I'm every bit as real as the original."

"When I heard that a little girl had become a pirate," started a third voice, and both turned to see a woman come out from the shadows. "I found the idea both novel and insulting."

Three captains had met at that moment.

Redbeard, real name Khair Rose, current bounty equaling six hundred and fifty million onits.

The youngest pirate ever, "Ponytail" Anna, current bounty of four hundred and seventy million.

The third captain was "Tectonic" Carmen Aura, current bounty of five hundred and twenty million.

In the cafe where Bluebeard was eating, Yellowbeard had taken a seat at his rival's table, grinning to hide his frustrations.

"Oh really? You think you have me all figured out, don't you?"

"It wasn't hard to look into your past and learn about the man they call Mr. Green. It should be interesting to meet him."

"Don't think he's someone that you could reason with."

Before they talked any further, someone entered the cafe.

As according to my revelations, I have waited for this New Year, thought the man as he walked in. His eyes made contact with the two colour-beards and he smiled.

Three more captains had met at that moment, both of which were happening simultaneously.

Bluebeard, real name Simon Mote, current bounty equaling five hundred million onits.

Yellowbeard, real name Trevor Green, same current bounty as his rival, much to his chagrin.

"Braggart" Zeus, a monk from Mount Olympus, current bounty of four hundred and fifty million.

At the docks, two neighbouring ships had captains who both recognised the flags of the other. The two pirates butted heads and would have started fighting were it not for something they had heard coming from the dock.

"Hey, I've read about you two," said a woman's voice. "You're the Candamiter twins, aren't you?"

"What's it to you, lady?" asked the one dressed in white.

"Don't be rude, Michael," said the one in black.

"Don't assume my intentions, Lucifer," the other replied.

"Well, as long as you're only bickering, I suppose I won't stop you," said the woman. "But honestly, why even fight? At the end of the day, the one standing atop this world, will be me."