Follow The Current

Chapter 18

"Not again," Lance groaned as they approached the reverse current. Lux laughed, "Come on Lance, it'll be even better than last time." "I'm sure it will be," he sighed. Muris pulled him to him, "Just like last time, I got you." Lance smiled at him, "I don't doubt that for a second." Kin and Tanya stood at the railing, excitedly. Brian wanted to say something, worried about his sister falling off the ship, but he didn't get the chance before they were sucked into the current, being sent air born. As they made their decent, Brian made air blast into the sails, like last time. Almost everyone was sprawled about. Brian noticed that Kin had moved his arm to be around Tanya's waist to keep her from flying off the ship. He quickly released her though once they were in the water.

Lux chuckled at his crew, "You'll eventually get used to it." They all groaned as they righted themselves. "Welcome back to the Forbidden Lands. Let's have some fun before we get to the Festival."

It took them a few days to get to a civilized island and the ladies took Tanya to go shopping for her Festival outfit while the guys went to look for their bounty posters. Lux chuckled when he saw Trish's. They didn't know her name, so they called her Storm Bringer. Her photo was on her sitting on the railing of the ship that time she was zapping the canon balls while Scarlet went to take out their ship. She had a bounty of fourteen million. Igiel looked over the board, seeing if any of his old crew members were still alive. He was happy to see that a few were, but they were now in different crews like he was.

Lux gathered the posters for their entrance to the Festival and tucked them into his pocket. They then went to a bar, Kin stuck with a glass of water. "What contests are we going to do this time around," Dio asked curiously. "I was thinking of taking part in the hand to hand combat tournament," Muris said and Lance nodded. "I was thinking of doing the poisons contest again," Lance shared. Lux chuckled, "You'll eventually end up get banned from that contest." They all chuckled softly. "Maybe this year, we'll be able to take part in crew race," Pince said with a smile. "Why couldn't you last year," Igiel asked curiously. "Because Scarlet was nearly killed during her sword duel. The bastard tried to finish the deal after she had won, but Lux put a stop to him in a heart beat," Brian replied. "Everyone learned then, you don't come after a Shadow Pirate."

"I heard about that," Kin said with a nod. "I wasn't allowed off the ship, last year, but I heard it was brutal." "That Captain goes to the festival," Lance spat with hatred. Kin nodded, "It's how he knows which crews have what abilities so he knows who to pick in his Davy Back Fights." "If he approaches you, tell us," Lance told him. Kin had to admit, if he saw Captain Leary, he doesn't know what he'll do. Part of him wanted to give him the beating of a life time. Kin simply nodded.

They continued talking about the contests until the women found them. They joined them at the table and Lux showed Trish her wanted poster. "Storm Bringer," Trish read out loud. She then smiled, "I like it." "I think it's fitting," Sunny said with a smile. They all agreed then went back to talking about the contests until it was late. They went to the ship excitement for the upcoming Festival coursing through them.

When they got to the island, it seemed to be much livelier than it was last time. The music louder and merrier, the outfits flashier. The guys stood on the deck, waiting for the women. Kin wore black pants, a short sleeved button up, and black combat boots. He wore a black leather bracelet and a black long necklace that had a silver skull hanging from it. Igiel wore a black simple black long sleeve, black pants, and black leather boots. His Shadow Pirate mark tattooed proudly on the side of his neck. The others wore outfits much similar to what they wore last time. They were talking and laughing when they caught sight of the women as they emerged. They were stunned.

Tanya wore a simple black, off the shoulder dress that had a black corset around her waist, black heels, a black choker around her neck, and her hair was up. Laya wore a long black belly dancer's skirt with her left leg completely exposed, showing off the Shadow Pirate tattoo that was on her upper thigh. She wore strappy heels, and her top was halter style, showing off her stomach. Sunny wore a black tutu like skirt, with a black thigh highs, black ankle boots, a tuxedo like coat, that was buttoned just under her breasts, and designed so it parted to show her stomach. She wore a cropped black tank top beneath it, and a black top hat with a skull pendent on her hat. Trish wore a pair of black leather pants, knee high leather boots, a leather cropped top, and a black lace kimono, with a black bandana on her head. Scarlet wore a long black skirt, her top being a simple black breast band that had a silver chain connecting it around her neck and a chain was connected beneath the breast band trailing down her stomach to go around her waist, black heels, her swords at her hip, and her hat was on her head.

"It seems we stunned them stupid," Sunny said with a giggle. "I thought most of them were already stupid," Trish commented and the others laughed. Lux then smiled, "Let's get going shall we?" He took Scarlet's hand and they left the ship. They turned in their bounties and were granted entrance. "Let's go sign up for the contests," Scarlet said eagerly.

They went over to the board and Tanya didn't know what to choose while Kin scanned over it curiously. He saw one he had a shot at winning, but he waited till his crew wasn't paying attention before he signed up for it. After they all went to get something to eat. Scarlet smiled when she saw her brothers and their crews had filled up an entire restaurant. "I see the Shadow Pirates have gotten even more ballsy with their crew member choices," Cliff said as he eyed Tanya and Kin. "They're special cases," Scarlet said as she hugged her brothers. Everyone sat down and began to catch up, while making introductions to the newest members in the Shadow Pirate crew.

"Any news regarding the Marines you guys have discovered," Tiger asked them. Lance told them about the rumors they heard and the ship they found. The Bri brothers cursed softly. "So far we haven't seen them sending them out but who knows what they've got planned," Lux said. "So for now, we're enjoying ourselves and training."

"It's best that way. No need to go gray worrying when we have no idea when it'll happen," Romeo said with a nod. "That's how you become paranoid." After that they began to talk about other things until Black Smoke arrived with his crew. "Now it's a party," Slicer said as he looked over the kids. Now they were fully grown, exploring the world just like their father once had.

This Festival was going to be rather interesting. Let's just hope no party crashers make an appearance.