Chapter Text
Everyone arrived at Edo's Workshop and immediately began to patch up their wounds after the intense battle.
Jun released the cardbots from his Metal Bracelet and decided to discuss the situation that had happened during the battle with Theo and Anna.
– Tell me, did anyone understand what THAT was back then...? – Jun asked.
– Honestly, I don't know either. It was so sudden! Something like a rope or something like that wrapped around his body! – Theo replied.
– It was truly a bit of a scary sight... I can still feel the chills – Anna replied timidly.
---
During this conversation, Mega Ambler was healing the wounds of the other cardbots. Of the cardbots that fought, Fleta Z suffered the most, having had some of its energy drained during the battle. But the one who clearly suffered the most was the one who ended the fight – Black Hook.
A deep wound from Fleta Z's harpoon arrow was visible on his shoulder, but it could be patched. Further on, there were signs of gunfire. But the most interesting were the small scars left by the very same machinazium ropes that had emerged from the ground and tried to pull the Captain underground.
Apparently, while the Pirate struggled to get out, the ropes had frayed against his hull, leaving noticeable scars and cuts. The hull suffered the most; the paint was almost completely worn away by the ropes and the battle itself.
Mega Ambler's first act was to immediately examine his friends for wounds and heal those who were injured. Then he moved on to treating the wounded captain.
–––
After the medical examination, Blue Cop joined the discussion of the case along with Buster Gallon and Buffalo Crush. The two, especially Buffalo Crush, were worried about what had happened.
– To be honest, I think it seemed like he had contact with SOMEONE while the ropes were binding the Captain's body. – said Buster Gallon.
– Honestly, I think so too. Some people probably noticed Black Hook's reaction to this 'attack.' I think there's a good chance he might even know what it really was, and even who did it – Theo confirmed.
– Oh my God, so much has happened today... – Jun said sadly.
– Don't worry, Jun! You and the Cardbots managed to seal Black Hook. He's your ally now! – Anna encouraged him enthusiastically.
– Ehehe, thank you so much, Anna! But I think cooperation is still a long way off. We need to patch him up, and then talk as equals and discuss everything. He might not accept this loss right away... – Jun replied a little nervously.
– I don't think our Captain will abandon you, Jun! You may not know him well, but I know him very well! He'll definitely be happy to cooperate with you; you beat him fair and square!– Buffalo Crash happily countered Jun's words.
– Do you really think so...? – Jun asked him with a hint of hope in his voice, – After all, after everything that happened...
– Yes! I'm sure!– Buffalo Crash interrupted.
– Our captain may enjoy searching for treasures, but he also loves battles. Fair battles. And he respects those who managed to defeat him. Few have ever managed to defeat him the first time. I think you understand why – Buster Gallon replied.
– That's true. Many Star Guardians have had bad luck encountering him. And practically no one managed to defeat him back when our planet was still alive. Even our commander had a hard time with him, since even he himself never defeated him or took revenge for his defeat. – Blue Cop said.
– So that's how it is... Indeed... He is a truly formidable opponent – June muttered.
– He was. But now he will be a good ally and will clearly be able to help us find our old acquaintance.– Mega Ambler interjected.
– Mega Ambler! How did the healing go for our friends? – Anna asked.
– I've already finished healing everyone who participated in the battle. Black Hook, too. His healing was harder than the others, since he took the worst of it.
–Oh... I guess I should apologize to him later – Jun muttered.
He never wanted the other Cardbots to get hurt, but Hook took a lot of damage in that battle... not only from them, but also from those strange ropes.
– By the way, is he there now? I don't see him in the workshop. – Theo asked.
– Well... Looks like he left while I was talking to you. I even insisted on him lying on the platform for now! – Mega Ambler cursed.
––Meanwhile, on the street behind the garage––
"Damn it... So I lost..." Black Hook thought to himself.
Black Hook was on the street side of the garage. After receiving medical attention, he decided to go outside to clear his head and process all the events that had transpired in an instant. He sat on the ground, looking up at the slightly overcast sky.
"Hmm, something might happen, and most likely something not very good..."
His thoughts were interrupted by someone's presence nearby.
It was that kid—Purple Cardbot—the invisible one. The same Cardbot with whom Black Hook had fought when he was trying to reclaim the Star Crown and obtain the Deus Machina treasure. It was he who had detained him at that moment.
"I think this kid's name was Shadow X... I think so."
Shadow X didn't manage to hide for long with his invisibility. The pirate had already suspected his presence, especially after their first fight.
– So what? Resting, huh? Heeey!!! – Shadow X said playfully.
– Hmph! Perhaps! But I'm not so weakened that I need rest!– the pirate replied.
– So that's why you decided to quickly get up from the platform and leave. Hehe.
– Hhhm...
– Listen! You know what happened back then, right? Back at the station?– Shadow X asked him.
Black Hook was stunned for a second. He, of course, knew the reason for these ropes and who could have done it, but for some reason he couldn't, or even... didn't want to talk about it.
– Yes, perhaps I know. But I'm not going to talk about it!– Black Hook answered him flatly.
– What a shame! I just found a topic to start a conversation with you, and you!– the boy pouted, turning around and crossing his arms over his chest.
This surprised Black Hook a little. What did this boy want to do? Talk to him? After he hit him with the anchor??
Black Hook was still confused.
– You... You wanted to talk to me?? – the captain said quietly, already turning his head toward the purple cardbot.
Once again, with enthusiasm, Shadow X turned to the pirate, but now walked a little closer. Previously, he had been standing about 5 steps away.
– Of course! I've heard a lot about you! Especially after our first fight! I was so happy to face you in battle! It was fun! Yeah, sure, the anchor hit hurt, but it's a small price to pay for a fight! Hehe! – Shadow replied joyfully.
Black Wook's golden optics widened at what he heard. This kid was happy?? About his first fight in the junkyard? And he doesn't even regret being knocked off by the anchor...?
– Ah... So that's it...– the pirate said, a little hesitantly. – I... Uhhh... Anyway... Your name is Shadow X, right?
– Wow, so you even remember my name!
– Well, I'd like to apologize for that punch. I hope you didn't get hurt that badly, because I hit you pretty hard. I was just a little annoyed that you were hiding in your invisibility mode! That wasn't fair!– the pirate blurted out. – I'm just... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry about that punch.”
Shadow X was speechless. He clearly wasn't expecting an apology from this captain.
– So, please don't be angry. I didn't do this on purpose, to be honest.
–I see... So you really do regret it. – muttered the purple cardbot.
–– Shadow X recalled his old conversation with Buffalo Crash.––
– That pirate wasn't even happy! How can he call himself a pirate?!– Shadow X blurted out.
– Don't talk about the captain like that! He has his own principles and rules!– Buffalo Crash replied.
They had been arguing about this for a long time. Shadow X was telling how he fought a pirate for the first time. He thought Black Hook didn't look like a pirate at all.
– What kind of righteousness are we talking about during a fight?! People here say, "All's fair in war" , so of course you can use anything to win!– Shadow X shouted.
–How can you say that!
– Well, well, well!Guys, calm down!– Mega Trucker interrupted them, – We can't fight here, calm down!
– Mega Trucker is right, let's calm down. You're making a fuss over such a trivial matter. Let's think better of finding and sealing him. He's alone now, and I think we have a chance, and we shouldn't waste it!– Dexter said.
– I agree, – Fleta Z agreed. – There is no need to argue now."
Shadow X simply growled, offended, but decided not to continue the argument.
"Hmph! Honesty. What kind of honesty are we even talking about! Stupid, stupid, stupid!" – the cardbot thought to himself.
–– back to the present––
– .. Do you really regret that? About just hitting me back then?– Shadow X asked him hesitantly.
– Huh??.. Um... Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry. I'm not as vile as you might think, so I can apologize and admit my guilt, too – the captain replied.
-
««"To be honest, I think our captain has a soft spot for younger Cardbots. People call them kids, I think. He seems to try to be considerate around them, and the same with us. So maybe that will help us at some point," Buster Gallon suggested.»»
-
Shadow X remembered those words. He didn't think it would be true; he thought it was just a stupid joke.
–..Then tell me.Were you happy about that fight, and is it true you've regretted it all this time?– the smaller Cardbot asked, clenching his fists.
The pirate had already raised his gaze to look at the boy's face.
– Yes, – answered Black Hook –Yes, I was happy about that fight. At least someone was able to show me that it's worth it, and even necessary, to use anything to win. – the captain said with a smile on his face. Not mockingly. The smile was soft and honest. He wasn't lying. – And,of course it was unfair, and I didn't expect it, but still.. And yes... I'm truly sorry about that moment.
– Eheh... I see.
Shadow X decided to move closer to the larger Cardboard and stood in front of him.
– Hehe! Then I forgive you! Besides, I wasn't mad at you at all! That was my first fight against a giant cardbot where I actually fought, not just got knocked off! – Shadow X said enthusiastically.
- Heh
- And by the way! I'd be happy if you joined us. We're like... like a second big family to Jun! And I'd really love to see you join us! What do you think?
- Like... a big family? Hmmm... Well... I can't refuse, can I? So I'd be happy to. – Black Hook replied calmly, extending his hand for a handshake.
Instead of a handshake, the pirate received a strong hug from the purple cardbot.
"Strong, this little guy is clearly very happy."
The captain couldn't help but smile and returned the hug, while they were watched by other cardbots and humans at the entrance to the garage.
– Now there are more of us! – Jun said happily.