Work Text:
He would never have thought that it was possible to be so thirsty while being surrounded by water on all sides.
However, his stubbornness did not allow him to regret his choice. Even if it resulted in him drifting at sea on a piece of wooden plank for many long days.
In fact... he slowly started to lose hope that he would somehow somehow reach land or something.
He slowly closed his eyes, trying to shield his vision from the painfully bright sun. Even though the sun was already slowly sinking towards the west, he felt as if its heat had not diminished at all.
He didn't even notice, or ignored, the approaching ship and the shouts.
”Ahem-ahem!” Green cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself.
Everyone who was already here and waiting for what he would say simply rolled their eyes. Although Orange just laughed a little, which he hid behind his hand.
”I, Captain of the Moonstone!” He exclaimed happily, standing in a rather theatrical pose with one hand on his chest and the other raised up. ”I've gathered you here for a reason.”
”Oh, come on, Green!” Yellow interrupted him, somewhat amused. ”We all know why you gathered us here.”
Orange leaned over his friend, elbowing him lightly in the side
”Let him have his moment.” Orange whispered to Yellow.
”Thank you, my friend.” Green said Orange.
Yellow simply rolled his eyes again, but there was a smile on his face that showed a little amusement.
Green then cleared his throat and continued.
”Like I said. I've gathered you here for a reason!” He then grabbed Orange by wrapping his arm around his shoulders and pulling him into a side hug. ”Today marks the third year since we met our dear friend Orange!”
Suddenly, joyful shouts rang out. Then he was grabbed by the arms and pulled up so that he was standing in front of his four friends.
”On this occasion, we have something for you!” Red shouted happily, and Blue, Yellow and Green nodded.
Orange looked at them surprised and a little unsure. He wasn't used to receiving gifts or other things. This always made him feel awkward. Especially since he often had nothing to give in return (although they claimed that he didn't have to give them anything in return).
”We wanted to give this to you a long time ago. However, we didn't have enough money. So it took longer than we thought.” Green spoke, taking out a small wooden box from his coat with patterns of sea waves engraved on it.
Green then held out his hand with a gift, waiting for Orange to take it.
Orange hollowhead stared at the beautiful box for a moment, glancing at his friends every now and then. As if he wanted to make sure it was really for him and they weren't joking. All he saw were expectant and excited looks on their faces as they waited for Orange to open their gift.
He slowly and carefully grabbed the gift to open the lid with equal care.
His eyes opened wide in shock and delight.
Inside the box was a beautiful gold necklace. An equally gorgeous pendant hung from a thin gold chain. The pendant was made of a beautiful orange gemstone surrounded by a gold round bezel.
When he looked at them again, he saw that each of them had the same necklace with their corresponding colors around their necks.
”You could say that these necklaces are a family affair or tradition.” Green shrugged. ”We decided to give this to you because we all agree that you are part our little family.”
He looked at the four in turn for a moment, as if trying to make sure again that they weren't trying to make fun of him. However, after a while, without hesitation, he put the necklace given to him around his neck.
Orange felt tears of emotion welling up in his eyes and he tried to wipe them away before they fell out.
”I- I...” He started, but he wasn't allowed to say anything because he was surrounded on all sides by a strong and warm hug.
It didn't take long for him to hug them back.
”You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.” He whispered to them.
He didn't know when he actually fell asleep on that piece of wood, but when he woke up, he knew he was... somewhere... else.
He also noticed that he was lying on something much more comfortable and that the waves were not as noticeable. And he didn't feel the water splashing on him.
He could still hear the sound of the waves, although it was definitely more muffled. The whole strangeness of the situation made him curious, but also uncertain.
So he decided to slowly open his eyes. He blinked a few times as he adjusted his eyes to the different lighting.
”I'm glad you're up. We were worried you wouldn't wake up.” Someone spoke next to him.
Suddenly his eyes opened wide and he stood up abruptly. However, he then staggered, losing his balance and fell, as it turns out, from the hammock onto the floor.
”Are you okay?!” Someone shouted worriedly.
He slowly rose to a sitting position and looked at the stick in front of him.
”Hi, I'm Green.” Green, it turns out, said, waving at him a little awkwardly. ”I didn't want to scare you.”
He frowned at Green, then looked around what was clearly the ship's cabin.
Oh, great (pick up on his sarcasm). He had just gotten off that ship and had already landed on another one.
”Me and others found you drifting in the middle of the sea.” Green said crouching in front of him. ”My brother Blue was checking to see if you were injured and so on. But he says you were mostly dehydrated.”
There was silence between them as he couldn't bring himself to say anything. Anyway, he didn't know what to say.
”May I know your name?” Green asked suddenly.
He froze for a moment.
What was he supposed to say?
'Oh, I'm Second Coming. The brother of one of the most horrible, terrifying and heartless pirates alive.' That was completely out of the question.
They would either throw him straight into the sea or take him to jail or somewhere in the nearest port. He didn't know how it looked like and didn't want to know.
”I- I...” He started but couldn't put together any coherent sentence.
After a moment, he clenched his fists, looking down at his feet.
”You... You don't remember?” Green asked slowly, obviously coming to his own conclusions from his silence and stutter.
He already opened his mouth to deny it. But he hesitated and closed his mouth again, thinking for a moment.
And then Second, like a coward, simply decided that this lie would be easier to maintain than telling the truth, so he nodded his head.
Green suddenly smiled slightly, trying to comfort him.
”Hey, don't worry.” He said. ”Eventually you'll remember something.”
Green smiled at him sincerely, which made Second feel bad for lying.
”It won't be until a few days before we arrive at the nearest port. So for now you are doomed to stay with us. Then we'll see what next.”
Green laughed as if trying to lighten the mood between them.
He smiled back, or rather tried to, because it turned out to be something between a grimace and a weak smile.
”Well, anyway, we need to have a name for you. Hm...” Green said and placed his hand on his chin in thought.
Suddenly he snapped his fingers as if he had a great idea.
”What with Orange?” He asked.
Second... liked this.
He smiled slightly and nodded.
”I think Orange will be good.” Orange smiled.
”Someone overboard!” Blue shouted.
Orange looked Blue's side, as did the others. Blue was pointing in a specific direction somewhere ahead of them. Orange needed a moment to notice anything, compared to Blue who had eagle eyes.
Green was standing on the quarter deck right next to the wheel. Next to him stood Yellow, who took the scope from him and after a while found himself next to Blue and Red on the forecastle deck.
”Wait. This is Purple!” Yellow shouted suddenly and looked at Green.
”Purple?! How can you tell?” Green shouted, his voice somewhere between joy and worry. ”Are you sure? How can you know that from so far away!”
”I'll recognize his terrible taste in coats or cloaks anywhere.”
Orange looked at them.
”Who is Purple?”
Red perked up a bit as he looked at him.
”This is our friend.” Red said. ”He used to swim with us. However, he decided to stay on land with his dad a few months before we found you adrift at sea.”
”Oh.” Orange nodded.
”We're close enough.” Blue said suddenly, leaning over the side. ”Someone has to go down to get him out!”
”I do it.” Orange said, giving the rope to Blue, the other end of the rope was tied around his waist. So that he could easily get back on board the ship while holding him.
After a while, he jumped into the water, ready to pull Purple out of it.
”Stop! Please Vic, stop!” He shouted, suddenly standing between his eldest brother and one of the (probably former now) crew members.
Vic stopped with his saber raised aloft, which a few seconds ago was ready to fall to possibly kill.
”What are you doing?” He almost hissed as he put his sword back in its holster. He was angry. Very angry.
”He didn't mean to do anything wrong!” Second shouted, trying to protect him from possible death.
”He's a thief! He tried to rob our ship!” Vic shouted, grabbing Second's arm and pulling him aside. ”He knew the rules before he joined us. He knows what punishment awaits for attempted theft. He should be grateful I didn't make him walk the plank.”
Vic looked at him for a long moment with his serious dark gray eyes, which held a sharp and warning gleam.
”You're lucky you're my little brother. Otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to punish you for disobedience.” He whispered to him, and Second shuddered a bit at the cold tone.
Suddenly he was pulled, and Vic dragging him to the captain's cabin.
”Stay here and don't interfere!” He ordered Second.
Suddenly he turned and looked out from behind the open door onto the deck of the ship.
”Chosen One.” He called out. When he came Vic continued. ”You're going to make sure Second Coming doesn't disturb me.”
”Aye aye.” He said casually.
Once he was pulled aboard, Yellow and Green took Purple from him while Blue and Red helped him climb back onto the deck.
Orange shook his head, splashing the water after each one, which was commented to Red as 'he's acting like a dog'. Yellow simply looked at him, wiping the salty sea water from his face.
”What with him?” Green asked when Blue checked Purple to see if he was breathing and if he had any other possible injuries. He also made sure to help get the water out of Purple's lungs.
Orange also saw Blue frown in thought. Which he did whenever he noticed something strange, but he had no intention of sharing it with them.
Suddenly Purple jumped up coughing violently and coughing up water from his lungs.
”Purple!” Green shouted, hugging him tightly. Suddenly he grabbed him by the arms and held him at arms length. ”I haven't seen you in ages!”
Purple smiled, grimacing a bit as he coughed for a while and coughed up the last of the water.
”What happened?” Blue asked, crouching in front of him and moving Green away to check for any other possible injuries.
”Well...” Purple looked away. ”Very... long story.”
”He can tell us later.” Orange interjected.
Then Purple looked at him. And Orange thought he looked at him for an oddly long time. After a moment, however, he nodded as if thanking for his understanding and the opportunity to wait with explanations, and then looked back at Green.
”I'm glad to see you all anyway.” He said smiling.
Green smiled back. Then he helped him up.
”Get some rest.” Blue said behind them.
Purple nodded and, with Green's help, entered the ship's cabin.
He didn't expect to find this here. Something that Vic kept with him and guarded how the greatest treasure in the world. Especially since there were several situations where someone tried to steal it. Even if they didn't know where to look.
”What the hell are you doing?!” He heard a shout behind him. He turned around and saw Dark standing in the doorway.
”N-nothing!” He shouted in a slightly panicked voice. He hid the small item in his back pocket.
”Do you know what will happen if Vic finds out you were here?!” Dark shouted, anger but also worry could be heard in his voice. Dark walked up to him with quick steps and pulled him away from where Second was standing. ”You know that no one can enter here without his permission except him!”
”I know. Please don't tell him I was here!” Second pleaded.
Dark sighed and placed a hand on Second's shoulder.
”I won't tell. If you promise you didn't take anything from here.”
”I didn't take anything.”
It was already late at night and everyone was probably asleep. Everyone except Orange.
He actually woke up a few minutes ago. Awoken by a strange uneasiness that had taken hold of him. It was like the nightmares that sometimes wake him up, but this was a little different.
After a while he stood up. It felt like a little voice in his head was telling him to get up and make sure everything was okay.
Orange didn't know what was really driving him. Maybe curiosity. Maybe stupidity. Or maybe he just had no reason at all.
Once he was sure his friends were okay, he looked over to where Purple should be sleeping.
However, when he got to the part of the cabin where Purple was supposed to sleep, no one was there. He frowned, looking at the empty space for a moment.
Maybe Purple just needed some fresh air.
After a while he decided to go on deck.
Orange found him there. Purple stood at the front of the ship on the forecastle deck and looked out into the dark sea.
”Purple?” He called out.
Purple jumped as if frightened and turned sharply, looking at him in surprise.
”O-oh... u-uh...” He muttered.
Orange slowly walked towards him with a slight smile.
”They must have told you something about me behind my back. They all enjoy doing it, although not in a malicious way. But... I don't think we've had a chance to introduce ourselves before.” He said to Purple. ”I'm Orange.”
”O... Orange?” He asked as if he wanted to make sure.
He nodded.
”Well... I'm Purple. But... I think you know it.”
He smiled in answer.
After a moment, Orange held out his right hand for a shake. Purple looked from his face to his hand for a moment.
After a while, however, he returned the handshake.
”Why are not you sleeping?” Orange asked.
”I couldn't sleep.” Purple shrugged. ”And you?”
”Just... nightmare...”
Purple nodded and for a moment there was silence between them as they both looked at the dark waters of the sea.
”Hey, Purple.” Orange started and waited for Purple to look at him. ”How exactly did you end up in the sea? Have you fallen off the ship or something?”
Purple looked away at the sea.
”You could say...”
Orange nodded and also look at the sea again.
He had to admit that he loved the view of the calm sea. Especially at night. It how the light of the stars and moon reflected gently off the water.
”So how did you meet them, anyway?” Purple asked at one point.
”Who the fuck stole it?” Vic shouted as he stormed out of the captain's cabin.
Second jumped in surprise as he turned to look at Vic. And oh... His brother was furious.
Although he was surprised that it took so many days for Vic to notice it was missing. He almost forgot about it himself...
But now Vic was furious. And in this state, his eldest brother was more terrifying than the storm.
However, something happened that Second didn't expect. Vic looked straight at him, Chosen and Dark. Then he pointed to the open door of the cabin from which he stormed out.
”You three. To my cabin NOW.”
Second felt his heart pounding against his chest as he looked at Vic, who stood behind his desk and glared at them.
He hadn't seen him this furious in a long time.
”Only you three know about this.” He said pointing to the now open small hidden room the size of a closet. The place where Vic hid the things most valuable to him. ”So who among you stole it?”
”You need to be more specific.” Chosen spoke up, the only one who had the courage to be 'insolent', as Vic puts it.
But he just narrowed his eyebrows furiously at Chosen. But he stood unmoved under his gaze.
”You're insolent. But you don't have the courage to rob me.” He said instead and looked at Dark and Second.
”It was Second.”
Then Second felt like his heart would leap into his throat.
”I saw him rummaging around there. However, he claimed he didn't take anything and didn't look like he was lying at the time.” Dark explained further.
Vic looked at Dark for a long moment, searching for a lie. After a while, however, he pointed to the door.
”You two. Leave.” He said to Chosen and Dark.
Then he felt his brother's complete attention on him.
Se- Orange bit his lip. He pushed aside the part of the memory that reminded him of how he got here. Sometimes he wished he hadn't really lost his memory.
”I escaped.” Orange said. Why was he telling him this? ”From a previous life.”
Why did he say that?
Suddenly Purple turned and looked at him, a bit surprised. He suspected that maybe Green had mentioned something about 'Orange doesn't remember anything from past before he was met us.'
He easily ignored the knot of guilt in his stomach at the reminder of that lie.
It was easier.
Although, he wanted to tell them the truth. But he was afraid. The more time passed, the more afraid he became to admit to the lie. He was too afraid that once they knew the truth, they would want nothing to do with him.
He didn't want to lose what he had now.
He didn't want to lose his friends, friends who made him laugh with genuine laughter. Who made him cry tears of joy. To whom he could openly show how much he cared about them.
He loved spending time with them. How could he just tell them silly jokes and they would laugh wholeheartedly.
This, how he could comfort them. How he could hug them just like that, for no reason, and they would hug him back with equal joy.
How he could be himself and they accepted that.
He doesn't remember when he was this happy. He can't remember when he smiled and was happy for so long time.
”Why... Why did you escaped?” Purple's quiet question roused him from his thoughts.
Orange looked at him.
”I didn't really like my life was before I met them.” He said as quietly as if he was afraid someone would hear them. ”Where you had to be careful with every step and word... The worst... thing... was when... he... got furious and either you were the reason for it or you didn't know what the reason was.”
He smiled at him. Although it wasn't a happy smile, it was more of a forced one, as if to make Purple not worry too much. He didn't like being the reason others were worried.
”The worst part was that escaping this life was almost as impossible as catching a mermaid alive without any casualties.” He chuckled softly, rubbing his eyes under the pretense of being tired before tears even appeared in his eyes.
Purple looked at him, his gaze holding emotions that Orange couldn't name, hidden too well. Although he managed to notice something that he could call worry or concern.
”What... What kind of life are you talking about?” Purple asked as he looked away again towards the sea.
Orange didn't understand. Why was it so easy for him to say all this to someone he barely knew? Something he couldn't say to others he had known for three years.
”Being a... pirate's brother.” He said more quietly than before. However, Purple seemed to hear it anyway.
There was silence between them. A bit of an awkward silence.
Orange didn't like this kind of silence, so he decided to just run away from the silence.
”Can you please not tell them this for now? Please?” He asked.
”Okay.”
”Thank you.” He said even though he could already see the sun slowly rising. ”I'll go get some more sleep.”
Purple nodded.
”I'll stay here... a little while longer.” Purple said as Orange walked away.
Second crouched in front of the locked door and tried to open it with a hair pin and wire.
Vic... was really mad when he told him he didn't know where it was.
But he really didn't know. He was sure he hid it in his pillow. But... it wasn't there.
”Ugh... Stupid door.” He groaned, hitting his forehead against the wooden door.
Then he heard footsteps and the jingle of keys.
He quickly moved away from the door and hid the things he was trying to open the door with in his pocket.
After a while, he heard the key being turned and the door opening strangely slowly and quietly, as if they were trying to make as little noise and door creaking as possible.
After a moment, the head appeared in his field of vision.
”Chosen?!” He shouted surprised.
His brother put a finger to his mouth, telling him to be quiet. He then waved his hand in a gesture for him to follow.
And Second followed him without hesitation.
”You shouldn't be here. You'll be in trouble too!” Second looked at him worried.
”Either way I'll be in trouble.” He said, taking something out of his pocket and throwing it towards Second.
He caught it with surprise, although he almost dropped it when he saw what it was.
”How did you find it? I hid it well!” He asked, looking at Chosen.
”I saw you go into Vic's captain's cabin.” He replied calmly, walking up the stairs to the deck and looking around to see if anyone was there. ”I figured you took something. By the way, your hiding place was hopeless for this.”
Second rolled his eyes.
”But why did you take it!?”
Chosen didn't answer.
After a while, he led him to a wooden boat.
”Second. Listen to me very carefully now.” He said, crouching and kneeling on one knee in front of him and taking his hands in his. ”You will board this boat and sail to the nearest port, which is a few hours away. Then you will stay on land. Away from the sea, ports and coastal cities.”
Second also heard his brother whisper 'I should have done this when I noticed the changes in his behavior.' to himself.
Second frowned. He didn't understand.
What did Chosen mean? What was he talking about?
”But... I don't...” He started even though he didn't know how to put a sentence together. ”What with you? And Dark... And... and Vic...”
Chosen gently clasped his hands around Second's in a comforting gesture.
”I'll join you later. I just... I have to convince Dark to do this first.” He smiled reassuringly.
”I don't want to go alone. I wanna stay with you.” He said quietly. ”Why do you want to get rid of me? I... I don't understand.”
Something he didn't recognize appeared in Chosen's eyes.
Nothing unusual. Second had always been bad at reading someone's emotions.
”Oh... come here...” He whispered softly and pulled him into a hug. ”I'm not getting rid of you. I promise that I will explain all this to you someday.”
Second felt tears in his eyes. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay with his brothers. Even if it wasn't always rosy.
After a while, Chosen released Second from the hug and placed his hands on Second's shoulders.
”You'll take it with you, okay?” He said, talking about the small thing that was still in his hands.
”But... why?” Second asked.
”It's... It's a bit complicated... But that will make it impossible for him to find you.”
”Do you promise you won't leave me alone for long time?” Second asked uncertainly.
Chosen smiled and ran his hand through his younger brother's hair.
”I will join you as soon as I can.”
Second gave him another big hug before getting into the wooden boat.
But... None of them expected that a storm would come that night.
Green stretched while standing in front of the wheel. He hoped that they would reach port within the next few days, maybe less.
He then looked at Purple who was standing next to him and looked distracted and... maybe a little nervous...
”Hey, are you okay?” Green asked him.
Purple looked at him and nodded.
”Where's your temper and your friendly malice?” He asked, playfully shoving him.
Purple laughed shortly, but that was all.
”Where's Orange?” He suddenly asked Green.
”He's probably still sleeping.” Green laughed. ”He shouldn't sleep so much, but sometimes we let him.”
Purple nodded and silence fell between them.
”You mentioned that Orange doesn't remember anything from before he met you...” Purple suddenly started. And Green didn't expect such a topic of conversation, but he nodded. ”Did he really remember nothing?”
Green just shrugged.
”I don't know. I think he remembers something but doesn't want to talk about it. And we don't want to push him. If he wants, he will say so.” Green said, looking straight ahead. ”Maybe it's just something he doesn't want to remember?”
”Oh.”
Suddenly Green frowned when he saw something in the distance. Purple seemed to notice it too.
After a while, Blue used the rope to get down from the crow's nest and ran to Green.
”The ship is approaching us.” Blue said. ”They don't look friendly... And they also have black sails.”
Green frowned. He saw Purple tense next to him, but decided to ignore it for now. However, after a while, Purple disappeared from his sight.
Purple was pushed, falling to his knees. While the rope dug uncomfortably into his wrists behind his back. Still, he stubbornly looked at the floor.
He didn't expect to get caught. Just like he didn't expect that the ship he had snuck into would suddenly start to sail away.
This was supposed to be quick. He comes in, grabs some something of value and leaves. He knew this could be dangerous. But black sails always meant that, there was something expensive on the ship that he could sell for a lot of money.
After a moment, he heard the sound of heels hitting the wooden floor of the deck ahead of him.
”Well, well, well... What do we have here?” A voice spoke right in front of him. The voice was cold and dangerous, making his shoulders tense involuntarily.
Suddenly he felt the cold chill of the blade under his chin, forcing him to lift his head and look at the stick in front of him. Definitely the captain of this pirate ship.
Gray hollowhead titled his head when he looked at him.
”Hm. You're younger than I originally thought. How old are you? 14? 13?”
He clenched his jaw.
The captain frowned, visibly dissatisfied with the lack of response. Suddenly he crouched down in front of him, grabbing his jaw in a painful grip.
”I asked politely. But nevermind.” He tilted his head. ”Tell me, what's your name?”
”Purple.” He answered reluctantly.
”Ah... Purple. What an interesting name...” He said smirking.
Squeezing his cheeks tighter, he tilted his head this way and that as if examining Purple.
”You know? I think I know you.” He whispered looking into his eyes. ”Ah, I know now.”
He leaned closer to him.
”You were once times seen with members of a certain crew. What was the name of their ship? Hm... Ah! The Moonstone.” He said, snapping his fingers. ”You know... They have something that belongs to me.”
”And even if? What do you think? That I will help you?” He growled, trying to break free from the grip on his jaw.
”Of course you help me.” He replied happily. ”Unless you'd rather have something... happen to your father. If I'm not mistaken... he's called Mango, right?”
Orange was sleeping when he was rudely yanked from dreamland when someone started shaking him violently.
When Orange opened his eyes suddenly, he saw Purple. Purple, who looked panicked, maybe even scared.
”H-hey! Stop!” He shouted for Purple to stop shaking him.
He didn't even have time to ask what was going on when Purple started talking incoherently.
”I-I did something bad... Something I shouldn't. But... I had to. And now I don't know what to do. I made a mistake. I need help. I didn't want to. But now it's too late. I should have said it earlier. But I was afraid and... and-” He spoke quickly and Orange had trouble understanding him.
”Hey. Hey!” Orange interrupted him, placing his hands on his shoulders. ”Slowly. Slowly explain to me what's going on.”
”I-”
Suddenly they felt the ship shaking. But not as if he had hit the high waves. It was a different kind, like something different had hit the ship...
And... for some reason... a very familiar way.
”Oh no... Too late...” Purple whispered to himself, his voice shaking as if he was terrified. Suddenly he looked back at Orange. ”I-I... I'm so so sorry. I... didn't want this... to happen.'
”Hey, Purple.” Orange caught his attention by gently tightening his hands on his shoulders. ”It's okay-”
”Nothing is okay! I-I... I-” Purple interrupted, shaking his head.
Then they heard shouting from the deck and both looked up worriedly. Orange quickly got up to run upstairs to the deck. He ignored Purple's shouts behind him.
As soon as he ran onto the deck, he immediately froze and stopped, hiding behind the door.
He saw his friends being held and tied up by a very familiar... crew.
The large ship next to it was also uncomfortably familiar. Especially those black sails.
But perhaps what scared him the most was the very familiar sound of footsteps. Slow and dignified. However, at the same time, it aroused fear in others who knew who these steps belonged to.
Vic.
”Hm...” Vic made a thoughtful sound as he looked at Second's four friends. ”Only children. I didn't expect that.”
Vic mocked and tilted his head.
”Who is the captain of this funny ship?” He asked.
”I am.” Green replied, looking at him unfazed. Green, as always, was confident and showed no fear.
”Hm?” He snorted in amusement.
Suddenly, the blade of the saber was pressed against Green's neck, and Orange barely held back a shout.
”Well, Young Captain... There's something on your little ship that's mine.” He said in a menacingly calm tone.
Orange hid more behind the door, when something he had kept with him for three years seemed to weigh down in his pocket like a stack of bricks.
”You need to be more specific. Because I don't think I know what you mean, Pirate.” Green replied, unfazed by the cold blade on his neck, although he glanced there every now and then.
Vic frowned.
”Insolent... Maybe I should teach you respect?” He titled his head as the saber was pressed a little tighter against Green's neck.
Orange stepped back, hiding more.
He needs to go below deck and look for Purple, who was left there.
But as soon as he turned around, he saw someone very familiar. Someone he hadn't noticed before wasn't on board with the others.
Primal.
When Primal came down and Orange didn't notice?
”Hello. Long time no see.” Primal smirked at him.
He was then grabbed by the arm and forcibly thrown onto the deck. Then everyone looked towards him.
Suddenly, all of Vic's attention was focused solely on him, and Orange only wanted this to be just another nightmare. A nightmare from which he will soon wake up and his friends will laugh that it is virtually impossible to wake him up.
He felt like he was paralyzed with fear. He couldn't even get up to sit down.
He mentally begged that it would just be a bad dream. Even if he knew it wasn't and it was real.
Suddenly Vic smiled broadly, and there was something creepy and disturbing about it.
”Second Coming! My dear little brother!” He shouted in a joyful voice that dripped with something warning and dangerous.
He felt the eyes of his friends looking at him. But he couldn't tell if they were looking in shock or betrayal or something else. He was too afraid to look at them and see disappointment. He was also too afraid to look away from his brother. As if turning look away was equal to death.
Vic slowly started to approach him and then he felt himself being forced to his feet.
His arms were grabbed and held behind his back, probably to prevent him from escaping.
Not that he could escape from a ship surrounded by sea. Even if he had an escape route, he didn't think he would be able to stay on his shaky legs long enough to escape. He also couldn't leave his friends at the mercy of his brother.
”It's been a while since I saw you.” He said and grabbed Orange's cheeks with his hand and turned Second's head left and right as if examining him. ”You've grown a little. Although you're still terribly short.”
Vic then released his cheeks and looked at him.
”Leave them alone.” He managed to choke out and it didn't even sound like he was afraid.
”No 'hello'? I'm offended.” Vic looked at him with mock surprise and resentment, which was very visible.
Suddenly Vic looked down, his finger catching the thin gold chain, pulling on it with a strange gentleness. Suddenly, his necklace was forcibly torn from around his neck. He winced and barely held back a hiss of small pain as he watched his gift dangle in his brother's hand.
Vic looked at the necklace with feline curiosity as the pendant spun by movement.
”Give it back.” He said it so quietly that Orange was surprised by it himself.
His brother simply looked at him lazily, an amused smirk spreading across his face.
”Oh, I assume this must be very important to you.”
Suddenly, his necklace that his brother was holding was thrown, and Second could only hear the dull splash of water as it fell into the sea.
”Oops...” He said, but there was no trace of guilt in his voice as he looked at Orange in amusement. ”What a pity...”
He stared wide-eyed at the place where he could last see the gift from his friends.
”Now... Where's my compass?” He asked and his gaze became serious.
”You can chew the dirt, you scurvy dog.” He hissed in a brief burst of courage, looking at him.
Suddenly, a hand closed on his face, squeezing his cheeks painfully.
”Do I have to teach you respect again?” He growled, looking dangerously into his eyes. ”Give me back it. Now. Or I'll take it myself. Right after I get rid of these little friends of yours and-”
”In my pocket.” He said suddenly and quietly, almost silently.
Vic tilted his head.
”Speak louder.” He frowned in irritation.
”Your compass is in my left pocket.” He said still quietly, looking at the floor. However, his brother heard him this time. ”Just... leave them alone... please.”
”So now you're begging me to have mercy on them?” He scoffed in amusement, reaching into his pocket and after a moment pulling out a compass made of black gold. ”I'll think about it...”
After a while, he pulled the sword out of its sheath and looked at it casually.
”Maybe I'll leave them alone except their young captain. He is very mouthy.” Then he looked at Second. There was irritation and seriousness in Vic's eyes. ”You know I don't like insolent brats.”
”No!” Suddenly they heard a shout.
Orange turned his head as far as he could to see Purple.
Purple stood by the door to the below deck. He looked terrified as he looked at Vic.
”You said you just wanted something back that was yours. You swore you wouldn't hurt them if I helped you find them.” Purple spoke as he took a few steps forward, his voice betraying desperation and fear. ”You promised you wouldn't hurt anyone on this ship. You've got your stupid compass! So leave them alone!”
Vic looked at him for a moment, as if thinking.
Suddenly, a malicious and mocking smile appeared on his face.
”Yes, I said I wanted something that belonged to me back.” He then slowly started walking towards Purple. ”I also said I wouldn't hurt the crew members.”
Suddenly he placed his hand on Purple's head, forcing him to look at him.
”I never said my compass was the only thing on this ship that belonged to me.”
Purple's eyes widened in shock as he took a step back. His shoulders tensed as understanding dawned on him.
”What- No! You're also to leave him alone!”
Suddenly he was grabbed by the throat and his vocal chords seemed to be non-existent at that moment.
”Do you have the courage to order me, brat?” His voice was cold and warning.
Suddenly he was thrown to the floor and Vic walked away from him.
After a moment, Vic stood in front of Second again and smiled at him.
”You go back to where you belong! You are not happy?” He tilted his head when he looked at Orange. ”Our brothers miss you very much.”
”Can you just don't hurt them?” He said looking at his friends and Purple. Everyone was strangely quiet. ”They're not guilty of anything.”
”Hm...” He hummed thoughtfully as he looked at Second. ”Fine.”
Vic waved his hand dismissively.
Suddenly his friends were let go and pushed to the deck floor.
”In return, I expect you to be polite and not cause any problems never again.” He said looking at him sternly.
Second lowered his head and bit his lip.
”I... Fine.”
”Excellent!” Vic smiled and then motioned for his crew. ”We're back to our ship.”
After a moment, still held by Primal, he was led to a wooden gangway that allowed to pass from one ship to the other.
Suddenly he heard hurried footsteps and Green's shout. But he squeezed his eyes shut, ignoring it.
As he stood on the deck, he looked at the floor. And only then did Primal let go of him.
Only after some time did he dare to look at his friends' ship in the distance.
Then Vic stood next to him, at arm's length. He saw him glance towards the crew.
After a moment, his words caused Second to freeze in place.
”Scuttle the ship.”
Second turned around abruptly and looked at his brother with fear.
Suddenly he grabbed his coat sleeve, drawing his attention.
Vic looked lazily at him as he raised one eyebrow in question.
His hand tightened on Vic's sleeve.
”You were supposed not to hurt them!” He shouted. He may have even tugged at his sleeve a little.
Vic smiled to him. His amusement was evident, but there was also something else. Maybe irritation?
”And I keep my promise.” He said, pulling the Second's hand away from his coat. ”However, there was no mention of a ship.”
He felt the cold wash over him. Realization washed over him like a bucket of cold water.
How could he be so stupid?!
More than once he had seen his brother take satisfaction in finding loopholes that he could exploit for himself. Which made him achieve his goals without lying.
”I think you should rest.” He said running a hand through his hair. Second couldn't bring himself to push him away.
After a while, he was led to one of the cabins.
Then something inside him broke and tears flowed from his eyes as he slid down the door and onto the floor. He pursed his lips, trying to hold back the hiccups caused by the tears and sobs.
And if Chosen came later and hugging him for a long time, trying to comfort him. No one but the two of them needed to know about it. And Dark who was just sitting silently somewhere near them.