Devil's Luck Pirates

The cannon fire could be heard from miles away. Navy high officials barked orders to their subordinates whilst being punctuated by the sounds of metal clashing against metal; flintlocks and muskets firing at their targets.

The raid on the Kingdom of Tarako was in full swing when the crew could finally see the shores of the island. Their only remaining ship, much larger in comparison to the previous two the crew had encountered, and with significantly more firepower; kept its barrage on the external walls of the kingdom while droves of Steam Pipe pirates approached the harbor on small boats.

-It doesn't look good… – Verona commented from atop the crow's nest – But that definitely will keep them preoccupied while we get inside the prison.

Duros, and to some extent Pearl; were restless. He was being torn apart by his loyalty to William and the crew, and his failed duty to protect his kingdom and people.

William approached his First Mate, putting a hand on his shoulder.

-Alright crew, and Atom; change of plans. – He said as everyone turned to face him – We'll still proceed as planned. But after we get inside, Duros and Verona will go help the knights at the harbor. We'll meet you there after we get Jasper out.

Duros looked at his Captain with uncertainty. He wanted to protest, but couldn't fight the feeling of relief pouring over him.

-I was about to suggest that. – Verona comments after jumping down from the ladder on the main mast – It would be easier for fewer people to get in and out of there. Besides, it wouldn't be of much use to save a guy just for him to see his entire people dead or enslaved.

-I don't pretty much care as long as I get my hands on Valve. – Ragnar blurted out.

-Oh, you will my friend… – William reassures him – Alright, men! And Pearl, to your posts!

The crew, and Atom; disperse.

-What about me, captain? – Not Steve mockingly asks from his chair. It's quite impressive how he managed to stay seated there all this time. His dark eyes stared at William expectantly through his jet-black hair.

-Unfortunately, you're coming with us, Not Steve. – He says while helping Pearl get the main sail opened.

-Hehehe… You looked so cool addressing your crew back there. It almost made me want to stay with you all for a little longer. And stop calling me that.

-Not even if you begged. I'll never be able to sleep soundly with an assassin on my ship.

Not Steve burst into laughter after hearing that. He's already unnerving when just grinning silently, and his shrilled laughter just makes it worse.

"If only you knew..." Not Steve whispers to himself while playing with his little octopus in his hands.

They finally get close enough to the prison to use their cannons. As the rowboat gets dropped to the water below, the crew shakes hands one last before embarking on their separate missions. William, Pearl, Ragnar, Atom, and Not Steve will row their way to the prison while Duros, Verona, And Gravy stay on the ship to create a distraction so they can get to the prison unnoticed.

-… And Gravy! – William shouts at him from the rocking dinghy – Don't forget to wait for us with the best victory meal you've ever done in your life! – He states bringing a smile to everyone's face.

-Aye, Captain! – Gravy responds with an endearing chuckle.

-I swear, if we all make it out of here alive, I'll promote you to official cook of the Emanon Pirates!

-That's still a stupid name. – Pearl jabs at him.

And so it begins. The long-awaited prison break from the Tarako Kingdom, confrontation with the Steam Pipe Pirates, and possible showdown with Captain Marrow if they happen to run into him.

As soon as Ragnar starts rowing towards land south of the prison, the crew back at the ship start firing while making their way to the western side. The prison guards do fire back at them, but they look more like warning shots than anything. It's either that or their aim sucks.

It didn't take long for William and company to get to shore thanks to Ragnar's improved strength and stamina. As soon the tip of the boat grazes the sand, Not Steve jumps out.

-Well, it was fun sailing with you guys… – He says honestly for a change.

-I bet it was… Listen, from here on out if we see each other again, we're enemies. – William says with his most threatening voice, pointing his cutlass at him.

-Hehe, I prefer it that way. – Not Steve turns around, giving his back to the crew – Stay sharp, William. I would've loved to play chess with you.

And with a blink of an eye, he's gone.

-Ugh… That guy gives me the creeps. – William shudders.

-I honestly hope we don't see that guy again any time soon. – Pearl sighs.

After the departure of Not Steve, the crew and Atom get close to the southern wall, and then make their way up to the eastern wall. A couple of guards were patrolling the area, but William and Pearl made quick work of them. Atom kneels in front of the wall, taking his purple jacket off and laying it on the ground.

-How long until you get that set up? – Ragnar asks. A hind of impatience can be seen in his only good eye. Understandably so since his family could be on the other side of that wall.

-Five minutes max. – Atom responds. His hands work quickly on assembling and setting the explosives on the wall.

This is not the first time they see him without his jacket, but they sometimes forget how skinny Atom is. His somewhat "muscular" appearance is due to the several bombs and trinkets he stores inside his jacket.

-Alright, we're set. – Atom says standing up while putting his jacket back on.

-…Is it on a timer or… – Pear ponders.

-Nah, the best explosions are the ones you set off yourself. – Atom responds with a grin – Stand back y'all, the show's about to start! – He takes out a detonator from his pocket as everyone gets to a safe distance. William with his flintlock and cutlass at hand, Ragnar ready with his ax, and Pearl covering her ears.

Atom takes one long drag from his cigarette and…

-YEEHAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The massive explosion blows a sizable hole in the thick wall, a cacophony of stone and bricks flying all over the place.

They're in.

Ragnar is the first to cross the cloud of smoke ready to cut anyone in his path. The imposing prison building stands tall with its four prongs jutting out from the main structure at the center.

However, to his surprise, there aren't many people around. Duros mentioned previously that the prison has been for the most part run by the Marines since Malachite took over. They must be either fighting the invading pirates or being distracted by the Yogi Pooh.

Atom goes in next, and beelines it to the wing to his right, followed by William. Before going in, Pearl builds up a fireball inside her mouth and shoots it high into the sky.

William gets close to a barred window too tall to peak through, but close enough to send a warning.

-If you're an enslaved civilian, stay away from this wall cuz we're about to blow it up! And if you're an actual criminal or Marine, I hope the explosion gets you!

Atom quickly finishes setting the second charge, weaker than the previous one, but it will get the job done.

He presses the detonator and the wall crumbles with ease. The Marines having caught up with the situation start to pour into the courtyard coming from around the prison wings. Pearl, Ragnar, and William fend them off with little to no effort.

As the dust settles, Atom sets foot inside. His eyes have some trouble adjusting to the extremely dark interior, but the light pouring in from his back eventually reveals dozens if not a hundred people shackled to the ground.

-Well, this doesn't look like the prison area… – Atom says to himself remembering Duros' words. He explained that one of the wings of the prison was solely dedicated to housing slaves. And by the derelict and depressing looks of these people, this must be it.

-W-who are you? – One of them asks. A very malnourished man, covering his eyes with his hand.

By this point, William and company got inside after having dealt with the Marines.

After getting a grasp of the situation, William's face betrays a slight disappointment.

-Well, I knew it wouldn't be that easy… – It's not like they weren't going to get the enslaved people free, he was simply planning to do it after this whole situation was over – Ahem, we're here to liberate you all! Do not fret, that thine poor souls are now free to– William's cheesy speech is interrupted by Ragnar pushing him aside.

-HERTHA! MAGNUS! ARE YOU HERE!?! – He screams at the top of his lungs but gets no response. The people are now standing up. Those with more energy start to celebrate while others cry for their long-awaited freedom.

-Everything is going to be ok! – Pearl declares after breaking another pair of shackles. It appears that she's been freeing people since she got inside the prison – Malachite's reign of terror ends today!

That is leagues better than William's speech, but there's no time for that. William recomposes himself and tries to get Ragnar's attention. He's been shouting the names of his wife and son for some time now – Ragnar, help Pearl get these people out of here. Maybe you'll run into your family that way. Me and Atom will go scout the main building. – He says after finally getting his attention. Ragnar doesn't look at him. His eye wanders desperately around the room looking for his family. A few seconds later, he reaches down to grab a pair of metal shackles and easily breaks them open with his bare hands. William signals for Atom to accompany him down the hall toward the wooden gate that separates this holding cell from the main building.

A couple of broken shackles later, an old man who was freed by Pearl approaches Ragnar.

-Boy! Those names… I know them from somewhere. – The elderly man says after Ragnar looks at him – Where are you from?

-I'm from Atlas. I'm looking for my family; did you see them?! – He lets out with a shred of hope in his voice.

-I'm also from Atlas! – The man declares surprised – To be related to Hertha and her boy, you must be Ragnar! – He embraces Ragnar. The latter doesn't know if the act is because they're supposed to know each other (because Ragnar doesn't), or out of happiness of meeting a person from his hometown.

Ragnar hesitantly pats him on the back – I-I'm glad to see you too, but do you know where they are?!

-Oh, yes, yes. I remember a green-haired lady came by not long ago and took some of us away. Including your boy and Hertha. I-I don't know where she took them, but the King might know something about that…

A torrent of emotions washes over him. He's happy to finally have some solid information on his family's whereabouts, but also extremely angry that someone else took them as slaves to god knows where. And also a bit uncomfortable because the old man keeps trying to hug him while he tries to push him away as gently as possible.

Back with William and Atom, they make their way across the room while many of the prisoners show their gratitude to the two for liberating them. They reach the big wooden door and try to push it open.

Locked, of course.

William smugly takes his lock-picking tools out of his bag only for Atom to have already blown it open with a small explosive. This is the second time he gets outshined by someone else. By a member of the crew? Sure. But Atom? That's just insulting.

He even darts a cheeky smile from the corner of his face at him.

-I still have to punch you for what you did back then. Do you want me to give it to you right now?! – He threatens Atom while clenching his fist at him.

-Calm down, cowboy. We're in the same team now. – He responds nonchalantly while stepping away from the door so William can have the honor of opening it.

He creeks the heavy doors open just enough to take a peek at the other side, seeing only a big empty room with a set of spiral stairs going up.

-Looks like it's clear. Let's get out and see where Jasper's cell might– He interrupts himself after hearing several footsteps coming down the stairs. He quickly closes the door and turns to Atom – Go get the others. A lot of people are coming.

-Why me? – Atom asks indignant. William's ordering him as if he is part of the crew or something.

-Because I going to keep watch and you don't want to get punched in the face. Now go get them!

Atom begrudgingly calls Pearl and Ragnar over. Pearl notices him, and after giving instructions for the freed people to help the others, she fetches Ragnar. Saving him from the old man who was still clinging to him.

Most of the prisoners are now free. Some of them began unshackling their comrades and others have run outside to open up a path through the Marines who are now gathering outside.

-How bad is it in there? – Pearl asks more or less understanding the situation.

-I heard a lot of people coming down the stairs. We might still have to come up with a pla–

-I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE, PIRATE SCUM!! – A loud and deep voice shouts from beyond the door – Don't make me get in there and risk damaging the… merchandise.

Anger seethes inside the crew and Atom. Tired of being interrupted and overshadowed by his peers, William prepares to kick open the door. Luckily, he realizes they might have their guns pointed at them, so he swallows his pride and turns to his crewmates.

-Ragnar, Pearl. Send those doors flying at them, please. – He asks, clearly fed up with all this.

-CHAHAHA! About time for some action! – Ragnar transforms into his hybrid form and Pear rolls up her sleeves.

With one hit each, the two doors fly off their hinges taking the squad of Marines ready to open fire on the other side completely by surprise.

-DEHEHE... I love it when they fight back! – Commander Denwar excitedly says. His tall and imposing figure looms over his men who have now broken their formation.

Denwar has been put in charge of this prison by Captain Marrow himself thanks to his cruel and strict way of handling criminals. His "Justice" jacket is more akin to a ragged cape that is attached to an executioner's mask. Painted in the Navy blue and sporting their symbol on the forehead. He pulls out a javelin from the holster over his shoulder and promptly sets the latter on the ground.

As the dust settles, William, Ragnar, Pearl, and Atom stand side by side before their foes, ready for battle.