Devil's Luck Pirates

-That's the signal! – Verona shouts from deck upon seeing Pearl's fireball soar into the air with his spyglass. He quickly goes below deck to inform Duros and Gravy who are manning the cannons. Part one of their plan is complete; now Verona and Duros prepare to disembark near the port to help the civilians and knights fight off the invading pirates.

-Are you sure you're going to be ok alone? – Duros asks Gravy.

-There's no need to worry. – He responds – I'll keep a safe distance from the island and the pirates.

-Just don't go off running with our ship. – Verona jests.

-Po-po-po… I wouldn't dream of it!

With Gravy at the helm, they bring the Yogi Pooh to an abandoned fishing dock near the actual port. No pirates in sight, and the houses, although disheveled; don't appear to be ransacked by anyone.

-Alright. See you later, Gravy! – Verona waves him goodbye and jumps to the dock below with Duros right behind him. The dock almost collapsed from the weight of his armor.

Gravy quickly turns the helm away from the docks making his way back to the high seas to wait for the return of the crew. The only thing on his mind at this point is to whether prepare a fish or something more special for the victory meal.

Meanwhile, Duros and Verona dash towards the port. The sounds of gunfire and swords clashing get louder with each step. And the raging flames also become more and more brighter. When Verona first scouted the port from a distance, he could notice a couple of burning buildings. But now, the fire has spread all over the port and to some of the wooden structures along the walls that separate it from the city inside.

His heart starts to beat faster, and his breathing is irregular. These flames look just like those of so many years ago…

-Everything will turn out fine.

His companion's voice breaks through the memories that almost consumed him. Verona looks at Duros, now a couple of steps ahead of him.

-William and the rest will come out of there with Jasper and Ragnar's family safe and sound. – Duros adds.

-…Was it that obvious on my face? – He lets out thankful that Duros didn't notice his actual source of concern.

-For a man like you, that must have been the reason for you to look so worried! – He declares with his usual confident tone.

Verona thought about telling his crewmate the real source of his distress. But it would only complicate things now. He now has a clear visual of some members of the Steam Pipe pirates and with Little Timmy in hand, shoots one of them in the shoulder. The knight fighting him takes advantage of this and cuts him down.

-Go help your fellow knights. I'll give you cover. – Verona proclaims kneeling behind some crates and preparing another shot.

-Just make sure you don't shoot me! – Duros jokingly says as he rushes forward with his mace and shield at the ready. A couple of pirates jump at him but he deftly parries one of their attacks and counters with his signature mace-to-the-face attack while Verona shoots the other one dead.

The knights are outnumbered by the Marines one to five. But even so, they are at the vanguard engaging the pirates in close combat while most of the Marines stay behind. Some would say this is just the logical thing to do as the knights are protected by armor. But to call what they're wearing "armor" is an overstatement. A crudely made breastplate from the cheapest metal the king could afford and a helmet. Their swords and maces aren't any better. Malachite diverted almost all of his kingdom's resources to his own life of luxury and for the royal tribute so he could enjoy the protection of the Navy.

Needless to say, the knights have been taking casualties one after the other as they are overwhelmed by the droves of pirates sporting powerful steam-powered flintlocks that easily penetrate their armor.

Duros advances further into the battlefield, smashing any pirates that come his way. Some were able to get lucky hits between his armor and one almost cut off his right eye if it weren't for Verona shooting his arm allowing Duros to pummel him into the ground.

"Why is he pushing forward so much?" Verona asks himself. He was forced to come closer just so he could cover his crewmate.

-My friends! – He shouts towards the disheartened knights around him. He managed to make his way to the middle of their formation that's barely holding up – Do not lose hope! Together, we can push back these evil-doers back into the hole they crawled out of! – His voice echoes through the battlefield.

He failed to lead and protect these men once, he'll not disappoint them again.

Some of the senior knights recognize him. His voice was a dead giveaway but many also manage to recognize that pretty face now scarred.

-Is that Captain Duros? – One of the knights blurts out.

-Wasn't he dead? – Another whispers to the men next to him. 

-Everyone!! – A white-bearded knight shouts – Captain Duros is here to save this country! Now let's send these bastards back into the sea!

-HOORRA!!!!!! – The knights scream in unison. With their spirits revitalized, they charge together towards the enemy.

He never thought he would never feel this again. After so many years following William, it feels good to be in charge for once.

While many were happy with Duros' return, someone was grumbling behind their teeth. Namely Commander Saif, a lean but strong man wearing an all-white uniform in contrast with his brown complexion. He watches as Duros rallies the knights around him and even some of the low-ranking marines that are with them. He knows very well who that man is since he read Marrow's report from nine years ago. That combined with the statement given by the mailman of the murder of Captain Marrow's father, Saif knows that William and the rest of his band of criminals aren't far away.

Commander Saif puts a hand on one of his sheathed scimitars, ready to take care of the problem in front of him, but it appears that said problem might resolve itself in a moment…

Thanks to his inspiring leadership, Duros and the knights manage to push some of the enemies back. The elderly knight explains to him that Eustass Valve managed to blitz through the marines and knights at the port before reinforcements arrived. He's now making his way to the palace with almost half of his crew.

Before Duros could ask how he managed to pass through the heavy gates to the city, a metal pipe hits him square in the face, knocking him to the ground.

A green-haired woman wearing a bandana and a scarf of the same color stands before him. One metal pipe rests over her shoulder while she twirls another one in her hand.

The old man charges at her, but the girl is far too fast for his old reflexes. He brings down his sword, only to feel the tip bouncing off the ground as the girl effortlessly dodges it. Before he could even think of regaining his composure, a metal pipe slams into his face; breaking his nose followed by a kick to the stomach that knocks him to the ground. He wanted to stand up, but his old bones were at their limit.

-HEHEHE that's what you get for wanting to mess with Piper, idiot! – One of the pirates snickered.

Piper moves in to finish the job. She raises her weapons above her head with the intent of smashing the old man's skull, but she's quickly interrupted by a hand-ax spinning towards her. She uses one of her pipes to bash it aside in the nick of time.

-That's enough! – Duros says, his hand outstretched confirming where that ax came from – Why don't you mess with someone your size?

-My size? – She asked with a mocking expression.

Duros took out his trusty mace and charged in. Each of his swings has enough power to defeat any common enemy.

If they managed to make contact, that is.

Piper moves from side to side, deftly dodging all of Duros' attacks. While his armor doesn't leave much room for attacks, his unprotected pretty face makes for the perfect target. She tries to get another hit just like last time, only to be met with his sturdy metal shield. The shockwave of steel against copper makes her arm vibrate. The knight uses this opportunity to get a hit on her side. She rolls with the hit, lowering its effectiveness.

-I can't believe you would hit a woman! – Piper exclaims in obvious fake shock.

-I was always a firm believer in equality, lady! – He responds, not falling for her ruse.

Now slightly annoyed, Piper charges at him.

Seeing Eustass Vale's second in command take on the ex-captain of the knights makes Commander Saif's gaze look for the person who was covering him from afar.

It didn't take long for him to find said person.

After seeing his comrade get into the middle of the battle, Verona decided to take down as many pirates as he could. He can still see him fighting with a green-haired woman, but trying to hit her while there are so many other targets around would be moronic. He's aiming for the pirates most of the time, but he won't lose much sleep if he ends up hitting a Marine. However, most of his shots end up either missing completely or never being fired in the first place.

His eyes keep darting to the flaming buildings around him. His hands shake nonstop, and his breathing borders on hyperventilation.

-Everything will turn out fine… – He keeps muttering to himself in an attempt to calm down – You've been through worse…

One of the houses on his right finally collapses. That sound was disgustingly familiar to him.

However, unlike the one that almost took his life that day; this time it might have saved it.

-A masked man with silver hair. – The man standing right beside the now destroyed house said after Verona locked eyes with him.

-Who're you? – Verona asks standing up.

-I'm Commander Saif. – He declares before unsheathing two curved swords from his hips – There is no need for you to state your name. We won't have to print a bounty poster for you.