Joana has waited for this opportunity.

Ten long years

It’s been ten years, and now she’s here standing in front of the very person who killed his loving Father.

Her eyes pierced through the Pirate King's green eyes before she pointed her sword straight at him.

She took a step forward and wielded her sword towards him, but Captain Thorne dodged the blow.

Joana’s lips smirked, amused as she sees her enemy that she longed for.

"I've waited quite a long time, Captain Nickolas Thorne." Both of them walked in circles as her eyes never left his. "Although, this young captain here is disappointed seeing the pirate king undressed informally for the occasion." She mocks.

The pirate king let out a chuckle, "Disappointed, aren't you, young cap'n?" He licks his lips, "This is how I dress on every occasion, it seems like you don't know." He tilts his head.

The beautiful captain mirrored him and tilted his head to the side also, "Oh... Pity how the greatest pirate doesn't know how to dress well. Maybe that is the reason why the world has come to know me because of my formal way of loot, Pirate King." She cocked an eyebrow.

That did it. The other captain started to feel anger rush through his veins.

He said nothing.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." The younger pirate shook her head, eyeing her enemy. "Maybe it deserves for me to wear the title Pirate King, don't you think so?" She smiled amusingly.

Nickolas clenched his jaw, obviously angered with the latter's mockery.

But he didn't let his emotion take him away; instead, he ought to show he has the same level of humor. "I will not let the title be owned by a girl.”

Captain Joana was surprised but kept the feelings to herself.

The older captain saw a glance of this young one's reaction which led him to smirk.

But Joana didn't let herself be taken away by his words.

He can't know. She thought.

"I bet you are not only an undressed pirate king but also a blind one, Captain Thorne." She chuckles deeply.

Nickolas felt proud. He never thought to find a button of the other captain which he never thought would make him unstable. "Oh, you might be a man, yes..." He lowers his voice, an octave down causing the other to raise goosebumps on her skin. "...but I sense a heart of a woman, isn't that so?" His husky voice caught the latter off guard, and the pirate king saw the opportunity to attack.

Captain Thorne gave a foot forward, pointing his sword to Joana. But the latter yields it away in surprise.

She took a step back, doing her best to stable her breath and focus, continuously dodging the upcoming attacks.

The greater pirate smirked in amusement, "I can't believe people call you the next pirate king when your defense is as weak as a boatswain's, lad! I’m not even giving my best shot."

Captain Jonathan stepped back, giving both of them enough space. She lifted her head, looking at the handsome pirate king in front of her. He points his sword to the older, "Do not judge too fast, Captain Thorne. Shall I show you how my father taught me?" She proudly speaks.

The other pirate laughed hard, "Your father's, you say? That old hag can fight with a sword? Last time I remember, he was the one who died." He says in between his laughter. This has boiled Joana's blood, and she was more determined to rip him off today.

"Shut your mouth, Captain." And right then, she promised to herself to give him a life he will definitely regret. Joana charges towards him as she carried her sword to her shoulder before giving Nickolas a full blow. He placed his sword above his head, defending himself.

He can’t deny that the young captain, although small and petite, had strong and consistent attacks. Captain Thorne was starting to have fun.

---

On the other hand, thankful to the archers and Julius Feathers who was fast enough to give help to those who were in need, Mr. Quarter and his men escaped with the other ship's loot. The archer's started to fly their arrows up above and straight to the other pirates.

They, Captain Slate's crew, were indeed one of the best.

In the middle of running away, Mr. Gunner reached Mr. William.

They have successfully taken the loot from the Maiden.

As soon as Mr. William saw the successful robbery, he shouted as loud as he can while running, "ALL OUT! BACK TO THE SHIP!" Hearing these, the archers and Mr. Julius took a step back and ran towards the ship safely to complete their plan successfully.

"William!" Mr. Kiel Gunner called.

William looked behind his shoulders and saw Kiel and his group successfully took the loot, no one missing. Except...

His eyes widen after realizing one is missing.

He ran towards Kiel, now running with him side by side. "Mr. Gunner! Where is her cap'n?" He worriedly asks. The mass of the crowd behind them was catching up.

Mr. Gunner wasn't pleased with all. "The Captain has commanded me to leave the ship without him if he doesn't come out in time." He informed.

"WHAT?!" William wasn't happy to hear that.

He took Kiel's collar and stopped, pulling the younger to him. William was clouded with anger, "HOW COULD YOU LEAVE OUR CAPTAIN, LAD?!" His breath was as hot as the sun was out. "THE CAPTAIN NEEDS A SECOND MAN JUST IN CASE A SITUATION ARISES!"

Mr. Kiel angrily pushed the quartermaster, "I know very well, Mr. William. But it was captain's orders. DO NOT AGITATE ME FOR NOT OBEYING THE CAPTAIN'S COMMAND!" He spat back, looking at him with his brows furrowed as he quickly walked and eventually came back to running, leaving William.

William wasn't pleased with their Gunner's ignorant attitude.

He observes him as he ran fast away from the incoming mass of crowd about to reach him.

Mr. William's mind was confused. He didn't know which to decide— to obey the captain's orders, or to save his first love.

"WILLIAM!" Julius Feather's voice arose in the middle of then moaning crowd.

He looks up to see the archer jumping from roof to roof.

"KEEP RUNNING!" He reminds him as he stopped on one of the roofs.

He furrowed his brows, "TAKE FULL SPEED AHEAD, MR. FEATHER! I WILL HEAD BACK IN THE PORT TO COME AND GET YER CAPTAIN!" He commands his right-hand man.

Julius' eyes widen. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN MR. WILLIAM? THE CAPTAIN IS NOT YET HERE WITH US?!" He was surprised. How come Kiel didn't wait for the captain?

"THE CAPTAIN IS STILL ON BOARD INSIDE THE MAIDEN. SET SAIL WITHOUT US AND I MEAN IT!" He nods his head goodbye to his best friend before running away the opposite side, approaching the other pirates. It was too late for Julius to stop William.

"WILLIAM!" He shouts at him as he sees the man fought as he ran against the current of the other pirate's crew.

"LADS!" Mr. Feather calls his apprentices, and they all halted, pulled out their arrows, and aimed.

He takes an arrow behind him, rests is at his bow, "AIM! FIRE!" Julius shouts as they let go of their arrows, helping Mr. Quarter to make way from all of those upcoming pirates.

Once paved way, Mr. William looks up to see Julius. He lifts his hat slightly to thank him and also signaled him to go back to the ship and leave.

Julius, although worried, had high hopes for the two and obeyed the right-hand man's command.

"See you on the other side of the ocean, Lad." He narrows his eyes as he took another arrow and help his crew. "ALL OUT! BACK TO THE SHIP!" He shouts.

They all ran on opposite sides.

William had nothing on his mind except for his Captain's safety and her life.

"Don't you dare touch her, Nickolas Thorne. Or you'll end up in my hands." He said through his gritted teeth as he ran his fastest back to the port where the maiden was anchored.

---

"Argh!" Captain Thorne groans as he tried to at least cut the latter's skin.

But the younger could always defense his attacks very well.

Taking a step back to earn momentum for his next swing, the younger took the chance and swung her sword first, surprising the latter.

Gasping, he defenced by straightening his sword downwards to prevent her attack from hitting his abdomen.

"Close but no cigar." Nickolas chuckled.

The younger captain smirked, "Think again." She warned before quickly spinning around to find momentum and eventually wounded the latter’s side abdomen.

"Urgh." He bit his lip, taking a step back as he crouched and held his wound, seeing bloodstain his palm. The cut was surprisingly deep, but not enough to kill him.

The younger smiled and bowed at him, "I guess that is one point for me?" She tilts her head.

Captain Thorne wasn't pleased. He breathed in deeply, looking at the younger lad with his brows knotted together. He stabled himself as he stood up along with his long sword. "That's just a slight cut, captain. It doesn't matter to me."

But the other captain, satisfied, she smiled at the latter. "I wanted to finish you so badly today, captain. But unfortunately, my crew has succeeded looting your ship and it is time for me to go." She stands up straight.

The other captain angrily heaved in a deep sigh, "We're not done yet, Captain Slate." His face was so red in anger, you could tell easily.

"Oh, I didn’t say we’re done, Captain Thorne. I just want to postpone your death. You know, for something to look forward to?” Jonathan slate smiled took his hat and gave a curt nod, "Don’t worry. I'll come back soon." She winked at the other captain.

"No. You're staying here, Captain Jonathan Slate." He called her name angrily through his gritted teeth.

But too late, the younger captain felt the window behind her before letting her body fall down the water.

Captain Nickolas Thorne quickly sped up towards the window and looked down to see him.

*SPLASH!*

The water slapped. Captain Jonathan has escaped.

If only his cut wasn’t too deep, he could’ve definitely stopped her.

In anger, Nickolas slammed his quarter's door open and shouted at his crew, "GET CAPTAIN SLATE! HE'S IN THE WATERS! GET HIM NOW!" He angrily commanded, despite feeling the pain on his side.

The remaining crew left their posts and obeyed their Captain, jumping from the ship and the others guarding the port.

“Captain! You’re bleeding!” A concerned crew went to him worrying.

Nickolas gave him a sour look, “Are you blind, lad? Of course, I’m bleeding! GO GET A DOCTOR IF YOUR BRAIN’S WORKING!” He shouted, but the lad was too startled to do so.

Captain Slate, on the other hand, had her hideout. She prepared a place for her to stay until the Maiden leaves.

She sees the men looking for her, yet she just chuckles. It was amusing seeing how men can sometimes be so simple.

What a fool they are. She thinks to herself.

Everything was going according to plan. And she was happier than ever!

Until...

Her jaw dropped as her eyes widen in surprise.

Speaking of men being so simple-minded…

"William!" She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

From afar, Joana sees William tied up and is now being dragged towards the ship. Her eyes followed him and the pirates who were clinging onto him.

"AHOY CAPTAIN!" Mr. Taylor Grim greets his captain with a cheerful voice.

Their captain slammed open the door and saw his righthand man alongside a pirate from another ship, had his hands tied. Swords were pointed at his neck.

Mr. Grim was startled to see his Captain pushing a bloody cloth into his side but ignored it for he knows he doesn’t like talking about a damned wound.

Nickolas’ righthand man bowed, "My captain, I have caught a big fish in the sea."

They all started laughing as soon as they heard his silly yet meaningful joke.

Nickolas Thorne wasn't that pleased at first though, but he wanted to hear what his quartermaster has caught. "And who is this big fish?" He raises his chin.

Mr. Grim smirked proudly, "My captain. Meet Mr. William Quarter, quartermaster and righthand man of Captain Jonathan Slate." He took a step back and joyfully introduced the tied up man.

Hearing this, the Pirate King stretched the ends of his lips as his eyes widen at him. "Most trusted man of Captain Slate, you say?" His husky voice lingered as he walked down the stairs, being careful not to lose a lot of blood.

William was struggling to move, trying to break free from the rope they have tied around him.

"Interesting..." The Captain of the Maiden looked intrigued. "That is wonderful."

William narrowed his eyes at him and furrowed his brows, angry at the captain. "Where is me, Captain?" He asks objectively.

"Oh... Your captain, you say?" Nickolas walks around him, observing the man. They were both the same height and almost the same face. If you look at both of them, you would see a lot of resemblances. "Your captain fled away... Like a coward."

The crew started laughing as soon as they heard this.

Nickolas was amused.

William started to worry, but then he was relieved when he realizes that Joana has escaped.

Good grief! He thought.

Suddenly, Nickolas held William’s chin and forced him to look at his face. "Now that you're aboard with us, Mr. Quarter... I think it is a need for you to say where your captain is headed next. That is... if you want to save your life." He smirked.

Mr. Quarter knew this would happen, and his heart is decided ever since then that he will never betray his captain— first love.

But that won’t stop Nickolas from getting information, "Tell me, Mr. Quarter. Where is your captain headed next? I am sure you want to get back to your old ship."

William chuckled deeply.

He lifted his head, looking at the captain. He smirks before suddenly spitting on his face.

Immediately, sounds of swords being pulled and guns being cocked then can be heard. They all pointed it at William.

"Never will I ever tell you, or whoever is here, where my Captain's routes are." He firmly replied.

The crew was in awe, their eyes widen seeing their Captain.

Captain Nickolas Thorne clenched his jaw as he took the bloody cloth from his wound on the side to wipe out the spit on his face. He sighed deeply, "Very well then, Mr. William..." He calmly takes the quartermaster’s collar and pulls him close, "You will tell me now, or you'll die this instant. Choose."

William wasn't afraid. He knew this day would happen. But he never thought of blaming Joana. He loves her so much that he can give up his life to save his first love.

William laughs, "Then kill me. I don't mind." He proudly says. "It is better for a pirate like me to protect his ship rather than sail with this old Maiden." He agitates the captain.

Captain Nickolas Thorne narrowed his eyes. He pulls him closer, breaths away. "Very well, then." He smirks at the latter. "If that is what you want."

Captain Thorne pushed William hard that caused him to fall on the floor.

Nickolas eyes him down dangerously as he presented his palm to his righthand man, telling him to give him his sword.

Mr. Taylor gave it to him proudly.

The captain pointed the tip of his sword at William's neck, smirking at him before he aims. "Any last words?" Nickolas asks.

William smirks back, "My captain will destroy you." With his pride in him, he lifts his chin, ready to receive whatever was upon him.

Nickolas chuckled deeply as he shook his head, "Well, you've asked for it."

William closes his eyes as soon as he sees Captain Thorne swing his sword up.

This is it, he thought. I love you, Joana.

William reminisces their past as he waits for his death. He truly loved her.

With one more breath, Nickolas swings the sword about to cut William's throat until—

BANG!

A bullet hit the tip of the sword spot on, causing it to change course and miss William's neck.

The captain was surprised and followed wherever that bullet came from.

They all lifted their heads, seeing a small height captain at the edge of the ship.

Captain Nickolas smiled, "Ah, Captain Jonathan Slate. You’re back so soon?" He stands up properly, greeting him with a mocking bow.

William's eyes widen when he heard the name, and he immediately looked wherever they were looking at.

He gasped. "Captain!"

Captain Slate looked at him but then ignored him.

"I am what you want, isn't that right, Captain Thorne?" She talks like a man, no wonder they never thought of her being a woman behind those clothing.

Nickolas was amused, "Oh, I longed for you." He exaggerates. “It’s just surprising that you’re back this soon.”

William became more nervous. Did he find out?

Captain Jonathan raised his chin, "Now that I'm here in front of you, let my quartermaster go." She commands.

But Captain Nickolas Thorne wanted to play more. "Oh… But you just came, young captain." He walks towards her slowly.

He can’t stop the smile that was forming on his lips.Joana was observant of him.

"Please, I invite you to stay." He insisted while he eyed his crew behind the younger captain and signaled him to capture her.

The crew understood and immediately held the captain's arms and trap her.

Although Joana can take him down easily, she decided not to.

"We would like you to stay, Captain Slate." Nickolas looked down at her as soon as he arrived in front of the younger one. “We still have some business to do.” His jaw clenched.

She rolled her eyes to the side to see her righthand man. William was shaking his head, obviously telling her to escape now that she still has a chance.

Joana sighed, facing the Captain. "I am what you want, leave him be and let him go." She said through her gritted teeth.

Nickolas, amused by his beauty, raised her chin.

"Welcome aboard, Captain Slate."