Chapter Text
The sea was calm, almost too calm. A slowly rippling mirror as far as the eye can see. The utter vastness of it was beautiful, but with that subtle layer of purely terrifying, but maybe that’s what made it so beautiful. Despite the depths below beckoning to swallow you up, the siren song of adventure and danger was addicting to Sonic. He’d seen the ocean his whole life, and when the little land he had was explored to every nook and cranny, he answered the call. At the moment, he was hundreds of miles away from his home on South Island, and it felt like hundreds of years since he was there. The memories, and the island, seemed so distant when staring out on the sea, rippling like blue grass in the wind.
Sonic wondered if he’d even be welcomed back on South Island, or be outlawed there for something or other. He’d forgotten at this point why he wanted on so many islands, the cause could either be landing his ship without paying or stealing a cursed artifact from some wealthy noble. Whatever it was, he was never caught, he, and his ship, were too fast for that. It was a point of honor for Sonic that he’d never been imprisoned, not because he was law abiding, but that the law was too slow to catch him.
Sonic heard a familiar whirring, and turned to see Tails-his only friend from his home island and second hand-landing next to him, map in hand.
“Something wrong?”
“We might be off course...” He unfolded the lengthy map, “...somehow.”
“I thought you said it was a straight shot?” Sonic bent over, looking at the map. It had years of use and years of writing, scribbles, and markings, to the point where it was practically unreadable, but sonic knew it like the back of his hand, and knew the marking of their destination.
“It should have been, and nothing has changed our direction.”
“Maybe that cursed treasure with no discernible curse is at fault.”
“I don’t think so, but if this continues be ready to heave the chest into the ocean.”
“Aye.” He sniffed the air. “I wonder if we’re close to another ship.”
“Why?” Tails re-folded the map, and sniffed the air as well.
“Can you smell that? It’s distant, but something smells of wine.”
Tails spin his tails, flying up to the small crow’s nest and looking around. “Nothing but sea and clouds.” Tails chuffed. “Hence why I think we’re off course, we should be there-or near at least-by now.”
“You don’t think a whole island could sink, could it?”
“Only if some monster or god got involved, which I doubt.”
Sonic rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t be so sure, mate.” he sped up to the wheel and turned the ship towards the smell. A few minutes later, and Sonic pulled a rope that moved the sail, making the ship slow down. He leaned over the side, and gestured for Tails. He flew down, and leaned over as well.
“What is it?”
“Get a closer look if you want.”
Tails cautiously flew down, and ran his hands over the top of the water. Eventually he grew curious and flew lower, taking a closer look, before flying back up. Sonic raised his brow expectantly.
“...It was palm trees, wrecked, but there.”
“Those don’t usually grow underwater do they?”
Tails rubbed his chin. “That’s amazing… how is something like this possible?”
“I guess we’ll find out.” Sonic spun around, changing the direction of the sail. “There’s the other island bar just a day away, if there’s survivors, that’s where they are.”
Despite being the younger brother in the relationship, Tails had the power of an older sibling tone; “Now Sonic…”
“What?”
“Are we actually gonna stick to, you know, getting money to survive, or are you going to go on a wild goose chase just for the hell of it.”
Sonic turned to the small fox, and winked. “You know the answer.”
He sighed, then smiled. “Eh, food can be stolen.”
“That’s the spirit!”
The two arrived at the bar faster than predicted, and reached it late at night, or early in the morning, depending on who you ask. This area had a lot of small islands, separated enough for bar owners to set up shop. They were all very competitive, and most pirates had loyalties to certain bars. At these places, normal sailors were a rarity, and the entire buildings were flooded with pirates of all shapes and sizes, leading to there being job opportunities and trades, as well as a high chance of a bar fight breaking out, but for Sonic a bar fight was a plus.
They landed their ship on the expansive dock branching out from the island. Had Sonic’s pride been in the size of his ship he may have been jealous of the amount of gargantuan ships also docked there.
“More ships than usual.” Sonic said, recalling the usual crowd. “I think I was right.”
“Well there’s one less bar than usual.” Tails replied, tying knots so the ship wouldn’t sail away, “Either all their customers went here, most people here are survivors, or both.” Tails finished his knot, and clicked his tongue. “Also, what makes you think the sinking was recent?”
“Just a hunch.” Sonic said, his hands behind his head, nestled nicely between his quills. “Also the plant life we saw would have been gone, ripped up by the waves, if it was weeks ago, so they weren’t there that long.”
“I noticed that too, I just wanted to make sure you weren’t betting on a whim.”
Sonic hopped off the ship’s deck, watching Tails follow behind. “Well, we’ll find out soon enough.”
The Claw and Scabbard was completely packed, pirates yelling, laughing and cheering filled the entire building. Both Sonic and Tails lightly laid hands over their ears, muffling the noise as much as they could while still being alert. Sonic leaned down to talk into Tails’ ear. “Why don’t you watch the ship? I’ll get info…” Tails gave him a piercing glare, “...and a job.” Tails nodded and left the bar.
Sonic scanned the area, finding an empty seat at the bar itself, and speeding over to it before it was taken. He took a deep breath, and took the hands off his ears. Every conversation in the room flooded his hearing like a wave. He couldn’t make out any conversations specifically, but he heard people talking about the recent sinking of the Wine Locker. Some groups were disappointed, some-the comparative ones no doubt-were elated, but none seemed to be talking about being there.
Finally the barkeep saw Sonic, and walked over.
“Aye, Sonic! Didn’t expect you at this time of year.”
“Plans change.” Sonic replied.
“You’ve got that right, do you know how many things we need to double order for this kind of boom? Speaking of, I doubt you’ll find a job in this climate.”He put a hand on his hip, looking around. “People are here only to spread rumors and start fights.”
“Awww... I missed one?”
“Three, actually. Just today.”
“Then with luck I'll be here when another one breaks out, and don’t tell Tails this, but it’s fine if we can’t find a job at this moment.”
The barkeep smirked. “Ya, I figured as much. You seem to hunt trouble as much as you hunt treasure.”
“You know me too well, Kylok. So spill it, anyone come here surviving the sinking of the Wine Locker?”
He grabbed a glass, and began mixing liquids within. “Aye, they arrived three days ago, soaking wet and cursing.” he slid the drink over to Sonic with a flourish. “They all had different stories. Some said earthquake, some said curse, some said sea monster. No stories truly align.”
“Frustrating.” Sonic took a swig. “Anyone you trust more than others?”
“Most were Wine Locker regulars, meaning they hated this place before their other option sank, meaning I don’t know any of them really.”
“Also frustrating.” Sonic chuckled. “This one’ll be fun.”
“Let me know when you figure it out.” Kylok looked around. “Although between you and me, you’re not the only one.”
“Really?”
“Surprising, ay? We have some real detectives in our midst. You have some competition.” he expected the wide smile to spread across the blue pirate’s face.
“You know that makes it more intoxicating right?”
“Well aware, I’m excited to see the race, but I’m rooting for you.”
Sonic took another swig before a loud gunshot rang throughout the bar.
“Oy! Ceilings cost money ya know!” called Kylok, although his voice wasn’t really heard. Every pirate in the building swung around to see the gun bearer, standing on a table at the center of the bar. The figure was cloaked, but still as flashy as everyone else in the bar.
“All of you may have heard of the recent, mysterious sinking of the Wine Locker, of course I have heard, being it’s previous owner.” Some pirates booed, some cheered, some stayed stone-faced, but whoever was making noise was quieted with another shot from the pistol. “Paterons, I’m well aware the bars in this area, as well as my own, are home to many job offers to pirates hoping to make a fortune or two, well those who are seeking this are in luck.” Sonic ears turned up, as did a lot of others in the bar. “I’m raising the best quest some of you may have in your life. There are many stories about what happened, only three days later and rumors have spread as far as the sea. But I can confirm that it was the doing of a monster.” everyone gasped in unison, and whispering began spreading, creating a low hum. “In fact, it was the doing of mermaids.” Some people laughed, some didn’t, but Sonic was listening intently. “Any one of ye who captures these creatures, will gain a hefty fortune.” Dramatically, the figure took out a large bag from their cloak, and spread coins about the bar, causing a large russell of pirates scrambling to grab the gold. Once every coin was grabbed, the figure shot their pistol for a final time, silencing the crowd. “The last sighting was east of here, towards the night islands, once captured they should be brought here, alive, to me, and I’ll know if they’re fake.” With that, the cloaked person swished off the table, and left the bar.
At first, there was a lull of whispering, before the noise broke out again twice fold. Sonic covered his ears again.
“Well?” Sonic turned to Kylok, who was tapping his fingers on the bar intently.
Sonic nodded. “You know me.” the entire mystery of it tasted better to him than any food or drink. The mysterious owner, mystical mermaids, a race to get it before everyone else, this was perfection. “It’s like this quest was made for me.”
Kylok laughed, before their face strangely fell. They stared, hiding fear behind their eyes, right behind Sonic.
Sonic was about to question, before his thought was interrupted.
“I wouldn’t be so sure, thrillseeker.” Kylok bit his lip and stepped away, letting the person take a seat on the now empty stool next to Sonic.
The bright velvet of their outfit caught the eye immediately, not only that but the largeness of the hat, coat, and everything else but the person themself. If it was an attempt to seem taller, it worked. They must have come in just now, if Sonic had not seen them before. Even other people in the bar were secretly staring.
He tipped his feathered hat. “Sonic.”
Sonic grinned. “Captain Shadow.”