The Revered Sky Pirates

...So I said, "Become a Sky Pirate? Try finding 'em first!" "We're talking decades since those guys were flyin' about and making their mischief." Still he wasn't shaken in the slightest! Boy. Real wacky kid, that one.

Some kid wants to join the crew? Well, his determination sounds promising!

"Promising"? What now? You know they're criminals, right, lady?

Ahaha...Hilarious, right? Good one, Yazuki...

Oh, come on, Aldo! How could I NOT take an interest?

Don't tell me you're thinking of recruiting him into the Sea Cats.

How EVER did you guess that? You a psychic or something?

You don't have to be so sarcastic...

Think about how much sense it makes, Aldo! If the kid has talent why turn down an extra pair of hands for the cause?

Hey, Gramps! Know where the pipsqueak got to?

Hold on, missy, I ain't that old! And how would I know anyway? Take a look around for yourself!

Yeesh, what a grump. Whatever. Come on, Aldo. Let's go find that kid!

Whaddya mean "like"? I AM a sky pirate, kid. Duh.

Technically "former sky pirate," but sure.

No way! A really real sky pirate?! Which crew were you in?

Heheh. You heard of the Sea Cats, by any chance?

The Sea Cats?! You bet! They're only the biggest, strongest, bestest sky pirates in the whole world! They take back stolen treasure from bad guys and do loadsa good deeds and stuff!

So that's what you did, Yazuki. That's actually kind of admirable.

That's right, we're thieves with honor! You're pretty well-informed, kiddo. Especially considering there aren't many of us around these days to ask.

My Grandpa was the one who told me all about sky pirates! That's why when I grow up I wanna be a sky pirate too!

But everyone keeps telling me I can't because sky pirates are bad people.

Hah! And?

Do what you want, when you want, how you want. That's what being a sky pirate's about! "The sky's the limit" and...and all that stuff!

Wooow...So that's what a real sky pirate would say!

Okay, I'm gonna tell you about the super secret site. But only 'cause you're cool.

Uh... "Super secret"? Where is it?

On the internet! It's for people who like sky pirates. We share stories and rumors and all kinds of information with each other there!

First I've heard of anything like it. Interesting.

Right?! Hey, so, can you guys help me? If you do I'll tell you how to get on the secret site!

Huh. Bargaining with pirates at this age? You've got a bright future ahead of ya, kid. All right, I'll hear you out.

Heheh! Well, I'm what you might call a "cone-is-sore" of sky pirate "arty facts."

And I ALWAYS wanted a flag of the Sea Cats. Can I have one?

What, is that it? Sure.

Really? But isn't it like your super special symbol or something?

Nah, not really. Just a scrap of cloth 'far as I'm concerned.

Wow, thanks, lady! I'm gonna treasure it forever and ever, I promise!

Uh...Well, do you have it on you, Yazuki?

No, but I have a friend out by the airport who should. What are you waiting for? Let's go get it from him!

Hm? Well, if it isn't Yazuki! And just as in need of a hairbrush as ever.

The day you start getting younger will be the day I let a bristle near these flowing tresses, old man.

Foul-tempered as ever too, I see. So, you've come to ask a favor, right?

A favor? No, you wound me! I just wanted to ask if you still had the flag, that's all.

Hah, what a question! It's never left my side, not even for a moment. I have it right here tucked away close to my heart.

Great! You don't mind if I take it, do you?

Have a heart, Yazuki! If it means that much to him you can't expect him to...

Sure, here you go.

You've gotta be kidding me!

Nope. With the Sea Cats all but dissolved it's practically nothing more than a dish rag now.

Thanks! I owe ya one.

Can't say I can think why you'd want it but any use it's put to is fine by me. A word of warning though, Yazuki.

Yes, yes, one day my head'll become a nest for birds.

Not that. Lately word on the streets of Elzion says mercenaries are skulking round town hunting down the last sky pirates. Thankfully none of ours'a been captured yet but...Watch you don't become the first.

Hah, bounty hunters? You must be getting soft in your old age, Gramps.

Relax. If they try anything the hunters will become the hunted. You can bet on that!

Sure, sure. Can't hurt to be careful though.

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Hey, Aldo. Let's get this flag back to Short Stuff and get the scoop on this secret site of his!

Weird, I would've thought he'd still be here. We weren't gone that long.

Yeah. I thought he couldn't wait to get his hands on that flag.

Excuse me. Have you seen the boy who was hanging around here a short while ago?

Him? Oh, he was literally just abducted by some scary-looking thug. I wasn't paying too much attention but I think I heard them say he was a pirate.

A pirate, you say? That sounds very thuggish indeed.

Coming from you, isn't that the pot calling the kettle bla...

No, it's not! I'm a good pirate, okay? I'm totally like a silver saucepan or something!

O-Okay, I'm sorry! You're a saucepan! And not all pirates are good guys like you!

Honestly, most of them aren't good guys like me. Which means that the kid could be in real danger.

Not on our watch. Ma'am, which way did they go?

Um...Towards Route 99, I think? Probably.

Route 99, you say? That sounds very, VERY thuggish. Aldo, let's hurry!

Hey, Muscles! You seen any suspicious-looking thugs with a little kid rolling around here?

...I recognize you. You're one of those Sea Cats.

Look out, lady! He's a bounty hunter!

Uh-huh! He kidnapped me 'cause I wouldn't tell him how to get to the secret site!

Impersonating a sky pirate to extort intel from a child? Heh. You get a bronze star for trying but I'll be damned if I let you get away with something so nefarious.

By all means, keep trying though.

Heh! Well, I'll have you know that I settle for nothing less than gold, girlie. And I'll be sitting pretty on a big pile of it after I crack that kid and round up all you pirate scum!

Cute dream you got there.

Stay back, kid!

N-No! Bested by a lowlife pirate? Never! I'll get you and my reward if it's the last thing I do!

With what army, huh? Oooooor...In fact, you're welcome to try it all by yourself.

That could be fun. Especially after the kid here puts your info on blast all over the pirate fansite.

N-Now wait a minute, let's not be hasty! Maybe we can work something out, eh?

What? I'd be practically handing you a bunch of pirate bounties on silver platter! All that money on each head must total to quite the stack of riches, right? That is, if you could live to take 'em all. How long do you think you could hold out before they got you? Or AFTER they got you, huh?

AAACK! N-No, please! Not that! Anything but that!

Then get outta here, ya lily-livered chicken! And don't let me see your face round these parts again, or else!

Geewhiz, lady! That was AMAZING!

Now that he's been set straight, here. The real, genuine flag of the Sea Cats.

Oh boy, that's it! That's really it! Thanks so much, lady! Here, this is how you get into the super secret site, just...

Nah, it's fine. I'm good.

B-But, your super special flag... You're giving it to me for nothing?

Yep. I dunno, kid, maybe I just kinda like your moxie!

Kidding. I don't need the flag and honestly? I lost interest in the site hours ago.

Right, the deal's done. Let's get going, Aldo.

U-Um, wait!

...Miss Sky Pirate, do you think I'll grow up to be all cool and strong like you one day?

I don't know, I'd have to be able to time travel and check on you in the future to answer that question, but...

Take a look up there, kiddo. The sky seems practically held hostage by the clouds, as dark and gloomy as it is right now. But behind all that haze, it's still there, an ocean of glittering blue, and it only needs one opening to shine through!

If you aim to live your life the same way...

Your feet are never gonna touch the ground! It ain't the ship, the fights or the loot. Being a sky pirate is all about the attitude. Live free and be determined. Do that and you'll be the coolest pirate around, I guarantee it!