Spike walked up from Skull Island's docks, and towards the main square. He saw an old cat and walked up to him asking, "Excuse me sir, do you know where Captain Avery's office is?" He then noticed that the old cat was blind. "Oh, I didn't realize you were blind. My apologies."

The cat coughed lightly, "Just because I'm blind doesn't mean I don't know my way around the island. Head through the shopping district and take the stairs up to the Skull Fort. Avery's office is up there."

Spike was surprised that the cat knew such directions, despite being blind. He thanked him and headed up the stairs the cat told him. When he saw Avery's office, he hurried in and asked a man in a fancy coat with a cockatoo on his shoulder, "Excuse me, but are you Captain Avery? The Moon Lily told me to come here."

The man looked over to Spike and when he mentioned the Moon Lilly, his eyes widened, "You know the Moon Lily? I'm surprised that she would associate with a child like you."

Spike growled lightly, "She's more than just an associate, she's my aunt."

The man seemed even more surprised, "Well, any family of the Moon Lily is welcome in Skull Island! I must say though, you look more like a royal than a pirate. If you're trying to escape something, you stick out like a sore thumb. I'll have the town tailor stitch you a proper outfit. The other pirates will never take someone like you seriously if you dress like a royal."

Spike smiled, "Thank you Captain Avery. I'll do what I can to earn my stay here."

Avery shook his head, "Don't worry about it child. I'm sure that you'll be a fine pirate, just like your aunt. I'll get in contact with the tailor in town. Head down there and tell him I sent you. Your outfit's on me, but after that you'll have to start paying your way."

Spike thanked Avery again and headed out of his office and to the tailor. When he got to the tailor's shop, he said, "Excuse me? Captain Avery sent me."

The tailor looked up from the cloth he was stitching, "Ah! So, you're the Moon Lily's nephew, eh? If you're anything like your aunt, you'll have a sense of fashion that's stylish but functional. Let me take some measurements and I'll get started on your clothing. But first, what kind of theme would you like?"

Spike thought for a moment and said, "I want to honor my aunt's pirate name. I'm going to take on the name "Black Rose Dragon." If you can design something that ties into that, I'd be happy with that."

The tailor nodded saying, "Of course! I'm the best tailor in the Spiral! I'll make you a great outfit!" The tailor took Spike's measurements, and then got to work cutting and stitching fabric. He covered the sleeves of the coat with pieces of black fabric that were cut into the shape of rose petals. When he finished the outfit, he gave it to Spike and led him to the changing room.

Spike got out of his royal clothing and changed into the new pirate outfit. As he looked at himself in the mirrors, he smiled, "This actually looks pretty good."

As he stepped out of the changing room, the tailor smiled, "A smashing outfit! But there's one last thing. This helmet was something your aunt plundered. She told us to hold on to it for a worthy pirate. I see what she meant now. She wanted you to have it."

Spike mounted the helmet on his head and smiled, "Thank you. The outfit is perfect, and the helmet means a lot." Spike went back towards Avery's office and told Avery, "Thank you for the outfit. Although I may be dressed to impress, I can't be a pirate without a crew and a ship."

Avery sighed, "Well, I can help you with getting a ship, but you'll need to prove yourself to me. As for your crew, you'll need to go to the tavern and see if anyone is interested. Don't be too obvious in looking for crew members though. Enthusiasm won't make you look like a good captain; it'll make you look like a want-to-be pirate who wants to run headfirst into battle."

Spike smiled, "Thanks. You've been a great help. Once I get a crew going, I'll come see you to earn my ship." Spike headed to the Kraken's Skull Tavern in town and sat up at the bar. When the bartender came over to him, he said, "Demon Rum." and the bartender poured him a shot of a red beverage. Spike paid for it with some gold Luna gave him and said, "Thanks."

When he looked around the Tavern, a young woman sat next to him and said, "Hey cutie. Buy me a drink?"

Spike blushed and turned around to the bartender, "A drink for the lady please."

The girl giggled and ran her fingers through her big orange hair. "Thanks. My name's Adagio, Adagio Dazzle. What's your name?"

Spike finished his drink before telling him, "My name's the Black Rose Dragon. My real name is not important."

Adagio smiled, "Ooh, a pirate, are you? I've been looking for a little excitement since me and my sisters got split up. Mind if I join your crew?"

Spike smiled, "Not at all. Welcome to the crew Adagio."

As they shook hands, a gruff voice called out to them, "Aye, so you're getting a crew together are ya? Well, count me in!" Spike looked over to see a very buff man dressed in heavy armor and carrying a large battle axe. He was obviously a Buccaneer. "Name's Biceps. Buff Biceps, at your command cap'n."

A third voice with a unique accent said, "If you are forming a crew, perhaps I could join the brew. My name is Zecora. I know much about magic and medicinal flora." The Zebra girl was obviously a Witchdoctor, considering the way she spoke in rhymes.

Spike chuckled, "Well, looks like this crew's getting pretty well off, we've got a Buccaneer, a Witchdoctor, a Privateer, and a Swashbuckler."

A voice from the back of the tavern said, "No crew is complete without a Musketeer." A man in a brown trench coat and fedora stepped out of the corner and said, "Cheers. My name is Time Turner. Most people just call me The Doctor though. I know enough about guns to take down a mosquito with a sniper rifle."

Spike smiled and said, "Well, a round of Yum for me and my new crew then!" Spike and his crew cheered and drank their drinks, Spike thought to himself, "These guys seem like a great crew. I'm glad I chose this life."

Next Chapter: An Eye for an Eye, A Hand for a Hand Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 9 Minutes