Spike walked out of his quarters on the ship to think for a moment, until Penelope came over to him saying, "Captain, I've got a lead on Barry Cuda. He's making a spice deal with the Red Claw Gang, if we leave for Red Hook now, we can get there to talk with the crabs before Barry shows up."

Spike smiled, "Good lead, let's get going." before helping to raise the anchor and started steering to Red Hook. When they arrived, he decided to take Rainbow Dash, Morgan, and Penelope with him to see the crabs.

The first crab they saw said, "Hey, you ain't Cuda! Who are ya mugs, walking into our place?"

Spike said, "I'm here on business. There's a bounty on Barry Cuda, if you let me wait for him to show up for your spice deal, I'll share the bounty with you."

The crab asked, "How much is this bounty?"

Spike looked to Penelope, who said, "175,000 gold pieces."

Spike was surprised the bounty was that high, but cleared his throat and said, "How does a 60/40 split sound?"

The crab thought for a minute and said, "I'm personally fine with it, but you've got to talk to Buster Crab, come with me." before walking farther into the cave and introducing the head of the Red Claw Gang to the pirates and told him the offer.

Buster Crab looked at Spike and said, "Wait a minute, you're the one who stopped the Troggies from blowing up the island, ain't you? If that's the case, I'm in. Barry should be here in an hour or so, so you've got time to prepare for when he shows up. Just be warned, Barry ain't like other Cutthroats, he's never willing to go down without a fight."

Spike nodded, "Consider me warned." before getting ready for the upcoming fight.

One hour later...

A shark came into the cave with a large sack of gold. He yelled out, "Alright crabs, I've got the money, so come out with the spices.

Spike stepped out of the darkness of the cave and said, "Sorry Cuda, but there's a new deal." before Penelope, Rainbow Dash, and Morgan also came out of the darkness to surround Barry.

Barry laughed, "Oi, you're those chumps who lost to Finn. If you can't beat Finn-" before he could go on, Spike held out his mechanical hand and fired a bullet into the shark's chest.

Spike walked up to the injured shark and said, "A bit of advice, don't ramble on when you're outnumbered in a fight, just act." before placing his heavy boot on his chest and pushing down. When he heard a crack, he asked, "Oh, was that your rib? That was your rib wasn't it? Well, the Threshers will pay more money for you alive than dead, so I suppose that's good. Other than this of course." before crushing Barry's hands under his boot.

As the shark screamed in pain with his broken rib and crushed hands, he begged, "Please! Don't turn me into the Threshers! They're insanely brutal, please, give me a warrior's death! I beg you!"

Spike glared at him, "I learned this phrase from a much more powerful pirate. Lie, steal, cheat, but never beg. Besides, you and I both know you don't deserve a warrior's death, you're no warrior." before getting off him and letting Rainbow Dash and Penelope restrain Barry as they got him up. Spike looked to Buster Crab and said, "If you're willing, I'd be more than happy to trade the gold Cuda came here with for those spices of yours."

Buster Crab laughed heartily, "You may be a runt, but you certainly think like a pirate! It's a deal kid. My boys will deliver the spices to your cargo hold."

Spike chuckled, "I appreciate that." before handing over the gold to the crab. When they returned to their ship, a crab was waiting for them and Spike asked, "I assume the spices are in my cargo hold?"

The crab nodded, "Yep, just as Buster told me to. Good luck out there, pirate." before walking back to Red Hook Cave.

Rainbow Dash walked over to Spike after taking Barry Cuda down to the brig and said, "Don't you think that was a little bit of overkill, crushing his hands like that?"

Spike sighed, "Perhaps, but in this life, you need to do anything to win, including playing dirty. I still have some honor as a prince, but said honor has little place in the life of a pirate. Zecora's death taught me that."

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Aye, aye captain. Should we get going to deliver these two to the Threshers, or should we wait until we've got Ol' Chum too?"

Spike thought for a moment, "I think we should just deliver them now, the long they're in the brig, the longer we have to put up with them."

Rainbow Dash laughed, "Good point. Alright, I'll get us set up to sail to Sharkfang Bluff."

Spike smiled, "Good." before kissing Rainbow Dash's cheek and climbing up into the crow's nest of the ship. He always enjoyed being up there when he needed time to think. As he looked down to his crew he wondered, "Which girl should I add next?"

Meanwhile at Sharkfang Bluff...

The Thresher Clan's leaders were discussing the new up and coming pirate known as the Black Rose Dragon. The main leader said, "Word has it he's caught Tiny Tooth Ed and Barry Cuda. He certainly has a grudge against Finn and the Cutthroats, just like us and the Hammerheads. Perhaps we should discuss adding a few of our forces to his crew, in conjuncture with the Hammerhead Clan. All three of us working in union would easily crush the Cutthroats."

The other leaders voiced their opinions and when it came to a vote, it was agreed that they would seek an alliance with Spike and the Hammerhead Clan to destroy the Cutthroats.

And so, with the cooperation of the Red Hook Gang, Spike's crew has caught Barry Cuda, and are heading to deliver him and Tiny Tooth Ed to the Threshers. Spike is also contemplating who to add to his harem next. While this takes place, the leaders of the Thresher family are discussing their clan's stand with Spike and his crew as to they are ally or enemy, and thankfully for Spike, they've declared him an ally.

Next Chapter: Collecting the Bounty Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 15 Minutes