Spike's ship had come into Thresher Bay, and strangely enough, the ships that were blocking the bay moved aside, "I guess they knew we were coming... Be on guard."

The crew nodded, and Penelope said, "We've got Tiny Tooth Ed and Barry Cuda in shackles, we're ready to deliver them."

Spike smiled, "Good, the faster I've got these idiots off my ship, the better."

As the ship docked, a Thresher came out to meet them, along with a Hammerhead. The Thresher greeted Spike, "You must be the Black Rose Dragon I've heard so much about. I see you've brought in two of the bounties we put up. I'll get you paid, but we have business to discuss. Follow me." before leading Spike into a fortress.

Spike thought for a moment, "Let me guess, you want to team up with my crew in order to take down Finn?"

The Thresher nodded, "That's right. My name's Tauro. This is Rakeki." as they sat at a table, Tauro explained his offer, "We all have a common enemy with the Cutthroats. I have no problems teaming up with the Hammerhead Clan, but you are the key piece in this little war of ours. Finn wants you bad, he's paranoid. When people are paranoid, they make mistakes."

Spike nodded, "You want me to push him far enough until he slips up and we can capture him. I'll agree to that."

Tauro smiled, "Good, it's a deal then. We'll bring Finn to his knees with the three of us working together. And when he finally messes up, we'll pounce."

Rakeki nodded, "Indeed, and considering we've already caught two of his goons, it won't be long before he slips up."

Spike smiled, "Right. Now, we need to get going, do you have the bounty money?"

Tauro snapped his fingers, and a shark came out with the money for the bounties Spike had claimed, handing him the bags of gold. "Good luck out there, pirate."

Spike chuckled, "Thanks." before heading back to his ship. "Now, we have to go give the crabs their share of Barry's bounty, so set sail for Red Hook."

After giving the crabs their share of the bounty, Spike went up to the crow's nest to think. "I wonder... Finn's tricky, he won't fall right into our hands, we'll have to do more than just capturing his goons. Perhaps cutting his business from under him would help..." before climbing back down to the deck and telling the crew, "We're going to target Finn's business, anything that makes him money, we target. That's the best way to draw him out and get him to make mistakes."

Twilight suggested, "Perhaps attacking some Cutthroat ships would cause a decline in business. If Finn can't protect his ships and cargo, nobody will want to do business with him."

Spike nodded, "A good idea, let's get to it then." before moving to the stern of the ship in order to get a good view of any ships they could plunder.

Three hours later...

As the 12th ship they'd plundered sank, Spike made his way back to his ship laughing, "I haven't had this much fun in a long time!"

Twilight lifted a pint of cider, "I'll drink to that, this is much more fun than I thought it'd be."

Everyone lifted a glass of Applejack's fresh cider, before a raven landed on the side of the ship, dropped an envelope, and flew off.

Spike picked up the envelope and opened it to smirk, "It's Finn, he's challenging me."

Bulk Biceps smiled, "Finally! This is our chance to avenge Zecora!"

The Doctor tipped his hat up, "I'd say it sounds like a trap, but with the HMS Pinafore's crew part of the crew, I don't think we have anything to worry about, even if it is a trap."

Spike nodded, "Right, especially considering he wants me to come alone. I'm not as naïve as I was the first time. We have to prepare for this." Before putting his good hand into a circle, "No retreat, no surrender." before the others joined in.

And so, with the help of the Thresher and Hammerhead Clans, Spike has drawn out Finn, who demands a duel with him. Knowing it's a trap, Spike takes time to prepare so that he doesn't make the same mistake twice. It's only a matter of time before Spike gives Finn what he believes he deserves, a bullet to the head.

Next Chapter: Prince of the Sharks Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 12 Minutes