Chester peered at the guys in the blue coats, they were all armed, and there was quite a few of them, too. Were they looking for a fight? Hopefully not. It was far too early in the morning for that. Chester walked outside, with Reno following him, Reno standing taller than he did. A man in a black coat started talking - whom didn't bother introducing himself. Incredibly rude.

Chester listened to the man talk about the 'company' they would be getting. He had no clue what the man in the black coat meant, exactly. But he figured it was someone with pretty serious power. Then again, he did mention Boss Cerulean, but the details were certainly misty.

The Pirate looked at Reno, then at the girls - Lino walked in. When the guy in the black coat told Reno to come with him, Lina froze and cringed, mouthing "Crap."

Chester looked at the man in the black coat, how he was barking orders, and the pirate put up his hand. "Just, like, one second." Chester said as he turned to Lina and Lino. "Can you go and get me a glass of juice?" He asked Lino, whom nodded "Sure!" And skipped away. He looked sheepishly at Lina. "Can you make sure she doesn't spill any?" And she sighed and nodded. Reno raised his eyebrow at Chester. Reno was tense, unhappy with what he expected to happen now.

Chester reached out his hand towards the man in Black. "I'm Chester." He simply put it, and the man in black extended his gloved hand towards Chester. "Name's Nav'ey. Friends call me Nav, if I had any." Chester nodded. "Frankly, I don't think you'll make any, either." He said, taking a step forward and palm-striking Nav with his fingers gripping his palm. The vibrations sent from Chester's palm shot through Nav, sending him flying backwards. He fell to his knee several meters away, spitting blood. "Son of a.." Nav let out, as he tried to catch his breath, figuring out just what the hell it was Chester hit him with.

His men attacked, a fight ensued, Reno was forced to partake as he used his large frame to clothes line two of the Azure-Thugs, Chester sent a roundhouse into three of them, striking them down, he kicked on guy and used the leverage to jump over another, punching him in the face, breaking his nose. He would manouver, and hitting all the remaining 9 guys once, herding them into standing just about next to each other.

One guy standing in front of him, he had his sword drawn and was about to bring it down onto Chester, whom hit him with a closed fist, in the chest. Vibro Vibro; Echo Blast The vibrations passed not only through him, but through the ground, hitting the people behind him, further damaging them and worsening any injuries he had given them when he had hit them previously.

Nav grunted, as he was climbing onto his feet again, sword in hand. "You little shit!" He shouted, his calm-demeanor now all but gone. The man was faster than Chester expected, even with the injuries the pirate had given him earlier. The sword came for Chester, and Chester blocked it thinking himself to have knocked the sword off-course, only for the blade to fold at the middle, turning the direction of the swing, as it tore into Chester's arm. He grunted, and fell on the ground with force, rolling back onto his feet, staring at Nav, whom was getting hot in his clothes. "You might've beaten Chrome, but I am the best warrior the Azure Company has on Melonberry!" He bragged, readying his next attack - only to feel that his body couldn't move.

Chester had his fist buried into the man's gut. His eyes were going blank as he uttered one sentence. "W-Who are you?" He asked and Chester spoke with a voice full of force.

"My name is Chester D. Arnold. And I..."

"Need a drink." The pirate spoke, his sober-head was killing him. He looked at Reno, whom had dealt with the two thugs with ease. "You're pretty strong, aren't you? Why aren't you fighting these guys?" Chester asked him, and Reno shrugged.

"Not that it matters. They won't bother you again. I have to get a ship, and provisions. And besides, this Cerulean's guy has pissed me off. So, if it's OK with you, I'd like to stay here for the next week and see this guy face-to-face."

Lina and Lino came out of the house again, seeing the mayhem that had ensued, and Chester bleeding, they gasped, Chester grabbed the glass from Lino's plate, chugging it as Lino looked at his bleeding arm. "You have a boo-boo, Chest!"

Chester chuckled. "Please, don't call me that."

"Chest, chest, chest." Lino laughed as Lina mentioned for Chester to come inside, as she went to get the medical supplies.

A few minutes later, Lina had nearly finished patching up Chester's cut when Reno returned from outside.

Noticing him, Lina asked, "Is something wrong?"

Remo hissed, "Nav might be down, but there are still more of them on the island. It could get ugly. Are you finished?"

Lina gave one last tug of the bandage on Chester's arm, before confirming, "Yeah."

"Take Lino to...the mayor's. No, too close to the Azure Company's headquarters. Suan's then."

Lina frowned, "Then what are you going to do?"

Reno insisted, "We're not sitting around here while the Azure Company can still move. I know the island as good as anyone here, so..." Reno pointed to Chester then back to him, "We're going to give things a look before they make another move. Any questions?"

---

"Ma'am, there's been a problem..."

Lifting up her head, Lady Momo had already had enough after that long night. Seeing her messenger, she growled, "What did he do this time!?"

"He's beaten Nav'ey. We don't know what he plans to do next yet..."

Puffing at her pipe, she clenched her teeth before it snapped like a twig in her hands. Throwing it down, she insisted, "No change in plans yet, but prepare a crow anyway. And try to keep eyes on him. All of them!"

Once left alone, Momo retrieved the shards of her pipe. She'd liked this one. And much like this town, she didn't want to see it broken.

Chester nodded, as Lina finished stitching him up. She handed him a bottle of freshly brewed Melonberry Wine - it hadn't been cooled, or aged, since she literally made it this morning, yet, Chester gulped it down. "Lina! This is like the tastiest wine I've ever had!" He said, with a smile, his mood turning less and less sour with each mouthful of alcohol he got.

"It's actuall-" Lina tried to interject, but was shutdown by her brother's voice.

Reno mentioned that the two of them should go scope out the Azure compounds. And Chester nodded. "Sounds like a plan." He said, grabbing the bottle he had been drinking from off the table. "Thanks, Lina. You too, Lino. Stay safe." He said, with a smile. And they waved, Lino, still amazed with the ability Chester had to consume beverages. Lina, was still amazed that the pirate couldn't tell the difference between wine and punch.

He and Reno headed outside, and Reno stopped him. "Or we can check if there truly was a ship to take you off the island. Then we can commandeer that, and you can be on your way." And Chester scoffed. "So you still want to get rid of me? I thought we were bonding when we were kicking bad-guys ass." Reno scoffed. "You're dangerous, you're a pirate. You're barely better than the Azure Company." Chester shrugged.

"Whatever you say. But, I'm not leaving until I've seen this Cerulean guy." Chester said, as Reno gritted his teeth. Was this guy serious? He wanted to mess with Cerulean?

***

The two arrived, and Reno pressed against the wall, about to jump over it, as Chester grunted. Tapping the wall with a finger, and then readying a fist, punching a hole through it, the vibrations shattering a hole big enough for the two of them, but it drew the attention of the Azure company, whom lined up around the two. Chester motioned for Reno to stay back. "I'm at full power now. Unlike back at the house." He said, motioning towards the bottle he had in his hand - about a third left in it of the most delicious wine the rum-fanatic had ever had.

A bullet rang out, and the bottle shattered, and so did Chester's hope and spirit, as the liquid fell to the ground, so did Chester, prompting a reaction from Reno. Sobbing, Chester looked up from his position on his knees. His eyes looked primal.

"Who?!"

"You better show me Cerulean right now, or I'm gonna break one bone in your each of your bodies for each drop of alcohol you just spilled."

Slapping a palm to his forehead, Reno growled, "Cerulean's not here yet you idiot."

Within the group of stunned men near the compound entrance, the one with a smoking rifle barrel was smacked by another, who shouted, "Why the hell did you shoot him!?"

"I panicked! Did you hear what he did to Chrome? Chrome!"

"Just shut up and go get Momo!"

As the messenger scampered away, the most experienced looking of the group waved as he turned to the building. "Lady Momo isn't going to want to see you outside." While most men went back to their posts, eyes warily on Reno and Chester, a few headed to the smaller, complete building, leaving the other one be.

As Chester and Reno made their way along. En route, Reno asked, "Chester...what are you going to do?"

"You haven't killed any of these guys. I'm not asking you too, but even if you beat Cerulean, then what? He'll just leave us alone? How long until some other pirate or mafia group comes along? Are you going to stay here forever?" Reno studied Chester, before stating, "I couldn't imagine it."

Chester's primal eyes looked at the man who's rifle was smoking. "You.." He said under his breath, about to pounce as one of the men spoke up, freezing him in place. "Who's Momo?" Chester had to ask, before Reno intervened and asked Chester - the crowd was dispearsing. His question was intimate, and it had no easy answers, really. Chester nodded. "I haven't killed anyone yet. And I'm not interested in doing so. This Cerulean guy pissed me off, and I'm gonna kick his ass, and that's all there's to it. I'm a pirate - not someone who'll go around saving villages, even if it's a nice one." He explained - matter of fact.

"Besides, you and Lina are strong enough to handle these mooks if you wanted."

He waved to Reno, as he headed inside - where the guy who had shot his bottle was quiver. "I-I'm sorry for attacking you!" He cried as Chester grabbed his collar. "You... You DESTROYED MY WINE" He shouted, tossing the man to the ground. "I'm coming back for you." He said, heading into the room where the old lady was sitting, smoking her pipe. He approached her, and two men - taller than him, in black robed stood, their hands on their swords.

Extending his hand. "Wanna put away your weapons and shake on it?" He asked, as the two shrugged and let him get through. The woman had noticed him, as he walked into her chambers. "Sup."

Fresh pipe in hand, Lady Momo's eyes were narrowed as Chester so casually entered. From her spot on her knees, she said, "You must be Chester. And Reno..." A faux smile creeping on to her chubby face, she cooed, "Has your little sister gotten any bigger?"

Reno snorted, refusing to sit on his knees as Momo so casually did. Looking up at the two men, Momo began, "So, let's cut to the chase. As I see it, you want to beat up Boss Cerulean, while you want the Azure Company off the island. I'm afraid neither of those things are going to happen. Cerulean's no pushover, even for someone like you, if what I've heard is true. And even if we are beaten, we're not just going to leave."

Reno cleared his throat loudly, before stating, "Unless one of you is beaten after a deal is struck. You're all about 'might makes right', aren't you? If Chester really is stronger than Cerulea-"

"Our rules only apply within our ranks, silly boy. Besides, might is more than just strength. I'm the most powerful person on the island, but I'm not it's strongest fighter, fufufu." Tapping out her pipe, she filtered in soem fresh tobacco before stating, "Besides, I'm done negotiating with you. All previous attempts have failed, after all. The two of you will be publicly executed for standing against the Azure Company. Chester for your regular, unprovoked assaults on Azure Company members and Reno for your blatant theft of our wares and aiding and abetting Chester." Reno flinched, and Momo giggled, "You're the only one who knows enough to steal that much of our product."

However, the two armed men didn't make a move to capture Reno or Chester. Even as Reno pulled one of his pistols and aimed it at Momo. Clearly caught off guard, Reno hesistated.

Taking a long drag from her pipe, Momo exhaled, before stating, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. If either of you struggle, then my men elsewhere in the building will send out a crow. That crow will reach some of my men in the field, who will kill your younger sisters." Reno had a sharp intake of breath, his pistol quavering, as Momo stuck her pipe back into her mouth.

Chester raised a fist, but Reno's hand snapped to his wrist, holding him back. As Momo gave a knowing smile, Reno, sweat beading on his forhead, clutched his pistol as he hissed, "If you...if you...if you think you're endangering my family you're out of line!" He had a sharp intake of breath, before dropping Chester's hand wrist, the pirates hand sunk down towards his legs. With a shudder, he said weakly, "They're all I have.." The man said as he gritted his teeth, Chester lowered his hand, and Reno lowered his gun, the elderly woman grinned. "So, you're not such fools, after all, fufufufu" The two bodygards approached the two of them with steel handcuffs. Reno was hanging his head.

"I'm sorry that your journey's gonna end like this, Chester." Reno said, sorrow in his voice and Chester shook his head. "I'm not." The cuffs clasped around Reno's wrists, but as they were going for Chester, the pirate looked up, and in a flash, his hands vibrated as he appeared like a blur, his arms reaching out with unbelievable speed and force to each of his sides, hitting both of the bodyguards in the chest, sending them both into the walls of the arc of the doorway, knocking them out cold.

Momo stood up, and looked at Chester with a surprised expression, Reno shouted "Chester!" as Momo yelled "Send the crow! Kill the girls!" She shouted, as she was met with Chester's fist colliding with her face. He turned to Reno, whom looked like he was going to cry. Chester patted him on the shoulder. "You have to go save them. I'll beat up every azure guy I see. Lina's strong, but she'll need your help if they outman them. They might still be at the house." Reno nodded. "If something happens to them, I swear, you pirate I wi-"

Chester stopped him, as he chopped Reno's cuffs in half with a vibrating fist. "You can beat me up later. Save your family while you can. You've got time." Chester grabbed the pistols the two bodyguards had in their belt, as he walked out of the room, guards coming as Chester fired at them, giving Reno an opportunity to run away. Chester was a pretty terrible shot, but it was enough to cause a covering fire, as well as let him move closer towards his foes.

Teeth bared, Reno charged out of the compound. It didn't take long for the ten or so men outside to become aware of his presence, and move for him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a crow swooping down into the village, far out of his range. Snarling, he let loose his pistols, aiming at anyone with a firearm. As a few blade wielders moved in, Reno flipped one of his guns, swooping in and smashing a thug in the face. As he felt a dagger enter his arm, but he aimed his pistol and fired. His charge was stopped, but he wasn't going to stop for anything if he could help it.

---

Streaking over the buildings, as the crow flew, its keen eyes picked up on it's target: a man named Cho. Swooping down, it landed on the ground, but on the road spotted with blood and the fallen bodies of three wounded Azure Company members, none were fit enough to take the order off his leg.

---

Fallen to his knees, pistols hung in his limp hands, half a dozen goons still stood in varying degrees of health. The one who'd led them to the building before returning outside, sporting a beard, slung his machete over his black coat, muttering, "Dumb kid. Don't know when to quit. You couldn't even touch me either. Heh, you'd think I was Clear."

Reno spat blood, growling, "You had help."

Clear shrugged, before raising his machete.

"Reno!?" came a cry from the entry gate. Clear stepped to look, and Reno saw Lina. She was without her usually wide brimmed hat, and her dark pink dress had a spattering of blood near the hem, as did her sandals. She had her sword drawn, and it too was marred in blood. As she took in the scene, her heavy breathing slowed, as she bared her teeth. Her cool, emerald eyes flashed with a fire that sent chills down Reno's spine. A scar he had on his torso seemed to throb as he recognized that expression, unseen on his sister's face in years.

Clicking his tongue, Clear drew his pistol and fired. There was a spark as Lina's blade intercepted. Eyes widened, Reno watched as she began to streak forwards.

Two men, one with a pair of axes and the other with a cutlass, made at her. Lina's feet skittered, sending her to the side so that the man with the cutlass couldn't get past the axe wielder. As he raised his weapons, Lina stabbed low, piercing his thigh before coming in, raising her hand and smashing her hilt into her face. The cutlass wielder moved to strike as his ally fell, but three puncture wounds appeared in his chest before he could follow through.

As Lina made to move on, Clear was already in motion, bearing down at her, his huge machete raised. As he slung it down, she sidestepped, before elbowing him in the face, bloodying his nose. Reno's jaw dropped, but as he noticed movement, he called, "Lina!"

Lina's expression snapped back to normal just as a gunshot rang out, a bullet cutting into her side. She grimaced in pain, stumbling back as a hand clutched at her side. It was only a graze, but it was still deep enough to bleed. One of the remaining thugs pushed a spear forwards as he charged, but Lina grunted forwards, slipping away from the spear and thrusting in, her blade stabbing low but angled high, piercing up through the assailant's arm. As he recoiled, dropping his weapon, another gunshot rang out, then another. Reno's pistol slipped from his grasp at the recoil, but two men fell, one with a bullet in his chest and another with a bullet in his pistol arm.

Finally, Clear had his machete poised at Lina once again. Letting go over her wound, Lina grimaced as she held her sword in two hands. While he raised his weapon, she lunged forward, stabbing low. Clear danced back, letting her stab into the packed dirt. As she stepped forwards at him, he finally aimed another downwards strike. Gritting her teeth, she dug her knees into the dirt, thrusting her blade into his hands. The heavy weapon continued to descend, but she twisted her hilt, holding it from beneath, allowing the hilt to catch the machete. The force was still strong: Lina's hands could only just resist the sword's descent, and the blade dug into her shoulder, but stopped before going to far in, as beneath her feet, the ground she'd weakened had sunk under the weight distributed by her knees, absorbing some of the force blow.

Wide eyed, Clear lifted his machete, sliding his hands off of Lina's sword, but his weapon slipped from his bloodied grasp. As he held his pierced hands out wide, he gawked, "H-huh?" Lina stood, blade flashing across his chest, Clear falling to the ground in defeat.

Those still conscious watched in awe as Lina sheathed her blade, catching her breath. Her hands were tightened roughly at her sides, shoulders shaking. Reno felt a bittersweet taste: the sister he'd trained for six years had far exceed his expectations, but at what cost?

Chester had broken out of the room following Reno's escaping. One Reno had gotten clear of the Azure Company building, Momo had gotten back on her feet and was shouting at the soldiers to kill Chester, and 40 or so Azure Company guys came at him, the full force of their soldiers charged at him, and Chester was ready for them, his feet placed firmly on the ground as they all charged at him, leaping and swinging their swords, closing his eyes for a second, he could feel the vibrations of everyone taking off from the ground, each step echoed through him.

A couple of minutes passed, ever so often, a limp body was thrown over the wall, as fighting was heard from inside, yells and cries, steel clashing and gunshots rang. Loud cracks and vicous snaps, but eventually, all was quiet. Inside of the courtyard stood but one man. And it wasn't the pirate whom had caused this mess. It was a man named Irvin. Irvin was from Melonberry, a man who had been forced to join the Azure company at the threat of death to his family. Whom, in the end had never attacked Chester, he had disobeyed his orders, and he was the only one who had.

That's why when every vibration struck his peers, when each blade was struck out of their hands and was sent flying, none of them hit Irvin, where he stood with his blade drawn. Not one hair on his head had been moved as he was paralyzed, incapable of taking any kind of action, his morals wrestling with his orders.

That was why he hadn't stopped the pirate from leaving, he hadn't said a word. But once the pirate had left, he dropped his sword and fell to his knees, his knuckles white from the grip he had on his sword, his legs shaking and his back full of sweat. Tears streaming down his face.

Chester had a bottle of beer - that he had stolen from a table in the compound, where two thugs had been spending the time drinking beer and playing cards, only one beer remained, and the pirate made damn sure to get it.

He made his way to Reno and Lina, where the dozen of bodies laid. Stepping over the limp bodies of the beaten men, he chuckled. "See, told you it would be fine." He said, drinking from the beer, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Well, I suppose we should clean this city up. We've got a week to prepare before Cerulean gets here. I checked out the compound, there's nobody in battling shape left there. They've got a lot of sugar they still hadn't shipped off." He off-hand mentioned. Before shining up.

"I need you to make me booze out of that!" He said with a smile.

Lina a Reno's side, as he struggled to stand she helped him to his feet, letting him lean on her. However, Reno had a sour look, stating, "No."

Lina blinked. "Eh? But..."

"You somehow got out of danger, but he still endangered you and Lino. The two of you could have been killed."

Lina stated, "They tried to capture us and I fought them off! We were fine! And Lino's with Suan now, so they're safe."

"That's still not the kind of person I want calling the shots when it comes to our home!" Lina wasn't happy, but she didn't have a retort either. Giving Lina a somber look, he noted, "You...never used to argue with me before."

Lina looked to him, before saying, "Well, I never thought you were wrong before..."

Reno turned to Chester for a moment, then he pushed Lina away, standing on his own, though he was clearly straining. Standing as tall as he could, he began to walk back to the Azure compound, Lina following after him.

After a few minutes of Reno bleeding his way in, refusing outside help, he reentered Momo's chamber as those less wounded were starting to regain their bearings. Among them were Momo, who visibly flinched upon spotting Chester and Reno, and among the grunts there were a few foreigners, along with some islanders who'd been dragged into the fold. They had tried to recruit Reno those months ago, but he had refused them, and had earned their ire ever since.

"Now you want to talk," Momo grumbled, patting a wet rag over her swollen face.

"I want to talk," Reno said. Breathing heavily, he reached down, snatching the black coat off of one of Momo's Lieutenants, throwing it over his shoulders. "Let me join the Azure Company."

"Wh-what!?" Lina gaped.

Reno insisted, "Chester's plan isn't going to solve anything. He's not going to stay here to fight for us the rest of his life, and I'm not strong enough. Even if he beats Cerulean, there's still three other Companies. They play dirty: they'll find some way to win. What then? Even if they're all beaten, how long until another group comes along that I can't beat?"

Lina's face was stern, and she gripped her sword, but Reno silenced her, stating, "I beat the man you had outside. I'm not in good shape but I'm the one standing. I'm at least the level of your lieutenants."

Momo droned, "I suppose I can't argue that." Reno was silent as she pondered for a moment. Momo sighed, "You'll be lobbying for better business practices on our end, won't you? Cerulean won't be happy, but I'm in no position to refuse your offer to join. It's just a shame all your islanders were so weak. Maybe you'd have had more say."

Reno flinched, before saying, "Six years ago...we were the ones who ran, because we were weak. That's why we lived when all our friends, older brothers, fathers..." Standing it bit taller, he said, "But I'm not like that anymore. Never again."

Turning, he had a sharp intake of breath as he looked to Chester, stating, "And I'm making you an honorary member of the Azure Company."

...

"WHAT!?" Lina, Momo, and the Azure Company cried simultaneously.

Reno stated, "And until someone representing the Azure Company beats you, I officially represent Melonberry Island's interests within the Azure Company. No more sugar monopolies, no more forced recruitment." Momo gnashed her teeth, but there was not a word of protest from her lips.

Lina was clearly a bit bewildered. Looking down at her sword, she said, "Then what...am I supposed to do?" Glaring at Reno, she demanded, "Let me join too!"

Shaking his head, Reno began, "You're not joining the Azure Company. You're above that. You're above me. Yesterday was the first time I saw you smile in six years. That's my fault."

Raising a finger, he jabbed it at Chester, remarking, "What kinda pirate do you think you can be without a crew? Lina's better in a fight than I am, and she's a damn good cook to boot."

"Eh? Eh!?" Lina gasped.

"Don't you mess it up," Reno sputtered, before his feet finally gave way, and he crashed to his knees.

While Lina sank to his side, Momo raised her hand. "Get him some medical treatment, along with everyone else." She sighed, "He's one of us, after all."

While the voices of those celebrating were few, cheers from the islanders once oppressed rang out through the building.

Chester blinked, as he followed along. "You doing all right there, Reno?" He asked, drinking his beer, they walked back into the Azure Company's grounds, Chester remained quiet. Once they got to the grounds, Reno took a coat from the fallen officers. Chester raised his eyebrow, but didn't bother to say anything. A man whom Chester had beaten minutes before was crawling towards him, a dagger in hand, only to get met with a swift kick to the collarbone from Chester, the kick was followed by a muffled moan from the kick-ee.

When the three got inside, Chester stayed back, a bit shocked. Any soldiers that had recouperated was straggling, holding their broken arms, shattered ribs, fractured skulls or snapped ankles. Chester waved at them, till he saw that guy. The one who had shot him, and Chester began marching towards him, before Lina grabbed him by the collar and dragged him after Reno.

Chester didn't pay much attention, but Reno pointed at him, and soon he was covered in a black coat, as well, and a new beer. The beer made him cheer. "Thanks!" He exclaimed. Once he took a mouthful of the beer, he paid attention again.

"Wait, what the heck are you saying, Reno? These guys are total douchebags." He spoke, turning around to face one of the thugs whom had just handed him the beer. "Some offense intended."

Lina looked at him. "You need to stop.." She told him, biting her lip. "Captain.." And Chester shook his head. "Can't let you join me, Lina. Not yet, anyway. Can't set sail yet, either." He said as Lina flinched, so did Reno. "What do you mean?" the girl asked and Chester raised his shoulders. "We don't have a boat."

Momo laughed "We'll give you a small gunship, till you can get something better." And Chester shook his head. "OK, cool. Doesn't matter, though. I still have to stay here for another week. I have to fight Cerulean. You lot ticked me off with your terrible lack of manners. I can't let that go." Chester said, peering at the lieutenants around. Reno was taken back by what Chester said "W-What are you saying, Chester!"

"I'm gonna stay here till I get to meet Cerulean Face to face. If I'm still mad at him then, I'm gonna kick his ass."

"But till then. I, as non-consensual honorary member of the Azure Company, demand that we drink. Else, I'll fight whatever men you've got left."

At Chester's proclamation, Lina gave a frown. What had she gotten into?

---

In the wake of Chester's rampage, the medical staff of Melonberry Island was rather busy between the wounded, which included Reno and Lina. Luckily, Lina was a quick fix, so she was able to return to the town and get things up as the day began. The dock became bustling with regular traders, annual visitors, and new faces alike mingling with the townsfolk. It was no massive event, but there were easily thousands of visitors.

When it came to what little of the Azure company could stand, however bandaged it was, they were at work behind the scenes. They made deals with locals behind doors, selling them back the hijacked sugar at a much more reasonable margin. Others donned civilian clothes, usually sporting some shade of blue, and patrolled about with weapons, keeping their territory secure in place of the nonexistent militia and police.

Lina and Lino spent much of the day at work selling their wares, and only after a good long rest did Reno join them, though he walked on a crutch, and was practically more bandage than man.

Sold out of their punch, their money till was as full as they'd hoped, and considering Reno's new employment, they were going to be a bit better off. As they packed up for the day, that wasn't the only thing on Lina's mind. With her gone, there'd be less expenses.

With her gone... Looking out to the ocean, her heart began to race again, so easily. It was hard to believe.

The Medical staff - whom had been patching people up, had gotten to patch Chester up, too. Albeit, a lot of the doctors and nurses speculated that his supposed internal bleeding - a double edge recoil from his fighting style, he said, was just so he'd get to drink alcohol while they were bandaging him. Over the day, he had spent it consuming alcohol, roaming across the town and taking in all of the treats of the festival, both food and drinks. He even started flirting with a couple of girls, but as the evening would come to be, he would return to the home of Reno, Lina and Lino. As he approached the door, Lino came running "Cheeesstteeeeer!" She shouted as the pirate wrinkled his nose. "Uh, hi, Lino" He mentioned, caught off guard by the girl's excitement as she jumped and around his neck, hugging him before letting go and jumping onto her feet.

"You, like, totally saved our town!"

"I did what?"

"You beat up the bad guys!"

"I mean, yeah, but I -"

"Soo cool! You must be super strong!"

As she jumped up and down next to Chester, a crowd started forming, they realized the man who was out on the street infront of Reno's house was Chester, and they cheered on him. Though, they seemed to be worried about getting close. Probably due to the pirates 'habit' of having outbursts.

"I am but I didn't reall-"

"Super cool! You even made sure that Big Bro could get a job, so he can make sure the bad guys don't come back!"

"Reno was the one who had the pl-"

"Super cool!" The girl repeated with a giggle as Chester was mostly confused, he hadn't had any intention of garnering all this attention - certainly not the attention of the people of this island. He shrugged, as Lina approached through the doorway and Chester smiled. "Oh, it's my cook!" He said with a smile. "You got any food? I've only been eating festival food, I'm starving!"

And Lina shrugged. "No, but the evening feast is starting. We should be able to get plenty of food there." She had a smile on her face - an expression not often seen on the young girl. Lino giggled as she skipped over to her sister. "Lino, go wash up before we head out. Reno should be coming along, too."

As the bandaged man met Lino in the corridor, he saw Chester and nodded. "Oh, hi there Mummy man!" Chester joked with a chuckle.

Reno glared from under the bandages around his forehead, growling, "Hush."

"Let's just go already!" Lina cheered, moving them along. The crowd seemed to follow, everyone working their way past the docks to the cape. The windmill was lit, making the picnic tables loaded with food hard to miss. Kids played in the ocean's shallows, adults traded drinks and stories under the windmill. In all the bustle, Reno, Lina, Lino, and Chester found themselves at a table shrouded in blue, a number of faces present such as Momo, Chrome, Nav'ey, Gin, Kin, and Seido. Though there was some blatant reluctance on both sides (and bandages), seats were taken and drinks shared. In particular, Reno, Chester, and Momo had a ceremonial drink from the same bottle of rice wine, cementing their status as Azure Company members, honorary or not.

The night wore on and the volume only seemed to increase That shadow of fear and worry had been cast off, so the islanders were in full celebratory fervor, catching clueless foreigners up in their revelry. The only downers were the Azure Company, 99% of which were a bit to wounded, but a few drinks loosened them up, most of them passing out, pain numbed.

Looking over to Reno, head on the table as he passed out, Lina moved his arms underneath his head. Looking around, she spotted Lino playing around in the water, but she had something else in mind. Her eyes scanned the ruckus, out for a certain man.

Once they got to the Windmill, Chester's face lit up. There was so much food, sweets, desserts and different types of lemonade, they had countless tanks of Melonberryade. Yet, what drew his attention was the kegs of beer - and more importantly, the crates with bottles of Rum in them. Chester dashed towards the crate, pushing man, woman and child out of his way. "Out of my way! Hero coming through!" He shouted, darting to the crate, picking up two bottles, kissing both of them. "Praise the heavens!" He shouted, tears of joy streaming down his face.

With his thumbs, he opened the corks and poured bout of the bottles directly into his mouth, he didn't even take a moment to breath before both of the bottles was empty, the crowd around him gasping, equal part amazement and disgust. "So cool!" Lino shouted, as Lina smacked her on the head for finding the pirate cool, yet, the older girl couldn't help to grin at the man's shenanigans.

Chester was then asked to drink wine with Reno and Momo, he reluctantly agreed, telling everyone to keep the heck away from his rum, or he would break every bone in their body - peering into the Azure Company guys and adding. "Again." Once they had, he left to rejoin the festivities.

Chester was challenged to one drinking contest after the other. How many beers you could chug, how many bottles of wine you could drink while upside down - how much beer you could have poured into your nose, how long you could keep your head in a beer keg - that one, he emptied the keg between coming up for air.

As he was quite drunk, he looked over at Reno, whom had now fallen with his head on the plate - so had most others. Chester was still roaming around, walking over the unconscious people whom had all gotten tuckered out from slight ethanol poisoning. He found Lina, sober as a nail, looking around. She waved at him once she found him, and he waved back. "There you are!" she said as Chester nodded. "Sure am!" The pirate said as she grabbed his arm - since he was much too drunk to navigate himself.

"So, eh, what's up?!" Chester asked as they sat down on the pier, looking out at the sea. Lina shrugged, about to speak, when Chester grabbed a bottle of Rum from his pocket. "Here! Try this!" He insisted, Lina shook her head "I'm not old enough to drink." She said as Chester laughed heartily. "You're a pirate now, you can do whatever you like! Try this, that's an order from your captain." He insisted and she chuckled as she grabbed the bottle.

Glancing at the bottle, Lina was hesitant, ignoring it for a bit. Instead, she began, "Are you still going on about Cerulean? I mean, the longer you stay here, the better chance those Azure guys will find a loophole. Besides, why make it easier for him? Oh who am I kidding." If she could talk him out of it, they wouldn't still be discussing it now.

Looking over the sea, she was quiet for a moment, before beginning, "I know you already told me what being a pirate is like, but...I'm not sure if I'll be ready. I can fight, I guess, and you can leave the food to me, but I've never been off the island before."

Casually, she moved to take a sip of rum, but the odor kept her back. Instead, she continued, "After the attack, Reno started training me, but since then I...guess I've never really thought for myself. I'm not sure I see what Reno does. Maybe he knows more about me than I do."

After a moment, she clutched her bottle, mumbling, "Or not enough..."

She asked him about Cerulean and Chester nodded. "Yup. Gonna kick his ass. Punch his teeth in."

"He ticked me off. And till I do, I'm gonna sit here, and wait for him so I can do that. My way of life, really. I don't like holding grudges, so, I prefer to get them over with."

She looked out at the ocean, and so did Chester. And impulse in his brain wanted him to jump off the pier - to go for a swim in the water, being lit up by the moonlight. He often had this impulse, and he wasn't very good at the whole impulse control thing, but something in him prevented him from putting himself in that position. Maybe it was the fact that whenever he got in the water, he felt powerless. A feeling he hadn't felt in many years.

Lina spoke off uncertainty, being afraid. And Chester could relate, not that he'd let her know he had ever been scared. "I'm sure you'll be fine." He chuckled. "I'm looking out for you. But, I'll do my best to make sure that even if I'm not, you'll be fine. Your brother's a total sourpuss, kind of a dick, too. But he's right about you. You've got guts." He spoke, his words sluring a bit. "Not everyone can say that."

Despite herself, Lina couldn't help but smile a bit at Chester's words. Steeling herself, she stood to her feet, bracing, before taking a long gulp. She heard descriptions, but it still couldn't prepare her as the liquid burned down her throat. Swallowing, her eyes began to water as she coughed, before she cried, "I'M GOING TO BE A PIRATE!"

Those nearby got a bit quiet, a few throwing looks Lina's way. As she retreated back to her seat, one of the older men near the windmill laughed, "Hitting the sauce too hard there?"

Blushing, Lina put aside the drink, certain that the taste would linger for a while. Wondering how late it was, she muttered, "I need to get to bed. Lino too...where'd she..."

Turning back to Chester, she saw the man passed out, back on the wooden dock. "Already!?" Her muscles ached prematurely as she imagined having to drag him and Reno back home...but maybe she didn't have too.

---

Shuffling...shuffling...

From the couch of his home, Reno cracked open one of his eyes. He moved to get up, but he groaned in pain, his wounds keeping him down.

After a moment, he heard Lina ask, "Reno? You're up?"

"Looks like it," he croaked, lying back down. Noticing that it was still dark, he wondered, "What time is it?"

Lina giggled, "It's getting close to dawn." Going over to his side, she began, "I think you were right: it's probably best to get out of here as soon as we can. Not that I could sleep..."

"Hng?"

Lina chortled proudly, "I found that ship the Azure Company was going to put Chester on and stuffed him there last night. We're going to take it and let Boss Cerulean come to us. I mean, it's Azure Company property, but you're a member so..."

Reno brought a hand to his head, muttering, "Yeah, good thinking. As long as Chester-"

"What's goin' on?" came a small groggy voice.

Feeling a pang in his chest, Reno forced himself up through the ache. Lino stood by the hall to her room in her nightclothes, rubbing her eyes. There was a case of luggage by the door, no doubt filled with Lina's belongings. Spotting them, Lino stared for a moment, before asking, "Are you leaving?"

Lina swallowed, before nodding. "I'm going with Chester. We-" Lina stopped as Lino's face tightened. Her eyes began to water. Lina flailed her arms a bit, but the words to comfort her didn't seem to come.

"You were gonna leave?"

"Well, Boss Cerulea-"

"You were gonna leave without saying goodbye?"

Words caught in her throat, Lina ran over to Lino, pulling her sister into a hug. "Of course I'm not going to leave without saying goodbye!" she said, eyes teary. Clutching her older sister, Lino only cried harder. As she started to calm down, Lina said, "Chester's a pirate, but he's a good person. That's why things are going to get better here, even though we'll be gone. But we'll be back one day. Soon!"

Lino sniffled, "Will it be tomorrow?"

Lina laughed, "It'll be before you even know it."

After a few more teary goodbyes, Lino was finally hushed to bed. Grabbing his crutch, Reno asked, "Do you have everything?"

Wiping her eyes, Lina nodded. "I put some of the leftovers on the boat with Chester. And I've got plenty of Melonberries, seeds included. You should probably stay home though."

Reno shook his head, and Lina didn't argue further. In the quiet night, the calm after the storm, the two made their way through the town, starlight keeping them along.

Clutching the handle of her luggage a bit tighter, Lina said, "I feel like I'm running. You'll still be here with the Azure Company, Lino's going to be growing up..."

Reno was quiet for a moment, before he began, "Six years ago..." Lina swallowed as they reached the touchy subject, but he continued, "When the pirates descend, mom took you two. She shouldn't have died, but she did. Bad luck and a stray bullet. Thankfully Suan was there, even if his foot was hurt." Lina blinked: she hadn't heard every detail...

"Dad fought though, like most of the militia, but Tatin, Chin, Irvin, me...we ran away. I was your age. That's old enough, but I still ran and hid."

Looking up to Lina, he finished, "That night, I ran away. From now on, we'll only run forwards."

Swelling with pride, Lina gave a wide smile.

---

Standing at the dock by a small, blue sailed boat, the eastern seas began to glow with the slightest bit of daylight. Loading on her luggage, Lina went back to Reno, before gingerly pulling him into a hug. In his usual stone faced mood, he didn't exactly help her, but she got one off anyway.

"Slow motion hug," she said.

Reno snorted, and soon the two were trying to hold back laughter, lest they wake Chester. When was the last time the two shared a laugh? As Reno's wounds started to hurt, Lina let go, before boarding the boat. Minutes later, the sail was unfurled and a gentle breeze took them into the ocean. Lina waved until she couldn't see Reno any more, then a bit longer just to be sure.

Just before the sun itself became visible, she saw the island she left, where everyone she'd ever known had been, and felt so small, but the ocean forwards was so very vast and full of possibility.

Meanwhile, Chester was still passed out in the cabin like a lump.

Chester soon awoke in the cabin, the bobbling of the ship on the open sea would've normally lulled him to sleep, but now, now it did no such thing. He was hungover, and he needed another drink. Not even reacting about where he was, he got up from the bed he was sleeping on, and rubbed his eyes, heading out onto the deck, he pulled down his pants and started peeing off of the side of the ship, before turning his head, seeing Lina stand there, watering some plants. Waving nonchalantly. "Hi Lina." He said, before smacking his lips and returning to the task at hand. Once he was done, he pulled up his pants again, and went to get a glass of water. That was about when he realized what was going on.

He leapt at least six feet into the air in sheer-surprise, before landing and holding his head - everything was spinning. "W-Where am I and how did I get here.."

".. you're on a ship, Chester." Lina mentioned, rubbing his back as she had abandoned her plants to tend to her captain. "Melonberry, Cerulean." He said and Lina mumbled something. "I thought it was best to leave, you can fight Cerulean another day..." She said, with worry in her voice "Please don't be mad" Chester looked up at her with a pained look "... Where's my booze?" He asked and Lina pointed to the cabin. "R-Reno put a few crates of that rum you really liked in there" Chester's frown turned upside down "Well, no harm done, then!" He shouted, as he crawled into the cabin to get himself some booze to wash away this hangover.

"Where we heading, anyway?" He asked.

"Eh, that's it?" Lina muttered in bafflement as Chester so easily brushed aside the change in plans over some alcohol.

Standing up, Lina said, "I didn't really have a direction in mind. I've never sailed on a boat before, I just opened the sails." Lina stared for a moment, before realizing that they were well out of sight of Melonberry, which might be important for navigation. Lina mumbled, "Um, you can find out where were are from, like, the sun, or something. Right?"

Oh wait, the sun moved. Staring for a moment, Lina started to sweat before squeaking out a nervous laugh.