Devil's Luck Pirates

-By the order of the King, kill anyone who opposes his majesty's will!

The clashing of swords and shields echoes through the palace's courtyard. The fight doesn't last long. Prince Jasper manages to convince most of the soldiers who are only doing what they were told to. The doors of the castle open with a resounding thud. More soldiers await them inside. These ones, however, don't seem to be keen on giving up. The King must be paying them quite well.

With his personal knight at the vanguard, they manage to break through the opposing line.

-The King must have retreated to the keep. – The knight comments as he and Jasper make their way through the corridors.

-He can wait. – Jasper declares. His bright pink eyes exude determination – We need to save her first.

The way to the princess' tower was barely guarded. Most of the soldiers are either fighting the rebels or protecting the King.

The doorkeeper steps forward to defend his position. Swinging his massive sword toward the knight who manages to block it with some difficulty.

After a second to brace himself, the knight pushes the great sword aside and lands a powerful blow to the doorkeeper's head with his mace in a single motion.

The towering man falls to one knee. The knight takes the opportunity to finish the job with a mace to the face. He goes down either unconscious or with a severe headache.

Jasper takes the keys hanging beside the door and opens it in a hurry.

The heavy wooden door gives way to a dark room with only one small window that allows the light to come in. Although, not much of it is entering since the sky outside is slowly covered with dark clouds.

The silhouette of a small girl can be seen cowering in the corner of the room. She covers her eyes as the blinding light invades the dark chamber.

-Hey there sis… – Jasper says with a soothing voice. He enters the room whilst the knight keeps guard outside.

It's been about a month since the last time he came here. The King only allows the siblings to meet on each other's birthday. She usually greets him with a soft smile, but now the girl looks at him with worried eyes.

-We're going to get you out of here. – Jasper says kneeling in front of her.

-W-what about father? – She asks, afraid of what might come down on them for this.

-Don't worry about him. Your big brother will make sure he pays for what he has done. – He reassures her after getting rid of the chains on her wrists and legs.

Jasper helps her to get up and the two come out of the room. The girl stumbles a bit but quickly composes herself.

-What is the plan now, Sir? – The knight asks as they exit that dark chamber.

-I really want to end this as soon as possible. But we need to get Pearl out of the castle. – Jasper then notices how Pearl is looking at the towering man in front of them with fear.

He smiles and crouches down. His face now being a few inches below hers – There's no need to be scared, sis… This guy here is a dear friend of mine. His name is Duros.

The knight lifts his visor to give her the most wholesome smile in the world. A few strands of blonde hair cover his bright, blue eyes.

This is the first time Duros has seen Princess Pearl. They share the same pink color of eyes and hair, although Pearl's hair is a lot darker due to the lack of care, and her eyes don't sparkle like her brother's. She has the eyes of someone who's never known happiness in their life.

Jasper also told him about her appearance. Big claws on her hands and pinkish scales covering most of her body. Two small horns on her head, and a pair of wings on her back.

Duros' smile manages to make Pearl more at ease. Seeing this, Jasper stands back up having reached a conclusion.

-Duros, I entrust Pearl's life to you. – He says solemnly – Take her out of the castle. I'll accompany you two to the man hall and after that, I'll go after my father.

Duros can hear the hatred spilling out of the Prince's words.

-Can I trust you to do that? – Jasper adds, putting a hand on Duros' shoulder.

-I will protect her with my life! – He declares with confidence.

-Brother… – Pearl chimes with watery eyes. Afraid of being separated from her brother yet again.

-Hey, don't cry now. – Jasper puts his hand on her head – I need you to be brave now. And Duros is going to protect you far better than me.

Duros takes out one of his gauntlets, dropping it to the floor with a metal clank, and extends his bare hand to her.

Pearl hesitates for a moment, but after cleaning the tears that were about to drop, she takes his hand.

The three on them now make their way back to the entrance. The fight seems to have died down a little bit, but the sound of steel against steel can still be heard until someone cries out:

-The Marines are here!

Duros and Jasper let out a sigh of relief. Finally, the forces of justice have come to free this kingdom from oppression.

Or so they thought…

A barrage of gunshots followed by dozens of men screaming in pain and horror. A couple of seconds later, silence.

Jasper's smile now becomes a frown of disbelief. This can't be happening…

They turn the corner only to be witness to a horrific sight. All the soldiers that were fighting, all of them lay on the ground dead, or in severe pain.

A tall man wearing the characteristic "justice" coat slowly makes his way into the room. A fairly large musket rests on his shoulder. It doesn't look like he has used it yet.

-Ah, there you are, Mr. Prince. – The Marine official says locking his eyes on Jasper – And here I thought I'd have to run around this huge castle to get you…

The man's mocking tone and sadistic grin make Jasper's stomach turn. To kill in cold blood all these people who were fighting for something better. To be free from this oppression.

-What's the meaning of this?! – Jasper barks out. Duros is as bewildered as the Prince, keeping Pearl behind his back.

-Oh, this? – The Navy official says looking at the corpses around him – I didn't know which side was the rebelling one. So I just got rid of them all.

Jasper's blood is boiling, and Duros knows this.

-Now, if you'd be so kind as to come with us… – The Navy official adds as his men point their guns at the Prince.

The thundering clouds let out a deafening sound as lightning flashes outside. The almost maniacal laugh Jasper lets out, breaks the picture-perfect scene of betrayal.

-You think I'll just stand down and let the slaughter of my fellow men slide by?!

Duros knows exactly what is on Jasper's mind. This is their only option. And who knows, they may even succeed…

Before he could take out his mace, Jasper gives out his final order.

-Protect my sister, Duros! I'll handle these buffoons…

-But– The knight tries to protest.

-That's an order! – Jasper declares, stepping forward while unsheathing his shining sword.

Torn between his duty and his heart, Duros decides to abide by the Prince's orders. He takes Pearl in his arms and hurries out of there. There is another way out of the castle from the back.

The Marines watch as the knight runs off carrying a weird-looking person in his arms.

-Should we follow them, Commander Jefferson? – One of them asks.

-Nah. HE can take care of them just fine... – Jefferson says now focusing on Jasper.

-I know my father told you not to kill me. Otherwise, you'd have shot us the moment you saw us! – Jasper readies his sword and, after a deep breath, he charges forward.