Kirk whipped his head around to the sound of rubble shifting and tumbling around, a horror in the back of his mind revving up. The possibility that it may be Barnum rising from his new earthy grave was a paranoid worry of his. Kirk was instantly reassured as a head full of black hair lifted from the concrete mess.
Kirk stared at him as he spoke out. Leroy’s words reverberated through his mind. It didn't take long for the Fishman to smile, his eyes wetting yet again with tears. This time, they were joyful. Such emotion overcame him at the moment. Finally, he was free. Completely. His town was free as well. No one would be hurt by Barnum again.
Kirk couldn't help but laugh, his eyes closing as his smile got brighter. Leroy had really done something the Fishman never expected to be real. He nodded a few times, his happiness radiating off of him.
“Yeah… yeah! Got it!” Now, his chains were off. Nothing was keeping him locked to this island or the people of it. Although he couldn't run off with his sister now to the next Blue over and start over, just to forget what had happened here at Cocoyashi ten years ago… He had a better way to forget.
This new horizon that Leroy had revealed to him. This new life he could live as the navigator for the Red Sashed Pirates. Kirk didn't deserve such a gift, but hell, he wasn't about to take it for granted. He was going to make sure to live this new life to the fullest. He was going to make sure to live out this dream, at Leroy’s side the entire time. He would truly be a part of his captain’s crew from now on.
"He actually did it..." Spoke the grouper fish, Betty, that had once been the naysayer that told the crew their hopes were pointless. The townspeople all looked around at one another, in total and complete shock and awe that someone had finally released them from the torment and torture of their tyrant. And then, the warm feeling of cheers filled the air. From the Grouper to the catfish, and especially that of the goldfish, a sign that not only were they truly free.
A moment of celebration and rejoice But also in the realization and joy that they were totally and utterly wrong about Kirk... In that one moment, each of their minds had been utterly swayed. And they let that be known, not to just each other, but to the captain, Kirk, and the rest of the crew.
Then. Leroy Smiled that Iconic toothy grin of his before jumping from the rubble, and down onto the ground of the courtyard. Rolling his shoulder as he cracked his neck and dusted off his shoulders.
“Now.. Let's get you a doctor… and me a shirt. I'm sick of being half naked.” Though his past memories lay heavily on his shoulders still, the pain of the bitter agony of his sister’s death was eased now from revenge.
Though, he did pause a moment as his eyes turned to one of the smaller buildings a bit further off from the collapse of the main building. Where he and his sister were once held. Something was on his mind… But he eventually seemed to look away and back towards the town, listening to their cheers. He would wait. He didn't want any of them to see what Oliko had become.
"I'm sure I'll be alright" He said in a clear joking tone before tapping the back of his hand against the exposed chest of the Navigator "And besides, you look fine!"
"But new clothes could seriously help..." *With a wince, Leroy pulled a shark tooth from his shoulder that had been there the entire time.* "Esh..."
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Noir was just blinking a few times at the scene unfolding before him. So… yes, it was normal for the captain to pop out of the debris. Just had to wait a moment or so. Alright, next time, he would just wait. He sighed in relief though, it was glad to see Leroy alright.. or at least intact. Kirk blinked a few times down at Leroy before chuckling and nudging Leroy playfully against his good shoulder. “Ha! I know I look fine! It’s just weird to be so open all of a sudden!” His hands rested against his hips. “C’mon! You, Kále, and Jeanne need some attention, so don’t fight against it!”
*
*
"CHEERS!" The Sound of glasses clinking together filled the air as the Villagers of Cocoyashi toasted their drinks in the air It had been a few hours since the fall of the slaver barnum. They knew they would have to contact the marines to arrest the Crew. But for now, they put it off to celebrate the victory of their Pirate heroes.
"Look...I'm sorry. We all are. We-Sigh We have no idea how to make it up to you. Even now knowing that your sister was in that cage for probably years..." A human apologized to Kirk, clearly tipsy, but she was speaking from the heart. So far, the only thing that had been coming from the mouths of the Villager had been an assortment of apologies and congratulations. Leroy was currently bandaged up and in a new orange tee shirt with a cartoon picture of a smiling sun on the front of it.
Having been bandaged and taken care of. He was digging into an absurd amount of food piled in front of him. And off to the corner. By himself. Was none other than Sujikiki. The Child Swordsmen who had been defeated by Kale hours before.
He had blown off any attempt to try and talk that people made. Even kale. But he was welcomed none the less. He too was a child that was put through something terrible at the hands of Barnum and was now allowed to be free on his own life Truthfully. Leroy had been tempted to see if the child wanted to tag along for safe passage to another island. But he knew that it wouldn't be right for a kid like him, who had gone through so much, and had a lot more maturing to do to get out of his own toxic mindset, to just up and join another crew. Especially one like the Red Sash Pirates.
"Mmmm! This is so good!" Spoke leroy through a stuffed mouth.
Noir had already taken it upon himself to help with cooking, despite the townspeople’s protests, and was going ahead and helping people refill their plates and drinks. Of course, he didn't completely ignore the festivities and the celebratory meal, he ate a bit himself when he was sure everyone got their share and even took part in a few drinks and cheers. Other than that, he melted into the background, just helping everyone out.
Kirk hadn't drunk as much as the lady who had come up to him, feeling like he couldn't stomach it at the moment. Despite the fact everything was over, he was tense. He didn't let that distract him though! He partook in the fun as well. He chuckled softly up at the woman, waving his hand dismissively.
“Oh, don’t worry too much about that!” He had been given some older white sweatpants and a oversized and loose, light yellow shirt. He was a stickler for certain colors and how much his outfit covered his skin, but he was fine with whatever they gave him.
“The way you can pay me back is taking the Berry I gave to Barnum and using it to fix Cocoyashi and it’s trading, alright? My mom loved this place, so keep it nice for her.” Kirk looked down at his food and drink for a moment. “I can deal with burying Oliko, so no need to worry about that.”
“You know, yeah you’re right! Now that That scum is gone from the pond, we’ll actually be back to respectable traders again!” Funny enough she was actually one of the traders in question, a Mikan farmer who sold her own produce. While under the rule of Barnum, she was harassed regularly by slavers that attempted to…make advances towards her