The Great Candied Adventure, Part 2

Chapter 2: Set Sail Toward Adventure!

KND Moonbase

Chris lightly glided his hand up and down with a flame alit as he warmed Sheila's body. "Well, you wanted excitement." He said.

"Ah know what I asked for, Mate. Oi, but tha' was ripper, though! A big dead rock, then why's all the water on it??"

"I'm a little surprised at that myself." Artie replied.

"Whatever, so we discovered water. It's nothing to celebrate about." Harry said.

"It IS, Mate! It means there's so much more than what you perceive of something! Who knows what ELSE is on the moon! There's probably a whole secret village we don't know about!"

"The Moonbase's existed for nearly a thousand years, they would've seen something by now." Chris said as Cheren walked by. "Hey, Bro! You guys seen any secret villages on the moon?"

"Um… no?" Cheren answered confusedly.

"You ruin all the fun, Mate." Sheila frumped.

"What are you guys… doing?"

"Oh, Sheila wanted to do a little exploring on the moon." Aurora replied. "It was all right. We found a crater of water."

"Oh, that." Cheren knew. "That stuff's been there forever. It's not that big a deal."

"See, exactly what I-" Sheila held a hand to Harry's face before walking away grumpily. "…Was it something I said?"

"She's kinda going through something right now." Aurora informed Cheren.

"Uhhh…huh. Anyway, Panini brought me your mission report. Just letting you know, we've put Doflamingo Sr. on the suspects list."

"I would, too. He's a Corporate President, isn't he?" Aurora asked.

"Just like Mom." Dillon spoke with hate.

"Right. I get the feeling they're going to be problems later." Cheren noted.

"Wait, Dillon, YOUR mom is a Corporate President?" Chris asked.

"No, I meant Mom the-"

"SHAAH, we know who you're talking about!" Chris playfully punched his arm.

"Grrrrr!"

It's okay, Dillon. I hate 'em, too! Kirie beamed.

"Hey, is Francis here?" Aurora asked.

"No, he and Panini had to go home; relatives visiting." Cheren said.

"Ahhh."

"Actually, just remembered I wanted to ask him for progress regarding that teen." He saw Larry MayHence walking over and said, "Hey Larry, can you call Francis and ask him-"

"I just received a call from him." he replied. "He wants you all to come to his house. Panini's in danger."

The friends exchanged worried glances.

Drilovsky Household

Cheren and Sector V flew down on their respective ships and hurriedly entered the Drilovsky home. "Francis, what's-" Almost upon entry, Cheren bumped into a frozen brown ice cube, creating a chain reaction of everyone else bumping each other. "AAAH!!" They shrieked at the sight of Fanny Drilovsky frozen solid, and behind her Margaret Strowd. The group then observed the ruined state of his house.

"This." Francis stated.

Haylee wiped her finger across the ice and licked the liquid. "It's… soda."

"What… happened?" Aurora asked.

"It was Nickel Joe."

"Who?"

"The mobster guy that's been taking candy the past few months. He showed up with these 3 babies and kidnapped Uncle Strowd and Panini!"

"What?!" Cheren shouted.

"We might wanna ask her." Patton said, indicating Margie.

"Aurora, Chris, unfreeze them." Cheren ordered.

The two nodded as Aurora set fire to Fanny's ice cube, and Chris burned Margie's. They turned to steam in seconds, as Fanny absorbed the fire, and Margie- "YOOOOOWWW!"

"Heh heh heh. I've been wantin' to do that for a long time." Chris chuckled.

Patton grabbed his sister's ponytail and shoved her to the floor, planting his foot on her back. "You're in real big trouble now, Sis."

"Hey, get your boot off me! This dress is dry-clean only!"

He scrapped his muddy boot against it. "What I was hoping for."

"Okay, okay! Those four guys just showed up outta nowhere and attacked my husband for some recipe! He didn't know it, and I told 'em he was decommissioned. Then we came here, and, well."

"They took the Recommissioning Module and brought Numbuh 19th-Century's memory back." Fanny concluded. "They took him AND Panini away."

"Numbuh 19th-Century? They must want to find the Annoyingly Cute Triplets' recipe!" Haylee exclaimed.

"But why Panini?!" Cheren demanded.

"Probably because she badmouthed their boss a few months ago." Francis replied. "Over a phone."

"Gnnnn." Cheren fumed and pinched his nasal bridge. "Well, why couldn't YOU do anything?"

"I could've melted them easy." Fanny proclaimed. "If not for that AUGUSTUS boy! Sneakin' up and chi-blockin' me!"

"Wait… Augustus?" Haylee asked.

"You know him?" Cheren asked.

"My dad is friends with his dad. He's a professional candy hunter."

"He's Ace and Henrietta's son." Patton summarized.

"Oh, right. Flyboy's son." Fanny said smugly.

He's cool! Kirie signed.

"When I was 3, his family visited us one Christmas, and he sorta got me into candy," Haylee explained, "telling me about all sorts of rare types. Then he snuck over every occasion to take me on one of his adventures. They were really fun." She smiled.

"Glad to know I ain't the only one." Sheila smirked.

"But one day he just disappeared. His parents called and asked if he was over… we never saw him again."

"He wasn't with the Punk Hazard kids." Dillon recalled.

"Or maybe he was." Haruka said with remorse. "And he ended up… dying…"

"Uh, no, because we just saw him WORKING for those guys." Francis reminded.

"Well, we'll see how the Fizzuras feel about that." Haylee said.

"The thing is, Ace's wife went out looking for him the moment he disappeared." Patton informed. "We have no idea where she is now."

"Well, it's time for us to begin searching for them." Cheren spoke seriously. "Send out all available units and-" It was at that moment a distant, high-pitch whirring sound was heard. The group jumped in surprise when a house across the street was blown up by a cannonball.

Everyone ran outside and gaped in horror: a tremendous pirate ship sailed across the land, squishing countless houses in its path and blasting others with cannons. The ship looked like a gigantic, luscious colorful cake with chocolate icing. It had three sails: the bottom, biggest had a skull symbol with big lips, grinning teeth, and a captain's hat with a crown. The center, white sail had big black letters which read 'BIG MOM'. The top sail had a golden crown, which kinda looked like Princess Peach's. The ship had plenty of large sweets sticking out from the top, including a giant pink cake, and its keel had a white, smiling face, with a big mouth that appeared to be singing. "I am a ship, la la la la, so fun to be a ship, doo doo doo doo. Hello tiny peoples, I am a ship, la la."

The ship sailed around the town and blasted its cannons nonstop, and screams of agony echoed everywhere. Jawbreaker cannonballs flew at the Drilovsky house, but Fanny hurled fireballs to explode them, and Patton jumped high to punch them away, knocking them at other houses. "HEY!"

"Sorry!" he apologized.

Sector V got in their C.O.O.L.-B.U.S. and flew after to begin blasting the ship. It launched ice cream cone missiles at them, and the candles on its cake blasted flames up. "All hands, direct fire at the school bus, ahhhhh." ordered Commander Fat Jack.

The C.O.O.L.-B.U.S. barrel-rolled and evaded fire, putting on its shield to absorb the shots. When it was charged, the team unleashed a shockwave that knocked Fat Jack and the crewmen down.

Patton and Fanny struggled to keep the cannonballs away. Cheren and Francis felt helpless as they watched, not strong enough to do anything their selves. They gasped when a cannonball flew directly at Fanny, blowing her head clean off. "MOM!!" Francis screamed.

But they were stricken with surprise when her head formed right back in green flames. "Ahhhh. What?" she smirked casually.

"!!!!" They couldn't close their mouths.

The C.O.O.L.-B.U.S. still managed to evade as they took aim at the cake in the front. "Locked and loaded, there pirates are getting a salty surprise." Haylee announced.

"Not so fast, childrens, ahhhhh." And with that, Fat Jack leaped high and flew directly at the 4x4 ship. Flipping horizontally (though he still looked round either way), he pressed his butt against Sector V's windshield and 'POOOOOT' blasted enough gas to make their ship lose control and crash on the ground.

"Ahhhh think that's good enough. Play the message, ahhhhh."

A group of teddybear soldiers set up a hologram projector. The ship ceased fire as a gigantic screen displayed in the sky, showing Stewie's image.

"Hello American Idol, I know it's been a while, um, I haven't really been in best shape lately, but, you know I still think I got what it takes, and I'm really sexy! See-; Baaaby. Baaaby. Baby, ooooohh yeah!"

One of the teddybears slapped the other, quickly fixing the projector to play the right message. "Nyyyaaaa ha ha haaaa!" laughed a gigantic, shadowed woman with big, grinning teeth. "Is this the Kids Next Door? I hope so, or someone's gettin' eaten. You've crossed the wrong liiine, zesty brats. You've insulted the captain of the renowned Big Mom Pirates. That's enough to get the FULL taste of my WRAAATH. Luckily for you… I am feeling generous lately. I am having a reprising of my birthday party, with a bigger and better cake. I know of your past endeavors, ruining parties, and I will not tolerate such rude behavior. For that reason… I have captured this BRAT." She reached aside and grabbed Panini in her hand, trapped in goo.

"Panini!" Cheren yelled.

"If any more of your brats impede my progress… I will delight in this luscious little morsel… as my pre-party snack. Furthermore… I will trace the brats responsible, back to their respective country, and BURY it in my FROSTING. So, State of Virginia… you've had only a small taste. Test my patience again… and have the full dish. Aaaaaahhhh…" She loomed Panini closer to her gaping, drooling mouth, and the girl shook frantically in horror.

The screen vanished as the tremendous ship, labeled the Big Ma'am, sailed toward the sea and crossed the briny blue. In its wake was a gaping trail of dirt. There was barely any trace that roads and houses used to be there.

Minutes later…

"Holy CRAP, Mom! YOU'RE a LOGIA?!" Francis exclaimed.

"Are ya really surprised?" she still smirked.

"But how did Augustus chi-block you?!"

"He was usin' Haki. Guess he was prepared, just like Marcus."

"…" Francis had no comment.

"Guys, we're back." Aurora gasped as Sector V returned. "What's up?"

"My mom's a Logia." Francis said. Immediately, Sector V spit spit out (since they didn't have drinks).

"What's 'up'?!" Cheren asked angrily. "The big freaking SCREEN was up! That gigantic SLOB captured Panini! We have to do somethin'! Send out scouting parties and-"

"No! Didn't you hear what she said?!" Francis yelled. "She's going to eat Panini and destroy our city if we get in her way!"

"But that's not possible!" Aurora replied. "Even if her mouth's big enough to eat a person, how could she take down a whole country?"

"That ship caused enough damage on its own." Dillon said, directing back at the gaping trail. "She could do that with any small village. And any city, she'll just blow down with her cannons."

"Ugh. Well, whatever the case, we can't risk Panini's life by going after them." Cheren stated. "But we definitely can't leave them alone, either. If only we had more info on them. And where they're hiding."

Aurora looked serious. "I know someone we could ask."

"Who?" Francis asked.

"The man at Goofy Goober's. Remember, Francis?"

"Oh yeah. I told you about that."

"Let's go and ask him, team." Cheren decided. "Don't worry, Mr. and Mrs. Drilovsky, we'll rescue your daughter. Let's go!" The gang began their dash downtown.

Sheila stood on the roof of their house and viewed the horizon where the Big Ma'am vanished. "So… those're the Big Mums, eh? …This is gonna be ripper."

Goofy Goober's

"UH HUUH HUUH HUUH! You just can't get ENOUGH, can you, kids?" asked everyone's favorite peanut. "Well, don't worry. The Goober fun NEVER ends! Ohhhh, I'm a Goofy Goober, yeah! You're a…"

The waiter nicknamed 'Mac' was handing bowls of ice cream to children around a table. "Excuse me, Mac-"

"AACK!" He jumped at Francis's sudden voice, seeing Sector V and Cheren behind him. "Oh, it's you! I thought you vere those pirates. …And my name is NOT Mac!"

"Forget it, Mac." Cheren told him. "We need your help. Those pirates kidnapped our friend and their captain's threatening to eat her. You're the closest person we know that's acquainted with them, so if you have any info…"

"Siiiigh. I know who they are… I just fear if they know I tell you…"

"We'll keep the secret." Aurora assured. "And if we're lucky, we can stop them for good."

"Well… telling a bunch of kids shan't hurt, anyway. That crew was none other than the Big Mom Pirates. The Big Mom Pirates are a dangerous pirate crew that've terrorized the seas for over 40 years. Captained by the most ravenous Candy Pirate ever to pop a gumball: Charlotte Linlin. Big Mom. But for most of her time, she was preoccupied with Davy Jones; who was said to be her only real rival. But after Jones disappeared a little over 20 years ago, she started to build up her forces, and established dominion over several countries in demand for candy. You see, Big Mom is very crazy for candy and sweets. Some believe, her entire life, she's eaten nothing but sweets. And this has caused her blood-sugar levels to develop to a point where her entire DNA is nothing but sugary sweets. Either vay, Big Mom is a very dangerous person. There's a rumor that she vonce burned down an entire country because they missed their due date. That's vhy candy suppliers all around the world are afraid of her. It's also why they labeled her as vone of the Four Pirate Emperors."

"Four Pirate Emperors?" Aurora questioned.

"Ze Four Emperors are four notorious pirates of extreme power and dominion. Most of them have control over expansive territories… and Big Mom is included. But she never leaves her crew's home island. She always sends her crewmen to make all the bargains and burglaries."

"You mean like that nickel guy?"

"Yes… he is Nickel Joe. He looks like another sly loan shark… but those nickels he flicks aren't just for show. He flicks coins with just the right force and precision to turn his money into deadly weapons."

The kids pictured the day at the candy store, when Nickel Joe flicked his nickel into a shelf and exploded it.

"But he isn't the only one. There is also a man called Fat Jack, who is believed to take after Big Mom. He is so stuffed with sugary sweets, his fat makes him impenetrable. And a force to be reckoned with."

The kids recalled Sector W7's encounter with the chubby pirate, who jumped high in the air and landed with a powerful shockwave.

"But who were those three babies that were with Joe?" Francis asked.

"Ahhh those three. They vere the Deadly Baby Trio. Their names are Stewie Griffin, Rallo Tubbs, and Maggie Simpson. Three intelligent babies who specialize in their own skill. But each are deadly nonetheless."

"Even that one with the binky?" Haruka asked. (Francis described them beforehand.) "She doesn't seem too bad."

"Do not underestimate. Maggie is the deadliest of the group. She is the crew's top assassin. Assigned to shoot down anyone who doesn't comply with Big Mom's demands. You never see it coming… things are going so smoothly, and the next thing you know, your life is finished. A couple of years ago, she was believed to have murdered a businessman named Mr. Burns, who had an according with the pirates."

"Listen, Charlie, I understand bein' a businessman means bein' deceitful, but I think it'll be in your best interest to hand us a few of them nuclear whatchacallits." Nickel Joe persuaded to the baldheaded, evil man.

"Sorry." Mr. Burns smirked. "But the only waste I'll be willing to lend is my own. That is, if my hounds don't make waste out of YOU first. Release the hounds!"

Angry barking was heard as a pack of vicious dogs came charging around the mansion. Mr. Burns shut his door, but Nickel Joe kept his grin as he swiftly swung his foot, and KICKED the dogs away. "Hnnnnnn." He then spared a sly glance to Burns' door.

That night, when Mr. Burns was getting ready for bed, he didn't notice the small child glaring at him from his ceiling vent. When Burns was brushing his teeth, the baby took aim at his bald scalp with her gun. Mr. Burns barely had time to react when the gun fired, and the bullet pierced his scalp.

"…Gulp!" Haylee felt terrified just thinking about it.

"But while her primary skill is sniping, Rallo is a musicbender, and Stewie is the lead scientist. But recently, I heard the crew acquired another member: another notorious pirate known as Black John Licorice, who now works as her vice-captain."

"Black John… I remember him!" Haylee recalled. "He used to have that licorice curse, but he was cured after helping our parents defeat Davy Jones."

"And then he set off to find Candied Island." Harry finished. "No doubt the events are linked."

"Yes… Big Mom makes her hideout in the luscious paradise known as Candied Island." Mac confirmed. "I've always thought it was legend… until now."

"It's always been my mom's dream to find the Candied Island." Haylee remembered. "Hers and Henrietta's. But I guess Henrietta might find it first, if she's looking for her son."

"Then we have to find it, too." Haruka knew. "If we're going to save Panini."

"But how?" Cheren asked. "Big Mom will kill her when she finds out we're looking for her. And who knows how many forces she has out at sea. The Kids Next Door has a dilemma."

"So then we can't BE the Kids Next Door." They all looked at Sheila as she stood on a nearby table, and the kids sitting there looked with confusion. She stood proud and confidently as she spoke. "Don'tcha see, mates? These aren't the same li'l ne'er-do-gooders we're used to: these're PIRATES. CANDY Pirates no less."

"But we've FACED pirates and Candy Pirates before." Mason reminded.

"Yeh yeh, but this is different! Those blokes called a parley when they sent that message. And since it was directed at us, that means WE'RE pirates!"

"That's not how a parley works!" Dillon yelled.

"Doesn't matter, mates! The point is, if we're going to beat pirates, we have to BECOME pirates! If the Kids Next Door isn't allowed to do anything, we've no choice but to disband. As of today… Sector V is no longer Sector V, but its OWN pirate crew. We will sail the briny blue, and stop the Big Moms in their track. Ah'll have my mom build us a ship, and I'M gonna be captain!"

"Wait wait wait! You can't be captain 'cause AURORA'S the leader. So SHE'S captain." Chris informed.

"I don't know, Chris. I think Sheila's right." Aurora replied.

"But… Really?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, technically the Kids Next Door can't attack them 'cause Big Mom will hurt Panini. But it would be a different case if someone OTHER than Kids Next Door went after them. If we posed as actual pirates or sailors with no affiliation with the organization, we could fight the Big Mom Pirates in ordinary pirate squabbles and not endanger Panini."

"Hmmm… that just sounds too risky. What if they threaten to hurt her, anyway?" Cheren asked.

"Actually, she might not." Harry replied. "When you think about it, she probably went to all this trouble because she knows the Kids Next Door proves a threat. If she killed Panini, she'd have nothing to stop us from attacking her. Maybe we should go with Sheila's plan. Sector V's never had any direct encounters with the Big Mom Pirates, and I doubt that fat guy saw us in our C.O.O.L.-B.U.S.. We could probably get away with being pirates."

"Yeah… we just might. But what are the pirates searching, exactly?" Aurora asked.

"I have a prediction." Haylee spoke up. "Our mom told us a story of Eight Sugary Wonders, eight legendary, amazing candies with unreal powers and tastes. It's any candy-lover's dream to taste, or even look at one."

"You don't think those Sugary Wonders make up the recipe for the Annoying Triplets' cake, do you?" Haruka asked.

"In the old days, the Kids Next Door's primary goals were taking that cake whenever it was made." Cheren remembered. "The same was with Father's cake, even if it was a phony recreation."

"Then we HAVE to find them first." declared Aurora. "We'll sail the seas and take the Sugary Wonders before the pirates. …And Sheila will be our captain." The raccoon's eyes widened. "As our Expedition Expert, she was trained for this very situation, in guiding our team through new and unexplored territories. But her duty comes so big this time, she has to be leader. So, Captain," she saluted, "we're in your command."

Sheila's eye twitched. She had no words. In a flash, her very dream was coming true. Their mission was now… an adventure. "...…" She trembled with pure excitement and- "WOOHOOOOO!" leaped high in the air. She landed on her feet, shaking the ice cream on the table, before jumping off. "Orright, cobbers! Enjoy your last days with your parents and mates, 'cause first thing tomorrow, the Raccoon Pirates set sail for their grand adventure!"

"But can your mom even build a ship by then?" Haylee asked. "I mean, we can't use 4x4-technology anymore, so-"

"'Course she c'n build'un! Mah mom was a professional shipwright back in the day, and still is! Ah'll jus' fly down to her and get 'er started! But make sure you blokes stock up on any other non-KND supplies. And Haylee, ask your mom 'bout these Sugary Wonders, and maybe other candies. We may need it." She winked.

"You got it!"

"Hmm… well, if you're really sure about this." Cheren figured, still worried. "But I can't come. I'm still Supreme Leader, I don't have time to be a pirate."

"And I still need to lead the decommissioners." Francis said.

"Ahh, we don't need you blokes, anyway." Sheila waved off. "Future Raccoon Pirates: PREPARE!"

"YEEEEAAAH!" The team scurried off.

"Boy, what was that about?" one of the boys at the table asked.

"I dunno… but I wanna be a pirate too, now." another said.

The next day…

Morning soon came, and everyone was gearing up for their big adventure. At the Dimalanta home, Mason stashed a bunch of Purple Flurps and sodas in a cooler, while Haruka took a bunch of medical supplies, and both got in their parents' car as their mother drove.

"Awww my little boy's becoming a pirate." Yin said tearily, driving the vehicle. "They grow up so fast!"

"The ocean has a lot of water." Matthew mentioned. "You sure you're ready, Mason?"

"'Course I am! I've become a much better swimmer! We'll be fine, right Haruka?"

"Hm hm!" she smiled. "Mmmmm…" She frowned and glanced away. She hasn't told him, yet…

Gilligan House

Harry took headphones and music devices, Artie took non-4x4 tech equipment, and Haylee brought wrenches and carpentry tools as their parents drove them to the airport. "You can't use any 4x4-tech?" Hoagie asked. "Dang, that's like living with the Amish."

"Well, I can use OTHER stuff." Artie replied. "But relax, I'm sure I can survive."

"Heh heh, just don't be a screw-up like I was on MY sea adventure, Artie."

"Oh, don't say that, Hoagie." Abby told him. "Still, to think Heinie's kid would hang out with criminals."

"He takes after his mom. You might say he's Tart TATER! Ahh ha HAA haaa!"

"Awwwww, maaan!" Abby face-palmed.

Uno House

Chris and Aurora packed food before hopping in the car, driven by their dad while their mom, Cheren, and the Drilovskys saw them off. "I'll hate to disconnect you from the network, but if it's for the best." Cheren told them. "Good luck, you two."

"I wish I could come, too though. You promise to bring Panini back, right?" Francis asked.

"Of course, Francis." Aurora smiled. "I promise."

"Great, so let's drop you off so I don't have to go sailing!" Nigel declared.

"Oh, Nigie." Rachel shook before he drove off.

"…Hey, Dad?" Aurora began as they drove. "Why's Ms. Drilovsky a Logia, but you aren't?"

"Siiiigh. I don't want to talk about it." He said in agony.

Beatles House

Kirie only packed her fans before her parents began driving her off, with her brother Joey seated next to her. "Ahhh, that's my little girl, takin' on the briny blue." Wally said proudly. "Tough just like her father."

"I wanna go on a sea adventure, TOO!" Joey whined.

"Joey, you're not old enough." Kuki said. "Now sweetie, make sure not to get seasick like your father, and don't get eaten by sea demons."

I won't, Mommy! I promise!

York House

Nolan, Danika, and Dillon rode in Nolan's Sandmobile, whipping at high speeds across the country. "This is a once in a lifetime ride, son." Nolan chuckled. "'Course, since you came back from space in one piece, I have nothing to fear."

"You gonna be alright without Vanellope?" Danika asked.

"Yeah… I can manage." Dillon said sadly.

Cleveland Airport

All the families arrived at the airport and saw their kids off as they boarded Hoagie's plane. Yin smooched her son on the forehead, much to his embarrassment, and they watched from the window as the plane took off beyond the sky.

Hoagie and Ace were the plane's pilots, as the latter bore a serious look. "So I guess our kids found your son." Hoagie spoke. "You think Henrietta knows?"

"I don't know… all I can say is, I miss her. I hope this means I can see her again, soon. And Augustus, too…"

"You can count on our kids for that. If they can defeat a god of space… there's no limit."

"A god of time?"

"Heh heh heh, don't jinx it."

Azultown

Sheila Frantic kicked open her home's front door, a look of poise on her face and a pack strapped tight to her back. Just as before and always, she wore a thin green T-shirt, pitch-black shorts, and green sandals. This was her day to shine under the sun, as Captain of the Raccoon Pirates. She marched toward the shipyard with confidence as her father watched her. Elijah Frantic viewed the briny sea and whiffed the salty air, a light, cool breeze blowing across the land. The man lighted a cigarette, inhaled, and blew, watching the smoke blow toward the horizon.

Shipyard

The friends all met up at the shipyard with Sheila in front as they viewed the working craftsmen. "Boy, these guys have the good life." Haylee said admirably. "Hammerin' wood, sawin' wood, sticking wood… the life."

"Hard to believe Sheila lives all the way in South America, but she's still in Sector Virginia." Aurora mentioned. "She lives farther than Dillon."

"'Tis must be fate." Mason remarked.

"So where's your mom, anyway?" Harry asked Sheila. "Ah wanna see this ship."

"Keep your knockers, mates. It's just past this pile."

The kids approached a pile where a slim man was digging for something with his back turned. Sheila was about to touch him, when- "COO, CACHOOOO!" They jumped back in surprise when a pigeon wearing a red tie flew down, squawking wildly. "Coo, cachoo! Bratty kids off the hindquarters, brack! Bratty kids, hindquarters!"

The man stood up and faced them, a long hammer over his left shoulder, while the bird sat on his right. His expression was grim and serious, a small black beard on his chin. He wore a white sleeveless shirt, black pants and shoes, and a long black top-hat. But what was most scary about him were his sharp green eyes.

"Bonkers, Lucci, what is-" Marine walked over, and looked with surprise at seeing the children. "Well, I see the crew's already here! You're just in time, the ship's all done!"

"Whoooaa! What a cool pigeon!" Haylee admired.

"Coo coo, no compliments are necessary. My name's Rob Luc-… I mean, I'm Hattori, THIS is Rob Lucci." He directed to the man he was sitting on.

"Bonkers, mum!" Sheila said with wonder. "'ow does he do that??"

"Ahhh, Lucci's a mute." Marine explained. "So we've trained the pigeon to talk for 'im. Much more impressive than a parrot, aye? But for that reason, we call him 'Lucci the Lion'. Based on the expression, 'Cat got your tongue', eh? Hehehe."

Do you know sign-language, Mister Lucci? Kirie asked.

"Wind in the sails, wind in the sails! Coo cachooo!"

What??

That means yes. Lucci signed.

Ohhhhh! she beamed.

"Enough yabberin', mates!" Marine announced. "Lessee the ship!"

She and Lucci led them to a giant curtain covering some mass. "Junior Raccoon Pirates: we present to you: SUNNY DAY!" Marine threw off the curtain, and Sector V gaped: it was a beautiful ship with auburn wood making its body, and golden edges and railings on top, with a golden deck (well, it was all wood, but still). Its three masts were gold as well, with pure white sails waiting to be unfurled. The central mass had a black flag with a Jolly Roger, resembling a skull with a captain's hat and raccoon hair and features, and the keel had a smiling raccoon's head. The label Sunny Day was written across the back in golden letters.

"Coooool!" Mason gaped.

"I've never seen wood this pure before." Haylee said, rubbing the boat's side with admiration.

"Whoaly, Mom. You sure saved your best wood for us, huh?" Sheila said.

"Well, not quite. I just got this wood yesterday! Good thing the little yanker paid for it, eh?"

"Yanker? Who?" Mason asked.

"HIIIII, Masoooon!"

The boy flinched and froze with embarrassment. "CAROL?!"

"Hiya, Maseyfairy! Long time, no see!" exclaimed Carol Masterson as she danced over. "Even though we just talked yesterday. The minute you told me about this adventure, I just HAD to get involved somehow!"

"Mason, who's this girl?" Aurora asked.

"You mean you don't know? I'm Mason's girlfriend!"

"Wh-What?!" Mason blushed as his friends began to snicker.

"Come on, Mason, don't tell me you never told them about me." Carol cooed as she pinched Mason's cheek. "I'm the one who took care of him when he was tiny! He was SO grateful, he never wanted to leave my sight! Remember that, Maseyfairy?"

"Hah, Maseyfairy?" Chris laughed.

Mason's face turned more red. "This is exactly why I didn't wanna tell them…"

"Well-p, they know now, so too bad."

"How did you even get DOWN here that fast with Marine's supplies?"

"I told you: my mom gets me ANYthing I ask for. Time and distance don't matter! So she called for the rarest materials to be shipped to Azultown's shipyard, and ordered a private plane to bring me here, too. For the simple reason, I have come to an ultimate decision:" she stood upon a rock, and announced with sureness, "I'm going to join your team!"

"WHAT??" They all gasped.

"Mason told me how you lost a teammate earlier, and I wanted to fill the void. So I decided to become a Kids Next Door as the NEWEST member of Sector V!" Hearing this, Dillon spared a slight glare.

"But Carol, we're not even Kids Next Door at the moment." Aurora informed. "We're pirates."

"Alright, then! I'll just join the Kids Next Door afterwards! I'm sure you'll think of me as a GREAT addition!"

"Hmmm… well, it's a little out of the blue." Artie spoke thoughtfully. "I'll have to schedule an interview."

"Great, we can do it while we're sailing! So let's SHIP off!" She was already climbing on the vessel.

"Carol, wait, I-… awwww." Artie moaned.

"Guess she's coming with us." Mason smiled disbelieved.

"You okay with that, Maseyfairy?" Chris asked.

"I guess so. We'll see what she's got."

"WOOHOO, the more the merrier! Let's GO, you lot!" Sheila commanded, jumping on the ship.

The others climbed on and quickly unfurled the pure white sails, and Marine and Lucci helped shove the ship onto the sea and watched them sail off. "Orright, crew, let's get this bizzo down!" began Sheila as her crew lined up before her. "Aurora: you're the Vice-Captain!" She nodded. "Chris: you're the chef!" So did he. "Mason's the supplier, Haruka's the doctor, Harry's the singer, Artie's the scientist, Haylee's the shipwright, Kirie's the tactician, and Dillon's the spy! Oh, and Carol can be our treasurer. Hehe. And I AM your captain: Captain Sun-Fist Sheila Frantic!" She leapt onto the keel and sat with her legs over either side, like a horse. "Under my command, we'll find the Candied Island and taste the greatest treasures in the world! Adventures never end. Let's GOOOO!" They rode off over the horizon, letting the wind point the way.

"Ahhhh… my little girl's becomin' a wanted sheila, too. Eh, Lucci?" Marine nudged her partner.

From atop a downtown building, the Man With the Red Eye watched the ship shrink in the distance, smiling with his cape blowing in the wind.