A bolt of magic leaped from Solavita's palm and slammed right into Ninjini, and Ninjini screamed as she hit the ground and quickly pushed herself up, but Solavita was even quicker! Solavita immediately zipped right up to Ninjini, her hands now prepped with blades of solid purple and red crystal!

"Off with her head!" Solavita cried as she swung her blades with her aim fixed for Ninjini's neck.

Ninjini flung her wishblades forward before Solavita struck, and tossed them right in front of Solavita's own sword! Their blades screeched as they ground and pushed against each other, but Ninjini flew back and tossed a slice of her own. Solavita slashed back, their blades clanging and clattering as they traded blows once more. It was an even match, with every blow received and every block countered…

But finally, as Solavita flew backwards and prepared to strike, she screamed and hunched back down to the floor! The red glow around her body faded as she heaved body-shaking breaths. Ninjini paused in her own attacks and raised a brow. Was Solavita losing her power?

Solavita grunted and yowled as she clutched her chest, and her blades slipped out of her grasp. Her breath turned labored, forced even, as she stood up and swayed from side to side. As her balance finally stabilized, she held out her free hand and scowled.

"I can't play around any more!" Solavita cried as a purple and red wave of magic enveloped her hands. "Swords, finish this!"

Twin bolts of magic energy burst from Solavita's hands and fled into her blades. The blades shared their glow as they flew off from the ground and zipped right for Ninjini! Ninjini waved her hands and summoned spheres of magic, transformed them into shields with another wave, and leaned back as they tossed off the blades like they were mere balls.

But, Ninjini soon gasped and teleported away as two magic lasers shot into the shields and shattered them! Ninjini reappeared right behind Solavita, who turned around and scowled as she held up hands that shone with bright red and purple energy. Solavita shot off her laser again, and Ninjini shot out a purple beam of magic energy of her own! The two lasers slammed into each other and pushed against each other in a battle of wills, with neither caster willing to relent. One moment it seemed as though Solavita would prevail, the next, Ninjini would push right back, and they both locked in a stalemate!

"Just face it, Fatimah!" Solavita cried as the light from her palms glowed brighter. "I was always the superior sorceress! I should've been the one who held your title! I should have been the one chosen by the Ancients! I should have—"

Fatimah's eyes went wide, and a screech like a dying animal came from her body as she collapsed! The red glow around her body finally faded as she lurched over; her body' colors drained, and her skin shriveled as it clung to her bones once more. Her eyes faded away as she glanced down at her withered, corpselike hands, and Ninjini's own beam blasted into her, tossing her back into the wall!

Ninjini floated over and scowled as Solavita slunk down. A massive cavity formed in the center of Solavita's chest as purple smoke flew out from all angles, and her skin tore off like paper to reveal cracked and shattered bones. Solavita was a shattered shell of herself, and she could only groan as her head slunk down at such an angle that it seemed barely attached to the rest of her body. Ninjini scoffed as she witnessed Solavita's dying state, and held her wishblade up to Solavita's throat.

"Solavita, you've ended countless lives, captured beings in numberless amounts, sapped them of their life force, and robbed them of their free will, of their very existence and forced them to act as your puppets, all to fulfill your own selfish desires!" Ninjini proclaimed. Ninjini scowled further as Solavita only hacked at the blade that hovered before her throat. "The only thing I have left to say to you is" — Ninjini's eyes narrowed, and she pushed the blade closer to Solavita's throat — "any last wishes?"

Solavita hacked and coughed, but when she lifted her head to face Ninjini, she, she smirked! She seemed perfectly elated despite her dying state, her smile twisted and devious.

"Yes, actually!" Solavita proclaimed. She yanked the wheel pendant she wore right off of her neck, and tossed it in the air with the last bit of strength she held. "PENDANT, FINISH WHAT I STARTED!"

A burst of magic shot from Solavita's palm and slammed right into the wheel. The wheel grew to a massive size, and slammed right back into the ground with a powerful undead aura! It screeched as it churned through the stone and smashed the door behind. The sound of screams and shouts came from the newly-opened door, and whatever it was, it couldn't be good!

Ninjini gasped and turned away, but a pained hack turned her back to where Solavita laid on the ground. Solavita's face drew towards a more neutral expression as she slunk against the stone floor, but finally, a sharp crack resounded. Her body crumbled and collapsed into a pile of bony fragments, all caressed by the cloth of her dress. Solavita expired, yet the remnants of her wretched existence remained.

"She died as she lived," Ninjini scowled as she wrung the handles of wishblades, "petty and pathetic."

Ninjini scoffed again, turned back around and dashed through the open door. Though Solavita may have died, her work outlived her.

"But not for long," Ninjini whispered as she left the tunnel.

§

Cali panted, fell to her knees as she finally arrived back at the manor's gate, but jumped up and scurried away as a fireball crashed below and evaporated the waters! Cali dove behind the remains of a withered ship's hull and winced as she poked her head out. It seemed like Bouncer, Crusher. and Hot Head had everything under control when she and Flynn left, but since then, it became a war zone!

A massive, shining, silver crystal wheel hovered in the center of the area, and glowed with an undead energy as the ghosts around brawled with Bouncer, Crusher, and Hot Head. More than that, the ghosts were more powerful, too! They grew giant-sized, their teeth stretched into fangs too large for their mouths, and wicked claws crept out from their fingers. A new aura of power resonated from them, and it definitely showed as they razed Crusher, Bouncer and Hot Head down like they were just chompies!

The three of them crashed against a tall, dead tree and split it in half. The sight was enough to cheer up the ghosts Cali tailed! They all hooted as they flew into the center of the battle, but Cali slashed them in half before they could join in. They disappeared in puffs of teal smoke as Cali dashed into the fray, and she just snarled.

"Something tells me these guys could really use my help right now!" Cali cried. She frowned for a moment more as the ghosts closed further and further in, and dug out a collection of red spheres from her pockets. "Luckily, I have just the thing!" Cali squeezed the spheres, and they expanded into a small pile of dynamite sticks. "Pocket explosives, always a good thing to have handy."

Cali's eyes trailed to the vial of ghost-repellent oil still in her other hand. She popped its cork off and drenched the dynamite sticks in the stuff! A bright, warm orange light poured from the space above, and Cali smirked as a flaming blast surely courtesy of Hot Head shone conveniently above her.

She tossed the dynamite sticks right into the flames, and they exploded the moment they hit the fire! Their explosive, flaming fury crushed down onto the ghosts below, and tossed them all over the place, from the floor and trees to the walls around. Most importantly, those ghosts were now far, far away from Bouncer, Crusher and Hot Head!

"Something tells me that they'll be down for a while," Cali remarked as she walked up to Bouncer, Crusher, and Hot Head as she wiped the oil from her gloves. "That ghost-repellent oil is some serious stuff."

The three of them smiled towards Cali as they got up, turned around and gasped as a silvery white glow shone from the ghosts around them. The ghosts all groaned as they slowly hovered back up; the light around them throbbed as their burns and injuries completely disappeared! Once the glow faded, they all squealed and raced back for Bouncer, Crusher, Hot Head, and Cali!

Cali gasped, jumped out of the way as Bouncer nearly skidded into her to try and avoid a ghost blast, and spat out the murky water as she glared towards him. "Just what was that?" Cali cried. "That blast should've gotten them out of commission!"

"Beats me!" Bouncer shouted back. "Might have something to do with that wheel and all the Undead Element energy it's giving off!"

Cali fixed her eyes back on the wheel and the eerie glow of Undead power it gave off, frowned and scratched her chin. Well, that was as good an explanation as any.

"In that case, we just need to get that wheel in its grave!" Cali cried.

Her eyes fell to a series of dead trees that got knocked over in the conflict. They stacked in a way that made them a pretty convenient staircase, so she bolted forward and hopped them one at a time! The chill and cold white light of the wheel before her grew more intense as she hopped further.

Cali yanked a chisel from her pocket and prepared to stab the wheel with one last leap—but as she drew closer, her whole body drooped over and the chisel slipped from her hand! The world around her spun as she fell back down into the murky waters with a splash. she herself groaned and trembled furiously as she tried to stand.

"Ugh, that's right," Cali groaned as she barely got back to her feet and swayed around. "Undead Element energy's some serious stuff, too."

Cali screamed as a ghost tackled her back into the water, yet the ghost hardly cared. It snarled as grabbed Crusher by the leg, swung him around and tossed him right into Bouncer and Hot Head. The ghost cackled as the three of them flew into the hull of a ship and dented it. It floated towards them as they rested against the ship's hull. The three of them lifted their heads and winced as the ghost came closing in—

CRASH!

—but the ghost turned away as the gates behind it were smashed to pieces! Purple, sparkly smoke cast over the area and blocked everything from its view—everything but a massive silhouette that towered over it with lancing eyes!

"Surprise!" called a familiar voice as the smoke cleared around and sent the pirates into coughing fits.

Bouncer, Crusher, and Hot Head shielded their own faces as the last of the smoke vanished. They lifted up their heads and grinned as Ninjini floated down before them!

"Timah!" Bouncer cried as he jumped up. "What happened back there?"

"I can tell you all about it later," Ninjini replied as she cast a glare back down at the rising ghost pirates. "For now, we need to take care of these pirates!" Ninjini turned back to Bouncer, Crusher, and Hot Head, then smirked as she raised a brow. "Say, do you happen to remember what I told you about illusions earlier?"

The three of them all nodded, and Ninjini's smirk stretched further.

"How about we play a few magic tricks?"

Ninjini leaned in and prepared to whisper to them as Cali trudged over. Ninjini lifted Cali from the ground and placed Cali on her own shoulder before she started. The five of them huddled together tight as they whispered.

Around them the ghosts just frowned and titled their heads. The ghosts gazed and scratched their faces as the group dismissed. Soon, they screeched as Crusher, Bouncer, Hot Head, Ninjini, and Cali broke apart and dashed across the area! The ghosts all snarled as they shot their eyes around in some search for the others, but little did they know that their foes were closer than they thought!

Behind a particularly large dead tree, Hot Head and Cali grinned at each other, but Cali shushed him as they turned their heads around the tree's trunk. Their smiles soured as they glazed down the ghosts. Cali grabbed some smoke bombs from her pockets while Hot Head waved his arms. With one fling, she tossed the bombs out, sending thick smoke pouring out from their assault and onto the area!

The hallow sound of rattling coughs and hacks came from all around as the smoke blocked the ghosts off from sight, and sight off from the ghosts. Their coughs and hacks turned to confused screeches from within the cloud; though they couldn't be seen, the high volume of their voices showed they were in quite the panic!

Amid that panic, Bouncer grinned as he wheeled his way out from behind the tree, and he brandished smoking fingers guns! His eyes zeroed in on the thick, cloudy smoke that shielded the ghosts from view. With a single cock of his fingerguns, he shot hundreds of balls into the smoke clouds at rapid speed.

The ghosts' screams turned from confused to pained as the balls bounced around and zapped them! The flashes of orange light from the balls became the sole visible thing among the smoke; it paired with occasional silhouette of a ghost that screeched as they rubbed their back, or one that got beaned in the head with a ball. They were in a total panic now!

Crusher smiled, stomped his feet and pounded his hammer with all his might. Weaker tree branches snapped in half and crashed across the mud, thick splashes of water left in their wake, and the water shuddered while its mud splattered everywhere. Inside the smoke cloud itself, the ghosts all screeched!

"Now, for the grand finale!" Ninjini cried as she flew in front of Crusher.

Ninjini rolled her hands while they charged with bright blue magic, and she cast them out and into the smoke. The smoke cloud that shielded the ghosts grew stagnant in place. Quickly, it bubbled and stretched until it molded itself into the form of a massive dragon! The smoke dragon leaned down in front of the terrified ghosts, who all trembled as they screamed and grappled for their weapons. In the back of it all, Ninjini chuckled as she piloted the smoke dragon! She grinned as she prepared to thrust her hands forward.

The sound of a massive foghorn turned her away, and she and the others practically leaped out of their skin as they ducked for cover. The ghosts all screamed and charged with their sights set on the dragon, but right as they struck, the Dread-Yacht bowled forward and slammed right into the them! The massive crystal wheel that powered the ghosts flipped and spun in the air as the Dread-Yacht slammed right into it; its glow faded as it shrank in size and landed right into Cali's palm!

Cali blinked and examined the wheel over, then turned her attention right up to the Dread-Yacht, where a proud Flynn strode out!

"Hey down there, I fixed the Dread-Yacht!" Flynn cried as he waved at them from the deck. "Now, let's say we get out of this dumpster!"

"Gladly!" Ninjini cried. Ninjini lifted Cali back onto her shoulder as she, Bouncer, Crusher and Hot Head leaped onto the Dread-Yacht's deck.

Flynn dashed back up to the pilot's quarters and manned the wheel. "Righty-o!" Flynn cried as he spun the wheel. "Just need to find the Skylanders and we'll be out of here in a jiffy!"

The Dread-Yacht creaked as it spun around, but instead of starting, a thunk sounded from the hull and it stayed stuck in its path! Flynn grunted and spun the wheel some more, but even that stuck in place.

"Strange, I know for a fact I fixed the engine!" Flynn scratched his head. "What's the big issue now?"

Thunk! Thunk thunk! The sound of thunking grew louder and more prominent as growls intermingled as Flynn turned around and gasped.

"I don't think the engine's the problem, Flynn!" Cali cried as she scrambled up Ninjini's shoulder!

Back on the decks, the ghost pirates swarmed the Dread-Yacht and they came in fast! A good part of their ranks already climbed up the side of the ship and jumped onto the deck; even more of them crowded around the hull like barnacles. With so many of them stuck together on its body, the Dread-Yacht stuck tight!

The Elder Elementals all readied their weapons, and Cali slid down Ninjini's arm, flipping off as she drew her daggers. Just as they all prepared to attack, a mighty torrent of water rained from up above and washed the ghosts off the sides of the hull! The ghosts all screeched as they fell into the murky waters above, and everyone else just turned their heads up as the sound of flapping wings came from the skies.

"Looks like they got a little washed up, huh?"

The ghosts on deck frowned and tilted their heads, but Flynn, Cali and the Elder Elementals just grinned.

There in the skies were none other than Spyro, Gill Grunt, Stealth Elf, and Trigger Happy! Spyro flapped in place as Trigger Happy laid on his back, Gill Grunt held a water cannon dripping with cold water, and Stealth Elf flew beside him on magic wings. They all looked a tiny bit banged up from the windburns and scratches across their bodies, but most importantly, they were back!

"Hey everyone!" Spyro cried as he landed on the Dread-Yacht's deck with a thunk. "Are we late to the party?"

Behind him, Gill Grunt, Trigger Happy, and Stealth Elf dropped onto the deck. They grinned as they brandished their weapons, a grin shared by Ninjini as she peered down at them.

"Not at all!" Ninjini cried as she held out her wishblades, and turned back to the masses of ghost pirates that boarded the ship. "In fact, I'd say you've arrived just in time!"

Bouncer, Crusher, and Hot Head all gathered around the five of them as they glared down the masses of ghastly pirates that took residence aboard their ship! Though Solavita was long defeated, her crew was still kicking plenty. The pirates were all gnashing teeth, howling, and scratching against the Dread-Yacht's steel floor. The Skylanders and Elder Elementals held their arms out in tandem, and Ninjini's eyes shifted from side to side.

"On my mark!" She cried. With a snap of her fingers, rockets burst out of her bottle and hovered over her shoulders like attack dogs waiting to strike.

"Three, two…" they all chanted in tandem as they readied their weapons, brows tensed and eyes stuck tight on the oncoming pirate swarm.

"FIRE!"

With one motion, an array of blasts all burst from their group of eight and fused together! Lasers and bursts of water, flames and spores, orbs made of pure magic, and even sharp stone shards flew from their ranks. The attacks all blasted right through the pirates like they were bowling pins! The pirates cried out as they flew off the side of the deck, but the Skylanders and Elder Elementals alike just grinned as their ship became clear once more.

"Alright, this time for real!" Flynn cried as he frantically spun the steering wheel. "Let's blow this pop stand!"

The Dread-Yacht creaked once again as Flynn spun the wheel, and the oars on its side paddled at a frantic pace as they dashed across the waters! Water and mud sloshed everywhere while trees that strayed a little too close got leveled in half from oar strikes. Massive pulses of winds blew all but the sturdiest of structures away as the Dread-Yacht took off! It cut through the clouds and mist as it hit the skies, and a last gust of cold wind sent it soaring!

Everyone cheered and thrust their fists towards the murky, cloudy heavens as they sailed through the skies, but Flynn just brushed the sweat from his face.

"Phew! Gotta say, that was one of my more intense bouts in the realm of piloting," Flynn remarked as he adjusted his hat and grinned, "but, as the best pilot in all Skylands, all I have to say is…"

An explosion sounded behind Flynn, and he grimaced as he clutched the ship's steering wheel tight. A screen popped out beside him. Flynn grimaced as he glazed over the triangular arrangement of red dots that came in fast.

"It's not over yet!"

The sickening sound of cackles hit the air, and all eyes turned to the decks behind them. Between flashes of orange and blue flames, an entire fleet of ships emerged and glowed with a ghastly aura, their cannons set and ready! The first few in line shot off their cannonballs, and everyone screamed, clinging to whatever they could as the Dread-Yacht swerved out of the cannonballs’ way!

"Ye really think ye could escape us, could ye?" bellowed a voice in the distance.

The largest of the ships zipped right up to the Dread-Yacht. Down from its bird's eye flew a ghost pirate, but not just any ghost pirate, no—it was the same one who collected them from their cells, except he looked furious! Though he had the widest of grins on his face, the flames in his eyes and the twitching of his lip gave away his true intentions well enough. He reached for his cutlass, and his smile finally faded.

"You escaped our clutches, freed your ship and made a mess of our hideout! That's bad enough already, but killing the cap'n is unforgivable!" the pirate proclaimed as even more of his crew dropped behind him. A scowl fell across his face as he glared down Ninjini, and his grip on his cutlass tightened. "If I'd known I'd end up finding the cap'n remains in her quarters before I could tell her ye were here, I'd have never captured yer ship! I'll bring vengeance for our cap'n, I swear it on my honor as first mate!"

The first mate cast out his cutlass, and his bushy beard lit with ghastly fire.

"MATEYS, ATTACKKKKKKKKKKK!"

The ghosts pirates all shouted and cried in agreement as they chased after the Skylanders and Elder Elementals alike, who only grimaced as their enemies came in quick!

"These guys just don't give up, do they?" Spyro cried as he narrowly dodged a pirate's bite. He skidded back just a bit as the pirate toppled over, and Spyro turned his gaze back to the others. "Everyone, prepare to—"

An explosion rattled the side of the Dread-Yacht, and Spyro tumbled in midair as the ship tipped over. He landed right in Ninjini's arms, pulled himself up, and winced as his eyes fell on a massive plume of smoke that burned from the Dread-Yacht's side. He turned his eyes back on the skies, where smoke billowed from the lead ship's cannons.

Cannonballs shot from the side ships' cannons and dashed through the skies, and the Skylanders and Elder Elementals all ducked for cover! The Dread-Yacht itself rattled and shook back and forth with every cannon shot; another particularly tough blast shot straight into the hull and sent them spinning! Screams came from all around as they twirled across the skies, but finally, the Dread-Yacht heaved around and stood down the massive pirate fleet before it. A lone ship against an entire heavily-armed fleet packed with the highest grade of weapons…

"What are we gonna do now?" Cali cried, her daggers at the ready as she glared down the pirates that encircled them all.

"We're surrounded at every angle, outnumbered, and stranded at sky," Crusher remarked as he clutched his hammer. "Odds aren't exactly in our favor."

Everyone else gulped and hesitated as Crusher spoke, and even the cheeriest of their ranks’ fears got betrayed by their forced smiles. Like it or not, Crusher was right. Things weren't exactly looking in their favor, and even with all the power they held, the pirates had a lot more up their sleeves. It would take a miracle to get out of a situation like this!

Flynn just stared down at the console and grinned in spite of everyone else's pessimism! The faint light reflected off of the Dread-Yacht's shiny new console buttons and into his eyes. He smiled as he puffed out his chest!

"I'll tell you what we're doing!" Flynn cried as he smacked a hand against the console. All eyes turned to him, and Flynn leaped from the wheel. "We're not going down without a fight!"

"Huh?" everyone else uttered.

"Flynn, what are you talking about? We're completely outmatched!" Cali cried as she gestured to the pirates encroaching on them!

"That might be true, Cali, but we've been outmatched plenty of times before and we've made it out perfectly fine!" Flynn cried back! His normal smile disappeared, and his mouth clutched into a serious glare as he paced back and forth. "Besides, you're acting like we've already lost! That kind of attitude isn't like the heroes of Skylands I know!"

Spyro perked up, and he grinned as he turned back to Gill Grunt. "Flynn's got a point!" Spyro remarked as he nudged Gill Grunt's shoulder with his wing. "If there's one thing Skylanders never do, it's give up!"

"And it's not something we're gonna do, either!" Ninjini affirmed as she flew up.

Flynn grinned and pounded a fist against his hand. "That's the spirit!" Flynn cried. "This is our ship, and we're not letting them take it from us! Heck, we're not gonna let them take us down when we've got a super-duper important mission to finish! We've got friends to find, bad guys to fight, enchiladas to eat! We can't stop here, not when we've got so much to—"

A cough came from the other side as the first mate snarled. He crossed his arms and tapped his leg.

"Really rousing speech, lad, but are we going to fight or not?" the first mate asked.

Flynn scoffed. "Hey, I wasn't done yet!"

Flynn scoffed a second time, cleared his throat and steeled his gaze.

"As I was saying, we can't give up, not when we've got so much we've still gotta do!" Flynn proclaimed! He snarled as he pointed to the pirates before him. "Skylanders, attack!"

"Aye aye, captain!" Spyro cried as he dashed into the fray with Gill Grunt, Trigger Happy, and Stealth Elf by his side!

"Don't forget about me, either!" Cali cried as she snatched another vial of ghost-repellent oil from her pockets.

Flynn smirked and crossed his arms, but another cannonball rattled the ship and knocked him down! He grunted and pushed himself off the ground. A snarl crossed his face as a screen popped out of the wall, and showed him the damaged ship quarter.

"Crap, I forgot about their artillery!" Flynn cried.

Ninjini raised a brow, grinned and turned back to Bouncer, who returned her grin. As Hot Head and Crusher joined them, the four of them raced over to one of the doors and yanked it open!

"Just leave that to us!" Ninjini cried as the door expanded in size enough to let all four of them cleanly pass. "We'll knock those ships out of the skies before you can even wish for it!"

Ninjini dashed into the door right as it slammed shut and returned to its normal size.

Flynn smiled and rushed back to the pilot's wheel. "And I'll keep this baby floating!" Flynn cried as he spun the wheel. "Now, ALL HANDS ON DECK!"

As Flynn spun the wheel and turned the Dread-Yacht around, a couple of pirates snarled and rushed right after him—but Spyro zipped in front of them before they could reach, and smirked! His golden eyes turned to a more pure yellow, and they sparkled as he landed on deck!

"Sorry buddies, but that's the wrong way! He's not your opponent," Spyro remarked as he lowered his head while his eyes shone with an even brighter light. "I AM!"

Burst of bright light flew from Spyro's eyes as he cried out. The pirates all screeched and flailed as the light shone over them, blocking their vision! Behind them, Spyro smirked as his eyes turned to silver. While they writhed, he flew up and flapped his wings. Trails of mist cascaded down from his wingtips, and solidified on the ground as hulking wraiths. The wraiths all screeched to the heavens as they charged after the pirates, who only stood in shock as the wraiths yanked them off the deck and tossed them overboard!

"Nice! Gotta thank Cynder for teaching me that trick when we meet back up," Spyro remarked as he gently floated back down, yelped and flew aside as a cutlass nearly skewered him. Spyro grimaced and turned his head towards the right.

There, Cali locked in combat with a cutlass-wielding squid ghost. The ghost gnashed and groaned as it slashed at Cali, who could only block with the oil-coated dagger she held in hand. Her dagger was a toothpick in comparison to the squid's own mightier sword, and it was all she could do to hold it just inches from her face! Cali fell to the floor and rolled backwards. The squid yowled and waved its cutlass in the air, but Cali smirked as she yanked a bomb out of her pocket.

"Yeah, I'm not particularly fond of you either, buddy!" Cali cried as she doused the bomb in oil and set it alight. "I'm fact, how about you go take a flight?"

Cali flung the lit bomb right at the squid. It screamed as the bomb exploded, and sent it flying right off the deck—but, it wasn't the only one that got taken out! Several other ghosts cried as they tossed across the deck.

Behind them, Trigger Happy screamed as he flew forward and bounced against the deck! Trigger Happy grunted as he hit his head with every bounce. Finally he slammed into a barrel and rubbed his head right as the pirates all shoved their weapons in his face! Trigger Happy chuckled and dug into the depths of his fur.

"Easy there, boys! Let's not get too hasty," Trigger Happy replied as he pulled something shiny and gold out from his fur. "In fact, why don't we settle things with a nice little gift?" Trigger Happy grinned and raised his brows. "How do a bunch of gold coins sound?"

The pirates' eyes flickered, and then sparkled while the pirates nodded as fast as they could! Pleased grunts came from them as they clasped their hands. They gave Trigger Happy the biggest of grins—but soon, they screamed as Trigger Happy whipped out a golden pistol!

"Okie-dokie!" Trigger Happy cried as he latched his finger around the trigger. "Here you go!"

Trigger Happy burst into cackles as a blitz of golden coins shot out from his pistol and shot the pirates back, but he wasn't done yet! While the pirates screamed and fled as they shielded themselves from the coins' onslaught, Trigger Happy whipped out a second pistol and added on! The striking sight of golden light burned across the deck as Trigger Happy fired away. The pirates squealed, and took a sharp turn left to unveil Stealth Elf and Gill Grunt instead! Trigger Happy gasped, dropped his guns, and leaped up and down as he frantically waved his arms.

"Gill, Stealthie, look out!"

Stealth Elf yanked her head aside and flipped away right as the coins came right for her, but Gill Grunt wasn't so lucky! The coins that set their path on Stealth Elf shot right into the wall behind and embedded themselves in tight, but he hadn't turned till the very last second and got blasted away!

Gill Grunt cried out as the coins shot him across the deck, groaned and patted the floor in search of his harpoon cannon. Something stomped on his hand and Gill Grunt screamed. he frantically tried to yank his hand away from the thing that stomped it—but somebody grabbed him by that hand and yanked him off the floor! A low cackle came as Gill Grunt came face to face with the first mate, the very head of the assault, who smirked at the sight of Gill Grunt's shocked look.

"Looks like I caught me a little fishie!" the first mate chuckled.

"Gill Grunt!" Stealth Elf called.

She grunted and narrowed her eyes as she prepared to dart into the fray, but just before she could, more of the pirate ghosts raced in front of her and blocked off her view! The ghosts all growled and snarled as they inched closer to Stealth Elf, who snarled as she gripped her smoke bombs.

"I don't have time to play with you!" Stealth Elf shouted as she slammed the bombs against the floor. "Now shoo!"

The bombs crashed against the floor and exploded into a cloud of green spores. Stealth Elf escaped underneath its cover while the other pirates coughed and hacked, but more pirates ran in her way and blocked her off. Stealth Elf drew her daggers and slashed away.

While she brawled, Gill Grunt just struggled and squirmed as he tried to escape the first mate's grip. The first mate held on tight as he could, his smile wider by the second; it was as if he reveled in Gill Grunt's struggles! He bellowed with laughter as Gill Grunt snarled, and something pounded against his muscular chest, something shiny and silver. The sight of it caught Gill Grunt's eyes as his struggling drew to a close.

"Y'know, I was thinking something about ye looked familiar," the first mate remarked as he lifted up the silver object. "Now that I got a good look at ye, I know just what!"

The silver object brought to the faint light, and Gill Grunt's eyes grew even wider as he saw just what it truly was—a locket! A simple one held by a silver chain, but a locket nonetheless! It was rusted in some spots, yet otherwise it seemed perfectly intact, and its front was carved to vaguely resemble a seashell. It spun around in circles as it dangled from the first mate's fingers, and he only cackled as he tucked it back into his shirt.

"That locket," Gill Grunt whispered.

"Ah, so ye recognize it, mate?" The first mate smirked. "Snagged it off some mermaid that got out of our highest-security dungeons!" The first mate raised a brow as he chuckled. "You know, the lass seemed awfully upset that I took it, too, so I've been keepin' it just to spite her for escapin'! She'll never get this old thing back as far as I'm concerned!"

Gill Grunt snarled, and his teeth gritted as he fixed on the silver chain that still hung from the first mate's neck! His eyes twitched; he swung backwards and kicked right for the first mate's chest! The first mate gasped and turned away, but his grip on Gill Grunt's arm slipped just enough that Gill Grunt turned it around and flipped right out of his grip. Gill Grunt skidded backwards, but just before he hit the ground, he started up his jetpack and screeched right for the first mate! The first mate gasped as Gill Grunt flew right past him and pulled him forward. As Gill Grunt disappeared, he grunted and patted his neck to find that the locket was completely gone! The first mate gasped, and snarled with twitching lips as Gill Grunt grinned and held the pendant.

"Why, ye thievin' scoundrel!" the first mate cried as he whipped out his sword. "Ye'll pay for that!"

"That's what I should be telling you!" Gill Grunt cried as he held out his water cannon.

Gill Grunt's finger latched onto the trigger, and the first mate cried out as he dashed straight for Gill Grunt! His sword waved in the air as he drew closer and closer, he prepared to strike—but, before he could, Gill Grunt released the trigger. He sent a gigantic anchor shooting right towards the first mate!

The first mate grunted as the anchor tossed him back into the wall, slid down and groaned as he held his head. Gill Grunt smirked, but flew aside as a pirate greeble flew forward and smacked right into the wall beside him with a massive claw mark on its face! His eyes nearly popped out of his head, but he turned around, and smiled as his eyes fell on a massive green tiger that shook and tossed the pirates around it like they were chew toys.

"Oh, just Stealth Elf."

Another pirate skidded across the floor and right by his feet. A green flash of light shone, and Stealth Elf walked up to him as she wiped off her hands.

"Seems like that should be all of them!" Stealth Elf remarked as she placed a hand on her hip.

All around the deck, the pirates that hadn't been cast overboard laid writhing and weak on the floor, their bodies covered in sores, burns and scratches. They all groaned as smoke wafted off their bodies, and a few even raised their hands and groaned in some hope of breaking out of their trance. But, they just groaned and collapsed!

The first mate blinked and scrambled backwards at the sight of his fallen crew. He screamed and leaped to his feet! With a whistle on his end, his ship screeched right up to the side of the deck!

"Retreat!" the first mate cried as he dashed up to his ship. "This is the cannon masters' problem now!"

With a snap of his fingers, the first mate's ghastly crew vanished from the decks and reappeared on their own ship's deck, just in time for the ship to skedaddle! Everyone else grinned and glanced over the side of the Dread-Yacht as the ship dashed back to its fleet. Soon, they screamed and fell back as another cannonball rattled the deck!

Flynn clung to the wheel and winced as the others slid across the deck! He pushed himself up as the Dread-Yacht steadied, tapped a few buttons on its new console, and grimaced as a grainy screen popped out from the walls.

"Ninjini, how're things holding up down there?" Flynn cried. The sound of firing cannonballs yanked him away from the screen, and he winced as he frantically steered out of their direction. "’Cause we've got a bit of an artillery problem here!"

"We're on it, Flynn!" Ninjini called, his voice left fuzzy by the transmission quality.

The screen's grainy, fuzzy surface finally cleared, and on it was none other than Ninjini. She grinned as she waved to the screen, steered away, and lifted out her arm to present an entire row of cannons enchanted with magic! Their wooden surfaces glowed with bright purple light, and Magic Element symbols resided on their wooden tops.

"Just had to make a few adjustments, but our artillery should be ready to go!" Ninjini smirked as her eyes fell on the oncoming ships. "I'd say I know the perfect way to test it!" Ninjini turned aside and snapped her fingers. "Let's show them what we've got, boys!"

"Roger that!" Bouncer, Crusher, and Hot Head cried as they all scrambled towards the cannons and took their seats.

Ninjini took a seat at the cannon which led the charge, gripped its handles tight and grinned.

"FIRE AWAY!"

The Elder Elementals all pulled back the handles of their cannons, and a fury of attacks burst from their cannons with sights set towards the ships! Magic orbs and flurries of stone tore through the opposing ships' hulls; waves of gears combated oncoming cannonballs and knocked them out right in mid-flight; to top it all off, a gigantic flame cast out from Hot Head's cannon, and burned over the sky in waves as a bright orange burst that set the ships ahead alight! They all grinned as smoke and falling ships screeched in the distance.

Ninjini turned to Flynn and winked as the ships turned around and retreated. "See, we've got it all under control!" Ninjini remarked as she gave Flynn a thumbs up.

"Wait, what's that?" Bouncer asked as he scratched his head.

"What's what?" Ninjini turned around, gasped and turned back to Flynn. "Actually, I'll get back to you about that!"

The communications cut in that instance, and Flynn winced as he turned his gaze on the ships ahead. Though they were flaming, beaten, and battered, they still stood the best they could, stubborn as ghost ships always were. They drew closer and closer together, then they all sent out their cannons, their missiles and guns and in one simultaneous move, they all fired right for the Dread-Yacht!

Everyone screamed as the blow came right for them, while the Dread-Yacht fired a combined blow of its own from its cannons. But as the combined blast of fire, gears, orbs and rocks hurtled straight for the mass of missiles and weaponry, it was crushed to bits while the enemy assault zoomed past!

"That's it, we're doomed!" Trigger Happy cried as he raced back in forth in circles. "We're all gonna die!" Trigger Happy yanked a pen and paper from his fur and frantically scribbled away. "First, I'm giving all my treasure to my pet turtle…"

Flynn winced as he scanned the control panel; his nails gnawed down fast as he looked for something, anything that could fight off the oncoming storm. But then, his eyes fell on a glossy button with a person's picture planted on it and he grinned.

"We're not done yet, Trigger Happy!" Flynn cried. "I'm fact, I've got a secret weapon right up my sleeve!"

Trigger Happy turned around and blinked, as did everyone around him.

"You do?"

Flynn chuckled, slammed down on the glossy button and leaned back. "You might wanna hold on tight!"

Everyone paused and frowned, but soon they skidded backwards as the Dread-Yacht creaked and tilted back! They all frantically grappled for crates and boxes to cling to, yet even those proved less than helpful as the Dread-Yacht tilted back and creaked again! With every creak, they tilted, whirled, and spun around—just what was going on?

"Robot mode, activated!" cried a mechanical voice.

With one last shift, the Dread-Yacht's front slid down, and out from the top popped the captain's quarters! It transformed, going from an ordinary boat to a massive robot. Its sides evolved into formal arms and legs, and out from its hull-shaped chest came the window for a second room. Everyone else screamed as they dropped into this new room with a thunk, peered out the glass window they were provided, and screamed again!

"Since when could the Dread-Yacht turn into a giant robot?" Spyro cried as he pressed his face against the glass.

"Beats me! Those pirates must've done it!" Flynn boomed from the upstairs. He chuckled as he observed their shock from a screen, smirked and raised his brows as he turned his gaze on the oncoming assault. "But now, it'll be what stops them!"

Flynn pressed a couple of buttons as the missiles, bombs, and other weapons came within inches of him. As he did so, the Dread-Yacht yanked the pirates’ weaponry out of the air and tossed it right back at the ships! The ships all turned around and screeched away—but they weren't fast enough, and their own weapons crashed into them in an explosion of fury and fire!

Flynn grinned, and with another button press, the Dread-Yacht hastily shifted back into its original form. Screams echoed from all around as the Dread-Yacht shifted back to normal, and everyone else popped up from a panel in the floor. Flynn grinned as he gazed out the window.

"Just what was that?" Gill Grunt groaned as he held his head.

"I don't know," Trigger Happy moaned back. Trigger Happy blinked, grinned and tossed his pen and paper away, "but look!" Trigger Happy pointed up to the flaming pirate ships and grinned. "It got rid of those guys!"

Everyone else followed Trigger Happy's gaze and grinned, for he was right! The pirates' ships set alight and decayed in the fire with every second they floated. Not even a ghost ship could come back from that! They won!