( 3916 words) 

(y/n)'s POV 

We were going to head for the Northwestern Sea, but Ciela stopped us. "Something feels weird. It's like am eerie, tingle down my spine! Do you feel anything weird?" Shaking our heads I looked down as I knew what it was. Looking towards the prow of the ship I saw Jolene's ship. (Jolene! Jolene! Joleeennnee, I'm gonna take your man! XD) 

Hearing her yell from all the way over here I sighed. "I've finally found you, Linebeck!" She shot her torpedoes at us. 

"Oh-no-oh-no-oh-no! It's her! Jolene! She's crazy! She's crazier than a rabid squid. Way, back when Jolene and I were kids... Ah, forget it! There's no time for that story! Not while Jolene's gunning for our ship! Always run from Jolene! Set a course far away from her! She'll shoot torpedoes at us, make the ship leap over them before they hit!" Linebeck was spouting nonsense as usual. 

Getting into the control room we waited for Jolene to come down the stairs. Sitting on the crate, I watched as she talked to Link. "Fiend! It's been 100 years since our paths last crossed... Oh, what?" Waving as she saw us she looked back at Link. "You aren't Linebeck." 

"Nope! Sucks that we aren't as good looking as that Captain Linebeck!" I heard him chuckle from inside the crate. Knocking my boots against it he quit making noise. "You! Little boy in green! Tell me the whereabouts of Linebeck this instant! Ah, keeping it a secret, are we? Playing Jolene for a fool is an unwise choice... You truly don't want to tell? I see. Well, then... You will be punished!" 

Watching as she started to fight Link I let my shoes hit against the crate. Once she dropped her blade and it stabbed into the floor, she ran to the stairs. "Bested by a little boy in green. Linebeck! Hear my words! Your pet is most skilled! Before I leave, I have but one thing to say..." she turned to me. "You! If you're trying to keep him to yourself, it won't work! He loves nothing but treasure, that greedy man!" 

She ran up the stairs after that. Hearing a muffled voice from inside the crate I sighed and got off the lid. Watching as Linebeck popped out of it, Link stood closer to us. "Whoo! Crouching in one of these every now and then is great for the back! Consider this a tip for getting rid of that crazy woman" 

He gave us a blue rupee and I looked at him. He hopped out of the crate and looked at me. Link had ran up the stairs already. "What?" he asked. Shaking my head i walked around him and up the stairs. "Wait!" Turning around and looking at him I crossed my arms. 

"I care about more than just treasure, you know?" 

Raising a brow I looked at him. "Your ship doesn't count, Linebeck. Try caring about some people for a change. A ship can't hug you when you're down, or kiss you in the morning. Remember that." I said as I turned back up the stairs to help Link. 

Linebeck's POV 

But I do care about more than just this ship. I care about you. Why won't you see that? What do I have to do! Pulling on my hair i looked around the small room. Shaking my head I went up the stairs and got the next course . Getting to the Northwestern Sea. Falling over as the ship had stopped suddenly. Looking at the steps, Link and (y/n) found me.  

"Oh, hey guys.... Sorry for the unscheduled stop. Something happened down here and the engine just went nuts!  I'm sure that evil Ghost Ship is the cause! No doubt about it! This that thing around, I better get this engine into tip-top shape. Hey kid, leave it to me! You've got other things to worry about... You take the helm and aim at that Ghost Ship!" 

After I got the ship running again they went up the stairs and used the fairies to steer in the direction of the ship. Staying there as I wasn't needed I sighed. There wasn't a thing I could do. Seeing the Ghost Ship appear I jumped a little. We stopped and Link and (y/n)  boarded the ship.  Climbing over the side of the ship, I saw (y/n) laying on the rotting deck. 

"S-so this is the Ghost Ship that everyone is always t-talking about! It's scarier than I imagined.. and I can imagine some scary stuff!" 

"What?! Is Linebeck shaking over there?! He's such a cucco!" 

"Oh, put a crab in it! Just caught a chill is all. One of those frigid nor'easter winds. So yeah... Anyway, you just charge on ahead! I'll catch up with you as soon as I warm up a little. Meanwhile... Try to find your friend Tetra. And make it fast, kid!" 

"Ahhh. I get it. Linebeck's nothing but a frozen clucking cucco! Why don't you just wait there, shivering. Get real comfortable." Glancing over at (y/n) as she got up. She looked pretty pissed at the moment.  

"Maybe you'll lay an egg. Bah-gawwwwk!" 

"You shut it, Sparkles! If we find treasure, don't expect any share for yourself! You can shovel that treasure right into these pockets!" shaking my head gently as she looked at the three of us. 

"If you two keep bickering like that, I'll dismantle your ship for easy money, and I'll throw you in a jar, Ciela. We're not here to bicker like old married couples, we're here to help Link. I thought I told you two to get along. Next time I hear anything of the sort, I'll lock you both in the crate!" 

We looked at each other and nodded gently before looking at her. "Not another word, either of you. Linebeck, we'll be back with Tetra soon. Wait here" Grabbing Link she dragged him into the main room of the Ghost Ship. 

(y/n)'s POV 

Getting down the stairs I went to the Southeastern corner and grabbed a chest that was there. Shaking my head I walked by Link as he watched me. "She's pretty mad" Ciela whispered. "Yes, I'm mad! Every. Single. Time. We stop somewhere, you and Linebeck have to give one right after another with each other. Something I don't understand! I don't know what it is with you two, but god damn, get along already! He's the captain of this ship, and like it or not. He's helping us, for free!" sighing gently I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Show a little appreciation to the man, at least. I know he's stubborn and can be rude at times. But he's really helping us out with getting Tetra." 

They nodded and I turned around. "Good, let's go!" We were off to find everything we could in the Ghost Ship. Finding the youngest sister of the house of Cubus we continued to move through the ship as she wanted us to find her other three sisters. Running to the eastern side of the ship, we jumped and hopped over small gaps in the flooring. Getting to the other side easily. There, we beat up some rats and could get the girl. 

Bringing her back to her youngest sister, we were able to get tot he next floor. Once we got to the next floor we found there were Reaplings on this floor. Sighing as i remembered how much damage these things did to you if they hit you, I shook my head . Running around them we got to the next area. The girl in yellow looked at us and pointed out the two chests that were across from her. 

She wanted us to pick the left one. Doing so would give us a Rupoor which would take our money. The right one had a yellow potion in it. Leading her towards the stairs I told link to take her upstairs and i would be there in a second. Getting around the corner i sighed gently as i grabbed the round crystal from the chest I went up the stairs and put it in the pedestal. Getting the girl and taking her over to her other two sisters, Orange and Blue she stayed with them. 

Running down the previous stairs and into the room we found the Yellow sister in, we ran towards the left side of the room. Heading that way we found another set of stairs and went down them into B3. Walking to the battle room to the east side of the floor, we had to deal with some Skutullas. Smacking the crystal orb we lowered the spikes that blocked the red barrels. 

This made a Reapling appear. Avoiding the Reapling and the spikes that we lowered we ran around the corner and to a tablet. Sighing, I read it. "There are something's in the world, meant to be pulled. 24513" Writing it down, we went back to the other side of the red barrels and pulled the levers in order. The spikes where the tablet was at lowered and we ran around. Getting away from the Reapling as it saw me, we ran and stepped on the switch. This put out the blue fire and we were able to get the chest that had a Purple Potion in it. Taking it I put it in my pocket. 

Running to the last safe zone on the map, one of the red barrels were moving. Picking it up we could find the Green and final Cubus sister. Getting her back to the other three sister's I sighed gently. They took us to the 'playing field' and got us to play volleyball against them. Since that was the only way we could find Tetra. 

Throwing the light balls back at the sister that threw it at me while Link and I dodged the light beams from the other two, I rolled my eyes. I didn't like this boss fight from when I was playing the game, so I hated it now. Knocking the red one out, the other two started to pass the light ball between them. Shooting it back at us, Link hit it back, taking another girl with it. This time the one in green. 

Blue and Yellow knocked the ball back and forth as I watched them. Hitting it back to me, I hit it towards the blue one, killing her. Looking at Link he looked back and we nodded simultaneously. The last one, shoots three energy balls at us, but two are fakes and brake into a bunch of little ones, that hit us. Picking the right one, we practically played hot potato with the energy. 

Hitting her with it the last time she spun down to us and talked with us. "You really know how to play! Gosh, we'd love to reward you, but we don't have any trophies. Instead, you can drag that precious Tetra with you. Tee Hee!" holding her head as she screamed she turned into the Ghost Ship Key. 

Picking it up, this let us open the door we needed to get Tetra. Grabbing the heart container we skedaddled to the next door to get Tetra. Only to find her, rock hard! (XDDD) Going through the blue flower on the floor, we ran to the B2 floor. Running towards the east side of the room we found the Ghost Door we needed. 

Opening the door, we went up the stairs. Arriving in the door, Link gasped. Ciela flew over to the other side of the room where a frozen Tetra stood. "Is that... Tetra? What are we going to do? She's a statue!" 

Hearing Linebeck behind me I glanced over at him. "Oh! Hey, kid, sorry I'm late! That fog disappeared so I charged in to find you. So... about that treasure. You got piles of it, right?" 

"Ciela don't" I said as I saw her get ready to yell at him. Looking at Linebeck he looked down at me. 

"Tetra was turned into a statue on this ship. Now we have to figure out how to get her back to normal." 

"Link's friend is in trouble, and all you think about is treasure." 

"Oh? So this is your friend? She's looking a bit pale." he knocked on the top of her head a little. "Ooh, something isn't right with this girl! Her... soul didn't get sucked away did it?!" 

"This evil ship drained away her life force." 

"Grandpa! What are you doing here?" 

Turning we saw Oshus. He looked at us as he walked over. Slowly. 

"If you have come this far, the power of the hero is with you. Now is the time to tell you the rest of the story. You're a clever boy, you already know this. You see, these seas are my domain, I am not Oshus." 

"He's the Ocean King." Every one turned to look at me. Shrugging gently as Oshus nodded I stood next to him. "For me on the other hand, I'm not even from around here, you can say that I'm from... far away." Nodding Oshus agreed with me. "I brought her here to aid you Link. I knew that she would prove to be useful on your journey." 

Link nodded at me as he smiled. Linebeck looked at me for a moment before he looked at the other two. "It's name was Bellum. His evil ran so deep that he leeched the very life force from me. As you know, ever creature in this world possessed a sacred power. This power is called Life Force. The Sand of Powers is the physical manifestation of that power, and that is what brought them here. I struggled against my attacker in the great clash. But his evil was so dark that it slowly drained away my own Life Force. He was always a step ahead in my attacks and I was eventually overcome." 

"I was dragged to the sunless depths of the temple. Sealed up, my Life Force continues to drain away. Using the life force he leeched from me... His evil spread, and bred more and more foul monsters. The Spirits of Power and Wisdom were also imprisoned. But, Ciela managed to split her soul and escape. That split was why so much of her memory was lost. Even among the monsters born from the Sand of Hours, some are especially evil. The Phantoms that roam my temple take after the evil of their master." 

Shaking his head he looked down. "Supernatural strength, wrapped in plate armor, virtually invincible. They prowl the temple, searching for victims. No one can stop them. Of course, they were created to be untouchable. I had only one option, my ocean of strength had been drained to a puddle. Using my last ounce of strength, I cloned myself just as Ciela did. Then I made a humble home on Mercay Island." 

Glancing over to Linebeck as Oshus spoke, he seemed to be taking in every word as if he was a sponge, they all were. "I used the Sand of Hours to create the hourglass and entered the temple. I studied my foe, searching for ways to defeat Bellum, and waited for my chance. Ciela, i'm sorry I could not tell you sooner. I worried about the Spirits of Power and Wisdom. I never expected to find you on the beach. You'd lost your memory and monsters were nearby. I thought it best to keep quiet until the time came." 

Glancing to Linebeck I noticed that he was leaning on Tetra as she was a statue. Apparently this man couldn't stand through a flash back. "The sea's islands are rich with life force. The evil things must have appeared to devour that." Looking at Linebeck I watched as Tetra slipped and fell over. He stood there as he looked between Link and the statue girl. He bent over to pick her up, while I tried to keep from laughing. 

"They just want to fill their empty bellies. They hunger for life force!" Linebeck tried to get the statue to stand up on its own as he quit listening to Oshus' speech. "The Ghost Ship was made to drain that life force. They used the story of treasure to lure people in. It wasn't enough for Bellum to steal my life force, he had to take what little he could from the people." 

Brushing off Tetra's stone cold stare, Link turned around. He quickly crossed his arms and looked like he wasn't paying attention. "Tetra must have a bold, vibrant soul. The Ghost Ship was drawn to that power. She didn't find it... it found her." 

Link walked over and touched his hand to hers. Linebeck watched this before his jaw hung open. He walked over to Oshus. "Wait.. so you're saying, there's NO TREASURE?!" 

Oshus turned around. "Yes, that's what I'm saying." Linebeck frowned and sunk onto the floor. Raising a brow I walked over as he laid on the floor dramatically. Reaching into my bag, i pulled out a Helmaroc Plume. Brushing it against his nose he swiped at it. "I don't want your damn plume! I want actual treasure." He looked at me and caught the glimpse of the necklace that Link had given me a couple dungeons ago. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me. Leaning back, I tried to crawl away from him. 

Linebeck had lunged at me to take the necklace off of me. We rolled around on the floor as he tried to steal it and I tried to keep him away from it. Still listening to Oshus. "From what I can tell, Tetra is still alive. Defeat that monster before my life force is depleted. I must get the Sand of Hours back. With it, I can return Tetra's life force, and restore her. There is an island north of the Isle of Gust." 

I was laying on the floor as Linebeck was on top of me. He was trying to take the necklace off of me while I squirmed under him. He grabbed my hips and pulled me back to him, from this I rolled him over and landed on top of him. Slapping his hands from mine he slapped mine from his, we repeated this process. "Go there and tell Zauz. He is a blacksmith. He will tell you more about the great evil. He knows how to slay Bellum." 

Linebeck stood up and I fell to the floor. "Is this some kind of sick joke, old man?! The TREASURE what about the TREASURE? That was the only reason I put my life on the line! Now there's no treasure? I... QUIT!" 

"If you quit you won't find the treasure that matters the most to you." Oshus said as he turned his head a little to side glance at Linebeck. Feeling eyes on me, I looked up at him to see him look at me. His eyes were filled with something, but I couldn't tell what. 

"Heh.. Heh. I didn't say you had to work for free. If you help us defeat Bellum, I'll grant you one wish." 

Linebeck stood up quickly and returned to his loud normal self. "HEY! Quit standing around, kid! The Ocean King is in trouble! Ship out, kid! Anchors aweigh! I said, MOVE IT!" 

Oshus hummed. "One word about a wish, and he leaped into action. I'm so sorry, i shouldn't have involved you and Tetra into all this." Meanwhile, Linebeck was still standing in his treasure pose. "With your power, you can defeat Bellum. My real body is sealed away, deep inside the temple... Bellum should be there too. Normally, I would be fighting this battle, myself.  You are our only hope" (Obi-wan Kenobe)

"What are you doing? Grab that friend of yours and get back to my ship!" Looking at Linebeck, he ran out the door. Link followed with Tetra.  I looked at Oshus. "What do I get?" I asked. He turned to look at me. "I'll give you a choice. The actions that you take up to the battle with Bellum, will decide that choice." 

"How will I know which is right?" 

Giving a single nod he looked up at me. "You will, if you follow your heart, it will give you the wisdom to decide the choice that is necessary, and the courage to go through with it." he looked at me and I nodded. Running around him I helped Link with Tetra, getting her to the Control Room of the ship. Sticking her next to the crate in the bottom of the ship, we sighed. 

"Walking over to Linebeck I tapped his shoulder. He spun around and looked at us. "All right! We've got to get out of here! This is no time to sit around with your mouth hanging open! The old man says that Zauz the blacksmith holds the clue we're looking for! We have to find that blacksmith and defeat Bellum! And then.... And then the treasure will be in my hands! 

Rolling my eyes I sighed gently. We went towards Zauz's Island and I sighed gently as It was getting dark. Leaning on the rail of the ship, I looked at the dagger. Sighing gently as it was dull, I knew I would have had to sharpen it. 

Getting up and sheathing the dagger, I walked by Linebeck. He glanced at me before i put everything that was on me, on the table behind him. Going down the stairs, I flopped onto my bed. 

Linebeck's POV 

Seeing (y/n) put the dagger and the rest of the stuff on the table behind me, I turned around to look at it. Noticing immediately that the dagger was dull. Sighing as I knew she was going to bed, I docked the ship and got it ready for the night. Locking the door to the Control Room I ran out to Zauz's house. Knocking on the door he answered shortly. 

"I don't suppose you could sharpen a dagger I have do you? I'll pay you of course." 

He nodded gently and let me in. "Linebeck, tell me" looking over to the red headed man I rose a brow. "Tell you what?" I asked. 

"You must really care about the owner of this dagger. Since you're going through the trouble to have me fix it in the middle of the night." he gave me a side glance. 

"You know, Zauz? I do, I really do. I just wish i could tell her that." 

"I don't see many people on this island, but when I see the look in your eyes when you merely think about her, I'm sure she already knows. She just needs to tell you how she feels." nodding I watched him as he finished sharpening the blade on the grind stone. Standing and bring it over to me, I took it. Sheathing it, I stood. 

"How much do I owe you?" 

He shook his head. "Nothing, just promise me something." he said. I gave a nod for him to continue. "Promise that when the time is right, you'll announce the way you feel to her, no matter who's around." 

Chewing on the inside of my lip I looked at him and nodded. Reaching his hand out for me to shake, I shook it. Leaving the house I went back to the ship. What did you just agree to, Linebeck?