This is Morning Musume fanfic, very anime inspired, featuring them as sky pirates. It's a bit unorthodox I kown. Began writing it a while back, for myself mostly. Now with the first chapter ready I thought I'd upload it for people to read.

Cast:

Takahashi Ai (Captain)

Niigaki Risa (first mate)

Kamei Eri

Sayumi Michichige

Tanaka Reina

Kusumi Koharu

Mitsui Aika

Jun Jun

Lin Lin

Setting:

Think Final Fantasy 12 or Treasure Planet

English is not my primary language so please don't hate my for spelling flaws.

Chapter 1

A ship, a captain, a crew

The whether was clear. The morning sun was slowly rising over the far horizon. She was almost alone on the dock. Still early, a small harbor like Autumn's bay was usually quiet this time of day. Ai was holding her hat in a firm grip. Captain she was soon to be. Or was she already? She now had a ship and a crew. Even if they still hadn't set sail yet she was in her right to announces herself by that title.

Her ship the MMS Wonderful Heart lay silently in it's dock, a graceful airship. It was some twenty meters long, bow to stern. It was new, fresh, even if it had sail it's maiden voyage it had still barely been out in the skies. It was built very much like a seagoing vessel, though missing sails, two engines were visible, one of each side of the ships highest deck. Alike in shape, they looked like the towers of a castle made to keep the ship in the air. Though out of Ai's view, the ship had also third engine for this task below the front of the ship and two propulsion engines in the rear. It was loaded and ready to soar through the skies as soon as she would order it.

But then again this was supposed to be Miki's ship. Had she not left, the mission would have been hers. It had all happened so fast, Miki had been made Captain and the Wonderful Heart was to be hers, but then... Miki had told her that she didn't think herself fit for the role as Captain. And the day after she had left Autumn's bay on her own. Ai, being her first mate, had suddenly become proprietor of a title and a responsibility that she, a few month back, wouldn't had thought herself worthy of. But a lot had happened since then. Her former Captain, Hitomi, had once told her that one day Ai would make her proud as first mate on the 'Heart'. And now Ai was determined to make her proud as Captain. And that the one she had for so long looked up to believed in her, was all she needed. And this would be the day they set sail.

At noon the harbor was filled with life. Ships arriving, crewmen busy loading and unloading. Again Ai stood on the dock but not alone this time. Her crew had lined up in front of the 'Heart'. They were all ready to leave. Ai took a deep breath as she placed her Captains hat on her head.

“Risa-san, are we ready for departure?”

“Aye, Captain..” Risa did her best not to smile. As first mate she now had to be an example for the others to follow, but Ai and Risa had been friends for so long that addressing each others with titles felt out of place. “Ready to go on your command... Captain.”

“What's our heading, Captain?” Reina, had been appointed helms mate and was eager prove herself on this post.

Even though they all knew were already Ai answered.

“Southeast. Through the blue pass to the 'wilderness'.” Ai smiled but suddenly her face turned serious. “Though I must remained all of you that once we have gone through the blue pass, this ship will be a pirate ship. This will be your last chance to back down.”

No one said anything. Risa smiled. Non of them would, she knew. They had all served under pirate Captains before, almost all under Captain Hitomi together with Ai.

“Well then. To your posts.” Ai shouted and the crew scrambled on deck. “Fire up the engines, let her lose and let her fly.”

The deck trembled as the engines come to life. And with a soft humming sound the Wonderful Heart disattached from the dock and made it's way out in the open skies of the misty ocean.

Ai gazed out towards the horizon. So it begins! She though. She looked down on the bracelet around her left wrist. Yes, so, it begins!

As the Wonderful Heart headed for the Blue pass night fell. So far so good. Ai thought. But then her test as Captain hadn't even begun. But it had been a long and proving day. She felt the weight of the responsibility now resting on her shoulders, but the calmness of the night felt like a reward as the first day of their adventure came to an end. The deck was quiet, most of the crew sleeping below. Ai sat down on the port railing gazing out. The ocean seemed endless as did the sky. She had always found the sea mesmerizing. Growing up on the Sunshine islands she had always enjoyed siting at one of the high cliffs staring into the distance.

Ai suddenly heard soft footsteps behind her. She turn around.

“Junjun?”

“I-I didn't mean to disturb you, Captain.” Junjun was one of the two girls who didn't come from the Sunshine islands but the main land. They had talked before but this was the first time Ai had found herself alone with Junjun.

“That's quite alright, I suppose you're nightwatch then. Sit down, won't you?”

Junjun seem slightly surprised at this. Even if the 'Heart' was a small ship, an invite from the Captain was always quite an honer. But she sat down all the same.

“Was their something specific you wanted, Captain.”

“Well the company for one.”

“Oh, eh sorry Captain. It was a stupid question.” Junjun looked down at her feet, embarrassed.

“Not at all. I actually wanted to ask you something as well.”

“Yes?”

“We all have our reasons for being here what is your?”

“Oh, well to be free I guess. The empire made our land their colony before I was even born. So I always felt well, trapped. And in our mission I hoped we could help others to freedom.”

“I hope so too. But I suspect you don't quite understand exactly what our mission is. That we're going to help people from oppression of the empire is true but do you know how?”

“We're going to sail the 'wilderness' right? To find a way to stop them aren't we? We're going to look for moonstones.”

“Is that what you call them on the main land? Moonstones, starfragments, I guess they have many names. We call them 'Sky Marks'. Do you know what they are?”

“No, just that they fell from the skys.”

Ai turn her face to the night sky. Junjun could see the stars reflect in her eyes.

“Well that's almost as much as any of us know. That they came from up there.”

Junjun looked up as well. The sky above was completely clear.

“We're going to see to it that we get hold of them before the empire does.” Ai continued. “They hold great power. Power that best be kept from greedy fingers. Let me show you.”

She raised her left arm pulling down the sleeve, reveling the bracelet. A small square was attached to it. Ai unattached it and held it in front of Junjun. Junjun swallowed hard. Was this small peace of engraved metal one of the legendary Sky Marks.

“I-is this what we are going to fight the empire with? To lead our homes to freedom?”

Ai smiled and shock her head.

“We won't be going to war. That is what we are trying to avoid. That's why we're becoming pirates. But don't worry there are ways to give our people their freedom, without going to war.”

“I'm not sure I understand...” Junjun wasn't even sure she could believe that this was possible.

“You don't have to understand.” Ai got up. “Just trust me.”

Junjun nodded.

As she walked back to the stairs to the lower decks she saw Risa standing there. There was a big grin on her face.

“What ever are you smirking at?” She was a bit to tired to be Captain any more today.

“Where you always this mature or is it just the hat?” Risa had been dying to tease her best friend all day.

Ai felt a little embarrassed but also relived. She looked up at her hat. “Well, I did cut my hair as well.”

Risa laughed. “Your bed awaits, Captain.” Risa said as they headed down the steps.

“Yours I hope.”

Day break. Risa was alone on deck. Taking the last shift for the night, it had been an early morning and she found herself yawning. She blinked hard twice, fastening her grip on the wheel. She wouldn't get any sleep today. Ai would need them all today. Risa blessed thin layer of mist floating along ocean's surface. If they where to get through the Blue pass in one piece they'd need all the help they could get. The empire kept it heavily guarded, as entering the wilderness was strictly forbidden by imperial law. But even in her worries she couldn't help feel a flare of excitement in her heart. She had sail the blue pass before, under Hitomi's command, sneaking in under the imperial fleet's noeses. But then, if they had been caughtthey could have taken the fight. Hitomi's ship was well armed and Hitomi herself were a fierce fighter. The 'Heart' was far from a war ship, a light frigate meant for scouting and exploring. But her Captain was indeed a force to be reckoned with, Risa knew. She knew Ai had been studying the maps and charts of the blue pass before they left Autumn's bay, conceiving a plan to get them through. The excitement for the oncoming day grew stronger. Risa was quite fired up as the rest of the crew stared coming out on deck. Soon all except their Captain were present.

“Morning dames!” Risa shouted as Reina replaced her on the helm. “We have a long, hard day's work ahead of us, I hope you're all ready. Well what are you waiting for? Step to, I want the whole ship checked and rechecked when Cap'n comes out, you hear!? We're leaving nothing to chance.”

“Y-yes... mam...”the crew mumbled, they were used to Risa being one of them and seeing her as authority was still new to them.

“Can't hear you!”

“Aye, mam!”

Risa laughed to herself, she loved being in charged.

Later as Ai ascended from the deck below the crew stood lined up in salute. Risa stepped forward.

“Ready for orders Captain!” Ai was surprised at the reception but remained calm. She had taken some time to get ready this morning, mentally preparing for the task ahead. She wouldn't fall out of her role as Captain today. Risa could also see that Ai had already armed herself. A short, hand-wide blade and a pistol hung form her belt and Risa was sure she had several knifes and other smaller weapons concealed on her person.

“Well then let us begin the briefing.” Ai headed up to the navigators board. Placing a map of the blue pass on the main screen, the screen lit up.

The blue pass was the only gateway into the wilderness, located Southeast of the Sunshine islands in between two mountain ranges shooting out of the sea overlapping each other creating a small s-shaped passage up to a few kilometers wide.

Ai stood with her crew surrounding her. “We'll come in from the north on low altitude to here.” Ai pointed on a small inlet just next to the mouth of the passage. “As we all know the imperial fleet patrol the opening to the pass, and by paroling I mean pointlessly flying back and forth hoping to run into something. We wait here until the first patrol has past and the seconds is still far off and sneak past. It's a simple matter of timing and I trust all senior crewman remember how this gos.”

A low “Aye Captain.” came from most of the girls.

“Good, because after that it gets harder. As the pass gets thinner the chance to get caught by the center patrols increases. And if we are we won't stand a chance, we are not fit to battle the imperial fleet in this ship.” Ai's voice was still calm. But they all felt the cold realty of her words.

“But the mist will be in our favor, won't it.” Sayumi burst out before she stop herself. Interrupting the Captain was quite out of place for a anyone without rank. Sayumi stared down at her feet embarrassed. “...Captain.”

But Ai remain calm ignoring Sayuim's lack of formality. “Yes, that is true.” Ai paused. “But... we have a problem. One we haven't had before.”

Ai clicked on the map enlarging the last of the tree segments of the pass. “Here.” Ai pointed at the corner of the s-shape. “...where the pass is barely a hundred meters wide. Two gun position. One on each side. Put in place just recently. Their sensors are state of the art. Which means...” Ai turned to her crew.

“The mist won't provide cover.” Risa felt the uneasy feelings from this morning arising in her.

“There is no way we can pass through here.” All where silent as Ai continued. “But I have found away around them. There's a river coming down the mountain just before the guns. We will fly upstream, beware though it going to be a steep climb. So I hope everything is tide up and secure.”

“It is Captain.” said Risa.

“Good, now. The river lead up to a cave that leads to a lake within the mountain. From there other tunnels will lead to down to the wilderness.”

“Beware also, when we do head for the mountain river we'll be in a very narrow part of the pass and we will most likely be detected.” Ai looked at her crew there was a nervous tension in their faces that she didn't like. She smiled. “Don't worry, we'll make this.”

There was a short moment of silence. Then Risa stepped in as her role as first mate.

“Ha, and here I was hoping for a challenge.” the mood lightened. Risa clapped her hands together. “Look alive people, let get there today, yeah?”

Ai felt pleased with her choice of first mate, Risa knew how to keep people in good mood.

As the rest of the crew scrambled off Ai and Risa where left alone. Ai heaved a sigh. “Thanks.”

“Any time, that's what friends are for, right?”

“Yeah, that too.” Ai laughed.

“You didn't even tell them half of what we're up against, did you?”

“No.”

“Though so... Just like Cap'n Hitomi. She always said 'don't worry' or 'trust me'. And suddenly your chased by a huge sea-serpent.”

Ai let out a nervous laugh. “Do you trust me?”

“There's sea-serpents in that lake?”

“According to some stories, other say wyrms and some say even the kraken live up there. Not to mention the vast amount of caverns and underground tunnels up there, we'll not want to get lost up there. And of course there is also the fact that we're heading up into the black mountains, there's a good reason why people don't fly over them.” Ai grinned at her friend. “So well, are you ready for that challenge?”

Risa's face broke into a smile. “Any time! And I do trust you.” She put her hand on Ai's shoulder and leaned forward. “But you've gone completely crazy. This whole plan is mad. And I love it. Did Hitomi teach you anything else I wasn't aware of?”

“I should teach you some manners, sailor. Get to work!”

Risa laughed as she headed off barking orders at the crew.

Ai turned and headed up the steps to the helm. Reina was alone up there. Holding the wheel firmly Ai thought she looked a bit pale. Maybe she had overheard.

“You alright there, Reina-san?”

“Aye, Captain. I-I'm ready for this!” Reina tried her best to sound confident but her voice was a bit shaky Ai could hear.

“There is no need to worry I have a flight plan to get us through.” Ai held up the charts in her hand. “I got maps of the caverns from the Mho-wan tribe last time in the wilderness. I though we'd go through the plan together.”

Ai headed up to the bench in front of the wheel, Reina followed. She still seemed pale.

“I've found a route amongst the tunnels that will be safe to fly.” Ai said as she unfolded the charts. “Even if we would desire to take the downhill way slowly, the tunnels I've found are wide enough for higher speed. So in short, if we follow the route we'll be ok.”

“Count on me Captain!” the color had returned to Reina's face.

Ai felt relieved. With Reina confident and in a good mood, Ai felt that the 'Heart' was ready for the task ahead, even if the road was full of unforeseen hazards. This would be her first trial as Captain and she wouldn't let her crew down.

“Let's take it from the top, shall we?”

“Land hoi!”

Ai looked up from the charts. Ahead of them the black mountains shot out of the sea. A dark wall.

“Ok, you know what to do.”

The 'Heart' came up on the mountain wall at low speed beneath the mist. Unable see more than a few feet ahead, Ai kept a close eye on the screen in front of her. The ship's scanners put out a faint signal, just enough to pick up any solid object in a wide area around but still small enough to go by undetected. She kept her voice down giving Reina adjustments on their course.

As the ship took position in the inlent just around the corner of the mouth to the pass Risa joined Ai at the scanner screen. Looking at the small dots moving back and forth across the pass. Reina watched them from the helm. They took their time speaking low to each other. Reina felt her heart beating fast. She tried not to think on the patrols. She had seen them before, black metal war ships sailing in formation of three. She knew that she would play a important part in this, people were counting on her, Ai was counting in her.

“We move in, low speed, keep close to the cliff.” Ai had turned to Reina.

“Aye, Captain.” Reina answered quietly, her heart ponding fast.

“Complete silence, everyone.” Ai went up standing just next to Reina. Risa staying at the screen. Ai nodded to her, Risa responding with a nod.

The ship move around the ciff wall, staying close enough to keep eye contact. Risa made a hand signal to Ai. Ai nodded, put her left hand on Reina's shoulder leaning in close. Reina felt her cheeks turning red as the Captain whispered adjustments to the course in her ear.

They had completed the firs turn and Reina saw the rock wall disappear in the mist. She had now to completely trust in Risa and Captain Ai. They took it slow at first cruising back and froth. Turning every few seconds. The first sign of worry was as Reina caught a look on Risa's face. The cheerful expression was gone, instead she looked hardened and slightly pale. Was she just concentrating or was she anxious? Ai however remained calm. Still whispering softly in her ear, it calmed Reina's worries for a while. The mist seamed endless, Reina had no track of time. She stared losing focus, forgetting where they were. For a long time it was only Ai and Reina in her world, timelessly floating through the mist. Completely calm in mind, her hands could following Ai's orders flawlessly. Not taking to worry that they had to increase speed and make more bowled turns. She felt at peace. But then, as Ai gave her the order to stop completely, she realized there was something wrong. Wondering if there was there reason to worry, she heard it. A most ominous sound, coming from above. The sound of airships engines. Looking up confirmed Reina's worst fears. The huge shadow of an imperial cruiser. It was directly above them. Reina, feeling panic rippling through her body, turned to Ai. But Ai still seemed calm. She signed something to Risa. Risa first looked chocked but then grinned. Reina had a bad feeling about this.

Ai leaned close again. “We are going to follow this ship, staying below it where their scanners can't sense us.” Her voice still calm but the there was a slight amusement in her tone. Reina knew this was bad. “We can follow it up to the mountain river and then break off. We'll have to make a run for it but it will be alright.”

Reina's hands felt numb steering the 'Heart' along the Imperial cruiser. Slowly starting the engines, every little sound from the machinery below felt loud and for every squeak in the hull she was sure that they would be detected. But the 'Heart' moved unnoticed forward in the cruisers shadow.

Time went by slowly. Every second a slight adjustment had to be made. They couldn't get to close and not to far away from the other ship.

As Reina allowed herself a glance upwards, seeing the keel of the cruiser now visible in the mist. Where they to close? The 'Heart' was even tilted slightly upwards. Ai leaned close to her to give her an order, Reina making ready to steer down was not ready for it.

“It's time. We breakaway here.”

Reina didn't know if she even could move. She had never piloted the 'Heart' at high speed and for the last hours she had only moved slowly, slightly nudging the ship in the right direction. She didn't know if she would be able to react fast enough. She was panicking.

Ai had put her hand on the wheel pulling it softly in their direction. Ai was counting on her, Reina thought. As did everyone else. She had to believe she could do this. She turned to her Captain.

“I won't fail you!” She ignored her panic and her fear, she had a role to play and she couldn't allow failure. The people on the ship where to important to her.

“I'm with you all the way.” Ai said, then turning to the rest of the ship. “Alright, full speed! Load up the nitroprecodrin! And hold on to something, we're going up hill.”

The 'Heart' was moving away from the cruiser raising up through the mist. Reina only knew one thing about nirtoprecondrin, you pumped it into the engines giving you a massive acceleration for a short period of time.

“Three units of nitro loaded, Captain!”

“Good. Ignition on one.”

Coming out of the cruisers shadow the mist above became thinner and thinner. They could see the sky and the mountain walls as the nitroprecondrin was pumped into the engines. The reaction was instant. The 'Heart' shot forward out of the mist.

Reina could not allow herself to be affected by the sudden burst of speed. She quickly located the river almost dead ahead, holding on tightly to the wheel.

“They've spotted us!” She heard a shout in the wind. “But they are to close to the rock face to get their starboard guns in position. Ha! They'll have to turn the ship around.” Ai held her hand on Reina's shoulder shaking her slightly a she spoke.

Behind the long cruiser was beginning to turn. They had spotted the intruder at 4aclock. First glad to find easy prey, it's captain swore loudly when they realized they were to close to the starboard mountain and had to make a full 180 turn. Two 'wasps' were instead dispatched. The two fighters shot out from their mothership flying around it heading towards the mountain river that the intruder was speeding up.

The 'Heart' was at full speed pushing itself up the steep river. Reina's panic was gone and she had never felt so alive.

“Two 'wasps' 8 o'clock.” Ai shouted to the crew.

Reina was surprised that she felt so confident. It felt like she could take on the whole world. Well, everything was going according to plan, the 'heart' handled perfectly obeying her every command and her trust for her Captain had never been grater. Let them come, she thought.

They sped upwards the two fighters on their heel. Junjun was standing at the starbord railing, holding on for dear life. As she looked down below seeing the 'wasps' on their tale, she recalled the morning they had left Autumn's bay. At breakfast they had talked on the subject of the imperial patrols and now, seeing the imperial fighters for real, thought that the first mate's description wasn't all that off. Risa had taken a boiled egg and put it in between to peaces of bread, she held it up to her saying “This is a 'wasp', it has a gun of course, but look pretty much like this.”

They had guns alright, hanging under their egg-shaped body. Two wing on each side. Although it was mostly metal and black in color, Risa's description of them had been quite accurate. Though she thought the wings looked a bit more aerodynamic then the bread peaces.

As they where coming up on the tunnel leading into the mountain they still had a good head start. The tunnel was dark. As they headed in the darkness closeted around them. The sound of the running water inside was immanence. Ai turned to Reina.

“Will you manage without light?” Ai had to shout to be heard. “I'll know when to turn, but you'd have to keep her stable.”

“Yes, don't worry!”

“Ok then.” Ai shouted to the crew. “Turn off all lights. Michishige, get up here and help us keep an eye on the 'wasps' for us.”

“Aye, Captain!” Sayumi came running up the steps to the helm keeping a firm grip on the railing.

“Risa!” Ai shouted.

“Cap'n?!”

“Yell if we drift to close to the walls, yell higher if we're about to reach the lake.”

“Aye!”

“The rest of you get the guns ready. Fire only on my command!”

The crew scrambled, loading guns and turning off the lights on deck. Everything went dark. But Reina was still confident. The sound of the rushing water enabled her to distinguish how far they were from the walls and the sound of the wind told of how high up the roof was. She didn't need her eyes and Ai was standing next to her, one hand on her shoulder and one hand on the wheel.

Sayumi positioned herself behind Ai and Reina. Holding on hard to the railing as the 'Heart' climbed the waterway. Behind them at the opening of the tunnel she saw the 'wasps' turning on their searchlights. They each had only one and the tunnel was pretty wide. Sayumi knew they where in favor. She would easily pinpoint the fighters position. She'd have to see to it that they would avoid those lights. She only hoped Ai and Reina knew what they where doing flying blind.

“Both 'wasps' at 5 o'clock!” She shouted forward.

“5 o'clock!” Ai repeated. “Turning to starboard!”

“Turning to starboard, aye!”

Reina turned the wheel, the 'Heart' obeying her as if it had been an extension of her arm. They where as one. She glanced in Ai's direction. Unable to see her in the darkness, she still knew she was there. They where all as one, she, Ai, the ship and the crew.

“There's supposed to be a rock pillar in the middle of the tunnel up ahead. Can you hear it.” Ai shouted in her ear and Reina realized with pride that her Captain must have memorized the charts. She must have planed for this sort of scenario.

Reina's soul flared with joy and pride to serve with such an admirable person. “Aye, Captain, I hear it! Passing on the port side!”

“'Wasp' 1, 6 o'cloack!” Sayumi screamed from behind.

“Dame.” Ai said to her self. “Everyone duck!”

She saw the light beam of one the fighters sweep across the wall and hit the rear of the 'Heart'. Both fighters instantly opened fire. As they did Ai pulled hard on the wheel almost making Reina fall over. But Ai caught her. The canon fire flew past them. One of them to the left and one, aimed a bit high flew over them.

“Sorry.” Ai shouted to Reina as a massive rush of wind told them that they had only missed the rock pillar by inches. “Shit! My hat!”

Reina froze. A Captains hat was a important artifact, marking a person of great importance. The wind must have taken Ai's hat. Reina had never heard her swear before.

“Ow! Caught it, Captain!” came a voice from behind. It was Sayumi. “It blew into my face.”

“Great! Good job, sailor! Hold on to it will you!”

“Hurt though. 'Wasp' 1 and 2 coming up on 6 again and closing in!”

But Ai had already seen the light on the wall to their left.

“There's a awful lot of room in the tunnel to starboard, Captain.” Reina knew that she was thinking hard but they'd have to turn soon.

“Permission granted, get us close to the wall!” Ai was done thinking it seemed. “Port battery, ready to fire!”

“Aye, port battery ready to fire at will, Cap'n!”

Reina lined them up with the tunnel's right wall. She felt Ai slowing their speed. The 'wasps' where moving round the pillar coming up directly in their line of fire. With their lights on they where easy to spot.

“Ready...!” Ai yelled. “Wait...! Let them come close!”

The fighters where now just next to them.

“Port battery, Fire!”

“Fire!” Risa repeated.

The Wonderful Heart, still a small ship, had a total of five guns on each side. They where not much use against any other normal sized ship but smaller fighters like these... Well Reina thought they would find out now.

The 'Heart' fired its volley straight at the 'wasps'. One was hit in the wing and went down in the river. Another hit glanced of the other 'wasp' as it pulled back avoiding the volley.

“Full speed! Kamei, ignite 2!” Ai shouted as the light of the second 'wasp' flickered over the wall to their right. It started firing at them at random.

The shots flew past them hitting the wall as the second load of nitro was pumped into the engines causing a rapid speed increase.

Reina hoped that Ai was still focused on the way ahead. As the 'Heart' rocketed through the black tunnel, it was much harder for her to keep track of the walls. And to avoid the canon fire of the 'wasp' from behind she had to steer the ship back and forth dangerously closes to them.

“Tunnel getting close to port!” Risa yell from the down at the navigators panel.

A flare from the 'wasp's' gun illuminated the wall closing in on them ahead. Reina threw the wheel to the right to steer away. They cleared the wall but as she was about to level the ship up Ai cought the wheel.

“The tunnel is turning here, we keep this course!”

Reina felt a bit unease as they helled course, thinking they would hit the opposite wall any time. Her heart leaped as Ai turned the wheel even more to the right. But as she almost found herself panicking her ears caught the flow of the water and was relived to find that they where still in the middle the turn. Closely following the inner corner of the tunnel. As they came round the turn someone in the front of the ship yelled. Reina couldn't hear what over the loud noise from engine and rushing water.

“Light ahead Cap'n!” Risa repeated. And as she did they could see it. Up in the tunnel ahead the bright of day light, they where coming out into the open.

“We're still not at the lake, Cap'n!” Risa continued. Reina could see her now she looked worried.

As they rapidly closed on the opening the 'Heart' and her crew. They all seemed to be there, still.

“This could be bad. We're high up in the mountains.” Reina heard Ai say, more to herself then to Reina.

As the crew was illuminated Reina could see that they where a bit shaken by wild ride. Koharu and Aika had even held on to each other as much as the railing, it looked a bit comical. The both of them hurled up together. Risa had noticed them as well.

“What where you two doing?” she said with a slight laugh before she could stop herself. The two looked quite embarrassed.

“Risa! Focus!” Ai shouted. Her voice firm. They where leaving the tunnel and a yellowish flare from behind told them that the 'wasp' was still on their tale.

The roof of the tunnel disappeared above them replaced by the dazing midday sun. Ai's heart was now pounding hard. She thought she wouldn't have to deal with this situation. She could already see the dancing shadows on the high cliff wall surrounding the river. Here they come!

“Incoming! To arms!” She shouted as several shadows came down upon them. “Risa lead the defense!”

At least four of the shadows landed on the deck. One in front of Eri. A creature consisting of a cloud of black smoke shaped, sort of like a person, around a rusted metal skeleton, standing almost as tall as her with a long metal claw on the end of it's right arm more like a sword then anything else and two glowing yellow eyes. A 'Gaist'. She had just enough time to throw up her sword as the 'Gaist' swung it's long claw at her. She had seen enough of them before not to be frighten by their bizarre shape. She just hope the new girls would manage. “Well no big ones so far.” she thought, blocking yet another strike. But an instant later she regretted that thought. The perusing 'wasp' just came into view as a large shadow come flying down from the opposite cliff. She stopped herself from thinking anymore jinxing thoughts and pulled her pistol from it's holster. Sticking the double barreled gun in below her sword as she parred the next attack. Blowing of both barrels into the creature it staggered backwards. And with a swing of her sword it was over. The smoke surrounding the metal skeleton disappeared into thin air. The metal parts fell to the deck. She looked around. Risa had defeated one and was helping Junjun and Linlin with another, Aika and Koharu where fighting one together. They all seemed to do fine. But then the light from above was blocked. Eri had to throw herself back to avoid it, dropping her sword as she did. It was a big one. Almost 2 m high shaped like a huge ape, it had two clawed hands instead the single long claw. She had to get away from it. She could never take it on. They had always left the big ones for Hitomi or Miki and now neither where here. She started panicking trying to crawl back, to get away. It launched for her. She shut her eyes and prepared to feel it's claws rip into her. But she felt nothing. She opened her eyes. Over her Ai stood, blocking the 'Gaist's' claws with her blade. Seeing the big one land one the ship Ai had thrown herself down on deck running to get in between it and her crew. Eri was amazed, had Ai always been this strong. Risa was suddenly over her as well. Trowing her pistol over Ai's shoulder aiming for the 'Gaist's' face. The shot missed the face and hit the creature's neck. But as the creature pulled back in pain Ai moved in. Her sword landing right in between the two glowing eyes.

Eri sighed in relief the smoke around the big one dissolved and they where heading into the other side of the tunnel. Risa helped her up. But just as she thought they where out of harms way she herd Koharu gasp. They all turned, to their left the 'wasp' crashed into the water as the other big one leaped from it. It landed heavily on the port railing shaking the ship as it did.

Eri wanted to help this time and picked up her sword. But Ai held out her hand in front of her.

“Stand back, please.” She simply said.

Ai stepped forward pulling up her sheave reviling her bracelet. The small metal peace was glow with a bright light. The light grew and the air around it trembled. As the big 'Gaist' launched for Ai, she held out her arm. There was a massing explosion of light that illuminated the whole cave and the 'Gaist' was gone.

Ai couldn't have been this strong before, Eri thought. Could she?

“Is everyone alright?” Ai asked her crew. The 'Heart' had slowed it's speed and turned on the deck lights as it headed up through the dark cave. “Kamei?”

“I'm ok, Captain. May have some bruises.” Ai nodded and turned to Junjun and Linlin putting her hat back on.

Risa eyed Eri up and down. “Where?”

“Don't ask.” Eri felt her face turn a bit pink. Risa just manged to hold down a laugh and Koharu giggled.

Aika hadn't noticed and looked concerned. “Would you like to sit down?”

“No, thank you.” Eri stared at her feet, her face burning. Both Risa and Koharu burst in to laughter.

“Junjun, Linlin? Are you alright?” Ai asked a few meters away.

“Yes... Captain.” was all Junjun managed to say. So this was the power of the 'Sky Marks'.

“Excuse me for asking Captain, but what where those eh, things?” Linlin looked a bit pale. The creatures of the wilderness where all new to her and Ai recalled her first encounter almost 6 years back. They had been pretty scary to her back then. Now she only feared for her crew.

“We call them 'Gaists', they live up here in the mountains and also in the wilderness.” Ai gestured to the two to sit down. “We don't really know what they are. Well there are stories of course. Of ancient tribes long dead, their ghosts walking the mountains looking for life to feed on. Apparently some have found ways to enslave them to use them as soldiers.”

“Who?”

“Pirates.” Ai, seeing the confused expression in Linlin's face, shook her head. “Not pirates like those of our guild. No, the traditional kind. Rouges and thugs who pray on merchant ships and burn villages, you know the kind. There are also rumors that imperials have taken to enslave 'Gaists' as well. Fight in fire with fire, I guess.”

“So, your saying we will be seeing more of these?” Junjun felt a cold shill.

“Yes, but worry not. We are all here to protect each others. One person can only do as much, but together we are strong.”

There was a warming sense to Ai's words and a care in her that voice that greatly moved them.

“Cap'n!” Risa yelled from behind them. “We're coming up on the lake.”

For a moment Ai seemed frozen, but then she took a deep breath. “Ok, slow the engines! Reina, keep us high over the water! I'm going to require absolute silence from everyone from now and until we clear the lake! Got it?”

They nodded. Ai began to head up to the helm but stopped half way and turned around.

“And also. Whatever you do, don't let anything fall into the water!”

As Ai took position next Reina at the helm the lake came into view. How peaceful it looked, Reina thought. It spread wide in all directions a still lake in the middle of the mountain. Cracks and holes in the roof some 20 meters above them allowed sunlight to come down over the still surface. As the 'Heart' came out from the tunnel and entered the lake's chamber, the sounds of the rushing water and wind disappeared. Everything was silenced. Only the gentle humming of the ship's engines remind. They glided forward over the lake. It had a calm but still a worrying sense to it.

Ai poked Reina's shoulder to get her attention. She pointed to the far end of the cave. Reina nodded, she remembered the charts of the cave, she knew where to go. Ai also pointed to the holes in the cave roof. Making a hand gesture Reina understood. They had to avoid them, maybe Ai feared for more 'Gaists'.

Their flight over the lake went smoothly. They avoided the holes and kept good speed. But as they closet on the far end the silence around them was disturbed. A sudden scraping sound down on deck. They both looked down. Tired of seeing the rest of the crew out of work Risa had ordered them to pick up the rusted metal left by the 'Gaists'. The scraping noise came from when Koharu tried to pick up a peace from one of the big ones that was connected to another peace. As she moved the first the second was dragged along making a horrible sound. Koharu looked anxiously up towards the helm. As she met Ai's chocked eyes she blushed and quickly looked down again. “Sorry.” she mouthed.

Ai shock her head. But as she did, she suddenly noticed a metal peace laying dangerously on the ship's port railing. Reina saw it to. Ai waved trying to get someone on the decks attention but as no one was looking her way no one noticed. Ai decided she'd better take care of it herself. But keeping an fixed eye on the metal peace she stepped right into Reina's leg. Rains tripped froward slightly turning the wheel as she did. The ship shook. They both watched as if in slow motion the metal peace slowly sliding of the railing. With a 'clonk' it hit the side of the ship and with a 'slash' it hit the water.

Everyone looked up at them. Ai turned to Risa.

“Risa, plan B.”

Risa hadn't been told of a plan B but she had a good guess what it was. “Eh, full speed ahead, Cap'n?”

“Aye.”

The humming of the engines increased as the 'Heart' went to full speed. Ai was the first to sense it. The lake had been disturbed and something had awoken. Behind them a shadow was rising from the depth. It was something big and it was heading towards them. Risa looked over the railing she could see the shadow coming up to the surface. The water rose above it's huge body.

“Cap'n!” She yelled.

“I know.”

Reina was about to look over her shoulder but Ai stood right behind her. “Keep looking at were we're going, please.”

They where now at the entrance of the tunnel that would lead them to the wilderness.

“Hold on everyone!” Ai shouted. “It's going to be a steep decent!”

The something was rising out of water behind them. Reina only noticed seeing Risa turning pale as she saw it, it was a wyrm alright. The tunnel closet around them.

“Whatever you do, don't look back!” Ai yelled from behind as the ship tilted over the edge at the beginning of the cave's steep decent.

Koharu, who had just turned around as the ship tipped forward, shrieked in horror as she saw the tunnel behind being filled with the massive mouth of the wyrm as wide as the cave.

The ship started running down the steep river at high speed, the mouth following. Reina's heart was beating fast. The cave was rushing at her from all directions, their speed much hight then before. The ship flew back and forth as she tried to follow the cave. She felt like something was coming closer and closer.

“What is that!” Koharu yelled hysterically.

“Someone calm her! Reina, eyes forward!” Ai yelled, Koharu just keeping on screaming.

Risa, holding on to the navigators board for dear life, waved to Sayumi to come and help. Hurrying forward the ship entered a steep turn. Sliding broadside along the turn, Sayumi also caught sight of the gaping mouth rushing at them. It thundered down the cave. Row upon row of spear like teeth dressing it's sides.

“WHOA!” Sayumi grabbed hold of Koharu now both shrieking hysterically. A sudden, violent turn causing them to fall over.

“Risa do something!” Ai shouted, also tying to hold on to the railing in front of the wheel at the same time she was trying to keep Reina from looking back. “Try to focus on the were we're going! Next turn right, it's a long wide turn!” Reina was bone white in the face, bearing a terrified expression. Doing her best to keep her eyes straight her jaw trembling slightly.

The tunnel ahead was splitting in two. Koharu and Sayumi laying on the deck below, unable to get up, clutching to each other, eyes closed, screaming in panic.

“Right, now Reina. Remember, right! Be quiet will you!”

As the ship flew into the right tunnel water from the river slitting in two cascaded over them. The two screamed even more. Enough! Ai thought. As the ship turned with the tunnel she let go of the railing putting her hands over Reina's ears.

“It's just a worm!” she screamed over the deafening sound of the wyrm's body scraping against the sides of the cave behind them.

With the river in the turn became steeper their speed increased even more. They where falling more then flying. Ai feeling as she would almost lift from the deck quickly let go of Reina grabbing the railing with one arm and her hat with the other.

“I hate worms!” Koharu screamed.

“Worm! What worm!” Reina squeaked in a high pitched voice.

“Never mind that!” the tunnel splitting in three ahead. “Go left! Go left!”

Everything moving faster now the tunnel turned and divided it self every few seconds.

“Right, no wait! Left, left! Now straight forward. Corner! Can someone gage those two!? Corner, corner!!”

Aika had claimed up to the second deck section. “I'm on it Captain!”

“Left! Good!” Ai answered. “No, your other left!”

The wyrm was closing in on them, Ai could smell it.

“Here take my hands.” Aika had managed to crawl up to Koharu and Sayumi. “My mother always said that a song will ease your worries. So, let's sing together, ok.”

Ai had grabbed to wheel steering along with Reina. The tunnel turning violently back and forth.

“Sing!? We're going to swallowed alive!”

The next turn was crucial, they had followed the flight plan so far and if they where to steer from it now there would be no knowing where they would end up. They had to make the next left turn. But the wyrm was so close now.

“Now there's no need to panic. I'm sure the Captain has a plan.”

The wyrm was sliding along the left side of the cave. Almost at the turn! In the corner of her eye Ai could see the side of the wyrm's mouth. They had to make it! Just a bit further! The mouth was closing. They would be swallowed if the stayed on course.

“Dame it all!” Ai screamed and threw the wheel to the right.

Reina gasped.

“But, Captain! Didn't we...!” She began.

“Plan C! We improvise!”

Sayumi grabbed Aika's arm.

“Can we panic now!?”

The ship was thrown froward down a narrow tunnel. Ai now had on idea what was coming up ahead and she didn't care. She would just turned the ship after how the tunnel turned. She grabbed a knife from her boot and impaled her hat to the deck, putting both hands on the wheel. Aika had joined Sayumi and Koharu in their screaming and so had probably the rest of the crew. The sound of the water and wind around them making it hard to tell who.

“Captain!” Reina squeaked. “I'm panicking!”

“I don't care! Just open your eyes and steer the boat, with me!”

“Cap'n!” Risa scream.

“I know! Everyone! Hold on!” Ai shouted as the river below disappearing under them. The tunnel making an almost vertical turn downwards.

The ship tilted forward heading down. Ai was probably the only one not screaming now. The ship fell forward down the river who had turned into a waterfall. Risa hung on the navigators board, Sayumi had grabbed the railing, Aika and Koharu holding on the her. Down on the base deck Eri held on to the transmission mast, Junjun and Linlin soon joining her. Ai had one arm on the wheel and put the other around Reina. Reina was hyperventilating and probably close to tears. Ai felt she had to be strong.

The wyrm crashed through the tunnel behind them. Water raining down on them as it pushed it's way into the almost vertical tunnel.

“Don't worry.” Ai whispered in Reina's ear. “We'll make this.”

As she said it she was still unsure how they possibly could. Then she saw it. A flash of light reflexing in the water below. It must've come from the left! If they could just manage to level up ship in time to turn.

“Help me pull her up!” She shouted to Reina. But Reina's eyes where closest. Ai's voice softened. “Reina help me pull her up.”

Reina nodded her eyes still closet.

They both pulled hard on the wheel. The tunnel below was split in two. The river went one way and the tunnel, were Ai had seen the light come from, went another, up by the looks of it. It was hard turning the ship up and Ai was beginning to doubt they could make it and the wyrm coming down from above.

“Risa, Eri or anyone!” Ai yelled. “Ignite on three!”

Who pushed the button Ai couldn't see but someone did. The ship flew out from the waterfall. Pulling hard on the wheel together Ai and Reina finally got the ship in position. The back of the ship pointing slightly down as they closed on the end of the waterfall. Ai turned the wheel. The ship shot away up the tunnel just avoiding the huge wyrm crashing into the river floor as the cave plained out.

Their speed was terrifyingly high. But it didn't matter, Ai could see it up ahead. Sunlight. A mere second later the Wonderful Heart shot out of the cave, into the air.

The sky above was clear and in front of them was the breathtaking view of the wilderness.

One after another the crew let go of the railing or whatever they where holding and got up. The sight around them was mesmerizing, they were so high up. They all stood at awe were they where, no one said anything.

Ai had almost forgotten how beautiful it was. The blue ocean, the green forest of the many series of islands spread across it and the huge cliffs shooting out from it. It spread as far as they could see.

“C-captain?” Reina was the first to break the silence. “Permission to leave the helm for a wile, Captain.”

“Permission granted.” Ai said smiling. Reina had done more then she should have required from her. “Risa, take over.”

Reina threw herself to the deck.

“Ah!” She let out panting hard.

Ai leaned forward picking up her hat, as she did she said quietly. “I'm proud of you, Reina.”

A smile spread across Reina's exhausted face.

Ai headed down to the base deck. Walking slowly down the steps taking in the scenery. Junjun stood dumbstruck at the railing. Ai went up to her.

“How do you like it?”

Junjun looked up.

“Freedom, I mean.”

Junjun couldn't bring herself to answer.

“Captain?” Eri was next to them. “Your bracelet, it blinking.”

They both looked down on Ai's left arm. The bracelet was letting out a small, blinking light.

“W-what does that mean.” was the only thing Junjun could say.

“It means we need to alter course.” Ai replied. She looked up and smiled. “It means our quest can begin.”