Steampunk!Pirate!PrussiaxPirate!Reader 3

Steampunk!Pirate!PrussiaxPirate!Reader 3 - The Stormstone

The night became darker as your ship flew smoothly into the heavy storm clouds. You could smell the rain approaching. An eerie stillness engulfed your ship as you disappeared into the clouds completely. A dark, roiling grey sea of air moved around you.

You looked up. You could just make out the moon’s position. You smirked. “Have Williams keep track of the moon.” You said with a glance at Eliza. She nodded and walked away. You climbed a rope ladder, looking out behind the ship. You could feel your adrenaline building.

---

Captain Beilshmidt watched through his focusing lens as your ship disappeared in the storm clouds. He lowered the lens. He had heard many tales of feats of the the fierce Captain (Name), but sailing straight into a storm seemed incredibly stupid. He smirked. Getting his map would be easier than expected.

Lady of the Storms she was called.

Apprehension lurked at the back of Gilbert’s head. He pushed it aside. Nothing would stop him from getting back what was his, even if it meant going into that storm after the measly excuse of a pirate. After all, he was the awesomest pirate in the world. He could not be defeated, let alone by the likes of Captain (Name).

“Ready for battle!”

---

You brushed a few stray strands of hair from your face and pulled out your focusing glass. Three ships were just visible, the sea of clouds parting around them. You lowered the glass, looking out with your naked eye.

You took a deep breath and let your eyes drift close as you listened to the storm around you. It was unlike anything, sailing through a storm. It was the only time you were truly at peace, even now, as you were readying for battle. Your muscles were relaxed, the adrenaline moving through your veins ready to spring them into action.

You opened your eyes and motioned down to Eliza. She nodded, and soon the sound of the engines had become a quiet hum as the ship slowed. You watched as the trio’s ships came into your field of vision. A cool wind washed over you, a slight shiver running down your spine. It was almost time.  

---

“Is zis really a good idea?” Captain Bonnefoy asked.

“Of course it is! It is an awesome idea! Three against one, vhat could possibly go wrong?” replied Beilshmidt. Bonnefoy looked apprehensively toward the Skyshadow. He wanted the map back just as much as Beilshimdt, but he knew better than to underestimate Captain (Name).

“Francis, we have to get that map back.” Carriedo was at his side, also looking worried.

“Oui.”

---

Eliza cast an anxious glance at you as the trio’s ships drew closer. You gave a signal, and then engines thrummed, the Skyshadow beginning to turn. You signaled again, and your cannons were readied. The engines dropped back down to a quiet hum, your ship’s side now facing the three oncoming airships.

You raised your hand, feeling the crew’s eyes on you. The very ship seemed to wait with baited breath. You let the trio draw near enough that they could see what was going to happen. Thunder cracked, lightening piercing the sky, and the hairs on the back of your neck stood on end.

“Bring up the Conductor” you ordered. Activity broke out on the deck. The trio drew closer yet, Eliza’s grip on the pommel of her sword tightening. You smirked, and let your hand drop, just as the trio realized what you were doing.

Immediately the sound of cannon fire greeted your ears. You watched as the cannon balls rocketed into the three ships, leaving gaping holes in the metal and wood. Shouts erupted from the ships as they attempted to turn. Lightning cracked like a whip across the sky, throwing the scene into sharp relief.

You turned around. The Conductor was pointed up toward the sky, its sharp tip glowing with electricity. You smiled and turned back to the battle. The trio’s ships had turned, and were preparing to fire. “Go!” you yelled to Eliza. She set off running. You saw Captain Beilshimdt standing still amongst the bustle on his ship’s deck. He shouted orders, and then the cannons were lurching forward.

The Skyshadow pulled harshly away, up into a darker swirl of clouds. The ship shook as a cannon ball grazed the hold. You caught the ropes in front of you, steadying yourself. The trio was out of sight, hidden behind a wall of grey. Thunder rolled, and you looked up, rain falling onto your face. Adrenaline was coursing through you. You smiled.

“Let’s disappear, shall we?” you called over the rain. You watched as the panels on your ship activated, reflecting the storm surrounding you. Eliza nodded to you from the helm. You could no longer hear the engines over the wind and rain, but you could feel them humming below decks. The Skyshadow sped forward, back through the clouds. The Knight of Prussia came back into view, flanked on either side by the Scarlet Rose and the Emerald Lady.

Eliza steered the Skyshadow upward over the other three ships. You stepped up to the edge of the Skyshadow, the end of a rope clasped firmly in your hand. Your crewmates followed suit. The engines came to stop. Eliza nodded. You let yourself fall, the wind rushing through your hair. The rope pulled taut and swung you towards the Scarlet Rose. You let go, rolling forward over the wooden deck to absorb the shock of your landing. You heard others of your crew land, and stood to face Captain Bonnefoy’s crew.

“Kirkland! To me!” you shouted. No one on the deck moved as your second mate walked to you, too shocked to do anything. You drew your sword.

“Yes, Captain?” His green eyes were bright with excitement.

“Find Bonnefoy.”

“With pleasure.” The Frenchman’s crew seemed to recover from their shock at having you land on their deck after you had jumped from an invisible ship, and they charged with angry yells. You heard yells rising from the other ships.

A burly looking man wearing only pants and boots charged towards you yelling ferociously, sword held high. You side stepped him as he swung his weapon, and gave him a swift kick, sending him overboard. Two more men rushed at you, whipping their cutlasses back and forth. You moved easily between them, and with a few quick slashed of your blade, they were no longer threats.

You looked around for either Kirkland or Bonnefoy, to no avail. Rain sleeted down, and lightning once again arced across the sky. “Looking for moi?” The thunder and lightning coalesced madly, shaking the ship. The conductor would be ready soon.

You spun around and swung your blade. Metal clanged against metal as Bonnefoy blocked your blow. You stepped backwards as he lunged, and parried. He advanced, but you blocked and lunged, giving him a gash on his side. He growled and attacked again. You parried and drove Bonnefoy backward. He slipped as he stepped on the rain-slicked deck, his feet sliding out from under him. He barely managed to catch himself on the ship’s railing. You took the opportunity and slashed his chest, dark blood seeping from the wound. He thrust his blade upward at you, but you dodged it, instead calling out for your first mate.

Kirkland appeared from below decks, his blade stained red. He crossed the deck to you, casting a glance at the fallen Frenchman. Bonnefoy attempted to stand, but you kicked him and set your boot on his chest with enough force to make him drop back down. The deck had gone quiet around you, your crew awaiting orders. You looked to the other ships and saw that the Emerald Lady was in a similar condition.

“Tie him up. Don’t kill him, he might know something. Return to the Skyshadow with him. Toss him in the brig.” You commanded, leaving Kirkland with Bonnefoy. You turned to the other two ships and shouted into the storm. “Return to ship!”

You stepped to the edge of the ship and looked to the Knight of Prussia. Beilshmidt was the last captain standing. You wrapped your hand in a length of rope and jumped off the side of the ship, swinging through the air until you reached the Knight of Prussia. Your boots hit the deck with a solid thump.

You saw your crew jumping off the Emerald Lady with a tied up Carriedo from the corner of your eye, and cast a glance downward. The Skyshadow had come to a stop directly below the three ships, and your crewmates had safely jumped down to its deck. You smiled. Eliza always had had perfect timing.

You strode to the center of the Knight of Prussia’s deck, turning your eyes to the fighting Beilshimdt. You gave a few signals, and your crew backed off, instead turning and jumping down to the Skyshadow. Beilshmidt turned to you, confusion showing clearly on his face. The minute he saw you, his face hardened.

“You.”

“Me” you replied, twirling your blade with a smirk. You suddenly lunged forward, catching the other captain off-guard. He barely dodged your blow, but soon recovered and swiped at you. You ducked and thrust your blade toward his chest. He nimbly sidestepped, and you spun so you were once more facing him. He began circling, waiting for an opening. You circled opposite him, stepping lightly. He slashed his blade across your legs, but you jumped up and delivered a long gash to his shoulder. He scowled, coming at you with more ferocity.

A shadow stretched over the ship as lightning struck again. You looked up. The Skyshadow rose up, past the Knight of Prussia. You could see the Conductor, its tip crackling with energy. Your eyes widened. You broke into a full out sprint, making for the edge of the ship. You heard Beilshimdt running after you, his boots pounding on the deck. You were almost there. The air filled with the smell of lightning, stronger than it had been before. Your spine prickled, the hair on the back of your neck standing on end.

You reached the edge and jumped towards your ship, extending your arm to grab a rope. The air became hard to breath, and then everything went blindingly white. Your skin crawled, and something caught the back of your jacket. The whiteness dissipated, leaving you nearly blind. It was then you realized you were not going to make it to your ship.

You fell through the air, twisting around when someone yelled. Beilshimdt had your coat in his fist. He was looking back at his ship, now a fiery ball plummeting to the earth. His hat had been lost, and his white hair whipped around in the wind. The Scarlet Rose exploded as the fire reached its oil supply, and the Emerald Lady began falling from the sky.

Beilshimdt let go of you, his eyes wide with horror. The storm rolled past, exposing you to the glistening moon. The Skyshadow burst forth from the storm clouds in all its glory, unharmed, and gliding easily through the air.

Time seemed to slow. Colors brightened, the stars sparkling. You watched the storm pass, the ships fall from the sky in a torrent of flame, but it seemed distant. You closed your eyes. Maybe this would be it. Maybe it would finally be over. Part of you hoped for it so badly it hurt. But part of you thought of Eliza, alone.

A sort of quiet peace filled you as you fell through the air, your hair flowing around you. You could no longer see Beilshmidt, but it no longer mattered. All there was was air, the stars, the dark sky. You closed your eyes and let out a long breath.

You were engulfed by something cold, pain blooming in your back, and then darkness.