Gourmet Island Gathering

The deck never seemed to get clean no matter how much the children scrubbed. But it's all they had been made to do, amongst other chores, after being taken by the pirates. Their hometown was poor and victim to raids, so the pirates offered them protection in exchange for a handful of children to serve as chore boys. Or chore girls, in Gabi's case.

Gabi wore a white shirt and pants like the other kids, plus a black apron. Her brown eyes matched her hair, tied in a small ponytail. "A little faster, Gabi." Ordered Captain Corlan, the chubby Fishman stepping by as he munched a coral-dog. Gabi growled as crumbs dropped in his wake.

A cannon blast was heard, followed by the ship rocking. "Captain!" yelled Falco, a boy with short, sandy-blonde hair. "We're being chased by a patrol ship!"

"Ugh…I ain't up for a battle. Alright, full speed ahead and load the guns."

The ship sailed faster as the crewmen fired back at their pursuers. Gabi leaned over the railing to get a view of the naval ship. A glimmer of hope sparked in her eyes.

…

"Oi, Captain, what's that in the water?" asked a telescoped soldier.

The Mobian walrus captain noticed the figure swimming away from the pirate ship. He took the scope and saw her: "It's a kid!" Gabi had thrown off most of her clothes for better mobility, panting heavily against the waves.

"What? I heard this crew likes to kidnap children, so maybe she's a slave."

"Yeah, I see something around her ankle. Is she swimming with a ball-and-chain? Hold on, kid, I'm coming!"

The walrus dove in and swam to Gabi, who clung onto him desperately. The crewmen threw a rope down to haul them both up. "Huff…huff…huff…"

"What, are those cannonballs?" A soldier saw a net full of black balls tied to her ankle. The balls had blue fish designs over them. "Those pirates are messed up, I tell ya what!"

"Huff…" Gabi pulled off the rope and stood up.

"Hey, kid, are there any more of you on that ship?" asked the walrus as Gabi grabbed the net. "We could…?"

"AIIIIYAH!" Gabi spun, hauled the net, and THREW it against the mast. One of the Water Bombs had already been lit, and as the explosion ignited the center of the ship, the half-naked chore girl made an epic leap off the deck.

"WHOA, she did it!" Falco exclaimed. "The deck is on fire! Way to go, Gabi!"

"Ah ha ha ha!" Swimming without that weight was a lot easier. "What a bunch of suckers, huh?!"

"KIIIID!" The walrus captain swam after her in a rage. "You little devil! Your parents are getting a hell of a phone call!"

Corlan swam up from below and PUNCHED the walrus's belly, blasting him upward. "Nice one, Gabi. Leave this oaf to me."

Gabi could already hear the cheering as her friends hoisted her up to the deck. "That was amazing!" a black-haired boy named Don cheered.

"That was so cool!" a spectacled girl, Gilda followed.

"Man, that was close." Falco said. "I thought you'd be blown to pieces."

"Don't underestimate me, Falco!" the girl boasted. "I'm the girl that'll be Captain August's Top Kid! Now, will someone get my clothes already?!"

"Ah! Sorry!"

Gourmet Island

The Marzipan Pirates were the bane of Gourmet Hunters everywhere. Ever since the disaster that was the Cooking Festival of 2036, the pirates have stolen game from hunters all around the universe. The Emperor, Augustus, was titled one of the Elite 4 Gourmet Hunters on top of his other title. But no one expected him to conquer the ruins of Cooking Island and establish it as his own. They began to host their own festivals from then on and have the chefs and hunters compete against those from his crew.

Some say the debut of the Marzipan Pirates was during that very disaster, but those with more knowledge knew their true debut was the Davy Back Fight of 2032. They were only a ragtag band of four, but had made their selves known to two Emperors and Pirate Lords. However, it was only during that festival and since the pirates began to sweep countless more crewmen and territories under their flag.

"And I jumped right off the boat as it exploded, just like they do in movies!" Gabi exclaimed, sitting on Captain Augustus's lap. "It sucks there wasn't a camera there!"

"Well, I think we have a Cadet of the Month right here!" the Stone Fist proclaimed, raising Gabi to his shoulders. Augustus wore a red captain's coat with blue jeans and a black hat displaying his Jolly Roger.

"Yeah, that's right! I'm the best!"

"No faaaiiiir!" A little black-haired girl in a hair bun and green yukata ran up in anger. The yukata had letter block designs. "August-sama, what about when O-Taka burned all the bad food in that school?!"

"Or when Shika stole that Mega Melon from Delfino?" Another girl rolled over in a watermelon helmet, her body emerging from it.

"Sorry, kids, but it just ain't as badass as blowin' up a ship."

"Waaaaaahhh!"

"It's okay, Taka-chan." Her purple-haired mother, Tama Beatles approached and patted her daughter's head. "You're Mama's Kid of the Month!"

"You, too, Shika!" A tall, blonde woman knelt to Shika's level. "You're Suika's favorite little ninja!"

"Thanks, Mama!" They hugged.

"And look! The Pikmin are proud of you, too!"

"Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay!" cheered the tiny creatures around Suika's blue robe.

"Ha ha!" Shika let some of the Pikmin on her arms.

"I wish you wouldn't encourage kids to do such dangerous things." A brown-haired woman approached him, wearing a merchant's pack and gold-feathered hat.

"Tressa, where have you been?" Augustus remarked. "Like, do you not know the Kids Next Door? Do you not know that kids are super strong and talented? The whole point of our Cadet Squad is a counter to those meddlesome kids!"

"I get that, but you should at least reprimand them a little! I mean, look at Gabi's ankle." She pulled Gabi's shoe down to see a red ring shape around where the net was tied. "You're lucky you can still walk, young lady!"

"It only hurts a little bit!"

"She has the makings of a great warrior." said Hinahoho, coming to pat Gabi's head. The blue-haired warrior was a couple feet taller than August. "Her speed is even too much for Kikiriku."

"Well, you guys are slowpokes, anyway." Tressa said. "Kohaku's the master in speed."

"Eh, she's getting slower with age." Augustus shrugged.

"Oh, I still got a little juice in my legs." Kohaku glared, flexing one of her long, thin, but thick legs. "After all, I just kicked you."

"COUGH!" The cramp in his stomach just registered as Augustus hacked. The crowd of children laughed in delight.

"He never learns." Wolf, a tall dark-skinned woman in a skeleton shirt, shook her head.

The Marzipan officers would sail to Gourmet Island for monthly get-togethers. For every territory conquered, a handful of people would join the pirates, led by one elected as an officer. On Glacia, they had Imuchakk, overseen by "Sea-bear Killer" Hinahoho. On Avalar, they had the kingdom of Appleton, led by "Firebolt" Amanda, and Augustus's own wife, "Money-Eyed" Tressa; as well as Artemyra, ruled by "Songbird" Pisti. On Historia, they had the Stone Kingdom under "Gorilla Girl" Kohaku and her husband, "Science Sorcerer" Senku. On Mobius, they had Zou, protected by "Winter Rabbit" Carrot; and Wonderbeast World, under "Jaguar Guardian" Kipo and her friend, "Pelt Collector" Wolf.

Though, while the Marzipan Pirates set their selves up as a Gourmet Hunting crew, it was known that Augustus primarily had a fondness for children and ladies. Of course, most of those ladies enjoyed gossiping about August more than flirting with him, but his charisma enticed them all the same.

"Say, speaking of kids," Augustus said, "anyone seen my son around?"

"Eh? I don't think I have." Kohaku replied. "Senku, do you know where they've gone?"

"Beats me." Senku shrugged.

"Ugh! You ought to try and check in with Koriku once in a while!"

"Captain!" A young woman of 25 called their attention. She had long white hair that faded into aqua-green, orange horns, red hakama pants, yellow Japanese sandals, a white short-sleeved kimono-like garment, and a purple and white nio-daisuke at the back. "I saw Jack's crew hanging out on the southwest highway."

"Mind fetching them for me, Yamato? We got some catching up to do!"

"Aye-aye!" Yamato ran off.

…

A boy of 17 kicked back on the road, gazing at the sky while his fishing lure rested in the water. He wore a loose white shirt under a black waistcoat and matching pants, his chest slightly bare. He had brown boots with slight raised heels and a red bandanna over his orange hair. Following family tradition, he sported sunglasses.

"CAPTAIN!" A bucktoothed girl blocked the sun from him. She had white hair tied in a spiked bun, with the bun part a green, leek-like color. She had glasses, a light-brown dress with a rope tied at the waist, and matching shoes. "We're missing the party, when're we gonna go???"

"Koriku, all it is is a monthly report. Or an excuse for Dad to play with the kids, whatever."

"But I'm so hungry, Captain!!" A 15-year rabbit girl got down and began chewing his ear. She wore a white sailor shirt and hat with an orange skirt and matching slip-on shoes. "There are so many sweets there and I'm missing them!"

"Hey, knock it off, Kale!"

"Besides, Jack, you like playing with the kids, too." A 13-year boy said, rubbing his chubby tummy. Tomu was an Imuchakk with puffy blue hair, wearing only a blue and white tunic around his legs with matching wristbands. He was a couple inches taller than Jack. "Now, let's go. They probably got tons of fish up there."

"Why don't you guys go on without me?"

"We don't wanna leave you alone."

"Eh, I'll keep him company." said Ja'far, a white-haired 10-year-old boy with a ragged white cloak over similar shorts and leg straps going into sandals. "Not like I socialize much either.

"NAH, you guys are lazy!" Koriku stomped her feet rapidly. "I'm going by myself!" And she zipped up the highway.

The son of Augustus, "Jack of all Trades" was born and raised into the pirate life. Though he grew adept and loved the life of freedom and adventure, he had grown distant from his parents in a way that most teenagers do. Most of his crew were the kids of his father's commanders, except Ja'far, whom they picked up on Secco. Jack treasured each day of chilling on the ship with his buds. "Chimp-Brained" Koriku, their dorky hyper scientist; "Bass Master" Tomu, the pudgy cook and waterbender; "Sand Stalker" Ja'far, the snake charmer; and "Ear Eater" Kale, their cute, clingy, and hungry bunny.

Koriku didn't run far across the road before spotting an approaching figure. She beamed at the orange-haired woman. "Heeeeeeey, Yamato!"

"Koriku!" Yamato halted beside the half-Stonegirl. "The captain asked me to get you guys."

"Yeah, we're waiting for Jack to finish fishing!" She pointed backward.

"I'll get him." Yamato ran the rest of the way. "Jack!"

"Hey, Jack! It's Big Sis Yamato!" Tomu pointed.

"Ay-ay-ay." Jack sat himself up to face the woman.

"Jack, your father's waiting." Yamato folded her arms reprovingly. "I'm sure you have a few stories for us."

"Do I gotta tell you guys everything?"

"Don't make me have to whack you there myself." Yamato pulled out a black kanabo, thin with round studs.

"Ah! Yamato's kanabo!" Tomu shuddered, rubbing his rump. "Hohoho, I have nightmares of being spanked with that."

"Of course you would." Ja'far eye-rolled.

"Fine, I'm coming." Jack sighed and began to follow her.

"That's more like it, little bro!"

"Don't call me that!"

Jack could barely sleep aboard the swaying flagship that night, too excited for his birthday. But as the three-year-old heard movement downstairs, the curious boy made his way down. He saw his father exit out of a room. "Oh, Jack! Shouldn't you be in bed, kiddo?"

"Papa, is my my pwesent in there?"

"Heh heh! Alright, since it's technically your birthday now… I'll show you your 'present.'"

"Awight!"

Augustus led Jack inside the small cabin. There was an older girl of 10 years, bruised and bloody against the wall as she chewed a bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy. "Oh…are you Jack?"

"Yep. This little rascal couldn't sleep, so it looks like you get to meet early. Jack… meet your new big sister, Yamato!"

"W-w-wat?!" Though Jack was young, he could've sworn that big sisters don't get made after little brothers.

"Hi, Jack." Yamato smiled and extended a hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"Ew, why're you all messy? And what're those pointy things?"

"Um…" Yamato shirked back and touched her horns.

"Dad, is she really my sister??"

"Alright, alright, Yamato was sort of… adopted. I mean, we 'adopt' a ton of kids, sure, but let's just say she's sort of special."

"Why?"

"Well, a distant relative sent her to me. It's hard to explain. Either way, Yamato's had a hard time growing up, so she's gonna be living with us."

"But I don't wanna big sister! I wanna little sister!"

"Ha ha, you will someday! Just try to get along with her, son."

"No! This is the dumbest pwesent evew!" Jack ran out in a pout.

"Mmmmm…" Hurt by his words, Yamato hung her head.

"Ah, he's a little kid, Yammy, don't let it get to ya. He'll warm up to you eventually."

"Is a little peace and quiet too much to ask for?" asked Jack. "Monthly parties get old really quick, you know."

"You've already skipped out on the last few." Yamato bumped Jack's back with the kanabo. "Spend a little time with the family."

"Yes, there's nothing like being surprise-hugged and smacked around by a bunch of big, strong, social-crazy adults while they hound you about your life and menial achievements."

"Awe, why's it such a bother that your family loves you?" Yamato wrapped her arm around and squeezed Jack to her hip. While Jack was a good 5'9", Yamato looked the part of a strong big sister at 8'8".

"It's a bother," Jack struggled, "when they like to show off their testosterone!" but the girl's arm was too strong.

"Good thing most of the strong crewmen are women! We don't have none of that!"

"You sure?!"

They reached Gourmet Island after a short walk. "There's my boy!" Augustus cheered. "Jack, you missed Gabi's epic tale of heroism!"

"I blew up a navy ship and made all the crewmen wet their pants!"

"It was a fairly low-ranked vessel." Corlan said.

"Shut it, Cap!"

"Nel don't care about Blabby Gab!" Jack felt a small pair of arms hug his leg. A small 5-year-old girl with light-brown, messy hair, and a black bandanna. Her white blouse was a little oversized for her, and her little feet were bare. "Nel only wanna see Big Bro Jackie!"

"There's my favorite kiddo!" Jack bent down and ruffled his baby sister's bandanna. "We missed you, Nel!"

"Can Nel come with Jack on next cruise?"

"Sure! There's always room for you, ya little stowaway!"

"O-Taka wants to sail with Jacksuke, too!" the ninja yelled.

"O-Taka does, too!" a Shadow Clone popped up.

"So dost I!" and another clone.

"Can Noodle come, too?" a Twili girl with orange, swirly hair emerged from Taka's shadow.

"Noni wants to, too!" a fairy girl fluttered from behind Noodle onto her head.

"Alright, alright!" Jack gestured for them to settle down. "If my ship's about to become a daycare, Ja'far is in charge! So, pick on him!"

"ME?!"

"YAAAAY!" The children tackled the white-haired Seccoan.

"Sit on the babysitter!" A giant, chubby Harnitan boy with white skin, black hair, blue shirt, and white pants jumped to SMASH the pile beneath his rear.

"Hey, get off him, you lot!" A thin, teenage Korok girl shoved the pile off, the giant tumbling backward. "Cousin Jack has his own crew to manage, you belong with the Kiddie Corn!"

"Oof… thanks, Lady Pea." Ja'far gasped.

"Hey, Auntie Kohaku?" Kale spoke through chewing some carrot cake. "Where's Mom?"

"Oh, some of our crewmen haven't shown up, yet." Kohaku replied. "There's always a couple no-shows at each meeting, so maybe your mom got caught up with something."

"Awwwww."

"OI! CAPTAIN!" Everyone turned to the sky. Firebolt Amanda arrived on her light-crimson broomstick, a beaten figure leaning on her back. Amanda landed as everyone gathered around. The beaten person was a rabbit woman in a torn orange dress.

"MAMA!" Kale ran to her mother's side. "Mama, are you alright?!"

"Nyuh…I'm fine, Kale… just a few bumps…" Carrot managed to smile.

"It's the Raccoon Pirates!" Amanda shouted. "We caught them sailing nearby and tried to ambush them."

"So, old Sunny Fist is coming to crash our party, huh?" Augustus twirled his next lollipop. "Well, let's let 'em in."

The Sunny Day sailed headfirst toward the island. Stu, a portly old man, fired missiles at the ship, but were shot down by Fybi's arrows. Margaret, an old spike-haired sniper with a withered face, blew a puff of smoke out her cigar before locking on the helmswoman, Haylee. But with each shot, Haylee sensed it and ducked her head.

"I reckon this is close enough!" the King of Pirates declared. "I'm swimming ahead! Wanna come with, Jason?"

"YEAH, MUM!"

"Captain!" Stu yelled. "Sheila's swimming for the Rice Beach! Her son's coming, too!"

"I'll stop them!" Yamato readied her kanabo firmly, alighting it with golden firebending. As soon as Sheila climbed up on shore, "AAAAAHH!" Yamato lunged forth.

A quick thrust of Sheila's fist smashed Yamato's stomach in and sent her bouncing across the ocean. "Oi, Augustus! No one throws a pirate party without invitin' me!"

"You want a party, Sheila?!" Augustus rose from his seat and channeled Haki to his right fist. The iron chi seemed to ooze off him from overflow. "I'll give you one!"

"Go find your own party!" Gabi ran with a knife ready.

"Wait, Gabi!" Falco held her back. "She's the Pirate King! We have to let the captain handle this!"

"Try THIS, you wannabe pirate!" Sheila's fist grew as great and bright as a sun on earth.

"That's Gourmet King to you, Your Raggedness!" Augustus leapt forth, his fist like an iron comet.

"AAAAAAH!"

"YAAAAAAH!"

"KIDS, GET DOWN!" Kohaku screamed.

Their fists hadn't even impacted before the forces of chi collided. The sun released solar flares, and the shockwave blew all the younger pirates off the shore. "AUGUSTUS, YOU'RE BLOWING ALL THE FOOD AWAY!" Tressa screamed.

"Or mayhaps that is me!" Fybi blew a great gust of wind that the Emperor's wife countered.

"Oi, Jack!" The young captain shot a glare at Jason, cracking his knuckles. "It's time for you to get aced!"

Jack drew a traditional pirate's cutlass. "We'll see about that, Jason!"

His Haki-imbued blade collided with Jason's sunny fist. As Jack's crewmen and the children of the Kiddie Corn cheered him on, Gabi's mouth hung in royal speechlessness. "Well, uh…blowing up a ship was still cool, hehe." Falco chuckled.

"Waaaaaah." Gabi fell back in envy and humility.