AN: So, I know that it's been a while since I've posted anything. I'm sorry. Being a grown-up sucks. But, I write when I can. Surprisingly, this chapter came out in only two days, which is an accomplishment for me, lately. I am still working on the other stories, slowly, but surely. Please be patient. And please enjoy! Reviews are most welcome.

Kaizoku Sentai: Gokaiger

Things Are Not What They Seem – Part IV

Zangyack had no idea what they would be dealing with when they took the princess of Famille. A forced marriage between her and the Zangyack prince to add Famille to the empire wasn't an unreasonable request, from the emperor's perspective, considering the alternative. But they didn't realize it'd be more trouble than it was worth. Famille was a pacifist world, there was no reason to expect the princess knew how to fight, or be as resourceful as she was. Now, alarms were sounding throughout the compound, announcing their prisoner's escape.

Ahim ran down a surprisingly empty corridor after cutting down two more soldiers with the blade she'd taken from the first guard she disarmed. She took the moment to lean against the wall to catch her breath. Tears threatened her eyes but she knew she couldn't let them fall here. She knew what would happen to her people when she finally got out of this horrible place. But considering this is Zangyack, they would suffer that fate even if she did go along with the marriage.

She stared at the sword in her hand, thinking of how disappointed her father would have been if he knew she knew how to wield the weapon. But then, he already knew. A small, pained smile came to her lips as she thought about his final words to her.

~Flashback~

She heard the Zangyack fleet long before they appeared above the palace, weapons ready. And if that couldn't be heard, panic spread quickly from one end of the city to the other as foot soldiers marched toward the palace. The royal guard stood their ground at the palace gates, their swords drawn. Stances faltered slightly as the Gormin continued their march.

As a pacifist world their people had never seen actual battle. And though the guardsmen were well-trained swordsmen, having never been in battle, Ahim was frightened for them. But she admired their resolve to stand their ground. And she admired the civilians that rallied behind them, armed with anything that could be used as a weapon.

But it wasn't Famille they were going to be giving their lives up for. Zangyack was coming for Famille's princess. And she couldn't stop the tears that begun the moment the battle started, tears not for herself, but for her people.

She felt her mother's arms wrap tightly around her as her father cupped her face in his hands, all but demanding her attention as her eyes met his, her sorrow reflected in them. His voice quivered slightly as he spoke softly.

"There is nothing more we can do, daughter. We are lost. The Emperor has yet to leave a peaceful world alive or uncorrupted. He will not start with us. Be brave, daughter. And be strong. And when the opportunity presents itself, fight… Show them that Famille's heart is as strong as a mountain, her voice as sharp as a sword's blade. Famille will not fall silently. Our fate is of our choosing. Do not choose to be a slave to the Emperor's idiot son…"

"Otou-sama…" She reached up, taking his hands in hers, squeezing them tightly. Her eyes shut as he gently, but sternly, pulled his hands from hers. She felt him pull away, and didn't know if she could bear to open her eyes and watch him walk away. But she nearly panicked when she felt her mother's grip loosen. She opened her eyes when her mother held her hands tightly, pulling her closer.

She reached up, wiping tears away from her daughter's face. Ahim was a little amazed that her voice was a little more solid that her father's had been.

"You have her strength. Use it. Perhaps one day she'll forgive us for what we've done to her. But I know she would never forgive us for allowing you to go through with this…"

Ahim knew her mother wasn't talking about Famille. And it surprised her when she noticed her father turn, ever so slightly, and gave a single nod, just as the door was thrown open and the room was flooded with Zangyack soldiers.

~End Flashback~

Ahim's grip tightened on the sword hilt as she heard gunfire coming from an adjacent hallway. It seemed she wasn't the only one that had triggered the alarms that were blaring. At least that explained why the hallway she was in had been empty. But her curiosity had been piqued. She was interested to see what threat would distract the Zangyack soldiers from making sure their prince's future wife was returned to her cage. She knew how temperamental the idiot prince was and it didn't take a genius to figure out that heads would roll when he found out his bride escaped. So for their attention to have been diverted elsewhere… She just had to see it for herself.

What she didn't expect to see, though, were the notorious space pirates. She watched, almost in awe, as the colorful pirates effortlessly cut through the wave of Gormin. She knew she'd been idle too long, however, when a stray soldier spotted her.

"This is bad…"

Marvelous cringed underneath the blue helmet. When his captain said something like that, there was usually something to be worried about. They had all hoped this would be an easy raid. Get in, get their supplies, and get on the road to finding the yellow bastard and get back what was theirs.

No such luck…

"There's no reason that an outpost this remote should be guarded so heavily…"

Marvelous frowned as she canceled her transformation, inching further into the hanger. A flood of soldiers stood in between them and the Galleon, the good part being they had yet to see the pirates. He could see the wheels turning in his captain's mind as she studied the scene before them.

Marvelous had been nervous about this entire day. And it started when Scarlet had woken up screaming. Nightmares were nothing new to the red captain, but she'd always managed to hide them from the crew. Her scream had given them all a scare, but Marvelous was more anxious that she hadn't told him about it. She told him everything.

He watched her idly rub her right shoulder, her fingers on that hand flexed, as if she had suffered a major injury. But he knew she hadn't, he'd kept her within his line of sight the entire day. But the faraway look she suddenly took on was more than enough to convince him that something had happened in that nightmare. And that look was usually associated with an even in their shared past they would much rather forget about.

She was silent for far too long. If they stayed put, someone was bound to see them, and they couldn't take on every soldier in that hanger all at once.

"Scarlet…," he prompted, placing a hand over hers.

This seemed to be all that was needed for her to come out of her trance, turning her attention back to the task at hand. Marvelous didn't know whether to be more worried about his captain or not, but that conversation would have to wait until they were out of here. He was certain it was one she didn't want to share in front of the others.

"Okay… We're going to have to backtrack through this hallway and go up three levels. Then we can get to the Galleon's deck from above. Once we're on board, split up and take out as many of the bastards as you can. Marvelous, head to the flight deck." She held up a finger when he began to protest.

"I'm heading for the engine room. There's no telling how long they've been aboard. They could have had plenty of time to sabotage us. Besides, we all know you're a better pilot than I am in situations like this. I can keep the damned boat running but I can't drive worth shit."

Marvelous couldn't help the lopsided grin tugging on his lips. If only for a moment, Scarlet was acting like herself. But he was damn sure going to get her to talk once they were in the clear.

"Let's go."

It didn't take long for them to run into a patrol group, quickly transforming and attacking before they could call for backup. Marvelous couldn't resist the urge to watch the red pirate as she fought. His concern only grew as he did. She was probably one of the best blade handlers he'd ever known, next to Joe. Her form was perfect, each stroke precise. Marvelous had watched Scarlet and Joe duel for practice on many occasions and it never ceased to amaze him how much they made it look like a dance. But today he found her swordsmanship lacking. She was continuously distracted. And it made him all the more nervous about the contents of her nightmare.

Something around the corner caught his attention as well as that of several Gormin as they left the fight with the pirates to pursue the new target. And Marvelous just couldn't fight his curiosity to find out what it was, especially as he heard a female's voice as she fought off the Gormin. He trusted the others would take care of Scarlet. At least he trusted Joe would take care of Scarlet. After Hakase's betrayal, he wasn't sure about the thief and the weird Earthling. He'd have to watch them carefully. But Joe… He didn't know what it was that made him trust Joe so completely. Though, he expected, if Joe was ever to betray them, it wouldn't be with Zangyack.

He rounded the corner just in time to catch the woman as one of the Gormin's attack sent her off her feet. He shifted her to one arm, his saber helping her to steady herself back on her feet as he shot down the five that had gone after her. No sooner had she gained her balance, she pushed his arm away slightly and ducked under it, swinging her stolen blade at a Gormin attacking from behind.

"Thank you for catching me, Pirate-san."

Marvelous wasn't quite sure why he had trouble breathing at that particular moment. The woman's voice was soft yet it all but demanded his attention. Her words were proper, perfectly enunciated. Her formal attire drew his gaze first. She was apparently some kind of noblewoman. Lace and ribbon decorated her gown which was colored in several shades of pink, except for rips and tears which were singed black.

His gaze moved upward. Her dark hair, swept up in a still elegant up-do, only had a few wisps out of place, which her delicate fingers attempted to brush away from her face.

She must have been from a world that has recently fallen to Zangyack. It was rare that they took political prisoners, though. At least that explained why this place had more soldiers than it should have, and why the alarms were sounding long before Scarlet and her crew had been seen.

He was so glad that helmet hid his face. He was sure he'd been staring too long. But he couldn't help himself. She was beautiful. Her disheveled appearance only made her more beautiful, because it made her more real.

"Behind you." He had found his breath, but had yet to find his voice as she took a hold of his arm, pulling him to the side.

Her voice was still soft, so soft he almost didn't hear it, but the warning in it was quite clear. He turned and fired at six more soldiers that had approached them. He hadn't seen them, hadn't even heard them, he'd been so focused on her. What was wrong with him?

"Thanks," he finally managed to say as she released his arm.

"You are most welcome, Pirate-san." She smiled, bowing her head slightly.

There it was, that hitch in his breath again. That smile was… he didn't know if he had a word to describe it. But he knew now wasn't the time to look for one.

"Marvelous…"

She lifted a brow as she looked up to him. "I'm sorry?"

"My name. Marvelous." And why did he just give a perfect stranger his name? For all he knew, she could be with Zangyack. Why else would they have let a noblewoman from one of their conquered worlds live? Of course, he felt that thought, in itself was bullshit. Something about the woman was… familiar… That was the only word he could find.

And that smile on her face… it seemed even brighter as she curtsied. He didn't know why the gesture was so… cute… Although, perhaps it had something to do with his experience with most nobles. This woman… she was something different. And he felt as if he was supposed to know her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Marvelous-san. My name is Ahim de Famille."

And all of a sudden, the proverbial light bulb flickered to life in Marvelous' mind. Ahim de… Holy crap… She wasn't just some noblewoman, she was a princess. The question arose, again, as to why Zangyack would keep such a prisoner. And considering Famille was a pacifist world, he didn't think taking their princess as a hostage would be very practical. What the hell was she doing fighting, anyway, if she was a pacifist?

"You have a ship, do you not, Marvelous-san? I would prefer not to remain here much longer. You will be well-rewarded, I'm sure."

"I don't blame you. But it's not my decision." He nodded his head down the hallway. "Stay close."

Why? Why? WHY did he agree to take her? First of all, Zangyack probably didn't leave Famille anything to reward them WITH, but for some reason that thought didn't matter to him. He figured even sticking with pirates would be a better alternative than whatever the Empire had in mind for the princess. He probably shouldn't have spoken for Scarlet, though. Her trust had been shaken after Hakase's betrayal. Taking in a stranger, it didn't matter who she was, would probably be too much to ask for.

He was surprised that they made it to the Galleon with little interruption, and even more surprised that the soldiers had not yet boarded the Galleon. Great, that meant that their escape was almost in the bag. All that was left was finding the rest of his crew, which wasn't hard since they had been there for quite some time, already.

"Where the hell have you been?!"

He cringed slightly, hearing annoyance mixed with relief in her voice, right before the red pirate slapped the side of his helmet. But the glare he had prepared for her as he ended his transformation turned into a frown as he looked down to Scarlet. The color seemed to drain from her face as she turned her attention to the woman behind him.

He heard Ahim gasp as she dropped the sword. Silence filled the cabin for a long, painful moment before Ahim spoke. Though her voice was almost a whisper, what she said echoed almost forever.

"Onee-sama…"

Wait, WHAT?!