Preamble:

Vampirates is my favorite book series. It's what taught me to love reading as a kid, and gave me company though all of middle school and most of high school. I'd never actually been excited about a book release before.

Upon re-reading the series recently I was struck by how Connor was mistreated in the last book. He hates himself, he gets into a fight with his love, and his only living best friend. He basically loses everything in the prior book, and pushes away whatever he has left in this book.

Meanwhile grace is killing it, becomes a master healer, arms an entire ship by making swords out of silverware, summons the other vampirate ships, and eventually travels to the afterlife to summon an army of ghosts. Not to mention her relationship with lorcan is still unassailable. Grace basically becomes a demi-god at the end of the book.

While Connor vanishes from the scene, a tragic hero who everyone thinks is dead.

… I didn't like that.

So as a way to express my frustration with one of my favorite fictional characters getting shown up by his own sister I present to you: Connor going Savage on the Vampirates Universe.

Enjoy

Enjoy my rage

xxxx

The sun began to dip down towards the distance horizon, and as its orange light began to dim so too did its shield over the inhabitants of Lantao Island. Off the island's shore, sitting still amongst the choppy azure water was a single galleon. As if it's supernatural immunity to the brutal waves wasn't hint enough the side of the ship read 'The Bloodbath'. A name that brutal and unimaginative could only belong to a crew of vampirates. The flares had gone up, the messenger ships had been sent out but everyone aboard that small island knew their days were numbered. Numbered by the short time it would take for the remainder of the sun to dip below the sea. When those minutes passed whatever was sleeping in that ship would awaken and sweep over their peaceful island like a dark and bloody cloud.

On the white sand shores of Lantao what defenses the island could muster with only a day of prep were prepared. The town guard, and just about anyone who could hold a blade lined the beach ready to stab and slice anything that flopped out of the ocean. Vampirates rarely docked.

The young and old alike gulped and squinted as the watched the sunset, for perhaps the last time. It was during this watch that a brief glimmer of hope managed to crawl its way into the hearts of the islanders. On the horizon sat between the sun and the island was a single black spot. A black spot which only grew larger as the sun grew small. A ship! A ship was fast approaching from the west.

Much like the sunlight hope could only last for so long. Indeed the ship approaching couldn't possibly be from the pirate federation, or even from the academy. From the north or south, but the west? No. No ships never came in from the side. The vast expanse of the sea made sure of that. The only thing to sail in from that side of the globe were… The Vampirates. Uneffected by the deep and dangerous waters. Yes as that ship drew nearer the island's vanguard could tell that it had no problem cutting through the rough seas. It was supernaturally quick. Vampirates rarely traveled in fleets these days, but it seemed that Lantao was simply extra unlucky today.

The deep despair of impending doom, gripped the throats of the island's defenders. It looked as if their remaining time on this planet had been cut in half but the arrival of enemy reinforments. They clutched their weapons in desperation. Hoping that a strong grip could somehow milk just a little bit more time from them. Some possessed the exquisite silver Rapiers which had made Master Yin famous in the previous years. Others simply wielded whatever they could find. Whatever was sharp enough to do damage to a mortal man. Weapons that would be all too ineffective tonight.

The second ship was now larger than the sun itself and was almost among them. Eclipsing the light from the sinking sun could only add to the dread the ship brought to the islanders. It was a sleek and handsome looking ship. No doubt its crew had once been a fine crew of sailors and marines. The ship wasn't the usual galleon these parts were used to. It was more stretched out, and slightly skinnier. "A Frigate." Someone whispered as it approached. Though the more war bound ship would have little effect while they were fighting on land it was still an impressive and rare sight.

Finally the buildup was over. The second ship which name could not be discerned had caught up with its partner. Its sleek form all but hidden as it approached the island head on. Only its sleek and skinny bow visible to the defenders. With its approach finished, so too was the day. The warm and warding light of a summer day gone. Dusk was here, and the warm oranges and pinks began to fade into purples, violets, and the inkiest of blacks. With those dark and cool colors a few brave figures onboard the 'The Bloodbath' Appeared. Preparing for the assaulted.

Then a violent burst of light.

Just as the sun was gone, a bright light ripped through the seas. Followed close behind by the thundering sound of cannons. It was as shocking as it was sudden and horrible. One quick volley and The Bloodbath was nothing but flaming splinters bursting into the air, and raining back down onto the now dark waters. Even as the flaming bits of wreckage hit the water they continued to burn. They burned and they burned until all fuel was consumed. Fuel being, wood, sails, treasure, and the crew. The Vampirates. Beasts able to live through far more punishment than any human should, lived far longer while on fire than any man should. They wailed and cried as their immortal bodies burned like pitch. They dove deep into the waters, but even when fully submerged they still burned.

The second ship moved on. Its starboard side still smoking from its cannon fire. This ship nonchalantly sailed around the island into port, and began to dock with the island. As it sailed past the gobsmacked island defenders they could now read the name of the ship. 'The Lighthouse' was emblazoned on the side of the ship in clear crimson letters which could still be seen in the low light of the dusk.

When the ship and crew of The Lighthouse were ready to disembark the gangplank was set down and Captain Connor Tempest Stepped out.

In seven years our boy has become a man! Seven years of adventures and hardships had done nothing to keep Connor from getting anymore fit. His physique was strong and muscular. His short cropped hair gave easy access to his emerald green eyes which gazed out happily at Lantao Island and its people who were hurriedly coming to meet him and his crew. Our hero ever the modest man stood simply in a white shirt, and a pair of brown trousers. Hardly a conquering hero, but a problem that will soon be solved. For a brief moment once his feet met the sand his put his hand on his hips and took in a deep breath. He was home. Or so it felt. Somewhere familiar, but no longer comfortable.

The islanders had reached the docks now and were swarming him giving their thanks and asking all sorts of questions. They were parsing their new hero asking his name, offering rewards. He simply smiled and shook his head good naturedly as he passed through them. Though he was happy at their safety he was on his own mission and wouldn't be slowed down. The general happy and elated tone of the crowd gave rise to a single more nasally voice. One that made Connor sigh and drop his shoulders.

One of his deputies Bonnie Treefrog came pushing through the crowd to catch up with him. She was a tall lanky young woman of nineteen. Her thin but long figured was mostly covered in a pair of oil stained overalls. Under which she wore a similarly filthy loose white shirt. Her overly curly red hair was tied back in a bright red bandana, but spilled out through any openings. Her face was lightly tanned, not that you could tell from the layer of grime that seemed to cover her cheeks. The only clean spot on her entire face were these two round patches on her forehead where her goggles usually rested. At the moment those googles were placed over her chocolate brown eyes. When she wore those goggles Connor could tell she'd be impossible to talk too until she took them off. "Captain I have to say your devil may care attitude towards my concerns about the cannons is starting to become worrying. I noticed a good second delay between the first cannon and the last cannon firing. As I've told you many times the cannon balls will only explode with peak efficiency when the volley is simultaneous. I suggest we…"

She went on like this for several minutes. The crowd graciously parted around Captain Tempest but Ms. Treefrog had to push and shove her way half a dozen people to keep up. To Connor her complaints and suggestions blended in with the general ruckus of the crowd as they walked through the island to Connor's destination. Eventually after a short trek Connor came to a simple shack and figured it was time that he ended her obvious torment. Just before he reached the door of the shack he turned on his heel and was not surprised to find that she'd managed to keep up with him. "Ms. Treefrog!" His voiced thundered and even as he spoke a small smile crawled up his lips. One does not train under a Wraith and not learn how to take an authoritative tone.

Bonnie was shocked out of her rant by his voice and immediately stood up straight and saluted her captain. "Yes Captain!"

He stuck his chin out and looked her up and down. " Since you're the one who brought this to my attention you'll inspect every single one of my cannons to make sure they are up to snuff. I want every single one scrubbed, and shined until they look like the day you made them is that clear?"

With a smile that didn't quite go ear to ear Bonnie nodded her head enthusiastically. "Yes captain!" She gushed!

"Then get to it! Dismissed!" With a final salute Bonnie sped back down to the docks to get to work. Connor sigh and noticeably slouched. Bonnie was the only person he'd ever met who though more work was some kind of reward. Any other member of the crew would have begged Connor for a different job. Still you can't blame someone for a good work ethic.

A shock ran up Connor's spine as the door behind him opened up. He hadn't expected that he'd be the one who'd get ambushed on this meetings. Still a ping of excitement ran through him, when a soft but gruff voice barked at him. "What's all this noise about?"

Now that was a voice Connor hadn't heard in years. With a slow turn Captain Tempest faced Master Yin. The old sword smith squinted his tired eyes at the pirate in front of him. Unrecognition clear on his face, that is until the two locked eyes. When he looked into the emerald expanse of Connor's eyes his own tired eyes lit up with a youth that they had not know for years. "Connor Tempest?" He coughed in near shock. It's not every day that you see a dead man on your door step. Well with vampires now being a fact of life that wasn't entirely true…

Connor beamed. This wasn't the first time he'd shock someone with this presence. However this would be one of the more pleasant surprised. Connor placed a strong hand on the old man's shoulder and squeezed it with a familiar friendliness. "Good to see you again Master Yin. I was wondering if you were still taking commissions."

XXX

Author's notes:

The next chapter is going to be buildup as well. After which Connor will proceed to go on a warpath. If you like you can comment and tell me which characters you want him to go after first. Grace and Lorcan will of course be the final bosses.

I'm very resolute in my hatred of OC's buuuut Connor needed a crew to take over the world with. I'll try to keep them from chewing up the scenery.

The name of the ship The Lighthouse an obvious homage to his father Dexter Tempest