Max was fast asleep in the shade of a rose bush, completely unaware that Grandpa George had returned home. He was woken by the loud bang of a closing window. He jumped to his feet, remembering the conversation he had accidentally overheard a few hours ago. Could this be an opportunity to find out more?

He timidly knocked on the door to the study.

- Come in - he heard a familiar voice.

Max entered, deciding to get straight to the point.

- Grandpa - he began uncertainly - I heard what you were talking about with that old cat that visited you...

George lifted his head from his desk, his gaze piercing Max like a cold wind.

- If you've heard, then you know everything - he muttered with obvious dissatisfaction.

- I don't know everything, Grandpa... Who was that old cat?

Grandpa George sighed deeply, then looked at his grandson with reluctance, as if he was fighting with himself.

- This is old news, Max... - he sighed heavily, and then began the story. - It was during the Great Rat War... A pirate ship sailed to Felinopolis to replenish its food and water supplies. The city was besieged by an army of rats and the food supplies for the city's inhabitants were running low. However, the pirates did not care. They attacked the city's food warehouse and took almost everything that was in it. However, before they could reach their ship with it, a horde of rats broke from the forest and attacked the pirates. The scales of victory were tilting in the rats' favor. We realized the situation in the command and went to the rescue. The battle was ongoing. At one point, I saw three rats attacking a cat... he had no chance of getting out of this alive. Without thinking, I jumped to his aid and together we dealt with the rats. When the rat commander was killed, their army fled the battlefield. The cat I had saved turned out to be One-Eyed Joe, the pirate captain, who had returned all the food supplies to the warehouse in gratitude and had said that Felinopolis would no longer be attaced by pirates in future.

One-Eyed Joe kept his word, and the pirates had stayed away from Felinopolis ever since, - George continued - But today… today he came back to tell me something much bigger. - Grandpa took a worn map out of the drawer and spread it out on the counter. - This is the way to Old Crab Island, where Joe hid his treasures. I must gather my trusted cats and go them, because it is his last wish.

Max felt excited. Images were swirling in his head: pirate treasures, adventure, a mysterious island. Hope lit up in his eyes.

- Grandpa, I can go with you! - he exclaimed, almost jumping in his chair.

But George frowned and looked at Max seriously.

– No way, Max. This is too dangerous a mission. You stay home.

Grandpa's words were like a blow to the heart. Max, offended and hurt, hung his head.

– What do you mean? You won't take me with you? – he asked with tears in his eyes.

– No – George replied firmly. – And that's my last word.

Max knew that there was no point in arguing. He slid off the chair and left the office, but left the door slightly ajar, hoping that he would be able to eavesdrop on something. From behind the door he could see his grandfather leaning over the map, writing something in his notebook.

At some point someone knocked on the door, so Max quickly fled to the kitchen, where Lily's mother was preparing some delicious dish.

She turned around when she heard Max running in and with a smile asked him to go check who had come to visit.
Behind the door stood Grandpa's deputy, Jack.

- Hello Max – he said, did I find George?
- Yes, he's in his office - Max opened the door wide - Grandpa!! - he shouted - you have a guest!!
- Come in - came from the depths of the house

Jack entered George's office and Max slipped in unnoticed right behind him and hid behind the sofa
- I have bad news George - Jack began - A pirate ship is approaching the quay, they are quite close and we don't know what to do?
- I know, I was just going to call you because I got a call from the Harbor Master's Office about it. Listen Jack - he continued - One-Eyed Joe left today for the Other Side of the Rainbow. So our ultimatum is over. The pirates are not sailing to the city with peaceful intentions. They know that the residents are rich so we have to be ready for anything. Quickly gather all the adult cats, and go to the Arsenal. There everyone will get a weapon. And everyone go to the Quay. We don't know if it's just one pirate ship or if the entire pirate fleet will soon reach us. That's why we have to be prepared for anything. I'm going to the Harbor now and you go to the Arsenal.

- That's right! - Jack straightened up and saluted like an old soldier - See you at the Harbor!!
Grandpa went to the safe, took out a rifle and a few packs of bullets, then shouted to Lily
- I'm leaving! - call Olivier and tell him I'm waiting for him at the Harbor!

Max quietly slipped out of the house, following his grandfather at a safe distance.

Thoughts raced through his mind—what were the pirates planning? Why had they returned now that One-Eyed Joe was dead? Did this mean the town was in danger?

As they reached the dock, he saw the dark, ominous shape of a pirate ship on the horizon. The ships in the harbor began to move, preparing for battle. Standing at the head of his men, his grandfather quietly whispered orders, but his face betrayed the tension.

Max began to wonder: Would his grandfather really have to go into battle? What if the pirates knew something no one expected?

The pirate ship drew closer, and the crew was clearly visible. Laughter and shouting could be heard from the deck, but one voice stood out from the rest. It was a voice that sent shivers down Max's spine - low and menacing, sounding ominous against the waves crashing against the shore...

Max felt his heart beating faster. What was really behind the return of the pirates? And most importantly: Would there be a battle for Felinopolis?

To be continued.....😻

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