Deep in the Caribbean, Monkey Island...

"Hurry up, maggots!" shouted the skeleton. "Can’t keeps the Lord of the Undead waitin’! Move, move, move!"

The other skeletons walked as fast as they could without tipping the scarlet pillow they held. Each skeleton held one corner of the pillow and never looked under the black box that was on it. They came up to the skeleton that yelled at them.

He had a white shirt and green pants with a dull and notched cutlass trapped between his belt and ribcage. On his skull was a wig that curled upwards at the front. Illuminating emerald pupils were in his eyes as a symbol that he had within him voodoo power, but not necessarily could use it. His name, like him, was bad to the bone and ugly as a dog: Largo LaGrande.

Behind Largo was a throne of gold covered by a blanket of ice. Like the throne, the room was ice, and so was its ruler. A dreaded ice demon he was, drawn from boulders colder than death itself. He died years ago and since then, died numerous times more, taking reincarnations each resurrection. All this turmoil because he met a pirate wannabe, who stole the woman he was meant to be with; or at least, he believed he was meant to be with.

"Where is it?" he roared.

"Yessir, Captain, sir," said Largo. "I-I’ve brought you the gauntlet."

"At last!" smiled the captain. "The time has come for me to finally rid the world of Guybrush Threepwood and take Elaine Marley as my bride. But you know, I’ve been thinkin’, maybe I should kill Guybrush before I take Elaine. He’s defeated me three times now. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before!"

Maybe because you’re such a simpleton that you wouldn’t know when to even put some decent clothes on, for crying out loud, thought Largo. "I wish I shared your intellect, Captain." He called the other skeletons to take the pillow to their ruler.

The captain removed the black box and inserted his bony hand into the gauntlet beneath. It had strange symbols engraved along the wrist and a piece of paper wrapped into a cylinder as the middle finger. The captain looked curiously at it and then faced Largo.

"Where is the finger?" he asked.

"Huh?" asked Largo.

"The Finger of Life!" roared the captain. "Where is it?"

"Well, it’s," started Largo, "right there. Inside the paper."

"Get me the Finger of Life, you overgrown dog food!" yelled the captain.

"Yes sir, Captain LeChuck, sir," said Largo. He ran away to assemble an armada.

Part One: The Witch Doctor’s Treasure

The mansion on Governor Island was alive tonight. On this fine day, it was the first anniversary when Elaine Marley, Governor of the tri-island area of Melee, Booty, and Plunder, married pirate hero Guybrush Threepwood. To celebrate, Guybrush had a ship built for his beloved, the Governor (now, ain’t that appropriate). It was meant to be a cruise ship but was equipped with the most advanced cannon technology in the Caribbean as well as extra armoured plating beneath the wood to withstand cannon fire. Guybrush, being the warm-hearted ghost-busting stud he was, needed no present from Elaine, only her love. He had no fear whatsoever of LeChuck coming to take Elaine.

Guests ranging from the arcane Voodoo Island to nearby Barnacle Island came to celebrate. The infamous classical music pirate band, Bullet Holes, was there performing. Fish, bananas, and fruit cocktail were laid out on the table. The guests were attired in bright and colourful costumes and masks.

Suddenly, a hush came over the audience. Dilbert, the governor’s gardener, entered the mansion and eyed the staircase. A man in his early twenties was descending to the living room. He had light brown hair with a ponytail at the back of his head and a goatee encircling his mouth. A polished cutlass and a gold-buckled belt augmented to his fancy black raiment. He had a white shirt underneath his velvet jacket as well as long white hoses.

The man turned his head from side to side, looking at the crowd. "Don’t stop the party at my account. Continue!" he smiled.

As the celebration resumed, the man walked over to a frame on the wall above the fireplace. Four map pieces were held inside as they told the location of the legendary treasure of Big Whoop. It brought back old memories. The man suddenly noticed Dilbert coming towards him.

"Congratulations, Guybrush," he said. "After journeying from the flaming depths of Monkey Island past the clutches of the Demon Pirate LeChuck, you’ve finally got your prize."

"Thanks, Dilbert," said Guybrush. "Why don’t you take the night off. Join the fun."

"Thank you for the offer," said Dilbert. "However, I must refuse. Whether it be a party or a public burning, I can’t leave my garden. I’ll be all right."

"Okay," said Guybrush. He watched Dilbert open the door and disappear into the night. Of course, he’d only be behind the mansion watering the plants.

Guybrush tried chatting with the guests, who ignored him. Then, he saw someone with a rather unusual costume. Leaves made sure his... ahem!... secret places remained hidden and he had a large lemon on his head with holes cut for eyes. However, Guybrush could never have forgotten one such as he.

"Lemonhead!" he cried. "I haven’t seen you since the wedding!"

"Tell me about it," said Lemonhead. "You haven’t changed a bit. I still remember how grand the wedding was. Mostly because of that picture," said Lemonhead, pointing to a photo.

In the photo, Guybrush was facing Elaine as his pirate barber friend Edward Van Helgen acted as the minister. Lemonhead had his arm around second pirate barber Cutthroat Bill and was clutching hard on his biceps. What’s a cannibal to do? thought Guybrush as he continued to examine the picture. Sitting next to Bill was third pirate barber Haggis McMutton. Guybrush remembered he'd hosted the Highland Dance Contest. Long-time friend and pirate cartographer Wally Bloodnose Feed received first prize: a Bagpipe Baby doll. And there was Stan, who gave out the invitations at just the right price.

"Uh, some wedding that was," said Guybrush. "So how’s it going?"

"Oh, great!" said Lemonhead. "I’ve been given a place in the Cannibal Institute of Authority."

"The CIA?" asked Guybrush with amazement. "I heard you guys offer great ship license plates."

"Oh yeah!" said Lemonhead, handing Guybrush a plate. "You’ll be the talk of the sea."

Guybrush peered down at it. It read "I8U".

"I’ll think about it," said Guybrush, returning the plate.

Lemonhead stopped short for a second. At length, he said, "Damn! The Institute just called me via telepathy. I have to leave. Sorry. But here, take this handbook." He gave Guybrush a booklet that explained about the Institute and ran out the door.

Guybrush opened the book. Suddenly, a note fell from it and he picked it up. Mysteriously, it was addressed to him.

Dear Guybrush Threepwood,
You are in great danger. LeChuck is back and is more powerful than ever. You must meet me stay where you are aNd wait For our captain to take you. Must go, hand Falling out of socket. FINger must get.

Finger? What finger? There was something strange about the letter and Guybrush felt that he had to keep it to himself. He went out the door to find Lemonhead but he had already left for the Institute. Guybrush glimpsed into the book again and discovered that the CIA headquarters was located on Voodoo Island. He had to start packing. Maybe he should go through the back door up to his bedroom instead of going back inside through the front door. It'd cause less suspicion since Elaine should've been down there by now.

Guybrush went behind the house where he could see the Governor docked near the beach. He opened the back door and climbed the staircase to his bedroom. When he opened the secret door in the ground and got to his feet, he discovered the room was bare.

Elaine suddenly came up and noticed him. She wore a scarf, her dark jacket, and her usual bandanna that covered her scarlet hair. "Guybrush!" she yelled. "What on earth are you doing?"

Guybrush spun round to face her with an uneasy expression. "Uh, I think we need a vacation. Let’s start packing!"

Elaine became suspicious. "What’s that on the floor?" she took the letter and read it.

"Elaine, no!" The letter must have fell when I came up from the secret door, thought Guybrush.

"Oh... dear... lord," said Elaine. "I have never seen such organised handwriting turn into garbage like this!" she yelled.

"Huh?" Guybrush was puzzled. However, this bought him some time. He finished packing, kissed Elaine, and started for the door. "Well, I’m going to the Voodoo Island market. Make sure there’s still fish for me when I get back." If I get back, thought Guybrush.

"Wait a minute," said Elaine. "Guybrush, you’re not going to face LeChuck alone. I’m coming with you."

"Elaine," started Guybrush, "I’m not facing him. I need to find out who sent that letter. And I’m sure I’ll find the answer on Voodoo Island."

"Well, I’m never leaving your side, Guybrush," said Elaine. "Let’s ready the Governor."

***

Guybrush and Elaine arrived at their ship. They perceived its figurehead, which was a seagull, and a dark man standing before them. He was short and wore a cowl. Curiously, Guybrush advanceed towards him.

"Who are you?" asked the man.

"My name’s Guybrush Threepwood and I’m a mighty pirate!"

"Really?" said the man. He came out of the shadows and threw down his cowl. "I’m Dwarfbeard and I sent the letter. Don’t think I don’t know you, Guybrush, slayer of the Ghost Pirate LeChuck. One of his henchman ambushed me at my workshop and tied me to a chair. I escaped using my trusty hook, Picker." He held up his hand, displaying his shining hook. "I disposed of the henchman but not before he took the letter. There must be another undead around here and we’re not safe until we find him."

Guybrush and Elaine eyed him. Dwarfbeard was heavily built around the shoulders and biceps, and had a long beard. His attire represented him as an ageing pirate.

"There was mention of a finger in the letter. What’s it talking about?" asked Guybrush.

"The Witch Doctor’s Treasure, an ancient but powerful voodoo gauntlet! It was never made to be a weapon but it’d be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Especially if those hands were colder than death but held the blood of an ancient evil. Come! We must return to my workshop and salvage what we can of my research of it."

The trio ran past the mansion to the city of Seagull’s Beak. It was named so because early settlers on Governor Island founded the city with the help of a seagull, who guided them to a building space with its beak. Now, decades later, Seagull’s Beak had become quite a tourist attraction. It was home to taverns, markets, pirates, and even circus performers. It was a busy night because of the anniversary celebration.

"There it is," said Dwarfbeard. He pointed to a small shack beside Lake Spittoon, a local bar. "Everything I know about the gauntlet is in the papers hidden inside the floor."

They entered the dark shack and lighted a lantern beside the door. Dwarfbeard crouched down and examined a doll on the ground. However, he turned it over and Elaine and Guybrush found out it was attached to a wood panel. Dwarfbeard turned a knob on the doll’s back and the panel was loosened. He threw it away and took out rolls of paper.

"Here’s my research on the Witch Doctor’s Treasure," he whispered. "Many years ago, I and five other pirates went searching for treasure when we landed on Voodoo Island. Since we already landed on an island that wasn’t on the map, we searched there. Finding the gauntlet was a task that killed all but the five of us. It was me, Wetbeard, Nerdbeard, Reekbeard, and Fakebeard. Wait! There was one other survivor by the name of, ah, Threepwood."

Guybrush gasped. "Threepwood?"

"Yeah," said Dwarfbeard, overlooking Guybrush’s surname. "He was a great navigator. Anyway—"

"Wait a second," interrupted Guybrush. "Threepwood is my last name."

Dwarfbeard was silent. "Well, he said he only had one child and it was a girl."

"They abandoned me," said Guybrush. "You knew my father? What was he like?"

Dwarfbeard lay in thought. "He was," he said slowly, "well, obedient, for one thing. Again, he was a great navigator. And, that’s about all I can remember. Anyway, we found the gauntlet through a booby-trapped underground tunnel system. There was a scroll written in a language we couldn’t understand. We took the silver gauntlet with its golden fingers and the scroll back with us to Booty Island. A monk translated the scroll and we found out it was all about the gauntlet." He paused. "We can’t stay here. To Voodoo Island! There is a friend who might be able to help us there."

They exited the shack but then were stopped by a group of men just outside Lake Spittoon. They couldn't have been seen since they were hidden in the night’s shadows. In on of the men's hands was a human skull, which seemed to groan at them. However, its voice was familiar to Guybrush.

"Murray, it’s been sometime."

"Shut up!" yelled the skull. The men came from the shadows carrying Murray, the demonic skull, on a rich pillow. "You and I need to talk."

***

Guybrush, Elaine, and Dwarfbeard were taken to the back of Lake Spittoon, which Murray apparently owned. It was a brightly-lit room, but small and empty, save for a central table. Guybrush seemed to remember the men that were carrying Murray. Fortunately, there was a window beside the door and the three men could be seen sitting on a bench. There was a thin one with a moustache, a bloated one who was sleeping, and the last had a peg leg.

"Any luck with the circus?" asked Guybrush.

The man with the peg leg eyed him with a puzzled expression. "Do we know you?"

"I’m Guybrush Threepwood. You gave me PTA minute tests claiming them to be maps on the streets of Melee Island. And I polished your leg with the wood polish I bought for you on Woodtick, Scabb Island."

The men stared at each other and then back to Guybrush. They had no idea who he was and shrugged their shoulders.

The man with the peg leg spoke at length. "I don’t remember you. But in response to your question, we had luck but it was cruelly taken away from us."

The thin man spoke. "You see, Frank entered a contest to win a ship. He thought he could use it to find a place to resurrect the circus. He lost but the owner agreed to offer him another... for a price."

"We had to give him 8500 pieces o’ eight before he gave us the ship," said Frank. "We found a place perfect for a circus on Barnacle Island. We made a tent out of the large leaves that grow there and tamed the animals of the island’s jungle."

"But the rat scared off our elephant," said the thin man, pointing to a small rat sleeping on the floor. He faced Frank and glimpsed back at Guybrush. "Get lost, you depressed us." The three men of low moral fibre (pirates) went back to sleep after those words.

Suddenly, a waiter opened the door and set a veiled dish on the table. Guybrush, Elaine, and Dwarfbeard were starved. Then, Elaine lifted the cover but there was no food there. Murray leapt out and scared Elaine half to death.

"That’ll teach you to choose the anchor," smiled Murray.

"Um, I’m over here," said Guybrush, waving his hand.

Murray eyed Elaine and realised it wasn’t Guybrush he scared. "Damn. Well, I’m tormenting you until you apologise for taking the anchor as your favourite toy instead of me in the Carnival of the Damned."

Guybrush sighed. "Oh, come on, Murray. That anchor meant nothing to me. I was thinking about you all along."

Murray hesitated. "Keep going," he smiled.

"You know you’re the only toy for me. Come on, give me another chance," said Guybrush.

Murray laid in thought. "Come here and give me a hug!" he cried.

"No," said Guybrush. "Look, we really must be going."

"Aye," said Dwarfbeard. "’Tis a dangerous journey we are about to embark."

"Really?" asked Murray. "Then I’m coming with you. And so are my three pirate friends outside. Poor losers. That circus idea just had its ups and downs."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" smiled Guybrush. "Onward to Voodoo Island."

"Whoa," said Murray. "Voodoo Island? That place is dangerous. You better take Frank’s map."

"Thanks," said Guybrush. "Well, come on!"

***

Guybrush held the map before him while he rested his arms on the steering wheel of the Governor. Barnacle Island was at the top centre of the map with Melee opposite to it. Southwest of Barnacle was Scabb with Phatt Island below. Booty was southeast of Scabb and southwest of Phatt. A little down south of Barnacle was Governor Island with Voodoo Island east of that. South of Voodoo was Plunder Island, south of which was Skull Island. East of Skull was Blood Island and south of that was the accursed Monkey Island with its isle, Dinky.

If only Bulky Island was on this map, thought Guybrush. However, it wasn’t Bulky he was going to, it was Voodoo Island. They should arrive at Voodoo Island by noon if the wind didn’t change. Maybe then he will learn more of this gauntlet.

Guybrush scanned all of the other islands. Barnacle Island was one of his choices for a vacation spot but he gave it up for Eyepatch Isle. He knew Barnacle Island because of its commercial use. His barber pirate friends moved their business there and there was a hotel for retired or unsuccessful pirates. The Dull Blade, thought Guybrush. He heard rumours that his friend Herman Toothrot settled there.

***

"Well, here we are," said Guybrush. "Voodoo Island."

"Aye," said Dwarfbeard. "’Tis a fine place to be if ye have a hankerin’ for some headhuntin’."

Gross, thought Guybrush. "Perhaps... later."

After the crew got onto the dock and entered the town, Dwarfbeard acted as their guide. However, he insisted that Elaine stay at the Snake Pit Hotel. He complimented on the beds, the views through the window, and especially the carpet.

"I remember it to be fleshy, slippery, and smooth," said Dwarfbeard.

Elaine shook her head. "No way. I’m not staying at a place like that."

Guybrush peered at Murray, who was under his arm. "Uh, Elaine, why don’t you take Murray to a hat store. Dwarfbeard told me they’re on sale today."

"Pleeeaase," whined Murray.

Elaine glimpsed at the skull. "Promise you won’t kill me and take my body."

"Cross my skull and hope to die... again," said Murray.

"Oh, all right," said Elaine, taking Murray.

After she left, Guybrush faced Dwarfbeard and said, "I think I’ll explore around a bit. It was a peaceful trip here."

"All right but be careful," said Dwarfbeard. "Voodoo Islanders are very unorthodox. I’ll take a looksee around meself."

Guybrush ambled about the town and then peered into the sky. It was a beautiful afternoon on Voodoo Island. He noticed a large mountain on the island he had never perceived before, not even on his ship. The dormant volcano, thought Guybrush. I’ll keep my eye on that.

He strolled about the town again and noticed that every building was made of sticks decorated with torches or skulls through a spear. Then, he noticed a store with a cauldron that spelled its name every time smoke came out of it. He read that the store was called the Hex-agon. He noticed as well that every time the smoke came out, the skulls underneath would light their eyes.

"Very clever," said Guybrush.

"Thanks, I came up with the idea," said one of the skulls.

"Don’t mind him," said a voice behind Guybrush.

Guybrush turned around and came face to face with a monkey. "Ahh!" he cried.

"Whoa, buddy! Don’t tell me you haven’t seen a talking monkey before."

"To be honest, no," replied Guybrush nervously.

"Tourists," mumbled the monkey. "My name’s Duke."

Guybrush shook hands with Duke but felt very awkward doing so. He was invited into the Hex-agon to start shopping for all of his voodoo needs.

Guybrush scanned the store’s items. Maybe they had a spray that keeps the undead away from you, thought Guybrush.

Then, he examined a shelf labelled "Food Ingredients". He found objects like dog ears, snake tongues, shark fins, and spider abdomens. Disgusted, he turned to the other shelf labelled "Cures". It interested him but he found nothing of any importance there.

This could've been useful, thought Guybrush as he stared at a bottle of "Ringmaster: For curing girlfriends from ring curses". After a little while longer, he noticed a slot machine beside the door giving out a drink called Voodew. Guybrush read the labels on the cans.

VOODEW
CAPTURE THE ESSENSE OF ANIMAL PARTS WITH A
DELIGHTFUL TOUCH OF GROG AND FOR A LOW, LOW PRICE.

"I guess it won’t hurt... much... to try more voodoo products," said Guybrush as he pulled out a coin and pushed it through the coin slot of the machine.

Two cans came down and it amazed Guybrush. Then, he finally noticed the "Two for one" sign beside the machine. He bought two more and when he was about to leave, Duke called to him.

"Hey, you’re Guybrush Threepwood," he started, "mighty pirate?"

"Why, yes I am," said Guybrush in a heroic voice.

"I got a package for you," he said. "If you'd follow me."

Guybrush followed Duke through a door behind the counter. It was totally dark and suddenly, he felt something smack across his head. He fainted and fell down.

***

Guybrush regained consciousness and felt his head. There was a bruise there and it flared with pain when he touched it. He couldn’t see a thing in the room he was in. Then, he noticed his belongings were taken away from him. Suddenly, he heard a sound from behind him.

"Pssst!" said the voice. "Guybrush, it’s Murray."

"Murray?"

"The hat prices were over the chart, so I left Elaine and rolled into here."

Guybrush turned round and saw Murray’s eyes, illuminated by a healthy voodoo glow. He took Murray and held the skull out before him.

"Guide me to the door," said Guybrush.

"Wait!" cried Murray. "There’s someone else here. It’s a person to your left."

Guybrush turned and bent down. He saw a haystack with bones all over it. Slowly, he removed the hay until the face of a woman emerged. She had the same colour of hair and eyes as he and as Guybrush removed more of the hay, he discovered a round medallion hanging from her necklace. Suddenly, the woman cowered away to a corner before Guybrush could examine the medallion.

"Don’t be afraid," he said softly. "We won’t hurt you."

"At least he won’t," said Murray.

The woman stayed silent.

"I was just wondering if I could see your medallion," said Guybrush. "I’m no thief, just a pirate. A mighty pirate."

The woman advanced closer to Guybrush and Murray. Guybrush slowly outstretched his other arm to take the medallion. When he reached it, he held it close enough to him so that Murray’s eyes could make out what was on it. It was no medallion. There was a button on it and as Guybrush pushed it, a disk opened to reveal a picture. There was a man, a woman, and a small girl.

Oh dear lord, thought Guybrush. Those are my parents. But then, who’s the girl? He turned to the woman. "What’s your name?"

The woman hesitated and then said, "Greta."

"Greta," repeated Guybrush. "Greta, do you remember your parents?"

"Yes," replied Greta. "They were very joyful, but sad whenever I used to say that I was their princess. Do you remember your family."

Guybrush lowered his head. "Boyhowdy yeah, but only a little. They abandoned me and they're in your picture."

Greta peered down at her picture. There she was with Mom and Dad. Then she stared back up at Guybrush. He did resemble Dad just a bit.

"Hi, sis," smiled Guybrush.

Greta couldn’t believe it. She had an older brother and wanted to get acquainted with him as soon as possible. So, during the next two hours, they told of their past to each other. Greta was very amused by her brother’s bravery that defeated the Undead Pirate LeChuck three times. Likewise, Guybrush was very surprised of how he'd always lied of having a sister when all along it was the truth.

Suddenly, there came a noise from outside. "Shut up in there, Threepwood! You’ll need the voice for when LeChuck comes." It was Duke.

"Oh yeah!" shouted Guybrush. "Well, you’re as repulsive as a monkey in a negligee."

"First of all," said Duke, "I am a monkey. Second," he opened a small window beside the door and fitted a pistol through it, "I don’t think you’re in the position for sea swordplay insults."

"Well, you know what they say," said Guybrush, "your tongue has to be twice as sharp as your sword." Immediately after his words, he threw Murray at the window.

Murray, totally surprised by Guybrush’s actions, quickly tried to find something to bite on before he broke his skull on the walls of the prison. He found Duke’s hand and bit it. The pistol dropped and Guybrush picked it up and took Murray back.

"You’re insane!" yelled Murray. "What did I ever do?"

"You got us this pistol," replied Guybrush. "Now to get out of this dump."

He shot the lock off the prison door, which was visible since the light poured through the small window that Duke left open. Guybrush kicked open the door and beckoned Greta to come out. They found themselves behind the store counter but Duke was not to be seen.

Guybrush found the opportunity to be useful for searching the counter while there was no one to stop him. Opening numerous drawers, he found nothing but paper and a banana. However, he took the banana just in case it became useful. Then, he opened the last drawer and found his belongings.

He buckled his cutlass, trapped his pistol between his belt and jacket, and pocketed his Voodew soft drinks, his map, his CIA book, and his pouch of coins. Then, he noticed a letter beneath the inventory. It read:

Duke,
Your skills as a bounty hunter have reached my ears. You have impressed me and that is not an easy task. That is why I, the Ice Demon LeChuck, have a favour to ask of you. I need you to capture a certain someone for me. His name is Guybrush Threepwood. Once you acquire him, send him to me.
Sincerely,
ID LeChuck

Duke must have taken Greta since she bore the same name. He must've thought he’d get more of a bounty if he captured the Threepwood offspring. Guybrush and Greta exited the Hex-agon and met with Elaine and Dwarfbeard outside.

Elaine frowned at Murray. "You left me all alone in that creepy hat store!"

"Sorry," said Murray. "I couldn’t stay in a place like that. Besides, some of the display heads were from my high school."

Dwarfbeard eyed Guybrush. "Where have ye been?"

"I was taken by a talking monkey named Duke. He worked for LeChuck."

"Talking monkey, eh?" said Dwarfbeard. "Where’s he now?"

"Gone," replied Greta.

"And who might this be?" asked Elaine in an irritated tone.

"Relax, Elaine," said Guybrush. "Elaine, Dwarfbeard, this is Greta Threepwood, my sister."

Elaine stayed silent. She always knew Guybrush lied about having a sister but now, it turned out it was true. She noticed the resemblance the two had to each other. Dwarfbeard and Elaine shook hands with Greta and then Guybrush reminded them that they still had to find Dwarfbeard’s friend.

Dwarfbeard guided them through a quiet green jungle and to a trail leading to the northern parts of the island. They travelled along the winding trail until they arrived at a stone tower.

There was a window facing south and green smoke came from the pinnacle of the tower. Before them was a curtain with torches on either side of it. They threw the curtain aside and entered the tower. Finding themselves in a deserted room, the group perceived stairs leading to the top of the tower. They climbed the winding staircase expecting bats to fly over their heads or disembodied eyes watching them; but all was calm. Finally, the group arrived at the room that had the window and before them was a cauldron of skeleton arms. From inside the cauldron, the green smoke floated through the roofless pinnacle of the tower.

Guybrush curiously advanced closer to the cauldron. "Hello?"

Suddenly, there was a blinding flash and when Guybrush opened his eyes, there was a woman seated before him. She was plump with dark skin and had a green bandanna wrapped around her head. A fur pelt covered her shoulders and her blue gown reached down to her bare feet.

"Guybrush Threepwood," she smiled, "it has been some time."

"Do I know you from somewhere?" asked Guybrush.

"As a matter of fact you do," replied the woman. "However, I can understand your short-term memory. That’s what happens when you get cursed too much."

"What!" cried Guybrush.

"Don’t worry, it’s not fatal," laughed the woman. "Talking helps. We met on Melee Island where I told you of a voodoo antiroot that could destroy ghosts. Later, I helped you make a voodoo doll of Largo LaGrande on Scabb Island. Then, I helped you prepare for your journey to Blood Island by supplying you information of a ring that could save Elaine from a pirate curse." She peered behind Guybrush at Elaine. "Hello, Governor Marley."

Elaine waved to the Voodoo Lady and smiled.

Then, the Voodoo Lady gazed at Greta. "I see you’ve found family, Guybrush. I foresaw your union." Lastly, she turned to Dwarfbeard. "Is something wrong?"

"LeChuck may have the Witch Doctor’s Treasure," started Dwarfbeard. "We need more information about it to save Guybrush from whatever danger is to fall upon him."

"Well," smiled the Voodoo Lady, "the gauntlet was forged over 500 years ago and was used by its maker to heal the wounded more effectively. However, it needed its Five Fingers for its powers. They are, in order from thumb to pinkie, the Finger of Curing, the Finger of Healing, the Finger of Life, the Finger of Breath, and the Finger of Blood. The most mysterious was the Finger of Life, which was said to have resurrection powers."

"That’s why LeChuck wants the gauntlet," said Guybrush. "He wants to become alive again."

"Wait!" cried the Voodoo Lady. "There’s more to LeChuck’s plan than just mere resurrection. At the same time he's resurrected, you will die."

"Then he must not have the Finger of Life yet," said Dwarfbeard. "And it's in the hands of Nerdbeard! But we lost contact with him."

"Clues left by the others will help you find him," said the Voodoo Lady.

Guybrush and his friends thanked the Voodoo Lady, left the tower, travelled back to the town, and boarded their ship.

Part Two: The Finger of Life

The Governor sailed away from Voodoo Island. Dwarfbeard had them plot a course to Barnacle Island, where Wetbeard spent his last days.

The waters seemed to have calmed down and a steady wind blew. Guybrush speculated that they should reach Barnacle by nightfall.

Suddenly, Guybrush heard a wailing cry some distance ahead. He called Frank, who was in the crow’s nest to see where the sound came from.

Frank leaned over and squinted. "A ship!" he cried. "Its sails are torn to shreds but it still goes."

"That’s no ordinary ship," said Guybrush as Dwarfbeard halted beside him. "It’s a ghost ship. We must be getting too close to something LeChuck doesn’t want us to find out." He turned his head and gazed down at the deck. "Man the cannons!"

***

Largo stared through the night with his voodoo eyes at the ship of the living.

"Threepwood," he whispered. "He must know of the gauntlet. Well, this is as far as he’ll go."

He steered the ship so that the cannons on his left faced Guybrush’s ship. Lowering his head down to the deck, Largo yelled, "Fire!"

The response to his command was placed in the sound of blasting cannons as Largo stared at his cannonballs striking the enemy ship.

Onboard the Governor, the ship shook and Guybrush was almost flung to his right. They had taken a direct hit from the three cannons of the enemy at the bow. However, the reinforced armour plates held and damage was reduced to a minimum.

He steered so that the Governor sailed on towards the direction of the starboard but at an angle so that they would reach the port of the enemy ship. Once they reached the stern of the ghost ship, the enemy’s cannons couldn't fire upon them and, thankfully, they'd just arrived before the cannons finished loading.

"Fire!" cried Guybrush.

He observed his cannons thrust themselves through the port of the ghost ship. To his aghast, the ghost ship took no damage! Guybrush had to find something that worked against ghosts to use on his cannonballs. Then, he thought back to the time when he first met LeChuck.

"Of course," snapped Guybrush, "root beer! I first defeated LeChuck with root beer!" He faced Greta, who was to his right, releasing his grip on the steering wheel. "Take over."

***

Largo pivoted his ship to the direction of his stern. He ordered the cannons to be fired and watched as his artillery collided against the enemy’s walls. Unfortunately, they completely missed their marks, which were the enemy’s cannons. Then, Largo steered the ship so that it collided with that of the enemy. He saw Guybrush Threepwood taking a glimpse at him and laughed.

"It’s no use, Threepwood!" he cried. "You're no match for the fleet of LeChuck." Then, he ran from the steering wheel and leapt across to the other ship and before Guybrush. There, he drew his cutlass. "I challenge you to a deathmatch!"

Guybrush drew out his own cutlass. "Largo LaGrande, we meet again. Challenge accepted."

"Your microscopic brain is no match for my blade," cried Largo.

"It would still be heavier than yours if you had them weighed," said Guybrush as he advanced with his cutlass.

Largo, taken off guard by the counter of his insult, defended as best he could. He smiled, however, to have found a worthy foe. Patiently, he waited for Guybrush’s insult.

"Well," he said at length, "aren’t you going to insult me?"

"I thought I was supposed to counter your insults," said Guybrush.

"You mean you spent all this time thinking of counters and not insults?"

"Well," started Guybrush, "it’s happened to me twice already. Master swordsmen insult me, I counter them until I win."

"Boy, this is going to be easy," laughed Largo. He fought with much fury and sent Guybrush’s cutlass flying from his hand. Holding the tip of his blade to Guybrush’s chin, he said, "Checkmate."

"I don’t think so, LaGrande," smiled Guybrush. "It seems you’ve fallen into my trap. Look behind you."

Largo turned and saw that his ship was not there. He ran to the side and saw his crew, ghost and skeleton alike, struggling to stay afloat. The duel was just to stall time. Suddenly, a cutlass fell on Largo’s hand and it, along with his own sword, fell to the sea. He turned round to see Guybrush pointing his sword to his head.

"Not even a ghost ship can stand against root beer bottles," smiled Guybrush. "We had crates of them down below. Now, about the voodoo gauntlet... "

"You’ll get nothing from me, Threepwood," said Largo. "Not even if you threatened to kill me."

"Well what if I told LeChuck about your mutinous plans," smiled Guybrush.

"How did you know about them?" asked the astonished Largo.

"I didn’t, you just told me," Guybrush laughed. "But I thought you'd be the type. Being killed by a mortal is one thing. However, being killed by LeChuck is another. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Alright!" cried Largo. "LeChuck’s searching for the Finger of Life and he knows who possesses it. He just doesn’t know where it is. He sent me to search for Dwarfbeard."

"Well, here I am," said Dwarfbeard, walking into view from behind Guybrush.

Largo cursed and faced Guybrush again. "That’s all I know!"

Guybrush frowned. He knew Largo wasn’t lying. "Well, you’re without a ship and a crew. So, I’ll be fair and let you join them."

"What!" cried Largo. But before he could react, Dwarfbeard tossed him overboard into the sea with his crewmates.

***

After a little while of sailing, land came into sight. The crew had reached Barnacle Island. They saw neon lights of businesses on the island, which aroused more interest in them. Guybrush asked Elaine to register them in the Dull Blade when they docked.

The night was cool on Barnacle Island and a full moon shown. Guybrush felt like taking a little stroll along the streets with his sister before going to the hotel. As they traveled, Greta told everything she remembered about her parents to Guybrush. Then, he felt alone all of a sudden.

"After all, you’re the one they kept," said Guybrush.

Greta placed an arm around Guybrush and rested her head on his shoulder. Guybrush kept on walking silently through the lit streets of the city. He suddenly noticed a small hut with a sign saying "Myopica".

He and Greta decided to enter the store and advanced towards the door, which was surprisingly small. They entered the empty shop and browsed around. There was a counter with a small stool behind it and a door behind that. A shelf was located on each wall with large selections of monocles.

Guybrush spotted a service bell and punched it. Then, a small ring sounded and the door behind the counter opened. A short man with red hair came out. He wore a white shirt with chequered overalls and on his left eye was, of course, a monocle.

"May I help you?" asked the man.

"Wally!" smiled Guybrush. "It’s me, Guybrush Threepwood!"

"Mr. Wood!" cried Wally. "How are things with Elaine?"

"They couldn’t be better."

Wally suddenly noticed Greta. "Then, who is she?"

"Oh," Guybrush cleared his throat. "Wally Bloodnose Feed, this is my sister, Greta Threepwood."

Wally stared wide-eyed at Guybrush and then to Greta. "Sister?" He ran from the counter and shook Greta’s hand. "Pleasure to meet you!"

"Same here," smiled Greta.

Wally turned back to Guybrush. "So, Mr. Wood, how does it feel to find your sister?"

"Very surprising," replied Guybrush. He recounted how he and Greta met and why he was on Barnacle Island. Then, he saw Wally shudder at the mention of LeChuck. "So how’s Haggis doing?"

"Mr. McMutton?" asked Wally. "Oh, he, Mr. Bill, and Mr. Van Helgen are doing great at the barber business. They have a new shop set up here called ‘The Cutlass Quartet’."

"You mean they finally got a new member for their barbershop quartet?" asked Guybrush in an astonished tone.

"Yes," nodded Wally. "He can take up the voices of three singers!"

"Fascinating!" said Guybrush. He suddenly realised that he had to get going. "Well, goodnight, Wally. Great meeting you again."

"You too, Mr. And Ms. Wood," said Wally. "Good luck with LeChuck."

The Threepwoods, once outside of Wally’s shop, saw another shop that caught their attention. There was a bright sign that read "Stan’s Previously Owned Keys". As Guybrush observed it he thought, Oh dear lord, no. Despite his reluctance to enter Stan’s store, he didn’t want to leave him out.

They entered the store and a man quickly came towards them. He had a blue chequered shirt and a large hat. As he talked, his arms moved up and down and he continually tapped his foot.

"Howdy! Welcome to Stan’s Previously Owned Keys!" he cried. "Guybrush Threepwood, I haven’t see you since the wedding."

"Hi, Stan," said Guybrush. "Meet my sister, Greta."

"Sister, eh?" said Stan. "Hello, dolly. Oh, I shouldn’t say that, I’m married! I’m Stan the Salesman. Can I interest you in a set of keys?"

Guybrush gazed at the key selection. There were shelves of keys and one shelf had key cards, which were divided into two categories: Imperial and Rebel. However, the keys behind Stan’s desk were the only ones that caught his attention.

"What’re those?" he asked.

"Sorry, those aren’t for sale," said Stan. "Their keys to every door of every building on every island I’ve ever been, if you must know."

"Well, you’d better keep good care of it instead of just leaving it on a hook. It’s very insecure," said Guybrush.

"Nonsense!" cried Stan. "It’s protected by a state-of-the-art security system. Watch. Lasers will detect any sign of movement and enclose intruders in a container until I deactivate it. Allow me to demonstrate." Stan took out a remote from his coat and pushed a button. Then, he advanced towards the keys. Suddenly, a portion of the ceiling fell over him, trapping him inside. "See? What did I tell you?"

Guybrush quickly took the ring of keys as the ceiling portion lifted. Stan gave out a gasp when he realised his keys were gone.

"Where are they?" he cried.

"I saw a sinister-looking guy come in and take them," said Guybrush.

Stan sighed. "Well, luckily I got this set of copies made." He pulled out another ring of keys identical to the ones Guybrush took.

***

Guybrush and Greta finally sauntered towards the Dull Blade. It was a tall building with many windows. As they entered, they found themselves in a plaza covered with scarlet carpet. A counter was before them with stairs beside it and above was a chandelier. Guybrush strolled over to the registration counter.

"Threepwood," he said.

The man behind the counter scanned his registration book. "Ah, yes, Threepwood. You’re registered in Room 61."

"Where would that be?" asked Guybrush.

"Sixth floor, first room to your left," replied the man.

Guybrush and Greta climbed the stairs and once they reached their room, they found the door opened. As they entered, they marvelled at the apartment. There was a large glass patio door before them and beside that were two beds. Their blankets were scarlet and the sheets and pillows were pearl white. Opposite to the beds was a washroom where Elaine stood, astonished. Beside the beds was a wardrobe which the Men of Low Moral Fibre (Pirates) examined. Beside the door was a table where Dwarfbeard sat studying Frank’s map. Murray rested his skull on the couch beside the washroom door.

"What are you doing, Dwarfbeard?" asked Guybrush.

"I’m going over the islands," replied Dwarfbeard. "Wetbeard stayed at this hotel when we left him, Reekbeard and Fakebeard settled on Phatt Island, and then there’s Nerdbeard. I don’t know where he could’ve gone off. We last saw him sail off between the waters of Skull and Melee Island."

"Then that’s where we will look," said Guybrush.

"True," said Dwarfbeard, "but where exactly?"

The crew put the matter to rest and went to sleep. Elaine and Guybrush in one bed, Greta in the other, the Men of Low Moral Fibre (Pirates) and Murray on the couch, and Dwarfbeard at the table.

***

After the crew woke up, they started the search for Wetbeard’s room. However, there was no way the registration counter would still have his record. Guybrush wanted to see some old friends before he searched and he left the hotel.

He strolled through the city until he caught sight of the Cutlass Quartet among a row of buildings. There was a sign above the door with a picture of two cutlasses forming a pair of scissors. Pushing the door open, he entered and standing before him was a three-headed monkey. Guybrush gasped when he laid eyes on it. Was it the same one he saw on Monkey Island a long time ago? Suddenly, a large man with a red beard and a kilt peered over the monkey at Guybrush.

"Guybrush Threepwood!" he cried. "Lads, ‘tis our old friend Cap’n Guybrush!"

From behind the monkey came two other men. One thin and with a long moustache, the other was short and plump and had a peg leg.

"Ahoy there, Guybrush!" cried the thin man. "How have you been?"

"Fine, Edward."

"You’ve grown," said the short man.

"Er, thanks, Bill," said Guybrush. He pointed at the monkey. "Look in front of you, a three-headed monkey!"

"Aye," said the large man. "He’s the fourth of our barber shop quartet."

"A monkey, Haggis?" asked Guybrush.

"Aye."

"He be a fine singer," said Edward. "Fills the voices of three singers he does."

"He does," said Cutthroat Bill. "Name’s Ooky."

The monkey jumped about and slipped away. Guybrush ambled into the small shop and found the barber pirates’ collection of pictures of different hairdos. As well, they brought their old barber chair with the elevating handle. Beside the chair, holding a pair of scissors, was Ooky.

Oh no, thought Guybrush. "Don’t tell me that monkey’s the barber."

"No, of course not," said Haggis. "We’re all barbers. But today’s Wednesday, so it’s Ooky’s turn to cut. He can do a fine French braid. Want him to eyeball yer hair?"

"No," started Guybrush, "thanks."

Guybrush asked Haggis if he heard of a man named Wetbeard. Haggis’ response was to Guybrush’s expectations and he said he hadn’t heard of such a man. Suddenly, Edward came to Guybrush with a surprised look.

"Wetbeard?" he asked. "He and I met at sea a few years ago. He was a fine pirate but sadly he retired that same day."

"Really? Do you know what room he registered in at the Dull Blade?" asked Guybrush.

"No," replied Edward. "We were at sea, boy. How could I have known? All he said was there’s a tub of gold waiting for him."

"Thanks, Edward!" said Guybrush as he zoomed out of the Cutlass Quartet back to the Dull Blade.

He found Elaine in the lobby and told her what he had found out. Then, Guybrush raced towards the registration counter.

"Do you have one of those rooms with a golden tub here still open?"

"Golden tub?" asked the man behind the counter. "Oh yes. There’s only one such room in this hotel. But it’s occupied, sorry."

Guybrush asked for the number and said it was a friend that was in the room. "A friend?" asked the man. "Very well, he’s in Room 45."

Guybrush and Elaine called the others and together, they found Room 45 with its door unlocked. Cautiously, Guybrush opened it and found the room empty. He noticed the door to the washroom was closed and knocked on it. There was no answer. Then, he called and heard water moving. Finally, a voice answered him.

"Who is it?"

Guybrush recognised the voice. "Herman Toothrot!"

"Guybrush Threepwood?" The door opened and an old man in rags came out. "It is you!" Then, he turned to Dwarfbeard. "Hello, Dwarfbeard." His eyes narrowed and his voice deepened.

"Hello, Toothrot," said Dwarfbeard in a similar fashion.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Herman.

"None of yer ear wax, which you got plenty o’," replied Dwarfbeard.

"Yeah, yer just jealous ‘cause I found Monkey Island first!" said Herman.

"Ye keeps tauntin’ me, Toothrot," started Dwarfbeard, "an’ I’ll be forced to draw me cutlass."

"Draw away, you ponderous exoskeleton," said Herman.

"Enough!" cried Guybrush. "Herman, have you seen anything unusual about your washroom?"

"No," replied Herman, "except for the skeleton found in it. I placed it in the wardrobe."

Guybrush immediately ran to the wardrobe and opened it. There was a grimy skeleton inside with a wet beard coming from his skull. A book was held in its bony fingers and Guybrush was forced to rip out the skeleton’s hands to take the book. It was Wetbeard’s diary and Guybrush read the last entry.

June 23,
My pirating days are over and I’ve seen much. But I must prepare for my last days for when I step into the water of the Dull Blade’s golden tub, I shall remain there and die. There shall be no better comfort in dying as I did. Unlike Nerdbeard, he took the Finger of Life from the voodoo gauntlet we found years ago and set out to sea with it. His doom will be merciless when tonight’s storm comes.

"So his ship sank," said Guybrush. "But where?"

"We’ll find that out on Phatt Island," said Dwarfbeard. "We’ve got the first piece of the puzzle." The crew left Herman’s room but, as Dwarfbeard was about to depart, he peered back at Herman. "Bum."

Herman blew a raspberry at Dwarfbeard and closed the door to his washroom. Then, he sang and it drove Dwarfbeard away in great disgust.

***

The Governor sailed away from Barnacle Island and made its way to Phatt Island. It would take them until late noon to reach there unless the wind would blow more. If anything could add to their luck, it would be no more sea combats with the undead.

Guybrush sat in his table studying Wetbeard’s diary in the captain’s room. Nerdbeard could have sunk anywhere between the waters of Skull and Melee. He must have spent hours racking his mind over the matter because Greta suddenly opened the door and announced that they arrived at Phatt Island.

When Guybrush exited the captain’s room, he found that they were docked near the wharf. He saw the old Phatt prison where he was locked up more than a year ago. Then, he noticed that his "wanted" poster was still on the wall of the prison. He had to disguise himself but before he could do so, a guard came up to him.

"You!" he cried. He took out his pistol and stared at Guybrush through his golden helm. "You’re under arrest!"

Guybrush and his crew were led by a squadron of guards behind the prison to a path that led out of Phatt City. Then, they travelled through a jungle, emerald green and flourishing with life, until they reached another path that led them to a closed gate. The guard before them unlocked the gate and led the prisoners along the path until they climbed a few stairs to a large door of a mansion. The guards then led only Guybrush inside the mansion, up the stairs, and to Governor Phatt’s room.

It was as he remembered. There was a small table with a mirror laid with spoiled victuals. Before him was the elephantine bed where Governor Phatt lay, bloated as a balloon. His large feet appeared at the end of the bed.

Governor Phatt spat out his words. "Threepwood! I’ve got you at last! I’ve nothing to do with LeChuck this time. You’re mine and I shall have you punished as I see fit."

"What did I do?" asked the bewildered Guybrush.

"Switched my books," replied Phatt. "I had a sheet of my favourite recipes in that book you took. And what’s worse, the book you gave me had ripped out pages of recipes!" He turned his eyes to the guard, unable to move his multi-chinned head. "Take him away!"

The guard led Guybrush to the door but Guybrush spun round and pointed a finger at Phatt.

"I’ll be back!"

***

Guybrush and his crew were locked in two cells, side by side, and their possessions were confiscated, placed in envelopes above a counter. Each cell only had one bed and there were at least four to a cell. Guybrush, Elaine, Greta, and Dwarfbeard were locked in one cell while the Men of Low Moral Fibre (Pirates) and Murray were locked in the second where a skeleton lay. However, it was missing its tibia.

"I finally find a decent body but it has to have a missing bone!" complained Murray.

"Fine," sighed Guybrush, "take half of its body. Frank, help him."

Frank removed the ribcage of the skeleton along with its arms and attached it to Murray. Murray turned his head, bent it back, and moved his arms and fingers. He laughed with joy to finally have more of a body. Guybrush smiled and said he earned his trust. Murray still had to have people carry him but he could now walk with his arms.

Guybrush turned from Murray to the door of the prison. There was a guard with a pistol outside. Suddenly, Guybrush remembered Stan’s keys. But they were in one of the envelopes. He could only try to take one without making the guard suspicious, but which one? There were eight envelopes and Stan’s keys could only be in one of them. Guybrush placed his hands on his hips and sighed. Suddenly, he felt something in his pocket. The guards hadn’t taken his small pouch of coins!

Guybrush took the pouch out and revealed a gold coin. He called Elaine to take another. Together, they flipped the coins and watched them strike the envelopes. The guard noticed them and came to the prison cell door.

"Hand over the pouch, Mr. Threepwood," he said, putting out his hand.

Guybrush quickly hatched a new plan. "Why have the pouch when you can have the money in it?" He emptied all of his pieces o' eight into the guard’s large hand.

The guard stared down at the numerous coins and started counting them. Then, Elaine took hold of the guard’s helm and pulled his head to the cell bars. The guard fell unconscious and the coins dropped. Elaine tried to get the keys but it was too far. Guybrush faced Murray and smiled.

"Lend me your arm," he said.

"Oh, I’m not falling for that!" laughed Murray. He pointed at Guybrush with his right arm and mocked him.

Guybrush took hold of the arm and pulled half of it off. "Thanks!"

"Hey! My arm!"

"You’ll get it back, don’t worry," said Elaine.

Guybrush reached for the keys with the help of Murray’s arm and once they were close enough to the prison bars, Greta took them. Guybrush reattached Murray’s arm as Greta unlocked the door. After they regained their possessions, the crew found the prison easy to abscond and made for the Governor. However, lying in their way was Governor Phatt accompanied by six other guards, three on each side of his bed.

"Escaped, have you?" said Phatt. "You are a worthy opponent, Threepwood. But let’s see just how worthy you are. I challenge you to a fishing contest. If you can catch a bigger fish than I can, you’ll be set free. However, if my catch is bigger, then you shall spend the remainder of your life in my prison."

Guybrush hesitated. The stakes were high. However, he accepted with a smile. Phatt and Guybrush were each given fishing poles and bait. Guybrush took his bait and placed it in his pouch of coins. Then, he placed the small bag on the hook. Finally, the contest began.

Phatt and Guybrush threw their poles into the water and waited. Suddenly, Guybrush felt a tug on his pole and he hauled in a large fish. Phatt’s eyes widened and then he became enraged.

"Seize them!" he cried.

"Fine, have it," said Guybrush. He threw the fish on Phatt’s stomach.

The combined weight of Phatt and the fish was too much for the wharf’s thin surface. It groaned and then gave way. Governor Phatt fell under the dock and his six escorts looked back. While the guards were distracted, Guybrush and his crew manned their ship and slowly started sailing away. Governor Phatt yelled at the guards to shoot them but as they did, their bullets ricocheted off the Governor like raindrops.

Onboard, the crew debated a location to land on the island. They couldn’t let Governor Phatt drive them off. Dwarfbeard made clear that Reekbeard and Fakebeard didn’t die in the city because they were in a cottage. There was only one cottage Guybrush could remember on Phatt Island and it’s skeleton wasn’t Reekbeard nor Fakebeard. It had to be hidden, maybe. However, there could be nowhere in the jungle for them to live. After much debate, they decided to let Guybrush guide them to Rum Roger’s cottage.

The crew set anchor on a beach of an isle and descended upon a ladder to the surface. Then, they raced up a hill to a small cottage. Before the building was a statue of a figurehead. It was a grotesque monkey with its arm reaching out.

"Hey, I know that figurehead!" cried Murray. "It was my ship’s back in the days when I was among the living. I remember we used the figurehead to hold flag messages on its arm. Let me pull it."

Frank lifted Murray until he was within reach of the statue’s arm. He pulled it down and the statue shifted back. A flight of stairs was revealed leading down to a dark tunnel. They descended upon the stairs and entered the passageway.

Murray guided them through until they reached a turn where lights could be seen ahead and a stench grew. When they followed the curve, they found themselves in a small room with a window on each side facing the sea. There was a shelf beside the entrance and a couch before them. On the couch sat two skeletons with beards on their skulls. The stench came from the beard of the skeleton on the left. The other’s beard was falling off his skull. Both had their diaries by their side and Guybrush took hold of them. Unable to stand another moment among the smell, Greta pleaded to go back first. The crew agreed and when they withdrew from the tunnel system, Guybrush read Reekbeard’s diary.

May 19,
Fakebeard and I decided that the time has come when our lives should end. ‘Tis a sad moment but it would eventually come. And it’s better than Nerdbeard’s doom, anyway. My last words shall be to recount the moment when Nerdbeard sailed off into the Rhombus of Fire…

Guybrush found the rest of the entry useless. He just had to find out the range of the Rhombus. He read Fakebeard’s diary.

May 21,
This shall be my last entry. I shall depart side by side with my good friend, Reekbeard. I’ve even overcome his stench, which shall be a remembered achievement to me in the afterlife. I received a letter from the monk that translated the scroll of the voodoo gauntlet I found years ago. It seemed Nerdbeard entrusted to him the Finger of Life. Well, that’s the last bit of news I shall hear, for my time has come.

Guybrush couldn’t believe it. Nerdbeard gave the finger away to someone that will take forever to find unless they find Nerdbeard’s ship. They boarded the Governor and set sail.

***

Dwarfbeard mapped out the Rhombus of Fire to Guybrush. Apparently, it was between the islands of Skull and Melee. The range covered from 16 to 22 degrees north and 71 to 80 degrees west. Guybrush studied the map carefully. Nerdbeard’s ship could’ve sunk anywhere between the Rhombus. Then, he faced Dwarfbeard.

"We still haven’t read your diary," he said.

"And ye ain’t gonna," said Dwarfbeard. "It’s my diary."

"Well, maybe it contains the last clue we need to find Nerdbeard’s ship," said Guybrush. "You read it and then tell me."

To that, Dwarfbeard agreed. He entered his cabin and came back a few moments later. He explained to the crew that one part of the entry describing his last day with the other pirates stated that Nerdbeard said some sort of riddle to him.

Dwarfbeard drew on a blank sheet of paper symbols Nerdbeard used for his riddle. There was a rhombus with numbers surrounding it. A line from the bottom right of the rhombus elevated until it stopped at the number 18. Beside the rhombus was written "A=1296".

Guybrush turned to Dwarfbeard. "What kind of riddle is that?" he laughed

"Hey, we couldn’t solve it," said Dwarfbeard.

"Well, it’s only a little math," said Greta. "The rhombus suggests Nerdbeard sailed into the Rhombus of Fire while the numbers indicate the range of the Rhombus. Nerdbeard gave the area of the rhombus using 18 as his altitude. All you have to do is divide the area to the altitude and you get 72 as your answer."

"No wonder," said Elaine. "Dwarfbeard and the other pirates didn’t know math. That’s why Nerdbeard chose this riddle."

"But it’s so easy!" said Guybrush. He hastily took the steering wheel and set a course to where Nerdbeard’s ship sank - 18 degrees north and 72 degrees west.

***

The Governor entered the Rhombus of Fire, the forbidden waters between Skull Island and Melee Island. As they neared their destination, Frank and his friends began to fear that they would never depart the Rhombus. Dwarfbeard and Greta comforted them saying they had Guybrush as the captain. Elaine and Guybrush felt so close to finishing their quest that they could just taste it.

The ship suddenly stopped and the crew crowded the steering wheel. They had dropped anchor and reached their objective. Guybrush climbed to the edge of the ship and stared down into the water.

"Wait!" cried Dwarfbeard. "Don’t drown yourself now!"

"No," said Guybrush. "I’m getting down to that ship. I can hold my breath for ten minutes, y'know."

"So can I!" cried Greta. "I could help."

Guybrush sighed. "All right, but stay close to me."

Greta climbed beside Guybrush and they both jumped into the sea while the crew prayed for their safety. As they descended, the waters became darker and sea creatures became scarce. They peered down and perceived the ship. Then, they swam towards it and entered through a crack in the starboard side.

The ship was dark and debris and skeletons littered it. They searched for a whole five minutes until they found Nerdbeard’s skeleton. Like all his other pirate friends, he had a beard on his skull and held a diary. Guybrush yanked the diary along with Nerdbeard’s hand and then beckoned Greta to follow him. They swam outside to an anchor beside the ship. Greta pulled on it and the anchor was being hauled up. Soon, they were safely onboard the decks of the Governor again.

Elaine embraced Greta and kissed Guybrush, thankful for their safe return. Dwarfbeard took the diary and turned to the last entry. However, the ink was soaked and they couldn't read it. Then a paper fell from the diary. When Elaine took it from the floor, she noticed it was laminated. It was a rewrite of the last entry.

December 2,
I’ve crossed the threshold into the Rhombus of Fire. The conundrum I provided to my former companions shall baffle them beyond eternity. Meanwhile, I shall pass on my finger of the Witch Doctor’s Treasure to the monk who translated its scroll. He himself lives in the arcane island of Bulky. However, I doubt anyone alive will find him.

Guybrush enveloped his face in his hands. No one knew where Bulky Island was save Haggis McMutton’s former captain, who took its location to his grave. He took the diary book and threw it on the deck. When it landed, the covers were opened and Greta noticed it looked like a map. The covers had lines engraved in them and they all formed the area that housed Plunder Island and Blood Island. East of them was a small piece of land.

"Bulky Island!" cried Elaine. "But wait, there’re some words on the covers."

As Murray bent over to investigate, he read the words to be: "To Nerdbeard, The Enlightened Pirate. From (Captain) Monk McJuggernaut". Haggis’ captain became a monk before becoming a pirate. He gave the diary to Nerdbeard because it had the map to Bulky Island, which was east of Plunder and Blood.

They set sail for the small island. It would take them at least a day and a half to reach Bulky. So, they had to make haste and end their journey. They hoisted the sails and set their course. However, they had to exit the Rhombus safely, a task which no one had accomplished. Then, Murray suggested they sail towards Skull Island and then continue from there. Guybrush saw it to be a safe plan and so he set another course towards Skull. That would take them until dawn to reach there, so they started immediately.

***

Their journey was calm and enthusiastic. The crew were excited about the discovery of Bulky Island. When they finally reached Skull, they knew they were the first human beings to escape the Rhombus of Fire. Then, they turned northeastward towards Bulky for the final stage of their quest.

After another quiet journey, the crew of the Governor caught sight of land. They had reached Bulky Island. It was a very small landform enveloped with jungles and a large volcano. They dropped anchor before Bulky Island and Guybrush climbed the ladder down to the surface. Following him was Dwarfbeard who himself was followed by Murray.

Guybrush turned round to the remaining crew. "I need all of you to guard the ship."

The crew nodded reluctantly, especially Elaine and Greta. They had to go along but they knew they couldn’t disobey Guybrush, so they watched him go.

Guybrush and Dwarfbeard cut their way through the jungle until they reached a trail leading to a pair of trees that created an arch. Beyond it was a cabin of wood. They entered through the archway and opened the door to the cabin. Inside, light poured through the two windows and the door. There was a table and a chair in one corner and a skeleton was seen in the corner opposite.

Unlike the other pirates, he had no diary. However, his left middle finger gave a bright gold sheen. It was the Finger of Life. They had found it at last. Then, Guybrush pocketed the finger.

As he was about to leave, Guybrush suddenly noticed another skeleton under a window. It had a piece of paper in its hand. He, Dwarfbeard and Murray stopped before it. Then, Dwarfbeard whispered something.

"Threepwood. So that’s where you went."

"Dad?" said Guybrush. "I thought you were on Dinky." He read his father’s paper.

January 12,
Today, my life shall be complete. But before I pass on to the realms of the afterlife, I would just like to make amends for my mistakes. I love my wife and my daughter, Greta. But, I was so foolish as to abandon my first child, never admitting my love for him. If I could go back in time, I’d change that. My punishment is now depression. I will never see my son and tell him I love him. However, I have faith he’ll find me here, even on Bulky Island. And when he does, I want him to know I love him and I’m sorry. I’m proud of my son, Guybrush Threepwood.

Guybrush felt tears in his eyes. His father did love him. He wiped the tears and pocketed the letter. Now, he knew the truth.

"I love you too, Dad," he whispered.

Suddenly, Murray spoke. " I don’t mean to interrupt, but I can’t believe out of all the skeletons we’ve seen, I never realised I could use them as bodies."

"Well," started Dwarfbeard, "take the monk’s."

"Really?" asked Murray in an overjoyed tone.

"Go on, take it," said Guybrush, taking the monk’s skull off.

"Thank you!" cried Murray.

Murray made his skull leap and fall on the neck of the skeleton. His other body fell lifeless to the floor. They exited the cabin and made their way back to the Governor. To their dismay, it was deserted. Suddenly, there was a yelping sound from behind.

As Guybrush, Dwarfbeard, and Murray turned, undead soldiers surrounded them. The boned menaces aimed their cutlasses at them. Suddenly, water started to flow between the legs of the skeletons. Some of the soldiers backed away and the water froze to ice. Then, it shaped itself into a robust skeleton attired in a coat and a hat with icy needles coming from within its brim. The emerald glow in his eyes made him look sinister and his breath was colder than death.

"Guess who?" he smiled.

"No, it can’t be!" exclaimed Guybrush.

"Oh, yes," smiled the skeleton. "I, LeChuck, still walk among the earth!"

Dwarfbeard drew his cutlass but LeChuck sent a beam of ice towards it. The coldness forced Dwarfbeard to release his cutlass and it fell to the ground, frozen.

"I think you and I shall have a long talk, Threepwood," smiled LeChuck.

Part Three: The Resurrection

Guybrush, Dwarfbeard, Elaine, Greta, Murray, and the Men of Low Moral Fibre (Pirates) were led by spectres into the throne room of LeChuck’s ice palace on Monkey Island. They had sailed from Bulky and kept the prisoners heavily guarded. Once the ghost ship arrived at the shores of Dinky Island, the crew and their prisoners took the underwater tunnel to the area of Monkey Island where the Carnival of the Damned once stood. Now, it was but a towering ice castle.

Water crept up the throne and shaped itself into LeChuck. Guybrush was forced on his knees by one of the ghosts and he faced LeChuck, who revealed a heinous smile. The ice demon trudged towards his archenemy and laughed.

"I could turn you into ice right now and destroy your body," he started, "but I have other plans for you."

"What’s with the voodoo gauntlet, LeChuck?" demanded Guybrush.

"Patience!" cried LeChuck. He faced Guybrush and spoke in a hateful voice. "You buried me in that ice pile and left me there for an entire year! It took Largo LaGrande four months to rescue me and another eight months to retrieve the Witch Doctor’s Treasure. However, when I found it, the Finger of Life was gone. It was with that finger that I could use to defeat you."

"Then what’s the plan?" asked Guybrush.

LeChuck laughed. "Don’t expect me to tell you here, Guybrush Threepwood! Another question."

Guybrush thought. "Why does your army have skeletons and ghosts? I thought it was just ghosts."

"Thar be a lot of explaining for that," replied LeChuck. "You see, when a person dies, their spirit has the chance to achieve freedom. However, if they were buried and they had a funeral, their spirit cannot roam the earth since it was prevented so by the holiness of its burial. On the other hand, if it were to be left to rot or if the body wasn’t buried within the hour, then the spirit would achieve its freedom. Skeletons, on the other hand, are acquired by the use of voodoo magic. So, the lava in my Carnival was naught but a voodoo brew.

"As for your question, I have both ghosts and skeletons because I use them differently. Ghosts are my assassins, skeletons are my soldiers."

"Then how come you became a ghost?" asked Guybrush. "You were buried."

"But I did not have a proper burial with a funeral," said LeChuck. "Enough! Throw the prisoners into the dungeon but leave Threepwood! As for his sister, I’ll deal with her later."

The ghosts led Guybrush’s crew from the throne room. Guybrush could hear the screams of Elaine and Greta. He bowed his head low in sorrow and then eyed LeChuck with bitter hatred.

LeChuck smiled. "Elaine must not hear my plans," he said. "I desired the Witch Doctor’s Treasure for the purpose of resurrection. The Finger of Life provided me with that power. With the abilities of the finger, I could not only kill you but also become you. The finger controls life and so I could use it to end yours and resurrect myself in your body."

"Vile fiend!" cried Guybrush.

LeChuck laughed. "Let the resurrection begin."

The ghosts released Guybrush from their grip but before Guybrush could escape, LeChuck froze his legs to the floor. Then, he donned the gauntlet and felt all five fingers on his hand. He pointed the middle finger at Guybrush.

"Now, that’s just rude," said Guybrush.

"Well, it’s not my fault the Finger of Life is in the middle," said LeChuck.

Suddenly, the finger began to glow. Guybrush dropped to the floor before an emerald blast shot his head. LeChuck aimed the finger towards Guybrush but Guybrush grabbed the finger off. Then, LeChuck swung the gauntlet at him but missed. Guybrush used the finger to hastily crack the ice as he desperately tried to dodge LeChuck’s blows. Then, LeChuck smote Guybrush’s stomach and then brought it up to his jaw. Guybrush recovered in time to take the gauntlet and smash the ice that held him firmly to the floor with it. LeChuck blasted Guybrush out of his way and recovered the gauntlet but not the Finger of Life. He stared up to see Guybrush running through the throne room door. He ordered his ghosts to track him down and bring him back alive.

Guybrush ran on until he crashed into a skeleton, knocking its skull off. As the minion of LeChuck complained, Guybrush took its cutlass and its pistol and continued on. From there, every enemy he met would fall under his new blade and for every spirit he defeated, he’d add more ammunition for his pistol. But against ghosts, he had no defence. He had no root beer and therefore could not protect himself if ghosts pursued him.

Suddenly, there was a fork up ahead. The left one curved towards its direction while the right path continued straight. Guybrush thought it better if he continued straight and so took the path to his right. Soon, he arrived at the dungeon where he decapitated a sleeping skeleton guard and shot three more. As the skeletons yelled at him, he took the keys to the dungeon and unlocked the door. Elaine and Greta embraced him and Dwarfbeard led the Men of Low Moral Fibre (Pirates) to the Governor.

Guybrush faced Elaine and Greta. "Go with them. Hurry, before LeChuck uses you as bait."

Elaine and Greta did as he told and followed the rest of the crew to the Governor. When Guybrush turned round, he came face to face with Duke, the talking monkey he met on Voodoo Island. Duke drew out his cutlass and challenged Guybrush to a duel.

Guybrush had no time for this. He reached into his pocket and felt a can of Voodew. LeChuck must have thought of it as a worthless item. Guybrush took it out and threw it at Duke. "Catch!"

Duke caught the can but then another came hurtling at him. It struck his head and then fell upon his cutlass. The drink spilled on the floor as another can came hurtling towards Duke. Duke held up his cutlass and the can was sliced in half. But the drink continued until it splattered on the monkey.

Duke screamed. "Help! I’m covered in liquefied animal parts and grog! And for a low, low price!" His cutlass dropped.

Then, Guybrush hastily ate the banana he found in the Hex-agon and threw the peel away. Duke stepped blindly on the peel and fell into the dungeon. Guybrush locked the door and fled.

After running as fast as he could to the Governor, he ran into LeChuck’s ghosts. They tried grabbing him but he ducked and very nearly escaped. He continued with the ghosts pursuing him. Suddenly, there was a moaning sound from behind and the ghosts dissolved away. Greta stepped from around a corner.

"Hi!" she smiled, holding up a root beer bottle.

"Greta, I told you to go to the ship!"

Too late, LeChuck came in his watery form and solidified behind Greta, clutching her arm.

He smiled and then laughed. "I fair exchange, Threepwood," he said. "The Finger of Life for your sister."

Guybrush lowered his head and then produced the Finger of Life from his pocket. But he held it from LeChuck until he gave him back his sister. LeChuck slid his hand from Greta’s arm to her throat.

"If you don’t give me the finger in ten seconds, your sister shall die."

Guybrush cried, "Okay! Catch!"

He threw it in the air, hoping LeChuck would have to follow it but the ice demon liquefied his arm and, like a stream, extended it to catch the finger. Then, Guybrush threw another bottle of Voodew at LeChuck. The ice needles of LeChuck’s hat pierced the can and the drink fell over him. Having been released from LeChuck’s grip, Greta ran to the Governor by Guybrush’s command. Guybrush stayed behind and grabbed the Finger of Life again. LeChuck faced him, wiping the Voodew from his eyes.

"I can drown you any second, Threepwood."

"And I can swallow the Finger of Life," said Guybrush.

LeChuck narrowed his eyes and then pointed the Finger of Breath at Guybrush. The air around Guybrush became thick all of a sudden and he struggled to breathe. Then, he held the Finger of Life near his open mouth. LeChuck lowered the gauntlet and Guybrush breathed again but still held the Finger of Life close to his mouth. Suddenly, Guybrush was knocked to the ground by another skeleton.

"Largo!" he cried.

Largo LaGrande lifted Guybrush to his feet and struck his face hard with his bony hand. Then, he lifted Guybrush again. But then, before Largo had a chance to smote him again, Guybrush spoke.

"He’s planning a mutiny, LeChuck!" he cried. "Largo plotted against you for months!"

LeChuck grabbed Largo by the skull and lifted him up. "You dare oppose me?"

"He’s lying, Captain LeChuck," said Largo.

"I’m sure he is," said LeChuck sarcastically.

He stared at Largo with stern eyes and then watched as the skeleton turned to ice. LeChuck smashed Largo to fragments then turned back to Guybrush. Then, he lifted the arm that he used to wear the gauntlet and suddenly realised it was on Guybrush’s arm.

"Remember, I’m a pirate," said Guybrush.

LeChuck saw the Finger of Life fitted on the gauntlet and then stopped. Guybrush sent a blast from the finger and saw it strike LeChuck. Suddenly, LeChuck screamed and moaned with an ear-piercing voice. He was experiencing pain beyond all the grief of the world. Guybrush stared as LeChuck transformed from ice demon back to a fiery demon, then to a rotting zombie, then a ghost, and finally a living person. Guybrush had resurrected LeChuck.

LeChuck had a beard to his chest and was plump. He wore a scarlet coat and black pants with brown boots.

Guybrush eyed LeChuck and saw that he seemed much harmless as a real person than as a ghost. His initial plan was to intentionally resurrect LeChuck, kill him, and then give him a proper burial. But he wasn’t a barbarian. He knew LeChuck wouldn’t chase him around anymore. However, he didn’t realised that LeChuck could kill himself. Before he could knock LeChuck unconscious, he saw the pirate strike his head on the icy wall until he fell dead. Guybrush had an hour to bury him. Luckily, Greta disobeyed his order again and returned. Guybrush and Greta carried LeChuck’s body onboard the Governor and quickly set sail for Melee Island.

***

"LeChuck was a satanic person," said the reverend of the church of Melee, "and although he died, it favoured him. But even though he continuously committed sins blah blah blah. Goodbye, LeChuck, forever!"

Many men lowered LeChuck’s coffin into the grave and then covered it with dirt. Then, the last step came and Guybrush Threepwood thrust LeChuck’s gravestone into the ground just as the clock signalled an hour's time had passed. He thought he heard a scream come from somewhere. But he knew it was a sign that LeChuck would never haunt him again. He was free from him, at last. He turned to face his crew.

"I guess this is goodbye," he said. He embraced all of his crewmates and said, "Until the next time we meet."

Dwarfbeard, Murray, and the Men of Low Moral Fibre (Pirates) repeated the line and went their separate ways. Then Guybrush strolled away from the cemetery with Elaine and Greta.

"Come on," he said, "let’s go back to Governor Island."