Chapter 21: Dramatic entrance

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After finally arriving at the reef of the village island, Moana happily dived off her friend's back and into the shallow water below. Thankfully, there was just enough ocean to prevent her from accidentally diving headfirst into the bank.

Now they were back, it was time to deal with their new casualty.

But first, they had to work out a way to get both him and Maui on the beach without causing pain to the crab's injuries.

"Do any of your people have enough strength to lift a 50 foot monster crab?"

Of course the demigod's question wasn't serious, and after replying with a deadpanned smile and sarcastic laugh, the chief in training swam back and forth as she tried to think of a plan. If it involved Maui's shapeshifting abilities, it would have to be quick enough and seamless enough to not jolt the decapod, or risk causing any more damage to his injuries. But on the other hand, if it was any other way, Tamatoa couldn't enter the water at any given time.

That would be way too risky. If not for the fact that coconut crabs can't swim, then for the fact that this particular coconut crab was missing three legs and barely had enough energy to keep him upright as it was.

"Any ideas..?" Maui asked, after a few moments of waiting by the start of the reef. This was getting awkward... "Can't exactly keep him on my back forever, girlie."

"We could always use the ocean again?" The wayfinder suggested, a wave picking her up to be eye level with Maui in response.

Hearing another quiet chirp of fear as the crab decisively pulled his legs in towards the centre of the shapeshifter's back, however, Moana had her answer. "Ok... I think that means ocean is a no go..."

By now, both Maui and Tamatoa had grown impatient of being stuck where they were. If it hadn't been for the crustacean's current weakness, he would have scrambled onto the shore ages ago. But of course, the fact that they were still too far away from the shore to walk it; Maui's current form meaning he had to stay in the deeper water past the reef, also made it impossible for either being to safely get onto the beachfront.

Fortunately, it seemed they weren't the only ones growing impatient, as a huge wave practically threw the two onto the shore.

Quickly reverting back to his humanesque form and shaking off the sand that now covered his hair, Maui rushed over to help the decapod who was now half buried in the beachfront. With Moana's help, they managed to get him upright without any further damage.

Of course, the little plan of actions wasn't taken kindly by either of the three, but Tamatoa in particular was more than a little annoyed with being catapulted headfirst into the sand. He glared at the wave that was now inspecting him from the shoreline, and in doing so, almost missed the body of sea moving back to show the conch. It had, not surprisingly, fallen off his shell in the process of being thrown to the shore.

The crab's movements were slow and very cautious, and he always kept one eyestalk focused on the troublesome wave as he made to pick up the sentimental item. If he hadn't trusted the ocean before, there was no way he was going to trust it now. First the geyser, then this...

Just as the decapod's pincer had closed around the shell, the water that had previously been moved away rushed to replace itself. Tamatoa instinctively pulled his claws in, a loud yelp escaping him in the process.

Ok, probably not the best thing to do in front of such an inquisitive human. Cursing himself for his stupidly meek actions, the crab began counting down in his mind the seconds until the little mortal girl was going to ask him-

"Are you... Scared of the water?"

Of course, there it was...

"I am not scared of anything, babe." The crustacean spat, glaring at the female from his spot on the beach. "Just surprised me..." 'Like most things keep doing.' He added inwardly to himself, quickly surveying the conch for any breaks before slamming it down onto his shell once more.