Never in her life could Rachel remember being so still. It wasn't like she'd never faced beings or foes much bigger than herself before. But at the moment that wasn't her issue. She'd turned invisible to search a monster cave for a supernatural stone. Yes, while flying with pixie dust she bumped a pile of treasure but now she was silent. She touched nothing. In a quick panic Rachel looked at her hands. When invisible via the magic ring she appeared as very light opaque to herself but entirely see-through to others. This was still the case. And as much as it was a physics head-scratcher invisible people didn't cast shadows. So why was the giant crab staring directly at her!?

The massive crab squinted at her, leaning a little closer as he did so. Rachel barely dared breathe. Then he did something unexpected…he backed off. Huh? He stood back, focusing on her. Then he…shifted? Tamatoa shifted his body to his right just a little then froze. From above bright light shone down into the lair. The light reflected against the gold on his shell and back up again against the walls. The moving gold dots were actually quite beautiful if the situation wasn't so dire that one could actually enjoy it. After a few seconds the crab shifted again to his left then stopped. Eh? Testing the light? For what? She already knew she wasn't casting a shadow but his gaze was still on her. Wait…staring, yes, but not maliciously. What was that look then? Was that…curious? And surprised? That's exactly what it was. Like the look of a child watching a butterfly hatch for the first time. There's curiosity, awe, and bewilderment. Unless those huge eyes could see through invisibility and had never seen a floating human before. Wait…the eyes. The guy wasn't actually looking at her. His gaze was angled more toward her knees. But why would-? Her stomach dropped to her feet yet again with realization.

It was the pixie dust!

How could she have forgotten! On everybody but Peter Pan, pixie dust occasionally drops like glitter off the person using it, even the Neverland fairies. Even invisible the dust would still fall off her. Now the crab knew where she was. Could she fly off fast enough that he couldn't tell which direction she went? Too late to find out. And this was about to get dicey.

Tamatoa raised a claw high and opened it wide. Oh great. A praying mantis poses the same as it hones in on a grasshopper and is just waiting for it to twitch. What were the reflexes of a hundred-foot tall crab? Maybe zip away really fast? Before he could follow the trail of glittering?

Too late.

The monster crab moved first. And quick! She tried to be faster but it wasn't enough. The massive claw clamped shut just above her knees.

"OW!"

Tamatoa froze. His huge eyes widened. He'd caught something and it talked! Whatever he may have been expecting this wasn't it.

"What the-?"

He shook his claw up and down a few times.

"Owowow!" Rachel started having flashbacks of two fractured shins on an old pirate ship. "Okayokayokay! Stopstopstopstop!" Quickly she reversed the magic of the ring.

Once again the crab looked the one who was the most surprised, so much so his grip momentarily loosened. It wasn't much but enough to slip Rachel down a bit so she didn't feel like her legs were about to break.

"What was-? How did you-? Hold on. Elgh! Another human? How did you even get down here? Wait a minute. You were invisible a moment ago. Humans can't do that. How did you do that? You even look different than others I've seen. What are you doing here?"

Each question was spoken as a demand but there are moments where calling out someone's bad manners wouldn't be considered wise. Okay. She could get out of this. Confidence and a cool head. That's all she needed. Hopefully. Oh yeah! There was one more tool Maui said to use.

"M-my name is Rachel. You're right. I am no ordinary human. I journeyed far and wide and have seen incredible things on my adventures. I heard the most fantastic stories of the grandest collection of riches to be found anywhere and of the great crab who watched over it. Those tales seemed too fantastic to be believed. So I braved the realm of monsters to see if the stories were true."

Tamatoa eyed her suspiciously. "Then why were you invisible? Why hide if you just wanted to see the truth of a legend? Unless you really came here to steal from me," He ended with a growl.

"And disrupt the trove worthy of the envy of storybook dragons? No way! As for staying unseen, can you blame me? The stories were a little vague about the temperament of the treasure's guardian. I thought I could bear witness and leave without anyone being the wiser. Unfortunately my awe also came with a bit of clumsiness."

The titan crab still looked at her with suspicion.

"Okay, okay, fine. I admit I was a little bit tempted. But can you really blame me? Sure, did I take anything? No. Was I going to leave with any gold? No. And, might I add, as one glitter aficionado to another, this cave of magnificence has to be the most incredible of its kind anywhere throughout history?"

Well, there was Sora's regaling of the Cave of Wonders. Not to mention her own experiences with Willy's treasury in the dream version of Happy Valley, formerly Treasure Planet and the trove beneath Monkey City in Paradise Jungle. Of course she wasn't about to say that out loud. The last thing you need when fluffing up someone's ego is to douse it with the truth.

"One to another? Phhfft. You really think we revere all things shiny and beautiful the same? While there is something oddly familiar about you, you don't exactly look it, unlike some," He shifted his weight a little again so all the treasure on his back reflected like a disco ball on the cave ceiling.

Familiar? Anyway. "Are you kidding? My mother used to say all the time how I must have been a crow in a past life. For my present occupation, sadly, sparkles aren't exactly practical. However, I can assure you my heart has a glitter-finish."

From the entrance of the gilded cave Maui could hardly believe what he was seeing. He hadn't expected Rachel becoming invisible so that was the first surprise. After the gold had shifted and Tamatoa woke up he was certain he'd have to rush in to rescue her. But this kid was full of surprises! The last time a human was caught in the collector's lair things really took a bad turn. Then, flattery only worked for a hot minute. As they talked, he must have believed to really have found a kindred spirit (and the subject kept rounding back to him) and he was genuinely listening to her! The stupid crab let her shower him and his collection in flattery and even returned a few compliments! But now Maui watched with his jaw slack. Mini-Maui literally had his jaw to his feet. This kid had actually gotten Tamatoa to relax! And relax meant really relax! Tamatoa leaned back on his legs much more casually. And he let her go! Once comfortable himself, the monster crab opened his claw enough so Rachel could slip out. She remained sitting on his claw and even drew her legs up, a sign she too was comfortable and at ease.

Un. Be. Leivable.

At least he wasn't singing this time. But there was still the matter of finding the-nope. She had that covered too.

"Okay, okay, okay. So tell me, what is the best thing you have here? What has the best story of how you got it? To you, what is the most valuable? What is the crown jewel? The ultimate center piece. Normally I hate it when people ask me to pick favorites but give it a shot."

Now that was a look of smugness if there ever was one. It was almost as if he'd been waiting for her to ask.

"Now, don't go sharing what I'm about to show you but there is something, something I can't have anyone else know is here."

"Something others want? Even moreso than everything else in here?"

"Oh yes. Rumors have it that monsters are looking far and wide for it again. But, the best find the best."

Tamatoa raised his right claw so it was level with the other Rachel had been sitting on. Stuck to the back of his right claw was a flat clam shell about the size of a plate. Lightly he tapped it with his left claw and it popped open. Inside was a small green gem.

Yes! Maui was right. But now for the tricky part.

"That's the greatest treasure? Yeah, I know they say good things come in small packages but isn't that kinda tiny?"

She hoped her look of respectful doubt was convincing. It must have because Tamatoa regaled her with an over-inflated tale of how he found it before finally concluding with why it was so special.

"That is insane," Rachel said in 'awed wonder'. "May I?" She asked, pointing to the Heart.

Tamatoa nodded. He held both claws together so she had a bridge. She knelt on his left claw and picked up the Heart in her left hand as if it were the most fragile item in the worlds. Resting it flat in her left palm Rachel gently ran her fingers over the spiral grooves.

"Amazing. This lovely little stone is the heart of a goddess. This little thing has the power to create life? How? How does it work?"

"Haven't figured that out yet,"Tamatoa shrugged. "But it's only a matter of time, I'm sure."

"Forgive me for saying so but shouldn't a treasure this grand be on display? If this is the ultimate crown jewel of your collection, why isn't it set up to outshine everything else? Like there," Rachel nodded toward a space on the wall. "With just a bit of shifting you could turn a treasure pile into a shrine. Those large pieces over there could be the sides. Turn that large scallop shell upside down and you have a bowl. Angle it a little and put in some sand so the Heart won't slip and voila!"

The massive crab turned to the wall she indicated and examined it closely as she described the idea. No sooner had the collector turned away Rachel cupped her right hand over her left. All in one swift motion she held out her right hand flat and slipped the left into her pouch before pulling it out again.

"Hmmm, there may be something to this." Tamatoa mused.

"While you're thinking on that, this might be a sign for me to head out."

"That's it? You're leaving?"

"Well, um, I guess so? I've already found what I was looking for and discovered much more than I was expecting. I really enjoyed the talk but I have a home too. Do you mind if I come back sometime? I have no idea when that might be but I'd be willing to visit again and talk treasure."

Tamatoa made a satisfied grunt in surprise. (Meanwhile, Maui in the background had to repeatedly resist the urge to slap himself awake, not entirely convinced at this point the spectacle was some kind of surreal dream). The giant crab began lowering the claw Rachel stood on to the ground. He stopped.

"Hmm?"

"You're sure you've never been here before? I can't shake how familiar you seem."

"I don't see how. This is my first journey to the realm of monsters and I'm pretty sure I'd remember a titanic crab."

"I suppose. Unless…" Tamatoa trailed off. He gave her a raised eyebrow look (fascinating to witness considering he didn't have eyebrows). "Dancing Fire?"

"Wow. Nobody really ca-aahhls-."

Rachel's stomach seized up. That was the honorary title the Neverland Indians gave her the first time she visited that world years ago. Very few people even knew she had that nickname and even fewer outside of Neverland actually called her that. SO HOW DID A FREAKIN' MONSTER CRAB KNOW!? Worst still was Tamatoa's expression of having a suspicion confirmed. She had no time to fib her way out of that surprise. But he didn't seem malicious with this new information. On the contrary, he looked…delighted? Yes. Like a child seeing their long-lost puppy come bounding up the drive to them. Oh boy. What can of worms had she unknowingly opened?

"It's you,"

Huh?

"I-uh-."

"I knew there was a reason you looked familiar! Why didn't you mention this in the first place? It's been so long I'd nearly forgotten-I can't believe it! After all this time!"

Well this ball came out of left field in the strangest way. And not so much baseball as a cannonball.

"Um, I hate to be the pin in your joyous balloon but I'm lost."

"You said to call you that. It's all coming back now. Surely your memory is getting jogged too."

"I-I don't know how you know that name but I can't recall a memory I don't have. I'm sorry but I think you must be mistaking me for someone else." I have no idea how but that must be in.

"You mean…you don't remember? Well…I suppose it has been a while and a lot has changed but-wait!"

Tamatoa turned so fast Rachel nearly fell off his claw. She actually had to let the pixie dust carry her when he started rummaging through piles of treasure. Rachel carefully glanced to the cave entrance. Maui was mostly concealed, but even so, visibly twitchy. He stood up just enough for her to appreciate the heart that went into his very animate full-body gesture of what the heck? while Tamatoa wasn't looking. Her I have no idea face and returning gesture had to be much more subtle but she felt it necessary.

Tamatoa whipped back around, nearly running into her in the process. Once re-oriented he scooped her up in his claw and stuffed a golden conch shell in her hands.

"Look inside."

He looked and sounded excited.

Rachel couldn't say the same with the giant claw around her waist again but did as instructed. The shell rattled as she turned it. Rachel tipped it so its contents dropped into her hand. Inside the conch was another smaller snail shell. The first observation to be made was age. This thing had existed for a very long time. The once orange and black surface had dulled considerably. Pocked marks could be seen across the shell like sparse freckles as a sign the organic material was losing the fight to stay pristine. This was supposed to be important? In appearance it was a complete one-eighty from everything else in the room.

"It's nice. But I still don't understand. I've never seen this before. And, again, I'm sorry but I've never met you before today. You have to be mistaking me for someone else." Rachel respectfully put the little shell inside the large one and handed it back.

Tamatoa took the shell in his other claw. He had the look of someone who just had a raging idea train suddenly derailed. Rachel felt awful for being the trigger for the distress he was displaying but what could she do? Mistaken identity wasn't her fault. How exactly that was possible she wasn't sure. Apparently the natives of this world had a darker skin tone like Maui, as he himself told Rachel he'd never seen anyone with sand-colored skin before the Princesses showed up. The mystery of him somehow knowing her Neverland nickname still made her stomach tighten.

"So you're-. You really don't-? I see."

He put the shell back and stood quietly for a moment. Rachel was on the brink of speaking before the claw holding her stiffened and Tamatoa looked to her with a much colder gaze than before.

"No. I'm not wrong. It's all coming back clearer and clearer. It is you. But why not just tell me? Would you somehow get in trouble if another spirit knew we met again? Give me something!"

"I-I can't! I would if I could but I'm positive we've never met bef-."

Tamatoa pulled her closer to his face with a warning scowl.

"I don't understand why you're still denying it. Some of you looks very different but your face is exactly the same. Actually-."

Faster than Rachel could have expected a huge claw went straight for her head. There was no time to react except a full-body wave of panic. A painful tug at her hair preceded a frayed scrunchie flinging away from the elastic breaking.

"OW!" Rachel clasped both hands to her head. "What was that for!?" As she massaged her throbbing scalp her hair fell down from its usual style.

"I knew it! This is exactly how you looked then."

"Okay, I was enjoying your company up until about a minute ago. That hurt. I don't know how to break this to you any easier but I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Stop denying me!" The massive crab roared. "I know your name. I know your face. I still have that shell. Why won't you just admit it!"

"Because there's nothing to admit! I'm sorry but I've never-!"

"STOP LYING!"

With another insane snap of movement Rachel barely had time to evade the claw going for her arm. The second snap she wasn't so lucky.

"Yes! You're still wearing it! I was enamored with the red stone I actually-."

Once again his expression darkened. Only this time he truly looked angry. Oh boy. How did it get to this point anyway? He didn't even know the Heart was gone and he looked ready to go nuclear. Options seemed a little fragile too. This guy clearly couldn't be dissuaded away from whoever he thought she was. And with her arm clamped in his claw, now seemed a really bad time to make him angrier. And on top of all of it HOW DID HE KNOW THESE THINGS!? Even familiar with her invisibility ring and what hand she wore it on? It made no sense and she didn't like it. And now something else was angering him.

"Where is it?" Tamatoa growled.

At first her stomach dropped thinking he meant the heart. But his focus was still on her hand. Since answering truthfully probably wasn't going to end well she didn't answer at all.

"I gave you that pearl. It was my most treasured thing at the time." Tamatoa spoke shakily and deliberately as one does trying to keep their temper from going full-on Vesuvius. "You said you would treasure and take care of it always. But now…do you even know what I'm speaking of?"

Again, she didn't answer. Not doing so was apparently all the answer he needed.

"So your promises were nothing but lies." He growled fiercely. "I suppose your claim of friendship was also a lie? Not like it matters now. I made it through fine without the help of so-called friends. And if you're anything to judge by-."

Very slowly he applied pressure.

"OW! H-hey! You don't have to do this! I'm not the one you're angry at! I can't b-!"

"HEY! Crabcake!"

Distracted by the shout Tamatoa blessedly released his gripped on Rachel's arm.

About bloody time!

The giant crab turned to the entrance of his lair. Maui stood tall, shoulders back and hook pointed warningly at him.

"Put. The human. Down."

Tamatoa ground his barnacle-encrusted teeth together in disgust. "This doesn't concern you, dinky demi-god. Leave. I have business with this human. Or water spirit or whatever she is."

"Leave? Yeah, not a chance. I came looking for the Heart of Te Fiti, and as a lucky bonus, I find a damsel in distress to rescue and get to kick your shiny butt to do it."

"I'd rather we not resort to further violence but I'm not opposed to a rescue about now!"

"QUIET!"

"Put her down!" Maui demanded. "Whatever's left of you after I reclaim the Heart can conclude your squabble with her."

"What makes you think I even have it?" He sounded irritated he even had to speak with Maui at all.

Tamatoa squared his stance and drew up to his full height. Unfortunately to do that he had to use both claws to balance. He didn't need to let go of Rachel to do it either. Her 'umph!' of displacement was largely ignored. From his distance Maui appeared to be only mildly concerned. But so far it looked like Tamatoa was pretty sold on the act neither mortal or demi-god met before.

"Oh come on. You not find the most valuable treasure on this world? A millennia ago you found my lost hook and kept it as your centerpiece. And I know how rumors spread down here. Believe you wouldn't go after the best collectible ever? Yeah. I now you better than that."

"Hmph. And true to form I know how much you like to hear yourself talk."

"Well, you got me there. But this time I was just stalling so she could do that,"

"Eh?" Tamatoa looked down to his claw…which was empty. "What?!"

The bulbous eyes darted about rapidly until they came to a stop to a spot on the ground. A spot where a blue (well, lavender) racer snake had been sneakily trying to get away. Sensing the furious eyes upon it the snake retracted into the tiniest ball it could coil into, fully aware hiding at this point was futile.

Tamatoa's rage had clearly hit an 11 at this point. His trembling anger shook many a coin off his gilded back. He looked to Rachel (who had transformed back into herself) then to Maui, piecing together they were working together.

"You lied to me and now you try to trick me. Mark my words, Maui, and you, water spirit, neither of you will be leaving the Realm of Monsters ever again.

Title Translation: Best Laid Plans