Episode 32:

Nightmare Returns

-Freddie-

Freddie fingered the rows of razor-sharp teeth with a smirk, "You didn't put up much of a fight, now did you?" She cackled and tossed the jaw towards the corner of her cabin with its friend's remains.

It landed hard causing blood to splatter against the wall and it sent up an accompanying foul stench. Freddie scowled from her lounging position on the bed, "Spectra!"

The room chilled as Spectra entered the captain's quarters, "You called?"

"The meeting is over," Freddie pointed to the pile of corpses in the corner, "How long were you planning to leave this mess?"

Spectra gestured upward, "Ah, I apologize, we spotted Snail Isle a while ago and-"

"Snail Isle!" Freddie hopped out of bed and ran out of the cabin, "Why didn't you tell me earlier!"

"You said to not disturb you when you were negotiating."

"And so I did."

A shadow spirit hissed dark atrocities in her ear. Freddie grinned as she made her way to the helm, "All in due time."

The wind whipped her hair as her ship The Formidable cut the foaming waves. She raised her hand as they approached the narrow opened of Snail Isle.

Melody, in the crow's nest, raised the banner of the school, a goshawk with a skull in its talons. A man in the guard shack responded with a yodel as he turned the island.

Freddie marveled at the sight. Waves raised and rolled as her ship was swallowed by the entrance. She cut the spun the wheel of the helm. The barrier of the school washed over her as the curse of the isle made her body tingle in recognition. She cackled and steered around the sharp bend towards the docks of the grand entrance. Her crew and the shadows hustled to and fro as the anchor was dropped and the ship came to a halt.

"Take care of the cargo," she tossed over her shoulder as she leaped from the deck.

As her foot touched the shore the shadows of the sea returned from whence they came. She stalked towards the main door and held up her key. A shimmer of blue light ran up the door and stopped at the clock. When the doors opened she spotted the throng of students in the main hall. All heads turned towards the open door.

"Oh my~ look at this warm reception." Freddie fanned herself, "I know, I'm amazing. And, I came bearing gifts for my alma mater. Now move out of my way, Staff Sergeant Facilier is coming through."

Mal's eyes shifted to green as she held up her arm, "Freddie."

Freddie rushed forward and laced their fingers together, "Ah, my favorite little bad girl gone good." She pulled her close and whispered against her ear, "I'm one step closer to ruling the seas." She leaned back and grinned, "And one of the first things I'll do when I get back is unleash the shadows on that happily ever after you've built."

Mal wrenched her hand away, "If you harm him-"

"Come on Mal, no hard feelings. I'm just doing what villains do best," Freddie cackled, "Or did you actually believe all that 'I've got good in me' crap?"

"For starters, I never trusted you."

Freddie lashed out and gripped Mal's throat as her mood soured, "No, you didn't." She shoved Mal onto the floor, "Not that I could ever go good anyways."

Raven assisted Mal off the floor as the rest of the current seniors pushed the underclassmen back to part the way.

Melody, Duchess, and Spectra dragged multiple treasure chests into the hall as they unloaded the ship.

Freddie glanced around the hallway for an LT but spotted a familiar frosted yeti. She scanned the crowd in the hallway and purred, "My oh my, so many familiar faces but where is my favorite private? Could she be hiding?"

She put her hand to her lips and blew a kiss down the hall. The shadows of everyone present elongated to merge in the shape of a door. Freddie pulled the shadow key from the brand on her chest and opened it which released the shadow spirits of the school.

She pointed to several chests, "Go and deliver these chests to the LTs, I had them labeled so don't mess up the deliveries."

Four spirits became a shadow cart and loaded the treasure onto themselves before whirling down the hall.

Freddie turned to another set of spirits and waggled her fingers, "And you can help my star-struck underclassmen to their next location."

The spirits turned and chased the students down the hall, pulling, scratching and biting at everyone.

Freddie laughed as a spirit brought her a skirt, "For me, you shouldn't have."

It changed shape, imitating the visage of the person it stole from and Freddie laughed, "Well I should give it back."

She followed the spirits to the chow hall and kicked the door open.

Freddie stood in the middle of the chow hall as she twirled the skirt above her head, "Bare butt Boogey must have been in a hurry to get to chow since she left her clothes behind. What gives Quickstep? You know you are not supposed to go anywhere without all uniform items on your person. Why don't you dance your way on over here and get your clothes?"

All heads turned to Twyla who cowered at a table.

When she disappeared from view, Freddie growled, "Dammit Billy! If I wanted you to retrieve Boogey, I would have asked you to retrieve Boogey. As it stands. I…did…not!"

She grabbed a dagger from her belt and tossed it in Billy's general direction. She heard a grunt as Twyla became visible once more with a shirt tied around her waist.

Freddie flicked her wrist and the dagger returned to her hand. She stared at its chipped edge, "Looks like I hit my mark, sort of…" She shook her head and held out the skirt, "Anyways Boogey, you should know that a female student will not wear anything that pertains to a male student, take that off and come get your skirt."

Twyla held her head high as she neared.

Freddie rolled her eyes and pointed. Within three steps not only had the spirits torn Billy's shirt from her waist, but they had also snatched her panties. Twyla screamed as she covered herself and ran out of the chow hall.

Freddie laughed, "Boogey, you forgot your clothes."

A smack to her hand drew her attention to the hall. She growled as the skirt disappeared, "Billy!" She reached forward but caught air. She clenched her fist, "Show yourself!"

The chow hall doors opened and closed. She narrowed her eyes with her hands on her hips, "Well, it looks like someone's forgotten whose in charge."

Spectra hovered near her with a tray of food, "Perhaps a meal might lift your spirits?"

Freddie grabbed a cinnamon roll, "It just might." She glared, "Why are you eating? Go make some deliveries."

Spectra handed her the tray with a sigh, "On it."

Freddie's eyes widened as she stared at the food, "Mmm, it must be Friday!" She walked to the guest table that overlooked the enter chow hall and took a seat, "Ducky, remind me to let us stay for dinner."

Duchess stabbed at her salad as she frowned, "Yes Freddie."

Freddie cut her eyes towards her, "Is that attitude I detect?"

Duchess stared intently at her plate as she shook her head, "No. I wouldn't dream of it."

"Good, you and Melody hurry with your food. I expect you to help with deliveries so I can claim my prize."

"Would you like me to deliver the one to Captain Jones?"

Freddie licked her teeth as she considered it, "No. I'll deliver that one myself."

She consumed her meal in a matter of minutes and tossed her tray to Melody as she hopped over the table to retrieve her chest from the pile.

Freddie's eyes scanned to and fro at the ominous door of Captain Jones. She took a deep breath and stepped forward. The magic curled back but as she raised her fist to knock the door opened of its own accord.

Captain Jones sat behind her desk, "Well, well, well, who do we have here."

"Staff Sergeant Facilier reports as ordered."

"And so you shall," She curled her fingers in invitation, "By all means, show me what treasures, you've brought."

Freddie entered, her body rigid as she entered the presence of Captain Jones. The captain may have been smiling but the dark aura she emitted promised a painful death if crossed. Freddie held her head high as she tried to exude confidence, "I brought you something."

Captain Jones tilted her head as she balanced her chin on her fingers, "Did you now?"

"It's a simple thing, no big deal really, but I heard you liked to collect watches and this company's products were all lost in a fire in the 1950s." She held out the small chest, "Turns out there was one left in this world with your name on it."

Captain Jones accepted the small chest and opened it, " A Cortébert!" She smiled, "A dead brand brought back to life in my office." She cut her eyes towards Freddie, "I suppose you'll want a reward for this."

Freddie tried to maintain a nonchalant tone as she curtsied, "If you feel so inclined."

"While I am impressed I expected more out of you."

Freddie grit her teeth. She inhaled and exhaled as she shrugged, "My crew is still unloading the ship. Who's to say that's the only watch I've unearthed."

"Unearthed indeed," Captain Jones snapped the chest shut, "But I'm sure it will be just as predictable as this. I mean really, if you can unearth a dead watch brand, you are more than capable of handling something more legendary."

Freddie leaned forward, "You have my attention."

Captain Jones giggled, "I had hoped it would, for you see, I require the heavenly seal. You know the one, its made of imperial jade, has the inscription of the mandate of heaven. You might look in the forbidden city to get an idea for what they lost and search from there."

Freddie quirked a brow, "A jade seal, that's it? Not that I'm complaining but how would that be legendary?"

"It is far more than just a pretty rock. If someone dies with it in their possession it grants them a one-way ticket back to life," Captain Jones tossed the chest with the watch on a shelf with a sigh, "But if you think such a treasure is too easy…."

She pursed her lips, "Well, locate the last of the Aboab family. I don't know where they are as they are very elusive. They have knowledge of a truly legendary treasure. I lost them a few hundred years back in these very seas. If you find them, you'll find a truly legendary treasure." She tilted her head and smiled, "If you are unable, I suggest you travel to the forbidden city. I have a date with destiny."

She held up a finger as Freddie turned to leave, "And one more thing. It won't matter how many letters of recommendation my teachers give you for a legendary boon if I don't get what I want, you won't either."

Freddie nodded, "Thank you for your time, Captain Jones."

"Time is running short, Staff Sergeant Facilier, you only have three more years to find something truly legendary. I suggest you hurry."

Freddie turned on her heel and exited the office. When the doors were closed a shadow spirit floated up to her. She scowled, "She's still trying to avoid her death. Don't worry. I'll kill her if its the last thing I do."