Ballad of a Captain's Heart

by KidHeart4

Heart was seeking out adventure in the stars with her family and their crew. Then upon meeting Captain L'Orange she would find just that and more as together they embark on a journey. They will face creatures of the stars, fellow pirates, and the curse of the enchanting starmaid. Perhaps along the way they will uncover some treasure and something they may been aware seeking out.

8. To Steal a Heart

Chapter Eight: To Steal a Heart

I vaguely heard the knock upon the cabin door the next morning as I watched over Duke. As I turned to look over my shoulder I would find Trent stepping in to inform me, "You have some visitors Miss Flashblade."

Glancing past our medic I could see the worried expression over Wildwing's face. Nosedive stood beside him appearing to be more optimistic. Behind them both was Grin. I carefully rested Duke's hand back over his chest as he slept to then meet them outside the door. Trent swapped places with me to keep an eye on our captain with Grin offering to help with things repair wise to allow my brothers and I a chance to talk.

Once it was the three of us I attempted to start, only to faulter as I looked to my brothers with a sudden blurred vision. As much as I knew what I needed to do, it didn't make things any easier now that I was facing them for possibly the last time. They in turm appeared to feel the same as they attempted to offer encouraging smiles. Then Wildwing looked me over a moment and said, "Make sure you take care of yourself in all of this too Heart."

I hadn't realized how pale I had become.

"You were always the same way with us growing up," Wildwing then chuckled, "If one of us got hurt or were sick you were at our side."

"You're my brothers," I mentioned before remembering what Duke had done for me so long ago back on Puck World, "You took me in without question when he left me with you."

"What?" Wildwing's eyes widened a bit with Nosedive's.

I briefly explained what Duke had told me, causing them both to look to one another and then back to me. Wildwing shook his head, "Well even without knowing that...I knew he was a good drake, pirate or not."

I couldn't help but smile at this comment as I nodded, "I knew too..." Though I asked anyway, "How did you though?"

"From how stubborn you were yesterday!" Nosedive blurrted out cheerfully.

Wildwing rested a hand on my twin's shoulder to state more gently, "When we saw how certain you were yesterday, well that's all we really needed to see. You've always just sorta stuck with us growing up, us and Canard; and you've always been stubborn when it comes to us as well."

I tried to give a smile at this as he rustled my hair a bit, "I am proud of you, and I have no doubt you'll see this through. However to do that you need to take care of yourself too."

"I'm trying to," I attempted.

Then Nosedive dug his heels in, standing his ground suddenly as he declared, "Well then I'll have to stay with you to see that you do."

"What?!" Wildwing and I both exclaimed.

"You heard me! If she's taking care of him while he's injured like that then someone needs to look out for her! Who better than her twin?" Nosedive gestured towards the cabin door before shifting in stance to stand beside me.

As he planted a firm hand on my shoulder he gave a warm smile.

"Dive you don't have to do this! I'm sure you're needed on the other ship. You're a part of their crew!"

"I'm sure Canard could replace me if he needed to, but either way I'm not changing my mind. You need your twin to stick with you as you always stuck by us!" Nosedive insisted to Wildwing's growing shock.

"Dive...what about your own goals, your future?" I asked.

"I'll figure that out when it's time. Right now I know my place is beside my sis...even if it means..." he looked up Wildwing with the realization we'd already come to, "If it means we catch you later...right bro?"

"Dive...Heart..." Wildwing sighed while looking over the both of us now.

"We know you need to stay with Canard and the others bro. You're well suited there, but I've been a thorn in Canard's side since day one, friends or not. Even if I weren't, I know this is the right thing for me to do. We'll make you proud in our own way," Nosedive assured while trying to ignore the moisture stinging his eyes.

"When did you two grow up?" Wildwing asked in disbelief while wiping his eye before pulling us into a strong hug.

"Had to sometime," Nosedive said in jest.

"I love you both so much," I heard myself say while hugging them both as tight as I could, "Thank you for understanding."

As we pulled away Grin now walked over to us and said to our increasing surprise, "If it's all the same, I would like to stay as well."

"I can't decide that for you, but something tells me we won't argue too much," Wildwing sighed.

"You sure Grinster?" Nosedive asked eagerly.

The gentle giant of a duck gave a nod and a steady smile, "I feel I've been guided here for a reason, and I wish to find out more as to why. If I can help your sister in any way I will provide the strength that I can on this journey."

It was now that Trent was stepping out of the cabin and gave an approving nod of his own, "That would certainly be appreciated at this point, nor do I really feel up to disputing this. Though I must ask on principle what skills can you provide for our crew?"

"I can cook, and provide a good bit of muscle I've been told," Grin replied with a good humored tone and smile.

"And I've proven to be quite skilled at thinking outside the box," Nosedive puffed his chest out a bit while pressing a thumb against it, "Not to mention being eager to help with any other tasks."

Trent placed a hand to the chin of his beak, pondering this a few moments. Then he glanced to me with a subtle wink in his eye and said, "Good enough for me. Welcome aboard. Your first tasks will be assisting with repairs and keeping an eye on Miss Flashblade to make sure she rests...I have a feeling she wouldn't otherwise. With L'Orange under her care I can't quite blame her though."

Grin and Nosedive gave a respectful thumbs up and nod, then looked to Wildwing apologetically as my twin said, "I guess this is it for now?"

"I guess so," Wildwing sighed.

With that he gave us both a hug and promised, "We'll see each other again soon. Take care of each other in the meantime okay?"

"You know it!" Nosedive grinned while giving in once more himself.

"Thank you Wildwing," I then said, "For everything...for taking me in with Dive, for what you did yesterday...and now..." I caved in while hugging him tight, "Just thank you..."

I could feel him instintively patting my back, as he had countless times when I'd cried since I was young. This both helped and made it worse at the moment. Though with a few minutes of this I finally took a deep breath and pulled away, "I need to make sure he's okay..."

"Alright sis. I'd better get back to Canard and let him know the changes made," Wildwing somewhat laughed while rubbing the back of his neck a moment, "It won't be easy."

"Sorry bro," Nosedive winced.

"Don't be," Wildwing insisted before saying his last goodbyes and heading back to the others.

Nosedive and I both watched, an arm around the other's shoulder until he was out of sight. Then my twin went to assist with the repairs as requested while I returned to the cabin.

Inside I found Duke awake for the moment, offering a comforting smile as I sat beside him in the desk chair. Without a word he seemed to know that I needed his hand to hold and offered it to me. Yet before I grasped it he reached up to my cheek and caught what was beginning to fall, brushing his thumb gingerly beneath my eye, "Are ya sure sweetheart?"

Looking over him I could only bring myself to nod my head before allowing myself to crumble to my knees beside the bed as he propped himself up and wrapped his good arm around me, pulling me into a hug.

"I'm sorry..." I said quietly while trying to gather myself.

"Don't be," he assured while tightening his grip before having to ease back onto the bed.

He had little choice but to allow his head to fall back onto the pillow, but he looked to me still with a sweet smile. His hand was offered to me as well, and I found myself now taking that offer while I forced the smile I somehow knew he needed to see before he fell asleep again whispering, "An' thank you..."

A few quiet days passed by while Duke rested and recovered. The repairs didn't disrupt much as Trent kept an eye on them. Every so often Duke would wake up, talk with me a bit, and then fall back asleep.

"I miss you," I admitted as I thought of how he'd been the last few days.

I would have given anything to see him smile or hear his voice as I knew it by this point. Even him teasing me would have been welcome. Anything to show that he was okay again.

At this moment I was kneeling beside the bed holding onto his hand when I felt it shift slightly. Fatigue was wearing me down by this point. Yet some part of me was afraid to fall asleep. If her song started while he was in this state he would need me alert. I had to stay awake to fend off whatever happened next.

Then his hand shifted a bit more and I looked up to hear him breath while barely awake, "...Heart..?"

Finally he opened his remaining eye and found me beside him. Something in my chest fluttered to see him smile a bit, "...Hey..."

I fought the urge I barely understood to reach out to him. Seeing his bandaged shoulder helped me to win this battle.

Duke:

Not long after this Trent returned to redress my wounds. As he did Heart quickly excused herself and went over to the desk to look over the charts. I watched while vaguely listening to Trent remind me I needed to rest a bit more before I could move around too much.

To this he added with a sigh, "Not that this will stop you."

"I heard that," I retorted dryly as I tried to sit up a bit.

"You're only proving me write," Trent raised a brow at my now very restless self.

"So I've heard we've gained two new crew members?" I dodged the comment.

"So it would seem," Trent replied while redressing the bandages on my shoulder.

While he explained I still tlooked over at Heart as she read over her notes. In the light given from the large window behind her I could see how pale her skin was, even for her. For a moment I wondered if she knew she was a bit shaky as well.

"When was the last time ya slept or ate?" I asked while noticing the nearby plate of untouched food.

"I ate yesterday at some point?" she answered as she attempted to steady herself by bracing her hands against the edge of the desk.

"Heart if ya don't get some rest now ya won't have strength when ya need it," I said with rising frustration.

"You're one to talk," Trent coughed before I shot him a look.

He simply gave an amused smile and excused himself. Once I was sure he was out of earshot I sat up a bit more and pushed the blankets off of myself. Heart immediately looked over having noticed this, urging me to rest still as I carefully set my feet on the floor in an attempt to stand. I gritted my teeth while bracing myself against the nightstand as I rose to my stocking covered feet. To reassure her somehow I offered, "I've been through far worse an' had to move a lot sooner than this time around."

"Captain..." she faultered while still leaning tiredly against the desk.

Taking careful steps I made my way over to Heart and rested my good hand on her shoulder, "See? I'm a lot harder to keep knocked down than ya think."

I attempted to give a proud chuckle before my shoulder resisted by reminding me I had been shot the other day. So I forced a smile instead to hide this sudden sharp pain. I could tell she wasn't convinced, but she did humor me a bit with a soft laugh while admitting, "I've missed you."

"Really? After all the grief I've put ya through?" I half laughed in disbelief.

It was then that I noticed her reddened eyes that brought my words to a pause. She was trying not to show them, trying to act like they weren't there. Her exhausted form about crumbled from this internal battle she fought and I found myself trying to catch her as she lost her balance, stumbling into me.

"Heart?!" I exclaimed as I supported her.

"I...I'm okay," she insisted to little effect.

Her frame felt so small and rigid against my own. With my good arm I held her up as best as I could. Then I began walking her back over to the bed. To my relief she gave in, perhaps out of sheer fatigue, as I set her on the bed in my place. She did however try to resist as I requested, "Please, get some rest. I'm jus' goin' to take a walk around the deck to build my own strength back up."

She wasn't convinced. The fire she had in her fought against my grip that held her shoulder down a bit until I took my other hand and carefully caressed her hair, brushing it out of her face. She looked up at me with exhaustion and defeat in her eyes, "Captain...I have to be ready to-"

"Heart, please. I'll be alright. You've done enough to look after me for now. Jus' get some sleep at least, okay?" I instructed while pulling up the cover over her as she finally stopped resisting, "Trust me. I won't leave the ship."

I remained there, sitting at the edge of the bed, trading spaces with her, until she at last drifted off to sleep. Even this took a bit of convincing as she protested that she could sleep else where in case I needed to rest still. To this I reassured her, "I would feel a lot better knowin' you're right here where I can find ya. Now get some rest."

Finally she had little choice but to allow herself to fall asleep. Once I was certain, with her breath shifting to that of one dreaming soundly, I found I couldn't help but brush her forehead with a kiss as I whispered to her, "Thank you sweetheart."

Stepping out onto the deck I found two vaguely familiar young drakes outside. Though neither of them were of my crew, who had all been by to check on me while exploring the port we were still visiting. Trent had informed them the morning after so not to alarm everyone or have them all storming in while I was still in the state I was.

None the less of the two the first I recognized as the gentle giant that had carried me back the a few days prior. The second I remembered as Heart's adopted twin brother who was looking at me with concern in his blue eyes. He had given his dress tunic up for a teal and white striped version of the style of shirt I was wearing now. His trousers remained teal. He had also pulled his long blonde hair back into a loose ponytail. On his left shoulder was a tattoo with a duck's skull and hockey sticks crossed like bones in a deep crimson shade.

"I don't recall takin' on two new crew members," I tried to chuckle.

Trent swiftly stepped up beside me clearing his throat, "I accepted their aid on your behalf captain."

The one I recalled as Grin nodded with his apron on as he handed me a plate of food, "You need your strength before you can guide us Captain."

"I'll eat in a bit, right now I need to walk a bit before anythin' else," I said while excusing myself.

Trent walked with me as I made my way around the ship. My right leg resisted a bit at first, but I gritted my teeth and continued. While I did our medic showed me the repairs that were about finished.

"We should be able to set sail tonight," Trent informed me as we looked out over the harbor from the bow of the ship.

"That's good to hear, everyone else is ready too then?"

He gave a nod in response.

I was currently wearing a sleeveless ebony sailor's tunic, allowing my wound to get some air. It was not comfortable in the least considering my usual attire. Though I was wearing a pair of dark trousers to conceal the wound on my leg at least. The latter of the two hadn't been as deep and was healing faster. My shoulder however still ached considerablly.

"Captain, you're lucky to be alive this time," Trent then sighed with frustration, "I do wish you would stop giving this old sailor a heart attack everytime you go to port."

I raised a brow at this, "Do ya think I intended for this to happen?"

"Of course not, but I do think there are ways to prevent these things from happening," he said sternly.

"We didn't exactly choose a safe life to begin with Trent," I reminded him.

"I am not referring to our career as treasure hunters Captain," he replied with annoyance creeping into his voice.

I realized he was no longer looking at the harbor and had turned to glance towards my cabin on the ship. I looked the other way, finding the water below as it distracted me for a moment. At least I attempted to make it appear that way, but knew it wasn't working.

"Everytime I pull away from her she comes right back," I said quietly.

"I wonder why that is," Trent commented before stepping away.

The rest of the day was spent getting things prepared for the launch. Though I didn't see Heart up and about during this time. I checked on her from time to time, as did her brother. Her pale skin had already regained a bit of it's color as she slept.

"She just needed some sleep," Dive affirmed with a sigh of relief.

"How long was she up like that anyway?" I asked.

"You were in and out for three days after what happened. Heart would nodd off occasionally, but she rarely, if at all, left this room," he told me as I briefly rested a hand over her forehead.

"She doesn't have a fever or anythin'," I mentioned before stepping back.

"So what's the plan to get you free of this curse she told me about?"

"Once we set sail we'll head for the planet on the map, but we'll need to watch for complications," I said.

"Complications? Like the other ship she mentioned?"

I nodded.

"You two really have been through a lot together in the last month haven't you?" He gave a pleasant smile while looking over his sister, "I'm not surprised though."

"Yeah?"

"A twin knows these things," he grinned, "Since we were kids Heart's always been the type to stick by someone, no matter how much trouble they're in."

I raised a brow at this for him to admit, "Even if it was me getting us in trouble all the time. Still she always backed me up, right up to when we left home. It was my life she saved after all when she almost paid with hers."

I couldn't help but notice as his shoulders sank at telling me this, "I am very grateful you were able to save her Cap'. I know a lot of others would look at us and say we weren't hatched from the same egg as we claim...but she may as well have been."

"I can tell," I assured while patting his shoulder, "An' I know how much she missed ya."

"Yeah?"

I gave a nod while reflecting back on the drawing she'd sketched out.

"Did she talk about us?"
"From time to time, but I think she was afraid to share too much with a pirate," I attempted a laugh.

Nosedive then laughed aloud, nearly waking Heart. He then softened into a chuckle and said, "Man, that's not it at all! You being a pirate is not the deterant you think it is!"

I tilted my head a bit curiously while hearing this and glanced at Heart while letting him explain, "You see, Heart has a tendancy to over focus on a given task. Whether it's keeping me out of trouble or now helping you with this curse your under. She showed me those charts she did, and had me practice sword play with her when she did step out of the cabin. She's just wired that way."

"Now if she had a chance to just be around you without this on her mind, I'm sure you would see her open up. It took her a little while on Puck World, but when she did it was worth it. Also Heart spent years with us growing up, she's only had a month or so to be around you, and it's all been spent trying to do what she promised hasn't it?"

"For the most part," I nodded.

Then I thought back to that first night with her on the ship. I remembered looking up at the stars with her as we sailed, before she only had a hint at the trouble I was in. Giving a smile now I said, "Ya know...I think she did at first when we met. Despite knowin' what I was she trusted me enough to be around her. She could have just as easily hidden away until we got to port, but it was never like that with her. In a way...it's almost as though she knew me, or at least enough for that."

Nosedive gave another chuckle, "When we first left home Heart had a moment during dinner that night where she said it seemed as though someone were missing, but the number she counted was accurate."

It was now that something odd crossed my mind, something I wasn't willing to admit to her brother at the moment. Instead I then asked him to check on things outside in preperation for the launch. Though he was a bit thrown off by this he did oblige. Then I took his seat in the chair beside the bed and folded my arms over my chest while leaning back, pondering over what it was that had wandered into the forefront. As I placed a hand beneath my chin deep in thought I watched her sleep a bit longer, making sure she was safe as she had for me.

I then recalled the blur of memories over the last few days being in and out of consciouness. Each time I'd woken up she was there beside me, usually holding my hand as though afraid to let it go. Vague moments of talking to her fluttered in and out as I looked over her, leaning forward with my elbows against my knees as I did this. The injuries in my shoulder and thigh ached as I did this, but I ignored it for the moment. Instead I started to reach over when I realized she was clinging to something already in her sleep. Only now did I notice that she had been wearing it since I'd given it to her, the silver heart pendant she was clasping while curled up in her sleep.

Guilt wrestled with my thoughts as I watched her now. It won as I got up and walked away, stepping out onto the deck to let her rest without worrying over me.

"Everyone ready?" I asked Trent at the helm.

"Repairs are done, supplies gathered, and the crew have all returned," he noted.

"How's your leg and shoulder L'Orange? Should you really be up and about so soon?" Marestella questioned.

"I should be fine, I've been through worse," I smirked while grasping the wheel.

"How's Heart?" Norelle asked with troubled lavender eyes, "It's weird to not see her out and about for the launch."

"She's jus' gettin' some needed sleep. I'm sure she'll be up in a little while," I informed them before giving their commands.

Once again we had taken to the stars, quickly leaving the port behind us. With Avarin's aid we were able to set the coordinates for our destination while Heart slept on a bit longer. Then we were on our way, heading for the vast space we only knew of by the charts we'd been studying.

Everyone seemed rather eager to set sail this time around. The repaired ship beamed with pride somehow, announcing it's presence to the countless stars surrounding us. The sails billowed out and we had the power back in our engines to carve our way through space. I stayed at the helm for a good while to make sure we were steady. After a bit Avarin would switch off with me while I tended to the others and then finally Heart once more just as she started to stir.

When she sat up she would find me looking over her charts and notes. Glancing towards her I said, "Ya know I think I'd be lost already without your help Miss Flashblade."

"Captain?"

"An' I think I was lost...until..." I nearly slipped as she got up and joined me at the desk.

I froze as she rested a hand over mine before pulling back and setting it on the desk instead, "Sorry..."

"We keep goin' back an' forth don't we?" I chuckled, "From bein' formal an'..."

Our eyes met once again as she looked up at me. In those sapphires a spark of light ignited, or so it seemed, as I slid my hand over hers. A smile curved ny beak as I slid my other hand to her chin, "I keep tryin' to step back...to keep ya safe in some way from her wrath...an' still I...Heart..."

"Why do I know you so well?" She inquired as I tilted her head slightly, "Why do we know to do this?"

Before I could answer a sudden yell was heard from on deck, pulling our attention away from the other in a reluctant step back. We then hurried out to see just what Irving was calling down from the crow's nest about. Melodia was pointing forward from the bow of the ship as well. We looked ahead to see a large blue planet glistening with the starlight straight ahead.

"Odd," Marestella mentioned walking up to us, "It feels sort of sudden..."

"It does," Heart said with an air of unease in her tone.

"It looks like it could be it, the planet made of gems we're seeking?" Norelle asked.

"Something doesn't feel right," Heart urged from beside me, "Captain-"

"Easy sweetheart, we'll tread carefully," I assured with a hand on her shoulder, "I won't let anythin' happen to ya."

"That's not what I'm worried about," she protested firmly before I pulled away to return to the helm when the ship began to shake with resistance.

"Steady her Avarin," I instructed while bracing myself along the rail of the steps.

"That's the problem!" She exclaimed, "Something seems to be pulling her in!"

"We're too far from the pull of gravity from the planet," I mentioned.

"It's not that!" she replied quickly.

"Then what do ya think it-?!"

Before I could finish the ship began to tremble again. Turning around I would see Heart looking out from the bow still, as though lost somehow. Then we would all find ourselves shielded our eyes from the blinding light bursting from the glimmering azule sphere. This brilliance would quickly engulf our ship as I attempted to press forward to reach her, "Heart!"

Heart:

I opened my eyes to find a closed silk canopy of evergreen hanging over me. Jumping up I parted the velvet fabric to find an elaborate room with fine furniture placed carefully about it. Lace curtains caught some of the bright morning sunlight that filtered through. Without another thought I got to my feet and hurried for the door and found myself running down a marble floored hallway.

"Duke? Dive? Everyone?!" My mind raced trying to figure out what had happened.

All I recalled was that light, and then...? What occured with it? Where were the others? Where was I? I had been on the ship with everyone, and now...

Now I was standing in a ballroom after pushing open two elaborate doors wide open. It was only now that I realized I had been running while wearing a flowing gown that gently grazed the floor now as I came to a pause. The dress of silk and satin clung to my thin frame and flowed in a princess cut down to my feet with several skirts to adorn me in emerald green and golds. At my shoulders the sleeves were bunched up and poofy, but then left my arms bare.

"Lovely, just as I remember you," a voice rang out from across the ballroom.

I looked ahead to find a man dressed in clothes fitting for someone of nobility. A smile touched his human face that I'm sure many other women would fawn over. With eyes not unlike a swirling cosmos, with where it would have been white was ebony, the irises and pupils of stardust. His skintone was that of alabaster, glistening as the stone itself. His elaborare coats of greens and gold to match my gown. His long pulled back hair resembled that of a darkening galaxy.

"Where are the others?" I asked with unease refusing to leave me.

"Why my dear, your companions are safe and sound in the dining hall. I simply wanted to greet you myself before bringing you to dine with them," he assured me.

Yet something told me to step back. Something I couldn't remember. Instead he walked towards me with every step carefully planned with plenty of elegance behind his stride. However it lacked the smooth nature I had grown used to.

"Come with me and you'll see everything is just as it should be," he offerd a satin gloved hand to me.

"Heart!" his voice rang out from behind him.

I watched as this new figure before me paused, took a quick breath, and turned around. While in my chest I felt something skip as I looked passed this nobleman to find Duke.

"I told you I would bring her to everyone, I just wanted to see her alone for myself," the stranger stated calmly.

"Sorry, but I wanted to see her as well," Duke said looking straight back at me, causing my heart to skip again.

He then looked over me as I stood in the gowns provided and gave a slight bow, "Perhaps I'm dreamin' after all seein' ya dressed like that?"

"I don't believe so?" I replied while turning my attention back to the nobleman.

"Your attire was quite worn and ragged when I found you. So I had these arranged for you dear," he explained, "I couldn't have you in rags now could I? Though I would say a gown is much better suited for a lady of your breeding?"

My eyes widened at this remark, as did Duke's. The otherworldy figure gave a warm smile as he walked over to me, "You really don't remember do you my lady?"

"I'm afraid not," I admitted while trying to step back, "I've been on Puck World since I was about eight years old, and I've grown up with my brothers since."

I looked to our captain now and asked, "Are the others okay? What of our ship?"

"No harm has come to any of your companions I assure you. Your ship simply was caught in the barrier that protects this planet. Fortunately you were able to reach the docks of my palace in one piece. However I found you all passed out about your deck and had you brought here safe and sound," he informed us.

"I thank you for your aid, but who are you?" I asked.

"I am merely the prince that has been searching for you since you were lost all those years ago my dear, your Prince Ebon," he declared with an elegant bow, "And I am quite happy to see you once again."

"I..I don't..." I shook my head as what I couldn't remember seemed to bombard me.

"Perhaps in time you will remember who I am. For now let me rejoice over your return to me by these...companions?" he mused while glancing at Duke.

"She's not a parcel to be delivered your heighness," Duke commented.

"No, but she is quite valuable to me none the less," he assured while sliding beside me and resting a hand over my shoulder, "And I owe you my thanks."

Duke's remaining eye narrowed a bit upon seeing this as well as me trying to slip from Ebon's grasp.

"Now then let us join the others and partake in our meal together. Then you are of course welcome to rest before taking to the stars once again," he insisted while escorting us along.

"I guess I'll need to find some suitable clothing for sailing again," I mentioned more to our captain than the prince.

"You have some on the ship I believe," Duke commented while walking alongside me again as we followed Ebon.

However the galactic styled prince gave an amused chuckle upon hearing this, "I don't believe you'll be needing such attire. Now that you've been returned to your home here you should really stay put. It took us so long to find you as it is."
"Regardless I will be leaving with the others. I'm sorry if you were worried all that time, but I have grown up with my brothers on Puck World. That, and I made a promise that I have to see through," I protested.

"Is that so?" He mused while glancing over his shoulder at me.

"Yes," I answered without a second thought.

Ebon looked ahead of us, leading to us where I could hear the voices of our crewmates traveling down the hall. Relief escaped with my breath when I heard them in good health and spirits. Though before the doors opened Ebon paused and turned back to us a moment, "Dear Heart, just to whom have you made such a promise to?"
"Our Captain here of course," I said without batting an eye.

Ebon took a pause to look over the rogue standing beside me, as though trying to guess as to why I had done this, "What exactly has she promised you? Whatever it is perhaps I can give some aid?"

"You have already taken care of my crew, so there's not much more I can think as to what I would need from you," Duke replied, "An' Heart is a part of that crew now as long as she wishes to be."

"You're sure about that are you?"
"Of course," he replied.

Ebon then gave a smile that made my spine crawl somehow as I stepped closer to Duke. Yet there was nothing sinister about it. None the less I wanted to back away from him. He then turned as the doors opened to reveal our companions all seated at a large table covered end to end in delicacies of all sorts.

"Heart you're okay!" Norelle called out cheerfully.

They were quick to notice my change in attire. Melodia tilted her head curiously, "That looks quite different on you?"

"I guess I'll change when I get back to the ship?" I replied while glancing down at the dress.

Duke was quick to pull a chair out for me to sit beside his own that he took. While Ebon took his place at the helm, making note of the captain's gestures. Dive sat at the other side of me with a smile over his beak, "Glad you're okay sis."

"I'm just happy to see you're all safe," I replied with a relieved smile.

However as we ate I soon noticed Marestella and Avarin holding back. Melodia examined her food carefully before taking a bite.

"I assure you it is safe, I wouldn't save all of you just to poison you," Ebon assured when he took notice, "Especially if it would cause lady Heart grief."

To this Trent raised a brow, as did Catalina. The latter of the two offered, "I'm just used to being the cook, so this is taking some getting used to I guess."

"I'm certain it is quite delightful, but this meal will hopefully be to your liking. You need your strength if you're to leave back to space soon," Ebon insisted.

"We should be heading back out Captain if we're to find what we're after before..." Melodia paused before saying much more in front of our host.

"No need to hide in front of me," he insisted, "My home is a safe haven for the ones that returned my dear treasure to me."

Nosedive about spat out his water he'd retrieved from his own flask tucked into his vest pocket. While wiping his beak he looked to the prince in shock, "Returned?!"

"Of course," Ebon smiled while glancing towards me as I sat between Nosedive and Duke, "Someone must have whisked her away all those years ago, but I know for certain this is where she belongs."

"Heart's a part of our crew!" Norelle insisted, easing my jumping nerves a bit.

"She belongs with us!" Melodia chimed in.

"I'm afraid I must insist that she stay here. I have waited long enough to see her again," Ebon stated with a flash of light in his suddenly cold eyes.

"If you were waiting to see her then why stay here? Why not look for her yourself?" Irving questioned.

"I was unable to search for her as it were. As much as I wished to, my place was here. We had no real way of knowing where she'd been taken to," he explained with a pained expression spreading over his face.

"Then ya look anywhere ya can," Duke retorted sharply, "If she meant so much to ya-"

"I would be careful on how you speak to me Captain," Ebon warned while glancing at Duke with narrowed dark eyes, "My gratefulness of your deeds will only go so far."

"Have you asked what Heart would want?" Grin then asked with a stern eye and firmly set beak.

"The poor dear doesn't remember everything yet. If she were to leave and suddenly have everything come back after reuniting it would surely impede things for all of you, as well as bring her pain," Ebon replied while swishing the glass he held in his hand.

"Heart knows plenty to make a decision on where she would like to be! If she changes her mind then we'll bring her back," Marestella said while folding her arms over her chest.

Nosedive quickly looked to me, tugging on my arm as he exclaimed with alarmed blue eyes, "Sis you don't want to stay here do you?!"

I shook my head, " Of course not Dive! I'm staying with all of you!"

My twin gave a relieved smile before Ebon spoke up, "Well either way I must inform you that your ship is being taken care of currently, and you'll have to wait until morning to leave. So at the very least take the night to decide for certain what it is you want."

At this I felt Duke slip his hand over mine as it clutched the arm of my chair. As though knowing my nerves were jumping he brushed his velvet fingers against my skin to calm them.

"I don't believe much will change Prince Ebon," I replied in a respectful tone.

"We shall see won't we?" Ebon smiled still, "For now enjoy my home and all it's wonders. Take in warm food, rest upon comfortable beds, and be at ease while you are here."

"Thank you Prince," Duke answered with an air of caution in his tone.

With that we had little choice but to give in and eat the meal before us. Though Ebon did make note of my avoiding meat of any kind, even teased me a bit, "Surely you would like to put some meat on your bones?"

"No thank you," I replied awkwardly, "It doesn't really appeal to me."

"I wonder why that is?" he looked to Nosedive, Duke, Grin, and even Trent each briefly, "Have your companions made you feel as you shouldn't?"

"No, I made the choice when I was a kid. I mean, I feel growing up with ducks as brothers could have detered me some," Duke chuckled as I said this while Nosedive rustled my hair, "However they didn't make me decide this."

"Intriguing to say the least," Ebon commented before taking a sip of wine.

After the meal was finished we found ourselves being escorted through the marbel and alabaster hallways. The walls were adorned with fine crafted pieces such as statues, jewels, and elaborate paintings. Any of these items would make one quite wealthy.

"You see there is another reason I am insisting on her staying here," Ebon began as we followed him to the ballroom, "And I really don't wish to be left heart broken again."

The curtains were pulled back to allow the sunlight to come pouring in. Then Ebon snapped his fingers and each of us would find ourselves in new attire well suited to our talents. Norelle was dressed to perform before an adoring crowd with vibrant violets and ivory white velvet adorning her. Marestella wore a shimmering gown of seafoam that would have made her homeland proud. Avarin was given ebony regal attire suited for a desert palace to compliment her affinity with movement through the night, as well as a dark feathered cloak to blend with her own feathers. Melodia now wore rather cute dressings of white and soft blue with a bold new dress hat with several large decorative feathers emerging from it's matching azule ribbon band. Catalina found herself in a sleek white gown shimmering of ice and snow in appearance, but looked quite comfortable as the fabric shifted with her movements. Trent was given fine attire as a formal doctor with new spectacles. Nosedive found himself in a sailor's attire suited for a formal gathering complete with medals and ribbons. Grin wore humble, but nicely crafted clothing for a traveler. Irving's cloth body and clothing to be his body were brand new rather than patched here and there, and he'd been given a fresh hat to adorn his straw like hair. I remained in the gown I was wearing. Leaving Duke as I turned to him, in the clothing he'd already been warning. To this Ebon said, "Forgive me, I couldn't think of better suited attire than what you already have for the occassion."

"That's fine by me, but what occassion are ya talkin' about?" Duke replied while remaining beside me.

"Well Captain, the reason I am so overjoyed to have Lady Heart returned to me is so that I can finally have what I've always wished since meeting her," the prince started while approaching us.

Out of instinct I attempted to step back, but he knelt before me on one knee while catching the hand Duke wasn't holding. He looked up at me with eyes as deep as space itself, yet the chill of that void could also be felt through his warm smile, "My dear princess at last returned to me."

I grew tense as Duke stepped back to let go of my hand as this occurred. At the same time the others looked on in disbelief.

"Lady Heart," Ebon said with pride in his chest, "Allow me to restore you to the status you once held and become my bride. Remain here at my side as you belong."

It wasn't even a question I realized, nor did I really need to think on this as I answered while shaking my head, "I can't stay here! I'm sorry, but I don't want to be your bride!"

That chill I originally felt rapidly dropped into an icy glare as he gripped my hand in his with a stern hold. His voice remained calm, but firm, "My dear I did not state that as a request. I wish to restore you as you were and I will do just that by making you my wife."

"She said no!" Marestella snapped, "Or weren't you listening?"

Ebon simply chuckled, "I heard her, but that is hardly the deciding factor. You see, here on this world she holds no point of power over me. Until she is restored to the position she once had I needn't heed her words. So I will do as I wish, and once were are wed she'll see I was right to decide this for us."

"No I won't!" I exclaimed while pulling my hand free from him, "I am leaving with them and keeping the vow I already made!"

"I would be careful of how you speak to me my dear. Surely you have noticed that I make the rules in this palace, and I can make those rules quite unfair if I choose," he assured as I backed up into Duke.

"An' I'd be careful on how ya speak to her prince," Our Captain then warned while smoothly moving me behind him, "This whole time you've been tryin' to command who ya can't. You don't care about her, regardless of who she is."

"You're just a spoiled brat who can't get what he wants!" Nosedive chimed in with clenched fists, "And my sister-"

"She isn't your sister!" Ebon barked with laughter, "Look at her! Do you really think she is one of you without feathers and a beak?!"

Nosedive's blue eyes narrowed into a glare at the prince as he laughed still, "You don't even know what she is! Not that it matters, because she is not leaving here again!"

"Yes I am!" I shouted while trying to grasp for Duke's hand to pull him back.

Ebon only snickered at this before taking a quick breath and stating, "Then I'm afraid none of them will leave."

"What?!" Melodia exclaimed.

"I did mention your ship was being worked on didn't I?" Ebon mused while waving a hand.

From the side of the room a glass bottle floated over with a miniature version of our ship inside. He had it hover over to Duke, who's remaining eye widened, "What are ya?"

"I am a patient man, one that has waited a very long time to have what it is I wish for. That girl will be restored to the status she once held to match her fine breeding. If you were to take her from that you would be robbing her of everything she once had," Ebon stated.

"I don't want anything restored to me! I could go my whole life not knowing anything about who I was and I wouldn't care! Nosedive is my brother! These are my friends! Duke is-"

"A wretched thief, trying to steal your heart away, am I right?" Ebon cut me off quickly before the words slipped from my lips.

Ebon approached us with calculated steps, yet Duke hadn't moved from his stance between us. Even with the biting words continuing, "Did you think I didn't know who you were Captain? You do have reward posters all through the galaxy don't you? I was going to let you go free with your crew as your reward for returning her safely."

"Miss Flashblade is not your possession to be returned," Duke said firmly with a hand at the hilt of his blade.

"Then you wish to condemn your crew?" Ebon asked calmly, "I have your ship, and I will keep it to prevent you from taking what simply isn't yours to steal."

"We'll find another way out, we've done it before," Catalina assured bitterly.

"I'm afraid that you won't find one. For you see, this whole planet was made by my own hands, shaped and cultivated to my liking out of the hunk of rock I woke up on here. I can craft whatever it is I wish out of the simplest rubbish," he snickered while snapping his fingers to show a flash of the world it once was before the palace returned.

Though my crew no longer wore the fine clothes given. Instead they were given ragged prison garb. Even our captain's clothing had changed this time as Ebon said with a sneer in his cold eyes, "I think that is better suited for a vagabond pickpocket!"

"You can change all of this, but you can't change one's will can ya?" Duke retorted while refusing to move even with a lack of a blade now.

Ebon's smile twisted as he growled slightly, "You'd be surprised how one's will can break if other things are changed."

He snapped his fingers once more while glancing at the crew. In the blink of an eye they were changed, some into statues, others into paintings, and a few into pendants hanging from gold chains. Only Duke, Nosedive, and Grin stood as they were now.

"No!" I screamed in horror to see all of our companions trapped in this way, "Let them go!"

"I'm afraid I can't my dear princess," Ebon sighed while turning back to me, "For I simply can't allow you to leave with such a group of ruffians! This is for your own good!"

With another snap Grin now stood as a carved out statue of the strongest stone watching over us peacefully. Tears brimmed my eyes as I looked up into his.

"Stop this, please!" I begged while clinging to Duke's arm with trembling hands now.

"Now for your so called brother, what shall I do with him?" He teased while glancing at the blonde drake, who stood in shock at the horrors around him.

"You back off of my sister you psycho!" Nosedive snapped while charging at the prince now.

"What a shame," Ebon snapped his fingers again to create a painting of my brother now hanging on the nearest wall.

Duke swiftly pulled me against him as I shrieked, "Nosedive!"

Duke:

As I held Heart close to me I tried to think of some way out of this. My mind raced with ideas that wouldn't form due to the rapid nature everything was happening. Ebon knew this as well as he sneered at me holding who he thought belonged to him. None the less I kept Heart shielded in my arms, trying in vein to settle her gasping cries, "Heart it'll be okay."

"It will be, for her," Ebon assured, "She'll see it in time."

"Now then, what to do with you?" the prince then mused while circling us with slow, carefully planned steps, "I really have no desire for a thief such as you in my gallery. I'd much rather see you behind bars, or perhaps dancing at the gallows?"

My grip tightened as Heart tried to pull away to beg to him, "Please let them go! Let him go!"

"I'm sorry dear princess, but I can't let this one remain. Besides, do you really think he can out run his fate forever? A lifetime of crime would surely catch up to him, and if you are with him well...do you think you'd be spared?"

At this I faltered slightly, at least in thought. My grip on Heart remained steady as I felt her stiffen at this remark.

"In fact, I think I will carry out his sentence myself to ensure he can't escape it. As punishment for trying to take what is mine," Ebon stated with a cruel chuckle emerging from his throat, "And I have the perfect execution in mind, for all those hearts you've surely taken over the years...how about I make yours that of stone, not unlike the gems you adore so much?"

A sharp breath escaped my lungs as I suddenly felt a piercing pain in my chest, causing my grasp on Heart to weaken and slip. I found I had little choice but to drop to my knees while gripping at where my heart pounded rapidly.

"Duke!" Heart cried as I crumbled only to look up at her trying to focus through the agony cutting through my chest.

"I think onyx will match that heart of yours quite nicely won't it thief?" Ebon pushed while looming over me.

At that I felt the beating of my heart begin to slow, resisting it's attempts to keep blood flowing through me. I looked up at Heart trying to beg her, "Run!"

To this she shook her head with her sapphire eyes widening in sheer horror. I tried again to stand only to stumble onto my hands and knees. My shoulder and thigh buckled from the pressure put on them and their lingering injuries. Still I tried once more, "Heart run love!"

"Let him go!" Heart pleaded instead while stepping between us, shielding me from what she couldn't.

"Why should I do that? He deserves this fitting fate!" Ebon assured while closing the palm of his hand towards me as my heart continued to harden, "For stealing that heart of yours like so many other gems, he'll have one of his own!"

"Please!" Heart begged now, "Let him go and I'll stay!"

Ebon paused at these words and I felt my heart attempting to beat still as the hardening in my chest halted, but didn't reverse. He looked over her like a cat toying with a mouse, "What was that my dear?"

"Let him and the others go free, and I will stay with you as you wish! Give them their ship, and I will not leave with them!" Heart requested in a trembling voice that nearly cracked my partially gemed heart.

"Heart-"

"You promise this my princess? If I let this wretched thief leave with his crew you'll remain here where you belong?" Ebon questioned with a raised brow, "What guarantee do I have of this? What's to keep you from turning around and leaving?"

He went to continue with my carried out sentence when Heart spoke quickly to stop him, offering without another thought, "My freedom! It's yours in exchange for theirs! If I try to leave with them then may the room I am bar closed to allow them to escape without me!"

"Heart, don't do this!" I attempted as he motioned for the gem to harden a bit more to silence me.

"Careful, this realm will follow that rule you've made if I ask it to, are you certain this worthless rogue and his crew are worth such a heavy price?" Ebon strong armed her.

Heart looked to me with tears welling in those sapphires of hers as she breathed, "Yes."

"Then it is done. I shall return their ship to them, change them back, and allow this wretched captain to live...as long as he can anyway out running what will one day catch up with him," Ebon glanced at me while releasing his hand in a freeing motion that broke away the gem nearly encasing my heart.

Without a second thought I scrambled to my feet and grabbed Heart by her frail shoulders, "Heart don't do this! There's gotta be another way! They would have lived an' ya could have thought of somethin' to-"

"If I had you would have been lost!" She snapped as Ebon gave the command behind her.

In an instant our crewmates were restored and the doors opened to show our readied ship outside at the created docks.

"Heart I'm already lost remember?! If not his sentence than it would be the starmaid's curse that claims me! No matter what without you I'm-"

"My patience is running thin Captain," Ebon warned while stepping up behind her and pulling her from my grasp, "I suggest you leave with your crew graciously returned to you."

"She doesn't want this!" Nosedive snapped, "Why don't you get that?!"

"However she does want you all safely returned to space, and for that I have a feeling she will keep her word, won't you my princess?"

Heart silently nodded her head while holding back tears she refused to let us see. Yet I still did, as did her brother.

"You think we're just going to leave her with you?!" Irving demanded.

"Do you wish to imprison her further by making her go back on her word? If she attempts to leave, she will be trapped where she stands, right here in my grasp," Ebon stated smoothly while slipping his hand to her shoulders.

Heart's already fair skin turned ghostly pale as though his touch chilled her very core. Yet still she stepped closer to him while attempting, "Please..."

"Your options are to leave as she requests, or return to your pedestals in my gallery. You are still in my realm where my rules are absolute as long as I breath," Ebon snickered.

"Sis-"

"Go! Help the captain find what he needs before it's too late! Please!" Heart begged, her voice echoing a bit through the ballroom from desperation.

At this we found little choice but to step away as requested. I gave the command to the others to prepare the ship. Over their disputes I ordered, "Prepare to launch now!"

Seeing I wasn't in the mood to argue any further they reluctantly headed out. Yet I found myself pausing at the door myself, turning back to face Heart with a heart that felt heavier than when it was nearly encased just moments again. Once more she'd saved me, this time only for me...to lose her?

"Allow me to say goodbye, you know I can't leave," Heart requested softly.

"If you do," Ebon warned with a calculated grin towards me, "His heart will immediately become the rock it may as well have been all along."

Ebon then stepped out of the room as I felt the thin encasing cover the heart in my chest. However that's not what made it ache. Her approaching me with restraint is what tore it apart.

"Heart, you can go with the others," I attempted, "I-"

She shook her head, "I won't let you suffer like that...I couldn't...I can't..."

Her words trembled with her voice as she looked up at me. Then she took a breath in an attempt to gather herself. With this she told me, "Please, find the sapphire you need to be free of her curse. You have the charts and notes to guide you through. Win your freedom back."

"While you give up your own?" I asked sharply.

When she faltered I found myself reaching out and pulling her against me, "Heart don't do this. We need ya with us, you belong with us, an'-" my heart hardened a bit more in warning, daring either of us to say it.

So she didn't, instead she backed away now still trembling. Yet as she did I quickly gripped her hand and pulled her into me as I leaned forward and brushed her cheek with a kiss once more. With this motion I swore in a breath of a voice, "Mark my words I will steal ya from this Heart!"

With that I pulled away and stepped through the doors. As I did they swiftly slammed shut to divide us as I watched her clasp the silver heart once more. Then I made my way back to the ship as the encasing around my heart eroded away to give me the freedom she had ensured for me.

When I found the others on deck I quickly gave the order to prepare for launch. To this I recieved an outroar from the others. I tried my best to calm them before looking to Marestella with a quick nod. She then seemed to catch what I was attempting to do and began giving the orders along with me. For we knew if we said what we were really trying to do that his realm and his rules would impede on our task at hand.

"To steal a sapphire heart, we have to tread carefully," I mentioned while glancing at the charts she'd made.

Once we were clear of the planet's force we soon realized that there hadn't been a barrier. His palace was the only thing that shimmered now while the rest of the planet was as desolate as he had revealed.

"He planned this somehow," Irving commented with festering frustration.

"Well that will make it easier for what needs to be done," Avarin commented as we hovered over the dustball of a planet.

"We can't all go," Trent then brought up, "Or it will be just as it was before."

"I think it's best if I go alone," I admitted, "Anyone else will be leverage to him."

"Captain he's already got it in for you, let one of us go," Melodia warned.

I shook my head, "No, I swore to her I'd steal her back, an' I plan to do just that. Besides," I gave a smirk, "Despite his comments I think she's rather fond of me bein' a thief."

"I told ya," Nosedive grinned while helping me ready the longboat, "But I'm still going with you."

"Dive-"

"I'll be your get away driver!" Nosedive insisted, "Please Captain, let me help save my sister from that creep!"

To this I gave a sigh and a nod, "Alright, but you stay ready to get us back up here."

He gave a salute, "Aye, Aye Captain!"

With that we were off heading back towards the palace we'd just escaped from. As we did I asked the younger drake, "How could she jus' give herself up like that? Doesn't she think we'd-"

"Of course she knows that, but that's also why Cap'!" Nosedive insisted while helping me steady the small sail, "Heck if he hadn't tried to kill you rather than change you like us she may have tried to find a way to get out with everyone. I think he also knew that would work, trying to kill you I mean."

I looked to him somewhat surprised by this point, "Yeah?"

"You do see it don't you? How she looks at you?"

"I've noticed," I admitted, "Whether I deserve it or not-"

"That doesn't matter to Heart. What mattered to her was that you live man," Nosedive pushed, "Maybe she's been so afraid of opening up to you because she's scared to rely on you while you need to lean on her!"

"I would have been there for her," I said in a bit more surprise.

"Then show her that now," Nosedive insisted.

"Why do ya think I insisted on bein' the one to steal her back?" I smirked as we neared the palace's highest tower.

Once through the window I began to carefully explore the room. As I did I stumbled upon what I was sure wasn't meant to be seen by any of us, including Heart. At my feet were shards of crystals splintered and scattered about the floor, cracking further as my boots crushed them as careful as my steps were. Upon the walls of the room were carved etchings of what resembled Heart, but the girl I saw bore the wings and tail of a dragon and was dressed in a suit meant for stealth. These mad imprints lead me to an open book resting on a desk and the writings of a possessive being of chaos claiming how to make the power that sealed him away his own.

However the etchings on the wall didn't match my memory of the child I had briefly found on Puck World. Looking at the shards dusting the floor I soon realized how ancient their make was. Along with this I found tucked into the book a single feather, a feather that should have long ago whithered in color and health, though it was a bit ragged from being twisted in ones grip from time to time. A foe I'd never met before had tortured this single feather in my place it seemed, as I knew somehow it was one of my own and yet wasn't all at once.

Quickly I ran through the pages of this book to see if there was anything of use to me in regards to his power. With some luck on my side I would find, "When focused on a subject my power seems to drain from my body. I must be careful during this vulnerable state for it seems to render me to that of a mere human while casting my magic."

With this I closed the book and began my decent towards the main floor of the sand castle of a structure, wondering if it would crumble just as that.

Heart:

Once we'd been left alone Ebon returned to me with a beaming smile on his face. Only this time he was dressed in clothing seemingly made out of stardust and unearthly white that glowed as the moonlight. He gave a bow while waving a hand towards me. As he made this motion I glanced down to watch my gown match his before my vision was obstructed by the veil set upon my head. A gasp of fear escaped with my breath as I looked to the prince, "Please, I said I would stay, but this isn't what I want. You have my freedom as it is."

"My dear, you will feel better once we're wed," he assured while the room shifted to match that of a chapel blended with the ballroom, "You will be as you were and we shall remain side by side as I wish."

I backed away from him as he tried to walk up to me. Shaking my head I insisted, "I don't wish for any of this! I gave up all that I've ever wanted to-"

"My princess, I can change to be better suited to your tastes if that will help you? You wants a dashing rogue?"

His princely attire changed to that of an ebony clad bandit with an elegant flare. He gave a smirk with a dark mask framing his eyes, "I would gladly take you through the stars as my gem of a princess if you want. Just stay with me, let me restore you, and it will be done."

"I don't want this!" I insisted, "You're not-"

"Him?! That heartless wretch that tried to take you away?!" He demanded, losing his calm demeanor rapidly.

"So you can keep a promise to a black heart that will toss you aside once another beauty slips into his view?" Ebon pushed cruelly, "He rightfully deserved the sentence I was carrying out until you intervened on his behalf. It is only because of your vow to me that he roams the cosmos still, remember that! What would he have ever given up for you?! You would have died if up to him in order to save his feathers!"

An instant flash of rage shot through me as he bellowed and my hand flew before I could think, "You don't know anything about him! He'd give up everything if it meant saving his crew and-" Tears stung my eyes as I rememebered, "and for me! He risked his salvation over and over to save me!"

Yet he wasn't listening. As the sting of my hand lingered he glared at me while tossing his mask aside. In a moment his eyes flashed as they locked with mine and I felt a shudder of cold run through my already trembling body. His breath was ragged with anger as he seethed through his teeth, "I've tried to be the dashing rogue, and now the rightful prince just to hold that heart of yours; but pearls before swine as they say on Earth."

My eyes widened as I stepped back while he snickered in a dangerously calmer tone, "I think that will be just the trick to break that will of yours. I will now be your master whether you wish it or not. I may not be able to change your heart as of yet, but your body on the other hand will be easy to puppet."

With a racing heart I tried to speak, "My heart will not change, nor will I-"

He simply snickered still while looking down at me, "We'll see about that my pet. Now let's see you down on your hands and knees shall we?"

I felt little control as I obeyed his command and knelt before him. Despite my attempts to resist I found myself looking up at him as he knelt down to meet me eye to eye, "That's a good start. Now then...where to begin?"

He reached a hand to my cheek, though rather than caressing it as Duke would have he slid his hand sharply to my chin. He pushed on it to cause my lips to open as he sneered, "What a shame, I would have gladly kissed these lips. Yet now there are tusks in my way."

At this I felt those very tusks emerging from my mouth as I listened in frozen horror, "I think a snout would go nicely with these tusks. Now let's hear a squeal my plump pet?"

To my growing horror I found I had no choice but to obey as a squeal escaped my throat through the emerging snout he'd given me. I then felt my body shifting as commanded, filling out the rather form fitting gown to begin with.

"Oh and don't try to run from this, your feet have already been turned into hooves, and your hands are following suit. It'll be hard for you to strike me with them now won't it?" he snarked as I looked at my shifting hands with a sickening twist in my growing stomach.

"Now, on your new hooves my pet, we have more to do with you," he sighed while standing up and forcing me to do the same on my alien footing.

Ebon stepped around me and motioned his finger like a knife to create an incision in the dress over my tail bone. Then he moved that finger in a circular motion while teasing, "You need a tail don't you my little piggy?"

"Please stop!" I begged as pain wracked my changing body, attempting to find my voice as the tail he commanded me to have spiraled out from my tightening dress a bit.

"I'm sorry my pet, but I can't stop what's already begun," he lied, "You need to be shown how much better your life can be by simply obeying. Perhaps larger ears will help?"

My ears followed suit, flopping over on themselves.

"Please..." I cried between my tusks as he snickered looking over me.

"Please what?" He taunted, "I can't hear your words through all that grunting and squealing," I did just that through tears as he continued, "your belly is rounding out quite a bit isn't it? I don't think plump is the right word for such a piggy!"

I tried to push past this, trying to will my body back from his spell. To this he chuckled, "Had you accepted you would have been given back the very magic that protected you from this. You thought you were a mere human, well...you were human until now that is. I'm afraid that dress isn't much of one anymore is it?"

As I looked up in confusion and horror through darkening eyes he only chortled more at my transforming frame and the rags I wore now, "What a stubborn hog."

"Don't worry, in time I will change you back and offer your rightful place beside me once more. However for now I will hear you oink as the fat sow I command you to-!"

"be...?" His voice choked out as the piercing metal of a blade slid out from his chest.

"Normally I would have fought man to drake. Then again you're not much of a man are ya cretin?!" Duke's voice shook with anger I'd never heard him to have.

My body paused in it's shifting transition. However Ebon attempted a crimson stained laugh while sneering down at me, "You want this swine that badly?"

I shuddered as Duke looked at me as I was trapped in this partially changed state.

"Don't ya dare call her that again, especially when you're the one stuck like one ya sick wretch!" Duke snapped in a growling tone, "An' yes, I want Heart back on our ship as she wishes to be!"

At these firm words I felt my body jolt suddenly as I crumbled to the floor convulsing and shifting. Tears wouldn't stop as my hooves flexed back out into hands along with my feet. My forced larger frame began to wash away as I cried out unwillingly.

"Heart!" I barely heard Duke cry out as he allowed the prince to crumble to the floor with the blade still through his chest, not allowing him to recover.

Duke:

In seconds I was kneeling beside Heart, pulling off my coat and draping it over her changing form in one swift motion. As the warm fabric settled I quickly swept her up in my arms as she trembled from the change back, "I've got ya Heart, it's okay!"

She wimpered as her face shifted back to the one I was familiar with, the tusks shrinking back to lower canines as she gasped and clung to me. Her convulsing frame curled up in my arms as she used strength she didn't have to hold onto me. Not taking any more time I made a break for the doors just as I felt the castle beginning to quake with in outrage for it's impaled master. The doors attempted to bar our way as I managed to twist my frame with hers to slip out in time. The docks before us tried to break away as well as we ran towards them, causing us to pause. Heart still shifted through her change back, begging me, "Please!"

"Heart listen, it's me, I won't let him hurt ya anymore! I've got ya back!" I assured her while looking for a way out, "You're safe sweetheart!"

Just as the ground beneath us was about to give out I looked up just as Nosedive cae rushing towards us from above. He pulled the lever to unfurl the sail he'd had to fold to dart towards us as he did. In doing so he reached out to me as I quickly handed him his sister that almost tore my shirt front clinging to me.

"Come on Cap'!" Nosedive shouted while setting her down in his one armed grip to reach out for me.

As the ground beneath me tried to shake my stance I took a leap and managed to grab a hold of his forearm. Then with his aid and my own strength I was hoisted up into the long boat. With Nosedive taking control of the longboat I quickly reached back out to Heart and pulled her into my arms again. In seconds we shot back up towards our ship while I held Heart steady against me to assure her, "I've got ya!"

"Duke?" She finally choked out in a wisp of a voice, "Dive?"

All I could think to do was hold her tightly, my own self shaken after seeing her in such a state of pain and fear, "We've got ya Heart. You're safe."

I didn't think she'd ever let go of me this time, nor did I think I could let go as she clung to me. Even the cheers that met us upon returning didn't shake me of this feeling as I hopped over the side of the ship with her in my grasp.

"What happened to her?!" Marestella exclaimed.

"What matters is that she's safe, now let's get goin'!" I ordered sharply.

"Of course captain!" Norelle said with some shock in her eyes at my tone.

When I carried Heart to the cabin we would feel the ship being readied for the faster jump I ordered for. I carefully placed Heart on the bed, and in doing so I found her clothes changed back to the ones she favored, proving his spell wouldn't linger. Then I braced for us both as the ship darted away from what was now a crumbling planet, erasing any evidence of what ever happened before and now. When we were steadily sailing again I pulled away from shielding her and looked over the now passed out woman still partially in my arms. Her hand that wasn't clutching my shirt clasped the silver heart in the iron grip she had again. I then gently caressed her cheek, making sure she knew somehow that she was just as I had always known her.

Her answer to this was her weary eyes opening and a breath of a voice, "...Duke?"

"It's okay now sweetheart," I assured her with a breath of relief, "I stole ya from him an' his spell."

"Th-Thank you..." she attempted in short gasps as I caressed her cheek.

"Of course darlin'," I said while trying to give a smile to mask my own lingering fears.

When I went to pull away she quickly tried to get up, reaching for my hand that she grasped. Without another word I crept onto the bed and pulled her close to me while she curled up against me. For a while after this I didn't dare move. All I did was hold her, grateful I had been able to steal her away this time.