Do you know how crazy this chapter is going to be?! Like at all?! I have had this in my head for the past SEVENTEEN CHAPTERS! And I still couldn't write it like I wanted!

ANYWAYS!

I.O.N.

Enjoy!

Kim instantly dove into the water after Alix, only to drag an unconscious body back covered in blood.

Ivan and Nino managed to haul them both up back onto Tikki as Kim steadfastly refused to let go of Alix's limp body.

It was only when Tom pulled his son into a fierce hug that the young man broke out sobbing, "She's gonna be alright, right Dad?" Tom could only hug him tighter. Sabine was at Alix's side doing her best to staunch the bleeding from the younger girl's head and whispering useless platitudes to Alix.

"Alya go find Mendeleiev," Sabine ordered. "She can help." Alya nodded mutely and rushed off, guiltily happy to get away from the nightmare scene. The other four captains couldn't help but feel helpless.

Adrien couldn't tear his eyes away from how still the usually vibrant Alix was, and Gabriel had to physically move him away.

Chloe had sunk to the ground, eyes glassy as she watched everything happen around her.

Nino was staring at the blood on his hands. He had been the one to haul most of Alix up in the first place and now his hands were coated in his sister's blood.

Marinette was hugging herself shaking and quietly crying, trying to keep herself together in case they needed her.

The rest of the crew was giving the group space, as Mylene had had the forethought of ushering Ella, Etta, and Manon away from the scene.

Alya came rushing back with an older woman in a dirty white overcoat and cracked glasses close behind. "We need to get her below deck," Mendeleiev said without preamble. Marinette stepped up, the others not far behind her, and carried Alix to Tikki's medical room, where Mendeleiev immediately got to work.

She cleaned and stitched the gash on the back of Alix's head, before taking a look at the rest of her for any other clear signs of distress. "Oh my..." Mendeleiev sighed.

"What? What's wrong?" Chloe demanded.

The doctor didn't say anything, just adjusted the unconscious girl until the family could see Alix's mangled right hand. Horror found the faces of everyone in the room. Quietly Mendeleiev told them the news, "Something must have happened between the time that bastard pulled her under and Kim pulled her out. But as it is now, there is no way for Alix to keep her hand and live." Taking a quiet breath Mendeleiev continued, "It is also possible that she may not wake up from this due to her head wound and even if she does, there is the very real possibility of brain damage." Chloe looked like she was about to be sick. Mendeleiev sighed and said, "I'll leave you alone to think over your options." before leaving the family in silence.

Then Sabine said, "Take the hand." It was a quiet command but powerful nonetheless. Mendeleiev looked for anyone to disagree but all she found was resignation. "Please, Madaline. If it will increase my daughter's chance at living... then take the hand." Sabine reached out.

"Everyone get out. None of you should see this."

Back at King Ali's castle, Duusuu felt something happen to Alix. There was nothing she could do as a ship, so Duusuu used up one of her final wishes to become human for the remainder of the night so that she could help her captain. The rest of the crew were sleeping in the castle as per the King's request so Duusuu found it easy to sneak aboard Nooroo and convince him to sail to where Tikki was housing their captains.

Nooroo knew where he was going and that gave Duusuu plenty of time to worry and fret about what had happened to her captain. When they finally arrived next to Tikki, Duusuu had just about given in to the bubbling panic she felt. Before she jumped onto the other ship, Nooroo sent Duusuu a wave of reassurance. "Thank you for that, Darling," Duusuu said patting the railing, "You always know how to make me feel better." Then she jumped across to Tikki.

Taking a deep breath the peacock whispered to the listening ship, "Where is she?" Before following the wave of concern Tikki was sending towards the medical room.

When Duusuu saw the unconscious form of Alix she nearly burst into tears. Tears did slide, unwelcome, down her face when she saw the extent of the damage, "Oh, my poor Darling! We were going to have so many adventures together!" The peafowl themed woman allowed herself five minutes to mourn and grieve all that had been lost before pressing a kiss to her captain's forehead and whispering as she left, "Wake up soon Alix."

When Alix finally regained consciousness two days later, it was to the pounding of her head, the sound of hushed conversations and a rather concerning voice in her mind screaming at her that something was wrong. She must have groaned or made some noise because suddenly her family was around her. Kim tried to ask her something, but even though he was crouching right in front of her, Alix could barely hear what he was saying.

Alix could see the worry and panic start to well up in his eyes, and she immediately went to comfort him, but the moment she raised her right hand, what was supposed to be her hand, all she saw was a bandaged stump. Horror welled up in her stomach and threatened to make her return any food she'd eaten recently. She clutched the bandaged stump to her chest and tried to fight the tears. For a moment she didn't even remember how it happened.

Then it all came rushing back. The wedding, Dylan threatening Tom and Sabine, the battle, Ivan clubbing Dylan, the relieved smile Kim shot her when they thought it was all over, Dylan rushing her, Dylan tackling her over the edge of his ship, unimaginable pain flaring in her right hand, sharp pain in the back of her head, and then nothing.

Now, Alix didn't fight the tears, she was too shocked. Next thing she realized, Kim was crushing her to his chest in the tightest hug he'd ever given. But she hardly felt it. 'What am I going to do now? I can't be a Captain with no hearing! What changed? Why didn't I see this coming?'

Their family waited for them and when Kim finally released Alix, who for the most part had slipped into a dazed calm, it was to the loving arms of Tom and Sabine, the parents in everything save blood. It was only when Sabine held her daughter when Kim and their siblings surrounded her when Tom encompassed all of them, only then did Alix allow herself to truly breakdown. Sobs that she could barely hear echoing around like a tidal wave.

SO! That happened.

Hope you enjoyed!

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See ya next time!