The two of them decided it was better not to burden Sarah with the whole Clayton incident at the moment; save that for a later date rather than just dump it all on her at once.
"Anyways... it's good to see you again, John... I was worried at times...", Sarah said with relief and a sigh. "You and me both, Sarah.", John chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Sarah gasped, "Oh, where are my manners? Ladies and gentlemen, bring out snacks for the whole group!", and the whole team happily ate their snacks for the next several minutes.
After everyone was finished, "Thank you for the snacks, Sarah, we mightily appreciate it. We are going to do a mission to save someone who's beyond important for one of us. We can't tell you much, but know this, it will be a while before we can return with either good news or bad news.".
Sarah smiled, "You're very welcome, Emma, and I understand. Just take care of John, hmm? He may be married to you and mostly settled, but he can get up to mischief.", with a smirk.
Emma laughed, "Will do.", giving Sarah a sisterly hug, and Sarah realized that she finally got a sister-in-law at last. Sometimes, she felt lonely with Jim and John around, and sure, Minnie helps, but Emma, she is a breath of fresh air for Sarah.
John hugged Sarah next, "Take care of yourself, Sarah. I wouldn't want Jim on my back for not checking on you at least once.", and Sarah chuckled, "I miss him, yes, but he's growing so fast already. I can't wait to meet his girlfriend, Eilonwy when he is free to visit me one day. Now, git. Watch over your wife, and take care of yourself, big brother.".
"I will.", John smiled as the two of them left. "I still can't believe I actually forgot to invite her...".
Emma laid a hand on his arm, "Hey, you left her to be in charge of the kitchens months ago when you went on a mission to find out about us United Talons, and besides, King Mickey trusts her as much as he trusts you. The top chef of Cair Paravel is something attractive for our enemies, and it was a good thing that she didn't come.".
John sighed, nodding, "That makes a lot of sense, Em. I wouldn't wish to have her in danger, plus, Jim would be worried out of his mind if that happened.".
Emma nodded, "We protect all of the family, John, even if it hurts to do so in situations like this. Jim is safe in Atlantis with our children, and Sarah is safe behind the shield of Cair Paravel, deep secured and all, thanks to King Mickey.".
John smiles, "Have I told you that I love you?", and Emma chuckles, "Three times yesterday, I believe.", and John chuckles, "Then this is the second time today. I love you, Emma Silver.", kissing her on the lips.
Emma relished in the kiss for a few moments and fluttered her eyes with a giggle as she pulled back for air, "As long as you say that every day, I have nothing to worry about.".
John grinned proudly, "Deal.", and they, along with the others, head out of Cair Paravel, to the village, hearing that Amelia and Delbert is in one of the inns.
"Hello, anyone around?", John knocked as they walked into the inn a few minutes later. "We'll be right with you in a bit...", Delbert's voice could be heard.
A familiar man came out of the library of the inn, and he smiled widely, "By Aslan, is that you, John Silver?".
John laughed, "Hey, Delbert Doppler, long time no see! Been months! How have you been?", shaking hands with him, sharing a one-armed hug, and Delbert chuckled, "Pretty good, Silver. We arrived back just a few days ago. Amelia, Mia, look at who we got here!", calling back to the library.
Amelia's voice called out, "Coming, Delbert! This better be good. I was halfway through an interesting book.", sounds of footsteps, exiting the library, and Amelia smiled warmly, "Ye scoundrel! John Silver, you're looking well, and to add to your unique looks, a cyborg arm to boot!", before grinning, "There's another face who will be happy to see ya.", whistling.
A bark sounded out from upstairs, and sounds of running was heard, and the barks increased as a familiar dog of mixed features clamored down the stairs, and John laughed heartily, "Morphy!", dropping down to his knees as the dog pounced at John.
"Well, he's certainly happy to see you.", Emma chuckled as the dog was licking at John like there was no tomorrow. "Might want to restrain him; John's already had a bath; he doesn't need another one already.".
"He'll get tired in a moment.", Delbert laughed as he rubbed the dog's head as he walked over to Emma. "It's great to see you again as well, Emma. How have you and the others been?".
"Well, some of us could be better... things were actually really good for us until yesterday.", Emma sighed. "Please tell me no one died...", Amelia was worried about what news that Emma had.
"Thankfully, none of our team; it's actually grown in a way. But Jason recently started a courtship with General Mulan... and now she's been captured and taken to Pleasure Island which is why we're here.", Emma replied sadly. Both Delbert and Amelia's heart sank hearing that.
Delbert looked at Amelia, and she nodded firmly, and Delbert replied, "We're going with you. Mulan is a good friend to us. Silver, are we taking your ship?".
John nodded, looking up as he continued petting Morph, "The Crescent Moon is big enough for more than all of us in case if we pick up Eric, and of course, Mulan and others on Pleasure Island.".
"Good luck on that one. I'm just still surprised he hasn't killed himself out of grief yet.", Delbert said. "I can understand where he's coming from... I... we nearly had something similar happen to us...", Emma said as she looked down.
John got up, rubbed Emma's shoulder, "Easy, luv, they're safe with Jim and your father.", and Amelia blinked, "Are you talking about your children? When we arrived back on the day past few mornings ago, we met up with Mickey and Minnie. They knew a bit about your wedding and some thanks to Mulan.".
Emma nodded, "It was one of our children...It was the reason why I killed Clayton.", and Delbert widened his eyes, "By Aslan! Was the child okay?".
John smiled reassuringly, "Our son is safe and healthy, but it was a close call. We nearly thought he was dead...If it wasn't for our other children, Emma would have hurt herself out of self-harm or worse...", with a heavy sigh.
Emma nodded, "I never wanted them to be traumatized if I did that. So, I only wallowed in self-depression and grief until our son proved that he was alive. Now, it's in the past, and it's time to save the future, starting with Mulan for Jason's sake.".
Amelia smiled, "Couldn't agree more. The village can manage just fine without us.", and Silver nodded with a smile, "Let's go. The secret cove is not too far off from the docks. Wanna go for a ship ride, Morph?", and Morph barked happily with a wag of his tail.
"Are we sure we can simply just go now as is? Shouldn't we make some preparations and all?", Delbert spoke up to be the voice of reason. He was right, but Emma sighed.
"We should; but we can't spend a few days preparing. We've probably only got an hour or two as Jason wants us off any second. He fears and we share that fear, any second wasted means more danger to Mulan's life.", Emma replied.
Amelia nodded, "I couldn't blame him there. We can prepare a plan on the way. Pleasure Island is about a month or so away. We can pick up food and such in Zaren, Eric's kingdom as it's only several hours away by ship instead of two days on horseback.".
"Good... but there's also a few issues of trying to find the island in the first place. It could be a month, it could be shorter, it could be longer, or we might not be able to find it...", John admitted.
"True; the island is... notorious for being unlocatable by those that don't already know where to find it.", Delbert said as he stroked his chin in thought.
Emma nodded, "It should be...Luckily, you two know the island chain below Enchantia better than us of the United Talons. We can pick up clues and such to the location of Pleasure Island so we can't overshoot it or worse.".
John nodded, "Indeed. Amelia is a great captain on the seas, and Delbert is remarkably well in charting maps and such. We can take a double carriage to the docks as it's normal every day for people to go fishing and swimming. From there, it's a good walk of a half hour to the secret cove.".
"Then I guess we just round up the others and hope they've got enough of what we'll need.", Emma said as the group parted once more to make their quick preparations.
Under quick time, the entire growing group took the double carriage to the docks, and left the docks, walking all the way to the secret cove. John called out, "Watch your step, everyone.", as they made it to the secret cove, and now going through the cove tunnel.
John laughed heartily, "There you are, you ole beauty! United Talons, welcome to my ship, the Crescent Moon!", flourishing with a hand as the ship rested peacefully on the waters of the cove.
"Wow, nice looking ship, John. I guess I should've expected something... gallant?", Logan said as John chuckled, "Not exactly the words I would use, but that certainly can fit.".
Emma smiled, "She's a beautiful ship, John.", and Amelia nodded, "Indeed. The Crescent Moon has served well for time here and there. Let's take her out to sea, everyone.".
"Is it that ready already? Shouldn't there be some extra things that need to be done before she's put to sea?", Jason asked as John shook his head. "Nope, she's usually always ready to go at any moment it's needed.", he smirked.
The team was confused when they heard that comment from John, and he led them to the ramp, and John put his hand on the railing, "Luna.", and the ship shimmered in magic, opening up the sails, the anchor rising up out of the water, and the ramp vanished into a slot on the side of the ship.
"The ship goes mostly manual with hands on, and it's only magical for the moment she goes out to sea or to stay in place at any dock.", John explained with a smile as he walked up the stairs to the ship's wheel, "Amelia, teach them the basics, and as we go further, we take turns to make them into expert sailors.".
"Certainly; you better all enjoy it, it's going to be a long trip...", Amelia joked as Jason clearly wasn't amused. "I'm sorry; you're right, deathly serious right now with things.".
"It's okay...", Jason sighed. "I'm just... I should've been there... somehow...". Jasmine patted his shoulder, "We're all family now, and if Mulan is part of it, we will get her back in your arms, Jason. Just be patient and try to hold into your memories with her. You can't mope the entire trip.", with a stern, soft smile.
Jason sighed deeply, "I can't promise, but I'll try.", and Logan squeezed his other shoulder, "That's what I want to hear, little brother.", with a brotherly nod and smile.
"Come on then... just try to keep on hope, alright?", John asked as Jason gave a small nod. "Alright then, Amelia... let's set sail!".
Amelia nodded, "Aye, Captain!", with a grin. Under incredible time, the Crescent Moon smoothly set out from the secret cove, welcoming the warm sun, the breeze, and the sounds of the sea, with Amelia teaching the team to sail and rig the ship.
The co-captains are happy to be out on the seas, and over the day, they taught the team more and more, knowing that the team are quick learners, and eventually will be expert sailors by a week or two, due to John and Amelia's training.
Like Amelia said, several hours later, they saw Zaren, Eric's kingdom, docking and heading to the castle to ask for an audience with Eric, with a majority of the team heading to the marketplace and greenhouses to pack up barrels of food and all for the hold compartment of the ship with money or bargains.
"Do you think he'll even be bothered to see us?", Emma asked John in reference to Eric. "Who knows?... I understand his grief, I don't know what I would do without you, luv.", John replied.
Emma kissed his cheek softly, "Me neither, but either way, we are fighting our enemies for our children.", and John nodded, "That, I can agree with.", with a squeeze of her hand gently.
Emma smiled softly, and sighed as she, John, Delbert walked through the palace with Grimsby leading them, knowing that Amelia and Morph is on the ship, with the rest of the team out in town.
Grimsby stopped at a pair of doors, and looked at them, "I hope you can convince him...He barely gets out of bed those days...He managed to make it to the dining table today...The anniversary is at the end of the month, just a bit over three weeks away...Miss Ariel was such a bright light in his life. I was most shocked when I found out that they had been secretly courting for 2 years before the whole Ursula thing, but it explains why he was excited every afternoon when he went out to the beach to meet Miss Ariel secretly...And now, four years later, he's still the depressed, grieving, lost man after that morning he found her body hours after the battle...", with a weary, sad, concerned look.
"Grief has effects on all, some worse than others, as clearly in this case.", Delbert gave a somber tone as he said that. "I just wish that she had clearly lived... if not to just spare his majesty from these years of grief.", Grimsby sighed.
"We can't change the past, we can only focus on the future. Which sadly he obviously has been unable to...", John shook his head.
Emma nods, "We will try to convince him to do something else than mope around, but if he refuses to do so, we know at least that we tried.", and Grimsby gave a small smile, "That's all what I ask for.", before turning around and opening the door, calling out, "Your Majesty, the leaders of the United Talons are here, along with Delbert Doppler, the husband of Captain Amelia.".
A barely decipherable, tired voice replies, "Send them in.", and Grimsby nods to them, whispering, "Good luck, and brace yourselves...He's not great in the looks department.", with a quiet sigh as he then leaves.
"I can imagine quite a bit...", Emma nodded as the group walked into the throne room. The atmosphere could be felt like that of a morgue. And this was a daily occurrence?
Right there on the throne chair, is King Eric, but he's not currently looking like a king. His hair is all over the place, with a shadowy beard, his skin pale as bone, his eyes stormy and dim, with bags under them, wearing a scuffled dark shirt with wrinkled pajama bottoms, socks.
Emma saw Max in his dog bed, but he looks miserable and sad, not even barking as he noticed the newcomers. "God...", Emma muttered under her breath as the group got closer. "Your majesty.", John quickly bowed his head before the other two did as well in respect.
Eric replied, "Good tidings to you three. Hello, Delbert.", and Delbert smiled softly, "Hello, Eric. We have just docked for supplies. Amelia is waiting on the ship.".
Eric nodded, "I see. Hello, John Silver. You got a new cyborg part. All used to it now?", and John nodded, "Yep. And here is Emma Silver, my wife. She's the prime leader of the United Talons.".
Eric exhaled, "Many congratulations. But I suspect this is not one for greetings and introductions. What is going on?", with a sigh and a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, well, we're attempting to launch a rescue of General Fa Mulan who was captured and sent to Pleasure Island... it's critical to both the war as well as personal reasons.", John explained.
"One of our group... formed a recent relationship with the general and is desperate to try and save her.", Emma added.
Eric nodded, "You have my permission to stock up with major weapons. I don't need them much around here. And I am sorry to hear that...Mulan is a good friend, but Pleasure Island is dangerous...dangerous as Ursula was...What is the real reason you're here? You could already be going.".
Delbert gulped and exhaled, "We need you, Eric. You're one of the most accomplished sailors there is, and you know dark magic.".