Returning to the islands delivered an unpleasant surprise. Interceptor was met by Haleakala who had tears in her eyes. Kohala bowed her head. "Kahalui?" She asked. "It's time Kohala." Haleakala replied grimly. The brig growled lowly and moved over, forcing his way through any interference to Haleakala's side. "Don't you dare. I've lost too many of those I loved to lose anymore once we've reached paradise...You can't." he whispered, his golden eyes full of desperation. Haleakala nuzzled him. "There is nothing you can do. My sister's fire has gone." Kahalui had always been so kind to Interceptor. Like Kohala she was wise and gentle. Her hull was coated in a dark sheen of sweat, despite this she was ice cold to the touch. She looked up at her sister and Interceptor and offered him a sweet smile. "No! None of you can go! I can't, I can't lose anymore! I can't!" he cried out, his rigging and lines shaking. "Interceptor, for us death is a relief. As a mortal you can't understand. But to have lived as long as I have…" She broke off, shaking in Haleakala's grip. She gave one last gasp and then she was still. Her black hull turned gray and almost instantly sank, the sea frothing before it too settled over her.

He screamed out in shock and defiance, staring down at the sea where she had vanished, expression full of grief and horror. Pearl and Kohala pressed against his flanks, each rubbing their muzzles across his decks in comfort. He leaned into them, trying to steady his breathing. "I promised to protect these islands, to protect you all. She, she can't be gone...not before I could fulfill that promise..." "She was weak for some time Interceptor. None of us blame you." Kohala assured him. "I can't claim to know Kahuali well but she was always so kind to me. I know she wouldn't hold anything against you either." Pearl assured him. "Those hunters...where were they last seen?" he whispered, his sadness immediately turning to anger. "Interceptor, they weren't responsible. Kahalui's time had come. No mortal can kill us." Mauna Loa said. Kilauea however sighed. "Last I looked headed due west as fast as they could go. Presumably to report back on the island paradise they found. I know they put ashore in Kaui." His eyes widened and his sails immediately dropped. "The British cannot learn of these islands!" Pearl did the same. Mauna Loa nudged Kohala back as she made to join. "Loa I can help…" The eldest protested. "No, you're in no shape for another crossing." Loa growled and Kohala surprisingly backed down. Pearl turned to her sons and her brother. "You coming?" She asked. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." Prince smirked. Interceptor was already head-long through the channel and heading towards the open sea.

The group caught up to the pair of British ships, one a fast frigate and the other a third rate, off Guam. The Royal Navy vessels weren't afraid to show their colors, bearing the red and black pennant of pirate hunters under their Union Jacks. Interceptor flew the Black the entire time, enticing them to turn and fight, which they did. Pearl leapt forward to join her mate which prompted Prince to do the same to protect his mother. At the sight of the massive first rate the two warships decided discretion was the better part of valor and made a run for it. Unfortunately for them Pearl, Interceptor and Catcher who had his parent's speed caught them. It was a quick fight from there. The British fought valiantly, giving Catcher a broken tooth, Interceptor a few missing rigging lines and Pearl a broken nose. It was over in minutes with the frigate on fire and sinking and the third rate mortally wounded but still afloat. Pearl looked at her eldest son. "Prince, do you recognize either of them?" She asked. "They were under my command when I was based out of Kingston hunting pirates." he nodded sadly, "That frigate was HMS Emerald, and this brute of a Third Rate is HMS Prize." Pearl nodded and approached Prize who was still coherent enough to talk. "Those islands are under our protection." She nodded to her fleet. "Any warship that approaches them will be killed. Prince you care to tell them anything?" She asked her son. "You did your job well, lads, but you can't best your teacher. As long as I'm at those islands, no Empire shall claim them. And you won't tell anyone we're there." "And I for one am excellent at hunting down ships, even in their own moorings. I once sailed up the Thames to attack London, and I got away. So don't think you're safe if you rat us out." Interceptor hissed.

"Back!" Loa shouted, pushing the three away as Emerald's magazine's exploded. For her it was a mercy because she had been in so much pain. Her death sent shrapnel that pierced Prize's heart, killing him instantly. "I'm sorry Prince." Pearl sighed. Prince closed his eyes. "They could have told Alex there was nothing at the islands of interest. Now they'll send extra patrols once Emerald and Prize don't show up." he sighed sadly, "And Prize had a family." "So did I and yet Alex had no trouble taking it from me." Pearl hardened her gaze. "Interceptor, Dark Shadow, where do we go now to track down the Apple?" Interceptor pulled out the map provided by NuSorik once again. "Indonesia. That's where we're headed." he murmured, eyes narrowing slightly. "We'll either have friends or foe waiting for us when we get there. Look. More volcanoes." "Indonesia is covered in them." Loa muttered. "Well better get going. We'll put into Batavia. The Dutch control those islands and they're happy to overlook our status if it means getting one up on Britain."