After a tearful few minutes, the reunion between Horsenado and the rest of the crew had finally come. After ensuring that they weren't talking to a ghost, all of the crew had gotten together for the first time including Melville. Most of the Old World Toons understood and left to the other ship to allow the old friends to reconnect. "So, you found and saved Horsenado washed up on the beach, the same way that you were found? That's just incredible!" Mariner sat in awe as Horsenado and Melville recounted their experience in coming to find each other. "Kind of a funny coincidence too, don't you all think?"

"Well, this is exactly why I have never given up hope that I would finally return. Whoever watched over my journey to the Islands certainly looked out for Horsenado too. Maybe the great artist in the sky really is a horse?" Melville joked, patting Horsenado on the leg. "Funny you mention that I saved him. I think it is quite the opposite, actually. Young Horsenado here may have been exactly the thing I needed to save me from myself. I was finally able to face my tepid nerves and disregard them, to take this journey and reconnect with the one I love most." Melville reached over and planted a kiss on Scurvy's cheek.

"Melville, you must let me write your story someday." Calypso jogged down notes about what he heard. "This is truly wondrous, and I think that your story will be a great hope for many lost Toons."

Laughing at the idea, Melville shrugged and nodded. "If anybody wants to take advice from this old fool, I hope it isn't to do what I have done. Quite frankly the opposite. I was just fortunate to have met so many amazing Toons. I'm really glad all of you got to meet Big Monkey. Truly like a brother to me." the brown horse stared across to the other ship where Big and Cloud were discussing something and laughing. "Anyways, shall we discuss what is next? I mean we are all here on the ship."

"Aye, I'd like to be gettin' an idea from the other side first. After all, they be goin' this far just for us. Thinkin' they may wanna join us for the remainin' journey. I wouldn't complain about some extra hands to ensure a nice, safe trip home." Scurvy rubbed their wrinkling hand on Melville's smoothly linen back. "Plus I think some of them might want to stick around when all be said and done."

A few hours passed as the Toons caught up, and drifted in the warm afternoon sun. The chefs of both ships had come together to prepare a legendary feast (by boating standards) to celebrate the occasion. Everybody had gotten together on Cloud's ship "Nine" named after his favorite Island. The food was legendary, but the stories were the true showstopper. Toons from each side and from each land took Turns one upping each other in ridiculousness or feats of amazement. Edmund and John had tried to recount the story of their grueling pirate duel against the cogs which drew wonder and confusion from Old World's residents who had never seen a cog. "Well they're like these huge metal monstrosities! They don't look like Toons! They look like - well I'm not really sure! But certainly not Toony! They wear suits and these ones all had scars, and tattoos, and swords! Plus Horsenado swung over and saved us, plus, plus Scurvy!" Edmund excitedly re-told the tale as Melville looked over with a smirk at Scurvy and Horsenado, neither of whom he took for hardcore fighters.

"Hmm, that is pretty incredible. But I still think the blood-thirsty cult monkeys were worse." Mariner quipped, imitating the dance from his seated position. "Don't think I've ever been so scared in my life."

"You guys truly went on an adventure. Do you think any of you would have gone if you knew what laid ahead?" Cloud inquired, amazed.

Calypso looked up and pondered. Would he have knowingly risked his life in the name of an incredible journey? "You know, I think I would. I guess it just takes nearly dying to find out you're not really living. Plus I have more than enough material to work with here to write an amazing story. I really think that this could be a great opportunity for Toontown to learn about the Old World. Now that we know how to get there, maybe we could find a way to set up a system that has Toons coming and going? We'll finally have a place for those who have nowhere to go."

Big Monkey visibly cringed at the idea of several hundred, or even thousands more Toons coming from a strange land far away. "Hey, Calypso. I actually wanted to talk to you guys about that." Horsenado added. Looking around the gargantuan make shift table that set the eighty plus crew members, the wide variety and amazing characters he had met. "Toontown has dug its own hole. Would it not be wrong to push our problems onto the Islands? When I was in the Old World, I really learned a lot about the world."

"You were there for like a week. What could you possibly have learned other than the food is delicious?" Cross joked as she snuck another bowl of mixed fruit.

"Well, it is just..." Horsenado struggled to find the right words. "They live so wonderfully there. Nobody takes more than they need. Homes are compact and nothing feels unnecessary. I understand Toontown is a different place but it lead me to believe that our problems are not just solvable, but it seems simple. I mean, just think of your own estate. Even the smallest estates are put on huge plots of land. Imagine how many more homes we could have if everybody was willing to give up a little!"

Scurvy scratched their head. "Arrrgh. Do ye think Toons would be willing to make such a sacrifice? We have a lot of Toons who would never be listenin' to anyone or anythin'."

"They're going to have to, because I'm not going to allow the Islands to be overtaken. As much as I love Toontown, the Islands are not for us to take over. I do like the idea of having back and forth trips for Toons so that we can all learn about each other. Maybe we can set up coordination for teleporting to avoid such a long trip. I think if more Toons get to see how the Islands live, it will inspire them like it did Horsenado here." taking control, Melville stood like the leader he had always been assumed to be. Looking towards his Toontown friends, his eyes pleaded with them to reconsider.

Big Monkey who had mostly silent stood up and spoke to the crowd. "Yes, I have loved getting to know all of you. But from what I know, our worlds are quite different. Many still don't know about Toontown, or other Toons, and doing anything so large may overwhelm them. I implore you all to maybe look into a scaled back approach. I would also love to be able to come visit my brother over in Toontown whenever I wanted..."

The conversation continued, and eventually went off to other topics as the late afternoon turned to night. Most of the crews had returned to their original ships, with the exception of Melville and Horsenado who returned to the Melville with everybody else. Not wanting to get too far off track, the ships agreed to get away from ore rowing unless one ship began to stray to far.

The next week was again quite uneventful. The Toons had made a daily ritual out of having dinner together. The crew of the Nine had begged Horsenado to make his authentic pizza three nights in a row, which proved to be quite trying feeding eighty Toons for the poor horse. All in good fun, the crews began to intermingle and become closer. The sights were becoming more familiar to the Toons of the Melville as they neared their home. An energy of excitement battled the fatigue of being out on the sea for nearly two months. Melville and Big had made sure to have their morning walk each morning, in tradition. "Scurvy is a wonderful Toon, Mel. Doesn't surprise me that you met someone capable of leading. I think you always needed someone to challenge you, Leader."

"Challenge me? Me? Melville? Okay, yeah, you're right. I think that's what really drew me to them. I've never met a stronger Toon. Speaking of being challenged, when are you going to play me in chess again? Nothing against the rest of the Islanders, but none of them compare to you. How about a game for old times sake?"

"You want to lose this early in the morning? I guess if you say so!" The pair of Toons began to walk back to the quarters when an ominous sound began to ring through the air. It was vaguely familiar to Melville, and caused him to tense up. Stopping, he didn't notice that Big Monkey continued walking. The pair had been on the upper deck, and walked around the very edge of the ship to extend the length of their walk. "Hey, you coming Mel? I know you're worried about losing but no reason to stop now."

Melville scanned the water. "Big, I need you to go get Scurvy!"

"What are you talking about, Mel? What's going on?" conflicted, Big began walking back to his friend. "Tell me what is going on?"

"That's what is going on!" Melville pointed out into the water, eyes devoid of emotion.

Some of the morning Toons were up making breakfast, climbing between the ships, and for many who were sleeping, trying to avoid being awake. Something that would prove to be nigh impossible as the warning bells began to ring. "All hands on deck! We need all hands on deck!" Big had clambored over to the other ship as the large fin cut through the water. "What the hell is that!" a voice yelled from the Nine.

"It's a beast of the sea!" Cloud screamed. Sure enough the creature had passed and was now behind the ships, still in view enough to strike fear into the Toons, but not close enough to strike or far enough to hit with cannon fire.

Scurvy had immediately recognized the mackerel. "Arrrgh. It be the bloody rapscallion that took me leg! Guess it came to finish the job!" Ripping out their Aoogah sword, the blue cat began to charge towards the water but was quickly wrapped in arms by Melville and John who had to restrain the old captain from putting themselves into danger. "Aye let me go! I have a gift for that lily-liveried slime!"

"Captain! You have to stay here! Getting down with that fish isn't going to end well! We're safe here on the ship, that thing isn't getting up here and it isn't big enough to do any damage. We can just fire a cannon at it every once in a while to spook it off. It'll leave us alone eventually." John screamed out.

"Grrr. But that ain't what I be worried about. How many other Toons has this savage beast taken? How can we sit by and let this horror terrorize us? Ain't no worthy captain could let this slide!" Scurvy wriggled and broke free, before quickly being restrained again.

Melville shook his head. "I know you want to kill this thing, and trust me I do too. But how good is that going to do us when you're in the water all alone? No we need to plan this out better..."

Both crews had coordinated and had put together a plan. The Melville would speed up and try and draw the Holey Mackerel forward, then the Nine would come up from behind and strike when the giant fish was unable to see. Everybody had gotten into place and awaited Scurvy's signal. Edmund stood near the mast, rope in hand. At the nod from the captain, he unleashed the large sails, and the ship roared forward, leaving the Nine behind them. "This is what I call sailing!" Edmund called out.

"Only you could get excited by being chased by a humongous, deadly fish." Cross yelled back as she clenched to a large crate on the lower deck. "I just want to get back home to nice safe land where the only thing I have to worry about eating me are... nevermind!"

"Arrrgh. Don't be worryin' mateys! Our plan be golden! Ol' fishy here finally gonna get whats comin' to em!" Scurvy was armed with dual Aoogah swords, the light from the morning sun gleaming off the sharpened blades. "He come anywhere near us and we be ready!"

Nobody knew to get in Scurvy's way. They had seen this blood-lust once before, when they were attacked by the Clipper-On Tie. The emotionless gaze in their eye horrified and amazed them. Gaining separation from the Nine, the crew looked back anxiously, knowing their best bet was now behind them. They had to keep the mackerel distracted. Big Monkey kept near the railing to keep watch. Every few minutes he would toss in food to keep the beast coming to them. "Just keep coming you hell-spawn. Nothing to see behind you." The boats continued for a few minutes until there was a sizable gap between the two. "Okay everybody. I think we're ready. John give them the signal! Edmund, pull in those sails!"

"Yes, sir!" John called back. Holding up a makeshift flag he began waving frantically until Akinari on the lookout tower of the Nine began to wave back. "Okay, they are coming! Everybody hold on!" What happened in the next minute was not what had the Toons had planned. Whether through misunderstanding or poor planning, the Nine began to shoot cannon shots into the water, not even getting close to their target. Agitating the large fish, it soon disappeared under the water.

"Where the heck did he go?" Melville questioned frustrated. "I told them no cannons until they knew for sure they could hit him! Dang it!" everybody gathered the edges and watched the water. Not a single stir. Maybe they had scared it off? A few more minutes passed by when the feeling came back. Unfortunately for the Toons on the Melville, the feeling was realized too late as a crunching blow from directly underneath the ship rocked them all. "Hey is everybody okay?"

Everybody looked around and gathered themselves as they got on their feet. "I think we're all okay!" Calypso yelled out. "Cross, John, Edmund, Scurvy... Hey, where is Big?"

John pointed down into the water. "Good lord! We have a Toon overboard!"

"Who fired the cannon? We weren't supposed to shoot yet!" Cloud, filled with a white fury, looked around behind him. "You just blew it, the fish is gone!"

"I'm sorry, Captain! I heard Akinari yell "go!" and I got too excited! The fish looks like it is gone. Maybe we hit it? An orange kangaroo sheepishly admitted fault, preparing to be rained down with a hellfire of anger.

Cloud rubbed his eyes, and shook his head. "Well let's just catch back up and we'll regroup." pushing the ship forward, the crew was silent in shame of their failure to take care of the mission. A few minutes passed before chaos began to reign. The Melville was hit by a sudden bolt of invisible energy. "Hey, what the heck is going on!"

"Captain! It looks like the fish hit them... and oh my! Big Monkey just fell into the water!" Souffle cried in horror.

"Everybody to your oars! We need to get there before that fish does!" Cloud screamed! Immediately thirty Toons had taken place at the oars and began rowing like their lives depended on it. While it didn't, Big's surely did. "Hold on Big..." Cloud whispered to himself.

"Big!" Melville screamed out. Running towards the railing he was grabbed by Mariner and Edmund. "Someone has to help him!"

"Somebody get us a life perserver" Cross screamed. However a ring wasn't going to beat Melville into the water tearing himself away from the pair of dogs, the old horse leapt overboard with reckless abandon. He had nearly lost Scurvy the same way thirty years ago, he wasn't going to let lightning strike twice.

Horsenado stood horrified as in almost an instant, Melville was also gone. Running and grabbing the circle of safety, the chubby horse carried the striped red and white ring over to the side and launched it into the water. However both Mel and Big were slightly behind them. "They're too far back! Stop the ship!"

Scurvy closed their eyes and took a deep breath. Without a single thought, Scurvy took a running leap, and like their horse lover, leapt over the railing. Weaponized with the Aoogah swords, the blue cat hit the water like a rock, slowly submerged under the deep blue. Vision blurred, they looked around for a sign of life. Whether it was Melville or that fish. Pulling themselves upwards, they broke the surface and gulped in life-giving oxygen and scanned the water. "Scurvy!" a voice cried out. Turning around, Mel was floating in the water with an unconscious gorilla. "Hurry, get back on the ship! I got him!"

"Stay there, Mel! I'm comin!" Scurvy paddled relentlessly, scratching the tip of the sword into their side, and their legs as they swam, ignoring the pain. From behind the floating Toons, a large grey blob began to formulate from underneath the water. Picking up speed, Scurvy bellowed to the other two. "Right behind you!" Mel turned just in time to see the outrageous sized Holy Mackerel emerge from the water, leaping in the air and splashing down causing a tidal wave to send shock waves through the sea and sending the three Toons flying around. Working through the ripples, Scurvy wiped water from their eyes as they pushed forward. Panic filling them, they could hardly breathe as the race to Melville continued. From behind, the Nine shot cannonballs into the water, seemingly ineffective against the rapid hunger of the fish. Now just dozens of feet away, Scurvy knew they had one chance as the fish loomed over Mel and Big. Saying a small prayer, the blue cat stopped in place and wound up their arm. Launching a well aimed sword through the air, time came to a screeching halt as they watched it soar. Melville in a moment of clarity pushed Big away from himself and ducked down underneath the water. Fortunately for him, he was just in time as the pointed edge came on a downward trajectory that put its destination right into the fish's giant snout. Blood began to pour and turn the surrounding water red. "Mel!" Scurvy screamed.

The Nine had been on a crash course and arrived shortly behind the three stranded Toons. "Grab this!" Cloud tossed a life preserver down into the water. Immediately Melville swam over and grabbed Big, wrapping the ring around the gorilla he gave the okay to pull him up. A few seconds later, the crew had pulled up the soaking and sputtering primate. "Alright, you two, come on up!" the fox tossed the ring back into the water. Scurvy had made their way over to the horse and held onto him, both drenched and exhausted. "Hurry, before the fish comes back!"

Melville grabbed onto the checkered ring and grabbed Scurvy and they began to feel themselves pulled towards the safety of the ship. "That was too close for my liking. Let's get going." As they began to be lifted into the air a small line of blood began to trail towards them. "Hey, Cloud! Hurry it looks like it is still alive!" looking to Scurvy, he watched as they stared down in the water and clenched their sword. "Honey... let it go."

"Mel... I can't be lettin' this fish terrorize anybody anymore." leaning over, the blue cat kissed Melville on the cheek. "I love you. You have to trust me."

The brown horse looked understandably at Scurvy and nodded. "Please, just be careful." Tugging on the rope, Melville kissed his partner and loosened his grip, dropping the cat into the water. "Please, if anybody could hear me, please keep Scurvy safe." he whispered to himself.

"What is going on! he just dropped Captain into the water!" Horsenado panicked. The entire crew ran to the edge and watched as the old captain began to swim away from safety. "Captain!" the red horse dropped to his knees. Why were they doing this? They were safe!

Calypso walked behind his friend and rubbed his shoulders. "This is personal. We just have to believe in Captain. They're going to be alright."

"Are you sure? Did you see that thing?" holding her hands in front of her eyes she peered through a small gap in her fingers. "Please let them be okay!"

"What choice do we have but to hope. Come on guys, we have to be strong! Come on Captain!" John added, jumping up and down waving his arms. The energy was infectious and spread across the crew on both ships, with the exception of Melville who was too scared, and Big who was too unconscious.

The taste of blood was beginning to fill Scurvy's mouth as the salty water filled their orifices. "Where you be you slime-sucker. Take me leg will ye? Well Scurvy ain't ever backin' down from a fight!" dunking down into the water, the blue cat adjusted their sight in the darkness. Relying mostly on their instincts, they listened silently and waited for it. Heart racing in horror, they were lost in the chamber of their opponent. Unlike the Corporate Raiders, the Holey Mackerel had the advantage of their own turf. Scurvy would need to act efficiently and with tact. As they swam forward, the water became warmer. Surfacing again, the blue cat's suspicion was confirmed when a pooling of blood surrounded them. As soon as they surfaced the Toon became the perfect prey for the mackerel which immediately flew forward towards Scurvy. Acting quickly, Scurvy dove down beneath the water and jabbed the sword up quickly, unluckily stabbing right through the hole in the fish and missing the target. "Ugh, hate these things!" swimming back up, Scurvy gazed around them and quickly spotted the fin of the silver fish. "Round two you blimey bucko!" splashing the water with their sword, they riled up the fish that began to back up in preparation for a charge. "Come at me!"

Like a bullet from a gun, the Mackerel shot towards Scurvy. Once again, the blue cat ducked down beneath the surface and anticipated the arrival of the fish. However this time instead of stabbing, they slashed, and made their mark. Running a thick line across the fish's stomach and pouring a blinding bout of blood. While they had landed a devastating shot, Scurvy knew this wouldn't be enough. Now with their vision taken, they were the fish in the barrel. Going up for air a third time they felt themselves knocked away with the tail of the mackerel, knocking the wind out of them. Crippled by the blow, Scurvy struggled to reach the surface. The senior cat wasn't as young as they used to be, and the fact they had make it this far amazed them as well. Grabbing their side, they winced as every breath pushed up against what was likely a broken rib or two. However they could not give in now, as it would mean certain death. Taking small breaths to compensate, Scurvy finally reached the sweet sanctuary of the sun. "Oh, cog, Scurvy! Get the hell out of there!" Melville could not bear to watch anymore. tears streaming down his face, he fell to the ground and pounded the wooden blanks.

"This be it. You or me, Mackerel. Come and DIE!" Scurvy's good arm was hampered by the pain from their broken ribs, and now they would be stuck using their left hand. Holding the sword they rotated through the water like a blender, checking every conceivable angle. Finally they spotted it. This was it. Whatever happened here, one of them was not getting out alive. Unable to breathe due to the pain, they could not expend any unnecessary energy. Once again the Mackerel backed up before it charged, however this time it stopped halfway and switched directions, throwing Scurvy off their game, the beast swung around in a complete circle, spinning Scurvy around. Charging forward quickly before the captain could act, the beast plowed into Scurvy and dragged them underwater. The impact of the hit caused Scurvy to drop the sword, eyes widening as they watched it sink into the dark abyss below. Weaponless and feeling helpless they began to brace themselves for the inevitability. Regardless of what happened, they finally had closure. They knew Melville was alive, the mission of the last thirty years. Clenching their fists, Scurvy let out a gargled scream as they continued to be pulled down. Thinking quickly they needed to improvise, and that's when it hit them. The fish had given them a weapon, one they had not considered. Reaching down they ripped out the wooden peg connected to the stub that was previously their leg. While the object was blunt, it would have to do. Using their remaining strength they battered the fish until it loosened its grip. Feeling the pain in their lungs from a lack or air, Scurvy began to head towards the dim light above them. As they neared, they could feel the water tightening its grip on them. Kicking their one free leg, they fought valiantly to return. Breaking their head free they heard cheers from both ships as they sucked in air. Knowing they were on the offensive, the blue cat dove back in and went to work. Torpedoing down, they set their eyes on their target. The mackerel was beginning to slow as its wounds were becoming harder to recover from.

Swinging wildly, Scurvy could feel the force of each blow reverberate through their arm. Unable to use much power, they had to keep at it. With one last bit of tact, the Holy Mackerel dove again and swam away, heading up and coming at Scurvy from above. This was exactly what Scurvy had hoped for. Floating patiently, Scurvy made one last small prayer as the wide open mouth of the fish descended upon them. Closing their eyes, Scurvy thrust the wooden peg upwards and braced themselves. The grotesque sound as the peg penetrated the roof of the mackerel's mouth combined with the outpouring of blood let Scurvy know that they were still alive... and the mackerel was not...