Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here is chapter chapter forty-seven of "Ride the Wind II: Justice Unbound" and the final one. I didn't mean to take more than a week to get it. I had a case of writer's block. The crossover has come to an end after eleven months of writing. It's been a long journey, but it was a satisfying one. I'm sad to see it end, but everything must do so at some point. I want to thank everyone who reviewed it. A special shoutout goes to Tasha Hill, Alex B Goode, Ghostwriter, brankel1, and Wolfgirl2013 for being continuous reviewers. Your support means the world to me. This chapter has some Andros/Ashley and Zhane/Karone. This crossover will be dedicated to the memory of all the Southern Resident orcas who have died since studies began in 1976. May they all rest in peace.
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Chapter 47: Final Fight for Freedom
The sky had lightened up completely within forty-five minutes. The sun was beginning to rise. Brenda sped down a road bordering a hill that went down to the ocean. She hit a bump, causing everyone to bounce in their seats. Jesse scratched Isabella's nose and gave it a gentle pat. Zhane and Karone were standing up in the back. They laid their hands top of the truck. Andros and Ashley swallowed hard, as did Elvis.
"Hang on, girl," Jesse whispered soothingly. "We are nearly there."
Isabella closed her eyes. She opened them after three seconds and emitted a painful cry. Jesse let out a shuddering breath and looked toward Zhane and Karone.
"We need to hurry!" Jesse cried. Zhane and Karone peered over their shoulders at him. "I don't know how much longer she will hang on!"
"Oh, no," Zhane muttered in fear.
"You better hang in there, Isabella," Karone yelled, a sob rising in her throat. "You need to get home."
Zhane and Karone shifted their attention back to the road. They felt the wind go past their hair. Andros and Ashley looked at each other with much uncertainty. He grabbed her hand.
"I hope Isabella hangs on long enough for us to get to the marina," Andros muttered.
"Who doesn't?" Ashley responded and bit her lip. "She has been out of the water for a long time. She may not move at all."
"At least we are prepared for that," Elvis commented honestly. "Jesse, Randolph, Rae, Mom, and Dad thought Willy would be just fine as long as they got him into the water. Unfortunately, he didn't move at first."
Brenda tightened her grip on the steering wheel. "There is a chance Dial and his goons are waiting for us at the gate."
"Damn. I hope not," Ashley said, feeling her heart beat a little faster.
"Don't worry," Brenda said in determination. "I am not going to let them stop me at all."
Elvis smiled. "Good."
"We are really grateful to you, Brenda. You risked taking a stand against your boss," Ashley said.
"I had to. I didn't want to work for a criminal anymore," Brenda growled in anger. "I admit I was tempted to sneak into Dial's office and find evidence of his crime while I was visiting Isabella."
"Do you know how to pick locks?" Andros wondered in much curiosity.
"Yes, I do," Brenda commented. "However, I decided it was too risky because he has a habit of forgetting things. He realizes something is missing and heads back to his office."
Andros licked his lips. "We understand."
Ashley snorted. "Mm-hmm."
Brenda increased the tightness of her grip on the wheel. She prayed silently that Dial, Harry, and their associates wouldn't be at the gate to Jackson Marina. She didn't doubt her friends were doing the same.
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A gull flew past the gate to Jackson Marina. The marina looked very similar to Dawson's Marina, but it was a bit larger. It contained more boat launches. Most of the launches had boats in them. Dial, Harry, Darren, and three men stood on the gate's left side. Four other men were on the right side. They had their eyes on the road. Dial stroked his beard.
"The thieves should be here any minute now," Dial said hopefully.
"You were smart to call the police just before we got here," Harry said while patting his partner's shoulder.
"You were smart to suggest we take another route to this marina. It allowed to get here first," Dial pointed out.
"I can't wait to see the bastards and bitches being dragged to the police cars to be taken to the police station," Darren said with much eagerness. "They deserve it."
"After that, Lilli will be back where she belongs," Harry said, an evil smile crossing his lips. "She will never get out of that tank."
Darren chuckled to himself. "She will perform and make babies with Ian for the rest of her life."
"We are definitely selling the little ones to other marine parks," Dial declared while crossing his arms.
"An orca's offspring can fetch very big bucks," Harry said in a very prideful voice.
Dial gave his partner a warning look. "Don't get too prideful, Harry. It will bite you on the ass."
"Oh, I am so scared," Harry commented in much sarcasm.
"You should be," Darren teased and slapped his friend on the back.
Harry blew a raspberry. "Very funny."
The sound of a roaring engine caught the entire group's attention. It saw Brenda's truck come into view. Dial tried to hold back a chuckle, but he couldn't help himself.
"Here come the thieves," Dial said while scratching his chin. "It's time to block the gate, guys."
"I am so ready for that," Harry said eagerly and rubbed his hands together.
Darren wiggled his eyebrows. "They aren't freeing Lilli if we have anything to do with it."
Dial, Harry, Darren, and the men walked in front of the gate. Harry and Darren held up their arms. They waved them from side to side four times in a slow manner. Brenda narrowed her eyes at them. Andros and Ashley leaned forward as Elvis let out a shuddering breath. Zhane and Karone sighed heavily.
"Shit. They got here before us!" Ashley yelled frustratingly.
"Unfortunately," Andros mumbled.
"We need to hurry, Brenda," Elvis commented in an urgent voice. "We don't know if Isabella will last much longer."
"It will be my pleasure," Brenda said in much determination. She slammed her foot on the gas pedal. The truck started to go faster. "Those bastards will scatter like roaches."
Harry and Darren waved their arms much faster. However, Brenda increased the truck's speed. Zhane and Karone ducked out of sight. Jesse pressed his head against Isabella while wrapping his arm around her. The entire group scattered in different directions. Brenda took the truck through the gate, shattering it into many pieces. She made her way to the water. She turned the wheel, moving the truck away from it. She moved it forward, getting it level with the water.
Brenda looked over her shoulder after stopping. She backed the truck toward the water, going right into it. She kept moving until Isabella was all the way in. Water seeped into the truck, but she, Elvis, Andros, and Ashley didn't care. They unbuckled their seatbelts and exited it very quickly. They made their way to Isabella. Jesse stood up and touched her nose. Zhane and Karone jumped out of the back of the truck. They approached the orca, who didn't move. Dial, Harry, Darren, and the men rushed through the gate.
"Come on, Isabella. You are in the water now. You've got to move!" Brenda yelled urgently.
"Let's try to get her to move," Jesse said as he placed his hands on her head. His friends and brother followed suit. "On the count of three, we push. One, two, three. Push!"
Jesse, Elvis, Brenda, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone pushed on Isabella with all their might. She slapped her tail on the water, but she didn't move an inch. They stopped pushing to take a breather. They could hear Harry, Darren, and the men yelling. It got louder as the group came closer.
"Let's try again!" Jesse said in much determination. "One, two, three. Push!"
Jesse, Elvis, Brenda, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone pushed on Isabella, this time being harder. She slapped her tail on the surface once more. She began to move backward. Harry, Darren, and five men entered the water. The rest headed for the boats, where more were waiting. Dial stopped a short distance from the water.
"She's moving, Jesse!" Ashley yelled in joy.
"Yes!" Jesse yelled. "She should—"
"Oh, no, you don't!" Harry yelled as he grabbed Jesse.
"You are not letting this orca escape!" Darren added while taking hold of Elvis.
The other men grabbed Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, and Brenda. They, Harry, and Darren pulled them, Jesse, and Elvis away from Isabella. They dragged them onto the shore. Jesse broke free of Harry's grasp and punched him in the face. He placed his foot on the man's stomach to shove him away. Harry tripped and landed on his back.
Elvis swung his leg upward, nailing Darren in the groin. Darren groaned while losing his grip on him. Elvis clasped his hands together and made an upward swing in which he hit him in the chin. He grabbed his arm and flipped him over on his back. Darren held his head, a loud groan leaving his mouth. Elvis couldn't help but chuckle.
Andros and Ashley pulled themselves out of the grasps of the first and second men. They turned around and took hold of their ankles. They pulled their feet out from underneath them. The men ended up on their backs. Zhane and Karone elbowed the third and fourth men in their stomachs. This freed them from their grasp. They kicked their feet out from underneath them.
Brenda stepped on the fifth man's foot, freeing herself. She elbowed him in the stomach before kicking him in the side. She swung her arm at his feet, sweeping them out from underneath him. He ended up on his back with a loud groan. She and her friends rushed back to Isabella. They placed their hands on her head. They resumed pushing on her. She slapped her tail on the water repeatedly.
"Come on, Isabella!" Ashley cried.
Brenda grunted along with the others. "You can do it! We know you can!"
The entire group managed to push Isabella out of the sling completely. She turned around and began swimming away.
"Go, Isabella!" Elvis called. "Keep going!"
Isabella headed for the open water next to the breakwater. It resembled the one at Dawson's Marina, but it wasn't quite as high. Nor were the rocks as slippery. Jesse, Elvis, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, and Brenda laughed in much happiness. They stopped when a large boat came in from the left. A slightly smaller one moved in from the right. They went past each other while putting nets in the orca's path. They stopped a short distance from each other.
"She isn't going to make it," Brenda muttered in fear.
Harry and Darren stood up with loud grunts along with their companions. They headed to Dial's side while the rest went out of sight. They focused their attention on the water.
"The whale won't be able to get away," Dial said, a big smirk forming on his face. "She is as good as ours."
Two men hit the water with sticks while standing at the boats' sterns. Isabella came closer to the nets. She stopped close to them, squeaking in uncertainty. Dial, Harry, and Darren chuckled in triumph while moving further away from the water. They stopped once they were a bit away from it. Jesse, Elvis, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, and Brenda went to the shore.
"She won't move past the nets," Brenda cried frantically.
"She's scared," Ashley added.
Isabella emitted a determined whistle. She moved over the top of the nets. The men showed obscenities at her. Jesse, Elvis, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, and Brenda smiled widely.
"She's going past them!" Zhane blurted out in glee.
Jesse let out a sharp exhale. "Yes, but she needs help getting far from them."
Jesse started running for the breakwater. Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, and Brenda looked toward him. They could see him increasing his stride.
"Isabella, get away from those boats!" Jesse called. "Don't stop! Keep going! Follow me to the breakwater."
Isabella surfaced with a loud burst of air. She dove underwater before coming up again. She followed Jesse to the breakwater. He increased his speed, his breathing coming out in pants.
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Jesse reached the breakwater within four minutes. Isabella surfaced and let out a loud burst of air. She squeaked before going underwater. She slapped her tail on the surface. Bubbles escaped her blowhole. He came to a rock at the start of it. He got on his knees and put his hand in the water. He began ripping it, panting heavily. He managed to catch his breath.
"Come on, Isabella," Jesse whispered soothingly. "Come on, girl."
Isabella came toward Jesse, stopping very close to him. She lifted her head and emitted a soft click. A whistle came from her a second later. She opened her mouth very slightly.
"I never thought I would be in same situation as I was twenty years ago, but here I am," Jesse said, his breathing turning to shudders. "Your father made the jump to freedom. I know you can do it too."
Isabella opened her mouth a little more. She squeaked in much uncertainty before letting a small burst of air escape her blowhole. Jesse waved his hand toward himself. She closed her mouth and lowered her head. She came right up to him. He petted her on the nose. She blinked three times.
"I understand you aren't sure if you can make it, but I believe you can," Jesse commented comfortingly. "The wall isn't as high as the one your dad jumped over. It is perfect for you."
The young man scratched the orca's nose before giving it a gentle pat. He pulled his hand away. Just then, distant calls came out of nowhere. She lifted her head and responded to them. He smiled at her.
"That's your family, Isabella. They are waiting for you," Jesse said, smiling warmly. "We will see each other again soon. Say hi to your parents for me, okay?"
Isabella nodded somewhat fast. Jesse scratched her nose once more and sniffled quietly. He patted it before curling his hand into a fist.
"I love you, girl. I know you can do it. I believe in you," Jesse encouraged in a low but firm voice. "You can do it. You can be free."
Isabella squealed very eagerly while nodding rapidly. Jesse moved his arm out to the side and breathed deeply.
"Do it, girl!" Jesse said. "Do it!"
Isabella spouted air from her blowhole and started to swim away. Jesse stood up and began to climb the breakwater. Dial, Harry, and Darren shook their heads in disbelief. They mumbled inaudible words. Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Brenda, and Elvis swallowed hard.
"I know you can do it, girl," Jesse yelled fiercely as he reached the top of the breakwater. "I know you can make the jump like your father did. Come on. I believe in you, Isabella. You can do it. You can be free."
Jesse raced over the rocks while panting heavily. Isabella sank beneath the surface, coming back up with a quiet burst of air. He stopped in the middle of the breakwater. He saw her swim further away and shook his head.
"Come on, Isabella!" Jesse cried and clapped three times. "You just need to do it once, girl!"
The orca blew a big burst of air out of her blowhole. She dove underwater, slapping her tail on the surface. Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Brenda, and Elvis began to feel their hearts beat a little faster. Dial, Harry, and Darren pressed their lips together.
"Elvis, do you think Isabella will be able to jump that wall?" Brenda wondered, her hands balling into fists.
"If Willy was able to jump that high, then Isabella can too," Elvis answered honestly.
"Randolph did say things could happen to Rae," Zhane commented, his body shaking a bit.
Ashley clasped her hands together. "In this crazy universe of ours, we must always expect the unexpected."
Andros exhaled. "That's right."
Everyone focused on the water, especially Jesse. The sound of gulls cawing didn't even distract anyone from it. He narrowed his eyes at it while curling his hand into a fist. He uncurled it a second later.
"Salana-ayun-iaisis," Jesse said and jerked his arm out to the side.
The entire group on the shore stared at the young man. Dial, Harry, and Darren let out small huffs. Andros growled in determination, his hands balling into fists. He clenched his teeth.
"Salana-ayun-iaisis," Andros whispered.
"Salana-ayun-iaisis," Jesse and Andros said, their voices echoing. "Salana-ayun-iaisis. Salana-ayun-iaisis."
All of a sudden, Isabella leapt upward with a loud squeal. She seemed to be in slow motion as she moved over Jesse. He touched her underside while turning around. Water dripped off her body, soaking him. Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Brenda, and Elvis felt their hearts pound even harder. In fact, it seemed they would leap out of their chests and land next to them any second.
"Yeah!" Jesse yelled while lowering his arm. "Whoo!"
Jesse felt tears fall from his eyes as Isabella headed for the water on the other side of the breakwater. She hit it, creating two huge splashes. A smaller splash came a second later. He jumped for joy.
"Yeah!" Jesse yelled, pumping his fist. "Ha, ha!"
Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone cheered very loudly. Andros hugged Ashley tightly. He picked her up and spun her around. Zhane mimicked his actions with Karone. Brenda screamed in great happiness, as did Elvis. They embraced tightly. Dial and Harry stomped their feet in frustration. They watched Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Brenda, and Elvis let go of each other and race toward the breakwater.
"I can't believe this happened again!" Dial yelled in anger.
"There goes the business!" Harry added with a loud snort.
Darren frowned. "Unfortunately."
Dial gritted his teeth. "I hate those people."
Suddenly, sirens came out of nowhere. Dial, Harry, and Darren turned around to see ten police cars coming their way. The cars stopped, some tires screeching. Police officers exited them. Three approached the trio with their hands on their guns.
"Officers, I am so glad you are finally here. Arrest those thieves now," Dial said while pointing his finger at Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Brenda, and Elvis. "They need to pay for stealing my whale."
"On the contrary, we are here to arrest you and your men. The chief got a phone call from the Brighton Aquarium's owner. He contacted us while we were on our way here. He told us that you paid the owner and his employees to keep an illegally caught orca at their facility. He faxed him the evidence," the first officer explained.
"You three are under arrest," the second officer said as he and the other two officers drew their guns and pointed them at the men.
"Put your hands up," the third officer ordered. "Turn around, and place them on top of your heads now."
Dial, Harry, and Darren looked at each other as more officers exited their cars and drew their guns. They saw them point their guns their way. They knew the officers would shoot them dead if they tried to grab the trio's guns out of their hands. They didn't want to risk that. They put up their hands and turned around. They placed them on their heads. The trio put their guns in the holsters. They approached the men.
The officers grabbed their handcuffs from their pockets and snapped them around the men's right wrists. They brought their arms downward. They put the other handcuffs around their left wrists. Dial, Harry, and Darren looked over their shoulders at Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Brenda, and Elvis. The officers took them toward their cars while giving them their Miranda rights. More went to the men in the boats and proceeded to arrest them.
Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Brenda, and Elvis picked up their pace. They finally reached the breakwater. They stopped next to Jesse, their breathing coming out in pants. They looked toward the water. Isabella leapt into the air in the distance. She squeaked in victory while turning on her side. She landed in the water and created two big splashes. They laughed in great glee.
"She is finally free," Karone murmured, choking back a sob.
"She is so happy to be home," Zhane commented, feeling a tear fall from his eye. He wiped it away with a sniffle. "Her freedom shouldn't have been taken from her in the first place, but it doesn't matter now."
Andros put his arm around Ashley and hugged her. Zhane mimicked his actions with Karone. The women sighed sadly, as did the men. Brenda frowned quite a bit. Her breathing came out in shudders.
"Goodbye, Isabella. I will miss you very much," Brenda whispered and sniffled.
"So will the rest of us," Elvis added and swallowed hard.
"All of us hope to see you soon," Karone commented, a tear falling down her cheek.
"We love you," Zhane added.
Jesse wiped tears from his eyes. He looked at his friends and brother, a big smile forming on his face.
"Thanks, guys," Jesse said gratefully. "Thanks a lot."
The entire group embraced in a tight manner. All seven members let out soft cries and felt tears go down their cheeks. They heard Isabella call out distantly. They released their hold on each other and gazed at the water.
"So long, Isabella," Brenda said warmly.
Elvis glanced toward shore. "Hey, guys. Look."
Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Brenda, and Jesse looked at Dial, Harry, and Darren as they were put in the backs of cars. They could see other men being taken to cars. They couldn't help but smile.
"Dial is finally getting what he deserves," Ashley commented in much relief.
"Oh, yes," Andros added.
"Let's get out of here," Elvis suggested eagerly.
"Yeah," Brenda agreed.
Jesse, Elvis, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, and Brenda began walking over the stones. They gazed toward the water. They could hear orcas calling in the distance.
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Isabella swam fast through the ocean. She surfaced, seeing Willy come her way. She could see the rest of J-Pod not very far from him. The orcas squealed happily to her. She responded to them with a happy squeal of her own. She and her father stopped before each other. They nuzzled very affectionately. Max made his way to her. He stuck his tongue out in which he kissed her nose.
Isabella saw Nikki and Nessa coming her way. Alex, Luna, Ben, Sparkle, Kyle, Littlespot, and Catspaw were close behind them. Isabella went to her mother while her sister came to a stop. The other orcas halted themselves as well. Nikki nuzzled her daughter in a very loving manner. She let out happy squeals. Isabella mimicked both of her actions.
Alex and Luna came to Isabella to touch noses with her. Ben and Sparkle followed suit after their parents moved back. Catspaw approached her, sticking her tongue out and kissing her melon. Isabella gave her grandmother an affectionate nuzzle. Granny came up to her and squeaked to her. Isabella emitted a series of clicks. Granny spit water on her. Isabella imitated her, an excited whistle leaving her blowhole.
Isabella heard squeaking and turned to see her new sister and nephew swimming toward her. Nessa and Kyle stopped close to her. The trio let out curious squeaks. Nessa and Kyle went to Isabella. They released quiet bursts of air before clicking softly. She spit water on them, and they mimicked her. They repeated the action three times.
Nessa and Kyle swam toward Isabella's side. She kept her eye on them. They stopped next to her saddle patch. They opened their mouths and raked it with their tiny teeth. She chattered in much amusement. They stopped raking her and slipped beneath the surface. All of a sudden, they took big leaps into the air in front of her. They turned on their sides, hitting the water and splashing her all over her face.
Nessa and Kyle swam to Isabella before rolling on their sides. They swung their tails, splashing water on her. She clicked with much warmth. They rolled right side up. They swam up to her to touch their noses against hers. They stuck out their tongues, kissing it in much lightness. She did the same with each of theirs. They pulled their tongues back into their mouths. They nuzzled each other very gently.
All the orcas heard Granny calling. They turned to see her spyhopping. She slipped beneath the surface, returning to it very quickly. She started to swim away. They followed suit. Willy, Nikki, and Max swam alongside Catspaw and Littlespot. Alex, Luna, Ben, and Sparkle followed them close behind. Isabella brought up the rear. Nessa and Kyle swam alongside her.
Isabella, Nessa, and Kyle went underwater and came up with loud bursts of air. They did both actions two more times before diving deep. They leapt clear of the water. They went back in just as quickly. They headed downward again, turning toward the surface. They spyhopped while letting out happy squeaks. They slipped back underwater and came up. They gave each other affectionate nuzzles before swimming on.
Samish, Shachi, Slick, Alki, and Blackberry performed spyhops. They went back underwater. They returned to the surface and lowered their heads. They slapped their tails on it twice. They put them back on the water, lifting their heads. They dove downward, bubbles leaving their blowholes. They leapt out of the water, going back in just as quickly.
Mike and Rhapsody surfaced together. Polaris and Star came up behind them. All four orcas darted downward. They rolled upside down while turning toward the surface. They leapt backward, hitting the water on their backs. This created two huge splashes each. They headed for the surface, doing spyhops and squeaking in much joy. They went back underwater.
Princess Angeline, Tahlequah, Notch, and Moby did four bows together. They dove deep before turning back toward the surface. They leapt upward, turning on their sides. They hit the water, creating two big splashes each. Two smaller splashes came after each of them. They returned to the surface, spitting water from their mouths.
Granny swam further ahead as most of J-Pod came closer together. Isabella did two bows. She dove deep and rolled upside down as she went toward the surface. She did a leap backward, hitting the water on her back in which it created two huge splashes. She came back to the surface and went after the others. She would be forever grateful to Jesse, Elvis, Brenda, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone for freeing her. She had no doubt her pod felt the same way. As long as humans continued fighting to protect them and preserve their freedom, there would be hope for the future.
THE END