Disclaimer - Ah, and so the thought plickens, um the plot thickens. :0) I only own the story, nothing else. Not even a gold coin, but then, maybe that's a good thing? LOL

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Chapter 17 - Kidnapped!

As the group continued moving through the tunnels, Mike suddenly asked, "So, dudes, how're we getting this chest onto the boat?"

That had Don hesitating a bit, which wasn't good, considering he was in front with Raphael. His sudden loss of momentum, however, forced Raph to nearly trip, putting him off balance. The result had him turning slightly in front of his brother. That action alone had those behind him doing likewise and they almost lost their grip as well.

"Hey, genius, ya just can't stop like that!" Raph complained.

Some of the men banged against the volcanic rock walls, forcing Leo to jump ahead and out of harms way.

Scraping along the roughened surface, cries of protest echoed loudly in the narrow tunnel, causing everyone else to grimace in sympathy.

"Sorry, sorry…" Don apologized, "But Mike is right; how are we getting this out to the ship?"

Suddenly, a low rumbling shook the ground and the men and turtles startled. Sparrow sprinted to the front to join Leonardo, Mike and the other humans. The pirate waved them forward, "Keep going, we can't stop, we'll use one of the boats for just the chest, make two trips for the rest of us if nec'sary, but we can't stop…"

"Why not?" Mike asked as he followed a quick-stepping Jack Sparrow.

"Because, laddy," Sparrow replied, indicating the treasure with a single jerk of his head, "th'cursed chest is rather partic'lar about where it lives and it likes this cave and if we tarry too long, it might want t'keep us here as well."

Mike's eyes widened in horror, "Why didn't you tell us that before?"

"Didn't want ye messin' with me plan and make me leave it behind; have to get the chest back t'where it belongs, no matter what!"

Suddenly, as the team of mutants and humans traveled hastily through the tunnels, a roar of falling rock echoed up from behind them, as if the entire ceiling in the cave had given way.

Raph nearly jumped out of his shell, "What th'ell was that?"

Sparrow called back, "I don't think ya want to know, lad, but we better speed this up 'fore what happened back there happens right here."

Leading the other carriers, Raph and Don picked up the pace, easily assuming what the man implied. The increased momentum elicited a few groans of protest from the men behind them. The tunnel remained intact, though, but imagining otherwise caused everyone to move faster.

Sparrow glanced up every now and then, though, his worried eyes taking in every detail of the tunnel ceiling. He looked over at Leonardo and smiled, "Regardless of what happens here on out, laddy, b'glad yer comin' with us."

"Why is that ?" Leo asked as they rushed through the tunnel.

"Because, Leonardo," Jack eyed the turtle as he came along side of him, "this island is goin' t'sink the moment tha'chest is off the island. I only hopes we can get it to the ship before it happens, though."

"And you know this how?" Raph hissed from behind, overhearing the discussion, his bubbling ire adding to the strain of carrying his portion of the treasure.

Before Sparrow could reply, however, another loud clamor echoed from the cave now well behind them. At the same time, the ground beneath their feet began to swell and buck.

"All too familiar, if ya ask me!" Raph yelled, digging in as he sped up the pace. "Everyone, keep movin'!"

The terrain was rocky and uneven, so it made their travel a bit awkward. Dust and small particles of rock rained down on them, now, as the rumbling intensified, reminding them all too well how treacherous their task had become. The group made haste through the tunnel as fast as they could, heading for the seaside exit. In fact, it had become a bit of a race with everyone likeminded to leave the island.

When they finally broke free from the tunnel and saw the ocean, as well as the ship moored a hundred yards out, there were glad cheers among the group. Then, another ominous rumble growled from behind and several small rocks dislodged and fell around them. As Don looked back, he saw part of the tunnel give way, forever blocking any return to the cave.

The groups' enthusiasm quieted.

Gibbs was first out to the moored rowboats. The moment Jack caught up with him he took a mooring line. Between him, Gibbs and Will, the trio turned the boats around so that the prows faced the Black Pearl. They brought the portside of one next to the rocky shore near where those who carried the chest stood, with the starboard facing away.

Jack quickly declared, "Careful, men, ease the chest into the boat."

"I think they need to rest, first," Leo suggested, "to adjust their balance and renew their strength. Despite what you say the island is going to do, if they don't, they could end up dumping the gold into the bay and then that will cost us more time in retrieving the coins."

Sparrow's eyes widened at the thought and so he eagerly agreed, "Yes, by all means, can't get this far and lose the lot. Evry'one put the chest down. Now…carefully, though…please?" he grinned pleadingly.

The men and two turtles were more than happy to comply. As they caught their breath and shook the stress from their arms and hands, small tsunami-like waves washed up over the rocks, splashing against the stone chest and feet. Don looked at Raph and shook his head, "Only the beginning if what the Captain says is true."

"Bigger waves?" Raph swallowed.

"Enough to dwarf that ship out there."

"Great."

Another rumble and quaking from the island had all of them jumping like nervous hens.

Sparrow turned and instructed hastily, "Now, you six in the back, stay where you are." He motioned to Raph, Don and the men in partnership with them, "You six need to turn around in place, t'where you're facing the others behind ye," Jack's eyes widened, "B'don't drop th'chest, lads."

Carefully, the six did as instructed, keeping their end of things level.

Next, the pirate addressed the entire group, "When I gives the word, everyone's goin't'lift at the same time and then those starboard side will get into the boat first. Those of you here, on the portside will guide the chest in, but do not get into th'boat; I fear it will sink otherwise." He swallowed nervously, "Then, those of you in th'boat, make haste back to land. The rest of us will make sure th'boat doesn't tip or stray."

"Aye!" Gibbs declared and went about holding the stern firmer in his grip, with Mike going around to help him.

Will and Leo steadied the bow, while Sparrow stood back, his hands pressed together in prayerful supplication. Elizabeth grabbed up the other boat's mooring, keeping it grounded against the rocky shoreline, as she watched the proceedings.

The moment everyone seemed ready, Sparrow exclaimed, "Okay, on th'count of three, lift and then starboard men, step into the boat…one, two…" and with an anxious, pitchy voice, "three!"

In unison as if they had practiced it ahead of time, the handlers closest to the boat stepped inside, bringing the chest with them. The others on the portside acted at the same time, guiding the chest over the wooden sides. Their hands whitened from the stress of grasping the poles at such an odd angle and there were many grunts and groans, but not one coin dislodged.

The moment they lowered the stone container down into the boat and onto the seats, the wood splintered clean in half, unable to bear the weight. The noise it made caused Jack to rush forwards in panic, his hands out as if to assist, but, fortunately, the boat remained seaworthy. Only the seats had suffered under the treasure's load.

As Raph and the other portside carriers leapt back onto the rocks and as the other men steadied the boat, Will tied the rope to the other one. As he did, he remarked, "Well, looks like someone will be doing a bit of repair along the way."

The settling of the chest, however, caused the vessel to sit deep in the water. This had everyone holding his or her breath, hoping against hope the small vessel wouldn't sink. When it finally leveled out, though, only three inches kept the boat from sinking all together.

Suddenly, a roll of thunder clapped overhead, interrupting the groups' preoccupation with the treasure chest. Quickly following that, a bolt of lightening lit up the cloud-covered sky. "Perfect," Jack hissed, and then motioned quickly towards the other boat, "Everyone gets in, before the storm comes upon us."

"Will all of us fit?" Leo asked, noting that there were eighteen of them and the boat didn't look like it would hold much more than twelve.

"Going to have to, lad, unless you want to walk to me ship."

"Walk to the boat, how in shell can we do that; we can't walk on water, we're not Jesus Chri…"

"Raphael," Sparrow interrupted, pointing at the golden treasure in the other boat, "ye forget, you're cursed. You'd be walkin' underwater, 'cause ye don't needs to breathe air." He looked over at Donnie, "My dear Donatello," waving a hand towards the boat, "ye get first dibs for fig'ring out the map," and waved a hand towards the bot, entreating the turtle to get in.

Don looked over at Leo for guidance, a look of discomfort in his expression. He looked back at the Captain and asked, "What about my brothers?"

"Them, too, but you first, laddy. Ye…deserve it!"

"It's okay, Donnie, go ahead," Leo assured him, smiling.

Don nodded and stepped into the boat, moving as far to the front as he could in order to allow his brothers to get in.

As Mike started for the boat, however, Jack held up a hand, blocking him, "Nay, laddy, ladies - and their gents - next." Sparrow smiled wide.

Elizabeth and Jack quickly followed Donatello's lead but before the other remaining turtles could react, the rest of the crew, save for Jack and Mr. Gibbs, crowded together and jumped in, quickly taking their seats, and the last bit of available space.

"Hey, I thought you said we'd all fit, somehow," Raph growled in protest, stepping angrily towards the boat.

Jack shrugged, "Guess I was wrong," and immediately brought up his gun and pointed it at Michelangelo's head, "Although you're all cursed and would live, you'd have to fish your brother's head out of the water if I shoot it off - and I can!" He gave a half grin as his crew moved aside. Jack stepped into the boat, warily eyeing the turtle in red and still pointing the gun at Mikey's face.

Mike gave a sideways glance to Raphael, "Um, bro, I kind of like my head where it is, curse or no curse."

Donnie's voice protested from the bow of the boat, "Hey, you can't kidnap me!"

Jack turned towards the turtle in purple, "Kidnapping has such a nasty ring t'it and I can do what I likes; tis me treasure and me ship...and me gun! Just call yerself - insurance. Like I said, you seem able to understand things - such as funny little maps." He cocked an eyebrow and with a loud voice for the others on shore to hear, "An' I wouldn't get any ideas about jumpin' overboard an' joinin' yer mates, not unless you want us to sail off without ya and yer brothers."

As he watched helplessly, "Leo, we can't let him take Donnie like that?" Raph clenched and unclenched his fists, desperate to do something. He suddenly felt Leonardo's hand on his shoulder.

"Let them go, Raph. If what he says is true, we can walk - or swim if necessary."

"Leo!"

Another growl rose up from the island behind them.

"We can't waste any more time," Leo met his brother's determined glare, and lowered his voice, "we'll make it; we always do!"

While Leonardo calmed Raphael down, standing alongside the turtles Mr. Gibbs realized in that moment an unsettling thought.

"Ah, Captain? What about 'bout me?"

As the boat drifted further towards the Black Pearl, "You, Mr. Gibbs," Jack smiled, exposing gold, encrusted teeth, "will lead the way."

"Lead…the way? How?" The man began to perspire nervously, now, probably because he knew what Sparrow implied.

"As I said earlier, Mr. Gibbs," the pirate grinned wider, balancing himself as his crew began to row away from the rocks, "the curse makes it poss'ble to walk under water and where th'seabed between here and," he pointed towards the Black Pearl, "an' there is flat, it should prove an easy walk."

"But, Captain, it'll take time…"

"Then walk fast. I trust ya t'do that." And then Sparrow sat down. With his rowers working feverishly and with the treasure chest firmly entrenched in the second boat, Jack and his men were well away from the rocky shore, making haste for the larger ship.

Don sat deep in his seat, a dangerous scowl on his face. He glared at the retreating pile of rocks where his brothers stood, longing to be with them, regardless of what fate the island promised. Finally, Don sighed, defeated. He had to cooperate, that is if Jack would stay true to his word and wait for his brothers to catch up. How they would do that, he didn't know, yet, deep in the pit of his stomach, Don knew there was something about Captain Sparrow that worried him, something that said the man wasn't what he seemed to be.

In that moment, Don began to plan.

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TBC