Chapter Thirteen

A small speedboat flew through the water leaving nothing but white forth in its wake. The Condesce skipped over the waves, handling like a charm as its Captain set her course after the Dualscar. This was the last straw. She would not put up with someone under her protection being fishnapped and hauled off. Her two companions were silent; watching as the larger boat slowly grew bigger as she continued to up the speed, knot by knot.

Tavros, sitting at the prow, leaned forward as salt water spray flew up and peppered his face. The salt water on his lips tasted like Gamzee's kisses, and it only made him more anxious to finally get there. The Condesce , while fast, was almost half an hour behind.

Karkat, who'd been completely silent since Feferi arrived, now stumbled across the deck towards Tavros, gripping the handrail like a life line. Though considering how fast Feferi was going, it probably was a life line.

"Do you think he's okay?" Tavros asked, once Karkat had come within earshot, not noticing how his friend was swaying rather dangerously.

"Fuck if I know, but somebody's gonna fucking pay for putting me on this floating death trap." Karkat snarled, and then whined as the boat jumped over a wave, "Oh god…"

"You get seasick?" Tavros asked, sparing a glance at his queasy friend.

"Seasick? Fuck that. I get seaplague."

"Sea plague?"

"Urrrgggh I think I'm gonna hurl." Karkat sunk to his knees, swaying like a tree in a storm, "Fucking Ampora…I'm gonna throw up on his shiny shoes…"

"Aren't you worried about Gamzee?" Tavros asked, "I mean he's in the hands of those…those…" he waved his hands in a vague impression of whatever the Amporas were to him.

"Worrying isn't going to do a damn thing for him." Karkat growled, "We'll get there when we get there. And Gamzee can take care of himself…"

"But—"

"Oh trust me," Karkat sniggered, "as the person who had to take care of that thing when he came; he can handle himself for the fifteen minutes it'll take for us to get there."

"Fifteen?"

"Make that ten." Karkat mumbled as the motor roared and they surged forward.

"Captain! The Condesce is approaching!" Eridan called, his heart speeding up. Feferi was on that ship, and judging by those speeds, she was furious.

Mr. Ampora turned to watch it approach, his eyes narrowed, "Cronus, are the creatures secure?"

"Yes father." Cronus said.

"Then drop the starboard anchor. It's time for our own little reunion."

He ran to obey, and soon the anchor had caught on a reef, pulling the Dualscar to a grinding halt. The deck pitched and the boat groaned in complaint, turning sharply and waiting for the other ship to catch up.

As it approached, Eridan bit his lower lip as he recognized the three people on board. He hadn't wanted any of this. He'd only wanted to make his father proud. And now Feferi, his childhood friend, was coming hell-bent towards them. He remembered the first time he'd seen her. It had been on that same boat and she'd been twelve. His father had just shot that massive creature and ordered his brother to drag one of them down below. He'd been standing there as three women ran aboard, shouting accusations at his father. But Feferi hadn't shouted. She'd just run to the smaller creature's side and comforted it, even when it hissed at her like the savage thing it was.

In all honesty, Eridan didn't remember much of anything from that day. All he remembered was the horrible screaming from that creature and watching Feferi try and sooth it.

And now she was pulling up beside them, dropping anchor and leaving the helm in favor of storming across the deck towards them. Their eyes met, and Eridan flinched at the miserable fury in them. She didn't want this anymore than he did.

"Ampora!" Her voice cracked like a bullwhip.

"Ah, little Peixes. Last I saw you, you were still in pigtails. Now look at you, all grown up." Mr. Ampora replied silkily, his thin lips pressed together in a smile as cold as the water below them.

"Cut the act. I'm here for Gamzee." Feferi snapped, her eyes narrowed.

"There is nobody on this ship under that name, I'm terribly sorry." His smile widened.

"Don't play with me, Ampora. You know who he is. I want him back now, before I have to go there and get him."

"That would be trespassing, my dear. And if you were to trespass, then I would be completely entitled to defend my property and my family."

Tavros and Karkat flanked Feferi now, glaring in disgust at him.

"And what would you call what you did to me?" Tavros challenged, "Beating me up, throwing me in some ship, and then kidnapping my friend. What, exactly, would you call that?"

Mr. Ampora's smile resembled a shark's, "Tavros Nitram, graduate vet student, worked primarily with seals until your accident. Paralyzed from the waist down, I read, though it appears you are better now. You have no place here. This has nothing to do with you, so I suggest you stay out of it."

"I think it became my business when you, uh, kidnapped my friend." Tavros snapped, but inside he felt cold. How could he possibly know that? Those kinds of things were private, yet Ampora listed them off like he was reading off a list.

"And Mr. Vantas, still working at the Aquarium. I admire your dedication." Mr. Ampora's razor smile now turned to Karkat, "A low paying job with no chance of a promotion. You must be very proud of your achievements."

Karkat sneered, "Oh that means a lot from somebody who sends his kids to do the dirty work, you fucking coward."

Eridan stiffened, but held his tongue. He knew better than to speak up while his father was talking. The bruise still hadn't faded from that particular lesson.

"You have one more chance, Ampora. Hand Gamzee over now, or we're going to come and get him."

Cronus smirked and stood by his father, "Try it, land dweller. Sea what happens."

Gamzee looked up from his hands, which had been cradling his head for the past few minutes as he tried to wrap his mind around it all. He remembered everything. He remember his father, their trip to the warm coastal waters, and he remembered Kurloz.

Catching his brother's concerned gaze, Gamzee made to reach for him and then hesitated. Something held him back. Some unknown feeling that made him pull away, not knowing how to act around his big brother. He hadn't even known he'd had a brother until a few moments ago.

But Kurloz had spent years thinking about his baby brother, obsessing over trying to find him again. He was all he had left in the world, and this time Kurloz would protect him. Moving forward, he gathered his little brother in his arms and held him tightly, his chest aching as he finally had Gamzee back in his arms.

The feeling of security only strengthened the memory, and a few earlier ones now came trickling back. Happier times. Times with his big brother teaching him how to swim on his back, of his father showing him how to hunt. Simple things, like a smile or a flick of a tail, but they meant more to Gamzee than anything. Wrapping his arms around his big brother, Gamzee buried his face in his shoulder and held him back tightly.

The moment didn't last long though, as something crashed onto the upper deck, breaking the two brothers apart from their reunion. There was the sound of footsteps and swearing, followed by a loud crash and another, louder curse.

"They came!" Gamzee perked up, his eyes wide, "They're here!"

Kurloz tilted his head in confusion as his brother tugged him up to the surface. They broke the water line and Kurloz pushed his hair from his face, blinking water droplets from his eyes as his little brother swam to the side of the tank, the top a good two feet above his head.

"Tavros! Karkat! Tavros!" Gamzee shouted, his nails scratching at the glass, "Here! We're here!"

Kurloz frowned and swam over, tugging on Gamzee arm and shaking his head.

"It's them, bro, I know it is. I can feel it." Gamzee grinned wildly, "Shit I can't wait to introduce you to them!"

Kurloz smiled slightly and mouthed, "Who are they?"

"Karkat's my best bro, and Tavros…" Gamzee trailed off with a small, more private smile, "he's my—"

A noise interrupted Gamzee's sentence, and they turned around to see Eridan race into the room, keys clenched in his hand. He froze when he saw them both staring at him, "I…look don't fucking give me that. I'm just putting a lid on you. That's all." He moved to the side and picked up a heavy looking black tank cover, "I didn't ask for this!"

Gamzee and Kurloz watched with narrowed eyes as Eridan mounted the steps, dragging the thing behind him. It looked really heavy, heavy enough to block out any sounds Gamzee might make.

Kurloz seemed to have realized this as well, for he bared his teeth at Eridan when he tried to put the cover on.

"Oh knock it off. I don't know why you're so angry. You're the one father is keeping. It's him who's going to the scientists." Eridan grumbled.

Gamzee hissed but Kurloz was far beyond that. He shot past Gamzee and, with a powerful surge of his tail, leapt out of the water and right onto Eridan.

They tumbled down the small set of stairs, ending a squirming mess on the floor, Eridan yowling as Kurloz did his best to claw his eyes out. Snarling silently, Kurloz struck as one of Eridan's arms lashed out to try and protect himself. Teeth connected with flesh and Eridan screamed as Kurloz tore open his arm.

Gamzee watched in horror as bright crimson liquid began to stain the floor, like an echo of the first time they'd been here. He quickly backed up and sunk beneath the water, trying to ignore Eridan's cries as Kurloz tore him to pieces. With an obviously inherited trait, Gamzee propelled himself out of the tank and crashed onto the ground with a grunt of pain, landing awkwardly on his shoulder.

"Kurloz! Kurloz stop!" Gamzee dug his nails into the floor and hastily dragged himself to his brother, grabbing him and hauling him off the youngest Ampora, "He's not our enemy! He's just a motherfucking idiot! Calm down brother, it's okay."

Kurloz bared his bloody teeth at Eridan, his tail flapping against the floor as his chest vibrated with a silent growl.

"I know brother I know, but get your chill on." Gamzee whispered, holding him tightly, "He's not the one who did this to us, remember? He didn't want any of this shit."

Eridan whimpered and clutched at his bleeding arm, gritting his teeth in pain.

Kurloz glared at him, but he slowly let his muscles uncoil, leaning back in his brother's arms with a small sigh. His rage was far from spent; but it wouldn't do to let it all out on this one puny Ampora. No, his little brother was right. There were bigger fish to fry.

"Jesus Christ what is wrong with you!" Eridan wailed, forcing himself up and gripping his bleeding arm, "I never did anyfin to you!"

Gamzee turned and stared at him coolly, "You led your father to my home and beat up my friend. I think it's damn well your fault too, motherfucker."

"I didn't mean to!" Eridan cried out frantically, his eyes huge behind his glasses, "I didn't know he was going to…to…"

"Kill me?" Gamzee snapped, his tail thumping angrily on the ground, "What the fuck did you think he was gonna all up and do with me?"

"I didn't…I'm sorry." Eridan said quietly, "I just…I just wanted…." He gave up and slumped against the wall, cradling his arm against his chest.

Kurloz tapped Gamzee's shoulder and gestured towards Eridan.

"No we're not gonna kill him." Gamzee grumbled, and then turned again as Kurloz tapped impatiently, pointing at Eridan and then up at the ceiling. "Oh…oh yeah that might all up and actually work. Wicked idea, brother."

"What are you going to do with me?" Eridan asked weakly, not making a move as he watched the two merman drag themselves towards him.

"You're gonna help a motherfucker out." Gamzee said shortly, "We need to get upstairs."

Eridan shook his head, "I can't."

Kurloz bared his teeth as Gamzee remarked, "I don't think you have much of a choice, bro."

"I physically can't! That fish freak nearly tore my arm off!"

Kurloz gave him a look that said he sorely wished he had.

"You can't just sit there and bleed over the motherfucking floor." Gamzee growled, getting impatient, "Do something!"

"Like what?" Eridan scowled, "What can I possibly do? I'm a failure in every aspect of my life and now you're asking me to turn against my own family?"

Gamzee fell silent, then said quietly, "Who was the motherfucker who gave you that bruise?"

Eridan's gaze dropped, "Shut up. You don't know anything about this."

Kurloz tapped Gamzee's arm and jerked his head urgently at the wooden latter that led to the upper decks. Voices could be heard, and they were slowly becoming more clipped and angry with every passing sentence.

"Look…what's your name?" Gamzee turned back to Eridan, who looked up in surprise.

"I…I'm Eridan."

"My name is Gamzee, and this is my brother, Kurloz."

Eridan's eyes went wide, "You have names?"

"Of course we do. We also have friends and families. And you're about to tear mine apart. I'm not asking for much, just a motherfucking lift up a couple of steps. Please, Eridan."

Eridan sat there quietly, his eyes flicking from the latter and back to the mermen his father had spent a lifetime chasing after. His father…and his brother. But never him. His resolve strengthened and he nodded grimly, "Alright, but we need to hurry."

"I'm warning you, Peixes, one more step and I'll knock you back myself."

Feferi was balanced on the very edge of her boat, leaning out towards the Dualscar like she was about to jump. In her hand was a small harpoon gun that was usual stowed under the seats in case of an emergency. Tavros and Karkat stood on either side of her, staring intently at Mr. Ampora in case he decided to try something.

Cronus was leering at Feferi, his nicotine stained teeth bared in an unpleasant grin. "Come on little fish princess. Jump."

"Fef," Karkat muttered, "we need to do something. Fuck knows what's going on below decks since that slimy devil slipped away."

"I know. Look, can one of you slip away and get in the water? Swim around and climb aboard the Dualscar before they notice?" Feferi murmured back, her knuckles white from her grip on the handrail.

"I think he'd notice pretty quickly if one of us just disappeared." Tavros commented quietly, "Why don't we just get on board and get Gamzee?"

"I want to avoid violence…" Feferi whispered, but it was clear she really didn't have a better option.

"Look, let's all jump together or some shit. They won't be suspecting something so monumentally stupid." Karkat hissed, glaring at Cronus, "I call the ugly one."

"…which one is that, exactly?" Tavros couldn't resist adding, even though he knew the situation was grave. He couldn't help it; his nerves were shot from worrying about Gamzee.

"Are you three done whispering to yourselves yet?" Mr. Ampora called out lazily, "It's very rude, you know."

"So is kidnapping people." Feferi snapped, her eyes narrowed.

"People? I would never do such a thing to a person." Mr. Ampora chided them scornfully, "What a horrible thing to say."

"He is a person!" Karkat spat, "His name is Gamzee and I've fucking had it with you!" With no time to grab him, Karkat leapt across the water and right into Mr. Ampora.

The only positive thing about that was Karkat had been right; it was such a monumentally stupid move that Mr. Ampora hadn't expected it, which bought Karkat a few needed seconds to punch him in the face.

The sound of a nose cracking beneath his fist brought a vicious smile to his face, and Karkat raised his fist once more only to grunt as Cronus kicked him from behind, sending him tumbling off Mr. Ampora.

Cronus advanced as Karkat got to his feet, the two of them squaring off like two furious alley cats.

Feferi took that time to leap across next, while Mr. Ampora was still down, and pointed her harpoon gun at his face, "Don't even think about it, you slimy sea serpent."

Tavros stared across the gap, his heart in his mouth. He couldn't jump that, not with these legs. He looked up as he heard a commotion, wincing as he saw Karkat and Cronus charge at each other, fists swinging and connecting with their opponents' bodies. He had to jump. He had to get to Gamzee—he was the only one.

With a deep breath, Tavros waited until the gentle flow of the ocean moved the boats a bit closer together, and then he leapt.

He hit the deck hard, letting his legs buckle and fold beneath him as he rolled to cushion his landing. Tavros' bruised and battered body made sure to complain, and he groaned as a sharp pain shot through his spine. But it faded and he was soon on his feet.

Racing over to the entrance below decks, Tavros threw open the door only to be met with a pair of startled, familiar yellow eyes. They stared for a second, the creature's face barely inches away from his own, and the only thing Tavros could think to say was, "You're not Gamzee."

"Tavros!" And excited voice from down below said, and Tavros looked over the creature's shoulder and spotted the person he'd come for.

"Gamzee! Oh thank god you're okay." He knelt down and, without a thought, grabbed the other creature and hauled him out, setting him down gently on the deck. "Um, hi, I'm Tavros." He grinned sheepishly at the other merman, noticing with a jolt how shockingly similar he looked to Gamzee. Turning around, Tavros went back for Gamzee only to come face to face with another surprise.

Eridan was standing there, balanced on the latter with one arm pressed awkwardly against his chest, "Tavros?"

Snarling, Tavros brought his arm back and punched Eridan in the face, sending him falling back into the galley with a satisfying thunk.

"Ow shit! I'm on your side cod dammit!" Eridan shouted, "I think you broke my nose…"

Ignoring him, Tavros leapt down and grabbed Gamzee, wrapping his arms around his Matesprit and holding him tightly, "Shit Gamzee, I thought I'd never see you again."

"I knew better, I knew you'd come get a brother in trouble." Gamzee said, his reply muffled as he buried his face in Tavros' shoulder.

"Come on, we have to get out of here." Tavros drew away and looked up, blushing as he found the other merman glaring down at him rather intently, "Uh, who's your friend?"

"My big brother, Kurloz." Gamzee smiled up at his brother, who's scowl merely deepened.

"B-brother!?" Tavros gaped, looking back and forth between the two.

"Is everyone just gonna ignore me bleeding out on the floor?" Eridan grumbled, sitting up and spitting out a glob of blood.

Gamzee grinned at Tavros, "It's a long story."

"You'll have to tell me on the way back. But come on, Feferi and Karkat can only hold them off for so long." Tavros crouched down and Gamzee wrapped his arms around his neck, then stood up and climbed the latter.

Kurloz instantly reached down and grabbed Gamzee, pulling him back up and glaring suspiciously at Tavros as Eridan crawled up to meet them. Only after being thoroughly reassured by Gamzee that Tavros was one of his friends and wouldn't hurt them, did he finally release his little brother.

"What now, Tav? We're kinda motherfucking stuck." Gamzee said quietly, crouching down as he heard the commotion going on behind them. Thankfully the sail provided enough shelter to hide behind, but it would only be a matter of time before they were discovered.

"I…I don't know." Tavros admitted, glancing at Eridan who merely glared at him, still not forgiving Tavros for breaking his nose.

There came a loud crash and a sharp curse, the four of them twisting around in time to see Cronus collide with the side of the boat.

With a snarl, the Ampora rose to his feet, wiping blood from his lip, "You're gonna pay for that, you piece of trash."

"Fucking make me." Karkat spat.

Cronus opened his mouth to make a sharp retort, only to meet the slightly sheepish gazes of four, very guilty people. "What…" His mouth fell open with shock, and then, before any of them could grab him, shouted, "Dad! Dad they're out!"

"WHAT!?" There came a sharp crack and a high pitched cry of pain, and then Mr. Ampora appeared, his lips twisted back in a snarl.

"Feferi!" Karkat took a step back towards where Mr. Ampora had come from, before wheeling around in fury, "How dare you."

Ignoring the advancing janitor, Mr. Ampora glared at his youngest son, "What the hell do you think you're doing with them?"

Eridan stared at his father, weariness drawn across his features, "I'm done, Dad. I'm just done with all of this. They can feel pain too. I remember…I remember them screaming…"

"They cannot feel! They aren't people! They're beasts!"

Karkat knelt down, silently picking up the harpoon gun Feferi had dropped, "No. You're the real beast." He aimed it at Mr. Ampora's back, "Now turn the fuck around."

"I've had enough of these childish games." Mr. Ampora spat, reaching into his jacket.

"Dad no!" Eridan shouted, but Tavros got to him first.

Knocking Mr. Ampora askew, the man's grip slipped and a pistol fell from his perfectly tailored jacket, hitting the deck and skidding right off the side and into the ocean with a little 'plop!'.

Karkat snarled and grabbed Mr. Ampora's jacket collar, yanking him down and putting a foot on his chest, leveling the harpoon gun to the man's face, "Move an inch, and I'll put one of these in your gut."

Mr. Ampora stilled, blanching slightly at the look Karkat was wearing.

Cronus, who'd been silent the entire time, now cleared his throat, "Forgetting something, I think."

Tavros turned and felt his breath leave him.

Another pistol, shining in the sun, was aimed at the two unprotected mermen.

"No!" Tavros moved towards Cronus, but he was too slow.

With a sneer, Cronus pulled the trigger. The bullet shot through the gun and hit its target, sinking into the purple flesh with a force that made the merman fall back into the arms of his brother.

Gamzee lay there, staring wordlessly at the sky, as purple blood began to run over his chest.

"NO! GAMZEE!"

Cronus laughed cruelly, striding over to the two merman and cocking the pistol again, "And now for the other one."

Kurloz gently set Gamzee down, smoothing his little brother's hair back with a small smile as Cronus approached. He did nothing until the Ampora was standing right over him, and then his face morphed into a truly horrendous expression.

Cronus tried to stagger backwards, but it was too late.

With a silent scream of rage, Kurloz leapt from the deck and latched onto Cronus, sending the two of them over the side of the ship. They hit the water with a splash, the pistol flying free of Cronus' grip as he hit the water with the merman on top of him. Kurloz gripped the front of Cronus' shirt and took off, his powerful tail propelling him to the bottom of the ocean floor.

It had been years, so many years, since Kurloz had tasted the ocean, since he had felt the sweet current against his skin and scales. But now all he could feel was a blinding fury, watching again and again as the bullet stuck his brother. He put on a burst of speed, not feeling the nails frantically scraping his shoulder, not hearing the silent screams as Cronus' air began to run out.

When it was finally done, Kurloz took off back to the surface, leaving nothing behind but the lifeless body of Cronus Ampora.