Here we go with chapter 23, I'm glad to be back, and I hope everyone will be ready for today. Sorry for not getting this out sooner. Again, things happened outside of here and kept me busy. I apologize but just glad to be getting this out for you all to enjoy.
Now then, this is going to be a very long chapter, mostly because I wanted to add as much of the fighting in this chapter. While also trying to set up for the next part of the story. While also showing what our heroes will have to deal with later. All of this leading towards the big finale.
Now then, last time we saw Melody and Lapis getting some help to get away from the pirates after their plan backfired. Thankfully they got some help, while Gabriella didn't need help to sneak onto Titus' ship. But unfortunately, she got caught while trying to rescue Ariel.
Think she'll have a good chance against Titus? Think she'll be able to defeat him again like she did last time? Or think something will come along to ruin the rematch? And how will things go when the British arrive?
Tune in today to find out everyone. Now, time for the disclaimer. I don't own anything owned by Disney except the OCs of my friend. Also, again I'm doing this for my friend who can no longer work on my projects.
Enjoy the chapter everyone.
Chapter XXIII
York, England
At the tavern, The Mermaid Cove, the brawl within the establishment has begun to die down. Earlier, Melody and Lapis were inside, sent to distract Titus' crew in order to prevent them from returning to the ship. This would allow Gabriella to sneak onboard the ship and free Ariel. However, the plan went bad when they were discovered by Noah and Naomi, members of Titus' inner circle.
Thankfully for the teens, they were saved by Ashla, who they met earlier and befriended. She caused a big brawl to break out within the bar, allowing the girls to escape. This left Noah and Naomi stuck in the brawl along with their new crewmates who joined them. After some time, the Knights of Roger came in and broke up the fighting, while arresting a few who refused to listen.
Noah and Naomi managed to make it out the back with their crewmates before they could get arrested. Naomi ordered the men they had with them earlier lead the crew away from the building, while she catches her breath.
"Fucking shit! Fuck!" Naomi kicked one of the barrels over as she let out her frustration with what had just happened. "I can't believe that shit just happened!" She couldn't believe they not only got outsmarted by the queen's daughter and their friends, but they got into that brawl, which was the last thing they needed to deal with.
"Those little bitches almost got us arrested thanks to that little stunt calm herself down Naomi as she begins trying to calm herself down as she looked down at her pocket watch to see the time. "And we're 10 minutes past the time we were supposed to be here. We need to get back to the ship and…Noah? Are you okay?"
Naomi looked over and saw Noah bend over a barrel and was heard throwing up. She goes to him and rubs his back making sure he's all right. "Let it out. Let it out. Come on. You can do it."
Noah managed to regain himself as he slowly stood up and took out a napkin to wipe away anything around his mouth. "A-Apolo-gies…I um g-got pun-ched in the gut a m-in-ute ago and um it caus-ed me to l-lo-lose my dinner."
Naomi sees her friend's face and notices he has a swollen black eye on his left eye. "Fuck you took a punch. That looks bad."
"Eh I-It's okay," said Noah who didn't want to admit the punch was meant for Naomi, but he got in the back and took it for her. "Ju-st glad y-o-you're okay."
Naomi nods while glad Noah is okay before she looked up to the building and sighed. "I still can't believe Ms. Ariel's daughter is here. And they got one over on us."
"I know, but hey," Noah spits out the last bit of vomit he had in his mouth before he tosses his napkin away. "I'll give them credit. They gave one of heck of a performance."
Naomi turned to Noah with a look of "Are you serious" on her face. "You joking? How are you praising them for what they did? If you're trying to be funny, this isn't the time for it."
"From time to time, yes I can be very funny, but not in this case," said Noah who couldn't deny the performance the teenage girls gave earlier. "You forget, lass. I'm a musician and it's not often I get to hear some amazing music playing, especially from places around here."
Noah also couldn't deny he did give the girls some bit of respect for what they pulled back there. Something he knew about Naomi deep down likely feels the same.
"You got to also give them credit. Hey almost fooled us too. They played their parts as pirates well, didn't show any signs they weren't one of us, and made us believe they were pirates," said Noah who gave credit where credit is due. "It's a shame we found out who they were. I would have loved to have them join us and I could finally have my own band."
Naomi grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him in close, while she had a serious look on her face. "You are a fucking idiot. You know that?"
Noah gave a small chuckle and nods. "Aww, but that's why you love me, right?"
Naomi rolled her eyes and pushed Noah backwards. "Not a word to this to the captain, especially around Marina. The last thing we need is to get a long lecture from her about what happened and have her threaten our lives again."
"Eh it's not like she plans to do it anyways," said Noah who's gotten used to the yelling and threats from Marina, who he also knew deep down loves them all.
"I'm not. I swear one of these days we're going to…" Naomi stopped when she realized something important that they didn't notice before, but now she just realized it. "Hold on a second. How the hell did they even know where we'd be? How did they even get here? And why did they come alone?"
Noah seemed confused at first, before he caught on with what his friend said and realized these are very good questions. "I mean, Undertow did say he destroyed all the ships. So, there's no way they got here so soon. And without the trident, no way they could have gotten here even if they had gotten a ship."
Noah knew most of the ships were all heavy ones and would take a week to get here. He walked out of the alleyway and began looking for any signs of King Eric and King Triton's men, in disguise as pirates. But saw they were all just regular pirates. Noah came back and crossed his arms while thinking more about this.
"I didn't see any of the men who work for both the kings. So, it's unlikely the girls came here with them. But even if it's just the two of them. There's no way they would have found their out here, unless they got a pirate to help them?"
The two think about this more while trying to figure out how this was possible. It was then they both came to the same conclusion about who this pirate is that helped them. If this is true now, they know why the girls came here. And where their pirate friend is at.
"Oh fuck. She's on the ship, isn't she?" Noah asked as they realized what their plan was.
"I think so. Come on. We need to go before…" Naomi stopped when she heard a booming sound from a distance. It was then she realized what it is and tackled Noah down before turning to the crew. "Cannon fire! Get down!"
The crew all got down as the cannon fire hit the tavern they just got out from and heard a loud explosion coming from inside. The explosion blew the windows out and caused the buildings around it to shake.
"What the fuck was that?" Noah asked as they got back to their feet.
"British cannon," Naomi replied before she got up and heard more cannon firing.
She begins flashing back to a memory of her past. A memory of her when she was little. Being back home with her family and friends. Before the British arrived. Their cannon fire, their musket rifles shooting at the innocent, and being ripped away from her mother.
She soon snapped out of it when she saw Noah holding her hand. "Hey, stay with me, luv," said Noah as he tried to keep Naomi from getting ls t in her past.
Naomi shook her head and began to regain her senses. "I'm fine. I'm fine. Thank you, Noah," she replied as she thanked Noah for what he did before she turned to the crew, who looked terrified. "Man, up you filthy rats! We're pirates and we don't let anything get in our way, especially those spineless English cowards!" Now, if you want to live and sail the seas as free men, then follow us!"
The men all rallied behind Naomi as she pulled out her sword and motioned for the men to follow her. Noah begins to follow her and runs up to be by her side as they head back to the ship.
"Thank you, Noah. I just…whenever I hear those cannons being fired," said Naomi who knew she froze earlier and hates feeling that way.
"I get it. I do. Don't forget. I know the sounds of those cannons being fired and how much I hate the English too," said Noah who could never forget what those bastards did to him, his father, and mother. "We just need to focus on the task at hand and get back to the ship before its too late."
Naomi nods in agreement and they run towards their ship. While trying to avoid the British soldiers and avoid any more delays.
As they begin to run, they hear gunshots being fired behind them. With the musket balls missing both Noah and Naomi. They see a group of ten Englishmen charging at them, with their bayonets on the tip of their rifles. Noah and Naomi prepared themselves, when suddenly a bottle was tossed over them and hit the group of soldiers. Transforming them into chickens, while still in their uniforms, which shrunk, but lost their weapons.
The chickens looked around confused until they saw each other and began to bawk loudly. They soon ran away as Naomi and Noah turn around to see Marina walking over to them with the twins, Mei and Mai Katsumoto by her side.
More soldiers began to appear and charge at them, but the twins took out their fans before they charged in. Throwing some bombs in the air, they detonated and released smoke. Covering around them as the soldiers stopped charging and tried to see their way through the smoke. Unaware the twins walked into the smoke.
The ten soldiers in the smoke begin forming a square and begin looking around for any signs of the enemy. As they looked around, they heard something moving around. It sounds like chains echoing on the ground around them. Following the chain noises, they soon heard a loud woosh sound passing around.
The men begin losing their cool as the sound got closer and closer. Making the men wonder what was going on and what was making that noise.
One of the men, a young man in his 20s looked around. Gripping his weapon ever so tightly while giving a small prayer under his breath. He stopped when he saw something in front of him.
A shadowy figure, which caused him to aim his weapon towards it. Pulling the hammer back, he prepared to fire, when he suddenly saw the face of this mysterious figure. His eyes widened and his courage began to falter when he saw the face glowing a bright yellow glow. Giving the appearance of a demonic feline.
Before the man can open fire, something is launched towards him, causing him to scream.
Outside of the smoke, Noah and Naomi stood by Marina as they watched the twins enter the smoke a minute ago. Noah and Naomi knew this was a favorite move for the twins to use, which is why they fear them. They're both mute, so they can only use hand-signs to communicate with someone, which is mostly Marina or Titus. They also always walk around the ship with those creepy cheshire cat masks.
It made it hard to get a read of the girls, especially in a fight. Though that's why Titus likes them. They're quiet, loyal, and lethal. Noah and Naomi have heard stories about how the two were the daughters of a powerful Chinese Warlord who abandoned them when they were born since he was hoping for a son.
The twins were found though by a group of ninja assassins. They taught the girls the art of shinobi and how to use intimidation to their advantage. The twins would go on to kill all those who stood in their way and build a reputation for themselves. Before they eventually met their father and killed him…slowly and painfully.
All this at the age of 8 years old. Marina found them when they were ten. Both bored that there was no more fun in their land, and no one could challenge them. Marina offered them a place on the crew and promised them they could spread their terror everywhere they go, which the twins gladly accepted.
Of course, these are just stories, so there is no way to confirm this. Unless you ask Marina, she would never tell the truth about the twins.
Noah and Naomi soon heard the sounds of screaming going on in the smoke, followed by gunfire being shot. The two felt uneasy when they heard the screams, the begging, and cries.
"F-Fuck. That is just…I mean, fucking wow," said Noah who didn't know what else to say except what he just said.
"I really fucking hate those two," said Naomi who always felt uneasy to be around the twins, especially when they do stuff like this.
"Be glad you two are on our side, otherwise I would have had the twins killed you long ago," said Marina who despite her feelings for these idiots, she knew they're useful and have been a big help to Titus. "Don't worry. They'll make it quick. Can't stay for too long after all."
"Yeah, about that, where the fuck is Undertow? I thought he was going to take care of the British if they arrived," said Naomi who thought that oversized shark would have prevented the British from making port.
"They didn't come by sea. They came by land. At least, this group," said Marina who knew the fleet coming in by sea will be taken care of, but the men that came from land, are a whole other story. "It seems someone from this wretched town has sold the pirates here out. Still, makes no difference to me. We'll be leaving here soon and leave these idiots to deal with the pirates."
As soon as Marina finished speaking, the screams and cries died down as the smoke dissipated. The twins soon begin walking back towards the group covered in blood after they finished leaving the English soldiers in pieces. The men all cut down into so many pieces. Leaving many of them with terrified looks on their faces.
Some even had their faces cut right down in the middle and others their heads are cut into pieces. While leaving behind a pool of blood and guts on the ground along with the limbs.
The twins had already put their weapons away as they approached the group, before they stopped, and gave Marina a small head bow.
"Excellent work. Now, let's get going," said Marina before she turned to Noah and Naomi. "Do me a favor and carry the rest of the supplies with us back to the ship. And don't straggle behind."
Marina soon begins walking off towards the ship with the twins walking behind her. Noah and Naomi sighed in relief that this was over, as they grabbed the supplies Marina had left for them to carry.
"I fear the day Titus leaves her in charge of the whole ship," said Noah as he followed the others but kept a good distance from them.
"You and me both," said Naomi who knew the last thing she wants is Marina in charge. "Now, come on. Let's get to the ship and get the fuck out of here."
As they begin to leave, the sound of a gun hammer pulled back could be heard behind them. "F-Filthy pirates," on the ground was a wounded soldier who had his gun aimed at Noah and Naomi. "You wi-ll pa-y for this."
Noah stood in the way to shield Naomi, before an arrow pierced through the back of the man's head, killing him instantly. Looking over, they soon saw a woman standing on a rooftop.
She appeared to be the same age as Noah and Naomi, except she had long flowing black hair, green eyes, brown skin, and looked to be wearing an outfit that looked like a Native American.
"Perfect timing, Odina. Perfect shot too," said Noah as he recognized their ally.
The girl leaped off the rooftop and grabbed the edge of the balcony below her. She then leaped off and lands on the ground in front of her friends.
Naomi scoffed and crossed her arms. "Show-off," she muttered under her breath,
"Show-off, yes, but after saving our lives, I will let it go. Thanks for the help again, doc," said Noah as he thanked Odina, the ship's medic. "We thought you'd had already gone back to the ship."
"I was, when I saw the fighting erupt and I tried to tend to the wounded," said Odina as she spoke in English, but still had an accent from her native land. "We should depart soon though. More will come and the fighting will grow."
Naomi turned to the town and sighed, knowing the other is right. "Then let's get back to the ship before that happens."
"Not going to hear any complaints from me," said Noah as they begin heading back to the ship and hope it's still there in one piece.
*Few minutes earlier*
For Gabriella, time slowed to a crawl. One minute she had broken Melody's mom, Ariel, from her captivity and they were on their way out. When Ariel told her she had to stay because of a deal she made with Titus. The next thing they knew, the devil himself showed up.
The moment she heard his voice, she flashed back to him destroying her ship, killing her crew, and leaving her marooned on that island to die. Unaware there was life on it. The people of the island saved her, took care of her, and helped her find a way to get back to her home. Allowing her to come back and three years later, meet the man who took everything from her.
"A fine speech, Gabriella. Very fine," Gabriella's attention turned to Titus as she saw him removing his coat and revealing himself to be shirtless underneath. "You left out a few key details to your story, but then again, you probably didn't know about them, so I can't blame you for getting it wrong."
For the time being, he looked human. Unlike their last encounter days ago, when he had transformed into his beast-like form. Despite how he looked, his body was very muscular, with dozens of different scars all around it. Showing he has seen many battles and has overcome all the obstacles that have gotten in his way.
Standing behind him, Gabriella saw his two followers Isaac and Raphael, with their swords in hand, before Titus motioned for them to put their weapons away.
"No. I'm going to give her exactly what she wants," said Titus as he begins to climb over the railing and leaps off before gently landing on the ground, without making any noise. "I will give her the revenge she so desperately has been seeking."
Titus begins to pull his sword out as the magical weapon begins humming softly before the pirate captain himself points his weapon towards her. "Now then, Gabriella. Are you ready to finish what we started days ago?"
Gabriella motions for Ariel to take a few steps back before she moves her sword up in a defensive stance. "More like three years ago. Let's finish this, asshole."
"Ah yes. Of course," said Titus as he figured that's why she came. "You're here to avenge the loss of your comrades after what I did. How very human of you."
"Revenge? Tch as if," said Gabriella as she kept her guard up and didn't move a muscle. "I came here to bring Ariel home, but now? I'm going to kick your ass, hand you off to the Knights of Rogers for your crimes and sail off to my next adventure."
"The last time we fought, you caught me off-guard. That won't happen again," said Titus as he got into a fighting stance and prepared for battle.
"We've got one win over the other, Titus. The only difference is I left you so badly burned; your little princess needed to save you. This time, she isn't here to save you," said Gabriella as she begins looking around her surroundings and plans out her next moves.
"I won't need her to defeat you, pirate scum," said Titus as he prepared to fight.
The two stood ready. Both try not to make a sound or taking their eyes off the other. Both knew this would be a fight to the end, one way or another. Even if Gabriella says she plans to bring him in alive, if she ends up killing him, fine, but she can at least say she did try to keep him alive.
And is doing it for the right reasons, not the ones that nearly got her killed the first time she fought him.
As the two prepared to charge at one another to fight, Ariel rushes in and stands between the two. "Wait!" Ariel moved her hands out to keep the two from fighting.
"Ms. Ariel, please move out of the way. I've got this," said Gabriella who knows she can take Titus on.
"No! I'm not going to let you risk your life for me or let any blood be shed," said Ariel who didn't want to risk anyone getting hurt for her. "Please, just go, Gabriella. Please go home with my daughter and keep her safe."
"Are you fucking nuts?!" Gabriella exclaimed while looking upset and confused. "Pardon my language, ma'am, but I told you before, this guy can't be trusted to keep his word. He's not looking to spare your family or the families of anyone else. He's planning something really bad and believe me when I say…" she moved her sword up to point towards Titus. "It will destroy many lives."
Ariel knew Gabriella wouldn't be saying any of this if she didn't know Titus personally. And from the sound of things, it was personal between the two.
Ariel turned towards Titus and had a stern expression on her face. "Is this true? Are you planning to harm my family? Even after giving me your word, you wouldn't?"
Titus could see this wasn't going exactly how he expected this to go, but he knew eventually he'd be confronted by Ariel about this. Putting his sword away, he began moving his arms behind his back and explained himself.
"While it is true that your family wouldn't be harmed, I can't say for sure what I plan wouldn't affect your human family. At least your husband and his family," said Titus as he walked over towards the side of the ship and looked out towards the city of York. "Tell me, my dear. Did your father ever tell you the truth? About Atlantis, how the Merpeople came to be, and about how he became king?"
Ariel begins to slowly nod in response as she recalls the story she was told when she was little. How their undersea kingdom was once Atlantis, how her grandfather was Poseidon, about Titus, and how his actions led to the downfall of their kingdom.
Titus seemed surprised with what Ariel told him and didn't expect his little brother to tell his daughters the truth. Although, he did seem to try to make it sound more like a story than anything else.
"Looking back at it, I guess father told us this story as a moral of what happens when a sibling lets their hatred and anger turn them into monsters," said Ariel who now sees the story she was told was very real and Titus is the one who destroyed their home.
Titus chuckled softly as he gave several small nods before regaining his composure. "The real morale of the story seemed more what happens when you give a weak fool power and doesn't use them to take action to help the world," Titus turned towards Ariel and then points towards the city. "Did you know, before this city was built, this whole area was once home to countless creatures? Creatures that lived in peace wanting to help others and share their knowledge. Instead? The humans came, killed many of them, called them evil, took their home, and paved it over with…with this!"
Titus turned back towards the city and placed his hands on the railing, nearly crushing the wooden railing. "I tried to warn father that this is what was going to happen! That if we let the humans take over and do nothing to stop them, then this was going to happen. Humans are dangerous, uncivilized, and greedy. They will take whatever they want because they believe it all belongs to them!"
"And you think you're above us?" Gabriella spoke up as she stood next to Ariel. "You who used all your gifts and knowledge only to lower yourself to that of a human. Throwing away your sense of honor to murder any human who gets in your way and shows no mercy. You sir are a hypocrite. And one who shouldn't talk about how bad humans are when you're just as bad as us."
"I am nothing like them!" said Titus as he turned towards Ariel and begins calming himself. "You may have seen the good in some humans, my dear. But you've also seen their ugly side too. Like the ones who killed your mother. Oh yes, I know all about it and how it all happened."
Ariel indeed does remember what happened that day. She was young and claimed she didn't remember it, but that's only because she suppressed it. She didn't want to remember how her mother, who was so sweet, kind, caring, and loving, being killed by those pirates.
Those monsters that showed no mercy and took their mother from her family. Leaving them without her for so long and leaving a hole in their hearts for so many years.
"And they're just an example of human cruelty," said Titus as he crossed his arms and leaned against the railing. "My plan, cruel as it may sound, is the only way to save this world. To save it from the human filth that has caused so much harm to it and needs to pay. Will it result in so many humans being killed, yes. But in the end, the remaining humans I spare will look to me to lead them and this time, I will do what the Olympians couldn't do, make sure humanity stays on the righteous path."
"And you think finding your daddy's original trident is the key to do that? Think again," said Gabriella as she moved around in front of Ariel and points her sword towards Titus. "I won't let you do this, and I will stop you."
Ariel's expression turned to one of confusion when she heard what Gabriella said. "Original trident? What are you talking about?"
"Ah," Titus begins to chuckle softly as he shook his head. "So, my brother didn't tell you that part of the story, huh?" He should have figured he wouldn't tell even his children this part of their history.
"During the great Titan War, Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades were gifted the most powerful weapons that ever existed in order to defeat the Titans. The original trident had more power than the trident your father had used. Capable of breaking any curse, capable of summoning every creature of the sea to serve them, and even create large floods that could cover the planet in nothing but water."
Ariel gasped when she heard what the original trident could do, but also when she realized what Titus was planning to do. And Titus could see the look on Ariel's face to show she understood his plans.
"That's right. With the trident in my hands, I'll use it to not only wipe away half of the humans, but also flood much of the lands leaving only a small number intact," said Titus as he revealed what he planned to do. "Sadly, I've already picked out the places that will be spared. Meaning, the ones I haven't picked will be wiped away."
"Y-You monster! You can't do that!" Ariel cried out in anger. "Innocent humans will be killed."
"Yes, and the ones who will remain will ensure the next generation will remain innocent. Untainted by the cruelty of the past and push forward to a better future for all," said Titus as he sees his ideas aren't getting through to Ariel and figured as much. "I understand you will be against this, but please consider this. You either agree to keep your end of the deal and join me to get the trident…or I will return to your home and wipe away every single human from your kingdom. Including your husband and half-breed child."
"N-No! Please, you wouldn't," said Ariel who didn't want to risk losing her family to this monster.
"He won't!" Gabriella throws some small balls towards Titus, who swings his sword and slashes through them.
However, the explosives ignited the moment the sword pierced them, releasing smoke from them. Titus begins to cough as Gabriella charges in and swings her sword. Titus, despite being engulfed in smoke, can hear Gabriella coming towards him and quickly blocks her sword. He pushes her back and swings his weapon, but Gabriella leaps over him and jumps on the railing.
Titus swings his weapon to her feet, but she blocks it with her sword. Titus begins swinging his weapon from all sides trying to throw the girl off her balance, but Gabriella kept her balance well despite Titus' power behind his swings. Titus swings his sword downward under the railing to help cut through it and break it off. Gabriella quickly grabbed the rope and swung over before landing behind Titus.
Titus charges in and the two begin swinging their swords against one another. Gabriella is smaller and faster, so she could block his attacks and avoid him getting a hit on her. While Titus is bigger and stronger. He was still fast enough to counter her attacks, but he knew he had to be careful, she is a trickster.
Ariel watched in awe at what she was seeing. She saw Gabriella fight before, but never like this. She never saw her move and fight like this. This was something she never expected to see as she kept back and watched the fight go on.
Titus and Gabriella swung their swords till they collided as they both tried to push the other off. But this was Gabriella's mistake as Titus was stronger and was able to push her back towards the mass of the ship. He then pushed her back hard till her head hit the back of the mass of the ship. He disarmed her of her sword and tried to cut her head off.
Gabriella quickly stomps on his foot, causing him to stagger back. She then drops to her knees and punches him square in the nuts, causing him to groan in pain. Even Isaac and Raphaël winced when they saw their captain get hit in the groin. While Ariel covered her mouth and didn't expect that from Gabriella.
Gabriella grabbed her sword and went to attack, but Titus quickly kicked her with his right boot and sent her flying towards some crates, breaking through them. Gabriella groaned loudly from this as she began to cough due to the dust around her. Titus backs away and tried to recover from the nutshot. Gabriella begins getting out of the destroyed crate and wipe away the dust from her clothes.
"That…was a dirty…fucking…trick," said Titus as he managed to regain his composure and got ready to continue.
"Pirate, remember? Ain't no such thing as fairness," said Gabriella with a cocky smile reminding the other who he's up against.
Titus scoffed softly as he indeed did forget who he was up against. "My mistake. Well then, let's continue then without playing fair."
As the two prepared to continue with their fight, a loud cannon shot could be heard. Followed by the sound of muskets being fired and someone running by the docks yelling: "The British are here! The British are here!"
"Oh fuck," said Gabriella who knew this isn't good.
Just then, cannon fire could be heard as one of the pirate ships got hit by some cannons from an approaching British ship, with several others following suit.
"Double fuck," said Gabriella who knew this just went from bad to worst.
"Damn it all," said Titus who knew the British being here will complicate things, unless Undertow does what he was sent to do. "It seems we'll need to settle this another time," said Titus as he puts his sword away. "Isaac, Raphael, kill the girl."
Ariel gasped while Gabriella looked shocked as Isaac and Raphael took out their guns. "Hey! Asshole! We're not done fighting!" Gabriella exclaimed in anger.
"Yes, we are. You said you came here with Ariel's half-breed daughter, correct? Meaning, she came here dressed as a pirate and is somewhere in town, right?" Titus asked as he gets only silence from Gabriella, but her body language gave him the answer. "What do you think will happen when the English find her? Do you think they'll spare her if she tells them she's a princess? Or do you think she'll be hung at the gallows or shot?"
Gabriella scowled softly knowing this is true. Yes, Lara is out there watching the girls, but from the sound of the musket and cannon fire, there's no way she can get them out to safety.
"You have two choices. Continue fighting and risk getting shot by my men," said Titus as Isaac and Raphael keep their guns locked on Gabriella. "Or leave, find the princess, and return her home."
"Not without Ariel," said Gabriella who isn't going to leave without Ariel. She made a promise to save her and bring her back to Melody.
"Death it is then. Although I should warn you my dear. You're fast, but these two are faster on the trigger," said Titus as his men pull the hammer back and prepared to fire.
Gabriella knew this was bad. She could take cover and grab Ariel, then jump to the dock. But she knew even if she did, they'd be chase by Titus and his men. And she knew she couldn't get Ariel to safety with them on her heels. She also knows those two are fast with their guns, so there's a good chance they might hit her arms or legs, slowing her down.
Ariel, not wanting to see the poor girl get hurt, rushes over and moved her arms out to shield her. "Stop!" she replied as she kept the men from trying to shoot Gabriella. "Titus let's make a deal. A brand-new deal that you will honor."
Titus moved his left hand up to motion for the men to holster their weapons. "I'm listening."
"If you promise to spare Gabriella, spare my people of my kingdom and the people of the kingdoms we're aligned with…and I will go with you," said Ariel as she revealed her terms. "I won't fight you, I won't run away, and I will help you get the trident."
"Ariel, what the fuck are you doing?" said Gabriella who is shocked with what Ariel is doing. "You can't make a deal with this bastard. He won't keep his end of the deal."
"I have to try, Gabriella. We both know we're not getting out of this in one piece. You know I'm right and you know we're not both getting out of this," said Ariel who didn't need to read her mind to know what she's thinking. "At least this way, you'll live to fight another day. Just go back to Melody, keep her safe, and stay alive, okay?"
"Ariel, please. Don't do this," said Gabriella who didn't want to risk losing the other to this monster. "I promised Melody, I'd bring you back to her. And I don't break my promises."
"I know that, and I appreciate it," said Ariel as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Gabriella for a hug.
This caught Gabriella off-guard, who didn't expect this at all. She didn't expect Ariel to hug her, much less for it to feel good. Her own mother never hugged her like this or showed much love like Ariel did. This left her confused and unsure what to do.
Ariel leaned to her ear and whispered. "Warn everyone what Titus is planning and find a way to stop him," she then pushed Gabriella overboard and sends her into the water.
Gabriella didn't have time to react when Ariel pushed her, until she fell into the water and began pushing herself out of the water while looking up to Ariel. She couldn't believe she did that. She could have found a way to save them both and go home. She just needed to give her a chance.
But when she saw her being pulled away and saw Titus' men aiming their guns at her, she began to dive under the water. The men opened fire, but they knew they missed and couldn't see where she's at. The water was too dark and without sufficient light, they wouldn't be able to hit her.
Gabriella begins swimming away from the ship and the dock so she can get somewhere safe. When she swam up under the dock to get some air, she looked back to the ship and sighed. She still couldn't believe Ariel chose to stay. But after calming herself down and beginning thinking about it, she knew she had made the right call.
Even if she did find a way to get them to safety, with the British running around, she knew they likely would have gotten shot. And if that happened, then no one would be there to save the girls. Even with Lana looking out for them, she knew even her little fairy friend couldn't stop a whole regiment of British soldiers. As much as she hates to admit it, Ariel made the right decision.
It was the only way to save her life and now she has to find another way to save her. While hoping to stop Titus before he can accomplish what he's looking for. She just has to find a way to track them down before he can get his hands on the trident. Looking around, she knew there was only one person around here that could help.
"I just pray she'll still be here," said Gabriella as she took a deep breath and begins swimming off.
Meanwhile, Isaac and Raphael looked around for Gabriella but couldn't find her. They knew they didn't hit her, so it's likely she went under the ship and went to the other side. The other is she went towards the dock to take cover, get some air, and get some distance from them. The two men turned to Titus as he walked over to look over the railing to see no sign of Gabriella.
"That's the third time that girl has escaped death," said Titus as he felt a tinge of frustration that Gabriella is still alive, but he had to admit, she is one of the few humans who he's impressed have managed to survive against him.
"What do we do sir?" Isaac asked, wondering what their captain would like them to do.
Titus knew as long as that girl is alive, she poses a threat. But he knew with the British now here, they have little time to make their escape.
"Let her go. Once the crew returns, get the ship ready to sail before those ships get any closer and damage the ship," said Titus before he turned towards Ariel. "As for you, despite everything you were told and what I have planned, you still plan to stay here with us?"
Ariel stood before the other with a determined and defiant look on her face. "As long as you keep your end of the deal of sparing my family, friends, and kingdom, then yes. I will do whatever you need, and I won't try to escape."
Titus has to admit, his niece reminded him a lot of his sister. So strong and brave, despite how bad things look. She's a lot different than how he's heard she's like. He looked over and saw the crew running down the dock towards the ship.
"Raphael, take her down to her cabin and not a word about this to Marina. None of you. Got it?" Titus ordered Isaac and Raphaël nods in response.
"Let's go my dear," said Raphael as he motioned for the other to follow him.
Ariel slowly nods in response and begins to follow him down below back to her room. Once they're gone, Titus begins heading up to his cabin. "Isaac, make sure to get the new crewmates understand their place, got it?"
"Yes sir," said Isaac as he understood what he needed to do.
Once Titus left to go back to his cabin, Marina arrived with the masked twins Mei and Mai. Along with Naomi Noah, Odina, who has a blackeye on his left eye.
"We've returned, Isaac, sir. With a fresh batch of pirates to join our ranks," said Noah as he gave the other a small salute.
Isaac sighed as he turned to Naomi who too had a bruise on her left eye. "Dare I even ask what happened?"
"Nothing, sir. Nothing at all for you to be concerned about," said Naomi who didn't want to admit they lost Princess Melody and risk getting lectured for their failure. "But don't worry. You should have seen the other guy."
Isaac knew something had happened, but knew they didn't have any time, especially as the gunfire got closer. "Get the stuff to Marina's quarters and go to Odina's room so she can check on your eye."
"Isaac, I'm fine, I…" Naomi sees Isaac moved his hand up motioning it wasn't a request he was asking for. She sighed softly and nodded in response. "Yes sir. I understand."
Isaac motions for Naomi to head down with Noah before he turned to the new crew. "Get to your stations!" he ordered the rest of the crew. "We make sail now before we get sunk! On the double!"
"Aye! You heard the man! To your stations!" Naomi shouted as the men all begin running to their stations and begin getting the ship ready to sail.
Naomi and Noah begin taking off to their stations, while Marina has the twins head up to Titus' cabin to keep guard. She walked over to Isaac before noticing the railing nearby looking damaged.
"What happened here?" Marina asked, wondering what happened while they were gone.
"Some fools who thought they could take the ship," said Isaac as he lied towards the other. "Nothing to be concerned about."
"I see," said Marina as she walked over and began moving her right hand along the damaged railing. "They must have put up a fight if they were able to do this."
"Brave, but both foolish and stupid. As I said. Nothing to be concerned about, Marina," said Isaac who kept quiet about what really happened and made sure Marina didn't find out. "Is there anything else? Or do you plan to waste more time on these questions while we're setting sail?"
Marina stared at Isaac and knew he was hiding something. There's no one that stupid that'd try to come on to their ship to try taking over. Not only that, but the damage on the railing also showed the fight involved Titus. She knew it because she could feel the residue of his magical sword left along the damaged railing.
She knew though if Isaac was hiding this from her, then it must mean Titus ordered him to stay quiet. Marina decided not to peruse this and walked over to grab her bag of belongings.
"Just do a better job next time and keep the ship from falling into anyone's hands," said Marina as she heads down towards her room to begin working on some new potions.
A few minutes earlier
Melody and Lapis couldn't believe it. Moments ago, they were trying to stop Titus' crew from getting back to their ship, then got caught by the pirates, and then got saved. First by Ashla, a pirate girl they ran into who helped them escape and caused a big fight to break out in the bar. Then the second time they were saved was in the hands of a small fairy, a pixie fairy named Lana.
They're told by Ashla how Lana is a pixie fairy that comes from a faraway world called Pixie Hollow. Home to all pixie fairies of all different types and different skills. There are fairies who are in charge of helping wildlife, plant life, insect life, sunlight, etc. They are born through the first laughter of a newborn, which is then brought to Pixie Hollow and is assigned their job of what their talent is.
In Lana's case, she is a Duster. Those in charge of helping produce and distributing Pixie Dust. The magical property that allows fairies to fly and get to where they need to go. Lana though grew bored with her work and wanted to do things her way. To study the stars, to explore the human world, and be free.
One thing led to another, and she got banished from her home.
She ended up helping the natives on a nearby island and they took her in. She then met Gabriella and the two became partners. Lana used the Pixie Dust she made on her own and was able to use it to help them escape from where Gabriella was stranded. She has since then been by her side and has helped her in the shadows.
Ashla met Lana during the time she worked with Gabriella before she left her and stayed in York. Trying to get by and working her way to getting her own ship, along with her own crew.
"And that's about it. Any questions?" Ashla asked, wanting to see if the girls had anything else they wanted to ask her.
Melody and Lapis though were both caught up with how adorable Lana looked. They had read stories about fairies and had always hoped to see them one, one day. Now? Here's one right before them and she's adorable.
Lana took notice of the looks from the two teens and backed away, before speaking to Ashla. "Um can you please tell them to stop staring at me like this? It's making me uncomfortable."
Ashla could see how the looks the girls were giving would make the small fairy feel uneasy. "Um girls? *Fingers snap* Yo! Snap out of it."
Both girls indeed did snap back to normal, and both cleared their throats.
"Sorry about that. It's just. We've always wanted to see an actual fairy when we were little," said Melody who had dreamed of meeting a fairy when she was around 5.
"I only read about them and found them to be so cute," said Lapis who too had dreamed of one day meeting a fairy. "And they really are. She's so adorable."
Lapis moved her hand out to touch Lana, but the fairy girl pulled out her makeshift sword. Showing she wasn't going to let the other touch her. Lapis saw this and moved her hand back. Looking a little sad and disappointed.
"Sorry, but she's not the type that likes people staring at her…well, like how you two were earlier," Ashla explained as she also motions for Lana to put her sword away, which thankfully, she does. "Anyways, do you two have any questions about Lana or about what I told you?"
"Um yes, I do," said Melody as she turned to the small fairy and then back to Ashla. "How come every time she talks, all I hear are bell ringing?"
"Sorry to say you need to spend some more time with her in order to learn what she's saying," Ashla tries her best to explain this part, since it took her a while to get the hang of it. "In order to understand fairies, one might have to have been to where they come from and connect with them. Gabriella and I were able to do that by spending time with Lana. But don't worry. Over time I'm sure you two will get the hang of it…assuming you can explain to me why you two are here with Gabriella?
Ashla walked over towards Melody and began crossing her arms around her chest. "I get you're here to save your mum, but why did Titus kidnap her? Considering as I said the guy doesn't kidnap royalty and usually kills them. So, start talking and why is Gabriella involved."
Melody knew this was going to be brought up and decided to come clean. She tells her how her mother was kidnapped because Titus needs her to find Poseidon's original trident. Because they're related to Poseidon, they believe only they can help him get the trident. Melody asked Gabriella to help her and in exchange, she'd be given her own ship.
"Gabriella sent us to keep Titus' crew from coming back to the ship. While Gabriella goes onboard his ship to rescue my mother," said Melody as she finished telling the other everything.
"But then well the rest as they say is history. We really do appreciate your help Ashla," said Lapis before she turned to the pixie fairy. "And yours too, Lana."
Lana gave a small nod and motioned that she didn't need to thank her. Mostly because she was already doing her job anyways. Ashla thought was deep in her thought. She took in everything that Melody said and is rather surprised.
"I'm not going to lie. I knew Gabriella was involved in this somehow when Lana showed up," said Ashla who wasn't surprised by that part. "However, I don't like the idea of her going off to Titus' ship alone, especially the history between the two."
Melody and Lapis turn to each other knowing they did feel there was some history due to the way Gabriella talked about Titus. And from what Melody overheard the adults said during her grandfather's fight with Titus. She didn't try prying into it. Mainly because she felt whatever history there is, is a painful one.
"I mean. We know there's something, but we believe she would put that aside to keep her promise to save my mom," said Melody who didn't doubt her friend would avoid any confrontation with Titus. "How well do you know her?"
"Heh," Ashla moved Lana on her shoulder and leaned herself against the wall. "I've known her since I was a slave working for Blackbeard, her grandfather."
"A slave? How horrible," said Lapis who couldn't believe Ashla was a slave. "Is that how you two became friends? She helped free you and you escaped together?"
"Not at first, but we eventually did escape together, and I owed Gabriella for freeing me. It's a really long story, which I'll tell you two another time," said Ashla who knew now was not the time for more story telling. "Now then, let's get you two back to the ship. If Gabriella gotten your mother out, then we need to go before…"
Suddenly a man ran by the building where the women are at yelling something loudly. "The British are here! The British are…" a gunshot soon was heard and hits the man in the back, killing him, followed by the sound of cannon fire.
"Get down!" Ashla grabbed the two teens and pushed them down as the cannonballs crashed through the building and nearly hit them. "That was way too fucking close."
"What's going on?" Melody asked wondering what just happened.
"The English are here, and they look like they're aware of us pirates living here," said Ashla as she got up and looked out the window to see the pirates coming out and begin engaging the British forces. "We need to go, now!"
Ashla got the girls to their feet and began running out of the building from the backdoor so they could avoid the fighting on the streets. They head out into the alleyway where Ashla sees more pirates running away from the English. Ashla kept the girls against the wall, before taking a peek behind the corner and sees a British regimen and behind them a man who is the one in charge.
He appears to be in his late 40s, wearing a white powered wig, fair skin, blue eyes, and wearing what looked like a judge uniform. Lana flies down to Ashla and tells her who the man is and how she knows him.
"Fucking really, Lana?" Ashla whispered to Lana who gave a small shoulder shrug. "You and Gabby really love pissing off the wrong people."
"What's going on?" Melody whispered wondering who the two are talking about.
"Judge Christopher Roth," said Ashla as she motions for the girls to peek over to see who she's referring to. "He's one of the strictest and most dangerous judges in all of England. He despises pirates and has been building a reputation for himself killing as many pirates as he can. The man was once a key ally to Cutler Beckett, the former Chairman of the East India Trading Company. And who waved war against all of piracy years ago."
Melody remembered hearing some stories about this Beckett and how ruthless he was against pirates. He even executed any family, or anyone connected to piracy. Even children. She was thankful he was stopped, but she hates how many died before his reign of terror ended.
"But what is he doing here? I thought this whole place was a safe haven for pirates?" Lapis asked who didn't understand how the English found out about it.
"Hmm well, someone must have ratted us out. And from what Lana told us, this judge is probably looking to regain his reputation after he was humiliated. By Gabriella," said Ashla as she figured due to being humiliated days ago, the judge is likely trying to get some support back.
"Ever since Beckett's death, Roth here has been losing power and support. That's why he likely came here with this regimen. Looking to regain his power by wiping out the pirates here," said Ashla who knew that's the only reason he'd be leading these men instead of an actual British general.
Ashla saw the enemy was heading this way and knew they had to get away. But before they could, a cannon fire was shot, hitting the rooftop of the buildings from above. Ashla pulled the girls away and they got out of the alleyway. Unfortunately, this left them now out in the open for the English to see them.
Judge Roth saw the pirate women and ordered his men to take them. "What a shame. Three young women throwing their lives a way to becoming filthy thieving pirates. Have you women no shame in the choices you've made?"
The soldiers grabbed hold of the women and picked them up. Lana looked ready to fight, but Ashla head motioned for her not to do anything. She then used hand signs to get her to go get some help, which Lana does and flies off. Ashla knows this will take some time, so she needs to buy them as much time as possible.
She turned towards the judge and stood up straight. While spitting at the feet of his horse.
"Says the man whose people enslaved my people. Says the man who murdered thousands of innocent natives and stole their land from them. Says the man who executes children and claimed it is God's will. You say we threw our lives away becoming pirates?" Ashla scoffed and showed no fear in her eyes as she talked down to the judge, while her friends looked on wondering what she was doing.
"You are the real filth around here. We live our lives freely and proudly. While you sit on your lazy fat ass and pass judgment while hiding your true nature," said Ashla as she moved her hands in her pocket and slowly pulled out her knives. "We aren't afraid of you. But you are afraid of us."
Judge Roth got off his horse and walked over towards Ashla. He looked her right in the eyes, before taking his hand back and slapping her across the face. Melody and Lapis tried to intervene, but they were held back. Ashla moved her head back after being slapped and scoffed.
"That all you've got?" Ashla asked while mocking the other.
Before the judge could strike her again, Melody spoke up. "Leave her alone! Please!"
Judge Roth turned to Melody and walked over to her while taking notice of her appearance. "You don't look like a pirate, despite being dressed as one. Who are you?"
Melody knew she shouldn't reveal her identity, but she knew given their situation it might help them. "My name is Princess Melody. I'm the daughter of King Eric of Tirulia and I came here on travel."
The judge and his men stood back a little surprised by this revelation, which Melody took notice of and tries to take advantage of it.
"I came with these two who became my guide to help me navigate my way around the town. In the hopes of making trade here in York. I did not know there were pirates here till we arrived. Please, let us go freely and I'm sure my father will reward you for your kindness," said Melody who hopes her status as a princess will help them.
Judge Roth took a better look at the princess and realized she is indeed who she says she is. He's seen pictures of the princess during his travels overseas and is shocked to see her out here. He didn't believe her lie that she came here for business. Otherwise, she would have more escort here than two filthy pirates.
"If that's to be true? Then where's your royal escort? Why these pirates?" Judge Roth asked who began seeing past her lies about why she's here.
"I um did not want to come by with so much attention. I am a princess after all and if people find out who I am, they will try kidnapping me," said Melody as she quickly told another lie, but with some bit of truth in it.
Judge Roth knew this much to be true. If these pirates knew who she was then they would try holding her hostage. Still, he doesn't believe her reason why she really came here and believes she's hiding something.
"Have the princess escorted back to my camp and keep her there. As for these two…" Judge Roth motioned to Lapis and Ashla. "Execute them."
"What?! No! You can't! I'm a princess and…" Melody is cut off when Judge Roth spoke over her.
"And you're here in a town dressed as a pirate, while escorted around pirates. I seriously doubt your own father would have approved of such a disgraceful action. But do not fret my dear, I'll be sure to return you home once your father also gives the British government some reward for your safe return," said Judge Roth who believes this will provide his government some land within the girl's kingdom.
Ashla saw Lana return and was waving at her. She knew help had arrived and made her move. She pushes one soldier off and steps her foot on the other. She pulls out her knives and slashes the neck of the men before she tackles the girls down. Before they could fire at her, a gunshot was heard and one of the soldiers got hit in the head, killing him.
The soldiers and Judge Roth looked over to see where the shot came from, as did the girls. They look to see coming out of the smoke was an army of black armored men with the pirate cross bone on their chest. One of the armored men, a woman, is shown to have fired at one of the English soldiers as she puts her pistol away before addressing the enemy.
"We are the Knights of Roger!" spoke the woman in a British accent as she spoke with authority in her tone. "You and your men are not welcomed here. Leave this place now or else you will perish."
Judge Roth scowled towards the armored pirates and turned to his soldiers. "Kill them all! Kill these pirate bastards and send them all to Hell!" he ordered as he rushes back to his horse, before the men before taking formation.
"Go, now!" Ashla whispered to the girls as they began running to take cover.
"Battle formation!" the armored pirate woman ordered as she has the first row of armored soldiers' step forward. "Shield!" she ordered next as they moved their left arms over and large metallic shields began to appear.
The British form two formations and aimed their weapons towards the enemy. The commander in charge took out his sword and ordered his men to fire. The soldiers opened fire and hit the shields, but their shots didn't pierce through the shields and instead bounced off the steel. The men saw this as the armored pirate woman ordered her men to begin marching forward while with their shields in place.
The men lift their shields and begin marching towards the enemy. The British commander ordered the second collum to take aim, while the first collum reload. The commander orders his men to fire, but once again, the shields blocked their shots. Preventing them from killing the armored pirates.
Ashla, Melody, and Lapis ran for cover as they witnessed the Knights of Roger marching towards the enemy.
The British commander orders the men to bring in the cannon and prepared to fire. The men begin bringing out two cannons and begin loading it. This didn't stop the knights from approaching them as they kept on advancing towards the soldiers. The British soldiers begin loading the cannons and prepared to fire.
The British commander tells the soldiers to take aim, as they begin moving the cannons to shoot directly at the enemy and prepared to fire. As the cannons get ready to be lit, two of the knights from behind the front line, begin pulling out two smaller cannon guns and aim them towards the cannons. The knights opened fire, firing two small projectiles into the cannons, causing them to implode.
Killing much of the soldiers around them, including their commander. The female knight moved her sword up and orders the men to charge in. The Knight of Roger all charged in and begin attacking the remaining soldiers. Even with their swords and shields, they were still able to overpower the armed British soldiers.
Overpowering and overwhelming them in a matter of seconds.
Lapis and Melody looked in awe as they saw what was happening. The Knights of Roger, armed with only swords, shield, and steel armor, have overrun the British soldiers. All armed with muskets that have bayonet at the end of the rifle, cannons, and superior numbers. Yet, have all been defeated by these pirates.
Ashla wasn't too surprised with what she saw, and this is why no pirate dared to mess with the Knights of Roger. They may appear like something from the old medieval times, but they were a force to be reckoned with.
"All right, ladies. I believe this is our cue to leave," said Ashla as she has Lana land on her hat and they begin leading the girls away.
As they ran through the town, they could see more British soldiers fighting against the pirates, who had begun fighting back. It was pure chaos as everywhere they went, they found more fighting. They found dead bodies around, they saw buildings on fire and saw people fighting one another. Melody knew humans fought against one another but was her first time seeing it.
She's seen people dying, but never on this scale.
As they ran, they saw the docks just ahead of them and saw their ship. Melody sighed in relief when she saw the ship and knew Gabriella would likely be there waiting for them with her mom.
This moment of relief was short-lived as the ship got hit by some cannons from the British, who were all sinking the pirate ships to keep them from escaping.
"No!" Melody cried out believing her mother and friend were on the ship.
Melody tried to run towards the destroyed ship but is held back by Ashla. "Melody! Don't! It's too late!"
"You didn't know that!" Melody shouted as she tried to get freed. "Let me go! They need me!"
"Melody, you can't!" Lapis exclaimed as she tried to get her friend to stop. "We don't even know if they were onboarding the ship or not."
"She's right," said Ashla who knew if Gabriella was onboard the ship, they would have already gotten the sails ready. "Come on. Let's go somewhere and…"
Suddenly Ashla got shot in her left shoulder, causing her to yell and fall to the ground. Melody and Lapis kneel down to their friend, while looking over to see who shot them. They see a group of British soldiers, along with Judge Roth, who looked to be a mess. His clothes are torn and dirty, while his powdered wig is dirty.
"Enough! I'm not going to let you any of you pirates leave here alive!" Judge Roth exclaimed as he looked angry and annoyed with what had happened.
Lana flew out of Ashla's hat and looked ready to fight, but Lapis kept her from doing so due to how many soldiers there were. Melody knew this isn't good but has to do something about this.
She stood up in front of her friends and moved her arms out. "Leave them alone! These are my friends, and I won't let you hurt them."
"Ha! As if I care about what a little insignificant princess like you has to say," said Judge Roth as he mocked the princess and what she's trying to do.
Melody didn't like that and is worried he'll try harming her friends, even if she's in his way. "I-If you try hurting my friends in any way or even try harming me, my father will make you regret it. Even my grandfather."
Judge Roth's hand balled up in a fist and begins showing some bit of anger, before he calmed down and began to reply in a calm manner. "I've heard stories about your grandfather, child. But I don't really care. If we were able to force Davey Jones to our knees, then we'll do the same with you."
In fact, if he captures the girl then he'll force the king of the merpeople to do whatever he wants. "In fact, men!" he begins calling out to his soldiers. "Kill the pirates but keep the princess alive."
Melody, Lapis, and Ashla looked shocked with what Judge Roth said. Ashla looked around concerned as Lana looked around to see if she can save them.
"Y-You can't do this!" Melody replied as she thought about pulling out her gun, but knew she only has one shot and isn't sure if she can even pull it on one of these men.
"Silence!" Judge Roth shouted as he tried to regain his composure. "You pirate scum have only delayed the inevitable. But that's fine, because look out there!"
Judge Roth points towards the incoming British fleet, who are preventing any ships from entering or leaving. "Once my fleet arrives, they'll provide me with the reinforcements I need to finish your pirate scum once and for all. And I will forever go down as the man who finished piracy from the entire wo-…"
Suddenly a loud roar could be heard echoing above them. Looking up they see a large, blue-skinned dragon appearing as it flies towards them. This caused the soldiers to begin panicking, as they opened fire. The dragon avoided the shots before firing from its mouth a powerful ice blast that froze the soldiers, with Judge Roth jumping out of the way.
Jumping off the dragon, Attina, Urchin, and a female human. She appears to be in her early 20s with long black hair, fair skin, and wore a white dress. They land near where Judge Roth is at, with Attina looking over to where Melody is at, with Gabriella, Lapis, and an unknown girl. When she turned her gaze to Judge Roth, she had a look of anger in her eyes.
"Did you try to shoot my niece and her friends?" Attina asked as her trident began to glow.
Judge Roth let out a loud gulp and shook his head. "N-No? I-I w-as jus-just um trying to r-e-scue her fr-om the-se pirates."
"Liar!" Lapis shouted as she stood up with Ashla. "He tried to kill us and kidnap Melody!"
Attina and Urchin turned to Judge Roth angrily. With Attina's trident glowing. "Is that so?"
Judge Roth mentally cursed knowing how bad this is but knew if he can get his hands on the trident, then he will be able to kill them all. One of his soldiers begins slowly getting up and aims his rifle at Attina behind her back.
"I-I can explain…you see…" Judge Roth begins to slowly get to his knees as he waits for the soldier to fire. "I was just trying to save this world from this pirate scums. I thought you of all people would understand that."
"Not if it means harming my niece and her friends," said Attina as she aimed her trident at him. "And that's what you tried to do."
Before she can do anything, the soldier pulls the hammer back for his rifle, which catches the attention of Urchin and Attina as they turn around. The soldier takes aims and…
A knife is thrown towards the soldier and hits him straight in the chest. Killing him as he fell to the ground and his rifle fell to the ground. The group looked over to see the knife was tossed by Gabriella, who appeared to have gotten out of the water. She's seen panting heavily as she was on one knee while holding on to her bag.
"Gabriella!" Melody called out happily to see she was alive.
Judge Roth looked shocked to see the same pirate girl he tried to hang days ago not only alive, but she just caused his plan to backfire.
"S-Spa-rrow!" Judge Roth exclaimed.
Gabriella begins to form a small smirk and get to her feet. "Hey! If it isn't my old buddy, Judge Roth," she mocked the judge while she walked over towards the others. "How've you been? I'm surprised to see you here. Although it looks like things haven't gone well for you all, especially right now."
Attina and Urchin's attention turned back to Judge Roth, realizing what he was trying to do. Judge Roth looked up at Attina and Urchin, seeing the anger in their eyes. He begins to try to back away as the trident begins glowing even more brightly and the humming grew louder. Attina was mad all right and she wasn't going to let this human get away for what he tried to do.
"N-Now l-le-let's *Gulp* talk about this," said Judge Roth as he tried to weasel his way out of this. "W-We do-do-don't wa-nt to do an-ything r-ash now, right?"
Attina moved her trident forward and replied. "Wrong, you dirty rat," she fires her trident and zaps at Judge Roth. Transforming the human into…a cat instead of a rat.
Attina stood there with a look of disbelief that it didn't go the way she wanted it. While Urchin looked confused as he crossed his arms and wondered what happened. The girls nearby looked confused, knowing this isn't what they thought was going to happen. It seems the new owner of the trident hasn't gotten used to using it perhaps.
The cat looked up at the group and let out a loud scared meow before it ran off into the town. Disappearing in the smoke and chaos.
"You um might need a little bit more work on the transformation part," said Urchin towards Attina.
Attina sighed and turned to Urchin. "Yes, thank you," said Attina who knew with the trident getting an upgrade, she'll need to re-learn how to use it properly.
While this was going on, Melody turned her attention to Gabriella and noticed something was wrong. "G-Gabriella, where's my mom? Is she somewhere safe? *Gasp!* Was she on the ship when it blew up?!"
"N-No, she's alive. She's okay," said Gabriella who tried to reassure the princess her mom is okay, but knew the next part wasn't going to be easy. "B-But she's not here."
Melody looked confused wondering what the other meant by that. "What do you mean? Where is she?"
Gabriella sighed, knowing she didn't want to tell her what happened, but she knew she had to. Even if she knew it wasn't going to be easy. "Melody…she stayed behind, with Titus."
Meanwhile
The British fleet had finished setting up a blockade to prevent any pirate ship from escaping. Under the command of Judge Roth. The commanding officer in charge, Captain Martin Calhoun watched as his ship sunk five pirate ships that were trying to escape. He was doing his job, which was a lot more than what that fool, Judge Roth was doing. He only got the troops he needed because their government needed a win against piracy after Lord Cutler Beckett's failure to put piracy down years ago.
Still, he knew this was just the beginning. Once they've find the other locations of these "Safe Havens" for pirates, then they will go destroy them. One by one, until all pirates have been wiped away. And with the most powerful fleet in the world, Captain Calhoun will make it happen.
Suddenly, they saw something coming from the port of the city, causing the commanding officer to look through his telescope to see what it was. Once he saw what had transpired, he sighed softly.
"It seemed Judge Roth is gone. What a fool," said Captain Calhoun as he hands his telescope to his second-in-command. "Good. Now that he's dead, I'll take command of this operation and finish these filthy pirates off once and for all."
"Sir!" Another ship is approaching!" one of the sailors called out as Captain Calhoun grabs his telescope and begins looking through it before he recognizes the ship.
The captain began to smile as he moved the telescope away. "The Leviathan, at long last. My chance to do what my predecessors failed to do. And that's sink that abomination along with its crew to the briny deep. All hands to battle stations!"
The men all begin getting to their stations as they prepare to destroy the enemy ship. Taking it along with its crew down, without sparing a single soul. As the Leviathan ship continued to approach them, the captain took out his telescope, noticing they didn't appear to be getting to battle stations and their cannons weren't being loaded. In fact, it didn't look like they were even slowing down.
This left the captain completely confused about what he was seeing. "They're not going to fight us. How odd," said Captain Calhoun as he moved his telescope down in disbelief. "Either this Titus is a moron or isn't the monster we were led to believe. Or…or…"
The captain moved his telescope out again and looked for Titus himself. He soon spotted a woman steering the ship, before she took her hat off, and appeared to wave the captain goodbye.
"What in the world?" Before the captain knew it, he could hear screams coming from the starboard side.
Captain Calhoun took out his telescope and looked through it. Seeing something hitting the ships caused them to blow up when the gunpowder was triggered. The captain looked closer to see what it is but couldn't get a good look at it. Suddenly, he heard some screaming from the port side.
He sees the rest of the ships to their side getting attacked as well. But he could see this one through the telescope. It was a large anthropomorphic shark monster. It was jumping through the ships, it crashed through the side and dropped something inside. Whatever it was, it caused the ships he crashed through to blow up.
The shark monster would jump through one end of the ship, drop off whatever it had, and jump out through the other side before it blew up. The men tried to open fire at it, but their bullets bounced off its skin. Having no damage to it.
Seeing the danger they were in; the captain orders his men to have the ships move out of the way of the path of destruction. The men from the ships begin trying to move out of the way, including the one the captain was on. He managed to get his ship out of the way, but the other ships were not so fortunate. They were all taken down by the large monster and the shark monster, before they dove deep beneath the water.
The captain and his crew looked around, wondering where those monsters were. They looked over and saw nothing. All they could hear was the screams of their men, drowning beneath the water, and some even on fire. As they look around, they see the Leviathan ship sailing past them, with again the crew not even trying to fight them.
They appeared to be ignoring them and didn't try wasting their time with them. The woman steering the ship looking over to them and gave a small head bow before the ship sailed away. This caused any fear Captain Calhoun had to be replaced with anger. This pirate woman is responsible for what happened to his men.
He knew it and isn't going to let her get away with it. He begins ordering his men to battle station and prepare to fire. The crew began getting to work as they moved the ship to the side and prepared to fire at the stern of the enemy. As the ship begins to turn, it suddenly began to shake, causing the men to all fall to the floor.
The captain held on to the helm as the ship kept shaking before it stopped. The captain began to recover and looked around wondering what that was. "What in heaven's gate was that?" He began moving away from the helm and looked over at the railing.
"Sir?" one of the men called out to their commander as he tried to move the helm. "It's not working. The rudder must have gotten caught by a reef perhaps?"
Captain Calhoun heard some splashing down below and looking down to see that shark monster appear from the water. Holding pieces of wood in his hands. Captain Calhoun recognized it as their rudder. The shark monster soon begins to swim beneath the water again, as the captain soon realized what had just happened.
His face turned pale white as the commander is horrified to realize the shark disabled their rudder. Preventing them from escaping from their current predicament. Soon enough, his fear began coming true. The crew began to hear something shaking against the ship.
Something that sounded like that was coming beneath the ship. Captain Calhoun couldn't see what it was due to the darkness that surrounded them. Before he knew it, a large 60-feet long shark appeared from the sea letting out a loud roar. The men all looked on in horror as the shark towered over them, before it came crashing down on them.
Crushing through the ship with ease and snapping it in half, causing the men to go flying into the air. The force of the crash sends a ripple across the water as the men who survived from drowning got hit by the force. This ended up killing the men as the whale sinks back beneath the water, letting out a small roar. The ship's gunpowder soon is ignited by a lantern before it blows up.
Killing any survivors from the ship as it joined the rest of the destroyed ships, sinking beneath the waves, and taking every soul with it. The shark, meanwhile, swam beneath the waves and disappeared into the darkness.
Marina witnessed the whole thing through her telescope and had a big smile on her face. Undertow did his job well in taking care of half of the fleet of the British soldiers. But she knew the job would be too much for him to handle. So, she called on her pet to help finish the rest of the fleet off.
Now that they took care of the last obstacle to get in their way, it was now time for them to head to their destination. The location of Poseidon's original trident and then remake this world in their image.
That's the end of the chapter and for those wondering, yes. That was a Megalodon Shark. I had other ideas of what Marina's pet would be, but I thought this was a better idea. I also originally was going to have the shark appear from under the sea and crush the ship in its jaws. Like how a Great White Shark does to the seals when it pops out from under them in the water.
Still, I went with this direction and felt this was better. But anyways, yeah, this was a long chapter. I wanted to get all this out of the way so I could get the story to the next part. Something I have been looking forward to for some time. I hope you'll all like it.
We also saw Attina and Urchin arrived with perhaps a new member to join them. Or is it someone they already know? We also saw the girls witness the Knights of Roger fight the British Soldiers. Will we see more of these knights? And who do they serve?
How will things play out for our heroes after the ship gets blown up. How will they be able to save Ariel now? Think Melody will be pissed with what her mom did? Think she won't hold Gabriella responsible for what had occurred?
Will they find another way to get out of York? And how will things go for Ariel now that she knows what Titus is going to do?
Tune in next time to find out & thank you all for the support of my friend. He appreciates all the support for his story and if you like how this chapter went, then please leave some reviews. Just nothing negative please. See you all next time, take good care, and have a good day.
Also, for those wondering how the characters sound like. Well, in my head, these are actors who I'd pick for them to sound like (or who they played from the canon films):
Main Protagonist:
Queen Ariel – Jodi Benson
Princess Melody – Tara Strong
King Eric – Christopher Daniel Barnes
King Triton – Kenneth Mars
Attina – Kari Wahlgren
Urchin – Danny Cooksey
Sally – Awkwafina
Gabriella Sparrow – Sarah-Nicole Robles
Lara the Fairy – Brenda Song
Lapis – Ashly Burch
Side Characters:
Alana – Jennifer Hale
Aquata – Grey DeLisle
Arista – Grey DeLisle
Adella – Tara Strong
Andrina – Tara Strong
Sebastian – Samuel E. Wright
Flounder – Jason Marin
Grimsby – Ben Wright
Carlotta – Edie McClurg
Captain Bryan – Jon Favreau
Captain Nereus – Chris Parnell
Lyra – Marina Satti
Polyphemus – Manos Katrakis
Main Antagonist:
Titus – Temuera Morrison
Marina – Elsie Lovelock
Isaac – Idris Elba
Raphael – Danny Trejo
Naomi – Anna Akana
Noah – Michael Kovach
Mei & Mai Katsumoto – Olivia Hack
Odina – Amber Midthunder