Chapter One Hundred and Eleven

A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.

Smh, I don't know what's harder to believe–the fact that we're in the Choosing Home portion for Truth or Fiction or the fact that we haven't gotten to a break chapter yet lol. Something tells me we might be due for one soon!

As always, special thanks to AmethystDragon14 for their help with the comments–your help means the world to me and I'm so grateful for it every time!

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D

Aziz sighed softly as he took a scroll. He just hoped he didn't get a scroll with Freddy in it.

Harry and Jay walked up the gangplank of the Lost Revenge, Harry feeling as if concrete had been poured into his shoes.

"Gods, that seems a bit dramatic," Audrey said, rolling her eyes.

"Can you go back to not talking?" Audie asked.

Gods, he was just going to talk to his little sister. Why did he feel like he was walking to the gallows?

"Maybe because this is the first time you're actually going to truly talk to her?" Jay said softly.

Oh yeah. Because he had made his sister feel like he hated her. Because he had hated her.

CJ fought to hold back a flinch at the reminder of the fact that her brother hated her.

No! Don't think about that, he told himself, gently shaking his head. You think about that and you're going to turn right back around to join Uma and Mal over at Lord Hades.

"I mean, going to Lord Hades' is a wonderful experience so I can understand wanting to change your mind," Jay said.

"You know, it's like every time we see you, you're taking more of our crew," Henry chuckled as he walked up to them as Jay and Harry made their way to the deck.

"Isn't that a good thing though?" Rose asked. "It means they're getting to go to Auradon."

"They're our crew too," Jay said, shaking his head as he went over to pat Henry on the shoulder.

"That they are," Henry nodded as Jade walked up to them.

"And they always will be, even when most of them get over to Auradon," Malinda said with a small smile.

"Hey Harry, hey cuz," she said with a grin upon seeing the two boys.

"Hey Jade," Jay grinned back. "Wrestle any more crocs?"

"Crocs…as in crocodiles?" Milah asked, her eyes growing wide.

"I mean yes but now you've gotten the image of Jade wrestling one of those ridiculous rubber clog things that Chip tried to convince Adam to wear in an attempt to wear the latest fashions in my head," Malinda shook her head.

Chip grinned as Beast shook his head.

"Do I want to know what color they were?" Abby asked.

"No, no you don't," Benji shook his head.

"Oh come on, they couldn't be worse than the eyesore!" Chip exclaimed.

Audie shook her head. "Chip, you wanted to wear a purple, gold, and white stripped tie for your wedding. You don't get to criticize the eyesore anymore."

Jade rolled her eyes. "You do that one time and they never let you forget it."

"Why would you want to do it more than once?" Rowyn asked.

"Because it was a six foot crocodile and you almost drowned," Jay told her.

"Details, details," Jade chuckled and waved her hand as if she was waving away Jay's words.

"That doesn't exactly seem like something you should wave off!" Tiana exclaimed, causing more than one person to jump.

Hades shook his head. "Okay, everyone needs to speak at least once because otherwise, we're going to forget you're here and when you do speak, we'll get that same reaction."

Harry sighed. "Henry, we've got something the crew needs to know and I need to talk to CJ. Where is she?"

"I have to wonder how surprised Henry felt hearing that," Celia said.

"She should be with Ryan," Henry told him. "They're under orders not to leave the ship though. After what happened with Freddy at Mal's Cotillion, we're pretty positive the Angels are going to go for either the Captains or the under fifteens as payback. I mean, they've been quiet so far but that could always change."

"If they know what's good for them, they'll stay away from all the Rats," Harry said, his voice low.

"Right," Harry nodded. Thank Gods I got Harriet off the Isle then, if the Angels are going to target the leaders of our crew or the kids. Wait…the only under fifteens left in the crew are Ryan and…

"My brothers are under 15…" Sammy said softly.

"Your brothers are under protection, they're not officially crew," Jay pointed out.

"Your brothers are also in Auradon Sammy," Harriet added.

"Henry, you're positive CJ's still on the ship?" Harry asked, his hand tightening around his hook as if his life depended on it. If some Angels needed to taste his hook, he'd be more than happy to oblige.

"You wouldn't be alone there, Harry," Harriet promised.

"Yeah," Henry nodded. "Jay, go with Jade and let the crew in on what we need to know. I'll take Harry to see CJ."

Henry shook his head. "I can't believe I'm giving Jay orders," he said.

Jay chuckled. "You've been enjoying the Captain role a bit too much haven't you?"

"Sorry, forgot you were third in command," Henry said, giving Jay a sheepish smile.

Jay shrugged. "I mean, in his defense, scroll-me's been off the Isle for a while. Be easy to forget."

"It's okay," Jay told him. "You're the captain after all. You're going to be the one making the orders."

Harry sighed and resisted the urge to tap his foot. Dear Gods, they were burning cloud here!

"You know you have to wonder if Harry's impatient because he wants to talk to CJ or because it's keeping him from Uma?" Jay teased.

"Why not both?" Henry ventured.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming," Henry said, as if sensing Harry's annoyance at the delay. The two of them split off and Henry led Harry to where Ryan and CJ were reported to be. Of course when they arrived, they had to pause as they didn't quite know what they were looking at.

"Is everything okay?" Harriet asked, worried that something had happened to her sister.

"Henry?"

"Yeah?"

"Is Ryan braiding my sister's hair?"

"Oh, is that all?" CJ asked. "You guys acted like Freddy had a crew member in a passionate embrace or something."

"...Brain bleach, I need brain bleach because of that image," Emir shook his head.

"Who told you about that sort of thing?" Harriet asked, looking at her sister.

"Jade," CJ shrugged.

"Looks that way."

"Why is he doing that?"

"I came across the exact same scene you did Harry. I know everything you do."

CJ shrugged. "Ry always braids my hair, he's the best one at it," she said.

Harry blinked and then blinked again for good measure. The scene before him didn't change one bit. Ryan was sitting on one of the mattresses in the crew's quarters, CJ sitting with her back to him and letting him braid her hair. It was honestly one of the strangest things he had ever seen and he saw Mal turn into a dragon.

"Why is it a big deal? Ry does it all the time," CJ shrugged.

"You realize I'm putting life and limb on the line right now right? What if word got back to Harriet or Harry I was doing this? Why didn't you ask one of the other girls to do this?" Ryan asked, and Harry realized the younger boy was keeping his voice low.

"...Well nice to know my rep precedes me," Harry said.

He probably doesn't want anyone else in the crew to hear him, Harry thought.

"He's always like that," CJ shook her head. "I don't know why it's such a big deal."

"Because Dustin will tease him for a month?" Harriet ventured.

"Because you do it better," CJ said. "Besides you know perfectly well that Harriet would just smirk in amusement when she heard and Harry would have to actually tear himself away from Uma and come back from Boreadon."

"Wait…why would Harriet be smirking over it?" Dizzy asked.

"He's come back plenty of times, what if he decided to do a surprise inspection?"

"Like he's technically doing now?" Evan asked.

"Let me deal with Harry if he randomly shows up. You've been braiding my hair like this for the past few months now. If he's got a problem with it, then boo freaking hoo."

"As has been said, on the Isle it's 'if you want it take it' and I want Ry braiding my hair," CJ nodded.

"CJ, he's your brother and he's the First Mate of the crew. I'd rather not be—."

Good idea to not anger your future brother-in-law, Ry, Malinda thought with a small smile.

"Ry, for Harry to care about who's braiding my hair, he'd have to actually care about me," CJ stated. "So shut up, relax, and braid."

I do care about you, Harry thought, the thought coming almost automatically before he could stop it.

Henry glanced over at Harry and the redhead could tell that the younger girl's words were almost like a sword to the gut for the First Mate.

CJ and Harriet both bit their lips as Aziz continued to read.

"Ahem," Henry said softly but loud enough to get the attention of the younger kids. Ryan nearly jumped out of his skin when he realized the two were standing in the doorway and scrambled to stand up.

"Hope he didn't pull your hair when he jumped…" Harry muttered softly and CJ couldn't help but give him a small smile.

"Henry! Mate! How…how long were you standing there?"

"Long enough," Henry said, giving Ryan a small smile. "But Harry here wants a word with CJ so why don't we give them some privacy?"

"On the one hand yes…on the other hand, I'll feel better if there was someone there to call time if it gets heated…" Harriet muttered.

Ryan nodded. "I'll just…I'll just join Henry and be someplace that's not here."

"You won't have to be gone for long," CJ scoffed.

"Owch," Evan whispered.

"And what's that supposed to mean CJ?" Harry asked, crossing his arms but he had a feeling he knew what it meant. After all, Harriet had flat out told him in the limo.

"Harry I know I sound like a broken record but don't snap at her right out of the gate," Harriet sighed.

"I think you know exactly what it means Harry," CJ said as she stood up, Ryan and Henry nearly scrambling to get out of the crew's quarters as to provide the two Hooks some privacy. "

Claudine couldn't help but snort slightly at that and Henry shook his head as he gave her a fond smile.

The only thing I am to you is the Runt, the thing that ruined your perfect life with the Captain, Harriet and mom. Sometimes I'm surprised you even know my name!"

"Good…as harsh as that is, she needs to get this out as much as Harry does," Hadie said softly, slowly nodding his head.

"Of course I know your name Calista Jane! And I may have treated you like that but I'm still your big brother!" Harry shot back before taking a breath to steady his growing anger. Now was not the time for that.

"You know Goob did a really good job with Harry," Malinda said. "If Harry had gotten into this argument before coming to Auradon, he wouldn't have tried to calm himself down."

"Look, I'm not going to lie it hurt when you were born and mom died. But after spending time in Auradon and actually having someone to talk to who didn't tell me to just suppress what I was feeling…it was messed up, me blaming you for that. But I was two and just lost my mother—."

And my father….I just didn't know it, Harry thought.

"I was born!" CJ shouted. "I was a newborn who also lost her mother, Harry! And without knowing it I also lost my brother! Do you know how much it hurts, to see you and Harriet pal around and you not look at her with distain?! To know you're capable of loving one of your sisters! What did I do? Was it simply because I was born? Because I didn't ask for that!"

"This is not a competition, you were both hurt," Persephone said with a small sigh.

"…when I look at you, I see mom," Harry said after a few minutes. "You're mom in miniature CJ, only you're blonde and not raven haired. And in all honesty, the memories I have of her are getting kinda fuzzy. All I know is that I miss her, every day, and looking at you sometimes hurts especially when it gets close to the anniversary of her death."

"Harry…" Milah whispered.

"At least you have memories," CJ shook her head. "What, did you think I wanted mom to die? You think I wanted the only memories I even have of her to be the ones from the stories that Harriet told me? You think I wanted to have no memories of you looking at me like you cared at all about me? Then again I can count on one hand the number of times you were actually at home rather than the ship or at Mal's! And by the way, the 'anniversary of her death' as you called it is my freaking birthday! How do you think I feel about that?!"

"Exactly..." Emma whispered; she couldn't imagine how she would feel if her birthday was the day she lost her parents and unknowingly also lost her brother….

Harry tried, he really tried, but with every word CJ snapped at him, his anger just kept growing and growing. He was going to burst soon, he knew it.

"Breathe Harry…deep breaths," Uma whispered. She almost wished she was there, just to provide Harry some comfort.

"I was two when mom died CJ!"

There it was, the burst he knew was coming.

"Well…you held back for longer than we thought," Mal told Harry, a sad smile pulling at her lips.

"Two years old and I went from having mom to having Harriet, and then after being promised a baby brother by the Captain, you became his favorite. Tell me, how old were you when he told you to stop calling him 'papa' and start calling him 'Captain'? I was six when it happened. You got to keep his affection. You got a familial name, while I got my arse handed to me for trying to hide a picture of mom he was throwing out!"

James didn't know how many times his heart would break during this.

"You think I wanted his affection?" CJ asked, her eyes wide with shock. "I wanted my brother to not look at me like I killed his favorite person in the world every time he lowered himself to look my way. That was if you were home at all! You went to Auradon and said goodbye to Harriet and barely looked my way except for a brief 'see you runt'!"

But the thing is scroll me…I did kill the person he loves most in the world, CJ thought sadly. Hey it was going to take more than one talk with her 'undead' mother to stop her thinking that after all this time.

She took a breath to try to steady her emotions, knowing there were tears threatening to make their way down her face. "Do you know how many times I've tried to make myself not care about you? Or the number of times I've hated myself because I took mom away? Because…because if we had her, then I'd have you?"

"It seems CJ will need therapy too," Rapunzel said with a sad sigh.

"Blondie, if we find a VK who doesn't need therapy, I will pay you a million dollars," Eugene shook his head.

"CJ…" Harry said, his voice soft and without thinking he quickly pulled her into his arms, holding the young girl close. "I am so sorry CJ. You're my baby sister and…and I should have acted like it. Hate me, hate the Captain…hell hate mom. Don't hate yourself."

"...I am so proud of you Harry," Harriet whispered, almost tearing up.

CJ gave a watery chuckle as she looked up at him. "That person you talked to when you were across the bridge must be a miracle worker. The Harry that was here before you went to Auradon would have told me to keep hating myself. Would have told me that I was right, that you do hate me."

"Beastie Jr, give his shrink a raise!" Hades said, turning to Ben.

Benji chuckled. "He's been given multiple raises," he said. "Along with an increased amount of vacation days."

"Maybe I did when I was younger," Harry admitted. "But I was an idiot then. Hell I thought the Captain would love me again if I acted like him and I'm pretty sure he's broken or bruised half my ribs at this point. You're my sister and no matter what happens between us, I will never let anyone hurt you."

CJ buried her face in her hands, trying to cover how emotional hearing Harry actually say that was making her…

CJ sighed. If she really wanted to be spiteful, she could have told Harry that he already had. That the Captain had stormed into her room and slapped her because she wouldn't stop crying one night when she was ten. That the only reason she was crying was because it was coming close to her birthday and the only thing she wanted was Harry there. Something she knew wasn't going to happen.

"He did what?!" James and Milah barked.

"...I thought you already knew though?" Neal asked Milah. "Wasn't that when Harry came storming out of the side room when he had a private conversation with you and CJ?"

"That doesn't mean we're not going to be upset at hearing it once more," Milah told him.

But she could see the sincerity in her brother's eyes. She had a feeling that Harry was going to keep his word.

"Pirates always do," Audie nodded with a sad smile.

"You know why I was around Mal's so much when I was growing up?" Harry asked and CJ shook her head.

"I just thought it was because Lord Hades had good food," she said.

"That was just an added benefit," Harry said softly.

Harry chuckled. "That was part of it but also it was the only place where I felt I mattered. Harriet did what she could but…to go from sitting on the Captain's knee listening to stories about sailing on the Jolly Rodger, or at least that's what Harriet told me they were about, to basically being ignored at best and at worst..?"

James shook his head at what he was feeling…the anger at his other self… the sadness for his kids…how could he put it into words?

"I get it," CJ nodded and Harry sighed.

"After I got the job at Lord Hades' restaurant when I was nine, it just became easier to stay over at Mal's rather than leave and go back home," he said and then shook his head. "Gods, I've gone soft over there haven't I?"

"Yeah… but I like it," CJ said with a weak chuckle.

CJ shrugged. "I got pretty emotional there too. Tell you what, you can spar me and we'll pretend we didn't just explode like Boreadon fireworks."

"Sparring is the key to solving most if not all of the arguments between Hooklings," Malinda said with a small smile.

"You know you're going to have to stop calling it that," Harry chuckled as they started to make their way back to the deck. "Seeing as you're going to be living there."

"You could have eased her into that, mate," Jay chuckled softly.

CJ stopped in her tracks and looked at Harry. "What?"

"You heard me CJ," Harry said as he looked at her.

"I don't think that's what she was asking about, Harry," Uma shook her head.

"Harry, I'm a pirate. I don't rub elbows with prissy princesses and pampered princes!"

"Now why does that sound familiar?" Uma chuckled, looking over at Mal.

Harry sighed. "Gods, why do all my sisters say the same thing? CJ, I want you in Auradon with me. You, me, and Harriet. The three Hooklings in Auradon where we belong."

"As you should!"

Plus this way the Angels can't get to you if you're across the bridge, he thought. Sure Freddy and Audrey are still a factor but that's two and I can protect you from Freddy easily. I can't do anything if Shayla or Locklyn decide to lob a dagger at you here.

"I'd look out for her, Harry," Claudine promised.

"This isn't because the Angels have put targets on us under fifteens is it?" CJ asked, narrowing her eyes.

"If that was the case, Ryan would be coming too," Harry said.

"Why isn't Ryan coming?" Henry asked. "I can give full permission as his surrogate brother."

"Because you know Ryan won't go unless you go and scroll-me is not going to waste time trying to convince you to cross the bridge if you don't want to," Harry said.

"Oh wait, is it because I'm a girl?!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Mal and Uma would have my head for that. No, it's because you're my sister and I want to make sure you're safe."

"Mal and Uma wouldn't be the only ones to have your head if you only wanted to bring CJ to Auradon because she was a girl by the way," Lonnie said, crossing her arms.

"…spar me for it."

"What?"

"Spar me for it," CJ repeated. "You win, I'll go to Boreadon but if I win, I stay here with Ryan."

"That's a fair deal," Hades nodded.

"CJ we don't have time for this!"

"Those are my conditions, Harry. Take 'em or leave 'em," CJ stated, crossing her arms over her chest. Harry pinched the bridge of his nose to stave off a headache.

"Well if that's all he does, I'd take it," Kitty said.

"Oh…what the hell? Jay can tell the crew what we came here to warn them about," Harry muttered. "Fine CJ, I'll spar you. But if I win, you've got five minutes to pack a bag understand?"

"And if I win…?"

"You'll get a lot more letters from me."

"I can live with that," CJ said with a slight smile.

CJ grinned and nodded as the two of them went back out to the deck, picking an area that was relatively secluded before drawing their swords.

"You sure you want to do this?" Harry asked.

"Scared you'll lose to your little sister?" CJ teased, a small smirk on her face.

"Is that a challenge?" Harry asked, looking over at CJ with a small smirk.

Harry chuckled. "Oh it's on CJ!"

The swords clashed and the two siblings quickly got to work sparring each other. While there was no denying that CJ had gotten better, Harry still had the advantage of two years on her.

"I'm number three of our Top Five, I'd be ashamed if I didn't have the advantage," Harry said but he also shot a proud smile at CJ.

"Come on Harry! Are you going easy on me?"

"Why would I do that? I want you in Auradon with me. You're getting good CJ."

CJ snorted. "Look at our family tree! I'd have to cut off my hand in shame if I wasn't at least decent with a sword!"

"I'd rather you didn't cut your hand off," James said, shaking his head. "In fact, that goes for all of you. No chopping off your appendages."

Harry chuckled before jumping back from an attack from CJ. Before long though, it became clear to the older pirate that CJ was tiring out. With a quick twist of his sword, Harry disarmed CJ and smirked.

"Go pack," he told her.

"Aw come on! I was this close!"

"I'm pretty sure you cheated," CJ muttered but shot him a small smile.

"If I did it's because I'm a pirate," Harry told her. "Now go on, go pack. Auradon awaits you."

"Protecting CJ is a good reason to cheat in a spar," Harriet nodded softly.

CJ shook her head and slowly made her way back to the crew's quarters where she grabbed a duffel bag. Sure she had stuff at the Captain's house but in all honesty, the Lost Revenge had become more of a home to her than her actual home was. Besides it's not like she had plush toys she yearned for or anything.

"Everyone should have at least one plush toy!" Rose said with a nod of her head.

Meanwhile, as CJ packed, Harry was on another mission. Where was Ryan?

"Oi Williams! A word?" Harry asked when he finally spotted the brown haired boy.

"Uh…sure Harry," Ryan nodded, more than slightly nervous. No one on the crew had ever referred to him by his last name before.

"Well how much of that was because they didn't know you had a last name?" Ashaki asked.

"What are your intentions with my sister?" Harry demanded, glaring at the younger boy.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"And Harry can now join the 'normal older siblings' club," Rachel chuckled.

"Be thankful you only have two older siblings," Evan told CJ. "I have five."

"We're…we're just friends Harry. I promise!" Ryan told him even if his eyes shone with fear. Well that and I have flirtationship type feelings for her but I'm pretty sure you'd kill me if I said that right now.

"...Wait what?" CJ asked, a slight bit of color coming to her cheeks. "Ry…he likes me?"

I mean he's no Jay, but maybe that's a good thing, CJ thought. Besides, I think Jay might be spoken for. No sense in pining over a man who's taken.

"Huh…seems I'm gonna have to have a talk with our crew member," Harry muttered.

"You mean we are going to have to have a talk with our crew member, Harry," Harriet said.

"Good," Harry growled before sighing. "You're CJ's best mate, I know she cares about you. I also know that if anything were to happen to you, she'd be devastated. So…don't let anything happen to you."

"I know someone who will have his back," Claudine said with a smile.

"Wouldn't CJ know if something happened to me? Seeing as she'd probably be here with me?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm taking CJ back with me. She's packing her stuff right now."

"Good!" Milah, James, and Harriet all said in unison.

"You know I figured that'd be the case," Jay nodded as he walked up.

"Easier to keep her safe, especially with Harriet across the bridge with me," Harry shrugged and then frowned as he saw Ryan's face. It looked like the other boy had been hit in the stomach and was almost struggling to regain his breath. "Ryan…?"

"That's the look you get when your best friend's going away…" Emir whispered.

"I'm fine," Ryan sighed."Good for CJ. Tell her I said good luck in Boreadon."

"Tell her yourself," Harry said. He was not going to have CJ think another guy she cared about hated her.

CJ gave her brother a small smile. "Thanks Harry," she said softly.

Ryan nodded, knowing an order when he heard one. Gods, this is going to be torture! I know she deserves to be in Boreadon but…I'll miss her. She's the one who really got me past Kristy's death. But…I know she's wanted this more than anything. Harry acting like a big brother to her…I'll suck it up.

"I'm still there Ry and so is Derek, you're not losing everyone" Henry said with a sad smile.

"You ready?" Harry asked, looking over his shoulder at CJ, who came walking up to them.

"Yep," CJ nodded and smirked at Ryan. "You thought I'd leave without saying goodbye?"

"As if," CJ, Celia, and Hadie scoffed while Dizzy shook her head.

"Of course not," Ryan choked out a small chuckle and CJ gave him a brief hug.

"See you soon," she promised. "You'll be part of the next group Ry. I know it."

Ryan nodded and CJ turned to Harry.

"You'll be there even if I have to come back and drag you Ryan!"

"I will make him be there CJ," Henry nodded.

"Let's go," Harry nodded and the three of them made their way down the gangplank; Ryan watching morosely from the deck.

Enjoy Auradon CJ, he thought with a small sigh. I'll miss you though.

"You'll be in the next group once this mess with Freddy is over with, Ry," CJ promised.

"That's the end of the scroll," Aziz said. "Who wants to go next?"

Uma shrugged. "It's been a while since I partook in this madness. I'll go."