Let's just agree that this might not be the best chapter XD enjoy!

George

The metal snapped with a dull click. It served as a reminder that I wouldn't be able to leave even if I wanted to. Hands were pressed against my shoulders, keeping me from fighting back, not that I had the desire to. My knees dug into the black wood as the process happened not far from the wheel of the ship.

It was, I suppose, better than death. At the very least, it was better than what I would have faced back on the Moving Island. I've been on Captain Velwyn's ship long enough to see how the others treated him.

The coolness of the metal rubbed against my wrist as Masque moved back. His eyes were like the others behind him. Dark and not as readable as they once had been.

Who knows what thoughts could be passing through their heads.

Captain Velwyn didn't stand very far from us as it happened. He stared one more at the waters that were ahead of us. It had been his final decision.

In whispers I heard someone say that I was lucky the code for each group of pirates were different.

My punishment, as I had already escaped death more then I should have been able to, was to be a slave to the red-haired pirate Captain and his ship. Just like the old woman who had built the very thing letting us sail through the waters.

Obedience. That's what he wanted. No, what he really wanted was my head to be drifting away from my body, but it seemed he was taking the hand he was dealt. He couldn't cheat it this time.

"What are we doing about them?" Saul asked, referring to the others.

Why would they stop it? I didn't get what they could have been aiming for.

"Everyone else who raised against me, put them in a cell." Captain Velwyn didn't turn as he answered.

"Are you sure?"

"Do it."

In Carlisle we didn't know the true meaning of it. To feel the cold embrace of metal on one. We might have constantly faced the cold embrace and being with Davy Jones' but not this.

The closest I had come to a slave was when I was helping a few get free of those passing through the city. Or helping the ones someone brought to me in hopes I would make some type of deal.

Still, that didn't tell me just what was ahead of us. For me or the others that were getting locked away. Their punishment was at least different from the one that I faced.

That had to be something.

"And the boys?" Another asked.

"They'll be helping us in the war we're about to have with their mother," Captain Velwyn said as he turned to face Saul. "Gather everyone up. It's time to let them know."

Saul nodded as he disappeared with the others . I stayed on the ground feeling alone. No one was keeping me anymore. I could have just as easily get up if I wanted to.

But something was stopping.

My shoulders dropped, a weight forming on them. It was like I was trying to hold the world yet I knew I wasn't.

I didn't have anyone else to blame but myself.

This wasn't anyone else's fault.

"Don't act like it's the end of the world." Captain Velwyn's words broke through the noise of running shoes and confused voices. "That metal is around only one wrist. A symbol that you belong to the Undead Beauty pirates. I could have had him put it on both."

Sharp pain came from my lip as I stopped myself from replying. It could be worse, he was right. I could have been on a different ship, or still on the Moving Island.

That still didn't stop it from already being bad. Even if I knew that Captain Velwyn had some type of honor.

"I spared your life for a second time," he continued. "Few have gotten that chance. None that have been in this crew since I became captain. Just be glad you can earn back what you once had."

The taste of rust rolled over my tongue as I bit down harder. It wouldn't be as easy as he made it sound and it might not even be possible.

"It's time to face the crew. You're going to stand right there next to me and take any head they throw. It is the least you can do, after all, you keep putting their lives at risk."

Slowly, with the weight still pushing down on my shoulders, I rose to my feet. I couldn't pull my eyes off of the metal that I couldn't have imagined being placed there. Even as Captain Velwyn passed me and as I followed behind, my eyes were locked onto it.

It was simple. A shining blue metal that reflected the light. Designs were engraved in it, forming different pictures I couldn't make out. I would have plenty of time.

He stopped at the top of the stairs with me just steps behind. Tearing my eyes off of the metal that dug into my wrist, I could see him standing there, above the others. That mocking grin he would once have had gone, even if there was a twinkle in his eyes.

He began before anyone could demand to know what was happening, repeating everything that I had told him. He revealed who Jacob and William were and the battle that loomed just over the horizon. Something they would all be facing as they were on the ship and part of the crew.

And as the tale came to an end, he jumped straight into a plan he was able to quickly form. He left them no time to voice their thoughts nor did he give them time to think about what information had just hit them. Instead, he placed them into teams with two or three people each.

Three teams would cover the cannons, in case we needed to open fire. Two teams would be in the masts, keeping an eye out for any approaching vessel that could be the Admirals. This had gotten a few raised voices, but he ignored them.

I didn't get why the extra lookouts were needed. They wouldn't be able to do another against the ship. One would be enough to alert us.

The rest who weren't manning the cannons or on look out, were preparing things on the deck. They moved crates around and put barrels in different spots. Some tugged on ropes and others made sure there were plenty of hidden weapons around.

Even with all my time here, I hadn't seen them be this prepared to fight someone. I had assumed they just threw their weapons up and were prepared to charge the other person. Though all the time here we only had one fight in the open silver waters.

Don Gibert.

The name brought old fuzzy memories to the front, even if I knew what they looked like. The fight had never been explained to me.

As I watched the crew of the Undead Beauty, I spotted even Jacob and William being put to work. Unlike me who stayed close to the Captain. Up on the higher deck and away from the action below.

Watching them, I could see something I hadn't before. A tightness between them. I hadn't ever really watched before to see how the boys fit in. I only knew they had been growing closer to the other members in the crew.

But at that moment, they looked as if they belonged.

Wiley continued to navigate us, making no promises of the path we were currently on. Still, he made sure we didn't hit any currents or beasts that could have been lurking in the depths of the water.

Hours had passed when the storm finally hit.

It by far wasn't the worst thing we had faced or could have faced. The sea beasts by far seemed the most troublesome compared to the ten ships hauling right for us. Head to head we were going.

The Moving Island was still the worst thing, even above the Sea Beasts. The feeling of my identity almost being stripped away and taken from me. The feeling of my voice not being heard above his.

It hit much more heavier than what Captain Velwyn did.

With each passing second that brought us closer to the fleet of ships, I wondered about Scarlet. Was she even aware of where we last were? Were these even her ships we were diving right to?

It wouldn't be long before we would find ourselves in the middle of whoever it was. With the cannons loaded, Captain Velwyn and Saul stood at the front of the ship, neither moving an inch.

"Make sure the cannons are loaded and blades have been sharpened. If anyone is planning to use a gun, have them double check they have what they need. This will not be a easy fight." Captain Velwyn's words filled the quiet and tensed air.

"Anything else?" Saul asked.

"Tell them to pray to whatever Gods they believe in or Davy Jones' might just take our very souls."

"No miracles this time, Captain Macrina?"

A sort of laugh escaped from the Captain. "You haven't called me that since the very first day I became Captain and we faced odds as great as this. Miracles take time, and I rather take their hearts first."

Saul didn't say anything as he walked away. I caught the sort of sad look on his face but it was gone as quickly as I thought I had seen it. He scowled when he caught me staring after him but he said nothing.

I turned back to the approaching ships.

"You know her, don't you?"

There was no one else around that Captain Velwyn could have been talking to expect for me. "Yes."

The wind started to blow softer.

"Will you do what you have to? Even if it means killing her?"

I stared at the ships, searching for a familiar sail to tell me if it was Scarlet's crew. I didn't want it to be. I didn't want her to be the one that we ran into.

I rather face the Post-Captain who was chasing us, than someone who was still a friend. A friend until she learns what I have done to her family.

Could she ever look past what I had done?

"I don't know."

I didn't know if I would be able to do it, even if my life did depend on it. The will to survive was there. So was the will to prove myself, but the guilt of what I did and that I owe her was just as strong.

Don't be the one commanding ths fleet, Scarlet. Anywhere but here would be better.

Just be anywhere but here.

"A white flag is being raised Captain!"

They wanted to talk, whoever this fleet was. That at least bought us time. More than what we already had.

But it would depend on Captain Velwyn. Would he return the gesture and agree? Or will he go straight into a fight?

Even if I had been able to read him like an open book, I still wouldn't have been sure of his decision. As the seconds turned long, it was slowly becoming painfully clear it would be an all out fight.

"Talking would give them time to scoop us out. Fighting, we'll be right in the middle of their fleets and only two ships can attack if they don't want to risk hitting each other," he mumbled, staring straight ahead before he turned, to yell out what he had decided upon. "We fight!"

Cheers following, feet pounding the ground.

We were going to war.

With no flags of our own going up, we found ourselves in the middle of them. The gap was barely wide enough to give us any advantages, but no cannons were fired.

A blade was shoved into my hand.

"You belong to this crew, to this ship. You will fight alongside us and do whatever it takes to help us win. Even if it means killing your friend."

A shiver passed through me but I nodded. I belonged to him. It was the punishment that was decided.

A fate that was sealed

There was no escape.

No way to turn back time.

But what was I really fighting for? To earn back what had always been mine? A freedom that allowed me to run from those who wanted my head?

Was I fighting for a dream that no longer existed? For the boys that belonged to a friend?

Why was I fighting?

Because I wanted to live, to survive, right? Or was it because I didn't want to be afraid of dying anymore.

And when we survived, no I survived, maybe then I could figure everything else out. Figure out what it was I was doing as a pirate and what my future held. Figure out a way to once more claim what was mine and not feel the defeat weighing like a bag of bones on my chest. 

No matter what, I would figure it out. I always did when I was a kid and as a teenager until George came along. Charlotte, Scarlett, Hywell, everyone else had come as well.

My lips twitched at the thought of them, and a sharp pain followed as well. More intense than the feeling the cold metal around my wrist had.

Guilt weighed with defeat.

With no more time to think about a past that had yet let me free, blades were raised and guns were fired. If they fired cannons they would risk hitting one of their own. Yet, we could also fire our own.

I followed after the red-haired Captain, watching as he jumped onto the railing. His back was too me, but he stood tall, as if he owned everything before his eyes. An air of confidence wrapped strongly around him.

Even if the coldness that was a hard reminder of the betrayal and mistrust I had cast hadn't been there, at that moment, watching him, I would have followed. Like a knight ready to defend his home.

With rope in one hand, he charged first. The first to breach their side, though as I glanced from the deck above, overlooking most of the ship, I could not say the same for ours. Saylors were grouped together. Two or three of them against one of our own.

Could we even hope of winning? Fleets were sure to carry more than fifty saylors on each ship and there were ten ships around us.

Following after the captain that held the key to me being free, I found another way across. The fool would get himself killed if he dives in without a plan. Much like he was doing at that moment.

As I moved, my feet pounding against the stairs as I spotted the beams the saylors had used to get across, I looked for the boys. Neither one of them were above, but that didn't mean they weren't in as much danger as everyone else.

Sidestepping a saylor I hurried up, my knees digging to the tanned board. It wobbled, my fingers clenching the edges. The gap isn't wide enough for me to sink to the waters below. I would get stuck in between and squashed like a bug.

Shaking the thought away, I moved as quickly as I could, seeing that a saylor waited at the end. Bloodlust filled the air, and hers was directed at me. I could feel the cold metal of the blade Captain Velwyn gave me, pressing against my back. Tucked nicely away as I scrambled to find him before he continued to do something else reckless and take any chance I had away.

If we were to win this, we couldn't lose our captain. Though it would be better if someone else did take charge.

She waited until I was nearly off to attack. Swinging the butt of the rifle as if to knock me out. I rolled, my side slammed into the railing, below my ribs.

My blood raced as I managed to get in and avoid her neck move. The blade was out, the metal hitting the wood that would have hit my face. I snarled at her, pushing with everything I had, yet it wasn't enough.

She was gaining the upper hand.

No one said I had to fight cleanly.

The butt of the gun slammed into my shoulder, a numbness spreading through my fingers. The grip on the knife loosed. The move was reckless, but I knew that the only way I could get past her was by allowing a hit.

My left hand grabbed the rifle as I flashed a grin at her. Wariness appeared but I kicked her in the vagana. It brought her to her knees, a pained look on her face.

Her hands released the gun and for a second more guilt hit me for what I was about to do.

I didn't need to kill her to win.

Using my left hand as my right continued to tingle I stood over her. A predator no doubt in her eyes. The evil-doer who was about to hurt her.

I couldn't imagine what thoughts were crossing her mind.

Bringing the butt of the gun down I slammed it into her stomach, barely missing her arms she tried to rise. What noise that could have escaped her fell under the gun fires happening further down the ship and the yelling coming from other fights.

The color drained from her face. I walked away, knowing that she wouldn't be getting up for a while. She wasn't the only one I had to go up against to get my way through the saylors that never seemed to end.

One after another came at me.

Sweat built up, rolling into my eyes and burning them. Hair plastered to my face as it fell from the bun it was in. The sun screamed from above, heating up everything it could get its hands on.

Even with it almost being gone.

The numbness never disappeared and I only won the ones I had because I used all the tricks I could to get an upper hand. Shooting them in the leg was the most popular option I had gone with, until the rifle was empty.

I was no good with the blade and my punches didn't always do the trick.

As I stepped back, I felt as the ship rocked and a cannon was fired. Not from us though. A distance maybe or one of their own.

Unless Captain Velwyn had made his way back to order it.

I swapped at my eyes to clear my vision. It was getting harder and harder to breathe but I couldn't stop. Not until I knew that foolish captain didn't find his way on the next ship and surrounded by too many.

With how I was running out of places to look, that seemed like the case.

The man didn't let up as he came once more at me. Even with the distance I created, the blade in my hand was nothing around his own. He didn't have a rifle.

Something I noticed less and less had that I ran into. Only the ones who had been boarding our ship had one.

I waited until he was close before swinging the blade out. His hands grabbed my arm, twisting it at a painful angle. The knife clattered to the ground but my eyes were locked on him.

He released my arm.

What was he planning?

My eyes darted from him to the slight circle around us. When had even more showed up? I couldn't fight them all. I needed to figure out an escape.

He came once more at me as I was distracted. Pain twisted as his fit slammed into my stomach. I coughed, feeling as my throat burned.

A hand was tangled in my hair, the roots being pulled out. I knew I should have cut it completely off. The floor felt like a welcoming might as I slammed into it.

My vision blurred, everything looking doubled as I tried to blink it away. Something drove itself painfully into the middle of my back. Pain nailed into every inch of me as with what was driving into me, my arm was being twisted as well.

How could they expect me to win when they didn't let me rest?

Boots pounded against the ground, stopping not far from me. Seconds barely passed before I was heaved into the air, the pain that had been holding me there gone. My eyes darted around until they fell upon who I knew was in charge.

There were no smiles and no greetings. No how are you and I hope you are well.

Nothing but pity and curiosity. Nothing but coldness that came off like a mask to hide the true emotions that were underneath.

The tick of her lips and fast blinking was what gave the pity away to me. A tall tale sign I had seen plenty of times. Her eyes darted from me, as she turned, and to the ship that I came from, was what told me about the curiosity.

"If you had joined to be a saylor when I told you to, you would have won against Second Lieutenant Wu Xian. You managed to take out my First Lieutenant, though--" her eyes darted to the side before a sigh escaped her-- "you didn't have to shoot her. She really won't like the bed rest she'll have to be on."

Scarlet Jennings stood before me. A sight to behold was one word for her. Her skin was deeply kissed from the sun, darker it became since the last time I had seen her. Her brown hair was twisted into a bun on the top of her head, not a piece out of place.

It seemed she hadn't had to fight just yet.

Her piercing gaze left me as the sound of more cannons being fired came. Her head turned as she looked to the East.

"We had a report that a certain pirate was gathering a meeting and that he was having it here around Dragon Caves."

Her eyes stayed out to the sea as she talked, giving me nothing more to off of but words. Dragon Caves were just ships that hadn't sank because of the large pointy rocks surrounding it. The area was most famously known for the slime that could be found there and used for beauty products.

Even with knowing about the place I couldn't place a name to the pirate and knew nothing about the meeting.

I bit my tongue from speaking out. Whatever I said could very well be used against me and I had yet to figure out a way to get free. The fighting was still continuing at the very least, letting me know that the rest of the crew was at least keeping the ship safe.

But that didn't mean they were fairing all that well in it. Or mean that our Captain returned. 

"Some of the higher ups are nervous about that. Pirates coming together like they have been. Before, we would see the occusanly bump in, but never planned meetings. Until now."

I couldn't tell what Scarlet was doing by telling me this information. It didn't sound like something I needed to know.

What concern was it to me if pirates were getting together?

A sigh escaped her as she looked back at me. "We at least know one thing. Henry Jennings is here like the reports said."

Was that the pirate she was after? Why would anyone agree to meetings with him?

"Why should that matter to me?" I asked, breaking the silence I had been trying to keep.

Words were a dangerous game to play at.

She shrugged. "It probably shouldn't but considering you, yourself, are a pirate, well maybe it will turn out useful." She turned, as if preparing to walk away. "Let's see if we were able to get the rest of your lot buckled down. Caught a fool trying to fight five saylors at once. The Second Lieutenant took care of him before he could kill anyone."

So Captain Velwyn had been caught, or any one of the pirates that had come over. I doubted it was only the two of us, but most would of had to stay if we didn't want our ship to be taken.

A cannon whistled overhead, barely missing the ship.

"Telling Third Lieutenant Jose that we're going to formation Star, with his ship lead point against the approaching vessels." Scarlet barely turned her head to address someone, a boy who couldn't have been much older than Jacob.

He took off, pushing through the crowd that had formed.

I followed behind her, with two saylors in between. With my hands pinned behind my back, I knew there wouldn't have been anything that I could have done. Especially attack someone from behind.

The sound of guns had died out, though shouting was still as loud as ever. It sounded like Romeo cussing at the lot or maybe it was Masque.

Even as we moved, as we went across the board I looked at the other ships to see they were moving away. It was only this one and ours that remained in the middle. The others taking different points and far enough from each that a vessel and a half could fit through them. It was wider than what we had come across.

As my feet hit the floor, I spotted Captain Velwyn not far. He was being held, his arms pinned behind his back, his eyes burning with anger. He wasn't the only one positioned like that.

The shouting had grown louder and drew my eyes. I was right to think it was Romeo though it appeared that Masque was not up there. Three saylors were struggling with keeping him on the ground and a fourth one was cuddling their arm to their chest.

If it hadn't been that we were on the losing end of a stick, I would have cracked a smile.

"Nice bunch of you. Sorta plump for some. Like skeletons for others," Scarlet said.

I was pushed to my knees not far from Captain Velwyn. The pressure left my arms, allowing me to bring them forward and for my hands to rub them.

She took in the crowd, her eyes landing on each person. The moment she tensed and a frown formed was the moment I knew she saw them. Maybe she hadn't heard or maybe she hadn't wanted to believe it was true anymore than I had.

The note had said she was coming for them, so that had to mean something. Or my Godfather just wanted to play mind tricks.

"Here's what I can do." She appeared shaken. Noticeable enough that her saylors gave each other looks and tightened closer together. "One of you will fight against me. My choice, of course. If I win, I'll arrest you and take you to the capitol. What will happen to you will be mystery."

"If you lose?" Captain Velwyn hissed through clenched teeth.

Where was his dearing grin? His mocking smile? The words that would coex her to have a false sense of safety?

Just what had put him in a much more sour mood than he already was?

"If I lose." She turned, her eyes boring into him. "I'll let this ship go with a head start and take care of the pirate I was original after. The captain of your ship might know him. Henry Jennings."

No words escaped from Captain Velwyn, though he appeared to relax slightly. If I knew any better, I would half expect he would know what was about to come.

"Right." She clapped her hands. "Let's do this, shall we?"

I knew this all too well. The hand clap would tell her future opponent that she would be relaxed, carefree, and possibly be easily defeated. That wasn't the case.

She liked giving them a false sense though. Just like Captain Velwyn did. Now hopefully he would be the one that she picked.

Or Saul. Romeo was in no place to fight. With him struggling against the now five saylors, he wouldn't be in the right mind. Though maybe one of the others stood just as high of a chance as Saul or Captain Velwyn.

"Just like old times. Lets see if mentee can beat mentor. How about it, Rachel?"

A forced grin appeared. A confidence I didn't feel surrounding it.

"Like it's a bit rigged. Why not single someone else out? Captain Velwyn seems like the best choice."

"Because I want to see how you've come along."

Hands on my arms brought me up. I tugged forcely away and walked towards the middle.

Why pick me?

It didn't make sense. She had already seen that I couldn't take a Lieutenant. She could see how I looked.

This wouldn't be a free fight.

My eyes moved from her and to the boys. That must be it. If she picked someone else, she wouldn't be able to get the answers she wanted.

"We didn't need to end up like this."

We started to circle each other, her eyes chilling my insides. My hands clenched, or at least my left hand. My right had pain shooting through it. That wasn't good as I would need it if I wanted to stand a chance.

Her brown eyes drifted from me and to her where her sons stood. Neither had made a move from what I had seen. And neither had greeted her, or at least not out loud.

This wasn't a happy family reunion.

"We've always stood on opposing sides."

Even when she wanted me to become a saylor, that had been true. She was always on the opposite side of the law, or it at least turned that way as I learned to defend myself and more about the world.

Her eyes dug into me like knives. The grin I wore faded as nervousness took me as I didn't back from the look, even if I wanted to.

Maybe it wasn't too late to try and get the Captain to fight instead.

No, I couldn't do that. There was no running. There was no escaping from what needed to happen. She wouldn't let this chance slip away.

"Still, it is a lovely surprise, Scarlet," I said, feeling as if my hands were made of lead. "That we get to see each other after some time."

Was there nothing else to do but play a little dance to try and avoid what was to happen?

"I heard another little rumor with the report I was given, and I wanted to see if it was true." Her words turned cold. "Far be it for you Rachel to kidnap anyone. Let alone a friend kids."

My lips tightened at her words as my eyes danced around her. I tried to read the atmosphere that was there, wrapped tightly around her. But she had fine tuned it so I couldn't.

She had believed it no more than I had. Though I had more evidence in my face than herself.

"What other little rumors had you heard, Scarlet?" I didn't buckle under the coldness that grew. "Do you still value my friendship?"

It was an odd question, but I knew I needed to know if she would believe what I had to say. I hadn't known Scarlet to fall to anger's red embrace but years had passed since we'd seen each other. Even if her appearance had barely changed.

Scarlet nodded, her eyes once more going to the crowd that watched us. "That hasn't changed. Unless--" her eyes cut back to me with a blow that had me taking a step back-- "what I heard was true. It already has merit behind it."

Her eyes lingered on something behind me.

Her sons, I was sure of it.

"There's a few rumors that follow me. You'll have to name them." I licked my lips.

I could no more say it than she probably could. I didn't know if she was believing that her eyes could be deceiving her or maybe what she heard was. I couldn't tell just what she had learned or heard.

What information had she gotten from Carlise?

"Before Carlisle was whipped out..." her words drowned out at that.

Pain hit me. It couldn't be true. Carlisle was standing when we left. It was standing not long ago.

It had to still be standing, because if it wasn't, what about George?

"What happened?" The words barely escaped me as my chest tightened. "What happened to Carlisle!" I couldn't help myself as the words exploded. "George... How is George?"

My eyes searched her, seeing shock before it faded. A blank mask greeted me. Eyes that searched and looked at the pain.

But it couldn't be true, right?

Carlisle had to be there.

Everything had to be fine.

George.

Nothing could have happened to George.

"The city was hit with an after wave, more than a week after the original report was sent out."

How could that be possible? If a wave was to come... if another one had hit, it should have been sooner.

No, that couldn't be right. The city couldn't be gone.

George and the Going Sally had to be fine.

"And survivors? Did the walls do nothing?" My voice hitched. "Were the citizens not safe!"

My hand clenched my chest. She blurred as my eyes burned.

Calm down.

"There were no survivors. The city..." She hesitated before continuing. "There is no longer a city standing there."

My stomach twisted as the noises started to fade. The cannons become distant noise. The ground came closer as everything else became nothing but black to me. All expect for my mind. 

It couldn't be true.