(Luna's POV)

"The prince will see you now miss." The young mermaid announced, that opened the door to my room.

I nodded, following her out of my room, out into the hallway. She was small, delicate looking. She was shorter than me, with long, dirty blonde hair, and green eyes. Her tail was pink, and she avoided making eye contact for too long. I followed behind her quietly, mostly looking around, seeing if there was anything I could use as a weapon.

The hallways were mostly decorated with tables, as well as a few paintings. There were vases and other trinkets on the tables we passed, though nothing seemed like it was sturdy enough to use as a weapon. Most of it looked like it would break if I touched it, let alone trying to hit someone with it.

We finally reached a large doorway, the young mermaid gestured for me to go in, before quickly swimming away. I go in, glancing around at the room. It was like a parlor of sorts, with couches, and various decorations. There were a few interesting paintings, and as well as some jewels displayed in glass. I scanned the jewels, looking for anything that could be the Heart of Zerzura, though I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking for. I heard it was a big jewel, so I scanned the glass cases, looking for the biggest jewel.

I noted a pair of swords hanging from the wall, which might be of some use as well. "Do jewels interest you?" A voice asked, drawing my attention to the center of the room, by the couches.

My gaze landed on who I assume was the Mer Prince. He was tall, lean yet muscular. He was tan, like he might have spent some time on land, with messy dark black hair, and bright green eyes. His tail a pretty green, similar to his eyes.

"As a pirate I'd have to say treasure and jewels hold a certain appeal." I answer, smirking slightly.

I wasn't sure what to make of him, though I resented being taken here, he didn't seem unkind. Maybe he didn't know how I got here. Maybe, just maybe I could convince him to let me go.

"A pirate mermaid? Interesting." He says, raising an eyebrow in question. He looked slightly intrigued, so I swam slightly closer, but kept a safe distance.

"Did they not tell you where I came from?" I ask, trying not to sound too hopeful.

"No. They didn't. This was all an arrangement between our parents." He adds, shaking his head, as he frowns slightly.

"Well. Let me tell you then." I say, and this catches his attention, his eyes meeting mine as he nods, signaling me to go on. "I was taken against my will, out of a navy prison, where my crew was being wrongfully held captive. I have lived most of my life on land, my parents abandoning me at a young age. So really, they have no right to make any deals or arrangements involving me, or on my behalf. They barely know me.." I add bitterly, as I swim slowly around the room as I talk.

"I have no wish to stay here, for my home is with my crew, and they are my family. They are in trouble, and need my help. We are being threatened by blackbeard and Davy Jones, and need specific treasures to trade in order for them to leave us alone, and keep our ship. So, I'll tell you now, I'll not be staying here with you. Though I'd prefer for you to just let me go, I'm prepared to fight my way out." I finish, shooting the prince a glare as I stop in front of the swords on the wall, ready to grab them.

He chuckles slightly, shaking his head as he laughs, much to my surprise. "Luna is it? A feisty one aren't you?" He says, still laughing. "I was not aware of this, and I don't know what you think of me, but regardless of what my parents, or yours for that matter, want, I would never force anyone to stay here if they don't want to. Plus I'm sure an arranged marriage is something that is not easy to agree to as well." He adds, smiling at me.

"Wait what...?" I ask, kinda shocked. Not really believing what he just said.

Which just prompts him to start laughing once more. "You were expecting a fight then I take it? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you won't get one from me. I'd ask you to take a day or two to consider me, but you seem like your mind is already made. There's already someone special in your life isn't there?" He asks, his green eyes meeting my brown ones.

"Yes." I answer simply, smiling as I think of Christopher.

The prince nods, giving me a knowing look. "I thought so. He's a lucky man, to have one so willing to fight her way out to get back to him. I'll not keep you here long, Luna. It'll be easier for you to leave later, with no one watching though." He adds, scratching the back of his neck in thought.

"Thank you...?" I raise an eyebrow, looking at him. He knew my name, but I had never gotten his.

He looks puzzled for a moment, before he starts laughing again. "Eric. My name is Eric. I'm sorry, I probably should have started with that." He adds, shaking his head, smiling.

"Thank you Eric. I appreciate this.... And though I don't exactly have a right to be askin for favors... I have a favor to ask.." I add hesitantly as I meet his gaze.

"What is it?" He asks, looking more serious.

"One of the treasures we need to save our ship... Is the Heart of Zerzura. It might be asking a lot, but could I please take it? I need it to save not just the ship, but the crew. They are my family, and I.... Please... It would help save my crew... They are like my family, and just... It would help save them... Please.. Help my family.." I plead slightly as I meet his gaze.

He smiles slightly, his kind green eyes softening, as he nods, motioning for me to follow him. He leads me over to one of the glass cases, opening it. Inside is a wooden box, which he then opens, to reveal a large round, sparking light blue sapphire. It's colors remind me of the ocean, a calm, light crystal clear ocean.

"It's yours to take. I hope you succeed in your quest Luna." He adds, before swimming over to another set of jewels. He takes a long silver chain, before closing the other case. He swims back over to me, and removes a ring from his finger, before placing it on the chain. The ring is silver, and swirled in a slightly intricate, yet simple design. The jewel is a light blue, that looks similar to the ocean, almost like the heart of Zerzura, but lighter. "Take this, as a gift... The design is like a symbol for the royal mer family of sorts." He adds, holding the chain out to me.

It was beautiful, but I shake my head no. "No.. I couldn't take that Eric."

"Please. As a token of friendship. I am willing to be allies with you crew. It will help as well. If you ever need help, this proves I am your ally, and if you show any mermaids this, they will help you, and they can also send for me as well. If your crew needs help later, you can count on us for help." He adds smiling, as he offers the chain once more.

I take it, placing it over my head. "Thank you so much."

"Be safe. Show that to the guards, and they will let you pass. As well as the guards on the surface. There are a group of mermaid sirens on the surface of mermaids bay. They keep anyone out, and anyone from leaving the area as well. The mermaid with the black tail is their leader, show that to her and she will let you pass. Be safe Luna, and let us know if you need help." He finishes smiling, and I smile in return, before heading back to my room.

He told me to wait a bit, so I will. Then hopefully the crew will have made it to mermaids bay by then.

(Cecilia's POV)

               "You know I'm not stupid enough to leave anythin' lyin' around that you could use to escape" Velmont's cruel voice rings out, and I fight the urge to shiver as the door closes behind him.

             He reaches me, dragging me by the wrist back over to the wall, where he spins me around, facing him. He pushes me against the wall, my back to it, as he tightly grips my wrist. "Last I remember you were pretty stupid." I say defiantly, as I meet his gaze. His cold blue eyes seemed empty, and cruel. The man in front of me had no real soul.

                 His eyes harden, as he moves my wrist to one hand, the other lowering, as he grips my face in one hand squeezing it, forcing me to look up at him. "I see you've gotten some of your spirit back..." He grinned widely, exposing his yellowing teeth.

                 "I see your teeth are still yellow, and your breath reeks to high hell." I snarl, as I try to act like I'm not afraid of the man in front of me.

                  He lets go of my face, bringing his hand back before letting it fly towards me. With a loud SMACK his hand hits my cheek, making it sting. "There's ways of breaking spirit. You won't have it for long..." He adds chuckling darkly, as he trails his hand down my cheek, in a weird and twisted caress.

                His rough calloused hands trailing lower, and lower, down my side, grazing my hips, then they slowly start to turn inward once he reaches my thighs. I swiftly bring my knee up, and have the satisfaction of my knee hitting him right in the crotch.

                 He lets go of me, bending over gasping as he shoots me a glare. "You bitch." He snarls in between gasping.

He gets up, standing straight, while he clenches his fist. He cocks it back, before bringing his arm froward quickly, and it was my turn to bend over gasping after his fist connected with my ribs.

I gasp for a few minutes, wheezing after having the wind knocked out of me. My ribs hurt like hell, and I was afraid they might be broken. I grit my teeth, as I slowly stand up, meeting his gaze.

"Screw you bish!" I manage to growl, as I glare at him.

His sick sadistic grin widens, as he walks over to me once more. "You still manage to talk back to me eh?" He chuckles wryly, shaking his head at me.

                  He brings his arm back, before it flies forward. SMACK. His hand hits my cheek again, the sound ringing out, the only sound in the room. It stings, and I just glare at him.

                 "If only you had managed to show this kinda spirit back then, maybe you could have saved Blake?" He asks, smiling at me.

                  My chest tightens at the mention of my daughter, and I can feel my eyes start to water. I wish I had never told him that story.

                   "You probably could have saved her... But you're too weak. You pathetic bitch. Do you still cry for her?" He continues, seeming to get some sick pleasure out of my pain.

                   I don't say anything, and I don't feel like standing anymore. I sit on the hard ground, against the wall. I pull my knees to my chest as I bite back tears at the thought of my long lost daughter.

                    "Then you went and made yourself the pirate kings slut. Pathetic." He taunts, as he kicks my legs with his foot. It isn't enough that I'm not standing anymore. No, he has to continue kicking me in the legs, while spouting his hateful words.

                    "What nothing to say now? Are you going to cry now you useless bitch?" He sneered and I still say nothing, as I continue to back against the wall, though I know I can't back up any farther.

                   I bite my lip, as I bury my face in my knees, as I fight the urge to start shaking.

                  I take a deep breath, gathering my courage as I look up, meeting his cold hard gaze. I know my face is tear stained, and I know he gets some sick amusement out of that.

               "Fuck you." I spit, my eyes burning as I glare at him.

                "Tsk. Still with that mouth. I can fix that though." He adds, yanking me up by my wrist, before getting close to my face.

                He takes my face in his hands roughly, keeping me from turning my face. He leans in, and I can feel his breath on my face.

                He made a mistake letting my hands go, and I bring my hands to his face, scratching him, running my hands  down his face as hard as I can, hoping I draw blood.

                  He stumbles backward, pressing his hands to his face, and to my satisfaction I see I did indeed draw blood. "You'll pay for that." He snarls, as he wipes the blood off of his face.

                  He runs over, and he punches me once in the face, before taking hold of my wrist once more, unhooking them from the wall, before he begins dragging me towards the door.

                 He drags me upstairs, his crew members quickly getting out of his way once they see the look on his face.

               He continues to drag me up farther, passing through the deck, before finally reaching the last place I wanted to be, the captains quarters.

              He proceeds to attach the chains on my cuffs to one of the post on his bed, making sure I can't get loose.

              "We'll see how long that spirit lasts eh?" He says darkly, as his eyes look me up and down.

                       (Arabella's POV)

"Well look who's awake. Thought you might be out for longer than that." Johnny grins, as he strides into the room.

"I'd say you hit like a girl, but that's an insult to women, and I know a lot of them that can hit harder than you." I say, smirking at him.

He chuckles wryly, shaking his head as he walks over, stopping right in front of me. "You still have that smart mouth eh? You haven't changed at all..." He trails off, as he reaches up, trailing his hand down my face.

"You haven't changed either you arrogant bastard. Don't fucking touch me." I snarl, glaring at him.

His grin widens, as he touches my face again. "Ooh that's right." He adds, glancing at the ring on my hand. "You ran off to play pirate and got married to some filthy pirate right?"

"You ran off, abandoning the guild, when you were supposed to stay here, and eventually run it with me.. But no.." He trails off, and I spit in his face.

His brown eyes harden, before he pulls his arm back, swinging it forward as he punches me in the face. I grit my teeth, and try to move my jaw back and forth after, since I heard bone crack. I hoped it was his hand that made that noise, not my jaw.

"Lemme guess, it was the one with the bandanna right, that rushed to the bars of the cell when I smacked you?" He starts laughing, as he starts to trail his hand down my face, not stopping this time, as it creeps lower, and lower. His hand glides down my side, and I bring my knee up, kneeing him in the crotch.

He stumbles backwards, bending over as he grits his teeth, gasping. "How many times do I have to tell you not to touch me asshole." I snarl, as I glare at him. I wince slightly, my jaw stinging like hell when I move it.

"Why don't you take these cuffs off and fight me like a man? Or are you still too chicken shit, because you know I can whoop your ass without my gift." I add, smirking at him.

                 He laughs, taking a dagger off of his belt, as he walks up to me. "What's it gonna take to finally get you to shut up hmm?" He asks, a creepy grin spread across his lips. He puts the dagger against my neck, pressing into it slightly as he drags it across my neck.

                I can feel the blood drip down my neck slowly, as his sadistic grin widens. "Your pirate scum can't save you now Arabella." He murmurs, his face inching closer to mine.

                "He's twice the man you'll ever be you bastard." I reply, and he quickly removes the knife from my neck, before  stabbing it into my thigh, then he starts twisting it around. I feel the metal scraping around inside my leg, and fight the urge to cry.

                   I collapse in the floor, the knife still in my leg. Of course, he stabbed my good leg, the one opposite that I had taken a bullet in when we were fighting the navy.

                     "That shut you up now didn't it?" He grins triumphantly, and i bite my lip, blinking back tears as I try and pretend it doesn't hurt.

                   "Piss off." I manage to stutter out, but my thigh burns like a bitch, and it doesn't help the damn knife is still lodged in it.

                  "Still talking. Tsk." He shakes his head, as he leans down, and shoves the dagger farther into my leg, before twisting it around again.

                  "Cum...guzzling... Bastard..." I choke out, as I feel the tears start to run down my face.

                   He brings his fist back angrily, before swinging forward, punching me in the face again. "Shut the hell up. Let's see if you're still being a smartass after you bleed out for awhile." He snarls, before stomping out of the room.

                   "Holy shit. That looks like it hurts." Nadia comments from across the room.

                    "Burns..... I'm Arabella. Your sister... She's on the same crew as me... Sirius pirates..." I say in between gasps, as I lay on my side, on the floor.

                   Her silvery grey eyes widen in surprise. "You know Allison? I've never..." She trails off, frowning slightly.

             "I know...you've never met. She's a Sirius pirate now, been a little over a year since she joined...my crew should be coming.. I'll take you with, you can see Alli and meet her." I say quietly, as I look at her.

                "I finally get to meet Allison." She says simply, smiling, and I nod.

                 "How long you been in here?" I ask, gritting my teeth. I finally sit back up, and reach for the dagger in my leg.

                  "Not that long. A couple days before you. I got mixed up with them, looking for help. People were hunting down gifted, it was getting bad. Thought I'd find help here... But no.." She trails off, and I nod.

                   I grip the hilt of the dagger in both hands, taking a few deep breaths, before biting my lip, and pulling it out quickly. "Shit." I exclaim, as I lay on my side on the ground once more.

                Nadia's eyes widen as she watches. "Damn..." She mutters, and I laugh slightly.

                 "Not the first time, prolly won't be the last. Damn if it doesn't burn like a bitch though." I tell her, as I wipe the dagger on my pants, wiping the blood off of it before stashing it in my boot. 

                  "And you keep it..." She snorts shaking her head.

                 "Take any weapon I can get in here...I'm not gonna lie, I'm probably gonna pass out here pretty soon." I admit, glancing at her. "Wake me up if he comes back.. And see if you can find some paper clips.." I add, before curling up in a ball on the floor, as I try to keep my breaths even.

                        (Penelope's POV)

The following morning, we all gathered in the dining room. Mermaids bay wasn't that far away, and we needed to decide what to do, and when we were going to approach.

Little Dee was sitting on Allison's lap again, though after yesterday she said we could call her 'Boo.' She had confided in Alli first, though it only confirmed our suspicions, that the little girl was a ghost, who had been on the ship that had first reached the isla de muerte.

"Talon wrote back. He can't transform anymore, not since he gave Luna the necklace. Though he said if we need anything else, he would come help." Christopher announces, glancing at everyone.

"Captain Funto will meet us by the thieves guild after another day or so. He says he's heard rumors of a new ship sailing around, that has the name of an old ship. He's looking into it, he thinks it might be the Notre Dame." Nathan chimes in next, and captain looks slightly hopeful at his words.

"The mermaids aren't out yet, might still be a bit before they are. They have a small group that appears above water a certain time most days..." Eduardo trails off, scratching the back of his neck in thought.

                "What is it Ed?" I ask, putting my hand over his on the table.

                He smiles slightly at me before answering. "The group on the surface, near the shore.. They are known for being sirens of sorts. They lure men to drown, with their looks and voices.. So this might not be easy." He says, looking at everyone.

                  "Well... I doubt we will be lured then. We'll keep you idiots in check." Kris says, winking playfully at everyone. "Ya got it? No flirting with the mermaids." She adds, hitting Russell on the arm lightly as she teases him.

                 "Hey. No reason to hit me." Russell fake pouts, gripping his arm as he laughs.

                 "So you think they will have information on Luna?" Chris asks suddenly, looking to Eduardo.

Ed hesitates a moment before answering the doctor. "I think so. They guard the entrance to the underwater area.. So they know who goes in and out. Whether or not they will be willing to give us that information is another story." He admits, shrugging.

"We go in, and do what we can. We're not leaving without Luna, don't worry Chris, we'll manage." Morgan says confidently, his gaze softening when it lands on the gentle doctor.

"Thank you Captain." Chris replies, smiling softly.

"Besides, Luna might find us. She might have the treasure already and meet us there." Allison chimes in, trying to be optimistic.

                   We all go keep ourselves busy for a few more hours, until Ed announces its mid day, and we all gather on the deck.

                  We dock on the nearby beach, and load into two rowing boats, five in each boat. The mermaids are on a set of rocks, not that far off the shore, lounging and splashing each other playfully, until we approach.

                    There were seven mermaids in all, six with green tails, one with black, that sat in the center of them, on a rock. There were a few skulls gathered by her rock, and she was quiet compared to the others. He hair was a long dark brown, that fell over her chest. Her eyes were a deep brown, almost black, and  she had a more calculating look about her, while the other six looked friendlier, and more playful.

                 "The middle one, something's up with her." I announce, as we pull up beside them. Kris and Alli nod, meeting my gaze. It was up to us to make sure the mermaids didn't drown one of the boys.

             The other six had varying hair colors, two blonde, three brunette, and one red head. "Ooo look visitors!" One of the blonde's exclaimed excitedly, as she swam up to the two boats.

"And they're handsome!" One of the brunette's giggles, swimming up to the boats as well.

"You want to come swimming with us?" One of them asks, swimming closer, as she reaches for Russell, who takes a step back.

"Yea come on, it'll be fun!" Another adds, as she reaches towards Ed. He steps back quickly, avoiding her reach, and I fight the urge to cut her, for approaching him.

                "Oh wait! You should hear us sing!" The redhead exclaims, and the others nod enthusiastically, as they all gather together.

                  They begin singing an odd tune, in a hauntingly beautiful, yet slightly creepy voice.

                 "This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:

the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see the beached skulls

the song nobody knows
because anyone who has heard it
is dead, and the others can't remember.

Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?

I don't enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical

with these two feathery maniacs,
I don't enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.

I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song

is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique

at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time."
(P.s this song is not mine, and is on Google. There's an actual sirens song, who knew? XD)

                 They swam closer to the boats as they sang, the boys staring at them, unmoving.

                 I glance at Allison and Kris, both look ready to pounce, and I meet their gazes nodding. The mermaids start swimming around the boats, and one manages to grab Nate, pulling him in the water. Damn. Arabella would be pissed. "Now Alli!" I yell, and Allison quickly reaches her hands out, freezing the water. The mermaids stop singing, confused, as they get frozen half in and half out of the water, Nate with them.

I see another still reaching for Ed, who was farther above the water. "Oh fuck this. Enough!" I yell, pulling out my katana. I aim my katana at her, before pulling Ed back, glaring at him.

"Alright let's go!" Kris yells, as me, her and Allison step out onto the ice, and skid across the now frozen water, our weapons drawn.

Allison draws her bow, aiming it at one of the mermaids. Kris puts her sword across a mermaids neck, the one that was gripping Nate, who ironically, can't swim. "Let him go!" She snarls, and the mermaid complies, releasing him.

Allison runs over, unfreezing the small spot he was trapped in, and helps him back to the boat.

I make a beeline for the black tailed mermaid, who was still mostly not frozen. I draw my katana, managing to hold it against her throat. "Alright! Any of you try any shit she dies!" I announce, and the other mermaids freeze, eyes wide, their attention on me.

Kris had her pistol drawn, ready to shoot, and Allison had her bow drawn, ready as well.

The boys, finally out of their daze, draw their weapons as well. "Alright. I know there is a mermaid named Luna, who passed through here a couple of days ago. Is she still here?" I ask, looking out across the group of mermaids.

"You don't have to answer that." The black tailed mermaid says defiantly, as she shoot me a glare. I press my katana to her throat more, before glancing at the rest of the mermaids once again.

"Answer me. I will cut her. Or one of your friends too." I add, gesturing to Kris and Allison, who both could easily shoot them.

"A few days ago." One of them reluctantly speaks up, the red head.

"Okay. I'm sending one of you down for her so bring her back, and no one gets harmed." I announce, looking at them.

"I'll go." One of the blonde mermaids offers, and I nod to Alli, who goes over to unfreeze her. The mermaid quickly ducks underwater, and the wait begins.

                 "I'll get you for this." The black tailed mermaid hisses as she glares at me.

                 I merely roll my eyes at her, and Kris starts snickering. "I hardly think you're in the position to be making threats there."Kris adds, glancing at her.

                   "We won't forget this. We will get you when you least expect it." The same mermaid replies, and Kris fires off a shot, near the mermaid.

                 "And next time I won't miss." She smirks, before returning her attention back to the other mermaids.

                 "Thanks girls." Nate calls out to us, blushing slightly.

                  "Better hope we don't tell Arabella, she would be pissed!" Kris teases the chef, who blushes even more at her words.

               "Look!" Dee says suddenly, pointing to the water. We see two mermaids approaching, and Allison unfreezes more of the water to let them through. The blonde resurfaces, followed by a familiar dark haired mermaid.

                "Luna!" Christopher exclaims, as he runs out in the ice, skidding across, before stopping in front of her, hugging her to him. He plants a quick kiss on her lips, prompting Luna to blush slightly.

               "Damn. You know the prince let me go, with the treasure. No need for the giant hostage situation you all pulled." She adds laughing as she glanced around.

                "Well, just in case, there was no way in hell we were leaving without you." I tell her shrugging, as I back away from the very pissed off black tailed mermaid.

                 "Good to know." Luna answers smiling, as she scoots up onto the ice, and approaches the black tailed mermaid. "I'm sorry for all the trouble, but Prince Eric gives us permission to pass, as his allies." Luna says, lifting up a chain on her neck.

                 The black tailed mermaid eyes it, finally nodding hesitantly. "You may go." She says stiffly, clearly not happy with the situation.

                 Christopher scoops up Luna, who was still sporting a tail, and we all got back into our boats. Allison unfroze the water, and we all boarded the Sirius once more.

                We set sail again, heading towards the thieves guild, though as we all gathered on deck, another ship pulled up beside ours. This one was made up what looked like entirely out of bones, though human or animal I couldn't say. The front looked like the bones were arranged in the shape of a giant teeth filled mouth, and it had a creepy look to it.

"Well crew, it looks like the Flying Dutchman decided to pay us a visit." Captain says warily, as he eyes the ship.

              "But we still have four days!" Russell speaks up, clearly pissed.

A/n: hi!!! Sorry if this took too long. ^_^. And it's kinda a long chapter.. I might have gotten a little carried away... Lol. I also have a feeling there are going to be some hate comments about captain Velmont... >_<. I'm sorry! I don't enjoy torturing Cece I promise! It's just for the plot and all that.. The girls, and the crew are going to endure a lot, but it will only make them stronger. It's okay to hate Velmont though... I kinda do too. Lol.

-Jinx