Chapter Text
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Uma gasped loudly. She thrashed about before sitting up straight in her and Harry’s bed. Harry woke up immediately; he grabbed for his hook.
“Uma! What is it?”
“She’s killing him,” Uma stilled as she coached herself to control her breathing. She had to keep herself in check. They knew this day was approaching.
“Who? Who’s killing who?” Harry lowered his hook to scratch his chin with it.
“My mom. She’s killing Blue”
“I’m failing to see how this is a problem, love” Harry barely finished before they were hit by an odd sensation. It seemed to be coming from below them. There was either a problem coming from the hull itself or something was pursuing them from within the ocean.
“The hell was that?” Harry questioned.
There it was again. The floor beneath them vibrated and caused them to quiver to and fro along with it.
“She’s here,” Uma said. She threw on her sheer ruffled shirt and pulled up a pair of leathers altered to fit her frame.
“What?” Harry hoped that being roused from his sleep was causing him to hear things.
“Blue. He gave me a warning; she’s here.” She had just said that Ursula was killing him and now suddenly Ursula was here?
“How?” Harry didn’t wait for an answer as he slipped on his leathers, shirt, and boots. Uma was ready to bolt out of the door.
“I’ll explain later. Let’s go!” Harry expected this answer and would make it a point to get real answers from her later. He ran after her.
They ran to the main deck and peered towards the ocean. They saw large ripples surrounding their ship.
The twilight sky foretold the brewing storm. The sun was due to rise in twenty minutes; the sky should have been brimming with neon colors. Instead, the lovely hues of blue and pink were losing dominance; being forced aside by darkness.
“Gil,” Uma murmured as she quickened her pace towards his, Jonas’, and Gonzo’s quarters. Harry tossed Uma her sword and sheathed his.
“I’ll get him. Wake the girls,” he suggested. Uma nodded and Harry made his way to their room.
Uma grabbed a torch and burst through the doors.
“Desiree, Bonny” Uma called as she walked towards the two sleeping girls. She saw something twitching in the darkness as it made its way toward their beds. It shrank away after it saw Uma. Uma lifted the torch higher so she could see. It yelped and backed towards the wall. Whatever this thing was, it was afraid of fire.
“Uma?” Desiree jumped up.
“What the hell?” Bonny's eyes were wide as she saw the mysterious creature.
Uma quickly placed the torch in a holder on the wall. She swiftly used both hands and grabbed it by its collar, slamming it to the wall next to the torch. Desiree and Bonny scrambled to their feet, eager to see who or what had entered their room.
All three girls looked down at the troll that was barely four feet tall. He was, however, at least five feet wide.
“She got trolls workin’ for her now?” Uma could not believe this.
He must be a sellout.
“Why’d she send you here?” Bonny shouted at him.
“I won’t say a thing,” the troll turned his nose up at her.
“Oh, you won’t?” Uma questioned. Uma drew her right arm back with her palm facing downwards. He was about to be slapped into the middle of next week.
“Okay! I’ll talk,” he squeaked.
“She wanted me to come in and eliminate these two while they slept. She said it’d be an easy task.”
All three girls scowled down at him.
“Check his pockets” Uma nodded to Bonny. Bonny began to carefully frisk the troll.
“Hey!” he protested.
“Quiet!” Uma barked at him.
“I thought trolls only cater to their own?” Desiree asked him.
“Have you all been under a rock?” The troll behaved as if their oblivion had truly offended him. Uma rolled her eyes.
Something like that.
“Ursula controls most sectors on the Isle now, including some of the private ones. Even Hook’s beside himself. He’s up and disappeared.”
Captain Hook, her father-in-law, in hiding? Yeah right. He was no doubt plotting his next move from the comfort of his own (currently unknown) turf.
Bonny handed Uma two vials, one blue and the other purple as well as a knife she had retrieved from the troll’s pocket.
Uma grabbed the torch and nudged the troll towards Desiree. The troll trembled at the torch in her hands.
“Chill,” she mumbled. If the man had not only been following orders, then she would have burned him at the stake. Still, he had almost killed two of her best friends. She would keep her eyes on him. Besides, he had a serious attitude problem.
Desiree kept him restrained as they all walked out of the room.
The four of them came face to face with the guys plus an additional. Harry restrained a tall, weathered man. His age was somewhat ambiguous. The man had surely resided near the port. The life of a sailor, and the unrelenting sun, had a way of aging people prematurely.
Uma looked at the man and back at Harry.
“Jonas was interrogating him when I walked in”
“He snuck in, ready to knife us all,” Jonas confirmed.
“Same with this one,” Desiree said as she shoved the troll forward.
“Question is, where’s the rest of ‘em. Where’s she?” Jonas asked skeptically. Everyone looked about, on the ship, and beyond the horizon. The clouds formed a vortex in the sky. It looked like the funnel would touch down on their oceanic path at any time.
“It’s still so dark,” Gonzo complained.
“Sun’s rising,” Bonny was hopeful.
“But there’s a storm coming; we still won’t be able to see a thing. Uma, are you able to get the storm under control?” Gil asked.
“My mom’s responsible for this storm. I didn’t create it so I can’t influence it,” Uma said.
Stupid magical limitations.
Everyone stumbled as a large swell rocked the ship side to side. Harry grabbed out for Uma as she tried to regain her balance.
“Tie these two up, they can’t keep quiet forever,” Harry handed the man off to Gil as Desiree and the troll followed behind them.
“Jonas, Bonny, Gonzo, and I will furl the sails,” Harry stated as they headed for the back of the ship.
“I won’t be gone long, love,” Harry whispered against the shell of her ear. He felt guilty for leaving her even if only for a second, but he had to see to this personally. He had the most experience as a sailor. He felt relief in knowing that Gil would be nearby.
“What kind of ship doesn’t have storm sails…” Harry mumbled under his breath.
“Don’t start with me, Hook,” Jonas jabbered on. “At least this ship still sails.”
This was not the time for the guys to have a measuring contest. Witnessing the demise of The Lost Revenge had been devastating. Losing the Kraken’s Crest was not an option.
“Everyone make sure you have your weapons. I don’t know what game she’s playing but she’s definitely here,” Uma said.
She was left standing on deck as lookout until everyone returned. She kept her hand on her cutlass. She wiggled her ankle and felt the sheath of her dagger running along the expanse of her calf. The wind whipped past her ears like the call of an apparition. Uma fingered the shell against her chest. Nothing. Not even a faint glow. It was as if the ocean repelled its connection with her in favor of her mother.
“Come back to me,” Uma said as she pressed her lips to its ridges. She drew in a breath and pushed it out evenly. A flash of lightning lit the entire skyline. Thunder rode in on its tail; it crackled mightily. A ragged ship came into view. It sailed steadily in their direction.
“More company,” Gil said. Uma caught her breath, stopping herself from jumping at the sound of his voice as he and Desiree reappeared next to her. Desiree handed Gil a pair of binoculars; he peered at the ship carefully.
“More pirates, goons, henchman, and trolls. And hmmm…?” Gil said.
“What is it?” Uma asked.
“I don’t know. These tiny things… running all crazy around the deck.” Gil frowned as he tried to think of what they could be. Uma took the binoculars from him and looked for herself.
“They’re crabs.”
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Uma kept observing what appeared to be a bit of an ordeal on the other ship. Ursula’s minions tried to shoo them off deck and into the ocean. Others ran around and shrieked as the crabs had them in their clutch and held on for dear life. Was someone pranking Ursula? This obviously was not part of her plan. Of course, Ursula could not be bothered to help them in their time of distress. She was nowhere in sight.
“I don’t get it,” Desiree said in a monotone. “Why are there crabs running around? Are they lining up to fight us too?” Uma quirked her shoulders in a shrug.
Her knees buckled as the ship jerked to the side. Gil pulled her away from the ledge; she quickly caught the binoculars as they slipped past her fingertips.
Uma turned to look back at the minions’ ship when their own ship rocked again. The water made a crashing noise and shot into the air like a hose. Uma saw numerous limbs before she saw her.
Ursula looked at the three VKs in front of her.
“Gil” she greeted him dryly. “This has turned out to be quite the extended fishing trip, I’d say. What do you think?”
“I….” Gil stammered. Ursula moved on quickly.
“Bonny” she nodded at the girl. She had no business with this VK. Although that would not stop her from having her killed. It all depended on Ursula’s mood.
“It’s Desiree,” she corrected. Ursula moved on once again. She set a steely gaze on Uma.
Uma inhaled and lifted her chin. She poised her face to seem neutral.
“I’m willing to give you one more chance. Trade me your powers for the safety of your crew.”
The crew. I thought she said for the safety of me, Harry, and the baby.
Even if Uma complied and honored the trade. Someone would be sacrificed.
“What about your unborn grandchild?” Uma questioned. She already knew the answer. Ursula could not care any less about her or her child. Ursula smiled and cocked her head; she looked down at Uma’s wedding ring. She cackled wickedly.
“So, it’s done then?”
“As you said, it’s been written” Uma stared her down.
Gil stepped behind her, “don’t do it” he whispered against the back of her head.
He grazed her hand with his fingertips and replaced the binoculars for a shuriken. Uma kept her eyes on Ursula as she quietly accepted it. As always, Ursula was several steps ahead of them. She would not let herself be harmed by anymore flying objects. Not this time.
She created a violent blast that sent Desiree and Gil flying into the air. They both landed onto the wooden flooring with a thud. She then sent an appendage in his direction. It grabbed him by his neck and lifted him from his feet.
This is not how this was supposed to go.
“Let him go!” Uma demanded. Ursula held her ground.
“You want my magic, not him,” Uma tried to reason.
“So, now I have your attention? Drop it!” Ursula snarled. Uma loosened her grip; the weapon clattered to the ground.
“Uma” Gil strained.
“Who’s to say she won’t kill him anyway,” Desiree pointed out.
Ursula flexed her grip on Gil’s throat. Uma’s mind flashed back to the purple pallor of Blue’s skin in his final moments. She had witnessed a man dying. His life had slipped away before her very eyes.
“Stop!” Uma shrieked. Ursula smirked but had yet to ease her grip.
“I’ll do it. Let him go,” she pleaded.
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Harry and Jonas were still arguing when they heard yelling voices. Harry immediately stopped what he was doing and looked below them.
“What are you doing? Hurry up- “Jonas scolded him.
Harry shushed him. He gestured for Jonas to look beneath their feet and listen to what was happening on the main deck. Jonas listened briefly and his eyes grew round as he nodded his realization. Harry readied himself to jump onto the deck. Jonas stifled him, grabbing Harry by his coat pockets. He shook his head fiercely.
Harry was on the verge of tearing Jonas to shreds along with Ursula. Then he realized he may only make things worse for his wife and best mate. Uma could handle this. She would convince Ursula to release Gil. He would wait until Uma was in the ocean, where Ursula wanted her.
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Ursula immediately loosened her grip. Gil fell several feet and landed onto the wood paneling once again. He slumped to the side as Uma rushed to him.
“Get into the water,” Ursula commanded Uma.
“Heal him first!” Uma countered as Ursula rolled her eyes.
“I know you can. Do it! Or there’s no deal.” Uma challenged her. Ursula released an annoyed sigh. She stretched her arm towards the blonde and slightly twisted her wrist. A warm golden light shone and erased the bruises along his throat. He sighed a shallow breath.
“Now get in!” Ursula screeched.
Uma smoothed a golden curl from his face. She turned and placed a hand on Desiree’s cheek. The redhead shook her head and clutched her hand tightly; her eyes were full of panic. Uma offered her a reassuring smile. She rose to her feet and held her head high as she mounted the rail and jumped into the ocean.
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“Showtime. Ay, first mate?” Jonas called to Harry.
“Aye?” Harry looked at him.
“Get aft,” Jonas said with a smirk. Harry tipped his hat and made haste towards the helm.
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Uma and Ursula floated gracefully on top of the waves.
Uma glared at Ursula. Her shoulders slowly heaved; her insides burbled with anger.
The petty sea witch had almost killed her best friend just to make a point. Just because she could.
Why am I surprised? But that was not the only thing on Uma’s mind.
“You killed him,” Uma said quietly.
“Who?-“ Ursula was vaguely confused until she remembered.
“Oh, yes. That pathetically human, fool of a pirate? Yes, I did.” There was no trace of remorse in her voice. She may as well have squashed a fly.
“Why?” Uma questioned.
“After visiting this island, he suddenly grows a heart? I’ll say it again, pathetic” Ursula shook her head in aggravation.
“Because he told us what you were up to? That you were coming?” Uma questioned.
“Precisely” Ursula enunciated each syllable.
Uma narrowed her eyes, “he didn’t tell you where I was, did he?”
“The potion did that. How else would I have known where to send him?” Ursula smiled.
Uma chewed her bottom lip.
He didn’t do it.
“I suppose he’s getting his revenge on my crew now,” Ursula gestured to the ship and shrugged. Numerous crabs still scurried about.
Uma breathed out. Of course. The crab. That was his mother’s symbol. She was a heathen goddess. It allowed her to take on many forms, but she had chosen this one. Like mother, like son.
Suddenly Uma saw a cloud of white smoke rise above the water surrounding them. It formed into a giant hand complete with long, bony fingers and needle-sharp nails. Uma stared at it in both fear and wonder. It seeped into her open mouth. She felt its nails clawing at her throat and scouring her insides. Uma clutched her throat in pain. She screamed but her vocal cords would not release a sound. Her head was throbbing; her body threatened to succumb to weakness. Ursula’s escalation in power was allowing her to triple in size, she laughed a triumphantly. Uma felt increasingly insignificant.
She looked down and saw the water churning around her-her legs! Where had her tentacles gone? Why had she turned human again?
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“Uma! Hold on!” She was falling into a dizzying sleep. She heard Harry’s voice as she continued to fall down the rabbit hole.
“Look out!” he yelled.
Uma forced herself to open her eyes. The pointy edge of the bowsprit was coming towards her and Ursula. Uma groaned as she willed her heavy legs and arms to swim out of the way.
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Harry held the position of the wheel with all his might; he drove the ship straight into Ursula’s torso. He slammed his eyes shut as he braced for the impact.
He knew he had succeeded. So, why did his heart fumble once he heard both Uma and Ursula screaming?
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Uma watched anxiously as Harry steered the ship. She briefly shut her eyes right before he rammed Ursula. She expected to hear her mother’s howls.
Instead, she was now doubled over and screaming at the onset of the pain. She heard her mother’s cries of agony while she cursed Harry. She could not place where the sharp pain was coming from. Uma’s hand finally found her abs. Her index and middle fingers teased the edge of the wound, threatening entrance to her insides. She drew her hand back and saw blood. Her eyes welled with tears; her mouth dropped open and released a cry of despair.
What’s happened?
She glanced at her mother. The mutilated woman had pulled herself free from the ship. Both of her monstrous, gigantic hands clutched each side. She was ready to smash it to pieces subjecting everyone aboard to a watery death.
Uma gasped and coughed, choking back down the blood that tried to escape her lips. She felt her shell flicker before releasing a full glimmer.
Yes, I knew you’d come back to me.
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“What happened?” Harry used each hand to hurl the prisoners to their feet.
“Why did Uma get hurt after I attacked Ursula?” He demanded. Gil was behind him hovering over the two men.
“We ain’t telling you a thing, you’ll have to kill us first,” the pirate responded.
“Humph, yeah, what he said” the troll huffed, having the worst luck at trying to seem brave. His shoulders were hunched all the way up to his ears.
Harry’s reddened eyes turned completely bloodshot. He yelled a throat-splitting battle cry at both of their faces; it reminded them of the roar that belonged to the infamous Scar.
He drew both men from the ground and slammed their bodies together. They sprawled out onto the deck like overcooked noodles.
“…Harry, we can’t get a word out of them if they’re dead,” Desiree told him as she crouched down next to them. She used a tiny finger to pry open their eyes and check their vitals.
“We can’t help her anyway if we don’t abandon ship! Ursula’s gonna sink us for sure,” Jonas reminded them.
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Uma’s shell had shown grace and lent her temporary strength. Her hands shakily raised into the air. She waited for a few faltering heartbeats. The wind picked up at her command. It changed directions. Instead of slanting one way, the rain now fell in the other direction. Lightning cracked above her. It smacked onto the top of the waves. Uma saw the electricity sift through the current, she shut her eyes at the welcoming sensation. It soothed her skin and trickled through her veins.
This has to work. It has to.
She brought her arms back to her sides and curved her fingers inward. She pulled both arms back before quickly throwing them forward. Uma commanded a blast of electricity and gusts of wind; they joined forces and shoved enormous, Ursula away from the ship. She landed with a splash that sent a tidal wave towards its path. Uma used her hand to steady the swell before it toppled the Kraken’s Crest.
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“She did it, she saved us,” Bonny said quietly. She was still frazzled from all the movement forced upon the ship.
“Now, it’s time to save her. Look! She must’ve dropped these, they came from the troll,” Desiree held up the mysterious blue and purple vials.
Harry’s eyes lit up, he reached for them, but Gil stopped him.
“Let me, if they still don’t wanna talk then that’s where you come in,” Gil said. Harry clenched his jaw but accepted.
Gil stepped over to the motionless men on the ground. Gil used his large palm and tapped them both on the cheek. They jostled and awakened.
“Hey! What are these?” he asked. They both looked ready to object until they saw Harry behind him. And beside Harry was Desiree, wielding a torch.
The troll pulled both of his lips into his mouth. He looked like he had just sucked a lemon.
“The purple vial performs the binding spell and the blue undoes the spell.”
“Speak bloody English,” Harry spat.
“Ursula must have placed the binding spell on Uma not long ago,” the troll continued cautiously. He dared look Harry in the eye as he spoke. Instead, he peered at the pirate from his peripheral. The rest of the crew gestured for him to elaborate.
“She would have had to lay hands on her,” he finished quietly.
“Of course,” Harry shut his eyes and exhaled. He thought of the print Ursula had left on Uma’s neck that day on shore.
“I should have been there,” he cursed himself.
“Then why would you have it?” Desiree implied that the troll couldn’t be trusted.
“Ursula gave the vials to the brightest of the lot. As a precaution, we were to administer it to her in case Uma would be harmed first. So, Ursula wouldn’t be harmed as a result-”
“What do we do? How do we use that to break the spell?” Harry spoke over him.
“She, erm, Uma must consume - I mean drink it” Harry jumped to his feet. He took the vials from Gil and carefully tucked them away in his pocket.
“Harry, where are you going?” Gil looked concerned.
“To rescue me wife,” He readied himself to balance on the ledge.
“We’ve just barely resumed your lessons” Gil gestured to the vast ocean that was thousands of feet deep.
“I don’t care if Tic Toc is after me. For her, I can, and I will swim,” Harry tossed his hat to the side and dived gracefully into the waves below them.
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Ursula’s eyes shot daggers at Uma. She had to admit, the girl was resilient. Just like she was. She was refusing to let herself slip away. However, Ursula was not finished with her just yet. The powdery, smoky hand reappeared and once again forced itself upon Uma’s body. She was helpless; her arms were outstretched as her head rolled back. Her shell dimmed again, and Uma’s world became obscured. The hand resurfaced on the waves before sinking beneath them.
It stole whatever energy had remained as she faded away again. If only she could sleep. She had not any more energy to fight.
Ursula regained control of the storm. The wind picked up; Ursula sent a gust of wind towards Uma. It whistled and jerked at her necklace until it snapped away from her neck, flying into Ursula’s hands.
No, Harry’s ring. Uma reached a quivering hand out towards the necklace.
Ursula used the fusion of her and Uma’s magic to heal herself. She was renewed and ready to see just what this magnitude of untapped ability could do.
Uma began to sink down into the dark, roiling sea. She felt a familiar cold, smoothness glide across her skin. It ducked its head under her arm to keep her afloat.
“Sphyrna,” Uma whispered with her eyes shut.
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“Uma!” Harry called in the distance.
“Where are you?” he cried frantically.
“Sphyrna, please help, he can barely swim,” she was nodding off. She had one foot in the grave, they would be reunited soon.
Sphyrna used her senses and glided in Harry’s direction. She carried Uma along with her.
Harry whipped his head around. He could not find her. The tide could have easily carried her away given her weakened state.
Finally, Harry saw the long dorsal fin. His eyes widened in fear as the creature came closer. He reached for his hook and pointed it at the shark. Sphyrna carefully backed away from him. He frowned when he saw Uma’s delicate arm around the hammerhead. Harry quirked his head to the side in suspicion yet lowered his hook.
“Sph-Sphyrna?” He asked. He remembered hearing Uma speak about the marine animal several times. She was Uma’s confidant of the high seas. And apparently much better at girl talk than he was. Sphyrna bucked her head, confirming her identity. What Uma had failed to mention was that the shark was over nine feet long. Even if she wasn’t, she looked intimidating. Harry placed his hook back into his pocket, wondering if he should apologize and introduce himself. Since when had he turned into a pirate with manners? Sphyrna swam until his outstretched hand rested on top of her head.
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Well never mind then, looks like she already knows who I am.
Harry slowly blinked his eyes and exhaled as he felt her flesh.
Whew. Okay, Hook, get a hold of yerself.
Sphyrna allowed a hesitant Harry to take hold of her side. With one arm around the marine animal, he used the other to gently pull Uma over to him. Her blood mingled with the sea; a spotlight of red water marking the whereabouts of the three of them. He hoped none of Sphyrna’s distant relatives would be joining them. Regret transformed his handsome face into a crestfallen expression. His shoulders heaved once as he began to cry.
“I’m so sorry, love,” he whispered.
“Why you? The one that deserves it the least” Harry’s tears blended into the sea. He wiped his cheek with his shoulder and opened the blue vial. He tipped her head back and poured its contents into her parted lips, placing a gentle kiss on her cheekbone. Sphyrna edged closer to the two to maintain their balance. He was never good at waiting patiently. Not during matters of life and death.
Why isn’t anythin’ happening? The blasted troll said the blue vial undid the binding spell.
Harry continued weeping as he rested his head on his fist. Sphyrna nudged him.
Did I follow the instructions incorrectly? Was the purple vial the unbinding potion and the blue the binding potion?
He growled at himself.
Urggghh! I can’t get anythin’ right!
Sphyrna nudged him again.
“What?” he asked her.
And that’s when he remembered the sappy, Auradonian saying, True loves kiss,
works every time.
Harry became intrigued. He turned to Uma and cradled her head in his hands. He pressed a gentle kiss onto her lips.
A light hand cupped his cheek. He gasped and broke the kiss.
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“He swam too far, I can’t see them,” Gil said with concern as he ascended to the crow’s nest.
“He’s made his way to her and there’s a a-shark!” Desiree yelped as she gazed through the binoculars.
“What?!” Gil turned around and stared at her, hoping she mistook a dolphin for the sea predator.
“I’m serious! It’s some kind of hammerhead.”
“Gonzo, Bonny, keep your focus on Ursula and the ship.” Jonas seemed unbothered by Desiree’s observation. His concern was how to further protect the mast during this hellish storm. He knew this scenario was not good and would only get worse. Ursula had combined both her and Uma’s powers. Who knows what she was planning next? Surely it was along the lines of world domination.
Bonny kept her eyes on the ship. The crew was still in a losing battle with the crabs. She had to admit it looked miserable.
Gil jumped down and snatched the binoculars from Desiree.
“Oh! That’s just Sphyrna. She’s a friend of Uma’s,” he said plainly. The crew turned in unison and gawked at Gil in shock.
“Can we just focus!” Jonas screamed. He continued, “what is Ursula doing?”
Surely Ursula was large enough to be visible to them all. However, a close-up could give them clues on her intentions.
“She’s fiddling with Uma’s shell thingy” Gonzo replied in amusement.
Ursula was slapping the object around in her palm. It refused to illuminate for her. The shell communicated directly with the ocean. Even with Uma’s powers in her possession, the ocean, and skies under her control, it repelled any attraction to her. If the relic would only work for Uma, then she would bring Uma to it. The lovesick Hook boy was already busy reviving her. She had been lucky that her antics had not killed the girl. Although, Uma would need some kind of incentive to get the object working. The wickedest part of Ursula had reveled at watching Uma fret over the blonde boy in distress. She searched over the stretch of ocean surrounding her. The corners of her mouth rose tremendously as her eyes fell upon the Kraken’s Crest.
Gonzo’s face went pale. “She’s looking this way, at us!” he shouted.
“And the crabs are gone,” Bonny said. Everyone anticipated what that would mean for their safety.
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Uma smiled up at Harry.
He came for me. Into the open seas. For me.
Harry was still in disbelief. Had it really worked? He placed a hand on her unscathed stomach and searched her all over.
“Harry,” Uma laughed. “I’m okay, I’m not in any more pain.” She paused momentarily.
“And I’m still human,” she took a deep breath; her cheeks puffed out as she exhaled.
“Yer still a goddess to me.” She smiled at him.
“Sphyrna!” Uma threw her arms around the hammerhead.
“Thank you,” she said gratefully and started patting, turning back to Harry with a grin.
“She scared the piss out of you at first, didn’t she?”
“I mean for a split second I was worried she could’ve been ol’ Tic Toc” Harry shrugged. Uma laughed and then stopped again. She and Harry thought the same thing as they questioned simultaneously.
“Where is she?”
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Ursula effortlessly waded her way through the seas as she approached the Kraken’s Crest. Her low grunts as she strutted towards the rugged ship were due to her increasing irritability. She did not think she would have to jump through so many hoops just to utilize her newly acquired powers.
To her dismay, she looked to her right to see the ship of minions slowly sailing away towards the Isle. She changed directions and hastened to the ship. These ungrateful pawns were leaving without a fight. Surely, they could take on some children from the Isle. There was no obstacle in there way now that Blue had abandoned his plight.
“Where do you all think you’re going?” Ursula’s voice thundered louder than the waves crashing against the shore. The rain that had been reduced to a drizzle, was starting to grow heavier. At this rate, the diverse crew would be lucky to make their way back to shore.
A bold huntsman was the first to speak, “If you’d said anything about fighting off hundreds of raging crabs, maybe we’d have been more prepared. Some men abandoned ship while some simply fell overboard.” The rest had been pinched to a pulp. He rubbed at a few red spots on his wrists and forearms.
“So, you all can’t handle a few crabs?” Ursula spat. Perhaps she had chosen the wrong group of men for this job. This group was far too plush.
“Maybe if you had helped us” a thin, angered troll spoke up “then we’d have fared better!”
Ursula was shocked by the troll’s audacity. “Need I remind you of your commitment” her voice edged with contempt. “You’ve already seen what happens when one of you disobeys.”
“We’ll take our chances. If the crabs don't kill us, your storm will. To hell with this” the fed-up huntsman told her. Ursula was moments away from landing an arduous blow to the ship, splitting it in half causing it to sink to the depths. That was until she heard his final statement.
“Uma and Hook’s son are escaping, you may wanna see to that,” his shrewd tone was unapologetic. Ursula snapped her head in the direction of the Kraken’s Crest so quickly she could have gotten whiplash.
Harry and Uma held onto Sphyrna as she rushed them towards the ship. Harry planned to man the wheel and safely get everyone back to shore. They stood no chance sailing on these stormy waters for much longer. Their only other choice was to get on land. They would not retreat and hide in the jungle. Uma would hold her stance and wait for her mother on the beach, like their previous interaction. Only this time, she would not suffer at the hands of her mother’s treachery. She would fight.
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Ursula gritted her teeth as she anticipated her next move.
Too bad I can’t just kill the brat.
It was true; she could not kill Uma without jeopardizing her new powers. Well, if she could not hurt her daughter, then she had to harm the next best thing. Ursula watched as Harry carefully lifted Uma; Gil grabbed her hands to help her aboard. Ursula’s sinister smile returned. Too easy, she thought.
Ursula was so happy she had stowed Harry’s knife for this occasion. The fools must have really believed that she had returned the original weapon. Oh, the glorious benefits of potions and spells, cloning potions to be exact. And for her next spell, all she needed to inflict damage was an object belonging to the victim. Ursula gripped the blade in her palm until her knuckles turned white and the metal bit into her flesh. She held the wild expression of a madwoman as she recited the spell.
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The waves beat against the ship as Harry and Uma struggled to maintain balance. Harry squinted through heavy drops of rain as he kept his hold on Uma’s waist. Uma held onto Gil’s calloused hands as he hoisted her up to the deck. Both teens gave a start at the newfound commotion. Uma slipped; her back bumped into Harry’s chest as they fell back into the sea with a splash. Gil scrambled to his feet, beckoning for his best friends whose eyes were glued to the unfolding scene.
The crabs covered Ursula’s body, jabbing their pincers into her skin as she shrieked in pain. She swiped at them grudgingly, spewing the crustaceans into the sea. She cursed as the knife dropped from her hand and began to sink into the blue. There was no deterring this attack; the small creatures recovered and ambushed once more. The VKs had no choice but to observe the spectacle in shock.
Uma watched her mother wriggle around in aguish when she felt a tickle on her own shoulder. She looked down to see a stone-grey crab perched there comfortably. The young sea witch yelped and flicked it into the ocean. Was today killer crab day? Uma’s face grew hot from embarrassment as she inwardly shamed herself.
Blue would not harm her. Only, this crab had a different appearance than Blue’s. The coloring was similar yet noticeably different. She doubted the visit from this new friend was sheer coincidence.
Sphyrna was on standby, waiting for the couple to safely board the ship. The crab reemerged and scurried onto her back. Harry went to knock the creature away.
“Wait-“Uma stopped him. Harry stilled himself immediately but frowned at the command. She was looking intently at Sphyrna. He inferred that the two were communicating. It was a gift that as a human Uma was still able to communicate with marine life. She blinked and looked behind the shark; she saw what must have been hundreds more of the decapods. They bobbed in the seas as they rode the waves, floating at the surface.
“This is Calypso, Blue’s mother,” Uma said. Harry kept his frown but scrunched his top lip. He had seen and heard too many bizarre things today. But for now, he would bite and play along. Although, he knew Uma would never joke with him about something like this.
“And those?” He wagged his head in Ursula’s direction.
“That’s Blue,” Uma said flatly. Harry’s eyes were as wide as two cue balls.
“She wants revenge; Ursula killed her only son.”
“What does she have in mind?” He asked. Uma looked at Calypso; the crab scurried back to its initial spot on her shoulder.
“Do you trust me?” Uma asked.
“With me life,” Harry said, going pale from worry as he gazed at the countless creatures that were approaching them.
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She wanted him to trust her. And so, he did as he watched the sea critters with sandstone colored exoskeletons invade his wife’s body. Given Ursula was in the same predicament and was writing in pain, it took every iota for him to remain calm. Uma appeared to be trusting of the crab-goddess that called herself Calypso. She did not appear to be in any physical pain. Soon, it became hard to tell after her face was buried.
“Uma, tell me somethin’. Let me know yer okay,” as soon as the words left his mouth, he shielded his eyes. A white light irradiated Uma’s body hidden beneath the crabs. She was suddenly lifted, suspended above the waves. The impossibly bright light disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Harry held his breath; he feared the potential fate of his captain, the love of his life.
He lowered his hand, “Uma!” He began to approach when he saw each crab begin to drop from her still frame. They drifted through the air, disappearing before hitting the water with a splash. Uma opened her eyes as the last crab vanished from her cheek. The entirety of her eyes; the whites, the iris’, flashed metallic gold as she was lowered back to the sea. Her chestnut eyes returned as she blinked. She said nothing as her body began to grow exponentially. It was déjà vu as she once again surpassed the height of the Kraken’s Crest. But she seemed unaware that anyone else was in her presence, including Harry.
“Harry!” Gil shouted eager to pull his best friend from the snare of the ocean. Harry looked at him defiantly, “no, I won’t leave her.” He stood on the last step near the rudder; the one that led straight to the ocean and held on tight.
“Dammit, Harry!” Jonas cried in frustration.
Uma focused only on the battered and befuddled sea witch that stood before her. Blue had expected the incoming attack and abandoned proximity. One could suppose this was an act of self-preservation. Uma looked up at the angry skies. She raised a lithe arm; the gloomy funnel cloud seemed to be dragged along as it followed her hand. It moved until it touched down on the gigantic waves. Ursula was immediately subjected to the vigorous current. She was held captive by the looming whirlpool. The water only swirled gently around the colossal goddess that was now commanding the skies and seas. Her works could do her no harm.
Her outstretched arm turned to reveal a flat palm. A strike of lightning seemed to float there in the center of her hand. She tossed it. The movement startled the crew; Calypso’s movements had been slow and deliberate until now. The bolt electrocuted a lethargic Ursula. The singeing blast had a trail of wind behind it; Uma’s shell necklace flew from the witch’s claw-like grasp back into its rightful owner’s hand. She threw herself forward and purged herself of nothing at all. Nothing visible. She let out a long, grueling howl as she shrank in size. Depreciating until she collected into a small heap of dust, sprinkling, and dissolving into the deescalating waves.
Calypso’s golden eyes stared down at the Kraken’s Crest as she slowly blinked them shut. A final flash of white light filled the skies. Thousands of crabs rained from the skies and poured into the ocean. The crew shielded themselves from the peculiar shower. They watched as Uma descended to the ocean. She was laid down gently on her side like a doll laid to rest by a child. Harry extended his arms out to her; she settled into them comfortably. She breathed. She would be okay. He watched in amazement as her cephalopod form had returned.
Silver lining revealed a bright and shining sun. The storm clouds dissipated leaving thin and wispy cirrus clouds in its wake. The salty sea breeze filled Uma’s nostrils as she finally awoke. She felt the hum of her shell throbbing against the inside of her palm. Her line of sight traveled upward to the most beautiful eyes she would ever see.
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Gonzo kissed the sand after stepping onto the beach. He had never been so happy to set foot on dry land in his life. They had a handful of close calls, but their ship still sailed. For that, they were all grateful. The VKs were discussing the events of that morning. Uma, who had some gaps in memory, had just finished explaining her understanding of why it all happened the way it did. Particularly, Calypso’s and Blue’s involvement in Ursula’s undoing.
“I don’t understand, he didn’t even like us,” Jonas quipped.
“He didn’t have to. Uma did,” Gil finished. The crew fell silent and tried to avert their eyes from Harry, they failed. He only sat there quietly; he held an eerily calm disposition. Although, no one would question him out loud. In his periphery, Harry saw something twiddling along the low tide. He glanced around at the crew, at Uma. No one seemed to notice it. Harry narrowed his eyes and rose from his seat.
“I’ll be right back,” he said quietly to Uma. She noticed his expression and stroked his hand. Harry shook off her concern, “I’m okay.” Uma let the matter drop, for now.
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Harry followed Blue to a secluded spot at the edge of the jungle. The crab waited for him expectantly. Harry scoffed at seeing him up close. This kid was desperate to be seen, even as a crab. Harry was sure the soft cerulean tint on his legs and otherwise grey shell was no accident. Harry imitated Blue’s voice in his own mind; “Look at me, I’m Blue the blue crab.” He looked down at Blue with mixed emotions, wonder, anger, jealousy. For now, he would go with the most prevalent.
“Ye still tried to kill me,” Harry radiated inferno heat that gathered into his accusatory stare. His jaw snapped as he clasped both rows of teeth together. He paused suddenly then instantly softened.
“But thank you,” he said sincerely. He cleared his throat, swallowing down what could be mistaken for sorrow brought on by gratitude.
Blue twitched his eyes and flexed his limbs in a tapping motion. With that, he trotted off towards the turf until Harry could no longer see him.
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“Love, where are ye taking us? Feels like we’ve been walking forever. Are you sure yer okay?”
Upon Uma’s persistence, they had been exploring the island. Uma had a hunch; she wanted to know if the place in her ‘dream’ had truly existed. Harry stopped complaining as they finally made their way to the craggy entrance of that sacred place. Uma knew why she was speechless. She had found the place. She had really been there that day. It had not been a dream. What she did not understand was why Harry’s eyes were glassy and drooped like a puppy’s. She had no idea what had come over him but suddenly she felt she should apologize. It was like she had broken an unspoken code.
“Harry, um, we don’t have to go inside. I’m sorry.”
“How did you find this?” he whispered, tears filling his eyes to the brim.
“This is where we were when, erm, he warned me” Uma already felt like she was walking on eggshells. She did not want to mention Blue’s name out loud again. She was sure Harry was more than tired of hearing it. He only continued to stare dazedly in front of them.
“Harry, what is it?” Uma kept her voice low. She tried to follow his line of sight and realized he was daydreaming.
“Me mum- she used to bring me here,” he laughed at the recollection only for a tear to roll down his cheek.
“I’ve only dreamt about it since.” Uma was confused yet entranced. Why would his mother bring him here? How did she even know about this place? She couldn’t help but wonder if Blue had known any of this.
“Show me the way?” he asked hopefully as he gazed at her. Uma nodded as she gently took his hand and guided him.
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“I don’t remember much about her. I couldn’t get a word out of da’ if I wanted to. She was gone when I was a small boy. CJ, of course, she was too young to remember and Harriet won’t talk about” he sniffed.
“Too painful” he added. Uma nodded her understanding.
“I do know she loved the water. There was rarely a time when she wanted to be out of it. Like you.” He said. Uma concentrated as she processed everything he was saying.
“She’d bring me with her of course. We’d have a blast; just the two of us.” Harry cocked his head to the side, like he was calculating some sort of equation.
“I did fine in the water then. After she was gone was when da’ tore up me childhood with his stories of Tic Toc.”
Captain Hook corrupted Harry with the same paranoia that he had. He was convinced that Tic Toc was after Hook blood. Uma quietly contemplated before placing a hand on his thigh.
“Do you think your aversion to swimming…. was not because you lacked ability but because of your fear?” She kept her posture neutral while she waited for his response. In no way did she want to appear judgmental of him. He seemed to consider it lightly. She was thankful for that.
“I s’pose so,” he said thoughtfully.
“Harry” Uma began again. He looked at her with blue, innocent eyes. Her heart rate sped; she continued with caution.
“I know you said you don’t remember. I mean, you were super young, but, what if your mother was a –“
“Mermaid?” he finished. Uma raised an eyebrow at him and framed her arms in a shrug.
“You never told me that,” she said. She thought they told each other everything.
“I don’t know for sure. Just trying to put two and two together here. It’s hard to know for sure when me own family won’t tell me shite,” Harry sighed. He had a point. Uma dropped her defense. After all, this wasn’t about her.
“Ye would think I would remember a tail. But I only remember her face,” he stared off again before continuing. “It would explain how she knew about this place…”
“If she’s a being of the seas as well…” he reasoned.
“If so, then that means you are too” Uma finished. Harry looked dubious.
She stood up and stretched a hand towards him.
“Join me?” she asked hopefully.
“Ye sure it’s okay?” He asked placing a hand on her belly.
“Bruh, you have heard of water births, haven’t you?” she asked as she smiled and cocked her head.
He tentatively produced a smirk before accepting her hand.