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A red tail whisked past into the coral and kelp, racing through it as a dark skinned merboy swam right after her, chuckling. “Come back here, you cheater!” He yelled. “Not my fault you got distracted by Lucille the seal, Finny boy!” The blonde replied, speeding away and out of the kelp with the merboy right on her tail. “I’m catching up to ya, Ceto!” He smirked. “Not unless I do this!” Ceto replied before twisting into a spin, swimming up to the surface and then leaping out, diving back down and catching herself into a current which allowed her to speed up a little.
“Hey!!” Finn yelled before looking around as he smirked at seeing a lower current below before diving down and catching himself in the current, speeding up once he was in the current, but spotted something nearby as he swam towards some rocks and looked around. “Hello? Is someone there?” He called out, turning to check to see where Ceto was out of instinct as a figure reached out. Finn felt a shiver in his spine as he glanced back. “What the-” He gasped at getting a seaweed net thrown over him as Finn dropped his trident only for the merboy to be pulled out of sight with the trident getting itself wedged in the rocks.
Ceto swam straight to the cell of a storm eel as she tapped her tail against the bars with a creature swimming up to it quickly. “Hehe, hey Sparky.” She greeted before turning around, “Hey Finn! I won!” She called out before floating where she was at for a second, but heard no response nor saw Finn in sight as she looked back at the eel. “Stay. Or well, uh...You know what I mean.” The eight year old said sheepishly before swimming off swiftly.
“Finn? Finn! Where are you? Are we playing hide and seek now? Two can play that game!” She yelled, swimming around before spotting something shiny in the corner of her eye, stopping in her tracks and diving down to the rocks and sea floor. Ceto’s eyes squinted to get a better look before gasping at recognizing the trident as she zipped down and grabbed the middle of the item, pulling a few times before freeing it from the rocks. The blonde mermaid looked around, her breath hitching and speeding up a little whilst clutching the trident close a little. “F-Finn? FINN?!” She yelled desperately.
Ceto looked down at the trident in her hands as she bit her lip. “What do I do? W-Where is Finn?” She questioned before hearing barks and yips, looking over at Lucille swimming towards her as the girl hurried towards the seal. “Lucille!” She said in minor relief at seeing the sea creature. The seal barked at the girl, swimming around her real quick as Ceto placed a hand on the seal. “Lucille, I need your help. Finn’s disappeared! I don’t know what to do!” The mermaid told her as Lucille whined before barking twice and swimming around her, then swimming forward a little. Her pink eyes looked behind her once out of anxiety before looking back at Lucille. “Okay. Lead the way, Lucille!” Ceto nodded as the seal swam off with the mermaid swimming behind her.
~
Somewhere on the surface, a large blue ship sailed across the sea with a couple of kids working on cleaning up the ship’s deck together as a leopard helped hold a rope while allowing a girl to climb up to one of the sails. “That storm last night sure did leave a mess on the Colossus.” A smaller boy said, pushing some barrels towards a corner with an older boy helping him real quick. “I’ll say. Think a storm eel got loose?” The older man asked. “I hope not. Those things are slippery and scary!” The girl called down, unwinding a loose rope from the mast and then adjusting it before letting it go, “Okay, Savaa! I’m good to be lowered down now!” She yelled.
“Okay, Iz!” Savaa muttered with the rope in her mouth as the Never-leopard lowered the rope along with Izzy back towards the deck. “There. Barrels back in place, Jake!” Cubby wiped his head off as Captain Jake used a rope to secure one of the rope ladders that led up to one of the crow’s nests. “What’s left?” Jake asked as a parrot flew over and dropped a clipboard into his hands as Jake pulled out a feather pen, “Mended the main sail, check. Organize and secure barrels and cannons, check. Check catapults for any damage, check.”Jake listed off.
Izzy leapt down when she was close enough to the deck, landing on Savaa’s back before climbing off. “Sail’s ropes and ship’s flags are all fixed and readjusted!” She reported. “And the cannonballs have been sorted back into their barrels!” Cubby added, both saluting their captain who checked off the list. “Yay hey! That’s everything.” Jake said as the small crew cheered. “Take this back to the captain’s quarters, please, Skully.” Jake requested, handing the clipboard back to the parrot. “Aye aye, Jake!” He answered, gladly taking back the clipboard and flying back to the opened door.
“At least sailing on the Never Sea helps us be able to test the catapults to make sure that there’s no damage to it when we use them.” Cubby said, bringing some coconuts over towards one of the catapults real quick with Savaa walking over and helping him out. “Good idea, Cubby. Even though we checked it for damage, it’s still important to make sure that there’s nothing wrong with them by testing them out.” Jake replied, walking after his friends as Izzy and Cubby loaded up the catapult with the coconuts while Skully flew over. “I just checked the area. Nobody and nothing is in the area. We are in the clear.” Skully reported.
Ceto surfaced carefully with Lucille as she gasped and ducked down slightly. “Lucille! T-That’s a pirate ship! Why are we here?” She asked the seal who barked a few times at her, “Wait, you know these pirates? And so does Finn?” Ceto questioned as Lucille barked at her in response. “Very well. I’ll take your word for it,” She replied. “Fire!” A voice yelled as Ceto and Lucille looked up in time to see something fly from the ship. “What in the...HOLY NEVER SEAS!” The mermaid screamed before diving down with Lucille and hiding behind some rocks as coconuts rained down around them with Ceto hugging the seal to protect her.
“Crackers! Did anybody else hear that?” Skully asked as the crew ran to the bow of The Mighty Colossus and looked around. “Ahoy! Is anybody there?” Jake called out as Lucille leapt out from behind the rocks, barking enthusiastically. “Oh hey! It’s Lucille! Hi Lucille!” Izzy called out as the seal did a backflip, bringing the attention back towards the rock as Ceto nervously peeked around the rock. “It’s a mermaid!” Cubby said. “One that we’ve never seen before.” Izzy added. “Ahoy down there!” Jake greeted her. “Um, hello!” Ceto greeted him in return nervously.
“We didn’t see you there! My matey, Skully, told us he checked the area before we launched those coconuts! Are you hurt?” Jake asked as Ceto shook her head. “No! Me and Lucille managed to get out of the way in time! But I need your help! Lucille told me that you guys know each other and know Finn!” She replied as the crew looked at each other. “Hang on! Come to the side of our ship!” Jake said as the crew ran back to the deck with Ceto looking at Lucille. “Keep an eye on the storm eels for me, please, Lucille. I’ll be back.” She said as the seal barked twice before diving down.
Ceto swam back towards the side of the ship as a net was lowered down towards her, making her move back a little. “It’s okay! We have some water ready for you up here on our deck!” Savaa called out as Ceto took a deep breath and swam into the net, sitting down in it as the net was pulled up quickly while Izzy and Cubby pushed the barrel of water over to the rail. Once Ceto was beside the railing, she quickly transferred herself into the barrel with their help as she grabbed the side of it. “Okay, this feels weird.” She muttered.
“Sorry that it’s not much,” Jake said. “No no! It’s okay! I’m just not used to this.” Ceto reassured him. “Hey! That’s Finn’s trident, isn’t it?” Izzy asked, pointing at the item in her hand as Ceto nodded. “That’s why I need your help,” She answered. “Did something happen to Finn?” Jake asked in concern as Ceto handed the trident to him, letting Jake carefully take it from her. “Me and Finn were racing together and I was ahead of him. I got to the storm eel cage first and when I turned around, Finn wasn’t in my sight. I went looking for him, thinking he was playing hide and seek in revenge for me winning the race, but I only found his trident wedged in some rocks and Finn nowhere to be seen.” The mermaid explained as she held the side of the barrel, starting to tear up from explaining.
Izzy walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder as the mermaid sniffled, holding her head. “I can’t find my brother anywhere and I’m scared for him and I don’t know what to do!” She cried. “Don’t worry, uh..” Jake started, looking at the new friend. “Ceto.” She answered for him as Izzy offered her a handkerchief, letting her take it and wipe her eyes a little. “Well, Ceto. You came to the right crew. I’m Captain Jake and these are my friends; Izzy, Cubby, Skully and Savaa. Yo ho! Let’s go find Finn!” Jake ordered as everyone split up on the deck. “Ceto, meet me under The Colossus.” Jake said, giving the trident back to her and then running to the stairs. “Wait, what? But you’re not a merboy!” Ceto replied. “Finn gave me a diving suit using the trident a while back!” The captain replied as Ceto nodded and hopped out of the barrel, diving down and landing straight into the water below.
Cubby ran to a lever and pulled it down while Izzy started to crank a wheel with Skully and Savaa opening a wooden door and letting Jake jump down into it, landing on a slide as a claw grabbed his hat with two others holding up a dive suit, letting him fit into it as a plunger gripper put on the glass helmet before letting him go down a slide that let him go down and land on top of his Splash-diver as Jake revved it real quick before diving down into the water and coming out beneath the ship.
Ceto looked over at hearing the noise and went wide eyed at spotting the Splash-diver and Jake as she swam over. “Whoa! Now that looks cool!” She commented. “Thanks! Finn gave me the suit while me and my crew built each other's subs to go on any underwater missions.” Jake replied while as if on cue, Cubby and Izzy followed in their mini subs right behind Jake and drove themselves over to the two. “Thanks so much for wanting to help me,” Ceto said. “Any friend of Finn is a friend of ours,” Cubby answered. “Follow me!” Ceto said before swimming off with the three immediately following after her.
Back on the ship, the two animals were sitting on the deck with a crate and a checkerboard as the two played against each other. “Bet a package of crackers they’ll be back before lunch.” Skully said. “And I bet a codfish that they’ll be back after lunch.” Savaa grinned. “Deal,” The parrot replied.
The kids raced their vehicles after the mermaid as Jake pulled up beside Ceto. “Hey Ceto! If you’re Finn’s brother, how come you two look different?” He asked. “We’re adopted siblings! I’m from a different kingdom, I’m not from Neptune City. I lost my parents and then I became his partner after being taken in by the queen. We became brother and sister over time. Whenever he needed to go somewhere or do something, I would be in charge of watching over the storm eels for him,” Ceto explained. “Oh cool! No wonder we never met before,” Jake replied. “I just hope we find him soon,” She said.
“Where did you find his trident?” Cubby asked. “This way!” Ceto said before diving down as the three friends followed after her immediately. “Be careful of the coral, crew! We don’t want to cause any damage to the sea life down here or disturb it.” Jake warned. “Aye aye, Captain Jake!” The other two answered as Jake stopped his Splash-diver near some of the coral before swimming off it and heading after Ceto as she stopped at hearing him do the same before swimming back to him, grabbing his hand, and then proceeding down. “Whoa! You’re fast!” He said. “That’s why I went back and grabbed your hand!” She replied before letting him go when she made it to the rocks and floating above them.
“Is this the place?” Izzy asked while driving her sub over. “Yeah. This is the exact spot where I found the trident!” Ceto answered. “Alright. Let’s spread out and search for clues. Stay together in pairs. I have a feeling something’s fishy.” Jake said. “Hey!” The mermaid replied. “Not that kind of fishy.” Izzy giggled. “Oh. My bad.” Ceto replied as Izzy and Cubby headed off to search while Jake stayed with Ceto as he swam over to the rocks and looked around. “Why were you guys racing?” Jake asked curiously. “Well, I’m not one for routine so when we’re going from cell to cell to check on the eels, we like to play around a little. You know, a game or two, so we were doing a race. And then, all of this happens.” Ceto explained, floating on down and carefully sitting on the rocks.
Jake swam down and landed on the rocks beside her, placing a hand on her back in comfort. “It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault for not seeing what happened to your brother. You never could have predicted this would happen to him.” He reassured her calmly. “I know, but I just...I can’t help, but feel like it is my fault. He’s my brother. My family!” Ceto replied. “From a personal experience, I can agree with how you’re feeling. A long time ago, I finished a quest and separated from my crew, but then had a feeling I needed to go back because they needed me. And I was right because my crew had been captured and my home plundered. After that, I had personally blamed myself for failing to be there for my crew and keeping everything from happening.” Jake explained.
“How did you overcome that feeling?” Ceto asked, looking over at him. “My crewmate, Savaa, talked with me and told me this once; It’s nobody’s fault for crazy predicaments that happen. No matter what, we don’t have control of the past or the future. The only thing we have control of is ourselves and the present. We can’t predict things. We learn from our mistakes and feelings. In the end, your mateys will always still love and care about you because they know that you feel the same way for them no matter what. Why? Because deep down, they’re still your family and always will be.” Jake explained, standing up.
Ceto thought of his words and smiled before swimming up a little after picking up the trident. “You’re right, Captain Jake. Thank you.” She said, “Not a problem. Come on, we gotta search for clues and get to the bottom of this deep blue mystery!” Jake told her as Ceto nodded immediately and swam with him to scan the rocks.
“Anything yet?” Izzy asked while directing her sub. “Nope. Just a lot of coral, fish, a piece of crystal, kelp...”Cubby listed as Izzy stopped her sub. “WAIT! Did you just say a piece of crystal?!” She asked. “We gotta go back!” Cubby replied as the two quickly turned around and drove their subs back, scanning the seafloor before spotting something as Izzy dove down and pressed a button, sending out an arm as the extension arm carefully picked up the piece of crystal and brought it back into Izzy’s sub as she turned around in her seat before picking up the small item.
“What do you think it is?” Cubby asked from his sub. “We gotta find Captain Jake and Ceto! NOW!” Izzy answered before getting back in her seat and driving off with Cubby right behind her until feeling his sub suddenly stall and jerk back. “What the?” He exclaimed before pushing a lever to try and move forward, struggling to get his sub moving. “Cubby?” Izzy called, turning her sub around. “Go on ahead of me! My sub’s stalled out!” Cubby replied. “Hang on! I’ll go get Jake and Ceto! Maybe your sub got caught in some kelp! I’ll be right back!” She yelled before speeding off in her sub to find her captain.
Cubby got up from his seat and looked out the window of his sub real quick, spotting some seaweed caught around the back of it. “Aw, coconuts. I did get myself caught in seaweed. Drat.” He told himself before seeing something swim below him as Cubby tried to get himself to see what it was before falling back at feeling his sub getting tugged back as he cried out, falling on his rump. “I didn’t get stuck! I’m being piratenapped!!” He yelled before vanishing all of a sudden with his sub.
Ceto swam around, asking the sea life around the area while Jake checked for any clues until both of them heard one of the subs returned as Jake swam up quickly when seeing it was Izzy, but no Cubby. “Izz! Where’s Cubby?!” Jake asked, floating in front of her sub’s window. “His sub stalled! I think he got caught in something!” She answered as Ceto swam over. “We better hurry and help him then!” She said before zipping past as Izzy turned around and followed to take the lead while Jake hopped onto his Splash-diver and went after them immediately.
Izzy pulled up to where she left Cubby as she gasped, standing up from her seat. “What?! B-But he was right here! I told him I would be right back!” She said as Ceto and Jake pulled up immediately. “Maybe he got himself free or got his sub working again?” Ceto suggested. “No way. If he did do either of those things, we would’ve run into him on our way here.” Jake told her. “First Finn vanishes and now Cubby! This is really bad, this is really bad!” Ceto said, gripping the trident.
“Easy, Ceto. Let’s not panic. It’s okay.” Jake told her. “Jake, you might wanna see this. Me and Cubby found it before we separated.” Izzy said, getting up and moving to the window as Jake got off his Splash-diver and swam over quickly, examining the green emerald through the glass before gasping. “Yay hey, no way! That’s a piece of the Darklight Emerald!” He exclaimed. “You don’t think...?” Izzy started as Ceto swam closer. “Think what?” She asked. “Lord Fathom! He must be behind this! I remember he swore revenge on me and the others when we defeated him and the Strake a while back!” Jake explained.
Ceto’s entire face went pale before dropping the trident and swam away from them as Jake quickly caught the trident. “Ceto?” He asked. “No! I’m not seeing him again! I refuse to see that evil mer-warlock ever again!” She yelled before swimming away as fast as she could. “Ceto, wait!” The pair yelled as Jake got on his Splash-diver quickly and drove right after her as Izzy followed quickly. Ceto swam hard ahead of them as Jake revved his Splash-diver before getting an idea, standing up on his Splash-diver. ‘Bend your knees, hold your arms straight out…’ Jake mentally repeated to himself before feeling a brush of current sweep past him.
“And catch a wave!” He yelled, leaping off his Splash-diver after positioning himself, picking himself up with some speed before catching Ceto by the hand and managing to quickly stop her. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Ceto, stop!” He said carefully as Ceto hyperventilated while keeping her eyes from looking at him. “Jake, let’s get to the surface!” Izzy suggested. “Good idea, Izz!” Jake nodded before bringing Ceto to the sub and using it to head for the surface together.
Somewhere else, Finn slapped his tail in frustration against the water while sitting on a rock inside an enclosed cave as he dove off and swam over to the boulder, pushing against it a little. “Come on!” He groaned before swimming away from it as he turned around, ready to charge it before hearing a noise as the boulder moved a little and a tentacle threw in the small boy before closing once the boy was inside. “Cubby?!” Finn gasped, swimming over and diving down a little before bringing his friend to the surface. “Finn!” Cubby coughed, relieved to see the merboy. “Hold on, let me bring you over here.” He said, swimming to the rocks by the wall and helping Cubby climb out of the water and sit down.
“Why does seawater have to be so cold?” Cubby shivered a little. “It’s cold at first, but eventually warms up. Are you okay? What happened?” Finn asked, climbing out and sitting on the rocks with him. “Me and my mateys were helping this mermaid named Ceto after she came and told us that you had vanished and only found your trident. During the search, something got stuck in my sub and made me get stuck. The next thing I knew, I was pulled away and when I tried to ditch the sub, that’s when that big squid grabbed me and threw me in here with you.” Cubby explained.
Finn let out a sigh of relief, leaning back against the rocky wall behind them. “I was caught in a seaweed net. And that squid did the same thing to me. It threw me in here,” He explained. “Was it just me or did it’s eyes look strange?” Cubby asked. “You’re not the only one. Squid’s eyes aren’t supposed to be green. You don’t think...HE’S back?” The merboy asked. “I mean, nobody’s seen Lord Fathom in so long since that Neversea battle between The League of Pirate Captains and him. Me and Izzy found a green piece of crystal. It must have been a piece of the Darklight Emerald!” Cubby said.
“Ceto is going to be so terrified when she finds out who’s behind all of this,” Finn explained. “Why’s that?” Cubby asked. “Because Lord Fathom destroyed her kingdom and home before she became my sister. She had nightmares about him from when Queen Coralie told me when Ceto became my partner and later, my sister.” He answered. “That definitely is scary.” Cubby gulped, “But why would he want to kidnap us?” He asked. “I’m not sure. And I don’t think I want to know because it’s probably nothing good.” The merboy answered.
The sound of the boulder moving made both of the boys look over with Finn putting an arm out in front of Cubby as an older looking merwizard surfaced, raising a trident with a broken yet glowing emerald placed in the middle of the three spikes. “Haha! Nothing good indeed, you miserable merboy.” He said. “L-L-Lord Fathom!” Cubby stammered. “Soon to be King Fathom, ruler of the Never Seas!” A smaller squid corrected him, climbing up onto Lord Fathom’s shoulder. “You’re no king! You’re just a cranky mer-wizard who betrayed King Neptune!” Finn said.
“I suggest you watch that tongue of yours, merboy. And I will be king again. For now, I couldn’t help, but overhear that a certain friend of yours has found a missing piece of my Darklight Emerald, correct?” Lord Fathom questioned. “We’re not telling you anything!” Cubby told him. “And you won’t succeed in taking over the Never Seas! You failed twice already! So just give up before you suffer serious consequences!” Finn added. “Why do you even need a missing piece?” The younger boy asked.
“Because without the final piece, Lord Fathom can’t open and release the Strake nor control it unless the whole Darklight Emerald is completely restored. His power is only strong enough for now to control one creature at a time, but once he gets his hands on the missing piece. Then Lord Fathom shall finally become King Fathom once again and be rid of your meddling friends once and for all, for good!” The small squid explained. “Sinker.” Lord Fathom spoke firmly yet in a loose tone which the squid ducked down immediately in response.
“Like we said, you’re just going to fail!” Finn told him. “We’ll see about it, boy. Because it’s like everyone says. Third time’s a charm.” Lord Fathom replied coldly, getting in front of Finn who boldly just kept an angry expression at the merwizard as Lord Fathom turned and swam out with the larger squid’s tentacles grabbing the rock and pulling it back in place right when Finn sped for it, slamming against the boulder under the water as he surfaced, rubbing his arm. “Barnacles!” He whispered, swimming back to Cubby. “What do we do now?” Cubby asked nervously. “Unless we find a way out of here, we’re trapped.” Finn answered, pulling himself up and sitting beside Cubby, wrapping an arm around his friend to comfort the scared pirate.
Jake helped Ceto sit down on some rocks as he took off his helmet while Izzy climbed out of her sub and stepped onto the rocks, being careful not to slip as Jake and her sat down with Ceto who had slowed down her hyperventilating. “Ceto, are you okay?” Izzy asked. “No. Not really.” She sniffled. “Ceto, we can’t help you if you’re keeping information from the two of us. Especially when not only Finn is missing, but now Cubby.” Jake told her calmly, not wanting to make it sound like he was upset or getting onto her.
The red tailed mermaid sighed, gently twitching her tail fins to ease her anxiousness. “I told you guys that I’m Finn’s sister because I’m from a different kingdom from Neptune City and that I lost my parents and then I became his partner after being taken in by the queen, right?” She asked. “Yeah.” Izzy nodded as Ceto took a deep breath. “A couple of years ago, Lord Fathom came to our kingdom and stole the Storm Sapphire. He used it to try and make our king and queen give up their kingdom to him. They refused and it led to a devastating battle between their majesties and him. Our kingdom fell because he used the Storm Sapphire. Not only did the kingdom fall, but my parents gave their lives because they were royal guards alongside the king and queen.” Ceto explained, looking at the water.
“You mean Lord Fathom...?” Izzy started nervously. “Yes.” Ceto simply answered, “Lord Fathom destroyed my home and my parents and those who weren’t able to escape. Ever since, I’m terrified of just hearing his name. But now thinking he may have my brother and now your friend, I...I don’t think I’ll have the strength to face Lord Fathom. Let alone the courage.” She said, looking at the trident in her hands as Jake placed a hand on top of hers with Izzy doing the same with the other hand. “You don’t have to. We know how to handle Lord Fathom. We’ve gone up against him before. We can do it again,” Jake said.
Izzy looked at him in surprise. “But we had the Mighty Colossus! And a crew of fifteen! Not to mention the water form of King Neptune giving you advice on how to use the Emerald so that we could defeat him AND the Strake!” She told him, standing up quickly. “I know. But unless Lord Fathom gets a hold of that piece-” He started, pointing at the piece of Emerald in Izzy’s pocket, “He’s no match for us. Ceto, you’re speedy, right?” Jake asked as Ceto nodded. “Yeah.” She answered. “I need you to go and find some friends of mine; Captain Hook, Captain Frost, Captain Flynn, and Captain Beatrice Le Beak. I’ll send Skully to help find Flynn and Frost. Hook and Beatrice are easy to find. Send them this message; Lord Fathom has returned and to meet at The Tortuga Triangle. Think you can do that?” Jake explained.
Ceto looked at the trident before nodding. “Aye aye, Jake! I can have some sea friends of mine help me!” She said, “Izzy, let’s get going and head back to the Mighty Colossus right away.” Jake told his friend and crewmate who nodded. “Aye aye, Captain Jake!” She replied. “And stay close to me in case he tries to swipe you too.” Jake added as Izzy pulled out the crystal and knelt down beside Ceto. “Here. Maybe this will be safer with you.” She said, handing her the piece of Emerald as the mermaid went wide eyed, but carefully took it and placed it on the trident as it briefly gave a low dim light before nodding to Izzy and then turning around and using her tail to dive off the rocks, the group separating quickly and going in two different directions.
Skully and Savaa were in the middle of just checking the ship again when hearing the bottom of the ship opening up to allow the subs back in as they ran to the doors as Jake and Izzy hurried out onto the deck with Jake fixing his captain’s hat. “Jake! Izzy! Where’s Cubby?” Savaa asked. “Did you find Finn?” Skully asked. “No, but Lord Fathom’s returned. And he’s got Finn and Cubby. Skully, I need you to fly out and find Flynn and Frost and tell them to meet us at The Tortuga Triangle!” Jake answered. “Aye aye, Captain Jake!” Skully replied before flying off with Savaa rushing to help quickly get the ship to set sail for The Tortuga Triangle.
Ceto swam below the sea before mimicking the sounds of a dolphin, spotting a pod of dolphins swimming towards her immediately before they circled her in excitement to see the young girl. “Hello, my sea friends! I urgently need your help! Please help me find two captains named Hook and Beatrice Le Beak! And quickly!” She explained urgently as the pod of dolphins squeaked and clicked at her in response, turning and swimming off with Ceto looking at the trident and then towards the surface. “Please be safe, my friends.” She whispered before swimming off to find Hook.
Close to Neverland, Seth was fiddling with his pennywhistle, cleaning it while he had the time as he blew into it a little before taking the small rod and carefully cleaning out the blockage before managing to get the dirt out, grinning in success. “Yes!” He whispered before putting it to his lips to test it out. “Ahoy up there!” A female yelled, startling Seth as he jumped and juggled to catch his instrument before leaning over the railing and managing to catch it as he looked down and gasped at spotting the blonde mermaid.
“Holy sea slugs, you startled me!” He chuckled, standing up and looking down at the water. “My apologies! But I need your help! My dolphin friends led me here. Is there a Hook or Beatrice on your ship by any chance?” Ceto asked, swimming back from the ship to get a better look. “Yeah! One sec,” He said before looking over his shoulder, “Uncle Hook!” He called. “What is it, Seth?” Hook called back. “There’s a mermaid here wanting to see you!” Seth replied as Hook hurried over and looked down over the railing.
“And who might you be?” Hook asked, raising an eyebrow. “My name is Ceto! I have been sent by Captain Jake with an urgent message! Lord Fathom has returned! And Jake requests for you at The Tortuga Triangle!” She answered as Seth gasped. “Lord Fathom?!” They asked, looking at each other. “That no good merwizard again? Tell Jake we’ll be there in two shakes of your mermaid tail!” Hook said as Ceto nodded before diving back down quickly and heading off to find the next captain. “Crew! Set sail for The Tortuga Triangle!” Hook ordered. “Aye aye, Captain!” The crew answered, scattering to their stations to get the Jolly Roger ready.
A dolphin led the way as Ceto followed beside it, making a clicking sound as the dolphin squeaked in response and then turned away while Ceto headed for a purple ship with Fleur De Lis’s on the sails, carefully surfacing before gasping at nearly getting dive bombed by a falcon that luckily missed her. “Who is there and who dares try to sneak up on Beatrice Le Beak?!” A voice called as a woman walked over and looked down at the water, the falcon landing on her outstretched arm.
Ceto nervously came back up and looked at the female captain, taking a few deep breaths. “I’m sorry! I came with a message from Captain Jake and his crew! Lord Fathom has returned and he is asking for you and fellow pirate captains to meet at The Tortuga Triangle!” She explained. ‘Please don’t hurt me.’ She mentally added. “Le gasp! Lord Fathom?! Returned?! Tell Capitaine Jake that Beatrice Le Beak is on her way!” Beatrice answered before running to her helm as Ceto moved out of the way before swimming after the ship quickly.
At the Tortuga Triangle, Jake tapped his fingers on the railing as Savaa walked over to him and stood beside the captain. “Jake?” She spoke up. “Yeah, Savaa?” He replied, looking over at the Never-leopard after hearing her. “You’re anxious about going against him again, aren’t you?” She asked. “A little. Especially after what happened at the last battle.” He sighed, “Especially with you.” He whispered to himself, remembering that Lord Fathom somehow managed to get Savaa under his control and making Jake force himself to order an emergency ejection to get her off Bucky before she could hurt them and vice versa.
“Jake. I keep telling you. I have no memory of the battle except hearing an echoing voice and everything went fuzzy and then once I woke back up, you were a captain.” Savaa said. “But what if he does something to my friends? Especially when Lord Fathom has Cubby and Finn. Who knows what he could be doing to them?” Jake replied as Savaa nudged his arm which he understood what she was trying to do and knelt down, hugging the Never-leopard tightly as Savaa embraced the boy in return with her paw.
“I know. I’m scared for them too, but Cubby and Finn are both brave, young boys and if there’s one thing I know about Cubby is that he may be young, but he’s brave and smart. And you know that Finn is fast with sharp wits. You just need to give them and yourself faith in knowing that they’ll be okay and that we can do this. Together.” Savaa explained, letting Jake pull away as he smiled and rubbed her ears gently. “Thanks, Savaa.” He said. “And then you can be Finn’s pirate in shining armor.” She added in a teasing manner, walking past him, and tapping him on the shoulder with her tail which the comment left Jake a blushing mess.
Jake shook his head as Izzy whistled sharply from the Crow’s Nest. “Captains ahoy!” She shouted as Jake got up and ran to the railing with Savaa joining beside him after Izzy climbed down from the Crow’s nest and joined them. Entering the triangle were the four requested Pirate Captains; Hook, Beatrice, Frost, and Flynn, being led by Skully and Ceto as the mermaid quickly stopped beside the Mighty Colossus. “Ahoy, Captain Jake!” Flynn greeted first as he grabbed a rope and swung off his ship, leaping off one of the three rocks and then landing on the deck with Beatrice and Frost doing the same while Savaa and Izzy grabbed a gangplank and set it up between the Colossus and the Jolly Roger, allowing Hook and his crew to board safely.
“Jake!” Seth yelled, running over the gangplank and jumping off as Jake hurried over and embraced his friend tightly. “Your mermaid friend fetched us and we came tout de suite!” Beatrice said, allowing Fast Claw to land on her arm again while standing with Hook. “And so did me and Captain Frost when Skully came and told us that Lord Fathom had returned.” Flynn added as Skully landed on a barrel near Jake and Seth.
Izzy ran to the side of the ship with Savaa pushing a barrel of water over while Izzy lowered a rope and allowed Ceto to climb up the rope which once she got to the railing, she quickly leapt into the water in the barrel and surfaced, panting a little. “Phew! Talk about upper body strength.” She muttered. “Still have that piece of the emerald?” Izzy asked as Ceto raised the trident, showing her the piece. “Yep.” She confirmed. Jake grabbed a rope and climbed onto a small stack of crates to stand in front of everybody as they gathered together in a group to show that they were all paying attention to what the captain needed to say.
“Thank you Pirate Captains for coming. Neverland and the Never Seas are in danger once again. My message that Ceto and Skully had sent is true. Lord Fathom has returned.” He started, pausing when noticing a rift in the pirates. “Didn’t that wizard learn his lesson the first two times?!” Hook asked angrily. “Oui! If he was smart, he never would have returned!” Frost replied. “Especially with us going up against him if he did!” Flynn said as Savaa roared, silencing the combined crew instantly.
“Thanks, Savaa.” Jake whispered before returning his attention to the others, “I know, but you have to remember that there’s one thing that I have learned and seen whenever me and my crew go up against a pirate villain; They’re persistent, they don’t give up and they will always come back and wanting revenge against those who have stopped them many times before. Today, Lord Fathom has taken two close friends; Finn, the merboy, and our crewmate, Cubby. And we have also learned that he has been recollecting the shattered pieces of the Darklight Emerald and also has a new gem called the Storm Sapphire.” He continued.
“Ce scélérat!” Frost and Beatrice outcried. “Not Cubby!” Seth said. “But we have some good news on the other hand! Lord Fathom is still weakened in a way!” Izzy spoke up, standing by the crate, “Lord Fathom doesn’t have ALL of the pieces of the Darklight Emerald. Before Cubby was kidnapped, he and I managed to find one of them. Ceto?” She explained as Ceto sat on the rim of the barrel and then lifted Finn’s trident in the air, the piece of emerald just barely glowing when she did so.
“That’s why if we find him now and go against him, Lord Fathom won’t have as much power as he originally had when we last went against him last time. Our goal is to split into two crews. One crew will stay onboard the Mighty Colossus and help fight against Lord Fathom and keep him distracted while the second crew goes and searches for Finn and Cubby. We find Fathom, we find Cubby and Finn. For our friends, the Never Sea, and most importantly, for Neverland!” Jake yelled, raising his sword up in the air.
“FOR NEVERLAND!” The whole crew cheered as the captains went to talk together at the wheel of the ship, leaving the crews to scatter and prepare their battle stations as Savaa grabbed a couple of barrels and brought them to the catapults as Sharky and Bones each grabbed one and loaded the catapults with some coconuts while Izzy, Smee and Seth worked on loading the cannons together as Ceto watched, wishing she could do something, but couldn’t due to being a mermaid. ‘Please be okay, Finn.’ She thought to herself quietly.
Meanwhile with the Captains, Jake was plotting out the plan with the other four. “Okay. Like I said, we need to separate into two crews. There’s five of us, then we have four people on Hook’s crew and then I have three since Cubby’s gone and we also have Ceto.” He said, trying to think. “That’s an uneven thirteen people altogether,” Flynn noted. “Ceto will go with the crew who will go and find Finn and Cubby. She’s afraid of Lord Fathom and she probably won’t be able to face him.” Jake nodded.
“Seth can go with that same crew. Bones and Sharky probably won’t let him go against that monstrous wizard.” Hook said as Jake took a mental note of that before getting an idea. “All of the captains can go against Fathom which leaves whoever doesn’t want to go with the rescue crew to stay and help,” He said. “I like that idea. It allows the others to have a chance to choose where they want to go and where they want to be.” Frost pointed out. “Then it’s settled.” Jake nodded, “The five of us will go against Lord Fathom while allowing the crew to decide where they want to be for the battle.” He reiterated.
“Aye aye, Captain Jake!” They replied before Jake headed to the deck as the crew regrouped immediately upon seeing them returned. “Catapults, loaded and ready!” Sharky and Bones reported. “Cannons, loaded and ready!” Smee and Izzy said. “And the ship is ready to set sail into battle when we’re ready!” Skully added, sitting on Savaa’s back. “And the emerald shard is still with me.” Ceto finished the report with a hint of humor. “Good. Me and the captains all discussed a plan and we all decided that the five of us will go against Lord Fathom. Whoever wants to stay here and fight, you can. And whoever wants to go and rescue Finn and Cubby, that’s your decision. Ceto, Seth, we want you two to go with the crew who will rescue Finn and Cubby at least.” Jake explained.
Seth groaned. “Barnacles...Why do I have to be left out of the action?” He asked. “Well, maybe we can let this one slide. You did help with the first time we went against that Merwizard.” Sharky said, wrapping an arm around Seth. “YES!” Seth cheered a little. “I’ll stay too.” Savaa spoke up. “I can go with Ceto to find Finn and Cubby.” Izzy said, “Cubby’s going to need someone from the crew to comfort him if something happens to him.” She explained as Jake nodded in agreement. “Alright.” He replied. “But you won’t be able to swim in the water or stay caught up with Ceto,” Savaa pointed out.
“Actually, I might be able to have a solution to that. Jake, where will we go for the battle?” Ceto asked. “Dreadnaught Cove. If there’s one place we know where he’ll be, it’s there.” Jake answered. “Then drop Izzy off at a safe place where I can find her. I’ll be back!” Ceto said before leaping out of the barrel and straight down into the water as the crew looked at each other before nodding. “Alright. To Dreadnaught Cove!” The captain said as the whole crew scattered to areas of the ship with Captain Jake taking the helm and sailing out of the Tortuga Triangle and heading off.
Ceto swam hard and fast, using the ocean current to her aid before whistling sharply as a dolphin immediately came quickly with Ceto moving up and grabbing her dorsal fin. “Hey Flo! Can you help me to Neptune City? It’s an emergency!” Ceto requested as Flo clicked in response and took off immediately, rushing to Neptune City for her. The moment she saw the statue of King Neptune, she looked down and spotted Queen Coralie with Marina and Stormy while making some pearl necklaces together.
“Your majesty! Your majesty!” The blonde mermaid yelled, diving down with Flo as she released her grip on the dolphin as Queen Coralie immediately looked up at the voice of the distressed girl, putting down her pearls quickly. “Ceto? What is it, my dear?” She asked. “Lord Fathom has returned! And he’s captured Cubby and Finn! I need one of your transformation charms for Izzy so we both can search for them while Jake and his friends are fighting Lord Fathom, please!” Ceto explained urgently as Marina and Stormy joined their queen quickly. “Izzy is an honorary mermaid and one of your honorary royal guards, your majesty,” Marina said.
“I know, my dear. And I will not object to this request.” The Queen replied before swimming down and picking up a shell from the seaweed bed and then swimming back up to Ceto, opening it as Coralie pulled out a necklace with a thin string and a rock charm in the shape of a shell, “Take this to Izzy. Tell her that she needs to say these words; ‘Never Sea, Never Sea, change me into a mermaid please’.” Coralie explained as Ceto nodded before gladly taking the necklace and then swimming back to Flo. “Thank you!” She called back.
In the underwater cave, Finn was swimming around to take the ache out of his tail from sitting for a while as Cubby skipped pebbles occasionally, sighing a little. “Do you think they’ll ever find us?” He asked as Finn quickly surfaced and swam over. “Hey, don’t think like that. It’s okay. They’re going to find us. I have faith in them.” Finn told him in reassurance, placing a hand on his knee to hopefully help him feel better. “I know, I guess I’m still extremely nervous about everything.” Cubby sighed.
The two boys tensed up at the sound of cackling as they looked over, watching the boulder move and then Lord Fathom entering with Sinker on his shoulder. “So, are either of you ready to tell me where I can find my missing piece of the Darklight Emerald?” He asked, approaching the two as Finn got in front of Cubby protectively. “Never!” They answered simultaneously. “Why you little...You’re lucky I can’t use my powers on you brats because without that missing shard, I remain powerless. It’s only strong enough to control the one squid guarding this prison. But once I have that shard, then I shall finally destroy Captain Jake and his Neverland League of Pirates and rule the Never Sea and Neverland!” Lord Fathom cackled.
“Not if I can help it!” Finn yelled before diving down into the water quickly. “Where did you go?!” He asked, looking around for the merboy as Finn leapt up in front of him and smacked Lord Fathom across the face with his tail, diving down. “How dare you, you blasted merchild!” He growled as Finn reappeared from behind as Sinker gasped and leapt onto the boy’s face. “Hey! Get off, I can’t see!” Finn yelled, trying to pull the squid off. “Enough of this child’s play!” Lord Fathom ordered, swinging the end of the trident and jabbing it right into Finn’s gut, making the merboy cry out while Sinker climbed back up onto Lord Fathom’s trident while the winded merboy sank down below the surface of the water.
“Finn?!” Cubby yelled out in worry and fear. “There. Come, Sinker. I think we need to prepare for some old foes that should be arriving soon.” Lord Fathom grinned before swimming out with the boulder being moved back into place once he had left the cave. “Finn?! Finn, where are you?!” Cubby called out, growing scared by the minute when seeing no sign of the merboy surfacing or any movement in the water, “Jake, Izzy, Ceto, please hurry!” The boy said out loud to himself in worry.
On the sea surface, the Mighty Colossus sailed across the water towards Dreadnaught Cove as Skully whistled, flying down. “Dreadnaught Cove, dead ahead!” He reported quickly. “Aye aye, Skully!” Jake replied as Sharky and Bones helped Izzy tie a rope around her waist. “You be safe with Ceto, got it?” Savaa told her. “I’ll be okay, Savs. Pirate’s Honor. You just focus on helping the others go against that sea monster.” Izzy replied. “Alright. There’s a good spot right here to drop Izz off here!” Flynn yelled as Jake steered the large vessel with Smee and Seth dropping anchor to stop the ship.
Izzy climbed over the railing after tossing her pixie dust to Seth before starting to repel down towards the rock, landing on it and quickly undoing the rope on her waist and then letting it go, giving the ‘ok’ with her hand as Sharky and Bones pulled the rope back up. “Be safe, Izzy!” Bones called down to her as Hook and Smee started lifting the anchor. Izzy slid down the rock and dropped into the water a little, holding onto the rock so she could hide.
Jake walked to the bow of the ship and climbed onto the very tip, grabbing a rope to hold his balance as he looked around the area. “Be on your toes, crew!” He warned as Savaa walked over and joined him. “Shall I make our presence known?” She offered as Jake nodded and climbed down, covering his ears as Savaa leapt onto the bow before letting out a loud roar before finishing and looking back at Jake. “Done.” She grinned. “Thanks.” He nodded before climbing back up as Savaa leapt down and ran to the deck to rejoin the others on the second deck, standing altogether.
There was silence that could be sliced with a single swing of a sword before Jake noticed bubbles at the surface close by as he whipped out his sword right as a waterspout came up from the sea, Lord Fathom appearing at the top with his trident and Sinker on his shoulder. “Ah...Captain Jake and the League of Pirate Captains...We meet again.” Lord Fathom called out to them as the Pirate Captains stood brave, refusing to be unfazed by the merwizard. “We know you have our mateys, Lord Fathom! So we’re giving you ONE CHANCE to settle this peacefully; Hand over the Darklight Emerald, the Storm Sapphire and our friends and give up. There doesn’t have to be any fighting today.” Jake explained in a calm, yet firm tone of voice.
“I shall never give up nor would I surrender to YOU!” Lord Fathom yelled, turning his trident and raising it into the air as a blue sapphire gem glowed on the other side of the trident before a blue light struck the air, summoning dark clouds that started to gather and generate while Mr.Smee had to catch his hat from flying off when a gust of wind hit the ship. “Smee, Seth, the anchor! We have to hold our ground!” Jake ordered. “Aye aye, Captain Jake!” They responded before running to the lever and pulling it, releasing the anchor into the water.
“Beatrice, Frost, Flynn, you’re on reload duty! Sharky, Bones, Savaa, man the catapults! Hook, Seth, Smee, man the cannons!” Jake called out, knowing they needed to buy the others time. “AYE AYE, CAPTAIN JAKE!” The whole crew yelled together before splitting up from each other to get to their battle stations. “Arise, great squid of the deep! Arise and defeat the pirates of the Never Sea!” Lord Fathom ordered, turning the trident and activating the semi weakened emerald as the waves bounced hard, tentacles and then a squid’s head emerging as Jake recognized it as the golden squid he met on his Forever Quest long ago. “Coconuts away!” Bones laughed before releasing the catapult with Sharky doing the same to the other, sending the coconuts straight to the squid and making it back off before it could approach the ship as Jake ran to help reload the catapults real quick.
Back at the rocks, Izzy held onto the rock she was left at and tried to fight with the waves a little as she looked around quickly. “Oh Ceto, where are you?” She asked. “I’m here!” The familiar mermaid called out, surfacing nearby before swimming over as she hurried to Izzy’s side. “Ceto! Thank Neverland, you’re right on time!” She told her as Ceto lifted up the charm necklace. “Here! Put this on and repeat these words; ‘Never Sea, Never Sea, change me into a mermaid please’!” Ceto instructed as Izzy put on the necklace as told, placing a hand close to the shell charm. “Never Sea, Never Sea, change me into a mermaid please!” She repeated before a light shined under the water and then a brief shine, going away as Izzy lifted her legs, gasping at finding green flippers, and then glancing down at seeing she was now in her old tube top and pearl necklace.
“Yay hey, no way! I'm an actual mermaid!” Izzy said, grinning at Ceto. “Come on! We gotta find our friends!” Ceto told her before diving down as Izzy followed, remembering what Marina and Stormy had taught her when they first made her a fake tail for her to swim like a mermaid. Ceto looked back to make sure that she was still behind her until the surface caught her attention, getting nervous at seeing the ship in battle with the squid. “It’s okay, Ceto. Focus on the task at hand.” Izzy told her in reassurance as the red tailed mermaid nodded, swimming down quickly.
The two stopped at spotting the entrance to Dreadnaught Cove as Izzy gasped. “Is that what Dreadnaught Cove looks like down here? It’s creepy,” She commented. “Agreed.” Ceto replied before placing a hand to her chest, taking a deep breath. ‘Finn, give us a sign. Where are you?’ She mentally pleaded before looking around a little, gasping at spotting a familiar tooth made armband as she dove down to it, grabbing it. “This is Finn’s armband!” She called as Izzy swam over. “Then we have to be close. Like there!” She pointed out a cave in the rocks on the outside of the cove as Ceto swam towards it immediately with Izzy beside her.
Ceto swam in first as she looked around before realizing that there was a surface, swimming up quickly and surfacing above the water. “It’s a secret cave!” She said as Izzy surfaced after her, looking around. “Great Neptune, you’re right! Now, where would Lord Fathom hide Finn and Cubby?” Izzy asked as Ceto looked around. “I can try something real quick.” She said, “What is it?” The fellow mermaid asked as Ceto swam forward, taking the trident, and tapping the wall with the tip, feeling it carefully.
“What are you doing?” Izzy asked, swimming after her. “If there’s one thing we know is that they’re trapped somewhere and this is a hidden cave. Lord Fathom has to be holding them in a secret area here.” Ceto answered before tapping on a boulder as the trident activated, forcing the rock to move aside and revealing the hidden area. “Yay hey, yes way! Way to go, Ceto!” Izzy cheered as the pair swam in quickly, looking around and spotting the lonesome boy on a rock and hugging his knees.
“CUBBY!” Izzy gasped and dove into the water, swimming over as Cubby looked over and stood up. “Izzy?!” He asked as Izzy surfaced quickly. “It’s me! With a real tail!” She answered, flipping her tail up to show him. “That’s so cool!” He replied as he carefully climbed down, landing in the water as Izzy caught him and hugged her crewmate tightly. “Cubby, where's Finn?!” Ceto asked. “Lord Fathom came in and hit him when Finn started fighting him! He never surfaced!” Cubby answered. “FINN!” Ceto yelled, placing the trident on the rock, and then diving into the water in complete fear.
Ceto swam halfway down and covered her mouth, stopping when she saw Finn laying on the floor of the underwater cave, slightly in a curled up position with his arms hugging his stomach. “Finn.” She said quietly before swimming to him as fast as she could, reaching her hand out and placing a hand on his arm. A breath of relief released from her chest when Finn opened his eyes, brown meeting pink when they locked gazes with each other. “Cece?” He asked feebly. “Finn!” Ceto cried, sitting beside him as Finn forced himself to sit up and hug her as Ceto hugged him back as tightly as she could, like she feared he would be taken from her again.
“You...You found me?” Finn asked, shocked and surprised she was even here. “I had to help them find you! You’re my brother! My family! You mean everything to me!” Ceto sobbed as Finn just held her close, relieved to see her as he gently let go of her. “What happened to you? Why are you down here?” She asked. “Lord Fathom jabbed me in the stomach. It really hurts...” He answered as Ceto swam up and got her arm underneath his back. “Come on. We’re getting you out of here.” She told him. “We?” Finn asked. “Izzy’s with me!” She answered before helping him swim to the surface gently, being slow just in case.
Cubby and Izzy looked around the surface quickly, starting to grow anxious and worried until spotting Ceto surface with Finn as they swam over to them. “Finn! Are you okay?” Izzy asked, swimming over. “I think I’ll have a bruise, but I’ll live.” Finn answered as Ceto swam over to the rock and grabbed the trident as Finn went wide eyed at the shiny shard on it. “Y-You have the piece of the Darklight Emerald!” He said. “Yep. Now come on! We gotta get to the surface. Jake will need our help,” Izzy answered.
“One problem. I’M NOT A MERBOY!” Cubby pointed out. “I have an idea, but we gotta be fast. Cubby, this is going to sound rough, but I need you to hold your breath. Here’s the idea; You hold onto Izzy’s back and hold your breath and as mermaids, we have the ability of speed swimming. We should be out of here in two flips of a dolphin’s tail.”Ceto explained. “I can do that.” Cubby said as Izzy turned around, helping Cubby onto her back and letting him hold onto her. “Everyone stay together and stay near me!” She said as she swam through the hole and then led them out as the two merpeople followed her.
Ceto swam towards the wall, wanting to let Cubby breathe in as much air as he could before they could dive as she stopped quickly and placed a hand on the rock wall at the very end. “Okay. Cubby, this will be fast. Down, curve, up.” Izzy told her crewmate as Cubby nodded quickly. “Shouldn’t take more than sixty seconds. Ready?” Ceto asked. “Ready.” He answered. “DIVE!” Ceto, Izzy, and Finn said in unison as Cubby sucked in a deep breath and held it as the three merpeople dove down and headed for the hole.
The three quickly went down, finding the hole together as they swam through quickly before curving upwards, being hit with a rough current as Ceto used her strength to swim hard as she looked down to make sure that Finn and Izzy were still with her, looking back up and reaching the trident up into the air before surfacing followed by the other two and Cubby sucking in a few deep breaths once they broke through into the open air.
“We did it!” Finn said. “JAKE!” Izzy yelled as the merpeople quickly looked up, spotting the pirate captain caught in one of the tentacles of the squid with the crew working on using their weapons to try and make the squid drop Jake. “Yo ho, let...go!” Jake yelled out, struggling to get loose and reach his sword pinned between him and the tentacle. “We gotta help him!” Finn said as Ceto looked at the trident and then took the shard off before swimming to the rocks. “Ceto!” Finn yelled after her.
Ceto quickly grabbed the rocks, trying to steady herself from the rough waves as she fixed her grip and position of the trident in her hand, taking a second to aim before throwing the trident through the air as the latter struck the squid in the tentacle that held Jake. A couple of the pirates covered their ears when the squid shrieked a little at the sudden pain of being jabbed by the trident and let go of Jake as the boy yelled at being suddenly dropped. “I got you!” Savaa yelled, reaching out and catching Jake by his coat after leaning over the railing before getting him back onboard as Seth used his uncle’s net hook to catch the sword.
“No!” Lord Fathom yelled in dismay as Finn lunged into the water, diving down and grabbing his trident quickly before it sank further in the water before swimming back to Izzy and Cubby, surfacing beside her. “We gotta get you two back on that ship!” Finn told them. “How? The waves are too rough!” Izzy asked. “Wait! Finn’s trident opens doors, right? What if we get to the doors for our subs and he opens them and we get in through there?” Cubby explained. “Good idea, Cubby!” Finn said before the two swam to the ship with Cubby holding onto Izzy.
Ceto leapt back into the water as she raised her hand up, holding the shard. “HEY! Merwizard!” She yelled as Lord Fathom looked over at hearing her, “Looking for this?” She asked, showing the shard. “The final piece of my emerald! Give it here, young mermaid. And I may just spare you...” Lord Fathom told her. “You want it? Come and get it!” She yelled before diving down under the surface as Lord Fathom leapt off his waterspout, diving after the mermaid.
“Capitaine Jake! Are you okay?” Beatrice asked while helping him up. “Yeah, I’m okay. What caused the squid to drop me?” Jake responded, putting his hat back on while gladly taking his sword back from Seth. “Some kind of trident struck the squid’s tentacle.” Savaa answered as Jake gasped and ran to the railing, looking around the water as Finn surfaced and waved to him. “Finn!! You’re okay!” He called down. “Jake!” Two voices yelled as Jake looked over as Izzy came running up the steps, back to her normal self with Cubby behind her with a towel wrapped around him.
“Cubby!” Jake smiled, running over. “Jake!” Cubby replied, the pair of crewmates and brothers embracing each other tightly. “Thank Neverland, you’re okay!” The captain said. “A little cold and wet, but I’m okay.” Cubby confirmed. “Where’s Lord Fathom?!” Seth asked as the crew looked over, seeing the squid and Lord Fathom gone. “Finn, be on the lookout just in case!” Jake called out to him as Finn nodded, looking back and realizing something. “Ceto? Ceto?!” He yelled before realizing that the shard wasn’t on his trident. “Oh no...” He whispered, “JAKE, CETO NEEDS HELP!” He yelled before diving under.
Ceto swam fast and quickly, narrowly missing any blasts from Lord Fathom’s trident as she panted, looking back a few times to anticipate his moves. “Give me that shard!” He ordered as Ceto dodged a couple of rocks and coral, clutching the piece of the Darklight Emerald in her hand before crying out at getting struck in the tail and forcing her to drop in her stride. “Nowhere to go, little mermaid!” He yelled as Ceto saw a seaweed forest and smirked. “Try and keep up with me!” She taunted before diving down, zipping to the forest and heading into it. Lord Fathom stopped at the edge and growled. “Sinker! Find her!” He ordered. “Yes, Lord Fathom!” Sinker responded before taking off into the forest while Lord Fathom swam off quickly.
The mermaid quickly found a place to hide as she winced, looking at the small burn mark on the side of her tail as she took a deep breath. “Ooh...That stings.” She whispered. “Yoohoo, little mermaid girl. Where are you?” Sinker called out as Ceto tensed up and quickly swam away again to avoid having the small squid find her. The mermaid quickly saw the edge of the seaweed forest and made a break for it, swimming as fast as she could before emerging and grinning, turning around momentarily. “Ha! Lost them.” She said, “Or did you?” The chilling voice chuckled as Ceto’s heart nearly jumped to the back of her throat.
“And I recognize the color of that tail of yours. Citizen of Atlaua, no?” Lord Fathom asked as Ceto refused to turn around, but clutched the shard to her chest to keep it out of sight. “And you’re the devious merwizard who destroyed it...” She forced herself to say. “Let’s make this easy for the both of us, my dear...You give me that shard and I’ll spare your life.” He told her as Ceto’s fear grew to immediate anger in a heartbeat. “You may spare me...” She started, “But I won’t believe any of your words, you sea serpent!” Ceto yelled at him before swimming straight to the side, narrowly dodging his arms from when he tried to grab her. Ceto looked back and swam as hard as she could again before spotting two shapes heading towards her, a sense of relief washing over her.
“Ceto!” Finn yelled, leading Jake and his Splash-diver as the pair headed for her quickly when seeing her right up ahead. “Finn!” She called back, smiling a little in relief as Jake sped forward and took out his sword before rounding behind Ceto, deflecting one of Lord Fathom’s blasts with his sword to protect Ceto as Finn immediately caught his sister, hugging her close. “This ends now, Lord Fathom!” Jake yelled, staying in front of the pair before getting off his Splash-diver. “That’s what you think, Captain Jake!” Lord Fathom replied before shooting another burst of energy from his trident as Jake deflected it with his sword.
Lord Fathom growled. “My Darklight Emerald is still too weak. Guess it’s time to see what both of these gems can do together!” He said as the trident glowed on both sides before shooting a combined ray towards Jake, who raised his sword, blocking it and nearly being flown back some from the strength of the trident’s magic. “Jake, hold on!” Finn said, grabbing his trident and then taking the shard from Ceto before placing it into the trident as he swam to Jake’s side, allowing the small shard’s magic to help deflect the ray.
Ceto watched from a few feet from them, feeling a mixture of emotions and her heart beating in her own ears. ‘They won’t be able to hold him off together...’ She thought to herself before looking at Lord Fathom and his trident as she got an idea, knowing it was her best shot. ‘King Neptune, give me courage!’ She prayed as she dove down towards the rocks and then looped around, pushing off one of the rocks with her tail and giving herself a boost upwards. “For my family!” She yelled, startling Lord Fathom and catching him completely off guard.
“What-” The merwizard was cut off when the mermaid swam right past him and whacked his trident out of his hands with her tail before grabbing it and moving away before he could try and grab it from her. “Jake!” Ceto yelled, taking the emerald out of the trident and throwing it down to him as Jake smirked and swam up. “Ceto, use the Sapphire!” He suggested, “And... SWING!” He yelled, using his sword like a baseball bat and knocking the Emerald away as Ceto took aim and blasted the emerald, shattering it with a blue bolt.
“NO! My Darklight Emerald!” He yelled, catching a few pieces and completely in shock that it was shattered into dust particles as Jake and Finn joined together to show their strength in numbers. “It’s over, Lord Fathom. The Emerald is destroyed and your trident will now be given to Queen Coralie where she and the mermaids will keep it safe from you!” Jake told him as Lord Fathom glared at them. “You may have won again, boy...But mark my words, this isn’t the last that you’ll see of me, Captain Jake.” He sneered with venom on his tongue before he swam away in defeat.
Ceto rushed to the surface and then grabbed a rock, pulling herself out of the water and raising the trident. “Storm Sapphire, recall your power. Disperse of this storm!” She commanded as the trident shot a magical blast into the air and into the clouds, the rain and clouds slowly dispersing and vanishing from the sky. “The storm! It’s blowing over!” Frost shouted as the crew ran to the side as Izzy and Cubby spotted Jake and Finn surfacing beside Ceto who slid off the rock and back into the water. “They did it!” Hook cheered as the crew immediately yelled and hollered at the victory only to silence themselves at getting scared by Savaa when she roared beside them. “Sorry.” She smiled sheepishly.
Finn wrapped an arm over Ceto’s shoulders before pulling her into a hug as she hugged him back tightly. “I did it...I avenged them...” She whispered tearfully as Finn understood what she meant and hugged her as tightly as he could. “You did. And they would be proud of you.” He replied gently as Ceto let go and moved over to Jake, holding the large trident. “Thank you, Jake. I...I don’t know what else to say. I was expecting you to destroy the gem,” She said. “I remembered what you had explained about how Lord Fathom destroyed your family and home. It felt right to allow you to be the one to destroy the Darklight Emerald and let you find the closure that you probably needed.” Jake explained.
“That’s our captain!” The three heard from the ship as the crew laughed at realizing it was Savaa, Izzy and Cubby as Skully laughed. “Couldn’t have said it better myself!” The parrot replied. “And that’s my crew.” Jake called back as Finn took the Storm Sapphire and handed it to Jake. “Here, Jake. Maybe this needs to be hidden with you.” He suggested as Jake shook his head. “Let Ceto have it. After all, it belonged to her old kingdom so therefore, it technically belongs to her.” Jake explained as Finn grinned. “And we’re both Storm Eel guards. And with this gem, maybe it could be handy in the future.” He said as he placed it in Ceto’s hand.
The blonde mermaid smiled and gladly held it to her chest. “Once we get back home, I’ll hide it well. So that way, the only way to find it is for me to be the one to find it.” Ceto giggled. “Sounds good to me,” Jake replied as Finn pulled Ceto close, hugging her a little as she smiled at her brother immediately. “Hey Jake, you gonna ask him out or what?!” Savaa suddenly yelled as Finn and Jake both went red. “What now?” Finn asked. “Oh, uh, time to get back to my ship! Hope to see you around, you two! Swim safely, bye!” Jake rambled before diving down to get his Splash-diver as Ceto immediately got the hint and snickered.
“What’s so funny?” Finn asked. “Oh, I’ll tell ya on the way back to Neptune City, Finny.” She answered before diving down and swimming off with Finn diving after her. “Oh come on! But I wanna know!” He laughed, swimming behind her. “Then keep up or I’ll change my mind!” Ceto replied to Finn before leaving after waving to Jake who drove his Splash-diver back to the Mighty Colossus.
The crew gathered on the deck as Jake returned to the ship and walked out, fixing his hat and coat back on before playfully shooting a glare at Savaa. “Do I need to make you swab the deck?” He joked. “Just trying to help you ask him out, Captain Jake.” Savaa smirked as Jake rolled his eyes in response. “Come on, let’s head back to the Tortuga Triangle and let all of us return to our ships and return home! Because we gained another victory and saved Neverland and the Never Seas!” Jake told them all as the crew cheered in agreement and victory.