Toadette's Story: Book 2

Chapter 117 - Royal Leverage

Jasmin shrieked. For a split second, she was back at the scene of the plane crash at her school. The walls around her shifted, and her body jerked against the metal chains.

Terro’s body shook. “That definitely wasn’t a landing.” He heard a sharp sniffle. “Jasmin? Are you okay?”

Jasmin panted. After trying to move again—gritting her teeth as she did so—she let out a choked scream. A new batch of tears streamed from her face.

“My wrist is broken!” The cold pain in her right arm drove her to sob louder. Combined with the impact of her head against the wall and the heat that left her sweaty from head to toe, her hope began to evaporate little by little. She dropped onto her back, trying to tell herself everything would be okay. Yet every time she started to form a coherent thought, the throbbing brought her back to reality.

“Don’t panic. Breathe. We’ll fix it.” Terro tried to touch her hand. She jerked back, a new scream leaving her as the movement sent a new wave of pain through her wrist.

“Don’t touch it!” Her stress-heavy eyes opened wide.

But it was upon looking forward that they widened further. At the door was Captain Syrup, standing with two of her men. Jasmin gulped, wiping her tears and snot with her good hand.

Syrup’s face twisted into a crooked smile. “It appears Captain Jones has decided to take me on the hard way.” Her gaze lingered on Jasmin. “And he’s delivered a bonus, bringing more Toads into the fray.”

A shred of hope returned to Jasmin’s face. Minh was here? Toadette? Captain Toad? Everything had a chance of turning out okay. Yet she knew Syrup wasn’t telling her this to lift her spirits. The trick was coming, and she braced herself for it.

“Jones might want you back, ‘shroom, but I never return my treasures without adding some modifications.”

Jasmin raised a brow as Syrup got on her knees in front of her. She started running her hands all over Jasmin’s body.

“A little extra excitement helps the captain to work at her best,” she giggled, kissing Jasmin on her dirtied lips. She then began to rub her breasts, causing Jasmin’s nipples to harden. Once they were erect, she sucked on them. Jasmin’s whimpers grew louder as she felt Syrup’s teeth bite down.

“Now then, the captain needs her star power again,” Syrup purred, continuing to suckle the breasts. As the final drops of cinnamon-flavoured milk left Jasmin’s body, she groaned. Syrup pulled back after one minute with a satisfied pop and faced her lackeys. “You two, make sure he puts a beautiful baby in her within the next ten minutes. I want it done before the battle concludes.”

Jasmin felt her body lock solid. She heard Terro gasp sharply beside her.

“Consider it a parting gift, should I lose you,” Syrup chuckled. “And if I slaughter your friends, then you’ll still have gifted me with a new crewmate. There’ll be a little elixir left for him, alright?”

Terro jolted. He glanced at Jasmin before looking back at Syrup. “You’re insane… We won’t do that!”

“Hmm. Bold words from a Shy Guy of all things.” She trilled his urethra with her fingernail. “A child’s never in the position to negotiate with a captain. Their only purpose is to be used. You should’ve learnt that long ago, boy.”

“Fuck you!” Jasmin fought against her restraints, willing to break her whole arm to escape now. But she came to the heartbreaking realisation that she wasn’t going anywhere. The guards were getting closer to her and Terro.

“Have fun.” Syrup shut the door with a wicked laughter.

“Just fight it,” Terro whispered in Jasmin’s ear. “I’m going to try to hold back. I need your help, Jasmin.”

Jasmin nodded. Her body was wracked with shivers as rough hands grabbed her ankles. Her dirt-streaked feet were lifted into the air, and Terro was pushed in front of her. His erection grew slowly as he felt her legs. She let out a deep moan.

Even if I survive this, how am I gonna tell Minh-Minh and Sofi that I’m having a baby at eleven?

***

Grey rainclouds tinted the battlefield in shadows. The first kiss of rain landed on Toadette’s cap. The storm had arrived.

Her breath hitched. Wario’s vessel had gouged a grotesque gash in the stern of the Sweet Stuff. Sparks showered from crippled engines below deck. But Syrup’s crew didn’t falter. They crossed onto the other ship with ease.

“Don’t just stand there, you useless blobs,” he barked to his monsters. “Tear these mangy rodents to shreds!”

The Squeaks obeyed, swarming the nearest Gaugau. For every two the hulking creature flung into the sea, five more latched on, their tiny fangs tearing into the flash. Toadette winced as one Gaugau was lost in a mass of ten Squeaks, a grisly feast unfolding.

“Hey!” a Gaugau yelled. “Don’t just focus on the scraps! Aim for the big ones!”

“Try me!” With a sharp gesture, Wario unleashed the Volts.

Toadette’s eyes narrowed. This was her chance. “While they’re tearing each other apart, I’m going for Syrup!”

“For Jazz!” Minh corrected. “She’s our priority right now. I’m going down there with you.”

“Me too!” Penelope rushed up.

“No, you stay here.” Toadette pulled Penelope out the way of a battle between Toad and a Gaugau. “It’s too dangerous. It’ll only get worse below the deck.”

“She thinks I abandoned her! She needs to know she has a friend who cares about her!”

“We’re not gonna argue about—”

“Yeah, we’re not!” Penelope’s gaze snapped down to a dagger skittering across the wet deck. Her toes expertly gripped the hilt, and she flipped it into her palm.

Toad glanced at Toadette over his shoulder. “She’s got this. Where’s your weapon?”

Toadette groaned. “I’ll have to go unarmed!”

“Not likely, lass.”

She turned around, startled by the shift in air and the towering figure of blue looming above her. Jones, hunched over with his glowing trident, presented Toadette with her waterlogged hammer. She took it, giving him a simple nod.

“Still no sign of the amulet,” Jones growled. “But a deal is a deal. They’re holding the girl hostage.”

“Amulet?” Penelope asked.

“We’ve got it right here,” Toadette said, slapping the pocket that contained Stuffwell. “Hold up your end of the bargain, Jones, and it’s yours.”

He grunted in agreement, his back meeting Toad’s as they fought off swarming enemies from both factions.

“Where exactly are the crew?” he snarled. “They should be dying to tear this witch apart!”

“On their way,” Toad spat. “Syrup’s been slowing down for hours now. They shouldn’t be too far.”

Toadette pointed at Minh and Penelope. “Penelope, you lead.”

“Me?”

“Too much for you?” Toadette asked with a smile. “Really?”

Penelope’s face hardened. Her dagger swung out in the direction of the Sweet Stuff’s hold.

“Attagirl,” Minh encouraged, her tone softening.

Penelope’s steps gained confidence as she took point. The ship’s interior was a wreck. Splintered wallboards gaped open, jagged edges jutting out like broken glass. They moved with practised caution, yet Penelope’s pace remained brisk.

“I doubt Jazz is in the kid’s room,” she said. “Not after what I did.”

“What did you do?” Minh asked.

“Let’s just say I might’ve set Syrup’s ship on fire… And maybe her eyeball.”

Toadette shot her a look of disbelief. “Why is it always fire with you? First the game convention, now the ship?”

“First time was an accident. Second time was for survi—”

Minh grabbed her by the collar, shushing her before she could say a word. They ducked behind a large crate. Two monstrous shadows lumbered past, their heavy footsteps echoing as they ascended to the deck. Toadette’s knuckles reddened around her hammer’s handle. Penelope didn’t dare breathe until the last echo of their footsteps faded.

“How many people are even on this ship?” Toadette whispered.

“More than a hundred,” Penelope answered with a sigh. “Both kids and pirates.”

She brought them to the room, where Toadette proceeded to bash the door in. Several kids lay awake, wide-eyed and trembling from the chaos. But as Penelope scanned the room, dread crept into her. Two of the kids were gone.

“Narisa!” Penelope ran up to the Noki girl. “Where are Jazz and Terro?”

“We warned you.” Her voice was flat. “Stupid to try and escape. We could all hear the whips cracking from here.”

“Whips?” Minh grabbed Narisa by her shoulders, shaking her. “Where is my cousin? Tell me! Now!”

“Cousin? So you guys are…” Narisa blinked slowly. “In the hellhole. Look for the door with the broken heart.”

Minh spun on her heels, tugging on Penelope. Penelope offered a quick wave to Narisa before they were all running through the ship’s groaning corridors. With each creaking step, with each agonising scrape of splinters against the soles of their feet, they raced onwards.

Finally they reached the door.

The muffled sounds confused them all. It sounded like two people heavily panting. Minh’s pupils shrank when the panting turned to moaning and groaning.

“What is happening in there?” she asked. Toadette was equally as dumbfounded. But Penelope simply looked down, unable to articulate the horror she understood was happening.

Yelling, Toadette struck the door with her hammer. But it didn’t fly off the hinges. She tried even harder. At most, she caused a little dent. She tensed her muscles and went wild, bashing it in until she made progress. Penelope flinched at the ferocity, scrambling to Minh’s side.

On the other side, Jasmin could barely breathe. Her toes curled as Terro twitched inside of her. She forced herself to remain still and endure the slow violation. But the sheer animosity of it all was getting to them both. The natural reactions of their bodies threatened to betray them.

Terro cried out as a Gaugau shoved him deeper into Jasmin’s aching body. She groaned, her legs trembling and her feet forced onto his shoulders.

“The boy’s taking forever. She said ten minutes,” one Gaugau sighed. He looked at the door. “And it seems we’ve got unwanted guests.”

“Then we’ll have to do this the hard way. Just business.” The second Gaugau produced a long, cold metal pole. He manoeuvred himself, forcing Terro’s legs apart as he positioned the pole over his anus. Terro cried out as the metal pressed against him and slid into him. A violent tremor shook his body,

Jasmin felt every pulse in her vagina. She knew he was nearing his climax.

Terro gasped as the pole massaged his rectal walls. The sensation overwhelmed his delicate prostate. Beneath the mask, his face turned to absolute fear. He lurched into Jasmin, and his hips bucked wildly. His grip on her shoulders tightened.

“Jasmin, I’m sorry,” he choked out, his movements escalating in speed. “I’m so sorry…”

“So am I!” Jasmin then bit into his arm, hard enough to make him pull back. The intense trembling on his cock continued then slowed. Yet it happened again. Jasmin panted, unable to tell if he was ejaculating into her or not. With renewed fury, she bit down again, desperate to make his body despise her. “Don’t cum! For the love of everything, please don’t cum!”

Just then, the door broke down. Toadette marched into the room, flipping her hammer. The sight left her speechless.

When Jasmin caught the first glimpse of Minh, her face didn’t change. Her eyes were glassy and her body limp. A single tear rolled down her dirty face as she stared at her cousin.

“You monsters!!” Minh shrieked, tearing her hair out. “That’s my little cousin!!”

“Orders are orders, girly,” one Gaugau said, retrieving the pole from Terro’s gaping butt. He didn’t even look at them as he wiped it on a rag. “Boss wanted a parting gift. What’s better than a new crewmate made right on the Sweet Stuff?”

Without even thinking, Minh snatched the dagger from Penelope and ran up to the Gaugau. She slashed at them repeatedly, each of her hits being deflected easily. But she didn’t give up. Instead, she tackled one to the ground and stabbed him in the chest. Each pierce seemed to plunge deeper. Penelope took a step back, startled from Minh’s increased yelling.

“Die, die, die, die, die, die!”

“You little—!” Just as the other went to attack her, Toadette smashed him in the face with her hammer. She then kicked Minh away and bashed both the henchmen’s brains in.

Minh trembled, dropping the bloodied dagger. She squinted at Jasmin through teary eyes.

To see her lying there so vulnerable caused her heart to sink into her stomach. It was surreal. Having known Jasmin since she was a baby, she’d never seen her so damaged before.

“I’m here, Jazz,” she panted. “Can you hear me?”

“Minh-Minh… My wrist is…broken,” Jasmin moaned. She felt Terro going limp inside of her, eventually sliding out. “This is…Almara’s son… Help us…”

“Jazz, you’d better not pass out,” Penelope warned. “I know you’re hurt and tired, but you’re gonna make this way harder if you can’t move.”

“Penelope!” Jasmin shot to life. “You’re alive? But you…”

“Like I’d…I’d ever leave you behind.” Penelope’s voice was shaking, but her eyes were focused. “Friends stick together, right?”

Terro pulled himself off of Jasmin. He glanced at Penelope, the lightest of laughter leaving his empty mask.

“You… You’re smarter than I gave you credit for.”

Penelope smiled. For a moment, everything seemed like it’d be okay. They just needed to take care of everybody on the deck, and they’d be ready to get Jasmin, Terro and the rest of the kids to safety. Minh fiddled with Jasmin’s restraints, apologising every time she hurt the latter’s wrist.

“Toadette, can we cut these things with anything?”

“It’s hard metal. We need a key.” Toadette looked to the defeated Gaugau. “Maybe they’ve got some.”

“A shame you can’t reach them, girly.”

Penelope hit the ground upon hearing that voice. Before Toadette could react, she felt herself flying into the air. She smacked against the ceiling and fell to the floor, only for a sharp kick to her side to send her into the mass of chains. She thrashed in the metal. Wincing, she moved just in time for something sharp to miss her head by a hair’s length. A sharpened candy cane got stuck among the chains.

Jasmin instinctively held onto Terro best she could.

Their foe unsheathed her sword, smacking her lips at Toadette. “So I take it you’re Penelope’s mommy, am I right?” She then looked at Minh. “And you must be this Minh-Minh character Jasmin’s been crying about.”

Minh’s lips trembled.

“Oh, I got a taste of them both. Such sweet little gumdrops.” Syrup’s smile faded. “Then their flavour soured very quickly.”

“Lady, I don’t taste sweet either.” Toadette did a false swipe at Syrup’s face. Syrup gasped, caught in Toadette’s next hit to her body.

But to Toadette’s dismay, Syrup immediately hopped back up. She didn’t even appear bruised, and it was a clean strike to the shoulder. With a low chuckle, Syrup flashed behind Toadette, swinging her sword at her back. Penelope pushed Toadette out the way.

Toadette hopped to her feet, trembling. Damn it! It doesn’t make sense! Toady and I have boosted ourselves with at least two Ethereal Stars. She has one, and she’s somehow like a brick wall.

As Syrup strutted forward in style, swinging her sword in all kinds of directions, Minh was quick to act. She launched a kick at Syrup. Syrup rolled her eyes and was ready to counter it. Then Minh threw the dagger at Penelope, who immediately used it to jab Syrup in the leg.

Syrup cringed. “You little devil!” She smacked Penelope across the floor, right into the other kids.

Toadette cried out in frustration. Her hammer clashed with Syrup’s sword before Syrup slammed her hard enough against to ceiling to cause Toadette to break through the floor.

***

Toad fired a flare into one of Syrup’s other pirate monsters. The shot landed right in the throat before exploding into a messy fireworks display. He wiped his gun before reloading it and storing it back in his pocket, reverting to his pickaxe.

“We might actually have a chance at this,” he laughed.

Then the wood in front of him exploded. Toadette rocketed onto the deck, her body covered in cuts.

“Toadette!” He rushed to her side, gasping. “What the hell happened?”

“So Syrup’s stronger than I thought.” She slowly pulled herself up, gasping. “Jones wasn’t lying about the star boosting her power. She makes this 13-Amp girl look like a kitten.”

“Damn. If you can’t handle her, then…”

The battlefield on the crashed ships was as bloody as she could have expected. Syrup’s monsters had the edge over Wario’s, even with the latter’s strategy of overwhelming them. However, the Volts didn’t allow any of Syrup’s monsters to slow them down significantly. 9-Volt’s Wii Remote sword, though it acted like a blunt weapon, was strong enough to knock a few robots out of commission. 18-Volt’s hulking body was able to stand toe to toe with the Gaugau, as if he were pest control. Finally there was 13-Amp with her magic, able to catch each pirate by surprise.

In the background, sitting atop a makeshift throne of crates, Wario watched on laughing.

Toadette glared at him. The only way out of here is if we win this battle. But we’ve got two enemies. How can we do it?

Jones lurched forward, heat dissipating from his trident as his Mega Drain technique sizzled a number of Squeaks. One of them roasted on his trident’s prongs, and he ate it in a gulp. He aimed his weapon at Wario.

“You! Come down and face me like a real captain. Or are you just a rat in a gaudy hat?”

“Oh, I don’t think you want that, buddy,” Wario cackled. “I’ve never had fried shark before, but I’m always willing to try new cuisine.”

Jones blasted the crate he sat atop. Wario jumped off just in time.

“So be it,” he chuckled. With his sword drawn, he rolled forward through the air. He and Jones then began to clash. Wario drove him back step by step with sheer force. Jones caught the opening—a slight lag in Wario’s recovery—but Wario anticipated the counters.

A well-time lunge from Wario forced Jones’ trident spinning onto the slippery deck.

With a roar, Jones ducked and drove his dorsal fin into Wario’s gut. Wario’s jaw dropped.

But Jones knew something was wrong. The reaction was too smooth. As he pressed further into Wario, the latter’s free hand returned with a hit to Jones’ gut. Jones twisted, the punch driving him backwards into the ship’s mast.

“What’s wrong, shark man?” Wario carelessly swung his sword. “My fish-faced brat told me about you. Said you were a respectable captain. And look what all that respect gets you.”

“Damn you…” Jones went for his trident, but 9-Volt stepped on it.

“I’ll be having that, thank you.”

Jones bellowed, grabbing 9-Volt and flinging him into the ship’s rail. 9-Volt coughed out blood. With the trident back in Jones’ hand, he prepared another hit at Wario. Then he heard a familiar cackle. Wario’s ears twitched.

Every head turned. Syrup emerged from the hull covered in blood. Her red hair blew wildly in the rainy wind.

Wario smiled. “Hello, love. Been a while.”

“So it’s you who crashed your boat into my ship then.” She stuck up her nose. “No matter. Whether you or the Cerulean Pirates’ leader goes down first, I’m the only one emerging from this fight alive.”

“Do you really think so?” Jones growled.

“Oh, I know so.”

Syrup moved like lightning. When Wario charged at her, she’d dart away, her sword slicing up one of the many Squeaks on deck. Her free hand drew a pistol out and fired it at a rope holding a heavy net on her ship, which fell and entangled a group of the Squeaks.

Jones jumped into the waters. He then dove low and rose like a geyser, aiming at Syrup like a drill.

As she evaded and let him bore through her deck, her boot kicked Jones’ trident, sending its prongs into his own face. He grunted, resisting the sharp pain, but she wore him down with bullet after bullet from her pistol. Five rounds later, he was clutching his reddened gut.

Toad and Toadette watched in horror as Jones’ speed slowed.

Syrup and Wario circled each other for what felt like a minute.

“Heh.” Wario grabbed a nearby barrel and launched it in Syrup’s direction. The attack caught her by surprise, but she dodged his next attack: another sword slice.

Their fight shook both ships. Syrup’s agility and craftiness allowed her to use the Sweet Stuff as her personal playground. Yet Wario’s dirtier combat style gifted him with the constant element of surprise. Syrup stood perched on a deck cannon that she lit with a match. She aimed it in Wario’s direction, right at his ship.

“Go ahead, do it,” Wario growled.

“Whoa. Is he serious?” 18-Volt asked.

“This I’ve gotta see,” 13-Amp whistled.

The cannon fired. With a grunt, Wario punched the ball straight in Syrup’s direction. Syrup flew off the ship into the ocean. Wario chuckled proudly as seconds stretched into a minute. However, the second he heard something against the walls of the ship, he rolled his eyes.

“Can’t you just die already?” he whined, aiming his sword at her. “This is getting ridiculous.”

“I’ll die on my own terms, and those will never be to you,” Syrup growled. “Every time you’ve managed to meddle with my plans…”

“I always leave an impact.” He squinted at Toad and Toadette. “Just ask the dead yeastballs in Toad Town.”

Before Toadette could move, two Gaugau restrained her. Toad got in a solid elbow before being restrained as well.

Syrup looked to her men. “How are the ship conditions now?”

“The engine room is now on fire again. We’re putting it out, but it’s in worse condition this time around,” a Floater answered, robotically beeping after its statement. “We may have just enough power to get to Kitchen Island, but we cannot lose our course, captain.”

“Smoke building up down there?”

“Affirmative.”

“Bring everyone below deck outside. Let’s give the little cuties a grand display on what happens when people go against Captain Syrup.”

In minutes, all of the kidnapped children were on the deck. Minh and Penelope were forced with Toadette and Toad. Jasmin and Terro were stuck with the other children, albeit with a simple long shirt thrown over them. Syrup and Wario continued to hold their positions, with the Volts ready to launch if any of Syrup’s men pulled anything funny.

Jones looked out the corner of his eye. “Come on, men. Get here and assist us in this madness…”

Wario picked his nose. “Listen, Syrup, I’ve got demands.”

“You come destroying my ship, and you’ve the gall to demand something?”

“Yes.” He flicked the booger in her direction. “The Ethereal Star, sweetheart. Hand it over, and I won’t have to rearrange what’s left of your wrinkly face.”

“Ethereal Star?” Syrup scoffed. “You mean my power-granting rock. I’d die before giving it up.”

“Suit yourself,” Wario said with a shrug.

“Although, I do find myself in a predicament, still unable to locate the Brine of Beginnings. Fetch it for me like a good boy, and maybe I’ll consider a trade.”

“The what of what?”

“It’s a legend,” 13-Amp explained. “According to some pirate tales, it’ll grant you eternal youth. Kinda creepy, if you ask me.”

“That’s it?” Wario snorted. “I can wish my whole city eternal youth if I wanted, as soon as I get my hands on all nine of these things.”

“I wouldn’t trust you to extend that kindness to me.” Syrup sheathed her sword. “If you help me find my drink, the star is yours. No games.”

“And why should I trust you?” he asked. “Not the first time you’ve gone and crossed me.”

“You shouldn’t. But I’ve more in life to worry about than a stinking goblin.”

18-Volt chuckled, whispering to Wario. “Even if she becomes a kid, it don’t mean she’s immortal, right? Think about it.”

“True, true…” Wario turned his attention to the heroes. “What happens with them?”

Minh whimpered, clutching Toadette’s arm.

“I’ll hold onto little Penelope,” Syrup said. “The rest? Food for my men.”

“No!” Penelope moved before anybody could blink. She snatched something from Toadette’s pocket; Stuffwell’s eyes blinked awake. At the same time, she grabbed Toad’s flare gun. Dodging Gaugau, she hurriedly clambered onto a splintered plank jutting out from the Sweet Stuff’s side. Her hands shook violently.

“Get down from there, Penelope!” Toadette yelled.

“Playing hero, are we?” Syrup rolled her eyes. “You think a simple gun is going to scare me, girl?”

“No, I don’t.” Penelope pouted. “But I know this will.”

She pressed the loaded gun against her ear. Gasps rippled through the deck. Even Wario’s chuckles died down.

“Why did you not unload it?” Toadette whispered to Toad.

“We were still in a battle! You can’t put this on me!”

“I’m the one who stole the amulet, Syrup,” Penelope announced, digging into Stuffwell’s interior and pulling out the trinket. “And I know you need it covered in royal blood.”

“That be my amulet, girl,” Jones growled. “Don’t be rash.”

Penelope went on. “And just so you know, I’m not some girl who just looks like the princess.” She undid her ponytail holder, allowing her yellow hair to flap in the rainy breeze. “I’m her daughter! Born and raised in that castle! My blood’s as blue as it gets!”

That silenced even the sea. Toadette stared dumbfounded at the words Penelope had so carelessly flung into the wind. Wario raised a curios brow. But Syrup froze, her eyes widening as Penelope’s threat became all too clear.

“Penelope, don’t!” Jasmin yelled, her panic on full display. “Please don’t!”

“I don’t have your magic boost, Syrup. I don’t have your strength.” Penelope’s voice shook, but she didn’t lower the gun. She brought it closer. “I take one shot, and all this royal essence spills into the ocean, where it’s useless. Where’s your eternal youth now?”

Syrup gasped. “You’re bluffing.”

“You scared?” The gun clicked. That single sound made everyone flinch.

“Do it, kid! Give us some fireworks!” Wario snickered. “Make your mother weep.”

“Don’t!” Toad shouted. “Penelope, this isn’t funny! Please!”

“Wait!” Syrup held up a hand. “Name your terms, child. Quickly.”

“Release all the children.”

“They have to be reasonable terms.” Syrup’s tone softened. “Because if you pull that trigger, all you’ve done is guarantee your friends an agonising death. You’ll just be the first to go.”

Penelope flinched. She forced herself to look at her friends. “Then you release Miss Toadette, Miss Minh T., Captain Toad and Jasmin. Agreed?”

“Is that all?”

“And… And Terro,” Penelope added.

“He’s staying.” She licked her lips when looking at him. “That runaway attitude is disgusting, but it will lead to a child who’s physical strong, I believe. All the more useful for a servant of mine.”

“So release Captain Jones!” Penelope’s voice turned to barely a whisper. “I guess you can keep the rest of them.”

The kids all let out a horrified series of gasps. Penelope couldn’t bare to glance in Terro’s direction especially.

“Much better,” Syrup purred, a predatory smile returning to her lips. “Now smear that amulet with your blood.”

The gun left Penelope’s head. A Gaugau stepped forward, pressing a sharp dagger into her palm. Gulping, Penelope pressed the blade against her skin, slicing a deep wound. The stinging of her blood made her gasp, and she smeared it onto the amulet.

An orange light shot into the sky before fracturing. It painted a single, clearly illuminated path across the blue ocean waters, pointing towards some far-off land.

Syrup gasped, rushing forward to seize the now-activated relic from the Gaugau who took it from Penelope. “It’s been so long…”

“You have your path,” Penelope mumbled, tears blurring her vision as she looked at the terrified faces of the other, still-bound children. “Now let my friends go.”

“Your little party is free to leave my vessel,” Syrup said, nodding to her men to back off. She waved a dismissive hand towards Wario. “Have fun finding a place to dump them.”

Penelope’s blood chilled. She shook her head. “No! You liar!”

“First mistake, princess, was believing a pirate’s word,” Syrup chuckled.

A scream left Penelope as she lunged. She didn’t make it two steps before 18-Volt’s massive fist struck her in the back of the head. She crumpled to the deck, completely silent.

“Penelope!” Minh shrieked, straining against her captors.

Wario surveyed the scene. “We shall go together, haggy. Take them to your little island. Ensure they can’t escape.”

“My ship requires extensive repairs, thanks to you,” Syrup said. “Why not simply finish them?”

“Because I still need the other stars,” Wario growled, his gaze fixing on Toad, Toadette and Minh. “And these three vermin in particular must be broken thoroughly. I know a girl who’d just love to play with them.”

He let out a sharp whistle, summoning his monstrous crew. “Listen up, you maggot-eaters! Pull our ship back. We’ll reach Kitchen Island within the hour.”

“We can’t steer it, Wario,” 13-Amp said, crossing her arms. “Wheel’s broken, remember?”

“Then improvise. You’re all tech nerds; rocket science should be easy for you.”

“Sure, totally,” 9-Volt mumbled. “You’re the boss.”

Bound and defeated, Toadette and her companions watched as Captain Syrup’s battered ship reignited its sputtering engines and pulled away from them, leaving them at the mercy of an even more terrifying fate.

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Author’s Note:
I’d say this chapter has the most direct Pirates of the Caribbean influence of them, and it was a moment I knew was going to happen from the start. Cross your fingers that poor Jasmin isn’t pregnant now.