The Mainland Navy steamboat chugged along downcast waters heading straight to Dedlam Asylum. Chloe, Ramone and Monica all stood in cuffs as they watched their freedom dissipate like the sunny day. But the young queen had other things on her mind.

"You know," Chloe said to Monica with illuminated eyes. "You were really cool back there.. I don't ask just anyone to join my pirate brigade, but you'd be excellent as our swordfighter!"

She looked at her bandaged arm "As pirate queen, I'll even overlook that you stabbed me!"

"My queen," Ramone pleaded. "It's bad enough you roped me into this, let alone this independent young swordswoman."

Monica rolled her eyes and nearly spat in a proud voice. "You think I'm going to align myself with a bunch of sea banditos? All I've ever done is upstand the law."

"Unless you count breaking into all those houses," Chloe muttered, but Monica screamed loudly and cut her off.

Changing the subject, the female swordswoman indignantly shouted at the leader of the naval guard. "I hope these naval goons know I am descended from the greatest swordswoman Vanessa Montero herself."

"What's this beautiful one bickering about?" the naval captain asked his subordinate. "I recognize the fashionable goatman and Queen Annabell but who is she?"

"She was threatening the waiter Rene!" said the subordinate from Shady Palms."I love that guy. He knows exactly what portions of fish and chips to bring out. And his food metaphors are hilarious."

The guard glared at Montero. "She is obviously Django or at least his daughter!"

"Ay dios mio," Monica sighed. "I am way too proud to be executed with you, lowly thieves."

"Lowly thieves?!" Ramone exclaimed. "My good swordslady, I am the most sought after tailor in the land. The GOAT of fashionistas! And this young girl--why-- she's the Queen of the Mainland Isle!"

"And you're pirates?!" the tan skinned swordswoman remarked. "I always thought high society was corrupt, but I didn't know it was literally so."

"Get off your high horse lady," Chloe shouted. "It's so much cooler being a pirate. I've gotten more freedom as one than I ever did as a queen."

"Until they chain you up and send you to the barracks," Monica remarked dryly.

Chloe was silent, before she peeped up again. "Yeah that part sucks. But hey! My five minutes of freedom were awesome. I got to solve a mystery"--she winked at Montero--"and meet a beautiful girl.

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"As if," Monica scoffed "I'm sixteen and you're what?...11?"

"12," Chloe grinned, "and I'm gonna hit my growth spurt anyday now."

"I thought the Loveblade was supposed to wear off?" Monica asked herself. "What happened?!

"I do believe Queen Annabell actually has taken a fancy to you," Ramone chortled.

Chloe remarked cooly. "That's right. I only have eyes for you. Or rather an eye. I'm not sure about Rosemary's tastes, but I could ask her."

"Enough of this childish flirtation!" the naval captain shouted. "We are already back at the Mainland and there the great and honorable minister will decide your fate."

The Mainland cliffs were still steeped in fog and mist. It was like the storm that had befallen Chloe when she was first sent off to Dedlam had never ended. On the port docks, the familiar and wicked minister stood in all black garb. Chloe swallowed hard. She knew exactly where she was going, but she feared for her comrades too.

Once the boat was docked, the trio of prisoners disembarked. "Ah, my runaway queen," Minister Dingsworth said rubbing his gloved palms together. "I heard about your little escape from Dedlam."

"Escape?! I call it a nice vacation," Chloe smirked. "From you and that stupid building."

" I can assure you…" the weasel-like minister chided her. "That won't happen again. We've enforced security twice as hard this time...and made sure there are no scoundrels hiding in the shadows."

Chloe puffed out her cheeks and pouted. "I knew this was coming," she said. "But what are you going to do with my friends?!"

The minister glared behind his large monocle. "Why they will be executed of course! For aiding and abetting such a treasonous escape!"

Ramone turned paler than his white billy goat beard. Monica cried, "I barely know her. And now I'm going to die for her?"

"That's life!" the minister said.

"Rather that's death," Rosemary remarked with a morbid humor inside Chloe's brain.

The young queen's allies looked helpless at her, but this time, there was nothing she could do. Chloe looked at Ramone and Monica sadly. And while the satyr offered his condolences, the young swordswoman turned her head aside.

Rained poured harder on the jagged black asylum as Chloe reached it. "Loony bin, sweet loony bin!" Rosemary sang over the familiar and very unwanted to sight. The minister led Chloe into the lobby where she saw faces she hoped she'd never see again. Doctor Needles and the severe young nurse grinned a needle tooth grin and smirked with crazy eyes respectively.

"Welcome back, my number one patient," Needles lisped. "I know we're in the waiting room, but there's no need to wait this time. I've already warmed up the pluckity pluck machine. We will have that blighted eye out of your socket in seconds."

"Can I please have a moment to rest," Chloe sobbed from her one eye. "It's been a long day for me."

"Relax?!" Doctor Needles smiled. "Once it's over your can have all the bedrest you need."

"But…" Chloe said, her lips wobbling. "I'll be dea…"

"Worry not," the doctor grinned. "We'll be sure to let you rest in peace afterwards."

"That's what I was afraid of," Chloe stammered.

"Nurse Kutter?" Doctor Needles asked. "Lead our young patient up to her room. And be sure to tie her arms and legs down. I know cute little girls like her get a bit antsy when they have an operation. We need her as calm as possible."

Nurse Kutter nodded and grasped Chloe's shoulders with a vice like grip. "I'll show you to your room, sweetheart. Think of it like your resting place."

Chloe headed towards the elevator again, and this time, she didn't want to look at the mutinous minister behind her. He didn't deserve a second glance.