As Chloe leveled the dagger right down the center of her throat, everyone exchanged looks of uncertainty and even panic. "Now…" Chloe said in Rosemary's voice, her demon eye shifting around to everyone's faces. "You are to get me a boat and allow me to sail off into the sunset. It'll be a nice curtain closer after my grand performance."

Everyone turned to Admiral Archibell, who immediately looked flustered. "Why me?"

"You are the chief naval officer, bro," the captain answered. "You'll have to get this dark dame her mode of transport!"

Admiral Archibell's arms sank. "Well alright," he said. "Hard to the town's port!"

"Excellent," Chloe said with a fanged smirk. "I'll be halfway out to sea by the time you're free to move again."

The demon-possessed-queen sat up, and accompanied Admiral Archibell with her knife still at her own pale neck. "Bon voyage!" she said in her sultry tone.

As the admiral and Chloe headed towards her grand escape, Elise was filled with turbulent emotions. She balled up her fists and shook with sadness and anger. She could not believe this would be the last time she'd see her new friend. "Please...Chloe!" she cried. "Don't gooooooo!"

Without warning, she made a mad dash at Chloe. The Captain, Tito, and Tony cried out to her.

"Freckles!"

"Speckles!"

"Pally!"

"Uh, lost child to aisle five?" Sincirce called with a catlike smile.

But none of them could stop a teary-eyed Elise as she charged towards Chloe as fast as her little legs could carry her. Before Chloe could even turn around, Elise glomped onto her and gave her a tight hug. "I'm gonna miss you, Chloe! I know we only spent a short time together, but it was sooooo fun!"

Chloe's body trembled and her demon eye swiveled cautiously. Her dagger shook in her hands. "Chloe!" Elise cried. "I want you to know you are my friend. And as the captain said, 'friendship is the greatest treasure ever. It is our booty!'"

Chloe gasped and fell backwards, knocking Elise over with her. Both girls tumbled onto the ground, out of breath. Everyone ran over to the two. Elise was still crying and hugging Chloe, but the queen's eyes were closed.

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Elise looked up at her friends as she rocked an unconconcious Chloe. The dagger had clattered to the ground harmlessly by the two girls, but now the queen wasn't moving.

"Poor Queenie," Tony sighed from Captain Archibell's hands. "All she wanted ta do was be a pirate queen, not some crazy dame singer. Now she's nothin' at all."

"Please," Elise cried, shaking Chloe hard. "Please wake up. Please Chloe!"

"Mmm," Chloe mumbled causing everyone's eyes to go wide. "Mmm…"

"Chloe…" Elise asked softly, her nose running and her eyes blotchy. "Chloe?"

Her organic eye opened and her demon eye closed itself. Elise peered into her chocolate brown eye with her own itchy eyes.

"Friendship...is our booty?" Chloe asked in her caustic lower voice. "What kinda namby pamby pirate saying is that?! When I'm Queen of the Pirates my slogan is gonna strike fear into the hearts of men...when I come up with one at least."

Elise began to bawl and hug Chloe tight. "Chloe. It's you!"

"In the flesh, starfish!" Chloe winked. "I seem to have blacked out there."

Elise proceeded to explain to Chloe what had happened while she was unconconcious and the queen grew insatiably angry. "I cannot believe I've got some lounge singer stuck inside of me!" she bemoaned sitting up. "I'm a pirate. I rasp and bark. I don't sing!"

"I sing!" Captain Archibell said with a whimsical pose, but Tony barked, "You ain't helpin' cap'm."

An older groan came from behind them and everyone turned around. Aiko Blackswan was lying broken on the pavement.

Helping Chloe to her feet, they all walked over to the mother of Lyra and Rosemary. Captain Archibell immediately got on one knee. He clutched Aiko's hand. Her wrinkled face smiled up at him. "Now everyone knows your...secret, Captain," the old woman said. "How you risked life and limb to save my daughter...who eventually...was my undoing."

"Mrs. Blackswan," Captain Archibell said, panicking with his eyes tearing up. "Do you need some medical attention?! Does anyone know CPR?"

"I'm afraid…" the old woman said. "I've had my time in the sun. I'm...only happy...I could fulfill Lyra's last wish to me."

"What was that?!" Archibell asked, dabbing at his eyes with his sleeve.

"That I could set you free," Aiko said, her wrinkled face curling up in a smile. "From the burdens you had."

"I'll always have burdens, ma'am," Archibell said, "but thank you. You eased them. I really tried to make that gal as happy as I could."

"Good…" Aiko rasped and she closed her eyes for the very last time. Archibell wrapped his fingers around Aiko Blackswan's pale hand.

Tony the Troutface blew his nose so hard it sounded like a trumpet. "Dis is so bittersweet," he said in his phlegmy fishy voice.

Elise looked around at all of her friends. Everyone was grieving. Only Chloe was confused. "What...happened to her?" the young queen asked, but Elise was silent.

Elise told Chloe everything but what she had done to Lady Blackswan. The purple sky rolled away, giving way to a sunny, cerulean sky. Rosemary had retreated, at least for the time being, and thought uncertainity filled everyone's mind about Chloe, they didn't speak it out loud. Peace had returned to Mainland Village at last.