All of the other pirate turned reapers lifted their scythes, ready to send Sugar Southerncross into the world beyond this one. But Lyra Blackswan merely shook her head and casually tossed her hand aside.

"I don't know who's stupider," she said, looking between Sugar and Archibell's old crew. "The woman who thinks she can slay an immortal being. Or the reaper turned pirates who thinks she is a threat to me!"

Elise shivered from the frigidness of Lyra's veneer. She was reminded of the coldness of her sister Rosemary, the demon eye that was implanted in her friend Chloe's head. But Rosemary was nothing but an eyeball inside the head of a totally good person. Lyra was a complete Blackswan with otherworldly powers.

Lyra strolled down the dark carpet. She lacked the strutting flair of her sister and her chanteuse persona, walking instead with a commanding presence, her shadowy bob billowing as she walked. Sugar didn't even tremble when she saw the sea reaper heading towards her for her eyes had locked onto the piece of golden trident in her hand.

"Why don't you tell me..." Lyra said, lunging forward with a headstrong demeanor. "Who you are..."

Her eyes turned to Archibell. "Knowing that tail wagging seadog captain, I have a feeling either you or that well endowed witch is his new companion! Maybe even both of you, knowing his sly ways."

"Sorry to let you down, sister," Sincirce said, with a wink. "But I'm only interested in sea swine!"

Lyra smirked,. She nodded, shuffling her bowl cut bob. "That hardly rules out that pig!"

"Ouch..." Archibell muttered. "I resent that."

"And I resent you..." Lyra said, her voice colder than thousands of leagues beneath the ocean they were. "Now tell me...cowgirl. Who are you."

Sugar grinned. "Well...y'all are right and you are dead wrong all at the same time, honey. For I know that scoundrel intimately."

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The sweet, poisoned honey voice of Sugar filled the air. "Po' boy was so down on his luck. Losing all his crew to death itself. He needed a fine lady ta whip and prod him back into shape!"

Lyra raised an eyebrow. Sugar had no fear in her eyes and continued to talk and even whinny like a proud mare. "An...he told me he lost his previous love to tha devil. Little did I know, she was the devil!"

Sugar chuckled. "But he told me most of all, he wanted to forget y'all. All of y'all. He wanted to treat his time with the Lyre like it was all a hallucination from too much gin. And now I can see why...y'all more haunted than a buncha gossamer ghouls!"

Lyra's blood red eyes shifted towards Archibell with a glare that cut with the intensity of a razor blade. Archibell tugged at his collar and started to giggle.

Sugar's whinnying echoed around the room. Elise was starting to get a bit fearful. Not even for her sake, but Sugar's. "Stop laughing!" Elise cried causing the southern sea cowgirl to cease laughing. "Sugar. Don't you realize that you're in deep poo poo!"

Lyra closed her eyes and when she opened them, the fury had dissipated. "Well then..." the Sea reaper said, peering out of her red almond shaped eyes. "The day Archibell left us...is the day I closed the door on my past...forever. Instead, I have a proposition for his southern hussy."

Sugar tipped her cowgirl hat. "What is it, dear. Haven't I already embarrassed y'all enough. Not only did I take your place, but I made his boots quake way more than y'all ever will!"

"That may be true," Lyra said, a sly smile on her face. "You truly have beaten me in the game of love. Lyra Blackswan may have been a very headstrong if naive young lady in his lovelife...but..."

There was a sinister swirly deep within the pupils of her blood red eyes. "I am no longer her..."

Lyra grinned boldly and spread her arms apart like a T. "Go head. Hit me with your best shot. Let's see what happens when you do."

"Very well..." Sugar whinny laughed again and cranked the gun right at her. "I got more grit' than a bowl full of well...grits. I got enough gravy to send y'all back to the grave. I got more..."

"Enough with the South Sea slang," Lyra said. "Just end my misery. Shoot me straight in the heart. Truly prove you are the stronger woman."

Sugar rolled the wheel in her revolver. "Jus' remember, hun," Sugar said, her pupils dilating. "This is jus' business. Nowadays I could careless about Archie dearest. I jus' want that golden glowing trinket in your hands!"

"And you will have it..." Lyra said with a knowing nod. "Once you pull the trig..."

A click sounded

Bang!

And it was over.

Lyra dropped to the floor and lay motionless.