Pistol shots rang out as soon as the Lyre's crew stepped off the Cowpoker. Not surprisingly, the gun shots came from Sugar. "I'll teach y'all to cattle rustle my heart again, Archibell!"

"Oh..." Archibell squawked as they ran. "So she now she has a heart!"

"You kissed her!" Elise said, lifting her dress as she ran. "You awakened it! Like Tito awakened mine!"

"I kinda wish I didn't!" Tito said, covering his own heart. "Especially if we all end up getting shot through the heart!"

"Geez louise," Tony the Troutface muttered as Tito cradled him. "You all give love a bad name!"

"I wouldn't talk fish breath!" Sincirce said, and a bullet went through her hat. "Actually let's just shazam outta here before we get a booty full of bullets!"

The Lyre's crew headed into the molasses factory office, searching for the Great Kolama. Much to their relief, they found him tied up next to an enormous tub of molasses.

"Oh thank the great Hellohain gods and goddesses!" he proclaimed, wiggling through his ropes. "It's been murder sitting next to a big tub of sugar without getting any!"

"Well paly," Tony barked. "We're all gonna be getting a lot of Sugar if we don't get da shell outta here!"

Archibell took out his scabbard and swung it so hard, it diced the rope in two. "You're free brother," he squawked. "Much like we are from the...!"

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Thought y'all could run from me!" Sugar said as several of her armed goons flanked her. "I hope you know I know this here factory better than I knew my daddy!"

"Now..." Archibell muttered. "I don't know if that's sad or messed up or..."

"And I'm done talkin!" Sugar said, "Get em!"

"Oh crud!" Tony screamed. "Dis is it. We're finally going to fishy heaven!"

Elise eyed the tub of molasses. "Hmm..." she said with her hand to her soft chin. "I think I know the way out of this sticky situation!"

"How?" Everyone asked.

"By getting more sticky. Help me tip this tub over."

The whole crew got behind the tub and gave it a big heave-ho (Even Tony bit down on it with his fishy mouth) and together they poured it out onto the floor. Soon, there was an army of thugs stuck to the floor like fly paper.

Everyone marveled at their handiwork. Captain Elise boldly smiled. "Argh, who's moving slower than molasses now, hardies?"

Sugar slapped her face. "Do something you ijits!"

"What can we do?" Big Bobby rasped. "We're stuck!"

"Did you inbreds forget you have guns?" Sugar shouted. "Shoot them?"

"Welp mateys," Archie grinned nervously. "Time to move faster than molasses!"

Everyone bolted as more and more gun shots erupted from behind. The crew of pirates sprinted through the factory puffing as hard as they could. They reached the lower level and headed out to their boat, leaping over the railing onto it. The Lyre rocked heavily as everyone, including Tito's heavy uncle jumped on the deck.

"Quick to the wheel!" Elise shouted, ordering Archibell.

"Spoken like a true captain!" Archibell shouted and he hopped over to the wheel.

Elise untied the rope tethering the Lyre to the dock, and they were out onto the ocean as the sun came up. Elise watched as the molasses factory rolled further and further away out into the sunrise.

They were free at last from the Cowgirl of the Sea and there was only one more piece of the trident left to go. Nothing could dash the high hopes she was feeling...until later that afternoon when they were safe and sound.