"Oh, this stupid map is worthless," Nateah grumbled, flinging the soaked parchment to the cavern's rocky floor. "Serves me right trusting that scoundrel. Hrmff! 'Map of the Pirate Caves' my--OH!" the Usul dived out of the way, as a large boulder slammed into the ground where she had been standing only moments before. Shaking, she crouched in a small alcove along the wall. "What a horrid, horrid place!" she said, glaring at the boulder. "Why in Neopia did Hannah come down here?! How could my sister have been so stupid?"

Alone, cold, and scared, Nateah sat in the darkness of the caverns. Maybe she shouldn't have come. After all, Hannah was pretty tough, she... she's been gone two weeks, the Usul thought to herself. How could she possibly be alright after all this time? She had to know her sister's fate. Smirking as the thought crossed her mind, Nateah hoped that Hannah had been caught by pirates. At least, in that case, she still had a chance of being rescued. However, if she'd been trapped in a watery cave... or not been able to avoid a falling boulder... Nateah shuddered. She had to keep her thoughts positive.

Resolute once more, Nateah determined that if she ever wanted to see her sister again, she would have to brave. The Usul got up and crawled out of the alcove. She glanced over at the now completely useless map smashed beneath the boulder, and sighed. Turning around, she gripped a rock ledge and hoisted herself up, where she was met by another short ledge, about her own height. She was just about to climb up, when she thought she'd heard something ahead. Cautiously, she peered over the edge...

There was a slight pause, then another voice was heard. "N-No sir," a pirate Aisha replied, shaking. "She were escapin' whilst we questioned 'er in regards to the whereabouts of the treasure."

Plumbeard snarled, giving the Aisha a swift kick in the shin. "Don't give me that nonsense," he growled. "Be makin' yerself useful an' go get 'er back!"

"Aye aye, Captain," the crew shouted simultaneously.

Nateah watched as they began to leave the scene... all but the captain, who remained frozen. "Pawkers, go scan the area," he muttered. "We'll find that girl yet." A black Pawkeet cawed loudly, and began to fly around in circles.

Plumbeard cocked an eyebrow. "Aye, ye found somethin' already?" he asked. Suddenly, Pawkers swooped over Nateah's hiding spot!

Nateah shrieked. "Shoo, you pesky bird!" she cried.

Plumbeard grinned. "Well, well... she was hiding here all along."

The Usul gasped... they thought she was Hannah!...

...As Nateah tried to run away, the black Pawkeet grabbed onto her bow, pecking and clawing at her while Plumbeard and the Aisha surrounded her.

"That's enough, Pawkers!" he bellowed. The Pawkeet looked at his master, as if he was far too supreme to be shouted at, but obeyed his orders anyway. No one, not even his own team, would want to get on the wrong side of Plumbeard.

He grabbed Nateah's arm, while the Aisha grabbed the other one.

"Now then, Hannah," he said with a sly grin spread upon his face. "Where is this treasure hidden? If ye don't be tellin' us, then we'll be havin' no choice but te' tie ye up here forever. No food, no water... ye won't last a day! Isn't that right, Dack?"

Dack nodded his head, the same grin spreading upon his face. "Aye, ye won't be lastin' a day! Come on, let's take 'er to the rest o' the crew!"

"I'm not Hannah!" she shrieked. "I'm Nateah! How dare ye mistake me for that pesky Usul! I be a pirate... arr!" she said, trying in vain to sound like one. "I think I may know where she be headed, too!" she exclaimed, somewhat shakily, but still maintaining her pirate accent.

"Are ye tellin' the truth?" Plumbeard asked. "If ye really are a pirate, then I'll need ye te answer a few questions."

Nateah gulped. She knew nothing about pirates, just that they were rough, and very dangerous. Nateah's fright was beginning to show.

"Yer not scared, are ye?" Plumbeard asked. "If yer tellin the truth, then ye've got nothin' to be scared about! If yer not, though..."

He rubbed his hands together, obviously thinking about the consequences Nateah would face if she wasn't telling the truth.

"First question!" boomed Plumbeard. "What do we pirates call out treasure?"

"That one be easy," replied Nateah. "Loot."

"Right answer! Second and final question."

Nateah felt slightly relieved when Plumbeard announced that it was the final question. She just hoped that she would know the answer.

"What ship did ye sail on ter get here?"

Nateah felt like a block of ice had fallen into the pit of her stomach. She didn't know the names of ANY pirate ships. Suddenly though, when she thought all hope was lost, she remembered the name of a ship she'd read about in a book not long ago.

"I sailed on the Dark Requiem."

Both Plumbeard and Dack were astonished.

"Ye mean the very ship that the most bad, most evil captain of all time resides on?"

"Yeah, that be right," replied Nateah, quivering.

"Ye've passed the test. Ye can join us on the search for that pesky Usul. We could be usin' someone like you. It must be such an honour being part of the Dark Requiem. Just sayin' the name of that ship spreads fear into the heart of any Neopian!"

"Yeah, we definitely know how to spread fear," said Nateah, trying to sound as evil as possible.

Now that she was with the pirates and had gained their trust, Nateah could use their aid to find her sister. Not only would she be safer but it would also ensure that the pirates didn't get to her sister any sooner then she would. It was a brilliant plan, and Nateah would soon be reunited with her sister once again. She just had to hope that nothing went wrong in the meantime...

However, Nateah wasn't a pirate of the Dark Requiem--she was just a little Usul, who was looking for her sister. So, when they stopped to break out the hardtack for lunch, she leaned back as casually as she could against the rock wall, hoping for a little unobtrusive rest.

However, the instant her back touched the stone, she felt something give. It put her off balance, and she stumbled, then fell--backwards! The stone had moved aside, and now she was falling into a secret passage!

She rolled and tumbled down the passage's wet, broken steps: bump, bump, bump. Finally she came to a stop, landing on her tail. Standing up gingerly, nothing seemed to be broken or sprained (though she was a little bruised, and her tail was sore). Far above, she could hear the irate voice of Captain Plumbeard echoing, "Where are ye, Nateah of the Dark Requiem? Ye haven't deserted, have ye?"

The passageway was lit by a strange, greenish-glowing fungus. From there, Nateah was able to see that she could either climb back up toward the pirates, or go further into the passage. Well, she thought, I'm already down here. I might as well see where it goes.

Carefully (she didn't want another long fall!), Nateah made her way down the stairs. There were strange markings on the wall, writings and pictograms she couldn't decipher, as if some long-gone civilization had created this place. That was the funniest thing: it looked built, not natural like the other caves. Someone must have put it here, hidden it, and left it here undisturbed until she just happened to lean against the entranceway.

She finally rounded the last curve in the stairs. The final room was beautifully carved, with benches shaped like seaweed-flowers, and tall pillars carved to look like Peophin dancing on the tips of their tails. Then, in the middle of the room, there was a marble pedestal shaped like a Water Faerie. It sat on the graceful curves of her tail, with one hand raised above her head. Nestled in the palm of the statue's hand was a beautiful stone: deep green, multi-faceted, and giving off a warm glow that bathed the whole room.

Nateah was entranced. The stone was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Crossing the room, passing benches and pillars, she stopped in front of the Water Faerie statue. Reverently, she reached out for the stone...

...As she touched it with her hand, the soft glow of the jewel seemed to fluctuate, making light dance 'round the room like waves. Nateah gently touched the stone, running a finger down the side. Gaining courage when the world didn't come to a cataclysmic end, she lifted the strange item from its place, then held it up to the light.

Green light flooded the room, momentarily blinding the young Usul. She flung her arms over her head and crouched on the ground, still clutching the gem. The sound of stone grinding and crumbling filled her hearing, as she cautiously peered through her makeshift barrier.

Marble tumbled to the floor, making a deep, resonant thud. Nateah's eyes widened as, right in front of her, the marble Faerie began to move, emitting a soft green glow of its own.

As the last of the marble fell to the ground, the Faerie yawned as she tossed her shimmering hair over one shoulder. Nateah was fascinated to see that, although the statue had been completely dry, tiny rivelets of water trickled down her, pooling at the bottom of the pedestal.

The Water Faerie hadn't seemed to have noticed the cowering Usul yet, and Nateah didn't have a clue as to what she should say. For some reason, she was finding it difficult to say anything to a stone Faerie, who had disintergrated and magically turned into an actual Faerie... she couldn't imagine why. Nateah finally plucked up the courage to say something, and began by coughing gently. The Faerie sharply turned her head to look at the Usul; her expression didn't look very welcoming...

"Who are you?" the Faerie demanded calmly, her expression lightening slightly.

Nateah swallowed hard. "I-I'm Nateah."

The Faerie sniffed, sticking her nose in the air. "Hmph! And I suppose you are the one who has taken my stone?"

She looked through the corner of her eye at Nateah. The Usul nodded.

"Y-yes! I'm s-so s-s-sorry!" she stammered, even more afraid. "I-I thought y-you were a st-statue!!"

"Stop stuttering child!" the Faerie shouted, angry. "I can't understand you!"

"I'm s-sorry!" Nateah mumbled, suppressing her stammers. She held out the stone. "You may have it back!"

The Faerie recoiled with a long screech. "Noooo!"

Nateah immediately pulled the stone back. She suddenly felt as though she were talking to a child. "It's ok! I'm just trying to give you the stone back!"

"Keep... that... AWFUL thing... away!" the Faerie panted, her eyes still wide in fear. "I'll do... anything! Just... don't touch... me!"

Nateah looked at the Faerie curiously. "What has this stone done to you?" she asked.

"It will turn me back into a statue!" the Faerie screamed, as if Nateah were an idiot.

Nateah thought to herself for a moment. "Help me find my sister, and I will rid you of the stone, making sure that it never touches you again!"

"I don't serve mortals... not for any price!" the Faerie said haughtily.

Nateah smiled maliciously, then pretended to throw the stone at the Faerie. Immediately the Faerie shrieked again, drawing back. Upon realizing she hadn't been hit with the stone, she settled down.

The Faerie considered the situation for a moment, then sighed impatiently. "Ask for anything, and I'll give it to you."

"I just want my sister," Nateah mumbled. "I don't need anything else."

The Faerie nodded in an understanding manner. "Very well. I can..."

"...just use a simple spell to tell us where your sister is. No problem."

"You can?" Nateah asked. "I mean, it's just that easy?" The Faerie threw her a haughty glance, tossing her glistening blonde hair vainly.

"Of course it's easy. Easy for me, anyway," she scoffed, "After all, I am Mahtahli, the Great Water Faerie." She drew herself up importantly, as though waiting for a reaction.

Nateah merely blinked, confused. After a moment, Mahtahli looked down at her, scowling darkly.

"What's wrong with you?" she demanded, "Haven't you ever heard of the Great Water Faerie?"

"N-No..." Nateah stammered, hoping desperately that this wouldn't stop Mahtahli from finding her sister.

"Hmph," Mahtahli grumbled like a slighted child, "I never did like Usuls."

After a moment, Nateah timidly spoke again. "Excuse me, Great Water Faerie... but would it be all right if you used that spell to find my sister now?"

"Ugh, I suppose," Mahtahli muttered, "But, if you ask me, Neopia would be better off with one less Usul..."

The Great Water Faerie straightened herself up, muttered a few words that Nateah didn't understand, then snapped her fingers.

Instantly, a glowing orb appeared, hovering in the air before Mahtahli. She looked into it skeptically.

"Is this your sister?" she asked. Nateah ran over and peered in.

"Oh, yes!" she exclaimed. Sure enough, there was Hannah. Plumbeard and his cronies stood over her menacingly.

"Now, Hannah, tell us where the treasure be," he demanded.

"I'll never tell you!" Hannah cried.

Nateah frowned. So, the pirates had found Hannah after all. Well, she should be able to sneak back in and save her. After all, the pirates all believed her to be a sailor on the Dark Requiem.

"Pity that we lost track of Nateah," Plumbeard sighed, "We could be usin' a bit of the Dark Requiem's methods right about now."

"Nateah?!" Hannah gasped, startled. "My sister was here?"

Darn you, Hannah, you just had to tell them! Nateah thought bitterly as Plumbeard and the other pirates started.

"Sister?!" the captain roared, "I should've known better'n to trust that lyin' vixen!"

Nateah looked away from the orb. Mahtahli was studying her nails, not even attempting to disguise her boredom.

"Where are they?" Nateah asked.

"Plumbeard's hideout, about ten minutes away," Mahtahli yawned, "The orb will show you how to get there." She began to move away.

"Wait a second!" Nateah snapped, "You need to help me find Hannah. That was our deal."

"I did help you find her," Mahtahli said, rolling her eyes, "You never said anything about saving her. You're on your own for that, kid. Now, if you'll excuse me..." The Faerie snapped her fingers, and Nateah found herself outside the secret entrance once more.

"Stupid, vain, lying..." Nateah muttered as she reached out and took hold of the orb, which now showed a map of the caves leading to Plumbeard's hideout.

Maybe saving Hannah would be more difficult than she'd thought...

I could drop a boulder, or make some noise, and while they're tending to that I could grab Hannah, Nateah thought doubtfully. Moving quickly along the dimly-lit hallway, she peered around the corner, and into to Plumbeard's hideout.

"I'll take ye prisoner, and ye know what happens to prisoners!" roared Plumbeard. He drew his ragged finger in a line across his throat. Hannah defiantly stared back at him.

Nateah cringed; she had to do something fast. Leaning over, she set the orb on the ground, as she'd be needing a free hand.

A loud, clinking sound followed. The glowing green gem had slid out of her pocket! Plumbeard turned in her direction, then dashed towards the end of the passage, shouting, "It's the lyin' vixen! You--" his eyes widened in surprise. "You have the Jewel of Mahtahli... GET HER! She be havin' the treasure!" he roared...

She had chosen a random passage, and had no idea where she was heading, but all Nateah wanted was to get as far from the pirates as possible. Behind hurried footsteps (and the "clump" of Plumbeard's wooden leg) resounded throughout the passage. Nateah could tell that the pirates were getting close, and she would never be able to outrun them--that's when she had an idea.

The pirates could only see her by the light that the gem was emitting. If she covered it, they would be blind, which seemed like her only chance of escaping.

Nateah jumped onto a boulder and, wrapping the corner of her coat around the glowing green gem, caused the cave's light to instantly change from a luminous green to a pitch black. The sound of the footsteps slid to a halt, followed by the sound of Plumbeard's roaring, and of bodies colliding with each other.

Nateah couldn't help smiling. She heard the Aisha curse and pick himself up, while Plumbeard bellowed.

"She can't have gone far," he shouted. "We'll have to listen for her footsteps... come on!" The pirates began running again. Nateah grinned to herself, thinking that those stupid pirates would be wandering around the caves forever trying to find her! She quietly slipped off the boulder, then began doubling back towards her sister...

...just to come face-to-face with a grumpy pirate, who'd been left to guard Hannah. Catching him by surprise, Nateah scooped up a stone and slammed it into his head, but not before he let out a startled, "OI!"

"Hannah..." she whispered urgently, pulling back a tiny corner of her coat to reveal a jet of green light. Nateah motioned for Hannah to follow her, then began slinking silently down a passageway. Praying that they were on the way out, she cautiously hurried along. Hannah, who was creeping along behind her, suddenly froze and clapped a hand on Nateah's shoulder.

"Nateah, listen..." she gasped fearfully. Nateah paused and strained her ears, then heard footsteps drumming. The pirates had doubled back; they were coming!

"Hannah, do you remember the way out?" Nateah muttered. Hannah looked down with uncertainty, but darted forward. Nateah felt her heart sink through the icy waters as the footsteps boomed louder. There had to be a faster way! Meanwhile, Hannah was murmuring, "Left, right... right... the tunnel should be here..." Unfortunately, though, they ran into a dead end.

Whirling around wildly, Nateah searched for a way out. The pirates were too close; she could hear Plumbeard's shrieks. Nateah was running her hand along the walls, in false hope of a secret passageway to safety. Hannah plunged a hand into her packet for the map, then fumbled to read it by the light of the gem.

"The entrance was here... the exit should be here, where we are... IT ISN'T HERE!" she wailed in anguish. Hannah lost her hopes and began to pound the walls. Nateah rushed towards her, fearful that the pirates would be drawn to the sound. As they bumped, the Jewel of Mahtahli fell out of Nateah's coat, and from it the green light shone bright. With a moan, Nateah went to pick it up as it rolled to the wall, but in worry bumped her head against a rock.

Leaning her neck back in pain as Hannah fretted, Nateah's eye caught something on the ceiling. Something that looked like--

"Dynamite!" Nateah exclaimed, leaping up. "Hannah, look! If only we could reach it, we could explode our way out. The exit is supposed to be here!" By now, though, Plumbeard was nearly upon them.

"THERE THEY ARE! GET THE SCOUNDRELS!" Hannah jumped to reach the dynamite that lay between them and the pirates, but her efforts were in vain. Nateah's frantic gaze fell on the jewel and, scooping up the gem, she threw it with all her might towards the dynamite, just as she pulled her sister close to the shelter of the dead end wall.

"NOO!" Plumbeard cried in horror as the gem struck the dynamite, exploding in a blast. The cave roof came down, causing rocks to block their path to the two Usuls.

"That was amazing, Nateah!" Hannah shouted, hugging her sister. They eagerly crawled up the rock debris into the fresh air and sunshine. "Next time I go searching for treasure in the caves, I'm definetly bringing you along!" Nateah didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The End