After all those reviews, only two people cared that I updated? That is sad. So Big Bang sad...

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Dedication: to saiyuki123, and Jen711. They were the only two to review.

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Disclaimer- I own nothing. NOTHING!

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The Night had arrived. Mermaid Lagoon was decked out in splendid colors of undersea tones. The rocks were decorated with multicolored seaweeds and starfish that had little blue eyes. The cliffs had been hung with fairy lights that glowed blue and white. Sea delicacies were placed on a rock cliff that was positioned just above the water's surface, so both mermaid and non-merperson could reach the treats. The mermaids were decked out in their best and a fairy band played their enchanting music high above the festivities. (They couldn't risk getting either their wings or instruments wet.) The moon was full and bright. Stars glittered enticingly from their safe places in the sky.

Mermaids swam about, laughing, talking and comparing gifts. Mermaids were extremely vain about their gifts that they gave for birth-nights. They spent several weeks beforehand choosing, re-choosing, throwing away and carefully selecting gifts. They each were convinced that their gift was the best. Star remained outside of the festivities that were in full swing. She wanted to wait until High Queen Rhulaina had made her appearance. Star wanted to add the stars to her new tiara with everyone watching.

Peter suddenly dove from the dark sky, making all the girls scream with fright/delight, and placed his gift on the very top. The older ones scolded him playfully, and he played across the surface of the water. The girls played with him, laughing and splashing him with water. He laughed and spun one up into the air, her delight filled scream of joy caused so many to laugh. Where was High Queen Rhulaina?

A cascade of white bubbles lifted from the deep, lifting from the surface, and lifting up with them, the High Queen Rhulaina. Her pure blonde hair sparkled with ice droplets and her tail had been dyed a gorgeous orange/pink, like a sun setting sky. Her crown of pearls and gold shone in the lights. She seemed to walk on the water to her throne that had been brought from the deeps. She sat on it, and smiled at the inhabitants of the island that had gathered for her.

"High Queen Rhulania, I crave your attention!" cried Star, swimming into the center of the party. Everyone fell quiet, staring at the bold little mermaid. High Queen Rhulania stared kindly at the youngest of her subjects.

"Come child." she said, lifting her ringed hand to the girl. Star approached the throne, her box held high in her hands.

"If it pleases you, Queen of the Merpeople, may I finish it for you?" asked Star, as High Queen Rhulania took the box from the mergirl.

"We shall see." replied High Queen Rhulania, lifting the cover from the box. With a gasp of delight, she pulled out the tiara. It sparkled in the lamplight. "It's so lovely. What more could you possibly add?" she asked, placing it upon her head.

"Stars..." breathed Star, holding her hand up to the night sky and singing one pure unfiltered note. Three lights danced from the sky to the mermaids palm. Nobody dared to move, to breathe. The stars might blow away. Even High Queen Rhulania didn't breathe. Looking down upon the stars with love, Star crooned another note, and the stars leaped from her hand unto the tiara. Everyone, even the fairies remained absolutely still.

"For you, High Queen of the Ocean." The lagoon burst into applause that shook the lanterns and gifts. The assembly swam about, awed and rather humble. The High Queen was about to wave her scepter, when a cannon ball shot through the lanterns blocking off the entrance to the rest of the ocean surrounding it. Jolly boats started in, pirates chanting bloodthirsty chants and firing off pistol shots.

Mermaids screamed and dove, instantly deserting the cove. Several of the older ones charged the boats, successfully knocking one or two over and dealing with the pirates in the water. The High Queen was escorted into the depths by her entourage, signaling for the others to follow. Soon, the entire cove was deserted except for Peter diving and tormenting the pirates into leaving. They left without a fight, quickly vanishing into the night.

Peter was so busy crowing in victory that he didn't see a net being pulled under one of the boats with Star enclosed in it's suffocating grasp...

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How long she was dragged she didn't know. All she remembered the next day was being hauled to the deck of the ship and a shadow looming over her, laughing quietly, triumphantly.

When she had awoken that morning, she was in a large tub (think community center kiddie pool, only a bit deeper) and she was inside four wooden walls. She had no window to see outside with and no hope of seeing the stars. Where was she? Who had done this? Where were the stars?

She began to thrash about in a panic, rocking the tub threateningly. She began to scream with a high-pitched tune that made men shudder and clap their hands to their ears in a vain attempt to silence the ear-drum scrapping scream. Two filthy pirates cannonballed into the room, shouting at the top of their lungs for her to shut up. She screamed all the higher and louder.

The door opened quietly, and everyone, even Star, fell silent.

"Leave her be, gentlemen." The quiet command sent the two pirates bowing and scrapping out of the room. Star stared as the Captain of the Jolly Roger, Captain Jas. Hook, stepped into the room.

"Now then, my dear," he said, sitting down on a chair that was sitting next to her tub. "Let's begin."