As I clutch my fists during my run, I could feel strange energy coursing through my gauntlets. It made me feel more confident in myself than I had felt in a long time like I could do anything. He then fired his electric beam, just as I was getting close. On instinct, I threw one of my fists forward, and I was shocked to see that not only had the first of my gauntlets seem to morph into some kind of spike wrecking ball, but it tore through the electric beam like it was nothing. It collided with the scythe, knocking it right out of his hand, and then I followed up with my other fist, which had also turned into a wrecking ball, and uppercut him right into the air, and almost overboard had his hand not caught the rail. I looked at the wrecking balls again in awe, only for them to revert to the hands of my gauntlets.
“Worbazz,” I swore at how effective they were. Smiling, I decided I loved these gauntlets. While Mortem was climbing back up, the others were still dealing with the Unversed, which by now the treasure chest had reattached itself to it again. Right. Time to help out. Running over to the Unversed, I decided to use my new gauntlets on it. I leaped up, throwing a punch at the Avaricious Wraith that sent it flying back through some of the odds and ends lying about, including the deck.
“Stop destroying me ship!” Hook yelled from the barrel he was hiding in.
As if on instinct I felt as though my weapon’s power as gauntlets was running out, and yet I felt as though there was still enough power for one big attack. Trusting my instincts here, I jumped as high as I could and surprisingly managed to jump above the Wraith. I charged energy into my gauntlets, putting them together as they ignited in flames that didn’t burn me. I brought my fists down on it and instinctively shouted, “Meteor Smash!” as I slammed onto its head.
There was a blinding flash of bright light, following a massive explosion that seemed to vaporize the Unversed from existence. While it ended up blowing up every barrel on board including Hook’s, the attack didn’t hurt any of us. I panted in exhaustion as my gauntlets reverted to a Keyblade. I then noticed the darkness that used to be the Unversed fly right back toward Mortem. He had just gotten back onto the ship when the darkness reentered him and he suddenly clutched his chest in pain in response.
My eyes widened a bit at this as he cringed, stumbling a bit as he clutched his chest. Upon seeing that, I felt concerned. I don’t know why, but fighting with him the way I was, I can’t explain it. It wasn’t like we were friends, but I felt more respect for him as a warrior. He did look at me while he absorbed the energy from the Unversed.
Holding up his cane, Scrooge asked, “Had enough? Or are you still hungry for more?”
Mortem cringed again, not answering Scrooge. As Leroy, who I had not seen since the skirmish started, dropped down in front of Mortem in defense, growling at us. Mortem growled himself before saying, “You’re stronger than I thought, I’ll give you that.” His voice came out a bit raspy. “Next time, I might have to take you more seriously.” He then opened a dark portal behind him.
“Mortem, wait,” Clair said. “Why did you do that? You broke off your previous battle with Jason to confront Hook.”
“None of your business.” He growled. “I have my reasons.”
“What was that, exactly? Why did my Keyblade change to those… those Power Gauntlets?” I had no idea what else to call them, so I picked the first thing that came to my mind.
He scoffed at me. “You’ve seen me transform my Keyblade, and yet you’re surprised? I don’t remember the details personally, just that Keyblade Transformation is a skill that more experienced Keybearers can use. The fact that one as inexperienced as you is capable of doing so is baffling. You’re probably better off asking someone else.” With that, he left. That just left one item of business, as we turned to Hook.
“He’s gone. Now it’s time for you to keep your end of the deal.” Scrooge said. “Your treasure. Where is it?”
Hook gulped, stumbling back as he pointed to a door that led into the inside of the ship. “I-In me cabin.”
“Good. And if you’re lying you will regret it.” I frowned.
Scrooge then entered Hook’s cabin while we kept an eye on the captain. Sniffing around, Scrooge moved around until… “Is this all?” Didn’t sound like Scrooge found a lot of treasure. Coming outside, he held up a small pouch that looked half-empty that jingled when he shook it.
“Eh, yes. Y-You said you’re going to let me go now.” Hook said shakily. I can see he’s hiding something.
“Not quite. Like I just said, we have to make sure you’re telling the truth.” I repeated.
“A pirate is always a liar. They’re horrible to keep their word, aren’t they?” Peter Pan added.
“It’s not me fault I don’t have much treasure. You stole me chest, then lost me treasure!” Hook accused Peter.
“Oh Like you lied to Mortem that Peter Pan is a bad person,” I said. “You expected us to fall for this?”
“How was I supposed to know Mortem was crazy?” The captain defended himself.
“You used him.” I frowned. “You lied to him. Told him that Peter Pan forced children to do his bidding.”
“Well, I didn’t lie about all of it. I told the truth about my hand.” The captain waved his hook.
Rolling my eyes, I said to the captain, “Just gather your men and sail as far away from this island as you can, and make sure you never come back.” I told him as I turned my back to him. No sooner than I did than I felt something sharp slice across my back, making me cry out in pain as I fell forward, while cries of shock came from my friends.
“No landlubber tells Hook what to do.” I heard Hook say as I turned around to see him raise his hook, which was now red with… Gri’s beak! He did use that thing on me! Eyes narrowing, I lunged at the captain as he prepared to strike again, and mustering all my strength I shoved Hook so hard he flew off the side of the ship towards the water.
There was this snap and a big splash, and we all looked over to see Hook, now in tattered clothes, swimming away from a large crocodile, which I swear had a ticking coming from it, as fast as he could. “Smee!” He called out as he headed for the rowboat the rest of his crew had gotten into. Several times the jaws of the large reptile snapped shut and almost caught the pirate, but Hook always pulled away at the last minute. Finally, he did a split motion to keep the jaws from closing on him, but as the crocodile forced its jaws closed the push resulted in Hook getting shot across the water calling out for Smee, who with the rest of the pirates were rowing after their captain while the crocodile gave hot pursuit.
“Heal.” As my cousin cast the healing spell on me, I felt the cut that Hook gave me close up while my strength returned. As I turned to her, Peter then raised my arm. “What are you doing?”
“Lost Boys. Let’s hear it for Jason, the honorary member of the Lost Boys!” He said while the Lost Boys started cheering my name. Okay, what was this I was feeling? I had fought, and people loved me for it. Was this… pride?
Even Scrooge had a smile on his face. “Well done, lad.”
“You’ve started to learn to listen to your conscience, and you’re feeling the joy of doing what’s right,” Jiminy said as he returned to my shoulder.
I then began to smile. “Thanks, all of you. You did so much for my cousin and me while we were here, and now I feel like I haven’t done much for you.”
“Are you kidding?” Peter asked me. “You led us on a fun game across Neverland, you came to the rescue when that Mortem almost got me, and you helped chase Hook out of Neverland. You did a lot for us.”
“So now that the pirates are gone I guess things will calm down for you.” Clair smiled.
Shaking her head, Tiger Lily says, “No matter how often Hook is chased off he comes back.”
“But that’s what makes it fun.” Peter smiled. “As long as we focus on what’s important, that old codfish will never beat us.”
What’s important? All of them here had so little, and yet they were happier than the people of Harthyn were. Was it the small and simple things, the bonds of their friendship, that made them happy? I hardly knew them, yet they considered me their friend. And somehow, I saw them as friends now too.
Tiger Lily then handed something to Clair. “I want you to have this bow. Consider it my thanks for coming to my rescue.”
“Really?” My cousin seemed surprised at that. “But isn’t this supposed to be yours or Peter’s?”
“Don’t worry. I can make another bow.” The girl then smiled. “I think it would be better if you had one to remember your visit to Neverland. I also have these for you.” She then produced a couple of red feathers for us. However, before either of us could take them they flew out of her hand and toward our Keyblades.
There was a flash of light as the feathers connected to the keychains, and then our Keyblades changed. Mine was now green with flowers forming the teeth, while Clair’s had a short green blade but a series of pipes formed the teeth on her weapon. Our eyes widened as we saw the new Keyblades in our possessions. “Whoa.”
“Looks like Neverland wanted to thank you too.” Peter smiled.
I didn’t understand that, but probably best not to ask. “Hey, Tinker Bell? Before we leave, do you think you could sprinkle some of that pixie dust you gave me on her?” I expected her to protest, but instead, she just smiled and flew over my cousin, sprinkling the dust on her.
Gasping as she began to float up, she asked, “Whoa, what? This is pixie dust? I read about it in a spellbook, but–”
“Last one back to the shore’s a codfish.” Peter smiled as we all began flying back to shore.
<Previous Next>