Captain Hook Untold (English Version)

8. Battles of sea and heart

Once there, James decided to attack other ships and villages before arriving to Silver. He wanted to prepare his new crew well before reaching the decisive battle. They spent many months at sea, and between one boarding and the other James studied very carefully all the maps that were in his cabin. He also found in a drawer of Blackbeard's notes, with many useful information written on it for a true captain. James learned quickly and in a short time he had memorized all the maps of the seas of the Neverland and he couldn't wait to explore all these new places. In addition, in his spare time, he chatted with Smee, finding in him a new father figure and, over time, a new best friend. He wasn't very smart and he was also a bit clumsy, and often irritated him, but at the same time he was useful. He was a handyman, he helped him shave, fix his cabin and so much more and he kept him well, even though James sometimes insulted him when he lost his temper. With Smee he could really confide in everything and he showed all his feelings, even when he was sad, and he let himself be hugged to find comfort.

One day, when the crew was ready, James decided to go in search of Silver and defeat him. He arrived with the ship on a new island, a place where Silver often landed, from what Blackbeard had told him. He dropped anchor and then said to his crew: "Everyone pay attention! As soon as that filibuster approaches, we have to be ready and attack him! No mercy for anyone, and then we'll have their loot, just like with all the other ships we have attacked so far!". The pirates cheered, ready for the decisive battle. They waited for a long time, then one of the crew shouted: "Ship in sight to starboard, captain!". James took the spyglass and exulted: "Great Scott, it's Silver's vessel! Mr. Smee, pipe up the crew!". The boatswain, dangling, summoned all the pirates, and they arrived unsheathing their swords. "Come on, you swabs!", James yelled, "Raise the anchor and load the cannons!". His men followed his orders, and as Silver's ship approached, James joined him with his and the battle began. After many cannon shots, James ordered his crew to jump aboard the vessel and kill everyone, taking no prisoners. It was a very long and bloody battle. Many of Silver's men died, but also many of James's crew. The latter eventually entrusted the helm to Smee, then jumped aboard too to challenge Silver face to face. The old pirate didn't have a leg, but he fought very well and was very strong, so much so that James had a hard time keeping up with him. "You don't know how much it pleases me to meet an opponent worthy of me!", he told to Silver. "I wish I could tell you the same, rookie! But the victory will be mine!", the latter replied. They challenged each other for a long time, and Silver was getting the better of him. 'I will not lose against this cripple! Never ever!', thought James furiously, 'I'll come back to you, Elizabeth! I'll triumph and I'll come back, you will never be alone again!'. Thinking about her gave him the strength to move forward in any situation. Eventually, Silver disarmed James and cornered him, but before he was hit, he pulled his hook out of his pocket and managed to parry the fatal blow from his sword. Then he kicked Silver's good leg, causing him to groan. In this way, James had time to retrieve his sword and hit the crutch he was standing with, breaking it and knocking him to the ground. Then he got on top of him, threatening him with his hook. "I underestimated you, brat!", Silver said with a grin, "I admit, you defeated me. You were stronger and smarter than old Blackbeard". James, staring into his eyes, replied: "Before I killed you, know that I was the one who killed that old buccaneer! And now everything he had belongs to me, including his ship!". Silver laughed: "Really not bad! Look, I have a proposal that you are sure to like: how about we become allies? Come with me, together we'll be unbeatable!". James spat in his face and yelled: "I have no intention of allying myself with you or anyone else, mind you! And now that I've defeated you, I'll take everything is yours and I'll go!", "Come on, lad! Think for a moment, you'll see that...", "Now that's enough, you old fool! I'll sink your ship and you will stay on this island forever! You'll never go back to your home and I'll dominate all the seas and islands that I'll meet!". That said, he called some of his men nearby and had him tied up. Then, he went back to his ship, took some things and went back to Silver. Meanwhile, his crew had prevailed against the enemy pirates. Some were still alive and begging for mercy. "Tie them up and keep an eye on them until I get back, I have something else in mind for them!", said James. He had Silver put on a lifeboat, then he too went up and rowed ashore. Once there, he untied him and gave him a bag. Inside were a bottle of rum and a gun. "If you think that you'll win, you are very wrong!", said Silver, "Sooner or later I'll leave here, I'll build a raft with my own hands!", "Good luck, then! Oh, take this, in case you feel too lonely!". James threw the body of a parrot at him. "No, Flint!", Silver yelled, "What did you do to my parrot?! Damn, you shouldn't have touched him!", "What's wrong? At least you don't risk it flying away!", James grinned. Silver, furious, took the gun and pointed it at him, but when he pulled the trigger, nothing happened. "You even gave me an unloaded gun! It's not fun!", "In fact, it's so much fun! Farewell, Silver! It was great to duel with a tough nut to crack like you!". As soon as James got into the lifeboat, Silver grabbed the bottle of rum and started drinking, but after two sips he spat and yelled: "Damn, brat! What is this stuff? It's not rum!", "Ah, ah! In fact what you are drinking is my urine! I prepared it this morning just for you! Enjoy your stay on the island!". James, as he rowed towards the ship, sang with satisfaction, while Silver cursed, cursing him.