Neverland's Angel

Chapter 28

At Peter's command the Indian braves, led by Tiger Lily, clamored overboard and attacked the pirate holding the lost boys captive. The pirates released their hold on the boys in order to preserve their lives. Peter lost sight of Emily and Hook in the tumultuous fighting. Panic gripping his chest, he smashed his head into one pirate and kicking the other with his feet. Peter was free. He jumped up into the air, straining against the ropes that bound his wrists, trying to find Emily. A gunshot rang out over the ship silencing the fighting. Dread lodged into Peter's stomach and he frantically turned towards the sound. Pirates, lost boys and braves parted around the Captain whose pistol was raised in the air, smoke curling from its barrel. "Come down boy and tell your men to surrender, if you want her to live." Hook demanded as he pressed his hook into the girl's cheek. The tip drawing a drop of bright crimson, making Emily let out a small whimper. Peter's heart clenched as he watched the blood trickle down Emily's neck. He slowly floated down to the deck. Pirates pounced, dragging Peter in front of Hook and roughly forcing him to his knees. Hook sneered down at the boy, and then lifted his eyes. "Listen well all of you, to the downfall of Peter Pan!" Hook spit. "Once upon a time there was a boy who never wanted to grow up. He thought himself invincible, without weakness, impervious to attack. He lived a carefree life tormenting the pirates who sailed the waters of his island. He thought his life was complete. Then one fateful day things changed. He met a girl, and he realized for the first time that he was incomplete, that he had a weakness. And it was in the form of a silly girl. A silly girl who could make or break the Great Pan with a single word!" Hook turned his attention to Peter. Raising Emily higher."She is such a delightsome little thing isn't she? All those stories, the flying, fighting side by side. It stirred feelings inside you Pan did it not? New and exciting feelings! You craved her smile, you lived for her laughter, and you longed for the next magical moment when it was just the two of you. Your heart pounded when she was near, you felt dizzy, and you felt brighter than the stars when she looked at you." Hook forced Emily's to gasp and struggle. "Yes Peter that look! The one that set your skin ablaze. The look of someone who cares deeply for another. The look that, dare I say it, the look that meant she loved you. But Dear ME! What an awkward situation! Peter Pan cannot love! It is part of the riddle of his being; it's what makes him... a tragedy." Peter's eyes grew wide. His heart thudded painfully in his chest. Why was Hook doing this to them? Hook smiled maliciously. He could see the wheels turning in Pan's head and he was delirious with the power he finally held over the boy. Hook roared, swung Emily around, and bashed her on the head with his hook. "NO!" Peter and the lost boys cried. Emily slumped to the deck, blood oozing out of the gash on her head. Hook crouched down and lifted Emily's body up. "Peter Pan is a Coward because Love... makes you weak!" Hook hissed and turned to Peter. "Isn't that right Pan?" This conversation was too familiar, the situation too dangerous, Emily in Hook's grasp and Peter helpless to save her. No! This could not happen, not now. Peter glared up at Hook and as he spoke, he felt renewed strength pour through his veins, feeling more invincible the more he spoke. "You're right Hook. Emily is important to me; she is my world, my most important thing, my happiest thought. But you are wrong about one thing... Love is not a weakness." Peter burst upright, breaking the ropes that bound him, grabbed a sword off the nearest pirate and stabbed at Hook. Caught off guard Hook was merely able to block the blow with his hook. The lost boys and Indians cheered and started an attack of their own. Tiger Lily ran to help Emily stand up. "Do you think you can fight?" The Indian princess asked. Emily held a hand to her head, "Yeah, I can" Tiger Lily nodded. "Good, stand by me. We have a plan to help Flying Eagle. We brought along an old friend of the Captain's." Emily's eyes lit up, realizing who she meant. "Oh that is perfe...Watch out!" Emily grabbed the Indian princess and pulled her out of the path of Mullin's sword. Tiger Lily swiftly put an arrow into his leg. Mullins howled and backed off. Tiger Lily turned to Emily with newfound appreciation and handed her Mullin's sword. "Fight strong, Emily!" Emily nodded and headed into the fray, followed closely by Tiger Lily. On the other side of the ship Hook swerved as Peter flew and slashed by. Hook growled. "SMEE GET ME A SWORD!" The clumsy first mate bumbled his way over to the Captain, sword in hand. "H..here you go Cap'n." Hook snatched the sword and searched for Pan with rage filled eyes. But Pan found him first. "Have at thee!" Peter yelled landing on the deck. He advanced towards Hook. Lung. Parry. Block. Peter's moves were swift and calculated. Hook's were strong and forceful. They were equally matched. Swords clashed, Hook locked Peter's sword against his own, pulling the boy towards him. "You said Love was not a weakness, but that is all I see. She makes you weak Pan. She makes you venerable. She is the chink in your armor." Hook sneered. Peter yanked his sword out of Hook's grasp. "Wrong again old man! She makes me stronger, she makes me want to fight harder." "And what if she was taken from you Pan? What then?" Peter lunged at the captain. "That will never happen." Hook blocked his approach easily. Hook slashed out at Peter. Peter blocked it and advanced on Hook."She will leave you, Pan, they always do." "NO!" Peter swung his sword with all his might. Hook's words were worming into Peter's mind, making it hard to fly, he was sinking. Hook lashed out, cutting Peter across the shoulder. Peter cried out in pain. He glanced over and saw a flash of blue. Mouth set in grim determination Peter attacked Hook again. "She said she loves me! And I love her!" Peter slashed Hook's arm. Blood poured from the wound. "Insolent boy!" Hook roared. "What do you know about love?" As Peter fought he thought of all the special little moments he and Emily had shared. All of her smiles, laughs, and tender touches. He thought about taking care of their dates, their wedding, and watching her and the baby inside her grow. A swelling feeling rose up in Peter's chest until he could hardly contain it. Peter stuck one last mighty blow and stabbed. Hook faltered and missed the block, the sword going straight into his gut. Peter looked Hook dead in the eyes, hand catching Hook's hook as it swung down. Seeing the life bleed out of the captain Peter spoke. "I know more of love than you." Peter pulled out his sword and shoved Hook down, leaving the pirate to bleed out. Peter looked down at his long time enemy."Old, alone, and finished."Peter left the fading pirate and went to find Emily. He scooped her up as she was about to strike at him. "OH! Oh! Peter I thought you were a pirate!" Emily exclaimed. She saw red on Peter's shoulder, "Peter are you alright? Goodness what's happened? Where's Hook?" Peter chuckled at Emily's spill of words. He brushed her hair tenderly out of her face. "I'm fine, Hook is either dead, or soon will be." Relieved Peter let out a breath. Taking one of Emily's hands, and ignoring the fighting around them, he brushed his thumb over her belly. "Emily, are you..." A sudden gun shot sounded across the ship. Emily's eyes went wide and she doubled over. Peter hurried to catch her, his hand touching something sticky. Hook stood behind Emily, hand staunching the blood gushing from his wound. Hook staggered and dropped the pistol, falling to his knees. With one last laugh he looked at Peter. "Now it is you who is finished."