CH.4: Magic and Cunning
"So, I take it this boss of yours really needs my help huh?" Hook wore a wry grin just thinking of his status and how it reached his ears.
"He doesn't really need your help…it just happens a certain act of yours caught his eye." Roland sat with his arms crossed as one of his men rowed them forward. Instead of take the ship back they took the row boat…just to draw less attention.
"Why is it you left your crew behind?" Hook found this rather suspicious.
"My crew will be following…from a distance…and only once we have made it safely to my boss. You see, we two have been in this business a long time, bound to be change you see?"
"I suppose," Hook shrugged wondering where he was getting at.
"James…the age of pirates, especially for old ones like ourselves is coming to an end. In order to extend our time here we need to extend ourselves beyond Neverland-."
Hook was aghast at the very idea. The whole concept made him sick to his stomach. "Roland, Neverland is our home; it is our very livelihood as Pirates. To where do you suggest we go?" Hook sat back and then heard a familiar ticking noise.
"He will explain once you meet him. Though, think of it like…an extended vacation, someday you will return to Neverland…better then you were before…and richer." He knew this got the crusty old pirate for he perked up forgetting the croc following them.
"Riches…what is the catch?" Hook heard them stop and as he looked up he saw a man staring down at him.
"I request your service in taking over a certain Kingdom." Cedric held out a hand and as he helped the good Captain onto his ship he gripped his hand tightly.
"Kingdom, hmm, what Kingdom is that?" Hook gripped the man's hand tighter and his hook twirled his mustache.
Cedric grimaced at the tight iron lock of the man's grip and extended his magic of the amulet making his grip stronger then before. "You were there once…kidnapping a certain young princess."
"Enchancia…sounds tempting," Hook grunted finding he had little in him to go up against him. Falling to one knee as he lost feeling in his hand he saw the man release him.
"Oh it should be more then that Captain. I hear from the local pirates that your luck in treasure is quite…lacking. Help me take over the Kingdom and place myself on the throne and you shall have more treasure then you know what to do with."
Hook stood up and looked at the man closely. He did not look that strong, nor did he possess the killer instinct most pirates held. And yet, for some reason he held a power about him that made him tremble in his boots. There was something else at work here…something mystifying.
"Captain Hook, what do you have going for you here? You have a complement of 4 in your crew, a ship that is an antique, not to mention your gold plunder has about the value of your life. It is time you look beyond the veil of obscurity here…and look on to fame and fortune. A Captain is only good as his fame, his infamous actions that carry across to other parts of the worlds."
Hook mused over this as he looked out over the rail. It was true…his time in Neverland hadn't been the most fortuitous; given the loss of his hand to a croc and dealing with meddlesome brats like Jake and his crew. Enchancia, from what he saw, bolstered on wealth and opportunity, plus Roland appeared to be quite handy with a sword, a rematch was bound to happen.
"Perhaps a demonstration of my power will help you decide quicker?" Cedric nodded his head to Roland and he edged Hook closer to the edge.
"Hey…what gives…unhand me this instant!" Hook's heart began to beat fast and his pulse raced, oh no he thought, it is him.
Tic Toc Croc was making his way over to the boat, his tail working through the water speeding his approach. Slowly as he made his way out his eyes blinked and his jaw clamped shut allowing the Captain to freeze in fear.
"This Croc…he scares you doesn't he?" Cedric smiled seeing the Captain nod his head feebly. "In that case…how about we get rid of him once and for all?"
Hook turned his head slowly and saw as the man began to move his hands deftly through the air. His face was concentrated and around his neck an amulet glowed. So…he thought, that amulet the Princess wore held more power than imagined. I should've stolen it when I had the chance.
"Any last words to your mortal foe?" Cedric's hands began to glow yellow and his feet began to lift off the ground.
"Farewell annoying crocodile…rest eternally…for you shall never taste Hook again." Hook didn't believe anything would happen, as his belief in magic was about as strong as his belief in fairies.
"Time to go into the beyond…Croc of the clock!" Summoning forth a strong element of lighting he shot it forth into the forth, a thrumming sound filling his ears as the croc writhed about in pain until at last it ceased to move or make a sound.
"Y-You killed it…I don't hear that internal blasted clock! Who are you by the way?" Hook was incredulous, honest shock in his voice as he never had the nerve to kill the foul beast himself.
"I am Cedric, royal Sorcerer of the Kingdom of Enchancia. Now Hook…about your answer-."
"My dear sir, for ridding me of that beast, I will gladly help take this Kingdom in your behalf. Captain James Hook…at your service." Hook bowed and wore a smile.
"I am relieved to hear you say this…for without you this plan would surely fail. We shall take Enchancia at dawn, I suggest you get a good night sleep for the battle will be a long and most difficult one."
Cedric watched as Hook walked off and then looked into the water. This wasn't even the full might of his power, a mere simple spell of channeling lightning through one's body and extending it out through their hands. Of course it did drain the individual; had the amulet not been on him such an act would leave him panting and laying on his back.
"What about Jake and his friends? They seemed quite distressed when Hook was taken." Roland stood at his side and cracked his neck.
"They will not pose much of a risk to my plans. Still, it would be wise to set up a barricade, I do not wish them getting to Hook. Killing the Croc was fine and all…but something tells me Hook will betray me if they come for him."
Roland nodded his head and stroked his hair on his face. "I noticed they had two girls in their company, both were dressed in attire not from here-."
"Princess Sofia and Amber, sisters from the Kingdom of Enchancia where I also come from," he mused to himself, then to Roland, "capture them if you can. Having them as bargaining chips will lower the defense of Enchancia and make the take over that much easier."
"Is Enchancia really that dangerous?" Roland had faced many difficult foes in his past, this Kingdom probably had the same caliber of men.
Cedric shrugged and held the amulet. "To that it is hard to ascertain, for you see, the Kingdom has never been that vulnerable or had all of the complement of soldiers at guard. Hook will get us in, from there it is up to your men to ensure I make it to the throne room…I have an old friend I need to take care of."
"You remember your promise-?"
"Yes of course, you shall get your gold and trinkets," Cedric waved it off like it was never truly forgotten, sort of like an insult to one of his intellect. To forget this among pirates would be like signing his own death warrant.
"Long as you don't forget…the Kingdom will be yours under the might of the full usage of the Pirates of Neverland." Roland walked away and cracked his knuckles, just giving the little man reason to fear them.
Cedric watched as the fleet of ships began to arrange themselves into a formidable barricade. Soon the fight would begin…and once dawn approached they would take Enchancia and once and for all he would be rid of the good Roland, King of Enchancia. Rubbing his hands together he smoothed his hair only to have it stand on end. "I really need to remember when my hands are charged," Cedric sighed.
Hook sat in a cabin as he looked out the window. He heard the heavy footsteps of Roland; knowing the meeting was over he decided to get out of his room and stretch his legs. Each Pirate was given a cabin; so it was a tight fit, he noted as he stumbled over someone's legs. The Croc was dead, he was finally free of its infernal ticking, still…what did that leave of him to fear? Stopping as he heard a familiar voice he looked down and his eyes it up with familiarity.
"No way…what are you doing here?"
Authors note: The end is nigh and Hook has joined forces with Cedric. A great battle is on the horizon and a race to stop Cedric from invading Enchancia puts everything on the line. Who is it that Hook found onboard the ship…and will this change him or possibly sway his decision of joining Cedric? Expect a clash of power between Sofia and Cedric in the finale. See you in the petulant coming chapter.