Author´s note: So nice to have this working so great! Merry Xmas and Happy 2013, by the way! The tittle of this chapter is taken from Kipling´s Jungle Book and is surely one visual one, I tell you. I just got to know that Jack is really 14 years old (Freaking Kid!) and that there´s a new book of Sandy in the oven (*w* OMG).
Anyway, let´s go, babies! Lyrics are mine!
10. The Cold Bed
I didn´t knew about Sanderson until a long while later and was not exactly pleasant to know that he had gone missing but for now, I will let him do the talking (somehow, cuz the guy does not talk XD).
The pilot followed Scrabol who was tracking down some fearlings until they reached a large crevice. A smell of burnt skin, coal and sulphur hit his nose and Sanderson had to do his best to hold his tears from the disgusting stench. He looked into the crevice and held his breath.
It was a large forge, it went down into the asteroid´s heart and deep into the darkness while thousands of fearlings and other servants of Pitch Black worked with the dark materials on the walls of the cave. Sanderson knew at once that that couldn´t be good, he had to warn someone. But before he could float away, a crazy idea crossed his mind and he slowly flew down into the hole. Now, most of us, would say: SANDERSON! FOR THE LOVE OF A MOTHER! HAVE YOU GONE NUTS?! Cuz that´s the logical thing to say but the pilot knew what he was doing. It was dangerous but he was going to try anyway. Sanderson had once knew the glorious and noble General Kozmotis Pitchiner, hero of the Golden Age, and hoped that he could change his mind.
It wasn´t an easy task to move around the hole as it was filled with nightmare pirates, fearlings and other creatures but finally, Sanderson was able to reach one of the main galleries. The pilot looked around trying to find Pitch but he was no where to be found.
"Well, well, well" except behind him. "Look who´s here. The shooting star pilot, Captain Sanderson Mansnoozie. Did I got that right?" a toothy grin appeared on the tall man´s face. "You must be very brave to come down here or very stupid" the little guy ignored him and asked him why was he doing all this. "I think you do know the answer, Sanderson. To get rid of a fallen age, to destroy the Lunaroff legacy once and for all" the pilot goes pale and tells him that that can´t be right, he was their hero. "People change, face it. I´m no longer the puppet of those fools" Sanderson tries again but Pitch ignores him until he mentions his daughter, Seraphine. The man´s face then was filled with a mixture between rage and pain. Pitch had forgotten about his daughter due to the fearlings influence but now… Sanderson thought he had finally gotten to him but Pitch turned to him burning with rage. "How dare you speak of her?! You…" the little man feared the worst but finally Pitch contained himself and stared into those golden brown eyes. "You have no idea"
"A deep darkness holds me
As I try to find you again,
As hope drowns.
All that I believe in
Will perhaps save me,
And will lead me to you.
There is a growing concern,
A desire to reach and a doubt
Of if all am doing
Is what keeps me far.
Will someone rescue me
And put me back into your arms?
I'm so far away,
Too close
And yet so far
From my heart.
I still believe,
I keep on trying,
And I will find
The answer to this void.
I know you´ll find me there,
Breathing for one reason
Breathing for you.
I'm so far away,
Too close
And yet so far
From my heart."
Sanderson did not give up and insisted him, pleaded him to end this madness but no use as Pitch was decided.
"You are so naïve, Sanderson. Walking in here, trying to make me change and not telling your friends. You are not naïve but a fool" the little man stood his ground and pleaded Pitch to forget about Manny, something which the general answered with a cruel cackle. "How can you be so blind? Why save a child who will continue the legacy of tyranny and gold? Why are you so keen about protecting him?" Sanderson gives him a look. "Very well, since you have made up your mind, I shall act thus. I will not kill the boy but make him my prince instead. I shall battle my enemies as a gentleman. And... I will think about your stupid rant" he said this crossing his fingers behind his back, of course (What do you expected?). "But I cannot say the same about you, Mansnoozie" the little man went pale. "You have walked into my territory unprotected and alone. And of course, I can´t allow you to just walk away" Sanderson pleaded with his eyes. "Oh, don´t worry. You are no use to me dead... for now" he bent and whispered in his ear. The pilot looked at the man in the eyes as he put his fingers before Sanderson´s forehead and before the shooting star could react, he was hit by a flick that spread something dark and cold over his face. Sanderson tried to stay focused and awake but his world became darkness and seconds later, he had passed away. "Get this runt out of my sight but treat him well. I want him breathing for the moment!" Pitch walked towards the darkest part of the tunnels while a few fearlings carried Sanderson away.
Not too long but enough to give the shivers.
Poor Sandy!
Will Shogun make it on time to save him?
Next Clue: Swab the Deck