Chapter 18: Savages

Sora widened his eyes as he gaped at the scene from shock. Pocahontas and John were sharing a passionate kiss with the wind blowing peacefully. Her arms were wrapped around him as their bodies were close to one another. It took a moment for Sora to pull himself together but the sound of the rustling bush grabbed his attention.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw Kocoum dashing out.

"Kocoum!" Sora exclaimed as he was about to run after him but it was too late. He was already out in the open.

Sora ran. Maybe he could stop him but something else caught his attention. There, to his far left, were two figures and one of them held a gun in his hand and he looked like he was ready to shoot. Furrowing his eyebrows, Sora glanced to the person beside the armed man only to realize that it was Riku.

What is he doing here?

"Kocoum! No! Let him go!" Pocahontas shouted as she tried to pull Kocoum away from John. However, from jealously and rage, he shoved Pocahontas away so she fell to the ground and Sora had only seconds to do something before the armed man would shoot.

He was already preparing to aim.

Growling, Sora shouted as he ran towards Kocoum. "NO!"

One shot. Two shot.

And like that, the man pulled the trigger just as Sora pushed Kocoum out of the way. A loud shot was heard and everyone seemed to be tense but the saving seemed to be futile since Kocoum, who seemed to snap out of his rage, stared at Pocahontas as he felt himself falling. As he was falling, he grabbed her necklace, ripping it before he splashed into the water. Sora groaned in pain, clutching his waist as he whimpered.

It hurts…

Sora slowly lifted his head only to see Kocoum lying on the water, having his heart plummet down as he thought the worst. But he couldn't think straight as the pain was the only thing that crossed his mind. In the bushes, Riku stared numbly at the scene before he snapped himself and he made a dash towards the injured Sora.

During his hazy vision, he could slightly hear disorientated screams of shouts but he couldn't make it out.

Sora didn't even realize that Riku and Thomas showed up.

"Sora! Sora!" Riku yelled as he started to lift him up but he was stopped by Pocahontas who was giving him an anger look.

"Hey, he needs help!"

"We have herbs and medicine that would allow him to heal," Pocahontas said before she heard more whooping.

"Get out of here," John said.

"But you'll get caught," Thomas replied.

"Just do as I say," John said sternly. "GO!"

Giving a one last look, Riku and Thomas began to run to the opposite path. With hazy vision, Sora managed to catch a glimpse of Riku before he vanished into the woods.

"Riku…" he muttered.

"Shh. Rest."

Just as Riku and Thomas left, the group of Indians appeared and one of them grabbed hold of John, shoving him to the ground as he hold his hands behind them before having him walk away. Another group of Indians came; one of them carried Sora while a few of them went to Pocahontas who was on her knees, being in front of Kocoum. They picked him up, carrying him away.

Gasps were heard among the crowd as one of the helpers carried Kocoum to Powhatan. Powhatan stared from shock and disbelief though his face was full of hatred and anger. He tightened his fist at his staff so that they turned white.

Growling, Powhatan spoke.

"Who did this?!" he roared, looking up at the entrance where another pair of Indians walked, carrying in the murderer.

"Pocahontas was in the woods," one of them said. "And that's not all. This boy tried to save Kocoum but it appeared his saving failed but he too got a wound," he showed Sora who was limp in his arms with eyes closed.

Powhatan stared with wide eyes while his mind and thoughts were all jumbled and scattered.

"Kocoum went to find him and this white man attacked him," they brought John to his knees. He tried to look up, to see Sora but he was held down rather strong and couldn't really move.

Eyes filled with hate, Powhatan spoke in a stern tone that held ferocity that actually felt John be unsettled by him as the Chief walked towards him.

"Your weapons are strong but our anger is stronger. At sunrise, he'll be the first to die!"

"But Father!" a voice exclaimed from the crowds. He looked through them and saw his daughter running to him.

Flashing with anger, Powhatan resumed talking. "I told you to stay in the village! You disobeyed me! You have shamed your father!" he growled.

"I was only trying to help," she spoke, desperately.

"Because of your foolishness, Kocoum is dead! And Sora has been injured!" giving a one last furious look, he snarled. "Take him away!"

Powhatan then looked at Sora. "And this boy is to be treated."

With that, they all left with John struggling to get loose while Pocahontas fell on her knees, upset. Nakoma walked towards her, feeling disappointment within her as she was partially to be blamed too. She had let her friend down. Had she not send Kocoum, he would still be alive.

Depressed, Pocahontas looked up at the newcomer.

"Kocoum was just trying to protect me," she whispered.

Biting her lip, Nakoma burst out. She had to tell her. She couldn't hold the pain that was in her heart; it was too heavy.

"Pocahontas, I've sent Kocoum after you!" she blurted out. Seeing the disbelief look, Nakoma winced as she continued. "I was worried about you."

Nakoma fell down to her knees, being shaky. "I thought I was doing the right thing," she whispered.

"All this happened because of me," Pocahontas said glumly. "And now…I'll never see John Smith again," she sniffed.

Grabbing her hand to comfort her, Nakoma pulled her up as an idea went in her mind. "Come with me."

Powhatan entered the med bay where the healer was placing some odd ingredient on the wound of Sora. He sat down on his knees, looking down upon him, being lost in thought before he spoke.

"How is he?" he asked quietly.

The healer looked up, giving him a small sad smile. "He is a strong fighter. As long as he has the will and strength, he should be able to recover. While this wound is strange to us, it may not be peculiar to him so his body should be able to help."

Powhatan sighed, nodding. "Thank you."

She gave him a small smile and she got up after she picked up her small bowls and put them on the table. She placed her hand on his shoulder, giving a small squeeze of reassurance.

"He'll be healed. You'll see. Until then I only ask that you make him rest so he can be fully recovered."

And then, she exited out of the tent to leave Powhatan to his thoughts. It was a few minutes until Sora gradually woken up though at first, his vision was hazy and he only could see darkness. He groaned which snapped Powhatan out of his misery and thoughts, turning his attention to the young one.

"Where…where am I?" Sora breathed heavily. He pushed himself up only to have a sharp pain go up his abdomen and he was forced to lie back down.

"Rest," Powhatan murmured.

Sora turned his head to the side to see the Chief. "Powhatan," he started. "What…what happened? The last thing I saw was…Kocoum and…"

Powhatan raised his hand up to silence him which Sora obliged; a bitter look rested upon Sora's face.

"Kocoum…" he hesitated, deciding if he should tell him or not but then decided to tell him.

After all, he risked his life just to save Kocoum but it was all for naught.

"He's dead…" Powhatan answered bitterly which made Sora widened his eyes from sorrow and stun.

"Wh—what?" he croaked.

"He's dead," Powhatan repeated. "But I hope you know that he had appreciated at the thought of you saving him even if it was all of nothing," he heaved out a heavy sigh. "Sora, I apologize of the burden I had placed on you and I wish to make things better. Please, if you have any idea…please…"

Sora softened his expression as he stared up at the ceiling, being lost in thoughts for a moment before he replied.

"Call off the war," Sora said. He was greatly concerned about his friends and wondered if they were alright. "Call off the war and everything would be fine. Talk to man that had been at Kocoum's death. He can help you and you can help him."

Powhantan slightly narrowed his eyes but he still held the fallen look. "He killed Kocoum. Such choice of action should not go unaccounted for. You took the attack…"

"But what if there was more to the story than you think?" Sora tried. "Forget about me. Go talk to him," he got up but the pain shot up once more to remind him about it.

He groaned, clutching at his side before he went laid back down.

"Please, Powhatan…call off the war…that's all I'm asking," Sora replied, wincing.

The Chief stood up with a hard stare. "I cannot let my people down. You are not a Chief so you do not know what it is to hold such responsibility."

Sora slightly glared at him and he called out just as Powhatan was about to exit. "No I don't. But if you want to keep your daughter happy, then call off the war. Otherwise, you're on own."

Nakoma reached the tent. The very tent that was holding the man who apparently killed Kocoum. She looked straight at the guards' eyes, her voice in a commanding tone.

"Pocahontas wants to look into the eyes of the man who killed Kocoum," Nakoma said sternly.

At once, they moved away which allowed Pocahontas to enter. When she entered in, all she saw was darkness with a light that was partially lighting up on John who was tied against a pole.

Breathing out a sigh, Pocahontas made a small sprint before she fell down to her knees, placing a hand on his cheek. Upon feeling the warmth, John gradually awoken himself and he gave a brief smile at Pocahontas.

"Pocahontas!" he whispered.

She merely gave him a saddened look, caressing his hair. "I'm so sorry," she whispered apologetically.

John gave a small chuckle as she leaned against him. She longed for his comfort, to be with him for one last time. "For what? This?"

"I've gotten out of worse scrapes than this," he chuckled but he fell into silence. "Can't think of any right now but…" he trailed off, sighing.

Pocahontas tore her gaze away as she spoke; her heart tugging with pain. She knew she would regret what she would be saying next.

"It would've been better if we'd never met," she spoke remorsefully. "None of this would've happened."

"Pocahontas look at this," John replied a bit sternly. Seeing her so heartbroken made him miserable even more. He couldn't bear to see her like this. "I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you."

Pocahontas shot him a small bitter look but before she spoke, she heard Nakoma call out her name.

"Pocahontas."

"I can't leave you," Pocahontas replied. Tears were threatening to spill. She couldn't leave him. Not again.

"You never will. No matter what happens to me, I'll always be with you. Forever."

Upset, Pocahontas caressed him once more and he took this moment to feel her touch one last time before she pulled away. John gazed at the shadow of her before it got smaller and smaller until John was back into the darkness and knew no more.

"Help! Somebody help!" Thomas shouted as he and Riku ran.

Riku growled since he wanted nothing more than to punch the living daylights out of him. Him and Sora's plan. His stupid plan.

To Hell with Sora

"Easy, lad. What is it?" one of the men asked, peering out of the fence.

"It's Smith! They got him!" Thomas blurted out as they entered inside the campus.

"Who got him?"

Upon hearing the commotion, everyone began to gather around the campfire as they all listened to Thomas.

"The Savages!"

"Savages?"

"They captured him! Dragged him off!"

"Where'd they take him?" another man demanded.

"They're headed to the north," Thomas answered.

"How many were there?"

Because of the commotion, Wiggins (with a lantern on) peeked out of his tent just to what it was all about. In his nightgown, he began to walk towards them but before he could go any further, something grabbed him, pulling him inside the tent.

"This is perfect, Wiggins," Ratcliffe said who had covered his mouth. "I couldn't have planned this better myself," he sneered. Seeing the light, Ratcliffe blew it out so that they were covered in darkness. Grinning, he slightly peered out of his tent. "The gold is as good as mine."

"We got to save him!" Thomas exclaimed. "He'd do the same for any of us!"

"None of this would've happened if you hadn't killed one of their Indians," Riku replied, glaring at Thomas.

The man with the black beard widened his eyes. "You shot a man?"

"Yes I did but by mistake! Please, I was only trying to save John. That man attacked him," Thomas answered.

"And you shot my friend instead!" Riku growled, shoving Thomas away. "If you're lucky, he may still be alive!"

Thomas winced. "I'm sorry. I didn't knew he would jump in to save him. I was only doing what I thought was right. Guess it wasn't."

Riku snorted. "You think?"

"Enough!" the bearded man exclaimed. "Arguing won't get us anywhere. Look kid, we apologize about your friend but we have to save our friend. Our captain. His life is depending on it."

"And my friend isn't!?" Riku shouted.

He growled. "Seeing that your friend is important, then you should come with us. Save your friend and get out of there. We'll do the rest."

"Fine," Riku glared.

"What's all the commotion?" a sleepy voice asked.

Riku glanced to the right to see Donald, Goofy and Kairi coming out of their tents. Before Riku spoke, another voice announced from the darkness and they all turned their heads to see Ratcliffe.

"We're going to war," he declared.

"They're going to kill him at sunrise, Grandmother Willow," Pocahontas spoke.

"You have to stop them."

"I can't," she said miserably.

"Child, remember your dream."

Furious, Pocahontas exclaimed. "I was wrong, Grandmother Willow. I followed the wrong path. I feel so lost."

Upset, Percy went up to her in attempt to comfort her while Meeko went inside the hole of the tree, digging up before he pulled out an object and then handed to Pocahontas. Curious, Pocahontas lifted her head up only to see that it was the compass—the one John Smith held.

"The compass," she spoke, staring at the arrow. She played around with the compass until a sudden realization came into her mind. It all makes sense now. The spinning arrow…that was what came into her dream.

"The spinning arrow," she breathed.

"It's the arrow from your dream!" Grandmother Willow exclaimed.

"I was right," Pocahontas said suddenly being excited again. "It was pointing to him!"

The arrow spun faster and faster as she got up. When she did, light fell down her face which gained her attention. She looked up only to see the sun being tainted with a blood red color as tints of dark pink splashed in the sky, giving out an ominous feel.

"Sunrise!" she gasped. She hasn't got much time.

"It's not too late, child! Let the spirits of the earth guide you!" the arrow began to spin faster and faster until it stopped, pointing at North. "You know your path, child. Now follow it!"

Eager, Pocahontas broke out into a mad sprint as she followed the drums of war banging in the distance. Time was almost came to an end. She must hurry. She didn't stopped running. She couldn't. Not when she has the chance to save him.

It's not too late.

Growling, Sora got up as he ignored the pain though he stumbled, placing his hand on for support before he saw his shirt, grabbing it and then exited out of the tent although he wished he hadn't.

He felt paralyzed at what he saw. It was chaos. Drums were heard, the people were preparing their weapons as the blood red sun shone unpromisingly, giving out the message that the war was to come.

Powhatan didn't listened to him after all.

"Bring out the prisoner!" the Chief shouted. "It's time for him to meet his end," he snarled.

The two Indians dragged out the struggling John who couldn't seem to escape no matter what he did. Heart racing, Sora ran towards him and he grabbed Powhatan's weapon.

"No! Don't do it!" Sora shouted, trying to get it out of the Chief's hand.

Growling, Powhatan merely yanked his arm back which made Sora fall down to the ground.

"Be gone, child. This is for you not to see! Away with you!"

"Powhatan please! Don't take the path of war," Sora pleaded but as he got up, the pain came back again which forced him to kneel down.

With a terrifying look, Powhatan spoke dangerously. "Nothing you will say will change my mind. Everything is already set. It's far too late now. Men, let's go! To the land of the death!"

"No…" Sora watched helplessly as the many group of Indians all followed Powhatan, determinedly.

Sora growled. I've got to do something.

With that, Sora chased after the large crowd despite the burning pain that shot through his body.

And not too far, Ratcliffe's men were preparing themselves before they too started to walk down the path that would help them reach John while Pocahontas was still sprinting, not stopping even if her legs were screaming at her to stop since it was burning. As she ran, a determined look went across her face. She wouldn't stop.

Not now.

I don't know what I could but I've know I've still got to try, she thought until at last, she finally came to her crowd as well as Sora (although unknown to her) where she watched her father raise up the execution weapon and began to bring it down.

Pained, Pocahontas ran up, sliding down on her knees just as her Father brought down her weapon when she shouted.

"NO!"

Author's Note: Dun, dun, dun… Pocahontas came in…just barely and saved John…well…partially XD she hasn't spoken her words of wisdom yet which would change her Father eventually. And Sora, you fool…what are you going to do? -_- what happens next? Find out! Toodles!