Chapter 19: Regaining Trust

There was a tense silence as Powhatan resisted to bring down the weapon as a look of shock etched across his face. He stared at his daughter with utter disbelief, trying to process that he nearly killed his daughter.

"If you kill him, you'll have to kill me too," Pocahontas spoke boldly, hugging John. Her fierce eyes pierced at Powhatan's eyes as he paused, staring deep into hers.

Meanwhile, Sora ran down, going in the middle of the Indians and the Settlers with arms out.

"Stop!" Sora shouted.

"Hey, Sora's alive!" Donald poked through the crowd.

Riku raised an eyebrow. "What he's doing?"

"Don't you see what you're doing? Ask yourselves. Is this the right thing to do?" Sora raised his voice so he could be heard.

Growling, Powhatan raised the weapon once more. "Daughter, stand back!"

"I won't!" Pocahontas shot back. "I love him, Father! Look around you," she continued, ignoring the stunned look of his face. "This is where the path of hatred has bought us. This is the path I choose, Father," she breathed. "What will yours be?"

There was a heavy silence and just from there, the wind began to blow gently as it circled around Powhatan as though it had a mind of its own. As if it had the power, Powhatan suddenly felt relaxed and was at ease and he began to drop his weapon which indicated that he made his decision.

"My daughter speaks with a wisdom beyond her years," he called out. "We have all come here with anger in our hearts but she comes with courage and understanding. From this day forward, if there is to be killing, it will not start with me," he said firmly and that made Pocahontas smile with happiness.

She grinned, knowing that she made the right decision. Knowing that she had made her Father to understand that hatred is not the right way.

"Release him," he commanded.

The Indian cut the rope and the two hugged each other, embracing each other. They finally were able to be together. The army from both sides appeared to be lowering their weapons and Sora couldn't help but to grin that they were ending the war.

Scowling, Ratcliffe glared at the scene and he pulled out his sword. "Now's our chance! Fire!"

"NO!"

"What?" Ratcliffe growled, staring at Thomas.

"They let him go!" Thomas exclaimed. The bearded man joined Thomas.

"They don't want to fight," he shot back.

Irritated, Ratcliffe yelled. "It's a trick! Don't you see? Fire!"

More people joined Thomas as they were all glaring back Ratcliffe. Snarling, Ratcliffe saw that he was on his own and he grabbed a gun from a nearby solider.

"Fine! I'll settle this myself!" he shouted, aiming for the Chief.

Sora turned around and saw the brute was ready to fire. "NO!"

As he shouted, Ratcliffe fired but this made John be aware as he leaped forward, pushing the Chief away as he took the blow. He gave a shout of pain as he fell down to the ground with a thud, clutching his injured side.

"John!"

Gasping, Pocahontas leaped forward, crying out his name as she fell down beside him. Eyes wide, Ratcliffe lowered his weapon down as he stared back at his army. Thomas stared at him with disbelief.

"You shot him!" he shouted.

"He stepped right into it!" Ratcliffe reencountered, defending himself. "It's his own fault!"

"Smith was right along!" one of the men called out as they began to advance on Ratcliffe who stepped back.

"We never should've trusted you!"

"Get the gun!"

"Traitors!" Ratcliffe roared as he furiously fought back but it was futile as he was brought down to his knees by his men and Thomas yanked the gun out of his arms.

"Put him in chains!" Thomas ordered. He glared as Ratcliffe spat in his face.

"I'll see you all hanged for this!"

Disgusted, Thomas spoke. "And gag him as well!"

Worried for his friend, Thomas rushed towards the cliff to where John was and he pushed through the crowd and didn't stopped until he reached his friend.

"John!" Thomas spoke, sliding on his knees.

Groaning, John flickered his eyes open, having enough strength to see his friend. "Thomas…"

Sora looked up as a flashback came to his mind, making him to remember at how he had pushed Kocoum away only to have him killed in the end.

"Sora!"

As he turned around, he was instantly tackled by Goofy and Donald only to make him fall down and he laughed.

"Hey guys," Sora grinned.

"You insufferable fool!" Donald shouted, banging his fists at Sora's chest. "Do you have any idea how worried we were when Riku told us what happened?"

Sora cringed from the loudness as he sighed. "Nice to see you too, Donald."

He gave a small humph, giving him a cold shoulder.

"Aw come on. Don't be like that."

Riku sighed as he sat next to Sora. "You are a one crazy fool. You know that?"

Sora paused. "I know," he grinned.

Riku rolled his eyes before he gazed forward only to see Kairi standing. The two shared a glance for a moment though this made Riku grin as he gave a playful punch on Sora's arm. He nodded to indicate that he should go to her.

Biting his lip, Sora got up but he slightly winced, just a little, and he walked towards Kairi, stopping in his tracks when he reached her.

"Uhm…hi?" he greeted awkwardly. "Look: I'm sorry. I guess I was being a jerk and all but you are still my friend and I—"

Unexpectedly, Kairi tackled him into a hug much to Sora's surprise and she whispered in his ears.

"Just stop talking. I'm just glad you're okay," Kairi said quietly.

Sora laughed sheepishly before he returned the hug.

"Is he going to make it, Thomas?"

"The sooner he gets to England, the better," Thomas answered as he took off his satchel.

"Let's hope the wind is with him," the bearded man said.

"Is the ship ready?"

"Any minute now. Just loading the last bit of cargo."

Meanwhile, all tied up and gagged, two men threw Ratcliffe away to a boat where the rower grinned smugly.

"Untie me at once! I'll have your head for this!" Ratcliffe muffled.

Ignoring him, they pushed the boat away while Wiggins teared up.

"And he came so highly recommended."

After Thomas finished with his things, he walked back to where John was lying on a stretcher-like with a bandage wrapped around his waist. Sighing, Thomas bent down and stared bitterly while Sora and his friends pushed through the crowd.

"The ship's almost ready. We'd better get you on a boat. We'll lose the tide."

And then, the two men began to carry the stretcher towards the boat but John grabbed Thomas by his shirt.

"No, not yet. She said she'd be here."

Thomas sighed but something told him to look around and through the mist, a figure appeared, walking towards him.

"Look!"

John slightly lifted his head to look forward and saw the same figure. He grinned when he knew who it was; her graceful presence couldn't be missed. However, it seemed that she wasn't alone since more silhouettes appeared beside her but because they didn't know who they were, the men felt threatened and they started to pull out their gun. Just in case.

As the figures walked further out, they all realized that it was more of the Indians, carrying something in their arms. Sighing out relief, the men put their guns back but they were all very curious as they watched them putting the items on the ground.

As Pocahontas walked towards them, they removed their hats in respect but she only had eyes for a certain someone who was quite glad to see her. With respect, Thomas took off his hat and whispered.

"Going back is his only chance. He'll die if he stays here."

Pocahontas put a reassuring hand on his shoulder before she walked towards John who extended his hand.

"Here," she whispered, sitting beside him. "It's from Grandmother Willow's bark," she replied, handing him the bag. "It'll help with the pain."

John grinned silly. "What pain? I've had worse pain than this," he spoke as he lifted himself up but the pain shot through his body and he was forced to lie back down.

"Can't think of any right now but…" he stopped when he saw the Chief and a woman walking towards him.

Smiling a bit, Powhatan took off his cape. "You are always welcome among our people," he said as he lowered himself down to cover John with his cape. "Thank you, my brother."

And then, he got up walking away as he turned to face Sora.

"I guess I should've listened to you first but I didn't. You displayed a great deal of courage and bravery."

Sora grinned as he put his arms behind his head. "Aww, it was nothing."

"Nevertheless, you and your friends are among our people as well."

Nodding, the Chief walked away though Sora was met with angry glares from his friends.

"You call getting shot was nothing?!"

Sora winced before he turned his attention towards John where he saw Pocahontas putting the necklace around her neck and then, they found themselves kissing each other which made Sora grin before John was being taken away towards the boat. As she stared at the view with a heavy heart, she suddenly bolted away, running away.

Running away with the wind.

Author's Note: CAN YOU PAINT ALL THE COLORS OF THE WIND! *Ahem* I was going to write more but then I felt like this was the perfect spot to end. You'll see Sora's departure in the next chapter. But furthermore, we have completed Pocahontas's world but which world will come next? What happens next? Find out! Toodles!