A/N: Hey guys, I AM SO SO SORRY FOR UPDATING SO LATE. It's been what, almost two weeks? Again, I'm really sorry but I've been having a MAJOR case of writers block with this chap. I've been driving myself crazy for not knowing what to write. I know where I'm going but getting there is so hard :( Anyway, enjoy.

Dear reviewer,

Tangledsawesome: oh I have great surprises but I can't guarantee you anyone on who I'll kill or not.

Nikkibecket1997: What? It's just Big Nose. . .jeez wait till I finish this story, then you'll probably torture me.

Punzie the Platypus: Ahhh, I see. I actually thought of doing that once BECAUSE my mom wanted to read my story, but she never found it ;)

P.s. I own nothing.

Chap 28

The War: Phase 3 (that night)

37. They lost 37 men today, including Big Nose. Though they knew the battle wouldn't turn out pretty, none of them could have ever guessed it would've been that bad. To make matters worse, everyone was in recovery mode; excluding the archers there wasn't a single Coronan that wasn't bruised, cut, beaten, broken, or any other type of injury among them. Most got off lightly taking a few punches here and a few cuts there like the Commander, but there were many, about 70 or so, very serious and near fatal cases too. Those numbers plus the dead would leave more than a hundred men out of action, and that was a hundred men they couldn't afford to lose. Each and every man fighting was as priceless to them as gold.

And losing that many friends. . .well, to say the men didn't take it well would be a very obvious, and very grave, understatement.

They all gathered around a bonfire in the middle of the canyon, the archers and scouts watching overhead under a clear, starry sky. The dead and seriously injured were sent back to their family's just moments ago. A depressing silence hung in the air as medics turned soldiers wrapped and bandaged the men's injuries as best they could, using whatever spare cloth and medicine they could get their hands on. They all kept quiet and absently stared at the flames, no one was in the talking mood either. Everyone was feeling down. It didn't matter that they killed seven times as many Tortugans than they lost men. It didn't matter that they won the battle. Because there's a cold cruelty to statistics; numbers can't show you the men who died, it can't show you the lives they lived or the people they left behind. Winning a battle does automatically make you feel like a winner, and none of them certainly felt like winners.

"So what do we do now?" asked a disheartened Eugene to his uncle.

The Commander let out a heavy sigh as he dabbed at the new scar on his cheek, "What we do best; improvise."

"And how do we do that?" asked another soldier.

The Commander sighed again. As much as he tried to hide it, he too was not immune to the sorrow of losing men. Accustomed to it, yes. But not immune. And at the moment he didn't have all the answers; the men, including himself, were tiring fast, they were losing strength in numbers, and their enemy seemed so endless in size and scope. And deep down, he had a gut feeling King William was still holding back; saving his grand scheme for last. It was that that worried him most.

There had always been that nagging thought in the back of his mind; this was a suicide mission, doomed to fail from the very beginning. No one thought they would live to do battle with the Tortugans more than once. It was because of that thought he decided to use the dam as insurance in the first place. And yet. . .they did live. They fought and survived, they defeated them battle after battle. Two things considered unimaginable just a week ago.

So he put on his brave face and gazed at the men. But before he could get the chance to speak, Hook Hand appeared beside him. He was covered in dust and dirt as if he'd been rolling around on the floor; his expression was emotionless and distraught so it seemed he was in a trance-like state. "I only have one regret in my life now," he began slowly.

"It's not that I could've saved him. And it's not that I lost him. . . It's that I never told him how much he meant to me. Nose was. . .he was gonna get married after the war, and he asked me to be his best man. Nose was my best friend, as close a brother as I'll ever have. I never told him those things, I never told him I was honored to stand at his side. . ." he trailed off rubbing his wet eyes.

Vladimir appeared next to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. Commander Thames looked at him with an understanding and pitiful gaze, "My heart is filled with sorrow at your loss." He said softly.

Hook slowly looked back in disbelief. "Sorrow?" he questioned, his expression hardening quickly. A fire lit in his eyes as his mouth twitched almost unnaturally. "I have filled mine. . .with HATE." He spat coldly.

The Commander smiled that devilish grin at the remark, "Perfect." He replied. Vladimir gave him a toothy grin and patted him hard on the shoulder, "Welcome back Hook."

And then, everybody started patting him on the back or shaking his hand or just saying encouraging words. It wasn't because they sympathized with him, they did, but because he embodied an example to be followed; endearing despite all the hardships of loss. And they envied him for it.

But the moment didn't last long.

Just then, the Captain appeared, flanked by two scouts. Their faces showed a mix of concern and terror. Everyone's eyes turned to them immediately. Obviously something very big just happened. Something bad.

"Commander," the Captain began worriedly. "These men have something to report; they've stumbled across some very grave things."

"T-Tunnels. . .sir." One of the scouts said nervously.

"Tunnels?" the Commander repeated. "Leading to where exactly?"

"Here sir," said the other scout, his tone bordering frightened. "To our positions on top the canyon."

There were whispered conversations going through the large crowd of men at the sound of those words. . .but the Commander put on a stern face and ignored them. "Do the Tortugans know about this?" he asked.

The Captain shook his head in uncertainty. "Too hard to say. They looked abandoned but we didn't dare enter to see where they might start. Sir if the Tortugans discover them, we'd be outflanked and the ground forces would be completely exposed."

"Assuming they haven't already." Eugene added. "With our numbers, we couldn't hold back an attack from up top without having fewer men below."

The Captain nodded. "The boy's right. So what can we do?" he asked the Commander.

The older man sighed angrily through his nose. He wasn't afraid, but he couldn't afford to show any concern, that would just discourage the men further. And they certainly didn't need more of that. "Captain, tell the scouts and archers to continue patrolling the area. If they hear even a peep out of those tunnels, we'll move our forces. Now, to bed men!" he ordered loud enough for everyone to hear. "Tomorrow, we fight."

A/N: It's short and it sucks doesn't it? I know, it does. DAMN YOU WRITERS BLOCK! Oh well, it's an occupational hazard. I think there are only 3 chapters left so we're getting close to the end! Rapunzel will be in the next chap, didn't want to keep you guys waiting for this to be longer.

REVIEW. . .and read my new story 'The Rules' it's gonna be great.