Chapter Nine.
This is the ninth chapter to the fanfiction story Maggie pan. It takes place later on that night as Moira sleeps in the Hangman's tree Hideout when she receives a visit from someone special who comes to talk to her for a little while. Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Hook or Neverland, but Charles Corven is one of the characters that I've created.
Hangman's Tree. Nighttime.
As the four people and the Fairy were asleep in the hours of the night, Moira slept soundly as she did when she heard a twig crack outside.
Waking up to the sound, Moira looked around herself to see that her daughter and the boy Andrew was sound asleep as was Commodore Charles and the former Pirate Starkey. But she noticed that Tinker Bell was not around, so she got herself up and went to look for her.
Climbing out of the same interest that she used to get into the hideout, Moira stood herself up and walked around the tree to find out if there was anything going on when she saw Tinker Bell in the distance. Following the fairy, as it was glowing so bright, Moira saw it grow to become a full human-sized fairy that in the open, but it was not alone.
As she soon as approached the Fairy Tinker Bell who turned to look at her, Moira found that there was another person.
But to her shock, it was a ghost. Not just any ghost; it was that of her grandma Wendy who was looking like her young self when she first came to Neverland.
Gasping at the sight of her grandmother, Moira stood speechless before she knelt down.
Regaining her composure and her voice she spoke. "Am I dreaming, is it really you Granny?"
"Yes you are, but I am here to speak to you," Wendy replied.
"As are we Moira." said a familiar voice. Just then the ghost of John and Michael Darling appeared from the left side, Moira turned her head to see them come forward and stop at a short distance.
Seeing her relatives in their spirit form, Moira was startled at first but she became glad to see each of them as she would have wanted.
So she spoke with her startled look beginning to calm down.
"I know that it's so good to see you all but I must ask what brings you here?"
"I came here to say, you have one task you must do alone," Wendy said to Moira.
"What is the task?" Moira asked.
Wendy looked at Moira for a few seconds before she spoke.
"Maggie has to lead the Lost Boys into battle, so you must believe in her and encourage her to rally the boys into the fight to come the next day and you also must help Charles defend the ship from the pirates at the fortress."
Moira was silent as she turned her head to look back at the Hangman's tree when she turned back to look at the ghost of her grandmother Wendy. She sighed and spoke.
"I can't let my daughter go to war, I want to keep her safe with me."
"I will be with her to keep her safe." said a familiar voice.
Moira followed the direction of that voice when the ghost of Rufio appeared with the ghost of Tootles who was now the same young kid in a skunk outfit again.
Stepping out from the dark edge of the forest, Rufio's ghost was the one to speak. "In fact, Tootles here and I will always be there to keep her safe, but you must trust in her now."
"Rufio is right, all you need to do is listen to her and she will maybe help you get home as well my dear child," said Wendy.
Tootles then walked up close to Moira before he spoke.
"Rufio and I wanted to see you Moira Banning and to say that we promise you that we will always be with you and Maggie, Jack and Peter as well."
"So you know Moira Banning, I wished I had a dad like your husband Peter," Rufio said to Moira who nodded to him saying thank you.
Tootles then spoke. "This is going to be a final farewell, your great grandparents send you their greetings. They say that they will always be watching over you."
Moira stood as she started to draw a small grin with her eyes watering up.
After a sniffle, she breathed a sigh as she spoke. "Thank you Tootles, If it will better my chance to get home, I will help Charles in any way that I can."
"Then hopefully you'll find you lived an adventure that will stay with you, but you must wake now. Wake up Moira, Wake up my darling!" Wendy said to Moira who stayed on the spot.
Wendy's ghost approached Moira coming close to her before she raised her hand and touched the side of her face with her palm.
Suddenly within a split second between the dream-world and the real world where Moira slept, she opened her eyes taking a deep breath as she woke herself in shock after hearing the voice of Wendy's young self compelling her to wake up from her sleep.
She breathed a sigh looking around herself, finding that she was back in the Hangman's tree and still in her pirate clothes. At first, she thought that the dream was nothing but a dream when she touched her face, she felt the warm touch of Wendy's hand and she realized that the dream itself had sent her a message.
Turning to look at Maggie who slept soundly with Andrew at her side, Moira turned herself about to Charles and Starkey who were asleep as well.
Feeling the need for a drink of water, Moira slipped on her pair of boots.
She stood up from her sleeping spot to climb out of the hideout through the entryway to find a small pool of water. Tiptoeing across the room, she made her way to the entryway and then she opened the hatch. As soon as it was open, Moira climbed up and poked her head out to see if anything was around the area or nearby
It was only a little dark but the sun was already rising and it would soon be morning.
Seeing nothing but clear grounds in the sunrise Moira climbed out of the entryway and then took a walk from the hangman's tree, making her way east across the forest.
Moira walked across the trail of bushes that had fruits and edible plants that she couldn't name for sure so she continued to search for a lake until she came across what looked to be a pool of water surrounded by a rocky edge. Relieved to find a water source, Moira knelt down on the edge of the pool and hovered over it when she saw a younger reflection of herself as a young girl.
At first, she was shocked at the sight as she touched her face feeling it but she felt intrigued that she plunged her hands into the water and scooped up some with her hands cupped.
She took a sip of water which was clean and fresh to her surprise and delight, Moira never thought that the water in the pool would taste so refreshing.
So she took another couple of drinks before her thirst was quenched.
Now feeling a little peckish for some fruit, she turned around to the fruit bushes and she decided to try and gather some fruit for herself and the others. The first minute as she wandered about the bushes she picked some small mangoes and fruits that grew in bushes and trees as well as some bananas but she realized that her hands were getting full and she might have to return to Hangman's tree to tell the others of what she found.
So Moira made her way back to the tree.
Walking on the same path she walked she was nearing the Hangman's tree when suddenly as she passed by another tree, Moira felt something catch on her leg and she found herself being pulled up the tree dropping her fruits on the ground.
Moira found upside down as she called out to the others.
She kept on calling out for Charles, Maggie and Andrew when all of a sudden a group of lost boys appeared from out of nowhere and they surrounded Moira who was still hanging from the tree.
Looking around Moira saw the boys who were armed with crossbows.
As she now found that she was in danger from a group of savage boys aiming their crossbows on her, Moira screamed out for the boys to get away from her.
She yelled aloud before they each started firing what looked to be paintballs on her face.
They stopped firing when one of the Lost boys Ace had appeared to see the woman covered in paint as she hung upside down from the tree, she stopped yelling to see the boy telling the others to hold their fire. As soon as the boy looked at her, Moira spoke. "Look boy whoever you are I don't have anything of value and I don't like this game, so can you please just get me down?"
"I'm afraid we don't do favours for pirates." Ace replied to Moira, who soon realized that they were the lost boys. So she spoke. "Wait, are you the lost boys?"
"We are, and who are you?" asked Ace, Moira was about to answer when Maggie's voice was heard. "Where did you boys come from? I thought you were all back at the hideout." The lost boys turned to see Maggie, who spoke climbing out of the Hangman's tree entryway.
She walked past the circle of boys looking around at the Lost boys.
Pockets were the one to approach her, he answered her.
"We were, but Rocky Don't Ask told us that Ace needed our help so half of us came out here last night to wait for you, Maggie." Maggie looked up when she saw her mom hanging from the tree.
"Mom!" she cried aloud approaching her.
When they heard Maggie call Moira her mother, some of the lost boys realized their mistake whilst the other lost boys remained sceptic because of her pirate outfit.
Moira drew a sigh as Maggie came close to her.
She took her mother's hand as she spoke. "Maggie, can you help me down please."
Moira said to Maggie who nodded to her before she turned her head to look at Ace.
"Ace," she said as she turned away from Moira and spoke to him.
"Why did you set a trap on my mother."
"I'm sorry Maggie, but we thought she was a pirate who was walking about looking for you." Ace the lost boy explained to Maggie who replied.
"My mom's not a pirate, her name is Moira Banning."
Ace turned to Moira before turning back to Maggie with a shocked look as he spoke.
"What, then why was she dressed as a pirate?"
Seeing the misunderstanding on Ace's face, Maggie explained.
"She only dressed as a pirate to learn about their plan to help us Boys.
Now, will someone help me get her down?" Maggie spoke out to Ace and the other lost boys who began to regret their mistake.
Soon after Maggie went to find the rope end to her mother's trap, Andrew appeared to help her when Tiny Tim and Pockets stepped out from the group.
Feeling guilty for taking part the two lost boys went to the tree where the knot to Moira's trap was hidden. As they started to untie the knot to the trap, Maggie and Andrew went over to help them, untying the knot.
That was when Charles appeared coming out of the entryway with the captured Pirate Starkey following him. The two men stood up from the entry in the tree ground to see Moira hanging upside down, so Charles went over to help her get down.
By the time they untied the rope to lowered Moira down, Charles caught her in a bridal style before she could fall on the ground. Moira held onto Charles by the neck as he brought her down, he took the coil that was on her leg before she stood herself up to stand with a scorned look.
The boys cowered away from her leaving only Ace standing in fear of her.
"I'm sorry for the trap that we set and for shooting tomatoes in your face Moira Banning," he said to Moira who then replied. "You're very lucky that those paintballs were not sharp arrows, so I accept your apology as long as you don't shoot me or attack me with your weapons again."
Maggie started to giggle a bit at the remark about the paintballs as Ace spoke to Moira.
"I speak for the other lost boys when I say that we do promise."
"Okay, what's your name son?" asked Moira.
"My name is Ace the lost Boy." Ace answered before Moira nodded.
"Alright then Ace, we have work to do. So if you are really sorry for what you did then you and any other lost boys can help me pick up some of those fruits and bring them here together so we can get breakfast together and then we can discuss the battle plan together." Moira explained before she took Ace with her to gather the fruits she dropped.
As they walked, Maggie looked at her mother and she mentioned that she did look so ridiculous in her outfit. On hearing that remark Moira chuckled as they went on to gather more fruit for the lost boys at Hangman's Tree.
Sunrise at the morning period, Hangman's Tree
As soon as they gathered the fruits along with an additional handful of fruits, The lost Boys and the others settled down by the Hangman's tree for breakfast.
Within the hour during their breakfast together, Moira got to know some of the Lost Boys who gave her the recount story of how they trained her husband which amused Moira as she noticed how much weight that he lost since the night her children were taken by Captain Hook.
Whilst the others were enjoying their fruits, Starkey sat alone on one spot as he watched the sunrise and he thought of what the battle today would bring when one of the Lost Boys approached his side slowly.
Turning his head, Starkey found that it was Moira and Ace who came to join his side.
"Mr Starkey, perhaps you would like to join us for breakfast?" asked Moira.
"Sorry but I'm not welcome to the table as I'm a pirate to the Commodore and all the other Lost Boys who hate pirates." Mr Starkey replied speaking the truth to Moira.
Ace was the one to speak as he looked up to Moira and he spoke.
"He's right Moira, and he has done such wicked things in Piracy."
"This Pirate only did what was merely his way of surviving under the crew of Hook himself. What reason would he have to part from the pirates? I mean what gain would it bring him?" asked Moira.
"Probably to lure the other lost boys into a death trap." Ace replied.
"If I was luring you Lost Boys into a trap you'd all be caught this morning," Starkey spoke turning himself to face Moira and Ace. He stood up and walked towards them.
"Barely a few days ago I could have shot Mistress Banning on the spot when I have first seen her but as she proved herself to be different than I am, I realized that there might be a way out of Piracy so I can choose my own path in life.
Without it my days as a pirate would be for nothing, I couldn't live with myself as a person, so Lost boy you're more than welcome to kill me now if you'd wish." Starkey said looking to Moira and then to Ace.
"Ace, don't you dare try to kill Starkey." Moira objected.
"Mistress it's his decision alone, and I want him to make the first move," Starkey stated to Moira before Ace drew a knife as if ready to make the first kill.
But the Lost Boy stopped at a couple of steps, looking up at Starkey as if hesitating to make the kill. After some thought, he sheathed his knife. He was about to speak when Pockets came to the three standing by the corner and he spoke. "Hey, Charles Corven and Maggie have made a plan together, come on. let's listen to what he has to say."
With that Pockets went to take his seat with the others.
Moira didn't follow, she watched as Ace looked at the former Pirate and spoke.
"If you turn against Maggie Pan or anyone else here, I will take the first chance and I will kill you."
Starkey stood firm looking at Ace remembering his words, he bent down to his ear.
"We shall see what the battle itself has in store for us Ace, but as a stranger who doubted the infamous Hook, I highly doubt that any harm will come to you or the other Lost Boys. Besides if you were just like me, you would choose your own path and see it through," he whispered.
Standing up straight he went past the Lost Boy Ace walking to the group when he stopped at a step and he turned back to Ace.
"There will be a day when you realize that we both have done such wicked things for a greater form of good," he said to Ace who turned his head to look at Starkey.
Moira watched him walk off before she approached Ace.
"Come on Ace, we have some plans to listen to," said Moira.
With that Moira and the Lost boy went to rejoin the others who were just finishing their breakfast so they could get on to some planning.
Meanwhile at Lieutenant Curly Corven's camp
It was the hour past in the morning after the Lost boys and the three grown-ups were making their plans of attack, the full regiment of Curly's Navy soldiers were just getting up for their breakfast before they would make the last trek across the Jungle before they would get near the Pirate's camp.
Having defeated a small group of pirate scouts on the crossroads, Lieutenant Curly's forces had sat their camp for the night to rest so that they can prepare for the war to come.
Residing inside a high tent he shared with Curly Corven, Lieutenant William Austen was getting himself up whilst Curly Corven was outside the high tent helping the cooks make the porridge and breakfast food for the soldiers, seeing as tomorrow would be a long day of a battle.
Getting his boots on, Lieutenant Austen stepped out of the high tent to see Curly Corven himself. He was 23 years old as a young officer but he still retained his curly hair and he enjoyed helping his own soldiers even though he commanded them. The soldiers held a great love and respect for the young lieutenant who was a former Lost Boy but he came a long way to become their beloved commanding officer and more.
As each of the soldiers was getting up, they went into a line to use the lake to wash up before they would fall into another line to receive their meals.
When Lieutenant Austen approached the busy Lieutenant who was finishing with the pot of porridge he was making for himself and Lieutenant Austen, he spoke. "Good morning to you Lieutenant Corven sir."
Curly turned his head to look at Austen before he replied. "Yes and good morning to you too Lieutenant Austen, but you can call me Curly. did you sleep well?"
"I did thank you Curly, I haven't slept this much since I had arrived at your outpost. And you can call me William sir" Lieutenant Austen replied before taking a seat on the ground by the cooking fire. Curly then went to sit on a chair near the fire as he waited for the porridge to be ready.
"Well at least you didn't come alone William, it was a relief to me.
As soon as I saw Aunt Caitlin with you when you arrived at the outside of the Outpost and delivered your report, I knew then that Charles was still alive and defending the fortress and the ship as he and his army have been doing since they built it to protect its people. Luckily my soldiers and their families were able to house the other families into the grounds of our outpost earlier on when they came rushing towards us seeking sanctuary from the large army of Pirates." said Curly
"Hmm, and truth be told it was good that you welcomed them inside in their hour of need. I was most appreciative when you welcomed my sister Emmaline into your home, she regarded you as the good brother and more," said Lieutenant Austen.
"And I've always liked her as a sister that I never had in my life. So as soon as we have eaten our meals, we shall maybe discuss our final plans before we prepare our weapons.
Tomorrow we will head out towards the Fort, making a flank attack on the Pirate's Camp as it was discussed at our meeting last night." Curly stated, changing the subject.
Lieutenant Austen nodded to the statement before he spoke, "Yes I remember, therefore if the Pirates aren't aware of our early coming then the element of surprise should be in our favour. I'm just hoping that they wouldn't ambush us first."
Curly nodded in agreement before he turned to the porridge pot and checked it.
Seeing that it looks ready he pulled out a spoon and took a taste of it. When he tasted the contents of the porridge, it was hot to his tongue but most of all it was just right to eat. Nodding in satisfaction, he dished out a bowl for Lieutenant Austen.
Once he reserved the two bowls for himself and Lieutenant Austen, he called out for one of the cooks to alert the troops to come for their bowl of porridge of the day. Leaving the pot to the cook who arrived to serve each of the troops, Lieutenant Curly and Lieutenant Austen took their bowls back to the high tent where they enjoyed their breakfast for the morning.
For the next half hour of enjoying their porridge, the soldiers were speaking about heroism and family as well as their doubts and their hopes for the next day.
It was in that half-hour that they received a surprise visit, a guard was looking up at the skies for any clouds when he caught the sight of someone he didn't expect who then flew down from the air.
Startled by the person who flew down into a clearing in front of him, the guard took up his rifle and he gripped it in his hands. But what he saw flying from the skies was a young girl who was dressed in a dark green outfit with a short skirt and dark grey tights.
He was about to speak out to the flying girl when he heard the voice of someone else.
"Soldier, hold your fire and stand at ease!" said a voice from a distance.
Just then the guard turned his sight to see the Commodore Charles Corven appearing from the bushes, he approached the guard who trained his rifle to the Commodore as he approached the Camp.
Seeing the Commodore looking so dishevelled in his dirty clothes, the guard hesitated as he saw his face so he decided to speak to make sure.
"Commodore Corven, is that you sir?" The guard asked.
"Yes guard, I'm Commodore Charles Corven of Fort: Fairfax and Leader of the British Royal Navy," Charles stated showing his iron gauntlet to the guard as proof of his identity.
Seeing the gauntlet on the Commodore's arm, the guard remembered it was the gauntlet that only the Commodore always wore on his arm to preserve the injury of his forearm as he heard from Curly Corven himself and his early years in service of the Navy.
Lowering his rifle down, the guard became stunned in embarrassment for pointing his weapon on the commodore.
Regaining his composure in front of his commanding officer he spoke.
"Commodore Corven, please accept my apologies. I needed to make sure that you were the same man from Fort; Fairfax as your clothes were in rags sir."
"There's no need for apologies, I could hardly recognize myself in this state." Commodore Corven replied.
"Sir, who is this girl who flew down into our camp?" he asked Commodore Corven who then spoke addressing Maggie Banning.
"This is Maggie Pan, daughter of Peter Pan. Where is Lieutenant Austen?"
"He is having his breakfast with Lieutenant Curly sir." the guard answered.
"Then take us to his tent, it's important that we speak with him at once," Charles stated to the Guard who then turned away. He called the two soldiers over to escort the Commodore and the girl, Maggie, to Lieutenant Corven's tent.
Soon after the two were escorted to the Lieutenant's high tent, the word spread that the legendary Navy Commodore of Fort: Fairfax was walking in their camp.
Most of the men placed their bowls down as they turned to see him walk across the path, each stunned at the sight of the great Commodore himself walking amongst them.
It was only a short walk across the camp before Charles and Maggie came to the high tent to see Curly and Lieutenant Austen come out of their tents to see Commodore Corven outside. To their eyes, they looked almost worst for wear.
But Curly didn't mind as he approached his uncle, stopping at a short distance he spoke.
"Uncle Charles Corven, as I live and breathe." Charles drew a small grin before he laughed and spoke, "Its remarkably pleasing to see you too Curly, especially after the events of the past few days. You look so smart and handsome for a commander of an army."
Curly looked down at his uncles' clothes before he replied.
"You look so terrible, you didn't get into a mess with the pirates did you?"
"Actually I got captured when I went looking for Andrew, Captain Hook's successor Edward Sephiran was commanding the pirates on our doorstep. But it was thanks to this little girl who risked her life to save me, I was able to escape with my life, in doing so I found that she and my son has recruited and rallied the Lost Boys to our cause."
Charles explained which made Curly draw a grin at the news. Curly laughed at the fact that his uncle got rescued by the girl before he looked down at her and he spoke to her. "So you're the little girl who saved my uncle's life?"
"Yes, my name is Pan; Maggie Pan, the daughter of Peter Pan. He is my father who came back to Neverland to rescue me and my brother Jack from Captain Hook himself." Maggie replied to Curly who was surprised to meet Peter Pan's daughter.
"Maggie Pan?" Curly asked taking a good look at the girl's eyes.
Recognizing the colour of Peter's eyes in Maggie as well as his spirit, Curly drew a grin of privilege to meet the daughter of his former leader when he was a former lost boy.
"So it was true that Peter Pan came back after a long time away?" Curly spoke curious to know, Commodore Charles was about to answer when he saw Lieutenant Austen approach to see the two standing in front of Curly Corven. Upon seeing Maggie in her new outfit, he drew a laughable grin as if he was glad to see Maggie in person after a few days.
"My goodness, Maggie. As I thought I couldn't live to see the day I'd see you again you fly into this camp, presenting yourself and our Commodore in our presence." Austen said.
"Its good to see you too Lieutenant William Austen. My mom told me your name, so you manage to get Mistress Corven to the outpost and now you're instigating an army." Maggie remarked.
"Indeed Miss Pan, so you come to Neverland to rescue your mother and now you're here to aid us in our Battle." Lieutenant Austen spoke, pausing to look upon her outfit before he spoke.
"You look outstanding in your outfit, like that of your own father."
Maggie drew a smile before she approached him, raising her hand she gestured him with her finger to bend forward to her as if to tell him something. But as William Austen bent forward to Maggie, she came to his side and she kissed him in the ear which startled him suddenly.
She giggled at the look on his face as he looked at her.
Most of the soldiers laughed at the display of Maggie's little prank.
"Oh, you are definitely your father's daughter for pulling a prank on me like that."
"Thank you, William, but this time is not the time for pranks or games. We must head out today, like the thundering storms under the battle flag of your Royal Navy." Maggie explained to Lieutenant Austen whose face grew concerned of the matter.
Lieutenant Curly turned from his uncle to look at her when he heard her order, he spoke before William Austen could speak. "Why today, we're still planning to attack tomorrow morning."
"No, it has to be today, because the pirates have taken the fortress.
I've learned from Tinker Bell that there was a traitor in Commodore Charles' army, the same man who was responsible for the murder of Tootles the former Lost Boy and he goes by the name of Horace." Maggie explained.
The mention of that name had left both Lieutenants Curly and William Austen stunned by the treachery that Sergeant Horace brought upon the Navy.
"Damn, I should have known that Sergeant Horace was a bloody Judas. He was always looking for a way to claim his thirty pieces of silver in exchange for selling us off." Lieutenant Austen spoke, spouting his anger aloud.
Soon all the soldiers felt anger as they heard his words.
Only Maggie Pan spoke out looking at all the faces of the soldiers who stood.
"So now we all have our reason to fight this battle today whilst they're still waiting for us to come. I'd rather fight now than let the Lost boys suffer for our cause. And which of you soldiers will go to war with me, which of you will fight for Neverland?"
"Aye!" The soldiers of the camp shouted aloud in unison, much to the surprise of Commodore Charles and Lieutenant Curly Corven who watched her speak.
"It seems the time has come now gentlemen, the Lost Boys await our aid. So let the British Royal Navy answer their call. Lieutenant Corven you may rally the army for battle." Commodore Charles spoke, looking at his nephew as he gave his orders to Curly who nodded with pride.
"I will do sir if you'll walk with me to my high tent. I have something for you." Curly spoke to Charles before he went back to the High tent.
When Curly went into his tent, Charles followed him into the tent to see him walk to the back of the tent. He opened a chest full of clothes before he pulled out a folded dress uniform.
Holding it in his arms Curly brought it over to Charles.
Looking at the sight of his old uniform, Charles was thunderstruck for a few seconds before he looked up at Curly. Having kept the old dress-coat and uniform his uncle wore so long ago, the former Lost Boy looked at the stunned Commodore. "I stole this old uniform from you Uncle in your former glory days but I kept it safe for you to wear," said Curly.
"You had this with you this whole time?" asked Charles.
"Yes and I had my own dress-coat and uniform made as well to match that of yours, I was hoping that you and I can wear this when we would go into battle." Curly spoke.
Charles approached Curly with his eyes on the uniform.
Once he raised his hands and touched the surface of his former uniform, he looked up at his nephew Curly and then he spoke. "So we shall Curly," he said before he picked it up to unfold his uniform so that he can start changing his clothes for a fresh shirt and his uniform.
At the inside fortress grounds of Fort; Fairfax.
Whilst Commodore Charles Corven and Curly were getting changed so they can step out for battle, there were other plans that are being put into motion.
Most of the pirates in Captain Sephiran's crew were at work, bringing the supplies into the open doors of the fortress with their wagons and horses whilst others were taking positions for the arrival of Lieutenant Curly Corven's troops who were coming the next morning on.
Some were out on patrol in case the soldiers would arrive.
As Sephiran's first mate was directing each of the crew with food, ammunition and supplies having them placed in storage, the Captain himself was standing at the pier with Sergeant Rayan Horace as he peered into his spyglass to see the ship itself afloat from the Harbor.
Although he was mad at the fact that the deserted crew stole the ship, Captain Sephiran kept control of his temper as he was working out how many boats he could use to send his troops to attack. "Damn the depths, I cannot believe that you let those members of the Royal Amber Fox trick you." Captain Sephiran said, lowering the spyglass down to look at Sergeant Horace.
"Captain those men were convincing sailors; They spoke like they were going to leave the ship, I personally checked the whole inside and out of the Royal Amber Fox to make sure that they were gone." Sergeant Horace said with a stern look on his face.
"They have proven to be a group of men who know how to fool an officer." Captain Sephiran remarked with a new amused look on his face.
Turning back to the ship, Sephiran looked straight on in the thought of a plan to take the ship.
After a few seconds, Sephiran decided to speak his thoughts. "Sergeant Horace, I'm promoting you to the rank of Lieutenant as I need half of my crew to hold the fortress whilst I use the other half with the reinforcements to take that ship, The Royal Amber Fox itself is the last part of the keystone Horace. Can you do this?" asked Captain Sephiran.
The promoted lieutenant Horace gave a nod, he was about to speak out when the pirate Mr Schmitt approached him and Lieutenant Horace and stood at attention.
"Captain Sephiran sir," said Mr Schmitt, addressing the captain.
When the Captain turned to see Mr Schmitt he spoke.
"Ah Mr Schmitt, is the preparation going along right?"
"Yes Captain, we've brought in most of the ammunition and the weapons for the fortress and the supplies of cannonballs and gunpowder is being loaded for the arrival of the army. We should be ready soon enough," said Mr Schmitt.
"Good because I'm now promoting you to Sergeant, Congratulations. Now I will need what cannons we have left from our camp inside this fort, I am intending to bombard the Royal Amber Fox to show my resolve. If I cannot take that ship then I shall sink it." said Captain Sephiran. Lieutenant Horace turned his head to look at Captain Sephiran.
Mr Schmitt was also startled by his command when Horace spoke.
"You intend on destroying that ship, sir?"
"I would rather see that Amber Fox sink into the bottom of the ocean than away from my grasp," Sephiran answered Horace's question. Mr Schmitt then spoke.
"Understood sir, we will bring the cannons in immediately."
"Dismissed Sergeant Schmitt," Sephiran said to Mr Schmitt. With that the newly promoted Sergeant Schmitt saluted his captain who returned the salute, turning away from the Captain the pirate walked off to perform his new duties.
Turning to Lieutenant Horace, Captain Sephiran spoke.
"This discussion is over Lieutenant, go out to my camp and rally some of my best Pirates for the crossing, we shall take the boats and make for the ship as soon as possible."
"Yes, Captain." Lieutenant Horace said, leaving the captain to perform his duties.
Once he was gone, Captain Sephiran turned back to the view of the ship watching it with his good eye for one last moment before heading off to see to all preparation for the war to come.
Seeing only six to ten men from a distance, Sephiran knew that taking the ship would be an easy task as cutting into a pie.
He drew a grin knowing that his two former enemies would come for him and he would be ready for his duel with them, hoping that his predecessor Captain Hook would look down at him with praise for his job well done in defeating the daughter of Peter Pan.
On the top deck of the Royal Amber Fox.
The remaining crew of the ship were in preparation for defending the ship as best as they could since the seventh hour of the morning, the officer in charge Sergeant Mac Phillips was standing by the ship's wheel as he was overseeing the preparations for battle from the aftercastle.
On the whole deck of the ship, the group of ten sailors were working to set up one cannon at a time as the hours went on from early morning to the late.
As it seemed to be a futile battle to hold the ship for this time of day, Sergeant Mac Phillips knew that it was starting to become hopeless as it seems.
Turning his sight towards the harbour of the Fortress, Sergeant Phillips saw some activity going on in the fortress. It was no doubt that the Pirates were preparing a row of boats to row across the water to board the ship and raid it, killing off the remaining troops.
If it was to be an end, then Sergeant Phillips believed that he would make such an end worthy of the British Royal Navy as he believed it.
Sergeant Phillips was about to turn away when his eye caught sight of a pair of figures flying about in the air. Thinking whether or not its a pair of birds, he looked around for a spyglass to see what they were. Remembering the Commodore's quarters he turned to the doorway and he went in.
Heading through the halls towards the doorway he opened the door, entering the cabin that was left undisturbed since the Commodore departed from his office with Lieutenant Austen and the Banning ladies earlier in the week.
Finding the spyglass hanging on the wall, Sergeant Phillips went over to the right side wall and picked it up from his hanger, turning away he went outside the cabin.
By the time Sergeant Phillips had come out to the deck of the ship, he found that the two bird figures were flying towards them and one of them was a girl.
When the two figures had soon come to close enough for the ship's crew to see, Sergeant Phillips was thunderstruck as the crew were to see Commodore Charles Corven floating with the young girl Maggie Banning flying in the air.
As the two figures flew to the deck of the ship, they descended from the air to land on the decks before landing on their feet. Seeing the crew were still in the surprise of seeing them here, Commodore Charles spoke out.
"At ease gentlemen, this is not the time for staring."
At his order, the crew soon relaxed themselves to get back to work but Sergeant Phillips then approached Commodore Charles who turned his head to him.
"Sergeant Phillips. I'm surprised that you're still on board the Amber Fox."
"Alas I have nowhere else to go, and I had no stomach to abandon my shipmates here Commodore." Sergeant Phillips answered the Commodore when he turned his head to Maggie.
He spoke out. "Sergeant, you, of course, know Miss Banning."
When Sergeant Phillips turned his head to look at Maggie, he saw her new look which impressed him as much. "My goodness miss Margaret Banning, you've changed."
"Spending time with the lost boys have improved my skills with the sword in the past week since you last saw me and now I go by the name of Maggie Pan," Maggie replied to Sergeant Phillips.
Chuckling at Maggie's choice of name, Sergeant Phillips spoke.
"Well, in that case, Maggie, are you still up for another duelling match again?"
"If there's still time for us then I challenge you," Maggie stated, drawing her sword. Charles approached her and spoke. "Maggie we have no time for a duel we need to prepare for battle."
"Commodore, I must show the crew that there's a Pan here who can help save this ship. If I take back the challenge then those pirates will win none the less. Please let me do this." Maggie said looking up at Charles who gave a reluctant sigh in defeat.
Stepping back from Maggie who went into her stance whilst Sergeant Mac Phillips drew his sword and went into battle stance as well. As soon as they were ready and Charles clapped his hands to begin the duel, the two opponents paused a few seconds and clanged their swords together.
Beginning the duel at the first few fencing strokes, Sergeant Phillips moved forward in the duel but had to move back as Maggie's newly acquired sword skill forced him to move back.
She swung high and low on Sergeant Phillips as the short duel was progressed.
When Sergeant Phillips tried to use the same tactic he used with Maggie, it didn't work on her. Instead, she kept her distance as she fought him.
The duel took Maggie and Sergeant Phillips from one part of the ship to the bow, the two continued to fight until at the moment they clashed swords, Maggie twirled the sword out of Sergeant Philips' hand disarming him and she held him at sword point as he bent on one knee.
It was the moment that left the crew surprised at the display of skill that Maggie showed, even Sergeant Philips felt impressed with her. Looking at Maggie, he spoke.
"Good work Margaret, you've disarmed me now. I admit that I misjudged you when I first met you, so now you can brag to the Lost boys about how you beat me in this duel and leave me with the shame of my humiliation."
Maggie looked on him thinking to herself as Sergeant Philips stayed on his knee, raising her sword up to his chin she held it there and she spoke to him.
"Never, I could never leave you with humiliation Sergeant Phillips, it was a misunderstanding between us and for now you are still needed on this ship."
Withdrawing her sword from the Sergeant's chin, Maggie sheathed her sword and she then offered her hand to him.
"As you acted like a bully and didn't show kindness to me when we first met, please accept my offer of kindness to you because I think you're a good soldier."
Sergeant Philips couldn't help but feel moved by her words of kindness as he stared at her and looked down at her hand. After a short moment, Sergeant Phillips took hold of her hand and he stood himself up. "Thank you, Margaret Banning."
Seeing that the duel is over, Commodore Charles stepped forward towards Maggie and Mac Phillips to get things ready.
"Alright gentlemen and my lady, this duel is now over so let's get back to work, we will be expecting reinforcements to board this ship today and we have us a war to win. Maggie Pan, I believe you have a meeting with the pirates today." Charles spoke, looking at all members of the crew before turning to Maggie.
"I do sir, but you'll have to join me as you have unfinished business with Captain Sephiran," Maggie stated, looking at Commodore Charles. Seeing her confident look, Charles nodded.
"Maggie Pan I believe you're right. But first, you'll need your armour," he said before he turned to head towards the cabin doorway.
Maggie followed Commodore Charles into the cabin whilst the crew went back to work preparing the cannons and keeping busy whilst they still had time to spare.
As soon as they went straight into Charles' cabin, Charles went across the room to retrieve his own rifle along with a few reserved pistols he kept hidden for the occasion.
Gearing up for war, Charles got his ammunition and pistols for the battle to come.
When he was ready Charles brought out Andrew's armour and helped her fit it into her outfit. Once Maggie had her armour on and her sword on, she looked in the mirror to see her reflection.
Although she looked like a daughter of Peter Pan Maggie realized that there was one small change she would need to make for herself. She began tearing off a the end of her skirt until she had a long line of green fabric in her hands, she then tied her hair in a ponytail using one piece.
Once her ponytail was tied up Maggie then wrapped the fabric around her head.
Tying it underneath her ponytail at the back of her head, she made a headband between her skin and the line of her hair. Once she was finished she marvelled at her design and she spoke. "Looking Awesome Maggie Pan."
"If that's what you people say about your looks Maggie, I believe that the headband suits you well enough," Charles said having heard her speak.
Maggie turned her head to look at Charles who had his commodore's hat as well.
"Thank you, Commodore," Maggie said, pausing for a few seconds before she spoke. "Charles before we go to battle I want you to know that although I may never get to see your son again after I return home, he will always be in my heart as I hope that I will be in his. I'm glad to have come here because I know that I've fallen in love with your son Andrew."
Charles looked at Maggie, taken aback with her confession of her feelings for his son.
Wanting to spare her any discouragement, Charles breathed a sigh and he spoke. "I'm glad you told me dear Margaret Banning, thank you."
Turning to the window Charles turned back to Maggie.
"Shall we?" he asked, Maggie nodded before they went out through the doorway.
As went across the hallway towards the door, Maggie couldn't help but ask the Commodore.
"Commodore Charles, why didn't you take your gauntlet off if your arm is healed?"
Charles stopped at a step from the door when he turned to look down at Maggie and answered.
"Maybe when this war is over and the Pirates have been defeated, maybe I'll remove my gauntlet arm. But until then what you must focus on is the task ahead of us both, because no matter what happens today I should admire you for your selfless spirit."
Maggie couldn't help but draw a tearful smile of joy at the Commodore's sweet words as she stood in front of him. Commodore noticed her growing tears so he went down on one knee to look at her face to face, he spoke.
"I almost wish that I had a daughter, just like you Maggie Pan."
Touched by his own words, Maggie stepped in wrapping her arms around the Commodore for a brief hug like she was embracing a true friend before she withdrew and turned to the door.
She went ahead opening the door, Charles followed after him when he saw Mac approach her as she was about to fly off from the ship to do battle with the Pirates.
"Margaret Banning, before you leave I confess that I regret my early behaviour towards you when we first met. I'm sorry for some of the words I have said about you and your mother," he said to her.
Maggie frowned as she spoke. "Some?"
Mac breathed in before he spoke. "As a way of offering kindness to you to make amends, I now believe that you are the best swordsmen I've seen in Neverland.
And also I think you are the bravest young girl that I have ever met as well. Can you accept my apology and know that we will always be at your service Maggie Pan?"
Understanding that Mac Phillips was making his apologies to her, Maggie nodded to him.
"Thank you, Sergeant Phillips," she said before she turned away from him.
She then flew off into the air with her happy thoughts just when Tinker Bell had arrived at Maggie's side. The fairy flew down, spreading her pixie dust on Commodore Charles Corven who started to fly as well. Before long the two then flew off from the ship to head for the Fortress.
Back at the fortress grounds of Fort: Fairfax.
At the front gate of Fort Fairfax, the crew were bringing the third cannon on wheels.
Having brought the first one in they had it moved from the front to the harbour so that each cannon would be positioned to aim at the ship for the bombardment.
Whilst his army of Pirates worked hard with the preparation, Captain Sephiran stood on the top platform of the front gate as he observed the work of his army.
But suddenly he felt the presence of someone flying in the air, Captain Sephiran looked up and turned around to look in the sky when he saw his worthy opponent land on the west end of the gate.
The moment Maggie's feet touched the ground, Captain Sephiran drew a grin at the sight of the girl who took out his left eye. Some of the pirates were about to walk up the stairs and ambush her when Captain Sephiran raised his hand up. "No, let the girl approach. I've been expecting her," he said to the pirates. The other pirates came up behind him from the other end as he looked at her.
"So we finally meet again Maggie, and might I ask how on earth did you get such a colourful outfit like that Missy. Is the Commodore with you by any chance?" he asked Maggie.
Maggie replied as she approached the Captain.
"The Commodore himself is at your front door with an army behind him."
"My front door?" Captain Sephiran gasped before he chuckled at that remark.
"If you wish to go free then I call upon you to surrender this fortress before he shows himself," Maggie stated looking directly at the Captain who drew a smirk on his face.
"Surrender? Oh, my dear Maggie, I thought that you would learn that I surrender to no one. You see I swore an oath on Captain Hook's grave, I would take Neverland and I'm prepared to fight you or Corven dearly for my goals as you are." Captain Sephiran stated to Maggie.
Sephiran was about to speak further when Commodore Corven spoke, landing on the spot behind Maggie he stood armed with his loaded pistols raised.
"Then we are in agreement Sephiran."
"Ah Corven, you come, at last, wearing your former uniform and armed for battle I see," Sephiran said observing Corven's weapons belt he looked up at Corven's face which was rugged from not shaving for the past week.
"Yes and I've been waiting long to see you to Davy Jones' locker." Commodore retorted, pointing his right pistol on Captain Sephiran who then spoke reaching for his sword.
"And I've waited long to slash your neck with my blade, as I am looking forward to making Maggie pan my slave."
"I'd rather die than be your bloody slave you Baboon," Maggie said spitting her venom on Sephiran who glared at her before he spoke.
"Very well then. If that's what you choose, Maggie Pan and Commodore Corven prepare to meet your makers!" As Sephiran drew his sword, Maggie drew her sword as well.
"Dark and sinister man have at thee!" Maggie pan replied to Captain Sephiran before the pirates behind him drew their weapons growling as did the pirates behind Charles and Maggie.
At that instant when the Pirates behind them came towards the two, Charles trained his right pistol on the first pirate. He fired the first two shots of his bullets, killing two pirates before he and Maggie jumped up in the air.
They flew from the grounds of the front gate somersaulting in the air.
Landing on the grounds Maggie turned ran towards the first pirate and thrust her sword into him while Charles holstered his right pistol.
He fired his left pistol on one pirate at the same time before drawing his sword for battle.
With his sword and pistol at hand, Charles fought off one pirate and knocked him down with his pistol he turned to go and join Maggie at her side.
When one pirate pushed her on the ground, he was about to strike her with his cutlass but Charles blocked the strike, steering the cutlass to the side Charles punched the Pirate in the face sending him falling on the ground.
He blocked the next pirate's strike before Maggie stood up thrusting her sword into the pirate's chest. Standing side by side, Maggie and Charles then started fighting off the oncoming pirates one by one together. As they came upon the two, each pirate fell to the strikes of Charles and Maggie who held their grounds fencing the pirates for almost a minute.
When the time had come to call for reinforcements, Charles looked to Maggie.
"Maggie its time to ring that bell on the tower," he said aloud, Maggie knew what to do as she started to turn away and fly off whilst Charles ran the same way. Sheathing his sword, Charles drew his pistols to shoot down a few pirates to buy Maggie the time to get to the bell and give the signal.
As Maggie flew up in the air and went straight towards the tower, the pirates down below fired their shots in the air trying to shoot her down but she dodges each of them as she flew.
By the time she got to the bell, Charles dropped his pistols and drew his sword to fight.
Grabbing the hanging rope to the bell Maggie rang it side to side to call for aid. "Bangerang!" she shouted aloud.
Outside on the open grounds of Fort Fairfax.
The second the bell on the fortress rang aloud, a long line of armed Lost boys appeared from beyond the forest at the old Pirates' camp, wearing the same armour they wore in the fight against Hook, they stood yelling out; "Bangerang!"
Only it was not just the Lost Boys who were there, Andrew Corven appeared mounted on horseback with Moira who was also dressed in a lost boy's armour as well at his side.
She had her own horse as well whilst the former Pirate Starkey stood beside amongst the Lost boys.
Soon the lost boys charged straight into the lines of Pirates who saw them come, drawing their weapons they rushed straight into the charge. When the two lines clashed together, the battle between the lost boys and the pirates began with Andrew leading the charge.
As soon as the battle began, the crew on the ship started firing their shots on the harbour to blow up the line of boats to stop any of the pirates from crossing the sea to the ship.
Charles soon made his way towards the front gate where Captain Sephiran stood, he fought off each pirate that came in his path as he walked whilst Maggie fought off the pirates coming on the tower.
Moira too fought the pirates, taking down the first few Pirates on both sides as she rode her horse across the plain but only she saw that some of the pirates inside the fortress were pouring out of the front to join in the fight, outnumbering the Lost boys.
A few of the elder Lost Boys had fallen to the blades of the Pirates whilst the young Lost boys were using their own weapons to repel their attackers but they were running out of options.
The battle itself seemed to be hopeless.
But it wasn't until at the last minute, there was a sound of drums and trumpets in the air with flutes being sounded as if playing a song.
As the music was playing in the background, the soldier lines of the British Navy had appeared on the left side of the battle which was behind the army of Pirates.
With the group of flag bearers, musicians playing their instruments and a group of mounted horsemen behind him, Lieutenant Curly presented himself on horseback with Lieutenant William Austen at his side as they stood on the grounds.
Seeing the battle has begun, Curly wasted no time as he gave the order for the soldiers to form a long line. Obeying the order the lines were formed and the soldiers stood straight, their rifles with bayonets at the ready. "Front line, ready!" the commanding officer ordered to the regiment of soldiers who immediately readied their loaded rifles.
When the order to aim was given, the soldiers aimed their rifles straight in formation.
Seeing the army of soldiers in front of them, the pirate lines at the read turned their backs and charged right towards the soldiers splitting the whole army in half leaving the other half to deal with the Lost boys.
As soon as Curly and the officers all gave the order to fire, the oncoming pirates were knocked down in mid charge. Some received bullets on the chest and arms whilst others received wounds to the legs. Although the first wave of pirates were cut down, the second lines charged in.
Each pirate drawing their own pistols they fired upon the soldiers.
Only fourteen soldiers were shot down before the lines reloaded to cut down the lines of almost a hundred pirates in plain view. Lieutenant Austen rode ahead to join the front line. As soon as he was at the front, he looked to the soldiers.
Drawing his own sword for battle, he shouted aloud, "Bayonet charge!"
The second the order was given, the lines of soldiers charged straight into the lines of Pirates who met the lines.
The pirate lines clashed into the bayonets before they started fighting the soldiers.
Whilst the British soldiers occupied the Pirates, lieutenant Austen fought off the pirates before leading twenty of his soldiers around and into the side of the pirates to aid the Lost boys. They soon joined by the Lost boys Thud Butt and Rocky don't ask along with the other lost boys who slipped past the lines of Pirates, combining their forces they entered the fortress gate together.
Thud Butt used his dodgeball trick to clear the path into the gate, knocking the pirates aside as he rolled in.
Upon entering the grounds of the fortress, Lieutenant Austen's forces and that of the Lost Boys got further into the streets of the fortress.
Cutting off the Pirate lines successfully, they left the rest to the other Lost Boys and British soldiers outside who were sending the enemy on the run.
Dismounting from his horse, Lieutenant Austen fought the rest of the way on foot saving Thud Butt and Rocky in the battle.
Back in the midst of the battlefield, Moira was still on her mount riding across the field, saving a few lost Boys as she went when she saw Starkey in trouble.
So she rode forward to save him. Starkey was being hammered down by two pirates who had him on his knees as he blocked and deflected the strikes coming from his two foes until the first Pirate got him from behind, holding him still.
The second pirate was about to thrust his sword into his chest.
It was at the last second when Starkey thought he would die, Moira the second pirate on the head sending him down on the ground. The second pirate threw Starkey down and went up to Moira.
Reaching up at her saddle, the second pirate pulled her off her horse saddle.
Drawing a knife he was about to kill Moira when Starkey struck him in the back with an axe he found on the ground. After the second pirate fell to the side, Starkey approached Moira extending his hand to her. "Are you alright Merciless Moira?" he asked her.
Moira nodded taking his hand before she stood up with her sword in her hand.
"I am now, thank you, Starkey," she said to him. Seeing that the fight wasn't over yet, Moira turned to Starkey. "Come, we must make our way to the Fortress gate," she said.
Starkey followed Moira to her horse as it stood in the field.
Mounting up on the saddle Moira fitted her feet into the stirrups and reached out to take Starkey's hand so he can mount up behind her. Once the two were on the same horse, the two made their way across the battlefield towards the fortress.
From the moment he saw Curly Corven arrive with his army from the top platform of the front gates, Captain Sephiran became angered that his pirate army would soon be crushed for sure. So he decided to make his way down to the harbour so that he can make for the ship and steal it.
As the Battle was starting to turn around, Andrew turned his head to the gate to see Sephiran was leaving the spot to head down into the fortress grounds.
Seeing that he was going to go after the ship he rode ahead with the other Lost boys to enter the front gate which had become clear since the number of pirates was reduced.
That's Chapter nine done, but it picks up at Chapter Ten of the story. I hope that you'll like the work on chapter nine and follow onto Chapter ten as we draw the story towards the next two chapters. Cheers.