AN- BATTLE ON DECK AHEAD! This chapter contains graphic blood and violence, mentions of past sexual assault/rape, and bloodlust. If you are easily triggered, best to avoid this one again. It took me three days to write this because I kept getting interrupted. So I hope you guys like it and it doesn't feel too disjointed and inconsistent from the starting and stopping. Enjoy!
Down the Rabbit Hole
Chapter Eight
Emma threw her arm around Killian's back, hoisting him up and allowing him to use her to support his weight against her in his weakened state. With her back bowed, she tilted her head up to see several pirates scale the ropes, their bodies inching like caterpillars toward their intended destination.
All around her the crew members of the Crimson Revenge scattered at the sight of the enemy preparing to board the ship.
"Man your posts! Strike hard and true. Defend the Revenge!" Morston's voice cut through the chaos as footsteps landed on the deck with a heavy thud.
Those that ventured over the edge of the ship were swiftly met with brunt force to starve off their attackers. The men of the Jolly were determined to fight through the barrage of bodies as a number of pistols were fired, deteriorating into a cloud of smoke.
"Get to the captain!" A voice penetrated through the clashing of swords and screams as men met their demise.
Emma flinched as several men grazed them where they stood, trying to avoid the attack as the plumes of smoke dissipated — a plump man in a red beanie shuffling toward them. She gripped his side as they approached.
"It's alright Swan. It's just Smee." Killian grimaced in recognition of the distinct appearance of his first mate, who was quickly followed by a cabin boy carrying a large satchel and a number of weapons.
"Captain!" Smee shouted, holding the back of his beanie so it remained on his head as he reached them.
"Impeccable timing as always Mr. Smee." He drawled out, clutching the wound on his chest to apply pressure on it as it leaked blood onto his hand — his bandages were completely soaked with blood — at this point he was unable to determine their origin.
"Sorry we didn't get here sooner sir. We came as soon as we received word." Smee babbled defensively.
"It's alright Smee. The important thing is that you are here." Killian nodded gratefully.
"We need to get him onto the ship. He needs a doctor." Emma insisted, struggling to hold him up.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Smee asked, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.
"Now is not a time for introductions. Now is the time to act." Killian said sternly using the commanding voice of a captain.
Emma felt him falter in his arms, his body going limp against hers. "You aren't going anywhere, you're hurt. They have this covered." She attempted to get him to relinquish control. "Tell him Smee."
Smee looked back and forth between the woman and his captain, unsure of how to act, but in the end nodded his head toward his battered captain, silently instructing the cabin boy to provide care.
The unnamed cabin boy dug into his satchel, producing a potion and walked over to Killian. "Tip your head back, sire." He instructed, raising the potion bottle to Killian's lips as it shook in his trembling hands.
"What are you giving him?" She demanded in question.
"It is a potion that speeds the healing process. It won't completely heal his injuries but it will restore some of his strength." Smee explained as Killian drank from the bottle, his adam's apple bobbing in his throat as he swallowed the substance. "It will allow us to take him back and board to see to his wounds." He added.
Killian coughed, prying himself from Emma now that he was able to stand upright, both feet planted on the floor below. "Bloody disgusting but I feel much better. Thank you Mr. Smee." Killian tilted his head toward the cabin boy, glancing at the satchel well aware of what it contained. "My hook Mr. Smee." He crooked his fingers toward himself, beckoning the boy to comply with the order.
"Captain, you aren't strong enough. It is too much weight. The potion will eventually wear off, I can't let you-" Smee shook his head.
"That wasn't a question Mr. Smee." Killian's eyes darkened, his expression changing into the fearsome pirate captain.
"Smee, please." She begged. "He's not seeing reason. He will be killed! Stop this, please!" She begged frantically.
"I'm sorry milady. My hands are tied." He relented as the cabin boy procured a long black leather shoulder holster and began to help Killian into it. He tightened the straps, securing them into place before attaching a thick leather handle, pushing it over his arm until it was seated against the healed skin from the place where his hand was cut from his body. The boy dug into his bag and removed Killian's spare hook and handed it to him.
Killian accepted it in his hand, sighing as the overwhelming feeling of being completely whole again invaded his senses. His eyes flashed with murderous intent as he pushed the hook snuggly into place and turned it, enjoying the click of the metal — once again feeling like himself.
The cabin boy rounded his captain, wrapping a leather belt around him, a black leather scabbard hanging off the end, his cutlass sheathed inside. Killian grunted as the belt was tightened around his waist, hanging low against his body.
"Timothy." He called the boy over as the cabin boy outfitted him with a secondary small blade meant for close combat and shoved a loaded pistol inside an empty slot on the belt.
Timothy promptly jogged over to them and waited for Hook's command. "Sir?"
"I need you to take Emma to the Jolly." He pointed over toward his ship.
"No!" Emma refused. "I'm not going anywhere. You need me. You've seen what I can do with a sword."
"Emma this is far different than our little tiff in the Enchanted Forest." He explained, talking with his hand as he spoke. "These men? You don't know them. They aren't going to exercise restraint just because you are a woman. They will not hesitate to kill you." He stated resolutely.
"That's exactly why I have to fight." She told him, her eyes narrowing in determination. "I've sat back and let them abuse me, grab me, harass me." She choked as she listed the crew members' crimes against her. "If you think I'm going to sit idly by and not exact my revenge then you are mad. You of all people should be able to understand that. I am not asking you. I'm telling you this is what I need to do in order to claim what was taken from me."
Killian smirked devilishly at her, his body hot as his cock sprung to life in his leather trousers. She was bloody gorgeous when she spoke like that — challenging him in every way possible. She was always surprising him with her stubbornness — it was one of the qualities that made him love her.
"That is just about the sexiest thing I've ever heard you say Swan." His voice dropped to a low rasp as he used his hook to sweep her blonde curls from her shoulder and planted a searing kiss to her lips nearly knocking her backwards. "You are a bloody marvel Swan. Gods I love you." He breathed against her lips. "I've learned not to underestimate you long ago, Swan."
"Let's go to war captain." She smiled against him.
Killian groaned possessively, wrapping his arms around her and tugging her body flush against his so she could feel his need for her pressing against her leg. "Mr. Smee? Get this woman a sword."
"Right away captain." He hurried about, grabbing a sheathed sword from the sack on the cabin boy's back. "Here you are." He said, handing Emma the sword, nodding her thanks.
Killian backed away, biting his lower lip, his body caked with the blood of his enemies, his hand on the hilt of his cutlass before drawing it from its holster. "Men of the Jolly!" He shouted, raising his sword in command, watching as the men around him fought. "Leave no man alive! But leave the captain to me!" He gritted his teeth in anger, his body pulsing with the need to kill. "Tonight... we feast on the pain of our enemies!"
The men around him cried out with renewed vigor, thrilled to be back under their captain's charge as swords clashed viciously — the sound of metal slashing into flesh hanging in the air around them.
Killian returned to Emma, his cutlass resting lightly over his shoulder. "Shall we?" He prompted, gesturing to the fight for dominance waging on around them and Emma nodded certainly. "After you love." He smirked with anticipation.
The pair took off in two different directions toward the nearest enemy pirates and began to face off against them.
Killian narrowly missed the underhanded wipe of a blade heading toward his belly. He clenched his core, stepping back several paces before raising his cutlass to block his next attack. He released a throaty growl, exerting himself to push the man off balance to little avail. He could feel the man's weight bearing down against him forcing him to make a quick decision to gain the upperhand.
Killian landed a heavy kick to the enemy pirate's chest, launching him backward leaving him slightly dazed in the process. Using the opening he created to go on the attack, Killian crouched down, slicing through the pirate's lower leg. The man howled in pain, distracted for a moment allowing Killian to leap into the air to bury his hook in the man's carotid artery.
Killian gritted his teeth, shaking in fury as the sound of tearing flesh pierced his ears — feeling the warm blood gush from the open wound onto his hook, seeping through the straps of the mechanism that held his hook into place and rolled onto arm.
He retracted his hook, taking delight as the man fell lifelessly to the deck. Killian titled his head up to see several of his crew members squaring off against the men who had held them captive for far too long — dispensing swift justice in the name of their captain. His eyes fell upon one of his men in distress and quickly jumped in to help him.
Killian wrapped his arm around his crew member's attacker, pulling him off of him before he had a chance to push him into the ocean. Killian pushed his arm against him, his back flush against his chest as he slit the man's throat from behind, sending him clattering to the ground.
"You alright?" Killian asked, extending his hook to help the man up.
The man looked up at him in shock and relief and clasped Killian's hook to lift him from the ledge of the ship. "Thank you Captain." He stuttered gratefully.
"Repay this kindness by making them pay." Killian said, shooting him an authoritative look.
"Ai aye captain." He agreed with a nod of his head as he moved to pick up his weapon.
Emma traced up the steps onto the top deck to avoid her presuitors, her blonde girls whipping in the wind and brushing against her face as she circled to gain an understanding of her surroundings. She stood statically, her eyes darting from side to side to see two men ascending the stairs, crowding her inward so that she couldn't escape.
"Listen sweetheart, we don't want to hurt you." One of the burly men cackled, revealing his yellowing teeth and gold-capped tooth.
"I don't think the captain would even mind if we had our way with her. Just look at her quivering with fear." His buddy rounded her, examining her lewdly.
Her face suddenly morphed into a terrifying sneer, gripping the hilt of her blade with both hands before plunging it into the man's chest. She had lured them here under false pretenses unaware of who they were dealing with.
She twirled around, her coat billowing out around her as she met the other man's sword with her own — her stance wide as she advanced on him. She tangled her sword against his, pushing him closer to the edge until his back met the edge of the ship, sending his sword to the ground and leaving him defenseless.
Emma glowered down at him with satisfaction, extending her blade until its sharp tip teased the man's throat, drawing a small amount of blood from the small puncture.
"Please." The man begged for mercy as he hung over the edge, his eyes widening in fear as he looked down to the darkened waters below.
"You didn't grant me mercy. Why should I honor your request for the same?" She jolted toward him intently as if she was going to strike and he flinched. Emma smiled at his reaction, reveling in her ability to frighten him. "You are the last man to ever underestimate me." She said finally, twisting the long steel blade into his chest. Emma rose up, dropping a firm kick to his chest sending her victim overboard. She watched him as the waves crashed over his body, taking him away.
"What do we have here?" Morston's voice rang out, chilling her to the bone where she stood, unable to make herself turn around to look at him. "Playing pirate are we?" He chuckled darkly, drumming his fingertips on the hilt of his cutlass. "If you wanted to be treated like a pirate, all you had to do was ask." He insinuated, licking his lips at the thought of her wanting to be taken like a pirate. "You know it's not too late. We can always arrange something…"
Emma narrowed her eyes that were trained on the sea, watching the waves lap against the side of the ship as she gripped the wooden ledge tightly with her hand, her knuckles going white as she squeezed.
"He made a mistake." He tilted his head, referring to the pirate she just sent overboard to his death. "I've seen that fire. That brute determination…" He monologued, pacing around the deck behind her expectantly.
She peaked up at him from the side before turning her head completely to look at him. She wore a murderous glare on her face, her eyes dark under red rimmed lids. "You're wrong you know." She alluded softly before dropping her voice, "why play pirate when I'm far better suited to play a princess?" She whirled around, pointing to him with her raised sword, blood dripping off the end — the blood of her enemy stained on her linen shirt. Emma looked him up and down, her stare intense as she sized him up, gripping the hilt of her long sword.
"You honestly think you can take me?" He jested, feigning shock and surprise by her brazen choice.
"Why? You thought you could take me…" She sneered. "Care to see who was right?" She widened her stance, balancing it with her other arm raised in midair.
"If the lady insists." He mocked in a dramatic bow before raising his sword to humor her.
"She insists." She stated resolutely, swinging her blade before jabbing her sword toward him only to have him parry her blow — their swords meeting in a fury of metal clinks.
Morston adeptly avoided her attack, his movements studied and quick in execution as he barely moved his arm to counter her, favoring to let his wrist do most of the work. "You are nothing but a girl playing dress up." He taunted, as he continued to block each of the lashes of her sword.
Emma felt the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins with every strike of her sword against his, moving vigorously toward him. She took a step back on the defensive as their blades collided, the scratch of metal piercing the air as she struggled against his persistent weight.
"I've seen that very same look on your face before — the look of a terrified helpless little girl." He scolded, smirking as he loomed over her, her back arched, trying to maintain her stance.
"Well it's a good thing that you won't have to see it for much longer." She bit back, loosening the grip on the hilt of her sword before connecting her fist to his cheek.
Morston stumbled backward, cupping his cheek, the color in his face all but drained from where she had hit him. "That is just adorable." He laughed. "If you think punching me is going to bring me down… you are sadly mistaken."
Morston lunged at her, his blade raised in attack as Emma spun around, raising her own blade above her head to defend herself. She gritted her teeth under the strain and pressure against his sword before bringing her elbow down hard against his jaw.
Catching him off guard, she began to swing her sword, prodding for an unprotected point to stab him in when she was grazed in the shoulder with his sword. Emma released a yelp of pain, stepping backward, chest heaving in anger as blood began to ooze from the injury.
"I'm absolutely remiss to cut up that beautiful creamy skin. Such a shame." He shrugged.
Emma screamed, launching herself at him in retaliation to only have her wrist seized and the blade knocked from her hand.
"Peculiar situation we are in here…" He licked his lips, wrapping his arm around her, holding her flush against his body as he thrust himself against her back, his blade resting at her throat.
She swallowed thickly as she tried to fight against him, only adding to his pleasure in the process.
"You put up a good fight." He admitted amidly. "Very admirable. But it's time to give up." He whispered against her skin.
Emma closed her eyes, trembling with unresolved anger as she pulled back and struck him firmly in the gut with her elbow to release her. She bounced backward, rolling against the deck to collect her sword only to be met with her face reflected in the shiny metal of his.
"Drop it." He urged her, his sword pointed toward her neck.
Her eyes fluttered, trailing up his body to see him looming over her, a scowl forming on her face as she clenched her jaw.
Elsewhere Killian was making quick work of his enemies — facing off with them one by one — calculating a running tally in his head as he reveled in the addicting feeling of cutting down his enemies — wearing their blood with pride as a trophy. Killian wiped his mouth on his forearm, bathing his skin with blood.
Killian watched as one of his crew members met their death, a deep growl emanating from his belly as he closed the distance between them and ran his upper back through with his cutlass.
The man on the brink of death, gurgled blood as it dripped from his mouth — his face as white as a sheet as his hands fumbled helplessly at the end of the cutlass poking out from his body.
Killian pressed his body against the man's back, leaning in to leave one final parting message as the man drew in his last breaths, "enjoy hell." Killian removed his sword from his body, spurting blood from the wound onto his chest, his muscles rippling with the action.
Killian circled the deck, realizing that their enemies were dwindling and scattering to avoid defeat. "We have them on the retreat!" He yelled out to his crew members as a mixture of sweat and blood dripped from the fringe sticking to his forehead. "Do not back down." He commanded, his eyes wild — high from the violence.
He was completely mad with bloodlust, seeking out his vengeance on any passing body that had the grave misfortune of crossing his path. It was chaotic — his passion for violence — the blood on his body caressing him like a lover driving him insane with the need to claim and possess — walking a thin line between murderous ecstasy and sensual bliss. His rage was an all-consuming drug he couldn't get enough of and failed to contain as he continued down his path of revenge.
Killian knocked his elbow against one assailant, latching his hook into the neck of another as he ripped into the man's skin before turning around to thrust his hooked hand into a man's chest. He pried it out of the man's chest cavity, his breathing ragged as he moved to push his hair back from his forehead — the long metal of his chain dangling in front of him.
"Captain!" He heard the voice of his first mate cry out and looked up to see him pointing behind where Killian was standing.
Killian whipped his head around to the direction to where Smee pointed to see Emma facing off against Morston. She was holding her own against him just like he knew she could. He felt a rush of pride go through him as he took in the way she moved. A sinful smile tugged at his lips at how turned on the sight of her advancing on him made him.
He wasn't aware of when the tide turned in Morston's favor but Killian's expression dropped when he saw Emma on her knees, Morston's sword digging into the flesh of her neck. In a blink of an eye everything had changed — his face paled as rage bubbled up inside him.
"Emma!" He screamed, breaking out into a sprint as he dodged enemies left and right to get to her.
Killian came to a screeching halt when he arrived on the top deck of the ship, watching as Emma's glazed over at the sight of his sudden appearance. Killian nodded in her direction, his cutlass drawn as he stealthily approached them.
Killian pursed his lips, digging and twisting his cutlass into Morston's back in warning, standing on the man's side. "Drop your weapon." He commanded sternly, glaring at him with hatred.
"Or what?" Morston barked. "Is the great Captain Hook going to kill me?" He quipped. "You kill me and I take her down with me." He warned knowingly. "The choice is yours." He provided with a chuckle.
Emma took a moment to plan her next move while Killian distracted Morston. She let out a long sigh before tucking her chin underneath the blade poised at her throat and slid across the deck as she arched her back and kicked him as hard as she could between his legs. "That's for me, asshole." She spat as she rose to her feet, her sword trained on his front while Killian covered his back, the pair exchanging looks.
Morston groaned in pain, his face contorting in agony as his limbs went slack while he tried to recover himself, swinging his blade between Killian and Emma so that they couldn't approach him. "You will pay for that bitch." He wiped the spit from his mouth and lunged at her only to be dragged backward against Killian as he used the hilt of his cutlass to wrestle the grip Morston had on his sword.
Killian dragged Morston against him, holding him deftly while he struggled against him. "Look at her." He whispered against the man's neck.
Emma glared up at him behind her wide brimmed hat, her sword dragging behind her as blood dripped off the tip.
Morston averted his gaze from her, refusing to watch her descent upon him, snarling like a caged animal.
"I said… Look at her!" Killian hissed, loosening his grip slightly on his cutlass so that he could grab the man's hair and force him to look at her, the cold blunt metal of his blade pressing against the back of Morston's head.
Morston sneered in Killian's hold, his scalp burning as Killian aggressively tugged him upright, as Emma sauntered slowly over to them, taking her time to draw out his torturous waiting.
Emma stopped in front of him, glaring up at him, her expression dark and homicidal as she thought back to all the things he had done to them — death wouldn't be enough to pay for all the misery he had caused them. Death was too final — too quick for what she had in mind. "On your knees." She gritted her teeth as Killian shoved him down onto his knees before her.
She loomed over him, watching him try to fight back to no avail. She crouched down in front of him, never breaking eye contact as she scrutinized him carefully, wanting to remember every single feeling and moment that this would undoubtedly bring her for years to come. "You took something very special from me and I intend to do the same to you." She said promisingly, chancing a glance toward Killian who nodded his head in support.
Emma kicked him backward until he was leaning back against Killian's feet, the man's eyes wide with fear as she stood between his legs and brought her booted foot down as hard as she could on his inflated cock.
Morston howled in pain, a blood curdling scream of agony as her other foot joined it and she bent her knees slightly, twisting her body until she felt him buckle underneath her. She continued to stamp her foot down repeatedly as blood cascaded from the wound, staining his tan breeches.
Killian felt Morston go limp against him, passing out from the unimaginable pain as the man lost his favorite appendage. He glanced at his love, her entire body shaking violently at exacting her revenge against the man who had assaulted her. "Are you alright, love?" He questioned, as he stepped back and Morston's body crumpled to the floor.
She stood still, breathing hard as anger, pain, and hatred welled up in her eyes as she stared at the man who had tortured and threatened her.
"Emma?" He titled his head, inspecting her with his eyes as he absentmindedly sheathed his sword and rounded Morston's body to reach her. "Emma?" He asked again, his face full of concern as he tried to reach out toward her with the sound of his voice.
Hot tears rolled down her face, her shoulders shaking with sobs as she gulped in large gasps of air, her body bowed forward as she placed her hands on her knees for support.
Killian gathered her into his arms, holding her to his chest tightly as she cried into his chest. "It's alright, lass. I've got you. It's okay. He's not going to hurt you anymore." He cradled her head to the crook of his neck, rocking her gently in his arms to calm her. Killian swallowed hard, sucking back tears of his own as she sagged with relief in his arms.
"Captain?" Mr. Smee interrupted, fingering his red beanie in his hands as he addressed his captain.
Killian opened and closed his eyes, unable to take a moment to comfort Emma knowing there was still work to be done. "Yes Mr. Smee?" He sighed heavily.
"Sir, most of the crew members have been dispensed. The remaining members are huddled together after their surrender. The ship is yours." Mr. Smee relayed. "How would you like us to proceed sir?" Mr. Smee asked timidly, awaiting his captain's response.
"Leave no survivors. Kill them. Kill them all." He growled dangerously, continuing to hold Emma securely in his arms. No surrender and cowardice will take back the pain that this ship's crew caused.
"And their captain?" Smee wondered.
Killian twisted his head toward his first mate, craning his neck to peer over his shoulder. "Tie him to the mast. I'm not finished with him." Killian told him callously, his body shaking with pent up rage, his cock springing to life in his trousers with the anticipation and promise of finally quelling his bloodlust.
"Yes, sir." Smee said, dismissing himself to direct the crew to follow the captain's orders.
"Don't worry. I'm going to make this right." He promised, rubbing the back of her head with his thumb, his eyes burning with unshed tears.
AN- They won! Surprise! Not really. I hope you guys liked the chapter. You can expect a little bit more explicit violence in the beginning of the next chapter, but I'm sure you guys want Morston to suffer A LOT. Just wait until Killian gets his hands on him. I think I wanted the fight of Morston to go on longer and have Emma and Killian double team him but it just didn't work out that way, even though that's what I had originally planned. So hopefully you aren't too disappointed with that.
There are two more chapters to go in this story arc. I've mapped it out to have two plots like a TV show. So this is the first half plot and then there is a second half about dealing with the aftermath and trying to find a way home, that type of thing. So I'm planning another 10 chapters after this first 10. Perhaps one or two more depending on how things progress, but the whole story is mapped out so some good stuff is still to come… some angst, drama, smut… just hang tight. Love you guys. Thanks for all the love on this fic.