Epilogue
"I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn't know how to get along without it." ~Walt Disney
During the night, Mermaid Lagoon was said to be the most peaceful spot in Neverland. The calm waters glistened under the luminescent moon, and an endless amount of glittery stardust had been swept into the sky to overlook the secluded cavern. The only sounds were the waves lapping along the shoreline, the bubbling springs surrounding the pool, and the occasional chirping of crickets in the underbrush beyond the beaches.
Everything was still… that is, until the mermaids were awoken from their tranquil slumber by an ear-splitting screech.
Their eyes widened in fright as they simultaneously dove into the lagoon, concealing themselves within the seaweed floating on the surface… they listened with baited breath, and were met with the silence of the island…
The mermaids were just about to emerge from their hiding spot, when their leader (a girl with flaming red-hair that was pulled into a high ponytail) spotted a distant figure sprinting on top of the water towards them. At first, she rubbed her eyes in a drowsy stupor; thinking that she was only having a bad dream.
Unfortunately, this was not the case.
Her followers seemed to have a sixth sense, and whiplashed their heads towards the ocean. Gradually, their eyes clouded with both terror and disbelief as the figure drew closer. They shared a knowing look amongst themselves, and returned to the shelter of the seaweed right as the figure came into view.
The mermaids immediately recognized the shoulder-length raven hair, the twitching handlebar mustache, and the polished hook that dangled from his left arm. To their astonishment, his iconic blood-red coat was nowhere to be seen, and his feathered hat had seemingly vanished into thin air. Instead, the pirate wore nothing but a tattered pink shirt, and a pair of heart-shaped boxers.
Captain Hook bolted right past the mermaids, scurried onto the beach, and climbed up the nearest palm tree. "SMEEEEEEEE! SAVE ME! SAVE ME!"
The mermaids didn't hesitate to sink deeper into the murky depths of the lagoon. Every inhabitant of Neverland knew that when Hook was hysterical, it meant that it was time to flee in the opposite direction. So, they swam away. They had no idea where they were going, but they did know that they didn't want to stick around while Hook's greatest fear lurked just beyond the reef.
Tick Toc Croc slunk out of the water. He licked his lips once he realized that he had his meal right where he wanted him. He stalked towards the palm tree as the pirate desperately tried to delay the inevitable.
"N-now stay back." Hook stammered. "I-I sincerely apologize for what I did to your…" He paused, trying to come up with the appropriate word. "…Accomplice." The captain eventually decided. "But I assure you that it was only a childish game we were playing! I would never intentionally harm the girl! In my defense, I hadn't the faintest idea that you and she-"
The villain was interrupted by the snapping jaws of the crocodile as he stood on his hind legs, and shook the trunk of the tree.
"What are you doing?" He was in official panic-mode. "S-S-Stop that!"
The croc ignored him, opening his mouth even wider as he continued to shake the tree. It didn't help that the captain was already trembling, and he inwardly knew that it was only a matter of time before it was the end for him. His only regret was not getting the chance to end Peter Pan… and it was all thanks to a brat's persistent pet crocodile.
"BACK BEASTIE!"
A bullet whizzed past Tic Tock's head, causing him to flee into the jungle. Hook was hesitant to open his eyes, but he was too curious to see the face of his rescuer. What he saw made him gape like the codfish he was…
"J-Jack Sparrow?"
"That's Captain Jack Sparrow to you." The swashbuckling rogue blew the smoke off of his pistol with a toothy smile. "Savvy?"
To Be Continued…
Hope you all enjoyed this first book! My goal is to have the first chapter of the second one out by next week, but I still haven't decided if I want to make it another fic or add it onto this one but I'm leaning towards the latter. Shoot me a review and let me know what you think!
Thanks!
~StarRosie :)
