This chapter is a bit different from the others. This chapter is the first chapter to have not be told through Melody/ Kino's eyes. The first two segments are told in third-person. The last is told from the perspective of a new character, but I shan't give too much away. Just to let you know, (s)he is mine! XD This chapter was put up in honor of National Pirate Day!
Disclaimer: I own only Melody/ Kino, Toriko, Luep, Mota, Niko and the special surprise at the end ((still no hints! ))
A/N: YAY! THE DIVIDER'S WORKING!
Peter quickly made his way through the forest, Toriko following closely behind. The other three were trailing behind the duo. Peter held his dagger out in front of him, cautiously looking this way and that way, his jaw clenched. "Where is he?" he hissed, turning to Toriko.
Toriko sped up, "This way." he mumbled, taking many twists and turns as he tried to get to the meadow.
"Where are we going?" Niko called out.
"Quiet!" Peter shouted.
Niko shut his mouth, knowing better than to talk back to Peter, especially when he was in a mood like this.
"Hold on." Toriko stopped abruptly, Mota, Luep and Niko crashing into him. "Back off!" he barked.
"What's the hold up?" Peter asked impatiently.
"I want you to look at this." Toriko said, squatting down and motioning for Peter to come see.
"What is it?" Peter asked, he was a never a very patient boy. He squatted down next to Toriko, shoving auburn hair from his face.
The three younger boys all crowded around the two, peeking over their shoulders, trying to get a glimpse of what was so important.
"Look at this." Toriko commanded, pointing at the black goop that he had encountered earlier.
Peter stared long and hard at the substance. "What is this?" he asked, holding out his hands to touch the goop.
"Don't touch it!" Toriko shouted, slapping Peter's hand away.
Peter shot Toriko a look of warning. This had not pleased him.
"I'm sorry." Toriko quickly apologized, his face turning red. "This stuff is dangerous, it burns anything it touches."
Peter tossed a glance at the goop, "That is very strange."
"Captain! Look at this!" Mota trotted over, holding something in his hands.
"What is it?"
Mota held out his hands, a limp butterfly lying in his palms.
Peter's eyes widened as he snatched up the butterfly, holding it out in front of him by its wings. His eyes narrowed as he studied the markings. He gasped, throwing the butterfly to the floor.
"Hey, what'd you do that for?" Mota shouted.
Peter spit at the butterfly, the insect bursting into a puff of purple smoke before it hit the ground. Peter's face twisted into an expression of disgust. "What is this doing in Neverland."
Niko looked up at him, "What's in Neverland?" he asked.
"Black Magic." he spat, making a face like he had just tasted something bitter. "Who would bring this to Neverland?"
"This is where I found some of Kino's hair." Toriko said solemnly. "Whoever did this has her."
Peter clenched his fists at his side, "Let's go." he growled, taking a few steps before pushing off against the ground, launching himself into the air.
Tinker Bell, who had been quiet until now, flew around the four boys, lightly dusting them with dust. They rocketed into the air, following Peter across the sky.
Peter scanned the area, fervently searching for any movement in the forest below. He swooped down lower, the treetops inches away from his face. He growled, "I can't see anything. The greenery is too thick." He swooped down farther, doing a little tumble and landing gracefully on his feet.
Toriko swooped down next to him. "What are you waiting for?" Toriko said impatiently.
Luep landed on the ground with a 'thud', Mota landing oh-so gracefully on top of his twin brother. "Hey!" Luep screamed, tackling his brother, swinging his fists.
Mota swung right back, the two becoming a little ball of dust, fists, feet and screams.
"Don't fight!" Niko cried, trying to approach the twins.
"That's enough!" Peter shouted.
Luep and Mota froze, Luep was in mid swing and Mota still had a handful of his brother's hair.
"Let's go." he commanded, taking off in the direction of the forest.
(---.:. ADVeNTuRe AWaiTS! .:.---)
Captain Hook carried the girl through the forest with a surprising amount of ease. He had hoisted her up on his shoulder, draping her over like a towel, and she had not moved an inch. "Perhaps I struck her too harshly." Hook mused, "I surely hope not, for she is of no use to me dead." he shrugged his shoulders, the girl shifting slightly. "No matter."
He strolled through the forest at a leisurely pace, finally arriving at the water's edge. He walked along the shoreline, stopping at a certain point and dipping the toe of his boot in the water. He smiled to himself, just the right spot. He stepped on the water, boot, then peg. He had found a sand bar leading to his ship, but the buffoons on that ship saw it as magic. He hoisted himself up upon the deck effortlessly, never once did he shift the form of the unconscious girl.
"Smee." he called, the older man scrambling to his side.
"Y-yes, Cap'n?" he asked.
"Prepare the holding quarters, we have a new ... guest." he instructed, rolling his shoulders, making the lifeless form shift once again.
"Right away, Sir." Smee ran off to the holding quarters.
Hook sighed, dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief, "What a quest, I seem to have worked up a sweat." he mused, tucking the handkerchief away in his coat.
"All ready, Captain." Smee reported, breathing heavily after the hasty clean-up.
"Excellent." Hook's mouth curved into a creepy half-smile. He sauntered off towards the holding quarters, a small room above the lowest deck of the ship.
The floors were covered with molded hay, bails of it stacked up against the walls. The floor was littered with hay, as well, although this hay had a fresher scent to it.
"Good night, little one." he cooed mockingly as he tossed the girl across the room.
The girl's form landed on a bail of hay, tumbling off of it and onto the hay of the floor. The girl remained still.
"Hmm, quite peculiar." Hook rubbed his chin with his left hand, "I was sure that she would awake with fright." Hook sighed, once again tossing a 'No matter.' as he strolled out of the room with elegance, as always. He slammed the door behind him, chains rattling as he clicked a padlock onto the door.
Unbeknown-st to Hook, the clanking of chains had awakened an unknown resident of the ship.
(---.:. ADVeNTuRe AWaiTS! .:.---)
I awoke to a clanking of chains from above me. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, what inconsiderate being would wake me so early. I looked up through the criss-crossing of wooden beams, dusk was at hand. I yawned, stretching my hands over my head. 'I suppose I should eat.' I mused, standing to my feet as I floated about the lowest deck of the ship. I dove into a small crate, retrieving my stash of berries. I took a berry in my hands, it was the size of a coconut. It was not that size in reality, but in comparison to my size, it might as well have been.
I sunk my teeth into the ripe berry, the juices dripping down my chin. I wiped my face with one of my hands, succeeding in only smearing the juices. I shrugged, it did not matter much as long as I did not drip on my clothes, a quite fetching ensemble made of tiny leaves. I shoveled the last of the berry into my mouth, wiping my hands on the bail of hay I was sitting upon.
I looked up at the criss-crossing of wooden beams, each providing a small square of space. Through that small square you could see into the floor above. I happily floated through the small hole, vaguely remembering a small puddle of water on that floor. I smiled to myself, if it happened to still be there I could wash my face. I floated along, my deep green light shining brightly in the poorly lit room. Yes, I was as happy as could be, so deeply involved in my own thoughts that I did not notice the obstacle before me. I tumbled head-first into it. I opened my eyes, shaking shaggy purple hair from my eyes. Before me was something I had not seen in a great while.
A girl, and a blond one at that. I rubbed my eyes once again, this couldn't be, what was a girl doing on a pirate ship? I lifted a strand of her hair, hair just a few inches longer than my own. She did not look too well.
The girl stirred, a small groan erupting from her throat. A deep purple bruise was beginning to form on her neck. She shivered slightly, and with good reason. It was quite dank in this part of the ship
I reached out my tiny hands to caress her cheek. Curse my weakness for cute girls! I sat upon her shoulder, leaning upon the healthy skin of her neck. Perhaps my small light would be able to warm her a bit. I rubbed my dark eyes, leaning against her seems to make me sleepy again. I closed my eyes, my light brightening.
"Maybe I can talk to you in the morning." I mumbled to the girl.
Heehee ... don't worry, you'll learn more about my special Unknown in the next chapter! XD I apologize to Snake of Medusa, you won't find out about Hook's problem for at least two more chapters! XD I must say, I'm really surprised that I've written anything so long! (I'm almost done with the 10th chapter ((which should be out soon!)))