I apologize for such the long wait, I have been preparing to move and therefore have had little to no time to type. This chapter was one of my favorites, it was a lot of fun to write, despite of some of horrid things that happen. This chapter made my love for Toriko grow even more. I might have to up the rating a bit for this, and the next chapter. There will be a bit of blood, especially in the next. I hope you enjoy the thrilling next installment of Adventure Awaits!
Disclaimer: I like to think that you known who I own and who I do not.
"Smee." Hook called. When there was no answer, he called again, louder this time, "Smee!"
Still no answer.
"Smee!" Hook screamed.
The older man tumbled into the room, "Y-y-yes, Cap'n?" he stuttered.
"I think it is time." he twirled his moustache with the tip of his hook.
"Time?" Smee questioned.
"Retrieve the girl." Hook commanded. "Make sure she has eaten. We do not want her fainting."
Smee nodded his head, 'Yes, Cap'n." he scurried off, gently closing the door behind him.
When the door had shut, Captain Hook slowly opened a drawer, pulling a ornate dagger from the dark depths. He slipped the dagger from the sheath, holding the blade in his palm. The temperature of the cool metal dropped against the icy skin of his hand. He dropped the sheath, the jeweled metal hitting the floor with a clatter. Running his finger against the blade, he left a trail of black goo. He lifted his finger, the goo curling down his finger and dripping down his wrist. "Perfection." he purred, retrieving the sheath and slipping the blade into it.
(---.::. ADVeNTuRe AWaiTS! .::.---)
I sat back against a bail of hay, picking stray pieces of straw from my mop of hair.
Zephyr, that lazy bum, had fallen asleep. I leaned my head against the bail, careful not to disturb my little fairy friend's slumber.
Some people were not so considerate.
There was a clanking of chains as an unsteady hand opened the lock. Zephyr woke up, yawning, "What's all the racket?"
"Hide." I whispered, ushering him to my hair. If it was longer, it would hide him better.
He groggily flew to the appointed hiding spot, leaning against the back of my neck.
The door swung open and a whiskered old man stepped in. He seemed to be no taller than I, a chubby, jolly looking man was he. "Hello, dear." he smiled nervously, "My name is Smee."
"Hello." I said warily, fully knowing who Mr. Smee was.
"Come along, I have something for you." he beckoned me with his hands.
I slowly rose to my feet, carefully not to rock Zephyr too much. I sauntered over to the old Irishman, careful not to show any sign of fear.
He held a rope in his hand, an uncomfortable look spreading across his face. "Hold out your wrists." he commanded, trying to sound assertive.
I placed the heels of my hands together, presenting them to him. I had hoped that in his flustered state he would not notice that my wrists were not together, thus leaving room for me to wriggle out later.
My hopes were dashed when he cinched the rope tighter around them, forcing them closer together. I winced.
"Sorry." he mumbled, loosening the ropes a smidgen.
I suppressed a grin, Smee surely was a bit of a push-over. He led me by the rope like the prisoner I was to a large room. The mess hall, I presumed. He ordered me to sit and them placed a plate full of berries in front of me. "Prevents scurvy." he had said with a smile.
I sighed. Tis better than stale bread, but the least he could have done was undo the ropes so i could eat. I held a berry in my hands, casually pushing my hair back with my bound wrists, offering Zephyr a secret treat while simultaneously informing him of my current state: a bound captive.
He took the berry, eating it as quietly as possible.
When I was finished, Smee ushered me out of the room. He lead me to a wooden staircase, a staircase leading to the deck. I shivered despite of myself, raising my hands to my face. Hook was just a few footsteps away, how am I going to get myself out of this one?
(---.::. ADVeNTuRe AWaiTS! .::.---)
Tinker Bell flew faster than she had ever flown before, hot tears stinging her cheeks. 'That jerk!" she seethed, 'How could he even think of talking to me after what he did?' What Zephyr did not know was when that little hammer had hit the ground, it snapped in two. Tinker Bell was never able to fix it. 'That hammer was my favorite one! The most important one, and that jerk broke it without so much as an apology!' Tinker Bell wiped her eyes when a familiar head was visible, an adorable mop of auburn hair resting under a green cap adorned with a red feather. She flew to him, stopping right in front of his face.
"Tink!" Peter cried, "Where have you been?" he asked.
"Did you find Kino yet?" Luep asked eagerly.
Tinker Bell nodded, rapidly explaining where the girl was.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Peter asked, taking to the air, rocketing towards the body of water where the pirate ship was anchored.
Luep flew after him, followed by Tinker Bell.
The small pixie felt an overwhelming feeling, one she had not felt in a great while. Green dust was following her as she flew, could it be ... jealousy? Tinker Bell wrinkled her nose. 'No way, how can I be jealous of her?' she thought, 'She's just part of his crew, nothing more.' Tinker Bell dismissed the idea as non sense, that mushroom she ate must have been bad.
(---.::. ADVeNTuRe AWaiTS! .::.---)
The three boys tromped through the forest, the smell of salt water was thick in the air.
"Almost there!" Toriko crowed, his pace quickening.
Niko was beginning to fall behind.
Toriko fell back, scooping the youngest boy into his arms and onto his back. He hooked his arms under Niko's legs and resumed running.
Mota fought to keep his pace even with Toriko's, he could feel the excitement in the air.
The pirate ship was coming into view. With one last burst of energy, they were there.
Toriko dropped Niko to his feet, leaning his hands on his knees in an attempt to catch his breath.
Mota flopped on the ground, breathing heavily.
Niko stood, waiting, staring anxiously at the pirate ship.
Toriko, his breath finally captured, stood to his full height. He stared at the ship, his eyes blazing with determination. "Are you ready, men?" he asked, faking a deeper voice, raising his sword in the air.
"Ready!" Niko squealed, holding his little blow gun.
"Ready!" Mota shouted, his breath finally regained. He raised his tomahawk in the air, waiting for Toriko's instruction.
He looked from Niko to Luep, a smile plastered in his face, excitement in his eyes. He held his sword out, letting out a battle cry.
The two younger boys joined in.
"Let's go rescue Kino, then we'll get a double story!' Toriko grinned, running of in the direction of the pirate ship, the two boys following him.
The stood at the bottom of the ship, looking up at the high walls. Their weapons tucked away, they began their climb. One hand after another, their fingers found their way into worn out grooves in the wood, feet somehow finding footholds on ropes and broken wood.
Niko held onto Toriko's neck, far too little to climb on his own. He should have stayed behind, but he is a stubborn little fellow and just would not have it. He wanted to help rescue Kino, too.
Toriko peeked his head over the railing. He looked in all directions. There were a few pirates scattered about, surely he could take all of them. He motioned for Mota to scurry up with him. He held up three fingers, the countdown beginning.
1 ... 2 ... 3!
With a yell, they hoisted themselves over the railing, weapons raised high in the air.
Toriko slashed at everything in sight, mowing down a few pirates.
Mota slammed his tomahawk so forcefully he feared the head of his weapon would fall of.
Niko, too little to do much damage, shot darts, severely annoying the pirates.
"What is all this?" came a chilling voice.
Toriko whipped his head in the direction of the voice. Anger flared in his eyes. Before him, on the upper part of the deck, was the object the Lost Boys hated with every fiber of their being.
Dark curls, dead blue eyes, Hook. An old, rotund man stood at his right-hand side, a rope in his hands. The rope was currently binding none other than Kino.
"Toriko!" she cried gleefully, rising to her feet.
Hook grabbed her, preventing her from going any further, "Hello there." the corner of his mouth turned up in a crooked smile. He held her back by her cheek, his hook threatening to bury itself in the healing cut. "May I ask what you are doing on my ship?" he asked, acid dripping from his voice.
"Give her back." Toriko demanded, pointing his sword towards Hook. By that time, he was close enough to lightly brush the pirate captain's nose with the tip of his sword.
The man chuckled, "I'm afraid that I cannot do that. She is of great importance to me. I believe you say: Finders keepers?"
"I wasn't asking." Toriko growled. He knocked Kino out of the way, spinning around and swinging his sword.
Hook stopped the sword in mid-swing, catching it in his hook. "What poor manners you Lost Boys have." he frowned, "I suppose I will have to teach you some." he threw the sword off of his hook, knocking Toriko back. He drew a sword of his own, preparing for a duel.
(---.::. ADVeNTuRe AWaiTS! .::.---)
I stared at the battle going on before me. It appeared that Hook's new peg leg did not slow him down in the least. I glanced at Mr. Smee. He was in such shock from the things happening before him that he had dropped the rope.
"Zephyr." I whispered, quite proud of him for staying quiet so long.
"Right-o." he replied, flying from his hiding place to my bound wrists. His little fingers went to work on the set of intricate knots Smee had tied the rope in. His fingers were quick and nimble, the knots were undone in a matter of moments. I shook the ropes off and stood to my feet. I looked to the battle between Hook and little Toriko. I felt so helpless, for all I could do was watch as Hook unleashed his rage on Toriko. I watched his cringe in pain from the reverberation of the swords clanking together. Behind the cool confidence of his face I could see fear hiding behind his eyes. I looked all around, then, I spotted it.
It was a small, ornate dagger, jewels speckling the golden sheath. I ran for it, grasping it in my hands. I pulled it out, charging for Hook, intent on helping Toriko. "Hah!" I screamed, digging the dagger into his side.
Hook flinched, surprised, giving Toriko a chance. He swung at an opening in Hook's side, slicing it open.
I grinned at Toriko who rushed to my side. We stood shoulder to shoulder as I pulled the dagger from Hook's side.
A putrid, black goop spurted from his side, splattering over Toriko, who had roughly shoved me out of the way.
I fell to the floor, watching Toriko writhe in pain when the goop hit his flesh.
"Toriko!" I screamed, rushing to his side. His beautiful, smooth skin was being burned from the goop. I frantically scrapped at it with my hands, ignoring the burning sensation in my fingertips. I had to get this junk off of him. The skin where I had cleared the goop from was red and raw.
Toriko began to shiver, unable to move. I scraped the last of it off, the smell of singed flesh in the air.
Zephyr glared at Hook, hatred filling his small body.
Hook chuckled at him, "How frightening, a half-breed in my presence. Where did you come across a being as disgusting as this?" his voice oozed acid.
I held Zephyr back, I did not want Hook to lay a hand on my newest friend.
Hook gazed at Toriko's singed form, "Powerful stuff, huh?" Hook asked, the goop still gushing out of his side, "It is a form of acid running through my veins, it will burn whatever it touches, like your little friend there."
I held Toriko in my arms, pulling him close, trying my hardest to keep him away from danger. I looked to the others, Mota, Niko, they were both being held by the scruff of their t-shirts by two big pirates. The were thrashing about, trying to free themselves, but it was no use. Hot tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "You sick abomination." I spat, insults were all i had at the moment.
The man chuckled, "Abomination? I never quite thought of it that way." he touched the goop lingering at his side. The flow was beginning to cease. "This acid, do you know where I received it from."
I glared at him, pulling Toriko closer. I did not want that goop anywhere near him.
"I trust you know of my encounter with the crocodile. When I met with that wretched beast I also met my end. The next thing I knew, I was in eternal darkness. A man with hair of blue flames and robes black as night approached me in that swirling abyss. He made a deal with me, it appears I am not the only one who despises Pan." he spat the name out, a look of disgust on his face. "In exchange for my foot, he would give me new life. It seems that something was binding me to Neverland, and he did not want to deal with it. When I kill Pan, I will be able to rest, and Hades, Lord of the Dead, will be rid of that wretched creature as well." Captain Hook began to chuckle, his soft laughter turning into that of a raving lunatic.
"You're sick." I spat at his feet, I could feel the anger in my eyes.
His hand reached out for me, I tried to pull Toriko farther away from him, but it was no use. He plucked the lifeless boy from my arms and tossed him like a rag doll to one of his pirate henchmen. The pirates tied the boys to the mast of the ship with a thick rope, dashing any hopes of escape.
I glared at him with all the hate I had ever felt, tears burning my eyes. "You filthy old Codfish." I choked out. In felt so helpless, I could not help Toriko, who had risked his life to rescue me. I could not help little Mota, I could not even protect the smallest boy, Niko. I clenched my fists, my fingernails digging into my palm. I am so useless!
Hook raised his hand, smacking me across the face. He had used so much force that it had knocked me clear across the deck. "You will not speak to me that way, nor look at me in such a manner." he seethed, his eyes flashing.
Zephyr, unable to stand it any longer, shot out from his place on my shoulder. "How dare you raise your hand to a woman!" he seethed.
Hook batted him away, knocking him to the ground.
"Zephyr!" I cried, picking his small body up in my hands. He managed a small smile, he was okay.
I will not cry, I refuse to! I spat on the deck, a look of defiance on my face.
Hook raised his hand once more, approaching me with the intent to kill, but, a noise broke his rage.
Pan pipes. It was only a few notes, but it alerted us to his presence.
A flying boy with garments of green and hair of auburn shot through the air, followed by another boy and a ball of light.
"Look who's here." Hook snickered. "Now the show can begin."
Toriko! No! -huggle- See what I mean? I finally found the name of the Lost Boy Toriko was based on. His name was Rufio from the movie Hook. I adored his hairstyle and his attitude, so it kind of influenced my design for Toriko. I hope you enjoyed this, please R&R, for it feeds me ... XD Reviews always speed my writing hand!