Nothing But a Pirate

Chapter Nine

Centuries ago once again…

Rufio ran through the jungle as quickly as he could until he came upon a clearing deep within the trees then took a seat on a log in front of a small campfire, across from where Hook was already seated while he waited for the Lost Boy to arrive. Neither of them spoke for several minutes and while the boy turned to look over at the pirate, Killian kept his eyes on the fire as he worked to stoke the flames before they could go out.

"You're late," Hook stated coldly, still without turning to look at Rufio. "It's a good thing for you that Pan hasn't asked for my services tonight and that I have no need to be anywhere until sunrise, the time of sunrise that is."

"Unfortunately, Pan did need my help and I couldn't get away until just less than an hour ago," Pan's second in charge replied in frustration. "It took me longer to get here than I expected it would. You said you needed to see me, pirate. That my life depended on coming. The question is, why do you care?"

The Pirate Captain finally looked at him as he responded, "I don't. But you once saved my life when I first arrived back here in Neverland. I know you didn't do it because you cared for my wellbeing either, but nevertheless… I survived. I think it only fair that I repay the favor. I always pay my debts. Peter is plotting to kill you with your brother. Felix may not want to see you dead because a part of him still cares enough about you, but you know exactly how persuasive Pan can be. He's manipulating Felix by playing on his jealousy over you becoming Pan's second in command."

Rufio scoffed as he shook his head in disbelief, then he answered angrily, "You're wrong. Felix may have been angry that Pan chose me, but he loves me. We're brothers. He would never kill me!"

"Believe me, I know what it feel like to believe in a brother's bond with every fiber of my being, but Pan has the ability to twist everything around until we don't know what to believe in any longer," Killian replied sadly, being reminded of his last few moments with Liam before he died in his arms shortly after he and Liam first stepped foot on this island years ago when Pan tricked them both as Liam foolishly poisoned himself with dreamshade in hope to prove it wasn't fatal as the demon told them it was. "My own brother died because he was too stubborn to actually listen to me and because I goaded him into something that got him killed. If you won't listen to me, then you will die and it's on you as well as on Felix. And you'll only help to make Pan even more powerful than he already is."

"If Pan wants to see me dead, why would he have chosen me to be his second?" the Lost Boy questioned. "Why not just choose Felix to begin with?"

Hook suddenly stood as he shouted, "Because it's what that demon does! He manipulates everyone in order to get what he wants and he doesn't care who he hurts to have it. You may be the stronger warrior and even crueler than your brother, but Pan cares most about loyalty and believes Felix has better potential. I heard the words from his own mouth meself."

Felix glared at the pirate while he responded, "I don't believe you, Hook. And why should I when you're nothing, but a dirty pirate? We may work together, but that doesn't mean we have to trust each other. We'll never trust you, just as you'll never trust us."

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," Killian retorted with frustration. "Think on my words. And should you want to live, I can help you get away from Pan even if I can't get you off this bloody island."

"Is your vengeance really worth being trapped here with someone you clearly hate as much as the Dark One himself?" the boy asked in confusion.

The Captain stood up and turned his back to Rufio, indicating it was time for the Lost Boy to leave as he answered cruelly, "You have no idea what I'm willing to do to get my revenge. I don't pretend to be some selfless leader or hero. I know exactly what I am. You will learn exactly what your beloved Pan is one way or another. Leave and tell no one we spoke, nor of where I am if you know what's good for you."

Present day…

After Emma and those with the Savior left him alone, Rufio stood up from where he was sitting and pulled on a cloak, then left the comforts of his hideout. Once he was clear of the water pool that surrounded the rock face, the former Lost Boy walked through the trees for nearly ten minutes until an Indian brave appeared before him as Rufio immediately froze upon being startled by the warrior.

As Rufio stared at him, the warrior spoke first saying, "Tiger Lily sent me to bring you message."

"If your message is that Hook has returned to Neverland and has been captured by Pan, I already know," he replied in frustration. "The Savior, Baelfire, Tinker Bell, and two others have come with him. I didn't expect Baelfire to ever return and yet he led them straight to me. Luckily they all believed I've actually become crazy."

"Yes, lucky for you," the Indian responded. "What did they want?"

Rufio smiled and then answered, "They want to save the pirate. I told them Pan would be bringing Hook to your camp. I suggest you move him and set a trap for the others when they arrive."

The other man replied, "We are already taking pirate to Skull Rock."

"Good," the boy responded quickly. "And you need to tell Tiger Lily that the Savior has the power to defeat Pan and that she will have to work hard to convince this woman of what she needs to do. Just be careful. She's tougher than she appears."

"You're right about that," the Savior replied coldly as she and her parents, as well as Neal and Tink suddenly stepped out from the trees behind them as the Savior replied coldly, "One thing about me you didn't count on… is that I have a sixth sense that tells me when someone's lying and I didn't know exactly what it was you were lying about, until now."

Surprised to see that they had caught him, Rufio said nervously, "Emma! Baelfire, I… I can explain. It's not…"

Neal glared at him as he responded angrily. "We heard everything."

"I don't take kindly to being lied to, ever," Emma continued as she stepped closer to the former Lost Boy while David and Mary Margaret held the Indian warrior in place as they aimed their weapons at him. "I especially hate it when they're trying to hurt people I care about. You may not know what Pan has in store for my son, but you can tell us about this, Skull Rock. You can help us to save Hook, for real this time."

"Look, I did all that I had to do in order to keep Pan from learning I am alive," Rufio answered worryingly. "If he discovers I'm still alive, he will send the other Lost Boys or his shadow to kill me. That part was true. He'll send my brother."

David looked between his wife and daughter, then turned to the boy as he replied, "If you help us to rescue Hook, we will help to keep your secret. If you want, we can even bring you with us, back to our own home off of this island. We don't plan on being here any longer than is necessary to save my grandson and Hook. You won't have to worry about Pan again."

The Indian stated cruelly, "Hook will die. He slaughtered our Chief. He will pay."

"I know what he did," Emma responded, looking over at the warrior and back at Rufio again. "I know the kind of man he is, but also what he wants to be. He's helped us and risked his life in doing so. No matter what, we owe it to save him. Please…"

"I can tell you how to find Skull Rock," the former Lost Boy answered curtly. "But that's all. If you insist on getting yourselves killed trying to save a pirate, then by all means do so, but don't expect me to risk mine. Tiger Lily will fight to kill Hook, as you fight to save him."