Chapter 5 - Trouble Afoot
Terence froze in place. His eyes shifted from his newfound treasure, to what was right in front of him now. There, in the water, ever so much bigger than himself, was a massive pirate ship. He could easily know this, as he remembered all the stories told about pirates during Fairytale Theatre. Not to mention the enormous flag, dark as night, protruding from the top of the ship, inhabited by a skull and crossbones. No mistake about it, Terence knew that this was without a doubt a pirate ship, and a pirate ship anywhere near Pixie Hollow meant nothing but impending trouble. Though Terence was still too far off yet to see anyone on board, he could see that the ship was getting progressively closer to the shore.
''Pirates,'' Terence whispered. He flew just above the water to get a better look. From this vantage point, he was able to see someone on board - and oh, how he wished he hadn't. It was a long face, somewhat dark in complexion, with piercing, evil dark eyes. He also had a thick black moustache and wild-looking black hair. A scowl was on his face, and he seemed to have a hook for a left hand…
Terence gasped at the horrific sight. ''Pirates,'' he said again, this time, out loud. That was all the cue Terence needed -he needed to get out of there, and fast! He flew just as fast as he could from the beach, and nearly forgot his treasure. Hurriedly, he sprinkled pixie dust on it, jumped on top of it, and floated off, this time screaming ''Pirates!''
He peered out over the edge of the book, willing the book to go even faster back to the depot so he could warn everybody. A look of pure terror graced his face as he saw that despite all his efforts that he still wasn't going as fast as he would have liked. So, at this point, Terence stood up on the book, surfer style, as was almost immediately able to feel it going faster. For some reason now, though he was on his way to warn Pixie Hollow of imminent danger, he couldn't help but let his sense of fun creep out, just a little. But no, he thought, this is serious business! After a short ride this way, he saw Scout, the best lookout fairy. Normally, he was in charge of looking out for hawks and such -today though, Scout would have to look out for something a LOT bigger than a hawk.
''Scout!'' Terence exclaimed. Scout turned at the sound of his name, and lowered his binoculars.
''Hey, Terence!'' He waved, and gave a curious look to the object Terence was floating on . As he came closer to Scout, Terence tried to catch his breath, but to little avail, and his heart seemed like it was going to rip out of his chest at any given moment. Now that he thought about it, how in the world was he going to tell Scout - or anybody-about this?
''Woah, what in Neverland is that?'' Scout reached out to touch the book, when Terence moved it ever so slightly.
''Don't worry about that,'' he demanded. ''I have to tell you - I- I s-saw something!''
Immediately, Scout's expression went from a smile, to a worried frown. Oh no.
''You saw something? As in, a bad something?''
''Yeah!'' Terence squealed. He finished catching his breath, while Scout looked at him expectantly.
''There's a - a- pirate ship out there!'' Terence pointed excitedly in the direction he just came from.
Again, Scout's expression changed. This time, it went from worried to amused.
''I'm sorry, what?''
''A pirate ship!'' Terence exclaimed. ''There! Down by the beach! I saw it - and it's headed this way!'' Scout erupted into laughter, along with other lookout fairies within earshot. Terence looked at them, confused, upset, and just a little bit hurt.
''Oh man,'' Scout said between laughs. ''Good one. You really had me going there for a minute, Terence. Pirates!'' He held his sides and exploded into another bough of laughter, this time even harder than before.
''Hey! I'm serious!'' Terence wailed and grabbed onto Scout's shoulders to emphasize his point. ''There IS a pirate ship out there! I saw it with my own two eyes!'' Speaking of which, those normally calm and serene eyes now filled with rage and disbelief. Why won't he believe me? He HAS to!
''Oh come on, Terence,'' Scout removed one of Terence's hands from off his shoulder. ''Did you swallow some sea water out there? Everybody knows that pirates do NOT exist. They're just made up - you know, to keep young fairies from going too far and off to the mainland.''
''But Scout, I saw-''
''Terence, come on, you're way too old to believe in human tales like this - pirates only exist in stories. You've had your fun now, so drop the act.''
''It's not an act!'' Terence shouted. By now, he was turning red, something that was extremely rare for a fairy of his disposition and character. ''There was a pirate on board and everything! There was even a -a-flag -with a skull on it! Just like in the stories -''
''Exactly- like in the stories. Now for the last time -''pirates'' are a myth -totally and utterly unreal.''
Terence turned away from Scout and the others -his arms folded. He looked out on the horizon to where he had just come from. In his mind's eye, he could still see the ship perfectly; it was vividly imprinted into his memory, maybe forever. The sight of the ship in his mind now gave way for genuine hurt to mingle with the frustration he was feeling. He turned back to the gang, an ever so tiny pout on his face. ''But, it was there. I swear.''
By now, Terence should have expected it, but this only sent the lookouts into another fit of laughter. ''Oh - come-on, T-T-Terence,'' Scout said between laughs. Anger now won the battle of emotions, and the young sparrow man only grew more and more red by the second.
''Fine!'' Terence roared. ''If you don't believe me, I'll go find someone who will!'' And with that, he flew right through a leaf, burning a hole in it as he passed by. He whizzed by them at quite a brisk speed, this time dragging his book behind him.
Scout only laughed all the more.
''Hey! Terence!'' Scout shouted after him ''You should tell that one to the story tellers! Maybe they can write a play about it!'' A few more chuckles, and he went back to his normal duties. ''Poor guy's losing his marbles.''
Meanwhile, Tinkerbell was back in her teapot home, gathering up a piece of her latest gadget to take to the workshop. She had been working on a new and improved version of a fireworks launcher as a surprise for Clank, and had just yesterday found the perfect ''springy thingy'' to get the launcher working. Though her mind at least seemed to be on her work right now, to speak truth, her mind was still on the lovely Terence, and how she wished with all her heart that she knew how he really felt about her. He really did seem to like her at times, but at other times, it seemed like friendship was all he was after. 'Agh!' she thought. 'He's just so-so confusing!'
She gathered the teaspoon, which is what she was using for the catapult in the launcher, and her newfound springy thingy. She reached into a blue pouch, and sprinkled the tiniest amount of pixie dust on each of the objects. With a dreamy look in her eye, she watched each of them float into the air, just waiting for her to turn them into her latest and newest invention.
''Ah,'' she sighed. ''Terence is going to love this -Oh! Clank! I mean Clank, I mean, well, oh! Gah!'' She tied the two together with a small piece of thread as she once again, attempted to shake the thought of the blonde haired blue eyed Sir Galahad of Pixie Hollow.
''I've just gotta get him out of my head,'' she said to herself. ''He said himself earlier, we are JUST FRIENDS!'' She put her hands up for emphasis, perhaps as a deeper way of convincing herself of this - but the effect was only temporary. She sighed once more, this time with an air of defeat, and threw her hands down. ''But if we're just friends, then why do I feel so much more?''
''Help! Someone! Anyone! I've seen them -with my own eyes!'' A young sparrow man was shouting, and sounding quite frantic just outside of Tinkerbell's door. Now, for some reason, this voice sounded oh so familiar to her - soft, gentle, not too high yet not too deep - Terence?
''Terence?'' Tink opened up the door hurriedly, just in time to see a rushed Terence fly by her door.
''Terence?'' she repeated. The sound of Tinkerbell's voice caressing his ears made him stop immediately and turn around. When he did though, he saw a look of worry and, almost fear on her face.
''Tink!'' he started. He pulled her into a tight hug, and held the back of her head in his hand. ''Oh thank the Second Star you're safe''
''Yeah I'm fine, Terence - I only saw you a little while ago.'' She broke the hug, but only widely enough for her to look at his face. ''What's going on? What did you see?''
Terence took her by the wrist and pulled her to the edge of her front door. ''I was on the beach, flying, when I found this really cool lost thing, which by the way, I hope Clank hasn't eaten by now - when I saw it -''
''Saw what?'' Tink asked, throwing her hands up in confusion.
''A pirate ship! A real pirate ship -just like in the stories!''
''Wow,'' Tinkerbell was overcome with fear and wonder -mostly fear. The two youngsters paid close attention to the stories they were told about pirates, and let it be said that they were never portrayed in a gentle, friendly light. Not in the least.
''Terence, are you sure- that it was a pirate ship?'' She put a hand on his shoulder, and Terence watched while she did. ''I mean -''
''Oh Tink, not you too! Geez, why won't anyone believe me?'' Man, even Tink doesn't believe me -they must all think I'm crazy. With that, Terence was about to fly off again, when Tink pulled him back by his arm.
''No!'' she squealed. ''Come back - I believe you, Terence.'' Terence turned, the anger lifted from his eyes, and that joyful glow that was usually always there returned. He had something of a smile on his face, and relief of someone, the most important someone, believing him was apparent in his face.
''You -you do?''
Tinkerbell blushed a little, looking down. ''I really do.''
Terence was overcome with tenderness -he rushed to her and pulled her into another tight hug.
''Thank you, I hoped YOU would.'' With that, he gave her one last pat of affection on the back before he ran a few steps and started to take flight again.
''Wait!'' Tinkerbell put a hand up again to stop him. ''Where are you going?''
Terence turned one last time to face her. ''That ship is coming this way- and I mean fast! I've got to tell Queen Clarion and the rest of Pixie Hollow.''
''I'll go with you!'' Tink rushed after to follow excitedly, but Terence placed his hands on top of hers to stop her from advancing any further.
''No Tink!'' Realizing that he was practically yelling at the girl, he took a calm breath, and stroked her hands, holding both of them in his.
''No,'' he said, this time much gentler. ''I need you to stay here right now. I need to keep everyone safe -including you.'' Terence released one of his hands to make a rather bold move - he gently touched Tinkerbell's cheek, moving his thumb up and down. Tinkerbell didn't seem to react much to this, she being much too distracted and worried about Terence, and Terence could see this in her eyes, too.
''I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you.'' After he said this, he broke contact with her, and for the final time, prepared to take flight.
''But Terence-'' Tink whined.
''I'll come back as soon as I know for sure that it's safe.'' And he flew faster than he ever had before, to save Pixie Hollow and the fairy he loved.
Tinkerbell stood in the doorway of her house, unable to do anything but stare after the place where her beloved Terence had just been only moments ago.
''Oh Terence, '' she whispered. ''Please be careful.''