Sorry for the delay, I had to review and make sure this was passable & legible. The beginning of the War. I hope everyone enjoys it. Thank you for following and reviewing and liking. I promise if you guys are good to have chapter 5 up by Wednesday!
PS...you know the shtick I do not own the Hunger Games...
The day for the war arrived.
The morning arrived with excitement, but oddly the wind blew softly today, as if the Island was recalling Katniss. Their old Pan always planned things together, surrounded in a circle, exchanging ideas. Gale commanded. They stood outside of the tree house waiting for Gale to look upon them; this was something Katniss never did. Yet they looked prepared. Each had their own reason for wanting this fight.
Most wanted the battle because they did not like Captain Snow, some were too frightened to question Gale, a few wanted to have a grand war, while others wanted to exercise their wildness. They had dark colored war paint on their faces and were armed with knives, axes and daggers.
Jo was disappointed with the boys. Katniss never allowed the use of weapons in her play, the most dangerous item in their arsenal was a sling shot. She understood the cost of a life. Jo surmised it was a real treat for the boys to use actual weapons. Jo flew from her hidden position amongst the leaves of the treehouse.
"Are you sure you boys want to do this?" Jo's light twinkled, as her wings flapped quickly. She spoke rapidly and sounded like a thousand little bells to the untrained ear.
The boys lowered their lashes as Jo passed by them. The younger ones ears turned red, and couldn't even cast their eyes on her shadow. None of the boys listened to reason, they all stood waiting for Gale to give the order to fly.
"Thresh you don't want this do you? Please tell me you don't want to start a war with Captain Snow." Jo tried once more to barging with the older boy.
Thresh kept quiet.
They had made their choice, and defeated Jo's light diminished a little.
Nature began to slip into silence.
Gale stepped out of the tree house with his face pained in red and in black. He looked deadly. Gale took out the sword that once belonged to Katniss, he swiped in the air. Instead of the sweet sharp song it played when Katniss waved it around, the sword sounded dull and uninspiring.
Gale hearing what Jo said turned toward the fairy and in a mean childish voice said, "Stick your nose out of this Jo."
Jo flew over. "Gale, I've said it before, and I'll say one last time, playing war with Snow, never ever ends well."
"If you were so worried about us you could come with us."
Jo shook her head, "Fools, they are all fools!"
"Lost Boys, LETS FLY!" Gale shouted.
Jo sat on the tree branch of the home she built with Katniss, watching them fly away. She shook her head, the last time she felt this dread was right before she was kicked out of the Guild. Sinister forces were at play and Gale did not even realize it.
They disappeared from sight. The ground underneath slipped further away as they flew amongst the clouds. Around them the Island vibrated strangely. As if it was anticipating the grand battle between the boys and the pirates. The wind pushed the boys as they glided through the air.
They flew over the lagoon where the Merfolk lived. Over the peeks of Never Mountain they flew toward their objective the very edge of the Never Shores to where their target lay, dancing on the still Never Waters was the pirate ship. Every creature, beast, or thing that held breath on the island today waited to see what the outcome would be. Today the new Pan would test his metal.
But as it was known amongst those who resided on the island, Captain Snow was no ordinary foe. He was to be respected and carefully considered. The shadows of the boys were followed by the eyes of the Never Creatures as they flew up above.
Gale and the boys came to stop mid flight to hide in a billowy cloud.
The pirate's wooden ship was anchored off of the Never Shores near Bones Bluff. They watched the ship as the sailors walked around the deck performing their duties. No one breathed a word; they were all observing their new leader.
Gale stood on cloud then without thought plunged downwards. The lost boys followed their leader flying closely to where the Pirates had their ship, a Dutch Flute. It was a small ship to fit the hand picked crew, but it cut through the water quickly, and thanks to the modifications Snow made, there were even cannons aboard.
The seagulls flew away, toward the island.
The lost boys thought it was a glorious day, as they followed Gale, a day with bright blue skies and puffy billowy clouds that dotted the horizon. The boys positioned themselves on the hidden nooks of the ship's riggings as Katniss showed them. They waited for the order to attack.
Below a lonely harmonica was being played.
It became quiet, even the sound of the ocean seemed to be shut off.
It was so still many of the men on board found this to be a bad sign.
Sailors knew all to well never to trust the sea, for she was a jealous mistress, and always took what she wanted regardless of the cost. Seeing this catatonic state of nature worried many of the old timers.
Stories of ships disappearing into the abyss, in calm waters, and monstrous marine creatures destroying ships as they sat still, circulated amongst the men, until their tongues carried forth their fears. Yet none of the stories they shared were as scary and as treacherous, as the man whom they called Captain.
The door to their leaders chambers opened up, and the crew watched their leader slowly emerge from the depths of the shadows. The Captain was a tall stout man who did not wear the dark wig of the contemporary men of his day. Snow wore a silvery white wig with an abundance of ringlets, cascading down his back, tied with a ribbon as red as the roses he loved. He sported on his chin a white goatee. His unusual snake like eyes, were cold and calculating, his intelligence was only matched by his cruelty.
The crew paid close attention to the Captain's demeanor. They wanted to see if this was going to be a good day, or a bad one. Unfortunately the Captain's face was unreadable as he walked outside.
From behind the Captain, appeared his right hand man. Mr. Flickerman, an excitable nervous man. While Snow was an intimidating figure, Flickerman was the opposite. A tall thin man, but with a flare for the dress, where Snow's coat and britches were dark and austere, Flickerman's coat was a bright red with shiny gold buttons. He was a lively fellow, but just as pitiless. He was often taken as a fool, but he did not mind doing the dirty work for the Captain, and thus why he was indispensable, for he could just as quickly charge you with a dagger, as he could disarm you with his gilded tongue.
Despite the man's sinister ability, Snow kept Flickerman close, because he needed the man to obtain his goal in life. Snow's whole purpose for staying moored on the wretched Never Shores was to rule the island and make it his personal haven. His only obstacle was that maddening child Katniss the Pan and her Lost Boys. Snow wanted to kill Katniss in revenge for bringing him to this island, and for the sheer need to eviscerate all traces of the Pan from this wilderness.
Snow's eyes crinkled in the bright daylight as he stood on the deck looking port side. The shores of the island beckoned him, this Never world where things were wildly dangerous and mysterious, was ripe for the taking. Snow could not deny he was spoiling for a fight.
Yet as his snake like yellow eyes did a sweep of the ship, something did not seem right.
The Captain was surveyed the men's moral. There was at particular look on the crew that was not due to sheer boredom. Standing with his hands carefully folded before him, Captain Snow sniffed the salty sea air.
There was something different, something odd.
"I do not like this quietness Mr. Flickerman; I do not like it at all." The Captain looked out toward the horizon. The waters were too calm, nothing moved and neither pirate nor beast had heard from Katniss the Pan.
"It is as peaceful as a babe suckling from its mother." Mr. Flickerman said pointing to the pleasant day.
Captain Snow chuckled. "Ha, a statement made by a fool, indeed."
Mr. Flickerman kept quiet. All of the men knew it best never to cross the Captain.
"When was the last time you witnessed the shadow of that she devil cross our craft, Mr. Flickerman." Snow's voice sounded almost like a hiss.
Flickerman's face contorted as if in deep thought, "Not in a while Captain."
"What about the child's band of hooligans?" Snow looked to the heavens as he spoke. He knew the men were listening to his conversation.
"We have not spotted the lads darting about the skies either."
"Precisely Mr. Flickerman, that is very my query." His cold eyes took in the salty sea. "Where are those dratted Lost Boys, why haven't we seen them in nearly a fortnight?"
"Perhaps those wretched Lost Boys are off bothering another creature or being on the island, Captain." Mr. Flickerman guessed.
"Oh that it would be, but not even a seagull in the sky Mr. Flickerman."
The Captain's observation was something all the Pirates aboard the vessel had noticed. It as an omen, but no one dared speak about it. None of the men could have guessed hidden amongst the rigging and sails were the Lost Boys.
"I tell you Mr. Flickerman that child is up to something. I can smell it in the air. Mark my words." Snow turned away to walk toward his chambers.
"How do you know this sir?"
Snow paused, then turned his head slowly, "Because, we are their entertainment."
As Snow spoke the boys stood with their daggers in hand ready to attack. Gale stood ready to give the signal.
Gale crowed like a rooster.
As if on command, the wind blew in and the boys jumped down from the hiding positions.
Captain Snow immediately withdrew his sword and shouted, "Mr. Flickerman!"
Mr. Flickerman did not get to sound the alarm when the boys were zooming around them.
Snow noted immediately there was something different about the attack. It was uncoordinated sloppy.
There was also something else missing.
Gale flew past a pirate by the name of Brutus who had a shaved head and nasty scar on face. Brutus was fighting against Thresh.
Snow watched the boy land in front of him. He was wilder looking than the last time. "So boy where is your leader?"
Gale's eyes narrowed. "I am the Pan."
The boy charged forward. With practiced ease, Snow brandished not his rapier, but his cutlass. Back and forth they moved, and counter moved, as the fighting went on all around them.
"Tell me where is she, is she hiding in the clouds? Will she sweep down from the heavens at the last seconds to protect you?"
"She left us," Gale panted. "She's not coming back."
"Gah, boy, do not play with me," Snow hissed as they drew near and their swords tangled. Snow pushed the boy back, he was trying to asses where Katniss was. That insidious child was never far behind.
"She made me the Pan," Gale jumped forward, his sword in front of him, intending on ramming the Captain in the chest.
Snow easily side stepped him and kicked Gale in the rear. Gale hit the wall and was disoriented.
"I'm the Pan," Gale whispered holding his head.
Snow gently kneeled down; he slid his sword underneath Gale's chin, calmly speaking though there was a dangerous edge to his voice, "Enough of these games boy."
Around him the boys were being captured one by one. The fight was nearly over, the plan to play glorious war was a bust. Snow knew Katniss had to appear from wherever she was hiding. But as the last of the Lost Boys were captured she did not show up. Snow turned to the boy, "Where is she?"
Gale's sliver eyes became hard.
"You will tell me where your leader is," Snow voice was fraught with menace as he took the young child by the arm and shook him.
"I told you she's gone. She left to be with that boy, Peeta in Seagate Scotland." Gale fought his dizziness.
Snow breathed heavily, as he stood up quickly. He could not believe that Katniss was really gone. He wanted revenge, he wanted her dead. Snow wanted to feel her blood on the tip of his sword. He turned on his heal and walked forward to where one of the boys were. He chose the one who he knew was with Katniss for a long time, "YOU!"
Thom did not jump when Snow barked; the boy looked calmly at him.
"Where is your Pan?" Snow barked as he sheathed his cutlass in its scabbard.
"Over there?" Thom replied looking directly at Gale, who was now in the custody of two rather nasty looking marauders.
Snow pointed to another boy, "Where is your leader?"
Thresh nodded to where Gale was sitting with his head hung low between his legs, "Over there sir?"
Snow then said, "Perhaps I am not making myself clear, where is Katniss the Pan?"
None of the boys spoke, despite Snow's scathing glance.
He stood erect, his hands cuffed behind his back. With calculating coldness he puzzled, and questioned if the Lost Boys were hiding something. They knew where the girl was, but refused to tell him. He wondered how loyal they would be, he breathed softly, "Mr. Flickerman, I believe these boys are thirsty and should be given a drink, after their exertion."
"Prepare the plank!" Mr. Flickerman bellowed.
Immediately the men, did as was ordered. The long board was brought forth and attached to the side of the ship. Bloody fish entrails were spilled into the water to call the maritime beasts.
"I will spare any of you who can tell me where the Pan is?"
Silence reigned.
"Come, come, I am sure you know where Katniss is?" Snow could see the resignation on their faces. They would not betray the wild child. "Mr. Flickerman prepare the prisoners, make them walk the plank," Snow made his voice sound almost bored.
The sailors whooped and gleefully pushed the lot of them toward the edge of the plank. One by one they fell into the water, the men jeered happily. Until Gale was the only one left, Snow finally turned his attention to the boy who claimed to be the Pan.
"I know you know where she is." Snow looked to the boy who had similar features as Katniss. "She would never abandon you," Snow stopped registering the look on the boys face, he struck a nerve. "Or did she?"
"She didn't abandon us. I told you, she left for the main land." Gale bit out angrily, "To his window to be with him."
Snow looked at the boy. "I supposed Jo is with her then?"
Gale's face took a serious look. "No she's not. I told you I am the Pan, she left me in charge."
"Yes and look what a splendid job you are doing. You've lost your first skirmish, the boys have been launched into the water, and you will never be a good a Pan as Katniss is." Snow twisted his head slightly and Gale was pushed into the water.
"Mr. Flickerman, follow me."
Mr. Flickerman immediately followed the Captain inside his quarters and closed the door. The Captain stood in front of the box.
"I need information, and you will give it to me. If not you will die because I will stop believing in you."
All that could be heard was the chink of a tiny bell.
