Chapter 32
It was of course a bit of a shock when Artemis and Alfonse had Strider land at the Pixie Dust Tree. The fairies who saw them fly past, were curious as to what this could mean and so they followed. Artemis's friends too followed, but like all the other fairies, their passage was blocked by Queen Clarion's personal guards. Taking a quick look at the Hawk Rider's faces, Queen Clarion knew what they came to tell her was urgent. With the Ministry of the Seasons eventually gathered, a meeting took place over the supposed fate of Pixie Hollow, while Artemis watched in silence and let Alfonse do the talking.
"I want to thank you all for coming on such short notice." Queen Clarion said to the Ministry.
"Oh it's no trouble dear! It is part of our many duties as you know!" Beamed a heavier female fairy with bright red curls, whom Artemis decided was the Minister of Summer.
"Yes a duty as it maybe, I hope this meeting won't be too long. As you all know very well I cannot last long in this environment, and so I think we should get to the matter at hand right now." The Minister of Winter was easier to identify as the coldness of her skin radiated as much as her bluntness.
"Uh yes please!" The Minister of Spring exclaimed, shivering next to the white haired Minister.
Artemis admired the Queen's calm demeanor as she addressed the Ministers. "You all know Alfonse and all that he has done to keep Pixie Hollow safe. Artemis is his new student and they have some matters to discuss with all of us."
With a nod from Queen Clarion, Alfonse stepped forward. "Earlier today I had spotted something in the distance. Artemis and I went to investigate, only to discover it to be a pirate ship. How they had managed to find Pixie Hollow, I have only a guess. However, it's not just how they arrived here that's alarming, but why they are here. We went aboard the ship to discover, what Artemis call canon balls, all over the ship."
"And what are canon balls?" The Minister of Autumn calmly asked, addressing only Artemis.
"Canon balls are large balls made entirely of metal. They aren't very useful on their own, until they are placed in a canon which is a long metal tube that can fire the balls at a long distance. Once this happens, the canon balls destroy anything in it's path. I'm not sure if you're already aware, but the reason why I know all of this is because I was held prisoner by these pirates since the moment I became into being." Artemis answers, feeling awkward in the midst of those with the highest authority.
"So they intend to destroy Pixie Hollow?" Questioned the Minister of Winter, earning a gasp from the Minister of Summer.
Alfonse nodded, which brought an uproar amongst Queen Clarion and the Ministers. Arguments ensued for nearly twenty minutes, all of which were about what they all should do. Queen Clarion brought up Alfonse's suggestion of postponing the changing of seasons, which resulted in more arguments. With all of this arguing going on, Artemis wondered how they manage to get anything done. Artemis had enough of it when they argued against Alfonse's claims of Morwen being back.
"Hey!" Artemis had to shout to get everyone's attention, but immediately felt awkward once they did. "I know I'm just a simple fairy and that my words would probably mean nothing compared to all of yours. But while all of you are here arguing about the changing of seasons, they are out there getting ready to attack the one place we all call home. When I was the pirates prisoner, I never knew what love was or what having a home is like, but I do now and I'm not going to sit back and watch it all burn."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" The Minister of Autumn questions.
"I'm suggesting that you do post-pone the changing of seasons, because Pixie Hollow needs all of us more than the Mainland. Everyone has a talent that has been used time and time again to protect our home from various threats. Just because Alfonse and I are Hawk Riders, doesn't mean we can defend the entirety of Neverland on our own. We all need to stick together and do what we were all made to do."
Silence fell as the party took in the young fairies words. Artemis turned to Alfonse, startled to see pride on his face over what she had done.
"Well, what are we all waiting for?" The Minister of Winter broke the silence.
As night fell on Pixie Hollow, Morwen came to call on Blackbeard hopefully for the last time. The shape-shifter changed into his human like appearance, walking on the Queen Anne's Revenge like he owned the ship.
Is your men ready?" Morwen questions, coming to stand next to the Captain at the helm of the ship.
"Everything is into place, just as you asked." Blackbeard answers, looking out at the home of the fairies in the distance. "What about your part?"
"It will be fulfilled tonight, there is nothing that will stop me."
"Even the Hawk Riders?"
"Trust me when I say that the Hawk Rider's will be no more." And with this, he took off.
Author's Note: Well we're nearing the end folks! I hope you all have enjoyed it!