The Captain and the Princess led the party forwards, to a grand ship with black sails, pinned against sharp rocks in the middle of the lagoon. Centred above the vessel, was a large opening in the roof of skull cave, other than the door they imagined to life, the was no other entry or exit point. The bottom of the lagoon was coated in treasure, making for a glimmering light show, reflecting back onto the cave walls.
"Hook what are you doing, you have no idea how to get out of here". Emma whispered to him, as they walked forwards over the mounds of gold and numerous other treasures, with Blackbeards crew close behind.
"I'm figuring it out" Killian said, tilting his head upwards thoughtful.
A smile appeared on his face, and he winked at the princess in encouragement, to which she smiled back.
"What are you two whispering about"?
"This ship ahead, this is where we'll find our answers".
"Why here, what's so special about this ship"?
"See the flag, this isn't just any ship, its Captain Jack Sparrows".
"Off course, if anyone had a way out, it would be him".
Climbing up the netting over the side of the ship they eventually reached the deck, immediately the pirates became distracted by the large piles of treasure. More of it was stuffed into barrels and chests as well as random piles.
"Alright you two, why don't you hurry this up". Blackbeard said frustrated.
Positioning himself between Emma and Hook, his sword now pointing at Emma's back ready to slice her through at a moment's notice.
"Come on let's check the captain's quarters, most secure part of the ship it would be there". One of the crew stated.
"Right but that's also the first place anyone would look, follow me". Hook said.
Captain Hook smiled as he led them down further to the lowest deck on the ship, the only location not shimmering with gold but instead filled with sealed wooden barrels. It smelt of moulding wood and was filling with water.
"I know it's in here, the real treasure, whatever they have been mining from Neverland all this time". Captain Hook said.
"Crack one of these open men, let's see if Hooks found what we seek"? Blackbeard said a little intrigued.
Using the hilt of his sword a bulky looking pirate stepped forwards and smashed the top of the barrel open. Everyone stayed silent anticipating what was to come, hoping they would find some answers to their many questions. As the wood cracked and broke, he placed his hand through it, elated only to find a handful of crumbling black grains.
"It's… its dust". The man said bewildered.
"Dust"? all said confusion in their tone.
"The have led us astray, kill them both we can find a way home, without them". Blackbeard yelled.
"Liam, he knew it was here, he wouldn't send me to Neverland or any of us, if there was no way home, he wouldn't".
"Your pathetic you could have had it all the treasure the glory, but you still won't stop believing in Liam, even after all you've been through".
"I never wanted any of it, that was you, you're the real reason these men are stuck here".
Blackbeard snarled angry he stepped forwards punching Captain Hook in the face, this time was much harder than before, and his eyes rolled back as he fell unconscious.
"You still haven't learnt anything boy, it's ok I'm willing to repeat the lesson, lock them in here, the tides coming in, and this time there's no one to rescue you".
"No, Hook"! Emma yelled.
Emma surged forwards out of the pirates' grasp pushing them out of the way in an attempt to get to Captain Hook. Taking a swing at Blackbeard but he dodged it, just before her other fist smacked him in the jaw sending him backwards. Quickly the rest of his crew grabbed her once more, stopping any further carnage.
"Tie her up properly, this time she won't be able to save him".
Blackbeard leaned in close to Emma, his breath on her cheek looking her over before letting out a sigh, as if he was wondering what could have been.
"Damm dust" Blackbeard sighed.
Walking out he kicked the wooden barrel sending it tumbling over and all the dust fell to the floor. The rest of the men left, while two grabbed Emma, tying her to a post tightly, as she struggled to push them back.
"No stop"!
Instinctively the princess held her hands out in front of her expecting her magic to push back the pirates, but nothing happened, and they laughed in response.
"Dammit, I can't wait to go home".
"You won't be seeing that place ever again, but if you like we can pay your family a visit, tell them were to find the body".
"The only thing you'll be meeting will be the end of my father's sword, if you go anywhere near them, pirate".
"Your prettier, when you don't talk".
Emma stopped paying attention, as they continued to obsess over tightening the knots around her wrist, clearly the men she escaped from before shared how she got free. The princesses sole focus went to Hook, still unconscious on the floor. His shoulders slumped over, eye starting to swell after the beatings he'd taken today.
"Oh, looks like you've fallen for the one-handed wonder".
"You two can spend your last moments together". The other chuckled.
The men roared with laughter continuing to make cruel jokes, Emma continued to ignore them, and they eventually left, locking the door behind them.
"Killian, please wake up".
His eyes remained shut as the water began to rise over his face, she pulled at the ropes, but they wouldn't budge. Over to her left, was the dust spilled out onto her legs, she frowned frustrated by it.
"Why would they go to all this effort, to steal dust".
Going over everything that happened since arriving on the beach, all the clues along the way, this journey had to mean something. However, she couldn't focus on anything but him, as she thought back on their adventure together. Emma could feel it now, the pressure falling off her shoulders as she thought of the wonderful life they could have at each other's side. Tinkerbells words playing over and over in her mind, that a portals destination is controlled only by the traveller. A smile on her face so wide as she imagined her and Killian going home together never to be apart again. The weight of all the expectations of her life had gone, with the burden shared between them. It was a truly wonderful thought.
"Ughh… Emma, you ok"?
Captain Hook said grunting in pain as he awoke, his vision blurry, squinting up at the ceiling above, wondering what he missed. Emma couldn't help but smile upon hearing his voice, as she continued to pull at the ropes.
"Killian"?
"Yeah"
"I believe me coming to Neverland wasn't a coincidence, I think I sort of wished it".
"What do you mean"?
"I wished for… you".
"Me, love… What's that light?" Killian asked somewhat confused.
"The dust, it… it's glowing".
The dust had transformed, into beautiful sparkling lights surrounding them, as it began to slowly drift upwards, all around the ship. The Captain and the princess looked at the spectacle in amazement as they realised the dust, wasn't just dust at all, but magic.
"Think wonderful thoughts" Emma said in amazement.
"New you could do it princess".
"This was your plan"?
"Didn't expect to be knocked out, but it worked out fine".
The water that was slowly rising up over their heads, rapidly began to decline as Captain Hook untied Emma from the post.
"The tied its going down".
"No, the ship, the ship is going up".
The large hole in the side of the ship was covered by a boulder, as the Black Pearl lifted from the lagoon floor, it became unblocked leaving a space for them to escape. Climbing up the ladder to the upper deck to freedom, wasn't the end of their troubles, the old crumbling ship, was heading straight for the wall of Skull cave.
"Any chance you know how to sail?" Captain Hook asked.
"My mother taught me a few things".
"That will have to be enough, I'll steer".
"Where are we going"?
"Up"
They both averted their eyes to the ceiling, it was now clearer than ever it was the only way out of the cave. Designed to prevent thieves from stealing their treasure, only those who truly believed would make it out.
"Hey, stop" A Pirate yelled as he made his way onto the deck, holding a sack full of gold which he promptly dropped upon seeing the two.
"They've escaped"! Another yelled.
One pirate not paying attention to the unfolding chaos, fell backwards off the side of the ship hitting the water below with a loud splash. Blackbeard's crew were still onboard grabbing as much gold and jewels as they could, to bring back to the Jolly Roger.
"Watch out"!
Captain Hook ran over to Emma as the ship crashed into the side of the cave, with such force some rocks fell onto, the deck. Quickly Hook ran up the steps to the wheel, standing at the helm he rapidly turned it in order to steer the ship away from danger, while it continued to soar upwards.
"Leave her alone".
"I'm ok, just steer, I can take these guys".
Emma ran forwards grabbing a rock from the floor, running towards the pirates who were still distracted by the sudden uplift. Throwing the rock directly at a pirate's head, he fell to the ground, but she was running out of ammo fast, while more approached.
"How are you doing this, what's going on"? One yelled bewildered.
"Were going home". Emma yelled.
The princess turned around as three more men advanced on her, Captain Hook watched in horror knowing if he let go of the wheel, they would crash.
"Watch out, Emma"!
He warned, before quickly slicing through ropes with his Hook, while swinging the ship abruptly starboard causing the already deteriorating mask to snap. It crashed down onto the deck knocking down some of the pirates. Emma smiled in response feeling a rush of excitement, as thet fought this battle together, leaping over the mask and seeing the men from earlier, that had tied them up.
"You should have killed us".
"Well seen as you think that's best, I'll be happy to".
"To late now"
Emma called out, just before punching the man in the face, he had no sword having abandoned it in order to carry more treasure.
"No this is our treasure, I kill your bitch, you've ruined everything".
The princess quickly dodged to the left, as another enraged pirate tried to strike her down with his sword, Emma tripped putting her off balance as the ship glided through the air on a sharp angle. The pirate smiled with glee as he found his footing and swung his sword once more, she could feel the air rush by as this swipe just missed her jugular. The was a match she was not going to win having never battled, without her magic.
"Your sorcery doesn't work her".
"There is magic here, I just need to play, need to believe". Emma thought aloud.
"What are you mumbling about, you know they say Neverland can drive a person to psychosis, that's why all the pirates killed each other"?
"No, it was their greed, that drove them mad".
With a new sense of childlike glee, Emma smiled before reaching her hand into the piles of jewels beside her.
"Nothing in there, that can save you princess".
Emma smiled as her hand reached for hilt of a sword, she imagined it was engraved with a lion, perfectly balanced and sharp as could be. As the pirate charged towards her, she believed it was there and pulled the sword from the pile of jewels. Completely taken by surprise the man ran headlong straight into the sword and it sliced clear through his abdomen.
"Where did that come from"?
"Don't you know, believing is seeing".
The princess explained before pulling her sword out and taking on the rest of the pirates still abroad the Black Pearl. The vessel however was struggling to gain momentum and Captain Hook running around, trying to mange the vessel alone.
"What do you need me do"? Emma asked.
"Nice sword princess, we just need more lift, grab that speel, pull it tight".
"Alright, I don't know what any of that means, but I can try".
"The rope there, unhook it and pull it as hard as you can" he gestured pointing her where she needed to be.
Quickly she ran over untying the ropes, while Hook steered them through the gap in the top of the cave. When they reached safety above the trees and mountains heading towards the ocean, they both exhaled with relief before their attention was taken by the sight below them. Every colour from the green tress to the flowing rivers was sharper, the mist and poison fading as Neverland healed.
"It's an amazing place".
"The magic, it's returned to Neverland".
"I can see it now; this is a beautiful place of wonder and adventure".
The sail became taught in the wind, and they went even higher, into the sparkling night sky standing beside each other. Turning they looked deep into each other's eyes, leaning in closer until their lips were just out of reach, both breathing heavy. They smiled looking deep into their eyes, finally their lips touched, this warm embrace filled them with joy, and they kissed passionately. Sailing through the skies of Neverland together, they could see the glow of magic spreading across the island, breaking the curse.