06 | Conflicted Feelings
︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵
Pixie Bell stirred from her restless slumber, squinting at the bright room. Has it turned day already? As she sat up, she felt an unexpected warmth enveloping her small frame. Her eyes widened as she discovered an old shirt, torn and fashioned into a makeshift blanket, gently draped over her.
It was an unusual gesture, given the circumstances, and she didn't understand why her captor would extend such an oddly humane touch. If it was her captor, that is.
Her attention shifted to a small plate of tiny dull yellow sticks placed inside the wooden lantern. The unfamiliar aroma filled her nostrils.
Bewilderment etched her features as she inspected the odd dish. It didn't appear to be the meat of an animal. It dawned on her that someone, likely her captor, had left it there. A short moment of gratitude fluttered within her, but she quickly squashed it.
"What, never had fries before? Potatoes?" Pixie jumped at the voice. The Pirate is always lurking in her blind spots— It was bothersome for the girl.
He chuckled at her uncertainty, "Don't worry, 's not meat. In fact, it's a vegetable, so I'd say it's pretty healthy."
Pixie hesitantly reached for a piece of the fry. She had never seen a potato made into that. The initial skepticism lingering in her eyes softened as her taste buds were met with an unexpected delight. It was surprisingly flavorful, although cold for being left overnight.
A small, involuntary smile tugged at the corners of Pixie's lips. With each bite, she couldn't deny the strange blend of gratitude and confusion that swirled within her. She couldn't shake the realization that her captor, Harry Hook, might not be as heartless as he portrayed himself.
Pixie stole a glance at the man. Were his eyes always so blue and mysterious? Pixie, now noticing Harry's features, couldn't look away. He was handsome, without a doubt. Splinters Pixie, he's a pirate! What are you thinking?
As Harry witnessed the fairy savoring the food. The realization that she was the first person to genuinely enjoy a meal on the Isle of the Lost sparked an unexpected warmth within him.
Harry chuckled to himself, acknowledging the strange and almost wholesome turn of events. It was a fleeting break from the ruthless reputation he carried, and in that moment, the lines between captor and captive blurred. "Good, huh? Well, yer' the first to actually enjoy it. Guess Uma really put her heart into it."
Harry got up and unlocked the cage. He caressed the little fairy, gently stroking her hair with his hook. "When we leave this place, I'll treat u to a nicer meal, my ducklin'." He winked.
Despite having an opportunity to fly away, she didn't. Instead, Pixie practically melted from his touch. The Pirate was giving her stomach butterflies. He sure did have a way with words. No one had ever flirted with her. She didn't believe she was attractive enough to receive any kind of affection. Pixie shyly gave a hug to his hand, showing her appreciation.
The Pirate couldn't help but be memorized by the mystical girl. He never thought he would catch feelings for an Auradon girl. At first, when he saw her on television, he only assumed she was a spoiled and bratty girl. All he wanted from her was the golden dust. But now that he met her in person, he desired more than just that. He wanted the Fairy.
"I hope ye' know yer' mine now, lassie." Pixie drew in a sharp breath, her cheeks growing even redder. She whispered a short "oh," but the Pirate, only heard a jingle.
Harry paused. What was he doing? She was his captive, so he should not be treating her so kindly. Steeling himself, he approached the lantern, his voice taking on a colder edge. "Don't get any ideas, duckling. This isn't some act of kindness. You're here for a reason, and that reason hasn't changed, savvy?" he declared.
And all of Pixie's empathy for the man vanished. The harshness of his words caused her knees to buckle, and she slid to the floor. It was foolish of her to think that the Pirate had a heart. After all, he is the son of James Hook.
The interaction had been cut short as Harry Hook pulled out his tarnished silver pocket watch, checking the time. It was only an hour until noon. "Ah, lookie here! It's almost time for the party. I'll be off now, gotta have some fun with yer' royal friend, King Benny."
The ship was lively. Everyone on board was yelling and drinking rum while singing pirate tunes. He caught Uma and Gil together by the docks and walked up to them. He held the Cecaelia's hand, kissing it.
"Our time on the Isle is finally over." Uma squealed, jumping up and down. Her dreams were finally coming true, "I can't wait to finally get my hands on that wand. All of Auradon will soon know our names!"
"Yeah, and you won't be called Shrimpy anymore!" Gil cheered, jerking his fist up in the sky. The comment caused the conversation to turn awkward.
Uma eyed him, her mood darkening. She hated hearing that word, even if it was not directly insulting her. It was the reason she and Mal became enemies. Mal would constantly torment her, calling her 'Shrimpy.'
Harry cleared his throat, breaking the uncomfortable silence, "So if we do get it... Can I still hook—"
"Harry." Uma cut him off, "Forget about Ben. You got that fairy." She rolled her eyes.
Harry walked off, annoyed with his captain's answer. He never got to have any fun.
"Hold on, if we're going to get the wand then why do we need pixie dust? Can't we just use the wand to fly?" Gil questioned, suggesting a good point. It made sense so why did they have to keep the fairy?
"True..." Uma nodded her head in agreement. "But Harry seems to like her so," She shrugged, watching Harry torment the King.
Gil glanced at the door that led to Harry's room. He couldn't shake the uneasy sensation that grew in his chest. He didn't think it was wrong to kidnap the King because they get something out of it, but to capture a girl just for fun?
His father, Gaston, wanted to capture Belle and marry her just because of her beauty. Gil used to agree with his father's mindset but now as he grew, he knew that it was wrong. Gil loves his dad but it wasn't like he was a carbon copy of him.
Gil had always been known as the brawny, carefree person who tends to act impulsively just like his father. He may be oblivious and dense at times, but Gill still knew what was right and wrong. He has always and forever will be loyal to his friends, but there comes a moment when he must draw the line.
————
The door slowly creaked open. A certain blonde male tip-toed inside Harry Hook's room. With a peek over his shoulder to ensure no one was watching, Gil approached the lantern that trapped the fairy. Fumbling with the lock, he experienced a surge of guilt but shook it off.
"Hey Fairy! Um, I probably shouldn't do this, but I feel bad." Gil said in hushed tones. The click of the door unlocking echoed in the room, and Pixie's eyes widened with apprehension.
Pixie hesitated for a moment. She didn't know if she could trust Gil as he was also a Pirate. But his soft eyes showed that he had no ill intent.
Pixie checked if her wings were still working. Thankfully, it was, but it was only a matter of time before they stopped functioning. After a second of pondering, she darted out of the lantern, her wings fluttering nervously.
Pixie flew to him, giving him a tiny hug. She was thankful for the boy. He had a kind heart. A person like him shouldn't be living in this miserable place. Suddenly, the yelling outside grew more chaotic. It was noon. Gil quickly left, waving a short goodbye.
Pixie scanned the room, searching for an escape. There was a window, but it was shut. There was a latch to open it, but it was as big as her. She was unable to push it open. She then pulled it, but the window still did not budge. After many failed trials, she figured out a way to unlock it.
She squeezed her eyes shut, putting all her might into twisting the latch and pushing it out. "Woah!" The fairy tumbled out but caught herself. "Yes!" She cheered.
To her luck, she saw the familiar faces of Evie, Jay, Carlos, Mal, and a new fellow. They stood on the docks with the wand while the Pirates stood on the ship. Harry caught her eye, he was holding onto Ben, prepared to feed him to the sharks that swam underneath the ship.
She zoomed towards the AKs, however her wings, weakened by the lack of pixie dust, betrayed her. A sudden drop left her vulnerable, and panic seized her heart as the sea approached.
She cried out, "Help!" but only jingles could be heard. Her eyes squeezed tight shut, accepting her fate.
A rough hand reached out to grab onto her delicate frame, yanking her away from the angry waters.
The fairy blinked, realizing she was no longer falling. A sense of relief took over her. Thank Clarion I'm alive. She lifted her head up to see her savior.
Pixie's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and frustration as she found herself ensnared by Harry Hook once again. Despite her predicament, she couldn't help but feel a pang of humiliation at being caught so easily.
Harry's grip was firm, and she could feel the warmth of his calloused hand against her skin, sending a confusing flurry of emotions coursing through her. I shouldn't feel like this, it's wrong! Pixie squirmed around, in an attempt to free herself.
He eyed her down, letting out a twisted laugh. "What a surprise, eh? Now how did ye' get out?" He questioned. Even though he was amused by her random presence, he was skeptical of how she got out.
"Okay, you've had your fun, now give me Ben and Pixie!" Mal demanded, sweeping her hand toward her body.
"Hold up, hm, too easy." Uma halted, "Why don't you give it a test drive? We want to see it work." She smirked, not allowing herself to be fooled so easily.
Mal scoffed nervously, "You always were quite the drama queen."
"Oh, and nothing too big, or else Ben is fish bait." She threatened.
Mal bit her lip, trying to think of a way to deceive Uma and her crew. She looked at Carlos and Evie, hoping they had an idea. Carlos angled his head to the side where a certain dog was sitting.
Mal let out a relieved sigh before waving the wand-- a convincing replica crafted by a 3d printing machine. "Although it seems absurd, turn your bark into a word!" She stood awkwardly after Dude didn't speak. She only prayed that he was still able to speak, "Talk, dog." which he obeyed.
Laughter erupted before it quickly died down. "Give me the wand!" Uma roared, holding her hand out impatiently.
"Release them and the wand is yours." The former VK ordered, standing her ground. She was aware of the pirate's scamming tendencies.
Uma gaze locked with Harry's making him groan. He dragged the brown-haired male to his captain.
"I never get to have any fun." He cut him loose with the help of his hook.
Mal raised her brow, "Pixie."
Harry hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he studied the wand in Mal's outstretched hand. There was a flicker of suspicion in his gaze, but ultimately, he knew they had no choice but to honor the agreement. "I'll see you soon, ducklin'" Relucntlanty, he released the fairy, gently handing her to Uma.
They both wasted no time swapping.
With a sense of relief flooding through the group, Mal and the others watched as King Ben and Pixi Bell were freed from their confines. But as they exchanged wary glances, they knew that the true test lay ahead-- the pirates had yet to discover that the wand they held was nothing more than a clever copy.
As the deal concluded, the pirates departed with their prize. Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos, and Lonnie breathed a collective sigh. But their work was far from over. With their friends safe for now, they knew they had to stay one step ahead of the pirates and protect the real Fairy Godmother's wand at all costs. The fate of Auradon depended on it.
Her lifelong dream of leaving the Isle of the Lost was finally within her reach.
"By the power of the sea, tear it down and set us free!" Uma stuck her wand up in the air, casting the spell she so desperately waited to say. The Pirates gave it a moment to work, but nothing happened. Uma lowered the wand and snapped it. "No!" She exclaimed, throwing it off the boat.
Uma was livid, to say the least.
A burst of color appeared, then another. And soon the whole Pirate dock was erupting in various vibrant colors. Evie and Mal prepared smoke bombs in case they needed a distraction to run.
Mal dragged Ben away from the ship. They needed to get away quickly. There was only a short time until the smoke bombs dissolved into the air.
Unfortunately, Ben wasn't complying. He was frozen, his mind contemplating on helping Uma. He felt sympathetic for Ursula's daughter. He couldn't imagine the struggles of living in the Isle.
"Ben, we need to go, now," Mal demanded but Ben didn't budge. "Ben!" She didn't hesitate to scream. The two sprinted off but encountered some Pirates.
"Lonnie, take Pixie!" Mal passed the little brunette to Mulan's daughter before running off to battle with the furious girl.
The two never met before, but Lonnie had heard about a new student being the daughter of Tinker Bell. She could only assume that it was Pixie. Lonnie placed the Tinker delicately inside the pockets of her uniform. It was too dangerous for her to be out in the open.
"You do not get to win every time!" Uma fumed, her anger only growing worse. She charged at Mal, pulling out her sharpened and polished sword. She prepared it in case the plan didn't go accordingly.
A Pirate charged at Lonnie, but she swiftly dodged the attack. She grinned, drawing out her sword from the backpack. The clinging sounds of the swords were like music to her ears. She had been anticipating this moment since she overheard Jay and Carlos.
Lonnie loved the adrenaline rush she received from fighting, but this time, it was special. She was fighting an actual bad guy!
Meanwhile, Pixie Bell was freaking out as she swayed uncontrollably from the harsh movement. She could hardly breathe in the confined space. Hopefully, this will be all over soon.
Unexpectedly, with a loud tear, Pixie fell onto the ragged wooden docks.
Lonnie was taken by surprise, she was too focused on the one she was fighting and did not realize Harry Hook was sneaking up behind her. He had carefully slashed her jacket open.
Harry snatched the trembling fairy, lips forming into a crazed smile. "Don' try to run away from me, darlin'."
The Pirate wanted her, pixie dust or not. He had grown a liking toward the innocent beauty that lay in front of his eyes. Pixie wasn't like any girl he met and he loved that.
"So, what do ya' say, hm? Stay with me n' we could travel the world together, it'd be fun." He played with her hair using his old hook.
Pixie Bell sunk her head, cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. For a moment, she thought that the idea didn't sound too bad. But, her senses came running in immediately, telling her that it was a horrible idea.
"Hey!" Lonnie pushed Harry, retrieving the cherry-faced girl. She ran off, with Carlos by her side.
"We gotta move, let's head back to the limo!" Carlos cupped his mouth as he yelled. He jogged up the short bridge and into the tunnel.
The others followed him shortly and Mal kicked down the bridge, watching it plunge into the murky water. Mal, Ben, Evie, Jay, Carlos, and Lonnie walked off, disappearing into the echoing tunnels.
Uma bit her cheek in frustration as she watched the cowards retreat. She turned around, and all eyes were on her, causing her to become even more angry.
Harry slammed his hand against the concrete wall, cursing to himself, "Fuckin' hell!" How could he let her get away? His heart throbbed at the realization that he might not ever see her again.
"Yer' mine, ducklin' don' forget that!" He yelled, hoping the brunette heard his words. If Harry couldn't physically have her, then he'll have her mentally.
Gil sat on the edge of the ship as he watched the two let out their anger. He was a bit blue himself as he too wanted to get away from the Isle. The idea of eating fresh food, specifically fruits, was appealing to him.
Gil wouldn't say it's his fault that the troop didn't win. He may have helped Pixie Bell but it wasn't like she would be able to open the barrier. Though, if Harry found out about what he did, the poor blonde would most likely be hooked.
"What's my name?" Uma screamed out, gathering everyone's attention. "Help me get in that tunnel! The bridge hasn't formed yet so they couldn't have gone far, and Harry, Gil, you're coming too."
The crew obliged instantly, gathering together to heave a plank. This was most definitely not over yet for Uma.