A Tale That Never Was

Everything happened at once.

Quick-thinking Gaston launched an arrow into Beast’s chest. Beast tackled Gaston into the podium. The podium itself splintered and exploded into pieces from the impact. Frollo was sent flying back into the crowd. The townsfolk, upon seeing Beast, turned and fled in terror. The guards were shocked and confused. Sinbad snapped his eyes open and with a quick swing of his arms, broke free from his bonds and immediately went and freed his captain. Mayhem was everywhere. Screams and shouts filled the air. Embers from Cindy’s pyre wafted about lazily. The fire creeping up Selvina’s post reached higher.

“Help!” Selvina screamed. Her toes were getting numb and cold from the flames lightly tickling them, threatening to engulf them. The rest of her body sweated profusely and burned as if already conflagrated. Her skin was tight and it squeezed her flesh in its unforgiving embrace. Selvina’s face felt ready to melt off her skull. There was nothing she could do but scream. And scream she did. “HELP!”

Below her, Captain Hook and Sinbad battled the guards with ferocity and brutality but never killed any of them. Several guards lay unconscious or severely injured but none were dead. Selvina’s eyes met Hook’s and she saw uncertainty in them. It terrified her to know that Captain Hook did not believe he would reach her in time. If he couldn’t reach her then who could? Sinbad was also nearby but was surrounded by six guards and, though he was defending well against them, there was no way for him to save Selvina. She glanced to her right, where a huge fire consumed what little was left of Cindy’s post. Tears may have escaped Selvina’s eyes but the heat around her evaporated them within fractions of a second.

Selvina felt the weight of guilt dragging her down toward the flames. She fought to stay upright but it was arduous and painful. Cindy hadn’t lived the greatest of lives but had she been left alone her heart would still beat. Now, again, because of Selvina’s intervention she had met an untimely end. Why was this happening to her? Why did everyone she tried to help die? Her knees buckled and she dipped lower for a moment. Her mind, full of questions and black clouds of guilt, cleared quickly as fire began to grab on to her clothes. Horror consumed Selvina’s entire being and threw her in a panic. Thrashing and twisting her body about, she screamed as loudly as her lungs allowed. She couldn’t die like this! She wouldn’t!

A great roar drowned out her screaming and Selvina glanced toward it to see Beast throwing aside every soldier that charged him. Gaston was limping away in the direction of a horse while Beast stood up against dozens of soldiers, claws tearing, fists pounding, teeth ripping, and muscles bulging. Gaston’s arrow still protruded from his chest but it appeared to have no effect on him.

Little hairs on Selvina’s legs singed off. It was over now. She had spent all her energy in the struggle to free herself and could do nothing else. Captain Hook and Sinbad were still preoccupied, there was no sign of Jack, and all other Jolly Roger crewmembers were battling soldiers and guards of their own. There was no one left to save her.

Seconds before she was about to give into the flames, finally accepting her punishment for ruining so many lives, her bonds broke. They weren’t eaten by the flames but instead snapped apart. Selvina swung her arms forward but before she could look back or leap to safety she felt a strong arm grab her waist and carry her away from the battle. Soldiers, guards, and townsfolk ran amok like stampeding cattle and she let her unknown savior take her away from it all. Three fires roared where there had once been three wooden posts with three women attached to each one. The fires had only consumed one of them and it was that one that flared the brightest.

It has more to feed on, Selvina thought darkly. Her view was soon blocked by a building’s wall as she was taken into a dimly-lit alley. Her savior dropped her on the ground and took a few steps back. She glanced up at it and saw a hunched form hidden within a dark cloak. She recognized who it was immediately.

“Quasimodo?” Selvina asked in disbelief and confusion. “Why would you go risk yourself to save me?”

Quasimodo glanced about shyly before pulling his hood back, revealing his disfigured face. He held his hands together and didn’t look at Selvina directly when he replied in his soft, gentle voice. “Frollo was wrong. You were not witches. He had no right to do that to you...”

“You owed me nothing, Quasimodo. I am grateful and forever in your debt but Frollo will be furious once he finds out. Why would you risk his wrath for me?”

Quasimodo stood straighter and held his arms at his sides, his hands into fists. “I do not fear his wrath anymore. I will take whatever punishment he gives me. Belle was just trying to live her life peacefully and now look what Frollo has done! He has unleashed the Beast on Our Lady! It is his fault this is happening!”

A group of soldiers appeared at the end of the alley and one pointed at Selvina. “There she is! Slay the witch!” They advanced on her quickly and though Quasimodo stood before them, blocking their paths, they shoved him aside almost effortlessly. Two of them then began to beat on him with fists and boots while two more hurried to capture Selvina.

Heart racing, Selvina dashed down the alley, the soldiers fast on her heels. She glanced back and beyond them she could see Quasimodo rising to his feet and fighting back against the soldiers beating him. Relieving as it was to see him alive and strong the feeling was lost on her as the soldiers in pursuit gained ground with every step. They were much faster than she was and were nearly already within reach.

Selvina turned a corner as quickly as she could and charged down the street in the direction of the mayhem. Hope burst from her body like great wings, carrying her aloft and giving her speed, when she saw Captain Hook and Sinbad pounding across the square toward her. She soon reached them and with a few quick punches and uppercuts from her saviors the soldiers pursuing her were disposed of. More were coming, however, and there was no time to celebrate.

“To the ship!” Captain Hook shouted as he grabbed a sword from one of the fallen soldiers.

“Is she seaworthy, captain?” Sinbad asked as he too procured a sword of his own.

“She floats and that’s good enough for me,” Hook said as he started to hurry down the street. “We’re leaving this cursed city.”

“Aye,” Sinbad said with a nod.

Selvina wordlessly followed them, fighting through the weight of guilt and sadness holding her back like great chains affixed to huge slabs of rock. She glanced back at the three fires, the raging Beast and the small army of soldiers and guards surrounding him, the broken podium, and Gaston sitting atop a horse, pulling back on his bow. The bounty hunter was suddenly dismounted as a thrown soldier slammed into him, making his shot go wide and dropping him to the ground. Beast bowled through the soldiers attacking him and grabbed Gaston’s horse in his clawed hands. The frightened animal kicked and shrieked in terror but Beast did not care. He tossed it aside, the horse bouncing and rolling on the cobblestones for a short distance before rising up and fleeing the scene. Beast advanced on a downed Gaston but before Selvina could see what happened she collided with Captain Hook’s back. He and Sinbad had both abruptly stopped and were staring at something down the street with a mix of fear and determination in their eyes.

Blocking their path about fifty feet ahead were six heavily armed and armoured knights atop armoured chargers. Their mounts here huge, powerfully muscled, and had a fierce look in their eyes, as if they had been bred to kill. The knights’ faces were hidden behind the close-faced helms they wore but each of them carried a long lance. The flickering fires reflected off of their silvery armour and, had they not been the enemy, Selvina may have found them to be a wonderful sight to behold. Heat left her face when the knights lowered their lances, their tips pointing directly at Hook and Sinbad. Both men were skilled fighters but these were trained knights with horses that looked as dangerous as they were.

A loud roar from the square shook the ground and made the knights’ lances quiver slightly. Sinbad glanced back and then quickly shoved both Captain Hook and Selvina off to the side. A moment later a huge creature of grey fur bounded down the street and launched itself at the knights. It took two down with it before the others began assaulting.

“Beast,” Selvina said, confused yet grateful. She looked back at the square but could see no sign of Gaston. Had he been killed or had he escaped? She hoped for the former but somehow suspected the latter. The man was well deserving of his title as the world’s greatest bounty hunter.

Captain Hook and Sinbad used the distraction to their advantage and continued on their way to the ship. Selvina stayed with them and watched Beast for a few moments as she passed by. He had already killed one knight but the other five were fighting back with swords and maces. Their steel cut and beat but did little damage. Unless it was enchanted like Gaston’s bow, Selvina didn’t think anything could truly harm Beast. The knights’ armour protected them from Beast’s claws but offered no protection when he simply grabbed and threw them about. At one point he held one knight by the leg and swung him into the others, using the man like a club.

Beast glanced back at Selvina for a brief moment and she met his gaze. He growled, his tusks protruding over his upper lip, and said, “Run! Save yourself!”

Selvina nodded, too shocked to speak, and then raced to keep up with Hook and Sinbad. Before too long they were nearing the docks and could see Jolly Roger floating in the water, proud, strong and free.

“How will we sail her without a crew?” Sinbad asked Captain Hook as they drew nearer to their salvation.

“That will not be a problem!” a high-pitched, childish voice replied before the captain could.

Sinbad, Captain Hook and Selvina stopped into their tracks and looked up to see a man with short, orange hair and pointed ears, dressed in a red doublet and tight leggings floating in the air. He grinned at the three and then gestured toward Jolly Roger. “Behold! I offer you aid!”

Captain Hook and Sinbad glanced at the ship and for a moment nothing happened until a yellowish light emanated from cannon hatches on its side. Selvina wondered what that was about but the captain and his quartermaster seemed to know as they both suddenly threw their swords at the floating man.

Peter Pan caught both weapons in his hands and laughed hysterically. “It’s like you want me to kill you! Not yet, though! Pretty fireworks first!”

The moment after he finished talking Jolly Roger exploded into a ball of fire so large it lit the entire dockyard as brightly as the sun. Thousands upon thousands of wood splinters flew into the air and splashed into the water or clattered to the ground. A few seconds later the burning husk of what had once been Jolly Roger sank to the depths. Captain Hook’s pride and joy was gone in almost an instant.

“I was expecting more,” Peter Pan said with disappointment, a finger on his bottom lip. “There should have been more gunpowder. Hmmm. What an unfitting end to such a fine vessel.”

“PAN!” Captain Hook boomed, his face red and his veins bulging. If looks could kill Hook would have slaughtered an army. “Let’s settle this once and for all!”

Peter Pan laughed, rolling his body about through the air. “Settle this? Now? After I’ve destroyed your true love? I would never! This is just too much fun!” Laughter burst from his mouth again.

No ship? Selvina thought. Now what happened? Where would they go? What would they do? Captain Hook had spent all his money on those repairs and they had all been for nothing. He couldn’t purchase another ship and even if he could there was no time to do so. The soldiers would soon return and be upon them again. Selvina looked down the street and could already see a few armored men running toward their position, weapons held at the ready. Beast was nowhere to be found and she had lost sight of Quasimodo soon after she had left the alley. Sinbad and Hook would fight but what was the point of it now? They had nothing. There was no escape from Our Lady.

The soldiers were upon them soon enough and the captain and his quartermaster fought well with no weapons and fought even better once they had managed to take some from their enemies. Selvina inched away from the battle, not wanting to get caught into it, and searched for a place to hide and wait it out.

“Here!” called a soft voice from behind a pile of wooden crates.

“Quasi!” Selvina called out with relief. The man had a knack for appearing at just the right time. She dashed over to his position and waited behind the pile of crates, watching the battle unfold through cracks between the wooden boxes.

“Where will you go?” he whispered to her, his lopsided eyes on the battle nearby.

Selvina sighed sadly. “I do not know, Quasimodo. Jolly Roger was my only way out of here. My friends and I are now fugitives and we have nowhere safe to stay.”

“I would offer you the cathedral but Frollo would expect that... I am sorry I cannot help.”

Selvina placed a hand on Quasimodo’s shoulder and gave him as much of a smile as she could force out. “You did more than you needed to, Quasimodo. You’ve helped immensely. I may have no way off of this land but I am alive and I have you to thank for that.”

Quasimodo smiled back and despite his outward appearance, his smile was rather beautiful. Selvina found it easier to return one.

“How adorable!” a familiar voice said from above.

Frozen in fear, Selvina didn’t have to look up to know who was there.

“You two should kiss!” Peter Pan suggested with a chuckle. “Let’s make this another Beauty and the Beast story! Hahaha! I’m such a genius!”

“Leave her be!” Quasimodo shouted up at Pan, a deep frown etched on his face. “You have no business here, pirate!”

“No business? I would reconsider that, lumpy. I have every business to be here. Young women are my speciality and this one will do nicely. I will have her and there is nothing you can do to change that.”

Quasimodo stood before Selvina, his muscles bulging and his body quivering.

Peter Pan laughed. “Look at that! The abomination has a heart! It desires you, golden girl. Will you open your soul to this atrocity? Will you let those slimy fingers of his hold your hand while his wart-infested face nears yours for an embrace?”

“Pan, stop it!” Selvina had enough. She could see his words had an effect on Quasimodo as his shoulders had lowered and he seemed to have lost some of his defiance. “You aren’t taking me anywhere or doing anything to me! You’ve caused enough damage already! Just go away!”

“Such spirit. Oh, she will love you. She will really love you.”

“She? What are you talking about?”

“SHE!” Pan fell in a fit of maniacal laughter. “You know, not a he, but a SHE! She will enjoy your presence! She will be so happy to meet someone with bravery and strength for once.”

Selvina had no idea what Pan was talking about but he clearly was insane so it was possible he was speaking of nothing. She glanced back at the battle and found a bloodied and bruised Captain Hook struggling to his feet as a limping Sinbad walked up to a downed soldier and wiped his dripping sword on the man’s tabard. It appeared as if they had broken their no-death rule as not one of the prone soldiers looked alive. At this point and time Selvina could understand and almost appreciate that. The two men were rushing to her position as quickly as their battered bodies could take them and she moved to reach them, no longer needing to hide.

Peter Pan floated into view and took advantage of Captain Hook and Sinbad’s injured bodies. He attacked them with kicks, punches, and slashes and stabs from his dagger. They were exhausted but they fought well, at least for a time. Eventually, Pan was given the upper hand and he slammed the butt of his dagger into Sinbad’s head, knocking him out. With him disposed of, he eyed the captain kneeling on the ground and fighting hard to get back up.

“This matter of ours will finish later, good captain,” he said before blowing the captain a kiss, laughing, and then shifting his gaze to Selvina.

Captain Hook urged her to run and hide. He shouted at her as loudly as he could. She wasn’t listening, however, and stood motionless, as if transfixed. Peter Pan snapped his fingers, catching her attention, and then snapped a jab into her face.

Selvina’s head spun from the sudden yet powerful impact and she stumbled away. Her heel hit something hard and hung her up, making her fall back. After she had recovered from her fall she noticed just exactly what she had tripped over. Quasimodo’s prone body lay before her and Selvina’s heart jumped in her throat. Not another one. Please, not another one...

As if the gods themselves had listened, she saw Quasimodo stir ever so slightly. He was still alive! Selvina was so relieved she nearly fell to her knees and began praying in gratitude to these gods she did not know.

“Over here!”

Selvina instinctively looked in the direction of the call and received another jab into the face. Stars began to flicker and appear at the edge of her vision. That strike had been even stronger than the last and blood was beginning to leak from her nose. Heartfelt laughter, haunting in its joyfulness, bounced off the walls of the buildings and docked ships around her. Just as her vision cleared she was struck hard on her left temple and blackness flooded her eyes. Her legs grew weak and when her right temple was struck she collapsed.

“Another one for me! Another pretty, pretty lady! Another gift to unwrap and enjoy! Oh, I am such a lucky, lucky boy! Heeheeheehahaha!!”

Selvina felt herself get lifted and heard the shouts of a man calling to her. Captain Hook? What was happening? Who was calling for her? Who was carrying her? Where was she going? The questions continued to gather and pile up but before any could be answered consciousness left her and her mind silenced completely.