The sky where the aerial battle had been between the condors and the demons is now different. One demon holds Justin’s limp body in the air, while another holds Charlie by the neck. There are no other creatures left.
Charlie screams in horror and Suzy’s nails dig into my back.
“Master Mind!” Joy says.
“It will not help!” Master Mind says. “The Pirate is in control of his dream.”
“Do it!”
From the safety of one of the tunnels, where these nightmares can’t hurt us, Master Mind raises his arm. A missile comes up from the inside of his arm, and he fires it.
Charlie struggles and screams - but he doesn’t summon up anything.
The missile hits the demons’ body, causing him to let go of Charlie.
Charlie begins to fall, when suddenly two demons appear from nowhere and grab him, one by each arm.
The demons begin to pull Charlie in different directions, and he screams even more. I cannot watch. I cannot hear his screams. Why doesn’t he wake up?!
Suddenly Justin’s voice booms across the dream, “Charlie!” And then: “No!”
A weapon like the energy weapon Joy had held a few moments ago now appears in Justin’s hand, even though he’s dangling. Another appears in his other hand. He aims them both and fires.
Thick rays of energy come out of both, and each punches a hole in a demon’s body. The two demons holding Charlie begin to fall and he with them.
A sword appears in Justin’s right hand, replacing the energy weapon. He raises himself and cuts the legs of the demon holding him. The demon vanishes, and Justin, instead of falling, begins to fly with a jetpack that appears on his back.
He catches Charlie in the air, and flies off to Bonny’s Revenge. He lands on the deck, just a couple of meters from us, holding Charlie.
“Charlie, Charlie, are you all right? Charlie!”
Charlie opens his eyes and looks at him. “Joy’s Dad! You’re okay!” he says weakly. “Did I save the day?”
Justin laughs. “Yes, yes, you saved the day! Thank you!”
“Was I a hero?”
“Yes, yes, you were a hero!”
“You were a real hero, Charlie!” Joy shouts from the edge of the tunnel. “That was amazing!”
“Yaiiiiii,” Charlie says weakly but happily.
—Told by Grampa Walt