Chapter 1: Fading

Pain.

That one word erupted throughout my body as layers of rocks, dirt, and wood fell upon my unshielded body. The noise of it filled my ears and left my head ringing as I fell upon the ground, my limbs burning. I was enveloped in darkness as all the lights went out with a loud smashing noise. In a daze, I closed my eyes to block them from the clouds of dust. My head was spinning even with them closed, and I ached terribly.

Just then, I felt a warm substance trickle down my face. I tried to lift my hands to touch it, but found them pinned underneath me. Instead of trying to get loose, I began to pinpoint my injuries. I assumed the substance on my face was blood, due to the strong metallic smell and the fact that my head was pounding. My shoulder throbbed terribly and felt sticky against my tunic, as if something was lodged inside of it. The thing that hurt the most was my chest. Every time I breathed in I could feel my ribs shifting, scraping against each other. I began to breathe slower, trying to keep them from moving around too much.

I was satisfied with my deductions and began to drift off in a futile attempt to get rid of the pain. There was no use getting up, as Hangman's Tree was collapsed directly on top on me. Only my luck…

A bomb wrapped in a box that had wrought this destruction. It was one of Hook's tricks to kill me. But I was still alive, thought I wish I were dead. Nothing seemed to have hope. Wendy, John, Michael and the Lost Boys were probably all about to walk the plank, to find their death in the cold waters.

Suddenly, I remembered Tinkerbell. She had been the one to warn me, though I hadn't listened to her. I had fallen for Hook's nasty trick, and it was my fault that I was stuck. There was no point in feeling sorry for myself. I deserved to die, but Tinkerbell didn't.

"Tinkerbell?" I called out. I had to fix my wrong, and make things right with my little pixie. I cracked my eyes open to see if I could find her constant glow. When I didn't I opened them farther until I could clearly see. The clouds of dirt had died down, though it was still foggy and cold.

"Tinkerbell!" I yelled again, my voice cracking. "I need you!" I waited a few moments, but couldn't hear anything. Not a jingle, not a shuffle; nothing. It was dead silent, besides my own ragged breathing. I felt my eyes water, because of the dirt or my own loneliness, I did not know. In hopelessness, I lay my head on the ground and painfully closed my eyes as the pounding in my head worsened.

I was interrupted when a slight tinkle reached my ears. I felt a glowing sensation against my eyes and opened them to see Tinkerbell flying in front of me, covered in dust. I let out a loud breath of relief and smiled. "You came," I croaked, craning my neck.

"Are you alright?" she responded through a series of jingles and pixie dust. I shook my head and despite myself, let out a small, pitiful groan. Tinkerbell sat on my unhurt shoulder and tugged my tunic. "Can you get up?" she asked, brushing her hands on her small dress.

"I'll try, but I need your help Tink," I replied slowly, my throat dry and coated with a thin layer of dust. She nodded and stood by my head as I braced myself. Since my hands were underneath my chest – painfully digging into my ribs – I adjusted them to be flat. Despite the agony shooting up my limbs I pushed upwards, putting all my strength into my arms. I lifted off a few inches then collapsed. I groaned as I landed. It was too difficult, and the weight was too large.

"Try again," Tink said, grabbing on to the back of my collar. This time, she pulled hard as I pushed up. As soon as I was partway off the ground, I inched forwards, pulling my body from underneath the rubble. Once I was free of the burden I let out a deep sigh of relief and fell to the cold ground. Blood rushed down my back and to my legs. It stung, but was a good stinging. A sign I was free at the least.

"We have to save Wendy and the others," I said, gripping a large rock and hauling myself up. Tink nodded and gave me a concerned look, beckoning to my shoulder. I glanced at it and immediately got horrified with the sight.

There was a large, silver spike embedded in my left shoulder. It was thick and had ripped through the skin. The blood was still dribbling from the wound and had stained my tunic a deep crimson red. The skin around the spike was red and puffy and throbbed terribly. I tenderly grabbed the spike in my palm and gave it a slight tug. Pain immediately erupted through my body and I stumbled, releasing the spike. I placed a hand on the rubble and put my weight on it. My breath came heavily and tremours racked through my whole body.

"There's no removing that," I panted.

"Where's it from?" Tink asked, sitting on my good shoulder. I shrugged and began to slowly walk forward, trying to push through the pain.

"Let's go find Wendy,"

LINE BREAK
Peter

I was flying now, which was much easier than walking. After exiting the remains of Hangman's Tree, Tink had directed me to Hook. We had begun to fly off immediately. I only thought of Wendy and saving her.

As the ship came into view, I noticed that the plank was extended. I cursed under my breath and tried to fly faster, my whole body protesting. I let out a small gasp of surprise when I saw Wendy on the plank. Her hands were tied behind her to prevent her from swimming as soon as she hit the water. She had her chin up, her strength and bravery showing in every way possible.

I lowered myself closer to the water until I was almost in it. My reflection in the crystal water looked horrible, nothing similar to my familiar features. My face was coated with dirt, my left cheek stained with blood. My red hair was a more deep red and was wet.

When I glanced up again, Wendy was stepping off the plank. I moved as fast as I could just as she dropped. The instant before she hit the water I caught her, my body dropping like with the weight. I grunted and stood on a ledge on the Jolly Roger, setting Wendy next to me. I reached into my sheath and pulled out my dagger, slicing the ropes that surrounded her wrists.

"Oh Peter!" she whispered, rubbing her nose against mine. I let out a silent chuckle and squeezed her hand.

"Did they hurt you?" I asked in a hushed tone, wrapping a hand around my sore ribs. Wendy shook her head and quickly looked me over, her eyes sweeping over my broken body. She let out a small gasp and her eyes widened as they reached my shoulder.

"Are you alright Peter?" she asked, tenderly touching my bloody shoulder and narrowly missing the spike. I hissed and shrunk back. I didn't want to scare her and nodded even though I felt lightheaded.

Probably from the blood loss, I thought to myself, once again wrapping an arm across my chest. A splash sounded next to us. Hook had angrily thrown a member of his crew overboard, realizing that there was no splash from Wendy. We could hear their raging cries from above.

Tinkerbell tugged gently on my tunic and pointed upward. I agreed, picked Wendy up, and then lifted myself into the air. I flew to the mast and gently set Wendy down. I let out a sigh when the weight was gone. Wendy was small, but I was weak and bleeding to my death.

I landed on the mast and firmly set myself, standing up as straight as I could. Hook would not see me hurt.

"This time you've gone too far Hook!" I yelled, pulling my dagger from its sheath. I heard cheerful cries from below as they saw both Wendy and me alive. Hook was surprised at first, but a cruel grin began to prick his lips. I could hear Mr. Smee saying I was a ghost, which could be true. I felt like one. My mind was in a different place than my body. The injuries I had sustained were taking their toll on me.

"Say your prayers Hook!" I said, flying downwards. Hook pulled out his sword and we began to fight. His sword clashed against my small dagger and I began to taunt him. We wrapped around the mast in the center of the boat and I ducked as his hook came flying towards me. I grinned when I realized it had lodged itself into the thick wood.

I flew over to the boys and cut their ropes. They cheered happily and began to retrieve their weapons, ready to fight. John stepped forward and sighed when he noticed my bloody shoulder and my short breaths.

"What can I do Peter?" he asked, placing a hand to his forehead.

"Do all you can to hold the other pirates off," I replied, glancing around myself. "And don't worry about me, I'll be fine." In order to convince him I smiled. John smiled back and ran to the Lost Boys, giving them orders. As the boys ran up to the lookout Hook told his pirates to follow them. I said a silent prayer and threw myself back into combat.

Hook had gotten himself free by hacking at the mast with his sword and had fallen back to the plank. He almost fell over into the waiting jaws of the crocodile (that had suddenly appeared) but regained himself as I flew towards him. Our swords met again with a loud clash that rang through my pounding head. I teasingly cut off the feather of his hat and shaved it, humiliating the proud Captain.

By this point I began to lose consciousness, my vision blackening. For a moment I almost gave in, but resisted it and pinched myself. Don't fall asleep, I thought, glancing to the boys and Wendy who were in the lookout. I smiled to myself as they shot the pirates down.

I was met by Hook and we began to fight again. Neither of us had the upper hand. Hook was getting angrier and his swipes closer to my body. "Get a cut boy?" He asked when he noticed my shoulder and the way I was hunched over.

"What's it to you?" I asked, parrying his sword.

"I'm just happy that I can finally see your blood," Hook replied, grinning wickedly. "Now all I need is it staining my sword," I laughed a little and then Tink approached, pointing to a woven ladder. I nodded and flew to it, pressing myself against the thick rope. My shoulder burned fiercely as the spike was embedded farther, nearly scraping the bone, but I kept pushing. Once I was far enough back I released myself and hurtled towards Hook. I hit him square in the chest with my feet and he was sent backwards, a canon falling upon his head.

I flew upon the mast and grounded myself firmly as Hook got up and began to climb.

"Fly, you coward!" he cried, pulling himself farther up. "You wouldn't dare to fight me man to man!"

"Nobody calls Pan a coward and lives," I responded, my voice eerily echoing. "I'll fight you man to man, with one hand behind my back," I immediately regretted this but kept a straight face despite my pain.

"You won't fly?" He inquired, meeting my sword. I heard Wendy yelling at me, trying to convince me that it was a trick. I ignored her and pushed against my dagger.

"I give my word," I responded bravely. Hook laughed and pushed me off the mast. I knew I couldn't fly so I grabbed at the mast, my fingers digging into the wood. I let out a small groan as my shoulder was extended and the spike pushed. Hook took the advantage and began to step on my fingers. I began to fight back and swung myself back up. I grabbed a rope that Hook had cut and went swinging onto the opposite end, almost falling off.

I dodged more of Hook's swings and then began to use my own dagger. In a flash my dagger was flying through the air. Hook caught it with ease and began to approach me.

"Fly Peter! Fly!" Wendy called, tapping her hands against the lookouts barrier.

'No," I said. "I gave my word," I was now pushed against the mast, clutching the wood with my arms. I let out a small whimper of pain. My breathing became more labored as Hook pointed his sword at my exposed chest. At the last moment I jumped up and pulled the flag of the ship over his body, tying a knot in the front. I grabbed his sword and pointed it to his covered head.

"You're mine!" I said triumphantly as I pushed through the pain. I could hear Wendy and the others cheering me from below. I glanced down and Wendy skimmed her eyes over me. When she finished, she placed her hands on her hips. There was a look of worry and care inscribed upon her lips and blue eyes.

"You wouldn't do old Hookie, would you?" Hook begged as I turned back to him. He had poked his head through the top of the flag and had his hand and hook clasped together. "I'll do anything you ask!"

I could feel my facial expressions relax and I put the sword down. My whole body felt light and woozy, and I just wanted this to be over. Killing Hook would just exhaust me more. Besides, I would have no one to fight with. I had already taken his hand before. He didn't deserve death. No one did.

"Alright," I said slowly. "You just have to say you're a codfish,"

Hook gulped and lowered his eyes. "I'm a codfish," he said quietly. I frowned and stared at his curly head of black hair.

"Louder," I said, lifting the sword. My arm was shaking and I knew I couldn't last much longer.

Hook swallowed again and raised his head to the sky. "I'm a codfish!" He yelled. I could hear laughing from below. I wanted to join in but was losing consciousness quickly. I lifted myself slightly off the mast so I wouldn't have to stand on my own.

As soon as I averted my gaze from Hook he lunged at me, his hook gliding through the air. I flew up as fast as I could, but he nicked the side of my arm. I hissed and held it, noticing how slippery the blood made my skin. Hook lost traction and went hurtling into the sea with a loud splash. At least he was practising what he preached.

Once I knew he wouldn't approach my again I lowered myself to the deck, collapsing as soon as my feet touched the wood. I could hear cheering near me as the boys walked down from their lookout. The cheering grew silent and I closed my eyes. The darkness slowly began to surround me, wrapping its tendrils around my broken body.

I felt someone touching my cheek as the cheers died down. Someone was saying something, but I couldn't focus on their words that came out as a series of mumbles. The hand moved up to my shoulder and touched the spike. The pain was still in my mind, shooting down my spine and numbing me. I could feel my back arching as I let out a scream of pure terror. I heard more talking as the darkness thickened, and the jingle of fairy wings.

"Tink…" I mumbled as everything went black.

Hello people! This is the first chapter of my Peter Pan fanfiction! Funny how this came to me in a dream...
Please R&R, the appreciation really encourages me to write. For now, updates will be slow until my exams are over. I'll have a bit of time between holidays to work on this and update. Also, I'm welcome to any constructive criticism you have! And ideas too... those always come short!
Love you 3 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Peter Pan