TINKERBELL 'GROWS' UP

PART II

by chuckiboo

TinkerBell and all related characters ©Disney.

Flying through the summer sky, Peter Philips thought about all the things he and TinkerBell had been through a long time ago. Life spans vary between magical beings, and fairies lived a very long time, some close to a thousand years. He figured that Queen Clarion was around that age, yet never lost her beauty. And as he flew with her in her arms, he wondered how would she adapt to human life. Their best friend Wendy lived a long life, and that was nearly fifty years ago. He remembered that she is now a magical human, and that powers will manifest in time. Arriving at his house in Detroit, he told his son Michael to leave the window open for him. Telling his wife of the dilemma, she had no reason to doubt his story, having heard it from both children, and them showing the scars from that ordeal. Going through the window of his study, and landing on his feet, he walked down the hall to the spare bedroom which Ashley prepared for their guest. In their house, TinkerBell would be treated like one of the family, with love, respect and communication surrounding her. Laying her in the bed and covering her, when she will wake up from her magical coma is anybody's guess.

A week passed since her arrival, and TinkerBell slept. Sara, Peter's wife, was a homemaker and took care of the house while the children were at school and Peter was at his job. She met the fairy not too long ago when the children went through the ordeal with Captain Hook, and almost took Michael away from his family. She assured her that nothing will befall her son, and that he was in good hands. And just when she was thinking of that, the girl stirred, as if waking up. It was late evening, and Peter was in his study. As soon as her peach eyelids opened, revealing her beautiful blue eyes, she smiled brightly. Still pretty drowsy from her sleep, TinkerBell turned her head, to see Sara sitting beside the bed she was in.

"Uh," she groaned, "where am I? And...who are you?" Her eyes were still half open as Sara spoke.

"It's me, TinkerBell," she said, "Sara, Peter's wife."

"W-Where's Peter?" she asked wearingly.

"Let me go get him," as she rushed out of the room. TinkerBell was still confused as to why she was where she was. The disease obviously messed with her memory some. A minute later, Sara returned with Peter in tow.

"Tink," he said urgently, "Tink, how do you feel?"

"I feel...different," talking groggingly as she looked at her friend. Slowly opening her eyes more, she noticed that both he and Sara were not as big as they were. Either they shrunk, or she grew, it had to be one or the other. She suddenly jerked up, and looked around, seeing she was in a human bedroom, in a human bed, looking at humans from...a human point of view?

"W-W-What happened to me?" in absolute shock, as she peeped under the covers, to see she had on human clothing. She gasped sharply. "Why am I like this?"

Peter took TinkerBell by her now human-sized hands, and held them. "What was the last thing you remember?" he asked. TinkerBell

thought for a moment.

"I remember...Clank and Bobble putting me to bed. I wasn't feeling well. After that, nothing. What happened after that, Peter?" He calmly answered the question as only he can.

"The reason why you felt like you did is because you were striken with a disease that only affects magical beings. You nearly died as a result." TinkerBell was surprised, as Peter continued. "Your fairy friends traveled here at the Queen's command to bring me back to Pixie Hollow to try to cure you. I did, but with an adverse side effect, as you can see." She smirked a little. "Though you can no longer stay there, the Queen made it clear that you can come and visit." She frowned, missing her friends. "Yet you are human now, a magical human at that. She said that your powers will manifest in time." TinkerBell sighed, as she slowly took in the reality that she is no longer a fairy, but now a magical human.

"Well, now what?" She then thought of something. "Where's Michael and Ashley?"

Peter smiled, surprised as she still remembers them. "They're in their rooms. Are you sure you can walk?"

"I'll try." And with that, TinkerBell moved to the side of the bed, stretched her now human legs to the floor, and stood up. She roughly stood about 5' 5" tall, with a slim, curvy build. Her unblemished peach skin shone brightly, as well as her pert red lips. Wearing a blue blouse with blue khakis and bare feet, she looked like any regular human girl, probably around seventeen years of age. Very attractive, yet intimidating. Her blonde hair, no longer held up by the rubber band, cascaded down her shoulders and the upper part of her back, though she still had her forelock.

"This will certainly take some getting used to," as she followed Peter out of the room, and down the hall to the kids' rooms. First was Ashley's; Peter's 14 year old daughter was a cute brunette standing 5'1", and slim at 110. She hadn't seen her since that time in Neverland when she was waist high to her dad. At first, Ashley didn't recognize her, but the voice was unmistakable.

"TinkerBell?" Ashley asked as the girl walked into the room with her parents in tow. TinkerBell smiled as she came off her bed and hugged her, knowing it has been so long since she'd seen their fairy friend.

"TinkerBell," she silently said as she finally pulled away, to see her new form. "What happened to you?" she questioned.

"I'll explain later," Peter said, "where's Michael?"

"He's in the garage working on his new invention."

"Okay, we'll go down to see him," saying as they exited her room, and headed to the garage.

"Invention?" TinkerBell asked, " what does he do?" Peter smiled.

"Michael became interested in mechanics after our return a few years ago, learned everything about cars, and stayed a straight A student in the process. At 17, he's a great mechanic and tinkers on new inventions."

Heading down the steps, the sound of hammering and drilling were abundant, and reaching the bottom, the family's two cars were outside, and a device sat in the middle, with two legs sticking out from under it.

"Michael," Peter called, "Michael," getting annoyed, "Michael!"

"Yeah?" said a voice from far away.

"Someone's here to see you."

"Who is it?"

"Someone you know really well."

"Okay," as he slid from under, and the next sight took TinkerBell's breath away. Michael was a lanky kid, only 5'7" and weighing 140 pounds, yet atop that wiry frame was a mind firing on all cylinders with innovation and ideas waiting to be unleashed. Brown eyes, light peach skin, and messy dark hair made his face, and for the first time in her life, TinkerBell's heart started beating fast, thumping hard, and her cheeks blushed. To no one's knowledge, since that ordeal a few years ago, she nurtured a strong crush on Peter's son, even though he was only ten at the time. To her, he's only gotten cuter. Peter interrupted the moment.

"Mike," he said, "remember TinkerBell?"

Michael brightened up. "Yeah, have you heard from her?"

Peter smiled. "Mike, this IS her." He glanced at the girl, and recognized her immediately.

"Tink?" he asked timidly, as he approached her.

"Michael! It's me!" as she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. He returned the hug, but was begging for air.

"I-I"m losing air here!" She heard his muffled voice as she let him go.

"Uh, sorry," bashfully replying as he straightened up his slightly dirty shirt. Peter then noticed something out of place.

"Mike," he asked, "where did that black eye come from?" TinkerBell noticed it as well.

"It-it was nothing, dad," as he tried to change the subject. Peter's gaze became stern.

"Were those big guys harrassing you again? I told you to let me know if they do." He calmed down. "Come on in for dinner. You'll hear the reason why Tink is what she is, okay?"

Michael nodded as he cleaned up, and moved his invention to the side of the garage, then went to clean up. A half hour later, all five were in the dining room, with TinkerBell sitting beside Michael at the table. She felt goose bumps up and down her arms, as Peter explained to the family the story of what made her what she is now. She was welcomed as one of the family, and their home is her home from now on. Going to bed, the only thing on her mind was Michael, and how he has changed. Falling asleep, she wanted to dream of him. Yet something else was to take place.

During her first full day of rest in her new surroundings, she received a special visit. In her dream, she was in the meadow surrounding Pixie Hollow, when a familiar figure came toward her. It was Queen Clarion, in all her majestic glory.

"TinkerBell," she said softly, "so glad to see you again."

"Surprised to see you as well, your Majesty," she replied as she drew near.

"There is much you need to know, TinkerBell," Clarion started, "please sit."

TinkerBell sat down in the lush green grass, as Clarion hovered before her. "Since your arrival here, your inventions and creative innovation has made the changing of the seasons so much easier. And you've had your share of ups and downs. You know everything happens for a reason, and you were striken with this disease, and healed, for a reason."

"I'd like to know," TinkerBell replied, before the queen continued.

"Out of the entire millenia I have served as queen of the fairies, no one magical being has had the courage to ever interact with a human. You are that first one, TinkerBell. Though we are forbidden to do so, you take the chance because of your natural curiosity to learn about new things." She knew that to be true. "From you befriending the human girl Lizzy, then Peter Pan and Wendy, you have a gift. When Peter was brought here to cure you, no one knew of the side effects of the spell. This is completely irreversible. Yet in a way, this is your reward."

"How?"

"You dared to step out and go where no fairy has gone before. You showed genuine compassion to those humans, and caused their hearts to believe in the unseen. Therefore, the laws of nature saw fit to allow you to live among them, as one of them."

She was confused. "But, why?"

Clarion smiled. "Because, you have altered your destiny through your actions, not just for your benefit, but also for the benefit of man. You are no ordinary human, you are a magical being now."

TinkerBell's eyes grew wide. "I'm...a magical being?"

"Yes you are, dear one. You have now power and magic to do more good for humans, and nature as well. This is your reward, for the good you've done in Pixie Hollow, and to the world."

"How do I, uh, access them?"

"Push yourself to the limit, and they will manifest. Oh, and by the way, I know about your crush on Peter's son, I understand. Realize your destiny is right in front of you. And you are free to come visit us any time."

TinkerBell smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I'll miss you all," she said as the queen started to fade.

"We are with you, and you are with us, Belle..."

The morning sun shone down on her peach skin and red cheeks, as she woke up to the smell of sausage and biscuits. The dream stuck with her, as she realized one thing: she now has a new name. "My name is now...Belle," she said to herself as she climbed out of bed, and slipped on a pink robe left on the desk chair. Going downstairs to the kitchen and dining room, she saw the family having breakfast; all, except Michael.

"Morning," she said chipperly as she took a seat.

"Good morning, Tink," replied Peter as he sipped on his coffee. She stopped for a minute.

"Today," she stated, "TinkerBell is no more. My name is now...Belle." Sara sat her orange juice down.

"When did you make this decision?" she asked.

"I had a dream last night, and Queen Clarion told me of my new role, as well as my new name."

Peter wasn't at all surprised. He smiled. "Welcome to your destiny, Belle," he said with encouragement, as he got up and hugged her before heading out the door. It was a Saturday, and he had to go to the office. "I'll be back in a while, okay?"

Everyone bid him goodbye as he walked out the door. Ashley got up and took Belle by the hand.

"We gotta give you a new look!" she said excitedly as they both went upstairs, leaving Sara to clean up. Though she was glad there was someone new in the household, she was primarily worried about the mental state of their son, Michael. Things will happen in the following weeks that will bring not just the family, but two clandestined souls together as one, in an uncanny way.

In the garage, Michael was eagerly at work at his first real invention. Drilling away and hammering at it, he finally has the motor attached. To many, it looked like a miniature version of a jet engine, yet it was anything but. He had a hard time with it yesterday, reason why he was so caught up in it when Peter brought their long time fairy friend to see them. Though he knows that she is drop dead gorgous, he knew he hadn't a chance of a hill of beans to ask her out. In fact, that's why he's been having problems at school. Since that ordeal that nearly took him from his family, he became inspired to be the best at what he does, and mechanics is where he felt he could express himself the most. From the age of seven to the present, he learned as much as possible about cars, motors gas and electric, and how they work. It in turn pushed him to create this object, which he'll test later. But first, he needs to stabilize it so it won't accidentally cave in the garage floor.

In Ashley's room, she and Belle were at work coming up with her new look. Satisfied with the style she sported for so many years, she opted to make it more stylish. Bringing her long, shoulder-length mane into a nice ball, Ashley took a very long pink ribbon, wrapping it three times at the base, and tied it up. Keeping her trademark forelock and bangs was a no brainer, and it was done. Gazing at herself in the mirror, Belle looked as good as the first time she arrived in Pixie Hollow, and being introduced to Fairy Mary by her friends Clank and Bobble. Wanting to explore other things, she went back to her room and thought about what Queen Clarion told her. Just then, someone peeped their head through the door.

"Tink," said Michael, as he lightly knocked.

"Come on in," she replied as he fully entered the room, remaining at the door. "Glad to see you, Michael," as he face slowly got hot.

"And by the way, my name is Belle now," she added. "Sit down."

Michael sat down in a chair at the desk. "So," he started, "how does it feel to be human?"

"It feels...normal, like, I was meant to be this way. I guess being around humans prepared me for this. But..."

"But what?"

"Queen Clarion told me that I have powers now, but to activate them, I must 'push myself to the limit'. I don't get it."

Being the innovative whiz he is, Michael thought about the situation. "Hmmm," they both said in unison, "there has to be a way." Then, the device popped into his head. "I got it!" he shouted, startling Belle. "The thing I've been working on in the garage! Come on!"

Michael jumped up and ran out of the room, as Belle got up and ran behind him to the garage. Once there, he went to the corner and rolled out something on a cart. Uncovering it, it looked like a big motor with fins, similar to a jet engine. It had controls on top and openings at both ends. Belle was surprised.

"What is it?"

"It's supposed to be a gravity manipulator. It increases the gravitational pull in a small area, without doing any damage. It's sort of been in the works for over a month. With my studies in space and earth science, it inspired me to do something to alter earth's gravity and feel what it's like."

Out of all the tinkering she's done over the years, this was by far the oddest invention yet. Though her stuff was done at a smaller level. Michael detatched a panel from the top and closed it up. He then closed the garage door to seal them in.

"Okay," going through the controls, "what I'll do is just use one end of the manipulator, to increase the gravity where you are. How it works is that the weight will increase slowly as soon as you get used to the pull. Similar to wearing shoes or clothes with weights."

He turned the machine on, and it made a very low whirring sound, then went silent. "Stand right there, Belle," as he motioned her to the front of the machine, only a few feet from its opening. "The intensity will increase by one tenths every two minutes. Are you ready?"

There was no way she could not trust the young man she considers the apple of her eye for so long. She has trust in Peter, so she will undoubtly place her trust in his innovative son. "I'm ready."

"Okay, here it goes."

Immediately, Belle felt the space around her increase. She moved with minimum effort.

"Increase it."

Michael turned it up, and it was now one times earth's normal gravity. She slightly moved, but put more effort into the movement. She lifted her arms, as to do simulated arm curls. Michael was amazed at her quick adaptation to this, and became a tad intimidated. Yet he did this to help her. Increasing it again, the frustration began to show on her face, as she now was at three times gravity. As it reached five times, her face contorted to the amount of effort, and then, something amazing happens. Straining her arms to bring them together, the apparent frustration of the pull got to her, as she slowly glowed. Her entire body was little by little increasing with muscle, as her arms gained definition, as well as her neck, shoulders and legs, which slowly ripped out of her blue jeans. Her eyes were tightly shut as she concentrated every piece of her into overcoming this pull. At this point, it was now near ten times earth's normal gravity, and Michael was wide eyed at the sight. In minutes, Belle transformed into a ripped, vascular beauty with an amorous glow about her. Bringing her hands together finally, her eyes shot open, revealing fire red eyes of anger. The glow exploded as the entire garage was filled with the brightest light anyone has ever seen anywhere. Michael shielded his eyes as the light overcame his senses, as Belle cried out, filling the garage with her voice. Michael regained enough sense to power down the machine before standing there in awe, gazing at Belle. In his mind, she had become his dream come true: a beautiful, muscular girl with possible abilities that no human possesses. Belle, on the other hand, calmed herself out of her state, and gazed at Michael. Her feelings rose to the surface as he stood there speechless. And now, she felt she has the courage to show them. She walked over to his dazed form, and stood there.

"Michael," she said, "thank you."

Michael was still dazed as his face flushed with emotion and remained speechless. "Y-Y-You're...w-w-welcome," he stuttered.

Belle blushed. "I can see how you feel about me, and I feel the same too."

She boldly drew closer, placing her hands on his shirt-covered chest, and lovingly gazed into his brown eyes.

"I have one thing to say." She took a deep breath and let it out. "Michael, I love you."

Michael closed his eyes. "I-I...don't know...what...to say. Why me?"

"Why not?" saying softly. "I know now what Queen Clarion means about true love's kiss, and finding myself. It's you."

Michael himself blushed. "From the time I first saw you in Neverland, I was captivated. I was only ten, but you had my heart from the start. I don't really know anything else. But to have you here..."

"Kiss me," she said softly. Bringing her lips to his, they locked in a passionate kiss that bonded them in a way never before seen.

A sparkling glow encompassed them, and lifted them off the concrete of the garage floor. Holding each other's hands, both felt their hearts interlock in a bond that can only be described as amazing. As they came down, and the glow dissipated, Michael opened his eyes, with tears cascading down his cheeks. For the first time since that ordeal eight years ago, he feels complete. Belle took her finger and wiped them from his eyes.

"Michael," she said, "you've been hurt since then. My love for you took away that hurt, and made you whole. And now, we belong to each other. It's destiny."

"I understand now," he added. "I've always loved you, Belle."

"And I love you, Michael, now and forever." Holding each other, they realize that moment that what they felt in the past helped to shape their future, and with Belle as a magical human now, she will protect him, and those who need it the most. It will be a most interesting life for both.