The End
hello there! wow wow wow. I have painstakingly rewrote the First, and have spent the past few days posting all of the new chapters. I would HIGHLY recommend rereading the First before diving into this final chapter, there are a ton of new surprises in the First that you should know about so the ending makes sense to you. even if you don't see anything in the first few chapters, it gets changed a lot. so please please please read it!
I also wanted to thank everyone for their incredible support throughout this journey. I first posted this story about a year and a month ago, and since then I have grown incredibly as a writer and I've had such an amazing time doing this for all of you! I am so thankful for the opportunity I've gotten writing this. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. this was my first ever story, so I know it wasn't perfect, but I'm so happy with where it is and I'm glad that you guys liked it! it makes me so happy to be able to mark this book as "completed".
please check out the two other stories I have posted (Rose as Red as Blood and History Lesson), they're both pretty good in my opinion, and you don't need background in either fandom to enjoy it, although it is recommended :) I've also started two more stories that I will end up posting at some point as they are solidified. so please give me (the author) a follow so you can keep track of the new stories as well!
the First has been an absolute adventure for me, and I want to tell you right now that yes, there will be a sequel. it may be quite a while before this sequel is actually posted, because I'll be working on the four other stories I'm writing, but it is definitely in the works and I'll try to post it as soon as I can! it will be titled "the Choice".
finally, please please please log on to " " and take a look at this story under the "Fandom 2" writing challenge! it takes a lot of views and support, but I know that all of you are amazing and it would mean so much to me if you could view this story via so I could have a chance at winning the contest! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE you get a virtual hug and cupcake for being awesome 3
so, it is with the greatest pride and deepest pleasure, that I present to you: the final chapter of "the First"!
The young princess lies on one of the two large stone cots in the middle of the room. Eyes closed, she seems to be asleep. There are no windows in the room, only tall stone walls that climb towards the vaulted ceiling high above. Lanterns and tapestries bring some light and color into the room, but otherwise, the room carries with it a sense of ancient magic. Her dress is tattered and torn from the gravel of the garden, and her right wrist is wrapped in soft cloth to stop the blood from seeping through. Her long hair has been brushed by tender hands.
The door to the room opens slowly, revealing the man standing in the door frame. His chestnut hair is as wild and unruly as Neverland's jungle, his eyes as bright green as sparkling emeralds. He approaches carefully, his footsteps making no sound on the polished stone floors. He seats himself on the end of the stone bed. The man gazes at the sleeping princess for a moment with sad eyes, before tentatively reaching out to place his hand on hers. She doesn't move. The slow rise and fall of her chest can't be seen from more than a few inches away. A single tear slides down his cheek before he wipes it away.
"I love you. Don't leave me." he murmurs quietly to the sleeping girl.
She moves ever so slightly beneath him, but he doesn't notice. The door opens again, revealing the pixie prince.
"Terence."
Terence barely acknowledges him, he seems to be in his own world.
"What. What is it?"
Terence strides towards him and hands him a large, musty book. It has been turned to a spell.
"Peter. This is the only way to save her. Will you do it?"
Without a moment's hesitation, "Yes."
Terence nods his head, before turning on his heel and exiting the room with the book. That was awfully rushed. It seems that Terence would have done it with or without Peter's permission. Peter settles himself on the other stone table, and closes his tired eyes. If this is the only way to save her, then so be it. He falls asleep quickly, not noticing the presence of another man in the room. His hook catches the light of the lanterns, making it glow. The pirate drags the hook along the cot, rousing Peter from his troubled sleep. He blinks, focusing on the dark haired man, before leaping to his feet and standing between the princess and the pirate.
"Hook," Peter growls, "what do you want?"
Hook manages a small smirk, "I come here as a friend, Pan. I simply wish to pay my respects to the dead."
Rather than standing aside, Peter takes a step forward.
"She is not dead. Not if I have anything to say about it."
Now, Hook's smirk grows into a grin.
"Ah, Peter. Allow me to spell this out for you. You decided to get bitten by a werewolf no more than a month ago. You also decided to use the last of the cure in all of Neverland. Meaning, there is none left for our dear princess."
Hook doesn't seem to know about the spell. Peter has the upper hand.
"What are you even doing here?" Peter asks.
"I simply wanted to look at her before she dies."
"Why do you keep saying she's going to die?"
"Because it's inevitable! Aleksander is going to be back for her transition, and I don't plan on being around when it happens."
"Good. You wouldn't be allowed within a mile of her anyways."
Hook chuckles, "Not to worry. I'll be taking refuge at the Mainland. Following in your footsteps, I suppose."
"You know that's not why I left."
"As you say. You don't even know what she's going to do if she wakes up."
"You may be right, but that doesn't mean I'm going to leave her."
"What to do, what to do." the pirate murmurs quietly, allowing his eyes to fall onto the sleeping girl on the stone cot.
"I'll tell you what to do. You get the hell out of here, and you don't come back."
Hook takes a step forward, a menacing roughness to his voice, "And are you going to make me?"
Peter's hand travels to his dagger, but he decides against it. She wouldn't want to see him do this.
"No," Peter lets out a defeated sigh, "I'm not. I'm hoping that you have enough decency left to leave her alone."
"I'm a pirate," Hook chuckles, "decency is not in my vocabulary."
Nevertheless, with one last withering glare at Peter, and one last longing gaze at the girl, he turns and strides out of the room. Peter deflates, sitting down on the cot and putting his head in his hands.
Kellen and Selene have grown increasingly desperate. The council has yet to come up with any good ideas, and time is ticking. The room lapses into silence, everyone has run out of thoughts.
King Kellen sighs, "We just need to keep her alive long enough for her to transition. That's all. That raw power will certainly cure her of the poison."
"But can you be certain of that?" Selene turns her strong gaze to his.
"I-", Kellen pauses, "no. I can't. But it's the best idea we have."
The council murmurs assent. Selene takes a shaky breath, "So how do we prolong her life for just one day?"
"We work together," an older mermaid says, "our magic is strong enough to at least allow her to live for a day. Together, we can help her maintain her strength."
The council again quietly murmurs their agreement. King Kellen rubs the back of his neck before standing to address the council.
"Bedrooms will be provided for you, and your every need will be attended to. We will meet again in one hour to discuss the necessary provisions needed to keep my daughter alive. Thank you."
Everyone in the room pushes back their chairs and stands, palace staff leading them in the direction of their bedrooms. Kellen leans back in his chair and closes his eyes.
"Will this work?"
"Of course it will," Selene murmurs, but her tone betrays her, "we just need to keep Aleksander away from here, and we need to keep her alive."
"But how? We have nothing that will cure the bite. We are powerful together, but none of our spells will be able to prevent the poison from killing her."
A tap on the door draws their attention, it's Terence. He's carrying a large book in his arms.
"May I come in?"
"Of course." Kellen says.
Terence drops the book on the table with a loud bang, and pulls it open to a marked page.
"I've found something that could help us."
He slides the book towards the king and queen.
Selene gasps, "Of course."
"Vita Auxilium." Kellen whispers.
"It could work," Terence says, "and Peter Pan has already volunteered his life. We wouldn't need to kill him. Just keep her alive long enough until transition."
"We don't have anything left to lose. Call the council members. We need to start now."
The pixie in the corner nods and leaves. Not even a few minutes later the room is full once again. The book is being passed around the table. The members talk among each other as Peter enters and stands in the corner of the room.
Kellen calls the meeting to order with a simple question, "Any objections?"
The council members glance around at each other, but stay silent.
"So it is decided," Selene murmurs, "we need to begin now."
Kellen turns to Peter, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
He steps forward, "Yes, I'm sure."
Selene sends the merpeople to cleanse Peter's soul, a necessary part of the spell, and the pixies go to the princess' room to do the same to her. Kellen and Selene follow the pixies to the room, and watch them while they work. It feels as if they're watching them prepare a body, but Selene banishes the thought from her head. She's going to live. She's going to live.
"We need to bring Peter." a pixie says, standing back from the sleeping girl.
"Already done." a merman announces from the door.
Peter is unconscious, being carried through the air by some sort of magic. He is laid down on the second stone table next to the girl. The King locks the door to the chamber. The merpeople form a circle around Peter, joined by Selene. The pixies form a circle around the princess, joined by Kellen. They take up the chant from the old spell book, and soon enough the room seems to shimmer with magic. The fire in the lanterns flares brightly, and the tapestries begin to sway in a nonexistent breeze. A very soft, golden light starts to emanate from Peter and the girl, and the fire in the lanterns blinks out. The council is left in darkness before the lanterns relight themselves and the room is returned to normal. The only new difference is the glow from the two unconscious bodies. The council steps back to admire their spell.
"It worked." Kellen says softly, seemingly in awe.
"And now, we wait." Selene replies.
"Her eighteenth birthday is in exactly three hours, and until then, we need to make sure that Aleksander is nowhere near her." Kellen orders.
The pixies have been organized into groups to patrol the palace and surrounding area for the wolves, and the merpeople have set about preparing Neverland's inhabitants for the shock of power that will greet them in three hours time. Meanwhile, the stone room is as silent as a tomb. The two lives inside are quiet, and that golden glow makes them both shimmer. Peter's skin is noticeably duller. His life is being given to the princess laying next to him. If the ritual were to go on for longer, he would be killed. This spell is designed to take the life of someone and give it to another, but in this instance, only a small amount of Peter's life is being given away.
The sun slowly sinks beneath the sea, illuminating the sails of the Jolly Roger as it leaves Neverland behind. The pixies and merpeople are on high alert, for with the night comes the wolves. There are four hours until midnight, then three, then two. No sound from the wolves. The stone room is designed to keep magic from leaving it, but will it be enough to contain the power of the transition? With one hour left, the council enters the room. The slow chant begins again, and the spell is broken. Peter awakens with a gasp. The princess doesn't open her eyes. Peter is helped out of the room with one last glance at the girl. She is alone. The merpeople return to their kingdom, the pixies' magic has worn off and left them in their true form. Peter sits just outside of the door, as close as the king and queen will allow, to wait for the stroke of midnight. With a half an hour left, a feeling of dread begins to gnaw at him. He feels different somehow, perhaps an aftereffect of the spell.
Currently afloat in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Captain Hook is laying on the deck of the Jolly Roger, gazing up at the second star to the right. She is there. He'll come back for her, if she survives. He can't help but think about watching her sleep in his cabin, back when she was injured, and wishing it could be like that every night. He hears footsteps creak across the deck as Henry joins him on the floor.
"Thinking about her?"
Hook sighs and closes his eyes, "That obvious, aye?"
Henry chuckles, "You're my son. I always know what you're thinking."
"I'll come back for her, once this is all over. Leave Pan in the dust. He'll be dealing with the effects of the spell anyways, if they decide to go through with it."
Henry sighs, "You could have warned them."
"Yes, I could have. But this is Pan we're talking about."
"So you've already chosen."
"Chosen what?"
"Well, you could have stopped them, but you didn't. Meaning that revenge means more to you than love."
Hook growls, "He deserves everything that's coming to him."
"How many times must I tell you? It was an accident, James. Yes, Luca suffered for it, but he was not a good person."
"Maybe so. But how many times must I tell you? He was my brother, and your son. And Pan killed him."
"But the difference between you and I is that I have forgiven him."
Hook is silent. Why is it that his father always knows how to make him doubt himself? Unbeknownst to the council, Hook had done a little research of his own after hearing about the Vita Auxilium spell from his sources. He learned that if the spell wasn't being used to kill the donor, as it was designed to do, that the person would be left without the life they had given away. Hook reveled in knowing Peter would be permanently weak, and he could finally get his revenge. He would kill Pan, and take Relia for himself.
Luca and Peter had been fighting over Tiger Lily, the beautiful Indian princess. Hook had never found her very attractive - she was quite bossy, in his opinion - but Luca and Peter fought for her. It lead to Luca's death, and Hook has yet to forgive Pan for murdering his twin brother over a girl. Hook knows that Luca probably fought dirty, he was a pirate for God's sake, but he was his brother all the same. That's why it's always a girl that Hook uses to bait Peter, because he knows that he can't resist. Bloody bastard.
His father pats his shoulder and stands, walking back to his room. Hook is alone once again, staring up at the night sky. Revenge? Or love?
Or both?
An idea hits him, then. The ultimate revenge. Not killing Pan, but making him wish he was dead. If he can turn Pan back to his old self, and comfort poor Relia as Peter changes personalities, he can steal her right from underneath his nose. It wouldn't be that hard to awaken that old part of Peter. Hook hauls himself to his feet and strides to the bell, which he has to ring several times before his crew appears through the various doors of the ship. They're grumbling about it being the middle of the night, but Hook is wide awake.
"Weigh anchor! Hoist the sails! Set course for Neverland!"
Peter is slumped against the wall outside of the room, trying in vain not to fall asleep. There are only ten minutes left until midnight, and Aleksander has been suspiciously quiet. Peter, on the other hand, can tell that something is seriously wrong with him. Perhaps it's just a part of the spell, but he feels as if a part of him is missing. His body is weak and shaky.
A freezing cold breeze brushes past his shoulder, causing him to flinch. It sweeps over his leg before traveling up the wall and extinguishing a lantern. Peter rubs his eyes. He's dreaming, that's it. A deep chuckle sounds through the hallway, but there is no one there.
"Hello?" Peter calls, pulling himself to his feet.
The cold wind wraps around his legs and slides over the floor.
"Did you miss me?"
The voice sounds very similar to Hook's, but it couldn't be his. He left for the Mainland. The cold scrapes down Peter's spine, giving him chills.
"Who's there?"
"Oh, you've forgotten me already? I never forgot a single one of my kills. And trust me, there were many."
Peter pales, fear constricting his chest. No. It couldn't be.
"It's only been twenty years, Pan. Come on, dig deep."
"Luca." Peter whispers.
"Ah! There we go! Good work. I was beginning to lose faith in you. So, it seems a lot has happened since I've been gone. A halfbreed! How exciting."
"You're not going to touch her." Peter growls.
"Poor Peter. You see, I've gotten considerably stronger since my untimely demise. I would say, if we were to fight again, you'd lose. After all, you so generously donated your life to that lost cause. You're weak."
"She is not a lost cause." Peter says fiercely.
"Oh," Luca chuckles, "you love her, don't you? Such a shame. You're going to have to watch her die."
"No. She's not going to die. She's strong."
"Aleksander sealed her fate. Speaking of…"
A howl pierces the silence of the hallway. They're inside the palace, Peter can tell that much. Where are the pixies? Didn't they stop them?
"Werewolves," Luca laments, "so petty."
Aleksander strides around the corner in his trademark black outfit. His gold eyes are glinting with the look of someone who has won. Peter steps forward, prepared to fight.
Aleksander rolls his eyes, "I've already beaten you once, Pan. I'll do it again."
"You're not getting to her."
"There are only a few minutes left until this island becomes hit with raw magic. We don't even know what it's capabilities are, and I intend to find out."
"What are you going to do with it?"
"If I tell you, I would have to kill you. But I suppose that's going to happen anyways."
"Over my dead body." Peter says, taking out his dagger.
Aleksander chuckles, holding his hands up in mock surrender, "Oh, hush, Peter. Let me speak first. Aren't you just dying to know what I'm going to do with raw, untainted magic?"
Peter is silent, and Aleksander continues.
"I'm going to capture it. I'm going to turn it dark. And, with the help of some well placed accomplices, we are going to take over Neverland."
"And who might your accomplices be?"
The wolf man tilts his head, contemplating his answer. He decides to tell Peter, he's going to die anyways.
"Just a certain mermaid queen, and a pirate, and… some others. Someone closer to you than you would think. That's a secret for later."
Aleksander chuckles, and takes a step towards Peter. Peter knows he isn't going to win, but he can at least hold him off until midnight. Aleksander growls deep in his throat, his fangs bared. Peter swallows and looks away. He's going to die.
"Come on, then. I'll let you hit first." Aleksander says.
Peter lunges forward, swiping his dagger through empty air as Aleksander steps to the right. With a swift kick, he takes Peter's legs out from underneath him. Peter falls to the floor with a thud.
"Oh, come on! You're weak, Pan. I expected more of a fight, considering you're protecting your life and hers."
Peter brings himself up to his feet again, leaning against the wall. Aleksander closes the distance between them in one long stride, punching Peter in the stomach. He doubles over with a wheeze, crumpling to the ground again. His dagger clangs to the floor. He is trembling and tired, a feeling he can't seem to shake regardless of the amount of adrenaline coursing through his veins.
"This is pathetic! Give up yet?"
"Never." Peter growls, standing upright once more.
Aleksander chuckles, "Poor thing. I would give up, if I were you. This is only going to head downhill."
"Why don't you just kill me then?"
"You'll have to beg for it."
Anger is making Peter's vision blur. He would not go down without a fight. With a roar, he lunges at Aleksander once more. The werewolf steps to the side, allowing Peter to fall to the floor for a third time. This time, however, Aleksander straddles Peter's waist, prepared to bite his neck. He wants to watch this man suffer. Aleksander growls deep in his throat, his fangs bared. Peter swallows and looks away. He's going to die. A choking noise draws his attention back to Aleksander. His face is red, and his eyes are bulging. He's grasping desperately at his throat before he falls off of Peter to the floor. Just as quickly as it happened, the mysterious magic wears off. Aleksander lies on the floor, weak, trying very hard to catch his breath.
"Well, that was easier than I thought it would be." Luca's voice holds a new air of power.
"You did that?" Peter asks quietly, still shaking.
"Of course I did. That pathetic creature was, as they say, all bark and no bite." Luca chuckles.
This powerful wolf taken down in a matter of seconds. There's a new power here. Peter shakily rises to his feet, Aleksander's weak form beneath him.
"Go on," Luca's tantalizing whisper fills Peter's ears, "kill him. He's going to kill her if you don't. Your dagger is just over there. All it will take is one, well-placed stab."
"No." Peter murmurs.
"Come on, Pan. You used to be so much more threatening! Where's the Pan that took my first life? Where's the Pan that fought to the death and then went further than that! I miss that part of you. That was the intriguing Peter Pan."
Peter's fingers are itching to grab that dagger back. But doing that would make him go back to his old self. The self he would spit on if he could. Relia wouldn't want him to. No. No. He can't. Aleksander is slowly pushing himself back to his feet, and he's furious.
"Don't waste what I've given you, Pan. I've weakened him for you. Are you really going to miss the chance to kill one of your worst enemies?"
Peter's gaze flickers back to the dagger, the itch in his hands intensifying. He wants to plunge that dagger into Aleksander's chest again and again. His chest begins to ache with longing, the same feeling he got before every kill. He wants that warm blood on his hands again. He wants to gaze into the eyes of his kill, and watch the life drain away. His eyes darken. His fingers twitch.
"Go on, Pan. Finish him."
Aleksander lunges forward with a snarl, and in a flash Peter stretches his hand out to the dagger beside him, jamming it into Aleksander's side. He howls in pain, and Peter yanks the dagger out of his ribcage, prepared to strike again. Aleksander falls, clutching his side as blood pools on the floor. That was a death blow in itself, but Peter wasn't finished.
"You'll regret this. You know what killing does to you!" Aleksander protests as Peter stalks closer.
"Do you want to go back to your old self? Do you want to lose Relia?"
Peter lets out a menacing chuckle, "Oh, wolf man. You're the one that has lost Relia."
With that, he leaps on top of the man and plunges the dagger into his chest. Aleksander's eyes stretch as wide as a full moon. He claws feebly at the dagger in his chest, but it's too late. His eyes glaze over, and he falls back to the floor. He's dead. Peter is trembling as the scent of blood overpowers his senses. He feels strong, and powerful, a feeling he hasn't felt in a long time. He climbs off of Aleksander, staring at the blood covering his fingertips.
"There's a good boy. Don't worry, Peter. I'll be back for you eventually." Luca murmurs.
A powerful gust of chilled wind almost blows Peter off his feet. Luca is gone. Peter turns his attention to the locked door. She's behind it. He did this for her. And he would do it again. The chime of the palace's clock reverberates through his chest.
ONE.
TWO.
THREE.
A soft golden glow begins to seep from the cracks in the door, growing brighter by the second. Peter turns his face away from the blinding light to spy none other than Hook running down the hallway towards him. The pirate steps over the dead man with barely a pause. Does the pirate know his brother is alive? Peter's bloody fingers clench into fists.
FOUR.
FIVE.
SIX.
The air hums with magic. Peter can feel it caressing his arms, winding through his legs, and tangling his hair. His fingers and toes begin to go numb and tingly.
"What are you doing here?" he shouts over the growing roar.
"I'm here to claim my prize!" Hook calls back, coming to a stop beside him.
SEVEN.
EIGHT.
NINE.
"Your prize?" Peter asks indignantly.
Hook flashes a charming grin at him. The air around them is charged with electricity. The light from behind the door is so bright it hurts. Hook and Peter turn away, for a moment forgetting they are mortal enemies. Fear begins to blossom in Peter's chest.
TEN.
ELEVEN.
TWELVE.
The door is blown off of its hinges and into the two men. The golden glow blasts through the palace, stopping for nothing. The whole island seems to shake. The magic seeps into every crevice, touching everything with light. The supernova carries with it a sound as loud as an explosion. Ships in the harbor are capsized, the village turned upside down. The trees bend, the water swirls, and the very bones of Neverland creak. Time seems to stop or fly, it's hard to tell. And at the eye of the hurricane? A girl. A girl who has made a choice.
