Chapter Thirty-Six – A Father's Love
Peter and Wendy ran out of the gym as fast as they could, trailed close behind by Hook, Christine, Ruff, Violet, Ben, and Conch. Tinker Bell clung to Peter's shoulder as she urged them to hurry.
"What's going on, boy?" Hook demanded as they ran away from the school and headed back into the neighborhood.
"Shade's attacking Wendy's home and family!" Peter explained, making sure no one was looking before snatching Wendy and hopping into the air. "We'll never get there in time on foot! Tink, they need fairy dust!"
Tinker Bell complied at once, sprinkling the group with the magical dust. The children went up automatically. Hook frowned, struggling to think of a happy thought. He didn't want to be the one dragging Peter and the others down. A touch on the arm made his blood rush as he realized Christine was airborne, trying to help him up. Instantly, his feet lifted off of the ground, startling him.
"Hurry!" Peter ordered, leading them away. "Follow me!"
"If Dad's still there, he can use his gun to fight back," Wendy said, more to calm herself down than anything else. "But for how long…?"
Slicing through the air, the group flew faster than ever before. Arriving at the house, they could hear shouts and screams from the boys inside.
"Why hasn't anyone come to help?!" Wendy gasped, seeing the other houses nearby. Not a sing person was sticking their head out to the window wondering what was going on.
"It must be a spell," Peter frowned. "Shade doesn't want anyone coming to help them…he's going get it this time!" Sticking out one foot, he kicked the door down and landed in the house, glaring at the enemy. "SHADE!"
The house was in shambles. Nana lay at the foot of the stairway, whimpering in pain. Mikey cowered behind the sofa while Jon held up a lamp as his only weapon. Mr. Darling had brought out his gun, using it to block an attack from Shade's sharpened hands. His eyes became huge when he saw Wendy and the others barrel into his home. "Wendy?!" he gasped.
"WENDY! PETER!" Mikey screeched, quaking in fear. "HELP US!"
Drawing his cutlass with Hook and Ruff on either side, Peter snarled at the monster. "Get them out of here, Wendy – we'll take Shade!"
The monster opened his mouth and released a terrible roar, turning away from Mr. Darling. In doing so, Peter caught sight of Blue Falls and Flameburst, trapped in an orb of black smoke.
"NO!" Tink exclaimed, flying to their aid. Inside, Blue Falls was hard at work, trying to conjure a spell that would release them.
Shade sneered at them, thrusting his arms towards the group. Peter, Ruff and Hook ducked, scattering throughout the room. As they brandished their weapons, Ben ran to Jon and Mikey and pulled them from their hiding place. "C'mon, let's go!" he urged them.
Conch and Violet ran to Nana, stroking her fur. "Poor Nana," Violet whispered.
"She's ok," Conch reassured the girl. Rubbing her hands together, she looked back to make sure Shade was occupied before spreading her hands on the dog, a strange fluid trickling over her. Nana growled, suddenly standing up and shaking. Looking to the mermaid, the great Newfoundland licked the girl's face.
"Girls!" Christine called. "We need to hurry up!"
Ben and Jon scrambled over the fallen furniture, making their way to the others. Mikey huffed, trying to get past a heavy chair when he tripped and fell face forward. He shook his head, clearing his mind, when he sensed something towering over him. His eyes grew huge as he realized Shade was opening his mouth, ready to suck the life of out him.
"WENDY!" Mikey screamed, staring into the gaping mouth.
Grabbing a frying pan from the kitchen, Wendy ran back and delivered a heavy smack to Shade's head, causing him to swivel around and hiss. Meanwhile, Hook snatched the child and handed Mikey to Christine. "All of you, get outside and run to the island!" he said quickly, urging them out.
"But James-!" Christine started, only to be silenced by his lips.
"I can't have anything happen to you," he whispered, stroking her cheek. "Go, and keep an eye on the little brats." Giving him a worried look, she nodded and ushered the children out quickly, with Nana constantly looking behind them.
Peter stabbed Shade's leg, distracting his attention from Wendy. As the monster turned to face him, Hook came up behind Peter, his own sword at hand. Shade's eyes became huge, gaping at the two of them. Peter was standing with Hook…dressed as a pirate! Fury filled his being as he began to quake, misinterpreting what he saw. "You won't tolerate me," he rumbled, his eyes glowing furiously as he stared at them. "BUT YOU'LL LET HIM TAKE OVER YOU?!" A great ball of dark magic flew their way, the two enemies-turned-allies jumping away.
"What're you blabbing about?!" Peter snapped, pointing his sword accusing at the creature.
"I AM YOUR FATHER!" howled Shade, the lights in the house flickering. "NOT THIS CUTTHROAT RUFFIAN!"
"'Ruffian,' you say?" Hook sneered. "I'm not the one out to kill everybody lately."
"SILENCE!" Shade bellowed, sending a gust of wind at them. Hook was sent tumbling to one side as Peter was slammed against a wall, hitting his head so hard that he was stunned senseless.
"Peter!" Wendy screamed, running to him when she suddenly realized she couldn't move. Looking down at her feet, she saw that she was standing in a pool of black smoke. Shade licked his sharp teeth greedily, hissing as he came forward. She swung the frying pan at the figure but he tore it from her hands and gripped his fingers around her throat.
"Pan!" Hook cried, stumbling over himself and going to the boy. Holding his head steady, he spoke forcefully as Peter squeezed his eyes shut, trying to settle the numbing dizziness that had settled over him. "Listen, boy, that girl isn't going to make it unless you snap out of it and save her!"
Shade opened his mouth, planning to do to Wendy what he hadn't been able to complete with Mikey.
"Hurry, you two!" Flameburst pleaded, watching the events unfold.
"We're working on it!" Blue Falls grunted as he and Tinker Bell worked on both sides of the force field.
Shade opened his horrible gaping mouth, starting to suck away all the air around the girl until a shot rang in the air. Shade reeled back in pain as he noticed an open wound and searing pain in his leg. Whipping around, he saw George Darling standing behind him, shaking like a leaf in the wind as he aimed at the monster.
"Y-You get away from my daughter!" he demanded.
Ruff went to tackle Shade only to be buffeted away, hitting the floor and grunting in aggravation. His eyes became like saucers as he watched, helplessly. "LOOK OUT!"
"DAD!" Wendy screamed.
Hook was starting to sigh in relief when Peter finally opened his eyes, disoriented, and began to stand up when he heard the shouts. Both boy and man turned and gaped, horrified.
Mr. Darling had prepared to shoot once more, lifting the rifle up to eye level. Unfortunately, in the time it had taken him to do so, shaking with fear and worry at the same time, Shade lashed out his pointed arm and ran the man through the chest.
Peter's eyes snapped open, his senses coming back in a rush. "NOOO!" he screamed, stumbling and tripping to get onto his feet. Hook held him back, watching in horror as well. He was used to killing men and watching them die, but this monster was giving 'killing' a bad name.
Wendy's eyes watered as she watched her father collapse, his body still. Weeping, she smacked the creature's chest. "Murderer!" she wailed, punching as hard as she could. "You're a monster!"
Turning back, Shade was snickering when his eyes became huge. Looking down at the girl, dressed in her costume, something nagged at him in the back of his mind…
"David!" Agatha wailed, falling to her knees and covering her tear-stained face. "David, he's gone! Peter's gone! I had him in the pram and I looked away, for a moment! For one cursed moment, and he was gone! I can't find him anywhere! Oh, David, this is all my fault…!"
"A-ga-tha…?" the name came out in a choked whisper, the wicked white slits turning back into human eyes for a second.
"The human side of him is fighting the dark magic within,"Tinker Bell noted as she glanced back. Looking desperately at the bubble which trapped her friends, she whined. "We need to hurry! It's not fading fast enough!"
"SHADE!" Peter shouted, his fists shaking in unbridled anger. The creature looked at him, stunned and miffed at what he'd done. Gritting his teeth, Peter shouted, "I HATE YOU!"
Those three words made the man vanish and the monster return. Hissing like a snake, he tossed a ball of black magic their way.
"Duck!" Peter cried, yanking Hook down with him as the ball whizzed over their heads.
"You had to say something, didn't you?" Hook frowned.
"Peter, be careful!" Wendy called, shrieking as Shade began to pull her in, ready to try and suck her life out again.
"Wendy!" Peter exclaimed, leaping to his feet and running forth.
Anticipating the move, Shade snickered, and tossed another burst of magic. Peter skidded to a halt, expecting impact, when Ruff leapt up. He gasped as it hit in square in the chest, knocking him to the floor.
"RUFF!" Peter shouted, falling to his knees and lifting his friend's head. "Ruff?" he asked quietly, fearing the worst. Ruff didn't answer, nor did his eyes open.
Deep inside of the Eternal Youth, a strange, powerful feeling began to surge. He hadn't felt it in years…not since Shade had tried to kill Flameburst back in the prison which kept Peter for four years. His eyes shut as he felt the anger, the passion, the frustration of all Shade had done to spite him and the others…he would have no more of it.
"Finally!"Tinker Bell smiled as the force field shattered. "I thought we would never-!"
"Tink! Look at Peter!" gasped Blue Falls, pointing at the boy.
Raising an eyebrow in confusion, she turned around, her eyes growing large at the sight of an ethereal glow coming from Peter's frame. "What…?!"
Peter's eyes snapped open, shining gold as he stood up, glaring at Shade. Hook, Wendy, and the fairies gawked, stunned by this occurrence. Raising his hand, he curled it into a fist and delivered a mighty blow to Shade. The monster tumbled, writhing and howling as the blow caused his frame to vibrate. He gawked at Peter in disbelief and fear. How was he doing that?!
Running to Wendy, Hook helped the girl wriggle free of the magic that was holding her in place. The fairies crowded around them, all watching in amazement.
"What's going on?" Wendy asked, stunned.
In a burst of light, the fairies changed into their human forms, their eyes glued to Peter as he fought and flipped with such accuracy and grace that it was nearly lethal to Shade.
"The only other time I've seen Peter's eyes like that is when he saved Flameburst," Blue Falls told them. "He was angry and frightened for her…in a sudden urge to protect her, he gained this power that could repel Shade's."
"But he's been provoked – that's the only reason it happens," Flameburst added, wincing as Peter continued relentlessly on the man-turned-monster.
"This…it's only happened after Peter got older," Tinker Bell realized, shivering in worry. "He's older…stronger…his emotions take hold…and when it has to do with Shade…that must be why he's become so powerful…"
"Odds, bobs, hammer and tongs," Hook whispered, watching with wide eyes. "If he keeps this up, he may just kill the monster!"
"He's not in control of this power, Tink," Wendy said, watching Peter with fear as he grabbing Shade by the neck. "We have to stop him!"
"How?!" Tink asked, panicking as she worried for Peter.
Pushing past them, Wendy ran to the boy as he tightened his grip around Shade's neck.
"Pe…ter…!" the monster gasped, choking for air.
Peter glared at him mercilessly, his eyes shining brightly.
"Don't, Peter!" Wendy cried, grabbing onto his arm. "This isn't you! You must control your power! Don't let it take over you the way it has for Shade!"
Peter froze, recognizing Wendy's voice. Turning his head, he stared at her with his blank golden eyes. "W-Wendy…?" he asked, his voice strained.
"Peter, snap out of this, please!" she begged, placing her hands on either side of his face and kissing his roughly.
His gold eyes grew large and then drifted shut, his hold on Shade loosening until Shade collapsed to the floor. Pulling back, Wendy watched as his eyes fluttered open, back to their usual emerald green hue. "Wendy…?" he asked, shaking his head and clearing the fog that had settled upon him.
"Now's our chance!" Blue Falls nodded, aiming is hands at the fallen form of Shade. Tinker Bell and Flameburst placed their hands on his shoulders, glowing as he began to chant an incantation. A ball of light formed in his hands, sparkling as he said the final words. Bursting forth, the light hit Shade, causing him to wail as he was engulfed in the light. His body lifting off of the ground, he reached down to try and grab Peter.
"Be gone," Peter glared. Raising his voice, he pointed accusingly and shouted, "BE GONE!"
A bloodcurdling scream filled the house as they were blinded by the light. A gust of wind passed through the home, and when they opened their eyes, Shade was gone.
Hook blinked, his eyes darting around the room suspiciously. "…is he…dead?"
"No," Blue Falls shook his head. "He's been weakened, though. His body and mind were in turmoil."
"Whatever for?" Hook demanded, crossing his arms over his chest.
"His conscience…his human side is fighting against the dark magic that possessed him ages ago," the male fairy explained. Stroking his chin, he thought a moment. "There's something else that's anchoring him here…something that enables his dark side to recharge each time…if we could destroy it-"
"DAD!"
Wendy's cry made them all stop, turning to see the girl and Peter kneel down beside George Darling.
He was fading fast, his blood staining the carpet. "W-…Wen-dy," he coughed.
"Don't talk, Dad," she whispered, holding his head up. "We'll call an ambulance, you'll be all right…!"
"Wendy…I'm…sorry," he wheezed, squeezing her hand in his. "…your mother…would be…very proud…of you…I'm sorry…I wasn't always…there…you were…right…"
"Daddy…" she wept, shaking her head. "Please don't-!"
"You…" George looked to Peter, something clicking in the back of his mind. "…Peter…Pan?"
Peter gave a sad, weak smile before he hung his head. "I'm sorry…I was supposed to protect everybody…"
"You…saved…my children," George said, taking his hand and placing it with his daughter's. "…take care…of the boys…Nana…and my little girl…"
His brows furrowed as he bit his lip in an effort to hold back his tears. Peter nodded once. "I promise."
George smiled weakly, his eyes drifting to the ceiling. They widened, then closed, a smile on his lips. "Marian…you came for me…" His hands went limp, his breathing stopped.
Hook took his hat off of his head, bowing in respect. The fairies placed their fists over their hearts and bowed their heads, tears forming in their eyes. Wendy shook, heavy sobs escaping her. "Oh, Daddy!" she cried, flinging herself into Peter's chest. He held her silently, guilt weighing down his heart. As he stared at George's peaceful face, another face came to mind.
"Oh, no," he gasped, the blood draining from his face. "Ruff…"
Upon hearing his name, Wendy lifted her head, startled. "Ruff…? What…?" The memory of the boy dodging in front of Peter filled her mind, her hand going to her mouth. "Oh no!"
Together, everyone looked to the boy, laying perfectly still on the floor. Scrambling to him, Peter took his friend in his arms, holding his head up. "Ruff…why did you do that…?" he whispered, shaking as he stared at his friend's face. Hanging his head, he cried, wishing that he had been the one to receive the blast of magic.
"…we're even now…huh?"
Peter's head whipped up, his eyes huge as he gawked at his friend. Ruff gave a weak, cocky grin, his eyes lidded as though he had awoken from a long slumber.
"Ruff!" Wendy cried, kissing his cheek. "Thank goodness!"
"I thought…you were dead…" Peter confessed, a teary smile on his lips.
"Psh!" he spat, blinking sleepily. "I…ain't dying…anytime…soon…"
Placing his hands on the boy's chest, Blue Falls closed his eyes, sensing the magic that had overtaken the boy. He gave a sigh of relief, looking up at the others. "He's fine. This spell was meant for Peter – it keeps you lethargic, almost as if you're paralyzed. That's why he was unconscious."
Hook chuckled, kneeling down beside him. "What you did was stupid, boy…stupid, but brave."
Ruff grinned, his eyes closing again. "I don't like feeling sleepy…" he murmured.
"We need to get him back to the island," Blue Falls told Peter. "I can help him there. Besides, if we don't hurry, the police could be here soon."
"He's right," Wendy nodded, not daring to look back at her father. "When they see this…we'll end up in trouble, even if we weren't the ones who caused it."
"Then let's get out of here," Peter said, picking his friend up and carrying him off. "I'm sure we'll find the others at the docks by now."