This is a fan fiction based on Fox's Peter Pan and the Pirates, in turn based upon J.M. Barries Peter and Wendy. I do not own the characters of this beloved classic… with the exclusions of Mau, Tsekani, Menkaura, Hondo and Khalid. They are my characters who I worked hard to create, don't take them from me.

All comments and constructive criticisms are welcome. But don't flame me, it's not nice and they are pretty useless, I'll probably just delete them. If you have something to say, please, think before you type.

101 REASONS NOT TO TAKE A DARE
SPIDER, SPIDER (Part One)

*****
The cavern was dark as pitch, as most caverns are. Slightly crawled over the
collections of rocks to be confronted with a long, narrow stairway heading
down. The boy considered turning back, perhaps just to report to the other
children what he'd found. Stubbornness and anger halt him and he quickly
hopped down the narrow stairs. "I'll show them. There's something wonderful
at the end of this stair case and they're all going to miss it! They'll be
all so envious because I'll be slightly the first one to see."
He drew his hand across the wall, feeling the indents, the carvings and
designs that his eyes could not clearly see. He used it like a guide, a
balance as he continued down the dark path. Finally he reached the end and he
knew because he miss-stepped and collided into the floor.
"Ouch!" Slightly cried as he caught himself with his palms. The floor was
covered in sand, which made his hands slip just a little. Beyond the stairway
the floor was nothing but sand, like marking the entrance to a completely new
world. A domain outside that of Neverland, something completely fresh.
Sitting on the walls above were lines of torches and the one directly above
the boy's head ignited itself. Slightly started again, crawling back from the
sparking fire.
"This is just slightly strange... no problem though, the others are there, to
back me up." he tried to give himself confidence and feebly laughed away his
anxiety.
He rose, removing the torch from its stand. As he walked down the path he lit
each new torch. As the hall got brighter, he could see the carved pictures
now, of all shapes, sizes and designs. Animals, people, buildings, and items
that he recognized and some he had never seen before. If John were there, he
would have reassessed that they were hieroglyphics. Ancient Egyptian people
created this form of writing using simple pictures. John would have also
theorized that this was a tomb, which would have been enough to get Slightly
to turn tail. Unfortunately this was all information Slightly did not know.
"It must have taken slightly forever to carve these," he marveled at the
designs that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The lost boy cautiously continued down the path and eventually came to a
crossroads. Slightly glanced back the way he had come and gazed at his two
choices, "Left or right?"
An idea struck him as he looked at his torch and chose left, continuing to
ignite torches as he explored. His idea was to light his path like a trail of
bread crumbs, that way he'd know where he had been.
*****
Above, the boys sat around the grounds doing various activities. Nibs and
Tootles carved their names and other images into a nearby tree. The twins
were busy building a miniature swing out of twigs. Michael approached his
older brother and gently tugged on his jacket, "John... I'm bored, can we go
home?"
Curly then crawled up next to Nibs and also complained, "It's almost dark.
Shouldn't we get going?" All of the boys expressed their complaints, having
lost interest in the cave and what could be inside.
"Yeah, I suppose, it is really late. Come on Lost Boys!" he motioned to the
others and took to the air. The other boys quickly follow him; all but
Tootles. He looked back at the cave and reminded, "Wait, what about
Slightly?"Nibs landed back on the ground, looking rather ashamed. He'd almost
forgotten about the other lost boy in his haste to return home as well, "I
almost forgot. We can wait a little longer."
"No." the boys began to pester in one voice.
"Can't we just go."
"He'll come back home eventually."
"But Nibs, I'm tired."
"Lets go back home now, please."
"All right," Nibs conceded, gesturing for them to all belay their pleas.
"I'll take you guys home, quickly now."
"Are you sure?" Tootles asked as the rest of the boys rose into the air
again."Sure he's sure, Slightly always goes off on his own anyway. He'll come
home when he's ready to come back home." Curly added and tugged at Tootles to
join them in the air.
"After you're all home, I'll come back for him." Nibs planned, thinking he
could get back before Slightly ever knew they'd left. The decision unanimous,
the remaining Lost Boys headed back to the underground house.
*****
With each step, Slightly more confidently continued down the corridors.
Concern and a sense of time had escaped him. The excitement of exploring and
everything new he saw thrilled his sense and tingled through him like fire.
Every once and a while he stopped to study the art on the walls. Well, after
he whipped away the coating of spider's web that had accumulated over time.
Slightly called it the "hall of stories," because he could see that much,
that each image was a new story.
Also, though it seemed silly currently, Slightly noticed that down particular
paths the walls were heavy with dust and thread. Yet another path that lead
him to a dead end had not a single web in site. It hadn't occurred to him
then, but the correct path was already marked for him, how curious that was.
As Slightly neared another break in the paths, his heart began to sink. The
orange glow of fire reflected onto the sand just outside of the entryway.
When Slightly reached the new corridor, the torches were already lit all the
way down the hall. His face twitched in disappointment, aggravation and
puzzlement.
"Have I been walking in circles? I think I've made a slight error." Slightly
heavily sighed, looking back at where he'd already walked. He tried to
backtrack his steps, only to confuse himself even more. He upset himself
further, looking all around the hall, trying to remember what he could not
seem to recall anymore.
Then he noticeed coin sized stones mixed in the sand, probably that had
fallen from the wall or had been carried in. Deciding to go back the way he
came, he made a little arrow in the direction he was going to walk.
The boy found himself racing down the path, starting to let fear consume his
thoughts again. Only now did he realize that he was in the bowels of a maze
and that he'd gotten lost. He began to think of what the other boys were
doing now. Were they worried? "Maybe they've come in after me by now. No,
that would be more than slightly embarrassing. Gee, Slightly what'd you find?
Nothing, you just got lost and scared. What would you do without Nibs and
Peter to bail you out?"
After turning down two more paths he came to a halt, breathing back hard to
stop the tears. He leaned against the wall and thought, "I bet they're
following me, slightly laughing."
He swallowed over the lump in his throat and continued on down the path,
"It's not funny."
Following the pre-lit torches, Slightly felt confident that he'd be back out
in no time. Until he reached a section that seemed very familiar. The torches
to the left were bright with fire, to the right they were dormant.
When he peered down, there was the stone arrow, disarranged on the ground.
Because as soon as he had fled, a beetle had scurried across the path. In a
strange little manner, it scrambled the stones up and continued on.
He kicked the stones in a huff and started to cry, "It's not funny!"
Slightly sniveled, letting the torch drop to the ground and letting himself
slide down against the wall. His palm traced a large disk carved in the
hieroglyphs.
He languidly eyed the disk, which was being held up high by a woman. The
stone was loose, more set into the stone instead of carved into it. Slightly
knelt in front of it and poked at it. It sunk into the wall just slightly,
prompting the boy to force it in even further.
A loud grinding warned him to move back as a section of wall next to the
hieroglyph began to stir. It advanced heavily to the left, ajar just enough
for a thin creature to squeeze through. Slightly cautiously approached the
opening to peer into the blinding light inside of the room.
"I've slightly found something," he plainly stateed, pulling the large stone
door out further so he could enter more smoothly. Its weight was far too much
for one boy to move but the sand made it easier to slide the stone. When
there was enough space, Slightly pressed through the thin opening into the
secret room.
*****
The room appeared on fire with golden light, which reflected off the treasure
that rested inside. Six tall statues of people with animal heads surrounded
the room. There was a jackal, a crocodile, a bull, a cat, a hawk and a woman.
Each statue held a dish of oil to light the room, a magical fire that would
burn eternally. The walls surrounding the room were brightly painted with
scenes of nature. They were the same style as the other carvings, but much
more beautiful.
The floor was littered with gold pieces, jewels, necklaces, scepters and
other miscellaneous items of value. There were baskets and chests, filled
with linens and clothing, and Slightly even spied a pair of sandals. There
were toys on the floor, a board game, a warrior doll, a bow and some arrows.
At the far end of the chamber was a gold dais, where a shield, a sword and an
odd looking head dress were lain.
Located in the center of the room was a large table, where it looked as if a
banquet might suddenly take place. Filled with foods like fruits, pudding,
sweet bread, fresh fish and roasted boar. There were even jars brimmed with
wine and milk. More amazing, all of the food was fresh and ripe.
Slightly stepped forward into the room to explore more. He almost had to
laugh in disbelief and then such a proud feeling overcame him. He wondered if
this was what Peter felt like when he was about to crow. Something soft
rubbed against his leg then and softly "mewed".
The boys gazed down to see a lovely bronze colored cat with spots on its back
and stripes along its legs. Her eyes were an exotic green, which Slightly
found most charming. Even this little feline was fit for the high life, with
a gold and blue collar, a tail ring and gold earrings.
She asked to be picked up with her purrs and the boy carefully took her into
his arms. She immediately licked his nose, probably smelling leftovers from
his lunch.
"So, is this slightly all yours?" Slightly inquired while sifting through the
treasure. The cat simply yawned to him as if saying, "Yeah, it's mine, but
don't make a big fuss over it."
Slightly knelt down to slip on a bracelet for his own. As he stood back up,
he noticed a large white box at the other end of the room. He carefully
approached the mysterious stone box, which had the oddest shape. It resembled
a sleeping person and would properly be called a sarcophagus, but to Slightly
it was just an oversized box. It did not have a persons image carved on it as
many do, just more hieroglyphs.
The cat leapt free of Slightly's arms and he gently traced the writing on the
top of the box with his fingers. He noticed a notch on the side, surrounding
the box, and felt it with his nail. Licking his lips, like quenching his
curiosity, he braced himself to push the lid off.
The cat abruptly made a terrible hissing noise, to warn Slightly not to
proceed. The foolish boy ignored her warning and pushed the top off, just
enough to peek inside.
With the top free, a little spider escaped from inside the sarcophagus.
Slightly reeled back as the eight legged creature scurried away. He turned up
his nose at the thing, then resumed to move off the massive lid of the box.
Slightly held his breath, looking in, now enough light pouring into the
container to clearly see. His grey eyes fall ennui into an empty casket.
Absolutely nothing, not even a spider web to document the little arachnids
stay.
Slightly's shoulders slumped as he sunk to his knees in front of the stone
vessel. He lazily looked into the coffin, his mind drifting to other
thoughts."Hello," a voice introduces itself. Slightly's head snaps up to see
a dark haired boy, about his own age, staring down at him. He wore a loose
pellucid white shirt, which slightly covered up the impressive gold collar
around his neck. His bronzed face was very thin and defined, and that was
accented more by the way his beaded hair hung down.
"My, but you're a jumpy one," he commented from the other side of the
sarcophagus. His expression was whimsical, but his voice was calm and
unchanging. The way he looked at Slightly made the lost boy very nervous as
well, his eyes... were lacking something.
"Where'd you come from?" Slightly asked, trying to not act bizzare around the
new boy.
"Oh, I've been around," he replied, walking his dark hand across the lip of
the coffin. He stayed very still on his side, his lack of body language more
suspicious than not.
"Oh," Slightly nodded then did the next thing he knew was proper to do. "My
name is Slightly, I'm a Lost Boy," he introduced, extending his hand in
greeting. The mysterious boy did not comply and rather sneered at the
gesture."I am Tsekani," he submitted instead, his eyes never wavering from
Slightly. The lost boy began to fidget as an awkward silence followed the
introduction.
"Well, it's nice to meet you. So do you know what this place is?"
"Yes, I do." Tsekani plainly answered. After another hush, the boy bowed his
head, but still kept his dark eyes fixed on the Lost Boy, "This is a tomb."
"A tomb?" Slightly nearly lost his voice repeating the word.
"My tomb actually."
The Lost Boy finally had the answers to what made him so sick around Tsekani.
His body quivered as he cautiosly took two steps back.
"Yes and I am a ghost. Deceased. Of the not living. You could even say of the
not 'anything' breed." Tsekani certified what he knew the boy was terrified
of. Slightly feigned a smile, "Well, yo-you're the slightly nicest g-ghost
I've ever meet."
As Slightly began to tremor, Tsekani walked out from behind the box that
concealed him, to reveal a darker appearance. Slightly choked on his breath,
horrified by the boy's true form.
When Tsekani was alive, he had made a deal with a demon for dark magic. He
wanted to be powerful, he wanted to be in control of his destiny, he wanted
to be eternal. He got his wish, and was cursed everlastingly. Now, the boy
would be forever inhuman and trapped in this tomb.
The lower body of his body was that of a deformed black spider and when he
stood up, he towered over Slightly. He must have been even bigger than
Captain Hook.
Pointing towards the door Slightly remembered, "My friends are waiting for
me, I'd better go."
"But we just meet, why not stay a while," Tsekani feigned pleasantry, his
words dripping with sinister purpose. The lost boy turned to spurt out into
the maze but a thick white line snared his ankle. His body slammed down
against the ground as Tsekani pulled back on the cord. It looked like a
medical bandage but was sticky like a spiders tread. Reacting swiftly,
Slightly reached for his dagger. Just as quickly Tsekani jerked on the cord,
pulling his catch in. The small weapon slipped away from the boy, along with
his cap.
Tsekani's hands morphed into black claws which he released the fiber from.
More white fiber fired from the boy's hand which steadily entangled the boys
legs. Slightly was lifted into the air, dangling like a trapped rabbit from a
tree. With his other hand, Tsekani tied together the boy's arms, immobilizing
him quite effectively.
"What are you doing?" Slightly cried, unable to escape, and twirling around
by a string.
"I've done the "for all eternity" thing, I thought I'd get out for a while,
see the sites. You'll be good enough to stay here for me, won't you?"
Slightly's eyes froze on the demon boy as he realized he meant to trap him
here in the crypt. The wrappings quickly crawled down his slender form as he
spun. In only a few seconds, Slightly was completely engulfed, head to toe,
all but his eyes.
Tsekani slung him into the sarcophagus like an unwanted rag doll. The lost
boy's screams were muffled and completely muted as the monster easily
replaced the lid of the coffin. Fear filled tears trickle down Slightly's
cheeks when darkness was all he could see. No one was coming for him, no one
knew where he was.
In the next instant, Tsekani's form changed from a monster into an average
boy. He clapped his hands together to brush off the chalky dust.
"You're friends aren't waiting for you silly boy," Tsekani rapped lightly on
the lid. He noticed the Lost Boy's parrot cap that had fallen onto the floor.
As he placed it over his own dark locks, the cat leaped in his path. Back
arched and fur standing on end, she hissed loudly at the demon-boy. Tsekani
frowned at the feline as he lifted her up by the scruff of her neck, "Stupid
cat. You have no power to hold me here."
She furiously bared her fangs to try and sway the boy. He instead flung her
small body across the room and she crashed against the wall behind the
sarcophagus. Her green eyes fought to stay open, but the pain over took her
and she blacked out.
At leisure, Tsekani left the crypt that had imprisoned him for centuries.
*****End Part One*****