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 REASON'S NOT TO TAKE A DARE
SPIDER, SPIDER (Part Three)
******
As the sun rose above the sea, it created a lovely pink and orange air over
the pirate's cove. The Jolly Roger was peaceful in the calm sea, swaying
gently with the waters. The deck was equally as quiet, except for the bosun
and the great chef in the galley.
The smell of the galley fire wafted into the men's quarters, arousing Billy
from slumber. The boy's stomach heaved, not from hunger, but from the vial
thought of Cookson's meals. His eyes squinted open and his stomach churned
loudly, enough to wake up Mullins from below.
The boy had had a rough night too, thinking about his Lost Boy companion and
the strange youth in his cap. He'd tried to convince himself that maybe the
cap was a gift from Slightly. But that didn't make sense, especially with the
spell he cast over the other pirates. If he needed to use the ability of
coercion, it made sense that he was deceitful.
Billy even had nightmares about Slightly and him on a boat together. Slightly
stood up to see something in the dark waters and stands up on the boat. Claws
erupted from the sea and pulled him under. But Billy felt like he was the one
who's drowning and just before he thinks there's not a breath left, he wakes
up.
As he tried to find where sleep had left off, the great cook's hoarse voice
bellows out, "Come and get it! Is breakfast meal!"
The pirates grumbled from their respective bunks and Billy drew the covers
over his head. Mullins poked him on the shoulder to rise as he got up as
well. He made no effort to comply, waiting for everyone else to clear out
first.
Starkey dragged past and smirked at the lump under the sheet, "Rise and shine
me bucko. You wouldn't want to miss this."
"I'd rather eat gun powder," scoffed Jukes.
"Good, because that's the special today."
The boy peeked out from behind the cover to frown at his chipper shipmate,
but instead found himself smiling. Even though Starkey was a snobbish pain in
the ass, he had his moments. Especially when it came to the slop Cookson
dished into their bowls. Billy practically poured himself off the hammock and
dawdled on after the others.
*****
The day surrounding the Jolly Roger continued on rather uneventful past noon.
The crew went about their duties and the Captain sat in his cabin writing in
the log. Alf Mason was stationed in the crows nest. Bosun Smee was at the
helm, busily and diligently polishing the wheel. Starkey and Mullins were at
work re-looping the ropes of the shroud.
Lastly Jukes was kneeling at the side of the cannon, pounding a wheel back in
place. Thoughts of Slightly were still strong in his mind. He was concerned
for his friend, but had no way of knowing what or if anything had become of
him.
When the wheel was as tight as it was going to get, he tossed the hammer back
into the toolbox. He then leaned over the side of the deck and watched the
land sway.
Seeing the boy so deep in thought, and lonesome looking, Mullins swung down
from the ladder. When he tapped the boy's shoulder, Billy quickly snapped his
head up to look at the scruffy man.
"What's eatin' ya lad?" Robert asked as genuinely as he could. Billy forced
himself to smile and looked away while he responded, "Don't worry about it. I
can't explain it to you."
"Well why not?" the older pirate inquired, leaning an elbow on the rail.
Robert Mullins waited patiently for a reply; he wasn't about to leave. Billy
raised an eye in surprise and simply turned back to the shore. Seeing him
watch the land so incessantly gave Mullins a hint, "So what do you want to go
for shore for?"
"Nothing," Billy shook his head.
"I'm getting land sick just looking at it cully, so you'd better tell me
quick."
His joking didn't get a response either and he almost gave up.
"Is it that devil lost boy?" Mullins attempted one last question. Billy
turned to him, looking rather insulted.
"The one that cast the spell on you," Mullins reminded him and Billy almost
began to protest.
"No, he bewitched... ah, what's the point," Billy interrupted himself. There
was no point in arguing with him, because it always ended with the same
result.
"Yes," the gypsy stated firmly, turning his back to the land, "I am thinking
about that lost boy. The one in Slightly's cap who ambushed us."
His elder pirate gave him the perplexed of looks at this statement. Did he
not remember the ambush now? How wonderful that would be. At least, Billy
thought, that means the effects of the spell are only temporary.
Only the next words out of Mullins' mouth drained the blood from Billy's
heart.
"Slightly who?"
"Slightly who?" Billy's mind repeated and he felt himself stop breathing. He
turned away from Robert, who thought he was choking or about to heave over
the side. He patted him on the back and directed him closer the ships rail.
Maybe he misunderstood? Maybe I misunderstood him? Billy's mind raced.
"Slightly, of the lost boys. Scrawny, pale, blonde hair? Don't you know who
I'm talking about? Remember when you caught Neverfever? I left ship and all
that we went through to save you, and, and..." Billy spit out in one breath.
He realized he was wasting his words and quickly stomped away from Mullins.
"Lad, I warn ye to stow that jibber-jabber about them underhanded Lost Boys.
I don't know none of this Slightly vision, or what ye'r talkin' about, and if
you're not careful, the captain will lash you to the gratings."
Billy gave his shipmate a look of defiance that should have gotten him
whipped that instance.
"Of course you know Slightly," Billy thought, "why are you playing this game
on me?" He felt like he'd lost his mind and started to doubt himself again.
Billy knew that what he knew had to be the truth, didn't it? He almost began
to panic and break down when his eyes found his way to Hook's cabin.
He practically stormed up the staircase to reach the Captain, the only other
sane person on the Jolly Roger. However when he reached the door, he
hesitated.
What was he thinking, about to ask Captain Hook such a silly question? What
was he thinking interrupting Hook in the first place?
Biting his lip, he gently rapped on the door and Hook answered, "What is it?"
The boy carefully opened the door enough to peek in and sheepishly reply,
"It's just me sir."
"What is it Mr. Jukes?" He leaned forwards; already looking rather annoyed
with the boy. Jukes almost couldn't find the words to speak and would have
just left like a fool.
"Can...can I talk to you sir?"
James Hook almost snapped back at the boy, but the sincerity of the boy
belayed him.
"Speak quickly Mr. Jukes," Hook coldly replied, tapping his claw against the
table.
"Thank you sir," Billy timidly replied, fully entering the Captain's
quarters. With a deep sigh, he spoke, "Yesterdays attack, the mysterious lost
boy that had appeared?"
"Aye, the one all the men claim to a familiar."
"Aye, sir, but I know... and you know too, that he's not." He explained more
confidently and knew he was probably already going on too long. "What I mean
to really ask is, do you know Slightly?"
"Know him?" Hook was rather confused by the simple question, "In what sense
do you mean? I know of him, but to say that I "know" the scruffy child?"
"Good, I'm not going crazy," Billy sighed in relief.
"Where are you going with this Jukes?" Hook was completely baffled by this
interrogation about the Lost Boys. Before another syllable was spoken, a crow
cut through the air, echoing about the waters of the cove. The Captain shot
up out of his chair, slamming his fist and claw on the table, "Peter Pan!"
Jukes was nearly knocked down as the captain crashed out onto the deck.
Outside the pirates scurried around the deck to prepare themselves for the
children about to set foot on deck.
All the Lost Boys were floating gaily above the ship, up to one prank or
another. Billy scrambled out to see the gathering and narrowed his eyes at
the site of Tsekani. He mentally took a head count to find Slightly among
their ranks. Sadly and almost expectantly, his friends was absent from the
group.
"Good afternoon Commander Kipper!" Peter brightly greeted a very irate Hook.
"Eternal Youth," Hook scowled then his manner flowed into a more gentlemanly
tone, "Come, join me on deck. So I may give you a proper greeting with this
here hook!"
"A tempting offer, but I must regretfully decline. We have business here on
the Roger today." Peter mysteriously explained and crowed, "Go to it boys!"
John tugged playfully on Tsekani's shirt, "Come on Tsekani this way."
The children whooped and hollered as they clung to the sky ladders like a
band of crazed monkeys. Nibs and Twins dove back down to taunt the pirates
into chasing them around the deck. The other children set work to sawing the
ropes with their knives. Michael and Tootles lastly worked their way up past
the crows nest and began to untie the pirate flag from the pole.
It seemed like Tsekani was fitting right in with the lost boys now.
The others treated this new addition like a life long companion and Jukes
took note of that. After Nibs and Wendy had returned with him, he'd used the
same magical treachery on the children. A quite effortless task, like child's
play to trick a child. Within minutes they welcomed the mysterious boy into
their home, not a questioned asked. Well, not everyone, because Tsekani's
spells have no effect on fairies. But the vain little fairy didn't care one
way or another; it was just another silly lost boy. Wasn't he?
"Catch the little whippersnappers!" Smee hollered.
Several of the men ran around, while others tried to scale the ladder.
Uncoordinated and unsuccessful, and Hook snarled at their follies.
"Mr. Jukes! Get down there and help detain those boys ankle boned antics!"
"Aye, aye sir!" Billy leapt down the steps, though with a different plan in
mind. He made a quick path through the skirmish, his eyes directed on the
little mother, Wendy. She stood alone, out of the way of harm, suspended a
few feet off the deck. Jukes easily found an alternate route to come up from
behind the girl. She cupped her mouth and cried out, "Oh Michael, do be
careful!"
Now distracted, Billy pounced and pulled her into hiding behind a group of
crates. Wendy tried to scream but his hand slide over her mouth. The pirate
turned her around and motioned with a finger over his lip to be quiet.
Instead, she continued to make muffled cries under his cupped hand.
"Don't scream. Please. I'm not going to hurt you..." he tried to insist, but
a raised eyebrow said, "I'm not convinced."
"Please, I'm asking you to trust me."
After a moment of thought Wendy conceded and when he let his hand slip away
she harshly bit, "And why on earth should I trust you? Give me one reason."
Billy searched for an answer, "I don't have one. Just listen, please."
"What ever is the matter Mr. Jukes?" she in inquired more sincerely.
"Tell me, what's going on Wendy? Who is that new lost boy?"
"New lost boy?" Wendy looked completely perplexed and he realized he should
have known better. Jukes grit his teeth, "Grrrr.... where's Slightly then?"
"Who?"
"Shot and shell," Billy tried again, pointing to Tsekani this time. "Wendy...
I can't seem to remember. Who is that?"
"Why that's Tsekani."
"Okay, Tsekani. So, you don't remember Slightly? Not at all? Please tell me
what happened yesterday."
"Yesterday? My but these are peculiar questions. However if you must know...
Peter went on an adventure to the ice caverns."
"I don't care what Peter did," Billy nearly shouted, "Tell me what the other
boys did."
"Oh, they went with Nibs on their own quest. I believe they discovered a
cavern, concealed very deep in the northern woods." Wendy drifted in her
explanation, looking away. Her lips pursed in thought before she continued,
"They didn't go in the cave though. Later, Nibs and I went out... to look for
Tsekani."
"Really? Where was Tsekani?" Billy inquired, emphasizing the name.
"He was lost, not too far from the cave, but I don't think he was in the
cave. Nibs would know." Wendy nearly stood back up to direct Nibs over. Jukes
quickly yanked her back down by her dress. "You just said no one went in the
cave."
"No one went in the cave, we just lost Tsekani." she reached into her pocket
to reveal a ball of yarn, "See, I took this yarn to find our way back out..."
Wendy began to fault again, tears of remembrance brimming in her eyes. Billy
almost went to comfort her, not expecting such a reaction.
"...of the cave. Oh no!" Wendy suddenly yelped out and quickly covered her
own lips. She quietly and quickly continued, her memories becoming clearer
now.
"Nibs and I went back to look for Slightly, but we never made it to the
cavern. We were taking this yarn so we wouldn't get lost too and that's when
we meet Tsekani. We took him home with us instead of Slightly, I don't know
why. How terrible."
"It's okay," Billy attempted to calm her down. She looked up at the boys, and
quite sternly glared at the newest lost boy.
"That cad tricked us!" the girl fumed. Billy almost laughed at the terrible
face she made and motioned her down.
"No Miss Wendy, don't give yourself away. Not yet."
"But then what shall we do Mr. Jukes?"
"Nothing. Play along with this game for now."
"Then what will you do Mr. Jukes?"
"I'll go find Slightly, and you'll act as if nothing is different, but
first..." Billy trailed off as he tightly grasped onto Wendy and roughly
hauled her out of hiding. Like a planned performance she squealed out,
"Peter! Help me!"
"Quiet you wench! 'For I cut out your tongue!" Jukes threatened her in a more
exaggerated voice than one would normally use. Fortunately it did the trick
and the next moment was more like a blurry memory. Peter had been dueling
with Hook when Wendy cried out. The brash boy shot off like a rocket in
Juke's direction, weapon ready.
"Let her go!" Peter demanded, and stealthily slashed the pirate across the
side. Billy let loose of Wendy to nurse his wound. The children all flew up
and away before they got captured as well. Peter began to fly Wendy away and
the boys quickly followed.
"Mr. Jukes! Shoot those Lost Boys out of the sky!" Hook ordered.
"Aye, aye sir!" Billy complied and hobbled over to the cannon. Mullins
quickly ran over to help load the cannon while Billy took aim. Long Tom
roared and fired, whizzing right past the group of children. "They're too far
away," Billy accused, even though he'd missed on purpose.
"Get your eyes checked Jukes! I've never in my day scene such a disgrace
behind a cannon. Get back to work! They'll come back, they always do!" Hook
growled and once again stormed away.
"You alright Billy-boy?" Mullins inquired about the blow he'd taken. Billy
waved him away, insisting he'd be fine. He had other things on his mind
besides.
As the crew broke up again, Smee chanced to look skywards, at the flagpole.
The bosun started, quickly removed his glasses to clean them and look again.
To his horror he saw that the children had replaced the pirate flag with an
abominable mockery. A skull and crossbones painted over with glasses, a
mustache, devil horns and a red hook. No one else had seemed to notice it
yet. Smee took his eyes away from the travesty and began to whistle, deciding
it best to walk the other way.
*****
The day ended, turning the waters the blackest black as the sun set. The moon
rose and glistened like silver bits in the water. A dark figure could barely
be seen in that cold dark ocean. The time to act was now, familiar memories
of a similar adventure flooded back to him. Slowly someone was quietly,
steadily swimming away from the pirate ship. No one on the ship had suspected
yet. Billy Jukes had jumped ship.
****End Part Three****