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 Six)
*****
"Wake up! Wake up! Wherever you are!" Peter Pan's youthful voice crowed as he
entered the main room of the underground house. Wendy started awake from her
chair and all the boys groggily looked up from their bed. Even Tinkerbell was
startled awake and quickly sat up, only to flop back down on her petal bed
and groan.
The only boy besides Peter who was fully awake, was their leader Nibs, who
had been awake all night long. He was a little tired from his night out, but
the boy was young, so he shook off the feeling.
"Come now lads, it's a fine day today. Many grand adventures await us." Peter
pantomimed fighting with his dagger, he had a lot of energy brimming inside
of him. The boys all watched with bright eyes. Wendy approached Peter and
gently led his arm down, "But first, lets have breakfast."
"But Wendy..." Pan protested. The girl simply shook her finger, "Tut, tut, a
good mother or father would never let her a child skip a meal. That means you
too Peter Pan."
For a brief moment Pan sulked, then proceeded to the table with the rest of
the Lost Boys. As they all sat down, John looked about and asked, "Where's...
"
"Tsekani." Wendy blurted out as she turned around to stand eye level with the
cryptic boy.
"I just stepped out for a moment. I woke up long before the other children,"
he explained politely, "I didn't mean to startle you."
Wendy Darling couldn't find words to answer him, for a child her own age, he
was quite... daunting. She took in a deep breath, "It's alright, you can...go
sit down with the others."
He quietly nodded and joined the other Lost Boys in animated conversation.
Wendy passed around bowls to everyone, "Here we go, hot oatmeal." She beamed
proudly, over the imaginary oatmeal.
The boys rapidly dug into the play meal, except Tsekani who had to
practically force himself to play along.
"Mmm, Wendy you make the best-est oatmeal." Tootles complimented.
"Best-est isn't a word." One of the Twins corrected Tootles.
"You can't make up words Tootles." The other Twin added.
"Sure best-est is a word." Michael disagreed, "and this is the best-est
oatmeal."
"Michael, that's not very proper to make up words. And you shouldn't fight at
the table." John was next to correct his brother.
"Wendy!" Michael quickly piped up with his hand raised, "John's pretending to
be the boss!"
"Don't whine," John snapped back and raised his hand, "I complain of Michael,
he's whining."
The Twins raised their hands, "We complain of John, he's trying to be the
favorite."
Curly started laughing as all the boys started bickering amongst themselves.
It was strange though, because Nibs and Tsekani were so quiet. Curly for a
moment, though, drew his eyes to Tsekani's hat, then a sort of empty seat
next to him. The place wasn't really empty, because John was sitting in that
seat, it was more in the middle. Something was missing, Curly just didn't
know what.
"I complain of Curly," John started again but Peter cut in, "A little less
noise here, a little less noise."
Straight away the boys quieted themselves and Peter smugly viewed his lot.
Wendy smiled to herself in the background and finally approached. The little
mother inquired if breakfast was done and she began to gather up the dishes
again.
Only as she reached for Tsekani's bowl, she hesitated, and when she touched
the bowl, the cryptic boy touched her hand. It was a soft touch, but she felt
so cold and fearful as he looked up at her. Wendy forced her hand away and
quickly returned to wash all the bowls.
As she played, she swallowed hard as she heard someone get up from the table.
Tsekani casually approached her and, concerned, "Little mother? What troubles
you so?"
She snapped her head up to meet his eyes and all too quickly denied, "Nothing
is the matter."
"You're so tense, perhaps I can help calm you down." He purred with those
dark, hypnotic eyes of his. Instantly Wendy found herself drifting off, even
though her eyes were widely opened. She thought how beautifully dark and
empty his eyes were. Perhaps she could loose herself in them all day, how
nice it would be to forget about being afraid... To forget about being
responsible... To forget the danger...
"Wendy!" Nibs' voice harshly woke her up and the blonde-haired cub leapt
playfully in between the two, "Let me help you clean up. So we can go play
then."
The boy brightly smiled to her and she breathed easier. Nibs then looked at
the thwarted Tsekani, his smile still present, but malevolent now. When he
was satisfied with taunting the deceitful boy, he turned his attention back
to Wendy.
"Come on boys!" Peter crowed again and headed out the door. The eternal youth
looked back at Wendy and Nibs.
"We'll be joining you shortly."
Peter joyfully exited the house, followed closely by the other boys. The two
remaining watched the others leave warily and again Wendy sighed, like she
hadn't breathed the whole time.
"Thank you," she gently whispered, hugging Nib's arm. For a moment, the boy
felt flushed before he gathered himself to answer, "Some ones got to keep a
level head. For Slightly's sake if nothing else."
At the name Wendy looked up in surprise, "Slightly? You sound like you've
seen him?"
"Yes, last night. I went out to follow Tsekani. He's with the pirate Bill
Jukes."
Again Wendy's eyes alit with surprise and she forcefully tugged Nibs towards
the exit, not having let go of him yet. "We have to go!"
*****
The lost boys were scattered about the air. Chasing each other about and
dancing with the clouds on the side. Peter was about to start a game with the
boys when Tsekani darted up from under him. He looked so cocky and youthful,
but behind that façade was a plan. The dark-haired boy showed off his flying
abilities, weaving in and out, and around the youth.
"Bet you can't keep up with me, Peter Pan." Tsekani challenged with a curled
lip. His smile was tempting, but the persuasion danced around in his black
eyes as he bent back, and dove down towards the forest canopy.
"What a show off," Peter thought to himself. Out loud Peter boasted with his
hands on his hips, "I am Peter Pan. It is you who can't keep up with me" and
proceeded to chase the other boy. Such child's play to entice the eternal
youth into his web. Tsekani grinned like the Cheshire cat as he glanced back
at the boy, it was so easy, he almost felt cheap.
The chase didn't last long before Tsekani found a place to land, far away
from the other boys. Peter Pan never suspected a thing as he landed next to
the boy.
"I guess you were right, I couldn't out fly you," the boy calmly, smoothly
admitted, feigning to catch his breath.
"No one is better than Peter Pan." Peter said as more of a warning this time.
"Of course," Tsekani nodded, but as he spoke a tired, disgusted spite frowned
on his face. After composing himself he turned back around with a refreshed
smile. For some reason, Peter found himself wary of his own lost boy. Almost
as if he were afraid, but non-sense, Peter Pan was afraid of no one.
Especially not of a frail, puny, and pale lost boy like Tsekani.
"Actually Peter, I was exploring earlier in this place, and..."
"Yes?" Peter brightened, realizing Tsekani had a surprise under his cap.
"I wanted to show you first of all, but something magnificent will happen
here soon. I know it for a fact."
"Really?" Peter started to float up with excitement. "Like what?"
"Just watch, and wait." Tsekani arrogantly smiled, he finally was going to be
able to do what he came to do. Something he'd been waiting to do for 4000
years of imprisonment; starting with the leader of the Lost Boys. He knew the
rest would be at his mercy. He slowly lurked a hand out towards the naïve
boy.
******
Exhaustion well into taking over his body, Billy Jukes roughly leaned back
into a tree. The bark shook, but it didn't hurt Jukes, it actually felt good
as he cracked his sore shoulders.
Slightly ran his hand against his forehead, down to his cheek. He bent over
and braced his hands on his knees. He wasn't about to sit down, afraid he
might never get up again. Jukes looked at his friend, fearful of his
condition. He noticed how weak and tired Slightly seemed, and that it was
progressively getting worse. If the pirate had been closer, he could have
listened to the short, shallow breaths Slightly produced.
"How are you holding up matey?" Jukes inquired, standing again. The lost boy
almost didn't recognize a question being asked, so lost in his own thoughts.
His grey eyes snapped to attention, "I'm fine, slightly tired... but I'll
live."
Neither of the boys smiled at that last comment, Jukes' eyes filled with
sympathetic pain as he looked at his struggling friend. He wanted to help, he
wanted to tell him it would be alright. For all the good it would do, they'd
been given twelve hours to find that bastard. Twelve hours they had toiled
away in what seemed like minutes.
Billy brushed away some angry words when he remembered that he was just
tired, and so was Slightly. It was daytime now, it'd be a whole lot easier to
find Tsekani. He had to be with the lost boys again, and if they found one
they found them all.
"Slightly, don't..." Jukes began when Slightly quickly blurted with his index
finger guiding his eyes, "Look!"
"Shot and shale," Billy exclaimed, down the way and through the trees, there
he was. Right next to Peter Pan himself stood Tsekani. The search was over.
Both of their spirits lifted as they brashly charged for the demon boy.
Pan had his back turned to Tsekani, obviously bored with this waiting. The
demon's hand turned into a claw and just before he grasped the youth.
"AVAST THERE!" Jukes cried out in warning and both of the boys entered the
scene. Tsekani growled to himself as he retracted his hand.
"It's the pirates! This should be great fun." Peter delighted. Tsekani
feigned a smile to the boy, but focused on the charm around the blonde lost
boy's neck. He was surprised only a moment.
Billy and Slightly just shared a confused glance at one another. In that
moment, Pan struck down Slightly, somersaulting off the boy's shoulders and
knocking him down in the process.
"Slightly!" Jukes almost aided his friend when he felt those cold eyes
surveying him. His friend would be fine for now, he still wore the charm.
Jukes turned his attention to the real problem and drew his sword as he
lunged at Tsekani.
Pan was feeling very good about himself as he watched the humiliated "pirate"
get back to his feet.
"Peter stop! It's me Slightly. One of your lost boys."
"I do not know you and you're not one of my lost boys."
"Don't you remember?" Slightly pleaded but remembered, of course he didn't...
Tsekani was to blame. Obviously Tsekani used the strongest spell on Pan, but
Billy would have commented about simple minds.
"None of my lost boys would be associating themselves with pirates, they know
better. There for, I can only assume that you are a pirate as well."
"Billy Jukes?" Slightly started, "Billy Jukes is my best friend! And a far
better friend than you'll ever be!" The boy was done trying to plea with the
eternal youth. A nerve snapped in his head, and Slightly recognized how angry
and hurt he actually was. If Peter wanted to fight a pirate, he'd get a fight
he'd never forget.
The real pirate was already deeply into aggressive swordplay with Tsekani.
Mostly, it was a one sided battle, and to Jukes' surprise, he was winning.
He'd never seen such sloppy handling of a sword, even for a child. Despite
his calm exterior, Jukes could tell how distressed and anxious the other boy
was in fighting against the pirate. The demon boy could barely defend himself
and Jukes had dozens of opportunities to strike a winning blow. Billy was
about to start to feel confident again.
Tired of this pointless game, Tsekani struck out like a viper and locked a
hold of Jukes' free wrist.
"Gall and brimstone," Jukes quoted his captain in astonishment as the demon
began to crush his bones. Billy howled out in pain as his wrist first popped,
then a bone cracked and split.
The two engaged lost boys paused to see what was happening. Less surprised
than Peter, Slightly turned back quickly, and punched Pan square in the nose.
"Sorry," Slightly quickly amended as the boy fell back, holding his nose, and
tears brimming in his eyes.
The young pirate was certain that his arm would be literally ripped off any
second. As a last resort, Jukes used the butt end of his sword and with all
of his strength slammed it into the demons own wrist. He realized it would do
little good, or would it?
Although the demon boy didn't even flinch, his eyes peered down as blood
started to trickle down his arm. Jukes couldn't tell if he was alarmed,
angered or just spellbound. Certainly he was uneasy about this turn of
events, since it had been such a long time since the tyrant had seen his own
blood.
In retaliation to this forbidden act, he snarled, jerking Jukes down and back
up again, to send him hurling through the air. Slightly was practically on
top of them as this occurred and the lost boy quickly halted. He quickly
chose not to engage the boy again and ran in the direction Jukes was sent.
The pirate landed fast and hard on his already badly injured arm. He was
thrown a good thirteen feet away from where he last stood.
"This is suicide," Jukes quickly realized to himself. There was no way they
could take Tsekani by brute force. It was time for a plan, they'd have to be
smarter than him. Slightly lifted Jukes to his feet and the boys quickly took
to running away.
"Are you alright?" Slightly asked, watching Jukes tender his injured arm.
"I'll live."
"It looks slightly bad."
"Nah, I've seen worse. Besides, I think we got Tsekani's attention."
They both glanced back to see the boy slowly walking after them.
"Aw come on, you could actually chase us." Billy groaned.
"We wouldn't stand the slightest chance!"
"Well as long as he follows us back to the cave," Jukes said and they quickly
turned off the path, towards the cavern where Mau waited.
*****
"Completely unforgivable," Tsekani spat examining his wrist. His eyes
narrowed as he trailed the two boys that interfered with him. They must have
a death wish, he thought. He slowly found a smile, "I know where you're
leading me." He glanced back at the eternal youth before taking to the sky,
"You're lives will do just fine for now."
*****
The rush of adrenaline was about the only thing that kept both of the boys
running. Billy swatted at brush and ducked under a few larger branches. They
couldn't be that far from the cave now, and Jukes' sense of direction on land
couldn't be "that" bad. Every once and a while Billy would clutch his wrist,
which he prayed wasn't too badly damaged, though the searing pain told him
different. Jukes could barely project through his short breaths, "Okay so the
plan..."
"Run like our lives slightly depend on it?" Slightly answered from behind the
pirate.
"That's not funny. I mean this isn't so hard, we just have to get him back to
the cave. And he's probably really ticked off at me. So I think the most
important thing is getting you back before noon... I'll... I'll handle this
barnacle scrapper. Okay?"
Billy waited for a response, but Slightly didn't answer him. He started to
slow down and asked again, "Are you okay?"
"Slightly?" Billy cried out as he turned to find his young companion no where
in sight. Tsekani must have caught up to him, Billy decided as he drew his
weapon. He didn't have to back track far to find Slightly holding his stomach
with one hand and his head with the other. The lost boy seemed like he was in
a daze as he clumsily continued to walk.
"Geez," Billy began, putting his weapon back, "Come on cully, we don't have a
lot of time. It can't be that much further, we can make it." Jukes found that
he was trying to convince himself more so than the lost boy. He looked the
worse for wear, pale, weak and exhausted. But why was he so sick, they still
had hours left, didn't they?
At that moment Slightly dropped to his knees and then fell forward. Jukes
rushed towards the boy, thinking that he may have pushed him too far.
"Slightly?" Billy asked, holding the boy's head up in his lap. "Slightly
answer me! Wake up cully!"
The boy's eyes opened, but not fully, "Billy?"
"Come on, it's not noon yet."
"I'm just tired, don't worry. Just let me rest slightly." The pale boy fell
completely into oblivion, even with Jukes shaking him harshly. Slightly
weakly breathed, a pained look on his face, but still refused to respond.
Lightly tapping his face, Billy resorted to screaming, "Wake up you good for
nothing lost boy! Don't make me have wasted my time on you! Slightly!"
Billy tried not to cry as he hugged Slightly closer to him. He sniffed as he
looked up and cried to the winds, "Mau? Mau! Mau help me!!!"
Again the pirate fought back tears that he probably should have let fall. Why
did things like this have to happen to everyone important to him?
"I can't do this alone! Help me! Help Slightly!" Jukes whispered. He wished
that she could hear him, that the winds would take his prayer to her. But
those were just foolish, childish thoughts of fancy. Billy finally cursed the
girl, "We still have time! Mau how could you?!?"
As the boy tried to compose him self, a familiar feeling made him look up and
study his surroundings. He slowly mouthed out, "Wait a minute."
Letting the lost boy rest, Jukes stood to get a better view of the opening in
the forest.
"Gunpowder and flint, I know this. I know where I am."
A reborn sense of confidence rose in Jukes' heart, until bustles of leaves
startled him. Shocked, he turned and blurted, "You!"
*****
It absolutely baffled the demon boy as he flew above the trees. Like a hawk,
he scanned the ground, searching for the pirate and the lost boy. How could
they possibly outrun him, unless they were hiding. It didn't matter, he had
all the time in the world to find them. He also knew exactly where they were
headed, back to that stupid cat, Mau. She, who had the audacity to grant half
a day's life to the boy. He was too disgusted by her to think of anything
else of it.
The demon returned to hunting for his prey. He finally reached an opening in
the concealing trees, a familiar place at that. The trees to one side and the
tall grasses to the other, it was the same place where he first encountered
the pirates. And what do you know, there was one of those dim pirates now.
Standing tensely and completely exposed was the dark skinned gypsy boy. He
held a rope end, busily working at something, and completely unaware, what a
prime opportunity to strike. Yet, that was too easy, and the proud Tsekani
felt like boasting first.
Billy started as the demon landed right in front of him with a broad grin on
his tanned face.
"Gotcha."
"It's you." Billy gasped, backing away, still holding the rope that was
looped around a nearby tree.
"You gave a good chase, and a good fight, but you didn't honestly think you
could best me?"
"I was certainly hoping cully."
"Hope? You have nothing left to hope for, especially not from me." Tsekani
threatened then in a more childish tone almost whined, "I don't like it when
stupid people get in my way!"
"Well you've caught up to me, now what?"
"You're a smart boy, take a guess," Tsekani approached him, and as Billy
backed up, he quickly looked down at the ground. The demon's foot was placed
perfectly in a loop that was part of Jukes' trap. The funny thing was that
Tsekani probably knew it, and didn't even care. That's how certain he was of
his victory, and Jukes was counting on it.
"There is one more thing though." Jukes exclaimed calmly, raising his hand to
pause Tsekani's approach.
"What?" he inquired, annoyed.
"There is something I know that you don't."
"What could that possibly be? You're silly little rabbit trap?"
"Nope." Billy grinned and tugged on the rope, tied to a weight in the tree.
It tightened the loop around Tsekani's ankle and jerked him upside down and
dangled him above the ground.
"This is useless!" Tsekani spat, not making an effort to fight, "A child
could trap a mouse better!"
"You're right... NOW!!!" Billy cued, getting out of the way.
Tsekani looked to his left to see Wendy come out of hiding, and to the right
side, Nibs. Neither of them looked particularly happy, Wendy holding her
scissors and Nibs holding a sword. The demon boy almost laughed until in
unison they cut loose two ropes he failed to notice before. Two logs, large
as the largest tree trunks, sharpened at the ends, swung towards him. Tsekani
didn't move fast enough and the two logs sandwiched him.
The sad thing was, this cruel contraption was originally intended for Peter
Pan. A trap that would have certainly killed him...but not Tsekani. It did
succeed in knocking him unconscious and causing considerable damage to him,
though.
Wendy looked away as the two boys quickly cut him down. Certainly this was a
cruel, deadly way to subdue the boy, but they didn't feel they had much of a
choice.
"Go get Slightly!" Billy ordered. Nibs quickly complied, pulling a still
passed out Slightly from out of hiding. It was quite odd to see this
combination of Neverland residents working together. Perhaps tragedy did
bring people together.
Wendy gasped as she heard a familiar voice not too far away.
"It's Peter!" Nibs gasped too. The eternal youth certainly wouldn't be happy
to see or understand the situation soon enough. The mother of the lost boys
reacted first, "I'll go keep Peter busy. Hurry everyone!"
*****
With Slightly on Nibs' back and Jukes helping to drag Tsekani through the
grass, they made their way towards the cavern. If Jukes' arm hadn't been
broken, he would have been able to carry Tsekani by himself. Curse the bilge
rat, served him right to have to be dragged across the ground.
Billy looked up at the sun, then down at his shadow, and at where they were.
He shook his head, "We'll never make it in time. It's almost noon."
"What do you mean? What happens at noon?" Nibs wondered. They'd neglected to
tell him all the details.
"Slightly's time runs out Lost Boy, that's what."
At first, the cub seemed confused, he silently looked forward, then back at
the boy wrapped around his shoulders. A mix of emotions filled his soul.
Finally, confidence gleamed in a bright smile as he responded, "Then we'll
just have to move faster Mr. Jukes."
Jukes gratefully nodded, then humorously groaned, "The most important thing
to do is get Slightly back to the cave. Too bad we have to drag along this
dead weight."
"Pray that he doesn't wake up."
"Nay, that blow was enough to kill a man," Billy trailed off, remembering
that Mau said they couldn't kill him. What they did was careless and they
might have killed him, misjudging the boy's strength. He was lucky that they
hadn't killed the wicked creature, though it would have been easier. It would
have been safer for them too, as the boys would unfortunately find out.
With a free hand, Nibs pointed, "Hey look! We will make it! The cavern is
only a short ways away now."
With those words, Tsekani's eyes flew open and he quickly took in his
situation. He stood up, yanking both boys off balance and with a single
motion, sent them into the trees. Nibs managed to right himself before going
head long into a branch. Jukes had no choice but to crash back-wards, full
force, into a tree.
"Me and my big mouth!" Nibs grit his teeth, looking frantically for Slightly
and Jukes. Below, Tsekani didn't pay Slightly, who'd slipped away during the
attack, any mind. Not that he was much of a threat anyway, Tsekani could just
wait for him to die on his own.
Nibs decided it was as good a time as any to retrieve Slightly and dove down.
Just as quickly, Tsekani countered and released a web of goo at the boy to
pull him back down by. Nibs yelped as he lost air and crashed into the
ground.
Just like he had done to Slightly, the demon drew the boy in closer. His form
started to change again, more wicked and twisted, back into the spider. Nibs
feebly pulled at the grass to get away, then abruptly the stress of being
pulled loosened, and Nibs quickly scrambled away. He turned back to see that
Billy Jukes had cut the line and was now standing off with Tsekani. Jukes
lunged at the demon who guarded his face with a claw, giving Nibs the chance
to run for Slightly. He struggled to pull the boy up and move towards the
cavern, if he hadn't been so scared, he could've flown him there. Whatever he
tried, Nibs couldn't calm himself down enough.
"I'll kill all of you for this!" Tsekani hissed, clawing at Jukes. He snagged
his vest and threw him back. In a mighty leap, Tsekani put himself between
Nibs and the cavern and knocked the boy aside. He reached down to remove the
charm from Slightly only to be shocked by it's magic.
Temporarily stunned, Billy attacked again, throwing himself at the demon. He
didn't care anymore and wildly jabbed at the creature with his blade. The
more he attacked, the more Tsekani changed into the demon and the less damage
Jukes was able to inflict. He must have been nothing more than an annoying
fly.
Tsekani stood, backing away, with Jukes still attacking feverishly. "If I
die! I swear I'll take you to see Davey Jones with me!" he cried. Tsekani
finally got a claw in, clenching Jukes by the neck and lifting him off the
ground. Billy strangled, using one hand to try and pry himself loose and
kicking wildly. The spider demon backed up a few more steps before chucking
Jukes ahead of him, like trash. He then looked up at the sky and mused, "You
loose."
When he turned back, his pleased smile turned into dire fear. Bright green
eyes on an emotionless face stared back at him. Tsekani swallowed hard as he
saw that the cave was right behind him and the cat guardian was right in
front of him.
"Miss me?" Mau's lips curled up to show white fangs, her eyes gleaming.
*****
The pirate thought he would never be able to stand up again as he lay in a
heap on the ground. How many times was he going to get tossed around in one
day? He rolled over onto his back and the sun hurt his tearing eyes. He
looked ahead to see Slightly still unconscious and Nibs in the same condition
not too far away.
Struggling against his beaten body, Billy crawled towards his friend. He sat
up next to him, then brought his knees up to his chest. "I tried. I really
tried. I just shouldn't have let you come." Billy blamed himself, whipping
tears away. "Tsekani got away. Guess I killed us all."
He covered his face in shame and defeat, almost letting himself go, when a
voice called out, "Billy Jukes! Hurry up already!"
Looking up quickly he saw Mau down the path, waving her arms. He shot up,
hope renewed as he lifted Slightly back up, "Is it too late?"
"Well sort of... but you guys are just far too lucky." She happily shouted
back as they neared her.
"What about Tsekani?"
"What about him?" Mau casually asked, helping to carry Slightly too, "Oh...
well, he accidentally stepped back into the boundaries of my influence again.
Which is basically close enough." Looking and pointing, she directed the
pirate's attention to the most amazing site.
"You dumb cat!" Tsekani howled at her, although his bark was a lot worse than
his bite. His legs were sunken into the earth and his arms were partially
swallowed by the side of the cavern. Vines and flora also entwined around him
to hold him back firmly.
"You did that?" Billy exclaimed.
"With a little help from lord Geb... master of the earth element." she
beamed, flashing him another charming grin. Still astonished, Billy quickly
asked, "And you needed to send us to capture Tsekani!"
"Hey, it wasn't my fault! Besides, I'm not permitted to leave this place.
Someone has to guard this cursed tomb. And these charms are just favors, I
get one from all the gods and goddesses." she showed pointing out her
remaining charms. "I've never had to use them until I met you two!"
"Lousy guardian! I hope the gods skin you for this." Tsekani whooped out from
sidelines again.
"Oh be quiet!" Jukes and Mau scolded together and a vine muffled up his lips.
Mau sternly approached the demon boy and reached out towards his face. He
tried to move away with little success.
"I think you have something that doesn't belong to you." she reminded him as
her hand glowed along with his body. A strange mist escaped his nose and
mouth and transformed into a shinning star in Mau's claw. Steadily Tsekani's
color grew faint and his body blackened, completely taking on the appearance
of the spider demon again. He tried to cry through his gag as the earth
swallowed him up, and the girl snatched back the hat as well. The demon
Tsekani, was received back into hell.
Gently, Mau walked the light of life back towards Slightly like a treasure.
The golden light seemed to be drawn to his sleeping form as she knelt by his
side. The energy flowed back into its original host and became life again.
Billy gasped as the charm shattered into pieces, no longer needed. Slightly
opened his eyes to see the faces smiling down on him, "Mau? Billy?"
"Shot and shale. This is too strange for gunnery school." the gypsy smiled
and the cat laughed. Mau handed back the parrot cap to Slightly.
"So we did it Mr. Jukes?" Slightly asked to be sure.
"Yeah," Billy nodded, holding his wrist, "And I never want to do it again."
"Me neither."
"Me three," Mau added standing, "it's so much more boring and peaceful when
you guys aren't around."
"Are you going?" Slightly wondered.
"Mmm hmm, I have cat stuff, things to guard, paws to lick."
"Thank you Mau, I'm slightly glad we got to meet you." Slightly thanked her
before she could escape. Mau smiled brightly, almost blushing.
Jukes offered his hand to shake hers, which she hesitated in taking, "Thank
you for saving Slightly."
"You're welcome," Mau turned back towards her crypt and hesitated, "I'm
slightly glad I met you too. Both of you."
Certain she'd said all she needed to say, Mau leapt towards the entrance,
changing back into her feline form. The change was so quick and simple, like
clapping one's hands, that it was like she never was the girl. The boys took
their leave as well, to attend to the other lost boy of their party.
The cavern was quiet again, much too quiet actually. In the brush, hiding,
was a set of cold blue eyes, watching and waiting. Who can say how long the
spectator had been there, but he had been there long enough. Captain James
Hook's mind was already plotting, and scheming the most wicked of devices. He
did not watch the lost boy, and his gunner, they didn't concern him. Instead
he carefully watched the cat-girl escape back into her haven.
****End of Spider, Spider****
****To Be Continued In "Playing God"****
PS
If anyone would like to see an image from my story, go here:
http://www.geocities.com/jason41680/minako/101.jpg