Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated!
Gracie Jane is back in business! ^_^ I am soooo sorry about the lack of updates, I've been studying for the SATs (a very important and troublesome test us poor American kiddies have to take if we want to go to a respectable college) and didn't have the time or the heart. But I took the wicked old test this afternoon and am now able to continue with our adventure! ^_^ YAY!
To my reviewers: I love you bunches! BUNCHES, I say! * Hugs everybody two or three times to apologize for the long absence*
The life of a fanfic author. I was at the mall the other day and saw a Peter Pan poster! SQUEE! I ran over and gaped at it and am getting excited. ^_^
Shout-outs:
PButtercup - You're playing a fairy? That's so cool! I'm sure you'll do great. ^_^ And nope, I'm still alive and kicking! I have faced this evil, and I have defeated it! *Just a random little Lord of the Rings reference! ^_~ *
Sallie – Don't worry, I haven't been kidnapped, just trapped behind a wall of testing books. But I managed to escape! ^_~ And you're right, in the books Tinker Bell dies! *Bursts into tears* But I just didn't have the heart to do that to her, so she'll be alive in this story. I like how Peter was pronouncing your name with the wrong spelling, LOL, good one!
Clips – Here's some more! I've had this chapter planned forever; I just never sat down and wrote it up. But here it is for your viewing pleasure!
Raven - "Raven: with what my HANDS Peter: Like I said before...just kinda grab his teeth and twist his head..." LOL! Between you and Sallie Peter's always in a fight! *Grins*
AnimegirlH – Yes, were in trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pan! So it's the very best kind of trouble, really. ^_^ People simply can't go to Neverland and expect to avoid adventures. Here's a little more of the story!
Zorrina – Hook? He's far too cool a character to pass up. And having so many characters is fun in a way, but nerve-wracking in another – it gives me a lot to work with, but then I have to make sure that everyone is in every chapter and such. I'm almost obliged to separate them because there are so many, but I think it will be good for the story! ^_^ Thanks a million for reviewing, and kiss kiss!
Sugar High5 – Wow, what are the odds of that? So again, I totally mean no disrespect to anyone. Good luck with your own stories! *Huggy*
Lyz – Yes, we're in tons of trouble! But that makes things a bit more interesting, don't you think? ^_^ Thank you bunches for reviewing!
Crystalstorm21 – Thank you so much! The update's been a while coming, but it's here now! ^_^
Disclaimer: Peter Pan and all the characters, places, and etc. in it don't belong to me. Your characters all belong to you guys. Captain Kidd was a real person. All the original characters and of course myself in addition to the story and story idea are mine. I'm totally not out to disrespect any race or belief system or such.
In case you girls don't remember, we're in some pretty big trouble!
A giant growling Neverwolf is currently cornering Madeline, Nora, Raven, Anna and me!
Alicia has been wounded by the mermaids and she and Sallie are stuck surrounded by them on Marooner's Rock while the tide is coming in!
Katrina and Kaela have been captured by Indians!
Peter and Charlie only just got out of a rumble on the Jolly Roger!
We are screwed, my friends! We're screwed and we're more screwed! Let's see if we can think our way out of this one. ^_^
"Hold on to your happy thought!" Peter urges, watching Charlie dip dangerously in the air.
"It's just. . . so hard. . . I'm tired," she explains, closing her eyes and focusing to get some height again. She opens them slowly. "Peter, what's that down there? Am I seeing things?"
"Where?"
"Down on that rock," she says, pointing.
Peter's sharp eyes snap down to Marooner's Rock. "Oh! That's Sallie and Alicia! How did they get there?" he asks himself, confused.
"I think they're in trouble," Charlie goes on.
"The mermaids! Follow me," Peter calls, already shooting off towards the rock.
*
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*
Raven, Nora, Madeline, Gracie and Anna tense up at the sight of the wolf. It's huge! Madeline could quite easily use it for a pony if it didn't seem so intent on killing them all. The creature lets out a deep-throated growl that sends chills down their spines.
The lost boys stare in panic for a moment, swords drawn, waiting for the animal to strike. But only for a moment.
The boy the others call Wildcat heaves a monumental sigh. "Cut it out, Anders!" he commands the wolf.
As the wolf relaxes its fur and pads calmly over to Wildcat the girls exchange confused glances.
"What just happened?" Raven asks.
"I have no idea," Nora says sincerely. "Pinch me, am I dead? Ow!" She pinches Raven back. "Not that hard!"
"Ow!" Raven cries, pulling her arm away.
"I guess we're both alive, then," Nora comments, looking wryly at the spot on her arm that Raven pinched so hard it will probably bruise.
Wildcat is talking to the wolf now. "You silly mutt, don't go scaring us! That isn't nice. I have half a mind to tell Peter on you!" he says, scratching its head.
"Oh, it's Anders!" Madeline says cheerily, all terror forgotten in an instant. "Just like in your story, Gracie." Without further ado she runs up to Anders and starts to pet him.
The rest of the girls need a few more seconds to decompress. Thinking you're about to die can really get the adrenaline flowing.
"How did you know?" Anna asks Gracie. "About the wolf, I mean?"
Gracie shakes her head. "I thought I was making it up as I went, but maybe not."
Anna looks at Gracie for a second then pulls out her copy of Otherfolk and starts thumbing through it madly. "There's a section about telling the future in here. . . let me find it. . ."
"You have a book?" one of the smaller lost boys asks her excitedly. "With stories in it?"
"It's not a storybook, exactly," Anna answers, continuing to flip through the pages. "More like a bunch of entries about things."
The lost boy looks confused; he isn't sure what an entry is.
"Let's get back home," Wildcat says, taking the lead. "We have to get the ladies somewhere safe."
*
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*
Katrina is furiously working out her gag, which tastes unpleasant in addition to cutting down on the volume of her screams. Kaela does the same, managing to get in the odd kick at her captors from time to time.
Katrina draws a deep breath – the gag is out and she has to act fast. "PETER!" She
shrieks at the top of her lungs. Considering her small size Kat is making a tremendous amount of noise.
"Oof!"
Kaela smirks through her gag – another one of her kicks has found an Indian shin! The smirk is enough to finally dislodge her gag and she lets out a glass-breaker of a scream.
"This is no good, they are like the howling jasmines of legend!" one of the Indians says irately, nearly getting bitten while re-gagging Katrina. "Every pirate on the island will hear them and find us!"
"Not if you keep them gagged," their leader says harshly. "You know Tiger Lily's orders. All trespassers found at Burning Pond must be taken directly to her. Alive."
"Tiger Lily?" Kaela repeats in surprise. Her captor takes advantage of the moment and gags her again, this time tying the knots tighter than usual.
*
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*
"Sallie, I'm going to die," Alicia says with certainty, watching the water rising around Marooner's Rock while the bloodstain on her nightdress spreads. She tries to sit up but only manages to scream in pain. "I can't swim like this," she continues, gasping for air, "and even if I could there are too many mermaids. I'm done for." A strange look appears in her eyes. "But maybe if they get me there will be enough of a distract- ah! distraction for you to escape," she says earnestly.
"What? No!" Sallie refuses firmly. "I'm not leaving you!"
"You have to!"
"And let you die? Never!"
"It's me or both of us!" Alicia cries. "You have to go!"
"I won't!"
"Alicia!" Peter exclaims, landing on Marooner's Rock. He examines her wound with a grim face. "It looks bad." The mermaids look up at Peter and hiss. "Off with you!" he commands in a rage. They angrily swim away, splashing water up behind them.
Charlie touches down carefully. That rock is getting pretty crowded. "Alicia?"
"We need to get her to the Indians," Peter says. "They have medicine. Can you fly at all?" he asks Sallie, who is still crouching at her friend's side.
"No, we got wet and the pixie dust washed away," Sallie explains, completely shocked at the timely rescue. Peter nods and pulls a handful of the stuff from the pouch at his side. He blows some on Sallie and a little bit on Charlie too.
"I'll take Alicia to the Indians," Peter says in his captain voice, which the girls discover has a soothing effect in times of peril. "I need you to find the cave. Charlie has my knife, so you'll be safe."
Charlie nods and leaps into the air but Sallie stays rooted to the rock. "I'm not leaving her. That's flat."
Peter is about to protest but notices the dangerously determined look in Sallie's eyes and decides not to argue. "Charlie, can you find the cave by yourself?"
"I think so," she says, nodding.
"Good. I'll see you soon."
Charlie heads off for the mountain of boulders with the triple-split top at top speed.
"I can't fly," Alicia tells Peter helplessly. "I can barely sit!"
Sallie is watching the water; it's about two inches from the top of the rock.
"Who says you have to?" Peter asks with a smile that eclipses Kat's pain for a moment. "Hold on to my neck." He lifts the (fortunately small) girl carefully. Sallie gets to her feet and starts to think of Captain Kidd. They fly away just at the tide closes over Marooner's Rock.
*
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*
"Trespassers," the leader of the scout band says, having Katrina and Kaela thrown at Tiger Lily's feet. "We found them at Burning Pond."
The girls look up at Tiger Lily. She's beautiful! And what's more, she doesn't look like she's out of her teens!
"Why were you on sacred Indian land?" Tiger Lily demands of them. Katrina launches into a vivid explanation that is rendered completely unintelligible by her gag.
"Ungag them, you fools!" Tiger Lily addresses the braves. The warriors do so. "Speak quickly!"
"We were just minding our own business," Katrina begins, stretching her sore jaw.
"When your stupid screwy buddies attacked us out of nowhere!" Kaela continues.
"We don't even care about your little pond thing," Katrina says innocently. "This must all be a big mistake. So what do you say we let bygones be bygones and you set us free?"
"Yupperdoodles! We promise not to go there again if that helps," Kaela offers. "We were so turned around we probably won't be able to find it even if we try."
"And we won't," Katrina agrees.
Tiger Lily glares at them.
*
*
*
Peter lands on his feet in the middle of the Indian encampment, Katrina in his arms. Sallie is right behind him.
"You still haven't answered me!" Sallie says, clearly furious. "Why are you friends with those things? Things that try to kill people!"
"I'm not," Peter says, shooting her a black look. "I can't help it if they don't want to kill me."
"A likely story," Sallie says. Alicia sends her a pleading look which, considering her currently pathetic state, is enough to get Sallie to drop it for the moment.
"Where is Falling Shadows?" Peter asks a passing brave, captain voice in full swing. "My friend is hurt and I need his help."
"White Eagle!" the brave says with surprise, bowing his head. "We are honored to have you in our-"
"Yes I know, but there isn't time for that now. Where is he?"
"There," the brave says, gesturing to a wigwam not far off. Peter thanks him politely and takes Alicia inside.
"Oh, Great Spirit!" Falling Shadows cries, looking at the wounded girl with sorrow. "How did this happen?" He hurriedly reaches for some herbs.
"Mermaid attack," Peter says simply, carefully putting Alicia down on a bearskin. "Will you help her?"
"Of course, White Eagle. What is her name?"
"It's Alicia," Sallie says. "And I'm Sallie. Who are you?" she asks shortly, clearly suspicious of this stranger.
"Falling Shadows is the chief's son," Peter tells her. "Tiger Lily's brother." In addition to being the chief's son Falling Shadows is also tall and muscular, although leaner than most of the braves.
That's a weird name, Alicia thinks. I wonder if they gave it to him because of the way the light hits his cheekbones like that? Probably not.
"He's a healer," Peter continues. 'He'll take care of you. When will she be healed?" Peter asks Falling Shadows.
"With the right herbs she shall be well in a quarter of a moon," the healer responds, grinding some small flowers together with a mortar and pestle. "She can leave tomorrow night if you promise to keep her at home several days."
"We will. I'll be back for her tomorrow. Now I have to find the others," Peter says.
*
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*
"Gracie, Anna, everybody!" Charlie lands in the midst of the orphaned girls and lost boys. "I finally found you!"
"Charlie!" Anna flings her arms around her friend. "Where's Peter? Did he – tell me he didn't!" she cries in a rush. "Oh, no!"
"Peter's fine," Charlie says, rushing through the story of fighting the pirates, finding Alicia and Sallie on Marooner's Rock, and all that followed.
"Did you see Kaela or Katrina?" Nora asks. "We can't find them anywhere."
Charlie shakes her head. "I don't know where they are."
"They always disappeared at the orphanage," Madeline says hopefully, as if Kaela and Katrina might be playing a game on them.
"Usually around chore time," Nora observes.
"Which was all the time," Raven adds. It's amazing how little we saw them some days."
"I wonder where they went?" Gracie muses, looking up from the "Foretelling of the Future" section of Otherfolk which Anna pointed out to her.
"Probably out clubbing," Nora says.
"Somehow I doubt that."
"Who's this?" the twins ask, interrupting the discussion and eyeing Charlie suspiciously. Charlie stares back with a frank expression.
"This is Charlie," Raven says. "She knows Peter too." To prove this as quickly as possible Raven takes Charlie's hand and waves it in the air, green-button ring clearly displayed. "So don't even start with all that pirate, spy junk again."
"We're here," Wildcat says, disappearing into a rather narrow crack in the boulders. The others follow.
*
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*
Peter strides out of the wigwam and is immediately confronted by Tiger Lily. "My braves told me you had come," she says. "One of your band is injured?"
"Yes. Your brother is healing her for me."
"Her?" Tiger Lily asks incredulously.
"She's a girl."
"You are not the only one with problems, White Eagle," Tiger Lily says, trying to change a subject she doesn't like. "We caught trespassers at Burning Pond not two hours ago."
"Pirates?"
"I do not believe so. We cannot tell what they are. My men are calling them the Howling Jasmines."
"I should like to see them," Peter says with great interest. "Where are they?"
"There," Tiger Lily says with distaste, pointing to Kaela and Katrina, who are currently bound and gagged outside the chief's wigwam.
Tiger Lily stares at Peter like he's lost his wits; he's broken into a fit of laughter. "You have to let them go," he says between bursts, "The howling jasmines are my braves!"
"You know them?" Tiger Lily asks, walking towards the girls and cutting their bonds. With their hands free Kaela and Katrina manage to ungag themselves. "How many girls are on this island now?"
Peter does some hurried calculations on his hands. "At least eleven, counting you," he says. "Twelve with Tinker Bell."
"Twelve?!" Tiger Lily takes a deep breath and manages to suppress her rage at all this new competition. She can only just compose herself. "May the Great Spirit guide your paths, White Eagle," she says formally, then turns on her heel and saunters off with a great deal of dignity.
"Who spit on her wampum?" Katrina asks sarcastically.
"Come on girls, I'll take you to the cave," Peter offers, rising in flight.
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So YAY! I updated! Woo-hoo! *Throws confetti in the air and toasts with sparkling cider*
Perhaps in the next chapter we shall learn more about the lost boys. ^_~
Please review, guys! Your reviews are like GOLD to me! Only no flames, flames are like thinking that you've struck it rich and then discovering that all you have is fools' gold!