Whither by Moonlight

by weezer42

WO, WP. What do you do when the past returns and kidnaps what your thought was your future. Fluff and Angst ensue. Story is rated for intimate scenes between adult fictional characters.

12. Lost and Found

Title: Whither By Moonlight

Author: Squeezynz

Chapter: Twelve - Lost and Found

Rating: PG13

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Authors Note: thank you to those that continue to enthusiastically review, you are all treasures. Work is really sucking up my writing time, as well as other demands on my free time. I hope you enjoy this latest installment.
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Wendy and her ghostly companion were making slow progress in the pitch black of the tunnels. Her feet were bruised and cut from the sharp stones that littered the ground, the sound of her labored breathing harsh in the darkness. Thirst was becoming a demon that tormented her, her eyes straining to pierce the gloom that surrounded them, fingers raw from scraping across the surface of the rock wall. As she stumbled along she fancied she heard noises behind her, spurring her on when her strength flagged, visions of Hook's ravaged face and cruel eyes bolstering her when she wanted to fall down and never move again. George was silent for most of their trek, his chilled fingers never leaving hers, only the faint gleam of his outline visible to Wendy's tired eyes.

"I don't...think...I can go any further...George."

"Wendy?"

Inelegantly, Wendy crumpled to the ground, her legs folding under her, her grasp on his icy fingers slipping away.

"I can't move another step...I'm sorry."

"We've come a long way, but I can't tell if we going upwards, towards the surface, or just further into the mountain itself."

Wendy snorted mirthlessly, her head leaning back to rest against the rough stone wall.

"As long as we are far away from Hook and his ghouls, I don't care."

George made no reply, his faint outline drifting back and forth in front of her as if he was pacing. Wendy closed her eyes only to snap them open when the sound of rocks clinking together was clearly audible from somewhere behind them.

"George? There's some one behind us.."

"Impossible...if it was the pirates they wouldn't trouble to skulk in the dark!"

"I tell you...I've been hearing things...noises, behind us for the last few hours. I thought I was going mad, but I just heard it again."

"I'll go and investigate...wait here for me."

Again Wendy snorted. "I couldn't move if I wanted to." She retorted, her fingers brushing lightly over her sore feet, feeling the stickiness of blood mixed with dust.

Wearily, she tried to make out anything in the stygian gloom as her companions faint outline headed off back down the tunnel.

After what seemed like hours, but was probably only minutes, Wendy heard a shrill scream which made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, her lungs suddenly laboring to draw in air as she stared back they way they'd come. A bright light suddenly flared into life and Wendy shielded her eyes, crying out as a sudden wind washed over her, blowing dust and grit into her face. Spitting out dust she pushed herself onto her hands and knees, the afterimage of the light dancing in her vision as she clawed her way upright.

"George?...GEORGE?"

Uncaring of her pursuers, Wendy started back along the passageway, tears starting to stream down her face as she sobbed in pain and fear.

"George...where are you?"

Her cries echoed off the walls, disorientating her as she stumbled against the wall. Suddenly the tunnel was flooded with the light of many torches and Wendy staggered back against the wall, her eyes blinded. As she squinted to try and see her ears heard the sound she dreaded. A low, dry chuckle reached out to her, curling insidiously around her until she wanted to scream, the chuckle rising to an almost hysterical giggle, raising goosebumps on her arms.

"You're spectral rescuer is no more my dear...banished once more to the realms of memory and mist. I applaud your courage in trying to escape me, but it was always doomed. No-one escapes from my realm...no-one!"

Her eyes streaming, Wendy once more slithered to the dusty ground, her gaze taking in the figure of James Hook looming menacingly over her, his pirate cohorts grinning evilly behind their leader.

"How...how did you...?"

"I have a nose for blood," Hook grinned at her, tapping the side of his ruined proboscis, his eyes gleaming darkly in the lamplight.

Wendy glanced down at her abused feet and groaned at the dark stains that marked her passage, her lifeblood leading Hook to her despite the dark. Too tired to care, Wendy turned her head away and closed her eyes, drained of will. Hook snapped his fingers and a handful of men leapt to his bidding, hauling the girl to her ruined feet and holding her there while Hook paced around her, noting the tangled hair and filthy clothes.

"You've led us on a merry chase, Miss Darling, but all good things must come to an end, like your friend...George, was it? Now it is time to fulfill the purpose you were brought here for in the first place. Take her back to the cavern boys...as the silly chit disdains our generous hospitality, we must show her how a true pirates captive is treated. I hope you are in good voice m'dear...we like to hear a mite of screaming as we sport with our playthings. It adds to the piquancy of the entertainment."

Struck dumb with horror, Wendy could only roll her eyes in desperation as rough hands started to drag her away, back down the tunnel and back to her fate.

Throwing her head back she sucked in a breath then screamed, the shrill sound echoing back and forth the length of the tunnel until the air shimmered with the sound. Hook allowed her to scream twice more before ordering her gagged and bound and tossed over a shoulder. If Wendy had been conscious she would have winced at the tightness of her bonds but blessed darkness had once more claimed her, Hook's insane eyes the last sight before she spiraled into nothingness.

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Peter stopped dead when he heard the sound drifting up the tunnel towards them. It barely sounded human and he strained to make out the direction it came from as it seemed to fill the air and bounce off the walls twice more before ceasing abruptly.

"I pity the tortured soul that made that cry." Little Creek whispered as the last of the echoes faded into the rock. Peter felt a shiver course down his spine, the scream replaying in his head.

"We have to move faster."

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Fly awoke suddenly, unsure of what had roused her. She was still huddled in the shelter of the musty boxes, her stomach painfully cramping as she wrapped her arms about her middle, teeth biting her lip to stifle her cries.

The cavern was still brightly lit and she was able to peer between the boxes to see what had disturbed her. She could see the pirates gathered around the raised platform, much as before, although this time their leader appeared to be missing. Smoke from several fires was drifting to the roof far above her head forming a thick fog that swirled and shifted like a dense cloud looking for a way out. Pulling herself onto her hands and knees, Fly started to count the number of pirates milling about, her lips moving silently as she tallied, her dark eyes intent. Her Father and Uncles would need to know the number of the enemy if they were to attack the pirate stronghold.

As she came to the end of her tally she saw another group erupt out of a side tunnel, one of the men holding a figured slung over his shoulder, the long hair hanging down his back a clue to the captive's identity. Fly keened to herself when she recognized her friend, wincing when the pirate hoisted his insensible burden and dropped her onto the raised dais with scant regard to her comfort. The noise in the cavern became raucous and lewd, Fly thankfully not understanding many of the references, even if she recognized the intent. Behind the noisy first group came the man referred to as the Captain, which Fly realized must be the infamous Captain Hook, although the man bore little to the description popularly bandied about to frighten children. His hair was white, not black and his face appeared deformed, as if melted in front of a fire. From her hidden position, Fly added the newcomers to her tally of the enemy and fretted that there would not be enough braves to conquer the horde below.

Hook had limped his way up the steps to his throne, stepping over the prone body at his feet to settle himself comfortably, grinning crookedly at his men as they shouted his name. Reaching out a foot, he nudged the body on the ground, Wendy rolling slightly but remaining unresponsive. Ignoring the jeers of his men, Hook gestured for one of his underlings to come forward.

"Where is Skinner?"

"Searching the south passage as you ordered."

"Ah...send a runner to bring him back...I want every one to be present to witness the sport...oh and bring a bucket of water as well, our sleeping beauty has slumbered enough."

As his minion scurried off to carry out his orders, Hook held up his hands for silence.

"As you see, my scurvy brethren, I have caught the wench and returned her to our loving embrace."

He paused as the men laughed raucously at his joke.

"She is a little scuffed and dusty, but I'm sure that won't stop you showing the strumpet what happens to those that choose to defy the will of Hook!"

Again he paused to allow his motley crew to voice their approval.

"I was hoping that she would draw the Pan to our lair and to his doom, but it seems that he has as little use for the slut as we do...so I suggest you sharpen your wits and think of a suitable punishment for the her for causing us no little trouble!"

The cavern erupted, his men leaping and slathering, cat-calls and shouts drowning each other out as blood lust and insanity fought for supremacy while Hook settled himself and listened to their colourful suggestions for Wendy's fate. If even a quarter of the suggested options were carried out the girl would be little more than torn flesh and splattered blood before the hour was half done. They would have to be selective if she was to last for a decent enough interval before being despatched for good.

Unaware and uncaring of the fate being arranged for her, Wendy lay bound and insensate at Hook feet, her life hanging in the balance.

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Peter, his fairy escort and brave warriors burst silently into the main tunnel at a run, weapons drawn, bows ready to let fly. Despite the flaming torches the tunnel appeared deserted as Peter and the others fanned out cautiously. They could hear muted shouts coming from one direction and Peter gestured for them to form up behind him as they crept towards the roar of voices. As they approached the wide entrance to the cavern beyond, words started to make themselves plain and Peter blanched as snatches of shouted suggestions reached his hearing. The men beyond their sight were baying like dogs for someone's life to be ended and Peter felt a stone lodge in his chest at the thought of who the pirates were wanting slain. Silently, the Indians and Peter crowded against the tunnel wall as the entrance to the cavern opened before them, the backs of several brawny pirates visible, all of them heavily armed, all focused on whatever was taking place further into the cave.

Peter signaled for his group to withdraw slightly. Away from the caverns entrance they huddled and spoke in hushed voices.

"I'll go in and draw their attention. Once all eyes are on me, make your way into the cave and take positions around the wall. Pick your targets and be ready for my signal. They are like to scatter so once you down your man, prepare to fight. Remember they cannot be killed, but you can slow them down, aim for the legs and arms. They may not die but even dead men can't run without legs or fight without arms!" Peter grinned, his brave followers nodding their agreement and understanding, answering grins lighting their tense features. Each carried tomahawks and knives, as adept with blades as with bows. "Look to yourselves, I will take care of Hook...but if I am caught, don't attempt to save me...get yourselves out of this hell and back to the surface."

"We won't leave you Peter...or your woman...it is the reason we're here, as well as our daughter!"

"I have not forgotten...but if something goes wrong, you have to return and warn the rest of your tribe..."

The voices from the cavern were getting louder and Peter felt an urgency in his gut to get himself in there. Rising to his feet he looked each of his followers in the eye, receiving their nods of grim agreement before turning to approach once more the entrance to the cave.

Slipping his enchanted sword free of its scabbard, Peter rose into the air until he was almost bumping his head on the rock ceiling. Here he was cloaked in shadow among the rocky stalactites. Reaching inside his shirt he once more pulled out the glass vial containing the tears of the moon. Lifting the tiny bottle he allowed a drop to tremble on the lip of the glass before it fell and landed on his forearm. Quickly stoppering the bottle, he replaced it against his body, watching in amazement as his limbs started to fade into nothing. Unseen now, he flew quickly into the brightly lit cavern, the noise of the pirates far below almost deafening him after the relative silence of the tunnels. Quickly scanning the vast chamber he felt a jolt on seeing the trussed body lying at Hook's feet. His breath seemed to leave his body in a rush when Hook produced a gleaming knife and reached down to slash the ropes, Wendy's lifeless limbs flopping free to lay in the dust. Peter's eyes narrowed in hate and rage, the sword in his hand tingling with energy as its owner fought to clear the red mist from his sight and concentrate on saving Wendy from Hook. Breathing heavily, Peter watched as his braves slipped into the shadows around the edges of the howling crowd of pirates, the fairy contingent staying near the entrance to guard their retreat, their pirates never noticing the enemy surrounding them. The Indian's would be vastly outnumbered, but surprise was on their side and Peter hoped that they all survived the coming battle. A slight movement caught his eye and Peter felt his heart skip a beat when the head of a child appeared over a stack of crates near the back wall. This had to be the child they sought, the girl's face strained as she tried to see what was going on. Almost at the same time, one of the Indian's approached the stack of boxes, almost tripping over in his surprise in seeing her, his reactions at first alarmed before quickly turning to joy, enveloping the girl in a bear hug before signaling her to resume her place of hiding. Peter took all this in at a glance, noting the positions of his fighters before turning his attention back to the raised dais and the drama surrounding his precious Wendy.

Hook was now standing, his feet either side of Wendy's body, his arms outstretched to draw the noise rabble below to order.

"Quiet Brutes! I hear you...and you'll get your chance." He waited for the voices to die down. A flicker of movement caught his attention and he looked up. Floating not six feet above his head he saw the outline of a figure, his features and form coalescing as if out of thin air. From inside his shirt Peter pulled the Tears of the Moon and let a single drop fall, the bright pearl landing on the rock next to Hook and immediately surrounding the dais and the horde of pirates with the blinding light of the moon. A hail of arrows rent the air, piercing bodies before they had a chance to turn and face their attackers, the pirates falling, dissolving into dust with each hit. Within seconds the light was fading, the surviving pirates filling the air with screams of shock and rage, the scrape of weapons drawn from belts and scabbards signaling the start of the battle. In the melee, Peter had landed on the raised platform and despatched Hook's bodyguard before the light faded leaving him alone with Hook, Wendy still unmoving at his feet. Hook had drawn his own sword and stood resolute, a savage grin pulling his ruined face into a grinning mask.

"So you come at last, Peter Pan...as you can see, your Wendy has been providing us with considerable sport in your tardy absence."

"Whatever you have done to her Hook will be repaid when I despatch you back to the hell you came from!"

"Bold words boy...I see you have lost none of your brash bravado."

"And you none of your hatred for me."

"I don't hate you Peter...I just want to destroy you, destroy what you love, what you care about...but I don't hate you." Hook laughed.

Peter lunged at him, the pirate Captain taking a step back, his head jerking to avoid the blade shimmering in Peter's hand. Hook could see it was no ordinary blade, the metal glowing as if infused with the anger and passion of its owner.

"You have been consorting with the fairies again Peter. I thought I had despatched the vermin for good. Did I miss some?"

"Enough to arm me with the weapons of your destruction Hook." Peter danced forward, Hook blocking his downward swing, the blades clashing as Peter drove Hook back and away from Wendy's prone body. Keeping his eyes on his arch-enemy, Peter bent down and placed his hand on Wendy's head, brushing the hair from her face, his fingers touching her cheek, heart leaping to find the skin warm and alive. Infused with hope, Peter blocked a blow from Hook's blade and advanced, ducking as Hook replied with a savage cut, trying to sever Peter's head from his shoulders.

Around the cavern, small battles were taking place, the Indians engaging the remaining Pirates in deadly hand to hand, knife and hatchet against cutlass and stiletto. Not bothering to try and stab their foes, the braves aimed to sever limbs, the screams of their victims filling the air, the scent of spilled blood sickening as it mixed with the smoke still filling the chamber from the scattered fires casting a lurid glow over the battle. The numbers were now even, the Indian's suffering no losses, while the pirates were quickly losing numbers, the maimed littering the rocky ground.

Fly had been reunited with her Grandmother and Father, the pair quickly removing the little girl from the scene of carnage, fighting their way back to the entrance to the cavern where they made their stand, the fairy guard hovering protectively as Fly watching in a mixture of shock and admiration while her doughty grandmother despatched a pirate twice her size, the man left writhing on the ground almost cut in two, his arm still waving his cutlass, unable to fight but unable to die either.

Two of Hook's henchmen had climbed the rock and now advanced on Peter, Hook standing back to let his men take over. Hook's eyes gleamed as he watched Peter fend off the two pirates, the air singing with the clash of blades, neither side giving an inch. Peter was breathing heavily, his attention all on the men coming at him from two sides, his arm stinging from the repeated blows of one of the pirates, while the other tried to come in under his guard, the man's blade almost skewering Peter before he managed to side step. Peter's back swing severed the man's head from his neck, the pirates body collapsing to the rock, arms and legs still thrashing. It distracted the other man long enough for Peter to twirl and sweep his blade upwards, disemboweling the pirate and leaving him howling like an animal, clutching his own entrails, unable to fight and hold in his guts at the same time.

Hook snarled and once more advanced, giving Peter no respite, his sword driving Peter back with a series of heavy blows, the pirates wicked hook catching Peter's blade, locking it together with his own, bringing the two together almost nose to nose. Straining, Peter tried to force Hook back, the muscles in his arms and legs cording. Youth won out and Hook was forced back, Peter throwing him off to the side. Hook didn't realize how close he was to the edge of the platform and Peter saw a look of surprise cross the man's ravaged face before he disappeared from view, falling off the rocky edge to the floor of the cavern several feet below.

Panting, Peter didn't go and peer over, but rushed to where Wendy lay. Laying the sword down, he gathered her into his arms and turned her over. She was still gagged so he drew his knife and sliced through the cloth, ripping it from her face, his eyes darkening as he added the red marks left by the material to his catalog of her injuries. She appeared to still be insensible, but as he smoothed the hair away from her face her lips moved. Her words were indiscernible so Pete leant closer.

"I'm...I'm...so-rry..." Wendy whispered, her eyes still closed.

Uncaring of the shouts and screams still echoing around the cavern, Peter gently lifted Wendy in his arms, shifting her so that her head lolled into the crook of his shoulder, her body limp.

"There's nothing to be sorry for...Wendy?"

But she had lapsed into unconsciousness again. Peter glanced up, taking note of the battle still raging below. Lowering Wendy gently to the ground he went to check where Hook had fallen, finding no sign of the pirate on the rocky ground. The odds against the Indians were considerably less now, the braves already starting their retreat towards the cavern's mouth, the pirates not daring to approach too close. The air was thick with their shouted curses while the Indians watched them warily, tomahawks and bows at the ready to despatch anyone foolish enough to come within their reach. Peter sheathed the fairy sword and returned to Wendy, gathering her into his arms before rising into the air and flying the short distance to meet his fighting force gathered once more, ready for the retreat. Fly, well protected by her father and grandmother, cried out when Peter arrived with his precious burden, the little girl wanting to touch her friend to reassure herself that Wendy still lived.

"Will she...will she die?" Fly asked, her eyes huge in her small face.

"NO!" Peter almost shouted before catching himself, her words striking fear in his heart. "No, she is just hurt.. we have to get her to the surface as quickly as possible."

Peter led the way back into the tunnels, the remaining pirates not following immediately, their numbers too small to overpower the Indians. One of the braves took point and led them to the junction, several of the group relighting the lanterns once they entered the darkened passageway, the rear guard on the alert, weapons at the ready in case any of the surviving pirates decided to come after them.

Wendy's weight felt very slight in Peter's arms, her head rolling against his neck as he jogged along with his followers, Fly riding on her father's shoulders happily munching an apple someone had given her.

When his adrenaline surge of energy faded, another took his place, bearing Wendy for a time before another took over from him. In this manner they made rapid progress back towards the surface, only stopping to gather their discarded belonging along the way before emerging into the glory of the Neverland night. They all drank deeply of the night air, the cool breeze heavenly after the dank closeness of the mountain. After a brief respite they scattered to position themselves out of sight around the mountains entrance in case any of the pirates sought to follow them. While the others kept watch, Peter lay Wendy down on a patch of soft grass, her face even paler in the moonlight, her dark lashes lay like bruises against her cheeks, her lips washed white in the ethereal light. Little Creek sat nearby, cradling Fly in her lap, the little girl exhausted and already asleep, safe in her grandmother's arms. The Indian woman watched Peter as he smoothed the hair away from Wendy's face, ignoring the tangles and dirt to press his lips to her forehead before clasping one of Wendy's slim hands between his own and chafing it lightly.

"Come back to me Wendy...you're safe now. Please come back to me."

In the pale light Wendy looked as one dead, her face smooth and lifeless, her body limp and unresponsive. Little Creek despaired, her heart breaking for Peter as he continued to chafe her hands, his voice whispering to her, begging her to return to him.

Above their heads the moon rode the clear sky like a queen, shining down on the small group, bathing them in her light like a benediction. As the bright orb traveled the sky, one by one the weary fighters succumbed to sleep, only two stalwarts remaining on watch as the moon finally set and the sky started to take on the tinge of dawn. Peter lay on the grass next to Wendy, his hand still clasping her's, his other hand curled around the hilt of his sword which lay beside him.

Wendy lay at his side breathing shallowly until the first rays of the sun slowly inched their way up her body, bathing her in faint warmth until they reached her face, her eyes opening to blink up at the canopy of trees that sheltered them from its bright intensity. Little Creek and Fly slept some way off, curled around each other like a lioness and her cub. Turning her head to the right Wendy saw Peter close at her side, her gaze drinking in the sight of him, wandering over his sun-gold hair to his handsome face, lingering on his youthful features as if engraving them on her memory. As she returned to full awareness, her body started to clamor for her attention, her lips parting on a low moan as pain distracted her from her perusal of Peter's face.

At the sound of her pain, Peter snapped awake, his body tense and alert, fingers closing around the handle of the sword before relaxing as he sensed no danger.

"Pet-er.." Wendy whispered, her face contorted with pain as she tried to roll onto her side towards him.

"Don't move Wendy...I don't know how badly you're injured." Peter told her hurriedly, stilling her feeble movements, his hands cupping her face to bring her focus back to him.

"You came for me..." She murmured, gazing up at him in wonder, her eyes slightly unfocused as pain dulled her senses.

"Of course I came for you...I love you..."

Wendy felt her eyes prick with tears, too weak to stop them sliding from the corner of her eye.

"He was going to kill you...kill Neverland...oh Peter."

"Hush now...Hook can't hurt us...his pirate force's almost wiped out...he can't hurt you any more Wendy."

Careful not to jostle her too much, Peter eased her upright and settled her in his arms, his lips pressing kisses to her hair and upturned face, uncaring of the dirt and dust coating them both. Wendy clutched at his shirt, trembling slightly as Peter tightened his hold, his hands slowly stroking her back to sooth her.

"I have you now...you're safe..."

"Oh Peter, I was so scared...I almost didn't want you to come...I thought if you did you'd be killed for sure..there were so many of them."

"I didn't come alone...I had help. The Fairy Queen gave me a sword and fairy dust and some Tears of the Moon to aid us, plus an escort to show us the way. Also there is Little Creek's family, altogether quite an army."

Mention of the Indian's made Wendy stiffen in his arms. "Peter..what happened to Fly...I didn't see what they did to her...was she hurt? Did they...did they kill her?"

"Look over there Wendy...Fly is safe and unharmed...she followed your kidnappers to the cave and hid."

Wendy turned her head slightly and a faint smile tilted her lips as she saw the pair on the other side of the glade.

"I'm glad...I would never have forgiven myself if she'd come to harm."

Wendy shuddered, horror at what might have been sweeping over her and making her chilled. Peter held her tightly, his fingers caressing her gently as she trembled with remembered fear.

As the sun warmed them, other started to creep into the clearing, the night watch, relieved of their post, curling up to sleep while others gathered wood for a fire to prepare a meager breakfast while the forest came alive around them with birds twittering and insects setting up a chorus of sound. Peter held Wendy as she fell into a light doze while the Indian's quietly set up camp, passing Peter a bowl of food and another for Wendy when she awoke. Water was collected from a nearby stream and they sat in the fresh morning air glad to be alive, the horrors of the night starting to fade.

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Skinner surveyed the devastation in the main chamber with a jaundiced eye. The message to return had arrived too late for him and his search party to do more than try and repair some of the damage to their fellow pirates. It was a gruesome task as many had suffered horrendous wounds that couldn't be put right with a bandage or sling. The worst wounded were carried in a cart to one of the entrances to the cave system and consigned to the moonlight, their remains quickly dissolving into dust as the moon brought her curse to bear, Skinner and his cohorts careful not to allow a sliver of moonlight to touch them and suffer the same fate as their former comrades.

With the cave cleared of the worst of the survivors, Skinner organized the rest to gather weapons and supplies. They would wait until morning and launch an assault on Peter and his rescue party before they knew what hit them. Hook had reappeared soon after Skinner had returned, the Captain not giving his second-in-command much information about the bloody conflict other than to spit out that Peter Pan had possessed a magical sword and something that made him invisible. Hook railed and cursed both at the Pan and Skinner, abusing what remained of his men until spittle flew from his lips and his normally pale face turned purple. Skinner ignored it all, his lips pressed into a grim line as he ordered the remaining body parts tossed into the cart and removed.

"I want Peter Pan's head on a spike, I want his entrails draped over my chair, his eyes gouged out, his hands and feet cut off...I want him DEAD!" Hook ranted, slashing the air and gouging splinters off his throne with his hook.

"It is a full moon...we cannot go out of the mountain yet."

"As soon as dawn breaks...I want them all DEAD!"

"They won't have gone far." Skinner advised, having heard about Wendy's capture and her rescue. "They have an injured woman and a child with them. More than likely they are not more than a stone's throw from the mountain even now."

"Then what are we waiting for...lets KILL THEM NOW!"

Gathering together the surviving pirates, Skinner directed them to gather what weapons they could carry, along with a small cannon, shot and powder. They would travel to the surface along the same tunnel taken by Pan and his followers. Once there they would wait until the sun rose then launch their assault.

The trip to the surface took longer than expected as they found themselves plagued with unexpected, and sometimes unexplainable delays. Torches and lanterns were extinguished suddenly, without anyone able to explain how or why and time lost relighting them. The powder for the cannon was found to be wet, where before it was perfectly dry, so fresh stock had to be returned for which delayed them again. Other happening of mischance led Skinner to believe that there was some evil spirit conspiring to stop them reaching the surface, Hook's curses raining down on them with each setback.

The sun was well up in the sky by the time they reached the mouth of the tunnel, the expanse of Neverland laid out before them in all her sun drenched glory. Skinner shielded his eyes, squinting after so long in the dark, his skin prickling with the feel of the sun beating down on him. Most of the pirates stayed within the shadow of the mountain, fearful of the sun even though it was proved to have no curse on them.
Hook stood beside Skinner, his blue eyes like ice peering into the distance, searching for traces of the rescue party.

"There...smoke...the fools have camped...we'll catch them for sure! This time there'll be no fairy magic potion to save them now!"

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(will Hook and his henchmen catch up with Peter? who will win the final battle? will darkness prevail or the moon call down her curse and finish Hook?...to be continued)