********I'm back and ready for action again! I bet you never thought I'd come back did ya? Yeah, you know I'm right. I'm sorry I've been kinda mistreating this story, but I haven't had much inspiration for it. Though I have had a lot of inspiration for my other story "A Pirate?" which you should go read if you haven't. You should also go and read all my other stories because I love you people so much. Well, on with the story!

Chapter Three

A week had passed since the meeting of fairies in the Tidal Cave, and so far they had been successful in keeping this secret from Peter and the Lost Boys. I definitely hadn't been easy, but some way or another the peoples and creatures of Neverland had been able to hide the more and more obvious decay of their island. As the days drew on the skies were filled with fogged clouds more often, and the lushness of the forests and jungles lost their luster. The songs of the birds turned sour along with the fresh running water which lost its cool taste. However, through all of the gradual changes, Peter had not noticed any of it. For he was once again locked in a war against the ever persistent Captain Hook.

The past few days had been filled with cannon fire, yelling boys, and a crowing Pan. He had been saying that this was the war to end Hook for good. The only thing that made the people of Neverland doubt him was that he had been saying that for years. It was kind of sad watching Peter battle none stop for the safety of the island that was slowly dieing around him without his knowing.

"Tanya." a male pixie stated and sat next to the said woman while the two listened to the fighting in the distance. Her weathered but lovely face turned toward the younger fairy.

"Perhaps…perhaps I should tell him Talin." she whispered, addressing the male. "I know that he can not do anything to solve this new tragedy, but…we are treating him unfairly."

"How so your grace?"

"Tell me Talin, when Liluye was residing in Neverland would we have told her what was going on even if she couldn't do anything?" she questioned with a slightly bitter smile as she looked out over the island. The young man opened his mouth to speak but then closed it from a lack of words.

"You see. We would have told Liluye and you know that as well as I do. It is not right for us to hide this information from Peter when we wouldn't have done the same with Liluye." Tanya made her point and made her way back to her cavern home.

"Tanya." Talin called out stopping the elder from leaving. "Tell me there's still hope. Tell me that all this will go away." he pleaded. The woman smiled warmly and shook her head before looking up at the clouded sky.

"I wish I could child, I wish I could."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey Techy pass the bread would ya!" a male voice echoed through the forest of a strange island.

"Yeah, yeah, you just wait!" was the reply. Liluye had to smile at the constant bickering between the two boys. Their fighting was quickly drowned out by the rest of her charges however, arguing about food, fighting skills, and who sits where. The oldest of the large group of kids and teenagers sat at the head of the large rectangle table in her usual tall and comfortable seat, with one leg tossed over the arm rest. A metal plate sat in front of her filled with all kinds of fruits and sweet meats gathered from all around the island she now reigned over. Suddenly a fight broke out between two of the oldest boys at the end of the table which brought the other males to cheer whichever one on. Meanwhile the girls just chatted among each other, but always kept an eye on the fighting boys nearby. Lil just chuckled at it all and tore off a piece of bread before slipping it into her mouth.

Tonight was like another night here in their home. The boys argued, the girls gossiped, and she watched. Nothing had changed, even from when there where in Neverland. Neverland. Liluye had to let out a sigh at the thought of her former home. She had always told herself that she would go back once in a while to check up on things, but as time wore on she decided it was better if she didn't. After all, she was the islands past, Peter Pan was the future. Though these thoughts were always in her mind, she couldn't drop an uneasy feeling she had been receiving for the past few days. The former protector had been plagued by dreams of her old home many times during her slumber. These dreams where not of her past though, instead they were acting as a warning light. Every time she woke from the dreams a bell went off in her head, as if trying to alert her.

They were nothing though, at least that's how she assured herself every morning. Besides, now was not the time for thinking, now was the time for laughing, eating, and celebrating. The kids weren't really celebrating anything, they just felt the need to have a festival of some kind. After all, this island did lack a few of the things Neverland had. Like the dangers of overtaking evil for instance.

Finally, the fight at the other end of the table died down and the boys scattered back to their original seats at the table. The room, or piece of floor, they were in was a massive place used for fighting drills, socializing or eating as they were currently doing. A heavy sigh escaped the young leaders lips as she stretched out in her throne. Gazing up at the sky above her, Liluye couldn't help but notice the rather bright star hanging in the blackness of the night. The sight of the distant Neverland was a truly beautiful sight to witness. The tones changed from green, to blue, to orange with a single blink of an eye. Yes, green, blue, orange, red, and…black? This new unusual color that almost made the star disappear with its surroundings made Lil instantly sit up straight.

Narrowing her focused green eyes in on the star, the girl held her breath for a brief moment. Crying…she could hear crying, but from where? Shaking her head in an attempt to rid her head of the noise, she raised a carved glass to her lips, but the sweet liquid never reached her mouth. A jolt was sent through the girls body, causing the glass to fall to the table, sending the thin blue liquid across the plates. All heads where turned to the still leader at the head of the table, bringing questions of what was wrong to her ears. From the corner of her eye, Liluye could see her 'right hand man', Cinthia, speaking to her. Though the only sounds she could hear were screams…bone chilling screams in her head, but not from the ones surrounding her with worried eyes. Then, her eyes went wide and she quickly floated into a standing position.

"N-Neverland…" she whispered almost incoherently, but the kids heard it loud and clear. The mere mention of the island brought them all into a dead silence. Slowly, Lil raised her suddenly tired face up to gaze upon those who she was to look after.

"Something's wrong."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The roaring cheers from boys echoed across the fading lushness of Neverland. Tall, short, skinny, and fat boys stomped through the paths of the forest triumphantly, lead by their crowing leader. The cause for all this enjoyment was, of course, the defeat of Hook. The battle had ensued for two days and nights, until finally Hook was brought to his knees. Victory belonged to the Lost Boys, though their leader didn't finish Hook off. After all, what fun would it be? So, the large group of boys ran threw the island announcing their victory, further more injuring the old captains pride.

The day wore on and the night claimed the mystical island in its cool embrace. The boys found their way back to the tree house and began their annual victory celebration. Food was eaten, fights broke out, and praising began. Praising to the young man that floated in his place, overseeing the activities with pride and arrogance. His attire was concocted of leaves held together by sweet smelling sap from the surrounding trees. This clothing that resembled that of earth children shorts, hung down to his knees, and were held to his waist by a leather strip which also held his infamous dagger.

With his legs crossed and his hands behind his head, Peter Pan looked as if he didn't have a care in the world. Though if anyone looked closely, one could see the wheels turning in the boys head. Peter may have been a bit childish and clueless at times, but he wasn't stupid. He'd lived on this island for to long not to know what was going on with it. For the past days he had noticed that Neverland was acting in was it only acted while he was away. Cloudy days reigned supreme, warm pastures turned into chilled wastelands, and the natural music the island made turned into a depressing hum. It seemed like everything was falling out from under him, and Peter had a feeling he couldn't fly forever.

But through it all he kept his cool exterior and glanced over to his closest friend, Tinkerbell, who looked about as troubled as he felt. She was currently perched on the top of a bottle of berry juice. The atmosphere may have been triumphant, but her tiny head was hung in a defeated manner. A worried look glazed over the Pan's face as he watched his little fairy until she turned her face to him. Teal eyes meet with hazel and an understanding was made. Tink took off into the skies toward the cave she knew so well, closely followed by Peter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tanya sat with a bit of anxiety as the other pixies around her chattered. Tonight was the night they were to tell Peter of the problem they were facing. Deep calming breaths came from the mouth of the elder fairy. The whole deal was entirely nerve racking, though like Peter, she kept a good handle on the situation. At this moment Tinkerbell was to be bringing the boy to the Tidal Cave for the news. They, along with the rest of the island, had heard of the victory with Hook, and though she hated to tear Peter away from his celebration, this had to be done. Clasping her hands together, Tanya inhaled a breath when the red haired youth entered with his pixie.

Peter looked a bit shocked. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he sure didn't think he would be met with solemn looks and diverted eyes. The instant he flew in he felt a tinge of nervousness spread over him. Could they be banishing him? Tinkerbell had often teased about how they would do that to him if he got to cocky. Did they really do it this time? The almost angry eyes of some of the fairies seemed to tell him they did.

"Peter." a refreshingly warm voice greeted from the back of the cavern. "We are glad you have come."

"Really." he said suspiciously as he looked around at all the disgruntled fairies.

"Do not mind them. We all…deal, in different ways." she explained an motioned for the flying boy to come deeper into the cave.

"Deal? Deal with what dare I ask?" he questioned with a smirk that didn't really fit the feelings flowing through the room. Tanya closed her eyes and motioned for a rock.

"Sit Peter. We have much to discuss."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So Tanya told him the whole story. Every detail. Back to the times when Liluye was the protector of the island, and up to urgency and reason to get her back. It had taken a good part of the night explaining the situation and keeping Peter from interrupting with a fit of heroics. Now, all the pixies could do was wait. Wait for Peter to agree that this Liluye girl was the only way the island would be saved.

Peter made a dark silhouette in front of the rising sun above Neverland. Arms crossed stubbornly across his chest and face set into a grimace, his whole image dared anyone to bother him. 'This is so stupid,' he thought to himself. 'I'm Peter Pan, I protect Neverland! Not some…girl!' These thoughts ran through the boys mind several times. Along with how it was so stupid that it was because of that girl that he was protector in the first place. She even gave him his name, and Tinkerbell was HER fairy! That part really steamed the young man. Tinkerbell was HIS fairy, not some girl's. But, why would Tanya lie to him about something like that? She wouldn't. Tanya never lied, especially in situations like these. That didn't mean Peter liked it though. By the time his thinking ran out, the sun was glowing dimly through the clouded skies. Looking up above him, Peter sighed. He might not have liked the idea of a girl being about to do something he couldn't, but if it meant fixing Neverland…he guessed it wasn't THAT bad.

"Peter." a small voice sounded from behind him. He knew instantly it was Tanya and just gave a grumble in response. He could almost feel the fairy smiling behind him.

"Peter, I know this is all difficult for you, as it is for all of us. You have to understand you…"

"I understand Tanya." Peter interrupted gruffly. "Its not fair. None of it is. What's happening to Neverland, and me being reduced to letting some girl do my job." the slapped his hand on his chest with the last line. The pixie just shook her head.

"It was her job once too Peter." she commented softly and floated up beside him placing a tiny hand on his shoulder. "Let her do this. After all boy, it is because of her that you're here in the first place."

"Yeah, well…" he started but quickly stopped when he glanced over to the elder. With her eyes closed, a hand clutching to her chest, and sharp heavy breaths escaping her mouth she looked in pain.

"Tanya?"

"Excuse me Peter, I need to be heading back. We will finish our conversation later, hmm?" she opened her tired looking eyes and gave a reassuring smile to the boy before floating off in the opposite direction. Peter just watched with concerned eyes as she retreated, neither of them noting the new refreshing breeze sweeping by. Nor the bit of cloud coverage that had disappeared, or the greenery below them that suddenly had a burst of life. As Tanya started to drift down, and as Peter rushed after her, neither of them noticed the old voices that flowed through Neverland that hadn't greeted the ears of the inhabitants in a long while. Peter didn't notice the call of another voice as he yelled out Tanya's name as she fell, and he didn't notice the other person diving down into the forest after the fairy. Lastly, Peter didn't notice, but wished he did, the other person grabbing the pixie the moment he did and careening right into him.

Peter and the still unknown person met the ground hard, with both holding Tanya gently in their hands. Dust rose off the ground from the impact, and let go of each others hands, letting the fairy float lightly to the ground unharmed. Coughs came from both as the loose dirt entered their lungs, and stumbled to their feet waving hands in front of their faces in an attempt to clear their vision. Below the two, the elder came to and flew up with shaky wings trying to catch her breath. Seeing the cloud of dust, she flew higher and inhaled a clean rush of air. Her thoughts immediately went to why she fainted in the first place, then her thoughts went to the two people below her. Finally the two got the bearings and floated up above the dust, still coughing. The one on Tanya's right was Peter, face dirty and hair matted with the substance. On her right was…if the fairy hadn't of fainted already, she would have then. She had expected it was one of the many Lost Boys that assisted Peter in her rescue, but she couldn't have been more wrong.

With back turned, the girl shook her head, sending the debris of the landing flying around her head. Her coughing died down and she turned to the tiny woman, wiping dust from her face. A frail hand went to Tanya's mouth as her eyes met with familiar green orbs. The girl stopped moving completely and stared back, a crooked smile forming on her face.



"What gives!" Peter broke the silence flying up between the two. "Who do you think your are!? Do you know who I am?!" Peter questioned arrogantly in his angered state of mind. As he went on, the girl just stared at him with a slightly leaning head. Oh, she knew who he was alright. Finally the boy stopped when he realized the odd silence from both the girl and fairy. He looked back and forth between them with a puzzled look. Tanya smiled at Peter then at the girl, her shock wearing off enough to let her speak.

"Liluye."

'I know the road is long

But where you are is home

Wherever you stay, I'll find the way'

************Yeah, that was expected right? Duh. I'll explain why Tanya fainted and stuff in the next chapter, so you'll just have to wait until then. Oh, and I don't' own that Bryan Adams song if you have to know. Of course by all means, REVIEW!!!!