Disclaimer:

I, Aslansphoenix declare that I do not own 'Peter Pan', Neverland or anything that you find familiar. Technically some of the characters did come from my head ... but I think they belong to Neverland just as much as any canon characters.

*/*/*

Author's Note

Thank-you for your patience.

*/*/*

"All Children Grow up Except One"

Everyone Knows about Neverland,
About the home of Peter Pan.

Second to the Right, and Straight on till Morning.
To the place between dreaming and awakening.

There are rules in Neverland
Rules that must be obeyed.

Boys forget much easier than Girls.
"No Girl can resist Peter Pan,
When he uses a specific voice."
One more thing, which is True ...
In Neverland, You learn all about You.

*/*/*

Chapter Twelve

George gave a bemused chuckle and stepped in the moonlight to start walking back to the hide-away. Only to be stopped by Margaret's sudden horrified screech "My goodness! What on earth happened to your hair?!"

*/*/*

George was then promptly marched into the Wendy-House. Eliza freaked out as well and George was left bemused as the ladies worried about George's appearance. Peter was rather rude and found the whole thing to be rather hilarious.

Eventually, George managed to convince the ladies to just cut the hair short. This was something George had always secretly wanted. But for some reason both Margaret and Eliza were fearful of the idea. They kept asking if George was sure!

It wasn't until George threatened to do the cutting that finally, the messy weight was lifted from George's head.

*/*/*

Mitchell lasted by himself, for what felt like a week. (Apparently it was only two days, but time in Neverland was so odd). And honestly, it was kind of horrible. Mitchell knew how to do some basic hunting, and some elementary survival skills, so he didn't starve or freeze … but he did … get a little lonely.

Not that he ever would admit to that.

Mitchell had seen the Lost Boys twice, and each time it had fuelled his anger, and pain. No one seemed to be missing Mitchell, they were all running around having fun. Eliza at least, did appear to look around for her twin occasionally, but that was it. Margaret was of course too busy babying the brats, to seek out one lone cousin.

Georgina's hair had been chopped, and Mitchell thought to himself about how silly his cousin was. He wanted to believe that. He felt he had to believe that.

Mitchell scowled to himself and focused on his anger, on believing that he was so much better than that bunch of children. He allowed to egg him on to making his way towards the other side of the island. (This may have also been fuelled by fear of the Neverland animals that came out in the dark … just slightly).

Going on an adventure may sound amazing. But ending up by yourself, in a strange land that answers to another's call, and knowing that other people are somewhere nearby having fun … it can dampen any excitement the idea of an adventure may drum up.

It was a wet miserable day. Mitchell had no way of knowing that Peter had decided it would be a good day to stay inside, by a cosy fire, eating hot food and listening to stories. This kind of day was a day that was made perfect by being grey and wet.

Mitchell tried to snuggle into the small nook he had found and sat sulking to himself.

When suddenly he was grabbed!

Mitchell struggled and then, when he realised that the figures holding him were too strong, he bit the arm that was holding him. The man let out a noise that could have been misunderstood as a swear word, and Mitchell was dropped to the ground.

Mitchell scrambled to his feet and glared at the pirates surrounding him. He was outnumbered, outgunned and he felt that he must have been out of his mind - he was considering trying to fight them.

"What is going here?"

The boy and the men froze at the voice of steel that pierced through the shadows. And from the gloom stepped forth a tall and elegantly sinister man. Captain James Hook.

Mitchell had never seen the Captain so close before, and he wasn't too proud to admit that he shivered in fear. It was perhaps how … sophisticated and educated the Captain was. Especially compared to his crew who were the epitome of cliche uneducated pirate scum.

One of the men, stuttered. "Captain, this is one of Pan's boys we were -"

Anger surged through Mitchell and he kicked out. "I'm not one of those idiots! I'm my own man!"

The man growled and pulled his sword, but the Captain held up his hand. He took a step in towards Mitchell, and the boy caught a glimpse of the menacing iron hook at the end of the pirate's right arm.

Calculating eyes examined Mitchell, "Indeed, it seems that you may just be."

Hook then turned his gaze to his men. "If this young gentleman were one of Pan's boys, I doubt that the girl playing Mother would allow him to be out in this deluge. Speaking of … would you care step out of this downpour?"

Cautiously Mitchell followed the Captain a short distance into a cave where there was a warm fire blazing. There were a couple of seats and Captain Hook sank gracefully into the higher. He gestured to the other, and with both uncertainty and curiosity, Mitchell sat.

Hook took food and drink from the attending Smee, then offered some to Mitchell who initially declined. Hook raised an eyebrow "You are an intelligent lad, but I assure you, there would be no point in me poisoning you."

Mitchell's stomach chose that point to make itself known. He glanced at the food longingly, but he was still slightly suspicious. "You do have a reputation, Captain Hook, Sir."

Hook merely smiled, a cruel smile that sent a shiver down Mitchell's back. "Lad, if I wanted you dead, I could just kill you now." That … was true. Mitchell took the offered food and began wolfing it down.

"Now then, it seems that you know my name, but I don't have the privilege of knowing yours?"

Warm food, a blazing fire and seemingly positive attention from someone in authority can do a lot to entice a comfortable, trusting feeling. So Mitchell gave his name.

"Well, Master Mitchell, would you care to tell this old seafarer how you came to be here? What is your story?"

And Mitchell did. It was foolish to speak so candidly to a man who was both stranger and a villain Mitchell had been warned against. But Mitchell was beginning to doubt the stories, and it felt nice to have someone care about what Mitchell had to say.

"... of course, I asked Eliza to go with me, she can be a right princess, but she's still my sister, my responsibility right. But no, she's all 'ga-ga' over Peter Pan, and chose to stay with him, even though he's an idiot. Girls."

Mitchell finished his story with a satisfied burp, and Hook nodded solemnly. "Alas it is the curse of Pan, they cannot help but fall for his charms."

He leaned forward and gazed at Mitchell, an odd, intense glint to his eyes. "Tell me, Master Mitchell, now that you are away from Pan, and as you clearly don't intend on just running away back to the Mainland, what then, is thy plan?"

"I … well I'm sure I can do something more than just play pretend. I can do anything, I could climb a mountain or start my own band of adventurers, or … or …"

"Join the crew of a pirate ship?"

Mitchell paused and stared at the Captain. He was feeling comfortable and he had just spilled a lot of thoughts to the man … but Hook was still a well-known villain.

Hook didn't seem to take offense at the obvious mistrust. "There are many tales about me, and I confess that some are true. I am not a saint, nor am I a hero, I have done much that any respectable gentleman would never dare even dream of doing. But not all rumours about James Hook ring true.

Yes I seek to rid the world of Peter Pan, but not entirely for the reasons that are known. I'm sure you have realised that Peter Pan is no ordinary boy, but while he is more than a mortal, that does not make him the hero he claims to be."*

The Captain stood as he spoke. His voice was soft and lilting and Mitchell found himself enraptured with what was being said.

"Neverland is a land built on the dreams of children. It has been shaped by the stories they tell. And Peter Pan has bound himself to the island, and with that, to dreams … to the hearts of almost every child there has ever been.

It is how he controls them, how Peter is able to hold on to his power. It is The Curse of Pan. All females fall in love with him, but he can never love them back, leading to the poor things being heartbroken.

And boys, they too are held captive by Pan's emotions. Why else would the Lost Boys be so loyal to one who never allows them to win?

I had once thought that Peter's control extended to all children, but you Master Mitchell … you seem, to indeed, be your own man. I wonder why? A stronger will power perhaps? Or maybe … you're just better than Peter Pan. Whatever the reason, it does make you perfect for my plan."

"I … don't understand."

"Many eons ago, I learned of a way that would free the world from the control of Pan. If I could pull it off, then surely the Lost Boys would see Pan as you do, Master Mitchell. And your sister may no longer be 'ga-ga' over a boy who will just hurt her. And I of course, would have my revenge for my lost hand. Which I admit, I do seek.

The only two issues are that 2) the act can only be done on the night of a blue moon - and yes in Neverland that does mean a literal blue moon. And 2) it must be done by a child - one who is physically under the age 12 years old.

Working with a blue moon is not a problem. I keep track of the skies in Neverland and know when the next one will be - not too long from this day. But finding a child that would and could stand against Peter … I had given that up as impossible.

Yet here you are. One who is still technically a child, yet by your own statement you consider Pan to be an 'idiot'. You could be the key to everything."

"Me … I … What would you have me do? I've already told you I'm not telling you where they are, my sister-"

"And I would never dare ask you to do so. It would be very bad form to ask a gentleman to betray his sister.

No, what I'm offering, is for you to join my crew. You'll learn how to fight and sail, and will take part in adventures that are far more than 'play pretend'. You'll feel free. Then, when the blue moon rises, all I would ask you to do, would be to enter an area that adults cannot enter, and drop just a stone into some Neverland liquid."

"That's it?"

"Well there are a few other necessary requirements, but they are all items that I am able to do myself. So tell me, Matey, are ye keen to be pirate, to have real adventures and sail free?"

Mitchell gazed at the offered hand. He stood with his thoughts at war. Hook was a crook, a villain a murderer, and there was definitely more to the plan than what had been told ...

But …

But, Mitchell's mind kept ticking over how easily dismissed he was, how ignored, how people kept choosing to play with Georgina - a girl - over Mitchell who surely the better person. How Peter Pan just wanted to play games, and how even Eliza seemed to have forsaken her brother.

So, forgetting that once Mitchell had longed to join the British Navy and defeat pirates, Mitchell shook the offered pirate captain's hand.

*/*/*

George had drawn the short straw. They had had an enjoyable rainy day, safely and warmly in the hideout. There had been a nice fire, good stories and hot cocoa. But then Angela had accidentally ripped her dress and Margaret's seeing kit had been left in the Wendy house.

Peter had in a very gallant gesture, declared that no ladies were to be forced to traverse in the weather. So the Lost Boys had pulled straws to see who would go (they'd already promised not to fight that day, which was their usual way if solving problems).

George had drawn the short straw, so went off to find the sewing kit. George didn't mind. All day George had been feeling an odd, but warm welcoming sense of contentment. A little rain and mud wasn't going to take that away.

George found the kit without any trouble and turned to leave … when something caught George's attention. What George saw was a young boy. Short ruffled hair, slightly grubby face wearing a small, but real smile.

George saw this figure in the mirror.

Usually George hated looking in mirrors. It always felt wrong, but this time there was something that felt … right.

George remembered - Peter's order that no lady would be forced out into the rain. The pulling of straws, and how no one had George shouldn't be part of the group. How no one had brought up that George should be considered as 'one of the ladies''. Angela, who could be as rough and tumble as any of the boys, she hadn't been allowed to go.

George felt smile widen, and the figure in the mirror showed friendly teeth back. Something inside clicked into place, and for the first time in George's life … George felt like he was himself.

End of Chapter Twelve.

Author's Note:

Here this chapter ends.

To everyone, hope you all had pleasant holidays and that 2019 isn't going to bad for you so far.

*I'm sure you readers are intelligent enough to have already realised this, but just in case - What Hook says about who/what Peter Pan is, is clearly just twisting the truth into a lie.

I can finally start calling George by the pronouns he prefers! It was really hard not using them :-)

Thanks to lovelygurll101

I thank you all for your patience.

Date - Thursday 10th January 2019