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.

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Author's Note

Thank-you for your patience.

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"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.

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Chapter Twenty

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The gentle rush of gold glitter slowed and from the centre of the 'lake', came a hissing noise, and a blackness started spiraling outwards. The hopes and dreams, plus the innocence and imagination; turned to despair and destruction, to pain and anxiety. Its sickness began to spread across the worlds.

In the Wendy House; Angela danced across the room, but then she stopped, she paled to an ashen grey colour then she fell to the floor in pain.

In the Lost Boys Hideout, the boys watched in fear as Tink stopped insulting them and her light dimmed dangerously.

Fairies across all of Neverland fell to the ground, not quite dead, but certainly not well.

In England, Wendy, sitting by the open window of the nursery clutched her chest as though she had been stabbed by a great pain.

And Mitchell watched in horror as Peter Pan gave a gasp and collapsed onto the ledge, as the darkening Fairy Dust surrounded him, cursing him into a sleep of nightmares.

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Things were in chaos. George held himself together as he thought. Things were in absolute chaos. Peter was missing, captured by Hook, Angela seemed sick, and getting weaker, the fairies were fleeing, dark or falling and even the Neverland Indians appeared afraid. Dark clouds covered the island, drawing out the nightmares that usually hid in the shadows.

George's earlier internal stress was … still simmering beneath the surface, but right now there was more important things to worry about. Margaret was trying to be strong for everyone … and George could tell she was making her own fears worse by doing so. Then the chaos was made worse when a frantic, terrified and bleeding Mitchell showed up at the camp.

It took a while, but eventually the Lost Boys pulled back enough from their attack to allow Mitchell a chance to explain. And what they heard, was worse than they had imagined. Upon seeing what had happened, Mitchell had tried to attack Captain Hook – without a weapon, which explained the injuries, and Mitchell had fled before the darkness took hold.

Darkness that was stopping belief of children, which was killing Peter, Neverland, the fairies, and those most connected. Like Angela.

That was … not good news.

Mitchell seemed so sorrowful, that hardly any of the Lost Boys had the heart to treat him like an enemy. It was agreed that if Peter could be freed, then the darkness would disappear, because he was the heart of Neverland, and Neverland was the heart of the imaginations of all children.

The only problem was … they have a clue as to how to free Peter.

George perched in a corner and watched. For lack of anything better, the other Lost Boys were rushing around sorting weapons. Eliza was helping them into their 'war outfits', the look on her face was subdued and terrified, but for once she allowed herself to almost blend into the background.

Mitchell had quickly volunteered to stand guard and was perched at the top of the secret entrance, and definitely; blaming himself for the situation. Margaret was doing what she could to keep Angela's fever from being dangerously high. She was trying to present herself as the positive, supportive mother figure the Lost Boys had become used to, but George could tell; she was falling apart at the seams.

George wondered why no one else could se what he saw, and found the answer when Wit joked about George taking down pirates by just watching them. That was right – George was the person who enjoyed sitting in the background; just watching. And understanding. The problem with watching and understanding though, was that sometimes it meant you were the only person who could act.

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George & Margaret's Conversation

George thought, and decided Margaret's need was most pressing. So, he stood and made his way across the room to sit next to her, watching a grey, in pain Angela. He steeled himself for the cruel question that needed to be asked.

"So, Margaret, what's the plan for saving Peter?"

"W-What?"

"Well with Peter out of the fight for the time being, it leaves you in charge. You are our Mother after all."

"But I'm not your Mother!" Margaret exclaimed, breaking earlier than George expected. Which would make her easier to fix, for George. He listened with kindness as Margaret let out her feelings.

"I'm not your Mother, George. I'm your cousin, and I don't know what to do! I don't know how to keep Angie alive, how to protect all of you, how to save Peter and how to get us all safe back home! To our real parents, to Granny, to … everything. I don't know what I am supposed to do, or how to do it! And … and …"

She gave in to her emotions and sobbed. George patted her shoulder awkwardly. He let her cry then began to speak, in a soft, almost blasé voice.

"You know what, Maggie, I think you're being too grown-up about this. You're trying to look at this from the perspective of the consequences. You're too scared for all of us, and that's what makes you such a good parent, even if you're not really our Mother. But it doesn't mean you don't understand."

Margaret gave George a watery smile, as she listened intently.

"What don't I understand, George?"

"That you don't need to do anything other than the reason why Peter named you Mother - to tell stories. This is Neverland, it is the place where stories become reality. So, Maggie, if you were telling this story – how would it go?"

Margaret blinked, and the childlike wonder that she still possessed started to appear. It grew when Angela groaned, but spoke in agreement. Margaret and George leaned down to listen to her soft mumbled words.

"You gotta tell the stories Maggie, that's why Peter needs us. You gotta tell the story."

Margaret looked up, her gazed fixed on nothing in particular, and she thought about the words. George watched as Margaret's thoughts seemed to settle, and then as she began to grin hopefully. "If this were a story, we would storm the stronghold, you Lost Boys would distract the pirates while Eliza and I free Peter. Once Peter was free, there would be another final battle, where of course the good guys would win."

"Huzzah!" George beamed as he cheered, and Angela gave her on small cheer, though she quickly brought Margaret's cool hand to her forehead. Margaret looked at them both fondly. "Do you it would be enough?"

"There you go, thinking too grown-up again. What is it that Granny Wendy used to say? 'The moment you began to doubt that you can fly' …"

"…'Is the moment you cease being able to do so.' I know."

"Neverland is where the imagination of children, where stories become real. If even the storyteller doesn't believe in the stories, how can the stories become real?"

"You're saying I should believe?"

"No, I'm saying, don't put so much pressure on yourself. Believe in yourself, and believe in all of us. Together; we will work to make the story real. Okay?"

A part of Margaret wanted to protest, the grown-up part that over-thought situations, but Margaret was still a child, and it was the child part that was needed now. And Margaret was smart enough to listen to her child side.

"Okay. You know George, you're a very clever boy. But there is still an issue – I don't know anything about leading into a fight."

George beamed at the compliment, then shrugged at what he considered a non-issue. "I bet Mitchell could lead us in the battle plans. He's up at the entrance feeling guilty, I'll go talk to him, you talk to Eliza, she looks like she needs to talk as well."

George slunk into the background as Margaret took strength from the knowledge that Angela was still with them, and then she set about properly organising the other boys. George nodded to himself, sure that Margaret would be alright, at least for now. Then he climbed out the entrance and went to speak to Mitchell.

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George & Mitchell's Conversation

"So … are you done feeling sorry for yourself yet?'

Mitchell didn't jump at the voice, he'd heard the footsteps coming, but he did flinch at the words. He glanced at his cousin.

"Shouldn't you be down getting ready for the 'fight'?"

"What, you don't believe that or 'charge-in-and-hit-stuff' plan is going to work?"

"I … no, not really. I mean there is a chance it could work, but it's probably the kind of plan that Captain Hook is expecting. I've seen them fight, I fought with them. At close range the pirates are better than the Indians, and without Peter Pan, the are better than you lot as well."

"So, fight with us then."

"You don't need me to fight with you. It's my fault all this is happening."

"You know, that's pretty selfish of you. To assume all the blame is yours. I'm pretty sure that most of it lies with Captain Hook."

"But he was only able to succeed because of me! I'm the child who did what Captain Hook needed a child to do! I'm the traitor who joined the Pirate crew remember."

"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask about that – why did you join the Pirate crew?"

"Why? What does it matter why I joined?!"

"Why is always important. Can't fix a clock if you don't know why a gear is broken."

Mitchell looked at George in confusion and frustration. Frustration with himself, with the situation, with everything. George watched calmly, almost impassively, and it worked. Mitchell's frustrations that had previously been bursting out in anger and insults, finally burst out in the truth.

"Oh for goodness sake – You want to know why! Because I felt accepted with them! Because they … because Captain Hook made me feel like I was important! And that was a lie, he was just wanting to use me to destroy children's belief, and by extension - Peter Pan. And I played right into his hand, I willingly gave him everything he wanted! Because I thought I was special! I joined … because … because, for the first time in my life I felt like I was a part of a group."

Mitchell slumped down, exhausted by a truth he had tried to hide all his life.

George gave him a moment then said "Well that's stupid."

Mitchell looked at George in shock, and exclaimed "Oh like you could understand? You always got on well with anyone. Even when you didn't fit in with yourself, you still were able to make friends always. That why I was always so hateful to you, why I call you Georgina, even though you're clearly a George."

George blinked at that, and something emotional thawed in a corner of George's mind. He listened with growing understanding as Mitchell kept speaking.

"You just … you're so much better at making friends, at fitting in with anyone. You always have been. And I … I don't."

George responded with a shrug and a warm smile "Like I said; that's stupid. Of course you don't fit in usually; you're a natural leader. Leaders don't fit in, it's just part of what makes them … them. You have this ability of being able to draw people together and get them to use their skills for what you want or need. That's why you and Peter clashed, you're both leaders who didn't want to give u being in charge. But right now, Peter is in danger, and we need you to step up and lead us to save him."

Mitchell blinked. Clearly he had never thought of things as being the way they were. After a moment of digesting George's words, he asked "Why are you being so nice to me? I've been nothing but a jerk to you my whole life."

"Because … We're family. Maybe we can't choose who we're related to, or what we've done in the past, but I'm pretty we get to choose how we act now, and we act in the future. And I think … we could work well together." George surprised himself by actually meaning the words. Mitchell was more than just a means to rescue Peter, he was family. Mitchell gazed at George's hand for a long moment, then slowly he took the other's hand and shook it.

"Thank-you Georg… George."

It was the first time that Mitchell had ever respected George's preferred name. And it felt like it was the start of something positive.

"Now let's get ready to kick some pirate backside!"

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Margaret & Eliza's Conversation

At last there was a bit of structure to the chaos. George and Mitchell had returned and both seemed happier. And as George had suggested; Mitchell took charge of the plan. It was still 'charge-in-and-start-hitting-stuff', but with more … precision. Everyone was going to be using their skills, their strengths to hopefully the best impact.

Margaret glanced down at Angela, who had finally fallen into a feverish sleep. Still too sick for her sister's liking, but at least she was getting some sort of rest. She became aware that Eliza was watching, and she remembered George's words. And true to what he had said, Eliza was biting her lip, looking guilty and afraid.

"Eliza, are you okay?"

"I never wanted Angela to be in danger."

Margaret nodded in confusion; she knew that true. "I know that. Wha-" She was interrupted by Eliza's sorrowful gaze.

"Maggie … I've been a bit … not-so-good."

"What do you mean?"

"I wasn't captured by he Pirates. It was a fake kidnapping; I was willing bait, to help capture Peter. And that lead to Angela being in danger. I didn't want that."

"I know."

'What –"

"I know. Eliza. I know that the kidnapping was fake, that you did it for Peter's attention, and that in a sense you betrayed us. But I also know that you never would have done anything to intentionally hurt any of us. Despite your best pretences at times; you are a good person. And you care about all of us. I know."

Instead of reassuring her, Eliza still looked uncomfortable. "There's more." She held out one of her fists, and slowly opened her fingers to reveal –

"Peter's Kiss! He's been looking for that everywhere, where did you find it?" even as she asked, Margaret knew the truth. A truth confirmed by Eliza's words.

"I stole it. After Peter told the story about not interrupting the wedding. I took it, I just …I got so jealous. Jealous of Wendy, of you, Angela, even the Lost Boys. And I feel so stupid, because Peter is just a boy. An impressive boy, but still – only a boy. But I let myself be so enamoured with him, and I … I'm sorry."

Margaret sighed, she understood – far more than Eliza could imagine. She was going to have to tell her secret. "This is my fifth time in Neverland. Physically I mean. This is only Angie's second time … it should be her third."

Eliza went from confused to shocked, and she listened, truly listened, to what Margaret was telling her.

"My First time; she wasn't born yet. My second time; she was only a few months old, but my third time … I did everything in my power to convince my parents and Granny, that Angie was still too little to go. She was just old enough to be properly believing in Peter, and had been so excited about the possibility of going, and I ruined that for her. The truth of the matter is; that I didn't want to share Neverland, I didn't want to share the Lost Boys, I didn't want to share Peter.

Even with my sister whom I love more than anything. I went, and had some great adventures, but then something reminded me of home, and … I felt so horrible. And the worst part is; Angie has never held a grudge against for it, she doesn't think I did anything wrong. I went and had fun without her, and she isn't upset at all.

The thing is Eliza; every woman loves Peter Pan, it is part of the riddle that makes up his very being. Whether it is loving him as a mother, a sister or be it in the hopes of something … other. We all love him. Boys, they do stupid things, physically to impress someone they like. But girls … girls are stupid in very different ways.

Angela and I; we have an advantage. We grew up immersed in the stories. Wendy Darling is our grandmother, and we had our Mum who went through the same experience. We always knew that Wendy is the only name Peter truly remembers, we always understood that Peter could only accept our love if it were family love. But you, how could you have known that?

You didn't grow up with the stories we did, you didn't have the warnings about Peter's magnetic force nature, you had no protection. And because you're not really a child of Wendy, of course you had to fight to be even noticed by him. Honestly; I'm impressed that that is all you've done."

Eliza huffed in amusement, the story didn't make her feel better, but it did help her know that others understood. "It's so stupid, he's just a boy. No boy should ever have that much power over us."

"Just as we girls should never have such power over anyone else."

"Heh … so what do we do Margaret?"

"We … we grow up. Not because we have to, but because we choose to. That's the real secret of the Peter Pan stories that Granny tells. Growing up, doesn't mean forgetting childhood dreams, or leaving behind what was loved as a child. It doesn't mean you have to stop believing in fairies, and that you care only about making money or going to work or doing what is required.

Growing up, I think, means understanding yourself, as best as you are able. And being mature enough to handle yourself in life.

It's seems complicated and messy and uncertain, nd way less easy to understand than saying 'I want to be a child forever'. But I've seen Granny and my Mum, and other adults, and I believe that it is so much more rewarding when you grow up because you choose to, and not because you have to. Am I making any sense?"

"I think so. Maybe that's why we fall for Peter Pan, because what better of understanding ourselves, than to first love someone who cannot love us back."

"Literally."

The girls giggled softly together; the conversation was an enormity of adulthood looming over them. And yet, in this odd situation, they both felt more in tune with the children that they were in the present. The moment was broken by the thundering of steps, and the announcement by the boys, that it was time.

End of Chapter Twenty.

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Author's Note:

Here this chapter ends.

Thanks to all readers of this story.

There will only be … Three chapters after this I believe. Confrontation (Warning – I'm not great at action), Going Home, and the Epilogue. But this chapter; is probably one of the most emotionally important chapters. At least it was for me.

I thank you all for your patience.

Date - Sunday 9th January 2020