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.
Warning – I'm not good at Action.
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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-One
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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.
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Hook had masterfully manipulated his way into enacting an evil plan. The Indians were fighting to protect the island from the creatures of fear that were coming out of the shadows. The fairies were trying t stay alive, and Peter Pan's crew were fighting to save Peter himself, and by extension the hope of all worlds. Their success, hinged on a plan of one boy, who until recently had been working for the pirates.
There are plans. And then there are plans. And then there are some situations which require the use of both.
Mitchel had a plan that allowed Angela to be carried effectively, and lead the group safely to the mountain entrance, and cleverly disarmed the guards. There was subterfuge, and some acting that was only slightly over-dramatic.
Inside there was a moment where they stood in fear. It was a volcano – without the lava. There was a narrow path circling around the rock face with a sparkly river rushing down. A black river is not in itself a scary thing, this was not the stuff of nightmares, but it was the stuff that nightmares were made of.
There at the top guarded by the still oblivious pirates, lay Peter. The Black Dust swirling around him. Causing Peter Pan to be trapped in a sleeping curse feeling doubts, and probably experiencing his worst nightmare. And because Peter Pan is the Heart of Neverland, it meant Neverland was feeling what Peter felt. And those most connected (Fairies, and mostly those children who believed the most).
Wit whispered to ask what the plan was now? Mitchell's response was "Get Peter out, hit any pirates that get in the way." That was the kind of plan that the Lost Boys liked. It filled them with vigor, over-ruling the fears and doubts the black dust installed in them. So, with a cheer they charged up the path.
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They fought. They were brave, they were fast, they were fierce and wild. Even Margaret and Eliza fought, though they were mostly left alone as the other children were causing a fantastic ruckus (distraction). They reached the ledge below Peter, and that was when the surprise tactic lost its surprise.
George was flung against the rock near the girls. They were fighting, to protect themselves, and Angela (who had insisted on going along in a strong moment, before coiling over in pain). The others were outnumbered, but they weren't giving up, they were fighting with all the scrappy fierceness they had. Mitchell had made his way to the ledge above Peter Pan and he was fighting Captain Hook.
Hook sneered at his opponent. "So, the traitor returns, attempting to play the hero as he dares to challenges Captain Hook. Do your little friends know how it is thanks to you that their beloved Peter is held captive?"
"I trusted you! I thought you had a plan to help everyone, but I was wrong! You just want to destroy all the joy of life!"
"Do you think you can best me boy, when I taught you everything you know?"
"I can try!"
"Even if you did best me, boy, and even if you succeed in pulling Pan from his resting spot. It would do you no good – for how would you wake him? True Love's Kiss? Pan does not love – it is part of the riddle of his being! Peter Pan will remain trapped in his nightmares for eternity, and the world will not believe in childish hopes and stories, and I, Captain Jas. Hook shall remain victorious!"
These words had a dampening effect on the boys, their inner fire lost some of the needed spark, and they started doubting. Which you should never do, especially in Neverland. The boys started to be slightly sluggish and despondent. The Pirates were winning again.
But George, lying on the ground as he caught his breath from being thrown down. Noticed something strange – Eliza looked almost … exuberant. She turned to Margaret who was guarding the fading Angela and Tinkerbelle.
"That's it!" Eliza reached into her pocket and showed Margaret something hidden in her hand. George caught a glimpse of something metal, but he couldn't see it very well. Whatever it was – it made Margaret go wide-eye with hope. "Eliza, you're a genius. We won't even have to get to him, just above."
George looked at the girls with confusion, and a hint of hope. "Er … so, you girls have a plan?"
"We have a plan. We just need to get to that ledge up there." Margaret pointed to a small ledge above where Hook and Mitchell were crossing swords. George looked and saw there was a small path heading up that direction, currently blocked by a fighting pair. He shrugged at the girls, trusting them with whatever their plan was.
"Okay, leave it to us." He stood up and yelled for all the cavern to hear. "Oi lads – Hook is attacking our mate, Mitchell! Let's get him!"
To the crews' shock, the Lost boys stopped attacking and as a group all turned and charged the pirate Captain. He may have been a great fighter, but no one is good enough to defend themselves against a group of fierce tiny fighters. The Lost Boys usually never went for Hook, they left him to Peter Pan as per their orders. But Peter was out of it for the time – he was the rescue mission. So, the boys were free to attack.
A couple of the pirate crew tried to help their Captain, and it was starting to turn into quite a fray. When Eliza in her most pretentious voice, called for attention.
'Oi, ugly. Not only do you have a terrible sense of fashion, but you don't listen to any of the stories, do you."
The fighters froze and looked to the girls above them. Margaret smirked and opened her hand to drop something down past them. Hook tried to stop whatever it was, but Mitchell kicked him. George saw a glint of silver travel past his eyesight, and then as if in slow motion; it landed right beside Peter as he floated in the black dust.
For a moment, George feared it would sink into oblivion, but then – Peter grabbed it.
Eliza smirked "You know, Captain, before cursing someone, you really should make sure that that person knows the difference between a thimble and a kiss."
Something was happening. Peter's hand started to glow gold, and swiftly it spread across his body, then out into the river. And before their eyes; the black nightmare dust began to change colour, lightening, and brightening into a brilliant, overwhelming pixie dust of gold. And with a burst, Peter shot into the air, his proudest crow reaching to the stars.
Margaret then spoke, her voice clear and true, the voice of an experienced storyteller.
"Once upon a time, Peter Pan's kiss saved Wendy Darling from being shot by an arrow. It is only fitting then, that Wendy Darling's kiss now saves Peter Pan from being trapped in a nightmare curse. And now captain, for the climax of the story – Where Peter Pan once again defeats the old codfish - Captain Hook!"
The Lost Boys Cheered. As did two other voices. With Peter's revival, so too did Neverland awaken, the fairies fluttered back into being, the nightmares of children were surpassed by the imagination of stories, and all those who had taken ill were awake and gaining back their lost strength. Including Angela and Tinkerbelle.
Most of the other Pirates knew they were now on the losing side, and fled.
Captain Hook tried to attack Peter, but the boy was at his best. He taunted the Pirate and then did something he had never done before. He invited Mitchell to fight beside him. An honour that Mitchell did not dismiss. Tinkerbelle also got in on the act – she was rather angry at the pirate for his actions, and currently was feeling only the need for revenge against the Pirate Captain.
The fight ended, when after Peter and Mitchell had forced Hook to a ledge closer to the entrance. There was a grumble behind him. Slowly Hook turned his head. George stared, there on a rock just above where the actual water flowed through; was a ginormous crocodile, scarred and ancient, and looking at Captain Hook like he was the greatest piece of food there could be.
To the amusement of the children, Hook let out a screech and fled. Running so fast that he looked like he was almost flying. There was cheering and Peter crowed loudly, then flew to the air to celebrate. He looked down at the thimble in his hand, with a strange smile, then gasped dramatically.
"I have to get you home. I promised!"
End of Chapter Twenty-One.
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Author's Note:
Here this chapter ends.
No one ever said that True Loves Kiss had to be lips pressed to lips. Cheesy I know, but it's a story, it is allowed to be. I enjoy it at least.
I wasn't going to have the Crocodile originally, but, she's the best beast for scaring away Captain Hook. (She is a female in the book, so is a female here).
Thanks to all readers of this story – also congratulations to the one who guessed early on that Mitchell would change to being a hero.
Two chapters to go. How strange.
I thank you all for your patience.
Date - Tuesday 16th March 2020