A/N: I live! And life happens. Thank you guys for sticking with me and favoriting, reviewing, following, and/or reading this. Here's the next chapter. Just One POV this time and things are starting to roll! I hope you all enjoy!
Tiger Lily's POV
Tiger Lily put up her hands to avoid the small fragments of twigs that whipped behind Peter as he flew through them. She wanted to calm Peter down, to tell him that everything was alright. But the dread in her stomach and the familiar sting of war on her skin told her that nothing was alright. The continuing screaming and shouting of the Lost Boys seemed to echo around her as she ran. She saw Peter's frown deepen with each one. They were getting close to the camp when a bullet flew past her. Tiger Lily took out her axe when an injured Lost Boy, Rufio, fell out of a bush in front of her. A pirate staggered out moments later. Tiger Lily wasted no time and instantly slammed the butt of her axe across the pirate's head. The pirate landed with a thud. Tiger Lily looked up to Peter as he stared down in concern.
"Go, I'll take care of him." Tiger Lily ordered. Peter nodded and flew off towards the gunshots and screams. She knelt down next to Rufio. "Are you alright?" He nodded and sat up.
"Nibs." Rufio grunted. Tiger Lily noticed that his shoulder was bleeding, so he did too. He went to touch it, but Tiger Lily grabbed his wrist.
"Let me take a look." Tiger Lily scooted closer to Ruffio as she slowly removed his black jacket. Rufio winced in pain. "Don't move." Tiger Lily gave him a stern glare. Rufio gulped and nodded. Tiger Lily went back to removing his clothing out of her way, but she did try to be a it more careful. "What happened?"
"When Jane left with Peter, We all came back to the camp. We were arguing over what to do, when Felix suggested that we let Nibs decided. So Nibs was telling us what to do when a gas bomb was thrown in the meeting place." Tiger Lily noticed Rufio's features stiffen. "I was arguing with Slightly, so I didn't notice." Tiger Lily was done with his shoulder and wrapped it tightly, but Rufio was too invested in his story to care. "The gas knocked some of us out or slowed us down from the pirates that came." Rufio's eyes began to water as he gritted his teeth. Tiger Lily eyes widened as her heart sank. She knew Rufio was one of the tougher Lost Boys. If something was bad enough to make him cry, it was bad. "Hook, Hook took Nibs." Rufio grounded out and Tiger Lily gasped. "We tried fighting for him. But he was gone. Some pirates stayed and fought, that's where we're at now." Rufio let his head fall.
"Don't do that." Rufio looked up at Tiger Lily, meeting her fierce gaze. "There are many things we all could have done better. But we're here now, and a warrior never lets their head fall during battle." Tiger Lily stood up and held her hand out for Rufio. Rufio took it with his good arm and pulled himself up.
They went back into the fight, bursting through the bushes. Tiger Lily took all her anger, all stress, and put it into every swing, every kick, and every dodge. Granted, she found that the pirate stragglers were not the best fighters, and they had terrible aim. She was able to knock out one that was thirty feet away from her and shot at her twice. There were only ten pirates left, so the fight was over quickly. Peter had them rounded all up and tied around the base of a tree. They were all knocked out and Tiger Lily knew that they probably would be for a while. Peter floated down next to her.
"Nibs is gone." He stated bluntly. The lack of emotion in his voice scared Tiger Lily. She glanced at him, to see anger burning in his eyes. Tiger Lily frowned. Hook had been getting more bold ever since Wendy showed up. Although, the only pixum left was the faerie mountain. She heard that the last time the miners found pixium was the year before Wendy appeared. That was more than 20 years ago. Hook's age was starting to show. So was his desperation. Honestly, it was at times like this that Tiger Lily believed that the Hook she knew and missed, was long gone. "I'm going after him." Peter turned and began flying away.
"Peter!" Tiger Lily, and some of the Lost Boys called after him. She reached and barely caught his ankle. Peter glared back to her. "Let's think about this, please." Peter pulled his foot away from her.
"There's no thinking about this! They have Nibs, my first mate! I'm going to get him." Peter yelled with a fiery passion. Tiger Lily stepped back, surprised at the authority he used.
"You should listen to the Princess, Peter." A tremble of anger went through Tiger Lily when she heard Hook's smooth voice. Before Tiger Lily could even turn around, Peter was already flying past her.
"Why you lying-"
"Not so fast, Peter." Tiger Lily turned to see that Hook had his hooked hand across the newest Lost Boy, Felix's, neck. "You move, he gets it. And if I don't get to my ship before sunset, my crew has orders to kill your first mate." Hook smirked. Peter stiffened as Tiger Lily tightened her grip on her axes. "Good form, Peter." Tiger Lily frowned and scooted closer to Hook. He looked at her, the knife inching closer to Felix's neck. "You shouldn't move either princess." Tiger Lily let out an audible growl. Hook raised his eyebrow. "Now is that any way for a princess to act?"
"What do you want you, scallywag?" Peter mimicked Hook's voice, a talent he had learned through the years. To Tiger Lily it was an useful and odd talent, but she wished he would lessen the use of it for tricks, like now.
"You're getting better Peter." Hook chuckled. "I'm almost proud of you. But I need something from you."
"What makes you think I'll do anything for you?" Peter sneered. Hook sirk didn't leave his face.
"Well, I'm proposing a trade. In one week, give me the lost son and I will give you, your boys." Hook nicked Felix's neck. Everyone jumped at Felix's whimper. "Do we have a deal?"
"How do you know about that?" Peter asked in shock. Hook's smile grew wicked as he scanned the Lost Boys.
"I have ears everywhere boy." Tiger Lily looked to the Lost Boys. They all had confused looks on their face. But Tiger Lily knew, one of the Lost Boys was a traitor. "But the specifics doesn't matter. What matters is that you can find me the lost son, and I can give you back your boys. How does a week sound? In one week, find me the lost son and I'll give you your Lost Boys." Tiger Lily watched as Peter glared at Hook, Peter's jaw clenching. She knew he was considering the deal, honestly, she would too.
"Two weeks." Peter grounded out.
"What?" Surprise filtered through Hook's eyes but it was quickly replace by anger. "You are not in a position to negotiate boy." Hook sneered. Tiger Lily shifted forward just a bit.
"Nor are you. You can't go anywhere near Mermaid Lagoon, because it's right next to Crocodile Cove." As soon as Peter said that, Tiger Lily heard ticking in the bushes next to her. Tick Tock slowly crawled out of the bushes. A low throaty growl echoed within the ticking. Tiger Lily revelled in Hook's apparent fear. Peter snickered as well. "Better hurry and make a decision Hook, tick tock." Hook glanced at the crocodile with hate. A tense silence filled the air. Even Tiger Lily was set on edge by Tick Tock's incessant ticking. Then Hook smirked, at Tick Tock.
"Fine then, two weeks and we'll make a trade. The lost boys for the lost son." Hook looked at Peter smirk gone. "Deal?" Peter glanced at Tiger Lily and she met his eyes and subtly nodded.
"Deal." Peter nodded and flew closer to Hook. "Now hand over Felix." Hook's smirk grew.
"Now that's just bad form Peter, I did say lost boys." Hook disappeared into the foliage and Tick Tock followed.
"NO!" Peter yelled going after them. Tiger Lily wasted no time and followed.
"Peter!" Although, when she went through the foliage she lost Peter, but saw the red of Hook's jacket. "Hook." She followed him. She could hear Felix's muffled cries as he bounced on Hook's shoulder. Hook looked back at her, and ran faster. Tiger Lily ran faster, gaining on him. Until he turned and went behind a row of trees. Tiger Lily turned to follow, but she tripped and fell to her face. She looked to see a dark tail slither away.
"Tiger Lily!" Peter landed next to her and held out his hand. "You okay?" Tiger Lily took his hand and pulled herself up. Before she could reply they heard gunshots and a loud roar, followed by a blood curdling scream. They glanced at each other before they went through the trees. Tiger Lily gasped, as she saw Tick Tock standing in front of them, blood dripping down into a small puddle of blood underneath him. Some of the blood was probably from the pirate that was hanging from his mouth. She glanced up to see Hook and a small crew of pirates sailing into the distance, Felix on their boat. "He'll pay for this." Peter seethed and began to fly away.
"Peter!" At the same time she called him, Tick Tock groaned, the pirate in his mouth dropping to the ground with a loud thud. Tick Tock fell to his side, shaking the ground just a bit. Tiger Lily approached Tick Tock. Tick Tock growled at her, savage blue eyes freezing her. The growl died quickly as his gaze became foggy and distant worrying her.
"Is Tick Tock okay?" Peter landed next to her. Tiger Lily nodded.
"I think so, but I am not sure." Tiger Lily bit her lip as she went to touch him. His rough scaly skin felt dry, and reminded her of the bark of trees. It worried her more when he didn't react to her touch.
"Don't you guys have a healer or something?" Peter asked frantically. He came next to her and began petting Tick Tock. Tick Tock's breathing became heavier. Tiger Lily looked at Peter incredulously.
"Yes we do, but I do not know if she is, knowledgeable in this area." Peter stood up at Tiger Lily's statement. He began pacing above the ground.
"We have to try it! Crocodiles aren't that different from humans, and the medicine should help. He'll be okay." Tiger Lily stood up slowly.
"Peter?" Peter ignored Tiger Lily and kept pacing.
"As long as the healer can get him to stop bleeding. Tick will be fine. He'll be back chasing after Hook with me in no time. And I'll have Nibs back and," Peter kept pacing, Tinkerbell was fluttering frantically behind him to keep up.
"Peter!" This time Tiger Lily grabbed Peter's arm, stopping him in midair. Tiger Lily's breath caught at the sight of Peter's watery eyes. She let him go, but didn't turn her gaze away.
"I can't lose another friend today." Peter fisted his hands and began to tremble. Tiger Lily hugged him tightly. Despite the years that have gone by, Tiger Lily knew that Peter was still a 14 year old boy. That was one disadvantage of the pixum's longevity. He went through many things, as a child, he felt things as a child, he thought as a child, but he had to be a leader too. Tiger Lily did not envy Peter.
"You won't." Tiger Lily said as he hugged him. She let go of him, reluctantly, but got to his eye level. "We'll take him to the healer. Use Tinkerbell to help you carry him there. Follow me." Peter nodded at Tiger Lily's orders. Tiger Lily let Peter go and stood up. She smiled and ruffled Peter's hair as he wiped his eyes. She saw that Tinkerbell had already covered Tick Tock in dust. Tick Tock began floating in the air, only making a low whimper at the change of movement. Peter flew up to Tick Tock and began petting him. "Let's go." Tiger Lily ordered before she ran into the forest. She only kept her destination in mind, only glancing behind every once in awhile to make sure Peter was following her with Tick Tock. She ran as fast as she could, yet the sense of urgency wasn't fulfilled. She ran till her legs hurt and her chest thrummed to her drumming heartbeat. When she bursted through the trees hiding her tribe, she felt every eye on her. She stopped, panting as she observed the scene before her. Night had come and the tribe had light a bonfire. A feast was being held that night to thank the gods for the recent victory against the pirates.
"I don't think he can, take much more." Peter's statement died down as he burst through the trees, Tick Tock in front of him. Silence overcame the tribe. Kwahu stood up and went over to Tiger Lily.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kwahu ordered in the native language. Tiger Lily stood straighter, not letting Kwahu intimidate her.
"He needs help." Tiger Lily stated, gesturing to Tick Tock. Tiger Lily saw Kwahu glance at Tick Tock and his expression soften a bit, till he saw Peter.
"And him?" Tiger Lily knew that that was the true problem. Her tribe didn't have a problem helping animals, but foreigners, including Peter, were another story.
"Is his friend." Tiger Lily growled. "He is connected with the animal." Tiger Lily looked at Peter. "Set him down and step back." Peter glared at her. "Trust me." Peter huffed and did as she said. Tick Tock didn't make a sound as he was set on the ground but he did squirm a bit. Peter and Tiger Lily stepped away from Tick Tock. Allowing Kwahu, and others that he gathered, to see Tick Tock. They began to near Tick Tock, when he rolled over to a standing position, tail swinging violently behind him. He growled at everyone, his own blood dripping from his mouth. Everyone gasped in shock or horror, backing away from Tick Tock, except for Tiger Lily and Peter. Peter went towards Tick Tock and Tiger Lily watched, the blurriness in Tick Tock's eyes making her anxious.
"It's okay boy! You're safe." Peter called, trying to touch Tick Tock. Tick Tock looked at Peter, and pounced. Tiger Lily grabbed Peter, pulling him out of the way. Tick Tock dropped to the ground with a loud thud. Silence echoed in the area. Tiger Lily stood with bated breath as she observed Tick Tock's shallow breathing. She finally noticed that Tick Tock's gray-green skin was stretched and sagged. His small size wasn't natural, but it was from hunger. The tribe warriors, lead by Kwahu, now approached Tick Tock with spears.
"We charge on my command!" Kwahu ordered. Tiger Lily stepped forward.
"No." Tiger Lily stood in between Kwahu and Tick Tock.
"Out of my way." Kwahu growled. Tiger Lily crossed her arms, and stared at Kwahu.
"Get Luyu and I will move." Tiger Lily ordered. She knew Tick Tock was dangerous in his current state, but she owed him. So she would stand up for him, even if it cost her, her tribe. But before Kwahu could do or say anything else, Luyu came forward from the crowd.
"That is enough." Luyu said in accented English. She was an elderly woman with long shining silver hair in two braids adorned with colorful beads and feathers, just like her brown robe. She was the tribe's healer as she was sister to the late chief. Tiger Lily would remember the tales Luyu told of her youth. Tiger Lily's favorite was the one where Luyu rode a Neverbird. Tiger Lily went to her immediately and offered her support. Luyu took it gladly. Tiger Lily walked with Luyu to Tick Tock, until Kwahu stood in their way. Her grip on Luyu tightened but Luyu gently patted Tiger Lily, calming her.
"They brought a wild animal to our lands, threatening us all." Kwahu yelled as he gestured toward Tiger Lily, Peter, and Tick Tock. Tiger Lily stood still and admired how Peter did the same. Luyu left Tiger Lily's side and went to Tick Tock.
"And your blinding anger will make us unkind to our ill allies." Luyu chided. Kwahu looked away in shame and stepped out of Luyu's way. Luyu made her way to Peter. "You have your mother's spirit in your eyes." Tiger Lily's heart swelled at Luyu's gentle statement and the way Luyu softly caressed Peter's cheek. Peter swallowed and nodded.
"Thanks." Peter whispered. Luyu nodded and went to Tick Tock. Tiger Lily stiffened as Tick Tock growled lowly.
"Shh," Luyu slowly put her hands on Tick Tock's snout and started to pet Tick Tock. He became silent. Luyu stood there petting Tick Tock, eyes closed. Then she started humming. Tiger Lily could feel the spirit's power in the air. Luyu began chanting and started to rub a purple powder on Tick Tock's head. Tiger Lily was surprised to hear a chant to call on the spirits for remembrance and the smell of the rare fish oil from the flying fish. Luyu called Tinkerbell to her and Tinkerbell went. Tiger Lily looked to Peter but he was just as amazed as she was. To see Tinkerbell follow someone else's orders beside Peter's, was rare. Tiger Lily knew how petty and rebellious Tinkerbell was. Tiger Lily also knew that no one cared for Peter as much as Tinkerbell did. Tinkerbell flew around Tick Tock's head. Tick Tock huffed at the access pixum from Tinkbell, but he didn't react violently. Luyu stopped Tinkerbell and she went back to Peter's shoulder as Luyu continued her chant. Her chant changed to one of healing as Peter and Tinkerbell began to whisper to each other.
"What was that about?" Peter whispered as quietly as he could but Tiger Lily still heard him. There was soft tinkling sounds from Tinkerbell and Peter's eyes widened. "What?" He said loudly. Luyu didn't stop her chanting, but Tiger Lily glared at Peter. He looked down sheepishly and rubbed his neck. Luyu's chanting began to quiet down as she started to bandage Tick Tock's wound. Tiger Lily approached Luyu, not even glancing at anyone else for approval. She knelt next to Luyu and gave her everything she needed. Before Mary had come to their village, Luyu was Tiger Lily's mentor. Tiger Lily watched as Luyu bandaged wounded warriors, healed sick children, or cleaned the hunters' meat. After a while, Tiger Lily herself, began to treat wounded people as her father and Luyu watched proudly. Despite that being long ago, when Luyu gave her that gentle smile that meant she had done well, she felt giddy. "Is he okay?" Peter had come up next to her, kneeling closer to Tick Tock his hand out. Tiger Lily nodded.
"The bleeding has stopped, and he should be fine by morning." Tiger Lily said softly as she gently petted Tick Tock's dry scaly skin. Peter joined her and Tiger Lily almost thought Tick Tock hummed in satisfaction, but she shook her head of that notion.
"Come you two." Luyu ordered Tiger Lily and Peter. "It has been a hard day for all. Rest is needed." Tiger Lily nodded but she felt the energy around Peter circulate.
"I can't." Peter replied quickly. "The boys will be worried. But thanks for helping Tick Tock. See you guys tomorrow." With that Peter was off. Tiger Lily barely had time to wave goodbye. She sighed, knowing that Peter was really looking for some alone time. Ever since Wendy, he had been going off to be alone more and more. It worried Tiger Lily, but Tinkerbell always made sure to give Tiger Lily some sign that Peter was not doing good. She hoped this wouldn't become one of those times.
"Give it time, my dear." Luyu placed a hand on Tiger Lily's shoulder, gaining Tiger Lily's attention. "Nature will always balance itself if we give it time to." Tiger Lily smiled and patted Luyu's hand.
"I know, Aunt Luyu. I am just," Tiger Lily sighed and glanced at Tick Tock. Today, Peter almost lost his best friend and another. She wondered if nature balanced itself by taking away the things they loved. Luyu squeezed her shoulder.
"Tigers may be the strongest creature, but even they must bend to nature." Luyu warned before turning to go to dinner. Tiger Lily kept her eyes on Tick Tock. His breathing was back to normal and he seemed at peace, unlike her. Hook had Peter's best friend. Hook wanted to trade in their only hope to get rid of him, for Peter's best friend. She knew the most logical choice was to not do the trade, but that wouldn't be acceptable to Peter. Yet the biggest issue at hand was finding the lost son, whoever he might be. Tiger Lily sighed and uncrossed her arms, accepting defeat for, now. With one last pet to Tick Tock's forehead, she was sure he leaned into her touch that time, Tiger Lily left her worries behind and went to dinner.