Peter watched, his eyes narrowed. He waited, crouched in hiding, with Tiger Lily and her brothers while the Queen prepared the space.
"Now Peter, you must remember. No matter what happens, stay out of sight until the time comes." He nodded reluctantly.
"I know. You better make it a fast wedding." The Queen lay a hand on his cheek.
"Have faith, Peter. Are the mermaids ready?"
"Reyna is waiting for my signal." The Queen nodded and glanced up.
"Beck, are the birds in position?"
"Yes Your Majesty."
"Here they come!" Peter suddenly remembered that the Queen had said there was another treasure aboard the ship and was about to ask what they were supposed to do about that but his eyes narrowed as he caught sight of Hook, splendidly dressed and leading the pirates away from their little boats. Smee followed him, holding the rope that bound Wendy's hands together. Peter was sickened to see that she held a bouquet of flowers in her hands and was wearing a gown of red velvet with a lace veil. Her head was lowered and he could see tears staining her cheeks. His hand automatically went to his sword but Tiger Lily lay a hand on his and he let go.
"Welcome, Prince of Neverland," The Queen said in a clear voice. Hook swept off his plumed hat and bowed low.
"Your Majesty, an honor."
"Welcome Lady Wendy." Wendy did not even glance up.
"Shall we begin?" Smee handed the rope to Hook and he pulled her closer to his side.
"Open your eyes, wench, and see your new life," Hook hissed. Wendy sniffed and titled her head slightly. The Queen's brow raised.
"Keeping your wife bound, James Hook?"
"Bound to my side for eternity, Majesty," Hook said with a toothy smile. Peter flexed his fingers.
"Do you, James Hook take Wendy Darling Pan to be your wife and your queen for as long as you shall live?"
"I will."
"And do you, Wendy, take Captain James Hook to be your lord and protector, your husband and your king as long as you shall live?"
"May my death be swift and close at hand," she said tearfully. Hook backhanded her and she cried out as she fell to the ground. The Queen glanced back at Peter's hideout to make sure he did not rise. His hand had once again rested on his sword. Hook bared down on Wendy and yanked on her rope, cutting her wrists.
"Your life will be hell, girl, if you do not answer yes."
"My life is already hell, Hook," she said through streaming eyes. Hook straightened up and gave the Queen a false smile.
"She does, Majesty."
"Then by the power of Neverland and all the magic of our being I pronounce you husband and wife. Would you rise, Wendy?" The Queen flew close to Wendy's face and touched her cheek.
"Child, do not lose hope. You shall be saved very soon," she said in the lowest whisper. Wendy sniffed and struggled to get to her feet. Mr. Smee helped her up. The Queen hovered over Wendy's head and produced a simple golden crown.
"Wendy, do you swear to protect Neverland and rule with a just and loving hand?" Wendy's tears continued to flow and she struggled for breath. With a glance at Hook, the Queen zoomed in close.
"Wendy, please, just answer. Don't anger your husband anymore."
"He's not- he's not my husband. He will never be my husband! I have one true husband, the love of my life, Peter Pa-"
"I will slit your throat, girl," Hook shrieked, bringing his hook dangerously close to her neck. The Queen let out a whistle and many fairies came out of the tree and surrounded Wendy. She was blinded by their light and couldn't see anything.
"What is going on?" Hook roared. Peter jumped out of the bush and held his sword in front of him.
"James Hook, as Prince of Neverland, I order you to leave this island and never return!" Hook's eyes popped as he fixed them upon Peter.
"YOU!"
"A bleedin' ghost," one of the pirates muttered.
"I'll prove this ghost has blood in his veins," Hook hissed and he thrust his sword forward. The battle started, while the Indians jumped out of hiding and the pirates ran forward with their swords raised. The fairies all hid Wendy from sight and she didn't seem to care what was happening. She had given up and only hoped someone's sword would run her through. She still couldn't see anything but heard screams and cries of a battle raging on. The Queen flew close to her face, bringing the brightest light of all. She squeezed her eyes shut against the brightness.
"Your Majesty, what is happening?"
"A war is being fought, Wendy, you must stay where you can be protected!"
"I don't understand."
"The Prince of Neverland is fighting for his crown." The Queen flew away and Wendy let out a frustrated cry.
Indians and pirates fell left and right, birds swooped down and pecked at the faces of the men, the mermaids were throwing heavy stones from the shore. Peter and Hook were locked in combat, neither backing down. Hook's eyes had turned as red as blood and Peter fought with pure hatred surging through him.
"Give up boy before I run you through again."
"And I'll only come back and fight you once more! It's your turn to give up, Hook, your time is done."
"I've only just begun. Especially since I have reacquainted myself with that delectable morsel of yours." Peter's eyes flashed and his blade came down hard.
"You will never touch her again! I'm giving you a chance at life, Hook. Leave Neverland and never come back."
"Or what? You'll kill me? Nay boy, I relish in causing you pain!" Peter blocked the sword and grunted as the blades crashed.
"You've tried to take everything from me, Hook. And still you fail. You will never win so why keep fighting? Take your men and leave Neverland now. They still fight for you. They still believe in their Captain."
"And they will see their Captain dispatch this puny youth yet again! Your throne is now my throne. Your wife is now mine. I shall take everything that you hold dear and destroy it!" The battle continued and angry clouds appeared in the sky. Matching Peter's mood, a thunderstorm unleashed its fury on them all and had them drenched in seconds. The ground was slippery and men were falling left and right. Tiger Lily sank her knife into the pirate and quickly wiped away the blood before she moved on to the next one. The pirates' number started to dwindle as the fighting continued. Hook pushed Peter back and grabbed one of his pirates, whispering something in his ear. Peter came back with an almighty swing of his sword, which Hook blocked. The pirate stood up straight and put his hand to his mouth.
"THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS FAIRIES!" The Queen gasped and watched in horror as two of her fairies dropped out of the air. The pirate repeated the dreaded phrase and several more fell to their death. Peter yelled for Tiger Lily's brother to kill him but the pirate dodged the swords, yelling the phrase over and over. The Queen covered her face in horror.
"Fly away my children! Hurry!" The fairies that surrounded Wendy all disappeared and Wendy could finally see the action. Her eyes darted around the battle until she let out a gasp and a little scream. For there, locked in combat with Hook, was her Peter. But it couldn't be! Peter was dead. She shook the water out of her eyes and ran closer. There was no mistaking that proud stance he had, the flash of fury in his blue eyes, his taut muscles flexing as he fought bravely.
"Peter," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. He didn't hear her and continued his fight with Hook.
"Peter!" He heard her anguished cry and looked over, his eyes meeting hers.
"Wendy!" Distracted, Peter didn't block the next blow and let out a cry as Hook's blade sliced his ribcage. Pressing his hand against his injury, Peter abandoned the battle. Tucking the sword in his sheath and ignoring the blood that ran from his side, he ran to his wife. Forgetting everything around them, he held her in her arms and kissed her passionately. Her hands still bound, she clutched at his sodden shirt and melted into his embrace.
"Where is Hook?" Tiger Lily yelled, looking around. Peter didn't hear her; he held onto Wendy for as long as he could, refusing to break their kiss. Only when he felt her shudder and heard her gasp did he pull back.
"Wendy, what's wrong?" A trickle of blood started to escape her mouth and he brushed it away hurriedly, staring at it in horror. Further terror reached his eyes as he stepped away from his wife and saw the gleaming blade protruding from her chest.
"No," he said softly, Wendy's eyes glazing over as her breathing became heavy. She slid to the ground and Peter saw Hook standing behind her, holding his bloodstained sword in the air. Dropping to his knees in the mud, Peter cradled his wife's head as tears splashed her face.
"Wendy, please. Please don't leave me-" She started shaking in his arms and gave him a weak smile.
"I love you," she mouthed before her head fell back limply and the life seeped out of her. Peter let out a heart-wrenching cry and lowered his head to her chest. Her blood stained the ground underneath him and the waters ran red.
"Peter, look out!" Tiger Lily's cry alerted him to Hook creeping up behind him and preparing to stab him in the back. In a sudden surge of strength and hatred, Peter whipped around and blocked the blow. He fixed Hook with an icy stare and held his sword out in front of him. Tiger Lily gasped and clutched her brother as they saw a glow emitting from Peter as he started to rise into the air. Peter didn't notice that his feet had left the ground until he was a good two feet above them and he quickly glanced underneath him. His wound instantly repaired itself and he felt strength surge through him like his rage. Smiling coldly he flew close to Hook and swung his sword with all his might. Hook didn't have time to react. His head was severed from his neck and his body went careening out of control. Peter watched as his hated enemy fell to the ground, dead at last. He drifted back to the ground and ignored the cheers that were erupting all around him. The remaining pirates were being bound and gagged by the Indians and those that had escaped were trying to escape the mermaids. Peter landed beside Wendy's body and he gently lifted her in his arms. The cheering died down as the people of Neverland realized the sacrifice that had been made. Peter was carrying Wendy away from the battle without a backwards glance. The Chief started to go after him but Tiger Lily lay a hand on his arm and shook her head sadly.
Peter ran through the forest, completely blinded by tears and the rain. He fell and both of them went splashing in the mud. He let out a grief-stricken cry that made all of Neverland shudder. Ripping away the ropes that still bound her hands, he buried his face in the mud and grasped her bloodstained dress. He lay there and sobbed, ignoring the sound of bells that was coming closer.
The Queen of the Fairies stopped when she saw Peter and she stared down at them in sympathy. She spread her arms wide and snapped her fingers. Peter lay limp in the mud, sleep suddenly overcoming him.