A/N: Just wanted to point out some stuff to clarify to everyone what's going on - I want to make sure I'm not confusing anyone!
The fairies have the book (the one Shade owned that they stole) which has several different spells including the banishment spell placed on Neverland so Shade can't enter again (which they've also placed on the theme park), and a size spell on all Never-fairies so that they can "man the rides, booths, etc" and seem somewhat human so they aren't too "suspicious" in the real world...somehow, though, now that I think about it, they're magical looking and all that jazz...oh well, just roll with it por favor ^_^;
Yes, this is NOT the old Wendy, though old Wendy's spirit is within her so in a sense, she's reincarnated. As for the names and personalities of the Darlings...I thought since Wendy's been sort of reincarnated that I might as well keep with the theme and just tweak the names a little. Ben is just an OC who will appear more in the story now (I have plans for him and his aunt ;))
Chapter Twenty-Two - Team Neverland
Kipper yawned as he looked about the docks. There hadn't been a soul passing through since seven (or was it eight?) o'clock. Not many people came to the island, and when they did, it was very few a time they came back. Many were curious tourists, others were pesky children from other neighborhood that wanted to cause a ruckus. Still, they needed a cover to be here on the mainland, so they remained on this wretched island, manning the boats for people to come and go as they pleased.
Kipper could still remember when they had left the real Neverland. Pan had come back from a trip to London, explaining to Hook, Tiger Lily, and the others that the Wendy girl's father had decided to move to America. Fuller had not been seen since the incident in Neverland when Peter made his miraculous return and banished him from the island. Peter left once more and returned, claiming he had found a place for them, just a ways off to where Wendy and her family would be living. And so, gathering all together on the Jolly Roger, pirates, Indians, fairies, mermaids, Lost Boys, and even that blasted croc who trailed behind and got accidentally sprinkled with fairy dust (causing their exit to be a hurried one), they left Neverland, with only a handful of fairies, the wild beasts, a magical spell, and Peter's will to protect it.
Heaving a sigh, the pirate started up the gangplank, about read to shout to the others that their shift was over, when he noticed movement at the end of Heather Avenue. "Hang on, men," he called to the crew. "Looks like we got one lolly-gaggin' comin' 'round."
The men groaned, wanting to get back as soon as possible. Life back in Neverland was better than having to sit and wait or go back and forth with little brats and their weakling parents!
A girl slowly walked through the docks, coming up the gangplank of the ship.
"'Bout time, Missy!" Kipper commented. There was no response. The girl sat at the bow of the ship, staring ahead. Shaking his head, Kipper gave the order to cast off.
The remained in her seat, silent, never moving a muscle. Judging from the outfit, Kipper guessed it was a "cheer-leader" (whatever that was…) who had decided to make a late night visit. As the boat pulled into port, the distant sound of a clock rang in their ears.
"That croc's lurking about again," sighed one pirate.
"On the bright side, she can't get into the island like she could back home," another man suggested. Pulling up to the dock, the men secured the ship and readied the gangplank once more.
"Here y'are, Missy," Kipper huffed as he straightened the wooden plank. Glancing up, he felt his blood freeze upon seeing the girl's face.
Her eyes were black and glazed over, her expression blank. She said nothing and looked at no one, making her way down the plank. Looking to the entrance of the park, she caught sight of a man dressed in red, a hook for his right hand, bantering with a red-haired female with elfin-like qualities. A portly fellow with spectacle sat inside the ticket booth, sighing as they argued. Kipper saw her eyes narrow as she pulled a wicked looking blade from her skirt pocket.
"CAP'N!" Kipper cried. "RUN FOR IT!"
~NEVER-NEVERLAND~
"Hook does have a point, Peter," Tiger Lily nodded as she, Pan, and Ruff walked through the park, munching on a late night snack of cotton candy. "It's dangerous out there with Shade. You should at least let Ruff or Tink constantly be with you."
"I'm not a baby – I can take care of myself!" Peter scoffed, ripping off a chunk of the fluffy pink food and stuffing his face.
"Yeah, but you said so yourself – Shade's powerful and you need all our help. Besides, I wouldn't mind dropping by to see Vi," Ruff grinned.
"Yeah, I bet you wouldn't," Lily smirked.
"Shuddup, you're head over heels with Jon, the little nerd," Ruff snickered, earning a stab in the stomach from the girl.
"Now, now, children, behave," Peter laughed.
"PETER!" Tinker Bell darted towards him, a frantic orb of green light. She flailed her arms about as she tried to stop.
Catching her in his hand, Peter looked down and raised an eyebrow. "What's up, Tink? Where's the fire?"
"It's Hook!" she gasped. "Remember that Mandy girl? Something's wrong with her – I think Shade's possessed her and when she got off the boat, she tried to attack us! I came to get you as quickly as possible, but Hook's still fighting her!" Her words came out in one long breath, making her swoon when she was finished talking.
"Where are they?" Peter demanded, placing her in his coat pocket.
"Entrance…" she started, stopping to breathe.
"Let's go," Ruff nodded, the three of them flying to the front gates of the park.
Swooping over the buildings and gate, Peter squinted and saw two figures battling below, just in front of the ticket booth. He took note of how Mandy fought against Hook, her movements jerky and stiff. He was focusing on how her eyes were black when a ticking sound reached his ears. "Uh oh," Peter whispered, noticing the Crocodile wading up to the shore of the docks. The dock itself was a boardwalk, several feet from the ground, and it was fenced on either side with wood. "There's no way the Crocodile can get Hook…" He soon took back his words when Mandy, with a burst of black smoke that clearly came from Shade, threw a ball of misty black energy. Hook ducked in time, but it destroyed the portion of the wall behind him. Mandy wasted no time in stepping forward and swiping the knife in her hands at Hook, causing him to take a step back.
Realizing his mistake too late, he stumbled, falling backwards. Thinking fast, he plunged his hook into the side of the boardwalk, dangling precariously over the edge. Glaring up at the possessed girl, he felt the blood leave his face when he finally heard the ticking that came from below. Mandy seemed to give a dark smile at this, taking a step back and watching the Croc eye Hook with hunger.
"Be gone, y'beast!" he hollered at the abnormally humongous reptile, but to no avail. He could feel his weight bearing too much pressure on the bit of wood he'd managed to snag his arm on, and the Crocodile lay directly beneath him, her eyes locked on his dangling feet. Raising his eyes, he cast a despairing look at the girl as she raised her knife at him.
Suddenly, the wood snapped in half, Hook's body plummeting down and away from the girl, straight for the open jaws of the awaiting Crocodile.
"NO!" the men cried, popping their heads out of their hiding places on the ship.
Smee burst out of the ticket booth, horror filling him. "CAP'N!" he shouted, his stomach in a knot.
Closing his eyes, Hook whispered, "Avenge me, Pan – kill that monster," and awaited Death.
"Not on my watch, Codfish!"
Hook's eyes flew open at the voice, a body from behind colliding with him. A set of arms wrapped themselves around his torso as suddenly, as the jaws of the crocodile closed with a snap, Hook felt himself shooting up into the air. With the wind slapping his face, he stared, stunned, as the neon lights of the park. "…I'm not dead, yet?"
Peter's laugh filled his ears, and at once he knew that he was safe. "Can't have you die on me now, Cap'n. You're scheduled to plot my assassination when we get back home!" Peter cheerfully told him, swooping down back to the boardwalk.
"Pan…?" Hook gawked, looking over his shoulder at the boy.
"Hang on!" Peter warned him, diving in order to avoid another blast from Mandy. Skidding onto the pier, they drew their weapons and stood at a battle stance side by side. Tinker Bell fluttered out of his pocket and onto his shoulder, Tiger Lily and Ruff coming to join his side. Smee came beside Hook, brandishing his infamous dagger, Johnny Corkscrew. Hook couldn't help the grin on his face as he posed, poised for battle. A band of enemies united against a greater enemy. Oh, the irony!
Straightening, Mandy's mouth opened, but her voice was not the one that came out.
"Surrender, Peter," came the eerie voice of Shade, making it all the more frightening for the cowering pirates who observed these events from their ship. "And I may spare your 'friends'."
"Where's the fun in that?" Peter smirked. "Nice trick you've got there – taking over someone's body to be able to stand on the island." Blue Falls would be here soon with a spell from Shade's book to exorcise him from the girl's body. Until then, they had to stall. "But it won't last long. Get out of there, Shade. Leave the girl alone!"
In response to Peter's demand, Mandy leapt forward, a snarl coming out of her mouth. The group scattered, avoiding the girl. As Smee prepared to jump at the girl with his dagger, Peter called to him, "NO! Don't hurt her – it won't hurt Shade, but it will affect her!"
Tinker Bell flew around Mandy, coating her in fairy dust, creating a circle around her. Mandy lashed out, her hand constantly reaching out and closing, always getting the air instead of the fairy.
"Careful, Tink!" Ruff called out.
Overhead, Blue Falls (fairy-sized at this moment), swooped by and came to sit upon Tiger Lily's shoulder.
"Peter," the Indian called him, shrugging her shoulder as so not to give them away to Shade.
Nodding his acknowledgement, Peter called Tinker Bell back. "Give it up and go back, Shade," Peter ordered again.
Narrowing her eyes, Mandy raised the wicked blade above her head. "If I cannot kill your pirate nemesis or fairy friend, Peter, then this will have to do."
"Huh?" Smee blinked. "Cap'n, what-?"
"That thing is going to kill his vessel!" Hook gaped, stupefied.
"NOOOO!"Mandy screamed from within her mind, helpless to stop her body. "Somebody help me, please!"
The blade came down forcefully, aimed for her heart.
Shhhh-ACK!
Everyone stood still, their eyes wide in fear and horror.
"No…" Ruff breathed, his heart stopping.
Hook paled, fury filling him. "…Pan…?"
Mandy's black eyes widened. Shade could see through her eyes that as the blade had come down, Peter flew as fast as he could, blocking the blow and with all his strength shoving the knife aside, but his arm received a fierce gash, blood trickling down onto the dock.
"No…" Shade's voice whispered through Mandy's lips.
"NOW!" Peter commanded the fairies.
Hand in hand, Tinker Bell and Blue Falls spun around Mandy and Peter, Blue Falls chanting the necessary spell. Mandy's frame shuddered, her eyes growing large as black mist rolled off of her body. Hacking furiously, she dropped the knife, doubling over as Shade's powers spewed out of her mouth, screeching with pain and shame as it shot back into the sky and exploded, turning into nothingness.
Mandy gave a weak moan, collapsing. Peter caught her, grunting and gritting his teeth as she fell on his injured arm. A sharp smack behind his head made him shout. "OW! Hey! What was that for?!"
"For being reckless, you idjit!" Hook snapped. "Y'almost died!"
"He's right, that was stupid," Ruff frowned. "You don't even like her-!"
"Doesn't matter," Peter glared at them. "She doesn't deserve to die because of Shade." Biting his lip, he struggled to pick her up when Ruff took the unconscious female from him.
"At least let me carry her," his second-in-command insisted, slinging her over his shoulder like a sack of flour.
With a wry smile, Peter shook his head. "Ow!" he exclaimed when Hook grabbed his arm. "Hey! Nobody touches me!"
"Hush up, boy," Hook frowned, examining the gash. "Just what exactly did your pixie friends do anyhow?"
"We expelled Shade's entity from her body – she's clean," Blue Falls informed them as he and Tinker Bell became human sized.
"Oh, Peter!" Tink whined, rushing to his side. "What am I going to do with you?! Stop being so careless!"
"Geez, I do a good deed and all I get is 'Peter, don't be so reckless!' 'Peter, you shouldn't be so careless!' 'Peter, that was dumb!' Blah, blah, blah," Peter rolled his eyes, mimicking their voices as he mocked them.
"I ought to gut you for that," Hook sneered, releasing the boy's arm. "But I shall refrain for the moment…" Chewing his inner lip in frustration and embarrassment, he bowed his head. "…thank you. That's twice you saved my hide from that thing you say is your father."
"Aw, no problem," Peter grinned. "If I let you die, there won't be any fun!"
Hook smacked his forehead with his good hand; Smee smiled like a clown. "Aye, thanks fer savin' the Cap'n! I thought he was done for!"
"Sure, but I can't say the Croc's too happy about this," Peter noted, hearing growls from the water. "Better get that fence fixed, too."
"I'll get the other fairies," Blue Falls suggested.
"In the meantime, you and Ruff should bring the girl to our village," Tiger Lily added. "We can check your arm there, too." Having made their agreements, they split ways. Looking back across the waters to the mainland, Tink frowned. What else would that maniac plan on them?
~NEVER-NEVERLAND~
Mandy's eyes fluttered slowly, feeling an intense pain throughout her body. It was as though she was extremely sick…Suddenly, her eyes bursting open, she turned over and threw up. Coughing, tears streaming down her face, she wept and gasped for breath, feeling someone push her back onto the bed. A warm broth slipped through her lips and she gratefully accepted it. Forcing her eyes open, she could make out hazy silhouettes in a dimly lit room…
"Hey…you're that Indian girl…Tiger Rose or something?" Mandy wheezed, slowly getting better.
"Lily," the Indian princess corrected her. "How do you feel?"
"…ok, I guess," she winced, struggling to sit up. "I think I puked all over your floor."
"I'll say."
Frowning, Mandy looked to see who had spoken, her eyes widening at the sight of Ruff covered in her vomit, a disgusted look on his face. "O…Omigod! I'm so sorry!"
"Hm-mh," he said, his lips pressed tightly together.
A childish laugh filled with teepee. "Told you not to carry her like a bag of potatoes!"
Turning her head, Mandy gasped when she saw Peter enter the teepee, just as cocky as ever. "Look's like you're back to normal." Wrinkling his nose and trying not to laugh, Peter snickered and said, "Ruff, how about you go on and take a bath? I'll stay."
"Sure, maybe she'll puke on you for a change," the Lost Boy snapped, getting up and precariously walking out.
Mandy's face was bright red as she angrily started, "I said I was sorry-!"
"We just tease each other, don't fuss over it," Peter waved it off. "Lily, should I wait until morning to take her back?"
"What?" Mandy blinked at them. "Then…it wasn't some nightmare? Mr. Fuller…possessed me?"
Peter and Lily shared concerned glances before looking back to the frightened blonde female. "What exactly happened?"
"I…" She stopped, her face redder than ever. Seeing them waiting for her, suspicious, she squeezed her eyes shut and explained how she had gotten involved, regretting it the moment Shade took over. "It was horrible…not just that, I could see and hear everything perfectly, but I couldn't do anything." Tears stung her eyes. "Do you know how frustrating and scary that is? I didn't think…I mean, I'm sorry about all this…I just…" She hugged her knees and began to cry, hiding her face from them.
Tiger Lily grabbed Peter's shoulder and whispered, "If she stops crying and if she feels up to it, take her back. If not, she can stay the night."
Peter nodded, watched her leave, then scooted over to Mandy. Patting her head, he said quietly, "I know how scary Sh-er…Mr. Fuller can be."
"You…called him…Shade," she said between hiccups. "Is…is that the same thing we saw…that smoke pillar, the first time we came here?"
Peter nodded. "He wants me…and I won't surrender to him. I'm sorry you got involved in this."
"You…saved me. He was going to stab me…he wanted to 'destroy the evidence'…I was so scared…" Gazing at the Eternal Youth with her tear-filled eyes, she whispered, "Thank you…for stopping him." She reached out and touched his arm, frowning when he winced, quickly turning it into a forced smile. She noticed a bandage peeking out from under the scarlet sleeve of his coat, and she gasped again. "Oh my gosh…I remember now…" Horror took over as she clutched her blanket to her chest. "You could've been killed…why'd you do that?"
"Because this is my island, and no kid gets hurt here," Peter replied firmly.
"Except you?" she asked, nodding at his arm. He shrugged as though it were nothing. "…I haven't been the best person to you…or anyone…especially Wendy." Looking away, she pursed her lips in contemplation. "…I still don't like her…but…I don't hate her, either. Or you, for that matter. I kinda thought you were just some weird jerk that liked to follow her around." She gave a sheepish smile when he glared at her, laughing when he stuck his tongue out. "…I really am sorry…"
"If I hear 'sorry' one more time, I'm gonna pull my hair out!" Peter sighed. "It's ok, really. It's over. He won't bug you again, we'll make sure of that."
"You know…I could feel his pain…his worry…Shade…Fuller…whatever, he didn't want to hurt you. He was horrified when that happened," Mandy said quietly.
"Yeah…he's like that. He'd rather destroy everyone around me, all those closest to me, than kill me. He wants me alive, and he doesn't realize that even if he killed everyone I loved, I'd never go to." Peter crossed his arms over his chest, grimacing as he touched his injured arm.
Mandy gave a sad smile. "…so, you do love Wendy?"
Peter blinked at her, stunned by her question. Pressing his lips into a hard line, he looked away at the floor and remained silent. Mandy was about to speak when he said, "…Yes. I do."
Mandy felt her heart melt at his words. Stretching his legs, his feet tapping the air, he changed the subject. "Y'want me to bring you home now or in the morning?"
"How long have I been out?" she asked, the reality of being away from home hitting her hard. The cheer squad must have been in a frenzy when she didn't come back.
"An hour or so," Peter shrugged.
"Omigod, I need to get back like now!" she squeaked, frantically throwing off the covers. Scrambling to her feet, she stumbled, dizzy when she stood up. Feeling the boy lift her in his arms, she wriggled in protest.
"Stop, it hurts my arm!" he scolded her, making her freeze in guilt. Grinning at her compliance, he carried her out, and stepping into the night air, he leapt into the air.
"Aren't you worried Shade might catch you?" she asked as they flew over the park and towards the ocean.
"Nope. I'm not afraid of him," he said lightly. "Hold on." Letting the wind guide him, Peter swept through the night sky like a bird, Mandy clinging to him like a child. Snuggling against him, she could smell the scent of citrus, candy, fireside smoke, and something that she could only think of as "magical"…
"Where's your house?" Peter asked, arriving at the docks on the other side of the waters.
"Follow Lakeside Street, just down from the school…damn, it must be midnight by now," she murmured, looking down at the empty streets.
"Will your parents be worried?" Peter asked. He frowned when she snorted at him.
"Puh-lease. My parents are divorced. My mom said she'd be out to see a show in the next town with her new boyfriend. My dad's in Texas." She bit her lip as she saw her house coming in to view. "There it is…the blue two-story house with the brick chimney. You can drop me off in the back."
He did so, going to the back of the house and setting her on the ground. As she unlocked the door, she looked back at him. "Um…wanna come in?"
"No, thanks. I better go back," Peter waved. Lifting off of the ground, he was surprised to see her reach out for him.
"Wait!" she cried. He stopped, cocking his head at her from where he floated. "Um…I…I never thanked you properly."
"Sure you did," he corrected her. "Back in the teepee."
"No…I mean…" Blush covered her cheeks. "I…I want to give you a…kiss."
Blinking, Peter stared at her. "…ok." He stuck his palm out expectantly, a smile on his face. "Where is it?"
She stared at his palm in turn, incredulous. "…um, that's not a kiss."
"Sure it is!" Peter frowned. "I know what kisses are! You exchange little trinkets. Now, thimbles are another story…"
"Thimbles?" she asked, completely lost. "Peter, I want to kiss you. Y'know, I put my lips on yours?"
"That's a thimble," Peter corrected her with a laugh. "Thanks but no thanks. Save your kiss for someone special!" Waving goodbye, he took off before she could keep insisting on kissing him. There was only one person he really wanted any kisses or thimbles from, and that was one Wendy Darling. Flying through the air, he couldn't help himself as he flew towards the Darling house. Landing lightly on the eaves of the house, he peeked his head over the side.
There was Wendy, sleeping soundly in her bed. A smile crept onto his face as he reached out and touched the window. His eyes widened when he felt the window shake. Pursing his lips in curiosity, he pulled toyed with the handle and was stunned to find it quietly swing open. "She didn't…lock the window?" He felt his heart skip a beat, his smile returning as he stepped inside. Flying over to her bed, he watched her sigh in her sleep, curling into her sheets. Resting against his good arm, he floated beside her, wondering what she was dreaming about.
"Hmm…" she mumbled, a smile making her pink lips stretch. "…Peter…"
He froze, not budging an inch. When she mumbled again, he let out a breath of relief, realizing she was still sound asleep. Then it sunk it: she was dreaming about him! Leaning forward, he wanted to let his lips brush over hers, just as they had done accidentally a few days ago…but he held back, feeling fearful and foolish, not to mention, Tinker Bell would be furious and Hook would probably say it was "bad form" to kiss a lady when she was sleeping.
"What do I care about what they think?!" he growled to himself. Still, he couldn't help himself, and pressed his mouth to her cheek. A spark seemed to fly through him at that. Cautious, he reached out and brushed a strand of her out of her face. Smiling at the sleeping girl, he whispered in her ear, "Wendy…I…" He hesitated. She couldn't hear him, right? So it wouldn't count. Nodding to himself, he spoke again. "…Don't let me go back home by myself, Wendy…I want to be with you all the time…forever…Wendy…I'm not good with this sort of stuff, but…" Taking a deep breath, he whispered, "…I love you, Wendy."
Not looking back, he darted out the window, unable to believe what he'd spoken. Letting the window shut gently, he felt that funny warm feeling inside him.
"…so, you do love Wendy?" Mandy's voice echoed in his head.
Glancing back through the glass, he saw her stir in her sleep. His smile remained on his face as he nodded. "I love you, Wendy," he repeated to the night wind. Taking off to the sky, he followed a shooting star back to Never-Neverland.