Chapter Thirty-Eight – Battle Stations
"Have you heard from any of them?" Fred asked Mandy as they headed to the movie theater.
Mandy shook her head, anxiety churning in her stomach. "I haven't seen them since last night…I can't believe what happened to her father…" She was grateful as Fred placed his arm around her comfortingly. "Freddy," she asked, looking up at him. "They're fighting that Shade guy…our teacher…what'll they do afterwards?"
"Go back to where they came from, I guess," he shrugged, placing a twenty down to pay for their tickets. Taking the change and papers, he ushered her into the building.
"But Wendy can't go…can she?" she asked, perplexed. "She and Vi and the boys…everyone could stay here if they wanted to! They could have a real life!"
"But there are mermaids and fairies and one very large croc I'm sure they want to return to their home island," he reminded her. Handing the tickets to the employee, he took back the stubs and entered the theater with his girlfriend. "Besides…I don't know if pirates and Indians would fit in too well with this culture."
"But…" Mandy faltered, wishing she knew what to say.
"I know…I don't want them to leave either," he whispered, finding decent seats and sitting beside his girlfriend. Taking her hand in his, he offered a smile and said, "But as long as we have one another…we'll be ok, right?"
Her eyes shone as she smiled at him. "Right!" she chirped, snuggling against him as the room began to darken and the commercials began to roll.
Staring at the screen as a horror flick commercial played, he frowned and thought, "That Shade guy better be taken care of fast…how much more damage can he do?"
~NEVER-NEVERLAND~
Flameburst was the first to notice something strange was going on. Night was falling once more on the island and all was still until she heard a strange rumbling in the water. Squinting, she saw that the dark coast surged and bubbled so much that it looked as if the water was boiling. The night sky was suddenly filled with thick storm clouds, a barrier of rain blocking the island from the docks on the mainland. Gasping, she recognized the sinister black pillar of smoke that came spiraling towards the island. Flapping her wings, she flew as fast as she could towards the Indian Village. Darting over the empty park, she headed straight for one of the largest tee-pees, hearing the children's laughter.
"Peter! Tink! Falls!" she cried out as she crashed through the opening and landed in a heap before the group.
Wendy gathered her into her hands, holding her in her palm as the fairy shook off her stupor. "Peter, what's going on?" she asked, seeing Flameburst jump up and down, flailing her arms and pointing to the open flap.
Peter's brows furrowed as he listened to her, Tinker Bell and Blue Falls frowning as they understood her message. Looking to the others, Peter translated: "Shade's coming."
At once, the boys turned pale, some of them murmuring amongst each other. Holding up his hand, Peter silenced the group. With all eyes upon him, he spoke. "Listen up, Lost Boys. I won't take anymore of this. This is going to be our final battle tonight! It won't be an easy battle…If you will stay and fight with me, stand up now. Those who wish to leave are free to do so."
The boys remained still, their eyes fixed on their fearless leader. No one seemed to bat an eyelash, or even breathe.
Suddenly, a figure rose.
Wendy walked to Peter and linked her arm around his, a brave, reassuring smile on her lips. He smiled back, a mix of emotions filling him.
Shortly after Wendy rose, Ruff leapt to his feet, grinning. Violet followed soon after, with Tiger Lily in tow. Flameburst and Blue Falls sat on Peter's head, chiming their promises of loyalty. Tinker Bell flew to her boy and kissed his nose, joining her friends in their comfy perch atop of him. One by one, the Lost Boys clumsily rose, all smiling and nodding in agreement with the others. Jon, Mikey, and Ben were among them, while Nana and Neko howled in anticipation for what was to come.
Raising his fist into the air, Peter gave a mighty crow, to which each boy responded with their own.
"Lily, you get your people ready for battle," he said, immediately taking charge. "Flameburst, you warn the fairies that Shade's coming and that we'll need their help. Ben, take Partly and Jon and tell Conch to call the other mermaids. Tell them to surround as much of the island as possible. Blue Falls, whatever you do, make sure you stay hidden and that the book of spells is safe. Ruff – you, me, and Wendy are going to get Hook and meet everyone at the front gates. Tink, you get the Croc and her friends to come, too. Lure her out if you have to." Tink huffed at this, irritated, until Peter kissed her cheek. "For good luck," he winked, and she burst with joy. "Vi, you're in charge of the boys – get them armed and stick with Lily so we can find you. Everybody got it?"
A cheer rose up from the group as they saluted, all of them eager and anxious at once.
"Then let's move out and get ready!" Peter shouted, watching the groups as they split off to do as they were told. Nana and Neko ran off with the boys, each carrying Mikey and Mouse respectively as they followed the others. Gripping Wendy's hand, he looked to her and nodded. "Let's go."
Taking to the sky, the trio soared through the darkness, occasionally struggling with sudden gusts of strong winds. As they neared the Harbor, they could hear Bosun Smee's whistle blowing frantically, the men scrambling about as if preparing to batten down the hatches for a hurricane. Taking the lead, Peter swooped down with the others close behind, landing in the midst of the panicked haven.
"HOOK!" Peter shouted, looking about for the man.
"Peter Pan! What're y'doing here?!"
Mr. Smee was running to them, utterly mortified of the circumstances. "I say, Peter, it hasn't been this bad since that Shade creature came to the real Neverland!"
"That's just it!" Peter explained, raising his voice over the rising wind. "Shade's come back! He may not be able to step onto the island but he's going to raise hell!"
"And by thunder, we shall give him a piece of it back!"
Spinning around, Peter grinned at the pirate captain, clutching his coat to his neck as he held Christine steady to his side. "Nice of you to join us, Cap'n Codfish!"
"Likewise, you little popinjay!" Hook smirked. "I suppose you already have a plan of action?"
"The mermaids will surround the island while Tink lures the Croc out. Once she's in the open, she'll try to nip at Shade whenever she can. So long as the mermaids remember to steer clear of the Croc and create their water barriers to block any attacks from Shade or even the crocodiles, they'll be safe. Shade will attack at the front and try to hit us overhead. The Lost Boys and Indians will stand at attention while the fairies prepare their magic for hidden attacks. Blue Falls has the book and so long as he's hidden, there's no way Shade can get his hands on it," Peter explained, grabbing Ruff and Wendy as they stumbled forward.
"And what about us?" Christine asked, motioning towards the pirates.
"I'll need you all to bring forth all your cannons and stay hidden. On your mark, Captain, you'll order the men to fire when the time's right," Peter answered.
"And how will I know the time is right?" Hook asked, raising an eyebrow expectantly at the boy.
"I'll leave that to your good judgment, Captain!" Peter saluted cheerfully. As Hook began to grin, Peter looked back at the Jolly Roger, tied to the Harbor's dock, and grinned. "Hook…I don't suppose you'd like to create another form of surprise attack on Shade with a little help from your ship, would you?"
A slow, wicked grin grew on Hook's lips as he caught on to Peter's idea. "…let me gather some men…"
~NEVER-NEVERLAND~
Shade watched as the waters and winds trembled under his command, the rain acting as a wall between the mainland and Never-Neverland. Grinning wickedly, he began to fly towards the island, raising his arm into the air. With a burst of magic flying from his hand, he send his power barreling towards the pier, an entire section of the wall crumbling at once. The high wooden barriers of the boardwalk burned, black flames beginning to consume the wood. He laughed, his voice an echoing roar in the air, until a colossal wave came from the side and attacked, nearly knocking him over.
Spinning about, he snarled as the mermaids swam off, their distraction having done the trick. From the opening he had created in the park wall, the Indian chief Great Big Little Panther motioned for his braves to move forward, glaring at the monster. Nodding to his daughter, he stood back as they were led by Tiger Lily, firing flaming arrows at the creature. It reeled back in pain, howling as the flaming darts buried themselves into his dark skin.
"Interesting," Jon noted as he stood by with the boys. "He's got all this power, but he's still vulnerable."
"Since he lost the book, he's always been like that," the Twins nodded in agreement.
Something clicked and immediately Jon looked around. "Where's Peter?!"
"Must be out with the pirates," Violet noted. "What's wrong?"
"We need to find Blue Falls!" Jon exclaimed.
"But he's got the book and Peter said to keep out of sight!" argued Len.
At this, Tinker Bell came whizzing back overhead, panting as she landed in Violet's open palm. "Tink, are you ok?"
As Tink began to open her mouth, another great cry came from Shade. Lost Boys and Indians looked out, seeing the Crocodile mercilessly attack the lower torso of the great flying entity. She would not release him, even when he tossed and jerked about like an angry bull. Above his head, the fairies had come flying with full force, each one throwing down their dust and activating a spell that would strengthen their talent. Flame, water, wind, earth, metal, constricting, pricking, and so forth consumed the head and shoulders of Shade, making him scream in agony from the multiple attacks. Flinging his arm, he sent a powerful burst of magic in the fairies' direction. Some were caught in it, tumbling to the ocean. As they did, their comrades gathered them up and carried them off, hurrying to get help and move away from the creature. Some persisted and continued attacking, relentless in their fight.
Tiger Lily motioned for the Indian braves to take aim once more, the Lost Boys joining in with their own bows and arrows. Firing, they cheered as their arrows hit their target, until Shade bellowed so loudly that it shook the island. His eyes blazing white, another ball of black magic came whizzing for them.
"DUCK!" Violet gasped, shoving the boys to the floor. Once more it destroyed bits of the wall, crashing behind the boys into the booths and stands that contained food and merchandise. The lights of "Never-Neverland" flickered, the energy of the park faltering from the sudden, violent commotion.
"Listen to me!" Jon cried, tugging at Violet for her attention. "I want to talk to Blue Falls. The book may be the key to destroying Shade completely!"
"Are you sure?" she asked, the sudden boom of a cannon making her yelp.
"Pirates!" Mouse smiled, pointing behind them.
Spinning around, they faced an artillery of pirates manning cannons, all aimed at Shade. They waved the flag of truce to the Indians, who understood that they were on the same side once more that night.
"Please, Tink, take me to Blue Falls!" Jon pleaded. "I think I know how to stop this!"
Shaking off her dizziness, Tinker Bell shot into the air, pointing at the forest. Moving back and forth, she seemed to say "follow me and all will be well!" "I'll be back!" Jon promised, flying after the fairy.
Watching them leave, Violet held Mikey and Mouse close to her as Nana whimpered. "I hope whatever you've got in mind can help, Jon…"
Another great booming of a cannon shook the air, this one even louder and stronger than the last time. But the pirates on the island hadn't lit a single fuse. Instead, they stood and pointed, all emitting cries of elation as they cheered on. Turning back to look at the ocean, Violet felt her eyes widen before she grinned with the rowdy men.
Amid the dark waters was the Jolly Rogeritself, firing Long Tom at the horrible monster. The Crocodile continued to circle the creature, snapping at its sides. Up arose Peter, Ruff, and Wendy, all brandishing swords as they lunged for the creature, swerving out of its grasp more than once.
Biting her lip, she knew that even Peter wouldn't be able to hold Shade off for long, especially with how angry and powerful he was. Looking once more at the way Jon had gone, she whispered, "Please hurry!"
~NEVER-NEVERLAND~
Peter laughed as he dodged another of Shade's swipes. Giving a sharp whistle, he moved out of the way as Long Tom fired once again, burying a cannonball into Shade's stomach. The Crocodile lunged forth, latching herself onto his arm as he twisted and writhed.
"We've got him now, boys!" Hook grinned, watching and Ruff and Wendy flew around, distracting him as Peter went for the head. "Steady as she goes!"
"James, what do we do if…?" Christine stopped, fear gripping her from within. She glanced at the wretched monster before biting her lip to hold back the dreaded question.
"Hide in the cabin," Hook said, pointing to the door. "I'll not have anything happen to you."
"No," she said firmly, grabbing onto his hook. "If we should go down, it'll be together!"
He gave a small smile that quickly vanished upon hearing Shade roar. Holding his beloved closely to his chest, he murmured, "Hopefully, Pan will have something up his sleeve…and just maybe, we can make it out of this nightmare."
Up in the sky, Peter sent a stinging blow with his sword, growling in frustration at the creature. "Give it up, Shade!"
"Peter!" David Fuller's voice echoed in Shade's head. "No! Don't hurt my son! Leave him alone!"
"FOOL!" Shade snarled, spinning around so fast that the Crocodile went flying off a mile away into the water. "You no longer exist, Fuller," he chuckled sinisterly. "I reign now."
"Is he arguing with himself?" Ruff whispered to Wendy, stunned by the strange conversation Shade seemed to have with no one in particular.
"He must be fighting with Fuller's conscience," Wendy realized. "But we can't trust him…not like this."
"I'm with you there!" Ruff nodded, giving a cry as he slashed Shade's side.
Howling, Shade shook his head in agitation. Upon seeing Ruff, he fired another burst of magic.
"LOOK OUT!" Peter cried.
Ruff dodged just in time, causing the wicked orb of black magic to slam into the water, but the gust of wind that came after the burst of magic sent him reeling, crashing onto the deck of the Jolly Roger. Wincing, Ruff forced himself to sit up. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt someone touch his back. "Easy lad, easy!" Smee said, helping the boy up with another pirate. "We won't be skinning you today."
"No, but he might," Ruff said, his eyes glued to Shade.
"Ruff!" Peter called, relieved to see his friend was all right. As he began to fly, a tendril of dark smoke curled around his ankles, yanking him back in place. "HEY!" he cried, gnashing his teeth angrily at the monster. "Let me go you-AAAAAHH!" Shocks and sparks flew everywhere, a smoky aura surrounding the boy as he was kept in place. Writhing and gritting his teeth, Peter struggled in Shade's power, the monster glaring at him with satisfaction.
"PETER!" Wendy gasped, her heart stopping within her chest. "NO!"