Chapter Thirty-Nine – Belief and Relief

Jon was frantic, shoving aside leaves and branches as he followed Tinker Bell through the thick forest. The sounds of the battle back at the entrance of the park seemed to be getting worse and worse, the sound of someone's agonizing cry filling his ears. He didn't like this, not one bit. Flying as fast as he could to keep up with the fairy, he prayed, "Dear God, help us get out of this alive…!"

~NEVER-NEVERLAND~

Wendy's eyes were huge in horror as she watched Shade snicker, Peter's attempts to flee becoming weaker and weaker. Down on the Jolly Roger, Ruff fought against Smee and Kipper, struggling to keep him still.

"I have to help him!" Ruff cried, his back aching from hitting the deck earlier.

"If you go, lad, you'll end up just like Pan," Smee shook his head, watching hopelessly. "And he wouldn't want that…"

Hook's eyes were as large as the cannonballs they had aboard the ship. Terror filled him, an aching desire to leap up and fight filling him. Alas, he could not fly. "James! What do we do?!" Christine asked, staring at the scene with just as much fear as Hook. He found himself tongue-tied – this was one problem he had no clue how to fix.

Back on the shores of the island, the Indians, Lost Boys, and pirates gaped, mortified. Tiger Lily was torn – if she gave the command to shoot, they risked harming Peter and Wendy, who remained hovering nearby, frozen in terror. If she did not do something, they may lose Peter altogether.

"Do something!" Mikey cried, tugging on Violet's jeans.

"Do what?" she asked, paler than ever before.

"We have to help him!" Skipper frowned, lunging forward.

Violet gripped his arm, shaking her head. "No, Skip. We'd be eaten alive." Staring at the scene before them, she whispered, "Come on, Peter, fight it! Jon, you'd better hurry!"

Shade chuckled, seeing Peter go limp in his grasp. "And now, Peter Pan, you're m-!" A slice of red hot pain seared throughout his neck, his white eyes going wide as he released another roar.

"Let him go, you great bully!"

Hissing, Shade turned and saw Wendy, a hopeless little girl bearing a puny sword. There was fire in her eyes, though, a determination that would not be suppressed. "Peter! Listen to me!" she cried, her eyes on his quiet form as the smoke became thicker and darker. "You can't give up now! We need you!"

Shade gave a harsh laugh, jeering at the girl. "Nothing you say can get him to break free of me now, girl…"

"Peter, I believe in you!" Wendy insisted, ignoring the monster's taunting. Flying around to the boy, she dared to stick her hand into the smoke. Biting her lip as Shade snarled as sent more power to bind Peter, she grabbed his hand and leaned in, whispering, "I believe in you, Peter Pan…and I love you."

Down on the decks on the Jolly Roger, Hook squinted as he tried to read Wendy's lips. Upon seeing her daring attempt to reach in and touch the boy, he realized she was giving him words of encouragement. Raising his hook, he pointed at them and raised his voice. "Pan, you doodle-doo! Get up and fight! I know you can hear me!" he shouted, earning stares from the men. "I know you can win this battle, boy – I believe in you, you wretched youth!"

Ruff grinned, realizing what he was doing. Giving a loud crow, he screamed, "I BELIEVE IN PETER PAN! NOW AND FOREVER!"

The pirates began to take up the chant, raising their fists to the air as they shouted again and again. Deep in the water, the mermaids sang along, calling to Peter as they joined in the chants. On the island, the others could hear their shouts. Catching on, Violet and Tiger Lily led the people in chanting with the pirates, shouting so loudly that Shade winced as he listened.

"Stop! STOP!" he howled.

Deep in the recesses of the smoke, a voice whispered, "Peter…"

"Fuller…?" Peter's mind was alert, sensing another entity in this vast darkness that held him.

"Peter, you can hear your friends, can't you?" David Fuller's voice drifted out. Only Peter could hear it – not even Shade was aware of this conversation as he screamed at the Neverland inhabitants to silence themselves. "They need you…just as much as you need them…don't let them down…don't let this thing take a hold of you the way it took me…"

From the darkness, Peter could feel Wendy's hand, trembling as she struggled to keep a hold on him through the stinging dark magic. His brows furrowed, he forced his eyes open, fighting the fogginess that had settled over him. He could hear his name being chanted, over and over, by a hundred voices it seemed…until he heard a soft, underlying sound…his friends chanting were reaching out to children in their sleep.

As they were fighting and cheering Peter on, some of the unharmed fairies spread all over the globe, pleading sleeping children: "If you believe in Peter Pan, say his name! Say you believe!"

Everywhere, Peter could hear his name echoing over and over again, the cacophony of voices growing stronger and stronger…

"I love you, Peter Pan."

"W-Wen-dy…?"

The girl's face lit up as his eyes began to focus, seeing her past his smoky prison. A weak smile grew on his lips, his fingers curling around hers. "Wendy…"

Sensing movement, Shade returned his focus to Peter, gaping in horror as he saw Peter awake, moving once more. Shade roared in frustration, nearing the end of his rope. With one swift moment, his arm lashed out.

"Wendy, watch out!" Christine screamed, but it was too late.

The dark fingers curled around Wendy's waist, pulling her to the creature's enormous face. She kicked and twisted about, her sword falling into the ocean. "You! You've always been a thorn in my side," he hissed. "Peter always comes back for a Wendy girl…for a mother…well, you served your purpose as bait for him to come out so I could find him!" Shade snickered. "With Pan in my grasp, I will control all of Neverland, and then, the world! Darkness will rule forever, and no one will stop me!"

"You're wrong!" Wendy shouted, frowning at the monster. "Peter will defeat you!"

"Child, nothing can stop me!" he cackled, opening his mouth and sucking in the air before her like a great vacuum.

Wendy clutched her throat, gasping as she struggled to break free. Fear filled her, not just for herself, but for Peter, her brothers, Neverland, the whole world… "PETER!" she managed to scream, feeling her heart slow down as her soul began to slide up her throat.

The sound of Wendy's panicked voice made Peter's eyes snap open again, this time glittering gold. Frowning, he gnashed his teeth, his body trembling as a sudden strength flowed within him. Fairy magic, human blood, and the heart of a pure child mixed with the desire to protect the ones he loved pulsed within him. With a great cry, he crowed, flinging his arms out as he broke free of Shade's hold.

The sudden burst of innocent magic made Shade scream in pain, his plan to suck out Wendy's soul cut short. Gasping and coughing, Wendy felt everything within her return to normal, tears in her eyes from the fear that had nearly consumed her. Looking back, she felt her eyes widen as Peter floated before them, consumed in a golden aura. "P-Peter…?" she whispered.

"Split me infinitives!" Hook muttered, aghast.

Drawing forth his shining sword, Peter pointed it at Shade, smirking triumphantly.

Quaking, Shade hissed. "Prepare to meet your doom!"

"Dark and sinister thing, have at me!"

~NEVER-NEVERLAND~

"How much more?!" Jon gasped, panting as he struggled to keep up. They were deep in the woods now, so deep that he had no idea where he was, of if her was even still on the island. Peter hadn't been kidding when he said Blue Falls was to keep away and completely out of sight.

Tinker Bell chimed something, looking just as tired and frantic as the boy. Pointing ahead, she flew up into a tree and slipped inside a hole.

Forcing himself up, Jon began to fly only to stop halfway as Tinker Bell, Flameburst, and Blue Falls exited the tree. Landing together with the boy, the sibling fairies changed and grew into their human sizes, their wings sliding into their backs.

"Jon, what's all this about?" Blue Falls asked, cringing at he heard the horrible screams and howls from Shade miles away.

"We need to destroy that book!" Jon insisted, pointing at the item in the fairy's hand.

"Are you crazy?!" he retorted. "We need it to protect the island-!"

"But if we destroy it, Shade won't have his powers, right?" Jon asked.

Unable to contain herself, Tinker Bell flew up past the trees, gasping as she saw from a distance the gigantic black entity fighting a glowing figure. "Peter…?!" she whispered.

"Please, we need to try!" Jon begged.

"Falls, I'm scared!" Flameburst whimpered, hyperventilating. A squawk from a bird made her yelp, a lick of flame darting from her fingertips and kissing the book.

"Flame!" Blue Falls gasped, starting to blow out the fire when they all heard another great wail. Jon and the two fairies looked up to Tinker Bell, who watched the distant scene in awe.

"What did you do just now?!" she called to the others, speaking in the fairy language.

"I accidentally burnt some of the book's cover," Flameburst admitted sheepishly.

"You're not going to believe this!" Tink exclaimed. "Shade's shoulder started to burn with white flames! What if Jon's right? Burn the book and we destroy him!"

"What's she saying?" Jon asked, not liking how he couldn't understand her.

Ignoring the boy for a moment, Blue Falls' brows began to knit together. Opening the book, he flipped to the back cover and began to tear off the inner page connecting the book to the leather cover. Underneath, signed in blood, were several names. His eyes widened as he read them. "Jon…you may be right! Do you see this?" he asked, showing the book to his sister and the human boy. "These are all the previous owners, each on signing in blood and hiding the record! That's why he always regains his powers no matter how much we injure him each night! So long as the book exists with his signature, he has power!"

He grinned at the boy, clapping his shoulder. "You're a genius!"

Jon blinked, stunned, before smiling.

"Tink!" Blue Falls called to the glowing green light. "Keep an eye out and let us know what's going on!" Handing the book to his jittery sister, he nodded and said, "Ok, Flameburst…do your thing."

~NEVER-NEVERLAND~

Peter couldn't help noticing when Shade's shoulder suddenly became covered in flames, vanishing seconds later. Whatever it was, it weakened and distracted him long enough to slice off one of Shade's arms. As he bellowed and writhed, Peter sensed that something had severely weakened him. His golden eyes narrowed, his mind trying to figure out what on earth could've been the cause of it.

"Let…go!"

Wendy's voice snapped him back to the matter at hand. Diving down, he was buffeted away by a gust of wind from the monster.

"NO! I won't lose! Not to you!" he howled, snapping at Peter with his sharp teeth. With his good (and now only) arm, he brought Wendy to his mouth, planning to swallow her whole.

Taking position, Peter swooped down, burying his shining blade within his chest. "You're not going to hurt anybody else ever again!" he cried, his golden glow expanding and transferring into the blade at it pierced the wicked being.

At the very same moment, white flames sprung out all over the entity, making his eyes go wide. Screaming so high that it rang in his enemies' ears, he released Wendy, reaching for the sky in agony.

Wendy plummeted to the ocean, still too weak from Shade's attempt to kill her. As she closed her eyes, she weakly whispered, "Peter…!"

"I've got you, Wendy."

She could feel Peter's arms as he caught her, just before the waves could even touch her. His comforting voice in her ear, his breath tickling her cheek, she opened her eyes and saw his eyes change from gold to green. "Peter…" she repeated, leaning against him.

"I have you, Wendy," he answered, placing his lips to her cheek. "And I'll never lose you again."

Gripping onto his leaf vest, she squeezed her eyes shut as Shade continued to scream, consuming his body.

"NO!" he cried, watching in horror as he began to deteriorate. "NOOO!"

Swooping down, Peter landed on the deck of the Jolly Roger, giving a relieved smile as Ruff came to his side. Looking to the sky, he squinted, seeing a ball of light zoom towards them. "Tink!" he exclaimed as the fairy landing on his shoulder. "What's going on?"

"The combination of your powers and burning Shade's book are destroying him!" she said, heaving an exhausted sigh.

"You burned the book?! That's all it took?!" Peter asked, irritated. "If I had known that-!"

"It's not just the book, Peter – you wanted to be free of him, to prove that you wouldn't be his anymore," Tink said, kissing his cheek. "And you've shown everyone that you are stronger…and now, you're free."

A final screech filled the air, a bright burst of light shining so strong that it looked like high noon had arrived suddenly. Everyone shut their eyes, blinded momentarily, until the light died down. The rain had stopped, the wind was gone, the storm clouds vanished, and the water gently rocked the pirate ship. The stars winked down at everyone, the stillness settling in.

No one moved, no one uttered a word. Everyone kept their eyes glued to the water and sky where Shade had been, waiting, second-guessing themselves. Then, on the other side of the gates where the Lost Boys stood with the pirates and Indians, little Mouse exclaimed, "Shade's gone!"

A murmur spread throughout the group, all of them hopeful but wary. Overhead, Jon flew with Blue Falls and Flameburst, all three of them grinning. "It worked!" Jon cried, landing beside Tiger Lily.

"What did?" she asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Flameburst burnt the book that belonged to Shade! That's when he went up in flames," he explained. "And when Peter stabbed him through the heart, it was as though a final ingredient had been added!"

Blue Falls grew to his human size and waved to the Jolly Roger. "We did it!" he called to them. "He's gone for good!"

"He's…really gone," Peter breathed, unable to believe it for a moment. Looking down to Wendy, who gazed at him with awe-filled eyes, he laughed and cried, "We did it! He's gone forever!"

Ruff gave a mighty cry, raising his fist in the air as Peter set Wendy down and embraced her. The pirates began to follow his lead, cheering and shouting, chanting "LONG LIVE PAN! LONG LIVE PAN!" Peter gave his loudest, cockiest crow, beaming with relief and pride until he felt a pointed tip touch his arm. Looking over his shoulder, he raised an eyebrow at Hook, wary of his expression. But the pirate did not attack him.

Extending his hand, Hook smiled, elated and tired all at once. "Well done, boy. We're finally rid of that monstrosity. You did it."

A grin stretched over his lips as Peter took Hook's hand and shook it. "No…we did it. Everyone helped, and I couldn't have done it without you all!"

"Oh, Peter!" Tinker Bell laughed, spinning gaily into the air.

"Three cheers for Peter Pan!" one pirate shouted, and at once, the men grabbed the boy.

"HEY!" he gasped, his suspicion turning into laughter as they began to toss him into the air and catch him. Hearing a yelp, he clutched his sides as he watched the pirates do the same thing to their captain.

"Put me down, you slum-gullies!" he snapped, feeling airsick as they tossed him up and caught him.

Wendy and Christine embraced, relieved that the nightmare was over. Ruff chuckled as he watched Hook and Peter get tossed around, looking towards the island at the others who waited for them. He waved, catching sight of Violet, who smiled and waved back wildly.

"Wait!" Tinker Bell shouted, flying to Peter and tugging at his ponytail. "There's someone in the water!"

"What?" Peter asked, flying away from the pirates' grasp as he heard her message. "What do you mean?"

"There!"she pointed. "There's somebody drifting!"

Squinting, Peter could make out the outline of a body in the darkness. The ticking of the Crocodile's clock filled his ears, causing him to act. Diving to the waters, he grabbed the figure and yanked him out, just in time before the Crocodile arose from the depths and stared after them, irked that her supper had been stolen.

Landing on the ship as she began to dock, Peter set the figure down and stared at his face as the others crowded around him. His eyes widened at the sight of the waterlogged person. "Fuller…?!"

Wendy peeked over his shoulder, cocking her head as she inspected the person. She gasped upon seeing his face. He was old, very old. He was so lined in wrinkles that it looked as if his skin were a discarded handkerchief. His dark eyes were dim and glazed over, his head sparsely populated with thin white hairs. He was composed of skin and bones, wearing a measly white button-down shirt and black pants that seemed to come from another time, another place.

"Shall we gut him?" Smee asked, looking from Peter to Hook and back.

Hook held up his iron claw as a signal to remain silent, watching Peter as he held the man up, his head on his lap.

Running to the ship, Violet, Conch, Ben, Tiger Lily, Jon, Blue Falls, and Flameburst ran aboard and joined the others, gawking at the man who had been their enemy.

Struggling, Fuller's eyes finally focused on the boy's face. "…Peter…" His voice was ancient, creaking and throaty, like a dying wind. "…I'm…so sorry…I did…terrible things…" His eyes drifted to Wendy and Violet, tears forming and sliding down his face. "I hurt you all…can you forgive me…?"

Wendy felt her throat tighten, her eyes pricking with their own tears. Looking to Violet, she was relieved that her friend felt the same way, her own eyes glistening with tears. They nodded at the old man, and he gave a weary sigh. "Peter…I captured you…but you were so stubborn…just like your mother…" He coughed, his bony frame shuddering. Catching his breath, he added, "I became obsessed…I was desperate and alone when I killed that necromancer…I realize that now…I should've been able to move on…"

Peter felt his stomach twist into a knot, guilt and pity showing in his eyes as he held the man. He remained silent, afraid of how he would react if he opened his mouth.

"That monster…you called him Shade…he was the wickedness that truly ruled…he fed on my desperation…my anger…my regret…he clouded my mind…in a sense, we became one…but it wasn't until now that…that I started to fight back…" A sudden violent coughing fit overtook him, blood spurting from his mouth and onto his shirt. He was wheezing as he struggled to speak again. "P-Pe…Peter…"

"Don't talk," the Eternal Youth whispered, sensing that he didn't have much time left. "Just rest…you'll be better soon."

He shook his head at the boy, a sad, tired smile on his lips. "You…saved me…from Shade…you were always…very good at saving people…my boy…can you…ever forgive me…?"

Peter held the man up and brought him to his chest, letting him rest his head upon his shoulder. "…I forgive you," he whispered, tears finally falling from his face.

The old man gave a long, happy sigh, letting Peter hold him for a time before he was set back down onto the deck. Looking at Wendy, Tinker Bell, Conch, Tiger Lily, Ruff, and Hook, he rasped, "Watch over my boy…he'll watch over you, too."

They all nodded solemnly. Kneeling beside Peter, Wendy gripped the old man's hand, earning a peaceful smile as he closed his eyes. "Be happy, Peter Pan…forever…" A final sigh flowed from his lips, his body going limp. Slowly, he began to fade, startling the crew. There were murmurs of bad omens and witchcraft, but Smee shushed them, signaling for them to show respect as he took his cap off of his head and bowed. They followed his lead, until at last, the man known as David Fuller had vanished completely.

Peter felt his tears but did not understand them. All this time, he had hated the man who called himself his father…but all this time, he had been angry at the wrong person…Feeling Wendy's fingers brush against his face, wiping his tears off, he embraced her, hiding his face in her hair. Glancing up at Hook and Ruff, he nodded. "…it's over now. Really over."

The night was still and silent, and if a passerby listened closely as the sun rose into the sky, they might've been able to hear the mournful cries of a panpipe.