"I'll take 300 page fanfictions for 500, Alex."

Yes. As of now we're going on 342 pages! (Font size is only 13 if anybody's wondering) 30 chapters, 108+ words and we're still not done! :D Now, on with with chapter.

Chapter Thirty

One Last Chase

Meanwhile….

Cubby POV

As quickly as I could, I soar through the Neverland forest with the last bit of pixie dust Jake gave me. The glittery trail behind me sparkled like crazy. Man, if you told a little five year old me years ago that I'd be dashing through this dark, creepy wilderness alone, I'd've passed out on fear. But times change, and right now, we have a life to save. Morgan had Nikki in her clutches, and she wasn't too far ahead. That girl knows this forest like the back of her hand, probably 'cause it's close to the Temple in the Hills where she's been hiding out. Poor Nikki was squirming like a worm on a hook, but Morgan's grip was like iron—she's taller and wiry, hard to shake off.

"Hang in there, matey!" I yelled, cupping my hands around my mouth. "We'll save ya!" I glanced up at Skully, the green parrot flapping his wings above me. "C'mon, Skully, tell those wings to go into turbo mode!" The little guy looked ready to drop, but he kept at it, wings beating like mad.

"Aye aye!" he squawked, giving it all he had.

We kept chasing Morgan, busting out of the forest and flying over all sorts of places. First, we zoomed over the shimmering Mermaid Lagoon, where the water glistened under the moonlight and the mermaids waved us on, most of them cocking their heads at Morgan and Nikki. Then, we flew far away from the shores of Neverland and zipped past Skull Rock, its creepy silhouette looming against the sky. When the chase expanded to over the Neverseas, we darted over the Jolly Roger, Hook's crew also shooting us confused looks. Finally, Morgan flew back to Neverland and the chase went full circle and we were now back in the forest, nearly catching up to her. This whole ordeal felt like it went on forever—probably thirty minutes, maybe even an hour!

Eventually, though, the pixie dust wore off, and I was left to run on my own two feet, stranded in the forest. To make things worse, I'd completely lost sight of Morgan and Nikki.

"I can't believe it!" I let out. I was gasping for breath, my lungs burning with each gulp of air. Running at this point was pure torture—my legs felt like they were made of lead, and every step was a struggle. Skully was perched on my shoulder, his little wings sagging with exhaustion. He needed a break just as much as I did.

"Ah, but you have forgotten, lad. Dis is Neverland. You have to believe." said a deep, bellowing yet whimsical voice, echoing through the trees.

"Haah! Who's there!?" I exclaimed, halting in my tracks and looking around frantically. My heart was pounding, not just from the running but from the sudden mystery. I couldn't see anyone, just the dense, dark forest around me.

"Crackers! I dunno!" Skully chirped, his eyes wide with bewilderment.

I took another glance around, trying to get my bearings. The forest here was different. The trees all had carved and painted faces that looked like colorful, intricate masks, each unique in its own way. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers, tropical fruit and damp earth. That's when it hit me—it wasn't a person's voice I'd heard, but another piece of evidence proving just how magical and wondrous Neverland was. It was a tree. A tiki tree, to be precise.

"Now what got you in such a rush, man?" the voice asked again, a hint of amusement in its tone.

I turned around to face a tree with chestnut-colored bark, teal leaves, and orange and sea-green details. Its eyes, carved into the bark, seemed to twinkle with curiosity.

"Oh… hey there… Mr. Tiki Tree." I greeted between pants, still catching my breath.

"Ahoy dere, Cubby. Now what brings you here to Tiki Tree Forest at such a late hour? And where's your lad and lass?" the tree asked. I scratched the back of my blonde head, feeling a bit sheepish.

"Oh, well, you see, Jake is having a sword fight with an evil witch at Mount Destiny, and Izzy… well, I don't really know—oh, never mind that! Come on, Skully! We can't stop now! We gotta keep goin'!" I said, starting to speed walk. My legs protested, but the urgency drove me forward. "I really wish we had time to explain, but we're kinda in a hurry!"

"Ah, alright, lad, but remember to stop by again," the tiki tree said, its voice warm and inviting. "We've certainly had a lot of visitors tonight. I tell you, dis is da most excitement we've had since… oh, well, since da day Jake and Peter Pan returned from beyond da Neverseas!"

I froze again, turning to face the tiki tree with wide eyes.

"Wait a minute. Was somebody else here?" I asked, hope bubbling up inside me.

"Right-o, lad," the tree agreed. "Two somebodies, actually." My heartbeat started to speed up. Now I was really wondering…

"Uh, by any chance… did these two visitors happen to be a tall, pale teenage woman carrying a squirming little boy in a flowered shirt while flying away with pixie dust?"

"Aye, lad. Da poor little lad was cryin' out for help, but da woman wouldn't let him go. Wish we could've helped him, but dat is a running problem, and well… we trees ain't exactly da best when it comes to running. Say… how did you know about all dat?"

"Crackers, Cubby!" Skully exclaimed, his feathers ruffling with excitement. "You think that was Morgan and Nikki?"

"It had to have been!" I replied, my mind racing. "Hey, Mr. Tiki Tree?"

"Aye."

"Do you think you could point us in the direction they went? Please?" I asked, my voice tinged with desperation.

"Certainly, lad," the tiki said. "Now let's see, dey went about…." He paused as his wooden eyes moved from left to right, scanning the forest. "Dat way!" he said, lowering one of his branches and pointing to the right. I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.

"I'll betcha they're goin' back to the temple," I said, realization dawning on me. "Now that Morgan thinks she's lost us, she's gonna do something terrible to Nikki!" My worry spiked, making my voice tremble. "C'mon, matey! We really gotta go now!" I turned back to wave at the tiki. "Thanks a lot, Mr. Tiki!" I called.

"You're welcome, lad!" the tree called back, waving a branch goodbye.

I started running through the forest again, Skully now flapping above me. The tiki trees with their colorful faces seemed to watch us as we passed, their expressions shifting as if sharing in our urgency. The forest was alive with the sounds of chirping insects and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. I panicked when I saw that the moon was no longer at the top of the sky, but rather not that far from dropping blow the ocean. That wasn't good. When the night goes, so goes the Temple. It'll disappear until tomorrow night and who knows what Morgan will have done to Nikki!?

"Coconuts, I hope we can get there on time!" I muttered to myself, the words barely audible over the pounding of my heart. The urgency gnawed at me like the hungry tik tok crock. Despite the burning in my legs and the exhaustion weighing down on me. We couldn't stop now.

Several painful moments later, Skully and I arrived at the temple, though we were hiding in the forest, crouched in a bush. My legs felt like they were on fire, and my breath came in ragged gasps, but we had made it. Through the dense foliage, I spotted Morgan, carrying a squirming Nikki as she walked toward the temple's steps.

"Lemme go!" Nikki shouted, trying to kick and hit her, but it was useless.

"Hold still, you little rat!" Morgan growled, tightening her grip on Nikki even harder.

"OW!" the little boy exclaimed, his face scrunched up in pain.

"And keep quiet!" the black-haired teen barked.

"No! Never! Not until you let me go and tell me what you guys have done to Izzy!" Nikki's voice trembled with defiance.

"You really wanna see her?" Morgan asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, don't worry. You two will be together soon…not in this world, of course."

"You monsters!" Nikki shouted, his voice breaking. "What have you done to her!?"

"I'll do worse to you if you don't shut up!" Morgan growled, starting to carry Nikki up the stairs to the temple, dragging him towards what felt like his doom.

I realized I couldn't just sit there and do nothing. Summoning all my courage, I sprang out of the bushes, pointing at Morgan.

"Stop right there, you Nikki-snatcher!"

"Cubby!" Nikki let out with a smile, his eyes lighting up with hope.

"You didn't think I was such a good navigator, did ya?" I asked cockily, arms crossed despite the thudding in my chest.

"No," Morgan responded, her eyes narrowing. "But I'm starting to understand why that codfish Captain Hook hates all you teenage-sized toddlers!" she hissed. "Now shoo! I've got a job to do!" She positioned Nikki so that he was slung over her shoulder like a sack of grain. He tried once more to kick at her and failed, his small legs not making much impact.

"I'm not going!" I shouted, my voice firm.

"Yeah!" Skully echoed. "Until you let Nikki go, we're gonna stay right here!"

Morgan shrugged nonchalantly.

"Suit yourselves!" she said before reaching into her pocket and pulling out more pixie dust. She sprinkled it all over herself and began to fly up to the door of the temple.

"C'mon, Skully!" I said, determination fueling my tired legs as I began to race up the many staircases. The temple was built on a mountain, so there were about five or six staircases we had to climb to reach the top and the door. By step fifteen, my legs felt like they were made of lead, but I kept climbing, pushing through the burning pain and exhaustion.

When I finally reached the top, panting like crazy, I saw Morgan there, Nikki still over her shoulder, kicking at the temple door. You couldn't ge that big door open unless you used all your body strength, and half of hers was currently being used to manhandle a squirming Nikki.

"Open the door, Titan!" she shouted, an irritated scowl on her face. "You idiot!"

Despite being extremely exhausted, I couldn't help but smirk.

"Looks like you're having some trouble." I called out, trying to catch my breath.

Morgan spun around, her eyes blazing with anger.

"You. Shut. Up!" she growls, each word accompanied by a stomp of her foot.

"Afraid. I. Can't," I sass back, mimicking Morgan's tone, which makes her face flush with anger. Her eyes narrowed into slits, and I could see her jaw clench. "I'd be careful with him if I were you, Morgan. He's quite the feisty lad."

"Oh, please. He's been kicking me this whole time, and I think his foot's about to crack in half. What's he gonna do now? Bite me?" Morgan retorts, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Hey, good idea!" Nikki exclaims. With surprising agility, he twists around, grabs Morgan's ghostly white hand, and sinks his little teeth into it.

"OW!" Morgan shrieks, dropping Nikki as she clutches her hand, now marked with several deep bite marks. "You little sh—"

"Crackers! Watch it!" Skully squawks, flapping his wings in agitation.

"Nice one, matey!" I say, grabbing Nikki and pulling him up. His eyes are wide with a mix of fear and triumph. "Now let's get outta here!" I drag Nikki down the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. Skully follows from above, squawking encouragement.

Morgan shakes her wounded hand, trying to ease the pain, but it does nothing. However, her focus shifts back when she sees us making our escape.

"Oh no, you don't!" she growls, reaching into her pocket again for more pixie dust. Her eyes widen, and she gasps. Her skirt pocket is empty. She's used it all. "Son of a gun!" she lets out before bolting after us, her longer legs giving her a natural advantage.

Nikki and I quickly race down each step, my legs screaming in protest, but the adrenaline keeps me moving. Morgan skips every five steps, closing the distance rapidly, but we reach the bottom before she does.

"Run, Nikki!" I shout, glancing over my shoulder.

"Where!?" Nikki's voice is panicked, eyes darting around.

"Anywhere!" I yell, diving into the forest with Nikki right behind me and Morgan hot on our trail. We run and run, my lungs burning, my legs feeling like jelly. I must've run about twenty miles tonight. Thank goodness I've grown since we started these adventures—my short, pudgy five-year-old legs wouldn't have managed this.

I've got Nikki's wrist clutched in my hand, dragging him along despite his obvious exhaustion. A few minutes later, we slow down, not seeing Morgan behind us anymore.

"There…" I pant, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. "I think we… I think we lost her… we can slow down now…"

"Think again!" Morgan's voice cuts through the air, and she bursts from the bushes, almost upon us.

"And speed it up again!" I shout, yanking Nikki along as we put the pedal to the metal. Morgan is only a few feet behind, her eyes blazing with determination. We ran through the Tiki Tree Forest again.

"Hi, Mr. Tiki Tree! Bye, Mr. Tiki Tree!" I shout, giving a quick wave to the tiki who helped us earlier as we dash by. Nikki's small legs pump furiously behind me, and Skully flutters above, his eyes wide with worry.

"What 'n Neverland!?" the tiki calls out, confused.

We burst out of the forest into an open grove of palm trees, each one whizzing past in a blur. Nikki's pants and whimpers of exhaustion are like nails on a chalkboard to me. If it weren't for the vicious figure chasing us, Nikki would've probably dropped by now. I glance up at Skully, hoping for some miracle.

"Hey, Skully!….. DO something! HA-HELP!" I call out, my voice cracking with desperation.

"Crackers! What do you want me to—Cubby, LOOK OUT!" the parrot squawks, his voice urgent. I look down from the sky to see that Nikki and I are running straight towards a cliff, the ground dropping away at a terrifying speed.

"WOAH! Nikki, stop running! NOW!" I scream, making a sharp pivot-like spin out, my feet digging into the dirt as I barely manage to stop myself from going over the edge.

Nikki, however, isn't as lucky. He tries to drop his body low to the ground in a sliding position like a baseball player trying to steal a base, but he's too late. He slides right over the edge of the cliff, his scream echoing in the night.

"NIKKI!" Skully and I shout in horror. My heart feels like it's stopped.

Morgan cackles victoriously as Skully and I stare at the cliff, our faces twisted in horror. Her laughter cuts through the tension like a knife, and she places her hands on her hips, grinning down at us.

"You just like to make my job easier, don't you?" she taunts, her voice dripping with smug satisfaction. But then, out of nowhere, a loud rooster crow echoes through the air. My heart leaps, and I look up to see Peter shooting through the sky, Nikki clinging to his back with his arms wrapped around Peter's neck.

"WHAT!?" Morgan screams, her face contorting in shock and fury.

Peter descends onto the cliff, letting Nikki hop off his back with a grace only Peter Pan could manage. He strikes his classic cocky pose, hands on his hips, and gives us that famous grin of his.

"Oh boy, was that a close one!" Nikki exclaims, his voice filled with relief. "Thanks, Peter." He looks up at Peter with wide, grateful eyes.

"Hah! Anytime, Nikki!" Peter says, ruffling Nikki's hair like he's done it a million times. I finally manage to catch my breath and walk up to Peter, feeling a mix of relief and irritation.

"Hey, Peter, nice of you to drop by…WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?" I exclaim, my voice rising with the pent-up frustration of the past hour. Peter flinches a bit at my outburst but quickly replaces it with a small smile.

"Just about everywhere, Cubby. I've been flying all over Neverland looking for you guys! Glad to see you're alright, Nikki." Peter says, his tone a bit sheepish.

"Thanks, Peter." Nikki says, his voice still shaky from the adrenaline.

"Is Jake still at Mount Destiny?" I ask, trying to get us back on track.

"Yup. He's taking on Ria all by himself!" Peter replies, confidence and pride flickering in his eyes.

"Crackers! He might need our help!" Skully squawks, fluttering anxiously above us.

"Well then, mateys, yo ho, here we go!" Peter declares, his eyes sparkling with determination. But then Morgan's voice cuts through the air, drawing all our attention back to her.

"Good idea, Peter," she says, a sly smile spreading across her face. "You can go help Jake while I dispose of this." She holds something up in her hand, and we all gasp when we see it's the vial of purple liquid for Izzy's snake bite.

"Wha—how did you!?" Peter exclaims, his hands patting down his green tunic. Realization dawns on his face as he understands that Morgan has just swiped the cure from him without him even noticing. "You pick-pocketing, full of poppycock—"

"Oh, hush up. The real world of 1956 just called, and it wants its terminology back because this, my good sir, is Neverland, and we just use the word 'pirate' around here. So ta-ta!" Morgan says, her tone mocking as she dashes off into the forest, the cure clutched tightly in her hand.

Peter's face twists in determination as he quickly takes off after her, flying through the trees with the speed only he can muster.

"Oh no, no! Not more running!" I moan, plopping down on a nearby rock, my legs trembling with exhaustion.

"Come on, Cubby!" Nikki says, tugging at my shirt with urgency. "We have to get that cure!"

"Oh, alright!" I say, forcing myself to stand up. My legs protest, but I ignore them. Nikki and I start to run after Peter and Morgan, Skully flapping above us, squawking encouragement.

The forest around us is a blur of green and brown, the trees whipping past as we sprint through the underbrush. My breath comes in ragged gasps, and my muscles ache, but the thought of my matey needing that cure pushes me forward. I glance at Nikki, his face set with determination despite his tiredness, and I feel a surge of pride. This kid's got guts.

We race through the dense forest, dodging low-hanging branches and jumping over roots. The ground is uneven, and more than once, I stumble, but I manage to keep my balance. Nikki's right behind me, his small legs pumping furiously, his face a mask of concentration.

"Keep going, matey!" Skully squawks from above, his wings beating rapidly to keep up with us. "We're gaining on her!"

"The amount of running here is becoming far too unhinged!" I grumble, while I keep quickly putting one foot in front of the other.

I pushed forward with Nikki stumbling right behind me. Peter zoomed ahead, his shadow flitting across the grassy green ground. The adrenaline was pumping through my veins, but my legs felt like they were made of jelly. Finally, we reached a dead end, a canyon-like trap with sheer rock walls on three sides. Morgan was cornered.

"Well, looky here. You're trapped." Peter said, a sly smile playing on his lips as he hovered in the air. Morgan's eyes darted around frantically at first, but then she plastered on a mischievous smile. She knew exactly what she was doing.

"Ya bastards, ya got me!" she said, raising her hands in dramatic surrender. Her tone was dripping with sarcasm. Peter reached out his hand.

"Hand it over!" he ordered, his voice firm.

Morgan glanced at the vial in her hand, her smile growing more smug by the second.

"Oh, I don't think I will." she said, teasingly.

"You have nowhere to run! So just give in!" Peter's voice was sharp, but there was a hint of desperation in it.

"Interesting. I seem to recall you saying the exact thing to me forty-something years ago, when we had our last fight on the volcanic outskirts of Belch Mountain." Morgan slurred, her eyes narrowing.

"Yes, and I seem to recall that you fell into the volcano when you thought you could beat me!" Peter shot back, his eyes blazing.

"But I'm back, aren't I?" Morgan's smile was infuriating.

"Yeah. I guess you are. How did you pull this one out of the shelf?" Peter asked, trying to keep his composure.

"Well, it wasn't me more than it was Ria. After she returned to Neverland and heard my forgotten tale, she, with the help of several ancient spells, brought me back from my fiery grave." Morgan explained, her voice dripping with arrogance.

"I see." Peter grumbled, his fists clenching.

"Ah, who knew having a sorceress as your companion could come with such granting outcomes? Ria sure is one for generosity."

"I'd hate to play devil's advocate, but no she is not!" Peter growled. "Now enough about you and enough about her! Give me the cure!"

" 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' You sound more like a baby every day," Morgan taunted, her laughter echoing off the canyon walls.

"Morgan!" Peter's voice was a mix of anger and urgency.

"Alright, alright!" she said, humorously. "Just watch this real quick."

And with that, Morgan leaped onto the wall, grabbing at the vine wall to expertly climb her way up to the ledge above. She moved with the agility of a cat, leaving Peter no choice but to fly after her yet again.

"This is getting ridiculous," I muttered under my breath. "C'mon!" I said to Nikki, yanking him along as we scrambled to find another way around the dead end.

The rocky terrain was rough, and every step felt like a battle. We squeezed through narrow gaps between boulders, our breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. Skully fluttered above us, squawking in frustration.

"Coconuts! If I have to run any more tonight, my legs are gonna fall off!" I complained, glancing back at Nikki, who was just as exhausted.

But there was no time to rest. We had to find a way up, and fast. I spotted a narrow, winding path that seemed to lead to the ledge where Morgan had disappeared. It wasn't much, but it was our only option.

"Over here!" I shouted, pointing to the path. Nikki nodded, his face determined despite the fatigue.

We clambered up the rocky path, our hands gripping onto any crevice or protrusion we could find. The higher we climbed, the more the wind howled around us, whipping at our clothes and stinging our eyes.

Just as we reached the top, we saw Peter and Morgan locked in a mid-air struggle. Morgan still clutched the vial tightly, a look of fierce determination on her face.

"Get it Peter" I yelled, my voice barely audible over the wind.

Peter glanced down at us, his face a mask of concentration. With a swift move, he lunged for the vial, but Morgan was quicker. She dodged to the side, a triumphant grin on her face.

"Too slow, Peter!" she taunted, her voice carried away by the wind.

But Peter wasn't about to give up. With a burst of speed, he tackled Morgan, the two of them tumbling to the ground. The vial slipped from her grasp, skidding across the rocky surface.

"Cubby grab it!" the redhead shouted.

I didn't hesitate. I sprinted forward, diving for the vial just as it was about to roll off the edge of the cliff.

With a burst of adrenaline, I launched myself toward the vial, my fingers stretching out as far as they could go. The ground was a blur beneath me, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. Just as I grabbed the little bottle, I heard a furious shout. Morgan had shaken Peter off and was barreling toward me, her eyes wild with desperation. There was no time to think; I clutched the vial tightly and rolled to the side, just in time to avoid her.

Morgan couldn't stop her momentum. With a scream, she went sliding over the edge of the cliff. The drop was dizzyingly high, and I heard her crash into several rocks on the way down, each impact echoing with a horrible crunch. Finally, she disappeared into the dark, turquoise Neversea below. I quickly covered Nikki's eyes, sparing him from the gruesome sight.

"And next time…" I panted, struggling to catch my breath. "STAY dead!

Peter stood up and made his way over to us, his eyes wide with concern.

"You guys alright?"

"Ship shape!" I replied, trying to sound casual despite my racing heart.

"Yeah, especially since she's gone now!" Nikki added, though I could hear the hint of fear still in his voice.

Peter's face broke into a grin as he ruffled my hair.

"Cubby, that was amazing!"

"Aw, it was nothing, Peter." I said, trying to downplay it, but inside, I was buzzing with pride.

"Well, I'm proud of ya, matey! You're a brave pirate and a great crewmate." Peter said gently. His words echoed in my head, my smile growing bigger with each repetition. I couldn't believe Peter had actually said those things to me. To me! It was everything I'd ever wanted to hear. I wasn't just the map guy or the little one tagging along. Peter saw me as a true pirate, a real part of the crew.

"Crackers, you got that right, Peter." Skully squawked, fluttering down to perch on my shoulder.

I felt like I was walking on air. I was so full of pride and happiness, I just had to let it out.

"Alright then, let's hear it, mateys!" I exclaimed, my voice bursting with excitement. "You too, Nikki!"

"Yo ho, way to go!" we all shouted, jumping up into a group high five.

For the first time in a long time, I felt truly seen. I wasn't invisible to Peter after all.

Jake POV

I continue to stare at the discarded robe that once cloaked Ria's evil form, now just a lifeless heap on the cavern floor. The witch was finally gone, and Neverland was safe once more. Still, I can't quite shake off the weight on my shoulders: I had just killed someone. Not too long ago, I was a naive little eight-year-old lad who wouldn't harm a fly. And now, here I was, standing above the garments of my first real enemy, someone I'd conquered through death. The cavern feels eerily silent, the echo of our battle still ringing in my ears, the air heavy with the scent of earth and magic.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. There's no time to dwell on it now. I need to get back to Peter and the others. Sprinkling more pixie dust over myself, I feel the familiar lift as my feet leave the ground. The golden sparkles envelop me, their warmth comforting against the chill of the underground air. I hover for a moment, letting the magic settle in, then gently caress the Forever Tree's bark with my hand, feeling its ancient, rough texture beneath my fingers.

"Take care, Forever Tree. I'll always be here when you need me," I whisper before flying up and out of the cavern, breaking into the open sky. The fresh air hits my face, and I can't help but take a deep breath. Freedom. The sky is a beautiful navy blue, the moonlight casting a bright glow over the magical island and the endless Neversea.

I fly further and further away from Mount Destiny, glancing back every now and then, the mysterious mountain's dark silhouette shrinking in the distance. This has to be one of my greatest victories. I have to admit, out of all the adversaries that had come Neverland's way, Ria, the Mistress of the Mountains and master of manipulation, was by far the toughest. But good always wins, and as far as I'm concerned, so do I and my crew.

Speaking of my crew, something catches my eye. There, standing on a cliff high above the rocky shores, are Cubby, Peter, Skully, and Nikki. They're all cheering, their joyous voices carried by the wind. Peter lets out his famous rooster call as he swings Cubby in the air, the sound echoing across the cliffs. I can't help but smile. I haven't seen Cubby this happy in so long, and it warms my heart to see him finally realizing how special he is. I'm about to fly over to them and join the celebration when a nagging feeling stops me.

"Feel like I forgot something," I mutter, rubbing my chin. But what? Ria is vanquished. The Heart of the Viper is no more. The Forever Tree is still standing. Neverland is safe. By the looks of it, Morgan has presumably been taken care of and Nikki is rescued. What else was there? Then it hits me, stopping me mid-flight. "Izzy!"

I quickly turn away from where Cubby and the others are celebrating and immediately change my course for the Temple in the Hills. The sky is still dark, the ancient palace still standing, cloaked in shadow. I fly as fast as I can, the wind whipping past me, making my eyes water. I speed past the countless flights of stairs and land at the massive door of the temple. It takes all my strength to push the heavy door open, my muscles straining, my exhaustion catching up with me. But I manage, and with a final heave, the door creaks open and I rush inside.

The temple is a maze, but I race through it, my heart pounding. It takes a while to find the right hallway, the stone walls cold and unwelcoming. Eventually, I spot the door that leads to the basement, the last place I saw Izzy. But wait… why was the door open? Didn't Ria lock it shut?

I make my way down the rickety old staircase, the wood creaking under my weight, and into the dark, stone dungeon. The air is thick with dampness, and shadows dance in the dim light. I expect to see my poor, sick matey, but… nothing. There's nobody down here but me. Panic rises in my chest. Where did she go?

Quickly, I climb back up the staircase, my heart thudding in my ears. I glance back one more time, but still, there's nobody there. I slam the door to the basement and run down the hall, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls. I climb up a flight of stairs, my mind racing. I had just had a dangerous battle with a sorceress who could practically bend time, but now, now I am more afraid than I ever thought possible.

"Izzy!" I hiss as I rush down another hallway, my voice echoing in the empty corridor. "Where are you!? This is no time to be mad at me!" The worst thought comes to mind. Was she still mad at me? Did she still hate me for all those terrible things I said to her? Even if she was, that still didn't explain why she disappeared.

"Oh, where are you, matey?" I whisper to the empty hallway. At least I thought it was empty.

CRASH! BANG! SLAM! THUD!

I freeze in my steps when I hear loud noises coming from a door I'm passing by. Silently, I press my ear up against the door, my heart hammering in my chest. The sounds inside are pretty darn horrific. A struggle. I can hear objects being thrown around, glass smashing and breaking, and faint grunts. It's hard to tell who's making the grunts, but I sure hope it isn't who I think. Thankfully, it isn't. These grunts and groans sound like a man. Wait… a man!?

A scary realization pops into my mind. Izzy wasn't the only one still in the temple when Ria and I left for Mount Destiny. No, that tall, huge redheaded man Titan was also here when we left. But… I didn't see him when I came back into the temple just now. Hold on. Izzy was missing. Titan was missing. There were at least two people in this room right here, and it sounded like they were in a struggle. Oh no.

My heart beats faster and faster as I continue to listen in on the scuffle going on inside… when it goes quiet. Alright that was it. Enough is enough.

I reach for the doorknob and try to twist it, but it stays in place. The door is locked. So, I do the only thing I can think of. I start banging on the door.

POUND! POUND! POUND! POUND! POUND!

The only response I get is more glass breaking and then… a roaring, muffled voice.

"Oh, you are so dead!" I hear what is most likely Titan's voice, to whoever is in there with him.

I bang on the door again.

POUND! POUND! POUND! POUND!

"SCRAM!" Titan's voice shouts, most definitely at me.

"Open this door, you oversized barnacle!" I shout, pulling at the knob. "You better not have my matey in there with you!" Locking Titan in the same room as Izzy was like telling a lion to go fight a mouse.

No answer this time. Just more horrific sounds of a struggle.

I can't take this anymore. With all the strength I have left, I start kicking at the door. The door is stubborn, but so am I. After a while, it eventually breaks open. I rush into the room, the horrible smell of blood, sweat, and… alcohol hitting me like a wall. But it isn't just the smell that makes my heart drop, it's the sight that greets me.

There, on the ground, is Titan, lifeless and shirtless, a pair of scissors plunged right into his chest. His eyes are wide open, frozen in shock, blood pooling around him. I stagger back, my mind reeling, trying to process the scene in front of me. I looked around again but there was no sign of my matey. No…it was just Titan's dead corpse in here. The room is a mess, broken furniture and shattered glass everywhere. There was also..a makeup kit on the ground, and what seemed to be colorful paint and paintbrushes scattered around.

What happened?

To Be Continued….

Aestheticsorbet, good to hear from you again! :)

Same with everybody who reviews and reads this story. I'm happy to say this sorry has reached 4,000 views! Thank you so very much! I am also debating on putting this one on Wattpad as well with some added handrawn pictures.

Anyways, it's time for showdown number 3/3. I wonder who will be in it. Who do you think? And what happened in that room? Get ready cause things are about to get really messy.