Chapter Nineteen

The Talstein first mate stood tall on the deck of their ship, the weathered scroll of names clutched in her hands. The vessel floated in eerie silence, surrounded by the vast, empty expanse of ocean. Neverland was far behind them now, as it had become their ritual to leave swiftly after securing another capture. Victory was a fleeting moment, always followed by plotting the next step.

Amber's sharp eyes scanned the scroll, her lips curling into a satisfied smile as her quill crossed through another name.

"The Parrots," she murmured, the ink bleeding into the parchment as she struck through their name with a flourish. "The Mermaids," she added. Her eyes returned to the list, her smile growing sly. "Ah and last but not least… the Pirate Genie." she read aloud, the words tasting like triumph as they left her lips.

From the forecastle door came the shuffle of boots as her three sons emerged in single file. Jack led the way with his usual swagger, but his confidence dimmed slightly as he noticed Amber's steely gaze. Patrick followed, his expression tense and weary, while Maverick trailed behind, fidgeting nervously as though expecting some critique to fall upon him any moment.

Jack cleared his throat.

"How's the list looking now?" he asked.

Amber didn't immediately answer, savoring the weight of her sons' attention as she surveyed the scroll once more. Finally, she nodded.

"Much better, thanks to you Jack–and uh, you boys too," she quickly added, leaning over to get a glimpse of her younger sons that hid behind the eldest. "The Captain will be pleased."

Patrick raised an eyebrow, his hands fidgeting as he leaned slightly forward.

"So that it?" he asked, his voice uncertain but hopeful. "That's everybody?"

Amber sighed dramatically, closing the scroll and tapping it against her palm.

"Oh it never is my son." she said, her voice sounding slightly fatigued.

Maverick, ever curious, stepped forward, his nervousness giving way to intrigue.

"Well then…who's left?" he asked.

Amber unfurled the scroll again, running her finger down the remaining names.

"Well you see my good Maverick, with Peter Pan sick and helpless and with every other inhabitant in Neverland that could possibly stand a chance now under our complete control and command, all that's left to bring in is the great Captain Flynn, and those pesky pirate children."

The air seemed to grow heavier at the mention of the kids. Jack cracked his knuckles, his expression hardening. Patrick grimaced, muttering under his breath about hating those 'stupid kids' especially the little prankster that wore the pink. Maverick, on the other hand, gulped audibly, his face pale as he fidgeted even more.

Amber rolled up the scroll and tucked it into her satchel, her gaze sweeping across her sons.

"It's time to finish what we started," she said, her voice low and commanding. "The Captain expects nothing less than perfection, and I intend to deliver it to him. As should you all."

She turned sharply, her skirt billowing behind her as she strode toward the helm of the ship.

"Prepare yourselves," she added over her shoulder. "We'll take the kids first, and I don't plan to stop until we have them added to our collection."

"Meet me at Shipwreck Beach - Peter" was all the note said.

Jake placed it down on the small table beside his bed, his mind racing. Something about this didn't feel right. This would be the third time he'd be sneaking out with Peter, and after the horrific nightmare his mind had produced just for him, the idea of leaving his crew alone made his stomach twist. What if they woke up and realized he wasn't there? Worse—what f they woke up to the Talsteins there in his place?

He shook the thought away, standing up as if to physically distance himself from the fear creeping into his thoughts. His eyes drifted to Skully, snoozing on the edge of his pillow. The parrot's feathers ruffled slightly as he breathed in steady, though noisy, rhythmic patterns of sleep. Jake walked over and gently adjusted him, nudging Skully toward the center of the pillow for safety.

Jake then climbed the ladder of the bunk he shared with Cubby to check on the younger boy. As he reached the top, he spotted Cubby tossing and turning slightly, faint whimpers escaping him. It was almost exactly how he had appeared in Jake's nightmare when he saw Talsteins had grabbed him. Jake felt his chest tighten, guilt flooding over him at the memory.

He reached out, brushing a reassuring hand against Cubby's arm.

"It's okay, Cubby," he whispered softly. "You're safe. I promise."

The younger boy seemed to relax under his friend's gentle touch, his movements stilling as a quiet sigh escaped him. Jake lingered for a moment, ensuring Cubby was at peace, before letting out a quiet sigh of his own.

The decision was weighing heavily on him. He didn't want to risk leaving his friends, leaving them vulnerable to whatever dangers might lurk in the night. But this was Peter. He had never disobeyed Peter before, and he wasn't sure he wanted to start now.

Jake's gaze shifted back to the note sitting innocently on his unmade bed. Shipwreck Beach. But how was he supposed to get there without waking anyone or giving himself away? Bucky would make far too much noise, and swimming wasn't an option.

Then it hit him. Pixie dust.

His eyes flicked toward Izzy's bed. Quietly, he made his way over, stepping carefully to avoid any creaking floorboards. Izzy's blanket had slipped to the floor, and she lay curled into herself, shivering slightly. It was eerily reminiscent of how she had collapsed into the snow in his nightmare. Jake swallowed hard, shaking the image from his mind.

He bent down, picked up the fallen blanket, and gently tucked it back over her. Izzy let out a small sigh and shifted slightly but didn't wake.

Now, where was the pixie dust?

Jake's gaze swept over her bed until he noticed a dark velvet string poking out from beneath her pillow. His heart skipped a beat. There it was.

Carefully, he reached out and tugged at the string. It didn't budge much, and Izzy stirred slightly. Jake froze, holding his breath. When she stilled again, he gave the loop another gentle pull, this time with a little more force.

The small yellow pouch slipped free, and Jake held it in his hands, guilt prickling at him. He glanced at Izzy, still peacefully sleeping.

"Sorry Iz," he whispered softly. "But this is a big emergency."

Tightening his grip on the pouch, Jake took one last glance at his sleeping friends before heading toward the door.

The little pirate glided over the dark waters of the Never Sea, the pixie dust carrying him swiftly toward Never Land. His eyes scanned the horizon nervously, searching for any sign of the Talstein's ship. Strangely, there was none. The absence of the vessel could have been a relief, but it only made him more uneasy.

He passed over the silhouette of the Jolly Roger, that was just, aimlessly sailing through the water. The ship was eerily quiet and completely deserted. Jake hovered above for a moment, his brow furrowed. It was just as his matey had said. Completely abandoned. Where was Captain Hook? Mr. Smee? Even seeing the crocodile here would be a slight relief but..no. He pushed the thought aside as the sands of the shore came into view.

Landing softly on the beach, he scanned the area, his eyes narrowing.

"Peter?" he called out softly. Only the sound of waves crashing against the skeletal remains of a shattered ship answered him. He pulled the note from his pocket and read it again. 'Shipwreck Beach'. This was the place, but there was no sign of Peter. The only thing around was the decaying remains of a wrecked ship. Jake glanced toward the jungle that bordered the beach. 'Maybe he's in there'.

He stepped cautiously into the dense greenery, the foliage immediately swallowing him in shadow. Each step felt heavier than the last as an eerie feeling ran up his spine. He couldn't shake the fact that there was a possibility that he wasn't alone. He gripped the hilt of his wooden sword, glancing sharply to his left at the rustle of leaves.

"Hello?" he whipsered, his voice low but steady. Silence.

He shook his head, forcing himself to stay calm. It was probably just the wind or some curious Never creature. Still, his grip on his sword didn't loosen. Jake pressed on, his heart racing each time a branch cracked or a leaf rustled. The jungle was always full of strange noises, yet he couldn't shake the sense that some of them weren't natural….

Suddenly, a hand shot out from the shadows and clamped around his wrist, yanking him sideways. Jake's sword clattered to the ground as he spun around, ready to fight, a scream rising in his throat/

"Shh! It's just me!"

Jake's eyes widened in relief as he saw Peter Pan, grinning at him in the dim light.

"Peter!" he hissed, yanking his wrist free. "Hey! Don't do that!"

Peter chuckled, brushing some leaves off his tunic. Tinker Bell hovered beside him, her glow faint but steady. Jake took a moment to look Peter over. His friend looked… better. A lot better. Gone was the gaunt, pale face Jake had seen last. The pixie fruit (accompanied by the supposed resting he'd been doing) must've worked wonders because Peter looked like his usual energetic self again.

"You look better." Jake muttered, catching his breath.

"And you look like you got my letter." Peter replied, motioning toward the note still clutched in Jake's hand.

Jake nodded, glancing at Tinker Bell as she zipped around Peter's shoulder.

"Yeah, I got it. What's this all about? Why did you need me here?"

Peter hesitated, his grin faltering for a split second.

"I need your help." he finally said.

"Sure Peter. With what?" Jake asked, frowning.

Peter shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Tinker Bell.

"Getting….rid of it."

Jake's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly nodded. By this point he knew what Peter meant without needing further explanation.

"You haven't told your crew, have you?" Peter asked, his voice sharp.

Jake shook his head.

"No. They don't know anything about this."

"Good," Peter said, relaxing slightly. "We can't let them get involved. This has to stay between us."

Jake hesitated, his mind flashing back to the nightmare. "Where is it, Peter?"

"In a chest." Peter replied.

Jake raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, but where's the chest?"

Peter's grin returned, mischievous and confident.

"In my Treasure Cave, where else?"

He motioned for Jake to follow as he turned toward a barely visible trail deeper into the jungle. Tinker Bell flew ahead, her glow lighting the way. Jake cast one last glance back toward the trek he'd made, as if to guarantee there was really no one around but them. Then, with a deep breath, he followed Peter into the dark.

He followed him through the winding jungle path, marveling at how effortlessly Peter navigated the dense foliage without a map. The further they went, the quieter the world around them seemed, as if the jungle itself was holding its breath in anticipation. Finally, they reached the cave, or at least, what appeared to be a cave.

A hard, smooth stone wall stood before them, its surface unbroken except for three golden stars painted in perfect symmetry across its face. Jake tilted his head, feeling a mixture of awe and confusion. It didn't look like any cave entrance he'd ever seen, but then again, this was Never Land.

"Is this it?" Jake asked, stepping closer to the mysterious wall.

Peter grinned and nodded.

"Yep. Looks solid, doesn't it?"

The younger boy nodded.

"Ah that's the trick. I can't even begin to tell you how many times Hook's tried to break in and failed every time." Jake chuckled softly at the thought.

"He never figures it out huh?"

"Not even when I handed him directions on a silver platter, did he not fail to disappoint. He always overthinks it. Well, underthinks it is more like it."

The mention of Hook jogged something in Jake's mind, and he hesitated.

"Speaking of Captain Hook," he started. "Have you seen him around lately?"

Peter tilted his head, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Other than that night on his ship? No. Then again, I have been stuck inside this whole time. Why do you ask?"

Jake felt heat rise to his face. He scratched the back of his neck and gave a weak shrug.

"No reason. Just curious." he replied.

Tinker Bell jingled sharply, her tiny hands on her hips as she glared at Peter.

"All right, all right!" Peter said with a laugh. "Let's not keep her waiting."

Jake gestured toward the wall.

"So, how does this thing open?"

Peter's grin turned mischievous.

"How else?"

Before Jake could question him, Peter shot a few feet into the air, flapping his arms wildly and letting out a loud, clear, and surprisingly convincing "Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

Jake stared, dumbfounded, as the stone wall shimmered. A moment later, it began to disintegrate into glittering particles, revealing the cave's entrance. A warm, golden light spilled out, bathing the jungle in a glow that seemed to hum with energy. Jake's eyes widened at the sight of what lay inside.

Treasure. Loot. Valuables. Everywhere! It was as if the team treasure chest he shared with his friends had been multiplied by 100 and its contents scattered across every corner of the cavern.

"Wow." was all Jake could manage to say.

"Yeah, it tends to get that reaction," Peter floated down next to him, landing with a lightness that only he could manage. Hands on his hips, he grinned at Jake's awestruck expression. With a sweeping gesture, he extended a hand forward, ushering Jake deeper into the cave. "Well, good sir, don't just stand there. Proceed!"

Jake stepped forward, his boots crunching softly against the glittering coins scattered across the ground. He turned slowly, taking it all in. Mounds of gold doubloons, sparkling gemstones in every color imaginable, intricate goblets, and tiaras, all shining with a brilliance only untouched treasures could possess.

Peter and Tinkerbell moved off in different directions. The flying boy darted behind a large, jagged rock wall, his fidgeting echoing through the cavern. Tinkerbell, meanwhile, found her perch in a tiny alcove in the wall. There, nestled amidst scattered jewels, was a golden mirror. The fairy landed delicately on the diamond of a ring, tilting her head to admire her reflection. She adjusted her hair, twirling a loose strand before posing in the mirror.

Jake wandered further, his gaze trailing over strange objects he'd never seen before in Never Land but had seen somewhere else. That somewhere else was on his adventures with Peter. He recognized some of these trinkets as relics from places he and Peter had once visited. Back when they had soared through worlds beyond the Never Sea, free as the wind, chasing adventures at every turn.

He sighed, the sound barely audible amidst the quiet hum of the glowing treasure cave. A pang of yearning stirred in his chest. Those days had been…exhilarating. No nightmares, no constant fretting, just endless horizons and new discoveries. He glanced at Peter, now half-hidden behind a rock, and a thought crept into his mind.

Maybe, just maybe... when this was all over…when they had dealt with the Talsteins, the key, and whatever other threats loomed, he could talk to Peter about going back out there again. Peter was better now, after all, strong and full of life again. And Jake… Jake missed the freedom.

The wistful thought was abruptly cut short by a grating sound, low and heavy, echoing through the cave. Jake froze. It was the sound of something massive being dragged across the stone floor.

Peter appeared from behind the rocky wall, dragging a large treasure chest. It scraped against the ground, and Peter's face and arms looked strained as he pulled it just a few more feet before letting go. The other half of the chest dropped to the floor with a loud thud.

"Few!" Peter exhaled in relief, wiping his forehead. "Jake, say hello to Captain Talstein's treasure chest." He added with a playful smirk,

Jake's attention shifted to the chest itself. It was a deep crimson color, the gold trimming worn and dirty, with a keyhole that was tarnished and old. A thin stripe of olive green ran along the gold, a color reminiscent of the Delta's sails and matching the attire of each Talstein brother. Another connection.

Peter tilted his head and gave Jake a quizzical look.

"You gonna look like that all night?" he teased.

Jake blinked, snapping out of his trance.

"Oh, uh, sorry!" he stammered, shaking his head as if to clear it.

Peter smirked, planting his hands on his hips.

"So, this parasite is really in there?" Jake asked, glancing back at the chest with cautious curiosity.

"If it wasn't," Peter replied, his tone suddenly serious. "We wouldn't be standing here."

Jake's eyebrows furrowed as the weight of Peter's words sank in.

"It's really that bad?" he asked quietly.

Peter nodded solemnly.

"It sure is," he admitted. "That's why we're not wasting any more time. We've gotta get rid of it. Tonight."

Jake's gaze fell to the chest again.

"How are we supposed to carry something like that?"

Peter tapped a finger to his temple, as if deep in thought. Before he could respond, Jake reached into his vest pocket, fingers brushing against the soft yellow material of Izzy's pixie dust pouch.

"Would this help?" he asked as he pulled it out and held it up.

Peter's eyes lit up for a moment before narrowing as he recognized the pouch.

"Hey, isn't that Izzy's?"

Jake nodded hesitantly.

"Yeah, I-I needed to get here somehow. It was the fastest and quietest way. The only way I could get here without them knowing."

Peter crossed his arms, his expression equal parts amused and scolding.

"So…you stole it?"

"Er..no.." Jake replied quickly. "I just… borrowed it."

Peter raised an eyebrow.

"Does she know you borrowed it?"

Jake winced slightly.

"Not exactly…but I'll give it back as soon as I get home."

Peter studied him for a moment, then sighed.

"Might be better if we don't use her pixie dust," he said, glancing toward Tinker Bell, who was still perched in the glowing alcove of the cave. "Uh..Tink…a little help?

At Peter's call, Tinker Bell zipped down from her perch, a faint trail of shimmering gold dust swirling in her wake. She landed on Peter's shoulder and chirped something in her high-pitched fairy jingles. her tiny hands planted on her hips.

Peter grinned.

"We need to move this big guy," he said, gesturing to the chest. "Think you've got enough pixie dust to give it a lift?"

Tinker Bell gave a sharp nod, already fluttering toward the chest. She flitted around it, scattering her sparkling pixie dust across its surface until it gleamed with golden light. Peter grabbed one handle of the chest while Jake took the other, and together they lifted it into the air. It felt lighter now, but the weight of its dangerous contents lingered in Jake's mind. They both hovered for a moment before ascending out of the cave. As soon as they exited, a cloud of sparkles started to appear and the rock solid door took its place again, sealing the cave behind them.

"Alright," Peter says, his voice brimming with determination. "We've got the chest, the door is locked, now let's finish this thing once and for all."

As they soared through the starry Neverland sky, the cool breeze ruffling their hair, Jake glances at Peter.

"So… what exactly are we going to do with it?" he asked.

Peter tilted his head, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Sinking it to the bottom of the Never Sea sounds pretty good."

Jake frowns slightly.

"Why not toss it into Belch Mountain? Wouldn't it burn up there?"

Peter shakes his head.

"That's the problem. If we burned the chest, the parasite would just be released into the air. Trust me, I've thought this through."

Jake nods, though he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling building in his chest. Still, he trusted Peter.

"Alright," he says. "Let's do it."

The two of them flew silently for a while, the glimmering chest swinging slightly between them as they glided over Neverland's many familiar sights. When they pass Mermaid Lagoon, however, Jake couldn't help but notice something unusual. The waters below, usually alive with the shimmering tails and playful laughter of the mermaids, are eerily still.

"Hey, where are the mermaids?" Peter asks, stopping mid-flight and peering down at the empty lagoon. "That's weird…they're always here."

Jake looks down as well, scanning the sparkling, moonlit waters. Not a single tail flicked beneath the surface.

"That is strange," he murmurs, then adds hesitantly, "Uh oh. You don't think...?"

Peter waves a dismissive hand.

"Oh I'll bet you they're busy with something. Mermaid business, you know? Let's stay focused."

Still uneasy, Jake didn't argue. They pressed on, heading out over the open blue of the Never Sea. The waters stretch endlessly beneath them, dark yet somehow radiant in the moonlight. Peter finally made them come to a stop, pointing to a spot below.

"This is the place."

Jake nodded.

Hovering in the air, Peter smirked at the chest.

"So long, trinket box," he says with mock cheerfulness. "It's been fun but uh..not really."

"Not even a little." Jake agreed with a nervous laugh.

Together, they tip the chest forward, letting it go. The golden-dusted treasure chest plummets down, down, down, disappearing into the dark waters of the Never Sea. Both boys hovered in silence, watching until it vanished completely, swallowed by the depths.

Jake exhales a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"That's it then?" he asks, voice tinged with cautious hope.

Peter looks at him, a glimmer of pride in his eyes.

"That's it," he says, though his tone carries a faint edge of uncertainty. "We've done what we had to do."

When they made it back to Neverland and were surrounded once more by the familiar jungle.

"Thanks for helping out," Peter said with a grin. "I think Tink and I can take it from here though."

Jake nodded, though his mind was still racing with the events of the night.

"What are you gonna do now?" he asked.

Peter's expression shifted slightly, and he glanced toward the dense trees.

"Look around for more trouble, of course," Then, leaning closer, he added "What you need to do now is get back to your mateys. Before they wake up and find you missing."

"I guess you're right." the boy admitted.

"Want me to go with you?"

"Thanks Peter, but I'll be alright." he assured Peter, his voice light and confident. Tinkerbell jingled in agreement, flitting around Jake's head for a moment.

"Alright… but listen," Peter continued, his tone turning serious. "Keep your eyes open for more trouble. Something tells me this isn't over yet."

Jake nodded, gripping Izzy's pixie dust pouch tightly.

"I will."

"Good." With that, Peter and Tinkerbell vanished into the treetops, leaving Jake alone beneath the canopy of stars.

He started walking toward the beach, deciding to save as much of the pixie dust as possible. The jungle was dense, the sounds of the night creatures filling the air. But as he moved, he heard it again….a faint rustling, like someone following him. He froze, his hand instinctively going for his sword.

"Hello?" he called into the dark. Nothing. The sounds stopped as quickly as they had started. Jake forced himself to relax, shaking his head. "Am I really that paranoie—OW!"

The moment he let his guard down, someone grabbed him from behind. Jake struggled, kicking and squirming, but the grip was like iron. A low, mocking voice spoke near his ear.

"What have we here?" Jack Talstein sneered.

Jake twisted in his hold.

"Let me go!" he yelled. But Jack clamped a hand over his mouth, silencing him.

A second figure emerged from the shadows, Patrick, wearing his usual irked expression.

"You couldn't have grabbed him a little quieter?" the middle brother asked.

"Just put a sock in it and help me!" Jack snapped, struggling as Jake kicked him squarely in the shin. "Ow! You little brat!" Jack hissed, tightening his grip.

Jake glared at both of them, defiant even as he was overpowered.

"Put me down! I'm warning you!" he mumbled, though the words were muffled by Jack's hand.

"I'm shaking," Patrick said in full deadpan. He pulled a length of ribbon or rope from his pocket. "Hold still. Not that you have much of a choice."

Jake thrashed harder, trying to reach the pixie dust in his vest, but Jack pinned his arms to his sides.

"Hurry up already! He's the fighter of the little pack." Jack growled.

"I'm going, I'm going," Patrick replied with a dramatic roll of his eyes. "He's, like, half your size. Are you really struggling right now?"

Jack glared at him, visibly annoyed.

Patrick secured Jake's hands tightly before shoving a cloth into his mouth.

"There. Done. Happy now?"

"Ecstatic," Jack muttered sarcastically, slinging Jake over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Geez, kid, you're heavier than you look."

Jake kicked his legs, shouting muffled protests against the gag, but Jack only tightened his grip.

"Alright, let's get out of here," Jack said. "Patrick, head to the ship and bring it closer. I'm not lugging him all the way across the island."

"Of course, your majesty. Anything else while I'm at it? Want me to polish your boots too?"

"Just move it!" Jack barked.

Patrick muttered something under his breath before disappearing into the jungle, leaving Jake alone with Jack. Jake's mind raced as he struggled, trying to come up with some way—any way—to escape but he did not think or know of one.

But what he did know for sure now, was why everyone had been disappearing lately.

To Be Continued….