25: New Age of Neverland

"What do we do now, Pan?" Felix asked Peter.

I had recovered enough strength to stand on my own. That didn't stop Peter from bringing a supporting arm around me. 

"Now," Peter said, "Now we rebuild. The island's Blight has been healed miraculously. The Spirit of Life blessed us with her power. Those who fell shall be regarded as heroes. We cannot let their deaths be in vain."

The Lost Boys nodded their heads and got to work. A smile appeared on my face, "Things are back to how they were."

A speck of Dreamshade at the edge of the camp caught my attention and I walked over to it. I stared coldly at it, "Unfortunately the island will still be riddled with dangers. That cannot be avoided."

"It wouldn't be Neverland without them," Peter let out a laugh.

We oversaw the repairs to the camp. Tinker Bell walked over and enveloped me in a hug, "Jess, I'm so glad you're alright. Just what was that show you put on?"

I gave my best friend a soft smile, "I couldn't even begin to put it into words."

A frown graced my features, "I wish I could've granted you your wings."

The former fairy mirrored my sadness, "It's alright. I'll survive. I have for this long."

"Tinker Bell," Peter finally spoke, "What are your plans?"

Tinker Bell straightened her posture. Her green eyes flashed dangerously, "I plan to return to my territory on the island."

"You don't want to stay here?" I asked her.

Tinker Bell looked at me, "It is not my place to be. Peter Pan is still powerful in his own right and I refuse to work under him again. However, I will always be an ally to you. You know where to find me."

Peter's gaze turned darker as he knew deep down Tinker Bell would never align herself with him. Especially now that the worst evil on the island was him once again. He accepted her declaration but found her statement admirable.  

The fairy disappeared into the woods and I held a hand to my chest, "Until we meet again, Tinker Bell."

"Don't worry," Peter told me, "She's a tough fairy. I do not blame her for not staying."

I frown graced my face, "Now that the island is ours and our fates tied together-"

I never got the chance to finish my sentence as Peter suddenly pushed me out of the way. His hand raised at lightning speed. The Lost Boys had aimed their weapons at the new threat. My own green eyes widened at the sight of a Dreamshade-tipped dagger inches away from my chest. The atmosphere became so tense you could cut it with a knife. 

"You have some nerve showing your face here," Peter's tone was dark.

All the lighthearted moments before were gone in an instant. Standing before me wasn't the boy I loved. It was the King of Neverland. A demon in his own right now that Azruth was gone.

I peered over my shoulder to Baelfire, "What are you doing here, Baelfire?"

The traitor flinched at my icy tone, "You killed Azruth."

Peter lowered his hand, "You brought destruction to the island. You threaten the lives of my Lost Boys and the girl I love. Death is too generous for you. Why have you come here?"

The Lost Boys took a step towards Baelfire who took a battle stance, "I can for Jess."

Peter narrowed his eyes and moved me behind him protectively, "You will not touch the Queen of Neverland."

I looked at Peter in shock at the title. Sure I was considered a Princess being the daughter of the former Chief of the Annamay Tribe, but queen? The title filled me with honour. Peter and I were King and Queen. 

Baelfire ignored Peter and focused his gaze on me, "Jess, leave with me. Peter is nothing but a demon who will kill you."

I scoffed, "Peter will do no such thing. The only threat I see on this island is you."

I brushed past Peter, my steps purposeful and harrowing power. Baelfire clutched his spear in defence.

"You killed innocent boys and brought forth a monster to the island. You plunged the island into an eternal winter. You threatened to extinguish all life on Neverland and across all realms of magic. It was all because of you that people suffered. They will continue to suffer so long as you stand."

My words caused Baelfire to harden his glare toward me, "You had the opportunity to flee the island and you didn't. Now, you deal with me."

I stretched out my arm as magic sparked between my fingers with the intent to kill. The other Lost Boys raised their weapons. All of us were prepared to enter another battle. The only one who did nothing was Peter.

Baelfire quickly took something out of his bag, "I don't think I will."

In his hands was a coconut. It had holes poked inside and a fire lit within. He opened it to reveal the Pan's Shadow. It grabbed Baelfire's hand and lifted him into the air. I aimed for the ex-Lost Boy and declared, "For your crimes on the island, you will face retribution. A life of misery if you will. I can tell you this Baelfire, son of the Dark One. If you ever step foot back in Neverland, I will see to it that you will never leave alive. And that's not a threat but a promise."

I let my arrow fly through the air towards him. To my dissatisfaction, the Shadow had flown Baelfire higher into the sky. It passed through the Second Star to the Right and out of sight. I lowered my bow and arrow growling, "He escaped, the coward."

"Calm your bloodlust," Peter rubbed my shoulders, "He'll get his revenge, I'll see to it."

I rested my head on his shoulder. Peter dismissed the Lost Boys to continue repairing the camps. His arms wrapped around me tightly as I sighed.

"What's on your mind, my Lost Girl?" Peter asked. 

"Why did the shadow help him?"

Peter mirrored my displeasure, "The Shadow is an entity of itself. That coconut you saw was its weakness. No doubt Baelfire was given guidance by that demon."

A smug grin appeared on my face, "Well, Baelfire's luck with eventually run out. Knowing that quells my bloodthirsty for now."

"Perhaps I can turn your bloodlust into lust for something else," Peter proposed.

I faced him and smirked, "And what are you suggesting, my King?"

Peter gestured to the camp. The Lost Boys had started a large bonfire. He pulled out his pan flute, "I think a celebration is for all we've been through."

He played the haunting melody in his pan flute. Each note compelled me to dance. The Lost Boys responded instantly. Their hollers and cheers etching away the heaviness in their hearts after a horrific ordeal. Peter lowered his pan flute from his lips but the notes still played themselves. That was the magic of the island. 

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Peter grabbed a hold of my hand. He pulled me into the circle. Usually, I would resist, but this time felt different. A joyful smile appeared on my face as I let him sweep me off my feet. I kept pace with him as he spun me around. His green eyes reflected the flames of the bonfire. If I got too close, I would think they would burn me alive. That sent a jolt of excitement through my body.

"Did I ever tell you I love you, Jessica Mallory?" Peter asked me.

"All the time, Peter," I reply just as lively.

I grabbed his face and forcefully brought it to my own. out lips met in a tangled heat of passion. His hands grabbed my face to deepen it. I didn't want it to end. While I held the power in the kiss, it soon shifted to him. When he pulled away, I was left with a flushed face. This brought a seductive grin to Peter's face. 

He swept me off my feet and I was in Peter's strong arms. My arms found their way around his neck. he began to walk towards his tent. Once inside, he placed me on his bed and hovered over me. His whispers could only be heard by me, "I say let's have a little celebration of our own."

*****

I woke up before Peter before dawn broke onto the island. I sat up looking at him. Peter's face was relaxed, something I hadn't seen in a long time. Without waking him up, I left the bed. I put on a shirt and shorts before exiting the tent. 

The Lost Boys were asleep with the exclusion of the sentries who guarded the camp from any dangers. They gave me respectful nods as I passed them. I grabbed my bow and arrow and walked into the Jungle. 

My feet carried me to the Annamay Tribe Territory. Compared to when I first visited it, it looked just like it did in the past. While deserted, wildflowers grew on the ground. A small stream was located off to the side. Small animals scampered by my feet to their destinations. They seemed unaware of what hardships the camp had faced in the past. 

I stood in front of the temple tensely. I took a deep breath before entering. Inside, it was the purest white. The receding moonlight shone through the open skylights. I bowed my head respectively.

"The evil has been vanquished and peace restored to the island," I speak out loud to no one, "The spirits are gone and the island is in the hands of the living. I'll protect it and make sure that an event like this never comes to pass ever again."

I thought of Aetherius, the blessed weapon that was destroyed by Azruth in the final fight. Its powers become one with the island. Vitalis, the weapon of the Spirit of Life, of me, was nowhere to be found. And somehow, I knew that was how it was meant to be. 

I left the temple and glanced at the Annamay camp one last time. I let the sight of the growing nature cement itself in my mind. The calls of a lark heralding the dawn of the new day drew my attention to the lookout point located at the edge of the camp. 

At this lookout, the crystal waters calmly stretched out to the brightening horizon. The waves crashed to the shore below, its sound soothing to the ear. The fresh sea air travelled up to the cliffs where I stood. 

"I was wondering where you ran off to," Peter's voice broke the sounds of nature. 

My head turned around rapidly to see him leaning against the trunk of a tree. A lopsided grin on his face. In his hands, he held his signature dagger. He walked over to me.

"You're awake," I say, not able to mask my surprise.

"I feared something had happened to you," Peter stood beside me, "After all, I woke up to an empty bed."

I gave him a closed-eyed smile, "And yet you found me pretty fast."

Peter gave me his signature smile, "I'll always find you, my Lost Girl. Wherever you go, know that I will follow you. To the end of the world if need be."

I kissed him lightly on the cheek, "Your sentiment is noted. Know that I feel the same way. Don't worry, I don't intend on dying anytime soon."

Peter's grip on me tightened as he buried his head into my shoulder, "I don't intend on us dying anytime soon either."

I frowned slightly at the weight his words carried. I relaxed my body as the sun started to peek out from the horizon. The sky's shades of dark blues and purples gave way to pastels. The pinks, oranges and yellows decorated the sky.

"You know," I reflected on my time in Neverland, "It's small moments like these that make everything that's happened worth it. No matter how grim a situation can get, dawn will always arrive."

Peter held my hand as we stared out into the endless horizon. With it came new adventures. Adventures that will continue to breathe new life into this place I now call home. 

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