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Captain Hook paced the deck of the Jolly Roger brandishing his name piece, cursing the flying imp that pestered him like a plague. “Gall and Brimstone!. Where is that wretched scug, Pan? I haven’t seen the whites of his eyes for two days now. ‘Tis too long for that flying brat to go without plaguing my ship and my patience.” Hook stopped to scan the horizon, then set his sights on the island, hoping to locate any sight of Peter or any of the lost boys. “Alas, could the cur be sick? Could he be lying somewhere dying? No, ‘twould be too much of an inconvenience for him. Or could the croc-. The croc! Could that evil fiend had swallowed him up? Pray she hasn’t for Pan is mine to remove from this world, not hers. She would have a sorry day should she ever consider that task....Rather she would just consider me her current delicacy.” A shudder ran down his spine as he spoke these last words. But he was quick to regain his composure. “Damn that rapscallion. I’m certain with this time he’s come up with some new sort of trickery to trifle me with. Just wait you high-prided pest, your time will come. And when I get you I’ll cleave you from end to end.” Then, from the observation deck, Starkey called out, “Cap’n, Pan coming this way!” Hook spun on his heel, an evil glint in his eyes reflecting the cold steel of his curved claw. “Gadzooks, where....Are you sure Mr. Starkey?” “Aye, Cap’n, I’m positive. He’s seven points off of starboard.” Swiftly calling to his gunner, the Captain commanded, “Jukes, you heard Mr. Starkey. Pan is coming upon us. Man Long Tom, and range full to blast that brat out of the sky!” “Aye, Cap’n,” the young pirate said, as he prepared the cannon. Just as Hook was about to look up to locate Peter, Starkey called out once more, a definite change of tone in his voice. “Um, Cap’n, sir, you might want to have a look at this.” “Look at what, Mr. Starkey?” the captain growled. Starkey hurried down from the observation deck, telescope in hand. “Peter, Cap’n. He’s brought some more of those wretched ragamuffins with him-” “That’s it! More brats?” Hook roared, reeling on Starkey. “So we can be outnumbered? That’s your concern?!” “No, Cap’n. there’s something more. He has what appears to be, well...” “What is it Mr. Starkey, I’m losing my patience!” “It looks like he has a lady with him, Cap’n. A female-” “A female? That is your problem now?” Hook twisted his point up to Starkey’s face and sneered. “Great Neptune’s Trident, Mr. Starkey, this would not be the first time he has brought a female back, you slubberdegalleon! You have seen him come with them for a time, only to have them leave again. This is no different. His pathetic quest to find a mother suitable for those lost brats has brought yet another helpless and clueless girl into his devices. Her eventual departure will be of no concern to me. So if it’s a female your fretting about, Mr. Starkey, please spare me the doldrums.” “But-but Cap’n, this female, she-she’s, well-” Starkey stammered. “She’s what? You had better give me a good explanation, or I’ll hang you up from the yardarm.” “She looks like she’s a...a... well, for lack of a better word. She looks like she’s a grown up. A lady. And I mean that in the truest form of the word. He has a grown up with him, Cap’n,” Starkey said, matter of factly. “Pan has brought back a grown up.” Mason, Mullins and Cecco all turned to Starkey, struck by what he had said. Never, in all the time they’ve been in Neverland had they ever known Peter Pan to bring back a grown up with him. Yes, there had been those who lived on the nearby islands and came for an occasional visit, but this was of their own accordance, only to eventually leave again. But for Peter to willingly bring one back? They regarded what Starkey said and shook their heads in disbelief. This couldn’t be true. Peter wouldn’t openly welcome and allow a grown up to come to Neverland with him. “A grown up you say?” Hook inquired with a menaced tone, raising a quisissential eyebrow. “A lady at best.” “Aye, look for yourself, Cap’n.” Starkey handed Hook the telescope who ripped it away from him. Casting the piece upwards, he caught sight of Peter, completely marveled by what he saw. “Odds, Bobs, Hammer and Tongs, what cozening is this?” Hook tried to rationalize the image presented to him, making sure the features he saw were indeed what he believed to be true. Confirming his query, he continued on. “Tis truly right, Mr. Starkey, it is a lady he has with him.” Observing the small brood that flew about her, he couldn’t help but confirm further. “And by the looks of it, it appears as though she is coming in part with the designs of a mother. And I truly mean that in every sense of the word. An actual mother.” “A mother?” Mullins asked, striding to the captain. “You mean this female is comin’ ‘ere to be a mother? She crazy? That’s not a good idea. Nope, not ‘ere on Neverland. Pan’ll never allow it. All she’ll most likely do is coz trouble an’ bring bad luck anyways. Thats all w’men is, is bad luck.” “You is-a such-a superstitious a-ninny, Mullins,” Cecco said in his thick Italian accent. “I ain’t no ninny you over stuffed ‘talian pastry,’ he growled, turning to glare at the Italian pirate. “Well, yous-a sure aint-a no man. Believin’ in-a all-a this-a magic stuff.” “Why you-” Mullins drew his sword and glowered as he moved towards his fellow shipmate. Both men stood their ground, weapons ready. But their stand off soon came to an abrupt end as Hook raised his curved hand and bellowed at his men. “Enough of your blundering superstition, you lummox.” he hissed at Mullins. “And you, Cecco. Don’t you have something to do, SOMEWHERE other than here!” His eyes would have bore holes straight through the two startled men who quickly dispersed in opposite directions. Hook turned about and scrutinized the sky through his telescope, watching Pan and his newest arrivals fly out of sight. “I have my own wonders as to why Pan would bring a lady - a grown up no less, to Neverland. An action he has strictly forbidden. “Mr. Jukes, belay my order. Stand down Long Tom. We will not be firing at the urchin this time.” “Are you sure, Captain?” the gunner asked, momentarily dumbfounded. “Did it sound like I was trifling with you, Jukes?” the captain hissed turning to face Billy Jukes. “N-no sir.” Jukes quickly left the side of Long Tom, not wanting to incur Hook’s anger upon himself. “Then do what I say. The rest of you, Mason, Noodler, Smee, man the long boats. We’re going ashore. I want to find out for myself what this indiscretion is that this flying wretch has brought with him to Neverland.” “We’re here!” Christopher exclaimed, visibly trembling with delight. He dodged over to his eldest sister and took her hand. They exchanged smiles, and absorbed all they could see around them. They had just come in view of the cove when Peter called out. “Down below, there’s Captain Codfish. I’m sure he spots us. Don’t be too surprised if he fires on us. Just stay by me and you’ll all be fine.” “Or stay back home where you belong,” Tink grumbled. Peter shot anger at her, but she casually flew on ignoring his glares. No one else heard the cruel comment Tink had made. They were all busy looking to the Jolly Roger, a mixture of excitement and fear covering their faces. What if Hook did fire on them? “Normally, I would pay the ol’ codfish a visit,” Peter continued. “Ruffle him up a bit, have some fun, then leave. But not this time. I have more pressing matters to attend to. I have to get you all home, and do so before Hook decides to give you his own special welcome. “I think the lost boys are going to be happy to meet you; all of you, especially you Magey - uh- I mean Mother. We’ve never had a real mother on Neverland before.” Magey gave Peter a warm smile and she and her children marveled at the place that now lay below them. “Look at everything,” Amy exclaimed. “It’s so beautiful,” Anna finished “There’s so much to see” Both girls were overcome with extreme pleasure and a lightened sense of euphoria. “What do you think, Mother” Peter turned to Magey with a smile, anticipating her response. He reveled in the excitement of his newest recruits, he couldn’t wait to take in her reaction. It’s absolutely beautiful, Peter.” she said breathlessly. They flew on a little bit more until they came to a break scantily littered with trees. “Here we are,” Peter proclaimed, as he began his descent from the sky. Where? Magey asked herself as the four of them followed down. All that could be seen was trees; both hollow and solid, tree stumps, and large mushrooms. In the underground house, the lost boys all laid drowsily in bed. The echoing sound of Peter’s crow reverberated through the house, waking them all up completely. “Peter’s back, everybody up,” Nibs declared, the first one up and to his feet. The other boys all stumbled to get up awaiting the arrival of their leader. But, rather than enter in through his door, Peter called down to them. “Lost boys, come up from there.” They all shared about inquisitive looks and Curly asked, “I wonder why he wants us to come up? What happened? I’ll bet he wants to see who can make it above ground the fastest,” he joked.” “I don’t know. Let’s find out,” Nibs responded, blatantly ignoring Curly’s remark. All the boys flew out from their corresponding doors and alighted to the ground in front of Peter. All they could do is stare with collective wonder and bewilderment at what stood before them. Peter looked from Magey and her children, back to the lost boys and smiled, big and bold. “Lost boys,” he announced proudly, “ I’d like you to meet Magey, your new mother, and her children, Amy, Anna and Christopher. “Mother, this is Nibs, Curly, Slightly, The Twins, and Tootles.” The lost boys all glanced over the three new arrivals standing about both sides of Magey, thinking nothing at first about having new members to their family. It was her that their eyes quickly returned to. An awed silence still prevailed as none of them knew what to say, but if they could of shared a collective thought if would have been What is she doing here? An uneasiness came over Magey as she looked about the confused faces standing before her. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea, she thought to herself. Peter noticed this and scowled at the boys. “Well, aren’t any of you going to say something?” he remarked with clear agitation in his voice. Nibs regarded the situation and was the first to break the silence, carefully choosing his words. “Um, Peter....Sh-she’s a grown up.” Rolling his eyes, he impatiently responded, “Yeah, I know. So.” “Well, Peter, “ Slightly began, “If I slightly remember....you’re not too fond of grown ups.” “Yeah,” Tootles added, “You don’t allow them here in Neverland.” Magey looked at him and gave him look as though she was saying, “Okay, now what.” Peter began to fumble with words, trying to figure out what to say. He looked at Tinker Bell, but she turned her back to him and snapped. “Don’t look at me. I’m not helping you.” “Well-” he finally began. “She....she’s different.” “Really, how?” Tootles asked. This started a chorus of all the boys asking this question. The three bodies at Magey’s sides suddenly clung to her and she gave them a gentle squeeze, smiling down at them to reassure everything. But the look she gave to Peter was one of slight uncertainty, and she couldn’t help but keep asking herself if coming here to Neverland wasn’t the best thing. This time though Peter didn’t see her face because he was being bombarded with inquiries, and he was trying - yet again - to figure out how to explain himself. His face suddenly lit up and Peter broke in over the chorus. Getting dramatic with his words and actions Peter spoke to the lost boys as though speaking to an audience. “She tells the best stories I’ve ever heard, with the greatest adventures. And the games she plays; they’re unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Oh, and the imagination and the pretend-” Magey couldn’t help but smirk and giggle a little as she watched Peter explain her qualifying attributes for why she was “different”. He really has a flair for the dramatic and over exaggeration. She said to herself watching the spectacle that was Peter Pan. “Oh, brass pots and copper tops, Peter, be realistic!” Tink scolded, tiring of hearing Peter rant on about Magey. “By the way you’re explaining her, you’d think she was an immortal for crying out loud.” But Peter merely glanced Tink’s direction and nothing more. “And the way she tells the story, it’s like you’re right there. And she has a NeverStone that her mother gave her.” “NeverStone?” They all interjected, wide eyes looking up at her. “You have a NeverStone?” Curly asked. “Uh-huh,” Peter continued, not acknowledging that the question was directed to Magey. “And you should see the way it glowed-” “Glowed?” Nibs exclaimed. “Your NeverStone glowed?” “Yeah, if you want to call it that. It was more like this brilliant light that shines with a life all it’s own,” Peter said never missing a beat in his tangent. He continued to ramble on while the boys all stared in wonder at Magey. The lost boys also knew about the legend. “Did it really glow?” Tootles asked. All the boys curious to know if it was true. “Is it really....alive?” The Twins said in their turn. “Yes, it is.” Magey stated calmly, then she took the stone out of the pocket of her tunic and held it out for the boys to look at. All the boys sighed in awe and huddled up to Magey, looking with piqued interest at what rest in her hand. Although they had seen plenty of stones at the NeverStone Quarry, they had never seen one that was taken out of Neverland. Curious eyes looked at the stone wondering if the legend was in fact true. A warm brilliance permeated from it giving them their answer - although it was no where near the luminance that Peter had seen back in the bedroom window. Gingerly, Slightly reached out a hand. “Is it slightly all right if I touch it?” he asked, pausing for a moment. “Go ahead,” Magey smiled, moving her hand towards him. The looks on her childrens’ faces was that of eager anticipation as they watched the lost boy slowly move his hand towards the stone. This sudden interruption in Peter’s story telling; in which he had become so engrossed in that he didn’t notice that no one was listening, made him falter. Realizing no one was paying attention to him, a look of indignance spread across his face. Crossing his arms, he glowered at the boys, until he realized Magey was holding her NeverStone. Surprised that she had brought it, Peter lifted off the ground and hovered about her shoulder. “Hey, it’s not glowing as much,” he noticed, as Slightly ran his fingers over it. “What do you mean?” Curly questioned, as the lost boys turned to Peter. All except one. Slightly was mesmerized by the smooth texture and the heat that penetrated his fingertips. Seeing this as a que to embark back into his tale, Peter brought a twinkle to his eye and proceeded to explain further about his journey to Magey’s house and what he found there, eventually telling in grandiose fashion the strength of the light that came from the NeverStone. To make the tale more exciting to suit his liking, Peter started taking liberties with the story, all of which Amy and Anna were quick to amend. Neither girl had any quarrel correcting him, and they did it in a style that was almost like tag-team storytelling; or tag-team storysaving, to be exact. Peter would make a false remark and one of the two was there immediately to correct him, exchanging lines and addendums almost as quickly as he told the tale. More often than the other though, Amy, who was the bolder of the two would be the one to break in first. “Peter, that’s not right,” or “No, that’s not how it happened,” and she or Anna would quickly remedy it. But both girls interrupted Peter enough times that he finally had to ask them to be quiet. “Please, this is my story,” he griped at them. “Well, Peter, if you would tell it right-” Amy patronized, rolling her eyes at him. By this time all the lost boys were giggling and exchanging humored glances with each other. It wasn’t very often they had seen anyone correct Peter in his tales; not like this. Instantly, the lost boys liked the two girls knowing they’d be a welcome and exciting edition to their family. Low remarks were said that made the girls smile. “They’re brave,” they heard Curly say to Slightly and Tootles. “Peter’s going to have his hands slightly full with these two around,” Slightly commented back. “I like them,” Nibs said to theTwins. Nodding their heads in agreement, the Twins responded,” Yea, So what if -” “They’re girls.” “They’re going to be-” “A lot of fun.” Even Magey found her daughters’ boldness funny and she couldn’t help but laugh also. Tinker Bell, who had been fuming quietly, broke into the giggles as well and fluttered about in Peter’s face scoffing him. “Peter, you’ll never be able to tell one of your “True” storys again. Not with these two bards around.” Laughter erupted all around after this remark, but Peter pouted with irritation. “Well, I’m the one telling the story, not these two.” “But Peter,” Magey started, trying to regain her composure. “Some of what you’re telling never happened. You seem to have forgotten, the four of us were there too. This did take place in my house.” Stifling a laugh the best she could, Magey went on. “You’re so flamboyant, Peter, with the way you tell everything. Mother never told me this about you. I just find this too funny, I’m sorry.” “Yeah....well....Jane must have conveniently forgotten about this, and that’s her fault. I always tell about my adventures like this....It makes them more exciting....So there, like I said, Jane forgot; it’s Jane’s fault.” He then wrinkled his face at Magey who could only laugh more. “Jane?” Tootles said, remembering the name. His memory quickly put a face to it and he smiled. “You know Jane?” he asked, his face all awonder. “She was our grandmother,” Christopher replied. “Grandmother?” all the boys recited together, perplexity blanketing them all. “Yes,” Magey began slow and carefully. “Jane was Amy, Anna, and Christopher’s grandmother, and my mother, and Wendy was my grandmother.” Amazed bewilderment covered the boys faces as they acknowledged Magey’s family history. Then Peter broke in, finding a segway back into his story. “And that’s why she has a NeverStone. I gave it to Jane a long time ago. She then gave it to Mother. Now she has it; and she believes. And that’s why it’s glowing. It been outside of Neverland all this time, but it’s been alive all this time too.” He went to Magey and cupped his hands around hers allowing the NeverStone to be nestled once more. “I said it’s not glowing as brightly as it once was....That must be because it’s back in Neverland now.” “Of course that’s why,” Tink grumbled. “It’s a part of the life force here. And now that it’s back it doesn’t need to expand it’s energy to keep itself alive, even if she does believe.” Tink then jerked her head at Magey and shot a look of contempt at her. All eyes glared at the fiesty fairy, and Peter groaned at her,”Oh Tink, I wish you would jusy lay off. Magey’s here because-” But Magey silenced him telling him she could handle this. Looking at Tinker Bell, she spoke to her for the first time since the whole adventure had began. “Tink, I wish you would just give me a chance? I’m not here to take Peter away fom you. I’m here to be a mother to the boys, that’s all.” “Mother, mother, mother,” Tink snapped back. “You’re here to be a mother. Well, good for you. But everytime Peter has brought someone back it’s always ended in disaster. And I know with having you here, it’s going to be ten times worse.” She then flew into Peter’s face. “Mark my words, Peter Pan. Bringing her here was the biggest mistake you’ve ever made!” With this she then scurried off into the underground house. Magey let out a reproachful sigh wondering if she would ever be able to win Tinker Bell over. “Aw, don’t worry about her, Mother,” Peter said, brushing the whole thing away with his hand. “She’ll be fine. Just give her a few days.” “But Peter, she has such strong feeling about Mama being here. I don’t like that,” Amy spoke out with concern. “Puh, she’s just mad because I’m rewriting one of the laws. She’ll get over it.” “But isn’t there some validity behind this law that she’s getting so upset about?” Magey expressed with the same concern her daughter had. Irritated by the entire show that had occurred, Peter spoke out as though he was giving a speech. “Listen. I make the rules here. I make the laws. Therefore, if I want to break them I will. If I want to make new ones I will. And if I decide that the new law is going to be that you’re allowed here to be our mother, then so be it. Right lost boys?” All his boys cheered in response, even Magey’s three chimed in. “So, you see, Mother, don’t worry about what Tink says. She’s come around to you soon enough.” “All right,” Magey nodded, hoping Peter was right. “Um....Mother,” Slightly began. “I have a slight question for you.” “Yes, Slightly, what is it?” Magey smiled as she looked at the innocent nature that was captured in the lost boys face. “Well....er,um....You’re here to be our mother? A real mother.” Yes, she nodded. He looked at Nibs who finished his thought for him, a little to his dismay. “We’ve never had a real mother before. Not like this.” Curly entered in next. “Peter’s always brought back someone who’s well....a lot younger than you....Someone who’s around....well....our age.” “But they’ve never stayed very long,” Tootles spoke up, disappointment hanging clearly in his voice. “That’s because they didn’t know how to have fun or like to go on adventures, the way she does.” Peter declared this with noted mirth, hoping to change the somber attitudes of his boys. Blushing a bit, the seriousness of the tones used had made Magey almost forget he was there, and she glanced at him real quick But the lost boys were all still displaying the same countenance, and no more did it ring true than when the Twins asked, “So will you-” “-leave us too?” This tugged at Magey’s heartstrings, and she motioned them closer to her as she bent forward. “I came here because I wanted too. Because I chose too. Peter didn’t have to convince me. If anything I had to convince him.” Giving him a knowing look, Peter laughed. “It’s true, she did. But I think she did a pretty good job of it. Don’t you, lost boys?” They all agreed but Magey could tell they still weren’t quite sure. Then Anna broke in excitedly telling the boys, “We’ve been wanting to come here,” - she made a motion indicating she meant she, her brother and her sister - “ever since Mama first starting telling us all the stories. So it’s simple why were here. And Mama; she’s been wanting to come here ever since she was a little girl. She told us she’d get here no matter how long it took her. Well, she’s here now. What makes you think she’s going to leave?” The lost boys all exchanged looks, no one brave enough to speak up. Then their second-in-command answered. “Because all the other ones have.” He then shot a quick look at Peter who was sitting in the air, his arms crossed with a look of indignance on his face. “I told you boys you need a mother. Whether you believe it or not,” he ordered. “And Magey here is the real thing. So you’re all going to like her.” “Peter Pan!” Magey reprimanded, suddenly feeling the need to put her new charge in his place. “What? They are. I’ll see to that.” “No, you will not,” she patronized, her voice low and firm. Peter froze in silence, stunned by this difference in tone. What in the world was that, he asked himself. Seemingly successful in her task, she looked to the lost boys again and huddled them all closer than before. “I know you have your doubts,” she said in her more motherly tone. “But I can promise you this. I’ll be here as long as you need me, forever if you like. And I’ll be the best mother I can be, and so much more. If you let me.” She smiled at the six inquisitive faces, and looked to the three that belonged to her own. They were all smiles with twinkling eyes, knowing what their mother said was true. She looked back to the lost boys who’s faces began to light up now. ,br> “Of course we’ll let you. Won’t we lost boys!” Peter howled. Cheers erupted from the small brood and Magey knew everything was going to be all right. Her own three joined in the merriment and she felt her heart explode with happiness. Then, unexpectedly, Tootles broke the revelry. “We’ve never had a real mother before. What’s it going to be like? How are we supposed to act? What are we supposed to do? Mother!” This was the question Slightly had tried to ask earlier. He mentioned this but was quickly drowned out by the other boys melody of questions. “Well,” Magey broke in over the low roar. Her boys instantly became silent as she continued on. “All I ask of you is that you spend your days having fun and going on adventures. You spend your evenings listening to me tell stories, and we play wonderful games of pretend. And that you follow my rules loyally like any good son would do.” “Rules? What rules?” Peter protested. “I’m the only one who gets to make rules here on Neverland.” Giving him a light-hearted laugh she explained, “I know that, Peter. I mean rules to follow in the household.” “Oh? Well, what rules are those?” Magey suddenly realized she had no answer for this. “To tell you the truth, I don’t know,” she laughed. “I haven’t thought of any; and I’m sure there won’t be many. I guess I’ll just have to make them up as I go along.” “Works for me,” Peter said with glee. “Works for us too,” Curly replied, as the other boys, and the two new lost girls agreed in earnest. “Then it’s settled. Lost boys,” Peter said with pride, as he motioned in Magey’s direction. “Your new mother.” Cheers went up and filled the air as Magey was bombarded with hugs. “What are we going to do first?” Tootles asked. “Yes, yes, what are we going to do? What game are we going to play? Mama, what fun are we going to have.” These words rang out from her own three and echoed through the rest of her new brood. An overwhelming sense of elation engulfed her, and she didn’t think she could be any happier than at that moment. Her life long dream had finally come true, and more. Not only was she in Neverland, she was the mother to the lost boys, their real mother. Upon acknowledging this she decided what the first thing was that they should do. “How about taking us on a tour of the island? We know all about everything, but we’ve never had a chance to see it until now. So can you show us all the wonderful places here in Neverland?” “Of course we can show you. That’s a great idea, Mother,” Peter chirped, accompanied by a resounding chorus of agreement. So off they all went, taking their new mother and family on a grand tour of Neverland. They flew them everywhere; from the waterfalls, explaining which was the best one to go diving through, to The Neverberry Fields. From Small Monday Island telling Magey when the next fair was, to The Cavern Wherever. Peter pointed out every spot he was sure he’d had an adventure at, leaving the boys questioning, still further, if some of these adventures weren’t actually made up. The island was everything she had thought it would be. Her mother had explained it exactly, and every place she knew of from the stories was there before her eyes. Amy and Anna were giddy with pleasure and they squacked with delight each time something new came into their sight. Each one had their own personal tour guides as Amy joined up with Curly and Nibs and Anna paired up with Slightly. With this they were able to dash around in a friendly game of tag, enjoying the new expansion of their sibling count while learning about the layout of Neverland. Meanwhile Christopher flew on with the Twins and Tootles. They went to the Indian village where Peter introduced them to Great Big Little Panther and the others. Tiger Lily was thrilled to find out Peter had brought back lost girls and she quickly struck up a conversation with Amy and Anna. Forming the groundwork for what would be two strong friendships. Hard To Hit liked the idea of another lost boy; one close to his own age, and he was quick to begin talking to Christopher, all the while Peter boasted to Little Panther about how Magey came to be with him in Neverland; once more telling the story to suit his liking. Great Big Little Panther scrutinized the new arrivals and noted the child-like energy that flowed from Magey. She may be here to be a mother, he said to himself, and she will do well, but there is more to her than even she wants to face. Tiger Lily and Hard To Hit’s grandmother, White Snow Dove watched the new arrivals from a distance, but soon came forward to speak to Magey, inviting her to come back to the village as soon as she possibly could. Something about this one intrigued the older woman, and she was curious to find out what her story was. Their final place was the NeverStone Quarry. Peter brought them here last knowing it would have a special significance to Magey. Upon her arrival, she awed at the beauty of the place and almost broke down and cried. It was much more beautiful than her mother could have ever tried to describe. Magey moved slowly over the stones, touching them with delicate fingers. Each one shown with a light all its own. Knowing that this very place was the essence of the life she had come to cherish, she took her own stone out of her pocket and admired it, feeling its life force pulse through her hand and up her arm. The swell that ebbed and flowed inside her was dizzying. She knew the tie she had to her mother was now spread out before her, and she couldn’t help but say in a low voice. “I’m home.” “I’m hungry” Christopher had grumbled to Peter. So the flying imp lead everyone to the Neverberry Fields where they alighted the ground for a light snack. But soon this turned to play time as Peter quickly decided he was Captain Hook, and he was going to capture his mother. “Oh no!” Magey cried in mock fear, as he wrapped Neverberry vines around her hands and ankles. “Captain Hook, please no.” “Avast me Buckos, which of you miserable lubbers are going to be my crew?” Peter called out, plagarizing Hook’s voice. Soon everyone was divided up and the play time began. “Keep moving, you clammer dungeon lummoxes!” Hook bellowed, slicing his way through the forest greenery. “I’ll not return to the Jolly Roger until I find that wretched Pan and discover for myself what cozening he’s up to. If he has indeed brought a grown up back with him; a mother in her truest form, I can only speculate the reaction from those flying brats he abides his time with. And if it’s all what it appears to be, by the hook on my hand I’ll find out the secret which has brought her here and administer it upon my own self-” Hook’s rambling was cut short by a resonating voice that cut through the air causing he and his crew to stop abruptly in their tracks. “Gall and Brimstone! Curse you Pan. Do you think you can save your beloved mother now?” floated back to the pirates. This was followed by Peter’s voice as he responded. “Of course, Captain Codfish. It’ll be easy.” “Then come down here, boy, and see if you don’t feel the end of my hook first,” called back a few seconds later. An evil glint came to the captain’s eyes as he rubbed his hook slowly and carefully. The clear voice was coming from the Neverbery Fields and he motioned his men to that direction. “It looks as though I’ve found the wretched little twerp. All caught up in his merriment and play, no doubt. Filling up his time with yet another frivolous game, and one at my expense,” he seethed through clenched teeth as they came to the edge of the forest. “I say Cap’n, sir. If ye’re to be walkin’ with us here. How can ye be with ‘em lost boys? An’ why would ye want to be?” Smee asked this, causing the captain to drag his hand down his face in sheer bewilderment and angst. “It’s not me you nit-witted buffoon. It’s Pan, carrying on with his insufferable prattle.” “Oh, oh, I see Cap’n. Then ye’re very good at throwin’ ye’re voice. But why would ye wanta do an absurd thing like that?” “I’m not Smee!” Hook bellowed, almost giving away their location as they stopped just feet from the fields. “Oh, there’s no point in trying to explain this to you. You surely don’t have the mental capacity to understand the makings of a mimic-born voice whether it be one thrown about for mere jest or intended to confuse the idle minded such as yourself.” “Why thank ye, Cap’n sir. I’m pleased to know ye be seein’ me that way.” Rolling his eyes in disgust, Hook ordered his men to stay low and keep hidden among the trees and bushes. “With Pan in our sights, we will see for ourselves what frivolity he imbeds himself in, and possibly discover precisely what role his new mother plays in his idolatry.” Silently, the pirates watched a Peter and the others unwittingly went about their playing. “But Peter, you can’t be both Hook and yourself,” Curly protested. “Why not?” he demanded. “It’s my game. I want to be both. So I am.” He then crossed his arms in arrogant defiance. “But Peter, that’s not-” one twin began. “-fair,” the other finished. “How are we supposed to know when to fight-” “-if you keep changing sides.” “Aw, it’s easy, Twins. All you have to do is just fight no matter which side I’m on.” It was Christopher’ turn now. “But the Twins have a point. What if we attack you, thinking you’re Hook when you’re actually you. Or if we’re pirates thinking you’re you when you’re actually Hook, then we as pirates have killed our captain, or as lost boys we’ve killed you.” Total confusion covered Peter face as he looked dumbfounded at his newest lost boy. “What?” he chuckled shaking his head. “I think what Christopher is trying to say is what if we kill you by accident because we don’t know which side you’re on,” Nibs cleared up for him. Gaining as understanding now, Peter boasted “Oh that won’t happen. You won’t kill me. Besides, only Hook can fight me. That’s why I’m pretending to be both” “So, in other words, you’ll fight and kill yourself? Oh, this is getting to be slightly confusing.” Slightly groaned. All the while Magey and her girls remained silent witnesses to the debate that was being waged, exchanging look of confusion followed by glimmers of humor. What a mess, Magey thought. She was still sitting on the ground, her hands and feet loosely bound with Neverberry vines, when she finally raised her voice to the conundrum that was now beginning to take on the form of bickering. “Peter, it really would be best if you be yourself and let someone else be Captain Hook. Or you be Hook and no one be you at all.” “But Mother, where’s the fun in that?” he retorted to her. “I like playing it this way.” “But it’s too confusing. Even I don’t know which side the lost boys are supposed to be on-” she held up her hands, “-and I’m the prisoner. And if you’ve noticed, the lost girls aren’t playing anymore either.” All the boys noticed this now and Peter flew over to them. “Why aren’t you playing?” he inquired. “Because it’s too confusing,’ Anna stated, her arms crossed. “And we’re not going to play a game where we don’t know which side you’re on half the time. Not to mention not knowing who you are either. You’re you - you’re Hook - you’re you - you’re Hook. It’s like you have a dual personality here. Which one are you!?” Amy snapped out. Peter was taken aback a bit by more of her boldness. He didn’t remember her being quite this way before he brought her here. All the lost boys were a bit surprised too, but this soon turned into stifled snickers, all realizing that yes, Peter was going to have his hands full with her. Only Christopher and Anna didn’t snicker. This was the way their sister was, and they were used to it. Soon Peter and the lost boys would be as well. “Fine,” Peter groaned, admitting defeat. He then looked to Magey with a wry grin. “Mother, you play me and I’ll be Captain Hook. “What?” she snerked. A bit more dramatic this time in his words as he floated above her, “You play me and I’ll be the old codfish. It’ll be great! The lost boys haven’t seen how wonderful you are at playing me. Come on!” A chorus of encouragement broke in around her as she looked about her brood. An anxiousness crept up inside her. “Are you sure?” “Yes, yes!” echoed around her as the lost boys pushed her on further. “Come on Mama, please, you have too, you have too,” Christopher pleaded with her. Both Amy and Anna were bubbling over with excitement as well, enticing their mother to venture into her part as Peter Pan. “Are you gonna do it?” Peter beamed at her. All the while Magey had been loosening her “bonds” with the knowledge that she would indeed give the children the curious satisfaction they were asking her for. “All right,” she spoke casually. Instantly she was up off the ground, crowing as she shot into the air and did a back flip. Darting towards Peter, she caught him around the waist and spun him, sending a roar of laughter from him. Twisting away from him, she turned about in the air and alighted the ground, facing him with dagger in hand and posed to attack. Magey stayed her ground with a complexion of mirth while Peter hovered before her, persing his lips with the same countenance. Knowing she had managed to somehow steal the dagger from his boot, Peter merely looked at her and remarked, “Show off.” This brought snickers and giggles from the awed silence that had fallen over the group. “Peter, you did tell me to be you. And that’s what I’m doing,” Magey echoed the chuckles around her, returning to her own self. “I know, and you did a fantastic job! You just didn’t need to show off so much.” “Well you want me to be convincing don’t you?” After a split second regard he responded. “Yes, but you don’t have to be that good. You even got my dagger away from me.” He pointed to the knife she held in her right hand. “Here you can have it back,” she handed the weapon back to him. “Yes, thank you. I think I’ll put it somewhere so you won’t take it away from me again,” Peter chided. “Oh, don’t worry about that. Honestly, I hate knives.” There was a coolness in this remark when she said it. Not noticing this, Peter amazed at her. “You coulda fooled me the way you were handling it. “That’s why I say you be me and I’ll be Captain Codfish. It’ll be fun. You were great!” The lost boys and lost girls cheered to this and Magey agreed saying with impish joy, “All right. Let’s play.” Soon sides were taken again when Peter made a revelation. “Wait a minute. This won’t work. Who’s going to be the prisoner?” “We forgot all about that.” Nibs agreed. “It’ll be slightly difficult to play without one,” Slightly stated. “We’ll be the prisoners!” the lost girls beamed at each other. “Oh, sure now you want to play,” Nibs mocked at them. “Why now?” Slightly asked. Knowing each others thoughts the way twins do, the girls coyly turned to the two lost boys and slinked up to them. Turning on their girlish charm, they answered in turn. “So we can be the damsels in distress,” Anna purred to Slightly, batting her eyes at him. “Then you can come save us.” Amy said slyly, doing the same thing to Nibs. Both boys froze where they were looking at the girls with a mixture of uncertainty and down right bewilderment and confusion on their faces. Neither one of them knew how to react to this sudden feminine demeanor. “Uh....Okay,” Nibs squeaked. This sent a roll of laughter through the others who, initially surprised by the girls’ aires, now found humor in it all as they watched Nibs and Slightly flush a crimson red of heat. Amy and Anna smiled and laughed as well returning to their girlish selves, yet enjoying the fact that they had caught two of their new siblings completely and awkwardly off guard. But the flushed heat Slightly felt was not because he suddenly felt embarrassed or awkward. Rather it was because something he saw in Anna’s sky blue eyes triggered a reaction in him he had never experienced before. From somewhere; the pit of his stomach perhaps, or the very depths of his heart - a bright hot twinge suddenly broke open sending shots of heat through his entire body. Scared at first - never feeling anything like this before - he somehow instinctively knew it was all right and he let himself be engulfed by the warm fuzzy feeling that spread throughout him. He had no idea what it was he was feeling or why, but he somehow knew it had something to do with Anna. He couldn’t get the sparkling of her eyes out of his head, and his mind raced to try and comprehend what was happening. But ultimately, he knew it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered at that moment was the lost girl standing before him, laughing. Her eyes shined, her face was lit up by her smile, and her two long braids danced across her back and shoulders. A lump formed in his throat and all he could do was stare - almost blurry eyed at Anna as the warm fuzzy heat maintained its steadiness, and he could feel his heartbeat pounding throughout his entire body. “Slightly, are you okay?” Anna’s voice snapped him back. Shaking his head, he looked at her clearly now. “Uh?....Oh....I’m fine,” he said regaining his composure, although he was embarrassed now after she had noticed he seemed to be in another place. “Are you sure? You didn’t seem to be all there.” “....Yeah, yeah. I’m all right,” he lied, suddenly fumbling for words. No I’m not. What’s wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way? he asked himself. “I....ah....I’m just not slightly used to having sisters. That’s all.” He hoped what he said made sense and Anna wouldn’t ask him any further questions about where he was, especially when he didn’t even know where he had gone himself. This seemed to quelch her curiosity as she replied with a smile, “Well, you had better get used to it ‘cus we’re not going anywhere. “Come on,” she finished, waving Slightly to come with her as she bounded over to where the Twins were wrapping Neverberry vines around Amy’s hands and feet. He watched her sit down next to her sister who’s ponytail was bouncing up in down as she laughed. Anna then offered her hands to one of the Twins to be “tied up ” too. His eyes resting completely on her, the once fading feeling bolted up in him again. This time though, he added confusion to its company. “Slightly, Come on!” Peter hollered. “You gonna play or not?” “Um, yeah, I’m coming,” he answered; the feeling fading again. He kept it away as he became consumed in the play they were all engaged in. He and the other lost boy marveled at how well Magey was at being Peter. This being no surprise to her own three though. It was almost scary how convincing she was. And this impressed Peter to no end, boasting his arrogance to a new level of pride as they played on. Chapter 3 Back
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