Neverland

Chapter Fifteen

Thunder rumbles, and lightning strikes off near the Dark Ridge. What could possibly cause this? I am the only one with magic in Neverland.

"Or so you think, Peter Pan," a deep voice booms. Everyone on board cowers in fear. I stand strong, searching the skies. Wendy trembles next to me. After hesitating a moment, I extend my arm around her. This is proof that I have beaten the Tinkerbell inside of me.

"Show yourself!" I demand. The clouds grow dark and thick. Darkness falls across the Jolly Roger. Goosebumps pop up on my exposed arms. the air seems to fold and bend before me, revealing a shadow as black as night. Its eyes are glowing. I have never seen a separated shadow before, I have only heard about Hook's. But this is not Hook's shadow.

"Who are you?" I ask, trying to remain calm.

"A better question would be, what am I," the shadow says. I sigh.

"All right," I say. "What are you?" The shadow is hovering off the wooden floor. If the shadow could smile, I am sure it would.

"I am the spirit of this island," the shadow says. I nod slowly.

"Right," I say. "Makes sense." The air seems to drop ten degrees. This shadow is definitely more powerful than anything I have dealt with before.

"Where did you send Hook?" I say. I pick up my sword and hold it defensively. The spirit of Neverland chuckles.

"To a place where I need him," the shadow says. "This place is the foundation of belief and hope, angled by the leader. The place where Captain Hook is, is far worse, it is the place where I normally reside."

"How can you be the spirit of Neverland?" I ask. "This is an island." The spirit pauses.

"Neverland is older than you think, Peter," says the shadow. "It is older than time itself."

"And you show yourself now, because..." I press. Wendy stiffens from fear.

"You were the one destined to take Neverland's power," the shadow says. "A piece of my life force is in you." Brilliant. Another thing inside of me. Suddenly, my heart wrenches. Wendy catches me as I stumble forward.

"What is it, Peter?" she says urgently. The pain is so unbearable I cannot speak. The shadow's glowing eyes are dim and narrow.

"I saw this coming," the shadow says. "I hope you won't let me down, Peter Pan."

"What is wrong with him?" Wendy cries. The Lost Boys and Hook's men watch in silence. I find myself gasping for breath.

"He's dying, Wendy Darling," says the shadow quietly.

"What?"

"Like this island, Peter here now lives on belief," the shadow explains. "I believe he once told you that his life force was tied to Neverland. That was not as literal as it is now. When magic dwindles into nothing, this island dies. And so does Peter." Wendy stifles a sob.

"Me, on the other hand," the shadow continues. "I go to my other realm, perfectly unharmed.

This sends me a surge of anger, enough to push through the pain.

"What can I do?" I say weakly. "Tell me how to stop this. Please." The spirit feigns surprise.

"Well, it's not everyday you see the great Peter Pan begging for help." It spits out every word with contempt. The spirit of Neverland enjoys seeing me like this.

"But I will grant your request," the shadow says. "Listen very carefully. I will only say this once. Go back to London. Wendy knows the way. Wait for a sign. It will come to you, and will cure you. It might make you immortal."

"Thank you for the help," I mutter.

"Because you possess the pixie dust," says the shadow. "You cannot leave Neverland." I groan because of both the pain and the predicament.

"Leave your shadow here," the spirit says. I look up.

"What?"

"Take your blade, and cut it from your feet," the shadow instructs. "So a portion of you will be in Neverland." With trembling hands, I lower my sword to the ground. The sun that peeks through the darkness softly casts a shadow. I work my way between myself and my shadow. It hurts more than I thought, and with a painful cry I finish the job.

"Well done." The shadow sounds surprised. "Remember my words." The shadow folds until it has disappeared. The darkness rises, but the cold, heavy feeling remains. Wendy gently takes my hand. I allow her to lift us in the air. My shadow floats above the ground, as if waiting for orders.

"Right." I clear my throat. "Protect Neverland at all cost." I turn to the Lost Boys. "Make sure everything stays in order. We will not fall!" The Lost Boys raise their fists and cheer, chanting my name.

Wendy and I fly up into the clouds. There is a blinding light, and then...

Nothing.