Chapter 15 - Dance of the Blades

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The sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the howling of the wind filled the air. The moon had disappeared behind grey clouds, and everything sank into an eerie, shadowy veil of night. Only the fires struggling against the wind and the few lanterns that two pirates carried in their hands laid a lonely light over the scenery in Cannibal Cove.


Hook sneered at Peter, dragging out the decisive moment of the death blow, his eyes glinting maliciously. "You're too late, boy," he murmured, pointing to the small treasure chest nearby. "The last star is mine. Neverland is going to perish."


'The last star?' it flashed into Peter's mind, and his heart stumbled. No, that wasn't true. But if that was the last little star ... he HAD to get it! Otherwise, HIS star would never return to the sky, and Neverland would be lost!


Peter's eyes narrowed as he stared darkly at Hook. He might be grown-up now, but he was still Peter Pan. He had put a stop to the stockfish thousands of times! Now the stories of his red-hot eyes had come true, and his beastly form had leaked out - but he was not intimidated by it.


"It's not over yet!" he replied confidently. "I'm going to steal the star back."


The pirate laughed at these words. "And HOW do you intend to do that?!" It was a horrible sound, like fingernails scratching across a slate.


"Like this!" groaned Peter, flinging a handful of the white sand at Hook.


Hook let out an angry roar. He thrust forward with his saber - but its point pierced deep into the sands of Cannibal Cove instead of Peter's beating heart.


"You'll never beat me, Hook!" crowed Peter, who had leaped onto one of the surrounding crates with a great bound. Hands on his hips, he stretched his chest, and his eyes flashed almost as they used to. Adventure! This was what he lived for and had always lived for—the feeling of pride and euphoria when he saw the eyes of his admirers. And soon, his star would look at him with those same shining eyes. Then, when he defeated Hook, he stole the star and saved the island again! This thought filled his chest with a hot tingle that flowed to his fingertips.


The undead Mullins, meanwhile, rushed at him, slashing at Pan with his blade, the iron whirring just past his feet as Peter jumped just in time. He landed directly on the blade and took the opportunity to kick the surprised Mullins in the face. With a crack like rotten wood, the neck tipped backward at an unnatural angle - and Mullins emitted a sickening gurgle.


"NO! Pan belongs to ME alone!" Hook's voice rolled like thunder across the beach, sending the pirate gang into a jerky freeze in their onslaught on Peter. 


Peter took the chance, levitated off the crate, and deftly grabbed the pirate's sword. Peter's heart beat wildly and irrepressibly in his chest. More adrenaline than he had felt in a long time sharpened his senses and made the blood rush in his ears. The air crackled with tension. Peter grinned broadly and confidently. All eyes were on him alone - as it should be!


The two opponents circled each other and eyed one another suspiciously.


"Come on, stockfish!" sneered Peter, and Hook was only too happy to follow the provocation.


"This is the end of you!" Hook boomed boisterously.

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