Before Pan (OUAT fanfiction)

21: Blight Among Us

I leapt off the ship as a stone pillar rose from the sea. It lifted me into the air as I visualized the path I would take. I jumped between pillars. It wasn't easy. The water made the stone wet and slippery. It took all of my strength to hold on. My destination was coming closer. I had one more jump to make.

I took a deep breath as I flew through the air. I cleared the gap and tumbled onto the ground. I grimaced, that would surely leave a bruise tomorrow.

I rose to my feet to witness the tip of the Jolly Roger vanish into the portal before it would've hit the rocks.

"Safe trip, Captain," I let my voice carry on in the wind, "I'll make sure there is an island to return to."

The forest ahead of me was littered with thorns of Dreamshade. Navigating through it wouldn't be easy. Luckily, I spotted a hidden entrance to the Tunnels. I entered one and descended underground.

The tunnels were expansive and easy to get lost in. With all the rain, there was also the possibility of them becoming flooded. Water was already forming a puddle beneath my feet. I had to move quickly. I heard chattering behind me and picked up my pace. In my hand, I gripped my dagger for protection.

I exited the tunnels and as I was about to place the cover back on, figures emerged from the tunnels. I screamed as I came face to face with what appeared to be a group of ravenous demonic rats.

Blood poured from their mouths and their soulless eyes gleamed with pure malice. Hints of shadows highlighted their figures denoting them as something inhumane. They hissed even louder as they approached.

With each step they took, the vegetation below their feet died as its life force was drained. One lunged for my neck and I grabbed the nearest stick to hit it back to the group. They're just baseballs, I told myself as I went about hitting each one that attacked, Big, grotesque, alive baseballs.

I unsheathed my dagger and as I hit them, I begged to stab them with my dagger.

"Stay down," I gritted my teeth, "And die."

As each one did so, I saw the spirits rise from them and disappear into thin air. I wasn't prepared for what came next. I was knocked off my feet by a beastly bear. It was bulky, heavy and bloodthirsty. Its hollowed-out eyes peered into my green ones. It roared in my face and I could smell flesh from its breath.

Just before the beast could sink its teeth into me, an arrow entered its eye. It unleashed an angered cry before falling to the ground. For extra measure, I stabbed it repeatedly until my hand was speckled in blood.

I whipped my head around to my rescuer to see Tinker Bell panting before with a crossbow in hand.

"Tink..." I let out, "You're okay."

"Okay is an understatement," She huffed, "Surviving is more accurate."

The ex-fairy kicked the demonic bear, "The dark spirit is sparing no expense to wreak havoc on Neverland. It's taken control of all the animals and turned them into twisted forms."

Sympathy flashed through her eyes for a moment as she stared at the dead bear at our feet.

"I got to find Peter!" I told her, "Have you seen him?"

Tinker Bell shook her head, "Azruth has been brought out in physical form. Since then, Peter seems to have vanished. I'm just about to head to their camp to investigate."

"What about Baelfire?" I cursed the traitor's name.

"Baelfire?" Tinker Bell was confused.

"He's the one responsible for this mess," I scowled, "He released Azruth on the island."