Before Pan (OUAT fanfiction)

21: The Key to Defeat

My pixie companion led me through the familiar jungle path. The sight of the Lost Boys trapped in the trees haunted my mind. Peter was nowhere in sight which worried me. I could only hope he was okay.

Ahead of me, I saw the pixie falter. I stretched my hand out to catch its falling form. Its wings dropped behind its back as its small body trembled.

"You can ride in my shirt pocket," I told the pixie, "If you would like."

The small creature did so. It fit perfectly and continued to point the way. As we walked, I noticed that there was a faint golden glow surrounding my body. I suspected it was a protection spell cast by the pixie. I hadn't yet encountered any of Azruth's underlings.

Soon enough the old Annamay camp came into view. I brushed the branches of the tree away from me. The pixie flew out of my pocket and appeared to have regained some strength. This brought a small smile to my face.

"Glad to see you are a little rested," I told the pixie, "Now where should I go next?"

The pixie guided me through the camp. We passed multiple tents and the central firepit that had long gone out. We entered a tent at the head of the camp. I pulled back the tent flap to see it was a headquarters of sorts. While cobwebs covered the wooden furniture, it looked no worse for wear.

"Why did you bring me here for?" I asked the pixie slightly confused.

"You were brought here to meet me," an unknown voice said.

My body froze by the presence and I turned around with my weapon in hand. I expected to see the demon himself but was surprised to find a man. He looked elderly, but his eyes held the strength of a youthful man. He was dressed in simple clothing... No wait, I recognized the clothing.

The elderly man gave me a soft smile, "I can see my son in you."

"You were the Chief of the Annamay," I swallow, "Before my father took leadership."

I knelt to bow, but he placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping me, "No need to bow, child. We are family."

I nodded my head and looked at him, "How are you here?"

The pixie who guided me flew to my grandfather's shoulder. He gave it a grin, "I thank you for guiding her here safely."

He focused his attention on me, "Unfortunately, I passed a long time ago from this plane of existence."

"What is your name?" I asked.

"You can call me Aldrich," the kind man replied.

He reached out his hand towards me to take. As I did, the golden pixie dust materialized and the light began to blind me.

*****

"The spirits of the island lived together in peace and harmony," Aldrich explained.

We had been transported from the ruined camp to the cave where I saw the drawings of the past.

"There were twelve spirits who created the island and bestowed the gift of life," Aldrich continued, "There was Vidalia - Queen of the Pixies and Spirit of Order, Mortia - Spirit of death and rebirth, Ethern - Spirit of the Earth, Ether - Spirit of the Oceans, Fyre - Spirit of the animals, Kindel - Spirit of fire, Elvira - Spirit of the Winds, Lite - Spirit of Warirors, Vitali- Spirit of the Night, Elisum - Spirit of the Day, Airon - Spirit of Healing and lastly Azruth - Spirit of Chaos."

Each spirit was depicted with such detail that I began to think of it as a photograph. I recognized Vidalia who appeared to be the leader of the group.

"For the longest time, peace had reigned on the island. My people would pray to these spirits for guidance and prosperity. However, Azruth began to grow discontent with doing good. He began to crave the power and adoration the other spirits of the island held. To gain the power he desperately craved, he killed for it. From their deaths sprouted poisons, dangerous beasts and inhospitable, dangerous living conditions. He was destroying the island. He had nearly eliminated all the spirits before Vidalia was forced to seal him away. The seal took away his strength and kept the darkness at bay."