Chapter 28: Be Prepared

Others heading your way. Be prepared.

I shut my phone and braced myself on the bench, my eyes glued to the Peter Pan's flight exit. As if on que, she saw the Skeleton and Ombra exit with the chest. Both glancing nervously over their shoulders. I kept myself hidden behind a clump of strollers, hoping to catch them in a less populated area. 

The sky began to get darker and rain fell form the sky. I sneezed from the sudden downpour. I looked towards the sky and it looked like the stars were crying, heaven was crying.

Woah Elysie, what are you thinking?

I saw the Other make their way to the Main Street side of Fantasyland and walk across to Frontierland. I follow closely behind, soaking from head to toe but I didn't care. I knew that they were up to no good and I wanted to put a stop to it. They got to the closed entrance of Big Thunder Mountain and merged into the shadows. 

I halted and looked over the barricade.

It can't be too high.

I took a deep breath and vaulted over the barricade, barely making it over. I landed like a ninja on the side breathless from my feat. As I looked up form my braced position, I saw the Others climbing over the "in repair" tracks. 

"I wouldn't go that way if I were you. It's all just construction work and roller-coaster tracks,"I pointed out.

"I know what I am doing,"Ombra groaned. 

Strange, he has uncertainty in his voice.

I looked around. 

"Where is your King?"I asked.

They looked at each other, seem to debate on how to answer me.

"He went ahead of us. His mission was completed faster then he expected and left for another mission,"Ombra replied.

"You are lying,"I said. 

Out of nowhere, Ombra had a sword pointed towards my face.

"Do you want to argue,"he groaned.

The Skeleton grinned and cracked his hideous knuckles.

"Oh yes,"I replied with a smirk. 

Chapter 27: Safe and Sound

They watched in ultimate horror as the Blade connected with Peter's heart. The golden glow drained from him and his skin became a sickly grey.
"No!"Jiang screamed as she broke from Ombra's grasp and ran towards the duo.
Then Peter drove the Curtana and the king exploded into dust. She slid to his side, where he laid still on the ground. The group stayed back for they knew that Peter is almost gone.
"Why?"Jiang asked, choking in tears.
"Because I had to. The prophecy stated that the Curtana will be driven into his heart,"Peter whispered.
"But it never mentioned you dying."
"Because that part is one of the many missing parts."
"No . . ."
Peter groaned as he saw black dots dance in his eyes, nausea setting in. Jiang cried but looked into his eyes, which seemed oddly at peace.
"Tell  . . . Elysie . . . to keep . . . believing,"Peter said, his strength now gone.
"I will,"Jiang whispered, grasping his hand.
She decided to comfort him with a song that was sung to her long ago:

"I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said don't leave me alone
But all that's dead and gone and past tonight

Just close your eyes
the sun is going down
you'll be alright
no one can hurt you now
come morning light
you and I'll be safe and sound

Don't you dare look out your window darling everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Curl up to this lullaby
Even when the magic's gone
Gone"

Peter smiled and mouthed, "Thank you".
His entire body glowed brightly and hummed as starstuff was rising out of him and floating to the sky. Then his body slowly disintegrated into starstuff. They all looked up and saw the startsuff floating far away, tears streaming down their faces.
Jiang's hand was still closed, like she was still clutching Peter's hand.
"Just close your eyes . . .,"she started but choked on her tears,"you'll be alright."
Melana came over and put her hand on Jiang's shoulders and sang,"Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound."
Then Jiang stretched her hand and starstuff floated out. She broke he gaze away from her hand when she noticed that the chest Peter brought wasn't there anymore. Neither were the Others.
"Darn,"she muttered as she got out her cell phone and texted Elysie.

Chapter 26: King vs Peter

Exhaustion.
That's all Peter could think about as he advanced and defended. He knew that if he kept this up he will never see the next sunrise in Neverland.
As the king swung his blade at Peter's head for the millionth time, realization hit Peter at the same time. He jumped out of the way and closed his eyes.
"dear God, I put this fight in your hands,"Peter mumbled.
He quickly opened his eyes and the King advanced him again. He gripped Curtana and focused all his starstuff power into the sword. Then he advanced at the King and their blades connected at full speed but the surge of Peter's sword blasted the King away.
Left breathless and weak from the surge, Peter unzipped a compartment in his coat and Tinkerbell flew out, well and alive.
"Tink, now!"Peter yelled.
Tinkerbell zipped towards Peter and showered his sword and himself in pixie dust. His energy was renwed and he flew straight towards the King, who was barely recovering 350 yards away.
In flight, Peter collided his sword with the King's blade and the King was struck down again but prepared for it.
"Block me Tink!" Peter commanded.
Tinkerbell kept showering starstuff while Peter gave repetitive blows towards the King, who was able to block some of them but losing a lot of ground. Peter halted his blows with a cross lock with the King.
"Do you want to surrender?"Peter asked.
"Never."King replied.
Then he pushed Peter away and charged. During the push, Tink was shoved and spun erratically.
Darn, Peter thought.
He used Tink as his power source, but now he had limited power and needed to use it wisely . The King charged at him and he blocked it once again.
"You know Peter, I have one more trick up my sleeve,"King pointed out.
"Yea? What's that?"Peter asked, grunting on trying to keep his remaining power source.
"This is going exactly as I planned and my plans never fail,"King said, quite darkly, which caused Peter to lose his guard for a second.
The King swiftly unlocked his Blade from peter's and touched the very tip of the blade into Peter's heart.
Peter felt no pain, but a sense of lacking energy. He looked down and saw the Blade, black fumes spreading across his black coat.
"You're dead. Too bad, I would have loved to be working with you,"the King said with a smile.
Peter didn't respond, for his energy was diminishing rapidly. He closed his eyes and willed any last bit of starstuff into the Curtana.
The Curtana gave off a weak glow, but was filled with enough power to finish the job. He glanced towards the group who were holding their breathe as they saw the entire scene play out. Tears filled his eyes as black dots raced into his vision.
"I . . . am . . . so . . .sorry,"he whispered.
Then he gave one last battle cry and plunged the Curtana into the depth's of the King's dark heart.
"You're dead,"Peter said.
The King stared at Peter in disbelief until he exploded and disintegrated into black dust.
Peter kept his lunge stance until he couldn't hold himself anymore.
He looked up to the sky as he laid on the ground, the sun shining bright as the clouds parted.

Chapter 25: Death Blade

I connected the same candy together in a four-in-a-row and they crushed, completing the level.
Another win.
Playing Candy Crush is not my idea of fun but there wasn't much that I could do waiting for impending danger or hope.
I looked up from my ipod and I heard music and people milling around my bench, most were eager to go on the Peter Pan ride.
Pity, they don't know what;s really going on in there.
I sighed and looked at my watch: 10:00pm.
Please God, give them all the strength and courage to defeat the Others.
I then turned on my ipod and continued playing Candy Crush.
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Is the Death Blade . . .  smoking?, Peter though as he braced himself for the first blow.
He didn't hide his surprised look that well when the King stated,"Highly deadly fumes from the the death that vibrates through this blade. Not telling you any details but it is the most powerful weapon made by the Others. A cut from this balde can either kill you instantly or take away your heart and become a slave to me."
"Both don't sound pretty good. Are you sure there isn't another option that you forgot to read in your Death Blade Pamphlet?"Peter asked.
The King didn't reply back.
"Yea, didn't think so,"Peter muttered, mostly to himself.
He then put his enemy into the sword's hilt and it gave off a golden glow.
"Peter . . . please,"he heard Jiang whisper in tears.
Without looking towards he, he glumly stated,"I'm sorry."
He charged first at the King. he connect with the Death Blade with a earsplitting clash as sparks of starstuff and smoke flew everywhere. The King arched Death Blade away from Peter and swung at Peter's feet. He easily jumped the swing but the King rebounded and slashed towards Peter's neck. But with his advanced eyesight, Peter blocked the Blade in the knick of time. He pushed the Blade off and countered it with a deadly swipe towards the King's torso, still leaving the same annoying vacant slit.
Come on! Think!
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Melana and the Starcatchers watched in fear from a distance. Peter and the King never seemed to be gaining ground on each other. Every time Peter lost a little bit of ground, they all held their breathes.
"Is there anything we can to to help except just standing here and watch?"Melana complained, hating the feeling of being helpless.
Jon gave her a look and gestured towards the Others around them.
"Going out there is just committing suicide,"Jon stated.
Melana slumped, he had a point.
"It's Peter's fight,'Tiger Lily solemnly added.

Chapter 24: To the Death

   "So that's the plan,"Melana concluded, out of breathe from talking about the plan.
"Good plan. What will happen to Peter and the King?"Jon asked.
"I don't really know. All we can do is pray,"Melana replied.
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Peter and the King parted from their groups at the same time.
"We need to negotiate a couple of things in private,"the King said, with a evil glint in his eyes.
"I agree,"peter said, crossing his arms.
The King snapped his fingers and the Other charged towards the group form the shadows. But they were prepared for it and fought back.
As the fighting drew on, the King gestured Peter to a more quiet place on the beach, away from the chaos.
"What's the negotiation?"Peter asked.
"I want you to lead me to the chest. No tricks. In thanks, I will leave Neverland,"the King replied.
"That sound s like a good bargain."
"Yes it is."
Peter though for a moment. The noise in the background wasn't helping his thinking process.
 I know this might be a trap but he might keep his word.
Peter decided to go for broke.
"I will show you where the chest is,"he said.
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Jiang and Melana blocked every sword that came their way. Melana looked towards Jiang in desperation because she knew that they wouldn't hold out for much longer. Jiang knew that she had to do it now.
She closed her eyes, trying to concentrate on any happy though, which she only had very few of them. She focused on one moment in her childhood, a moment that drastically changed in a day.
Then she felt lighter and lighter until she couldn't feel the ground anymore.
"She's flying!" she heard someone yell, which sounded from below.
Jiang opened her eyes and saw the ground really far below. She ducked her head too much that her entire body swooped down. She shrieked and lifted her hard leveled.
Don't try that again, she thought.
She tested out her flying for a few seconds, grinning her face off.
You know, I have a feeling that this is going to be fun, she thought.
Then she swooped down towards the ground below, he dagger now in front of her.
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Peter decided to walk towards the chest sing the King was daring him with his eyes to fly. He lead the King to another empty beach spot. Except it had a strait of water running through it. The sun's rays shine brightly down on a sand island between the strait and sea.
"It's there,"Peter said, pointing to the sand island.
"Take out the chest,"the Kind commanded.
"As you wish, but I would like some assistance."
If he heard the King grumble or not, he grumbled. Peter walked across the frozen strait and unto the mound. He got onto his hands and knees and started digging. The King just  watched and did nothing. Peter felt his hand hit the chest when he heard the yelling in the distance getting extremely close.
He turned around and saw Jiang diving towards the King.
"No . . . Jiang . . .,"Peter whispered.
Peter's previous plan was to give the King the chest so that the King will call off war and leave Neverland, thinking he won. Unfortunately, Jiang's sudden action of attack set back his wonderfully thought out plan.
The King easily blocked Jiang's dive but she rebounded and sliced at the King's chest. He roared in pain but the vacant slit closed up.
He's invincible?Peter and Jiang both thought of at the same time.
As if he read their thoughts, he answered,"You can't kill a demon that easily."
"Oh yea?" said a voice from behind him.
Jiang had a starstuff ball in her hand, ready to shoot it.
"Let's see about this,"she smirked and shot the bolt towards the King.
He dodged it but it still managed to clip his left hand clean off. He grabbed his arm in pain.
Peter decided to shoot a starstuff bolt  but the King gripped his wrist tightly, almost cutting off his circulation.
"Don't you dare?"King threatened.
"I think I will take the dare,"Peter remarked and shot a starstuff bolt and at the King's head. The King dodged it easily but released his grip on Peter's wrist in the process. But Peter didn't suspect what the King schemed next. He quickly gripped both of Jiang's hands and held her neck close to his unsheathed Death Blade.
"Now Peter, did you know that a simple cut from this Death Blade could end her life?"King smirked.
Peter couldn't reply but glare frustratedly at the King and Jiang. Jiang's eyes trembled but stayed strong. She made eye contact with peter and he could hear her voice.
I can handle it. 
Peter winced at hearing her words. He mustered enough starstuff to telepathically reply to her, don't give up. I haven't given everything yet.
Jiang's eyes widened in understanding.
"Peter . . . no!"she screamed.
The King grinned/
"Listen, I have the starstuff underneath me at this very moment. Let her go and you will get your starstuff,"Peter said.
To prove to the King that he wasn't bluffing, he lifted the chest out of the snow, above his head, and let it slowly float to the ground. Peter looked at the King's eyes intently.
"Ombra, watch after the girl,"King said as he threw Jiang into Ombra's clutches.
The King approached Peter and the chest. Peter made no move to stop him. As the King lifted the chest and gave it to the Skeleton, he unsheathed his Death Blade and pointed it towards Peter's heart.
"Of course, I forgot to mention that I need a watcher like you too,"King said, gesturing to Peter.
Peter sighed.
"I don't think that can be arranged,"Peter said as he took out the tip and willed the Curtana into his hands.
"To the death,"King said.
"To the death,"Peter repeated.

Chapter 23: The Boy is Back

Peter slowly let himself float gently to the ground. His eyes glanced for a second towards the place where he hid the chest. He looked back towards his friend and smiled.
"Miss me?" Peter teased.
"Not by a lot,"Jiang replied back.
The King slowly gained his composure, still gripping his hand.
"How did you acquire that power?"he asked.
"Oh, you know, starstuff. I get to fly, shoot stuff, make stuff, and more. Too bad for you, dark stuff can't do much,"Peter teased.
"Cocky, eh? Don't forget my powers boy."
"Yea, your power to cheat? Nice one!"
Jiang couldn't handle but let out a inward chuckle.
"No, the power of death. You are quite aware that I and my fellow Others can end your life in the most unsuspecting ways,"King said, summoning Ombra and the Skeleton to his side. 
Peter flatly said,"I don't mind. I already have a Friend in higher places that is on my one side right now. Actually, you should be afraid of His power. Besides, if you kill me, you won't know where I hid your precious chest."
"My chest? So you did take it!"
"Um, no. mYou see, after I dug myself out of the snow, the chest happened to be right next to me. Sadly, your evil thoughts clog up your tiny peanut head to even notice the starstuff nearby."
Before Peter could react, the King grabbed him by the neck, choking him. Peter gagged uncontrollably as he tried to breathe. 
"I liked you better dead,"the King growled.
Peter couldn't exactly answer, but he put his glowing hands, with starstuff, on the King's hands. 
The King screamed again, releasing his hold on Peter. Peter collapsed to the ground, gagging. Jiang and Melana ran to his side.
"Are you alright?"Melana asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. But, we need a plan though. I can't keep talking forever. I have a 'half-plan' but I know that it won't do the full job,"Peter said.
"What's your plan?"Jiang asked.
Peter whispered it quickly to them.
"Okay, nice plan. How are they not going to kill you once they get it? I am sure the King wants you dead more then anything,"Melana said.
"That's when you guys come in. I need the Starcatchers, Tiger Lily, and you guys to distract Ombra and the Skeleton so I can have some real duel time with the King,"Peter replied.
"Cool,"Jiang said as she and Melana got up to tell the others.
"Wait, Jiang I need to talke to you,"Peter said, grabbing her arm.
"What is is?"Jiang asked.
"I need you to be a flying distraction."
"But, Peter, I can't fly! I can only levitate."
"Wrong. So you can create starstuff, which means that you have starstuff in you concluding that you can fly."
"I tired. It never worked."
"Think of a wonderful thought. Any merry little thought."
Jiang punched Peter playfully on the arm.
"Don't go singing that annoying Disney song,"Jiang joked.
Peter laughed and said,"But it's true!"
Jiang smiled, I know.
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"King, you need a council,"Ombra groaned.
"We need action."the Skeleton rapsed.
Ombra hushed the Skeleton with a wave of his spindly fingers.
The King though for a moment.
"The boy is strong again. Stronger then he was before. We need hims weaker so I can target him easily,"the King said.
"I know his weakness,"Ombra groaned.
"What is it?"
"His friends. He is willing to give up everything to save his friends."
"Perfect."
"What are you going to do?"the Skeleton rapsed.
"Oh, you will see."

Chapter 22: Surrounded

     Peter grunted as he tried carrying the chest back to Neverland, he looked ahead and the island seemed to be miles away. He grumbled and wished that he could create starstuff like Jiang to make it lighter. He decided to try and put the chest in the snow.  Concentrating all his energy into his hands, he felt a burning hot sensation and golden starstuff was expanding in his hand. Grinning over his achievement, he knelt down towards the chest and unlocked it. Then, he let a small quantity of starstuff fall into the gold box. He closed all the lids and tried lifting it again. It weighed any more then a feather.

That's better.

He reviewed the plan in his mind before he picked up the chest. 

For a second, he doubted it was going to work at all, but clearing his thoughts because he knew that he wouldn't fail. 

Just as he lifted the chest and about to fly off, he remember one last thing to finish up his plan.

He floated off the ground and flew as fast as he could to Mermaid Lagoon.

                                                             ------<>------

Jiang felt a surge of heat as the group calmed their excitement.

"Guys, Peter is coming . . . I think we can meet up with him. I will lead,"Jiang said, starting towards the entrance. Until Mike put a hand on her shoulder to halt.

"Jiang, it may be dangerous to go out right now. It could be a trap to lure you in,"Mike explained.

Jiang brushed her dad's hand off her shoulder and turned towards him.

"I am going. There is a reason why we are outside a cell instead of in a cell. We are needed. right now we are needed in a war. A war against light and darkness. Now, I am going so who's coming with me?"Jiang asked.

Melana raised her hand, then Tiger Lily and the rest of the Starcatcher group. 

Jiang looked into her father's eyes, pleading for him to join in too. He shrugged and raised his hand.

"Let's go,"Jiang said.

As they waled out of the cave, they noticed the tiny streams of sunlight breaking through the dark clouds. 

"It's Peter. I just know it,"Jiang mumbled.

                                                           ------<>------

The King and the Others watched the escape group in the shadows, following their every movement. The King knew that the Watcher girl was going to lead them towards Peter. So far, the King's plan was going exactly as planned. He plan never falters in any way. His first part of his plan it that the watcher girl will go after Peter Pan. When they get there, he will catch Peter off guard because he will be too relaxed with the reunion. He also brought reinforcement incase something gets out of hand. He noticed that the group was headed towards the shoreline. 

Perfect, just a place where I can see and execute every single one of them.

                                                          ------<>------

They arrived at Cannibal Cove, searching everywhere fo any sign of Peter. Everyone was looking around while Jiang was fully confused.
"Where is he? I feel starstuff, but I don't know where . . . but it's here,"Jiang mumbled.
"Don't ask me, I'm no expert,"Melana mumbled back to her.
Then Jiang heard a rustle in the nearby bushes. She put her finger to her lips to quiet everyone.
The air was silent, except for the rustling that was getting louder. 
Then from the shadows of the bushes, the form of the King formed. The small group kept their composure as the forms of Ombra and Skeleton appeared after the King.
"Well, well, what a pleasure to meet you all. What's the occasion?" King asked, forming a handgun with black dust.
"I think you might already know,"Jon answered.
"The boy? You people are pathetic."
"How?"
"The boy is useless. he is so done for that there is no way that he was enough strength to defeat anyone, even if he was revived,"King said as he slowly turned towards Jiang, aiming the gun to her head. 
"This girl seem to have great powers. She may be more useful to me then the boy."King continued. 
"You don't need me for your dark plans,"Jiang shot back.
The King walked up to Jiang and revealed the red eyes that were under his hood to her.
"Yes, I do. You have starstuff in you, starstuff that I need. The boy can only fly but you can create starstuff."
"Now hold up! Jiang is my daughter and you have no right to take her,"Mike yelled, getting im between the King and Jiang.
The King just stood there and staring at Mike intent;y with his red eyes. 
"Very foolish move,"the King said and aimed the gun to Mike. He was about to pull the trigger until a fiery ball of starstuff knocked the gun out of the King's hands.
The King let out an unearthly scream as he clutched his hand.
"You are using a gun? I thought you Others have more bigger powers then that!"
Jiang looked up and saw a certain someone flying above them.
"Peter!"