An ambush to remember...

Well I can't say these past few days have been enjoyable. They've been horrible, actually.

Things have been shaky here in Never-Never Land, to say the least. A few days ago, there was an ambush from Hook's crew during our game of late-night hide-and-go-seek. The Twins and I are the only ones seriously injured, the rest only have a few cuts and bruises. Me and the Twins were the first ones who were attacked so we had the worst of the ambush. (sigh) At least we weren't captured. That would have been a disaster.

You see -- it had all started when Goggles was counting down from ten...

The Boys began to scurry away from Goggles as he began to count down. The Twins and I looked at each other with big grins on our faces. We knew exactly where to hide. Goggles, although he can be very clever at times, doesn't look up as much as he should. He was always too busy being -- well -- you'll see.

"Which tree are we going to hide in this time?" asked one of the Twins, Daniel, as we ran through the forest.

I looked around. Most of the trees in the area were too thin for all three of us to climb. Sure we could have split up, but what would be the point in that if we grouped up in the first place?

"No idea," I panted. "All the trees are too skinny to climb..."

The other Twin, Nico, stopped in his tracks. "Hey! How about this one!"

Daniel and I stopped dead in our tracks and looked at Nico. Our gaze followed where Nico was pointing to find a very peculiar looking tree. The tree was large at its base and the higher you looked up, the thinner the tree became. At its base was a large hollow point where all three of us could hide.

"Brilliant!" I whispered with excitement. "But we need to find something to cover it after we go in."

"We'll get some big leaves to cover it!" said Nico.

The Twins gathered some very large leaves as I walked to the hollow of the tree and began to scoop up some of the dirt to make it more comfortable for us. Then I checked if there was anything in the hollow that can bite us -- nothing was there.

The Twins came back with the leaves and we hid in the hollow, the leaves perfectly hiding our hiding spot.

There was only one problem: Tinkerbell.
 *      *      *
Tinkerbell took a deep breath and exhaled hoarsely as she stood on the leaf which looked over the Mermaid Lagoon. How dare they leave her to go on an adventure. It wasn't fair! They never did that to her and now this Melanie woman is trying to take her place. The nerve of her!

You can only guess this to be untrue and Melanie was not trying to take her place, but to Tinkbell it was as real as the nose on her face. She was filled with jealousy. Every time she thought about it her face grew very red and her fists tightened. How could she get rid of this Melanie person without getting caught? The last time she had ever tried to get rid of a lady was with Wendy -- but she had almost lost her friendship with Peter also. She didn't want that to happen. That one week was the longest week of her entire life.

Tinkerbell sat on the leaf and scowled. Her arms and legs were crossed and her face distorted with disgusted jealousy. Then, there was a commotion on the lagoon's shore. What was it? Who would be up so late besides her Boys? There was a small lantern advancing towards her direction. Tinkerbell went to her feet and inclined toward the lantern, squinting her eyes through the darkness. There were three walking figures: one held the lantern as two followed behind.

"And whut exactly are we doin' ova 'ere again?" asked one of the figures, male.

"Shhh!" hissed one which held the lantern, male also. "Do you want someone to hear us?"

"No, sir, I wu'n't dream of it. I jus' wanted ta know why we're walkin' aroun' so late."

"The Captain is ready for us to bring him back to the ship."

"Already? Wow, the Cap't'n sure does heal pretty fast, doesn't he, Smee?"

Smee? Captain? The pirates!

Tinkerbell, remembering her luminous glow, flew behind some brush. She tilted herself to the side and watched the figures pass right by her. She thought they were over and done with after Peter took over their ship. Apparently she and the others were mistaken. She slowly followed them to listen in more to their conversation. If she could get anything interesting about the pirates, Peter and the Boys would like her more than Melanie.

"One of the fastest," answered Smee in a hushed voice. "Now quiet down. We don't want any redskins to hear us! If they do, I'll make sure you are the one to be scalped."

With that, they quieted. They walked for a long while, it seemed, until there was some heavy brush ahead. They slowed their pace now and looked around.

"It's here somewhere," whispered Smee.

"There," the third male whispered, pointed to his right, his dirty arm lit from the lantern.

All three pirates looked to their right and narrowed their eyes for a sharper look. They walked towards where the third pirate pointed and there it was. A small door hidden by the brush of dead palm leaves and other greenery from the island. Smee knocked on the door. There was no answer.

"Maybe they forgot abou' us?" the second pirate mused.

[For better effect, listen to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIg2hfqhhyg ]

A fog began to pour from under the door. A voice came whispering with it: "Who dares visit the one from behind the door?"

Smee took a long breath and answered: "This is Smee, bo'son of Captain James Hook. I have brought two other men with me from the crew. Do you want to know their names as well?"

There was a long pause as though the fog was thinking. It finally answered with three simple words: "You may pass..."

The brush cleared itself and the door opened for Smee and the two pirates to enter the dark dwelling of the fog. Tinkerbell didn't know what to do! How could she enter the dwelling as well if her bright body would give her away? Wait! Their pockets will do. Tinkerbell quickly flew into the air and entered one of the pirates pockets without notice

"So you come for Captain James Hook..." said a slow and enchanting female voice. When she spoke, her words are long and sad, detached. As though thinking of a depressing memory. A death perhaps.

The second pirate took off his hat, looking around with the others to pin-point where the voice was coming from. "Y-yes, ma'am."

"The dark captain of the Jolly Roger -- It has taken me a while to sew his limbs together, but I believe he is back to his old self again -- Maybe even better than before..."

The fog in the room began to surround them almost entirely. It was a heavy fog indeed. A deathly fog. The fog which crashes ships to the jagged rocks upon Neverland's shores.

"W-what's happening?" the second pirate whispered in fear.

"I don't know," answered Smee.

Tinkerbell peeked through a small hole in the pocket. Her eyes widened in horror from what she was seeing. What had she gotten herself into? What are the pirates up to? They weren't suppose to be more and why are they talking about that blasted captain?

The fog began to etch words into itself. The pirates looked upon the fog, growing white as the words slowly appeared, the female reading them the words: "From the crocodile did James Hook rest, his heart forever silenced its beating beneath his breast. Upon a promise did he swear, to come back again when lives can be spared. His promise was heard and now it must be kept, for the Witch of the Mist was there and adept. She gutted the crocodile and carried Hook away, for now he is her puppet to be feared and obeyed. Now, remember your promise and remember what is due, a life for a life but in your case it is two."

The two pirates accompanying Smee came to a devastating and bone chilling conclusion. They were there to be sacrificed in place of the dreaded Captain Hook. They looked at each other, and then back at Smee, their eyes wide and slowly fading. The moment Smee had read the last word, he took took out Johnny Corkscrew and plunged him into both pirates without remorse. The bodies turned into a mist, their blood turning into red fog.

Tinkerbell was out in the open! What should she do? She was the only bright thing shining in the dark room! Smee's cold eyes flickered to Tinkerbell, terror pierced deep into her heart. There was a sharp pain in her side. She looked down and saw blood seeping through her right side. A bit of Johnny Corkscrew had cut her when it had wiggled into the late pirate's body. She held it in agony, her head felt fuzzy.

"Peter..." she whispered to herself. Her heart had a light flutter of butterflies when she mentioned his name, but it dropped like a stone when she realized she might never see or be with him again. She had to find a way to escape. She had to warn Peter. "Peter -- must -- know..."

The room evaporated into the shore. It was dawn now and the sun was slowly beginning to rise above the sea. Tinkerbell was losing consciousness fast. She made her way into the forest, but looked back to see a haunting figure advancing toward Smee through the slowly diminishing fog. The walk was slow and steady, the air around them became an icy cold. It came from haunting figure of Captain Hook.

Tinkerbell flew as fast as she could through the forest. As she flew she collided into the leaves, her equilibrium off from the loss of blood. Only her sheer love and determination for Peter was pulling her through consciousness. What she didn't know was that the Witch of the Mist had given a gift to Hook to start him off: she brought his old crew from the dead as well. Smee had told Hook of Tinkerbell. Hook, remembering all too well who was responsible for his death, sent a few of his men to go after the fairy.

"She mustn't have flown far," said Smee. "Johnny Corkscrew had a hold of her"

There was a pause.

Hook spoke in a low and evil tone. "That fairy is very dear to Peter Pan. Make sure he is to never see her again -- alive."
[end song]
*     *    *
"What's taking them so long?" complained Daniel with an attitude. "We've been waiting here for hours and I'm tired!"

"Me too," Nico moaned. "I want to go to sleep!"

"Stop complaining, you two," I snapped. "I told you how many times to take a nap? But nooo, you wanted to stay up the whole night."

"We didn't know they would forget about us!" cried Daniel and Nico.

"Augh...and they say girls are whinny," I whispered to myself.

Now you must be thinking: why are we still playing our game? It's so late! Well Goggles is probably lecturing some poor creature of something very unimportant. We were going to call him Teacher, but he never teaches anything (though he thinks he does). He is always distracted by telling something what to do, why they should do it, how to do it, and when they should do it. Peter was growing angry -- extremely angry. When he doesn't sleep much, he is the grumpiest thing on the island!

"That's it!" cried Peter from his hiding place. "Where's Goggles?"

The Twins and I peeked out of our hiding spot to see what was going on. Some of the Boys had done the same thing.

"I saw him walk by me a while ago," yelled Rho.

"Pointer! Have you seen Goggles?"

Pointer peeped his head from a pile of leaves and pointed behind Peter. Pointer is mute.

"Just wait until I get a hold of him! He's going to get a walloping!" yelled Peter. Peter flew through the trees, demanding Rho and Pointer to come with him. They followed without hesitation.

Daniel rolled his eyes and dropped his head into his arms. Nico copied him. I leaned my head against my hand, boredom clearly showing on my face.

"I'm bored..." I sighed. The Twins agreed. "Why don't we leave this hiding spot to walk around for a bit? Then we can just come back when we hear them."

"Yeah!" shouted Nico, shooting from our hiding spot first.

"Finally!" shouted Daniel, following Nico.

I was the last to leave and I looked around. This island felt different for some reason. I couldn't put my finger on it.

"Let's go this way," said Daniel, pointing to my left.

"I don't wanna go there! Let's go this way!" cried Nico, point to my right.

"Both of you are wrong. We're going that way!" I began to walk as the Twins immediately followed me. They were like the little ducklings and I was the mother duck. It's pretty cute actually.

[play song again if needed for better effect]
We began playing tag as we advanced through the forest. We played tricks on each other and ate some fruit from the trees. We were quite enjoying ourselves until the temperature around us dropped significantly. A sense of danger swept over me, the Twins read the expression on my face.

"We have to go. Now."

I took them by the hands and put them in front of me. I looked around the area in steady alarm. Something wasn't right. I felt sick to my stomach. There was an advancing fog coming from behind us. Just then, something fell on my shoulder screaming in great distress.

"Tink!" said the Twins. "What wrong?"

Tinkerbell, who stood up on my shoulder, fainted and fell. I caught her in my hand. Her light was dim.

"Oh no, her light's dim!" declared Daniel.

Tears filled Nico's eyes. "Who would do that to poor Tinkerbell?"

I looked around us, trying to see if there was anything close by. "Where's the fog coming from...I don't see anything." I looked back at my hand and analyzed Tinkerbell and her wound. Her right side was cut, her clothes torn from the cut and constant crashing.

I felt a chill down my spine.


I turned around to see figures coming from towards us from the fog. I looked at the Twins and then back at the fog. There were about ten men. I went for my blades but they weren't at my belt.

"Where are my blades?" I exclaimed.

"We took them out when you were sleeping. We didn't want you to get hurt," answered Daniel.

 "They're in the hollow!" said Nico.

I swore under my breath. This was a terrible time to be unprotected. The Twins were new on the island so they weren't the best of fighters yet. I saw the figures take out their weapons. "Run!"

The Twins and I ran as fast as we could.  I began calling for the Natives for help. I wondered if they had heard me because there was no answer back. Luckily we reached the hollow before the men. I put Tinkerbell into the hollow and dove in for my blades. Without a moment to lose, I shot back out of it trying to push the Twins in.

"We can fight!" argued Daniel.

"Yeah! We can fight!" echoed Nico.

"I don't care if you can fight! Get in there NOW!"

I turned around and froze. The men were there and one drove a sword right into my gut the moment I turned back around. The Twins screamed in terror from the hollow as I tried to recollect myself. The movies always show how the people get over being stabbed quickly, but it's not true. It. Really. Hurts. What makes it worse is that slow and horrifying moment when you see your own blood pouring out of you.

I saw a few of the men go towards the hollow. That was what set me off. They were trying to touch my Twins. I took the sword from my gut and stumbled back. I made myself a barrier between the Twins and Tink and the men which I figured to be pirates.

"Traded in your dress did you?" one of them teased. "Come on, little lady. Don't be shy."

"Alright then."

I threw my blades at them. I hit three, missed two. Now -- try to prevent two head-strong boys while fighting off pirates all the time being wounded and tell me you can do it, no problem. You can't. If I let the Twins out, it would have been a bloodbath. I needed back up.

They all came back at me. One was nice enough to bring a pistol to the fight and shot my in the shoulder. Who ever you are. Thanks. The last thing I remember was a Native jumping one of the pirates and scalping him. Then -- everything -- went -- black.

Welcome to Never-Never Land!!! Well --- sort of...

I just came back from a long day of very tiring adventures. Peter and the boys are settling down for the moment, so I thought now would be a good time to tell you what you will be seeing on my little blog.

For the time being I have applied to Disney's CareerStart Program. My goal is to work on Attractions with a narrative role. It would be so nice to tell stories to the new visitors of Disney World. I will tell them stories just as I tell them to the Lost Boys. They do love a good story! Other than that, I will tell you about my adventures here in Never-Never Land. Maybe even tell you some of the things that happen when I leave here to visit all of you! (sigh) Hopefully I will be able to work in Disney World and maybe even in Magic Kingdom! Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Oh! Speaking of Disney World --- When I had told Peter about Disney World, for the first time, he said he had already been there so many times. You can only guess he bragged about pictures being taken of him along with him giving autographs daily to hundreds of his fans. They even made a ride about him, Wendy, and the others! Then he said he grew bored of it so they had to have someone pretend to be him. You can only guess he was very proud of himself when he told me this! 

From time to time, Peter "graces" his fans with his presence, but lately we have been so busy with Hook and his crew that we haven't been able to visit Disney World or any other place for a while now. Well, you would lose track of time when you're fighting pirates and flying about all the time! And Peter and the rest of us grow older when we leave Never-Never Land to visit so that is another reason why. Maybe there's something out there that can stop us from aging when we leave, even for a little while, but Peter says there's no such thing.

At-any-rate, I hope all of you will enjoy my little blog. It's so late now. Some of the Lost Boys have already fallen asleep! I guess no late-night hide-and-go-seek tonight. Anyway, right now Peter's playing his pipes as he swings on his hammock. He says hi to all of you! 

Now I best be off to bed, or at least get ready for it. Some of the Boys want me to tell them about the story of Alice in Wonderland. I hope they love it. We're at the part of the Mad Tea Party!

- Melanie C. -

P.S. Have any of you seen Tink by any chance? We left her sleeping and she wasn't here when we came back...