The tension in the air shifted. Though Peter remained caught in his usual blend of bravado and carelessness, Wendy’s demeanor had changed. Her eyes, full of curiosity, were fixed on Tiger Lily with a growing sense of awe. She saw something deeper in Tiger Lily’s words, something beyond the playful rivalry that usually defined Peter’s adventures.

Tiger Lily could see that Wendy wasn’t like Peter. She wasn’t simply looking for the next game or the next challenge. Wendy had a hunger for understanding that Tiger Lily respected.

“You mentioned Volcano Island,” Wendy said softly, taking a step closer to Tiger Lily. Her tone was cautious, respectful. “What is it like?”

Peter rolled his eyes from where he still sat tangled in the vines, clearly uninterested in any place he hadn’t already deemed worthy of his time. But Wendy’s gaze never left Tiger Lily’s.

Tiger Lily glanced at Peter, then back to Wendy, choosing her words carefully. Volcano Island was not a place to speak of lightly. It was the heart of Neverland, a place where her people drew their power, where the land itself held the secrets of creation. To speak of it too freely was to risk disrespecting its ancient magic.

“It is a place of balance,” Tiger Lily said at last, her voice low and steady. “The four elements—earth, fire, water, and sky—all meet there. It is the source of the Kamaʻāina’s power. We do not go there for fun. It is a place of reverence, of deep connection to the island.”

Wendy’s eyes widened, her curiosity deepening. “Why don’t Peter and the others talk about it? Surely they’ve been there.”

Peter laughed, cutting her off. “It’s just a bunch of rocks and fire. No fun at all. Who wants to visit a volcano when you can fly and fight pirates?”

Tiger Lily’s gaze hardened as she met Peter’s dismissive look. His flippant attitude grated against everything her people valued. “It is not for you, Peter Pan. Volcano Island is not a playground for pixie dust and sword fights.”

Wendy’s attention returned to Tiger Lily. “It sounds... important.”

“It is,” Tiger Lily said, her voice soft but firm. “The Kamaʻāina draw our strength from the island. The power there is ancient, older than Neverland itself. We go to honor our ancestors and to keep the island’s balance. Without it, this place—this entire world—would unravel.”

Peter shrugged, still unconvinced. “Sounds boring.”

But Wendy’s interest remained unwavering. “Could we go there? Could we... see it?”

Tiger Lily studied her for a long moment. The thought of bringing an outsider to Volcano Island was almost unthinkable, and yet Wendy’s earnest curiosity felt genuine. There was a difference in Wendy—a willingness to understand, to learn rather than take. Tiger Lily could respect that, even if she remained cautious.

“One day, perhaps,” Tiger Lily replied, her voice guarded. “But you must understand: it is not a place you go to explore. It is a place you go to respect. The island decides who is welcome.”

Wendy nodded, understanding the weight of the words. “I would like to learn more about your people, Tiger Lily. Not just about the island... but about you.”

Peter let out a loud sigh of impatience. “We don’t have time for this. We’ve got pirates to fight and mermaids to see.”

But Wendy ignored him, her focus still on Tiger Lily.

Tiger Lily allowed a small, knowing smile to touch her lips. She admired Wendy’s thoughtfulness, but she also knew how dangerous it was for someone from the outside world to get too close to the island’s secrets. The balance that kept Neverland whole was fragile, and even the slightest shift could send it spiraling into chaos.

“Perhaps one day,” Tiger Lily said again, her voice softer this time. “But not today.”

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Wendy smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. She understood the boundaries being set, and unlike Peter, she respected them. It was something Tiger Lily rarely saw from outsiders.

Peter, meanwhile, was already growing bored. He finally managed to wriggle free from the vines and jumped to his feet, dusting himself off as though the entire encounter had been nothing more than a mild inconvenience. “Well, if we’re done here, let’s get back to real adventures.”

Tiger Lily shook her head at Peter, though there was a faint trace of amusement in her eyes. Peter would never change. He would always be the boy who refused to grow up, the one who saw Neverland as nothing more than his personal playground. But that was the way of things, and Tiger Lily had long since accepted it.

Letting Them Go – With a Warning

The jungle had settled back into its familiar rhythm, the quiet sounds of nature filling the space where the confrontation had taken place. The tension between them had eased, but Tiger Lily remained firm, her gaze locked on Peter, making sure her message had landed.

She turned to Wendy first, offering her a subtle nod. “You understand what I have told you, Wendy Darling. If you wish to learn, there is much for you to see. But you must earn the island’s trust. Our ways are not like Peter’s.”

Wendy nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I understand, Tiger Lily. Thank you... for everything.” Her voice was genuine, full of a respect that Tiger Lily rarely heard from outsiders.

Tiger Lily let a small smile cross her face. “Perhaps one day, you will learn the true heart of this island.” She paused, then added softly, “But it must come from respect, not curiosity.”

Wendy nodded again, and the connection between them solidified. For the first time, Tiger Lily saw in Wendy the potential to truly understand what it meant to live in harmony with Neverland’s forces, not just to play within it as Peter did.

Then Tiger Lily turned her attention back to Peter, who was now brushing off the dirt from his clothes, already halfway ready to leap into his next adventure. His playful demeanor had shifted slightly, though his usual grin was still there, as if he was simply waiting for her to finish speaking so he could return to his fun.

“Peter Pan,” Tiger Lily called, her voice cutting through the calm.

Peter turned to face her, his eyes bright but less smug than before. He had felt the weight of her earlier words, even if he didn’t want to admit it.

“This island,” Tiger Lily continued, “and the places under my people’s care—Na Koa Island and Volcano Island—are not your playground. You have no claim here. The land decides who it welcomes, not you.”

Peter shrugged, trying to appear unfazed. “I wasn’t planning on hanging around, anyway. There’s plenty of Neverland left for me to explore.”

Tiger Lily narrowed her eyes slightly. “Then make sure you do. If I find you playing your games on this island again, you won’t be caught by vines. You will meet the warriors of Na Koa, and they will not treat you kindly.”

Peter’s smile faltered for a moment, and Tiger Lily could see the glimmer of understanding finally settle in. Despite his bravado, Peter knew better than to challenge her people directly.

Wendy shot Peter a warning look, but it was Michael who spoke up next, his voice small but brave. “We’ll be more careful,” he said, looking up at Tiger Lily with wide eyes. “I don’t want to mess up your island.”

Tiger Lily’s gaze softened as she looked at the youngest of the group. Michael’s innocence reminded her that not all who followed Peter were as reckless. “Good,” she said simply. “Remember that.”

Finally, she turned her attention to Tootles, who still dangled helplessly from the vine, his face red from embarrassment. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she cut the vine holding him in place, and he dropped softly to the ground with a thud.

Tootles scrambled to his feet, his face flushed, but he offered Tiger Lily a quick, nervous bow. “Thank you,” he mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

Tiger Lily nodded in acknowledgment, though her eyes were already scanning the surrounding trees, sensing the island’s natural balance returning. The trap had served its purpose, and now it was time for them to go.

“Leave this island now,” she said firmly, though not unkindly. “Find your adventures elsewhere, and remember what I’ve told you.”

Peter, ever quick to recover, gave her a mock salute. “We’re off, then. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again soon.”

Tiger Lily watched as they began to leave, her eyes lingering on Wendy, who glanced back at her one last time, a silent promise of respect exchanged between them. There was potential there—something that went beyond the usual games Peter played. Wendy understood, even if Peter never would.

As the group disappeared into the jungle, the sounds of their voices fading into the distance, Tiger Lily stood still for a moment, listening to the heartbeat of the island. The Kamaʻāina protected these lands, and she would always ensure that they remained safe from those who would treat them as a playground.

For now, they were safe. But Tiger Lily knew that danger would return. Whether from pirates, pixies, or even Peter Pan himself, she would be ready. The balance of Neverland was fragile, and it was her duty to protect it.

With one last glance at the now-quiet jungle, Tiger Lily turned and disappeared into the shadows, her mind already focused on the next threat that might come to her shores.