Even with full cooperation, Slightly still continually gave Winter a push forward. “You know, you don’t need to constantly shove me,” Winter exclaimed.

“Just making sure you’re fully aware of who’s in charge here,” Slightly grinned. Behind him, Starkey felt quickly unsure about this Slightly guy. Not in a sense that he would betray them, but in a sense that he would mean trouble for their entire crew.

“You’re not even in charge,” Winter countered. “You’re a pawn, being used by Hook. You used to have an entire fleet, now you’re nothing more than a cabin boy.” Slightly shoved her forward, giving her the hint that he would wreck her. Starkey winced at this. Even though it was minimal, Pan still said to do no harm to her.

“Sure I may have to work for Hook. But I won’t for long. It will all come my way.” They arrived at the brig. It was a small room with two cells, but the cells had no bars or anything on them. Instead there were cylinder openings on the floor and ceiling. Next to the cells were small openings that lead to a seat with a throttle in front of it. The escape pods that Starkey mentioned. “What is this?” he asked Starkey. “Why aren’t they activated?”

“We don’t usually keep prisoners so we don’t keep them on at all times. It would be keen of you to learn how Hook runs his ship. Since he is your boss now,” Starkey stated toward him. He wanted Slightly to know that Hook was the captain and nothing would change that. Starkey walked over to the doorway and flipped a switch. Instantly, solid rows of laser beams shot down from the cylinders and connected with the ones on the floor, creating a laser field of a cell. He turned them off and motioned for Winter to step toward them.

“You really think you can trust this man?” Winter asked Starkey as she stepped toward the cell. “He betrayed Peter as if it was nothing and he knew him for years. What makes you think he won’t do the same for Hook?”

“Pan was selfish!” Slightly grunted. “All he cared about was himself and his stupid rules. He didn’t care about a single soul in this galaxy unless it hurt his precious Earth.” Starkey felt agitated by these comments. His arm went down to his side to confirm he had brought his laser sword. “He was a fool! And a terrible pirate. History will quickly forget about him.”

“You’re the dumbest scoundrel this galaxy has ever seen. Peter cared for everything. You only care about yourself. And Peter will always be remembered. You will be a measly speck on history and die old and alone.”

Slightly felt rage come through and lost all control. He smacked Winter across the face so hard, she collapsed onto the floor. Starkey couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Slightly crouched down on the floor and grabbed Winter by her cheeks and turned them toward him with a vice grip on her. “You don’t know a god damned thing about me.” Winter noticed Slightly’s hand was slowly heading toward his sword.

“You don’t have the guts,” she uttered. Slightly grabbed his sword, activated it, but then was struck on the head and collapsed! Winter looked up to see Starkey on top of him, with his sword in hand. He had just used the hilt to knock him out. Winter moved Slightly’s unconscious body off of her and got back on her feet.

“Peter was a good man,” Starkey said to her. “I’m terribly sorry for what happened to him. I’m glad he’s dead, but I won’t let this filth drag his name through the mud,” he motioned to Slightly. Starkey headed toward the escape pods and started punching in coordinates on one of the consoles. “If you hop in this, it will safely get you to Earth.”

“Why are you helping me?”

“He betrayed Peter’s wish. You’re getting home safely without harm, as he wished. I won’t let anyone else jeopardize that.”

“Starkey! What’s taking so long!” he heard Hook summon him.

“I’ll say Slightly wanted to handle you alone. I’ll come back here soon for his body. You should be gone by then,” he said as more of an order than a suggestion. They started hearing sounds from Slightly’s body. He would be back to consciousness soon. Starkey could feel his plan unraveling before him. “On second thought,” he said as he threw Winter his sword. “It would be far more humiliating if his prisoner overpowered him. Do what you want with him,” he said as he exited the brig, closing it on his way out.

Winter felt the sword in her hand. She wasn’t sure if Starkey meant to kill Slightly or overpower him if he came to. Either way, she didn’t want to be around when he woke up. Her first instinct led her to the escape pod. A thought of how cowardly she was floated through her mind. She nearly died a few minutes ago. It was normal to feel this way. Then she thought how her world would be over as she knew it if she didn’t try to save it.

She stared at the button on the console. All she would have to do is push it and she would be home and away from all of this. “Peter,” she heard Slightly say in a daze. She turned back and anger flashed through her. Peter wouldn’t take the coward’s way out and she wouldn’t either. Even it if killed her, she would do whatever possible to stop Hook and save Earth.

As she got out of the escape pod, she found Slightly now standing on two feet, but still not completely sure what was going on. “Winter? What are you doing? Where’s Starkey?” Slightly then noticed the laser sword hilt in her hand. “You really think you can do this?” Winter didn’t say a word to him and instead activated the laser sword. The blade came out and lit into Sightly’s eyes, causing him to laugh.

“Round two then, eh love?” he said as he took out his sword and activated it. They started circling each other, waiting for the other to attack. “You really think you can beat me? You barely survived last time,” Slightly taunted at her. “And I was going easy on you.”

“We both know that’s a lie, Slightly. I nearly got you last time. I won’t make those same mistakes again.”

“Come on, love. Cocky confidence is one thing, but you’re in no way capable to have a match with me. Your arms are cut to pieces and your back is slashed opened.”

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“Should be easy for you then,” she stated and gripped her sword with both hands. Slightly laughed at her confidence.

“I’ll take no pleasure in killing you,” he said as he got into a fighting stance.

“We both know that’s a lie.”

“Can’t argue with you there,” Slightly said right before he swung to Winter. She deflected and immediately countered. It failed as Slightly returned his blade to hers. Winter slashed toward him again, but Slightly threw up his blade up to stop her. Their eyes met, each hosting a look of hate they both had never seen themselves have before. Slightly threw his head toward Winter and head-butted her, causing her to stumble back.

She flew another blow toward Slightly, but she was far too slow. Getting aggravated with her, he side stepped and let her blade come down toward the floor. He stabilized himself and threw a kick to her side, possibly breaking one of her ribs.

Winter flew across the room and slammed against a wall, nearly losing her grip on her sword in the process. She flew back to Slightly again, charging at him. Slightly anticipated this and ducked underneath her blade and sent a kick behind him. His foot made contact with her already injured back and sent her flying to the other wall.

Winter turned back to Slightly who wasn’t even breaking a sweat. She was losing, badly. She hardly got a single hit on him and it was taking a toll on her body. She charged at him in a stupid aggravated assault. Slightly did the same ducking tactic, except this time he swung his blade at her, slicing toward her chest.

Winter luckily bailed on her charge and hopped to the side, avoiding his blade. Slightly gripped his sword with both hands. Using his brute strength, he slashed at Winter in a downward motion. Winter blocked it, but due to his excessive force, it knocked her on the ground. Winter felt déjà vu, still getting knocked down by the same tactics as their fight in the ring.

“Face it, bird,” he taunted, “You’re outmatched.” Winter somersaulted backwards and placed her feet on their arches and sprinted toward Slightly. Once again, he easily dodged to the side and sliced her other arm. “Alright,” he said now facing her, “I’m tired of this.”

Winter had to think of a new strategy fast. Her agility, which was her greatest strength, wouldn’t cut it anymore. She couldn’t exactly overpower him either. She quickly thought what Peter would do and their fighting lesson together flashed through her mind. It wouldn’t be ideal, but it was all she had left.

Slightly gripped his sword with both hands again, signaling his deadly slashing technique. He held the blade above of his head and started his move toward Winter. Winter went up to counter with her blade. If this didn’t work, it could possibly cost her her life. Right before the blades were about to touch, Winter began the technique Peter taught her. She deactivated the blade and tossed the hilt toward her other hand. Slightly’s blade illuminated in her eyes. She was careful to catch the hilt and activate the sword. She saw her blade extending toward Slightly’s shoulder. Just as Slighty’s blade was about to slice open Winter, her blade cut directly into his shoulder!

Slightly screamed out in pain! He grabbed toward his shoulder and felt the open wound, blood running against his palm. Glaring back at Winter, he re-gripped his sword with both hands. He slashed toward Winter. Bracing herself for the worst, Winter made a strong back foot and put up her blade to defend herself. And to Slightly and Winter’s surprise, she stayed put! With the weakened shoulder his signature move failed him, giving Winter the upper hand.

“I think you’re the one who’s outmatched. Love,” she taunted toward him as a grin came across her face. Winter pushed him back and recomposed herself. Slightly slashed at her horizontally. Winter quickly ducked in place and gave herself a twirl with her blade extended, going right into Slightly’s legs. He yelped and took a step back. His breath became harder and faster. Beads of sweat dabbed across his forehead.

Slightly tried to charge at her, but yelped out in pain as his charge became a limp. Winter charged at him with her sword. They parried a few times with Slightly staying in place because he couldn’t move. Winter’s parries became faster and faster, he could hardly keep up, until the final parry where she slashed toward his fist, destroying his sword!

Slightly threw his arms back in confusion. Winter took the open opportunity and sliced into his chest. Before he could cower back, Winter twirled around, delivering a round house kick right into the freshly opened wound.

Slightly flew back and collapsed into the ground, panting. Winter sauntered over to him and put her blade beneath his chin. Across from her, she found a beaten, broken, and embarrassed man. She leaned in so their faces were inches apart and whispered, “Always remember, that this little Lost Boy, was beaten by a girl from Earth.” Winter raised her blade up, preparing for the final blow. Slightly believed this to be his last memory before death. At the last moment she deactivated the blade and delivered a devastating punch to his face using the hilt. “And don’t call me love.”

She took off his rocket boots and applied them to herself. Suddenly the ship began to rock back and forth. A wild grin came across her face. “Looks like your Lost Boys have come. Oh the things they’re going to do to you,” she said as she exited the brig heading back up to the ship’s deck.

Slightly was left cold and alone. He could feel the bruises start to form across his face. Touching his chest and shoulder, he saw the blood the wounds produced on his palm. He couldn’t believe what just happened to him. At least no one was there to watch, he thought. He laid there, thinking he may die. But then the Lost Boys flashed into his mind. Winter was right. They never had a traitor before in their ranks and he assumed they wouldn’t have mercy on him. With all his remaining strength, he turned over, hoping to find a blaster or something that would end it all quickly when his eyes looked across the room to his saving grace, the escape pods!

Using his hands, he slid across the floor, inching closer and closer to them. He just had to survive long enough to get on one. He was almost positive they would have medical supplies equipped as they usually did. If he did, he would make it to his new home. And then, his revenge would start.

Winter ran up the stairs as the ship continued to rock. The Lost Boys must not have been holding anything back. They were angry and so was she. As she got up to the deck, she found the entire crew in disarray. Hook was at the center of the deck, trying to stabilize himself with each rock of the ship. “What’s going on Starkey!”

Starkey ran over with a portable monitor. “It seems our oxygen shield has been damaged!” They all looked up and saw that there was now a small hole coming out of the top of the oxygen shield. It grew bigger and bigger as the shield deactivated.

“Get the crew inside! Quickly! Prepare to land on Earth, we’ll fix the shield later!” Just as Hook spat out his words, the ship rocked even further. Winter fell and barrel rolled, easing the blow. She felt as if the ship was going to topple over. She looked to the side of the ship and noticed a red hot explosion had just occurred below the ship. “What in bloody hell was that?” Hook yelled out, more terrified than angry.

Starkey quickly checked his monitor again. “Oh,” he sighed. “It seems the landing gear has been disabled.”

“How the hell is this happening!” Hook yelled out. “Change course back to Neverland! Quick! We’ll get Earth later!” he belted out as he retreated into the cabin with Starkey.

Winter grinned seeing the entire crew scramble. She looked to the stars and saw a being fly through space with a purple glow. The Lost Boys found a way to save Earth. She ran into the cabin smiling. Something felt off though. A feeling came up that she didn’t know how to react to. There were more pressing matters at hand however so she pushed the feeling down and continued on.