CH.6: Battle in Neverland part two

The Jolly Roger crashed into the barricade sending pirates scattering. Jake leaped into the foray with his wooden sword held out. The first few pirates he met he clashed with them with the intent to act as a distraction. This was not his battle, not this time that is. Cedric was from Sofia's world and it was something that she herself had to face. Looking over at her he could see the determination in her eyes as she raced across the deck amidst the chaos that ensued. Pushing one of the pirates off him Jake looked over seeing Peter Pan push another pirate into the water.

"Jake keep Sofia safe…we got things back here." Peter smiled and brought his sword as he parried against the next pirates that leaped forward eagerly.

"Alright Sofia…lets finish this." Jake took her hand as they rushed forward. The tide of battle was changing in their favor as all the pirates on the barricade were setting their sights on Pan. Jake hoped Peter could handle that many pirates, not doubting his hero, but everyone needed help sometime.

"Jake…my amulet…" Sofia could see Cedric up ahead with her amulet glowing brightly. She had thought that the only power the amulet had allowed her to talk to her animal friends…how was this even possible?

"We'll get your amulet back Sofia…don't you worry." Jake gave her a side grin and then spotted some motion in the water. Rushing over he saw sharks put into quite a frenzy. "I wonder what has them so worked up?"

"Sharks…I've never seen them before…are they that dangerous?" Sofia leaned over curious and felt her shoe slip. "Uh oh…Jake!"

"Hang on Sofia!" Jake reached for the rail and pulled hard to keep her from falling over…with him in tow. He could feel himself slipping and the look in Sofia's eyes made him feel helpless. "Sofia…I won't let you go…if you go…I go."

"I know Jake…and thanks." Sofia smiled and then she began to see the water get further away. "Jake…I never knew you were that strong-."

"It isn't me…" Jake looked back and saw a dripping wet Captain Hook. "Captain…why are you wet?"

"Puny pirate just pull," Hook shook his head, "we'll get to why I'm wet later." Hook pulled the two back and went to squeeze the water out of his hat.

"Are you the reason the sharks are mad?" Sofia asked as she clutched her heaving chest. She had been really close to falling over and she never knew such fear.

"Cedric pushed me over the ship…and I have her to thank for saving me." Hook nodded his head over at Red Jessica who was dumping water out of her boots.

"You were worth saving James," Jessica noted with a flash of a smile, "and no amount of sharks will halt me from ever making that decision. Now I believe you two have somewhere to be?"

"Thank you, both of you, I take it this means your changed for good then?" Jake inquired as he elbowed the Captain.

"Well, I mean, oh get going before I really feed you to the sharks." Hook waved them off and Jessica giggled. Watching the two run off he laughed lightly. "That puny pirate really has come a long way."

"So James…what is your answer, are you changed for good?" Jessica stood beside him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Well…that is to say…this is really hard…" Hook placed his arms around her and stared deeply into her eyes. "I will say this…thank you."

"Oh I know you can do better then that," Jessica teased as she gave him a crooked grin. She really did enjoy adding color to those cheeks of his.

Hook threw his hat aside and as he swept her back he gave her a long and meaningful kiss. This was a true expression of how he felt, something he never thought he would be doing. When the kiss was over he pulled up and saw her frown. "What, did I do something wrong?"

"I'm not done with you yet!" She pulled him back into the kiss keeping her hand behind his neck.

Peter and Amber were left behind with Izzy and Cubby, the quartet were busy keeping the pirates busy while Jake and Sofia went on ahead. The battle was raging and Peter was keeping to sky and air, his sword swinging around and his playful banter really got them worked up.

"Hey, who taught you how to fight…a codfish?" Peter got them riled up and as they charged he stepped to the side and watched as they fell into the water.

"Whoa…that is no way to treat a lady!" Amber was surrounded by loud and raucous chatter from the men. Their swords were trying to lift up her dress and she began to steam. One of the pirates raced at her hoping to get a feel and she brought her sword forth cutting down his pants. When he went to pull them up she grabbed at his pierced ears and pulling down she brought her knee up and cracked his nose.

"Ouch…what the hell?" The pirate spoke through his bleeding nose.

"Oh I'm sorry…how are you?" Amber lifted him up and then brought her fist back and slammed it into his face. "Anyone else want a face full of justice?"

Amber saw the men shake their heads and rushed off to take care of the other threats. Amber brushed her hands on her dress and pushed the guy over. Pirates, seemed like all they cared about was plundering and fortune, never really in that order…still it made her think less of this place since coming there. Neverland, she always thought it would be romantic…not full of disgusting men and rough seas.

"How you holding up?" Izzy asked her as she parried several swords before bringing the two men together and bonking their heads.

"I think…I'm ready to go home," Amber went to take a seat and looked out at the vast Neversea. "It has been fun…but this is no place for a Princess. I really do appreciate all you've done for me, you and your friends, but look at me…I'm getting hit on by old men and this is my only dress."

Izzy joined her and watched as the men slumped over one another. "Have you told Peter?"

"I haven't really had a chance," Amber sighed and played with her hands. "I mean, this is his home, I can't think of asking him to join me that would just be selfish of me."

"Amber, may I speak frankly? I have never seen Peter happier then when he is with you. It would be hard seeing him leave again…but…Peter entrusted the safety of Neverland to us. When this is all over, tell him how you feel, other wise I will steal your shoes."

The two shared a laugh and Amber smiled. "Alright, oh and if you like my shoes…I will gladly give them to you."

"Ah…guys…a little help here!" Cubby was holding off the pirates, best he could, though they were really giving him a run for his coconuts.

"Oh right…coming Cubby!" Izzy raced over with Amber and the two of them surrounded the pirates.

"What's this…two girls…oh this shall be fun." The lead pirate cracked his knuckle and showed his crooked teeth.

"These pirates need some serious dental work," Amber noted.

"Eh…making fun of our teeth are ye? Well we will just have to take some of yours then," the pirate laughed.

"Don't you dare harm her!" Peter flew on over and tossed some rope to Cubby. "Alright Cubby, time to tie these no good pirates up."

"Alright Peter, lets tie these foul breathed baddies up." Together with Peter he circled the pirates and tied them up neatly and without much squirming room.

"Way to go crew. Now…I wonder how things are going on Jake's side?"

"Give me back my amulet!" Sofia struggled in Roland's arms as she stared heatedly at Cedric.

"Sofia…glad you could make it, and Jake, if it weren't for you I wouldn't even be here." Cedric waved the pirate around with amusement.

"Where's your bird?" Jake glared.

"Oh, well he is still in Enchancia, in fact I wonder if I fed him? Oh well, I will be seeing him soon enough and that fool King Roland. I can't wait to see his face as I send my forces upon his, it will be most exciting actually." Cedric smiled in glee.

"Cedric please don't do this…my father is a kind and generous man, you can't take over Enchancia-."

"Oh I will, and I must, you see your father has ridiculed my teaching, laughed at my many blunders and never once appreciated my work. I intend to be the greatest ruler that Kingdom has ever saw, just you watch, I will get the respect I so rightly deserve-."

"Respect is earned through doing what is right…taking over a Kingdom is just evil." Jake was thrown over to the far side of the ship and felt his back collide with the wall.

"That will be enough out of you Jake! I appreciate the amulet, but really your words are a little too…annoying. The gate has been opened and even without Captain Hook I shall see my future, and it shall be a bright one at that."

Jake found it hard to focus as the impact sent his head jarring back. He was covered in purple and his body wasn't responding the way it should. His wooden sword lay on the deck and Sofia was incapacitated by Roland. He had to do something fast…otherwise Cedric would invade Enchancia and his role as a pirate would be vilified once again. Looking around he then had an idea.

"Cedric…I have a challenge for you. I want you and Sofia to duel, whoever wins gets the amulet, if you win we won't stop you from leaving, if Sofia wins not only does she get the amulet…but you turn yourself in to the proper authorities once you get back home."

"Jake…what are you doing?" Sofia wasn't ready to take on Cedric, after all she didn't have nearly enough experience in the magic field to do such a thing.

"An interesting proposition…I like it. I do wish to see the amount of learning that has accumulated amidst all that hair of hers." Cedric dropped Jake to the deck and with a nod to Roland he watched as the Princess was freed.

"Jake!" Sofia rushed over but found Cedric beating her to the punch. "What did you do to him?"

"Oh relax, he just fell unconscious. Now…show me what you got!" Cedric shot forth a fireball and watched as she scrambled for cover. "Is that it? I have seen better sorcery from an inept student then one who actually has some training."

Sofia furrowed her brow and as she rose up she focused her power and sent forth an ice spell. It wasn't nearly enough to freeze Cedric for he waved it off like a sneeze coming. "It is no good…I only know a few spells-."

"Excuses…don't make excuses, they annoy me!" Cedric summoned energy from the amulet and quick icicle bursts were sent her way.

Sofia had her back to the wall and those icicles would tear her to shreds. Seeing Jake's sword she rushed over and grabbed it. That is when something incredible happened, the sword transformed before her very eyes and sparkled dazzlingly sending forth a ray that shattered the icicles in midflight.

"Whoa…hey…what is going on here?" Cedric was startled, to say the least; his mind was reeling from the suddenness of the weapon's transformation.

"Haven't you heard the tale?" Peter Pan was propped up in the crow's nest and blowing into his instrument. "That sword is carved from a very special tree, I gave it to Jake to use for good. However in different hands the sword takes shape into their true nature. Sofia is a pirate princess, all this time she has been on a journey, and when her and Jake found the courage to love one another, regardless their positions in society, her role transformed."

"Pft…so…I can still win this fight!" Cedric summoned more magic bringing it crashing all around the ship. The pirates began to flee and dive into the water, even Roland who got struck by some lightning. The intensity of the magic was all consuming and the amulet began to shake.

Sofia raced forward and spun her body letting the spells flash by. Wielding the sword she fired back her own spells of flashing stars that caused steam to emit from the fire and dissipate it. Her dress was torn in the spell war but she kept at it, her hair flying about as her determination never wavered.

"This…is…impossible!" Cedric grew angrier by the minute. His pirates had abandoned him and worse yet…due to the draining power the amulet his gate to Enchancia had closed.

"I am the Pirate Princess, awakened at last! Cedric, royal sorcerer of Enchancia…cease your actions or face your punishment." Sofia slid on the deck as massive strings of weaponry shot forth.

"I am to be King…no…I cannot lose!" Cedric was giving it is his all…even then it seemed like Sofia had an edge over him. In the blink of an eye he saw her standing before him with her blade extended up just under his chin. A bead of sweat dangled from his chin.

"I'll be taking that back now." Sofia took the amulet and gave him a coy grin. "You know, I've been thinking, instead of having you put in jail for your crimes…how about you just forget this ever happened."

"Huh…you plan on wiping my memory? Oh please, that spell is way advanced beyond your years, you could never-."

"Pirate Princess…remember?" Sofia spoke softly under her breath and a bubble encased Cedric in a stiff position. Floating up she opened the gate once again and waved at Cedric as his shouts couldn't be heard in the airtight bubble.

"Way to go Sofia!" Izzy raced over and gave her a hug.

"I never knew I had it in me," Sofia said incredulous like, her eyes looking at the weapon.

"It is a rare power…that comes from an even rarer individual. Of course there is no guarantee that it will happen again. Go tend to Jake." Peter suggested as he went to go talk to Amber.

"What did we miss?' Hook was joined by Red Jessica and the two were arm in arm.

"I was just about to ask the same thing," Cubby noted and everyone shared a laugh.

"Well Jake…this is it." Izzy stood by the ship as stairs leading up to the gate extended down.

"Do you really have to go?" Jake asked feeling like he had missed out on a lot.

"My home is in Enchancia, perhaps someday we will get to see each other again. I hope by that time we will both still be single…and ready for another adventure."

Jake held back his tears as he felt like he was losing his best friend. Well…he kind of was, seeing how Peter and Amber had a long talk and he was going as well. Turns out Peter was going to be an emissary, one who had ties to both worlds and see that an incident like what happened during their journey never happened again. In order for this to work it would take sometime before anyone was allowed into Enchancia again, whether pirate or ally.

"Well Pan…it looks like our fated duel will have to wait," Hook noted as he kicked at the ground.

"Relax you old codfish, we'll be having that duel soon enough that you won't have time to arrange wedding plans for you and Red Jessica."

Hook felt his face flush and Red Jessica had the same face. "Marriage…you blundering idiot, we're still dating-."

"Oh right, of course you two still are. Well, let us hope it isn't too long where you will be bouncing a baby pirate on your knee. C'mon Amber…lets go."

"Pan!" Hook yelled after him but saw him reach for Amber's hand as they ascended the stairs. Seeing the boy turn he ran a hand behind his head. "Don't get too comfortable there."

"I won't…well…not too much." He gave Amber a lopsided grin and pulled her into a kiss. The two kissed as they stood near each other, neither distancing from the other's embrace.

Sofia looked up and giggled lightly. "Looks like my sister changed your friend-."

"Well…it is about time," Jake joked. A moment of silence passed between them and he held out his hand. "I'll have my sword back…less glowy though."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Sofia held his sword out to him and wore an apologetic smile.

"It is alright, if anyone used my sword…I'm glad it was you." Taking the sword he turned around and remembered the legend of the sword. This would be a huge sacrifice, but, as he closed his eyes he knew it was the right call.

"Jake…what is going on?" Sofia placed a hand on his shoulder and looked away as a green light blinded her. She let out a tiny 'eep' and as the light faded away she felt her breath caught in her throat as a ring was placed on her finger. It glowed brightly and was emerald green and Jake was facing her with a small smile on his face.

"I call it the Neverring, though I suppose a proper title would be a promise ring. We maybe apart, but, I promise you I will stay true and someday we shall be together again. This ring will change eventually, when it does we will both be in the same place, same time, and same readiness to really start our lives together. I love you Sofia…and I did not want you leaving thinking this was just one adventure, cause this adventure…its just beginning."

Sofia began to cry as she grew wary of just how much time they would be apart. Peter would repair the damage, though even then it would likely take years judging by how Jake's appearance had caused such hate. Kissing Jake hard she held onto him holding him tight.

"Jake…I promise you will be the only boy in my life." She let go as she began to leave him. Peter and Amber waited for her and soon the trio disappeared from Neverland.

"Well Captain…the Jolly Roger is yours again." Izzy said as she tried to not focus on Jake's drama. Her days as Captain were over, which in truth was good.

"Aye, and a fine time as well, I've been itching to get behind the wheel again. I wish to thank you, from one Captain to another. Yes I know it was only temporary but you have the potential to one day really Captain my vessel-."

"Thank you Captain, however my plans to Captain your vessel again won't happen in the near future. I have decided to one day Captain my own vessel." Izzy smiled at his shocked expression and went to join Jake, who was staring off as the stairs vanished.

"Well…now what?" Jake asked feeling so confused.

"We do what we used to do…before all the drama," Izzy suggested looking off at the water.

"Aww coconut…but what about Bucky?" Cubby noticed they had no ship and without one how were they going to have their adventures?

"Bucky will find us," Skully said as he hopped over with his one wing wrapped up.

"Hey Skully…how is the wing?" Jake asked feeling good to see his friend.

"It is better…though I still can't fly…" Skully bowed his head.

"Hey guys…yay hey its Bucky!" Izzy jumped up and down as she saw their friend return. The quartet were back in action and their future never looked so bright. They were back together again, however what lay ahead in the future would put them on different paths, but that is for another time.

Authors note: This was one of my longest chapters ever written, phew, well I hope I didn't lose half of you in the process. Hopefully this finale was well worth the parts this tale was split into. I am planning on some future fics hence why the end isn't conclusive and Jake and Sofia's story could pick up when they are older. Also some adventures with Izzy could also be seen. Still for now this tale is over and thanks to all who viewed, reviewed, favorite, followed, and all the good stuff.