She glares at me as the two fae at her side take an intimidating step forward to protect her. “And how is that?” Tinker Bell taunts.

“Slice off your wings.” I make the gesture as I take a step in to her.

I’m not intimidated or scared at all when my whole life, I thought I would be shaking in terror if I ever went toe to toe with her like I always dreamed I could. Her nostrils flare. Her jaw sets in stone as her eyes never waver from mine.

“I won’t stop there though,” I hear myself continue, shocked at the words that leave my lips while my mind is clouded with a buzzing dark rage.

The two fae at her side immediately take a step in front of her to block any advance I might try to make. I can’t help but grin as I peer over their shoulders at her, loving the slight anxiety I see staring back in my eyes, because I put it there. It fuels me. Makes me stand a little taller, so I go on.

“Without your wings,” I continue, “you won’t be able to leave your realm even after Pan banishes you. But your friends, your ‘family,’ still could. So, I’ll end you all, one by one. Until you’re at my mercy. The way it should have been all along.”

“You don’t have that kind of power,” she hisses.

“No?” I smile. “He does.”

Gesturing over my shoulder with the hook, Tinker Bell’s eyes lift and find Pan’s. It’s only then that I realize he’s been quiet this whole time. Watching. Not stepping in to help or stand by my side. The two fae at her side start to laugh and the sound of Tinker Bell’s annoying giggle fills my ears a moment later.

“It would be so easy to correct you, Darling,” she laughs a moment later, “but I’d rather see you die trying to obtain half the power us pixies have over Neverland. A power we’ve always had. One you’ll never take away.”

Unable to understand what she means, I instinctively slash the hook forward and pride fills my chest as the three of them jump back in fear.

“Cross me again,” I sneer, “and you’ll be the one losing all your power.”

She studies me for a moment, curiosity, anger rising in her eyes.

“We’ll see about that,” she hisses. “Boys!”

Her entourage turns and follows her to the cave’s entrance. I don’t dare back down. Not yet. Not ever. Not anymore, so I take a step forward in challenge when she turns back my way.

“Oh, and Wendy?” she gives me an evil smile, “I wasn't lying. If you don’t leave, I will make you.”