The First Lost Girl

Chapter Seventeen: Judgement Day

Rufio's P.O.V.
I could hardly get any sleep last night I was so nervous. Today was the day. And I had no idea what to expect.
Felix had me up and training at the crack of dawn. We were training on hand to hand combat again and I was tired. I was trying hard not to show it, but Felix seemed to sense something was off.
"You okay princess?" He asked.
I nodded.
"Never been better."
Lie. And Felix seemed to know that too.
"I don't think so. Go sit down, I'll get you some water."
"Felix, I'm fine. I don't nee-"
"Yes, you do."
I sighed but didn't dare protest. The boys had told me that neither Pan nor Felix tolerated back talk. I sat down against a tree, leaning my head back on its trunk and pulling my hair up into a messy bun. He came back with a leather water pouch and gave it to me. I took it and drank from it, sighing as the cool water ran down my throat. Sometimes, water could be just plain wonderful.
"I think that's enough training for today. It would be best if you just relaxed."
I shook my head.
"I can't relax. That's just about the most impossible thing to do right now."
He chuckled.
"C'mon princess. If you can't relax then let's go on a walk. I'll show you around the island. You'll need to know you're way around since you'll be staying here."
I smiled. Felix has truly believed in me this whole week. And I'm so grateful for that.
He offered me his hand and I took it. He pulled me up and we both started walking into the jungle with him in the lead.
The jungle was a wondrous place. With many different paths that lead to many different places. Felix took me past Dark Hollow, but we didn't go in. He said that it was the Shadow's home and he didn't exactly like visitors. He also took me to Dead Man's Peak(where a deadly poison grows), the north beach(where I had first arrived). Felix and I both smiled at this place.
"You seemed so hostile." I had said.
"I was trying to scare you." He answered smirking at himself. "I always like to have a bit of fun with the newest lost boys."
I smiled and looked over the sea which seemed all the more friendly now. It's crystal blue water looked completely opposite than the dark blue it appeared to be on that first night.
We went to the echo caves next. Which Felix told me was actually one of Pan's traps for enemies. I shuddered at the thought of getting lost in the cold dark caverns that were laid before me. I suppose that with all the good on this island there must be an equal amount of bad. After taking the small tour we headed back to camp. Where I practiced more, even though it was against Felix's wishes. I had to be prepared for tonight.

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Pan's P.O.V.
The lost boys were finishing up dinner and the moon was directly above our clearing, joining the fire in lighting up the camp. I had come up with the perfect test for Rufio tonight. One that she would certainly fail at. She seemed to excel at every trick the boys taught her. But she wasn't very strong, and that would give me an advantage in this test.
"Alright boys!" I called, getting their attention. "We all know what today is."
I locked eyes with Rufio, who seemed to be very nervous. Good. "Judgment day."
I walked over to her and she stood up.
"Rufio, I challenge you to hand to hand combat. If you win, you get to stay in Neverland. If I win, you leave."
Her eyes widened at the challenge but she quickly regained her composure.
The boys had backed up, forming a circle around us. I smirked.
"Let the game begin!"

Rufio's P.O.V.
I'm not good at hand to hand combat! I looked at Felix. He looked as worried as I was. He knew I wasn't good at it either. I felt like I was going to be sick. We both knew I would fail. Nevertheless, I entered a fighting stance. My heart was pounding in my ears so loud I thought Pan would hear it. He made his move. Sending his fist into the side of my face. A few gasps went through the crowd of boys. Apparently the "no hitting girls" rule didn't apply here in Neverland. I wasn't surprised. My hand flew to my jaw. First mistake. He threw his fist into my stomach and then my side. Pain flared throughout my torso. I backed up to the opposite side of the circle. A temporary retreat. I needed to calm down. Remember what I was taught. Felix had told me to watch my enemy's moves, and use that against them. I observed my opponent. Pan and I were the same height. But he was more muscular than I was. Muscle was weight. Good.
He lunged at me and I dodged to the side, but he turned around faster than I expected. He flung his fists, aiming at my face, but I ducked. I backed up again. He advanced. I quickly dove into a crouched position, balancing on my hands only, and swung my legs through his, knocking him down. Each step flashed through my mind as I did it. Planting my feet in his chest to knock him down, pinning him down with one knee to his side and one...on his chest! I had remembered! But no time to think about that now, I had to finish this. I pinned his arms down by gabbing his wrists and holding them down with only one of my hands, using my other arm to thrust my fore arm against his throat. All was silent. Pan's eyes were wide, a look of disbelief on his face.
Suddenly the boys erupted in cheers. I looked up. I couldn't believe this! I had done the impossible. I had beaten Pan. I let him up, and we both just stood there, not sure of what to do.
"Ru-fi-o! Ru-fi-o!" Felix had started to chant and the others quickly joined in. I looked at Pan, who now had a small smirk creeping across his face. He held out his hand and we both shook, agreeing that I had won.
"I'm glad to have earned a fighter like you." He said. "One that can fight and win against myself. That is, in this game. There will be many more in the future. But until then..." He bowed, bending forward with his hand draped gracefully across his chest, and one behind his back. "Lost Girl."
I couldn't help but grin. I returned his bow by curtsying. He smirked and pulled out his pipe.
"Now to enjoy the rest of the night!" He called to the Lost Boys. They again erupted in cheers and we all joined in celebration of freedom, fun, and, of course, Neverland.

Felix's P.O.V.
I couldn't believe she won! She was smiling for the rest of the night, dancing with the lost boys, and enjoying the start of her new life. I watched her dance around the fire and couldn't help but smirk at her happiness. She had fought hard for this, and now she had it.
Though she had started the night out full of adrenaline, it quickly wore away from her and Rufio walked away from the dancing party, sitting down with her back against a tree, still smiling and watching the boys. I walked over to her and sat down.
"Now look who's the new Lost Girl." I said teasingly yet approvingly.
She threw her arms around me in a hug. I stiffened, surprised at the sudden action.
"Thank you Felix." she whispered to me. "I never would have made it without you."
I relaxed and smirked.
"You're welcome, princess."
She leaned back against the tree again, watching the boys dance. She looked around the camp.
"Home." She said smiling. I smirked at her. She yawned, covering her mouth with the back of her arm and stretching the other one above her. She leaned against my shoulder and closed her eyes. I was surprised at it but didn't protest. Before she fell asleep she whispered one last thing.
"Home at last."