The metallic dragon lay curled in a heap beside the door, that Hook presumed lead to his cursed love.

Smoke curled out of it's nostrils and the creature's amber eyes had the metallic lids shut.

Hook walked carefully across the dimly lit room. He didn't know where Belle was... and that was very bad. He was sure that Belle could handle herself, with the help of the ring that is. But that wasn't the problem. The problem was how was he supposed to carry a stone princess by himself? Let alone make it past this Dragon.

Hook was halfway across the room when an all too familiar face popped up beside him.

"Hello Hook!" Peter chirped.

Hook reflexively pinned the shorter man to the wall, the point of his hook digging into Peter's Adams apple.

"That's no way to treat an old friend... Phillip." Peter smiled cheerfully.

Hook leveled a glare at him.

"You know how I feel about that name." Hook growled.

"I do~ It reminds you of what you'll never have. A normal life..." Peter grinned.

Peter sighed wistfully. "I still remember when my parents allowed me to find my own playmate. I suppose it's a shame your parents left the nursery window open~"

"RAAHHH!" Hook threw Peter farther into the room.

Hook drew his sword and it clashed with Peter's daggers.

The Clockwork Dragon's amber eyes opened as the machine whirred to life.

"Uh oh you woke the baby~" Peter smirked. 

The creature turned to look at Hook sniffing the air.

"And this is where I leave you. But for old time's sake..." Peter replaced Hook's sword and produced a shield with his ivy green magic.

"The Sword of truth and Shield of Virtue~" Peter cackled mockingly, handing hook the heavy sword and shield that glistered with yellow magic.

Hook took the items, hooking the Shield.

"I'll be sure to give you a proper burial!" Peter smiled, disappearing.

The creature stood and smiled baring its shiny silver teeth. A ticking, burning, growling noise emanated from it's stomach as it's fiery breath charged up.

Hook positioned the shield and crouched behind it as the creature spewed fire from its mouth. He gasped as the heat from the fire whooshed past his head.

The creature roared.

"Don't be maleficent creature!!" Hook snarled. 

The dragon cocked its head to the side as Hook rushed forward and plunged the sword into one of it's eyes.

The glass shattered and the light went out. The dragon roared and shook its head flinging Hook roughly into a wall. The sword clanked on the ground and the dragon stepped over it. Hook dodged behind the shield again as the flames licked the wall behind him.

The creature paused to recharge its fiery blast and that's when Phillip saw it.

A chink in the dragon's armor. A small gap in the creature's underbelly. 

It was now or never.

Tossing the shield to the side, Hook rushed at the dragon sliding underneath and grabbing the sword. He shoved it into the chink, in the center of the dragons belly.

The creature bellowed and Hook scrambled away.

Black smoke belched out of every crevice as the creature swayed screeching.

Finally with one final dramatic puff of Fire, the creature collapsed.

Hook shielded himself with his good arm and hissed as the heat burned it.

The creature collapsed into a pile of metal and hook retrieved the sword, tucking it into his scabbard, then as he retreated to the door he scooped up the shield.

He tried the door but it wouldn't budge, he took a step back, planted his foot and kicked the door down.

The wood splintered and revealed a stone spiral staircase. 

There was a torch on the wall, Hook took it and used the dragon's flames to light it, walking slowly up the steps. 

~~~

Peter watched invisibly from his seat on the ceiling.

"Well... It seems I've underestimated you old friend." he muttered quietly. 

"Peter?"

He turned to regard the pixie as she landed on his shoulder.

"The old woman is dead." Tink smiled. 

"Excellent, then we can continue with my plan." Peter replied. 

"What about Hook?" She asked.

"Let him go. We must focus our attention on Wendy now." Peter commanded. 

Tink crossed her arms over her chest as Peter disappeared.

She scowled.

"This Wendy girl better be worth it..." She growled.