Kathryn: So unfortunately, I got mad with the first chapter and made it like... ten pages long on my word document. I'm sorry if you're looking at this first chapter and thinking it's too long. The others aren't as long as this one... I believe... more like I can't remember. We wrote this story a really long time ago.

I Can Fly

In a certain world, there was imagination. So The Author (also known as Kathryn, or the voice) then decided she was going to take a hold of this magic, and use it for her own use. Looking down upon this world, you found 5 different kingdoms, and one other that was an island. Three girls are now lost in this world. We now journey down to their attitudes on this new turn in their lives. Annelise (also known as Katy) is a little outraged and confused. She demands to know what has happened, and why the heck she is in this place. Shira (Ashley) is confused, but this is her natural character, for she is not that smart of a person. Last but not least is Yukiko (Jessie) who is ecstatic beyond her wildest beliefs, as to where she has ended up.

Looking around, Annelise assayed her surroundings. Every shape was twisted, making the place around her look a bit abstract. She was walking on a gravel path that continued to twist many turns for miles. Sighing, she began to walk in the direction she had been facing. Strange, where am I? This place was definitely not home, but then again, where was home? The Author watched her movements carefully. She would soon reach the castle.

Annelise looked down at her hands. They weren't normal. The fingers had no lines where the joints were, and the color was off with shade lines that barely ever changed. What had happened to her? She reached up to feel her face. Her face felt as though she was running her hand along paper. It was smooth, no creases, wrinkles, or bumps of any sort. What indeed had happened? Annelise knew she was getting no where with the questions. No one was answering. Giving up the whole confusion thing, she came to a fork in the road.

Which way to go?

"Doesn't everyone wonder which way to go?"A voice said from no where.

"Who's there?" Annelise replied.

"Which way to go you ask. Hmmm... Which way indeed." The voice chuckled.

For some reason to her, the voice was strangely familiar.

"What do you want?" Annelise hissed. She was loosing her patience with this person. They weren't helping her at all. She looked to the right, then to the left. Both paths looked exactly the same. No differences. Even the flowers were all placed in the same place. Though, there weren't that many flowers.

"Would you like me to give you a hint?"The voice sounded as if it was amused.

"Although your hint would be needed greatly. May I ask, what do you find so funny? Who are you anyway?"Annelise wished they wouldn't be so secretive.

"Don't worry. You'll soon know who I am. For now, though. You must reach the castle. Without you, I guess I really don't have a story. Don't screw this up." And with that, a strange unseen force gently pushed her in the back towards the left.

"This path?" she asked.

But there was no answer.

Don't screw this up? That's my line!

"Is not,"the voice disagreed, laughing.

"Urgh! Get out of my head!" she shouted to the air.

"Am I really in it?"the voice inquired. There was a moment of silence. Annelise fought to seek for a comeback, but nothing came to mind." Oh, and I advise you not to talk to yourself in public. Others might see." It snickered.

"Fine, already. I'm going, I'm going! Pushy person. You know what, I'm going to ignore you the next time you try to talk to me, so take that." Annelise began walking down the path, hopeful that the voice would stay at the fork in the road, and stay there forever.

"How about you take this."

All of the sudden, a huge safe landed next to her. She jumped back, but even if she had stood still; it still wouldn't have hit her.

"Good-bye..." the voice faded away.

"Don't you dare go! I'm not finished with you!" Yet, she felt an empty presence, and knew that the voice was gone.

Huffing, she stomped forward. After a few twists and turns, about a half a mile ahead, stood a castle. Birds flew chirping around it. They sang and then one smashed into a window. Annelise winced and laughed a bit. She sped up her steps and headed towards the castle. Upon arriving, the gates, she found, were locked.

"Man, how do I get in...? Oo! I know." She reached into her pocket and found a bobby pin. Earlier that day, she had picked it up off the floor of her living room at home and had stuck it in her pocket.

She was wearing a pair of blue jeans, with a blue sweater, and a shirt that said "I Scare Vampires."

Sliding the pin into the lock, she twisted it slightly to the right. The pin slid further into the hole. Turning it to the right she heard a snap, but nothing happened. Pushing the pin in further, while applying pressure to it, she twisted it to the right. A small click was uttered from the lock, and it popped open. She removed the lock and entered.

Wimps. What kind of security was that? The lock could be picked and there were no guards.

As if on cue, guards came running around the outside of the wall. Annelise raced to the pick up the lock on the ground. She slammed the gates closed, and locked them from the inside. Just as the lock clicked back into place, fists pounded the gate. She stuck her tongue out at the gate, although the guards could not see, then raced away across the lawn.

The castle was large, and in fact, looked like a perfect replica of Disney World's Cinderella Castle. Annelise passed by the bird that had smacked against the window. It was now dead on the ground. It was strange looking. Like a cartoon bird. Walking around a bit, she continued to search for an entrance. Finally, she saw a side door.

Strange, didn't know they had side doors. I mean, secret exits, but why a door in plain sight?

Annelise tried the handle. "If this doesn't work, I'll just break the door down,"she said aloud to herself. It turned easily. Shoving the door a bit; it flung open to reveal a long hallway. The walls were made of gray stones, and the floor was smooth concrete. There were small candles lined on each side of the hallway. Yet, there were still shadows. Shutting the door behind her, and locking it, she started down the hallway. Passing by each candle, she leaned over and blew them out.

That's better. Darkness is always better. Plus, if those bumbling idiot guards use that door they have to walk down a hallway of darkness.

Coming to the end of the hallway, she found another door. This door was different. There was a key hole, but no handle. There was still two candles glowing, so she had a bit of a light to see. Annelise scanned the door with her eyes. It was strangely colored. The outside was lined in about five inches of blue all around the door. Painted in the light blue, were silver Mickey shaped heads. She had seen Mickey's head shape before. Three circles placed together. The door itself was an off light green and white wavering stripes. She ran her hands over the surface. To her surprise; it was made of a rough surface. Like sand paper. Drawing her hand back, she looked at the key hole.

Will the bobby pin work for this too?

Trying it in the lock, she gasped in surprise when the bobby pin was swallowed hole by the lock. It had disappeared right out of her hands. "Shoot!" she hissed. "Now what?"

A scraping sound came from inside the door. Sounds, like joints popping were uttered from inside the sand paper door. Then a small tick sounded off, and the door disappeared. More like it went down. The whole frame slide quickly down, so Annelise quickly entered the room. Turning around, the door came just as quickly back up. Instead, inside this room though; it looked like part of the wall.

This room was brighter, and gave off a warm feeling. A voice came from a distance in the back of the room, so she quickly ducked down behind a bed. The bed was small, and beside it, or behind, sat another just like it. Each had gold throws and pillows, with smoothly polished wood chests at their foots. From where she was, she could see a door that led out into a hallway. From a room that she couldn't see, through the hallway, there was a voice coming from it. She stood up slowly and began to walk forward. (See this link for a picture, . ). Going around the end of the bed she entered the small hallway. Creeping along the wall, she peeked into the bigger room.

There, stood someone who she actually didn't believe she was seeing. Actually, there paced a panicked person. This person was Cinderella. And although she was supposed to be a pretty princess, at that moment she looked like frantic drunk who had forgotten where they'd put their beer.

Pathetic.

Being spotted by the intoxicated Cinderella, Annelise froze. "Oh dear me!" Cinderella exclaimed. "I have a visitor. Oh, I have a visitor. Haven't seen people. Nope, no people in a while." She stepped closer to Annelise. "He said it'd be easy. Yeah, let's all rule a kingdom. Why aren't you here?"Cinderella screamed to no one. "Why aren't you here?"

"Uh, no, I'm not really a visitor,"Annelise tried to protest.

"Are you lost? This castle is so big isn't it? I was once lost when I first came for three days and had to survive on-"

Annelise cut her off." I really don't need to know. If you can just show me where the throne room is, that-"

"Ah! The throne room. What an easy place to find. Of course, of course. So clean and... clean! Ha. I love to clean. Clean, clean, clean! What about you?"

Cinderella turned around to look at her. Her hair was wild, like it hadn't been brushed in forever. Her eyes were wide, and there were dark circles under her eyes. "I don't really mind cleaning. Look, why don't you go sit down over here?" Annelise led her into a room next to them. She led Cinderella to a small bed, and made her lay down. "You need some rest, so please, sleep. I'll take care of everything else."

Cinderella protested and tried to sit back up." I don't really need to sleep. There are things to be done. Surely you couldn't take care of them. I still have to get you to the throne room. Oh, I couldn't possibly sleep at a time like this-"

Annelise took her hand and pinched the pressure points on Cinderella's neck, and she was knocked out. She glared down at her darkly. "Yes, you really do need to sleep. So sleep Cinderella, sleep as long as you like," and with that, Annelise was gone.

"Peter, Peter, where are you?" Wendy shouted, racing through the forestry. She stumbled forward, and lost her balance. A hand shoot out and caught her quickly. "Oh, Peter, thank you-"Wendy froze. "Ahhhhhhhhh!"

Peter spun around upon hearing a piercing scream. It's Wendy! He took off and flew quickly to where her scream had come from.

Ow. Man, did that hurt. Shira rubbed her ears and checked to see if they were still working. Wendy had retreated about five feet away. Her eyes were still wide open in shock, her mouth hung open. Shira worried that if she didn't close it soon, some bug was going to fly in. "Who, who are you?" Wendy asked.

"Yo, my name's Shira. Nice to meet you. Look, sorry for giving you such a scare, but you looked like you were going to fall, almost like my friend Kathryn-"All of the sudden and unseen force picked her up, and flung her off the island and into the near by ocean.

Wendy raced to the water's edge. "Oh my, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I think I'll be okay. That was very random." Shira looked up at the sky, turning her expression into a confused one. Is she watching me? Does Kathryn have some unseen force? And why the heck am I talking to Wendy? She's a cartoon character.

"Wendy!" Peter's voice broke through her thoughts.

"Peter! Thank goodness you've come. This girl came out of no where. It's frightened me. But it's alright now. Oh, you'll never guess what happen. All of the sudden, she's talking to me, and the next, she's been flung into the ocean,"Wendy explained.

"Nice to meet ya, Pete. I'm Shira. Look, do you any of you guys know where we are?"Shira asked, rubbing her side, from where she had landed on it after being flung.

"Why you're in Neverland of course!" Peter shouted joyfully.

"Neverland...? Okay, Yukiko, Kathryn, Annelise, where are you guys. What jokes are you trying to play on me now?"Shira looked around, obviously expecting an answer.

The Author snickered to herself.

"Oh, no jokes. We're serious," Wendy said. "Are you lost?"

Shira looked around dumbfounded. Am I really talking to Peter and Wendy, or did I fall asleep in class again? Stepping back, she looked around her. She was in the middle of the jungle, that was pretty clear. Her stomach growled. Shira looked down at it, then patted it. Both Peter and Wendy just stared at her, a bit freaked out by her. She looked back up at them. Then she noticed something. "Hey, where are the Lost Boys?

Shira noticed both of their faces look down, so she began to wonder.

"Oh, did you say something?" Wendy asked.

"Yeah... I asked, where are the Lost Boys?" she inquired again.

Peter then began laughing. Wendy joined along. The both stood there laughing. Almost like lunatics, Shira thought. Tears welded up in there eyes, and they both collapsed to the ground. Their laughs were still going, and they were clutching their sides.

"Where... are... haha... where are the... ha-" Peter tried to catch his breath, but his laughter was too strong.

Shira felt a bit awkward. Were they hiding some joke that she didn't know of? Did they find her question so funny, or had they just simply cracked from drinking too much coconut milk on the island?

"We're very sorry, but to answer your question, we killed them. Ah, they were such a burden, always complaining, and causing trouble. Besides, with them getting kidnapped by Hook so much; it really was becoming a burden. So, in the middle of the night, Peter, he got himself a knife, silently slipped into their room, and slaughtered them. We killed them," she finished simply.

Shira was shocked. Horrified. This wasn't Disney, and this was not a dream, this was a nightmare. The Lost Boys couldn't be dead. Wendy and Peter were not murderers. She wondered if she would be able to get away if they decided they were tired of her too. She wasn't a burden though. Although, she'd always been the loud, childish one amongst her group of friends. If indeed, Peter and Wendy had killed the Lost Boys, then this was a very messed up story.

"Exactly..." a voice whispered in her ear. Shira felt a chill go down her spine.

Wendy smiled at her.

"You look worried," Peter pointed out.

"I do?" she squeaked three octaves higher. Clearing her throat, she paused. Did she dare ask the next question? Oh well, the next truth wouldn't be worse. "Where's Tinker Bell?"

Wendy huffed, and glared. Shira gulped. "That twit fairy joined Hook. Honestly, she was annoying. Peter was going to kill her, but his soft side took over him, and he told her to leave before he did kill her."

"Aw, come on Wendy. She couldn't do any harm... Besides, she's gone now, and so are the Lost Boys. There are no more things to annoy you. Just you and me. That is, unless this girl decides to stay." He pointed at Shira. "Where did you come from, and why are you here?"

She tried to control her voice, so it wouldn't come out shaky. There was a murder, and accomplice standing before. She was hungry too. "I came from Earth-" Earth, shouldn't I give them a more specific place? would they know where Kentucky was? "and I have absolutely no clue why I'm here."

"Does anyone know you're here?" Peter asked.

Shira gulped. "What is that supposed to mean?" she croaked. "I meant, no, well, actually I don't really know." She began backing away slowly. Her courage wasn't that high on an empty stomach. How can I be thinking of food in a time like this?

"Shira..." a voice uttered in her head. "Don't worry, I won't have them kill you...yet. Now, if you don't stop acting like an idiot, I will fling you into the ocean again. Further this time. You must ask them for a way off this island. Once you're off, look for Yukiko. She will be in China."

"China?" Shira looked up, confused. "Why is she there?"

"Who are you talking too?" Wendy stared at her.

The voice had seemed familiar to Shira, but she couldn't place her finger on who it was. Stepping back up to them, she asked, "Do you guys know of a way I can- Ah, never mind. I'm sorry I wasted your time. Please go about what you were doing." She began walking away towards the ocean. They still freaked her out greatly.

Wendy and Peter exchanged glances, then began to laugh, as they too walked away deeper into the forest, hand in hand. That is, until Wendy reached out and stabbed Peter in the heart, and watch him fall, dead, to the ground.

Too bad Shira didn't get to witness that, The Author thought.

The smell and the sound of ocean were right in front of her. The wind was hitting her face, and bringing salty mist against her. Except, the water did not get her wet. Stepping over a branch, her foot sank into sand. It got in her shoes, so she took them off. Another strange thing, the sand was not hot. It should have been hot from being under the sun all day. Taking off, she walked along the waters edge. The water wasn't like water either. It was like lines drawn to look like water. Like in a cartoon... Was she really in Neverland?

Up ahead, Shira saw a ship. "Ah, there it is. I'll find Tinker Bell, get some pixie dust, then fly myself to China. Where exactly is China...?" Her shoulders slumped. "Ask for directions?" For Shira, talking to herself was not knew. She had a habit of talking to inanimate objects, so talking to herself was a step up.

The ship didn't appear to be coming any closer, but she did hear a ticking sound. Looking over at the ocean, she wasn't surprised to find a giant crocodile swimming in the same direction she was going. If for the fact that it was not a giant predator that like meat, she would have taken a ride on it's back. Finally, the ship was now appearing closer. After walking five minutes, she was now 10 feet from the giant bulk of wood that rested on the water.

Pirates swarmed on deck. She could hear some shouting commands at others, but there was no sign of Hook, or Tinker Bell. She walked over and stepped into the cartoon waves. As she expected, the water did not soak through her blue jeans and cause her shoes and legs to get wet. She lifted her foot and did hear the sound of water being disturbed, and began climbing along the ship's side. The crocodile was no where in sight, but still, she climbed fast in fear of the deep waters. Stepping on the boat, after getting over the edge, everyone stopped immediately. She'd never really been embarrassed by people looking at her, but she didn't know what to make of their stares.

Would they kill her when they got the chance? It was very suspenseful on her part, but Hook's voice broke the atmosphere. "What's this? A passenger. A child too! What, have Peter and Wendy sent you as a hostage, just so they can torture me by rescuing you and causing damage to my ship?"

Shira thought for a moment about being with Wendy and Peter, and then being here now with Hook and the pirates. The moods were very different, and she had to admit... "No, actually, I find it better to be here. Peter and Wendy scared me."

Hook stared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Come, come with me. I need to talk with you in private." He motioned for her to follow, then began walking towards a door, in which he proceeded to open.

Shira, although much happier with this mood, was still unsure of what was happening. Would he kill her personally down there, when there was no one to save her, or to witness her death? By the impatient look on his face, she knew she didn't really have choice, and knew that she shouldn't anger him.

She followed him down a narrow staircase, and then into a long, but low-ceilinged room. There was a table in a center, and a piano in the back. She didn't get to look much, because she was suddenly, but gently, set down in a chair. Hook pulled up one in front of her, and sat down, pouring himself a drink. He offered her a cup, but she shook her head. She was hungry, but whatever that substance was, she didn't really want to find out.

"Now, tell me"-he took a sip-" what is your name?"

"Ah... Shira. I was wondering-" she began, but was cut off by him.

"First you must answer a few questions, then I will listen to you. My first question, how are Peter and Wendy doing?" He leaned forward, and Shira leaned back. He grimaced, but continued to stare intently and gulp at his drink. He was very unHook like. Wasn't he supposed to be the villain of the story? In some way; it seemed like he, Wendy, and Peter had all switched places. At least the pirates and the crocodile had kept their parts. What had happened to this story?

"I believe they're doing fine, hopefully. I'm not so sure about the others. I ran into them earlier, when I first got here. They seemed... happy. Enough," she drummed her fingers nervously.

"And by that, what do you mean?" he inquired.

"Well, they were a little evil looking," Shira admitted.

Hook burst out laughing. He wiped away a tear quickly, and resumed his serious face once again. "Last question. What do you want?"

"I need to get off Neverland, so I'm trying to look for Tinker Bell. I heard from Peter and Wendy that she was here with you," she explained.

"Ah, so that's why. Are you looking for someone?"

Shira nodded.

"Tinker Bell!" Hook called out. A bell chimed out, and suddenly, Tinker Bell. Shocked, Shira almost fell out of her seat. "You wouldn't mind sparing a bit of pixie dust to her, would you?" Tinker Bell shook her head. She pulled up her hands above her head, took in a deep breath of air, and blew sparkling, gold dust upon Shira. Shira felt herself begin to rise. "That was quick. You must really be a child!" Hook exclaimed. He followed her, as she glided up the staircase, and opened the door for her.

Getting out on the deck, heads turned to stare. Eyes widened. Shira was pretty sure it was due to the fact that she had come out alive, and not that she was flying.

"Oh, by the way, before you go... Don't make enemies with me, alright? Stay away from this island. Next time you come, I won't be as... nice," he warned her.

"I won't. See you. Oh, and Hook..."

"Yes," he waited.

"You better stay away from Wendy and Peter. Also, you won't be seeing the Lost Boys for a while," she said.

"Why?" his expression was guarded.

"Well, you see..." she sunk back down and whispered in his ear. His eyes widened. "Well, see you." Shira took off. She followed the setting sun, because that was her best guess.

Hook stood there, not really seeing anything, but a small shape flying away. Then he fainted.

"A very merry unbirthday to me (to who). A very merry unbirthday to me (to you)," Alice began singing.

"Is it your birthday?" the Mad Hatter asked Alice.

"No," she replied. "Would you like some more tea?"

"I've had none yet, so I can't take more," he replied.

Alice filled her cup up with tea. "You mean you can't take less; it's very easy to-"

"Wait! What do you think you're doing? Stop it! You're screwing up the Mad Tea Party. Don't do this to me. It's all wrong," Yukiko bursted out into tears.

"What did I do to you?" a voice asked.

"You know exactly very well what. Alice does not serve the Mad Hatter tea. It's the other way around. And why the heck is the Mad Hatter wearing a dress?" she inquired, outraged and sad.

"He thought he looked pretty..." the voice explained.

The voice sounded like someone she knew, but Yukiko was too sad to try and figure out who it belonged to. Ever since she had entered this crazy dream, and entered this place, things had been going horribly wrong. First, a pink bunny had run past shouting, "I'm on time! I'm on Time!" The next thing that had happened, was she'd met butterfly that had been holding up a sign that had said "Don't Do Drugs, and Don't Smoke Pipes." After those traumatizing events, she had entered this tea party scene to find Alice and the Mad Hatter had switched places and now a voice was talking to her from no where.

Yukiko walked slowly up to the table. Usually she was a very happy girl, but was very shy most of the time. She was definitely not a leader, and was destined to follow. She especially like helping others, and making them happy. Her name, Yukiko, meant "snow child" or "happy child", so she believed she should be what her name meant. Although, she did get frightened often.

Upon arriving, she was greeted by four eyes. Well, Alice's and the Hatter's eyes. They both looked curiously at her. She smiled slightly, and they both shrugged.

Yukiko was still a bit mad about the sudden changes in the story. It was her favorite book, and someone had gone and screwed it up in the Disney movie. Now it was even more messed up. Was her whole life put there, just to be tortured?

"Exactly," the voice said happily.

She looked up, but didn't see anything. Where was the voice coming from? Could these other two hear it? Although, they seemed very preoccupied with their subject of treacle. She sighed. "Um, excuse me, unseen person, or living thing-"

The voice interrupted her, "I'm a human. Actually, I'm a person you know, but right now, please continue on with what you were saying."

"Can you hear my thoughts?"

There a moment of silence, or a pause. Since Yukiko could not see this person's face, she could not decide on the two options. "Yes, I can." More like I'm the one creating your thoughts. How unfortunate to have no life of your own. No thoughts to yourself. I know all your secrets. I am your secrets. Ha ha. You have no life- Oh, must focus here on what these person is saying.

"Oh, then I'll try not to think bad of you," she said, smiling.

Pathetic. Stupid.

"It's alright. Now, here me out. You must find Shira," the voice told her.

"Ah! Shira is here! Where, where?" Yukiko was exited that one of her friends was at least here in this strange world. It was terrifying alone. She would just have to find Shira, who was stupid at times, but brave, and then everything would be alright. They would both get out of the wacky dream. Come to think of it, though, why were they both having and in the same dream? It was a bit odd.

"Shira is now flying to China. You must go to China too." Then the voice disappeared.

"Flying...? What an odd way of transportation. I suppose I must find a way to get there. First thing, though, which direction was China in? This place must be huge. How would she know where to go?

She didn't realize she'd been standing at the end of the table, until a chair was pushed under her legs and she was forced to sit. "Come, come, sit," the Mad Hatter said, walking back to his chair. Alice was back in her dress, the Hatter back into his suit, although Alice did look a bit angry.

"Why not!" the Hatter shouted angrily at Alice.

"I don't think you should yell at a lady," Yukiko chimed in. Alice looked gratefully at Yukiko, and scooted her chair closer to her.

"Yes, thank you. Now, what is your name?" Alice asked her.

"I'm Yukiko. Nice to meet you."

The Mad Hatter looked a bit annoyed, but continued spreading butter on a piece of bread. After a second glance, his eyes were completely entranced by it, and he seemed to have forgotten their existence. Yukiko turned back to Alice.

"I'm Alice. Honestly, thank you for coming. He's been yelling at me this whole time, and I was getting awfully frightened. I'm really grateful you showed up. Really, all he really does is talk and talk, then get mad at me. I haven't done anything wrong. I was merely just asking questions. Then he had to go and splattered nonsense and lies at me. What? Does he take me for a fool? I was raised far better than that." She reached for a cup of tea, but a hand snapped out quickly and slapped her. "See?"

"Yes. Um.. Hatter, don't you think you should be a little kinder to her, then perhaps-"

"Perhaps what?" He interrupted. "Perhaps Time will forgive her for beating it? I will forgive her for being so rude, and who-know-who will forgive her for whatever she's done."

"You're not making any sense," Alice pointed out.

He stared at her incredulously. "Do you not hear this foolish child?" He motioned to Alice, and looked at Yukiko. "She's the one who speaks nonsense. Raised far better? Taken for a fool. If you would grow up, dear child, I would not take you for a fool. Yet, you know nothing. You're constantly pestering me with your inferior questions." He stood up abruptly, with his hands placed on the table. There were large and thin, although covered in gloves. This Mad Hatter was far unlike the one in Disney Version. He was not as mad, but more angry. More intelligent.

His face was young, around his mid twenties, with medium length brown hair that parted to the left and covered half his face. Although he was a cartoon, he was drawn well. Not at all like Disney's short little old man. It made her begin to wonder. Everything else was drawn the same. She also began to ponder what she looked like. She leaned over the table and tried to see her reflection on the plates, but could not.

Alice and the Mad Hatter had both started fighting again. Yukiko sighed. She needed to get to Shira. Would Shira know something that Yukiko did not? About this place, where they were. It was very confusing, and she was very lost. She had to ask for a way to to get to China, if anyone knew where China was in this place!

"If you do not speak! Then I might actually not go deaf!" The Hatter exclaimed.

This was turning out to be not at all like the story. It was her fault, for sitting down though. Alice would have not started talking about the Hatter if Yukiko had not been there. She supposed though, that she could not help the situation at the moment. What could she say? They were both rambling on and on about unimportant things. The whole argument itself was pretty pointless. She didn't like fights much. She was becoming sadder thinking that it was her fault.

Their voices tumbled inside her head, so Yukiko knew she had to do something. "Excuse me," she said. It wasn't loud enough and they both continued. It seemed as if the argument was getting worse. The Hatter was slathering Jam on to a piece of bread and was fiercely shoving bites into his mouth while he was still talking. Alice was being splattered in bread crumbs and jelly bits, but still managed to remark about his poor eating manners. Yukiko was not happy, so she gathered up her voice. "Enough!"

Both stopped to look at her. They had both leaned in closer with each word and were so close they looked as if they were about to kiss. Both looking back at each other, shot back abruptly. The Mad Hatter wiped crumbs off himself, and cleaned his face with a napkin, while Alice wiped the jelly bits on her off with a napkin.

"Ah, I'm very sorry..." Yukiko.

"Yes, what do you want?" the Hatter asked quickly.

"I needed to know if you knew a way I could get to China?" she checked to see their expressions. The Hatter had stiffened. His eyes frozen in place on her. Slowly, a small grin came to his face. He hastened to brush the crumbs off himself. Chuckling to himself, he started humming under his breath. Alice still looked confused.

"Where is China? What is China?" Alice asked.

The Hatter snorted. "Foolish child. It's not what? It is a place. China is a kingdom in the world that is pretty close actually. Yukiko-" she was surprised he knew her name-"I will help you get there, but first I must tell you... There are five kingdoms, and one island. Each kingdom contains certain fairy tales, or Disney movies. Do not ask me how I know this, just trust me. The kingdom you are in now, is unlabeled. Technically we would be the seventh, but since we are not a real "country", as your Earth puts it, we are not a kingdom. The first five are China, France, Greece, Agrabah, Africa, and the island is known as Neverland. These kingdoms all surround a castle, known as "Cinderella's Castle." Whoever rules that castle, rules our world. Our world is called "Disney World". Yet, just because it says Disney, does not mean you will not meet characters that are from other worlds. Be careful."

He walked over to Yukiko. Then ran to the end of the table. Grabbing a giant blue cake, he walked swiftly back to her. She stared at it. "How is that supposed to get me to China?

"One second..." he muttered, searching over the candles. After choosing one, he stuck it in one of her hands, and wrapped her other hand around the candle. She tried to remove her hands, but couldn't.

"Ah...!" Yukiko uttered in surprise.

"What, what is it?" Alice asked, walking towards them.

"My hands are stuck," she explained.

"That's normal," the Hatter said sharply. "No matter what you do, do not think of letting go. Do not think of your fingers letting go of this candle, or you will fall to your death. Only think about your destination. That only. The candle will take you there. Remember, watch out for birds," and with that, he lit the candle.

"Whaa...?" The flame began climbing down the wick towards the wax of the candle.

"Oh, and by the way, good luck with finding Shira." He tipped his top hat, and with that, the flame reached the wax.

"A very merry unbirthday... to you!"

The candle sparkled, and lifted into the sky, as the Hatter sang, smiling.

"Good-bye!" she heard Alice.

Yukiko was now being dragged through a starless sky, by a candle, in search of Shira and China. China, she thought.

China, China, China...