"Grandma, Grandma!" Tara looked around hopelessly, "Margaret is missing!" Where could her stupid sister have run off to? Tara immediately felt an immeasurable amount of guilt for all the mean things she had said earlier.
Grandma Wendy's eyes slowly fluttered open, she yawned, accenting the many wrinkles that marked her age.
"Tara, what's wrong?" her grandmother questioned groggily. She had been having a wonderful dream. One in which she and Peter had been fighting Hook.
"Margaret is missing grandma!" Tara explained hurriedly, wanting to get right to the point.
"Yes dear, I know."
"You know? Well, where is she then?" Tara demanded more harshly then she intended.
"Oh Tara," Wendy sighed, "Peter came and took her off to neverland."
Tara said nothing. He was real? He was real…all those stories had been true. Neverland existed. Faeries existed. Hook and the pirates…. they all were actual people! But it couldn't be possible. It defied everything she had ever been taught. People couldn't fly. How could anyone fly to a star without a space mask? Her grandmother must be so distraught, that she was making things up. Wendy watched as her granddaughter thought intently, unexplainable emotions erupting across her face.
"Grandma, you're tired, she must've just went to get some air." Tara said pleased, having finally come to a reasonable conclusion.
Wendy was taken aback; her own granddaughter thought she was crazy. A small tear escaped down her face. If only she could make Tara believe…. if only….
XXXXXXXXXX
"Wow Peter, this is all so…quaint."
"So you like it?"
"Well…yes." Margaret surveyed the underground house once more. It was exactly like Wendy described it, but she was slightly disappointed. It was all so…well she didn't know what it was. You're in neverland for goodness sakes Margaret she thought to herself, you can fly! Stop being so picky! These thoughts aside, she was anxious to explore her new surroundings, especially the gigantic forest surrounding Peter's new hideout.
"Peter I'm going to explore the forest, would you like to come and give me a more detailed tour?"
"Meeting with the lost boys is more important…sorry." Remorse flickered across his face, only to be replaced once again by a smile. "I could arrange a faerie guide for you if you like. I know how much girls like them."
"That would be lovely."
"Ok, then I will be back soon. When the lost boys arrive, tell them I will not be long!" with a small crow of happiness, he flew off into the sky.
Margaret smiled as she watched him fly off into the sky. The lost boys…hadn't they decided to leave neverland? There must be new ones, she was suddenly very anxious to meet them. Her grandmother had told her that the lost boys were loveable and very energetic. But having not been raised by parents, they were also very wild. However, Margaret was completely confident that she could handle them. Tired of staring out the window she decided to find her room. After a long extensive search of the house she finally came across a room that fit Wendy's description. A beautifully engraved woodenbed, embellished with faeries, rabbits, and birds was the centerpiece to the room. No doubt the most exquisite craftsman had carved it. Probably an Indian, she'd have to ask Peter about it when he returned. The ceiling was covered in moss and in a little corner a nightstand, matching the bed, held a beautiful lamp depicting some ancient faerie legend. Margaret sighed, this room was gorgeous!
"Uh…Margaret?" she turned to see Peter standing in the doorway a little ball of green light flitting around him. "This is Irving, he has agreed to be your faerie guide. One of the best."
'Thank you Peter, but…. what happened to Tinkerbelle?" she questioned, wondering why she hadn't suggested it in the first place.
"I don't trust her to keep you safe, she…well…gets…jealous."
Margaret suddenly remembered what Tinkerbelle had done to her grandmother upon entering neverland. She looked at Irving who was gazing at the ground. She had hurt his feelings!
"Irving, I'm very excited to be in your company. Won't you please lead the way?"
He smiled, "Of course Miss Margaret." He flitted out the door.
"I'll see you later Peter. Please share you plans with me when I return."
"Ok, have fun."
As Margaret left the lair she could faintly hear the sound of pipes seeping into the forest.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ronan walked miserably through the forest. He had been searching for hours, how was he supposed to find a girl who could fly? Damn you Killing, he cursed silently to himself, hacking a branch out of his way. He hated Killing with all his being, not only had he kidnapped his parents and him, but he had forced Ronan to watch his parents walk the plank.
"It's your choice boy, you can either become a pirate, or you can see your parents walk the plank. I promise." Killing stated menacingly, pulling the ropes that bound him tighter, cutting off his circulation. He knew that either way Killing would get his families fortune, but at least if he became a pirate, his parents still had a chance to be happy.
"I'll…. I'll…become a pirate, just please let them go!" He remembered pleading with Killing all too well. Knowing it was useless but hoping it wasn't.
"No, Ronan!" his mother had screamed, "No!"
"Son, you have your whole life ahead of you, please reconsider." His father had begged him.
"No, I want you to be happy, you deserve it. Killing, do you hear me? I CHOSE TO BECOME A PIRATE!"
"A wise choice my boy" Killing smirked, "but it has come to late, because of your inability to make a speedy decision, your parents will die."
"NO! NO! You promised! I chose to become a pirate, now you have to let them go!"
"Boy, when will you learn that a pirates promise means nothing? Men, ready the plank, the sharks will feast well tonight!" The pirates cheered morbidly.
Killing hadn't even let him near them, as they were bound, and pushed out onto a slab of wood.
"MOM! DAD!"
His parents turned around to gaze at their child one last time.
"We love you Ronan."
"No!" and Ronan was forced to watch in horror as his parents disappeared over the side of the ship.
Ever since then, it had been one pillage after another, killing many innocent people. Ronan only doing what he was told, at the promise of freedom. Despite the fact that Killing had said a pirated promise meant nothing.Nevertheless, his parents had taught him to always have hope in the darkest situations, and so he did. All he had to do was find the girl Killing spoke of and get to know her, get her to like him. Ronan was sure that if he succeeded this time, Killing would indeed set him free.
A/N: All right, I hope everyone liked this chapter, even though it's pretty long. This is really one of the last "introductory" chapters. Much thanks and appreciation to my second reviewer! Also, just to clarify, the Peter in my story is about 12, the same age as when Wendy left him. Oh and I hope everyone has a happy Halloween!