A dream world meant just for me. That's what I was promised.

I sang with beautiful mermaids, camped with Indians, and explored this magical place that was infinitely better than the real world. Who else can say that they took a nap with huge tigers and can fly around? No one else that's who.

But there's someone trying to spoil my fun. A pirate. And an adult at that. He was terrorizing my dream world and my friends. Of course I had to stop him!

I was a little worried at first because I never knew how to fight even back at my old home. But somehow, I was holding my own against an adult pirate. I took him down quite easily. He looked shocked at his defeat, but it seemed like he wasn't looking at me though. He seemed lost in his own world as he was dying.

I was expecting him to curse me and vow that he'll have his revenge from the grave or something crazy like that. That's what bad guys usually do when they lose. But he just smiled at me. Almost as if he wanted to cry, but couldn't.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't unnerved.

The Fairy urged me to finish him. She was right. I'm the great hero after all, but somehow, it didn't seem right.

I miraculously picked him up by his collar and tossed him overboard. I could've sworn I heard him say "Thank you." as he toppled over.

I pushed those icky feelings aside as my friends cheered my victory. Whatever. He was the bad guy and got what he deserved. He was going crazy at the thought of his death. I guess anyone would be.

In any case, the heroes always win. I won and Neverland loved me and only me.

o-o-o-o-o-o

I stayed with the Mermaid and the Indian living in peace. Neverland was still fun, but something was slowly seeping into my soul. Something was off. I don't want to believe it though.

It's almost as if it's too perfect. It felt as if it's all planned somehow. It's getting boring. Maybe it's just me.

I noticed that when I sleep, I can't get his sad smile out of my mind. What's the meaning of it?

I was chilling in a large pine tree that I loved climbing. The Fairy resting happily on my shoulder. When the villain's defeated, the story ends, right?

That fallen pirate ship is always in my view no matter where I go in Neverland. It's always there in the distance. Is it calling me?

The Fairy stares at me with concern. She asks is this not enough?

My boredom now squashed, I leave the pine tree behind and make my way to the pirate ship.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The Fairy follows me like a shadow. I was beginning to think that her constant company was bit strange. Yes, she invited me to Neverland, but this was my dream world. It's not like I need an escort.

A tiny thought of 'Maybe she's trying to keep you from something.' creeped up. I wanted to ignore it, but it had seeded itself in my mind. The Fairy was eager to explore every other place in Neverland with me, but the pirate ship is off limits now?

Even now, she pulled on the back of my collar to try and stop me. I swung my arm backwards to push her off. I came here to avoid being scolded. I wouldn't have it then and especially not now.

I can see her shocked expression in a mirror. Too bad. I slam the door behind me.

I make my way towards the dead pirate's personal chambers.

His chambers are littered with gold coins and diamonds. In a land of perfection, why would one need money and jewels?

I find myself staring at a navy blue, leather book sitting on his desk.

I chuckle a little bit. What could a bad guy be writing about? Probably his dreams of conquering the world or something like that.

I open the book to the first page and realize that it's not a novel of any kind. It's a journal!

Sweet! I get to discover the bad guy's secrets!

I begin to read.

"On such a silent night, opening the window. Wishing the ticking of the clock would put you right to sleep. On such a night you'll be visited by a pixie. Taken to Neverland, where dreams never end…."

A picture begins to magically etch itself onto the next page. It's of a blue-haired boy being approached by the same Fairy. He sang with the same Mermaid and camped with the same Indian.

Wait! But he's the Pirate who died! How was he Peter Pan too?!

Another horrible realization hits me. This is the same story that I'm living!

My fingers tremble and I drop the book to the floor. I now know why the Pirate smiled. I also know why the Fairy has been my shadow this entire time.

It was then that I noticed a hovering gold light to my left.

I feel myself becoming angry. I'm angrier than I ever was before. Not even my parents did anything this bad!

I grab the Fairy in my hands. I want to crush her. But I don't know if magical beings can be killed. I noticed a glass box on a dresser and threw her inside. She thrashed inside the box, but was too weak to escape. At least she won't drag anyone else into this lie.

As for me, I'm leaving this farce behind. I run all the way back to the cliff where I first landed here. I look up into the night sky. The eternal full moon is the entrance and I assume that it's also the exit.

I take a running start and leap towards the sky. Something is wrong. I feel myself falling towards the ocean below.

Almost too perfectly, the Mermaid uses her water magic to catch me. She asks me if there any problems.

I stare at her in amazement. They've all asked me that periodically. It's almost as if they're trying to protect something and it's all based on my comfort.

I respond with at callous "Yes," and stalk off to find the Indian in an attempt to assuage my fears. She only ascertained my fears.

This reality is disgusting.

Only children can fly here. I'm no longer so young anymore.

I never realized how fast that I grew up here. It's only been several months and I'm now an adult. There's nothing fun here anymore. I always wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. I can't do that now. I won't ever be able to achieve my true dream.

For months, I struggled with myself. I wanted to run away from this dream. I searched all over Neverland for some type of alternate escape route. It was useless.

I climb back into my pine tree.

This is someone's doing. Someone must answer for the pain, the tears, and the lives destroyed here.

I once again make my way back to the pirate ship that once housed the fallen Pirate.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

I enter the blue-haired Pirate's dressing quarters. I find pirate get-ups of many colors. I bet that they planned for a countless number of Pirates to appear.

I choose the burgundy set with white pants.

I noticed that the Fairy is no longer contained in the glass box. In fact, it is shattered.

No matter. I will draw her out. I will do so by destroying the lie that she created.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The Indian comes to my rescue and shatters the glass box once I am freed. We look at each other in understanding.

This Peter Pan is a failure. I know what I must do. Another must be summoned.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

I will avenge the ones who came before. I bow in front of the Portrait of the Blue Pirate.

I don't care about the death and ruin that I've wrought. These people are fake just as this world is.

On the empty deck of our ship, I notice a glow of gold light above me. The look on her face is unreadable. It is neither vicious, disappointed, nor sad. I smirk at her. She flies up into the moon.

I notice the sky begin to sparkle.

Little does she know that I am not seeking Peter Pan's head. It is hers. I wouldn't have been dragged here if it weren't for her. Perhaps I am also to blame, but there's little point in soul-searching now.

I understand the game now. We Pirates are the villains because we risk destroying the "Dream". Whether for fun, revenge, or betrayal, Neverland is always under threat by us.

So, they seek out a "hero" to stop us.

A moment of sadness hits me. The Blue Pirate's final "Thank you." rings in my head. "You're welcome." I reply. I wish that there was a better way to save you.

But rest easy, my friend.

I look up into the sparkling sky. I may not be the one to end it. I may be just another victim in the end.

But the truth will eventually win. It always does. My friend's journal began the downward spiral.

I look up defiantly to the eternal full moon and raise my arms in welcome.

Welcome to Neverland. You won't enjoy your stay here.

A girl with teal hair watches unnoticed as the new Peter Pan is brought to Neverland...

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

A/N: Gosh, the Portrait of Pirate F is so sad! It's like a vocal dissonance considering the happy melody.

I had to try and get into every character's thoughts. There's one chapter left! It's my theory on the true villain. Thanks for reading!