Ariella woke up to a thumping headache, a sore body, and a soft jingling in her ears. She noticed the sky was a pale and gloomy gray, signaling day time. She knew that her parents must be worried, and wanted to get back to them as soon as possible. She heard more jingling and suddenly felt a hard yank on her hair. She swatted at her hair and turned around to see a glowing ball of light with…wings? She looked closer and noticed it was Tinkerbell! Tinkerbell kept jingling with a frustrated look on her face and Ariella chuckled, only resulting to a throbbing pain rushing to her head. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you," Ariella said softly and moved in to listen to the small fairy. Tinkerbell still had the same beauty that Ariella had always heard of in the stories she had always loved as a child, but the fairy looked exhausted and worn out. "Are you one of Peter's captives?" Tinkerbell asked. "We have seen him take many boys to the island, but never a girl. You must be…different. What's your name?"

"Ariella, and I'm not sure, but I probably am," Ariella shrugged. "All I know is that I'm miserable here. This is not the Neverland I had always wanted to be swept away to, and this is not the Peter Pan that I thought I knew and loved."

"It's very dangerous to be here, now," Tinkerbell explained. "Peter wasn't always like this, and neither was Neverland. The stories you know used to be true. You see, after Wendy died, Peter fell into a pit of despair and became emotionless and evil. He refuses to let anyone in again, and therefore, everything around him has become his, I guess, lifeless property, which is why all of the fairies, including me, had to go into hiding. It broke my heart to leave him, but I had to protect myself. And since Peter has such a special connection to the island, being created out of its magic, his emotions affect it. So, since Peter is obviously not doing well, neither is Neverland, and if Peter doesn't get better, Neverland will die, along with anyone on it."

Tinkerbell's words broke Ariella's heart and frightened her at the same time. Tinkerbell continued her explanation. "You must come with me, Ariella, if you wish to live. Peter has murdered many of the Lost boys, well, more like his slaves, that he has taken against their will, and there is no telling if he will do the same to you. We fairies are usually not supposed to come of hiding and talk to anyone associated with Pan, but you seem different…almost special." Ariella nodded, hoping she could trust Tinkerbell. And with that, the fairy covered her with pixie dust, and off they went, flying.

~At Hangman's tree~

"Peter, where's Ariella?" Slightly, only a year younger than Peter, asked. Although Peter never showed mercy toward the boys, Slightly was sort of like the co-leader of the Lost boys, and Peter saw him as his companion, in a way. "In the woods," Peter responded, grinning evilly. "We're playing a game."

Slightly gasped. "Peter, she doesn't know her way around Neverland! She could get lost and die!"

"Oh shut it, Slightly!" Peter barked, nudging him out of the way and slamming him into the wall. Slightly stood up and rubbed the back of his head, where he was hit. "I didn't leave her very far. She should be back any minute now," Peter told him.

~At a hidden cave in Mermaid's Lagoon~

"Well Ariella, welcome to our hideout," Tink greeted her. Ariella looked around at the huge cavern walls. "Wow, this is astonishing!" she smiled. "Let me introduce you to Queen Clarion," Tink said, flying deeper into the cave with Ariella following.

"Queen Clarion!" Tinkerbell called out. Ariella was greeted by a most beautiful fairy, with a long, golden dress made out of pixie dust and the most beautiful wings. "Tinkerbell, what is this human doing here? You know contact with them is strictly forbidden," Queen Clarion said sharply. "I know," Tinkerbell responded, looking down. "But this is Ariella and she is one of Peter's captives, and the only girl captive, and I want to help her! She seems special. I know deep down that she's trustworthy, and I just know that we must help her! She could be the one."

"Are you proposing that this girl could be the one to save Neverland?" Queen Clarion said, with an unsure look on her face. "Are you sure?" Tinkerbell opened her mouth to talk, but Ariella cut in. "Miss, it is very nice to meet you and I am completely on your side. I only want to get away from Peter and to go home," she said with a sincere look. "Okay," Queen Clarion gave in. "You can stay here, but I'm not sure for how long. And whatever you do, never, ever tell any outsiders our location. Is that understood?" Ariella quickly nodded and smiled, glad that the fairies would help her.

~At Hangman's tree~

It had been awhile and the sun was starting to set, so Peter was becoming angry, even a tiny bit worried. "How could that stupid girl have not found her way back yet?" he said, yelling with frustration. "Peter, what if Hook found her, and took her home?" Slightly suggested, trying to be helpful. "Ugh, no, no, no!" Peter said even louder and one again shoved Slightly into the wall. "That's impossible! Hook knows that if he leaves the island, I'll slit his throat! I'm going to go look for her." With that said, Peter flew off into the setting Neverland sky.

Hello my lovely fairies! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you did, please follow this story because there is definitely more to come! Don't forget to review and tell me any ideas or requests that you have for the story, and if I use any, I will give you credit! Thanks guys, enjoy the story! 3