That evening, after the sun went down, Peter took Wendy to one of his favorite caves nestled in the mountains. He had gathered some necessities and some comforts for her earlier that day and had even asked Tiger Lily if he could borrow some of her things. He hadn't told the princess where he was taking Wendy (much to her disappointment) but she had promised to help Wendy if she needed it while he was gone. Peter thought that he could trust his old friend but was worried about her father and brothers and therefore kept the cave a secret. He had also explained to Wendy that she couldn't tell anyone where she was hiding. Even though she did not know the whole story, she seemed to understand that she was in danger and she decided she would listen to Peter and obey. When they approached the cave, Wendy saw it was guarded by a lovely waterfall. Peter took her around it and showed her the secret entrance.

"Peter, this is beautiful."

"It's a pretty view. Around there you can see mermaid lagoon and the waterfalls. There's also a path that will take you down to the Indian Village. But I don't want you leaving here, alright? If you really need to go somewhere, take Tink with you."

"I feel like a prisoner again," Wendy muttered and Peter frowned.

"I'm trying to keep you safe! I'm not keeping your prisoner! Do you see any chains?" Her face softened.

"I'm sorry, Peter, I know you are trying to help. I won't leave Tink's sight." He nodded.

"Thank you." He held her hands in his and brought them to his lips. Gently kissing her hands and then her palms, his eyes met hers.

"Wendy, I…" he bit his lip, as Wendy watched him, waiting for him to continue.

"I…umm…I just wanted to say…I'll see you in a few days." Her face fell slightly and he inwardly groaned. Tink was rolling her eyes above them.

"Be careful, Peter. I'd die if anything happened to you." He swallowed as her hand went to his cheek and she gazed into his eyes. He leaned forward, wanting to give her a kiss but stopped himself. He leaned back and bit his lip as he saw the hurt in her eyes.

"Don't worry, Wendy. I will save you." Shooting her a cocky smile, he took off from the cave and into the air.

Peter landed on the rocks in the middle of the lagoon and immediately started to play his pipes. Dark heads popped out of the water and there were strange hisses of delight that filled the air. Peter started making noises in the back of his throat and the mermaids returned the sounds. He leaned close to the water and greeted each of the mermaids by name. Seven had answered his call.

"Daughters of the Sea, I need your help. I must make a long, dangerous journey and I am in search of something only you can help me find. It is a pearl, inside a shell. The fairies call it Cragen."

"We know of Cragen," one of them spoke up. Peter knew this one as Sedna and liked her the most out of all of them. "It lies on the bottom of the Neversea, off the Isle of Leros. It is guarded by terrible seabeasts and lies in a cave of flame." Peter's face fell.

"Please. I'll do anything. I have to find this pearl. Or at least try. Someone very important to me needs it."

"The bird you have brought to Neverland?"

"She's not a bird, she's a girl. And yes, she has been cursed by pirates. If I can't find a way to save her, she'll die." The mermaids all exchanged looks. One of them hissed.

"We will not put ourselves in danger for some mortal girl. You are on your own, Peter Pan." Three of them dove beneath the waves and Peter's hand shot out.

"Please! I am begging for your help!" The four remaining mermaids cocked their heads and Sedna pulled herself a bit onto the rock.

"Pan must bring us something first, before we agree to help you." He nodded.

"Anything you want."

"There is an instrument that makes the most beautiful music ever heard. Seven strings on the instrument and two stars etched into the wood, it once belonged to the sea nymph Calypso. Bring us this instrument. And we shall help you." Peter swallowed. Another journey? Wendy was already running out of time. But he sighed and nodded.

"Where can I find it?"

"It has been in the possession of pirates," one of them hissed through her sharp teeth.

"It now resides aboard the Jolly Roger," Sedna said softly. Peter leaped to his feet.

"That's easy then! I'll be back soon with your instrument! Listen for my signal." Without another word, he took off into the sky and the mermaids returned to their home beneath the sea.

Peter soared over the island and flew low when he saw black sails blowing in the wind. The Jolly Roger looked just as he remembered it to look. He saw no one on the deck and he decided to be quick about the whole thing, lest someone wake up and wander onto the deck. He stealthily dropped to his feet and looked around for a moment, wondering which cabin he would find the stringed instrument in. As soon as he took a step, all hell broke loose. His head snapped up as he saw nets plummeting down on top of him. He jumped into the air but felt heavy ropes fall around his waist and pulled him to the ground. As soon as he was down on his knees, pirates swooped down on him and pulled his arms behind his back, binding him tightly. They roughly pulled him to his feet and one of them buried his hand in his curls, yanking his head back and making him wince in pain. A round-bellied man stood before him and his face was full of malice and hatred. Peter's eyes widened at the sight of the former first-mate. Smee made a terrifying captain. His eyes were cold and glassy and his hands remained behind his back in a genteel manner.

"Well, well, well, look what we've caught in our nets. A flying menace." Smee backhanded the boy and Peter felt pain in his cheek.

"My boys didn't believe you would come, Pan. But you don't disappoint. I knew you would do anything for your little mother. Include climb aboard a pirate-infested ship."

"Let me go right now," Peter demanded, finding his voice and his courage.

"I think not. I have been waiting for you, after all. Have you seen your darling Wendy lately?" Peter's blood boiled.

"You didn't defeat us! I'll find the cure to save her and then I'll come back and kill you!"

"Oh ho, cheeky little brat. You think so, do you? Well, we'll see if you'll be singing a different tune when my boys get through with you." He turned away and nodded to the pirates.

"Lock him in the brig. And someone go to shore and find that…woman. Poor Peter needs a little company." Peter's eyes widened and he struggled furiously.

"Don't you touch her! I swear to you, if you hurt her in any way—"

"You'll what," Smee snarled, swooping down on the boy and holding a blade to his throat. Peter gasped and tried to back away as far as he could, knowing this could be the poisoned blade Cestus. The very thought of aging brought tears to his eyes and he squeezed them shut, silently pleading. Smee drew back, watching Peter with disgust.

"Look at him cower. He's nothing but a selfish little boy. A coward." Peter's eyes snapped open.

"I am NOT a coward! Let me go right now and I'll fight you!"

"I think I prefer to see you writhing in pain," Smee said coolly. "I wonder how strong your Wendy is, now that she has the body of a woman. Oh ho," struck by an idea, his evil face lit up and he turned to the crew. The pirates all seemed to be thinking the same thing. Peter looked around at them, frowning in confusion. Smee chuckled.

"A woman! What fun we'd have. Pan wouldn't even know what was happening to his darling. But men, wouldn't you say she looked delectable? What a treat she would be for us all." The men nodded eagerly and one of them even started stroking himself through his trousers. Peter gasped, finally putting two and two together and he thrashed around in the pirate's arms.

"You won't touch her, you sick vile—" he was backhanded again and he spat out blood, glaring at Smee in hatred.

"Lock him up. When I find your Wendy, boy, I'll bring her to you. In pieces." Peter's face was drained of color as he was lifted off his feet and handled roughly all the way down to the brig. As he lay on the cold floor, his muscles aching from the ropes, all he could think of was Wendy. How he hoped she would obey him and stay in the cave. He didn't know if Smee was bluffing or not but he wouldn't put it past the pirate to act on his words. He seemed to have inherited Hook's cruelty but lacked his sense of genteelity. His anger and hatred toward Peter fueled him on and Peter wasn't sure how far the man would go. Hook had only lost a hand. Smee had lost a loved one. Peter swallowed, feeling his heart race.

"He intends to do the same to me. He's going to kill Wendy…because of what she means to me." He felt tears well in his eyes and he grunted and tried to wipe them away. He glanced up at the moon and his lips moved almost silently, speaking words that he had never spoken before and no one but the moon could hear.