AN; I do not claim to own any of these characters, as they belong to Julie Kagawa (as much as I'd like to claim Puck). Any way, since I know I am not the only Puck-lover out there, I figured I would write an alternate ending. It will be around 12 chapters minimum, including the most important parts (like Puck's confession, Ash dancing with Meghan the first time, and things like that, as well as dramatic damsel in distress scenes) starting from when she first entered the Nevernever. Don't like it? Deal with it. No offense to Ash lovers, he is a good character. I simply think that those who love Puck deserve some, well, Puck! So, without further ado, here is the first chapter.
Note: So I don't confuse anyone, we are starting with a flash forward. Ash has just exiled himself to the human realm. There will be an entire chapter revealing, later on, how it built up to this moment. The next chapter starts the real story, from the beginning. This chapter is simply to lure you into reading the rest ... Muahahahaaa!
The atmosphere around us was heavy. Everyone held their breath as they waited for my answer. My eyes scanned the anxious crowd who had been in a full blown war with one another a few moments ago. I looked to my left and saw the red, tattered, rotting door that I nearly went through, oblivious that I was going to be saying goodbye to everything. I would never again see anyone here and I had come to love all these people, even though they were a neuscence most of the time. A lot of people had layed their lives on the line for me and I was about to walk away from that.
I glanced back over my shoulder and saw my best friend who was almost in tears. Pain gripped my heart, squeezing it tight, making me want to cry when I saw him. Without thinking, I almost instantly ran to him, but looked up at Oberon and saw his calm expression. He seemed to be quickly losing his patience with me, as was the Queen on the other side of the field.
As I was turning to Puck I was surprised to find that he was already behind me. The look on his face said he refused to let me go. That did it, I couldn't stand here looking at him and just walk away knowing he would be crushed if I left him for good. I looked up at the King to see if I could possibly read his emotions. My attempt was useless, but he was giving off those I'm-pissed-beyond-belief vibes. His last nerve was unraveling quickly. I opened my mouth to speak, but a thought struck me. If I stayed here, Mab would declare a war over the loss of her last son. If I refused to follow him, what he did would have been for nothing.
Ash had been my side when no one else was. If it wasn't for him I don't know if I ever would have been able to kill Machina and save everyone the first time (let alone this time). If Ash hadn't been on my side by now, he would have killed me. Or even worse, he would have killed Puck. The thought made me want to disappear. I didn't like thinking about it, but there was no doubt that I would rip his beautiful head from his neck if he ever so much as thought about hurting my best friend.
On the other hand, if I left, the Iron Fey would take over. They would need me back at some point. I was the only one who could help them destroy the iron kingdom and regain piece in their Courts. I could still go to him and tell him that I did not love him. I knew it would make him furious, but he needed to know that I was not Ariella and I never would be. I could never take her place in his heart.
He seemed to want her back so badly he chose to love me even though I had nothing in common with this girl, besides the fact that my hair looked similar to hers and we were both stubborn. At this realization I was surprised that I wasn't even crying. I didn't love him. The person I loved was right here beside me. I was about to be exiled and he was with me. I was stunned for a moment. How could I have been so blind? He had confessed his love for me and I brushed him off. Now my heart was really torn.
I could stay and be with the one I truley loved. Then Mab would be furious. She would declare that the Summer and Winter courts were at war with another because I was a seductress or something along those lines. The thought annoyed me. Having so many people chasing me, being in over my head with no easy way out, and knowing I had ignored the one who truly loved me all this time was really getting to me.
With a deep breath I turned to Puck. His expression was stone cold, as if he knew what I was about to say. I stared deeply into his green eyes, breaking through his brave front. For a split second I could almost swear I saw his lower lip quiver. He stared at me with sad eyes, breaking my heart every second I stayed.
"Well," boomed the Erlking's voice, starling me. I jerked my chin in his direction and tensed. "What is your decision? You know the punishment for you will be the same as it was for the Prince of the Unseelie court. We will have no mercy on you, daughter." He looked down at me. He was about to make my decision for me, but before he could speak again I turned to Puck and pulled him into a hug. It seemed to have startled him. I almost smiled at the thought.
"Puck," I whispered as his arms wrapped around me tightly. I suddenly regretted hugging him, fearing he wouldn't let me go. "I have a plan, but you have to trust me," I said in a hushed tone, hoping Oberon would not hear me. He gave a final, painful squeeze and pulled back, half-grinning at me. I truly would miss him, but I figured if my plan failed, he would find me again somehow. He was Robin Goodfellow after all.
"Sure thing, Princess. " he said, giving me a wink as I pulled away. I knew he would pull through for me. I gave him one final smile as I turned and ran toward the door, not knowing exactly what I was throwing myself into, though I had a pretty good idea. As soon as I stepped through the door the air of the city ascended upon my sense of smell and nearly over took me. I was a little light-headed at first, glancing around an unknown place. I had never been too keen on maps, but I was considering going to get one just to find my way back home. Home. Before I walked away, I familiar voice called out my name, reminding me why I was here.
"Meghan." he called, happily. I turned to see him standing behind me, leaning against a fence. He still had his cool persona, but his half smile told me he was relieved to see me. His black hair fell in front of his face as he pushed himself, almost lazily, from the fence. I walked over to him, ready to tell him how stupid he was being for doing this to himself. "You actually came through for me."
"No, Ash," I said, almost angrily. How could he have put up such a cold exterior and then at the most crucial moment admitted his feelings for me. My feelings for him faded at a long time ago, though he was still a friend. I did not love him, I never had, I only thought I did. Now we were both screwed. It was my fault, I assumed, since I didn't tell him sooner. Still yet, I had the feeling if I told him the truth now he would be angry and seek revenge on me and all of those I loved. He was in the human world now, my world.
Suddenly I remembered that I had a family here. With all the drama in Faery, I never had a chance to think of them. Now I was really in a mess. If I told Ash how I felt, would he kill all of those I loved? Would he hurt my family to make me feel the worst kind of pain? I stood tall, pushing those thoughts out of my mind and inhaled. I looked at Ash. His expression was now a confused one. I couldn't tell him about my plan, now. What was I going to do? Puck couldn't save me now, so I had to wing it.
"I did not come back for you, Prince. I only came to tell you that you are foolish for falling in love with me. I am not Ariella." I said defiantly. I almost expected some other fey to be around, using their wretched glamour on me after I said all that. But upon looking around I found no glamour. There wasn't a single fey in sight besides Ash and myself. There was a thug-ish looking guy about five yeards away and that was slightly unnerving.
"What?" he snapped, angrily at me. I looked at him with pity, but that soon turned to fear as I saw the angry expression on his almost flawless face. His diamond ear stud sparkled as he tightened his grip on his sword. "I know you are not Ariella. You never will be. You are Meghan Chase and I love you. Ariella is dead."
I must've hit home. Hard. He seemed to be beyond angry at me. I remembered her drawer in his room. I remembered his memory of her, how flawless she looked. She was so beautiful and it hurt me just remembering something like that. He was right. I was Meghan chase, but he shouldn't have loved me. I loved the one who had gotten Ariella killed.
If Puck thought I was in too deep earlier, now it really hit the fan.
