Sorry for the wait! This is the sequel to 'Enter Night', so if you don't want to be confused, you should probably read that fic first, though it is possible to read this one without the other. This is my take on Season 3, with a my special twist on Season 1 and 2's events. This fic will be focusing more on CS, but also on the actual plot of OUAT. Enjoy!
The water rushes upwards, gushing into the faces of every individual aboard the three century old ship, leaving its victims breathless and splayed along the deck. The drop into the blue vortex is even more horrifying, with nothing to secure themselves to, but ropes and certain parts of the ship. Emma Swan can feel her insides rise, as salty air and drilling drops of water smack into her face, and her golden strands spike upwards as the force of gravity takes the world's weirdest crew to the weirdest place around. Neverland.
She shuts her eyes, hoping that when she opens them, green will see the hazel ones belonging to her son, Henry. Instead, she opens them to be greeted by a vibrant blue sky, with more clouds than imaginable, and a cruel wisp of ocean air. She's flat on her face, the skin on her cheeks scraped by the rough grains of wood. Peering about, she sees her parents: Snow White and Prince Charming, holding each other in a tight embrace, as David tries to get them both up, hoisting their bodies up with a tight grip along a rope. The Evil Queen, Regina, is meters away, being helped up by Rumplestiltskin who's offering his hand. Not too far away, Hook stays away from the helm, seemingly unaffected by the drop, walks towards her, holding out his hand. She smiles and accepts it, shuddering at the skin contact. Moments ago, he was abandoning them, leaving them to die... leaving her to die. But he came back and even offered to help find Henry. Henry. Reality hits her, as her breath becomes heavy.
"Swan?" Concern is evident across Killian's face, his hand still holding hers.
"Well, I definitely haven't bloody missed that." Wendy says, wringing the water from her long hair. The boy beside her stiffens, looking from Regina to Emma, holding Wendy's hand.
Henry was taken by Tamara and Greg. And who are they working for? Peter freaking Pan. Peter Pan who is standing across from them, with Wendy in his grip. Peter Pan who moments ago, admitted to being their enemy. It's as if this thought rakes across everyone's mind, at the same time, because the next thing that happens is a blur of people charging in different directions.
"You stupid boy!" Regina yells, launching herself at Peter. "I should have killed you a long time ago." Wendy draws her sword out and stands in front of the raging Queen.
"No!" Hook screams, rushing towards the girl.
"Stay back, your majesty." She says. Peter also unsheathes his sword, eying Hook who stands in front of his sister, in a protective stance.
"It's not what you think." Peter tries to explain. Charming takes out his pistol and aims it at the twenty one year old boy. Snow stands by her husband, wishing she had her bow on her.
"Then, you need to start talking Peter." Charming warns.
"You should probably shut your bloody mouth before you make this worse for everyone, boy." Killian growls.
"If you didn't realize it by now, Captain, I'm not afraid to personally remove you or Miss Jones as well." The Queen threatens, forming a fire ball in her hand. Mr. Gold stands behind him, looking completely amused by the situation. As Regina takes a step forward, Emma rushes in to intervene, stepping in front of Hook.
"Whoa, okay everyone needs to calm down." Emma says, while Killian raises his eyebrow at Wendy, saying: "Miss Jones?" getting a menacing glare from his sister.
"Ask the Queen, but maybe another time. Like, when we're not about to be burnt to a crisp!" Wendy snaps at Hook.
"Start talking." Charming repeats, his gun still aimed at Peter.
"I think now is a good time to tell our story, right boys?" Wendy turns to Hook and Peter, with a small smile of her lips. The fire in Regina's hand extinguishes, as Peter and Wendy lower their blades.
"A long time ago, Neverland's only inhabitants were the Piccaninnies and the mermaids. This realm was meant to be a paradise, that only the innocent or pure of heart could find. Not too long after, fairies from the Enchanted Forest discovered the secret path to take to the land. A few left your land and took residence in this place." Peter begins. "Now the fairies who came here wanted to share the Utopian society of Neverland with others, so they decided to bring those without a home, without hope to Neverland."
"Orphans." Snow states.
"Exactly." Wendy steps forward. "Peter Pan was one of the first orphans to be brought to Neverland, living in an orphanage in France. He came with a friend named Felix, who abided by Pan's every whim, and was loyal to the end. Pan was obsessed with magic and power and wanted the fairies to teach it to him. Some did, giving him all the power he ever wanted, until it consumed him, they became known as pixies, which simply means, they do not have a code. They do as they please. Others, stayed away, feeling that giving a human that much power will turn them dark, and they were right. He became vile and drunk on the power. Not wanting to be alone in this realm he left to steal children, whether orphaned or not, and bring them here. The orphans wanted to stay, and were loyal under Pan's rule."
"One of Peter Pan's servants." Hook starts. "Accidentally brought a girl with them. She was eighteen, an orphan, and free spirited. Pan automatically fell in love with her and as they grew older, she became pregnant with his son. Unfortunately, when she gave birth, she died, and Peter became mad with power and grief. He tried to make the pixies and fairies to help him bring her back to life, but not even magic can bring back the dead, as you well know. So, Peter, thinking he was all powerful, devised a plan to cause Neverland to make all who dwell here immortal. And as you know, dear Crocodile, all magic comes with a price."
Rumplestiltskin rolls his eyes at the Captain.
"I also know the tale, Captain." He sneers. "And you're saying it wrong. Pan could not make all of Neverland's residents immortal, magic isn't that simple, dearie. He simply stopped time in the realm and the price was his death. But because he was consumed by dark magic, he didn't die completely. He wanted immortality, and he got it, as a spirit or a shadow. In our world, our heart is what makes us human, in Neverland, the shadow is what binds us. Without a shadow, we become weak and emotionless. Peter Pan wanted immortality, and he got it. But his shadow is the darkest version of him, with powers that can even go beyond mine."
Everyone gasps at this and backs away from Peter, except for Rumple, Killian and Wendy. The eighteen year old girl rolls her eyes.
"I think we should get on with this before they bloody have a heart attack." She says, crossing her arms.
"Right," Peter says with a small grin. "The spirit has its limits, it wants to be human again, but you can't just bond any shadow with anybody. Not to mention, when you rip someone's shadow from them, they become soulless and controllable. So in order to find his new host, the spirit created an army of his own made up of the older and stronger orphans. Some, like Felix, joined Pan's army willingly, others had their shadow's torn from them, giving them the title of Lost Ones. My father died when I was fourteen, handing the reins to me, hoping that I would find a boy to take his place. When I refused, Felix took charge and punished me for my insubordination."
"Wait, your father was the original Peter Pan?" David asks the kid.
"Yes. I am the second Peter Pan."
The prince places his weapon back in his holster, as everyone relaxes.
"When my crew and Wendy arrived here." Hook says looking at Emma, Regina and the Charmings. "We had no idea about the shadow, till later on when young Baelfire visited me. Then when young Peter Junior defeated Felix, the Lost Boys and my crew joined together for one last time to defeat the shadow. We had a way to end him, but the lad decided to put everyone, including my sister, in harm's way, by refusing to permanently kill his father. Instead he trapped the bloody beast in a tomb, which I am guessing was breached."
"And the fact that we left Neverland, and that Felix survived, means that he probably regained control of the land, and revived the shadow." Wendy says. "Now, can we please stop trying to kill one another?"
"Why did you say we have to fear you?" Emma asks the boy.
"Because, my father is my weakness." Peter states simply. "If it comes down to killing him, I don't think I can do it, and unfortunately, I am the only one who can."
"What do you mean?" Snow inquires.
"The original Peter Pan cursed himself, or his shadow, to immortality, unless killed by his own blood." Rumplestiltskin says.
"Well, that's just wonderful, now isn't it." Regina exclaims. "What does he want with my son?"
"Since the Shadow can only bind himself to one that is innocent and pure of heart, then Pan needs a child as a host. More specifically a young boy." Rumple says."If Tamara and Greg brought Henry to Neverland, by the Shadow's orders, that would entail that he thinks Henry is a possible host."
"No!" Emma says. "Henry is not going to be his next victim! Over my dead body."
"We'll find your boy, Swan." Hook tells Emma. "I promise we'll find him before that happens."
A small wave rocks the ship, causing everyone to snap back to reality.
"It's been a long time, since I've seen these waters." Wendy states, looking out to the beyond, "But if there's one thing I remember, it's too never be out in open waters when night falls."
"Aye." Killian agrees with her. "We should get the ship ready. Ladies, if you will, go with Darling below deck, and get some supplies and weapons out. Your Highness, Crocodile, Boy, you can help me find a sturdy area to anchor my ship." But before abiding by Killian's request, Wendy walks closer to him, with an angelic smile.
"Oh Killian?" She says, walking up to him. "Can I speak to you for a moment?"
"Yes lass?" Hook turns around to face the eighteen year old girl. "What is it?"
SMACK!
The pirates head is whipped to the side due to the force of his sister's blow. The Dark One cracks a smile at the sight of his enemy being slapped by a girl.
"I knew I liked this kid." Charming says, causing Snow and Emma laugh. Killian rubs his left cheek and grins.
"I guess I deserve that." Hook says, trying to shake it off.
"Deserve that?" Wendy scoffs. "Oh no! You deserve a lot more than that, but we wouldn't want it to rub off on the crew, now would we?" Killian raises an eyebrow in response. Pleased with her work, the girl turns around and motions for Regina, Snow and Emma to follow her, but not without issuing a wink towards the blonde savior.
Emma can't help but smile back at the kid. The look on Hook's face was priceless, kind of like how he looked when she knocked him out back at Lake Nostos in the Enchanted Forest.
As the women follow Wendy below deck, Swan admires the handiwork of the ship.
"Alright." Wendy begins. "Here are the crew's bunks. You'll be sleeping here. I recommend you stay away from the one with the round pillow on it that used to belong to Skinner. He barely ever bathed, quite the poor form. I suggest you trick Gold into sleeping there." She leads them further into the bunk room and stops suddenly at one of the beds. There are already bags laid out on the bunk. Unzipping one of them, Wendy takes out some garments and lays them out of the bed. "Now if working with Whale taught me anything, it's that staying in wet clothes gives you pneumonia. And if we're going to be surviving Neverland, we need not an ill person slowing us down." She hands some clothing to Regina, but the mayor puts her hand up to stop her.
"No need my dear." The Queen says, waving her hand across her body. Her red shirt and black skirt is immediately replaced by black leather pants and a long black blazer like coat, whose ends touch the ground.
"Nice to know your magic is working." Emma laughs, taking a folded pile of clothes from Wendy. Her nose scrunches at the garments. "Really? Leather? And red on top of it?" Lifting the vibrant red silk button shirt up to examine it, she lets out a sigh. It's sheer and would definitely show her black bra.
"Don't worry Emma." Snow giggles. "That's what this is for." She points to the dark burgundy leather corset and matching leather pants. "And as for the leather, it's far more comfortable than jeans and that trench coat you've been wearing."
"My jeans are comfy." Emma protests, removing her coat.
"Tell me that once we're hiking around Neverland's mountains for a week. Plus leather will shield you from the rain and cold, and will allow your skin to breath in the heat." Wendy states.
"Where the hell did you even get this stuff?" The Sheriff asks.
"Gold's shop. I thought I'd be prepared."
"What... oh the Seer thing."
"Precisely. Saw us all together on this wreckage, thought proper clothes might be vital."
"Oh my... is this my old battle outfit?" Mary Margaret asks, lifting up a white studded jacket and matching pants. "I haven't seen this since Charming and I got married in front of your grandmother." Snow smiles at her daughter. Regina rolls her eyes.
"Are we done here?"
"Patience Madame Mayor." Wendy states, crossing her arms, she slips into her old pirate garb: a baby blue tunic cut from a dress; a black leather corset that wraps around the waist and fits over the hips; black leather pants; black fingerless gloves that lace up to the elbows; and a pair of over the knee black leather boots. "While they change, we can go collect the weapons."
As the two women exit the room, Emma and her mother quickly dress into the dry attire.
"Well, I can't say this makes you look like a princess." Mary Margaret laughs, "But you're definitely the fairest of them all."
"Says Snow White." Emma blushes, fiddling with the corset.
"I'm sure Hook would say the same thing." Right, didn't tell Mom about the guy breaking my heart. Emma thinks. What the hell, Emma? He didn't break your heart. It was a one night stand, no strings attached!
"Mary Margaret, Hook and I... there's nothing going on." Emma begins. "It was just one night."
"Are you sure?"
"He basically told me not too long ago that he used me for sex."
"Do you want me to teach him a lesson?" Snow asks innocently, biting her lip.
"What? No!" Emma exclaims. "We should probably help Regina and Wendy bring up the weapons."
"You're right." Snow states, sensing her daughter doesn't want to talk about it.
Back above deck, Rumplestiltskin has just given all the men a little fashion make over. Charming is dressed in his old battle clothes, complete with a breast plate. Killian's in his normal black attire, except with his old red velvet vest. Peter's dressed head to toe in green leather, and the Dark One looks exactly like he did in the Enchanted Forest, minus the scaly skin and with his cane. The men work on securing the ropes and drop the anchor in a shallower part of the sea.
"I know." Charming says suddenly, glaring at the Captain.
"You know what, Prince?" Hook snaps. "There are many things to be knowledgeable in this world, so you'll have to be a little more specific, mate."
"I know you slept with my daughter." David growls. Peter and Gold cease what they are doing, and listen in.
"Ah, that, well... you're not the first to hear of it."
"Yes, Snow informed me of how unobservant I've been. But believe me when I say, I'll be keeping a close watch from now on."
"I'm touched." Charming grits his teeth, trying hard not to punch, or shoot him.
In that exact moment, the women return above deck, carrying a large trunk with them. Killian's eyes are glued to Emma. The red top brings out the green in her eyes and her golden hair contrasts nicely against the silky fabric. Her curves are accented by the burgendy leather corset, who's laces he wants to rip open with his hook. She drops the brown trunk to the floor, bending as she does so, giving him a great view of her...
"Hey pirate!" Charming snarls, snapping his fingers in front of Hook's face. "Look elsewhere, unless you want to see red." I'm already seeing red, Killian thinks. And I'd love to see more... or less... Stop it Jones! You bloody lost her already. She was with that damned hatter and already declared her love for Baelfire. Swan's not yours!
"Not a problem, mate." Hook snaps back. His attention turns towards his sister, as he approaches the trunk. "Alright Darling, what have you uncovered for us?" He flips the lid off, revealing an assortment of swords, daggers, a few bows and quivers filled with arrows. A few pistols lay at the bottom, which Wendy gladly snatches, handing one to Emma.
"Enchanted guns." Wendy smirks. "Never runs out of bullets. But a last resort, none the less. Attracts to much attention." She slips the two pistols along her belt, along with two daggers next to her trusty sword.
"How did you manage to get a gun?" Emma asks, remembering how Mulan reacted to hers back in the Enchanted Forest. "I thought they don't exist in Fairytale... umm your land."
"They don't." Hook says. "Though I've been through enough worlds to have stumbled upon the weapon."
Charming lifts up a few swords, checking their balance and hands one to Emma and Snow. The two women both sheath their blades along their belts. Snow also grabs a bow and slings the quiver over her shoulder.
"Just like old times." She smiles to Charming, while slipping in small knives and daggers around her person. This amuses Killian, reminding him that Snow White definitely isn't a useless princess. Peter grabs the remaining bow and quiver, catching David's attention. The prince looks at the rusty sword strapped to the boy's side.
"That looks a little worn for wear." He says. "Don't you think you should get a newer one?"
"Are you kidding me?" Pan laughs. "I stole this from Felix. It's my father's old sword, enchanted by the fairies. Plus it lets the holder fly." He grins madly.
"Well, if you are done bragging about your swords." Regina says, impatiently. "Can we get back to getting Henry back."
"Right now, your highness." Hook drawls out, sheathing his own sword in his belt. "We have to stay put in shallow waters, to avoid being attacked by mermaids."
"So we're going to just sit here and let those two idiots do God knows what to my son."
"I don't think that's what Hook means." Snow tells her step mother.
"Of course, you can say that!" The Evil Queen snaps. "You're just his grandmother, and you've been in his life for what? Five seconds?"
"Regina " Emma begins. "Instead of arguing, you should armor up or something. Fighting's not going to accomplish anything."
"Regina and I don't need weapons." The Dark One sneers.
"Yes, because magic is the solution to everything, coward" Hook growls. Gold takes a threatening step closer to the pirate.
"Okay." Emma says getting in between Killian and Rumple. "Ground rules... or ship rules, or whatever. No fighting. No rival feuds. We have to work together in order to get Henry back."
"And, might I add," Wendy begins. "You can't rely on your magic here. Mine was unreliable and blocked by this land for months."
As the crew stop bickering, the night sky fully takes over, allowing light to emanate only from the moon and the second star to the right. A deafening shriek echoes through the sea, followed by soft splashing noises. Emma can swear that she sees a a pair of fins decend into the waters. David obviously sees it too, because he locks his eyes with that area of the water, whilst drawing his sword.
"I thought you said the mermaids won't attack us out here." Snow whispers, readying her bow.
"They won't attack us, dearie." Gold says, cautiously patrolling the ship. "They'll just try to lure us out of the ship, or get us to go into deeper waters."
"Lure us?"
"You need not worry, milady." Hook says. "As long as you have your true love nearby, their disguises and songs won't affect you, so you and the prince are immune. The rest of us how ever, well, tread cautiously."
"So they'll only attack us if we're further off in the sea?" Charming asks.
"It's where they have their advantages, so yes."
"I thought they don't go after women." Emma whimpers.
"Oh, on the contrary." Wendy laughs nervously. "Only children are safe from them. Women? They hate them. Especially if they think you're prettier than them, they'll rip you limb from them. And if you're near a man they find... well, charming... if you somehow capture a man's heart that they have an interest in... let's just say, you won't fair well against a jealous mermaid."
"Why would they care about a man that they'll just drown anyways?" Regina asks, hearing another shriek.
"If they really like the man, they'll seduce him and let him live. They're not exactly righteous and know no honor... Killian, I swear wipe that bloody grin off your face, or I'll do it for you." Wendy huffs. "I don't need to be reminded of walking in on that. It may have been three hundred years ago, but it's still bloody embedded in my memory!"
The whaling becomes more distinct.
"Bloody Hell!" Killian swears. "Don't let those wenches get on my ship." Everyone splattered across the deck, taking a defensive stance along it's edges. Charming and Snow stand protectively on either side of Emma, as Regina, Hook and Wendy remain at the opposite side of the ship and Gold and Peter cover the from and back.
"Belle?" They hear Rumplestiltskin's voice quiver. Standing on the ship in front of him is what looks like Belle, in a vibrant long sheer blue dress, with jewels hanging from her ears and neck. She strides towards him seductively.
"Rumple." She smiles. Next to her a mermaid boards, shifting into Milah, bearing the same dress as Belle.
"Killian, my love." She says, reaching out to a wide eyed Hook.
"No!" Wendy yells. "Group together, they're taking us out one by one!"
Charming, Peter and Regina rush to break the spell the mermaid cast on Gold. Peter jumps in front of the Dark One, in an attempt to stab the imposter, but Gold freaks out.
"How dare you!" He growls flinging the boy off to the side. "You will not touch her." Distracted with Peter, Regina knocks the imp down as Charming stabs the mermaid, eliciting a hiss from her. She shifts back into her original form. Long blonde hair covering her breasts and shimmery blue scales connected to a pair of translucent fins, still twitching as she bleeds out.
Rumplestiltskin is immediately snapped out of the phase and forms a fire ball in his hand, gazing menacingly at other mermaids, peering at him from the sides of the ship.
Before Wendy can make it to her brother, Peter runs up to her.
"Wendy!" He calls and she cocks her head to the side as another Peter stands behind him. She whips out her gun, and darts her eyes between the two Peters.
"Wendy, don't trust him, I'm the real Peter."
"No I am." The other one counters. She moves her pistol from one to the other.
FLINK!
An arrow swiftly lands in the Peter to the left's jugular, and he falls to the ground reverting back to the black haired mermaid with gold scales. Wendy and Peter look behind them to see a bad ass Snow White, readying another arrow at hand.
"Thanks." Peter and Wendy say at the same time breathlessly.
"How did you know that wasn't me?" Peter asks the princess.
"I didn't." Snow shrugs, turning around to shoot another arrow.
Across the deck, Emma stabs a mermaid who tried to bite her, as another screams in agony at the sight of her dead sister. The brunette mermaid's nostrils flare up as she pounces on Emma.
"Oh crap." Emma swears as she's knocked down.
"Pretty girl." The mermaid says dreamily. They wrestle on the ground, when Emma grabs the butt of her pistol and rams it into the side of the mermaid's head, knocking her out cold. She rolls the fish off of her and prepares to fight off any more. She sees Regina painfully rip out a man's heart and crush it to dust. Probably Daniel, she thinks. Then she sees Killian still frozen in place, in front of a black haired woman, sweet talking him. She doesn't know if she's more jealous or disgusted, but makes her way over anyways.
The mermaid shaped like Milah reaches out to caress Killian, with the ends of her fingers. Hook snatches her hand in mid air, with a firm grasp, stopping her actions. He places his attachment at her neck so that the tip of the hook is slightly piercing the skin. Milah hisses loudly, then glances at Emma, Wendy and Snow who are rushing towards Killian.
"True love." She hisses, revealing a pair of fangs.
"Now, my dear Ariel, did you really think you could fool me?" Hook grins. Ariel purrs as she shifts back to her pure form, leaning on the ground. Wendy nudges the mermaid's face with the end of her blade.
"Gwendolyn." Ariel cooes.
"Fins." Wendy spits with equal disgust.
"Tell your sisters to back down." Hook orders, seeing more mermaids slowly board his ship.
"Why Captain?" Ariel giggles. "Don't you want to come for a swim with me? I remember you enjoyed it the last time you were here."
"I swear, I will scale you!" Wendy snaps, pushing the blade against the fish's neck. Ariel gulps but motions for her sisters to stop. They slowly change back into their respective forms, hissing and glaring at all the women.
"What, no 'When I jab you with my sword, you'll feel it' remarks?" Emma snorts at Hook's direction.
"Oh sweetie, I've already felt his sword." Ariel says licking her lips, she glares daggers at Emma's direction.
"That's it!" Wendy growls, jumping for the kill. Snow and Emma hold her back.
"Who's the blonde?" The mermaid interrogates.
"That's none of your concern." Hook growls. "What we want to know is if you've heard of Pan's new captive."
"Not his captive yet."
"What do you mean?" Regina angrily steps forward.
"My sisters and I saw a man and woman pulling along a young boy with brown hair and hazel eyes a few hours ago. They landed close to the shore and had to swim back. They... they" Ariel chokes. "They killed a fairy! The woman held out a contraption that held lightning in it and she used it to kill a fairy. The tiny creature just exploded in the air. All that was left was Fairy dust."
"Do you know where they went?" Emma asks.
"I'm not answering her." Seriously? Man, are mermaids ever jealous! Look how she's eyeing Killian, it's like she's mentally undressing him. Emma thinks. Plus why is she jealous, she looks like a freaking model! Stupid Mermaid, trying to claim my man. What! No Emma! Not yours! What the hell!
"You better." Gold threatens, a fireball forming in his hands. He didn't like being played.
"The Piccanniny's Campsite."
"Oh great," Wendy snaps. "We get to see your girlfriend Peter!"
Review, Favorite, Like? Like the twist I did with Peter Pan. What about Wendy? Or jealous Emma? Did I ruin the sequel, or did you enjoy it. If you guys want to see anything in the next chapter, because, to be honest, I have no clue what to do in the next one, leave a review. I always enjoy your feedback. Have a great day... night.
-xoxphoenix10