Once Upon A Time: The Devil In Neverland, Part One
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
" Big breath. Breathe away, " The doctor repeated like a chant. " Breathe away... You're doing fine. "
" You're almost there, " The nurse holding her right hand said.
Their words faded as she felt another contraction start, this one coming much harder than the previous ones. She panted then gripped the handrails of the hospital bed, screaming with it as it hit. This one was so strong, it lifted her from the mattress. Her legs tried to come up from the footrest but were stopped by the shackles that held her there.
The lights flickered and went out as she continued to scream. It finally passed and she fell back onto the bed, gasping for air. " Great... Here we go... That's beautiful, " She could hear the doctor but he seemed far away, not working at the foot of the bed. He stood up and moved towards the head of the bed, the sound of a baby's cry reaching her ears.
" It's a boy, Emma, " The doctor said happily.
She turned her head to the side, not wanting to see him. She had long ago signed the papers to put him up for adoption, knowing she would never give him a good chance at life. It hurt her to throw him into the foster system but it was better than what she could provide. She still had six months left on her sentence but no place to go once she was released.
Having a baby would only complicate things and not just with the living situation. Having him around would be a constant reminder of Neal and how he had broken her heart. The baby cried againand Emma turned further away. She could tell the doctor was close to the bed and she didn't even want to catch a glimpse of the child he held, shaking her head as she continued to cry.
She had been crying the entire time she had been in labor but it just wasn't from the contractions. She had cried almost every day after signing the papers, knowing the decision she had made. She felt terrible, recalling her years in the foster system but again, it could give him more than she ever could. She had to remain strong though, knowing she had made the best choice for him.
" Emma? " The doctor sounded confused, probably used to mothers who actually wanted their children. She then heard someone whisper to the doctor and he let out a gasp. He paused then said, " Emma, just so you know... You can change your mind. "
" No... " Emma forced her trembling voice to work. " I can't be a mother... "
The doctor did not reply as he carried the baby out of the room, Emma turning her eyes to the ceiling as he passed her...
Emma gasped as she snapped back into reality. She looked around to find she was still on The Jolly Roger as it hurdled through the portal. As she gripped onto the rope in her hands, she wondered if anyone else had seen anything as they passed between worlds or if she was the only one affected...
Killian caught the magic bean as Milah threw it to him. He was still aching from his fight with Rumplestiltskin but he would live. Milah had shown up in the nick of time, saving him from what would have most likely been a painful death. It was quite obvious Rumplestiltskin still held a grudge against him for stealing his wife, one he probably would have settled if given the chance.
" Do we have a deal? " Milah looked at the golden-skinned demon that had once been her cowardly husband. " Can we go our separate ways? "
" Do you mean... Do I forgive you? " Rumplestiltskin said with a bit of a flourish. He then started to walk towards Milah but she walked away. He then said, " Can I move on? Perhaps, perhaps. "
He took a few more steps, " I can see you are... " He turned to face her, " Truly in love. "
Milah nodded as she put her right hand on her hip, " Thank you. "
She turned to walk away but stopped when Rumplestiltskin said, " Just one question. "
Milah's hand fell away from her hip, " What do you want to know? "
" How could you leave Bae? " Rumplestiltskin asked. As he pointed at her. There was a rumbling and a clank as the riggings snapped, obviously some magic the demon was working. " Do you know what it was like walking home that night... "
" Rumple, " Milah said but he cut her off.
" Knowing I had to tell Eilionoir, Giorsal and our son... " He said.
" HE WASN'T MINE! " Milah said sharply.
" HE LOVED YOU LIKE HE WAS! " Rumplestiltskin replied back just as sharply. He moved closer, " Do you know what it was like having to tell Bae and your family you were dead? "
" Please, " Milah said. " I was wrong to lie to you. I was the coward. I knew that. "
Rumplestiltskin lifted his left hand and pointed in her face with his index finger, " YOU LEFT HIM! YOU LEFT THEM! YOU ABANDONED US ALL! "
" And there not a day that goes by that I don't feel sorry for that! " Milah replied.
" Sorry isn't enough! " Rumplestiltskin shouted. He moved closer again, " You let us go... You let HIM go. "
" I let my misery cloud my judgment, " Milah said.
Rumplestiltskin sneered, " Why were you so miserable? I did everything I could to make you happy... Eilionoir and Giorsal did what they could too. Baelfire loved you... We loved you. "
" But I never loved you, " Milah hissed.
Rumplestiltskin's face went blank, her admission shocking him. A moment later, it became angry and he thrust his right hand into her chest. " Enough! " Killian shouted and ran forward. Rumplestiltskin waved his free hand, making the broken rigging rope leap from the deck and bind him to the mast.
He could do nothing but watch as Rumplestiltskin ripped Milah's heart from her chest. She stared at it horror as he turned it over in his hand and began to squeeze. " NO! " Killian shouted. He reached over, pulling the rope loose and darting forward. He caught Milah as she crumpled to the deck, easing her down as she fell.
Milah reached up with her trembling left hand and touched his cheek before she whispered, " I love you. "
That was like a match to gunpowder for Rumpelstiltskin. He crushed her heart in a matter of seconds, Milah dying as Killian held her. He eased her down to the deck, touching her face as he held her hand. Anger and hatred welled in inside of him in a way it never had before.
" You may be more powerful now, demon... " He said as tears came to his eyes. " But you're no less a coward! "
Rumplestiltskin watched him as he stood before he calmly said, " I'll have what I came for now. "
Killian tightened his fist, " You'll have to kill me first! "
" Ah-ah, " Rumplestiltskin said. " I'm afraid that's not in the cards for you, sonny boy. "
Before Killian knew what was happening, Rumpelstiltskin had drawn his blade and sliced off his left hand in one fluid motion. He cried out in pain, doubling over from it. As he tried to bear it, Rumplestiltskin picked up his severed hand. He looked up as Rumplestiltskin placed his blade against the side of his throat.
" I want you alive, " Rumplestiltskin said lowly. " Because I want you to suffer like I did. "
Killian looked up at him, knowing that Rumplestiltskin hadn't felt the pain he felt. He was not the one who had held the daughter he had made with Milah in his arms as she struggled to live. He had got to keep his child for longer than a day. Rumplestiltskin took his blade away from his throat, giggling as he did.
Killian watched as Rumplestiltskin turned away, sheathing his sword. He felt he had a chance to kill the foul demon, turning and grabbing the only weapon he could find... A hook that had fallen from the rigging. He forced himself to his feet, lunging at Rumplestiltskin as he turned around. He rammed the hook as deep into his chest as he could but Rumplestiltskin only giggled.
" Killing me is going to take a lot more than that, dearie... " He said.
" Even demons can be killed, " Killian panted. " I will find a way. "
Rumplestiltskin leaned closer, " Well good luck living long enough. "
With that, Rumplestiltskin vanished in a cloud of dark red smoke...
Hook startled then grabbed the wheel tighter. Something had made him fall back into a memory so real, he thought he had traveled back in time. He could still taste his tears and the hatred he felt on that day. He looked off to his left to the man responsible for all of it.
He had promised not to kill him but it wasn't for his sake... It was for Emma's. If they were to navigate Neverland and find her son, they would need his help. He hated to admit it though but they would need Rumplestiltskin's help as well. There would be plenty of time to kill the imp after the boy was recovered...
~I have to get to him, ~ Snow thought as she stumbled down the hallways of the castle. Her body ached and her legs shook but she pushed herself forward. She had to see if Charming had succeeded in getting Emma to the wardrobe in time. Finally, she reached the nursery and gasped at what she saw.
Charming lay on the floor, motionless and his left side bloody. " No... No, " She sobbed over and over again as she stumbled into the room. Her legs gaveout and she put her hands out to break her fall. Once she was on the floor, she dragged herself to his side.
She felt him but it didn't feel like he was breathing. She shook him but got no response. " No! Please? " She begged him but he did not reply. " Please come back to me. "
Still, he did not move. A thought came to her mind and she decided to give it a try. She leaned down, kissing him but he remained still. She tried it again, kissing him longer but nothing happened.
Horror began to fill her as she realized how cool his lips had been against hers. He was fading and fast. Even if Charming got some kind of help, he would probably still die. Losing her baby was bad enough but to lose her True Love as well was too much.
She let out a sob then startled when she realized she was not alone with him. " Don't worry, dear. "
Snow looked up to see Regina as she walked into the room, smiling a most wicked smile. She moved back, pulling Charming into her lap to keep him away from Regina. He may not have had much life left but she was going to protect what little he did have from her. If he were to die, he would die in peace in her arms.
Regina moved closer as she continued, " In a few minutes, you won't remember you knew him... Let alone loved him. "
Snow looked up at Regina, shaking her head as she asked, " Why did you do this? "
Regina leaned down swiftly, her smile switching to a sneer of anger and hatred. She got right in her face, " Because this is MY happy ending. "
Snow closed her eyes but she did not get the chance to respond, the sound of running feet reaching her ears. Regina kept her attention on her as those running feet when they came to a stop. " The child? " She asked, a bit of cold glee in her voice.
" Gone, " Replied one of the guards that stood in the nursery doorway. Regina looked at him in shock as he continued, " It was in the wardrobe... Then it was gone. It's nowhere to be found. "
Regina glared down at Snow, anger filling her face and eyes, " Where is she? "
" She got away, " Snow gasped. Charming had gotten Emma to safety after all. He had fought with everything he had and got Emma to the wardrobe. A shimmering light of hope broke through the darkness that had started to consume her and she knew Rumplestiltskin's words were true. She looked up at Regina, smiling as she said, " You're going to lose. "
" I know that... Now, " Snow looked down at Charming after Regina looked away from her. " Good will always win. "
Regina turned her face to her again, smirking just slightly as she said, " We'll see about that. "
Mary-Margret gasped as her vision ended. It took a moment for her to realize she was no longer in the castle but aboard Hook's ship. She tried to look around but could only see flashing lights zooming past as the ship hurdled through the passageway the bean had created. She looked ahead but saw no end in sight.
She then looked around the ship, first at David before casting a glance to her daughter. It had been so long since they had made the painful decision to send her away. She was now a grown woman, her time carrying on while they were frozen, not aging until she broke the curse. Mary-Margret's heart ached for those lost years, time she knew she could never get back.
Her eyes then went to Rumplestiltskin. Because of his vision, they had sent Emma away. She was starting to feel like David, wondering just how much he had left out. It seemed there was so much more to be said, but he wasn't going to let it out. She had always trusted him in a strange sort of way and still did though he had tricked her into killing Cora.
She frowned as her gaze finally settled on Regina. The vision had stirred up old feelings, feelings that were hard to forget. She tried to though for Henry's sake, wanting to help Regina to become the person her grandson knew she could be. He saw the same thing she always had... She just wondered why it was so hard for Regina to see it too.
Charming held on to Snow as she screamed, holding his hand so tight he was sure she would break it. Her grip lessened as she panted, " I can't... Have this baby now! "
Charming looked at Doc, who was standing on the other side of the bed. " Doc, " He said. " Do something. "
Doc leaned down and wiped the sweat from Snow's brow, really the only thing he could do at that moment. Charming then looked at Snow, " It's going to be okay. The wardrobe is almost finished. It's... Just hold on. "
Snow screamed again, her grip on his hand tightening. He had birthed enough sheep to know they were really cutting it close. He closed his eyes, hoping for Geppetto to come in and say the wardrobe was done. It only had the magic to transport one and that meant Snow had to go in before Emma came.
He opened his eyes when he heard the bed-chamber door open, finding his prayer had been answered. Geppetto was there, breathing like he had run the hole way from the nursery. He managed to smile and motioned to Charming, " It is ready. "
Charming felt his heart leap into his throat, knowing he had to hurry. He put his arms under Snow but Doc stopped him as he started to lift her up. " It's too late, " He said. " We can't move her. "
" What do you mean we can't move her? " Charming looked at Doc. " You know the plan. "
" But the baby... We could hurt her and Snow if we move them now, " Doc said. " We could lose them both. "
Charming eased Snow back down to the bed, another contraction, harder than the rest, making Snow howl again. Doc moved to the foot of the bed, " I see the baby's head! "
Everything after that went quickly and, before Charming realized what was happening, Doc was holding Emma. He tied her cord before cutting it. He then wrapped her up in her blanket, gently handing the squalling newborn to Snow. He smiled, " You were right... It's a girl. "
Charming looked down into her tiny face, her cries lessening in her mother's arms. After a few moments, Snow looked at him, " The wardrobe... It only takes one. "
There was a loud boom, like the sound of a battering ram. Regina's men were trying to break into the castle, Charming was certain. He looked towards the door, " Then our plan has failed. "
He put his arm around Snow and looked down at Emma, " At least we're together. "
Snow looked down at Emma, " No... You have to take her. Take the baby to the wardrobe. "
" Are you out of your mind? " Charming looked at Snow, not sure he was hearing her correctly.
" No. It's the only way, " Snow said. " You have to save her. "
" No, no, no, " Charming shook his head. " You don't know what you're saying. "
" I do. We have to believe that she'll come back for us, " Snow stared deep into his eyes. " We have to give her her best chance. "
Charming stared back at Snow, knowing she was right. He looked down at Emma before kissing her forehead. Snow looked down at her as well, " Goodbye, Emma. "
Charming watched as Snow leaned down, giving Emma a tiny kiss before handing her to him. He could see tears in Snow's eyes, knowing the decision was killing her just as much as it was killing him. He stood up, staring down at Emma before looking at Snow. He darted forward, kissing her one more time before heading to the bed-chamber door with Emma...
David nearly lost his grip on the rigging rope he clung to, reality erasing the memory that had engulfed his mind. He shook his head to clear the lingering fog from it. It had been so real, he could still feel Emma's tiny body in his arms. Putting her in the wardrobe alone had been the worst thing he had ever had to do.
Finding out she had not gone through alone after all did little to lessen the wrenching feelings he felt when he thought back to that moment. It hurt almost as bad as knowing not one but two trusted friends had worked to hide to the truth about the wardrobe from him. The truth had come out but did little to repair the damage Geppetto's decision had made.
He looked at Emma, unable to fathom the pain she must have felt as she grew up. For so long, she had resented them, thinking they had just thrown her away. He then looked to Mr. Gold, realizing he had just shown up at the docks. He had not seen Emma make a phone call so it puzzled him how Mr. Gold knew how to find her.
Another thing that came to his mind was the pieces he knew were missing from the prophesy. From the time he found out Emma was pregnant, he started to wonder about what the imp had left out. Though Mary-Margret and Emma seemed to have some amount of trust in him, he found it hard to trust him at all. The harder he tried, the more questions came to his mind about what his true intentions were.
He knew there were still so many questions to get answered and lots of work to do... Work he hoped they could get done once Henry was home.
" No, no, no, " Regina murmured as she fought the effects of the portal. The magic within it tried to pull her back to painful memories she didn't want to relive but she was still weak from trying to stop the trigger. She grit her teeth as she slipped backward in time, helpless to stop herself...
Regina ran into the stable, stopping when she didn't see Daniel. They had agreed to meet there so they could run away together and elope. She wondered if he had changed his mind but, a moment later, movement in the shadows told her he was there. Her heart swelled withjoy and she could almost taste freedom... Freedom from her mother and the arranged marriage to King Leopold.
He moved to her, a smile spreading across his lips. " You ready? "
She kissed him as he kissed her then said, " Let's go. "
He took her hand as she took his and they headed out the stable doors. Regina gasped and they stopped in their tracks when they found Cora was standing there, a deeply unhappy look on her face. " You could have at least left a note. "
Regina had little time to react as Cora lifted her hands. With a blast of magic, she forced Her and Daniel back into the stable. They landed on their backs, moving to get up as Cora moved forward. She moved quickly and soon had the stable doors closed behind her as she glared down at them.
Regina heard the other door slam closed as well, Cora lighting up the lanterns as well. " Mother... I... " Regina stammered.
" Don't, " Cora said bitterly as she stared down at them. " You sneak out of my house in the dead of night and think I won't notice? How DARE you! "
Regina got to her feet, Daniel getting to his and helping her up. Regina knew she had to face her mother and tried to think of what to say. " You're impossible to talk to, " She said though she was scared. " Stop with the magic and listen to me. "
She moved back, pulling Daniel's arm around her waist as she continued, " I WANT to be with Daniel. "
Cora scoffed like she was disgusted with the thought of her being with a stable boy, " You don't know what you want... But I do. I didn't make the sacrifices I made in life to get you to the cusp of greatness so that you could end up the wife of a stable boy. "
" It's my life! " Regina replied.
Cora laughed at that, " You foolish girl. It's mine. "
Regina stared at her mother in horror as she continued, " After what I had to do... The deals... I had to make to get us out of poverty... To get us thislife and you just want to toss it away? "
" Stay strong, Regina, " Daniel whispered in her ear.
Regina grunted, breaking the vision. The last thing she wanted to see was her mother rip out Daniel's heart again. She again tried to stay in reality but it was hard... So hard. Within moments, she slipped into darkness again. When the scene became light again, it was another moment that haunted her and probably always would...
Regina stormed back into the castle, mulling over the words that Rumplestiltskin had said to her. In order for the curse to work, she had to sacrifice the thing she loved the most. She had killed her favorite and loyal steed, Rocinante, in thatbid but it did no good. Apparently, it had to be something she loved more than the horse she had raised from a foal.
It was the way she had discovered Daniel. They had worked together to raise the horse and somehow fallen in love along the way. As they cared for the horse, he would listen to her as she talked about her mother and her dreams. She fought back a tear for her lost love, still able to see her mother ripping out his heart and crushing it.
" What happened? " The mirror's voice brought her out of her thoughts as she walked down the hallway, appearing in each mirror she passed by. " Did you get your answer? "
Regina didn't reply as she moved towards the throne room, making the mirror ask, " What's going on? Your majesty? YOUR MAJESTY! "
Regina walked into the throne room to see her father, lighting the candles. It was the time for it and he was carrying out his duties as her main footman and butler. As she looked at him, she realized Rocinante had not been her only friend growing up after all. Her father had always been there for her, ready to offer comforting words after one of her mother's razor-tongued tirades.
He stopped what he was doing and walk to her as she strode into the room. " Did Rumplestiltskin tell you what you needed to know? " He asked.
Regina passed him, forcing herself to speak as she debated her options. " Yes. "
" And? " Her father followed her.
She stopped, knowing there was no way around what she had to do. She loved nothing more than she loved her father. He had been the kindest person in her life, showing her the warmth her mother seemed to lack. He had showered her with affection and did his best to make her feel like a worthwhile person when her mother did nothing but make her feel like dirt.
" I'm not sure I should say, " She replied. She couldn't look at him. Just the thought of what she had to do would have made it too painful. She sighed, " I'm conflicted. "
She walked back towards the fireplace and he followed, " How bad is it? Maybe I can help. "
Regina stopped, knowing he was the only person who could help her carry out the curse. It made her question what she wanted more... The only parent that ever loved her or her revenge on Snow White for what she had done. Her back was against awall and she had to decide.
" I have to cut out the heart of the thing I love the most, " She replied quietly.
There was a long silence before her father said, " Me. "
Regina closed her eyes and turned to him, the simple word stabbing her in her own heart. She stared at him, not seeing the old man hewas but the young doting father she remembered from her childhood. She could see every pained expression he had given her after Cora had ripped her to shreds. She could also see the far too few happy smiles he had gifted her with.
She did everything she could to keep the memories from flooding back but it was hard. She frowned, " Daddy... I don't know what to do. "
He looked frightened as he said, " My dear... Please, " He walked towards her. " You don't have to do this. "
" I have to do something, " Regina shook her head and walked past him.
" Then move past this, " He offered as he followed her. Oh gods, why was he following her? He would be safe if he stayed out of her reach. " I know this may sound self-serving but you don't need to enact the curse. "
She turned to face him, " But I can't keep living like this. What Snow did to me, what she took from me, " She angrily pointed at the floor as she spoke. " It's eating me alive, daddy... Her very existence mocks me. She must be punished. "
" What..." He started as she turned and walked away. " If the price is a hole that will never be filled, why do it? Stop worrying about Snow White and start over. We can have a new life. "
" But what kind of life? " Regina turned to face him again. " All I've worked for, all I've built will be gone. My power will disappear. They already think I'm nothing. "
" Power is seductive but so is love, " Her father argued. " And you can have that again. "
Regina couldn't believe what he was saying. He knew how much she loved Daniel and how it hurt her when Cora ripped his heart out. He tried to make it sound so simple to move on but she knew she never could. Even as she slept with The Huntsman, her mind was on Daniel.
As far as she was concerned, she already had a hole in her heart that couldn't be filled... Not without Daniel's love. She decided what she was going to do though she knew it would hurt her more than anything ever had. She moved towards her father and he put his arms around her. " I just want to be happy, " She sobbed as she hooked her chin over his shoulder.
" You can be, " He said quietly. " Of this I'm sure. "
Regina was sure she would be... Just not in the way he was thinking. He held her as he continued, " I believe... Given the chance... We can find happiness together. "
That gave Regina pause. Some of her happiest times had been with him. He was the sunshine that broke through the clouds of her mother's harsh and cold treatment of her. " But the choice is yours. "
She thought again of everything she would be losing. She had worked so hard to get to the top. She married a man that she did not even love, murdered him and ruled his kingdom with an iron fist. She had run her stepdaughter out of her home and put a price on her head, wanting her dead so she couldn't ascend to the throne.
She was just getting to where she wanted to be when the tables turned and Snow White had mounted a revolt against her. With the help of the kingdom and Prince Charming, she was losing her grip on everything she had gained. If she did not carry through with her threat, she would return to nothing. As much as her father wanted to believe his love would help heal such a devastating blow.
She closed her eyes, blinking away her tears. She had to act or lose her chance forever. " I think you're right, " She sniffled. She backed out of her father's embrace and looked into his eyes, " I can be happy. "
Her father looked relieved and sighed, smiling as she added, " Just not here. "
In one swift move, she thrust her hand into his chest, surprise taking over his features as she ripped out his heart...
" No! " Regina gasped as she pulled herself out of the memory. She looked around the ship, sure no one had heard her cry out in the roar of the portal. The others seemed occupied with trying to hold on and did not seem like they heard her. She clung tighter to what she held onto as she tried to fight the tears that came to her eyes.
The ground shook as the magic bean opened up a portal at their feet. He felt fear rise up in him as the green pool of light grew and he looked for something to grab onto. The swirling and rumbling made him afraid he would fall inside whether he wanted to or not. " My gods, boy! It's like a tornado! " He shouted to Baelfire as he backed away.
" We have to go through it, " Baelfire shouted and grabbed for his hand.
Rumplestiltskin pulled his hand back, " No, no. I don't think I can. "
" We must! It's the only way! " Baelfire reached for him again. He grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the portal. His grip was strong and Rumplestiltskin couldn't shake him loose.
" No! No! No! No! No! No! " Rumplestiltskin protested as Baelfire pulled him. He recalled it was fairy magic and fairy magic did not mix well with what he was. " It's a trick! It'll tear us apart! "
" It's not! " Baelfire insisted. " It'll be okay! I promise! "
Before Rumplestiltskin could protest again, the ground beneath Baelfire's feet crumbled and caused him to fall into the vortex. The shift in weight pulled Rumplestiltskin down, almost pulling him in as well. He grabbed onto Baelfire's arm with one hand and stabbed the dagger into the ground for leverage but the pull of the portal was just too much, even for his enhanced strength. It was like the portal WANTED Baelfire and would not give up until it got him.
" We have to go through! " Baelfire shouted up to him as he struggled to pull him out. " What are you doing? "
Rumplestiltskin couldn't answer and Baelfire continued, " Papa! It won't stay open long! Let go! "
" I can't! " Rumplestiltskin panted. " I can't! "
" Papa! Please! It's the only way we can be together! " Baelfire cried.
" No! Bae, I can't! " Rumplestiltskin said though he felt himself slipping. He knew he had to do something or he would fall in. If that happened and he WASN'T torn apart then he would lose his power. For the first time in his life, he was respected instead of ridiculed and he could have anything he wanted.
He had struggled so much since his own father had abandoned him and the last thing he wanted was to go back to that. He would be crippled again and that meant Baelfire would have to care for him once more. He didn't want to become a burden once more. Things seemed so good, he couldn't understand why Baelfire wanted to give it up.
" Papa! Please! " Baelfire pleaded.
" I can't! " Rumplestiltskin said the only thing that would come out of his mouth. He didn't have the time to reason with the boy and he knew it would be pointless anyway.
Baelfire's face crinkled with anger, " YOU COWARD! "
Rumplestiltskin's blood ran cold at his own child calling him a 'coward'. It was like he stabbed him in the heart. Baelfire's glare sliced him even deeper as he said, " YOU PROMISED! DON'T BREAK OUR DEAL! "
" I HAVE TO! " Rumplestiltskin replied and let go of Baelfire's wrist.
" PAPA! " He shouted as he fell into the portal. A moment later, it closed up...
Mr. Gold shook his head hard, trying to break the hold the portal had over him. He had not warned the others but the magic inside of one had the ability to bring about one's most painful memories. It did it in such a vivid way, it was almost like one was reliving the event all over again. Nothing had hurt him more than letting Baelfire go that night in the forest.
He had said the portal would tear them apart and it had, just not the way he had feared. It had torn their relationship asunder, fracturing it in such a way he wasn't able to repair it before he died. He could still hear him calling him a coward and remembered how much it hurt. He would prove him and everyone else who had called him the word wrong though, knowing what he had planned could have shown his son he could be brave... If he were only alive to see it.
Baelfire was numbly aware of two things... The sand beneath his body and the stinging in his side. The pain was so bad, he couldn't even decide what side it was on. He tried tomove but it just made the pain worse. He carefully turned his head to what he thought was the right and forced his eyes open.
They refused to focus but he was able to make out a form next to him. The blurred colors reminded him of the clothes Neal had been wearing in the warehouse. He inhaled, trying to get enough air in his lungs to speak. All he could manage was a weak groan as salty sea air filed his lungs.
His remaining blood chilled, making him wonder if he had returned to Neverland. He closed his eyes, unable to keep they open any longer. As he faded back and forth between consciousness and darkness, he heard footsteps crunching the sand. When the footsteps stopped, someone spoke.
" Who are they? " It was a man... A voice Baelfire did not recognize.
" I don't know, " A woman answered. Baelfire didn't know her voice either but he could tell she was concerned. She sounded like she had been running. It was possible she had stumbled upon them and went for help.
He heard the man move Neal, " Is this one alive? "
There was a pause then the woman said, " Barely. "
" And the other one? " The man asked.
Baelfire heard someone move closer to him and touch his throat. " He's barely alive as well, " Another woman's voice.
" We have to help them, " The first woman said. " Come on, Philip... Mulan. "
" We'll do what we can, Aurora, " The man answered. " Let's move them but carefully. "
" This one looks smaller, " The one Baelfire assumed was Mulan said. " I can carry him myself. You two take the other one. "
" Right, " Philip replied.
Baelfire felt Mulan roll him onto his back, slipping backinto darkness as she lifted him up...