Bebelle hated being an insomiac. No matter how hard she tried to find sleep it always kept it's distance from her, always out of reach no matter how far she stretched out to grab it.
Falling asleep used to be the easiest part. That part had never been the problem. The real problem was what happened when she drifted, sleep found her and then so did something else.
A dream. Not a nightmare, no she would never call it that because it wasn't a vision that terrified her. It was strange, confusing, and unpleasant perhaps, but not anything close to what she would consider a nightmare; she had lived through enough of those to know they did not occur when you were sleeping, real nightmares happened when you were wide awake so they could make sure you never forgot their haunting memory.
So what was it about this dream that had her waking up prematurely; dazed and confused and with a pounding headache? She would love to find out the answer to that because there was bound to be some kind of limit for the magic she was using to vanquish the dark circles under her eyes.
Clammy and overheated from a recent awakening, Bebelle rubbed her eyes with a sigh. This strange dream was like a progressing plague upon her, each time allowing her less and less shut eye.
Fisting her hair in one hand she lifted it above her head, using the other hand to swipe away the beads of sweat that had stuck small strands of hair to the nape of her neck.
She allowed herself to create a small breeze, easing her overheated self with a refreshing chill. Continuing her plan to cool herself further, Bebelle eyed the small rock pool nearby and stretched her limbs till her joints clicked before she skipped over to it.
Delicately she hovered a muddied foot over the gently rippling pool dipping in her toes and let out a squeak. Freezing. She instantly withdrew the small digits, deciding she'd rather suffer with the heat. Instead she put the rock pool to better use, waving her fingers over the water as she drew out a spell. Her reflection began to flicker away, morphing into the image of Henry's family and their whereabouts. They were all asleep, unlike her and she pondered on whether to leave them be for now or find Peter and inform him, she decided the latter and started to reach out for him.
"What are you doing?"
Bebelle gave a fake start, as his voice rang through the vicinity.
"Aish...You'll give me a heart attack."
She grumbled, holding her hand over her thudding heart.
Peter jumped out of the trees landing beside her.
"You could sense me before I got here."
Bebelle shrugged and grinned.
"So care to tell me why you're out here?"
Bebelle cocked her head to the side trying to think of something.
"Testing the watch. It sucks."
The corner of Peter's mouth twitched in slight amusement.
"And the real reason?"
Bebelle lowered her eyes, speaking with a small sigh.
"I was feeling restless and I needed some air."
"Same dream?"
Bebelle nodded her head.
"Yup."
She turned away from him and began to rake her fingers in the dirt.
"I heard from Felix that you gave the dark one a little showcase of your talents."
"He wasn't being very nice to us."
She muttered, sprinkling the dirt in her hand on the floor and watching it form into flowers.
"He's not a very nice person."
"Well he doesn't scare me."
Bebelle stated, jutting out her lips into a pout and raising her chin in the air.
"I didn't think he would."
Bebelle pulled her legs up under her and rested her chin on her knees, allowing the silvery white skirts of her nightwear to mushroom around her.
"So are you testing the watch too?"
The corner of Peter's mouth twitched up into a smirk.
"I am the watch."
Bebelle immediately pulled herself up to her feet brushing the dry leaves and twigs off of herself.
"Well i'm glad I could help test your awesome skills but i'm gonna go back to sleep. No one has the same dream twice in one night so..."
Peter put his arm out stopping her from leaving by gripping her wrist tightly.
"Bebelle."
Not wanting to talk about her dream Bebelle swiftly changed the topic.
"The saviour's here, they've made camp somewhere."
Peter noticed her change in topic but perked up at the news.
"I think i'll go have a little chat with our saviour."
"I don't see what's so special about her."
Bebelle frowned, suddenly jealous of someone taking her time with Peter away from her.
Peter laughed and Bebelle opened her mouth to complain but was cut off.
"You're not going, I can't have them find out about you yet."
Bebelle was about to protest but Peter had already left. Stomping over to the rock pool she picked up a pebble and threw it causing a huge splash whilst she grumbled to herself. Her features morphed into a displeased look as she heard the crying of the lost boys. Peter had told her not to see to them that night because he wanted the savior to hear them. Projecting the location of the group looking for Henry onto the puddle of water she watched everything unfold.
Emma was stirring in her sleep due to the disruption of the lost boys crying. Bebelle decided to give a helping hand and used her magic to increase the volume of the crying. Emma woke and unsheathed a dagger trying to locate the source of the sound and tried to wake up the others in their rescue group. Heading through the forest she looked around and Peter snook up behind her leaning against a tree.
"You hear that too, you're Emma right?"
Emma spun around pointing the dagger toward Peter which made Bebelle stiffen.
"I wonder why they can't hear the crying..."
Peter mused, though Emma didn't seem to be prioritising that as a concern.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Oh did I forget to introduce myself, i'm Peter, Peter Pan."
Emma pushed Peter into the tree and held the dagger near his throat.
"Where's Henry?"
This infuriated Bebelle and she clenched her fists. Emma gasped and the dagger burned in her grasp, dropping it before it could scorch her hand.
Peter smirked and picked it up twirling it through his fingers before handing it back to Emma, knowing fully well that it was Bebelle that had caused Emma to drop it. Since she was watching him, he chose his next words carefully, knowing they would irritate the petite girl.
"You've got fire, I like fire."
Bebelle scowled at Peter's words and his grin, ultimately deciding that she really didn't like Emma. She was reluctant to still watch the encounter between Peter and the saviour, but persisted for Henry's sake to make sure Peter would give her the map.
"Where's my son?"
"Henry's still alive if that's what you're worried about,"
"Why the hell did you take him?"
"He's a very special boy Emma."
"I know, that doesn't answer my question what do you want with him?"
"I came here to see what i was up against, the saviour, gotta say i'm not disappointed."
Peter continued talking, edging around Emma's questions.
"What are you going to say now? That i'm never going to see Henry again?"
"No i'm going to help you find him, i'll give you a map."
Peter pulled the map out of a pocket and held it out.
"A map that will lead you straight to your son."
"If this is some kind of trap..."
"I may not be the most well behaved boy on the island, but I always keep my promises, the path to finding Henry is on this parchment."
Emma looked confused.
"Why are you giving it to me?"
"You see it's not about finding Henry, it's about how you find him; and Emma you're the only one who can."
Emma took the map and unfolded it looking irritated when she saw it was blank.
"It's blank."
"You'll only be able to read that map when you stop denying who you really are."
Emma looked down at the map and Peter left.
Bebelle ran her fingers through the rock pool, disrupting the image with the water ripples until the projection disappeared. Taking her hand out she shook them dry and headed back to camp.
"Still awake."
Peter stated and Bebelle spun on her heels facing him.
"Guess i'm more of a nocturnal person."
Peter shook his head and leaned against the foot of a tree crossing his arms behind his head and kicking back his feet.
"Always have an answer for everything."
Bebelle giggled and joined Peter sitting cross legged beside him.
"What do we do now that they have the map?"
Peter flashed her a dangerous smile.
"We wait."
Bebelle sensed a fizzle of energy on the island and sending out a probing signal found it was coming from Henry's rescue group.
"Peter they're using magic..."
"I think it's best we show just what happens when they break the rules."
Bebelles face lit up.
"Does that mean I get to go with you?"
Peter nodded.
"Of course, wouldn't want to let you miss out on the fun."
They called the lost boys over and began talking over their plan. Once they had made sure everyone knew the plan they moved to a different camp and Bebelle climbed up a tree perching in the branches out of sight. The other lost boys hid too, pulling the hoods of their cloaks over their heads, camouflaging in with the jungle scenery.
Peter stood at the top of a bank wearing an exact copy of Henry's clothes as they waited.
Bebelle noticed the group coming down the other side of the bank and focused her hearing to listen to them.
"No one's here, maybe your spell was wrong Regina."
"Yes blame me. Again."
Bebelle snickered at the bickering two.
"Guys hold on."
Emma rushed down the sloping bank and seeing the back of Peter thought it was Henry and ran over to him.
"Henry!"
Peter faced her revealing himself and smiled sadistically seeing the disappointment on Emma's face.
"Hi Emma."
The rest of the group joined Emma looking up at Pan in horror.
"Where the hell is Henry?"
Peter frowned and began pacing along the top of the bank.
"You broke the rules, that's not fair, bad form, I expected more from you Captain."
Peter grimaced at the pirate.
"Aye, and you'll get it."
Bebelle narrowed her eyes at the pirates' threat and leaves began to rustle along the ground. Peter briefly flickered his eyes over to where she was, shooting a warning glance toward her and she settled, stopping the leaves.
"Give Henry to me."
Peter shrugged, lifting his hands up in a 'what can you do' manner.
"Sorry can't, don't you know, cheaters never win."
Peter waved his hands around him and the lost boys slid out of their hiding places, hooting and shouting; forming a ring around Emma and the others. Bebelle stayed where she was preferring a higher advantage.
"Watch out for their arrows they're laced with dreamshade."
The lost boys began to fire and the group tried their best to dodge and block the attacks.
"Mary Margaret!"
The Prince nudged her out of the way before an arrow could hit her causing himself to be scratched by it. Letting out a grunt in pain he doubled over.
"David?"
Bebelle watched curiously as he sent Mary Margaret a reassuring smile shaking off the danger of the wound.
"I'm good, behind you!"
She spun around to dodge the arrow that was aimed at her sending one towards the lost boy firing at her in retaliation. Bebelle directed the arrow away with her hand, changing its course of direction so it instead hit the tree. Mary Margaret had a brief moment of confusion on her face but, caught up in the battle didn't have time to question why the arrow changed direction.
Regina was using her magic knocking the lost boys to the ground and Bebelle dulled the strength of the blows so the boys wouldn't be too badly hurt. Wanting to make sure none of the lost boys got hurt she used her magic to protect them by creating several obstacles in the way of the group. Noticing Felix and Hook fighting as she scanned the area, Bebelle changed her hiding place, moving closer to them.
"It's been awhile Captain."
Felix remarked lazily, receiving a hiss of a response from Hook.
"Not long enough."
Hook and Felix were dodging and countering eachothers blows and Felix managed to get the upper hand.
"Remember what I did to Ruffio?"
Felix snarled at Hook.
"Well it's a far worse fate for you."
Glancing down at the ground Felix noticed a breeze had picked up and the leaves were swirling around their feet. Smirking he rolled out of Hook's grasp and landed a blow on him.
"Oh I very much doubt that."
Bebelle pushed the winds towards Hook to throw him away from Felix, who let out a laugh seeing Hook's wide eyes as he staggered back to his feet.
"She's still here?"
"Did I forgot to mention that?"
Felix said through a smirk, his voice dripping with sarcasm and amusement.
Emma was making her way up the bank toward Peter and was tackled by one of the lost boys. Bebelle didn't like where the fighting was going and decided that if Peter wasn't going to say enough was enough then she would.
"Stop the fighting."
She demanded planting her hands on her hips firmly and scowling at him. Peter sighed rolling his eyes but listened to her and whistled. He had made his point to Henry's family anyway. The Lost Boys stopped their attack and ran back behind Peter.
The group looked up at Bebelle confused. She stood out greatly amongst the Lost Boys. They were all wearing dark, frayed clothing whilst she was wearing a pretty pink and blue patterned dress, that didn't seem to have a single trace of dirt. She looked everything like a doll with her huge doe eyes, long dusty lashes and pouty red lips. Her inky hair was tied into a braid behind her back with a ribbon, showing off her young features but it was evident in the glint in her eyes she held a wiseness no young girl would know.
"Seems the lady of the island would like a word with you."
Peter stepped closer to Emma.
"Remember what I told you, that map will, show you where Henry is only when you stop denying who you really are."
He turned to Bebelle.
"Floors' all yours dolly."
He began to walk off stopping only momentarily to say one last thing.
"I'll be sure to give Henry your regards."
The Lost Boys fled following after Peter seeming to leave Bebelle on her own, but she could feel they were still within close proximity.
Hopping down the bank she landed gracefully, perching on the bolder and plucking a flower from the bush behind her.
"Who the hell are you?"
Bebelle continued to study the flower not looking up to greet the speaker and started to pull off its petals making a small pile on the ground.
"Talk to me in that tone and you'll receive no answers,"
Bebelle clucked her tongue disapprovingly.
"Aishh... you'd think you old ones would have manners."
Hook walked closer to Bebelle not quite believing what he was seeing.
"It's been awhile since we last seen each other hasn't it Bebelle."
"Feels like decades captain."
She muttered drily, keeping her concentration on plucking petals.
"Aye it does, you're still the same as when I last saw you though."
Bebelle lifted her gaze briefly to allow him to see the scowl on her face,which was brought on by the fact that she knew it was not her appearance he was talking about.With a snarl on her features she addressed him sharply.
"I didn't come here for a reunion with you captain, nor did I come to talk about myself."
The scowl changed her whole demeanor, portraying the danger she possessed.
"Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under't."
Hook muttered to himself and Bebelle let out a giggle returning to her innocent looking self.
"Quite accurate actually."
Regina was getting impatient and huffed, whoever the girl was, she was wasting their time when they could be looking for Henry.
"Look kid why are you here?"
Bebelle ignored Regina and went back to pulling apart the flower.
"Emma?"
She looked up finding the blonde stepping toward her and scooted back on the boulder to make herself comfortable, her dress was made of such a slippy fabric. Mary Margaret mistook the action as the girl being afraid and stepped forward, ready to reassure.
"We're not going to hurt you."
Bebelle let out childish laughter and bit her lip composing herself.
"I'm sorry and I don't mean to sound rude or arrogant, but well, of course you aren't going to hurt me."
Shaking it off she addressed Emma again.
"Henry told me stories about you, the saviour, it's quite remarkable how highly he thinks of you."
"You've spoke to my son? You know where he is?"
"Yes and yes."
Bebelle still kept her eyes fixed on the flower, continuing to pluck it's petals and scatter them haphazardly across the ground.
"Well then you have to help us, tell us where he is."
Bebelle scoffed shaking her head.
"Oh I don't have to do anything."
Regina stepped forward in front of Emma and made her way towards the girl.
"Tell us where Henry is or-"
Bebelle lifted up her chin looking at the Evil Queen.
"Or what? You'll use your magic on me? Because it worked out so well when you used magic the first time."
Hook turned to Regina.
"Lass has got a point."
Regina opened her mouth to speak again and Bebelle narrowed her eyes at the Queen, sending her flying into a tree where vines wrapped around her mouth. The group looked at the young girl in astonishment.
"I was talking to Emma not you."
She huffed, dropping the remains of the flower as she turned to Emma.
"Now, I can help you and indeed I would if you needed my help."
"But we do need your help."
"What help can I give you when you already have everything you need?"
"What a blank map?"
"Remember what Peter said, you just have to look inside yourself to find the answer Emma."
Sliding of the rock she skipped up the bank giving the group one last look.
"Good luck."
Disappearing into the jungle mist she left them, a soft warm breeze blowing as a reminder of her presence. The pile of petals twirled around spreading out onto the ground.
Regina free from her binds looked worried.
"That girl has magic."
Emma swung her head round to face Regina. Angry and annoyed, she couldn't help but bite back.
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious."
"No I mean her magic, i've never seen anything like it."
Mary Margaret and David shared a confused glance.
"What do you mean?"
Regina shook her head and sat down muttering to the self.
"How can a child hold so much power?"
"Regina? What do you mean you haven't seen magic like hers before?"
Regina looked up at Mary Margaret.
"It's pretty clear why Pan keeps that girl around, her power is really something else."
The whole group sat down the weight of the news burying deep on them.
Emma looked at Hook accusingly.
"You know her, what's her story?"
Hook let out a sigh.
"I'm afraid I don't know her quite as well as you think, our past is quite a complicated one, and irrelevant at this time."
"Umm I think it is relevant Hook, if she has the power to kill us, then we need to know all we can about her."
Again he sighed and began to pace.
"Pan's not the only one who likes his games, Bebelle likes to have her hand in a few too. Only difference is where Pan says something and means it, she tends to waver on her word, she's fickle can easily change her mind. And the Queen's right, she has a lot of power, power that Pan's not going to want to let go of. "
"Anything else?"
"The lass is very protective over those she holds dear, and i'm afraid Pan is under that circle."
"Well isn't that just adorable."
Hook ignored Regina's snide comments and Emma walked off, Mary Margaret and David following after her. Hook stayed looking around for a moment,noticing the petals strewn onto the earth. They didn't seem to be scattered haphazardly anymore, infact they almost looked like a word but he couldn't figure out what it was. Curious and determined he jumped up to the top of the bank to look at the petals from a higher vantage point- and they did indeed spell out a word. Smiling he looked at the message in relief.
"Clever lass."
