Chapter Boulevard of broken dreams
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a...
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone up there will find me
'til then I walk alone
-Green day
…..
….
I OWN NOTHING BUT LUCI.
…
Luci rolled over. Again. It had been a while since she'd reclaimed her sleep from Rumple's curse but something was missing and no matter how many times she rolled over she couldn't find what was missing she knew she wouldn't because what was missing had mischievous green eyes and the devil's smile. Sighing she sat up it wasn't that early or that late they had moved to the middle of the island which was considered the "after noon" part of the island. It was nice but again she felt alone and she hated it, all of it.
Things had finally worked in her favor bringing her to the island and finally Peter's arms only for Wendy to ruin it though Luci couldn't be completely angry at the girl she had been Peter's prisoner for a good hundred years. Shaking her head she watched the others it was just like back in Story Brooke when the curse first broke everyone had someone except this time she didn't even have Regina. Her Queen and best friend had finally found happiness in the man of her dreams in Robin of Locksley and his adorable son Roland. It was funny she had been watching over the boy who would become her nephew, and henry's stepbrother she knew they would be stepbrothers by the end of all this because lets face it when Regina looked at Robin it was the same way Peter used to look at her: with all the love their being could possess and so much more.
"Luci!"
Henry's call snapped her out of her depressing stupor the boy was glaring at charming as his grandfather looked over his sword Snow was beside him Roland was on Henry's right frowning with his little chest puffed up he was looking for a fight and judging by Henry's scowl it wasn't good.
"Yes young prince?"
"Grandpa doesn't think I should have the sword you gave me"
"yeah he wants to take henrys magic sword!" Roland stood as tall as his tniy frame allowed making Luci chuckle misting to henry's side patting him on the back.
"Charming henry earned that sword while with the lost boys"
"but he isn't ready" pressed charming "I don't want him getting hurt or wounding one of us on accident"
"Charming, henry fought off the lost boys with that sword and never hurt any of them besides it was a gift from me and as his princely etiquette states a prince must accept all gifts no matter how lame or stupid and this was a gift from the queen's commander, some one of high military background so he is obligated to use it in any and all battles till he either makes his own or his parents give him one" Luci smirked in triumph they knew they couldn't fight her on this besides why disarm him when they were on an island of deadly nightmares and dreams? The lost boys had been contained but it was only a matter of time before the shadow came to collect his wayward toy soldier's.
"fine" charming handed henry his sword which he gladly took returning it too its sheath.
"Luci will you make me a sword?" Roland tugged on her sleeve his eyes brimmed with all the eagerness a child could muster.
"we'll have to talk to your Papa but yes I will but only when you're as tall as henry, we can't have you falling over every time you swing your sword or not have the strength to draw back the string of your bow" she picked him up propping him on her hip she couldn't help it she was attached to him though she didn't know how it would all turn out she would protect him because he was Regina's son as well as her little fox.
"Speaking of parents where are henry's mothers? and that other guy?" Luci looked around spotting the trio with Rumple, Hook, Robin and his royals all by the lost boys having some kind of argument?
"They've been trying to crack the lost deviants for information on pan and his plans" Snow supplied crossing her arms they had been unsuccessful.
"well Peter doesn't have plans, the shadow on the other hand probably has loads"
"what's the difference?" muttered charming
Luci dropped the calm, carefree posture so fast Charming took a step back because the glare Luci was sporting was positively frightening.
"never Assume that Peter and The Shadow are one in the same because you can bet your life on it they aren't"
Leaving the charming's she carried Roland to the others if they were going to break the lost boys they were gonna need someone who was actually one of them. Tink was still with Felix, leaning against him with his arms around her as he glared at Neal and hook the blonde obviously knew their efforts wouldn't come of anything as long as Felix was the one talking he was a prideful boy and would be till the end.
"So not that things aren't going swimmingly but uh do you need some help?"
"NO"
"YES"
The yes's outnumbered the no's Robin smiled softly he found Roland's affections towards her sweet and liked how she'd gone out of her way to protect his son. Emma glared at Neal turning her attention to Luci she sighed it had been a long afternoon and they were slowly getting more and more frustrated with the boys silence.
"we've tried talking to them but Felix here won't budge and they won't talk with out his say so" Emma was smart she knew that they had a pack mentality they would follow the strongest of the pack, it had been Peter but now it was Felix and they would wait patiently till their leader gave them the order.
Hugging Roland closer Luci took a deep breath her mind still a tired from lack of sleep. It was hard getting used to sleeping she was used to spending hours on end just thinking, now she felt that such a night would have been useful, she would have used it to solve their current predicament. Glancing at the lost boys she noticed that they were all glancing from her to Felix some of them glared like their leader but some of the smaller ones looked at her longingly. Curious she tilted her head no they didn't want her though she had brought them happiness she hadn't been with them long enough to make them want a new leader. Carefully following their gaze she saw that their eyes were on Roland.
This was odd they didn't want the boy, he was knew and had no use in a fight and would never join them now that he was with his Papa again. Wait Roland. She was holding him, hugging him, showing great and small acts of affection. She face palmed they were idiots fricking idiots.
"um L?"
"the way to get them talking is by giving them what they want and what they want is what every little lost child wants"
Passing Roland to his Papa she stood before the lost boys her head held high she was going to get answers by giving them the one thing every lost boy dreamed of but she had to be careful lost boys were never ones to give their trust easily. Looking from boy to boy she pointed at the closest one.
"how long have you been here?"
"what?"
"you heard me how long have you been on the island?"
"i.. i-uh"
"don't answer that Tristan" Felix tightened his hold on Tink she was the only thing keeping him from going berserker on the girl.
Shaking her head she moved on walking to the other side she knelt down looking one of the younger boys in the eye he turned away she had seen him staring with so much longing when she was holding Roland earlier.
"what's your name?"
"hey don't say-"
" shut it Felix the boys got a tongue let him speak for himself" Luci never took her eyes off the panicked boy his head was whipping back and forth between her and Felix he might blow a gasket if she did do something.
"Listen if Peter isn't the leader than you're not lost boys, your just orphans who have turned their backs on the one person who gave them purpose!" all the boys flinched when you became a lost boy there was always subtle unknown tests of trust and loyalty with peter and once you passed you were no longer just an orphan you were a lost boy a member of Peter's family , his brother and with family you never betrayed their trust but these boys had thrown it all back in her boys face.
"The traitorous rats and lying scum before me don't even deserve the name of lost boys heck your not even boys!"
"Were orphans just like you said" spat Felix ignoring the sniffling and crying of the boys they had never been scolded not even peter did that but everything Luci was saying was true and there was nothing that could scare or hurt a lost boy more than the truth.
"But you could be so much more"
That threw them for a loop one minute Tiger Lily is tearing into them for their betrayals, actions, and just being little brats and now she was pulling a hard right nearly swerving them all off the road leaving them to wonder where the hell her train of thought was going with this.
Luci met Felix's eyes but that anger was gone instead there was a sadness no a heart clenching sorrow in those blue cat eyes he never would have guessed someone's eyes could show so much emotion.
"You could be friends, brothers,… sons"
They all looked up at that. Not once had Peter ever mentioned parents he seemed standoffish whenever it was brought up or even mentioned he would laugh it off but the lost boys wanted answers and it seemed Tiger Lily was going to give them.
"you may not be lost boys anymore but you can still be some ones son, in the other worlds there are empty villages and lonely homes, families that lost their sons to the wars and never fully recovered in fairy tale land there are people who value their children so much that they would cross entire realms just to find them, fight dragons to save them, and deal with the likes of you just to get home but if you help us and promise not to try and kill anyone or hurt them then I swear as the last of the mist walkers to make sure that each and every one of you gets a hone if you want one"
"How can we know you're not lying?" Felix just wouldn't let it go.
"I have never broken a promise"
"I can vouch for her"
Everyone stopped their eyes glued to the boy all of them drawing their weapons but Luci beat them to him misting so fast that when she rematerialized she charged at him with all that extra momentum ramming her forearm to his chest her knife was at his throat. They all wanted a piece of the boy at this point but Luci got the first swing she was the one who loved the trickster after all.
"Hey Luci" Peter swallowed nervously
"You're a smart boy peter, so why would you be stupid enough to show your face here?"
"I wanted to check up on you"
"Really? And you couldn't do that from the trees?"
"you were always the stealthy one Luci I was the one to charge right in then you would save me like always"
"Well what's stopping me from letting the tigers get you Peter? Because you caused a lot of trouble and none of it is our usual degree of good fun"
"well that's what I get I guess for letting the shadow rule for so long but Luci we both know you're not gonna kill me or hand me over to them" he nodded to the others as best he could with a knife at his throat unsurprised as said blade nicked his throat.
She glared at him they both knew he was right but she didn't have to like it huffing she lowered her knife.
"Please don't tell me she's taking him back" muttered Emma this was a melodrama if she ever saw one.
"No Luci doesn't play that way she'll make him work for it" Regina glared at the trickster he had caused them enough problems but you hurt Luci and she'll hold a grudge like nobody's business.
Peter smiled he was about to thank her when a sharp left hook cracked his jaw. His hand instantly flew to his throbbing jaw as he stared at Luci in shock.
"That was for giving up to the shadow so easily"
Crack!
He held his other cheek his jaw nearly dislocated that time.
"That was for not only holding Wendy prisoner but using her brothers as your minions"
Grabbing his shoulders she needed him in the groin his knees hit the ground so fast he could have been praying. Every male in their group cringed subtly covering themselves while taking a slight step away from any female with in the vicinity. Peter was biting his lip to keep from crying out he had really screwed up if Luci went there but he knew what'd he'd done now he had to face the punishment so they could get past it and he could start gaining her trust again.
"And that was for lying to me, because if there is one thing we swore it was that we would never li to each other about anything and never not once in my entire EXISTANCE! HAVE I EVER LIED TO YOU!" By the end Luci's voice was a growl she was not happy with her boy but like Tink she would take care of her idiot all the same.
Taking deep calming breaths she knelt in front of him still panting slightly leaning forward, she pressed their foreheads together. She waited till pained forest green met her sapphire blue she didn't want to hurt him but honestly this was her using the utmost control if she had let the commander have him then only her, Regina, and Rumple's magic would keep him alive and that was if the other two would even help. slowly her breathing evened out the more she stared into those green eyes the more her body relaxed no one else in the universe would or could ever have that effect on her she loved her lost boy, her coyote, her Peter but right now she was still mad at him and there was no way the others would let him stay, nope not till he proved himself and showed that he and the shadow were not in fact the same person it might take convincing but he would do it, he would do anything for Luci.
"Peter… your on that line again, your falling right out of the sky but it's up to you who you reach for"
"I'll always reach for you Luci, you never let me fall so why doubt you now?"
Nodding to herself she stood meeting Felix's heated gaze once more.
"as I said I never break a promise and you have my word that should you join us you will all get a proper home so boys what'd you say?"
They all shifted uncomfortably they all wanted it they all yearned for it but to speak up would be breaking the chain of command. It didn't really matter though they weren't a real group Luci was right without Peter as their king or leader they didn't really have much. Slowly a little muddy hand rose the boy was a little younger than henry maybe by a year or so his curly black hair was in dyer need of a trim but he was nervously licking his lips not sure if he would be rejected or not.
"I want a home"
Luci smiled " what's your name?"
"Sam"
"then you will have a family when this is all over Sam"
"I want a home" another hand shot up then another
"I want a home too!"
"me too yeah me too!"
Felix frowned watching as every single boy was promised a home he felt betrayed but there was still that little voice in his head whispering for him to raise his hand but he didn't need to he already had a home. Tink buried her face in Felix's neck she knew he would hate the betrayal but this wasn't where thy belonged she should be with her sisters in the enchanted forest if they would have her back. she had told him time and time again to run away with her to the enchanted forest where they could start over with out Pan and his blasted shadow but he just wouldn't budge not for himself and she guessed... not even for her.
"And you Felix? Do you want a home?" Luci would stay true to her word no matter how much of an ass Felix was.
Tightening his hold on Tink he shook his head "don't need on my home is where ever Tink is"
Tink smiled her loving idiot was finally letting go after decades of begging he was finally letting go.
...
...
...
Peter was sooo bored!
He was sitting between Killian and this Robin fellow with charming behind him it was a pretty good guard formation but it would have been better with Rumple at his back. The dark one could use magic to hold him in place but he wasn't about to tell them that. His hands bound with one of Luci's feathers and although it might have seemed flimsy or fragile you would be so wrong the strongest steel shackles didn't compare to the magic laced feathers that were intricately braided into his Tiger Lily's hair. He remembered the first time he saw her with them it was way back when he was still at war with the Indians he had been a fool telling her to leave like that but she wouldn't join in his fun in fact she had punched him in the face he ordered her to kill one of the prisoners. After that she left and apparently joined them that's when his boys started losing he started leading the war parties himself and eventually they met in battle. It was one hell pf a fight she was no longer the scared innocent little girl he had befriended, no she had become a native she had become THE Tiger Lily, protector of the natives, fighter of lost boys, and the adoptive daughter of the chief and she fought him with all the ferocity of an angry tigress when they clashed. It took a small eternity before she had him in the same position they'd been in as children with her knife at his throat and his hands limp at his sides.
The battle had been won and a treaty was made the Indians were safe and free to do as they please on the morning side of the island and he and his lost boys would stick to the night side though that didn't stop him from sneaking over the "border" to see her. Luci ever the fighter had expected a rematch but he offered an apology and friendship instead.
"so.. Which one is yours?"
They all looked down at the boy he was the villain in this situation having tried to kill them on many occasions and yet he was trying to make small talk?
"What?" Killian couldn't help muttering.
"Which one's yours? You all know mine is Luci so which gals yours?"
He was asking them about their women? Seriously!
"We are not having this conversation" Charming would have none of it.
"Oh come on it's not like we have anything else to do" Peter rolled his eyes at the king turning his attention to Robin.
"So you're with Regina yes?"
"Yes why?"
"Well Luci and Regina are practically sisters which means we have to have some semblance of friendship because I would do anything for Luci even deal with the likes of the shadows wrath"
"What are you talking about the shadows wrath? It's your shadow so tell it to play nice" Muttered Killian
Peter frowned "no its not"
"Yes it is" the pirate wouldn't fall for his tricks this time, he wasn't a fool.
"No its not, I would know what my own shadow looks like and THE shadow is not it"
"well your not making sense then"
"Killian you've known me the longest and yet you .. you can't tell the difference" Peter frowned this was bad, no this was worse than bad his fears were coming true the shadow was taking over his life. He had already taken away the lost boys now he was taking away everyone else startong with Killian and the storybrooke gang but eventually he would go for Luci.
"Luci.."
"What?"
"Luci!"
Luci was currently making plans with Emma, snow, and Regina for the lost boys they had to keep their end of the bargain Luci held firm on that. So here they were making a list of all the people who would take in at least three of the boys per home so they weren't alone and they had someone they trusted. It was all going well till she heard Peter's voice looking over her shoulder she saw his panic and frowned.
"just ignore him Luci" Regina was still mad at the trickster he had caused enough harm he didn't deserve Luci's sympathy.
"no"
"What?"
"Something's wrong he's panicking"
"Well I would too if I'd gotten myself caught" Snow interjected glaring at the boy.
"No he wanted to get himself caught so he could see me, but Peter isn't one to lose his cool so easily something is seriously wrong"
Leaving the 'war party' she made her way to peter and his guards the ladies were quick to follow half out of curiosity half out of concern. From what they knew nothing scared Peter Pan so for him to be panicking they knew something bad was gonna happen.
"What's wrong?"
"He's going on about the shadow" Killian eyed the boy still not understanding his panic.
"What about the shadow?"
"He's taking everything from me! He already took my face now he's trying to take everything else!"
"Peter calm down"
"no Luci he's trying to make me take his place as the villain and I won't! I won't let him take you!"
Kneeling before him she took his hands giving them a comforting squeeze.
"Hey, hey Peter the shadow will never have me ok?"
"But can you tell the difference?"
Luci sighed
"Luci tell me right now can you tell the difference?"
"Peter there is only one Peter Pan and I'm looking at him I know you inside and out there is nothing the shadow can do that will ever take me from you no matter how well he plays the part there is always something off whether it's the green of his eyes or the sadistic smile I know the difference peter never doubt that" Luci cupped his cheek offering any comfort she could she knew he was worried and he had every right to be the shadow was a dark and manipulative being that although he looked and acted like peter he was far from the sweet trickster that owned her heart.
"so the shadow isn't your shadow?" just the tone of Charmings voice showed he didn't believe him.
"no its not"
"well sorry if I find that hard to believe"
"ive me a chance and I can prove it"
"no"
"look I want to prove it but you're not letting me"
"That's how they work pan" Regina spoke up glaring at the charming's out of the corner of her eye.
"all is evil till proven good but to do that means you have to break the mold that they have made for you give them something that way they know your serious, its only now that they have started believing me but even now I can see the doubt every now and then"
"That's not something I can do since I didn't have much to begin with"
"Then give them something"
"I don't have anything!"
"you have a secret" Luci wasn't about to let him off the hook but at the same time he was right he didn't have much to give but himself and his secrets but no one got secrets out of Peter except her.
"Luci…"
"No Peter, the shadow made them give up their deepest darkest secrets it's only fair"
"but Luci-"
"No, if you want their trust you have to give them something since the shadows taken everything"
He shook his head this was a bad idea.
"Look I know you're not the shadow but they don't prove that your more than they think give them something to go off of beside a trickster give them that boy I met my first night on the island give them Peter"
Nodding behind her Killian seemed to get the gist having Robin and charming leave Peter so Luci could sit beside him everyone got comfortable seeing as they were about to be told something of great importance or that's what Peter made it sound like. Sitting across from the others Luci rolled her eyes taking Peter's hand encouraging him to speak she knew everything about him and he knew everything about her so this would be nothing new. The others stared waiting till he finally got his courage together meeting all their gazes he squeezed her hand taking what strength he could.
"I was born Peter, son of Aodhan and Carra in the land without magic"
"you're from that world?" Emma couldn't hold back.
"Emma shh"
Chuckling Peter nodded "yes I was born in the land without magic but it was how I got here that that's important"
Peter took a moment to collect his thoughts it had been centuries since he'd thought about his real family, his real parents, his father and mother. Taking a deep breath he began the story of Peter before the magic and shadows ever came into his life way back when he was a simple farm boy.
"you see I was always one to have my head in the clouds getting a wiping now and then because I couldn't get things done without getting lost in my imagination my mother encouraged it, saying I would be a great story teller one day but my father just couldn't see why I bothered with such things but as I grew he kept telling me to put these things out of my head to grow up but I just couldn't I never saw myself as a grown up and it didn't make sense to me I would go to market every year and after seeing how everyone else just worked on their farms some dying of starvation, others of sickness it just didn't make sense why grow up if I saw nothing worth growing up for?"
"it was then that I started having these dreams I would be on the shore an island where? I didn't know but the more dreams I had the more time I spent on the island. Later I would learn it was never land but back then I was so confused yet drawn in by it I couldn't help but love it here and then I finally met him it was when I had finally got up the courage to go to the cave I was curious but had no clue that the shadow was there but then again he does love surprises"
…..
…..
Pausing in front of the caves entrance Peter looked around he felt as if he were being watched but he didn't quite know if it was the dream or if he was really being watched.
"You can't go in there"
Jumping peter looked all around he knew someone had been following him.
"Who's there?"
"You can't go in there with a shadow that's just the way the cave is "called the voice ignoring his questions.
"What's in there?"
"Only the most valuable thing on this island"
Glancing towards the cave peter looked around he was far too curious, now he had to go in.
"And how do I get rid of my shadow?"
A dark chuckle filled his ears looking over his shoulder he saw a faceless shadow standing behind him its arms were crossed, the shadow was a giant compared to him he was only nine as it was so most were taller than him.
"How do you get rid of your shadow the boy asks" the shadow shook his head.
"I want to know what's in there so yes how do I get rid of my shadow."
"Easy by giving it to me"
Peter eyed the being in front of him, he knew better then to trust whatever this thing was and he would just have to live without going in that cave.
"Well I guess I'm never going then"
Walking past the shadow towards the jungle young Peter fully intended on going home now he had a lot of boring things to do when he woke up.
"What if you didn't have to leave here?"
Peter froze.
"This is a dream it doesn't matter I can't stay I have to wake up"
"This isn't a dream Peter this is real"
"No"
"yes it is your leaving your world and coming here you want to leave that farm so badly you jumped worlds to do it, sadly you only come at night but I could make sure you stay here always never having to do shores, get wiping's from your father, not even picked on by the other boys you could stay here without a care in the world" the shadow knew everything about peter from the moment he set foot on the island to when he left it every night it wouldn't take much to convince him to stay.
"Why would you do that?" Peter maybe a boy but his mama had always taught him to think about a deal before shaking on it.
"Why not? You've been here enough times to know the island, you can do as you please here with little worry of being punished and I need something that only you can give"
"And what's that?" Peter crossed his arms eyeing the faceless figure.
"Why a body of course"
'What?"
"In return for letting me look like you, you can stay on the island and never have to worry about growing up just to die"
Peter stared at the shadow the thing was almost reading his mind he didn't like it no one could read him so easily he was peter the sly, Peter the cunning!
"No"
"What?" the shadow frowned he thought he had the boy damn it!
"I don't like that deal so no"
"but if you agree then you will never have to grow up, you can be a boy forever never having to worry about the wasted responsibilities of running that farm or getting whipped, here you would be free to do as you pleased!" the shadow was trying his best to be patient with the boy but after all this time he wanted what he gave up everything for and to have the image of youth was his greatest desire! It took putting his heart in the islands magical core to stay alive this long but he didn't have a form he liked none of the boys that he kidnapped ever looked right but this one, Peter he was perfect he had that same devilish smirk and almost the same face though he reminded him of Rumple a bit.
Peter watched the frustration come off the shadowy being in waves he had angered him but that didn't matter he could be free, he would never have any boring rules and most importantly he would never have to grow up! But there was something else Peter wanted he never wanted to b bossed around again and the shadow would still do that, call it a gut feeling or a sense of dread but Peter wouldn't have it he wanted no threats to his freedom none whatsoever!
"Make me king of this island, free of any rules but my own and the same power as yours"
"What!"
"To fly like the birds in the sky, I want to be able to touch the clouds whenever I want"
The shadow blinked this boy was either very stupid or bold and cunning he smirked he could deal with such a boy on the island.
"Alright you'll have it now about that shadow of yours"
Peter held up his hand halting the shadow.
"This deal isn't happening unless we shake on it"
The shadow frowned the boy was smart he'd give him that, by shaking on it the deal would be as good as the contract he had in the other world. Malcom thought for a moment the boy would be king sure but Malcom himself would hold all the real power since his heart was in the islands core. What was the harm in making a little boy king if he could find ways to control him? Besides little boys were simple minded when distracted with games to play and islands to play on.
The shadow smirked "deal"
They shook hands and the deal was struck.
…
…
"Eventually I rounded up all the boys that had shown up on the island and formed the lost boys and things were good, great in fact but the longer we spent on the island the more… Aggressive we got which lead to an altercation with the Indians and that lead to what I estimate to be a century long battle but we all used the spring to cure ourselves so no one ever died but that meant no one could leave unless I said so because I was and still am king of the island and I make the rules but then one night I heard cry and couldn't help following it only to find a little girl with blue cat eyes and a boldness that rivaled my own" Peter smiled at Luci who rolled her eyes.
"So you made a deal with the shadow so he could use your face?" Killian had heard of plenty of hair brained ideas but this just didn't seem comprehendible.
"Yes and in exchange I rule the island but he seems to want to take it all back now that he has everything in place"
"well what else would you expect when one of the pieces starts fighting its puppet master?" Rumple was speaking from personal experience he had had many run ins with defiant players in the game of life but he always found a way to get them back into line.
"this is the shadows way of shortening your leash the moment you start doing what he wants he'll go easier on you but that cant happen"
"and it wont" Peter met the dark ones gaze, determination and anger filled those green eyes Rumple wouldn't want to be the shadow when that boy gets his head on straight.
"So what'd we do?" Emma wanted options from there they could hopefully come up with a plan.
"We kill him" growled charming
"Can't he doesn't have a heart" Peter didn't want them getting killed because of a lack of information.
"How do you know?" Regina was curious she was the heart expert in this situation and if this shadow didn't have a heart she would love to find it and crush it to dust.
"I've felt the inside of his chest before when I was beyond angry with the demon" Peter smirked but it was nothing like his usual mischievous one, no this was one that gave even Rumple shivers down his spine.
"how do you know how to rip people's hearts out?" Regina kept her voice s calm as possible ripping peoples hearts out was dark magic and to think this boy could be doing was unsettling.
"I showed him how" all eyes were on Luci her face was blank but anger burned in those sapphire cat eyes.
"why?" Regina had never been so worried in her life why on earth would Luci show this brat something so dangerous.
"It wasn't intentional though these kinds of things never are" Luci glared at the jungle floor her gaze slowly burned into the dirt under their feet. "it had been a long time after your mother had banished me here and as Rumple once warned me curiosity killed the cat though that explains why cats have nine lives"
"Luci!" Regina wanted answers now she couldn't have Luci losing herself to that kind of darkness, she just couldn't.
"I wanted to know how she did it so I figured it out Peter just so happened to see me do it"
"Who?"
"Who what?"
"Who was it? Whose heart did you rip out?" Regina was starting to feel uneasy with how calm Luci was. The girl had never been the best at handling the guilt of taking a life well the innocent anyway but this was something different.
"it was after the wars with Peter and the Indians had ended there was this one shipmate on the jolly roger, Stavros" Luci hissed at the memory of that scum bag.
"He had an unhealthy thing for women and didn't treat that as a gentlemen should and being the pig he was he thought he could take any of the native women he wanted so I told him otherwise… but the scum kept going on and on like every other misogynistic pig that exists so I rammed my hand into his chest and rip out his heart"
Now they all understood this wasn't curiosity this was a twisted justice for a sick F #k and Luci had dealt it with all the ferocity and strength of the commander she would grow up to be. Luci shook her head slowly releasing a breath keeping herself as calm as possible she hated that basterd.
"If you ripped his heart out than why did you rip him apart?" Killian knew of his fallen crew member he'd found him the next morning ripped to shreds on the ship's deck.
"Because I couldn't crush it"
Regina looked up she hadn't done it, she hadn't taken the final step that would have sealed her fate.
"I was a child killian, my best friend's first love had his heart crushed by a woman I would hate till she died in Regina's arms and some part of me knew that if I crushed it to insignificant dust that it truly was than I would be no better than her and I couldn't live with myself if I was ever like that monster so I rammed that thing back into his chest and gave him to the husbands of the women he'd raped they were the ones who killed him but I was the one who told them where your ship was and snuck them aboard with his body leaving it for you to find"
Everyone was holding their breath never had the tension been so thick not with Regina and snow not with Rumple and Bae, hell not even with Emma and Bae. This was intense Luci was trembling slightly trying to keep the commander from making an appearance because memories from back then were so close to the war they were all painful and filled with such rage she was amazed she wasn't more embittered after the wars.
"It's funny how the island works" all eyes went to peter but his eyes were wide they narrowed at the figure behind them.
"it can bring out the best and worst in a person it just depends on how they react to the islands magic and you Luci have always been wonder that I can't help but watch"
"what'd you want shadow?"
The dark being smirked as his eyes glowed brighter.
"I came to give little Peter a lesson because after all I have done for you you're going to turn on me?!"
The ground shook as the shadow stalked toward them all the shadows started swarming around him his red eyes glowed brighter the closer he got.
"you should have just helped me Peter but you had to do this all the hard way"
"what other way would I do it?" spat Peter knowing full well the shadow would have his head if he kept it up.
"I gave you a choice Peter but it seems you made the wrong one!"
The shadows swooped down on them like a rain of black ink their weapons were useless against the creatures except for Robin's bow, Mulan's sword and henry's but he wasn't experienced enough so Charming took it up. The shadows screeched as they were sliced in half or impaled by arrows dissolving into nothing sadly it wasn't enough. Rumple and Regina were doing their best with the magical defense but it did little to stop.
The shadows withdrew again this time hitting them like a giant wave none of them could withstand the force throwing them all backwards. The shadows grabbed and pulled at them keeping them on the ground ruining any concentration Rumple or Regina had leaving them defenseless magic wise. The shadow wasted no time going for his target with a wave of his hand he silently ordered the shadows to take the boy. They ripped Henry from Neal's arms throwing the thief away like a ragdoll.
"MOM!" the shadows carried him away flying through the air heading into the night side of the island before they disappeared completely.
"HENRY!" Regina's outcry sent a pulse of magic as retaliation blasting away most the shadows till they all retreated back to the darkness.
They all sat for a moment trying to understand all that had happened it was all so fast even Rumple had a hard time keeping up. Regina sat there staring up at the sky Henry had been taken from her again, the fates truly hated her they couldn't let her have a moment of happiness or moments reprieve she would always be fighting against the current. Luci saw the impending break before the first tear ever left Regina's eyes she crawled to her friend her queen her sister and pulled her into the tightest most comforting hug she could offer. Hugging Regina Luci watched the half lit skies the shadow had Henry but he wouldn't be back anytime soon not after such an attack. If he wanted them dead than he would have killed them, no he wanted them to have some semblance of hope that they would find him and henry.
"Don't worry Gina we'll save him no matter what even if I have to do that final step, I swear I will get him back "
…..
…..
….
Red was at her and Victors apartment being on maternity leave gave her time to read all the parenting books she needed and eat all the strange foods she was craving in peace. It had been weird at first to live with Victor but their schedules blended almost seamlessly and now she considered it her home though they would probably need an upgrade once the baby came because it was a small place even for a doctor.
Hearing the front door open and close she looked up marking her place with the list of baby names she and Belle had made. She couldn't help smiling every time she looked at the name Caroline circled in red ink it was perfect they had both agreed especially Victor.
"How was your shift at the hospital?"
"Long and incredibly boring"
Setting down his backpack he joined her on the couch, kissing her while his hand rested on her heavily swollen belly only a couple of weeks now then the baby would be born. Victor smiled tiredly at that thought, though his mind had been wondering into darker territory lately. He was starting a family and yet he was still thinking about his research and experiments frowning he looked down at Red's swollen belly. His hand was resting on their child yet he was consumed with thoughts of death. How could he bring his little one into the world when all he wanted was to be around the dead trying and failing to create life?
In that moment his mind was made up nodding to himself he would never achieve his goal so why keep trying?
"Vic? Honey what's wrong?"
Blinking away his dark thoughts Victor looked up seeing concern in those chocolate orbs.
"I won't do it anymore"
"What?"
"My work, the research, bringing the dead back to life all of it I failed and it's- it's just not worth it anymore"
"Victor…"
"Red after losing my arm and almost my life I think it's for the best if.. if I just admit I am a failure… I failed to create life"
Never had Victor felt so humiliated admitting defeat to the one person who mattered the most, his girlfriend, the mother of his child, and the woman who he planned to marry he didn't care if they were doing things backwards. Red stared at Victor his shoulders slumped, head bowed just sitting next to him she could feel the pain and sadness at giving up on what he'd spent half his life trying to accomplish. Looking down she tried to think of something, anything that would brighten his spirits something that would prove him wrong. Smiling she took his other hand bringing it to her swollen stomach resting it upon hers.
He looked up confused, why was she smiling?
"Victor you did create life just not the way you thought you would"
He looked down at her stomach she was right he had created life he was a father and had created life through Red. They had created Life! HOW HAD HE NOT SEEN THIS! WAS HE THAT BIG OF AN IDIOT!
"I did it! NO We did it!"
He pulled Red into his arms kissing her with so much love he could barely keep himself from bursting with happiness.
"red I'm sorry I can be such a dunce some times"
"only sometimes?"
"hey!"
"your fine babe" Kissing her brilliant scientist she pulled away.
"just know that when you think something isn't good enough I'll be there to kiss some sense into you or smack it into you if necessary"
"good to know I have someone around here with their head on straight"
"I know you're lucky to have me" she teased
"Yeah I am" he smiled pulling her as close as her belly would allow he could feel their little one kicking away. It was amazing to feel when the tiny being inside her would kick she only did it for her mama and papa on occasion she would do it for Granny but no one else.
"you're a strong one baby girl"
"how do you know its gonna be a girl? You wouldn't let me do an ultra sound because you apparently like surprises"
"I just have this feeling like I have a feeling that the others will be back soon and how I'm not going to be the only one with a baby I just know there's gonna be more little ones running around" Red rubbed circles in her belly right where the baby was kicking it was the closest thing to actually touching her baby girl.
"well when everyone gets back we'll find out and you'll probably be right"
"yup" she popped the 'P' just for fun "then we can finally have the real baby shower and probably the birth"
"whoa now Red your not gonna go running around again it took me forever to convince you to take maternity leave and your already borderline bed rest"
"I know but keep in mind that nothings gonna keep me from meeting them at the pier when that ship comes back"
Victor shook his head smiling like mad Red had blossomed from a scared, self-deprecating , girl to a determined, confident woman and he couldn't be prouder to have her in his arms and as the mother of his child.
"I love you Red"
"love you too babe now could you please get me some crab or lobster and some strawberry ice cream oooohh and some pineapple!"
"Sure babe, sure"
….
….
Hey guys! so Peter's got a real past HE IS NOT NOR HAS HE EVER BEEN MALCOLM, so yeah he's not related to Rumple or any of that. moving on Henry's been kidnapped and things are shit. again. but as always I will have a brighter ending than you think. sorry if it turned a little dark but I feel I ended it on a good note with Red and Victor because in case you haven't noticed this is more of a secondary minion story than anything. JUST A HEADS UP THERE ARE ONLY TWO CHAPTERS LEFT SO GET READY FOR THE END! leave comments and stuffs.
-ECHOXKNOX OUT
