Redemption
Chapter Nine:

Neverland

Felix watched anxiously as his new master once again attempted to transform into a shadow. He'd been working on the transmutation for two day and nights and was getting frustrated. Felix didn't like the The Dark One being frustrated; that could prove unhealthy for him and the other Lost Boys. "It's not working!" Rumple growled. He glared at Felix. "You must be forgetting something." Felix shook his head, "No Master, I swear I haven't forgotten anything. I have told you everything I know!"

Rumple motioned him to come closer and Felix obeyed, his trepidation rapidly building. "Are you implying I am less powerful than Pan? He was able to do this at will." Rumple asked the question in a tone which clearly indicated the response had better be in the negative.

Felix wasn't foolish enough to reply in the affirmative, nor did he actually believe that to be the case. He knew The Dark One was more powerful than Pan even at the height of his powers. "You are more powerful, Master." Rumple nodded his head, pleased with the response. "I will solve this," he muttered. "I must."

Storybrooke

Neal was enjoying spending time with his son and Emma but his mind kept wandering to his father. He had already decided to go back to Neverland and find out what had happened. And soon after that decision, Mary Margaret had informed Emma that Leroy, the other dwarfs, and Anton (the once-giant) were growing a new magic bean plant. It had yet to bear fruit but once it did, Neal would have the means to open a portal and return to Neverland. The wait would be difficult for him. His conscience was very troubled. His father either was dead, or was alive and believed his son hated him. Neal hoped for the latter; at least that way he would still have a chance to make things right.

The Next Evening

Belle entered Gold's Pawn Shop as she did at the end of every day. She turned the door sign to "Open" and took her place behind the counter. She noticed the sliding door backing the main glass case was open. Squatting down, she looked inside to determine if anything was missing. Something was; something very important.

Choking back the bile which rose to her throat she quickly ran from the shop and down the street towards Granny's diner. She flung open the door and stormed inside. Then she stood in the center of the restaurant and yelled, "Whoever took it, give it back! Give it back right now!"