Chapter 10: Daystar and Telemain Enter Neverland

Note: I'm changing the format a little bit, switching back and forth from Daystar and Telemain's perspectives because I have ideas for both their stories. This first part is Daystar. Also, part of this is based on a concept from the nineties cartoon Peter Pan and the Pirates.

Once we got on the other side, the first thing I noticed was the heat. It was humidity pushing down on me. I even said aloud, "Good grief, it's so hot!"

Emma gave me a strange look. "What are you talking about? It's kinda cool and windy."

"Don't you feel the salty, sea breeze?" Hook sneered at me.

"Uh-uh," I shook my head. I noticed Father was mopping sweat off his brow, so I knew he was with me. I probably should have thought about why that was, but I didn't at the time. We both decided it might be cooler under the bridge, but it wasn't.

"So, what do you know about this Neverland?" father asked.

"Not much. I read about it at Hogwarts. It's another dreamension." That's a world invented by the imagination of others, like our world. "It's very literally every boy's dream. From what I remember, it's a place where time stands still, so you never age. That's why it's so desirable to kids, because it's a world where you never grow up. Though what I never understood is why their leader, Peter Pan, is an adolescent. I mean, obviously, he grew enough to go through puberty."

"I think I've heard of Peter Pan. Can't he fly?"

"Yeah. See, pixie dust, which fairies use, can cause flight. And there are pirates, mermaids, Indians—well, Native Americans, but I don't think they're really from America—and all sorts of secret places and hidden caves and . . . that's about all I know. But obviously, adults aren't welcome. In fact, I think the rule is if you leave, go back to the real world and grow up, you can never return. So they say the Lost Boys cry every night because they remember the world they left behind and the people who loved them, but they know they can never go back."

"That's it? That's really it? There's gotta be more. There's so much magic here."

"You mean, that's what this heat is? It doesn't feel like magic."

"Well, it's not the way it is in the Enchanted Forest or even in Storybrooke. It's so heavy. I can almost swim in it. We'll probably have to learn to negotiate it."

But then I thought of something else. "Oh no."

"What?"

"Remember that band I was in? Most of the songs we did were original, but we threw in a few covers."

"Yeah, I remember. 'Brick in the Wall,' the defiance of that song used to make me so angry."

"Well, one of the covers we did was Metallica's 'Enter Sandman.' Dude, Peter could tear it up."

"I thought you were the lead guitarist."

"Mmm-hmm. That song was hard, and so long. Anyway, it's about a dream of going to Neverland, and it very quickly turns nightmarish. You know, if that song is true, it's gonna be tough."

"Oh, it's worse than that." Somehow, suddenly Herman had joined us. I tried to act like I wasn't surprised.

"You're familiar with that song?"

He sneered, "I could hear you practicing all the way from my pawn shop. I kept wondering why Graham didn't enforce Regina's noise ordinance more."

"What is it, Herman?" father asked.

"You look dreadfully uncomfortable. Why, your majesties, I believe you are actually sweating magic. It's just too much for your system to handle, is it? I was just wondering how the two of you stowaways were doing."

"Stowaways?" I said.

"Well, you weren't invited, and you're not related to Henry."

"We came with Telemain. I overheard you talking to him, and you told him we were going to the Enchanted Forest!"

"I told him no such thing."

"You said the muggles used a magic bean, and they go to the Enchanted Forest!"

"They go wherever you want them to."

"So, we came all this way for nothing," Father said.

Herman held up his finger. "That may not be so. There is a secret place on the island where you just might find what you are looking for."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Ah-ah-ah!" he said shaking his finger. "I won't just give away that information. It comes with a price."

"If you want me to abdicate my throne, forget it," Father answered.

"While it would be nice, I am not nearly as desperate to be King of the Enchanted Forest. Another day, perhaps. No, I want something different." He limped forward closer to Father. "I want you to say my name, my real name. I know you know it, but I don't think your son does."

I rolled my eyes. "I know your name. Telemain told it to me once. It's Rump . . . something. You know, if I were you, I'd just go ahead and change it. Who wants to have a name with 'rump' in it?"

"Names are power, boy."

"Yeah, that's what people believe," Father said. "And if you're really serious about it, then you know that my saying your name puts you in my dominion."

"No, only one thing can do that. I just want you to admit who I am. Herman is nobody."

"So, really, that's it? Or do you want me to do something stupid like say it in verse?"

"Well, you could, if you're that clever."

Dad got up and approached him and looked straight in his eyes. "Son," he said,

"Before you stands a man of dark,

Who on our land had left his mark

And tore us from our world so dear

And kept us away for thirty years.

Before that time, he had attacked

And left your father lost and trapped

Seventeen years in a room of flame.

Rumpelstiltskin is his name."

Mr. Gold nodded. "Not bad. A bit rhythm-deaf, though, aren't you?"

"Wait a minute," I said as I thought the lines through. "He did that? I thought the wizards trapped you."

"Yeah, a lot of people did, but he was controlling the wizards the whole time. So, Herman, you got what you wanted—my son now knows exactly who you are."

We all just stared at each other for bit. Father and I both looked at him with loathing, and I think Mr. Gold wasn't too fond of us either. But we were still silent.

"Well, we met your terms. Are you a man of your word or not?" Father said.

"Of course," he replied. "It's called Cavern Wherever. It's the place where all lost things are found."

"And how will that help us?"

"Well, you lost your sword, your kingdom, your way."

"But we know where they are—the Enchanted Forest."

"Are you so sure?"

"Well, where will we find this Cavern Wherever?" I asked.

"I don't know."

"Excuse me?" Father said.

"I really don't. I've never been out looking for it. On the other hand, it's probably one location that cannot be pinpointed on any map. In order to find it, you must become lost yourselves."

"That could take a while, time we may not have. Is there anyone on the island who might know where it is?"

"Likely so, but not anyone you would want to talk to, except for maybe a pirate."

"So, we have to talk to Hook?" I asked.

"Joy," Father said sarcastically. "He seems so enthusiastic to talk to us. Well, maybe he'd have better luck with you, Son."

"Alright, Father," I nodded. We started to go back up to the deck.

"Oh, and Daystar," Herman said. I turned back. "I hope you haven't completely forgotten that song. It just might serve you well."

So I went back up to the deck, and the first thing I heard was Emma shout, "How can you two be so infuriatingly optimistic?" Great, an argument. I tried to stand my distance as she continued to scream at her parents and they tried to calm her down. Then Herman appeared in this leather jacket he wasn't wearing when he spoke to Father and me. He said he was going to get Henry.

"We agreed to do this together," Regina scolded him.

"Actually, we made no such agreement," he said.

"Then what are we doing here?" Telemain asked.

"Hush, magician!"

Emma got into this argument with him, because obviously she wanted to be the one to save Henry. He taunted her inability to take anything on faith, but she wasn't backing down. "I'll do whatever it takes," she said coldly.

He replied just as coldly, "Or you just need someone to tell you what that is. Sorry, Dearie, our foe is too fearsome for hand-holding. Neverland is a world where imagination runs wild, and yours, sadly, does not." Then he spun his cane, I felt a jolt of magic, and he was gone. That all surprised us. Telemain very quickly picked up the cane, murmured a spell, made a circle with his forefinger in the air above his head, clapped his hands, and also disappeared. Well, the whole reason he came was because of the Dark One, so I guess he was just following him.

After everyone calmed down a little bit, I approached the pirate who stood at the helm. "Evening," I said.

He looked at me in disgust. "You have the stink of a royal."

"I showered and put on deodorant this morning."

"Exactly."

"Well, yeah, it's true, I'm a prince, but I haven't been one for a while, and this has nothing to do with that."

"I'm just saying I'm not going to do what you want me to just because of who you are."

"OK. Well . . . uh . . . have you ever heard of Cavern Wherever?"

"Heard of it? Yeah, I've heard of it. Been wanting to find it ever since I lost my boomerang."

"I thought boomerangs always return to their owner."

"It was knocked afoul, fell into the bay."

"Do you know anything about where Cavern Wherever is? And I'm not commanding you to tell me. I'm just making conversation."

"Well, you wouldn't be making this conversation unless you wanted to know where it is."

"Well, I guess if you're not gonna tell me, you're not gonna tell me."

"You're right. I'm not gonna tell you, but it's because I don't know for sure."

"I thought you knew everything in Neverland."

"Everything I've sought out. I've been too busy fighting Pan to devote time to search for it. All I know for sure is it's deep underwater. You could go look for it, but odds are you'll find Davy Jones's Locker first."

"What's in there?

He looked at me like I was an idiot. "Excuse me," he said. "I must speak with Miss Swan."

So he left the helm, and Charming took over.

I landed on the beach, and the Dark One was waiting for me with his arms crossed. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you, magician."

"Yes." I held out his cane to him. "Your cane, Dark One."

"There was a reason I left it on the ship. I don't need it anymore."

"So the magic here is in such immense density that it allows you to be ambulatory?"

"Yes, but don't say it like that."

"Right."

He came closer to me. "Listen very closely. I have one job for you. Until I need you to do what I request, all you should do is follow me closely. You are not to ask what it is I need for you to do. I will only tell you at the right moment. And when I ask it of you, you are to do it without question and without hesitation. Do you agree?"

"I'll try."

"Do you agree, magician?" he asked loudly.

"I cannot promise I can agree with all of that! It depends on what you want me to do!"

"If you do not agree to these terms, I can leave you right here on this beach alone, and you may not see your wife or son ever again."

"Very well. I agree."

"Good. Then let's go."

"Dark One," I said as he turned around, "I'm . . . frightened."

"Frightened? Whatever for?"

"I've heard of this world. I don't belong here. From what I understand, this world is not forgiving of mature adults, and I'm very much passed the age of accountability. I have accepted responsibilities. I'm a father!"

He shushed me, but then he said, "So am I. What's your point?"

"Even if I were a child, I was much more mature for my age. I was called an old man when I was six. It's just that my understanding of this world is that people like me are not welcome, and their attempts to search the island can be . . . fatal."

"Well, that was the risk you took in coming here."

"I did not know we were going to Neverland! You led me to believe we were going to the Enchanted Forest!"

"As I just told the prince, I did nothing of the sort. You made that inference on your own."

"Never mind that. What should I do?"

"Look, you are right. The likes of us are not welcome here. If you wish to survive in Neverland, you must accept it with a childlike spirit. You can do that, can you?"

"I can tr—"

"Can you?!"

"I will."

He nodded. "It'll help if you try to avoid the five-dollar words and keep your language simple. There's no one here to impress anyway."

I wanted to talk more to Hook, but he stayed below deck. At least everybody and everything was still calm, until something hit the side of our ship. Emma and Hook quickly made it back to the deck, and Hook took the helm. "Prepare for attack! If you got a weapon, then grab it!" The hits just got harder, and they were on all sides. We all expected to see a sea monster, but as I looked over the side of the ship, I saw beautiful women with glowing fishtails just below the surface of the water.

"Mermaids?!" Emma shouted.

"Yes, and they're quite unpleasant," Hook answered.

"Why?" I asked.

"All I know is they have a vendetta against all landlubbers."

Hook tried to outrun the "school," I guess, Charming shot a cannon into the water, Snow and Emma caught one in a net. I was trying to pull something together, but father stopped me. "Not yet, son. We don't know how powerful our work is here, and we don't want to hurt them. They might be able to reason with us." But Regina started firing fireballs at them, and they swam away. That left whatever mermaid they caught.

While the others started to decide what to do with her, she grabbed a conch shell and blew it like a horn.

"What was that?" Emma asked.

"A warning," the mermaid answered. "Let me go or die."

I was the only one initially that seemed to think from the moment she said that that she was right. I started to feel the magic get stronger, and it started pushing down on my shoulders like a ton of bricks. The others demanded what she did, but she would not answer. They continued to argue about what to do with her. And then, a terrible storm started to brew. They demanded that she stop the storm. Charming even held a sword to her throat, but she wouldn't do it. So they turned to us.

"Do something!" Regina yelled at Father.

"Sorry, your majesty," he answered. "There's a big difference between magic and miracles. Stopping this storm definitely would be a miracle for me." He looked in pain. I never thought magic would ever hurt us.

So they kept arguing about the mermaid, and eventually Regina turned her into wood. Yet the storm only got worse.

"That was a very bad move!" Father yelled at her.

It was so bad. I tell you, there came a point where the wind knocked me off my feet, and I couldn't get back up. The magic was so heavy, it was pressing down on me like a steamroller. "I HATE THIS PLACE!" I finally yelled. Though that didn't really help anything. Then I had a crazy thought, that word I used to say to make a bad situation better. "ARGELFRASTER! ARGELFRASTER!"

I guess maybe I was yelling because everybody else was yelling. Snow was fighting Regina, Charming was fighting Hook, and Emma yelled at everyone to calm down because they were the cause of the storm. When no one would listen, she jumped off the ship, and everyone worked together to save her. Well, almost everyone; if I would, I could. But as soon as the rescue was over, the weight was lifted off my shoulders. I mean, it still felt heavy and humid, but at least I could stand.

We walked in silence after that into the jungle. I looked in wonder at all the flora and fauna I encountered, but the first person we saw was the mortal woman Tamara, and she had an arrow in her back. She was still alive, trying to crawl.

I came closer to her and inspected the wound. "Stop trying to move. You'll die." I looked at the Dark One. "She needs help. Is there anything we can do?"

He came up to her. "Where's Henry? Now, now, I can help you speak." He waved his hand, and the arrow and the wound were gone.

She told us Henry ran into the jungle. "Pan wants him. He's behind all this. Look, Mr. Gold, I didn't know who I was working for. I'm sorry about Neal!" She started to cry.

"What should we do with her?" I asked. "Send her back to the ship? Hook could put her in the brig. She can recover enough to face justice when I get back."

"Justice?" the Dark One said. "I'll give her justice." He pulled her beating heart out of her chest and crushed it into dust. If I wasn't so startled at this sudden move, I would have been very intrigued by the spell. As she fell down dead, he looked at me. "That will teach you to meddle. Remember, all you do is follow me. Understand?"

"Yes, Dark One. Sorry."

"Now, let's go. We're wasting time."

That was probably the first time in all my life I looked at him with fear. So I just followed, still quiet, still taking everything in, until we got to a clearing. The Dark One sat down. There wasn't a place for me to sit, so I stood to the side.

"Come out and say hello, Dearie," he said.

And then a young man wearing a hooded cape and carrying a club came to us. "Hello, Rumpelstiltskin," he said. The Dark One half-heartedly did his little flourish with his fingers. "Pan welcomes you, and your friend, to the island. He wanted me to tell you he is excited to see you again."

"I'm sure he is," he replied under his breath.

I came closer to the young man. "Remarkable. Such a fresh face for an adolescent. No acne. Yet your eyes are clouded with the wisdom of centuries. I've never seen the likes of this. Young man, how do you—?"

"You ask too many questions," the boy said.

"But I barely asked one."

"That's one too many." He looked at the Dark One again. "He wanted me to let you know you're welcome in Neverland as long as you wish to stay—with one caveat."

"Caveat? That's an advanced word for a boy. Where did you learn that?"

He just coldly looked at me again, then turned to the Dark One. "If you're here for the boy, well, that makes you his enemy."

"Then nothing's changed," the Dark One replied.

"If you go against him, you will not survive."

The Dark One got into his face. "Well, the question isn't, 'Will I survive,' because we both know I won't. No, the real question is, 'How many of you will I take with me?'"

"Is that your answer? Well, I suppose that means I will see you again in less friendly circumstances." He turned to go but looked back. "One more thing. There's something Pan wanted you to have." He threw at the Dark One's feet what looked like a little man made of straw. I wondered if it was some kind of figurine as used in the magic art of voodoo, but it meant something more to him. He held it and began to weep. I haven't seen him cry since that window broke. "Isn't it funny? The things we haven't about in years still have the ability to make us cry." He looked at me. "Afraid I don't have anything for you." And he walked away.

I knelt down to the Dark One as he still tried to cradle the figure. "What is that? Why are you weeping over it? And how does Peter Pan know you; what's your history."

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and glared at me. "Felix is right about one thing—you ask too many questions!"

"You said I had to accept this world as a child. My most childlike aspect is, and always has been, my curiosity."

"Well, I'm afraid it's not going to serve you well in Neverland. Questions, especially those that begin with 'why' and 'how,' do absolutely no good. Instead of questioning, just believe. I know you can do that. You're a man of faith. You're better at this than Emma."

I wasn't so sure, but I nodded.

"Now, let's get going. We have a lot of ground to cover."

"Dark One, what did you mean when you said-?"

"That sounded like a question!"

"Sorry, never mind."

We finally made it to shore, but everybody was still arguing. Then Emma started rallying us together with an inspirational speech, "We just need to succeed, and the way we do that is by just being who we are—a hero, a villain, a pirate. It doesn't matter which, because we're gonna need all those skills, whether we can stomach them or not!"

"And what's your 'skill,' Savior?" Regina asked.

"I'm a mother, and I'm also you're leader. So either help me get my son back, or get out of the way!" She started going into the island.

Father cleared his throat. "I hear you didn't mention a magic king or prince. Does that mean you don't need us?"

"Uh, no, of course not."

"But . . . you could do without us."

"If you don't want to join our search party, just say so!" Hook said.

"It's not that we don't want to. It's just . . . Daystar and I have a search of our own that we need to—"

"When you came to the Jolly Roger, I asked if you could help us, and you said you could!" Emma said angrily.

"With all due respect, when I said that, I thought our circumstances would be different."

"We should let them go," Regina said. "These conditions just aren't right for the Enchanted Forest King. You saw how worthless they were in the storm. Imagine how things would be like in the heart of the jungle."

Emma looked like she didn't like it, but she nodded. "Fine. Good luck."

"Your son will be in our prayers," Father said with a wave. Then we both got on the lifeboat.

"We're going back to the Jolly Roger? Why?" I asked.

"Because you told me Hook said that Cavern Wherever is deep underwater. I know one person who can get us there."

We made it back to the deck where the mermaid was. Father twisted strands of magic in the air around the mermaid, and she transformed to her regular self. She flapped her tail rather angrily, but then Father got on her level. "Ma'am, forgive us for the inconvenience. We will return you to the water, but we would like to speak with you first."

"I do not make negotiations with humans!" she answered.

"I understand. I believe you are a princess, are you not?"

She seemed to calm down at that. "I am the sixth daughter of King Triton."

"I am honored to meet you, Princess . . . I'm sorry, what is your name?"

"Alana."

"Princess Alana. I am King Mendanbar, and this is my son Daystar."

That was my cue. I took her hand. "Charmed, princess." She pulled her hand away before I could kiss it. It was probably for the best; it was very wet and probably tasted like fish.

"Might I meet in treaty with your father?"

She shook her head. "My father doesn't recognize land-dwelling kings."

"Well, it might be useful for our worlds to cooperate. I only seek one piece of his kingdom to investigate briefly. It's called Cavern Wherever?"

And to our surprise, she smiled. "Is that all? Well, for that, you don't need to speak to Father. I can show you where it is. My little sister likes to skulk around there."

We made a spell to breathe underwater and followed her down into the depths of the sea. She led us down to an underwater cave and pointed. I made a "thumb's up" sign to tank her, but she looked like she didn't understand (I guess she was wondering why I wanted to surface so quickly.) We swam inside, the water gradually got shallower, and soon we were able to get out. It was a lot cooler down there, but it was stuffy.

"Father, you think it seemed a little too easy?" I asked.

"What do you mean, Son?"

"Well, she just attacked the boat, she tried to kill us, but when we ask for this little favor, she takes us down, no questions asked?"

"Never underestimate a little politeness. Also, I think she was a little grateful that we transformed her back to an alive state."

"Who dares enter Cavern Wherever?" a voice said in the back of the cave. We looked toward the sound and saw an older man with a scraggly beard, graying hair, and shabby clothes.

"Good evening, sir," Father said. "I'm Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted Forest. This is my son, Prince Daystar. And you are-?"

"I am the guardian of the cave. My name has long ago been forgotten."

"Oh, that's unfortunate. Look, we don't want to take up too much of your time. We're looking for the Sword of the Enchanted Forest. I mean, we're pretty sure it's still in the Enchanted Forest, but we were told it might be here. Do you happen to know?"

"There are many enchanted weapons of legend here."

"Well, would you mind if we look for it?"

The guardian looked at both of us with cold eyes. "You enter at your own risk, and be prepared to face the consequences."

"We will. Thank you." So the man stepped aside.

"Consequences? Did that sound foreboding to you?"

"Maybe a little, but I'm sure it's nothing I can't handle." As we entered the cave, we had an idea of the "risk" he spoke of. The cave was a mess, crammed from floor to ceiling with all kinds of stuff. Father chuckled, "Can you say 'packrat?'"

"Man, this is going to take forever."

"Well, if he knew he had enchanted weapons, maybe he has some kind of organization system. So let's look for them."