Chapter 24: Moving Forward
AN: Surprise! New Chapter! Hi, readers I know I have posted this month's chapter already that you've read last week. This wasn't exactly what I had planned however I have figured out that this chapter needed to happen before the showdown with Pan begins as we are getting close to. I hope you enjoy it!
After getting Tinkerbell, once their escape plan A is set in motion, the seven of them trekked through the Neverland forest, going to their next plan which is to find Henry before Pan can do any more unseen damage. Unknowingly Peter Pan is very close to getting to reach his immortality now that Henry believes in him. So as the seven trekked they were trying to get to Pan's current compound and hopefully find Henry there with Tinkerbell leading the way.
As they walked, Charming says that he's going to go ask Tink how close they are to Pan's compound as he doesn't want to be surprised by any Lost Boys on patrol. Snow says that that's a good idea, and as David moves to the front of the queue, Emma approaches her mother, commenting on her parents apparently buried the hatchet over the whole Dreamshade situation. Mary Margaret says that she doesn't know if it's buried, but the two of them have at least put it away for now; then with a certain look in her eyes, the blonde asks if Mary Margaret plans on staying on the island with David, and her mother tells her that the thought of leaving her kills her, but there's nothing they can do as if David leaves then he'll die. Emma then lashes out as she points out that her mother is just giving up, which surprises Snow, and the blonde continues in saying that family means being together, all of them. Mary Margaret exclaims that is exactly what Felicity had said and then questions her daughter's reaction and so her daughter tells her, "Maybe this is just you or Killian are rubbing off on me, but I don't believe that. I'm the rational one, not the optimistic one; however, if l learned anything ever since I've got my memories back is that there's always a way." The two are then distracted by the sounds of Killian and Charming drawing their swords, and we see that this is due to the rustling in the bushes up ahead. In addition, Tink draws a dagger, Emma whips out her cutlass, and Snow loads up her bow with an arrow, keeping it firmly at the mystery figure or figures. However, the group is relieved to see that it's merely Regina, followed by Gold, who comments that, if this is the others' idea of a rescue party, they go there right on time.
As weapons are put away, Mary Margaret asks what Rumple and Regina are doing there, and the latter says that they're on their way to save Henry also, except they have a chance. She gestures Pandora's Box in Gold's hands and explains that it can trap Pan for eternity simply by opening the lid. Annoyed, Neal huffs and pinches his nose, as his being around his father now makes him uncomfortable and as he does that Tinker Bell then chimes in, surprised to learn that Baelfire's father is the Dark One, and Neal confirms this, adding that Rumple isn't getting anywhere near Henry. "Bae..." Rumple tries, and Emma asks Neal what he's talking about. He then explains that there's a prophecy that says Henry will be his father's undoing, and that Rumple didn't come to Neverland to save him, he came there to kill him. This shocks the others, and Regina moves away from her new comrade. Rumple then said that everything he did was to protect Henry and rescue him from Pan, but Emma soon exclaims that "it all makes sense" and raises her sword to the Dark One. She points out that he left before they even made shore, and Mary Margaret, who loads her bow with an arrow again, adds that Gold wanted to get to Henry first. Charming and Hook draw their swords in succession, further realizing that Gold wanted to get Henry on his own so no one could stop him. "So, you could kill him, " Regina finishes. "It's not gonna happen," says Emma, all weapons now firmly pointed at Gold, "Not unless you go through all of us first."
"You're making a mistake," says Rumpelstiltskin I in Neverland, still with weapons pointed at him, "I don't care if the boy is destined to be my undoing, I won't hurt him." Regina sarcastically states that that sounds just like him, but Rumple ignores her, pointing out that without him, they shall fail, as he is the most powerful amongst them. Neal points out in turn that that's why they can't trust him, and Gold says that if he could give his son his dagger, then he would, but he can't. Neal then suggests that his father could hand over Pandora's Box, as he wouldn't have to trust him if he could stop him, and Rumple obliges with reluctance, slowly handing the box over to his son after hesitation. When the box switches hands, Neal assures his father that if he so much as lifts a finger to do magic then he will spend eternity inside. "Let's go," Emma says, and the rest of the group continue trekking through the jungle as they put away their respective weapons.
As Felicity watches this, she felt almost like an outsider, almost however as she watched this, she can see the problem, the clarity after Tinkerbell's words she has heard. She knows there is tension as she can see it however it wasn't this that came to find a solution. It wasn't the problem with the Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin, the problem was with everyone who has come to the island including her own parents. When they have all arrived here, everyone came here with no trust, and slowly only a little bit of trust was built upon them however that's the problem, nobody doesn't completely trust with one another. It was like watching from afar, a disaster waiting to happen and with everyone spilling their own darkest secrets from the Echo Caves has had reinforced that layer of trust. Yet here she is, watching and understanding where she belongs in this. Maybe she's the mediator.
Then curiosity killed the cat, as her thoughts leave her as she sees her papa staring at the Dark One, confused. So, he says, "how did you get away with it?" he questioned with the Dark One looking at him warily. "How are we learning this now instead at the Echo Cave? This is considered a dark secret and yet your son has told us and not you." He kept questioning, waiting impatiently for an answer like everyone else there, who are now interested in the conversation.
Rumpelstiltskin was quiet. In his average height, his head was hung down, trying to listen very little, trying to ignore it. There are things that can be put away that can be buried, sometimes they can hit you out of nowhere unexpectedly. This is a rare moment for him, the Dark One quiet, it is never where one the person shall encounter never less a whole group of them where a pirate, a savior, and their daughter, an ex-fairy, the heroes, and a villain who is redeeming itself are encountering this. This wouldn't happen if the pirate can be astute and perceptive when he needs to be. He is the Dark One feared by all for goodness sakes and yet this group now especially the pirate was pulling him into an unforgettable rage.
It wasn't that long when his rage was blown out of proportion.
After that, it was a long time when he calmed down again, as his magic now is getting to be more controlled when his rage started, and it fizzled out.
"It's almost like the reason why I've wanted to kill Miss Felicity Jones. Almost. While Henry is still a child and still has some innocence in him, he also knows things. He is a special lad I'll give you that however he still fears me in a personal matter. The seer told me; he would be my undoing. At first, I pondered what would have led me to what would be my undoing, I didn't know. Until we've learned that we would be coming here to Neverland, I left the ship trying to find a way to get rid of my father and to prepare myself for the inevitable." The Dark One said in shock, not knowing he was speaking of the truth, of the honesty that he didn't plan to say out loud.
It was at that moment that Felicity knew what she had to do. His confession, she can see his emotions raging on all around him after he was somewhat stable. She can see along the way in his confession, that he didn't plan to say everything of what he had said. She can see the astonished face of his features come up when he finished. It was pure.
"Everyone stop." She quietly said at first, no one paying attention. "Everyone Stop!" she then said louder finding her voice gathering everyone's attention. With everyone's eyes all on her, she muttered to herself an okay and continued. "Stop with whatever you're doing, whatever you're thinking, and listen to me!" She said firmly.
"We can't go on and pretend that it will settle down and pretend like it didn't happen. There's a problem here with almost everyone here, only Tinkerbell and I know what's going on. We can see the tension. You all have problems with one another that you can't completely trust with." She says then looks towards everyone, roaming around staring them into each of their eyes. "Except for the Dark One, as he can't exactly, be trusted however the rest of you need to learn to be entrusted with each other. When you all arrived here there was no trust amongst you all, maybe with your partner, your loved one, your confidant yes. Slowly you've learned to trust a little bit of each other, then the Echo Caves happened. There it was revealed things you never wanted to know that it made trusting each to be nonexistent. You all need to learn to be more honest with each other, stop holding back all your secrets, and stop doing what you think is right. You are at Neverland and it's changing all of you without noticing it. If we want to continue our journey to find and save Henry, then keep an open mind and trust each other as your lives depend on it. We can't have these kinds of problems no more, it must end now." She sighs, looking around and taking a breath. "Look I know that not all of you like each other, I'm not asking you to become friends if that's what you're thinking. All you need to do is trust and when all of this is over, you can go back. As of right now you need to let go of everything that's in the past or is happening now and lay all your energies to help Henry. To do that we must work together and forget everything so that we can be stronger and defeat Pan. Question is can you move forward?"
Silence ensued.
There were lots of thinking from the group.
First there was a weight which was the tension that wanted to stay there within the group like it was caused by a greater force that had remained with everyone to grow. If it weren't for Felicity's speech the tension would have created an explosion. A deadly explosion that Neverland would have created. If you have been forced to stay there for centuries as Felicity had, you would learn how to control your emotions and kept at it for a minimum. She knows the inner workings of the island, knows the secrets of Peter Pan, if one would know from an outsider's point of view, she can be viewed as a powerful person as she knew the information. Now the tension has completely dissipated. The weight has lifted off everyone's shoulders as they made their decisions. One by one they slowly nodded their heads. Then they all continue their trek through Neverland's jungle to get to Peter Pan's compound.
After a while later where moments in time expand like you were walking into a dream, things change, your perspective has changed. The journey continued with less talk, hearing their own footsteps with every crunch when someone breaks a twig of the branch, it was quiet almost silent. Somewhere along the way everything that was dark had has vanished and hope was restored. With this in mind Emma says to her husband that there must be a way for David to leave the island, but Killian assures her that there isn't, she slumps almost admitting defeat, at least she tried. Killian explains to Emma that the water that cured David connected him to the island and if he leaves, then the connection is broken, and the poison will kill him. Emma suggests that they take some of the water with them as that way her father can stay connected and stay alive in Storybrooke, and the pirate asks, "For how long?" He goes on to point out that once the water runs out, the Dreamshade will take David's life, but Rumple, who's behind Emma and Hook alongside Neal, overhears and chimes in by saying, "Unless there was another cure."
Snidely, Gold asks a shocked Emma if she's suddenly interested in what he has to say, reminding her that he's not to be trusted, and the blonde says that he isn't, but she'll take her chances. Gold then reminds Emma that he too was poisoned by Dreamshade by a trancelike pirate and yet he is alive. Emma says that she knows how he cured himself and that David would never be so selfish as to use a magic candle that takes another person's life. Rumple sarcastically commends the nobility, but says that the point is, after his near-death experience, he discovered much about the poison and believes he could create an elixir back in his shop. "What's your price?" questions Emma, and Gold says that it is quite the favor and that he would expect one of equal weight in return, but Neal refutes this. He approaches his father and tells him that, when they get back to Storybrooke, he will save David because it is the right thing to do, no deals, no favors. Neal then adds that in doing so, it would be his way saying that he's sorry, for stringing them along, for his believing that Henry was part of their family. Begrudged, Rumple agrees to this, saying that he'll do as his son asks, and Emma says that she'll go tell David.
She moves to catch up with the others but soon discovers that she doesn't have to, as Tinker Bell, Snow, Charming and Regina emerges from the plants, and the fairy announces that they've reached Pan's perimeter. "It's time," says Emma, "Tink will sneak us in the back as we planned, we'll grab Henry, in and out, simple." She then asks Neal if he's good with Pan-patrol, and the former Lost Boy pats his pouch and states that he's good to go. Rumple, who removes Hook's sword from its sheath, asks the pirate if he minds if he borrows it, reminding the others that he agreed to not using magic but he's not going to be walking into Pan's compound with nothing but his good looks. When Killian begins to speak against his sword being taken, David throws the pirate his own, saying that it's in case his good looks fail him. Hook thanks his mate, and, relieved to finally be in this situation, Emma states, "Let's get Henry." They begin to approach the Lost Boys' camp and are soon stationed around the perimeter, lying in wait. Rumple, who's with Regina and Neal, asks if he can at least use magic on the Lost Boys, but his son won't allow it, leading Regina to state that she'll do it. The Dark One asks her if she remembers the spell, and she replies only with a snide look, before waving her hand and causing blue light to emanate through the teenagers, which makes them all drop to the ground unconscious.
Regina and Gold then emerge from the bushes on one side of a tree, whereas Neal emerges from the other side, and soon enough, Mary Margaret, David, Emma, Felicity, Tink and Hook have come out of hiding also. Neal, who's holding Pandora's Box, asks where Pan is, and Emma says that she doesn't know, proceeding to call out for Henry. David says that he must be somewhere, and Snow, who's searching like the others, asks where. "Help!" a young girl is heard exclaiming, and upon hearing this, Emma runs to the source of the noise: Wendy, who's in an isolated part of the camp, locked up in a bamboo crate. The blonde approaches the girl, crouching down in front of the cage she's confined to, and Wendy is extremely astonished to be in the presence of an adult on Neverland. Emma introduces herself, saying that she's looking for her son, and Neal soon arrives, having followed on from Emma, and is shocked to see Wendy.
As Rumple too follows on, Neal utters Wendy's name and the little girl asks him if she knows him. "It's Baelfire," he says smiling, and Emma, who stands up, is surprised that the two of them know each other, and Wendy is heavily gladdened to see Bae again. He then crouches down in front of the cage and she asks if it can really be him, and he confirms this before grabbing a large rock from the ground and beginning to bash the cage with it, attempting to open it. The door soon breaks, and Wendy is free, and immediately she hugs Baelfire, her old friend, saying that she thought she'd never see him again. He asks her what she's doing on the island, and Wendy explains that she came back to save him; Bae is touched that she'd do that for him, and the girl goes on to say that she couldn't bear for him to be without a family, not after he told her that his mother and father were both dead. "You told her I was dead?" Rumple asks, appearing hurt, to which Neal points out that it's easier than telling her the truth: his own father abandoned him. This launches Rumple into deep thought.
While they brought Wendy in the middle of the compound, she then launches from being walked down from Neal as she hugs Felicity, as the two friends reunited and silently chatted for a few minutes of what has happened from the past couple of days. It wasn't much to say when Felicity said that Pan kidnapped her though she's back with her family along with new ones. Then she went to business, now talking out loud explaining that she has a brother and that almost everyone here cares about him and is trying to save him.
Emma then asks the girl if she's heard anything regarding the heart of the truest believer, and instead of Wendy giving her an answer, Felicity then gasps and muttered a silent bloody freaking hell. Everybody then turns their eyes to her as Felicity then gets her duplicated parchment of a sketch that Pan was given many centuries ago. She unfolds the parchment, gives it to her parents as they look at it, and gave it around the group as she explains. "I always thought, pondered why Pan wants Henry. Many centuries ago, I've found this at Pan's place and decided to make a copy of it, so I can keep it. I wanted to know why he needed Henry, for many years I've been trying to figure it out. I've found out that at Skull Rock there's a giant hourglass depicting the magic that's here at Neverland ever since Pan came here, inside the hourglass the sand represents the magic that has been used here for all the years, that has been used by Pan. Before you all arrived, I went back to check on it and see how long until there is no magic left. It's close, very close for all of Neverland and Peter Pan to have no magic." She stops allowing them to sink in of what she just said about the hourglass before she continues before she tells them more gut-wrenching information." Peter Pan is power-hungry and wants to gain immortality and to do so he must get the heart of the truest believer. In this case, he wants Henry's heart, and well it's a trade for trade, once he gets his heart Henry will die while he gets to be immortal. This is also the reason why he's been finding boys ever since he arrived here, he was trying to find the boy in the sketch, so that he can save himself."
First there was silence.
Second, there was anger.
Third, there was a shock.
"Wendy, where are they? Where are Pan and my brother?" Felicity asked knowing that they are not here.
She was silent at first, then said sorry as she had help Pan, and so she explains that he's been keeping her brothers, John, and Michael alive, only if she does what he says. Rumple tells the girl to trust him and that whatever Pan has promised her, he will go back on his word. Wendy asks why she should trust a man who abandoned his own son, and Regina points out that her brothers did: they trusted a woman named Belle and helped her get a magical item so that they may defeat Pan. Wendy is relieved that her brothers are okay, and Gold adds, "For now. And only if we succeed." Neal crouches down before his childhood friend yet again and utters her name, promising her that they will save John and Michael, but right now, they really need her help. After pondering this for a short amount of time, Wendy begins explaining that Pan told Henry he needs his heart to save magic... but it was a lie; Pan really needs the heart to save himself as Felicity already said, signifying the confirmation of what Felicity said is indeed true. "What Felicity said is true, Pan's dying and needs the heart of the truest believer to absorb all the magic in Neverland, and once he does, he will be immortal and all-powerful." Wendy said almost echoing the words of what her friend and sister said.
David asks Wendy how they can stop the demon child, and the girl informs them that Pan took Henry to Skull Rock, but they haven't got much time. David suggests staying behind as someone needs to guard the Lost Boys when they wake up, but Emma tells him that he doesn't have to. Mary Margaret tells her daughter that David's right and instructs the blonde to get Henry home and tell him his grandparents love him. Emma then tells her parents to tell him themselves when they get back from Dead Man's Peak, as Gold can cure David back in Storybrooke, but they need to take some of the magic water with them to sustain him in the meantime. At this, Mary Margaret hugs her daughter as David thankfully holds the blonde's hands. "You didn't give up," Mary Margaret happily says in her daughter's ear, before turning to Gold and thanking him. Rumple says that that's apparently all the thanks he needs these days, referencing the fact that he offered to grant this favor free of charge, and as Neal inspects Pandora's Box, Hook tells the others that he and Tink will keep an eye on the unconscious Lost Boys at the camp however Felicity intervenes and tells her papa that she can do that while he goes with mama, Regina, and Mr. Gold to save Henry; he relents and then instructs her them to head back to the Jolly Roger once they found Henry. They agreed while Killian then tells his daughter where to find the Jolly Roger, giving her instructions before he says goodbye. While Snow tells Emma to promise her that if she and David don't make it back, then she gets Henry home, but Emma assures her mother that they're all going back home together. David kisses his daughter on the forehead before leaving with his wife and heading for the mountain, whilst Emma, Regina, Killian, and Gold begin making their way to Skull Rock.
As they all leave, they all realized what they have now is strength. Once they only trusted one person, now they are entrusting each other, agreeing with their plan for once. As they all learned the real danger that is happening between Peter Pan and Henry, they got together and as a result are now stronger and ready for what's to come. Now that they have moved forward instead of wallowing in the past and the current thoughts.