Lots of time skips in this chapter as things catch up to canon...
Four Years later, three years before Emma comes to Storybrooke
"Have you thought of your future in this realm?"
Gerald's question made his son sigh, tears prickling at his eyes. "Yes... sadly. I know, as well as you do, the price that comes with being born outside of Storybrooke. When it vanishes, my memories should in theory vanish. We already dealt with that, giving me a potion that will keep my memories safe. However, the barriers of the world will be bound by powerful magic so we cannot visit any longer. I have no choice but to stay here.., I am going to become a Nurse, a traveling nurse. I already signed up for college. I start in a week."
The man sighed. "I will miss you, but we can still use mirror enchantments. You may not be strong enough to cast spells across realms, but I can. I already made this for you."
The man in question handed his son a small pocket mirror. "It is enchanted to be unbreakable and allow us to speak between realms. It is not the same, but we will never be apart."
The boy in question held the mirror close, smiling at his father. "Thank you, I will miss you, always and forever."
"And I you, my son... never forget, for me walking between realms is not a struggle nor will it be for you once your magic grows strong enough to use the wands I wield. One day, you and I will be reunited..."
They embraced, warm and tight, not wanting to part but knowing they really had no actual choice...
Laughing suddenly, Rustin pulled away. "We both know that you do not want me to interfere with the Curse until the Savior breaks the curse. That is a big part of why you want me to leave."
"You are not wrong... destiny must be fulfilled but afterwards... you will have a part. You will know when you are allowed to intervene. You are a strong mage, even if your education has yet to be completed. I will still be teaching you via the mirror. By the time you graduate with your nursing degree, you will be easily as strong as Regina, no small feat for a mage untied by blood or blessing to the craft."
""""
Four Years later, moments before Pan's Curse destroys Storybrooke
"The town, the curse is being unmade." Those words fell like a requiem knell for poor Rustin. His heart ached, he looked on at his father through the mirror. "It will be some time til we can visit again, I am sorry my son. However, there is something I must ask of you. Watch over the Savior and her son, they have been through a lot and will be giving new memories by Regina."
"I cannot believe she has changed so much that she would do that."
"Love can mold us in powerful ways, my son. Love is what allows you to use both Light and Dark magic so efficiently."
The boy nodded. 'Fair point... I will miss you, even more, dad. Are you sure this will not hamper our communications via the mirror?"
"The mirror was made by my wand, which allows access to any and all realms. There is nothing that it cannot do, you do not have to worry about losing contact with me... now, I must go, the spell is coming our way. Be safe, my son."
"Only if you are, dad."
Waving his hand over the mirror, he saw a Yellow bug with two happy souls within. Even from the distance, miles and miles away, he could see their potent auras and knew that she had powerful magic. His father had confirmed as much to him before. "Gird yourself, you two... I will be watching."
"""
One Year Later, when Storybrooke returns
A wave of potent magic blasted through the World without stories, waking Rustin up immediately. His eyes wide, he rushed to his mirror, waving his hand over it, until he saw his father sleeping in his old house, the house he had broken into so many years ago. "Dad... he's back..."
Beyond excited, with a wave of his hand he drew on the weak magic of the World without Stories and all of his stuff packed itself. Grabbing his phone, he called off with his agency, pleased he had plenty of money stored up and a lot of saved time off. This was an amazing day and damn it he missed his dad. He would help him and actually impact the damn place...
Waving his hand over the mirror. he turned and looked at the shocking image of Capitan Hook in the mortal world. "Huh... that will be interesting, he's in Brooklyn... and that is where that Savior Emma is... nice. They will likely be back at Storybrooke by weeks end. I get a week with my dad before I have to act like protector. Always nice..."
Excited beyond reason, he hurried out and away, to Storybrooke and his father. That he would finally have access to the fullness of magic was also a very, very nice perk of returning to the home he knew so well.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.