We continued our trek through the jungle. Mary Margaret and David were bantering at the front of the pack, followed by Regina and me with Hook and Emma bringing up the rear. I don't know why Emma was at the back, she was the one with the map, she should be out front."How much further?" Regina demanded.
"We should be getting close to Pan's lair." Emma informed. We all paused to ponder the map. "Going in a straight-line courseā¦" Emma opened the map. I peered at it...and the 'x' changed position. "Son of a...how is it behind us?"
"How can that be?" Mary Margaret wondered.
"You got us lost." Regina accused.
"No, she didn't." Hook said. "It's the camp. Pan's moving it."
"He's playing tricks on us." David sighed.
"You're just now figuring that out?" I asked.
"If Pan's camp keeps moving, how are we gonna find Henry?" Emma asked.
"So this whole treak has been for nothing?" Regina questioned. "I told you walking was idiotic. IF we can just use some Magic, we can materialise in the camp and grab Henry."
"We don't even know where the camp is, have you even been listening?" Mary Margaret demanded.
"Pan'll have shields against Magic." Hook explained. "I dsr such an attempt would in in your death and more importantly, mine. Which is why we're walking."
"Well then whas your idea?" Regina asked. "How are we going to find it?"
"By using someone he trusts."
"Who?" David questioned. "Because I'd guess he certicnaly doesn't trust you."
"A fairy who lived here when I was about. She might still be on the island. She'd be an inside source, knows all about the camp and can get us in. She might even have some Pixie Dust left. Perhaps we could fly in."
"Fairy as in singular?" I questioned. "I mean, I know our worlds are difrerent but...only one fairy? Plus Pixie Dust?" I pointed to everyone around the circle, from David to Mary Margaret then to Regina, Hook and Emma and then myself. "Adult, adult, adult, adult, adult and non-beliver, too mature for my age."
"You mean Fairy Dust?" Emma said.
"No, Pixie Dust." David corrected. "It's stronger, like nuclear Fairy Dust."
"Wait. A Fairy...Tinkerbell?"
"She's the only logical explanation." I mused. "Unless there's a Pixie Hollow in this world."
"Oh, you two know her?" Hook asked.
"Every kid in the world knows her." Emma said.
"And her daughter goes to my school." I added. "Heck, even the Princess of Pixie Hollow attends Auradon Prep, Clara isn't one to mess with and I've never met her."
"It's a bad idea." Regina argued. "Mark my words, this Tinkerbell is not going to save us." And with that, we pushed on ahead. I kept close to Emma and near the back of the group. "Emma! Hadley!" Regina called. "There is another way."
"Is there?" Emma asked.
"Magic."
"Gina, we just went through the reasons we shouldnt use Magic to find Henry." I sighed. "Using magic for mundane tasks like lighting a fire or gathering wood is fine, but to find someplace we know nothing of is dangerous, it's a big risk, the chances of which are not in our favour."
"I'm ot talking about my Magic. I'm talking about our Magic."
"I am not interested." Emma told her. "One thing I've learned is that it always comes with a price."
"Well, sometimes, not using it comes with a price too. I bet the three of us combined, are strong enough to overpower Pan."
"What if we're not?" Mary Margaret appeared behind us. "Like Hadley said, I'm not taking a chance on that. We're talking about Henry's life."
"I'm aware of that."
"Gina, I get it, you don't like this plan, but we have to at least try it." I implored. "It's the best we've got so far, and the safest. Let's just see if we can find Tinkerbell, if not, we can discuss other options."
"And you think it's the best plan because her boyfriend came up with it?" Regina asked, nodding to Hook.
"My boyfriend?" Emma questioned. "Hook? What's your problem?"
"She just lost Neal." Mary Margaret reminded the former Queen.
"Sorry." Regina said. "I'm...I'm just worried about Henry."
"We all are."
TIMESKIP
Continuing through the forest, the Dreamshade was starting to get to me. I ended up at the back of the group, clutching my side as I picked over the dense vegetation. "So, you going to tell them?" Hook asked as I passed him.
"What's there to tell them?" I asked her.
"I saw what happened to you, lass, let me see." I pressed my lips together, my eyes flicking over to the group before sighing, knowing Hook would never let it go. I reluctantly pulled up my shirt to reveal the scratch. The veins had turned an ugly black, the scratch hadn't disappeared and the veins had started to creep more.
"The arrow barely scratched me."
"I'm sorry, lass."
"How much longer do I have?" I asked, hurriedly shoving my shirt down again.
"Days, weeks at most. You won't see summer. That's a really bad break. You might want to tell them."
"No." I argued, turning to catch up with the group.
"You have to." I turned back to Hook, an idea forming in my head.
"Maybe I don't have to."
"How's that?"
"I can use Pixie Dust, can't I? In my realm, it's one of the three most powerful items in the world, I'm sure it holds the same properties here. Then let's get to her as soon as we can, and then save me."
TIMESKIP
The trek became more and more laborious, the Dreamshade getting to me. We arrived at Tinkerbell's Treehouse. "No one's home!" Hook announced from inside the abode. "Come on up." I went up after Hook, slower than usual. I got a frowned brow from my father, who exchanged glances with my mother as I ascended.
"Where would it be?" I asked frantically, starting to search the area.
"She wouldn't leave Dust just lying around, Lass." Hook told me. "It's not here, promise. I'm sorry." I huffed angrily, smoke coming out of my nose. "It's pretty bare." Emma said as she pulled herself into the treehouse. "Reminds me of someplace."
"You'd think a treehouse would be more cheery." Mary Margaret commented as she entered.
"Where I used to live, that's it."
"Because it's just a place to sleep."
"What would you know about that?"
"I didn't always have a canopy bed in a palace. I had a place like this too, once."
"You did?"
"I had a tree stump when I was running from the Queen. Believe it or not, I understand this Tinkerbell."
"Do you think if we ever go back to the Enchanted Forest you could find it again?" I asked. "After I read your story I always wanted to see it."
"Maybe. The real question is why does she have a ladder. Fairies have wings."
"Guys, I found something." David called, causing us to turn to him. "It's a handkerchief." Mary Margaret took it from David's hands and unfolded it.
"That's Regina's. How'd it get here?"
"She was tracking us." Emma announced. "Watching Regina."
"But if she's watching her-"
"Then we're in the wrong place." Hook realised. And with that, we scampered down the ladder, desperate to find Regina. Using my nose, we managed to find Tinkerbell. We surrounded her, me pressing my blade to her throat.
"Where is Regina." I snarled.
"Who the hell are you?" Tinkerbell asked
"A pissed off mother. Where is she!?" Emma demanded.
"I'm fine." A voice said from behind the wingless fairy. I lowered my weapon, walking up to Regina and giving her a one-armed hug.
"You mind lowering those?" Tinkerbell pleaded "You may stick me, but I'll take you down with me."
"She's ok." Regina insisted as I let go of her. "She's not gonna hurt us, just stand down."
"But is she going to help us?" Hook countered.
"Well, look who the Queen dragged in." Tinkerbell mused. "Hello Hook."
"Lady Bell."
"She's not gonna help us." Regina said.
"Why not?" Emma asked.
"Tink." Hook sighed. "After all we've been through together, a little assistance?"
"She doesn't have any Magic." Regina informed.
"Oh no." I sighed. I put my hand on Tinkerbell's arm. "I"m so sorry." I then blinked. "Wait, does that mean you don't have any Pixie Dust?" Regina shook her head.
"Not even her wings."
"How?" Emma wondered.
"I guess people just stopped believing in me." Tinkerbell commented.
"To have someone not believe in you is the worst." I muttered.
"And even if I wanted to help you, he's too powerful."
"But you know where Pan is?" Mary Margaret stated.
"Sure. But it won't do you a bit of good."
"Let us be the judge of that. Does he trust you?"
"Can you get us inside his compound?" Emma but in.
"Maybe." Tinkerbell alluded. "Why should I help you?"
"Because even if the person who made you loose your wings doesn't believe in, doesn't mean everyone does." I said softly. "I still believe in you." Tinkerbell looked at me then back up at Emma when she spoke up.
"Just get us inside and we'll take of care of things from there." She stated.
"And whats in it for me?" Tinkerbell questioned. "Other than a death sentence from Pan when you're gone with your boy."
"You can come with us."
"That's right." Mary Margaret agreed. "A home. That is what you want, isn't it?"
"Ok." Tinkerbell relented. "Listen closely. Pen trusts me, he'll let me in. And maybe, just maybe, I'll leave a way open for you. But you've only got one shot, so you better have a good plan."
"Thank you." Emma said gratefully. "We will."
"Come with us to our camp, we'll figure it out." Mary Margaret requested. Everyone then walked off, leaving me alone. No Pixie Dust, no way to save me, I'm going to die on this Island. I'll never see Ben or my friends again, my family is going to be distraught, I- "Hey." Mary Margaret interrupted my spiralling thoughts. "Are you alright sweetheart? You look upset."
"I-I'm fine." I insisted. I'm just...I'm just really worried about Henry, I want to get him back."
"We're on our way." Mary Margaret and I started following the group.
"That was smart, offering her a home. It's what I would have done."
"What do you mean?"
"On the Isle, all I ever wanted was a home for myself, a better life than what I had. I thought that I was going to be stuck on that junk pile my entire life. That is...until I found Ben, and then you and David and...Emma and Henry. I realised that all I needed was you guys. You're my home." I smiled at Mary Margaret, who returned it with a small one of her own before she frowned.
"Are you sure you're ok?" I nodded. "Come on, the last thing we need is to get lost in here." Mary Margaret hurried off, and I reluctantly followed. We returned to camp soon after. Hook and Emma were sitting together while David held Mary Margaret as she laid, Regina was sitting by herself and Tinkerbell was sitting on a rock, observing. I sat a little bit away from the group, trying to focus on my breathing. I watched everyone silently. I hope I would be able to help save Henry before this poison got to me.
