TemperanceTales: I do not own Once Upon a Time in anyway shape or form and I give full credit to the creators. I don't own any fairytales not done in the show either and give credit to respectful owners. I give credit to Bizzarieve for all the help he has given me in this story! So you can thank my friend, for making sure I keep updating this story at a more reasonable pace.

Chapter Thirty Nine: Lands of Stories

Baelfire woke up, slightly groggy as the light of the candle entered his vision. The bed was warm, much to his comfort as well as the woman sleeping next to him. But a growing feeling of awareness took over as he propped himself up on either arm. Groaning softly, Baelfire got out of the bed as quietly as he could. His dark shirt was not tucked in and his pants slightly messed up. His dark hair was untidy, but he didn't bother to fix it. Standing up, Baelfire walked over to the window and stared out over Neverland. The light was silver as it illuminated the world bellow them. Baelfire put on his vest and other outer garments as he looked around. He paused in putting on his gloves when he saw something forming in the sky. Baelfire watched with an impassive face and watched a huge strike of light erupted from the sky. It fell to the ground as Baelfire exhaled heavily, watched the light disappear. Baelfire felt a breeze blow against him as he breathed it in. He then fixed his glove as he turned saying, "It's begun."

"What's begun?"

Baelfire looked up to see Jane standing there, pulling on a leather dress over her white nightdress. She clipped the belt as Baelfire watched her, walking towards her. Jane watched him as he reached out and leaned in. He kissed her in a quick moment and pulled her closer. Jane, however, pulled away and said, "What are you doing?"

"Well, I was kissing you," Baelfire teased and Jane said, "No, what is it you're really doing?"

Baelfire's face fell and he let out a sigh. His eyes didn't meet hers but Jane was having none of it. Jane gently touched either side of his face and had him look at her. There was heartache in his eyes as he murmured, "I wanted to spare you of this…"

"Well too bad," Jane said, firmly, "We are stuck here together."

"We don't have to be," Baelfire argued softly and Jane looked instantly saddened. She backed away again, releasing him. Baelfire watched her and instantly berated himself when he heard her next words.

"If that's what you want to do-."

"No." Jane suddenly felt him pull her to him and he hugged her tightly. Jane sighed, sliding her arms around him. Baelfire stroked her hair, murmuring softly into her ear, "It's not what I want. But what I've been up to in the past five years is dangerous and I wasn't counting on either you or Alison being in the picture."

"I knew what I was signing up for with you. So tell me," Jane said, sounding worried, "What did you do?"

Baelfire sighed deeply, the conflict on his face ever so apparent.

"I created it," Baelfire said softly, "The mechanism, the shield keeping everyone in Storybrooke."

"What? That's not possible," Jane said pulling herself back enough to look Baelfire in the eye, "Alison tested the Anti-Magic shield herself."

"Of course she did," Baelfire muttered, "Do any of the other Mages do anything themselves?"

"They do. But when her father comes waltzing back into town after being supposedly dead, I would imagine she wants to make sure that he's not the villain we are fighting," Jane retorted.

"Well regardless, I am the one who created it," Baelfire murmured.

"If you made the mechanism, why was the Anti-Magic so black? Was it because of the Enchantress?" Jane asked and Baelfire shook his head. He looked at Jane devastated and said, "Not exactly. It's not so much that the Anti-Magic is evil. It's the intent behind it that is making it so. Since it was connected to Regina's curse, the Anti-Magic is black."

"I thought Anti-Magic and Magic were opposites?" Jane asked, "How can they be connected?"

"They are two sides of the same coin," Baelfire said closing his eyes, "They are entirely different but completely connected. One will always affect the other."

"So, you made the mechanism," Jane said, shortly, "Why did you make it?"

"Because the Enchantress needed it," Baelfire said, wearily, "She needed it…"

"But why?" Jane said.

"If I tell you, you have to swear to help me," Baelfire said, resting his hands against the window ledge, "Which means helping the Enchantress."

"Why would I help her?" Jane asked shortly, crossing her arms, "After all the pain she's caused everyone, after taking people we love and turning them against us, after ripping our family apart, why in the hell would I help her?"

"Because she's the Guardian of Justice," Baelfire said, "Since when has Justice ever been evil?"

Baelfire looked down at the forests of Neverland and said, "And ripping apart our family was my fault…not hers."

Jane bit her lip, her eyes looking conflicted at the man before her. He didn't look back at her, his shoulder's slumping slightly. Baelfire stared out at the land before them and said, "She's wasn't alive, she was murdered… That's what August and I thought. You were gone, and I was convinced you would never be able to come back… or would even want to for that matter. The Enchantress asked for my help and I gave it. Then suddenly Alison appears in front of me right smack in the center of Storybrooke and you followed. God, it was a blessing and curse all wrapped up in one and the only way I could make sure the Enchantress wouldn't have either of you endangered was to help her even further."

"That's breaking rules Baelfire!" Jane hissed, "You're supposed to be neutral!"

"You of all people should know that being neutral has different meanings," Baelfire said shortly, "I help each side equally and withhold from each side equally. I don't change what isn't supposed to happen but enforce what is supposed to. The Enchantress's test for the Enchanted Realm had to happen."

"And why does this have to happen?"

"Because look at them!" Baelfire said, suddenly snappish, "Everyone has done nothing but point fingers and bite at each other's throat. They don't care who they were hurting, as long as it wasn't 'their own'. Dark hearts were developing everywhere, one person becoming cockier than the next. We have to make them solve this problem, they need to be united for what comes after the Enchantress."

"And what is that?"

"I can't say," Baelfire said, "None of us can tell anyone. But I can tell you it's bad. Bad enough that everyone will suffer a fate worse than death if they aren't ready to stop it."

Jane looked worried as Baelfire sighed again. He rubbed his head as he continued wearily.

"It was only a matter of time Alison got stuck in the crossfire because of what I needed to do. That's why I came here, traded with Jenkins. That way Alison would be protected by Jefferson and as far away from me as possible…"

"Jefferson?" Jane said with surprise and Baelfire said, "He did a good job keeping her out of trouble in Wonderland, I figured she would at least be under constant supervision."

Jane bit her lip, repressing a smile on her face as she said, "Not exactly the best person to keep her out of trouble…"

"What?" Baelfire said, looking back but Jane had already put on a more relaxed looking expression and said walking over to him, "Alright, I give… but why would she take the Master though?"

"That's the thing," Baelfire said biting his lip, "She didn't."

"What?" Jane said alarmed and Baelfire said, "Whatever happened to the Master, happened when he was still on the Wonderland side. The Enchantress had nothing to do with it."

Jane looked at Baelfire horrified and said, "Then who-?"

"I don't know," Baelfire sighed, miserably, "I can't see everything in a story, especially when it comes to Alison's. Her story is not mine to write apparently… it belongs to another author."

Jane look turned from horrified to hurt. Her feelings were not hurt, but the look on his face made her want to cry. He had been stuck between a rock and a hard place ever since he arrived in Storybrooke. She knew being the writer had some many rules, many of which seemed shady and cruel. Jane then said with a sigh, "Alright… What do we need to do?"

"What? You're not serious," Baelfire said incredulously as Jane put her back to the wall right by the window he was standing at. Jane stared at him with a pointed look and said, "Why not? I'm stuck in Neverland and obviously the only way I'm going to figure out what's going on is if I help you."

Baelfire eyes soften and he said, "You'll be considered a traitor…"

"I don't want to lose you again. Alison can't lose you again!" Jane her voice getting firmer, "Besides, no one's allowed to tell me what to do in my own world. I can't be a traitor if I make the rules here."

Baelfire scoffed slightly and looked back out at the scenery. His face became more solemn as he began to speak again, "Right now, we need to wait till morning. Snow White hasn't arrived yet, which is necessary for me to jump to the next step."

"What does Snow White have to do with anything?" Jane asked and Baelfire said, "She and Emma are being sent to this world for one of the Enchantress's major test. I am the tester."

"So," Jane said slowly, "We have to wait?"

"Yes," Baelfire said with a heavy sigh, "We have to wait."

"And what happens when we are done waiting?" Jane asked as she leaned over and grasped his hand. Baelfire looked at her, with a somewhat haunted look as he paused. He then grasped her hand and she felt something get pressed into it. Jane looked momentarily confused as she looked at the small object in the palm of her hand. Her confused expression turned to shock as she looked up at him partially mortified. Baelfire nodded and said, "We'll get to make our savior."


The stars were shining bright over the land, sparkling faint traces of different beautiful colors. The moon was high in the sky, its silver light sparking down on the shores. The beaches were slightly glowing in the moonlight as the sea washed up onto shores. On the shores there was someone lying still at the shore line. Her blonde hair was spread out on the sand, a rather nasty cut near the roots of her hair. The sea was splashing against her boots, soaking her pants thoroughly. As the sea began to reach her torso, she whimpered in pain and the sea waves suddenly became very still, the sea retreated away from her.

The sand began to shift under a small pair of feet. This boy walked towards her cautiously, his bare feet slightly sinking into the ground. His eyes were a soft kind of brown that you only saw on a sunny afternoon. His hair was tousled, the dirty blonde color riddled with some stray small leaves. His clothes were tattered, an Indian looking scarf tied tightly around his waist. The shirt he wore was a thick material and stained with dirt. Looking down at her with a curious expression, he knelt by her and tilting his head. Reaching out, he stared blankly at a cut on her head as he touched the injury. He quickly withdrew his and stared at the slight blood stains. He looked around and said plainly, "Strange, they left many stars ago."

The woman groaned again and the boy watched her curiously. This time, she opened her eyes that were glazed over. The boy looked at her with a curious look, watching her breath deeper. She looked over at him and said in a slur, "Wh-Where…"

"Oh good!" the boy said cheerfully, "Answers shall be abound now."

The woman looked at him confused as he asked, "What's your name?"

"Emma," she said after a moment, "Emma Swan."

The boy watched as she attempted to sit up. He did not move to help her as she felt back onto the sand the first few times. Finally Emma sat up and looked down at the boy for a better look. Her heart sank as she saw that his clothes were most definitely not from earth. Anxiety took her as she looked around at her surroundings with a heavy heart. The boy didn't seem to take much notice as she did so, instead he spoke one out of the blue statement.

"Are you a pirate?"

"What?" Emma looked at him, confusion entering her features as he crossed his legs. He stared at her with passiveness and he said, "Adults don't usually come to Neverland, unless they're pirates. So, are you a pirate?"

"No, No," Emma said, devastation finally displaying openly in her eyes, "Neverland, did you really just say Neverland?"

"Yes," he said slowly, as if he was taken aback. Emma balled her hands as she said angrily, "Neverland, he sent me through a damn portal to Neverland!"

"Oh," the boy said with a sigh, "It must be rabbit hole season again."

"Rabbit Hole Season?" Emma asked, shaking her head. It all barely made sense with her head wracking in pain.

The boy's eyes lit up as something close to recognition crossed his face. Emma suddenly had the boy's face near hers. Confusion crossed her face as the boy said, "You came from there didn't you?! The world of no magic!"

"Ye-Yeah," Emma said as the boy suddenly grabbed her hands, yanking her up. Emma let out a small yelp, surprised at the strength in him. The boy looked eager, almost greedy as he led her saying, "You're just like him, which means we will have fun!"

"Wha-What?" Emma asked, "Look kid, I need-!"

"I'll help you, but first let's get back to the hide away!" he said, "We'll need to ask the pixie's to heal you first!"

Emma would have argued if it wasn't for the violent throbbing headache. The boy led her away from the shore towards the forest, obviously very happy. Emma blinked and asked the boy leading her away, "Kid, what's your name?"

"Nibs," he said brightly, "My name is Nibs."


The wind was turbulent as the icy wind blew through the air. It was a storm, a vicious one at that, raging in the outside world surrounding the residence. It sliced through the trees like a knife. The residence creaked from the storm outside, but the building held fast as several people laid sleeping inside. The only one awake was fueling the fire, prodding the burning logs with a stick. He sighed, glancing back at the children curled up on the fur rug. He could tell they were in fitful sleeps. After all, he knew them best. Staring back in the fire, the Mage of Fear look deep in thought as he planned their next move.

They were at the biggest disadvantage. Jack's arena, Jack's goal already being half fulfilled; it was already bad enough that who he was working with were children. In all honesty, however, he didn't trust anyone else to come with him. Children were much easier to work with than adults, especially when the adults had been sleeping in a curse for twenty eight years.

"Sage…"

Sage looked back to see Henry sitting up staring at him. His eyes looked lost as he slowly stared around the cabin. Sage waited patiently for the boy to be done staring around as he looked back at him. Sage sighed and said, "I would get some more rest. The storm is not yet over and we'll have a long way to go when it's done."

Henry stared blankly at him and stretched out his arms. He was stiff all over, and he would have done what Sage had asked if he hadn't had thousands of questions running through his mind. Henry sat up, leaning against the wall of the cabin. His facial expression blank, Henry then asked, "Sage, Jack's your brother isn't he?"

"Yup," Sage said with a heavy tone, "Older and wiser… or at least he was until he decided to go all secret agent on me."

"So you don't why he took Alison?" Henry asked, sounding deflated.

"Oh, I have a good feeling as to why he took Alison," Sage said, a tint of darkness in his voice, "But I can't be for sure. He's always been quiet with such things…"

Henry opened his mouth to ask him to explain himself further. But Henry became more curious about the growing nervous look upon the Mage's face. Henry didn't know Sage as well as other Fairytale characters; he was one of the background character's that was rarely talked about. However Henry knew that it wasn't normal for him to be acting so serious. He had always been friendly sounding, even if it was borderline insane. The storm roared outside, making the cabin creak and groan. Henry winced as he felt the wall vibrate from something hitting the wall outside. Henry looked around and said, "Where are we?"

"A safe place," Sage said, quietly, "Jack won't bother this place…"

"Why?"

Sage held a bitter smile and he said too softly for the boy behind him could hear properly, "Because we grew up here…."

"What?" Henry said baffled as Sage sighed and said, "This place is too terrible for Jack to come back to. It's too long of a story to get into now. Get some sleep Henry; you are going to need rest."

Henry didn't move for another few minutes before lying back down. Sage stared into the fire, an unsettling expression coming over his face. Rubbing his fingers together, Sage didn't watch the shadows as they crept over to the children sleeping behind him. He didn't need to; he knew what they were doing. It was necessary to take precautions; after all it was Jack he was dealing with. It wasn't going to be easy to get Alison back, especially if he was infected with Anti-Magic. God only knows what shape his brother was in right now.


The fire warmed the cabin walls, making everything warm to the sleeping dame. Her eyes remained closed even as a woman with golden hair came in from the outside. She shut the door quietly and crept over to the furs the unconscious maiden laid on. The golden haired woman put the bowl down, her long tattered cloak covering her body. Her kind bright eyes were filled with concern as she removed her cloak to reveal a thick brown corseted dress. Grabbing a rag from the table she soaked it in the bowl before applying it to her head. The sleeping woman finally winced; a groan escaped her as she opened her eyes.

"I wouldn't move," the woman said kindly as the strange female stirring in the bed. She gently fixed the moved rag on her forehead as she spoke again, "You've must have had quite the journey, the fever hasn't gone down yet."

She blinked, staring uncomprehendingly at the woman who was tending to her. The woman turned from her briefly as she poured water into a small wooden cup. She then reached her hand around the woman's head to support to her, allowing her to drink. The woman coughed a little as the cool water hit the back of her throat as the golden haired woman asked, "What is your name?"

"Sn-Mary," Snow said between coughs, "Mary Margaret."

"Pretty name," the golden haired maiden said, "What world are you from?"

"What?" Snow asked watching the woman with confused eyes. The woman smiled and said with a sweetness that surprised Snow, "Your clothes are not from this world, and you are also too old to be from this world. Many people come from many lands, so I ask which world you fair from."

"I-I come from a land with no magic," Snow said nervously. She wasn't sure whether this woman was foe or friend, as kind as she was. It was best to keep her true status on the down low anyway. Who knew who the Piper had allied himself with. The woman nodded and said, "Many of the lost boy's come from that world. It seems orphan's are abundant in that world. Why did you come here?"

"I'm looking for someone who fell through this world unwillingly," Snow said, her heart breaking at the thought of Emma alone in this world. The woman noticed the pain entering her expression but said nothing more in regards to the person's identity. Snow sat up, feeling a throbbing pain in her head and the woman looked surprised as she said, "Mary Margaret, I beg you not to move! You suffered quite the fall onto the mountain."

"I thank you for your aide, but I need to find her and return to the Magic-less World." Snow said determined. The woman's eyes suddenly held realization as she said, "If it is a way back your need, I know of a man who can help you. I can take you to him."

"I don't-." Snow started, looking at her nervously. The woman put her hands on Mary Margaret shoulders and said, "Please, let me help you. You don't know this island and there are many dangerous places that you could get stuck in forever."

Snow White bit her lip and watched the woman's eager sincere eyes. The doubt in her heart seemed to dissipate slowly as Mary Margaret felt her head nod. The woman smiled warmly and she said standing up, "Let me get you some different clothes. You will want to blend in on this Island, not bring more attention to yourself."

The woman disappeared into the other room as Snow White sat up on the bed. She looked around the cabin's modest appearance. Despite all the friendly appearance, Snow White still couldn't bring herself to put her guard down. It had been many years since she had been in a magical world, and she found herself little prepared for it. So far she seemed fortunate enough to find safety, but what of Emma? She had no knowledge of the magical world except for what she read in books. Snow White wrung her hands as she stared at the floor. Suddenly she felt clothes being pressed into her lap. Snow blinked, examining the dark blue thick dress in her hands. She looked up to see the woman with her cloak and her sword at her waist. She held a bow in her hands and asked, "Can you shoot?"

"Yes," Snow said, softly, "I can... it's been a while though."

"It is quite alright," the woman said as she placed the bow beside her, "Hopefully we won't have to use it. Call for me when you are ready."

"I-Wait!" Snow said suddenly, grasping her arm. The woman looked back at her and Snow said, "Thank you…for helping me. You've done all of this and I don't even know your name."

The young woman smiled at her and said so gently that Snow thought she was afraid to break something, "Rapunzel. My name is Rapunzel."

~Storybook~

Alison groaned, stirring about in the large bed. The bedroom was dark, the only light being from the windows opposite of the comfortable bed. The warm sea breeze wafted throughout the room, being surprisingly soothing for the young girl waking up. The room floors were wooden, but the carpet held elaborate yet modern designs. The walls were made of a light almost sand colored stone, smoothed to near perfection. The blankets on the bed were thick and heavy, making Alison not wish to get up any time soon. But there was a nagging sensation in her stomach, something that was roaring at her mind to remember. Alice only remembered after she kept her baby blue eyes open for quite some time.

"Are you awake, Alison?"

Alice nearly jumped out of her skin as she saw a teen leaning on the door with his arms crossed. He was grinning madly and Alice recognized him almost immediately. A mixture of relief and worry flooded her body, confusing her senses. She found herself sliding to sit up properly as she said, "Sage…what are you doing here?"

"Oh the usual," he said cheerfully, walking towards her with long purposeful strides, "Harassing Ryaden to death. Watching the terror of others turning to donkeys. That sort of thing."

"Figures," Alice said with a sigh, but couldn't stop the shadow of a smile playing about her face, "Being the Mage of Fear…you're very mean to like such things."

"Hey!" Sage huffed, allowing his grin to falter for a moment, "Fine, if mean is what you think of me then mean is what I am!"

Sage lunged, appearing before her in a heartbeat. His magic washed over her in a pressuring wind. To others, the magic would have been terrifying to the soul. She coughed a bit, however had no other reaction than that. Sage jaw almost hit the floor as she looked up at him with a weak smile, shaking her head slightly. His shoulders slumped a bit as he said, "Nothing. Not even a whimper or a flinch."

"No," Alice said, reaching out to smooth his hair, "Sorry, but you're much too predictable."

Alice kissed the top of his head comfortingly and Sage hopped off the bed, his grin returning fully. Sage then said, waving his arms around extravagantly, "Fine, I'll just have to try harder. But I think the real subject of conversation should be why you are here?"

"It's a crazy, awful story," Alison mumbled and Sage said, "What? That Rumpelstiltskin cashed in his favor the Hatter owed him, demanding an audience with the lovely lady that is you. The Dark One thought himself to be clever, but didn't have knowledge of the plan the Hatter made that you would play a game with anyone who had requested an audience. You set the rules that if you made it to the Islet Clan before he caught you, you would be safe. What the Hatter failed to tell you was that the Islet Clan was in fact Ryaden and his world here on Trickery Isle!"

"Wait," Alice said, her voice filled with panic, "Ryaden. The Mage of this Isle is the Islet Clan!?"

"Yup!" Sage said, wagging his finger, "You see Jack and Hatter had a little discussion of sorts before you left, telling Hatter if it came to Rumpelstiltskin cashing in the favor to send you here to Ryaden and Tzila. That way he wouldn't be able to find you!"

"Tzila? Who is she exactly?" Alice demanded, obviously getting quite upset, "What does the Mage of Shadows have to do with anything?"

"Land of Shadows," corrected Sage, "And she would be Ryaden's very lovely although frightening wife."

"Wife," Alison's voice sounded almost defeated as she repeated the word, "Wife…great, just absolutely great. I'm stuck with not only a Mage who hates my guts but also his wife you describe as frightening."

"Alison, I don't think-," Sage started but Alison's temper seemed to heighten, "And everyone! All of you knew this was going to happen?! Why didn't you just tell me?!"

"Alison!" Sage protested, obviously surprised but Alison stood up and said with a huff, "Well fine. Since you and Jack seem intent on making plans without my knowledge, you're going to help me escape this Isle!"

"And why am I going to do that?" Sage said obviously affronted, "You're safe here!"

"Don't tell me what I am and am not," Alison said, jumping off the bed. Sage backed up as Alison said, "If you got me here, you can get me back."

"But I didn't get you here, you did that yourself," Sage said exasperated, "You opened the portal here yourself."

"What? No I didn't," Alison said baffled and Sage said, "You're the one that told the world you wanted to escape him, you're the one that got here."

Alison opened her mouth but was cut off when there was a crashing in the other room. Alison looked over at the door and began walking over to it. Sage suddenly leaped in front of her and stopped her saying, "Alice-!"

Alison waved her hand and Sage yelped as there were vines the color of the floor tripping up his legs. He stumbled forward as she disappeared through the door. Sage glared up at the ceiling as he kicked the vines away saying, "Geez, you should be dealing with her Jack. She's your girlfriend."

Sage yelps as a gust of cold wind sent him flying in the air. Sage flapped his arms around, a look of sibling irritation overtaking his face as he yelled, "Fine, fine, fine! Put me down or something bad is gonna happen to her!"

Sage fell to the floor with a thump, groaning as he made his way to his feet. Brushing off his dark clothes and making his way to the door, Sage muttered, "The things I do for you."

Alice climbed down the wooden stairs, growing more curious at the sounds in the room bellow. She was swift in descending and even quicker in sneaking to the doorway. The noise was coming towards the window in the room, the room dark from the night. Alison crept closer hearing the window creak and groan. Curiosity getting the better of her, Alison continued to walk.

Suddenly, the glass broken into a million pieces causing Alison to scream, thrashing her arms above her head turning the threatening shards into bubbles. She backed away however, a look of terror taking her face. A man climbed onto the window sill and looked at her. A taunting smirk crossed his lips, like someone had given him buried treasure. Alison backed off as the man jumped down into the room. Alison breathed in deeply, in attempts to conceal her shock. If she was older and more aware of things, Alice would have noticed his handsome features. All Alison noticed was his eyes; the adventure seeking, dark filled madness that made the Mage quite fascinated. However any fascination to the madness within was replaced with angry horror as she saw the flash of metal shine in the moonlight. Metal belong to a hook on his left arm. He stood up properly, his long coat moving about his legs. She gripped her hand as she said, "You're… You're Captain Hook, aren't you?"

"Well it seems my legend proceeds me." The man's accent was thick, dangerously trying to lure her in. However, Alice was not fooled by him. His heart was dark, she knew this, could see this. Captain Hook may have been able to sweet talk her into curiosity if it hadn't been for the anger she felt towards this man. This man was responsible for a good deal of the pain her father felt. Alice watched as Captain Hook reached at one of the bubbles and popped it. He grinned and approached her as he said, "What's the matter, love? Never seen a dashing pirate before?"

"Why are you here?" Alice said narrowing her eyes. Captain Hook walked towards her as she walked back and he said, "Collecting my prize for my efforts."

"And what is that?"

Captain Hook had a smirk that made her insides freeze as he said, "I thought that would be obvious to a feisty wee one like you."

Alison bolted.

Or at least she had tried to. Captain Hook had the advantage of being taller and quicker. Alice swung around, her magic tossing him into the wall. He scrambled to his feet but Alison wasted no time. Clapping her hands together, Alice swatted her hand which sent him flying across the room and out the window. The glass crashed apart as he went flying out as she breathed heavily. She sighed and turned to leave the room. However, something happened she did not expect. She heard another loud crash and Alice barely looked back in time to have Hook grab her, pinning her arms to her side. She kicked and screamed, but Hook laughed saying, "If I thought this was going to be easy, I wouldn't have come prepared."

"Well, I hope you're prepared enough for me."

Hook suddenly felt something catch him off guard. He was sent flying into the air as shadows seemed to be grabbing him and pinning him to the ceiling. Alice collapsed due to the sudden loss of support and looked up to see Sage. He was leaning against the doorframe with his hand outstretched. Twirling his hand around and around, Sage smirked as he said to Alison, "Are you frightened of me now?"

"No," Alice grumbled, "Just an even bigger jerk."

Sage's grin turned to hurt as he said, "Hey! Come on, I just saved your life!"

"Like it needed to be saved," growled Captain Hook only to get dropped to the floor. Alice looked from Hook to Sage, who had paled considerably. She then stood up saying, "What did you let him go for?!"

"Hello, Killian Jones."

Captain Hook looked up, seeing Tzila stand on the other side of the room. She was smiling politely, but as Alice looked at her, there was something terrifying about her. Captain Hook got to his feet as she took a step or two closer and he grinned smugly. Outstretching his arms, he walked towards her saying, "Well, well. So this is the monster that I've heard so much about. The story may be accurate in your stealth of cornering your prey, but I'd hardly call a thing like you a monster."

"Stories have a tendency to be exaggerated," Tzila said softly, "However, I'm afraid being the monster isn't too far from the truth."

"I'd have to beg to disagree, Mi'Lady," Hook said, eyeing Tzila up and down, "Built too attractively to be a monster."

Tzila smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes as she said, "Funny, a statement that my husband would actually agree with, Captain."

"Husband?" Alice blinked as she felt something increasingly warm hit her back. Alice looked back and Sage grabbed her, pulling her into him. A fire ball went past and crashed into Hook, sending him flying too far out of the window for him to catch himself that time. Alice looked over to see Ryaden storming in, holding a whip in his hand. He stopped at the window, working himself up into a bellow, "Agreement or not, your comments to my wife are not WELCOME! Now get off my Island and stay off!"

Ryaden backed off from the window, Tzila walking over to him with a warm smile. He looked over at her, a cross sort of worry over taking his face. Alice looked surprised, this being the first time she seen him look slightly tender towards someone. She made a face however when he kissed Tzila firmly. Pulling away, Ryaden asked in hushed tones of her safety and she nodded. He sighed and then Sage shifted slightly. Alice became all too aware of how close she was to Sage and pushed away from him. Ryaden noticed the movement and took large strides over to her. Alice backed away, fear overtake her features. Ryaden then pulled her by her arms to him, much to her surprise gently. He brushed her hair out of her face and asked in unyielding tone, "Are you alright?"

Alice nodded, the shock on her face apparent. Ryaden sighed and said, "Good, although next time I'd appreciate you NOT running away when I'm trying to help you."

Alice bit her lip as tears entered her eyes. A burning sense of embarrassment coursed through her as she turned on her heel and fled the scene. Sage stared after her wide eyed before chasing after her. Ryaden just stared with a mystifying impassive look. Standing up straight, Ryaden walked over to one of the broken windows and stared out with hands in his pockets. Tzila came up behind him and asked, "Did they get it?"

"No," Ryaden said with a bit of a sigh, "No they didn't… Although with the distraction of the kid, they made it pretty close."

Tzila nodded slowly, linking her arm around his slowly. He leaned against her, still staring down into the scene below, watching a ship move away from the island to the ocean. Tzila stared up at him and said, "It's not her fault, you know. That she was chosen to be the Mage of Wonderland."

"You don't think I don't know that?" Ryaden muttered, tensing. Tzila pressed an innocent kiss to his shoulder and said, "You're not acting like it. You know what she told me today? That you hate her guts. A child that has only met you once and she thinks you hate her guts."

"I don't," Ryaden groaned, "But Tzila, this is exactly what we never wanted to see! This is exactly why we don't have…"

"I know, believe me love, I know," Tzila cooed, reaching up to stroke his cheek. He looked down at her and Tzila said softly, "But she'll never get home if we don't help her."

Ryaden's eyes looked turbulent but they softened considerably. He then leaned in, kissing her hard and long before pulling away saying, "You would have made a wonderful mother."

"And you would have been a horrible father," Tzila teased, mirth dancing in her eyes. Ryaden turned fully to her and yanked her close. Tzila didn't protested but laughed as the Mage before her kissed her cheek. She then said, "Now go Ryaden. I believe you have an apology to make to a certain little one."

Ryaden pulled away and walked towards the exit. He disappeared with a swish of his coat and Tzila turned her attention to the windows. She flicked her hand and the windows repaired themselves. A look of sadness crossed her eyes as she looked up at the moon and sighed. She turned and walked out of the room and went upstairs to the bedroom. However, as she passed Alice's bedroom and she saw Ryaden holding Alice and soothing her kindly, she couldn't help but smile. He would have made a wonderful father…