Tinkerbell was surprised to see that they had succeeded. They captured the girl. Pan hadn't immediately come storming on the camp, nor did all hell break loose. Yet. Hook and Neal were currently kneeling down next to the unconscious girl who lay tied up next to the fire. Neal hadn't received any answers pertaining the girl who had helped him his first time on Neverland. Snow, Emma, and David stood off to the side, obviously arguing about their hostage. Regina stood against a tree off to the side, no one listening to her darker suggestions.
They had had Regina and Rumple cover the grounds with protection spells, Emma helping in what little ways she could, but Tink didn't think it would be effective. Pan always knew, and when the girl was concerned, he would tear apart everything if he didn't already know, which was never.
Tink had considered that it was a set up, but the idea was quickly shot down by most of the group (Hook and Rumple agreed that it had been too easy). They were simply too blinded to see that it was exactly the kind of thing that Pan would do.
In the excitement of the game, he hadn't known that something was wrong until the enemy camp was suddenly wiped off the map, right after he finished his speech about Henry saving magic. He could no longer sense it, making him tense. Felix looked towards Pan.
"Is everything alright Pan?"
Pan didn't answer as he got to his feet, hurriedly looking around the camp. He couldn't sense Reyna anywhere on the island, and he needed to see her to be reassured that she was okay. Dread formed a rock in his stomach. "Have you seen Reyna, Felix?" he asked cautiously, trying once more to pinpoint her or the savior, he could tell they were all still on Neverland, but where, he couldn't say.
"Not since earlier, I assumed you had sent her to do something."
This only made him more apprehensive. "I'll be back Felix. If she comes here, tell her I am looking for her. You're in charge," he said forcefully, his ire rising. Felix nodded and Pan disappeared in a black cloud of smoke.
He had checked all the locations she would have been before he finally returned to the camp, empty-handed. He stormed in, thunder sounding loudly, Neverland shifting to match his mood. He knew the savior had her, how it happened was a mystery, but the game was about to get interesting, and he was, for once, not happy about it. They would pay. They would suffer. They would die for taking what was his away.
He hadn't hesitated in flying towards the Jolly Roger, using some pixie dust that he had stored away for a rainy day. The pirate would rue the day for taking her.
He landed on the deck, immediately becoming surrounded by the pirate's crew, telling him that Hook was expecting him. He glared at the crew, angrier than he had ever been before. "Captain!" a man in a red beanie shouted, not taking his eyes off of Pan, the sword in his hand shaking violently.
There were footsteps before a door at the other end opened, revealing Captain Hook, a smug smirk appearing on his face as he took in Pan's resentful one.
"Where. Is. She?" Pan asked lowly, for once not in the mood to make a game of it.
"Now, I can't say I know what you're talking about," Hook slowly moved closer, stopping just in front of his crew, "I am simply taking back what you took from me."
"She. Is. Mine. Pirate." He snarled angrily.
"She is my bloody sister, she deserves better than a damned demon like you and a cursed life on this isle," Hook replied, his smirk not wavering.
"If she didn't want to be here, she wouldn't be. Now return her to me, you know what happens when you cross me." Pan's voice was dangerous, the threat lingering between them as they stared each other down.
"Smee, go collect the girl for your captain," Hook commanded his second. Pan raised an eyebrow, knowing it wouldn't be that easy, for Hook that was. Smee hurriedly ran down the staircase, dragging the girl up to the deck.
"Get the hell off!" she shouted, struggling against his grip. "Let me go, Smee!" Smee only stuttered out an "I'm sorry Miss, but captain's orders." She was shoved away, only to be caught, though as she ended up with a cold metal hook at her throat, her arms pinned uncomfortably behind her, she knew she would have preferred Smee.
Hook held her against his chest, his hook just barely breaking the skin of her pale neck, his arm holding hers behind her back. Pan moved forwards, only to stop, his eyes narrowed, as Hook pressed harder into the column for her throat, making her breath hitch and a small bead of blood bubbled up in the spot he had dug into.
"What do you say, mate? Want me to slit her pretty little throat?"
"What do you want?"
"To kill you of course!"
"That's out of the question, laddie."
Pan stared at the pirate in front of him, thinking of a deal he could make with him to get Reyna back. He could try to use magic, but he knew that Hook could kill her before she disappeared. He was regretting not allowing Reyna to learn magic.
"You aren't making the rules this time, demon. If you want her to live, you'll do as I say."
"Where's your sense of adventure, captain? Making a gamble, a bluff. You won't kill her. As you pointed out, she is your bloody sister."
"Doesn't matter. Sacrifices have to be made, and if killing her results in killing you, then so be it."
"Isn't there someone you would rather get revenge on over me, pirate?" Pan sneered, baiting him. "Someone who killed your girlfriend? A married woman , I think, someone else's leftovers. I guess you pirate types are quite good at stealing, right? You couldn't get one any other way."
Pan smirk as Hook launched towards him with a roar, releasing Reyna in the process, who made quick work of disarming one of the men. The others moved in to protect their captain and crew, though they fought with reservations against a girl, especially one they had a history with. She had always been a good fighter, even better since she came to Neverland, so she had no problem disarming and knocking out a large number of the members, and it wasn't long before she was holding the sword at ready as she glared at her brother.
Peter disappeared, only to reappear just behind her, reaching to pull her behind him, a devilish smirk on his face. Hook spun, baring his teeth. "Get them!" he shouted toward who crew who sprang into action.
Pan simply waved a hand, a bored look crossing his face. "Shouldn't you know that won't work by now?" he said as all the members magically froze.
Hook huffed in anger, his face red. "What do you want then?" Pan took his chance. "Many things, most that I would prefer would anger the lady behind me. So we'll just have to do something else." Hook just glared. "I'll grant you passage off the island, a portal for you and your ship."
"And what do you get in return? There is always a price, even more when it comes to you."
Pan only smirked. "Well, perhaps you did learn something in Neverland. As for my end of the deal, you will relinquish all ties to your sister, and don't interfere with myself or her again. Also, I expect the pixie dust that Tinkerbell gave you, and any Dreamshade I know you have taken." This made Hook angry; it was how he planned on killing the Dark One. "But that's not all."
An hour later, a large whirlpool was forming in the bay of Neverland, thunder rolling in the sky as Pan easily used his magic to create a portal to return the Jolly Roger and her passengers to the Enchanted Forest. The boat, sailing towards it, fell in, swirled for a few moments, before the hole closed and the sea calmed once again. Killian Jones wouldn't be back for a long time.
She woke up with her head throbbing painfully. Well she assumed it would be painful, she had had much worse so she ignored it fairly easily. She was about to call out for Peter when it all came to her.
She had let herself get kidnapped. She was dead. If they didn't kill her, Felix or, more likely, Peter would. She mentally cursed. She could feel rope chafing her wrists, borderline painfully tight. Her finger tips were beginning to go numb. She could tell that she was on the ground, near a fire from the slight heat and quiet crackling. From the rustling and hushed whispers, she would say that there were eight people. Eight? She thought Peter had only said five.
She could hear a loud crack of thunder, a bright flash that she assumed was lightning (she wasn't going to open her eyes and draw attention to herself). It would appear Peter was angry. Was he looking for her? Of course he would, she knew that, but had he noticed yet, or was he still caught up with Henry? Not that she blamed him; she honestly wanted his life to be first priority.
It was shortly after her blind assessment that she began to eavesdrop on the conversation that floated towards her.
"We could just wait for Pan to come to us, and then bargain for Henry," a woman suggested, her voice hard, an angry edge to it.
"Are you sure we should have done this? I mean if he cares about her, it seems a little low," a more timid, lighter woman's voice spoke, clearly in the minority opinion of her kidnapping.
"Snow, I know it isn't right, but if it will get our grandson back, we have to try it," this was the first male's voice she heard. It wasn't her brother's, so she assumed it was the prince. There was a sigh followed by an 'I know'.
A harsher voice spoke next. "If you would just let me rip out her heart, we would be able to control her, and by extension, Pan. He'll hand Henry over willingly if he really is as in love as the fairy says." her tone was annoyed and demanding, but there was a worried undertone. The Evil Queen? That was the only one left other than Hook, who she was certain was at the camp somewhere.
She had to admit that the Queen's plan was actually kind of smart. If her heart could be stolen. Or if Pan was foolish enough to know when she wasn't completely herself.
"I, for one, agree with Snow. Take the girl back to Pan. He won't be angry if he doesn't know she was kidnapped. Just leave her in the forest, she'll wake up and go back to Pan. No one will be any wiser and we may live to get off Neverland." This voice surprised her. The British accented woman's voice was one she recognized. She almost laughed. The fairy had changed sides. After everything Peter did for the wingless fairy. At least she had enough sense to know when they were fighting a losing battle.
"We can't do that," the first voice started, "she may be the only lead to getting Henry back. Pan trusts her. Maybe we can find out his plan for Henry"– no amount of torture could make her turn on Peter– "or use her against Pan. Either way, she is the best chance we've had since we came, we can't just give her up."
"Aye, but at what cost, lass? I've seen the damage the demon has done for far less. This is his most important possession, do you truly believe he will show any mercy, Emma?" The voice of her brother made her grind her teeth in disdain, though she scoffed at how she had been downgraded to an object by him. She, if only grudgingly, had to agree though that it would not be pretty when Peter got his hands on them. She couldn't wait.
"Guys, what are you talking about? Reyna is not working for Pan, she helped me get off the island, she's a friend. Would someone please explain to me what is going on?" Neal. She felt a wave of pity flood her. She didn't want to betray him, but it had to be done.
Deciding to make her conscious presence known, she opened her eyes, all the while saying, "Is that what I've been demoted to, Killy?" using the nickname she had given him when she was growing up, cringing internally, "a possession, an object. When Peter made that deal, I was honestly hoping that you wouldn't go as far as to forget about me. I guess you never did change much? Didn't even get your revenge on the Dark One."
She smirked as he tensed, all eyes turning surprised towards her. Tinkerbell, looking nervous, backed up slightly. She turned her gaze on the ex-fairy, a glare in place. "I have to say I'll take immense pleasure in tearing you apart myself, as I should have done all those years ago." Tinkerbell winced at the promise; the conviction in Reyna's toning expressing just how serious she was.
She turned back towards the seven from Storybrooke, realizing her brother was actually aligned with Rumplestiltskin, propping herself up on the hands behind her back. "What's wrong, Killy?" she asked looking put out and innocent. "Cat got your tongue?" she smirked as she used the question that Peter always used to use when she would give him the silent treatment, referencing their first meeting.
"Killy?" Emma repeated, pulling a face at the nickname.
Reyna's violet-blue eyes looked at Emma. "So you're the savior? I cannot say I'm as impressed as Peter seemed to be. And Killy is short for Killian, the pirate's real name. You didn't think Hook was his name, did you?" Her voice was condescending, coming out slowly, like she was explaining something to a young child, before becoming taunting and sarcastic. Maybe she had spent too much time around Peter. His behavior was rubbing off on her.
Hook found his voice during that comment, his face hard and devoid of emotion as he spoke up, attracting everyone's attention. "I didn't forget about you, not a day went by I didn't consider coming back to get you. Had I done that, I would have broken our deal. And yes, to Pan that is all you'll ever be. An object."
"Wait you are working with Pan?" Neal questioned, only to get ignored.
She giggled at the statement, making everyone except Hook look at her like she was crazy. "Keep telling yourself that," she said in a sing-song voice, "you'll find that your idea of love isn't the same as mine. After all, you never came looking for me before that either. Before Baelfire, before Felix, before Peter. You always were selfish, even before Milah died. Before Milah was murdered right in front of you! Before you turned into the monster of a man you are today!"
She stopped there just as a calloused had striked her cheek, making the skin prickle and burn. She smirked as she saw her brother standing over her, hand still outreached. Everyone else looked surprised, and Tink was even looking horrified and, towards her, sympathetic. She wasn't fazed at being hit, he had done it when she was little, why not do it now when she was goading him into it? "Well, isn't this a turn of events. Show them who you really are, brother-dearest."
That was the comment that caused the camp to break out in shouting, Emma towards Regina, Snow and Charming towards Hook, Hook towards all the Charmings, Regina towards Snow, Charming towards Regina, Rumple towards Regina, Neal towards Hook, Emma towards Neal.
Everyone yelled at everyone, no one giving in. The only one who hadn't joined in was Tinkerbell, who stood off the side, a frown of her face as her eyes were dazed. She smirked as she looked back at the larger group, her hands working at untying the knot that locked her hands together.
Reyna sat bored on one of the crates on the deck, the sea gently swaying the ship to and fro. Her brother, Killian Jones, was standing at the wheel, his harlot– he denied it when she referred to the woman like that, saying they were True Loves– standing next to him, tucked under his arm. She didn't really like the woman much, but nor did she like her brother so the point was moot. She was only ten years old at the time, but she still had a high aptitude. She was extremely smart, though she had learned to keep her mouth shut, and was very perceptive.
She for one did not believe in True Love, especially not between those two. It was all lust and adventure, she always heard them, closely resembling rabbits. The skank had abandoned her husband and son to join them at sea, and still she always complained about missing them, or, before she had left, returned to them every night. She was definitely older than her brother as well, perhaps by 20 years at the most. She was at least 34 by the looks of her, but her brother was only 22.
Her brother. He was a selfish bastard. Ever since her oldest brother had died, he had let himself go, becoming a pirate, a thief, and he couldn't care less. It wasn't that that bothered her though.
It was the way he treated her like she was nothing but a burden. He had almost sold her out to Blackbeard, had she not been cunning enough to get out of the deal. She also may or may not have tormented him by comparing him to their dead-beat father. She had taken a nice beating for that. But of course, he always liked a good fuck, and the live-in prostitute covered that (Milah was a good ego boost as well).
It was the way that he would get drunk and cause a ruckus, the way he would boss her around and make her do most of the work on his ship. It was the way that he only thought of his own interests without a care for the consequences or impact on others (almost always her). It was his arrogance, his supposed superiority, his attitude.
But most of all, it was the horrid Queen of Hearts, Cora, that she hated of all the stupid things he had done. Welcoming that witch into their lives was a mistake, and she loathed every second the woman was in any proximity to her (which was only when Cora needed a favor).
He was a bad brother, always had been, unlike Liam. But had she known what was to come, what life had in store for the next 6 years, she would have run away. If she had known it would lead her to Peter Pan, she would have bloody well thanked him. His terrible treatment was going to get her her happy ending.
She was herded from the camp after they all stopped fighting, David holding a sword to her back with Tink, Regina, and Snow leading the way, Rumplestiltskin, Neal, Emma, and her brother bringing up the rear. She could hear the quiet sounds of the Lost Boys talking, and if it weren't for the silencing spell Regina put on her, she would have called out. They came to a stop just outside, the camp visible through gaps in the trees.
"Can I at least use magic on these boys?" Rumple asked, angry that he was being kept on a leash.
"No," Neal said simply.
"I'll do it," Regina whispered, raising her hand to perform the spell. Waving her hand, the boys flashed purple before slumping to the ground, asleep. They all entered, weapons raised, David pressing the tip of his sword farther into her back to make sure she moved.
"Where's Pan?"
"I don't know."
"Where's Henry?"
"Henry!"
"He's got to be somewhere."
Everyone was talking at once, but Reyna didn't pay attention to who said what as her eyes searched for Peter. She spotted Felix unconscious next to a tree, but neither Henry nor Peter were anywhere to be seen.
"Help!" A voice shouted, making Reyna tense, her face flashing with anger and she released a growl, though no sound came out.
Emma took off towards the little girl's voice, the others following suit.
Wendy was clearly surprised. "You're an adult."
Emma nodded. "My name's Emma, I'm looking for my son."
Neal was next through the trees. "Wendy?"
"Do I know you?"
"It's Baelfire."
Wendy looked surprised. Neal rushed forward, banging on the lock with the hilt of his sword. The door opened, and Wendy crawled out, throwing herself at Bae. "What are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.
"Well, I- I came back to save you."
"You did that for me?"
"I couldn't bear to lose a member of my family." Neal looked at her sadly, though there familial love in his eyes, even after all these years.
They lead Wendy back to the camp, giving her a blanket. Hook and Charming were guarding Reyna, who was glaring daggers at Wendy. Wendy looked over occasionally, quickly dropping her eyes, looking terrified.
"Hey Wendy, you've been here a long time, have you seen my son? His name is Henry."
"Has Pan said anything about the heart of the Truest Believer?" Emma asked.
Wendy looked between the two before shaking her head. "No, I'm sorry, he never mentioned anything about a heart."
Rumple stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "She's lying," he accused, "Where is he? I've carried enough lies in my life to recognize one. She knows where Henry is."
Neal looked hurt. "Is that true?"
"You don't understand- "
"You're helping Pan?" Snow asked incredulously.
"He's keeping my brothers alive. Only if I do as he says."
"Trust me. Whatever he's promised, he will go back on his word," Rumple told her.
"And why should I trust a man who abandoned his own son?"
Regina spoke next. "Because, your brothers are alive. They helped this woman named Belle get this box so we can defeat Pan."
"They're okay," Wendy said, sounding relieved
"Only if we succeed."
"Wendy, I really need your help. Please."
Reyna silently watched the scene unfold, her anger at the Darling girl rising as she worked to undo her bindings. Wendy sighed.
"Pan told Henry that he needs his heart to save magic. That's a lie. He needs it to save himself. He's dying. He needs the heart of the Truest Believer to absorb all the magic in Neverland. Once he does, he will be truly immortal, all powerful."
"And Henry?" Snow and Emma asked at the same time.
Wendy gulped. "It's a trade. When Pan lives, Henry will die."
"And where are they going?" Regina demanded.
Wendy looked at Reyna, terrified, as she answered. "Skull Rock. You don't have much time."
Reyna was jerked from the boat by Regina and Emma, Neal tying the boat to one of the rocks on the shore of the entrance to Skull Rock. "These are from Henry's shoes." Emma pointed at the footprints in the sand. She began to follow them, only to be thrown backwards by an invisible wall. Neal intercepted her, catching her and taking the brunt of her fall.
"Pan cast a protection spell," Rumple said. Regina glared at where the invisible wall was. "There has to be a way to break it." She waved her hand, creating a fireball, throwing it at the staircase. It ricocheted off the spell, bouncing back towards them. Reyna just managed to duck as it soared past where her head was seconds earlier. She glared at the Evil Queen, wishing she had her voice to start shouting.
"Try all you want, but Pan's magic is too powerful. At least for you." Rumple walked forward, passing without problem through the barrier. "How did you do that?" Emma asked, astonished.
"The spell was designed to keep anyone who casts a shadow from entering. Though she," he said pointing at Reyna, "may be immune to it as well."
"And you don't have one, you were telling the truth," Neal said.
"And Pan knows it, that's why he cast this spell. This isn't about keeping you out, it's about luring me in. He knows I won't give up the chance to finish what I came to do," Rumple informed them.
"You really did want to save Henry."
"I gave you my trust with that box, Bae, now I need you to give it back."
Reyna's eyes widened as she saw the box they had been hinting at all night. She moved to step forward, only for her arms to be jerked backwards as Emma caught the restraints. Reyna glared. She needed to get to Peter.
Neal stepped forward, handing Pandora's Box off to the Dark One.
Regina stepped up right against the spell, glaring at Rumple. "You better come through on this, Gold, or I'll make whatever Pan has planned for you look like child's play. Do you understand me?"
Gold smirked. "A simple 'good luck' would have sufficed." With the Box in hand, Gold marched up the stairs to face Peter for (hopefully) the last time.
The other four watched him leave, quickly becoming impatient at having to wait. Reyna was getting restless. Thunder rolled outside, and she just wanted to get up those stairs.
"The moon," Emma said out of nowhere. At everyone's confused looks, she continued. "The moon is what causes our shadows right? What if there was a way to block it out, using magic that is." "Like an eclipse? Is that even possible?" Neal asked. "Maybe, I would need help," Regina answered, looking hopefully at the sky. "With magic?" Emma sounded surprised. "It requires a lot, I guess we will find out how well those lessons paid off. Follow my lead."
Reyna watched with moderate interest as both woman raised their hands, crackling with power as it rippled visibly. Neal came to stand beside her, watching in awe. Slowly, a dark shadow began to form over the moon. Reyna was surprised, she hadn't thought they would be able to do it.
"It worked!" Emma exclaimed, "Let's go!"
She and Neal each grabbed one of Reyna's arms, dragging her up the stairs behind Regina, cautiously turning the corner into the high ceilinged cave.
"It's time, Henry. Time to save magic. To save Neverland."
"What do I have to do?"
"You must give me your heart, Henry, the heart of the Truest Believer."
"You mean, I have to believe?"
Pan chuckled. "No, Henry. I mean, you need to give me your heart."
"But what will happen to me?"
"You'll become the greatest of all heroes."
"You can tell me the truth. I know all magic comes with a price"
Pan sighed, nodding. "I would never lie to you Henry. And you're right. There is a price. You'll have to stay here, on the island with me. Neverland will be your new home. I know it is a huge sacrifice, but it is worth it."
"Heroes have make sacrifices. My family taught me that."
"They would be proud if they could see you now. You're about to save them all. Are you ready?"
"Yes," Henry said without hesitation. Peter smirked. "Then let me help you." He grabbed Henry's arm, waving his hand over it. Henry met Pan's eyes, suddenly looking nervous. Pan nodded, encouraging the boy.
Henry, looking down at his hand, shoved it into his chest, his face contorting with pain. He pulled it out, his hand now holding a vibrant red heart that was glowing gold.
"Henry, wait!" came a shout from behind him, and he spun to see Emma shove Reyna towards his dad, Regina running towards him as well. "Whatever Pan is tell you to do, don't do it," Neal advised, holding Reyna tightly. She shouted soundlessly, trying to make him loosen his grip. Pan's eyes flashed as he saw, his eyes narrowing.
"Dad! You're alive?"
"I am, buddy, I am. I need you to listen to me. Pan is lying to you."
"Well it's nice to see you too, Baelfire. Not to mention the savior, the Evil Queen, and Reyna," Pan spoke sarcastically at first before becoming bitter, and finally angry. Emma ignored him.
"Henry, you need to get away from him now. He's trying to hurt you."
Henry didn't want to believe it. "No, my heart. It's going to save magic. It's going to save all of you."
Regina, nearly in tears at seeing her baby alive, spoke up. "No, this was never about the magic. You have to believe us. The only thing Pan is interested in is saving himself."
"That's not true!" Henry shouted, at the same time Reyna mouthed it.
"Of course it isn't," Peter said stepping forward, not lying this time.
"Yes it is! Pan can't live without you dying. If you give him your heart, it's going to kill you," Neal said.
"Don't let them stop your belief. Remember, every hero gets tested." Henry looked down at his heart, than at Pan.
"Henry, I know what being a hero looks like, and this is not it," Emma said.
"Why would they lie?" Henry asked Pan.
"Because that's what they do. You know that better than anyone."
"Henry, you have to believe us," Regina pleaded.
"They don't care about Neverland, Henry. They know that if you give me your heart, than you'll have to stay. They're being selfish because they don't want to lose you."
"You have to trust us."
"Trust! I'm the only one who's ever been honest with you Henry. The only one who ever truly believed in you, Henry. This is your choice, not theirs. You have to choose now."
Reyna was nearly in tears as she watched the sand move through the hourglass. Peter's time was nearly up.
"We believe in you, Henry," Neal said. "Because we love you," Emma finished. "More than anything," Regina added.
Henry smiled at his family. "I love you too."
Tears begged to fall down her cheeks. He couldn't do this, he had to give Peter his heart. She couldn't live without him.
"But I have to save magic. I'm sorry." Neal, Emma, and Regina all rushed forwards shouting 'no', Reyna still being dragged by Neal. Relief coursed through her veins. Peter would live.
Henry turned, shoving the heart into Pan's chest. A large wave of magic exploded through the cavern (felt throughout the entire island), knocking everyone but Pan off their feet. Henry fell unconscious to the floor. Henry's family quickly got their bearings, rushing towards the fallen boy.
Peter, in contrast, ran towards Reyna, who lay discarded on the floor, struggling to get up with her wrists tied. "Reyna," he sighed as he pulled her up, waving his hand over the rope to make it disappear. She threw herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck. "You did it," she breathed, "You're alive." Peter wrapped his arms around her, glad to have her back in his arms after nearly losing her. "I love you," he told her. He had been worried that he would never get to tell her that again. She nodded, looking up at him and pulling his face to hers, ignoring the shouts for Henry to wake up behind them.
They broke apart, and Peter led her over to the savior as she began shouting at him. "What the hell did you do to him?" Pan smirked. "Oh I didn't do anything, Emma. He had to give me his heart of his own free will."
Emma got her feet. Pan, his smirk in place, only bothered to pull Reyna closer to his side (and slightly behind him). "I'll take it back from you," she told him breathlessly, launching herself towards him. He disappeared, only to reappear behind them, grabbing the box now containing Rumplestiltskin and offering it to Reyna. "I don't think you have it in you. Rumplestiltskin didn't. Why should you?"
"Where is he?" Emma demanded, raising her sword threateningly. "What did you do?" Neal added.
"Oh, he's right here, in this box. Safe and sound and out of the way. Unfortunately for you, he can't hurt me anymore. And neither can you."
"Really?" Emma asked, stepping forward and slashing her sword at Pan's arm. It barely nicked him, drawing very little blood. "And how did that feel?" Pan smirked, pulling Reyna fully into his arms, using his magic to fly. Hovering a few feet off the ground, he smiled triumphantly at Emma. "Like a tickle." Before they could stop them (not that they could if they wanted to), Peter flew him and Reyna from Skull Rock.
The others returned to the Lost Boy camp, Regina laying Henry on the mattress that Wendy had occupied previously. "An hour isn't much time, I suggest we get started looking," Hook said, not believing they would find Pan, let alone get Henry's heart.
Regina, catching movement in her peripheral vision, got up and marched angrily towards Felix. "Where is he?" she shouted. Felix smirked. "Gone, there's nothing you can do. He's already won. Pan never fails."
Regina, letting her anger get the best of her, snarled, "You won't talk? How about I make you talk?" Felix didn't even flinch as she made to tear out his heart, only to be stopped by Emma, catching her arm. "Regina, wait. I don't think torture is our best move here. Look at these kids. They've been to hell and back. We need to try something else."
"They don't respond to reason, we already tried that, what else could you offer?"
"What every kid wants," she started, looking at Mary-Margaret, "a mother."
While Regina didn't think it was a good plan, she humored Emma. Emma walked around to the front, kneeling down to be at a better height to speak to the boys. In a friendly tone, she said, "Guys, listen to me. We are not going to hurt you. I know you're loyal to Pan, and I get that. But you are making a terrible mistake. For a long time, I thought I wasn't going to find my family, I was a Lost Girl. But I was reminded today that I am not alone. That I have a lot of people that love me. If that can happen to me, it can happen to you."
Felix cut in then. "Pan and Reyna, each other, are the only family we need."
"No, family doesn't do what he did. Pan lied to you and made you do terrible things. To save himself."
"Don't listen to her, Pan cares about all of us."
"No he doesn't, we care about you. We can save you; we can take you home with us to our land. There is no reason to fear Pan anymore. Until he absorbs the power of Henry's heart, he can be stopped. You just have to tell us where he is."
"Leave now while Pan still allows you to breathe," Felix threatened, going to stand up, only to be shoved down by Hook's, well, hook. "That's the only hope you'll get."
Emma leaned down until she was in Felix's face, whispering, "Where is Pan?"
"Not telling."
Most of the Lost Boys shared a look, no one believing her. They thought of Neverland as their home. The Lost Boys, their Lost Girl, and Pan were a family. They wouldn't let them fail. If Pan died, Reyna would, and Neverland would fall. Neverland was their home, and nothing could change that. However, there were several who did not agree apparently.
"Can you really bring us home?" one of them asked. "Shut your mouth!" Felix shouted at his betrayal.
"Yes, with your help."
The boy only hesitated for a moment. "Their clearing. The Thinking Tree."
"No! Stop it! All of you!" Felix shouted as a boy next to the first agreed that that was where they would be.
Emma just smiled. "What is that?"
"It's where they go when they want to be alone. You can find them there, it's not far."
"No, do not trust her!" Felix shouted.
"Can you tell us where that is?"
The boy looked up at Felix for only a second, the older boy glaring furiously. "Yeah. But you have to swear that you'll take us with you."
Emma nodded, tears in her eyes. "I promise. We are going home. All of us." The boy quickly offered directions to their clearing. "It's in the Pixie Woods, just north of here."
Emma, standing up, looked at Hook. "Do you know where that is?"
"Aye, the whole region is deserted now. No one but Pan has set foot in those woods for centuries."
"Then let's make history," Neal said.
"We're going to need you here. To get Henry's heart, we'll need help from both ends," Emma said. Neal nodded, assuring her that Henry would be safe.
Snow, Regina, and Emma all set off to find Pan.
They had just made it into a clearing, when they spotted Pandora's Box. Snow ran for it excitedly, knowing it was David's only way off the island.
"Be care-" Emma stared to say, only to be cut off as a large vine swung out and wrapped itself around Snow's torso, tethering her to the tree. "Mary-Margaret!" she said, rushing forward, only for Regina and herself to suffer the same fate. The vine wrapped tightly around them, going over their bodies several time. They struggled against their bindings uselessly.
"Are you still at it? Don't you know? Peter Pan never fails. I didn't expect you to find me, but then again, I shouldn't be surprised. You're mothers. Quite tenacious about your offspring. But, if you're looking to see Henry again, I have to tell you, there is only one place you'll be reunited- in death." Pan had come out of the forest, pulling Reyna along by their intertwined hands, walking in front of the women to taunt them.
Regina's lip curled as she struggled harder against the vines. Hearing Pan mention Henry being dead only made her more angry.
"Having trouble moving?" Pan asked, smirking at Regina. "Not surprised, given where you are. You see, what's hastening your demise is your regret."
"What are you talking about?" Emma asked, fighting against the ever-tightening plant.
"This tree is the site of a very important event for me. I abandoned my brother here."
"You have a brother?" Regina asked, looking both disgusted and angry.
"I'm older than I look."
"If you had a kid brother, you must regret losing him too," Emma guessed.
"But I don't. Quite the opposite actually. See, I have him all boxed up, so I don't lose him again."
Emma's eyes widened as she realized what Pan was implying. "Rumplestiltskin is your brother?"
"That he is."
"You're a fraud," Regina accused. "Your magic has weakened. You can't hurt us."
Pan nodded, smirking. "That's true, but that's why I'm here. This tree will protect me until my power is restored. And then we get to have some real fun."
"There has to be another way," Emma said breathlessly.
"But you're not going to get to me. See, this tree attacks the regret inside you, and you've got plenty."
"I regret not killing you when I had the chance." Reyna looked confused at this, eyeing the savior warily. That wouldn't do.
"No, that's not it. I have your son's heart inside me. I can feel just how much you let him down. Time and time again."
"Leave her alone," Snow commanded, glaring at Pan.
"Perhaps I should. After all, what chance did she have? Look at the example you set. Abandoning her for twenty-eight years."
"Are you finished?" Regina asked, sounding bored. It was then the Reyna saw what was happening. "Peter," she hissed under breath. He only waved her off. "Last words from the queen. Perhaps the deathbed confession from the one who has the most to regret." Reyna huffed at being ignored.
"Yeah, there's only one problem with that," Regina started. Reyna tensed, wishing she could do something to stop her. "I did cast a curse that devastated an entire population. I have tortured and murdered, done terrible things." Pan looked confused, not seeing the point to Regina's speech. "I should be overflowing with regret, but I'm not. It got me my son."
Regina shoved against the restraints, which broke easily at her admission. Both Emma and Mary-Margaret stumbled forward, looking surprised. Regina moved forward, throwing her hand out to take Henry's heart back.
Reyna gasped in pain as her hand was shoved into her chest. "Reyna!" Pan shouted behind her. Regina jerked her hand out, glaring at the girl who had jumped in front of the monster. "You won't be able to save him." Regina smirked as she waved her hand towards Reyna, making her slump to the ground. "Grab her; we'll take her with us. Call it payback," Regina growled, closing the distance between her and Pan before pulling the golden heart from his chest. He groaned, falling to his knees as he clutched his chest.
Regina, a sadistic smile on her face, reached down and took Pandora's Box from Pan's grasp. She then turned to face the others, Emma and Snow sharing the load of the unconscious girl (it wasn't that she was heavy, it just made the workload more evenly distributed). "Now, let's go save Henry."
Pan was not happy about this turn of events, not happy indeed. He couldn't even care about losing the heart of the Truest Believer, not when he had lost Reyna, yet again. He cursed himself for letting his ego get the better of him. He should have listened when she tried to get his attention. Maybe she would still be by his side and he would be able to live forever with her there.
He was even angrier when he had stormed into the camp to find all the Lost Boys gone. Of course, they had betrayed him. He scowled at nothing as he made his way to Hangman's Tree, digging through the dresser in the bedroom, until he touched the hilt of a dagger. He pulled it out, looking at the blade and its sheath before putting onto his belt. He had a ship to get to before it was too late. He would get his family back. Any of the Lost Boys that didn't betray him would be permitted to return. More importantly, he was going to get his Lost Girl back.