Hi guys! Thank you for hanging in there but here is the next chapter. You know I always come back! Hope you enjoy my lovelys.
Pan watched as Sarah flicked a fireball back and forth in her hands. Things had really changed in the last day or so. Sarah seemed happy, more trusting. She had stopped mentioning her family and going home and had even managed to find a handle on her magic. Pan was broken out of his thoughts by a sudden change in the air.
"Someone's leaving Neverland," he whispered more to himself then Felix sitting next to him.
"Where?" Felix soon became alert. "How shall we stop them?"
"It's too late," Pan explained a smile on his face as he looked at the boy. "Don't worry Felix. We simply need to get word to our friends on the ground in Storybrooke. They can handle this. All it does is move up our timetable a touch," he turned is focus once again to their new campmate. "We need to get Sarah ready. And I need to have a chat with our friend in the other cage," an evil smirk formed on the boys face. Things were about to take a turn.
Meanwhile the Charming's, Hook, Emma and Neal found themselves slowly beginning to form a plan.
"Pan's shadow? That's your way off the island?" Emma questioned Neal.
"Unfortunately, it's the only way," Neal sighed.
"We thought you learned how to navigate the stars," David crossed his arms, not liking this plan already.
"I know how to navigate the stars, but I can't fly," Neal stated like it was obvious.
Emma listened to the plan all the while thinking of her child. She was sick of this. She was sick of missing her son at home who was probably getting more worried by the day. She was sick of her teenage daughter being held hostage on a strange island with a boy who clearly didn't get enough timeouts as a kid. But the thing she was sick of the most was the feeling that she was failing. It was her job to protect her children. She had made a promise to herself and Sarah a long time ago stating that is what she was going to do and look at he now. She didn't care what it takes. Her daughter was coming home. Emma tuned back in as everyone received their marching orders.
"Okay, we meet back at Tink's. Then we get Sarah and get the hell back to Storybrooke," the blonde stated as she began to prepare for the trek into the wilderness. She watched as people bustled around her trying to pack as much as they could. Out the corner of her eye she saw the tension between her parents continue to simmer. Snow had finally discovered David's illness and the lies were becoming too much. "How long is this going to go on?" Emma questioned as her mother joined her.
"What?" the teacher kept her focus on packing.
"The whole not-talking-to-each-other thing," when Snow stayed silent the blonde continued. "Don't you think it's been long enough? He didn't tell you about his illness because he wanted to keep the focus on the mission. I get that."
"It's good to see you've inherited his tunnel vision," Snow sighed.
"What does that mean?" Emma barked, suddenly on the defense.
"Nothing," the mother sighed, not having another fight in her.
"You say a lot with nothing," Emma grumbled.
Snow looked over at Hook and Neal laughing in the corner. "Be careful with Hook and Neal."
"The one we need to be careful with is the shadow," Emma quickly deflected.
"The fact that they both have feelings for you is dangerous, too," Snow continued like her daughter hadn't spoken.
"None of that matters," Emma practically growled. "All I care about is getting my daughter back."
Sarah had watched as Pan whispered with Felix in the corner. Something was off and she knew it. Maybe there was something he was keeping from her. The more secretive he became the more she began to doubt him. Maybe she shouldn't have given up on her family so quickly.
"There you are," Pan smiled as he approached her. "You care to take a stroll? There's someplace special I'd like to show you."
"Didn't we do that yesterday? I mean how many special places can this island have? It's not Disneyland," Sarah felt her guard go up. Something wasn't right. "I think you're lying to me," the teen continued seeing a confused look come over the boy's face. "My family they're here, on Neverland."
"What makes you so sure?" Pan crossed his arms in defense.
"Does it matter?" Sarah scoffed.
"No. It doesn't. But I'd remiss if I didn't point out what does," he took a step closer to the girl trying to get her to make eye contact. "If your family's here, Sarah, why haven't they come for you?"
"Maybe you're keeping them from me. You're not exactly the most honest of souls. I mean hey you've been lying about your age for years," the teen gave a tight-lipped smile.
"Sarah, I promise you, I'm not holding your family prisoner," Pan pleaded for once being honest.
"Then why do you keep disappearing into the jungle?" Sarah began to raise her voice. "You're hiding something from me, and I'm going to find out what it is," with that she stormed away needing time to clear her head.
Sometime later the teen found herself leant against a tree needing to find some clarity. Something about this place made her feel at home yet so lost all at the same time. And Pan was a whole different story. Part of her could feel herself relating to him while another part could see just how badly the scars had affected him. Made him cold. Before she could dwell anymore, she heard voices approaching.
"Head to the other side of the island and deliver the supplies," Pan barked the order at Felix.
"Anything else?" the lost boy asked.
"Just be certain Sarah doesn't find out what you're up to," with that the boys went their separate ways.
Sensing the coast was clear the teen revealed herself from her hiding space. She watched as Felix went through the jungle. Time to solve this once and for all. She followed Felix deep into the jungle before he disappeared in what looked to be some kind of treehouse. The teen hid in the shadows until he left before approaching it herself. She slowly climbed the stairs before she saw a girl around her brothers age lying in bed.
"Who are you?" Sarah stayed near the ladder ready to leave at any moment.
"You're not supposed to be here," the girl answered simply.
"I know," the teen sighed. "I thought Pan might be keeping my family here."
"Why are you so far away from the camp?" The young girl questioned. "I'm sick, and he's afraid someone might catch it."
"Who are you?" Sarah asked moving to sit cautiously on the bed.
"My name's Wendy," the girl gave a soft smile.
"Wendy Darling?" Sarah questioned, to which the other girl nodded. "I'm Sarah. They haven't got around to making a film about me yet but yours is excellent, honestly a real treat." Wendy shook her head in confusion making the teen get back to the topic at hand. "What's wrong?"
"It's the island, Sarah," the young girl explained quietly. "Its power is fading. I've been here a long time, but well for some reason, it's affecting me more than the others," with that she gave the teen a thoughtful look. "You used to be so small as a baby."
"You knew me when I was here before?" Wendy suddenly had the teens interest.
"I used to help look after you. Me and Pan."
Sarah shook her head. She couldn't go through her past again. "Are you going to be okay?"
"You should go," Wendy urged.
"Maybe there's something I could do to help. I have magic," the teen liked the idea of finally being able to use her magic for something good.
"Just please, I don't want you to catch what I have. Pan is already doing everything that he can. But the magic here I fear it is not enough. Please go, before you, too, become ill," the young girl pleaded.
Sarah finally caved making her way back to the ladder. Before she left, she gave the young girl one last glance. "I'll come back for you. I promise," and then she was gone.
Once the teen had gone Pan appeared from the shadows. "Well done. I couldn't have played the part better myself. Excellent job."
"I don't like lying to her," Wendy sat up straight.
"Well, don't think of it as lying. Think of it as providing motivation," Pan smiled.
"Motivation for what?" The young girl questioned.
"Doing what needs to be done, for all of us. She has the heart of the most powerful being. And I need to control that power," a dark look crossed the boy's eyes. "Now, back to your cage."
Emma stormed through the jungle like her daughter had earlier, her two companions barely keeping up. Both men kept shouting their apologies but it was landing on death ears. Sick of their excuses, the blonde span round to face them.
"We almost lost our shot at capturing the shadow because you two were fighting over a lighter," she spat.
"It wasn't the lighter that we were fighting over, love," Hook smirked.
"Okay," Emma sighed. "Let me be very clear about something. If I had to choose someone, I choose Sarah. Her and Henry are the only love I have room for in my life," with that she span on her heels once more.
Sarah returned to camp to find Pan waiting for her. "Why so glum, chum?"
"You said you weren't keeping any secrets," Sarah crossed her arms squaring up to the boy. "But you lied. I found Wendy."
"Sarah, I can explain," Pan began but was soon interrupted.
"She's dying, isn't she?" the teen questioned already knowing the answer.
Pan sighed looking at the ground. "I'm afraid she is. Like much of the island, because the magic here is slipping away. I would've told you, but I didn't want you to have that weight on your shoulders, knowing that a young girl's life depends on you."
Sarah's arms fell to her sides in defeat. "So, I'm the only one who can save magic?" She questioned, almost scarred to hear the answer.
"You are," Pan answered simply.
"How do I do it?" Finally, the girl was ready to listen.
"The question isn't how, Sarah. It's where. Follow me," Pan led them to a clearing pointing in the distance. "See that?"
"That big creepy rocky cave… hard to miss but I bet Gold would love it," the teen responded.
Pan smirked. Inside is where our salvation awaits a salvation that only the heart of the most powerful being can bring."
"I take it that is me," Sarah sighed.
"That's right, Sarah. But I won't lie to you. It won't be easy. It will require heroism and sacrifice," Pan turned to his companion. "The only question is, are you up to the task?"
Sarah paused for a moment, a look of determination taking hold of her features. "Yes."