Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and any unrecognizable characters and dialogue.

Sorry about the long wait, it's been a stressful few months. I hope you all had safe and Happy Holidays!

Chapter Playlist: 'Welcome to the Moors' from 'Maleficent: OST'

Neverland

Standing before the pile of gathered wood, Gold conjured a fireball and lit the wood. Pacing around the large blaze, he stopped before a large rock, eyeing the shadow the flames cast on the stone.

Once he was sure the fire was large enough that his entire shadow was visible, he reached out and froze it. Withdrawing his dagger from the pocket of his coat, he began to painfully cut his own shadow from his booted feet. Teeth gritted against the unfamiliar pain, he repeated the action on his other foot, panting heavily as his eyes raised to see his now sentient shadow.

Flipping the dagger, now holding it by the blade, he held out the hilt. "You know what to do." He ordered the shadow, waiting for the gleaming-eyed creature to nod. "Hide it where no one can find it, not even me."

The Shadow nodded once more before it flew off into the distance, leaving Gold alone in the clearing. Though their run-in with Cora had led to him keeping the dagger on his person at all hours, the last thing Gold needed was Pan getting hold of the only thing that could kill him.

David led the ragtag group, sword in one hand, lantern in the other, slashing his way through the overgrown path Hook had insisted on taking.

"The ridge is just a few hundred paces up ahead." Hook announced, able to feel the slight incline beneath his feet.

From her spot behind Regina, Emma peered up at the ragged looking man. Clearly, being on Neverland once more was harder on him than he was willing to admit. "You really think we're gonna be able to see Pan's hideout?"

"From there, we should be able to see everything," he craned his head back to glance at the blonde, "including where he's keeping your son."

"You know, I could have just poofed us up here in an instant." Regina tried, again, to remind them that she was capable of magic.

Hook rounded on the queen, decidedly irritated by her continued reminders. "Where? Have you any idea what's up here or anywhere?" She didn't answer, not that he was expecting her to. "There are dangers all about. Only I can guide us past them."

"He's right." Emma added, none too happy with having to support the pirate. "Hook's lived here before. If he says hiking up is the best way, then we listen."

"Here." Mary Margaret stepped beside her daughter, offering one of the water skins they'd taken from the ship. "You need to stay hydrated."

Emma took the container and raised it to her lips. "Thanks, Mary Margaret."

"You know, 'Mary Margaret' is a bit formal." The dark-haired woman began, voice too calm and expression hopeful. Emma stared at her, lowering the water skin cautiously. "You could call me "mom" if you want. You've done it before."

"That was… back when -"

"- we were about to die." Mary Margaret finished, trying vainly to hide how much her daughter's words hurt her. "Oh no, I get it."

Nodding, looking both guilty and uncomfortable, Emma started off after the group. Gazing at her daughter's back, Mary Margaret resolutely pushed the pain aside and began to follow.

At the head of the group, David sliced through several low hanging branches before he came across a patch of dark thorns. Moving forward, he raised his arm to cut through them, only for Hook to dart forward and catch his arm.

"No." Hook snapped, jerking at David's arm when the blond man tried to jerk away. "No!"

Yanking his arm away, David glared at Hook. "I can handle a couple of thorns."

"That's dreamshade." Hook informed him tartly, gratified when David's eyes widened slightly. "It's not the thorns you have to worry about. It's the poison they inject you with." As he spoke, all eyes focused on the dark, sap looking liquid that seeped from the thorns. "This plant is the source of the toxins I used on The Dark One."

Emma raised her lantern to get a closer look. "The poison that almost killed Gold?"

"And Lillian." Regina reminded them, lips pressed into a thin line as she stared the seemingly ashamed pirate down.

Hook nodded, glancing from their faces back to the plant. "Indeed. I used a concentrated dose. In its natural form, death would be much slower and far more painful." He glanced to the right of the plant and gestured. "I suggest we go this way."

David glanced the way Hook suggested, then glanced toward the left of the thorn bush. "We'll go this way."

Wanting to roll her eyes at David's spiteful behavior, Regina stalked after the man, giving Hook a slight shrug as she did so. Hopefully, if the blond man stupidly led them into a trap, she'd be able to magic her way out. Mary Margret followed, with Emma bringing up the rear.

"Your father's a distrustful fellow." Hook commented as Emma passed him.

She paused, considering her words. "He's just not used to working with the bad guys."

"I can assure you, on this island, I am not the bad guy."

Emma acknowledge his claim with a shrug of her own. "Yeah, well, Pan's not supposed to be one either." She started off, leaving Hook to follow.

"What possibly gave you that idea?" He asked as they maneuvered through the foliage. Thankfully, the path was clear of any more of those sickening looking thorn bushes.

Emma glanced back at him. "Every story I ever heard as a child."

"Well, they got it all wrong." He informed her as he ducked beneath a branch. "Pan is the most treacherous villain I've ever faced. Tell me something, love." He reached out, hook brushing against her coat sleeve to stop her. "In these stories… what was I like? Other than a villain." His lips twitched into a charming smile. "Handsome, I gather."

Emma couldn't help but smirk at his eager expression. "If waxed mustaches and perms are your thing." She said slyly, slipping away to leave him stare at her back.

Hook stared off after her, a bit thrown by her response. "I take it by your tone, perms are bad?"

"Up here!" David's call stopped Emma from responding. Following her father's voice, Emma and Hook joined her parents and Regina at the top of a cliff that showed off miles upon miles of the island. "We made it."

"Pan's lair should be just… right… " He trailed off, hook lowering when he realized he recognized nothing of the landscape before him.

"Where?" Regina asked dryly, holding her hand out at the endless expanse of trees. "All I see is jungle."

"Aye. The Dark Jungle." He produced a spyglass from his coat, extended it with his mouth, and raised it to his eye. "It's, uh, grown so much since I last stepped foot in Neverland."

Regina sighed heavily, wishing she could set the jungle ablaze. "So, this nature hike was for nothing."

"Hook may have led us astray," David paused to throw the pirate an annoyed look. "But at least we're in a good position to start combing the jungle."

"Not exactly." All eyes snapped to Hook as he spoke, expression uneasy at the thought of entering that blasted jungle again. "The Dark Jungle's the last place you wanna set foot. We'll have to go around it. In order to do that, we're gonna need our strength." He made to leave the ridge. "I suggest we make camp."

"You wanna sleep while my son and Lillian are out there suffering?" Regina demanded, voice acidic.

Hook sighed heavily, inwardly praying for patience. "If we want to live long enough to save them. Yes."

With that, Hook began to retrace their steps back down the path. Grimacing, Regina followed him, ready to spit fire. Exhaling deeply, David sheathed his blade and left the ridge, leaving Emma and Mary Margaret alone.

"You okay?" The dark-haired woman asked.

Emma's eyes scanned the jungle. "Regina's right. Henry's out there somewhere."

"And Hook is right." Emma's eyes snapped to Mary Margaret at her admission. "We have to survive if we're going to get him."

"I know." Emma breathed. "I just hope we're not too late."

Mary Margaret smiled faintly. "After everything your father and I have been through, there's one thing we've learned. It is never too late."

Lillian awoke with a delicious slowness, fading in and out of consciousness for several minutes as she gradually became aware of her surroundings. Heat, lazy, sultry heat that she long ago learned to love, pressed in at all sides, and she was swaying gently from side to side. Eyes fluttering open, she squinted into the moonlit room, skin prickling in awareness as her sleep-addled mind registered just where she was.

Jolting upright in the hammock, she cast her gaze around the tree house wildly. The walls inside her tree house were familiar enough, though it was the sight of Henry, curled up on the floor several places from the hammock, that sent her heart rate skyrocketing. Tossing aside the blanket, she made to lunge for Henry when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Swallowing thickly past the sudden lump in her throat, Lillian turned her head slowly to the opposite corner of the small room.

Seated on a stool, bent over with his elbows resting on his knees, was Peter. He stared, green eyes gleaming in the dim light. Lazily, he raked his gaze across her body, though there was little heat in his gaze. Clearly satisfied that she was unharmed, he stopped his perusal at her face. She was pale - too pale, in his opinion - and there were dark circles beneath her wide, red-rimmed eyes. Frowning slightly, he rose fluidly from the stood and crossed the room to her side.

All Lillian could hear was the deafening sound of her beating heart. Peter was here, in the flesh, right in front of her. Her throat thickened at the thought that, if this was another dream, she'd surely go mad. After losing Bae… well, she wasn't sure her heart could take much more. Slim, tapered fingers trembled slightly when Peter raised them to cradle her face, stroking just beneath her eyes.

Lillian returned the favor, relearning angular features as she traced them with her fingertips. The feel of him, flesh and blood and real beneath her touch, drew a ragged breath from her chest. "Peter…"

"Lily…" He whispered against her forehead, lips brushing skin as he tangled his fingers in her curls. Instead of kissing her, he tugged her into his arms, tangling them together on the hammock. His hair brushed against her skin, temple pressed to her cheek, and he held her like he never wanted to let go.

For the first time in a while, the tears that pricked behind her eyes were of joy, not sorrow. Tugging him closer, Lillian pressed her face against the space where his neck and shoulder met, gratified when she met real, solid skin. His hands moved to curl around her shoulders and waist, holding her fast to his lean form.

Inhaling deeply, he finally raised his head to press his lips to hers, he tasted salt on his tongue. Her lashes were wet, dark smudges against too pale, dirt-streaked skin. Peter whispered her name between kisses, lips curling into a small smile. Head spinning, it was a struggle to focus on anything but him. And until Henry, from his spot across the room made a soft sound, she was lost within Peter. But when Henry made that noise, when she was reminded of his presence, it felt like she'd been doused in ice water.

Pulling back to stare up into Peter's face, still so close that she felt his every breath, something inside of her twisted in agony. It must have shown in her eyes, for he cradled her face tenderly between his hands.

"Lillian?" Henry's soft, hoarse croak of her name had her twisting from Peter's hold and onto the floor. "Lillian!"

Breath catching, Lillian opened her arms, holding Henry tightly when he flew at her. Pressing her nose into his dark locks, Lillian inhaled deeply, reassuring herself that Henry was safe and sound in her arms. She conveniently ignored the fact that he was likely in immense danger, given the lengths Peter had gone to get the little boy here. For herself, Lillian could understand; Peter was never shy about reminding her that they belonged together, something she was inclined to agree with.

But Henry? Lillian couldn't come up with any logical reason that would make Peter want the boy on Neverland. While he was a special child, Henry didn't have any outstanding quirks that would draw Peter to him the same way he'd sought out several of his oldest lost boys like Felix, Rufio and Luca.

"I'm okay," Henry whispered against the collar of her red flannel. "I'm okay, I promise."

Lillian pulled back to study his features, reminding herself that Peter never physically hurt his lost boys. Like her, Henry's skin was streaked with dirt, and there were twigs and leaves stuck in his dark hair from their dash through the jungle. Other than obvious exhaustion weighing down him down, Henry looked no worse for wear.

"Aren't you going to introduce us, love?" Peter drawled from across the room.

Henry went stiff at the older boy's words, peering warily over Lillian's shoulder at the shadowed figure. He couldn't see Pan's expression, though he could see the bright green eyes that tracked them covetously.

"I'm pretty sure you've already met." Lillian sniffed, twisting to glare poisonously in Peter's direction before she returned her attention to Henry. "But if I were you, Peter, I wouldn't get too used to Henry being on Neverland. I'm taking him back to Storybrooke."

The low chuckle Pan made send alarm crawling across Henry's skin. "Oh? And how, Lily, do you plan on doing that? I'm sorry to say that magic is in short supply here."

Something about the way he said it made Lillian's heart skip a beat. Swallowing, praying she was wrong, Lillian glanced down at her wrist, feeling her heart twist painfully in betrayal.

"What," she hissed through clenched teeth, "is this still doing on my wrist?" Rage, the likes of which had produced the blue fire that ate half of Tamara's face, threatened to overwhelm her. "Peter, if you don't take it off this instant-"

"You'll do what, Lily?" Peter asked, one eyebrow raising in mocking amusement. His eyes flitted from the leather cuff on her wrist to the hurt expression she struggled to keep off her face. "It's too early on in the game to play all my cards, love. You understand."

"No, I most certainly don't!" Lillian erupted, drawing Henry close with one hand. The giddy relief she'd felt over being with Peter again had faded and was replaced with a twisted, hurt that she struggled to hide. "What are we doing here, Peter? What do you want with Henry?"

"And here I thought you'd be happy to see me again." Peter sighed, as if disappointed. But there was no mistaking the delighted malice sparkling in his eyes, or the mischievous quirk to his lips. "You'll understand, all in good time."

He disappeared then; between the blink of an eye, he had reappeared, crouching beside Lillian and Henry. Before either of them could react, Peter bent forward and pressed his lips to Lillian's cheek in a sweet, tender kiss. Channeling magic into the wound she'd gained from an errant tree branch, Peter healed the clotted cut in an instant.

"Welcome home, love."

With that, Peter vanished from the tree house, leaving a shell-shocked Lillian and Henry in his wake.

Enchanted Forest

Even as the horse picked up speed, Charming still wasn't satisfied at the ground they were covering. The ring on his finger told him that they were going the right way, and all he wanted to do was find Snow. Just behind him, seated on a horse of her own, black to his white, rode Lilith. Her tanned face had been obscured by a hood that had long since lost its battle with the wind.

Neither of the unlikely traveling companions said a word to one another while the ring led them down a strip of land, flanked by water on both sides. A large, peaceful looking forest loomed ahead. At the sight of it, Charming spurred his horse on faster.

Soon enough, they came upon a clearing that contained seven Dwarves. Though he couldn't quite make it out at first, it became very clear just what the seven men were guarding between them.

"No." Charming breathed as he leapt from his horse. "No!" By then, he had made it to the glass coffin, blue eyes filled with despair at the sight of Snow within it. Seized by a sudden, desperate desire, he glanced up to find the Dwarves watching him sadly. "Open it."

Though several gave one another pointed looks, they saw no harm in his grief-stricken request. Grunting, they removed the lid, allowing the once prince to gaze at Snow White for the last time.

Just as a light snowfall began, Charming leaned down to press his lips against Snow's, surprised when they warmed beneath his touch. At that moment, a burst of golden magic erupted from the contact.

Though the Black Knight couldn't see it, the former Genie of Agrabah was glaring as they raced through the halls of the Dark Palace. Had the information he had not been so vital to the Queen's cause, he might have waited to inform her.

"Careful!" The disembodied Genie threatened as the guard went careening around a corner. "If you drop me, I'll make sure you have fourteen years bad luck!" The trip through the palace was quick and, thankfully, the guard had a firm grip on the mirror. As they entered the Queen's private gardens, the light, airy sanctuary where the Queen had planted her family's prized apple tree, the guard's hands began to tremble. "Majesty," the Genie entreated quietly.

Grasping a ripe, round apple in hand, Regina resisted the urge to shatter the mirror with it. Scowling, she instead place the apple in her basket before she turned to glower at the intruders. "I told you never to disturb me here."

"Trust me." The Genie ignored the poorly-veiled threat; Regina had, on too many occasions to count, already threatened to smash him. "I haven't disturbed you yet. Just wait until you see this."

The surface of the mirror shimmered, distorting the head of the Genie. Ultimately, it cleared to reveal a handsome young man in red embracing a dark-haired woman in white.

Any remaining shred of inner peace Regina had found since Snow White was placed under the sleeping curse vanished. "He woke her?!"

"Indeed." His voice was dry. "True Love's kiss apparently can break any curse."

As he spoke, the scene changed. Now, the pretend prince was on one knee, holding up a ring with one hand. "Will you marry me?"

Regina scoffed as, smiling coyly, Snow White said, "What do you think?"

Beaming now, Charming surged to his feet to envelop Snow White in a passionate embrace. Gritting her teeth, Regina only listened to the Genie with half an ear.

"That'll be one hell of a wedding. There won't be a dry eye in the entire realm."

"Quiet!"

As Snow White and her prince broke apart, the young woman's gaze fell somewhere to their left. Given where she knew the princess' allies had laid her to rest, Regina hazard a guess as to where the girl was looking. "Let's take back the kingdom."

Regina's eyes narrowed at the unspoken challenge in Snow White's voice. "We'll see about that." She promised darkly.

Once they'd rendezvoused with Red and Granny, both of whom had been overjoyed to see her, Snow was finally able to change out of the graceful dress she'd been buried in. Relieved to be wearing trousers once more, she, Charming, and the Dwarves headed towards the nearest village in her father's kingdom. As everyone had told her, little of the common folk believed the Evil Queen's lie that Snow White had murdered her own father. So, it was easy to gather the townsfolk in the center of the small village.

Standing on top of a wagon, Snow surveyed her smiling people with a calm confidence. "The Evil Queen murdered my father, put me under a Sleeping Curse, but I am not the only one she has made suffer." At her words, mutters of agreement came from the gathered crowd. "She's terrorized us for too long." Once again, the people agreed with her, louder this time. "This kingdom doesn't belong to her. It belongs to us!" Bolstered by the loud, vehement support of her words, she added, "So, who is ready to stand beside me and fight for what's rightfully ours?!"

At that, the people fell deathly silent. Many began to avoid her gaze, as if looking at her was difficult. Disheartened by their abrupt change, Snow struggled to think of how to encourage them. Before she could, a low, mocking voice came from the back of the crowd.

"Quite the courageous army you're building."

The people scattered, revealing Regina in all her glory. Smiling widely, the queen strode forward several steps to peer up at her stone-faced step-daughter.

"They may be afraid of you," Snow said flatly as Charming reached for a weapon, "But we are not."

"Why?" Regina scoffed, expression patronizing. "Because you and the shepherd broke my sleeping curse?"

At her words, though her very presence was threatening enough, Snow and Charming drew their swords. Rolling her eyes, though still smiling pleasantly, Regina swiftly bound Charming with a rope from the cart Snow stood on.

"Lucky for you, I didn't come here to fight." Regina assured her step-daughter lightly, smile widening at the outrage on the younger woman's face. "I came to offer you a deal. Consider ti an engagement present."

"Snow, don't listen to a single word!" Charming spat out before Regina flicked her hand in his direction, magically gagging him.

Lips pursed at the false prince's manners, Regina side-eyed Snow. "Are you really going to marry that?"

"What do you want?" Snow demanded.

"I want you to give up your claim to the throne." Regina said breezily, calm in the face of Snow's sudden distress. "If you declare me the rightful ruler of this land, I'll let you, the dwarves, and your so called prince," she sneered at a struggling Charming then, "escape back to the sheep farm he once called home."

Expression like ice, Snow breathed out, "exile?"

"Well, I've tried to kill you. I've tried to curse you, and none of its worked." Regina admitted frankly with an elegant shrug. "But then I realized I was going about it all wrong. You need to be alive. You need to be awake." Regina lips twisted in malicious pleasure. "So you can spend all your days knowing that I've taken everything that was supposed to be yours." Taking a step back, the evil queen raised her voice, hazing pointedly at the cowering villagers. "Now, get on your knees and swear on your father's grave that this kingdom belongs to me."

"And if I don't?"

"Well, then someone will pay the price." Extending a hand, she reached out for the nearest cowering peasant. A cloaked figure was drawn into the clearing, feet scrapping against the ground and hands at their throat. When Snow White didn't charge her as expected, Regina increased the pressure on the peasant's throat, startled when the figure ripped themselves from her magical grip. "What the…"

A slim, gloved hand rose, sending a burst of magical energy at the Evil Queen, though it did little more than ruffle her gown and hair. Taken aback, Regina could only watch as the figure drew the hood of her cloak down. Though she had never met the young sorceress who had once been under Rumpelstiltskin's care, she'd seen enough of the portraits said Dark One possessed of the girl to know her when she saw her. Losing concentration, her spell binding Charming fell, allowing the man to break free of the ropes and pick up his sword.

"Lilith…"

"Regina." Lilith returned evenly, eyes gleaming a violent shade of red. "So nice to finally put a face to a name."

"Likewise." Lips pursing, Regina let her attention flick between the coiled teenager and her brat of a step-daughter. "What brings the apprentice of the Dark One to my humble kingdom?"

"Assistant, actually. And I'm here to fulfill my end of a bargain Charming struck with Rumple." Bowing with a mocking flourish, Lilith eyed the now bristling queen. "You understand, of course."

Eyes narrowed at the unspoken, but oh so obvious threat in Lilith's words, Regina tilted her head to stare the younger woman down coolly. "I see." Her eyes went to Snow White and she sneered. "Next time, Lilith won't be here to protect your precious subjects, my dear. You have until sundown tomorrow to give up the throne. And for every day that you defy me, I will kill one of your loyal subjects."

Arm extended, Regina let her gaze fall on each and every one of the villagers as they fearfully peered out from their hiding places. Though both Snow and Charming were clearly furious at her threat, Lilith merely watched, wearing an unruffled, almost bored expression.

"Stop denying who you are, Snow White." Regina told the former princess imperiously, drawing herself to her full height. She took malicious pleasure in the way Snow White's face seemed to collapse in despair with every word. "You may have been a princess, but you will never be a queen."

Neverland

Following David's suggestion, though she didn't like it, Emma joined the others in setting up camp in the middle of a small clearing. Though exhausted, Emma found sleep eluding her, even as the others fell asleep and the fire burned down to hot embers. Groaning softly to herself, Emma tossed and turned beneath the thin, scratchy blanket Hook had produced from the crew quarters on the Jolly Roger.

As she turned onto her side once more, she stiffened as the faint sound of children crying echoed around the clearing. Immediately on alert, Emma tossed her blanket aside, rose to a crouch and grabbed hold of the blade Hook had given her.

Eyes darting around, she hissed to her slumbering parents. "Guys, wake up!"

When they failed to even stir, Emma quickly decided, with a black scowl, to check out the source of the sound herself and crept into the nearby jungle. Brow creased in confusion when the sound of crying remained steady even as she went further and further into the trees. So intent upon finding the source of the noise, her heart nearly leapt from her chest when a bored voice sounded from behind her.

"You hear that too?" A pale, thin boy with brown hair was leaning against the trunk of a nearby tree. Narrowed, green eyes appraised her with interest. "You're Emma, right? I wonder why they can't hear the crying." As he spoke, he pushed from the tree and glanced in the direction of the campsite.

Holding the sword in his direction, Emma eyed the boy warily. "Who are you?"

"Oh, did I forget to introduce myself?" The boy smiled, as if embarrassed by his poor manners. "I'm Peter. Peter Pan."

Lunging, Emma grabbed hold of the collar of his tunic and slammed him against the tree. The smirk he wore never changed, even as the blade of her sword pressed hard enough to draw blood on his throat.

"Where's Henry?"

"You've got fire." Pan noted with a sharp exhale, smirk widening when she pressed the blade harder into his flesh. "I like fire."

"Where's my son?"

"Henry's still alive, if that's what you're worried about." Something in his green eyes shifted. "Lily too, in case you wondered about her."

Emma chose to ignore the well pointed jab. "Why the hell did you take him?"

"He's a very special boy, Emma." Pan's smirk widened when the blonde woman's face tightened at his condescending tone.

"I know." She deadpanned, eyes narrowed into slits. "That doesn't answer my question. What do you want with him?"

"I came here to see who I was up against "the savior"." Though she disliked her supposed title, Emma bristled all the same at the way he mocked her with it.
"Gotta say," Pan sighed, reclining against the tree, as if he didn't have a sword at his throat. "I'm not disappointed."

"What do you say now? You're gonna tell me how I'm never gonna see Henry again?"

Pan looked offended by the suggestion. "No. I'm going to help you find him. I'll give you a map." Holding both hands up in surrender, he continued. "A map that will lead you straight to your son."

"If this is some kind of trap…"

"I may not be the most well-behaved boy on the island, but I always keep my promises." Reaching into his tunic with one hand, Pan produced a folded, faded parchment. "The path to finding Henry is on this parchment."

Warily, Emma backed off, accepting the parchment with caution. "Why are you giving it to me?"

"See, it's not about finding Henry." Pan explained patiently, as if talking to a child. "It's about how you find him. And, Emma… you're the only one who can."

Sheathing her sword, Emma turned her complete attention to the map. Unfolding the creased paper, her eyes narrowed in renewed anger at the sight of the unmarked paper. "It's blank." She spat at the still smiling boy before her.

"You'll only be able to read that map when you stop denying who you really are."

Emma glanced back down at the map, eyes raising with a scowl, only to nearly losing her grip on the map when she saw that Pan had vanished. Still unsettled by magic, especially in such hostile terrain, she swiftly returned to the campsite. Once there, she roused the others, successfully this time, and held out the blank piece of paper.

Unsettled by the idea that their every move was being watched, Mary Margaret and David immediately headed into the trees to make sure Pan hadn't lingered. Sinking down onto her haunches, Emma set the map on a boulder, face resting on her fists.

Seated several feet away on another rock, Hook blearily rubbed the bridge of his nose. "He so likes his games," he muttered darkly, eyeing the parchment like it was a coiled serpent.

Regina, who had begun aggressively pacing once Emma woke them, stopped mid-step to glare accusingly at the pirate. "What game?" She demanded, gesturing to the unmarked parchment. "There's nothing there."

Hook sank down further, pointing a finger at the map. "If he said there's a map on this parchment, then there is."

"Great." Emma exclaimed, voice heavy with sarcasm and fists against her temples. "So, if I just stop denying who I really am, whatever that means, then we'll be able to read this thing."

"But how do we know Pan won't use it to lead us straight into a trap?" Regina tugged on the front of her blue blazer, needing to do something with her hands.

Hook straightened to stare at her incredulously. "Because he doesn't need to." He informed her sharply, rising to his feet. "This whole island's his bloody trap."

As he spoke, Mary Margaret and David returned from scouting the surrounding area.

"There's no sign of his anywhere." David called out as Mary Margaret hurried to their daughter.

"Any luck with the map?"

Regina rolled her eyes. "Don't hold your breath."

Emma didn't take her eyes off the parchment. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't you see what he's doing? Every second we spend talking about this," Regina gestured sharply at the parchment, becoming more and more worked up by the minute. "Is another second we're not looking for my son and Lillian."

"You got a better idea?"

Regina's head snapped over to turn the full face of her glare on Emma. "Magic." She snapped, ignoring the way David scoffed. "If there's a lock on there, I'll find a way around it." Approaching Emma, Regina reached out to grab hold of the map, only for the blonde to slam her palm over the paper.

"Pan said it had to be me." Emma reminded her flatly.

"I'd listen to Emma, luv." Hook advised quietly, expression full of warning. "Breaking Pan's rules would be unwise."

"Sadly, I agree with the pirate." David said, wearing a pain look.

Hook flashed him a cheeky smirk. "I'm winning you over. I can feel it."

"And your magic doesn't exactly have a gentle touch, Regina." Mary Margaret pointed out matter-of-fact.

"Use it on the map, it might blow up in all our faces."

Hand on her hip, Regina sneered at David. "Well, that's a risk I'm willing to take."

"Well, I'm not." Emma snapped, rising with the map clenched in one hand. "If I'm the one who's supposed to figure out this thing, I need to do what Pan said."

Regina rolled her eyes, stalking off. "Great."

"She'll get there." Lips pursed, Mary Margaret watched Regina before going to her daughter's side. "Hey. Don't give up." Emma's harried eyes snapped up to met hers. "He's playing a game. You can win."

Enchanted Forest

Stinging from the run-in with Regina, Snow quietly joined the Dwarves and Charming at the council table they'd set up in their small campsite. After the Queen had disappeared, so had Lilith, though Charming assured Snow the sorceress wasn't far. Leery of trusting a magical user - especially after what Regina had done to her, even though Rumpelstiltskin had helped awaken her - she wasn't sure how she felt about Lilith hanging around.

However, her personal feelings on the matter weren't important right now. What was important, was the offer that Regina had figuratively put on the table just hours earlier. None of the others had approached Snow on their trek back to the river campsite, though she could see how much it cost Charming to hold his tongue on the subject.

From her place at the table in their small campsite, Snow White addressed the Dwarves and Charming. Still stinging from their run-in with Regina, she was feeling more than a bit subdued at the moment.

"We can't win." She announced quietly, yet still firm in her conviction. "We have to leave the kingdom."

"How can you even consider giving in to that witch?" Charming couldn't help but ask, unable to believe what he was hearing. Without thinking, he leaned in closer to her. "When you're gone, do you think she's suddenly gonna stop menacing this land? And who will protect the people then?"

Snow whirled on him, expression defeated. "Did I protect them today?" She continued before he could refute her. "Had Lilith not been there, Regina could have killed one of those villagers.." It rankled a little bit, how useless she had become when the two sorceresses had sized one another up. "And she isn't gonna stop with the peasants. She's going to come after the people who are closest to me."

"We will stand by your side no matter what." Grumpy promised resolutely, a deep crease forming between his heavy brow.

Happy nodded, seconding the promise. "Even if it means our death."

"Which it probably will" Every eye immediately turned to Sleepy, staring at him in varying stages of disbelief.

Shaking his head while Sleepy wilted beneath the expressions of his brothers, Charming returned his attention to Snow. "You can't let her get into your head."

"She has a point, though." It took all she had not to curl into herself and shut everyone out. "I'm no queen. I'm no leader." It was a struggle to keep the tears that threatened at bay. "I'm just a girl who lost her parents, ran away into the woods, and became a bandit."

"You're Snow White."

"Yes." She was tired of hearing her name spoken like it was a holy epitaph. "And the truth is, I don't even know who that is. But I know what I don't wanna be, and that's alone."

"That's never gonna happen." When Snow began to nod, s if accepting his words, Charming felt his heart lift. Her next words, however, dashed his hopes of convincing her that Regina needed to be stopped.

"You're right. If we take her offer, we can all live together in exile, but at least we'll be alive." Rising to her feet, Snow's tone brooked no argument. "We should leave tomorrow."

"Snow!" Charming called, standing from the table as she stormed away into the woods. He made to go after her, only for Grumpy to thrust a burly arm out before his chest, stopping him dead.

"Let her go." The black-haired dwarf ordered, eyes trained intently on the former prince.

"This is her kingdom!" Charming threw an arm in Snow's direction for emphasis. "We can't just let her walk away from it."

"Why do you suddenly care so much about saving Snow's kingdom?"

It was the suspicion lacing Grumpy's every word that brought Charming up short. Focusing on the seven dwarves before him, he became uncomfortably aware of the way each and every one of them observed him with a sudden doubt.

"What do you mean?"

Grumpy raised a brow. "Well, if you have true love, what difference does it make whether you live in a castle or on a farm?"

"Wait." Offended by the very suggestion, Charming frowned at them. "You think I'm in this for her crown?"

Grumpy shrugged his broad shoulders. "You said it, not me."

"Okay." Charming muttered with a sharp exhale, uncomfortably aware of how the dwarves had essentially formed a wall in front of him. Being pressed in at all sides wasn't how he wanted to spend the day, but he understood their reservations, even if he didn't like it. "Okay, I get it. I'm new. But trust me. I want what's best for Snow."

"Look, handsome," Grumpy began, knowing he spoke for both himself and his brothers, having discussed the situation at length with them. "She may love you, but that chiseled chin ain't foolin' us." Without thinking, Charming raised a hand to touch the chin in question. "We got our eyes on you."

"Are you dwarves with me or against me?"

Sneezy flanked his brother, expression unmoved. "I think Grumpy was pretty clear."

"Sorry brother." Grumpy said, not sounding sorry in the slightest. Snow was their princess, theirs to protect and serve, and whatever she wanted to do, they'd follow without question. "Snow's already made up her mind, so if you're looking to change it, you gotta do it without our help."

Despite his frustration, he understood. Nodding shortly, Charming allowed his eyes to fall onto the cloaked figure across the river. Lilith stood, red eyes staring at him blankly before she raised a finely arched brow.

"Then I'll find another way."

"What, exactly, are you asking him for?" Lilith asked as they made their way through the gates of Rumple's castle. While Rumple had told her to push things along on the overthrow Regina front, she couldn't find it in her to argue with the former princess. Having been essentially thrown way by her own family and kingdom, Lilith understood what Snow White was going through on a personal level.

"A spell, one that will help Snow remember who she is." Rather than lunch into a further explanation, Charming picked up the pace and threw open the doors to the Dark One's castle. "Rumplestiltskin!"

As Lilith had promised, they found the Dark One sitting at his spinning wheel in one of the many, many rooms. The scaled being didn't look up from his work as they entered, though Lilith felt as he silently inquired as to her health. She didn't brush it off, though she didn't exactly respond.

"You again?" Rumpelstiltskin crowed as he finished up with his most recent batch of straw. "Didn't I just help you wake your princess on top of loaning you my very missed assistant?"

Unsettling gold eyes flashed towards Charming, alight with a dark mischief that set the once prince on edge. Steeling his nerves, reminding himself that this was all for Snow, he stepped toward the seated being.

"Now, I need your help once more." Rather than seem surprised by his words, the Dark One merely turned in his direction, legs crossed and hands held together contemplatively. "Long ago, you made Snow remember who she was when a spell blinded her. I need you to do it again."

Neverland

Sitting by the window, Henry peered down into the camp below the tree house. Thanks to the dense tree covering, he couldn't see very much, just the flickering of flames and shadows, and the occasional lost boy when they stepped in the right place. Movement had him turning to see Lillian when she joined him at the window.

"Have you seen him?" Lillian asked, voice hoarse from the small screaming fit she'd engaged in after Peter had disappeared. As she spoke, she absently raised a hand to her cheek, ghosting over where Peter had healed her cut. Even with her own magic held at bay by the cuff, she could feel the flow of Peter's magic, and what she felt frightened her.

"No." Henry mumbled, chin falling to rest on his crossed arms. "Not since he left the tree house. I've seen that Felix guy, though. He was with another boy."

That peaked Lillian's interest. "What did they look like?" Felix was a lost cause, that much she knew. But, if she could get Luca to spirit them from the camp, to Tiger Lily or Tinker Bell, then she and Henry might have a chance to get back home. Even if the pixie dust had actually run out, even if magic really was leaving the island, Lillian highly doubted that the former fairies wouldn't have a back up plan.

"Not sure," Henry sighed, sinking further into the shelter of his arms. "I didn't see his face; he had a hood on. Why?"

"Because if it's Luca, there's a chance he might help us. Felix is too loyal to Peter to ever betray him," She admitted, eyes scanning the camp with renewed interest. "But Luca can be convinced, with the right persuasion."

"I don't wanna know." He winced at the savage look on her face, saying nothing. Even though the curse had been broken for months, Lillian hadn't allowed Henry to see too much of the dark side to the magic she wielded and, truth be told, he was very curious. "How are we gonna get home, sis?"

Caught aback by his question, Lillian could only stare at him, a lump forming in her throat. "I don't know, Henry." She admitted, slipping an arm around his shoulders. "But I do know that we will. And, even if we can't, your moms will stop at nothing to get you back."

"You think so?" For the first time since Pan and the Lost Boys had cornered him in the clearing, Henry felt hope swelling in his chest.

"I know so."

Enchanted Forest

Leaning against the long table in the main hall of Rumple's castle, Lilith examined her nails, ignoring the back and forth of her mentor and the so-called prince. Personally, she understood why Snow White was tried of fighting, tired of seeing her loved ones murdered again and again. Given from what she knew of Regina's track record, Lilith was surprised the Evil Queen hadn't murdered anyone who ever came into contact with the former princess.

"You must have something that can change Snow's mind." Charming tried, and not for the first time, to convince the Dark One to help him. As she had been since their arrival, Lilith was silent, offering absolutely none of the help that had been promised by Rumpelstiltskin. As if sensing his thoughts, the sorceress raised a dark brow in silent warning.

"If she doesn't wanna fight the Queen" Rumpelstiltskin said, looking as if he'd rather be doing anything than having this conversation, "there's nothing I can do to change that."

"Nothing that you'd approve of, anyway." Lilith commented dryly, eyes trained on Charming. "Most spells that could concieveably alter a person's free will are very dark ones."

He scowled at her cheek. "I just need a way to make her believe in something that I already know, I don't want to change her entire thought process." Charming defended, ignoring the loaded look the two magic practitioners shared across the room. "I just need her to believe that she can face Regina and win."

"Magic can't make someone believe, dearie." Taking pity on the poor fool, Rumpelstiltskin elaborated on just how magic worked, gesturing grandly as he did. "It works the other way around. Belief must come from within." Pausing, he chose his words carefully. "You know, the Queen's offer was a fair one. Do yourself a favor and take it. Ruling a kingdom ain't all it's cracked up to be. Just ask your dear old brother." Holding up a finger to forestall anything Charming had to say on that subject, the Dark One continued, "Oh, wait. He died. You see my point."

Lilith's lips twitched, unable to help the fondness in her eyes when Rumple gave a trilling, high-pitched giggle. Though still upset with him for the part he had played in taking her memories, and ensuring that she would walk the path she had, she couldn't deny that she had missed him fiercely. After the first few decades on Neverland, she had come to terms with her anger over the subject, addressing the betrayal and moving past it.

Still, it was rather fun to see Rumple bend over backwards to pacify her.

"No," Charming shook his head, brow creased in irritation at the blatant refusal in the Dark One's words. "I didn't come here to take 'no' for an answer. Now, you must have something - you always do." Rumpelstiltskin inclined his head, silently agreeing with the blond man's words. "Just name your price."

From the table, Lilith snorted. "Those words are dangerous, Charming."

Neverland

Once again seated at the rock, hunched over the still blank map, Emma glared down at the parchment. She'd spent the last two hours spouting out random, meaningless facts about her life, all in an effort to 'stop denying who she really is'.

"My name is Emma Swan." She tried, already frayed temper hanging on by a thread.

"I'd wager the solution to Pan's riddle is a bit more complicated than that." Hook called from his spot leaning against a tree. When Emma whirled her head around to glower at him, he had the grace to sink further against the bark in an effort to escape her displeasure.

"Don't hold anything back," Mary Margaret added, agreeing with the pirate's intent if not his words.

Irritation threatening to take hold once more, Emma began to list off the inane facts she'd already tried. ""I'm Henry's mother. I used to live in Boston, and I was a bail bonds person. I'm now the sheriff of Storybrooke."

"That election was a sham." Regina opined dryly, legs crossed primly as she sat on a rock. Glancing at the grim faces around her, she asked, "Are we really doing this?"

"Don't you think maybe you're leaving some things out?" Mary Margaret questioned, fighting back the smile of amusement at the way her daughter's face fell.

Emma sighed heavily before she resumed listing off random facts. "I'm the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, which apparently makes me the product of true love. I was born in the Enchanted Forest and I was sent through a portal in a tree so that I could break a curse."

David gestured with his hand, urging her to keep going. "And you were able to break the curse because you're the…"

Mary Margaret practically leapt closer, smiling widely at the uncomfortable look Emma wore. "Come on. You don't need to be embarrassed to say it."

Hook's eyes darted between them all warily, half afraid the island had already driven them half-mad. "Say what?"

"The "s" word." Regina tossed over her shoulder. Personally, she didn't understand why Emma was so embarrassed by the truth. Then again, if her parents had been the witless wonders, Regina could understand being hesitant to accept her legacy.

Steeling herself, ignoring how embarrassed she still felt when people called her by her 'title', Emma let her eyes fall onto the so-called map. "I'm the savior." Staring intently at the map, she felt her heart sink when, instead of magically revealing the way to Henry, nothing happened. "I don't get it. I said I'm the savior. There's nothing I've denied more than that!"

"No, it's okay." Mary Margaret soothed, unaware that her words caused Regina to lose control of the fragile hold on her temper. "We'll figure it out."

"No, you won't." Regina snatched the parchment from Emma and strode off, eyeing it intently.

"Regina!" Emma leapt to her feet, protesting loudly.

The Mayor ignored her completely. "I'm beginning to think there isn't a map on here." She observed, turning the paper over, making sure she hadn't missed anything before settling on a course of action. "That doesn't mean it can't lead us to Henry and Lillian."

"I thought we agreed using magic was a bad idea." David reminded them, attempting to be a voice of reason.

"For once, I agree with the prince." Hook called, absently flashing said prince a dashing smile when he turned to him incredulously. "Well, I told you we're getting along."

Rolling her eyes at the would-be bonding session, Regina tossed the map in the air and waved her hand. It hovered before her and began to glow faintly, catching the eye of everyone in the clearing.

"What the hell are you doing?" Emma demanded, stalking forward, though she paused several feet away to glare at the map as if it had personally offended her.

"The locator spell." Regina snapped back, eyes never leaving the map as she concentrated on correctly casting the spell. Though it was an easy spell, one she could do in her sleep, she didn't want a simple mistake to cost them Henry and Lillian. "This parchment belonged to Pan. It'll lead us to him."

As she spoke, the map began to float away from them, heading off in a single direction. Watching it, Hook felt his already low spirits sink further when he realized just where the map was heading. "So, it appears we will be venturing into the Dark Jungle after all."

When she tore her eyes from the map to take in his subdued features, Emma couldn't stop a shiver of unease from prickling along her skin at the sight. If Hook, who had lived on this island for at least a few decades was unnerved by the prospect of venturing further inland, the blonde wasn't sure how she and the others would make it.

"You mean the one place you told us never to set foot?" Emma dared to ask, grimacing when Hook's dark glare swung her way.

"That's the one."

Nodding to herself, Emma somehow stopped herself from jumping when Regina, map hovering before her, appeared at her side.

"Well, Emma," Regina drawled, while the map began to float further into the jungle, and gestured with a hand for the blonde to proceed her, "you said you wanted to be the leader. Lead."

Wide-eyed that the dark-haired woman was actually offering, Emma paused long enough that Regina raised a finely arched brow in silent challenge. Inwardly shaking herself, the blonde gave her a stiff nod before she followed the map into the jungle. Smirking, Regina followed suit, with the Charmings and Hook, who all shared a long look fraught with tension, in the rear.

"Stay here." Lillian warned Henry, fiddling with the cloak she'd found tucked in a small chest that sat in the corner of the tree house. While it wouldn't hide her for long if any of the boys she knew saw her, it would hopefully fool some of the newer recruits. "We don't know what they want with you, and you'll be safe up here. No one can get in from the ladder except who I allow."

Having thought the tree house normal, Henry looked around it with new eyes. "What other enchantments did you put on it?" Catching Lillian's amused, yet stern expression, the little boy obediently sat on the hammock. "Stay here. Got it."

Reaching over, she ruffled his hair before pressing a kiss on the crown of his head. "So glad you do listen." Taking pity on his already bored expression, she jerked her head to the small chest. "There should be a book of spells, or two, in there. Why don't you read it while I'm gone? Maybe you have latent magical powers that could help us get off the island."

Smile tugging at her lips when his unhappily pale face all but lit up, Lillian waved in goodbye before darting down the rope ladder. Pausing near the bottom, she listened intently for any of the lost boys and, hearing nothing, dropped to the ground. Drawing the hood down to further cover her features, she tugged the cloak closer and slipped through the surrounding jungle.

Surprisingly, there were less lost boys in the camp than she'd thought there would be. The fact that none were guarding her tree house meant Peter either thought she wouldn't try to escape, or he just didn't think it was worth the effort to guard her while her magic was blocked. The reminder that, rather than free her, Peter had decided to keep her leashed, hurt more than she was willing to admit, even to herself.

She loved Peter, loved him with her whole heart and soul. It was crushing to know that he didn't trust her, though she couldn't say it surprised her. Peter Pan rarely trusted anyone, but, once upon a time, he had trusted her.

Things had changed tremendously while Lillian had been away on Neverland, and it was time she found out why.

Though Emma had been in the lead at first, Regina had shifted closer and closer until the duo stalked side by side in the Dark Jungle. Following the map, the ragtag group continued their trek through the Dark Jungle, each caught in various stages of unease at the unfamiliar terrain.

"Ready to thank me?" Regina wore a cynical expression at her words, not really expecting an answer.

"Actually, yeah." Emma exhaled sharply, shrugging when Regina threw her an unimpressed stare.

"If you'd let me do this sooner, maybe we'd have found them by now." Coming to a sudden stop, Regina whipped her head around, eyes narrowed in thought. "Wait." She raised a hand, stopping Emma and the others in their tracks. "He's there. Pan." She pointed with her free hand towards a copse of trees that led into a nearby clearing. "I can feel his smugness."

Needing no further prompting, David unsheathed his sword. "Shall we?" He asked courteously, though Regina stalked forward, needing little encouragement.
"While we still have the element of surprise on our side?"

Hook raised a hand, halting their progression. "Careful," he warned quietly, expression uncharacteristically serious. "He may look like a boy, but he's a bloody demon."

With that said, he stalked past Emma and Mary Margaret, following on the heels of David and Regina. Pausing by her daughter, Mary Margaret eyed her with quiet concern.

"Hey," she urged quietly, smiling when Emma snapped wary, somewhat terrified eyes her way. "We can do this. You can do this."

Enchanted Forest

Having ridden hard for most of the day, Charming slowed his horse when they drew close to their destination. Following suit, Snow glanced at him curiously for what felt like the hundredth time on their little day trip.

"We're nearly there." He said by way of explanation while drawing his horse to a complete stop. "We should take the rest of the way on foot."

Climbing from his horse, he quickly rounded the whinnying animal to help Snow down from hers. Smiling beautifully at her fiancee, she didn't even protest when he literally swept her down from the animal. Leaning closer to him, feeling his arms tighten around her waist, Snow let herself relax for the first time since she woke up.

"You realize, this is the first time we've been alone since you proposed?" Expression playful, she gave a girlish giggle when he swooped down to press a kiss to her nose.

"Well," Charming sighed, drawing her to follow him to where they needed to go. Snow willingly followed, their fingers brushing and curling together as they walked through the woods. "Privacy is a hard thing to come by when you have seven big brothers keeping an eye on you."

"They're protective." She agreed lightly, knowing she was putting it mildly.

Chuckling, he agreed with her. "That's one word for it."

Something in the way he worded it made her pause. "Have the dwarfs been giving you a hard time?" Snow questioned, inwardly resolving to have a stern talking to with said dwarfs when they returned to camp. If they were to spend the rest of their lives together, her seven protective shadows needed to learn to live with her choice of husband.

Apart from accusing me of being a gold-digging, social-climbing shepherd…" He trailed off at her thunderous expression. Shrugging easily, he smiled at her. "Nah."

"I have faith that you'll charm them, just as you charmed me… eventually." Snow teased, less troubled by his words than she thought she'd be. The dwarfs just didn't know Charming as she did - though they had already witnessed the man risk his life to save hers.

"According to Rumplestiltskin," Charming began, swiftly changing the subject, "the weapon that will defeat Regina lies at the top of this hill."

"This weapon, what does Rumple say of its power?" Snow asked as they began their trek up the hill. "Was it made with dark magic?"

Having expected her question, he shook his head. "No, it was forged by a benevolent mage." Though the sword itself was a false one, the story he spun was not. "His name is Merlin, from a realm named Camelot." They crested the hill, revealing a shimmering blade that rested in a large boulder. "Here it is. Excalibur."

Striding to the blade, Snow examined what she could see of it. "It's beautiful." She admitted, admiring the detail on the hilt of the weapon.

Exhaling deeply, Charming approached the blade and reached for the hilt. Grunting, he made a production of trying to pull the sword from the stone, smiling when Snow laughed at how ridiculous he looked. "It's stuck. You wanna try?"

Arching a brow, Snow asked, "If you couldn't do it, you really think I can?"

"Well, the legend states only the kingdom's true ruler possesses the strength to free the blade." He informed her with an easy shrug, inwardly grateful to see that little tidbit caught her attention.

"I've never ruled anything." She reminded him, Regina's mocking voice filling her ears.

As if sensing the turn her thoughts had taken, he moved closer to touch her shoulders. "Not yet." Leaning closer, he quietly urged her to try. "Go on."

Steeling her spine, Snow White stalked to the sword in the stone, eyeing it with clear intent. Reaching out with both hands, she gripped the hilt tightly and pulled. Startled by the easy give, she watched as every inch of the blade was revealed. Stumbling back a step, she gazed at the blade in awe.

"You see?" Charming said from behind, pride brimming in his smile at the sight of her. "You are this kingdom's true leader."

Neverland

"No one's here." Mary Margaret's voice seemed to echo in the large, empty clearing. Though there were obvious signs that the space had once served as a camp, it clearly hadn't been used in a while. Grouped together, they all looked around warily, everyone tense and ready for a fight. "Maybe your spell was wrong, Regina."

Lips pursing at the doubt in the other woman's voice, Regina scowled in her direction. "Yes. Blame me… again." She added on darkly, sneering at her former step-daughter.

"Guys… hold on." Emma held out a hand, eyes riveted to the figure that stood on the hill across the clearing. Disregarding the fact that the figure clearly hadn't been there five second ago, the blonde began to jog towards the coat that she would recognize anywhere. "Is that… Henry!"

Heart in her throat, Emma's hopes abruptly crashed when the figure turned, revealing a smirking Peter Pan dressed exactly like Henry. "Hi, Emma."

Skidding to a stop, the blonde panted angrily and shouted, "Where the hell is Henry!?"

"You broke the rules." Pan informed her, shaking his head in disappointment. Striding further up the hill, lost boys began to appear from the trees, surrounding the five adults in seconds. "Bad form. I expect more from you, captain."

Hook scowled at the boy's censure. "Aye, and you'll get it."

"Give Henry to me." Emma ordered, unable to stop herself.

Regina eyed her flatly. "And Lillian." She stressed the girl's name, irritated that Emma seemed to have forgotten they hadn't just lost their son. "They're practically a matched set, after all."

"Sorry," Pan retorted, not sorry in the slightest. "Can't. Don't you know?" He asked, coming to a stop at the top of the incline, gazing down at them with a sudden dark malice. "Cheaters never win."

At his silent command, the lost boys began to converge on the adults, whooping loudly in delight at the fight ahead of them.

"Watch out for their arrows." Hook warned loudly, drawing his sword with a flourish. "They're laced with dreamshade!"

As he spoke, Regina flexed fingers that began to glow as she summoned her magic, while David raised his sword and Mary Margaret notched an arrow. A lsot boy loosed an arrow, which David lunged to deflect from his wife. With that, the fight was on, and the clearing descended into pandemonium.

Side by side, David and Mary Margaret worked as a team, with the former protecting the latter from the poisoned arrowheads. Twisting to knock down a stick-wielding boy, David turned in time to see an archer aim at his wife.

"Mary Margaret!" Leaping to her side, he slashed at the arrow while twisting too late to avoid a second one. Hissing, he bent over, hand going to his side.

"David!"

Head snapping up to meet her concerned gaze, the blue-eyed man managed a smile for his wife. "I'm good!" His gaze snapped over her shoulder. "Behind you!"

Across the clearing, Regina turned and calmly moved her hands in an arc. The approaching boys were thrown to the ground, knocked out cold by the blow. Nearby, Hook was exchanging blows with a tall, scarred boy that carried a club.

"It's been a while, captain." Felix goaded when he and the pirate locked weapons.

"Not long enough." Hook returned, yanking his blade away only to bring it down once more. After swiping at one another a few more times, they locked weapons again, allowing the pirate to lean in close to the scarred boy. "You remember what I did to Rufio?" He all but cooed, grinning maliciously when Felix growled in response. "Well, it's a far worse fate for you!"

Twisting, Hook spun out of reach before he swung his sword. Snarling loudly, Felix continued to try to bash the pirates head in. As the two continued their fight, Emma darted past them, deflecting arrows and knocking boys out of her way. As another boy darted by her, she tackled him, sending both rolling down the hill. Scrambling, she managed to end up on top and held the blade to his neck hard enough to draw blood.

"Where is Henry?!" She demanded roughly, pressing the blade deeper. "Where is he?!"

Rather than look amused or delighted, the boy stared back at her, sheer terror in his too young eyes. Caught in the moment, unable to looked away from the boy, Emma startled when her mother's voice met her ears.

"Emma, are you alright?" Struck by the sight of her daughter ready and willing to kill a child, Mary Margaret could only stare in concern.

A sharp, piercing whistle echoed through the clearing, cutting off whatever Emma might have said. Grip on her sword going limp, it was all too easy for the boy beneath her to shove Emma off him and race with the other boys towards Pan. Shaking from adrenaline, Emma struggled to her feet, turning to gaze to where Pan stood, a smirk on his face.

"Remember what I told you. That map will show you where Henry is… only when you stop denying who you really are." Pan reminded her lightly, as if not discussing the welfare of her child. "I'll make sure to send Henry your regards."

Responding to a silent single, the lost boys and their leader raced from the clearing, leaving behind the shell-shocked adults.

It was easier than it should have been to sneak out of the camp.

On edge and alert, Lillian crept through the jungle, tracing well-remembered paths that seemed a bit more wild than she remembered. There were also far more thickets of dreamshade than had been there previously, which was a whole other topic that she would worry about later. For now, all she wanted to do was to find either of the former fairies that made Neverland their home.

Tinker Belle was the safest bet, though she had less of a reason to betray Peter than Tiger Lily did. However, the former fairy godmother of Lillian's mother was wild and unpredictable, and despite their common ground, Lillian's namesake was as likely to betray her as she was to help her. While Tink somewhat relied on the goodwill of the lost boys and their leader, Tiger Lily had regularly attacked them to steal supplies.

The eerie quiet of the jungle set her teeth on edge, and it was with difficult to keep her scream contained behind her teeth when Lillian raced into the clearing to fit it already occupied. Luca yelped in pain when they collided, stumbling back several steps while clutching at his forehead. Her own head smarting, she hurried away a few feet, lowering her hand the same moment he did.

"Luca?"

"Lily?!"

Before she could react, Luca ran at her and caught her about the waist. Laughing in delight, the lost boy spun them around the clearing before he had to set the still stunned Lillian on her feet. Dizzied by the welcoming, inwardly pushing aside the thought that that should have been what her reunion with Peter was like, she could only stare up at the taller boy in bewilderment.

"I was wondering when you were gonna climb down from that tree house!" Luca beamed at her, as if no time had passed, as if nothing had changed. "So, did Peter finally convince you to come down?" Waggling his eyebrows suggestively, though there was no heat in his words, Luca waited patiently for her to answer. When she did nothing but stare at him, his smile faded, replaced with a concerned, almost brotherly frown. "Lily? What is it?"

"I…"

"Lily." A dark voiced purred from behind Lillian, who went stiff as slender arms wound about her waist. Predictably, Luca's smile returned at the sight of his leader and their princess together again. Too startled to protest, Lillian remained stiff when Peter pulled her to rest against him. "Luca, give us a minute."

With a nod of his head, the tall boy bounded out of the clearing, joining the herd of whooping, laughing boys as they returned to camp. Heart beating loudly, so loudly Lillian feared Peter could hear it, the dark-haired teen allowed herself to be turned until she and Peter were face to face.

"I see you've stopped pouting, love. Such a shame you couldn't have joined us to welcome some rather unwelcome guests."

"Rumple's here?!" Lillian's head shot up, eyes widening in excitement at the thought of her former mentor coming to rescue Henry. "On Neverland?"

"Among others." Green eyes glittered in the dim light, and she distantly realized that he still had a grip on her waist. "Perhaps you'd like to join us for the next round of the game?"

It was far too easy to fall back into their banter. Extending her arm primly, Lillian shook her sleeve, allowing it to fall and reveal the black cuff still on her wrist. "Of course. If you'd be so kind?"

Eyebrow nearly arched into his hairline, Peter glanced from the cuff to her unyielding eyes, his own dancing with amusement. Tsking quietly, he grasped her hand, tangling their fingers to bring it to his cheek. Nuzzling against the palm of her hand, he smirked at her quiet, sharp inhalation, eyes opening a fraction to sear heatedly into her own.

"I've missed you, Lily." Pressing kisses to her fingertips, Peter pressed one to her palm before curling her hand into a fist, as if holding the kiss there. "And I know you've missed me. But still you try to leave me."

Sudden tears formed, and her hurt, angry heart was in those vibrant blue eyes. "Says the one keeping me leashed and chained like a dog." Moving to rip her hand from his grip, to put some distance between them, she was stopped when his grip tightened. "Let me go. Now."

"Oh, I don't think so." Drawing her closed fist, he pressed it to his chest. Her struggles immediately halted once she realized there was a lack of movement beneath her touch. Horrified by the implications, Lillian's gaze swept up to find dark, shadowed eyes. "I lost you once, Lily. I'm never letting go again. You, and Henry, are staying right here."

Before she could respond, either to protest or agree, Peter raised a hand to her forehead. With a flick of his fingers, she was limp in his arms, asleep once more. Unhappy with the way things had worked out - had she willingly gone to Felix, Peter would have been more than happy to remove the cuff - Peter swung her into his arms, cradling her like a bride. Brushing his lips to her forehead, he held them there for a long moment.

Really, loving her was a weakness he couldn't afford, but so was going without her.

Enchanted Forest

Leaning on a cart in the village, Lilith examined her painted nails with disinterest. The air around her was tense and heavy, and it made her want to scream. Shifting restlessly, she went still when one of the Dwarfs - she honestly couldn't tell them apart yet - began to shout loudly.

"She's coming! The Queen!"

As the townspeople scattered, looking for any kind of shelter they could find, Lilith straightened and strode to the ragtag group of rebels that stood in the center of the small village. Charming held a cloth-wrapped bundle in one hand, while Snow White stared determinedly at the approaching carriage.

"Ready?" The false prince asked, glancing over to princess to see her answering nod. Unwrapping the sword, he held out the pommel, allowing her to draw the blade.

Lilith eyed it, inwardly admitting that, while it wasn't the real Excalibur of legend, it was a damn good fake. At least to those who had never seen the real thing.

"What exactly were you two up to today?" Grumpy growled, taking in the sight of Snow with a sword.

"You'll see." Snow returned with more confidence than she felt. It showed when she added, "I hope," in a more subdued manner.

All eyes were trained on the carriage as it rolled to a stop. A black knight opened the door, and out stepped Regina, wearing a skin-tight, black dress. Though she thought the headpiece a bit much, Lilith could admit that the queen had style.

"Well, dear," Regina greeted after she took several steps away from the carriage. "Have you packed your bags?"

Glancing down at the sword she held, Snow walked a few hesitant steps towards the Evil Queen. "I thought about your offer. And everything you said was true." A faint smile formed on Regina's lips. "I could go off with Charming and the dwarfs, and we could find some lovely corner of the world to live out our days, and it would be a wonderful life. But I can't leave my people, not… with…you."

"Well, in that case…" Without another word, Regina raided a hand and squeezed.

Snow and Charming whirled at the sound of Grumpy gasping for air, feet scrapping the ground as the Evil Queen choked him. The other six dwarfs raced to grab hold of their brother as he was lifted further off the ground, high-pitched cries escaping his throat. Jerking her chin, Regina sent the dwarfs flying, holding them to the ground with her magic.

"Charming!" Snow cried, looking between Grumpy and Regina in horror.

He grabbed her shoulder, staring into her eyes. "You can do this." He promised her. "You. You pulled the sword out of the stone."

Encouraged by the reminder, Snow set her eyes on Regina and charged. "Let him go!" Swiping at Regina, her blade once more met smoke. Prepared, Snow whirled on her heel and swung out, catching Regina by surprise.

Grumpy fell to the ground, gasping for air as the spell holding his brother's on the ground was lifted. Lilith raced to the coughing dwarf, fingers sparking magenta as they brushed his throat, healing the damage.

Snow White and the Evil Queen stared at one another, both shocked by the sight of the bloodied cut just beneath the latter's eye. Raising trembling fingers, Regina gasped at the sight of her own blood.

"You told me to stop denying who I really am. Well, that's exactly what I'm doing." Snow spoke in clear, strong tones that reverberated through the village. Emboldened by their princess, the villagers began to exit the safety of their homes. "This is my kingdom, and I will fight for it!"

Staring at her like she'd never seen her before, Regina's expression tightened. "Then I'll see you on the battlefield."

"We'll be ready." Snow returned heatedly, eyes narrowing when Regina disappeared in haze of purple smoke.

As the Queen disappeared, Snow White was swarmed by laughing and cheering people. As they celebrated, Charming cupped her face in one hand.

"You okay?"

Smiling, Snow nodded.

Neverland

Setting up camp for the night, David paused when Mary Margaret laid her hands on his sides.

"You sure you don't want me to take a look at that?" She queried, eyes sparking with worry.

"I was lucky." He reassured her, directing them both towards where the others were gathered. "My jacket wasn't. Don't worry about it. I think we have bigger issues." He nodded his chin to where Emma stood against a tree, staring a hole into the map.

Emma looked up at their approach, expression not exactly welcoming. As they had before, her parents refused to take a hint and began to speak.

"Don't let him shake your confidence." Mary Margaret informed her with an infuriatingly optimistic smile despite the graveness of her tone. "We've all had moments where we felt we couldn't prevail."

David nodded, hand on his wife's shoulder. "She's right."

"Guys, not now." Emma breathed. "Please."

"Emma, wait." David moved to go after her, only for Mary Margaret to grip his hand, holding him back. Turning to look at her, he gave an understanding nod, watching as she went after their daughter.

Going to sit beside Emma on a log, Mary Margaret watched her shoulders tense. "Please talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about." Emma intoned flatly. "We had our chance and we lost… I lost."

"Then you have to keep fighting."

"You heard what Hook said." Emma gestured uselessly. "Pan is a-a demon."

"And you are a-"

Emma cut her off. "What? A savior? Because if that were true," she held up the blank parchment, tempted to rip it to shred. "This map would've shown us the way already."

Silent for several heartbeats, Mary Margaret blinked past a sudden onslaught of tear. "Maybe who you think you are isn't who you really are."

Emma didn't look at her. "What do you mean?"

"Sometimes we think we know ourselves, but we need a push to show us the reality." Mary Margaret peered at Emma from the corner of her eye, gauging her reaction. "That boy with the knife - you stopped fighting him. Why?"

"'Cause he was… just a boy." Emma found that it was a struggle to talk through the sudden thickness in her throat.

"No." Mary Margaret shook her head, turning to look at her daughter. "There was something else. I saw it in your eyes. Why did you stop?" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Why?"

"Because when I looked at his face, I saw me."

Mary Margaret inhaled deeply. "Go on."

"That look in his eyes…" Emma inhaled sharply, eyes staring ahead blankly, voice thickened by tears. "The despair. I had it back when I was in the foster system. Just a lost little girl who didn't matter and didn't think she ever would." A little girl who cried herself to sleep at night 'cause…" Her voice broke over the word, but she didn't stop, "she wanted her parents so bad. And could never understand… why they gave her up."

"And then you found us." Mary Margaret continued quietly, a tear running down her cheek. "It was too late."

Emma shook her head slowly, biting her lip to try to stop the tears. "It's just, on this island… I…I don't feel like…" she sniffled, tears falling from her eyes, "a hero or a savior. I just feel like what I've always been. An orphan. "

Heartbroken by what her daughter had gone through, Mary Margaret looked down, eyes unconsciously looking in the direction of the discarded map. "Emma."

"What?"

"Look."

Unwillingly, the blonde turned her head, following Mary Margaret's gaze. Gasping at the sight of the map forming on the page, she snatched it back into her hands. "What happened?"

"You accepted who you are." Mary Margaret's voice was tight with pain.

Words catching up to her, Emma exhaled sharply, more tears falling. She finally slid her eyes over to her mother. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It's the truth." Exhaling deeply, Mary Margaret resisted the urge to reach out and physically comfort her daughter. "You were an orphan." She acknowledged with a sniffle. "It's my job to change that."

Enchanted Forest

Walking through the forest, Snow White glanced at her silent, hooded companion. With little fuss, Lilith had agreed to travel with the princess into the woods near their river encampment.

She had also, unbeknownst to Charming, agreed to summon the Dark One for the princess.

Pausing in a small clearing, Lilith drew her hood down, shaking out her loosely braided hair as she did so. Snow caught sight of a black feather charm half-hidden in the dark curls.

"Rumplestiltskin." Lilith called in a clear, high voice.

Within seconds, there was an answer."What do you want?!"

Both women turned to see Rumpelstiltskin seated on a log, hands clasped neatly in his lap, legs extended. Expression never changing, Lilith allowed the princess to take charge.

"We need to discuss the deal you made with Charming." Snow spoke with a calm, confidence, a far cry from the would-be queen she had been just days before.

He rose to his feet. "Have to be a bit more specific, dearie."

"He came to you searching for something powerful enough to vanquish the Queen. You told him of Excalibur." Fingers touching, the Dark One casually strode towards the princess, expression mocking. "Now whatever it is that he promised you in return, I am prepared to pay it. But I won't allow him to remain in your debt."

"How nauseatingly romantic."

Inwardly, Snow rolled her eyes at his cheek. "What did he promise you? With you, everything comes with a cost."

"It's true. Your prince came to ask for aid fighting the Queen. I told him I had nothing to give, and I didn't."He paused, gold eyes going to his silent assistant. "Well, other than Lilith's assistance, that is."

"Then how did you know where to find Excalibur?" Snow asked, smiling widely.

Brow arched, Rumpelstiltskin gestured for her to come closer. When she obliged, he muttered, "Everyone knows it's in Camelot." He informed her with a grimace.

"But it's not." She drew back, expression bewildered. She held up the blade in her hand proudly. "I possess it now."

"If that were Excalibur, I wouldn't be able to do… this!" Flicking his fingers, the Dark One soon had the famed 'Excalibur falling away into dust. "Sword's a fake, dearie. Shoddy craftsmanship, too." He prattled on while the poor dear examined the empty pommel in her hand. "But then again, what can you expect from a shepherd?" He leaned closer, as if they were sharing a private joke. "Lucky it wasn't made out of wool."

"The real one is made of black and silver metal." Lilith called from her spot. Snow's wounded gaze flew to her. "The hilt has more gold on it too."

"I struck Regina!" She told them, refusing to believe the truth. "I drew blood!"

"Enough of your ramblings!" The Dark One shouted, face nearly touching Snow's as he reached for the chain around her neck.

Gasping as he ripped the necklace from her, Snow's eyes filled with pained tears. "No, please." She begged. "That belonged to my mother."

"And now it belongs to me." He crooned, holding the necklace to his chest. "You're right about one thing, dearie. Everything comes with a cost, including wasting my time."

Struck still by shock, Snow White glanced down at the useless hilt, glancing up to find the Dark One gone. Lilith remained, watching the silently crying princess come to a harsh realization.

Staring at the river, Charming allowed himself to relax. Footsteps crunching on the gravel of the shoreline made him turned to see the Dwarfs approaching.

"Mind if we join you?" Grumpy asked, clutching a bottle of spirits, along with a full and empty cup. The other Dwarfs all had a small glass in hand.

"We may owe you a slight apology."

"Slight?"

"Don't get greedy. Take it."

"Okay." Charming allowed with a smile.

"We should never have doubted your intentions." Grumpy offered the empty cup.

Sighing, Charming took the offered cup, holding it out for Grumpy to fill. "You were only looking out for her best interests." Standing, he faced the seven Dwarfs and held up his cup. "Here's to starting over.

"We need to talk." Snow stormed by them, Lilith at her heels.

Bewildered, but heart sinking, Charming followed, drink forgotten. Lilith grabbed the cup, downing the burning liquid before disappearing into her tent without a word.

When Charming stood before her, Snow all but threw the pommel of the fake sword into his hand. "I saw Rumplestiltskin."

"Snow, I can explain." He held up a hand to stop her.

"So, it's true." Snow exhaled through gritted teeth. "You planted the sword in that stone."

"I did.:

His easy acceptance only riled her further. "So you took me on an adventure to find a magical sword because-"

"You needed to believe in something I already knew."

"So, when I stood up to Regina…"

"You did that on your own." His words stopped her admittedly reasonable tirade. "You had it inside you the entire time. You just… needed some help to realize that."

"But you didn't."

Exhaling, Charming shook his head. Without another word, Snow pulled him to her, kissing him soundly.

Neverland

"The map is working." Emma raced towards their camp with Mary Margaret just behind her. "We know where Henry and Lillian are."

Regina nearly tripped in her haste to get to the blonde. "Where?"

Emma willingly handed the map to Hook when he reached her. "Uh… we're here at the Southern tip of the isle, in the middle of the Dark Jungle, and Pan's camp lies due north." He marked the spots with his hook.

"That's where he's keeping Henry and Lillian." Emma repeated, vibrating with excitement.

Regina moved, ready to race across the jungle in her bare feet. "What are we waiting for?"

"Well, the terrain's not easy. There will undoubtedly be some nasty impediments along the way." Hook reminded them quietly, unwilling to put a damper on their excitement, but knowing he had to.

"We should prepare." David agreed, examining the map over the pirate's shoulder. "We only made it out of our last encounter because Pan let us. We need a new plan."

"Agreed. It's time we stop playing his game and he starts playing ours."

Regina raised a brow. "And if I disagree?"

"Go ahead, but I think you know our best chance is together." Emma informed her candidly.

"You better be right." Regina told her lowly, but she made no more protests.

"Excellent show of patience, luv." Hook praised her in a low tone, smirking at his next words. "And that's what defeats a nasty little boy."

"I hope so." Emma muttered, eyes drawn up when she heard the tell-tale pop of a cork. "Is rum your solution to everything?"

Hook paused, flask halfway to his mouth. "It certainly doesn't hurt." He took a swig, holding it out to her, humming when she hesitated. "So just how did you unlock the map?"

"I did what Pan asked." Emma replied after taking a sip.

"And just who are you, Swan?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She handed the flask off.

"Perhaps I would." Sensing the situation had taken a more personal tone, Emma strode off towards her bedroll.

Hook watched her go, a faint longing in his eyes.

Still recovering from his run-in with the vision of Belle he'd inadvertently summoned, as well as letting go of his past, Gold stalked distractedly through the jungle.

A sudden twig snap jerked him from his thoughts. On edge, he turned in circles at every little sound, finally gazing towards the sky in time to see something falling towards him.

Landing at his booted feet was the straw doll he'd tossed over the cliff. Perturbed, he picked it up, brushing dirt off of it before he tossed it to the ground again.

Summoning a fireball, he set the doll aflame, crushing the smoking remains with his boot. Continuing on his way, he pulled aside leaves and felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of the doll, whole and perfect, before him.

Picking it up, considering it, he finally put it into his coat pocket before heading back to his campsite.

"Don't eat the blue ones." A lazy smirk curled up Pan's lips when, despite her best efforts, Emma's head whirled around at his words. Glancing at the collection of blue berries in her palm, she tossed them to the ground with a disgusted sigh and started picking the red ones. "Congratulations. You did it… orphan." His ribbing had its intended affect, and the blonde glowered at him. "You don't mind if I call you a lost girl, do you? Then again, that titles always been reserved especially for Lily.

"Call me what you like." Emma replied, rising to her feet while she brushed her palms against her pant leg. Though Pan was probably bluffing about the berries, she wouldn't put it past him to trick her into eating something poisonous. "It won't stop me from finding Henry. Or Lillian," she added guiltily.

To her surprise, Pan chuckled at that. "Oh, I'm counting on that. There's a reason I tested you."

"Really?" Emma countered dryly, refusing to believe that the boy in front of her ever did anything for a reason.

"You haven't forgiven your parents for abandoning you." He raised a hand to stall her automatic denial. "Don't deny it. You haven't." His smirk returned, head tilted in amusement. "That's good. Really good. 'Cause when you find Henry, you'll understand him."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He hasn't forgiven you either. By the time you get to him, he'll never want to leave this island.

"We'll see."Emma spat coldly, turning on her heel in the direction of camp, determined to have the last word.

"And as for you, Emma… when we're finished, you won't just feel like an orphan." He called at her retreating back, unable to resit one last well-pointed threat. "You'll be one."

Satisfied, he disappeared before Emma could reply, leaving the irritated blonde in the clearing to stare at the empty spot and wonder just how believable his threats were.

Thoughts? Comments? Questions?