Next chapter, of course. Again, apologies for grammar.

Fairytale Land of the Past

It has been years. Years since this training had first begun, and already Jade felt he has been there for over an eternity. The beginning was brutal, for Rumplestiltskin waited nearly six months before he even began to train Jade with magic. Six months of sitting in a cell in the dungeons, just reflecting on when he had given Cindy the potion, how her skin regained its color, and how her fever immediately began to break. That was enough to convince Jade that the trade he made was worth it, his life for hers. It was more than an easy decision. It was the simplest choice he ever made.

And now, he was back in reality. Even after his decade of training and maturing, Jade was forced to endure the cold stones of the dungeons and the lack of company unless Rumple was removing him from the cell to practice magic. Sure enough, both sorcerers were correct in saying Jade possessed the gift magic, but he wasn't sure if that was entirely true. The theory he had in his head was Rumple simply gave him magic and now was teaching him how to use it. Jade would never give in to believing he had magic from the beginning.

Abruptly, while Jade was lost in thought, the dungeon door swung open and his master stepped inside. Jade barely paid him any mind, he well aware that Rumple wouldn't hurt him. Many a time Jade has stepped out of line and never receive a lashing from Rumple. Many a time had Jade said something insulting and Rumple never lifted a hand to strike him. He figured it was because Rumple wanted Jade to grow hate towards him for whatever reason and wanted Jade to develop a sense of anger and rage. Rumple was training Jade for more than just the ability to use magic.

"Today's the big day," Rumple nearly sang as he entered the dungeon cell.

Jade merely rolled his eyes.

"I have a gift for you," Rumple said as a means to capture Jade's attention, and it worked.

Slowly, Jade shifted his eyes to look towards Rumple, who made a cloak appear in his hands. It wasn't the style of Jade, for the cloak appeared so old-fashioned, and this was back in ye-olden times. Jade crinkled his nose in disgust and shook his head slightly.

"Sorry, Dark One," I flatly apologized. "It's not my taste."

"Nor is it yours to keep, Dearie," Rumple informed him. "This cloak is merely a loan. It is going to help you on your quest to steal the wardrobe accessory you promised me."

Ah, yes. The third deal he had made to get a refill on the potion. Jade had nearly forgotten all about it, but with his newly found training, he doubted it would be such a difficult task.

"Today is the day I'm gonna steal it for you?" Jade questioned as he hopped off of his bunk in the cell, preparing to head out immediately. He seemed confident while Rumple appeared a bit ... on edge. Nervous, one might even say.

"Not so fast," Rumple said, stepping back some. "There is a warning you should heed."

Jade crossed his arms over his chest firmly. He was growing impatient and making it perfectly clear, but Rumple took his time to explain despite the obvious hints.

"I chose today," the Dark One began to inform his apprentice, "because I know that the Sorcerer who usually occupies such a hat shall be elsewhere. However, he is leaving more than just his hat behind."

Jade leaned in, listening for the trap the Sorcerer might have set or the guard dog he may have left. Who or what was it? Cyberus was on a loan from the Underworld? Or was it some magical trap he had set before he left? Jade awaited the response and Rumple provided the answer to the pending question; what was guarding the hat?

"He is also leaving behind his Apprentice," Rumple concluded, and once more, Jade did his favorite thing in the world; he rolled his eyes.

"His Apprentice?" Jade raised his brow.. "You serious? A lone little Apprentice is what is standing in my way from the wardrobe accessory? Please, I can handle that." He snatched the cloak from Rumple's hands and began to fasten it on his body. While the young one seemed prepared, Rumple grew more anxious.

"I don't think you understand the power of his Apprentice," the Dark One tried to explain. "You have never faced him before."

Jade gave a throat laugh.

"Yeah, so what?"

"Have you forgotten that you are merely an Apprentice yourself, Jade?" Rumple questioned with a slight tint to his voice that suggested slowing down and plotting a plan before just springing into action.

"No," Jade answered. He has most certainly not forgotten. "But I am your Apprentice. You know? The Dark One's Apprentice. I am sure I can handle some sorcerer's Apprentice."

Jade suddenly found himself pinned against the wall, unable to move, barely able to breathe. For the first time in a long time, poor Jade was nervous and actually fearful. Rumple appeared menacing and was in his face, eyes fierce and voice hoarse as he spoke to his Apprentice, staring straight at him, dead in the eyes.

"This isn't just some sorcerer," Rumple growled, mere inches away from Jade's face. "This is the Sorcerer that you are stealing from. And he isn't just any Apprentice. He is the Apprentice. Now, when you first see him-if you do-he may not seem like much. Do not underestimate him, Jade. He holds power like you would not believe."

Jade saw something swimming in Rumple's eyes, and at first, he couldn't make out what it was. Was it jealousy? Hate? But then Jade deduced it.

"You're fearful of him," Jade stated, to which Rumple appeared agitated.

He released Jade from his hold, allowing the young Apprentice to breathe and move about freely.

"If you don't think I can handle this task," Jade questioned as he caught his breath and stood up straight, "then why send me on it?"

Rumple smiled darkly as he gave his reply.

"Better to send in a test subject than go in yourself."

Jade rolled his eyes yet again, it all making sense. If Rumple went in first, not knowing of what traps might have been set or what have you, there was a chance even he could get caught. Send in a lab rat, however, and you could get the full scoop on what was going on down there as a means of provisions.

Insulted, but knowing he didn't have much of a choice, Jade adjusted the cloak he wore and prepared himself to leave.

"I'll devise a plan before I enter," he lied. "I won't get caught."

"Remember what happens if you do," Rumple warned and reminded at the same time.

Jade gulped and nodded, well aware of the consequences if he didn't return with the hat.

"Yes, I know," he stated.

To that, Rumple smiled.

"Cloak of invisibility, Dearie," he said to Jade as the Apprentice lifted up the hood and vanished. "Use it wisely."

Somnium of the Present

It was rather embarrassing, the fact that she didn't know how to make a bed. She had never done it in her life before, so how was she supposed to know? She honestly thought her bed back home was enchanted for the longest time, and that every time she got up it made itself. Only until she was about six did she realize actual palace servants did it for her, but even then did she not oppose to the job getting done.

So, in the morning, she stood over her bed and looked at it with question, thinking how she was supposed to do what. Did she lay the covers this way or that? Were the pillows backwards or upside down? She had no idea, and so attempted to use magic as her assistance, but that proved to be unhelpful. Magic did not agree with her here.

"Oh, come on," Lucinda huffed as she waved her hands over the bed. "This is stupid." She stomped her foot and folded her arms over her chest. "No matter what world I am in, I am a princess. And as such, everything and everyone should obey my command." She threw her arms out again, over the sheets and chanted, "Obey me, sheets! Obey me!" And still, nothing happened.

Lucinda dropped her arms to her sides and tilted her head back in defeat. But she wasn't about to cave so easily. Rather than try and figure out how to make the bed as neat as it was the morning before, she let it lay in ruins, blankets tossed about and pillows out of place.

"Whatever," she says as she walks off, down the steps towards the main room when she felt a pull.

A pull?

A tug that she has never felt before. Something was calling to her and she wanted to deny it. A summons that she could not break from for it was stronger than her freewill. She was being order to answer this summons despite her emotions, which made her only to want to fight it harder.

"I am no servant," she said with a grit of her teeth, and yet, she found herself flashing away from the staircase and into a dimly lit room.

It was dark and dank in this new stone walled room, with barely any light shinning within. There were no windows and no other source of light besides a five-candle holder on one of the walls, but even that wasn't lit save for a single candle. The room was filled with straw; an abundance and abundance of straw. She was standing on it, the floor being completely covered in it, and the straw itself climbed up the walls that entrapped her in the room.

"What is this place?" Lucinda questioned with a crinkle of the brow, not expecting a response, but she got one.

"My second favorite room in the castle," spoke Jade's voice.

Lucinda turned to look further into the room, and sure enough, there was Jade. His attire was a bit different today, but it didn't stray from his usual appearance. He still stuck to deep blues and blacks, but now he wore no suit. Instead, the deep blue color was found on, almost, a robe of sorts that trailed down to the back of his knees. On his legs were a pair of black breeches and his boots matched in the midnight color, save for the zipper on their sides. Those were the same night sky color as the robe. His jet black hair was left free and untamed, and those two different color eyes of his seemed to glow in the dark, as though he had night vision. His hands were fashioned differently as well. On them were black gloves, of course, but these weren't made of leather. Instead, they appeared to be made of black mail armour, and at the point where fingernails are meant to be were golden, extended pieces that formed a sharp point at the tip, making it so his fingernails appeared to be three inches in length. Of course, he also dazzled his fingers in rings and gems that were overly flashy, but hey, wouldn't everyone if they had the jewels?

Jade didn't look up from his task when he spoke, but rather placed all of his attention on the spinning wheel that was transforming the straw into pure gold, having the finish product flow right into the basket that awaited under the wheel.

"This is where I work," he further says as Lucinda looks to the gold in awe, having not known anyone who could do that besides herself and her father, as well as Cora from the book she read. "It is peaceful in here," Jade continues, "and no one can find me due to the no doors or windows thing."

"Then I used magic to get in here?" Lucinda questioned with glee, but was shot down when Jade chuckled sinisterly and shook his head, eyes still focused on the task at hand.

"No, dear child, no," he replied. "I brought you in here with magic." For the first time, he stopped and slowly brought his weirded eyes up to her. Those two different colors, despite them being both beautiful, freaked Lucinda out a bit. She leaned back, not daring to show her true discomfort by taking a step, and listened to Jade speak, trying not to focus on the eyes.

Jade lifted up a hand, shaking it slightly, and having the dagger with Lucinda's name on it appear in his grip.

"You might want to keep this in a safe place, dear," he warns, "or else everyone will begin to use it."

The dagger disappeared more quickly than it had arrived, and Lucinda was left dumbstruck.

"Where is it?" she asked in haste and fear, nearly approaching Jade, but he lifted up a finger and stopped her.

"Het," he says, and Lucinda knew what that meant, so she ceased in her steps. "Check your hip," Jade suggested while a smile slithered onto his face.

Lucinda looked to her right hip and saw nothing, making Jade snicker silently to himself.

"Not that hip, the other hip," he informed her, and so Lucinda shifted her gaze.

Sure enough, on her left hip, was a sheath designed specially for the dagger. Bent and weirded in shape, yet the dagger slid out perfectly, almost like a glove. Lucinda examined it for a moment, just to be sure it was the right one and that she wasn't dreaming.

Lucinda said the dagger, and so she sighed before pushing it back into its hold.

"Thanks," she muttered. "I'll protect it with my life, I guess. So, when are we going to start with magic practice?"

"We have already begun, dear," Jade informed her. "You just don't realize it. I have already presented you with a task. Until you complete that one, we cannot move on."

"A task?" she questioned as she knitted her brows together. "What kind of task? You didn't give me a task."

Jade waved his head before shifting his eyes back to the wheel and slowly began to spin again. He was reminding her way too much of her father from the book, it was scary. They must have interacted at some point, but why was he never mentioned? Why was Jade never in the story book?

"Jade," Lucinda spoke up, "you didn't give me a task and I don't have time for riddles. Just tell me what to do so we can get a move on. What do I need to do? What magic do I have to perform? What temple of sorts do I go to smash the teacup?"

Jade shook his head and tsked in disapproval, while peeking back up at Lucinda.

"Magic is full of riddles, Lucinda," he said. "You will never get straight forward answers when handling such a gift. You must determine for yourself what you are and are not capable of. You must except what is, change the things you can, stand the things you can't, and gain the knowledge to know the difference. Once you do that, your magic shall be back in no time."

"Jade," she nearly begged, "please."

"Get to work, Lucinda," he simply said while going back to the wheel. "You don't have forever, you know, and you have just begun your apprenticeship."

Fairytale Land of the Past

The door wasn't enchanted with some spell, but was rather just your basic door. Jade pushed on it, but it was locked, and so he used a spell Rumple had taught him to make the door open on his command.

"Battle of the Apprentices," Jade mutters to himself as he stars down the steps, remembering back to all those years ago when he had first stood at that top step and was overly fearful at climbing down any further. Now, he seemed to do it with ease.

One foot fell before the other, the door swung closed on its own behind him, but Jade paid it no mind as he flipped up the hood to his cloak, making himself vanish into thin air. He doubted he would even need such a cloak to complete the mission. With Rumple's vigorous training having been inflicted upon him for years, Jade believed himself to be fully equipped for the mission, and was determined to get his hands on the hat. His motivation for succeeding at the task began to swat at his head with every step he took, the echoing of his foot falling softly on the stone the constant reminder of failure. He ignored his own torment as he neared the curve o the staircase and the lair was brought into view.

It was just how it was nearly a decade ago; with nothing save for a few pots and the cauldron, the table still in place with the large throne like chair just where it was before. The spell book rested peacefully on the table beside a skull, and on the other side of the spell book ... oh, the beautiful hat.

Jade's eyes glowed with amusement as he thought about the warning Rumple had given, how this would be no easy task, and yet ... there it was! Right there before his very eyes! The hat he needed to steal was left out in the open. Jade was smarter than that, however, and so swayed his palm over the area to check the floor for any magical traps, and the results came up negative. The ground was clear and so Jade made his move.

He strolled across the floor, nearly singing to himself and skipping, the Apprentice nowhere in sight! Heck, he could have even snatched the spell book if he wanted to. Attempting to hold in his laughter, Jade reached over the table, going to grab the hat as he muttered to himself, "Too easy." But just as his hands made contact with the blue pointed hat with the moving stars and moons,

ZAP!

"Ow!" he hollered as he pulled back his hands, them burning from the electrical zap that they had just underwent, the sting equivalent to be struck by lightening. The hat on the table faded away into nothingness, leaving Jade confused. "What the hell is that?" he questioned as he waved his hands as a means to cool them off, and, shockingly, his question was answered.

"A decoy trick my Master taught me. Ha."

Jade stood still at the sound of the voice and slowly turned his head to look to his opponent.

"Pretty good one, too, isn't it? Say, uh, nice cloak of invisibility, but isn't that considered cheatin'?"

The cloak Jade wore flew right off his body, startling the Dark One's Apprentice briefly before he recollected himself and faced the one dressed in red who had caused the phenomenon.

"I'm guessin' you're here to steal the hat, aren't ya?"

Oh my gosh, Jade thought to himself. The Sorcerer's Apprentice was not at all what he had in mind. Not one bit.

"Well, ya wouldn't be the first, and I know that cloak anywhere. You're the Dark One's Apprentice, aren't ya? Well, you're not gonna get your hands on that hat, so why don't ya turn around and go while ya still can."

Jade couldn't hold it in. He bursted into a fit of laughter, resulting in the one dressed in red to place his hands on his hips and give the laughing Apprentice a nasty, scornful look. He knew why Jade was laughing, he experienced it far too often. His appearance made it so nobody would take him seriously, and Jade was no exception.

"Oh wow," Jade speaks over his hysteria. "You can't be serious. This... this is my competition? Oh no. Rumplestiltskin certainly played you out to be a much greater threat than what you really are. Oh man."

He even slapped his knee and his face was turning red while his eyes produced tears.

"Look, little guy," Jade finally managed to breathe, "I don't want to hurt you."

"Hmmm," merely said the one in red while raising a brow.

"So, why don't you just give me the real hat, squeakers, and I'll be on my way. Nobody," he held back a chuckle, "especially you, has to get hurt."

"Swell," the one in red replied, "but I'm afraid I can't do that." He stood firm. "I ain't giving up the hat to anybody."

"Seriously, little guy," Jade argued, antagonizing the Sorcerer's Apprentice, "just give me the hat."

"No," the Apprentice replied, while crossing his arms over his chest, turning his head away and growing more impatient with Jade's rude remarks on his size.

Now Jade was growing frustrated.

"Come on, now. Where is it, little guy?" Jade questioned.

"Stop calling me little guy," the Apprentice gritted, but Jade didn't get the hint. It was a big mistake to keep going on taunting the Apprentice's size.

"Look, I'm in a rush, little guy. Can you please just give me the hat?"

"I'm warning you, fellow apprentice, stop calling me lit-"

"All right, little guy, I'll just find it my- Ooooffff!"

Jade went flying across the room, smacking the far wall harshly and landing on the ground with a loud THUD. He shook his head, shaking off the rattle that had happened to his skull, and looked up to his opponent who had clearly sent him flying seconds ago.

"I told ya to stop," the Apprentice spoke with his high voice, the one that wasn't so good at making threats. If his size didn't give away a false impression of his strength, his voice must certainly did. He was slightly surprised Jade hadn't commented more on that, as most people do.

"A tiny fellow like you packs such a punch?" Jade questioned as he got to his feet.

"Don't test me when it comes to my size," the Apprentice warned once again.

"Look, I need the hat and I'm not leaving this place without it," Jade said just as firmly as the Apprentice's warnings.

"Ya want the hat?" the Apprentice questioned, and the very wardrobe accessory Jade had come to steal appeared at the top of the Apprentice's head. Both of them then took their battle stands, rolling up their sleeves to get them out of the way, and preparing their magic in the palms of their hands. The Apprentice smiled a twisted smile and squeaked, "Come and get it."

Somnium of the Present

"He's got to be in here somewhere," Lucinda mutters as she flips vigorously through the pages of Once Upon A Time, looking for any sign of Jade, but she finds not a single one. Every page is left blank of his name or picture, not even a reference of him. Nothing of his existence is made clear within the book. It was impossible for no one to be in it ... unless ...

Lucinda snapped the book shut in a large bang before scrambling to her feet and beginning to search the many shelves in the library for a book that just might hold some information about the different worlds that made up the universe. Jade had to be from at least one of them. He couldn't have just appeared out of nowhere.

Every book that she came across, however, were stories that her and her mother have already read together. Make believe tales written by, supposedly, make believe people. In any case, Lucinda still searched the shelves and made much noise as she threw books over her shoulders and used a traveling ladder to reach higher shelves and shelves that were to her left or her right. So much noise came from the flying books that she caught the attention of Tripetta.

The tiny little beginning emerged from behind the curtain just as Lucinda flew by on the ladder, nearly smacking into the mere servant. Tripetta was quick though, retreating before she could get struck by the flying ladder, Lucinda making no attempts to apologize either. Tripetta straightened out her little servant's gown before stepping out of the back room completely and watching Lucinda hopelessly continuing on in her search for a book that she would never find.

"Madame Dark One," Tripetta calls out with respect and little fear. She knew Lucinda had not mastered magic just yet, and at the moment was powerless. "What on this realm are searching for?"

"A book," Lucinda called back, making Tripetta roll her eyes, knowing Lucinda would be oblivious to the action.

"Of course, Madame, we have many a book. Any one in particular you are searching for? Perhaps I could assist you in locating it?" Tripetta called back in a very soothing accent she carried. One that sounded rather english of some kind.

"That would be wonderful!" Lucinda nearly sang, so pleased to have someone back in her service once more. Even if she was to be called Madame instead of Your Highness, she would take it. It was still a sign of respect, and one that she had been lacking for quite too long. "I am looking for the origin story of your master, Jade. Do you know where that is?"

"Master Jade's origin story?" Tripetta questioned with knitted brows.

"Yes, that's the one," Lucinda confirmed. "Where is it?"

"I am sorry, Madame," Tripetta said, "but I am afraid we have nothing of the sort."

Lucinda's smile and enthusiasm faltered.

"Beg pardon?" she said, looking to the young servant girl who had offered her assistance.

"We have no origin story for Master Jade written down in any of the books," Tripetta explained. "One does simply not exist."

"Well," Lucinda scoffed, "that's impossible." She slid down the ladder, landing gracefully on her feet before continuing in her speaking. "I mean, every single one of us has an origin story written down somewhere. Everyone unless they were born in Storybrooke, like me. So, Jade has to have an origin story written down somewhere. According to himself and Baelfire, he is over a hundred years old, so there was no way he could have been born in Storybrooke."

"As true as that may be, Madame," Tripetta said, "Master Jade was sure to not have any weakness made well known. His origin story has been erased."

Lucinda's eyes widened with disapproval and hurt. The one key she had to figuring out Jade, the one person she didn't understand, and it was destroyed.

"That's impossible," Lucinda said. "No one could have their origin story erased. Altered, yeah, but completely erased is just not possible. No body holds that power. Not even the Dark One does, and the Dark One is the most powerful person, maybe besides Merlin, to have ever lived."

Tripetta shook her head in disapproval.

"I do not deny your strengths, Madame," she says respectfully and calmly, "nor do I deny your father's or any Dark One's to have ever existed. However, there is a force more powerful than even than Dark One. At times, even the Dark One was able to over power Merlin himself, but Merlin was not the most powerful creature to have ever lived, and thus, neither is the Dark One. There is a force more powerful than either one, and a force that shall remain longer after Merlin's death and well beyond the years of any Dark One."

Lucinda was as confused as ever, shaking her head and rubbing her temples with tender fingers. She was craving tea and her comforting bed, her medicine for every time she was stressed out or her mind was strained; laying in bed with tea and ordering servants around. That was soothing, calming, and the one thing she was overly good at.

"I don't understand," she plainly said. "Merlin's powers helped make the Dark One, and Merlin obtained his powers from the Holy Grail itself. What is more powerful than the Holy Grail's powers?"

"The person who created the Holy Grail, of course," Tripetta replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Lucinda's eyes grew large and she felt unsteady. So there was someone out there who had more power than even they knew what to do with? They probably got bored one day and so just made the damn Grail, and apparently, they could harm even the Dark One. She needed to sit down, and so Lucinda flopped into one of the library's seats, mouth gapping in awe.

"So there is someone out there who can kill me without the dagger?" she asked, looking to Tripetta who nodded in confirmation.

"It doesn't mean they will, Madame," Tripetta assured. "They are not even in Somnium."

"I supposed that is the one person on the other side who can break my curse," Lucinda suggested, to which Tripetta nodded.

"Yes, Madame, that is correct. However, that person cannot be found at the moment. His footprints becomes dust in the wind. Not even you or your father can trace him. He is more powerful than even the two of you combined."

"Why did he create the Holy Grail?" Lucinda questioned out of curiosity.

To that, Tripetta shook her head.

"Oh no, he didn't," she explained. "His Master and Creator did, however. But, eventually, everyone must die. When his Master passed, he left everything to his Apprentice. That Apprentice took over everything and everyone, becoming the new King of the Kingdom."

"What kingdom?" asked Lucinda.

"Why, everything and everyone in all the magical realms in existence, Madame."

Fairytale Land of the Past

Jade was truly giving it everything he had, but his steam was running low. He had truly underestimated the Apprentice, just as Rumple told him not to do. But Jade couldn't help it. Looking at this being would make anyone believe that he held no skill in combat or the magical arts, no ability to destroy the Dark One's Apprentice. You wouldn't even believe he could utter an insulting phrase. His appearance, and voice at that, only suggested submission and oppression, but that obviously wasn't so.

While the Apprentice was breaking a sweat, he was nowhere near as winded as Jade, who was huffing and puffing, taking moments to catch his breath before returning to the duel.

The stars and moons on the blue hat would glow every time the Apprentice casted another spell or deflected that of Jade's. The Dark One's Apprentice would form fireballs in his palms, send them flying at the Sorcerer's Apprentice, but the tiny little creature would merely catch them and throw them right back, striking Jade with his own magic. The one in red was fighting defensively while Jade gave every bit of offense he could. Choking spells were pointless, fireballs were thrown back, and levitation proved to have no affect. Jade's power could not outmatch that of the Apprentice's. And once Jade showed that he was barely able to push on, the Apprentice took that opportunity to use the same spell he had done before, and send Jade crashing into the far wall, winning the battle with ease.

Jade was too winded and weak to even attempt to stand, rather, he rested in defeat and shame. He had failed his master and he knew what would happen now.

Cindy.

He began to weep, covering his face with his palms and pulling his legs into his chest. He had failed his sister. The magic would wear off. She would become ill once more. She would die and his mother would have no one left. The horror and pain swelled within him, causing the tears to fall in rivers. He couldn't beat the Sorcerer's Apprentice. He was just too powerful.

And he knew that. He knew as he stood over Jade, for once and not by much, and watched him cry. The Dark One's Apprentice sobbed like a beaten babe, and it touched the Apprentice's heart. So he sighed and he questioned the action.

"Why are you crying?" the Apprentice merely asked, and Jade saw no point in lying.

"You don't understand," he wept, sliding his hands up from his face and into his hair, covering his eyes with his arms and shadows, looking down to the floor and his lap. "My little sister, Cindy. She's still in harm's way. My master will reverse the magic that is keeping her healthy. He told me if I failed to get the hat ..." Jade shook his head, unable to complete the thought, but the Apprentice knew where he was going with the story. He knew all too well.

"Gosh, why didn't ya just say so?" the Apprentice questioned, a small smile crossing his face, and the welcoming sound of his voice made Jade's crying ease as he peeked up at the victor of their duel. "Ha. Aw, Jade, ya didn't have to go through all that trouble if ya just explained yourself in the first place," the Apprentice continued and offered a hand to the wounded one.

Jade, though seemingly reluctant at first, accepted the kind gesture and allowed the Apprentice to aid him in getting back on his feet.

"Why, if someone I cared about deeply was at risk, I would have done something similar," the Apprentice assured. "I wouldn't steal, but I would certainly do all I could to help them."

"You wouldn't steal?" Jade questioned as he wiped the remainder of the tears from his eyes.

"Ah, no," the Apprentice replied. "Two wrongs don't make a right. And when you are honest, brave and true, you often prevail in your quest. You don't always have to succeed to be a hero, ya know? Sometimes, it's okay to fail. That was just your first attempt in learning. That's when ya get up and try again. That's what makes a good and true hero; learning from your mistakes and correcting them. If ya needed the hat to save your sister, ya should've just said so."

"So, you'll give me the hat?" Jade questioned with glee, but was shot down with a laugh instantly.

"Heck, no," the Apprentice replied. "Well, I can't give ya this hat, Jade. My Master would lose it. What I can do is this." The Apprentice brought his hands to the hat and pulled on it, creating a duplicate that shimmered like the one still placed promptly atop of the Apprentice's head. "Here ya are." He offered the duplicate to Jade, who took it uneasily.

"I can't give this to my Master," Jade argued. "He'll know it's a fake."

"Nah, he won't be able to tell the difference," the Apprentice assured. "Why, that duplicate has powers, sure, but they're nowhere near as powerful as this one." He pointed to the hat on his head. "Because the duplicate still has magic, not even the Dark One would be able to tell the difference. The only ones who would are me and my Master. Give that to him and you'll be in the clear."

Jade examined the hat he held happily before glancing back to the Apprentice.

"Why help me?" Jade questioned to which the Apprentice's smile faltered.

"I know what it feels like to lose someone you love deeply." Tears began to prick at his eyes. "You'd do anything to save them." He blinked his gaze back up to Jade. "Save your sister, Jade. Ya have the power to do so. I think ya know that by now."

Jade nodded before turning to leave, heading towards the stairs. He stopped then, turning to face the Apprentice and ask a question.

"How do you know my name?" Jade wondered.

"I remember everyone who comes in here, Jade," the Apprentice replied.

"And what do I call you?" Jade asked.

"Ah, don't worry about that," the Apprentice answered. "It doesn't matter."

"It matters to me," Jade insisted. "I want to know the name of the being who helped save my sister's life."

The Apprentice smiled, honored by Jade's words, and shook his head.

"Right now, Jade," he said, "I'm just like you. Ya don't have to call me by name. Just status is fine. The Sorcerer's Apprentice."

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