Hey everybody,

a new chapter just for you! Hope you like it!

Also, happy (late) Valentines Day! I love you all so much!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Once upon a Time, just the crazy ideas in my head that I incorporated into this story.

(Also, if you could check out the story Paperkites from my lovely star YouSaid, that would make my day! It is similar to mine, but with amazing twists and it's rated M (like real M), so that's always good! :)

Chapter 29

Peter's POV:

As soon as my feet touched the forest ground, I collapsed.

Having incredible powers guaranteed I wouldn't be exhausted from physical work like flying, although, right now, that didn't seem to be the case. Not only was I tired, but I felt an immense pain in my chest. My heart.

An image of Aura came to mind.

She was lying on a cold stone floor, wearing the silk, almost see-through night dress she had brought to Neverland. Her eyes were closed, her skin as pale as alabaster and her breathing was shallow. She looked like a beautiful sleeping angel. A sick, almost dying spirit. What scared me most was Aura's heart. It was black. I was sure this wasn't an accurate depiction of what was happening in the Echo Caves, but then what did this vision mean?

Were my powers decreasing? Was Aura in danger? Was she not…loving me anymore?

My heart told me to return home and visit the Echo Caves. Give into my desire to touch her, kiss her, feel her. Forget about being immortal and live the rest of my days with my love. But the voice in my head demanded to not stray from the plan; it was more important.

In the end, my mind won.

After regaining some strength, I stood up and walked towards a clearing. From here I could see how far the woods stretched, and hidden amongst the tall trees was a small village. To some it may have been an insignificant little town compared to the big cities with castles, but to me it was part of my youth. My hometown.

Walking through the same streets of Hamelin I had walked some time ago, I thought about how nothing had changed while I was gone. Every single crack of the brick houses was just as I had remembered; the same people I had live side by side were still alive.

Why? I had escaped the fate of aging by living in Neverland, how had these people done the same? Unless...

My powers were not doing as I wished and brought me to the past. To tip the fate of Rumplestilskin's son coming to Neverland. Making it easier for me to find the Heart of the Truest Believer. I hoped when I traveled back home I would still find my Lost Boys and Aura, and not the solitude I had experienced at the very beginning.

Some children were running along, playing the games I had later on taught the Lost Boys for fun. Others were helping their parents carry sacks of grain or bottles of milk. They all looked happy; and most importantly, loved. Maybe there wouldn't as many new Lost Ones as I had hoped, but I had initially come for one reason. To see him and take his son away.

'Dare ya to sneak in and steal some rum.'

We were both peeking through the window of the only pub of Hamelin, seeing the drunk people laughing, making jokes and singing some sea shanties.

Being the more mischievous troublemaker of the two, I came up with stupid and sometimes reckless challenges for my more shy and cowardice brother.

'Sure, Rumple has to get the rum! You must think you're quite funny. Why do I always have to do these things?' He rolled his eyes in annoyance.

'To prove you're not the town sissy. Just go in there and get the bottle. I'll wait outside and if something goes wrong, I'll come help you.'

Rumple looked convinced, but still doubtful. I gently pushed him towards the direction of the entrance to the pub and he walked in, holding his chin up high.

He did get caught trying to get away with the bottle of rum, but I managed to distract the owner. Later on, I found Rumple at our secret hiding place, shaking and laughing uncontrollably.

'What did I say? I will always have your back, laddie.' I patted him on the shoulder and took the bottle.

That shy boy who was my brother was now long gone, there was no Rumplestilskin. Only the Dark One. And my senses tingled as I walked through the town. He was nearby.

When the moon had come out, I stood in a secluded area of the forest, close but still far enough away from the village. While I manifested my magical pipes, my breathing quickened and I started to feel dizzy. If making my pipes appear drained my energy like this, what would happen when I needed to bring the new recruits of Lost Boys to Neverland, including myself?

Sitting on a large rock nearby the great fire I had created, I tried to regain my strength for the next step in my plan. As I placed the pipe below my lips, I began to blow across the top of the flute, waiting for the air to turn into a hypnotic tune. I could only faintly hear the music, which meant someone still loved me; but not as much as before…

After a couple of minutes, a few boys in their night attire walked towards me and picked up the masks I had laid on the ground to disguise themselves. They stared dancing wildly around the fire, their feet shifting in different patterns and more boys came to join. They didn't question the whole situation even though it seemed they were losing themselves tonight.

I became slightly disappointed when the boy I was looking for didn't show up, but just as I began to lose hope, he came. Oh, this was going to be fun.

'Who a..are you? Wha..what am I doing here? What is this music?' He asked, looking around scared.

Stopping my music, although the boys continued dancing, I answered. 'Well, boy, my name is Pan, leader of the Lost Ones. This tune I play with my pipes can only be heard by children who feel unloved or lost. So here's the question: if you can hear it, are you truly lost?' I smirked, knowing Rumple's arrival would soon follow.

'How can I trust you?' The boy had the same look of doubtfulness in his eyes as young Rumple did so many years ago.

'I know how to recognize a lost soul. I used to be lost and unloved. There must be a reason you can hear my pipes.'

'My..my papa loves me, I love him, too. I just want my real papa back. He is so protective, and all I want is to be free and have friends, Peter.' His heartfelt confession didn't reach my heart, but I simply smiled.

'Then you should come to Neverland. There you can be free and make friends with other Lost Boys, and best of all, no parents to intervene.'

'I don't ever want to leave my papa.'

Annoyed with his final answer, I handed him a mask. 'Then have fun now. And think about it.'

He was eventually going to end up in Neverland, I had seen it; it was only a question of time. Except I didn't have that much time.

I made a multi-colored patch cloak appear to distinguish myself from the other boys and continued to play my pipes, until Rumple arrived. I smirked inwardly.

He glanced around, occasionally grabbing other boys by the shoulders when he thought he found his son. For a second, he looked defeated and hopeless, until he caught sight of me, covered in my cloak.

'That's my son, piper.' Breaking my pipe in two pieces, he spat the words out in disgust.

'Oh, is that what they are calling me?' I pulled down the hood to reveal my face. 'We both know who I really am.'

Rumple stumbled back a few steps, not expecting to see my face.

'Been a long time, laddie.'

Felix's POV:

It took me all my strength to keep walking to camp and leave Aura in the Echo Caves behind. I kept reminding myself I would escape with her soon and we would be fine.

The Lost Boys were already back from the Indian's camp, running around; playing some game Pan had taught them years ago. Them acting like Aura never existed really puzzled me. How could they forget her so easily, when she had so greatly changed them?

I leaned against a tree, uninterested in games and playing, and started to make plans for our escape.

Deep in thought, I barely noticed Pan arriving with a bunch of new boys. Most importantly, he looked out of shape. Breathing heavily, and supporting himself against a tall tree. My my, he was losing his powers. It hadn't taken long for Aura to make up her mind and stop loving him. Maybe leaving Neverland was going to be easier than I expected. The edges of my mouth twitched upward to a constant smirk.

'Boys, listen up. We have company. They are now part of the family, so show them around.' Pan stood up and proclaimed, after regaining his strength.

The camp buzzed with excitement; everybody greeting each other and then leaving camp to guide them through the island, but I was unfazed and kept eying Pan in the distance.

He seemed to be having his many visions, where he was shut out of the world for a couple of seconds until he returned back to reality. After opening his eyes, they shot straight to me and stared at me dangerously. Pan was not someone to be trifled with, and now he was angry at me for some reason.

He walked towards me, the rage fueling his energy for the moment, until he stood right in front of me. For someone being shorter than me, he still managed to intimidate me; but not with height. With his murderous glare.

'Oh, Felix. Haven't you learned? You lost her, and will lose her again. Blood might make you related, but loyalty makes you family. Best you forget Aura.'

And I followed his order.

So yeah...now we know why Felix didn't come for Aura...poor little thing! But maybe...maybe..Peter will come to see her...maybe..

Reviews are always appreciated!

Love you all,

aureaborealis