The bright morning sun streamed through the dusty barn window, which had frosted over during the winter. A baby cooed enchantingly in the barn, as its parent cuddled in a warm, happy embrace. "I'm so glad we're together", Daniel smiled, kissing Regina on the head.

"Me too" Regina smiled back, caressing her baby.

Daniel quickly, got ready to head out to work collecting some tools as he hastily when to collect some fire wood to warm the house in order to keep his baby warm whilst Regina fussed over her newborn baby which Daniel had named Ember who at even a young age could cause huge bursts of fire it seemed that she had inherited magic from her Mother. Carefully, Regina rocked Ember into a deep sleep before attending to the up keep of her lovely home she was content and free from her evil mother's control.

A while later, a concerned Daniel rushed back towards the cottage. A look of fear grew upon his face as he slammed the door swiftly. "She's found us," he mumbled, trying to hide the shaking in his body. "You didn't tell anyone that we were running away, did you?" he wondered.

"No" Regina lied, hugging her daughter close. "I've got to get Ember somewhere safe". She fretted, bundling up Ember in a warm blanket and placing her in a basket.

"Take the back door", suggested Daniel as he stood guard at the front door, sword in hand.

"Come with me," Regina croaked, a tear flowing from her eye. "She will kill you."

"Take our daughter, and she will be safe" Daniel commanded, kissing Regina before pushing her out of the door.

Regina quickly rushed away from her home and deeper into the woods. She felt guilty for leaving her beloved, but she had to make sure that her mother couldn't reach her. Carefully, she placed her daughter at the foot of a river. Before kissing her forehead, she pushed her down the stream. Then, she returned to help Daniel.

Many years later, an older-looking Ember emerged from the tent on her home, her sanctuary, the place called Neverland. She had been on this island since Peter had brought her there at the age of 16 and she had remained here ever since. The cold wind blew through her long black hair as she stood over, watching Neverland awaken with the soft morning sun. Carefully, she walked down the steep hill to the rest of the camp where the rest of the lost boys were busy tucking into breakfast. "How's my little firecracker?" Peter wondered, emerging from his tent.

"I'm fine, but please don't call me that!" Ember snapped.

"And that's why you're my firecracker!" He giggled, teasing Ember.

"Whatever you say, Peter" Ember replied, rolling her eyes. "What are we doing today?" She wondered, grabbing an apple and taking a deep bite, enjoying the sweet juice.

"I need you and Felix to take some of the lost boys and bring me a guest" He explained.

"Of course" Ember agreed, collecting the boys, and swiftly heading to the beach where all the new boys had entered Neverland. She was the only girl on the island, and though she sometimes felt lonely, she was grateful for the family--even if Peter got on her nerves. Carefully, she climbed down the embankment and ran into a boy who was running away from something that was scaring him. "Hey, watch where you're going!" Ember snapped.

Sorry, the boy apologised. Can you help me? I need to get home. He wondered.

"One step at a time what's your name?" Ember quizzed back.

"It's Henry", he mumbled.

"Felix can help you" Ember quickly replied, rushing back through the jungle her fist clenched in rage.

Quickly, she arrived in a deeper part of the jungle away from anyone. At this moment, she felt ready to burst, and she didn't want to accidentally start a fire by taking a deep breath. She tried to calm her emotions by unsheathing a small pocket knife that she kept hoisted on the bottom of her ankle. Living on Neverland had taught her not to rely only on magic; she found her magic seemed to be tricky to wield. Staring to carve a large X on a nearby tree in bitter frustration, a sudden, rustle in the shadows alerted her to Peter's presence. He emerged out of the shadows, wondering with a mischievous expression hiding in his eyes.

"Why did you bring him here!" She rushed towards him, brandishing her knife.

"I told you Neverland is dying and he is the cure," Peter explained.

"But it didn't have to be him" Ember growled, pressing the knife closer to Peter's neck. "If you brought him, my mother won't be far behind".

"Do you doubt my leadership?" Peter raised an eyebrow and questioned, "You know Peter Pan never fails".

"You'll see, this time!" she snapped back.

After everything I've done for you," Peter raged, pushing Ember away from him.

Ember fell tumbling down the embankment, scuffing up her knees and legs and cutting her elbows. She suddenly landed in a thump, the wind being knocked out of her. "I'll leave you to think" he smirked. "You'll soon be begging to come back". He added before disappearing back into the shadows.

Ember, who was now winded, glanced up at the sky. She started to think about the first time she had met Peter and how he had saved her and taught her how to fight. Her eyes felt heavy.

Flashback

Ember, who was celebrating her 16th birthday, was chopping wood for the family that had taken her in after buying her at the age of 12 and had put her to work on their small farm. She had little time to look after herself, such as eating or washing herself; she wondered why she continued to live on. Maybe it was the hope of seeing her parents again that compelled her to live on. Slowly, she picked up the logs and headed inside, where a grumpy farmer and his wife were anxiously waiting for her return. "Could you be any slower?" He fumed. "We only took you in because we're getting old and can't do the work as much any more."

Dropping off the logs, Ember retired to her small shed, the only place she could call home, as she slowly wept her sadness, as she hugged the furs that were crumpled on the floor, which gave her a small bit of comfort. After a hard day's work, Ember decided that tonight she would start her new life in the enchanted forest, where she could live and possibly find her birth parents and finally find the love that she craved. Grabbing the bag that she had previously stashed with little food and water, she could steal and rush into the misty forest. She had no clue where she was heading, but a spark of adventure had ignited inside her.

A couple of hours later, after aimlessly wandering around the forest, Ember decided to rest, pulling the cape tighter around herself to protect herself from the cold. Sitting down on a nearby tree trunk, she contentedly tucked into a small piece of bread she had saved in the rare occasion she was left in the kitchen. As time dwindled on, Ember started to regret her decision to leave; she had no clear plan on where she was going, and she also had no idea of how to navigate the forest. After taking a sip of water, Ember continued on her way. Finally, she reached a path within the endless forest. At least, she could gain her bearings.