May 29th 2016 The Clocktower, New York City, Neverland, 11:00 P.M EDT

"So…what do you think?" I asked my brother. Once he and the girls showed up Angela beat a hasty retreat, and I could see why Goliath had remanded me to this place after hearing about the others. Humans made them very nervous. "This ring any bells for you? Because it's clearly no story I've ever heard. I can gather that the kid is the linchpin, and obviously we need to protect him, but otherwise I have no clue what this might be."

He shook his head. "There are innumerable stories. Books and books, not just from the Enchanted Forest but from lands beyond. I've never been to this one, never heard of it before. It's no shock though, I know of several worlds of a more 'modern' inclination, as you would deem them."

Looking tired, he slumped slightly on the large and comfortable couch. "You doing ok Rumple?" I asked cautiously. "That little fate shift I did for you…it was rough. I assume it hasn't affected your powers?"

"Not that." He chuckled. "Ironically enough, those work fine. I'm just feeling…burdened. The guilt I carry, the weight I bear. It's gotten heavier."

I nodded. "I feel that. Maybe not so much the guilt, but having your humanity hit you in the nuts out of nowhere is a sensation I'm well acquainted with." I grimaced at the awkwardness of the next part but…he WAS my brother. "My therapist says it helps to talk about that kind of stuff."

"There's far too much to talk about in a night, dearie." He said with a self deprecating grin. "I've been a busy imp."

Seeing that for the dismissal it was I shrugged. "That's cool too. Maybe we can find some assholes for you to curse. A little well deserved judgement always makes me feel better when I'm down."

"You're not going to convince me to turn over a new leaf?" He asked in surprise. "You certainly seemed to get along with Snow White and her little family well enough."

A sardonic voice cut in. "Nicky isn't the hero of the story." I turned to see Zee enter the room, sadly sans belly dancer outfit. "He's the dragon who keeps the princess in the tower. He gets along with heroes sometimes, but his inherent nature is that of a selfish beast." Despite the critical words, her tone was fond as she walked over and plopped down in my lap.

"She's right." I shrugged. "I'd have figured you would have gotten that by now. You've seen how I operate."

He looked troubled. "Because despite a bit of excessive lust, you seem to be more heroically than villainously inclined. Coming to take care of our mother just to keep Henry safe? I appreciate the chance at vengeance, don't doubt that, but these aren't the actions of a selfish man."

"This whole dimension is too wrapped up in good and bad." I grimaced. "I prefer a nice shade of grey. A not particularly wise man once said 'There is no good and evil, only power and those too weak to seek it.' and that always rang true to me. I don't mind working with the goody-goodies if it's in my best interests, but I'm always looking out for me and mine first."

He nodded slowly. "Aye. A good philosophy, though sadly not one my Belle believes in. Any ideas how to handle that?"

"Nope." I shrugged. "If it were one of my girls I'd just fuck her until her brain melted. There are surprisingly few problems in any relationship that can't be solved by earthshaking sex. Sadly I don't think my methods are on the table for you." At his glare I held up my hands. "I have a power dedicated to sex, I'm not calling you a dud or anything."

After a suspicious glare pinned me for another few seconds he snorted and shrugged. "I suspect such a strategy is outside my wheelhouse. Not that I'm not more than adequate in that department, but Belle is stubborn, and I doubt such a tactic would work for long."

If it had been any other world I'd have just suggested he rinse and repeat, but since it wasn't I just nodded along. Stupid cheating narrative bullshit. Zee rolled her eyes. "Do NOT take relationship advice from Nicky. It's like taking financial advice from a lottery winner. He tripped ass backwards into a harem of drooling sex maniacs. Like his power helped, but so did the fact that they're mostly nutcases."

"What?" I asked in surprise. "Like, Cherry is crazy, I'll give you that, but the rest of my girls are totally fine."

Holding up a hand, she started counting off. "Barbara was a repressed closet bisexual who vented her frustrations on criminals in a gimp suit, Dinah was a pit fighter who cheated on her long time billionaire boyfriend with a teenager, Sindara was a crime lord's daughter in another dimension, Amy is ten pounds of crazy in a ten pound bag. Need I go on?"

I raised an eyebrow. "I notice you didn't mention yourself?"

"Bitch please." She snorted. "I'm a magic addict with daddy issues and a bad boy complex. Our world just happens to be wall to wall with crazy pent up skanks. Rational people don't become superheroes OR villains. And even then, none of your tactics would work for anyone who WASN'T a six foot three inch slab of well hung draconic man meat with psychic sex powers."

I was genuinely offended. "I got laid like CRAZY before I was a dragon OR had powers, I'll have you know."

"You banged airheaded teenagers and socialites, who were as bored and thrill hungry as you were." She said flatly. "You were also rich, intelligent, and again, pretty damned sexy. I'm not saying you didn't have some game, but come on, you had plenty going for you even pre superpowers."

I threw my hands up. "What is this, pick on Nicky night? I'm trying to give my brother some genuine heartfelt advice and you're poking holes."

"Talk to her." She told Rumple seriously. "About the doubts you're having. About your feelings. I won't claim that being a selfish beast is impossible, but it's not the norm. Most people who are out for themselves end up sad and alone." She gave me a smirk. "Only one person gets to be top of the heap."

Rumple looked thoughtful. "I can't deny I want more power. But after that…whatever you did. It seems less important. Of course, that may also be because even as the dark one I feel like a grain of sand in front of a vast desert in the face of your strength."

I shrugged. "I remember a time when I wanted more power. But it's been a long time gone. Despite what Zee may think of my bad boy ways, or the irony of the statement based on my powers, I really only want one thing." My eyes flashed a draconic gold. "Freedom. Everything I do, everything I seek, it's all to liberate myself from the chains that bind."

Since I'd started suspecting what the system was, hell, since it told me about the others coming for me, it had been at the back of my mind. I needed to be unbound, to be unshackled from the games of really WAS irony, especially considering all the strings on me now, mostly of my own making, but that was what all of this was about.

That seemed to surprise my brother. "Freedom." He said slowly. "I used to think you needed power to get that. But looking back on my life through this new lens, I can see how my power only ever bound me tighter. Bound me to my nature, to an endless cycle of regret, to pain." Then he stopped, shaking his head. "No. That's an excuse. I bound myself. My chains were cowardice and selfishness. I threw away every good thing I ever had."

"Look." I said with a sigh. "If you want to be a good guy now, then do it. If you want to chill with you lady forever and be safe and happy, do it. If your universe decides to try to impose a 'villain's' fate on you, I'll just slap the taste out of its mouth. Least I can do before I go."

He let out a harsh bark of laughter. "I suppose I really did need power to live the life I wanted, it just didn't need to be mine. You would do that? Help me live my life with Belle and Bae? What would it cost?" The last part was just a matter of fact question, there was no suspicion or disappointment.

"Power, probably." I shrugged. "Your whole dark one thing is based on bad karma. It influences you way too much. I can have Zee set you up with some books on a more neutral magic style, and as you grow in strength you can drain out the bad karma. If you want. I have no clue what'll make you happy, man. But I don't mind offering a leg up to family."

My brother nodded, standing up and heading up the stairs with a muttered 'goodnight'. I watched him go. Not sure if I'd helped or made it worse.

"Aside from the bad romantic advice." Zee said with a wide smile. "That was almost human of you. I think Ingrid would be proud of you."

I grinned. "Proud enough to let me fuck her?" I heard her snort as she tried to repress her laughter and counted it as a win. I was hilarious, and Zee knew that as well as anyone. I should do standup.

"Must you always ruin the mood?" She asked in an exasperated tone. "I was trying to say something nice."
I smirked at her. "No, but see I think the issue is I've got my father's temper and I'm emotionally inarticulate. So rather than being honest and vulnerable, I did a quick switch, cause I'm hurt inside and I'm trying to hide it, so eat a dick bitch."

"You realize that quoting song lyrics doesn't make them magically inaccurate?" She said dryly.

I rolled my eyes. "You realize talking like Ingrid doesn't magically make you a therapist?" I said in the same tone. Not out of any annoyance, but mostly just amusement that she seemed to think she had so much insight.

"Touche." She chuckled a bit, smiling at me fondly. "So are you going to approach Xanatos as a human too? Double your chances? Because I bet you could easily put together a quick reputation if you sell off some of your stuff."

Holding up a threatening finger, I narrowed my eyes at her. "First, don't ever try to sell off my hoard for me. Second, no, because nouveau riche don't get meetings with people that powerful, and anything I did to accrue enough respect to make me worthy of a meeting like that would make me SUPER suspicious, which is a bad plan when I'm about to tell him about some nebulous threat to his kid."

She shrugged. "Fair enough. Well, what are you going to do for the rest of the night then? You could sleep, but since the gargoyles are night owls it would probably be better to wait until sunrise to go to bed." She smirked at me. "Going to join Ruby and Ariel? Our little mermaid is teaching the big bad wolf how to gobble her tuna."

With a grin, I pushed her off my lap, and she landed on the ground with a squeak. She pouted up at me, but her eyes flicked down as I started to unbutton my pants. " I think I'm fine where I am. But speaking of gobbling, I believe I already told you earlier what's on the menu tonight. Or do I need to repeat myself?" I didn't.

May 30th 2016 The Eyrie, New York City, Neverland, 6:00 P.M EDT

The rest of the night was just relaxing, some sex, and time to decompress. Since Goliath and Co were night owls I decided to stay up until seven or eight and sleep through the day. After sleeping for ten hours or so and waking up at five (I went back to sleep a few times because I was enjoying my dreams) I woke up at five with enough spare time to stop for coffee and pastries at the local Starbucks equivalent.

I made sure to eat my breakfast well before arriving at the skyscraper, then waited for the thankfully early sunset before swooping up to join Angela on the battlements of Castle Wyvern.

"Greetings." I told the blue bombshell as I arrived. "Thank you for the use of your clocktower for myself and my associates. I'm sorry I wasn't able to take advantage of your hospitality. I trust you had a good…" I trailed off. "Rest?"

She just laughed. "Gargoyles don't dream, nor are we aware of time passing. When we shift back from stone it DOES feel like waking, but only an instant after we fell asleep. I take it your kind rests in a more traditional manner?" She gave me a shy smile, and I grinned back. Seemed little Angie was intrigued by the handsome dragon. Who would have guessed.

It was interesting, but it had come to my attention recently via Zee how unusual my interactions with women were. I mean, sure, I knew I was lucky in that department, but I always had been. Thinking about the reactions I got though, I had started thinking back over my time wooing girls, and I'd noticed something unusual.

The stronger I got, the easier it became. Now, that could be explained by the simple weight of my presence, people like security, and being powerful was an aphrodisiac in plenty of cultures, but I thought it was more than that.

My rank ups changed me based on both items I merged with and my own intentions, both conscious and unconscious. I'd always been attractive, but upon studying my features, I'd realized that I'd become a bit more…idealized. Nothing obvious, I had lots of confidence in how I looked, so the subconscious changes had been slight, but they were definitely there.

Eyes a little more blue, jaw a little more defined, cheekbones a bit higher. Nothing anyone who saw me every day would notice, but added together it became subtle but distinct. Even in hybrid form, that general smoothing over of flaws was noticeable. I was just…pretty. It wasn't a surprise that Angie would take notice, especially with the obvious attention I was paying her.

"Yes, we sleep more like humans." I said casually. "Speaking of which, did you get get in touch with Mr. Xanatos about that meeting? I worry about the child's safety should we wait." I usually talked more casually, at least outside my old Mammon identity, but something about her stiff formal speech made me want to respond in kind.

She nodded slowly. "We did…" She trailed off. "Nicholas…I saw the humans you were meeting with when I was leaving the clocktower. Xanatos is human as well, but… not all humans are the same. My father is wary of most, and while I have had good human friends, I feel I must warn you that David Xanatos is a dangerous man."

I shrugged. "So am I, Angela. So am I. I'm not in the habit of being overly trusting of people I have no reason to believe in. It shouldn't be a problem here, however, we're all on the same team for the moment." And the moment was all there was, not that she knew that.

Blowing out a breath, she nodded. "Very well. My father and Xanatos don't get on. Their outlooks are very different. I'll be the one taking you down to meet with the man. His wife will attend, but they obviously won't bring the baby." She shot me an apologetic look. "Good intentions or not, you're still a stranger."

"Again." I said with a smile. "I don't tend towards trusting. I get their point, and I agree wholeheartedly. If that's the case though, maybe we should be off. I take it the audience will be soon?"

She gave a relieved smile. "Of course. As soon as possible. Mr. Xanatos has a receiving chamber for guests. He said to bring you down when you arrive."

Which more than anything told me I was being taken seriously. It would be insane to wait for potentially hours in a room for a casual meeting. They must know something was coming already, and think I can shed light on the situation. Or it was an ambush, but I wasn't particularly worried about that.

She gestured for me to follow her, and I did. I kept my eyes peeled, following and memorizing the karmic threads around me and how they connected. There was so much knowledge to be gleaned from my karmic sight when I needed it.
We came to a hatch in the center of a cylindrical tower with a low battlement surrounding the edges. She opened it dextrously with her tail, which was impressive, and we mounted the stairs down into the castle, coming out in a surprisingly modern room with up to date furnishings over the stone.

She led me into a hallway, and then down a few more flights of stairs before reaching a large wooden door banded with iron. I raised a brow at the door, appraising it to find it was heavily enchanted.

Knocking loudly, she waited for a moment before two men in what looked like full riot gear with tinted helmet visors opened the doors, pulling them inwards to reveal…

"A throne room?" I chuckled as we entered. "Someone has a high opinion of himself."

A low, rolling chuckle echoed through the room, and I focused on the man on the throne as he grinned at me charismatically. "I do. It's well earned, I assure you. Please, come inside. I hear you have news that may concern the safety of my son." He gestured to his side, to a gorgeous redhead with a blue fox mark over her eye. "This is my wife, Fox." He gestured again, and a tall man with sharp features and platinum blonde hair cropped close to his head stepped forward. "And my right hand man, Owen Burnett."

Puck. I knew at a glance. My appraisal punched through his concealment easily. Owen Burnett was a B ranked fae of considerable power. No match for me, but strong enough to have been an issue if I hadn't known he was there. Fae could be tricky. I scanned the bench seating along the sides of the receiving chamber, spamming appraisal, and noted a few people of interest.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." I said with a wide smile. "My name is Nicholas Lord. Most people call me Nick, or Nicky. I come from a distant land bearing ill tidings. I was sent to prevent the fulfilling of a terrible prophecy that may concern your son-"

He raised an eyebrow. "Why?" He said simply.

I'd been mid speech, but his question derailed me. "I've flown for many months to reach…sorry, pardon?"

"Why?" He repeated. "Why would you care about a prophecy concerning my son, particularly if you're from so far away. I have some sources in most countries, and I keep a particular eye out for supernatural creatures. You're hardly subtle, so however far away your home is, it must be somewhere I can't reach. So WHY, oh stranger from a strange land, do you CARE about the fate of my child?"

I raised a brow. "I don't suppose you'd but that I'm just acting out of a sense of moral obligation?"

He gave me a thin smile. "There's supernatural, and then there's mythological. Altruism is, in my experience, mostly the latter. Goliath is the sole being I've ever met who I might accept that reasoning from, and it's only because I've seen him demonstrate his absurd moral code for years."

Sighing, I rolled my eyes. "Great. I'd have to run into someone with a brain NOW of all times." I gave him a measuring look. "Well, if my story won't hold up, there's no need to keep up pretenses at least." I let my hybrid form fade, scales receding and horns melting away. "Sorry, that's just so much more comfortable. I hope you don't mind."

He raised an eyebrow, turning to look at Owen, who nodded subtly. "That was…interesting. Establishing value, I take it?"

"You remind me way too much of my father." I said with a snort. "And that's both the highest compliment I can pay you and one of the worst insults imaginable." Dealing with my dad as an adversary, or even just as someone suspicious of me, would be a nightmare. I was really hoping the similarities were superficial.

He grinned. "I think that one statement made me like you more than the entire rest of this little meeting put together. I could say something similar about my own father." His face went blank, all the charming amusement leaving his expression. "That doesn't change the fact that if you don't elaborate on the threat you claim my son to under, I'll have you shot to death and your body thrown from the battlements."

At his words, several of those riot gear troopers raised what looked like futuristic assault rifles mixed with laser guns. I clicked my tongue. "Emotional." I chided. "Time was I'd have deducted points for that. But I've come to terms with my own sentimental side in the past year or so. Still, I'm deducting for hastiness. You should have felt me out more before the threats."

He gave an irritated nod of concession. "I didn't ask for feedback on my management style, I asked for answers. Please don't assume Angela's presence will keep you safe. I respect Goliath, but not as much as I love my child. If I have to kill his daughter disposing of a threat, I will do so."

I shrugged. "I'm not sure quite what you're asking. I'm hardly the one posing a danger to your kid. Trust me, if I was attacking this place, you would know it. I don't really DO subtle when I don't need to. If I were you, I'd probably ask someone a little closer to home about the threat. Someone like…oh, her." I pointed at a seemingly random guard.

He opened his mouth, presumably to dismiss my words as stalling, but stopped when he noticed her flinch. His eyes narrowed. "Owen." He said slowly. "Might I know the name of that particular employee?:

Burnett nodded. "Adeline Williams." He said promptly. "Twenty years old. Recently accepted into the security team on recommendation from Commander Riker." His eyes flashed as he scanned her suspiciously, clearly looking for signs of deceit, though I wasn't sure if he found any.

Xanatos was staring at her with a cold and wary gaze. He might not know me, but he was a smart guy, and seeing her react like that told him SOMETHING was off. That was to be expected. Men like him either developed a finely tuned sense for betrayal or died young. Still, since I was already here I might as well lend him a hand.

"That's not her name." I said helpfully. "Or her age. I also doubt that 'recommendation' was made by the Commander himself. She likes to use cats paws. I'd check to make sure your commander still has a heart beating in his chest."

I saw a moment of indecision as she debated shooting me, but then she made the smart call and knelt, leaving her gun on the ground. As she stood, she remover her helmet, letting a cascade of copper hair tumble down over her shoulders. "She was right." The younger version of Cora, the Queen of Hearts, said in irritation. "You ARE obnoxious."

May 30th 2016 The Eyrie, New York City, Neverland, 7:00 P.M EDT

"So, you're mommy's little helper bitch?" I asked in amusement. "I'm not sure what you looked like when you were older, but a little de-aging has been kind to you. You're ALMOST hot enough to make up for how annoying this bullshit has been. Almost. But since you don't quite make the grade, how about you tell me what the fuck is going on before I eat you alive, and not in the fun way."

She glanced at Xanatos warily, eyes straying to all the damned laser guns trained on her. "If I do, will you protect me? Unlike the rest of these nobodies, I'm here with my real body, same as you. If I get holes blown in my head I'm actually dead."

"You turned my girl into a statue." I growled, letting my inner dragon leak into my aura. "You're lucky you still HAVE a head. Now I asked you what's going on."

Xanatos glared at me, clearing his throat. "Excuse me, you implied this woman might be a threat to my son and then offered her your protection? And what is this about your mother? Either you all start filling me in on what's happening or I'll take everyone into custody and question you more thoroughly. No matter WHO you are."

Give the man credit, I was flexing a bit of my power and he wasn't even flinching. He definitely had big brass ones.

"Look." I said with a sigh. "I don't exactly have time to fill you in on what this is, just know I do have a vested interest in protecting your kid. The situation is complicated and hard to explain, but if I can get the rest of the information I need from her, I can do a better job of it at least."

He looked sumi-murderous, but he didn't order them to shoot me, so I didn't care, I turned back to Cora. "See. He's backing down. For now. Can't promise he'll stay that way. So…what is this? I don't recognize this Fable. The rest of them were big popular stories, why did she pick this one?"

She snorted. "Vengeance, obviously." She said dismissively. "Oberon spurned her. She hates him. But she's also…attached. He's like a favorite dog. Sure, he bit her hand, but she doesn't want to put him down."

"What does he even have to DO with this though?" I asked in annoyance. "Is he part of this story?"

"Of course." She said derisively. "Otherwise what's the point. The other Fables are being used to harvest power as she so often does, but this one…it's a prison. Trapping Oberon and his Queen in an endless loop of defeat."

I raised an eyebrow at that. "Defeat? So they lose this one? What the hell even IS this story?"
She waved a hand dismissively. "A story she heard, in her many travels. The child is TItania's get. She wants him. So she sent her husband to retrieve the boy, and he was driven back. That's only in the original tale though, with you here, Tsaritsa will set up a situation in which she'll win either way. TItania herself will come to retrieve her love and grandson both. A true test of your abilities that she can only benefit from."

That did sound like mom. Trust her to work some legit vengeance into her power grab. Which meant in order to get through this we had to help them beat back TItania and Oberon. Obviously my mother assumed Titania could take me for some reason. Was the current Queen of the Fae even stronger than the Might Behind the Mirror?

I didn't know. Or care. But the main issue wasn't the Queen or her King. It was who they might bring along. Tinkerbell would be part of this, which meant there would be MORE fairies. How many I couldn't say, but I was betting a lot.

"Puck." I said to Burnett, ignoring his shock. "How many people would Titania bring with her to do this? If she had reason to believe Oberon couldn't get the job done?"

He frowned at me, thinking. "An army." He admitted hesitantly. "Oberon is a monster, a true beast. If he isn't enough…she'd bring it all. The entire might of faerie would ride against us." He glanced at Xanatos apologetically. "I'm sorry sir, I don't know how we could stop her."

Xanatos turned to me suspiciously. "You don't seem worried. From context its clear you need to repel these invaders. The why is murky, but you don't strike me as the kind of man to give up without a fight. Do you have some way to help us? To protect my son? I'll give you anything you want in exchange for your aid."

Cards on the table, I could respect that. Subtlety and bargaining were important traits, but sometimes the situation just didn't allow. Trying to cling to leverage you didn't have was infinitely sadder than admitting vulnerability.

"I can help." I said bluntly. "But I want HER." I pointed to Cora. "Free and clear. No one tries to keep her. I have use for her."

He shrugged. "Done. Anything else?" He didn't seem to think there would be. I could feel his impatience as we spoke. He wanted me to agree so he could get to work on fortifications. I wondered what he was going to do?

"I need to be looped in on the defenses." I said with a nod. "Me and two others from my retinue. I'll be assigning Fox and your son a guard if you'll allow it, though she'll have one of my girls tagging along. Ariel is good with kids though." I mean, I assumed. She was the LITTLE FUCKING MERMAID.

He glanced at his wife before nodding slowly, and I grinned. I reached for my bond to Zee and tugged it lightly. There was a flash of light and a portal ripped itself open in the air, the usual swirling vortex, but disturbing the space itself instead of the ground. From inside it stepped my girls and my brother, ready for a fight though not looking to start one. Good.

I was impressed. The portal had definitely been more viable than the usual ones. Granted, it was MUCH shorter distance, but the bean portals spat people up into the air, and this new variation let them walk out calmly.

Glancing at the girls, I was surprised to see Ariel looking happily triumphant, and realized our resident portal maker must have been giving Zee some theory lessons. She might not be able to make them outside the water, but Mermaids were natural portal creation experts, and she apparently had a firm enough grasp on the theory to help Zee improve her spell.

Looking to Xanatos, I nodded at my wolf goddess. "This is Ruby. She'll be keeping an eye on your wife. And that's Ariel, her current charge." My mermaid curtsied cutely, if somewhat clumsily, in her sun dress, and Ruby nodded solemnly.

My puppy was dressed in a sort of goth bounty hunter chic, a heavy black leather jacket and tight red leather pants that showed off those long legs. She had on chunky combat boots and distressed band t-shirt, and looked like she could take on any of the armed troopers here with one hand tied behind her back. Which she could, obviously, but she LOOKED like it, which was impressive.

I had to fight back a grin as Fox's eyes lit up as she took in my wolf. Based on that blue tattoo on her eye and her appraisal saying she was a member of "The Pack" I'd had a feeling she would like Ruby.

I gestured to the final two people. "This is my personal sorcery expert, Zatanna, and my brother Rumple. Both accomplished magic users. I'm planning to have them word this place top to bottom. I figured maybe Puck could help." I trusted my sneaky fuck of a brother to keep the fae honest, if nothing else, and his natural craftiness would be a huge asset for wardsmithing, not even taking into account his knowledge of what was coming.

He nodded slowly. "That sounds like the best use of his time. OWEN-" He stressed the name, narrowing his eyes at me. "Is our resident magical expert. Now, we've covered what your friends will be doing, what will YOUR role in this be? And how long do we have to prepare?"

Shrugging, I pointed to Cora. "That's part of what I want her for. I'll be…" I smirked. "Pumping her for information. I'll need a quiet place where we can discuss what she knows. I assure you I'll be quite thorough." I glanced at her. "Assuming the attack isn't imminent?" If it was tonight Branding her would need to wait.

She shook her head. "Oberon is cautious. There's too much activity here tonight. If it doesn't clear out within a few days he might risk it, but for now he'll be watching and waiting."

Puck nodded. "She's right. The King is a patient hunter. I'm not sure what good a pair of unknown wizards will do against the might of a fae host, but based on what the woman has said, we won't be dealing with that unless we manage to drive away Oberon first. Though I warn you, if our wards are too formidable, he may simply decide the risk is too great and report a failure."

I shrugged. "Should take more than a day or two anyway. Now, if you can point me to a room where I can question my captive?"

Despite the circumstances, I could tell my casual attitude grated on the man. His eyes narrowed and I could see him run through all his possible options…and then decide none of them would be productive. I grinned internally. Pride had its place, but not when it got in the way of doing business. Of course, I'd have to watch out for a double cross after the fact if I kept pushing, but I doubted I'd need to. I just had to make sure that his current emotional state wasn't going to fuck up my plans.

I must have smirked just a bit, because I saw his eyes narrow as he studied my face, then he rolled them. "Fine." He said in annoyance. "Owen, bring our guest to a room where he can question her before you begin your appraisal. I assume you will be appraising the Eyrie to prepare?"

The tall blonde elf nodded, and Xanatos dismissed me, his wife rising to head over and talk to Ruby. Puck, or Owen as I suppose he preferred, escorted us down into the castle, eventually bringing us to a small room with a metal banded wooden door. I gestured Cora in, and she entered first. As I went to follow, he grabbed my arm. "Do try to keep the noise to a minimum." He said blandly. "These old castles aren't well insulated."

I nodded carelessly, figuring I could just use a spell for it if needed, and he left. I turned to enter the room after Cora, but stopped short as I saw her standing naked in the room, waiting for me. I enjoyed the show, raising my eyebrow as a smirked. "Someone's eager."

She rolled her eyes. "Please, as if this is the first time I've needed to bend over for a powerful man."

Kicking the door shut, I unbuttoned my pants letting my cock flop out into the cold air. Her confident demeanor wavered a bit as she stared at it, and I grinned smugly. "Good to know. But if it helps, I can promise you it's going to be the last." I could HEAR her heartbeat speed up as she stared and I had to admit I was pleased. I was glad I'd found the witch first. Bad girls were so much more reasonable.

May 30th 2016 The Eyrie, New York City, Neverland, 8:00 P.M EDT (smut warning: degradation)

I tried not to get distracted by the heavy, pale tits or the wide hips of the youthful version of the Queen of Hearts. I was going to fuck her into submission for sure, but obviously her own reasoning and reaction to that fact were important parts of the process. Cora had to give in to become mine, so knowing how she was thinking could only help.

"I admit I expected to have to persuade you." I said with a chuckle. "Forcing myself on someone isn't my style, so taming you was always the weak spot in my plan." I'd had a few possible backups in mind if Cora wasn't willing, but it would have made things complicated.

The busty redhead's laugh was low and seductive. "I'm not one of those shy little girls you talk out of their dresses, Nicholas." She reached up and groped her smooth tits. "I'm a woman who knows what she wants. And that's power. I'll give anything to become more powerful. Anything. You think my cunt is some special exception to that statement?"

I stalked forward, looming over her hungrily, but she didn't back up, her eyes wide and fixed as she looked up at me through her lashes. "Anything?"

She fell to her knees, hands planted on my thighs. "I know what you can do Nicholas. I've seen your power. Your mother might be a match for you here, but I have no desire to be trapped on this island forever. You can give me safety. Can give me protection. In exchange for what? My holes? My dignity? I've made bigger sacrifices."

"Prove it." I said inscrutably. "Show me how far you'll go to get my support."

Her hand was hot and soft as she wrapped it around my cock, eyes drawn to the head like a magnet. She started to stroke me slowly, leaning forward to take a long slow lick. "I expected this to be less enticing. There isn't much I wouldn't do for power, but this…you're a special boy Nicholas."

"I hope you're not expecting me to believe that you've been cowed into submission by my cock?" I said with a smirk. "I'm egotistical, but even I have limits."

Straightening up, she wrapped her soft tits around me, slowly moving them up and down. "And why not?" She cooed softly. "I like my comfort. My safety. Belonging to the most powerful master gets me that. And what is THIS." She squeezed her tits together. "But a physical representation of your dominance. A thick, brutal lance of meat to invade the bodies of those beneath you. A rod of mastery to claim those you desire?"

Her tits moved up and down my cock, and I groaned slightly at the sensation. I had to hand it to Cora, she wasn't bad at seduction. I wasn't stupid enough to believe her, but if she would bow her head long enough for the Brand to work, her words would be more true than she could know.
I reached down to grab a rosy nipple and twist, she let out a light squeak but didn't stop. "You worked for my mother until we walked into this room. Why should I believe you'll change sides?"

She shuddered, pupils dilating. "Because I crave power. ALL of me. My cunt craves it. My rear craves it." She leaned down, not breaking eye contact and ran her hot tongue down my cock from tip to base. "My mouth. I want your power inside me Nicholas. In my guts. In my womb. Anywhere you'll put it. I want to be FILLED with power."

I grabbed her by the hair, yanking her up and throwing her onto the bed behind her, thick pale ass in the air.

Whisper had a fat ass, and it was much bigger than Cora's, but it was also round and taut. Cora's ass was wide and soft. Made for excess and luxury. I brought my hand down on a cheek, caving in the doughy excess as she squeaked in surprise. "Well." I said with a boredom I didn't feel. "Make your offer, slut. I believe there were holes that needed my power to fill them?"

Reaching behind her, she spread her thick cheeks, revealing a dripping pussy. "It's yours, my lord." She mewled. "I'm yours. All I ask is protection, is power. Make me more, like you made the wolf bitch. Elevate my strength and you can debase my flesh in any way you desire. I'll take it all."

Grinning, I put the head of my cock against her. "Earn it." I hissed, and shoved myself forward. "Being a shameless whore doesn't make you worthy. This is good pussy, but I've got plenty of that. I need more than just willing holes. Why should I keep you?"

"I'll do anything!" She wailed. "Not just sex. I'll kill for you. Steal for you. Conquer and pillage and drag it all back to your lair. You want virgins? I'll bend them over and pry open their cunts while you take them. I'll give you my daughters! I'll give you anything! I can feel your power, your magic. It's coming off your skin like a bonfire and I'm drowning in it!"

I pulled out of her to the tip and then shoved back in, earning a grunt as I knocked the wind out of her, but I didn't slow down. "Tempting, but I don't believe it yet." I said lazily as I fucked her, hypnotized by the clap and bounce of abundant royal booty. "Offer more."

"My heart!" She screamed. "I'll give it to you. Not like those prissy little bitches and their fleeting affection. I'll hand you my beating organ, ripped from the chest you seem to enjoy so much. You'll be my master in totality, able to kill me at a whim." She was panting, eyes glazed as she threw her hips back at me, desperate to somehow get me deeper despite the head of my cock knocking at her cervix.

Most women weren't fans of having their cervix pounded during sex. It was rougher than the majority preferred. Cora, it seemed, was a bit of a pain slut, because she was eating it up.

Of course, I was going to claim her. That was the whole point. But I could feel her desires. She wanted me to make her earn it. She wanted to belong to me, that was true. But she also wanted to be made to feel like she didn't deserve it. Her time as a miller's daughter had made her crave a little degradation, even if no one she met as a Queen could really give it to her.

Cora was a fantastic fuck. Her pussy was hot and ready, her ass was thick and bouncy, and she knew what I wanted to hear. But she was also TELLING me what I wanted to hear, and I knew if I wanted my Brand on that jiggly white ass I was going to have to make her give in for real. I reached down with Eros and Psyche, heightening her sensitivity as I angled my hips so the head of my cock scraped over her G-spot on the way in.

Her body locked up, eyes widening. I smirked down at her. "What's wrong Cora." I said as she tried to choke down whining shrieks of pleasure. "You were being such a good girl, talking so dirty. Where's that confidence."

Red faced and clenched, she looked like she was trying to remember how to breathe. "Sir, my lord, master-" She grunted. "That's not…you don't need to…" She gave a ragged groan. "You're doing something to me. This isn't right. This feels too good. You can't-" She whined, biting her lip in an apparent attempt to regain control.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Should I stop?" I upped her sensitivity to about ten times and suppressed her orgasm. Every shove was a spike of pleasure right into her brain but it just couldn't break.

"NO!" She screamed. "You can't! This is…fuck this is bad. I shouldn't I should make you stop. I should beg. I want to beg! I want to tell you to cease this despicable rutting. My brain is on fire! You're ruining me!"

I slapped her ass again. "Make up your mind, slut. Stop or fuck it harder? Pick now or I'm leaving!"

"Harder!" She squealed. "Do it harder. Get it into me deeper. I'll do anything!"

It was hard not to laugh. "You already offered me that. Were you lying before? Were you not really willing to give me anything?"

"Yes!' She screamed in frustration. "I was lying. I just wanted the power. I didn't know what you could give me. Just please keep going. You can have all of me. Every inch. I don't care about anything else but this. No one's ever done anything like this to me. I need. I need it so bad I can't think!"

I picked up speed, pounding into her nice and deep. I loved how snug her cunt was when I bottomed out. She was soaking the fucking bed too. Eros and Psych told me exactly what she wanted, and how bad.

I'd been tweaking her desires a bit as I went, even before the pleasure. She had a big hole in her heart (metaphorically as well as literally) that needed filling, and it wasn't hard to tug things so that hole migrated south. I was filling it nice and stuffed now, and she couldn't process the enjoyment.

Reaching down, I palmed her soft pliable ass, squeezing and groping, then shoved my thumb up into her winking back door. She was so fucking out of it she barely noticed, at least with her head. Her cunt clenched around my like a vice as I dug my thumb into her asshole, sliding it around until I found a specific spot.

It IS possible to push on the G-spot from inside the ass, and I did just that,doubling the sensation as she started screaming. No more dirty talk or desperate begging, nothing but joyful shrieks of exultation as I worked away at her cunt, pounding her higher and higher without ever letting her cum

"You can't cum unless you surrender to me." I called over her screaming. "I'll never let you finish if you don't become mine." A harsh twist of my thumb got her cognizant enough to process my words and I repeated myself. "Give yourself up or I stop."

She let out a strangled gasp like a wounded animal. "Yours!" She roared. "Your cunt. Your ass. Your property. I'm yours just LET ME FINISH!"

With a laugh, I released my hold on her orgasm, finally letting her finish, and she screamed again. Unlike last time, this wasn't a needy shriek or a squeal of pleasure. This was a fucking glass shattering wail of primal pleasure as she came apart on my dick. Explosively squirting all over the bed as she started shuddering like she was having a fucking seizure.

The mark of the greed system burned itself onto her right ass cheek as she came, and I let myself nut inside her to celebrate a job well done. Her spasming clutching pussy milked every drop from me, and I felt her orgasm deepen at the sensation of my power rich cum spurting into her waiting channel.

Her thing for power wasn't a lie, and the sensation of all that magic seemed to almost trigger a second orgasm on its own. I emptied my balls into her, sliding myself leisurely in and out as I held her hips down, enjoying the way her seizing twat drained me.

Pulling out, I shoved my thumb in her mouth, making her clean it off before slapping her ass with a satisfied sigh. "Alright. I'll keep you. Good job." She gave a weak moan and I flipped her over, climbing back up over her and putting my cock back against the lips of her leaking cunt. "Round two. This time I want to see those tits bounce." Her moan of confusion turned into another squeal as I shoved back in. Witches were always so much fun.

May 31st 2016 The Eyrie, New York City, Neverland, 6:00 P.M EDT

I stretched happily in bed, enjoying the creak of mildly straining muscles. I hadn't needed to put in that much physical effort, but Cora WAS a C ranker, and while that rank was magic based, she had some protection spells on her that let me hold back a little less. I grinned down at my new witch, lying limp and exhausted on the bed, sweaty body half covered by a blanket.

A quick slap to her wide ass stirred her slowly. "No time for sleeping." I said cheerfully. "You did that most of the day. Now it's time to help with the wards."

She whined, burrowing her head into the pillow. "I'm so TIRED. The things you did to me. If I hadn't had my protection spells I'd probably be dead. How can you expect me to get up and do magic after that?"

"Ah." I said dryly. "So you're saying I should never fuck you like that again? Because you're useless to me after?"

Cora bolted upright, heavy breasts bouncing pleasantly as she stared at me in panic. "No!"

Chuckling, I patted her face. "Good girl. You remember all your orders, of course? Not to act against me and mine through action or inaction? I can go over them again, I've never given instructions to a woman who was having what seemed like a grand mal seizure on my dick, though I can't deny it felt fantastic."

She pouted, which was shockingly cute on her plump lips, and I had to fight the urge to take her mouth for a wake up spin. Shaking off, I climbed out of bed, slipping back into my clothes and enjoying Cora's hungry stare.

"So I assume based on the fact that your hips are still functional that you know some good defensive spells." I said conversationally. "You think you can help reinforce the work Puck, Rumple, and Zee are doing? I know Rumple was your teacher, so I wasn't sure if you could be useful in ways other than on your back."

The Queen of Hearts was so prideful I couldn't help but tease, and sure enough her cheeks puffed up in annoyance. "I am one of the most powerful sorceresses in the enchanted forest! I will not tolerate such disrespect."

I was across the room and on top of her before she could blink, arms pinned over her head and tits heaving as she stared up at me with wide eyes. "You." I said quietly, forcing her to listen hard. "Are MINE. And you will tolerate whatever I choose to do. You certainly didn't mind me disrespecting you last night."

She let out a low whine, face flushing as she looked away. "You don't have to be so cruel about it. A woman needs to retain some dignity."

"I think that ship has sunk, darling." I said with a chuckle, releasing her hands. "But I was kidding. I'm not going to treat you like shit because you turn into a squealing whore when I'm inside you. I just thought you might enjoy being treated like a bad girl."

Climbing off her, I resumed dressing, slipping on my shirt and the jacket I'd been wearing over it. She squirmed a bit as she got up, her ogling even more blatant, but then she started fixing the gorgeous red gold hair. "Be that as it may." She said in as dignified a tone as she could manage while staring at my abs. "I learned much after ending my apprenticeship with Rumple. I can be of use."

I paused, focusing on something in her tone. "What are you not telling me, exactly?"

Clearing her throat, Cora snapped her fingers, her body suddenly wrapped in a slinky blue silk negligee. "I'm just not sure how Rumple will take…this." She gestured to herself. "Especially in this form. When I was this age in the Enchanted Forest we had something of a…dalliance. I was just worrying it might be awkward."

Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Fantastic, I just finished slutting out my brother's ex." I shrugged. "Oh well, he's got Belle now, and with the recent changes to his nature he should take it fine. Worst case he gets pouty and I let him take some extra time offing his old man."

Gesturing for her to stand up, I cast a critical glance at her lingerie. She looked down and pouted again. "Oh, fine. You're no fun." She snapped again and the dress shifted, dissolving into smoke and then reforming into a sundress that might have been tasteful if not for her overly curvy body. At my raised eyebrow she shrugged. "It's been years since I looked like this. Let a woman indulge."

"Fine." I said with a sigh. "But don't flirt with anyone. You belong to me, and I don't share with men. If you feel the need for some play time when I'm busy you can always go see the girls though. I'm sure they'd love to have you." I enjoyed the thought of Cora and Ariel together for some reason. I'd have to make that happen eventually.

As I led her out of the room, I focused on my karmic eye. The weaves of karma inside the fables were abundant and complex, but they were still there. I had to pull my focus back a bit to make sure I could see all that I needed to, but I was pleased by what I found.

Ariel and Cora, I had two anchor points into this island now. Once I got my third, I could start consuming the magic and slowly replacing it with my own. My mother had woven herself into this island deep, and all those spider webs were going to turn into leashes when I managed to get my hooks into the weave.

It didn't take long to find Zee and my brother, both of whom were with Puck in his guise as Owen Burnett. They were all up on top of the battlements studying some of the protective spellwork the fae had already placed. Apparently they'd started low and been working their way up, memorizing details of the enchantments so they could overhaul them in one go. I wasn't sorry I missed it.

When we arrived at the battlement where they were stationed, I found Puck instructing Zee on the process for constructing the wards, waving his hand and showing her a scrawl of serpentine script interwoven in the air. Rumple was waiting at the back, observing silently, but he saw us approach and raised a brow. "Surprised to see you, dearie." He said to Cora coldly. His eyes flicked to me. "You know you can't trust her, right?"

"I have my own ways to monitor and control my people." I said sanguinely. "She's earned some leeway."

He looked like he wanted to comment, but just sighed and looked away. To my shock, Rumple didn't seem jealous so much as worried. About me. That bite I'd taken out of his darkness must have changed more than I'd assumed. It was kind of nice to hear how worried he was though, getting along with my siblings was something I was hardly going to complain about.

"So…" I said awkwardly. "Why don't you fill us in on what's going on with the defenses. I take it from this little show that Puck was already pretty thorough."

Rumple nodded. "Aye. The fae has quite a slippery mind. He's seen fit to shore up most weaknesses that could be exploited, guarding against near everything we could think of." He grinned then, showing off his gold tooth. "NEAR everything."

Zee, who had been listening without turning, called back. "It looks like the whole place is under a recursive thaumaturgical warding. Basically every single stone, beam, and pane of glass is bound to a ward stone, which is retroactively bonded to every single stone, beam and pane of glass."

I frowned. "But wouldn't that make the whole building MORE vulnerable? Any attack would hit every part of it?"

"That's the genius part." She grinned appreciatively. "Because of the nature of the second binding, the ward stone used as a focus is as durable as the entire building as a whole. Unless a blow can destroy every single inch of material in this place at once, it won't work. It gets evenly spread throughout the entire skyscraper."

I whistled. "That's not bad. I assume the issue is that the superimposed durability of a bunch of mortal rocks and metal isn't actually enough to stand up to someone like Oberon?"

She sighed, nodding. "Basically. This is a large and durable building, but it's just a building. Puck says it was the best he could do, and it would be enough to hold off nearly anyone, but Oberon is the next best thing to a god. We've been studying and shoring up the bindings, making sure there are no flaws that can overload and fry the defenses when they get hit, but the foundation is weak. We weren't sure exactly what to do about that. I suspect you have an idea though."

"I do." I said simply. "I can bring the building a bit more…up to code." I glanced at Cora. "I happen to have recently come into something of a windfall. The building is pretty decently ranked, but only for a skyscraper. I could kick it up to C rank and that would be enough to elevate it into a truly staggering defensive structure."

While whole cities like Agrabah and ancient magical fortresses like Shadowcrest might be C rank, the Eyrie was a mundane castle on top of a normal building. Sure it was a castle that used to be cursed and was home to powerful gargoyles, but the building itself was just metal and rocks.

Puck had definitely been smart about the defenses, because with my own contribution we could easily raise the building's durability by an order of magnitude. That said, durability wasn't the be all end all.

Rumple was the one to point that out. "I admit, having a sturdier position couldn't hurt, but this isn't a secure building. They'll still be able to get inside. We need more. Something a bit less…physical."

"I can help with that." Said Cora primly. "The defensive spell I used on my old castle is quite potent. I might not be up to holding it against Oberon himself, but I believe the young lady here in the top hat has the kind of magical power to make it work."

Zee looked intrigued. "That…sounds like it might work. We should reinforce the building first, protection spells need to be anchored to a physical location."

I nodded, reaching into my pouch and fishing around. The Eyrie was an interesting and powerful building, but it could be better. I'd keep the aesthetic, of course, because it was amazing, but I could definitely upgrade the material.

Slowly withdrawing a piece of metal, I grinned down at the infernal metal coin. Blood Gold, I'd picked some of the stuff up when I was in Hell. It was a B rank material, granted, but merges always came to a median, and the middle of D and B was C, exactly where I wanted it. Without even asking, I merged the two together.

There was a colossal blaze of shining light as both the coin and the building became pure energy. The people inside didn't fall out or anything, it just didn't work that way, they were more…shunted to the side for a second while the changes happened. Once it was done I glanced down to appraise the castle we stood on, taking in the dark forbidding stone shot through with gold veins as I did.

[Appraisal function activated. Treasure detected. The Highest Reaches- C rank infernal fortress. A towering monument to wealth and excess, the highest reaches is reinforced by the darkest infernal magics. Constructed from top of the line infernal materials every inch of the fortress is steeped with unnatural power.]

As I looked up at the others smugly, I noticed them all staring at me in horror. I wondered why they were looking like that…until I realized I'd just turned the building into a light show. Which, of course, was when I heard the griffons. Apparently Oberon was feeling rushed. Oops.

As per usual pat-reon has the advance chapters at that site /malcolmtent hope everyone enjoys