Once A Lost Girl | Once Upon A Time Story | Peter Pan

03x09 - Play the Hero - Past

        The nights and days grew long. I grew more and more miserable. Never in a million years did I think I would miss the Evil Queen, yet here I was. Life became routine. Get up, eat, wander around and practice magic, eat again, sleep. Nothing was ever going to be different for me. My village hurt me because they saw me as a monster, Pete hurt me because I'm too good. My existence is a curse.

        Mindlessly, my hands worked over the poor squirrel lying hurt on the ground. It was sick, and dangerously so. I could feel it--there was something abnormal in its stomach. I took a deep breath and focused. This time was different. All I could think of was Aiden, and how much I wished I could save him. I missed him. My heart ached, and as memories of him poured through my mind I could feel my magic get lighter. Instead of burning I felt warm and when I opened my eyes, it looked like light was pouring out of my palms. The squirrel got up and ran away, healed and healthy. I wiped a tear from my cheek.

        "Well, well, Princess. You keep surprising us," Felix said, stepping out of the shadows, "you do know what you just did, yes?"

        "Helped a defenseless animal?" I said dryly.

        "Yes. Using Light magic. And here I thought Pan had squeezed out all the love left in your heart."

        "Is there something you need, Felix? A haircut, maybe?"

        He merely chuckled, "I see you've picked up the Evil Queen's insults. I don't want anything--frankly I couldn't care less about you. It's Pan who wants something."

        "Well whatever it is, I'm not giving it to him," I snapped, standing.

        "I think you will. Bring in the girl!" Felix called. Two Lost Boys emerged from the brush, restraining a small girl with blonde hair in what looked to be a white nightgown. "Elyssa, meet Wendy." I looked between her and Felix. She didn't say anything, but her eyes told me everything I needed to know. "Her life is now in your hands. You want to play the hero, Princess? Here's your opportunity to prove it."

        Wendy's eyes were empty. I don't know how long she'd been here, but clearly she's given up. I know Pan is bad, but playing a game with someone's life? Trying to force me into doing his bidding? How does he know I'll even be swayed by this? I don't even know Wendy. Why should I care?

        "Now, Wendy's in some trouble here. Her and her brother's have crossed Pan--and he really doesn't appreciate that. Here's the deal: You do what Pan asks, and he'll let her go and never bother her family again."

        "Why should I care?" I scoffed, "as you can see, I have my own problems."

        "Because," Felix donned his trademark smirk, "You're a good person, Elyssa. And you know what it feels like to know you can't leave." He walked over to me, leering, sick mischief alight in his eyes. "And you wouldn't want to subject little Wendy to that would you?"

        I glared at him. His expression never faltered. I swallowed. He kept staring me down. I glanced at Wendy, who looked desperate. She was practically begging me. Shit. Ugh.

        "What does he want me to do?" I asked begrudgingly.

        "He wants you to steal from the Dark One."

        I whipped my head around to look at him. "No. There must be something else." Felix gave me his trademark smirk.

        "Sorry, Princess. You want to make a deal, you gotta talk to Pan about it." And with that, Felix walked off, the Lost Boy's and struggling Wendy following after.

        Once they'd completely exited the clearing, I huffed and something like a frustrated scream left me. The ground around me dried up, a tree root shriveling underfoot. I should have known. I should have guessed. I'm stuck here, he's mad at me, and now he's making me do his bidding? Keeping me here only to send me back to the Enchanted Forest?

       I should've left well enough alone. Should never have come here in the first place. Still, when he offered his hand to me, how could I refuse? At that point I thought it could only get better. I was wrong. So, so wrong.

        Night came quickly, and I sat in my tent munching on some fruit I'd found around the island. I hadn't seen Tinkerbell or Tigerlily and maybe that was for the best. Tinkerbell warned me--I would only get pity and I told you so--and Tiger Lily tricked me. Seems I'm always getting one or the other. 

        Pan walked into my tent, unconcerned about whether or not he was intruding. I simply kept eating my fruit, refusing to give him the satisfaction. He sat next to me, quiet. I didn't say a word. Whether he couldn’t take the silence or was just tired of waiting to see if I’d speak, I didn’t know. I just know he spoke first.

        “Love,” he started, “this isn’t easy for me either. I don’t like having you do this.”

        “Then why ask? Why threaten someone else? Why take advantage of my good nature?” I turned to look him in the eye. I’m not sure if I was expecting to see pain or remorse in his eyes, but he gave me nothing. Just a cold, empty stare that seemed to burrow in my soul. 

        “I had to make sure it was you, and now I know.”

        I stood, the anger building in me once again. “Make sure what was me?”

        “Long ago, I overheard the Dark One talking to the Evil Queen. He told her that--” I opened my mouth to cut him off, but he held up his hand. I allowed him to finish. “He told her that he’d find a powerful witch--one that would help her find her happiness. What he didn’t tell her is that he needs that witch too.” Peter stood, taking a step toward me. I furrowed my brow. Could I even trust what he was saying? “There had been tales of children born with the ability to wield both light and dark magic; children who were neither hero nor villain.. If their powers were honed correctly, this ability would still be available in their adulthood. The legend goes that if you find one, they have the potential to give you exactly what you need.”

        “Anyone has the potential for good and evil within themselves. Even Rumplestiltskin.” I scoffed. “I don’t buy it.”

        “Rumplestiltskin seems to. I’m sending you because you can get what I need. He won’t harm you at risk of his future.” 

        I chuckled dryly. "Just kill me yourself and save the Dark One the trouble."

        "I don't want to kill you," he said, exasperation clear in his voice, "you're not listening."

        "Why should I believe you? How do I know you and the Dark One didn't plan this?"

        "Because, Elyssa." Pan took my hands in his. "I love you."