AN: Hey guys, gals, fluids, no-binary, and all others! It's my mom's B-Day today! Hope you'll wish her a happy one! So a shout out to her, @love2read9109, @ConfidentWolves, @tylorface, @Destroyer3531, @CharlottePowick, @ohsnapitse1203, and everyone I may have missed that voted or added this to a reading list. Please comment, no one has from what I've seen. If I've missed you, I'm sorry, I'll try to pay more attention. Happy reading!
•LAST TIME....•
•(She's 7 years and 1 month(s) old. It's (was) June 4th. (True date unknown.))•
•Fred & George are about 10-11 years old.•
•Hadrian is about 8-9 years old.•
• "Felix," Peter calls out when they reach camp. His 2nd in command instantly drops what he's doing and comes over. •
• "Teach her some foraging, I'll be back." Peter leaves Cherish with Felix, who leads her away. •
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•CURRENTLY....•
•WHAT SEEMS LIKE A WEEK LATER....•
•(She's 7 years and 1 month(s) old. It's (was) June 4th. (True date unknown.))•
•Fred & George are about 10-11 years old.•
•Hadrian is about 8-9 years old.•
"You're getting better," Peter tells Cherish. She's laying on the ground, exhausted again.
"The healing and nutrition potions are helping. I just wish they'd work faster."
"We could take a break from the magic lessons. It'd let your magic focus solely on healing you."
"Then what am I supposed to do? The boys avoid me and chores won't take too long."
"We could focus on improving your fitness." She looks at him and he raises a eyebrow, amused.
"Did you expect me not to notice you going for a run every morning?" She looks at the sky.
"Usually it's just Hadrian and I. For a while there was Luke and... But they never paid as close attention. At least not directly."
"Luke and?" She frowns.
"Thalia, my sort of half sister... It's complicated."
"Try me." She glances at him.
"My parents had fertility issues, like my father's parents. So they prayed and sacrificed to many gods, Egyptian, Greek, Norse, Roman, and others. I'm their child by extension of blessing should they decide to claim me. Somehow it skipped my dad and Hadrian."
"You're a demigod?"
"Among other things."
"That actually explains a bit." She looks at him.
"Nothing major, just small things." She hums and looks at the sky again.
"Exercises sound good," she says, changing the subject.
"We'll start tomorrow, rest for today."
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•WHAT SEEMS LIKE 6 DAYS LATER....•
"I guess it was worse than I thought," Peter tells Cherish. She looks at him, smallballs of light made of magic floating around her.
"Your health. We were trying this spell for weeks without progress. Then, now that you're healthier you got it easily." She smiles before noticing he seems upset.
"You're upset."
"I'm trying to think of how to convince someone I want to teach you to do so."
"Well, what do they want?" He raises a eyebrow.
"Use their desires to your benefit. Do they want money? Easily done, my parents left a lot to my brother and I. An that's not counting what the parents via blessing have left for me. Do they want a specific object? Not that hard, literal demigod that's done quests right here." He thinks for a few minutes while she practices making floating lights.
"His daughter." She looks at him.
"He wants his daughter who doesn't remember him." She looks confused. He sits down and pats the spot next to him. She sits in the spot. He explains the curse on the town of Storybrook. An that only a very select few remember, this man included. She plays with the lights around her hands.
"Why not pull her subconscious here when she sleeps? Neverland is a place of dreams." He raises a eyebrow.
"Even with a memory curse like that she'd remember in her dreams."
"How would that get him to agree?"
"Have him teach me in return for spending time with his daughter's subconscious. Children get a average of 4 to 6 hours of deep sleep. An that's when they dream. He gets 4 to 6 hours with his daughter and however long our lessons go on. An once I'm not here you can negotiate for him to do other things."
"Aren't you a cunning snake," he says, amused. She shrugs and grabs a cups her hands around a light. The rest disappear as she closes her eyes. She opens her hands and frowns, seeing it's gone too.
"Trying to put out all but 1?"
"Yeah."
"You practice that, I have a mad man to talk to." He disappears and she makes the lights reappear. About a hour later he walks out of the woods with a man beside him. Cherish is seen dancing with the wind in the meadow area. Little lights seem to dance with the wind too. The pair stop and Peter smiles, watching Her dance with her eyes closed.
"Cherish." She spins to face him and opens her mismatch eyes. She sees the man and quickly unclips her bangs. She covers the right side of her face as they walk over.
"You don't have to hide your eye, it's beautiful," the man tells her. She frowns and looks away.
"Most say it's demonic or that I'm a demon because of it." He frowns.
"They're wrong." She looks at him. Her eyes instantly go to his top hat.
"Feels weird," she mutters.
"What feels weird?" he asks.
"She can sense the traces of magic from your hat," Peter explains with a small smile. He looks at Cherish.
"It's used to open gateways to different worlds and dimensions with specific rules." Her eye lights up.
"That's amazing, I've only heard of natural portals. An you can't control where they're connected or appear. Although, summoning rituals open small portals to being whatever you're trying to summon. There's also rituals to open portals, usually to Hell dimensions. An-" Her eyes widen and she covers her mouth.
"Sorry, I ramble sometimes. I'm Cherish Potter-Black."
"It's alright, I'm Jefferson," he says, holding out his hand. She goes to shake his but he kisses her knuckles.
"You'd know him better as Mad Hatter," Peter tells her.
"I'm not mad," Jefferson says defensively.
"We're all a bit mad but all the best people are. Besides, it makes things fun," Cherish jumps in lightheartedly. Jefferson is surprised but smiles at her. The pair end up having tea near the river. They chat, getting to know each other and their boundaries. After night falls they lay next to each other in the meadow. He starts teaching her the constellations and stars. He tells her all sorts of stories about them before she falls asleep.
"She must like you." Jefferson sits up and sees Hadrian.
"I'm Hadrian, her older brother."
"I'm Jefferson... The Mad Hatter."
"Nice to meet you."
"What'd you mean earlier?"
"She usually doesn't fall asleep easily. Especially around new people. She only sleeps alone, with me, or those she trusts." Hadrian looks at Cherish, so does Jefferson. She's deep asleep.
"It usually takes her months to warm up to someone enough to fully sleep... Even with Pan she doesn't go into a deep sleep. She hasn't since we came to Neverland. Yet she did with you, it's a deep sign of trust. She's not guarded and her magic isn't around her. She feels safe with you... That's rare."
"How rare?" Hadrian looks at the man.
"She's usually only like that with me." Jefferson gets up and picks Cherish up. Hadrian starts leading Jefferson to his and Cherish's hut. It's at the very edge of camp.
"I won't hurt her," Jefferson tells Hadrian after a while.
"I hope not. I've seen what betrayal can make my sister do and it's not pretty."
"Fatal flaw?" Hadrian catches the hint Jefferson knows or got a hint about the demigod shit.
"Personal loyalty. Betray her loyalty and she can hold a grudge like a child of Hades. An her wrath can be worse than a child of Zeus or Ares."
"I'll take your word for it." Jefferson puts Cherish on her bed after Hadrian pulls back the blanket. He leaves and Hadrian wakes her up. She wakes up just enough to change into a tank top and loose pants. Then Hadrian puts her to bed. Hadrian nods to Jefferson before the man leaves. Peter leads him to where Grace will appear.
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•THE NEXT DAY....•
"Hey Peter." He looks at Cherish.
"How long has it been since Hadrian and I got here?"
"You got here on June 4th, right?" he asks and she nods.
"It's been a month on Neverland. A month for us is a week for earth so it's June 11th." Her eyes widen.
"Only a week?"
"There's a time difference."
"Clearly," she mutters. She's clearly surprised by just how drastic the difference is. Her eyes light up as she gets a idea.
"Oh I know that look." They look and see Jefferson. A little girl is half hidden behind him, poking her head out.
"What's your idea little witch?" Jefferson asks, clearly amused. He's clearly in a lot better of a mood than he was yesterday.
"Time is different here, a week on earth is a month here. Do you have any idea how much a advantage that is? Say it takes someone a month to learn a spell. Here they'd learn 4 by the time a week passed on earth. An that's if they don't pick up on things quickly." Peter chuckles, a smile on his face. She looks at him.
"I know that chuckle. That's the 'I know or can do something you don't or can't' chuckle." He lifts a eyebrow and she shrugs.
"Observation." The other girl giggles. Cherish looks at her and smiles as the girl hides behind Jefferson.
"I'm Cherish Potter-Black, what would your name be?" The girl pokes her head out again. Cherish gives the taller, slightly older girl a gentle smile.
"You won't take him away like the queen did?" Cherish puts her hands behind her back and holds them. Peter looks and sees her nails piercing her hands enough that they bleed. They all notice her take a moment to collect herself. She releases her hands from behind her, they fall at her sides. Jefferson instantly notices the blood and frowns.
"Grace, could you come here please?" Cherish requests. Grace looks to her father, who smiles softly and nods. Grace walks over to Cherish. Cherish looks at Peter.
"Pan, would you mind helping me with something?"
"What?"
"Do you know what a unbreakable vow is?" His eyes widen before he nods.
"I'd like to make 1 with Grace." He frowns but nods.
"What's a unbreakable vow?" Grace asks.
"Very powerful magic that'll make sure I can't break the promise. All you have to do is hold my hand and say a few words. Don't worry, Pan's doing the magic part so we can speak in English." Grace is confused but she and Cherish hold each other's hand. Peter walks them through making the vow. Cherish is under vow to never take Jefferson away from Grace. At least not like the Evil Queen and Queen Of Hearts did. Jefferson holds his hat as he feels the strong magic being cast. He gives Cherish a thankful look afterwards and she nods. Peter looks at Cherish with a mix of confusion and interest. She looks at him.
"Does the time difference effect those visiting through dreams?"
"It does," he replies with a nod. Cherish smiles at Jefferson.
"Then you get a lot of time with your daughter, that's great!" He's surprised by her happy reaction but smiles.
"Come on, let's go," Peter tells Cherish.
"Bye Grace, see you later Jefferson." The father and daughter pair wave as Cherish leaves with Peter.
"What are we doing?" she asks, catching up to him.
"We're going to see how good of a hunter you are."
"Why now? Why not before?"
"Because your magic was reaching the point it was going to get out of control."
"How are we starting? Knives? Daggers? Bow? Crossbow? Traps? Tracking?"
"Tracking," he answers and she nods.
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•WHAT SEEMS LIKE A MONTH LATER....• (It's been a week on earth.)
•(She's 7 years and 1 month(s) old. It's June 18th.)•
•Fred & George are about 10-11 years old.•
•Hadrian is about 8-9 years old.•
•Henry is about 5-6 years old.•
"Who are you?" Cherish looks across the river and sees a boy. He has brown hair and eyes. He's around 5-6 years old. She notices his clothes are clearly from earth.
"I'm Cherish Potter-Black, who are you?"
"I'm Henry Mills."
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•WHAT SEEMS LIKE A WEEK LATER....•
"You're awake," Peter says. Cherish looks at him, clearly tired. He switches the cloth on her forehead.
"What happened?"
"You had a magic growth spurt. Your body couldn't handle it and you got sick. It'll take a few months for your body to grow enough for you to recover."
"Take it." He raises a eyebrow.
"Take the extra magic, I don't need it."
"And I do?"
"You're sick." He chuckles.
"I'm not sick."
"That's not what I've noticed." He glares at her.
"And what have you noticed?" he snaps.
"Your magic is fading, weakening, all of Neverland is. It's small, barely noticeable, even to me but it's there. When I ask the wind only says, 'the sand is falling'. Sand falling is a sign of time passing or running out. Your magic is fading but mine is growing. Mine is too much and yours is running out. So take what I can't handle. It'll buy you time to find a solution and stop me from being sick." His anger fades, seeing not pity from her or any blackmailing.
"How long have you known?"
"Since the 2nd week."
"You haven't told anyone?"
"Not even Hadrian."
"Why?"
"You do what's best for Neverland and the Lost Boys. You're cold and cruel but it's to protect yourself. To keep others at a distance so they don't see you're becoming ill, weakened. Your tie to Neverland means if you die, so does Neverland. So you're cold and cruel to protect not yourself, but Neverland. You teach the boys to survive. You make them act cold and cruel to outsiders to protect themselves because you won't always be there. Your senses are dulling, your connection to Neverland is weakening. You're doing what you can and that's more than most can say." She reaches up and runs her fingers through his hair. He relaxes slightly but watches her as her eyes glaze over, lost in thought.
"You hold sorrow, regret, and remorse for things you've done. You've suffered pain and loss. You've pushed through loss, pain, sacrifices, suffering, and death. Yet if you had to do it all again, you would because it got you this far. It's kept you and those you care for, reluctantly or not, alive." Her eyes clear and she looks him dead in the eye.
"I hold no pity for you because I know you hate it. I haven't been through what you have... But I understand you to a certain extent. We're both willing to be monsters so those we care for don't have to be. So at least they get a happily ever after." He takes her hand in his.
"I can only take a bit of it every day or you'll be stuck on Neverland. You trying to get off is a game you won't win but I'll let you continue to try for now." She gets a tired smile.
"I trust you." A mist appears around her, constantly shifting colors. It gets pulled towards Peter's hands and goes around him. It gets more and more green as it moves up his arms and to his chest. It seems to get sucked into where his heart should be. Cherish passes out after a few moments. She doesn't see Peter's nearly sickly pale skin regain the smallest amount of color.
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•WHAT SEEMS LIKE A WEEK LATER....•
"Pan." He turns around to see Cherish standing by his desk, looking at something. He walks over and sees it's a drawing of 'The Truest Believer'. He quickly snatches it up and puts it in a drawer.
"I know him." He spins to her.
"What?"
"I've seen him, here, on Neverland."
"Where?"
"Usually near the dessert type area. We walk along side the river when he's here."
"When?"
"He visits as a dreamer but he's younger than in the drawing. He's around 5, 6 tops."
"You aren't going to ask why I have a drawing of him?" he asks after a few moments.
"No, I doubt you'll tell me."
"I need him to believe in me, in Neverland. When he's older, he'll be the 1 to save us."
"Come on." She leaves and he's confused but follows. She leads him to what was the fairy lands and stops at a river.
"He usually appears across the river from this spot. He appears every other week. We don't usually talk about his life when he's awake. We usually just talk about games as we walk."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"You need him to believe in you so why not start while he's a child?"
"What are you talking about?"
"His subconscious will be influenced by his dreams. It's why Lord Morpheus is so feared. Our lives are greatly influenced by our dreams. An dreams are what happens to our subconscious minds. A bad dream can make you fear something or have a bad day. It influences your life in the waking world. An the waking world is where we live while awake." She glances at Peter.
"He comes while asleep. So incourage his belief since adults in his life will discourage it. It'll make his belief in general stronger. An since you'll be doing it, his belief in you will be stronger. When you bring him here he'll subconsciously already belief in you. An the subconscious memories can help him trust you." His eyes light up.
"Just make sure not to show your darker side too much. His young mind could label it as bad. You'll have to very slowly ease him into it. Especially if his parents have a strong moral compass for him to follow... But I'm neutral in this. I might help him believe in you but I won't manipulate him." He raises a eyebrow at her.
"Magic has a price. Saving you and Neverland... Whatever the price is will be extreme. I refuse to be involved in a child paying such a price."
"Fine. What's his name?"
"Henry Mills. I'll introduce you next time I see him."
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•WHAT SEEMS LIKE A MONTH AND 2 WEEKS LATER....• It's been 2 weeks on earth.
•(She's 7 years and 2(ish) months old. It's July 1st.)•
•Fred & George are about 10-11 years old.•
•Hadrian is about 8-9 years old.•
•Henry is about 5-6 years old.•
"Felix!" Cherish pushes Felix out of the way as a cannon goes off. Felix stumbles but catches himself. He looks and barely sees Cherish before having to block a pirate's sword. He hears bones being crushed and something hit the ground. He hears Peter whistle in the distance and runs to him. The pirates retreat, just like the Lost Boys do.
"Where's Cherish?" Felix asks as the boys head to camp. They all stop and look around. Hadrian takes a single glance around before shooting back to the beach. The rest soon follow and catch up to him. They find part of Cherish's shirt on the beach, surrounded by blood. They pale, noticing it's under a cannon ball covered in spikes. What's worse, they see drag marks and a thick blood trail to the ocean. They look and see the pirate ship disappearing into fog.
"We'll get her back Hadrian," Peter says, seemingly calm. They all look at him and he has a blank expression. His eyes, however, are a different story. They show nothing but rage.
"She'll be okay, right?" Henry asks.
"My sister's stubborn, if they plan on killing her she'll take a few with her.... And still somehow manage to come back from the dead," Hadrian says.
"You think so?" Devin asks.
"Ever taken on a Hydra?" Hadrian asks Devin. Devin looks confused as hell by the seemingly random question.
"No."
"She did."
"With what? A bomb?" he asks, shocked.
"With a dagger. It swallowed her. So she cut open it's stomach from inside and stabbed it's heart until it stopped moving. Then she walked out 1 of it's heads. It's how she got the razor scars on her feet and palms. An she had to hold her breath the entire time."
"Why?" Henry asks.
"A hydras breath is poisonous," Peter states.
"Back to camp." They head back and most start sharpening their weapons. Hadrian and Henry go foraging for healing plants.
"Pan." Peter looks at Felix.
"She took that cannon ball to save me." Peter grits his teeth.
"Take Devin and Jacob, watch the ship." Felix nods and quickly leaves.
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(Chater 1 Edited: 10/11/23.
Chapter 2 Edited: 10/19/23.
Chapter 3 Edited: 10/31/23.
Chapter 4 Edited: 11/01/23.
Chapter 5 Edited: 11/09/23.
Chapter 6 Edited: 11/23/23.
Chapter 7 Edited: 12/08/23.
Word Count: 3,4.)
