and again and again and

except, use magic

Emma is an orphan. of course she is. why the hell not? no, i actually did know Peter's intentions with the map from the start, but their surprise pisses me off for some reason. did they not think that coming to an island full of orphans would teach them something? idiots.

"Pan moves the camp all the time, so we'll never catch up to it." games, Hook. games. "but we need someone to help us in, anyways. someone who knows him. Ivy and i already fought him, so i have someone else in mind."

Tinker Bell. she's the only fairy left, somehow, and she isn't even a fairy anymore. i cringe at her scavenged hut on the edge of where the pixie trees used to grow. only one remains, now, and it's cursed. Regina seems just as hesitant to see Tink, but charges on.

we find the sad hut after long hours of pushing through the jungle of vines and shrubs, and Regina reveals why she was so hesitant via being held hostage. briefly. i head their discussion about true love, but keep quiet. obviously.

"hey, we're all friends here," Regina claims. Tink nods in agreement, then spots me with sudden shock and anger. "maybe not?"

"you're the reason he's like this, you whore," Tinker Bell snarls. "we trusted you and you ruined everything. i'm alone because of you."

she continues her verbal attack, and Peter becomes uncomfortable somewhere across the island, but i ignore him to deal with the active problem.

"i didn't mean to, Tink," i shape from the wood chips she planned to eat for breakfast before we invaded her territory. "i swear, i didn't do anything wrong."

"didn't do anything wrong? you were banished! for treason!"

i swallow and shake my head. "i was banished for cowardice."

the group has turned away in respect. David has his sword drawn, however, and Peter becomes tense on the edge of my mind.

"i'm not surprised at that, either. but it's a lie, i heard the whole story from Peter Pan himself. came wandering in my neck of the woods shortly after you blew this place to bits," she taunts, leaning suggestively. i glare at the fairy, worried about my love. he wouldn't have. he may be terrible, but he loves me, even if he doesn't want to. he wouldn't- "had a great time, love," Tink mocks. David turns around.

"i have other loyalties now, I'm not a blind follower like you," i shape, pretending not to see the movement. he seems happy with my response and turns away again.

"you're a liar," Peter hisses in my ear. Tinker Bell's eyes widen in shock. "and you," he turns to her, "i'm just disappointed." with that's he's gone, and Tinker Bell is paler than a ghost and quieter than me. the group seems to have not seen Peter, as they seem confused.

"i'll help with what i can."

the ex-fairy is as helpful as i have been.

when we make camp again, i'm confronted by the Charmings, who seem to share the same sentiment. David is frustrated by Hook and his injury, and Mary Margaret by Emma's revelation and the lack of progress, so they take it out on me. i know why they don't understand. Peter, it won't work.

it won't work, i think harshly, as my hands shake with nerves and my breaths become labored in fear. Snow White and her Prince step closer, growling and shouting and snapping at my weaknesses.

"you're keeping knowledge from us!"

"i regret letting you stay alive. we should have left you in Storybrooke, or out at sea."

"you aren't here for any reason."

"you're a threat to all of our happiness!"

the dim sky churns, and for a moment i think it's me, but i can't focus enough to strike, let alone bring on a storm. David draws his sword.

"you seem to be mistaken."

my lungs collapse when he appears, barely an inch between his back and my chest. i want to reach out and hug him, but he caused this, didn't he?

"me? mistaken? my logic is perfectly intact, boy. yours, on the other hand-"

"i make a lot more sense than ganging up on a child," Peter laughs. it's filled with anger. heat radiates from his back, and while drawn to him, i'm still scared. i glare at the back of his head. he feels sorry, but he's scared, too.

i only know this from the island. Peter, on the other hand, is an idiot.

"she's as innocent as you, Pan," Mary Margaret snaps. the group gathers behind her and David, seemingly in agreement. Peter looks between them, conflicted, then steps away from me.

"have your memories, then," he tells them, denying them all into a haze while he turns around and steps close again. the storm above us darkens even more, then flashes with cloud lightning, casting a brief light on Peter's expression. he seems to be in the same trance as the group behind him. "you will never rule me," he murmurs, lips brushing my jaw. i want to just kiss him and stop all this and make it better, but he leans back to make eye contact. damn, he's beautiful. "and believe me," he continues, "i keep my promises." so dramatic. but the words settle in my gut, regardless.

his eyes reflect the storm brewing harshly above us, and i find myself lost for a moment. everything would be so much easier if he wasn't so tempted to choose against love. i still can't figure out how Henry is the powerful choice, as he isn't exactly a magic expert or anything, but it doesn't matter. i just need to convince Peter to choose love. despite everything he says, i think i can do it. the choice hasn't been made yet. i reach out to brush Peter's jaw with my fingertips, but he backs away with contradiction in his expression.

Peter Pan flies away, back to his camp, ignorant of the tempest striking the island.