Dark Pan Histories: from Forever to Never [In Progress]

The Dark Stranger

Faylinn sat by the water's edge and listened to the sounds of the forest. The Queen had given her the day off. Queen had said. Though Faylinn had protested, it had been some time since she was able to leave the kingdom and spread her wings.

Laying back in the soft grass Faylinn closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath of new spring air into her lungs she let it out slowly, smiling. She had not a care in the world.

The earth began to tremble as Faylinn lay peacefully. Surely the humans of the Forever Lands knew that trespassing in the Fairy Kingdoms was forbidden. There had not been a human in the mountains for ages and Faylinn could not see that changing now.

Opening her eyes, she rose from her laying position and looked around. The shaking of the earth had stopped and there was no one within her range of viewing. Perhaps, she thought, the earth was simply moving to a relaxing position. Faylinn knew that each of the elements possessed their own type of spirit and the earth was no different.

Laying back down, Faylinn pushed the uneasy thoughts to the back of her mind and inhaled a second breath of spring air.

A sudden darkness crossed Faylinn's closed eyes, like a shadow moving amongst the light, and she shot up eyes wide. Searching around Faylinn could feel a sense of urgency growing in her. While she could see nothing that would have caused the darkness she felt the urge to return to the kingdom.

Getting up she spread her wings preparing to fly when a human appeared at the edge of the forest. The person, man or woman, she could not tell, was clothed in black robes and carried a long staff which when on the ground was taller than they were.

Faylinn was about to cry out when the orb atop the staff became alive with electricity – the sorcerer swiped the orb in the direction of Faylinn and the crack of lightning broke the silence. Before she could cry out the lightning struck her.

Falling to the ground Faylinn spasmed, her wings were no more, the lightning had turned them to ashes. She laid on the soft grass the only sound she could hear was the sound of the river as it flowed by. The earth shook no more and the sorcerer in the black robes was gone.

As the darkness closed in around her she thought about her Queen. She should have stayed in the kingdom where she could have protected her. Raising her hands Faylinn focused her thoughts to send out a message on the winds. She could only hope it would reach her Queen before the sorcerer did.

Letting out a long-drawn breath Faylinn's hand fell to the ground.

Tinkerbell wandered through the gardens of the Fairy Kingdom lost in the serenity of the peace she felt deep inside her when her feelings suddenly changed. A dark sense of fear crept into her soul and try as she might she could not shake it. Something was very wrong.

Quickening her pace, Tinkerbell was soon off the ground, her wings spread as she flew towards the castle.

Though the world seemed peaceful around her, something inside her told her nothing was what it seemed. Suddenly thoughts of Faylinn filled her mind. The Kingdom Fairy was laying on the bank of the river motionless, her wings charred. Her chest was still.

Fear gripped Tinkerbell and her eyes misted over as she lost all sense of direction. A bright flash of light caught her attention to the west and when she turned to see what it was something struck her. Tinkerbell spun out of control the world spinning at a dizzying speed.

Slamming into the wall of the castle Tinkerbell fell to the ground and slumped into a heap.

"Your Majesty," an armed guard said leaning over Tinkerbell. "Are you..."