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ravenknockss · 4 months

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CHAPTER FOUR: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

CHAPTER SUMMARY: Needing a way to send a message to Henry, the adults and Marceline come across Devin and capture him. Meanwhile back at camp, Henry meets a Lost Boy who could very well be his only ally.

SUMMARY: A war of centuries has been raging on Neverland, Lost Girls versus Lost Boys. When they escape the island and the grip of Peter Pan, the two factions must reconcile with each other in a brand new world.

WARNINGS: implied sa, mentions of child death, indoctrinated/conditioned children, brainwashing children.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: cross posted on ao3

Regina walked to Marceline’s quarters and stood in front of the door, preparing to knock.

“Come in, your Majesty,” Marceline’s voice called from the inside. Regina’s brow knit in confusion as she lowered her raised fist to open the door and enter. “Did you need something?”

“No…” Regina said, looking into Marceline’s eyes as the girl sat by the window with a cup of steaming tea. “I was wondering if I could speak with you.”

“Of course,” Marceline smiled softly, gesturing to the empty seat across the table. Regina approached her and sat down, smoothing her blazer. “One cube or two?”

“Pardon?”

“Sugar,” Marceline answered, pushing a small cup toward Regina. “for your tea.”

“Oh no thank you…” Regina smiled as she put the rim to her lips.

“You said you wished to speak with me?”

“Yes,” Regina said, setting the cup down. “You said that when we get Henry you wanted us to take your girls as well as the Lost Boys… what if you came with us?”

Marceline tensed before placing her own cup down with a quiet clatter. “I can’t.”

“Why?”

“When you leave the island, someone will have to stay and fend off Pan to protect the Lost Ones,” Marceline replied, gazing at Regina in solemn determination. “Even if they leave the island, his shadow, his magic can still reach them. I need to stay to keep them from him.”

Regina’s gaze softened. “Why does it need to be you?”

“I’m the only one who’s able to keep him at bay. I was destined to be locked in battle with him for eternity the minute I realized Evelyn was gone. The Lost Ones don’t have to be tied to that same fate.”

“What if we kill him? Now I know that the more… heroic of my compatriots wouldn’t necessarily be in favor of that, but if we can get rid of Pan we can free you too.”

Marceline let out a sigh before rising to her feet and staring out at the moonlit jungle. “Tempting but no. One thing I’ve learned about Pan is that he’ll never relent. He won’t stay dead and when he returns, I’d be bringing more innocents into our conflict. It’s safer for your realms if I stay here.”

Regina stared up at Marceline, heart panging in her chest. No child should have to carry such a heavy weight on their shoulders. “If that’s what you think is right…”

Marceline gave an affirming nod.

“I’ll be going then,” Regina answered.

Rumplestiltskin stood in the library, sifting through tomes and journals, with an expression of mild appreciation for the expansive studies conducted by these girls. Footsteps approached from behind him.

“What’s that?” Regina asked.

Rumplestiltskin turned the book and read the cover: “The Theory of Geographic Magical Thresholds.”

“Sounds enticing.”

“It is, actually,” Rumplestiltskin answered, turning to meet the Queen’s eyes. “It’s a theory about why different realms have different magical climates and rules of operation. It also offers a reason why Neverland is so… imaginative.”

“Well while we’re in this makeshift library,” Regina said. “I need your help finding a solution to our Pan problem.”

Rumplestiltskin chuckled, closing the book and reshelving it. “Killing Peter Pan? You may be good, dearie, but you’re not as good as he.”

“What about us? Together, we could give Pan a run for his money.”

He thought for a moment. “It’s entirely possible, but we can’t afford to fail and… Emma’s magic is shaky at best.”

Rumplestiltskin began to walk past Regina, but she caught his arm. “What about Marceline?”

“Who? The Lost Girl who rebelled against Pan? She may be knowledgeable, but we don’t know how well she does in combat.”

“She’s prepared to fight Pan for the rest of their lives!”

Startled by Regina’s sudden outburst, he replied with uncertainty, “Good for her.”

“We can’t leave her to that,” Regina said forcefully. “If you’ve spoken to her then you know she…”

“Know what? That she picked a fight with one of the most powerful beings I’ve ever come across in my life for a friend? Sounds like that’s her problem.” He pulled his arm out of her grasp as he began to walk away.

“Gold!”

“Why do you care so much, dearie?” Rumplestiltskin scoffed. “We’re here to get Henry, I don’t care about some lost girl with a tragic backstory. Marceline has her own problems and we have ours.”

“Concentrate Henry,” Pan’s voice said as he circled around the boy. “This is Neverland! You can conjure anything you want if you just believe.”

Henry took a deep breath, trying to shake the feeling of the eyes of the Lost Boys.

“Oh please,” one of the Lost Boys scoffed. “He’s not gonna do it. He’s been trying for three minutes!”

Felix’s voice cut through the air, stabbing at the mouthy boy. “Shut it, Devin. Have some faith in the boy.”

The boy sighed through his nose and gripped his spear, leaning back against the tree trunk.

“You can do this, Henry. I believe in you,” Pan said just as a carafe of lemonade appeared in Henry’s hand. As the condensation dripped through Henry’s fingers, he opened his eyes and beamed in awe. “You must have been thirsty.”

“I am,” Henry smiled before holding out his other hand, summoning plastic straws in his hand. “Come on, you guys!”

The other Lost Boys smiled, rushing forward to take a sip. Pan and Felix smiled down at the boys, huddled over the carafe—pushing each other out of the way for a sip to quench their thirst. Devin rolled his eyes and stood, walking over to the boys with a sneer. Grabbing one of the boys by their hood, he pulled him back and took hold of the straw.

“Nice going, wonder boy,” Devin scoffed, wiping his mouth. “But how is this going to help us kill Marceline?”

The other boys quieted down as Pan stared warningly at Devin.

Henry looked at Pan and back at Devin. “What do you mean, kill Marceline?”

“We don’t need to kill Marceline to defeat her,” Pan answered.

“Yeah because she’s going to give up,” Devin snapped. “To get rid of Marceline, we have to kill her. Tear off her head and put it on a stake!”

Henry’s eyes welled with fear as he stared at Pan who glared venom at Devin.

“Shut your mouth, Devin,” Felix hissed, grabbing the freckled brunette’s collar. “or should I shut it for you?”

“Stand down Felix,” Pan sighed before taking Henry’s shoulders. “Walk with me.”

Henry followed Pan into the treeline, staring back at Devin and the other Boys.

“I’m not going to kill her!” Henry declared once the boys were out of sight.

“Henry, listen to me,” Pan said, sitting down on a rock. “Sometimes heroes have to make sacrifices for the greater good. They have to slay the dragon to protect the kingdom and no one gives the fire-breathing reptile any thought. Marceline is your dragon, Henry.”

“I don’t care!”

Pan sighed and stood up. “I really didn’t want to resort to this.”

“What?”

“Come on.”

Henry stood for a few moments, conflicted as Pan walked deeper into the jungle. He followed hesitantly, ready for danger, but all of that fizzled into melancholy as he stood next to Pan—overlooking a pit of bones.

“What is this place?” Henry inquired, voice trembling.

“This is the place where we take our fallen boys,” Pan said. “Killed by Marceline and her Lost Girls. There’s at least a hundred skeletons.”

“A hundred?” Henry croaked, eyes watering as he stared down at the skulls and bones. “Marceline… she killed everyone here?”

“Down to the last boy,” Pan sighed. “Henry, I’m sorry I had to show you this. I didn’t know how else I’d get you to understand.”

“No,” Henry answered, voice wobbling. “I’m glad you did.”

Pan breathed and pulled Henry into a gentle embrace, cradling the sobbing boy in his arms as he smirked down at the pit—the illusion shifting in the fog.

“We should get back,” Peter sighed, guiding Henry away from the pit. “No one should stay here longer than they have to.”

Devin scowled as he stared down into the blazing bonfire at the center of camp from his favorite tree branch. His leg was propped up on a higher tree branch while he played with a knife in his free hand.

“Got a moment?” Pan’s voice inquired from above him, startling the boy enough to drop the knife.

Devin turned and gulped, nodding. He watched Pan suspiciously as he sat down on the higher branch.

“What is it?”

“When Henry defeats Marceline and saves magic, Marceline will be left alive but that’s only because death would be too kind for her,” Pan said. “When the Lost Girls are gone and she’s alone, Marceline will join us.”

“How is that a solution?” Devin scoffed.

“Tell me Devin… have you ever wanted a pet that you could do anything to? Could play all day long and would never make any mess?”

“Who doesn’t?”

“How would you like that kind of pet, Devin?”

“Where are you going with this?” Devin inquired.

Pan leaned in and whispered. “Marceline will be our pet… and we’ll do whatever we want with her.”

A devious grin broke out across Devin’s lips. “How far can I go?”

“As far as you see fit,” Pan smirked, leaning back. “Make her regret everything she’s done.”

“I think I’m going to hunt,” Devin grinned, jumping down from the tree and snatching the blade from the ground.

“Attaboy.”

Marceline sat in her quarters, drumming her fingers on the windowsill as the door opened behind her.

Emma’s voice spoke first. “You said you wanted to see us?”

“Yes,” Marceline replied, standing and turning around. “We may not be able to get Henry yet, but… perhaps you can get him a message.”

Regina and Rumplestiltskin shared a glance before the Dark One piped up. “And how are you planning on doing that, dearie? Pan will have protections.”

“And I don’t recall seeing a Neverland Post Office,” Emma added.

“Then I guess we’ll make one,” Marceline grinned, walking over to her workbench and plucking a glass vial from the table. “We just need someone that can get in and out of Pan’s camp easily.”

All eyes turned to Tinkerbell. “No!” the fairy protested. “I’m not endangering myself for some flimsy plan!”

“Oh, I wasn’t talking about Tinkerbell,” Marceline added.

“Then who are we getting?” Hook inquired.

“We’re going hunting,” Marceline grinned. “For a Lost Boy.”

A pit formed in the stomachs of David, Hook, and Neal as they exchanged wary glances.

Devin traversed the jungle with his spear at the ready, adrenaline rushing through him as he thought of the witch responsible for the death of his brothers. Ripping past trees, his thoughts overflowed with memories of Rufio, Plank, and countless others. He remembered the fires that consumed their camps, the bones haphazardly buried beneath the topsoil, the entrails strewn across the trees.

He had no idea how fast he was running or how far from camp he had strayed, but now all he could think about was how he was going to punish the evil witch that had dared to stand against Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, who brutally murdered his fellow boys. When he came across a baby boar grazing in the brush, he jumped forward without thinking, prepared to stab the pig in the gut before a force pushed him against a tree. He grunted and groaned, trying to pull away from the rough bark and the vines that slithered around him, but it was no use.

“That was easy,” Regina scoffed as she and two other women approached him.

“What the hell?” Devin exclaimed. “Are you trying to start a war with Pan?”

Emma approached him, seething with rage. “Pan started the war when he kidnapped Henry!”

“And besides,” a voice lilted from higher in the tree. “We’ve all been at war for quite some time.”

Devin tried to crane his neck up, but he couldn’t see far. “Who.. who’s there?”

“Guess,” the voice answered from in front of him.

His head dropped, looking directly ahead of him. A brunette, dressed in a tattered chemise under leather armor, stared at him with chilling hazel eyes.

“You,” he growled, lurching forward to try and break through the vines. “It’s you!”

Emma, Regina, and Snow looked at him warily as he and Marceline stood a couple feet from each other.

“It is,” Marceline answered smoothly. “Who are you, anyway? I could’ve sworn I’ve seen you on the island before, but… your name slipped my mind.”

“I’m not telling you anything, witch!” Devin hissed. “Pan’s coming! He’s training Henry to defeat you.”

Marceline had to suppress a chuckle. “Is that so?”

“Henry?” Emma inquired. “Why Henry?”

“He has the Heart of the Truest Believer!” Devin smirked. “He’s the one who’s going to stop Marceline from stealing Neverland’s magic!”

Regina turned away, chuckling lightly as Marceline let out a small titter. Snow and Emma looked at each other.

“Why are you laughing?” Emma asked. “Is this true?”

“It’s false to the point that it’s funny,” Regina scoffed. “Look around you, Emma! Magic is dripping from the leaves! You can’t just steal magic from a place that supposedly has an infinite amount!”

“You’re lying!” Devin protested.

“She really isn’t,” Marceline answered.

“It doesn’t matter,” Emma sighed, approaching Devin with kind eyes. “Tell us where Henry is.”

“Why should I?”

“When we leave this island, we can take you and the rest of the Lost Boys with us. You can have a home!”

“Adults really are stupid.”

“Excuse me?”

“Why do you think we’re here?” Devin snapped. “We’re here because we don’t want to go home! Our homes were where we learned that we were alone. Pan gave us a place where we could be together.”

“Really?” Marceline smirked, staring into Devin’s blazing blue eyes. “What happened to Slightly?”

Devin lurched forward with glassy eyes. “You and your girls slaughtered him! Strung him up against the Hanging Tree!”

“I wish we could take the credit, but my girls had nothing to do with Slightly’s untimely demise.”

“Likely fucking story!” he roared, struggling against his binds.

“You remember what happened before Slightly,” Marceline said, stepping closer to him. “How there was a lull in the camp. All the boys were tired and weary from running and hiding. No new boys had shown up in decades…”

“What are you saying?”

“What would be the best way to rekindle those dying flames of vengeance?” Devin stayed still, glaring up at her. “Slightly was always the one who questioned Pan… why not kill two birds with one stone?”

“Then I guess Slightly should’ve known better,” Devin answered.

Snow stared at Devin, tears welling in her eyes. They weren’t tears of sorrow or pity, but rather of fear. He stared at her, a subdued grin playing on his face.

“Emma…” Snow mumbled as she walked into the treeline. “Emma, I can’t.”

“Mary-Margaret, wha—?” Emma said, following after her.

Regina rolled her eyes as she stared at the boy.

Emma stopped at the edge of the treeline, pulling Snow back.

“Emma… I,” Snow sighed.

“Hey… Mary-Margaret, what is it?”

“His eyes,” Snow breathed, sniffling slightly. “He didn’t even care that Pan killed his friend!”

“Yeah,” Emma mumbled. “It seems like they’re more loyal to Pan than we thought.”

“I…”

“What?”

Snow looked up at Emma. “I don’t think he’s even a boy anymore.”

“I don’t think any of them are,” Emma answered forlornly, looking back at Devin who stared directly at her with murder in his eyes. “Even the girls.”

“I’m starting to think Neal and David were right.”

“What are you saying?”

“I don’t think we should bring them back with us,” Snow breathed. “They’re too far gone.”

“How do you know that?”

“Look at him, Emma!” Snow urged. “Even if Pan’s gone… his influence on them won’t be.”

“Then we help them!” Emma protested. “How do you know what’s too far gone? Who are you to tell me that they’re past hope!”

Regina walked up next to them. “I think Snow’s right.”

“What?”

“Listen, I’ve been trying to act more… heroic lately, but I don’t think they would be good for Storybrooke,” Regina sighed.

“What?”

“Pan has been manipulating them for… we don’t even know how long,�� Regina reasoned. “They’ve been conditioned… heavily.”

“Then we uncondition them!” Emma snapped.

“Listen, Emma. I get that this is a sensitive subject for you but… Snow’s right,” Regina answered. “they don’t know how to be regular boys and girls anymore.”

Henry sat in the camp, staring at the bonfire dancing in the middle of haphazardly made tents and forts. His mind swam with thoughts of his mothers, his father, his grandparents. A pit grew in his stomach as his heart began to waver.

“You’re Henry, right?” a boy’s voice said from above him.

He turned his head as the boy sat down. Henry surveyed him. This boy was much different from the others. His hair was messy, but still clean, as were his clothes. Everything he wore fit better than on any of the other Lost Boys and there was a certain sparkle in his eyes.

“Yeah, that’s me,” Henry answered.

“I’m Morgan,” the boy greeted with a welcoming smile. “I’m here to help you make your Lost Boy vestments.”

“Oh… thank you,” Henry replied, mildly surprised at Morgan’s articulate and polite behavior. “Uhm… why?”

“Well… if you’re going to defeat the wicked witch of the woods with the power of imagination, you’ll at least need to look the part,” Morgan smiled, pulling out some brown fabric. Henry knit his brow. Something in him sensed that Morgan didn’t exactly believe Pan either. “Have you had any previous sewing experience?”

“Uh no,” Henry answered, scooting closer to Morgan. “Hey, could you tell me more about the witch?”

Morgan tensed before brushing it off with another bright smile. “Didn’t Pan already tell you everything?”

“Well yeah but… if I have to defeat her, then I need to know things about her.”

Morgan pushed fabric in front of Henry with a needle and thread. “Here, this is a backstitch. It takes longer, but your clothes will thank you in the long run… also gives you something to do… why don’t you try it?”

Henry picked up the needle and followed Morgan’s first stitch. “So what do I do?”

“Make a straight stitch and then double back.”

“Right.” Henry stared down at the fabric and slowly put the needle through the fabric, pulling it through.

“And then put it through the first hole you made.” Following the instructions, Henry continued in the same manner, making a shaky line across the length of the cloak. “You got it!”

“Thanks,” Henry answered, offering a brief smile.

“You’re a fast learner.”

“I guess.” He paused and turned toward Morgan. “So… who exactly is Marceline?”

Morgan took a breath, leaning further down as his eyes periodically scanned the camp.

“Marceline is…” Morgan replied lowly. “She’s a Seidr worker.”

“What’s that?”

“Magic from the Land without Magic,” Morgan answered. “It’s old, ancient magic from when the world was still young and the gods governed the earth.”

“So you’re saying that the myths from, like, the Greeks are true?”

Morgan gave a lopsided smile. “We’ll never know, but… the story of Marceline and Pan is the closest thing to a myth I know is true.”

“So… seidr,” Henry mused. “Is that why Pan wants me to defeat her?”

“No no… it’s much more complicated than that.”

“How complicated?”

“Convoluted. It’s fucking… fucked.”

Henry’s eyes widened. “Don’t say that!”

“Say what? Fuck?”

“Yeah! You shouldn’t say that!”

“Have you ever actually sworn in your life?”

“No.”

“It might do you some good, especially now that you’re here.”

“Anyways… Marceline?”

“Yeah… so there were some bridges built, things were said, things were done, and then the bridges erupted in flames and burned to ash with no hope of being rebuilt.”

“Vague much?”

“I can’t say much,” Morgan answered. “I’m not exactly in great standing here…”

“What do you mean?”

“I was close with Marceline before the split… they’re all pretty suspicious of me as it is.”

Henry let out a breath and looked around the camp, spotting Felix weaving some rope by the fire.

“Nevermind… I’ll ask Felix.”

“Bad idea.”

“Why?”

Morgan looked up at him. “Felix is Pan’s second-in-command. He’s also been here longer than any of us. He’s seen more combat than anyone else on the island—except maybe Pan. I’ve seen him push boys up against trees and beat them half to death because he had a bad day.”

“Well, it won’t be a very good idea on his part to beat up the one who has the Heart of the Truest Believer,” Henry answered as he walked to Felix, ignoring Morgan’s further warnings.

Sitting down next to the tall boy, Henry stared up at him expectantly.

“What do you want, boy?” Felix drawled.

“What exactly happened between the Lost Boys and Marceline? What makes you think that she’s stealing magic?”

Felix whipped his head to face Henry before sending a glare to Morgan.

“Why do you want to know?” Felix hissed. “Didn’t your mother tell you to not ask so many questions?”

“Actually, she encouraged me to,” Henry answered coldly. “It’s called critical thinking, I wouldn’t expect you to know it.”

Rage simmered in Felix’s eyes before Pan appeared behind him and spoke.

“Stand down Felix, let’s tell him.”

Henry looked up into Felix’s eyes, baffled as the rage in the larger boy’s blue eyes dissipated into a gaze that Henry couldn’t place.

Pan sat down next to Henry, straddling the log next to the fire, staring into it. “Marceline came to me in a dream. Her friend was dying at sea and she couldn’t find a cure. We came up with a deal. I’d heal her friend so long as she stayed with me in Neverland and searched the threads of fate to find you.

“In any case, she hid from me for a while, having found the secret of Neverland’s healing spring. When I found her, she was with her two friends, Katherine and Evelyn—the previously sick one. They had built a cottage behind the Echo Cave. Katherine prepared the meals, Evelyn tidied up, and Marceline went out to hunt and study the land.

“I invited myself over and indulged in a home cooked meal, reminding them of our deal. After that, they joined the Lost Boys, but Marceline was always skeptical of me.”—Pan grinned at the memory.—“She was a sponge of knowledge. Always wanted to know more, learn more and share it with the world.”—He reached over Henry and nudged Felix.—“You remember her rant about physics and how flying shouldn’t have been possible…”

Felix snorted slightly. “And then she tried to make a micro-magnifiying glass to analyze it and see if pixie dust had gravity altering properties.”

Henry’s eyebrows furrowed. “A microscope?”

“Sure whatever.”

Pan continued. “In any case, time went on and boys became more common on the island. Eventually she warmed up to us and we fell in love. I helped her understand magic and her own powers. She helped me understand the island. After we… connected for the first time, the shadow started bringing girls to the island.

“All good things come to an end. She began to grow… discontent with the way the Lost Girls were being treated by the boys. I don’t really understand why. They were never in any danger, they just had to clean up the camp but I digress… they were angry, she was angry, and she got a bit too resistant…”—Pan gave a sad, lopsided smile.—“…even for me.”

Henry looked into the fire. “So… what happened?”

“She and her girls became more mean-spirited toward the rest of the boys and when I told her to stop…”

“What?”

“We got into a fight. A big one.”

Felix piped up, an uncharacteristic amount of awe apparent in his voice. “A battle that uprooted thousands-year-old trees, shook mountains, and cracked the earth.”

Pan sighed. “Yeah… that big. Amid the fighting, her friend Evelyn tried to intervene, get us to come to a reasonable solution. I don’t know whose spell hit her, but before we knew it, she was on the ground—cold and limp.

“Marceline blamed me for it and took her girls away, building four outposts on the island. In the tragedy, something else happened…”—Pan leaned in.—“In her grief, her anger, her madness, she triggered something I never thought possible. She willed the island to grant her its power. She… chained Neverland, the birthplace of dreams, to her for her own selfish needs.

“That’s why we need you Henry! My magic is strong, but not nearly strong enough to beat Marceline. Your magic… the magic of belief, imagination, innocence, it will save Neverland and all the realms.”

Pan stared into Henry’s eyes with a desperate glimmer as Henry stared into the fire, jaw clenching and unclenching as he processed the information.

“Henry?” Pan asked. “Is something wrong?”

Henry seethed. “Yeah, with her. She’s going down.”

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