Flashback
It was the middle of the night and Rumpelstiltskin was sitting on the roof of a building. All of a sudden he heard music starting to play and children began to climb out of their windows or leave through their front doors.
Rumpelstiltskin followed the children into the woods where they were drums playing and everyone was wearing masks as they danced around a big fire.
"Bae! Cil! Bae! Cil! Bae! Cil!" Rumpelstiltskin called out as he checked the children for them.
He saw the piper in a cloak playing his music through a type of flute, he went over to him and took the instrument.
"Where is my son and Priscilla, Piper?" Rumpelstiltskin asked as he broke the flute.
"Is that what they're calling me?" He stood up and turned to him, the cloak's hood covering his face, "We both know who I really am," He took the hood off, "Been a while, laddie. Glad you could make the show," Pan said.
Rumpelstiltskin looked at him in shock, "You surprised to see me, Rumpel? I don't blame you. I'm a little surprised myself. Look who's become the Dark One! Good for you. Last time I saw you, you were hobbling yourself to get out of the war because you were becoming a Papa," Pan said.
"What?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.
"Thanks for looking after my little lassie for me, knew she'd be in great hands," Pan said with a smirk.
"It can't be... Joseph?" Pan smirked, "What are you doing here?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.
"It's lonely in Neverland. The only friends I have are the children who visit in their dreams. But they can't stay. The boys I take back with me will and so will my daughter," Pan said.
"You're not taking Priscilla or my son," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"I am... I'm taking my daughter home with me, whether you like it or not laddie," Pan said.
"Well, it's gonna take a lot more than a magic pipe to take them," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"The only thing magic about this pipe is that only certain children can hear it... Children who feel unloved, children who feel lost... I guess that's why you can hear it, Rumpel. Isn't it?" Pan said.
"Don't pretend to know me. You don't. Not anymore," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"Oh, I think I do. Beneath all that power, you're nothing more than an unloved, lonely, lost boy. Hey, I like the sound of that. That's what I'll call my new group of friends. The lost boy. It has a nice ring, don't you think? And my Priscilla can be the very first lost girl," Pan said.
"You can call them whatever you like. Baelfire and Priscilla will not be part of it," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"Oh, they're already a part of it. The question is, what are you willing to do to get them back?" Pan said.
"I'm gonna make you regret ever asking that question," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"Oh, I understand you're upset. Most parents' worst fear is that their children will be taken away from them. Hence why I'm back for Priscilla," Pan smirked at him, "You'll never play the father role for her, you'll always be something else to her. But that fear the most have, isn't yours, is it, Rumpel? No. You're not afraid Baelfire will be taken from you. You're afraid he'll leave with Priscilla. After all, being abandoned is what you're good at, isn't it? Everyone you've ever known has left, haven't they? Like Bae's mother, Milah. Not to mention your own father. Why should Baelfire be any different?" Pan said.
"You're wrong," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"Am I? Well, let's find out, shall we? You ask Baelfire and Priscilla if they want to come to Neverland with me or stay here with you. If they want to stay, I'll leave and never return, I want my daughter happy after all. Deal?" Pan said.
"I don't have to make any deals with you," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"But why wouldn't you, if you're so sure they'll stay?" Pan said.
End of Flashback
The Lost Boys danced around a fire while banging sticks together as drums played. Pan looked over and saw Henry and Julia sitting on a log by a fire, he stood up and walked over to them, "You don't want to join in the celebration, Julia, Henry?" Pan asked.
"Nothing to celebrate," Henry said.
"Nothing to celebrate? Henry, Julia, this whole party is to celebrate you two," Pan said.
"Us? Why?" Julia asked.
"Because you've come to save magic, of course. And I, for one, can't think of a reason more deserving of celebration than that. Just look at them," Pan said as they turned to the Lost Boys.
"We're not like them. Or you," Henry said.
"Sure you are. You're still children. Maybe a song will get you on your feet," Pan said as he took out his musical wooden pipe and started to play a song.
However, the Mills doesn't hear anything from the pipe, "Sorry. I...I don't hear anything," Henry said.
"Same," Julia said.
"Interesting," Pan looked somewhat surprised, "You see, this pipe's enchanted. It can only be heard by certain children," Pan said.
"Like who?" Henry asked.
Pan saw Felix walking back to the camp, looking angry, "You'll find out soon enough, I promise," Pan walked over to Felix, leaving the Mills twins alone, "What? I know that look. What happened?" Pan asked Felix.
"Baelfire, I'm afraid he got away," Felix said.
"Well, then why didn't you get him back?" Pan asked.
"I tried. I followed their trail and found to sentries knocked out by a sleeping spell," Felix said.
"The Dark One. So father and his son have been reunited... Word of Priscilla?" Pan asked.
"Dark One's not seen her, but your flower took its effect. They'll be coming for the children. We should move them somewhere safe," Felix said.
"Now, now, Felix. Where's your sense of adventure? We can't end the part when the real fun is about to begin," Pan said.
Back at Neal's old home in Neverland, Elaine was looking at the drawings on the wall as everyone else looked around, Katy and Emma looked at her and walked over to her.
"Anything important?" Katy asked.
"I can't tell yet. I didn't know he like drawing," Elaine said.
"He got it from his mother... He taught me when I was a kid," Faye said.
"I'm hoping Neal left something useful in the details of one of these. Maybe a map? Some kind of clue," She looked at David, "Hand me that candle," Elaine said.
David lit the candle and handed it to her, "I see, but... Nothing?" Faye asked.
"No, what about you? Any luck?" Elaine asked.
"No potted bean plant or swirling vortex under the rug, if that's what you mean," Killian said from behind them.
"It wasn't but it answers my questions," Elaine said.
"Anyway, there are other drawings on the far wall, but as far as I can tell, that's all they are. Probably just a way to pass the time and keep occupied," Killian said.
"You knew him pretty well, didn't you?" Elaine asked.
"We spent some time together," Killian said.
Elaine looked down at the candle, "You alright there, El?" Elsie asked as she walked over.
"I'm fine... Looks like you're right. They're just a bunch of pictures," She walked over to her parents, the Nightingale parents and Regina, "What's all this?" She asked as she looked at makeshift cups and bowls.
"Uh, just some cups and bowls he fashioned from things he found here," Mary Margaret said.
"Don't know how great a cup this coconut could make. It's filled with holes," David said.
"Uh, maybe it's a tiny colander," Mary Margaret said.
"Yes, because preteen Baelfire probably made lots of pasta," Regina said sarcastically.
"Hey, can I see that?" Elaine took the coconut from David and looked at it, "Killian, snuff that torch out," Elaine said and he did so as she put the other have of the coconut to the candle.
"Am I supposed to be impressed that he made a nightlight?" Regina asked.
"Look up," Elaine said as she was looking up and they looked up to see the roof of the cave filled with dots from the candle.
"Stars," Mary Margaret said.
"It's a map," Killian said.
"To where?" Roxanne asked.
"Home," Katy said.
"How can you be so sure it's a map," Mary Margaret asked.
"There was a short time in Neverland when Baelfire was aboard my ship. We taught him to navigate using the stars. What you're looking at is the fruit of my labours," Killian said.
"Can you read it?" Evangeline asked.
"Sadly, no," Killian said.
"I thought you just said you taught him how," Aimee said
"Yes, but we also taught Neal something else. The key to being a pirate is secrecy. The best captains conceal their maps in a code. He was an apt pupil," Killian said.
"So you're saying the only person who can read this map is Neal?" Kerr said and he nodded.
"Which means the only person who can read it is dead," Elaine said and walked out of the cave.
Emma, Katy, Mary Margaret and David followed after her, "Elaine, wait!" David said.
"Now is not the time," Elaine said.
"Elaine, we just want to help you," Katy said.
"I can't even imagine the sadness you must be feeling," Mary Margaret said.
"I'm not sad," Elaine turned to them, "I'm pissed. Yes, Neal just died, but I lost him years ago," Her voice broke, "All that time thinking that he didn't love me, only to find out that he did, and it was too late. I can't even tell him how angry that makes me, or how much it hurt when he left, or how terrified I was when he came back. Because... I knew the moment I saw him, I never... I never stopped loving him," Elaine said and walked away crying.
"She'll be okay," David said.
"Really?" Mary Margaret said.
"We have done everything we can," David said.
"But that's the problem," Mary Margaret's voice broke, "I have no idea how to comfort my own daughter. It is the first thing a mother learns, and I don't know how," Mary Margaret said.
"I feel the same way. But she is so upset, we have to get..." David said.
"How can we even blame her? If you died, I would not be able to move on," Mary Margaret said.
Emma and Katy followed after Elaine but Emma stopped and she looked to see Killian, she walked over to him, "Tell me something, are you hiding to protect her or yourself?" Killian looked at her, "Hook, she's my little sister, tell me the truth. Are you hiding the truth for her or you?" Emma asked.
"...Both. You should check on her," Killian said and walked back into the cave.
Faye looked at him, "Hey," Faye said.
"Hi, you okay?" Killian asked.
"Yeah, you?" Faye asked.
"I will be," They hugged each other, Faye looked over his shoulder and saw David watching them, she closed her eyes and tucked her head into Killian's shoulder as he rubbed her back, "Are you really okay?" Killian said.
"One day," Faye said.
At Pan's camp, the Lost Boys were dancing around the fire as all of a sudden the fire got blown out and a gust of wind knocked out the Lost Boys and the Mills twins, Pan smirked, "We have a guest! No doubt someone who knows how much I like guessing games. Who could it be? I guess..." He turned the fire back one and see Mr Gold, "The Dark One. Come to save Henry, Julia and find Priscilla, have you, laddie? How exciting. The Dark One ready to sacrifice his life for his family. Speaking of family... You can come out now, Baelfire," Pan said.
Neal came out from behind holding a crossbow, "Name's Neal now," Neal said.
"New name, but the same old tricks. It's heartwarming to see father and son working together, especially after you abandoned Baelfire, Rumpel. This is a real family reunion...Shame my sweet lassie isn't here. Oh, how I miss her," Pan said and Neal looked at him surprised.
"What are you waiting for?" Mr Gold said.
"I got this," Neal said as he fired the arrow and it flew towards Pan.
Pan caught it, "Clever. But we've been through this before, Baelfire. Have you remembered nothing?" Pan said and dropped the arrow.
"I remember plenty. That's why I didn't coat the tip," Neal said and the squid ink spread through Pan's hand and body, freezing him in place.
"Grab the twins," Mr Gold said.
They ran over to the Mills twins and Neal picked them up, "Well, how about that? I'm impressed. But are you sure you're really saving them, Bae?" Pan said.
"What could be worse than leaving them here with you?" Neal said.
"Why don't you ask your father? Sometimes the people we should fear the most are the ones closest to us," Pan said.
"W...What's he talking about? Why do you want Priscilla?" Neal asked.
"Don't listen to him," Mr Gold said.
"You mean you haven't told him? Priscilla knows," Pan said.
"Told me what?" Neal asked.
"Why, about the prophecy, of course," Pan said.
"What prophecy? What's he mean?" Neal asked.
"The prophecy that says you've been tricked. Your father isn't here to rescue your twins. He's here to murder them... Priscilla knew... Oh and about Priscilla, if you see her before I do," Pan smirked at Neal, "Tell her, her daddy says hi," Pan said.
♥✨♥✨♥✨♥✨♥✨♥
Neal and Mr Gold walked away from Pan to a clearing in the jungle and Neal laid the Mills twins down, "What the hell was he talking about?" Neal asked.
"Oh, don't mind him," Mr Gold said.
"He said you were gonna murder Henry and that Cil knew and that he's Priscilla's father!" Neal said.
"He plays games. Mind games. The important thing is we got the boy and we got away... Need to get to your sister now," Mr Gold said.
"Where are we?" Neal asked.
"The other side of the island. We're safe here for the time being," Mr Gold said.
"Hey. Hey, Henry, Julia. It's me. Hey, it's your dad," Neal said as he knelt next to the Mills twins.
"No, they... They can't hear you," Mr Gold said.
"Then wake them up," Neal said.
"Pulling them out of the spell could be dangerous. They'll wake naturally in a few hours. They'll be fine," Mr Gold said.
"Alright. Then you can explain to me what the hell Pan meant. We'll start with, Priscilla being his daughter, he looks a lot younger than her and he wasn't Joseph," Neal said.
Mr Gold sighed, "I found out years ago... It turned out the farmer, my childhood friend wasn't real... He enchanted memories into my mind when I was a mortal," Mr Gold said.
"What?" Neal asked.
"The memories faded when I got the powers of The Dark One, but I didn't know who he was until he told me... You both were under my care, wasn't lost since he left," Mr Gold said.
"So... He's Joseph? Used magic to make memories and took Priscilla in why?" Neal said.
"Why? I wish I knew, but she's my daughter, not his, he left her, he abandoned her, he isn't getting her," Mr Gold said.
"He won't, now... This prophecy that he was talking about, why would he say that you'd kill Henry and Julia? Why wouldn't Priscilla tell me?" Neal asked.
"Oh, I don't know, to create a wedge between us and drive Priscilla to him if you ever doubted her, he knows how much you mean to her," Mr Gold said.
"That's not a denial," Neal sighed as Mr Gold turned away from him, "No, this has to do with what happened when I found you. You thought I was a hallucination. You said that you had to do the right thing and save Cilla, Julia and Henry! What did that really mean?" Neal asked.
"Baelfire..." Mr Gold said as he turned back to him.
"It's Neal! Now stop dodging and tell me what's going on!" Neal said.
"There was a seer, and she told me of a prophecy... That the children would help reunite me with you. And those children... Would be my undoing," Mr Gold said.
"Henry and Julia," Neal said.
"I didn't know it was gonna be my own grandchildren, till I found you in New York and discovered you were their father," Mr Gold said.
"You were planning on getting rid of them, whoever they were, weren't you? To try and cheat fate? To get around the prophecy? You cold-blooded son of a bitch. You were gonna kill them," Neal said.
"Yes," Mr Gold said.
"And Priscilla, what does she know?" Neal asked.
"She doesn't know about the prophecy only who Pan is to her. But she has said if I hurt Henry, Julia or you, she'd kill me and pay the price," Mr Gold said.
"Become the next Dark One?" Neal said.
"Yes," Mr Gold said and stepped forward.
"Get back. You stay away from them!" Neal said.
"That was then. Things have changed. I...I didn't come here to Neverland to hurt Henry or Julia. I came here to save them," Mr Gold said.
"After what you just told me, I'm supposed to believe you!?" Neal said.
"I won't lie to you, self-preservation had been a nasty habit I've had my whole life, but I came here to break it, to do that right thing and to save Henry, Julia and Priscilla. Even if that meant sacrificing my own life. You have to trust me," Mr Gold said.
"How can I?" Neal asked.
Flashback
Pan and Rumpelstiltskin watched the children dancing around the fire, "You don't even recognize them, do you, Rumpel?" Pan asked.
"Well, how can I when they're wearing a mask?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.
"Well, they might be wearing a mask, but that's not the reason. Look at them..." Rumpelstiltskin turned to see a boy and girl dancing around and smiling, "Playing with other children, out in the world. They're happy, Rumpel. That's why you don't recognise them," Pan said.
Rumpelstiltskin walked over to Baelfire and Young Priscilla and took off their masks as Pan watched him, "Bae, Cilla... Are you alright?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.
"We're fine. Why are you here?" Baelfire said.
"I know you think I don't care about you... About either of you, but I do. And I'm here to prove it," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"How?" Young Priscilla asked.
"Go ahead, Rumpel," Pan said.
Rumpelstiltskin grabbed Baelfire and Young Priscilla, "Papa! What are you doing?!" Baelfire asked.
"I'm protecting you both," Rumpelstiltskin said and he disappeared with them in smoke.
"You're gonna regret not taking my deal, Rumpel!" Pan yelled and he walked over to Young Priscilla's mask then picked it up, he brushed his thumb over it.
Elsewhere, Rumpelstiltskin, Young Priscilla and Baelfire appeared back in their home, "Don't touch us! Get away!" Baelfire yelled as he pushed Young Priscilla behind him.
"It's alright now. You're both safe," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"Safe? We were never in danger. The Piper was our friend!" Baelfire yelled.
"He may have wanted you two to think that. But you both have to believe me. He would've hurt you both," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"Why? Who is he? Another person that you abused with your power?" Baelfire asked.
"His name is Peter Pan. I've known him since I was a boy. Growing up, we were incredibly close," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"So you're saying he's immortal, too?" Young Priscilla asked.
"He wasn't always. He went to a place called Neverland. He betrayed me. He can't be trusted," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"What happened?" Young Priscilla asked.
"All that matters is that he fooled me for a long time before I'd finally seen his true nature, and it is darker and more repulsive than you both should ever be exposed to!" Rumpelstiltskin said.
"He can't be any worse than you," Baelfire said.
"I had to protect both of you. I didn't have a choice," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"Stop lying because we know that did! We know about the deal Pan offered you!" Baelfire yelled.
"He said all you had to do was ask us if we wanted to come home," Young Priscilla said.
"He told you?" Rumpelstiltskin said.
"He said that way we'd know if you really trusted us, if you really cared," Baelfire said.
"Oh, please, Bae, Cil," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"You didn't need to. I would've chosen to come home. I would've chosen you! If only you asked. Maybe we could've found a way to be a family again," Baelfire said.
"We can be," Rumpelstiltskin said.
"No, we can't. Not until you trust us," Young Priscilla said and walked out.
"Cilla!" Baelfire yelled and followed her.
"Bae. Cil... Bae! Cil!" Rumpelstiltskin said as he watched them leave.
End of Flashback
The Mills twins were still asleep as Neal was sat near them, ignoring his father as Mr Gold watched him, "Tell me what I have to do to gain your trust and I will," Mr Gold said.
Neal looked at his father, "Give me the Dark One dagger. I know you. I know you wouldn't come all the way to Neverland without it. It's the only thing that can control you. It's the only thing that could stop you. You wouldn't take any chances with it," Neal said.
"I don't have it," Mr Gold.
"Why are you lying?" Neal asked.
"I'm not lying. I hid it so Pan couldn't get it, so he couldn't stop me," Mr Gold said.
"So unhide it!" Neal yelled.
"My shadow took it," Mr Gold said.
"Your shadow? Man," He scoffed, "You got an answer for everything don't you?" Neal said.
"I'm telling you the truth, I swear," Mr Gold said.
"You know, maybe you did hide it. Maybe you do want to do the right thing. But that's today. What about tomorrow?" Neal asked.
"I've changed," Mr Gold said.
"Have you?" Neal asked him, unconvinced.
"Yes," Mr Gold said.
"The prophecy still stands. You save him, he's your undoing, or what if Cilla actually wants to stay here because of everything you've done or go with her real family?" Neal said.
"I'm still willing to die for them, no matter what," Mr Gold said.
"What happens if we get back, and you're reunited with Callie, and you realise that the only thing standing between you and your happy ending is Henry and Julia? And 'undoing' doesn't sound so great?" Neal said.
"You and Priscilla are my happy ending. This is because it's my redemption. I can be strong, if you have faith in me," Mr Gold said.
Neal took hold of his father's hand, "You know, when I was living here and sleeping in a cave, I used to dream of you coming to rescue me. But then I'd wake up and remember how you left me behind. You left your own son behind for the power of that dagger and you helped Priscilla embrace her magic, you turned the sweet girl into a monster, I've read the book, I heard the tales. So, how can I think that things would ever be any different?" Neal said and he let go of Mr Gold's hand.
Mr Gold saw a leaf in the palm of his hand, there was squid ink on it and it spread through his body, freezing him, "Neal. What are you doing?" Mr Gold asked.
"I'm gonna find Elaine and the others and give my sister the choice you probably never have... Where she wants to call home, with me or here or with her real family, and then I'm getting the help off this island with or without Cilla, depending on her choice. I'm getting my family home and giving my sister what she always wanted... To be asked instead of ordered," Neal said.
"You can't go into the jungle alone. Without my power to protect you, Pan will capture all of you!" Mr Gold said.
Neal picked his children up and put them over his shoulders, "I'm sorry, I got no choice. We're safer without you. Goodbye, Papa," Neal said and walked away.
♥✨♥✨♥✨♥✨♥✨♥
Neal found Elaine's and the others campsite, he gently put the Mills twins on the ground and he walked over to the fireplace and saw the model of Pan's camp, "Elaine..." Neal whispered.
"You were so close to finding her," Pan and the Lost Boys surround him as Neal stood up straight looking at him, "You disappoint me. I thought I told you better. Never break in somewhere unless you know the way out," Pan said.
"I'll remember that for next time," Neal said.
"Well, there isn't going to be a next time. But don't blame yourselves. Your father could have protected you three out here, sure. But then who would've protected your children from him? Talk about a rock and a rock hard," Pan said.
"I will get my children back, no matter what it takes," Neal said.
"You're not getting it. That's not the problem. You got them. I got them back. It's the game. No, my boy, the real problem for you is that there is no escaping Neverland. No one gets off this island without my permission," Pan said.
"I've done it before," Neal said.
"Did you? Look where you are now. It's like you never left," Pan said.
"You saying you let me go?" Neal asked.
"I'm saying everyone's where I want them," Henry and Julia started to wake up, "Something to chew on. You know where to take him," Pan said.
The Lost Boys grabbed Neal, Neal watched as Felix took the Mills twins away, "No! Henry! Julia!" Neal yelled.
"Oh, don't worry. It won't be for very long," Pan said.
"I'm alive" Neal yelled.
"Just until I reset the board. See, the game is about to change," Pan said.
"Don't give up hope, Julia! Henry! I will come for you! I promise!" Neal yelled as he was being dragged away.
Meanwhile, Mr Gold was still in the same place but the squid ink had worn off and he took out the straw doll from his jacket, "I'm so sorry, Rumpel. Neal should have trusted you," Callie said as she walked over to him.
"How could he? After everything, I've done? After everything, he's found out?" Mr Gold asked.
"Well, he may not know what was in your heart, but I do you would've protected Henry and Julia and saved Priscilla. You would've even given your own life to show Neal that you've changed," Callie said.
"Are you asking me or do you truly believe that?" Mr Gold asked.
"I know it with all my heart. What I don't know is why you look so upset now. I mean, Rumpel, he's alive, Baelfire. You have something to live for," Callie said.
"But the prophecy remains. Henry and Julia are still my undoing?" Mr Gold said.
"That's why you're upset. You were so determined to die for the children, but now? Having something to live for has brought back that nasty habit of self-preservation, hasn't it? Rumpel... Habits can be broken, can't they?" Callie said.
"Go away, Callie. I don't want to talk right now," Mr Gold said and he was alone in the woods, again.
At Pan's camp, the Mills twins woke up to see Pan sitting near them and the Lost Boys dancing around the campfire, "What happened?" Henry asked as they sat up.
"Oh, you two fell asleep," Pan said.
"We did?" Julia said.
"No, don't worry. It was just a light catnap. The night's still young," Pan said.
"Wait. I...I remember something. Our dad... When I was asleep, I...I could've sworn I heard him calling for us," Henry said.
"Me too," Julia said.
"Really?" Pan said.
"It must have been a dream," Julia said.
"Well, how can you be sure?" Pan asked.
"Because our dad's dead," Henry said.
"I'm sorry, Henry, Julia. It makes sense for us to dream about the things we've lost and the things we hoped for, like your father being alive and your mother coming to find you. But eventually, you'll find new things to dream about. And when you do, they'll start to come true," Pan said.
"How do you know?" Julia asked.
"Because that's what I did. And now you're here. Neverland used to be a place where new dreams were born. You can bring that magic back, Henry, Julia. And we can be your family," He faced the Lost Boys as the Mills twins stood next to him, "I'd like to play a song, a song for our guests of honour... Henry and Julia," Pan said.
Pan started to play his pipe and he watched as the Lost Boys danced around him, Julia and Henry were now able to hear the music. Henry and Julia picked up the same sticks and started jumping around the campfire.
"You can hear the music now, can't you Julia, Henry?" Pan said.
"Yeah!" The Mills twins said as they joined in with the Lost Boys as Pan watched them with a smile.