OUaT - 'Snowfall' - Chapter 2

Author Notes:
1: I DO NOT own Once Upon a Time, it's characters, or storyline. Once Upon a Time, story and characters, is owned by both Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. I DO own Eiry Meagher, her story, and the art for this story - be it commissioned or my own.
2: Bold-italic phrases will indicate Eiry's thoughts or the thoughts of others while in their point of view. Italic-underlined phrases will indicate when the Spirits of Neverland are making contact with someone. Anytime you see "()" it will indicate when Eiry is reliving a memory. When you see "..." it means the point-of-view has shifted to another character.
3: The song for this chapter is "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera.
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"Thanks, Rie... For keeping your promise." Henry's statement silenced my wandering thoughts.

"Hm?" I asked absentmindedly looking down to him. "Sorry, Henry, what was that?"

"Your promise, from before you went back to Boston." I blinked several times. Then it hit me. Right. I smiled down to him.

"On top of that, I am going to make you a very powerful promise: should you ever really need me, just think about me and I will be there, no matter where you are, no matter what it takes."

"You're my little brother. You needed me and I came for you." I ruffled his hair, gaining a chuckle from him. Even though we are in the one place I wished to leave in my past. "I'll always be here for you."

"You shouldn't lie to your brother, Rie." Pan lectured. My smile broke and I glared over to him.

"The only liar here is you." Henry stated defensively. I looked down to him in awe. "You lied to me when we met." I shook my head to silence my curious thoughts.

"Besides, it's not a lie. I will always be there for Henry when he needs me. Neither you or Neverland will get in my way of that." I mentioned as agitation clearly gripped my tone. "We are family, after all. Not that you would know what that means." I muttered as my eyes locking with Pan's. "But I will say this," I looked down to Henry with a half-smile, "As much as I despise the concept of lying, Pan lying doesn't surprise me. That's what he does. He's a gifted silver-tongue who will use whatever means possible to get what he wants." I shrugged. Henry seemed unhappy with this statement, almost as if he was disappointed. "Sorry, Henry, our personal beliefs can only take us so far." He shook his head and smiled to me.

"No, thanks for telling me. It's just that I wanted to believe that there was something good about him. Something relating to his fairytale." I put my hand on his shoulder. I don't think he'll like the truth...

"Actually," This caused Henry to glance up to me in wonder. "In the original fairytale, Peter Pan is actually a mischievous and evil little boy. What's worse is that this Pan," I pointed to the Pan I came to know. "Is not as bad as his fairytale counterpart, but he is still FAR from being my type. No where close. Either way, I know how you feel." I wanted to believe that Peter Pan wasn't like his fairytale, that he could be more like the 'sanitized' version. There was a few moments of silence between us, but I decided to break it. "I have another promise to keep." This caught not only Henry's attention, but the attention of the trapped pubescent boys around us. "I promised to tell you about how I came to Neverland."

"That's right!" Henry cheered as he scooted closer to me.

"I lived in the Enchanted Forest for half a year, after running away from my foster home. I even lived in your grandparents' kingdom, with them." This caused Henry to gawk at me. "One day, I went with Red, as a request from Snow, to pick some berries in the woods. During our walk, I told her about my life, as the only people who knew of my past was Snow and David." Henry nodded, allowing me to continue. "After our baskets were full, we encountered eight horsemen belonging to Regina. Worried for my safety, Red told me to run, that she would meet me at the cliffs we went past on our way, and went to distract them." The Lost Boys ceased their dancing and listened in. Rude much?! I rolled my eyes and continued. "By nightfall, Red hadn't shown up. I still believed she'd get here but I succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep.. After awaking from a terrible nightmare, I found it was in the eleventh hour, eleven-eleven to be exact. At that moment, I heard a dismembered cry. I looked around but found no one, until I turned around. Low and behold, I was staring at Pan's shadow. I dismissed it, only to have it take hold of my sleeve and drag me to  the nightmare-ish Hell that Pan had turned Neverland into. The shadow brought me - I'm sorry, the correct thing to say is KIDNAPPED me - under specific demands. But it wasn't by Pan's orders, shockingly. Actually, Pan was genuinely surprised to learn that I didn't summon his shadow." I slumped my shoulders. "That night marked the beginning of a three-month long waking nightmare as the Queen of Neverland. There were only four people who made being here bearable... Slightly," I looked to my young-looking protector, "Tinkerbell, Hook," I turned to look up to the night sky, they were here, somewhere. "And eventually, Felix." I glanced over to the tall Lost Boy. There's something else... I took a deep breath, readying myself to reveal my fate to my little brother. However paused when Henry's face contorted in confusion.

"Wait... The Enchanted Forest, being kidnapped by the Shadow, Queen of Neverland... You're the princess from your stories!" Henry exclaimed. I felt my face flush and I nodded nervously. "Wait... That means you're engaged to Pan?" Once more I nodded. "Ew." I giggled at this.

"I know right?!"

"But you never explained why you had to marry Pan..." Henry murmured.

"Well that's because Neverland needs - " Pan appeared in front of me and covered my mouth. His glaring gaze locked with mine.

"Don't even think about it." Pan warned in a hushed whisper. Too late. I bit down on his hand, to which Pan pulled his hand back immediately, and deepened his glare. "I have to hand it to you, you've got a lot more fire in you than I remember." He lifted the hand I bit it up to his lips and licked at the bite mark. Ew... This action earned an immediate shudder from me. I quickly recovered.

"That's because you never knew me. You never knew about my past or who I was. You never even TRIED to get to know me. All you knew about me is what you were told." I breathed deeply. "And what you saw. Hell, you didn't even care about me or my well-being. All you cared about was getting what you were promised. Though that doesn't surprise me considering the only person in your heart is you. There is no room for anyone else."

"Well, once we're married, we'll have an eternity to get to know one-another." His smirk widened as he grabbed hold of my chin.

"I already know all I need to know about you. And frankly, what I know about you, doesn't surprise me." I acknowledged honestly, pulling my face away his grasp. I looked back to Henry. "And to answer your question, Neverland needs me, so it can be pure once more." The Lost Boys looked at us in awe, glancing from me to Pan. Our eyes danced a dangerous tango.

"How is that even possible? I mean he's Peter Pan, he should be able to purify the land with his magic..." Henry whispered, he was captivated in disbelief.

"I don't understand it all myself, Henry. And Peter Pan... Save Neverland? Hah, that's hilarious." I patted Henry's head when he looked at me the way he did. "All I DO know that ever since Pan set foot in Neverland, the light in this realm vanished, leaving the Heart of Neverland to be the only place of purity left." I informed looking down to Henry.

"The Heart of Neverland? What's that?" Henry questioned.

"The Heart of Neverland is the most magical place on the island. It is the one place that Pan can't access." Henry's curiosity grew. Seriously? You can't see it?! I narrowed my eyes as a silenced growl left my lips. "His heart, Henry. Pan's heart is too dark. Too corrupt. Only a person with a true and pure heart can access the Heart of Neverland." Pan recovered from his awe and turned his smirk towards me.

"Henry, did you know, that when your sister came here for the first time, she was a scrawny, defenseless, little girl?" Pan asked as he looked down to Henry, his smirk still playing on his lips.

"Scrawny, yes, defenseless, no." I corrected. Pan glanced towards me.

"You had no way of defending yourself til we ventured to the Enchanted Forest together. Seems that with you being in Neverland, you got some magic." Idiot.

"That's what I wanted you to believe. I kept my magic a secret because I knew you'd never love me for who I am. I mean you only wanted to marry me so you can have unlimited control over Neverland." I stated bitterly. "Don't you dare deny it." Pan shrugged his shoulders and his smirk weakened slightly.

"You're right, I can't deny it." His eyes locked with mine. He grabbed my hands and brought me to a standing position. "Neverland reacts to you in ways it doesn't for me,  the creation of the Winter Woods is proof of that." I almost forgot about the Winter Woods... His smirk had returned to it's former glory. "You know, Rie, I had imagined the countless ways of your body would mature as you aged," Pan informed as he changed the subject almost casually.

"Thanks for official disturbing me." I uttered bitterly, interrupting him.

"But I had never pictured you becoming the strong, beautiful woman I see before me." He admitted. Wait what? "The very same woman I intend to lay with come our wedding night." He smirked, shrugging his shoulders, bringing his Lost Boys to cheer. There's the perverted side of Peter Pan right there. I narrowed my eyes with displeasure.

"See Henry, every time he tries to show any kind of goodness, kindness, or sincerity, the illusion will always be shattered by the true Peter Pan." I informed looking over to Henry. He was wearing a glare, he obviously disliked Pan's perverted statement.

"What's more interesting is that I've had some kind of magical influence on you." I tilted my head in confusion. "You fly. I wonder what else you've been hiding..."

"You call it flying, yet I don't need Pixie Dust for it. I call it being carried by the wind, as it is the wind that guides me. And I didn't learn it from you, I learned it as my powers developed." I informed in a matter-of-fact tone. "With that aside, anything else about me is on a need-to-know basis, and you, Peter Pan, don't DESERVE to know anything else about me." He pouted mockingly towards me, to which I responded with a menacing growl. "Any way, Henry is special, and that, sadly, is the reason you need him." You know that I know what you're planning. Pan's look of scorn faded and his smirk returned. End this game.

"You're wise, Rie. Another quality adding to the reasons of why you belong in Neverland. With me." I rolled my eyes at this.

"And you, Peter Pan, are unwise. I belong in Storybrooke. With my family. Where I'm happiest." I spat as my expression hadn't changed.

"You never did trust me, did you?" Pan faked a hurtful tone. Nope.

"I'm a believer in many things... Among them: Henry, true love, my family, and myself. I, however, do not believe that I should EVER trust you." Pan crossed his hands above his heart as the fake scorn returned to his face.

"I'm hurt." He mentioned in a pained tone. I rolled my eyes. Uh huh, right...

"I have never trusted you and I never will." I muttered fiercely to the first human inhabitant of Neverland. Our eyes danced, both gazes were battling for dominance. "Besides, unlike you, I don't need to constantly rely on my magic. I can defend myself without the help from my magical abilities." This statement seemed to only amuse him further.

"Why don't you show us how truly strong you are then, hm?" Pan stated as his smirk returned once more. I quirked my brow at this statement. "Let's make it a game." I rolled my eyes at his suggestion.

"The only times you play your 'games' is when you know you're going to win, one way or another." I mentioned as I crossed my arms across my chest defiantly.

"And there is a problem with that?" Pan laughed mockingly at me, as did his Lost Boys, all except Felix and Slightly.

"Yes. Depending on what you want from it." My tone dropped an octave.

"All you have to do is fight, love." I eyed the well-known Demon of Neverland suspiciously. "Hand-to-hand; no weapons, no magic." This caught my attention. "Hell, I will even let you have the pleasure of claiming your victim - I mean opponent." I smirked. Finally, a chance to prove that Peter Pan can't win everything.

"Alright." I looked around the lot, only to have my eyes fall back on Pan. "I choose you." I stated as I made eye contact with him. He frowned, only to have a small pout dance across his lips.

"Unfortunately, love, I don't want to hurt you. Besides, I will be healing you after the fight, as a courtesy to my bride-to-be." The pout vanished and a smirk played on his lips once again. "Seems rather hypocritical to me." He added with a shrug.

"A, don't call me 'love,' and B, you're my choice, take it or leave it." I mentioned as the confidence in my heart began to rise. He sighed considering he didn't want to argue with me in front of Henry - he's lost enough trust with him as it is.

"Alright. But do know this, Rie: I will only hold back enough so I don't kill you." Pan informed. "I can't look weak in front of my boys, nor do I want to kill my fiancee." His Lost Boys united in cheers.

"That's fine, like you said, you'll be healing me afterward." I stated quirking a brow at him. "Now, what's the trade-off." This drew Pan back to reality as his thoughtful expression went to one of dark amusement. Of course, the only thing that matters to him is the prize. I thought bitterly as I narrowed my eyes at him.

"If I win, you are to be my bride. Tonight." I narrowed my eyes in annoyance. "I have to claim what is rightfully mine, after all. And in this particular case, that's you. Love." I narrowed my eyes once more at the specific word - 'love.' Peter Pan is incapable of such emotions. He's done nothing to show he cares about anyone other than himself.

"And if I win?" I asked as I placed my hands on my hips. I knit my eyebrows together in frustration. I wonder what the pathetic prick will have in mind.

"Whatever you like." He stated arrogantly. He knew that no matter what he would win something.

"Freedom." This caused Pan and the audience to retreat into a state of curiosity. "Freedom for Henry, my family, and myself. Freedom from Neverland. Freedom from you." Pan smirked once again.

"As you wish, my queen." He mused.

"Not. Your. Queen." I spat viciously. He let loose yet another laugh to mock me. After the laughter ceased, he leaned in close enough to cause our noses to touch.

"No, not yet." I glared at him, a spiteful fire burning in my soul. Even if you win, I will NEVER love you. I could never love a heartless soul like yours. "First to pin the other, lasting the to the count of ten, will win."

"Rie, don't do it." I heard Henry's voice pipe up. I turned my gaze from Pan and smiled down to my little brother. I crouched down to his height.

"Henry, I need to do this. I need to protect you and our family. Besides, I have been wanting to prove that Peter Pan can be defeated, contrary to his egotistical mindset of 'Peter Pan never fails,' for ages." I acknowledged as I motioned my head back towards Pan. I stood and turned to meet Pan's gaze once more. He gave us some distance as the Lost Boys formed a circle around us. I pulled back my hood and prepared for what's to come. Pan examined my body once more, only to have a brief confused gaze capture his face when he saw my uncovered face. What is his deal? "Hey, Pan! How 'bout a little less ogling and a little more fighting?!"

"I can't help it. You're far more beautiful than I could have ever imagined." Pan admitted honestly, his smirk still present. I appreciate the honesty but I don't want to hear stuff like that coming from him.

"Ready?" I asked, sending a glare to Pan. His response was his trademarked smirk. I drew in a breath. I may lose, considering he's physically stronger, but I may have a chance considering I'm smarter. I locked eyes with the trapped eighteen year-old and nodded. Pan moved towards me rather slowly. Could you be any slower? I blinked, curious as to why Pan wasn't in a rush to get this over with. I dropped my shoulders and let loose a sigh. As my breath had left my lungs, Pan lunged towards me. His fist balled and made contact with my jaw. I drew a sharp breath but refused to show any other signs of agony. I raised my gaze to him. He was smirking. Asshole.

"You can certainly take a hit, Rie." He complimented. "Let's see how long you can keep it up." I glared and spun my body as his fist was about to hit me for a second time. Not this time! My leg lifted and made contact with his jaw, making an unsettling scraping noise, like nails on a blackboard. The force of energy caused his body to turn. He lifted his hand and wiped away the blood that gathered at his lip, a devious smirk replaced his once confident one. "Nice hit." He whipped around and kicked my left side. I heard a couple unhealthy cracks come from my ribs. I wheezed out as my lungs felt the pressure from the contact.

"Rie!" I heard Henry's voice call out to me. The Lost Boys were rooting for Pan, all except Slightly and Felix. My peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the tall blonde who had once saved my life. He seemed to be more worried for me than Henry, though he hid it well. Thanks, Felix... Drawing a breath I went to make another kick towards Pan, only to have him stop it in midair. He then went to kick my right side and was successful as I struggled to free my captured leg. I fell to the ground, getting a feeling of extreme pain soar through my back as it made contact with the Earth. I shook my head trying to stabilize my vision and regain my senses. I pushed myself to stand, ready for the next attack. I felt a pair of arms wrap around my upper body, causing my breasts press firmly against Pan's wrists. My arms were pinned to my sides. This technique caused me to gasp from the severe feeling of agony in my fractured, if not broken, ribs. Pan's warm breath swept across my left ear.

"This ends now, love." My breathing was faint but I smiled. I turned my head, making eye contact.

"You're right, Pan. I just hope after this, there'll be no hard feelings." I mentioned as lips just barely avoided contact with his. I was trying to be as kind as I could, without sounding fake. My fierce competitor smirked towards to me, it would seem he believed I was ready to forfeit. How wrong he was. I wasn't going to go down without a fight. He nodded and was ready to wait for the battle to end in his favor. I lifted my hands, slowly, and placed them on Pan's arms. Gently, I moved them from his arms back towards his shoulders, and laced my hands behind the back of his neck. To an outsider, those who aren't in my head, would believe I wanted to lose. Even Henry looked at me like I was mad. I rolled my eyes towards him. You know better than that, Henry. I leaned forward a little, pulling Pan with me. His body stiffened, telling me he didn't know what was going on, which proved that my tactic was working. I wanted to make it seem like I needed his help to stand upright.

"Eight, nine." The Lost Boys chanted. It's now or never. I fought on gravity's side and pulled further, giving the illusion that I lost all strength to stand. We both landed on the ground, me face-planting the ground, and him on top of me. This feels wrong. So very wrong. I mentally complained. I felt intense pain claw alongside my upper body but I had to push through it to win. Pan seemed fazed by this and pushed himself to sit loosely on my back. There's no denying it, Pan's a moron. Now that my body was free, I turned underneath him so that he was now seated on my stomach. I kicked my legs and rolled us around like a tumbleweed, ending this gymnastic performance with him laying beneath me, staring at me in complete and utter awe. His storm blue eyes held a look of surprise as he blinked up at me. I had to admit, he did look pretty cute looking at me like that. I placed my hands on each of his shoulders, pinning him in place, and I tangled our legs together so that they provided trouble for him, should he try to escape. My body was now succumbing to the pain, as my hearing was beginning to fade in unison of my vision.