❝Saying goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting.❞

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PROLOGUE:

THE PROPHECY

«When the time comes that air turns toxic and ash rains from the sky, a vain act shall bring forth an age of chaos. And only when all hope is shattered shall a ray of light shine upon that world of darkness. When what's shrouded is revealed, a dead heart shall decide upon the fate of the realm to which it belongs , thereby digging it into a definitive oblivion or ushering in the forgotten dawn.»

                 Once upon a time, there was a land where freedom knew no bonds, where time stood still and which lost children would visit when their minds fell into the deepest of darkness — when their imagination went wild and their dreams turned into reality. It was an island made for children, which was why adults tried to avoid any kind of contact with it. Wide woods permeated most of the realm, and only a tiny gap of ground remained untouched by the green trees: the place that they always loved to visit. Joyful shouts could be heard in the vicinity, and a warm bonfire would be set in the middle of the celebrations the Indians used to honour those children with. A deep ocean spread itself around the land, dwelling of the rarest creatures, some of them not very fond of the souls that dared to sail their waters.

However, something more dangerous hid within the intricate island; something apparently innocent but far from it.

Her laughter echoed through the entire land, carefree and loud, yet her feet never made a sound as she rushed down green paths of fallen leaves. Mermaids shared a deep affection for her and were frequently humoured by her visits, which were usually related to mischievous ideas. She would come to them with the most alluring, wicked game whenever ignorant pirates — always driven by egoistical purposes — crossed the boundaries between her island and the wild seas.

Ruler of her realm and ruler of the night, she had cream-coloured skin and wore green clothes to blend into the flower bush. She loved to twirl in circles and swam like a tiny fish in the lake near the willow tree, whose shade helped her sleep. She was quite the trouble maker; pirates and adventurous souls would be tricked by her innocent grin while her hands in their pockets she sneaked. She knew how to have good manners but would always show them her spicy twist, and was so quick they couldn't see. She drank from puddles and ate berries from the bushes, within whose leaves she hid until her next target arrived.

At night, running through the never-ending forest she could be found; her characteristic, mischievous grin on as she led lost children to their new destination. She loved the company they offered, but would not hesitate to put Tinkerbell before their incessant pleas, for a deep relationship had developed between the beautiful fairy and her.

Her name was Emery Red, and Neverland was her home.

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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material used in the making of the show, Once Upon a Time. All rights are reserved to Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. I do, however, have rights to Emery Red, the mermaids and any plot not directly following the show. This book is going to be initially taking place before the events during the first season, and it will have its own "original" plot. Certain scenes might be pulled from the show or Disney's version of Peter Pan to help the story along.

I am not a native English speaker, so I do realize that there will be some grammar errors that I won't be able to find on my own as I edit the chapters. I ask from you to simply understand that fact, and should you want to point them out for me, I will be more than happy to fix them.

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