<i>The world is a mysterious place...how do I know this you ask? Well being a druid from the age of what most call legendary gives me some form of knowledge. Who am I? I've been called many things most of them not flattering, but I am Merlin Emrys, custodian to the famed legend of Camelot and one of the higher ranking members in the order of the dragon. <br/>
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These events that most know simply as myths or faerie tales are very true, though they didn't happen exactly the way it was recorded, but that is of no consequence now, this isn't my story...well not entirely at any rate. I was the sorcerer and my nephew Declan is the famed apprentice. This is more of his story, though should he obtain his own apprentice it will become that apprentice's story. For now we'll focus on some place of importance, you know the people that live in this city but as I mentioned the famed events of their lives is different than you may have heard. There are important figures, Mayor Snow White is having a bit of trouble her city and is in need of some help, however the order insists my nephew is to be the one to handle it...there is a small problem though, Declan is currently imprisoned in an ancient Chinese vase with a 10 year lock on it...oh my it's been 10 years hasn't it? That should be opening now soon...<br/>
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Regardless, there much to be know about the city, there a balance here that has been disrupted by whom the order is silent, not because they are withholding information...it's be cause we don't <b>know</b>. My nephew and niece might be of use here along with others, however Avalon and the fey are not able to be reached for some reason...unknown to me but I have my wife Nimue looking into it now...<br/>
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Yes, the city of Odense on the east coast of the United States, is about to have some massive issues. All those monsters one has read about are there, as are beings that one reads about in the books, and oh yes there's magic. There has been some tension over certain groups in the city and those of us that have the talent for magic...hopefully not enough to start a war no one can win...but when you have cultists and even Maleficent in the city anything can happen. The gods can do nothing to interfere in the affairs going on here, that's why one the sorcerer must rise to the challenge. I can only guide my nephew and niece and their allies, I cannot interfere...not till Arthur rises again.<br/>
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Now there is some tension with certain...families if you will...not normal families...but ones called crime families, they are currently getting bolder by the day...not good business for Mayor White's police force...not at all, though one is missing their leader, the Lost Boys are awaiting for that same lock on the vase to become undone, it's August 17, 2017...that lock should be coming off soon. But perhaps one needs to know how my nephew got locked in there...that much I can share before this becomes his tale...<br/>
</i><br/>_______________________________________________________________________<br/><br/>Odense is like any other large city on the eastern coast of the United States, however it's inhabitants are what normal humans call "legends" or "myths". Elves, faeries, dwarves, vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, mermaids, and normal humans all live together in this place. Much like the old countries they came from, however the tales of these particular beings is varied, sure there's the bedtime stories one has heard, but things are much different than what was recorded.<br/><br/>Most think they know the tale of the Knights of the Round Table, but would be surprised on how little they actually know. The same goes for the story of the Sorcerer's Apprentice, that is quite different from what Hollywood or the story would have you believe. Yes Merlin had an apprentice, only one, not three. His nephew Declan Emrys, son of Fergus Dunbroch and Freyja, the Norse goddess of love. The boy took the name "Emrys" from his uncle Merlin, a brother of Freyja through the dragon that was both their father. Fergus being embarrassed at having a bastard son, spread the rumor the boy was a Macguffin due to his dirty blond hair and blue eyes. While Fergus was known for his red hair as were the children born from him and his wife Eleanor. Of Declan's siblings Merida was the closest to him in terms of family and age (her being 2 years his junior).<br/><br/>The boy was destined for other things and taken by Merlin to be trained in sorcery, while Declan did get to visit home now and then, his father had little to do with him, and passed his hatred on to the the triplets, only Merida and Eleanor treated Declan as a member of the family.<br/><br/>With Merida being named the heir to clan Dunbroch's holdings, this allowed Declan to leave home and come to Odense shortly after he completed his apprentice hood. He came to Odense with his uncle and aunt, with Merida visiting every now and then, and set up a place in Old Town.<br/><br/>Now Declan had been friends during training with Merlin, to boy about his age named Peter Piper, whose father owned a famed pepper farm, you wanted peppers you saw the Piper's, they did pickled, spicy, mild, decorative, you name it. But Peter aspired to be more than a pepper farmer, in fact he wanted to remain young and handsome for the rest of his life. Peter's father and unwittingly bought his son a set of pipes from fey dealer, these pipes were the key to unlocking a demon...a demon that could grant one's desire...but for price. The boys were 18 at this time, Peter still not losing his cocky ways and immaturity.<br/><br/>Unknown to Declan, who at this time was preparing to enter Avalon to graduate from his apprenticeship. While the two friends said goodbye, Declan had noticed Peter's shadow had changed...but thought nothing of it. Peter had made a deal with this demon...Rumpelstiltskin...<br/><br/>There are many places like Avalon, Ragnarok for one, but there's an island that many can go to, mostly the fey...and it's called Neverland. Some think it's an island of dreams, others think it's where children go when they die, the truth? Only the fey know as does it's chosen guardian.<br/><br/>Years past, Declan didn't see his friend again upon his return to Avalon, and Merlin urged him to forget it for the time, they were heading to Odense in the United States.<br/><br/>Upon arriving to Odense, Declan trained he may be a sorcerer now, but he still had much to learn, most 18 year old men thought they knew more than they did, he was no exception. Mayor White viewed him at this time as a menace another sorcerer that could cause havoc., despite Merlin's constant assurances that Declan wasn't anything like Maleficent or Elsa or even Baba Yaga.<br/><br/>Still Declan had to prove himself, there was a sorcerer called Hogarth that arrived looking to resurrect some long dead sorcerers and sorceresses, he tore up much downtown Odense in the process before Merlin's nephew leveled several statues downtown before finally defeating Hogarth, by a blast of sheer magical energy through his chest.<br/><br/>It was shortly after this that Declan opened up a shop called Arcana Cabana, using an old town house in the Old Town district, the lower half was the shop itself and he lived above it in some comfort.<br/><br/>August 17, 2007 came around...and with that an old friend, one Declan hadn't seen since he'd been 18 years old...Declan was now in his mid 20's but Peter still looked 18. By chance they had passed each other in the street, Declan was not sure what Peter was up to, but it was not the way he thought this reunion between old friends would go...<br/><br/>"Peter? Peter Piper? Is that you?!"<br/><br/>"Declan Emrys...how nice to see you've aged, and it's Peter<u><i>Pan</i></u>now."<br/><br/>"Wow you've not aged a day! How are you?!"<br/><br/>"You'll forgive me if I don't have the time to bother with you, I am looking for someone or should I say someone who belongs to me..."<br/><br/>"I can help if you'd like."<br/><br/>"No, you've got no clue what you're doing in this regard, that's why I've got my Lost Boys to assist."<br/><br/>"Well if you need me, you can find me at the Arcana Cabana, I'd love to have tea and catch up!"<br/><br/>"Yes, frankly I wasn't listening to you, but sure whatever, other things to do."<br/><br/>Declan was confused a bit by Peter's cold arrogant shoulder, sure Peter had always been cocky and arrogant...but this was new, and who were these<i>Lost Boys?</i>Declan didn't give it anymore thought. Declan did note he was taller than Peter, which wasn't the case all those years ago, Peter was taller. Now Declan stood at 5'9"; Peter was still 5'7"...odd.<br/><br/>He did note Peter's red hair was still in tact...though his eyes had changed color...they were blue now they were green...and was that a golden sword he was carrying? It wasn't strange to see people carrying things like that in Odense...but he'd not known Peter to be violent...<br/><br/>Declan had spent the rest of the day at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, trying to figure out how Peter could have changed and how he wasn't aging. He even placed a call to Merida to ask that "wood carver" about it.<br/><br/>Still his uncle had an opening he invited Declan to at the museum, it was some Asian artifacts donated by someone named Po. One of these was a vase that had a 10 year lock on it, this was used to seal evil spirits, sprites, and in a pinch to keep spell casters at bay if needed.<br/><br/>It was then a strange, tall man with dark hair, long trench coat, and instead of a left hand he had a hook. Immediately there was something off about him...clearly he wasn't there for the unveiling of these new pieces, there was some other intent...they were looking for someone or something.<br/><br/>"Declan, this would be an opportune time for you to activate those runes on the floor...do it quickly." said Merlin<br/><br/>Declan hesitated, but obeyed his master and uncle, the floor came to life and held this hook hand in his place...then a spine chilling crow filled the room.<br/><br/>"Peter? Is that you?" said Declan<br/><br/>"None other, now if you people would kindly return my property...we'll be on our way." said Pan.<br/><br/>"Peter...I don't think the vase...are you hovering?!" said Declan.<br/><br/>"No, I am flying don't you know flying? You're an all knowing sorcerer and you don't know that?! I could care less about the vase, there is someone I am looking for and I am certain they're here!" said Pan drawing the golden sword.<br/><br/>Declan shot his uncle a questioning look, Merlin knew the sword Pan was holding...but wasn't telling Declan yet...all would be revealed in time. Now while Merlin made sure those in attendance were getting out safely, he indicated Declan would have to jump into action...<br/><br/>With Peter's hook handed comrade rendered a non threat...he had to deal with Peter who was forcing a confrontation.<br/><br/>"Peter, c'mon you don't want to do this..."<br/><br/>"Oh please Declan, you give the negotiations a rest, I am not interesting in your blathering. I don't need to stop, I don't need to adhere to any rules but my own, and above all I DON'T NEED YOUR FRIENDSHIP!"<br/><br/>It was then Declan got his first look at Peter's<i>Lost Boys</i>, they looked like nothing more that street punks, though they each had some animal on their jackets or vests and each had a weapon of choice...but it wasn't Declan they were interested in...more like tearing the museum a part till they found what Peter was on about.<br/><br/>Declan had no choice, he hated using his powers at times, more so on friends...but whatever happened to Peter he was no longer the friend Declan knew all those years ago. Now Declan was no swordsman...he knew enough but not on the level that Peter had now become...as Declan threw off his dress coat, Peter slashed him across the chest leaving a bloody stripe, it'd been so fast Declan couldn't counter, and he'd caught another slash across the left thigh, ripping the dress pants he was wearing and leaving another bloody stripe.<br/><br/>A magical blast sent Peter flying backwards, ass over tea kettle and slamming him against one of the marble columns, quick hand gestures by Declan caused the column to envelop Peter a bit, before Declan was slashed down his right shoulder by the hook handed man. Another magical blast sent the hook handed man sprawling across the floor, before Peter dive bombed Declan who just had a enough time to roll out of the way and sent a flaming blast at Peter, who just dodged away.<br/><br/>In the confusion the Chinese vase was toppled and lid came off, the vacuum effect enveloped Peter who was helpless to the pull and was quickly being dragged into the vase. Declan had tried to hang on to a column at the other side of the room but Peter slashed at his ankle causing him to let go, and also be sucked in to the vase. With that the lid closed and locked, if one looked close the images of Peter and Declan appeared with the other painted on figures.<br/><br/>By the time Merlin returned, it was too late to prevent Peter and Declan from being imprisoned...the only thing he could do was take the vase to a safe place until the lock opened on 17 August 2017....