Cora was gone. Emma and Snow White were gone too. Mulan and Aurora were on their own again, but things were looking up. Aurora had her heart back, and Cora said there was a way to bring back Philip. There was, of course, the possibility that she was lying, but the hope got them far. Together they returned to aurora's palace to try and think of a plan.

Aurora was siting in the bedroom alone. The bedroom that was supposed to be hers and Philip's. Helping Emma and Snow offered her a distraction from her grief, but now that was over she felt like she had nothing. As she sat on the bed, tears slowly streaming down her face, she heard a knock on the door. She knew it could only be one person. She quickly wiped away her tears," Come in."

Mulan entered the room," Aurora how are you doing?" Mulan asked in concern. It was no secret these two women were not friends at first, but after everything that happened they grew very close.

"Honestly not well, but that's to be expected I suppose," Aurora replied and she walked over to hug Mulan." Cora said there is a chance to save him, but I do not even know where to start! It no doubt takes magic, something we don't have!"

"Yes but I know someone who does," Mulan said as she hugged aurora then pulled back," The dark one. He is long gone with the curse, but no doubt magic and knowledge remains in his castle! If we are ever going to find an answer, it will be there."

Aurora hated magic, and who could blame her, but she'd do anything for Philip, even deal in dark magic."How far away is his castle?" She asked her friend.

"Not to far. I suggest we hurry, we want to get as far as we can before nightfall!" Mulan replied. Aurora nodded and gathered a few things. She took Philip's sword with her. She could hardly use it, but it was better than no weapon at all. She hated being a sitting duck, and it made things difficult for Mulan. Once they had gathered their things they set off for their journey.


Zelena smiled as she looked through the mirror and saw her mother leave the Enchanted forest with that pirate. She had been waiting patiently for Cora to leave. Zelena had no interest in dealing with her mother. She knew she would never get throught to Cora. She also knew Cora would onlt get in her way. Now that Cora was gone, Zelena could go to the enchanted forest and begin her plan.

Zelena searched through her cabinet to find her silver slippers. They would take her to the enchanted forest, the wizard had given them to her for that very purpose a long time ago. As she searched she heard the screech of her flying monkey." Do not worry my pretty, all the ingredients I need are in the enchanted forest. Soon I will cast my curse."

She smiled as she found the slippers and put them on." Next stop, my revenge!" She said with a wicked grin. She then clicked her heels together three times and in a puff of silver smoke she vanished.


Eventually Mulan and Aurora made it to the dark one's old castle. They were skeptical about entering, fearing traps, but they both were willing to take the risk. They both felt uneasy about exploring the castle. It was almost as if they could fee the dark magic in the air." I do not like it here," Aurora said as she examined the castle.

"Neither do it, but this is our best shot at saving Philip," Mulan said. She was walking first, should not let anything happen to Aurora, she would keep her promise.

"Where would we even start to look? This castle has so many things that we do not understand," Aurora replied as they entered a room with a long dining table and shelves filled with, well anything really.

It was true. Neither Mulan nor Aurora knew anything about magic. Mulan sighed, knowing it was looking pretty grim, besides, they didn't even know if Cora was telling the truth in the first place." We will sleep here, tomorrow we will begin the search." Mulan said.

They both set down their blankets on the floor to sleep. Neither one of them wanted to explore the rest of the castle for bedrooms, so they were going to sleep on the floor.


The next morning Mulan heard some noise coming from outside of the castle. It was faint, so much so that Aurora did not even wake. Mulan stood up and walked over to the window, trying to see what was going on outside. She saw a group of men, and she knew exactly who they were. She ran over and kneeled next to Aurora." You must wake up, Aurora you must wake up!"

Aurora woke up, startled by the panic in Mulan's voice," Mulan? What is happening? Is something wrong?" She asked as she sat up, trying to get fully awake.

Mulan grabbed her hand and led her to the window." Do you see those men? They are the Merry Men. A band of thieves. They are here to loot the castle of it treasure no doubt. I do not think they will be so kind to us if they discover us. We must leave now."

"Leave? Now? But we can't! This is the only place that ill have answer on how to get Philip back. Mulan, we must stay," Aurora said pleadingly. She would die to try and get Philip back.

"First and foremost I have a promise to Philip to protect you, and that's what I am going to do," Mulan said rushing back to their stuff to pack up," We are leaving."

"I am not leaving without answers!" Aurora shouted.

Then a voice behind them said," I believe I might be able to provide some for you." Both women turned around to see a woman dressed in black with green skin.

Mulan drew her sword," Who are you!?" She asked pointing the sword at the woman.

"Lets talk in private," she said and waved her hand. In a puff of green smoke they all vanished and were transported to the woods," Now, for introductions. My name is Zelena, and I can get your prince back."