Chapter IV
The group walked down the pavement. People stared at Wisemore when they passed. Emma quickly caught up with Henry. ''We're drawing to much attention. Can you keep him a bit more out of sight?'' she asked uncomfortably. ''I can try,'' Henry said. He had a small pocket at the front of his coat. He opened it and held Wisemore close to it so he could inspect it. After several seconds he jumped into it and completely vanished behind the fabric. Then his small fingers gripped the edge of the pocket and his head and half of its body reappeared.
The shop came in sight, so they sped up to avoid people's gazes. When they stood in front of the door, Henry quickly pulled it open and dashed inside.
''I'm going to denounce the man who sold me that closed sign,'' Rumpel said irritated from the back of the store. They quickly ran toward the back room.
He and Belle sat at a table that was loaded with books. Gideon was sleeping in a crib at the back of the room. ''Did you find anything?'' Belle asked tearing her gaze away from the book she was reading.
Emma watched her a bit uncomfortable. ''Actually,'' she said turning to Henry. ''We found someone,'' she said looking at Henry.
Henry held his hand in front of his pocket, Wisemore slowly climbed out of the dark space. He hung on the edge of the fabric looking down at the hand, then loosened his grip, and slid onto it.
Henry walked to the table and put Wisemore on the pile of books. Belle looked closer. ''What is that?'' she asked narrowing her eyes. ''We don't know,'' Regina said walking toward them. ''We hoped you could tell us.''
Henry watched her hopeful. Belle examined the creature for several moments, but then slowly shook her head. ''Never seen one, not even in my books,'' she said turning to Henry. ''Sorry.''
''Where did it come from?'' Rumpel asked. ''From a book,'' Regina said uncertain. Rumpel watched her contempt. ''That's impossible,'' he said finally. ''I've studied magic and its uses for centuries. I would've known if this was possible.'' He beckoned toward Wisemore. ''Henry,'' Regina said softly. ''Show him the book,'' she said not breaking eye-contact with Rumpel.
Emma handed him the book. Henry walked to his grandfather and put the book on the table. Rumpel ripped his gaze off Regina, and focused on the book. His expression changed immediately. He slid his hand over the leather cover, then opened it and scanned its content. He started leafing through the book like mad. ''I don't recognize this magic.'' He looked at Henry. ''Where did you get this?'' he asked. Henry pointed at Regina. ''It's not mine,'' she said innocently. ''Then how did you get it?'' Belle asked.
''It appeared magically,'' Henry said quickly. ''Here we go again,'' Emma said rolling her eyes. ''It's just like with the storybook that Mary Margareth gave me,'' he said when they watched. ''Yes, but that magic is different,'' Rumpel said focusing back on the book. ''I don't even know what this is.'' He watched Wisemore. ''It's a he,'' Henry said. ''And we'll find out. We always do,'' he said.
The bell from the shop rung again and the door creaked in its hinges. ''What now?'' Rumpel asked annoyed. He stood up and walked into the shop.
''Leroy,'' Rumpel sighed. ''Always nice to see you,'' he said sarcastically. ''No time, Stiltskin,'' Leroy snapped. ''You guys.'' He turned to the others. ''You have to come. A new group of people just appeared in the forest,'' he said. ''I think they're Munchkins, but I'm not sure.''
Emma sighed exaggerated and walked outside. ''She's obviously getting tired of being a saviour,'' Regina said. Rumpel watched the closed door. ''She's not the only one,'' he said. They all scurried outside.
Henry quickly fetched Wisemore and returned him to his pocket and followed the rest outside.
As he closed the shop door behind him he heard his mother talking in the distance, both his mothers.
''Where are they?'' Emma asked as they walked at a rather fast pace through the streets. ''In the forest,'' Leroy said trying to keep up.
They hurried toward the forest. Henry scampered behind, calling for them to wait but no one seemed to hear him, except Grace. She slowed down until he had caught up with her. ''Why didn't they hear me?'' he asked.
Grace shrugged. ''Probably too busy,'' she replied looking at the trees in the distance. Henry nodded. ''Probably,'' he muttered.
Together they walked toward the forest. They didn't bother to catch up with the rest because that would only be a waste of breath. ''Eventually we'll run into Olaf because he can't run very quickly,'' Henry said grinning. Grace sniggered.
As they were walking toward the trees, the sky darkened. Small grey snowflakes whirled down toward the earth. Henry looked up at the sky. ''Grey snow?'' he asked frowning. ''That can't be much good,'' Grace said shaking her head. ''We have to warn the others.'' They sped up and ran as fast as they could. ''What do you think is happening?'' Grace asked through heavy breaths. ''I have no idea, but it must be bad,'' Henry replied.
As they ran, the sky turned darker and darker until, CRASH. A bright white bolt of lightning crashed into the earth. It made the earth waver and trees crunch. The lightning had smashed about a few feet behind them. Their eyes filled with terror but they knew better than to stop.
They entered the forest as loud crashes erupted behind them. Henry scanned the area and recognized the place where they were. ''Quickly, to the cemetery!'' he shouted pointing in front of them.
As the cemetery came in sight a strong wind blew in their direction. More bolts escaped the sky and charred the ground.
They ran across the cemetery dodging gravestones and trying to contain control over their body. He looked around and saw the shelter that led to Regina's vault. He pointed toward it so Grace knew what he was planning.
Her eyes widened when she realized something. ''Henry,'' she shouted. ''You need magic to get through it!''
''Maybe,'' he muttered under his breath. He stopped in front of the door, thunder surrounding them and loud crashes were heard from every direction. ''Henry,'' Grace said anxiously. ''I've got this,'' he said confident.
He slowly closed his eyes and raised his arms. He took a deep breath and muttered, ''Azur!''
The lock clicked and the door creaked softly. Grace watched him with dropped jaw. ''How…''
''No time to explain, come on.'' He took her hand and pulled her into the shelter. He pushed the door closed and sighed. ''That was,''
''Scary,'' Grace finished. ''Wait,'' she said looking around. ''Where is Wisemore?'' Henry opened his pocket and the small chubby creature stuck its head over the edge. She heaved a sigh and sat down. ''How did you,'' she started. ''Magic?'' Henry asked raising an eyebrow. Grace nodded. ''My mom and grandpa,'' he said quickly. He sat down next to her.
She watched him confused. ''But you don't have magic, do you?'' she asked. Henry smiled. ''I'll explain.''
''My mother has magic, my grandfather has magic, in my bloodline are many people who have magic. I may not control the magic they have, but there is a small bit in me that does contain magic. It's not enough to do what they can, like summoning fireballs. Though I can use magic if I concentrate grasp the magic with my mind and say a word in an ancient language. Even so, it's still not the same. They have enough magic to conjure items and people. In my case, it's too little to do anything on its own. Everything I do with magic will cost me energy to replace the missing magic. The magic and energy together is enough to do some magic, though I must be careful because if I try to do a too advanced spell it will cost me too much energy and I will die.''
Grace listened carefully. ''But won't everyone be able to use magic then?'' she asked. ''Everyone must have someone in their family with magic.'' Henry helped Wisemore out of the pocket and onto the ground. ''I'm afraid not,'' he replied. ''It must be in the last three generations, so parent, grandparents and great grandparents will count.''
''Sometimes you're lucky and you'll be born with it despite your parents aren't magical at all, like my mother.''
Grace watched Wisemore as he clambered onto her leg. ''But what if you try a spell that'll cost you too much energy, will you surely die?'' she asked concerned. Henry crossed his legs. ''I'm afraid that's the case,'' he said. ''But my grandfather is teaching me what I can and can't conjure. So it won't be a big problem.'' He smiled.
Grace watched Wisemore. I don't want to lose him, she thought troubled. What if he accidentally uses too much energy? Suddenly she felt sick. Henry watched her concerned. ''Are you alright?'' he asked. She quickly smiled. ''Yeah, I'm fine,'' she said.
She turned to him. ''If a spell is taking all your energy isn't there something others could do to save you?'' she asked trying to hide her worry. ''There is one thing,'' he said softly. ''But that's incredibly difficult and dangerous.''
The thunder rolled and a new lighting bolt smashed into the earth. Grace squeaked. ''We're safe here, don't worry,'' Henry said gently. Grace looked at him and nodded. ''But what can you do to save someone?'' she asked.
Henry sighed. ''You have to link your own mind with the one who's using magic and allow him to also use your energy to cast the spell.'' Grace leaned back. ''But it requires much practise and experience. If it goes wrong both people'll die from exhaustion.''
Grace's mind was racing. ''Can everyone do that?'' she asked quickly. Henry raised an eyebrow but replied, ''Yes, why?'' He eyed her suspiciously. ''Just curious,'' she said quickly. She tried to hide her grin.
''Is it possible I can do magic too?'' she asked. Henry watched her confused. ''I mean, I've never known my mother and grandparents also not my great grandparents. I've always been alone with my dad,'' she said quickly. ''It is possible, though I would ask your dad if he knows if your family had magic,'' he replied.
Grace stared blankly in front of her. ''I wish it was that easy,'' she said softly. ''But every time I ask something about my mother or family he doesn't reply or changes the subject.''
''I don't even know what happened to my family, it had always been just me and him. No other family members. Always when he had a job or task he would drop me at the neighbor's house,'' she said grimly. Henry soothed her. ''I know,'' he said. ''I have lived like that for a really long time. I didn't know who my family was, all I knew was that my mother gave me up, and I just couldn't understand why.'' His eyes burned with tears. ''But that's all solved now,'' he said quickly. ''I realized my family are the people I've seen in movies all my life.'' He grinned.
Grace chuckled. ''Be glad your adoptive mother is just an Evil Queen, my father is a mad hatter,'' she said grinning. ''The Evil Queen and Rumpelstiltskin,'' he replied grinning. ''Let's not forget Hook,'' Grace said wisely. ''Or Peter Pan.'' They looked at each other and burst in laughing.
''My family is completely insane!'' Henry hiccuped. ''I don't even know what my family tree will look like,'' he said grinning. ''Regina is my adoptive mother, but also my step great grandmother,'' he said thoughtful. ''My father was about three centuries old, my great grandfather, Peter Pan was even older!''
Grace sniggered. ''You really have a complicated family,'' she said.
Wisemore climbed up against Henry. He held his hand out in front of him so he could jump onto his palm. He made a squeaking noise and the marks on his head and belly shone brightly. ''What the…'' He examined him closely. ''What's happening?'' he asked raising an eyebrow. He looked around wildly. ''Where's the book?'' he asked quickly. He returned Wisemore to his pocket.
He stood up but the book wasn't anywhere. ''We forgot it! It's still in my grandpa's shop, we have to get it!'' he said urgently. ''Now?'' Grace asked uncertain. The thunder rolled and a sharp flash of bright light embraced them. ''Yes, we have to find out what this means,'' he said. He held his hand out to her and looked her in the eye. ''Please, Grace,'' he said softly.
She hated her weakness for his eyes. ''Alright!'' she said defeated. She grabbed his hand and he pulled her up. ''We have to run,'' he said before he opened the door. She nodded, and took his hand. ''One,'' he said. ''Two.'' He turned to the door. ''Three!'' He threw it open and they dashed outside.
They were greeted by a strong wind and ice cold rain that clattered down on the ground like it was ice. They ran head down as fast as they could. Mud splashed their clothes and faces. It was very dark and you could only see the outlines of the gravestones and trees. ''Watch out!'' Henry shouted as a fresh bolt of lightning send fresh vibrations through the ground.
''We have to get there before the darkness is complete!'' he shouted. Grace didn't reply, though he knew she was scared because she gripped his hand very tightly. They ran through the trees their clothes were drenched with water. ''Almost there!'' he shouted as small lights popped in the darkness.
They exited the forest and entered Storybrooke. The snow had completely vanished, and the streets were filled with water. They ran across the street and stopped in front of the shop door. He pulled it open.
The bell above the door clinked, they sprang inside and threw the door shut. ''Are you alright?'' he asked turning to Grace. She shivered but nodded. ''Grandpa?'' Henry shouted. ''Are you here?'' He walked further into the shop and opened the door that led to the back room.
''They're not here,'' he said when he reappeared in the door. ''Then where are they?'' Grace asked walking toward him. ''How come we didn't run into the others or Olaf?''
Henry looked through the window. ''I don't know,'' he said softly. He walked to the table where the book still lay. ''At least we've found what we sought,'' he said sitting down. He helped Wisemore out of his pocket and put him on the table. The marks glowed bright green and he was making the same squeaking noise.
Henry opened the book and read the contents. ''I don't know what this says, I can't read it,'' he said. He slid his hand over the parchment. Instead of letters there were weird symbols. ''I might know something,'' he said thoughtfully.
''Suui'as,'' he said clearly as his hand covered the page. He breathed heavily and removed his hand. The symbols slowly turned into letters. His eyes widened. ''This is like a summary of all magic together and more,'' he said scanning the page. ''This will take some time,'' he said softly.
Grace sat down next to him and played with Wisemore. ''I've found him!'' Henry said suddenly. ''Wisemore?'' Grace asked. Henry nodded and showed her the page. ''A Yevern?'' she asked looking up. Henry nodded. ''But there's nothing in here about his glowing marks,'' he said retrieving the book. ''But there is something about his speech,'' he said. He read aloud, ''Yeverns have a strange tongue that can only be understood by those who have studied it for many years.''
''Then how are we supposed to find out what he's saying?'' she asked raising an eyebrow. Henry studied the page a bit more closely. ''It says you can also use a special object that's enchanted as a communication object but even that will only last for a few seconds. Like the red crowned mushroom I told you about,'' he said. ''But you found that in Camelot, I don't think there's one in a world without magic. And if we find one what do we do with it?'' she asked.
''I don't know, but we must find out, that.'' He pointed at the window. ''is no normal storm. It has something to do with magic, and I think this book and Wisemore can help us to figure out what that is.''
Grace nodded. ''Maybe there's something in here that could help us communicate,'' he said looking around. He stood up and searched the cabinets and drawers. ''What are we going to do when we know what he's saying?'' Grace asked following him with her gaze. ''I don't know, but we can't wait for this storm to pass, it'll take too long.''
He tried to open a wooden cabinet but it was locked. ''Azur,'' he whispered. The lock clicked and Henry could open the cabinet. ''It was sealed with blood magic, just like with my mother's vault, but that's no problem for me,'' he said grinning wickedly.
He examined the contents, the chipped cup was one of the objects that stood in it. So he made it whole again, Henry thought. ''I guess this is his private cabinet,'' he said closing it again.
''Why doesn't he have labels on his magical items like my mum,'' Henry muttered. Grace watched him, and stood up. ''I'll help,'' she offered. She started pulling open drawers.
After several moments they had searched them all and there was only one place left. ''The closet,'' Henry sighed. ''If there's nothing in there, we will have to give up,'' he said softly. Grace watched him shocked. ''You don't give up, never!'' she said sternly. ''You won't do so now, I'll make sure you won't,'' she said. Henry grinned. ''You're right, but that storm outside…''
''We'll just find out who's responsible for it, and we'll kick his butt,'' she said seriously. Henry laughed. ''Alright,'' he said softly.
He walked to the closet and opened it. It was filled with different weird objects, boxes and pots filled with strange slimy ingredients. ''I don't know these,'' he said. ''It's undoubtedly magic, but I don't know what they are.
A loud squeaking could be heard from behind them. They turned around and saw Wisemore on a pile of books jumping and, for his doing, yelling. Henry approached the table and kneeled down. ''It's so frustrating I don't understand what he's saying,'' he said slowly. ''I know,'' Grace said. ''But we'll find out.''
After several seconds Grace's eyes widened. ''Henry,'' she said slowly. She walked toward him and took Wisemore. ''The glowing is fainting away,'' she said examining the chubby creature. Wisemore still squeaked and pointed with his small chubby hands toward the closet. She slowly walked toward it. Henry stumbled and stood up. ''What is he doing?'' he asked.
Grace didn't reply and waited for Wisemore to do something as she stood in front of the closet. He jumped onto one of the wooden shelves and wobbled between the pots and boxes. He looked around and started pushing a pot that contained a red liquid. ''Is that…'' Grace gasped. ''I think so,'' Henry replied sickly. He quickly took the pot from the shelve before Wisemore could push it off.
''What is he doing?'' Grace asked watching the creature pushing a box to the edge. ''I think he's collecting ingredients,'' Henry said. He quickly took the box and put it on the table. ''For what?'' she asked. ''I think he understands what we're trying to do,'' he said.
After several more boxes and pots Wisemore came wobbling to the edge and waited for someone to take him.
They returned to the table and examined the ingredients. Wisemore jumped onto the table and started turning the pages with trouble after some time he received help from Henry. After some pages he stopped and climbed onto the book. He walked to some text that was still written in the weird symbols. Henry put his hand on the page and muttered, ''Suui'as.''
He blinked a few times and shook his head. Then he focused on the page. After several moments he turned to Grace. ''We have to brew a potion,'' he said. ''With these ingredients.'' He pointed at the boxes and pots.
''Have you seen a kettle around here?'' he asked. Grace nodded and walked to a cabinet. ''It's small but I think it'll suffice.'' She opened it and took out a small tin kettle. She put it on the table and stepped back.
Henry read the instructions in the book closely to make sure everything would go right. After some time he stepped back. White, hissing smoke emerged from the kettle. ''What now, Wisemore?'' he asked turning to the creature.
Wisemore clambered onto the kettle and balanced on the top. Henry quickly caught him before he fell in the potion. Wisemore squeaked and pointed at a tea spoon. Henry took it and waited for further instructions.
Then he pointed at the kettle, so Henry scooped the spoon in the potion and retrieved it with a few drops of white liquid. He brought it toward Wisemore who leaned over to drink it.
It took some time before he had managed to swallow it, but when he did he closed his eyes and opened his mouth.
Out of nowhere a deep heavy voice erupted like the thunder outside and said,
''Danger.''
Author's note: Hi. First my apologies for taking so long to update. Second I hope you all enjoyed it, and again I want to grant my special thanks to tuckpendelton87. And third I hope you all enjoyed the fourth chapter. I'm not able to watch Once Upon a Time anymore, so my apologies if I make some mistakes when I recite things from the original storyline.