Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time
AN: So, this story is fast approaching an end. There are four more chapters after this! Wow! It's almost done. Crazy! I want to give a huge thanks to GranddaughterOfCaskettAndTivia for all her help with this project. Thank you so much and I look forward to many more to come :) ~ XOXO MAS
Chapter Twelve
Oz
Once the Jolly was moored to a dock at a port in Oz, the group disembarked and looked around. "How on earth do we find the Emerald City from here?" Emma asked. None of them had ever been to Oz and Killian had no maps aboard his ship of the land. They were going in blind, something Emma was not comfortable with, but it didn't seem that there was an option. She just hoped that someone in the port city would know who Zelena is and would know how to get to the Emerald City. Everyone had heard that the powerful Wizard lived there (she was never going to get over the fact that fairytales like the Wizard of Oz were true). Their only hope was that the wizard, or someone else in Oz, could help them figure out how to put a stop to Zelena and her madness once and for all. Then they could go home and tackle the issues of her parents keeping them in the dark and driving Killian away. One problem at a time, Emma, she reminded herself quietly.
Killian chuckled. "It's very simple, love, we just ask." He reached down for her hand, squeezing it gently before slipping it into the crook of his arm. "Let's find a tavern, shall we? There's usually plenty of helpful information there..." he smirked. "For a price." He glanced at Robin. "What do you say we try our luck at intimidation in a land we've never been to, mate? Think the people here have heard of the thieving Robin Hood and the fearsome Captain Hook?"
Emma, Regina and Tink rolled their eyes together. "Dear lord, Hook, do you ever give up?" Tink snipped with an eye roll.
He winked at the tiny fairy. "I haven't the faintest idea what you mean, Lady Bell. I am a devilishly handsome scoundrel, the scourge of the seven seas, am I not?"
"Yeah!" Roland nodded, pumping his tiny fist before trying to stifle a yawn. "Scourge of the seven seas!" He repeated.
"At least the littlest Merry Man thinks so." Killian ruffled the boy's hair affectionately.
When no one responded, Friar Tuck straightened. "The Merry Men will watch the ship," he volunteered, directing the conversation back to pressing matters.
Killian nodded, slipping back into captain mode. "Aye, I do think it would be good to leave some behind with her. I'd hate to lose her to Blackbeard again."
"We'll take Scarlett with us." Robin motioned to his most disagreeable Merry Man.
The man scowled, but shrugged, tugging a dagger in the waistband of his pants. "Let's get on with it, then," Scarlett muttered, pushing ahead of them, knowing better than to argue with Robin.
Robin rolled his eyes and placed a hand on Little John's shoulder. "I'm trusting you to watch the ship. Guard her with your life."
John nodded, straightening. "Of course, Robin. You can count on me, Jones."
Killian shot him a tight smile. "Aye, thank you, Little John." He faced the group traveling with them. "Now, let's find the way to Emerald City."
OUAT
The Enchanted Forest
Mulan was doing her best to ignore Shang's constant staring. He couldn't seem to draw his eyes away from her and she quietly hoped that he would accidentally lead his horse right off a cliff. "You're not very pleasant company," Shang observed as he and Mulan rode through the rocky hillside in silence.
She snorted. "And you are?" She shot back.
He glared at her. "I like to think I am." He sighed. "I suppose," he mumbled, "that you may not think so, though."
"And I wonder why that may be? Perhaps it's because you discriminated me because I am a woman," she surmised sharply. "An apology would be in order and it might make me better company."
He glared at her. "Why should I apologize? You lied to us. You pretended to be a man and-"
"Saved your father's life. And what exactly did I get as a reward? I was further harassed for my gender. I don't need honor and recognition or gold, I just wanted to be treated as an equal." She paused. "Unless you wanted your father to die. In which case, I apologize for prolonging his life by performing my duty to my kingdom to the best of my capabilities."
He growled. "Of course I didn't want him to die," he snapped. "I just think that-"
"That what? You should've been the one to save him? Perhaps, but you weren't. I was and I don't want to argue with you anymore regarding this," Mulan finally stated.
He sighed. "I suppose you're right." A long silence stretched between them before he finally said, "And thank you, by the way, for saving my father's life."
Her eyes shot over to him. "You're welcome," she whispered back.
They lapsed into silence again until Mulan pointed to a huge estate nestled on a hilltop overlooking the forest. "That's where the Dark One lives?" Shang asked.
"Lived," Mulan corrected. "He's dead now."
"Right," Shang agreed hesitantly.
"I know, I think so too," Mulan told him, reading his mind. "I don't see how he's just gone. Particularly since there wasn't someone to take his place. How does that sort of darkness just disappear? He can't be gone, he has to be somewhere. And it unnerves me to no end to think that he could just appear and try to destroy everyone's happiness. And then there's the possibility that he's working with Zelena."
Shang nodded his agreement. "Exactly what I was thinking." He turned his head to face her. "Shall we go see if anyone's home?"
Sending him a faint, tight smile, Mulan motioned. "After you, your highness." He grinned and winked at her, sending his horse off into a steady gallop down the valley towards the Dark One's homestead. She was shaking her head, a faint blush on her cheeks as she kicked her horse into gear to catch up with him.
OUAT
Oz
"I want to go with Killian and Robin." Henry crossed his arms, giving his mothers a petulant glare.
Both women rolled their eyes. "Not a chance, Henry. You are coming with us to the back corner table. Killian and Robin are going to get what we need. Now, march," Regina ordered, Roland wrapped up in her arms, his lids heavy from the days of travel.
"You heard your, mum," Scarlett grumbled. "Go on, lad."
Tink shoved his arm. "Be patient, Scarlett, he's just a kid." She rolled her eyes when he snorted and sulked to the back of the tavern with Henry. "I swear, I don't know which one of them is worse," she muttered.
Emma chuckled. "They're both acting like children. You guys go on, I'll get them something to eat. Food should help with their attitudes."
Killian and Robin watched from the doorway as they settled into the back. "So, Jones, this is your world here by the port. Who should we talk to?"
Killian surveyed the room, his eyes landing on an older man who looked like he'd seen better days decades ago. "Him. He's got information for us." Robin nodded, motioning for Killian to lead the way. Sitting down across from the old man, Killian motioned to a bar maid to bring them three drinks. "Hello, mate."
The old man grunted and kept his eyes plastered to the scarred tabletop until a fresh mug of ale was placed in front of him. "What do you want?" He snapped, looking up.
Killian tossed a pouch of gold coins on the table. "Information."
The man eyed the gold for a moment. "Alright," he assented. "What kind of information?"
Killian leaned forward. "I need to know how to get to the Emerald City and," he pulled the gold pouch away before the man could snatch it up, "who can help us defeat a woman named Zelena."
The man paled. "Zelena? She's back?" He asked, pushing his stool back.
Killian's hook came down over the man's wrist, holding him in place. "Sit down, mate," he growled. The man eyed the door of the tavern and the hook hovering above his wrist. Reluctantly, he sat back down. "Zelena's not here. The bloody witch is wreaking havoc in the Enchanted Forest. Now, we know she came from here. Who can help us?"
"You can't defeat her, she rules the West. They're all powerful, those women are," he mumbled.
Robin and Killian shared a look. "Tell us about these women," Robin ordered sharply.
The man grumbled to himself for a moment before sighing. "Fine. There are four of them, powerful sorceress. Glenda, the good witch of the North, she leads them all. Zelena was supposed to rule over the West, but she was green with envy. Literally, the bloody woman is green." His eyes were wide with fear. "She trapped the other witches in the Emerald City. They can't get out and no one has been able to get in. Zelena left her pet monkeys behind to guard the gates. They're the only ones who could defeat her." He sighed. "Can I have the gold now?"
Killian weighed the pouch in his hand. "One more question, mate, which way to the Emerald City?"
"Follow the yellow brick road," he replied.
Killian arched a thick brow. "Come again?"
"The yellow brick road. It's just on the north edge of town. Follow the yellow brick road," he stated it so simply Killian wondered briefly if he was the crazy one, not the old man.
Tossing the pouch across the table, he nodded. "Thank you."
The man opened the pouch and peered inside, before looking up and giving them a wide, toothless grin. Nodding, he murmured a thank you before darting to the door. Robin turned to face Killian. "The bloody yellow brick road? Where the hell are we?"
Killian tapped his hook against the tabletop. "I have no clue, mate. Come, let's go tell the others where we'll be traveling to, then we need to find some horses."
"Should've sent Little John to," Robin paused, "procure them."
Killian chuckled. "I have a feeling that our women may object to that."
"Object to what?" Emma and Regina stood behind them. "What did he say? Did you get what we needed?" Emma asked quickly.
"Procuring horses without any financial transactions," Killian replied smoothly. "And yes, we got the information we needed."
"You think I care about stealing?" Emma frowned. "You do remember that I was a thief at one point in time."
He grinned at her. "Aye, but now you're a princess and-"
"It's probably not good to advertise that," Regina replied slowly. "No one here knows us and it's best if we keep it that way. Now, let's go get those horses, I don't very well care if we steal them or buy them, let's just get them so we can go home."
OUAT
The Enchanted Forest
Mulan and Shang both drew their swords as they entered Rumplestiltskin's castle. "It doesn't look like anyone has lived here in a while," Shang commented.
"My guess would be that after we left, no one has been here. Most would stay away from his place," Mulan murmured, still moving carefully down the old hallway, aware that a trap could spring to life at any moment. "We weren't here very long. We left shortly after Neal went to Neverland to find Emma and Henry."
"It's a very complicated dynamic they have," Shang observed. "I'm not sure I understand it completely."
"Emma and Neal met in the land without magic. He sent her to jail for a crime he committed. She had Henry. She gave Henry up for adoption. Regina adopted him. Henry found her and brought her back home. Emma found Neal. Neal was engaged. The woman he was engaged to tried to kill him. About that same time, Hook fell in love with Emma and she was falling in love with him. Neal tried to win Emma back. Emma chose Hook. And now here we are."
Shang snorted. "Like I said, complicated dynamic." He pushed the door open to a room off to the right, glancing inside to make sure no one was in there.
Mulan chuckled. "I guess that's an accurate statement." She sheathed her sword. "I'd say no one is here."
"That would be incorrect!"
Mulan and Shang both jumped, swords back out and in front of them. "Did you say something?" Shang asked.
"Did that sound like me?" Mulan snapped back.
"In here!"
The both looked at each other and then at the recently opened doorway. Slowly, they both entered the room. "Who's there?" Mulan asked.
"It is I, Lumiere!" A candelabra suddenly sparked to life and a face appeared in the flames. Mulan and Shang both jumped backwards. "Do not be afraid. I'm thrilled that there are finally guests in our home!"
Shang and Mulan shared a look. "No one else is here?" Mulan asked slowly.
Lumiere's face fell. "Alas, no, it is just me. I was not swept up in the evil queen's curse. I have been alone in this dark and dusty castle since then."
Shang's eyes narrowed. "So a man and woman haven't been here looking for a way to bring the Dark One back?"
This time, Lumiere's face was one of surprise. "The Dark One is gone?"
Mulan approached quickly. "You're lying. Belle and Neal were here, what have you done with them?" She demanded.
"I'm afraid I do not know what you are referring to," Lumiere deadpanned, the theatrics dropping from his voice. "You should find your way out." Suddenly his light was gone.
Shang placed a hand on Mulan's shoulder. "We'll find them, Mulan. And we'll figure out what they could've told Snow and David," he assured her.
Mulan looked up at him with wide eyes. "You're more confident than I am," she admitted.
He chuckled. "We'll get you there. Come on, let's look around and see if they left anything behind."
Mulan straightened. "Knowing Belle, she would've been doing research in the library. Let's start there." She pushed past him, the confident warrior back once again.
OUAT
Oz
"Follow the yellow brick road?" Emma asked with a groan. "Seriously?" She sighed. "When will I get used to this? I'm friends with Tinkerbell and Robin Hood, my son's other mother is the evil queen and I'm fucking Captain Hook."
Regina patted Emma's arm. "You'll probably never get used to it. Speaking of you and Captain Hook..." she paused. "You two were a little more..." she paused again. "Vocal last night."
Emma flushed. "Henry heard, didn't he?"
"According to Little John, he was out like a light, so no, he didn't hear, but the rest of us did." She chuckled. "The ship is not as big as the castle, you may consider keeping it down. Or raising a soundproof barrier or something."
Emma put her head in her hands. "Dear lord, how is this my life?"
Regina snorted at that. "Get a grip, Emma, now, let's go find Glenda." She motioned to the horses that the boys were returning with.
OUAT
The Enchanted Forest
"We're all going to die!" Grumpy stormed into the war room where Charming was giving orders to what was left of his guard.
"What now?" He asked tiredly.
"This flying monkey swooped down out of nowhere and scooped up Doc and Happy!" Leroy screeched. "We're all going to die!"
A cloud of green smoke swirled into the room. "Not die, at least not exactly." Zelena laughed. "They're joining my army."
When two members of the guard drew their swords, Zelena flicked her wrist and they turned into monkeys. "What do you want?" Snow asked.
Zelena laughed. "What I want is something you don't yet possess." She eyed Snow's stomach. "But you will. And I am a very patient woman. I also need your daughter. And I'd like my sister. Now, where are they?" She asked. Snapping her fingers she shrugged. "No matter, they'll find them."
Red straightened. "But you won't find them. They're not here."
Zelena's face morphed into a scowl. "What do you mean 'they're not here'?" She asked, her voice tight.
"I mean, they're not in the Enchanted Forest any longer," Red replied, a smug smile on her face. "And I doubt you'll be able to find them."
Zelena stepped forward. "I'll get them, never you mind. I'll get them if it's the last thing I do." With a flick of her wrist and a raised hand she was gone.
OUAT
XOXO
MAS