Chapter 21 - War Talks

Emma and Regina sat at a table across from Ruby and Dorothy. Snow, David and Henry sat behind them with baby Neil asleep in his carrier. The diner was packed with men getting their breakfast before trading out with others on watch.

Ruby sighed happily. "I'm so happy for Mulan. She was so discouraged about finding love."

"I thought you said she was, um… popular. With the women?" Dorothy asked as she leaned into the corner of the booth.

"That wasn't love, sweetie. That was just… well, you know." Ruby gave her girl a sly wink.

Dorothy lifted an eye-brow, "Oh."

"Well, all I know is if we get anymore lez-be-friends in Storybrooke, we'll be able to start our own softball team." Regina said as she snagged a fry from Emma.

Her lover gave her a sweet smile, knowing fries were Regina's guilty pleasure junk food. Even before getting together, the mayor would sneak fries off her plate and blame Henry. Emma always found it endearing.

The crowd in the diner began applauding Mulan and Aurora as they entered through the back entrance, holding hands and both blushing. The bell sounded over the door, and everyone's attention turned serious instantly.

"Please, hold your applause. I didn't even make a grand entrance. I'm touched."

The crowd quieted as Hades and Zelena stood before them. They were on their feet instantly. Dorothy stood on top of her seat with bow at the ready. Robin copied her from the other side by the bar.

Both the God and the witch were dressed like they were going to a fancy dinner. Zelena in a black dress and boots, with a black shawl that was green on the inside. Hades in a black suit with matching green tie.

"Hey Sis. Didn't anyone ever tell you dressing like your partner was reserved for old people?" Regina smirked.

"Really? Does that mean you're going to start wearing skinny jeans and a red leather jacket? Sorry, sis, but I don't think you'll be able to pull it off." Zelena held her hands away from her hips. "I don't think they're made for hips your size."

Regina took a step toward her sister, but was held back by Emma.

"What do you two want? You walk in here, have every single person here aiming their weapons at your heads," Emma motioned to the men and women around, all with their swords and bows at the ready. "Why walk into the lion's den?"

Hades laughed, "Lion's Den? Sweetheart, this is more like the nursery for baby kittens." The laugh and smile dropped, replaced by a more sinister demeanor. "Everyone just relax. Put your weapons down. Or better yet, I'll do it for you." With a wave of his hand, all the weapons in the room disappeared.

"I knew you couldn't be trusted, Zelena. Once a witch, always a witch." Dorothy came up beside Emma and Regina, flanked by Ruby.

"Oh Dorothy, are you here? I didn't realize this diner was pet friendly." She sent a wicked smile at Ruby.

"Why you…" Emma reached out her hand to stop Dorothy this time.

"Everyone calm down and take a seat." Hades snapped, before giggling. He took a moment to look Ruby over carefully, "Hmm… Ruby. I know we've met, but I didn't know what a little treasure was at my fingertips. We'll be meeting again, soon."

Dorothy fought against the arms still holding her back. Her face red with anger.

Her anger made Hades ecstatic. "Everyone here is so violent. I love it. It'll make it that much easier to rule."

"Over my dead body." Regina said sternly.

"That can be arranged, Regina. Don't temp me. I will gladly send you to the same place I sent your mother. Hauling flour like a peasant for all eternity."

"Hades, enough with the threats. What do you want?" Emma re-iterated.

"Easy, Savior. Don't get your leathers in a tangle. I'm here to talk, that's all." Hades jumped up on a stool, making some of the patrons scatter to the other side.

"Well you've done a lot of that already, so get to the point, Hellboy." Regina snarked.

Hades sent her a lewd glance, looking her up and down. He shivered in disgusting pleasure, "Sorry. Just got an image of a sisterly sandwich." He turned between Regina and Zelena.

This time it was Emma that needed to be held back by Regina, Ruby AND Dorothy.

"Alright, alright. We're just here with a little friendly offer. Seeing as how I like this town so much, it's going to be mine. One way or another, it's going to be mine. So the choice is truly yours to make."

He spoke a little louder so everyone could hear, "At noon tomorrow, I will open a portal back to the Enchanted Forest. Leave, and you will not be harmed. You're also welcomed to stay and OBEY, and you will not be harmed. But if you stay and fight… well then you will most definitely be harmed.

He jumped from his perch and laughed again. "For now, a little taste of what's to come. Zee, darling. Do your stuff."

Zelena stood in front of Hades and mouthed 'sorry' to the group before waving her hand. Snow collapsed to the floor. Followed by Dorothy, Aurora, and last Henry. Regina and Emma rushed to Henry, David held Snow in his arms, and Ruby was cradling Dorothy's head in her lap.

"What did you do?!" Ruby screamed at Zelena and Hades.

Mulan placed Aurora's head gently on the ground, withdrawing her new sword that she still had in her possession. Hades looked confused as to how she still held it when he had made everyone else's disappear.

"You wake her up." Mulan said in anger.

"Uh… no." Hades said moving to stand directly in front of the sword's end. "Silly girl. Don't you know that your little knife there can't hurt me? I. Am. A. God."

Hades went to push the blade away from his midsection, and jumped back like he had touched a hot iron. He held his hand, which was releasing smoke from his palm.

Mulan's eyes went wide, and she didn't hesitate to lunge at Hades. He disappeared in a ball of blue flames before the sword made contact with him.

"What was that?" Mulan asked Zelena, who still stood in front of them.

"I'm not sure, but keep that sword close. It looked like it burned him. I've gotta run or he'll wonder." Zelena kneeled before her sister and nephew. "Please don't worry. They're ok, just sleeping. He asked me to trigger the sleeping curse on those that had been put under before. He just doesn't know they'll wake up it 30 minutes. I'll send word soon. Now hit me."

"What?" Regina looked at her sister like she was insane.

"I need a reason I stayed behind. Go on and hit- ." Zelena didn't finish her sentence as Regina's fist made contact with her eye, and she fell backwards. "God, Sis. You didn't have to hit me so damn hard!"

"You wanted a bruise didn't you?" Regina shook her hand out.

Zelena touched her face. "Right. Send word soon." Zelena left in a puff of green smoke.

"Let's get these guys in a bed." Emma said standing with Henry thrown over her shoulder.

"Careful with our son." Regina shot Emma a faux anger look.

"You want to try carrying him? He's a grown ass teenager." Emma smiled, teasing and melting Regina's anger.

"Why don't I make this easier on everyone?" With a wave of her hand, the sleeping forms were transported to their beds back at the BnB.

"Thanks." Emma straighten up, and wrapped an arm around her. "He's fine. Just sleeping. I know that was scary."

"Yup." Regina said simply and let herself be guided away.

David walked ahead of them, "I'm going take Neil to our room and wait for Snow to wake."

"OK, Dad. We're right behind you." She pulled Regina with her. "Come on. Let's go sit with our boy."