Chapter Twenty-Nine: Sira the Witch

In the Land of Oz (Present Day)

When Gerda opened her eyes, she was lying on her back, on the elevated stage in the main hall of the Emerald Palace. She could hear gasps all around her as she lifted her head.

Feeling her heart race, Gerda knew she had to remain calm. She needed to assess the situation, and think of a way out. Taking in a small breath, Gerda sat up, and immediately heard voices erupt all around her.

"She's awake!"

"The time has come!"

"We fight!" Men, women and children of all ages were standing in front of the elevated platform, wielding swords and other sharp weapons.

Gerda tried to stand, but felt her hands bound in front of her chest, making it harder for her to move.

"Allow me." Gerda felt her skin crawl as she turned around, looking up at Mr. Gold.

"You." She spat. The former Dark One gave her a wicked grin, and flicked his wrist. Gerda was lifted into a standing position.

"I suppose you have a few questions." Mr. Gold assessed. Gerda merely glared at him.

"Not even going to answer me? What a shame. I thought we were old friends by now."

"You betrayed me." Gerda spat.

"How can you know that, when you don't even know why you are here?" Gerda heard a woman's voice from the crowd, and looked down at all the warriors gathered in front of her. Many heads turned and the crowd parted to allow a single person to step through.

A tall woman with white blonde hair and flowing purple robes walked towards Gerda. Her face was pale, making her bright red lips stand out.

She walked onto the stage beside Mr. Gold.

"Welcome, Gerda Robyn Hood." She stated, giving Gerda a slight bow. Gerda didn't return the gesture.

"Why am I here?" Gerda demanded, getting to the point. She was tired, sore, and extremely hungry. She assumed that this woman was powerful, for the way the warriors quivered before her. Gerda, however, felt no fear. Actually, at that moment, she felt like a blank slate, not knowing what to feel.

The woman gave Gerda a smile, and Gerda noticed how beautiful she truly was. Her skin reminded Gerda of the porcelain dolls she had seen in the markets as a little girl, with pale cheeks and ruby lips.

"I see you want answers." The woman stated.

"Let this be the first one: my name is Sira, and welcome to my home." She extended her hand, gesturing to the large room that trapped Gerda. The warriors chanted, some even bowing.

Gerda waited for the warriors to quiet down.

"Why am I here?" She repeated. She could hear some of the warriors sigh, fed up with her one question. But Gerda ignored them. She gave all her attention to Sira.

"Because you are going to help me rule Oz." Sira answered, as if it were obvious.

"This is your home, after all."

Gerda felt herself taken aback.

"I'm afraid you're wrong." Gerda said. "I'm from the Enchanted Forest." Gerda looked at Mr. Gold, as if to confirm this. Mr. Gold, however, gave Gerda a blank stare.

"I'm afraid you are the one who is wrong, Gerda." He answered her. He snapped his fingers, and a vial appeared in his hand. The same vial the old man had given Gerda before she ran away.

"Why don't you take a look for yourself?"


Some of Sira's warriors had encompassed the house, trapping everyone inside. Kyler and his warriors tried to break the ranks, but couldn't get past them.

The enchanted mirror laid broken on the ground, unnoticed as Henry felt himself dragged through the house, out the back door. Some of the warriors had snuck in the back, and grabbed Henry while the others were occupied with the warriors out front.

Mallory was the only one who had noticed Henry missing.

"Henry!" She cried out, running out the back door. Regina and Robin followed, with Kyler not too far behind.

"Mallory!" He cried out. Mallory ignored him as she ran at the warriors. She tackled the one who had grabbed Henry, knocking all three of them to the ground. Henry broke free of the man's grip and stood up, kicking him in the side.

Mallory got to her feet and pushed Henry behind her as more warriors came forward.

"Get the boy." One of the female warriors ordered. "The girl you can kill."

"No!" Kyler called out, but other warriors pressed him, Regina and Robin back. They were trapped at the back door, fighting off ten warriors who tried to break in.

Henry felt like he was living a dream, standing behind Mallory and watching the warriors step forward.

What do they want with me?

Not having any time to wonder, Henry watched Mallory clench her fists, and take a warrior's stance. Closing her eyes, Mallory focused on the enemies that surrounded her.

Opening her eyes, she was ready. Stepping forward, Mallory cried out in fury as she let out a wave of bright yellow and gold magic.

"Ahhh!" She screamed, releasing the magic from her hands. Three of the warriors fell to the forest floor, while others stopped in surprise.

The female leader cocked her head to the side, examining Mallory. She then grinned.

"I take it back." She stated. "Take the girl as well."

"No one is taking anyone." Henry spat. He ran forward, grabbing a sword from one of the warriors on the ground, and sliced at the woman. She dodged his move easily, and kicked at his foot.

Henry fell to the forest floor.

"Why you are wanted by them, I have no idea." The woman stated. She then got a better look at Henry, and put the pieces together.

"You're his grandson." She stated. "Ah, so you are Rumpelstiltskin's heir. The only one left, since his only son died."

Henry felt a wave of anger rip through his core. Instead of quickly getting to his feet, Henry turned on the forest floor, kicking at the woman's legs. The woman fell to the ground hard as Henry stood up, her ankle twisting in the dirt. Henry pointed his sword at her throat.

"I might be his heir, but I don't want anything from him." Henry spat. The woman looked up at him, and grinned.

"Well, you have me. Kill me." She stated. And Henry, still feeling the anger ripple through his core, was tempted to. However, he knew the consequences of such actions, and decided against it. He drew back his sword.

"I'm not my grandfather." Henry stated. He then ran at the other warriors, wielding the fallen warrior's sword.

As Regina, Kyler and Robin fought off the warriors that tried to break into the cabin, Regina watched Mallory fight, impressed by the girl's strength. For someone so young, she was so powerful.

For a moment, as Regina watched Mallory, she saw Gerda, fighting off the warriors that threatened her friends. Regina saw Gerda's blue magic instead of Mallory's golden yellow magic shoot through the air as warriors fell to the ground unconscious. Because like Gerda, Mallory refused to kill.

Refocusing on the task at hand, Regina fought off more warriors, and after she had finished them off, she saw the woman Henry had knocked to the forest floor, trying to hobble away.

Regina walked towards her in quick strides, lifting her hand in the air. The woman levitated off the ground, scared.

"Where is she?" Regina demanded, turning the woman around so that she was looking Regina in the eye.

The woman, less scared now than she was a few moments before, glared down at Regina.

"Why do you care?" She asked. "The girl is not yours."

"She is my niece." Regina spat, throwing her hand up. The woman flew through the air and hit the ground hard.

Regina walked towards her.

"She is my niece, and I want to know where she is." Regina demanded.

The woman lifted her head from the ground, and snickered.

"I would rather die than tell you."

Regina cocked her head to the side, thinking of Gerda.

"That can be arranged." She lifted her hand once more, a fireball appearing.

"Regina wait!" Glinda came up beside Regina, easing her hand back down.

"We need her alive." Glinda stated, pointing to the cabin. The other warriors fled through the trees, outnumbered as many of their comrades laid on the ground, unconscious.

Regina, tempted to ignore Glinda, sighed, and released the fireball from her hand, letting it fall to the ground.


The crowd of warriors had exited the main hall of the Emerald Palace, leaving Gerda alone with Sira and Mr. Gold. She clutched the vial in her hand, wondering if Mr. Gold had done something to it before he had handed it to her.

"You want answers." Sira breathed, looking at Gerda. Gerda didn't look back up at her, keeping her eyes on Mr. Gold. She was full of anger towards the man, and couldn't believe how calm he had remained in the midst of all that was happening around them. Did he not see what trouble he had fallen into?

"I want to be released." Gerda corrected, looking at Sira. She glared into the witch's eyes.

"Keep your answers." Mr. Gold sighed.

"Gerda, opportunities like this don't come all that often." He explained.

"You have the chance to save Oz."

"From what?" Gerda questioned, crossing her arms.

"The only danger I see here is you two."

Sira laughed, tilting her head back.

"Then you are not able to see clearly." She merely stated. She looked back at Gerda, and tilted her head to the side.

"You are so much like your father." Gerda felt her heart drop.

"How do you know my dad?" Gerda demanded.

Sira gave her a wicked grin. "I thought you didn't want any answers." She laughed once more as she snapped her fingers. Two warriors came into the hall, wrapping their hands around Gerda's arms.

"Until you are ready to help us, you will remain locked away." Sira explained. She turned away from Gerda, waving her hand.

"You are dismissed."

"No!" Gerda struggled against the iron grips of the warriors, but she couldn't break free. She was dragged backwards towards the doors, knowing her next stop would be the dungeons.

"Where is my father?!" Gerda demanded.

"Where is he?!"


Kai heard Gerda cry out against Sira. So she refused to join her.

Wrapping his hand around the iron ring that was looped around his neck, Kai closed his eyes. He remembered what Michael looked like, and knew that with enough time, he would be able to find him.

Opening his eyes, he headed down a dark hallway.

For Gerda.


Michael sat in the dark room, memories of the Evil Queen's dungeon entering his mind after years of rest. Clamping his hands around his ears, Michael slid to the ground, small tears rolling down his cheeks.

"I will find you!" He screamed, knowing no one would hear him. And even if anyone did, they wouldn't care. Anyone who was in the castle was a traitor anyways.

Anyone, except a certain sixteen year old boy who stopped in front of the cell door. Michael looked up, expecting a guard, and preparing himself for the beating that was sure to follow. However, when he saw Kai's young face, he removed his hands from his ears.

"What do you want?" He asked, tired.

In answer, Kai held up a set of keys that he had swiped off of one of the guards.

"I want to get you out of here." Kai answered.

"I want you to help me save my family. And yours."