Today was a sad day, it was a day that both Geppetto and Marco would not be able to fathom. A couple of days ago, they got a knock on their door by the Charming family with devastating news; Archie was murdered by Regina. Geppetto was so shocked with the news, he nearly fell to the floor and Dawn immediately thought he would have a heart attack. The poor man cried for 20 minutes straight as with a heavy heart, Dawn had to make the preparations for the funeral. Luckily for her, Snow White was more than willing to take all the time in the world to help her out.
Now the day has come and before Dawn even woke up, she could hear the constant rainfall outside of her window. She could stop it, but she thought, why bother? Someone as big and profound as Jiminy Cricket should have the weather mourn for him. When the funeral is over, she will stop and that will make the crickets come out early to sing a last hymn for someone they all looked up to.
Dawn stared at herself in the mirror, wearing all black with her pale complexion seemed almost foreign to her as her red hair shone like wildfire through the reflection. Her eyes were glazed over with a constant pink to them ever since she's heard the news of their dear friend. She closed her eyes and inhaled and exhaled, knowing Archie would want her to be strong for Geppetto on this day.
She cleared her throat as she turned and walked over to Geppetto's room and watched the man sitting on the edge of the bed, out of touch with this world. He must've been that way for hours because he seemed so still, like one of his puppets in the garage.
Dawn slowly walked in to make her presence known as she gently touched his shoulder.
"It's time to go, Geppetto"
Geppetto slowly shook his head, "I don't want to go"
Dawn cocked her head to the side, "Why not?"
"Because that would mean that my best friend is gone" Geppetto let out a sob, "And I don't think I can handle that"
"It's a chance to say goodbye" Dawn sat down as thunder rumbled, resonating with her sorrow.
"Why did she have to kill him?" Geppetto turned to Dawn, talking about Regina, "Why? What did he ever do to her? He was trying to help her on her path to good! He told me so! I said it wasn't a good idea but he believed that everyone deserves a second chance, even her!"
Dawn shook her head as she said, "Villains think in ways that we can never understand"
The funeral had a very big turnout, even Mr. Gold was there but Dawn was sure it was to support Belle. Dawn only glanced to him once and in that moment, Mr. Gold only nodded to her in some form of sign of condolence. Dawn only gave a slow blink, wondering if he'll think anything of it but she didn't care, her mind was only on supporting Geppetto and Pongo. The dalmatian seemed to have understood what was going on and whined when the casket came into view, this made the tears flow for Dawn as Geppetto leaned in on her, not sure for comfort or to be the supporter. Dawn took it as both as rain poured harder in that moment, everyone knowing that it was her controlling it.
Snow White took a small step forward and locked eyes with Dawn as the red haired nymph could only give a nod of approval. They had a discussion just the other night that if the funeral was too much for Dawn to bear, Snow White would lead the eulogy as would have been tradition in their homeland if the Queen knew of the person. Dawn turned and glanced through the crowd at all the faces, mostly downward and under umbrellas but not a dry eye was in sight. Dawn wasn't looking to see if everyone was sad as much as Dawn, Geppetto, or Pongo; she was looking for the son that wanted to be forgotten.
Pinocchio should've been the one here on Geppetto's arm, not her, the news of Archie's death spread like wildfire and she was sure that Pinocchio had to have heard about it before the funeral. She was surprised that he never appeared at their door to support his father but that surprise turned into anger when she realized he never came. A crack of lightning split the sky, making a few gasps and shudder but never left the crowd.
After the funeral was over, Dawn stayed off to the side as everyone paid their respects to Geppetto. A small but rough tug moved her hand as Dawn glanced down to Henry.
"Did you feel it?" Henry asked, "Your death sense when Archie died?"
"What?" Dawn blinked at the little boy.
"I've read your story, Dawn, I know you can sense death when it's close to you" Henry explained, "Did you sense it when Archie died?"
"Kid!" Emma let out as she made her way to him.
"Please, I have to know" Henry pleaded, "My mom was trying to turn around to be good, she went to Archie's for therapy. I know she didn't do it, I can feel it! You're the only proof that people will have that she's innocent because of your connection with Archie. Please, try and remember if you sensed anything that night, please prove my mom innocence-"
"Hey, kid, let's start heading over to Granny's and make sure she has everything ready" Emma glanced back up to Dawn, "I'm sorry about this, Dawn, really, I am. If there's anything you need just please let us know"
Dawn could only nod but what Henry said stuck with her as she looked back to the sad looking casket. He was right, how was it that Archie's death came as a big surprise to her when she never once sense his death. Even when she was younger, she could sense the death of her parents and cluster while she was off playing. Dawn never knew this but that ability was only for the Underworld Nymphs, she just assumed it was because the cluster was the closest thing she had to family. That should've been one of her first tell tale signs that she was different then the others.
The thought stuck with her as she drove the trio to Granny's, she actually didn't remember who drove, it just felt like a blink of an eye and they were there. Grumpy kept offering alcohol, saying it helps with every emotion but Dawn just cradled the drink as her mind started to reel. Why couldn't she have sensed Archie's death? It made no sense now as she turned and looked at the puffy-eyed strangers, feeling like once again they were in a Curse that hasn't been broken yet.
Her eyes set on the Charming family, off to the side but together as they probably were sharing some stories of Archie. Another thought passed Dawn's mind as she glanced down to her phone with a mysterious phone call just waiting to be traced. Against Pinocchio's wishes, Dawn got up and walked over to the Charming's as Emma straightened up.
"Hey, Dawn, how are you holding up?"
"Good, all things considered" Dawn paused, "I have a favor to ask of you"
"Anything" Emma answered.
She took out her phone and slid it over to her, "A couple of days ago, Pinocchio called me with a blocked number, I'm not even too sure if this will work but I'm hoping you'll be able to trace it back to him. It would mean a lot to me and Geppetto if you can help us find him"
"Of course" Emma picked up the phone, "I'll look into it first thing tomorrow morning"
Dawn nodded and turned to go but stopped, "Also, what Henry said was true… I never sensed Archie's death"
"But we saw him die in the dreamcatcher" David looked up confused, "We saw Regina ki-"
David stopped as eyes went to Henry but Dawn continued because she knew Henry would need to know, "If that were the case, I definitely would've sensed, at least, that Archie was in danger. Someone as close to me as him would not have gone undetected and as for the dreamcatcher… not all magic is what it seems, I can't say that Regina did something but last week, Archie was over at our house going on and on about how much Regina seemed to be improving, he even offered for me to become her friend… since she had no one"
"So you're saying my mom is innocent!?" Henry asked brightly.
"I believe so" Dawn answered before anyone else, "It doesn't make sense how Regina would kill now when she wants Henry back, she goes to regular meetings on time, and I never sensed Archie's death when he is as close to family to me as is Geppetto… no, something isn't right about this. I need you to look more into this"
Snow White nodded as she said, "Thank you, Dawn, we'll start on it tomorrow"
It continued to pour hours later, with no signs of stopping as Dawn rocked herself and continued to cry. She knew that if she continued this, there would be threats of floods in the Enchanted Forest, but Dawn didn't care, she was already mourning the loss of her mentor. She knew that when the Lady Nymph told her of her tree, it was to let Dawn know she was sacrificing herself. There was no way that Dawn could convince her teacher to find another way, Dawn was involved in those meetings, she knew there wasn't any other way. The Lady Nymph was preparing herself for a sacrifice that would leave Dawn alone.
When Dawn thought about the Dark Curse, she always thought that she would have the Lady Nymph by her side, maybe not in a way that she would imagine but at least they would be together. Now she was thinking of this new strange world in a different perspective; alone, with no one by her side. A chirp made Dawn glance up and look around, not too sure if it was just a play of her ears but then she heard it again. Dawn glanced to her left as Jiminy Cricket walked under the clearing she was in and shook out his umbrella.
"There you are, Dawn" Jiminy Cricket said, "We all have been looking all over for you"
"I don't want to be found" Dawn shook her head.
"I know, but we are all worried about you" Jiminy said, "Pinocchio, Geppetto, the Lady Nymph even the King and Queen wanted to go out and search for you"
"Why does it matter?" Dawn barked, "So I can watch the Lady Nymph die?! Why would anyone want to kill her!"
Jiminy sighed as he said, "Believe me, we did not wish for this to happen but the Lady demanded that we use her tree and spare the life of anyone elses… she never wanted to leave you but that is what makes her a great leader; she is willing to sacrifice her own life for the safety of her people"
Dawn paused before she looked to the cricket, "You mean… all nymphs are keys to portals?"
"Yes, once they are one with their nature" Jiminy said, "She couldn't ask a nymph to return to their form or even take a life from one that is sleeping… she wanted to make sure her nymphs had the best chance they got, even if it was without her"
Dawn glanced down to her fingers as Jiminy went on, "What a caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly"
Dawn glanced to the sky as the rain started to slow and then stop as she thought of the true meaning of sacrifice. The Lady Nymph didn't have the heart to tell another nymph to be the sacrifice for the greater good so she took it upon herself. The sadness of leaving Dawn was just a fraction to what could happen if she did nothing and let the Dark Curse consume them. The Lady Nymph found this time to evolve into her own tree and be the last Hope they had in order for the princess to break the Curse. Even though he was small, Jiminy Cricket chirped and offered his arm out to the little Nymph.
"Come on, my dear, let's go home"