Chapter 92: The Importance of Being You

Crystal receives a text from Emma, indicating that Evie has been found and the dragon fight has been put to rest, much to the relief of her and her companions.

"Chad, it's safe to come out of there," she groans, rolling her eyes.

The son of Cinderella and Prince Charming has somehow hidden under a log when the dragons were fighting. While they had all taken cover, she, Jane, and Dizzy only remained out of sight under a tree, the AK took it a step further, squeezing himself under this log… now Crystal is convinced that he was stuck.

"Do you need help?" Jane asks, offering her hand.

"No…" he grunts. "I'm good."

However, this appears to be a lie. He wriggles and moves around under the log, but can't seem to get enough room to remove himself. How the hell did he get under there if he can't get out?

Crystal uses her magic and teleports Chad from under the log and in an instant, he is standing next to all of them, dirty, but in one piece.

"Sometimes magic can be useful in a jam," she says firmly before beginning to head back toward town.

Jane and Dizzy give him a similar look before catching up with Crystal. The eldest of the girls is appreciative of the company and wants to put some distance between her and the royal pain in the neck that was Cinderella's son. How could the alternate Cinderella and Prince Charming allow their son to become so spoiled and extremely annoying? For a woman who worked as basically a slave for many years, why wouldn't she at least instill humble values in her child instead of allowing him to never lift a finger or learn empathy for others? If Ella and Thomas had raised him, this kid would likely be as wholesome as apple pie and a hard worker. While Alexandra was still young and a toddler, once the curse broke and her parents were reunited, the little one was raised to become sweet and playful. She knew there was no way either Storybrooke parent would spoil their daughter like Chad was.

"Sorry if I seem a bit sensitive about the whole magic thing," Crystal apologizes. "I just thought that your kingdom would be more open to it, considering different versions of your parents exist here and in Auradon."

"It's okay, we understand," Jane says.

"We also don't mind that it's mainly Chad that you're mad at," Dizzy smirks.

The trio of girls laugh.

"Does he have an off switch by any chance?" the Dark One's daughter asks.

"No, and believe me we've all looked," Jane snickers. "Try not to take it personally… Chad is just used to things being 'his' way and 'his' way does not involve magic."

"So how come you guys are so afraid of magic?" the daughter of Rumpelstiltskin asks the two girls.

"Well, we're not really afraid of it, it's just that… we don't really use it that much anymore," Jane explains.

"For me, growing up on the Isle, the barrier cancels all magic, so I'm not really used to it either," Dizzy explains. She flinches at the thought of all the villains, like Uma, having magic. How horrible it would have been to have people with that kind of power bullying and hurting others because they could.

"Really? I mean you guys are all princes and princesses, right?"

"Yeah?"

"And you're the daughter of a fairy right?"

"Yeah?"

"And you have dragons and unicorns and stuff like that?"

"Yeah… I think…"

"So if you live in enchanted kingdoms and have magical creatures, why isn't magic more a part of your lives?"

"I think Ben's parents and a lot of other parents, my mom included, find that while magic can be good, it just makes things more complicated and sometimes dangerous. It's why most of our magical relics are in a museum, for it to become a thing of the past. We now use science and technology mainly for our kingdoms and lives."

"I get it," Crystal said. "I grew up with no magic too and when I first realized I had it, I was scared as hell. Did try to suppress it for the longest time and be normal. I hated it because it did cause me to lose my mother but looking back on it now, it was because I was so scared, and I denied who I was as a person. I just think magic is a part of who you are; like your eye colour or your personality or your talent, you shouldn't shy away from it or hate that part of yourself. Sure, it can be a little scary, even dangerous, but it's part of your identity."

Jane nods in agreement and looks at her hands. "I know what you're saying. I guess you might just have to be patient with us. This is something new for all of us, except maybe Mal. She's had to use her magic a lot more. She's kind of like the kingdom's protector."

"And the resident dragon," Dizzy adds.

"I will definitely be patient with you guys for sure, but Chad… I might need to keep my distance before I do something that I regret."

The three look behind them to see the son of Cinderella and Prince Charming ambling along, dirty and likely very tired.

"I really hope time with Ella and Thomas will teach him a thing or two," she mutters. "Maybe babysitting his little sister would help with that attitude.

…

Everyone reconvenes at Granny's for a warm meal and a break.

"Llyod, start up the fryers and grills," the restaurant owner calls out when she sees the crowd coming. "We're making a lot of grilled cheeses tonight."

The tiny place is soon filled with many people. Some have brought food, while Granny and her staff are cooking up a storm in the back. It becomes a sort of party to celebrate Evie's safe return.

Dizzy immediately wraps her arms around Evie and refuses to let go.

"Don't ever do that again," the young VK begs, fighting off tears.

"It's okay Dizzy, I won't," the daughter of the Evil Queen says.

The blue-haired teen is forced to sit in a booth due to being swamped by others that she couldn't move anywhere. It at least allowed her to sit while concerned people, from Auradon and Storybrooke, come and ask if she was okay. Even Gordon's dad, Grumpy asked about her well-being. She was surprised that so many people from this small town, many that she didn't know, went out searching for her and were asking if she was hurt at all. A testament to a community coming together.

She asked Doug and Dizzy who were sitting with her at the time. She looked over to see Mal getting similar treatment, people asking her about the dragon fight. Nothing stayed a secret in this town.

"Why do you think they're so worried about me? About us?"

"I guess people just care?" Doug suggests, not entirely sure.

"Plus, you're also Queenie's kid," Grumpy says, as he walks by. "Lord knows what could have happened if she got angry that her daughter was in trouble."

"Daughter…" the word bounces around in Evie's head. It was strange that everyone saw her as Regina's daughter, even though she'd never given birth to her and had only known the woman for a few days… But she felt like the Evil Queen had been more of a mother than her own mother. Regina made her feel valued and loved. Sure, her own mother likely did love her… in her own twisted way, but the way this version of her mother had rallied a town to find her and then how she hugged Evie and made her feel valued and safe… was a new experience, one that she liked... she just felt a little guilty.

"Am I that important?" Evie wonders out loud.

"To me, absolutely, and to your friends and your alternate Mom," Doug replies.

"I like this place," Dizzy says. "The people are so nice."

"They are…" Evie agrees. "They're really good people."

A/N: The biggest apologies to everyone. It's been more than 6 months since I've updated and I am really sorry. Life gets in the way and I often focus on other stories for a long time. I will try not to let this happen again and thank you to everyone who's read and supported this story. Almost at 100 chapters, it's been quite the journey.