Chapter Eight:
The Consequence of a Deal
Ingrid woke with a start. It took her a moment to realize she was in her own bed for the first time in a couple of years. The covers were warm and soft, her pillows felt as plush as they used to be. She had her large stuffed bear she'd gotten from Regina as a child in her arms, then cried quietly for a moment out of relief. This would take time to get used to being back here. Two years she lived in the Enchanted Realm being chased and terrorized. Having to fend for herself.
Looking around her room, it looked like it did when she was taken away. The large body mirror, her desk, dresser. The window at her bed which was open. The trap door to the attic room closed to give her privacy. So many people gave her hugs when she came back through the portal door it almost overwhelmed her. The dwarves who were all like her uncles, the fairies. Granny, even Belle was happy to see them all and gave her a big hug when she saw her husband and son were safe and sound.
Later tonight there would be a big dinner at Granny's Diner in order to celebrate the family reunion. Her uncle Prince Neil gave her a hug and hair ruffle the way he used to. Even Archie was there.
Finally Emma said she had to get Ingrid home for the night, and the dinner could be at Granny's the next evening.
Ingrid sat up, wearing her old favorite nightdress, and waving her hand in the window's direction. The window opened to let in the warm, salty air of late summer in Storybrooke. It was a scent she missed. Taking in a deep breath to calm herself, she used her magic to make her bed. When she'd been kidnapped she hardly had half the confidence in her magic that she did now.
She got dressed in what she called 'normal' clothes. A red t-shirt, her blue leather jacket, blue jeans. Black socks, and tennis shoes. It felt more natural to her than the robes and cloaks she'd been wearing the last two years. She brushed her hair, which was much longer than it used to be. It hung almost to her waist, and was very wavy. She supposed that's what happened without regular trimming.
When she opened the trap door, she caught the scent of food wafting up from the kitchen, and slid down the step ladder. She then saw her grandfather David in the kitchen.
"Ingrid!" Snow and Emma went to hug her at once.
"Mom! Grandma…" Gasped Ingrid.
"Simmer down there loves, and give her a chance to breathe why don't you?" Said Killian with a smile as he put a plate of food David prepared down for Ingrid.
"Just wanted to give you a proper welcome home is all," Said Snow as she and Emma sat on either side of Ingrid at the countertop where they were all eating.
"And grandpa wanted to cook," Ingrid stuck her tongue out.
"Nothing wrong with a man wanting to cook for his family, is there?" David asked as there was a knock on the door. "Ah, that's Neil."
"Come in!" Snow called and Ingrid's cousin came through the door.
"I hope I didn't miss anything yet? I was just taking care of the horses at the stable." Said Neil.
"Not yet, I was just getting your plate ready," David smiled.
The three men sat on the other side of the counter. It was rather crowded, but this was how Ingrid liked it. Their family, enjoying breakfast. They joked, laughed and Neil helped fill Ingrid in on what she missed from Storybrooke while she'd been forced to be away.
It was a nice breakfast, and Killian said he thought they should give some time for Ingrid to adjust back to being here before asking what she wanted to do. Which Ingrid was grateful to her dad for. It had been an intense couple of years in the Enchanted Realms, so now she could relax to get back into the groove of life at Storybrooke before deciding on her future right away.
After breakfast, Emma asked Ingrid if she wanted her hair cut.
"Cut?" Blinked Ingrid, her head a little foggy after enjoying the mini feast her grandpa prepared.
"You know, the length it was before. I could do it with magic in a jiffy if you want." Emma suggested.
Ingrid looked at an old picture of her from the mantlepiece.
"Sure. Long hair is pretty nice, but I prefer things more manageable." Smiled Ingrid, who sat up straight on the bar stool while Emma then proceeded to 'lop off' Ingrid's hair to be from almost to the waist to just below her shoulders in an instant.
Ingrid almost felt like it was a relief, going back to her regular length of hair. That long hair had been such a hassle at times.
"That's better, thanks mom!" Ingrid smiled. Flipping her hair to marvel at how much lighter she felt.
"Glad you like it. I'm much better at these kinds of things with magic than scissors these days at least." Smiled Emma.
"So what were your plans for today?" Asked David.
"I was thinking of wandering around Storybrooke, reacquainting myself with my old home. You know?" Said Ingrid thoughtfully.
"Well, just make sure to meet us at Granny's by dinner. People want to welcome you home properly." Killian nodded.
Ingrid grabbed her tote bag, then went out the door. Glad to breathe in the fresh, salty air once again.
"You think she's ok?" Asked Snow White as she helped clean up the kitchen. "She seemed a little eager to get out of here."
"Well, she's been through a lot. It might take time for her to readjust." Said David reasonably.
Later that morning, Ingrid found herself taking her old walk that she used to take before she was kidnapped. She was thinking about what she wanted to do now that she was back, and the the thing that she kept returning to was the school. She stood there when she saw the kids at lunch or on recess. Suddenly there was a feeling of great loss as she saw her grandmother watching a group of teenagers playing kickball.
When a surprised barking got her attention, and she turned around.
"Pongo! Doctor Archie!" Ingrid knelt down as Pongo was trying to pull at the leash as though he'd missed her.
"Easy there, buddy!" Archie said as she hugged the dog. "Ingrid, I heard you just came back. Didn't expect to see you out and about so soon."
"Yeah, I wanted some fresh air. I missed Storybrooke." She admitted as Pongo barked excitedly, calming down now that he got his hug and pets from her that he used to get whenever they met.
Archie, who Ingrid remembered was a therapist, had a thoughtful look on his face.
"You seem to have been through a lot. You want to come by my office to talk about it? You know you can always talk to me if you want." Archie said.
For a moment, she thought about saying no. Then she heard the school bell, and her grandmother Snow White calling the teenagers back into the building. It seemed to jar a different reaction out of her than she was expecting.
"Why not?" She said.
Regina happened to be out for a lunch break walk when she saw Ingrid walking with Archie, who had his usual companion Pongo on the leash. It was good to see Ingrid out and about again. Regina remembered how Ingrid used to love playing with Pongo, and how Archie used to help Ingrid through her lacking in confidence and social problems. Perhaps Archie had offered to help with some adjustment issues she was bound to have. It was only Ingrid's first day back after two years. And Regina of all people knew that adjustment could take some time.
Sitting down in Archie's office, Archie closed the door and let Pongo off the leash. Pongo bounded over to sit next to Ingrid so she could pet him absentmindedly while she talked with Archie.
"Now, what can I do for you?" He asked, sitting at his desk.
"Well… I don't know where to begin…" Sighed Ingrid. "I'm happy to be back, relieved actually. And I know it's only my first day, but it just feels like I'm coming back from a different world entirely. Like I left one person, and came back another."
"We all change over time, Ingrid." He said slowly. "Everyone at different paces. Some slower than others, some faster. You were forced to change, and kidnappings are traumatic no matter which way you look at it."
"That part was scary. Waking up in a jungle… not knowing who I was or how I got there." She sighed, her right hand automatically going to scratch Pongo's ears as he put his head in her lap. "Then I was chased by SherKhan for months as I tried to find some place where I could find help."
"It had to be scary, and difficult. But you survived, didn't you?" Archie listened to Ingrids story with intent.
"I was almost taken again by a bunch of brutes in a small village off the coast. All I had to me were my clothes, sword, enchanted bag and magic skills." She bit her lower lip. "I had to draw my sword, there was no way around. The people in that village had a strong disliking for magic. Magic was practically forbidden there. Like an unwritten rule. I fought those brutes. Killed all three of them."
"Do you regret what happened?" Asked Archie.
"You know… the funny thing is… I don't." She looked him straight in the eye. "And that's why I feel weird about it. It may have been the first time I had to do that, but it was not the last. Then… Before we were able to come here, I took out Ka'a. In front of my papa. I feel even weirder about that."
He sighed.
"The thing about the Enchanted Realms is, it can bring either the worst or best out in people. The lives you took weren't mindless murderers. You had to do so in self defense, without even knowing who you were or why you were fighting so hard to stay alive. It is a complicated situation for anyone to be in, or most people to fathom. A lot of people in the Enchanted Realm are forced to grow up too quickly." Archie explained. "I'm sure your parents would have preferred you not ever have to take a life, but the situation is what it is. You are not a bad person, you had to do what you had to for your own survival. What that shows is courage."
Ingrid gave a weak little smile.
"When I regained my memories, all I wanted to do was come back to Storybrooke. Even with all my faults and mistakes. I don't regret what I had to do to get back home. I felt homesick. Even though it's still a little weird. All I did from the moment I got my memories back, was so I could."
Archie nodded.
"Having everything happen so quickly can be overwhelming to anyone. You had a lot of things happen in just two years. It will take time to readjust, so if you want, I can make sure to tell your family not to push things too much or it could stress you out farther." He paused. "When we met, I saw you watching the school?" He recalled.
"I was on my old walking route… and found myself there. I know I struggled at school socially, and with my magic. But that was before. Now… I feel more confident in my magic. But I was still feeling like I got cheated out of something special when I was watching my grandma at the school yard wrangling in the teenagers from recess." She sighed. Archie quietly pushed the tissue box forward as she sniffed a little.
Sometime later, Ingrid had left Archie's office feeling a bit better about things. She decided to pop by home for lunch. Both her parents were out on Sheriff's duty. She had a quiet lunch then went up to her attic room to think about what she and Archie discussed about how she should take time to readjust and calm down naturally before deciding what to do with her future.
Finally she got herself ready to go to granny's when she heard the door unlocking to the house.
"Hello? Ingrid?" Came Snow's voice.
"Grandma!" Ingrid jumped at the sound of her grandmother's voice. She'd almost been ready to attack Snow White before hearing who it was. She was starting to think Archie had a point in saying she needed time to readjust here after being terrorized by SherKhan as long as she was. Ingrid poofed down in an instant.
"Oh!" Snow blinked, impressed by this show of confidence in magic she hadn't seen before. Then she was even more surprised by the big hug Ingrid gave her, but she gratefully returned.
"I missed you," Ingrid actually felt herself weeping quietly.
"It's ok," Snow said. "It's ok. You're here now, we're all here together again." Snow stroked her granddaughter's jet black hair.
Ingrid pulled away, and Snow saw that Ingrid had been almost ugly crying.
Snow brushed the hair out of Ingrid's face.
"Yeah, we're all here together again." Sniffed Ingrid.
"It's like I said in the old stories. We always find each other, no matter what happens that tears us apart. It's never forever." She booped her granddaughter on the nose. "Or how far apart."
"It's what this family does," Ingrid echoed her grandmother's words.
"Right." Smiled Snow, reassuringly.
"You know… Even when I couldn't remember who I was, I still had my brother's book with me." Said Ingrid. "Your stories gave me so much hope that someone would help me out of that situation, I kept going."
"I'm glad. And you did find your way, didn't you?" Said Snow, giving her granddaughter a hug after Ingrid nodded.
Snow fetched a tissue from the Kleenex box on the nearby kitchen counter to help dry her granddaughter's tears.
"There now. You almost ready to go to Granny's for our family dinner?" Snow asked.
"I just need my bag," Said Ingrid. With a wave of her right hand, her messenger bag appeared in her hand.
"Oh, you've gotten better with your magic I see!" Snow said with a smile, to which they both laughed.
Together Snow and Ingrid walked out from the flat, down to street level.
It was a wonderful gathering, Granny had prepared all of Ingrid's old favorites. Several tables were put together so that they could sit by the window of the diner. The dwarves and fairies had the booths, Regina was there, Archie was there, Mr Gold, Belle and Gideon were at a booth as well. Ingrid listened as her uncle Neil told stories, then told a few of her own like about the time she'd earned the loyalty of Captain RedBeard and his crew, which even Killian was impressed by.
Lasagna was served, Ingrid's favorite salad was had, followed by cheesy mashed potatoes with her favorite veggies on the side. Then the ice cream shop run by the fairies had given some of Ingrid's favorite cookies n creme ice cream, as well as a few of her other favorite flavors to have alongside granny's triple milk chocolate frosted cake.
David stood up as Ingrid started on her cake and ice cream, and Snow took a silver spoon and glass to gently ring it on to get everyone's attention.
"I just wanted to say how grateful we all are to be able to be back here. Among family and friends, with our own Ingrid returned to us safely." David stated. "If it weren't for everyone's help in some form or another, we wouldn't be able to be here to enjoy this great cooking, and great company. It just goes to show, that no matter the circumstances, no matter how far apart we may be, this family will always find a way to come back together again. No matter how long it takes."
"Here, here!" Called out Grumpy as they all drank a toast- Ingrid had her favorite soda.
Just as they took a sip of their various drinks, a rush of wind filled the diner in an unnaturally loud way. It caused many of them to drop their glasses, and cover their ears when the door to the diner flung open.
"Excuse me, but this is a private function!" Regina snapped, standing up as a cloaked and hooded figure stepped through, shrouded in darkness. Then he lowered his hood.
"What the heck…?" Emma blinked.
"How the devil did you escape that island?" Demanded Killian, standing up at once along with David.
"It's my island. I'm bound to know a thing or two about how to leave it. Excuse me for a moment," He added, sending both Killian and David flying backwards with a blast of magic as Killian raised his gun. "Down boys," SherKhan said tauntingly like he was talking to dogs.
"Dad!" Neil and Snow raced over.
He turned to Ingrid who stood up, the fear leaving her.
Regina stood between Ingrid and SherKhan, fire raging in her eyes and around her hands before sending a fireball right at SherKhan who froze in his advancement.
Rumple only looked amused at this.
"You won't lay another finger on my goddaughter." Regina growled as Emma helped Killian back to his feet, while Snow and Neil helped David back up.
David noted how fire seemed to be one of the few things that stopped SherKhan in his tracks, though he didn't say anything about it.
"Enjoy this little peaceful party and respite while you can. It won't last." Growled SherKhan. He turned to Killian. "You and your family stole what was precious to me. I will steal what was precious to you."
"I'd love to see you try." Snapped Killian. A testament to how strong he believed his family was.
Ingrid summoned her sword, seeing and knowing by now the signs of when the tiger was about to strike out at them. And strike out he did. There was a blast of powerful dark magic that broke the windows of the diner, sending glass flying in all directions. SherKhan turned into his tiger form, causing a few of the fairies to cry out in alarm before he jumped into the air.
Killian fired his gun at SherKhan several times as the tiger raced around. Blood spatters the floor of the diner as the tiger skidded around with his massive paws. A low rumbling growl told them he'd been hit, but the tiger jumped forward at Emma and Regina. Both of whom sent magic fire blasts at him. He barely dodged it, then Ingrid managed to land a sword slice on his right shoulder.
The tiger crashed into one of the diner tables near Rumple, Belle and Gideon, and Regina seized her chance.
"Speaking of boys that need to be put down," Snapped Regina as the tiger finally froze with the force of the magic being set upon him. "Emma?"
A blaze of fire erupted around the tiger who snapped and snarled like a caged beast before slowly being forced back into his human form.
"This isn't over." He stared at them all, the lust for blood still in his eyes before he jumped into the air, then flew out of the nearest broken window.
Sometime later, after they'd fixed the diner back up, Ingrid was back in her room wanting to be alone. She was no longer afraid of SherKhan, but she was upset at how things had gone.
Emma decided on a little something for her daughter. Not a whole lot, since they'd just had a large meal. But she made her daughter's favorite tea with the right amount of sugar.
"Ingrid?" She called up the step ladder as Killian watched from the living room area.
"Yeah…" Called the obviously tired sounding Ingrid, and Emma climbed up the steps.
Ingrid was sitting on her bed, braced up with her pillows looking out the window, arms around her knees.
"I brought some of your favorite tea, you know, to help you sleep." Emma said tentatively.
"Thanks mom," Sighed Ingrid, taking the cup gratefully.
Ingrid remained quiet as her mom sat on the edge of the bed with a small smile on her face.
"What is it?" Asked Ingrid, seeing the look on her mom's face.
"I'm just glad you're finally back home." Emma brushed some of Ingrid's hair from her face.
"So am I. I'm just sorry we still have all that to deal with." Sighed Ingrid.
"Sweetie, it's not your fault. None of this is your fault," Emma looked surprised and was feeling heartbroken that her daughter was feeling so responsible for all that happened. She reached over after Ingrid finished her tea, putting her in a hug, curling up on the bed. It had been two long years. The war against SherKhan wasn't over, but at least now they were finally back together as a family.
All Emma wanted was to make sure her daughter never felt as alone and lost as she felt growing up. To make sure Ingrid knew she was loved by her parents. No matter what. The mere fact that for two years, Ingrid had been made to believe she was anything but loved and wanted by family broke Emma's heart, even as she was constantly searching for a way to reach her. Every time she'd gotten close, SherKhan managed to get in the way. He was a cunning old tiger, but the Charming family's determination finally won out. That was one thing her father, David, was right about. The Charming family, no matter what happened or how long it took, always found their ways back to each other.
It was the next morning. Ingrid was taking her usual walk when she saw a certain delivery truck stopped in front of a home she hadn't noticed before.
"Uncle Leroy, you and Uncle Doc need any help?" She asked the two dwarves as they unloaded several boxes onto trolleys. "What're you delivering today?" She asked eagerly.
"We got a big order of metal from a Sir James Galahad for his metal working that he does." Doc explained as he loaded boxes onto his own trolley.
"A little extra help would be appreciated, but no magic allowed here with this order in particular. The metals and ores we mined don't always react in a… predictable way until they're refined." Leroy added.
So Ingrid helped load boxes onto trolleys then followed her two uncles around to the back of the house.
It was a one story place with a fenced in back yard, and a garage on the side. Such an unassuming house that could be easily overlooked, which was why Gawain liked it so well. He left the Knights of the Round Table after Arthur was killed by Hades, and decided to stay in Storybrooke. He's led a quiet life since then, refining metals and ores that were used by various factions of the town.
"Here we are, Sir Gawain, we got your order right here!" Leroy called in his usual booming voice once they reached the garage.
There was a moment's silence when the door finally opened.
"Ah, thanks for that Leroy, Doc." Gawain said with a nod. He caught sight of Ingrid helping. Without magic. "I didn't now you'd have some extra hands today."
"Well, lucky for us my niece's morning walk happened to be on this delivery route." Leroy explained as Ingrid and Doc were unloading the heavy boxes one at a time, while Gawain signed off on the order via a clipboard from Leroy.
Ever since she was small, the Dwarves and Tiny all called Ingrid their little niece. She was reminded of this and didn't realize how she'd missed it.
"Ingrid, this is Sir Gawain. He was once a Knight at the Round Table in Camelot." Leroy said once the boxes were unloaded.
"Nice to meet you, Sir Gawain." Ingrid said as Gawain held out his hand to shake hers.
"Nice to meet you as well, I heard a lot about you from your Uncles. Just call me Jon." He said quickly.
"Well, I don't want to keep anyone. I'll be seeing you around." Ingrid broke the handshake, turning away.
"Thanks for the help, kiddo." Doc called after her.
"I'm nineteen now you know," She retorted as Jon handed Leroy the clipboard back.
"Nah, you'll still be our little niece kiddo." Teased Leroy as she waved.
"Thanks for everything, I'll take it from here." Jon nodded as Leroy and Doc made to go back to their delivery truck.
Humming lightly to herself, Ingrid decided to pop in at Granny's diner for lunch. Her parents had given her money if she wanted to go there that afternoon, and after hauling heavy bins full of metal and ores, she worked up an appetite.
"Hey Ingrid, just a bit and I'll get back to you." Granny said, to which Ingrid nodded, not noticing who she was sitting next to at the counter table at first.
"Hello there," Said Rumple. He was waiting on his order to go for Belle and Gideon who were manning the shop while he was away. "It's been an interesting first couple of days back, I see."
Ingrid nearly jumped, but she kept her cool.
Ingrid was about to respond, and Granny was handing Rumple his packaged food order when an explosion shook the town.
"The heck…?" Ingrid looked around.
"I'll hold the food for you then?" Granny said as Ingrid and Rumple raced out of the diner to see what was going on.
A pillar of black magic was shooting towards the skies.
"What is that bloody tiger doing now?" Demanded Killian as he and Emma were running out of the Sherrif's office.
"Getting our attention apparently." Rumple said.
"Ingrid!" Emma shouted.
Without a word, Ingrid was running straight at the source.
"It appears your daughter has become quite headstrong, just like her mother." Observed Rumple calmly.
Instead of stopping Ingrid, they decided to follow. Rumple followed more out of curiosity than urgency. David and Snow joined them, with Regina bringing up the rear.
Leroy and the dwarves were going to follow them, but Snow called to them, telling them to keep the civilians away instead.
They found the base of the pillar in the forest just outside of the town.
Darkness filled the forest like a black blanket when it should've been broad daylight. An eerie feeling brought a chill on the air.
What surprised them all was how Ingrid was like a beacon in the darkness. A bright, white aura surrounded her that they'd never seen before as they stood at the base of the pillar of black magic.
"This is ancient magic…" Muttered Rumple. "Older than I am."
"Well that's saying something," Replied Emma. Ingrid sniggered.
"How do we stop this?" Asked David as the pillar reached higher and higher.
Rumple looked over at Ingrid for a moment.
"At the moment we can't, but we can stall this from reaching the town. Using the purest light magic as a barrier." Said Rumple calmly.
"Which isn't any of you," Came SherKhan's voice from behind the pillar.
In his tiger form, he came out from behind the pillar itself, his eyes glowing with a fierce malice.
This time he was ready. SherKhan's own power came forth in a rage with fierce, glowing tiger eyes and a roar that sent winds at them strong as a seventy mile per hour gust, forcing them all backwards until Regina and Emma regained their footing to create a magical barrier with their powers combined as Rumple raised his own hand to cause SherKhan to raise up into the air, flinging him against a rock cliff wall nearby.
The black magic pillar flickered for a moment as SherKhan stumbled from the force of the blow. Ingrid saw her chance, with her left arm she used her own light magic to send most everyone back into the town square in front of the clock tower, except for her mother and Regina.
"Ingrid!" Shouted Killian, staring around the moment he realized it was her magic aura they were seeing.
Snow tried moving forward, but she literally ran into a barrier of glittering light.
"When did she gain such control over her magic?" David asked.
"Things just got interesting here…" Muttered Rumple.
"Ingrid!" Shouted Emma at her daughter when everyone vanished. "What did you just do?!"
"I'm doing what you usually do mom, I'm saving their skins." Grunted Ingrid as the black magic pillar threatened to go out of control. She raised her left arm back up to restrain it.
Another howl of rage from the tiger.
"She's right… It would've been too risky having everyone here," Said Regina as the tiger took his human form.
"If we can beat SherKhan-" Emma began, looking over at him.
"Beat me? Hundreds have tried, no one has succeeded. Not even the precious light one. Though she did succeed in what I thought was impossible." Growled SherKhan.
"The Light One…?" Regina only thought it was a myth in fairy tales crazier than the lives they led. Then she looked at Ingrid.
"Ingrid… What did you do…?" Asked Emma.
"Oh… you haven't told her? Your own mother?" Sneered SherKhan.
Ingrid looked over at her mother.
"Then allow me to explain. She killed Ka'a, my beloved partner." He explained before she had the chance.
"That snake of a woman?" Regina said. "Well that's no great loss to us."
"Regina!" Said Emma in alarm.
"Seriously… You didn't know her. Twisted and cunning like a snake, she was just as evil as he is." Regina explained.
"You mean like you used to be?" Retorted Emma.
Regina glanced at Emma.
"Touche." She said. "But if my god daughter took out Ka'a, then I'm proud of her. And now, we'll have to finish the job with her boyfriend here, so they can be reunited."
"You think I'm going to make it easy for you… When I've never made this easy on anyone before… so I'm not going to start now. This is only just the beginning of the torment I'm unleashing on you all for centuries of anger and rage." SherKhan raised his hand as wind gusted around them again, raging like a fierce tornado, destroying trees and sending debris everywhere.
The wind storm struck Storybrook hard as well. A tornado stronger than anything they'd seen ripped from the forest bearing down on the town as Zelena ran into the square.
"Only I'm allowed to use this kind of wicked magic around here." She snapped as her daughter Robin stood behind her.
It was all Regina could to do keep them all grounded. Emma was down on her knees, as SherKhan went to Ingrid's side, grabbing her right arm. She let out a yell of pain as her arm burned that triggered Emma.
The pain in Ingrid's arm stopped as abruptly as it happened, the next thing they knew, SherKhan yelled out as he was forced to let her go. His whole hand was seared black from Emma's own protection magic.
"I won't let you touch her anymore," Snapped Emma.
In alarm and shock that Emma had managed to hurt him in this way, SherKhan looked up at the tornado he sent to Storybrooke. There was sparks of green magic swirling all around it as Zelena was working to dissipate it before it did any real damage to the town. Until abruptly it disappeared altogether.
By the time Regina and Emma looked back, SherKhan had vanished.
"Coward!" Shouted Emma.
"Ingrid?" Regina looked over at Ingrid who was still working on keeping the black magic pillar restrained.
"I'm ok," She replied as Emma hurried up to her daughter.
"We have to find a way to stop this." Said Emma. "Any ideas?" She looked at Regina.
"We need to get to Belle and Gold, they should be able to find something to stop this black magic from spreading, and we can look for a way to use Khan's aversion of fire to defeat him." Regina replied, lowering her hands.
Emma walked up to Ingrid.
"You going to be ok on your own for a bit?" She asked her daughter, putting a hand on her face.
The familiar touch almost made Ingrid shed a few tears which she choked back, then nodded.
"I'll be fine. I'll do my best here, you go do your best with the others." Ingrid said.
Emma hugged her daughter briefly.
"Emma-" Regina said.
"Right, we'll be back." Emma turned away and the two poofed from the scene.
It was several hours later when Belle, Rumple and Gideon were found in the library with the others. Rain was pouring down on Storybrooke.
They were digging, and digging through the more ancient of the books. They hadn't seen Gideon or Niel for some time when he came dashing around with a big, heavy volume.
"We found something!" He gasped, letting his mother move the book she was going through away before accidentally slamming his open on the table.
"Look, here!" Neal pointed.
"Easy, there." Emma said.
"It's a passage about SherKhan that we've been looking for." Regina's eyes were roving across the ancient text with ease.
"The shape shifter called SherKhan came to the Dark One before Rumple took the mantle. He sought the power to command the weather so he could hide his island of treasure, after a pirate with a hooked hand attacked centuries ago and raided the island for his treasures. He received his powers he was looking for, but in exchange there was a curse- if his shadow is ever caught by an arrow shot from a Queen's bow, then consumed with flames, he can be killed." Belle read out loud. "The Tiger swore long ago to find the pirate, to put a sore cursing on him that would take what HE treasured most in revenge as he continued his ravaging across the Enchanted Realms, rebuilding his treasure stores. If one ever crosses paths with the tiger, beware the power he possesses."
Emma turned to look at Killian.
"What? A pirate will be a pirate. Especially when he's young." He said. "I do feel guilty that this involved our lass though," He added.
"She's a tough one," David interjected. "Snow, why don't you get your bow. And we can move forward from there."
"How long has it been since you used that thing?" Asked Neil.
"A while. But it's like riding a bike or driving, you never forget." Snow replied with confidence. "Now, let's go skin us a Tiger."
SherKhan wasn't going to make this easy. With his magic he summoned the storm of a century to fall upon Storybrook. Wind, rain, hail. Thunder and Lightning booming all around. It would take an expert marksman to find then shoot his shadow in the midst of this gale. He was also using everything in this storm to weaken Ingrid even as she cast her own spells to keep warm and steady after the sixth hour of standing at the black magic pillar came and went.
Prowling around the center of the clearing, he crouched down with steely eyes as a group of people came bursting through the trees. Snow White with her bow and arrow, Regina- who couldn't believe after all these years that she was having to actually work with Snow White rather than try to kill her- was ready with her waterproof magic fire balls. Niel was there to see his mother in action, David and Killian were there with their swords just in case they were needed and Emma was there for her daughter's sake.
"So you're back..." Grumbled SherKhan's voice from the shadows. "So that means you must feel confident that you've found a way to defeat me?"
"Come out you bloody coward..." Muttered Killian.
A flash of lightning as the tiger jumped out from the trees with his front paws slamming on Killian's chest, sending him crashing to the ground before the tiger vanished.
"Killian...!" Emma called out as Killian slashed at the retreating tiger's back legs.
Before Killian could say he was all right, the tiger lashed out again, this time at David who ducked down at the last second.
Lightning flashed revealing the tiger's shadow, but Snow couldn't get a good shot in all the confusion and an arrow nearly hit Regina across the ear.
"I would mind NOT loosing an important body part in all of this," Snapped Regina as the arrow lodged itself into a tree trunk with a dull 'thunk'.
Lightning flashed again, and the tiger was gone.
"It's like a cat and mouse game..." David said as he helped Killian to his feet.
"Only we're the mouse..." Regina retorted.
The tiger appeared in the shadows of the lightning strikes yet again, and Snow saw his shadow. She already had another arrow ready in the bow. Seeing this the tiger jumped erratically from side to side before leaping into the air to aim a strike at Ingrid. But this was Snow's chance, she saw the shadow in a blindingly brilliant flash of lightning and literally took the shot.
"I won't let you lay another finger or paw on my granddaughter!" Snow declared as SherKhan fell to the ground in his human form.
"What's going on...?" Gasped SherKhan as Rumple himself stepped into the clearing. "What did you do to me?!" He demanded of Snow.
"She didn't do anything." Said Rumple, with a bit of his old, crooked sneer on his face. "And neither did I for that matter. Let's just say I'm making good on an old contract signed by a relative of yours, made centuries ago."
A scroll of paper appeared in his right hand and unrolled.
Ka'a's name was signed at the bottom.
"Only with her death at the hand of the child of the Savior can the way to my defeat be opened... The hell is this rubbish?" Demanded SherKhan as Rumple walked forward to let him read it.
"You see, long ago when your dear older sister saw a flickering of the path you were leading yourself down... She got cold feet. Or scales, as it were. And called my predecessor Nimue to her for aide. Nimue told her that if you ever felt remorse for the acts you were committing- robbery, murder and so on- that there could be a way for you to be forgiven and have a normal, carefree life. But Ka'a said you took the lives of an entire family to seek their treasure for your little island. K'a'a was desperately trying to find a way to bring an end to your reign of terror all while pretending to work for you."
"LIES!" Shouted SherKhan. "My sister would never betray me like this...!"
"Oh, but she did. The Dark One told her that centuries down the line, there would be a child capable of bringing your end, but at a price. Your price. If you never redeemed yourself before the time that this child is born, there would only be one other option. The death of your sister would bring about your retribution. And the end of this contract." Rumple said.
"I never thought I'd see the day when one of your contracts worked in our favor..." Emma muttered as SherKhan struggled in place on the ground, the storm clouds above swirling wildly above them and the black magic pillar fluctuating wildly.
"Regina..." Was all Rumple needed to say.
"With pleasure." Regina's flames engulfed the shadow of SherKhan.
Ingrid knew it was going to happen the moment she saw the flames make contact, and looked away as SherKhan screamed then went silent. The moment a pile of ashes fell to the ground, the black magic pillar exploded outwards.
"Ingrid!" Shouted Emma as she saw the black swirling cloud pass right through her obviously exhausted daughter, sending her forward onto the ground.
Snow was closest, and raced over to help her granddaughter to at least be sitting up.
"I'm alright... Just a bit tired..." Breathed Ingrid as her parents rushed over, after Killian sheathed his sword.
"The storm's clearing..." Said Regina as she was looking upwards, so did Rumple. The message behind the statement didn't escape him.
"Anyone would be tired after standing like that for six hours straight... I'm so proud of you." Emma hugged Ingrid. Then Killian hugged them both, followed by Snow.
"If you all will excuse me, I should be getting back to help fix the shop from the storm damage." Rumple said before walking away.
"Storm damage... Right..." Regina sighed, seeing the happy family. "I'd better go check on the town and see if anyone needs any help with repairs."
"Thanks for the help," Emma said, to which Regina nodded and she too left.
"I'd wager it's time to get our duckling back home so she can get cleaned up and rest." Stated Killian. He'd never seen Ingrid this tired before.
"I'm glad everything turned out ok, why don't Neal and I go fix up some dinner for everyone. We can have a nice, relaxing evening at the loft before we turn in." Suggested David.
"That sounds great," Smiled Emma as she helped Ingrid along.
Ingrid was grateful for the adults to be taking charge in the situation. Her brain was in a state of dull buzzing, having never used her magic this long without breaks. She fought back a light cough, which she figured was the result from standing in the rain for hours on end, and hobbled her way back to town and to their home.
Emma kissed Ingrid on the forehead before she went off into the bathroom where with a touch of magic, she summoned fresh clothes to rest on the sink for her. As she took off her blue leather jacket she saw a portion of her upper arm was burned black from where SherKhan had burned her. There was something else. The scars from Ka'a's attack aboard the pirate ship were flashing pale against the black burn. Almost in reaction to this Ingrid let out a gasp of pain, remembering subconsciously the poison that had threatened to take her life little over a year ago now. Momentarily she doubled over before she could regain control over herself.
What was that just now? SherKhan was gone. She'd felt his presence leave Storybrooke in a way that was final. Taking a few deep breaths, she calmed herself. Using a healing spell, she managed to get the pain to go away. She was sure the marks would heal themselves in time. She could practically hear her master harumphing at her to have patience and a clear mind before attempting the spells in the first place, which brought a smile to her face.
Afterwards, she enjoyed a nice soothing lavender bubblebath. It was touching that her mother managed to have a fresh bottle of her favorite bubblebath waiting for her when Ingrid quite clearly remembered she was nearly out of it when she was taken away.
When she dressed again, it was a simple blue long sleeved shirt, jeans and socks. She was going right to bed after this, so she didn't need a complicated day outfit at least. Food wafted into the bathroom and her tummy rumbled rudely just as she was getting her other sock on.
"Ingrid, dinner's ready," Her mother called after knocking on the bathroom door.
Ingrid opened the door, which made Emma jump.
"Oh! I wasn't expecting you to be ready." Blinked Emma in surprise.
"Yeah, well, my stomach was dictating how quickly I finished in here." Grinned Ingrid embarrassed at herself as her stomach rumbled again.
It was a nice family affair as Ingrid sat between her father and Snow White at the kitchen bar. Ingrid and Neal fought over the can of olives until David brought out two other cans to settle the score. Neal- who always wanted to be a good uncle to Ingrid- made her favorite things with help from his father David and a good time was had by all. At the end of it, Emma found Ingrid fast asleep on the couch in the living room area.
"Killian-" Emma said quietly.
"Ah..." Smiled Killian.
"We were going to serve dessert, but it seems someone's needing rest." Smiled Snow.
"You can put the cake in the fridge, there should be some space left." Emma said as Killian went to wake Ingrid.
She had her back facing the rest of room with her bad arm exposed, so when Killian touched her arm she sort of jolted out of the deep sleep. She didn't jump or anything, but it was an alarming way that she woke up with her eyes snapping open.
"Hey kid, time for you to get upstairs to bed." Said Killian, figuring this was just a knee jerk reaction from not being used to being back home yet.
"Eh..." Blinked Ingrid as she sat up, really not awake. She rubbed her eyes with her right hand. "Oh...Bed...Right..." And she slouched off. "G'nite..." She grumbled, climbing the ladder, and closing the door once she was up there.
"Glad to see some things haven't changed," Chuckled Neal as he helped put the dishes in the dishwasher.
"Neal-!" Said Snow.
"What? She's always been a zombie when she's not really awake." Neal pointed out.
Just after the clean up, Emma's phone vibrated.
"What is it?" Asked Snow.
"It's Regina. Apparently there's been substantial damage done to certain parts of town that need more than magic to help repair. And we need to take stock of what belongs to who." Emma read the text message.
"You guys go, we'll stay here in case Ingrid needs anything." Said Snow to Emma, Killian and David.
"You sure?" Asked Killian, to which Neal nodded. "In that case, we'll owe you."
"See you later then," Emma said and she David and Killian went to help with the recovery efforts currently going on.
The next morning, and Ingrid felt much better. She expected to wake up and feel ten times worse. She could also smell breakfast cooking downstairs.
Snow was already awake, and Neal was fixing breakfast for them as Snow helped set up the dining plates.
"Ingrid!" Said Snow cheerfully as Ingrid came down from her room at eight o'clock after getting dressed in a black long sleeved shirt, blue jeans, shoes and her blue leather jacket.
"Hi Grandma," Ingrid yawned hugely. "Where's mom and papa?" She asked.
"They had to leave to help with the recovery efforts from the storm that SherKhan caused last night. They should be wrapping up soon." Snow replied as Neal tipped a stack of pancakes onto Ingrid's plate.
"Another feast?" Blinked Ingrid.
"You look underfed. And that's saying something because you've always been a scrawny little git." Teased Neal in the way he always did. "I'm going to come by every morning and evening to make sure you're eating good until you get better."
Snow was grinning in spite of herself.
"I'm not sick..." Muttered Ingrid as she took a seat regardless.
"But you were muttering in your sleep all night when you used to sleep without making a sound." Snow commented, sitting next to her granddaughter.
"Like it or not, we're going to keep checking on you." Neal had put bacon and hash browns on all their plates, with plenty of leftovers for Emma and Killian when they came back.
"I don't even remember what I was dreaming about..." Said Ingrid truthfully.
"Thanks mom-" Neal said quickly as Snow poured him some orange juice.
"Blueberry?" Ingrid saw the type of pancakes Neal made.
"One of your favorites." He added. "No excuse not to eat."
She grinned as she cut into her meal.
At the end of it, Ingrid was helping with the clean up when her parents came through the door. Looking happy but exhausted.
"Ingrid!" Emma said, rushing over to her daughter to give a hug from behind.
"Ack-! Hi mom." Ingrid put the silverware in the dishwasher after her mother unhanded her.
"So sorry we had to take off like that, but luckily everyone in the town is ok and the damage was minimal." Emma explained.
"How was she?" Killian asked Snow.
"She was just fine, slept through the night." Said Snow as she helped Ingrid clean up.
"Sleep sounds wonderful," Emma sighed with a hand still on Ingrid's shoulder.
"Well, we left plenty of breakfast for you guys." Neal stated, pointing to the stovetop and oven.
"What's your plan for today?" Killian asked Ingrid after she was done with clean up.
"I was thinking of wandering Storybrooke for a while. Get myself reacquainted with my hometown again. Then see where the wind takes me." Replied Ingrid. "I should be back by the afternoon, or whenever I get bored."
"That sounds good. You've earned a bit of freedom." Emma nodded.
"It helps when my parents know just about everyone in town too on the off chance something happens." Said Ingrid sarcastically.
"I wouldn't say everyone, but a good portion of the town yes." Killian agreed with the sentiment.
Raising her hand, Ingrid's messenger bag appeared in her grip.
"Ingrid...!" Said Snow in pleasant surprise.
"You've gotten better!" Smiled Emma.
Ingrid gave a cocky sort of smile, having let her mom and grandmother know in her own subtle way that she was much more confident in her magic than she used to be.
After Snow and Neal said goodbye and went back to the farm, Ingrid saw that her parents ate some food before she stepped out herself. Standing on the steps of the loft building, she took in the salty sea air that permeated Storybrooke which she missed the moment she got her memories back.
"Seems our little duckling has started to spread her wings," Said Killian, watching Ingrid walk down the street from the window in the living room.
"Hard to believe she's already twenty years old." Sighed Emma, taking a last sip of cocoa with cinnamon from her mug for that morning.
"Feels like it was just yesterday she was starting to play swords with Henry by the beach." Killian looked up at the blue skies that he'd grown accustomed to over the years.
It felt like it was finally time for a new chapter in their lives now that SherKhan had been defeated.
A woman, a teacher at Storybrooke high no less, was also waking up that day. She had flaming red hair, and during her time off she was known for wearing brilliant green feather boas and bright orange shirts. Known to her students as Mama Opal, she caught sight of Ingrid walking down the main street.
"I see she's back," Opal muttered as a flying horse fluttered around her head. "There you are, you naughty little creation." With a casual wave of her hands the horse turned into a horsefly before zooming away. "It's time I got to my class." At that, she was back in her pant suit, heading to the home economics class room.
Author's Comments:
Sorry this took a bit to get out to you guys, life and such was happening and I needed a brief break. But I was finally able to come back after a week or so, and resume the story so yay!
I'm rewatching Once Upon a Time as I'm going along in my plot to make sure I can get certain things down with character personalities and so on. It's a little tricky because of how they change throughout the series, but hopefully I managed to keep true to how they are in the show.
The person I've brought in at the end of all this was a figure from the Snow White special from the 90's, "Happily ever after". I've wanted to bring in aspects of the show for a long time. I know it's not strictly Disney, but they brought in things that weren't strictly Disney in the show before like Frankenstein and mentions of the unknown stories.
I always felt that was a lost opportunity to bring in someone like Mother Nature or some of the other characters in different stories. And now it feels like the perfect chance to bring them into my little universe.
I hope everyone's well.
On to the next!