Emma frowned, "The security guards would know Garn fairly well as he visits every month. But a golem of him would do just well as the real Garn. The real Garn would grab the opportunity to alert them about us at the gates.".
Zuri nodded, "True. And the horses don't matter as long as they are pulling carts of food and all...And unfortunately, all the mercs were men...So, we have to hide myself and the other girls somewhere...".
Emma sighed, "We can figure that out on the way. Luckily, it's only three days' trip. Let's talk to Lord Mortimer about the plan. The town, by now, knows that the mercs are officially dead for good.", knowing that with Jason disposing of Garn who's the last merc, the town is almost free.
"The only question is… does anyone know where he is?", Zuri asked. Adam sighed as he got out his mirror.
"I got this.", Adam said as he looked. "Anyone feel like we just kinda use him for that mirror?", Jasmine joked.
Logan snickered, "Jazz, you know he's also good for bashing heads.", while Adam nodded, "Just a block up ahead in the town meeting hall.".
Emma nodded, "Alright, let's go.", and the entire United Talons headed out of the inn to the town meeting hall a block off, and met Lord Mortimer as almost entirely everyone was there, cheering and clapping, thanking and shaking hands.
Lord Mortimer has scruffy yet neat black hair, warm brown eyes, tanned skin, having a slightly scuffled mayor-like suit the casual way, yet his stance is quite regal, thanks to being King Mickey's brother-in-law. Minnie's his sister by relation.
Mortimer thanked them greatly, and then Emma introduced her team by name, but not skill or trade as she's keeping quiet, knowing that the rumors will spread sooner or later, and told some of the plan, asking for carts and non-perishable food to fool the guards.
He was more than willing to help; considering they had helped freed the town from the mercs and were planning on taking the fight all the way to Tremaine's throne. If they destroyed her; then almost all the land would be freed from the tyranny of evil that was threatening the lands.
Still, no plan survives contact with the enemy, but the sooner the Talons could reach Tremaine, the more lives they might be able to save before she could deploy her armies.
In short time after lunch, the team's horses were saddled and hitched to the three supply carts of non-perishable food, fool's gold in jewelry, and barrels of flammable alcohol. Lord Mortimer came up with the idea of igniting the barrels and blasting them in the courtyard between the gates and castle doors for the possibility of Tremaine's army training in there.
The United Talons was impressed, and they were happy to have another advantage at least in the element of surprise, and so, they went on their way.
Knowing the carts are cumbersome, they gladly took their time, figuring that the guards would want all of it to be in perfect condition for Tremaine's sake, stopping for the night to camp out, deserving to relax and train for the nights ahead on this trip.
Deciding to get it over with, knowing that the battle ahead would possibly hurt or kill their friends, Emma and Silver went to apologize to Jasmine for the incident.
"It's alright.", Jasmine responded, acting as if things were fine as they were before. "I know you two were under the potion influence now and that's why you did what you did. I'm not holding anything against you two.".
Silver sighed in relief, "That's good, thank you, lass, for understanding.", and Jasmine smiled genuinely, realizing that the couple in front of her didn't mean to scare her and all.
Emma chuckled with a relieved smile before raising an eyebrow in confusion, "Thank goodness...There's still one thing I gotta ask. I honestly thought you were in bed since it was past midnight. What caused you to be up, and seemingly intent to check on us?", and Jasmine sighed heavily, realizing what she'll say about why she was awake, would cause shock and all, but she cannot lie to her friends who have helped her so much, with the rescue back in Maleficent's fortress and since then. Honesty sticks strongly to soldiers, apparently.
"About that…", Jasmine rubbed her arm as she sighed. "Well, we realized quickly what you were up to… and we thought we should…", she was finding it hard to say the next thing. "It was a sterilizing potion I was trying to give you. Not permanent, of course, but just long enough to keep you from getting pregnant over the night and a few extra.".
Emma gasped, widening her eyes, her heart racing as she whispered in horror, "I was on the six-month pill when we came here...I didn't check the calendar...And the war got us busy...I didn't ask...And I forgot...But I'm almost 28! I waited so long...", tears falling as all kinds of emotions hit Emma at once, not noticing how John reacted when he heard...
John wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. "Come on, Emma, don't cry, if things… if it happens… it'll be alright for the both of us…", he tried to assure her.
Emma stared at him, "But we're dragon shapeshifters, and...gods, the war...", and John spoke softly, "Luv, think of all the allies we got. We can have them in safety if you're truly pregnant...But first, when is your time of the month?", gently asking.
Emma blinked in thought, "Supposed to be two weeks from now...", and John smiled softly, "If you get it, okay, you didn't get pregnant, and no fuss, but if you are, by then, we can figure this out, okay?", gently caressing Emma's belly with his cyborg hand, "Mother or not, I'm glad that it's you by my side and I love you.".
"Thank you…", Emma brushed her eyes as she kissed him back. "I love you too, John.", she whispered.
John smiled warmly, and at a throat clearing, the duo turned their attention on Jasmine, "I'm really glad to hear all of that, and all of us will support you, Emma. Now, just a few facts here that you should know. You're fine for shapeshifting for three months at least, and after that, you have to decide between staying as a dragon or human, depending on the magic involved. As a dragon, perhaps, the pregnancy will be faster, but you might have to search for a sort of nest...As a human, well, you know the obvious next five months, and of course, give birth...But if you didn't get pregnant, at least you know this.".
Emma nodded, smiling gratefully, "Thank you, Jasmine...That makes me feel better...Can we keep this between us? I ain't looking for the team to be overprotective on me from the beginning, especially with what's coming with Tremaine...".
"Especially in the case that we might just be wrong and that perhaps it's all fine and you're not pregnant so we're worrying about nothing.", Jasmine said.
"Yeah, we've got bigger things to worry about at the moment, for sure.", John sighed. "You're right… can't worry about this right now especially if it never comes.", Emma sighed.
Mufasa's voice then sounded out, 'If you may, have Jasmine head back to the campfire with the others. I know you have lots of questions for me, Silver. Especially when I need to teach you how to harness your dragon form at will. You briefly changed your form at your mate's side last night, yes, but that was purely instinct.'
Emma and John heard him, and with glances at each other, John smiled at Jasmine, "Now, why don't you head back to the campfire? Don't worry, I'm just looking to help Emma wrap her mind around all of this. After all, it's better to close the situation than leave it all out in the open between us.".
Jasmine nodded, "Alright. I'll just tell the others that you had apologized to me, and that you just wanted some peace and quiet for talking.", leaving the couple alone, heading to the campfire in front of the abandoned silo tower downstairs.
Emma sighed, "Alright, coast's clear.", and John's tattoo glowed, vanishing out into the fleshy spirit of Mufasa, standing before them, "Before you ask, no, I am not a magical healer, Miss Emma, but I can tell you that there's one other fact I have learned myself upon having shapeshifter friends in the army, and of course, in the heavens. Shapeshifter babies develop a bit faster than human babies.".
"Which means the early signs that I'm expecting might come sooner.", Emma sighed. It wasn't that she didn't want to be a mother, but she was thinking the same thing Jasmine had thought during the night. Being pregnant in these dark and difficult times would add to the difficulties, especially since they were at the forefront of fighting.
"I would not worry so much, you are a very strong being, Emma.", Mufasa gave a small smile.
John grabbed Emma's hand, squeezing it gently as he smiled at Emma, "He's right. You are strong, Emma.", and Emma smiled gratefully at him, "I appreciate that, John.".
Nodding, John then turned his attention on Mufasa, "Not that I'm so glad to have you as my spirit guide and all, but why did you pick me?...I failed you and Simba...I failed Sarabi...".
"You failed no one, John Silver." Mufasa assured him. "Scar was the one responsible for our deaths; not you.". John knew that, but he couldn't help but feel the guilt of not being able to do more. The what ifs that ran in his mind…
Emma touched his shoulder, "Mufasa's right. And besides, there's one thing we can do for him. We can find Scar and punish him for all he has done.". John blinked before grinning lightly, and glanced at his love, "You always find a silver lining, no pun intended.", with a smirking gesture to his cyborg parts.
Emma giggled, relieved that John is now feeling a bit better, and Mufasa chuckled, "I'd be honored of that. Scar is not my brother no more. He has betrayed me, and more people than you could imagine. But for now, we must be patient for that day. And I didn't just pick you, Silver, the Space Stone did. He has spoken to Neverland and Mount Olympus, and when I heard his request, I knew at once that I am not finished yet. I am once and always part of Enchantia, serving my homeland, and if helping you, Silver, is part of that, I'd finally make the whole realm to be a safe and happy place once again, not just for my Sarabi, but for everyone.".
"Thanks, I appreciate hearing that.", Silver gave a small smile. Though part of him would always hold the regret, at least this has cushioned things.
Emma smiled before glancing at Mufasa, "You said that you can help him harness his dragon form.", and Mufasa nodded, "That's right. Once he harnesses it, he can use his skills; fire-breath, his fangs and claws, and a gift. For you, Emma, it's the portals, small and big.".
John nods, "Makes sense. So, how can I start?", and Mufasa smiles, "It took all afternoon after we took on the bond of dragon shapeshifter and spirit guide, but I can show you first.", backing away and changed shape.
He looks like a mix of lion, bird, and dragon. With a fur-like mane of reddish-auburn, with wings of both dragon skin and feathers, lion-ish paws with dragon claws, and dragon spikes alongside the back and tail, the main color gold in the scales, dragon skin, with the bird feathers/spikes pale tan, and the claws black. The eyes are reptilian, with the color of amber, and shrunk to fit the space of the silo, for his full size is reserved for outside.
"Wow… that's eye opening; and very unique. Very few things came close to looking like that back on Earth.", Emma said. All her knowledge of ancient mythology; of which she would admit was very low, had nothing truly coming to mind at this creature she was observing.
John blinked, "That's very impressionable. Am I going to look like that?", and Mufasa chuckled, deeper this time, but still able to be understood, "Not quite. I created this form on behalf of my family signina of a lion, and on my friend, Zazu who is a bird shapeshifter, and that it is on the basis of being a dragon. For your dragon form, it's based on being a dragon, along with one lone animal you have to choose.".
"I see.", John chuckled as he was informed of this. "Well, sounds like a fairly big decision… and here I am stumped on what exactly I could think of. Not many animals that I can think of that I could relate to… especially with how my body has been all these years.". He motioned his mechanical limbs.
Emma smiled, "It doesn't have to be judgmental on the outside.", her hand touching his cyborg arm, with her other hand caressing his face, and John looked at her with a smile before momentarily glancing down at her belly. Even if he couldn't see or know, he knows what's like to be part of family...If it means protecting his possible child/ren, his beloved love, his friends, his immediate family of his sister and nephew...
He then widened his eyes as he then knew what he is to choose. He turned to Mufasa, "I found it. What should I do?", and Mufasa smiled widely, "Search for your core, believe in what you have, with strength and focus, and follow it, and then you will know how to shift at your will.".
John took a deep breath as he closed his eyes to concentrate on what he was to become before Emma witnessed him changing once again; this time however it would be something unique to him rather than what he was at one point the previous night.
Standing before Mufasa and Emma, stood a dark gray dragon with light silver fur as a mane-stripe, with wolf-like claws, a wolf-like tail with dragon spikes on the end, and dragon wings with wolf fur on them. The cyborg parts are enlarged to fit him, all dark silver like in his human form, and his eye is reptilian, but pure green.
"Well, I must say you clean up nicely.", Emma gave a small chuckle as she stood up to feel up John's new form. "Very well indeed.", she whispered as her senses were on high to process his new form.
John purred as he leaned his head down to nuzzle Emma, and Emma giggled softly as John's muzzle tickled her as she caressed him, looking up at his eyes with a smile, "I have a feeling that this is not your full size.".
John snorted, shaking his head slightly, and Mufasa, now back to fleshy spirit form, spoke warmly, "He will be as big as you out there, with a few inches over you, but who cares about that? As I have magic, I was able to talk in my dragon form, but you, Silver, and the others; Pippa and Logan can't talk normally, only able to mentally talk by thought with deep focus. He will have to talk about that with Logan since he has that with Jasmine as she is a magic-sensing person.".
Emma nodded, "Makes sense. We could need that kind of communication while as dragons. After all, there's magic in this world. What about his gift?".
John glanced at Mufasa, and Mufasa smiled widely, "Since you two are soulmates, literally and physically, Silver has a similar gift in the aspect of transportation, and that is the sunlight shadows.".
"Sunlight shadows? I'm afraid you've lost me there, Mufasa.", Emma said as John nodded. It sounded very interesting, but she couldn't make heads or tails about what that truly entails.
Mufasa chuckled softly, "Sunlight shadows is the daylight transportation, sorta like portals, but different. Traveling through shadows in a flash as long as you know where you're going. Sunlight shadows is used by honest, good people like you, John, while nighttime shadows are used by dangerous, bad people like Dr. Facilier. I haven't heard much about him, but he's said to be an apprentice of Madam Mim, the adversary of Merlin, and that they have been stuck on the island of Mau, or so the rumors say.".
Emma blinked, "So, you mean like the shadows cast by the sun every day is the sunlight shadows, and the shadows cast by the moon every night is the nighttime shadows?", and Mufasa nodded, "Precisely.".
"Sounds like a very cool ability… and quite helpful; especially with the plan coming up. If we attack during the day, he could practically walk into Tremaine's room without her even knowing!", Emma exclaimed as suddenly a few extra ideas occurred to her for their plans of attack.
John widened his eyes before focusing momentarily, instantly shifting back to normal, "That would work, but the magic mirror of Adam wouldn't work against the shield, so I couldn't know where Tremaine's bedrooms are or anything.".