Welcome to the Jungle Chapter 3
Tinkerbell, Regina, Rumple and Will leaped out of the portal falling face first into the dirt. Regina growled as she pushed herself off the ground. "I hate Wonderland," she muttered.
"That makes two of us love," Will responded as he glanced around. It looked the same. Nothing but greenery all around.
Tinkerbell was helping Rumple get steady. "Where is the white rabbit?" she questioned turning to Will and Regina. "You two are the only ones who know this place. Where could he possibly be?"
"Technically, I was only here for a few hours," Regina said. "I'm sure Will can tell you."
Tinkerbell's gaze landed on Will who appeared distracted. "Will?"
He blinked. "Right. The silly rabbit. He's always running because he'll be late for one thing or another. I say we just walk until we find him."
"That's it. Just walk around for days on end looking for a rabbit," Regina huffed. "There has to be a better way."
"I would call on Alice but she's back in her time," Will said. "Since Alice isn't a choice…yeah, we walk."
"So we walk," Tinkerbell stated and started down the hilly path.
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"Neal!" Anastasia whispered harshly. She rolled her eyes at how Neal could almost sleep through anything. They had plans to discuss and they needed a window of opportunity to break out of their prison.
She searched for something she could use to wake him up. She found a small pebble and smiled. She threw it at him causing him to stir.
"Good, it's about time you woke up," Anastasia replied.
"Good morning to you too," Neal said. He sat up stretching his limbs. "What time is it?"
"I would say mid-morning," she replied. "Were you able to think of a plan at all last night?"
Neal sighed. "Nothing that wouldn't get us both killed."
"It's a risk I would take to get out from Jafar's thumb," Anastasia stated.
Neal smirked at the woman's proclamation. She reminded him so much of Tink. Tink, he realized, was probably going stir crazy looking for him. Not to mention his father and Henry.
"What would my father do?" he thought to himself. "Create a loophole. Make a deal."
He looked at Anastasia with an undecipherable glint in his eyes. "You said Jafar wants my father. Well, my father is the king of loopholes. I'll offer up my father for my freedom."
Anastasia blinked rapidly at the suggestion. "He'll call your bluff."
"No, he won't."
"Yes, he will. You don't know but in Wonderland there is a hideous beast called the Jabberwocky. Neal, it can look inside your soul and make you go temporarily insane."
"That's intense," Neal replied dryly. "Look I've faced the Dark One, Peter Pan, Captain Hook and countless others. What can one animal do to me?"
"Plenty," she replied. "Think of another plan."
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"This is growing tedious," Tink whispered to Regina. They had been walking for hours.
Regina gave her an encouraging smile. "Have hope. That's what you keep pounding into me every day."
"You have your love," she said.
"And you'll get-
"Hey!" Will shouted. The scream drew the attention of the white rabbit. Will ran to catch up with the rabbit.
The white rabbit backed away slowly. "The White King. This must be a mistake. You're dead."
Will squatted down in from of him. "Clearly I'm alive. I don't have much time rabbit. Where is Anastasia?"
"Anastasia?" Tink questioned in disbelief. "Neal-
Will's hardened gaze willed her to shut up. "Yes, Anastasia." He turned to the white rabbit. "Does the Queen of Hearts have her?" he questioned knowing the rabbit would take the question as bait.
Regina stiffened at the mention of her mother as did Rumple. The woman's name still brought a sense of fear to both even though she was dead.
"The Queen of Hearts is dead. Jafar has her locked away in his prison. He seeks revenge against those who took her life."
Will nodded in understanding. "Take me to her," he demanded. However, the white rabbit declined.
"My family is once again in danger. Jafar will kill them."
"You have my word that no harm will come to your family," Will stated.
The white rabbit's eyes looked over the four humans in front of him. "Alright. I am at your service."
Xxxxxxx
"Who is Anastasia?" Tink asked Will. They were walking side by side following the rabbit.
"My wife, the White Queen," he replied. "She is my true love. We had our differences but we worked through them. We have never left each other's sides since then. Then after Cora's death the land seemed thrown into chaos with Jafar at the center of it. His magic was strong and he broke the laws of magic."
"What do you mean he broke the laws of magic?" Regina asked. She was halfway listening until she caught wind of Will's last statement. "That's hard to do."
"He did. Alice and I tried to stop him but we were too late. He wanted power at any cost. Yet, he still found time to enter a twisted love affair with the Queen of Hearts. He must've gone mad."
"Over Cora?" Rumple said with disgust.
"Rumple," Regina said dangerously.
"So why kidnap Neal?" Tinkerbell interjected.
"Me. This Jafar must know I am responsible in some way for Cora's demise," Rumple added. "My son is paying the cost. Like he always does."
"Shh," they heard from the rabbit. He started sniffing and grew alarmed. "Hide."
They did and Will recognized the soldiers from their kingdom. They were dressed in black and they looked like they were in a trance. One soldier stopped right where they were in the bushes and moved closer.
Regina was ready for an attack as was Rumple but the sound of a man's voice cackled. "Do you see something troubling?"
"No, King Jafar. Nothing at all."
Jafar nodded. "Good. I must pay a visit to my newest prisoner."
Tink put her hand over her mouth to keep from being heard. All four of watched as Jafar and the soldiers departed but not before hearing the clang of keys hit the dirt.
Will smiled and made a dash for the keys. "I do believe this is our way in."