Hi, it's Ches!
Here comes chapter 4. I'm sorry, that it took me so long to write it. I had some issues that threw me a bit off the loop and I needed some time to recover.
Anyway, I hope you like it.
I own nothing, neither the characters nor the content of Once upon a time.
From the Ashes
Chapter 4
After Henry had been taken away by phoenix- Regina, the group retreated and gathered at Granny's, to meet with Robin, Belle and Gold.
The town was still in uproar and the streets and alleys near Reginas house and the phoenix' nest had been abandoned.
Emma leaned next to the door, staring outside, while the others talked. Charming glanced at her and turned then to Belle. "So... Belle, what do you have? Did you find some clues in the library?"
"It took me some time, but then I actually found something. I'm afraid it isn't much and I don't know if it helps, but I found this old book, deep in the mythology - section." She carefully opened the old and dusty book in her hand and began reading. "There is a myth about a very old creature with a giant birds body and the abilities to use magic and conjure fire. It is said to be an ancient creature, which lived far away on the peak of a mountain, where some old human tribes built a shrine for it. They believed the creature to be some kind of god, because of its giant build and its impressive magical abilities. The people of these tribes lived in villages in a valley near the mountain. And every now and then some shaman would climb the mountain, bring some goods as tribute and pray to the Phoenix. They believed that the Phoenix would protect their villages, their children and their harvest. But apparently something happened, that enraged the Phoenix and the mountain it lived on became a volcano and erupted. The lava threatened to destroy the village and kill the people, until a young woman, still not much more than a child, went to the enraged Phoenix and offered her life in exchange for the lifes of the village people. The Phoenix by then calmed down, when it saw the girls offer and..."
Belle looked up from the book and looked sad in the round. "And the Phoenix took her offer. It flew high in the air and used its magic to stop the lava from destroying the town and only the girl was swallowed by it." Belle swallowed by the sad story, even if it was only a folklore myth. She went on reading. "The tale goes on by saying, that the Phoenix was so moved by the girls fearless and selfless action, that the Phoenix saved the childs soul and let her be reborn out of her own ashes, as one of its kind. The Phoenix then flew far away.
With time the girls memories of her former life came back and she went in her new body home. But much time had passed and the new human generations forgot the story about the Phoenix and the girls sacrifice. So when the young Phoenix came to the village, the people were scared. They attacked... and killed her."
Belle sniffed at that and accepted gratefully the offered handkerchief from Rumpelstilzkin, as she read on. "When it returned, the other phoenix saw the cruelty of the humans. Enraged and sad the phoenix abandoned the village and all humans. The mythical creature flew away and it is said, that it flies until now around the world, in search of a good human soul, that would proof, that there are still humans worth saving."
With a deep sigh Belle closed the book and looked up. Emma was the first to speak up. "What a sad story. Do you think it's possible, that the phoenix in that story is actually real and chose to save Regina?"
"Isn't that just a story?" Hook asked with a slightly confused face.
Gold looked at him scornfully. "Why would it be? Or have you forgotten, pirate, that in this world, we're all just part of stories?"
"Either way, we still have to find a way to change Regina back." Everyone looked at Robin, who had been quiet this whole time. Gold now looked thoughtful. "Maybe, the phoenix, who originally shape-shifted her could turn her back. But I can't feel any sign of unfamiliar strong magical power in town. So it seems as either the phoenix has already left or is at least too far away from here." Gold thought about it for a while and spoke than again slowly. "Though there is also the possibility that Regina could change back on her own accord. I could for sure and she was my pupil after all."
"But why didn't she then turn back right away?"
"Well, she did almost die. Perhaps she can't remember how to. Or she can't remember who she's supposed to be at all."
Now Robin spoke up fiercely. "Then I will make her remember!"
OoOoOo
In the meantime at the tree
"Ehm... Mom?" Henry asked unsure if the creature, which landed beside him, was his mother after all. The phoenix crooked its head in Henrys direction and settled peacefully next to him in the nest.
A cold wind blew through the trees branches, after all, the town was still half frozen and in the clutches of the snow queen, and Henry started to shiver slightly. He should have grabbed a warmer jacket when he left, but they had been in such a hurry and he hadn't wanted to be left behind.
Suddenly the phoenix stretched one of its giant wings in his direction and draped it over him like a blanket. The wings were not on fire at this moment, but Henry still could feel the body warmth and the slight vibration of the phoenix' pulse that ran through the veins of the wing. It was like sleeping under a giant, living down blanket and was by no means unpleasant. It kept him warm and the familiar heartbeat of his mother made him feel secure.
"Mom! So it is you. I knew it. So you remember me, don't you?" At his words Regina just watched him attentively and listened to the familiar sound of her boys' voice. "So... You can't talk like that, huh? Don't you want to change back? We could then go home, you know. Well, we are home, but I mean we could go inside. Where my room is. Where we have phones and TVs and fridges. Oh and showers and actual beds." While Henry talked and tried to convince his mother to do something about their situation, she only listened and put her head next to his body. "Come on mom! Don't you want to get your real body back? Don't you want to see Robin?" Just as Henry said Robins name, Regina startled and opened her closing eyes wide. She sat up immediately and startled Henry with her quick motions.
Robin?
Pictures flashed through Reginas mind, parts of memories and conversations, all about a single man.
Who?
Just as she was contemplating these memory flashes, she heard sounds and a voice coming straight for her nest. Danger! Protect the little one!
In an instant Regina leapt in the air, while igniting her feathers and flew towards the sounds.
OoOoOo
The others looked at Robin perplexed. Emma was the first to voice her concerns. "How do you want to do that?"
"That's not even the most difficult thing about this situation! How do you even want to get close enough to her? Phoenixes are known for their protective and territorial character. If it senses danger, it is able to ignite its body. In this state it is said to be nearly invincible and extremely dangerous!" Belle quote from her book.
Even Charming voiced his doubts. "And don't forget that she thinks she has to protect Henry! So her mother instincts add to her territorial behaviour and protectiveness."
"I will figure something out, when the time comes. She is still Regina after all! Her behaviour towards Henry showed that clearly. So she won't hurt me... probably." While Robin mumbled the last part, he stormed away to find his love.
When he was almost at Reginas property, he saw something red flying towards him fast. He tried to dodge the giant - and obviously angry - phoenix that attacked him, but he wasn't fast enough. The phoenix stretched its big claws in front of its body, while its fiery wings flapped to allow its body to stay in the air right above Robin. The flapping of these big wings stirred up the dirt on the ground and as Robin had to squint his eyes, the phoenix attacked. Robin was thrown onto the hard floor, while a giant claw trapped him there. Now he was eye in eye with a legendary beast and was facing its anger for disrupting its peace and nearing its nest and its child.
Dum dum dum! It has been such a long time since I wrote something for this story, that I thought you'd like some action.
Sorry, that it's been so long. I hope you still like the story and I would love to get reviews.
Thank you very much for reading!