"So, what's the plan?" Emma asked. She had organised around twenty of the townsfolk into parties of five to spread out in the tunnels, in an attempt to find the creature. They were milling around in the town hall, hefting axes, shovels and anything else that could be used as a weapon. David had his sword belted at his waist, and several of the townsfolk were eyeing it greedily as they clutched what had until that morning been mere gardening implements. Emma, David, Mary Margaret, Leroy and Gold made up the final party. Regina was nowhere to be found, which Emma found both suspicious and worrying. Gold had arrived shortly after eight following her phone call and was awaiting the attention of the group. He looked tired, Emma thought, his face drawn and dark circles beneath his eyes, but he was dressed as immaculately as ever. He reached into his inside pocket and retrieved a glass bottle filled with a poisonous-looking green liquid that sloshed thickly. He beckoned to the Storybrookers and they crowded around nervously, straining for a better look at the potion.
"We appear to have a wyvern on the loose," he remarked calmly, as though he were referring to a stray cat. "As they are by no means indigenous to Maine, I would suggest that it was – released – into the town somehow."
"Regina," said David grimly, and Gold shrugged.
"Well, I know it wasn't me, so that does narrow down the list of suspects, yes. Of course, it could be something of Cora's doing, although that's less likely given the time that has elapsed since her death. Not impossible, however, so perhaps we shouldn't jump to unfortunate conclusions. Regina may be entirely innocent."
"How do we kill it?" called Leroy, and Gold grimaced.
"It would need to be beheaded," he said. "But these things are far tougher than they look. The easier course of action would be to banish it to another realm, which is where this comes in." He shook the bottle in his hand, contents swirling viscously.
"But – what about the people there?" asked Mary Margaret, worry etched on her face. "If we sent it to the Enchanted Forest, wouldn't that put them in danger?"
Gold smiled darkly. "As I understand it, there are few people left there," he said. "But worry not, Miss Blanchard. If it were that easy to open a portal to the Enchanted Forest, I have a feeling we would already be there." She inclined her head, nodding her understanding, and he looked around the group again. "The potion will – contain it, for want of a better word. The creature has magic of its own. It can exist between worlds, and spends much of its time in the underworld. We need to send it back there. I promise we will not be letting a monster loose on what remains of your people."
Mary Margaret relaxed somewhat, nodding again as Gold slipped the potion back into his pocket.
"So, what do we need to do?" asked David, and Gold folded his hands over the top of his cane.
"I suggest you all go down into the tunnels and drive it towards a central point," he said, nodding towards the groups of volunteers. "The cavern below the library would be adequate for our task, and the four of us should wait there. I would appreciate the assistance of Miss Swan to prepare the portal." He looked to Emma at that point, and she nodded her agreement. His mouth twitched. He didn't need her for this, not at all, but the temptation to watch her using more magic, to see her need for it growing, was irresistible. "Do not allow the creature to touch you," he added. "Stay well back from it. It is afraid of fire, so torches would be a good idea. If it manages to strike, it can rip your heart from your chest in an instant."
The townsfolk shifted their feet, shooting nervous glances at one another. Gold smiled coldly.
"However, if it does manage to consume a heart, it will be easy to deal with," he added conversationally, flicking his hair out of his eyes with a brief shake of his head. "It goes into a form of trance when it ingests the heart, so that it can absorb the power, the life essence, of the one slain." His smile widened, gold tooth glinting, as he spread the fingers of his left hand extravagantly. "So, if anyone feels like 'taking one for the team', please be my guest."
David shot him a very level look, and stepped forward, his gaze flicking over the crowd. "You heard him," he said loudly. "We scare it and drive it towards the library. No heroics. If it attacks you, run!" There was a ripple of nodding, and he issued instructions to prepare torches to take down into the tunnels. The crowd broke up, each group checking their weapons as David and Mary Margaret informed them where they would be expected to enter the tunnels. Gold waited, faintly bored, and looked over at Emma.
"Where's Henry?" he asked, as she checked the bullets in her gun.
"Granny's," she answered briefly. "She and Ruby are looking out for him."
Gold grunted. He pitied the wyvern if it tried to attack Granny.
Henry tucked into his hot brownie with ice cream, chocolate smeared around his mouth. Ruby was pacing nervously behind the bar as Granny wiped down the tables for the third time.
"It'll be okay," he said, trying to reassure them both. "Emma will totally kick this thing's butt!" Ruby returned his grin, rubbing her hands together awkwardly as though she didn't know what to do with them.
"Well, I'll be happier when this is all over," remarked Granny. "Wyverns were always bad for business, even back home. I remember, once, when…" She cut off as the door opened and Regina strode into the diner, clad in a dark tailored suit and crimson wool coat.
"Did no-one think to tell me that my son was here?" she demanded, eyes flashing. "I've been worried sick! Where is Emma?"
"They've all gone into the tunnels to hunt the wyvern," said Granny bluntly. "I didn't think Emma was letting you see him, anyway."
Regina took a step forward and glared at her. Granny seemed unruffled.
"Henry is my son," said Regina softly. "I raised him for ten years after she tossed him away, before she waltzed back into his life like nothing happened. Don't you dare try to keep him from me!"
"Mom?" Henry's voice made her turn, and he hugged her. She held onto him fiercely, and he looked up imploringly.
"Look, I don't know what happened between you two before you rescued me," he said, confusion on his face. "But, please, don't get angry! I don't want anyone to fight. I want us all to be a family."
Regina's face softened, and she stroked his hair.
"You're right, sweetheart," she said gently. "I'll try, I promise. But she won't let me see you."
Henry grinned, a little mischievously. "Well, you're seeing me now," he offered. "Why don't you sit with me? Have coffee?"
Without being asked, Ruby poured a cup from the coffee maker, and Regina nodded her thanks, sliding into the seat across from Henry's. He grinned again, going back to his brownie. There was silence for a while as Regina sipped her coffee and Henry scraped his plate for the last morsels of chocolate. Ruby put on more coffee.
"Well, I guess we can settle in for a while," announced Granny. "It'll take them some time to comb the tunnels for this thing. It'll be hiding from them, mark my words."
A noise outside, a scraping, shrieking noise, drew their attention.
"Or," said Ruby softly, nostrils flaring as she stared towards the door. "Or, it could just come right here."
She ran out from behind the bar and grabbed for Henry as the door burst open, ignoring Regina's shout. The wyvern reared up on its thick tail, greenish-black head reaching almost to the ceiling, its glowing red eyes like burning embers, fixed on Henry. Regina leapt up from the table and stood in front of her son, her heart pounding. She reminded herself that she was wearing the amulet, and was therefore safe. But why had it come here? Why had it not gone for Emma? She heard Ruby dragging Henry to the huge walk-in freezer at the back of the diner and pushing him into it, slamming the heavy door shut as Henry shouted in protest. The creature screamed its rage and lunged, and Regina lifted her hands and summoned enough magic to blast it into bits, purple fire streaking from her palms. The magic seemed to fold around the creature, leaving it unharmed, and her eyes widened in horror and sudden fear. It hissed at her, jaw dropping open to reveal a long, forked tongue and sharp fangs. Its breath reeked of blood, a metallic tang in the air, and it swept past Regina, slithering to the freezer. It knocked Ruby aside as though she were nothing and slammed its head heavily against the freezer door. Regina span towards it, tried another spell, but this one again bounced off the creature's hide as though it were immune. Ruby crawled towards the bar, wincing as she got to her feet. The wyvern battered against the door again, leaving a huge dent, and Regina could feel her heart hammering in fear for her son. Why wasn't it working? She couldn't understand why it was after Henry, unless…
"Hey!" shouted Granny, making the creature turn its head as she heaved a pan full of hot oil at it, her hands wrapped in a dishcloth to protect them from the heat. It shrieked in rage and pain, writhing, and lunged at her as she hefted the pan again, smacking it around the head. The wyvern tumbled across the room, ungainly in its agony, and curled in the corner by the door.
"A little help here!" shouted Granny, her eyes flashing fiercely. "Your Majesty, any magic you've got would be useful right about now!"
"It's not working!" snapped Regina desperately, wringing her hands as another spell failed to score a hit.
"Ruby, get my crossbow!" yelled Granny, as the creature reared up once more, its skin blistered from the hot oil, dark rage in its eyes.
Ruby came running from the kitchens, but she wasn't carrying a crossbow. She held a rag that she had dipped in oil and lit from the burners, and she hurled it at the creature. Immediately flames engulfed it where the oil still coated its skin and the wyvern screamed horribly, throwing itself back out of the door and down the street, a trail of fire licking along the road behind it as it fled.
The three women relaxed a little, breathing hard with the shock and sudden exertion. Regina ran to the freezer and released Henry, whose shivering was not all from the cold. He hugged her fiercely and she kissed his head in relief.
"Has it gone?" His voice was muffled by her coat, and she released him, squatting down a little so that she could look him in the eye.
"It's gone," she affirmed. "Granny and Ruby attacked it and set it on fire. I don't think it'll be back any time soon." She shot a grateful smile at the two other women as she said it, and Granny gave her a curt nod.
"Best clean this place up," she said shortly, and strode into the kitchens for a mop and bucket. Regina turned back to Henry, and reached into the collar of her coat, feeling for the chain of the amulet.
"That thing was a wyvern," she explained. "Mr Gold told me what it was, and I've found something that will protect you." She lifted the amulet from around her neck, and placed it around his. "It won't be able to harm you while you're wearing this." She straightened up, and Henry looked worried.
"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice small, as though he were suddenly much younger. She smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring way.
"I'm going to help Mr Gold and Emma to defeat it," she said calmly. "They'll need all the magic they can get. I'll be back as soon as it's gone. As soon as you're safe."
Henry smiled, relieved, and hugged her again.
"I knew it!" he said fiercely. "I knew you could be a hero! Both my Moms are heroes."
Regina blinked back tears as she held him tight. She had messed up with her spell, messed up badly. It must have been Henry that was the last to touch the swan pendant. She had almost caused his death. The thought made her feel as though her insides were freezing over. But he was right. She could be a hero. She could save him and the rest of this crappy town. She could even work with Emma, Gold and the two idiots to do it.
Regina hurried to the library, spying movement inside as she reached for the door handle. Emma and Gold turned towards her as the door opened. Emma was fastening a rope around her waist, preparing to lower herself down the elevator shaft. Regina presumed David and Mary Margaret were already down there.
"Your Majesty," said Gold dryly. "What a pleasant surprise." He nodded over his shoulder at Emma, and she scowled at Regina before stepping back into the shaft and letting herself down. Gold turned back to Regina.
"I need your help," Regina said through gritted teeth. He smiled none too pleasantly.
"I'm aware of that," he said quietly. "Don't worry, I'll get rid of the creature. You did, after all, take the fall for me in Neverland. I have a feeling that's what led to these – unfortunate circumstances." He smiled briefly, lacing his fingers together on the handle of his cane. "However," he added "I'm thinking there's a little more to it than the summoning of this creature to terrorise the town." He watched her carefully, and waited. She sighed.
"What do you want?" she asked unwillingly.
"First of all, tell me why," he asked calmly, and she met his gaze defiantly.
"I summoned it, and gave it Emma's pendant," she began. "I asked it to kill her in exchange for me freeing it – you know the price for that sort of magic." He nodded impatiently, and Regina sighed and looked at her hands uncertainly. "I think it was Henry that last touched the pendant," she admitted. "That thing went straight for him – it ignored me, ignored Granny and Ruby. It wanted him dead. I was going to get rid of it after it killed her, to show Henry that I could do some good, but…"
"So you put your own son in danger for some petty revenge on a woman whose goodwill you ought to be courting," he said softly, shaking his head. "Have you learned nothing in all the years I've taught you? You must stop acting without thinking, Regina." He shifted his position slightly, looking at her, her face drawn with fear and guilt. "Didn't you try to banish it yourself?"
"It won't work," said Regina desperately. "I had to give Henry my amulet, and…"
Gold's eyes widened. "Amulet?"
Regina nodded absently. "Yes, it's made of silver and amber, and has runic…"
He waved a dismissive hand, chuckling mirthlessly. "Honestly, Regina, I thought you would have learned by now not to use something without researching it first," he said, eyes glinting with malicious pleasure. "That amulet protects you from the creature, but as I tell you constantly, all magic comes with a price. The price of your protection, is that you cannot hurt it. No wonder your magic failed."
Regina raised her chin. "Well, I don't have it any more," she declared. "I gave it to Henry. So let's go kick this thing's ass."
"And Miss Swan?" asked Gold lazily. Regina sighed.
"What do you want in return for not telling her?" she asked reluctantly, and he smiled.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, your secret is safe with me," he soothed. "You can still be the hero for Henry. I will help you to get rid of the creature and save the day." His voice was mocking.
"And the price?" she asked flatly. He bared his teeth.
"I want your promise that you will never, either directly or indirectly, bring any harm to Belle," he said simply. She opened her mouth to agree, but he held up a hand, silencing her. "Understand this, dearie," he added menacingly. "Should you ever decide to break this deal…"
"You'll kill me," she nodded impatiently, but he shook his head.
"I'll kill Henry," he said softly. "I'll rip his heart from his chest and crush it. And I'll make you watch while I do it."
Regina gasped, horror mounting in her face. "You'd do that to your own grandson?"
"Well, we haven't really had all that much time to bond," he said dismissively. "And while I may care for the boy, I know his death would be much more painful for you."
"Belle would never forgive you," she said automatically, and he shrugged.
"Rehabilitation is an uphill struggle at the best of times."
Regina was breathing hard, watching him carefully. She was trying and failing to tell if he was bluffing, and he raised his eyebrow.
"Do we have a deal?" he asked quietly, and she nodded mutely.
"Deal," she said, with a tremor in her voice.
"Excellent," he smiled. "Now let's get to work."
A/N Okay, before the shrieks of outrage start, I don't honestly think Gold would ever hurt Henry. Thanks for the reviews - Twyla Mercedes, that's a great idea about Henry, and something I may use in future stories. As for what actually went on in Neverland, once I finish up here I'll be publishing my next story, which will hopefully explain everything.
Hope you're all enjoying this. If so please review. We're nearing the end...