Meanwhile on the shores of the Enchanted Forest...
Mulan, Aurora, and Prince Phillip stood over the unconcious body of a man wearing a blue jacket and a scarf. His brown hair was tossled. His complexion was ashen, and his chest bled from a deep injury. "We need to get him help quickly, or he isn't going to make it!" said Aurora. Mulan took off her helmet, reached into her satchel, and retrieved a little leather pouch.
"A good friend once gave me some fairydust to use for emergencies. I think this counts." said Mulan. She reached her fingers into the pouch and drew out a pinch of powder which she proceeded to dust over the man's chest, healing his injury.
"I think he's waking up!" said Aurora as the man started to moan. She turned to Prince Phillip. "Hurry and get him some water." Prince Phillip nodded curtly and headed off with a canteen.
"Emma..?" the man moaned, his eyes still closed. Aurora and Mulan exchanged curious glances.
"Shhh...you're going to be ok." said Aurora as she kneeled over him, her lavender dress billowing around her. Phillip returned from the stream with water and held it carefully up to the man's lips while Aurora held his head up so he could drink. Mulan watched from behind.
The man's eyelids twitched for a moment and then fluttered open. His eyes darted around and took in his surroundings. "I'm...alive... Where am I?"
"You're in the Enchanted Forest. I'm Princess Aurora, and this is Prince Phillip and Mulan." Each bobbed in greeting. "Can you tell us your name? Do you remember what happened?"
"I'm Neal...Neal Cassidy." He said. "I was shot and then fell through a portal into another world. I didn't think I was going to make it...thank you."
"It is our duty to help others in need." said Mulan.
"You were mumbling a name before you woke up," said Aurora. "Emma? We met an Emma from another world not long ago. We helped her and her mother get home."
"Wait..Emma came here? Are we talking the same Emma? Long blonde hair and an affinity for witty sarcasm?" said Neal.
"Yes, that sounds about right!" Aurora laughed. "You know her?"
"Yeah, she's the mother of my son. Oh God, poor Emma. She must think I'm dead...and Henry-Man, I was just starting to get the hang of this father thing."
"I don't know if it's possible to find another portal to get you back." said Mulan. "We had quite the journey to get Emma and Mary Margaret home."
"Wait." said Aurora. "What about the room of fire? We might be able to at least talk to someone and let them know he's all right."
"I thought you stopped having the nightmares a few weeks ago" said Prince Phillpe. He put his arm around Aurora.
"Yes," said Aurora, "but I can reach it again. We still have more of those poppy seeds, don't we Mulan?" Neal looked at her quizzically. "Anyone who has been under the sleeping curse has the ability to go to this room." she explained. "Both Henry and Mary Margaret have also been under one."
"Really?" said Neal. "Wow, if I ever get to see Emma again, she'll have a lot of stories to fill me in on!"
"Are you sure you want to do this, Aurora? You know how dangerous that place is, and there's no guarantee any of them will actually be there at the same moment." said Mulan.
"Do it. I want to at least try something." said Aurora. Mulan raised her eyebrows, but she and Phillpe began to clear a spot in the sand so Aurora would be comfortable. Aurora sank down on her stomach and folded one arm underneath her head. "I'm ready." Phillip squeezed her hand as Mulan sprinkled her with the special dust.
Instantly Aurora felt herself drift out on consciousness, deeper and deeper until she reached that dreaded room again. It was just as she remembered it, flames and searing heat everywhere. She had to move slowly and deliberately to avoid getting burnt as the injuries would follow her into the waking world. "Hello!" she called out as loud as she could muster. "Is anyone out there?"
At first, all she heard was the roar of the fire, and she began to think her idea had been completely foolish. Why would any of them even think to come here if they believed Neal was dead? Then, a voice broke out from a distance. "Aurora! Aurora, is that you?" Aurora squinted and shielded her eyes with her hand.
"Henry! Over here!" said Aurora. The young boy carefully made his way over to the princess. "I'm so glad to see you!"
"I'm glad to see you too!" said Henry. "But what are you doing here?"
"I have a message for you and your family," Aurora shouted over the flames. "Your father...Neal? He's alive! He's going to be all right! We are going to try to get him home!"
Henry stared at Aurora with disbelieving eyes, barely darling to hope. "He's alive? My father's alive? Really?"
Aurora nodded. "He really wants to come back to you and Emma. But what are you doing here? Shouldn't your nightmares have ended by now?"
"I'm in trouble!" said Henry. "I've been kidnapped by these two crazy people. They took me through another portal. I think I'm here because of this thing they put on my wrist. It knocked me out!"
"Do you know where they took you?" asked Aurora.
Henry shook his head. "All I know is that it looked like a small island. Tell my dad! Hurry! I don't know what these people want with me. We have to get word to the others!"
"I will, Henry! I promise!" said Aurora. She could feel herself waking up. "Stay strong!"
Back in the Forest, Aurora bolted upright. Phillp pulled her to her feet and hugged her tightly as the others waited for a report. "So what happened?" said Mulan. "You look panicked. What's wrong?"
"Henry's been kidnapped!"