"I think this is it," whispered Snow, as she flattened herself to the ground behind a large boulder. "There's the chink in the wall, and those three rocks are definitely in an "L" shape. The hatch should be under the rock on the left."
David nodded. "It looks right to me. You're sure you can move that, Leroy?"
Leroy rolled his eyes. "I'm a dwarf."
"He can move it," Snow affirmed.
David gave Leroy an apologetic look. "Are we all clear on the plan?" he asked.
"I still don't think you should use any of this stuff," Leroy said. "Anything taken out of Regina's old vault is dark magic. You shouldn't be messing around with it."
"Regina told us exactly which things to find," Snow reminded him. "Don't tell me you still don't trust her?"
Leroy gave Snow one of his trademark cranky looks.
"She gave us her own blood to help us get past the protection spell on the vault," Snow admonished. "If we can just get in and get what we need, we should be good to go."
"Just be careful," David cautioned. "George will be expecting something, I'm sure of it."
Snow kissed him quickly. "Watch for my signal," she said. "Come on Leroy - let's go ."
Snow crouched low, and ran for the wall.
###
"Well, at least we know it's still there," Robin said, surveying the beanstalk with his hands on his hips. "Why do you think he left it standing?"
"The beanstalk is a powerful magical object," Regina said. "Even Rumple couldn't bring it down." She walked slowly around it, studying it. Robin reached out to grab one of the vines.
"Robin! Stop!"
Regina's warning hit a split-second too late. Robin was thrown violently backwards, into the dirt. She rushed over to his side as he slowly rolled over, trying to get his breath.
"What the hell...?" he groaned.
"Are you all right?" Emma asked, kneeling down next to him.
"Rumple's enchanted the beanstalk," Regina bit out. "I was afraid he'd try something like that."
"Well, that's bloody wonderful," Killian snapped. "How do we get to Storybrooke now?"
"Keep your shirt on," Regina said, pushing up to her feet. Killian reached down, helping Robin to stand. Regina motioned to Emma, and walked back over to the beanstalk.
"Come on, it's time you learned this," she said.
Emma raised her brows. "Learned what?"
"Let's get us to the top," Regina said.
"You mean...we're going to...poof?"
Regina gave her a deadpan look. "Yes. We're going to poof."
Emma turned panicked eyes toward Killian. "I can't poof you!"
"I've seen your magic, love. I'm sure Regina's faith in you is not misplaced." Killian smiled encouragingly.
"Come on," Regina said, sliding an arm around Robin. "Are you okay to do this?" she asked him.
"You're not leaving me behind," he said. "Let's go."
Regina stood next to Emma. "It's going to take both of us to get past this spell. Now close your eyes, and put us all at the top. Clear your mind of anything else. Just put every one of us there with your thoughts and don't get distracted."
Killian reached out to squeeze her hand. "You can do this, Swan."
She glared over at him. "Don't distract me. I'm poofing, here."
"Sorry." He stepped back, trying his best not to look wary.
"Okay," Emma said, wetting her lips nervously. "One...two...three!"
###
Henry biked out from the bus station in Rockland, keeping to the back roads but paralelling the coast. When he reached the road into where the town should be, he biked till he reached the water, and the few feet of dock standing precariously at its edge. From there, he started into the woods, looking for landmarks wherever he could find them. He rode where he could, climbing off the bike whenever the terrain got too rough. He found a second pile of ash on the north side of the woods, followed by a third pile west of where the town would be. He set his bike against a tree and stared at it, perplexed.
"This is not a coincidence," he said. He reached into his back pack, pawing past the tattered paperback, storybook, snowglobe, change of clothes, granola bars and bottle of water, and pulled out his notebook. He sat down with his back against a tree and began to write.
PILES OF ASH
- DOCK
- NORTH
- WEST
PART OF THE DOCK GONE
ASH FROM FOREST FIRE?
He put the pen to his mouth, chewing on the cap.
"Wait a minute!" He scrambled to his feet, pacing back and forth, thinking it through. "One of the trees that burned was the enchanted tree! If someone used that ash..." He stopped in his tracks. "If they used the ash with the compass..." he paced again.
"Did someone make four different portals? But they need more than just ash and a compass." He chewed the pen again, then wrote:
DID GEORGE MAKE MULTIPLE PORTALS?
What was he trying to do if he did? Would that tear Storybrooke apart? Send it into nothingness? The woods suddenly seemed entirely too quiet and Henry felt completely and utterly alone.
"No." He said it firmly, shaking his head. "The storybook found me. They've got to be somewhere."
There was nothing left to do but get back on the bike and ride toward the south end of town, maybe find another ash pile and hopefully, a clue. Henry stuffed the notebook back in his pack, shouldering it. Then he climbed on his bike, his eyes scanning the terrain as he fastened his helmet. He was just about to push off when he noticed something standing in the distance.
"What the...?"
He pushed off, riding his bike, weaving between the trees until he pulled up, panting.
"Why are you still here?" he asked the wishing well.
###
"Well, that went easier than expected," Emma said, closing the door of Charming's Pawn Shop behind her.
"It was a basic protection spell," Regina replied. "Your father wasn't expecting you to be magic, remember? Not before he changed, anyway."
"He gave me the combination," Emma said, heading back behind the counter. "The compass is in a hidden compartment under the floor of the wall safe." She slid the painting on the wall out, working the combination lock. The safe opened with a soft click.
"Crap. Regina, I need you."
"What's the problem, Swan?" Killian asked, his eyes scanning the street through the window.
"He's got a protection spell on the trapdoor. I need some help, here." she replied.
"I rather doubt that, love. You managed to poof just fine."
Regina leaned her hip against the counter. "He's right, you know. When are you going to start believing in your own power?" She waved a dismissive hand. "Do it yourself."
"Fine." Emma snapped. She narrowed her eyes and waved her hand over the trap door. It slid back a moment later, and she reached in to get the compass.
"It looks like Regina was right," Robin remarked.
"I just had to piss her off, first - as usual," Regina remarked dryly. "Now what?"
"I think we should see where the compass takes us," Emma suggested. "Maybe it's got some insight here. I also want to walk the perimeter - see if there's a weak place or a break in the barrier around us."
"We'll start at the dock," Robin suggested. "Regina and I will head north, and you and Killian head south. We'll circle and rejoin on the western edge of the wood."
Killian nodded. "One thing first," he said, reaching into the case behind Robin and pulling out a delicate tiara. "I would imagine Aurora would like this back."
"Good thinking," Emma said. "We should take a quick look around before we go, in case there's anything that might be a talisman for anyone else we know."
"I see something right here," Robin remarked, reaching for a book, set on a shelf along the wall. "Alice in Wonderland. This is Will Scarlet's."
"I can deliver that personally," Killian growled.
"We'll stop by Smee's on the way to the dock," Emma said. "And we'll let Robin bring his friend back, okay?"
Killian gave her a grumpy look. "Okay," he said reluctantly.
"Let's go," Emma said, suppressing a smile. She looked over at Regina. "Henry's up here somewhere, and we're going to find him."
###
The postern door in the gate opened a fraction, and David made his way quickly inside.
"Well?" he whispered.
"Got it all," Snow said. "Here's the bottle." She pressed a small glass vial into his hand. "And this is the other thing Regina was talking about." She gently placed a small disk into David's hand. "Squeeze it when you're ready. George is reviewing maps in his war room, but his servant just announced dinner in his private salon. I think that's our best shot."
"Let's go," David nodded. "Leroy - stay by the door so we can make a quick exit."
"Sure," Leroy replied with a sneer. "Go kill yourselves with magic in front of a megalomaniac. No skin off my nose."
"Thank you, Leroy," Snow said, kissing his cheek. "We'll be right back."
Leroy's eyes softened and he grabbed her arm. "Take it easy, sister. Run away if you need to. We can do this another day."
"That's our son," Snow replied. "We're not running away." She patted Leroy's hand, then followed David down the hall to the salon, where a lone guard stood at the doorway. After peeking around the corner, Snow reached carefully into her pocket, sliding out a small pouch and loosening the drawstring. She poured the glittering pink dust inside into her hand.
"Here we go," she whispered to David, then she stepped out into the hallway.
"Stop!" said the guard. "Where do you think you're going to?"
Snow gave him an annoyed look. "Was that preposition really necessary? I think not." She opened her hand, and blew the dust into his face. The man instantly took on a dazed look, smiling vacantly.
"Come on," Snow whispered, motioning to David. "Regina said this will only buy us a minute or two."
David hurried past the guard who was grinning a terribly silly grin, as though he were watching imaginary unicorns frolic in a field of singing flowers.
"He won't remember any of this?" David asked.
"No," Snow affirmed. "But he will have an urge to eat sweets. I have no idea why." They made their way cautiously into the salon, where dinner was already set on the table, covered by silver domes to keep it warm. David took a place behind the curtains, just behind the chair at the head of the table. Snow crouched down behind a large buffet set at the end of the small room, pulling out the small bag of items she'd taken from Regina's vault. They didn't have long to wait.
George strode into the room, taking his seat at the table and began to serve himself as a servant stepped in bearing a bottle of wine. He leaned back so that the servant could pour, then dismissed the man with a wave of his hand. He picked up his knife, and started cutting his meat. Suddenly, a giant cloud of purple smoke erupted, obscuring his vision. Before he could shout for the guard, the smoke cleared and David was sitting across from him at the dinner table.
"Oh, don't trouble yourself," David said amiably. "I can serve my own." He reached for the platter of meat, carving off a slice and putting it on a plate.
"What are you doing here?" George's eyes narrowed.
"I should think that would be obvious," David said with a shrug. "I'm eating overcooked mutton. You really should speak to your chef." He leaned back in his chair, giving George a friendly smile.
George glanced around at the last wisps of smoke. "You have magic?"
"I'm The Dark One," David said, with a condescending smile. "You might as well ask me if the sky is blue, while you're at it."
"You're The Dark One?" George's eyes widened, then narrowed. "What kind of fool do you take me for? "Gua - "
He didn't have time to yell for the guard. David lifted his hand and squeezed the disk in his palm. A wicked looking blade shot out from it, nearly nicking George's neck. George leaned back in his chair, eyeing David carefully.
"What is it that you want?" he asked warily.
"The only thing I ever want," David replied, pressing a raised marking on the hilt of the sword, causing it to retract once more. "I want to make a deal."
"I don't need anything from you."
"Oh, but you do," David said. "The kingdom neighboring yours, for instance."
"Queen Belle?" George actually looked startled. "What disagreement do you have with her? I thought she was your protege'?"
"Was is correct. And my reasons are entirely my own. I've stripped her of her powers, and once you've overcome her forces, her castle - and a newly expanded kingdom - will be yours."
"Your price?"
"A baby." David poured himself a glass of wine. "I hear you happen to have one."
George's eyes narrowed again. "Why this particular baby?" he asked suspiciously. "You're The Dark One. You should be able to grab any baby you'd like."
"Ah, but I like this one," David said, smiling. "I need a child that happens to be the product of true love, and I understand yours fits the bill."
George looked annoyed. "Yes. But I need an heir, and I have a special interest in raising this particular child as my own."
David kept his smile in place, though it hurt his face to do it. He pushed up to his feet. "I'll just give the kingdom to someone else."
George drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "Wait."
David sat back down, steepling his fingers together and staring at George politely. "Yes?"
"How am I going to overcome her forces?" George asked, getting to his feet and pacing precariously close to Snow's hiding place. "Even without her powers, her army outnumbers mine five-fold."
David stood up, walking over to where George stood. "I can help with that," he offered, holding out his hand, palm up and shifting the toe of his boot ever-so-slightly over the tiny orb that Snow just rolled across the floor to him. He leaned forward, crushing the orb, and a cascading shower of sparkling fog engulfed him, blinding George long enough for David to dig the bottle out of his pocket and put it in his hand.
George raised a hand, squinting. "Do we really need all the theatrics?" he griped.
David swished his hand with a flourish. "Can't blame a man for showmanship," he said, offering the bottle to George, who picked it up out of David's palm.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Dark Fairy Dust. It'll reduce your enemies to a form that is easily squashed. "
"Very well. Guard!"
The door opened, and the guard stepped in. "My Lord?"
"Bring my son to me," George snapped.
"Yes, my Lord." The guard hurried off and George turned back to David.
"What are you going to do with the baby?" he asked.
"You'd be surprised how many spells need baby parts," David said with a shrug. He caught a glimpse of Snow's incredulous eyes peeking over the edge of the buffet, and he shot her a warning glance.
George walked over to the table, pouring himself another glass of wine. "You'll understand if I'd like to test the product?"
David smiled. "Be my guest."
The guard returned to the room, bearing a large basket with the baby nestled inside, peacefully asleep.
"Set the baby on the table and come here," George said, pointing. As soon as the guard set the basket down, George unstoppered the bottle, and poured a small amount of powder into his palm.
The effect was instantaneous. He froze, and a slow-moving wave, like a dripping glaze of light passed over his body. A second later he was a statue, glistening like marble with his hand still extended.
The guard stepped forward only to meet with David's fist against his jaw. He crumpled to the floor and David rushed over, closing the door quickly. When he turned back around, Snow was lifting Neal out of the basket, holding him against her.
"Hi sweetheart," she cooed, holding his face to her cheek and rubbing softly. "Oh David, do you think he remembers us?"
Neal opened his eyes, staring up and cooing back. David reached over, and Neal wrapped his chubby fist around his father's finger. "I'd say that's a 'yes,'" David said, jiggling Neal's hand lightly. "I think maybe we're his talisman."
"I think you're right," she smiled, leaning over to receive her husband's kiss.
"We need to go," David said, smiling down at his son. "Uncle Leroy is waiting for your mother and I," he cooed to Neal.
"Your mother and me," Snow corrected.
###
"Well?" Regina said.
Emma shook her head. "Nothing. We circled the entire perimeter. And the compass just keeps pointing toward the barrier." She pushed her hand through her hair.
Hook's hand slid around the back of her neck. "We'll get to him, love. We'll find a way."
"Killian's right," Robin agreed. "Henry's out there somewhere and we're just going to have to find a way through."
Emma met Regina's eyes. "Let's do it."
"Together?" Regina stepped forward.
"You're going to try to take the barrier down?" Killian asked.
Emma nodded. "And this time, I am more than motivated enough. I am tired of this upside down crap world we're in. I want my son back. I want my life back. Let's do this."
Her mouth was set in a grim line and Regina raised a brow. "Finally. Keep that anger," she said. "It feeds your power. Let's both be good and pissed about this, shall we?" She put her hands up and Emma followed suit.
"One...two..." Emma and Regina threw everything they had at the barrier, but it wasn't budging, the harder they tried, the more immovable it seemed. Emma was just about to drop her hands when suddenly, the barrier started glowing, shifting, becoming more opaque.
"Are you seeing this?" Regina said, her eyes growing wide.
"We're all seeing it," Killian said, his voice clearly echoing his own shock.
Robin stepped up next to them, his jaw hanging open. "Is that...?"
Emma nodded.
"It's Henry."