Chapter 17: Emotions
Peter followed Gold's directions easily and was across the town line within minutes. He had no trouble flying again and headed straight for London. He finally made it after a few hours and set out for Wendy's house. He remembered exactly where it was. He watched from the house from a rooftop across the street. He saw a little girl getting ready for bed. A smile spread across his face when he thought he would be seeing Wendy again. He flew over to the window but stayed hidden. The little girl walked over to the window and was looking out, enjoying the beautiful night sky. Peter flew up and startled the young girl causing her to scream and fall backwards.
"Wendy?" He asked as he stood in the frame of the window.
"Mom!" The girl screamed.
"I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just trying to find someone who used to live here." Peter said kindly.
The girl's mother came through the door and was shocked to see someone standing in the window frame. She looked a little closer, trying to see his features in the dark.
"Peter?" The mother asked.
"How do you know my name?"
"It's me, Wendy."
"Wendy?" He asked as he flew closer to her and studied her face. "You've changed."
"I know Peter." She laughed. "It's because I grew up."
"Why?"
"Because that's what happens in this world." She pulled the little girl out from behind her. "This is my daughter, Jane."
He just stared at the girl. "Jane, why don't you go have your snack now." She said pushing the girl out of the room. Peter sat on the floor, acting like a little kid who didn't get his way. She decided to join him and on the floor.
"So whatever happened to Corinne?" Wendy asked.
"What do you care?" He said rudely.
"Well I knew you two were a thing…"
"But that was before I met you! We were supposed to be together." He argued.
"Peter, I was 13 and naive. I didn't know what I wanted then. It was a brief infatuation." Wendy responded trying to make Peter understand. He was still just a boy himself.
He thought about what she had said. He was upset. "How did that day at the Lagoon go?"
"Ahh, that day. Now you have to remember, I was a young girl." She reminded him.
"Just tell me what happened!" He shouted.
"Well, I was jealous of Corinne and I wanted you for myself. Back then, I was willing to do anything to get what I wanted." She said truthfully.
"Even kill her?" He asked arching his eyebrows.
Wendy nodded. "I'm not proud of what I did. If I could change it, I would."
"I believed you. I chose you over her that day because I really thought you were telling the truth!" He yelled angrily.
"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't cause too much trouble." She said apologetically.
"I broke her heart because I. Believed. You." He said slowly and angrily.
"I'm sure you can patch things up! You're still young." She said trying to sound positive.
"You don't understand! I completely threw her to the side like a piece of trash all because of you!" He screamed as he stood up.
She stood up as well. "Peter, calm down."
"Did she try to kill you after the stunt you pulled?" He asked.
She nodded. "Technically, it was the mermaids but she didn't do anything to stop them."
"I could see why."
She ignored his comment. "As interesting as Neverland was, I'm glad I came back home."
"Great for you…you're not the one with the problem. Thanks for nothing!" He said angrily before flying out the window.
"Peter, wait!" She screamed after him but he kept on flying.
Regina put Mandy straight to bed. She whined and complained that it wasn't even dark outside but Regina wasn't having any of it. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out. The night passed and Mandy finally woke up. She didn't even make it down the stairs when Cora caught up with her.
"There's my girl!" She said wrapping her arm around her granddaughter who was still waking up.
"Morning." She said groggily.
Cora began to lead her to the kitchen." Regina told me what happened yesterday. You're better off without him, dear."
Mandy kept her head down without saying a word. Regina saw them come in. She dropped the newspaper she was reading and walked over to Mandy.
"How are you feeling, darling?" She asked, placing her hands on the sides of Mandy's face.
"Fine, I guess." She said depressed as she walked over and sat at the table. She sunk her head into her hands and sighed.
"Would you like something to eat?" Cora asked.
Mandy shook her head. "Isn't there a spell or something that can make someone love you?"
Cora and Regina exchanged glances. "Um…ugh..." Regina fumbled her words. She didn't know what to say.
"There is, but it's not the same as having someone truly love you. Love is a complicated thing." Cora jumped in when she noticed her daughter searching for words to say.
"You can say that again." Mandy sighed.
"If you need someone to talk to, I'm here dear." Cora said sweetly as she sat down next to her.
Regina looked at Cora and arched her eyebrows. "Seriously?!"
Cora looked at Regina as her jaw dropped in shock. "What? I can be a good listener and give advice."
Regina rolled her eyes. "That's hard to believe." She mumbled to herself but still audible to Cora.
"No, it's not! I'm a changed woman." Cora said proudly.
Before Regina could disagree with her mother, Mandy interrupted. "I need to practice my magic again."
"We can. Why the sudden urge to practice?" Cora asked.
"I couldn't even protect myself from Peter, who's powerless!" She said frustrated.
"Is that how he was able to hit you in the head?" Regina questioned.
Mandy nodded in confirmation. "There was barely a scratch on him when I used magic. I was basically defenseless yesterday."
"That's strange. Your magic should be very powerful." Regina said.
"Were you angry?" Cora asked.
Mandy shook her head. "Not that mad, why?"
"You're most powerful when you are working from your emotions. You've proved that the last time we practiced." Cora said.
"Yes but her magic should at least do a little damage, no matter how much emotion she gives." Regina argued.
"I agree." She said to Regina. "Why don't you go get changed and we'll practice." Cora said to Mandy. Mandy did as she was told and went to get changed.
"What's wrong with her magic mother?" Regina asked concerned.
"I don't know right now but I am determined to figure it out." She responded.
The doorbell rang and Regina answered it. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see who was there. "Henry!" She exclaimed. "And Miss Swan…" She said unhappily. "What brings you by?"
"We wanted to see how Mandy was doing." Henry explained.
"We?" Regina asked.
"Yea, their fight was pretty ugly yesterday and she seemed distraught. I just wanted to check in." Emma said.
Regina gave her formal smile. "Well that's very thoughtful of you. Please come in. Miranda is just changing."
Mandy came down the stairs. "Not anymore." She noticed Emma and Henry. "What's up?"
"Just seeing how you're doing." Henry said.
"I'm hanging in there..." She answered truthfully.
Henry pulled Mandy aside, out of earshot form Emma and Regina. "I know you're depressed and have a lot going on right now but could you do me a favor?"
"Um…sure. I guess." She answered hesitantly.
"I need you to distract Emma for like 2 hours or so." He began saying as Mandy arched her eyebrows just like Regina. He continued. "Emma won't let me go anywhere or do anything by myself and I wanna see Tiger Lily without her tagging along."
"Why can't you just tell her to back off a bit?" She asked.
"She still thinks Gold has a hit on me." He answered. Mandy laughed at Henry's attempted mob talk. "Peter said he 'would deal with me later' in the mine yesterday. I don't know what that meant."
"I'm not sure but he's in London right now I'm guessing." She said.
"So will you do it?" He asked eagerly.
"Right, um…I have an idea but I doubt Regina, Cora and Emma will like it. Play along." She answered.
"So…how's Cora doing now that she has her heart back?" Emma asked trying to fill the awkward silence between her and Regina.
"Fine." Regina answered not wanting to get into a deep conversation especially about her mother.
"Good, good." She said not knowing what else to say to her. She was grateful that Mandy and Henry came back over.
"Emma, would you like to stay and practice magic?" Mandy asked as they walked over to them.
Regina shot her a glare and Emma's jaw dropped. "I don't think Miss Swan is interested in magic that much." Regina said trying to avoid Emma staying.
"It's still really unfamiliar to me." Emma admitted.
"That's why you should stay and practice with us. Get used it, ya know?" Mandy exclaimed.
"Yea! See what you can do!" Henry chimed in.
Emma looked to Regina for confirmation. "Your choice, Miss Swan."
"For a little while I guess." Emma finally said.
Mandy and Henry smiled as they gave each other a low high five so Regina and Emma wouldn't see. Regina was not thrilled of Emma's staying. "Shall we?" Regina asked as she tried to sound pleasant. They all headed to the back yard, where Cora was already waiting.
"What's this extra baggage that's following you Regina?" Cora asked referring to Emma.
"Miss Swan will be practicing magic with us today." Regina replied.
"This could be interesting." Cora mumbled to herself.
"Cora." Emma said nodding to the older woman.
"Emma." She nodded back. "What are you able to do?"
"Um, I'm not really sure. It kinda just happens." She replied.
Mandy pulled Henry aside and told him to wait a few minutes, once everyone is distracted, to sneak off and see Tiger Lily. Henry agreed with her plan.
"Miranda, come here." Cora commanded, pulling her away from Henry. She obeyed and walked over to Cora.
"Stand here. You will be practicing with Emma." Cora said standing behind her and placing her hands on Mandy's shoulders.
"But she doesn't know what she's doing. It's not much practice for me." She whined. "Can't I practice with you?" She asked looking up at Cora.
"I'll be guiding you and Regina will be doing the same with Emma." Cora replied.
Regina was talking to Emma about strategy on the opposite side. "Magic is about emotion and…"
Emma interrupted. "Yea, I know."
"Well if you know, then you don't need my help." Regina replied crossing her arms.
"Are you ready down there?" Cora yelled down to them.
"As ready as she'll ever be." Regina answered Cora without taking her eyes off Emma. Emma just rolled her eyes. Regina and Cora both backed away from their "students". Mandy didn't waste any time. She threw out her hands sending Emma flying back. Emma sat up with a bewildered look on her face.
"You could've easily blocked that." Regina said simply. Her voice in disgust.
"How?" Emma asked getting to her feet.
"Oh, now you want my help?" Regina asked, her eyebrows raised.
Emma rolled her eyes. "Yes Regina. I'm asking for your help." She hated to admit it but she needed to learn how to use her magic. It wasn't like she had many options to choose from.
Regina smirked. She liked hearing that 'The Savior' needed her help. "Think about what you want to happen, what you want to do with your magic." She instructed.
"You see how she just popped right back up?!" Mandy exclaimed. "She should at least stay down for a minute."
"You're being sloppy with your magic." Cora shot back.
"What do you mean?" She asked putting her hands on her hips.
"You're just throwing magic left and right without thinking about it. Concentrate on the spell you want to use. That's how your spells will be stronger and more affective." She advised.
Henry didn't want to leave; he was so interested in their practicing of magic. Mandy gave him a nod, which was his cue to sneak off. He tiptoed back into the house slowly. No one noticed his absence.
Mandy concentrated on the spell she wanted to use on Emma. She summoned a fireball in her hand and threw it in Emma's direction. Emma kept Regina's advice in mind as she thought of a shield to protect her. A bright yellow mist appeared in a circle as she held out her hands. As the fireball hit the shield, it made her stumble backwards a little because of how much power and force that was in it. Emma smiled at her accomplishment.
"Don't smile yet, Miss Swan. The battle isn't over." Regina smirked.
Emma rolled her eyes. "You can call me Emma, ya know. I think we're on a first name basis by now."
Mandy frowned. "I did what you said but it didn't really do anything." She whined.
Cora shook her head. "Emma shielded herself. If that was used on someone without magic, it would've done a lot of damage."
"Fine. I think you should attack this time…Emma." Regina suggested.
Emma smirked." And how do I do that?"
"Emotion." Regina said mockingly. "I thought you knew that."
"There's nothing else?" Emma asked.
"Focus." Was all Regina said.
"Thanks…you're a big help!" Emma said sarcastically. She closed her eyes as she tried to summon some emotion but she just wasn't feeling anything. She didn't know which emotion to focus on.
"Any emotion will suffice." Regina said as she looked at Emma's troubled face. Emma kept her eyes closed. It was like Regina could read her mind. She thought about Henry and her parents. A smile spread across her face. She looked down and noticed she just created a ball of energy. She was surprised she created anything at all. Once she was ready, she threw it at Mandy. Mandy created a force field around her but she didn't expect Emma's power to be as strong as it was. She fell to the ground but didn't get hurt.
"You two are pathetic." Cora said shaking her head and crossing her arms.
"Well I don't really know what I'm doing. I don't know what her excuse is." Emma said pointing to Mandy on the ground.
"I just didn't expect it to be that strong. That's all." Mandy said angrily as she stood up.
"Mother, go easy on them." Regina said.
"They'll get nowhere fast if I go easy on them." Cora shot back.
"Fine, let's continue." Emma said.
"Alright, let's go." Mandy agreed.
Emma focused her energy and emotion and a yellow light flowed through her hands. She shot her hands out and the magic shot from her fingertips. Mandy knew what she was up too and generated her own magic. Blue light emanated from her hands as she held them out. The connection of The Savior and The Falling Star's magic was powerful. Cora and Regina could feel how much power was being used as the ground beneath them began to shake a little bit. Emma nor Mandy broker their focus. It was the first time their magic connected but it wouldn't be their last. Their magic together was starting to become intense so they slowly began to draw back on how much they used. Magic started shooting left and right. When Emma and Mandy finally stopped, Regina looked around to assess the damage.
"You broke my vase!" Regina shrieked.
"Oh Regina, stop whining." Cora said as she waved her hand and the vase was back in one piece.
"Where's Henry?" Emma asked looking around the yard.
Mandy panicked. He was supposed to be at least on his way back by now. It's been over and hour since he left. He probably lost track of time she thought to herself. She had to buy him some time.
"He's probably in the bathroom." She blurted out. Well that was a stupid excuse, she thought to herself. It was the first thing that came to mind.
"I'll go check." Regina said as she headed into the house followed by Cora and Emma. Mandy hit herself in the head with her hand. "Shit!" She mumbled to herself. She raced by Emma and Cora to jumped in front of Regina to stop her from going any further. She stopped her before she even got out of the kitchen. "No you can't!" Mandy screamed putting her hands up to stop Regina from going anywhere.
"And why not?" Regina asked putting her hands on her hips.
"Because…ugh…because he might be a while." She lied. That wouldn't by him a lot of time if they believed her, she thought.
"What are you hiding?" Regina asked impatiently.
"Me? Hiding something? Why would you think that?" Mandy asked trying to sound relaxed and in her natural voice.
"Miranda, I've known you long enough to tell when you're lying or hiding something." Regina replied.
"Really?" Mandy said in disbelief.
"Really. Now spit it out." Regina commanded.
Mandy looked down at her feet not wanting to make eye contact with Regina. "Henry isn't upstairs.
"Well where is he?" Emma asked frustrated.
"He went to see Tiger Lily." She said keeping her head down.
"Alone?!" Emma yelled. Mandy nodded. "Why did you let him go by himself? Gold might still try to kill him."
"Peter." Mandy whispered to herself. She realized what Peter meant when he said those words to Henry in the minds. He was going to kill him.
"Did he say where he would be?" Cora asked.
"In the woods. That's where they usually meet." She said coming out of her realization.
"You promised you would protect him…and now you send him out alone!" Emma shouted at Mandy before running through the rest of the house and out the front door.
"I'm sorry." Mandy whispered.
Regina sighed. "Let's go." She said as she grabbed Mandy's hand and pulled her along followed by Cora.
Henry was talking to Tiger Lily and having a good time. He didn't notice Peter come up behind him.
"Henry…"
Henry quickly turned around. "Peter…what are you doing here?" He asked, his voice trembling.
"I told you I would deal with you later and now's the time." Peter said in a deep voice.
"What are you talking about Peter? You're not making any sense." Tiger Lily said looking confused as she made his way towards him.
"This doesn't concern you Tiger Lily." He screamed. She stopped moving. She had never heard him scream like that before and she was scared.
Henry stood in front on Tiger Lily to protect her. "Stay behind me." He whispered to her.
Peter drew a hunting knife from his pocket. "I'm sorry I have to do this Henry."
"You're going to kill him?!" Tiger Lily asked freaking out.
"No. He's not!" A voice said from behind. He turned around and saw Emma, Cora, Regina and Mandy standing there. Peter quickly grabbed Henry and Tiger Lily putting them in front of him as he held the knife to their necks.
"Regina, use your magic! You're better than me." Emma whispered urgently.
"I can't. I might hit the kids." She replied frantically.
"What are we going to do? Anyone have a plan?" Emma asked.
Mandy stepped forward. Regina grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "What are you doing?" Regina asked quickly.
"I need to do this. Please." Mandy pleaded. Regina hesitated but let her go. Mandy walked closer.
"Stop Miranda! Stop moving!" Peter screamed.
She stopped walking not wanting to push him too far too soon. "Why are you going to kill Henry?"
"The same reason you were." He replied. "I made a deal with Gold. The difference is I don't care if he dies. He's not my friend or my family."
"Peter, you're better than this." Mandy said trying to reason with him.
Peter tightened his grip around the kids, holding the knife closer. The kids let out a slight cry.
"How was Wendy?" She asked trying to distract him.
"Old." He said angrily. "She told me what really happened that."
"And…"
"She attacked you first." He said.
"I told you I was telling the truth!" Mandy exclaimed.
"Is this going to take long?" Cora yelled. Regina hit her in the arm indicating her to shut up.
Peter ignored her. "But you just sat there while the mermaids were trying to kill her. You're just as bad as she is."
The anger was building inside Mandy. First he had Henry and Tiger Lily hostage, and now he knows the truth about that day and still hates her. She wasn't playing around anymore. She quickly disarmed him and pushed Tiger Lily to the side with her magic. His real grip was more on Henry. Emma and Regina ran over to Tiger Lily to make sure she was okay. They helped her up and brushed the dirt off of her. Regina looked her over to see if she had any cuts on her. She didn't. Mandy and Peter faced each other. She took a few steps closer. He was eyeing the knife on the ground, only a few feet away. He was debating whether or not to reach for it as he held Henry even tighter.
"Don't come any closer or I'll snap his neck." Peter warned. Henry's face shown pure panic.
Henry moved with Peter as he bent down to get the knife. Mandy quickly took a few steps closer. Peter sliced Henry's neck, enough to make him bleed. Henry winced in pain.
"Henry!" Emma screamed as she raced forward.
"Stop moving!" Peter warned Emma.
"Oh just hand over the boy already!" Cora nagged, fed up with the whole situation. She hated playing games.
"I was so close to coming back to you but then I remembered how evil you've become." Peter said to Mandy.
"Evil? You think I'm evil?" She asked in disbelief.
"Gold manipulated you!" He yelled.
"Just as he is doing to you! You're no different." She shot back.
"I made a deal. I'm not proud of it but I have to follow through. I signed a contract." He argued.
"We can fight Gold together! I'll help you." She said offering him a genuine smile.
"I don't want your help! I don't want anything to do with you anymore." He screamed.
Mandy became very upset and angry. Her emotions were driving her. Her focus was purely on Peter. She flew out her hands. A strong burst of magic escaped, sending Peter flying backwards hitting his head on a rock. Henry just stood there as a gust of wind passed him. Emma and Regina rushed over to Henry, hugging and kissing him. Mandy just stood there with a blank look on her face and watched everyone moving. It was like slow motion to her. It took a few moments to realize what just happened. Cora walked over to Peter and checked his pulse. They all watched her as she stood up and slowly shook her head.
"He's dead." Cora said. All eyes shifted to Mandy. They couldn't tell what was going through her mind.
The words Cora just said didn't quite register. "What?" Mandy whispered.
"I'm so sorry, dear." Cora responded.
"No, there's gotta be a mistake." Mandy said as she ran over to him. Regina caught her before she could get to him.
She was fighting hard, trying to free herself from Regina. "Let me go!" Mandy screamed.
Cora walked in front of her, blocking her view of Peter's lifeless body. She placed her hands on Mandy's face. "Honey, he's gone. He won't be coming back."
"Mandy slowly stopped fighting Regina as Cora's words sunk in. Tears started rolling down her face. She leaned back, Regina still holding her. Her head rested on Regina's chest. "He can't be dead. He just can't." She whispered as she cried. Regina wrapped a protective arm around her. She knew what it was like to lose someone you loved. Henry wanted to comfort her, it was the least he could do after she saved his life. He walked over to her and gave her a hug.
"Henry, not now. Give her some time." Emma said.
"I kept your promise. Henry's safe and now Peter's dead!" Mandy yelled at Emma.
Emma wasn't ready to be yelled at. "I'm sorry about Peter." She whispered. "But I'm very appreciative of you saving Henry's life."
Mandy sighed. "Could you all just…leave me alone? I want to say goodbye to Peter." She whispered.
Regina hesitated in letting her go. "Please." Mandy begged her. Regina knew how important it was to get to say goodbye. She never had the chance. She didn't want to take that away from her daughter. She let her walk over to Peter.
Mandy sat down next to him and put her hand on his chest. "I'm so sorry, Peter." She sobbed. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
She continued to talk to him as the others watched from afar.
"Is there anything I can do?" Emma asked.
Cora shook her head. "Nothing that will bring him back."
"Henry, come here. Let me heal your cut." Regina said.
"Have any of you seen Tiger Lily?" Henry asked as Regina waved her hand over his neck, healing the wound.
"Not since we helped her up." Emma said.
"I saw her take off in that direction. Probably was frightened, poor thing." Cora said.
"Regina, I'm going to have to take his body to bury it." Emma said acting as sheriff.
"I'll take care of it." Regina replied.
"Are you sure?" Emma asked.
"We've got it Emma. Thanks." She hissed.
Henry and Emma left. Regina was watching Mandy sob over Peter's body, her heart breaking as a rush of memories flashed before her. Her sobbing over Daniel's body; it was like de ja vu.
"Mother, what killed him? Miranda or his head injury?" Regina asked.
"Miranda." Cora whispered. Regina didn't say anything as she kept the sad look on her face. "I think we should take her home now." Cora advised.
Regina agreed and walked over to Mandy. "Honey, we need to go now."
"But what about Peter?" Mandy asked through her tears not letting go of his hand.
"We can put him in the mausoleum…if you'd like." Regina offered.
Mandy nodded as Regina helped her up. "Mother, would you take care of this?" Regina asked motioning to Peter.
"Of course, dear." Cora replied. Regina disappeared in a puff of smoke with Mandy as Cora took care of Peter.
Well this chapter turned out longer than I had planned but I hope you liked it! Please review, I would love to know what you all think.