Chapter 47: Piece of the Puzzle
The group set out for the Lagoon, in the pouring rain no less. But they didn't care; they were on a journey, a mission, to save one of their own. Mandy had the Pixie Dust in a vile in her pocket. She didn't use it though, for there was only a small amount left and she didn't want to waste it. It would only be used in an emergency.
To their surprise, they didn't run into any trouble along the way. Mandy told them it was because the birds don't fly in the rain. They were completely soaked by the time they got to the top of a hill.
"So what's the plan?" Emma asked shouting over the loud thunder.
"I'm going down there to get some answers. You all find some shelter. There should be a cave nearby." Mandy screamed back.
"No!" Regina yelled. "You are not doing anything alone. I will accompany you."
"We all will." David said.
"But that will take too long!" Mandy yelled.
Snow took a step back from the group and shouted. "We need to stop fighting and work together! We are never going to accomplish anything if you all keep…" She didn't finish her sentence because she slipped, sliding down the muddy hill.
"Snow!" David yelled and rushing to the spot his wife was just at, also taking a spill down the hill. Emma tried to catch him but that resulted in her falling as well. It was like a chain reaction and pretty soon, they were all sliding down the muddy hill and eventually falling a few feet into the Mermaid Lagoon.
The Enchantress was sitting in her chair, listening to Greg and Tamara explain who these intruders were. Henry already told her a lot of information about the people he thought were coming to get him, but she wanted to know a little more.
"So explain to me how this machine will work." The Enchantress commanded.
Tamara stepped forward. "Once we procure the girl, we can complete the deed and all the lands will be ours."
The Enchantress then asked, "And how will you stop her magic long enough to get her here?"
Greg spoke up this time. "The Stymphalian birds were given specific instructions to put this around her wrist" He said holding up a black thick bracelet. "once they locate her."
"What about the others? The one's with magic?"
"We are sending out numerous flocks of both Stymphalian birds and Harpies." Tamara informed. "That should be enough of a distraction for the others."
The Enchantress nodded. "We need the boy's mother as well. The blonde one."
"What do we need Emma for?" Greg asked.
"She's 'The Savior', is she not?"
Tamara nodded. "She is."
"Then she needs to be eliminated." The Enchantress stood from her pedestal, towering over the other two in the room. "We don't want her ruining our plans."
"We will inform the birds to bring her as well. Assuming you want to kill her yourself." Tamara said taking a step back from the powerful woman before her.
"Yes, I do. I want to make sure it's done right." The Enchantress said firmly.
Greg took a few steps towards her. "Don't you think you should kill Regina too?"
The Enchantress put her hands on her hips annoyed. "What the hell is up with your obsession with the Evil Queen."
"She killed my father, I know it. I want her to suffer like she made him!" He replied bitterly clenching his fists.
She rolled her eyes. "When you're dead, you're dead. Get over it."
"It's not that simple. She took away the only person I had left as a kid. I want her dead." Greg yelled.
The Enchantress shook her head and slowly walked down the steps towards him. "Then you can kill her after , and only after, we accomplish our goal."
"Fine." He agreed although he wasn't too happy about waiting so long.
"Good." She said grinning as she patted his cheek before turning towards Tamara. "The storm, is it almost through?"
She nodded. "We will send out the birds as soon as it's passed."
"And how is the boy, Henry?" She asked. "Did he regain some strength from our little procedure?"
"We only took some of his magic." Greg told her. "We gave him some food so he will be ready for the next time."
The Enchantress smiled wickedly as she strolled over to the balcony that overlooked the island from the mountain. "Perfect."
The group was slowly resurfacing one by one, gasping for air. They looked around to make sure they were all accounted for.
"Okay, so now what?" Neal asked trying to stay afloat.
"We need to get to that sand bar there." Hook shouted over the rain as he pointed to the little piece of land closest to them.
They began swimming over, all tired from the journey they've been on the last few days. Emma was swimming beside Mandy when all the sudden she went under.
"Emma!" Mandy screamed. "Emma!"
"Where did she go?" Snow asked.
"What happened to her?" David said immediately after her.
"The mermaids." Hook said in realization. "The mermaids took her." Snow was suddenly sucked under the water. "Snow!" David yelled going under in search of her, only to be pulled back up by Neal. "You're not going to be able to find them. Its pitch black down there."
"I need to find my wife and daughter!" He shouted back. Just then, Regina was pulled down followed by Mandy.
"Why did they take all the women?" Gold asked. He wasn't too familiar with mermaids.
"The mermaids can get a tad bit jealous when other women invade their personal space." Hook informed them.
"So shouldn't we do something?" Neal shouted.
"The girl had some sort of relationship with them. Besides, we can't do anything." Hook replied.
"There has to be away." David yelled.
"Sorry mate, but we will have to wait if the girl pulls through." Hook said. "I suggest we wait on the sand bar."
The ladies were pulled down by a few mermaids. They tried fighting them off, but the mermaids were easily overpowering them as they were losing oxygen.
"Unhand me, Atina!" Mandy screamed underwater. Atina stopped swimming and turned around to get a better look at the prisoner she had captured. "Corinne?" She asked in disbelief. She nodded her head weakly. She pointed to the mermaids, Snow, Emma and her mother down below. "Friends." She managed to get out before she couldn't breathe anymore. Atina quickly told her sisters to bring the others up to the surface. The rain slowed down to a light drizzle. They swam them over to the eagerly waiting men on shore, not one of them was breathing.
"Quick! Do something!" David shouted. "Gold, can't you do something?"
"Well, there is a little thing called CPR…" He shot back.
Atina rolled her eyes and nodded towards her sisters. They each hovered their hand over the women's mouths. Magic began flowing from them bringing the sea water from their lungs. They all began coughing as they tried to sit up. David hugged his wife followed by his daughter.
Hook helped Regina sit up and leaned her against his chest. "You alright, love?" He asked her wiping her wet hair away from her.
"Fine." She answered in a raspy voice. She looked to her side making sure her daughter was there. She was to her relief.
"What the hell Atina?!" Mandy yelled. "You could've killed us!"
"We're sorry, Corinne. We didn't realize it was you or your friends." Atina said apologetically.
Mandy was annoyed. "Where's your mother? Where's Queen Maraley?" She demanded to speak with her.
Atina's face turned to rage. "She was killed! By him!" She yelled pointing to Hook.
Mandy spun around furiously. "You killed Maraley!?" She yelled.
He put his hands up in self-defense. "I'm sorry, love but she and her band of mermaids attacked my ship. Took down some of my best crew."
"I don't care what she did! You didn't have to kill her!" Mandy yelled storming over to the pirate. Regina intercepted her. "Honey, calm down. You can't get all worked up about this."
"He killed her, mom!" Mandy yelled peering over Regina's shoulder at the pirate. "She was my friend."
"You need to control yourself, Miranda." Gold instructed.
"I can handle this Gold." Regina said annoyed that he scolded her daughter.
"No offense, your majesty but we are on a time limit and you can't be soft on her." He said with the same attitude she gave him.
Mandy pulled away from her mother and went to Atina's side. "She will be greatly missed, Atina. I can assure you."
"Thank you." She whispered.
Mandy nodded and hugged her. "Where's your sister, Ariel? Is she around? We have a few questions for her."
Atina waved her sister over. "What can I help you with?" Ariel asked.
"I know how adventurous you are, Ariel and I was wondering if you knew anything of this Enchantress that inhabits the island?"
Ariel breathed deeply. "I do, but things aren't good."
"What is she planning?" Regina asked. "What does she want with my son?"
"You're the boy's mother?" Ariel asked in disbelief.
Regina nodded. "Hey, so am I." Emma chimed in.
"What?" Atina asked them confused.
Mandy shook her head. "Long story. Please continue, Ariel."
"Well she needs him to fulfill the prophecy."
"What prophecy?" David asked.
"Just let her finish, David." Snow said slapping his arm.
"She needs him, well his magic, along with someone else's to take over all the lands. She is very powerful, capable of so much pain and torture. Our sister, Adela was captured and tortured for days before the enchantress returned her to the sea. They wanted to test their little machine out on a magical being. It completely drained her of her magic, almost killing her. She's never fully recovered."
"Wait, Henry doesn't have magic." Neal interrupted.
"It's dormant, but it's there." Atina answered.
"That's what they must've been doing to Henry when we saw him through the mirror." Emma realized. "We need to get to him right away!"
"Where is her hideout?" Gold asked quickly.
"Atop that mountain." Atina pointed. "I hope you all have enough power to stop her. She's very dangerous."
"I think we got this." Mandy said confidently. "Thanks ladies. It was nice seeing you all again." She gave them each a hug.
"Let us take you to the mainland." Ariel offered.
"It's the least we can do since we tried to kill you and your friends." Atina added. Mandy nodded.
"Oh but you're pirate friend will have to swim back on his own. We don't associate with mermaid killers." Ariel said eyeing the pirate with a disgusted look on her face.
"Good." Mandy said agreeing with them.
"Are you really going to make me swim all the way over there?" Hook yelled.
No one answered him. The mermaids took the rest of the group back to the mainland and waited for Hook to swim all the way over. "Thanks again, Atina..Ariel. I really appreciate all your help." Mandy said.
"Anytime Corinne. Just call upon us if we can be of any assistance to you." Atina said and waved them off.
Mandy didn't have to lead the way anymore, for they all knew where they were heading, the mountain top. The storm soon passed and the sun came out and they began to dry off. Gold pulled Mandy and Emma to the back of the group, for he needed to speak to them urgently and away from the group. They were slowly walking behind the group making sure to keep their distance.
"What's up, Gold?" Emma asked to the right of him.
"You need to keep this a secret form everyone, both of you." He looked over to Mandy who only nodded. "No one can know about this."
"What is it, Gold? Stop being so cryptic and just tell us already!" Emma said a little too loud making Snow turn around. "What's going on, Emma?" Snow called to her.
"Nothing," Emma replied. "Just some small talk."
Snow eyed her suspiciously before she turned to keep walking.
"Keep your voice down, Miss Swan." Gold scolded in a low voice.
"Sorry. You were saying?"
"You two need to brace yourselves for what is to come. Things will turn ugly once we get up to that mountain." He said gravely.
"What the hell does that mean?" Mandy whisper-yelled.
"The Enchantress needs one of you to complete this prophecy the mermaids speak of. I'm afraid one of you won't make it through this fight."
Mandy and Emma locked eyes with each other for a brief moment before turning their attention back to Gold.
"No one is going to die, Gold." Emma said firmly.
"Miss Swan, it's going to happen. One of you will sacrifice yourself to save the others. It has to be one of you, no questions asked." He replied.
"What do you mean 'no questions asked'?" Emma yelled loudly again. "You didn't think we would have questions?"
"Lower your voice, Miss Swan." Gold warned.
"What will I have to do?" Mandy asked.
"Whoa, kid. You're not dying. No one is dying." Emma said stopping them both from walking any further.
"Emma, it's gotta be me." Mandy pleaded. "I had a feeling that something like this was going to happen."
Emma shook her head. "No, there's gotta be another way."
"There's that Charming motto. Always finding another way when one doesn't suit your present situation." Gold smirked.
"Why did you tell us in the first place Gold?" Emma asked ignoring his remark against her family.
"I thought I would be nice and warn you both so you can prepare yourselves." He said pushing past Emma. "You're welcome."
"We can't tell our parents cuz they will only try to stop us and you know we can't stop until we get Henry back and the Enchantress is gone for good." Mandy said pulling Emma's attention back to her.
"Yea, I know kid. I know." Emma replied holding out her hand which Mandy grabbed. They began walking slowly back to the group, knowing a piece of what was to come in the near future. Someone wasn't going to make it back.
The group was an hour away from the Lagoon by now, still making their way towards the mountain. They suddenly heard the same screeching noise as the other day and they knew they were in for some company. What they didn't know was how many and that it wasn't just the harpies who came attacking them. The group was a little more prepared this time; they actually had weapons that could kill them. The stymphalian birds began throwing their sharp metallic feathers at their victims, which Regina and Gold shielded the group from while the rest of them fought off the other birds.
One Stymphalian bird got through and clasped the black bracelet around Mandy wrist, instantly wiping away her magic. She was basically defenseless. The bird picked her up by its talons and began carrying her away.
"Mom!" She screamed but by the time Regina could turn around, Mandy was too far away. She couldn't do anything. Another bird grabbed Emma and carried her away. Snow tried shooting the bird down but the metallic feathers shielded its body from any sharp objects.
Once the two birds that carried away Mandy and Emma were far gone, the rest of the flock retreated back to the mountain.
Regina and Snow couldn't tare their eyes away from the sky. "They took them. They took our girls, Regina." Snow cried.
Regina was pissed. "We'll get em back, Snow." She was more determined than ever to kill this bitch, this enchantress once and for all. "No one messes with my family and gets away with it."
"We need to keep moving!" Neal yelled. "The quicker we get there, the better."
The birds dropped them on the balcony of the Enchantress's fort, both landing on the ground with a thud. They both groaned from the hard drop. Emma tried picking up her head but she was too weak. The last thing she remembered seeing was a boy yanking Mandy from the ground and throwing her over his shoulder. "Mandy." She whispered but blacked out.
She woke up in a jail cell somewhere within in the mountain. She noticed she was wearing a thick black bracelet around her wrist. She tried taking it off but it was like it was glued to her skin. She heard a door crack open and shakily got to her feet. She saw a blonde woman in a dark red dress, making her way towards her cell. She could only assume this was Alice, the Enchantress.
'I see you're awake." The blonde said as she made her way closer to Emma's cell.
"Obviously." Emma replied. She was pissed she was captured and the pounding headache she woke up with didn't help.
"My, my…aren't we a little grumpy. Not a morning person, I take it?" The blonde smirked.
"Its morning?" Emma asked confused. It had been mid-day last time she as awake. What the hell happened?
"You must've hit your head when the birds dropped you off. I hope you didn't get too hurt." She said grinning.
Emma ignored her. "Where are my son and Miranda?" She growled.
"Oh, don't worry about them dear. They're being taken care of." The Enchantress reassured her.
Emma stepped closer to the bars. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see them soon. Although, I don't know why you care so much about the girl. She has no connections to you, so why bother caring about her?" The Enchantress wanted to know.
"She's basically like my kid, she's family." Emma hissed. "I'm getting both of them back. They'll stop you."
"Who? Your little possy?" The Enchantress tilted her head back and cackled. "I'd like to see them try. They couldn't even handle my bird friends. What makes you think you can take on me?"
"Because good will win." Emma said firmly believing in the four words she just said.
The Enchantress walked closer, her face inches from Emma's through the bars. "We shall see about that."
Gold quickly contacted Cora through the little mirror they possessed.
"Where have you been Cora? We tried contacting you last night but you didn't answer. No one did." Gold asked.
"We were a little busy saving the town from giants." She replied.
"Giants? In Storybrooke?" Neal asked confused.
"I forgot I had brought food over from Wonderland. The Lost Boys found it and ate some, making them grow big. They stomped around for a good while. Those little troublemakers."
"We have more pressing issues, Cora. Miranda and Emma have been kidnapped by the Enchantress." Snow informed her.
"If Alice finds out Miranda is my granddaughter, she will torture her." Cora said a little frightened to think what Alice would actually do to her.
"We need to get her back." Regina said her voice shaking. "I can't let her get hurt."
"Regina, dear, I'm afraid there is more bad news." Cora said softly. "Hold on." She disappeared form the mirror and brought Daniel by her side.
"Mother, what's going on?" Regina asked concerned.
"You didn't inform them Rumple?" Cora questioned.
He shook his head. "They wouldn't have let them complete their mission if I told them."
"What are you two talking about?" Daniel asked.
"If we are to save all the lands and defeat the Enchantress then one of them will have to sacrifice themselves." Cora said sadly.
"What? No!" Regina and Snow screamed.
"Why can someone else do it?" Neal asked.
"It has to be one of them. I'm sorry but they are the most powerful. It needs to be this way." Gold replied.
"This can't be happening." Daniel said in disbelief.
Regina sunk down to the ground, Snow followed suit. One of their daughter's was not going to make it out alive and there was nothing they could do about it.
So what are your thoughts? Interested to know and I hope everyone enjoys the premiere of ONCE in a few hours! I'm way too excited!