Here comes chapter 11! Very Belle and Emily centric, but it was about time! Love those two! 3
Disclamer: I own nothing, all rights go to Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis (for OUAT) and Naoko Takeuchi/Toei (for SM).
Do not harm her! Thunder strikes twice.
Storybrooke
It was the night, everything was silent. The Jolly Roger arrived at the port of the town, nobody noticed. As Hook and Cora went out of the boat, the pirate captain said:
"Well, Cora, here our ways go apart. Thank you, for everything. It's time for me to skin the crocodile."
He was about to walk away, but Cora suddenly teleported herself in front of him, preventing him from leaving.
"You should think more about it." – Cora advised.
"We had a deal." – Hook stated – "Out of my way."
"Believe me or not, but I'm helping you."
"By standing on my way to get my revenge?" – Hook asked, unpleased.
"Ask yourself how I'm doing this." – Cora commented.
After a short moment of thinking, the realization hit Hook. She was able to teleport herself, and it could mean one thing. Sighing, he said:
"With your magic."
"Exactly. There is magic in the town. And that's why it turns to be more complicated. If you go against Rumplestiltskin unprepared, you know what awaits you."
Hook didn't reply, because he knew Cora was right. The witch pursued:
"Don't forget about the Guardians too. Now, they're not three, but six. Do you think you can deal with them? That's why we must work together, as a team."
Hook only nodded to this. Then, Cora used her magic to make the Jolly Roger invisible to everyone, after what she advised that they should investigate about the town and its residents, especially the guardians.
Meanwhile, Mr Gold brought Mr Smee to the edge of the town, intending to make an experiment. Smee begged not to push him on the other side, not wanting to lose his memories. But Gold grabbed Smee's red cap. He commented:
"You wear this cap from as long as I remember… Why is it so precious to you?"
"My grandma made it for me when I was a kid… it gives me good luck." – Smee replied.
Mr Gold took a potion and versed several drops on the cap, before giving it back to Smee, before he pushed him on the other side of the edge. After a moment, Gold asked:
"What's your name?"
"William Smee…"
"And what's mine?"
"Rumplestiltskin… the Dark One…" – Smee replied – "I remember everything…!"
Mr Gold noted that his experiment was a success and he ordered Mr Smee to go, what he hurried to do.
Enchanted Forest
In the village where Belle was living now (around three months passed since the Dark One ordered her to go away), she noticed that some people were preparing themselves for a dangerous journey. They were going after a monster, called the Yagoai. Nobody until now succeeded to defeat it, and they were searching for new people. Belle smiled a little, until Dreamy (the future Grumpy), which she met the previous day, approached her and asked:
"Searching for adventures?"
"You're Dreamy, right…?" – Belle asked with a smile.
"Yes… I came to thank you. What you advised me yesterday night worked. Nova and I decided to run away together."
"That's wonderful!" – Belle exclaimed, genuinely happy for him.
As she gave another look in the men's direction, Dreamy asked her:
"Do you want to join them?"
"Well… I always dreamed of heroism, but… I guess it's safer to stay here with my books. In them, the adventures always have a happy ending."
"Maybe this one will have one too." – Dreamy suggested.
"I doubt it…" – Belle replied – "My last encounter with a monster didn't end well."
Before Dreamy asked more details about it, they say that the men were about to leave. Dreamy then encouraged Belle to go with them, to take the chance. Belle thanked him and she went to the people for the Yagoai hunt. Before she did, Dreamy gave her a small bag with fairy dust. At first, Belle protested:
"I saw what magic does to people."
"You saw what dark magic does to people. Fairies use this for good things. Now, go and become a hero."
Belle agreed and then, she went away.
Storybrooke
Belle and Emily arrived at Gold's pawnshop, after getting a call from him. Belle asked what was going on, to what Gold replied:
"I did it."
"You can cross the edge of the town?" – Belle asked excitedly.
"And so, find your son?" – Emily asked on her turn, with a shy smile.
Gold then showed to the two important to him ladies the potion, explaining that once he verses it on an important to him object, the object becomes a talisman, with which he can go outside the town and keep his memories. Belle asked, glad for his success:
"What do you intend to enchant?"
Gold then showed a shawl, replying:
"This shawl… this is all I still have of him…"
"And I guess… we can't go with you..?" – Emily asked on her turn.
"I would like to, but I have enough potions for one object only." – Mr Gold answered – "Emily, you could of course cross the line without any problem, but Belle will need company while I'm absent."
Emily and Belle looked at each other, and then they nodded with a smile. It was Gold's journey after all; it was something he had to do on his own. Then, Gold gave a hug to both Belle and Emily.
Later, the mother and the daughter went to the library, their favorite place in the town. It was also the place which made their bond stronger every day. Belle and Emily discovered that they actually had a lot in common and had similar tastes in books. They couldn't follow Gold to find his son, but at least they could spend days together here. At the same time, Emily wondered how Baelfire was. She really wanted to know his half-brother, and she hoped they would like each other. Belle noticed Emily's expression and she guessed her thoughts.
"I think Gold's son cannot dislike you." – Belle said with a smile – "From the few I heard about him, he was a nice boy. And you are a wonderful girl too. So I guess you two should get along."
"You say that because I'm your daughter." – Emily commented, not without a smile.
"Maybe, but I think other people admire you too. You are a Sailor Guardian; you fight for the Light and purity, you are a very good person. And the fact you have a tiny drop of Rumple's darkness doesn't change this."
Emily blushed a little at Belle's words. Besides the Guardians, Belle was the first person to care that much for her, to compliment her in this way. She was appreciated by teachers before, but it didn't mean much, because there was no love behind. Emily took Belle's hand and squeezed it a second, as to communicate her feelings. Belle smiled to her daughter and the moment after, they walked inside the library. Once inside, they noticed there was someone. Belle commented:
"Excuse me, but… the library isn't open yet."
The man turned to face Belle and Emily, who was revealed to be Captain Hook. He said:
"I'm not here for the books."
"You… you once came in the dungeon I was kept prisoner in, at the queen's castle…" – Belle said, recognizing him as soon as she saw his face.
"Captain Hook…" – Emily said in a very low voice, almost a whisper.
Sure thing, she never saw the man before, but her friends told her about him, and his clothes and hook instead of his left hand were good clues of his identity. Belle suddenly ran to another room, grabbing Emily's hand, so she would follow her. But they couldn't make it to the front door, because Captain Hook ran there before them, blocking their way. Belle stated:
"You wanted to kill Rumplestitlskin…!"
"And I still want to!" – Hook replied – "But for now, you both will do it."
Belle pushed a shelf with books on him, which gave her and Emily enough time to go inside the elevator. Hook began to knock its door, as trying to open it. Belle grabbed her phone, calling Mr Gold.
"Yes, Belle?" – his voice was heard on the other side.
"Rumple, Emily and me are in the elevator… There's a man in the library… he wants to kill me..!"
"Belle, I don't hear you well, who's in the library…?"
"It's a pirate; one of his hands is missing…"
"Belle…?" – Gold asked, not hearing his beloved.
"Allo…?" – Belle asked, before the connection got cut.
Emily could have transformed, but she didn't want to harm someone with her powers, if that person was powerless against her. This was Hook's case. He for sure was a strong and dangerous pirate, but he couldn't defend himself against her powers. Well, Belle and she weren't in the best conditions for a fight anyway. Belle and Emily then just grabbed each other arms, holding tight one of another.
Enchanted Forest
The group who went after the Yagoai was riding a desert road. One of the men saw Belle reading a book.
"What's this?" – he asked.
"A book. I'm sure you must have seen one of them." – Belle replied.
"Are you about to fight against a powerful monster with a book?" – the man commented – "Are you expecting that it will die of boredom?"
After that, the men laughed. Belle protested:
"It will tell where to find the Yaoguai!"
The man grabbed the book, and he commented that its content were strange signs, to which Belle replied that it was written in another language (which was Mandarin). Then, she just smirked, making the guy ask what was written inside.
"Oh, nothing… just some strange signs." – Belle replied.
"We're journeying to save those lands, girl. If there's something which indicates where to find the Yaoguai, you must tell us!" – the man said in a severe tone.
"It's written that we'll find the Yaoguai at the lake." – Belle said after a short pause.
Then, the man pushed Belle out of the chariot, throwing her book in her direction. At first, Belle looked upset about that, but as soon as they were far away, she smirked, reading the line in her book again. It indicated that the Yaoguai actually liked the rock grottos. Later, she arrived at a grotto in the woods, she gave a look in her book, reading that the Yaoguai hunts during the night, but it sleeps during the day.
"Hope that you're asleep…" – Belle whispered, grabbing a dagger.
But then, she made a branch crack under her foot, which awoke the monster. It exited the grotto, and was about to attack Belle, but somebody send an arrow to him, after what he ran away. The person, who was Mulan, approached Belle and helped her get up. "How can I thank you…? You saved my life." – Belle said.
"And you, you ruined my hunt." – Mulan commented harshly – "It took me weeks to find the Yaoguai!"
"Yes… and I found him in one day."
"It was just luck."
"No, not luck." – Belle protested, showing Mulan the book – "This. I can… help you find him again."
"You did enough!" – Mulan replied – "If you truly want help, don't disturb me!"
At those words, Mulan walked away, leaving Belle a bit upset.
Storybrooke
Belle and Emily saw that the door was about to open. They tightened their grip to each other a bit more. But when the door opened, it wasn't Hook as they expected, but it was Mr Gold. Belle ran in her lover's arms, relieved.
"Where is he…?" – Emily asked, as she carefully exited the elevator.
"I don't know… but it's alright, there's nothing to worry about now." – Gold replied.
Meantime, Emma, David and Mary Margaret were in the latter's apartment. They were living the three of them together there now. Emma told all what happened in the Enchanted Forest, while David and Mary Margaret told her about the events of Storybrooke, which happened while she was gone. Then, David started a topic, which surprised both Emma and her mother:
"The dwarves began to wonder… when we will return back, in the Enchanted Forest."
"They… they want to return?" – Mary Margaret asked surprised – "But it was a so hard business for Emma and her friends to return here…"
"I know, I agree with you." – David stated – "But… the curse is broken, and anybody can enter the town now, the extern world doesn't know anything about what or who we are."
After a minute of thinking, Mary Margaret said:
"True… people from outside Storybrooke could be surprised by some things they could see… like by seeing a young woman turn into a wolf… or somebody use magic."
"But for now, nobody arrived yet." – Emma stated, still pensive though.
"For now, no one arrived, but we can't be sure about tomorrow." – David replied.
Emma nodded, agreeing about this. But then, she said:
"But… when Rosalie became a Sailor Guardian, she was outside Storybrooke. People admired her as Sailor R, she was their hero… There even was merchandize about her."
Mary Margaret gave an intense look at David at her daughter's words. Her husband sighed, and replied:
"Maybe… but once again, it was one super hero in a huge world. Now, it's about a town fulfilled by magical and supernatural beings. We are fairytale characters, Emma. I doubt people are ready for this."
Emma and Mary Margaret looked at each other, and then lowered their heads. Noticing that they began feeling a bit uncomfortable, David added:
"But I was just saying what the dwarves or others said. And I was only making suppositions. There's also something more to this… They might like our modern life, they still miss their home."
Mr Gold, Belle and Emily were walking back at the pawnshop. Gold made clear that he intended to do something about the pirate and his possible future attacks. Belle suggested informing the police instead and not let his hate towards Hook to prevent in his researches of his son. But Gold protested:
"But he tried to kill you."
"But why?" – Belle asked – "What happened between you two?"
"That's not your business."
"He attacked us, it's definitely our business." – Emily argued.
Mr Gold hesitated at first, but then he explained:
"Long years ago, I was married to a woman named Milah, until Hook stood in our way."
"She was… Baelfire's mother?" – Belle asked.
"Yes, and because of that thief, he had to grow up without his mother. The pirate took away my wife and Bae's mother, and I took away his hand."
Emily and Belle looked at each other a moment, after what the teen girl commented:
"So, that's why he attacked us… And what happened to her? What did he do?"
But Gold didn't seem to be about to reply. Belle took his hand and reminded him:
"Rumple… you can tell us everything."
"She died." – the Dark One replied – "That's all what matters."
After that, they entered the shop, seeing that it was in a very messing state. Gold understood that it was why Hook attacked Belle and Emily. It was only to make Gold quit his shop. While Gold was gone, Baelfire's shawl was stolen. At that same time, they were observed by the pirate with his telescope from a roof. Mr Smee approached him, giving him the shawl he stole moments before.
"But… what is it, captain?" – he asked, not seeing what interest a piece of fabric could give to the pirate.
"It's the end of the crocodile's hopes." – Hook answered – "Now, he's trapped here."
In the pawnshop, the angry Dark One decided that he had to take the stolen object back. Belle offered him to help, but he protested.
"How do you think you can bring the shawl back? Have you ever fought in a duel against a pirate? How do you intend to help me?"
"But I can't just sit here, doing nothing!" – Belle protested.
"No, you'll go back in the library, you'll lock the door and you'll wait until I solve the problem!" – Gold instructed.
"And what if I don't? You'll put a spell, which won't let me the choice?" – Belle asked in a challenging way.
"No… I believe that you'll do as you ask, just like you believe I try to be better. Belle, please… Hook maybe took away my chance to find my son. I don't want to lose you or Emily too." – Gold said, almost begging, before he turned to his daughter – "And Emily, you'll stay with your mother, you'll protect her from danger."
"What..? But a Sailor Guardian doesn't sit and wait! I must be active; I have to do something..!" – the girl protested.
"But you will. You will be your mother's bodyguard." – Gold stated, his tone making clear that he wouldn't accept any arguing back.
He then grabbed a gun, which he gave to Belle. He said that it was for if Hook would attack her again, and if Emily wouldn't be in condition to protect her. Even though she didn't want to, Belle accepted the gun anyway. Before Gold exited the shop, Belle said:
"Promise me that you're after Hook only to get the shawl back."
Without saying a word, Gold went out, leaving Belle and Emily exchange a worried look.
Enchanted Forest
Belle arrived in a village, searching for a well. She really had to drink a bit, she felt disease. In fact, she was feeling diseases rather often lately. Belle had began to have a certain suspicion about herself, about what was happening to her. She was very relieved to see a well and she quickly approached it, and she felt better as she slowly drank several gulps. Suddenly she was grabbed by someone and was a threatening position, as if she would be thrown in the well. It was two men, the one she traveled with in the chariot. The one who mocked her previously commented:
"The Yaoguai wasn't at the lake."
"Sorry, I must have misunderstood…" – Belle tried to justify herself.
"What I think is that you send us to a wrong place on purpose." – the man said.
Suddenly, the men got attacked by someone, and Belle immediately recognized Mulan, the woman who saved her before.
"Let her go!" – Mulan ordered.
"It's not your fight, soldier." – the man replied, as she laid on the ground.
The other man grabbed a dagger and began to fight with Mulan. But she managed to put him on the ground, losing her helmet. The guy looked at her surprised, saying:
"Wait… you're a…"
But he was cut off, as Mulan punched him right on his face.
"Yeah… I know." – she said, as she stood up and grabbed her sword and ordered to the two men to leave.
When the two men left, Belle approached Mulan and said:
"I didn't think I would see you again… Thank you."
"I met men like them, when I was at the Emperor's army." – Mulan explained – "Those idiots think that holding a sword isn't for women. Too bad there was nobody to defend me, back then."
Then, both Belle and Mulan noticed that her leg was injured, but Mulan ignored this, and commented:
"The sun will set down soon… We should go now."
"Us…?" – Belle asked, unsure that she understood well.
"You found the Yaoguai in a couple of hours, while I took weeks to do so. You will find the beast and I will kill him." – Mulan explained.
"That will be an honor to help you." – Belle replied.
Storybrooke
Belle and Emily were putting the library in order, after the mess Hook made by his arrival previously. While Emily was looking away, Belle saw a piece of rope. After a moment of thinking, Belle hid it and said:
"Emily… don't you think you should go and tell your friends about what happened?"
"Yes, maybe… But I'm not supposed to leave you alone here." – Emily replied – "You're powerless against the pirate."
"I'm going to be okay, I went through worse situations." – Belle pointed out – "Come on, you didn't see your friends during long days, you should be talking with them now, not being locked in a library with your mother."
"But I like be with you…" – Emily began to protest, but Belle gave her a half-stern look, as she insisted for her to go take fresh air.
Seeing that she couldn't argue back, Emily sighed and walked to the front door. Before she left, she said:
"But I won't be out for too long. I will be back soon."
Belle smiled to her daughter and wished her a good chat. As her girl left, Belle immediately grabbed a book about boats and searched for the section about the knots. Seeing that the one she found looked like one of the pictures, Belle got the confirmation that Captain Hook arrived in Storybrooke on his boat.
At that same time, Mr Gold suddenly grabbed Mr Smee from behind a corner and pushed him against a house wall.
"Leaving the town, Mr Smee?" – he said angrily, as he began to struggle him with his magic – "I left you your life, and that's how you pay me? Where's the object you stole from me? I want it back."
"I gave it to Hook…" – Smee answered.
"And where is he?"
"I don't know… we met on a roof… he said nothing else…"
"Why would he? Hook knows perfectly what you are, Mr Smee, a cowardly rat." – Gold said, after what he transformed the man into a rat.
After glancing at the rat a moment, he ordered him to go away. And the rat did, leaving only his red cap behind.
Emily arrived at Granny's, expecting to find some of her friends. She predicted it right, because she saw Alex, Rosalie and Cecilia talking at one of the tables. She approached them, after what Cecilia asked:
"Hey, how are you? We didn't hear from you the whole day."
"That's what I'm here, something happened this morning." – Emily replied – "Captain Hook is in Storybrooke."
As soon as she said that, the three girls looked at each other worriedly. Rosalie said:
"Damn, I like felt you can't get rid of him that easily…"
"What did he do? Did he hurt you?" – Alex asked with concern.
"No… But he attacked Belle and I in the library." – Emily answered – "But he stole something from Gold, a thing that would help find his son."
"That's terrible…" – Alex commented – "What is he going to do?"
"Well, he went after Hook, to get the shawl back." – Emily explained – "While he instructed me to stay with Belle in the library. But I had to talk to talk to you, to warn you about his arrival. And you, you must inform Danielle and Emma about this, especially Danielle, because…"
"…because if Hook is here, Cora is most likely too." – Rosalie finished for her friend, before she stood up – "Cecilia and Alex, you go warn Emma, while Emily and I go to Danielle and Regina."
"Sorry, but I have to return to the library." – Emily protested – "I can't leave Belle there all alone…"
Suddenly, she froze. Realization hit her. How didn't she guess it earlier? She said:
"Oh no… I understand now why Belle wanted me to leave…"
Emily hurried to the exit door, and Rosalie cried after her:
"Emily, where are you going?!"
"Don't worry about me! Go warn Emma and Danielle!" – Emily yelled back, before she left the Diner and the girls a bit confused.
Meantime, Belle arrived at the port, searching for the boat. At first, she saw nothing, but then, she noticed a seagull, sitting in the air! Belle understood that the boat was turned invisible. She then threw a bit of sand, making the trap visible to her. She went up the stairs and then, she was on the board, seeing everything now. She went in the captain's room, and began her search for the shawl. It was without success. Then, she heard a voice behind her:
"Searching for this?"
Belle turned around and saw Hook, holding Baelfire's shawl. The young woman then commented:
"This doesn't belong to you."
"Now, it does."
Belle then wanted to grab the gun she left on the table, but the pirate was faster than her and grabbed it first.
"My dear, Belle… you should have stayed with your books. The real life can sometimes be… unpleasant." – Hook said, as he pointed the gun at Belle.
Enchanted Forest
Mulan and Belle were walking in the woods, to a village they could see from afar, due to a mandarin symbol made of fire, indicating that the Yaoguai was there. Belle then commented:
"Mulan, you leg is getting worse…"
"I must go, defend the village…" – the warrior replied, almost falling on her knees.
"You can barely walk." – Belle protested – "How are you planning to kill the Yaoguai?"
"I won't." – Mulan pointed out – "You will."
"Me? But I'm not a soldier…"
"You have good instincts. You found the monster faster than I did." – Mulan commented.
"Find and kill are two different things…" – Belle said.
"There was a time when people thought that I would never succeed, but I proved them wrong. I showed them that I had a soul of a warrior. When I found something to fight for, I fought for it, with all my strength. I never gave up. Belle… the fate of the village depends on you now."
Then, Mulan gave Belle her sword, and told her not to be afraid.
Storybrooke
"I'm not afraid of you." – Belle said to the pirate – "And I won't go without the shawl."
"Your fidelity fascinates me, but helping Rumplestiltskin… I'm afraid it's hopeless." – Hook said, putting the shawl on his table.
"He needs the shawl to find his son!" – Belle protested.
"Why do you think that his son wants to be found?" – Killian commented – "I am rendering service to that guy."
"Hadn't you done enough wrongs to Rumple?"
"I did wrongs to him?" – the captain asked, showing his hook.
"You kidnapped his wife." – the woman stated.
"Tell me one thing… if a woman goes to you and begs to take her with you, is it a kidnapping?"
After a short silence, Belle asked:
"Why did she go away from him?"
"Because he was a coward, and because she loved me."
Then, the pirate captain rubbed the shawl a little, before he commented:
"I should have burned it… but I didn't, because it was made by her."
"I'm sorry that she died…" – Belle said – "But revenge…? It won't bring her back."
"Died…" – Hook had a short laugh – "Like she died just like that… is it what he told you?"
"Well, he didn't tell me…"
"Of course he didn't, he avoided telling you the most important detail about her death." – Captain Hook commented, before he reveled her that detail – "He killed her. He ripped her heart out and he crushed it in my eyes."
"No…" – Belle shook her head, not wanting to believe it, even though she understood that it had little chances to be a lie.
"Yes! He would do anything to keep his power." – Hook stated – "Why do you think all the people of his entourage either ran away or got killed?"
At those words, Captain Hook pointed the gun on Belle, before he added:
"Why do you think it will go different for you? Tell me, dear, why do you keep fighting for a man like him?"
"Because I can see the good in him." – Belle replied in all honesty – "Because I believe he changed, there's still some light in his heart, while yours is completely dark."
After that, she managed to push him on the ground with a ream attached to the ceiling. Then, she hurried to grab the shawl and go out of the captain's room. Belle was about to leave the boat, but Hook came out from the opposite side. Belle got a bit surprised, to which Hook commented that he knew his boat to well. He then grabbed the woman by one arm and pointed a gun on her temple. Belle shook in fear. Was it already her end? A tear went out of her eye, as she had a thought for her daughter. She wouldn't be able to see her again, because the pirate would do anything to get what he wanted. Neither she nor the pirate noticed that Emily, as Sailor Lightning, was standing on the board of the Jolly Roger. Her mother was in danger, she had to stop Hook! She wouldn't lose her mother, not after she just found her, after fourteen years apart! She began to glow in a yellow light, feeling a new power to awake. She yelled:
"Glowing Thunderstorm!"
As she said that, a small electricity-charged cloud appeared above Hook and Belle, and a second after, it sent a vertical bright yellow thunder, right between the two. The pirate and Emily's mother broke apart, both falling in opposite directions. Emily quickly ran to Belle, asking:
"Belle…! Are you okay? I didn't injure you, did I…?"
"No, Emily… it's okay, you didn't…" – Belle replied, before she hugged her girl – "Sorry I left like that… I just wanted to help and…"
"What truly matters, it's that you're okay…" – Emily said with a smile.
"Well, she won't be for too long!" – Hook said, as he stood up.
He was rubbing his forearm, that's where Emily's attack had hit him. Emily felt a bit bad for him, because she didn't like harm powerless against her people. But she hadn't really had a choice at that moment; it was about saving her mother after all. Hook walked to both ladies, until he heard:
"Leave them alone! It's between the two of us!"
It was Gold, who had just arrived. As Captain Hook looked at his enemy, he commented:
"You look different in this world, crocodile. Like that coward I met long years ago… limping, and all…"
"However, you still cannot kill me." – Gold pointed out.
"Let's see, Dark One. Behind what kind of magic will you hide today?"
"Oh no, no magic!" – Gold said, before he pushed Hook with his cane and began to beat the pirate with it.
"Rumple, no!" – Belle shouted, going to him – "Don't, let's go now."
"No, it's too soon." – Gold protested as he pursued beating Hook.
"Look, we have the shawl!" – Emily said, showing him the object – "That's what you came for! It will help you find your son, Baelfire!"
"That's no use, ladies…" – Hook commented – "He can't resist showing that he isn't a coward…"
"Belle, Emily… you better turn around. It won't be pretty to see." – Gold said, as he pursued beating the pirate with the cane.
Enchanted Forest
Belle could see the Yaoguai from afar. She had to do this, she had to survive. It was not only her, there was another being growing inside her. Belle had no more doubts about this, she was sure that she was pregnant. She could feel the life inside her, and something told her that it was going to be a girl. She murmured:
"I promise that if… no, when we make it, I'll be very careful… I'll take good care of both of us, Emily…"
Then, taking a deep breath, she shouted at the beast:
"Hey! I'm here!"
The Yaoguai turned to her, and Belle began to run to the small town. The monster obviously followed her. Belle managed to water it, after what its fire burned out. Belle slowly approached the Yaoguai and noticed that he was writing something in Mandarin. As he finished, she could read "save me". Belle understood and took the fairy dust she was given by Dreamy. She used it all on the Yaoguai, after what the monster transformed into a man! The man was no other than Prince Philip.
"The curse… you broke it…!" – he said happily.
"Someone cursed you…?" – Belle asked as she helped him get up.
"It's Maleficent, an evil witch from my kingdom. She's ready to do anything, to separate me from Aurora. She banished me in those lands and turned me into a monster. I wanted to warn the villagers, but no one understood… besides you."
"Well, you're not the first monster I deal with." – Belle said with a smile.
"I owe you… tell me what could I do for you?" – Philip asked.
"My friend is injured; she needs a healer… and you too… Could you help me bring her in the village?" – Belle requested.
"That would be an honor." – Philip answered.
Storybrooke
Gold was keeping beating the pirate. Emily at some point closed her eyes, because watching this was too painful. Belle wasn't pleased by the view either.
"Go ahead, kill me…!" – Hook said, before he turned to Belle and Emily – "He needs to show his power!"
"No, Rumple…!" – Belle protested – "That's what he wants! To destroy the good you have in yourself…"
"Rip my heart out! Kill me in the way you killed Milah! I'll finally be able to join her." – Hook said in a provocative way.
"See..?" – Gold said – "He has to die!"
Gold was about to struggle the pirate, before Belle protested again:
"No, he doesn't! I see it, I always did! Prove me that I'm not mistaking…"
The Dark One began to hesitate, as he looked at his lover and then at his daughter, who was giving him an intense begging stare. Then, he turned to the pirate, and said:
"Take your ship, and go away. I don't want ever see you again."
Then, Gold, Belle and Emily left the boat.
Meanwhile, Mary Margaret and David were talking about the Enchanted Forest. The man confessed that he wished return there, that he considered it as it was their home.
"But that home doesn't longer exist, David." – Mary Margaret protested – "Emma described us in which state she saw our former castle. Plus, the Ogres are back, as well as Cora…"
"That's why we must return, to fix everything, to fight…"
"But I'm tired of fighting! That's what we constantly did…! Here, in Storybrooke, we have a chance to start everything over, all together. All I wish is to live here, in peace… as we used to, back then… when I was queen and you my knight…"
David sighed, nodding slightly. Yes, he had to admit those were good days. But the constant wars or fights brought by his second life almost made him forget what it was, to live in peace, without a constant worry about tomorrow. Then, somebody knocked at the door. Emma went down the stairs and opened the door, revealing Cecilia and Alexandra.
"Girls, what brings you here?" – Emma asked.
"It's very important, Emma…" – Cecilia said – "We have not very pleasant news."
Hearing about that, Mary Margaret and David walked to the door too, expecting the girls to pursue. What could be wrong now? Alexandra sighed and said:
"Emily saw the Captain Hook today… he's in Storybrooke."
"And since he needed magic to come here, Cora is most likely here too." – Cecilia added.
Emma gasped in shock, while David and Mary Margaret exchanged a worried glance.
Enchanted Forest
Belle and Philip met Mulan in the woods. Mulan was sitting next to a fire, reading Belle's book. As soon as she saw her friend, she smiled and said:
"Belle… you're alive."
"I did it. I defeated the Yaoguai." – Belle said with pride and a smile, before she turned to Philip and added – "Well, I was a little helped…"
"Who are you?" – Mulan asked to the man she was seeing for the first time.
"I was the Yaoguai." – Philip answered.
"He was cursed." – Belle explained – "I helped him, and now he'll help you."
"You're not with us?" – Mulan asked.
"I have another beast to face." – Belle replied.
After that, Belle gave Mulan her sword back, while Mulan returned Belle her book. They said goodbye to each other, after what Philip and Mulan introduced themselves to each other. Belle walked away, ready as ever to meet Rumple again. She understood that the Dark One needed some love, and that's what she was ready to give him. Not forgetting about a family, since it was his child she was expecting. With a smile, she said:
"I'm coming back, Rumple…"
"Isn't that adorable?" – said a voice.
Belle turned around and recognized the Evil Queen, who pursued:
"Fighting for True Love… even if it costs your life."
Belle realized that the two men who attacked her earlier told about her to the queen. Regina ordered her soldier to put her in a cage-like chariot, making Belle her prisoner now. Belle tried to protest, shouting:
"No! I can save him! I can break the curse…!"
"You already tried, without success." – the Evil Queen commented – "That beast can't be saved. I am saving you from a life full of suffering."
"You won't succeed break us apart forever!" – Belle said as she was put in the cage – "I will fight for him! I will never stop fighting for him!"
Storybrooke
It was very late evening. Gold, Belle and Emily arrived at the line of the town. Gold took the shawl in his hand and said:
"It would have been gone if you didn't interfere. After all I did, after all what you learned, why are still on my side now?"
"Long time ago, someone said me… when you find something to fight for, you can't give up." – Belle replied with a smile.
"She is right." – Emily added – "And I can confirm this, being a Sailor Guardian."
Gold only nodded at their words. After that, they went out the car, straight to the edge of their town. Mr Gold versed the potion on the shawl, after what he put it around his neck and crossed the line. His two ladies looked at him, wondering if the potion had worked. Gold then said:
"Belle… and… Emily."
They both got relieved that it had worked. They wished him good luck to find his son and added that they would wait for him. Gold and Belle were about to kiss, but all of sudden, Belle got shot!
"Mum…!" – Emily screamed horrified.
The girl was a bit surprised how the word came out by itself. But it felt right to call her this way. Then, she turned around, to see that it was Hook who did this.
"Belle…!" – Gold said, worried about her.
"Who's Belle…?" – she asked in confusion.
Gold then noticed that she had crossed the line of the town. He turned to Hook, saying:
"What you did can't be undone…!"
"Finally, you know how it is!" – Hook replied.
Emily gave to the pirate an angry and teary glance. If he wasn't holding a gun, she would have slapped him, with all the strength she could. Mr Gold stood up, and he magically created a fireball in his hand. He was about to launch it on the pirate, as he saw a car coming from behind him. He hurried to roll with Belle in his arms on the ground, to protect her. The car hadn't enough time to stop, and it overthrew the pirate, after what the car hit stones on the border of the road. Gold and Emily looked at the car, and saw that it came from outside Storybrooke. A stranger had just arrived.
A/N: Emily called Belle mum! :) But too bad the latter doesn't remember... :(
I must say that there's only 3 chapters left, and it will be the end of Cora's arc. It was diffrent in the tv show, but I think it was about time to make some changes. The next chapter will be similar to the canon episode too, but the two which follow don't. :) Well, I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story, and I hope you'll review.