It was my name ringing in the distance that forced me to open my eyes. It felt almost impossible to tear them apart, but when I finally did I found myself lying under a tree in two-foot high grass. I was wearing a long, fluffy, thick blue dress that I would have never been caught dead in if we were in my world. My fingers traveled to the long curls being held back by a small diamond-studded clip on the side of my head. A pair of dark blue heels lay on the ground beside me. It was like I had "fallen asleep". The last memory I could recall was standing in the middle of the Cave of Wonders staring into the pitless eyes of a blue-skinned genie. My wish was echoing in my head I wish to live the life I could have had if the Evil Queen never casted her curse, and somehow, without ever speaking the words, my wish was granted. My neck was still sore from feeling like someone was pulling me by a rope into a whole other world.
Again, my name was being called. I got on all fours and peered around the tree to see a small, round woman calling for me from the top of the hill. She looked worried. Something about her made me feel comfortable. I'm not sure how I knew her, but I did. I got to my feet and waved back.
"Emma! Your parents are nearly here, child! Get a move on!" She yelled.
At the mention of my parents I grabbed my heels, pulled up my dress and started sprinting up the rolling green hills. Out of breath, and practically sweating, I made it to the top. I was standing in the back of a very large crowd clapping and cheering. The whole kingdom had come out to greet them. I touched the shoulder of the man beside me and asked him, "Where are they coming from?"
He didn't look at me, but answered in a disgruntled "The Forbidden Forest, of course!" The Forbidden Forest was the land that protected the Evil Queen's castle. I remembered that from my book.
Even on tiptoe I couldn't see over the heads of everyone. All I could see were the trumpeters riding along on top their horses. I ran around the crowd and scaled the short wall, until I was standing on the other side of the gates. Johanna grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close to her.
"Put your shoes on, child!" She said under her breath.
As I stumbled putting one shoe on at a time, the procession stopped right in front of us and the trumpeters dismounted from the horses. The crowd in the back got louder, signaling my parents' were coming. Like a wave, the cheering erupted with every square inch of crowd they neared. I still couldn't see them. I was still falling over trying to put the heels on when I saw him round the corner. He was strong, handsome, and my dad. Holding on to his hand was Snow. Her long dark hair fell beyond her shoulders and looked curly like mine. Something inside of me was urging me to do what I have always dreamed of doing one day, I called out to them.
"Mom! Dad!" I called to them. Both of their heads turned to look for me. Smiles appeared on their faces. Instinctively, I kicked the heels, which refused to slip on with ease, to the side and broke into a run. He opened his arms and let me jump right into them. As soon as I crashed in, it felt like I could breathe again. It was like I had spent my whole life underwater and now I was experiencing what it felt like to have parents, and it was a breath of fresh air. He picked me off my feet and twirled me around. Everyone around us was laughing and cheering even louder. When he put me back down Snow was waiting for me. She took my chin in her hand and looked into my eyes with such love and care. Finally, she pulled me into her embrace and squeezed tightly. A few moments later Johanna was walking us through the gate. Snow held my left hand and Charming held my other. As a united force we marched through the crowds, happier than I have ever felt in my entire life. Before we walked through the front door they turned around, waved to all of their people.
They took my hands again and walked us through the front door with every servant and friend following behind. As soon as the door shut behind us Johanna ran to Snow and pulled her close. Charming wrapped rustled my hair before taking off with a man in his army to debrief. Suddenly, I was alone. Snow was talking to a group of woman in one wing of the castle and Charming was in the other. I took this brief moment to look around at the castle I had once visited with Mary Margaret. It was full of life. It was a living and breathing entity. There was light, color, fun and regality dripping from every corner. This was what Mary Margaret had been talking about. She said how much she missed her home and now I know why. It actually felt like a home. My fingers were running along the mantelpiece when Snow came up behind me. She pressed the side of her face against my head and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"It feels so good to be home." She whispered.
My hands reached up to hers and I leaned my head against her. She had no idea how good it felt for me to be home, too. After spending days walking alone through the forest, fighting off the Queen's men, traveling with Aladdin, and then finding the Cave of Wonders - to be with my parents again was the next best thing to being home.
"How was your journey?" I asked.
"Long…How have you been?" She took me by the shoulders and twirled me around. She looked me up and down searching for good health. Finally, she brushed a piece of hair from my face and kissed my cheeks. She smelled like pine and fire. It was the best scent I've ever breathed. I took her hands from my face and held them tight.
I'm fine, Mom." The words came out so easily. It was the first time I looked at her face and ever called her that. When I said mom, I always pictured Regina. But for the first time I felt certain she was my mother.
"I know. Johanna told me all about your lessons and work. I just- I don't like being separated from you for so long. I don't want to miss another day of your life." She smiled so genuinely.
"My work?" I couldn't for the life of me figure out what she meant.
"Yes, in the villages. She said you have been spending most of your free-time serving the villagers, helping them rebuild." A maid handed Snow a glass of water and she thanked her graciously.
"Oh right…yes! It's been wonderful." I played along.
Charming soon joined us. The three of us sat down on a couch by the fire, sharing stories and days. They told me very little about their journey other than it was long, fruitful and no casualties on their side. I told them as much as I could make up. Thankfully, Johanna came in and gave them many details I couldn't recall. They were so proud of me and all that I had done, even though they were the ones who went on a journey to save everyone else. That night they dismissed every staff member early, and we spent the whole night together. It was the most quality time I've ever spent with a parent, not to mention two. Even though we were royalty, even though we were forced to wear ballgowns on a Tuesday and call one another Sir and Madam, the three of us lay on the floor in front of the fire eating grapes and crackers with cheese talking and laughing. It was fun. It was actually fun. The whole night had slipped through our fingers. The next morning I woke up in a bed. It wasn't where I remembered falling asleep.
I lay in the largest canopy bed I've ever seen. The silk sheets were red, my favorite color. I pulled the sheets off to find I was in a beautiful night gown. This must be my room. It looked exactly like the room I could only dream of. It was full of color and life and expensive things. A rather large chandelier hung from the middle of the room, with diamonds draped along the glass. A large mirror stood on the side of double doors. I walked along the cold, concrete floors barefoot to the white doors. When I pushed them open I saw the same breathtaking view I had seen only days before with Mary Margaret. This was indeed the nursery that was intended to be my room. It all made sense when I saw the oversized stuffed giraffe sitting near my bed. I leaned against the balcony and watched life below. Horses were being groomed down in the stables, Johanna was yelling at a few maids outside to hurry up with the laundry. People were going about their daily lives, as if this was actually normal.
There was a gown hanging on a wooden hangar on the outside of my bedroom door. It must mean I was to change into this particular gown. Just as I pulled it off the hangar to put it on a group of maids came bustling in to tuck me tightly into my corset. They spoke politely and quietly to me, out of respect.
"You look beautiful." Came a familiar voice. Charming was leaning against the doorframe watching me being tortured.
"Really? Because I feel like a Barbie doll." I retorted in anguish.
"A what?" He asked curiously, clearly uncertain of my futuristic reference.
"Uh, nothing…I just feel a little silly."
"Yeah, well you never were one for dresses. You're like your mother. You always preferred to be barefoot and in pants." He took my hand and twirled me around with a chuckle.
"Pants are easier to run in." I said smiling.
"But young ladies never run…" Snow came in carrying a silver, diamond, tiara on a pillow. "This was my mother's, then mine, and now yours." She placed the crown on the top of my head gently. She touched my cheek with her fingers and stood beside my father to see the finished product.
"It's beautiful…Why are you giving this to me?" I asked, trying to sound as appreciative as I could.
"For the Homecoming Celebration, of course. Procession is leaving any moment, we should get going." She said to Charming.
With that the three of us descended down the stone staircase to the grand entrance hall. They stood arm-in-arm in front of the doors. Trumpets played and the doors were pulled open to reveal the King and Queen. They walked graciously into the light, into the middle of their people. I followed suit, like I probably have done many times before but couldn't remember. Just down the road a little there were three horses waiting for us. Two in the front and one in the back. Someone held their hand out to assist me onto my saddle. We galloped through the different villages, through the woods, through crowds and crowds of people just waving and smiling. We were flanked on either side with armed men. But as we neared a village I could somewhat recognize, I jumped down from my horse and walked alongside it. These villagers looked sad, dirty, and hopeless. Their homes were destroyed and their lives empty. Little kids ran along the streets barefoot, not because they wanted to, but because they didn't have shoes. Their clothes were more like rags, but they still had a reason to smile. A group of little kids came running towards me with a great big smile on their faces. I kneeled down to each one of them. A little boy pressed his filthy hand against my cheek and smiled. It sent butterflies shuttering in my stomach. He was the sweetest little thing I've ever seen.
"Princess Emma!" They all shouted at me.
"I love your dress." A little girl played with the blue satin.
"You're beautiful, Princess Emma!" Said the little boy with his hand still on my cheek.
"And you are very handsome, Prince." He blushed at my compliment.
"Princess Emma…" Said one of the soldiers standing by my side. He wanted me to mount my horse and continue the tour, but my heart was right here with these little ones.
"Where are your families?" I asked.
"We don't have any, Princess. We live over there." The little boy pointed to a dilapidated old building that read Orphanage. My heart sank. I looked over my shoulder to my parents who had just noticed my detour. Snow also got off her horse and started towards me. She kneeled beside me and shook every little child's hand. The kids were just as enamored with her. They touched every part of her face and dress they could. The soldiers told us we needed to keep moving before the sun set. The little boy slipped his hand in mine and a little girl took Snow's. We walked down the dirt road in our gowns with villagers lining either side clapping and cheering us on. Snow waved and smiled at every single one. Meanwhile, I was already worrying about the moment I would have to let go of this little boy's hand. I knew what it felt like to have a slice of hope.
"They don't have homes. They don't families." I whispered to her. She kept smiling, but turned her focus from the crowds to me. Our eyes connected and in that moment she understood exactly what I needed to do.
"Oliver…" She beckoned one of the soldiers standing close by. She sent him and a group of his men off to find sustenance and a place to stay for every single one of the children. While they were off searching, Charming, Snow and I played with them. Growing up with Regina, I could remember only wishing I had someone to just play with. All I wanted was someone to kick a ball around with or to jump rope with. It was an easy enough request. All these kids wanted to do was play too. They had enough hardships in their lives and all they wanted was a few minutes to be kids. Once the villagers saw the royal family playing with a group of orphans they all joined in too. At one point, when I was playing catch with a group of little boys, I looked over and saw my mother reading a story to a little girl on her lap and my father in the middle of a wooden-sword fight. I was once one of these orphans. I never had anything, or anyone. While it was odd being on the other side of things, it was rewarding being able to give these kids something I have always wished I could have.
We stayed with them until every last one of them was fed and asleep in their warm beds. It was practically pitch black when we arrived home. The soldiers formed a sort-of wall for us to walk between. Everything about this day was royal. Even ending the evening with a group of maids untying my corset felt royal. Snow and Charming had said their goodnights to me by the door. After the day I had I couldn't fall asleep. I just couldn't get over how incredible this life is. It made me dread the moment I would have to go back to my normal life.
After looking through every single drawer and behind every door in my room I decided to venture into the hallway. When I opened my thick oak door I was met with utter silence. I could hear the ticking of the clock three floors down. There wasn't a light on. I started down the staircase, tip-toeing along the cold floors. As I started towards the kitchen for a plate of homemade cookies Johanna had made for dessert tonight I was surprised to see flickering of flames. I turned the corner to the sitting room and saw David sitting on the couch looking deeply into the fire.
"Can't sleep?' I whispered.
He looked up. There was something in his eyes that scared me. It looked something like fear. I didn't think Prince Charming was capable of feeling anything like fear. But there he sat, in his silk pajamas, his hair a mess, a glass of whiskey in his hand and fear in his eyes.
"No…No, I can't." He finished his glass and placed it on the side table. "What about you?" He moved over, opening up a spot for me to sit.
"I don't know. I'm not really tired." I folded my legs underneath me.
He smiled softly, patted my leg, and continued to let something envelope him into a state of depression I couldn't quite understand.
"Dad?" I broke the barrier of silence.
"Yeah?"
"What were you doing?… when you went on your journey?" I asked.
He thought about it for a moment. He seemed to really consider telling me before huffing and shaking his head.
"You know I can't tell you that…" He shook his head again.
"I know…But I want to know what's going on. People around the castle are whispering..." I looked at him briefly and continued on. "I know something big is going on because you won't tell me."
A single tear traveled down his cheek. It last only a second, because he was quick to wipe it away. We shared a moment of silence. I think we were both looking for answers. Then he stood up, kissed the crown of my head and said "You should get some sleep…". He went upstairs and left me alone with the fire still raging.
Of course I didn't get any sleep. I spent that whole night torturing myself with different theories. None of these theories had a good outcome, either. I was able to slip my own torture chamber of a mind by succumbing to the exhaustion in my eyes. It was only a few short hours before I was being woken up by the streaming sun. It came in through the windows like rapids rushing. It was bright and intrusive. When I peered out my window I saw Charming riding away with a group of his men. They were off on some other rendezvous that I still wasn't privy to.
As quickly as I could I threw on a pair of riding pants and coat, hoping to get on a horse and catch up with him. Maybe if I could just overhear or see something then everything would make sense. The secrecy was killing me. As I jumped off the front steps into the lush grass Snow bellowed to me from a balcony above. She was talking with Johanna over some papers when she caught sight of me. Within seconds she was downstairs.
"Where are you off to?" The sweet smile that was on her face all day yesterday was still there today.
"I was just going to go riding…" I lied.
"Great! Want some company?" She asked.
"Uh…Sure…" I tried to make it sound as convincing as possible. Thankfully she wasn't able to sense the disappointment in my voice because she started joyfully marching down to the stables.
Conversation with Snow was much easier than having a conversation with Mary Margaret. She was just happier or full-of-life. Whatever it was, I just felt like I connected with Snow on a level I couldn't with Mary Margaret. We rode all through woods and didn't notice we were almost on the edge of our kingdom until we stopped to let our horses drink. There was so much I wanted to ask her. I wanted to know everything, like what was my first word, did I like dresses at one point in my life, what's my favorite dessert? I just wanted to know the kind of person I almost was, but I couldn't ask them without raising any eyebrows. Instead, she told me about herself. She talked about how much she used to love riding when she was younger, how much she misses her father, and how I remind her of him. It was bittersweet hearing about her past. It made me sad that I never got a chance to be a part of this, but it made me equally excited to get home to this.
As we were walking our horses back up through the pasture towards the stables we saw a few horsemen wearing our Kingdom's colors and racing up the dirt path to the castle. Snow was glaring at them intensely. Another set of horsemen followed behind. She began to mount her horse again.
"What's going on?" I asked nervously.
"Go to the stables and find Johanna."
"But Mom, I can help!" I protested.
"Emma, please just do what I say."
There was no arguing with her. The time for jokes was over. She looked upset. I watched her gallop off towards the commotion and I did as she said, and walked my horse back to the stables and brushed him quickly. My walk back up to the castle was long. There was no one around. Just a few moments ago we had a parade of horsemen racing through our grounds and now there's not a single body to be seen.
Johanna was standing by the chopping board in the kitchen waiting for me the very moment I walked through the door. She was mid-chop, when she dropped her knife and herded me through the kitchen. I did manage to swipe a cookie off the plate before I was pushed through the swinging doors.
"What took you so long? Your mother said you would have been here minutes ago."
"Sorry! I had to brush the horse, clean off my boots-" She waved any excuse off my excuse.
"You need to get upstairs." We started up the very tall set of stairs.
"What's wrong?" I asked through a mouth-full of chocolate chip cookie.
"Your studies, is what's wrong. You've neglected every single piece of parchment you were supposed to write. Your tutor is upstairs waiting in the galley."
"You know Johanna, life could be a lot easier if you just kick up your feet every so often." I said.
"And turn out like you? I think not…" She was sassy. I had to give her that.
We were halfway down the hallway when something caught my eye. Through the small square window in a wooden door at the end of the hallway I saw Ruby. I only know it was her because of the red cape on her back. I stopped to get a better look. This time I saw Granny, Leroy, and Gippetto. This glimpse brought forth a memory. A very similar scene happened in my book. They gathered together to discuss the impending curse. There could only be one reason they're together now. Johanna's hands wrapped themselves around my arms. Our struggle resulted with me breaking free and pushing my way into the room.
Everyone's heads turned to me. Even though my parents looked angry, I couldn't stifle the fear that was building from deep inside me. Dad yelled for Johanna to remove me from the room, but her efforts were thwarted by my flailing arms. When I was a safe distance from Johanna's grip, as well as anyone else's, I looked into my parents eyes and demanded them to tell me what was going on.
"Nothing for you to worry about , sweetheart." Snow tried to handle me. Clearly, she didn't understand that I was not one to let things like this go.
"I know something's wrong. I can help!" I insisted.
"No, my dear, I don't think you can." Granny chimed in. At this point, all eyes were on her.
"There is a way she can help…" Dr. Hopper piped up.
"She is a child!" Leroy yelled angrily at the swaying emotions in the room.
"Tell me…" I said softly when my mother's eyes looked at me.
Charming tried to stop her from talking, but eventually Snow put her hand on his arm and told him nonverbally to let her talk. Silently and defeated, Charming slipped back into his royal chair and watched helplessly as his plans slipped passed him.
"The Evil Queen is planning on unleashing a curse on this land by tomorrow's dawn." She drew a breath. It was the only sound that could be heard in the entire room. Everyone was watching the scene unfold before them.
"…What is the curse?" I hesitated to ask, because I secretly knew exactly what the curse was.
"The whole kingdom will be taken from this land and wiped of their memories…" She said.
"How do we stop it?" I asked.
"We can't." Dr. Hopper interrupted. "But you can."
"Of course…"
It seemed like everyone was avoiding my eyes. They were all embarrassed, or ashamed. It was almost like they felt bad they couldn't stop this from being my issue.
"Okay, well, how do I stop it?" As soon as the words came from my lips, Snow's eyes welled with tears. She mindlessly reached for Charming's hand. He rose to his feet and completed the sentence she couldn't.
"The curse is meant to last for twelve years. When you're 28 years old, you will be able to break the curse, only if you remember who we are."
"How am I going to be able to do that?"
"We've tried everything…There's nothing we can do to stop it." Ruby added.
The situation was grave. Johanna stared at the ground, letting tears slip down her cheeks. All the members of the table were staring at one another. Charming and Snow White held each other as everyone let our mortality hang in the air. It was hitting me that no matter what universe I lived in, no matter how good or bad it seemed, Regina was always going to try and ruin my life. There was no way around it. I could have the perfect family, all the love this earth could offer, and a beautiful castle and it was never going to be enough. The only way to secure some kind of happiness is if Regina was eliminated from the equation.
"Man the perimeter of the kingdom. Have the dwarves stationed in the turrets for warning, barricade every entrance into the castle. Then find whatever weapon you can." I started spouting orders in a tone of authority that I never knew I had. "We're going to fight."
I didn't stay long enough to see the shocked looks in my parents' eyes. I turned on my heel and headed out the door in search of a weapon I could utilize. Something in my hands gave me a feeling that I never felt. I looked down at my hands and saw small little sparks coming from my fingertips.
It clicked.
This is what I need to stop Regina. This is the only thing that's going to keep my family together.
I ran into the closest empty room. My hands unclenched and magic began burning from my palms. It made every limb in my body quiver with excitement. I tried to remember how the book described how to work magic. There was something about concentration. I closed my eyes, focused on how badly I wanted this life, and tried to channel the power.
When I opened my eyes I saw sparks bursting in the air. Things fell off shelves and the glass in the window panes cracked. All I had to do was stop her. I didn't need to kill her, or even hurt her! I just needed to stop the curse.
There wasn't enough time to practice. Everything got eerily quiet and then turned to chaos. I looked out the window and saw the dwarves at the top of the castle screaming and ringing the bell. It had come. There was no time for backing out. I ran out of the room. As I sprinted through the hallways I had to dodge arrows being shot through the windows. Downstairs Granny and Ruby were battling with a group of men dressed in black. I grabbed a sword from a tin soldier that was standing stationary by the door and cut the legs of two of the men from behind. It gave Granny enough time to use her arrows at the other five men running towards me. We shared a smirk before I continued on. When I busted through the front doors it was clear how calm it was on the inside in comparison to out here. Snow and Charming were dueling over a hundred of black nights. Johanna was punching some knight in the stomach, and a few of our soldiers had fallen in the center of the courtyard.
"Emma! Watch out!" Snow yelled to me as an arrow nearly missed my chest.
It was off in the distance, less than a mile away, I could see a purple fog gaining speed. Then there was a cry and a roar. The gates had been completely torn down and a carriage with three drawn horses was rushing into the courtyard. The small door popped open. She was so much darker than I remember her being in the book. Her black hair hung over her shoulder. The smile on her face was terrifying. I thought that when I saw her again I might be relieved, maybe even somewhat happy, but I was completely wrong. My stomach lurched at the sight of her.
Instinctively, I jumped off the steps and walked towards my mother. She looked right at me, but through me. She didn't know who I was. She didn't know that I was her daughter, the little girl she would have to walk around the house with to calm down at night, or the little girl who only ate the tops of broccoli. Regina stared at me like I was the biggest enemy she's ever faced.
When I was able to finally come back down to my body, I only had a few seconds to do something before I could feel her breath on my neck. I closed my eyes tight, unclenched my hands, and tried to expel any energy from my fingertips.
A light was propelled and all of the fighting stopped. Everyone watched as the light touched the land and Regina. It was hard to tell what people were more impressed with, the fact that I had magic, or the fact that something was able to stop Regina for even a moment.
"She has magic." The words escaped Regina's lips like poison from an adder's tongue.
Snow came running to my side. Regina didn't even try to stop her. Our eyes were penetrating one another. It felt like an eternity of simply staring. A small, gross, grin spread across her face. With a flick of her wrist she froze everyone around us completely still. It was now just between us. Like how it was always meant to be.
"You are exactly like your mother." She finally said.
"Not exactly." I answered.
"The same smug, arrogant attitude. You think everyone is beneath you." She started circling around my like a hawk.
I decided to take advantage of her back turned to me and raised my hands. A rope fell over my wrists and I was bound together. She laughed.
"After everything she has put me through, I think it may only be fitting for her to watch me take the loves of her life." She stopped. We watched the gray clouds erupt in purple fog and it start to infiltrate the sky once again.
"You can't kill me. You need me."
"I'm not going to kill you. But it will feel like it."
Excitement dripped from her as the purple fog gained speed and started swallowing the kingdom whole. My hands were finally able to slip from the rope, but I didn't make it in time. I couldn't stop it from happening. My family was torn apart again.
As I was being sucked into a vacuum, I could still hear Regina's laugh echoing. She had done exactly what she had always intended. She had won. Again. Yet again, I fell hard on a ground. I didn't want to even open my eyes, because it meant this wonderful dream I have been living in is all over.
I found myself back in the Cave of Wonders. Everything was in the order as to how I left it. As I dragged myself out of the Cave I could sense something uneven about the air.
"Emma! You're okay!" Aladdin came sprinting over the sand dunes. Holding him made the pain of this day slightly easier.
"I'm sorry I left without a note or anything. I just knew that you wouldn't-"
"I'm not mad. I'm just relieved you're okay!"
"Did you meet the genie?!"
"Yeah, I did."
When the words came out of my mouth my coat pockets felt suddenly full. My hand reached for a small clear bean, and the other hand pulled out a map. My wishes were granted. Just as I had asked for them. I finally got my way home, and Aladdin found the way to his family. We examined each so very closely. We sat down for a breather and I told him everything that had happened.
"You got your wish. How does it feel?" He seemed genuinely envious of my wish.
"I don't even know. On one hand I'm grateful I was able to meet them. On the other hand I feel empty not being able to save them. I guess no matter what life I live I'm not meant to be with them."
"That's not true." He reached for my hand and held it closely to his chest.
"No, it is." A voice interrupted our intimacy.
Both of our heads craned backwards to see Regina standing in the corner. She appeared from nowhere. She looked exactly as I had seen her only moments ago, yet universes away. The residing anger inside of my body was enough to elicit small sparks from my fingertips. She stepped backwards when she noticed.
"You have magic."
"Yes. I do."
"That changes everything."
With a turn of her cape, she transitioned from Regina the Evil Queen to an older, elegant, yet villainous woman. Aladdin stood up and tried to make his way closer to me.
"You're not-" I started.
"Oh that's right, you don't know who I am." She walked circles around Aladdin and me. She had this air of confidence that intimidated me to my core. "My daughter never did find much pride in me."
"You're Regina's…."
"Mother, yes. That makes me your grandmother." Her hand tried to reach out for my cheek, but I moved quickly.
"I have heard of you." I retorted. Mary Margaret had told me stories of her. She created more havoc and devastation than Regina could have ever done. Aladdin put his hand on my back and tried pulling us a little.
"All good things I expect. Now, my dear granddaughter, I think I may be able to help you get back home."
"I have a way home."
"You have a bean. You don't know how to activate the portal. You want to make it home and I want to make it back to my daughter. We can help each other."
"Why would I want to help you? I know what you have done to my family and this kingdom."
"Then you might be more accommodating know what I am capable of."
Aladdin grabbed my wrist tightly, so I could feel the bean in my hand. He was reminding me of the power I truly held. All I needed to do was throw the bean and everything would be okay.
The bean rolled from knuckle to knuckle in my fist. When she turned her back for a moment I was able to throw the bean behind me. The ground shattered and swirling pool of water opened. Aladdin and I started running as fast as we could. His hand was on the small of my back, pushing me further and faster. Cora managed to use her magic to pull me to the ground. On my way down my head met with the point of a rock. My fingers met a raging river of blood. I got to my feet and was face-to-face with my supposed grandmother.
"You are so much like her…"
"Who?" I spat in frustration.
"Snow White."
Aladdin came rushing towards Cora with a sword pointing directly towards her. Her magic wrapped a hand around his throat and forced him to the ground. My own neck was restrained and forced against a rock wall. As my back smashed against the stones I could feel a rib cracking. Aladdin managed to raise the tip of his sword high enough to barely scratch her face. But even the slightest cut forced out a bead of dark red blood. She released her grip on my neck and directed all of her anger at him. She rose his limp body in the air and threw him against the stone wall I had just slid on and was using his body as a punching bag. I started to crawl forward and found myself on the edge of the portal. Just close enough to feel the spray of the water, but I knew I couldn't go in without him.
My palms ignited a burning ball of fire and I was able to hit her directly, without her ever seeing it coming. She fell backwards. There was quite a bit of shock in her eyes. I grounded her with a net made of steel. It was strong enough to keep her down, but I could tell it wasn't going to last long.
"Aladdin!" I fell on my knees beside his bleeding and battered body.
"You have to go." He managed to croak out.
"No, I'm not leaving you here like this!" I said quickly.
"If you don't go now then you will never make it home."
"What about you?!" I asked. My heart breaking hurt more than any other superficial wound Cora could have given me.
"I'll be okay." He put his dirty hand in my dirty hair. He pulled my head to his lips. We met hard and furiously. "Go get your happy ending."
He pulled his body up and grabbed the sword that lay only feet away. I turned back towards the portal with trepidation. As I stood on the brink of the portal, staring at Aladdin and battling with my heart, I felt a something hit my chest. A force much stronger than magic. The last thing I saw before my eyes shut was Aladdin watching me fall hard and fast.