Chapter 28: The Power of the Gods

Storybrooke

It was still dark in Storybrooke, but that wasn't going to stop Regina from taking down the Jabberwocky. Everyone's lives were in danger as long as she was allowed to roam free. Regina walked through the forest carrying the Vorpal Blade in her hand. It was the only weapon powerful enough to contain the creature. Regina had to make a dangerous deal with Zelena to get the Vorpal Blade. In exchange for Zelena giving the weapon to Regina, Regina was magically bound to stay out of Zelena's way at one point in the future. That meant Zelena was planning something and that if she asked, Regina could do nothing to stop her. At the time, Regina thought it would be worth it to finally stop the Jabberwocky. Regina kept walking through the forest until she saw the Jabberwocky appear a few yards in front of her.

"I knew I'd find you here." The Jabberwocky said. "I could smell your fear a mile away. You're afraid of what I'll do if you don't stop me."

"You mistake fear for motivation." Regina said.

Without wasting anymore time, Regina used magic to send the blade flying at the Jabberwocky at intense speed. It was too fast for the creature. The blade hit the Jabberwocky and wedged itself into her stomach with such force that it carried her flying backwards into the nearest tree where she became pinned. The Jabber couldn't believe that Regina actually did it. Once again, the Jabberwocky was pinned by the Vorpal Blade.

"This won't hold me forever. It never does." The Jabberwocky said.

"Actually, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what it's designed to do, but just in case..."

Regina then raised her arms. Her hands started to glow purple. Then, the tree that the Jabberwocky was pinned to started to sink into the ground as if it were falling through quicksand. After a few seconds, the tree was completely submerged underground. The Jabberwocky was not dead, but at least now she couldn't talk. She would remain underground and Regina would tell no one where she was, so that no one could ever release her again.

While Regina was fighting the Jabberwocky, Maleficent was teaching Cyrus and Taj to unlock their magic. She taught them to associate emotion with their power and focus on what they wanted to do. She taught them on Main Street in front of the Pawn Shop. That was where Cyrus' daughter Sophia had been taken by Hades' demons. Cyrus hadn't moved. He wanted to learn magic right away so that they could all go to the Underworld, rescue Sophia, and kill Hades. Soon enough, Cyrus and Taj had unlocked the power within them, the power of the gods. Belle and Mary Margaret watched from the sidewalk. Suddenly, a large blue rabbit hole appeared on the street. Then, the White Rabbit, Alice, Will Scarlet, and Anastasia jumped out and landed on the street as the portal closed behind them. Upon seeing each other, Alice and Cyrus ran to each other and embraced. Mary Margaret and Belle approached Will and Ana to say hello to their old friends as well.

"Where's Victoria?" Cyrus asked.

"She's gone." Alice said. "She trapped my family in Wonderland. I freed them and now they're back home in England. Cyrus, Hades tried to conquer Wonderland. He had an army of demons. Rafi saved them all."

"Rafi?" Cyrus asked. "Is he alive?"

"Yes." Alice said. "He's gone to Agrabah to get help before going back to the Underworld to kill Hades. There's something I have to tell you. Hades is..."

"My father." Cyrus said. "I know. Maleficent taught Taj and I to unlock our magic so we could go to the Underworld and kill him."

"Where's Sophia?" Alice asked.

"Hades took her." Cyrus said. "That's why we're going to the underworld. Killing my father is the secondary objective after rescuing our daughter."

Suddenly, Regina appeared in a cloud of magic smoke.

"The Jabberwocky is taken care of." Regina said.

"The Jabberwocky?" Alice asked. "I watched Amara suck that into creature into the Sorcerer's Hat."

"It got out." Regina said. "Long story. I see you all found your way back here."

"I taught Cyrus and Taj to unlock their powers." Maleficent said. "We're ready to go to the Underworld and save your daughter."

"No." Taj said. "We need to go to Agrabah first and find Rafi and Emma. He already unlocked his powers and expelled a demon army from Wonderland. We'll need his and Emma's help to stop Hades."

"I'll take you there." The White Rabbit said. "We'll have to move fast."

"No." Cyrus said. "Go back to your family rabbit. They need you. Taj and I are powerful enough to cross worlds on our own."

"What about my husband and Hook?" Mary Margaret asked.

"They went to Agrabah with Rafi and Hercules." Will said.

"Hercules?" Cyrus asked.

"He's your cousin." Ana said. "I'll explain it all later."

The White Rabbit then conjured a magic rabbit hole back to Wonderland and jumped down. It closed after him.

"Raise your hand if you're coming to Agrabah and the Underworld." Taj said.

Cyrus, Alice, Will, Anastasia, Mary Margaret, Regina, and Maleficent all raised their hands. Taj and Cyrus then closed their eyes and thought of Agrabah. Then, a magic cloud of smoke consumed the entire group and transported them away from Storybrooke. Belle chose to stay. She supposed that someone had to remain behind. Besides, she wasn't much of a fighter. Suddenly, a cloud of smoke appeared in front of her revealing Mr Gold.

"Belle." The Dark One said. "I've made a decision. I choose you. Without the Author, I will die, but a life without you just isn't worth it."

Belle started to tear up and the two of them kissed passionately.

"I'll find a way to save you." Belle said. "You just watch me."