Truths and Lies part 2

"Why am I not surprised?" Rachel asked drily. "Isn't everyone related to everyone here? Jeez I don't wanna imagine Christmas."

"How is she?" Henry asked, still flushed from moments ago.

"Ivy's father and Rachel's father are the same."

"Oh gosh," Rachel muttered. "More Storybrooke magic to discover. Aren't I lucky."

"Anyways," Belle said. "Ivy should be here in a few minutes. I suggest you don't mention this just yet." Rachel rolled her eyes, but nodded.

"Who is Ivy's mother?" Henry asked curiously.

"She was known as Rapunzel," Belle answered. "Mulan teamed up with your father to try and find her. It was then that…" Belle trailed off awkwardly.

"Oh, wonderful," Rachel remarked. "What's next? Wait wait, let me guess. Elsa from Frozen is my cousin!" Henry shot her a sympathetic glance.

"Welcome to Storybrooke," he offered weakly. Rachel cradled her head in her hands. The jingling of the bell snapped her head up.

"That's Ivy," Belle said, leading them up to the counter. They both turned and looked at the girl walking into the library.

"She's pretty," Rachel said, eyes widening a bit. Belle shot her a look.

"Ivy," Belle called. Ivy turned, and walked towards the trio.

"Belle?" Ivy asked, a questioning look in her brown eyes. She looked maybe 15 or 16, with shoulder length brown hair. She turned her gaze to Henry and Rachel, the latter of whom was still staring.

"Uh, I'm Henry," Henry greeted, shaking her hand. He nudged Rachel, who also introduced herself.

"Yeah, uh, I'm, Rachel," she said. Ivy shook her hand as well, before Belle started explaining.

"Ivy, did your father ever talk about what happened to your mother?" she asked. Ivy's gaze became questioning, but she answered the question.

"I know that Mulan saved my mother from Gothel. But, after that, something happened. My parents had a huge fight one night. Something about my dad I guess. Anyways, she left. My dad said she went back to the Enchanted Forest."

"She left you?" Rachel asked. Ivy shrugged, not seeming to be bothered.

"I don't think she was thinking things through," Ivy answered.

"So, if she went back to the Enchanted Forest, then she would have been with Gothel. What if she found her?"

"Hey, Ivy. Can you come with us to the diner?" Belle asked. "I think we need to talk some more. With the other people. Meet us in forty five minutes." Ivy nodded slowly.

"Yeah, sure. See you guys there."

"Bye," Henry and Rachel both said.

"I think we need to determine a few things," Belle said, leading them out.

"I think we need a timeline," Rachel muttered.

Regina could feel the beginnings of a headache forming.

"Okay, would everyone be quiet for a few seconds?" she asked.

"So, fourteen years ago, Gothel managed to trap Rapunzel in the tower. Ivy's father enlisted Mulan to help him get Rapunzel back." She glanced around at the small group.

"Does everyone follow?" she asked. There was a hesitant chorus of nods.

"So, right before they found Rapunzel, Mulan and him?" Emma questioned.

"Yeah," Regina said. "Once they found Rapunzel, Mulan left. But, not before othel vowed revenge against all three of them."

"That's why she's going after Mulan,"Snow confirmed.

"Yes. So, flash forward nine months to Rachel's birth.

"Gothel had been following me for a few weeks. She decided to wait until I'd had my baby," Mulan chipped in.

"She tried to send me through a portal, allowing her to take Rachel. But, I tried to fight. In the end, Rachel was sent through. And I managed to escape."

"So, that's how Rachel got to this world."

"When I learned Gothel was here, I knew what she might be doing. I followed her."

"Meanwhile, Rapunzel was living with Ivy and Anastasia. And her husband. They traveled to Storybrooke. I'm guessing everything was fine until-"

"You know, if you're going by the story, he's probably named Flynn," Henry suggested.

"Okay, so they're all living fine. Until Flynn reveals what happened with Mulan. Then, Rapunzel leaves, and goes back to the Enchanted Forest. They, um, she finds Gothel eventually. And… we don't actually know what happens after that. But we know that then Gothel came to Storybrooke."

"Is anyone else's head spinning?" Hook asked. "Should we try and find Rapunzel?" he asked.

"Go to the Enchanted Forest?" Emma asked. "Great, I'll start packing right away."

"But, what if she's dead?" Snow asked. "Maybe we should focus on Gothel right now?" she suggested.

"Yeah, that would probably be best," Charming agreed. "We know what she wants. Mulan, Rachel, Flynn, and Ivy probably."

"Mulan, do you know of any weaknesses she has?" Emma asked.

"Well, I certainly haven't found anyone. If I had to guess, I'd go with something related to Rapunzel. There's a reason Gothel locked her up. Rapunzel must've done something. Threatened Gothel in some way. Maybe that's her weakness."

"So, our shot at finding Gothel's weakness is currently dead or alive in the Enchanted Forest?" Hook asked. "Sounds delightful."

"Remember we went to the underworld for you, pirate," Regina remarked.

"True," Hook conceded.

"We can't just leave Storybrooke," Snow pointed out. "Not with Gothel here."

"What if only some of us go?" Belle suggested. "But the rest of us will stay here."

"Yeah, good idea. Only a few of us need to go back. I mean, how many people could we possibly need to find Rapunzel?" Snow asked.

"Belle, where's Gold?" Charming asked.

"Oh, Gideon has a cold. He's staying home with him."

"Do you think maybe Gold knows something about Rapunzel?" Charming asked.

"Worth a shot," Emma answered. "He's seems to know everyone."

"Ivy should be getting her any minute," Emma said. "Maybe we should put the timeline away."

"So, who wants to go to the Enchanted Forest?" Regina asked.

"I do!" Rachel and Henry both shouted.

"Back off," Rachel joked. "You've already been."

"You were born there," Henry protested.

"Only counts if you remember," Rachel countered.

"I… fine," Henry muttered.

"Teenagers?" Regina called, shutting them up.

"Anyone want to go back?"

I'm super excited to write the Enchanted Forest. Who do you think should go back? Also, more Ivy next chapter.

Next time… With the heroes now seperated, Gothel begins to cause havoc in Storybrooke. The group in the Enchanted Forest face their own adversaries in their quest to find Rapunzel.

You guys are amazing

R&R

NightLightning21