Truths and Lies part 3
"You know, most people would be trying to get out of a dangerous mission back to a place that is filled with deadly magic," Emma muttered.
"Come on mom," Henry pleaded. "It will be fun."
"Teenagers these days," Snow muttered.
"Hey," Rachel protested, coming to Henry's defense.
"What's wrong with us teens having some fun?" Ivy asked, innocently. She gave Rachel a discreet high five, prompting an eye roll from Emma.
"The point is," Regina said, gaining the attention again. "This mission is incredibly dangerous. We have no idea what we're walking into here."
"Isn't Storybrooke more dangerous?" Henry asked. "I mean, this is where Gothel is. Right?"
"Henry, the Enchanted Forest has dangers even you couldn't imagine," Gold said.
"We need someone to stay behind," David pointed out.
"Aye," Hook agreed. "I'll stay," he offered.
"Then I'll stay," Emma said.
"No luv, it's okay," Hook responded. "Besides, I never got a proper bachelor party." He smiled at Emma, his dark eyes hinting at his humour. She rolled her eyes fondly.
"Okay, I'll go," she said, shrugging.
"The three of us are going," Henry stated.
Regina shot a Henry a look, but he simply stared back. He lifted an eyebrow, almost challenging her to disagree.
"We'll stay too," Snow offered.
"Gold, do you have any experience with Rapunzel? Or Gothel even?" Emma asked.
"I've certainly run into Gothel a fair amount of times. I also met Rapunzel once or twice," he replied.
"Can you go?" Emma asked. "We'll take care of Gideon for you."
"As it seems to be requested, I'll oblige," he said, wrapping an arm around Belle.
"Well, I guess I have to stay," Regina said. "If Emma and Gold are going, someone with magic has to stay here."
"It's okay your majesty," Hook assured him. "We'll have lots of fun here." Regina shot the pirate a look of annoyance.
"Hold it guyliner," she muttered.
"Well, considering it's either hanging with me or the Charmings," Hook said, trailing off. Regina narrowed her eyes.
"I'm gonna go find Zelena," she muttered. Hook simply smiled.
"I have no idea why you married the pirate," Regina spoke to Emma.
"Surely there was someone else in the town who was better? Even the dwarves would've been better."
"If Hook and I get a divorce, I'll make sure to notify you," Emma responded, laughter gleaming in her eyes.
"When do we leave?" Belle asked. "And how quickly will Gothel know that we're gone?"
"Probably right away," Regina answered. "So, you'll have to find Rapunzel quickly."
"Wait," Rachel interrupted. "What about getting to the Enchanted Forest? How are we going to create a portal?"
"Well, I might have the answer you're looking for," Gold responded, pulling a small golden bag out from his pocket.
"What is that? One of the beans from Jack in the Beanstalk?" Rachel joked. "Did you trade your cow for them?"
No one said anything.
"Seriously?" Rachel muttered, rolling her eyes. "Fabulous, we're traveling to another land by means of a 2 centimeter sprout."
"I'll start laying protective defenses in the town. Meanwhile, you guys should go," Regina suggested.
Gold opened the small bag, and dumped the contents into his hand.
"Would you care to do the honors?" he asked, turning to Belle.
"Why thank you," she said, taking the bean from him. She closed her eyes, imagining where she wanted to go, before throwing the bean to the ground.
The bean forced open a force stronger than most people would ever know.
"Ladies first?" Hook suggested, gesturing for Emma to go. She gave him a quick kiss, before stepping into the portal.
Henry, Ivy, and Rachel all approached the portal together.
"Like a diving board," Ivy suggested. They all grinned at each other.
"Cannonball!" Henry yelled, as they all jumped into the portal. They were swallowed by the orange swirl within a second.
"Looks like Henry has found some new friends," Gold remarked, walking up to the portal.
"Friends?" Belle questioned, as she followed him. Before he could respond, she was stepping into the orange haze, disappearing into nowhere.
"Good luck," Gold said, turning to Regina. For once, there seemed to be no sarcasm in his voice.
"What is it Gold?" Regina asked.
"Gothel is a truly dark force. She is a human who allowed herself to be corrupted completely by the darkness. You see, unlike all of the other 'villains' we've faced, we cannot appeal to her humanity. She's spent far too long in darkness for that. It means she has no weakness."
He paused again, sensing the portal beginning to collapse.
"I may be wrong. But I sense we may be walking right into a trap." With that, he stepped into the portal, and a few seconds later, the large circle had shrunk away to nothing.
I may be wrong. But I sense we may be walking right into a trap. Gold's words kept whispering in Regina's head.
"Regina?" Snow asked, also concerned about Gold's words.
"It's uh, probably nothing," she said, putting on a smile.
"You really think Gold would waste time warning us about something that wouldn't happen?" Charming asked.
"No, Gold never does anything without a reason," Hook said. "He's onto something. We should be careful. I get a feeling we have no idea what Gothel is capable of."
"I'm gonna go find Zelena," Regina said, still quite unnerved. "Maybe we can find whatever it is that Gothel has planned."
She waved her hands, disappearing in a cloud of purple smoke.
The remaining three simply stared at each other.
"Right, so, I'll go start organizing some defenses against Gothel. I'll connect with Mulan, and see what she knows," Hook said, already planning things in his head. "Oh, and I'll talk to Lily. See what she learned about Gothel." He began walking towards the sheriff's office, purpose in his stride.
"Do you really think Gold was being paranoid?" Snow asked. Charming shook his head.
"Gold knows Gothel better than anyone. He's good with figuring a person out. I actually trust him with this," Charming replied.
"If he is right," Snow started. "Then Storybrooke is about to get very dark."
"Oh indeed it will," came a small whisper. Gothel stared at the couple, as they embraced, looking out over their precious town. They had no idea she was watching. And it would stay like that for a while. She could certainly learn things here in Storybrooke.
Next time… The heroes in the Enchanted Forest face new and dangerous foes as they try to survive for long enough to find Rapunzel
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