Temptation - Part 1
"Are you thinking about Gideon?" Gold asked, approaching his wife. Belle smiled ruefully.
"I wish. I'm worried about what's going to happen to Storybrooke," she admitted. He nodded in understanding.
"I worry too. But right now, we need to focus on Rapunzel." Belle rolled her eyes in frustration.
"Rumple, it's the entire Enchanted Forest," she shot back. "She could be anywhere." Rumple knew she was only being like this because she was worried about Gideon. He certainly was.
"I know," he said. "But, she could be the key to defeating Gothel." Belle hesitantly looked up at him.
"Earlier, you said that you'd had experiences with Gothel. When?" she asked. Gold chuckled softly.
"I've met Gothel a number of times. She was in an… alternate version of the Enchanted Forest. When she first came to me, she was asking about the Guardian. She wanted to know exactly how to find one."
"Guardian?" Belle questioned.
"The Guardian is someone who is destined to carry dark magic. Well, they're a little bit like saviors. In fact, the Guardian is the one destined to hold the power of the Dark One." Belle raised her eyebrows at the last statement.
"Is that so?" she asked. He nodded, already seeing where she was going.
"Belle… the Guardian, well it's incredibly complicated. Trust me, right now the dagger cannot be gotten rid of so easily." Belle nodded, shrugging.
"Rumple, I trust you. Truth be told, I think you're doing a pretty good job with the dagger right now."
"Blood ties," Rumple muttered, eyes narrowed in concentration.
"Rumple?" Belle asked, sensing that her husband was no longer listening. He seemed to be whispering to himself, trying to figure something out.
"The dark castle," he suddenly blurted out. "I know how to find Rapunzel."
Regina knew something was going on with Mulan and Finnick. But, currently, she couldn't care less.
"Look, look," she shouted, trying to catch the attention of the townspeople. The ogre had fled last night, unable to break through the barrier by itself. But, reinforcements would come soon.
"How do you know the ogre is gone for good?" Leroy demanded. Regina fought to keep her face neutral.
"The ogres are not gone. They're coming back. And we need a plan to stop them. Okay? Now, for some reason, I have no effect on the ogres." The people became uneasy at this.
"What do you mean?" Granny asked, bow ready in hand.
"Well, I think it's perfectly obvious what it means," Regina snapped back. She almost flinched as Granny's eyes narrowed.
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I'm just… feeling uneasy without magic to help defend." She looked down, surprised at her sudden confession.
Granny's eyes actually seemed to soften at this. She felt a small surge of pride for the queen. Yes, she'd done things in the past. But, she had… evolved since then.
"Okay Your Majesty," she said, standing up straighter. "I'll support you all the way." Regina smiled at the confident show of support.
"Thank you," she said, sharing a smile with the older woman. "Now, we need a long term plan for the ogres." She trailed off, hoping that someone would have an idea. A glance at Mulan and Finnick told her they were already thinking.
"Um, if anyone does have an idea, please do not hesitate to approach any one of us. And, stay in town. We don't know when the next attack will happen." The town seemed to take it, and began to slowly disperse.
"Do the terrific two have any ideas?" Regina asked Snow, gesturing to Mulan and Finnick.
"It's weird. Mulan hates him. He likes her. And they work together like they've known each other for years." Snow looked at David, waiting for his opinion.
"He likes her?" he asked, staring at the two in confusion. Snow rolled her eyes.
"Yes. Can't you see it?" David just dumbly shook his head. Snow fought the temptation to roll her eyes.
"Look at the way they interact. It's clear that he is totally willing to follow her. I don't know. The way they talk to each other. It's clear that there's a unique relationship there."
"Has Mulan told you how they met?" David asked. Snow just sighed.
"Mulan hasn't told me much of anything. She just admitted that Finnick is Rachel's father."
"What about Rapunzel?" David asked. Snow frowned, and thought about it for a second.
"I'm not sure. Mulan told me that she met Finnick or Flynn or whatever he's called...anyways, she said she met him while searching for Rapunzel."
"Wait, Finnick/Flynn entered a relationship with Mulan, while searching for his…" David trailed off. "Were Rapunzel and Finnick married?" Snow shrugged, not knowing one way or the other.
"And Ivy is also Finnick's daughter."
The sound of Mulan clearing her throat behind them stopped their conversation mid-flow.
"Finnick and I may have come up with a plan. But, it will require a portal. And a lot of planning."
"We need to move the ogres," Finnick explained. "Regina is the only one in this town with magic right now. And, something obviously happened to make her magic harmless to the ogres."
"What about Gold, or Emma? Or even Rachel? Could we get a message to the Enchanted Forest?" Regina asked. Mulan shook her head.
"No, we can't distract them from finding Rapunzel. She could be our only hope of stopping Gothel for good. For now, the ogres are just a test. One from Gothel."
"Well, it sounds like we at least have a plan," David said, trying so hard to be optimistic.
"Hopefully the ogres will hold off their attack for a little while. Gothel must have gotten beans or a wand somewhere. And hopefully, she'll need another to transfer the other ogres."
"Yeah, now, we just need to defeat some ogres." David smiled at the group.
"Or, you could just ask me to do it." Everyone whipped around to see a shadow among them. Gothel.
"I have a proposal for all of you."
Hopefully, updates will continue every Tuesday. Let's just wish upon a star.
Next time… With the fate of their families in their hands, Gothel offers the heroes an offer they just might not be able to resist.
NightLightning21