I watched as Emma showed Aurora a picture of Henry, and Aurora confirmed that the boy in the picture was the boy she talked to. Emma and I shared a look with each other before Emma turned to speak to Aurora.
"That's impossible. It was a dream. How could you dream of my son?" Emma questioned.
"I have no idea." Aurora replied.
"Maybe it wasn't a dream." Mary-Margaret spoke.
"What?" Emma and I asked confused.
"That room... I've been there." Mary-Margaret replied.
"When I told you about it, you didn't say anything." Aurora said.
"You were terrified. I didn't want to make things worse by telling you I thought it might be real." Mary-Margaret said.
"A room in a dream is real?" Mulan asked confused.
"The sleeping curse. It has to be. I went through it, Aurora went through it..." Mary-Margaret replied.
"Henry's going through it because I wouldn't believe him." Emma finished for Mary-Margaret.
"Emma..." Mary-Margaret said sadly.
"What else did you lie about?" Aurora asked angrily.
I instinctively grabbed at my weapon and Aurora just stood back because I wasn't playing with her anymore.
"I was... I wasn't lying. I was protecting you." Mary-Margaret replied.
"What did he say- Henry? In the.. In the dream?" Emma asked.
"He just said his name. He... And then, I woke up, and... It was over." Aurora replied.
"Emma. It's going to be okay." I spoke before Mary-Margaret could.
"We are far from okay." Emma said.
"No. We have a way home now." Mary-Margaret said.
"We have the compass, and the wardrobe ashes are still with Cora." Emma said.
"Any attempt to steal from her would be suicide." Mulan said.
"Not anymore. We can stop her." Mary-Margaret said.
"How?" Mulan asked.
"I don't know, but I know someone who does... Rumpelstiltskin. He'll know a way." Mary-Margaret replied.
"Henry. We can talk to him. Now we can communicate." I said.
"Wait, wait." Aurora said.
"Oh yeah, Princess. You're going back to sleep." Emma said.
*Unknown POV*
I almost ran into the apartment when I heard Henry yell while shooting up in his bed. I knew better than that because I know that David wants to find out who I am since I exposed myself.
"They're... They're alive. They're alive!" Henry exclaimed.
"Who? Who's alive?" David asked.
"My mom, Snow, and Hazelle." Henry replied.
"I told you, kid. I told you!" David said.
"Was... Was it that woman you saw? Did she tell you this?" Regina asked.
"Her name's Aurora. She said they have a way home, but there's someone in their way- someone they need us to help them stop. Someone only Mr. Gold knows how to defeat." Henry replied.
I know exactly who he is talking about, and I also know that the girls have a huge fight ahead of them.
"Who?" Regina questioned.
"Your mother." Henry replied.
*End of POV*
We started heading deeper into the woods and I could tell that Mulan wasn't too thrilled that Aurora wanted to help us. I don't think Mulan really understands what's going on, but I really appreciate that Aurora wants to help reunite my family and I hope one day that her family will be reunited too.
*Unknown POV*
I followed the group as they headed to Mr. Gold's shop and boy does he rub me the wrong way. I made sure that I was well hidden because I don't need anyone else seeing me.
"I brought your blanket... from your bedroom back home." Regina said as she placed the blanket over Henry.
"Thanks. So, Cora... She's pretty powerful?" Henry said before turning to question Mr. Gold.
"Yes, but, uh, not as powerful as I am." Mr. Gold replied.
"Debatable." Regina scoffed.
"Actually, no, it's not." Gold scoffed back.
"You sure you're okay to do this, kid?" David asked as he sat next to Henry.
"I was born to do this. I'm done reading about heroes. I want to be one." Henry replied.
This kid is killing me right now. I wish I could go in there and hug him to me.
"Well, sometimes being one is knowing when not to run into the fire." David said.
"I'll be okay." Henry said.
"Look, whatever he faces in there, will be far less dangerous than what he'll face if we fail." Gold said.
"I can do this." Henry said.
"Get on with it. Fast." David told Gold as he moved out of the way.
"Alright, Henry. Just relax and soon, you're going to drift off." Gold told Henry as he stepped closer to him.
"What do I tell them?" Henry questioned.
"Just listen to my bedtime story, and all will be clear." Gold replied.
Let's see what this story tells us and I hope Gold gives the girls useful information because Lord only knows what's going on back with the girls.
"Once upon a time, Snow White and Prince Charming needed to stun a very powerful magician, long enough to lock him up in a dark dungeon." Gold started his story.
"That was you. They used Cinderella to trap you with a magic quill." Henry interrupted, but Gold moved his hand and Henry fell asleep.
"Yes, indeed a quill. And yet, it wasn't the quill itself, but the ink that captured the Dark One- harvested from the rarest species of squid, from the bottom of the bottomless ocean. Impossible to find, unless, you're a mermaid... Or me. That is where they will find it." Gold continued his story and it told me exactly what the girls need to find and I hope Henry gets the message to them.
*End of POV*
"Hey... It'll be okay. You'll see Henry again. This will work." Mary-Margaret told Emma and I.
Emma and I were about to say something, but a twig snapped and that put us all on edge.
"What was that?" Emma and I asked at the same time.
All of a sudden, zombies come out of no where and start attacking us. Emma, Mary-Margaret, and I fought them off together, while Mulan woke Aurora and both of them took off. When the three of us realized that Mulan and Aurora were gone, we took off and fought the zombies as we went.
"You still in one piece?" Emma asked both Mary-Margaret and I as we finally escaped the zombies.
"Yeah, pretty much." Mary-Margaret and I replied at the same time.
We heard rustling in the bushes, got on guard, but lowered our guard when we saw Mulan emerge. All of us were shocked that she was alone, but we weren't prepared for what she was fixing to say.
"They took her. Aurora's gone." Mulan told us.
Cora better watch it because I'm not in the mood to deal with this.
*Unknown POV*
Henry awoke from his dream and none of us were expecting what he was fixing to say.
"Henry, are you alright?" David asked as he rushed to Henry's side.
"Did you see her? Did you tell her?" Gold questioned.
"No. I... I didn't get the chance. Something happened. She... She got sucked out of there." Henry replied before he hissed in pain.
"Henry?" Regina asked as she sat next to Henry.
"Some... Something's wrong." Henry hissed as he held his arm.
"Henry..." Regina said after she pulled back Henry's sleeve and saw the burn on his arm.
This can't be good...
*End of POV*
All of a sudden, a crow appears out of freaking no where and spooked us. The crow seemed to be "talking" to Mary-Margaret and I could only imagine what it was "saying".
"What the hell was that?" Emma asked once the crow flew off.
"Cora. We have until sundown to bring her the compass. If we don't, she'll kill Aurora." Mary-Margaret replied.
"Give it to me." Mulan demanded as she stuck her hand out for the compass.
"Hold on, Mulan. Just give us a minute to consider." Emma said.
"There's nothing to consider. A compass is not worth Aurora's life." Mulan said.
"We need a plan to get back Aurora and keep the compass." I said.
"My vow to Phillip was to protect Aurora. That promise is all that is left of him, so it shall be done." Mulan said before trying to grab the compass from Emma.
"Hey. Hey! Hazelle and I climbed a beanstalk for this. You go get your own." Emma growled as she pulled the compass close to her chest.
"Give it to me!" Mulan growled as she tried to grab the compass again.
"Mulan. Mulan. Give us a few hours, please. If we haven't beaten Cora by then, you can have the compass." Mary-Margaret said as she defused the situation.
"You can't hope to defeat her. We no longer have access to the Dark One's assistance." Mulan said.
"Yes, we do." Mary-Margaret said.
"How? Aurora's gone." Mulan said.
"Aurora isn't the only one who's been under a sleeping curse. I can go back to that Netherworld." Mary-Margaret explained.
"The door to that placed is closed. You said it yourself." Mulan said.
"There may be a way... A way for me to go back into a deep slumber. One that can let me access it again." Mary-Margaret said.
"Another sleeping curse?" Emma asked.
"No, not another curse. I don't need one. I've been under already. I need to go into a sleep where my natural defenses slip away- where my mind stops protecting me." Mary-Margaret replied.
"How?" I asked.
"Your sleeping powder... If I inhale it, I will fall into a deep enough sleep that I should be able to do this." Mary-Margaret replied as she looked at Mulan.
"I used the last of it on the giant." Mulan said.
"Then make some more." Mary-Margaret said.
"The poppy plant is extremely rare in this kingdom, but I know of a place that may grow some more. It's a bit of a journey from here." Mulan said.
"Can we make it by sundown?" I asked before anyone else could.
Mulan nodded her before saying, "We have to hurry."
All of us started our journey to find the poppy plant and both Emma and I were trying to talk Mary-Margaret out of this idea, but she swore to us that she would be fine. Neither Emma and I are convinced, but since there's no way to talk her out of it, it looks like we're going to have to go along with it, and pray that it works.
*Unknown POV*
I watched as Regina started tending to Henry's burn. I knew that she wasn't going to let go back under after this.
"Here. Let me take care of this." Gold said before magically healing the burn.
"What caused this?" Regina questioned.
"When you venture deeper into the Netherworld instead of away, there are risks. Someone woke Aurora before her soul was ready to return. The violence of that act tore her away and injured Henry. We're lucky it wasn't worse. He's going to need some time to recover before he can sent back." Gold replied.
"Out of the question." Regina said.
"Not a chance in hell. We'd be monsters to even consider risking his life again." David growled.
"Careful with your tone, Charming. I understand your concern for the boy, but I know Cora. Without our help, Snow, Emma, and Hazelle will soon be dead. And then... a true monster will be on her way to Storybrooke." Gold said.
Man, I wish I could knock the hell out of him. He better watch his tone or I'll reveal myself again just to handle him.
"Aurora is gone. Why do we need to send Henry back to that fiery inferno with no one there to receive our message?" Regina asked.
"Because someone will be there." David replied.
"Who?" Regina questioned.
"Snow." David replied.
"Well, that's an awfully big assumption." Regina said.
"No. No, it's not. She was there once before. She can go back. She can find a way. She will- I know it. And I'll be waiting." David said.
"You're going to this Netherworld?" Regina questioned confused.
"I faced you. How bad could it be?" David replied.
"It's not that simple as that. You can't get there. You haven't been under a sleeping curse." Gold said.
"Well, then put me under one." David said.
"If we do that, there's a chance you might never wake up." Gold said.
"Sure I will. When I see her, she'll kiss me, and I'll be fine. Now, put me under. I've spent far too much time looking for my wife. It's time to bring her home." David said.
I hope David knows what he's getting himself into. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
*End of POV*
"Once we crest this ridge, we'll be near the woods of the dead. The last poppies in this realm have taken seed there." Mulan told us.
"You okay?" I asked Mary-Margaret.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Mary-Margaret replied.
"Hey. Wait. Wait. No, no, no. You look nervous. This Netherworld... How bad is it? What's it like?" Emma asked.
"It's like you're, um... Lost, drifting in the dark. No one to talk to, nothing to do. Except think of all the people that you love, and how you'll never see them again." Mary-Margaret replied.
"Henry was lost in that dark too because of me." Emma said.
"What are you talking about?" Mary-Margaret and I asked.
"He tried so hard to convince me I was the savior." Emma replied.
"Stop it. Nobody would've believed Henry's stories." Mary-Margaret said.
"Hazelle did and I should have too." Emma said.
"Okay. You want to play the blame game? If I hadn't told Cora about Regina's true love, Cora never would've killed him. Regina wouldn't want revenge. The curse? Never would have happened. We could spend all day trying to figure out why each of us should feel guilty, but it will not help us get home." Mary-Margaret said.
"You really think we're going to make it back?" I asked.
"If there's one thing your father's taught me, it's not to give up. Now, it's time for me to go back to sleep." Mary-Margaret replied.
"It's Regina." Emma said.
"What?" Mary-Margaret and I asked confused.
"Regina. That's who we should blame." Emma replied.
I have no idea what the hell Emma is going on about, but I just want to get back home to my family and try to live in peace.
*Unknown POV*
"It smells funny." Henry said as he watched Regina finish the potion.
"I know, sweetheart. It's a curse. It's not meant to be pleasant." Regina said.
"So the potion's finished? Mr. Gold had everything you needed in his shop?" Henry asked.
"Yes. We're almost ready." Regina replied.
"So this is how you do it- Magic." Henry inquired.
"There are many ways. It's never easy." Regina said.
"And... Have you been using magic?" Henry asked.
"Henry, I told you I wouldn't, and I haven't. Except for... with Daniel... and now. I've really been trying." Regina replied.
"It's okay. At least you're using it to help people now." Henry said.
"I'm trying. And after this, I won't." Regina said.
"I know. Will David be okay?" Henry asked.
"He'll be... asleep. And in there, he won't die. Gold's explaining everything to him right now." Regina replied.
"It should be me. I can go in there without a curse and still come back." Henry said.
"Henry. David and I have many differences, but, on this, we agree. We wont' let you risk your safety. It's not worth it." Regina said.
"It is to me. He won't wake up." Henry said.
"Unless, he succeeds. And if there's one thing I know about your grandparents, they always find each other." Regina said.
I have to say, after all this is over and the girls come home, I'm actually going to miss these people. Even though I know that I'll see them soon after, but I like getting to know them without them realizing that I'm here.
*End of POV*
"It's beautiful." Mary-Margaret and I said as we came across the poppy flower.
"I'll use my dagger to crush the seeds. We're doing this the old-fashioned way." Mulan said.
I can't wait for this to be over and my family is reunited. Please let this work.
*Unknown POV*
"What do you mean, the old-fashioned way?" David questioned.
"You're about to join a quite distinguished club, Mr. Nolan. Before such innovations as the apple, back when the sleeping curse first came to be, a more direct method was required... Through blood. By pricking one's finger on the needle of a spinning wheel, one falls under the spell. Your Majesty, you did his wife. I'm sure you'd like the honors." Gold replied before turning to Regina.
"It's all yours." Regina said after she dipped the needle in the potion and placed it back on the spinning wheel.
"Good luck." Henry said.
"It's going to be alright." David said.
"How do you know?" Henry asked.
"Well... How did you know Emma and Hazelle would save you after you ate the turnover?" David questioned.
"I... I believed in them." Henry replied.
"The way Snow and I believed they'd come back to break the curse. That's the kind of faith that runs in our family." David said.
"This helps control the flames in the room. It'll keep you safe." Henry said before taking off his pendant and giving it to David.
"I will guard it with my life." David said.
*End of POV*
"The powder's nearly ready." Mulan told us.
"How long will the effects last?" I asked before Mary-Margaret could.
"It's difficult to say. Maybe an hour, or much less." Mulan replied.
"Well, I shouldn't need much time. As long as Henry's in there when I am." Mary-Margaret said.
"We'll be right here. Say hi to Henry for us." Emma said as I joined her next to Mary-Margaret.
Mulan then joined us and blew the poppy powder in Mary-Margaret's face. We watched as Mary-Margaret fell asleep and I can only hope that we get the info we need or we're screwed.
*Unknown POV*
"When I awake, I'll be in that fiery room?" David asked as he looked at the needle.
"Not exactly. That room is where those who've already awoken from the curse return. You, however, are being put under for the first time." Gold replied.
"The how will I know where to go? How the hell am I supposed to find a room with no door?" David questioned.
"And that, dearie, is the conundrum we're all depending on you solving. Now, I say this with the utmost sincerity... Good luck." Gold replied.
David then pricks his finger and falls under the curse. I swear that I'm going to guard him with my life just in case something goes wrong.
*End of POV*
"Hey. Hey, you okay?" Emma asked Mary-Margaret since she woke us up.
Mary-Margaret jerked away from Emma and that told me something was wrong.
"What... What happened? What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm looking for more powder." Mary-Margaret replied.
"Well, I'm pretty sure we're out of that. What happened?" Emma said before trying to get Mary-Margaret to talk to us.
"No. I have to go back in. He's all alone." Mary-Margaret said.
"Henry? What? Is he okay?" I questioned.
"No. David. He went under a sleeping spell so he could see me. He thought that my kiss would wake him, but it didn't. And now he's trapped." Mary-Margaret replied.
"Okay, slow down. David is trapped in there?" Emma said.
"I have to get back. There's only one way to help him." Mary-Margaret said.
"True love's kiss." I said.
"Yes, but... it won't work in there. We have to get back. If we don't-" Mary-Margaret started but didn't look like she wanted to finish her sentence.
"We will. We will." I said as Emma and I were trying to calm her down.
"Now both of you are so sure?" Mary-Margaret asked as she looked between Emma and I.
"Yes. You told us to have faith, and now we're telling you. We will make it back. Okay? Did you get the information?" Emma replied.
"It's Rumpelstiltskin. He said the key to stopping her is in his jail cell." Mary-Margaret replied.
"Okay. Then let's go get it. Come on- get your stuff. Come on." Emma said.
Mary-Margaret and I gathered our things, and I took notice that Emma was digging through her pockets frantically.
"No..." Emma said.
"What?" Mary-Margaret and I asked.
"The compass is gone. And so is Mulan." Emma replied.
"I'm going to kill her." I growled under my breath before we took off to find Mulan.
We finally caught up to her and it was funny seeing Mary-Margaret attack Mulan. The fight stopped the second Aurora appeared.
"Stop!" Aurora hollered.
"Okay, don't take this the wrong way, but..." Emma started.
"How the hell did you get here?" I finished.
"Let Mulan go. I said, let her go!" Aurora demanded while completely ignoring Emma and myself.
Mary-Margaret got off Mulan and joined us, while Aurora helped Mulan off.
"Were you followed?" Mulan asked.
"I... I don't think so. Cora may know I'm gone, but she didn't see me escape." Aurora replied.
"How did you escape?" Emma asked.
"It was Hook. He let me go." Aurora replied.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because of both of you. He said that he wanted to prove to both of you, that both of you should've trusted him. That if both of you had trusted him... You could've defeated Cora together. That the three of you could've gotten the remains of the wardrobe. Without him, both of you will have to go up against her all by yourselves. He only wants to help. I... I think he may care for both of you." Aurora replied.
We started walking after that, but my mind wouldn't stop racing. Something is wrong with this whole situation, so I'm keeping my guard up because I have a feeling that something is about to happen.
"Did you find a way to stop Cora?" Aurora asked.
"Yes." I replied shortly.
"Where are we going?" Aurora asked.
"Rumpelstiltskin's cell." Emma replied.
"Great. Then lead the way." Aurora replied.
As we head to our destination, I know that this is going to be a long battle. I swear though that I will fight my hardest and protect my family. Do your worst Cora, because we're not backing down.