Good Form - Chapter 1
A/N: I wasn't gonna upload most of my fics to ff but seeing as ao3 is down rn, I'm trying to cover all my bases
Anyways, this is the 2021 version of my 2018 fanfiction, Warlock Pirate–I'm editing it again as I go.
—
In the Enchanted Forest, Majo Bane and her Captain were finally unfrozen from a twenty-eight years long curse. Now they were out to find their way to the Land Without Magic with the help of their reluctant ally, the Queen of Hearts.
"The plan is to win the trust of Snow White and Emma Swan," Cora explained, standing in front of both pirates in a royal blue dress.
"And how do you suggest we do that?" Kilian asked, swinging his hook while talking.
"Trust me, you'll see," the old witch replied.
—
"Wait," a dark-haired woman clad in red and black armour told her three companions, while she stretched out her gloved hand to signal them to stop. "The tower–We always have sentries guarding the entrance," she told them, pulling her sword from its sheath. "Stay close."
The four women walked forwards and into a small village, stopping when they saw everything destroyed and bodies littering the ground.
"Oh my god," one of the women said.
They looked through the village. Every one of the people had had their heart ripped out.
"This can't be," the first woman said. "Our land...We were protected here, hidden. How did the ogres find us?"
She stepped forward with a woman in a baby pink jacket.
The woman in pink quickly looked around, her eyes widening "Ogres didn't do this," she said, looking at the corpses.
"What?" the first woman asked.
"Cora did. Their hearts...They were ripped out. This was her Magic...twisted and evil," she finished, pointing her sword at the bodies. "We have to stop her."
"Too late," the armoured woman replied, sorrow lacing her words. "She killed them. She killed them all."
"No, we have to stop her before she hurts anyone else."
"Hey," one of the other women said, "Hey, look." She pointed at the ground, where a ringed hand tried to push away a piece of wood. "There's someone under there."
A woman wrapped in a long white cloak stepped forward. "He's alive," she said, crouching down.
"Please." They could hear a man's voice say.
The armoured woman pulled a body off of the man while the woman in white tried to soothe him with gentle words.
"Please help me," The man said again and now the women could properly see his face. It was Killian but the women didn't know this yet.
The woman in the pink jacket tried to comfort him. "It's okay. You're safe now. We won't hurt you."
The man thanked her panting, before he started to look around frantically. "Where-Where is she?" he asked.
"Who? Cora? Not here, she-"
The blonde was cut off by the man. "No, no. Majo. Majo!" He yelled.
There was a groan heard and the women looked around. Some corpses began to move and suddenly a hand shot out of the pile. Killian would have rolled his eyes if he wasn't supposed to play a role. She always liked to be dramatic.
The women helped her out and two of them looked at her surprised. "Majo?" both the women dressed in pink and the warrior in black and red asked at the same time.
"Snow. Mulan," the woman said looking at them both in turn. "Long time no see."
—
Killian and Majo were seated at a wooden table as the blonde woman talked with Mulan. "Have you seen him before? You seemed to know the woman."
"I met Majo during my time as a soldier. They had an affair with one of my comrades. I have no idea how she came here. Him I've seen around here. He's a blacksmith. Came to our camp a couple of months ago. Said he lost his hand in an ogre attack. I wonder how those two met, although knowing Majo I can think of a way."
"Why would Cora leave survivors? It's messy. Doesn't make sense," the blonde said, not commenting on the information about the woman.
"You think he's lying?" Mulan asked.
"I think Cora's tricked us before. I don't want that to happen again."
As she arrived where Killian and Majo were sitting, she handed them both cracked ceramic cups she had been able to salvage, "Here you go."
Killian reached forward as Mulan filled his cup with water.
"I can't thank you enough for your kindness," he said looking at the blonde. "Fortune, it seems, has seen fit to show me favour."
The blonde looked at Killian doubtfully and then let her gaze wander to Majo. "An Island full of corpses. You two are the only ones to escape. How exactly did that happen?"
Killian looked at them with an open mouth, then began to explain, "She attacked at night, slaughtered everyone in one fell swoop. When she started ripping out people's hearts, Majo hid us under the bodies of those who had already been killed. They made it look like we were dead ourselves. Mercifully, the ruse worked."
Mulan nodded, knowing of Majo's powers, but the blonde looked doubtful. "So much for fortune favouring the brave."
"It was all we could do to survive," Killian said in a low voice.
The blonde leaned on the table with her elbows and looked at her hands, then up in the man's face. "I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. I'm pretty good at knowing when someone is lying to me."
"I'm telling you the truth."
"We should leave here in case Cora decides to come back," Mulan said.
"We should start searching for a new portal back to Storybrooke," Snow told the warrior, "I only got about five minutes with my husband. Not to mention, my grandson."
"You have a grandson?" Killian asked the young woman with a disbelieving smile.
"Long story."
"Well, I know this land well. We can guide you," Killian said, making a hand motion towards his companion, who still hadn't said anything.
Suddenly, with a zing of a blade, his head was pulled back by his hair and a blade was pressed to his neck by the blonde.
Alarmed, Majo stood up, her brown eyes widening.
"You're not gonna guide us anywhere until you tell us who you really are," The blonde threatened.
Mulan quickly grabbed Killian and brought him over to a tree.
The blonde tried to do the same with Majo but the warlock pushed her back with a blast of magic. Before they could go and save their friend, the woman in the white cloak, hit her on the head with a rock.
As Majo woke up again, she heard the distant growling of an ogre.
"Good for you," her blue-eyed companion told the four women. "You bested me. I can count the amount of people who've done that on one hand."
Majo snorted as the blonde stepped forward. "That supposed to be funny? Who are you?"
"Killian Jones, but most people have taken to call me by my more colourful moniker-"
"-The Leather Pirate," Majo interjected.
"-Hook," Killian finished and sent his friend a glare.
"Hook," Snow repeated, disbelievingly.
Killian nodded at her, "Check my satchel."
As Snow did so, the blonde asked: "As in Captain Hook?"
"Ah, so you've heard of me," Killian said with a cocky smirk.
"Don't get too happy Captain, in the mundane world you are a well-known villain whose hand got chopped off by a little boy," Majo informed him.
With a clink, Snow got Killian's Hook out of his bag as the growling of the ogres became louder.
"You better hurry. They're getting closer. So unless you wanna be dinner, you better start talking."
Killian chuckled as Majo sent Snow a disbelieving look. "Cora wanted us to gain your trust so we could learn everything there is to know about your Storybrooke. She didn't want any surprises when she finally got over there. Of course, she didn't know that Majo knows two of you."
"She can't get there. We destroyed the wardrobe."
"But you didn't destroy its magic," Majo said. "Cora gathered the ashes. She's gonna use them to open up a portal."
The growling grew louder and the six of them could hear the ogres trashing trees on their way.
"Now if you'll kindly cut us loose."
As Mulan argued about letting him go, Majo used her magic to get out of the ropes. "You need us alive," she shrugged. "And you guys know," she nodded towards Snow and Mulan, "That I could kill you if I wanted to. We were humouring you in good faith, but I won't risk our lives to gain your trust."
Majo freed Killian who began to explain: "We all want the same thing–to get back to your land. We arranged for transport with Cora, but seeing how resourceful you are, I'll offer you the same deal–we'll help you if you promise to take us along."
"How are you two getting us home?" the blonde asked.
"You have noticed I'm a warlock right?" Majo asked back.
Killian added, "The ashes will open a portal, but to find your land, she needs more. There's an enchanted compass. Cora seeks it. We'll help you obtain it before she does. So Cora won't make it to Storybrooke, and we'll be one step closer to getting home."
The ogre roaring became louder and the blonde looked at Killian, with a raised knife "Why does Captain Hook and whoever you are want to go to Storybrooke?"
"To exact revenge on the man who took my hand–Rumplestiltskin."
The ogres growled again and as the woman looked at Majo, the warlock replied, "I have a brother in that land."
The blonde seemed satisfied and pulled her knife away, not that it really scared either of the pirates. With a nod, she motioned for them to follow.
—
The little group of people was now standing in front of a giant bean stock.
"It's a little freakier than I remember from the story," the blonde said. Majo really needed to find out her name.
"Reminds me of death," Mulan replied.
"Encouraging," came Snow's reply.
Killian nodded, eyes still on the giant plant. "Well, your compass awaits. Shall we?"
"Wait. If these beans create portals, why not just pick one and go home? Why the compass?"
Majo gave a condescending sigh as her Captain's eyebrows shot up and a slight smirk played on his lips.
He pretended to be serious again, as he answered the blonde: "Because there aren't any more beans. Whatever story you think you know, my dear, is most certainly wrong."
"There was a guy named Jack and a cow and something about an evil giant with a treasure and a golden goose. Or harp."
Majo sent her a tight-lipped smile, "Sounds like a lovely piece of horseshite, but the truth's a little bit more gruesome. The giants grew the beans, but rather than use them for good, they used them to plunder all the lands. Jack fought a terrible war, defeating all the evil giants. The beans were destroyed by the giants as they died. If they couldn't have their magic, then nobody could. It's really bad form."
"Evil giants, who made magic portal beans? Why doesn't anyone just go up and grow some more?" the blonde in red leather asked.
"Because one giant survived," Killian told her, "the strongest and most terrible of them all. And we'll have to get past him to-"
"-the magic compass," Snow finished.
"Indeed," Killian said, with a small smirk. "The treasure remains, and amongst it is the compass. Now it will guide us to your land. Cora has the means to open a portal with the wardrobe ashes, but she can't find your land without the compass. Once we get it, steal the ashes from her, and we're on our way."
Mulan looked at him doubtfully, "How do we know you're not just using us to get the compass for Cora?"
"Because you four are far safer company," Killian told the armoured woman. "Besides, Majo here doesn't like Cora and has waited for an opportunity to ditch her since we first met her. All we need is a ride back. We'll swear allegiance to whomever gets us there first. "
"Then we'd better start climbing," the blonde said.
"Right. So..." Killian chuckled, "I failed to mention that the giant enchanted the beanstalk to repel intruders," he made pointed hand gestures, with his tied-up hands.
"All right, so how do we get up there?" the blonde asked.
"He got a counterspell from Cora," Majo explained, waving her hand and letting the ropes around Killian's hand fall off. The pirate promptly started to take off the patched-up cloak and scarf he had used as a disguise, to reveal his typical leather clothing.
Killian held up his right hand and knocked on a black leather wristband he was wearing, which promptly glowed yellow. "I've got one more of these," he wiggled his fingers.
"Cora was to accompany us. So...which one of you four lovely ladies shall take her place?" Majo asked with a smirk.
Killian got out the second wristband and held it out with two fingers. "Go on. Fight it out. Don't be afraid to, you know," he made a little jump "Really get into it," he smirked at the women.
—
Killian and Majo were off to the side while the women were arguing about who was going with the two pirates. Killian crossed his arms over his chest. "Who do you think will go?" he asked his long-time companion.
"I think it's gonna be blondie but I'd prefer Mulan. She's a crazy good fighter."
Killian raised an eyebrow. "From where exactly do you know her?"
"You remember that soldier I was with a while ago?"
"Steven?"
"No, that was another guy, I mean Benjamin. He was in the same army camp as Mulan and as she was the only woman, I quickly found her and we bonded. She thaught me how to use a sword instead of my daggers and magic."
Killian was about to answer when the blonde one asked Mulan, "Anything in that bag that can help me with the giant?"
"Or Hook?"
"Hey," Killian said as Majo laughed. Killian sent them a mock glare, so Majo just smirked as the two women walked away.
"What're they talking about?" Majo asked her leather-wearing friend.
"I don't know," he replied and then turned his head to the two."Ladies! In this world, we are slaves to time. And ours is running out. In other words, ticktock." he made a hand gesture towards them with his good hand, before putting it on his belt.
The blonde walked over to the pirates and zipped open her sleeve.
"I was hoping it'd be you," Killian said, ignoring Majo's silent "I wasn't."
"Just get on with it," the blonde said, as Killian placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Put your hand right here," he said, patting her hand. "That's a good girl," he smirked. "This will allow you to climb. There are other dangers. Thankfully you've got me to protect you."
Majo patted him on the shoulder. "Yeah yeah, we know. You're her pirate in shining leather but let's not forget that I've protected her before. Haven't I?" She asked with a look to Snow, who nodded. Snow's daughter looked confused but Majo wasn't in the mood for storytelling, so she just started walking towards the beanstalk.
She waved her hand over the back of her head and made her hair braid itself. Then as Killian motioned to his hand, she waved again and let his hook appear.
The blonde woman scowled, "Don't think I'll take my eyes off you for a second."
The Captain smirked once again, "I would despair if you did."
"Let's go," the blonde said as she hung the satchel on his hook.
The three of them walked towards the beanstalk and as Majo lifted her arms, Snow could see her bare wrists. "Don't you need a counterspell?"
Majo smirked at her. "I can manage." And with that, she lifted the glamour of herself, her yellow cat eyes flashing as she started climbing.
—
Many Years Before
"Who's that?" Majo asked her current paramour, Benjamin, as they saw a soldier standing to the side, looking over the camp.
"That's Mulan. Most people stay away from her, she's unbeatable in a fight."
Majo rose an eyebrow, "You think I can't take her?
Benjamin sighed, "I shouldn't have told you that."
Majo's brown eyes twinkled mischievously, "Maybe not."
—
Mulan had been in the woods, scouting the area as a black-haired woman stepped out of the bushes.
"They say you're unbeatable," the woman said. "I wanna try my luck."
Mulan shrugged and pulled her sword.
Majo pulled a dagger and steadied her stance in front of the other woman.
Mulan attacked with a swing of her sword, bringing the sword down by her shoulder but Majo dodged, raised her dagger, and deflected the blow.
Mulan attacked again and Majo once again blocked, raising her leg and kicking Mulan back.
As Majo attacked, Mulan sidestepped and Majo almost lost her balance but quickly turned around and swung her dagger again, only for Mulan to block it and knock the dagger out of her hand.
The warlock ducked and grabbed another dagger from her belt, about to attack but Mulan grabbed her wrist and pointed her sword at Majo's face. Majo smirked and took out another dagger with her other hand, hitting the sword away. She then took a swing at the warrior's stomach but Mulan quickly jumped back to avoid the blow.
As Majo was still in a slightly ducked position, Mulan brought her sword down but she managed to block it with her dagger. Mulan quickly grabbed the warlock's arm and twisted it around, making her roll onto the floor. Then she crouched down beside her and held the sword to the other woman's neck.
Majo smiled, "I like you."