Dark One's Daughter *Book Three*

Going Home

Now that we knew what Pan was planning, we regrouped out of the stuffy vault under the dark sky with Jones, Tink and Bae who had remained outside throughout our revelation. We had subconsciously formed a semi-circle around Papa so that he could explain the full extent of what we were up against. I was currently stood beside Bae at the end of the semi-circle.

"Another curse?" Mary Margaret asked. "It's happening again?"

"Gold, this curse, is it gonna work like the last one?" Emma asked from her place beside Henry (who still freaked me out slightly seeing as he was in Pan's body and I kept forgetting).

"The last one was created to service the Queen's wishes. This will be done per Pan's desire. I would count on something hellish," Papa told everyone, making me sigh at his bluntness.

"The curse was built to be unstoppable. There's nothing we can do," Regina commented.

"Well, it is possible to stop it," Papa countered.

"What?" Regina asked, as I turned to look at him, my eyes widening in realisation.

"By using the scroll itself," I said, more to Papa than to anyone else, just to be sure that I was correct.

"Exactly," Papa nodded. "It can only be undone by the person who used the scroll. That's you, Regina."

"What do I have to do?" Regina asked.

"You must destroy the scroll. Both your curse and his shall be ended, there will be a price. A steep one," Papa warned her.

"W-What do you suggest?" Regina inquired.

"Instead of going to him, bring him to us with a spell—one that will return Pan and Henry to their own bodies," Papa elaborated for her.

"If I'm back in my own body, that means I'll have the scroll. I-I can bring it to you guys," Henry realised.

"Exactly right, Henry," Papa praised.

"But, Papa, you're forgetting something. Even you aren't powerful enough to cast such a spell," I reminded him.

"Well, given the proper tool, I could be," Papa said.

"The Black Fairy's wand—one of the most powerful fairies that ever existed. Well-versed in dark magic. The blue fairy exiled her. But before she did, she took her wand," Tink told everyone.

"I assume our dearly departed Mother Superior had it hidden at her residence," Papa predicted.

"Then what are we waiting for?" David asked. "Let's hit the convent."

"Can I come?" Tink asked. "I should pay my respects to Blue, after all." David nodded and gave her a small comforting smile.

"Then it's settled. The rest of us should go back to my shop and prepare Henry for the spell," Papa said, taking lead of the group.

Jones, Tink, Bae and David all left to get to the convent and the others of us left for Papa's shop. Belle and I linked our arms together while Papa walked beside her, holding onto her hand.

"Do you really think this will work?" I asked Papa as we began our journey back.

"With the Black Fairy's wand, yes, I think we should be able to," Papa replied, making me laugh to myself. Papa must have heard my laugh as he looked past Belle to look at me. "What?"

"Oh, nothing. It's just strange how positive you're being," I commented.

"I think I have you, Belle and Bae to thank for that," Papa smiled at us.

"Well, in that case, you are welcome," I replied.

"We're here all week," Belle added, making Papa and me chuckle.