Serendipity-Book 4

Chapter 15: Sympathy For The De Vil

The Charming's family goes back home to regroup."You have to remember something else about the Author, some way to find him. Now think."

"Nope."David said,"We told you everything we know."

"Are we sure about that? Because secrets just keep coming out."

"Okay."Mary Margaret said,"So, you're clearly still upset."

"Ugh you guys! Yes, I am still upset. You were the ones who taught me there is always a right way. A heroic way. And what you did to Maleficent's child... I'm sorry, but if it were me, no matter what, I would not harm a defenseless person."

Mary Margaret went on,"And that right there... That goodness is exactly why we did what we did."

Right then, Regina comes in."Regina, where have you been?"

Regina: In the middle of a very bad day. I'll tell you the whole story later, after I rescue Robin Hood. I called that number you gave me, but Marian answered the phone, and I discovered... She's not really Marian at all. It's Zelena. I don't know how it's possible, but my sister has been masquerading as her this entire time. And she's in league with Gold. Robin's in danger, so I'm going to New York to find him and stop her."

"And what about Gold?"Hook asked,"If they're working together, he's not just gonna let you waltz off and spoil his plans."

"I wouldn't worry about Gold. I know exactly how to handle him."

Henry gets out of the school bus."Hey, Pongo. What are you doing here? You shouldn't be out here by yourself." Pongo runs, Henry follow it."Pongo! Pongo! Pongo! Okay. Come here, boy. Whoa. What's wrong? Calm down."

Cruella parks her car."Don't blame the dog, darling. He's simply following orders, and I told him to fetch. Now, I want you to be a good boy and get in the car."

Regina is packing her stuff for her journey to New York.) Emma: You sure going to New York is a good idea? You don't know what Zelena has planned. What if you're walking into a trap? You don't have to go alone. And I don't doubt that you can handle this sort of thing. I know you can, just things are different in New York. Without your magic, y... Listen. If you won't take me with you, I want you to take this. I hope you don't have to use it, but... I want you to stay safe."

"Thank you. So you're not... Angry with me for keeping your parents' secret?"Regina asked.

"It's between me and them. You were just trying to help."

"Huh."Regina said,"It's Henry. Video message?

"Must be a thing now. I got one, too." Emma opens her phone and lets it play."Mom, Mom, Cruella has me. If you ever wanna see me again, you have to do what she says..."

The line fell quiet for a moment then Cruella came on."Hello, darlings! As you can see, I have your dreadful son. If you prefer him to remain in tact, you'll do exactly as I say... kill the Author. Then, ah, bring me his broken little body, or... Your boy will meet a very unhappy ending. Hmm?"

"I recognize that trailhead marker. Cruella is holding Henry a couple of miles South of the toll bridge."David said.

"Aight then."Hook said,"So what now?"

"Time to get our hands dirty and do whatever it takes to get him back."Regina said.

"You're not actually considering Cruella's demand to kill the Author?"David asked.

"Duh. Of course not Charming."Regina said,"Even if we could find him, it wouldn't be half the fun of kill Cruella. Let's see how she likes being made into outerwear. What? Oh come on! It's Emma's heart we're trying to protect, not mine."

"If we go in gun blazing, we risk hurting Henry. We have to find another way. And where the Author is. If he's enemies with Cruella, maybe he knows the best way to defeat her.

"Oh, we may be able to help with that. We went back to the convent and found a flask that we gave him. He dropped it when he escaped. A locator spell might work on it."David said.

"Sounds like a perfect job for you two yeah?"

"Great. I'll take Regina and Hook. We'll scope out the area where Cruella's holed up with Henry. Oh and Hope, you're with us."

"OOoh ...I mean, cool whatever."Hope said as she begins to follow Regina and Hook.

Emma goes to follow but Mary Margaret pulls her back."Emma, I know you're still angry, but avoiding us is not going to help."

"I'm not avoiding you. With Henry's life on the line, I need to be around people I trust, and right now, that's not you."

Into the woods, Regina continues to talk  to Emma. Hope is following close behind her moms."You're acting like a petulant child. Your parents did a bad thing. They apologized. Now get over it."

"Forgive me if I don't take advice from the woman who held a grudge for half her life because a 10-year-old spilled a secret.

Hook let out a sigh, as he went to throw in his two scense."Swan, if you won't listen to Regina, perhaps you'll listen to me. You were able to forgive both of us all because you found it in your heart to see past it.

"The difference is that you never held yourself as some paragon of virtue. Neither of you did. You were honest about who you were. My parents weren't. They said they were heroes."

"That they did."Hook added,"But even heroes make mistakes, love."

"You know, not long ago, your mother gave me some advice. She said I needed to believe I could still earn forgiveness, that I had a chance at grace."Regina began,"I didn't realize it then, but... She was talking about herself. Emma, she's been trying to make up for what she did for a long time."

"If you two understand them so well, you forgive them. I...Can't. More important things to worry about right now, like saving Henry." The conversation comes to a brief halt when Emma hears Henry screaming and Hope bolting down the trail across the way. "Hope! Hope!" Hope hears him too and is hot on Cruella and her brother's trail.

"Mom! Mom! Quick, up here!" Following the sound of Hope's voice, Emma comes running.

"Henry! Let him go!"

Cruella shook her head, chuckling to herself. "I'm afraid not. Come any closer, and he dies. Well, would you look at this? One small dead Author. That's all I asked. Simple revenge, and you failed utterly."

"Put the gun down, Cruella. It's gonna be okay, Henry. Just hold on."

"I'll do it, saviour. Believe me, I will."Cruella threatened.

"Oh no you don't."Hope muttered,"Not if I have anything to say about it."

"No Hope, this is to dangerous. You can play hero later but for now it's my move, now stand behind me." Emma pushes Hope behind her and begins to throw threats toward Cruella. She then pushes Cruella away, she falls and dies.

"Henry!!" Henry smiled, and the siblings fell into Emma's embrace. And for that short moment, everything was just perfect.