Serendipity

Chapter 18: Operation Mongoose

"Nothing. They're all still blank. Whatever the Author is writing, it's not appearing in the books. This is useless. Even so, tomorrow, thanks to Gold and the Author, I can wake up a talking frog.

"Well, there's no use speculating what he wants. We just need to stop it."David said,"And if there's nothing useful here, we need to move on, find something else that can help."

"I might know just the thing."August said,"The man who gave him his power... The Apprentice. I met him once when I was living in Phuket. He was the one who told me about the story book and that I should learn everything about it. I haven't seen him. But... That's what he looks like."

"I know this man. More importantly, I know exactly where to find him."The Mother Superior frees the Apprentice."Isaac has abused his power for too long. The time has come to set... Things right by putting him back where he can't harm anyone... In the book. I will need the page with the painted door and the key. We shall return him to his prison. And this time, I would wager none of you will set him free again. The page."

"It's back in the loft."Hope said.

"Mom, dad, Kill, watch Henry. Hope stay here too. If Gold's smart, he'll go after the page, too. David, Mary Margaret, Hook and Henry are looking for the door's page at the loft Hook finds the story book. Isaac finishes writing his story. With that there are an earth quake and light. Henry wakes up at the loft, he has the key. "Grandma? Grandpa! Hook!"

"Where is everyone?" Hope asked. In the streets, everybody is gone. "Hello?! Hello?! Is anyone here?! Hello?! Henry and Hope come into Mr Gold's shop.

"Henry look!" Hope stops at the gramophone. Henry takes his photos and sees the book "Heroes and Villains" on a sales stand."Alright Issac...Where's my family?"

"You really want to know?"Issac asked,"Look around you. They're all right there... In my best-selling book. Easy with the key, cowboy. Your family is fine. If you want to get technical... They're in here. See? The original copy of my book... The one that I always wanted to write. They all live in here now in kind of an alternate reality."

"You made them miserable. Bring them back, or I use this."

"I see that you've read some of my book. Good."Issac went on,"Good. Then... Then you know that everyone got the ending they deserve. Except Emma, of course. You won't find her in the book. There was no room for a savior in my world. I don't have the power to bring them back. The cardinal rule of the Authors is "don't write your own happy ending." As you can see I broke that rule. So this... It's just a pen now. And me? Ohh. Well, I'm nothing more than a best-selling writer with legions of fans and a penthouse over central park."

"If you can't get them out, then give me the book and I will."

"You? Do you know why you and your sister are still out here, kid? Because you're not from a magical world. So take it from me... You will never be a knight in shining armour. You're just a poor, innocent children who needs saving. So, why don't you put the key away and, uh, stick to the role you're best at?"

Henry attacks Isaac and takes the book."Now what? You're gonna tear up the book?" Henry opens a door to get inside the book."Wait! Don't be stupid!" Henry, Hope, and Isaac are sucked in the book. Henry, Hope, and Isaac appear in a village."Feel like a real hero now? Don't get used to it. So, now we're both trapped in the book. Congratulations. Let me tell you about this place. It's cold, there's no running water, and things are always trying to kill you."

"Ok you've made your point."Hope said,"Let me and my brother go!"

Issac shook his head. "Not a chance. This book we're in, it's worked out quite nicely for me. I don't need you running around changing things. This is my story. And no hero gets a happy ending.