Lost, Then Home: The Third Book in the A Tale of Two Sisters Series

Part One: The Princess's Return

"Okay, this isn't fair. How long have you been a mermaid? Where's the mermaid in our blood? Do you know how badly I wished to be a mermaid when I was a kid? This is so not fair! Mom!" Reagan whined.

Regina held up a hand to her daughter to get her to be quiet whilst Serenity giggled, "Short version of it—Mom wanted me to do something to help her hurt Snow."

"We don't even know if you can cross realms, Miss Mills," Mr. Gold said.

"I can breathe and see underwater when I'm in this state—I think I can do that," Serenity replied, crossing her arms.

Mr. Gold sighed, "Alright. If all went according to plan, Storybrooke will be surrounded by a cloaking spell."

"When did you do that?" Reagan asked.

"I had Belle do it. When you arrive, surface closer to the shore, then you're inside its bounds.""And what do I need to bring back?" Serenity asked.

"An object to defeat Pan."

"Well, duh, yeah, I know that. What is it though?"

"I'm sorry. Pan has ears everywhere. I can't risk telling you."

"Well, you are ever so helpful."

"Just find Belle, and give her this," The Dark One tossed her a sand dollar. "She'll know what to do."

*  *  *  *  *

Storybrooke, Present Day

"Can I say somethin' boys?" Happy said to the other dwarves as they ate lunch at the beach. 

"You know I love Snow and Charming, but—Can I be honest? It's kinda nice not having them around."

"Happy," Leroy scolded.

"No, really. It's only been five days, but it's the first five days with no killing!"

"No wraiths," Mr. Clark said.

"No giants stepping on my Miata," Doc said.

"It's been peaceful," Walter said.

"Enough," Leroy said. "I don't wanna hear any more of this. Snow and Charming are coming back and everything will remain normal." He turned to the water when he heard a splash. He squinted his eyes as he saw a brunette walking out of it with a black sea shell with fish net bra and a torn red skirt.

"Hey guys!" Serenity said with a grin.

"Serenity, what the hell?" Leroy said with a smile as she approached him. "Where are the others?"

"Back in Neverland. Short version, I took a potion that can turn me into a mermaid in salt water years ago, which is why I'm here. I need to get to Belle—She has something that can help us stop Pan."

*  *  *  *  *

"I wasn't on that ship because he doesn't need me," Belle said to Archie as they sat at the counter at Granny's

"Beg to differ, sister," Leroy said as he and Serenity came in, the girl had a blanket over her to provide a little bit of modesty. "'Cause this little lady just swam a really long way to get you."

"Uh, maybe you didn't notice the sign?" Granny said to Serenity. "No shirt, no shoes, no service."

"Nice to see you too, Granny," the teen replied. "And I seem to recall some Ruby outfits . . ."

"Serenity," Belle said with a smile as she got off her stool. "How are you here?"

"I'm just gonna accept the fact that I'm going to have to keep explaining this mermaid potion thing," Serenity said with a smile before reaching into the bag she had with her, pulling out the sand dollar. "Uh, Gold wants me to give you this."