A Potter In Storybrooke

Chapter 21

"It's a little freakier than I remember from the story."

"Reminds me of death."

"Encouraging." Snow muttered.

"Well," Hook started "Your magic compass awaits. Shall we?"

"Wait," Hope started looking at the beanstalk "If these beans create portals, why can't we just picked one and go home? Why the compass?"

"Because there aren't any more beans. The last two beans I know of, were once I saw." Hook explained.

Mary just stared at the beanstalk "There was a guy named Jack and a 🐄 and something about a evil giant with a golden goose."

"Or a harp." Emma added

"Sounds like a lovely tale, but the truth is more gruesome. The giants grew the beans, but rather than use them for good, they used them to plunder all the lands. Jack was a man who fought a terrible war, defeating all but one of the evil giants. The beans were destroyed by giants as they died. If they couldn't have their magic, then nobody can. It's really very bad form." Hook explained the story.

"Evil giants who use magic portal beans? Why doesn't anyone go up and grow some more?" Emma asked.

"Because one giant survived. The strongest and most terrible of them all. And we'll have to get past him to-"

Snow cut him off "The magic compass."

"Indeed. The treasure remains and amongst it is the compass. Now it will guide us to your land. Cora has the means to open the portal with 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."

"How do we know you're not just using us to get the compass for Cora?" Mulan asked.

"Because you six are far safer company. All I need is a ride back. I'll swear allegiance to whoever gets me there first."

"Then we'd better start climbing."

"Right. So... I failed to mention that the giant enchanted the beanstalk to repel intruders." Hook said with a chuckle.

Hope sighed annoyed "All right so how do we get up there?"

"I've got a counter spell from Cora if you'd be so kind." Hook held out his bound hands and Hope untied it "Thank You, Milady." He held out his hand "I've got one more of these. Cora wants to accompany me. So... Which one of you 6 lovelies shall take her place? Hmmm? Go on. Fight it out. Don't be afraid to, you know, really get into it."

"All due respect, I'm the best equipped to go. How many wars have you been through?" Mulan asked.

"My share."

"One." Hope and Mary said in unison.

"It should be me." Aurora spoke up.

Mulan turned towards her "You? You haven't fought in a battle."

"This is about us getting home to our love ones. Why would you-"

Aurora cut her off "Because I have no loved ones. If I fail, you can still go on."

Emma spoke up  "It's me. I'll go. And I'm not going to fail."

"You are new here." Rose told her niece.

"It's about getting back to Henry. I don't care what I have to face." Emma looked between her mom and aunt "You two are not going to argue with me?"

"Would it do any good?" Both sisters asked.

"No." Emma looked at Hook "Is there anything in that bag that's going to help me defeat the giant?"

"A hook." Hope crossed her arms.

"Hey!"

"Come with me." Mulan and Emma talked and gave Emma something and they both looked at Hook.

Emma walked over to Hook and held out her hand.

"I was hoping it would be you."

"Just get on with it."

Hook put a hand on her shoulder "Put your hand right here. That's a good girl. This will allow you to climb. There are many dangers. Thankfully, you've got me to protect you." He put a cuff on Emma's hand "I can't climb one - handed can I?"

"Don't think I'm taking my hands off of you in a second." Emma gave him his Hook.

"I would despair if you did."

They started to climb.

Mulan marched towards the Beanstalk and start to cut it down.

Hope saw this and tried to stop her "Woah! What are you doing?!"

"Just stay back." She pointed her sword at them "Emma gave me ten hours."

"Wait," Rose started a angry look on her face "You're gonna just let her leave there to die?"

"Ten hours. She may already be dead." She swung her sword to the beanstalk and magic pulsed from it sending them staggering back.

"No!" Snow tackled her to ground.

"No!" Aurora yelled as Snow and Mulan fought "Stop! Stop! Stop!"

"This was your niece and daughter's wish." Mulan told Snow and Rose.

"We do not care what you say! You are not going to put my daughter in danger!" Snow yelled and Emma leaped from the beanstalk.

"Stop!" Emma yelled and Rose ran over to her.

"Oh, Emma, Are you alright?"

"Two earthquakes and a jump from the beanstalk. I think my brain is rattling a little." Emma said as Rose helped her up.

"Did you get it?" Hope asked Emma.

"Yep," Emma hold out the bean.

Mary looked behind her "Where's Hook?"

"He's detained. Let's go. Get your stuff we only have ten hours before he follows us."

"Good. Now let's get that dust from Cora."

"And go home."