The Regal Ships

Part 22: Good Dog (SQ)

Everybody in town believed that Regina had killed Archie. It wasn't true. She hadn't killed Archie, her mother had framed her. Emma had her answer from Pongo, "Regina" had done it.

She needed to clear her mind, somewhere quiet and serene. Regina decided to go into the forest.

It was mid-morning and the forest was quiet and peaceful. She lost Henry and she balled her eyes out the night before. She came across a large ditch/abyss like thing. Maybe I should jump. It'd end my pain, Henry wouldn't care. He hates me anyways. The fall would hurt, but it wouldn't kill you.

Just as she was about to jump into the steep fall she heard a voice. "Should I help your majesty?"

"Whale?" She was startled by his voice. He smirked and then launched a rock at her head. It hit her in the temple knocking her 15 feet down into the ditch.

"Goodbye your majesty." He laughed and walked away. He was only there because he was hungover and he heard wolves so he wanted to see if it was Ruby.

She lay in the muddy ditch with a small gash on the side of her head.  She completely unconscious. 

...

   Emma was taking Pongo for a walk.  "Hey Pongo, want to go into the forest?"  His tail wagged happily.  Emma smiled at the dog. 

   She walked him into the woods and he sniffed at the ground and yanked her a little.  Then Pongo smelled something.  He yanked her so hard he got free.

   "Pongo!  Hey get back here!"  She ran after the dog was was sniffing the air and ground until he stopped at a muddy ditch.  "What is it Pongo?"  She asked referring to his barking.

   He barked loudly and more and went down the ditch.  Then he found the scent source, it smelled of mud, perfume, and blood.  He barked at the stationary figure and ran up to it. 

   "Pongo boy, what is it?!"  Emma then saw Regina, have sunken in mud and blood on the side of her head.  "Omg." 

   Pongo started whimpering and nudging Regina's hand.  He licked her face to try and wake her. 

   "Huh?  Pongo?  Wha-". Regina said groggily.

   "Regina?!"  Emma shouted.

   "Em-ma."  She whispered.

   Emma carefully made her way down to Regina and Pongo.  "How did this happen?"

   "Whale."  She whispered.  Emma's eyes widened.  Then she realized how possible that was.

    Emma grabbed a hold of her shoulders and was struggling to pull her out of the mud.  Pongo but down on her blazer and pulled as well. 

   "C'mon! Ugh!"  Emma strained.

...

   Regina had healed her gash and got the mud off through a shower. 

   Emma sat down on the couch across from Regina.  Pongo jumped up next to Regina and dug his nose under her hand.  She smiled.  "I really didn't kill Archie."  

   "But the dreamcatcher on Pongo showed you choking him." 

   "I can't explain that Emma, but I didn't do it.  There are spells that morph you into someone else.  And besides if I had killed Archie why would Pongo be all over me?"

   That was a valid question.  "So you think someone turned their self into you?"

   "That's the only way.  I did not kill him."  She said genuinely.

   "I guess you've made a new friend."  Emma said.  Pongo was play-biting Regina's hand. 

   "Thank you for finding me Pongo." 

   "I'll arrest Whale once I find him, okay?"

   "Okay."