Forest of Fireflies

Chapter 66

Note: I've decided to change to a 3rd person narrative voice. Please comment below if you liked it, didn't mind it or hated it! :)

Henry spoke up to disrupt the conversation that the adults were having. "Emma, we have to find Dani and take her back to Storybrooke! I feel like she'll get too attached to the Evil Queen."

They broke away from their rapid exchanges at Henry's indignant stare. Tiger Lily came up to the boy, saying, "Yes and we've come up with an idea. I believe that the fairies will help us with this matter, even if it means using something we've worked hard to obtain."

Henry gave the fairy a half grin and asked, "What is it?"

"A magic bean. On it's own, it'll take you back to your land but once I enchant it, it'll hopefully take you back to your time too."

"Well that's great! Where is it?"

Tiger Lily chuckled. "I have to ask permission to use it since its hidden in the vault of the fairies. However, I have confidence that it can help you return to the future."

Emma added, "Mary Margaret and I have decided that it'd be best if we were to go into the palace, where we'd be able to use the bean and ensure that Daniella comes with us."

"But can't we go get her and open the portal somewhere safer?" Henry interrogated as he looked between the adults. 

Snow responded, "Perhaps, but I'm afraid that we could get stopped if we were to 'kidnap' your sister. Besides, it'd be difficult to get in and out of the castle unnoticed. We must find Daniella when she is by herself, and open the portal before anyone is alerted of us."

"How do we get in then?"

Tiger Lily smiled and inclined a head towards the past Snow and Prince Charming as she answered, "I can transport you into the palace but I must get the bean first. Meanwhile, you can say goodbye to your counterparts."

........................

The Queen was reading in her bed when she heard soft footsteps stop at the doorframe of her bedchambers. She looked up to see her daughter looking like she wanted to make a request. "Daniella, what is it?"

Daniella shuffled into the room as she began, "The prisoner..."

Regina frowned. "Yes?"

In a small voice, Daniella continued, "Could you release her?" Before the Queen could respond, she quickly explained, "It'd change the future for the better, trust me."

"Well, what were the consequences of letting her live?"

Daniella looked down as she didn't want to tell her mother that she had been bullied at the orphanage. 

"Firefly? What were the consequences?"

Daniella's stomach twisted as she shook her head and mumbled, "Nothing. Nevermind-"

"No. I want to know, dear." Regina put away her book and invited Daniella into her arms as she continued, "What will the woman do in the future? Does she hurt you?" 

Daniella shrugged under her mother's arms. 

"Firefly..." 

As her eyes looked blankly at the mirror that stood facing them, Daniella replied simply, "Things wouldn't have happened if she survived."

"You have to be more specific than that. What things?"

Daniella joked, "The fight between her son and I wouldn't have happened which means that the whole school wouldn't be talking about me all the time."