Long Lost | Once Upon a Time (REWRITING)

Chapter Four: Tallahassee

The group of them walked on the small path towards the giant beanstalk, causing the plant to appear larger as the distance between them shrank. It was a lot taller when you stood right in front of it and Grace couldn't help but look up at it anxiously. Did I ever mention her fear of heights?

"It's a little freakier than I remember from the story." Emma spoke, her seeming to have the same thoughts as Grace.

"Reminds me of death." Mulan said. Grace couldn't help the forced smile from making its way onto her lips.

She tilted her head slightly as she narrowed her eyes up at the beanstalk. "Encouraging." She said sarcastically.

"Well," Hook soon spoke up, he himself already dreading the journey they would soon embark, "your compass awaits. Shall we?" He then stepped forward and began to lead them closer, much to Grace's dismay.

"Wait." Emma spoke as they all followed him. "If these beans create..." she paused, as to try and find the right word, "portals, why not just pick one and go home? Why the compass?" Just by hearing her say that told Grace that she had obviously not heard the right story.

"Because there aren't anymore beans." She said as if it were obvious, causing a few confused glances to be thrown her way. "The war? Jack the Giant Slayer? It's need to know."

Emma went on to explain what she knew, "There was a guy named Jack, and a cow, and something about an evil giant with a treasure, and a golden goose." She said as they slowed to a stop. "Or harp."

"Sounds like a lovely tale," Hook said lowly, "but the truth's a little bit more gruesome." He spoke before going on to tell the real story, "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." He paused before looking back up at the beanstalk. "The beans were destroyed by the giants as they died. If they couldn't have their magic, then nobody could. It's really bad form."

"Evil giants who made magic portal beans?" Emma concluded what she had heard. "Why doesn't anyone just go up and grow some more?" She stated, earning a sigh from Grace as she shut her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. She obviously was having a hard time understanding--no, accepting the situation. She can be very stubborn at times. She reminded Grace quite a bit of herself, actually.

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

"The magic compass." Snow decided to say with fake enthusiasm, her already dreading what was to come.

"Indeed." Hook said simply, "The treasure remains, and amongst it is the compass." He now spoke directly to Emma and Snow, "Now, it will guide us to your land. Cora has the means to open up a portal with the 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 their way." He concluded, earning a look from Grace.

"Oh, it's that easy?" She asked sarcastically, which of course only resulted in a raised brow from Hook.

Everyone was silent as they thought over what Hook had said until Mulan finally spoke up, "How do we know you're not just using us to get the compass for Cora?" She asked, her voice strong and demanding.

Grace looked over at the woman with the most annoyed expression she'd felt herself give. "You seriously waited all this time to ask him that?" She questioned aggravatingly, earning a cold look from the woman.

Hook simply shrugged, "Because you five are far safer company. All I need is a ride back." He said honestly, "I'll swear allegiance to whomever gets me there first."