Families Reunited, d.s[2]

ELEVEN

(CHAPTER 11 - TALLAHASSEE)

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Enchanted Forest...

Elias, Emma, Mary Margaret, Aurora, Mulan and Captain Hook approached the base of the beanstalk, and looked up to see it extended through the clouds.

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

"Thinking the same," Emma said.

"Reminds me of death," Mulan said.

"Encouraging," Mary Margaret said.

"Well," they all look at the pirate, "Your compass awaits. Shall we?" Captain Hook said.

"Wait. If these beans...create...portals, why not just pick one and go home? Why the compass?" Emma asked.

"Because there aren't any more beans. Whatever story you think you know, my dear, is most certainly wrong," Captain Hook said.

"Uh...there was a guy named Jack, and a cow, and something about an evil giant with a treasure and a golden goose...or harp," Emma said.

"Wasn't it the goose that laid the golden egg and Jack liked it, so he took it along with the harp?" Elias asked.

"I don't know," Emma said.

"Me neither," Elias folded his arms across his chest, "I thought we grew out of the fairytale business. You know, with the fairies, princes, princess, dragons and everything between," he looked at Mary Margaret, "No offense," Elias said.

"When did it change?" Emma asked.

"I don't know," Elias shrugged, "Anything that turns upside down in my life, I blame her," Elias said.

"Oh, yeah...she's to blame for a lot," Emma said and Elias nodded.

"Sounds like a lovely tale and now complicated tale," the twins looked at Captain Hook, "But the truth's a little bit 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  of the evil giants. The beans were destroyed by the giants as they died. If they couldn't have their magic, then nobody could. It's really very bad form," Captain Hook said.

"Evil giants, who made magic portal beans? Why doesn't anyone just 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-," Captain Hook began to say.

"The magic compass," Mary Margaret said.

"Indeed. The treasure remains, and amongst it is the compass. Now it will guide us to your land. Cora has the means to open 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 our way," Captain Hook said.

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

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

"Then we'd better start climbing," Emma said.

"Right. So...I failed to mention that the giant enchanted the beanstalk to repel intruders," Captain Hook said.

"Alright...so, how do we get up there?" Elias asked.

"I've got a counter spell from Cora, if you'd be so kind," Mary Margaret untied his hands and he leaned down a little, "Thank you, milady," he winked and stood up straight, showing them the cuff on his wrist, "I've got one more of these. Cora was to accompany me. So...which one of you four lovelies and gentleman shall take her place? Hmm? Go on. Fight it out. Don't be afraid to, you know, really get into it," Captain Hook said with a grin.