Operation: Apple Tree

Chapter 12: Green Came Before Queen

"But we looked everywhere and we couldn't find the door." Henry said as Charlotte held up the page for her whole family.

"That's because this door is the door that the Author is in." Charlotte clarified, "The Author is in this page. We just need to find the key." Emma took the page from Charlotte as everyone continued to stare as they realized who they were looking for was right in front of them.

"Until we find the key, what are we going to about Zelena?" Killian asked.

"I know what to do with her." Charlotte remarked, "I'm going to talk with her and get her to join us."

"Hell no!" Regina exclaimed, "I'm not letting her anywhere near you."

"Mom, you don't know her like I do. I know what she wants and I can get through to her." Charlotte encouraged.

"Zelena is not to be trusted, at least not now." Robin said trying to compromise.

"The best thing we can do to stop the Queens of Darkness is to give them a chance at happiness." Charlotte scoffed as she stormed out of the room.

"I'll go talk to her." Robin said as he followed her. Robin found her in the bedroom upstairs sitting on the bed. Charlotte looked up noticing her father was there. "Are you alright?"

"You just don't see her the way I do." Charlotte said, "Aunt Zelena has good inside her, she just thinks she has to be wicked because nobody loves her. If we show her somebody does care about her then she will see the good in herself." Robin sighed,

"Your right. There is good in everyone. But Zelena is dangerous. We have to be careful. Your mother and I don't want to see you get hurt." Robin said, trying to convince, "So can you please trust us and try not to go after Zelena?" Charlotte looked into her father's eyes and nodded.

"Okay, I won't go after her." Charlotte conceded.

"Thank you." Robin said. He wrapped his arm around his daughter and kissed her forehead. He got up and walked down the stairs to join the others. As soon as she was sure her father was gone, Charlotte pulled out the bracelet that her Aunt Zelena gave her.

"That doesn't mean I can't go talk to her."

———

Charlotte followed the bracelet as it floated through the woods with the location spell she casted. She had made it to a clearing in the woods as the bracelet stopped in the clearing and fell to the ground. Charlotte and bent down and picked it up. "Aunt Zelena!" Charlotte shouted. Charlotte shouted several times for her aunt but she received no answer. She was about to give up before she heard someone move from behind a tree.

"Looking for me?" Zelena asked, rhetorically, "What do you want?"

"I came to talk to you." Charlotte answered.

"And does your mummy know you're here?" Zelena asked, smirking. Charlotte stayed silent at the question. "Ah. Going rogue. I like it."

"Aunt Zelena. I know you think that you have to align yourself with the Dark One to get what you want, but you don't need him."

"Oh really? And what do I want?" Zelena asked, sarcastically.

"To be loved." Charlotte said, certain, "You think nobody loves you, so you have to be wicked to make them love you. You don't have to do this. You can have people that love you without being wicked." Charlotte said. She was determined to convince her aunt that she could have love. Charlotte slowly walked towards her aunt as she held out her hand. Zelena's expression told her she was getting through to her. Just when she was only a few feet away from her, Charlotte suddenly had trouble breathing. She felt like her throat was being cut off from her lungs. She was then lifted up into the air while she continued to struggle for air. Rumple came out from behind a tree, with his hand raised, along with the rest of his entourage.