𝙁𝙪𝙜𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 [𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙖𝙣]

③:⑦

The Truth Comes Out
Present day
Enchanted Forest

We soon approach the base of the beanstalk and look up, admiring the height of the plant.

"It's a little freakier than I remember from the story," Emma jokes.

Mulan keeps her poker face as she stands behind Emma, "Reminds me of death.

"Encouraging," I smile at her as I stand next to Hook and Snow.

"Well, the compass awaits," Hook nodd, "Shall we?"

He begins walking closer to the stalk and we follow.

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

"Because there aren't any more beans," Hook says in a 'duh' tone, "Whatever story you think you know, my dear, is most certainly wrong."

"There was a guy named Jack, and a cow, and something about an evil giant with a treasure and a golden goose," Emma pauses to take a breath, "Or harp."

I look over at her in amusement as does the pirate.

"Sounds like a lovely tale. But the truth's a little bit more gruesome," Hook explains, "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. 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."

"Evil giants, who made magic portal beans? Why doesn't anyone just go up and grow some more?" Emma shrugged.

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

"The magic compass," Snow explained.

"Indeed, Hook smiles, "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."

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

"It wouldn't be the first time he turned his back on someone," I add.

He turns to and sighs before looking to the ground, "You five are far safer company. All I need is a ride back. I'll swear allegiance to whomever gets me there first."

"Then we'd better start climbing," Emma says as she walks over to the pirate.

"Right, so," He chuckles, "I failed to mention that the giant enchanted the beanstalk to repel intruders."