ix. worst grandmother of the year

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IT WAS SILENT for most of the time while Melody and Hook waited for Cora to arrive. Neither knew what to say and Hook choose that is was better not to ask about the teen's past to make small talk. After all, she was extremely touchy about the subject. He didn't wish to push her further into the hole she created for herself that kept her from all of the bad things in her life. So it wasn't until footsteps echoed through the cave did they finally say something. "It's time," Melody smirked.

Hook nodded and the two of them went into the shadows. Cora entered the pit and looked straight at the cage where Aurora was no longer in. Her eyes filled with rage and Melody spoke up, sounding much like her father, just the female version of him. "Looking for someone?"

Cora turned to them and glared. "Oh, don't tell me you two were dumb enough to let her go."

"She was never going to give you what you wanted anyway," Melody pointed out, shifting onto her other foot, glaring slightly at the older woman, and crossing her arms over her chest. To be completely honest, she was not afraid of what Cora would do to them. Her so-called grandmother didn't scare her anymore because she knew deep down that something just wasn't right. Almost like Cora wasn't all that bad.

"So, you two freed her. And stuck around for the petty satisfaction of seeing me suffer?"

Hook smirked with glee. "Oh, watching you suffer is a tempting motivation, but it wasn't that." Man was it fun to mess with people. He didn't care what happened to him either. So that's what kept him going with the constant teasing and pushing the limits. 

Cora narrowed her eyes "Well, then you must have a death wish." She went but Melody was quick to act and let her hand fly up and, beginning to choke the older woman with her magic.

"Melody," Hook warned. 

The brunette rolled her eyes and then dropped her hand, releasing Cora. She didn't like being told what to do but kept silent about it. Her grandmother didn't appreciate her action from the way her lips turned up into a sneer.  "You have some nerve, girl. I should kill you."

"You probably should, you won't though," she replied with a growing smirk.

"Oh, really? Why's that?"

Her finger jabbed toward pirate beside her. "Because we got you an early birthday present! It's in Hook's satchel." The sass she displayed remind Cora of herself when she was younger. And it would've amused her if the situation were in a different stance. When the sorceress questioned her as to what it was and she rolled her eyes. "Why am I going to tell you? It's supposed to be a surprise."

Cora looked hesitant for a moment before she took the satchel from Hook who extended it toward her. She looked inside and her eyes widened. "Is that..."

"Indeed, it is," Hook confirmed. "And with it, you'll get everything you want."

———

Mulan was sprinting through the forest, the compass in her hands. She was convinced that she had gotten away from the hero family when suddenly an arrow flew past her head, making her stop right in her tracks. Her eyes closed briefly in annoyance. Turning around, she saw Mary Margaret and Emma.

"That was a warning shot," the former bandit told her, still aiming the bow. "Try to run, and I promise the next one won't be."

She tightened her grip on her sword in response, lifting her chin up to show that she wasn't afraid of them. "How did you find me?"

"I know a thing or two about tracking."

Of course she does, Mulan told herself with a mental roll of the eyes. Her finger skimmed over the hilt, telling herself next that she could take them both on if needed. She'd taken them down. Emma held her hands up, stepping forward. "All we want is the compass."

"Very well," she responded smoothly. She went to go grab her sword which was sitting at the side of her waist. But Mary Margaret noticed and tackled her to the ground, catching her off-guard. The warrior grunted, trying to push her off but getting nowhere.

Mary Margaret glared, speaking demandingly. "Give me the compass."

"And seal Aurora's fate?"

"We learned how to overpower Cora. Once we get what we need, we will defeat her, and Aurora will be free."

She only scoffed in response as she shoved the woman off of her. She stood up, shaking her head. "Another journey - just as I predicted there would be. Our best chance to save Aurora is to make that trade now."

The protective mother wasn't going to budge. No way was she going to allow the only means to get home go. But then again, she was all for rescuing everyone she could. "Not going to happen. Without that compass, we can't get home and we need to find Melody."

Mulan's eyes went to the arrow that was now aimed at her. "Then I hope you're prepared to use that arrow." The former princess drew her weapon back threateningly when a voice called out.

"Stop!" They all turn around to see Aurora running toward them, breathing deeply which clearly meant she had been running.

Emma looked confused, holding a hand out to show her that they meant no harm to her. "Okay, don't take this the wrong way, but how the hell did you get here?" Her question hung in the air since Aurora had no intention of answering it.

"Let Mulan go. I said, let her go!" Mary Margaret lowered her weapon which allowed the Princess to go over to her friend. Mulan asked if she was followed. "I... I don't think so. Cora may know I'm gone, but she didn't see me escape."

The Savior exchanged a look with her mother before focusing back on her. "How did you escape?"

"It was Hook and Melody. They let me go."

Emma's and Mary Margaret's eyes widened in shock. "Melody?" They exclaimed simultaneously, not sure if they had heard correctly. But then Aurora nodded. And they weren't even aware that her words were being forced out of her mouth. They didn't even realize that she no longer had her heart.

"Hook did it because of you. He said he wanted to prove to you, that you should've trusted him. That if you had trusted him..."

Meanwhile, at the abandoned shelter, Melody and Hook stood nearby as Cora spoke into Aurora's heart, telling her what to say. She tried not to look disgusted but it was difficult. Her nose scrunched up and chills ran down her spine and yet her face remained blank.

The sorceress was enjoying this way too much. "You could've defeated Cora together. That the two of you could've gotten the remains of the wardrobe. Without him, you'll have to go up against her all by yourself. He only wants to help. I... I think he may care for you."

"Nice touch, that," Hook commented.

Melody rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "I've heard better."

Her words went ignored as Cora lowered the heart, turning her head to look at them. "But you know she won't trust you."

The pirate shrugged his shoulders. "Ah, she doesn't have to. All I need is for her to believe that I was genuine in letting the girl go and that I have Melody all safe with me." He smirked. "You're welcome."

Melody scoffed, slightly annoyed by his words. "Please. I haven't burned your good hand off yet." She raised an eyebrow. "I think you should be thanking me instead of giving yourself all of the credit for a plan that wouldn't work without me."

Hook chuckled at her sass while Cora scowled. He glanced between the two. "Now, can we get on with the business of going to Storybrooke... Together?"

The older woman collected herself, nodding with a dark grin. "Why not? I hate to travel alone. All we need is the compass."

"Which will soon be delivered."

"Hopefully," Melody added, smirking a bit as she exited the cell.

———

"You found it?" a voice questioned.

Melody, Hook, and Cora stood outside of the cell where Rumplestiltskin used to be held, listening as Mary Margaret, Emma, Aurora, and Mulan searched for the squid ink. They waited for the right time to appear.

"In a manner of speaking," Mulan replied. "There was ink in the cell."

"Son of a bitch," Emma cursed.

Then just as planned, Aurora grabbed a rock and threw it against a lever just outside of the cell. The door to the cell fell down, trapping the four of them inside.

"Aurora, what are you doing?!" Emma exclaimed.

Cora and Hook walk in with Melody trailing from behind. She gave them a small, sad smile. While she didn't want to betray them, she had a plan and knew that the heroes would not be stuck for long before they got out and followed after them. She wasn't worried.

"Helping me," the older sorcerers replied, smirking with such delight as they made their way to them.

Emma and Mary Margaret saw Melody but she shook her head with a warning look. She mouthed I'm sorry to them. But the look in her eyes said it all. And so they didn't comment on her being there, looking over as Cora magically summoned the compass to her.

"No!" Emma exclaimed, racing to the bars of the cell and pulling it.

"No. Don't waste your energy, dear. Rumpelstiltskin himself couldn't escape from this cell." Cora switched her attention to Aurora. "Thank you, Aurora. We couldn't have done it without you."

"Why would you do this?"

Mary Margaret shook her head in disbelief at the princess who they thought betrayed them. "How could you?"

"Don't blame her. She was only doing what she was told," Cora explained, pulling out Aurora's heart from the satchel it had been handed in.

Emma was in shock, seeing the red, glowing, and beating object. It was a pure ruby hue, not a single speck of darkness inside of it. That surprised Melody when she first saw it. She had expected to see at least a tiny little dot but there wasn't anything. The savior's eyes widened when the realization hit her.  "You took her heart?"

"Actually, I did," Hook replied, bringing the attention to him. "It was a gift."

Emma looked at him and glared. Not only did he take someone's heart but he had the nerve to take Melody. But she didn't know Melody had gone on her own.

Cora squeezed the heart, causing Aurora to yell out in pain and Melody to cringe, looking away. "Forgive us. We'd love to stay, but Storybrooke awaits." She turned and signaled for Hook and Melody to follow. Melody had walked out but Emma called out to Hook when she had gone.

"Hook," she called out. He turned around and walked back over. "Wait. Please don't do this. Melody, she needs to get home and my son is in Storybrooke. He needs me."

He scoffed. "Perhaps you should've considered that before you abandoned me on that beanstalk. Melody was the one who actually came back and released me," Hook revealed.

"No, she wouldn't do that."

"But she did. She said it was wrong for you to betray my trust." Then he paused, bringing out the dull magic bean the giant had. "Do you know what this is, Emma?"

She nodded. "The bean that the giant kept."

"Yes, indeed. A pirate always keeps a souvenir of his conquest, but this... Well, this is much more than a mere trinket. This is a symbol. Something that was once magical, full of hope, possibility... Now, look at it. Dried up, dead, useless. Much like you. The time for making deals is done, just as I'm done... With you."

And with that, he walked away.

———

The teen would've stopped to gaze at the place she called home but Cora kept a firm grip on her arm which Melody didn't appreciate. She considered burning the old ladies face off but then was afraid of losing control. Even if her veins were burning, telling her to use her magic.

Fields, trees, and bodies of waters passed as they walked and Melody got curious as to where their destination was. "Where are we going?"

"Lake Nostos. The legend says its waters hold the power to restore what was once lost. It'll return magic to what remains of this wardrobe. And then, we'll be able to cross worlds," Cora told her.

They walked over a hill and a — what looked like a dried up lake — settled below. Hook and Melody exchanged a curious look, confused as to why a dried up lake was going to help them. He decided to speak for them both, turning to look at the old woman. "I may be a simple pirate, but I know one thing — lakes have water."

Melody fought the urge to facepalm herself. "Oh my god Hook stop being so dramatic."

He gave her a look to which she smiled sweetly. Cora ignored their banter and waved her hand, a small vortex magically forming in the middle of the former lake. Suddenly, a geyser of water shot up from the ground. "After everything we've been through, why do you two still doubt me?"

Melody shrugged. "I just don't like you."

———

They had waited a good half hour before the geyser started to subside leaving behind a small lake. Cora took out the vial of wardrobe ashes and held it out to Melody. "Would you care to do the honors?"

Melody smiled sarcastically. "I don't have a choice do I?"

Cora smirked. "Not really. Your magic is strong for your age, which means you can open it." Melody rolled her eyes, taking it out of her hands, then uncapped the lid. She poured it into the lake and a whirlpool appeared. They all stepped back. "There we go. We'll be in Storybrooke soon enough. I really look forward to seeing my daughter."

Cora took out the compass and held it out to them. Melody felt her veins burn as she flexed her fingers. The sorceress looked at Hook. "I told you I'd deliver you to Rumpelstiltskin. Now don't let go. Unless you want to end up someplace that isn't Storybrooke.".

Hook grabbed the one side of the compass and they looked over at the brunette, waiting for her to hold on. Melody smirked at Cora. "You really think I'm just going to let you go to StoryBrooke?" They both turned to her. "You adults are such idiots."

The teen threw her hand up and the compass flew out of their hands. Emma, Mulan, and Mary Margaret arrived at the scene, the former bandit with her bow towards Cora. "You're not going anywhere. This portal's taking us home. The compass — get it."

"Find the compass. I'll take care of them," Cora instructed.

Hook nodded and started searching. Melody didn't want to hurt him so she ran over to Emma, grabbing the bow and arrow that was originally hers. The blonde smiled with concern, grabbing her sword. "You okay, kid?"

"I can take care of myself, Emma," she replied with a tiny smirk. Cora shot a fireball towards Melody but then Mulan jumped in front of her and deflected it. She gaped and looked at her. "Are you kidding? You are officially the worst grandmother of the year!"

Mulan actually smiled at that. Emma grinned too before approaching Hook with her sword in hand. Cora continued shooting at Melody and Mulan but the two deflected it each time. Mary Margaret helped by shooting arrows at Cora, but the older woman dodged them.

Cora then magically disappeared but the bag containing Aurora's heart got left behind. It flung toward the whirlpool but Hook bent back and caught it with his hook before it fell through. He threw it to Mulan who caught it with ease.

"I may be a pirate, but I bristle at the thought of a woman losing her heart — unless it's over me."

Emma rolled their eyes while Melody snickered. "Oh, how sweet. You are a true gentleman."

Mulan looked conflicted over what to do but Mary Margaret nodded to her, telling her to go. The warrior shook her head. "No, but you need the compass!"

"And Aurora needs her heart."

It was settled. Mulan gave Mary Margaret her sword and told her it deflected magic. She then ran back to the cell where Aurora was while Emma and Hook continued fighting.

"I had no idea you had such a soft side," Emma taunted.

"I don't. Just like a fair fight." They continued to duel and Hook smirked. "Good form. But not good enough." He grabbed Emma's leg and flipped her onto her back.

Cora reappeared and Mary Margaret drew Mulan's sword while Melody drew back an arrow. She took a shot while Snow lunged for Cora.

The older woman disappeared again and Melody looked to the side to see Emma holding the compass and then her punch Hook across the face, knocking him out cold. The teen clenched her jaw. She knew she couldn't just expect Hook to come with them. And she was stupid to care about him so quickly, knowing that most of the people in her life would eventually leave her like her dad and her brother did.

Emma charged at Cora with her sword but the older woman saw it coming and magically disappeared again.

"Emma, Melody, run!" Mary Margaret yelled.

The three of them make a break for the whirlpool, but Cora reappeared in front of them, blocking their path. Melody was too slow before Cora threw them to the ground with her magic. She stalked toward Mary Margaret and Emma. Melody tried to get back up but was thrown to the ground again.

"Why do you want to go to Storybrooke?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Because my daughter needs me. And now, I'm going to give her the one thing she's always wanted — your heart. Goodbye, Snow," Cora smirked.

"No!" Emma yelled.

Cora drew back her hand, but Emma pushed Mary Margaret out of the way just before she reached into her chest. Instead, Cora ended up with her hand inside Emma's chest. Melody got up and her eyes widened in horror.

"Emma!" Mary Margaret and Melody screamed.

Cora tsked, still smirking. "Oh, you foolish girl. Don't you know? Love is weakness." She tried to rip out Emma's heart but couldn't. Her hand was stuck and she couldn't rip her heart out.

"No. It's strength," Emma disagreed. Suddenly, a burst of white light spread out from Emma's body in all directions, causing Cora to disappear. Emma stood shocked, turning to her mom and Melody with wide eyes. "What was that?"

Her mother smiled. "That... Is a great subject for discussion. When we get home."

Emma walked forward and hugged Melody. "Come on, kid. We're going home."

The three walked hand in hand to the portal and Melody forced herself to not look behind her at Hook's unconscious body.

"Ready?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Yeah. Let's go home," Emma sighed with a nod.

Melody nodded back and didn't say anything. Mary Margaret smiled, then the three of them jumped into the portal.

———

He couldn't breathe. He couldn't comprehend how is mom could do something like this. His eyes stayed trained on the well before he became frantic and he raced towards it. Regina held him back and Henry struggled.

"You can't! Stop it! You can't! You're going to kill them! Please! No! They're going to make it through! We have to turn it off! You're going to kill them!" Henry yelled, tears filling his eyes.

"Henry! What are you doing?" Regina replied.

"Emma, Mary Margaret, and Melody are going to come through. I know it. You said you wanted to change — to be better. This is how. You want me to have faith in you? Have faith in me."

Gold, who was standing behind them, shook his head with a warning look. "Regina." It was too late, the boy had gotten into her head.

The ex-Evil Queen let go of Henry and gave him one last sad look before turning and walking toward the well. She extended her arms over the barrier, using her magic to absorb the storm, removing the barrier over the portal. She was thrown back and Henry looked anxiously at the well, waiting for his family to appear. But they never did.

"No!" Henry yelled. Tears fell from his eyes and he shook his head in disbelief. Regina looked upset that she couldn't save them, apologizing to him immediately. Suddenly, a hand came out of the well and grabbed the edge. Emma pulled herself up first followed by Melody and Mary Margaret "Mom?"

"Henry!" Emma smiled, running toward him.

"Mom!"

Henry rushed to Emma and the two of them hugged. She kissed the top of his head, telling him how much she missed him. Melody walked forward and Henry let go of his mom, going over to hug her. "I missed you, Mel."

The teen laughed slightly and hugged him tightly. "I missed you too, loser."

Henry couldn't help but laugh. His sister, his mom, and his grandma were back. They could finally be happy. And that made Henry smile.

Regina walked over and hugged her daughter. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Melody smiled softly and hugged her back. "I can take care of myself, mom."

Regina sighed contently at Melody calling mom. It was something small and might not seem much but it meant a lot to her. Seeing as the brunette had a tough past but still called her mom.

"What's going on? What happened?" Mary Margaret asked, looking at them with a confused but worried look.

Henry pulled away from Emma and looked at her. "She saved you. She saved both of you." All eyes went to Regina, the two other adults looking surprised at the words.

"Thank you," Emma said gratefully, looking at Regina.

"You're welcome," Regina replied, letting go of Melody.

Then suddenly Ruby appeared, racing over to them. "Are you okay?" Melody smiled and went over to her, hugging her. Ruby smiled widely, embracing her. "Melody! You're back!"

The two split apart and Mary Margaret came over and hugged her too before pulling back. "Where's my husband? I need to find him." Ruby nodded and then the two left.

Melody went back over to her mom to see Emma rubbing Henry's shoulder, looking at the mayor. "Um, your mom... She's, uh... She's... A piece of work, you know?"

Melody rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Please. She didn't kidnap you."

"Indeed, I do. Welcome back," Regina greeted, then turned to her daughter once the words processed. "She kidnapped you?"

She nodded with a huge fake smile, giving her a thumbs up. "She definitely won the award of Worst Grandparent Of The Year."

———

Mary Margaret and Ruby arrived at Gold's shop with Emma, Melody, and Henry trailing behind. David laid on a bed with the dwarves surrounded him. The ex-princess walked over and bent down to kiss him, causing the curse to break. David woke up with a gasp, but he soon smiled when he saw his wife. "You... You did it."

"Did you ever doubt I would?" Mary Margaret asked.

They kissed and Melody covered her eyes. "Ah. My poor innocent eyes."

Everyone laughed.

———

Emma approached Gold who was in the main part of the shop. "We need to talk."

"Yes. I believe apologies are in order."

She waved it off, sticking her hands inside her pockets. "No. No apologies necessary. I just want to ask you something." Then her eyes narrowed at him and he tensed, almost as if he knew what was about to be asked. "You didn't seem the slightest bit concerned that your sister was kidnapped by Cora. I want to know why."

"That is a question I'm not going to answer."

"Why not? What could Melody have possibly ever done to you?"

Gold turned to her. "She didn't do anything, Miss. Swan. It's what our father did." He turned back around and walked toward the door, but then stopped before he exited. "A word of advice? Don't ask my sister about the past. I'm afraid she's hanging on a thread. One snip and she'll end it all."

He exited the shop and Emma stood shocked and confused.

———

Melody approached Regina who was standing off to the side. Her lips curved into a smile and she looked at her mom. "I never really thanked you for taking me in."

Regina turned to her and smiled. "You don't have to thank me."

She hugged her tightly while she felt her eyes fill with tears. Her words came out quiet. "I don't know what would've happened to me if you didn't."

Her mother pulled away and put her hands on the teen's cheeks. "You don't have to worry about that, honey. Because you're here now and you have people who love you."

Melody felt the tears leave her eyes and she hugged Regina again. "I love you, mom."

"I love you too, Melody."

David approached them with Mary Margaret next to him, smiles on their faces. "Looks like we have some catching up to do."

Emma shook her head with a laugh. She was happy to be back in StoryBrooke, she hadn't realized just how much she missed it here. "You have no idea."

"How about Granny's?" Ruby offered. "And it's on me."

Melody turned to her and smirked. "As long as it's chicken tenders and fries."

Ruby chuckled. "Of course."

She turned back to her mom and smiled, wiping her tear. "Wanna come?"

Regina nodded with a smile, looking surprised. "I'd love too."

They all exited the shop with smiles on their faces. For that day was a day to celebrate.

———

Do you think Melody is right to be stupid about caring about Hook so fast because she thinks everyone will leave her like her dad and her brother did?

Do you think Gold is slowly starting to realize that it wasn't Melody's fault that Malcolm abandoned them?

Also, Melody has an easier time using her magic because it has been inside her for so long and she's powerful so it's easier for her to use magic. It'll make more sense later!

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