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Fight It Together

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SHE COULDN'T SLEEP. After tossing and turning for hours she finally gave up. Melody had thought if she went to bed early, she'd fall asleep faster, which didn't happen. She was happy that her brother was safe and sound now but it was a close call. She was so close to losing her brother.

Drawing had always helped her when she needed to clear her head. So Melody sat up right against the backboard of her bed and laid her sketchbook in her lap. Her pencil glided across the paper and she became calm. There was just something about drawing that cleared her head, calming her. Maybe it was because of the way her eyes focused on the page or the way she just poured her heart out when drawing.

It was only after she finished did she realize what she had drawn. Her calm face became sad and her body tensed.

The drawing was of her father clutching onto her tiny hand. The memory buried itself inside her head and she felt her veins starting to burn. Her eyes filled with no tears because she did not feel sad.

She was angry.

---

Pan paced back and forth in his treehouse as he was deep in thought. He wasn't one for patience. The immortal boy couldn't stand all the waiting considering he was so close to finally getting his daughter back. Greg was now in StoryBrooke so all that was left was to get Tamara to town, then Henry and Melody would finally be on Neverland.

He was about to exit the treehouse when he caught the glowing of the crystal ball out of the corner of his eye. Raising an eyebrow, he walked over and saw Melody.

---

Anger was the only thing she felt coursing through her. She was not going to waste any more tears on him. She refused.

The teen ripped the sketch and held it in her hands. Her brown eyes focused on the piece of paper and she felt a burning sensation run through her. And then, the sketch was on fire. Melody did not flinch from the pain, even if the fire was burning her.

Downstairs, Emma and David were talking when they both smelled smoke. Without even a thought, they both raced up the stairs and Emma swung open the door on the scene.

Melody did notice them enter until Emma sprinted over to her and when David snatched the sketch throwing it on the ground, putting the fire out. Emma wrapped her arms around the brunette and looked down at the girl's burnt hand.

"Melody! Melody!" Emma spoke in worry.

Melody blinked a few times before realizing what happened. Her body froze in shock and she didn't respond as Emma and David continued to call her name.

---

Pan watched in horror. His daughter had hurt herself. His little princess hurt herself because of him. He then became angry at himself.

Tears filled his eyes and he watched as Emma continued to try and get Melody's attention. Then he watched as his daughter still sat, staring at her burnt hand with shock. A tear slipped down his cheek and his anger got the best of him. Pan picked up the crystal ball and hurled it. The crystal ball smashed on the floor and glass went everywhere. But he didn't care.

The boys probably heard but none of them dared to enter his treehouse. And none of them dared to cross him when he was angry.

Pan continued to pick things up and throw them around the treehouse in anger. This was his fault. And he couldn't go back and change his choice. But he knew if he could, he would go back in a heartbeat and change his choice. He would become a better man. A better father for his daughter. And he could be the father Rumple needed. Pan could've done what his wife wanted him to do. He could've raised the both of them the right way.

But it was too late

---

The next morning was different. Normally, Melody would be up and be running down the stairs with a big smile on her face, ready to start the day. And normally Mary Margaret would be smiling and making breakfast. But that wasn't the case.

Instead, Melody laid on her bed upstairs and Mary Margaret laid in her bed downstairs. Both were feeling empty. Both had no energy.

Melody laid on her side and stared at her bandaged hand that had started to heal. She didn't know what to feel. In the moment of when it happened, she felt scared. Her worst fear had come true: losing control. The teenage girl had lost control of her magic.

She should be angry at her father. After all, this was his fault. But the girl couldn't even bring herself to think anything. She couldn't bring herself to feel anything.

There was a light knock on the door and David walked in with a plate of fresh eggs, bacon, and toast.

"Melody, I'm made you breakfast." she was faced away from him and didn't move to look at him nor did she respond. David sighed and then set the plate on the nightstand next to the bed. "I know you might feel like eating anything, but trust me, you'll feel a little better once you do. Just... don't let it get cold." the girl still didn't respond as one tear slid down her cheek. David turned and exited the room, closing the door behind him.

David walked down the stairs and Emma and Henry looked up from their breakfast.

"Anything?" Emma asked.

"She won't eat a bite," David replied.

"What's wrong with them?" Henry asked confused.

The young boy knew why Mary Margaret was upset and was shocked to know that a hero from a fairytale he knew was responsible for someone's death. But Melody, he didn't know why the girl was upset. And he was worried about his big sister.

The two adults were silent when Emma answered.

"Nothing. She's just a little sick."

Henry looked at them, unsure. "You guys are lying to me aren't you?"

"No one's lying," Emma said softly.

"You are, just like you did with my Dad."

"Henry, I - He's right. No more lying."

"Emma..." David trailed off.

"He deserves to know. Here's the thing, Henry. Melody's powers got a little out of hand last night and she couldn't control herself. She's scared that she'll hurt someone."

"Melody has magic?" Henry realized.

"Yes, and she doesn't know how to control it. She has a hard past, Henry. And that's why she lost control."

"But she wouldn't hurt anyone. She just needs someone to teach her."

Someone knocked at the door and David went to answer it.

"We will get someone to help her. We will," Emma told him.

"Get out!" David spoke firmly to the person who knocked at the door.

Gold walked in and Emma and Henry turned to him.

"I think you're gonna wanna hear what I have to say - for her sake," Gold said, referring to Mary Margaret.

He explained to them how Regina is planning something against Mary Margaret. He didn't reveal what which made David angry.

"No. You don't get to come in here and just drop a bomb like that. You're gonna figure this out. And you're gonna help us," David demanded.

"And why should I?" Gold questioned.

"Because aside from us being family now, Mary Margaret saved your life. Now you owe her a debt. And you always pay your debts, don't you? You're gonna help us stop Regina."

---

She forced herself to eat. If it was her choice she would've. But she knew if Emma found out, the blonde wouldn't leave her alone until she did.

Her empty plate was back on the nightstand and she now sat with her knees to her chest while she stared at her bed that she sat on. Her head sat on top of her knees and she didn't make a move to sit in another position even if she had been in the same one for an hour.

There was a fluttering sound and the brunette looked up at her open window to see a piece of parchment fly through and land beside her. She lifted her head up and moved her legs down so she sat in a criss-cross position. Melody grabbed the piece of parchment and opened it up. The neat handwriting was the first thing she saw. But then she recognized it.

Dear Melody,

I just want you to know that no matter what, I still love you and I still care about you. You probably hate me for what I did to you all those years ago. But here I am, writing to you. I know it's just a dream but, I wish you would forgive me for what I did. And I know there is nothing I can do to make up for what I did. Only time could do that. Even though you would probably still hate me.

You don't know how much I miss you. You were always happy and could turn anyone's bad day into a good one. I know that because you always made me smile. Even though I know that I don't deserve a daughter like you. And I know that you would like Neverland. And I'm sure the boys would love and you would love them.

I know you're having a hard time, but I promise you, just keep going and be strong even if you feel like you can't. Once it is broken you will understand everything. And when the time comes for you to come to the island, I want you to keep an open mind. Just know that I still love and care for you and have never forgotten about you.

Sincerely, M.

Melody refused to let the tears fall when she finished the letter. Her eyes were full of them but she needed to be strong. She wanted to be strong.

Her father - after all these years - finally had contacted her. She stared at the letter with a mix of emotions. Melody didn't know how she should feel. And it seemed like that was the only thing she ever wondered.

How should she feel? Happy, sad, angry, confused?

It just didn't make any sense. What had he meant by, "Once it is broken you will understand"? For once her father seemed... sad. Never had she ever thought her father would be sad. He was always happy, at least in her eyes. Malcolm always smiled.

But Melody didn't know what to do. She had always hated her father, thinking he abandoned her because you wanted to be youthful and immortal. The girl didn't even know her own birth mother! For all she knew, her mother probably left her too for a selfish reason.

Then came the question, what if it wasn't a selfish decision? What if her parents had to abandon her and Rumple?

---

Melody walked down the stairs after ridding of the note and getting ready for the day. She decided to push the letter out of her mind because she knew more important things were happening.

When she reached the bottom of the steps, Emma, David, and Gold looked at her.

"Melody," Emma spoke surprised.

Melody smiled slightly. "Good morning... well afternoon I guess. Sorry I stayed in bed so late."

Emma shook her head, still surprised. "It's ok. Are you feeling better?"

Melody nodded. "Much. I just needed to clear my head for a while." They seemed to accept her answer and the brunette joined them. "So what's going on?"

"Regina's planning on using a curse on Mary Margaret," David told her.

"What does the curse do?"

"In theory, it has the power to make someone love you," Gold revealed.

Melody raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't that break magic laws though? You can't bring someone back to life. You can't force someone to love you," she pointed out.

"This particular spell can make someone think they love you. And if you're as desperate for love as Regina appears to be, you just might believe it."

"She's using it on me and Melody, isn't she?" Henry asked as he came down the stairs.

They all turned to him and David sighed.

"Hey, buddy, why don't you go back upstairs, let us handle this."

"No!" He pushed past David and ran over to Emma. "Emma! You said you were going, to be honest with me. Now, why is Regina using this curse?"

"Because it's the only way she can get everything she wants, that she can get you and Melody," Gold explained.

"But if all she wants is me, then why go after Mary Margaret?"

"Your mother is a complicated woman. She wants your love of course, but she also wants vengeance... on Mary Margaret."

"How does the curse give her both?" Melody asked.

"Because the last ingredient she needs to enact the curse is the heart of the person she hates the most."

"You have to stop her," Emma demanded.

"Oh, I don't have to do anything. On the contrary, I believe warning you fulfills my debt," Gold said smugly.

Melody glared at her brother. "Not even close. This is Mary Margaret's life. We can't just leave her for dead," Melody told her brother.

"Not to mention your grandson's," Emma added.

"Well, wars have costs," Gold told them.

Melody scoffed. "And Mary Margaret doesn't have to be one."

"Well, this is a blood feud, sister. One that goes back a long time. And the only way you can end a blood feud is by the spilling of more blood. That is the only way I know to eliminate your Regina problem."

"How, by killing her?"

"Is there no other option?" Emma questioned.

"I'm afraid not," Gold said.

"There has to be another option!" Melody pushed.

"Stop!" Henry yelled, getting their attention. "Listen to yourselves. You're talking about killing my mom! You used to be heroes. What happened to you?"

He shook his head and then ran out of the apartment. Emma frowned.

"Henry," she called after him. She then sighed and then turned back to the others. "No matter how this plays out, we need to keep him as far away from it as possible." Then she turned back and ran after Henry.

"She's right," Gold spoke after a few seconds of silence. "Cora is more dangerous because she didn't have a heart. Regina is even more dangerous because she does."

The three of them exchanged looks and Melody groaned and put her hand on her head.

"This is bad."

---

"Why are you bringing me here? I don't want to talk to you," Henry said.

Melody couldn't help but smirk slightly. "Come on, Henry. Emma really didn't mean she'd kill Regina."

Henry gave her a look that said: "oh really". Emma stood in between the two as they walked into Granny's. Neal looked up from his booth and saw the three.

"Hey, buddy! I saved you a seat!" Neal told Henry, gesturing over to the empty seat in front of him.

"We're going to go get a coffee," Emma said, Melody, following.

Emma ordered two coffees and a hot chocolate. Melody stood next to her as she tapped her finger on the counter. The blonde looked over at her.

"Melody, about what happened yesterday-"

"I'm fine. I'll find someone to teach me. I won't lose control again, promise."

Emma looked concerned. "That wasn't what I was going to say." Melody didn't look at her because she knew what Emma was going to say. "I'm just worried because of the reason you lost control."

"Don't be," Melody assured, looking over at her. "It's not like my past is going to disappear so I'm just going to have to live with it." Emma smiled softly and Ruby approached them with their drinks. "Thanks, Ruby," Melody thanked, smiling as she carefully sipped her hot chocolate.

"Can I get this sandwich wrapped up to go? I was thinking about going on a hike," Greg said from beside them.

The two females looked over at him and Emma raised an eyebrow.

"A hike, huh?" Emma questioned.

Greg looked over at them. "Well, Dr. Whale said it would be good for me to get on my feet. Plus I'm kind of a nature photography nerd."

He looked over at Melody and stared for a second longer. Melody raised her head up a little higher and stared at him.

"He said you'd be back in Pennsylvania by now," she pointed out.

He cleared his throat and smiled. "This town's starting to grow on me." Ruby came back over with the wrapped sandwich and Greg handed Ruby some money. He thanked her and then left the dinner.

Melody and Emma exchanged a worried look and then walked back over to the table where Neal now sat alone, Henry missing from the seat across from him.

"How did it go?" Emma asked.

"Went good, he said yes," Neal told them.

Melody and Emma blinked in surprise. "Seriously?" They said at the same time.

"Yeah, he's in the bathroom right now. I'm just gonna go home and pack. Not bad for day three as a dad if I do say so myself."

The teen knew better and looked over at the empty seat and realized something.

"Wait, where's his backpack?" Melody asked.

Emma and Neal both looked at Henry's empty seat and then Neal slowly realized his mistake.

"I don't know, he took it with him," Neal said.

Emma glared at him. "To the bathroom? Did you really fall for that? He's your son.

Melody huffed and put a piece of her hair behind her ear. "He's running. Just great."

---

The mines seemed like the logical place for Henry to go, according to Ruby at least. Melody, Emma, and Neal had called David to help them look for Henry and of course, Ruby came to help track Henry's location.

"Henry!" Melody yelled, her voice echoing through the mines.

"Henry!" Emma yelled again, shinning her flashlight through the dimly lit mines.

There was no response and they continued on before Ruby spoke up.

"Down here!" they followed after her and then Ruby stopped and sighed. "He was in here."

"Why would an eleven-year-old kid run away to the mines?" Neal wondered.

"It wouldn't be the first time," Melody told him.

David saw something and then approached, shining his flashlight.

"I think I know what he was looking for," David spoke up. His flashlight shined on a box of explosives and they all caught sight of it. "The dynamite the dwarfs use for blasting," David explained.

"What the hell would he want dynamite for?" Emma asked.

"To get rid of magic," Neal realized.

"Wait, I'm sorry what?" Melody said perplexed.

"At the diner, he said someone should get rid of magic."

"So he's going to blow it up?" Ruby questioned.

"Where would he even go to do that?"

---

Henry lit a match next to the Storybrooke Wishing Well and Regina appeared from behind him.

"Henry? What are you doing?" she asked.

He turned to her and spoke. "I'm getting rid of magic. It's ruining everything. And you can't stop me."

"All that's going to do is get you killed."

"You just say that because you need magic. So you can cast that curse on me."

Henry turned and started to light the dynamite but Regina used magic to make it vanish.

"I can't lose you, Henry. You mean too much to me," she said, tears pooling in her eyes.

Henry turned back to her a pleaded. "Then don't cast the curse. Don't kill Mary Margaret."

"Henry, she has to pay."

"The Curse. It won't make me or Melody love you for real. It'll be fake."

"But it will be something. I know it's hard for you to understand right now but you'll see. The three of us can be happy. We can have everything."

"Not like this."

Regina stood stunned and Emma, Melody, Neal, and David ran into the scene.

"Hey, Regina! Get away from my son!" Emma demanded.

Regina and Henry turned to them and Regina glared.

"He's not yours. He's mine. And after I cast this, you'll never see him or Melody again."

"That's never going to happen," David broke in.

"If you want to kill Mary Margaret you're going to have to go through us," Emma said.

"Okay," Regina said simply.

Regina started to use her magic, but Henry ran between her and the others.

"Stop!" he demanded.

"Henry, get out of the way!" Neal told him.

"Not until someone helps me destroy magic!"

"There's no way to get rid of it. You can't just blow it up!" Regina yelled.

"Magic isn't the problem, kid. It's her," Emma said.

"It's not just her. It's everyone. Look what magic did to Mary Margaret," Henry said. He then looked at Regina. "Look what it did to you! Look what it did to Melody! It's ruining everything. It makes good people do terrible things and causes them pain!" Melody looked at her younger brother sadly. She knew Henry was right. Magic destroys everything in its path and it changes people. The truth was clear and undeniable. But she knew Henry couldn't just blow up magic, it couldn't happen. And if it was that easy, someone would've done it a long time ago. But no one did. Henry turned and looked at Regina. "Please. It's going to destroy my family. Help me get rid of it," Henry pleaded.

"I can't do that Henry. But there is something I can do," Regina said, then she burnt the scroll with the curse on it.

Henry sighed in relief. "Thank you." He walked over to Emma and they turned and walked away, leaving Regina alone. Melody turned back and then walked over to her mother.

"Mom..." she trailed off, approaching her.

Regina looked at her daughter with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Melody. I really am. I'm not a good mother for you."

Melody ran to her and hugged her tight, tears flowing down her cheeks. "No, you are. You are an amazing mother. And I love you. I will always love you no matter what."

Regina hugged her back tightly and cried.

"I love you too."

---

Melody sat on the couch as she stared at the plain black screen of the TV. Gold saw her and sat next to her. She looked over at him.

"I know I'm probably not ready but, I want to learn how to control my magic."

Gold nodded. "You are ready. But learning to control your magic is something you have to do on your own. Whenever you use your magic, tell yourself "I can do this. I am strong enough to do this"."

"Sounds easy enough."

"It's not. Took me a long time to control mine. But that's just the thing, you have light magic. I have dark. So whatever you do, do not give into the darkness. Trust me, you may be powerful, but you won't be happy."

Melody saw the look in his eyes and grabbed her brother's hand. "Stop hurting yourself like that. I said I forgave you."

"It doesn't change what happened."

Melody smiled sadly. "I know. But we can't keep letting the past hurt us. We have to move on even though it isn't easy. Because if we don't, it will consume us."

Gold looked at his sister. He couldn't believe that only years ago they were just children living in a small hut with their father. He couldn't believe that only years ago his sister was born. Gold looked at his sister's bandaged hand and looked back up at her.

"Then I guess we will fight our past together."

Melody smiled. "We will."

---

What do you think Pan was talking about when he said: "Once it is broken you will understand everything"?

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