Chapter 1
As Ruby landed hard on the ground her wolf instincts kicked in and she temporarily lost control over what she was doing. She heard voices in the distance so she ran towards them, trying to see if anyone knew where the green witch was. When she got to where the voices were no one was in sight. She ran back to the woods hoping to find something to help her on her quest. As she ran through the familiar surroundings she got a scent of something. With a determined stride she changed direction and ran for the scent.
While she was making her way closer to the smell she heard someone chasing after her. She was hit with memories of the Enchanted forest. Fearing it could be hunters she quicken her pace. When she realized what she was smelling she changed direction quickly going towards her cloak. Just before she was able to get under the cloak she felt a strong pulse hit her body. A burning sensation went through her for a brief moment then everything went dark.
The group ran towards the threat ready to kill the monster. Emma raised her hands up but Snow stopped her from finishing off the wolf. Realizing who it was Snow placed the nearby cloak over the still body. When the cloak laid across the unconscious animal the animal started to change. The group looked down at the unconscious woman in surprise and shock. Looking at each other they silently agreed they needed to get out of here. Carefully Hook slipped his hands under the sleeping form. Once he picked Red up they stood in a circle and Emma teleported them back to the apartment. Hook gently laid Red down on the bed. Everyone stood around the still woman staring trying to figure out why Red was here.
*******
Mulan burst through the doors of the castle ready for a fight. As she looked around the nearest area she made the observation that the monkeys probably left when Zelena did. Feeling better about a pretty much empty castle she began her search. Starting on the lower levels Mulan went from room to room. She had placed the necklace around her neck so she could wield her sword with both hands if need be. The necklace seemed to give off only a faint glow. Its red rock never getting brighter as Mulan moved through spell after spell.
Trying to keep a quick pace she moved with determination. As she walked through the castle she felt like something or someone was watching her. Knowing she couldn’t let herself get spooked she focused on the task at hand. She moved from door to door hoping that something would give her a clue to where Dorothy was.
She had been searching for hours with no luck. Taking a deep breath to keep herself focused she found a place to rest and eat something small. As she sat in the quiet the warrior thought about all the events that put her in this place. How did she go from saving her people from an army to looking for a werewolf’s true love? Smiling to herself she wasn’t upset that she was here. Though she was wondering how she would get back.
She had something on her mind since she realized how much Dorothy meant to Red. Could she not find love again because she wasn’t willing to see it? Or did she lose her chance at ever finding it? Shaking the thoughts from her head she finished chewing then moved on from the room. After this was all done she would go back and see if Merida needed help with anything else. She would need to find some other quest to join so she could stay busy.
Moving onto the next room she went to open a door but a force threw her back. She hit the wall behind her with a hard thud falling on the ground like a rag doll. Shaking her head she mentally checked herself out. If she was hurt she would need to find someone to heal her otherwise getting this done was going to be extremely hard. Slowly she stood finding that she was just sore not actually hurt. Shaking it off she lifted the stone up to see if it glowed when it got closer to the door, it didn’t.
She contemplated breaking through the spell anyways or just moving on. The spell or spells seemed to be the strongest she had encountered all day. If Zelena put such a strong spell on it maybe there was something hiding in there that would help make sure that Zelena would stay gone for good. Deciding that it would be best if she looked she pulled her sword out and closed her eyes. Standing in front of the door, both hands holding her weapon, and concentrated. She focused on the people she helped, the people that helped her, the woman she loved, her friends. Each new thought filling her heart so she could use the sword to get through the barrier. With the strength that it seemed to have she needed all the love she could get.
With one last thought of the smile of a certain someone she felt something in her heart pulse. It pushed its way through her body and through her hands. With a forceful swipe the warrior took, not only the spell, but the door down as well. As she opened her eyes she was stunned. Why didn’t she see it before? Letting a smirk fall on her face she walked through the doorway a lightness to her walk. The wooden door laid, smoking, on the floor with her blast. Walking on the door further into the room Mulan noticed that redness emanated from her chest. The ruby was brighter than before. “About time,” was all Mulan could say.
****
Snow rushed to the bed when she noticed Ruby started moving. Ruby’s hand went to her head trying to focus on what happened. She felt like she was ran over by a mac truck. Feeling out of place her instincts kicked in and she started to sit up only to be stopped by someone’s hands, “Lay still a little longer.”
The voice was familiar yet it was out of place, “Snow?” She asked in a raspy voice.
“Yes. You were hit by a strong blast.” Snow explained.
“Sorry.” Emma said as she stood near the foot of the bed.
Ruby opened her eyes and gave Emma a small smile, “It’s ok. Just glad you didn’t finish the job.”
Snow smiled at her, “She almost did. I recognized you and stopped her from doing it.”
“Again sorry.” Emma looked down at her feet. She had a dream about something coming but who would have thought it was Red.
Ruby sat up finally able to do so without feeling like the room was spinning. She looked around and seemed confused by her surroundings. “Where are we?”
Snow looked up at David then back to her friend, “The underworld.”
“The underworld!” Ruby did not like the sound of that. “I don't understand. I used a tracking spell so that the cyclone would bring me to Zelena.”
Emma explained, “Ruby she's down here too.”
Hook, who was standing quietly to the side, asked, “Wait love you came down here looking for Zelena?”
“Why am I not surprised. What did my sister do now?” Regina asked with a sad note and frustration in her voice.
Ruby explained, “It's my friend Dorothy. Zelena wanted her magic slippers so that she could get back to her baby.”
Snow kept her eyes on her oldest friend, “Ruby what did Zelena do to your friend?”
Replying a little frantic, “That's why I'm here, I don't know. Dorothy went to face her and disappeared. Mulan and I looked everywhere but we couldn't find her. Snow this is all my fault. None of this would have happened if I hadn't shown up in OZ. It's just one more person's life I've destroyed because of what I am.”
Snow interrupted Ruby’s words, “That is not true and you know it. Ruby we will find out what happened to Dorothy I promise.” Ruby felt a little relief now that she had her family around her. She needed some support right now. Realizing all this then losing the one person who would make it all make sense is making her a little irrational.
Emma stood up, “There's only one way we are going to do that. It's time to talk to Zelena.” She turned and started walking out.
Feeling a sense of defeat Regina added, “I'm coming. I actually thought we were getting somewhere with her.” Ruby got out of the bed following everyone outside. All she wanted to do was find Zelena and get some answers. She just wanted to see what she could do to get Dorothy to see she wasn’t a beast. Shaking her head of the thought as they make their way out of the familiar apartment and down the stairs. Looking around her she notices that Snow and David haven’t followed. Listening for them she could hear them talking about Neal so focused on the others.