Chapter Text
~
Aurora stood in front of her house in Storybrooke. She had just finished planting her garden, which included a fair share of fruits and vegetables, and a nice variety of flowers to spice it up. She stepped back to admire her handy work, when she heard a twig snap behind her. Aurora whirled around, but no one was there.
Strange.
Shrugging it off, she turned and walked into the quaint one story house. She plopped down on the couch in her living room, and pulled out a strange device that the people of this strange world called a “phone”.
new message:
Emma swan: hey I'm at granny’s with gina. come join us if you want. :)
She slowly unlocked the phone. Aurora was still not used to these new devices that this world had, and she was becoming more acquainted to them as each day passed.
Aurora: sure. i’ll be right over.
Besides, little Philip was playing with Neil today. Aurora had the entire day to herself. She stood up and strolled over to Granny’s.
Aurora had been in Storybrooke for over a year now, and she was alone. Philip had returned to the enchanted forest after the whole “Zelena” epidemic (in which Aurora had been transformed into a flying monkey! She tried not to think about that too often, though.)
Aurora did miss Philip. He was her only real friend in either worlds.
Besides Mulan.
Mulan, Aurora thought to herself. I wonder what has become of her.
Mulan had gone missing. The day Aurora wound up in Storybrooke was the day Mulan was supposed to be there. She didn't show up.
Aurora’s thoughts were interrupted by her reaching the diner. She walked up the small stairs and pushed open the door, hearing the familiar chimes.
“Aurora! Glad you could make it!” Emma called out. She and Regina were sitting close(really close) to each other, and Aurora felt slightly lonely. That feeling dissipated as soon as she saw the smiles on the women’s faces.
“Hi guys!” Aurora responded. She slid into the booth across from Emma and Regina. “How are you? What have you guys been up to lately?”
“Fine.” Emma said. “Just doing a little bit of research on my favorite topic.”
“Oh?” Aurora responded. “What would that be?”
Emma slyly looked over to Regina, and Regina rolled her eyes.
“She means,” Regina spoke in her sarcastic tone, “binge watching her favorite tv show. Every. Night.”
“Oh. That sounds… nice?” Aurora couldn't exactly remember what a TV was, but she remembered the last time someone tried to explain it to her, it was very confusing.
“And you?” Emma asked.
“Nothing much. I did some gardening today. At least it’s something.”
On that happy note, Ruby appeared at the table.
“Hey guys! What’ll it be today?”
The door was thrown open, and the bells chimed louder than usual.
“Aurora??” a small voice called.
“I’ll be back later then?” Ruby asked.
“Is Aurora there??” Henry ran further into the diner.
“I’ll come back.” Ruby said with a smile. She walked away.
“Oh hey moms! Aurora!!” he exclaimed.
“Woah slow down there, kid. How many doughnuts did you have today?” Emma interrogated.
“5.”
“5?” Regina said, her surprise not hidden. “We will revisit that later.”
“But that's beside the point, Mom. I have some good news and bad news.”
“Tell us the good news first.” Aurora said, raising her eyebrow slightly.
“Well, Aurora, here’s the thing.” Henry started.
“Mulan is here.”
At the sound of Mulan’s name, Aurora's heart beat a little faster. She pushed that down though, and tried to hide her excitement.
“Really?? Where is she? Is she okay??”
So much for hiding it.
“See, thats the bad news. She’s really hurt.”
Aurora's heart sank.
“Where is she?”
~
Henry led the way to where Mulan was. Aurora followed so close behind him, she nearly stepped on his feet several times. Emma and Regina ran after them. They found themselves in the forest, and after a few minutes, they came to a clearing. A frail body caught Aurora’s eyes.
“Mulan!” Aurora screamed, running to her.
At the sight of her face, Aurora nearly cried. She couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her, scared for her, or.. or..she tried not to think about the or..
Emma gripped Mulan’s wrist.
“There is a pulse.. it’s very weak, but it’s there.”
Aurora breathed a sigh of relief.
“We need to get her to Dr. Whale.” Henry stated.
“She is too weak to move...” Regina noted.
“Well, why don’t you use one of those phoney things and tell him to come here??” Aurora cried in desperation.
Emma whipped out her phone. First she called her dad, then the Dr. Whale. Within 10 minutes, both had arrived.
Dr. Whale started to examine Mulan. Aurora paced nervously, and Henry read through his book. Soon, Dr. Whale returned to the group.
“How is she holding up?” David asked.
“Well.. in the long run, she will be fine. She has lost a lot of blood, so we will need to take her to the hospital, but she will recover in no time.”
Aurora felt like she would fly.
“Really? Oh thank god.” Aurora said.
“We still need to take her to the hospital. Like, right now.” Dr. Whale interjected.
~
It was a group effort to carry Mulan. She wasn't so heavy, yet her armor was. Dr. Whale feared to take it off without proper medical tools right by him. No one complained.
By the time they reached the hospital, Mulan was looking very pale.
“We need a room! A patient has lost blood!” Mulan was set onto a gurney, and was wheeled into the ward. Aurora tried to follow after them, but Dr. Whale wouldn't let her in.
“I'm afraid we can't let you in..”
“Why not??”
“Only immediate family is allow-” he was cut off by Auroras voice.
“Immediate family? What kind of messed up shit is that?? She is all alone in there and-” Aurora felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head to see Regina with a sad expression on her face.
“It’s not like back home..” Regina said carefully.
“But-“ Aurora started, but then Regina gave her one of those states that said, listen to me.
Aurora slowly nodded.
“When she has recovered, I will let you know.” Dr. Whale said, and disappeared behind the doors.
Aurora slumped down on the wall. Regina sat beside her.
“Aurora.. she will be okay.”
“I know.. I just have so many questions. Like, hey Mulan, hi! It’s been, what? 5 months? Where where you? Where did you?” Aurora could barely speak.
She had one more question, but couldn't bring herself to voice it.
What did you want to say to me on that day?
“And she will answer them in time, Aurora. Just know that she will be fine.” Regina comforted her.
The question was, would Aurora be fine?