Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or Underworld. They are the property of their respective creators and companies.
Forward: So to the best of my knowledge, no one has ever Swenified (is that a word? It is now) the Underworld series. Oh well, might as well be me. This might be vaguely a crackfic in that it's an adaptation/parody and a great deal of suspension of disbelief might be called for, but I'm going to do my best to get all the pieces to fit. I don't count this as a crossover because none of the actual Underworld characters appear. Because I love the Swan-Mills family, I'm going to establish them from the start instead of waiting till Awakening to introduce Henry in the Eve role. Also, while the vast majority of characters will have the same actor reference as they do on Once, the sole exception is Leopold. As the Viktor of the piece, he will still be portrayed by Bill Nighy. Let's be honest, no one can play that role with the same flair as Mr. Nighy, and the actor who played Leopold on the show wouldn't feel right to me. With that in mind, I give you Underworld, or perhaps Swenderworld!
Cast:
Selene – Regina
Michael Corvin – Emma Swan/Henry Cassidy
Lucian – David
Kraven – Killian
Viktor – Leopold (Bill Nighy)
Singe – Archie
Erika – Aurora
Khan – Jefferson
Dr. Adam – Whale
Raze – Leroy
Amelia – Ursula
Soren – Hyde
Rigel – Phillip
Nathaniel – Eric
Pierce – Tom
Taylor – Walter
Trix – Billy
The war had all but ground to a halt in the blink of an eye.
David, the most feared and ruthless leader to ever rule the Lycan Clan had finally been killed. The Lycan hordes scattered to the wind in a single evening of flame and retribution. Victory, it seemed was in our grasp, the very birthright of the Vampires.
Nearly six centuries had passed since that night. Yet the ancient blood feud proved unwilling to follow David to the grave. Though Lycans were fewer in number, the war itself had become more perilous. The weapons had evolved, but our orders remained the same: Hunt them down and kill them off, one by one. A most successful campaign. Perhaps too successful.
For those like me, a Death Dealer, this signaled the end of an era. Like the weapons of the previous century, we too would become obsolete.
Pity. Because I lived for it.
Chapter One: South Terminus Shootout
Why did it always have to be in the rain?
Regina scowled as she perched on the railing of the old bell tower, casting her gaze to the rushing crowds below. Her black duster was already soaked through, and she thanked heavens for the waterproofing on her tactical leathers beneath it. The skintight onyx suit kept her body dry, though it did little to ward off the cold. The chilling downpour showed no signs of abating. Which meant that the ground would be slick and visibility would be compromised. Considering the speed with which Lycans moved, every shot fired would have to be taken with extra care.
Regina glanced to the opposing church tower where her fellow Death Dealer, Phillip, was photographing the people below. The cameras' enhanced lens let him pick out individuals with little difficulty. As Regina watched, she saw him stop with the side to side scanning movement and focus in, following the progression of someone. Following the line of sight, Regina could make out two figures. One was a bald man, not tall but incredibly wide. He had a great black beard shot through with silver, and a permanent scowl fixed on his face. Beside him was a taller fellow of African descent, thin and wiry with a closely shaved head. Both were dressed in fairly nondescript cloths, the typical jeans, flannel and heavy coats indicative of the many blue collar laborers dwelling in Budapest. But what made them stand out was their movement. Most of the crowd was huddled under umbrellas or covering their heads with hoods and hats. These two were bare headed, appearing unconcerned with the torrents pouring down on them. They strode with purpose, intent on some unseen objective.
Glancing up, Phillip met Regina's eyes. Both nodded to each other, the same thought echoing through their minds.
Lycans.
As Regina watched, Phillip leaped from the ledge he was crouching on, plummeting to the ground below. Regina on the other hand took a moment to survey her landing zone. Satisfied, she too took the jump, landing in a slight crouch flat on the soles of her combat boots. Straightening as if nothing had happened, she wove her way through the mob, stalking ahead of the Lycans as they made their way into a nearby subway station. Her face showed no change in emotion, but inwardly she felt the familiar rush. The old fury she had spent nearly six centuries tempering into perfect focus. The prey was close, and she was ready.
The hunt was on.
-Underworld-
As they ducked into the tunnel leading to the station, Emma Swan was already shivering. In hindsight she should have known this would happen. Anytime she forgot to check the forecast, the weather would inevitably punish her for it. Which was why she was clad in jeans, boots, a white tank top and her favorite red leather jacket that while stylish, was not appropriate for a thunderstorm. Thankfully she had someone looking out for her. Emma smiled at her seventeen year old son Henry, who was far more prepared for the rain in his heavy overcoat, which he wore over a hoodie, a flannel shirt and a black tee shirt along with his own jeans and boots. The young man returned the smile as he closed the umbrella he'd brought when they left the house that afternoon, "Told you it would rain."
"Yeah yeah, and now I'm gonna hear about it for the rest of the night." Emma rolled her eyes, "Come on, kid. We have to hurry if we're gonna make the six-forty."
Henry fell into step beside her as mother and son made their way through the station to the platform. They did this often, usually on weekends. The young man was fascinated by Emma's career as a surgeon and, after the hospital gave permission, Henry sometimes shadowed her at work. He'd mostly sit and do homework or read, but would jump at the chance to watch if Emma was called to operate in one of the surgical theaters. Emma sometimes asked if he'd rather be off doing something more fun, like seeing a movie or hanging out with friends. But deep down she knew the reason, and it was one she shared. Her son wanted to stay close, and had ever since the accident.
Shaking her head to clear such morbid thoughts, Emma led Henry down the platform as they waited for the train. She kept her head on a swivel, hoping to avoid crashing into anyone in the tightly packed crowd. It was a path they'd walked dozens of times before, they could walk it blindfold.
So it made it all the more thrilling when Emma's sweeping gaze fell on the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen.
The mysterious lady was clad head to toe in black leather, on the surface as impractical for the weather as Emma's own clothes. She had ruby lips pressed together in concentration, and marred only by a small scar on the upper one. Her eyes were a warm chocolate, her short hair a raven black. What was odd was how pale the woman's skin was. It was as though she'd never been in the sun a day in her life.
Emma was floored. She didn't really believe in love at first sight, but something about this woman drew her like a magnet. It was only her son's hand on her arm that snapped her from her musings, "Mom, the train." Henry murmured, pulling her along. Emma capitulated, following the teenager along the platform, one thought echoing in her mind.
Who was that woman?
-Underworld-
Who was that woman?
Regina shook her head trying rid herself of the distracting thought. But try as she might she couldn't dispel the image of the blond human that had met her gaze only moments before. Sea green eyes that she felt she could get lost in. A lithe yet strong physique accented by the tight jeans and crimson leather jacket she wore. The human was...stunning. The moment had only been broken by the arrival of the young man, her son apparently.
The Death Dealer clenched her fists. No time for this distraction, the hunt was underway. She looked back to the entrance of the subway, where the two Lycans were pushing through the crowd on their way to find...something. What the devil were these two beasts up to? Were they hunting as well? Did they know the Vampires were stalking them? Regina continued watching as her prey stormed down the platform, Phillip closing in not far behind. Confident he had her back, Regina turned her full attention to the Lycans.
Abruptly the shorter of the two stopped in his tracks, turning his head first one way and then the other. Then he whirled around, eyes scanning the crowd. Shit, thought Regina, He's smelled us. A moment later this suspicion was confirmed.
"BLOODS!" Shouted the Lycan, pulling twin Uzi's from under his coat and opening fire.
Immediately the crowd began to scatter, seeking cover or just fleeing the tunnel entirely. The Lycan began to advance, sweeping his weapons to try and catch Phillip in the stream of bullets. The Death Dealer was too quick, ducking around a pillar for cover. Regina saw the other, taller Lycan reach for a weapon of his own, a Desert Eagle magnum. She darted back behind her own pillar to avoid the oncoming salvo.
Phillip was not so lucky.
In drawing his own handgun, the Death Dealer took three rounds to the chest, slumping back against the pillar as he twitched in agony. Regina was horrified as she watched his flesh start to char from within, a sickening violet glow emanating from the desiccating skin and his open mouth. The Lycans had procured a new and dangerous weapon.
Fury lending her courage, Regina drew her Beretta 92FS pistols, storming from her cover with deadly intent. The Lycans had taken from her again. It was time they paid the price.
-Underworld-
Emma pulled Henry to the floor as bullets tore through the air. What the fuck was going on? One minute she was on her way to work as normal, the next she and her son were caught in the middle of a gang fight. And now that gorgeous woman was pulling out a pair of guns and shooting too! Emma crouched behind one of the pillars, shielding Henry with her body. No matter what happened, she wouldn't let her son be harmed.
The woman in black was advancing on the thugs now, driving them to hide from the hail of ammo heading right for them. One of the guys took a few parting shots at the woman, but not one landed. At least not on her. A bystander crouching nearby screamed as a bullet tore through her shoulder, dropping her to the ground like a sack of flour.
"Mom," Henry had seen it too, "She needs help!"
The kid was right. Emma could see the victim writhing in agony, "Stay down and stay put." She cautioned, diving to pull the injured woman to safety. Further shots were flying all around them, but Emma focused on keeping pressure on the wound, "It's all right," she whispered, "It's all right. You're gonna be okay." Initial examination told her that the wound was non-lethal, and that with prompt treatment she would make a full recovery. But the shaking was unusual, more like something she'd expect from a foreign contaminant entering the body…
"Hey, what the hell? Get off of me!" Henry's voice broke her out of her reverie, and she turned to see the gunman trying to grab him. With a snarl Emma charged the man, decking him across the face, "Get away from my son!" Her brave words were spoken through gritted teeth as she gripped her now throbbing hand. Jesus, was this guy made of steel? She looked up just in time to see the thug start to bring his gun to bear, and her blood froze in her veins.
Bang! Bang! From behind Emma the leather clad woman had resumed her advance, a new pair of guns in hand. The shots hit the thug once in each shoulder, knocking him off his feet. Emma didn't spare the two any more attention. She grabbed Henry and pulled him over to where the wounded lady was still convulsing. Her hand resumed its' place covering the gunshot as she keep her eyes sweeping over the violence to ensure no one else tried to harm them directly. What the hell was going on here?
-Underworld-
The human was brave, Regina would give her that.
Granted, the blond could have no idea that she was attempting to fist fight a full grown Lycan in human form. Then again, with her son in danger she doubted the plucky woman would care. Regina had never been a mother, but she remembered (barely) how her own parents had tried to shield her from danger as a child. Parental instinct, she supposed. The danger to ones' self is irrelevant. Protecting the young is all that matters.
As Regina pushed her advantage on the Lycan she had wounded, and she was impressed he was able to crawl away with two silver bullets in his chest, she heard more gunfire behind her. It was Eric, the other Death Dealer she'd brought with her on the hunt. His shots were keeping the shorter Lycan occupied as Regina took care of the tall one. With her newly loaded backups, a pair of Walther P99's, she kept the bullets coming as she chased the Lycan through the now immobile subway train. He slipped out one of the doors and began limping along the small space between train and wall. Pausing only to grab Phillip's camera, Regina dashed at inhuman speed down the platform and into the train's final car. With a perfect forward dive she crashed through the glass window on the front door, executing a forward roll to her feet. She caught sight of the Lycan just darting around the corner, and she began to give chase.
Gotcha you bastard.
-Underworld-
Eric withdrew to the safety of his cover to reload his weapon. The shorter Lycan had traded shot for shot with him, but the enemy had a much more powerful weapon. Eric cursed his oversight in not bring an automatic like Regina had, but hindsight was twenty-twenty. Dimly he heard the sound of heavy footprints thudding through the train cars. He looked up to see the Lycan he'd been firing at charging in the direction Regina had just gone in pursuit of her target.
Damn it. Eric knew Regina was a capable warrior. Perhaps the best of the Death Dealers period. But getting caught between two Lycans, one wounded and one vengeful, was trouble no matter who you were. Matching the Lycan step for step, Eric caught up to the shorter man in mere seconds. He tackled the Lycan through the door Regina had dived through, ripping it off its' hinges and sending them both to the tracks below.
As Eric rolled up to recover and ready for battle, he was met with a bone-chilling sight. The Lycan was glaring at him with swiftly blackening eyes, signifying the beginnings of the metamorphosis into his more monstrous form. There was no hope. No Vampire could possibly defeat a transformed Lycan in unarmed combat. Still, if this was to be his end, Eric would not die whimpering in fear. He bared his fangs in a snarl, taking an aggressive stance.
The Lycan tore away his clothing as his face began to elongate, reforming into the more lupine muzzle. Hands sprouted long claws and his body mass doubled. Roaring in fury, the newly transformed Lycan charged his ancestral enemy, pinning him to the ground and biting deep into his throat.
