Chapter 1

It's Not My Fault

"It wasn't exactly my idea to come to this," A dark-haired woman gazed around, unimpressed. "Impoverished place."

A blonde hair man whipped around, a lantern swinging in his hand, illuminating his angered face. "My castle," He turned and looked at another woman in front of him, who stood next to his wide eyed daughter. "Our castle," his gaze swept back to the dark haired woman. "Is not impoverished. It wouldn't be so wrecked like this if you hadn't cast your curse, Regina."

Regina's lips tightened to her slender face. "I'd have never cast that curse if she," her black eyes bore into the man's wife's own. "Hadn't ruined my whole life."

The man's wife stepped forward, a gentle expression sat on her chapped lips. "I was only a child, Regina. You know that."

"Snow, you don't have to explain anything to her." The man lay a soft hand on Snow's shoulder. "We owe her nothing, nothing but hate."

"Can we just stop talking and keep going? Its cold as hell in here." A blonde haired woman stepped out from the shadows, pulling her jacket tight around her waist. Her blue eyes matched her fathers.

"I agree with the sheriff." A one handed man added, smirking slightly as he caught her fathers eye.

"I'm not the sheriff here, Hook." The blonde said, her gaze fixed on the doorway ahead.

"Aye, but someone still needs to make the rules, Emma." Hook finished, following her gaze up at the door.

The wooden entrance stood large and undamaged before them. The man made his way to the front of the group, lifting his lantern above his head to grab the metal handles on the door. He looked back and coldly met Regina's eyes before pushing his weight into the portal, the door swinging like a pendulum to let them pass.

"Charming, do tell me the plan." Regina scoffed as she made her way up to stand at his side. He kept walking, speaking to her flatly.

"Plan?" He stopped and met her eyes. "There are Bleeders in our castle, no thanks to-" He was cut off by his daughters shallow voice.

"Bleeders? Is that some type of monster?" Emma asked, looking at the torn banners that hung from the ceiling above them.

"A Bleeder," Said Snow, stepping forward to take one of Emma's hands. "Is more than a monster. They are souls of those who died, souls of ones who were murdered in war."

"A ghost? Well that's easy then, a ghost can't hurt us." Emma stated, almost as if to reassure herself.

"These ghosts can hurt you, lass. They can kill you." Hook pointed out, a protective flare foaming in his words as he spoke to the blonde.

"So we fight them off. Simple." She said, her voice becoming more and more wavering.

"No, we don't fight them off. You can't see them." Regina said, annoyed at the saviors lack of knowledge.

"Then how do you know they are there?" Emma asked, Regina's temper finally giving way.

"You don't! You call yourself a savior and you don't even know about the most dangerous monster of your own land?"

Charming stepped forward, throwing a hot glance at the Queen. "The only way to know one is near you is by being in complete darkness. It's their weakness, but also ours. When its dark, you can see their bleeding hearts. But you also can't tell who you are fighting. Many men have killed their own comrades in battles with these creatures."

Emma thought for a moment, chewing her lip. "Great, so what do we do then?" She asked, looking at her father and then Regina.

"Your just lucky I came." The dark haired woman answered, crossing her arms over her chest. "I already asked your father the plan, so why are you asking me?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Your the one who brought them here, from what I've been told." She wrapped her hand around the tip of her swords handle.

"I did no such thing." The Queen said, her words full of hate.

"Actually," Charming looked to Regina. "You did. When you cast the curse you set the souls free, and a ruined castle seems to be just the kind of home they like."

"It doesn't matter who brought them here." Snow added softly, adjusting the bow and quiver of arrows on her back. "What matters is we get in, grab what we need, and get out."

"Just exactly what are we here to get again?" Hook asked, tracing a broken statues face with the tip of his hook.

Charming answered for her. "Were here for Emma's crown."

Regina scoffed. "For a crown? Your kidding me." Her frozen gaze splintered into Emma's eyes.

"It's not just a crown, Regina." Snow added. "The crown has magical properties, it picked Emma. When the owner bears the crown, it possesses healing powers." She smiled proudly at her daughter.

"Who exactly needs these properties, love?" Hook turned and met each of their eyes, stopping at Emma's gaze.

"Neal." She said, dropping his gaze and looking at her mother. "Now lets just go." She took a step forward.

"Lass," Hook touched her shoulder, she turned to answer him. "Why does he need to be healed?"

Emma once again dropped his gaze, shifting away from his touch. "It won't matter if we don't get the crown."

Sensing her eagerness, Snow followed her daughter. "She's right. Lets get a move on." She nodded to Charming. He raised his lantern and followed.

"Looks like little Ms. Savior has lost her," Regina smirked deviously at Hook. "Fancy for you." She let out a narcissistic laugh, coming close to his face.

Hook's eyes darkened, and he snapped. "Shes blinded by worry, love. But don't get ahead of yourself, I don't fancy you rather Swan likes me or not." He scoffed, pushing past her shoulder.

Regina rolled her eyes, flattening her lips to her teeth. "We'll see about that."