Obscuria: A Battle of Good and Evil
The old peddler made her way to the White Castle, where the marriage of Snow White and Prince James would take place. Once she arrived there, she mixed in with the crowd. All the people of the White Kingdom had come to see the famous Snow White celebrate her glory on the White Kingdom's arch enemy, the infamous Evil Queen Regina. A war had been fought for many years, but six months ago, the Queen was defeated, or more accurately, banished. No one seemed to pay attention to the old peddler. So, when right before the ceremony, the old peddler snuck away, no one noticed. She paid a visit to the bathrooms, however, she didn't know who she would find there. "Good day, dear. Paying a visit to the bathrooms in the royal quarters now, are we?" came a voice from a dark corner, but the peddler immediately knew who it was. But aside from that, the peddler got startled by the voice of the infamous Evil Queen, she gathered all her courage when she snapped back, "aren't you supposed to be banished to some far-off land?". The black-dressed brunette now stepped out of the corner she had been standing in. She had been waiting for someone to come in here, so that she could complete her mission. "My my, is that any way to address the most feared and powerful woman of the Enchanted Forest?" she purred. She knew full well that she didn't have access to her magic with that damn cuff on her wrist but knowing the two idiots, they cared so much about their people, that she now had leverage. She is determined to get exactly what she wants, even if it is the last thing she does. The peddler scoffed, "I'm not afraid of you, you don't even have magic. Not anymore. Speaking of, how are you even here?". The brunette smirked, "that's none of your business. The point is, I am here now, and you..." she took a knife out of a satchel, "are now my prisoner. Or more accurately, my leverage." Regina set the knife against the woman's throat, while roughly grabbing the peddler's arm, and taking her with her to the throne room, where the ceremony would be held. The ceremony was almost over, when the door banged open, revealing Regina and the old peddler, with a knife against the throat. The brunette smirked, and said loudly "Sorry I'm late", everyone looked at Regina in horror. One of the dwarves even told the newlyweds that they had to run, but Snow took her husband's sword out of it's sheath, while Regina, and the peddler, made their way over to the couple. Snow scoffed, "what do you want, Regina?! Because I can assure you, you won't get it.". A grin spread over Regina's face, "Oh but dear, I've come here in peace. You see, I have some information you might want to know, and I will tell you what it is, if you give me exactly what I want.". Snow and James share a look of confusion, before Regina continues, "unless you want me to kill this poor old peddler of course, though I doubt that that does any good to your reputation." Snow sighs, and sends everyone out of the throne room. "So, now you've got our undivided attention.What do you have to say?". Regina smiles widely, "first, I want you to promise that you'll give me what I want.". Snow easily gives in, "you'll get whatever you wish, if you let the peddler go. Immediately.". Regina immediately let's go of the peddler, who speeds out of the throne room, glad that she made it out alive. But she was really worried, what it would be that the infamous Evil Queen had to say, and what it is that she wants. James sighed, "okay, you tell us what information you've got. Then, we'll discuss your wishes. So, what do you have to tell us?". Regina grins and says, "Snow, you're pregnant, with a baby girl.". The shock was visible, and Snow looked at her in confusion, "No, it's not true… you're lying, right?". "No, dear, I'm not lying. I paid a visit to our common friend, who's down in your dungeon. As we well know, he can see the future, and he told me that you're pregnant of a baby girl. Congratulations. Now, MY wishes.". James hugged Snow, who was now glowing. "Thank you for sharing that information with us, now, what are your wishes?" James said, and asked. Regina smirked, "Well, first of all, I want this cuff gone. Second of all, I want half of the kingdom, including population.". Snow and James were both about to object when Regina continued, in a dangerous and threatening tone, "if you don't obey to my wishes, I'll take her away from you as soon as you've given birth to her.". Snow looked at James in horror, as if silently pleading to take the deal. James sighed, "okay, we'll take the deal, but, you'll never step foot over the borderline again. You are to stay away from us, and most certainly from our daughter. If you interfere with our lives ever again, we WILL kill you.". Regina smiled, "perfect. I will stay out of your lives, now please, sign this contract, with that you'll declare me the rightful ruler to that half of the kingdom.". Both Snow and James hesitantly took the quill she offered, and signed their names on the dotted line at the bottom of the parchment. Regina smiled, "now, if you will be so kind to relieve me from this cuff, so that I can get away from here, out of your lives.". Snow hesitantly steps forward as if she's afraid Regina will do something to her but Regina assures her," don't worry dear, I won't hurt you, so long as you don't hurt me. Just relieve me from this cuff, and I'll gladly disappear.". That seemed to give Snow some courage. She took the cuff from Regina's wrist, and carefully stepped away. Regina smiled as she felt her magic flood through her body once again. "Thank you for your business.". With that she disappeared in an all too familiar cloud of purple smoke. To the other half of the kingdom, which held her own castle. She stood at the border, and thought of what she would name her part of the kingdom. 'Obscuria' was the first thing that came to mind. And so she placed a sign with, "Welcome to Obscuria". Then she went to her own castle, which was known as "The Dark Castle". She wandered through the familiar halls, and smiled. She was happier than ever, she may be the infamous 'Evil Queen', but she was at least going to do better as Queen, because she couldn't afford to lose any more population. And so, she went to work, forming her own guard, decorating her castle, and restoring all that was. She was ready to lead this time, and she couldn't be happier about that.
EIGHT-TEEN YEARS LATER….
A now eight-teen-year-old Princess Emma, sighed. Her mother, Queen Snow, was very pushy. She wanted Emma to marry to a certain Prince Killian, who was a scumbag, and didn't have any manners at all. He only wanted to get her in bed, which was exactly what she didn't want. She had complained about that with her mother, but she didn't seem to care, and her father said, that she had to bear with it, because she'd have to marry, and take over the throne soon. She didn't want any of that. She wanted to ride horses and learn how to swordfight, just like the Guard. But her parents had both said that that wasn't what Princesses do. She was tired of being 'Princess'. And so, she came up with a plan. She'd run away as far from the castle as she could, and disappear deep into the forest, so that everyone would forget about her. She'd find a place where she could learn how to swordfight and ride horses. Maybe she'd even cross the border to the neighboring kingdom, Obscuria. Just to piss off her parents. They'd never let her go close to the border, as if they were afraid of what was out there, and who ruled the place. They'd never told her about the King and/or Queen of Obscuria, and she was damn curious. Just as she was curious as if to who exactly the "Evil Queen" was. But her parents refused to tell her about their arch enemy, as if they were afraid that she'd go search for the woman. Well, they had succeeded in making her all the more curious. She packed some of her clothes, and threw them into a bag. She'd leave that same night, but she also had to make sure that they wouldn't get suspicious, so she acted like she always does, and ate with them, in silence. She listened to their boring conversation, and went to bed early, exclaiming that she suffered from a headache. They believed her, and she read her book, waiting for all of the castle to go silent. When there was no sound to be heard anymore, no muffled voices, and no footsteps, she slowly got up, and climbed out the window, and made her way towards the stables. She took one of the horses, Sterling. It didn't go that easy, but she lured the steed into trusting her, with an apple. And so she could mount him, and like an amateur, she rode away. One of the guards saw her, to be specific, her mother's friend the Huntsman, who had joined their Guard a whole lot of years ago. He came after her, on his own horse, Spirit. He told her to come back, but she didn't listen, and somehow she got Sterling to go into gallop. And so, she lost Graham, and went deeper and deeper into the forest. After what must've been at least three hours, she decides to take a break at a lake. She hadn't thought of taking any food and drinks with her aside from that apple. So, she drank a bit from the lake, and the horse did the same. Apparently, he had been thirsty. She found she was quite tired, and so she tied Sterling to a tree, and sat herself against a tree. She decided she'd ride further at sunrise. And that she did. She came into a strange village with only a Blacksmith located there. For the rest, it seemed pretty much abandoned. The Blacksmith came outside, "hey you, you're on my land. My name's Rulf. What can I do for you?". Emma smiled, "you can teach me how to swordfight and properly ride a horse.". He smiled, "it's my pleasure.".
ANOTHER FIVE YEARS LATER….
Emma had been training with Rulf for five years now, and she'd become quite skilled with a sword and horseback riding. She even knew how to make a proper sword. She'd learned how to make sure that the sword would deflect any magic. She also found out that she herself had magic. She'd been trained in it by Rulf, and then a fateful day came. Rulf sent her away. She'd seen no one but Rulf in the past five years but he told her that he had taught her all there was to learn. She thanked him for his services, and rode away on Sterling, in style. Everyone must think she's dead by now. So she decided to surprise her parents. However, she got lost, and rode until she came across a sign "Welcome to Obscuria". She had ended up on the other end of the border. And her curiosity took over, and she rode further. Until she got startled by a growl. It appeared to be a wolf, and the horse ran away in fear, letting Emma fall on the ground, unconscious. The wolf now breathed in her face. And howled, the sign for the pack to show up. One of the pups grabbed a red cloak, and threw it over the leader of the pack. Who now turned into a leggy brunette. She wore her emblem with pride, she'd sworn her oath to Her Majesty, Queen Regina. And she'd do exactly what she was ordered, to bring any strangers to Her Majesty, but she'd do that AFTER she'd taken care of the blonde, whom she recognized as Princess Emma from the White Kingdom. Everyone thought her dead, but apparently, she wasn't. What was she even doing here? No time to think about it now, she picked up the blonde, and took her with her to the pack's camp. A few hours later, Emma finally woke up, and she didn't know where she was. She sat up, and looked at the brunette, who was taking care of her. "Where am I?". She asked confused. The brunette smiled, "you're in Obscuria. And my name is Red. I work for Queen Regina, but I thought I should let you wake up first. Want something to eat?". Emma smiled, gratefully, "sure, nice to meet you, Red, I am…", Red interrupted, "I know who you are, Princess Emma. Everyone thought you were dead, but apparently, you're not…". Emma looked at Red, "well, I am very much alive. Spent the last five years with a Blacksmith. He wasn't nice, and he wasn't cruel either. He taught me a lot.". Red smiled, "very well, here, eat some bread. Then I'll take you to Her Majesty, even though your parents might refer to her as a villain, and enemy, she rules Obscuria quite well. It was your mother who made her nickname, "The Evil Queen", and your mother was quite convincing, because every peasant followed her.". Emma's jaw dropped. "That's why they forbade me to cross the border with Obscuria, that's why they never told me about who rules here… I've always been quite curious, and now, I'm finally getting answers, thank you, Red.". Red smiled, "it's my pleasure. Come, I'll take you to Queen Regina. She'll decide what to do with you. Whether you'll be allowed to stay in Obscuria, or if you'll be sent back to The White Kingdom, otherwise known as Lucidia.". Emma smiled widely, "thank you, Red, for taking care of me.". Red smiled in return, and motioned for Emma to follow her. And that, Emma did.
It appears that they were on the outstretch of Obscuria, so it was still about a day's walk to the Castle. On their way to the Castle, commonly known as The Dark Castle, Red and Emma talked, a whole lot. Emma learned a lot about Red, that she was a werewolf, and that she had sworn an oath to be loyal to Queen Regina. In return, Emma told Red a lot about her life as Princess, and her life with Rulf. Before they knew it, the night fell, and they slept side by side near a small lake, known as the Black River. By sunrise, they woke up, and continued their journey toward the Castle. It was close to sundown when they finally walked through the gates. Emma had gotten a hood from Red, so that she wouldn't be recognized, at least not by the Guards. Red talked to the Guards, and they let them through. Meanwhile, Regina felt a magical being approaching. She decided she'd attack once they were in. She didn't have to wait long, ten minutes later her Royal Wolf walked into the throne room, with what she assumed was the magical being. However, she didn't understand why this being hid him or herself under a hood. "Good evening, dears. What brings you here tonight?". Red smiled and knelt in front of Regina, the Stranger, as Regina had dubbed this being, followed suit. Red was the one who spoke up, "Your Majesty, I am here, because I found this stranger just before the borderline yesterday night.". Regina smirked as she said, "Rise, both of you. And Stranger, reveal yourself, and tell me loud and clear who you are, and why you're trespassing in my Kingdom.". Both Red and Emma rose. And Emma took off her hood. "Your Majesty, my name is Emma. I used to be the Princess of Lucidia. The neighboring Kingdom, but I ran away five years ago, and spent some time with a Blacksmith named Rulf. He taught me quite a lot. But a few days ago, he told me he couldn't teach me any more. He sent me away. I figured everyone would think me dead, so I wanted to surprise my parents, Queen Snow and King James. However, I got lost, and found that I had accidentally crossed the border between Lucidia and Obscuria. I was on the verge of turning back, when Red scared my horse, who ran away and let me fall on the ground unconscious. Red took me with her to her camp, and took me here the next day.". Regina smirked, and sent Red out of the room. She was intrigued, and wanted to hear all of it, without Red being there. This was about her arch enemies after all, and apparently, also their daughter. She wanted to know how Emma got her magic, and what this Rulf had taught Emma. It might be of use. Red nodded and left, leaving Emma alone with Regina. Regina motioned for Emma to follow her, and they went into what seemed like a study, and Regina sat down behind the desk, and motioned for Emma to sit down in one of the chairs in front of her. Emma didn't really know what to do right now, so she decided to wait for a sign from the Queen. As if on cue, Regina started talking, "so, dear, tell me all about what happened ever since, you ran away from Lucidia. Don't leave anything out.". Emma sighed, and smiled as she said, "well, Your Majesty, I hope you know what you just signed up for.". Regina smiled encouragingly, "I don't but your story intrigues me, and I want to know whatever happened ever since you ran away from Lucidia.". And for Emma, that was the sign to start talking...
