A/N: Okay, here's the ups and downs to this.
UPS: An OC with Peter Pan. It is Rapunzel and putting her in this was a bit tricky at first. BUT… when I saw that Rumpelstiltskin was interpreted as the beast for Belle, I had a big brainstorm for a concept. If you are curious, yes, she is the Rapunzel from 'Tangled.' Young, blonde, and magical… well, sort of.
DOWNS: I do not own Once Upon A Time or the Rapunzel from 'Tangled.' I just own the way I made her in this.
NOTES: Peter Pan will have a bit of a different personality. He's not evil or taking over Neverland, but I will keep that mischievous bad boy behavior.
ENJOY!
Oh, P.S.,
PLEASE be gentle with me about this. I write a lot of fanfiction, but this is the only one I'm posting. I'm a little insecure, so be nice.
"I do."
It became one of the most beautiful weddings Rapunzel has ever been to. Come to think of it, because of Gothel trapping her in a tower her whole life, it was the only wedding she's ever been to. Even so, seeing something to vow their love is amazing. She hopes that maybe one day, it will be her and Peter on that stand.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the doors suddenly open. Of all the people it had to be, it was the Evil Queen, Regina.
"Sorry I'm late," she said in a sarcastic, yet formal manner.
She walked into the ballroom so casually, like nothing was even wrong. Two guards tried to run in and stop her, but before they could even touch her, she blew them away with her magic. Rapunzel ran in front of the newlyweds, before Regina could make another step to them or before Peter could even stop her.
"Don't even think about it," Rapunzel said angrily yet nervously. Regina has done too much, but it was time Rapunzel stood her ground.
The queen just kept her smile up. "Rapunzel. I hardly recognized you. Got a haircut?" said the queen in a rude manner.
Rapunzel just scowled at the evil woman. She knew exactly how Rapunzel went from a long, blonde to a short, brunette. She wasn't as angry as Pan was when he stepped in front of Rapunzel, glaring at Regina. "All thanks to you, your highness," he said it so much displeasure. Of course, why wouldn't he?
Before either of them could say anything else, both Peter and Rapunzel heard a sword being drawn and turned to see Snow White wielding Charming's sword and pointing it to Regina, "She's not the Queen anymore. She's nothing more than an evil witch."
Before she could make another step, Charming moved her hand down with his own. "No, no, no. Don't stoop to her level. There's no need." Charming said while taking his sword out of Snow White's hand, without taking his eyes off of the queen that started the whole mess. That was then his words were now said to Regina. "You're wasting your time. You've already lost." His next words didn't come until after he stood in front of Snow White, "And I will not let you ruin this wedding."
Despite his words, the queen was not scared, "Oh, I haven't come here to ruin anything. On the contrary, dear, I've come to give you a gift."
Rapunzel really hoped that was a joke. Her last gift brought her to a part of her doom. Luckily, Snow was the one who spoke out, "We want nothing from you."
"But you shall have it! My gift to you is this happy, happy day. But tomorrow, my real work begins. You've made your vows, now I make mine," Rapunzel was almost starting to shake. What could she be up to that was so bad? Peter started to notice her anxiety and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and one on her waist in comfort, "Soon, everything you love, everything all of you love, will be taken from you. Forever. And out of your suffering, will rise my victory. I shall destroy your happiness, if it is the last thing I do," Now Rapunzel was shaking in fear. After what everyone went through because of her magic, why would Regina want to keep going? Doesn't she think they all suffered enough? She was feeling a little relieved when Regina started to walk away, but she still felt a little uneasy.
"Rapunzel, Peter, duck!"
The queen, Rapunzel and Peter turned around to see Charming about to throw his sword. When he threw it, Peter pull down Rapunzel's arm, making her avoid the attack. Just when the sword was going to hit Regina, she evaporated, making the sword hit the door. Right now, everyone was in a bit of a panic about the queen. Rapunzel couldn't be any more nervous, because she had to live in more dark magic.
"Sunny!"
A teenage, short-haired, brunette girl turned around from her window to see her guardian and mother, Mary Margaret Blanchard, "Sorry, Mary. Did you say something?"
"Yeah. It was along the lines, 'Time to eat dinner,'" she said in a sarcastic, yet funny manner, making both girls laugh. Luckily for them, Sunny was hungry like a wolf.
"So what's on the menu tonight, Betty Crocker?" said Sunny, while skipping over to the table.
Mary Margaret laughed at her joke before she answered, "Burgers and fries from Granny's. I wasn't in the mood to cook, so I hope you don't mind take-out."
"It's fine. The old woman makes good burgers anyway," Sunny said it like it was a major fact.
"Amen," Mary Margaret answered back.
They both laughed again. They don't know why, but they have always connected so well, even before Sunny started living with Mary. It was like they knew each other from another life, as best friends. The moment were interrupted by the phone suddenly ringing.
"Who would be calling this late?" said Mary Margaret, looking as confused as Sunny.
Sunny answered her with a shrug before walking over to the phone, hoping it was a collect call, so she can eat her burger.
"Yolo," Sunny answered with her usual word when she answers a call.
"Where is he?" Came a voice that would put a wolves growl to shame.
"What's with the angry tone, mayor? One of your apple trees rotted?" Sunny asked, trying to make the call funny. While it did make her and Mary Margaret laugh, Regina was not in the mood for a joke.
"We'll see which of us is laughing when I'm through with you," Regina sounded very irritated.
Sunny stopped laughing and held a hand up in surrender, even though the mayor couldn't see it, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. But seriously, you sound mad. What's going on?"
"Henry's not here. You're his babysitter, you saw him last; now where is he?" Regina sounded more like an interrogator than the sheriff. Either way, it was confusing. Henry should've been home. Sunny put him down for bed before she went home, so he had to be asleep. He should be, right?
"I put him to bed. Isn't he asleep?"
"If he was, would I even be calling you?"
"Well, Regina, I don't know what to tell you. Henry was put to bed the last time I saw him."
"Well, get over here, help me look and see if I'm lying," Regina was speaking like it was through gritted teeth. Either way, Sunny was really hoping that it was a joke. She was just about ready to eat dinner, for crying out loud.
"Now? Can't it wait? I'm about to eat-"
"Now!" Regina practically screamed, making Sunny move the phone away from her ear so she could still have to ear attached to her head. Before she could even put the phone back to her ear, she heard the dial tone go off on the other end, meaning Regina hung up on her. Sunny didn't want to do this, but since she cares about Henry too much, she had no choice but to listen to Mayor Pain in the Ass.
"Emergency with the mayor. Gotta step out," Sunny said to Mary Margaret while getting her coat, and hearing that, Mary suddenly got worried. Everyone knows that the mayor is not someone you want to mess with.
"Is everything okay? Should I come with you?" Mary Margaret asked in concern.
"Nah, don't worry about it. I'll just call Tate later and see if he's up for it. He's a night owl, anyway," Sunny tried to cover up, hoping Mary would listen. She can tell Mary's worried about her with the Mayor. The last thing she needs to be worried about is Henry disappearing.
Mary still seemed a little nervous about leaving Sunny with Regina, but Sunny's always been independent enough to know what to do in situations. So when she does, there's nothing Mary can do.
"Okay. If you need anything, be sure to call me."
"I know," Sunny nodded, "In the meantime, just leave my food on the table. I don't think I'll be long anyway."
"All right. Be careful."
"Always," Sunny said while stepping out, thinking that she was hoping it wasn't going to take long to find Henry. If anything ever happened to that kid, she wouldn't know what she would do.
"When we reach the cell, stay out of the light," said the guard to Snow White, Charming, Rapunzel and Peter, "And whatever you do, do not let him know your name. If he knows your name, he will have power over you."
They were all going to see the one man that they would never expect to ask for help; the Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin. Out of everyone in the group, Rapunzel was the most worried. Rumpelstiltskin is known to be a conman, so he isn't the most trusted person out there. And if there's anything she learned, all magic comes with a price.
"Snow, are you sure about this?" Rapunzel was asking Snow, to see if this was what she wanted, "You know this guy's a trickster. God knows what he's going to pull."
"I know," Snow confirmed, "And that's something I'm willing to take. For my family." Leaving it at that, she kept walking with everyone trailing behind.
Rapunzel was still weary of Snow doing this, but there was never stopping Snow. They kept following the guard until they reached and dungeon cage. Another thing she was worried about was how Peter was taking it. Out of everyone in the group, he has to be the one who hates him more. She turned to him to see that he had a look of destruction that was about to set off.
"Peter," She started while stopping the love of her life, "did you really want to come with us to see him? I know how you about feel about him."
"More than anything," He sounded so stern and serious. "Even with Charming and Snow White, I wasn't going to let you go anywhere near him without me."
"And I understand, really," She lied only a little, "It's just that when you see him, you look like you want to kill him."
"And you're right," the way Peter sounded made Rapunzel worry that he really was going to do that when they see Rumpelstiltskin.
"Well, you've got to try and restrain yourself," she told him just as stern, yet at the same time, it was gentle, "I know he's not your favorite person; he's not anyone's. Even so, right now, Snow really needs his help. Personally, I do too. All this dark magic has gone long enough right now," she lifted her hand to cup his cheek, which made him lean into it, "You know that as well as I do."
Peter doesn't want to admit it, but she's right. Dark magic has cost the both of them so much. For all they knew, the queen's threat could cost them each other. After last time, that's not something he's willing to risk again. With that, he slowly leaned to and gave Rapunzel a magical kiss like he always did. Once their lips touched, it was like all his anger and rage have died down. That was another magical thing about Rapunzel other than her hair. As their lips separated, Peter leaned his forehead on hers.
"You're right," he whispered, making Rapunzel smiled.
"Good. Now we better get going or we'll fall behind," she finished, while grasping Peter's hand.
"All right," Peter replied, smiling back.
With the issue with Peter's emotions finally out of the way, they ran all the way to Snow White and Charming. By the time they caught up to them, they already had their hoods up about to turn the corner to the cell holding Rumpelstiltskin. When they got behind the group, they put their hoods up and turned a corner, Rapunzel holding Peters hand along the way.
"Rumpelstiltskin," the guard called out, "Rumpelstiltskin! I have a question for you."
"No, you don't," he replied, climbing down from the ceiling, still holding a smile to his face, "They do. Snow White, Prince Charming, Rapunzel and young Peter Pan."
Clever man. And once Peter heard him say his name, his grip on Rapunzel's hand got a little tighter, showing that Peter wasn't happy with him calling him 'young.' Especially when he knew why he's barely aged after a few centuries.
"You insult me," the sound of his voice barely sounded insulted, "Step into the light and take off those ridiculous robes."
That's exactly what they did. Seeing as Rumpelstiltskin knew who they were, there wasn't any use hiding under the hoods anymore. The only unfortunate part is that even in the dark, they could sense him smiling that conman smile of his.
"That's much better," he commented.
"We've come to ask you about the-" before Charming could finish his sentence, he was cut off.
"Yes! Yes! I know why you're here!" Rumpelstiltskin said it so loud, that he startled all of them. Luckily, they didn't back down, "You want to know about the Queen's threat."
"Tell us what you know," Snow impatiently demanded. However, despite the anger, impatience and desperation in her voice, Rumpelstiltskin didn't give in so easily. He never did. He just plastered on his signature grin and responded to the princess.
"Ooh, tense, aren't we?" Rumpelstiltskin said teasingly, making Peter clench a fist in anger. The only thing Rumpelstiltskin is being useful for right now is provoking him, "Fear not! For I can ease your mind. But… It's going to cost you something in return."
"Don't they always?" Peter replied sarcastically, speaking for the first time. Hearing that made Rumpelstiltskins smile slowly fall. Seeing Peter like this made his heart ache slightly.
"What do you want?" Snow said, stepping in front of Peter, ignoring the tensity. Also bringing the grin back onto Rumpelstiltskin's face.
"Oh…" he began, "The name of your unborn child?"
Hearing that got everyone, but Snow White, riled up.
"What?"
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
All Rumpelstiltskin did was keep his grin up when he let go of the bars and stood up straight. And he was looking straight at Snow, "Then there's nothing to say."
It was the last thing Snow wanted to hear. She really wanted to know what her step-mother was up to while they had the chance. If her baby's name is all it's going to take, so be it.
"Deal," she said reluctantly.
Peter, who was right next to Snow, looked to her like she was crazy. He wanted to try and change her mind.
"Snow-" she stopped his arm before he could touch her, "Peter! I know what I'm doing."
Peter could only stare at her like she was crazy. How can she agreed to this mad man when she knows what he's capable of? The only thing Peter was feeling from that was anger. He jerked his hand away from her and just walked away to the wall just to watch her handle herself, because he isn't going to help her if she regrets it. As apologetic as Snow looks, she needed to know.
"What do you know?" she said, turning back to Rumpelstiltskin.
"The Queen has created a powerful curse," he started, "And it's coming. Soon, you'll all be in a prison. Just like me, only worse. Your prison, all of our prisons, will be time. Time will stop, and we will be trapped. Someplace horrible, where everything we hold dear, everything we love, will be ripped from us while we suffer for all eternity. While the Queen celebrates, victorious at last. No more happy endings."
The queen is really going to try and stoop that low. To get rid of all of their happy endings like nothing was meant to be. Rapunzel couldn't stop fidgeting with her hands, trying to calm herself down. Seeing that, Peter walked over to her, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and grabbed one of her hands in his other.
"If that's the case, what can we do to fix this?" Peter asked in a demanding voice. He had to know immediately.
"We can't do anything, young man," Rumpelstiltskin said, still smiling. Peter could only scowl at him.
"Who can?" Snow interrupted, stepping in front of Peter before he could try anything.
"That little thing, growing inside your belly," Rumpelstiltskin said, slowly reaching his hand out of the cell to Snow White's pregnant stomach.
Before he could even touch her stomach, Peter took his sword out to slash it away. It surprised everyone that Peter would be the one to attack. That was because Peter wasn't going to lose another thing he care about. To show it, he glared at Rumpelstiltskin, glaring madly at him.
"One more false move, and I'll cut it off like the head of a chicken," he growled.
Before he could make another move, Charming grabbed Peter by the shoulder and pulled him back gently. Because another move or not, Peter would cut a part of him anyway.
"Hey, hey, hey. Stay back and relax," Charming tried to calm him down. While it was helping the others it was not helping Peter.
Rumpelstiltskin wasn't happy with what Peter did, but he didn't show it. Instead, he put on a poker face and explained what to do with Snow Whites baby, "The infant is our only hope. Get the child to safety. Get the child to safety and on its twenty-eighth birthday, the child will return. The child will find you and a final battle will begin," he finished with a loud laugh, making Peter want to smack that mad look off of him even more if Charming was not still keeping hold of him.
"We heard enough. We're leaving," said Charming while pulling Peter away, and Rapunzel gesturing Snow to go.
After only a few steps, they went back to each other's true loves. On the way out, they could hear Rumpelstiltskin laughs turn into gasps, "Hey! No! We made a deal! I want her name! We had a deal!" they all stopped from what he said. How could he tell Snow White's baby was a girl? "I need her name! I want her name!"
Charming and Peter were the only ones who turned around to the mad man while Rapunzel looked to Snow White, who looked slightly pale.
"Her? It's a boy," Charming retorted before moving forward.
"Missy," Rumpelstiltskin tried to persuade Snow White, "Missy… You know I'm right. Tell me, what's her name?"
All Snow did was close her eyes and think what's best. After a good bit of thinking, she turned to him and looked him right in the eye. Peter was looking at her in hopes she wouldn't say it…
"Emma," she whispered. Everyone around her was disappointed she had to tell him, "Her name is Emma."
With that, she finally walked away with Charming right behind her. Rapunzel was waiting for Peter to move, he was about to walk away with one last glare before he was stopped.
"Now, Peter," Rumpelstiltskin taunted, "What would you do for family?" hearing that made Peter swiftly turn around with a look that could really kill. Rumpelstiltskin still kept up that mad hatter smile. "You wouldn't want your father to be hurt, now would you?"
And that was the last straw. Peter walked right up to the cell before Rapunzel could stop him. Once he did make it to the cell, the first thing he did was grab Rumpelstiltskin by the collar and pull him to his furious face.
"You listen to me, mad man," he growled through gritted teeth, "As far as I'm concerned, my father died. Killed by the Dark One and left my brother possibly for dead. For a long time, I've waited for him, just to find out that he has been nothing but a con man when he could've been looking for his sons. Instead, he gave into magic to prove a point that was completely useless to attempt. I. Have. No. Father."
Leaving it all like that, he shoved the man away and marched out of the caves angrily, leaving Rumpelstiltskin looking absolutely devastated. Rapunzel was following him, startled with what he just did.
"Peter, that was cruel," Rapunzel said, sounding a bit scared and upset with what he did, "Don't you think that was too much?"
"I needed to say it before it was too late," he replied, without looking at her.
"But he's your father," she tried to convince, but immediately regretted it.
Furious, he stopped and quickly turned to Rapunzel, grabbing her roughly by the arm. Seeing Peter do that really scared her. He's never done that to her before. The look in his eyes was even worse. It almost reminded her of the eyes of a dragon; dangerous and scary.
"He made me," he growled, "he brought to this world, he raised me for only a short amount of time, he's done the same for Baelfire, but Rumpelstiltskin will never be my father," saying each word made his grip tighten even more.
"Peter!" she yelled in pain, "Let go! You're hurting me!"
Hearing her pleading voice made him come back to his senses. Seeing her face in pain made him sick, so quickly, he let go, but it didn't make anything any better. Rapunzel was holding onto her arm, looking scared at Peter. Peter could only stare at the hand that hurt the girl he loves and make her scared of her. He looked back up at her, looking remorseful and sad.
"Punz…" he whispered guiltily, reaching out to her
"No," she said, backing away before even so much as a finger could touch her. She wasn't that scared of him, but she can't forgive him that easily. Peter almost looked upset that she backed away from him. Even though he understood, it still hurt, "I know you're mad, really, but you can't just be angry at me for trying to help. Because at least your father is here," that part hurt. Peter couldn't believe he was so naïve enough to forget about Rapunzel and her real parents, "Don't touch me again until you've really calmed down."
Without another word, she walked away, leaving Peter alone in the tunnel to think. He couldn't even face the back of her. He felt too ashamed to even try, because he was too selfish to consider how she felt.
Sunny wasted no time running to Regina's. Not because she was scared of her or anything, but because she kept thinking about Henry. She was praying on the inside that nothing really DID happen to that boy. She always saw him as the little brother she wished she had, so the last thing she wants is for him to get hurt.
At any rate, she made it right in front of Regina's house before they could even blink. Luckily, the door was open, so she wasted no time in going into the house. Once she did, she found the mayor leaning on a door way, talking to the sheriff. She jogged lightly over to her because Sunny was already out of breathe from all that running.
"Where… where is… Henry?" she asked with each breath, before looking over to the Sheriff, "Hi, Graham."
He smiled slightly at her before giving a smile wave 'hello' while saying, "Hey, Sunny."
Sunny took a few more deep breathes before she finally stood up straight. Once she did, she started over, "Now… tell me what happened."
"Gladly," Regina retorted with a grin, "After you left, I simply thought it was only fair to give Henry a good night kiss. Like a mother always should when their child goes to bed, right?" she asked, making Graham and Sunny nod, "And I did. When I came in, he was sound asleep," that confused them. If he was in bed, how can he be missing? "So I went over to give him one. The only problem is that once I went over to his bed, I noticed something."
"What?" asked Graham.
She moved her arm to go behind a wall, then she pulled something out. Sunny was shocked to see that it wasn't just something, it was someone. Of all the people it had to be in Storybrooke, it was her old friend, Tate Childs.
"It was THIS kid in Henry's bed," she said, back to displeasure.
Sunny went from shocked to disbelief. It could only mean one thing; Henry went somewhere and Tate was covering for him while Henry was doing something. She could hear Graham sighing, but Sunny still couldn't even move from what she's looking at. Tate started to grin sheepishly while getting out of the mayor hold.
"Well, thanks for the lovely evening, but it's about time for me to go home. Good night," he said hastily, wanting to leave, but before he could even take a step away from the group, Regina had him by the jacket again.
"Not so fast," she growled.
Tate just groaned. It was then that Sunny could move. The first thing she did now that she could move again was hit the said boy in the back of his head. Regina was caught off guard by that, Graham was surprised, and Tate was gipping the back of his head. Sunny was much stronger then she looked.
"Ow! What was that for?" he yelled angrily.
"I get a phone call about Henry to find out he's missing," she retorted just as angry, "and now I find out you were covering for him tonight? What the hell is wrong with you, Tate?"
"People say a lot of things actually," he replied smirking, making Sunny hit him again, "Ow!"
"I ran 6 miles to get here because I was worried out of my head about Henry. Why are you at his house pretending to be him?"
"Right now, I'd rather be at my own house actually sleeping," and that earned him another hit. Only this time, Sunny made a fist, which made it hurt more. Enough for Tate to grip his head with both hands, "Oooww!"
"Henry's a 10 year old kid. You better tell me he went to a playground," she said hopefully, because even late at night, he likes to go to his castle.
"He didn't go there. That's your hint right now," he retorted once more. Sunny was going to again, but he caught her arm before she could even touch a hair, "And stop hitting me already," he let go, but Sunny was still not happy.
"Enough stalling. Where is my son?" Regina growled out demandingly.
Tate was trying to come up with the best excuse he can before facing more of both of the girls wrath. Before he could even think of anything, he looked out of the windows by the doors and saw Henry with a tall, blonde woman.
"He's right outside from what I see," he answered with a smile, because he knew exactly who was with him.
Hearing that made everyone look to the window. Sunny ran to it to see for herself. Once she looked outside, there he with a woman.
"For once, Tate's telling the truth. He's home," she answered, much to Regina's relief.
Immediately, Regina let go of Tate and ran to the door. Once she opened the door, it was major relief coming from her.
"Henry!" she yelled.
The minute she saw Henry was when she started running, Graham and Sunny behind her. The first thing she did give Henry a hug. While Graham was still behind her, Sunny walked up next to Henry, looking just as relieved.
"Geez, kid. Give us all real heart attacks, why don't you? We were worried sick," she said gently.
Henry would've answered her if Regina wasn't crushing the daylights out of him, "Are you okay? Where have you been? What happened?"
"And who are you?" Sunny asked to the blonde woman who drove Henry home.
Henry answered all those questions with one answer, "I found my real mom."
He ran into the house once he answered. In a rude tone, by the way, but that wasn't the biggest concern. The big elephant in the yard was the fact that the blonde woman was Henry's biological mother. Regina could only stare at the woman in disbelief before she could finally say something.
"Y-you're Henry's birth mother?" Regina stuttered.
"Hi…" the woman replied meekly.
Remember the term 'big elephant in the yard?' Well, it just got even bigger because absolutely no one knows what to say right now.
"I'll just go," Graham began, "check on the lad. Make sure he's alright."
"I'll go too, because this got really awkward," agreed Sunny, following the sheriff to the house.
Before Graham went inside, Tate tried to step out. Unfortunately, he did not even make it off of the porch.
"Oh, no you don't, Laddie," came along Graham, grabbing Tate by the neck, "We're not done yet."
"Damn right, we're not," replied Sunny.
They both went upstairs, dragging Tate with them. First destination; Henry's room. They walked in to see the boy with his head in his hands by the window. Sunny was the one who walked in first.
"Henry," she said gently, but enough for Henry to hear her and turn to her. He smiled before he ran up to hug her. She laughed at how adorable he can be, even when he can be nothing but trouble. She suddenly remembered the trouble part of what he was in before she let go of him.
"Henry, what were you even thinking? You actually left Storybrooke to find your mom? Did Regina drop you on your head when she adopted you?" she said the last part in a humorous manner, making Henry laugh before he spoke.
"I had to. She's the savior in the book," he said the last part like it was serious.
Hearing that suddenly reminded Sunny why. It wasn't just because Henry wanted to find his real mom, but it was also because of the things he believes in the fairy tale book Mary Margaret gave him being real events. She still remembers how he told her that her real self was Rapunzel of all tales, and that her true love was Peter Pan. Well, that wasn't much of a bad thing for Sunny. Peter Pan was always one of her favorites.
"Oh, right," she replied playing along, "Forgot about that. But, hey, next time you call for help, try asking help from someone without a rap sheet," she finished while looking at Tate, who was lying on Henry's bed, reading a comic. Hearing her say rap sheet, he smiled at the fact that he was talking about him.
"Well, how was riding on a dirt bike illegal?" Tate tried to reason, "No one got hurt."
"For one thing, because it wasn't your bike," Graham answered Tate, which made him roll his eyes at Graham. He always had an answer for everything. Then again, he was the sheriff.
Sunny was holding back a giggle from what Graham said, but Henry had no problem laughing at all. Of course, that only earned Henry a glare from Tate, which made the kid stop before anything else happened. Sunny could only pat him on the head.
"Well, I'm glad you're okay. Now I gotta bounce," she said while walking, "Mary Margaret has burgers for dinner, I gotta go to school with her tomorrow to help her out, and…" she stopped at the door and looked at Tate with a smirk, "I'd hate to see what Regina has in store for you for covering for Henry."
She quickly closed the door to avoid the comic book that he threw at her. Lucky for her, she closed it in the nick of time before that book could even hit her. While she walked away laughing, she was also worried about Tate. If they're both lucky, Regina will show mercy since Henry's home safe and sound.
"Morning, mama."
That was the first thing Emma heard when she woke up. The only person she knows with a British accent was the kid who took over as Henry. And wouldn't you know it? There was Tate right there, in the cell next to the one she's in.
"Hey, Tate!" the both looked outside of their cells to see an old man with an Italian accent, "Manners. We have a guest."
Tate just raised his hands up in surrender, before the old man smiled at Emma, who looked like she got hit with a hammer. Well, that can happen to someone who was in a car accident.
"So you are, uh, Henry's mother," Marco said, "How lovely for him to have you back in his life."
"Actually," replied Emma sounding tired, "I was just dropping him off."
Tate wasn't too happy to hear that.
"Why?" he asked standing up, making Emma turn to him, "I didn't cover for him last night and then get thrown in this jail cell as punishment just for you to leave him. A lot of kids like Henry want their real parents."
"He is right," responded Marco, making Tate and Emma turn to him. "I'd give anything for one. My wife and I, we tried for many years. But, uh, he was not meant to be."
Tate knew about that. That's actually why he would want to be staying at Marco's. Not as an ideal perfect son, but at least Marco would have one. And Tate would actually have a father.
The moment was interrupted when they heard the door open. It was Graham coming in with a set of keys.
"Alright, Tate," he said to the British boy, "If I'm going to let you out, you need to behave," He said while unlocking the door and opening it. Tate was finally able to walk out, but after one step out, Graham grabbed him by the arm, making Tate look at him, "Which means, stay out of trouble with the mayor."
"Yeah, yeah," he replied while rolling his eyes, and then pulling his arm away.
Without wanting to say anything else, he left the station. Looking back to make sure none was behind him, he sprinted into a run to the one place no one would expect him to be in; school.
Tate made it to a school, but it wasn't a high school. He dropped out of it and swore to never go back. It was actually Henry's elementary school. It's a mystery to anyone why he would be there, but he always had a good reason. He stopped in the hallway and found the teacher's classroom he was looking for; Ms. Mary Margaret Blanchard. He smiled and leaned on the door way and watched and listened to what she was teaching. And from the looks of it, it had to do what bird houses.
"As we build our bird houses, remember," Mary Margaret explained, "What you're making is a home, not a cage. The bird is free and will do what it will. This is for them, not us. They're loyal creatures. Sunny, if you will?"
Sunny walked over with a blue bird in her hand, smiling at it, "There is a reason birds have wings; to fly away and be free. And making these houses will be an example of freedom. Because like Ms. Blanchard said, these aren't cages. They're to show that we care about them, that we want to help them. To do that, we can give them a place to stay and have their babies. If we show them we care, then they'll be there for us in more ways than you think. Observe."
She now had the bird stand on her fingers while she brought the hand out of the window while everyone, even Tate, watch what she was doing. What they saw next was enchanting. The blue bird flew out of Sunny's hand to the blue birdhouse. Sunny came back into the classroom, smiling.
"If you love them and they love you, they will always find you," she finished while looking at Tate, who was slowly starting to smile at her.
The moment was finished, but by the school bell, which made all of the kids leap out of their seats.
"We'll pick this up after recess. No running!" Mary Margaret called out to the kids, but they were too excited for recess to listen.
While the kids were all leaving, Tate came inside to go to the girls. Before he went closer, he saw them thanking a little girl for bringing them both pears. Mary Margaret was pretty, but the way Sunny smiled always made Tate's heart melt. She had to be one of the most amazing girls he's ever met. She was nice, good to people and animals, has a great singing voice, and always found the bright side of a certain situation. She was ideal to a lot of people. Even him.
And once again, an interrupted moment, and it was by the mayor of all things. She was coming into the classroom, none too happy, but that didn't bother Mary.
"Miss Mills. What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Where's my son?" Regina asked in a demanding voice.
That confused Sunny. Henry was taken home, so wasn't he still there? The only idea that came to her made her turned to Tate. All he did was raise his arms.
"I had nothing to do with this one," he said honestly. Of course, Sunny was still suspicious of him, but that did not bother her to talk to Regina.
"Regina," she began, "we don't know where he is. We thought he was still at home."
"You think I'd be here if he was?" she sounded annoyed in the question she asked.
Tate glared at the mayor for talking to Sunny like that. It's not like she knew what was going on, so there was no reason to swipe at her. Regina remembered why she even came and turned back at Mary Margaret.
"Did you give him your credit card so he can find her?" Regina interrogated about Emma. The only feeling Mary Margaret had was confusion. She didn't even know what was going on here.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" she asked Emma.
"I'm his… I'm his…" Emma couldn't even say it right because of Regina.
"His real mother, Emma Swan," Tate stated for her.
Mary Margaret was surprised. She wasn't expecting this to be Henry's personal home project. She went to her purse to see if he really did have her credit card. From the looks of that, Emma didn't think she knew.
"You don't know a thing about this, do you?" she asked Mary Margaret.
"No," she responded, taking out her wallet, "Unfortunately not," As she said that, she, Sunny, and Tate all looked at her wallet to see that her credit was indeed missing.
"The kid is slick as oil," Tate said, smirking while taking the wallet, "I'm starting to rub off on him."
That resulted in Sunny closing the wallet, trapping his thumb in it, making him yelp in pain.
"That's sounds more like a curse than a blessing," she retorted while giving the wallet back to Mary Margare, "Time I was honest, Mary. I'm beginning to think that book was a bad idea."
Hearing about the book again was now making Regina impatient.
"What in the hell is this book I keep hearing about?" she demanded again.
"Okay, calm down," Sunny explained before Regina exploded, "We just gave Henry a book of old fairy tales last week. That's it. The thing is Henry is a really special boy, you know that. He's smart, creative, but he's also lonely," It took Sunny a lot of courage to say that to the mayor. It even surprised Mary and Tate that she said it out loud. Even so, she was right. Henry really was lonely for a boy his age, "We thought he would need it."
"What he needs is a dose of reality," Regina stated with a stone, cold glare. It was taking a lot for Tate to not do anything to her. All he could do right now is clench his fist in anger as she said, "This is a waste of time."
Much to their relief, she turned to leave. Unfortunately, she knocked over some textbooks along the way, "Have a nice trip back to Boston," she said coldly to Emma as parting words.
Mary and Sunny went over to pick up the books. Emma was going to help, but she noticed Tate was about the follow the mayor with a bookend in his left hand. Emma knew exactly what he was going to do with that, so she stopped him before he could even get out the door.
"Hey, hey," she started, grabbing Tate's wrist, "No, no, no, no, no. Put that thing down, kid," she took the bookend out of his hand and put it on one of the desks, "Are you out of your mind? You already have a record. Putting Homicide on the list isn't exactly going to help."
All he could do was look at her angrily. She made it sound like she actually cared. The problem is if there's anyone she needs to care about, it should be Henry. He yanked his arm free and walked out of the building before he could hit something else. Sunny was worried when he did that. She figured out exactly why he helped Henry find his mom; because he doesn't have any parents of his own. God knows what he's going to do now, so she decided to do what's right.
"I'll go after him," she told Mary, and she nodded in response.
Sunny got up and left in worry for Tate. When it comes to Tate, she always will. They were old friends and she was more worried about him than anything; no matter what others in Storybrooke say.
Unbeknownst to them, Tate on the edge of one the docks, looking like he was in deep thought. Technically, he was, and it had to do with Emma. Why did she stop him like she cared about him? It's not like he hasn't gotten into trouble before. Besides, she's not even his parent. She's Henry's.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
He turned around to see that it was Sunny behind him, looking at him with a worried face. It was a face he hated to see on her. He tried to turn back to the waters to not look at that face, but now it was lodged in his mind. He had to tell her.
"Emma was going to leave last night, wasn't she?" he asked.
"I can't say," she responded while walking over to him, "I wasn't there. Why?"
"Because she shouldn't be leaving," he answered angrily, "A mother should never leave her child."
Her eyebrows were furrowed in confusion with what he said. She has never seen Tate that serious before.
"What do you mean?" she asked, finally standing next to him.
He stood up to Sunny, looking angry about Emma and said, "I got in trouble for Henry to go all the way to Boston to go find her. I didn't want to be thrown in a jail cell as my own punishment, but I wanted to risk it for Henry to find his real mother. After everything we both went though, how can she go back on her son when he needs her the most?"
He can say that all he wants, but he wasn't fooling Sunny.
"Is that for Henry's benefit or yours?" she saw through to him.
"Excuse me?" he asked almost dumbly. Almost like he really did not know.
"You know I'm not stupid," she explained, "I put it together last night. You didn't do this for Henry because you wanted to help him find his mother. You also did this because you know how it feels when you don't have a real parent around."
Tate just scoffed at her for that, which is actually what he does when someone's right about him. It's just because he doesn't want to admit she was right. He has no parents, no family and he's always treated like dirt. Given the situation, he couldn't lie to her.
"Okay, so maybe I did," he confessed, "But you couldn't blame me. I've never even met my parents. I stay with Ruby and her grandmother when I need to. Henry is lucky to know that he found his mother, because I never will."
"And I understand that," she said gently, "I don't have parents of my own eith-"
"No, you don't," he cut her off so quickly, he surprised her. He also seemed a bit peeved, "We both lost our parents, but which one of us got adopted while the other one lives in an old hut in the woods? Which one of us gets praised by the town while they look at the other one like some kind of pest? You've lived with Mary Margaret for as long as we can remember. I've had to take care of myself with no one to help me. At least you have a mother figure, when women can't even look me in the eye."
With that, he sat back down in a huff, rubbing his hands in his hair in frustration. Sunny was now looking at him sympathetically. He really had it hard compared to her. But then, an idea came to her. She sat next to him and gave him some words of wisdom.
"You know," she started out while looking at the sea, "Emma was probably the first women to actually stop you from doing anything crazy besides me."
Speaking of crazy, Tate looked at Sunny like she was. What did Emma have to do with this?
"So?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"So…" she now looked at him with a genuine smile, "… I think you might've found another women who does see a future for you."
He started to laugh a bit, while rolling his eyes, turning back to the sea. He really DID think she was crazy.
"Really?" he said sarcastically, "Then enlighten me. Who was the first to believe in me?"
She still kept that smile on her face. She wasn't surprised that he didn't know. So she laid her head on his shoulder and truthfully told him, "Me."
Rapunzel was in another part of the castle, away from the battles that were probably going on inside right now. She was just sitting by the window listening to her music box that Peter made for her. He made it before she had the courage to leave her tower. The music box was playing the flower song she used to sing when she still had her hair. Right now, she wish she still had it since everyone in the castle is getting hurt. Her bad thoughts were suddenly done when Peter came into the room.
"Emma's gone," he informed her with a smile, "She made it to the wardrobe."
Rapunzel stood up, gasping with a bright smile on her face. She was filled with hope once again. Good really will win. Peter suddenly stopped his excitement when he heard the music. The music of something he made. He slowly walked over to the box, stunned that she still had it.
"I thought it was gone forever when we stopped Gothel," he whispered
Rapunzel smiled softly at him, even though he was still staring at the box.
"I took it with me when we left," she responded gently, "It's our song after all."
He started to smile when she said that. But now, it made him feel even worse for what he did in the dungeons. It was time he apologized, so he turned around and looked at her with guilt in his eyes.
"I wasn't thinking of your family," he began his apology with, making her smile start to go down slowly. She knew where he was going with this, "I was thinking of my own feelings so much that I wasn't thinking about you," he slowly walked to her, in case she was going to walk back. So far, nothing. Once he was right in front of her, he took this as an opportunity to take both of hers hands in his. He was happy that she didn't pull back, but he still looked at her face and said it, "I'm sorry."
Rapunzel was glad to hear him say all that, but unfortunately, she had something to say too. She looked at the ground and shook her head, signifying it was fine.
"It's not your fault," she told him while looking into his eyes, "I think I should also apologize to you."
Peter furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. What could she have to apologize for?
"When I found out Gothel wasn't my mother," she explained, "I was thinking of what my real parents were like. I know I'm the lost princess of the Corona Kingdom, but we never had a chance to go back there so I could meet my parents. When I saw that you still had the chance to see your father, I thought you would've had the chance to say good-bye. Unlike me."
Before she said anything else, she let go of Peter's hands and wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. She felt relief when his arms went around her.
"I was selfish too," she said into his shoulder, "Can you forgive me?"
"Of course I can," he responded with a smile.
For a while they stayed like that, basked in each other warmth. That is, until Rapunzel felt something pushing against her ribs, and it started to hurt. She pulled away, confused as to what was rubbing against her. She saw what it was in plain sight; the necklace out of acorns she made for him the day they left for Corona.
"You still have it," she whispered in a disbelieving tone.
Peter was confused until he looked down and realized she was talking about the necklace he was wearing.
"I never took it off," he smiled gently and then gripped onto it like a lifeline, "And I see you still have yours."
She smiled as he noticed the necklace she was wearing. It was a silver necklace with a silver flower in the shape of a lily hanging from it. It was one her favorite birthday presents from Peter.
"'Because I never took it off," she smiled back.
He smiled back at her genuinely. Next thing she knew, he was leaning in for a kiss, when suddenly…
BAM!
They both quickly looked outside to side a strong purple fog. The only thing that came to their minds of what it could be was the curse; the queen has won this round. Rapunzel snuggled herself to Peter, in fear of what could happen. But Peter wasn't backing down. He grabbed her by the shoulders and had her look him in the eyes.
"No matter what happens, always remember this," he said it all in such seriousness and determination, "I love you. And no curse alive, not even this one, will ever stop me from doing that."
Rapunzel's fear suddenly went down because of his words. His love for her was that strong. She smiled, crying tears of happiness and responded; "And I you."
With that, they gave each other one last kiss. And never pulled apart, not even when the curse came into the castle and surrounded the two lovers, taking them into a new world; a world without magic.
It reached nighttime in Storybrooke, and Tate was on his way to Granny Lucas' home a place to sleep since it's getting colder and the hut he's staying in isn't going to cover it. After talking to Sunny, Tate actually felt like he could be happy. He hasn't stopped smiling since Sunny told him she had faith in him. All that went through his mind was that it might've been a sign that she actually likes him. There really might've been hope for him in this world. Unfortunately, as he was almost to the porch, he bumped into something. Or rather, someone.
Of all the people in the town, it was Mr. Gold. There was always something about him that Tate didn't like. It was like he did something wrong, but he doesn't know what. It wasn't just that though. Lately, he's been looking at Tate like he was wanting to say something. It was really creepy.
"Watch it, Gold," he said rudely, before walking away.
To be honest, Tate did feel like he owed the apology since his head was the one in the clouds, but the old man just gave him the creeps. Little did he know, Mr. Gold was watching him walk away in sadness and love for the boy. Because he remembers everything; as Rumpelstiltskin, Tate as Peter Pan, and him as Peters father.
By the time Tate opened the door, he saw Emma talking to Granny Lucas. He started to smile a little. It means she was actually staying.
"Who's that?" Emma asked.
"Mr. Gold." Ruby answered, looking out the window, "He owns this place."
"The inn?" Emma asked again.
"You wish," Tate answered, making all the women turn to him, "Gold owns the whole town. He makes a lot for a man who runs a pawn shop."
Emma was shocked that a man like that could actually own a whole town. It was practically impossible.
"Sorry for intruding," ignoring the shock and walking over to Granny Lucas at the desk, "but it's getting cold tonight and I was wondering if my room is still there."
Ruby looked a little sheepish at that, while her grandmother started to glare at her. Tate noticed that.
"What's the matter?" he asked suspiciously.
There was no hiding it from Tate, so the old woman just flat out told him.
"Unfortunately," she said sadly, "it's temporarily unavailable, Tate."
Tate was shocked. How is it not open? Granny Lucas has always had that room reserved for him when he needed it the most.
"Why not?" he asked in shock.
"Well," she started, giving Ruby a look, "Ruby had some friends over the other day, and they trashed it till it looked like a condemned building."
Tate looked to Ruby, almost upset that she would be so crazy to do that. Now because of her recklessness, he doesn't have a place to stay. Luckily, Emma caught onto things quickly and did something about it.
"Actually, make it a room for two. The kid is with me."
They all looked to Emma like she was crazy, mostly Tate, except he was mostly surprised by her antic. No one has ever done this for him before. Everyone else besides Sunny thought of him as nothing, but a trouble-making pest. So maybe Sunny was right… maybe she does care. Granny Lucas was actually smiling at the fact that Emma was giving a piece of her room to an orphaned boy.
"So, how long will you be with us?" Granny asked.
"A week," Emma responded, "Just a week."
The old woman turned around and grabbed a room key to give to Emma, which she gladly took.
"Welcome to Storybrooke."
FINALLY! This took a while to write. And I must warn you guys that my chapter updates will vary, due to college. On the plus side, maybe chapter 2 will come soon since I just started my break.
COLLEGE WARNING: NEVER take statistics! I don't know my total grade right now, but I hope to never take it again. It was a nightmare!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this! I will update as soon as I can. Later, gators!