(a/n: This is a one shot. Please review and all that. I hope you enjoy this. This takes place before episode one of Once Upon a Time)
Happily Never After
The sun had vanished beyond the horizon, giving the sky a deep dark blue color.
The air slowly turned cool and dark clouds began to form in the sky. Racing through a thick forest was a man sitting astride a warhorse and a massive wolf-man with thick black fur. The pair sped through the forest, following a crooked dirt path through the dark forest.
After a long hard ride through the forest, the two came to a halt in a large, empty glade.
The man's eyes scanned his surroundings then he glanced to the wolf man "Which way now?"
the wolf-man rumbled and sniffed the air, till finally it nodded northward.
The man thanked the wolf-man and urged the horse forward. The horse obeyed and trotted forward but the wolf-man stepped in their path.
The man frowned at wolf-man and asked, "What is it, what's wrong?"
the wolf-man stared up at the man sadly.
The man sighed and nodded "Yes, I know it is dangerous but I must do this" the wolf-man did nothing. The wolf-man only stared at the human in sadness.
The man dismounted his horse and he approached the wolf-man. In comparison, the wolf-man was a head taller than the man and was also strong enough to tear several full-grown men to pieces easily because it was a Blutbad, a man who took on the form of a large wolf like creature at night.
Any other man would flee in terror at the sight of the wolf but this man did not, he never had and never would.
He was Nicholas of the Grimm family, the most renowned clan of Wesen hunters in all the kingdoms.
He did not fear any creature, including the Blutbad.
Nicholas looked the wolf in the eyes and said softly "I am sorry but I have to do this. I can't go back now, if I do then their deaths would haunt me for the rest of my life"
the wolf let out a low, threatening growl.
Nicholas chuckled "I suppose you could stop me. Would you?" The wolf stopped growling and grunted.
Nicholas placed a hand on the wolf-man's shoulder and said softly "I'll be fine, I promise".
The wolf stared at the man than moved out of the man's way.
Nicholas smiled and he remounted his warhorse.
Nicholas nodded at the wolf "Thank you and till we meet again, Monroe, good luck" the horse took off at full gallop out of the glade and into the dark forest ahead of them.
As he rode on, Nicholas heard a distant howling of a wolf.
He rode on, across a bridge that hung over a raging river, up a steep slope and across a peaceful meadow.
As he rode, Nicholas plotted his attack strategy.
For days, he tracked his target across the kingdom. Chasing rumor and following several leads, he had finally learned the location of his enemy.
Nicholas's features turned stony and his heart began to pound, as he grew closer to his target. His target was one of the cruelest and most powerful beings he had ever encountered.
A Hexenbiest, a half witch, half wesen that is gifted in magic and potions. She had murdered his friend Henry and Nicholas's fiancée Juliet.
Her motive was anybodies guess but Nicholas didn't care about motive, all he cared about now was avenging the death of his love and his childhood friend.
Nicholas came to a halt in a thicket of towering trees. Nicholas dismounted and he tied his horse to a branch so it won't wander off.
Nicholas exhaled heavily and he adjusted his clothing a little. He wore bits of armor that covered his upper body. On top of that he wore a black cloak that flapped lazily in the cool evening breeze.
Nicholas drew his weapon, a Labrys, a symmetrical double-headed axe. The edges of the axe were recently sharpened to a fine point.
He slung a bow and a quiver of arrows over his shoulder.
Armed and ready, Nicholas marched on alone.
He marched on, stepping over large roots and ducking through thick tangles of branches.
Nicholas finally came to a clearing where a small cottage sat alone. He saw smoke rise from the chimney and an orange glow coming from the windows.
Luck was finally on his side because she was home.
Nicholas never got this close to the Hexenbiest, let alone finding where she stayed.
Shaking off his excitement and fear, he hefted his axe and carefully approached the cottage.
As Nicholas neared the small abode, he could smell something sweet coming from inside. The hunter frowned but he continued on. He crouched beneath one of the windows and he reached for his bow.
Nicholas nocked an arrow and he slowly peeked inside of the cottage.
The inside looked rather normal. A table with some chairs, some shelves a bed and a hearth with a fire crackling away. Nicholas spied a figure sitting in a rocking chair in front of the fireplace. The figure rocked back and forth, humming softly.
Nicholas's eyes narrowed and he aimed at the creature's head. He let go and the arrow whizzed through the window and it struck its target.
Nicholas smiled triumphantly and he picked up his axe. Nicholas opened the front door and he walked inside.
The hunter approached the body of the fallen Hexenbiest. He raised his axe above his head, ready to strike but he stopped.
Something was wrong.
It was all too easy. Nicholas crouched down and he got a closer look at what he had killed. The hunter's eyes widened in shock, lying at his feet was a life-size wooden dummy.
Nicholas gripped his axe tightly and glanced around in alert. It was a trap.
Suddenly the cottage's door slammed shut and locks clicked shut. The fire in the hearth flickered as the cool evening wind blew in through the window.
Before he could react, Nicholas was knocked off his feet by an invisible force. He was sent flying and he landed on the bed.
The hunter tried to get up but he was pinned. A melodic laugh filled his ears.
A column of purple smoke erupted from the floor and it faded, revealing a beautiful woman.
Nicholas's eyes widened in shock and his heart skipped a beat. She wore a plain blue dress. She had long gold hair, her skin was pale and she had grey green eyes. At first glance, she passes off as a normal human woman but Nicholas knew better.
She was a Hexenbiest. Her beautiful features flickered and changed to that of a monstrous one but changed back to normal. But what shocked Nicholas was the fact that the woman was all too familiar to him.
The woman grinned, "Well, well, well what do we have here? A Grimm?" she glanced at the dummy on the floor "I knew that enchanted dummy would come in handy one day"
"You" breathed Nicholas "You killed Henry and Juliet?"
the woman nodded "Yep"
"Why Adalind?" asked Nicholas.
Adalind shrugged casually "They were in the way" Nicholas scowled in confusion "What?"
Adalind repeated, "They were in the way" "In the way of what?" asked Nicholas.
Adalind's expression darkened "They were in my way of getting to you"
Nicholas gave her a look of disbelief "You killed them to get to me? Why?"
Adalind approached Nicholas and she leaned in close till their faces were inches apart "I wanted you to suffer, as I have"
Nicholas's eyes narrowed "What are you talking about?"
Adalind shook her head in disappointment "You don't remember?" her voice became sharp "You don't remember the pain you have inflicted upon me? The suffering you put me through?"
Nicholas shook his head "I did not do anything to you"
Adalind sniffed and she nodded to the dummy on the ground "What about the arrow that was meant for my head?"
"It was meant for the one who murdered Juliet and Henry" said Nicholas "If I knew it was you…" he trailed off.
Adalind stared at the Grimm silently, till she finally said softly "I wish I could believe you Nicholas, but I don't".
She scooped up the axe that Nicholas dropped.
The Hexenbiest ran a finger along the sharpened edge of the axe saying "Death by beheading, crude, messy but an ironic punishment don't you think?" her eyes drifted from the axe to the incapacitated Grimm "After all, you ended my mother's life with this very axe"
"She had to be stopped" retorted Nicholas "She violated the laws of our agreement"
"She was my mother" snapped Adalind "You have any idea how painful it is to watch someone you love die before your very eyes and you were powerless to help them?"
"Yes" said Nicholas softly.
Adalind's eyes widened a little and she nodded "Oh yes, I forgot about your aunt and your parents".
Nicholas looked the Hexenbiest in the eyes and pleaded "Please, whatever I may have done to you, I am sorry".
Adalind shook her head "I'm afraid it's a little late for apologies" the Hexenbiest lifted the axe saying "Goodbye, old friend.", before she could swing the axe, a loud rumbling sound reached her ears. Adalind frowned and she lowered the axe.
Nicholas frowned as well "What is it?"
"That sound" muttered Adalind "…it can't be".
Adalind placed the axe on the table and she went to the window. Her eyes widened in horror "No"
"What is it?" asked Nicholas.
Adalind waved a hand towards the Grimm and Nicholas could move again "See for yourself".
The Grimm went over to the window and he blanched "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yes, it is" said Adalind.
In the distance they saw a wall of black smoke on the horizon. The smoke washed over some cottages in the distance then spread out ward in all directions, plunging everything in dark black smoke. It quickly began to race towards them. In the smoke were flashes of bright light and thunderous sounds coming from the smoke.
Nicholas muttered "The Curse"
"Seems like Regina was telling the truth" said Adalind.
Regina, the queen had publicly sworn that she would take away everything from everyone in the entire kingdom at Snow White and the Prince's wedding. Word had spread to every kingdom, causing people everywhere to panic.
The rumor was that she acquired a curse that was so powerful that it would destroy everyone and everything in the kingdom.
With the curse racing towards them at an astonishing speed, the only thing that Nicholas and Adalind could do was stand there together and let the curse over take them.
Adalind looked to Nicholas for the last time saying, "It was nice knowing you, while it lasted" "the feeling is mutual" said Nicholas.
The Grimm frowned a little "Even though you tried to cut my head off" Adalind shook her head muttering "Way to ruin the moment".
The black smoke washed over the cottage and completely enveloped the two, plunging them in utter blackness.
Nick blinked "What?"
"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" asked his friend, crossing his arms.
Nick opened his mouth a little to deny his friend's accusation but he reluctantly admitted "No, sorry…I sorta spaced out there for a moment. Could you repeat that last part?"
Monroe sighed in annoyance "Man, what is with you lately?"
Nick shrugged "Don't know, I'm just feeling exhausted".
Monroe and Nick were sitting in a booth in Granny's diner, sipping coffee and catching up on current events.
Monroe retold Nick the story about his family reunion when a cheerful voice interrupted the story "Hey guys!"
the two looked up and saw Nick's fiancée "Hey Adalind" said Monroe, smiling a little.
Adalind sat down beside Nick and she pecked him on the cheek "Morning" said Adalind cheerfully,
"Morning" said Nick, smiling.
Adalind glanced to Monroe "How are you doing Monroe?"
"Pretty good actually" said Monroe "I just went to my family reunion, which ended disastrously but I was able to slip out early and get a head start on fixing my garage door"
Adalind nodded in approval "Nice"
"Luckily it didn't end like last time" said Monroe
"What happened last time?" asked Nick
"We lost two cousins and a sheepdog" answered Monroe.
Adalind turned to Nick "So, Nick where did you go this morning?"
"I went to see Hank and Juliette's graves" said Nick glumly.
Adalind and Monroe went silent. Monroe's eyes widened a little "Oh right, it was today wasn't it?" "Yeah, five years ago" said Adalind quietly.
Nick sighed deeply and he sipped his coffee. Monroe leaned forward saying "Come on man, cheer up. Hank and Juliette wouldn't want you to sit here moping, they would want you to live your life"
Nick looked up at Monroe and smiled a little "Yeah, I guess".
Suddenly Nick's watch beeped. He glanced at his watch saying "Crap, I gotta go before Sean or Graham dock my pay" he slipped out of the booth and he kissed his fiancée on the cheek "See you tonight"
"Alright" said Adalind grinning "have a nice day at work, deputy".
Nick smiled and he left the diner.
A minute after Nick had left the diner, Adalind's cell phone rang and she groaned, "Right, I forgot. I have a meeting with the mayor"
"Really?" said Monroe sounding surprised "What about?"
Adalind just waved a hand "Oh the usual stuff, building new buildings and tearing down old ones"
Monroe nodded "Awesome".
She paid for her coffee and she got up to leave. Adalind stopped and glanced around the shop, feeling like she was being watched but she just shrugged and left.
In a corner booth of the shop, a boy with dark hair watched as the blond woman left the store.
He looked down at the book that lay wide open on the table.
Dominating one page was a detailed painting of a dark haired man in armor wielding an axe battling a large half man, half wolf creature in the middle of a dark forest with a blond woman watching the two from behind a tree.
The boy looked up from the book and saw the blond woman standing outside, talking on her cell phone.
His eyes widened in shock, the woman outside and the two men she was with looked exactly like some of the characters depicted in his book.
Henry Mills closed his book and shoved it back into his backpack.
He slid out of the booth and he left the diner, making his way home so he could do more research on his book.
End.
(a/n: well what do you think? Sorry if this sucked. Anyway, review!)
