Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or it's Characters, they belong to their respective owners. I do, however, own Storm and her alter ego as well as Striker and his alter ego and their story line. This has come from the haunted, depraved, tortured darkness that is my mind.

Rated M because of the language I write so don't blame me it's just how I write plus down the line, no doubt about it, there will be sexy fun times.

Paradise Forged

=Storm's P.O.V=

My legs ached from gripping Striker's sides, the insides of my heels raw from rubbing against the sides of my boots as I urged the jet black stallion underneath me on across the slippery leaf strewn path. My eyes constantly sweeping over my surroundings checking for possible traps as Striker did his best to steer us clear of the hail of arrows from the guards chasing us.

I urged the stallion on again with another nudge in the ribs, my cracked weeping heels on fire as I tightened my grip around Striker's barrel and gathered my reins moving with him as he leapt up over the tree trunk the guards had felled to bar our path. So they're getting smarter. I laughed at their pitiful attempt at stopping us.

Striker landed with a snort and kicked up his heels adding an extra burst of power lengthening the gap between the guards and us, their horses were beginning to tire, become weary with the chase just as every mortal horse did. They would never catch us just like last time, just like every other time they tried.

I touched the shining star around my neck with a light grin and gathered my reins urging Striker on again with another nudge of my heels. "Let's stop this game of cat and mouse Striker, let's show them the mouse is still the fastest" I murmured before he snorted letting out a joyous whinny of approval and added another burst of energy, his hooves flying over the ground eating it up as he continued to lengthen the gap between us and the guards before finally losing sight of them.

The birds chirped through the trees, several flying down to race us along the path as they always did, I smiled lightly as Red, the deep chestnut feathered red eyed Nightingale, flew down and between Striker's legs and under his belly before coming back up the other side, his shimmering feathers reflecting the mornings sunlight as he furiously flapped his wings to keep up with us.

I let out a soft laugh as he dropped back and began madly flapping his wings again trying to keep up with Striker's reckless gallop before he swooped down and began weaving in and out of Striker's legs as he always did before coming back up the other side and flying up over the top of us before darting back towards his home as the atmosphere began to change.

I pulled Striker to a sliding halt, his thick hooves digging into the dirt coming to stop only mere inches from the edge of the cliff, the heavy set war draught stallion beneath me mouthed lightly on his bit as he began to prance and snort before finally calming down, the guards that had been chasing us left a long way behind, they would never catch us, they never could any time they chased us, Striker had truly been a gift from the gods, a true companion and more importantly a true friend.

I sighed lightly patting Striker's neck; the sheer drop before us allowed us a great view of the bright castle belonging to the Snow White and her darling Prince Charming, the sky here was bright, warm with not a cloud in sight and the mood just as warming not like the area we'd ridden from. "Let's get this over and done with Striker, I'm tired and I've had more than enough of being everyone's errand bitch" I murmured leaning forward in my saddle to stroke his ears before nudging him down the thin rocky path that most horses his size would have trouble with.

I slipped down from Striker's saddle and patted his neck. "Now don't go fraternizing with Charming's mare's" I warned before leaving him to drink his fill from the water trough beside the stables and made my way inside, scroll clutched in my hand as I brushed off a guards warning and continued towards the war room.

"You can't go in there! You're not on the council!" One guard shouted after me as he raced towards me in an attempt to get to the doors before I pushed them open.

I rolled my eyes lightly beneath my hood and pushed the doors open allowing them to swing back with dramatic effect as they slammed against the walls behind them. "I can go anywhere I damn well please" I snapped irritably at the guard before turning back to the room that had fallen silent, everyone's eyes on me.

"Always with the dramatic entrances?" Prince Charming asked as he looked up, a light smile dancing on his lips.

"Always" I stated before holding up the scroll in my hand and shaking it. "I found what you wanted and I don't think that cold hearted bitch is happy that I took it" I pulled the velvet cord keeping it rolled up and held one end before throwing it across the table, everyone sitting around the table craning their necks to see just what exactly was written.

"So just what are we supposed to be looking for?"

"A safe area we can use to outrun this curse, it will be a last resort if we can't fight it"

I shook my head lightly. "You know there is one person who can help you"

Snow White looked up, a hand resting on her swollen belly. "Who?"

"Well you all locked him up," I jerked my head to the mines on the map. "That magical little seer Rumpelstiltskin"

"No!" Charming called out slamming his fist down on the table causing it to rattle and the entire room to fall silent. "I will not reach out to him; he has been a bane on our lands for too long"

"Would you really risk your entire future, your kingdom," I paused motioning to Snow White. "Your child all because you don't want to hear what he has to say?" I queried tilting my head slightly before shaking my head. "Do what you will," I stated with a wave of my hand as I turned and began to leave. "It is none of my concern but I am done being an errand bitch for now" I stated walking out into the hall and heading off back to the stables and back to Striker.

I settled down on the worn inn bedding and sighed softly running my fingers over the fraying edge of my hooded sleeveless shirt. The heat of the day lingered throughout the room making it almost uncomfortable to sit still let along do any movement.

I scrubbed my palms over my face and looked up through my fingers at the dark night sky that was beginning to settle in before looking towards the door to see a shadow hovering just outside. I stood silently throwing up my hood and yanked open the door to find a messenger boy stood there, a fearful look on his face. "Don't dawdle child, what did you come here for?" The heat of the summer had made me irritable I much preferred the dense mountain tops and the bitter coldness of winter.

He thrust a letter towards me. "This is for you miss" He murmured timidly, eyes breaking from mine to dance around the hallway he was stood in.

I nodded throwing a coin in his direction before shutting the door over and staring at the seal on the back of the envelope. Well shit. I exhaled heavily sitting on the edge of the bed. This can't be good, what does she want now? I groaned lowly praying to whatever gods were listening that they had mercy on me and that this wasn't what I thought it was.

I scanned my eyes over the short letter before holding it to the flame of the candle and casting it out the window. I strapped my dagger onto my thigh and stood wearily, I hadn't intended on riding out again, at least not into the middle of the forest as I had been requested. Guess it makes for a good lie should I not come back from this meeting. I gave the room a once over before throwing up my hood and heading out. Heavens help me if this meeting is over what I think it's over because I sure as hell won't be walking away with my life. I shook my head lightly pushing open the inn door letting the light, music and smell of ale spill out into the cobblestone street.

Feel free to review, they are nice to read and criticism is always welcomed providing it's constructive and you're not just going to sit there and poke fun at this, tell me where I can improve, correct my spelling or whatever I do not mind but the simple thing is, don't like it don't read.

This is the first piece in the Songbird series, yes I do plan on going further than just the one story but it may take time, I'm working on three stories at the moment, my Chibs SOA fic (Horsepower VS Irish Hardware) and a SGU Fic for Doctor Rush (Thrive) and as with the two of them I will be posting art on my DA account.