Title: Alive
Author: Pinkcat4569
Rating: Teen, some adult language and situations, innuendos
Characters: centered on Emma/Hook, but all main season 3 characters appear
Description: After a new wizard comes to Storybrooke, inanimate objects change into human form, causing quite a bit of chaos. Can they turn them back, and if they don't will something even worse befall the real humans?
Spoilers: Through the end of season 3. Takes place afterwards, but no frozen, no Will Scarlet. Will be references to some major spoilers from season 3!
Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time, this is only for fun.
Author's Note: This will be multi-chapter, probably quite a few. It's also kind of weird, but I hope you enjoy it. There is also a Disney movie referenced in this, but it's not a faithful representation of it.
2255 Words this chapter. This first chapter is long and a bit involved, but I wanted to give some idea of how many things will be going on in this.
Additional note: I knew there was something else I wanted to clarify! For this story, the whole fake dagger, Belle doesn't really have it but thinks she does, did NOT happen. The dagger was in Gold's possession and Belle knew it. Thanks!
Alive, Chapter One
"Concentrate, Mom."
Emma nodded. "I can do this." She closed her eyes and thought.
"Picture her, Mom. Can you see her?"
"Yes. I can. I can also...feel her." She felt a sharp pain in her stomach. "Oh, jeez. She's huge!"
"You can do it Mom."
"Yeah. I just have to...focus. Oh, now my head hurts. I hope that pirate...appreciates this," she said, groaning.
They heard a big whoosh and Henry saw a portal opening. "It's working!"
"Ow!" cried Emma. "Jeez, it's like giving birth!"
"Ew, Mom!"
Emma began to sway, feeling the magic swirl around her. She had to fight to not let it overpower her.
"Here she comes!"
Henry watched as a huge shadow fell over the docks. Emma felt a powerful strain on her magic and her body and she saw the shape coming through the portal. Then she heard the thunderous splash.
The portal closed and Emma fell to the ground. Henry chuckled, patting her back. "You did it!"
"Yeah," she said, through gasps. "I did." She looked up at a ship now gently swaying in front of them. "Go...get him, would ya?"
"Sure Mom, be right back."
Emma fell prone on the dock. "I'm just gonna...rest...for a minute."
Henry scampered off.
"The things...I do...for that man," she said, lying in front of the Jolly Roger.
A few moments later, Henry was pulling Captain Hook to the dock. "What's the hurry, lad?"
"You'll see," said Henry, beaming.
Hook looked confused until they rounded the last corner and the sight hit him like a typhoon. He gasped. "Am I...dreaming?"
Henry laughed. "Nope."
"Lad...it's the Jolly," he whispered.
"I know!"
Hook broke into a wide grin and ran toward the ship. Emma sat up as she heard them.
"Emma, my ship!"
"Yeah, I know," she said with a few deep breaths.
"How?"
She shrugged. "Don't know."
"She does too!" cried Henry. "She did it, with her magic."
Hook stared at her. She blushed. "Swan...I..."
"Hey, you traded her for me. I thought...it was the least I could do." She grabbed her stomach. "Actually, it turned out to be a little more than 'least' though."
Hook laughed and pulled her into a hug. "My darling Emma, you astound me."
She chuckled. "Go and see your other woman."
He smiled and ran up the gangplank. Henry was right behind him. Emma took a minute then followed after.
The Captain stood at the wheel, caressing it. Emma shook her head. She couldn't deny how attractive that huge smile was on his face.
"She's back." Emma nodded. He looked at her. "You brought her back to me." She smiled. He walked over to her and kissed her. "Thank you."
"I know what she means to you."
"Aye."
They stood in each others' arms. "Still...she is just sails and wood," he said.
Emma chuckled. "I know that's not true. She's your home."
"She was. I've discovered that a true home, however, is flesh and blood." He kissed her again.
"I guess I'm lucky she's not a real live woman then."
He laughed. "Shall we check her out?"
"Yeah," she said. "Hopefully there are no stowaways."
They went down into the ship. "Henry, stay back," warned Emma. They carefully searched, from room to cargo hold, to bunks, to galley, and finally the Captain's quarters.
"Empty," Killian said.
"So, can I explore then?"
"Go at it, Lad."
Henry smiled and ran off.
Killian walked into his cabin and sighed. He ran his fingers over his desk and various items, Emma watching.
"It feels good to have her back."
"I bet," she said.
He laid out on his bed, crossing his feet and smiling at her. "Care to join me?"
She chuckled but walked to the other side and lay down.
"Thank you, Emma."
"It was my pleasure. Don't expect me to do it again."
"You won't have a reason. I don't intend to lose her again."
She looked at him. "I'm sorry you lost her in the first place."
"I did what was needed."
"I know."
He rolled to his side and caressed her cheek. "You are incredible, Emma Swan."
"You aren't so bad yourself."
They lounged there for a while, talking and just being together.
Then Henry came back. "The galley is a mess. You'll have to go shopping."
"Not a problem, Lad." He smiled at them and sighed with contentment. "Speaking of food, shall we celebrate?"
"Ya! I'm starving!" cried Henry.
"I could use something to settle my stomach," said Emma.
"Good, let's go to Granny's," said the pirate, getting up.
"You're going to leave her, just after you're reunited?" asked the sheriff.
Killian Jones flashed a winning smile. "I know where to find her. Come along you two." Henry and Emma followed him up to the deck then they walked off the ship first.
Just as Killian was about to take his foot off the deck he whispered, "I shall return, Jolly, I promise. We shall never be separated again."
"Killian! Are you talking to her?" cried Emma.
He smiled and disembarked. "Perhaps."
"Seriously?"
"There is no need to be jealous, Swan."
The Jolly swayed gently as if it was happy and content to be back with it's master.
Later that night, Belle was about to close the pawn shop when she heard persistent meows. She opened the door to see a black cat.
"Hello there," she said sweetly, dropping down beside it. "Aren't you sweet?" she asked, as it let her pet him. "I haven't seen you before. How did you get here? We don't get many visitors to Storybrooke you know." She giggled lightly. "Are you hungry?"
It followed her into the shop. "You are friendly, huh? I have some tuna fish left from my lunch. You stay here," she said, patting it's chin, "and I'll be right back. You are so cute!"
She got up and left the cat alone.
Suddenly, it wasn't a cat anymore. It was a man with black hair and unnatural cat-like yellow eyes. It looked around, sniffing the air. He looked toward a picture and moved toward it like he was pulled there. He moved his hand in front of it, magic glowing around him.
"This is it," he whispered. He quickly moved the picture to find a safe. He smiled. He cast a quick spell, and the safe opened. He looked through it. He cursed, closing his eyes. "It isn't here, Master," he whispered. He was hit with pain in his temples. "Very well."
He recited another spell, moaning softly in pain. He twitched, then bit his lips to keep from crying out. Then a strong whoosh of magic flew through him. He practically collapsed, but caught himself. He felt pain in his head again. "No, I won't fail you, Master," he said.
He smiled as the magic revealed a dagger. "I have it," he said aloud. Sick, evil laughter filled his head. He picked up the dagger flinching as he felt it's evil.
The man-cat looked up, and paled. The last person he wanted to see stood in front of him: Rumpelstiltskin. "That doesn't belong to you," said the wizard.
"No, it does not. My apologies, I cannot defy my master. I possess it in his name. I cannot own anything of my own. I am sorry." He looked past Rumple at Belle, her eyes wide.
"Thank you for your kindness, Maiden," he said, bowing. "Do not blame her, Wizard." Then the man turned.
Rumple began an incantation, but the man held up the dagger and commanded, "Stop!"
Rumple obeyed.
"You will not harm me," the man said. "Or follow me."
Then he turned back into a cat and ran out of the shop.
"Rumple...I...I'm so sorry," said Belle. "I'll go after him."
Rumple caught her hand. "No. It's too dangerous. There is strong magic at play. This is not your fault my love. "
"Who do you think is his Master?"
"I don't know. Belle, I think I need help. We must get back that dagger."
She nodded. "I'll call Emma." Rumple looked at her. "We can trust her, Rumple."
"I suppose we have no choice."
The cat ran down the docks, which were empty due to the late hour. Actually, they weren't entirely empty. At the end stood a man, he wore a thick black cloak, and a stove-top hat. He looked out of time, but like a fancy pants dandy.
"Finally! You took long enough!"
The cat turned back to human. "I got lost."
The dandy smiled a disturbing, wide grin. "You? You're a cat, originally. You have excellent senses. I hate it when your rebellious streak rises." He sighed. "One of these days I shall have to replace you. Now, give me the dagger."
The cat-man hesitated. "You should replace me. Let me go, I beg you."
The dandy laughed coldly. "Beg all you want, my pet."
"I'm not your pet."
"You take great risks, tonight, Cat. Give me the dagger now or I'll make a muff out of you."
The smaller man sighed. "Is she alive, my mistress? Will you keep your promise and let me see her again?"
The dandy sighed. "Why do you bring this up now?" then he smiled. "You're stalling, aren't you?" He laughed. "Is there a rescue mission on the way?"
The cat-man looked at him. "I doubt it. Besides, who could best you, Astaroth?"
The dandy smiled with satisfaction. "No one."
"Not even Rumpelstiltskin?"
The dandy narrowed his eyes. "He is bound to his shop. I would know if you disobeyed. Whatever game you're playing it is futile, now...Give me the dagger!" he bellowed.
"I wouldn't," said a female voice.
The dandy looked up to see a small group advancing at him: a blonde woman in a red leather jacket, a tall man dressed like a pirate, another man in a jean jacket holding a sword, a dark-haired woman holding flame in her hands, and another man, dressed in forest green holding an armed bow with a quiver of arrows on his back.
"Ah...the Storybrooke welcoming committee is here," said the dandy.
"You...give us the dagger," said Emma Swan.
"I cannot," said the smaller man. "I am under his command. I cannot disobey."
The dandy smiled evilly. "That is true. Now, all of you stay back, and no one need die tonight."
"You're the only one dying if you don't give us the dagger!" yelled the other woman. The fire she held lit her eye up wildly. "I will flambe you."
The man laughed. "I would love to...entertain you...Evil Queen," said the man, earning a growl from the archer. "However, you may find Astaroth more than you can handle."
"What the bloody hell is an astaroth?" asked Hook.
The dandy smiled and gave a bow. "I am Astaroth, wizard of rare talent and fame."
"And humility," said Emma.
The wizard smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet such...legends. Robin Hood, Captain Hook, Prince Charming," then his eyes lingered on Emma, "And the Savior. My, my, you have such talent here."
"Enough! Give us the stinking dagger!" yelled Regina.
"No."
"Then we'll just have to take it," said Charming.
The cat-man shook his head in warning.
"You can try," said the dandy. He hissed at his minion. "Cosmo, give me the dagger!"
"You're name is Cosmo? Really?" asked Emma.
Hook shook his head. "You poor bastard."
"The dagger now!"
Cosmo shook his head and reached over to hand the dagger to his master.
"No!" screamed a voice, running up from behind Astaroth.
"Henry!" screamed both his mothers.
Henry flew at the wizard dandy, knocking him over. The dagger fell harmlessly on the ground.
Emma and Regina ran to Henry as Astaroth raised his hand at the boy. "You! You will pay!" he cried.
"No!" screamed Cosmo, hitting the wizard, and knocking his aim away. Henry was unharmed.
"You betray me!" cried Astaroth.
The men ran between the women, the cat-man, Henry and Astaroth. "Back off!" cried Charming, brandishing his sword.
Regina held her hands in front of Henry, protecting him with the threat of fire.
Emma picked up the dagger.
Astaroth sighed heavily. "This is not how the night was supposed to go."
Emma smiled. "Yeah, sorry. On the plus side, the jail serves Granny's finest dishes."
Then the wizard gave a smile. "Sorry, I will not be gracing your establishment with my presence."
Hook scoffed. "You think you can best us all?"
"He can't. He's failed," said Regina.
"I have," said Astaroth. "However, I shall get away. You'll all be too busy to come after me."
The Storybrooke folks exchanged worried glances.
"I might get my hands on the dagger yet." Then he smiled wider and raised his hands.
"Hey, hands where I can see them, buddy!" yelled Emma, raising her gun.
Suddenly a green, bright light flew out, knocking all of them on their feet. Everyone but Cosmo lost consciousness. After a few moments, they woke.
Astaroth was gone.
End of Chapter One