Chapter 1

I wish my story started with Once Upon a Time. But that only goes to stories with heroes, and I'm no hero. Let me explain why. I want to say it started when i was three, but this story starts much later…

I'm Tumbling through Darkness, endlessly. I can't remember how long I was falling with no end, but it finally came to an end. The portal I've been traveling through opened up, revealing several feet above the ground in a forest. Looking at what was about to happen, I managed to turn and land on my back.

"Finally" I said, " I finally managed to get away from her."

I look around to see if I was spotted or not, hoping I didn't have to explain what happened. Making sure that I was in the clear, I turn my bag over to ensure that all of my supplies wasn't damaged from the fall. An extra set of magical and non-magical clothes, my sword that i shrunk to fit in the bag, the few potion ingredients that I managed to snag, a locket that I always keep on my person, along with many other things. Taking a moment to also check myself, I used one of the few spells she managed to teach me (one that didn't harm or kill anyone). I turn the rags she gave me (ones that she apparently called clothes) into something wearable: a simple t-shirt, jeans, with what I hoped still looked like sneakers and my cloak into a plaited winter jacket.

After turning my Satchel into a backpack, or at least I hoped it was a backpack, I started to make my way through the forest. Taking my time to enjoy the view, I enjoyed the first real taste of freedom for the first time, in a long time. It wasn't long before I made it over a hill and look back down onto my hometown; Storybrooke.

Making my way through the town, I took in the sight of many shops that I couldn't remember and the few that I did. As I stood at the corner in front of Mr.Gold's Pawn Shop, I couldn't help but let a few, little tears out. It has been 15 years since I had seen this place full of life and happiness. I soon began to notice how dark it was getting and my attention turned to the time on the clock tower. I had a choice to make. Either try and conjure up some money to rent a room at Granny's, or do what I usually do on the long missions she would send me out on and just stay in the forest.

Now that I know I'm in the right place, I need to know if I'm in the right time. That's right, boys and girls, I'm one of only a few people who have ever time traveled. I decided to stay in the forest for now, but I needed something to eat, so I turned a scrap piece of paper I found on the ground into a $20 bill and head to Granny's.

Stepping on the side almost made me want to cry again. There was granny and Ruby getting things cooked up for all the customers. There was Leroy over at the bar having a few drinks with some of the dwarves. But what made me the happiest was seeing David and Mary Margaret holding their new son, Neal. I wanted to go over to them and hug them, tell them how happy I was to see them, but I knew it would mess things up big time.

I signaled Ruby and take a spot at one of the empty booths facing the entrance.

"Are you new to town? I don't recognize you." she said, giving me a questioned look.

"I'm just passing through. I'm having a camping trip up in the Forest nearby, I've heard good things." I told her, winging it.

"So what'll it be?" She asked, relaxed.

"I'll just take a cheeseburger and some sweet tea." I said.

Writing down my order, she gives me a smile and leaves my side. I take a moment to reminisce over the time that I've been gone. I am may have been gone for quite a while, but this place is still just as I remembered it. I was interrupted when someone rushes in. It's Emma, Emma Swan. One of the two people I was hoping to run into.

She runs over to David and Mary Margaret and greets them with hugs. I can hear her say that she missed them as they look at her with confusion. Seeing her just brings tears to my face. She's one of the few people that I care for a lot. How could I not? After all, she is my mother.

I managed to look away and wipe the tears from my face. I have to remind myself why I'm here. Not to reunite these people, but to save them. Save them, from the Black Fairy.