Disclaimers: See Prologue - Part 1 for more info.

Prologue – Part 2:

Lightfoot

Corsica, France, Our World – The Present

Handel locked his apartment door good and tight. What in the name of Luster did Fatty – Fredegar Bolger have to bring the Squijum into his apartment? Why wasn't there any Hunters looking for them? Then he understood…

Facing Fredegar/Fred, who had a cheery grin on his face and a right look that wanted food, Handel asked the man… was he a man? As far as he remembered, Fredegar/Fred was a hobbit the last time they met.

"Did you bring anyone?" asked Handel, peering out from behind a curtain.

Fredegar/Fred shook his head. "No, we're alone. The other hobbits are back in Storybrooke, Maine. That's where we were sent. It's in the Americas."

"Yes, I know all about Storybrooke. I asked you if you brought anyone with you. Hunters? Rainbow Prison guards? Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…" Handle made circles with his wrist. He did not receive a response. "No one in particular."

"You seem on edge, Lightfoot. Come on, I know your name is Lightfoot. I haven't forgotten. You look like you have," admitted Fredegar/Fred.

"That was a long time ago. Times have changed. So have I. You want a cup of tea?" asked Handel, heading over to his open kitchen for a mug. His hands shook as he poured the hot tea into the polished wood mug.

"Did something happen to you, Handel?" Fredegar/Fred asked.

"I don't want to – to talk about it. Mind the tea," said Handel, passing to Fredegar/Fred the filled mug. As Fredegar/Fred drank it down, he gave a quizzical look. Handel caught that glance right away. "I know. It's not the best tea I've made. Sorry. I've been having a rough day."

"Yes. You're looking for her, Lightfoot," said Fredegar/Fred.

Handel pounded his fist on the counter. "That was a long time ago. That name is long-since passed from me."

"Then you've forgotten about her. About Cara. Come on, Lightfoot, that is your name. I know you know about her. What exactly happened between you two? Last I recall being there, in Luster, you and her were having the time of your life, being man and woman, and not… unicorns," said Fredegar/Fred. "Don't tell me you've forgotten."

"The human mind… takes away long-passed memories. I am Lightfoot, but not the Lightfoot I once was," said Handel, revealing a confirmation. Handel/Lightfoot began to tell his story: "After Cara became human again, the feelings I had for her began to flourish. I wanted to be just like her. I would do anything for her. We're best friends, but also family. No one thought we could do it."

"What happened?" asked Fredegar/Fred.

Handel looked at him, and then the Squijum, who was digging into the crumpets. Handel gave his explanation to Fredegar/Fred, while Fredegar/Fred and the Squijum listened intently.

Autumngrove, Luster – The Past, 15 Years Ago

Lightfoot, a unicorn at this time, walked with Cara, a fourteen year old girl back then, through the autumn-leafed forest. They had a pleasant conversation. Eventually, Lightfoot came to ask Cara the question that had been fawning his mind.

"Cara, how exactly were you returned to human form?" asked Lightfoot.

"Well…" Cara stopped, as did Lightfoot. Standing before them was an elderly wizard. Cara recognized this man instantly. "You… Merlin."

"You know this man?" asked Lightfoot, confused. Understanding some reason, Lightfoot readied for an attack. He told the man, defensive, "What did you do to Cara?"

"The same thing I will do to you," said Merlin. With a flick of his hand, Lightfoot was transformed into a human teenage boy with short brown hair. Lightfoot, now a teenage boy, wore a white set of attire: a white tunic, shirt, tan trousers, and brown boots.

Cara was stunned. Staring at Merlin, Cara asked him, "Why would you do this? I thought you were a good wizard."

"Cara…" Lightfoot felt heavy.

Merlin transformed into a gold-speckled man wearing leather attire. The gold-speckled man puffed from a purple smoke. Now Cara was stunned beyond comprehension.

"Who are you?" asked Cara, not taking anymore tricks.

"The name's Rumplestiltskin and I have a deal you might consider. This new threat to Luster will require both of you human," said Rumplestiltskin.

"You told me the new threat was a man named Dorian Gray and you," said Cara.

"So I did and yet here I am, willing to help you," said Rumplestiltskin. He called to a bush, "They're over here."

"You double-crosser," said Cara, as a man with short black hair and wearing a grey suit from a period time entered the scene. Cara trembled, but more so Lightfoot. This man could not be trusted. However, Cara had a guess as to the name. "You're Dorian Gray."

"And you two are such a prize," said Dorian Gray. "A young girl, once a unicorn, and a unicorn, now a man; you're exactly what I need."

"For what?" asked Lightfoot, as he was helped to his feet by Cara.

Dorian Gray admitted, in a calm manner, "For my experiments. You see, I've found a new way for immortality and unicorns are my most prized possessions, my new toys to help me gain what I seek. You two I have heard about: a prince and a princess. You'll do just fine."

"Cara, run," said Lightfoot.

"But you're too weak," said Cara.

"Run!" cried Lightfoot.

Cara did just that. Having the strength of a unicorn, Cara bolted away from the scene, into the distance where she hoped Dorian Gray wouldn't find her anytime soon. Lightfoot stood his ground.

"You're not going to touch her. Not as long as I'm alive," said Lightfoot, bravely.

Dorian Gray grinned a sly grin. "Oh, and that is where my experiments will begin."

"Not without this," said Lightfoot, taking an amulet around his neck in his hands. Before Dorian Gray and Rumplestiltskin could stop him, Lightfoot cried, "Luster, let me go." Just like that, he vanished in a green light. The last thing he saw was Dorian Gray charging towards him in fright, and Rumplestiltskin looking pleased but also mischievous.

Corsica, France, Our World – The Present

"And ever since that time, all you've been doing is running, changing your name wherever you go. That's a sad story even of itself. Do you even know if Cara is alive? Whether or not she's taken prisoner by Dorian Gray? That man is a monster," admitted Fredegar/Fred, serious.

"No, I don't. I don't see how you found out. Oh, now I do," said Handel/Lightfoot, looking at the Squijum, who now had his cheeks stuffed with crumpets. "I'm sorry. I can't help you both."

"But you have changed your name several times?" asked Fredegar/Fred.

"Yes, unfortunately. My most recent name is Handel Smith. If people ever knew I was Lightfoot, like in 'The Unicorn Chronicles', they wouldn't believe me," said Handel/Lightfoot. "Besides, the last book in that series stopped before finding out that Cara and myself were transformed into human form. Who would believe that? Or the fact that Dorian Gray is now in charge of Luster. It's not a particularly good story. Dorian Gray's story gave me the shivers. I'll never touch his book again."

"Same here. So, Gray now controls Luster? What exactly has gone on that I missed?" asked Fredegar/Fred.

"Well, you were around before Dorian Gray took full control of the unicorn lands. The last I heard, the last I've seen of Luster, before the Evil Queen's curse and the Second Curse, the place is in turmoil. The centaurs and the delvers are at war. The merfolk have called all unicorns for aide. Apparently, Luster isn't the only unicorn world that exists. There are others just like it. But you need to head to Luster if you want to find Cara. She's in her late twenties the last I checked, but then so am I in human terms," admitted Handel/Lightfoot.

"Yes, and you're coming with me," said Fredegar/Fred.

Handel/Lightfoot looked amused. "I'm not going anywhere. I've got rent to pay up. Wait until after."

"There is no after. We need to leave now. Don't you understand? Besides, what would Cara think of you acting like a coward?" asked Fredegar/Fred.

Handel/Lightfoot paused to think. He never heard Fredegar/Fred so determined. And there was Cara to consider. If he truly loved her, why wouldn't he go after her again? Her parents and grandparents might need the assistance. What on Luster had he been doing all this time? Still, he needed to pay his rent.

Grabbing the money off the counter, Handel/Lightfoot walked out of his apartment. He approached the first door on the left end and knocked. The door opened to reveal a French Head of Household, upon which Handel/Lightfoot spoke in French and passed to him the money he owed. With their friendly conversation done and the door closed, Handel/Lightfoot returned to his apartment. However, Handel/Lightfoot spotted men in grey suits heading his way. So Handel/Lightfoot did the only thing he could do: run.

As the men in the grey suits walked towards him, ever so slippery, Handel/Lightfoot barged open his apartment door, ran inside, and slammed the door. The moment it was locked, there were fierce knocking sounds on the wood. Handel/Lightfoot put a chair under the doorknob in fright. Fredegar/Fred was confused, but understood Handel/Lightfoot did not want to meet these intruders. The Squijum cowered behind Fredegar/Fred.

"Right. I say we return to Luster now," said Fredegar/Fred.

"No, let's use the amulets we have and head for London, England," said Handel/Lightfoot, pulling out his amulet from his pocket.

"What? What for?" asked Fredegar/Fred, confused.

Handel/Lightfoot told him, "Trust me." Closing his eyes, Handel/Lightfoot had the thought pictured in his mind, moments into a green portal opening before them. The Squijum fled through it first, before Handel/Lightfoot allowed Fredegar/Fred to go through second. Handel/Lightfoot darted through the portal last, right as it closed and the men in the grey suits spotted him doing so.

The men in the grey suits called for back-up only too late. They knew exactly where Handel/Lightfoot was headed.

o-o-o

London, England, Our World – The Present

The green portal opened up in an empty alley. Out came the Squijum, followed by Fredegar/Fred and Handel/Lightfoot last. Fredegar/Fred looked about the alley. Well, at least they were close to the downtown area, but still… where was the food?

Handel/Lightfoot got his attention. "Fatty, we don't have time to eat. They'll be hunting us."

"By us, you mean you," said Fredegar/Fred. "I'm hungry. I haven't had that much to eat since I came to find you. A scrap of a donut, or a poor suckling of tea would suffice my appetite."

"Will you stop thinking about your stomach?" asked Handel/Lightfoot. He scanned the area. "I'm sure it's down here… ah, here's the door!" He opened an oak door, entering an abandoned shop.

Fredegar/Fred followed. The room chilled him to the bone when Handel/Lightfoot turned on the lights. It looked like an experimental room. Handel/Lightfoot searched through a filing cabinet.

Fredegar/Fred asked him, "What exactly are we looking for?"

"Here they are. Cara's file and other unicorns: Moonheart, Amalia Flickerfoot… they're all here," said Handel/Lightfoot, setting a pile of filled folders on an empty hardwood table. He searched through the folders for a while. "Dorian Gray's been here. He has every unicorn I know, including…" He stopped on one stapled stack of papers, "Cara."

"You've guessed correct, Lightfoot," said a man with a smooth voice. He entered the room, as did soldiers carrying swords. Fredegar/Fred raised his hands behind his head, while the Squijum fled behind a chair for cover, and Handel/Lightfoot looked alarmed. One of the man's soldiers closed and locked the door. "It's been a long time."

"Dorian Gray," said Handel/Lightfoot. "What brings you to London?"

"This is my home, isn't it? Not my era, but it will suffice. Thankfully, you and Mr. Fredegar Bolger have arrived at a most precarious time. I have my unicorn and a hobbit. Two in one stone," said Dorian Gray. He looked ready for an experiment. "Let's begin our experimentation, and Fredegar Bolger will be our most opportunist witness and my needed host to bring you back."

"Back where? What are you two talking about?" asked Fredegar/Fred, as one of the soldiers searched his pockets, finding his wallet and the amulet he carried in his pocket. "That's not mine."

"Of course it isn't. This experiment… well, we're going to do some traveling. Actually Lightfoot will go through the Rainbow Prison. I'd like to see how it works and whether you can cross all seven lands inside the Rainbow Prison." Dorian Gray turned to Fredegar/Fred. "And you will send him back through song, once his task is done."

"I won't do anything for you. You're a monster," said Fredegar/Fred.

Dorian Gray gave a wicked grin. "A monster, no. I call myself a revolutionist. Let's begin. Bring him over here."

A few soldiers forced Handel/Lightfoot onto a hospital bed, where he was strapped down. Handel/Lightfoot struggled to break free of the straps until Dorian Gray placed clear pads on Handel's/Lightfoot's forehead. Two soldiers dragged Fredegar/Fred over to the hospital bed, forcing him to sit on a stool. Fredegar/Fred saw Handel's/Lightfoot's frightened gaze, moments before Handel/Lightfoot saw a flash of light, followed by nothing for what seemed like a long time…