Chapter 2: Anyone But Her
~ The Wish Realm ~
Since learning what would become of the guardian once he was free, Rumple was troubled with how could he expect the guardian to give up their life just so he could be free; Rumple traveled to see Gideon to tell him of his troubles,
"... I spent years not giving a second thought or care about others when I was determined to reunite with your brother... But now a prophecy says for me to be free. The Guardian must die" Rumple told his son who sat down on a chair beside his father's,
"I know of your love for Bae, papa and I know that your love for mother is equal just as it is for me... But would it be so bad if the guardian were to... Die so that you and mother may be together once again?" Gideon asked timidly causing Rumple to look at him stunned,
"This is someone's life we are talking about, Gideon" he reminded him,
"Yes but it is the life of someone whom is destined to be the wielder of pure darkness" Gideon pointed out desperately,
"That may be but the prophecy also states that the guardian holds a pure heart within them... If I am to be free of the dagger then I need to stop acting like the dark one it made me, Gideon" Rumple murmured, placing a comforting hand on his son's shoulder whom looked at his father sadly,
"But... If the guardian doesn't die... Papa, If you don't find the guardian then you will never be reunited with mother" Gideon said sadly and Rumple cupped his son's cheeks,
"You listen to me. I will be reunited with your mother and we shall watch over you every day. Making sure that you are safe and happy but Gideon... There is a right and wrong way of doing things... Expecting the guardian to die for me just so that I may be free would be the wrong way" Rumple told his son before hugging him close in a comforting manner.
~ The Real World ~
Weaver had been going through his files again when he heard vibrating coming from the cabinet that held his dagger and he quickly approach it before opening the small door, retrieving the box and opened it only to find that his dagger was glowing,
"The guardian..." he murmured as he found a small droplet of blood on the blade,
"The guardian has been here" he whispered as he looked around in vain for answers.
Meanwhile at a nice restaurant called 'The Mountain Range' Rogers smiled as he pulled out a chair for Isabelle and she smiled gently,
"Thank you" she bid, sitting down as Rogers took own seat and they picked up their menus,
"What happened to your finger?" Rogers asked her curiously, having noticed a band aid wrapped around the tip of her index finger and she looked at it thoughtfully,
"I'm not actually sure. I noticed that it was bleeding just as my shift ended. Knowing me it's probably a silly paper cut" she said with a shrug and Rogers smiled charmingly, taking her hand and pressed a soft kiss to the band aid, making Isabelle blush as she smiled softly before withdrawing her hand as the waiter came to take their orders.
~ The Wish Realm ~
Rumple eventually left Gideon to his studies and wandered around mindlessly for a while before noticing a slightly run down dark castle sitting within the dark mountains and he slowly made his way there.
The castle doors opened to him magically, recognizing their master and Rumple looked around the entrance hall sadly as he saw transparent memories of Belle cleaning and he couldn't help but smile sadly but he quickly looked up the staircase when he heard a noise,
"Who's there?" he demanded, grabbing his dagger from his belt to defend himself if he had too and he watched as a hesitant figure came down the staircase and Rumple tilted his head slightly,
"... Belle?" he asked with uncertainty as the figure came into light but this woman was not his wife, she shared a similar appearance but was definitely not his wife,
"... Papa?" the woman whispered causing Rumple to look stunned as he watched a tear fall down the girl's cheek before rushing towards him and hugged him tightly,
"Papa" she sobbed into his shoulder and Rumple saw flashes within his mind of memories that he would have lived if he were the Rumple of this Alternate reality.
Rumple saw the Alternate Belle and his Alternate self share true love's kiss and his curse was broken. He saw them get married... And he saw them welcome their daughter into the world with joyful tears in their eyes.
Rumple looked down at the young Girl who looked who at him with tearful eyes,
"Isabelle..." he whispered and watched her nod with a bright smile despite her tears and he soon pulled her back into another hug as she cried,
"Shhhhh... It's alright... Papa's here" he whispered to her soothingly but looked down when he felt his dagger vibrating within his hand as it was close to his daughter and he felt his heart drop,
'No... No. Anything But This' He whispered within his mind as he hugged the young girl close.
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TheAuthor1996