Belle couldn't move. She barely could breathe. It must the shock, she thought. That was the only was to sort through with her mind all that had happened with in the last few moments. Everything had felt so much longer. She couldn't even feel the damp, asphalt ground of the alley wall beneath her.

"Are you hurt?"

The voice jarred her from her thoughts. She must have been staring because he asked her again.

"Are you hurt, miss?"

"No. I think I'm alright."

"Good. Wouldn't want a young woman such as you to get her."

"Who are you?"

"Who is but the form following the function of what and what I am is a man in mask."

"Well I can see that."

"Of course you can. I'm not questions your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked who he is."

"Oh..."

"But on a night such as this, let me shed a little light on this dramatist persona."

Belle could only stare at this man with curious and still a slight twinge of fear. Was this man for really?

With a flourish of his arms, the masked man flung his cape back. Belle took notice of the dagger on his left hip.

"Rest assured, on this revealing evening, return to right and revoke the rumble ruined by the restlessness of rival. By roaming the roads of righteousness and revenge I have returned to revive the raw retelling of reveries long rung out from the minds of the ruthless and the rotten. To rectify and remove the wrongs of all this rummaged requiem. But let me revealed myself to your personage as Rumplestiltskin. And you are?"

She wasn't expect that question after the monologue but replied simply, "Belle."

"Belle...of course you are."

That only confused her. "What did you mean?"

"That means that I do not play dice like gods and tempt fate, nor do I believe in coincidence."

"Are you like a crazy person?" Belle knew she sounded rude a bit but could it really be helped at this moment.

"They will surely tell you that I am"

Belle knew he was talking about the SBN and the Chancellor. But to what degree of importance was this man to them? What did he do to them other than this evening to spite the government.

Belle was brought out of her reverie as Rumple extended his gloved hand toward her to help her off the ground. With a brief but genuine smile, she except and was gently lifted on the ground, his other hand supporting her back while she regained her balance.

"Thank you. For back there." Belle tried to regain her speech. " I don't know if I would have made it out of that if you hadn't come around."

"You're very welcome Belle."

"Well I better get going home. Wouldn't want to run into more of the Red Guard now would I?"

"Actually I was wondering, dearie, of you would like to join me. I'm on my way to concert and I would find the company most welcome."

"I better not."

"I can assure you it is like nothing you have seen before. And I can make sure you return home safely afterwards."

Belle thought about it briefly. What else did she have to lose?

"Sure."

"Excellent!" Rumplestiltskin giggled gleefully and offered his arm this time to lead Belle to wherever one might hold a concert after curfew. She was delightfully confused, but in the most blissful of ways. As terrified as she had been earlier dealing with the Red Guard, she was actually excited to be doing something that was an adventure and against the rules.

Rumplestiltskin led her through a series of alleyways and side streets. It was a part of the city Belle never thought of existing or maybe she just didn't want to admit that this part was real. She usually followed the rules and avoided the bad parts, just like the Chancellor said to; Belle really hated that she listened to the Chancellor.

"Here we are. The stage and platform. Ready for a grand performance."

Belle came out of her thoughts and realized that they were just on the roof of an abandoned building. The clock tower to be was nothing particular that stood out about it and no stage or actual platform. Is this where Rumplestiltskin decided to kill her? What have I done trusting this man I know nothing about?

Rumplestiltskin removed his arm from her side and went to the edge of the building. It had a high wall that prevented one from jumping off useless you climbed it, but you could look over the city if you wanted to. It was a beautiful view too. You wouldn't think that just from looking at the city that it was under the Chancellor and the Red Guard. It looked almost peaceful in a busy sort of way. Belle studied Rumplestiltskin's posture and noted that he was starring at the view almost longingly. That is if she could actually see his face and not just had to make assumptions.

"What are we doing up here?"

"Awaiting for the greatest concert and honor this city has receive."

"But there are no instruments."

"Your powers of observation continue to serve you well."

Belle thought maybe it was time for her to go home, after all.

"What are we celebrating then?", she decided to ask, "What is the great honor?"

"What day is it, dearie?"

"Umm...November the 4th?"

Just as she finished her sentence, the bell of the clock tower chimed midnight.

"Not anymore."

Belle understood that it was the next day, but what was the importance of it?

"Remember, remember the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason in plot. I know of no reason the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot."

It was a common poem, that of the tale of Guy Fawkes. Belle had read it many times in her youth and hadn't found of much importance. The story was real but Belle never found that Guy Fawkes had any real significance. She felt as though it may be time to reevaluate

"Ah, and now it is time for the performance. First, the swell of the strings. Then the rolling percussion and the horns. Can you hear it?"

Belle thought this was the beginning of ravings but suddenly, there was the swell and emotional tones of a familiar tune. She ran to the edge of the roof to look over, only to find nothing. But the music continued to grow louder and stronger.

Rumplestiltskin, when she looked over at him, continued to conduct an invisible orchestra, waving his arms in the tempo of the piece. Belle still wished she knew the point to all of this.

"Here comes the crescendo",Rumplestiltskin's tone was excited and the jovial giggle of earlier had returned.

Belle thought that this meant the music was going to get louder but that's when she was proven wrong once again that evening. From the view of the clock tower, one could see most of Storybrooke, including the Old Mines, which went from being an abandoned part of the city only to suddenly start to explode and erupt right before her eyes. It almost looked like an actual celebration with fireworks, which must have been included in the explosives. She could here the rumbling on the ground shifting under the great force and see the smoke and dust flying up into the air.

Belle looked over to Rumplestiltskin and realized he was utterly giddy watching this and obviously being responsible for this destruction. He arms was almost flailing at this point, his laughter becoming one with the tolling bells and canons of the grand and magnificent music, that Belle know recognized as Tchaikovsky's 1812 Festival Overture. What an odd piece to play while destroying a town landmark?, she thought. Maybe it was because it held the same amount of energy that Rumplestiltskin was exuding.

There was nothing to say. Nothing to do. Nothing but to just stand there, waiting for her fate in witnessing all of this.

What does this all mean?