Two months ago, Chessur met Rumpelstiltskin. Chessur now walked around the Enchanted Forest in a state of wonder. She could feel the chaotic energy coming off this place. She didn't regret coming here, but perhaps she regretted making that deal with The Dark One. She was eleven for madness sake. Though the thought of killing Alice for abandoning them sent an unexplainable rush through the girl. She wanted her dead, and the life of a knight would be well worth it.

Now, she only had to find her target. Rumpelstiltskin said he lived somewhere around here, but where exactly? She did not know, so she wandered.

"I am free of Wonderland, and now I wander this land," Chessur said with a giggle and a smirk, "If I wander over yonder, I wonder where I would wander."

She hummed a dark and whimsical tune as she walked. The background noise of the forest was much different than Wonderland. Where were the madmen? The annoyingly cryptic giant caterpillar smoking a cigar? The talking rabbits and mice? Hell, she'd settle for seeing The Mad Hatter at this point, and she loathed The Mad Hatter. He was such a downer, and he struggled so hard against the madness of Wonderland. Perhaps that what kept him on the edge of insanity instead of going completely mad. Always mumbling about grace.

She heard a twig snap behind her. She kept walking and started to sing the dark and whimsical tune.

"Run faster. Run faster. From the house, be as quiet as a mouse. It will set the town alight. Maybe you'll survive this night," She sang softly as she continued to walk. She looked out of the corners of her eyes. She could feel their eyes on her, and hear their heavy boots crunching stopped walking and started to laugh. They had her surrounded and trapped, but The Cheshire Cat was never truly trapped.

The bandits, who had surrounded her, eyes widened as the little girl started to vanish. Not in a poof of smoke like when one teleported. Slowly from the feet up, her body started to vanish. She continued to laugh in a way that deeply unsettled the bandits. Her eyes twinkled with a madness that shouldn't belong to a eleven year old. Soon, her head started to vanish. The last things to vanish were her titanium eyes and Cheshire grin.

-coc-

"So, you're a cat?" Emma asked as they walked.

"I suppose it matters what a cat is to you," Chessur said simply with a lazy smirk.

"There is one category of animals that could be considered cats, you know tigers, lions, calico cats," Emma said confused.

"If that is you definition of cat, then no I am not a cat," Chessur answered.

"There is only one definition of cat," Emma insisted.

"One day, someone looked at those animals and thought they should be called cats. Therefore, it is an opinion and I can very well call them Glenstorters, if I want," She countered stubbornly.

"Emma, you shouldn't be talking to her," Snow warned, eyeing the young girl warily, "She's insane."

Chessur sighed, "Mad, I prefer mad. When will anyone get it right?"

Emma ignored Chessur and asked her mother, "Why she's like thirteen? What's the worst she can do?"

"Fourteen, actually, if you don't consider the twenty eight years I spent frozen," Chessur interjected, but was once again ignored.

"The Cheshire Cat was an assassin from Wonderland in the Enchanted Forest," Mulan explained, "She would do any job that created some kind of disorder, but she did jobs for Rumpelstiltskin for a while."

"No, not disorder, I'm not some kind of arse who went around messing up people's rooms. I created chaos, my dear," Chessur corrected. With a dismissive gesture of her bound hands she said, "As for Rumple, well, let's just say it's been a long time since I spoke with the imp, and I'm not referring to the frozen years. How is old Rumple dumple?"

Emma eyed her with new suspicion. Though she didn't say anything. The girl did have a weird vibe coming off of her. Emma couldn't completely put her finger on it, but this girl unsettled her for some reason. She said the strangest things and all the while with that wide mischievous grin. The way she talked about Rumple was strange too. Everyone she had met so far didn't speak lightly of him as this girl did.

They continued to walk in almost silence. The only noise any of them made was that Chessur continued to hum that dark and whimsical tune. None of the others knew it and would look at her curiously from time from time. Chessur on first glance was having the time of her life it appeared. Though there was something in her eyes besides mischief that none of them could place and some kind of darkness that touched her Cheshire grin.

Aurora broke first, "What are you humming?"

"An old tune about Wonderland, any others who would know it are memories now," Chessur said and for the first time her smile faltered slightly. It was just a twitch in the corner of her mouth, but Snow and Emma saw it. The two women shared a look of confusion.

Then as the group rounded a bush a large beanstalk that extended up and into the clouds came into view.

"The compass is up there," Killian said simply.

"If these magic beans can create portals, why don't we just pick one?" Emma asked as they approached the beanstalk.

Chessur laughed as Killian explained, "Because there aren't anymore beans. I don't know what you know about the giants, but I assure you that the real version is much more gruesome."

"There was a guy named Jack, a cow, an angry giant, and a golden goose or harp," Emma listed off. This only made Chessur laugh harder as she fell to her knees. "Why is she laughing?"

"Because what really happened was that the giants grew the beans. Though rather than use them for good, they used them to plunder the lands. Jack was a giant killer, and the beans were destroyed by the giants before they died. If they couldn't have the beans, no one could."

"I like your version though," Chessur said taking in a deep breath, "It's cute."

"So, why doesn't anyone just go up there and grow more beans?" Emma asked as she shot a glare at Chessur.

Chessur rose to her feet and a dark look overcame her features, "There remains one giant, and he's a nasty bugger. The biggest and strongest of all the giants, a bloody thirsty brute."

"We'll have to get past him to get..." Killian trailed off.

"The magic compass," Snow said.

Chessur giggled, "Exactly."

"The treasure remains and amongst it is the compass," Hook explained, "Cora has the means to get to your land using the ashes, but without the compass to guide her to your land, she probably won't get there. Now, if we get the compass first, we just steal the ashes, then we are off on our merry way."

"How do we know you two aren't using us to get the compass to Cora," Mulan asked suspiciously.

"I can't speak for the cat, but for me you four are far safer company," Hook said, "I just want to get to your world. I'll swear allegiance to who ever gets me there first."

"I have no loyalty to Cora," Chessur laughed bitterly, "Quite the opposite really, our deal was based on mutual needs and uneasy, temporary, tolerance."

Emma approached the the bean stalk and said, "Then we better start climbing."

Chessur giggled, "Oh, you tell them, cappy."

"Right, so," Killian said hesitantly, "I failed to mention that the giant enchanted the bean stalk to repel intruders."

"Then how do we get up there?" Emma asked impatiently.

"Cora gave us each a counter spell, so we can climb it," Killian said.

They both held out their bound hands with smug expressions. Chessur said with a large smirk, "If you don't mind?"

Emma untied Chessur's hands while Killian was untied by Snow. Emma said lowly, "I better not regret this."

"To be honest, You probably will at some point, I can be quite vexing," Chessur said only half joking.

When they were untied, Killian held up his hand that had a glowing leather cuff on it, "Cheshire has one of these too, but I assume you don't want doth us going up there. Cheshire, do you mind?"

"Not at all, Mr. Jones," Chessur said with a smirk as she took off her own enchanted cuff. She handed it to Killian, who held it up.

"Now, which one of you lovelies would like to go up with me? Go on, fight for it."

"Don't be afraid to really get into it," Chessur supplied as they both wore matching mocking smirks.

The women argued about who should go up. Various points were brought up. Mulan was the best warrior and equipped. Snow was desperate to get home to loved ones. Aurora had no loved ones, so if she failed they could keep trying. Then, there was Emma who had her son. The love of a mother for her child is almost unrivalled. Emma was the one decided to go up with Hook. She took Mulan to the side and they spoke in hushed whispers.

Chessur took out her pocket watch and swung it into her hand. It popped open and she checked it. Killian peered over to look at it and grimaced.

"Ladies," He said, "In this world, we are slaves to time, and we are running out."

"Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick," Chessur chanted rhythmically.

Emma approached Hook with a scowl. He said lowly, "I was hoping it would be you." He gestured to his shoulder. "Put your hand here."

"That will allow you to climb," Chessur said, "There will be other dangers, of course."

"But, thankfully you have me to protect you." Killian looked pointedly at his arm that was missing a hand. When Emma just gave a small condescending smile, he reasoned, "You can't expect me to climb one-handed, do you?"

She reluctantly handed his hook to him and said, "Don't think I'm taking my eyes off you for a second."

"I would despair if you did," Killian said sarcastically.

With one last look at Snow, Emma started to climb the bean stalk. Killian gave Chessur a small salute before he began to climb as well. She returned the two-fingered salute with a lazy smile. As they started to climb up higher the four of them eventually stopped watching them.

Chessur sat cross legged on the ground with her eyes closed. She could feel their looks though. She just sat and waited for one of them to speak.

"So, you're The Cheshire Cat?" Snow said slowly.

"That's what nick named me," Chessur said.

Chessur was sure that Snow was shaking her head and looking at her bewildered. Snow said, "I thought you'd be older."

"I should be forty two," Chessur paused, "Damn, I'm old."

Chessur opened her eyes to look at Snow who looked extremely conflicted. That was most people's reaction when they realized that a well known assassin is a child. Snow asked, "Do you have any family?"

"Blood of the convent is thicker than the water of the womb," Chessur answered cryptically. She was pleased with the confused look that came over Snow's face. She took that opportunity to gain control of the conversation, "So, you are the legendary Snow White?"

"Yes," She stammered slightly thrown off by the question, "I don't know about legendary, though."

"Oh, you are indeed a legend."

"How so?"

"In the end, we are all only memories. Legends never die in the minds of men and then there are those who are more fleeting than others. You were basically dead to the people of this land, but never forgotten," She said sagely, but the bitter undertone and Cheshire grin gave the words an edge.

Snow only nodded and walked over to sit next to Aurora. Chessur sat back and waited for time to pass. Mulan had set up a makeshift sundial and Snow was watch Aurora sleep. Killian and Emma started to disappear from sight.

Chessur took out her pocket watch and instead of opening it studied the intricate engravings. It was a simple brass pocket watch, but it was free of rust and still had a slight shine from years of delicate care. On the one side there was a detailed picture, a long table with several people and animals siting around it having tea with The White Queen sitting at the head. On the other side, a picture of The Queen of Hearts and her Jabberwocky.

Chessur focused on the side that depicted a tea party. She ran her thumb over a mouse in a dress standing on a tea pot. A rabbit with it's ears cocked at strange angles. The White Queen in a beautiful dress, Chessur remembered it being pure white. A well-groomed hare in a waist coat. A pair of stout twins in striped shirts. The Mad Hatter before he had been imprisoned by the Queen of Hearts. She ran her thumb over the depiction of herself sitting next to the Mad Hatter.

She clicked open the pocket watch. The hands and gears were made of silver and gold. The watch was enchanted to always tell the correct time no matter where you are. She spit on the glass, and cleaned it gingerly with the cotton of her shirt. On the inside of the cover was another picture. It was a woman in a suit of armour and holding a sword up in the air as if she were about to charge into battle. The only imperfection on the watch as that the armoured woman's face had been scratched out beyond recognition and a question mark scratched into her breastplate.

Chessur swallowed the growl that built up in her throat. She ran her thumb over the question mark repeatedly. She had crudely inscribed that question mark with a knife, so many years ago. A playfully malicious smile found it's home on her face, and a snicker was released.

Chessur decided to take a cat nap while she waited for the two to return. She was awoken by a shot of adrenaline that came when two powerful forces clashed. She shot up and yelled, "Who's fighting?"

Chessur looked around in time to see Snow tackle Mulan as she tried to chop down the bean stalk. Emma must have asked her to chop it down by a certain time, that would explain the sundial. Chessur took in the large gash in the bean stalk and that Hook and Emma were no where in sight. Aurora looked conflicted and confused on what to do. Chessur looked up at the sky. She pinched the brudge of her nose and sighed, "Can't even take a half decent nap, before these idiots get into a fight."

They grappled on the ground as Aurora yelled at them to stop. Chessur just stood there with a smile, enjoying the conflict and chaos. She looked up at the bean stalk to see Emma jumping from about ten feet up. Chessur grinned as the woman landed not so gracefully.

"Stop," Emma yelled at Mulan and Snow.

"Emma," Snow shouted in relief. She ran over to her daughter and gripped her arms. "Are you okay?"

"Two earthquakes and a jump from a beanstalk, I think my brain is still rattling, but I got the compass," Emma said.

"I did only what she told me to, nothing more," Mulan said as she walked up to the pair.

Chessur smirked when she didn't sed Hook coming down the bean stalk. With a smug tone she asked, "Where's Hook, Emma?"

Emma looked at her and hesitantly said, "He's detained... for ten hours."

"How?" Chessur pressed for answers.

"I have a friend looking after him," She said cryptically, "We should be going."

"Are you still taking me with you?" Chessur asked smiling widely.

They all looked at her warily eyeing her up and down. Emma spoke up, "I'm giving you a chance, because you're just a kid."

Chessur quirked an eyebrow, "Fair enough. As long as you understand, my reputation is much worse than the one-handed wonder."

Emma nodded and turned to Snow who asked, "Did you really tell her to cut down the bean stalk?"

"If I didn't make it-"

"Emma, we make it back together that is the only way, do you understand?" They hugged. "Good, now let's go get that dust from Cora..."

"And get back home," Emma finished.

"This is sweet and all, but time continues to tick and tock, and we can't stop the clock. So, hurry up with the hugs and relieved smiles, before it is too late," Chessur interjected as she walked past the two, "And I do loathe being late."

-coc-

Now invisible, Chessur tiptoed to behind a bandit who was hiding behind a tree. They all stayed behind their respective trees, but looked around warily for the girl. She grabbed the man by his hair and hit his head roughly against the tree. He immediately passed out with a low groan. She laughed at the way the bandits looked around frantically. She did the same with two others.

The remaining three came out from behind their respective trees and met in the middle. Standing back to back they had crude clubs and one had a wicked knife. The men shook in fear as a phantom song began to sound. They couldn't tell where it was coming from, but the words were sung with a playful melody and a dark tone. Then, after a moment there was nothing but silence.

A club came flying end over end from a random direction. It hit one man squarely in the forehead and knocked him unconscious. Another did the same to the man with a knife. The final man took of running, but the girl appeared in front of him. He stopped so quickly that he fell down. He tried to crawl away, but the girl stalked up to him carrying his companion's knife.

"Stop moving," She commanded and out of fear he did. A creepily cheerful smile appeared as she put her boot on his rib cage. "I need to find a man by the name of Myron Owings, he lives near here. You are going to take me to him."

"Why?" he choked out.

"Because, I don't have a lot of magic, but I know how to rip out a heart, that's why," She said, lazily twirling the knife between her fingers.

How is it? If you liked it, if you want, follow, favorite, and/or review. They make my day. I really like writing Chessur. Think I'm going to keep writing it like this with a flashback at the end and the beginning.