Hey everybody,

here's a new chapter just for you! Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Once upon a Time, just the crazy ideas in my head that I incorporated into this story!


Mother had told me about Rumplestilskin. The Dealmaker. The Crocodile. The Dark One. The Monster who still acted like a child. He was worse than the Evil Queen, because he had taught her about magic.

He started walking around me, circling me, inspecting me. He was the hunter, I was the prey.

My head was going through each scenario of escape, but since I had no weapons, running away was my only option.

'Ah, ah, ah dearie, running away won't help, I have magic, remember?', the Dark One giggled.

This was all childs play to him. I grabbed my bag and stood my ground as he slowly approached

it felt like they were staring into my soul. I looked into his eyes defiantly.

'Viridian green, full of fire. During my time as the Dark One, which is really a long time, I have only seen two people with that eye-color.', he stood right in front of me.

Towered above me. Showed me he was dangerous and to be feared, not someone to play games with.

'Yours and..', he paused dramatically.

'your fathers.' He inspected his talons, he looked bored.

My mask of emotion faltered. My father? Was he still alive? Why wasn't he with me? Why..?

'So many questions, but so little time, I'm afraid. But the real question is, why am I here? Certainly not to keep you company.', he quipped.

Oh right. He's called the Dealmaker for a reason.

'Well, Aura I assume,', he pointed to my head. To my hair.

'I noticed that you're quite lost. Maybe a magical compass to help you find the person you need most at the moment...,' purple smoke was evaporating from his hand and seconds later he held said compass in his hand.

'Right now, I would say you're looking for a pirate.' he spat out in disgust.

I eagerly grabbed for the compass, but he held it just out of my reach.

'Dearie, remember: Magic always comes with a price.', he smiled dangerously.

Why was I acting so impulsive?

'What's in it for you?', I asked, knowing he needed something in return.

'Smart girl. See, I need something, something that you posses, and you need something that I possess. So what about a deal? I give you the compass in exchange for your map in your bag.'

The map? What would the Dark One want with a simple map?

'What does the compass do exactly?', I needed to know everything, every loop-hole the Dealmaker could create, making my end of the deal worthless.

'It will lead to the person you need the most at the moment.', he responded.

'And what about the map? Why do you want it?'

'Dearie, you ask to many questions. I don't have the time.', he was getting impatient and starting tapping the ground with his foot.

'Do you want the map or not, Rumplestilskin? I have the right to know what you plan to do with it?', I blurted out. He was a child. He would be treated like a child.

His mouth was hanging open in shock. No one had ever talked to him this way. Not with this tone. I had actually given thought about his deal- not like countless other people who was struck a deal with him without knowing the terms of the bargain.

We just stood there in silence. I embraced the fact that he could turn into the monster everyone talked about and kill me just with the snap of his fingers. Nothing happend.

'Well, Aura, your map once belonged to me. It will help me find a person I lost a long time ago. Just like you need the compass. More than the map.', his voice had a hint of sincerity, and I believed him.

It's true. I will not need the map anymore if I have the compass.

'It's a deal then.', I stated.

'Oh, goodie.', he cackled.

It all was child's play. A game.

As soon as I handed him the map, he vanished in a puff of purple smoke, leaving me with the compass behind.

Killian Jones.

And then the needle started spinning.

Rumple's POV:

My, what a deal. This girl was actually very clever- it get's quite boring when people don't think about consequenses of their actions- until I come to collect their end of the deal. And challenging. Just like her father. Same eyes, same fire. Someday it would be her undoing. But she was interesting. Someone to be remembered.


So...yeah..

Reviews are always appreciated!

Love you all,

aureaborealis