Chapter 4.
The massive magical shock-wave of magical energy that resulted in the Ultimate Three and our favourite villain foursome vanishing destroyed the barrier. That is supposed to keep the realm's most dangerous villains and their children enclosed and trapped never to be free travel across the entire realm. The military was alerted straight away and emergency task forces were sent to try and handle the situation at the Isle. Belle and Adam were informed straight away of their son's disappearance and almost certain kidnap.
"How could three villain children leave the Isle days ago and only now be discovered?" Adam demands to know.
"We have yet to find out sir," A guard answers.
"Send for the Fairy Godmother, she might have a spell or possible theory," Belle instructs the guard. The guard nods before leaving Ben's study.
"We shouldn't have allowed this to happen! It just doesn't make sense how could those three escape so easily. Technology on the Isle is very limited and no one can practice magic on the Isle either." Belle points out angry no furious that her child is missing and she may never see him again.
"Wait, which one of the three is only on the Isle half of the year?" Adam asked.
"Hagon son of Hades and Prince of the Underworld," Belle answered.
"He would have by no doubt been taught the arts of magic by his father," Adam responds.
"The boundary spell ensures Hades can't leave the Underworld and as for Hagon, he needs permission from someone pure. Plus whether he knew magic or not that wouldn't matter he still wouldn't be able to perform magic on the Isle. Unless that wasn't their plan Carlos, he is considered a tech genius he mentioned he attempted to break the barrier years ago with a prototype. But the opening was too small and only lasts for a few seconds and he lacked the materials to build on that." Bell said.
"They found the prototype used it to open a small opening allowing them a brief second to practice magic allowing them to transport themselves off the Isle." Adam theorises.
"Morgana and her son Marcel they were captured on Marcel's eleventh birthday, Morgana would have taught him magic and he would have some experience that would explain how they could perform a glamour spell," Belle says.
"The Gods they will come and Zeus will be furious that the Thunderbolt was stolen," Adam replies.
"We'll deal with them later first we find our son and get the children back," Belle responded.
Meanwhile, back over in Storybrooke, we have Belle and Rumplestiltskin closing up shop. Today was a busy day for them, they had plenty of customers and made quite an impressive profit. When the two enter the back room, they are horrified to see a large portal above the small bed. The outside lines of the portal appear to be made of electricity while the inside is nothing but darkness.
"Rumple, why is there a portal in our back room?" Belle asks.
"I have no idea this shouldn't be possible only the Dark Curse, a magic bean, the Apprentice's wand can open portals to our land, Storybrooke. This portal doesn't appear to match any ways that I am aware of." Rumplestiltskin answers seconds later from the portal a small child falls through and lands softly on the bed. The portal then quickly closes behind. The two adults are shocked at the sight of a small child who appears to be asleep despite the fall. The child has green eyes, mucky blond curly hair.
"The child, she's so small and covered in dirt." Belle notices as she carefully walks over to the bed. Rumplestiltskin follows after the two immediately notice that what she has for clothes is rags and the poor girl has scars and scratches all over and looks really thin for her age!
"She looks around six but she's so thin poor thing," Rumplestiltskin commented with a hint of sadness the sight of underweight children was common where Baelfire grew up due to the constant wars and most of the food going to the rich.
"I'll pop to the grocery store, I'll get a few wipes, food and the clothes store, I'll get her some jeans, t-shirt and jumper shoes. I'll get her clothes for a six and a five-year-old." Belle tells Rumplestiltskin. Belle quickly runs over to shops to buy a few things. Meanwhile, the small child has started to stir waking from her sleep, Rumplestiltskin notices something horrible no disgusting no words could describe it. On the girl's right wrist lies a brutal scar spelling out 'Property of Rumplestiltskin,"! The girl's eyes start to open and the poor child is frightened straight away at her new surroundings. The girl once fully awake jumps off the bed and backs herself into a corner.
"Easy there sweetie, I'm not going to hurt you," Rumplestiltskin said gently.
"W...Where am I?" The girl asks her innocent voice filled with fear.
"You're in a small town known as Storybrooke. You're safe here child can you tell me, your name?" Rumplestiltskin asked.
"Riley, daughter of Rumplestiltskin. I'm not in the workhouse any more all my work, it won't be finished when Father gets back." Riley answers with worry in her tone.
"Excuse me, what realm are you from?" Rumplestiltskin questions.
"Auradom, please sir send me back, I work so hard to be number one." Little Riley practically begs.
"This workhouse, Riley who owns it and why do you work there you should be at school playing with friends," Rumplestiltskin questioned.
"My father owns it, of course, he owns most of the Isle, we have a school but with most children working for my father, he is planning on converting into a workhouse, to him having a workhouse was more practical than a school. My father said those on the Isle no matter the level of education it won't help you out." Riley answers. Rumplestiltskin can't help but feel pity for the girl and those on the Isle, who might by his doppelgänger will won't have access to education.
"Well, dear girl, my name is Rumple," Rumplestiltskin spoke. Riley's face is once more filled with fear.
"Y...You're not my father, I know what my father looks like." Riley replies.
"Riley, the realm, you come from is I believe from another universe of storytelling fairy tales if you will. And somehow, you fell through a crack of the walls and now you're here in Storybrooke, where other versions of fairy tales live and grow." Rumplestiltskin explains.
"My father said magic portals take a lot of magic. He can't open portals this big no can." Riley points out.
"Well someone is or some people are, Riley now my lovely wife Belle has just popped to our local shops to fetch you some better quality clothes and some food," Rumplestiltskin tells Riley.
"Oh, Mr Rumplestiltskin, I-I mean sir, I'm not allowed more than one outfit. My father said all we need is our uniforms nothing else." Riley responded, when she got back home, she didn't want her father to punish her for having something her father would deem unacceptable and not an essential.
"Riley, your father isn't here and I doubt he can crossover," Rumplestiltskin says.
"So, am I not going back home?" Riley asks. Rumplestiltskin sighs he had no idea really. He thought the chances of opening a portal between two different universes was impossible just like time travel. But Zelena proved him wrong with time travel. But by the sight of her and what Riley has already told him, Rumplestiltskin doppelgänger would have more than a fight on his hands to get Riley back!
"I'm afraid, I have no knowledge or little power to create such a portal. However, what I can promise you is that you will have a better life here if you let me give it to me. Here in Storybrooke, you won't have to work in some filthy warehouse. You will get all the clothes and toys you desire. You will get to go to school everything you deserve." Rumplestiltskin said.
"What makes you think I deserve what you offer? And what are toys?" Riley questioned. These two questions really hit Rumplestiltskin in the chest hard the first more than the second a child actually wonders why she deserves what most people consider these basic necessities for children.
"Every child deserves a safe place to live and grow and people who will put them first. And toys are small objects created for children to play with to use their imagination when they are bored." Rumplestiltskin answered. A few tears start to form in the girl's eyes, her father constantly told her that all children are good for is work and work is what they deserve nothing else. Rumplestiltskin conjures a small handkerchief, which he hands over to Riley who gladly accepts it and wipes her tears with it.
Now over at the deceased Apprentice's mansion. Merlin has now taken up residence since he has only started to get used to a mortal lifespan. Although he is now mortal he has retained his magic but rarely uses it. Merlin misses his apprentice that is to be expected as he practically raised the Apprentice as his own child. A part of Merlin now feels missing however, he is somewhat glad to know that now he only has one remaining lifespan before death! As Merlin walks around the large ballroom, Merlin starts to ponder what he should keep and what he should change about the mansion. A massive portal that looks identical to the one Riley fell through opens above Merlin's head. Merlin as a precaution steps away from underneath the portal only to be surprised when Marcel a complete stranger falls through screaming. Marcel lands hard on the floor and seconds later the portal closes behind him. Merlin although surprised still couldn't help but ensure that the child is not hurt badly. Merlin walks over to Marcel and kneels down.
"Are you okay child?" Merlin asks. Marcel's eyes meet Merlin's and for a moment Marcel is touched by Merlin's concern. But that moment soon ends he quickly gets to his feet ignoring the slight pain.
"I'm fine now tell me what is this place? And be quick about it otherwise, you may find yourself a toad or something much worse." Marcel responds. Merlin sighs the boy's attitude certainly wasn't the best.
"This place is my home, in Storybrooke and boy. Back in my youth, we had respect for our elders." Merlin answers.
"Storybrooke there is no such place, my parents taught me the names of each and every kingdom in Auradom and Storybrooke was never brought up," Marcel replies not trusting Merlin.
"Auradom did you say?" Merlin asked.
"Yes, Auradom! Of course, I said Auradom its the only realm in all existence." Marcel says annoyed this wasn't the plan. Merlin then holds one of his hands over Marcel which freaks Marcel out slightly. A pale reddish light admits from Marcel for a moment then fades.
"Remarkable, that portal sensed a similarity with our blood and magic. Your father please tell me was he, Auradom's Merlin?" Merlin asks.
"Yes, the one and only, and my mother is the legendary Morgana La Fay," Marcel spoke.
"Remarkable, I knew there was another universe of fairy tales. But I also thought I would have never seen any counterpart never mind my counterpart's child." Merlin told Marcel.
"If this is true then, I have to leave Melinda and Hagon will be in danger," Marcel responds as he walks over to the double doors. Merlin gently grabs one of Marcel's arms making him halt.
"Wait, child please at least give me a chance to know more about you. Your parents must have warned you of the dangers of crossing realms." Merlin said.
"Crossing realms wasn't something they deemed a topic worth talking about," Marcel replied. Merlin notices the small hints of pain and misery in Marcel's voice and eyes.
"I am so sorry child." Merlin apologised. Marcel breaks free from Merlin's grip and holds his hand out to Merlin uses his magic to throw Merlin across the ballroom floor before leaving the mansion.
"I'm coming for you Melinda, Hagon until forever ends," Marcel says to himself.
End of chapter 4.
