A Red Queen Tale Part 10
A/N: Well we're almost to the end. One more short update after this one and an epilogue. To my happiness, I found the transcript for Child of the Moon online and actually found some dialogue that fit my um…re-telling…of course it was tweaked a bit to fit my AU version. (I also needed to address the one thing that really bugged me in the episode. See if you can guess what it was ha) I apparently have issues with twisty plots, so my apologies if it becomes a bit muddled or too easily resolved.
Sorry for the length of this one, but I couldn't bring myself to give another cliffhanger Again, I have no rights to any of these characters or the show and am just using them for entertainment.
All errors are mine and I hope the glaring plot holes and rushed action is forgivable.
EDITED: I was reading this after I posted and noticed some glaring mistakes so I am reposting this with corrections… Part 11 and Epilogue should be up if not tonight then tomorrow. Thanks again for your wonderful support and encouragement.
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"What the hell is going on here?" David asked hotly as he and Emma entered the diner. They were still desperately searching for anything that would prove Ruby was innocent of killing the mechanic and Emma had been in the middle of searching the company's computer when she received a call from Granny asking for help.
The sun had gone down and it was now imperative that they find something as they had already heard several of Storybrooke's citizens shouting for blood. Emma knew that as a human Ruby was in danger, but as a wolf, she'd be killed on sight and there'd be nothing Emma could do. As they entered the diner, Emma was shocked to see Albert Spencer standing in front of Granny who had her crossbow pointed right at him.
"The former King over there, just barged in here and started demanding that I let him tear up my diner looking for my granddaughter," Granny shouted, as she pointed her crossbow, fully prepared to use it.
Emma quickly made her way around the counter and gently pushed the weapon towards the floor. "Easy Granny," she soothed.
"What's this about Spencer?" she growled.
"It's about that woman harboring a murderer and you and your…father," he sneered, "helping her."
"You're full of shit," David snapped.
"Unless you're planning on ordering something, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," Emma said coldly.
"I have the right to be here," Spencer protested. "I plan to get justice for that boy who was torn apart by a vicious killer."
"You don't want justice," David scoffed. "You want the public spectacle you didn't get with Regina, and we'll be damned if you railroad an innocent woman to get it."
"Oh that's right," Albert said condescendingly, "you also refused the people their justice when Victor Whale had Regina Mills in his grasp. Why? Because she's the mother…oh, excuse me, adoptive mother of your grandson. Now you're protecting the monster that's killed so many of these people's loved ones?"
"That's not what we're doing and you know it," David retorted.
"Oh really … shepherd?" Albert taunted, "These people now see you and the alleged 'savior' for what you are. They've seen that you'll willingly risk their lives to protect your friends and they're not happy about it. These peasants will finally get it through their slow witted minds that only a King can rid them of the two monsters that have been allowed to live among us for too long and your happy little Charming reign will finally come to an end."
Emma saw the almost triumphant smirk on his face and it was as if someone flipped a switch in her mind.
"You son of a bitch," she accused incredulously, "you set her up."
David could only gape at his…daughter while Albert's smirk grew wider.
"I resent the implication," Albert protested with mock offense. "And unless you have the proof to back it up, you're coming very close to libel. Now," he announced, growing even stiffer if possible, "seeing as you two are either incapable or unwilling to do your job, the citizens that you're supposed to protect have got a killer to hunt down," and with that the obnoxious prosecutor left the diner.
David clenched his fist and started to go after him but Emma grabbed his arm. "No David. We can't arrest him based on a hunch, no matter how sure of it I am. We need evidence."
"I have an idea on how we can get it," David said hopefully. "Granny, come on, we're going to need you."
The threesome left the diner together but Emma's thoughts were swirling violently. Something Spencer said was nagging at her and suddenly she realized what it was. "Ok, is it just me or did Spencer just threaten Regina as well as Ruby?"
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Ruby was growing agitated as she prowled restlessly around the large room, trying to burn off the violent energy and suffocating sense of confinement vibrating inside of her. The wolf craved the feel of cool air in her fur and the damp ground beneath her paws. She craved the freedom to stretch her legs and run until she simply couldn't run anymore. When she was feeling trapped as she was now, that was when her grip on the wolf was at it's weakest. Only the plea for restraint from Regina kept her from giving in to the needs urging her to flee into the forest.
As a wolf, Ruby really had no true concept of time. All she knew was Regina wasn't there. She was outside confronting a possible prowler and Ruby was stuck sitting in the room like a helpless puppy. Growling in frustration, she made her way to the window and moved the curtain with her snout, hoping to see Regina heading back to the house. What she saw instead had the fur rising on her back and a snarl erupting from her throat.
The light from the full moon was bright enough to make out that Regina was tied to her own apple tree and a man was standing in front of her. Something flashed in the moonlight and Ruby knew it was a weapon and the tight restraint she had on the wolf was released. She threw herself violently at the closed door, reveling in the loud crack of breaking wood. She clawed and scratched until she was free and raced through the house. She only briefly paused when she reached the glass French doors but then broke through them not even aware of the shards of glass cutting into her skin.
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Albert Spencer preened at the large crowd watching him with rapt attention. He'd missed the power and authority he'd had as King and Regina Mills be damned, he was taking it back. He smirked, knowing that at this moment, that bitch who'd crossed him was being removed as a problem.
"How many of you have lost loved ones to that thing…known as Red or Ruby Lucas?"
Almost everyone in the crowd muttered names of people they'd lost and he could feel the stirring of anger.
"I myself was attacked by this monster last night and this morning one of our own people, an innocent young man named Billy, that most of us knew, was ripped to shreds."
The mutterings grew louder and Albert grew more confident. "We will not cower in fear of this creature any longer! We know what she is, so why is she still alive?" He basked in the loud cheers of agreement.
"I'll tell you why. It's because she's being protected by two people. The same two people that kept us from getting our revenge from the woman who ripped us from our homes – David Nolan and his daughter Emma Swan. They knew a full moon was coming and instead of chaining that creature up, they allow her to roam free, lurking God knows where, while they claim to investigate Billy's murder. But we all know who did it don't we? How many more people have to die before our Prince and his offspring decide to act? Well If they won't protect you, I will!"
The crowd erupted with cheers of support and cries for blood while Albert Spencer had to fight back a grin of triumph.
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"Well, here we are again," Dr. Whale taunted as he pointed his gun at the still dazed former Queen. "Only this time there's no Pansy Prince or shabby Savior to rescue you."
"Is that pretty little gun of yours supposed to scare me?" Regina laughed derisively. "You realize that these chains can't hold me," she taunted back.
"Oh but I think they will," Whale sneered. "Everyone in this godforsaken town knows about the ridiculous promise you made to that brat of yours not to use magic." He grinned at the snarl that curled her lips. "And the fact that you couldn't finish me off in the diner tells me you're not willing to break that promise even to save your own neck. As a little added assurance though, I also administered a shot that will immobilize your powers long enough for me to ...take care of business."
"And where did you get that particular item?" Regina asked almost casually. "Or do I even need to ask?"
"Let's just say a deal was made," Whale grinned smugly. "So, here we are. While these idiot townspeople are off chasing that freak Ruby Lucas for supposedly killing some kid, they left you to me."
"Supposedly?" Regina felt her blood run cold, but she kept her tone disinterested even as she prayed Ruby was still in her room. "Is that your not so clever way of telling me that Rub…the wolf, didn't kill that boy?"
"I'm not telling you anything," Whale replied blithely. "However, their little manhunt has conveniently taken the Sheriff, that insipid David Nolan and most of the town out of the picture."
"You bastard," she swore, trying not to think about how devastated and frightened Ruby had been believing she'd killed someone else.
"Now that's no way for a lady to talk," he sneered. "But then again you're hardly a lady."
"Oh for crying out loud," Regina huffed in impatience, "are you going to do something sometime tonight? Or do you just plan on boring me to death?"
Whale's smirk faded and he was feeling decidedly irritated that the woman didn't have the decency to show her fear. "I'm here to make sure you pay for what you did to me."
Regina barked out a laugh. "Are you serious? What I did to you?" she asked incredulously.
"You took me from my brother and my home and brought me to this cursed world. Why?"
"You know very well why," Regina hissed. "You, Rumplestiltskin and that crazy bastard Jefferson used me. You perverted the one pure thing in my life. The one thing I truly loved, all for your own twisted desires. You turned me into a monster and I thought it would only be fair that you got to reap the benefits."
"You were weak," Whale scoffed. "You still are. You…Everyone in this damned town cling to magic like little children when science is what truly controls the world."
Regina smirked. "Oh really? "I doubt it was science that reattached your arm so perfectly. You obviously needed magic to suppress my own, and I believe it was magic you required in the first place to get a heart to save your brother….how'd that work out for you by the way?" She finished thoughtfully.
Rage flashed inside of Victor and he struck her across the face before he regained his temper. "Let's just say it turned out almost as well as bringing back that sniveling little boyfriend of yours," he jeered.
"You are pathetic," she spat furiously. "You like to believe you're some great genius, but I know your story…Frankenstein. You've failed at everything you've ever tried. Including Daniel," she ignored the sharp pain of memory.
"Oh I don't know," Whale retorted, his anger growing with every word, "making sure you had to put that aberration down yourself seems to be something I can feel good about."
Whale would not live to see another day, Regina swore to herself, barely maintaining her indifferent demeanor. "You shouldn't," she responded nonchalantly. "The fact is, you helped me. You gave me a chance to finally say goodbye to him and the hope that I might finally be able to move on."
"Move on?" Whale snorted. "To whom? Oh let me guess, you're 'moving on' with that abomination posing as a waitress?" He tsked scornfully. "I guess you really have reached rock bottom Regina. For your safety I do hope you keep it on a leash, although I'm sure the little slut likes that."
Regina's blood boiled. "I warned you…"
"That's all you have left, isn't your Majesty? Empty threats. Your brat hates you, you have no job, no crown and no friends." He leaned forward until his mouth was at her ear. "There's absolutely nobody in this world or any other who cares if you live or die," he whispered contemptuously.
Regina couldn't help the flash of pain of the cruel words, even if they were the truth. "And you still have a dead brother and no way to get back home so that you can continue to fail at reviving him," she countered. "Maybe you should be thanking me."
Whale's temper exploded at that and he whipped the gun once more across her face. When she didn't cry out, he struck her again and then again.
The sound of breaking glass and a loud violent growl stopped the attack. Regina's heart stopped as she saw the very angry wolf charging toward them.
"Ruby no!" she shouted desperately, ignoring the sharp pain running down her cheek.
Whale spun around and nearly wet himself as the crazed beast raced toward him, teeth bared and out for blood. He fired.
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David, Emma and Granny headed down the dark street each feeling a growing anxiousness. Granny was carrying the jacket that Billy had been found in, while using her enhanced sense of smell to try and find some trace of the boy's blood. Time was running out. They knew Ruby had changed by now but despite her having taken refuge at Regina's, they had no idea what was happening or whether Regina would be able to control her. And with Spencer's mob on the hunt, things were looking bad.
"Wait," Granny suddenly stopped. "This way."
Emma and David followed the older woman without question as she led the way to an expensive looking sedan parked at the curb. The woman walked around the car.
"This is Spencer's car," David announced with surprise.
"Check the trunk," Granny ordered.
"We don't have a warrant," Emma protested, even as she looked in the windows hoping to find something to justify an illegal search.
"I know, but we don't have time to get one," David said, breaking the driver's window to release the trunk hatch.
"Then nothing we find can be used to prosecute him," Emma argued. "We have no probable cause for this search, and I highly doubt any court in the country would believe Granny smelled something suspicious."
"I know Emma," David said gently, "and we'll have to deal with that later, but Ruby's life is at stake and we need to prove to these people that she didn't kill anyone."
David popped the trunk and saw nothing. Not even a piece of dirt. "Granny, are you sure you smelled something?"
"Here, let me," Emma said with resignation, pushing David aside. She lifted the cover off the spare tire and swore as she found Ruby's cloak, what looked like a hatchet and a doctor's bag. On a hunch, she took the bag and opened it, unsurprised to find a bloody scalpel.
"What the hell?" Granny asked looking at the small axe that was still covered in blood.
"You did it Granny!" David said happily. "You've just proven Ruby didn't kill Billy."
"You mean Spencer used that," she gestured at the weapon, "to chop…oh poor Billy," she said sadly. "Why would he kill a simple mechanic and why the hell would he steal my Ruby's cloak?"
David sighed. "He was setting her up Granny."
"But why? What did she ever do to him?"
"This wasn't about Ruby. It was about me," David replied growing furious. "He still resents me for ruining his alliance with Midas and wants revenge. He wanted a way to turn the people away from me and what better way than to show them I would willingly sacrifice them to help a friend they believe to be a monster."
"I'd like to say you're wrong, but these people will believe anything if it leads to forming a mob," Granny muttered bitterly. "So what's with the bag?"
"It's a doctor's bag," Emma said thoughtfully, "containing a bloody knife, which explains the almost dainty scratches on his face."
"You think he made those himself?" David asked.
"Oh please," Emma scoffed. "I doubt he'd have the guts and even if he did, he wouldn't have made them so clean. No. He had help and I'm pretty sure I know who."
"Whale?" David guessed.
"Yep."
"Why would he help Spencer frame Ruby?" Granny asked impatiently, wanting nothing more than to grab her crossbow and deal with Spencer and his bloodthirsty mob herself.
Emma frowned as she was reminded of something Spencer had said in the diner. "I don't think Ruby had anything to do with it. He's after Regina."
"Regina? What does she have to do with anything?" David asked, unable to hide his lingering distaste for the former Mayor.
"Spencer said he was going to get rid of two monsters," Emma explained with growing anxiety. "Whale already tried to attack Regina once and from what Ruby said, threatened her again while Snow and I were in the Enchanted Forest."
"And Regina had also crossed Spencer back in the other world but still, it's a hell of a stretch Emma," David said cautiously.
"I know, but I've see weirder things and my gut is telling me that this whole thing has been about getting rid of Regina just as much as getting at you. Ruby is just their pawn."
"And Ruby is with Regina," Granny said with growing panic. "Or she was."
"Shit. Granny, you and David go stop Spencer and that mob before they manage to find their way to Regina's. I'll go check on former Madame Mayor."
"But I need to be there…."Granny protested.
"Granny, If Ruby's there, I'll take care of her, but if she's not…"
Granny nodded. "Alright but take her cloak, in case she's there."
"She'll be alright," Emma assured the older woman who merely nodded, not entirely convinced.
"Call me if you need backup," David told her before following Granny.
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The loud yelp of pain and sudden horrible silence cut right through Regina's heart like a dagger and any control she had over her anger fled. With barely a twitch of her fingers, the chains fell away from her body and the gun ripped from Whale's hand to land helplessly several feet away.
Whale began to panic as he saw the pure rage and hatred on her once indifferent face. "No! Your powers aren't supposed to work!" he cried, just before a powerful wave of magic sent him flying backwards.
"Apparently Gold forgot to mention that magic is unpredictable here," Regina's laugh was pure ice. "I however am not. I warned you," she said and sharply swung out her hand, knocking him off his feet once more and the now frightened doctor scrambled to get back to his feet.
"I was content to listen to your pitiful ravings because it amused me," she continued, flinging out another hand, shooting a bolt of energy straight into his chest, causing him to cry out in pain and drop to his knees. Regina was fully lost to her darkness now as the memories of having Daniel taken from her intertwined with the knowledge that Ruby had been too, "but you couldn't leave well enough alone. You had to bring Ruby into it and I thought I made myself very clear about what would happen if you continued to attack her."
Regina continued to blast the man with balls of energy, knocking him backwards repeatedly and the sounds of his painful grunts becoming a drug to her soul. "And now you've killed…" The sound of the gunshot and Ruby's cry of pain reverberated in her mind and she stalked toward the sniveling doctor, aching to feel his poor excuse of a heart crumbling beneath her fingers. Using her powers to bind him and lift him into the air, she stopped just inches away. Her lips lifted in a smile of pure evil, which only grew wider at his struggles and cries for mercy.
"Prepare to meet the woman you helped create," she said with a deadly intention . "It was your only worthwhile accomplishment."
"No, please I…" before he could finish Regina's hand plunged inside of his chest and her eyes slid closed at the almost sensually addictive sensation. Whale's choked pleas only increased her pleasure and she was so close to surrendering to the power she'd been without for so long.
A weak yelp followed by pitiable whine broke through the almost hypnotic daze she'd fallen into and Regina froze. Ruby was alive. Regina yanked her hand from Whale's chest, knowing that the abrupt removal had hurt him excessively and waved her hands again. Two large limbs from her apple tree reached out and wrapped a now shrieking Whale in it's clutches while she raced to Ruby's side and fell to her knees.
"Ruby?" Regina carefully stroked her hands gently over the wolf, her fingers pausing as they passed across the blood-matted fur. Ruby whimpered and Regina knew she'd found the injury along with several other due to breaking through the glass doors. She was aware of the tears trailing down her cheeks but ignored them as she murmured soft words to the weak animal, and stroked the trembling body.
"Why did you do that?" she whispered shakily. "Why would you risk your life for me Ruby? I'm not worth it." Ruby whined and weakly lifted her head to lick at her fingers in reply.
"Hold still," Regina ordered as calmly as she could. She placed her hands over the injury and focusing her powers, she began to draw out the bullet first, going slow so as to cause any more damage. Once the bullet was free, she began pulling out the numerous pieces of glass, shedding a tear for every whimper of pain coming from the wolf. Once the glass was all removed, she quickly evaporated the pile so it wouldn't pose any potential danger. Then she turned her attention to the injuries.
"It's alright Red," she soothed, unconsciously using the old name. "I'll take care of you," she promised quietly realizing just how much faith the wolf was putting in her. It wouldn't be unexpected for the injured animal to lash out at her, but Ruby lay still except for heavy panting and the occasional whine, which cut at Regina as sharp as any of the pieces of glass she'd removed.
Regina placed her hands on Ruby's body, beginning the search for any internal damage from the bullet and the glass. Unfortunately, Whale's continued curses and shouts were distracting her. Not even glancing his way, Regina flicked a finger and it was as if an invisible piece of tape landed on his mouth, effectively muffling his complaints.
Taking a deep breath and fighting to keep her focus, Regina poured every ounce of magic she possessed into sensing and repairing the unseen wounds themselves. Purple smoke swirled thickly around her hands as she called upon her powers and her energy, letting her mind see the wounds as she very slowly began the healing process.
Finally, the smoke dissipated and Regina removed her hands and sat back on her heels as she tried to regain her strength. Ruby tried to get up but Regina gently pressed her back down. "Stay still," she ordered firmly, even as she shifted to place the large head in her lap. "Your wounds are healed, but there was a lot of stress placed on your body. Give it a moment to make sure I got everything"
Huffing with resignation, Ruby nuzzled into Regina's lap thinking maybe having to wait wasn't so bad after all.
TBC
Additional A/N Have you seen the .gif's of the upcoming episode, where Regina shows up at the diner and Emma explains to the 'heroes' that she invited her? Those of us who ship Swan Queen are cheering mightily (though it ruins my plans for Emma Whumping in future stories) however, those of us who love Red Queen, take a look. When Regina enters, her eyes seem to go to Ruby first, and then there's .gif where we're supposed to see Emma smiling at Regina, but I see Ruby giving Regina the old full body eye scan.