Disclaimer: I do not own any Once Upon A Time characters; or any other previously established fairy tale characters. However, the plot is mine.
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VANISHED
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Tempest
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"You're either very brave…" He froze at that cold voice. "or very foolish…" He turned his head to see the ethereal beauty standing just slightly behind him. "…either way, the outcome will be the same." The young woman finished, cobalt eyes hardening at the sight of him.
"Elsa." Ryan breathed; glad to have found her, despite the circumstances. He nervously glanced back at the spike still dangerously inching towards him. "Do you mind?" He asked, silently pleading that she ceased.
"What if I do?" Elsa asked, stepping towards him, hand raised. Several more spikes shot from the ground, surrounding Ryan. "I'm well within my right to end you right now, Prince Hans." She said warningly.
Ryan frowned at that. As far as scores go, he figured that they were already even. "I beg to differ. Yes, I attempted to usurp your throne, but let's not forget that I've already paid for that crime." He pointed out. "In fact, not only was I banished, by you, the ship I was transported on was ransacked by savage pirates, and I was taken prisoner. Shortly after, I was thrown off the pirates' ship." He said frustratingly, while staring at the pointy ice spikes. "So yeah… you've already had your revenge against me."
Elsa halted at that. "I don't want revenge." She said softly, as the spikes subsided back into the snow. "I never wanted revenge." Then she grew angry again. "But you… is that why you brought me here, because I banished you?!" Then she thought about what he said. "Wait, if you fell off a ship, how are you here?" She asked becoming more agitated as the confusion grew.
The area was becoming noticeably cooler. "I didn't bring you here Elsa. I… when Hook threw me off his ship, I fell through a portal and landed in this world." He explained. She raised a brow. "Okay, I know it sounds farfetched, but it is the truth."
"This world? … What do you mean? … What does any of this have to do with hooks?" She groaned in confusion. "You're not making any sense!" She shouted, snowflakes filling the air around them. She began shaking her head. So much anger was inside of her… and fear. "You're lying." She decided, glaring at him.
"I'm not." He sighed. Ryan knew that things could turn bad very quickly. He needed to keep her calm. "What is the last thing you remember?" He asked, wrapping his arms around himself. The temperature was dropping significantly.
Elsa stared at him warily, but tried her best to remember. There were a few flashes of her next to a smiling Anna in a long white dress. Then a very pregnant Anna then... Then Kristoff and many soldiers out on a battlefield. She did not see the enemy, but she saw a dark force headed in their direction. Then… nothing… Distraught, it took her a moment to find her words. "What… WHAT DID YOU DO?!" She shouted at him, snowflakes filling the air around them.
Ryan grew unnerved by the seemingly innocent snow. He knew just how deadly they could change. "Nothing!" He insisted.
"Liar!" She shouted. The snowflakes turning into ice pins and needles. "You… your kingdom invaded mine!" She shouted at him with vague memories of his family's crest with marching soldiers.
Ryan knew that there was a possibility that she was right. "If that is true, I did not know. I was thrown from a ship and brought to this world. As far as my kingdom knew, their youngest prince had been lost at sea." He tried to rationalize with her, eying the threateningly sharp icicles surrounding the area. "My last known whereabouts would have been Arendelle. And, if I know my father, he would have used any reason to invade your kingdom."
"Why should I believe anything you say?"
"Honestly, I don't have a good answer to that. I do know my father wanted Arendelle. I do know that my failure to secure a marriage to the throne would not have gone over well with him." He held his hands up in alarm as the temperature began decreasing once more. "I wasn't there when your kingdom was invaded Queen Elsa."
She didn't know what to think. Even if what he said was true, how did she end up here? "Say I believe you. It still doesn't explain how I got here."
"That's what I want to help you figure out." He told her, noticing how the temperature began to unthaw.
Elsa could not deny the temptation that his offer would provide her. Though she did not trust him, he is the only thing familiar to her in this strange new land. She hated to admit it, but she was afraid. She was alone. One by one, the icicles receded, melting back onto the snow. "How do I know I can trust you?" She asked, even though they both knew she probably never would.
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oOoOo
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The wolf jumped down in front of the group with a snarl. It moved in a circled before kneeling. Emma quickly tossed a red cloak over it. The small form grew larger in size, and soon stood as tall as them. "What is it?" Emma wasted no time to ask.
The hood of the red cloak fell back, revealing the serious face of the brunette beneath. "Elsa's found Ryan. He's in trouble." She informed.
"Let's go!" Regina shouted, running in the direction Ruby came. They all followed behind.
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oOoOo
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How do I know I can trust you?
Ryan looked at her with the most sincere eyes. He took a deep breath before recollecting a memory they both shared. "When you first unleashed your powers for the world to see, there was a manhunt." He hesitated as her eyes hardened, but she remained calm. He continued, "We found you in an ice fortress. We… the men… they were frightened."
"They tried to kill me." She interrupted, remembering that night all too well. "You wanted me dead." She accused.
He shook his head, taking a step closer. "No." He said, but at her look of disbelief, he reiterated. "Well, at first it seemed that way, but we only wanted to stop a threat... a dangerous foe."
Elsa's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "You have a strange way of presenting your case of trustworthiness."
His eyes widened at that, before releasing a nervous chuckle. "I suppose you're right." He said, running a hand through his auburn mane. "It does sound kind of bad."
"Understatement of the century." She mumbled. There was a moment of silence between the two before it was broken once more.
"Queen Elsa…" Ryan started again, eyes on the snow. "I… I cannot speak for those who were present, but I can speak for myself. The night… in your fortress… I went in ready to battle, not knowing what to expect." He returned his gaze to hers. "The moment I laid eyes on you, I was stunned." He broke her gaze again, in deep thought. "You were different from before. As though being in your element gave you this glow… this light…" He trailed off lost in a memory.
She was stunned by his words. "Light?" She asked, wondering what he meant by it.
When he realized what he had said, he blushed. "Umm… that is to say…" He sighed, forcing himself to look her in the eyes as he spoke, "I did not see a monster. I did not see a foe. I didn't even see a queen. I saw a girl. Anna's sister." He admitted softly. "And she was frightened."
The information soaked into her mind. "That's why you…"
"That's why I interfered and tried to stop the attack. I never meant for you to be hurt or captured."
"At any time you could have stopped it." She pointed out, becoming less angry and more tired.
"I did not have the influence over your people that you seem to think I had." He countered.
Elsa turned from him. "You say all this and yet you still tried to kill me in the end."
"Anna was slowly freezing to death and I knew that my kiss would not save her." He admitted solemnly. "Plus, you had escaped your cell, which led me to believe that I was wrong about you and that what was happening to Anna was intentional." It was hard to tell her this, because he really did have every intention of killing her at that point. "I was… I was only trying to save Anna."
At those words, she looked over her shoulder to glance back at him. "I suppose I can't fault you for that." She grinned as she saw a small smile on his face. It felt good to be able to share a memory of her sister with someone. Even if that someone happened to be Hans. However, just as quickly as her smile came, it disappeared.
Ryan noticed her eyeing something over his shoulder. He turned and could see the others nearing them. 'No, it's too soon!' He shouted in his mind. He turned back to face the snow queen. "Elsa, I-"
"Deceiver!" Elsa shouted angrily at him as she witnessed several shapes stepping out of the thick of the trees. Immediately, she began wielding snow and ice. "I can't believe I was actually falling for your act… AGAIN!"
"No!" Ryan shouted alarmed. "It wasn't an act. Please, just listen to m-"
"SILENCE!" She roared, freezing the base of his feet, to prevent him from escape. "I'll take care of your friends. Then I'll take care of you." She told him menacingly, moving past him to the intruders.
Ryan did not recognize the look on her face. He turned around, eyes zeroing in on one individual. 'Rei.' He watched as his love and the sheriff entered the clearing from the opposite side. Elsa hadn't immediately taken notice of them, too busy dealing with the Dark One, the fairy, and the various men jumping out of the woods.
"Ryan! Are you okay?" Regina asked, worry clear in her voice. She frowned at the ice around his legs and used her magic to break him free.
Ryan was stunned for a moment. It was the first time he had seen her use magic. Knowing and seeing were two different things. Still, it did not change how he felt about her. He smiled at her. "I'm fine Rei. Though," Here he looked to the sheriff. "I had it covered."
Emma snorted. "Yeah, it looked like you had everything under control." She rolled her eyes, every word dripping sarcasm. She then moved to join the fray, "Get him out of here." She told Regina.
"I'm not going anywhere." He told her, then looked to Regina. "Please, call them off before things get any worse."
Regina raised a brow at that. "It can get worse?" She asked, disbelievingly nodding towards the fight. Elsa had already conjured up two snow monsters to occupy the merry men, Blue and the she-wolf. She was now fighting against Rumple, and he was holding his own; for now. "We have to stop this now Ryan." They watched as Emma went to help with the snow monsters. "But first, I need to get you out of here."
Ryan refused to budge. "The more riled up she gets, the more dangerous she becomes!" He shouted through the howling wind. "I need to talk her down! I can-" He tried to say, but soon found himself face deep in a pile of snow.
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Elsa couldn't believe the betrayal. Scratch that. Yes, yes she could. What she couldn't believe was how stupid she was to actually trust Hans. HANS. The very prince who nearly destroyed her world years ago. She watched as the various men jumped out from behind the trees with their measly bows and arrows. 'What fools.' She thought to herself as she conjured two very large and very deadly snow monsters. She was pleased that the fairy chose to assist the humans, which left her alone, one on one, with the dark sorcerer before her. She frowned at his power.
"What's the matter dearie? Not the easy conquest you expected."
"Conquest? I've no interest in conquering you or anyone else for that matter." She told him honestly, feeling a growing sense of unease about him. As though she should remember something.
"I'd almost be inclined to believe you if it weren't for the small snow army you've conjured for yourself." Rumpel said with a grin. "No, no, don't look at me like that. I meant it as a compliment." He said, parrying one of her blasts with one of his own. "Such raw power. Imagine if you could control it."
She huffed at that. "I can control it just fine," she said with a frown.
He did not look impressed. "No. It controls you." He told her, knowing that he hit a nerve judging by the widening of her eyes. "But it doesn't have to. I can help you control it. With control, you'd be able to find your sister."
By his words, Elsa was almost tempted in asking for help, but at his last statement, her rage reignited returned. What did he know about Anna? Shooting out ice darts, she shouted, "Where is Anna?!"
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"Emma!" Blue cried out as she noticed the blonde join the fray. "The magic surrounding these snow creatures is impenetrable!" She yelled, creating a shield to block a hit from one of said creatures. "Someone needs to talk Elsa down. And I don't think it should be the Dark One." She said pointedly.
Emma followed the fairy's gaze, watching as Gold held his own against the snow queen. "I get your point. But right now, he might be the best fire power we have against her until Regina gets Ryan to safety."
Blue shook her head, "The Dark One will only incite her wrath. Or find a way to use it to his own selfish desires." The blonde had to admit that the fairy had a point. Blue noticed that Emma seemed indecisive. "Go on. I can handle this." Emma nodded her head and turned to make her way to Gold and Elsa.
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"I don't need your help." Elsa replied in disgust. "Stop offering it." She then turned her sights on the chuckling blonde coming up on her left. "What's so funny?"
Emma just shook her head, "Nothing really, just not surprised at Gold trying to recruit another student." She answered honestly, "You're making the right choice in turning him down."
Elsa narrowed her eyes at the other woman. "Oh really?"
"Yeah, though you're making the wrong choice in attacking us." The savior announced, pulling light magic into her hands.
"Perhaps you should reevaluate the situation." Elsa suggested, "You're the ones who hunted me down. So really, who's attacking whom now?" She sent an ice blast to both opponents, letting her fury fuel her.
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oOoOo
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Regina was holding Ryan's hand as she pulled him towards the thick of trees from which she and Emma had emerged. The quicker she got him to safety, the quicker she got back to help. Ryan, on the other hand, had different plans as he pulled himself out of her grasp. "Ryan!" She shouted.
"I'm sorry Rei, I can't sit back and do nothing." He told her before running back into the fray, all the while hearing her shouts from behind. Ryan managed to dodge a few hazardous icicles and the odd snowball. Luckily for him, none of it was directed at him seeing as how the snowmen nor Elsa had noticed him.
"This is a bad idea." Announced Regina as she made her way to his side. With a wave of her hand, she managed to deflect many of the dangers surrounding them. He seemed deflected at her words. "But if you're insistent upon this," she began, palms lighting up with flames, "I'm coming with you." She then took a step forward. "Stay behind me."
Ryan listened and followed after. He knew it was the only way she'd actually let him near Elsa.
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Emma used her light magic to block a fierce winter blast. She was pushed back, nearly only her back. "Wow, you sure don't pull punches," she remarked, sending a light blast back.
Elsa was mainly focused on the Dark One, but an ice wall instinctively protected her from Emma's attack. "You're magic is no match for mine!" She shouts, ice caging Gold's feet. "I'll ask you again. And if I don't like your answer, I will end this," she said calmly, ice climbing up Gold's body, "Now tell me... WHERE'S ANNA!" Snow swirled around her, fueled by her rage.
"They don't know!" Shouted a very familiar voice.
Elsa turned her icy glare to the traitor. "I would have expected you to run. It would have been the smart choice." She said coolly, reaching out a palm, sending a massive whirlwind of snow his way only to have it blocked by purple magic. Her blue eyes narrowed as they landed on the witch at her enemy's side. "More magic wielders." She commented before turning her gaze back to the redhead. "You can send all the sorcerers and men you like Hans, but I'll never let you take me." She told vehemently.
Ryan stepped forward, Regina immediately blocking his path. "It's okay." He tells, before she hesitantly stepped aside. He looked at Elsa. "They don't know where Anna is. I don't know where she is. She is not in this world Elsa."
"How would you know?" She asked, lowering the temperature around them.
He paused at that. "I… I guess I don't actually." He said, scratching the back of his head.
Gold dramatically scoffs at that. "Great. The only thing keeping us from certain death is the ramblings of Regina's play toy." At the last of his words, the former evil queen and prince both through a glare his way; Elsa merely looked slightly confused.
"I don't know where Anna is. I don't know how you got here. I barely even know how I got here." Ryan began, wanting to bring the conversation back to him. "What I said earlier is true. These people," he gestured around them, "they are here to save their families, their home." He knew his next words would not be easy, but he needed to stop this before anyone got hurt. He took a step forward, "You need to stop this Elsa. You're out of control." Step. "People are getting hurt. Innocent people." Another step. "I know you don't want that." He was not three feet away from her.
His words began to soak into Elsa's mind. He was right. She knew he was right. But she couldn't… she didn't know how to control it. Not without… "Anna…" She said softly to herself, but they could pick up on it.
"Come back with us. I'm sure we can figure out how you got here." Ryan suggested.
Elsa looked into his green eyes. His oddly warm green eyes. Were they always so kind? No, she decided. Even before the betrayal, they held no such warmth. Perhaps he had changed. Grown wise with age. Perhaps he and his odd friends would be able to help her. Perhaps- "Ugh!" she cried out at the sharp intense pain at her shoulder. Her eyes trailed from the arrow imbedded in her left shoulder to the men crawling out of the brush of trees. An ambush! She mentally cried. How could she be so stupid to believe anything out of that green eyed snake's mouth?
"Elsa!" Ryan cried out reaching for her. Only in that instant he was pushed aside and into the snow.
At the sound of Ryan's voice, Elsa lashed out, sending a shockwave of her icy powers to everyone near.
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Regina watched in horror as the arrow penetrated the ice queen's flesh. At that moment, she knew it was over for them. She ran to Ryan and pushed him to the side with a blast of her powers. Just in time too, as Elsa had released a barrage of ice in every direction. Regina made a shield protecting herself. Some penetrated through her shield, but luckily she appeared unscathed.
"Regina!" Emma yelled from across the way. She sent a blast towards Elsa as she made her way over to her once-nemesis. "Regina-"
"I'm fine." Regina said, once the blonde was at her side. "We need to get him out of here."
Emma nodded, watching as Elsa slipped away. "She's injured. She won't be a problem for a while."
Ryan moved to his feet. "If she's hurt, then we must find her." His eyes then fell on Regina. She seemed out of breath. Immediately one queen left his mind to be replaced by another. "Are you alright?" He rushed to her side, pulling her into his arms.
Regina gently pulled away. "I'm alright. Just a bit winded is all."
"Maybe you should go home, get some rest." Emma suggested, noticing how flushed her co-parent seemed. "We can take it from here."
"She's right." Ryan agreed.
Regina held up her hands. "Hey, you'll get no argument here. All I'm interested in is a nice hot shower and getting some sleep." She closed her jacket even tighter. She then looked at her fiancé. "I'll meet you later at Granny's." He started to protest, so she said the one thing she knew would calm him. "You should pack your things, you'll be staying with me."
Ryan brushed her dark locks away from her eyes. "Sure thing Rei. You rest up and we'll have dinner at Granny's." He pulled her in for a deep kiss, one she was hesitant to return, but quickly melted into.
Regina turned to Emma. "I trust you'll get him back safely?" She asked, ignoring the look Ryan gave her. She was more concerned for his safety and less so for his male pride.
"Don't worry Regina. I got this." Emma told her, looking at her friend oddly.
And with a nod, Regina vanished in a puff of purple smoke.
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Regina hadn't been completely honest about her destination. Sure she was going home, but there was one stop she wanted… no… needed to make. So it was no surprise when her magic landed her outside of Storybrooke General. She cast a concealment charm onto herself, so that people could see her but not really notice her. It would do no good to feed the gossip-mongers of this town; as no one was capable of minding their own business.
She walked into the healing center, taking various corridors and an elevator until she reached her destination. Room 341. She knew he'd be alone. Visiting hours were over. With as much courage as she could muster, she pushed the door opened. It was somewhat dark inside, with little light streaming in from the window. She walked closer to the bed, the form beneath the covers lying still.
A tuff of blond hair peeked out at her. She longed to touch it, but knew that was no longer her right. She then noticed a piece near his temple was white. She frowned at the thought that he could have been killed. She refused to think of the possibility until now. Feeling a slight weakness overcome her, she gripped for the wall, but accidentally knocked over his chart. The sudden noise startled the sleeping form below.
Instinct took over as Robin was jolted awake. Instantly, he sat up in bed, moving into a fighting stance; at least as best as he good, giving his position. It took but a moment for him to realize there was no danger. He sat unmoving, surprised at his visitor. His heart hammered in his chest and voice nearly broke when he uttered, "Regina?"
Regina composed herself. It would not do to give way to her emotions. Not now. Possibly, not ever. She turned her eyes on him coolly, called on her strength, and greeted him. "Hello Robin."
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AN: Thank you for reading. Even though I've lost my passion for OUTLAWQUEEN (I'm more MADQUEEN again), I will do my upmost best to complete my outlawqueen stories still in circulation. Hope you enjoyed this.
BIG SHOUT OUT THANK YOUS TO:
MAXIEFAE: Thanks so much. I hope I get this finished soon.
EBANNWHATELY: LOL. I'm glad you enjoyed the twist. If Hans and Elsa ship, it won't be in this story. They'd have to get reacquainted and he'd have to get over Regina first. So no worries there.
gABY: I know it's hard. I made him too likeable. I almost want to ship them too. Lol. But it's not their story unfortunately. I hope he's not too OOC. I really wanted to show that he's grown since being in the regular world for twenty years. He's a grown man now. So it shouldn't be too hard to think that he might be mature now and learn from past mistakes. Glad you enjoyed this.
EVERLASTINGoNCErOSE: Thanks so much. Ryan has grown a lot from Hans. I think he treats Regina so well because he had his own darkness he had to overcome. And he has done some pretty terrible things. And now he has a chance to right a huge wrong with Elsa. It is hard not to ship them lol
WCYING713: Thanks. I wish OUAT did more justice with his character. Sometimes they keep things way to black and white for me. I really thought they'd use this moment to tell some of his story. Because it really doesn't make sense the way he became so murderous in the film so quickly. It shows that they clearly put that together at the end. Because originally Elsa was actually the villain but her Let it go song was too good to be a villain and they changed the story. They should have then created a real villain. But sure let's blame Hans and none of her own men and people who were thirsty for her blood. Get out of here. lol
wARRIORpRINCESSnUMBER42: Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy all the others as well.
Thanks again for sticking with this. HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR! ! ! ! !
Thank you all again for reading, thank you again for reviewing, and …
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