"Rumpelstiltskin!" yelled Regina as she appeared in the Dark Castle. "You evil little imp, get over here!"
A man with scaly, sparkling skin and long, brown fingernails appeared in a cloud of black smoke.
"Lovely nickname dearie," he said maliciously. "However did you come up with it?"
"Why did you kill that mother today? What did she do to you?" asked Regina threateningly.
"Well she broke a deal! And nobody-"
"Yes, nobody breaks a deal with Rumpelstiltskin! I know! Everyone knows! But what was the deal?"
"Why haven't I seen you in so long, dearie? You seem. . . different."
"Answer the question."
"You're in my castle. Answer my questions, or you'll be out of here before you can say, well, Rumpelstiltskin!"
Regina sighed. "I'm not evil anymore. I asked for forgiveness a few years ago, and I've rightfully earned it."
"So that's why I sensed you when you were with Ella."
"What?" asked Regina. "How did you know I was with Ella?"
"I was trying to score a deal, of course! And you ruined it!"
Regina grinned. "Good. Now, what was the deal that Elena made?"
"Well, the woman's husband had recently died in an. . . unfortunate accident. There weren't a lot of jobs available. So, the woman-Elena-made a deal with me so that I wouldn't let her starve, as long as she gave me her child when the child was seven. Now-"
"Why seven?" asked Regina suspiciously.
"Why, seven's a lucky number, dearie!" Rumpelstiltskin, giving a laugh. "Now, Elena didn't think she would ever have a child, but a week later, she found out she was pregnant. Today, I came to collect my payment! I was just doing business! The girl, Lucinda, Lexy-"
"Lucy," growled Regina.
"Yes, her. She hid and I couldn't find her. So, I left."
Regina raised an eyebrow. "Rumpelstiltskin fail at finding a child. I don't believe it."
Rumpelstiltskin grinned, showing mossy teeth. "Well, the girl wouldn't have gone with the man who killed her mother! I would have to come back as someone else. Like an old man. Or. . .perhaps. . . her new mother?"
"What do you want with her?" bellowed Regina. "What could you possibly need with a seven-year-old girl?"
"Well, since my last protege failed me. . . it's about time I got a new one."
The blood drained from Regina's face. "You're going to train her to cast the curse."
"Took you long enough, dearie."
"She would never do it! She would never do something that evil!"
"She might if her faithful Regina told her to."
"You stay away from her! You stay away!"
"Try and stop me. You'll fail."
Rumpelstiltskin flicked his hand towards Regina, and she was surrounded by black smoke.
"You will never have her! Not as long as I'm alive!" she called as she disappeared from the room.
Rumpelstiltskin grinned. "That can be arranged."
I hope you liked this chapter! Once again thank you to all of you who read, commented, favorited, and followed this story. The support means so much to me! :) Smell ya later!