Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time, only my OC.
The Enchanted Forest
Alator stood upon the edge of the grounds of the castle where the latest Dark One resided. It was only a matter of time before the castle's wards alerted its occupant of a visitor on his property.
He was admittedly, feeling somewhat apprehensive, every Dark One was different, and he knew very little about this one, aside from what he had been told. Apparently, this Dark One had a penchant for making deals, which suited Alator's purposes perfectly.
He suddenly heard a voice from behind him call out, "Well, well, an unexpected visitor, how quaint."
He turned to see a man with glittering, scale-like skin as was typical of the Dark One. His face wore a wide, devilish grin, his amber eyes were alight with madness, but underneath the madness, there was a formidable intelligence.
Indeed, he looked more akin to a reptile than a man.
Alator gathered himself, he could not afford to show any weakness, "I have come to make a deal with you, Dark One." he said evenly.
"Of course you have, dearie." the Dark One said gleefully, "So what is it you desire? Riches? Glory? Power?"
Alator shook his head, "No, you misunderstand me, Rumplestiltskin. I have come with a proposition for you.
Storybrooke
Alator stood in Gold's shop, his nose wrinkled at the smell of lanolin. Gold was spreading the foul-smelling substance upon a strip of cloth when Emma's voice came from the front.
Gold rolled his eyes as he muttered to himself, "Well, it is my shop."
Alator turned as Emma entered the back room, watching as she immediately recoiled from the smell, "Whoa!" She raised a hand to cover her nose. "What is that?"
"Oh, this is lanolin—used for waterproofing." Gold explained offhandedly.
"It smells like livestock."
Alator smirked slightly, "Well, it is the reason why sheep's wool repels water." he deadpanned.
"It stinks." Emma stated, "Uhm, if there was a reason you called the Sheriff's Department. If you want to talk about that quickly…" She gestured to the front of the shop, still wincing from the smell, "or outside."
"Yes." Gold finally stood and stepped around the table, "I just wanted to express my condolences, really. The Sheriff was a good man." He said, aware of Emma's wince, "You're still wearing the Deputy's badge?" Emma glanced down at the badge. "Well, he's been gone for two weeks now. And I believe that after two weeks of acting as Sheriff, the job becomes yours. You'll have to wear the real badge."
Emma shrugged, "Yeah, I guess… I'm just not in a hurry. So, uhm… thank you for the kind words." she turned to leave while Gold followed her to the front of the shop.
Alator frowned before he followed them as well.
"I have his things." Gold said suddenly, making Emma turn abruptly.
"What?"
Alator watched as he walked to a box resting on the counter, "The Sheriff. He rented an apartment that I own." Gold explained as he removed the box's lid, "Another reason for my call, really. I wanted to offer you a keepsake."
"I don't need anything."
"As you wish." He acquiesced easily, though Alator could see a glint in his eyes, "I'll give them to Mayor Mills. Seems like she was the closest thing he had to family."
As predicted, Emma bristled at his words, "I'm not sure about that."
"No love lost there, I see." A small smirk flitted across his face before it was replaced by a somber expression, "Look, I feel that all of this stuff is headed for the trash bin – you really should take something." He produced Graham's leather jacket from the box, "Look! His jacket."
Emma recoiled and shook her head, "No."
"Well, look. Your boy might like these, don't you think?" He set down the jacket and pulled out a pair of walkie talkies. "You could play together."
Emma shook her head again, "I don't…"
"No, please." Gold said earnestly, "They grow up so fast."
Eying him oddly, she reached out to take the walkie talkies, "Thanks."
"You enjoy these with your boy. Your time together is precious, you know." Emma looked at them questionably as Alator added, "That's the thing about children: Before you know it, you lose them."
The Enchanted Forest
Alator sat down in the proffered chair, as the Dark One sat across from him, the madness receded as he looked at him intently, "Now then, just what is this proposition?"
Alator did his best to bear up under the Dark One's reptilian gaze, but it was difficult, "One of mutual benefit, a partnership of sorts." Alator answered after a moment, "We share a common goal, we both seek to reach the Land Without Magic."
Just as he finished speaking, a scaly golden claw-like hand seized him by the throat, his amber eyes glinted maliciously, "And just how do you know that?" he hissed.
Unperturbed, Alator gazed at him levelly, "How I know is irrelevant. Your motives are not my business, as mine are not yours," he said calmly, that seemed to placate him slightly as he loosened his grip, "All that matters now, is my offer of help, and whether or not you choose to accept it."
Storybrooke
Alator stood on the staircase which led to Mary Margaret's apartment, waiting for Gold to arrive.
He had called and asked Alator to meet him there, when asked why, he merely replied that they were going to offer Miss Swan their services, before hanging up.
The minutes ticked by when Gold finally entered the stairwell, with a binder tucked under his arm.
Wordlessly, they ascended the stairs to the apartment and Gold reached out to knock on the door. Emma opened it, her eyes widening at the two behind it while Mary Margaret peered over her shoulder.
"Good evening, Miss Swan." He greeted, "Sorry for the intrusion. There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"I'll let you three talk." Mary Margaret murmured before she left.
Emma gestured inside, "Come on in."
Thank you." Gold stepped into the apartment, followed by Alator, "I heard about what happened. Such an injustice."
"Yeah. Well, what's done is done."
At this, Gold's lips twitched slightly, "Spoken like a true fighter."
Emma shrugged, ""I don't know what chance I'll have. She's the mayor and I am…well…me."
"Miss Swan, two people with a common goal accomplish many things." Gold said as he smirked slightly, "Two people with a common enemy can accomplish even more. How would you like a benefactor?"
She frowned at him while Alator resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "A benefactor?"
Gold nodded before gesturing to the table. "You mind?" The three of them stepped towards the table, with Alator and Gold taking seats beside each other while Emma herself sat across from them.
He picked up the binder and placed it on the table, opening it and skimming through the pages, "You know, it really is quite shocking how few people study the town charter." He muttered, running a finger along a page."
"The town charter?" Emma asked as Alator looked over Gold's shoulder and skimmed through the charter.
"Well, it's quite comprehensive." He admitted, a smirk once again forming on his mouth. "And the Mayor's authority? Well, maybe she's not quite as powerful as she seems."
The Enchanted Forest
Rumple eyed his visitor intently as he withdrew his hand from his throat, "And pray tell, why should I accept your offer? Hmm? What's in it for me?" he asked.
"Well, like you, I too have been around for centuries, and have thus accrued much knowledge of magic and have acquired a great deal of resources that would be useful to you." Alator explained, "And while you may be the Dark One," he continued, "you are still just one man, you cannot be everywhere and do everything at once."
Rumple said nothing, but the wheels in his mind were turning. It was a good point, he was only one man, though he was powerful, he couldn't do everything.
It could be beneficial to have a partner-of-sorts in this endeavour, and indeed, if he possessed knowledge and magical resources, then he could be useful, yes very useful indeed…
After a further moment's consideration, "Alright, dearie. You've convinced me, we have a deal." he agreed, "But first, I would know the name of my new business associate."
The stranger nodded, "As you wish, Rumplestiltskin. My name is Alator, the Blue Sorcerer."
Storybrooke
Alator glossed over the copy of the Daily Mirror that Gold had shown him; once Gold had told Miss Swan about the loophole in the town charter, she immediately announced her intention to run against Sidney Glass as Sheriff.
It appeared, however, that Regina had no intention of making it easy for her, if the front page story in the newspaper was any indication.
He shook his head slightly before setting the paper down atop the counter, "Well, it appears Regina's not pulling any punches," he murmured, "Though, I suppose that was to be expected, but regardless, something has got to be done about this."
Gold nodded, "I agree, we should see to it that Regina is punished for such an underhanded tactic."
At the tone of his voice, Alator glanced at Gold who was smirking deviously, "You already have something in mind, I take it?"
Alator strolled nonchalantly down the street taking in the cool evening air when he heard an explosion, and saw smoke rising from the Town Hall. Gold's plan was now in motion, he arrived in time to see Emma supporting Regina as they exited the burning building, "Oh, ow, ow! My ankle!" Regina cried, "Set me down gently!"
Seriously?" Emma said, trying to catch her breath, "You're complaining about how I saved your life?"
The firemen are here. It's not like we were really in danger." Regina replied.
"Fine. Next time I'll just... I'll just... Ah, you know what?" asked Emma hotly, "Next time, I'll do the same thing, and the time after that because that is what decent human beings do. That's what good people do." she said before storming off.
Everyone who had gathered around was cheering for Emma, applauding her for saving Regina, Turning to look at the burnt debris, Alator's eyes twinkled, and his lips twitched slightly, when he saw Emma pick up a piece of the lanolin covered cloth.
The debate was starting soon, everyone was taking their seats, Alator sat down beside Gold, "Miss Swan paid you a visit, I take it?" he asked.
Gold nodded, "She did indeed. She seemed quite, uh, distressed by our little trick." He murmured.
"Well, after that little fiasco with Cinderella, she should have known better than to trust you." Alator remarked as he turned to Gold, "You think she'll do it?"
Gold smirked, "Only one way to find out, dearie."
Alator shrugged as he turned back towards the stage, "Well, it is something she would do."
Soon the debate started, the room got quiet as Archie came on stage and introduced the candidates, Sidney Glass went first, reciting a speech that Regina had undoubtedly written for him.
When Emma stood up next to give her speech, Henry was beaming up at her and Alator saw Emma wince at the adoration that was practically written upon the boy's face.
You guys all know I have what they call a, uh, troubled past." She admitted with a grimace, "But, you've been able to overlook it because of the um, hero thing. But here's the thing: The fire was a setup."
The crowd began to murmur and some turned to glance at the impassive pawnbroker, "Mr. Gold agreed to support me in this race, but I didn't know that that meant he was going to set a fire. I don't have definitive evidence, but I'm sure." Emma gave Gold a flat look before she returned her attention to the gathered crowd, "And the worst part of all this was–the worst part of all this is–I let you all think it was real. And I can't win that way. I'm sorry."
Gold stood up and turned to leave, as Emma stepped away from the podium and off the stage.
Emma was at the bar finishing a drink when Henry and Alator arrived at the diner. The little boy pulled himself onto the bar stool next to her as Edmund sat beside him.
"Hey, Henry." Was all Emma offered as she cradled her drink.
Henry pulled a walkie talkie out of his backpack and handed it to Emma.
"What's this for?" she asked.
Henry smiled, "You stood up to Mr. Gold."
Emma shrugged, "Well, he did something illegal."
"That's what heroes do. Expose stuff like that." said Henry, as Ruby brought Emma another drink, and placed a glass of milk in front of Henry, "I shouldn't have given up on Operation Cobra."
Alator turned away from the mother-and-son duo when the door opened and smirked slightly as Regina and Sidney entered the diner.
"I thought I might find you here." said Regina, glancing at the glass in front of Emma. "With a drink." She turned to look at Henry. "And my son."
"Here to card me, officer?" she asked Sidney jokingly.
"Well, not at all." Sidney replied, "In fact, I think I'll join you." At this Alator and Emma glanced at each other.
"Here?" Emma asked in surprise.
"You know, I do believe they're setting up a back room for the victory party." Alator gestured in the direction of the back.
"Oh, well, you'll have to tell me what that's like." said Sidney.
"Congratulations," as if it physically pained her, she produced the Sheriff's badge from her pocket and placed it on the counter, "Sheriff Swan."
Wait, what?" Henry asked as Emma stared at the badge in shock as more of her supporters entered the diner.
"It was a very close vote," Regina explained dryly as Emma picked up the badge. "But people really seem to like the idea of a Sheriff brave enough to stand up to Mr. Gold.
"Are you joking?"
"She doesn't joke." Alator deadpanned.
You didn't pick a great friend in Mr. Gold, Miss Swan, but he does make a superlative enemy." Regina tapped the badge. "Enjoy that." she smirked as she turned on her heel and stalked away, with Sidney trailing after her.
Alator watched as Henry embraced his mother, Emma returned the embrace as others began to crowd around the new Sheriff and congratulate her.
A/N: So, this chapter has given us a brief glimpse into Alator's past. I'll toss in a couple of hints here and there occasionally, but we won't get too much into depth until the Camelot and Underworld arcs.