Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time, only my OC.
The Enchanted Forest
A thick fog swirled through the night air, surrounding Snow White as she paddled a rowboat across the lake, towards a small dock.
Near the dock, a pair of ravens perched upon the branch of a nearby tree, their beady eyes allowing them to make out the landscape below through the fog.
Once Snow White reached the pier, she hopped out of the boat, tying it to the pier.
"How much for this?"
Snow White gasped as she spun around to see Rumplestiltskin sitting in the back of her boat, "Excuse me?"
Your boat," he looked at it, running his fingers along the edges of it, "Exquisite craftsmanship."
"It's not for sale," said Snow White.
"Of course it is, dearie." the Dark One countered, "No one comes to see me without a deal in mind."
Snow lifted her chin slightly, "So you're Rumplestiltskin?"
"Indeed, I am. I've been looking forward to meeting you," he eyed her, hopping out of the boat, "Wow. You really are the fairest of them all, aren't you? What can I do for you?"
"I need a cure." Snow said.
"What ails you, child?" he asked, staring out into the darkness, smirking as he saw a pair of ravens perched in a tree.
"A broken heart.""
Ah, the most painful of afflictions. Well, I'm afraid if you want me to make him love you, no can do. And nothing can." said Rumplestiltskin.
"Oh, no," Snow shook her head, "That's not the problem. We can't be together."
"Well that, I can help you with," he grinned, pulling a small vial from his jacket and moving over to the water. He knelt down and dipped the vial in, taking some of the water before he stood. He shook it a bit and it turned cloudy white.
"That'll do it?" Snow White asked.
"Not yet," he wagged a finger at her, "No two loves are exactly alike. We must make this personal." he reached out and plucked a strand of Snow's hair from her head, dropping it into the solution.
"So, if I drink that, I'll no longer love him?"
He smirked, "The next time you see the object of your grief, you won't even remember who he is."
Snow frowned at that, "Won't remember him?"
"Love is the most powerful magic." the Dark One explained, "So the cure must be... extreme."
"Extreme sounds like an understatement."
"Don't doubt yourself now, dearie," he said, "Love makes us sick, haunts our dreams, destroys our days. Love has killed more than any disease. This cure is a gift."
"What's your price?" Snow asked.
He held up a few extra strands of hair that he'd plucked, "These'll do."
"What do you need of my hair?"
"What do you need of it now it's been plucked from your head?" he countered, he offered her the vial, "Do we have a deal?"
After a moment's hesitation, Snow White accepted the potion.
"I thought so. Drink it in good health, Snow White," he gave her a bow and stepped back into the fog.
The two ravens cawed, before taking flight, carrying the news back to their master.
Storybrooke
Alator stood in Gold's shop, like most everyone in town, he had heard the news of Mary Margaret's arrest.
Kathryn Nolan had disappeared, her crashed car had been found abandoned at the town line, still running with her suitcases inside, but Kathryn herself was missing, and the most obvious suspects were the adulterous 'husband' and the homewrecking 'lover.'
Inwardly, he scoffed, it was clearly a frame-job, it was clear to anyone with half-a-brain, and it was also very clear who the real mastermind behind this charade was…
Regina herself had been over the moon when she'd heard the news. She was undoubtedly involved, somehow, but that would be almost impossible to prove, especially with her little mole, Sidney Glass, feeding information about Emma's investigation back to her.
"So how has she taken the news?" Gold asked.
Alator shook his head, "She's prancing about like a peacock." He turned towards Gold, "Are you sure we have to do this."
Gold pursed his lips and nodded reluctantly. Truthfully, he wasn't too happy with helping Regina either, even though it was only for his benefit.
"It will all lead back to Regina in the end, remember?"
Alator sighed, "Yes, yes I know." he replied, the only good thing about this whole mess was the fact that Regina would be digging her own grave. Her impatience, short-sighted nature and inability to realize her own limitations were some of her greatest weaknesses. She really wasn't as clever as she made herself out to be.
Despite himself, he smirked slightly, Regina wouldn't realize what was happening until it was too late.
The Enchanted Forest
Rumpelstiltskin sat at his spinning wheel in his castle, looking at the straw as he spun it into gold, trying his best to let the wheel distract him, when the doors to the room flew open and an angry looking dwarf and Snow White herself entered.
The potion you gave Snow," Grumpy spat, "It changed her. She's not the same."
The Dark One rolled his eyes, "Well, of course it changed her," exasperation seeped into his tone, "It took away her love, left a big hole in her heart. There is no cure for what she's got."
He shrugged, "The person she was…There's no way to bring her back. No potion can bring back true love," he stood and moved over to a cupboard, opening it to reveal various labeled potions inside, however, one space on the shelf with a heart beneath it was empty, "Love, is the most powerful magic of all. The only magic I haven't been able to bottle. If you can bottle love, you can do anything."
He turned and gazed at Snow White, "But you don't care about that, do you? Now, what is it you really want?" he asked.
"I want your help to kill the Queen," Snow White said bluntly.
He giggled, "Now we're talking, dearie."
"Snow, don't," Grumpy tried to dissuade her, as Rumplestiltskin turned and picked up a bow from the table and restrung it, before holding it up to her.
Snow eyed it curiously, "Now, what is this?"
"This…is how you kill the Queen."
"How will that help me get into the castle?" she asked.
"No, no, no," he wagged his finger, "That's impossible. You have to kill her when she's on the move. When she's on her way to the Summer Palace," he conjured a map and indicated a location to Snow White, "Fire the arrow from this spot here, he pointed to a spot on the map, "and you'll be hidden from sight. An arrow fired from this bow will get you exactly what you need. It always finds its target."
Grumpy shook his head, "I can't stand by. If you take that weapon, you do it alone."
Snow didn't even look over as Grumpy turned and stalked away, she simply took the bow and examined it, tested its weight, "That was always my plan. So, what do I have to do in return?" she asked.
"Do? You don't have to do anything, dearie."
She looked at him doubtfully, "Everything comes with a price with you. Last time you took a strand of my hair. What's in it for you this time?"
He smirked, "Let's just say, I'm invested in your future."
Storybrooke
Alator and Gold strode towards the police station, Regina had certainly gone out of her way to pull out all the stops; she was determined to see Mary Margaret imprisoned for murder.
Ruby had recently discovered a jewelry box, with a human heart inside it, with Mary Margaret's fingerprints all over it. It seemed like the evidence against her was piling up by the hour.
Which was why he and Gold had decided to step in, and offer help in order to turn the situation to their advantage.
Alator opened the door and he and Gold entered the station.
"I'm saying, you should think about hiring a lawyer." they heard Emma say.
"An excellent idea." Gold spoke up, at this all eyes turned to the door to see him and Alator standing there by the door, leaning on their canes.
"Mr. Gold." Emma said flatly, eying him warily. "What are you doing here?"
"Offering my legal services." He explained calmly as he and Alator walked forward.
Emma's eyebrows rose abruptly. "You're a lawyer?" She asked dubiously, glancing at Alator.
He shrugged, "Ever wonder why he's so adept at contracts, Miss Swan?"
I've been following the details of your case, Miss Blanchard." Gold said, "And I think you'd be well-advised to bring me on as your counsel."
"And why is that?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Well, because the Sheriff had me arrested for nearly beating a man to death, and I managed to persuade the judge to drop the charges."
"Asserting your influence isn't what's needed here," Emma shook her head, "We need to find the truth."
Gold smirked, "Exerting influence may be exactly what's needed here."
"What's needed here is for me to do my job." said Emma.
"And, no one is stopping you, Miss Swan." said Alator gently, making a calming motion with his hand, "We're only here to help."
"Enough." Mary Margaret had had enough of their arguing. "Please go."
Emma turned to the two men, "You heard her."
"Actually, I believe she was speaking to you, Miss Swan." Alator replied, pointing at her with his cane.
Mary Margaret sighed as Emma turned to her with a look of disbelief, "Oh, Emma, he's right. I need help. And you need to do your job, or else I'm screwed." She whispered. "So, just please – do your job the best you can, and you'll prove me innocent. Until you do, I need some practical help."
"Trust me. This is in Miss Blanchard's best interests." added Gold calmly.
Good luck, Mary Margaret," Emma sighed, "I hope your best interests are what he's looking out for," she left the room, entering her office.
"I can't pay you." She started, only for Gold to hold up a hand.
"I didn't ask for money."
She frowned, "Then why are you doing this?" she asked warily.
Gold shared a look with Alator, before responding simply, "Let's just say, We're invested in your future."
The Enchanted Forest
The front doors to Alator's castle burst open as Prince Charming barged in abruptly, "Blue Sorcerer!" he shouted, "Show yourself."
"There's no need to shout. I'm right here." said a voice from behind him.
He spun around, pulling his sword on instinct, as he came to face a man clad in dark blue robes, he held an ebon staff topped with a blue crystal. Like him, he also wore a sword at his waist.
He raised his hand in a calming motion, "Lower your blade, lad." he said calmly but firmly, "Your bravery is commendable, but it'll do you no good."
At this, Charming relaxed ever-so-slightly, but not entirely…
Alator gazed at the intruder in an assessing manner, "Now who are you?" he asked, "And why have you come here?"
"My name is James, I need you to undo Rumplestiltskin's magic." he explained.
At this, Alator's gaze became piercing, "Names may not be my stock and trade boy, but I can still tell when someone's lying about them. And why come to me and not the Dark One himself?"
Charming lowered his sword, "Because he was the one who did it in the first place, and I have made more than enough deals with him."
"All magic can be broken. What do I need to do to break the memory potion's effects on Snow White?" he asked earnestly.
After a moment's pause, Alator replied, "True Love."
"So, that's it then? True Love's Kiss will awaken her?" Charming asked.
"Indeed it will, but it's difficult to kiss someone, when you don't know where they are, don't you agree?" Alator said dryly.
Charming sheathed his sword, "Name your price."
Alator took a moment to consider this, before he answered, "Your cloak will suffice."
Charming looked at him in surprise, "My cloak? Why would you want my cloak?" he asked.
Alator shrugged nonchalantly, "What does it matter? It is a small price to pay, and that is why you came to me instead of the Dark One, is it not?"
Charming quickly took off his cloak and tossed it to Alator, "Where is she?"
A map materialized in his hand, "En route, to the Queen's highway," he pointed out the route, "This is the path she's taking."
He held out the map, "Be warned, should she succeed in killing the Queen, she will become as evil as the woman whose life she takes."
Charming took the map, "She could never become that evil."
Alator shook his head sadly, his face distant and full of melancholy, "Evil is not born, but it can be made, it can be formed of hatred, much the same as good is formed of love."
He gestured towards the front doors, "You had better hurry, good luck."
He watched him go, hurrying through the doors, before closing them with his magic, the loud slam resounded throughout the room.
Storybrooke
Mr. Gold sat in the backroom of his shop as he paged through a heavy ledger, quietly conversing with Alator, when they heard the bell ding as the front door opened.
"Mr. Gold, Mr. Indigo." Emma greeted as the pawnbroker continued flipping through the ledger, pausing to scrawl an entry here and there.
"Just taking inventory. What can we do for you, Miss Swan?" Gold asked, barely hiding his knowing smirk, "Any developments in the case we should be aware of?"
"Yes. Regina set her up."
Gold raised an eyebrow. "And this surprises you? Show us your evidence, and we'll get this over with immediately."
Yeah, that's the thing. There isn't any." Emma explained sheepishly "Anything that's court-worthy. But I know it now."
Alator spoke up, "Well well, look at you, Emma Swan, the woman of faith."
Why are you here, Miss Swan?" Gold asked suddenly, trying to hide his pleasure that everything was falling into place, "To spin conspiracy theories?"
"I need help."
"From me?"
She nodded. "Every time I've gone up against Regina, I've lost. Except for once, when I became Sheriff. When you two helped."
"As I recall, you don't exactly approve of our methods." He chuckled.
"I approve of your results," she cut in, a bite to her words, "And this time, I have something more important than a job. I need to save my friend."
"And you're willing to go as far as it takes?"
"Farther."
Gold smirked, "Now we're talking. Fear not, Miss Swan. Regina may be powerful, but something tells me you're more powerful than you know."
The Enchanted Forest
Alator teleported into the main hall of the Dark Castle, the imp himself standing at the end of the table, just before the cupboard of potions, holding a vial that contained a strand of Snow White's hair.
He looked up at his approach, and eyed the cloak in his hands with a hint of eagerness, "You were successful, desire?" he asked.
Alator inclined his head in affirmation, "I was, indeed."
He cackled gleefully as he took the cloak from Alator, and examined it carefully with a magnifying glass, and using a pair of tweezers, he carefully plucked a single hair from the cloak, before adding it to the vial on the table.
The Dark One and the Blue Sorcerer watched, in awe, as the two hair strands glowed and wrapped around each other.
A/N: I apologize for the long hiatus, I had decided to go back and refine some of the previous chapters. I should be back to semi-regular updates if all goes well.