Chapter 8: One-Time Hero

Meanwhile, inside the clock tower, Belle is watching the scene in utter horror. She's concerned for her friends' safety and fears for their lives. Having no weapons to help in battle, she frantically tries to call Rumpel to get him involved.

"Belle, darling how can I serve you," the dark man answers.

"Rumpel you have to help the others. There's a creature out there. I think it's an ice dragon and I think the Snow Queen made it. It's going to kill everyone and destroy the town!"

"Why should I concern myself with the beast? I did not provoke it."

Belle cannot believe her ears. "Your own daughter is out there risking her life!" She watches as The Dark Star Pharmacy is partially destroyed. "And your grandson is in danger too! It keeps reforming itself after every attack, you need to help them!"

The Dark One shakes his head only to himself. He knew he had no need to care about whether the dragon destroyed the town or not, all the more reason to free himself from the dagger so that he may be able to do what he pleased without restraint. He did care a little bit about his own child and grandson, but he knew what his daughter might say if he were to appear. She'd tell the heroes everything and they'd turn on him. He felt much betrayal when he found out that Crystal had told Belle the entire story. He had been viewing the conversation from his crystal ball, but fortunately, his wife didn't believe her. His plan was still a secret. He wanted to punish his daughter for disobeying him, possibly by torturing the pirate, but this was much better. His secret would die with her and he knew that Hook couldn't die as long as the Dark One had his heart. He felt no desire to go running to the rescue, that was not his purpose.

There is another roar before the dragon takes flight again. The young woman loses sight of it, afraid for those on the ground. The phone shakes in her hand as she stares out the window. Suddenly, the entire building rocks and the sounds of bricks being torn up reach the terrified woman, causing Belle to scream.

"Belle, what is it?"

"It landed on the roof!" she screams, tears in her eyes. She narrowly avoids falling ceiling tiles. She slips on a few books that had been thrown to the floor from the impact, during her attempt to escape. She's about the go through the front door when the overhead wires break free from their cables and create a dangerous field of electricity that could kill her if she went any further. She turns for the elevator, but it is too damaged to get out of this hellish prison.

"I can't get out!" she gasps. She doesn't know what to do next. She can feel the temperature dropping and the sound of the clock shattering as the beast continues to create a path of destruction. She starts throwing books at the nearest window to shatter it and make her way out.

This plea for help from his beloved wife causes the demonic man to teleport immediately into the library. He finds his wife about to exit the broken window.

"Belle!" Rumpel says as he rushes to her.

He grabs her hand and the two vanish from the building, which is weakening because of the dragon's weight and the claws digging into the roof. They reappear in his shop.

Belle can barely breathe as she watches what her husband does next. He stands in the doorway and begins creating a protection spell.

"What are you doing?" she cries out.

"Protecting you," he answers, without turning around.

"What about the others?"

"You are my priority."

"Your daughter is out there, most likely about to die and you're here…" she cannot get the words out. She cannot believe what he's doing. He's being a coward all over again, worrying only about himself and her. She doesn't need to be saved, she needs to help the others, those who are in more peril.

Her eyes go towards the safe behind the counter. She promised herself that she wouldn't do this unless it was absolutely necessary, but the man is truly being the Dark One. She throws the picture to the side and opens it, grabbing the handle of the crooked dagger.

When Rumpel turns around after finishing his spells, he freezes in horror.

"Belle what are you…"

"You're being selfish again Rumpel," she shouts angrily, tears streaming down her face. "You're worrying about yourself and not others who love you, others who need your help."

"Belle, you don't know what you're doing…"

"I married you knowing that you could change and I still believe that. If you truly are the man I know you to be, I won't need to use this… Go help your family or I will command you to do it…"

Rumpel's heart pounds in his chest as he stares at his wife. He can tell she is serious about her threat, his heart broke slightly knowing that she still didn't fully trust him. He cannot believe that she would use it like this, and what's worse is that she has the real dagger this time! Somehow he foolishly put it in the safe instead of keeping it on his person. He knows his wife is a hero and she will do anything to help those she cares about, but using his weapon like this is unfair, to say the least. He can see that it is hard for Belle, she's crying furiously and she's torn up inside knowing that this was wrong. She knew she had no other choice, he needed to help.

"Belle please."

The young heroine lays the dagger on the counter and glares at him. "I won't use it if you go and help. Be the man I know you are and save your daughter!"

Rumpel swallows before vanishing. He ends up on the street next to Crystal. The heroes have regrouped and the Saviour and his daughter are keeping the beast occupied with their magic while Regina heals the wounded.

"D-Dad?!" she gasps in shock. The astonishment quickly turns into anger, she wants to confront him about his actions, but the battle with the dragon is obviously more important at the moment.

"What are we up against?" he asks, trying to avoid a look at Hook.

Regina is on the ground, healing Elsa. "A creation by the Snow Queen that can regenerate itself as fast as our magic can blast it."

"It's still vulnerable to heat," David adds.

"They tried a wall of fire earlier, but it flew out of range," Robin adds.

"We need to take out its wings, then melt this damn popsicle," Crystal says.

"I agree with my daughter, we must take away its means of escape," Rumpel nods. "But we will need to draw the beast from its perch." He turns to look at Hook. "Perhaps some live bait…"

Killian glares at the crocodile, he wants to rush at the demon and end him once and for all, but Rumpel subtly puts his hand in his jacket pocket and gives the pirate's precious organ a squeeze. The poor man grimaces in pain, before speaking up.

"I will lure the beast away from the tower," he sighs, still glaring at Rumpelstiltskin.

"Once it's on the ground, all those without magic will keep it occupied long enough for me to take out its wings."

"What about Elsa? She's in no shape to fight?" Regina asks.

"The princess will take her to a sheltered place. The Outlaw and Prince will help Pirate lure it into position. Then the rest of you with pyrokinesis will surround it in the fire," the Dark One finishes.

Emma grabs Killian's hand. "You don't have to do this…"

The dark-haired pirate keeps his eyes locked on the demonic man who holds his life in his hand.

"I'm a fast runner Swan, I'll be all right."

She gives him a kiss on the cheek. Hook takes a deep breath and then nods to Crystal.

The Dark One's daughter creates a thick cloud of purple smoke to provide some cover and to confuse the dragon. The one-handed pirate couldn't feel his heart in his chest, but Rumpelstiltskin can, as he gets into position. Only his mortal enemy would volunteer him to be live bait as if his life isn't under enough threat. He knows that the crocodile is merely toying with him, torturing him before as the danger of death drew ever closer. He wants beyond all measure to simply turn around and fight the imp for his heart back, gaining his freedom. But he knows that one wrong move will equal death.

Once the smoke clears, Killian stands at the base of the clock tower, ready to lure it into the open. The yellow eyes of the creature glared at him from behind the shattered clock face.

"Aren't you a pretty girl," he says smoothly.

The dragon cocks its head to the side before growling. Killian uses the reflection of his hook to annoy the beast. He continues to taunt it and surprisingly, it doesn't try to kill him with its icy breath.

"Come on, won't I be a bloody treat…"

The wings of the creature slowly expand outwards and he knows that it's time to run. He then begins to run towards the next phase of the plan. The dragon lets out another roar and the dreadful flapping sound of snow-covered wings taking flight ring in his ears. He runs down an adjacent street, knowing what will have to happen next.

He pretends to fall to the ground, knowing that the beast will land in order to devour its prey. The ground around the pirate shakes violently as four ice claws land on the pavement just feet behind him. They crumble the foundation with little effort. An enormous amount of pressure suddenly pins his body to the ground. Sharp icicle-like claws prohibit his body from moving. The pirate pants, trying to struggle for freedom, praying the others will enact the next part of the Dark One's plan. The long silver neck of the creature extends forward so Captain Hook is looking it almost directly in the eye and he can feel its cold breath on his neck and face. He bites his lip, trying to remain brave while facing this terrifying creature.

Then, right on cue, a flaming arrow lands in the dragon's neck. It flinches and then turns to find the source of the attack.

"Won't you be a beautiful trophy," Robin Hood calls out. He launches another arrow, hitting the icy creature just below the eye. "That's right, tussle with me now,"

Killian gives the outlaw a grateful nod as the dragon's claw shifts just enough for him to wriggle free. He then digs his hook into the cold front leg and begins to drag it along the silvery scales. The beast roars out in pain and turns back to its first victim.

Then a sword comes flying out of nowhere, hitting the thing directly in the eye. The pirate removes his hook from the ice and ducks out of sight before the beast lets out another roar and thrashes around in agony, trying to get rid of the weapon.

The Dark One moves from the shadows and raises his hands to summon very dark magic. He takes aim and blasts the monster's wings.

Another ear-piercing roar erupts from the dragon's mouth and it goes on its hind legs from the pain.

"NOW!" he shouts.

Emma, Regina, and Crystal all emerge from different sides of the street and conjure up flames. The fire forms a large ring that slowly surrounds the creature. It lets out more and the terrified roars of pain as the flames get higher and higher, now touching its body.

Snow watches with a barely conscious Elsa from a nearby bench as a large pool of water begins to appear on the street. She is the closest to Crystal and can hear the teen humming Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash as the wall of flames gets higher and higher. The dragon is no match for the combined pyrokinetic powers of the three sorceresses. It continues to melt and tries to escape but the Dark One is damaging its wings to escape. The yellow fades from its eyes as the icicles disappear from its back and the fairly lethal tail becomes nothing but a puddle of water. It lets out one last roar before succumbing to the flames. The white shape disappears and what comes next takes everyone by surprise.

A massive wave of water douses the wall of fire and drenches all the heroes where they stand. For a moment, it looks like the street is completely flooded and both Snow and Elsa are hit by the warm water, it lapping at their knees and ankles. Snow carefully helps Elsa maneuver through the wet pavement in search of Prince Charming and the Saviour and through the steam that has formed from the heat meeting the cold beast. There is a coughing as everyone involved in the plan recover from the unwanted bath.

"David!" Snow says, wrapping her arms around her soggy husband and kissing him.

A wet Robin runs to a soaking Regina and embraces her tightly. "I'm glad you're all right," he says.

"Likewise," the former Evil Queens says, before shaking her damp bangs out of her eyes.

"Killian!" Emma shouts. She rushes towards her pirate and both of them embrace, nearly slipping in the water. "You were so brave to do that," she says in amazement.

"I did what I could so you be able to…"

"MOM!" a voice calls from across the way. A brown-haired teen rushes forward from his hiding place towards both his mothers. The two women leave their partners to embrace their shared son.

"Oh Henry," Regina says, tears in her eyes. "Are you okay?"

"We were so worried about you," Emma adds, kissing the top of his head.

"I'm fine, but that was totally awesome, you have to do that fire ring again sometime."

"We might have to in order to battle that ice witch," Crystal mutters, squeezing a large puddle of water from her jean jacket. She then throws her wet hair out of her face.

"We will have to apologize to Sneezy for what happened to the drug store," David mutters. Mary Margret rolls her eyes, knowing that as the mayor, she'd have to handle such matters. More citizens cautiously exit their hiding places and join the others at the scene of the battle. Among them is a not very pleased pharmacist.

"Where's your father?" Snow asks, coming over to the happy mothers-son reunion.

"Don't know,"

"Well, we'll have to thank him somehow," the princess says happily.

"Oh, trust me, he doesn't want thanking," Crystal mutters, locking eyes with Killian again. The pirate grimaces, Rumpel's way of warning both individuals of speaking about what they knew.

…

Rumpel reappears in front of his shop and waves his hand to become dry again. He swallows a large lump in his throat, knowing the way things had been with his wife. He opens the door to see Belle sitting behind the counter, staring at the Dark One's dagger. When he approaches, her beautiful eyes meet his gaze.

"Belle…" he begins.

"Let me speak first," she insists. She steps from behind the counter and walks towards her husband. His heart pounds in his chest before she reaches forward and hugs him.

"I'm so-so sorry Rumpel," she sobs. "I'm s-sorry I threatened to use the dagger on you again, I…I just didn't know what else to d-do."

"It's all right," he says wrapping his arms around her.

"No, it's not. We're supposed to trust one another when we got married and I-I didn't when things got tough. And after everything Crystal said about you, I didn't know what to believe… I-I was so stupid, I became a coward and-and almost forced you to do my bidding again…"

"But you didn't and that shows that you trust me. And you weren't being a coward, you were being a hero," he murmurs, patting her back in comfort. "I knew you wanted to do something and did whatever you could to help the others."

"But I shouldn't have used the dagger like that… it was just wrong and there's no way you'll ever be able to forgive me."

"I will forgive you if you will forgive me for being cowardly as well. I wasn't thinking clearly and was only worried about you and me. You holding the dagger made me wake up and realize what I had to do. I want to be the man you want me to be and I guess I'm still quite new at it. But I think it is safe to say that we were both the heroes today, helping defeat the Snow Queen's monster and saving the town."

Belle looks at Rumpel, wiping tears from her blue eyes. "Please try to convince me not to use the dagger in the future, it's not fair for me to use you as a puppet."

Rumpel swallows, thinking of the heart that is in his jacket pocket.

"I will if you try to convince me to do heroic acts in the future."

"I will, I promise," she smiles before kissing him deeply. Rumpel pulls his wife against his chest, his eyes not on his loving wife, but on the weapon on the counter. With a quick hand movement, he swaps the real dagger for the fake one. The real one now resides on his belt, where it belongs.

"No perhaps I can tempt my beautiful wife in a chipped cup of her favourite tea?" he suggests, conjuring up her favourite china teacup. Belle lets out a laugh.

…

Meanwhile, as the heroes and one-time hero begin cleaning up from the battle, Ingrid watched the entire scene unfold in her mirror. One might expect her to be angry that her dragon creation was destroyed, but on the contrary, it had worked perfectly. The dragon was merely a distraction so she could prepare for the next phase of her plan, getting rid of Emma's loved ones so she would want to join her family. She waves her hand in front of the looking glass, turning back into the conventional mirror. She looks at her beautiful reflection in the mirror and fiddles with single crystal around her neck. It was now glowing a very dark purple, the kind that the Dark One's daughter conjures up when she is desperate. She smiles at herself, knowing what she was going to do next. She had to get rid of her "sister's" family…

Starting with her one-handed sweetheart.

A/N: Here's an extra long chapter for you and a good cliffhanger. Thank you for the reviews. To answer the Guest's question, Anna might make an appearance, I'm not sure yet. Stay tuned for more.