Temperance Tales: I do not own Once Upon a Time in anyway shape or form and I give full credit to the creators. I don't own any fairytales not done in the show either and give credit to respectful owners.
Chapter Twenty One: Getting Cornered.
The forest was dark as the night set in. The stars twinkled brightly in the sky surrounding the moon like one heavenly halo. The forest was bathing slowly in its glory as the largest tree in the forest glimmered and the leafless branches looked as if it had sparkling diamonds on it. Bellow stood a man who did not look to be a man. He had a grin that was unnerving and an eager look. His pitched voice then said, "You can come out, dearie! It's just you and me!"
The wind died down and there was rustling of plants. The man laughed his strange high pitch laughter. A woman came around the tree, her slender hands running over the old bark. She was definitely enchanting. Her skin was white, almost glowing. Her hair was long and partially pinned back with leaves of gold, red, and orange. Her grey green dress clung to her tall curvy figure. But everything paled in comparison to the very fierce blue eyes. They were piercing much in contrast to her soft voice.
"What do you want from me, Rumpelstiltskin?" she asked softly.
"So quick to get to the point," Rumpelstiltskin said, in his perky almost annoying way. The woman didn't seem bothered as he continued, "That is expected from the woman in charge of the season of sleep. I am looking for a particular Mage. The Mage of Wonderland."
"And why are you look for this particular Mage?" she asked sharply.
"Because she is the only one I haven't met," Rumpelstiltskin said in a perky manner. The woman looked up at her tree, looking almost melancholy. She walked towards him as she said, "I'm afraid you will not meet this Mage until days to come. This Mage is special, she is not like the other Mage's."
"Oh?" Rumpelstiltskin said, tapping his fingers together, "Why is that I wonder?"
"All I can tell you Rumpelstiltskin is that this Mage will be someone you never expected meeting but will never wish to get rid of," the woman said smoothly. She turned around and went to walk back around the tree saying, "Farewell, I will things to be in your favor sometime soon."
"Where are we going?"
Morgana walked the back-alley ways with Autumn, not bothering to look back. Autumn watched her skeptically as Morgana said, "You will see. Stop your fretting, little one."
Autumn was led to the back door to a store that Autumn didn't recognize. Stopping, Morgana flicked her hand and the door unlocked. Morgana opened the door, she allowed Autumn to go in first. Autumn walked into to see someone sitting in a rather unique office. Her heart stopped when she saw who it was sitting at the desk. He looked up and froze. Morgana shut the door with impatience and took off her gloves saying, "Open up Chesshire, we need to get in."
"Morgana," Chesshire said, sharply but then softened in looking at Autumn, "Alice."
Autumn's eyes looked indifferent as she stared at the Cheshire Cat. He looked a little put out as he clicked something under the desk. The wall with a rather abstract painting parted down the middle to reveal a door. Morgana walked over to it and opened it saying, "You have three minutes with your precious kitty. Don't keep us waiting."
Morgana disappeared, shutting the door behind her. Autumn stared at the door before looking a Chesshire with a raw look. But the minute Autumn began to move, Chess leaped to her. Gently grabbed her shoulders, Chess said, "You're alive..."
"Chess…" Autumn started but Chesshire didn't give her a chance to speak. He swept her into the longest hug, kissing her cheek repeatedly. Autumn closed her eyes, relaxing in the moment with her oldest and most beloved companion. Pulling away, Autumn stared into his eyes as he said, "I've missed you."
"Chess, I-!" Autumn started.
"I know, my love," Chess said, indicated towards the door, "You're needed. Find me afterwards?"
Autumn nodded before leaned up to kiss his cheek. They parted then, Autumn going towards the door. Opening it, she stepped inside.
Inside was a long hall, the stain-glass windows letting in surreal light. Autumn walked down the hall, sensing a strong feel of nostalgia. Gripping her skirt, she found herself in front of a door where voices were coming out of. Opening the door, Autumn entered the room. The voices hushed as she did so. Morgana sat in the chair in a far corner. A man sat in an elaborate arm chair with two women standing near him. Turning, one woman stared in Autumn's direction wide eyed. Her hair was a mousy brown with golden eyes. She wore a forest green long form fitting coat like dress, black pants, and had strange looking pipes tied to her belt. Before Autumn could breath, she swept her up in the tightest hug.
"Oh, Alison," she sobbed, stroking the young girl's hair, "Thank God you're alive."
"Jane," Autumn said softly. The comforting sensation made Autumn warm, a warmth she gladly caved into. Autumn hugged her back as Jane whispered, "We thought we had lost you."
"You all thought that we lost her," Morgana huffed, "I knew she was perfectly well."
"Quiet Snow Queen," the man sitting in one of the seats said coldly, "Your lucky the Master let you out of you little playpen at all."
Morgana smug smile returned as she tapped the arm of the chair she was sitting in. Jane gave Morgana a dirty look as the Snow Queen said, "Well, it's nice to see Ryaden in such high spirits."
The man named Ryaden rolled his eyes and said, looking at his pocket watch, "Master should be here with the others shortly. Sage was being rather stubborn in coming out of his little hidey hole."
"Stubborn is an understatement," a woman said with long pinstraight black hair and a calm looking face. Her dress was long and matched her hair. She looked at Autumn and said, softly, "Are you sure you are alright Alison?"
"I'm fine, Tzila," Autumn said as Jane pulled Autumn to the side where a reclining couch sat. Sitting down, Jane pulled Autumn down gently saying, "I'm sure you're wondering why the ice cube over there was sent to get you."
"I must say I am curious," Autumn mumbled and Jane said, "We lost you. After you left Wonderland you completely disappeared from our Sensory. Master was quite worried about you. We thought…"
Autumn didn't comment but said, "So why are you here? Surely not all the lands got swallowed by the curse?"
"No, they did not," Jane said, biting her lip, "But we do have a problem."
"Wh-?"
"Master! Good to see how well you are!"
Autumn and Jane looked over to see an elderly man come in dressed in robes of blue. Behind him walked in another man near the same age (but nowhere near the same height). His white hair was thinning on top and his suit deep emerald. As they came in, what looked like an older teenager followed. His hair was blond and his eyes brown. His aura was calm even though he was obviously irritated. His black outfit was simple but quite complimentary. His irritation left the moment he saw Autumn. A maniac grin appearing on his face as he leaped over to the couch and kissed Autumn briefly on the nose. Jane hit him and said, "Sage, that's highly inappropriate!"
"Hey!" Sage said, rubbing his shoulder that she had hit. He had a looked of mock hurt on his face. "I was just saying hello."
"That's still inappropriate," Snow Queen said flatly, "Hello or not."
"Well what do you expect Morgana?" Sage said turning around with a look of surprise on his face, "I'm the Mage of the Land of Fear, making things uncomfortable is what I do best!"
"Sage, sit down," the Master's voice was deep and commanding. Sage scowled but sat down on the floor by Autumn and Jane.
"In a chair."
"Bossy, bossy," Sage huffed as he got up to take a seat in the nearest chair. Autumn rolled her eyes as the Master said, "It is good to see you all again. I am especially glad to see you all unhurt."
Master looked at Autumn with the softness she always knew he had. Autumn swallowed as he continued on, "Some of you already know why you are here. Other's do not."
"Don't be coy," Ryaden huffed, "The brat's the only one that doesn't know."
"Ryaden!" Jane snapped, glaring at him. Ryaden rolled his eyes at her. The Master silenced him though with a stare, making him look to his watch once more. The Master then said, "The Dark Curse took the Land of Enchantment as it was foretold. However, something else happened that we did not forsee."
"What?" Autumn asked.
"Something was stolen from each of our lands," Tzila said, "Something of great value."
"What was taken?"
"More like who was taken," Oz said, "The Good Witch of Oz, the monster of fear, Peter of Neverland, The Entrance to the Isle, and Jack Frost."
"What?!" Autumn said sharply, "You mean a Guardian-?!"
"Has been cut off from his powers," Morgana said, forlorn, "I haven't even been able to find him here. That's why the winters have been…mild. I can take over part of his duties but he is much more powerful than I."
"If it wasn't for my Island being cut off from the other worlds, I would congratulate the bloke," Ryaden said dryly, "It takes a lot to mess with old Jack."
Morgana narrowed her eyes as the man in green said warningly, "Ryaden, watch yourself."
"The only thing we don't know is what was taken from your world," the Master said to Alison, "Your's and Tzila's."
"That's why we had to make sure of your loyalty," Morgana said indifferently, "Because we weren't sure if you were taken by this… being as well."
Autumn looked at Jane surprised, who was hanging her head ashamed. So it wasn't just the Snow Queen that wanted her to do it. Autumn looked quiet as she looked back towards the Master.
"So do we know who did it?" Tzila asked, looking at the Master, "The Evil Queen Regina perhaps."
"My money is on Rumpelstiltskin," Ryaden said, shooting Autumn a sharp look. Autumn glared back at him as did Jane. Autumn felt Jane squeeze her hand as Master said, wearily, "No, no this has nothing to do with either one of them. It is an Anti-magic user."
The silence was so dead you could have heard a pin drop. Everyone's emotion died from their faces. Anti-Magic, it was deadly stuff if used by the wrong person; it was the only thing that true love can't overcome with ease, if at all. Worry, and a bit of panic set in as Autumn heard Sage ask sharply, "Are you sure Master?"
"Positive, I've checked the border of Storybrooke and I've seen it just layering the outside of the boundary. Which means no person from our lands can leave without consequences," Master said, "I am not sure who is missing from Wonderland just yet, I will be going to check in after this meeting. But I must set out a warning. If this anti magic user has done just this, it means war is brewing on the horizon. I have already talked with the Guardians of the Seasons of Sleep and Life, both have confirmed this fact. Be on your guard, I cannot guarantee anyone's safety."
"Dare I ask why we are just hearing about this now?" Sage asked almost bored. Master glanced at Sage, almost irritated as he said, "Because up till now, I couldn't summon all of the Mages. Now that I can, we can be prepared for the darkness that is coming. Whatever this is, I have a feeling it will stop at nothing to keep the citizens of Storybrooke from returning home."
"So it still exists?"
Everyone looked at Autumn, who was staring at the Master. He looked at her firmly and nodded. Finally, he said, "Everyone else may go; I have something I need to discuss with Alison."
Autumn watched everyone get up to leave as Jane squeezed Autumn in a brief hug. Jane released her and walked towards the exit. Snow Queen looked over at Autumn with almost a mocking expression. Giving a brief glare, Autumn watched everyone leave the room. There was a clearing of the throat when Autumn heard the Master say, "You should be more careful with yourself here. You know Ryaden and Morgana look to cause trouble."
"It doesn't mean it doesn't bug me, Master," Autumn mumbled. The Master chuckled weakly and he said, "Come here child. Let me see you."
Autumn stood up and walked over to him. He watched her, examining her closely. His eyes became sad as he watched her, guilty almost. Autumn was confused when he said, "I am sorry child. I am sorry for giving you a task that would instigate his wrath."
"There's nothing that could be done about it," Autumn said, glumly, "You had to be sure I could be trusted."
"It still doesn't make my decision any less cruel," The Master said, reaching out to take her hands. He pulled her closer as he said, "I hope that in time, we Mages will make up for the act you had to commit today. The sacrifice that might occur."
The Master looked at her questioningly as he asked, "Does Rumpelstiltskin know?"
"No, he doesn't," Autumn said, miserably, "I couldn't tell him."
"Why? My apprentice, surely if he knew he might be more forgiving."
"If he knew, his love would only come from him loving another who is dead," Autumn said, choking on her words a bit, "Not because he loves me."
The Master looked momentarily surprised but Autumn did not pick up on it. The Master watched her intently as he said softly, "There may be something we can do for you yet child."
"What?" Autumn asked, baffled.
"I must go away soon," Master said, as if he did not hear her, "With your permission, I would like to investigate Wonderland further. If you are not the thing that was taken, I want to know what was."
"You have my blessing," Autumn said.
Autumn suddenly felt something being pressed into her hands and she looked to see a small scroll. Autumn looked up at him and Master said, "I will not be returning from Wonderland for a long time. It is up to you to break the curse of the Dark One."
Autumn swallowed, anxiety filling her stomach. The Master looked at her with expectance, as if he was reminding her that it was not an option.
"I fear that only you will be able to accomplish such a feat, being who you are."
"We'll see about that." Autumn went to go walk away. She paused, looking at the man who had helped her so much and said, "I could get your hat back from Rumpelstiltskin. I would feel better if your powers were at your peak."
His smile was nostalgic as he said, "No, there is no need. Rumpelstiltskin took that hat fair and square. Do not forget, there is such a thing as too much power, my dear apprentice."
S.C.
"Well that looks nasty."
Jefferson froze, before attending to the cuts on his arm again. He didn't even bother to look back as he spoke, "Just a bit of a scuff, nothing to serious. Don't worry, Gold. I did what you asked. Right now, Kathryn Nolan is slowly making her way back into town."
"While that is a comfort, that is not what I came here to talk about," Gold said walking into the room. The hatter still paid him no heed as Gold said, "I'm here to talk about Autumn, and the recent revelation in a breakout that occurred in the asylum."
"Yes, I'm surprised that you would even dare to leave Belle alone, giving the circumstances," Jefferson said, cleaning off the injury with a little wince. Getting kick boxed out the window may not have been the worst thing to have ever happened to him, but it still hurt much more than Jefferson would have liked. Gold didn't seem too bothered on the outside as Gold said, "No, she's downstairs waiting in your sitting room. Right now, I have a few questions to ask you."
Jefferson didn't say anything, which left an opening for Gold.
"When did you find out about Belle?"
"When Autumn came to me about a while ago," Jefferson said, disinterested, "It was the day you were arrested when Autumn found her by sheer chance."
"Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't you bring her to me sooner?" Gold said, sounding accusatory. Jefferson then said agitated, "Because Regina had too much attention on you at the moment. I waited until she was preoccupied with the whole Darren fiasco and I was able to rescue her. As to why she didn't tell you…"
Jefferson spared Gold a glance as he said, "I think her exact words were, 'He's a blithering idiot when it comes to her."
Gold gripped his cane tightly and Jefferson said, "Look, I get your fuming-."
"Thank you for that wonderful insight," Gold said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"But don't blame Alice," Jefferson said, walking towards Rumpelstiltskin with a growing look of wary, "She wanted to free Belle. The minute she saw her, Alice wanted to bring her to you. But you had too many encounters with the Queen for it to be considered safe. She wanted Belle to be able to have the choice."
Gold's look of impassiveness never faded as he said, his voice sounding angry, "I'm growing tired of these damn secrets. If she's not going to tell me anything, I cannot help her!"
"You brainless hypocrite," Jefferson snarled, "You talk of her keeping secrets, but let's see how many you carry! How about the one where you're the one who suggested that something tragic happen to Kathryn? Or better yet, how about the one where you're on such good terms with the Queen of Hearts that you taught her how to bypass the seal that keeps her in the castle!"
"I had no idea she would use it to sick that curse on the child, I thought she was going to use it to escape!" snarled Gold. Jefferson sneered and said, "Well she didn't! She used it and it destroyed that young girl's life! And you accuse her of having secrets. You don't deserve her."
Jefferson turned away, swearing under his breath. Gold looked at Jefferson stone faced as he said lowly, "At least we can agree on that."
Gold left the room without another world while Jefferson fumed over. Damn it, Jefferson's fist balled around the hammer sitting on the table. Finally flinging around, Jefferson let it crash into one of the shelves. The glass crashed and all the hats fell to the floor. Jefferson then looked out the window to see Gold driving away in his car. That man was beyond infuriating.
S.C.
"What happened?"
The Cheshire Cat was sitting at his desk, playing with his pen as he leaned back. Autumn was sitting up on his desk, her legs crossed. Letting out a big sigh, Chess said, "I was with the Hatter. It was about half a year or so after you had left. We were getting ready the Doorway so Jefferson could leave. However, we were ambushed by the Evil Queen's soldiers. I tried fighting them off, in hopes that Jefferson could get through the door. But we weren't successful. The queen's men took us and locked us away till her curse. Told me it was punishment for interfering."
Chesshire made a face and said, "28 years I've been stuck in this form, I will never forgive her. And what's worse is that I didn't even remember your pretty face when I knocked you down. OR when you came into my shop."
Autumn laughed softly and he reached out to touched her face. In pushing back her hair, he saw a white scar on her forehead which made him look sad. Autumn looked at him curiously when he asked, "Is it true?"
"Is what true?" Autumn asked, looking confused.
"Did he really hurt you?"
Autumn sighed, now realizing what he was talking about. Autumn then said in a somewhat haunted voice, "Depends what you mean by hurt."
Chesshire looked aghast as he stood up. He was level with her now as he said, "This callousness inside isn't like you, you were much happier in Wonderland."
"I had reason's to be a lot happier," Autumn murmured, "How did you remember anyway?"
"After you came across me in my shop, I went home to find this on my doorstep," Chesshire turned to pick up something out of a box. She froze to see a hat of black velvet with a silk blue ribbon. The top of the hat was decorated with many shades of blue and had an interesting black design upon it. Reaching out, Autumn took it saying, "the hat…the one Hatter made for me."
"Yes," Chesshire said, "After I touched it, I remembered everything…but I couldn't find you."
Autumn put the hat down and reached out to run her fingers through his hair. It was something she did to comfort him, even though he had been in cat form when she did it. It was still soft and silky like his fur (even though it was not the same color). Autumn says, "It's doesn't matter, I'm here now. And you're safe, well as safe as you can get."
"I hate to break up this little reunion, but Autumn and I need to talk."
Autumn looked around to see Gold shutting the shop door. Gold looked impassive as he said, "Please leave, Cat, I have no interest with talking around you."
Autumn narrowed her eyes but Chess left to go to the front of the shop. Disappearing from the room, Chesshire shut the door. Autumn hopped off the desk and said, "Ready to kill me yet?"
"Oh no, no, no," Gold said, walking towards her, "Believe me I have something much more sinister in mind. But first, I want to get out of this shop."
"Don't be so mean, Chesshire didn't do anything to you." Autumn said, passing by him to go outside. Gold stopped to see her out on her coat and pause. Walking back over to her, Gold asked, "Is there something wrong dearie?"
"No," Autumn said, but her voice sounded otherwise. Gold looked annoyed now as he led her out of the shop saying, "You and I need to talk."
"I gathered that much," Autumn said and Gold said, "Don't be a smart mouth Alice, I am not in the mood."
"Testy," Autumn said, "And I told you that's not my name."
"So you tell me," Gold said, as they walked out of the alley. Autumn looked at him, a sinking feeling beginning to grow in her stomach. But she didn't let it show on her face, she wasn't going to let anyone see her discomfort. She looked ahead as she asked, "So now you don't believe me?"
"I never said that," Gold said frowning down at her briefly. Autumn didn't look at him anymore but looked ahead and said, "But you're definitely implying something."
"Yes, I'm implying something dearie," Gold said, looking around the town, "I'm implying that you are still hiding things from me."
"I told you," Autumn said, trying to sound as carefree as possible, "I answer all the questions you ask. It is up to you to ask them directly."
"Is that right?" Gold said, as Autumn began to walk a little ahead, "Then I have a question for you. What other secrets are you hiding from me?"
Autumn smiled, almost coyly. Inside she was uncomfortable and nervous; she knew it would soon come back down to this. But it was alright, he had Belle. He would have his happily ever after, even if Autumn would not. Besides with the Master's order being to take away his powers… she couldn't even stomach that. Turning around, Autumn said, "I have many secrets that I hide: One being that I knew where Belle was, which is no longer a secret. The other being that my magic is something that must be constantly used in order to keep it from exploding. Another is that while there might not have been a way from the first floor of my old home to the second: there was a way from the first floor to the third. The other secret is one you're not ready for yet."
"You see," Gold said almost agitated, "This is what I'm talking about!"
"What?" Autumn looked back only to have him pull her to the side. She found herself in front of his shop as he pulled her inside. She hadn't even realized they were by the shop. Gold closed the door and turn to her. Bending down, he took her arms and said, "Why won't you tell me the secret? Why can you not be vague for just once when I ask you a question!?"
"Because you haven't had the guts to stick it to me yet," Autumn said, almost shooting her words through his heart, "Every time you've wanted to know for some reason you let it drop."
Gold finally stood up giving her an incomprehensible look. He walked over to the desk and Autumn sighed. She had not meant to make it sound like that, but... Turning around to watch him go around his desk, Autumn said, "Look, I'm sorry. Call me chicken, call me a coward, but this secret its- it's complicated."
"Fine, then till the day you can be honest with me," Gold said, his voice angry, "I do not want to see you in this shop or at my home! Now that Kathryn is back, she'll take care of you. Or go back to your Mad Hatter or lazy kitty cat! I don't care. Just get out of my sight."
Autumn felt her heart get stabbed repeatedly, but didn't say a word. Her insides were on fire but she didn't scream. Her face was still with no expression. Inside her control was slipping, falling into darkness. But she still showed nothing. With every last amount of energy she had, Autumn said, with pure honesty, "That's fair enough...Goodbye Mr. Gold."
Turning on her heel, Autumn walked towards the door. Opening it, she said as she left, "I guess you did wish to get rid of me after all."
Autumn shut the door behind her, feeling the outer mask slowly slipping. Walking away from the shop, Autumn began to shiver slightly. Going through the alley ways towards the stables. Her eyes became watery as she walked. It had been too good to be true, much too good to be true. All of it over, all because she was too much of a coward. Tears slipped down her cheeks slowly.
Once again she was alone.
Choking on a sob, she fled away from the town. It felt like her heart shattered and the damn broke as she cried as she ran. For a split second, she had let herself believe that he might love her enough to keep her… but like every foster child she had ever known, she had been put in her place.
She belonged to no one. She was disposable.
And she was tired of it.
She kept running, running farther and farther away from town. The pain made her head spin and everything in her body ached. She didn't even care if she ran right over the town line. But someone, as usual, cared enough to stop her with two strong arms circling her waist. Autumn thrashed, struggling against him only for him to hug her even tighter.
"I'm sorry," Jefferson gasped, as the sobbing girl went limp in his arms, "I am so sorry."
Elsewhere, Henry was sitting in his room, looking through the book. It wasn't his, but it was Autumn's. He was alone and looking rather determined. He flipped through page after page, wondering if there would be anything in here that would help him figure out what was eating his friend alive inside. He finally flipped the page to see something sticking out of the book. Taking the paper, he saw the title on the paper: Birth Certificate. He saw the words Alison Marie Kinsleigh.
Then his stomach dropped as he saw the words Baelfire Collins Kinsleigh.
