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. I give credit to Bizzarieve for all the help. So we now approach the second season of ALISON, I hope you enjoyed the first season.
Chapter Twenty Five: Savior's Alliance
Autumn rushed after Emma as the nurses sped Henry down the hall into the ER. Dr. Whale looked at the nurse, frantically trying to getting Henry stabilized. Autumn stood near the door, looking on terrified. Nothing they could do would save him, Autumn knew that much already. Emma was yelling, "-He took a bite of this and collapsed!"
Dr. Whale checked Henry saying, "There are no signs of neurotoxins. Is there anything else you remember, convulsions-?"
"I've already told you everything now do something!" Emma snapped storming away from the bed over to Henry's backpack. Autumn walked over to Emma looking from her to Whale as he said, "Look there is no signs of him being poison, so whatever this is this is not the culprit!"
Autumn almost scoffed in disbelief as Emma asked, "What else could it be?"
"I don't know, it's like…" Dr. Whale said, looking from her to Henry. Emma looked down on the bed and saw Henry's book. Autumn watched Emma intently, her heart beating faster. Emma then said reaching down to touch the book, "Like Magic."
Upon touching the book, Emma froze up almost gasping. Autumn's jaw dropped as she felt the magical pulse run through Emma. It was happening, she was remembering. Autumn smiled, watching Emma open her eyes. She looked over at Autumn and reached out touching Autumn's face. Autumn couldn't help but grin and said, "It's about time."
"Where's my son?!"
Emma's look grew dark as Autumn looked a little alarmed. Emma turned on her heel grabbing Regina by the arm. Autumn raced after Emma as she dragged Regina into a medical closet. Throwing Regina into the shelving unit, Regina screamed, "What the hell are you doing?!"
"Emma!" Autumn shouted, shutting the door. Emma paid her no heed as she grabbed Regina and pinned her to the metal cabinet. Autumn watched on in shock as Regina screamed, "Stop that's my son!"
"He's sick because of you!" Emma boomed, her face dangerous looking, "That's apple turnover you gave me, he ate it!"
Regina froze and said shakily, "What? It was meant for you!"
"It's true, isn't it?!" Emma snapped and Regina said, trying to recover herself, "What are you talking about-?"
"It's true, isn't it?!" Emma pinned Regina tighter and Regina look defeated. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes as she said, "Yes."
"I was leaving town, why couldn't you let things be?!" Emma shouted, looking angry and frantic all at once. Autumn was frozen, half impressed half terrified. Regina glared at Emma saying, "Because as long as you're alive, Henry will never be mine!"
"He will never be anyone's until you fix this, you wake him up!"
"I can't!" Regina finally had tears coming down and Emma said, "Don't you have magic?"
"That was the last of it… it was supposed to put you to sleep!" Regina pushed Emma away and walked over to the shelving unit. Regina looked at Autumn desperately and said, "I suppose you don't have enough magic to undo this?"
"I have magic, but not to undo this! You just had to use a curse that couldn't be easily undone!" Autumn snapped, her voice cracking. True love… it was the only way to break this. But she couldn't create something like that, that's not how it worked. Emma looked at Autumn and then Regina saying, "Then what do we do?"
"We need help," Regina said, sighing, "There is only one other person that's able to help us, that remembers magic."
"Mr. Gold," Emma said in realization.
"Actually he goes by Rumpelstiltskin," Regina said, crossly. Emma looked horrified and Autumn sighed. Emma looked at Autumn saying, "You knew?"
"Yeah, so did Henry," Autumn said, looking at Emma surprised, "I thought he told you."
"No, he didn't," Emma said, looking pained. It was all too much. Autumn then said, "We should probably get to Gold."
Emma nodded and walked over to Autumn, grasping her shoulder. Leading her out of the room, Emma glanced back to see Regina following. Glancing back down at Autumn, Emma said, softly, "I'm sorry I didn't believe you..."
"It's okay," Autumn said, just as soft. She looked up at Emma with an innocent understanding and continued, "I'm sorry it had to turn out like this."
"Will Gold really be able to fix this?" Emma asked, sounding unsure. Autumn's face went serious and said, "We are going to have to play his game Emma. And that can end really badly if we don't do this right."
Emma nodded and Autumn said, "Look, just remember he always has a price to pay. But he isn't going to hurt anyone… he just wants his son."
Emma nodded, her face deep in thought as they left to hospital. Autumn felt Regina walking closer behind them, anger radiating off of her. Autumn shifted uncomfortably, her eyes narrowing. The air was getting colder as it got darker. It must have been late, but Autumn didn't care. This couldn't wait any longer, even if she felt nervous about seeing Gold again.
Especially if he had found the box.
Regina was staring at Autumn intently, a dark look overcoming her face. Emma looked up to see the sign for Gold's shop and stopped Autumn. Emma looked down at Autumn and said, "Wait. Stay out here."
"Why?" Autumn asked and Emma said, "I don't want him asking for something that's not from Regina or I. Just wait here while we get what we need."
"I agree," Regina said, her voice firm. Autumn gave her a look and Regina said, "You may not believe me, but I don't want you harmed. Especially with Henry's life in danger."
"He's not going to hurt me," Autumn said and Regina spared her a somewhat pained look. Patting Autumn's shoulder, Regina said, "Not intentionally, he wouldn't."
Autumn watched Regina leave with a strange expression on her face. Emma glanced at Regina's back before saying, "Does she know?"
"I'm not sure," Autumn said, with wary interest, "I'll wait here, just come and get me when you're done. We'll need to move fast."
"Right," Emma patted Autumn's shoulder and walked after Regina. Autumn retreated into the shadows, watching Emma and Regina retreat into the shop. Letting out a sigh, Autumn leaned back. Pulling the potion out of her pocket, Autumn looked sad. Things would be very different now...she could no longer play innocent or coy. Her duties as Mage must come first, now that Master was away. Looking up at the sky, Autumn could now feel the pulsing Anti Magic. The curse was weakening, and soon it would be about to break. Her eyes went glassy as she stared up into the midnight sky. Swallowing, Autumn said, "Did you help her?"
Jefferson came out of the shadows, his face miserable. It was enough of an answer, one that did hurt. But for some reason she wasn't mad. Something else concerned her, one about the length of the Master's absence. Sighing, Autumn said, "He's not coming back, is he?"
Jefferson walked up to her and said, "No...Tzila barely made it back alive. The likely hood of the Master..."
"Enough Jefferson," Autumn said her voice sounding angry. Jefferson looked sad as he watched Autumn stare up at the sky. Autumn shook her head saying, "What kind of Anti-Magic user would be so cruel... what in the world did we do to have someone be this hateful?"
"I don't know," Jefferson said, looking at Autumn distantly, "That potion..."
"Will keep the curse going, their memories forgotten," Autumn said, "I've already added the exceptions."
"Is Grace one of them?"
"Of course, I keep my promises after all," Autumn said, holding the potion. Jefferson stared at Autumn, his voice heavy with regret saying, "I'm sorry. About Henry."
"It's fine," Autumn said, "You just wanted Grace back, I've known that right from the start. At least one of us can have our happy ending…"
"Does Gold know what's about to happen?" Jefferson asked, a stab at his heart. Autumn shook her head, refusing to let tears fall. She stared at Jefferson and said, "He'll have Belle to comfort him, guide him. He doesn't need me anymore..."
Jefferson said, "He won't let you go willingly."
Autumn smiled weakly and said, "I doubt he'll care once he finds out the truth... but what choice do I have really?"
"We always have choices, some are just harder than others," Jefferson said, bending down by Autumn. Stroking Autumn's cheek, Jefferson said, "Alison I want you to be happy. I want you to follow your heart."
Autumn stared wide eyed, her eyes glassy. Jefferson glanced at the shop, checking to make sure no one was coming. Looking back at her, Jefferson said, "I wish you would stop living in this lie Alison. Autumn is never who you were, but someone you were forced to be."
Jefferson was gone in a swift moment as Emma and Regina came to join her. Emma then looked at Autumn. Looking at Emma, Autumn said, "What did he want?"
"He hid the potion of true love inside-someone," Emma said, sounding totally overwhelmed, "We have to get it to save Henry."
"We will all meet at the old library in a few hours," Regina said, walking away, "There are things I need to tend to."
Emma and Autumn were soon alone as they made their way back to the hospital. Autumn then said, "That potion is his price."
"What?"
"The potion," Autumn said, sighing, "Gold needs it to bring magic back. That's his price."
Anger took over Emma's voice, "But Henry-!"
"Will be alive," Autumn said, "You can save him Emma. True Loves kiss breaks any curse, no matter what land you are in."
"So then why send me on a wild goose chase?! Let's just go take care of this!" Emma started but Autumn pulled Emma into an alley way. Autumn said, "We need to get that potion, he needs to bring magic back or else no one is ever getting home!"
"But I can break the curse-!"
"Not yet," Autumn said, "Not without magic. Emma there is something coming, something more dangerous than Regina or Rumpelstiltskin that will keep us trapped here, curse or not. If we completely break the curse now, people will panic and try to leave. Mass hysteria, and the Anti Magic surrounding town will do something terrible to them."
"Anti Magic?"
"It's the opposite of Magic," Autumn said, "It's really dangerous. But there will be more time to explain later. Right now, we need to beat him at his own game."
"How?" Emma asked, her mind already spinning.
"He doesn't know we know," Autumn said, "If I can use my potion before he can use his, then only a selected few will remember. We can figure out who is keeping us trapped here, we can find our way home. Henry will be saved and we'll have more time."
Emma looked a little calmer and said, "So we pretend not to know, go along with his plan until…?"
"We go down to fight this someone," Autumn said, firmly, "I can take the mine tunnels to where I need to go and you can get that potion."
"Alright," Emma said, shifting uncomfortably, "Let's do this."
"Make sure to get to the library before Regina," Autumn said, looking down the street, "There is something I have to do."
Autumn ran off, the slow dread filling her heart. It killed her to do this, but she had stalled long enough. Running to a certain home, Autumn found herself racing up the stairs to find Kathryn talking on the phone dressed in her pj's. She glanced at Autumn, who immediately felt guilty. But she was delaying the inevitable. Bravely putting on a look of determination, Autumn walked over to Kathryn. Kathryn hung up the phone and said, "I thought you would be at Gold's."
"I will," Autumn lied, guilt knawing at her, "But I wanted to talk to you before I leave."
"Go ahead," Kathryn said, sitting down. Tears threatened to come forward but Autumn wouldn't let them. Kathryn took Autumn's hands and said, "Tell me."
"I wanted to thank you," Autumn said, feelingly, "For everything you've done for me."
"Sweetheart," Kathryn said smiling, "You don't need to thank me."
"I do," Autumn said, "You were the mother I never thought I was ever going to get. You've given me so much, so much love that I haven't let myself have in forever."
Autumn stroked Kathryn's hair saying, "But this has to end… I can't keep you."
"What?" Kathryn said baffled. Autumn's eyes went glassy as she said, "Things will be as they were when you wake up. I have to go Kathryn…"
Autumn gently pressed her hands against Kathryn, who let out a violent shutter. Magic coursed through Autumn's hands into Kathryn's body. It pained Autumn, to do this. Kathryn's looked glazed over as she passed out on the couch. Autumn's hand glowed and she immediately pulled out the potion. The glow absorbed into the vial, making it glow even brighter. Autumn pocketed it away, her heart saddened by her action. Autumn gently leaned over, kissing Kathryn saying afterwards, "I will always love you…"
S.C.
Emma stood in the elevator by herself, feeling very unsure of herself. Autumn had not come, which made her even more concerned. And now she was being lowered by the evil queen into this place that she didn't know of. Sighing, Emma closed her eyes while gripping the sword tight.
"Finally, thought we would never get this far."
Emma jumped, her eyes wide as she saw Autumn looking directly at Emma. Emma relaxed a bit as she asked, "How did you get here?"
"I cloaked myself in magic," Autumn said, sounding upset, "I didn't want Regina or anyone else seeing me come down here."
Autumn had her arms crossed as Emma looked at the child strangely.
"You did something, didn't you?"
"I erased Kathryn's memories."
"What?!" Emma said, stunned and Autumn said hollowly, "Believe me, I didn't want to. She was the first foster mom that I could actually call mom."
"So then why do that!?"
"The potion I have to use requires me to have taken away the memories from the thing of I love most," Autumn said, "And as a Mage, I have to follow the orders of the council. My orders were to do this."
"Mage," Emma repeated, "I remember seeing about that in the book…"
"I would be both savior and mage actually," Autumn said, looking at Emma pained, "Being Alice of Wonderland."
Emma gaped but then closed her mouth. Shaking her head, Emma said, "Does erasing her memories have anything to do with Gold?"
"Gold and Kathryn are two different issues," Autumn said, sadly, "I would have liked to keep Kathryn, but with the way things are…"
"I got it," Emma said, suddenly, "I think I understand. Will she ever get them back?"
Autumn looked at Emma and nodded. Autumn continued saying, "Yes, she will. I just don't know when."
Autumn walked forward grasping Emma's wrist. Emma stared as a symbol appeared on her palm, making her jump. Autumn paid no heed, concentrating. The symbol began to glow white, following along the line. And elaborate E and S were made before it faded into a white line. Emma looked at it and Autumn said, "This is the mark of the Enchanted Worlds Savior, which ironically matches your initials."
"Right," Emma said, looking at it, "Do you have one?"
"Yes, mines a little different thought," Autumn held out her hand. It glowed blue, a strange mark appearing. It looked like a W with a slash through it. Emma looked and said, "What does it stand for?"
"It has many symbols in it, me being the Mage of Wonderland, its savior," Autumn said, "In fact if you look carefully you can see the B for my dad's name and the E for my relation to the enchanted land…"
"So what are we going to do about Gold?" Emma asked, looking worried now, "If you're his grandkid, then that means Baelfire is dead."
Autumn winced and nodded slowly. The glow stopped as the symbol faded into a white line. Autumn looked out saying, "I don't know…"
Emma watched Autumn and said, changing topic, "So…should I start calling you Alison now or Autumn?"
"Either is fine," Autumn shrugged, "Just don't call me Alice, whatever you do."
"Bad memories?" Emma said, trying to joke.
"Like you have no idea," Autumn muttered as the elevator came to a stop. Autumn watched Emma open up the door and step out. Autumn followed her looking around the cavern. She noticed a far pathway leading over to a mine entry and said, "I'll have to make my way over there. That's where I need to head."
"Will you be able to get out another way?" Emma asked, raising the sword. She was being over cautious but Autumn couldn't blame her.
"Yes," Autumn said, pulling out the filter Ryaden gave her.
"What is that?" Emma asked.
"A filter," Autumn said, "The magic that will be rushing out isn't compatible with mine. I'll need it once I get to my destination. You'll get this potion and go back up so Gold doesn't suspect anything. Once I've completed my task, I will wake up where you do."
Looking around, Autumn frowned. What could this person be that they had to fight? She and Emma made their way down the cavern and found themselves staring at a broken glass tomb. Autumn gapped slightly and said, "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yeah, I think so," Emma said backing up into a rock. Only to feel it move. Emma jumped away as the creature woke up with a rumble. Realization dawned on Autumn's face as she watched the creature straighten up. It roared and Autumn grabbed Emma pulling her away from the dragon. It spat fire, missing them by inches. Autumn hid with Emma behind the caver rocks saying, "Damn it! I should have known it would be her!"
"Who's her?" Emma asked, frantic.
"Maleficent, and believe me you'd wish she was is human form." Autumn said, rolling up her sleeves. Autumn pushed magic towards her finger tips as another burst of fire sped on by. Emma stopped her and said, "Run, kid. Run as fast as you can for the miner's entrance."
"What? Emma you can't-!" Autumn started but Emma lunged out, catching the dragon's attention. Emma shouted something at Autumn, who couldn't hear what she had said. Emma shot her gun at the dragon luring it away. Autumn gritted her teeth but did as she was told. She ran.
Praying that Emma wouldn't die.
S.C.
"I thought we were done using it."
Gold stopped, looking back to see Belle standing there. She looked upset, standing in the middle of the hallway. He was dressed in his suit and jacket, gloves on his hands. Belle was dressed in warm fleece pajama's. They fit her nicely, making him want to take her in his arms and embrace her. But he couldn't he had business to attend to. He then looked at Belle saying, "You're going to have to be more specific love."
"Magic," Belle said, sounding almost a little heartbroken, "I thought we were done with all of the magic."
"Belle," Gold came close and embraced her saying, "Darling. We'll need magic to get back to our land. That's what is needed, for the Savior to win the final battle and take us home. But she can't do that if she doesn't have the magic of our land."
"Why? Why would you even make this curse?" Belle asked, her eyes conflicted, "What could you gain out of this?"
"Belle," Gold said, caressing her cheek. He could feel the hurt radiating off of her, "I needed to find my son."
"Your son," Belle said. Gold nodded and said, "Baelfire was his name. He wanted me to come with him, to this world. He was trying to save me from my powers, from the evilness entangled in them. But when the time came to follow him… I didn't. I gave in to those wretched powers. And I lost him. Ever since then, I tried many paths to find him, to follow him. My powers took more and more control over me…"
Gold looked at Belle before kissing her soundly. She kissed him back, reaching up to grasp his hair. He pulled away and said, "I don't want this magic, it has cost me so much. But I can't let you be in danger from Regina, from enemies."
Belle stared into his brown eyes as he said, "We will have our happily ever after. I won't rip that from you again."
Gold stroke her cheek saying, "Get some sleep, I will be back soon."
"Promise?" Belle said, allowing him to pull away. He nodded and said, "I promise."
S.C.
Autumn stumbled along the tunnel, shining her flashlight down the tunnel. She peered around and then finally saw what she was looking for. A blue glow was up ahead. Autumn raced down the tunnel despite her aching feet. She turned the corner and finally was face with a pool of water with a ray of light hitting down in the middle. There was a hole above, like it was a well. The walls were made of smooth stone and the surface beneath her feet was of sand. Autumn then pulled out her potion, opening it. She then poured it into the pool watching the blue waters turn gold. It glowed as Autumn looked up.
It fell in that moment, the vial of potion. Autumn held onto the filter tight as it began to glow. The waters turned from gold to purple and a gust of window blew her hair around. Purple smoke began to circle around the room. Autumn backed up as the clouds swirled gently around her. Autumn felt something within her unravel, power coursing through her. The curse had broken, but she could feel a new set of limitations take its place. She wasn't sure if Gold could feel it, but she could. Autumn breathed in sharply, the power reaching its peak within her. The remnants of the curse that had locked her powers away unraveled. The course of power flowed within her, flowing, curious, lively, rapturous.
Autumn heard something move around in the tunnel.
Something was wrong.
It came quicker than a shadow, striking her square in the chest. Autumn would have screamed had it not continuously struck her down. Autumn felt something crack in her hand as she looked down. The filter was broken and Autumn gasped as the magic swirled around her dangerously.
"No-!" Autumn couldn't even scream as the magic rushed at her. Darkness claimed her, her conscious fading into oblivion.
S.C.
The man watch from a mirror as the purple cloud filled the dome of Storybrooke. He grinned; it was enchanting, alluring, but wicked at the same time. His dark hair was slight messy as he was dressed in a black button up shirt and pant. His shirts sleeves were rolled up to his elbows as he leaned back in his chair. His office was the same that August had been in a long while ago, but this time darkened since the curtains were shut. The room's lamp did illuminate the room with a golden glow. The man chuckled saying, "It's about time. I thought I'd never see those Mages make their move."
Waving his hand, the mirror's image died away to reveal his face. His dark eyes were warm but unnerving. His skin was a warm tan, but not as dark as some. Standing up, he looked at a picture of himself holding onto a little girl with blue eyes. His look softened a little bit as he touched it. He then whispered, "I'll avenge you, Lisie."
"Creator, the mansion is ready to move to the new location."
"Excellent work," the man said in response, "Thank you Vespera."
A dark look overcame his face as he walked down the stairs. He made his way to the door, looking at the wall near it. Pressing on a particular spot, the piece of wall faded into a screen. A symbol appeared on it as it centered around his hand. The windows began to glow and he said, "First time charge ready, Vespera. Move the house."
"Certainly Creator."
The house warped, the lights outside the window changing. He smirked as the warping died away. He saw purple smoke fill the windows, but it did not enter his home.
"Transfer complete, Creator."
"Very good, Vespera," Baelfire said, removed his hand from the screen and the image of a wall returned, "Time to raise a little hell."
