'And somehow you still genuinely think that magic does not exist, that fairytales aren't real. That the way people find each other at just the right time, at just the right moment, isn't the most powerful sorcery.'
-For the Cynic, Nikita Gill
The Enchanted Forest: A few hours before the curse
"They're coming!" Red warned the others, bursting through the choir room and quickly barricading the doors behind her. "I can see them just over the hill."
"How long until they get here?" The Prince asked her.
"Not long. But it's worse. They enchanted your guards so we're just fighting against each other."
David cursed. The plan had been simple. The Blue Fairy had told them of a tree that possessed magical properties and if carved into a wardrobe, it could send his wife and their unborn daughter, Emma, far away from the Queen's curse. But that had been before the Queen heard news of their plan and burned all the magical trees. And before Snow had gone into labor. The wardrobe would only have had enough power to send one person and they were going to send a still pregnant Snow, so both mother and child would be safe, but now it looked like they were all out of options. Any beans that may have survived the war were probably already all found and used, and not even the fairies had powerful enough magic to create a portal in such a short time. They were backed into a corner and David hated that. They had come too far to give up hope now.
After they had gotten married and single handedly ended the Second Ogre War, Snow White and David allied all the kingdoms together to bring Regina down once and for all. But then she decided to enact the darkest of all curses. One she swore would take away all of their happy endings and everything they held dear. Which brought them to their current situation.
David looked over to the gypsy. He was the newest ally of their motley crew and although David was still a bit reluctant to work with the ravel, he had proven to be more than valuable help. He had helped sneak the couple into the church to provide Snow a safe (if not safer than the castle) place to give birth and even placed a protection barrier around the cathedral. A testament to his magic when you considered the size of Notre Dame. David could only imagine what feasts his kind would have accomplished if they had not been hunted and slaughtered to a small percentage over the years. But from what he could gather, the gypsy must have been old long before he and Snow were even born. Gypsies had incredibly long life spans when they weren't being murdered.
"Jack, can you still take Emma?" He asked the Fool.
The gypsy nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty."
As David gently consoled Snow into giving Emma to their friend, Red took a look out the stained glass windows. The Queen and her Father were quickly approaching the castle and the regiment of peasants and allies they had gathered were struggling against the trained armies of the kings, to busy protecting themselves from soldiers they had called friends only moments ago to notice the oncoming threat. It was actually clever, Red thought. Have your enemies fight themselves while you ascend in a calm and collected manner, keeping your own hands clean. It was a fighting style fitting for at least one of them. She growled. She really hated that Queen.
"They're getting closer," She sniffed. "I can smell them." It wasn't the scent of apples or brimstone, but the electric crackle of dark magic. No one knew why werewolves had such a keen sense of smell when it came to sniffing out magic, but it always felt like their noses were set on fire when it came to dark magic. And Regina's made Red feel like she was going insane.
"Snow, please," David urged. "We have to do this. Remember? She's going to save us. She's going to save everyone."
Snow cried, pleading with her husband. "I can't. I can't loser her, David. I just got her."
"I know, but we'll see her again."
In 28 years. That's what was prophesized. Emma would grow up in a world far away from them with no knowledge of who they were or who she was for 28 years and Snow knew, even if she got to see her again as the gypsy had promised, it wouldn't be the same. She shook her head. She couldn't do it. She just wasn't that strong.
"Let me go with her." Snow said, her eyes widening as thought she had a brilliant idea. "That way she'll at least have one of us there. To teach her."
"No." Jack said, stopping whatever foolish hope the princess tried to encourage. "I'm sorry, but I can't take you both. They'll find us."
"You have magic." Doc interjected. Out of Snow's seven dwarf friends, he was probably the most cowardly (aside from Bashful who was aptly named), and had hid inside the church with the two royals to help deliver Emma. "Can't you do something? You protected the church."
The rubble smirked. "Yes, but teleporting to another world and putting up a magic barrier are two different things. Besides, she just gave birth." He pointed to the princess. "I'm not sure she is up for realm hopping. I'm sorry, but if you want me to get the child out of here, I have to go now. Or no one is going to save us."
"They're here." Red said. The time for debate was gone.
The all looked towards Snow. She closed her eyes and nodded, crying out at the feeling of her daughter being quickly taken from her arms. David apologized and wished the gypsy well. With a flash of blue and gold magic, Jack and Emma were gone. Suddenly, loud banging sounded on the wooden doors and shouting could be heard outside.
They were all out of time. David grabbed his sword and gave his wife one last kiss, letting her know how much he loved her. "Stay here."
"David, don't!"
But he was already gone. He ran through the cathedral's main hall and stood in front of the doors, ready to fight whatever came through. It was something he never thought he would have to do. Churches had sanctuary laws, meaning no one, not even the Evil Queen, could do any harm inside. But by casting the Dark Curse, Regina had made that law null and void. David steadied himself as he watched the large wooden doors burst open with a gust of wind. There in the middle of the same guards David entrusted to protect his family, who quickly rushed to surround him, stood Judge Claude Frollo. Regina's Father.
"She's gone!" David yelled. "The Queen won't find her!"
But the Judge only laughed. "It doesn't matter. Fate has a way of fixing that which was wronged. I hope you said your goodbyes, Your Majesty, it would have been the last time you ever saw them again."
Then by mere magic or exhaustion (David couldn't tell the difference anymore), he was overwhelmed and taken away. Frollo marched his way through familiar halls until finding the room the fools had been hiding in. But all he saw was an empty bed, a dwarf, and a bishop.
"Leave, now!" The Arch Bishop commanded.
"Or what?" Frollo snapped his fingers and the guards captured the traitors. He walked over to the windows and saw the dark clouds rolling behind a stained glass image of the Mother and Child.
"Hmph. How ironic."
Emma Swan was beginning to think she was seriously losing her mind. After all, what sane person drove themselves to Storybrooke, Maine near the middle of the night because the kid they gave up for adoption ten years ago suddenly showed up on their doorsteps and told them they had to come home? It certainly didn't help that the same kid blackmailed her into calling the authorities if she didn't corporate. If he truly was her kid, she had to admit, she was a little bit proud.
But that was beside the point. She was absolutely crazy! She had a pretty decent life back in Boston. A good job, a great apartment (given her pay, although still a bit more extravagant than most paying jobs), and a few friends she touched up basis with every few months. Honestly, her life wasn't too bad. So why was she willing to give it all up for the kid sleeping in her passenger seat?
She remembered a time when she was willing to give up her life for somebody else. Though, in a way, that was exactly what got her in this situation in the first place.
Henry Mills was definitely the right age, certainly looked like..Emma shook her head. What was she thinking? Whether she liked it or not, he was her kid. She couldn't understand it. Something about him just told her. It was like she didn't need a test or anything to prove it. She just knew. Mothers always know.
When she passed the Storybrooke welcome signage, Emma groaned. She had spent the last four hours debating if she should turn around, but it was easier said than done when the problem you were trying to get away from didn't stop talking for the entire trip. She wouldn't have minded if Henry talked about his life (maybe she was a little curious) or why he wanted to meet her (maybe she could understand that feeling a little), but out of all the things he could have rambled on about, Henry decided to talk about fairytales.
Curses, queens and princess, something called 'dark ones' and beans that could somehow make portals. Needless to say, she got lost in that first hour. But eventually, Henry finally fell asleep and was resting peacefully against the passenger window. But the book he had brought along with him threatened to fall from his lap to the floorboard at the next bump in the road. Unconsciously, Emma reached out and gently tucked the book further into Henry's arms, making sure it was snug.
Emma stopped herself quickly. Why exactly was she acting like she cared? It wasn't that she didn't, she just….
She just wanted to get back home.
Emma slammed on the brakes when she came across another broken red streetlight. "Seriously? Again?" She groaned.
So far, all she had seen of this 'magically cursed' town was broken lights, empty streets, and tumbleweed newspapers.
"This is feeling more like the Twilight Zone than a storybook." She mumbled to herself.
"Storybrooke." Henry smiled, waking from his nap. "With an 'r'."
"Okay, so you weren't lying about that. But I still don't believe you about the curse."
"You don't have to." He replied. "You just have to break it."
Emma glared at the kid. "At least tell me where you live."
"Not telling." Henry grinned.
Now fully agitated, Emma got out of the car and slammed the door, as if it would understand her frustration and give her some notion that this wasn't a completely stupid idea. All she wanted was to get this kid back to his mother. A mother who she was certain was frantically calling any police station to find him and all he could do was smugly grin and stare at her.
"Listen kid-"
"Is everything okay?"
Emma turned to see a young woman with short, black pixie hair, looking a bit worried at the two. Emma did her best to not look like the bad guy here kidnapping some kid. Though, Henry did already threaten her with calling the police. "Um, yeah, just trying to get the kid back home. I guess you don't know where it is?"
The woman smiled. "The mayor's house is a few blocks away. You can't miss it."
Emma slowly turned towards Henry, hiding a proud smile. "The Mayor?"
Henry just ignored her and introduced the two women. "Hi Miss Blanchard. This is Emma. She's my mom. She's here to help break the curse."
"Ah, so you're Henry's mother." Mary Margaret smiled. "I remember him saying something about going to find you."
Emma blinked, wanting to ask what she meant but again, Henry interjected. "This is Mary Margaret, she's my homeroom teacher." He made a gesture, motioning Emma to lean in closer like he had a secret. "And Snow White."
Emma rolled her eyes. Great.
"I'm really sorry Henry dragged you away from your life." His mother apologized. "I can't imagine what's gotten into him lately. I mean, I know he's been having trouble but I couldn't imagine him running off to…I'm sorry, where did you say you were from?"
"Boston." Emma responded. When she had entered the Mills house, she was instantly taken away. Apparently, Henry was living in a castle (at least, that's what she called any two-story house with a winding staircase back in the system). And his mother didn't seem all too bad either. She had already figured Henry's rambling of his mother being some wicked witch was just a lost and lonely little kid wanting someone to notice him, but Regina had genuinely seemed worried for his safety when they arrived. She certainly didn't give off the vibe of a evil queen.
"I hope you understand Miss Swan," Regina continued, "I was told the adoption was closed and the papers were sealed."
"You're correct, it was, but I didn't find him. He came to me." Emma took another sip of the sherry the mayor had offered. When she had the chance, she would definitely have to get something stronger.
"I can't imagine how. Did he say why?"
Emma swallowed hard. She wasn't sure she could. She was still processing it all herself and that was just how Henry had managed to even find her in the first place. She had spent years looking for her parents and found absolutely nothing. Did the kid use magic to or something? How did he get so lucky?
But as to why? Yeah, she couldn't explain that one either. It was hard enough to accept the fact that Henry was somehow back in her life, but the whole fairytale curse thing was a bit too much. So she decided to take it all with stride.
The best case scenario, she would head back to Boston in the morning and forget all of this ever happened. Not that she was sure that could even be done. Henry had always been in the back of her mind, even if he still looked like a baby, but now that she had gotten to see him again and see how big he had grown, she was sure 'forgetting' was out of the option. The worse case scenario was something kept her and she would have to see how great Henry was living his life and probably feel every ounce of guilt for ever giving him up in the first place (of course, he was only living his best life because she gave him up).
"Um, not really."
"Henry has been having trouble lately," Regina confessed. She settled herself on the couch across the chaise her unexpected guest had taken a seat. "In fact, he had started asking questions. Where did I come from? Where did you come from?" She looked forlornly into her glass. "Who is my mother? I had hoped some therapy would help him but," She gestured towards Miss Swan, "I can see that didn't help much."
Emma smirked. "Well, if it helps, it was a bit unexpected for me too. I…never thought I would see him again."
There was a flash of something Emma couldn't quite catch in the mayor's eyes, but somehow she felt like she had just said the worse thing.
"Madam Mayor," Sheriff Erin O'Connell called down from the top of the stairs, relieving both women of any more unnecessary politeness. "You can rest. Henry is fine. Just a bit tired from the trip."
"Thank you, Sheriff." Regina turned back towards Emma. "Well Miss Swan, I do apologize again for any inconvenience Henry may have caused you, but it may be best that you left now. I'm sure you can understand how you staying here might be difficult. For Henry." Regina then left to check on her son, leaving her guest unaccompanied.
Emma blinked. That had been…unexpected. Of course, she could probably get where the mayor was coming front. Her son runs away and (almost literally) drags this new woman into their lives. Henry was practically saying he didn't want Regina has his mother and he wasn't really giving either of them a choice. She probably would have been happy to get rid of her as quick as possible too.
Emma set her drink down and started making her way out. She had hoped to leave the whole exchange on a good note (not that she even planned on speaking to anyone) but it was clear now that she knew Henry was back and unharmed, Regina wanted absolutely nothing to do her.
"You have to forgive her."
Emma looked at the sheriff. He was about in his early 30's, a rough shade of a beard he was probably trying to grow in but always kept clean, and short hair. He gave off the presence of an officer, but Emma suspected he would prefer to spend his time outdoors than chasing down bad guys.
"The Mayor isn't always so great with, um, new people."
"You mean me." Emma smiled. "I get it. I would probably be upset too."
"I doubt Henry meant to cause either of you any trouble. But you know, if you wanted to stay, we do have an inn."
"Thanks, but Regina's right. It wouldn't right for me to stay."
"You never know, maybe Storybrooke will grow on you."
Emma smiled. "Doubt it."
Evangeline Fogg and Jack Trader stumbled out of the bar a little bit drunk. At least Jack was. Evie would never touch the stuff, seeing enough of the ill effects at home. She was just laughing uncontrollably, deliriously happy. Today had been a great. A really great day. Jack surprised her with a day out on the town. He personally closed off the library (despite it being freely open to the public), paid for some shopping, a movie, and then took her out to the fanciest restaurant in town, the Grotto. It was Storybrooke's high-end class of seafood at the marina with a seaside deck view included, which Jack also paid for. Then they ended the night at his favorite tavern in town, Aesop's Tables.
Evie couldn't imagine where he'd gotten the money, seeing as he wasn't bringing in the big bucks with his part-time jobs and freelancing, but she couldn't bring herself to care. For one day, she had some peace. She didn't even notice any gossiping that usually followed her and if she had, she doubted she would have cared. Today had been a big relief from all of her troubles, but it also had her questioning a lot of things too. She loved Jack. He knew it also. But a few years ago, when they actually talked about their relationship, they had agreed they only saw each other like siblings. Especially Jack. He was like the big brother Evie never had but always wanted. But lately, things started changing.
She started noticing the way he gently placed his hand on her back or the little gifts he would surprise her with. She knew it was ridiculous. Nothing could ever happen between them. Not with other forces in their way, but she had forgotten what it was like to be cared for by somebody else.
"So, where do you want to go now?" Jack asked, smiling as big as ever. Any other person looking at him would probably say it was just the eight beers, but that's just the way Jack was. Nothing ever seemed to get him down (and he could certainly hold his liquor when he wanted to).
"We should probably get you home, Jack." Evie laughed. "Before you fall over and spend the night with the gutter rats."
"Ah, rats aren't so bad." Jack said, but Evie ignored him.
Once they made it to Granny's (after a few tries getting a stupor Jack into the car), she led him to his room. He practically lived at Granny's and she never did seem to mind, so long as he kept up the maintenance for the inn and diner. Not many people gave him a chance for rent. He had too many incidents of skipping town. As she left the inn, she passed a yellow bug pulling into the often vacant lot.
Mr. Gold steeled himself against the onslaught of memories and magic. Images of the past and 'what was to come' flooding his once foggy conscious with brilliant light; shining into the darkest corners where an impish delight could be heard, giggling and muttering of plans set into motion once again. Breaking his trance Granny waved the wad of rent conspicuously in front of the innkeeper's newest, if not only, guest. Reaching out with long narrow fingers, noting the absence of scales, he smiled, not caring how the woman who suddenly seemed so interesting raised a brow.
"You enjoy your stay, Emma."
She blinked, "Thank you?"
He left the women and slid into his car, making his way through the still sleepy town. He laughed, enjoying for the first time the full delight of the ironies the town and its folk had to offer. Turning left onto Pasture Hill he made his way to the second largest mansion in a rather small town. The first was the mayor's. He could taste the spike of aromas in the still stagnant magic floating about. Ash and brimstone. And apples.
"Gold," Fogg opened the door, glaring at his visitor who thought it prudent to visit so late at night. He was a tall and slender man, his eyes sharp, nose narrow, and his knuckles gnarled and crackling with old Arthur, always scaring the children. "It is rather late, wouldn't you say?"
"Had your fair share of visitors this evening?"
"What do you want?" Fogg stepped aside. Together the two men bore many similarities from their cold demeanor to their well tailored suits, but what Gold possessed in power, Fogg possessed in character. While he had the people's security and control, Gold had their fear. Oh, but Gold knew Fogg better than most. And when the time came Gold would enjoy wrapping his fingers around the older man's throat for all he had done in another life. But he kept his pleasures as bay. We're just getting started, dearie.
"It seems we have a visitor in town." Gold spoke. His cane gently tapping the marble floor as he made his way to the parlor. He took a quick glance of his surroundings, noting how particularly quiet it was.
"Oh? People don't come to Storybrooke." Fogg replied. "They don't leave either."
His voice was deep and rasp unlike that of Gold's slick silver tongue. In fact, it was rather ear piercing. Like a shard of glass lodged in the throat threatening to finish the job if Gold didn't hurry.
"From what I have heard, she appears to be Henry's mother. His birth mother."
Fogg gave a slight pause but continued as if it didn't concern him. He sat himself down in a large leather chair which made him appear taller than he already was. "And of what concern is it? Particularly to you?"
"Oh, not to me." Gold shrugged. "But you? It seems young Henry Mills had brought her here to help him with the curse."
If speaking alone wasn't enough to make one's ears crawl from the body, Fogg's laugh certainly did the trick. He had spent the last month hearing about this curse, the mayor's insolent child rambling on about magic and witches. She had sent her son to him when Doctor Hopper proved useless. He took a more practical approach, not bothering to deal with emotions or psychotherapy or whatever nonsense that boorish man thought useful.
"Then I wish her the best of luck." He teased.
Gold smirked, enjoying the charade. "And what will you do?"
"Well, I'll have to wait and see. Have you met her?"
"Not formally. Just a passing by."
Fogg peered his eyes at Gold, each wondering what this news would bring.
"People don't come to Storybrooke." Fogg spoke.
The man stepped carefully into the dark, his black hair doing well to keep him hidden in the shadows. Earlier that night, he had watched as he saw a yellow bug speed past nearly every stop light, seeming in a hurry to get somewhere. He also felt a pull of magic and heard for the first time since the curse had begun, the grand clock chiming in the library tower. Soon it would be a few months until the curse was broken and the pious would pay. The Queen could have her revenge however she saw fit. He didn't care. He had more powerful enemies to go after and that required more careful planning. After all, there were more dangerous things than curses and far more dangerous creatures than Dark Ones. He walked past Gold's Pawnshop, past the library and diner and on towards the church, singing a song of bells.
Up next: Emma learns more about Henry from Mary Margaret and Gold offers his assistance to Regina. In the Enchanted Forest, Regina searches for Snow White and Rumple makes a deal.
A/N: Alright, Chapter 1! I hoped you liked it. As I mentioned in the prologue, this was hell to try and get started. I first struggled getting back into the groove of writing after a few years and then I struggled trying to get it all worded. I eventually had to accept the fact that it wasn't going to be perfect no matter how hard I tried (and I really wanted to be since this is going to be huge) but in the end, I like what I got.
As for one of the new characters, yes, I included Judge Claude Frollo from Hunchback of Notre Dame. I wanted his identity to be a surprise originally but quickly learned it wouldn't be possible. And I'll tell you a truth. This AU is because of Frollo. I wondered what the show would have been like with him and then, next thing I know…this happened. Now while I have added many more characters and stories, 'I giveth and so I must taketh away'. I have gotten rid of a few others as well. Like Mulan, Graham, and (thank god), no Zelena. I do apologize to any fan favorites of those characters but I had my reasons.
Anyways, I do hope you enjoyed the first chapter and please let me know what you think of any new characters or stories we come across and what or who you might think they are.
REVIEW AS ALWAYS. I LOVE IT!
