Emma's soulmate

Padfoot's girl asked for a oneshot of…read and see.

I wrote this chapter now as Padfoot's girl made their request before I made the call for final requests, so it only seemed fair to give them an opportunity to make a proper final request too.

Reminder that all final requests must be in by 9am GMT TOMORROW to be written. So speak now or forever hold your peace. Remember, even if it's something I've said I won't cover anymore. Even if it's had 2 sequels you can request 1 last chapter for your favourite miniseries. (after the reception for it last time I am more than a little surprised I haven't been inundated with requests for the Emma in the middle series lol).

Snow and Charming couldn't quite believe their baby girl was officially becoming an adult. It was her eighteenth birthday. In the Enchanted Forest, that was a huge deal. A massive ceremony took place. For there was more to it than simply entering adulthood. So much more. In the Enchanted Forest, when someone reaches adulthood, their spirit animal is revealed to them. Alongside that, their soulmate is also foretold. If they are the older of the two, then they must keep their soulmate's identity hidden until they too become of age. If they are the younger, then they can meet immediately.

Snow had to wait three months until she could find the shepherd boy who was told to her. They were both of the Pegasus people. Adventurers who longed to roam this world freely. Pegasus people were known by their feathery white wings they brought out in time of need and their determination and loyalty. A perfect suit for Snow and her Prince Charming. They just hoped she didn't have to travel far to be with them. Red had to leave the Enchanted Forest altogether to be with Dorothy, her fellow wolf and soulmate. Now it was Emma's time to find herself. Would she be of the Pegasus people too? Or perhaps a dragon? Maybe even a unicorn. She didn't have long to wait to find out.

Emma's heart was pounding as she stepped up to the podium. Her parents sat back respectfully on their thrones. Emma had to make this journey alone. They sat on the edge of their seats, waiting to find out what their daughter's destiny would be.

Emma approached the ceremony master. He handed her a goblet that contained the potion that would reveal her true self, and the person she should be with for the rest of their lives. With shaking hands, Emma took a sip.

With a gasp, the goblet clattered to the ground. Nobody moved, this was not unusual. It was a surreal experience. Emma was experiencing strange and somewhat frightening visions. Visions of her spirit animal: a phoenix. Under the effects of the potion, Emma could not feel the burning sensation in her back as the fiery wings grew. This was the first sign everyone else in the room got of the princess' spirit animal. Her parents weren't surprised. Their daughter always did have a fiery personality.

Following the wings, a single streak of red formed in Emma's golden blonde hair. A small ring of red skin surrounded her left eye. These were signs of the phoenix, so they could identify each other. The kingdom were delighted. Phoenix spirited people made great rulers. They were firm, but fair. Plus, their healing and fire controlling abilities were very useful in battles.

After the spirit animal journey was complete, Emma felt like she was walking through a flaming hot corridor. At the end was another vision. Almost like a hallucination. As she drew nearer, she saw what it was. Or, more accurately, who it was. This was to be her soulmate? Emma was astounded. Then, all at once, the visions were gone as quickly as they had arrived. Emma was back in the throne room, surrounded by the people of her kingdom.

"Did you see them, Emma?" Snow asked eagerly. "Did you see your soulmate?" Emma couldn't even answer. Yes, she had seen them, she just knew it wasn't going to be well received. She turned round to face the crowd. Pushing past the guards came a rejected knight. He was too wild to make the cut. Not disciplined enough. Charming didn't like the boy at all. He showed no respect for those above him. Not that Charming was snooty about his position as a royal. That's not what he meant. He meant that the boy didn't respect higher ranking knights who just wanted to train him to be the best he could be. There would have been a good knight in him, but Euan showed little ability to heed their words. Charming's eyes widened when he saw Euan and Emma staring into each other's eyes.

"No." he called out. "No, Emma, tell me this isn't right?" He groaned. Emma shook her head. She couldn't do that.

"It is." She said quietly. "Euan and I are soulmates." Euan nodded. He had turned eighteen five months previously. He knew Emma's father wouldn't be happy about this, but it wasn't like Euan had any choice in the matter. He and Emma were destined to be together. Charming sighed. He would never stand in the way of Emma and her soulmate. That would cause his daughter great pain he would never put her through. He sighed, looking over at his daughter's soulmate.

"I guess we'll have to start your training again, son." He said, trying to be kind. Euan nodded.

"If I am to help Emma rule this kingdom, if I'm going to protect her, I want to learn from the best." He said. Charming gave a small hint of a smile. He was already caring for Emma. Maybe he could grow to like Euan.