The Farm, Upstate New York, 2002.
I felt pain as I started regaining consciousness and I let out a groan while I opened my eyes. I could see Snow looking very relieved as she sat next to me.
"Nate! Oh, thank God you're okay! I thought you were..." Snow cried as I slowly sat up and clutched my head.
"Snow?...argh, my fucking head. What the hell happened?" I wondered as I felt blood on my forehead.
"You don't remember what happened?" Snow asked me.
"All I remember was seeing Weyland chained up and the next thing I knew was that there was an agonizing pain and everything went black...what happened?" I inquired and Snow latched on to me, crying.
"Nate...you got shot in the head right where it would kill a person! Weyland and I thought you were dead!" Snow gasped, sobbing. I held her as I recalled almost hearing a faint gunshot before I blacked out.
My blood ran cold at the knowledge of what Snow had told me...if I wasn't immortal, I most likely would've died and God knows what the Rebels would've done to Snow after that.
"Well...I'm here and I won't ever let that happen again. So, who the hell shot me? And I think I heard Rose right before I blacked out," I said and Snow managed to regain her composure.
"It was Goldilocks who shot you and apparently, Rose has joined the Rebels. They chained me up and I passed out, sleeping for a few hours but Weyland over here woke me up and he made a key to release me. I was trying to find a way to free Weyland when you suddenly came back from the dead," Snow explained as I unsteadily stood up.
I shook my head to clear it and saw that my gun was nearby on the floor, so I walked over and picked it up. I holstered it and turned to look at the chain that was on Weyland's ankle, and I examined it to see if there was some way to get it off him.
"Shit...I don't know what to tell you, Snow. Whoever made this made sure that it can only be opened with the key and I'm sure that one of the Rebels has it...hello," I muttered the last part in interest when I saw the arsenal of firearms that were on a wall.
I checked the weapons and was shocked to see frag grenades, flashbang grenades, AK47s, Uzis, M4A1 carbines, RPGs, handguns, shotguns, bolt action rifles, and God knows how much ammo that was out in plain sight.
"Jesus...look at all this hardware. With all of this, they could most certainly launch a successful invasion against Fabletown. If that happens, then the NYPD would get involved which will expose our existence to the Mundane world, and that is when the very stupid shit starts...Christ, there are silver rounds in here too. The Rebels knew that they would have to face Bigby and they discovered his weakness against silver. Well, since we are facing an army, we might as well be more prepared," I stated as I took a Remington bolt action rifle with a scope, loaded it, and slung it while I grabbed an M4A1 and fresh ammo.
While I loaded the rifle, I heard Snow and Weyland conversing about how to unlock the cuff on the chain and I caught a whiff of Reynard and Casey approaching as they entered the cave.
"Nathan...you look even worse than when we last saw you, if that's even possible," Reynard remarked.
"Well, it's been hell for the past several hours, smartass," I retorted, since I wasn't in the mood to deal with Reynard's antics.
"We're glad you and Miss White are still okay," Casey said softly as she came over next to me.
"Well...we could've been worse but I'm also happy that you and your brother are okay," I stated as I got ready to check on Snow, who looked frustrated that she couldn't figure out how to unlock the cuff on Weyland's ankle.
"Miss White, why don't you try this key that's lying here? Or have you already tried it, Snow Bunny?" Reynard suggested as he gestured to the key that was on the floor and Snow picked it up.
"Reynard...I was wondering when you and your sister would show up. This key was the one Weyland made to unfasten my shackles. It won't work on his," Snow stated.
"Why not? The locks look the same," Reynard pointed out.
"Reynard...there's no fucking way the Rebels are that stupid. They wouldn't make shackles that have the same locks and put them on two people," I said skeptically.
"Well...it couldn't hurt to give it a try. Weyland, do you think this could work on yours too?" Snow inquired.
"I'm sorry but I can't do anything by word or deed to set me free," Weyland stated and my eyes widened when I caught the hidden gesture in his eyes.
"You clever son of a bitch...you found a loophole that let you make your own escape key! Snow, try the key and see if it'll work," I encouraged eagerly.
Snow knelt down and used the key on the cuff, unlocking it and freeing Weyland, who bent over and massaged his ankle.
"Finally! I never thought I would ever get out of that damnable thing! Let me ask you something, Miss White. Were you really determined to try every tool in the place before you figured out that the key was the only way to free me?" Weyland inquired.
"Y'know, I would lecture you on how you are being rude but I'll let it go due to you being held captive for so long," Snow stated.
"Miss White...sorry to cut in, but now isn't the best time to start an argument," Casey said and I nodded in agreement.
"Casey's right. We need to deal with this situation quickly before the Rebels can cause any more damage," I said.
"So, you have a plan, Deputy?" Reynard asked curiously.
"Maybe...Weyland, you can answer questions now without that shackle of yours, right?" I inquired.
"Yes," Weyland replied.
"Then Snow and I need to know three things. What we need to know first is how many operational firearms do the enemy have?" I questioned.
"Plenty. Every Fable who could use unmodified guns already has them," Weyland informed me.
"Okay, so what about advanced communications? What do they have and what do you have here to work with?" I questioned.
"They don't have anything in terms of communications yet. Like any amateur soldier throughout history, they made the mistake of putting weapon acquisition before communications. We got all sorts of electronics here, which I was instructed to start modifying only after I completed all of the firearms. What do you need?" Weyland asked with a hearty grin.
"I'll tell you later. What I need to know are the Big Sleepers. What could it take to wake them?" I asked.
"Oh...I see what you are planning, Deputy," Weyland muttered in realization.
"Deputy, if you are going to wake the Big Sleepers, then what are my darling sister and I going to do?" Reynard inquired.
"Casey will stay with us while you quickly sneak back into the village and spread the word. Tell any Fable still loyal to us that they need to be outside of town during the big noon rally," I instructed and Reynard nodded as he quickly left the cave. As the rest of us got started on the rest of the plan, I heard the sound of a bird flying and I looked out to see a crow with a familiar scent trying to fly out of the area.
"Hold on," I stated as I unslung my bolt action rifle and aimed through the scope, leading the target and shooting the bird through the head.
"What the hell was that all about?" Casey wondered in confusion.
"The Crooked Man...bastard tried to escape and I killed him," I explained and Snow's eyes widened.
"The Crooked Man? But I thought Greenleaf's spell would've prevented him from escaping," Snow pointed out.
"The Rebels must've freed him somehow in order to use him as an ally. Anyway, let's get back to what we were doing," I stated and the others agreed.
"Don't shoot! We surrender!" I called out to the Rebels while Snow and I arrived at the square, waving white flags above our heads.
"Everyone drop your weapons and disperse! Your so-called revolution is over!" Snow declared and a few Rebels laughed.
"Seriously? Why should we, since we outnumber you two?" Dun scoffed.
"You all have no idea who you are fighting against! I'm Snow White and I'm never outnumbered...do it Nate!" Snow ordered and I spoke on my radio.
"Attention Eagle 1, fire an artillery barrage on the barn," I said, and a stream of flames came down from the sky to cover the barn, causing the Rebels to recoil as they looked up to see the dragon flying over their heads.
"Oh my God! We're fucked!" Puss in boots cried out in alarm.
"Eagle 1...if Snow and I are KIA, then burn the town along with everyone in it and kill anyone who tries to escape," I ordered coldly and added, "Move the brothers to our location."
"They're already on the way!" Weyland notified me.
"Copy," I said just as the three giants loomed over the entire town. I warned, "This is your last warning. Drop your weapons and return to your homes or things will get ugly for you."
The Rebels hesitated at first, then reluctantly put down their weapons, Snow, Weyland, and I moved in to put shackles on everyone just as a red sports car came speeding up into view.
"Oh look, the cavalry has arrived," Rose remarked as the car screeched to a stop.
"Shut up, Rose. Originally, you were going to get off light by doing community service but you helped lead a rebellion against Fabletown, so now you are under arrest for committing acts of terrorism," I said sternly while the car doors opened and Bluebeard, Prince Charming, Bufkin, and Boy Blue quickly got out armed with guns and other weapons.
"Snow, Deputy, we're here to...save you?" Charming wondered the last part in confusion when he saw that we had the situation under control.
"You don't need to worry anymore, fellas. We had a little trouble but everything's now under control. Miss Red and these idiots are now under arrest, though I'll advise you to remain on high alert because one of the leaders of this group managed to escape. The person is Goldilocks and she may still be in the area, not to mention that she was armed the last time Snow and I saw her," I warned just as there was a gunshot and Snow dropped to the ground with a bullet hole in her head.
I instantly reacted by aiming my rifle and opening fire at the area where the shot came from, frantically yelling at everyone to take cover as I kept shooting and my mag ran empty. I reloaded and rushed to the sniper's perch to find that the shooter was gone, causing me to roar in frustration as I hit the wall in fury. I calmed down but panic welled up in me as I remembered Snow getting shot and I rushed over to see her being held up by Charming.
"Don't just stand there! Get her in the fucking car so that we can get her to the hospital!" I yelled. Charming gently put Snow in the back seat and we all quickly took off for Fabletown.
Casey and I waited outside of Snow's room while Bigby was inside. I felt Casey grab my hand to squeeze it comfortably, causing me to look at her with a smile just as Bigby came out.
"How is she?" I asked.
"She'll be fine but...Swineheart told me that due to the injury, Snow is currently comatose at the moment," Bigby informed me. I felt a little bit of relief but also guilt that Snow was currently in a coma.
"Thanks for telling me, Bigby," I said as Casey and I went to leave.
Casey and I went to the Woodland, and entered my apartment.
"So...this it what the inside of your flat looks like? It's nice," Casey complimented and saw the painting of me, Winter, Bigby, and his brothers.
"Nate...is that a painting of you?" Casey inquired as I sat down.
"Yeah...and the other wolves are Winter, Bigby, and his brothers," I clarified as I pointed to the wolves in order.
"So the white wolf is Winter? She's beautiful and I didn't know Sheriff Wolf had any brothers," Casey pointed out and I winced as I recalled Greyheart and the other cubs.
"That's because Bigby's relationship with them is...rather strained right now," I stated hesitantly.
"Oh...I'm sorry to hear that, so how are you feeling right now?" Casey inquired.
"I just...every time I get close to someone, they either get hurt or they die. Am I cursed?" I wondered bitterly.
"You're not cursed Nate. You didn't know this was going to happen," Casey reasoned.
"Maybe...but I still should've noticed where the sniper was and Snow wouldn't have gotten shot if I had acted in time," I stated darkly and Casey placed a hand on my arm.
"Don't blame yourself. Nate. You are a good man who's trying his best to keep this community from falling apart," Casey reassured and I looked at her.
I suddenly leaned forward and kissed her, catching her by surprise for a few seconds but she started kissing back and we laid down on the sofa as we locked lips. I ran my hands on her nice curves as she traced her palms on my chest, and we stopped kissing in order to look at each other.
"So...I guess we are official now?" I breathed huskily.
"We'll see," Casey stated as we got up and went to the bedroom.
We started kissing again on the bed and I moved myself on top of her while we enjoyed exploring our passion for each other, caressing ourselves and I made my clothes disappear while Casey ran her hands on my taut muscles and hard abs. I moved off of Casey so that she could take her clothes off and she pushed me down to straddle my torso, grinding against my cock.
"You want to be my mate? Then earn it," Casey declared as she quickly got off and shifted into her fox form, looking back and yipping at me.
Eager to accept her challenge, I also shifted into the form of a red fox and chased her around the apartment in glee, thankful that I had a soundproof spell put on my apartment or people would hear two foxes yipping and whining as they chased each other. I managed to tackle Casey to the ground and she pushed me off, the two of us circling and gekkering at each other while we pounced. We placed our paws on each other's chests and kept trying to push ourselves back in an effort to dominate each other. Eventually, I pushed her back and she stopped, backing up and turning around to fan her tail. I moved forward to sniff the delicious scent of pheromones coming from her and I lapped at her vaginal zone. Casey yipped from the pleasure and I moved back so I could mount her. I gently pushed into her pussy and we both whined at how good it felt as I started thrusting.
"How does it feel, my little vixen?" I growled softly.
"Oh God Nate...keep treating me as your little vixen! Keep rutting me so that I can bear your kits!" Casey moaned as I nibbled on her neck.
"If that's what you want, then become my vixen! I'm going to fuck you endlessly until you bear our kits!" I snarled lustfully as I leaned forward to grab her chest and hammered even harder.
Casey whined and yipped in pleasure as I kept thrusting like a jackhammer and I forcefully pushed the knot in, making me see stars as I bit down on Casey's shoulder and felt the end approaching.
"I'm coming, my little vixen! Take it all!" I roared in pleasure.
"Don't stop, Nate! Fill me with your sperm and give us kits!" Casey cried out as my knot swelled up to tie us together.
Finally, my orgasm came suddenly and we howled in bliss as my seed poured into Casey. I got off of Casey and turned around so that our haunches were pressed together.
"Nate...that was amazing," Casey gasped breathlessly while we waited for my knot to soften.
"It was...I love you...my mate," I panted as we waited.
After an hour had passed, my knot had softened enough for me to pull out, and Casey gasped as I did. We went to the bedroom together, shifted back into our human forms, and climbed into bed, pulling the covers up and holding each other close as we closed our eyes and fell fast asleep.