A/N: I apologize so very much for taking so long to deliver this chapter. There are several excuses but I think the best one is that I've been out of country for a hot sec and without reliable internet connection or time to write. But I do have a much longer chapter this time, so it's almost like I never missed right? (*Shoots everyone a pleading look*)

Anyway I had a lot of ground to cover in this chapter so if it feels a bit rushed I do apologize for that too. Hope you enjoy!

"Ever ridden a horse before kid?" the former purple fairy asked as Cheshire followed her down the Dark Castle's front path.

"N-no," the boy stammered. Ches was a complete wreck at the moment. Worry for his teacher mixed inconsistently with his fear of wandering away in the company of a woman he barely knew. Yet Maleficent had helped them before, he reasoned, perhaps she would again.

"Then I guess you'll learn today. Unless of course Rumpelstiltskin has taught you how to teleport yourself?" Maleficent gave him a look that was almost hopeful until Ches shook his head in answer. "Well we wouldn't want it to be too easy anyway."

At the end of the path stood two large horses equipped with saddles and what looked like a week's worth of supplies. Maleficent stopped and patted the nose of a beautiful black horse that looked almost as formidable as she did. Gesturing to the chestnut horse she continued in that same bored tone, "I guess you'll be learning a lot today. He's yours for the trip kid."

Ches could take it no longer. "Where exactly are we going? And what is it that we're doing?"

That earned him a rather impressive eye roll. "I told you. Your fool of a master has landed himself in trouble and I've decided to it's worth my time to rescue him. With your help of course."

"What kind of trouble?" Ches asked.

"Get on the horse and I'll fill you in on the way," Maleficent offered attempting to get them on the move.

But Ches didn't budge. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"Oh, for goodness sake kid," Maleficent groaned. "Now you decide to become cautious? You're apprenticed to one of the darkest sorcerers in the realms. Just a few weeks ago you ran without hesitation into a lake to face a siren and fought fairies. I think it's a little late for you to be thinking about caution." When the boy still refused to be moved, she tried a different tactic. "You're master knows a little too much about my love life and those who hold him captive just might find such information worthwhile. I don't want him spilling my secrets to better his position. Happy?"

Cheshire took a moment to think through the former fairy's words. If he was to trust any fairy, Maleficent would be the one. She'd already proven that she both liked him and thought him worth her time. He also knew that Rumpelstiltskin had some rather impressive dirt on the woman. Her claims rang of truth and he couldn't find any falsity in her words. She was saving her own skin, that he could believe.

Ches merely nodded in response before walking over to his horse. He watched Maleficent gracefully mount the beast with ease. Can't be that difficult then he thought looking at the saddle seated upon his horse. It took the boy a few tries, but on the third he finally managed to heft himself into position. Maleficent observed his struggle with a bemused expression that was swiftly beginning to annoy Ches to no end. "So where are we going," the boy inquired in a frustrated voice.

Grabbing her reins with practiced knowledge the sorceress turned her horse to the South. Ches followed suit as she replied, "There's a little village in the Marchlands that's been making a name for itself lately. Avonlea is its name. Your master went there several days ago on business-"

"He made a deal with that young man that stopped by," Cheshire blurted out before he could stop himself.

Maleficent's eyebrows perked at that declaration, the only outward sign of her surprise that the Dark One could be fooled by a kid. Something about the situation still obviously rang odd to her. "Well that deal was a trap and now the clerics of the area have the Dark One under their power. I don't think I need to explain just how dangerous that is."

Ches shot her a look that clearly said he would need her to further explain. He capitalized on that fact by adding, "But I thought that the clerics were the good guys?"

"Yes, and fairies don't have an agenda when they're helping those in need," Maleficent quipped, her point made quite nicely.

"Some fairies don't have agendas," the boy countered shooting her an appraising look.

"Look kid," the former fairy explained. "There are good clerics just like there are good fairies. The world isn't so black and white as you might think. Some people wear the mantle of hero or of kindness, but never actually live out those ideals. Where as some may have the appearance of a monster and yet have good hearts. The world is just messy like that. You can't ever judge someone just by what they say. Actions are everything kid. Remember that and you might actually make it."

It was the closest Maleficent had ever come to giving him sound life advice and Cheshire nodded at the sorceress's wisdom. He didn't necessarily understand all that she said or meant, but her words rang with truth and left him feeling as if they might be important later in his life.

Maleficent ran through the basics of riding a horse impatiently answering each of his many questions, before she informed him that the best way to learn was to give it a go. It was with a shaky start that their adventure to save the monster from the holy men began. Surely it can only get better from here, Cheshire thought as he left the safety of the Dark Castle's lands and its master for the first time in years.

Several days of camping and hard riding later, Ches decided that while he enjoyed Maleficent's company immensely there was such a thing as too much quality time with the former fairy. He could respect the fact that she was sassy, and that sarcasm seemed to be her first language, but the woman was as moody as she was facetious. She also wasn't very keen on what she liked to call "roughing it." While Ches didn't mind sleeping on the ground underneath the stars, Maleficent absolutely refused. She took time to conjure a tent each night and to ensure a fire kept them warm whenever they stopped. Such frivolous use of magic left even a novice like Cheshire quite uncertain. What would the price be for such luxury?

However, none of that mattered now that they'd finally reached the tower home to Avonlea's Holy order. The cleric's residence was a modest thing, yet the surrounding land spoke of a deep and old power that resided within and around the tower. Cheshire knew that it was supposed to be light magic but something dark permeated the air and left the hair on his arms tingling as they neared the place.

Maleficent pulled him aside before they got too close to the forebodingly tall construction. "So here's the deal, I help pluck your master from the hands of the holy men and then you owe me a favor."

"A favor?" the boy repeated suspiciously.

"Yes, just the one. And your master must keep his annoyingly busy mouth closed about my private affairs. Agreed?"

Not so long ago Rumpelstiltskin had warned Ches about promising something so open ended as a favor in a deal. Favors were wonderful for those making the deal but were to be accepted only in dire situations from someone else. Of course this certainly counted as a dire situation. He liked Maleficent well enough even if she was a bit high maintenance. But could he trust her? "Agreed," the words slipped from his mouth before he even registered them leaving.

A coy smile flashed across the sorceresses face making Ches wonder if he'd just made a ridiculous mistake. "You're a good kid," she asserted giving him an appreciative nod and causing Ches to lower his eyes.

"We have to be cautious from here on out okay kid," Maleficent insisted getting back to topic. Lifting his head and forcing him to look her in the eyes the woman continued, "They can't know that you're here with me or they'll instantly suspect something odd."

Eyes locked on the deep blue of hers, Ches nodded his understanding. "So, what do we do?"

Maleficent gave him a wicked smile that screamed he would regret asking that question. The sorceress extended her hand and allowed a golden chain to slide from between her fingers. "This is a charmed necklace. It will allow you to take on the form of another while you wear it. When you wish to transform back you simply run your finger across the clasp." She demonstrated as she explained, but something in her voice caused suspicion to settle in his chest.

"What other form will I take while wearing this?"

The wicked smile returned, "Oh nothing horrendous, you'll just be a bit more mousy than usual is all."

Cheshire was beyond furious as the ex-fairy sauntered up the bridge that served as entrance to the clerics abode. His current position inside the sorceress's front cloak pocket was exceedingly uncomfortable and he could barely see a thing. More than that though, his current predicament of being a mouse (ears, tail, and all) was what really set off his sour mood. He would certainly have to find a way to get some subtle revenge on Maleficent at some point in the near future. Very soon.

Their first obstacle was an oddly shaped man who stood guard at the front gate to the tower. From what little Ches could see of the man, he was hunched over and seemed to have a rather disformed face. Yet an odd kindness permeated from the smile he turned on his latest visitor. Acting as if she'd done it a thousand times prior, Maleficent sauntered over to the young man.

"Now Ms. Mal, you know I can't let you in anymore," the guard intoned giving the woman a shy grin.

"You certainly can Quasimodo," Maleficent replied in the sweetest voice Ches had ever heard from the woman. "I have an appointment."

"With who?"

"Deval." At a skeptical look from the guard she rolled her eyes and explained, "he happens to know a lord looking to sell a good deal of land. I'm an interested party."

Compassion wandered across Quasimodo's face as he looked upon Maleficent. "I'm glad to hear your getting back on your feet Mal. Truly. I hated to hear that you'd lost your wings. I'll send a message to Deval he'll meet you down here shortly."

"Now, now. There's no need for such propriety. I know the place inside and out. I can meet him in the usual spot," she urged.

"Begin' your pardon Mal I can't allow that. You're not a fairy no more. You have different rules to follow," an apologetic tone creeped into Quasimodo's voice. Even Cheshire could tell that he would be an easy man for Maleficent to wear down.

"Always the stickler you," she teased flashing the man a flirtatious smile before looking down at her perfectly manicured nails and lowering he voice to a conspiratory whisper. "I suppose you also have stronger security given your newest guest."

The man went stiff in an instant, "What new Guest would that be?" he asked unable to hide his discomfort at such a sudden change.

"Oh dear, news travels fast even to those of us no longer in Blue's good graces. I have my connections and they saw you bring in a certain Dark One."

"Miss Mal-"

"Of course I'm sure you can say nothing about that." The former fairy took a more endearing turn "I'll even admit that I wanted to sneak down and see the old demon in chains. His rightful place if you ask me."

"Story I heard was that consorting with him was what lost you your wings," the man questioned suspicion making his voice tight. However the fondness that shone from his eyes betrayed that suspicious tone.

"Well partially true. He had me bewitched, impressively powerful spell no doubt," the woman lied easily throwing on her most pitiful voice. "By the time I came fully back to myself, I'd lost my wings and two dear friends were dead because of that creature. After learning that the others had died due to my mistake I chose to renounce my wings entirely and give up any right at reclaiming them. It's my penance."

"I hadn't heard all that!" Quasimodo exclaimed. True sympathy and bewilderment poured from the man as he reached out and gently took one of Maleficent's hands in a gesture of friendly comfort.

"Well it was strictly between Blue and I. So, I guess I did hope to see the beast suffering if I could swing it."

"Now Mal you know I can't allow that. I'm sorry for what the Dark One did to you and I'm glad to see him under some manner control as well, but it's just too dangerous to let anyone down there at the moment. Maybe once they've got him under full control I can swing it, but for now..."

"Ah well. A girl can dream right?"

"I can let you in to go see Deval though. I'll set you two up in the usual sitting room. That way you two can discuss business in private. But just this once now." He gave her a warm smile as he opened the gate and allowed her entrance.

The woman was impressive, there was no doubt about that. Ches squeaked loudly from her pocket as she pulled the guard in for a quick hug. But her voice drowned out the frantic squeals of an almost flattened rodent. "You really are the best of this little congregation." She said providing the man with a wink and following the cleric through the front gate.

Ches watched from his tucked away position as Maleficent entered the foreboding tower and traveled what must have been a familiar route to her. The ex-fairy twisted around corners and traipsed up secluded staircases with a practiced ease that kept them from meeting anyone else on their travels. On the rare occasion that the sorceress did meet on another, she spun them the same tale about needing to see Deval and about Quasimodo's allowances.

Finally, the woman opened a thick wooden door and entered a rather humble sitting room. A few chaise lounges and armchairs were scattered about the small room. Though the lone fireplace gave of a comforting warm light, it did little to dispel the chill that Ches believed had nothing to do with the still frigid air outside.

This place was dangerous. Some great evil retained a permanent presence within these walls. It was nothing like the clerics Ches had known back home. Those men had been kind and warm. They gave the best advice and were always prepared to help those in need. The clerics of Avonlea were dissimilar in every conceivable way.

"Well aren't you a fine sight," a low voice drawled from an armchair close to the fire.

Cheshire couldn't see a thing until Maleficent turned her body towards the voice in question. "Oh, my dear, you give a woman such a fright." To the great dismay of the mouse in her pocket, the sorceresses voice had gone deeply seductive.

"You knew I'd be waiting here," the voice obviously belonging to a man returned.

"Yes, but startling a person just as she makes her grand entrance… It's bad form."

"Well I'll just have to make up for that then won't I," the man crooned seductively. A body unfolded itself from the armchair and gave Ches a visual to associate with the drawl he'd heard.

A young man moved closer to Maleficent and her unfortunate passenger. The man was tall and gangly with long greasy black hair that hung in curtains around his face. A beak like nose protruded from his face seeming at odds with the refined high cheekbones. Altogether he wasn't an unpleasant site, yet something about him set Ches's fur on end. He didn't scream darkness like Rumpelstiltskin's mere presence could, but something about the man seemed a touch menacing.

"It's been too long my love," Maleficent was saying as the two moved closer together.

"It's barely been two weeks dearest," the man replied humor and something like longing coloring his voice.

"Two weeks is so long to go without any companionship." The voices of the two adults seemed very flirtatious and full of innuendo Cheshire didn't even want to consider. It seemed that his carrier had forgotten about him while the newest member of their team had distracted Cheshire. He barely managed to squeak out a protest before he was crushed by the two bodies.

"Oops," came the ex-fairy's exclamation at the reminder that she wasn't alone with her lover. "Sorry I almost forgot about you kid," if Ches wasn't mistaken he'd have sworn that Maleficent was blushing. The dark-haired cleric looked on with curiosity as she pulled Cheshire out of her coat pocket by the tail. The sorceress ignored his squeaks of pain as he writhed in front of the man. "That's for being such a little smart ass on our trip," she crooned smugly as she finally sat him in her hand.

Not to be outdone so easily, Ches bit the witch's index finger rather hard. "You little-" she yelped but the cleric cut her off before the two companions could do further damage to one another.

"Now who might you be little one," his low voice came as he plucked Cheshire from Maleficent's deathly grasp.

"That is the apprentice of your newest resident," the woman growled. At the man's questioning glance, she continued, "his name is Cheshire. He's going to help us with our little predicament."

"Oh, is he?" the man asked curiously. "You're quite sure it's really an apprentice and not a gutter rat you picked up by mistake?"

"No gutter rat could be that purposefully annoying," Maleficent retorted shooting a glare at the boy turned mouse.

Deval turned his full attention to Cheshire now. Clever dark eyes roved over his small form taking note of the small golden chain that was threaded across the mouse's throat. "So, you're the apprentice I've heard so much about then." All Ches could do was give a squeak of acknowledgement. "You sure you're up for this kid?" Another more forceful squeak followed that question.

A mischievous glint found its way into the man's smile as he sat Ches down on a table by the fire.

It had taken Ches several hours to traverse the huge tower, following Deval's precise directions. Granted the tiny legs of a mouse moved with less speed than those of a man. Still, it gave the trio abundant time for Maleficent and Deval to distance themselves from any possible association with what Cheshire hoped would be a grand escape.

The clerics had taken painstaking care in keeping Rumpelstiltskin well guarded. When Deval had disclosed that the Dark One's cell lay at the lowest level of the vast structure, Ches hadn't fully appreciated the full expanse of the cleric's home. After sulking through the shadows past six or more clerics guarding the entrance to the dungeons below, Cheshire ran his paw across the gold thread at his throat.

A hot and unpleasant feeling overtook the mouse. Heat filled veins stretching muscles and bones until Ches felt they would be pulled from his body. Using all his willpower not to squeak in discomfort, Ches barely realized when the transformation was completed. Panting the boy stood on shaky legs and let out a tiny tither of laughter at the sheer cleverness of this plan.

While the clerics exhausted their resources on keeping Rumpelstiltskin trapped within the tower, they'd spared little thought at keeping someone else out. No one would expect that the Dark One had someone who cared about his welfare.

Making certain to keep his footsteps quiet, Cheshire walked down a long dim corridor. At the end of the corridor he could see a large steel door embedded into the stone of the wall. This was the place then. The entrance to where they had imprisoned his teacher. He encountered no guards at this level, just as Deval had said. The clerics were attending the Dark One at the moment and had no need for extra protection when so much lay outside the door Ches had just snuck through.

Magic whispered across his skin as the teen slowly approached the door. Strong and protective at its core though it was, Cheshire sensed the magic here was twisted into something far darker. As he approached the door the boy could hear tormented cries, loud at their origin but muffled by a distance. Shivers ran up the Ches's spine as his imagination ran wild. What were they doing to his master?

With nothing left but to wait, Cheshire sought out a dark alcove in which to hide away. It barely covered him in shadows, but if he was quiet and still enough he was certain anyone passing wouldn't notice him. People usually didn't look for something they didn't expect to see.

What felt like several hours passed before the boy heard movement from the other side of the door. Catching his breath in his lungs Cheshire waited patiently as three clerics passed by his hiding spot completely unawares. Hearing the door at the end of the hall slam shut, Ches allowed himself a sly smile at his own success.

It took several tugs and all the strength the teen had, but he finally pried open the door at the bottom of the dungeons. A long dark hallway smelling of blood, burnt flesh, and something like death greeted him. Shivers ran up and down the boy as he gathered his considerable courage to take the first few steps. The corridor ran a shorter distance than he'd believed it would, but it felt as if it took him ages to walk it. A lone torch sat in a bracket near the end lighting his way through the darkness. As the boy drew closer to the light he noticed thick bars set into the stone at the end of the hallway. Like rough dragon's teeth, they sat guarding whatever horde the monsters had captured and left to rot in the cell.

A weak moan from the left-hand side of the prison caught Ches's attention. He darted to the wall and yanked the lone torch from its brace. Its light poured over the cell as Ches held it down close to the bars of the cell.

The torch illuminated a limp figure secured to the left-hand wall. The figure shrank back from the light as far as it could, considering the heavy chains holding it in place. Cheshire watched as his master pulled himself together enough to squint around the light. The man was almost unrecognizable in his current state. His face swollen, and bruised with what looked to be dried blood clinging to him in various spots. The imp was dressed in only a pair of tattered cloth breeches and what Ches could see of his body was covered in bruises, cuts, whip marks, and burns. The Dark One looked horrible to say the least.

"Rumpelstiltskin," Ches breathed, noting the terror that coated his own voice.

"Ches?" Came the disbelieving answer as the Dark One gaped at his apprentice. Rumpelstiltskin's voice was hoarse and gruff, but a wisp of hope clutched onto his words. "What are you doing here?"

"You didn't come home, I got worried," the boy answered simply. But even Ches could tell that his voice didn't sound quite right. Shock at his mentor's current state continued coursing through the teen, coloring his words and drawing lines of worry into his young face.

The imp struggled to move into a comfortable position. With his hands chained at shoulder height that proved a difficult task. "You can't be here Ches, you need to leave at-"

"Now how did you get in here?" a grim voice called echoing around the room. Rumpelstiltskin tensed as an older man with silvery hair appeared from the shadows. Cheshire had never seen fear of that magnitude in his mentor, but it was certainly present at this appearance of this man.

"And who might this be Dark One?" the cleric asked as he moved to stand next to Ches and placed a strong hand on the boy's shoulder. Rumpelstiltskin didn't answer. Instead he fixed a deathly glare on the man beside his apprentice.

"No reply?" the man taunted, "No clever quip or impudent retort?" The cleric's gaze pierced the Dark One. The faint amusement present in that glare that greatly unsettled Cheshire. "Perhaps he's just an unfortunate who made a wrong turn?"

The imp's expression didn't change as his eyes followed the cleric now circling Cheshire. "Or perhaps he's the spy of some noble or another looking for a new pet?" Cheshire bristled at that but before he could respond the man continued, "Or maybe he's this apprentice you're rumored to have acquired. It certainly wouldn't bode well for the boy if that were the case of course." The man's voice was low and gravelly, menace coated the man's throat and swam through the air on his words. It was a voice that would surely return to Ches in later nightmares.

Two other clerics walked out of the shadows as the older man completed his circling of the boy. "Jehan," the head cleric motioned at the blonde man with green eyes, "bring the boy."

Strong arms grabbed Ches by the shoulders as the indicated man led him into Rumpelstiltskin's cell. Agitation that was likely not noticeable to anyone but Ches lined the Dark One's face as the boy was roughly pushed in front of Rumpelstiltskin. The chained man allowed himself a brief glance at Ches, false assurance that everything would be okay littering his gaze.

"So Dark One have I jogged your memory yet?" the older man asked.

Cheshire struggled to get away from the cleric holding him, but the man's grip was steadfast and strong. The other cleric, who Ches now noted looked eerily similar to Jehan with the exception of his eye color, moved to stand beside Rumpelstiltskin.

"Frollo, I've never seen the boy before today," the imp lied casually.

Anger briefly stole across the man's face as the Dark One uttered his name, but he quickly regained his mask. "Phoebus chain the boy to wall."

The blue-eyed cleric moved to pull Cheshire away, but his actions were cut short by Rumpelstiltskin's interjection. "You're not seriously going to harm a curious child, are you Frollo?"

"Curious children often need correction when they wander into dangerous areas." Frollo replied easily gesturing for Phoebus to continue his work. "Unless of course you're willing to make a deal to spare the boy some small discomfort."

Fear coursed through Cheshire as he fought against the two clerics dragging him to the wall that Rumpelstiltskin was chained to. A chance look at his master calmed Ches ever so slightly. Try as he might to cover his worry the Dark One's nervous glances and the taut hold of his jaw betrayed him. While his master's face was a mask of indifference, distress seeped from the man at the clerics insinuation. "You're bluffing," the imp growled.

"In your short time here, have you known me to bluff about such things?" Frollo countered darkly. The older man leaned down until his face was inches away from Rumpelstiltskin's. "But then why would you care about a boy you don't know?"

Rumpelstiltskin refused to break eye contact with his tormentor, "Perhaps because, unlike some, I don't enjoy the thought of children suffering."

That was exactly the wrong thing to say. The two clerics who had paused to watch the confrontation between the holy man and the demon jumped back into action. Ches felt cool metal circle his wrists and ankles. The chains attached pulled tight causing his body to slam into the wall. The boy took several deep steadying breaths. He knew how to control this kind of fear, to send his mind elsewhere while a "correction" was enacted. But he'd forgotten such horrors in his months with the Dark One and his usual techniques were failing him.

A harsh hand gripped his hair and roughly turned his head until he was facing his mentor. At this point, Rumpelstiltskin was frantically pulling on his own bindings. Silently struggling to get free. Desperation shone from the man's eyes as he shared a look with Ches.

"Would you like to explain yourself boy?" the man called Frollo whispered in Cheshire's ear, sending tremors down the boy's spine. When Cheshire held his silence, the cleric backed away. "Have it your way then."

Ches heard the distinct sound of a whip sliding across the floor before a voice rang out. "STOP!"

Cheshire opened eyes he didn't know he'd shut and saw Rumpelstiltskin slumped in defeat. The chains securing him to the wall were the only things keeping the man upright. "I'll do it," he whispered to the floor.

"What's that Dark One?" Frollo asked striding over to the imp and this time grabbing a fistful of the man's hair, forcing his head back.

"I said, I'll do it," the Dark One growled defeatedly.

"What exactly will you do?" Frollo had a clever streak, Ches had to give him that. The man wanted specifics.

"I'll give you the dagger, but there are conditions."

Out of the corner of his eye Cheshire saw Frollo signal Jehan to let him down. As he was released Ches struggled to hear every word of their conversation. What was his mentor doing for these men?

"You don't get to make conditions here," the silver haired cleric advised.

"Yes. I. Do," Rumpelstiltskin asserted.

Frollo's eyes scanned the Dark One intently. "The boy is your apprentice then."

"It wouldn't matter if he wasn't," the imp answered quietly. "Now my conditions."

Surprisingly Frollo nodded for the imp to continue. "In exchange for the dagger, you let the boy go free. He is not to be harmed or killed by you, your followers, your employees, by anyone that you've coerced, persuaded, or bribed. Harmed includes physical and mental and also includes imprisoning or controlling him in any manner. You also cannot order me or have someone else order me to harm, kill, maim, or hurt him in any way. He's to be left completely alone by your order. My freedom in exchange for his. That's a fair trade." The Dark One ran through his airtight list of demands with rapid speed that left Ches reeling.

However, the boy picked up quickly and understanding slammed into Cheshire as he listened to his mentor discuss terms with the monster that called himself a cleric. "No!" The boy shouted before Frollo could respond. Jehan and Phoebus held him in place even as he struggled to move to his master's side.

The cleric's head whipped around to face the boy who'd dared to interrupt him. He released the imp and took two large strides to stand in front of Cheshire.

"You can't do this," Ches asserted looking at Rumpelstiltskin and ignoring Frollo and the two clerics keeping him from his mentor.

The imp merely shrugged in response, but a new form of understanding seemed to dawn upon the head cleric. "Oh, how sweet," the man crooned placing a finger under Ches's chin. "It seems that the boy cares for you, Dark One." Frollo laughed at the impossible sentiment. A dry crackly sound that held no humor but was full of malice. An evil sound if Ches had ever heard one. "It's endearing really, but what form of spell or enchantment have you placed on the boy?" The man paused for a dramatic beat, a showman if Ches had ever seen one, before continuing "or is he just ignorant enough to not recognize a monster when he's sees one?"

Though none of the questions had been directed at him, Cheshire couldn't hold his tongue. "I can tell the difference between a man and a monster like you," the boy spat out with a sneer that rivaled any his mentor had ever worn.

Frollo released the boy's chin and turned sharply towards his men. "Remove the boy to another cell." As the other clerics began pushing the struggling boy forward, Frollo turned his attention to the Dark One once more. "You will disclose the dagger's location to us now. Once I have it, your little minion goes free."

"You might have noticed that I don't operate well under orders," Rumpelstiltskin replied as calmly as if he'd been discussing the weather.

"We'll soon remedy that. As you've surely noticed, compliance breeds so much more patience in me than obstinance."

"The boy stays with me," at the imp's words Phoebus and Jehan stopped their attempts to remove Cheshire and turned to their leader with questioning looks.

"And why would I agree to such a thing creature?"

"Because of the two of us, I'm more likely to keep my word. And I simply don't trust you. The boy stays with me and in the morning, I'll take you and the boy to the dagger. The boy leaves when you've seen the dagger and I'll give it to you once we return." A long moment passed as Frollo considered the imp's proposition. Seeing that he was losing the man, Rumpelstiltskin added, "the dagger is in a secure location. No one can get to it but me and I refuse to hand it over until I'm assured that the child is safe."

"Then what's to ensure that you don't break our agreement once Ches is out of the picture," the head cleric stressed Cheshire's name in a manner that was obviously significant to both the cleric and the Dark One.

"You have my word."

"You'll forgive me if I don't trust the word of one such as yourself."

Rumpelstiltskin bristled at that. "I don't break deals, dearie. It's your order's job to go around making promises that can't be kept not mine. So it's my word will be trusting. I won't give you the dagger until Ches is out of the picture."

Frollo seemed on the verge of arguing further until Phoebus leaned forward to whisper something Ches couldn't hear. A nod of the elder man's head and a brief flick of his wrist seemed to settle the matter between the two of them. "Very well," the man begrudged. "Say goodbye to your apprentice tonight Dark One."

After instructing his men to bind Ches to the wall adjacent to Rumpelstiltskin, Frollo and his followers left their prisoners to the darkness.

"What are you doing here Ches," the imp sighed deeply once he was certain the clerics were gone.

The boy in question provided a sheepish smile, "Rescuing you?"

"Well you're doing a marvelous job," Rumpelstiltskin snorted, shifting in yet another vain attempt to find a comfortable position and grimacing when he found only more pain.

"Would you believe me if I said this was all part of the plan?" Ches asked.

Rumpelstiltskin shot his apprentice a withering look before turning to the more serious matter. "When they let you go-"

"I'm not-"

"Don't argue with me kid," the imp barked shooting down Cheshire's protests. "When they let you go tomorrow, I want you to find Maleficent. She's not the most trustworthy but she liked you. Tell her to get you out of the Enchanted Forest if possible. There are many other realms that you'd do fine in."

"I'm not leaving my home," Cheshire implored.

"Stay away from Neverland at all costs, but Oz is similar to our realm in many ways. Wonderland should be a last resort," the Dark One continued ignoring the teen's comment and ticking off a list of possibilities. "You'd probably be fine in Camelot. It's on the outskirts of the Enchanted Forest, but it's obscure enough that few go there. Or perhaps-"

"Rumpelstiltskin," Cheshire interrupted loudly. He leaned as far forward as his restrictive bonds would allow to ensure he had his master's full attention. "I'm not leaving the Enchanted Forest. This is my home and I'm not letting these vile creatures force me out. I'm also not leaving you."

"Yes, you are. They'll leave you alone tomorrow, but I don't trust them to keep their end of this deal for long. You're my apprentice and I've obviously tainted you. They won't let you continue to learn magic. You have to leave."

"They'll get over it, I'm sure." Ches scoffed pointedly not listening to his mentor's instructions. "I always wanted a bit of adventure anyway. Running from and thwarting the plans of the clerics. Sounds like an adventure to me!"

"Ches-"

"I've told you, you're the closest thing I have to family," Cheshire urged completely serious now. "And I'm not leaving you behind. Besides, like I said, this is all part of my plan."

Rumpelstiltskin gave his apprentice yet another glare, but this one held no real bite. In truth he felt a surge of warmth spread through his chest at the boy's words. After the latest unsurprising but no less painful betrayal by his father, and two weeks of the clerics administrations it was nice to have someone consider him worthy of being saved.

"Do you think you can walk?" the boy asked.

"I could do much more than that if I could get this infernal cuff off."

"It might be time to test that," Ches mumbled hearing footsteps approach their cell.

A tall and lanky figure emerged from the darkness beyond the cell. Cheshire saw his mentor unconsciously shrink in on himself as it became clear that this was yet another cleric. "So, you're the fearsome Dark One then?" a familiar drawling voice called through the cell bars.

"Deval!" the boy exclaimed unable to contain his excitement.

"Yes, thank you so much for shouting out my identity to all kid," Deval quipped in return as he unlocked the cell door.

Deval made his way over to Cheshire with a large set of old fashioned keys in his hands. "Don't take one step closer to the boy," came the Dark One's voice, low and dangerous in his threat.

"You're not really in any position to make threats imp," Deval replied easily as he ignored Rumpelstiltskin's order and unlocked the manacles surrounding Cheshire's wrists. "You did good kid."

Ches glowed with pride at the compliment, flashing the cleric a large smile as he stood. The sound of his mentor once again struggling against the chains that held him in place brought the teen back down to earth and he wasted no time in snatching the keys from Deval.

"Sorry, Deval is on our side," Ches explained as he worked to free Rumpelstiltskin from his bonds.

The Dark One glared up at the cleric standing behind his apprentice as Ches worked. "And what does Deval get from all of this?"

"Your continued silence about my affair with a certain ex-fairy," the man supplied easily.

The imp simply nodded in return, but Cheshire could see mistrust still lingering in his mentor's eyes. "Got it!" the boy cajoled as he released the chains around Rumpelstiltskin's ankles and quickly moved to his wrists. A few more seconds work had those free as well.

Rumpelstiltskin sagged as his arms fell to his sides no longer keeping him in place. Cheshire gave his master a quick once over and noted just how week the man was. "Do you think you can walk?" Ches asked again taking in the many cuts and bruises on the Dark One's exposed skin and the odd angle that one of his ankles was pointed.

"As I said before," the imp answered, "get this cuff off and I can do more than that." Rumpelstiltskin extended his wrist out to the boy as he spoke.

"You'll keep your silence?" Deval asked before Cheshire could remove the black cuff that encased the Dark One's wrist.

"For your assistance here? Yes, I'll keep your little secret all to myself."

Deval nodded his thanks before stalking out the cell door. "I'll give you a few moments before I raise the alarm. You shouldn't have any trouble teleporting from there. That cell was never made to hold the likes of something like you." With those parting words Deval disappeared down the dark hallway.

Cheshire turned back to the Dark One and quickly took hold of the magic blocking cuff. With a swift tug it came free. "All part of your plan eh?" Rumpelstiltskin repeated with actual humor coloring his tone.

"I learned craftiness from the best," the boy replied with a grin.

Shouting from the end of the hall signaled that Deval had raised the alarm. "Hold onto my arm tightly Ches and don't let go," Rumpelstiltskin ordered quickly.

As the far door opened admitting a swarm of men, Cheshire closed his eyes and felt magic overtake him.

A/N (part 2): So I've been writing up a storm for the sequel to this story. I don't have anything cohesive just yet, but hopefully everything will come together now that I've almost finished this one. As soon as I have a working order and overall scheme for the sequel (season 6 timeline) I will start posting chapters there as well.

As always if you like what you see or want to leave a comment please do! Thanks for reading and I'll see you guys in the next chapter!