A Tangled Web
Chapter Ten: After the End
A/N: Writer's Block has been killing me on this, so this will be an extremely short chapter to wrap this story up. Oh, and the finale was awesome.
The battle for Storybrooke was long and bloody, with Regina throwing everything in her magical arsenal at Rumplestiltskin and the others. But what Regina had failed to realize was that she was up against an enemy that not only knew magic better than she ever could, but who was also fighting to protect the people he loved. Rumple was determined to keep his Red and their children safe from the Evil Queen, and he unleashed every bit of his power to do so. The same could be said for Snow and Charming, in that while they did not have any magical abilities, they were fighting for their daughter and grandson. The others were fighting for themselves, their lives, and the place they had come to consider home.
There were casualties, as often happens in war. Archie was killed protecting Ava from an ogre, and in turn Red tore out the ogre's throat. Dr. Whale showed that he wasn't a coward by jumping in front of a spell Regina cast towards Snow, and became a stone statue.
Red was stabbed while in her wolf form, but luckily the wound was not deep, and she was able to tear her attacker to ribbons before charging headfirst into a three way fight between Regina, Charming, and an ogre. She and Charming made short work of the ogre then Red jumped at Regina, pinning her to the ground. She was about to rip out her throat when she heard a soft voice say "Stop."
Red looked up at Rumplestiltskin, who had a bloodstained sword in his hand. "Red, stop. Enough blood has been shed. We've won, Regina. The ogres and hags are either dead or fled, and your black soldiers have been decimated by Snow and Charming's forces. The Curse is broken, and you no longer have power. Surrender, and I'll send you someplace where no one will ever find you. Refuse, and I will show you exactly what I am capable of. Red, let her up." Red stepped aside, growling softly, and Regina stood, glaring in hatred at Rumple.
"I don't surrender, especially to an Imp. However, I will give you a chance to say goodbye to your precious Red. This will be the last time you ever see her." She grinned in triumph and pulled a dagger out of thin air, and Rumple went pale. "Recognize it, Rumple? I found it lying in the woods. You really should be more careful. Now, say farewell to your love. She's about to become a widow." Regina threw the dagger, and Rumple shut his eyes, ready for the fatal blow.
It never came. Regina screamed in anger, and Rumple opened his eyes. Belle stood before him, the dagger buried in her ribs. She swayed, and he caught her as she fell, tears in his eyes. "Oh, Belle." She coughed and smiled weakly at him.
"Don't…get all sappy, Rumple. That's not you." She looked over at Red, who had changed back to her human form and was staring at her, sobbing quietly. "Look after him, Red. He needs you. I…tried to change him, but I was wrong. He…shouldn't…change." Belle gave a final sigh and fell limp in Rumple's arms.
Rumplestiltskin softly kissed Belle's forehead, then looked up at Regina, his eyes black with rage. "Regina, remember what I said about showing you mercy? That's over." He raised his hand, and Regina clutched her throat, gasping harshly as she tried to breathe. Rumple squeezed his hand into a fist, blood dripping from his nails, and Regina screamed and clawed at her bloody throat. Rumple squeezed harder, and blood began to leak out of Regina's eyes and mouth. At first it was a slow trickle, but then it became a steady stream.
Emma and Snow watched, disgust and triumph warring on their faces. Emma tried to shield Henry, but he brushed her hand away and watched, his face blank.
After what felt like a lifetime, Rumple unclenched his fists, and Regina toppled forward, dead as a doornail. Rumple sighed. "It's over. Now all that's left is to bury the dead and tend to the living."
Red came over to him, and he pulled her close. It would take time to untangle the web Regina had weaved, but in time, the happy endings would come.
THE END.
A/N Two: Yes, I killed Belle. No, I'm not sorry. *Evil Smile*
