Daniel and Regina would often sneak out at night to play and have make-believe adventures, as every child loves to do: they would play hop-scotch on the stepping stones that led them across the lake; chase after frogs and other wild creatures; climb trees; and sword-fight with sticks. There was one rule, however, and that was: no magic. It did not exist in Regina's fantasy world and she would not tolerate even the mere mention of it, any suggestion on Daniel's part would inevitably result in her storming back to her room.
One night, while Regina was teaching Daniel how to make daisy-chains beside the lake, they caught sight of a strange, tiny light floating around them.
"What an odd firefly," Regina remarked, cross-legged on the grass. "It's practically buzzing."
"I've never seen a blue firefly before," agreed Daniel. "Are you sure that is what it is?"
"Well, what else could it be?"
The blue light circled the pair, before flitting off behind them. When they did not move, the blue light buzzed back and circled them again, then headed back in the same direction.
"I think it wants us to follow it..." Daniel whispered while Regina eyed it suspiciously.
"I really do not think that is a good idea!" Hissed Regina. "I have heard of such creatures before: magical creatures called fairies. I wish it would just go away. Go on! Buzz off little bug!" She flicked her hand at the light, attempting to wave it away.
"Regina! Be careful, you might hurt it."
"It's magic! That would not be a bad thing, Daniel."
"Not all magic is bad, or so I have heard. Especially not fairies, haven't you heard the tales?"
"Do you mean the tales where they capture humans in fairy-rings and keep them as pets for all eternity? Or perhaps you mean the stories where they steal a baby and offer a Changeling in its place?" Regina replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"They also grant wishes, Regina, that's what I've heard. How can such a creature be evil?"
"All magic comes with a price," she sighed. "If I have learned anything from my mother, it is most definitely that magic cannot be trusted, even by those who wield its power."
Daniel simply clenched his jaw, his eyes wide as he gazed at the blue light in the distance. "I have to follow it, Regina, I don't quite think I can control myself," he admitted, standing up involuntarily. "I can't seem to look away."
"Fairy dust! Oh, Daniel, you have to fight it!"
"It might not be so horrible, Regina. Don't worry, just go back home, I will see you tomorrow," he reassured her, walking towards the light.
"As if I am going to leave you! Just... hold on, I'm coming." Regina bit her lip and steeled herself for what was to come. "I am going to keep you safe, just as you have done for me."
Regina grabbed hold of Daniel's hand and they walked towards the blue light together, which just happened to lead them straight into the Forbidden Forest.
They had been walking for almost an hour, their arms were scratched from brushing against thorny bushes and their ankles stung from walking through overgrown nettles; the pair fast became tired, hungry and covered in dirt. Regina silently worried about her mother's reaction to seeing her in such a state, there was no way she would make it back before morning now and Cora would be sure to notice her absence at breakfast. She made a futile attempt to brush the dried mud from her blue nightgown with one hand, feeling a sudden burst of fury.
"I have had enough!" Regina cried at the light ahead. "Either tell us your plan or 'poof' us to the place to which we are headed, if my mother is able to create such a spectacle then I am more than sure you are able to also!"
The blue light halted abruptly and began to grow larger, shining even brighter until it was almost blinding to the naked eye. "Very well!" It remarked, or rather, she remarked, for the little light had transformed into a not so little, but still rather small, dark-haired, woman with a heart-shaped face. She also owned a set of wings. Regina absolutely noticed those wings.
"I am the Blue Fairy," she trilled, "and forgive me for trying to take a more fantastical route. I have always been a stickler for tradition but I can see that it has rather... tired you out."
"Oh, it's quite alright." Daniel smiled, overwhelmed at the sight before him.
"It most certainly is not!" Snapped Regina. "I am not one for bad manners nor am I accustomed to arguing with strangers but I do believe that you have tried my last nerve! Would you care to explain your motivations and then let us leave this godforsaken forest? Immediately?!"
The Blue Fairy sighed. "There is more of your mother inside you than you realise, child."
Regina's face grew red with anger. "What is it that you want?"
"To grant you a wish, of course! To provide you with an adventure that will provide you with the tools you need to fight your mother's influence; for what is the influence of an evil being compared to good values and positive experience?"
"I think she's insane," Regina whispered into Daniel's ear. "Quick, throw some mud to knock her off balance and we can try to make a run for it."
The Blue Fairy laughed. "Running will not get you anywhere, dearie. Now, about that wish..."
"No! No wishes." Regina said, folding her arms and shaking her mass of dark curls.
"What about your little friend here, hmm? Would you care to make a wish?"
"Well, actually..." Daniel hesitated, glancing at Regina. "I rather would, I'm afraid."
"Oh good! Finally, one of you is talking sense." The fairy sang with glee.
"Daniel, you cannot be serious! You have no idea of the dangers associated with such things!"
"To be honest, I don't think I could refuse if I wanted to."
"Daniel..."
"I wish..."
"Daniel! No!"
"I wish..."
"Yes, dear, go ahead!"
"I wish my mother to be well again!"
Regina gripped his hand even tighter, her knuckles whitening as he made his decision. "Oh Daniel, what have you done?"
"He has cheated death, that's what he's done! A mighty wish for such a small lad." The Blue Fairy chortled in delight. "A magnificent choice, dearie, congratulations! You have impressed me!"
The Blue Fairy slowly began to change form: her arms and legs began to extend, her pale skin transformed into scales and adopted an unnatural green tinge. "Wish... a-granted," the creature announced with a roll of the hands, pointing a finger towards the sky.
"Wha... who are you?" Daniel asked, horrified at the fairy's true nature.
"Rumplestiltskin! I'm charmed, I truly am," he giggled.
"Rumple...shtilshtken?" Regina repeated, looking up at the strange creature.
"Sort of, dearie, also know as: The Dark One."
"The Dark One? You're The Dark One?"
"You're quick, aren't'cha? Whip-smart!"
Daniel's face paled as the gravity of the situation dawned on his young mind. "What will happen to my mother?"
"She is healed! In the best of health, in fact! A-OK!"
"And... that's it? She's better? There's no consequences?"
Rumplestiltskin squealed in delight. "You are young but surely not that naïve? Of course there are consequences! Didn't anyone ever tell you, dearie? Magic always comes with a price."
"What is the price, Dark One?" Regina glowered.
"A life for a life! Someone that the boy cares deeply for, in fact, someone he loves."
"My father? Oh, please don't say..."
"No, not your father!" Rumple laughed. "It is a price much higher than that! It will be your true love, your true love will be the one to die."
"But... I've only just turned ten."
"Well, it won't happen yet! That's the joy of magic, it will just sort of... creep up on you, when you least expect it. And when it does, in the moments before, maybe we can make a deal. No promises though, dearie! I'm not a charity case!"
"You expect me to allow myself to fall in love? Knowing that she may die?" He glanced at Regina before lowering his gaze. "I would rather die myself than allow that to happen."
"And that, my boy, is why neither of you will remember anything about this night!" Rumplestiltskin giggled, before blowing a fine golden dust in both children's faces. "So innocent, so sweet," he smiled. "So easily corrupted."
When Regina awoke, she was just in time for breakfast and remembered nothing of the night before except making a daisy-chain at the lake.