Author's note- I rewrote this chapter on Feb. 24 because I noticed that I had written in Maleficent without thinking about it. So please enjoy this slightly different rewrite.

Belle

The book snapped itself closed as soon as I opened it and with it shutting a huge wave of light magic surged through shop before it retreated back into the book. I looked around, waiting for something else to happen and after a few moments I was fairly sure nothing was. Taking a deep breath I tried once more to open the thing and found that it stayed open this time, not soon after though a glowing sphere appeared above the pages. It looked exactly like the message I received from Rumple when he and the others were stuck in Neverland.

"Belle what is that?" Henry whispered, breaking the silence.

"I think it's a message of some kind."

A moment later a kind looking older man appeared. He looked ancient with his long gray beard and wrinkles but his eyes were so bright and filled with laughter that it almost his face look younger as well.

"Hello to whomever has happened upon my journey. I do apologize if the light frightened you but it's a spell of my own design to keep the Dark One at bay. He must never see what is inside this book." He explained in his low and raspy voice.

"Since someone has found this that must mean that you are in dire need of what's inside. I have put the same magical spell on this as I did my precious story book. They are both infused with magic to show up when someone needs them. In this journal is my personal account of all the people that I have had the pleasure of writing about. And some of these people might not exist yet but they will. Now I know what you're thinking 'who is this old man and is he crazy?'" The older man chuckled.

"To answer that question no I am not crazy. I am but a humble seer, a person that can see into the future. And with this power I am able to look far, far into the future and see something that is both tragic and beautiful. A powerful curse will tear everyone away from our world, myself included, to another world with no magic or happy endings. But there is hope, for in this world there will be a chance for some people to redeem themselves. I cannot go into detail but please do trust me when I say what you find inside this book will bring back the happy endings. I wish you luck."

The old man smiled kindly before the message faded away. For a few moments neither Henry nor I said anything. Looking down at the first page of the journal there was only one thing written 'Author'. Henry's eyes locked with mine and I knew were thinking the same thing. Without words I locked up the shop and headed out of find Regina or Emma, whoever we found first.

Rumpelstiltskin

We all met in an abandoned field far away from the city and prying eyes. The moon was high in the sky, shining down and for the first time in what felt an eternity I was able to see the stars. Just being able to see them almost having to put up with these two idiots worthwhile. Almost, being the key word.

"What are we waiting for? We've been waiting for hours. We're all here and have everything you asked for. What's the hold up?" Ursula asked impatiently. I fought back a growl of annoyance.

"Because dearie. We have to wait until the moon is at its highest and brightest. Which so happened to be a few minutes away." I explained not looking away from the sky.

"What does the moon have to do with any of this?" Cruella inquired.

"The moon in this world just like in ours has magical properties, when the beams of light are that their strongest and brightest they are able to enchant anything or anyone. Thankfully through the centuries in this world people have stopped believing in things of this nature so we shouldn't have any interruptions." I explained while making a small circle in the dirt around with my cane. Glancing up at the sky once more I saw that it was time. "Now dearies if you would please put your items in the circle we can get our little show on the road."

Both witches did as I instructed without any arguments surprising enough. For a few moments nothing happened and I was afraid that it wouldn't work but I didn't let it show on my face, I knew it was a long shot but I had hopes that what I read about the moons magical properties were true. Just when I was losing hope the circle I had drawn on the ground started to glow and the items inside started to float.

"Its works." I mumbled trying to hide my relief and surprise. Watching with wide eyes I watched as the items were slowly being turned into nothing but fairy dust. I felt the magic rolling over the empty field was far older than any magic I had ever felt before. I felt humbled by watching such a sight that probably hasn't been seen by human eyes in thousands upon thousands of years. For what felt like a life time the light disappeared without warning leaving behind precious fairy dust.

"What the hell was that?" I heard one of the idiots yell. Choosing to ignore their stupidity I kneeled down on the ground and with an empty jar started to collect the dust. It could take me all night to get every single spec but I would stay for days to make sure I got it all.

"All of my things were turned to useless ash! I never should have trusted you!" Ursula yelled.

"If you didn't notice dearie the ash, as you so idiotically called, is actually fairy dust. And with it will I will be able to create a locator spell and finally find the damn Author." I explained while getting the last of the fairy dust. Scanning the circle once more I was happy to find I had collected all of it and it didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would.

"Don't you need something of the persons you're looking for, for that spell to work?" Cruella asked. Making sure I had all the dust in the jar I tightly closed the lid and stood up.

"Do you really think I would come this far without making sure that I had everything under control?" I sneered at her. She just kept her eyes on me. "But you are right about the spell and it just so happens that I do have something that belongs to the Author."

Reaching inside the inner pocket of my jacket I brought out an ancient looking ink holder.

"How can you be so sure that thing belong to the Author?" Cruella spoke up once again.

"Let's just say that I had the displeasure of meeting him. And that's all you need to know."

The dark castle before the curse-

"Dark one. You must heed my warning. You must not let yourself forget the man you were." A poor looking man pleaded the front stairs of my castle. I gave him a sneer that sent even the bravest of fools on their way but he kept his eyes locked on mine not even flinching as I took a step closer.

"The man I was, was weak and a coward. Why on earth would I not want to forget him?" I asked in my darkest voice. I thought for sure that this would at least make the old man take a step back but he did no such thing instead he took a step forward. For man dressed in nothing but rags he had guts I would give him that.

"Because if you do, you will truly lose yourself to the darkness. You will forget who you are fighting to get back. Your son. Baelfire." He added softly. Anger shot start through me but right when I was about to turn him into a snail he disappeared into a cloud of smoke.

"You know you should open you're curtains." I thought I heard the same old man call from the hall but then again the voices in my head sometimes played tricks on me. Snapping my fingers I appeared in the hall and saw that the old man was indeed there looking around at my various things.

"How do you know about my son?" I growled. He looked over at and grinned like I had just said a funny quip.

"I know a great many things not just of your son but also about you Rumpelstiltskin but that is for a later date." He told me cheerfully. I was starting to get frustrated so I aimed my magic at him to turn him into a snail while his back was turned. Without looking and with a flick of his wrists he stopped my spell.

"Now Rumpelstiltskin it is not kind to use magic on a guest." He playfully scorned, still not facing me. I stood in shock, not able to speak, for the first time a long time I was speechless. Finally I found my voice.

"Who or what are you?" I whispered. The old man finally turned around and smiled.

"I will be known as the Author here in a few hundred years. So I suppose you can call me that." The old man said absent mindedly.

"What are you doing here?" I asked annoyed. The 'Author' for the first time since entering my castle looked at me with no joy or laughter in his face.

"I already told you why I am here. To warn you not lose yourself to darkness. Believe me sometimes it will seem so much simpler to give just up and let the darkness take over but please know that it's not because if you do you will never reach your son." The old man said, his voice getting raspier with every word spoken. He walked over to my table and placed an ink holder of sorts on it and smiled softly.

"You're going to need this in the future. Don't ask why, just trust me." 'Author' locked eyes with mine and he gave me a sad smile. "I wish you luck Rumpelstiltskin. You're going to need it."

Without another word he disappeared into a cloud of smoke. Looking around the room and the rest of the castle I knew that he was no longer there. Going back to the hall I went over to the ink holder and held it in my hand. There was nothing magical about the little trinket but I decided to heed his warning. Taking it to my bed chambers I placed it in the trunk at the end of my king sized bed where I kept all my precious things just in case the 'Author' was right.

"I guess you were right." I whispered so none of my lackeys would hear me.

"Okay so we have the magical fairy dust and something that belongs to the Author himself. The only thing missing is the tracking spell. How long will that take to make?" Cruella asked.

"If things go as planned only a few days."

"Then let's get back. The sooner we get that spell figured out the sooner we can finally all get our happy endings." Ursula spoke up. And for once in my life I would have to agree with her. I guess there was a first time for everything.

Author-

I felt a twinge of magic course through the air. Stepping away from my old type writer I walked over to the window and glanced out onto the busy streets below. There was not one person that was affected by what I just felt. I waited by the window waiting to see if she noticed.

"Did you feel that?" She asked behind me, her voice thick from just being woken up. I turned and saw that she looked as tired as she sounded. I chuckled softly and nodded.

"Yes I did but we can discuss that tomorrow. Go back to sleep sweet heart." I said while kissing her forehead.

"Okay." She yawned while heading back to bed. "Goodnight grandpa."

"Goodnight sweetheart."

Going back to my type writer I sat there with a smile on face. The time had finally come to figure out the end to my story and I had a feeling it was going to be exciting.

Thank you to everyone who is reading my story. Sorry it took so long to update but writers block just can't be helped sometimes. I hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter. And like always reviews are always welcomed :)