Chapter 6: Tricking the Dark One

(*FLASHBACK TO THE DOCTOR'S LAST ADVENTURE IN THE ENCHANTED FOREST WITH SNOW WHITE*)


"So where are we going?" Amy asked the Doctor as they trekked through the forest.

"The Dark One's Castle." He replied.

"I thought we were going to find Rumplestiltskin?" she responded.

"We are. Rumplestltskin is the Dark One." He replied.

"Ok that's new." She said

"Well Amy the stories are different here. Actually these are the original stories and they just get tainted and changed over time by humanity."

"So how can he help us?"

"He's the only one in the Enchanted Forest that's more powerful than Regina."

"So?"

"So he can probably get the TARDIS back! Goodness Amy you're a bit slower today than usual. What did you have for breakfast?"

"Nothing! We had to come straight here after the TARDIS got that alert thing about the Sontarans. I didn't have time to eat."

"Right well anyway Rumplestiltskin is a dangerous man Amy. He can't be trusted. However, he always keeps his word. If he makes a deal with us, he will honor it, but all magic comes with a price."

"Shut up."

"Amy the world works differently here. Just accept it."

"Well maybe I'd be more accepting if you'd let me have breakfast!"

"Alright cranky let's just keep moving."

The Doctor and Amy walked and walked through the woods until they found the Dark One's castle. Intimidated by its size and by the man inside, they were cautious while entering the grounds. Slowly they walked through his large front garden and arrived at his doorstep. They knocked, still a bit afraid. The Doctor didn't know what to expect when the doors opened. He'd never seen Rumplestiltskin before. What evil being could possibly open those doors? Soon enough, the doors opened and there stood a beautiful brown-haired woman.

"Hello." She spoke. "How may I help you."

"Are you Rumplestiltskin?" Amy asked.

"No. I'm Belle. I'm his servant for the time being." She replied.

"Ok then," The Doctor began. "We'd like to speak with Rumplestiltskin if we could."

"He's not seeing anyone right now." Belle said.

"Please, we've been walking for hours and we need his help to save our friend." Amy begged.

Belle studied them. They looked sincere. However, Rumple told her specifically not to let anyone in today. He was dedicated to his spinning. Belle was frustrated internally. They really needed help and she couldn't let them down after they traveled across the forest to find them.

"Alright. Follow me." Belle said reluctantly. She knew that she would be in trouble, but Rumplestiltskin was changing. She saw how little by little he would be kind instead of evil and unforgiving. Maybe this would be one of those times or maybe he would kill these two strangers.

The Doctor and Amy followed Belle around the castle. It certainly was large and impressive. Soon, they entered a long room with a long dinner table in the center. Towards the end of the room sat Rumplestiltskin spinning ordinary straw into gold. He was a tall man with short wavy hair going down his cheeks and skin, which was green and rough. Captain Hook himself once compared this man's appearance to that of a crocodile.

"What is the meaning of this!" Rumplestiltskin shouted right in front of Belle where he had teleported so fast that the Doctor and Amy barely saw it. "I told you that I am not to be disturbed today. I told you to send the people at the door on their merry way. You foolish girl."

"I'm sorry," Belle said. "but these people really need your help. Their friend's life is in danger and you're the only one…"

Rumplestiltskin cut her off. "I don't care. Get them out before bad things happen to them because bad things are going to happen to you." He said getting right in her face.

"Don't' hurt her!" The Doctor interjected threatening Rumplestiltskin with his sonic screwdriver.

"And exactly who are you?" he asked the Doctor. "No. Wait. I know who you are. You're the man with the magic blue box. I've seen it around today. It certainly is a magical thing and as you can see, I collect magical things." He said pointing to all his mysterious artifacts around the room.

"Please, we need your help." The Doctor said.

"So what can I do for you dearie?" he replied.

"It's Regina. She trapped Snow White in my…magical blue box and sent it away to a far off land and we need you to help get it back." The Doctor said.

"He he he." The Dark One laughed. "Alright dearie. I'll help you, if I can keep the magic blue box."

"No way!" The Doctor said.

"Don't you want Snow's life to be saved? She could be anywhere lost and dying." Rumplestiltskin said.

"There's got to be another way. There's got to be something else you want." Amy said.

"I'm afraid not dearie. I get the blue box or Snow White dies alone on a distant world or in a different time or with deadly creatures or some combination of the those three. Your choice." He said obviously playing with the Doctor. He knew what the Doctor would do. So did Amy and so did the Doctor.

"Alright." The Doctor said. "Deal."

"Doctor!" Amy yelled.

"We have to save Snow." The Doctor said and then winked at her, reassuring her that he had a plan.

"Excellent." Rumplestiltskin said gleefully.

The Dark One stood there and focused. He closed his eyes and held out his hands. Within minutes, the TARDIS started to materialize in the room. Rumplestiltskin kept his eyes closed and hands out. Once, the TARDIS finished materializing, the Doctor whipped out his sonic screwdriver again and activated it. Then, Rumplestiltskin fainted.

"What have you done!" Belle yelled.

"Sonic technology reacts badly with magic. It interfered with his thoughts while bringing the TARDIS here. Then, his brain overloaded and now he fainted. Don't worry, he'll be up in a few minutes." The Doctor said.

The Doctor and Amy entered the TARDIS where Snow White was sitting on the couch crying and relieved when she saw the two travelers walk in. The Doctor pulled levers and pressed buttons like he always did. Then, Rumplestiltskin awoke to see a vanishing magic blue box.

"How dare you trick me Doctor! I'll have my revenge dearie! Just you wait! No one deceives the Dark One and gets away with it!" Rumplestiltskin yelled.

The TARDIS landed in the forest near a town where Snow could get food and shelter for the night. The Doctor, Amy, and Snow White stepped out.

"I can't thank you both enough for saving my life." Snow said.

"Don't worry about it princess. Just doing our jobs." The Doctor said.

"So, what are you gonna do now?" Amy asked Snow.

"Well I'm on my own. I know I can take back my kingdom from Regina. So that's what I'll do." She replied.

"Well, I'm sure things will perk up for you once you find your prince charming." The Doctor told the princess with a wink.

Then, the Doctor and Amy went back into the TARDIS. Snow watched as the magic blue box disappeared. She then, spotted the town and went over hoping to find nourishment and a place to sleep.