Rosalinda and the others were glad when they made it back to the harbor and together they began helping Liam dock the Jolly Roger and once he was sure it was securely anchor and he wouldn't have to worry about it floating away, they all made their way off the ship and began their track back into town, none of them saying anything.
"So?" began Liam. "What are we going to tell our parents?"
"I'm not sure," replied Marina. "We'll have to tell them something. It's not like they're not going to notice that my hair has more blonde in it now."
"Not to mention we don't even know what it was or why it happened," stated Robin. "Rosalinda, you know the most about magic. Any ideas?"
"Not really," replied Rosalinda her eyes clouded over in confusion and concern. "All I know is that wasn't natural. Someone casted that storm to appear but why and what made them just let up so easily as soon as Marina began using her magic. If I had to guess, it sort of felt like one of those test my father sometimes gives me to test and see how my magic reacts to stuff."
"Do you think your father is behind it?" asked Neil.
"Doubt it," replied Rosalinda. "I know his magical signal like I know the back of my hand. Trust me when I say I highly doubt he was behind this, plus it didn't feel like one of his tests."
"Sometimes I can't help but be grateful that I don't have magic," stated Liam. "Magic never seems to get easier to understand. I still see mom struggle with hers."
"That's mostly because your mother despite all she seen, a small part of her still clings to this idea that she is a normal person who isn't in a world where fairy tales are real," explained Rosalinda her voice taking a small edge to it that resembled her fathers before she gave a smile and looked at her friends. "Sorry, I did it again didn't I?"
"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news oh daughter of the dark one," began Marina with a slight laughter in her voice. "But yes you did. You became your father again."
Rosalinda lightly began to giggle and just as they were about to head towards Granny's which they almost always did when they hang out, Neil let out a cry of pain before he fell to his knees holding his left shoulder as he tried not to scream.
"NEIL!" yelled Robin kneeling beside her boyfriend and trying to comfort him despite Neil determination not to show weakness in front of him.
"Not again," muttered Neil as he fought against what was happening to him.
"Rosalinda, please do something?" asked Robin turning to her best friend who they knew to be the most powerful of the two of them.
"I don't… I can't…" began Rosalinda not knowing what she could do but seeing the look of pure terror and fear in her friend's eyes she slowly nodded and they watched as her eyes turned solid white and her entire body went as stiff as a log.
Rosalinda allowed what she had come to call as her magical sight overtake her and while to the outside world it looked like her eyes were a solid white and she was stiff as a log, to her it was like looking though the small invisible veil that separated magic and the rest of the world. All around her she could see nothing but the thin threads that made up every point of magic in the town. Unlike most people, one of the first things Rosalinda learned was that there was no such thing as light and dark magic. Magic was just magic and it was the person intent behind the casting of the spells that made it what it was. Even her father as a dark one wasn't full of dark magic, it just came that most of his reasons for using the magic were for selfish reasons and thus that is what changed it to dark magic.
Carefully Rosalinda tried to follow the treads and hoped she could do something to stop what she knew was happing to her friend, it wasn't easy. Since Storybrooke itself was made using a dark curse, it had its own strands of magic that flowed around everything, making it harder to pinpoint where certain magic were and she also knew she couldn't search forever. The biggest downside to using this sight was the fact that while she was looking through it, she was blind to what was occurring around her and it left her extremely valuable to the world outside of the sight and the only reason she even dared to attempt it now was because she trusted her friends to look after her. Finally after what felt like forever she could see where the magic that was affecting Neil was and she moved her hand and carefully pushed against the magic and could feel it lighting up but she also knew it was only a matter of time. Slowly she pulled back from the sight and looked over at Neil who was now panting but no longer seemed to be in pain.
"It's getting worse isn't it?" asked Neil looking at Rosalinda.
"Yes," replied Rosalinda knowing that Neil wouldn't appreciate it if she tried to lie or pretend otherwise. "I'm sorry but I still can't fully break the connection. I could barely push it back. Eventually unless we find a cure, it will come to be."
Neil nodded and began to recall the moment that his life took a turn for the worst and shudder as the memory overcame his body.
Flashback:
Neil smiled as he made his way into the sheriff station where his father and sister worked carrying a bag with lunch that his mother had made insisting on making sure that his father and mother at least got a proper meal instead of takeout from Granny's all the time. As he walked in, he saw his dad sitting at the desk doing paperwork looking very unhappy about it. However, last week his father had managed to bang up his shoulder blade after dealing with the latest in what Regina called made property value continue to lower in the town and thus he was limited to paperwork while his sister was dealing with the majority of the more physical aspects of the town.
"Hey dad," smiled Neil as he made his way towards his dad's desk.
"Hello son," smiled David as he looked at his son. "I take it your mom sent some lunch?"
"Yeah, she said if she found out the two of you order takeout one more time, well I didn't hear the last part but I think she said something about an arrow," stated Neil as he placed the bag of food on his dad's desk.
"Right," replied David looking extremely uncomfortable since he had a feeling what Snow had said and let's just say if he was correct he would rather not tempt fate. "I'll radio your sister and let her know not to grab anything. She's out dealing with a case."
"Anything interesting?" asked Neil.
"Nothing of note," stated David. "Just the usual minor disturbances."
Neil watched as his father reached in for the radio he had to his sister and barely listed as his dad told her that they had dinner here and relayed his mother's message, though for some reason he left out the part about the arrow. He heard his sister muttered an okay before saying she was on her way back now when all of a sudden a loud bang sound came from somewhere and he turned to look at his dad. David sighed but was already grabbing his jacket and began making his way outside the station looking around while also talking to Emma over the radio.
"Emma," began David. "Any chance you know what's going on?"
"No I was hoping you had some idea," replied Emma.
"Dad look," stated Neil pointing out towards the middle of the street where a lone figure neither of them recognized was standing.
David and Neil both took in the knight's strange appearance. It looked a cross between a normal man and one of those dark knights that you saw in medieval movies or read about in stories. Not much of his features could be seen, but what they could make out was that whoever the figure was he wasn't someone to take lightly.
"Which one of you are known as Prince Charming?" asked the lone figure ask his voice cold and devoid of all feelings.
"That would be me," stated David as he moved so he was slightly blocking his son from view by the knight when his eyes locked onto him. "What can I do for you?"
"You can prepare to meet your fate," stated the figure as he suddenly moved his one hand and a pure black blade appeared out of nowhere looking like it was made from shadows themselves, before tossing another blade at David's feet.
"I have no reason to fight you," began David not understanding why the knight wanted to fight him.
"That matters not," stated the knight. "Now prepare to fight or I'll strike down everyone you love until I leave you with no choice but to face me."
David glared at the knight and was about to refuse when Emma pulled up and let out a yell of dad before the knight looked over at her and before any of them could move, had somehow merge into the shadows and was behind Emma, moving so his sword's blade was pressed against his sister's throat, before turning to face David once again.
"So what's your choice?" asked the knight. "Do you wish to fight or do I start killing people, starting with your daughter."
"No. I'll fight you," stated David. "Just let her go."
"Pick up the sword and I will," stated the knight.
David sighed knowing with his shoulder he wouldn't be able to fight but he also wasn't about to let the knight kill his daughter and was just about to grab the sword when suddenly Neil moved from behind him and grabbed the blade.
"Foolish boy," muttered the knight but none the less tossed Emma away from him causing her to fall and hit her head against the sidewalk.
"Neil," exclaimed David moving to take the sword from his son's hand but found he couldn't reach for it.
"The sword is enchanted," stated the knight. "Whoever touches the blade is bound to fight until one of us is standing. I'm curious boy, what made you decide to take the place in this fight."
"My father hurt his shoulder a short while ago, he might be willing to fight you but he can't and I'm not going to let him get killed when I can fight for him," explained Neil his voice having a slight hint of fear but also trying to call forth every ounce of bravely he had in him.
"Well I have to admit, I didn't come here to face the son of Prince Charming, but I suppose spilling your blood will be an interesting start. I can always kill your father afterwards. So what's your name son? I'm curious to know who my latest victum will be."
"Neil," stated Neil. "Prince Neil."
"Well Prince Neil, you should feel honor for you will be the 100th person my blade has killed."
"Don't count on it," stated Neil as he moved forward.
David made his way over to Emma as he watched as his son used everything he had ever taught him about sword fighting as his blade crashed with the other blade. Sparks of both silver and black were sent flying as the blows were traded back and forth. Despite Neil hadn't really fraught with anyone like this, David was impressed with his sons skills. He had taken everything he had taught him and while David was decent with a sword, it was clear his son had far out passed him in raw skills.
"I'm impressed boy," muttered the knight after another exchange of blows. "Most would have already fallen by now."
Neil said nothing as he used the small break to readjust the sword in his hand and tried to catch and calm his erratic breathing to a more normal pace. Neil didn't dare take his eyes off the knight even though his mind couldn't help but wonder if his sister was okay. He knew all it would take is for him to lose his focus for a second and the fight would be over. He had to stay focus if he planned to live though this fight. Just as his breathing was finally getting back to normal, the knight shot at him bashing his blade in a move to kill that Neil barely managed to block and sidestep. It was at that moment he realized something. This wasn't like the few times he had practiced with his father, or his cushion Marina; who despite her love for fashion and all around being the very image of a royal princess, was a decent sword fighter when she had to be; no this was a fight like no other he had ever faced. This was a fight to the death and it wouldn't stop until one of them lay dead.
Neil moved to block the bows but he was unprepared when the knight moved his sword quickly from one position to another and thus felt a gash form on his side and he let out a cry of pain and despair as it felt like the cut was lighting him on fire from the inside out.
"My blade is cursed," muttered the knight. "Even the smallest of cuts will make people go mad from the pain, a cut like the one I just gave you. Well let's just say if I don't kill you first, it will do just that in a matter of minutes. You fought well boy but alas I believe it time I finish this so I can deal with your father."
Neil suddenly had a deep fear overcome him as he spare a small second to look at his father and then at his sister. He couldn't let this knight beat him, he could barely hold his own and his father's injured shoulder would make it impossible for him to fight and he also didn't know if Emma would also fall to this knight or not. No he was the son of Prince Charming and Snow White, a hero and a prince. He had to do his duty to his friends and family. He wouldn't quit now and despite the pain that was overcoming him, he pushed himself forward and pushed the feeling of the pain back in the furthest corner of his mind.
With new found strength he began to fight the knight and to his surprise he was gaining an advantage and he saw the confusion overcome the knight giving him an edge and the advantage. He quickly made use of the advantage and managed to get a good hit into the knight causing him to fall and lay beneath him. Never before had he wanted to spill someone else's blood, but he also had this strange sensation overcome him. He could faintly hear his father call out to him to stop but it barely made pass his mind. Finally he stood there with his blade inches from the knight's throat, the black sword falling from the knight's hand and vanishing in a puff of black smoke.
"Finish it boy," muttered the knight. "This fight won't crease until one of us is dead, now kill me or I'll recall my sword and end it for you."
Neil raised his sword and made to look like he was going to kill the knight but once again stopped inches from the kill and glared at the knight before slowly getting back to his feet and moving slightly away from the knight.
"No," stated Neil. "I won't kill. I won't become a monster."
"So be it," stated the knight as he pushed himself onto his feet and moved to attack Neil again with his sword that reappeared in his hand only to have Neil block his attacks once again.
David watched as his son fought with every ounce of strength he had and watched as the knight moved for a killing strike only to be deflected, however he also watched as the sword in his son's hand stabbed clean though the knight's chest in the only way his son could have deflected the attack and live. He saw the horror on his son's face when he removed the sword as reality began to sink in. While it had been done in self-defence, his son had still driven his sword into the chest of another man and he didn't need anyone to tell him that blow was going to be fatal. He had killed another man and he watched as the knight fell to the ground and his son dropped the blade in his hand.
However that wasn't what shocked them the most, no what shocked them was that the knight was laughing despite the fact that he was dying.
"Finally, I meet my fate," laughed the knight. "Thank-you Prince Neil, you have ended my curse."
"Curse?" asked David as he looked at the knight only to gasp as the knight suddenly glowed and he saw a skinny human man standing there almost the polar opposite to the knight had been.
"Years ago, I was challenge by a knight like how your son was today, and much like your son I managed to win," laughed the knight.
Suddenly Neil fell to his knees and clutch at his shoulder and they watched as a blinding light seemed to be coming from underneath the shirt that he wore. David watched as his son removed his bloody shirt and the first shocked was that the cut on his side was healing itself before he saw the light coming off his son's left shoulder and a mark of a sword began to form and when the light vanish the mark was an ugly red and black.
"What's happening to me?" asked Neil looking at the mark and then at the knight.
"There must always be a death knight," laughed the former knight. "By defeating me, you are taking my place. Eventually you will be forced to fight people like I did. You will be forced to fight and kill people until finally you meet your match and die like me broken and destroyed."
"No," cried Neil as he stared at the knight.
"Yes, you cannot escape your fate Prince Neil. The mark will eventually activate and mark my words the moment it does, you will lose yourself to the mark and kill without a second thought," continued the knight as he felt life leaving him and he began to go still.
"How long?" asked Neil.
"Oh but what would be the fun in revealing that little secret," laughed the knight before he finally grew still and his eyes closed.
Neil knelt there, before turning to look at his father and sister who had just regain consciousness and was staring at him in a combinations of pure sorrow and sadness over everything that happened. He barely register when his father after quickly checking to make sure Emma was okay who nodded, moved over to him and took him into his arms. All he remembers is feeling the utter despair as he clung to his father's embrace and began to cry.
End of Flashback
Since that fight it had been a year and Neil had tried to keep the small part of his mind stable but with each passing day he could feel more of his former self edging away and more of a desire to fight a worthy opponent to face. So in an effort to keep that part away from him, he stopped training with his sword and refuses to touch pretty much anything close to a blade. He wouldn't even use a knife when eating in fear that he wouldn't be able to fight back and he would give into that desire and hurt someone.
He glanced over at Robin who he loved more than anything and could see the fear and despair in her eyes. He had at first refuse to have anything to do with this young redhead but eventually he opened his heart to her and they had begun dating. Having her despite the struggle was a blessing that he didn't want to give up but he also feared that he might hurt her.
"Neil," began Robin. "I know what you're thinking and the answer is no! I'm not going anywhere so you can take that thought and shove it because I'm not abandoning you now."
"Neil, I promise I'm looking for a way to help," stated Rosalinda. "I'm not giving up either."
"Fine but I want you all to promise me something, especially you Rosalinda," stated Neil looking at all his friends before settling on Rosalinda. "If I lose this fight, you are to do whatever you can to imprison me. I won't let my curse go another person so don't fight me. Just find some way to imprison me."
At first none of them knew what to say but slowly each of them nodded all hoping that it wouldn't come to that. Liam reached over and helped his uncle stand and together they continue their way into Granny's.
A/N: Okay so there you go, a little more backstory on Neil and how I said he has magic or well a curse. Unlike Marina who while she is cursed that allows her to control water while it cost her time from her life, Neil curse is much different. He has no control over his and unlike Rumpelstiltskin who for the most part has control over his curse, Neil won't. Eventually he'll become a true killer with one purpose. Kill and kill again.
More coming soon.