Hi. Last year I entered this in the Nanowrimo and topped out at 18,000 or so words before my phone died (remember that long ass break between chapters 8 and 9?). This year I'm gonna enter my actual novel that includes Sylphine and Gabriel as the main characters so wish me luck!
Now for the story. Will Zelina or Elsa show up? Not sure if I'll add them to a possible sequel but they aren't gonna be in this story beyond a mention. If that. I think my plot destroys the circumstances needed for those events to occur but who knows? Quite a bit happens this chapter including the return of some characters I'm pretty sure most of you have forgotten were even mentioned. Time for an explanation of the chapter titles since 16.
Some Kind of Joke: Regina learns if she'd just let go of her past, she might have had a future with her real true love in the Enchanted Forest with no need for the curse. And the terrible irony that it was never meant to be that way in the first place.
Welcome to the Masquerade: Revealing secrets long kept and taking the mask off the situation.
Believe: Once you commit yourself to a lie, it takes on a life of it's own and becomes something with the power to save or condemn you. But it's worse when another uses that faith to further deceive you.
A Little Piece if Heaven: A happy couple torn apart by lies and a love/psychosis so strong that one murders the other. Then that soul returns for vengeance. But what version of events is true?
State of Emergency: Time to put aside their personal issues, realize they are the world's last hope and stop wasting time with meaningless distractions.
Down with the Sickness: A betrayal so deep an innocent soul is driven mad and becomes a monster.
This chapter Staind kicks off with Price to Play.
Onward!
*OUATE*
"I'm sorry. Did you just say one of the most powerful forces of goodness ever started out as the Black Fairy? The most vile, wicked thing to ever wave a wand?" Emma blinked in utter astonishment. "That's impossible."
"You're standing in a room whose occupants include the Evil Queen, your parents that are the same age as you, the Dark One and the son he moved heaven and earth to find, two immortal teenagers who share your son's heart and for the sake of argument a god. I think we've established impossible is an empty word." Gabriel frowned. "Look, you can save her or let him kill the twit. Don't care. Not why I bought it up."
Snow saw the carefree mood melt away at that tone. She seemed the only one to notice the eternal teens' expressions darkened. Both would deny it but she was sure she saw fear in their eyes. Just for a moment, then those masks of apathy settled over them once more.
"You are one callous mother fucker. So why did you want us to know if it's not important?" Neal spat. "More head games?"
"Don't put words in my mouth. What happens to her NOW is of no consequence, but her story is hella important. Destane...he knew to have Peter killed I had to be distracted to accomplish his goal. I knew he gave her subtle nudgings without actually meeting her, tricking her into laying the ground work for the Dark Curse but it was far more than a ruse to keep me occupied." A scowl marred his face, the potted plants before him turning black and crumbling to dust. "You didn't become what you are thanks solely to fate or even my Evil Angel's vengeance Rumplestiltskin. Destane counted on and encouraged your every action. Just as we did. The key to all he's ever wanted in in this room."
*OUATE*
"I fail master." Kneeling before Destane, a cloaked figure bowed their head in shame. Blonde curls spilling from the hood. "Pandora's box is not in the Dark One's possession."
"I thought as much. It seems the Chaos Mage isn't our only adversary. A minor setback. You know well I do not put all my effort into one plan."
"Of course."
"That box would have cemented my victory much sooner though." The dark wizard growled. The servant gasped and shrank away. "I rescued you from the gutter child and you have failed me. Still...you have fetched a consolation prize with great potential. I am not angry my sweet Sadira."
"M-master?" The woman was startled by his hand resting on her shoulder gently.
"The Dark One hasn't quite outlived his usefulness. Love is indeed an exploitable weakness, that much I agree with." He snapped his fingers and a curly brunette in torn bloody clothing spilled onto the floor at his feet.
"Who are you?! Where have you brought me?! Why?!" She screamed. Whipping her head around frantically, she took note of the figure to her left swathed in a grey cloak. The man before her sat upon a regal gold and blue throne. At his side stood a scantily clad, pale young man with a golden collar and dead looking violet eyes, not a person but a puppet. All her experience proved she shouldn't trust anyone who would steal the free will from another. Without reason.
Sadira looked at the woman as if she'd gone mad. Had she no sense of self preservation? Angering her master was a sure way to die a violent death!
"Ah, quite feisty aren't we? I see why he desires you...weak and powerless thing you are. But I am being rude. My name is Destane beside you my most loyal Sadira. The beauty to my left, my son Mozenrath. You are currently at my palace in the Seven Deserts. Won't you be our guest for the foreseeable future, Ms. Belle?"
*OUATE*
In a modest New York apartment, a couple occupied their kitchen. The radio could be heard, announcing the opening of a large community center in Harlem. Much ado made about the mystery benefactor who had yet to be identified. All anyone knew was this person had several million dollars lying about they found no use for.
"Should we really still be doing this pet? Not really our problem anymore." The older man slumped in his chair. Turned away from him, his gray haired wife stirred a pot upon the stove.
"I suppose not...but the fallout will be ours to bear nonetheless. Good or ill." She sighed, tossing in the herbs she just picked. "I don't suspect our actions will have much effect but anything is better than nothing. It isn't as if we've put ourselves in immediate peril. Sit up, you'll wrinkle your uniform."
"It's not the immediate so much as the imminent I worry for." The man laughed straightening in his seat. "He's going to be right pissed that box is back where it belongs. After all he went through to steal it to begin with. Eventually, a way around the curse's barrier will be found. Then we are so very screwed."
"Which is exactly why it could not remain in this reality. I have a feeling it's theft lead to the disappearance of the Lady Sun. Hopefully returning it will appease her kidnapper." A ladle full of stew met her lips. Nodding in satisfaction she continued. "Until then we'll carry on as always."
"Never that easy pet." The man grumbled, fumbling around with a bottle. When his fingers found no purchase, he settled for using his teeth to uncork it.
"Honestly, is rum your solution to everything?" The woman sighed.
"No. But it never hurts."
"The dedication ceremony starts in an hour."
"Your point? Later pet." Bucking a hearty swig, the man stood up and walked to the door. Adjusting his hat, he grinned at his reflection. "Irony of ironies."
A fifty year old man clad in a police chief's formal uniform did not stare back at him. Instead, roguishly handsome visage of Captain Jack Sparrow winked at the sour look he received from his dear Tia Dalma once she turned around. Her dreads shook with her head as he dashed out the door.
"That damn pirate..."
*OUATE*
John arrived to find the lavish country home of his target in shambles.
/Someone threw a tantrum./ Daintily stepping around smashed vases and the upturned table, he cautiously approached the sobbing woman at the center.
"Meow."
"Oh Raja...I thought I'd hurt you in my fury. Just what I am I to do now?" he had to stop himself from choking as she snatched him up in a bone crushing hug. "Everything's gone wrong! That bastard KNEW! He put that poor man through hell just to gloat at me!"
Great. Why didn't Peter make him and Michael heartless? It'd be so much easier to do their jobs. In all the years he'd spent this side of the veil, of all the mortals he'd lured blindly into corruption, their death or worse in the name of his lord this woman he actually pitied. No matter what noble cause people like Greg and Tamara had deluded themselves into thinking they championed, only Jasmine ever stood out as worth his time. Granted, he'd no idea exactly who she was until recently but something about her always drew him back. The plan had been to case the town in general. For 28 years, they an eye on Storybrooke then Henry while they coordinated their flunkies until such time as they could cross the town line and retrieve him. But...she seemed so...
"No." A wave of her hand restored the room. Once she dried her eyes, the faux feline found it's feet on the floor (HA!). "They've arrived, all is not lost." A swirl of black dark blue smoke later, the cat that wasn't a cat found itself alone.
And not altogether sure if this was a good thing or a bad one.
*OUATE*
"Right on time." Gabriel turned at the sounds of suprise behind him.
Team Good n Evil had taken defensive stances. His Angel and lover merely regarded the new comer with a raised brow and frown respectively.
"Who the hell are-!?" Regina got most of her question out before a fist collided with her face. The blow sent her flying a good ten feet when the brick wall stopped her flight. Unconscious she landed face down on the polished wood floor.
"You have literally NO idea how long I've waited to do that Gina. You've grown up quite an interesting character Baelfire."
"...Sultana Jasmine?"
*OUATE*
There. I've dropped so many hints so far not too many of you guys should be lost. I even gave a reason for two seemingly random characters to be around and once again connected The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions to this. For those who haven't read it, Ebedi(Clockwork), Guardian of the Danny Phantom universe fell from control when he was attacked, his item of power stolen and supposedly destroyed. It looks rather dull in the OUAT world because it is incomplete; the missing components having been buried in Danny and Vlad's souls. The imbalance from having that item removed from their reality snatched Sylphine since the disturbance originated in the world she's part of.
Remember, those originally part of the curse are still trapped in Storybrooke without some sort of totem that keeps them from losing their memories. Peter's powers were fading so he was only able to observe the town until tweedle dee and tweedle dum brought him Henry. So if no one could leave, and Pan was stretched thin, who do you think looked after Neale and Emma all this time?
Love it? Hate it? Reviews are like hugs! Sirensoundwave out!