Title: Vengeance, Sacrifice, and Forgiveness
Author: AoN
Word Count: 4,200
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Rating: PG-13
Feedback: Please and thank you! Let me know what I'm doing right or doing wrong.
Summary: With the Evil Queen's curse weakening and Regina struggling to keep Storybrooke under control, hidden secrets and lies from long ago are beginning to surface – and they want their happily ever after.
Author's Note: ***ATTENTION*** Since the Big Bad Wolf/Red Riding Hood storyline in this fic was started before "Red-Handed" was aired and I did not see that plot twist coming, I'm handling that part of the show differently, but still adding aspects of the episodes.
Chapter Eleven
Mary Margaret's truck came to a skidding halt in front of the sheriff's office and both women bolted inside. To both their dismay, they had discovered Emma to be out and her new assistant, Ruby, in her place instead. Her presence did not puzzle Mary Margaret as it did Lucy who had been absent a few days from Storybrooke – apparently a lot could happen in such a short period of time in this little town. Ruby had quit the diner due to the pressure of not being in her element, of being treated like nothing but eye candy. Mary Margaret and Emma had offered Ruby a temporary place to stay and Emma even a new job, to assist while the sheriff was out and about.
And, currently, the sheriff was definitely out and about. Emma was investigating a missing person off the highway leading out of Storybrooke. Both Mary Margaret and Lucy were well aware of what that meant – Emma was near the forest and the forest was way too dangerous right now. When Ruby pressed the matter, Mary Margaret was quick to relay the details of their attack at the wishing well by this freakish large wolf. Ruby's facial reaction to the news could have been confused with shock, maybe even fear.
Lucy knew better. It had been disbelief and Lucy confirmed that the wolf was certainly of the big and bad variety. Ruby quickly rose to her feet, taking command as she refused to allow her emotions cloud her judgment. It was not the time.
Ruby had grabbed Lucy by her ripped sleeve and pulled her out of the office, Mary Margaret following. They could not do nothing, the beast was too dangerous and Storybrooke was in peril. They had to separate, cover more ground. Ruby had lead Lucy to her car as she told Mary Margaret to warn the mayor, tell her to clear the playground. Mary Margaret and Lucy had the same reaction, equal distain, but Ruby had not given them any more time to express their reactions.
"I don't like this," Lucy stated as Ruby's car peeled away from the curb. "She can't be alone with the mayor."
"What other option did we have?" Ruby snapped, taking a side way glance at the equally annoyed Lucy.
"We could have not left Snow White with the Evil Queen!" Lucy pointed out.
Her sudden outburst triggered Ruby's who slammed her fist against her steering wheel. "And there's no way you could have gone – we're the only two who remembers Pe- the Big Bad Wolf," Ruby quickly corrected herself. "We're the only ones who can fight it and it will sooner go after Emma than the playground. Emma won't stand a chance alone. We have to move fast."
"We don't know what she'll do to Mary-"
"But we know exactly what the Wolf will do to Emma," Ruby quickly interjected. "What happened to protecting your niece? To owing Snow, huh? Emma will be ripped to shreds – is that what you want?"
"Of course not-"
"She's the savior," Ruby needlessly said. "She's the one who'll break the curse, bring back our happy endings-"
"Peter's not coming back," Lucy snapped.
It was a statement Ruby had not wanted to hear, Lucy could tell. She was gripping the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white. "You don't know that," Ruby mumbled, shaking her head.
"That beast's not him, Red," Lucy replied. "It's broad daylight out. The full moon is not for a couple weeks. It's just the Wolf. Whatever made him human is gone."
"You're the last person in this whole town who can turn down the possibility of a man transforming into a beast," Ruby hissed. "What makes you any better?" she demanded, eyes locked on the road.
Lucy could not help but glare. "Because I retain my mind, my sense of being when I transform – I don't go around murdering innocent people!" she nearly shouted, having a hard time keeping her temper in check. There was a time and place for everything. This was neither. "That thing is nothing but a monster and Peter was its first victim, Red," she said, her voice softer in hopes that it would lessen the sting of her words.
"He can come back, you came back – you died," Ruby pointed out. "There has to be a way. Magic-"
"Always comes with a price, whether you want it or not," Lucy stated. "There won't be a happy ending for Peter and there sure as hell won't be one for me either – that's how I'm not any different from the Wolf."
"Don't speak like that," Ruby warned.
"I'm not going to see this curse be broken," Lucy continued, against Ruby's wishes. "Every transformation becomes more and more painful, it's a pain I'm quite familiar with – I know I'm drowning all over again because it is against nature that I'm here. The dead should stay dead-"
"Then don't transform," Ruby interrupted, not wanting to hear more of what Lucy had to say. She knew what Lucy was going to say next and she did not have to hear it. Peter had died too; he had to stay that way also.
Lucy released a short bitter laugh. "It's not that easy," she replied. "I still have time. Being a wolf is the only way I know how to fight. Being human, as foreign as it is, is the only way I can communicate."
"Don't transform," Ruby repeated. "We'll think of another way-"
"Protect them if I can't."
Since the beginning of their bickering, silence fell upon them. Ruby knew exactly what Lucy meant even though she did not want to accept it. Her focused eyes spotted the patrol car up ahead, off the side of the road. They could already see Emma's moving figure near the car that appeared to have steered off the highway.
"Red," Lucy stated when Ruby pulled over without a word. "Promise me."
Ruby killed the engine and shook her head. "I will, but it's a promise I won't have to keep," she finally replied. "Nothing's going to happen to you."
It was an empty statement, they both knew, but Lucy got what she was looking for and that was all that mattered. For now, Lucy would continue her role and the fact that Ruby would offered her a small sense of peace, something that was very much needed given their current situation. Now it was time to focus.
Camera in hand, Emma watched both women climb out of Ruby's red car. She was frowning, for various reasons. Ruby was supposed to be in the office and Lucy, well, the last time Emma saw her they had a bit of a scuffle which resulted in one of them turning into an animal and fleeing the law. Not to mention, this was the second time her investigation was being interrupted. Sidney only left a few minutes ago.
"Sheriff Swan," Ruby began. "Something's come up, you need to come back in town."
Emma glanced between the two of them. "Is it an emergency?" she asked. "The longer I stay away from the scene-"
"Forget the scene," Lucy snapped, taking a step forward. "You need to leave. Now."
Her forceful tone caused Emma to immediately reach for her handcuffs which in turn made Ruby step in front of Lucy. "She has nothing to do with Kathryn's disappearance," Ruby reassured before looking over her shoulder. "You need to work on your conversation skills, Lu."
"Kathryn?" Lucy repeated, looking over at Emma, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "That's who's missing?"
"That is none of your concern," Emma quickly replied.
"Regardless, Lucy's right, we have to leave," Ruby stated. "There's a dangerous wolf roaming the woods."
"A dangerous wolf, huh?" Emma's eyes landed on Lucy who was now frowning and shaking her head. "Perhaps we can solve that problem here and now."
"We're not prepared to take it on," Ruby began.
"We're not even talking about the same creature," Lucy pointed out. "The sheriff's talking about another wolf, aren't you, Sheriff Swan?" Lucy questioned, but did not allow time for a response. She knew if she did, an argument would escalade. Emma had the same fiery spirit as her mother, Snow, Lucy could see that – same eyes too. "This wolf is bigger, badder. It makes the other seem like a cute, cuddly puppy."
"It attacked Mary Margaret and Lucy this morning at the wishing well," Ruby added.
Emma's eyes narrowed. "Mary Margaret?" she repeated. "Is she okay?"
"Dandy," Lucy quipped. "Because she's safe in town."
"I can't just leave," Emma snapped back. "If Kathryn's out there-"
"Then it's too late for her," Lucy said shortly. "The wolf has gotten her by now."
"No," Ruby spoke up before Emma could reply to Lucy's blunt comment. "It wouldn't be out hunting this soon if it has already fed."
This conversation was getting a bit out of hand and ridiculous. Whatever the case may be, it was still Emma's duty to find the missing Kathryn, wolf or no wolf. She could not abandon the scene of the crime. "I'll keep all that in mind, but I really need to get back to work – so do you, Ruby, and you," Emma turned her attention to Lucy. "You should be thankful I'm not throwing your ass in jail, especially after our last encounter."
"Don't do anything stupid," Lucy warned. "We all need to go back to town."
"You're the last person who gets to lecture anyone about stupidity," Emma remarked. "Assulting a cop ranks pretty high on the-"
"We're standing up wind," Ruby announced.
Both Emma and Lucy turned their attention to Ruby, their little spat was quickly forgotten. Lucy's shoulders fell as she followed Ruby's gaze into the forest. It was faint, but Lucy could hear it – leaves crunching and branches snapping under the weight of heavy paws. The beast was coming. Lucy stepped away from Ruby and towards Emma who she grabbed by the wrist and pulled behind her.
"What the hell-"
"Stay behind me!" Lucy demanded over her shoulder, right eye glowing a blazing red color. "And go – both of you!"
Ruby quickly shook her head, knowing full well what that red eye meant. "Don't, Lucy! Don't transform!"
"No silver arrows – or bullets. No choice," Lucy remarked. "Gotta – I ruined the Sheriff's jacket too."
"Lucy!" Ruby warned.
But Lucy only shook her head and turned her attention back to the forest. Her teeth grinned together as she braced herself. The pain caused her to throw her head back and collapse on all fours, but she stifled her whimper. Emma's eyes grew wide as she witnessed the transformation once more. Seeing it a second time she did not make it any easier, any more normal. Emma turned to Ruby, expecting her new assistant to be freaking out at the very least. She was not. Ruby was calm, acting as if nothing strange had just happened.
The wolf standing in front of them took a couple strides forward before lowering itself in an attack stance, growling. As ferocious as it sounded, the growl was nothing compared to the rumbling coming from the tall shadow that was emerging from the safety of the trees. Emma's eyes widened as the massive creature stepped into view. Lucy stood her ground, continuing to growl, but she definitely seemed non-threatening in comparison. Emma reached for her gun in its holster as the Wolf's growl turned into a snarl. It was not happy to see any of them, especially Ruby and Lucy.
When the creature took a step forward, Lucy lunged to snap at its feet as she too snarled. The Big Bad Wolf took a small step backward before reaching out to swipe at the runt. As Lucy rolled to the side to dodge, she heard two gun shots. Looking over her shoulder quickly, Lucy saw Emma holding her weapon. Lucy quickly turned back to the beast who found its two new shoulder wounds to be rather annoying more than anything else.
Teeth bearing, the Wolf charged. Both Ruby and Lucy sprang into action. As the beast lunged towards Emma, Ruby grabbed her by the forearm and pulled her out of the way. Lucy pounced onto the creature's back, causing it to stumble onto the open road. Emma lifted her arm once more, but Ruby quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled it down. Regular bullets would only aggravate the monster even further and they did not need that right now.
With a loud snarl, Lucy clamped and clenched her jaw against the Wolf's ear before yanking sharply. The beast threw its head back with a yelp. It was the only pain Lucy knew she was capable of dealing to the powerful creature. As the beast began to push itself off the road, Lucy leapt off its back, positioning herself between the monster and the two women. She would not let the damn thing get past her.
The Wolf rose to its feet and faced its adversaries. Blood was dripping down its face from its ear, the tip torn and barely hanging together. It was a small injury, but it was one that Lucy could pride herself in, probably much like Emma and those gunshot wounds if she was able to see past fighting a full blown werewolf. She kept her hard gaze locked with the beast, both continuing their fierce growls. Ruby pulled on Emma's arm as they took a couple slow steps backward, towards the car. Now was the time to escape, especially since the Wolf's attention was locked on Lucy who Ruby knew would be able to stand her own alone – or that is what she told herself. Ruby had to honor a promise she made minutes ago; she had to get Emma out of here.
But the Wolf averted its eyes from them, its nose twitching in the air at the wind that carried a sweet scent. It turned back to the three and delivered a final growl before taking off. When Lucy caught the scent herself, her eyes widened. She glanced over her shoulder to meet Ruby's gaze who gave her a quick nod. They mutually understood and, without a word, Lucy took off after the Wolf.
Even with the two animals gone, Emma held on to her gun tightly in case they decided to make an encore appearance. She gazed over at Ruby who was strangely calm. Not only had she witnessed some serious shape shifting, there had been a bloody thirsty werewolf as well, but Ruby did not react at all. Was she in shock?
"Are you okay?" Emma asked.
Ruby nodded. "But we have to get moving," she stated, jogging over to her own car. "They're heading to the playground. Lucy's not fast enough to keep up with the Big Bad Wolf."
"The Big Bad Wolf?" Emma repeated. Even in the midst of everything, she could still hear Henry's voice informing her that Ruby was none other than Little Red Riding Hood from his book. This could not be happening. "Ruby, how do you know all this?" she questioned.
"It's not the first time I've dealt with these wolves," Ruby admitted, no need to beat around the bush. There was no time for it, anyway. Emma had witnessed the transformation twice now, witnessed the deadly wolf. Their world was starting to make its presence in Storybrooke. It would be dangerous to not only keep it from Emma, but it was not wise for Emma to go on ignoring it. "I'll answer all your questions later, Sheriff. Right now, we have to move."
xxxx
There was one advantage to being a loner – no one noticed when you were gone and Henry was currently embracing that fact. Sneaking away from the other kids and playground had been simple. The other children did not notice his absence. Frankly, they rarely did. Henry did not mind, he was able to focus on Operation Cobra some more. It had been placed on the back burner again. He and Emma rarely had time together, a fact that made him more than a little sad. They had not been able to meet up with Lucy so Henry had decided to get Lucy to go to Emma.
This was where Henry met her, saw her transform. She had to be nearby, maybe her den was close. After he found her, it would be just as easy to sneak back into town unnoticed. She must know the forest very well, right? She was a wolf, which had to have come with the territory – along with super hearing.
Which was why Henry was walking around the trees, saying her name gently. She would hear him. Unwanted ears would not. You could never be too careful with Operation Cobra. They were going up against the Evil Queen after all and she had no problem playing dirty and against the rules. Evil never did.
"Lucy?" she repeated again.
"Henry!"
The response made the boy jump. It did not belong to the person that he hoped for. When Henry turned towards the voice, he saw a panicked Regina making her way over to him with a bit of a struggle. Heels and wilderness did not mix very well, but that was not stopping her. Upon reaching him, Regina knelt down slightly and embraced him tightly, her heart still racing against her chest. When that woman at the playground could not locate him and the other children pointed towards the woods, all Regina could think about was running along the river. The fear had been the same, one that she had not wanted to relive again.
"Henry, you frightened me," Regina admitted, gently stroking his head, running her fingers though his short brown hair. "What are you doing out here?" she asked, pulling away from the hug.
It was a question Henry wanted to ask her right back. Little did he know that she was approached by that home wrecker, Mary Margaret, as she was heading to her car after paying that apartment building a visit. The last thing Regina had wanted at that time was to listen to Mary Margaret's inconsistent rambling about being attacked by an imaginary ruthless monster, but then the woman said something that caught Regina's undivided attention. Mary Margaret had not been alone. Regina's demeanor changed slightly when Mary Margaret mentioned that she had been attacked with Lucy.
Regina could not care less about Mary Margaret's well being. As long as she stayed miserable, Regina was content, but if Lily – no, Lucy. No, that woman. If she was involved and if there was a small chance of her being that little girl she lost, Regina could not let this go by idly. When Mary Margaret had said they barely got away, Regina was a bit relieved – for the other woman. Regina still needed her around to figure out the puzzle Mr. Gold had laid out before her.
With the mayor's attention caught, Mary Margaret had gone on to suggest clearing the playground since it was so close to the woods and nothing surrounded or enclosed the area that would protect the public. Before Regina could make a snide comment that she was not the sheriff, Regina found herself agreeing with Mary Margaret who was a little taken back by the lack of the mayor's harsh cold remarks. She had left Mary Margaret there on the sidewalk, a bit confused that the conversation had gone relatively smoothly given the nature of the situation. She did not know that the mayor had become preoccupied. Henry was at the playground.
"The ball we were playing with rolled away," Henry answered. "One of the guys kicked it too hard and I went after it, but I can't find it." He did not understand the gravity of the problem at hand.
And Regina was well aware of that. That and the fact that Henry was currently lying to her. For now, she would let it slide. They would address this matter later. "Well, I think we have to forget about the ball for now, sweetie," Regina replied, standing up straight. "Come on, we have to go."
Henry pulled his hand away when Regina reached for it. "Why?" he asked simply. The Evil Queen had eyes and ears everywhere; she knew what he was up to. She wanted to put a stop in his mission. Needless to say, he was unaware that Regina was just being a mother, a mother worried and looking out for her child's safety.
"I had to clear the playground," Regina said truthfully. Now it was her turn to lie. "There was a scheduling conflict. The playground is going to be maintenanced this afternoon, not Monday morning. Now, come, we have to go." It was the same thing she had said to the citizens there. She had not wanted to scare them or Henry for that matter. Regina held out her hand to her son once more.
"That scared you?" Henry asked, scrunching his nose. He still did not take her hand.
"Young man," Regina began, her tone stern, but, before she could continue, her voice was drowned out by a furious bark and howl. Immediately, Regina grabbed a hold of Henry and pulled him close to her, blocking his view. As the werewolf appeared through the thick tree, Regina raised her free hand, summoning the powers that had been dormant for years.
Roots sprang out from the ground and tied themselves firmly and tightly around the beast's ankles, pulling it to the ground, hard. A smaller wolf was trailing behind, blood trinkling down just under its left eye. Regina narrowed her eyes. A force picked up the runt and threw the small canine against a nearby tree. The small wolf yelped in pain which caused Henry to pull away. His eyes widened at the scene. There it was, right in front of him, the Big Bad Wolf, but he was more concerned with the other, more familiar wolf that was struggling to get back up.
"Lucy!" he shouted. "Get up! Please, get up!"
"What?" Regina murmured, her eyebrows furrowing as she looked at the multicolor eyed wolf that only looked back. Did Henry just call it-
Snap!
The Wolf broke free from its entanglements which provided the motivation for Lucy to stand back up despite the aches and pains of being thrown around. She did her damnest to distract the Wolf, but in the end, she had only been a nuisance. The Wolf still managed to get down here regardless. Without Red and Snow to back her up, Lucy was nothing.
But the Wolf would not take that into consideration. It would not wait for the team to assemble. It was attacking and it was attacking now.
As the Wolf stood, Lucy darted in front of Regina and Henry. Her growl had grown weak, she was tired. The beast, however, was not at all phased, just annoyed that this tiny creature had been following it around the forest surrounding the town. Both animals lowered themselves into their attack positions, ready to strike each other, but before either of them could pounce, gunshots rang out and the Wolf staggered backwards. In its short moment of weakness, Lucy leapt and pinned the beast against the ground.
Regina quickly turned her neck, hands gripping onto Henry's shoulders tightly, and spotted both the waitress from Granny's (what the hell was she doing here?) and the sheriff behind them. Emma was holding out her gun, ready to fire off more rounds if need be. "Get behind me," she demanded, her voice not allowing room for questions. Emma kept her eyes on the two fighting wolves as Regina led Henry over to Ruby who lead them back to the playground, Emma following behind.
"We can't leave her!" Henry whined when they reached the parked cards.
"She'll be okay," Ruby reassured. Her intention was to calm the boy. Hearing the statement also calmed her nerves slightly as well. Even she noted how lethargic Lucy was moving; she was exhausted from chasing the beast.
"This area needs to be blocked off. Immediately," Emma stated. "It's way too dangerous-"
"Oh, you don't say," Regina mocked. "That's exactly what I was doing here, Sheriff Swan."
"Now's not the time for this, Madam Mayor," Emma replied, keeping her temper in check. She needed to remain professional. "There's a missing person out there with those wolves. My department needs to move fast," she pointed out. "Are you okay?" she added, turning to Henry.
He nodded. Emma smiled faintly. She then looked over at Ruby. "Come on, let's go."
To be continued
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review!