Hello everyone once again..

As I said I will be bringing in many characters. It's time for Grumpy and Ruby to join us. I hope everyone is enjoying the reading so far. Getting into the characters head is not an easy job. So far I feel I got them on point.

Enjoy.

Belle went from one emotion to another in matter of minutes.

First shocked than frozen on the spot. As Regina used her magic on the unexpected attack on Robin, Hook and Emma. Without warning Rumple then put her behind him and a magic bubble surrounded them. Anger surfaced on her face as she watched Zelena and Regina threw the fire balls at her daughter. Concern was then on her face for her daughter as she watched her daughter fell down onto the ground.

"Rumple," Belle voiced in anger behind him wanting to go to her daughter but he held a grip on her wrist to keep her with him.

"Wait," Rumpelstiltskin replied quietly to her.

Suddenly a sound of explosion. She looked up and saw a cold face Regina who kept throwing fire balls at them.

At one point during the balls being thrown at them. Rumple tried to talk to her. Yet no response of hearing him. Like she was a puppet being told of what to do. She seen many expressions on Regina's face over the years but the look she gave them was totally blank. Strange.

Archimedes who left the arm of Lumiere flew up and high from everyone then circling back landing onto the hood of the car where Charming and Rumbella was next to on the ground.

Landing perfectly and using his small talons to walk softly over the metal surface to gaze down on the people below him. Seeing the young man squatting down next to the girl with his sword ready to defend her. He got his view of the strongest gatekeeper to ever exist. Well at least for now till her children are born. Listening to Merlin talk of the future. He stored all the information away. She will be the first to pass on all the abilities of a gatekeeper. Nowhere in history has this happened. Her children will be stronger but viewing the people around her shows she was on the right path. It was always a concern if she choose the dark path. Doing so would mean we would have to destroy her.

To gain the man's attention to talk to him.

"Hello," Archimedes said to Charming.

Charming heard the sound and looking around not seeing anyone.

Again the voice said with a frustrated sound, "Hello."

Charming having been in many situations was however confused of where this sound was coming so close. Answering the voice, "Who?"

"Who? Who? I'd like to know who?" Archimedes stated in a sarcastic voice, "Look up and you will see?" He always hated coming to this land. Always non believers don't believe in owls that can talk. How these people get here with magic and not be open-minded of all possibilities in the world.

Charming looked up seeing a brown pygmy owl with yellow eyes staring at him with interest. Working in the animal shelter as David Nolan here in this realm he never seen an owl this size let alone with that color in the eyes. Not even in the Enchanted Forrest either. However he was open-minded of anything dealing with magic.

"Hello," He stated to the owl.

"Finally, I got your attention," Archimedes with a courteous voice, "The name is Archimedes. Companion to the great Merlin of the Gatekeepers." With a wave of his wings wide open bowing low to the metal hood of the car to show respect to the man.

"I am David Nolan or should I say Prince James," Charming responded back to him with a intrigued look on his face.

"I know who you are," Archimedes saying wisely to him, "Or should I say Prince Charming." He had heard about this man's bravery many times over from Merlin. The man reminded Merlin of King Arthur who they assisted over 1,000 years ago before the Dark Curse was done. A great swordsman with brains. Also he was the father of the mate of the gatekeeper below him.

"Merlin sends his greetings and is on his way," he continued saying. His gaze turned to the girl below him. His eyes went back up to the prince. "How is she?" with concern in his voice.

"She's fine for the moment but we got pressing matters at the moment as you can see," Charming replied back looking back to see Zelena still using magic blasting away at the cage to escape.

"So I heard, " Archimedes answered. His gaze turning to the group behind the sorcerer still throwing fire balls at the couple.

He was not concern about the couple knowing Rumpelstiltskin could handle himself in magical battle. Yes there were thousands of stories he had to hear from Merlin of the future. He was the only man who would wear those dang dragon hide skin coats and leather pants. Still he is the future leader of the gatekeepers. Knowing he will need to show respect when meeting that man. Probably they may not get along at all-knowing him. As Merlin always says he was a Mr. Know It All. Humph I'm a wise owl.

His gaze then lingered on the oldest gatekeeper in this realm. Watching her stepping forward. He smiled if he could from his yellow beak. He felt her magic open wider after seeing the believer helping her with her magic.

Charming following the owl's gaze as his daughter's magic emerged from her hands. "What the..." he gasped.

"True love," Archimedes his voice being proud behind his back, "Is the strongest magic in all the realms in the world. Your daughter being a product of that magic has been released finally."

Charming heard the owl but he was memorized as he watched his daughter handle Regina with ease then wrapping her in the chains that Regina had done with her earlier. He didn't know why Regina did what she did but something was not right with her. He had seen her face like she was a puppet on a string. His gut feeling saying that Zelena had something to do with it. He continued watching hearing his daughter's shout and as they froze Regina. Pulling her to the group and then a white bubble encased them.

Archimedes voiced with urgency, " Prince Charming we need to move her now." He had been keeping an eye on the witch. She was exceptionally close to getting out of that cage that he could see. Now that the other sorcerer was secured they could move the gatekeeper to her parents. He knew Rumpelstiltskin with his gatekeepers now can protect his daughter.

It took him a moment due to he was distracted of the scene. Charming turned to the girl dropping the sword on the ground. Gradually with care he picked her up in his arms. Holding her if she was his own child with her head laying on his shoulder. He gazed across where Rumpelstiltskin was with Belle. Instinct told him to get to them.

The Road to Storybrooke

Merlin watched his old friend flying towards their destination down the long road. Time to change into something more comfortable. He did promise Archimedes he would in this realm.

Now what to wear. Well his poor hat and robe will need to go. Taking his cane tapping into the ground. "Alakazam," he stated loudly.

Bluish light enveloped him. His blue robe and hat disappeared in placement was white silk shirt with high top collar that button down the front with black high top boots covering the brown pants. Looking at himself still feeling a little uncomfortable without his robe and hat. With a twirl of his hand he conjured a sable blue cloak over his shoulder. Now that's a little better.

He then gazed into the distance after the transformation. To get there at all haste. Well no transportation nearby. Walking will take too long. Taking a deep breath knowing he will have to do a transformation into an animal. Not something he liked to do but time is not waiting for anyone. Flying would be good but he put that out. Not his best transformation into a bird.

Finally he decided to transform into a wolf. They are quick and can still get there in due time. Using his magic once again as the light covering his body. On the deserted road where once a man stood was a blue-eyed big white timber wolf. As if summoned the wolf charged long and wide towards down the concrete road going to the inhabitant town in the distance.

Meanwhile In Storybrooke in Granny's Diner

Granny, Ruby along with the dwarfs was helping the many people inside from the injured that was flying monkeys and making comfortable places so that food can be distributed among the people.

As Ruby was helping Granny wrapping a bandage on a man's arm who was laid out on one of the tables in the diner. Big blast of sounds was heard outside on the street.

Granny looked up sharp at her granddaughter. Nodding towards the door saying, "Go see what that is."

Ruby nodded and headed towards the door exiting to the open area where people could eat outside. Grumpy had come behind as they both saw Charming ducking to the ground and Rumbella taking the blast as she passed out.

"Holy Crap," Grumpy said in shocked as he turned his head down the street. They watched the whole scene unfold in front of them.

Grumpy was not happy that the Evil Queen was fighting everyone. He never liked her after all the trouble in the Enchanted Forrest and then here in Storybrooke taking them here in the land of no magic.

"I'm going to go get my axe," Grumpy stated to move back into the diner where he left it earlier.

Ruby grabbed Grumpy's arm. Staring at him in the face with a determined look on her face to join in the fight.

"Tell Granny what is happening," Ruby voiced to her friend as she was removing the high heels off her feet to go bare footed. He nodded and turned to go back inside the building. Ruby then used her lycan powers to transform into her wolf form.

In the dawn's light shining onto the diner's building the pretty black-haired girl who stood there disappeared into a big black wolf with red eyes. The wolf gradually ran across the street and crawled to the car where Charming was squatted on the ground near the young woman. The wolf's head stayed low watching the scene as it unfolded from under the car.

Ruby was in her thoughts. She never forgot the flying monkeys entering the bedroom of her Granny earlier tonight. She had heard all sorts of sounds from the back of the house. Her sense of smell detected something magical and didn't smell right. Taking no chances she transformed and stalked the smell all the way to her grandmother's room which was located in front of the house. Entering the room with a transformation from her hand only. She had seen this big winged monkey coming in from the window after breaking it to attack her grandmother. Immediately she had leaped across the room knocking the monkey outside the window.

The crash of the window had awoken her grandmother. Due to the next minute she felt her grandmother next to her with her crossbow in one hand and the other placed on her head. It was the first time in her wolf form that her grandmother actually touched her. She was relieved at the touch but the next monkey came into the next window. So both her and her grandmother took charge of each window to handle the flying monkeys.

She was not proud of killing that one particular monkey that tried to take her out of the window. To her the flying monkeys were being controlled unlike soldiers if they attacked she would show them no mercy but survival had kicked in to kill the monkey. She knew if she fell from the window she could be killed. After all she is not immortal like some people.

Her ears perked up hearing the voice next to Charming. Scooting on the ground to gaze at the figure that Charming was looking at on the hood of the car. An actually talking owl. Never saw one of those before. Wonder if he is enchanted like some of us. She scooted back behind the car not to be seen.

She continued to watch the events taking place in front of her from behind the car. Her biggest concern that the owl was right about Zelena getting out of the cage. Charming will be unable to protect himself from the witch not while holding the girl in his arms.

Determined to be his back up more than ever. After all Snow White was her best friend and her being pregnant she couldn't allow Charming to get killed not while on her watch.

During the talk with Charming he had seen the girl across the street change into a black wolf. A lycan. Wonders never cease among these people.

As he watched Charming pick up the girl into his arms. He decided to check on that lycan to be sure it was safe from the gatekeeper. The man did something he would not have done. Instead of going to Rumpelstiltskin. He turned with the girl going to the back of the car where the wolf was hiding. Hopping with his wings flapping over the hood to the trunk of the car.

"Wait," He said loudly to Charming. Charming stopped to look up at the owl.

Archimedes walked to the edge of the trunk of the car looking down on the ground. He could see the tail of the wolf swinging back and forth from under the car.

"Come out little wolf," he called down with a menacing voice, "before I come down there and chew off your tail."

Charming took a step back at those words next to the car tail end. Looking down as well. He saw a wolf red eyes gazing at him. It was familiar to him as if yesterday when he first met her. He knew it was Ruby. He would know the wolf just by sight alone having seen her in wolf form here and in the Enchanted Forrest.

"It's okay," Charming with a calm voice to Archimedes, "It's only Ruby. I expect she is watching my back."

"Humph," Archimedes commented looking like an owl not happy with his feathers pulled up from his body.

Charming then continued to go around to the other side of the car. In his mind if Zelena gets out they wouldn't be in an open area. At least some protection is needed. He paused to look back and saw the wolf emerging backing up from under the car and trotted over to stand next to him.

He could clearly see somehow that Ruby had control over the wolf. Due to it sat next down to him to protect him. What shocked him next was the growl from the wolf. The wolf's head was looking at the owl that was still on the trunk of the car looking at them.

"O hush up little girl," Archimedes commented to the wolf staring at it from where he stood, "I know you are protecting him. My job is to protect that girl."

The wolf gave a sharp bark and growl at his comment with its hair standing up from its body.

"Hm! You wouldn't dare!," Archimedes croaking at the wolf.

"Are you talking to her?" Charming asked out of curiosity.

"Yes!" he answered to the man. "One of my many abilities as an owl from where I come from. I have the ability to talk to other animals even a lycan."

Charming laughed out loud. He could image what Ruby said to him. I will have to ask her later on that when this is over with. Snow will want to hear all about this little conversation. As he was ready to turn to trek over to Rumpelstiltskin. He saw Grumpy exiting the diner across the street and was running towards them with his axe in his hands. He could only shake his head of his friends coming to his aid. No matter the circumstances they was always there when you needed them.

Grumpy was huffing hard when he arrived next to Ruby and Charming. Grumpy was taking a deep breath from the running. Looking around he sees the owl standing on the trunk of the car.

"What is that?" he asked.

"Like you never seen a talking owl before," Archimedes says to him taking offensive of that question.

Grumpy took a step back with his axe with a shocked look on his face of the words coming out of the owl's mouth.

"A talking owl Charming really," Grumpy says to him after recovering to see something like this.

"I take offensive of that remark dwarf," Archimedes with an arrogant voice, "I am a highly respected wise owl. Unlike you dwarfs"

"Why you.. ," Grumpy said moving forward to hit the owl with his axe.

"Stop everyone," Charming ordered with a loud voice, "We don't have time for this. We need to get over to Rumpelstiltskin now with this girl."

"Why?" Grumpy asked with a question in his look.

"If Zelena gets her hands on this girl's heart then no one can stop her," Archimedes with a serious voice with his wings flapping as if shuddering at the thought, "She is Rumpelstiltskin and Belle's daughter."

Grumpy took some thoughts on the matter.

He had watched the girl's powers earlier in the evening from inside the diner. The girl definitely has mojo power. Thank god he had crashed out upstairs in one of Granny's beds. It was just his luck coming downstairs hearing all the ruckus outside the window of the diner. When he saw the flying monkeys. He had immediately called his brothers who had come running to the diner. Fighting their way in and helping him to secure the diner from the flying monkeys. He didn't want to leave old Granny and Ruby alone dealing with them. He had advised his brothers to stay behind when he came out here. Those injured people needed help. Although they can fight in a battle but magic is out of their league. Not that it ever bothered him since he has been around fairy magic all his life. However he couldn't leave Ruby and Charming out here while all this magic was flying around.

Hearing the girl was Belle's daughter. He looked sharp at the young girl. Her eyes were closed with blood dripping from her eye brow from the crash he saw done to her. A beautiful girl no doubt about it. If it's her daughter well at least she got her looks from her mother and not from Rumpelstiltskin. Now that imp he never cared for but he always looked out for Belle. He couldn't understand her attraction to him but you can't stop true love.

"Well what are we waiting for people," Grumpy said to everyone, "Let's get over there."

Apartment above the Library

Snow was still sitting on the windowsill watching the whole entire scene below. Thank god this window gave her a view of everyone. She so wanted to go out there to join in helping young Rumbella after she fell down.

She could see why now soul magic was dangerous to anyone with magic. Regina had no control. She just kept attacking everyone. She had almost ran out to assist when she saw her daughter was chained up until she saw the owl emerging from the sky landing on Lumiere. It looked like her prayers was answered.

Soon afterwards Emma was released and took control of handling Regina. That surprised the hell out of her of the magic coming from her own daughter. Seeing Emma and Rumbella with their own magic. She can understand why the gatekeeper's knowledge was hidden from everyone. If it was ever found out. She can imagine other realms wanting that vast power for evil purposes.

Her hand laid on the book that she was protecting for Belle who left it behind. The knowledge alone will cause so much trouble. She had opened it and caressed the book's title of where the tree was printed. She had felt the power and the words have lightened up for her. She wanted to read it but didn't .

The baby in her womb had reacted to the book's magic so she just closed the cover and held the book as she continued watching everything below. Rubbing her belly to soothe her child in her belly. He had been kicking for a bit and then settled down.

She glanced behind her to check on Roland to see if he was still sleeping. The little black hair tyke was still asleep on the couch with his stuffed monkey in his arms.

Turning back to the window once again. She saw her husband picking up the girl. However the bird that was with Lumiere was following Charming. Then she saw Grumpy crossing the road to them. She breathed a little more knowing at least another friend was there with husband and the young girl.

Her eyes turned to Zelena inside the cage. Some instinct told her she was almost out of that cage. As her thoughts came on that. The gilded cage that had trapped the witch exploded out onto the street. Oh god...

Rumpelstiltskin in his three hundred years as the Dark One have seen many dark magic over the years and practiced in it for his deals. Whatever Zelena was controlling her with is a mystery to him. He loved mysteries to be unsolved and use it to his advantage.

When Regina attacked everyone his first thought was to protect Belle and his unborn daughter. Some would say it was selfish of him. Not that he gave a damn. His family came first and up most. When he saw Henry coming out of the building, he was angry at the young boy for not listening to stay inside. Yet he can understand. It's family. Family is important above all else. He had breathed a sigh of relief when Lumiere stopped Henry.

His thoughts turned to Rumbella. Although he only met her recently, he felt the connection of family within himself. He wanted to be the one protecting her as he watched her laying on the ground. Yet he couldn't due to this dark magic over Regina. He couldn't take the risk.

Then the blasts had stopped where he turned his attention to see Emma's magic come out in full force. Product of true love. Strongest magic in the world in all the realms. He was right. He felt the strong power in her as it came out. How could you not feel it. Well his daughter was stronger than Emma but the savior proved his point. She was born for this when needed her courage and heart will emerge for any situation.

He was proud of his work to get Snow and Charming together all those years ago. To this day he didn't know why he did it and still remained a mystery to him yet it was probably the kiss from Belle who almost broke his curse. The thought of true love breaking his curse gave him the idea of a safety net when the time came here in this realm of the land with no magic.

He had seen the owl emerging in the air going from Lumiere then over to Charming. Not sure where this bird came from. His gut feeling told him this is no ordinary bird. He will have to watch and see.

His eyes were still focused still on the scene in front of him as Regina was being lifted into the air by Emma. Ah my dear Ms. Swan. You have much potential in magic. After this display I am sure you will be wanting to learn more. He got a feeling he will be teaching her as well but he was calculating at best to see if he can manipulate Regina to do the job. Thinking of this he was already rubbing his hands in glee of how to bring this about for the future. Time for Regina to take on an apprentice. He was going to have a lot to handle with Henry and his daughter alone. Those two will need close watching in their training.

"Rumple?" Belle tugging on his arm to point towards Charming who had picked up his daughter and was moving her out of danger.

He glanced back at Regina who was chain tied down then he released the bubble of protection around him and Belle. Grabbing her hand to move forward to Charming to check on his daughter.

They had only took a few steps when the blast behind them froze them. Turning his gaze to the sound. He watched as Zelena emerged out of the cage with smoke surrounding her. Debris of the cage was shattered all over the street in front of her.

As she surfaced out of the smoke. Her gaze had turned towards Charming holding the gatekeeper in his arms. A wicked smile came onto her face slowly of evil intent was to be done to the unconscious girl.

Rumpelstiltskin seeing the intended target. The distance to her was far but as he edge with Belle behind him to reach the group near the building.

Zelena seeing the gesture with a twirl of hand sent some of the concrete that was broken from the street to fling it in front of Rumpelstiltskin and Belle's path.

As she came forward. Still smiling with a finger going back and forth saying, "Ah Ah Rumpelstiltskin. You take another step and I will ensure that they will roast alive from where you stand if the car does not kill them on impact." To show them she meant business she lifted the car up a few inches in the air.

Her eyes were slit gazing at him with a snarl on her face with a warning saying further, "You can't protect them and yourselves at the same time. Either way I will ensure that daughter of yours will never survives."

Rumpelstiltskin had stopped at the concrete in front of him and turned to the voice of Zelena. What she said was correct. He could not use his powers in both places. Without some help. A quick glance to his left. He saw that Emma and Regina was out of commission. Now Lumiere could help but that was too risky.

Taking a deep breath. His mouth dry of fear in a long time. Yet his face was stone cold with a dark gaze of retribution at her as he faced her.

"What do you want dearie?" He growled the question at her. He felt the hand of Belle on his back trembling knowing he was out of options. He could not reassure her. He will make damn sure she doesn't get to another child of his. He will kill Zelena if it's the last thing he does.

"Since you are no longer able to control," She said with a haughty look on her face, "You are no use to me now." Then a smirk emerged from her face saying further, "All I need now is your daughter's heart now to finish my plans."

"Not going to happen Zelena," he promised to her in rage voice.

"You can't kill me Rumpelstiltskin," she empathized as she took a few steps in front of him, "If you do not only will you kill Regina but her child within her as well. So it will be two people you are killing. If you kill me."

"How?" Rumpelstiltskin asked stalling for time to get out of this tight situation he was in.

Zelena knew he was going to ask that and answered, "Soul Magic."

Rumpelstiltskin knew it was a no win situation. One of the darkest magic in the world was Sidhe magic. She may think he does not know about it. He had studied it and found it repulsive. The magic of taking hearts of others to use their magic while controlling the other individual at the same time. It was like being controlled like that daggers of his. She may not know of how it can be stopped but he did. He learned it from a fairy many years ago to gain its secret before he killed her. Knowing no fairy dust in this land for the fairies to fight against it. For the first time since he became the Dark one he was at a loss of what to do. Inside he cursed this witch to a thousand deaths.

Hearing the blast of explosion behind him. Archimedes wings flapping widely he took flight into the air. He flew up above the people on the ground. He soared in a circle above the occupants below. He saw Zelena exiting the cage. Great time has run out he thoughts. He circled once again then felt magic in another direction.

Using his far sight eyes that could see long distances. He saw a white timber wolf that was running at full force emerging from the distance heading straight towards them.

Well it's about time. Guess going have to distract this witch. I hope she does not burn my feathers. Merlin you owe me a big dinner for this. Heck the whole town is going to owe me..

He dived down and soared around Rumpelstiltskin and Belle in front of everyone.

Zelena stepped back seeing this huge owl coming out of nowhere.

As he circled the second time.

Rumpelstiltskin raised his arm out to the bird. After seeing it with Lumiere. He knew this bird was here for some reason.

Archimedes then gracefully landed onto Rumpelstiltskin's arm. His great talons holding softly onto the arm. Settling his feathers down. He turned his gaze onto the man's face.

"Thank you," He said to the man.

Rumpelstiltskin's eye brows had went up at the voice yet the stone face look he had on his face remained.

How up nerving Archimedes thoughts. This man can be cold as ice anywhere with that look. He glanced at Belle's face showing a brave face in light of everything around them. Finally his head turned to the witch in front of him.

Cocking his head to the left and to the right with a complete stare at her with his yellow eyes blinking at her. From behind her he saw the white timber wolf changing into Merlin with modern-day clothes with his cane walking forward.

Finally his feathers started to bristle with his full wings emerging out with a direct stare as if ready to attack at any given moment.

The voice emerging from the yellow beak was strong with a warning, "I'm afraid you are off-limits to the gatekeeper witch. Proceed with caution. What action and words you utter will define your fate."

Zelena sneered at them, "Really is this your pet, Rumpelstiltskin?"

Rumpelstiltskin saw the change of the wolf to a man who was walking rapidly forward to them. Didn't have to be told this was an unknown friend coming to aid them.

An evil smirk emerged from his face with a cocky voice, "He's not mine dearie!"

A kind firm voice was heard for the first time among the people.

"Actually he's mine," Merlin said.

Whoo...

This took a bit to get here.. lol..

What will be the fate of Zelena?

Let's see what happens next.

Stay tuned.