Hello people..
Here is the next awaited chapter for you to read. Sorry for the delay. Had to do a little brain storming...
Apartment above the library..
Snow White or Mary Margaret called in this world. Her right hand plastered on the window from the windowsill where she sat in the living room area. Looking down below of the people still battling it out with the witch that had tormented everyone in the past year.
Another sigh escaped from her lips of the relief seeing the new individual joining everyone to stop the witch. She so wanted to join them but couldn't in her state and leaving Roland in the apartment by himself. The child was way too young to leave behind.
Grimacing with pain once again after sighing. She had felt the back pains started after Emma had taken down Regina then her water broke. The pain progressing slowly in which she took slow breathes in between her contractions. She knew the labor had started. Once again always a bad time.
Glancing down at her belly. Slowly making slow circles over her huge stomach with her left hand.
" You are going to be just like your sister?" she spoke with a soft voice, " Aren't you? Coming when we don't need you to?"
Breathing slowly than gazing back to everyone on the street. Please hurry. She don't know how much time she had. It seem like hours to her already. Taking small deep breaths once again as the pain increased in her middle back. Time to take some action. Just in case.
Putting her hands on the window sill to lift herself up from the chair she was sitting in. Taking small steps over to her purse that was laying on the kitchen table. Reaching inside to grab her cellular phone. Knowing it was crazy that they may not have their phones on them but she refuse to deliver this baby by herself. She will get some help one way or another.
Sitting in a chair she opened her phone. Started dialing the list of numbers. From her husband all the way down to Leroy. All the calls went to voice mail. Even the 911 call had a busy signal. Each call failed to reach someone she looked at the phone like it was an instrument of evil mocking at her.
"No this can't be happening to me," She speaking to the baby below, "Why now little one?"
The only answer she got was another contraction hitting her once again. She moaned. Can't reach anyone by phone. Gazing at the door across from her knowing the steps below would not help her in her escape from this building. Pain on her face she closed her eyes as she kept short breaths to lessen the pain.
She never heard the sound of the shuffle of small feet hitting the floor until the small hand that laid on her face. She opened her eyes gazing at the dark eyes of Roland who looked at her curiously. She tried to smile for the little boy that everything was okay. Yet the words out of his mouth sounded much older than his young years.
"You need help!" he stated looking at her as she went in another contraction in front of him. Grimacing to control the pain. The contractions were getting closer now. She couldn't send this little 4 or 5-year-old outside.
"I will be okay Roland," she answered him taking another deep breath.
He scrunched his face considering what she said to him. He could tell she was in pain. He seen one of the Merry Men hurt and tried to hide it from him. He remember thou what his father said to him. If you see someone in pain you go get help. Not really knowing this lady but he trusted his father. Making his decision he turned and walked to the door reaching up with his little arms to turn the knob to exit it out.
"No Roland!" she was gasping those words out with an arm reached out o him as the door slowly opened.
"I go get help," his little voice spoke with confidence looking over his shoulder then disappearing behind the door. The only sounds Snow White could hear was his little feet descending down the steps.
Merlin slowly walked to the group ahead of him. His thoughts jumbled of what to do with Zelena. What to do with this witch with no interference with everyone. A sleeping curse? No that won't do. Who's to say she does not have a true love out there. Which I doubt that. Pandora Box? Temporary maybe but not indefinite but a good transportation method. Ah imprisonment is what I stated. Why not the gatekeeper's prison. The vault of the Dark One will be the perfect prison for her. Placing her in darkness where she belongs. Taking a deep breath. I will have to break this new curse and send everyone back or transport them. Best to transport them. Still want to explore this new modern world and will need a home base here. This will be a good thing for everyone. After all it will enable for the gatekeepers to defend the realms better. Liking the idea more so as each step coming closer to the group.
Archimedes was already in flight after Merlin had placed the heart of Regina back into her body. Circling the group of people around the witch. Slowly flapping his wings descending down to land on Merlin's shoulder as he stopped in front of the people.
"So what do we do with the hag in front of us old friend," he stated gleefully with humor.
"Now that is not nice Archimedes," Merlin replied frowning at the bird on his shoulder.
"Well she deserves to be called that using and killing everyone," Archimedes replying back, "I say burn the witch."
"There will be no killing here Archimedes!" Merlin stated shaking his head at the bird.
"Then what do we do with her then?" Archimedes asked.
"I am thinking of the Gatekeeper's prison will do her nicely," Merlin confirming with a smile.
"No what! Ouch!" Archimedes voice shuttering with horror about that prison. Complete darkness and cold. Brrr never to see a light of day. However he couldn't say it wasn't the perfect place to keep her. It housed all the original Dark Ones and the first old ancient darkness that destroyed nearly all the gatekeepers. Perfect solution but he don't wish it on anyone. No sureee..
"So how do we transport her then?" Archimedes asked while eye balling the witch standing a foot from him.
"Good question Archimedes and I am sure Rumpelstiltskin can help us with the answer," Merlin stated calmly. Turning to the man in question. With a twinkle in his blue eyes he asked, "Do you still have Pandora's box Rumpelstiltskin?"
Rumpelstiltskin glanced up at the question. With a stern look on his face he studied the old man who came to their rescue. Who is this man? Why was he here? Stepping in front of Belle out of reflex to be safe.
"Why?" he answered in a cold voice.
"Ah where is my manners," Merlin replied. Taking his staff lowering it down bowing half way down to the man in front of him.
"Greetings Rumpelstiltskin," he stated as he completed his bowing, "I am Merlin the gatekeeper of the realm The Land That Time Forgot."
The Land that Time Forgot hmm. Rumpelstiltskin thoughts.. The realm that he could never find in all his years of searching. Other than the curse it was one of the realms he searched for many times over and always he could not find it. It told of the land had untold strong magic more than the Enchanted Forest and that there were immortals that assisted with strong magic when evil rose up when needed. Yet in all is search he could not find the land and the people. After searching for this realm for over a century he gave up to do the curse as a last resort.
Rumbella standing beside her father took a hold of his right hand in her left one giving a squeeze of ensure it was safe. Her gaze from Merlin was interrupted as she saw little Roland exiting out of the building of the library running across the street to his father. The look on the face of the child showed fear but all danger is over with Zelena. Something was not right. She could not shake the feeling
Letting go of her father's hand she stepped back. Looking around her turning her head to her left and right. A tinge of magic was in the air. A feeling in her bones letting her know new magic was coming into this world. Where is it? What is it?
Charming who was watching the scene in front of him. Noticed the odd expression on Rumbella's face remarked, "What is it?"
Rumbella was startled as Charming placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him coming out of her daze. Why now?
New magic coming but why now? She looked up at him as a light bulb came in her mind.
"What is today's date and time?" she asked.
He replied, " April 23rd and its 9:10 am, " as he looked down at the time from his watch, "Why?"
A new look of dawn came on her face as the date was mentioned. Today is Neal's birthday. Looking at the apartment she could feel the magic coming. Yes he is to be born today. That was why you sent me back before your date of birth. A huge smile came over her face of her eyes sparkling.
"We gotta go!" she said in a rush to Charming grabbing his hand to drag him with her.
Charming stopped her with a tug. "What?" he questioned.
"He's coming," she said with a merry voice, "Can't you feel it?" She looked at Rumpelstiltskin then to Merlin. Both looking at her strange as if she lost her mind for a moment.
Archimedes who was still on Merlin's shoulder was feeling the same magic as Rumbella. He got her meaning. He started laughing at them at her question. Ruffling his feathers as he was laughing so hard looking already to fall of his perch.
Rumbella beaming smile rested on the bird knowing he felt it as she did of the newest gatekeeper entering the new world.
"AH Ah ahh..," he tried to talk in his laughter.
"Is it me or I may have to kill this bird," Rumpelstiltskin remarked sarcastically.
"Hush Rumple," Belle stated as she patted his chest with her hand.
Then they heard Henry yelling.
Roland running with little legs as fast as he could to his father. Seeing the nice lady, Henry and his friend Lumiere with him.
He yelled, "Henry!"
Henry was crouched next to his mom when he heard Roland yelling his name. He turned quickly to catch the boy as he barreled into him. Roland looking at Henry trying to catch his breath to speak.
"What is it?" Henry questioned with a concern look on his face.
"Lady upstairs..," Roland talking while taking huge breaths, "She is .."
"What?" he asked as he got up to stand.
"Lady in pain!" Roland gasped, "Lady in pain!"
"Oh crap!" Henry muttered. He turned and yelled, "Grandpa!"
Both Charming and Rumpelstiltskin along with the group turned to his call.
"It's Grandmom!" he yelled swirling from everyone running to the library doors leaving everyone behind.
"Snow," Charming whispered then a smile on his face appeared. He started to run but Rumbella stopped him.
"My way is faster!" she said to him. Grasping is other hands. Opening her magic and with a poof they were gone from the street.
Archimedes was still laughing as they left.
"Hush up Archimedes," Merlin commented, "Before I turn you into a human."
Trying to sober up of his laughter. Archimedes gasped, "Him! You wouldn't dare!"
Merlin face a little red of not feeling that magic earlier. Must be my age creeping up on me. He expects the next gatekeeper is being born. Angrily he responded by knocking the bird off his shoulder, " So help me, I will!
His wings flapping to gain gravity didn't work and landed on the concrete flapping his wings laughing. Merlin pointed his staff at the bird.
Finally conceding in defeat of sobering up. He retorted back, "All right, all right, all RIGHT!"
Merlin still glowered at him. Knowing his old friend would want a last word. He could see him grumbling under his breath into his wings. Threatening him into a human was like magic. He would always stop.
"Excuse me," he questioned the bird at his feet.
"Nothing," Archimedes responded, "Nothing didn't say a thing."
Belle watching the light of her daughter's face shining of the happy event. She didn't have to be told in so many words. The expression on her face was so much like hers when she looked in the mirror thinking about Rumple. The child must be her daughter's true love. Oh my Rumple is going to have a fit now with more ties to the Charmings. He always complained of the interruptions from time to time when something happens in Storybrooke. Well at least he will be from a good family.
At the last thought she heard her daughter's voice in her mind.
"Mom she is in labor," Rumbella voice with concern, "Snow won't make it to the hospital. We need Doc."
She replied back to her, "I will send him over now."
Letting go of Rumple's waist she circled behind him going towards to Grumpy. Rumple's hand grabs her arm. She looking over her shoulder of the contact. His face was still stern from talking to Merlin but his eyebrows lifted in question. Patting his hand.
"I will be right back," she whispers to him with a secret smile on her face. He relented and released her.
With a quick step of a rush. She called, "Grumpy, I need your help."
Grumpy turned to her voice putting his axe down.
"What's up sister," he answered.
As she reached to be beside him. She placed her hands over his left ear whispering, "Go get Doc pronto. Snow is in labor. He is needed."
He stepped back with a shocked look on his face then his entire face beamed of a grand smile of the happy event.
"You got it sis," he responded with a hop then ran towards inside the diner. Ruby who great hearing heard the information whispered in Leroy's ear. She turned her head to Belle wagging her tail.
Belle just smiled at Ruby then turned back to Rumple's side. As she was getting closer she heard the remark from the owl. She could only shake her head of the strange events of enchanted animals. Well she can't be surprised look at Billy who was a mouse in Cinderella's castle. He was a human here till he was murdered. I wonder if the owl was a human at one time. I expect we will find out sooner or later of this mystery.
As her gaze came up from the owl her eyes collided with Zelena's gaze. All that she could see was evil yet fear as her eyes darted to Rumple and Merlin then back to her. She could hold no sympathy to this evil being. Her insight told her that the witch was deadly afraid. Yet she could sense no good in this woman. Making her decision she turned her back to the woman and continued her journey to her true love. Reaching his side she faced him placing her hands on his shirt looking up at him.
Rumpelstiltskin feeling her hands on his shirt turned his gaze to her from Merlin who still talking to the owl.
With a determined look on her face which he knows all too well. Taking a deep breath waiting to see what she wanted him to do.
"Place her in Pandora's box," she said with a firm voice, " For now till we can place her somewhere she can't harm anyone."
Releasing his breath a sign of relief for a moment he thought she was going to say lock the witch up at the police station. He nodded to her agreement. No arguments with the decision. It was one of the ideas he had after everyone went through in the last ten hours. A perfect cage for the witch.
Patting his chest a couple of times to show they thought alike. She stepped back and said, "I will go get it."
He watched as she turned walking towards his shop to get the box. He didn't hear Merlin till he was beside him remarking, "She is the descendent of one of the wisest gatekeepers during my time who unfortunately married a human but it was true love. She cared only for peace and recording our history."
Rumpelstiltskin turned his head slightly as if hearing the man but his gaze still lingered on the woman as she entered his store.
Merlin continued saying but with pride in his next words, "I am glad to see my cousin's family survived after all these years. I lost her in my vision quest after Regina told you she had died."
Rumpelstiltskin than turned to the man at that remark. The expression on the man's face was sad and the blue eyes lost it dull color then brightened. A smile leisurely came upon on his face.
"Not till your daughter was born did I see her again. Don't know how I missed her along the way. Apparently my cousin magic passed onto her. You see she was a seer and could hide herself from you if you are a seer. She was the one that destroyed all our knowledge except for the one book. The day she died the book had arrived to me telling me all that was needed to bring the gatekeepers back."
Rumpelstiltskin processed the information and only nodded. Then a question exited his mouth, "So all this was foretold long ago?"
Merlin with a twinkle in his eyes answered, "Yes!"
"So why was the Dark One born then?" he asked. Always wanting to know of how the Dark One was made and where it originated.
Looking at the man in front of him. Merlin knew this will come about one day. Didn't think it will be now. Ah well my sins of making that curse has caught up to me.
"The curse was not born but made," he said shaking his head then with an honest look, "I made the curse." His face showed a guilty look.
He continued saying, "It had to be done. Our noble leader was a strong man in both dark and light magic which he balanced it with the choices he made. An ancient evil had come upon some of the realms. Destroying everyone. Magu lost his wife to that creature. He was hell-bent to destroy it. That's when the dark one's vault was first built to contain the creature and a prison for gatekeepers. You see he advised me to make a curse so that any gatekeeper who loses control that their magic was stripped from them so that it would not enter the vault so that the power will pass onto someone else."
Taking a deep breath letting it out. His eyes lowered down. He continued his tale.
"I made the curse at his request and to be the guardian and keeper of the vault.," his voice rasped, " To this day I think he knew I would use it on him."
He looked up with haunted eyes, " He was my best friend. I saw him rambling about gaining more power from all the realms. I knew the dark magic of his was corrupted after he imprisoned the creature. To this day I think he knew he needed to be locked in that vault. I was the one that had to lock him in and curse his powers to another. I realized my horror afterwards that the magic was dark and corrupted the first Dark One."
"The dagger?" Rumpelstiltskin interrupted.
Merlin eyes still showing the grave history of the past. He said, " You see the person I chose to take the powers was not a good choice. So I made the dagger with the original curse with a twist. To control the Dark One and give them redemption. If they could get past the darkness and let the strongest light magic inside of them. The original powers of the gatekeeper will be restored to them clean. I paid the price of making that dagger. Had to use all my magic to ensure my curse held but it would put me in a deep sleep till one day it will be broken."
"Till now," Rumpelstiltskin commented with a small smirk on his face.
"Yes till now," Merlin agreed with a smile coming onto his face.
A twinkle in his eyes . With pride in his voice, " I am very honored that you have Magu's powers. You will need it for the future."
"Why?" Rumpelstiltskin demanded.
"Who do you think will be leading and training the next generation of gatekeepers?" Merlin chuckled.
"No.. no..," Rumpelstiltskin angrily said.
"I am afraid you will have no choice," Merlin stated firmly, "Your daughter in twenty years will be more powerful than me. Her children will be more so than her. I am sure you will want to train her personally to not fall to the dark side of magic. Not counting your other children in this matter either."
Neither man heard Belle had returned. Hearing the information she could only grin. She could not condone magic like she did in the past now knowing she had it all along growing up. Hearing he would be leading them. She always knew he was a leader even if he didn't acknowledge it. Look at all he has done. When it comes to magic he was the main person everyone went to get help. She can see him teaching magic. Oh my. Children. Knowing her Rumple will not want anyone teaching his children magic except him and only him. Yes being a leader of the Gatekeepers would be a honored name than the Dark One.
Making her decision she reached taking his left arm to gain his attention. He turned to her with a shock if not a horror look on his face. Hugging his arm.
She turned to Merlin saying, "What will you be doing for the future Merlin after we settle everything here?"
"Ahh so glad you asked my dear lady," Merlin answered, " I am going on vacation for a long time. I want to travel the world in this land then off to other realms. Of course I will be back time to time to help with teaching magic. After all I deserve it after sleeping over 1,000 years."
"Sounds like a plan," she agreed with him.
"Belle...," Rumpelstiltskin interrupted.
She disclose to him with a smile, "Rum no one will be teaching our children magic except you. Now let us lock up Zelena and clean up this mess." She handed the Pandora box him after making her statement to him.
Taking the box from Belle to handle the deed at hand. He still wanted to kill the witch for Bae but he made a deal with his daughter. At least he can enjoy putting her in this cage at least for now. He had processed the information from Merlin about the vault. Another secret of why the vault had been unveiled. He knew the feeling of being in the prison. It was if nothing but horror. He remembered the feeling of evil eating away inside that vault wanting to be released. Thank God the dagger protected him while inside.
Letting go of Belle's hand on his arm. He walked towards the witch kneeling down in front of her. He gazed up at her from the ground with an evil light in his eyes. Zelena glowered with a poison look at him. A wicked grin came onto his face.
"Enjoy your stay dearie," he said with a malicious voice. He then waved his hand opening the brownish designed box. The yellow light of the box opened surrounding the witch with a small sound of a vacuum jerked the witch into the box closing silently after entrapping its prisoner.
Standing up with the box in hand he waved his hand letting his magic loose to transport the box back to the safe keeping of his shop. As he finished he heard running feet going past him. Looking up he saw that Grumpy was carrying a bag of supplies a long side him was his brother Doc as they ran to the library doors following behind them was Ruby. He watched as well of Emma getting on her feet with Hook to follow the occupants that had already went into the building.
Turning away his gaze went back to Merlin. Merlin nodded of the deed done to the witch. Rumpelstiltskin watched as the gatekeeper taking a look of his surroundings. Placing his staff on the ground with a tap speaking, "Alakazam."
Strong bluish light entered the ground going over the street of the battle scene. Concrete of the cages started to crumble onto the ground into pieces of sand onto the street. Slowly the holes that surrounding the cages slowly started filling up with dirt then the sand of the concrete filled the top and started to harden back to its original form. As the magic continued further down the street. Cars that were damaged slowly began to move back onto the streets along with the sounds of metal shrieking back into place along with glass floating in the air around them going back into cars trucks and windows of buildings.
In a matter of minutes, the center of Storybrooke went back into place as if no battle had ever occurred just hours ago. People came out of Granny's diner and some of the buildings where they had watched the long hours of battle to see their town back in place. Most of the spectators were in awe of the old man standing next to Rumpelstiltskin. Some were in fear wondering if this was good or evil magic. Yet they stood in judgment till otherwise.
Rumpelstiltskin and Belle along side of him watching as they felt the magic surrounding them to see the town being put back in place. Both knew he was powerful but to see it in a large-scale had them wondering of their daughter. If she was to be stronger than him. She would be a force to reckon with in the world of magic. Although both didn't need to speak but knew that Storybrooke would not be the right place to raise her in this land. They needed to journey back to the Enchanted Forrest. How do they get back home?
Merlin after completing of restoring the town back in its place. He turned to them without being told. He confirmed them of their question with a smile. He stated, "The curse of Storybrooke will stay in place for those that wish to stay. Until another gatekeeper takes my place I will be the gatekeeper for this realm to protect it from dark magic.. Don't worry I will help assist to build a portal for those that wish to go home."
Meanwhile not too far from them. Lumiere had already healed Robin Hood's wounds with his wand. The man's head was in Regina's lap with Roland sitting beside her holding onto his father's hands as he woke.
Robin eyes blinking open as he got the look of the face in his vision looking down at him. His confusion on his face softened. His deep voice said, "Hi Milady."
Regina with dirt on her face and dried blood on her forehead just laughed smiling down at him. Brushing her hands on his face to see he was okay.
"Daddy, you awake?" Roland little voice concerned. He remembered coming out seeing his father on the ground not responding scared him.
Robin turned his head to his son voice. Reaching a hand to place on his son's head rubbing the hair to ease the fear on his face. He voiced, "I am okay son." Taking a deep breath to get up in a sitting position to put his back against the car he was laying next to him.
Regina helped him along the way. She watched as Roland crawled into his father's arms placing his face in his father's neck with his little arms squeezing his neck. The little tyke was still scared. Which she could understand that but felt guilty still of her actions even if she was controlled.
Robin's gaze settled on her over Roland's neck. Asking, "What happened? All I remember was standing next to you then complete blankness."
Regina's eyes dropped onto the ground with a crimson red on her cheeks with a guilty look. Her hands in her laps fiddling them of how to answer the man.
Lumiere who was leaning on the car was watching Merlin placing the town back in order looked down at the man. He answered the man for Regina, " You was knocked out by Regina when Zelena controlled her with her heart. The heart you brought back was Zelena's."
Robin's face reflecting concern looking around for the witch but only saw the changes being done in the street.
Seeing the concern on the man's face.
Lumiere commented, "Don't worry. Regina got her heart back and Zelena is safely locked up. Right now you are seeing Merlin doing clean up duty to get the town back in order."
Robin's was relieved of hearing the news. Slowly he turned to the woman sitting next to him. She was definitely in bad shape. He only saw her face but he can now see the small abrasion on her right leg where the black pants were torn. Obviously looking at her he could see she was exhausted and looked like she came out of a war zone. But still it was a grand sight for him.
"Milady," Robin expressed with reaching over to grab one of her hands to get her attention. She looked up at him with her dark brown eyes.
"It's okay," he whispered to her face then with a tug he put his left arm around her in his arms with Roland.
Roland looked up at the movement from his father with his eyes boring into the woman's face just a few inches from him. Without any instructions. His face changed with a smile and releasing his right arm from around his father's neck. He placed his right arm around her neck with his his face in between them hugging on tight to both of them.
Regina could only close her eyes of the arms around her tightened by both the man and the child. It felt like home.
Lumiere seeing the tender moment of the trio before him. Knew this was a good start for them as a family. Without a whisper he left them to join the people in the apartment.
Oh my..
Sorry this took awhile. I had to give you what happens to everyone.
Next stop.. Locking up Zelena and the end of the story people...
Don't worry we will see the births a little later in one shot screens for you.