*Author's Note*
Sorry for the delay folks, it's been hectic around here but I return bearing the gift of a new chapter.
Thanks for all the feedback and feel free to message me.
I say it again: I Do not own any of the characters from Once Upon a Time.
And now... the storm begins. You all are going to hate me...but you've been warned.
This chapter is dedicated to Erishkagel who encouraged Rumple to use his cane more.
Rumpelstiltskin walked out the shop door, dagger in hand. Amber eyes narrowed as he bared his rotten teeth in a rather vicious grin. Glaring at his scaly figure in the mirror, he let out a hiss. It was hard to see himself like this after spending so long fighting it. In the next instant, his cane crashed into the window shattering it to bits. Glass littered the sidewalk as Rumpelstiltskin turned away. Along the street several business owners were opening their doors to see what the noise was. Upon seeing the Dark One they, for the most part, retreated and prayed they would avoid his wrath.
As Rumpelstiltskin walked down the street, he was pleased to see his way was clear. Though not for long. A lowly figure approached. He wore simple clothes and the long sword in his hand seemed out of place. It was David Nolan, or Prince Charming, which ever people felt like calling him. To Rumpelstiltskin he was no more than a nuisance. A pea brained idiot who threw himself into danger without ever thinking of the consequences. The grip on his cane tightened as he watched the prince.
"Gold?" hollered the prince from a distance. "This isn't you. Think about it, is this what Belle would want?" he asked trying to reason with the man behind the monster.
"Ahhh but there's the problem. Belle isn't here is she?" hissed the Dark One appearing behind David in a swirl of purple smoke. He thrust out his arms, pushing the prince away with a wave of misty aura. Grunting, David lurched forward tucking into tight roll before popping up, his face shocked but resolved. "Gold Stop. Belle's death is a terrible tragedy. We all mourn her loss, but that is no reason to turn your back on everything she wanted you to be. She saw beyond the monster everyone else saw." Rumplestiltskin's anger flared as he let the prince talk on, to no avail. Hissing at his last comment, he clutched his cane tightly. With a loud clang, lacquered wood met steel midair. Mr. Gold hissed as David pushed back against him. This was nothing for the imp, who liked to play with his food before eating it. Charming knew he was no match for the Dark One, but that would not stop him from protecting the town.
Rumpelstiltskin laughed impishly as he used his cane like a sword to parry each of the prince's weak blows. "You've lost your touch," he goaded gleefully as the prince grunted, already showing signs of fatigue. "Twenty-eight years in a Dark Curse will do that to a person," he gasped as his sword was tossed away by a nimble move from the imp. Turning his back for a split second to retrieve his weapon, he spun around to face his attacker. What he was met with, however, was Mary Margaret smiling at him. David was shocked, not lowering his guard as he spoke. "Snow? Where did Gold go?" he asked worriedly. Snow shrugged her shoulders, "vanished in a puff of smoke. Off to terrorize someone else no doubt." Charming frowned as he glanced around on high alert. Snow grabbed his hand. "It's okay David, he's gone for now," she said reassuring her husband, "I'm just glad you are safe." She pulled David into a tight hug. Lowering his sword, he heaved a sigh of relief and hugged her back.
Only when he heard a voice call his name did he realized something was wrong. It was Snow calling to him, but not from the person he was hugging. This voice came from behind him and it sounded frantic. David turned his head to see Mary Margaret, Emma, and Regina running towards him. They looked worried, save for Regina who had a glowing ball of orange fire at the ready a look of cool determination on her face. "Snow," murmured David confused, but it was too late.
There was no hero's speech, no acceptance of death, no professions of love. Just the end. It came swift for David Nolan, who never had a chance to escape the imposter's tight grasp. As he had turned to see his wife and daughter, he felt two cold hands wrap around his head. Time seemed to slow for the prince as he felt his head twist violently to the right and felt no more. In reality, it took a matter of seconds for Rumpelstiltskin to twist the prince's neck, killing him instantly. The sword fell first, followed by the lifeless body as the Dark One bared his rotten teeth at the three women gleefully. "One down," he hissed.
*Author's Note*
*Braces for onslaught of angry messages*
Okay fans of Snowing...please don't die. And uh don't hate me...yeah.
This is only the beginning.