(Hi! Back again with one more chapter. I just want to thank everyone again for the kind reviews, and announce to PopPotter777 that the person I once said I was going to bring back, the same one he/she tried and failed to guess, finally makes an appearance. Hope you like it!)
When David entered the Underworld's version of the cellar by Zelena's house, he didn't even bother to look around. He knew what he had a job to do and that he had a limited amount of time to do it. He went upstairs and outside and started walking to the forest towards the town, with Cruella's body in his arms.
He knew he couldn't leave her near the portal because if, by any chance, she woke up before she was supposed to, she'd walk right back. David also knew Snow was most likely to be somewhere in town, instead of in the middle of nowhere, so half way through the woods, he dumped Cruella's body.
He took the potion from his pocket and spilled a couple drops on Snow's ring, making the diamond on the top start shining. The brighter it shined, the closer he was to his wife. He walked in a circle, trying to find his way to Snow, and his suspicions came true: the ring started shining even more in the direction of central Underbrooke.
Eager to find Snow as he was, it didn't take David a lot of time to arrive in the streets of that insane version of everything he was already used to, expect for a few small twists. As he walked David realized that place was a little different from when he last visited. Almost like it was a little... more alive, more peaceful.
"David!" He heard someone call from behind. He turned around to face the person calling his name, and when he realized who it was, he didn't even bother to waste more time. He just headed back, following the ring. "I heard a portal opened back to your world and I knew it had to be one of you guys. Are you here for Snow?" When he saw David turn around again and start walking away from him, Arthur ran to David, catching up to him.
"What do you want, Arthur?" David asked, continuing to walk straight in a quick pace. Hook had told him that Arthur seemed to have changed, that the kingdom he was meant to fix all along was the Underworld instead of Camelot. David thought it was great he changed and was still destined for great things, but that still didn't change the fact Arthur had betrayed him, and lied to him, meaning David wasn't really thrilled to have him around.
"David, I'm just trying to help. Trying to redeem myself. There are people here who will do anything to make sure they are the ones going through that portal which is still open." It was then that Arthur finally realized he had David's attention. Arthur hadn't been many time in the Underworld yet, but it was enough to make him realize that he was a horrible person when he was alive, and that the quest for Excalibur costed him to lose his whole life, and more importantly, lose himself "I'm just trying to make sure that you and Snow are the ones who get back. I swear I'm simply trying to help."
The only reason why David didn't take his sword from his belt and made sure Arthur would never address him again was because he knew he couldn't waste time. Maybe Arthur did really only want to help, but David would totally keep an eye on him. But anyway, he wouldn't make any more conversation with him than he had to.
When he realized David wasn't going to answer, Arthur showed a little soft smile. Stubborn, just like he remembered. "I know where Snow is. She's been living in your apartment."
David looked at the ring and then again in front of him and realized that could actually be where the ring was taking him, but he sure as hell wouldn't drop everything to follow Arthur's lead.
He just continued walking in a quick pace without saying a word, as Arthur walked beside him. It took them only a few conversation-free minutes to arrive to the apartment, where the ring started brighting more than ever. Arthur stayed in the hallway as David walked inside and immediately spotted Snow, eating alone in their dining table. David's face let go of the arrogance and bitterness he had around Arthur and in less than a second it adopted the biggest smile anyone had ever seen, as a tear managed to escape his eye. "Snow!"
As she heard the door open Snow looked worried, wondering who could it be. She had already seen some unpleasant things in the Underworld, and she really wasn't in need for more, which was why she was practically hiding in her apartment. But nothing prepared her for the huge surprised she had. It wasn't just some old friend nor old enemy, it was her husband. She jumped out of the chair and ran to him as he also ran to her. The ring started shining in a light which could give the sun a run for its money, as they both met. David hugged her and lift her in the air, filling her with kisses, under that bright and pure light. "You found me!"
David hugged her tight, barely imagining that moment to be true. When he saw her dead body lying there in the middle if main street, he never thought he would ever see her again, hug her, kiss her... and there they were. "Did you ever doubt I would?" He asked, kissing her again, not for once taking that smile of pure happiness off his face.
It was only after a few seconds that Snow realized the truth. David being there... that wasn't a good thing, on the contrary. In a second her smile faded as she started looking at him worried. "Wait, are you...?" She couldn't even finish the question. The only thing keeping her half sane was the fact Emma and Neal still had David to look after them, but with them both dead, who would take care of Neal? He'd just grow up as an orphan, just like Emma, and that was the last thing she wanted for him.
David gave Snow a comforting smile as he finally remembered again what he had to do, and how they to get out of there quickly. "No, no! I'm here to get you. And we need to go now. I'll explain everything later." David grabbed her hand, not willing to ever let her go of it again, and dragged her outside where Arthur was waiting for them.
"You guys need to go now! Where's the portal? I can take you to it." Arthur turned around and started walking outside again and realized David and Snow weren't following him, they were both just standing there, staring at him. "What?"
After Arthur's comment, David finally realized what that was all about. Arthur never did anything from the kindness in his heart, he usually had an agenda. And the reason why he was helping, or at least pretending to, was so that he would cross through. "You son of bitch! You don't care about us, you just wanna go back, don't you?"
Arthur looked at David speechless. He had no idea how he would even reply to that. He did understand why David didn't trust him, but he was seriously just trying to help them; to protect them from everyone else. Luckily for him, Snow spoke in his turn. "David, Arthur helped me find a place and told me what I needed to know, told me how I could move on. I really do think he's just trying to help us."
David turned to Snow surprised. She trusted that guy? Sometimes he thought she was really too kind for her own good, even though that's one of the reasons why he loved her. Looking at Arthur, David realized that he did seem to be telling the truth. But one can never be too careful. David took out the sword from his belt and, still holding Snow's hand, walked passed Arthur. "If you try anything, I'll cut you to pieces."
Arthur raised his arms in the air, trying to say he wouldn't, and followed David through main street. Of course he understood why David didn't trust him. In his shoes, he probably wouldn't either. Not after all the lies and the betrayals. But Arthur was still going to help them in any way he could, despite David probably didn't want him to.
When they got outside, Arthur looked around and realized everything looked peaceful. Maybe even too peaceful, actually, and he wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. But in any case, they all knew they had to hurry. They walked in a quick pace through town, towards the woods, and suddenly, Snow turned to David, smiling. "Don't look now, but I think we're being followed."
David fought the instinct of looking around and continued looking at Snow, trying to smile just like her in order not to let whoever it was, know that they knew. "How many?"
"Maybe more, but I think at least two."
David looked in front of him again, with any idea of what to do. They couldn't afford to waste time and make a detour, but if they continued walking straight to it, they would announce the location of the portal.
Arthur was right beside them and he had heard Snow and David. A situation like that was exactly the reason why he was there. "When I say so, you two start running to the portal. I'll take care of them!"
David looked at him, finally starting to wonder if Arthur was really there to help them. "Snow said it's more than one. How can you fight them alone?"
Arthur looked back at David and showed him a little smirk. "How said I'm alone?" They continued walking for a few more seconds and Arthur used them to try to locate their stalkers. When he thought he got it, he turned to David and Snow again. "Now!"
David started running towards Zelena's house, still unwilling to let go of Snow's hand. Both running and occasionally looking behind their shoulder to try and find out who was following them and how Arthur would fight them. In one of those moments, right after they both peaked at the same time, they both jumped in surprise when they saw their followers right in front of them, smirking.
After he screamed, Arthur turned, determined and looking around. He had already seen the two of them, apparently their main goal wasn't hiding. "Fiona and Hyde! Who would have guessed we'd ever see such a villain team up!"
Fiona looked at him and started giggling. She didn't have time to take care of the so-called King, she had a portal waiting for her. She looked at Hyde and he nodded to her. As hard as it may be to believe, both of them were together when Hyde felt a portal to the land of the living, open. He knew he had to take it to be free of that pathetic other half of his, who appeared on his body again when they both died. He was hoping they would split when they were alive again.
They both poofed a few feet in front of the love couple who still thought they would manage to escape, and Hyde gave them a little smirk. "So, which of you is going to be the one telling us where that magnificent portal is?" Hyde could still feel it was open and it was close by. Maybe he would be able to find it on his own, but that would take time and he figured the portal wouldn't stay open forever.
When David and Snow made sure to pass the message they weren't gonna say anything, Fiona lit a fireball on her hand. "I guess this is how you want to play? How about I burn your wife until you decide to speak, dear? She's already dead, do it won't kill her. But I have a feeling it will still be a very unpleasant feeling."
David knew that no matter what, he could never tell any of the two where the portal was. But time was running out and he had to find a way out of that, fast. "I'd tell you to go to hell, but looks like you've found it already!" David grabbed the sword tight in his right hand and started getting ready to do something instead of wasting more time.
Not particularly liking the joke the charming prince prepared for her, Fiona started giggling and threw the fireball in Snow's direction. But when she got ready to see the White turn red, she saw something else happen: Arthur jumped in front of them and was hit instead of Snow. In the following second, while she was still recovering from the surprising turn of events, Fiona felt herself be blasted away, and on her way to hit the tree next to her, she hit Hyde.
David looked at the surprising new person who popped up and blasted the two of them away and immediately recognized that old man with the big beard to be the mysterious Apprentice. He put down the fire around Arthur and turned to them. "Go!" He said simply as he turned to Fiona and Hyde who started getting up.
"Thank you!" David started running again, that time faster than ever before, and it didn't take them long to get to Zelena's house. After checking no one was around, he and Snow entered the cellar and found just a glimpse of the portal open. It was floating in the air and by then so small that it was impossible for the two of them to jump through. "Snow, you can do it. Jump! I came back here for you, it's only fitting you're the one to go back!"
Snow looked at him not even wanting to believe those words. She wouldn't leave him. Especially not after they were apart for so long. "No! We either both go, or both stay!"
Before David had time to say anything else, he realized the portal kept diminishing more and more, and by then none of them would manage to go through. David held Snow's hand tighter, and when the portal was just inches from closing, when all hope was about to be lost again, it suddenly increased again it's size. Not to how big it originally was, but enough for both to walk through.
Not wanting to ask any questions, not even hesitate for one more second, David pushed Snow and himself through the portal, as it closed behind them. David looked around at Rumple, Elsa, Zelena and Regina, all clearly exhausted, and when he was about to ask what had happened, he heard a voice from behind.
"I guess it's a good thing I got here when I did. Almost looks like I was lurking there the whole time doesn't it?" Everyone turned to the voice, eager to find out who was the person who had just saved Snow and Charming from being trapped in the Underworld, and they all saw the smiley and mysterious face of The Dragon look back at them. "So, what do you need my help for?"