I am so sorry that I have not been updating and that there will probably be a delay in posting the next chapter as well. Claire and I are moving to university for the first time and it has been a lot more hectic than I thought it would be to get ready for it. I will post again as soon as I get settled into my dorm and things begin to smooth out. Thank you for your patience.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO – The Town Line

Rumplestiltskin hobbled up to the town line, pausing a moment before crossing it. He leaned heavily on his cane, wondering if it would be worth it to go back. He had made a great miscalculation with the Queens of Darkness, but he wanted to be sure he could help with whatever was going on now.

With the curse over the town line finally removed, he crossed over easily. Feeling his magic returning to him, he cast aside his cane. He heard a loud crack, and swiftly hid behind one of the trees lining the side of the road. He peered out from his hiding place, and inwardly groaned at what he saw.

Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, had just risen out of the ground. He recognized him from his own brief stint in the Underworld after his battle with his father. Black fog swirled around him and started to spread towards the direction of Storybrooke. His two imbecile minions sped after the fog, ready to wreak havoc upon the town.

He looked back at Hades. He seemed to be cajoling a young woman who was bound and gagged beside him. Rumple recognized her as the girl from earlier, the girl who looked so much like Belle. He still wasn't sure if his prediction from earlier was correct, seeing as how he didn't understand how a child of his from the future could be here, but if it was, he was going to make Hades pay. He started to walk towards them, but stopped mid-step.

But should I? Why not let him destroy the town? What has this town ever really done for me? He considered this for a moment. Wait a second…they would have to flee, maybe back to the Enchanted Forest…I could go back to my castle, and maybe make new start. Give up my powers even…that'll show Belle I've changed…

He hoped that was how this would turn out, at least. He crept back into the shadows, deciding to watch how this would all play out, but be close at hand if Belle or their daughter were in any danger. He even thought he would make sure this girl was alright, on the off chance that she happened to be his daughter as well.

He listened closely now, trying to make out what Hades was saying. He could only catch a few words, such as "Savior….don't have all day…sweetheart….which way?"

The girl didn't seem to be helping. Hades burst into bright red flames, and tossed the girl down to the ground. Rumple flinched, seeing the expression of pain on the girl's face. She looked up, and met his gaze. They just stared at each other for a second, and then the girl gave a barely perceptible shake of her head. Don't get involved.

Rumple wanted to, but he nodded back. Hades violently brought the girl back to her feet shoved her towards the direction of the town, and they started to make their way with the swirling shadows encompassing them, shielding them from Rumple's view.

Quickly, Rumple started to follow them, trying to not lose track of them through the fog. He brought out the mirror he had enchanted from the bag he brought with him.

"Show me Belle."

As he kept walking, he watched as the mirror showed Belle and his daughter look at the darkened ruins of what he assumed was the inside of the library. Belle was crying, and as she went to retrieve as many of her favorite books as she could, the little girl wandered over to one of the windows. Her big brown eyes grew wide, and she called out and pointed at the window. Belle came over, and gasped and picked up their daughter as she saw the giant cloud of black fog come ever closer to the town. She rushed out, and started to make her way towards Granny's.

Rumple put the mirror away, and quickened his pace.

Review?

"Don't worry Belle, I'm coming."