Premise: Season 2 AU. Regina and Emma are unable to stop the trigger and it explodes, destroying Storybrooke. However, instead of perishing, most of the citizens of Storybrooke are scattered, ending up with new lives and memories in New York. Except Rumpelstiltskin, who is discovered by the NSA.
After three years in a government facility, the NSA makes a deal with him to help them combat the residual consequences of the trigger's explosion. Things are quickly spiraling out of control though and though they are the only ones that can save the world, their freedom is in serious jeopardy.
An important note is that in this universe, the dagger and Excalibur have no connection and are separate entities.
Sorry for the delay in this chapter. I recently got a dog, so between a new dog, three cats, work, and life, time for writing was scarce. But I will never abandon a story, even if it takes me longer to update these days.
Here are reviews for the previous chapter:
Sammi16: You're welcome.
Ghostwriter: Glad you're enjoying it.
Grace5231973: Yep, Cruella is in the mix here, so that can't be good. Yes, I wanted to do something way different with Camelot. Glad you're enjoying!
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, lots of twists and turns! Yes, the tree is a very interesting development. Yeah, Arthur is on the way and he may not be a friendly. Yeah, Tamara and Greg are nutcases. And...enter Cruella to really mix things up. Yeah, Ashley has no memories, so she doesn't understand right now. Yep, the heroes get punished for doing heroic stuff. Unfortunately, that's a little true to life someetimes, while lunatics go free. Yep, I think Merlin in the mix will get very interesting. Glad you're enjoying!
The Grey Jedi 2020: Yeah, Madam Min probably isn't involved here. Or the other one. Yeah, love wins, Tamara and Greg are lunatics, of course Cruella, because she's fun. Yeah, Ashley doesn't understand yet. As for the anti magic field, you'd be surprised at what the United States government has. Let's just say, whatever we have, they're at least 50 years ahead of us. At least. Yeah, Shaw is pretty even tempered. Thanks, glad you're enjoying it!
Operation Castle
Chapter 13: Visitors From Camelot
Arthur and his two Knights arrived at Lake Nostros and marveled once again at the swirling sand, with green undertones.
"Sire…are you sure? There is a good chance we might never see Camelot again if we go through with this," Tristan warned.
"And if we do not…Merlin could return and Camelot will be lost to us all. I must make sure he is silenced," Arthur said.
"Then let us commence in the quest of all quests," Gawain declared. They dismounted their horses and approached the portal. Arthur went first and disappeared into the sand. Tristan and Gawain followed their King loyally and they were gone without a trace…
Snow stared out the window in the new apartment and saw nothing but tall, privacy fencing. No trees or grass, or even a pond with ducks, so naturally, there was no playground equipment either. Just dreary, gray privacy fencing and concrete. At least with a magical dampening forcefield inside the building, they didn't have to worry about Bobby showing them his abilities. In listening to Shaw and the other agents, they had learned that a small section outside the fenced compound allowed magic, but it was heavily guarded and likely just so they could train and display their abilities for the new overlords. She felt her husband slip his arms around her waist and press a kiss to her hair, which she relished.
"I'm so sorry, my love…" he whispered. She knew that this was the last place they would ever want to raise their son, but choice had been stolen from them by warring government factions that were treating them like aliens instead of human beings. She turned in his arms and surprised him when she slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.
"None of this is your fault," she assured him once their lips parted and he pressed his forehead against hers.
"That tree…what is it really?" she asked and he wasn't surprised that she knew he wasn't being truthful with the General.
"The tree really is an oak, but it's the sap, herbs, and water inside it that are magical. It grows in Camelot…known as the Avalon oak," he explained.
"Then it is magical…" she realized. He nodded.
"If they figure it out and harness the Avalon mist and the legends about it are real…they could control an entire population," David said. She blew out a breath and then her eyes widened.
"A magic tree…" she said.
"What are you thinking?" he asked.
"Geppetto built the wardrobe from a magical tree…what if it's a portal like that was?" she asked.
"It's definitely possible…and potentially doesn't have a limit on how many people can use it. Even if we could get to it though, there's no way of knowing if we could keep them from following us. But at least we'd be on our own turf again," David replied. She bit her bottom lip and looked down, but he raised her chin.
"Hey…we'll figure this out. We always do," he promised. She smiled and leaned into his touch.
"Together," she agreed, as their lips met again and they went to check on their son.
"Nice digs," August commented, as he arrived at Cruella's mansion and she immediately went for the liquor cart in the sitting room. She poured herself some gin and downed the liquid.
"Only the best for mummy, dahling," she said.
"So…what exactly is your plan?" August questioned. She smirked.
"I have an inside person…and they just informed me that our heroes have been detained inside an NSA facility to keep tabs on them, at least when they're not fighting off grizzly ogres," she explained.
"So prisoners?" he asked.
"Yes…which means the Dark One will already be plotting their escape, as will chisel chin," she said, pausing for a moment to snicker.
"Prince Charming and the Dark One working together…a tale that no one saw coming," she mentioned. He shrugged.
"David and Rumpelstiltskin aren't all that different if you know the latter's history. They'll do anything for the people they love. They just have different methods, but they'll drop bodies to do it if they have to," August said.
"Oooh…I knew Charmz had a dark side…" she purred and he rolled his eyes.
"Anyway…they'll do anything to escape. Even trust someone like me to help them," Cruella said.
"That's your plan? You help them get out? What's in that for you?" he asked. She smirked.
"Oh dahling…you know those goody goody Charmings will lead me to whoever that pen will accept as its author and then they will write us all a new story," she replied.
"That plan is half baked at best…but if it means getting Emma and her family out of that situation, then I'm in," August said.
"Don't get cocky…if you try double crossing me, I may not be able to kill yet, but I have plenty of hired hands that can," she warned. He visibly gulped and then nodded.
"Now…let's check in with my mole," she said, as she picked up her cell phone.
Snow and David fell back onto the bed, after a rather vigorous bout of amorous morning lovemaking. They smiled and came together again, exchanging soft kisses and cuddling together in the afterglow. It didn't matter what they were going through, happy or sad times, their love always overcame it all.
"At least some things never change…and that's us," she mentioned. He smiled and caressed her cheek.
"And they never will," he replied, as they heard their son on the baby monitor and smiled.
"I'll feed the little man and you can have the shower first," he said, as he got up and she watched him put his sweat pants on, before going to get their son. She sighed and swooned for a moment, before getting up and heading for the bathroom.
"What are your findings?" General Shaw questioned, as he face-timed with his agents in Maine.
"The tree is giving off the same residual energy, much like this entire place where the town was," one scientist reported.
"We think we're close to a breakthrough," the other scientist said.
"Explain," Shaw demanded.
"The tree's roots are still at a surface level and the tree has not grown roots yet. We need to act quickly, but moving it is possible right now without killing it," the first scientist said.
"Yes…and the dark matter concentration in the tree is even higher than the scattered amounts here in Maine. We think it's enough to do what we want," the second scientist informed.
"Then proceed with this plan and bring the tree here," Shaw ordered, as the screen went dark.
David smiled at his son, as he played with his toys in his playpen. Breakfast was over and David was getting a quick workout in with pushups and lifting hand weights. As he was doing some curls, the apartment doorbell rang and he put the weights down, before grabbing his towel and going to answer the door. He was expecting their daughter and grandson, but behind the door was Agent Becker and another female agent that he didn't recognize.
"What do you want?" David asked, as the two female agents, especially the younger one, were gaping at his shirtless, glistening torso.
"Uh…good morning to you too," Alivia said.
"This is agent Megan Spencer. She's shadowing me and has been read in on our operation," she said. He shrugged.
"And I'm supposed to care…why?" he asked, as he went to the kitchen for some water.
"Wow…you really don't hide your disdain for us," she replied.
"I've been told subtlety and tact aren't my strengths," he answered, as he plucked his son from his playpen.
"Well, there's been a development with the…tree. I thought you'd want in on it, so maybe get dressed and report to Castle," she ordered.
"Fine…Snow and I'll be there soon," he replied.
"Well, you can't bring the kid so someone has to stay behind with him," Alivia said. He snorted.
"Yeah…that's not how we work. We'll be there together, with our son, and you'll just have to deal with it," David argued. She huffed.
"Fine…" Alivia said, as she stormed out and pulled the staring junior agent with her.
"What was that all about?" Snow asked, as she came out from the bedroom, showered and dressed.
"Just Agent Becker trying to bark orders at us. We're supposed to report to Castle soon. There's development with the tree," he said.
"Do you think they've figured out it's magic?" she asked worriedly.
"I don't know…but possibly. It's not going to take them long to figure it out, I'm afraid," he replied, as she took their toddler and he went to clean up as well.
"Sire…what do you think they're doing with the tree?" Tristan whispered, as the three Knights watched the people they had encountered upon arrival, uprooting the tree and loading into a strange and very large carriage of some type.
"I'm not sure…but they seem to know of its importance," Arthur said.
"We must stop them then and burn the tree," Gawain replied. Arthur nodded and drew his sword. While it was a fake Excalibur, it was still a well crafted weapon.
"Follow my lead," he said, as they emerged from the trees.
"Halt…that tree is property of Camelot!" he announced, as men in black suits swarmed around the scientists in white coats.
"Don't know who you are, pal, but this isn't a renaissance fair. Stand down or we shoot," one agent warned, referring to the chainmail armor they were wearing. The three Knights were very confused by this and advanced anyway. But they were all stopped short, as three agents fired their tasers and collapsed them to the ground.
"We'll transport them back to base with us. The General will be very interested in this development," the lead agent said, as the three men were dragged to one of the trucks.
"Hey…" Emma greeted her parents, as they arrived at Castle later that morning and she waved at her baby brother, who reached for her. Emma smiled and gladly took him from her mother.
"Hey big guy…" she cooed.
"Nice of you to finally join us…we have hired a nanny to watch him," Alivia said.
"No thanks…we're not leaving him with a stranger and it's non-negotiable," David replied, as they stared each other down and she finally relented, which infuriated her. She wasn't used to losing a battle of wills.
"Fine…" she growled, as she sat down at the situation table.
"Good morning…we've had significant developments with the tree," Shaw said.
"Follow us," he added, as they got up and followed him and Casey outside into the back of the facility. They were in awe when they saw the tree on a flatbed truck, being unloaded.
"Bloody hell…" Killian uttered.
"You moved the tree?" David asked.
"We did…it hadn't taken root yet and we seized the opportunity. We believe it has magical properties, just like the town," Shaw answered. They exchanged subtle, nervous glances.
"But that's not all we found," he said, as three men were led out from one of the trucks. Their handcuffs had been removed, but it was clear that weapons were trained on them and they were stunned again. They didn't know who they were, but the way they were dressed clearly demonstrated that they were likely Knights from their realm.
"Tell us your names," Shaw demanded to know. The dark haired one in the middle clenched his teeth.
"I am a King…I take orders from no one, least of all some lowly peasant like you," he hissed.
"You're King Arthur," David guessed, as all eyes went to him. The King looked surprised.
"How do you know me?" he questioned sharply.
"I…I don't, it's just that this tree is an Avalon Oak and you're probably from Camelot and if you're King, that makes you King Arthur. We've heard of you…and we're from Misthaven," David answered. Arthur narrowed his gaze.
"Misthaven…the rumors were that land and its people were swept up by a Dark Curse by an Evil Queen," he recalled. Regina rolled her eyes.
"Yes…we were brought to this land and once the curse was broken, we found ourselves left to the devices of this world, to make a very long story short," Killian added.
"How did you get to this land?" Shaw demanded to know. Arthur thought for a moment and then looked at the strangers in his midst.
"I'll tell you what you need to know…if you destroy this tree right now," Arthur said.
"Why do you want to destroy a tree?" Emma asked.
"I don't have to explain myself to you, peasant," he snapped.
"Excuse me…but she's my daughter and a Princess," Snow interjected, which surprised Emma.
"You're not the only royalty here, Your Majesty," she added.
"Then to whom am I speaking?" he questioned.
"Snow White…had the Dark Curse not occurred, I would have been Queen of my Kingdom, my husband would have been King and our daughter a Princess. I never throw my royal weight around, but you will at least show some respect," Snow said. David smirked proudly, but the King seemed unfazed.
"You may be Queen of your Kingdom in Misthaven, Your Majesty, but that tree is property of Camelot and I have the authority to do with it as I please," Arthur said.
"We will not be destroying anything, until we know what it is. Now…you'll tell us how you got to this land," Shaw interjected.
"Never," he hissed, as he moved swiftly and grabbed agent Becker, before putting his blade to her neck.
"One nick from Excalibur…and she is dead," he warned, as the agents started to move toward him, but David stalled them.
"He's right…" the Prince said, as he drew his own sword and slowly approached.
"Be careful…" Snow whispered to him, as Emma took her hands.
"Stand down…you seem to know what this blade can do," Arthur said.
"I do…that's why I implore you to let her go and duel me. You win…I'll light that tree on fire myself," David replied. Arthur smirked and shoved the agent away.
"I am a Knight of the Roundtable…do you even need to offer a losing gesture?" he said arrogantly.
"Probably not…but if by some miracle that you do lose, you'll stand down and work with us. We want the same thing…and that's freedom from the controllers of this land," David replied. His Knights scoffed smugly.
"Deal," Arthur said, as he came at David with a downward strike in a very aggressive style. David parried his blade and showed his agility, by weaving around the other seasoned warrior and leaving him shadowboxing. Arthur was surprised. He did not encounter someone outside the Roundtable that could stand two minutes against him, let alone give him a challenge. They shuffled along the full expanse of the courtyard, in an exchange of furious strikes and blocks. Arthur grew frustrated and elbowed David in the gut, taking him down to one knee, but the Prince proved his agility by hand springing back to his feet in time to block another vicious strike.
"Wow…I knew Dad was good, but I mean this is King Arthur. Isn't he supposed to be a Legend?" Emma asked.
"Supposed to be, but this one is clearly only a Legend in his own mind," Neal replied.
"Yeah…he's kind of a douche. So much for honor and all that crap," Emma commented. Killian smirked.
"His hubris will allow your father a well deserved win," Killian mentioned, as Rumple watched with a narrowed gaze.
"What do you see?" Belle asked.
"David is clearly the better swordsman, but with Excalibur, that shouldn't matter as much. It's supposed to give an edge, no matter how skilled the opponent is," Rumple answered.
"Which means?" Belle asked quietly.
"It means either Arthur is a horrible swordsman…or something is not right with his weapon. Perhaps both," Rumple answered.
Arthur's frustration showed, as he continued to shadowbox and let out a battle cry, slashing furiously at David, who managed to keep up with his parries. The King backed David toward the building, hoping to corner him and David blocked a strike, meant for his throat. The King's desperation was clear in his eyes and he had lost all pretenses of a challenging duel and wanted to either kill or humiliate David at this point. The Prince's head was still clear though and he turned Arthur's blade aside. The King's eyes widened, as David kneed him in the stomach and then rolled over his back, as he bent over. He didn't stop there and flicked his wrist, using the hilt of his blade to check the King's wrist, causing him to drop his sword, while bringing the tip of his blade to the King's throat.
"Yield…" David said. Arthur clenched his teeth, but relented to the victor and David stepped back, before sheathing his sword. Snow couldn't contain her pride and rushed to him, before throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek. He smiled and kissed her soundly on the lips.
"Well…Your Majesty, it seems that King Arthur in all his lore was no match for Prince Charming," Shaw commented.
"Now…it would be wise for you to tell us what the significance of this tree is and why you would want to destroy it. It would also be in your best interest to tell us how you go here," he added.
"I will tell you nothing…and you will release me and my Knights now! I am a King!" he said hotly.
"We made a deal," David said, bur Arthur ignored him and seethed at being humiliated by the Prince.
"You're not King in this land and your land has caused quite the number of calamities in our land. Creatures and magic from your land have seeped into this one. That's why I have formed this taskforce of people from your land to help vanquish these threats, led by the victor of your little duel," Shaw replied.
"If you join, the perks of some freedoms can be allotted to you," he added.
"And if we don't join you?" Arthur asked.
"Then I'm afraid you'll be sequestered in our compound until you cooperate," Shaw answered.
"Tell me how you knew some of those moves. Your style is a mix like I haven't seen, but some of those executions are only taught to Knights of the Roundtable," Arthur said, as he looked at David.
"Our friend Lancelot gave me a few lessons and spars," David answered. Arthur and his Knights sneered.
"If you are friends with Lancelot…then you're our enemy!" Arthur said, as he lunged toward them. Snow yelped, as David pulled her away and Emma reacted naturally, as a burst of pure white magic immobilized the three Knights.
"Get away from my parents," she growled, as the King's face showed surprise. She released them and they were cuffed again.
"You…you have magic," he uttered, with a tremor in his voice, as they were led away into the compound.
"So…any ideas why he would want to destroy this tree?" Casey asked. David shrugged and looked at Rumple.
"No idea, dearie…" he answered. The tree was clearly magic, but Rumple was reluctant to elaborate on that.
"For now…our team of scientists will continue to analyze the tree. The rest of you may proceed back to your residences," Shaw said, as they went back inside.
"Family dinner?" Henry asked. They smiled and nodded. If Henry asked, it was less likely to seem suspicious for them to gather in one apartment.
"How about lasagna in my apartment?" she asked. They agreed and headed there.