A few days earlier
The streets of Storybrooke were empty grey clouds blocking the moonlight. Most residents were hiding from the current crisis, a black swirling vortex tearing through the streets. It was seeking someone; anyone it could exploit to grow its power until it destroyed all that is. Running headlong into danger, their bodies tired and weary, was Snow white and the Prince.
"You're too late, he's gone". Belle said her face was blotchy red, tears streamed down her cheeks running out of the pawn shop.
"What happens now?" David sighed not concerned but more frustrated, his tired eyes looked away from the grieving Belle.
"The darkness it will take a new host" Belle choked out overwhelmed, she wrapped her arms around herself as if this act could hold back her agony.
"A new, Dark One?" Snow White gasped out breathless on the verge of breaking down.
"They will be reborn, in our realm" As Belle explained they couple turned to each other their eyes longing, not with hope but determination the kind that was reckless.
David and Snow White's focus immediately changed, now on their daughter a world away in a realm they feared they could not get to. Now an opportunity had presented itself they couldn't turn away. Suddenly there was silence the darkness honed in on their fears and doubts. The once chaotic and directionless twisted swirl of pure evil had its target, flying towards them with precision. In moments it began swirling around David, his eyes dark and longing.
"No, charming" Snow White gasped, feeling the cold wretchedness of the evil that surrounded him.
Instinctively she pushed him to the ground and out of danger, however the darkness stayed, forming a circle around Snow White completely surrounding her, it whispered coaxing her to stay. She stood motionless as the circle became tighter, until there were no gaps. Now no longer able to see her lover's face, all the light in her life was gone. Snow White was in the dark, but the feeling was familiar as she got ripped from one realm and taken to another, reliving the terror her heart ached.
Snow White squeezed her eyes shut, only to find even worse horrors behind her eyelids as memories resurfaced, each one felt like a small puncture to her heart. The stable boy, the dwarfs, a prince, a glass coffin, the wardrobe, the curse broken, just a day ago watching Emma get ripped out of her life again. Everyone she lost and found. Every sacrifice, every good deed that went punished, all these phases of pain and joy throughout her life and her body and mind felt them all. These choices all leading to this moment, now tainted with something darker, but powerful creeping into every corner of her heart. After an externality in this nightmare, it suddenly stopped, her eyes opened, she was staring at her reflection mere inches from her face, on a gold platform surrounded by mirrors.
"No, it can't be" She whimpered her eyes wide her hands grasping a cloak, she held the black material in her hand bewildered, she was wearing her cardigan a moment ago. This ensemble was a dark black with silver trimming, it felt familiar but as she looked up at her reflection, a stranger was staring back. It was Snow White's face, but she could have sworn it smiled at her slyly. This armour, similar to the one she made herself while on the run, living in a tree, only this fit better. Not made of discarded materials and sown together patches like her old bandit gear, but a perfect fit formed with magic. Snow White was now the dark one and she gasped in horror.
"Don't need to act surprised, it's just us here dearie" A familiar voice mocked, just before the platform she stood on began to move upwards, revealing the world above. The enchanted forest with lush green fields surrounded by mountain peaks. Standing before her on the glossy green grass with blue birds fluttering about, was Rumpelstiltskin.
"What have you done to me?" Snow White's tone was fearful, she could only stutter the words not able to bear the truth.
"This is exactly what you wanted, isn't it?" He smirked, stepping forwards gesturing to her new look with excitement in his eyes.
"No" she shook her head, backing away "I would never want to be you" her tone guilty.
"You can't lie to me" stepping closer locking eyes with her before smiling "after all I am you, sort of" he shrugged.
"I didn't want this" her voice broke as she stared into the eyes of what she would become "a dark one" breathless she barely got the words out afraid of losing herself.
"You knew in your heart" he mocked placing his hands over his chest "this was only way, to get back to the enchanted forest" he smirked seeing the recognition in her eyes "to find 'Emma'" his tone changed repeating the name with the same reverence he did, when first uttering it in his cell.
It was like living out a nightmare everything was familiar, but it was arranged the wrong way, a place that was once her home, seen in a new light. The dirt roads she had ridden down many hundreds of times, now riddled with scorch marks and dead trees. However, the sun shone bright, and the breeze still smelled of boysenberries and fairy dust, just as she remembered it.
"I can find her, without magic; I still know how to ride horseback" Nodding as she marched forwards.
"Optimism that always helps right" Rumpelstiltskin moved closer, his tone sarcastic as he mocked Snow White.
Her eyes were on a herd of brumbies becoming silent anticipating her next move, they looked up from the grass they had been grazing on. As she got closer, they all galloped away intuitive enough, to sense the dark magic and run.
"I'll walk" she exhaled trying to dwell too long on this setback, as she always did.
"Seems a bit slow dear" he appeared beside her in a casual tone.
"I'm not listening to you; I will never give into the darkness." Snow white sighed, storming off refusing to engage further with this echo of Rumpelstiltskin.
"There is a much faster option" he appeared in her path tilting his head to the side with a smile.
"You want to trick me" she retorted, moving around him she continued forwards.
"No tricks, if you can picture it you'll be there, just like magic" He said, waving his arms about mocking himself.
Averting her eyes and focusing on the horizon, walking along a stream's edge hoping to find a nearby village and some help. After walking many miles, she didn't feel any fatigue or hunger in fact she really didn't feel anything at all. Night came and still she did not tire, but her mind wandered, eyes distant with the unrelenting temptation to use dark magic constantly at the forefront of her mind.
Snow White felt numb trekking through the forest crossing streams, climbing over large rocks. Despite that her muscles never ached she couldn't even feel the chilling breeze. This caused her to lose all sense of the passing of time. Eventually Rumpelstiltskin appeared again sitting on a rock in front of her, pretending to yawn as if bored.
"You'll never find her in time" his tone became sad, averting his distant eyes.
"I don't need to use magic, I'm stronger than that" her voice was blunt and judgmental.
"Really" he paused before disappearing and appearing again in front of her "so self righteous, how much have you had to sacrifice to be a hero" he teased raising his eyebrows.
"I'll find her" she exhaled, calming herself "I always do" eyes forward a sense of peace washed over her as she recalled the many times they had reunited.
Silent for a moment it seemed the argument had been won, but Rumpelstiltskin's eyes were sad knowing that reality was much harsher and more complicated.
"The thing about losing something precious is" his eyes distant longing walking beside her "when you find it again it's unrecognisable, time is unforgiving" he paused his eyes distant "you can't ever truly get back what you've lost".
Snow pulled her hand away letting out a deep breath, closing her eyes before tears trickled down her cheeks. Keenly aware that she had already lost so much time with her daughter. Losing her again was like salt on the wound and her heart began to race, all her worst fears at the forefront of her mind.
"Is it going to be another fifteen years, so much could happen, she could grow up alone, become a mother herself, in that time" he teased watching as the composed woman before him began to reveal her cracks.
"I can't" she gasped shaking her head, but her heart had already been swayed "I don't even know where she is" she sighed, shaking her head.
"You know" he smirked locking eyes with her "you saw the markings on the door".
"Arendale" Snow breathed out her eyes wide.
In a blink the dark one no longer stood in a field but was strolling the streets of Arendale, with a smile she could not hide. This feeling was undeniably good, how could she not embrace this newfound strength.
"Another one, just appeared in the street". A man called out from the castle's tower.
"Who is it?" Cora asked, trying to see but the figure standing in the street disappeared.
In another blink Snow white was inside the gates of the castle and just as they had before, everyone gathered outside suspiciously. One face stood out in the crowd and Snow White frowned, her heart racing as their eyes met.
"Cora, no... why are you here?" she gasped horrified.
"Me" she frowned curious noticing something distinctly different in Snow White "I'm simply helping protect these people from intruders".
"Do they even know who you are?" her tone angry as she glared at her "What you have done?"
There was silence amongst the crowd now, carefully watching the exchange between the two, but Coras composed smile set them at ease.
"If you're looking for our visitors from your world, they stole some of our supplies and left" Cora shrugged unconcerned.
"You're lying" Snow shook her head "what have you done to them?" her tone was accused.
"Snuck out the window actually, kids… what can you do?" Cora smirked upon seeing the distress in her eyes.
"I bet they saw right past your act, the real you" she spat back.
"I've changed, but I'm not the only one, what happened to you dear Snow?" Her voice is soft and coaxing.
Snow was silent only responding with a glare, but it was hard to ignore the dark power bubbling inside her about to erupt. Cora smiled intrigued by this turn of events, she had not a flicker of concern for herself in her expression. Recognition in her eyes, she knew exactly who Snow was trying to find, knew just how to manipulate her.
"Where is she?" Snow demanded, not willing to waste another moment on chatter.
Cora noticed this and took her time, smirking as she mused on her response, aware that one amongst their group of visitors one had a startling resemblance to Snow.
"Your daughter, Emma" Cora smirked seeing the fear in Snow's eyes.
Snow White didn't reply simply glaring at the Queen, with venous hatred, never before had she felt such burning desire to end a life. Cora's smile grew wider noticing the bloodthirst in her eyes and Snow's hesitation to follow through.
"I thought as much, I told you, she ran away" she smiled shrugging as if this was the end of their conversation.
"I don't believe you" Snow eyes filled with hate she was struggling to hold herself back from ending Cora's life.
"I can prove it, I noticed her necklace, it used to be yours, all you need is to cast a locator spell, should be a simple task" she paused locking eyes with Snow "for the Dark one" Cora smiled seeing that her inkling was correct by the reaction in Snows expression.
"Locator spell, how does that work?" Her brow furrowed as she tried to access the power at her fingertips, but found herself to be out of her depth.
"Like all magic, you must feel not think" Cora instructed smiling seeing she was able to refocus her attention onto a new target.
Snow White turned away and focusing on the task ahead, her thoughts went back to before Emma's birthday party, when she found the old locket in the loft. Knowing it had somehow found its way back to her when she needed it, just like the Storybook had. Hoping the silver chain would make for a perfect gift, as she excitedly wrapped it up. Then her hands gently lifted Emma's hair out of the way, when she latched it around Emma's neck at the party, this meant she was still wearing it and as it once belonged to Snow, she could find it again.
The Dark one smiled holding her hands up, as if there was a bow between them and in a cloud of purple magic one appeared. Breathing deep letting her fear guide it, she pulled back the string tight holding it in place, before finding the right direction and letting it fly.
The Lou market was one of the few bustling areas left in the kingdom. One shop stood out amongst the rest in the centre of town, selling all manner of things from jewels and clothes to curses or magical artefacts. As the moon shone high in the sky an arrow pierced through the wooden door of the shop with a thud.
"What the hell was that?" A tall man in a tailored suit frowned, before getting up from the counter, walking through his small shop smiling at his patrons.
When he reached the door he spotted a large black arrow embedded in the wood. With many entering on a busy night, he could see anyone with a bow and walked back inside. Only to almost slam into Snow White who appeared before him, face pale, and eyes dark.
"What is this place?" Snow White asked, her tone disgusted holding the locket in her hand.
"This is my store, I'm Malvern, can I help you find something?" His unfriendly tone was sarcastic.
Gripping onto his vest he pulled it tight brushing off some lint, smugly. Snow just glared before she turned away letting out a sigh. Her eyes were surveying the small shop for Emma, but instead she caught sight of another familiar object, a shiny metal Hook.
"This belongs to a boy I know, why do you have it?" Snow white asked bluntly before picking it up.
"All items are procured through fair trade". He responded sheepishly.
"Just tell me where the person who sold you this is?" she demanded, glaring at the man.
"I don't know, they were just passing through" he stated firmly while backing away.
"Tell me where they went" Her voice became soft as if a siren song trying to lure a victim.
"I don't tend to ask questions, bad for business" he smiled sheepishly, gulping as she stepped closer to him.
Snow White grew impatient and with a flick of her wrist the door to the shop flew off its hinges and crashed to the ground. He raised his arms in defense expecting her to strike him, but she turned around watching the other shoppers flee from the store.
"My mistake" his eyes wide in horror "you can have it, no charge, it's hard to tell a thief from an honest man these days" he made himself small, backing away until slamming into shelf behind him.
"Oh, I disagree, I find it easy to see a person's intentions" she grinned the power intoxicating and she exhaled.
Slowly walking around the shop her eyes caught other items of interest including a red cloak, stepping further into the aisle, her heart raced. In front of her hanging off a dusty coat rack, was a red leather jacket; she grabbed it with both hands holding close to her chest.
"You knew those kids?" the man gasped in horror as her focus went back to him.
Snow White stood silent, her pain too much to bear, she needed him to feel her agony even if it only amounted to a temporary relief. A black arrow appeared in the aisle, it hovered in the air with magic, Malvern looked at it puzzled for a moment before it flew across the shop. Piercing the man in the shoulder, he stepped backwards crying out in pain, as the dark one stepped closer.
"Where are they?" she asked her tone composed, hollow.
"I can't tell you anything, I'll go out of business if I give up any names" he stuttered flinching as he anticipated more pain to come.
"Maybe then, you can make an honest living" she teased, stepping closer.
Malvern clenched his fist causing sharp visceral pain to surge through his body, his blood dripping onto the floor.
"You're wasting your time " he stuttered glaring at her "whoever owned that jacket, is dead" he yelled, as anger overcame him, a choice he immediately regretted upon seeing the rage in her eyes.
Another two arrows flew into his legs, and he screamed out in agony falling to the ground while Snow White stood over him glaring. A cold distant she watched as he tried to catch his breath while crawling over behind the counter, hoping for mercy. Just as he stopped, going as far as he could, another arrow went through his foot and into the floor, securing him in place.
"You your, The Dark one" he turned looking up to her his lip quivered in fear.
"I'm not leaving here, until you tell me everything you know" she asserted looking at her hand, as she delicately conjured another arrow.
"Please, I don't know much" he begged, hand outstretched his suit now stained with blood.
Another two arrows flew into his abdomen, and he gasped out in pain, blood draining out of him, forming a small puddle on the floor.
"The knights, camp at the top of the mountains they come down every week, trade me whatever items they have for a few enchanted objects, spells, sometimes ale, whatever they want" Struggling to breathe as his lungs filled with blood he coughed and choked in order to get the words out "I don't ask them how, where they got the stuff" he rambled in desperation, hoping the truth would save his life.
"The children they took these things from, you didn't think to ask, if they were, ok?" she questioned her tone rage filled, eyes distant.
"I didn't really give it much thought" he whimpered out, in his desperate state he answered truthfully.
Snow white turned away walking back to the entrance of the store, her eyes on the mountain in the distance, noticing a glow from a fire near its peak.
"Wait please, are you going to leave me like this" he voice broke as blood expelled from his mouth "I'll die"
"I haven't really given it much thought" Snow stated coldly, walking out into the street, she looked around every establishment worse than the last, either selling organs or curses to unsuspecting buyers. Letting out a scream, the dark one attacked, forcing all who remained to flee the area in terror, as carts were overturned and objects began to spontaneously combust.
"Tasty isn't it, the darkness" With a smirk across his face Rumpelstiltskin leant against the front of the store as he watched everything unfold.
Breathing heavy Snow White stood in the centre of the now abandoned street watching the faces of terrified people fleeing from her. The only sound now was a wind chime swinging in the breeze, as she looked over catching her reflection in the tiny mirrors that dangled from it. Her eyes filled with hate, while her face was sprinkled with tiny splashes of blood on her cheek.
"What have I done?" she gasped as if finally processing it.
"You're wasting time dearie" he stood up straight, rolling his eyes.
"I need to stop, rest" breathing heavily she leant on the railing lining the shopfront "this is not what I intended, I'm not this" her eyes distant ashamed of how quickly she folded.
"Dark ones don't need rest, or sleep" he announced encouragingly.
Snow shook her head turning to him the voices in her head didn't waiver even a little. Urging her to go forward continuing this path of destruction, leading her back to what she desired.
"Of course not, it's in dreams you will lose your heartaches" Snow stated glum, wiping the blood from her cheek with her hand as she looked forwards to the mountain.
"I can get there, without magic" she stated, even knowing there it would be a long journey with no escape from her own twisted mind.
–
After hours of trekking through the forest, she could finally see the flames from the campfire surrounded by a sullen group of drunken knights. The hike hadn't hindered her anger or fear, seeing the vacant expressions on the faces of people who might have killed Emma, she clenched her fist.
"Where do these freaks come from". A young man that was sitting by the fire stated as he rose to his feet.
"This is the Prince's territory, get out of here" another yelled surging towards her sword in hand.
A wave of blue magic flew towards Snow White, the barrier spell she sighed as it washed over her, sending a few knights standing nearby unconscious, having no effect on her. The dark one's eyes surveyed the group, desperately searching, hoping for a sign of Emma. Ignoring the shouts of the knights as the charged forwards, she walked over to the tents, where the rest of them slept.
"What do you think you're doing?" A knight scoffed attempting to remove his armour, his leg was badly injured, the chainmail coated in blood.
"I'm looking for my daughter" Snow stated firmly glaring at them she recognised the insignia, a rage building in her she forced herself to turn away.
"Well, she wouldn't be in that tent, maybe Philips though" A woman mocked before walking over pulling out a sword as she approached.
Lunging towards but the sword disappeared, bewildered the knight froze looking at her empty fist with blackened fingers.
"Your hands, you've got frostbite" Snow's eyes went wide, grabbing his hand and inspecting it.
"So, what's that got to do with you?" she retorted, pulling his hand away.
"It's summer, tell me, where is the girl that gave you that wound?" Snow glared threateningly as she stepped closer.
"Sure" she chuckled looking around to her fellow knights for support, but they backed away.
"Be much more cooperative with her heart in your hands". Rumpelstiltskin said, appearing by the fire.
"I would never…" Snow White shook her head recoiling away but the hateful feeling didn't fade "take a heart"
"Who are you talking to, are you crazy?" the knight said with a frown, becoming increasingly concerned.
"Quiet, I need to think" Snow closed her eyes, placing her hand on her forehead. Knowing it was only a matter of time before her inhibitions were silenced.
"Don't think, just feel" Rumpelstiltskin said firmly stepping closer he began circling around Snow White.
"I won't hurt anyone else" she croaked out shaking her head.
"These knights are not noblemen, there thieves" he smirked as she looked up at him "taking whatever they want from those weaker than them, it's time you did the same"
Snow's eyes were wide, her chest heaved unable to breath easy, to think clearly as the anger in her rose. The knights stepped closer with smirks unaware of the impending danger to themselves; they thought her panic was a sign she feared them.
"Please,help me" Snow begged turning to the knight closest to her.
An older man strolled over, with a greying beard but only laughed in response to her pleads, turning to his fellow knights with a smirk "I know this woman, Snow White, you took the kingdom from King George, only for it to fall to the queen's curse" recognition in his eyes "I'd sooner die then help you"
"You heard the man" Rumplestiltskin voice was serious now moving closer he whispered in her ear "Kill him"
"I can't" Snow shook her head but her voice wavered "I'm not a killer"
"You're crazy" he chuckled before swinging his sword at Snow who slipped out of the way just in time.
"Kill him" Rumplestiltskin yelled impatiently as the knight tried to strike again, the blade sliced through the air, just missing Snow's head.
"Stop it" Snow yelled as her heart raced.
"Your no hero, you never were" The knight yelled swinging again but just as he was about to strike he froze, held still by a magical force.
Snow's eyes wide and crazed she forced the man closer until he was at her feet, pausing for a moment.
"This is the only way" she gasped out in an attempt to convince herself, this was the right path before reaching her arm forwards into the man's chest causing him to heave in agony.
The dark one felt a rush, the word disappearing before her eyes, she was teleported against her will, to an unknown location. No one else was in sight, just green hedges clouded in a thick fog she huffed frustrated.
"Who summoned me?" Snow yelled into the void there was no response, but amongst the darkness a glimmer of light caught her eyes, reflecting out of the bush a shiny metal hook. Peering into the green wall before her, she saw a face with dark hair, one she recognised. Coated in dirt and some dried blood barely resembling the boy she knew "Killian" she gasped "what happened to you?"
Reaching into the shrubbery she grabbed hold of his leather jacket, trying to pull him free, the vines held tight making it impossible, frantically she placed her finger on his neck. Sighing with relief upon feeling his pulse beneath her fingertips.
Stepping back she let go of Killian, before raising her hands up feeling the life of the plant in her hands, screeching underneath her grip. With a flick of her wrist the stems and vines shredded to pieces freeing Killian. Stepping forward she wrapped her arm around him just before his unconscious body crashed to the ground.
"Where is everyone else?" she asked desperately "Where's Emma?"
There was no response, just silence as his body lay still, then she noticed the vines surrounding them were covered in poisonous thorns.
"It's going to be ok, you're going to be ok" she placed her hand behind his head stroking his hair, tears welled in her eyes.