Summary: Regina has destroyed the curse returning everyone to the enchanted forest, they have lost there home and must now find each other
In the darkness sitting in the windowsill, the only light source came from one dimly lit candle, that flickered in the breeze from the open window. Crafting her arrows by hand kept her sane, her mind unable to rest at any moment, taking its toll. A mindless task sharpening every tip, marking each one with its target, her eyes focused she smiled content, never expecting it to feel like this. As though she hadn't really changed at all, assuming the presence of the darkness to be obvious, a devil on her shoulder. It was in her, pulsing through her veins, wanting the same things she hungered for, starved herself of, at times. To protect, to savour the good moments, embracing them fully, with no room for restraint.
The dagger didn't weigh heavy in her pocket, but lifted her up, making everything lighter, she began to whistle quietly as she worked. Until every tip of her arrows was sharp enough to slice through skin and muscle with ease, her inhibitions still there, but a wiser part of herself understood there irrelevance.
Outside a thunderous storm, lightening splintering across the sky and rain pouring down over the valley. None of this concerned her, until there was a sudden silence, she looked up from her work frowning, the skyline filled with clouded purple magic, all too familiar.
"There back" Snow Whites tone wasn't gleeful or hopeful, but frustrated, standing up she looked over to Emma who slept peacefully. Until now, abruptly sitting up her eyes wide she placed her hand on her chest, before she could get out of bed, her mother was at her side.
"Emma, tell me what's happening?" Snow didn't ask she commanded.
"I'm not sure, I've only felt this once before, when the curse broke". Emma couldn't keep still squirming and grunting as she said the words.
"Just stay here, I'll get you some water" Snow stated firm as her jaw clenched while her anxiety rose.
Emma watched as Snow made her way to the kitchen her eyes became distant as the feeling faded; in fact, she felt no longer connected to the magic at all.
"Regina, she destroyed the curse, Storybrooke's gone isn't it". Emma eyes wide in horror feeling the grief wash over her like a title wave.
"Yes, that's what Regina's message must have meant" Snow walked over to the kitchen lighting a fire with her magic, the pot above the flames began to steam as the chocolate inside heated quickly.
"Dad, everyone, they're out there" Emma gasped excited and terrified in the same moment "alone, we have to find them". Emma looked around to see Killian and the others still asleep, her eyes darting around in a panic.
"We will be together again, I promise," Snow smiled persuasively "but we need a plan, or at least wait for this storm to pass". Snow tone was uncharacteristically calm as walked back over sitting on the edge of the bed.
Emma shook her head, pulling her blanket off and stepping out of bed, in a cold sweet she brushed off her mother's attempt to check her forehead for a temperature.
"Killian, Elsa, wake up, come on we have to go". Emma instructed already putting on her jacket and shoes.
"Slow down". Snow remained composed she blocked Emma's path out of the house her tone stern, it was unsettling causing Emma to inhale sharply.
"No, what... we need to find Dad…. "she paused looking up, desperate to see the familiar encouragement in her mother's eyes, but it was sorely absent "he can break the curse". Emma's voice faltered her heart raced wondering, if it was already too late.
"Emma, it's the middle of night" Snow stated as if unaware of Emma's distress, she placed her hand on her shoulder ferrying her away from the door "it's cold, we don't know who will find out there".
Emma's heart sunk, letting out a gasp as her hopes reuniting with her father were quashed, she glared at her mother.
"I can't believe this" Emma stated in an exasperated tone.
There was silence for a moment as they stared at each other, both unwillingly to budge this tension was only broken, by a groan from Killian as he awoke.
"Emma, ugh what's going on?" Killian asked still half asleep, seeing Emma out of bed he became concerned.
Pausing for moment before responding to Killians question, Emma still didn't take her eyes off the door, the weight of what just happened hard to voice aloud.
"The curse, Storybrooke it's all gone" There was grief to Emma's tone, the life that she knew, the only home she ever had was gone, they were never to return.
"Liam" was the only word Killian could muster, and it was barely audible.
Quickly he jumped out of the hammock on the floor grabbing his boots, Elsa walked into the room then startled rubbing her eyes, noticing Killian and Emma were practically out the door already. Her eyes went out the window though, as figures emerged in the darkness. Elsa inhaled sharply in fear, causing the window to frost up.
"There's someone out there". Elsa stated pointing at the figures.
"Stay here" Snow White warned before disappearing in a cloud of magic, the three of them ran to the window trying to see outside, but there were only shadows visible in the rainy night. Surrounding Snow White were seven figures, they grew ever closer until they were in a group hug.
"I can see properly, what's going on?" Emma stated exasperated.
Killian attempted to wipe the frost off the window forcefully in jerk movements, as he tried to come to terms with the fact Storybrooke was gone.
"Emma this means, Annas here somewhere, alone" Elsa eyes went wide knowing what Anna could be facing, her body became rigid as the temperature dropped.
"So is Liam" Killian added locking eyes with Elsa, they shared a knowing look.
"We need to go now, before the witch or an ogre find them". Elsa stated firm.
"I agree, but I don't think the overprotective Dark One, will let us wander about". Killian stated his jaw clenched.
Emma was barely listening to them, already heading to the door she ran through the pouring rain headlong hoping that she'd be running into her father's arms. As the group came into view her heart sunk, her father was not among them, Grumpy was first to great Emma wrapping his arms around her.
"Hey kid, did you miss us?" Grumpy said, a wide she felt a comforting warmth she smiled slightly.
"Achoo" snot and spit coating Emma's face.
"I missed you, snot and all" Emma admitted a small smile gracing her face.
"Back inside now" Snow stated firm shaking her head in disapproval.
Snow White the seven dwarfs, with Emma walked inside cold and dripping wet to find their home, foreign to them. Only having seen it through storybook pages for the past sixteen years, the smells and sounds all with their own eyes, was overwhelming.
"It smells the same" Doc stated as tears welled in his eyes.
Gasping in awe and with wide eyes they wondered around there home for the first time in sixteen years, with most of there things still in there place.
"Oh, hot cocoa" Happy stated walking over to the fire.
In the joyful chaos Killian stood in the corner looking rather squeamish, his eyes on the horizon as Emma noticed this, she grabbed him a mug and came over.
"You, ok?" Emma voice wavered, sensing something was very wrong.
"Sure, just adjusting to fact we are now sharing a house with Snow White and seven dwarfs, not quite how I pictured it would be" Killian covered his mouth with the mug taking a sip, while avoiding eye contact with Emma, but this only made her suspicious.
Emma looked around the room trying to spot what was wrong. It was all to glaringly obvious now seeing the dwarfs her mother, one person was absent.
"Killian… where's Elsa?" Emma grabbed his shoulder her eyes wide panicked.
"Gone, she went to find her sister" Killian turned to Emma with a guilty expression.
Laying on the cold stone bridge, he could smell in the air from the trees before he even opened his eyes, and knew he was home. Touching his shirt, it was dry with blood, his blood, but there was no wound not anymore, the prince had returned in the same shirt he was stabbed in sixteen years ago.
"I'm back" he gasped sitting up.
Darkness surrounded David with barley enough light to see anything in front of him, no sign of any of Storybrooke's residents. He knew exactly where he was, standing in the middle of bridge were trolls used to lay siege to travellers. Smiling he looked up at the familiar stars, before grabbing his sword and sliding into this hilt with conviction.
"I will find you". He stated hopeful.
Trying to lift his foot he found it stuck to the ground making him immobile, was some unknown magical force.
"Hello handsome" Zelana stepped forwards out of the shadows as she spoke. "you must be the Prince" her eyes wide with horrifying glee.
"Who the hell are you?" Davids voice panicked as his muscles tensed trying the lift his foot from the ground.
"Emma calls me the Wicked Witch". Zelena chuckled as she explained.
Davids eyes went wide at the sound of his daughter's name, but he sensed the stranger's intent was of malice and his jaw clenched.
"Emma... where is she?" In his attempted to sound firm he faltered stuttering his words.
"I'm not sure" she shrugged genuine "but I can't let you find her, not just yet". Zelana stepped closer eyeing the prince up and down with a smile, not concerned that he had gripped his sword once more.
"Why… what do you want with me?" David looked her over cautiously.
"Not you" Zelena scoffed" your wife". She smiled seeing the realisation on his face.
David glared now not saying a word he tried to move again but all he could do was flail about, his feet stuck he grunted no longer interested in talking.
"See I can't let your lips touch…I need the Dark One". Zelena explained.
"No… Snow" his eyes went wide brimming with tears realising he would not be reuniting with his family anytime soon.
With a handful of crushed flowers petals, the Wicked witch smiled before gently blowing them towards the Prince. Quickly he lost consciousness falling to the ground with a thud, while the witch stood over him victorious.
"Stop, get away from him". Charging towards them no weapon or plan was Mulan cold, tired and confused, wondering where the rest of Storybrooke's residents had gone. Before she could reach them, both the witch and the prince disappeared in a cloud of green magic.
Coming up - Frozen warrior, Elsa chapter as she goes on a search to find Anna she comes across a familiar stranger