#horror/enchanted forest!au my beloved

[pappelsiin]

it turned into au art 💫

[zambomarti]

My prompt for THE OLD GUARD DARK!WEEK: SWAN LAKE AU

I must confess my love for classical ballets. This art is based on Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, from the 1895 edition, the version on which most stagings have been based, revised by the composer's brother, Modest Tchaikovsky.

Nicolò is a prince turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse and only at night, by the side of the enchanted lake, he return to human form; the curse can only be broken with a declaration of love.

Prince Yusuf, during a hunting trip with his friends, gets lost in the forest until he finds the lake where a flock of swans land; just as he is about to shoot an arrow one of the swans turns into Nicolò. After a first moment of coldness, the two fall in love, meeting each night in secret until they are discovered by the sorcerer.

Nicolò helps Yusuf escape but the next night, during a party at Yusuf's palace, the sorcerer shows up with the Black Swan (I don't know who it could be, a dark version of Mickey lol), identical to Nicolò. Yusuf is deceived and seduced by the Black Swan and proclaims his love for the fake Nicolò, condemning Nicolò to remain a swan forever.

There are several versions on the final (almost always tragic) my favorite remains the original: Yusuf, realizing with horror of the deception, reaches Nicolò (who had witnessed the scene) but in vain: at sunrise, Nicolò will become a swan forever. Nicolò, rather than losing his humanity and forgetting Yusuf, kills himself and Yusuf chooses to die, unable to remain without his beloved. This act destroys the sorcerer, breaks the spell over the other swans and in the finale the two lovers ascend into the Heavens together like swans, in an apotheosis.

... I was supposed to write a synopsis and instead I wrote the whole damn story.

Thanks to Top! Joe discord for organizing the event!

TWITTER: link

COMMISSION: link

KO-FI: link

[glambots]

ooo, I want to join in on the god au stuff! I love writing! (please forgive any typos I may miss, I'm writing this on my phone) Trigger warning for misgendering of a nonbinary person, misogyny, foul language, a very injured y/n, and some really stupid bigots.

After a few months with their new favorite human (and sort of defacto priest?), they notice that their human is late in arriving. They know many things can slow down a human, but it's been HOURS. This has never happened before. At this point, even Sun is considering leaving the temple, and Moon is about to leave to search for their human.

And just then, one of the huge, old doors slooowly creaks open, and in stumbles their human, wincing as they stumble forward. They're covered in bruises, cuts, and wounds, and one of their arms is hanging limply at their side. They only manage a few more steps before they faint from their injuries. Moon rushes forward to catch them, scooping them up just before they hit the ground. He hands them to Sun, as he knows more about healing than Moon does. Of course, as Sun works, Moon is pacing around the main room, wanting to hunt down whoever hurt *their* human, but not wanting to stray too far either, in case the human wakes up.

As Sun finishes healing what he can, the twins hear the commotion of a crowd of humans outside, stomping through the forest like elephants. The mob stops as the reach the edge of the temple clearing, and many are heard muttering and complaining about "of course they ran here, expecting those bastards to protect them!" and "but they're still *gods*, whether we worship them or not. is this really a good idea?". Sun had placed their poor human in one of the cleaned bed chambers, which had once served to board their priests.

As Sun joined his seething twin at the front of the temple, just out of sight of the mob, they heard the mob leader speak. They ignored his words at first, noting his appearance first. He was one of the know bigots from a nearby town, always stinking of cheap booze and a horrible, decaying husk of a heart. He was covered in blood that clearly didn't belong to him, but sported some bruises of his own. The twins tuned back in to what he was saying to the dozen or so others, as he seemed to finally be reaching his point. "I don't care bout no holy sites, or some stinkin' bastards that call emselves gods! I just want that little b**ch dead! That little w**re dared reject me, so she needs to be taught where females like her belong! In the house being a good little wife, pushin' out brats, and following every order I give!" The bigot continued to rant to his onlookers, a couple of them slowly turning back towards town, disgust evident on their faces.

As for the twins, both were seething with rage at this point, the last straw having been the bigot's misgendering of their beloved little human. The area around them reacted to their rage, areas of light becoming swelteringly hot, like a sudden heat wave, while areas of shadow suddenly dropped below freezing. The only area spared from these drastic shifts was the inside of the temple, where protective wards cast by long forgotten mages began to activate. A hidden maze of invisible walls and numerous traps sparked to life in the main room, while six sets of enchanted suits of armor stirred to life for the first time in decades, taking up places front of the priest chambers.

Sun and Moon hardly noticed this, as they suddenly felt something they hadn't sensed in hundreds of years, as the moon crept closer to the sun in the sky. The twins glanced at each other, knowing what was soon to happen, if they let it. As the moon began to hide to sun in the sky, the twins became one. A horrible, sickening scream rang out, and the mob of bigoted humans watched in silent horror as their doom awoke.

A being so tall it nearly toward over the temple, even while hunched, slowly lifted it's head. Two sets of giant wings fanned out behind it, one glowing as bright as the sun, and the other absorbing light so well that it only looked like a pair of wing shaped holes in space. Four long arms pushed the being upright, ending in huge hands with claws the size of men. The ground under the being melted and bubbled like ice turning directly into steam. As the being finally reached its full height, and the moon fully covered the sun, the bigoted humans finally began to understand just how much they fucked up.

ECLIIIIIIIPSE, is absolutely a thing in this AU. >:3c And your depiction is very close!!

[rexlapi]

i know no one who follows me is into genshin bUT im so proud of this au so i’ll post it anyways

moongod!zhonglixmotal!childe, chang’e/hou’yi au (no previous knowledge of the mid autumn festival is needed, hopefully i explained it well enough in the fic)

am i yours?

rating: teen for inexplicit self harm  wc: 2k

ao3

- -

It had only been a century since the god of the moon, known to the people as Morax, had first come to the barren rock he would soon have to call home. He had no emotional attachment to the place, however he had no other place to call home. Too many years since the man who had once been Zhongli had last seen his love, too long since he had known happiness. 

The earth was rising into view from his palace on the moon, the blue waters always reminding him of his lover’s bright eyes. Zhongli stood on the cold stone floor, staring out into the distance. It was the anniversary of the day when Zhongli had first ascended to yue, a day many mortals celebrated, offering him yuebing, or mooncakes, in hopes that he would bless their families. Every year, he found it in himself to smile upon those who still remembered his story, hoping that one day, his good would come back to him in the form of the one he loved. But of course, the world was a cruel place, leaving the immortal nothing but a barren rock to live his sad eternity on. 

Despite the people’s celebratory gifts, this day was always one of sorrow for Morax. He had only experienced a few decades of imprisonment on this rock, yet somehow Zhongli felt so, so very old. This day only ever reminded him of what he’s lost, of what he will never have again. To be fair, almost everything reminded him of his Tartaglia, from the waters of earth to the orange of the sun. More than anything, these things reminded him of his biggest mistake.

There was nothing in this that the moon god regretted more than his reckless action that got him stuck on this barren rock, never to see the face of the one he loved again. 

The day that ruined Zhongli’s life had been a beautiful day, one of the most beautiful days he had ever seen. The skies were a vibrant blue, streaks of puffy white clouds dotted throughout the sea of blue, the sunlight warm and bright. He had planned on proposing to Tartaglia that day He had everything prepared, an elaborate basket of luxurious gifts for the other man’s family, as well as a lovingly self-crafted pair of matching dangly earrings, for each of them. Zhongli unconsciously brushed his hand over his ear, toying with the rare orange jade bead at the end of his. 

He had been waiting for Tartaglia to return home from an assignment when one of his own students had broken into his house, looking for the small potion of immortality Tartaglia had received for shooting the excess suns out of the sky. His Tartaglia had always been an adept warrior, being proficient in nearly every weapon. Zhongli smiled to himself, wishing he could see the way Tartaglia bounced on his toes before every right, his face stretched into a broad grin, ready for the rush of adrenaline that every fight gave him. 

Zhongli had always loved teaching, wanting to impart his knowledge and wisdom on the next generation of bright minds. He would never forget the look of horror his student wore when Zhongli angrily shoved a spear through their stomach, snatching the elixir out of weakening hands and downing it in one gulp. It wasn’t until Tartaglia returned home shortly after the incident when Zhongli realized what he had done. He remembered how Tartaglia’s eyes had widened, his voice calling out for him, but Zhongli could already feel himself floating away, becoming weightless, as if he had become a spirit. The distraught cries from his love that morphed into sobs, calling his name, begging him to stay, telling him he loved him These cries would forever ingrain themselves into his memory. The elixir would have let them be happy and together forever. Instead, it separated the two of them for the rest of time.

Every year on this day, he would talk into the sky, hoping that maybe, one day, Tartaglia would hear him. Hoping that maybe one day he could see him smile, hear him laugh again. This year was no different. Zhongli busied himself in the kitchen, preparing some of Tartaglia’s favorite foods. He would eat a bite of each dish before leaving the rest as offerings to whatever greater powers lay above him, asking them for mercy, for freedom for this barren rock. Though, behind all of these, he would always ask to see his love, one last time. 

Please, Celestia. This is all I can offer for you. Please, I’d like a way off this rock, freedom from my past mistakes. He looked off into the distance, at the painting he had done of Tartaglia. Please, I’d like to see Tartaglia again. Please.

Years like this one passed. Years became decades, and decades became centuries. Time passed quickly for the immortal, and though it may pass fast, it had no end. Every year, Morax asked the same things of Celestia. Every year, he received no response. He had grown so very tired. 

On his 8880th mid-autumn festival, he awoke to see a sharp periwinkle dagger wrapped in silver silks sitting on the edge of his bed. He carefully unwrapped the fabric to reveal a beautifully carved glaze lily embedded on the handle. A small piece of paper fell out of the wraps, peaking Zhongli’s interest. He carefully set the dagger down onto his bed, picking up the small slip. 

A note, written in elegant, looping, traditional Liyuen. It read: Morax, your prayers have been heard. Celestia sends its regards as well as apologies for taking so long to process your request. Take this dagger as the key to the next journey in your life, where the one you love is waiting. It has been enchanted so there will be no pain. However, if you decide to take this chance, do know that it is irreversible. Do as you wish with it, take the chance or do not. 

I hope you find your peace, Zhongli.

The note was not signed, but somehow Zhongli felt as though he knew the person who had written the note. “Thank you.” he croaked out, his voice rough from lack of use. His hands shaking, he picked up the dagger once more. It was the perfect weight, a perfect balance of light yet solid. It had been, well, ever since he had come onto this rock since he had held a weapon. Not a weapon, a key. A chance. Hope. 

He took a walk around the empty palace where he had lived in solitude for thousands of years, as if saying goodbye. It was a goodbye he was happy to say. He retrieved the hand carved wooden box containing his most prized possession from it’s secret location, securing it in his pocket. He carefully rolled up the scroll containing the image of a smiling Tartaglia and slipping that into another pocket, scared that if he did see Tartaglia again, that Zhongli wouldn’t be able to recognize him. 

He stared down at the dagger in his hands, his fingers curling around the elegant glaze lily. He felt his grip grow tighter, then he felt his hands start to shake. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. He was ready to leave this barren place behind. I will see you again, Tartaglia.

As promised, the blade brought him no pain. 

... 

Zhongli opened his eyes to see an ethereal forest, the trees not quite opaque, as if they weren’t quite there. He looked down to see the beautiful blade that had been gifted to him stained with golden blood. He wasn’t bothered by the golden blood, for it was the blood of immortals after all. He was however, awed by the trees he saw. He hadn’t seen vegetation in what felt like years, not having to eat food in order to sustain himself after ascending to godhood, saving human food for very special occasions. 

He looked around, though he didn’t see anyone. Where the one you love is waiting, the note had said. Zhongli wandered around the forest for what felt like days, looking for a head of bright orange hair or a pair of deep ocean eyes. He saw neither. Had the sender lied? He couldn’t help but lose a little bit of hope, though wherever he was now was still certainly better than the hellhole of a rock he had resided on for millennia. He took a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling more and more energetic by the moment. 

Say something. His brain told him. He was running out of options, so he did as his inner monologue asked. Clearing his throat, he recalled the song he would sing to his Tartaglia. Humming the first few lines to get warmed up, his hope growing with every beat. 

“Xu ni sheng shi shi, wu jue qu de ai,” His voice shook as he switched from his native Liyuen to lover’s Snezhnayan. “Always and forever, in this heart of mine…” The forest was silent. Zhongli felt his heart shatter, not wanting to accept that he really would never see his Tartaglia again. He knelt on the ground, his hand clutching the blade of the dagger, a cascade of golden blood dripping onto his spotless black-gold hanfu. He wished he could feel the sharp pain of the cold blade biting into his skin. 

“Xu ni sheng sheng shi shi, wu jue qu de ai,” 

Zhongli had never stood faster in his entire life, the dagger falling to the ground, forgotten. His eyes widened as the familiar face of his beloved appeared from behind a tree. He stood stunned. The sender didn’t lie.

The sun seemed to illuminate the younger boy, his orange hair glowing golden, his typical gray ensemble billowing in the breeze. Zhongli had never seen such a beautiful sight in his thousands of years of existence. “Always and forever, in this heart of mine… longer than the heavens, and the stars that shine…”

Zhongli and Tartaglia both rushed forward at the same time, the orange haired boy taking the other’s bleeding hand in his, while Zhongli gently placed his uninjured hand on his lover’s face. “Xiang si qing nan nai, yuan yu ni tong zai,”

They both broke out into smiles filled with grief and disbelief, their voices shaking as they finished the verse together. “I am yours, I am yours, forever”

Collapsing into the other man, Zhongli let himself cry. “Tartaglia I-”

He felt strong arms hug him tighter, only making Zhongli sob harder. “Shh it’s okay, I’m here now. You’re here now.” Tartaglia had begun to cry too, having fallen to the ground with Zhongli, the two a tangle of limbs and tears. 

“I love you so much.” Zhongli choked out, letting more and more of his years and years of pain and loneliness fade away with every moment in the other boy’s arms. 

Tartaglia kissed Zhongli through teary eyes, trying to convey the words he couldn’t say in the action. “I’ve never stopped loving you, even after all these years. I love you, Zhongli. So much. Please, don’t be an idiot again and cause us another eight-thousand years of separation. I don’t think I can go through that again.”

Zhongli laughed through a sob, placing a kiss on Tartaglia’s cheek. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise.” He pulled out the box he had carried around with him since he had been banished to the moon. Carefully, he pulled out the other earring he had crafted all those years ago, the same shape and pattern as the singular one Zhongli himself wore. “Tartaglia, would you be mine forever?”

“Only if you’re mine forever" He responded, the biggest shit-eatting grin on his face. 

Zhongli nodded solemnly, completely serious in his consideration of the agreement. “That is a fair contract.”

Tartaglia laughed before kissing Zhongli again. “It was a joke, of course I’ll be yours.”

He dipped his head down, allowing Zhongli to attach the earring to his ear. Perfect. Zhongli couldn’t help but think. The blue jade matched his eyes perfectly, just as Zhongli’s earring matched his own amber eyes. “Forever?”

“Forever."

~~~~~~~~~~

Xu ni sheng shi shi, wu jue qu de ai -> Let your love live forever,

Xiang si qing nan nai, yuan yu ni tong zai -> Love-sickness is unbearable, I wish I were with you

[pueraeternuspan]

Dark One!Malcolm Expansion

Expanding on this idea because why not.

Malcolm had seen his own child go to war, and watched as his beloved wife leave him with Baelfire. Malcolm watched near helplessly.. a terrible repeat of what had happened to him and his wife, Fiona, a life time ago. And what his father done to him before.

And with the war remaining and Baelfire soon turning fourteen (the age he would be torn from them forever and maybe never seen again). Something changed in Malcolm, a dark anger. Was his family so cursed that they could never be happy? Rumple had ran with Bae in the night, Malcolm remaining in case the soldiers came. He couldn’t fight but he could stall and give them time.. but when Bae and Rumple were dragged back like some dogs, Malcolm had had enough...

He left Rumple and Bae alone, them thinking he needed time to think and cry as they did. “Will grandpa not say goodbye, papa?”

“He has lost so much, son. Losing you may drive him mad. He’ll be back” Please come back papa.

Malcolm would come back. The Dark One had power, and if he somehow tore that power away from the Duke and whatever royal rat he can, he would happily burn down castles.. if only he was stronger. And quickly his swindler’s mind turned. No, if he had the power of the Dark One, he could destroy them all, all that hurt his family. And what did Malcolm have to lose? Rumple had his little Baelfire.. Malcolm had and was nothing. No, he had Rumple but Rumple can survive.. if all else fails, Malcolm would die.. and when has Malcolm ever failed (give or take some accidental overconfidence)

Malcolm was the one that went to the castle, no one really looked at him. He looked like a common peasant or a sort of merchant in his clothing. No one suspected that Malcolm had such a devious plan in mind.. worthy of the boy from Neverland in his cleverness.*

Blue eyes found the right area of the wood. Carefulness was key and Malcolm opened the cart doors and spilt its contents all over the wood. He wasn’t doing a distraction. He made sure nothing was near, no horse or innocent  And he threw the lantern down..

Everything was a blaze and was a chain reaction as the fire ate up the wood towards the ceiling. Part of the castle giving way under the burning and weakening wood. 

The distraction was great as he walked away from the blaze and found the dagger when everyone was panicking to put out the flames. Blue eyes stared at the name without a care at what he’d done. 

Instead he stood in the Enchanted Forest, watching the blaze light up the night. “Dark One. I summon ye.” He called out and he turned to find the familiar hooded figure. “Submit.” 

“ Yes, you do. Wield the power wisely. You can wield it anytime now. It's almost dawn. That means it's your grandson's birthday. I bet Hordor and his men are already on their way to your son’s house.“

“Perhaps so. But I will make sure that anyone that touches my family will be slaughtered like the pigs they are” Malcolm had no cowardice nor were his words empty. He had had enough of his cursed legacy, and he had the power now to change it all. But of course this arrogant thing read him like he was some open book.

“Your wife left you, your father sold you for nothing.”

“She didnae leave” He snapped. How dare this guy!

“No, but she didn’t die either. The Faeries sealed her away.. locked her away and lied to you. And in turn you blamed your son, convinced it was his fault.”

“.... what?” He listened, dagger lowering as he thought it over. Taking in the words, the truthful words. “It isnae true!” The man snapped back, tears stinging his eyes.

“The Blue Fairy lied to you. But your family is and always has been cursed. To assume you’d have happiness is beyond your grasp. You’ll never have it.”

Malcolm looked at the dagger. “I know.” He paused. “I know I’ll never have it. So I take what I want. We take what we want, we don’t wait to have it. And I’m done with adults crushing me.” Malcolm, in a fit of grief and rage, plunged the dagger into Zoso, again and again, with every stab of the dagger, he thought of all who wronged him, who hurt his family.

And he pulled the dagger out finally, covered in blood and grinning as the Darkness began to fill him. He reveled in the power. 

And when Malcolm came back, he didn’t even give Hordor time beg for mercy. Blood splattered on the grass and Rumple and Bae looked in horror at their family member who grinned and looked around. “You’re all safe. Everyone.. Rumple. Bae.. you’re safe now. All are safe.” His family trembled in fear but he smiled. It’s okay if they are afraid.. he will protect them. He will love them both and they can live happily.

But first, he had a Duke to pay a visit to. He had enough of innocent babes being torn away from their family. “Bae, come.. come it’s okay. Tell me Bae.. what was your little friend’s name?”

“M-Morraine, grandpa” He quivered under the man’s gave.. the man that Bae felt wasn’t not his tired but happy grandpa that told him stories of the far off land in the stars.

“Morraine.” He repeated and smiled at his little grandson who was fourteen. “I’m sorry I left such a terrible mess on your birthday. I’ll make it up to you, laddie.” 

“Papa.. you’re scaring Bae.” Rumple whispered. And you’re scaring me. 

“It’s okay. No one will scare you again. I will get Morraine back for you, Bae... but first I think I need to blend in more..” And slowly he began to shift into a much youthful form, looking like a young man once again. No more aches or tiredness anymore. “They are looking for youth to fight their war. I’ll fit right in and crush their throats and hearts from the inside.” The dagger in his hand tucked away in his tunic for the time being. “Rumple, if I may, may I have the name of the doll you had?”

“Peter Pan?”

“... Aye. I like that name. Peter Pan will be my name, and Peter Pan Never Fails.” Never again will he fail. 

Fiona was somewhere, surely waiting for him. The Duke and what ever those that think are in power will fear his very name, will be to scared to mention it. Malcolm, now Peter Pan will burn and destroy all those in power that seek to harm others.

He was the Dark One. Rumple and Bae will live without being called cowards, all that so much as whisper it were never seen again with their tongues. Baelfire feared his grandfather and saw the Darkness was driving him further into power and madness and away from his family.

In Peter’s eyes, he did all this for his family. He loved his family so much.. and he was guilty for blaming his son for something that had never been his fault. He made it up to him by protecting them all.. at least he was sure he was protecting them. 

* Peter Pan and Malcolm are two separate beings in my blog/this au if confused. He is named just the boy or the piper.

[courtorderedcake]

Riptide 7/13 CSBB

@captainswanbigbang & @captxinswans present:

RIPTIDE by @courtorderedcake Beta’d by the wonderful @ultraluckycatnd

An Enchanted Forest AU where the dark one was never released into the world in a vessel, thus causing a massive shift in timelines. The ogre wars have ravaged kingdoms, untold destruction spanning continents, rulers displaced. Even as the wars sputter to ash, the safest place to be is at sea, and that’s not very safe at all - as Emma and Killian find out, fates intertwined against all odds.

Rated: E/X - heavy content : warnings of assault, rape, noncon, just everything, I feel like the rating says enough. It’s something.

WARNING: READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Read on Ao3 HERE .

Chapter IX : Shell & Bone

I can be quick and then I'm deadly,

I am a rock, shell and bone medley.

If I was made into a man, I'd make people dream,

I gather in my millions by ocean, sea and stream. 

What am I? Sand of course, dear one

- Unknown

 Emma woke next to a sudden jostle, Killian tensing above her and words, laughing words that weren’t his. The fuzzy bits of sleep fading, she could hear Killian’s voice now loud above her. “Don’t you dare touch her. I’ll kill every one of you if you touch her -”

Emma’s eyes shot open as Killian’s body was pulled away from her and the warmth of his embrace was gone. Two men were pulling him away, his hand reaching for hers across the floor.

“No!” Emma reached for him, pulling his hand into hers, fighting and kicking the other man who stepped into the space to grab her. “Killian, Killian! Let me go, let me go!” Wailing and reaching for him, his body was pulled behind hers to keep him moving.

“Ain’t it sweet? Keep struggling and I’ll give you a chance to hold your baby.” The man holding her pulled her hair, and she yelped, his other hand squeezing her windpipe.

“Emma, you have to stop struggling love, you’re going to hurt yourself. It’s going to be alright.”

They were both pulled on the wet deck with rain still falling heavily, chilling her again. James stood looking over the docks in front of them as Emma was thrown down, Killian over her protectively a moment later.

“I’ve made two decisions, for the sake of my dear little sister and her unborn.” James smirked down at them as Killian gathered her shaking body close to his. “The first is that you get to say goodbye to your beloved before he hangs. I do follow Navy protocol, after all, so you can say goodbye here and as he hangs.” Emma sobbed into Killian’s chest, both of them holding each other tightly. “And I’ve arranged for you to be delivered to a beautiful holding cell to wait for your bastard to be born. Then off you go to whatever fate I decide, and your bastard goes to a nice home.”

“You will not take my child -”

“See, the thing is dear sister, you’re not exactly in the position to make demands. Or to be a mother,” James sneered. “Now say your goodbyes.”

“Emma, I love you. Look at me love,” Killian kissed her, wiping tears away from her face in earnest. “You have to keep our child, beg them, do whatever you can. Do you understand? Don’t you dare give up, Emma -”

“I won’t but you have to fight them too, please, I know you can figure a way out of this. We have survived everything, everything, Killian. You have to see your child. He can’t grow up without you.”

Killian opened his mouth to say something more, but was stopped by James waving a hand to pull Emma from him, his fingers holding hers until the last second. “I love you, Emma.” She continued reaching for him, and he pulled against the two men holding him, continuing to try and touch her fingers.

James laughed, his continued laughter eventually drowning out Emma’s pleading.

The day he was led out to be hung was exactly ten days after his capture. He’d counted, scratching long groves into the wall of his cell with a spoon, sharpening it to carve Emma’s name and his into the wooden door frame along with a small picture of a swan. Tracing it kept him sane when he imagined he heard her cries or a phantom squall of a baby somewhere in the evenings, his body unwilling to rest.

Off of the coast of King George’s miserable land, Korumpiran, lay the island he sat in now. It was unnamed, just referred to by people who knew what lay on its rocky face as ‘Prisoner’s Keep’. Emma was somewhere in the compound, it was where people the Navy wanted to parade out with pomp to a gaggle of noble watchers were held.

Hanging was a sport, and it needed spectators.

James was in high spirits when they came to fetch him, dressed in his full regalia and grinning. As they climbed the stairs to the deck of the gallows, he whispered gleefully, “Today’s the day!”

Killian grunted.

James’s boots were a shining dark black in the noon sun, in stark contrast with the washed-out boards. As his death necklace was hung around his neck, Killian whispered goodbyes to those who would never hear them. His crew, his few friends, his child, saving the last for Emma.

James stood next to him, no executioner’s cowl to mask his glee. “Do you know what the best part of this is going to be?” James’s eyes glittered with excitement as he whispered, “My deal with you ends when you expire. You’ll have your whore and child with you in hell soon enough!” James laughed, pointing out into the crowd where several naval officers flanked Emma’s body. 

Killian struggled in his bonds, trying to get off the stage to her in blind panic. Their audience whispered in confusion as she cried hysterically. James tried to redraw the crowd’s attention, not to be outdone. “I hereby judge the pirate known as Captain Hook as guilty of crimes against the crown...” A wail went up in the crowd, pained as a naval officer started yelling, “...desertion of the Navy, Piracy...” A low moan soon followed, and one of the naval officers ran back into the base, eyes wide. The crowd began to turn and soon, the original crowd was turning towards low keening cries. 

The hair on Killian’s neck stood. 

Navy officers yelled, and James became angry. “...and stealing a ship from HIs Majesty’s fleet. The punishment shall be death, by hanging. Any last words?” James removed the rag he had stuffed in Killian’s mouth. 

“Emma, my wife, please tell me she’s alright. She’s pregnant and I can’t see -” Shouting at the crowd, he struggled, and several women covered their mouths in horror. 

It was taboo for any wife to be present for a hanging, as the gentry were prone to swooning. A pregnant woman being forced to stand privy to an act of such violence was beyond cruel, practically sacrilege, and put both her and child at risk. A scream tore through the crowd, and he could see Emma on her back, naval officers holding her as one came back with a cloth. Her mouth was a tight lined grimace. The crowd was booing the hanging now in favor of the poor woman who seemed to be having stress complications. Killian was barely aware of anything else except trying to see what was happening. Officers ran on the platform to help James hold Killian as he fought to get to Emma with every fiber of his being.

Fists landed blows on his face and a boot connected with his ribs until he knelt, bleeding on the platform’s drop door, the first real prayers to any God who’d listen running through his mind. He heard James pull the lever, and closed his eyes, unable to stand the nightmare any longer. The door below him gave way and he fell, time slowing as he heard James yell in fury. Killian’s knees connected with packed ground. The rope had snapped, cut through almost completely.

Killian’s body registered its living state before his brain, scrambling to move as James shouted orders. His blood beat in his ears to the sound of her name, every part of him trying to protect both his child and his wife. A guard caught his arm half way and shoved him, a strange movement that was neither defensive or offensive. Sprawling forward, he noticed a heavy weight in his coat pocket. Reaching in and touching cold metal, he looked up to watch the guards surround Emma and understood.

James shouted more commands as Killian pulled his hook out of his pocket, taking it in his good hand awkwardly without his brace. A few paces ahead of him, he saw Ruby adjust her stolen Naval uniform, sending a signal to however many others had infiltrated, and he realized that the ever clever crew of The Gilded Wing had each put a swan patch under their shoulder stripe.

Killian slashed through an officer with slight difficulty, continuing towards Emma as he watched the infiltrators from The Gilded Wing shed their disguises. Two guards with a swan patch held Emma's hands, kneeling as the crowd surrounding them began to realize that they were caught in the beginning of a blood bath. Men started to scream as Merida, Ruby, Rory, Phillip, Graham, Fa, Regina, Robin, Z, and others he didn’t know began to carve through them.

Finally reaching Emma, he felt life return in full color. Wearing a ridiculous full satin gown, even in labor on dusty cobblestone she took his breath away. He rubbed blood from his face and ignored what was most likely a broken rib. Snow looked at his dumbstruck face with a small knowing smile, as Emma and Belle beamed up at him. He knelt by her side, or more truthfully, dropped to his knees.

“Emma are you? Please tell me you're alright. Seven Hells and the damned -” His wheezing questions were answered with a soft kiss as her hand threaded through the hair at the nape of his neck. She pulled away, motioning a hand to the bodice of her dress and bringing him back to the peril of their situation.

“We're fine. Help me get out of this damned thing before we all wind up dead, because that would be depriving a nice end to my dashing rescue of you. Oh, and take off your shirt.” Emma reached below her skirts and pulled out his extra brace, a cutlass, and her preferred scimitar. He pulled off his coat and shirt as she and Snow struggled to get her out of the gown. Belle stood guard, easily dropping men with a crossbow.

“You know, there's a thousand other ways to get us both naked love,” he grinned. He put on his brace with ease, relishing in the feel of the soft leather and the plush embrace of the fitting for his hook. Snapping buckles tight, he clicked in his hook. With a flourish he ripped the gown, revealing her breeches and tunic below. “When we get back, I'll show you a few of the ways I thought of on the gallows.”

“Gallows humor. That's appropriate,” Snow smirked, as he shrugged his shirt and coat back on. Helping Emma stand, he embraced her tightly.

“I love you, Emma. We'll talk about how mad I am that you are here later,” he whispered into her hair. “If I told you to stay out of trouble you'd never listen, but please be careful.”

Emma smirked, looking up at him. “I'll do my best, Killian.”

Another round of shouts began as another James appeared from the nearby doorway, screaming that the man on the gallows stand was an imposter, a wizard from the Far East.

Anyone from The Gilded Wing would recognize the slightly darker tanned skin, or the top of his ring finger missing on his right hand. But dressed in a captain’s uniform, the Navy became more confused. James sputtered on the gallows stand about his twin brother, while David shouted back towards the crowd. The Gilded Wing members took advantage of the chaos, attacking without mercy.

“Welcome to the party, Hook,” Belle said as she stood, joining the fray with Snow just behind, pulling a bow with quiver from her pant legs.

Killian kissed Emma one more time as they began making their way towards James.

Emma slashed through men easily, avoiding attacks as Killian moved faster, slicing with both hook and sword. Gunpowder filled the air as blood spilt; dying shouts heard over the smell of fire shot from Regina's hands. Robin, Belle, and Snow had taken high perches, shooting targets with keen accuracy. Men ran to get to safety.

Killian reached the platform first, and James backed away as he approached. Parrying back and forth, Killian was surprised that such a coward was actually an adept swordsman. A well aimed kick from James landed squarely in his broken ribs, the crunch and pain throwing him back on his elbows letting out a strangled cry. James raised his weapon high, the sword shining in its cruel metallic glory. Killian turned to Emma and watched her, unwilling to spend his last moments watching James’s sadistic snarl.

A shot rang out, James stepping back and looking at his stomach in surprise. Killian took no chances, digging his hook deep into James’s neck, ripping his face apart in a clean motion. Killian heard the bastard gurgle but threw him down, unwilling to give him any more attention. Looking up, Charming nodded to him over the smoking barrel of a pistol, a calm ripple of understanding coming between the two.

It was done. Men ran in all directions, fires started in several places along the keep, and cannons sounding from what sounded like several ships. Glancing at the smoke drifting off of the towers, he would swear he was hallucinating. Two dragons circled, one dark, massive, and sleek, the other a soft pearl color with somehow more delicate features. They were stunning in their fierceness.

The island was in ruins as nobles cowered, fleeing to ships that sped away from the rubble.

“Killian?” Emma called through the smoke, and he stumbled off of the deck into her embrace. She smiled and let him lean into her body, face pressed against her neck as he took a breath. “You’re heavy. As much as I -”

Rough hands pulled him aside, helping him stand fully. Charming stood next to him, propping him up. He grunted, growling out lowly, “You have legs, lean on someone who isn’t pregnant.”

Killian could feel his ribs throb as they walked along the cobbled path, Charming under his arm letting him lean and Emma by his side trying to keep him talking. His lungs burned, and he was painfully aware that breathing was becoming harder. “How did you manage this?” he coughed, and Emma looked at her brother, then away quickly.

“Will is alive. Belle took him back to The Gilded Wing, and they caught the Jolly on its way here to save us. Regina popped into my cell, letting me know the plan and helped me smuggle the things we needed. Hey, hey. I need you to stay awake.”

“And you tamed dragons in your cell?” Blinking groggily, he shook himself further awake, not realizing his drooping eyelids as his lungs tightened.

“That’s… That’s actually Z, and his, um… Friend? or Lover, I guess?” Emma said unsurely, glancing at David. 

“Mal, the blonde woman, new to The Gilded Wing’s crew. Old friend of Regina’s, and a powerful sorceress. Transformed Zorro, your Z, into a dragon for revenge and the spell accidentally hit them both. They can change forms when they’re around each other,” David grumbled.

“You know I think you’re magnificent, Emma. Did you manage a Kraken too?” Emma laughed, moving closer into his side. “Don’t laugh, love. I’m trying to share a moment with you while staving off choking. And you, my dear brother-in-law racing to save me. Now that I wouldn’t have bet on.”

“Never call me that again. Could you focus?” Charming gritted out. “If you died, I’d never hear the end of it from Emma or Snow. And,” he mumbled under his breath, “I cannot be left alone with Scarlet or Robin, who would join you in hell. I can’t be killing crew. That’s, what do you say? Ah, yes. Bad form.”

“Dave, you truly do care,” Killian groaned when Emma gently prodded him gently in the ribs, shooting him a look, but Charming actually gave a forced smile.

“Don’t make me stab you when you have cheated death thrice today, to my sister’s delight.” As they approached the Jolly in full glory next to The Gilded Wing, they were met by a crowd of crew members, Graham taking over for Charming. Before he was completely pulled away, Charming slid an elbow right into where he ached, hard enough to bruise but not to cause any more actual damage. Killian sucked in as much air as he could get through his teeth, trying not to vomit. “And never call me Dave ever again either.”

Emma helped him settle into their bed, helping to ease him down and help make something comfortable for both of them. She’d washed his face, and taken off his bloody clothing, soft touches that reminded him her finger was painfully bare of his ring. Before he could say anything, Regina had come by for more healing and a round of her truly noxious potions made to induce bones to knit together with the added bonus of making a grown man fall back into the mindset of a whiny child.

His lucidity began to fray, and Emma lay next to him quietly, looking over their handiwork on his battered body. “You’re starting to get a little bit magic sloshed. I can see it in your eyes,” Emma giggled. “You always look so intense before you let go and get lost in things.” She reached for his hand, surprised when he moved to kiss her, searching her eyes as they broke away,

“You shouldn’t have been there. If you had been hurt, Emma, I can’t... I couldn’t even watch you pretend to suffer because I thought...” His voice caught, and she held his hand tighter. “No more. Stay off your feet. I know you’ve been hiding how exhausted you are, and I’m worried for you love. I’m worried for our child.”

 “I’m ok, I promise,” she lied, and adjusted herself. Wincing, she did not sell her lie. 

“No. You’re not.” 

“Killian, I -” 

“When was the last time you ate and really rested? You were in a cell, probably not much nicer than my own. And your wound? See to it you actually get it cleaned, love,” he sighed, gathering her into his arms. “Of course.” He nuzzled into her neck, his words slurring softly as the potion helped mend his broken bones. “You could just rest with me. Help me get better. Stop me from worrying about the dragon we unintentionally signed on as crew.”

“Of course,” she whispered against his chest, as close as she dared with his broken ribs snug under bandages. “Captain's orders, hm?”

“Quite right.” he sighed.

The sky was a sickly green as rain drizzled over the Jolly, the clouds casting strange shadows through the windows in the Captain’s quarters. Emma still felt uncomfortable on her ship, rather spending her time watching Killian heal and helping out on the Jolly. Her main tasks were easy to fall into, and she enjoyed laying in his arms as his wife.

Married life suited her, although Killian’s boredom did not. He entertained himself by wrapping yarn around his hook as Maggie had taught him as lumpy blankets as soft as clouds littered their bed. He also read, and occasionally sketched her changing form with rapt fascination. She'd begun to truly show, her body suddenly ballooning everywhere as her sickness was replaced by unending hunger.

Killian still not only assured her that she was beautiful, but made it very clear that he enjoyed every bit of what he saw. Every time she left him in the mornings he’d groan, sleepily begging her to stay; either trying to ply her with his words… or other things. “You could lie here with me all day,” his voice said with a low, husky rumble. He stretched his arms around her as she sat on the edge of their bed, and she heard the hiss of pain, even as he tried to hide it. “I’d show you how well I’m healing by licking every inch of you -”

“Killian!” she laughed, as he kissed her neck. “While that’s tempting, and it is oh so very tempting, the ledgers need to be balanced to account for repairs, stock needs to be counted, and you need to rest -” “Do the ledgers here, and I promise I’ll rest,” he nibbled her earlobe and she let out a gasp. “After I taste you. You don’t understand how beautiful you look, Emma.” She pulled away from him, and his face fell.

“Mmmhm, well, we can discuss this more when I bring you lunch.” His face brightened and he licked his lips. “With Mal, for another bout of healing.” He flopped back, with a wheeze, groaning. Emma stood, bending to kiss him, and made her way to the door. “I will do the ledgers here though, to ease your suffering.” 

She heard his hum of approval as she walked to the deck. He was healing nicely luckily, and would be better in a matter of days. Emma was grateful to have Regina and this newcomer, Mal, around to work healing magic, even if it wasn’t as powerful as her own. His ribs had set which was a great comfort to Emma. She had been worried with them sleeping together that she’d hurt him somehow. Regina had even suggested he could be on deck but not working as early as the next day, but Emma hadn’t told him in case they were wrong.

It was cool, the rain picking up as Emma stepped on the deck and took in a deep breath. Walking to the railing, she looked over the waves, peering behind them where the Gilded Wing followed. A hand automatically rested on top of her stomach. The child was quiet today to boot, and would be until after breakfast. Although her sickness was blessedly gone, she’d noticed how easily she got winded or tired while working. She’d learned some ways around it; eating a good breakfast, snacking, breaks to sit down, drinking water, and other small tricks. The fresh air was another trick, the sea breeze felt good in her lungs.

Will stepped over to her, handing her a bowl of sweet rice and dried fruit. “Good morning. How’s Jones?”

“A few more days. Unless he does something stupid.” Tipping her bowl, she swallowed greedily. Every meal felt like she hadn’t eaten in days. “What still needs to be done this morning?”

“Jefferson says there’s a storm about to roll in, so we need to tie off some barrels, and move some crates.” He ticked off his fingers, while she continued eating. “There’s some damage to the sails that need to be tied off, and a little damage to the rigging. I think we should be storm ready after that.”

Emma nodded, finishing her meal. “Let’s start.”

They worked tirelessly as a unit as lightning crackled close by and a boom of thunder echoed only slightly to the west. The rain began to pummel them, and Emma started to shiver; her fingers going numb as she tied things off. A tickle ran across her back, and she looked up to see a loose rope dangling. She pulled gently to tie it off on a stable weight. It wouldn’t give so she pulled harder, letting her muscles strain as the wind whipped. She let go, dizzy and winded, her body protesting even standing.

Internally, she began to panic. She hadn’t been working that long, but she was exhausted already? This couldn’t be, and she wouldn’t accept it. She’d push through.

Smee looked at her in concern. “Miss Emma, are you alright?” She nodded and reached for the rope again, numb fingers gripping to pull even harder. This time it gave and she tied it off triumphantly, panting to catch her breath.

She realized something was wrong before she saw black creeping towards the edge of her vision. Turning to stumble towards Smee, she heard his surprised question before darkness took her.

When she blinked her eyes open again, she was laying bundled under far too many blankets by candle light, a cloudless night sky laid outside the open windows wherever they were harbored. Killian sat beside her, gently stroking her hair as he read. She went to ask him what happened, but could only rasp out a questioning noise before coughing.

“Well, my darling, you’ve gotten yourself sick and pushed yourself to fainting, per Regina. She sends her regards, with strict instructions for both of us,” he whispered. Killian smiled at her, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Emma groaned. “If that’s your apology for scaring us all half to death, it needs some work.”

She coughed, trying to clear her voice. “Sorry.”

“Emma…” A look of concern and tired frustration crossed over his face. “Regina and I talked, and you shouldn’t be doing anything but light labor, if that. We’re concerned for you.”

Emma scoffed, her eyes narrowing. “No, I need to work. I’m not weak -” “No one thinks you’re weak. You’re building life, the farthest thing from it - but this was a close call.”

“I just fainted. It’s not -” Killian’s hand balled into a fist, and he interrupted her, his voice quiet, but filled with worry and anger.

“You were bleeding.” His jaw ticked, and Emma immediately felt her heart sink as she rubbed where she could feel the baby resting, stretched along her entire frame. 

“I was…?” Emma saw him soften, and he took her hand. “The baby is alright though, right? Killian, I didn’t mean to -” 

“Z carried you in, and somehow got Mal and Regina over here almost immediately. He’d noticed you were bleeding after he picked you up.” He sighed. “Regina said you just strained yourself, and you needed to rest. You need to rest. She thinks… She thinks something might be wrong, and we should get a midwife.”

Emma’s heart froze, panic rising in her tone. “Why would she think that? There’s nothing wrong with him, the baby. You’ve read everything, we’re fine. We’d know if something wasn’t right, wouldn’t we?” 

He rubbed her hand, kissing the knuckles he'd just traced. “It’s alright. She just said she was worried. The baby is rather big and your symptoms and swelling have been really severe, that’s all. A midwife is not a bad idea. We should find one just to be safe. There’s one she recommends that is available a few months from now, and another available in a month or so. How about we try the one available sooner and see what she thinks?” 

Emma nodded, tracing where she could feel the slightest movements. “Better safe than sorry. I’ll stay on light duty.”

“Good. Never a dull moment around here.” He smiled at her adoringly. “One of us is always down, it seems.”

“Oh, how are you? Did they -”

“I have been told I’m fine besides light bruising.” He laid next to her, putting his book aside. “Which is truly too bad, I had planned to keep you totally and completely enthralled during our bed stay together.”

She laughed, which turned into coughing. “Ugh. I really did get sick.”

“Aye. You were ice cold. I wrapped you in every blanket in here. I thought…” She stopped him with a kiss, pulling him close.

“I’m not going to leave you, I promise. I learned my lesson this time, and I’ll take it slow.” Burying herself in his chest, she could hear his heart race. Emma closed her eyes, letting her entire body relax into his, feeling his warmth through her blankets.

“I love you, even when you’re a stubborn woman intent on shortening my life with fear.”

She yawned, feeling another round of exhaustion settle over her. “You love it.”

“Indeed, Emma, I do.”

[getreadytosmash]

The wolf among us au pt. 1

Since these are pretty long and taking forever I'd thought it'd be best to do these in parts. Anyway, as you know, my oc bloc @ice-ice-bxby has a wolf among us au so I'd thought I'd do this for my smashers! @awkward-snake-girl was a massive help and wrote Leader's as well as gave ideas for Skaar's.

The wolf in sheep's clothing

Once upon a time there was a woman who found a baby wrapped in wolf fur. Saddened by his abandonment, she decided to adopt the child and raise him with her tribe. Over time, she noticed odd things about her son, he could sense things others couldn't and was faster and stronger than the other children. Worried that people would start to notice the odd traits of her child, she desperately kept a tight hold on him and forbade him to spend time with anyone else.

Unfortunately, the son felt trapped by his mother. He didn't understand why he was diffrent and why the forest called to him, like a terrible twisting in his chest. This ended up causing a lot of arguments between him and his mother, she wanted to protect him but he just wanted to be free.

One day, he left his home after a bad argument and ran into the forest. He ended up getting lost and was searching for a way to leave when a wolf suddenly appeared. Before the son could run in fear, the wolf nuzzled him and to his amazement, spoke. "Hello brother." The wolf said, shocking the son into silence. "I've been waiting to meet you." The brothers spent the next few hours reuniting and learning about what happened to the son. It was revealed that the their mother was trying to move them to a new home. She could only take one cub at a time to keep them safe and was going to come back for her other cub when a human stole him.

Horrified that he was taken from his true home, the son wondered how he, a human, was meant to live with wolves when the brother shifted into a human. "We shift through our fur. Find your fur and find yourself." The brother said before running off to fetch their mother. It was then that the son remembered the fur his human mother found him in and swore to himself that he would finally live how he was meant to be, free and no longer feared.

Later that night, the son was preparing to leave when the most terrible sight was held before him; his human mother was burning his wolf fur. "Why do you need it? When you have me?" The mother tried to say this but the son, horrified beyond words, ran off to see his brother and share the terrible news. But to add to the horror, he found his brother in his human form, dying on the forest floor.

"They came for me." His brother gasped out as the son cradled him close. "I was looking for you but it's too late now. Take my fur, and be what you were always meant to be, a wolf." The brother said and died in his lost one's arms. Determined to do right, the son took his brother's fur ad for the first time, shifted into his true form. His human mother began searching for him around this time and stopped in horror as she watched her child turn into a wolf.

"I need to leave, you know I don't belong with these sheep." The son pleaded and started to back away, feeling torn at the sight of his crying mother. Even with their fighting and lying, he still loved her. To his surprise, his mother sniffed but gave a serious look. "You're right. I couldn't keep you forever so be free and be happy my son." She said and with a heavy heart, watched her beloved, her only, child flee to where he belonged.

Tears of a molten man

There was once a man who was like a king. He was respected by the armies he led and by his daughter who admired him deeply with how strong he was, even after his beloved wife's death. But since everything was so perfect in his life, this made the General boastful and full of pride, thinking that he was everything.

One day, a man who's eyes glowed like the greeniest grass the General had ever seen appeared. "Come, I have something only a man so worthy and brave is allowed to see." The General, too trusting, set after the man with the green eyes, enchanted in a way he hadn't been since his wife died. The green-eyed man led the General to a large mountain and pointed to the top with a smile. "Inside lies a prize for you. Obtain it and I will gift you with true love."

Believing this, the General started to climb up the mountain and inside, only to realise that the green-eyed man had lied and tricked him-leaving him trapped inside the mountain. Hurt and feeling foolish, the General waited for his army to rescue him.

But they never came. Instead, he could hear cheers and celebrations from the town, happy that the General wasn't here to boss them about. Days turned into weeks and soon everyone assumed that the General realised that no one liked him and finally left. Hurt, the General spent his time wishing for death to come and take him when the most amazing thing happened; a woman made of fire formed in front of him, warming the cool, crisp air and brightening the dark sky. She stared at the General sadly, tears of lava appearing in her eyes. "You have a heart and soul of fire." She said, her voice warm and mystical, coming over to sit near the General. "Tell me Molten man, who has put our your fire?"

So the General told her his story, and by the end of it, tears were sliding down his face in grief that he hadn't felt in a long time. "I will give you a gift." The lava lady said, deciding and reaching over to wipe his tears, not burning either of them surprisingly. "A gift to always burn bright, no matter what people do or say." The General looked at her in wonder, his face and chest feeling hotter and hotter by the moment. His tears became lava, his heart became a coal protected by fire that swirled brightly, making his eyes burn like the sun and turning his blond hair as black as coal. "Thank you." The now-Molten man said as the Lava lady gave him a warm kiss that felt like a ghost of his wife before burning away.

Fuelled by anger and hurt, the Molten man used his new power to overflow the mountain with his anger and sadness, overflowing it and burning the town. He ignored the screams and cries of help, like how they ignored him. By the end of his grief fuelled tantrum, the town was ash and his daughter, the only person who searched for him but could not find him, was left with her home perfectly untouched. Ashamed by what he had done and anger for the one who tricked him, the Molten man set out to find the green-eyed man to seek revenge. For making a fool of him and most importantly, for pouring water on his firey heart.

The Ocean Child

Once upon a time in a kingdom by the ocean, there was a widowed king who fell madly in love with the goddess of the sea. Every night, after his son Philip went to bed, he would row out to the middle of the ocean to visit his love.

However one night he saw the goddess looking very tired, and saw she wasn’t alone. For In her arms she held a tiny baby.

At first the king was overjoyed to have gotten another son, but when the baby yawned he was horrified to find rows and rows of teeth.

The goodness explained that this was a very special child and she needed him to take care of him. If he was cared for, he would bring great fortune to his kingdom. However if the child was treated cruelly, terrible things could happen.

So the king took the child home and named him Samuel, and for a short time everything was good. At first he did his best to care for the child but when he was older, her grew more and more ashamed of him, often neglecting him or leaving him in the hands of his cruel older brother. Unfortunately the kingdom wasn’t much kinder to him..

One day, when Samuel came of age the goddess returned and explained to the king and the older prince that in order for the kingdom to thrive, he needed to take the throne. The prince was outraged, but his father agreed, knowing it wasn’t wise to anger the goddess. But the older prince hatched a plan.

One stormy night Philip lead Samuel out to a cliff by the sea, the bottom covered with sharp jagged rocks and pushed him over the edge. However just when he thought he had perished, something amazing happened. There was a burst of rainbow light and a huge wave crashed against the cliff with Samuel on top of it, his lower body transformed into a the tail of a shark. “You have hurt me for the last time!” And he sent a giant tidal wave that consumed the entire kingdom, transforming them all into deadly sea creatures. All accept Philip and the king.

Soon all that was left of them was a few bones, and in there place was a group of very full sharks. The end.

[lilacmoon83]

Once Upon a Snowing

I’m having massive Snowing withdraws and I’m sure I’m not the only one, so have a Snowing AU.

AN: This is very AU. Cora gets her revenge on Queen Eva much sooner. An enchanted charm puts Leopold under her spell and she marries him shortly after Queen Eva's mysterious illness takes her life. Regina and Snow grow up as sisters who fear their mother. Snowing and StableQueen Once Upon a Snowing

What Do You Think?

Snow White didn't really remember her real mother. She died when Snow was just two and her father married Cora shortly after. The new Queen was cruel to Snow and even her own flesh and blood, Snow's step-sister Regina. But the two girls were close as could be. Cora was cruelly grooming Regina for the Throne someday, but she had little interest in it. Young Snow followed her big sister everywhere, including the stables. Snow liked the stables as much as Regina. Daniel was always very kind to her and Regina smiled a lot around him, much more than Snow ever saw her smile in the castle when she was forced to have lessons with Cora. But Snow also liked going so she could see David, who was Daniel's very young apprentice. David came to them from a farm one day, broken and sad. On a journey, Cora had crossed a small farm while visiting the equally as cruel warlord Bo Peep. When Bo Peep reported that this small farm was indebted to her, Cora decided to permanently take care of the problem. David's parents were murdered in front of him, but her evil stepmother decided that the boy would make a good servant and had him taken back to the palace. Fortunately, he was put in Daniel's care, as Daniel was very kind to him and took him under his wing like a big brother. Snow's love for the stables carried on to her teen years and her love her David only grew as well. Today was a good day too. Cora and her father were traveling, leaving them in care of the staff. So it was a day spent in the stables and then in the meadow. Regina rode her prized steed, as Daniel conducted a lesson. David and Snow brushed her pony, with light banter between them. "Lancelot says I'm pretty good, I guess. Said I'm a natural with a sword," David said, as they talked. "Of course...you're going to make a wonderful Knight someday," Snow said, casting her gaze downward, hoping he didn't see her burning cheeks. She didn't know what was wrong with her lately, but she got funny feelings in her stomach when she was around David, like butterflies were fluttering around inside her. And her heart always did a funny flippy thing when he smiled at her. "Come on Snow, we both know I'll never be allowed to be a Knight. I'm just a stable boy," he replied. "You have never been just anything and we both know it," she replied. "Oh really?" he challenged. Snow blushed. "Really. I was going to say you were charming, but you're not being very charming right now," she complained. He smirked. "My apologies, Princess," he said formally, as their faces were only inches apart. Snow swallowed thickly and then pressed her lips to his. Regina said first kisses were special, but love was magic. She said Snow would know true love when she found it, for she would feel magic. And Snow felt magic that first time she kissed David when they were only fourteen. To have a first kiss that was also true love was special, indeed.

The years passed quickly, seeing both Snow and Regina grow into beautiful young women, while Cora grew more cruel and evil. Her father no longer doted upon Snow as he once had, for he was so far gone under Cora's control that he had become nothing more than a figurehead beside the Queen that ruled with an iron fist; nothing more than a puppet on his own Throne. Snow and David's love flourished into their young adult years, a perfectly kept secret, much as Regina and Daniel's own love. Snow was coming of age now, but like Regina, she showed no interest in any of the royals or nobles Cora presented for them. Cora was less concerned about marrying off Snow, for she didn't want the girl to have the Throne that was rightfully hers, but Regina was a different story. In fact, she was meeting with King George about a union between Regina and his son Prince James on that very day. Snow couldn't be less interested in meeting some stuffy King and his pompous son. She snuck out of the palace, a regular occurrence, and to the stables. She peered into the barn and spied her beloved grooming their favorite stallion. She watched him for a few moments, marveling at him, as she often did. Escaping with him for a few hours was the only thing on her mind. She snuck up behind him and put her hands over his eyes. "How about you take a break from all this hard work, handsome," she purred. He smirked and turned to face her, before picking her up and spinning her around. "For you? I'd do anything," he replied, as their lips met in a passionate kiss. "Then take me somewhere...anywhere but here," she pleaded. He frowned and then noticed the bruise on her arm. "Snow…" he uttered in concern. "It's nothing...I know better than to talk back to Cora," she said sadly. "I hate her…" he spat. She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about my step-mother. I want to get away, even if it's only for a few hours," she replied. He smiled and kissed her again. "Say no more, my love," he said, as he saddled the horse and mounted the stallion. Offering his arm, Snow took it and he pulled her up. She settled behind him and locked her arms around his waist. He took the reigns and they galloped off into the forest together.

"Mother...what have you done?" Regina cried in horror, as the King lay dead in his bed. Cora turned to face her with an evil smirk. She was holding Snow's jewelry box, which had the bloody knife inside. The same knife which she had just plunged into her husband's heart. "You mean what your sister has done. This is her jewelry box, after all. Your sister has murdered her own father and committed treason against the crown," Cora stated. "Snow did not kill him! You did this!" Regina cried. "For us darling. I can't have that little wretch deciding that someday she would like to assume her birthright and take the Kingdom from us, now can I?" Cora asked nonchalantly. "So you're framing her for murder?!" Regina exclaimed. "Lower your voice and go get rid of those rags you're wearing. King George and his son will be here soon. It's time for you to meet your future Prince," she ordered. "Mother...I do not want to marry Prince James," Regina refused. "You will marry a Prince and we're about to be rid of that wretched stable boy you've been sneaking around with," Cora stated. Regina's heart dropped into her stomach. "What do you mean?" she asked, fear creeping into her voice. "His execution is being carried out as we speak. His apprentice too," she replied. "Mother...you can't kill Daniel! Please Mother!" she pleaded, as she pulled on the door handle, but it would not budge. "It's already done," she stated coldly, as tears poured down her daughter's face. "And David? What will become of him?" she squeaked. "The same," she stated. "What did David ever do to you?" she cried. "Besides cavorting with a Princess far above his station? Nothing really, except I was very intrigued when I realized he is identical to Prince James," she replied. "What?" Regina asked in disbelief. She nodded. "Imagine my surprise when I saw Prince James. I can only assume they were separated at birth. Everyone in the inner circle knows James was adopted and I can't risk that he or the King see that wretched stable boy. I can't have anyone jeopardizing your future, darling," Cora stated. Regina sobbed and pounded on the door. "Please mother...please!" Regina cried. The door burst open and two of her Black Knights marched in. "Is it done?" she asked coldly. "We executed the one called Daniel, Your Majesty. But the other one was not in the stables," he stated. Regina doubled over, sobbing at the loss of her beloved Daniel. "Yes...Snow has run off with her wretched lover again. They're in the forest. Send the Huntsman. Tell him to kill them both, but bring me Snow White's heart. I want that precious pure heart as my personal souvenir," Cora ordered. "Yes My Queen. We shall send the Huntsman at once," the Knight said. Regina sobbed, as she gazed out the window. "Run Snow...you and David have to run," she thought silently. She knew her sister couldn't hear her, but she implored the words nonetheless. "Stop your blubbering. I'll send the handmaiden to ready you for this evening's banquet with our guests," Cora said, as she stormed out.

David tied their horse up to a branch on a tree that hung over a beautiful stream and the horse dipped his head to get a drink. He looked over at Snow and felt his breath catch, as it often did when he looked at her. She was so beautiful...and he was hopelessly in love. He knew she felt the same, but he still had much trepidation about their relationship. She was a Princess and he was a stable boy, a servant. He had nothing but the clothes on his back and the only thing he owned was his mother's ring. She had placed it in his hand upon her last breath, as he cried over her. He wanted to put it on Snow's finger, but he knew he had no right. She loved him, but she would never be allowed to marry someone like him. Cora would force her to marry a Prince, probably one from a far off Kingdom so she could be rid of her. That broke his heart. The thought of her being married off to some undeserving royal, who would probably treat her like an object infuriated him. He turned to her, as he felt her hand on his arm. "You were a million miles away," she mentioned. He smiled at her. "Just thinking about how much I love you," he said, with a touch of melancholy. "And that makes you sad?" she asked. "No...I just know that we can't really be together, not openly anyway," he replied. "David...I love you. You're my Charming. I mean, do I have to hit you with a rock to get you to believe it?" she joked. He chuckled. "No...I know you love me. But we both know it's not that easy. Your mother will never allow it," he said. "Step-mother and if she thinks she's marrying me off to some Prince twice my age to be his trophy, then she has another thing coming," Snow said haughtily, as she grabbed his collar and kissed him. He was surprised by her boldness at first, but then quickly melted into her. A twig snapped and they pulled apart, as their horse neighed loudly. A man now stood in the clearing with them, a knife in hand. David pushed Snow behind him, intending to guard her with his life. "You're the Queen's Huntsman," Snow uttered. "I am," he stated. "She's sent you to kill us," Snow realized. He nodded. "Why?" David demanded to know. "I don't believe she needs a reason to kill a lowly stable boy," he said. "As for the Princess, she plans to reveal that the Princess is responsible for murdering the King," he stated. Snow gasped and he held her in his arms. "My father is dead?" she cried. He nodded. "I have orders to bring your heart to the Queen," he said. "I'll never let you touch her!" David hissed. "If I give myself up to you, will you let David go?" Snow asked. He looked at her, horrified. "Snow!" he cried, as she held his face in her hands. "She wants proof that I'm dead, but she'll never know the difference if you get away. You can be free from her. You can live and I'll be okay with that," she said, choking back a sob. "No...I won't let you die for me. I won't let her do this! She took my parents! Do you really think I'll just let her take you from me too?" he shouted, as tears streamed down her cheeks. "True love means sacrifice...we both know that," she cried. He was crying to now, as they held each other. "Enough…" the Huntsman growled. He had a job to do and if he didn't do it quickly, these two were going to make it impossible. Snow kissed him passionately. "Let him go...and I'm all yours," she sniffed. "No...Snow, please don't do this!" David pleaded. The Huntsman poised the knife and shoved David away, as he tried to get between them. Snow closed her eyes and waited for the pain, but to her surprise, the Huntsman dropped the knife at her feet. "You two need to run...go far away where she can't find you," the Huntsman said, as they looked at him, stunned. "Go now!" he snapped. David scrambled to his feet and grabbed her hand, as they quickly mounted his horse. "What will you tell her?" Snow asked. "I figure something out. I'll buy you as much time as I can. But you two need to leave the Kingdom and do so quickly. Good luck," he said. David took the reigns and they took off. Snow held onto him and his heart ached for her, as he felt her tears soaking the back of his shirt. He wanted nothing more than to hold her, but he had to get them to safety first. "I have a friend...I haven't seen him since I was a child, but he's from Arendelle. That's well out of her reach," he called to her. She sniffed and lifted her head. "That's so far...how will get there?" she asked. "The Harbor at Longbourne...we'll find a ship headed for there and hide on it," he replied. "Stowaway?" she asked in aghast. "Our faces will be all over the Kingdom soon. It's the only way," he replied. She nodded and rested her head against his back, holding onto him tightly. He was all she had now, but that was okay, because he was everything to her. She just hoped Regina would be okay, for she would miss her sister deeply. Regina would understand though...she'd want them to get away.

Cora stared at the glowing heart in the box and then down at the Huntsman that knelt before her. "You take me for a fool, Huntsman?" she hissed, as she picked the heart up. "You try to pass off the heart of a steer as that of Snow White?!" she roared. "Guards! Take him to the dungeon and then find Snow White! I want her brought to me...alive!" Cora screamed. Regina stood dutifully beside her and hid her pleased smile. They had gotten away. Perhaps there was hope, after all. And perhaps she could find a way to defeat her Mother too.

Snow kept the hood of her cloak up, as David dealt with a buyer for their horse. They were sad to let him go, but they couldn't take him with and they needed the money. She was going to sell her jewelry too, for she cared little about things like that. Charming was what was truly precious to her. But they had agreed that it would be better to sell it once they arrived in Arendelle. If they sold it here, they knew it would be recognized as the stuff of royalty. "We got more than I thought we would and that man said that there's only one ship going to Arendelle. It leaves in twenty minutes so we need to hurry," he said, as he took her hand and they were off to the Harbor. "What's the name of the ship?" she asked. "The Jolly Roger," he replied wearily. A pirate ship. If they got caught, they wouldn't have to worry about Cora, but they didn't have much choice. "We're going to make it, Snow. But there's something I want to do first," he said, as he stopped and she felt her heart flutter, as he cupped her cheek. "I love you and I know I have no right to ask a woman of your station this, because I have nothing to offer you but my love and a life on the run now," he said. "Charming...you know I have never cared about any of that," she replied. He took a deep breath and she gasped, as he got down on one knee and held up his mother's ring. "Will you marry me?" he asked. She beamed and held out her hand. "What do you think?" she replied. He smiled and slipped it on her ring finger, before standing up and kissing her passionately. She held his arm and they hurried off to the Harbor. Once they made it to Arendelle, they would be safe from Cora's reach and begin a new life together…

Yes, there will likely be a sequel to this one as well. ;)