Forum Thread

((Title liable to change.))

Prologue

Regina burst into Gold's shop, effectively scaring a group of teens browsing through various items. Pointedly ignoring them, she glared as the Dark One emerged from the back room carrying a wand. "Where is she, you good-for-nothing imp?"

Eyes narrowing dangerously, Gold set the wand on a counter and straightened to his full height, black magic rolling off him like waves. "About whom are you referring to, dearie?" He snarled the last word while baring his teeth, noticing how the young teens flinched violently. Gaze never leaving Regina, the Dark One directed his next comment to them. "You lot, get out. Now!" The door slammed in their dash to leave, his roar still reverberating in the air. Flicking his wrist, he magically locked the shop and advanced toward the Queen, trapping her against a display case. "Either you give me one reason why you should live, or I'll rip your heart out."

Regina tried to shrink away from her old mentor, but Gold snagged her shirt. Breath faltering when his fingers brushed over her galloping heart, she screamed as his hand disappeared within her chest to squeeze the delicate organ. Vision going dark, the Queen summoned a blast of magic that sent the Dark One crashing into the wall. Body wracked in pain, the raven-haired woman saw that Gold had regained his footing and was gripping his dagger. As soon as he took a step in her direction, she attempted to run, but found herself frozen in place. Energy depleted, Regina slumped weakly, hoping she could somehow talk Gold out of his rampage. "Wait, it's about Snow White. She's gone missing. David can't even find her."

Momentum disrupted by the Queen's words, the Dark One halted and scanned his shop, immediately spotting something out of place. Releasing his hold on the woman, he limped over to an open case. "It seems my memory potion has been stolen. My guess is that Ms. Blanchard used it to cross the barrier so you couldn't harm her."

"How do you know it was her, Gold?" Regina demanded, awkwardly catching the object the Dark One tossed to her. "Wait, she didn't pour the potion on her wool hat? Is there another item she holds most sacred?"

"Only one way to find out," Gold said, unlocking the door. "Charming should know the answer to that, seeing as she's his wife." He vanished in a cloud of purple smoke, leaving the Queen to drive to the prince's home.

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