Strange Magic

Chapter 5

Maddie had arrived at the entrance of the Dark Forest. This would be the first time she willingly goes in. But she has to go get her aunt. She flew in with her sword out, ready for danger. But everything was so strange to her. Snapping plants, spiders, plants that open at the lightest touch, and not to mention the multiple Monsters. Well, she wanted an adventure, now she's got one. Meanwhile, somewhere in the forest, the Imp was looking for people and creatures to use the potion on.

But he had another problem, Michael and Frisk were chasing after him on dragonflies. They tried trapping him with lassos but the Imp dodged, making the lassos wrap around a twig that snapped off. Now they were connected. And this made them catch on a plant, wrap the rope around it and them, and they were now stuck. But their situation got worse, the lizard was back. The lizard roared at Michael but then, the Imp used the potion and now the Lizard liked him. The Imp then left.

Back at Rumple's castle, he was grinding his teeth at Rachel's non-stop singing. Fiona came in agreeing that Rachel wasn't his type so she brought in a new girl for him. He didn't want to deal with this right now. He doesn't even want love! Finally, the Monsters brought in Regina.

"Fiona," Regina greeted

"Regina," Fiona said.

"It's so amusing how you keep trying."

"You're one to talk, with your magic recipe for failure!"

"Well, the recipe's working now! Isn't it?" Rumple asked covering his ears at Rachel's singing

"Oh, it works," Regina said smiling

"I need the antidote!"

"Oh, it works? Pah! Then explain what happened to this one," Fiona said pointing to Rumple.

Rumple growled at his mother, "You have your father's smile!"

Rachel started singing a new song. Everyone covered their ears because she got louder!

"Give me the antidote!" Rumple begged at this point.

"And what will you do if I refuse? Lock me away?" Regina asked before singing Rachel's song too.

This was torture for them all at this point. Ever since Rumple banned love, any love song is awful to listen to for everyone. Rumple told everyone to be quiet but they wouldn't stop groaning! He was going to deal with this himself. He went to Rachel who just finished singing. She tried to reach out to him through the thorn bars but he backed off. He threatened to rip her wings off if she didn't shut up! But she saw it as flirting and gave him a boutonniere.

Just made of green and yellow leaves and a small white flower. She made it for him. You could tell he was flustered by the situation from all his stuttering. He didn't want to accept this because he knew the potion was making her do this. But he did give in saying it was lovely after struggling on the word. He just finds it hard to say anything that involves the word love. But that made her start singing again. He tried to explain that what she was feeling was the potion but she wouldn't listen. He told her to stop so she went quiet.

After a bit of convincing, he got Rachel to sleep. But she first asked his name. When he gave it to her, she made some nicknames for him which he would correct to his real name. She then fell asleep and he closed the doors. A Monster then told him about what the Imp had been doing. Using the potion on marchers and other creatures. He told the Monster to bring the ones that had been affected by the Imps work into the dungeons. And there was a lot. Michael and Frisk were still chasing him. With help from the lizard, they caught him and got him to hand over the potion.

All three rode away on the lizard to find Loki. Loki and his army were slowly making their way to the castle. But Michael found them and showed them the potion. They needed it to get Rachel back and there it is. Loki was still making the appearance that Michael was the one who needed to potion to make Rachel fall in love with him. Michael almost exposed that Loki needed it but he got interrupted. So, Michael admitted it because Loki clearly wouldn't help the little Human out. Loki took the potion and continued to the castle. Maddie was still making her way to the castle when she heard a mushroom yell.

The Monsters were still rounding everyone up who was under the influence of the potion. She decided to follow them. They led her straight to the castle. Inside, Rumple and a few other Monsters were struggling to stay awake. And Rumple was growing impatient. Eventually, he told them to get some sleep and leave him alone. Candy complimented his boutonniere which he then just threw to the ground. Rumple wanted this to be over. He then saw something wrong. The moonlight was flickering. He looked up at the window and saw something approaching. He then realised it was a Marcher and grabbed his staff. Maddie burst through the window and attacked but Rumple blocked it.

"Release my aunt," Maddie sneered

"Oh, no! Not the crowned princess! Well, at least you're not singing!" Rumple said backing away.

'I'm coming straight on for you!' Maddie sang as the two started to fight, 'I've made up my mind. Taking a little break? I'm feeling strong now Now I'm coming through!'

"Need any help, sire?" Connor asked

"No," Rumple said attacking.

The two continued to fight. They flew up and fought more. They hung onto the chandelier and Maddie continued to sing.

'I'm coming straight on for you! Yeah! Straight on for you!'

"Impressive!" Rumple said actually impressed.

'I'm coming straight on for you,' Maddie cut the Chandelier, making it fall.

The Chandelier crashed onto the floor and made the walls crumble and crack. It woke up Rachel. A Monster quickly put hef back to sleep which worked. The two upstairs continued to fight. At that point, Rumple didn't even want to kill her. He wanted to see what else the princess had up her sleeve.

Maddie blew some hair out of her face, "Had enough?"

Rumple did the same, "I could do this all day. But now, give me the potion!"

"The almighty Dark One needs a magic love potion," Maddie mocked.

"I don't need it! I want to eradicate it!"

"Well, eradicate this!"

Maddie took a part of the wall out and threw it at him. He dodged it. They fought more now they were on the ground. Connor asked again if he needed help but he didn't. Rumple was also at the point in the fight where he was subconsciously flirting with her. She was a great opponent, he couldn't deny that.

"So, is that all you got?" Maddie teased.

'Now I know How to play my hand!' Rumple sang

"Well, I'm ready for you!"

'What the winner don't know, the gambler understands!'

"What does that even mean? No! You don't stand a chance!' Maddie charged at him.

'You don't stand a chance!' Rumple charged at her.

They met and fought, 'I'm coming straight on for you!'

"You fight well, for a marcher."

"Wish I could say the same for you!"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. I was expecting... more."

That somehow offended him, 'straight on for you!'

'Straight on for you!'

'Straight on for you!'

'Straight on for you!' They both got tired.

They landed on the ground and caught their breaths. Maddie pointed her sword at his heart.

"Go ahead. Kill me," Rumple panted, "but you won't get your aunt."

Realising killing him will do nothing, she yielded. Connor asked if they needed help again but they both said no. Rachel started singing again. Candy and Connor covered their ears.

Rumple gasped, "The beast has awoken."

"Oh, no. What did she fall in love with?" Maddie asked

"Would you care to see?"

Rumple put his staff down and led her to the dungeons.