The Truest Love

Chapter 16: Hi Ho

David made his way to the mines. The mines were familiar to him, given his time working in them to find pixie dust to bring his family home. However, he could always use the help of a dwarf. They were smart, hardworking, and up for anything. He ran to the entrances with his sword in his hand, prepared for anything that might pop out and attack him.

"Grumpy? Doc? Happy?" He yelled into the opening of the cave.

"Down here!" Sneezy yelled from the echoing mines. David continued to jog until he reached the seven men hacking away at the Earth.

"We need your help," David said as they all faced towards him.

"What's wrong, brother," Grumpy set down his axe. David told them the whole story about how the children had been abducted, and everyone has split up to find patterns on where Gold's lair was.

"Of course we'll help you, David!" Sleepy stated grabbing his axe that stick out of the side of the cave.

"Okay dwarfs... split up!" Grumpy ordered to the tiny men. "Find the children! And if you come across Gold, let me know so I can bury my axe in his face! It's off to work we go." He threatened, walking down a narrow curve in the tunnel. David went with Grumpy so he wouldn't get lost in the multitude of diverged paths in the mines. Turning the corner sharply, he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Maleficent..." he whispered as his eyes narrowed.  David drew his sword and pointed it at the shape shifter. "What do you want, Maleficent?" He threatened. "I don't have time for games. I'm on a mission," he stated as she took a step closer putting her hand gently on his sword and moving it out of her direction.

"The Prince. I haven't seen you since you decided to try and shove an egg into me," she looked at him and tilted her head frowning, "that was rather rude, my dear. You see," she said stepping closer to him, "I'm not a big fan of rude people. Especially ones like you who have ruined my life," she placed her hand on his chest lightly and before he could react, she flung him across the room. He smacked the side of the cave and let out a shriek. There was big cracking sound, and he couldn't breathe. He held his chest. "But," she claimed as she strutted slowly towards him, "I also want to thank you," he looked up, eyes watery with pain. He heaved trying to breathe.

"What are you talking about?" He mumbled, "I haven't done anything worth your benefit."

"Oh but surprisingly, you have," she knelt down next to him and placed her hand on his chest. He screamed, and then seconds later he felt fine as if nothing had ever happened. She had fixed his broken ribs.

"What do you want," he asked looking up at her.

"Oh... information of sorts. Thank you for that by the way," she pulled out a small purple rock.

"What are you doing?" He struggled to his feet, fumbling to grab his sword and point it at her again.

"Now, why the violence, sweety?" She asked rolling the object in her hand. She smirked. "I'm taking your memories. By the time I leave, you won't remember anything about your son, your daughter, Storybrooke... You won't even remember your wife. Payback's a bitch, ain't it Charming? I can't wait to kill your daughter and son right in front of you." Laughing, she pointed the rock at him. David moved his sword in her direction with extreme violence. There was a flash of purple light, and before he knew what to process, David collapsed.