Prophecy (Once Upon a Time)

Chapter One

Once upon a time, there was an enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know.

Or think we know...

One day they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen. Our world.

This is how it happened...

Prince Charming rode through the land, hoping he wasn't too late to find Snow White. He rode across beaches, through mountains and forests to get to her. He was determined to find her. He always would be.

Snow fell as he finally reached his destination, seeing dwarves surrounding a glass coffin. He jumped off the horse and ran towards them, each of the men turning to him in sadness and grief.

"You're too late." Doc told him and moved out of the way, so Charming could see Snow in the coffin.

"No. No!" He rushed to Snow's side, refusing to believe that Snow was gone. "Open it."

"I'm sorry. She's gone." Grumpy tried to get through to him. They were all struck with grief, the loss very personal to them.

Charming tried one more time. "At least let me say goodbye." They agreed, pushing open the glass lid. He bent down and kissed her softly, a wave of magic spread throughout the land.

Snow awoke with a gasp, looking over at Charming. "You... You found me." She smiled, cupping his cheek with her hand.

"Did you ever doubt I would?" He helped her sit up with a smile.

"Truthfully? The glass coffin gave me a pause."

"You never have to worry. I will always find you."

"Do you promise?"

"I do," Charming stood at the altar with Snow White, finishing his promise to love her for eternity.

"And do you, Snow White, promise to take this man to be your husband and love him for all eternity?" The Priest asked her.

She smiled. "I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Everyone cheered at the newly wed couple, even Grumpy. Before the two could kiss, the doors opened abruptly and the Evil Queen entered.

"Sorry I'm late." She spoke loudly, a wicked smile on her face. She walked forwards toward the altar, two guards rushing to stop her. She easily pushed them out of the way, continuing towards the couple.

"It's the Queen. Run!" Doc yelled as the audience tried to get as far away from her as possible. Snow, however, was not going to let the Queen ruin her special day.

She grabbed the sword from Charming's baldric and pointed it at Regina. "She's not a queen anymore. She's nothing more than an evil witch!"

"No, no, no. Don't stoop to her level. There's no need." Charming stepped in, taking the sword from his wife. "You're wasting your time, you've already lost. I will not let you ruin this wedding."

"Oh, I haven't come here to ruin anything." Regina looked around for a moment. "On the contrary, dear, I've come to give you a gift."

"We want nothing from you." Snow stayed close to Charming, wondering what Regina could conjure up.

"But you shall have it. My gift to you is this happy, happy day." Regina announced, pacing in front of everyone. "For tomorrow my real work begins. You've made your vows, now I make mine. Soon, everything you love, everything all of you love, will be taken from you forever. And out of your suffering will rise my victory. I shall destroy your happiness if it is the last thing I do." With that, she turned around and started walking back to the exit.