𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀/

Storybrooke is in danger

Night Storybrooke.  The deserted street is lit only by flickering lanterns.  Emma Swan, the sheriff of the town, follows the trail of an unfamiliar presence that seems to absorb all the light around it.  Suddenly she sees a man - tall, with a penetrating look and an aura of danger.  This is Klaus Michaelson.

Emma: (sharply, weapon at the ready) Stand!  Who are you and what are you doing in my city?

Klaus: (with a smile, as if he's not at all intimidated by the threat) I'm not here to answer your questions.  And, believe me, if I wanted to do something to your city, you would hardly be able to stop me.

Emma: (insistently) I'm not kidding.  I saw the darkness following you.  What did you bring with you?
Klaus: (steps forward, approaching, and speaks quietly but menacingly) Darkness?  My dear, you have no idea what it is.  I am driven by a force that you will not be able to understand.

Emma: (not backing down) Try to explain.  And maybe I'll let you go.

Klaus: (laughs) Do you really think you have that much power over me?  I'll tell you this: I'm here in search of an artifact, one very ancient and very powerful.  If you don't get in my way, Storybrooke will remain intact.

Emma: (clenching her fists) What if I do?
Klaus: (trying to hide her annoyance, but defiantly) Then you better be prepared for the consequences, Sheriff.  Because in this case, you will cross the line that always leads to... the end.

Emma: (with cold determination) I'm as used to these consequences as I am to the darkness.  But I will say one thing - in this city you are not the boss.

Klaus: (approaching her, his gaze cold and determined) We'll see about that, Emma.

Emma and Klaus are standing on a narrow street lit by the dim light of lanterns.  The tension between them is palpable, like a cold breath of wind piercing the night air.  Emma doesn't lower her gaze, ready for the worst, and Klaus only smiles faintly, as if he's not the sheriff, but just another obstacle.

Claus
Suddenly another figure appears from the shadows.  This is Regina Mills, the former Evil Queen who now protects the city with Emma.

Regina: (with a sarcastic smile) I see we have a new guest.  Another one who thinks he can meddle in Storybrooke's affairs.  Indeed, we do not rest even a day.

Klaus: (looking at Regina with mild interest) And another strong woman.  This city seems to know how to protect itself.  But tell me, don't you trust your powers too much?

Regina: We're used to dark forces, believe me.  And we are not alone here.  Storybrooke is a city where magic has its own laws.

Klaus: (glances at the night sky) Laws… laws.  I did not come to obey your laws.  My power comes from places you haven't even seen.  And I'm not here to start a war.  Everyone I met either obeyed or…disappeared.

Emma: (tensely) Then you don't know us, Klaus.  We have fought more than you.

Klaus: (smiling, but with a hint of interest) We'll see.  But I'm giving you both one last chance.  Don't stand in my way.  All I need is the artifact and I'll be out of here as quickly as I came.
Regina: And what is this artifact that you need so much?  Maybe we will even help if it is in the interests of the city.

Klaus: (pauses, thinking a bit) Do you want to help?  Interesting.  But this artifact is the Horn of Odin.  He has a power that even I cannot fully control.  In the hands of the weak it is a destructive weapon, in the hands of the strong it is the key to new dimensions.

Emma: (suspiciously) If this Horn is so dangerous, why should we let you take it?

Klaus: Because, dear Emma, ​​I'm the only one who knows how to use it properly.  Otherwise, he will remain here, attracting danger from all corners of this world.

Regina: (exchanging a look with Emma) We can't just take your word for it.  But if you really want to cooperate, you will have to obey our conditions.  Storybrooke will defend itself to the last.

Klaus: (breathes in with a certain amount of irritation) Terms?  Good

Klaus, sensing a moment of weakness in the defenders of the city, tries to use it to sway them to his side.

Klaus: (with a sly glint in his eye) Let me make it simple for you.  Do you want to protect the city?  Let me get the Horn and Storybrooke will be safe.  I promise, the darkness will go with me.

Emma: (still holding the weapon, but her voice is less confident) And we're just supposed to believe you?

Klaus: Sometimes trust is the only weapon.  Especially against enemies you don't even know exist.  You don't even know how thin the line is between your world and those who seek to destroy it.

Regina: (staring at Klaus) So what?  Do you want us to believe that you are our protector?  It's too...noble for someone like you.

Klaus: (laughs) Defender?  I may not be a hero, but my goal is to keep order in this world.  Sometimes this requires less noble means.

Suddenly, Rumpelstiltskin, who had been watching their conversation, appears from behind Emma and Regina.  His appearance adds even more tension, because his motives are always ambiguous.

Rumpelstiltskin: (smiling) Oh, Klaus Michaelson in Storybrooke.  It's not every day you see a hybrid in our small town.  How far do you think you can go, my friend?

Klaus: (disdainfully) Rumpelstiltskin.  I heard about you.  You like to bargain.  So what, will you try to make a deal with me?

Rumpelstiltskin: (looking interested) Maybe, maybe.  I've always been curious to see the true power of the Horn of Odin.  But I also know that his power can destroy an entire city.  Or, conversely, make someone here more powerful than he ever dreamed possible.

Klaus: (challengingly) Don't forget that his power will only be obeyed by those who can control it.  And I am the one who can do it.

Emma: (gives Rumpelstiltskin a stern look) Don't you dare interfere, Rumpel.  We have enough problems without your scheming.

Rumpelstiltskin: (feigned offense) Me?  Scheming?  Emma, ​​my dear, I'm just worried about our town.  You know that I always act only in the interests of Storybrooke... (smiles) or at least in my own interests.

Klaus: (interrupts, a bit tired) So what did you decide?  If you want to protect the city, give me the artifact.  Otherwise, we will all suffer because its power attracts those who seek only destruction.

Emma and Regina look at each other for a moment.  Their faces show anxiety, but at the same time determination.  They understand that in this situation any decision is a risk.

Regina: (sharply) We're not just going to give you the artifact.  If you want it, you'll have to help us protect Storybrooke.  We will not allow another force to destroy this city.

Klaus: (nods thoughtfully) Okay.  I accept your condition.  But I warn you, if you try to deceive me or stand in my way, the darkness will consume you before you know it.

Rumpelstiltskin: (whispering, slightly tauntingly) Oh, I'm already anticipating an interesting sight.

An alliance between Klaus, Emma and Regina seems impossible, but each of them realizes that this is the only chance to save the city.  However, even with allies and a common goal, their path remains difficult, and the line between trust and betrayal is too thin.
Somewhere in the darkness of the forest, not far from the city, an ancient power awakens, sensing the return of Odin's Horn and now reaching for it, spreading its wings over Storybrooke...