Different Worlds

Chapter 18

I know it has been literally forever since I updated, and I am truly sorry. I just haven't had the motivation. I'm in a really tough place right now emotionally, and it seems like even everyday tasks are difficult to do. So updating might be slow, but bear with me. I'm trying. Also, this chapter may be triggering, as again there is sexual abuse, though you already knew that when you started this story.

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Emma's POV

I open my eyes to see Rumple has transported us to his lair. The cave is dimly lit with magical vials glowing on shelves and torches lighting the walls. I realize I am standing and try to step forward, only to hear the rattling of chains. I look down to see my ankles are shackled together and my hands are shacked above my head, connected to the wall.

I look to my right to see Snow in the same predicament as I. Belle and Red are in small cages, turned back to their human forms. By the stench of magic in the air, I can assume they won't be able to shift. Regina is in the center of the room, tied to a chair unlike the rest of us. Rumplestiltskin is nowhere to be seen.

"Are you okay?" Snow asks as she notices I'm conscious.

"I'm okay. You?"

Snow nods her affirmative. I set my sights on Regina and pull against my metal restraints as hard as I can. "Regina!" I say, my voice echoing in the cave. Her shoulders twitch as she subconsciously hears my voice, but she doesn't wake.

I close my eyes and concentrate on my magic as Snow keeps calling her name, trying to bring her back to herself. The familiar tingle of magic ripples through my body, stretching outward. I cry out in pain as the shackles on my ankles and wrists begin to heat up. The tingling disappears as my magic wanes, leaving me exhausted. I should have known better—we're in the Dark One's lair. Of course he would go through preventative measures to make sure any attempts to use magic would fail.

"Dark One, I command you to appear!" I yell.

Regina rouses at the same time Red and Belle do. The two wolves immediately begin to claw their way out even in their human forms, but whine as they find they're trapped. Regina meets my eyes in the dim lighting, her gaze flicking up and down my body to reassure herself that I'm okay.

"We're alright," I say to her, checking her over as well.

A high-pitched giggle can be heard surrounding us. A plume of black smoke appears to reveal Rumplestiltskin. The man grins at me, yellow teeth stretched out in a Cheshire-cat like fashion. "My beautiful Swan has grown up."

He steps forward and runs the back of his hands across my face. I pull my head back so fast it knocks into the stone wall behind me, affecting my vision for a second. Rumple pulls his hands away and looks between me and Regina.

"The prophecy has been right so far. But it hasn't been fulfilled yet!" The imp holds up a finger.

"Who the hell are you?" Regina snarls.

Rumple turns to smile at her. "Do you live under a rock, Your Majesty? Surely you haven't forgotten me? For you know my daughter."

"I'm not your daughter!" I spit, infuriated that he would imply so. "I simply share your blood."

"And my magic," Rumplestiltskin adds.

Regina glares at the imp. "No. Before you knocked us out, you said you were someone else. Now reveal yourself or—"

"Or what? You'll send your mighty wolves after me? Throw a fireball at my face?" The man grins in the dim light, knowing full well Regina can't force him to do anything.