Let the games begin.

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Emma (d1) POV:

The pleasantly warm sun illuminated Emma's face as she rose up into the arena. However, she had little time to appreciate it's gentle heat. Shielding her eyes from the glare, Emma could just make out the iridescent surface of cornucopia, gleaming in the sunlight. Beyond it was an emerald green forest, that seemed to hum with a strange energy. Squinting, Emma could swear that the forest got darker deeper in. Turning her attention to what was behind her, she became aware of the vast landscape of mountains and grassy plains that stretched out far and wide, beyond her line of vision. Unsure of which way to run, Emma glance around at her fellow tributes.

Either side of her was Belle and Grumpy, both focused on a different area of the arena. Grumpy's gaze was set on the shining pickaxe that rested against the moonstone wall of the cornucopia, whilst Belle seemed intent on heading straight for the woods. Ignoring the vast array of supplies and weaponry spread out in front of her, Emma searched desperately for Henry amongst all the people she could never kill. Finally she spotted him, dressed in a smaller version of the tributes black vest tops and army pants, face as white a snow with fear. She watched him search the cornucopia for some time, his chocolate brown eyes scanning the area, before slowly lifting up to meet hers. In that moment, Emma knew what her priorities were. She gestured for him to run in the direction of the woods, before (knowing she only had moments) turning her attention back the the cornucopia and located a long, slightly curved sword, complete with a belt and scabbard, point down in the ground, about 4 metres from the centre. Watching the numbers tick down, Emma readied her muscles to sprint.

The gong sounded and the tributes leap off their podiums, most of them rushing for the plethora of weapons and supplies. Emma ran with determination, her many years of sheriffing had built up her muscles and paced her ahead of the others. Her eyes on the sword, she swerved into the cornucopia and was just about to seize it when a large weight collided with her and she was knocked off her feet. Rolling several paces before stopping, Emma had just enough time to watch the sturdy form of Smee curry into the cornucopia, before she felt a cold blade pressed to her throat. Twisting around, she caught sight of a smirking Rumpelstiltskin. "Gold, don't do this." Emma coughed, frightened by the darkness in his eyes. The imp merely cackled and began to drag the blade across Emma's neck.

Just then, there was an almighty thud and Rumple stumbled forwards suddenly, dark blood visbly oozing through his matted hair. Then next thing she knew Emma was being pulled roughly to her feet by her mother.
"Emma! Are you alright?" Snow called, over the noise of the battle.
Emma nodded rapidly. "We need to get out of here!" She announced, watching Regina crush a small scroll in her hand, reactivating her powers. Snow nodded, handing Emma the knife that had almost taken her life. "Come on, David's got us some weapons." The two women fled, ducking the arrows and dodging the battling tributes, both trying not to focus on faces, though Emma couldn't help but catch sight of Jefferson strangle Cinderella with some rope, before smashing her head in with a rock. Swallowing her gasp of horror, she followed her mother into the forest, catching up with David. Then, without looking back, they ran into the trees.
"What about Henry?!" Emma shouted suddenly, a cold dread climbing her aching spine.
"It's OK Emma, I saw him run into the woods, he'll be fine." David replied reassuringly, passing his wife a bow and quiver of arrows. Emma nodded, still unable to forget the horror of the initial battle, refusing to imagine whose faces  would be displayed across the sky tonight...

Regina (d2) POV:

"AURORA!" Phillip's desperate cry dragged itself across the battlefield, raking raw pain into the soil. Regina watched him abandon his fight with Red to run to his beloved, whose bosom was now stained with a deep crimson, slowly spreading around the hilt of Hook's sword. He reached her just before she hit the ground, catching her in his strong arms and bringing her into his chest. Mulan tried to reason with him, but he would not be consoled. Regina saw fit to put him out of his misery. Conjuring a fireball in her hand, the queen hurled the burning mass at the sobbing prince, before whipping around and snatching up a large black pack. Pulling it on, she turned her attention to Ariel. Thrusting her hand in front of her, Regina gripped the air viciously. Across the cornucopia, Ariel stopped running and began to choke, her watering eyes widening in fear and her smooth skin betraying a red tinge. A cruel smile of pleasure danced across Regina's lips, but it was interrupted by the bolt from Granny's crossbow aimed right at the queen's chest. A puff of purple smoke rose from the ground and enveloped Regina in it's void like mass and when it cleared, she was safely out of harm's way. Ariel dropped to her knees, gasping and coughed, her sea green eyes streaming. Abandoning her struggle for a silver trident, she turning on her heel and fled for the plains.

Frowning, Regina scanned the cornucopia, observing the carnage before. Tributes were falling at the hands of others, Smee's innards had been emptied onto the grass by a grimly amused Rumplestilskin and the Blue Fairy had wrapped herself in a protective sphere, resisting Graham's fruitless attempts to impale her with his spear, but no matter where she looked, Regina could not see Henry anywhere. A sense of pure terror began to take hold of her. She knew he was still alive, she couldn't allow herself to think any different, but 12 years of being his mother had now forced her to change her priorites. Throwing a parting glance across the arena, Regina allowed the smoke to take her again. When it cleared, she was alone and the sounds of the fighting had faded. Glancing up, she noted the sunlight dancing in the leaves above her head and smiled. She had supplies, she had her magic back, she had cover. Now she just needed to get her son...

Mulan (d9) POV:

Feeling the heat of the fireball shooting towards them, Mulan threw herself at Phillip, knocking him to the ground. The fireball sailed over their heads and exploded into a nearby tree. Mulan looked back at Phillip, forcing him to meet her gaze. "There's nothing more you can do for her now." She told him, her alert eyes burning with urgency. "We have to go!"
Philip slowly lowered Aurora to the ground and placed a final kiss upon her still rosy lips, his tears seeping into her russet coloured locks. "I love you." He whispered, before glancing up to meet Mulan's eyes and nodded.

Baelfire (d6) POV: 

Neal allowed himself a moment as he watched from afar, his district partner slip away, but he could not dwell on her loss long, he had to find Emma and his son. Snatching up an axe from the ground, he darted round the cornucopia, only to slam straight into his father. The impact caused them both to stagger backwards a little, but they quickly regained their balance. Rumple snarled, a fire ball crackled in his hand, then slowly he recognized his son and the fire faded. "Bae..." He murmured.
"Papa, I have to go..." Neal insisted, painfully aware of the dangers of remaining in the cornucopia. Rumple frowned, but did not move.
"Papa...please."

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So that was the first chapter! Please comment below and let me know what you think. Whose POV would you like to see more of? What ships should I include? What do you want to happen next? Thanks for reading xx

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