LW: Oh God I'm hooked on Once!

Snaky: You don't need to tell us that, we can tell from the story.

LW: Fine, well good luck Scales :D

Disclaimer: OUAT isn't mine it's owned by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz

The Demon in Storybrooke – Welcome To Storybrooke

Storybrooke, Maine - 10 years curse time.

Within the confines of her office Regina realised something she believed impossible, she was bored: she never expected to get tired of tormenting her enemies, of watching them go about their miserable lives, but over the years she come to learn it wasn't the same. You don't get the same satisfaction when they don't react the same, they don't remember why you're doing it, they didn't understand. Regina was actually almost wishing for something interesting to happen when she felt something she shouldn't be able to in this world; a pulse of magical energy.

Exiting her house and glad the magical source was nearby she had walked for all of 5 minutes and almost reached her destination when she heard a Bentley pull up behind her. Turning around she saw Mr. Gold (aka Rumplestiltskin) exit the car, his expensive cane making a distinct click with every step 'Well Madam Mayor, what are you doing here?' He asked, wearing a smirk that was instantly recognisable for the imp 'I live right over there' Regina answered waving her a hand in the direction of Mifflin Lane. Rumple hmmed, wondering why he didn't notice passing her house on the way there before dismissing it 'So you do, but that doesn't answer my question' 'Rumple you know as well as I do why I'm here' 'Madame May...' 'Magic Rumple, I know you felt it too, which means you still remember how it feels and with it all that was before this' Regina stated with an angry scowl tired of the games to which Rumple pouted 'Oh Queenie, why'd you have to spoil my fun? Well we best check this out now shalt we?' as he began to hobble the way over to the town line.

When they reached it there was a man standing there, a cane similar to Rumple's holding him up, wearing a black suit and hooded cloak, Regina noticed several shards of gold around the area, though said shards appeared to be evaporating while they were standing there. 'Hello' he said drawing both of their attention to him, having pulled back his hood they could see his pale skin, black hair and eyes that flowed between red and purple, though the colour seemed to be stabilising and a giddy smirk. 'Um hello' Regina replied awkwardly unsure how to act around this stranger who just stood there leaning on his cane with a smile until he turned his back to them, his eyes focused on the town line 'This is an impressive null field, it had to be to literally tear the magic out of my soul rather than simply block off or seal. Something my age has a lot of magic, mostly to keep the body alive among other things. So when'd you lose yours?' He asked spinning around to face them, their own faces blank with shock 'How...' 'Did I know you had magic? You felt my entrance, something that is very difficult to do for a non magical being unless they spend a lot of time around it, but the null field means there's no magic in this area so anyone who feels the magic would need first hand experience with said magic abilities therefore ex-mages' he took a step towards them, only his cane preventing his stumble from becoming a fall. 'Sorry, I've had magic in my blood my entire life, add that to a heart beat and I need some time to acclimatise once more' he apologised.

'Well...' Regina began '...I am Regina Mills, Mayor of Storybrooke, this here is Rumple Gold pawnbroker and landowner, and may we ask your name?' 'I'm human now, so it's James, James Malcolm Smyth' he said smiling with his right hand extended, his left holding the cane still keeping him stable. 'Human now?' Rumple asked curiously Regina also wondering what the comment meant 'Why does every one seem surprised by that, I mean usually I have...' 'Scales?' asked Regina 'How'd you... You saw my shattered natural form didn't you?' James asked with a smirk and Regina's eyes widened 'Your skin was gold?' 'My mask was gold, my scales were black and my human skin was almost always pale, near white. Now I believe your curse is using my magic to re assert itself long enough to integrate me into this town with the least suspicion' he answered before heading into town his strides stronger than they had been a few minutes ago, leaving Regina and Rumple to follow, well Regina to follow Rumple to limp over to his car.

Several minutes later they both got to him, standing just out of range of a swirling pillar of magical smoke. While the smoke was too thick to see through there was enough to see something big was being created within. The smoke cleared after about 20 minutes and the magicals could see its handy work; a large building with a glass roof, decorated with reptile carvings and statues, and engraved with a minutely detailed oroboros on its front door. James smirked 'Well it's nice to see my magic knows me so well' he said cheerfully as he entered the building, Regina following 'What is it?' she asked 'I believe it's a reptile house, you'll find statements and records dating back to the curse's conception on your desk when you get back to your office. I'm sure my research will be of value to you Madame Mayor' James answered partly distracted by the wonderful creatures 'It better, and I want an actual report from you once you figure things out' she ordered unsure if he was listening having picked up one of the snakes and cooing at it, so she was surprised when he turned to her with a smile and politely said 'Sure boss, you'll have it tomorrow' before heading to another part of the building. 'Well he'll certainly be interesting' Regina jumped hearing Rumple's voice directly behind her, after catching her breath she nodded 'He's definitely something else'

Eternity in Scales - 28 yrs curse time

James was monitoring the progress of Nagini's first clutch when his phone rang, sighing at the interruption he answered 'Eternity in Scales, Smyth here' 'James, Henry's MISSING!' James frowned 'Regina you do know where I work right?' he could actually feel the mayor's eye roll through the phone at his response 'Yes dumbass, I've already rung Graham about this. I thought you might be able to help as well, he doesn't hate you after all' James chuckled 'Actually I confuse him; the fact I'm nice to you despite what he's told me annoys him though. Do you want me to come over?' there was a moment of silence 'Yes' for some reason he smiled.

108 Mifflin Street - Mills Residence.

Upon entering the Mills house, James went up the stairs and slid in front of Henry's computer, checking through it for information. Graham asked if this was invasion of privacy, to which James answered 'only if it was pointless' which was good enough for the technically challenged sheriff. James smirked '10 year olds, neither old enough to know how to delete their history, nor do they need to yet' Graham chuckled 'Yeah, um how do you do that exactly?' James grunted as his head collided with the keyboard.

'It seems Henry was doing what most adopted kids do; try find out about their birth parents, in this case Ms Emma Swan. Know anything about her?' 'No, Rumple handled the entire thing; in hind sight that wasn't the best move on my part' 'Agreed. Hmm, she's a bail bondswoman in Boston. I'm surprised by how easy that was to find' Graham shrugged 'I guess there aren't that many Emma Swans in Boston' 'Ah here we are, Henry booked a one way ticket from Storybrooke to Boston. I have to give this kid credit I'd have never taken a bus to Boston at his age, and not just because we didn't have buses back then, or Boston' James laughed then hissed when Regina smacked him upside the head 'My son is out there, now is not the time for jokes' James frowned 'Does Henry have a phone?' 'Yes but I've already tried it, he's not answering' James sighed, then spotted something, 'well it's worth a shot'.

It was then he stood up and left the room, a ghost of a smirk present for moment, pulling his phone from his suit upon exiting the house. It rang twice before it was picked up 'Hello Swan residence' 'Hello, I was wondering if there's a kid with you?' 'A kid? Really?' 'Yeah brown hair, brown eyes, about 10, I'd say about yay big but you can't see where I'm measuring up to. So?' 'Nope, I live alone, wait hang on someone's at my door' James waited, leaning against the wall of Mifflin, watching Graham leave from his position as he waited for Emma to come back 'Hey you still there' James blinked 'Yes, why?' 'The kid, his name's Henry right?' 'Yes' 'Then I found him' James smiled 'Thank you Miss Swan, would it trouble you in anyway to bring Henry back to us?' he heard a chuckle from the other end of the line 'That's what Henry wants too, for me to come to... Storybrooke I believe?' 'Yes, Storybrooke Maine, if you reach Haven you've gone too far' 'Sure, well see you' Emma hung up awkwardly.

Later

'Please don't make me go back there' Henry pleaded as they passed the gate 'Nope, besides I bet your parents are worried sick about you' 'I don't have parents just...' whatever Henry was going to say was interrupted as the front door opened and a brunette ran out and pulled him to her, her entrance distracting that of the others who also exited the house. 'Oh Henry, where have you been, are you alright?' Regina fretted before turning to Emma 'everything was alright, right? He wasn't any trouble?' Henry pulled himself from Regina yelling 'I FOUND MY REAL MOM' before thumping into the house. Regina stood shocked before turning to Emma 'You're Henry's birth mother?' Emma smiled awkwardly 'Yeah, hi' both of the men turned to each other 'I'll... go check on the boy' Graham said heading quickly back into the house 'Well this has been 'interesting', I guess I'll be off then, goodnight Gina, goodnight Ms Swan' James said calmly before leaving, diverting his course only enough to slid past a confused Emma. At this point, Regina had regained her bearings and plastered a smile across her features 'How would you like to try the best apple cider you've ever tasted?' 'Got anything stronger?' Emma said jokingly as she followed Henry's mother into her house.

Later - Road out of Storybrooke

''Well this has been one Hell of a weird day, now to put it all behind me and... HOLY SHIT A WOLF!'' CRASH!

The Next day – Sheriff's department

Emma awoke with a splitting headache to find herself in a cell for the first time in almost a decade, as well as an annoying clicking noise throbbing in her brain. 'Well, well one day and you're already locked up darling, that's a record' Emma could hear the smirk in his voice and opened her eyes to glare at the offending character, to see one of the men from last night sitting on the desk in front of her, twirling a snake head cane smirking at her. 'Do I even want to know why you're here?' she growled. 'I could ask you the same question, I'm just here because some little shits tried to steal my creatures, though maybe the hospital is a better place to looks, Nagini did have blood on her fangs' he answered, the smirk not leaving his face, though he did stand up when Graham and surprisingly Regina a couple of minutes later entered the room. 'Hello James, it's quite a surprise to see you again so soon. What's the problem?' The sheriff asked 'Nothing much Graham, some brats tried stealing Nagini, she didn't like it and bit one of them, as far as I can tell it was a dry bite so not life threatening, but still it needed to be reported'. Graham nodded 'Thank you Sir' 'Graham listen, Henry's run off again do you know if... oh Ms Swan you're still here?' Regina said only just noticing the blond in front of here 'You don't think he's on his way to Boston again do you?' Graham asked sceptically and James snorted 'You did raise him with SOME intelligence Regina, right?' he said half jokingly, to which Regina (and unconsciously Emma) glared in response. 'Well that was unhelpful, have you tired any of Henry's friends' places?' Emma asked 'Henry doesn't have friends, he's kind of a loner' Regina answered and Emma frowned 'everyone has friends, has anyone checked his computer?' 'We did yesterday, that's how...' 'That's where you got my number' Emma finished for James who smirked unapologetically 'Yes' he replied. 'Okay, let me at his computer and I'll try find out where he went, or at the very least who might now where he might be' Emma offered 'Well that's my cue to leave, any more work on this case and I'll have to ask Graham for a raise' James joked as he left, leaving Graham to let Emma out.

Castle/Playground/Park (Still not sure)

'Hello again Ms Swan' Emma nearly jumped at the voice, before turning to see James sitting nearby his smile still present on his face 'What're you doing here?' she asked 'Henry's over there, he doesn't know I know he comes here often to get away from Regina and I believed it was best that way' 'Why can't he know?' James stands up, his spine clicking as he does so 'Because I know you haven't been in town for very long but Regina has very few friends, being one of those few he'd assume I'd tell Regina where he goes if I knew and then he'd go somewhere else...' 'But because he doesn't know, he doesn't move and you can keep an eye on him without worrying Regina and have somewhere you know he'll be. Except Regina does know, how?' James looked thoughtful 'I normally grab Ms Lucas when necessary to bring Henry home, her and Graham are... personally connected, Regina must have asked Graham who would be able to get the information rather easily from Ruby' Emma nodded, after all it made sense. 'So about the whole fairytale thing...' James's smirk returned 'Ask Henry about me, and it might help you understand things later' he turned to leave 'Hey wait where are you going?' 'Home darling, I can't leave Nagini unattended all morning for just one kid, besides you've got it handled just fine' he called back, heading to the dark blue Viper and getting in.

Sighing Emma made her way to Henry, placing the book on his lap 'You left this in my car, sneaky.' no response 'Still hasn't moved?' Henry shook hid head 'No. I thought bringing you here would change things, but everything's still the same as always.' 'So what was supposed to happen?' 'The curse was meant to break and the final battle was meant to occur, with Good triumphing over Evil as always, and the happy endings would return' 'so your magic book told you all that?' 'Yes, and as the saviour you are meant to lead the light to victory' Emma pinched the bridge of her nose 'Listen kid I'm not leading anyone anywhere, no matter what some Brothers Grimm fanfiction says I am' Henry frowned 'There's no need to be hostile. I understand, you're pushing me away because you feel guilty but it's all right. You wanted me to have the best chance just like your mom Snow White wanted you to' Emma turned and glared 'So you're saying I should've left you in the woods? That really the 'best chance' for you or me?' 'That's not what was meant to happen; the magic must have messed up'

Emma sighed, trying to stay calm 'Let's take the subject off of me and my past and our past. You say everyone's in that book, Regina's friend, ugh...' 'James, James Smyth' Henry offered knowing it was a short list 'Probably, the one in purple' Henry nodded 'Yeah that's him' 'Okay so where's he in that book of yours?' Henry looked worried for a moment and muttered something 'What was that?' Emma asked 'I said I can't find him' Henry answered annoyed 'He doesn't appear, all I can find is this' he puts down the book and opens it to one of the full-page images. The picture was of a hooded figure, a black snake with deep purple eyes wrapped around his waist, most likely curled up his back with its head rested on his shoulder. under the image were the words 'The Dark One' and in the margin the words Vision blurs when the demon walks among us 'I couldn't figure that one out either Henry said and Emma realised she'd read it out loud turning to Henry she asked 'I can't see anything about this that has any connection to James'. Henry rolled his eyes 'Of course not you can't see anything about him, but the snake is a dead ringer for Nagini, I've even seen her coil on him like that before' 'I haven't seen the creature so for now I'll take your word for it. Come on we need to get you back to your mother's' 'No don't take me back, don't leave yet. Just stay a week, just one week and I won't run away again, just don't just leave again' Emma winced at the level of begging the boy was doing but relented 'Fine, one week' 'Yay' Henry cheered running to her car and a vein pulsed in Emma's temple as she wondered 'Now where can I stay?'

TBC

LW: Well one down, more to go. Hopefully I can just keep writing and see what my scaly OC can do with this sleepy little town

(Also as always if I can think of no way to alter a scene and I believe I can do without I will leave it out, after all most people reading fanfiction have seen the show so know what's supposed to happen for the most part [Well except me, oh well])

One last thing, very glad there were 3 seasons of this when I started watching, there were times I didn't find season 1 interesting enough that it would've kept me coming back had I been watching it back when it started (speaking as someone having spent most of season 1 hating Henry and waiting for the curse to break, though some of the flashbacks were awesome) so I may skip some episodes just because.