Laughter rang out with background music of clashing steel. Chessur parried the guard's lunge gracefully and giggled as she did so. Since she had turned seven The White Queen and the head of her royal guard had been training her in the way of the sword. That was seven months ago. She was fast and quick thinking, she had mastered the basics in a matter of weeks. The guard clenched his jaw in annoyance and slashed at the girl's left side. Chessur deftly blocked it and in the moment their swords were locked she kicked the guard squarely in the chest. He dropped his sword and fell on his arse.

Chessur laughed pleasantly as she offered him a hand up. He ignored her helping hand and picked himself up whilst glaring at The Cheshire Cat. He picked up his sword before stalking off to madness knows where. Chessur watched him go with a tight lipped smile. This happened sometimes, though she never understood why. She would spar with one of the guards and she would win. They would get upset and stalk off without another word.

"Chessur," someone whispered. Chessur recognized the voice and smiled widely.

She greeted, "'Ello Sophia."

The dormouse sat on The March Hare's head. March was leaning just enough out from behind a tree to be seen. Those two were usually together and creating chaos, so Chessur could often be seen with them. March's ears twitched constantly and his eyes flickered quickly from one thing to another. March stammered loudly, "The red queen, blood queen, guards, Jabberwocky, huh, huh."

March was usually like this and people who knew him well could make out what he was trying to say. Chessur pursed her lips and nodded. The dormouse finished, "We were going to play a trick on them, what do you say Chessur? "

A fire ignited in Chessur's eyes and she smiled mischievously. Chessur purred, "Can you feel it? "

"What?" Sophia asked excited.

"The chaos is calling, my fiends, lets not keep it waiting," Chessur said as she sheathed her sword. Sophia and March gave a small cheer of agreement.

-coc-

Chessur stood in the forest. She had already checked the entire area for unwanted onlookers, but she looked once more. She had walked far away from Jefferson's house, so she now stood deep in the woods.

She took a playing card out of a hidden pocket inside her jacket. She scowled at the card. She had to pick that particular card. Queen of Hearts. Chessur brushed off the annoyance and put on a smile as she placed the card on the ground. Chessur took a step back and waited. It wasn't long till she felt that familiar tingle down her spine and back of her brain.

"Chessur," Cora said smoothly, "I'd like you to meet my daughter, Regina."

Chessur turned around to the two women. Regina stood next to her mother with raised eyebrows. Chessur bowed lowly and said, "I've already had the great pleasure. It is good to see you again, your majesty."

"You're working with my mother, again?" Regina questioned suspiciously.

"Our partnership was recently rekindled," Chessur said slowly with a devilish smile.

"Did you hear what happened to Hook earlier?" Cora asked effectively changing the topic.

Chessur laughed, "Oh, what did Mr. Jones mess up now?"

Cora waved a dismissive hand and explained, "He shot Rumple's little toy, got hit by a car, and arrested."

Chessur doubled over laughing at the pirate's expense. He had messed up spectacularly and Chessur was enjoying every minute of it. She had told Cora not to leave Hook to his own devices, that he was too ambitious with his revenge. Chessur wiped her eyes and took a deep breath as she stood up straight. Both women were looking at her with raised eyebrows. Chessur could really see the family resemblance.

"I told you so," Chessur singsonged, "He's too ambitious with his revenge."

Regina gave a soft snort and commented, "What does that make you if he's too ambitious?"

Chessur stopped for a moment and pursed her lips in thought. She hadn't come up with the answer herself. She remembered something she had heard earlier that was the closest she could think to an answer. She said in a matter of fact tone, "Apparently desperate. What do we do now?"

"I will be going into hiding for awhile, and I suggest you do the same," Cora said simply.

A wicked grin appeared on Chessur's features. She said playfully, "Now, Cora, we both know that hiding has never been my style. Besides, didn't you want to meet a butcher?"

Regina looked in-between her mother and Chessur several times. She watched the exchange with extreme curiosity. Regina asked, "What butcher?"

"The Ballroom Butcher," Cora said simply her eyes never leaving Chessur's.

"The Ballroom Butcher is in Storybrooke?" Regina exclaimed. She knew the tale well. The kingdom of Haveron was having a masquerade ball to celebrate winning a war with another kingdom. All of the royals of Haveron were there. Then at midnight an uninvited guest appeared, no one knows for sure who the butcher was, because they were wearing a mask. At the end of the night The Ballroom Butcher had killed fifty people. The only survivor of the royal family was the King of Haveron himself. It was a massacre.

Chessur purred, "She is now."

Regina looked at the girl whom wore a smug smirk. It didn't take long to put two and two together. Regina mumbled, "You, you're The Ballroom Butcher?"

"In the flesh, the king of Haveron made a deal with Rumple and when he didn't pay up, I was sent to collect. Though when the king refused even further, well, the rest is history," Chessur explained with fake cheerfulness. She tried to brush off the twisting in her stomach. She turned back to Cora, "What are my orders?"

Cora said stiffly, "Plans have changed with Hook captured. They'll find the ship soon, because of him. I want you to keep an eye on everything that's happening in town. You've always been good at playing tricks and spying."

Chessur smirked and bowed mockingly, "As you wish, Cora." Cora scowled at the girl and then teleported in a poof of smoke. Regina looked at Chessur with a grimace. Chessur quirked an eyebrow at the queen. "What is it, your majesty?"

Regina opened her mouth to ask the question that was on her mind, but decided against it. Instead she asked, "Why don't you address my mother like a queen?"

"What do you mean?" Chessur asked in an amused tone.

"My mother was your queen of Wonderland, The Queen of Hearts, yet you don't address her like you, so stubbornly do me," Regina explained slowly ad she watched Chessur carefully.

Chessur's smile was replaced by a hatred filled sneer. Her eyes were on fire, like a sunset in Hell. Chessur stepped closer to Regina and growled, "I will never acknowledge that witch as queen. She was and will never be the true queen of Wonderland. I don't care what she called herself. I only serve one queen of Wonderland."

"Then why are you working for my mother?" Regina challenged as she met Chessur's fiery gaze.

"Not for, with, and as I said earlier, I'm desperate," Chessur snarled at the queen, "I suggest we go our separate ways, don't want to keep your mother waiting do you."

Regina scowled at the girl before teleporting in a poof of smoke as well. Chessur ran a hand over her face. She was exhausted and in dire need of a warm meal. Chessur entertained the idea of just striding into Granny's and ordering like she wasn't some criminal. Chessur doubted that Red Riding Hood or her grandmother would be as tolerant as Grace.

Grace. Why had she gone to see Grace earlier? It was stupid and pointless, not that all of Chessur's actions had good motives. Though even Chessur knew she was walking on thin ice. If Grace had called the Sheriff or woken Jefferson. Chessur had been bored and she had just thought of Grace. Boredom wasn't an excuse, she would have to be more careful. Though, Chessur always did her best work when she was in danger.

Chessur shook her head of these thoughts and with a grimace made her way towards town. She was a murderer, for madness' sake, Grace probably only tolerated her out of fear or self-preservation.

"I know better," Chessur mumbled to herself, "I'm not meant to have friends. It's just the way it is. I shouldn't care. As Rumple always said," she stopped and imitated Rumpelstiltskin's voice, "A wolf does not concern himself with the opinions of sheep, and you, Cheshire Cat, are a wolf." Chessur laughed maniacally as she walked through the woods. "I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. Why would I care?"

"Chessur?" a feminine voice called out. Chessur whipped around and looked at the source of the voice. It was the tall woman who was with Henry when they had come through the portal.

Chessur wore a giant malicious smile like a medal. She purred, "Little Red Riding Hood isn't so little."

Red stood still trying to decide what to do. Everyone was looking for Chessur. They wanted to arrest her for the things she had done in Storybrooke. Now, Red was looking at the girl in the middle of the woods alone and Red didn't have her phone. Chessur was looking especially unhinged and Red had heard her mumbling something about not caring. Ruby demanded, "What are you doing out here?"

"Starving, among a number of other things," Chessur said with an indifferent shrug. "The moon looks bright tonight though wolf's time just passed, right?"

Ruby nodded reluctantly and took a couple slow steps closer to the girl who was looking up at the sky. She answered cautiously, "Yeah, but sometimes I get antsy when the moon is especially bright."

"Makes sense," Chessur murmured her eyes never leaving the moon.

Using her werewolf speed, Ruby surged forward and grabbed Chessur. Chessur giggled as Ruby said determinedly, "I have to bring you in, Chessur."

Chessur giggled some more and shook her head. Chessur knew that Ruby had supernatural strength and speed even without it being wolf's time. Chessur said pleasantly, "Okay, let's go to the station, I could use a nice meal and a good night sleep."

"Really?" Ruby asked surprised that the girl would come along so easily.

Chessur chuckled darkly and a malicious smile spread across her lips. She growled, "No."

Chessur jerked her head backwards and into Ruby's nose. Ruby on instinct let the girl go to cup her now bleeding nose. Chessur picked up a fallen branch that appeared to be about three feet long. She got into a fencing position. Ruby huffed and the two started to circle each other. Ruby lunged at Chessur. With a giggle, Chessur side-stepped the attack and lightly hit Ruby on the back of her head.

Ruby turned to the young girl looking especially vexed. Chessur smiled lazily and swung the branch lazily. Ruby surged forward at supernatural speeds and tried to grab the branch from Chessur. They both had their hands on the branch and Chessur could feel Ruby overpowering her.

Chessur knew she wasn't in tip top shape, nor did she have her weapon of choice. It was a desperate and dirty move, but Chessur needed to get away, to rest and eat. Chessur released one hand from the branch and grabbed Ruby by her long hair. Chessur brought her knee up while she yanked Ruby's head down. Ruby cried out in pain as Chessur's knee made contact with her temple. Chessur then gently lowered the woman to the ground.

"Bloody hell," Chessur mumbled as she ran her hand through her hair. Chessur looked at Ruby's lanky form that now lay on the forest floor. She could hear Ruby's rhythmic heavy breathing. "Great, just great, now I have a body to deal with. Hiding bodies was never my thing, too much effort."

Chessur bent down to look closer at Ruby. With a soft groan, Chessur began to wipe the blood on Ruby's face away. Chessur should just leave her there. That's what Rumple would have done. Chessur reasoned, "After all, you did attack me, but in your defense I did, kind of, commit some crimes. And I'm talking to an unconscious woman, this, this is why I don't have friends."

Chessur slowly, but surely started to lift the woman. Chessur put Ruby's arm around her shoulders and let her feet drag. Here came the hard part for Chessur. Carrying Ruby wouldn't be that hard if she was full strength. Except she had spent a lot of time invisible today and the fact she hadn't eaten or slept in twenty four hours these factors were taking their toll on Chessur's health. Making two people invisible takes more energy as well. She was just thankful that she wouldn't need to do that till they were out of the forest.

"Why are you so damn tall?" Chessur grunted every time she had to readjust the woman, because she had started to fall forwards. They were slowly making their way towards town, and soon Chessur could see the lights. As the town lights had started to come into view Chessur noticed that the sky was starting to brighten slightly. Chessur set Ruby down gently and checked the time as she tried to catch her breath. It was almost five in the morning, and Chessur was exhausted.

Chessur looked at Ruby's form with disdain and frustration. She groaned, "I didn't hit you that hard. Why can't you just wake up and use those freakishly long legs."

Ruby remained unconscious despite Chessur's complaints. Chessur even entertained the idea of leaving her here. They were very close to the town, she could just wake up in awhile and lumber down to the hospital. Chessur mumbled, "Madness knows who will stumble upon her until she wakes up though and... she is rather attractive. Damn my weak morals."

Chessur begrudgingly lifted the woman up again. Chessur's own legs were starting to feel like lead and her eyelids were drooping more than ever. She shook off the feeling and started to focus. She needed to cloak the both of them if she didn't want to get arrested. Chessur tightened her grip on Ruby's waist.

She gritted her teeth painfully as a feeling of extreme discomfort and burning came over her. It was a feeling she had almost forgotten. This is what it felt like when she overworked her magic supply. Over the years, Chessur had built up very good endurance to the point she could hold invisibility for up to five hours straight. Though that was assuming she had slept, ate, and hadn't been invisible for three hours straight earlier. Her chest tightened painfully as she felt it start to work.

She felt something click in the back of her head and she knew it was working. Chessur nearly laughed aloud as wave after wave of the burning feeling hit her. She dragged the much taller woman towards the bed and breakfast. Chessur was having trouble standing up as they turned the corner to get on the street the bed and breakfast was on. Chessur felt the cloaking start to weaken and flicker. If any one saw them right now they would look like ghost except for their eyes. Their eyes wouldn't be see through.

Chessur tightened her grip on Ruby even more so. She was grateful that the woman wasn't awake otherwise Chessur's grip might be painful. Chessur focused even more of her energy on keeping up the invisibility. Chessur's knees almost buckled as she felt the magic exit her being and another wave of burning hit her.

Chessur laughed bitterly as they approached the door of the bed and breakfast. Chessur opened the door with her hip and cringed at the high pitched ring of the bell. The counter was unmanned that must mean Granny is at the diner. Chessur thanked every spiritual being she could think of for that.

Chessur glared with pure hatred at the stairs that led up to the floor with rooms. She had never hated a inanimate object more. With a grunt of pain and a cuss every step, Chessur slowly made her way up the stairs. She got up to the second floor, though it took awhile and increasingly colorful language. Chessur was relieved to quickly find one of the closer rooms open and empty. She stumbled into the room and quite literally threw Ruby onto the bed before collapsing onto the floor.

Chessur was on the floor on her hands and knees panting and visible. In once last surge of energy, Chessur used her foot to kick the door closed. Chessur laughed bitterly and panted, "Bloody, fucking, hell."

Sunlight was coming through the window as the sun was starting to rise. It was like it was mocking Chessur. Taunting her with how she had been awake for the whole night. She stayed on the floor glaring at the sunlight that filtered through the window. It took her awhile to catch her breath much less get the will to stand up.

Her first attempt at standing her head started to swim and she fell back to her knees. A frustrated and pained growl rose from Chessur's throat. She shot her eyes tightly as the room started to spin. The only thing that kept her awake was the fact she was indoors. Chessur can't sleep indoors.

Chessur stubbornly tried to stand again after a few minutes. Her stomach growled and clenched painfully from hunger, but she ignored it. Chessur mumbled, "I've been through worse."

She lifted herself up and resisted against her own knees as they tried to give out. She forced herself to stand without assistance or support. She was strong, The Cheshire Cat was strong she should be able to stand without help. Chessur walked slowly over to the dresser next to the bed that Ruby lay still unconscious on. The dresser had a note pad and pen on it. She scribbled down a note with a pen. Might want to get a check up, when you wake up. Had a fun time carrying your tall ass back to town -Cheshire Cat =)

Chessur looked at Ruby once more after she finished the note. Her hair was messy and some of it laid over her face. With a shaking hand, Chessur pulled a twig out of Ruby's dark brown hair and lightly brushed it out of her face. Chessur on shaking legs started to approach the door. She patted Ruby's calf and said, "Have a nice day, you fucking tree."

Chessur slowly left the bed and breakfast. Chessur had to make herself invisible again to get to the forest which caused the burning feeling again though not as intensely. When Chessur had gotten deep enough into the forest and with the little strength she had left climbed up into a tree. Chessur fell into a deep much needed sleep.

Chessur was woken hours later by a powerful tremor that caused the tree she was sleeping in to shake. She swore loudly as she scrambled out of the tree. There were more tremors and Chessur had no idea where they were coming from. She started to run towards town before a tree could collapse on her. She came to one of the roads and that's when she saw him.

"You've got to be bloody kidding me," Chessur screeched as she watched a giant lumber towards town. He was the same giant that Cora had in a cage on Hook's ship, though he was travel size then. Chessur checked the time it was two in the afternoon. Chessur had gone to sleep around six or seven and she still hadn't eaten anything. Chessur stomach growled almost as if to mock her. "Oh, shut up you."

Chessur remembered Cora had told her to keep an eye on everything that was happening in town. Chessur groaned loudly as she started to follow the giant. She took some short cuts and got to town just before him. The second she entered the town she turned herself invisible and was glad to find that she had replenished her magic when had slept.

It didn't take long to find Charming and Snow after the giant made his way into town. Chessur stayed just out of the giant's way as he yelled at the townspeople and destroyed cars. Then Chessur spotted Snow and Charming just as a car was thrown in their direction. The giant stalked off down the street to terrorize the town more. Chessur watched amused as Charming ushered the townspeople in the opposite direction. Always the honorable hero.

Chessur followed Charming and Snow ad they ran to talk down the giant. Charming put his hands up in a surrendering gesture. Charming yelled out, "Wait, you don't have to do this."

The giant turned around and exclaimed, "Yeah, I do. You destroyed everything in my life and now you're going to know what that feels like."

Chessur looked at Charming with an amused smile. What could've saint Charming done to the raving giant? Chessur's eyebrow twitched as she watched the interaction.

"The man you're looking for isn't me," Charming clarified, "That was my twin brother, James, we were separated at birth, he was raised by a ruthless king."

Chessur rolled her eyes. Of course, Saint Charming wasn't the one to do any that could be even considered hurtful.

"Then, where is James," the giant asked hesitantly. Chessur smiled, she knew that Prince James was dead.

"He paid the ultimate price for his arrogance, he's dead," Charming admitted, "You can't do anything more to him."

That's a melodramatic way of putting it, Chessur thought. Chessur rolled her eyes once again at the prince.

Snow yelled out, "We just want to help you, Anton. We're here because of you, you know our daughter, Emma, you gave her the magic compass."

Chessur raised her eyebrows at the giant, Anton. So, this is the giant Emma left Hook in the care of. Chessur smirked at the whole situation, because it was so wonderfully chaotic.

"Let me talk to Emma. If she says you're good, I'll stop," Anton said slowly.

It was a rather fair deal and diplomatic way of going about it. Though the hesitant look on Snow's face confused Chessur. Chessur knew Snow could be overprotective, but this would be ridiculous.

"She's... kind of, out of town," Snow said cautiously.

Chessur bit the inside of her cheeks to keep from laughing. Oh, this was just great. Chessur smiled widely as she continued to watch the scene unwrap. If Chessur didn't know Snow and Charming like she did, she never would've believed them.

"Really?"

"Yeah, but I'm sure when she gets back, she'll want to talk to you," Snow tried to assure the giant.

"How convenient, every one I want to see isn't available. All you humans do is lie and cheat and kill and I'm sick of it," Anton yelled as he advanced on the Charmings and a dwarf whom Chessur hadn't noticed before. The three took off running with Chessur trotting next to them and Anton chasing them. It took a lot of self restraint on Chessur's part to not laugh, especially when the dwarf got confused about what Charming's real name is. Turns out, his real name is David.

"So, what's the plan?" Snow asked as they ran.

"We lead the giant away from town, so he can't hurt anyone," David said as they ran around a corner. Chessur smirked at the way the couple were running while holding hands.

"If we keep going this way we'll end up at the town line," Snow pointed out. They slowed to a stop and turned to the giant who was coming around a corner and getting caught on power lines.

"Okay, new plan," Charming said as he took a few steps towards the giant.

"What are you doing?" Snow asked.

"Giving him what he wants." David yelled out to the giant, "Anton, why don't we make a deal?"

"I don't make deals with humans," Anton said grudgingly. Chessur rolled her eyes at the stubborn giant.

"Just hear me out," Charming yelled calmly, "I'll surrender myself to you if you spare everyone else in Storybrooke."

Chessur gritted her teeth and glared at the prince. This was stupid and reckless, and doesn't he know he has a wife and daughter that need him.

"David, you can't do this," Snow insisted.

"If I don't everyone will suffer and I can't allow that." Charming turned back to the giant and yelled, "What do you say?"

Anton stared at him for a minute, before saying, "Deal."

Anton surged forward towards the prince. Anton jumped into the air ready to stomp Charming and Snow was too far away. Chessur lunged forward and pushed the prince out if the way just seconds before the giant landed. Chessur fell much closer to where the giant landed and lost her focus on invisibility as she started to feel the ground give way beneath her.

Chessur fell down into a hole that the giant created. She landed gracefully on her feet on an old pipe. She looked around and noticed Anton -now back to travel size- hanging from one of the pipes. He gripped it tightly and Chessur could see cold sweat from fear forming on his forehead. Chessur laughed darkly and growled at the giant, "You're lucky your pipe is too far away for me to reach."

His eyes flickered up to her and she could see the fear burning in his eyes from the drop and her. She looked down to see how deep the hole was, but only saw darkness. Chessur groaned loudly and sat down on the pipe. She mumbled tiredly, "I should've stayed in my tree."

"Chessur?" Snow's voice called out from above them. Chessur looked up and used her hand to block out the sun.

Chessur smiled pleasantly and answered, "The one and only."

"What are you doing here," Snow questioned. She was utterly bewildered by the sudden appearance of Chessur. It also confused her to why Chessur would save her husband, not that she wasn't thankful.

"Mentally, questioning all of my life decisions. Physically, I'm stuck in a hole with a fun-sized giant," Chessur said with fake thoughtfulness. Her cheshire grin was in place the whole time.

"We're going to get you out of there," Charming promised.

Chessur waved her hand in a dismissive manner, "Don't worry about me. It's fun-sized over here who might die."

"I'll be right back, Leroy and I are going to go get the other dwarves and some stuff to help you two up," David assured before the dwarf and him disappeared from view.

Chessur turned to Anton and asked jokingly, "So, come here often?"

She heard a scoff above from Snow. She got no response from fun-sized. Chessur sighed, closing her eyes she leaned against the wall of the hole. She was hoping to maybe catch a nap down here.

"Where have you been, Chessur?" Snow asked as she eyed the girl suspiciously.

"Everywhere and nowhere at all," Chessur answered cryptically without opening her eyes.

"I'm serious," Snow said.

"Hello serious, I'm Chessur," Chessur giggled.

Snow ran her hand over her face and took a deep breath. She tried, "We've been looking for you everywhere."

"Oh, you meant where was I physically?"

"Yes, what else would I have been talking about," Snow exclaimed.

"I've mainly been in the woods," Chessur answered with a smirk. She peeked one eye open as the sound of a couple engines could be heard. "I do believe that would be the rescue team."

The engines were soon shut off and Chessur could hear many voices around the hole. Ruby stuck her head out over the hole. Chessur smiled at the way Ruby's eyes widened when they landed on Chessur. Chessur waved at the woman in a friendly manner. Chessur asked seriously, "How's your head?"

Snow shot Ruby a puzzled look. Ruby gave her best friend a look that said 'I'll explain later'. Ruby turned back to Chessur with a scowl. She answered, "It would be better if it wasn't for you."

"Sorry about that, but I couldn't just let you take me in so easily," Chessur said with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sure you are," Ruby drawled as she looked away to check the others progress.

"Hey, I don't apologize for much, but I can admit that that was a dirty move," Chessur shouted to make sure she was heard. Ruby turned a disbelieving look in her direction. "But, in my defense, I did it because you would've beat me if I hadn't."

Ruby smirked and mumbled, "Damn right."

"I would also like to point out in my defense. That when we fought I hadn't eaten or slept in over twenty-four hours and had exhausted myself by using a lot of magic," Chessur informed.

"Anything else?" Ruby asked amused.

"Well, I also carried you out of the woods through town all the way to the bed and breakfast. While starving, tired, and keeping both of us invisible even though I had almost no energy to do so. Not to mention you are like twice my height," Chessur mentioned as she stretched lazily. "I almost collapsed when I got you to the bed and breakfast."

Ruby snickered and shook her head at the girl. She asked seriously, "Why'd you do it?"

"If you haven't noticed you're a rather attractive young woman, and who knows what kind of creep would've stumbled upon you," Chessur said simply.

Ruby pursed her lips and stared at Chessur. She had been trying to see if Chessur was lying with her werewolf senses. Chessur's body hadn't given off any signs that the girl was lying. Ruby begrudgingly said, "I'm not going to say thank you."

Chessur laughed and said, "I didn't expect you to."

Ruby stepped away from the hole to help with setting everything up. Chessur sat back humming to herself as she waited for the rescue squad to get everything ready. She just sat back humming and thinking. She pondered how long it would take for her body to hit the ground if she were to just jump off this pipe. She wondered if it would be like how Alice had described falling down the rabbit hole. Chessur opened her eyes and looked down into the darkness. It would be so easy to fall off the pipe, just lean a that way a little more...

"Chessur," David shouted from a few feet away. He had been calling out her name for awhile. Trying to get her attention as she slowly leaned towards the darkness.

She sat up straight and looked at him dangling on the rope. Anton was a little ways up the rope climbing towards safety. She hadn't even noticed Charming had come down. She spared the abyss one last look as she stood up on the pipe. It would be so easy to just step off of it, too easy. Chessur shook her head of those thoughts and grabbed the rope. Charming was a little ways above her and was looking at her with concern.

"Let's go Charming, before I get as old as you," Chessur said impatiently. She didn't like the concern and caring look in his eyes. She had saved his life for purely selfish reasons, right?

The two started to climb up the rope. Chessur took her time as she formed an escape plan in her head. Anton had already been pulled out of the hole by the time David got there. He was pulled up by his wife who embraced him after. Chessur came up seconds later with an escape plan in mind. She was pulled up by Ruby who was watching Chessur carefully. Chessur stumbled over to the pick up truck and sat on the bumper.

She watched as everyone simultaneously watched her and celebrated that everyone was safe. Snow approached Chessur backed by everyone with a somewhat guilty look on her face. Chessur noticed one of the dwarves holding a pair of handcuffs. She schooled her features to stay blank despite the smirk wanting to appear on her lips.

"Chessur," Snow said softly, "I appreciate that you saved David's life and everything else you apparently did for Ruby. Although you did some inexcusable stuff and we have to arrest you."

Chessur hung her head and let her hair hang in front of her face to hide her smirk. She forced her face to be blank and got up. She slowly approached the dwarf with the handcuffs. She extended her arms towards the dwarf who eyed her warily.

He moved to put the handcuffs on her and that's when Chessur made her move. She kicked him squarely in the knee cap and grabbed the handcuffs from him. She grabbed the nearest person and wrapped the handcuffs around their neck. Crossing her hands, so she could chock them if needed. Chessur whispered into the girl she had trapped ear, "I'm sorry, really, I won't hurt you."

The girl was about Chessur's age if not older. She had short platinum blond hair that was about jaw length. She looked at Chessur out of the corner of her eyes and whispered back, her voice barely audible, "Okay."

Chessur gave a small ghost of a smile, before hardening her features and turning her smile malicious. She purred, "Here is how it's going to work. You all are going to back up or I'll strangle miss..."

"Lisa," The girl said her voice shaking.

"Or I'll strangle Miss Lisa here," Chessur threatened while looking between the panicked faces.

"Chessur, let the girl go," Snow said slowly.

"As soon as you back the hell up," Chessur growled, "One, two..." Chessur smirked as the crowd frantically shuffled back about ten paces. "Good. Now drop the bow, Snow."

"What? You said you'd let her go after we backed up," Snow remarked angrily.

Chessur snickered when she heard Lisa mumble, "Just drop the damn bow."

Chessur said, "I will, just drop the bow, and Ruby dear sit."

"What?" Ruby exclaimed.

"Your speed and Snow's bow have the best chance of stopping me, so be a good girl and sit," Chessur explained with a large smirk. Ruby begrudgingly sat on the ground and Snow threw her bow off to the side. Chessur purred in the back of her throat. She whispered to Lisa, "Please count to ten, Lisa dear. And be prepared to be pushed when you reach ten."

"One, two, three-"

"Let her go, Chessur," Snow demanded.

"Six, seven, eight-"

"It's been fun," Chessur purred. She pressed her lips to Lisa's cheek and winked at the heroes.

"Ten," Lisa breathed out. Chessur pushed the other teenager forward, right into David's arms. She turned herself invisible and ran in a straight towards the dock at full speed. She reached the dock and dived over the railing and into the ocean. The sudden cold shocked Chessur, but she able to keep up her invisibility.

Just as she surfaced, Chessur saw Ruby run to the edge of the dock and stop. Ruby scanned the ocean and looked around the docks. She even sniffed the air, but she couldn't find any trace of Chessur. It was like she had teleported away. Ruby banged her fist on the dock's railing before groaning loudly, "Dammit."

Chessur didn't dare laugh on the off chance that Ruby would here her over the waves. Ruby scanned the ocean once more, before stalking away. Presumably to go report back to the Charmings. Chessur let out a chuckle of relief as Ruby left her sight. That had been close, too close. All because her conscious had gotten the better of her and saved the prince. Chessur leaned back and floated leisurely.

"I'm going to need some new clothes," Chessur mumbled as she lazily kicked her legs to propel her around the dock. Chessur thanked whomever had instilled her with a sense of forethought. In the woods, Chessur had buried a bag filled with clean clothes and other necessities any young girl on the run would need. She was hesitant to use that stash though, it was supposed to be a last resort.

Still invisible Chessur slowly swam towards the shore of the beach. She made sure that she was a good hundred yards or so away from the docks. Chessur stumbled onto the beach her legs weighed down by the water soaked denim of her jeans.

Chessur hummed to herself as she trudged towards the spot where forest met beach. She finally got back into the woods and started heading towards where she had hidden her supplies. She started to sing part of her ling forgotten song, "Run faster. Run faster. From the house, be as silent as a mouse. Lengthen your stride. There is nowhere to hide."

Chessur took out her pocket watch and ran her thumb over the intricate details as she walked and hummed. Chessur was grateful that the watch was not only enchanted to always tell the correct time, but also to always stay in good shape. Chessur wouldn't know what she would do if the watch broke. It was the only thing she had in her possession that proved that they were real. That all her friends had been real and not some messed up figment of her imagination.

There was one other thing that might be in town from Chessur's time in Wonderland. Chessur thought about that for a second. Had she left it with Rumple? The last time she could remember having it with her was when she was working with Rumple. She resolved to go check it out after she changed. The possibility that it was here put an extra pep in Chessur's step.

Chessur finally came to the tree she had buried the bags under. Using her bare hands, Chessur dug up several big Ziploc bags filled with many things except food sadly. She changed her bra and underwear. She pulled out a pair of black skinny jeans and switched them with the one's she was wearing. She traded her grey jacket and purple shirt for a long sleeved grey t-shirt. Chessur rolled up the sleeves of her new shirt up to her elbows. She also put on a brown leather belt and black tennis shoes.

Chessur took the damp clothes and hung them from the highest branch she could securely climb to. After brushing her damp hair and brushing her teeth, Chessur reburied the rest of the plastic bags. She tucked the pocket watch and lock picks securely in her back pocket, before setting off towards town.

It had been a long last thirty six hours for Chessur. It would all be worth it if she was right about it being in Rumple's shop. If she could find this one thing it would be like regaining a small piece of them. Chessur was more excited to do this than she had been excited about anything for awhile. Her clothes stuck uncomfortably to her wet skin. She was starving to the point her stomach wouldn't even make noises just clench painfully. She was starting to get tired again. If anyone saw her they would immediately try to arrest her or call the heroes. Though it didn't matter, because for the first time in awhile Chessur had something to hope for.

She turned invisible and broke into a sprint. Chessur ran as fast as she could to Rumple's shop. It only took her a few minutes to reach the pawn shop. Chessur was tempted to just break open the front door, but she knew she had to be careful. She ran around to the back door and picked the lock in record time.

Chessur closed the door behind her as she entered the back room of the shop. Chessur closed her eyes and tried to focus in on the magic of the building. Most of Rumple's possessions had some kind of magical property, but what she was looking for would stick out.

She walked through the back room with her eyes closed and breathing deeply. Chessur could almost feel it, the Wonderland magic reaching out to her. She followed the feeling into the front room. It was even stronger in here. Chessur knew for sure now, it was here. Chessur stood in the middle of the front room. She reached out with her magic calling it to her, but she couldn't quite pinpoint where in the room it was.

Chessur focused her thoughts on Wonderland and her time there. The dark blue silk of The White Rabbit's, Horace's, waistcoat and how it contrasted with his white fur. The way March's ears twitched at unnatural angles and his obsession with extra sugar in his tea. The Mad Hatter and how his hat always sat jauntily on his head and how he had a single chipped tooth. The smell of The Blue Caterpillar's cigar like maple and campfire smoke. How Sophia refused to wear dresses unless they were the ones Bellerose had tailored for her. Bellerose, her White Rose. The way her pure white hair would reach her waist and how here eyes would soften when they landed on Chessur. How she used to look at the stars with Chessur and how her eyes would become like the stars themselves when she laughed. Chessur had realized too late that she had been her mother. Alice had been Chessur's best friend and Chessur hated that she remembers so vividly all the laughs and adventures they had together.

Chessur didn't even notice that she had started crying. Then she felt it, it was responding to her call. Chessur's eyes snapped open and she put her hand towards were it was calling for. She watched as the picture on the wall started to shake and tremble. Chessur gritted her teeth and focused her magic towards the wall. She could feel it there was some kind of magic try to keep it from her. Chessur grunted in pain as she felt it try to come to her and the interfering spell trying to keep her out at the same time.

Chessur could see the whole wall start to shake and things were falling off their hooks and shelves. Chessur let out a cry of pain as the interfering spell sent jolts of electricity through her body. Chessur refused to give up this easily, it belonged to her. She was the last true ambassador of the White Kingdom of Wonderland.

Something crashed off to her right as she sent another surge of magic at the wall. Another cry of pain was ripped from her lips as the interfering spell sent wave after wave of electricity through her body.

Chessur could see them as more ignored tears fell from her eyes. She was starting to see things, but they looked so real. March and Sophia appeared and said, "Come on, Chessur, hurry up, we want to go create some chaos." They ran off and disappeared into a wall.

Chessur blinked rapidly at wear they had disappeared before refocusing on the wall. Chessur mumbled to herself, "They aren't real. They aren't real. They aren't real."

Smoke clouded her vision for a moment and she swore she could smell the mae and campfire smoke. The Blue Caterpillar said in his deep raspy voice, "Oh, Cheshire Cat don't you see? Having darkness does not make you evil or ugly, just as the light not always mean good things. There are plenty of monsters with pretty faces that bathe in the sunshine."

"They aren't real," Chessur reminded herself as she focused more magic at the wall. She bit her tongue to keep from crying out in pain and she could taste blood in her mouth.

Chessur heard a deep chuckle and looked out of the corner of her eye. There stood a slightly younger Jefferson with his messy jaw length hair and hat at a jaunty angle. He said smoothly smiling, "I promise, Chessur, it won't have magic, but I will make you your own hat."

He stumbled back and fell as if he had been tackled. His laughter rang out as the illusion disappeared into the floor. Chessur chanted and pushed herself further, "They aren't real."

"You're late, again, Chessur," said Horace while he thumped his foot. He had his pocket watch out. The one Chessur now probably called hers and carried around as a reminder. He chuckled and said as he disappeared, "You're lucky we like you."

Chessur grunted as a new wave of tears slid down her face and another jolt hit her. Chessur should've known this wasn't going to be easy. She whispered, "They aren't real. They aren't real."

Chessur heard an unmistakable giggle, but she refused to look at this illusion. The illusion walked in front of her with her hands on her hips. Her newly blonde hair falling just below her shoulders and framing her face. Alice's full lips formed a pout and she said, "I hope you know this is your fault, Ashley?"

Chessur gave in to the illusion and asked with a smirk, "What is?"

"It's blonde," Alice's thirteen year old form exclaimed.

"What's blonde?" Chessur asked her voice cracking slightly.

"My hair, it's blonde because of those berries," Alice yelled as she threw her hands up in the air.

"What berries?" Chessur asked lowly.

"I'm not amused, Ashley. My hair was black now it's blonde, because of those berries. Why didn't you tell me they did that?"

"I did," Chessur said weakly as more tears choked her, "You said I was playing another one of my tricks and said to come up with better nonsense next time."

Alice crossed her arms over her chest, "Berries that change people's hair color is utter nonsense."

"What did you think Wonderland was, Alice dear?"

Alice smiled shyly and then she disappeared like sand being blown away by wind. The wall was shaking more than ever and more jolts were hitting Chessur more frequently. Chessur knew this was either a side effect of the interfering spell or her own messed up subconscious, but it felt so real. These were real memories of her friends that she remembered. Chessur didn't feel like the madwoman and murderer she had become right now. Right now, she felt like that little girl back in Wonderland who could save her friends.

Then she saw her. Bellerose. The White Queen. Her White Rose. Chessur smiled weakly at the mirage. Chessur remembered the dress Bellerose was wearing and the night she had worn it. The ball on Alice's sixteenth birthday, five months before the final battle, and the same night they found out that Alice was the prophesied savior.

Bellerose had the demeanor of a queen and looked like an angel in her long pure white dress. She walked towards Chessur and wrapped her arms around the girl's stomach and rested her chin on her shoulder. It was strange to be hugged by a mirage. It was like being touched by slightly heavier air. She wasn't being touched this was the faint memory of how her touch had felt that night.

"Chess," Bellerose's soft voice rang in her ears. Bellerose had a British sounding accent like Chessur did though her was accent was much melodic and delicate. "I know this might seem like a lot to just spring on you, but I have an offer for you."

Chessur choked out, "What is it, White Rose?"

"Well, I know you are young and you don't have to answer right away, but," Bellerose hesitated before taking a deep breath, "I care for you deeply you know that right?"

"And I, you, White Rose," Chessur said. She added something she wished she had said that night, "I consider you my mother and I love you as such."

"Well, if you want to, I would like to name you rightful heir to the throne of the White Kingdom," Bellerose said quickly and she bit her lip nervously as she waited for Chessur's answer.

"Are you serious, my queen? I mean I'm no royal and what if you have a child?"

"Of course, I'm serious, and I would want no one to succeed me if not you," Bellerose said fondly, "You'd make a great queen, Ashley."

Chessur could feel the illusion start to disappear and she answered the queen as she did that night, "Then let it be done, White Rose."

Chessur felt the illusion disappear and she cried out in pain as another jolt of electricity hit her. Chessur focused all her energy at the wall and she growled through gritted teeth, "As the rightful heir to the White Kingdom of Wonderland, I command you forsake your bonds and come to me."

Chessur felt the interfering spell break and a long slender silver object broke through the wall and flew into Chessur's hand. Chessur gripped the sword with all her remaining strength and fell to her knees. Chessur looked at the sword, the Jabberwocky blade, as it was called in Wonderland.

The hilt and guard was made of Jabberwocky bone and the pommel carved to look like the bird like head of one. The sheath was pure silver with iron pieces carved to look like a Jabberwocky decorating its middle and ends. The sheath had a leather strap to go around ones' shoulder. Chessur pulled the blade from it's sheath and gripped the leather wrapped grip tightly. The blade itself was thirty inches long. Made out of enchanted steel, that in poor lighting like this Chessur could see the light blue glow it gave off. Chessur ran her finger on the razor sharp edge and lightly pressed her finger tip of the sharp point. On the center of the grip was the royal seal of the White Kingdom of Wonderland. A white crown with three jewels on a shield with alternating blue and black stripes.

Chessur smiled happily, a part of her couldn't believe it was here. She was still reeling from the illusion and she held on to the sword tightly. She was afraid it was going to disappear like them.

-coc-

Chessur stood on the hill laughing loudly. She whistled at the guards who had been chasing March and Sophia. She successfully diverted their attention from her friends. Chessur waved at the guards giddily.

They were so foolish that they didn't even notice that Sophia was tying their shoe laces together. Chessur exclaimed proudly as she threw her hands in the air, after receiving a thumbs up from March, "'Tis I, the great, the mysterious, and the heroic, the creator of chaos, The Cheshire Cat."

"The Cheshire Cat, your the one the queen wants the head of?" a soldier questioned suspiciously.

"The one and only," Chessur answered with a wink. They had already set the horses and mules free right under the soldiers' noses. This next part was just for the fun of it.

"What are you waiting for, men? Get her!" The commander yelled at his men.

Chessur's eyebrow twitched in amusement. The soldiers tried to surge forward, but fell over face first into the dirt. Chessur laughed loudly, "It's been a pleasure, Commander, but you're troops look a little tied up at the moment, so I'm going to go. But, you can tell that supposed queen of hearts that she should mess with Wonderlandians, we fight dirty."

If you haven't forgiven me for taking an extra week to write that last chapter here is a really long chapter. Thank you to all the people who have favourited, followed, and/or reviewed, they mean the world to me. I told you Chessur would be doing some of her own stuff once she got to Storybrooke. =)