Author's note: This story was initially inspired by Dark Sarah's Dance With the Dragon. I hope you enjoy it.

I own nothing except my delusions.

Carefully leaving the cover of the trees, Emma glanced up at the mountain she was faced with climbing. The sun overhead told her it was around noon, that she had about four to five hours of daylight left before the sun set, and that her job would become much harder after night fell.

She hadn't told her mother or Aurora where she had gone, only confiding in Mulan that she was going off by herself to search for the compass that would help them get back to their home in Storybrooke. She didn't tell Mary Margaret, knowing that she wouldn't let her go alone, especially after witnessing the destruction of the refugee camp that Cora had left behind, leaving no survivors.

Sometimes Emma still had a hard time believing that Mary Margaret, her roommate in Storybrooke, was actually her mother, the woman who she had been looking for for twenty-eight years, let alone Snow White.

She also found it hard to believe that she was about to scale a mountain so she could find a compass amongst treasure that belonged to Mr. Gold, who turned out to be the sorcerer Rumplestiltskin, that was guarded by a dragon.

She was happy that she at least had a sword with her, remembering how useless her gun had been when she had had to face off against Maleficent for a golden egg.

She often found herself wondering when she had perpetually stepped into a Disney movie.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, knowing she had a long, hard journey ahead of her. The mountain itself wasn't too massive, but knew she had to move if she wanted to reach where the lair was supposed to be before dusk, especially if she wanted to catch the dragon during daylight hours when it was hopefully asleep.

She just hoped that dragons were nocturnal.

The cooler air made the trek bearable, preventing her from overheating in her leather jacket. The earth was smooth but solid beneath her feet, allowing for an easier climb without fear of slipping or falling.

The whole time she scaled the surface, she thought of Henry back in Storybrooke, using the motivation to keep moving up the mountain.

Taking only a few breaks as she went, she was relieved the sun was still out by the time she reached the massive opening to the cave. Lit torches lined the walls, giving the cave an amber glow.

Carefully, she studied the entrance, seeing it deserted. She stepped inside as quietly as she could, her eyes strained for any movement, her hand resting on her sword to draw it at a second's notice.

About twenty steps in, she stopped, noticing what looked like ancient remains, burned armor still covering old bones. Stepping forward, she stopped suddenly, her eyes zeroing in on the dark ground, barely lit by the flames of the torches.

A single tripwire stretched across the stone floor, hidden in shadow.

Crouching down, Emma examined it and the placement of the bodies, realizing the wire had set off a trap, triggering whatever had burned the people who had previously tried to come through.

Stepping over, she tentatively began descending back into the cavern, alert to anything that could lead to more traps.

As she passed more fallen bodies due to traps, everything from sinking stones to more tripwires, she couldn't help but wonder why the Dark One would set traps for a treasure guarded by a dragon.

She also noticed the deeper she got in, the less fallen remains rested, meaning less and less people managed to get so far into the cave. As she walked without passing any bones or evidence of anyone, she grew nervous, wondering what traps were set that she couldn't see.

Finally seeing a brighter point of light ahead, she felt herself pick up the pace, at almost a full run by the time she finally reached the entrance, not meeting any hidden traps.

She stepped into a massive cavern, her breath leaving her as she took in the copious piles of gold and trinkets strewn around. More of the lit torches decorated the walls, illuminating the treasures and making the whole room shine gold. What looked like a separate cavern laid further beyond.

Taking one glance around the room and seeing it empty, she quickly lurched forward, intent on searching for the compass she needed.

Hearing a deep rumble, she froze, her head snapping up in alarm.

Just as she stepped back and drew her sword, a large dark mass emerged from the separate cavern, stopping until it stood about twenty feet from her.

The dragon towered over her, most of its body black save the dark red underbelly and membrane of its wings. Onyx horns jutted from its head, with matching spikes running the length of its spine. Its eyes were a bright blue, a color that strangely made her think of the sea. Dark metal cuffs decorated its wrists, resembling manacles, but lacked chains.

Its chest didn't glow as Maleficent's did when it roared, giving Emma the hope that it didn't breathe fire.

Taking an involuntary step back, she tightened her grip on her sword.

"Why are you here?" a deep baritone voice asked her. "What are you here to steal?"

Emma felt herself nearly fall over in shock, realizing the dragon was talking to her, but she didn't see its mouth move.

"I'm looking for something to get back home," she said, quickly recovering and wondering why she thought it was wise to be speaking with a huge animal that was clearly prepared to attack and kill her despite it acting so human.

The dragon growled. "Why should I let some thief steal from what I guard?"

"Because it's important I get back," she responded.

"So?" it asked, spreading its wings before pulling them back against its body. "Why should I show you any forgiveness when I've received none myself?"

Thrown, she shook her head, confused as to the dragon's statement but chose to ignore it. "Because I have someone to get back to."

The dragon cocked its head, bright blue eyes examining her. "You have a child waiting."

Shocked, Emma staggered, unable to understand how the beast before her could have known.

"Maybe you shouldn't have left them in the first place," it continued, wearing a smug expression.

Feeling anger rise up, she raised her sword, pointing it towards where she guessed the dragon's heart should have been.

The creature didn't say anything else, merely stood there, waiting.

"I'm not gonna let you keep me from getting back," she seethed.

"Then do what you came here to do," it mocked her. "Don't hold back on my account, love."

Irritated at the dragon's pet name, she quickly moved to the side to attack.

It snapped at her, revealing large razor sharp fangs, missing her as she continued to run around it.

The dragon reared back as she moved to strike at it, avoiding the blow as it snapped its jaws again.

Despite easily avoiding her attacks and acting like it was going to retaliate, it never actually landed an attack of its own.

Emma quickly realized the dragon was teasing her, playing with her to egg her on.

The dragon suddenly halted all movement, its eyes wide before it quickly turned and disappeared into the other cavern, faster than she had seen it move previously.

Frozen in shock at its sudden movements, Emma stood still for a moment before following, tightening the grip on her sword.

She thought she heard something like the snapping and crunching of bones as she neared, growing louder as she crept into the cavern. She was met with silence as she reached the corner.

Taking a deep breath to prepare herself, she quickly turned the corner to meet the dragon, only to see it wasn't there.

Instead of more treasures, it looked more like a type of living quarters. A crude cot rested against a wall, with a small trunk for what looked like clothes beside it with a charcoal portrait of a woman pinned on the wall above. A couple of items rested on the chest, but she couldn't make out what they were. Books littered the area beside the cot and trunk, more than Emma could imagine reading in her lifetime. A single table rested against the wall, holding what looked like items used for grooming in the realm and a mirror.

On the opposite wall were scratched that she realized were tally marks, tens of thousands of lines marking the wall.

The cavern was deserted, save her and a single man that stood alone in the center.

"Hey," she called, striding forward to the man, wondering if the dragon was holding him there.

He didn't turn until she was only about ten feet away from him, allowing her to fully see him in the torchlight.

He was taller than her, his body fit and strong, even hidden beneath his clothes. He wore mostly black, the garments consisting of a loose linen shirt, leather trousers, and boots. The only splash of color he wore was the blood red silk brocade waistcoat. The shirt and waistcoat were buttoned low, exposing a generous smattering on dark chest hair. Dark hair fell over his forehead, with gingery scruff enhancing his strong jaw. A single black stone decorated his right ear, the rest of his jewelry composed of various rings and a necklace with charms Emma couldn't make out. He had very elegant, attractive features, but was still masculine, undeniably male.

He looked up at her with kohl lined eyes, making Emma start when she saw his were the same brilliant blue as the dragon's.

Teaser: She narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion. "For being here so unwillingly, you sure seemed eager to attack."

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