Chapter Text
It had been eight years since Emma Yukimura had left Twisted Wonderland. In that time she’d finished high school, gone to college, and had started making a comic on the side.
The main characters of the comic bore an uncanny resemblance to Ace and Deuce, and her villainous organization seemed remarkably similar to the overblot’s she’d fought. But no one was there to catch her flagrant copyright violation.
She thought about them often. She told herself it was just a dream…but it couldn’t have been. They felt so real, so complicated. But it couldn’t have been real. No, it was just a dream.
That’s what she told herself anyway.
She told herself this until one day after work, she was watching Disney movies while she worked on her comic, when she heard…scratching. She turned off Pinocchio, silently noting Honest John’s similarity to a certain foxlike honest fellow, and followed the noise. As she got closer to her apartment door, it got louder, until she was standing in front of her door and it sounded perfectly clear.
Gently, she opened the door. Sitting in the hallway was a cute gray shorthair cat, with big blue eyes and a fluffy white stomach. And for some reason, some twisted reason, Emma seemed to recognise the cat.
“Grim?”
The cat just meowed, walking inside the apartment like he owned the place, as most cats did. Emma shut the door behind her and followed the cat. The cat jumped up onto the kitchen counter. Emma approached him gently, reaching for his collar. It was neon blue to match his eyes.
Cerby
If lost please return to Anthony Woods
153, Ignihyde Lane, Storybrooke, NJ
Emma looked at the cat, then back at the tag.
“Cerby, huh?”
The cat shook his head furiously, meowing repeatedly.
“So…what’s your name then?”
The cat tapped Emma’s hand.
“Are…are you Grim?”
The cat meowed excitedly.
“That can’t be!” Emma insisted. “Y-you’re…no…it was all a dream…you—”
Grim meowed again.
Emma shook her head. Whether this cat was Grim or not, she had to bring him back to…Anthony. Who was Anthony? Emma had no idea, but he must have been worried sick.
“I’m gonna take you back to your owner,” Emma said. She packed her purse and went to the door. Grim loyally followed her.
She found it after a bit of a drive. Storybrooke, seemingly just a small town in New Jersey. It was evening when she got there. Emma turned to Grim, who was going cat things in the passenger seat.
“This is your owner’s house?”
Grim meowed again.
Emma shook her head. It was weird that he didn’t talk.
Emma popped out of the car. She pulled Grim out with her, and approached the front door. She rang the doorbell and waited.
“You really came all the way to my apartment, for what?” Emma asked. Grim did not respond. He had an almost confident grin on his smug little cat face.
The door opened, and Emma almost dropped the cat in shock. The man at the door had the same pale skin, thin eyes, slim face and permanent miserable frown on his face. But his yellow eyes had dulled to hazel, and his blue flaming hair had been cut and turned brown. He looked…shockingly normal.
“There he is!” Idia smiled. “Oh, thank you so much! I’ve been looking all over town for him!” Idia took Grim into his arms. “Where’d you run off too?”
“New York,” Emma said.
“New York?!” Idia gasped. “Oh, you tiny devil.” he turned back to Emma. “Where are my manners? I’m Anthony Woods.”
“Emma Yukimura,” she introduced, but she was deeply confused. Why was Idia…here? In New Jersey of all places?
“Is there anything I can give you to repay you?” Idia/Anthony asked.
“No. I’m so sorry for interrupting you.”
“Don’t be,” he said. “If you stay in Storybrooke, I promise I’ll treat you to a drink or something.”
Idia closed the door, and Emma was frozen in shock. This place wasn’t normal, was it?
Emma drove away from Idia’s house and back onto the main street of the town. She parked the car in front of an antique shop. Across the street was a diner simply labeled ‘Georgina’s.’
Emma crossed the road and stepped inside. The faces around her were vaguely familiar, but the most important thing to her was the argument happening at the bar.
“For the love of Christ, can you just wear your uniform next shift?” complained the diner manager, a figure that looked suspiciously like Azul. His hair was a more natural black color, but that was the only difference.
“Why should I?” responded the waiter, dressed in jeans and a red flannel. Other than that, he looked remarkably like Epel. His purple hair remained the same, but it had the look of a fresh dye job. “You’re infringing on my first amendment right.”
“Luke, come on!”
“Who cares!” Epel complained. He turned, having noticed Emma, and put on a customer service smile. “Hi, what can I get for you?”
“A menu, I guess?”
Epel led her to a booth and gave her a menu. It was nothing like the Mostro Lounge menu Emma expected, considering Azul’s presence. And not a single apple item either.
Emma ordered a cheeseburger and a milkshake. Epel curried the order to the chef. As he did, two motorcycles parked in front of the diner. Epel got very excited as “Deuce” and “Jack” came inside the diner, both in biker vests, spiked jewelry and jeans. Deuce’s hair appeared to have once been black, but had been bleached blonde. Jack’s hair was now black too, and curlier.
Epel rushed up to Jack and kissed him on the lips. “Hey darling.”
“Hey babe,” Jack said. “You must be tired from working all day.”
Epel gasped. “Oh, I’m fine. My feet are just so tired. Why don’t you carry me out of here?”
Azul appeared to protest, but Jack had already scooped Epel into his arms and was walking out the door. Azul held his head in frustration.
Emma and Deuce shared a look as Deuce followed them out the door.
When Emma’s food was ready, Azul handed it to her himself.
“Rough day?” Emma asked.
Azul groaned. “He’s so annoying. Running off with that stupid reckless boyfriend of his.”
“Jack and Epel are dating?”
Azul’s face morphed. “Jack and Apple? No, Cameron and Luke.”
“R-right,” Emma managed. “And what’s your name, if I may ask?”
“Patrick Clements,” Azul said. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss…”
“Yukimura. Emma Yukimura.”
“Right,” Azul said. “Are you staying in town or just visiting?”
Emma paused. The people from Twisted Wonderland were here, in her world. But how? And why did they all have new names and why were they acting so…weirdly?
“Hey,” Azul looked out the window, “your car’s the gray one, right?”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
“Someone’s stealing your tires.”
Emma jumped up and rushed out the door, running up to her car.
“Hey!” Emma shouted.
She couldn’t believe the sight before her. Malleus Draconia, Prince of Briar Valley, one of the most powerful mages in Twisted Wonderland…was stealing her tires.
Malleus stood up. He still towered over her, but his horns had disappeared, his ears were normal shaped, and his vibrant, terrifying green eyes had mellowed out.
“Ah,” Malleus smiled. “This your car?”
Emma placed a hand over her purse. “Listen, I don’t want trouble. Just put the tires back and I won’t call the police.”
Malleus laughed. “You think the police scare me.”
Emma sighed. “Really, what are some tires gonna do for you? Are you that desperate for money?”
Malleus chuckled. “Nah. It’s pretty fucking fun though. You should see the look on your face.”
Emma was still processing Malleus’ first swear word when Malleus went to take a third tire.
“I have pepper spray and I know judo!” Emma said. “Get the hell away.”
Malleus stood up, more annoyed than anything. “Listen Sugartits, I—”
Emma grabbed her pepper spray from her purse and sprayed it in Malleus’ stupid face.
“Jesus fuck lady!” Malleus recoiled, dropping the tool he’d been using. As he regained his sight, Malleus ran off, and Emma assessed the damage.
“Need me to call a mechanic?” Azul called out.
“That would be great,” Emma said.
Emma finished her meal as she waited for the mechanic to show up. When he did, she was pleasantly surprised to see it was a familiar lion.
Leona’s physical appearance stayed about the same, but like Malleus his eyes had dulled to a more natural shade. Maybe he was a bit more muscled and dirty.
Leona grumbled. “Sorry about that. Davy’s a bit of a….rapscallion.”
“Yeah…” Emma said. “So…you’re the town mechanic?”
“Yup,” Leona stood up. “Name’s Sam Irons.”
“Emma.”
Leona looked down at the car. “If you’re in a hurry, I can get this done now but I’ll charge extra.”
“No…” Emma said. “I think I’ll be staying in town for a while.”
Leona smiled.
“There’s a bed and breakfast down the road, take a left. Ask someone if you need it. This town is usually friendly.”
“Usually?” Emma asked.
“I’d keep that pepper spray on you.”
Emma started walking.
It was a bit run down, almost rustic in its appearance. But Emma didn’t mind. It was still leagues above Ramshackle or her own apartment with a leaky faucet and broken water heater.
The man at the desk she recognised as Mozus Trein, but by now she’d learned not to assume. He introduced himself as Anthony Driscoll and gave her a key to her room.
“How long do you plan on staying?” he asked.
Emma pondered for a moment. “Just a few days.”
The next morning Emma walked around town, trying to get a grasp of this place. There were all the things you expect from a small town. Emma had been in the big city so long she almost forgot how cozy the environment was. Instead of driving around, she elected to hop out of the car and walk around mainstreet instead.
Azul and Epel—sorry, Patrick and Luke—were getting into another argument in front of the diner, and Luke’s shorts had somehow gotten shorter.
There was a cute little flower shop two storefronts down from the diner, and Emma could recognise Kalim and Trey inside. It was harder to recognise them, as both their hair and eye colors had changed to more natural tones. Kalim’s hair was black with big brown eyes like a deer, and Trey’s hair was dark brown, with hazel eyes.
Across the street was a tired looking Cater, dressed in a fine suit. He was standing in front of a bank, and by his outfit she could tell he worked there. There was an animal shelter on her side of the road, a hair salon next door. Across the street were a news office and a library at the corner. Emma decided to check that out. Surely she’d run into someone smart at a library.
When she entered the building, she at first didn’t see anyone she recognised. There was a woman returning a book up front, but Emma didn’t immediately recognise her. But as she stepped further into the library, she saw him.
Ace Trappola. And though his spiked red hair had calmed into well combed curls, and his devilish red eyes turned brown, Emma would be able to recognise him anywhere.
He looked up, and in a shockingly friendly voice asked, “Hello. How can I help you?”
Emma tried her best to regain her composure. “I-I’m new in town, I’m wondering if you can tell me anything about this place.”
Ace stood up. “Oh of course. Can I have your name please?”
Emma gave her name to a person she already knew for the nth time in the span of two days. Ace just nodded.
“I’m Gabe Mullins, I run the library. I hope you didn’t come here for excitement. Our town’s pretty…uneventful.” He chuckled. “Of course that has its appeal. Um…where are you from, Miss Yukimura?”
“NYC.”
“Ah, someone came all the way from the big apple to visit this little town? I’m flattered. But I should warn you it’s not as…crazy as New York. Just small town drama, that’s all.” He stood up and looked out the window. “N-nothing big ever happens here. Not since…”
He said it with hesitation, but Emma wasn’t going to let him just leave it at that. “Since what?”
Ace looked up. “There’s a kid in the hospital. He…he was found in the woods, with nothing on him but his clothes. He’s…he’s still comatose after eight years.”
Emma frowned. “That’s tragic.”
“It is,” Ace said. “That’s the last time anything happened in this town. Just petty drama and low-level crime.”
Emma heard the door open but chose to focus on Ace. “Any crime is bad.”
“Well, no town is perfect. And if it’s just biker kids graffiting the church or some ruffian slashing tires, I think we’re—.”
“My my! What do we have here?”
Emma turned to face the new voice. The figure in front of her was pale, with a sinister grin Emma immediately recognised, despite never having seen the top half of his face. The voice also helped. It was Crowley, dressed in a normal suit and tie, but without his hat and mask. His eyes were yellow, and he looked at Emma as if he knew she knew.
“M-Mr. Mayor!” Ace jumped. “W-what brings you here?”
“Oh, I’m just checking in on our public works,” he turned to Emma. “Who might you be, young lady.”
“My name is Emma Yukimura,” she said, scanning the crow up and down.
Crowley smiled. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss Yukimura. I am Mayor Dire Crowley.”
Hmm. Everyone else has a fake name except Crowley, huh? Not suspicious at all.
“Tell me, how long do you plan to stay in our dear town, Miss Yukimura?”
“As long as I need to,” Emma said.
“Then by all means,” Crowley said, “you are of course welcome in our little town. Like I said, I suggest checking out our public works. May I suggest you volunteer at our little hospital?”
Emma froze. “The hospital?
“If you want my recommendation, I’d advise you to visit around five to six. That’s when the Father comes in. I think you’ll find him quite charming. And since Mister Mullins thinks little John Doe is so important, maybe you should pay him a visit.”
“S-sure.” Emma was frozen in shock. Crowley walked past her, standing next to Ace.
“I wish to speak to you alone, Mister Mullins.”
“R-right, Mr. Mayor.” Ace started walking away.
“Have a splendid day, Miss Yukimura,” Crowley said as he left. “I expect we’ll see each other again shortly.”
Emma didn’t like listening to Crowley. After a year of doing his work for him, she’d grown to utterly despise the rat with wings. Yet here she was, standing in front of the hospital.
Somehow, she felt he was leading her somewhere. To what? To whom? She had no clue. But it was the only lead she really had. And honestly, she wanted to see as many of her old frenemies as possible.
The first familiar face she saw when she entered was Riddle’s. He was in a nurse’s scrubs. And it made Emma’s heart melt. He didn’t want this. He wanted to be a lawyer.
“Can I help you, Miss?” Riddle asked.
Emma put on a good face. “I’m here to visit someone.”
“Are you also here to volunteer?” Riddle asked.
“Yes,” Emma said.
Riddle nodded. “There’s not much left to do, but I can grab you something to do real quick.” Riddle rushed away and back. “There’s some food for a patient in room 114. And if you’d like, there’s some flowers for the patients in the coma ward.”
Emma nodded. She didn’t like the idea of working in a hospital. She always found sick people disgusting and the clinical feeling made her dizzy. Still, she needed to find people. She took the tray and made her way to room 114. Inside was another familiar face, Sebek. He was in a police officer’s uniform, which Emma guessed made sense, but it really should have been Deuce. Not that she wanted Deuce to be in the hospital, but she knew Deuce wanted to be a law abiding good boy. And now he was in a two-man biker gang. The poor boy.
“Hey,” Sebek said. “You must be new in town.”
Emma introduced herself again. Sebek’s fake name was Seth Hawthorne.
“Officer in training,” Sebek said. “I injured my leg during work. Nothing big. I should be out of here tomorrow.”
Emma nodded, gave him his food, and went to take the flowers to the coma ward. As he walked, he heard a familiar, cheerful voice, reading a fairytale.
“And the prince, having slayed the terrible dragon, entered the sleeping palace,” Lilia’s voice read. The ward was separated from the rest of the hospital by a clear glass wall and door.
Lilia was in a priest’s collar, reading a book of fairytales at the bed of the only person in the ward.
It was Silver. His hair was unchanged, the only difference being his slightly more pale skin. A breathing mask was affixed over his mouth and nose, and various tubes were plugged into his arms. He almost looked peaceful.
Emma wanted to tell herself it was normal. Lilia was just reading his son a bedtime story. Silver was just sleeping. He slept all the time. Surely…
No. Nothing else in this world made sense. Why… Why was he…
“Can I help you, child?”
Emma looked at Lilia. His pink streaks had disappeared, and his magenta eyes had turned dark brown.
“I-I’m just here to give him some flowers,” Emma said. She placed the small vase next to Silver’s bed. “D-do you know him?”
Lilia shook his head. “No one does.”
Emma looked at Silver. The idea that Lilia didn’t recognise his own son…
“I hope he wakes up soon,” Lilia said. “He deserves to wake up. If God in his mercy can…” Lilia stopped. “I’m sure he’ll wake up soon.”
Emma managed a smile. “My name is Emma. I’m new in town.”
“Father Adam Riley.”
Emma tried not to throw up at the thought of Lilia being a priest.
“If you need anything, our doors are open,” Lilia said. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to finish the story.”
“Of course not,” Emma left the room, a bitter taste in her mouth.
Emma opened the door to her room at the BNB to find Grim there again.
“You missed me already?”
Grim meowed.
Emma picked up Grim. “Alright, you can stay, but you have to go back to Idia when we’re done.”
Grim meowed in disgruntled agreement. Emma sat down on her bed where her laptop was, with Grim nesting in her lap.
“So, everyone I knew at NRC has been sent to Earth…somehow. And they’ve lost their memories and are all living under fake identities that they probably wouldn’t be very happy with. Meow twice if I got that right.”
Grim meowed twice.
“But how?” Emma asked. “Do you know, Grim?”
Grim meowed again, frustrated by his inability to speak. He wiggled out of Emma’s lap and started typing on her laptop.
I donot know everything but I know Crowley responsible.
“Yeah, I got that part,” Emma said. “So, what do I do to fix it?”
Grim typed again.
Idk.
Great…just great.
Grim typed more.
It not just nrc. It all of sage island.
“Everyone? Even RSA? And Foothill town?”
Grim meowed.
“Alright,” Emma took a deep breath. “Type what you know happened. Slowly.”