mandalus :: the city of fates.

[What you see first is the woods, a canopy of trees and then, you hear a groan. A hand moves, across the screen, and then, another noise as if someone is sitting up. It's nighttime, and there had obviously been people here earlier, but they had left the person on camera here, and run off again. The arm moved again, this time pushing the person to their feet. Only then, did the person speak, and make himself known to Mandalus.]

Hello? Is anyone there? [Came David Nolan's voice, before it went hushed again.] ... this isn't Neverland ... this is Mandalus. [A sharp inhale of breath, and then the sound of someone patting himself down. The picture zooms again, as David's face appears on the phone.] Hello? Hello, this is David Nolan ... General Charming. Is Snow White still here? Emma Swan? Can someone tell me what's happening now?

[The image is clear from one of the Cult's phones - its the Charming/Nolan farm and people are being pulled from inside. Children, who David and Mary Margaret had left in the care of an elderly woman for their own protection. One of the Cult's lieutenants glowered into view of the camera.] If the Nolans do not surrender themselves immediately to us, we will slaughter these children. We will not take any defi-

[An arrow suddenly protruded out of his chest, and the Cult's soldiers found themselves being ridden down by the Prince's own men, the Prince at the lead. David leapt off his horse, and straight into battle, cutting a swath through the soldiers so he could grab up children and start tossing them to his own men still on horseback to ride off with them. He is hustling the last child up onto a horse when one of the Cult members slides the sword between his shoulder blades, and he falls, reminiscent of his brother's death.]

[The last scene is of him, watching the children riding off, a bloody smile on his lips, before he falls to the ground, and there is a scream from the Cult's camera man, as one of David's own men kills him with a scream of rage.]

[There is the shift of camera, as someone is apparently trying to get their phone up to record, so it is going across not only the newly shut off Mandalus phone system, but the one for all the visitors as well. There is Charming, fully armored, hauling off two men and throwing them out of the camp, his blue eyes blazing with anger.]

You want Khan's way?! Go join him then! But we don't rob the helpless, and we certainly don't attack them! You were soldiers in the army of Queen Elizabeth, always blessed be her name! She lived in honor, and courage, and she never took from those who couldn't afford it!

[Charming pulls his sword just as the two men spin on him, and he glares them both down.] Go on. Try it. I put up more of a fight than a pair of orphans, though, I promise you that.

[The two men looked at one another, then slunk off, running out into the street. Charming watches them go with disgust, before he sheathed his sword.] Any who hurt the innocent of this city - the people of Mandalus, the C'Meni, any of us visitors? And you want to wear the Queen's colors? You can join those reprobates. I'll take you out on my sword myself.

[With that, he turned on one boot, heading back into his tent.]

[There are several videos going at once, as Charming's troops pool around him. Their voices are soft with horror and shock, as they watch their Commanding officer cradle his wife's broken body to his chest.]

[All you can hear is Charming's grief stricken sobs as he held his wife to him, before he finally whispers, stroking her blood soaked hair.] Don't worry love ... I'll be with you soon ... I'll find you. I'll always find you.

[Around him, the troops mutter uneasily, and finally one of them speaks.] Ah ... General Charming?

[Charming sucks in a breath, before his voice takes on the sharp edge of command.] Captains - I want more troops on the walls of the city, and around the barrier. The Serpent might use this attack to test our defenses. I also want additional troops patrolling the underground entrances - assisting the police in keeping these areas safe for civilians. If you find a Cult member, the orders are to capture, not kill. I want to question them for the motive behind these attacks.

[He gently lay Snow back down.] I need to speak to my assistant, Donna Noble, as soon as possible. For ... funeral arrangements. And I also need to speak to my fellow Generals as soon as possible. Someone please send a messenger to the Queen, telling her I request an audience.

[Blood smeared his black armor, and all the soldiers stood silent for a moment, before he looked around and said firmly.] Dismissed.

[His own phone turned on then, and his angry and distressed expression, smeared with dirt, blood and tears filled the screen.] You think this will stop me? You think this will keep me from doing what I must? You just made the worst mistake you possibly could have, Serpent. Because I won't stop now.

I. Won't. Ever. Stop.

[Then he clicks off the feed.]

[Prince Charming had finally succumbed to exhaustion, after trying to stay awake as long as possible to keep the Nightmares away from Snow, and the children. So when he did fall asleep, it was leaning against a wall, and his phone slipped from his hand and hit 'dial all'.]

[Which was why all of Mandalus got to hear David when he began to yell.]

No! NO! YOU WILL NOT TAKE HER FROM ME AGAIN! YOU WILL GIVE ME MY WIFE AND YOU WILL GIVE ME MY DAUGHTER! I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DESTROY US AGAIN, GEORGE! NEVER! AGAIN!

[And then there is the sound of a sword, being drawn.]

...I will kill you first.

[David has been, and always would be, a hardworking farmboy at heart. Which is why when he turns the video on, he's working under a large tree with a number of maps and piles of books ... and sheep, out in the meadow. A backpack is sitting next to him while he pours over the map of the city of Mandalus itself.]

Hey everyone ... General Charming here again ... I'm starting to compile a list of what needs to be done to make the city truly impregnable -- and I just wanted to see if anyone had anything to add to the list, or had any questions they needed answered. Obviously, I won't be able to give away battle plans - not with the cult still out there and running around. However, I can give some information, and ask for some in kind, so we are all fully informed of what our resources are.

[He quirked a wry smile at the camera.] I also want to thank certain citizens of Mandalus for so ... generously donating to Queen Elizabeth's war chest. Her candor and your generosity are appreciated by one and all, including her General.

Godspeed, everyone.

Text to Snow

Hello beautiful wife, want to help me wrangle sheep while we have married talk?

Text to Ruby

If you can tear yourself away from Sam -- I could use your help with training.

Text to Jim Kirk

Whatever I find out, I'll pass on, all right?

[Charming made sure the phone was set up, and that he was standing straight before he cleared his throat and addressed ... well. Everyone.] Good afternoon. I've introduced myself before, but I'm here to make another announcement of some importance. I'm David Nolan - or Prince Charming - and I am here today to announce my position as General of the United Armies under Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. We are banding together to fight against the Serpent, using whatever means necessary. This isn't just for her world, or your world, or even mine -- but for every world ... everywhere.

I'm looking for volunteers - not only to fight - but to teach all methods of fighting from every possible universe. We need to be prepared for every single circumstance, from sword and arrow to machine guns and rocket launchers.

[He tilted his head up.] We're also going to need supplies - weapons, body armor, the lot. Anyone who can help us with that, we'll be more than glad to accept what we can get. Hell, we'll fight with sticks and garbage can lids ... but I'd prefer a sword. [The faintest of smiles curves his lips, before he goes back to looking serious.]

Further more, I know that her Majesty has assigned Captains to troops. I'd like to set a time to speak with all of you, to talk about city and country defenses. I'd also like to talk to anyone who helped develop the weapon from before ... I've got questions and I am hoping you have answers.

[He nodded at the camera.] Until then, keep the faith. We will succeed, Mandalus. Have no doubt of that.

[When the video feed turns on, Charming is looking solemnly into the camera, hands folded over his knees as there is the sound of laughing in the background.] I haven't been given much in this world - I've had to fight for most of it ... but when I'm given blessings, I like to share them. I was recently given my family farm, and I want to invite anyone who is without a place to stay to come out here, and stay with Snow and I. We've already started taking in foster children -- [His mouth quirked sadly up, as he half turned] As you can hear in the background.


[Snow comes to sit down beside David, one of her arms occupied by a baby, her other hand holding onto the much smaller hand of a toddler. She sighs, settling down and giving a small smile to the recording.]

We'll take in anyone who doesn't have a home, we've got a lot of children here already. If you're missing children, they could be here. Please come to look for them.


[David picked up the toddler, putting him on his knee, bouncing him up and down.] Just let know how many to expect, and we'll get together whatever we can, to make you comfortable as long as possible. We're here to help.

[She nods a bit and gives him a kiss on his cheek, cuddling the baby to her.] Anything you need, we'll do what we can. [And she just leaves it at that.]


[He smiled back at his wife, before looking into the camera.] We've all ... lost this week. Friends, family, our homes and our sense of security. [Grief stained his blue eyes briefly, before he lifted his chin up.] Now, more than ever, it's important that we all stand together in the face of our common enemy. We're not separate people, from separate worlds. We're allies, and we should try to remember that, by helping out however we can.


[Mary Margaret stays quiet for now, and simply curls her hand around his. Everyone is grieving, they can all do what they can to help.]


[He squeezed Snow's hand, feeling her warmth and support, as he finishes.] One good turn ... well. I'm sure you know the saying. So let's all try to live by it this week, eh?
[He leans over, to click the feed off, carefully balancing the toddler on his knee as he did so.]

[The image that comes through the camera is the sound of an alarm, and a man's hand fumbling over a nightstand. A bleary head raises - it's David and he looks barely awake. However he smiles blearily at the time, before he nudges the warm lump at his side.]

Sweetheart, time to get up. I have to go job hunting and you ... you need to get going to school.

[He pushed himself out of bed, flashing all naked flesh down to his boxers, as he pulled himself out of bed.] Looks like it's going to be a good day to hit the streets. I'm thinking of maybe joining one of the clean-up crews, at least for the short term -- it's quiet outside.

[He pushed back the curtain to one side, looking out.] I wonder ... ah ... ah ... oh my god. Oh my god, it's my land! Snow, wake up! We're on my land!

[He grabbed his phone, running outside, where it went from Mary Margaret's apartment ... to James's farm.]

Video

[The camera turns on to the sleeping man from before, chin up, blue eyes firm and his jaw set as he looks into the feed. He's walking down the street, obviously, a man in motion.]

I really wish I had the time to find myself a job - but for now - I'm more interested in protecting the innocents here ... and back home. [Emma. Henry. Gepetto,Archie and the dwarves and all their friends.] So, since the Powers That Are can pretty much just tell us something is happening, I'm taking it to the next step. I'm getting organized, and the first step is to arm ourselves.

[He paused, and now he looked embarrassed.] ...except I have no idea where the weaponsmiths are around here, so if anyone could direct me, I'd appreciate it. And after that -- anyone who wants to meet me to plan a war? Let me know a time and I'll find the place.

[A camera comes on, with the worried mutter of a crowd. The person with the camera moves closer, until the view of what everyone was talking about was into focus.]

Do you think he's all right?

I don't know, could this be another sleeping thing from the Girl?

Should we call someone?

[A man was lying on the steps of the Station, completely still. He was dressed in a flannel shirt, a golden badge and jeans. A broken necklace rested around his neck, and his blonde hair is matted with sleep.]

[His chest rose and fell, but there was no other movement, and crowd continued to mutter nervously around him.]

[Welcome to Manadalus, Prince Charming.]

Some time later ...

[The video function on a new phone came on. A young man in his late twenties appeared, the same one from earlier. He cleared his throat and ran his head over his short, dirty blonde hair.]

Uhm. Hello, everyone. I'm David Nolan - or rather Prince James ... it's complicated. However, from my world ... worlds, I'm married to Mary Margaret. [He exhaled, sharply, his lips curving up at the corners.]

Anyways, I'm a trained warrior and a tagged on noble to boot. I'll be more than happy to help out with the war effort, in whatever way I can. And .. ah ... I'll be with my wife, Mary Margaret. [He grins again when he says it, because he can say it.] At her - our apartment.

[He lifted a hand, and waved, smiling sheepishly.] Hello.