Merlin, Cecilia, and Nico had finally arrived to the Dark One's castle. Cecilia explained it was best to sneak in through the tunnels below and then make their way up into the castle.
    Cecilia unlocked the door to the tunnels and the group headed inside. The passageway was dark and cold so Merlin lit some torches and they continued.
    It didn't take long before they headed up a set of stairs and into the castle itself.
    "Where does he keep it?" Merlin whispered, trying not to get caught.
    "In a special vault not far from here. If we're lucky, he'll be too busy torturing someone to notice us."
    Sure enough, as soon as they stepped out of the room they were in, they found Rumplestiltskin with his back to them. He was dressed in crocodile skin with a leather apron ontop of his clothes and a few knives in hand, torturing a man tied to a chair.
    They snuck through the room behind him and to another that held a door that was locked. Merlin placed his hand on the door and it unlocked. They made it inside where treasure laid out everywhere.
    Merlin immediately grabbed the Olympian Crystal but too late, he heard Nico shout, "Don't touch it!"
    He felt his fingers burning and he dropped it....right into Rumplestiltskin's hand.
    He looked up to see the man gazed at him with his creepy golden gaze. "Hello, father."
     Cecilia and Nico looked at each other in surprise but Rumplestiltskin didn't seem fazed. "Merlin. The prodigal son has returned!" Rumplestiltskin said in his high-pitched tone. "And you must be my boy's little friends! Allow me to introduce myself." He bowed low. "Rumplestiltskin! Or as most know me....the Dark One."
    "Wait! You're his son?" Nico asked, bewildered.
    "Y'know...you're not very bright." Rumplestiltskin said to Nico.
    "So that's why you could unlock the door!" Cecilia said.
    "Blood magic." Merlin stated. "Now, dad, I need that crystal or a lot of people are gonna die."
    Rumplestiltskin sighed. "All this time? And no, hello dad, how are you? I thought your mother raised you better!"
    Merlin growled. "Don't." He said, his eyes turning gold. "You don't get to talk about my mother that way! She may have been a manipulative, power-hungry dictator but at least she was there! You left! You left me right after I learned I had magic!"
    Rumplestiltskin looked at the younger VKs. "Would you two kindly excuse us for a moment?"
    He took Merlin into another room. "Merl, you know the truth of the matter. I was never cut out to be a father."
    "Well congratulations!" Merlin said. "You're just like your father!"
    Rumplestiltskin glared angrily Ashe began to shout, "I'M NOTHING LIKE MY FATHER! HE WAS A COWARD! HE LEFT ME AND MY BROTHER TO GROW UP ALL ALONE!"
    "And you're just like him. What chance did I have?"
    "There were...extenuating circumstances."
    "Just because Belle left you--"
    "Don't! Don't mention her name again! She left me! Just like my mother and just like my father did!"
    "I didn't come here for a history lesson." Merlin said, holding out his hand. "I'm just here for the crystal."
    "I'm afraid I can't just give it to you."
    "For once just do something right!" Merlin shouted. "Sing me a musical number if you have to!"
    "Sorry, dearie, you think the Dark One sings? I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty fork!" Merlin glared. "Ok. Fine."
 
Rumplestiltskin: Listen little boy
I'm practically a god
And I don't wanna hear the drama
Kindness ain't my brand
Merlin: Oh I guess that's why you ran!
Rumplestiltskin: Try being married to your mama
Merlin: You stink at being a dad
Rumplestiltskin: Poor dearie
Are you sad?
Merlin: Not as sad as you without your powers
I didn't come to fight
For once do something right
Rumplestiltskin: I corrupt souls
Were you expecting flowers?
Merlin: Don't think I need you
I just came here for something

    Merlin held his hand out for the crystal but Rumplestiltskin pushed him aside.

Rumplestiltskin: I've given you everything
Merlin: By giving me nothing!
Rumplestiltskin: I did what I had to do
Cici and Nico: Ooh ooh ooh
Merlin: No you only did what's best for you
Cici and Nico: Ooh ooh ooh
Rumplestiltskin: Well you could learn a thing or two
Cici and Nico: Ooh ooh ooh
Rumplestiltskin: When push comes to shove you do what you gotta do

   Rumplestiltskin took a seat on his couch, trying to end the argument but Merlin stomped over and got his attention.

Merlin: You were never there
Guess you don't have a phone
You never called to say
I miss you

   Rumplestiltskin scoffed as he pushed his son away again.

Rumplestiltskin: Are you kidding?
Is this a joke?
You need to let it go
You're stronger with those daddy issues
Merlin: Oh thank you!

   Rumplestiltskin got up and started dancing.

Rumplestiltskin: Show me some respect
It ain't easy to neglect
My attention would've made you softer
Merlin: Should I proud?
Don't turn this thing around!
Rumplestiltskin: I guess you are your father's kid
Merlin: Don't think I need you
I just came here for something

   Merlin held out his hand again.

Rumplestiltskin: I've given you everything
Merlin: By giving me nothing!
I did what I had to do
Cici and Nico: Ooh ooh ooh
Merlin: I made it on my own
No thanks to you
Cici and Nico: Ooh ooh ooh
Rumplestiltskin: Well you could learn a thing or two
Cici and Nico: Ooh ooh ooh
Rumplestiltskin: When push comes to shove you do what you gotta do
How bout I go with you and we'll spend some time?

   It was Merlin's turn to push his father away.

Merlin: How bout you stay here
Cuz you're outta your mind?

  He made the motion indicating that he thought his father was crazy.

Rumplestiltskin: Let's make new memories
You can show me the town
Merlin: No you can keep your memories now!

   Rumplestiltskin was getting frustrated. He growled in Merlin's ear, "Get over it!"
   "I am over it!"
   "I'm over you being over it!" They both said.
  
Both: I did what I had to do
No you only did what's best for you
Well you could learn a thing or two
When push comes to shove you do

   Merlin shoved his father aside.

When push comes to shove you do

   Rumplestiltskin pushed Merlin back.

When push comes to shove you do

   They grabbed hands and pushed off, ending up back to back.

What ya gotta do

   The music abruptly ended.
   "Puh-lease!" Merlin said.
   Rumplestiltskin held out the crystal. "I'll give you this to save your little friends and girlfriend but there's a few things you need to know. First of all, it can only be wielded by a god or someone with the power of a god like me or you. You'll only be able to use it when you stop denying who you really are and embrace ALL parts of you. Including being my son."
   "Good to know."
   Nico took it from Rumplestiltskin then Merlin lead him and Cecilia out the door.
   "So I guess that's why he always asks about you." Cecilia said.
   Merlin stopped in his tracks. "Guys, I need you to keep quiet about this. The only one who knows aside from us and my parents is Ruby. She's been with me through everything." He bit his lip. "When I was a kid, I showed a lot of promise with my magic. I could move objects before I could walk. Shortly after that, he left me. Ruby was the one who got me through that. She and the VKs...they are my family. And my mom and Sydney. And Rose. He never cared enough to stick around.
    "So, as far as I'm concerned...he doesn't exist."