Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or its characters. All rights go to Adam and Eddie. For any anime fans out there, try and make the connections.
"All hands, brace!" I shouted as we made our through the portal. We being, my crew, the charmings, the no-longer evil queen, my girlfriend and her son. We had successfully managed to reach Camelot and convinced Merlin to rid Emma of the dark one's spirit. But unfortunately, she didn't quite give us or my ship a proper greeting and farewell.
Needless to say, The Jolly Roger has gained her fair share of dents on this journey. She's earned her rest and now that we've returned to Storybrooke, she can have it.
"Alright, lads!" I shouted to my crew dressed in my old pirate garbs. "Get the mains out! Loose top sail, gallants and royals! I want this vessel to reach port as fast as a drunken sailor get thirsty! Mr. Smee!"
"Aye, Captain?" My red capped first mate replied.
"Take the helm. It's time I pay a visit to our guests residing in my cabin."
"Aye, sir." Smee said as he took my place at the helm.
"Quarter Master!" I barked.
"Captain?" She asked. Aye, that's right, my quarter master is a lass. A redheaded lass that somewhat tolerates me. In case you couldn't put the pieces together, it's Ariel. Despite how I once failed her, she claims that I still be a good man and wanted to make sure I stay that way while I rescued Emma.
"Mind our esteemed first mate. He's been on land for too long and I fear he may have lost his sea legs. Make sure he doesn't trip over himself or crash us into anything. We're carrying two weary ladies here, I trust this return voyage be a smooth one."
"Aye, Captain." She replied taking her post by the helm. As I entered my cabin, I found myself looking at my black leather clad swan regaining consciousness on my bed surrounded by her family.
"I trust the sea air is clearing your head a bit, Swan?" I asked as she looked at me lovingly.
"Killian." She whispered. "What the hell are you wearing? What the hell am I wearing?" She asked noticing her outfit.
"Wardrobe fit for a dark one, love. Bloody good thing you're not one of those anymore, eh?" I teased taking her hand. "Best get some rest, we'll be arriving home momentarily." As I said this, I noticed a distinct and new creakish moan coming from the ship.
"Hook, what was that?" Snow asked as I stood in the door frame.
"…Just the old girl telling us to hurry along to port, Your Majesty. Nothing to worry about." I said before closing the door. Hearing the moan again, I gently stroked the support beam next to me. "Just a little bit further, old girl. Just a bit further."
Once we finally reached the docks and everyone got off, I stared blankly at my ship taking in her beauty completely as the moaning grew louder.
Emma gently placed her hand on my shoulder and began to speak. "Killian, what's wrong?" But before I could give an answer, we all witnessed a sight the crew and I always dreaded to see.
The bow of The Jolly Roger split from port to starboard before the mast and splashed down on the water.
"What happened to the ship?!" Henry cried as he and everyone outside the crew gaped at the sight.
"A ship can only take so much, Henry." I said softly. "She's finally used up her strength.
"Oh, my god." Emma whispered, "Killian, I'm so sorry, if I hadn't-"
"No, love. It's not your fault. She's seen and faced many hardships. This voyage was her last." I replied not taking my eyes off my precious ship for a moment. "Mr. Smee."
"Aye, Captain?" He asked sadly.
"Have the crew empty the ship. But tread carefully, she's in enough pain."
"Aye, aye, sir." Smee choked.
"Killian, what are you doing?" Emma asked.
"Any pirate worth the salt of the sea sees and treats his ship as a member of his crew, love. We're giving this member a proper farewell." I replied.
Once the crew emptied the ship, we all stood side by side on the docks. Most had their arms crossed, some had them at their sides and the rest used them to hold their caps and hats over their hearts. Smee was at my right and Ariel was at my left. Though she hadn't been a member of this crew for long, mermaids know plenty well what a ship means to a sailor.
With a lit torch in my hand, I gazed at our crewmate, home and friend. "Alright, lads. You ready?" I asked softly.
"Aye." They chorused softly.
"My dear, Jolly Roger. I know the sea is a dark and lonely place. But don't worry, we'll see you off." I said before I lit her wound on fire.
"Are you sure about this?" Emma asked Smee and Ariel. "Regina and I can easily fix it with magic, he doesn't need to do this."
"No, we've all known that each of us has an unknowable time out on the seas. The Jolly Roger has had her time and she's shared every moment with us. The captain knows what needs to be done." Smee replied softly as the flames grew.
As I watched the fire take my beloved ship, images of my time with her flashed before my eyes. From when I took my first step onto her, to feeling the wind on the sea and in the air for the first time with my brother, to declaring myself a pirate and renaming her The Jolly Roger, to when I first met Milah begging to sail with us. There was also when I lost my hand and my first love to when I gained my hook and loyal first mate. My time in Neverland, hearing Ursula sing that fateful night, having Emma onboard for the first time and all my other adventures.
Some of the crew was staring at her trying to show no expression as to not dishonor her. Others silently cried either looking at her or at their chests. And some like Ariel were downright sobbing.
"Killian," Emma asked as she took my hand, "Are you okay?"
"Aye, love. It's just…it's a sad day for rain." I said as my voice trembled.
"What do you mean? It's not raining." She said before noticing the tears of my crew hitting the dock boards and the single tear rolling down my face.
"Yes, it is." I corrected as I began to sob. She then hugged my arm and looked out as The Jolly Roger sank to the depths.
"Oh, so it is."