This is my take on Emma Swan being the dark one. Everything up to season 5, has taken place. I do mention certain things that happened in season 5, however I took my own path with the whole "Dark One" lore. Sometimes i think OUaT can be a little too PG and sometimes I really just want to see heros' killing people and a lot more violence and sex. I felt it could've been explored with Killian and Emma being the Dark Ones, but unfortunately it did not happen. So this is my take on that. Hopefully everyone enjoys it! I really appreciate reviews however this is my first Fanfic, so please go easy on me. Also super open to suggestions, if anyone has any ideas feel free to let me know in the reviews.
*This takes place in Storybrooke immediately after Emma casts a curse causing everyone to lose their memories.*
"Emma love, why are you doing this?" Killian's piercing green eyes filled somberly. They all stood confused at Granny's diner with no memory of the past three months. Emma was the Dark One and somehow, not that he remembers, he failed her. The cold stern glare she gave Snow her own mother, along with her hostile attitude chilled him to the core. The soft green eyes that belonged to Emma Swan were long gone. They were replaced by pure darkness. In a puff of grey smoke, she was gone leaving everyone to recollect themselves and prepare for the worst. Regina, Snow, David, Robin and Killian were left speechless
Belle was useless. With all the questions Killian bombarded her with, she failed to be of some assistance. He was getting hopeless and even worse, he was getting impatient. It was a week since Dark Emma made an appearance. Life felt as if it was in a standstill in Storybrooke. Snow and Charming had gone on with their lives as if nothing. They told him "just have hope." It bloody irked him. How could they sit around and do nothing? Whilst they lived on with their merry life, Killian spent day after day at the library studying the Dark One lore. That was useless too. Everyone was so bloody useless. He just wanted to hold Emma again. Things had just become real between them then, this had to go and happen. Why couldn't they just be happy? Killian was about to call it a night and reach for his flask. He needed a drink. Suddenly his body was engulfed in grey smoke.
"Fancy seeing you here, captain." Suddenly he was aboard his ship. He could recognize the smell and creaky floorboards anywhere. Emma sat seductively smug against a wooden table. She looked, no she WAS different. Her hair was platinum blonde almost silver and was now cut short with razored ends. Everything she wore was black leather and skin tight. He had to admit he was taking quite the liking to the new attire, but his expression wouldn't admit that. As thrilled as he was to see her, seeing her like this felt wrong. Her complexion looked even paler in contrast to the warm glowing skin he was accustomed to.
"Ah, so no crocodile skin?" Killian asked keeping his distance.
"If that's what you want then I can be whatever you want." Emma stated inching confidently closer to him. Even the tone she spoke in was different. It was calm and collected. There was no trace of fear in it. The Emma he knew would never dare be this bold.
"I don't want you." Her expression didn't falter with his words. Instead she raised an eyebrow almost mocking him. Clearly she saw right through him "At least not like this Emma. You're not really you." It literally ached him to talk to her like this.
"You're right about that. I'm different. I'm better. I don't have those pathetic walls to keep people back anymore. I'm confident. I know what I want. Killian I'm ready for a life with you." Emma placed her soft dainty hand on Killian's shoulder. She felt the cold leather against her palm and as she inched even closer, he brought his lips to her. If she wasn't afraid of losing him, she might've gloated. She felt as if there was no way his love and devotion for her could vanish as easily as her light magic. The kiss was full or rage and desire. His rage was due to his inability to help heal her of this darkness. The desire however, was the emotion he feared. He liked this. The darkness was calling to him through her.
"But Swan, I liked those walls. I didn't care how many I had to knock down to get to you. Don't you get it, that's the you I fell in love with."
"That's not fair. You aren't even trying." Emma released her grip on Killian before she lost her temper. Her expression dulled into sadness. How could he be so cold. She hadn't even done anything worthy of this treatment. And Killian knew it. "We could have EVERYTHING. A house. A family. True love. An actual life together. Everything you wanted with me but I never let you have. I wasn't even able to tell you I loved you without either of us being on the verge of death." She spoke the truth and Killian knew it. He did want all of those things. Just the sound of her saying those words killed him. How could he say no to such an enticing offer? Killian stayed silent looking down at the wooden floor.
"Fine. Have it your way." Emma's eyes filled somberly. She lifted her hand and signaled a wave, then the gray cloud took her.
"Wait" Emma heard hook speak softly.
"No." She spoke to herself as if to withhold herself from staying on the ship a second longer.
How dare he reject her. She was doing this for him. After all it was his fault she was the Dark One in the first place. Why was the Darkness so repulsive to him? She had never felt stronger. Her veins pooled with pure ultimate power. She needed to cause havoc.
Emma felt the town was a little too quite the next morning and Killian's rejection wasn't settling well with her emotions. Her master scheme could wait, today she needed to feel victorious. She needed to rage.
"Please Emma this isn't you." Snow screamed as Charming restrained his hysteric wife. The dramatics they were causing practically made her nauseous.
"Now why does everyone keep saying that." Emma quipped as she formed a fireball at her palm. The warmth of it gave her such an adrenaline rush. She adored this fear everyone harbored for her.
"Stop right there Emma. Savior or not, we will not let you harm Snow nor this town." Leroy proclaimed acting heroic in front of the Charming's. His band of dwarves followed prepared for battle. The sight of them lining up raising their swords and shields to her almost caused her to fall over in laughter.
"This must be a joke." She said. However, as they charged at her, she realized it wasn't. With all the joy in her heart she lifted her hand searching for every inch of magic she contained and one by one the seven dwarves turned to cloaked soulless minions. Their eyes gleamed red. Emma laughed wickedly.
"I've never seen anyone do that. It's like she has them under some mind control spell. How is she so powerful?" Snow spoke softly to her doting husband. Emma who was yards ahead previously, suddenly appeared directly behind them.
"I'm as dark as they come Snow. Hope you're not too upset that I stole your precious minions." Both Charming and Snow jumped at the proximity of her sinister voice. Emma no longer recognized these people. She had no desire for their trust or love. In her eyes they betrayed her. For abandoning her at her time of need, the deserve no mercy. Of course they don't remember ever betraying her due to her removing their memories and casting a dark curse.
"Emma I am your mother. You're good, I know you're in there somewhere." Tears began to run down Snow's face. Anger ran red through Charming as he tried to convince his wife to leave the hell storm Emma was creating.
"But mother dearest this is the real me. I'm reborn. I see so clearly now how selfish you've always been. You chose your husband over me and I am happy to have seen the real you." Emma turned her back to them and began to walk away leaving a permanent flame in the cement as she walked down main street.
Dark Emma loved a good show. She could see citizens of Storybrooke peeping from their windows in horror. "Join me." Emma purred into her hand and then released the words into the wind. Then, in the ears of every citizen rang those exact words. Snow was right, she was the most powerful person in every realm."
Emma basked in her glory once she arrived home. She made a fool of her parents. They must look so pathetic to everyone right now. There was no way in hell they stood a chance against her. She sat at her dining table in her big lonely manor that she conjured the second she arrived back to town. Being alone had its perks but right now she just wanted to gloat to someone. She wanted to feel adored and worshipped. Just like Killian used to do. Her green eyes shifted to the frames hanging on the navy blue walls. Henry. Emma's heart throbbed. She didn't even think that was possible anymore. She missed him the most out of everyone who left her. The only different between them and him, was Henry was never coming back. A tear rolled down her face as she stopped to analyze all the loss in her life. She quickly whipped it away reminded herself that she will get her vengeance.
Later that night as Emma relaxed her body with a bubble bath in her antique golden lion's foot tub, she heard a sudden commotion on the floor. Opening her eyes searching out of the tub, Emma looked annoyed at the marble floor. "Jefferson," She sighed. There was a black tall hat spinning on the floor rapidly. There was a sense of hesitation within her but after conjuring her Dark One apparel and a face full of makeup, she decided to step into the portal. Before the land appeared she knew where she would end up. Wonderland.
"Swan. It's a pleasure to see you, thanks for coming." His red lips curled up offering her a cup of tea as she stepped into his garden. The day was perfect, the sky was pastel blue and the sun gleamed bright. He sat at the head of a long wooden table that had been covered in moss and exotic looking flowers. The chair he sat in had an exaggerated elongated back support and fuchsia velvet details. Very Wonderland. "Also may I say, it's such a pleasure seeing you embrace that dark side I always knew you had in you."
"Jefferson. The pleasure is mine. It's been what..." Emma sat at the chair opposite on the table to him. "3-4 years since we last saw each other." She raised her hand and brought the multicolored cup of tea to her without spilling. Jefferson raised an eyebrow at the spectacle.
"Just lovely." Jefferson clapped enthusiastically. "How did I ever let you out of my sight,"
"I was never IN your sight Jefferson. However, it's justifiable, I was weak then. Now" Emma snapped her fingers causing more exotic flowers to bloom out of thin air. By now she was just showing off. She loved these new powers. The more she used them the more addicting they became. She even managed to bloom a tiger lily flower in his shirt pocket. "I'm a new woman."
"I heard you were recruiting. I think I can be a very valuable asset to your team."
"Please, what do you have to offer Jefferson?"
"You mean besides my ability to create portals" His blank expression bored her. "I'm sorry Swan, but portals are tough to come by these days." He sipped his tea arrogantly as she nodded her head.
"You mean like…" Emma snapped her fingers. "this." The ground began to shake and some of Jefferson's table décor began to fall over. As Jefferson stared flabbergasted a ripple appeared in the clear sky. This ripple showed a still image of Emma's home back in Storybrooke. She stood up and placed one leg in. "Coming?" She extended a hand to him. Really at this point she was basking in the glory of his embarrassment. She couldn't resist.
"How did you?" Jefferson could barely speak. He sat frozen in his chair for a few seconds before moving towards the ripple. "Nobody can create portals out of thin air." He finally declared once fully through.
"Why does everyone keep underestimating me?" She asked more to herself. She sat on her king size bed crossing her legs as she noticed Jefferson admiring them in the skin tight long leather skirt she wore. She followed his eyes as they trailed down her body.
"You've become the Dark One." Jefferson smiled. He had met many Dark Ones, but none as powerful and especially not as beautiful as Emma. How did she do it?
"Yes. But I'm a special type of Dark One, I can show you all my tricks if you'd life." Emma declared uncrossing her legs and grinning at his excitement.
It had only been three days since Killian saw Emma but he couldn't help but miss her. Some moments he half expected her to summon him to her home so he could just tell her how he really felt. He truly felt terrible for how he left things. He didn't give her a chance to explain. After their encounter, Killian called it quits at the library and moved on to spending his days at the Rabbit Hole. If the people of Storybrooke called him a drunk before, imagine what they would say about him now. Almost every second of every day he was obliterated. Robin and David stopped by every now and then to check up on him, but they didn't understand. Nobody missed Emma like he did. Everyone basically acted like she had died and moved on with their lives. Robin had Regina, and David had Snow. But him? He was alone.
"I've been in your shoes before Killian. Except I didn't turn to alcoholism I turned to books when I was heartbroken by a Dark One." He recognized her beautiful soft voice before he even saw the brunette.
"You don't have to pity me like the rest of these fools, love." Killian took a swig of his drink and slammed his cup down hard. He reeked of rum. Belle slid into the bar stool next to him. Her blue eyes full of hope.
"Have you seen her recently? I heard she burned down city hall and turned Snow's seven dwarves into some type of ghost servants."
"No. And I don't plan to. I think I might've really hurt her."
"You? Hurt her?" Belle's eyes widened staring Killian down.
"Aye. She did nothing wrong, she wasn't even off doing evil deeds yet. I just told her flat out I could not accept her as the Dark One." He could sense Belle's disapproval. She was almost as annoying as Snow when it came to True Love. Which she was adamant that him and Emma were.
"You need to fix things. Just because things didn't work between me and Rumple doesn't mean they can't for you and Emma." Normally the mention of the crocodile had stopped fazing him, however for some reason he felt enraged. Hell, he could murder him at this point if they were in the same tavern. He decided to shake the thought out of his head and take heed on Belle's advice.
After wandering the town like a fool for hours, he realized he had not the foggiest clue where Emma lived. He knew she conjured some grand mansion somewhere from the rumors he heard, however by now he was positive she had it cloaked. Finally, after drinking the last of rum in his flask, he felt defeated. Out of last resort he found himself on Madam Mayor's residence.
"Are you drunk guy liner?" Her harsh words never surprised him. Regina tightened her eggshell robe, clearly she had been asleep. Guilt washed through him briefly, but then he remembered finding Emma was worth whatever he had to do.
"Pirates don't get drunk." He sneered prying open her front door wider. "I need to find Emma. I am asking for your help Regina."
"You sure you're ready to see her like that again?" Regina furrowed a brow concerned. She might not be exactly friends per say with Hook, but she truly resented his situation. She wouldn't wish it on him, no matter how annoying he was.
"She needs me. If anyone can save her, it's me. She nearly killed her own parents a few days ago."
"I heard" her expression dropped saddened. "Alright, I'll start a locator spell. Bring me a personal item of hers and meet me at my vault."
Killian agreed and he was off.
"Emma Swan. I know you're in there!" Killian yelled at what appeared to him as an empty lot. Regina's spell led him here and due to an invisible energy not allowing him to venture forward, he assumed he was in the right place.
It took only a few seconds for the energy to allow him in. As he approached he heard a soft female voice whisper his name in his ear. He stopped at the wooden porch stairs. Then she appeared at the front door in a long silk black robe. A smile was carved onto her face.
"Don't tell me…" Her eyes drifted along his rugged appearance. "You realized I was right and you're sorry?" Her grin was full of pride.
"Aye" Killian nodded appearing defeated. Even if Emma didn't have heightened senses she could smell the rum on him miles away. A part of her actually found it romantic that this was his life without her. "I was too quick to judge and you did not deserve that love. I am eternally sorry" Emma's eye glistened as she heard Killian apologize. He began to walk closer to her.
"When are you coming back to bed babe." Jefferson appeared behind Emma grabbing her waist clearly seeing Killian. Emma jumped at the sound of his voice.
"Oooh, almost forgot about you." Emma looked at him as more of an inconvenience than a partner.
"What's he doing here?" Killian asked beginning to lose his temper. His blood was boiling and a murderous rage flooded through him. How dare this swine lay hands on his true love. Out of pure anger as Killian's fist formed and he began to approach Jefferson a grey cloud formed around his hand and a dagger appeared. Killian was too filled with rage as Jefferson began to insult him to even question what was going on. All that he could assume was that Emma conjured it there.
Emma didn't have to infer his sentiments, their bodies were linked and she sensed the anger. Just like she sensed the loneliness the days prior. As she witnessed Killian bring the dagger to Jefferson's neck, her heart skipped a beat. Killian was laughing with pure joy. To satisfy his villainous nature, Killian created a nonfatal cut to draw blood. Jefferson looked at Emma with pure horror. "Would today be the day?" Emma wondered. She could've slowed down time or conjured the knife out of Killian's hand however, she was so hell-bent on watching the fight play out, she never thought death would be an end result. As Killian aimed for the plunge, Jefferson managed to head butt Killian resulting in the dagger falling. Both men fell to the grass to acquire the dagger in their possession. As Jefferson grabbed hold, he was able to elbow Killian and get the higher ground. Emma inched closer to witness everything. Jefferson sat on Killian holding his body completely down with his weight, as Killian urged him to get it over with.
"What are you waiting for mate, get on with it." Killian spit out blood.
Jefferson used all his energy and drove the dagger straight down into Killian's heart. Now Jefferson had killed many people, but this felt different. There was no blood in the wound. Ignoring the body, he felt accomplished and quickly looked to Emma for recognition. Her eyes only caught him momentarily, then she wandered down back Kilian. The smile she had on full display was wicked. She knew.
"Why isn't he dead?" Jefferson called out exhibiting shock.
"Why haven't you guessed it by now. Are you that mad?" Emma mocked snapping her fingers. In an instant Excalibur appeared. She wielded the sword with dignity. It was her most prized possession. So much labor went into establishing the sword, she felt the need to brag to someone. Killian began to rise equally confused with the dagger still present in his chest. He was able to drive out the dagger as if it never truly was there. There was no wound. No blood. No pain.
"It can't be. You united the swords." Jefferson shook his head cowering in fear. "You're both the Dark One. That's never been done before."
"Catch Killy" Emma with ease passed Excalibur to Killian as she approached a mad Jefferson. "Now this might hurt. But I really don't care." She placed her hand on his chest and ripped his heart out gracefully.
"You're just like Cora and the Evil Queen. "Jefferson shuttered as Emma began to press tighter and tighter on his red glowing heart.
"No hatter. I'm their nightmare." The heart ashes shriveled on to the grass as Emma opened her palm. She had been the Dark One for a few months now, however this actually was the first heart she ripped out. She remembered back when she practiced light magic how sinister it seemed, but now she found it calming to have someone's life at her hands. She looked at Killian, who still looked like he had a lot of questions and motioned for him to go inside with her.
"How do you feel Killian." Emma purred into his ear as she sat on the grey tufted couch next to him.
"I feel reborn." His equally sinister smile enthralled her.