The sepia cloak of the underworld seemed to dim around them as they stared at the headstones in front of them. Emma couldn't help but let a tear fall from her eye as she sighed, once more feeling herself between a rock and a hard place. This was her life now – one constant obstacle after another. Every step she took in the right direction sent her back three places in the other. She was growing tired of this constant battle and felt herself fall to her knees in front of the sandstone with her name perfectly chiseled in the center, marking her tie to the underworld and yet another failed plan.
Regina had been right. Emma Swan was losing her touch as a savior, and no amount of Charming hope was going to rid her of these dark thoughts. Not today.
"Mom?"
She couldn't bring herself to look up at her son, clenching her fists tightly as she rested them on her knees. Why hadn't she been able to convince Regina to just take him out of the ghastly place? Was it because she had secretly not wanted to be parted from him again? Was she making yet another selfish choice that would drive her family into yet another impossible situation? Of course she had – look at where they were simply because she simply couldn't let go.
Maybe she didn't deserve a happy ending? Maybe she would just have to get that into her head once and for all.
She couldn't save Hook. She dragged them all to hell, literally, and for what?
Nothing.
"Come on Swan. Lets go before darkness falls" She heard his voice, but it did not stir her static body.
What had she done?
….
"Ahh!" The young woman lifted her hands and pushed back the flames that were aimed her way. The barrier she had created englobed her entire body but was not strong enough for her to remain in her spot. It hadn't been the first time she literally been sent flying by the opposition, however, it was the first time that day. As luck would have it, she had broken no bones as she fell inelegantly twenty feet away from where she once stood, but she couldn't help but wince as she pushed herself off the stone ground. They were closing in, and they had no time to lose.
"Vivi?!" She heard the voice just in time to jump out of the way of the next attack. Her deep blue eyes caught the origin of the voice – Rhea. Lost momentarily in the dark green eyes of her closest friend she raised her hands once more, no longer to defend, but to rid her friend of the foe that was closing in behind her. "Thanks! Now get up! We've got to go!" Vi nodded and jumped to Rheas side, both with their hands raised for the next attack.
The ruins of their home were up in flames – the wrath of their enemies was too overwhelming. Even with the warning, they never had a hope of surviving this level of evil. Over the past week, Vi had watched as countless men, women and dwarfs fell to their deaths around them. There were only a few of them left now, and that was the reason they were gathering here – in the barn just outside town. Their final defense and their only hope.
Rhea swished her hand around them to avoid the fire coming towards them and Vi could feel as her body was transported effortlessly into the center of the barn with the only remaining survivors.
"Vi" She turned quickly to find herself enveloped in her mother's arms, her father just a step behind. She couldn't restrain the tears that were flowing down her face. This was it – this was the end. Could this really be the final goodbye?!
"Come on love, Henry is ready. You and Rhea have to get into place and save us all" Vi heard the hope in her father's words, but it was fear that rushed through her entire being and into her young heart. She couldn't do this, could she? How could she take on this responsibility and really be expected to fix all of this destruction. She wasn't a hero and most certainly not a savior – that was Emma Swan, not her. Their eyes met, those eyes that he had given to her so gracefully twenty years ago. "You can do it love" His smile was genuine, but she was sure it didn't reach his eyes. He was as scared as she was, but she didn't have time to contemplate it as she felt her body being wrenched away from her parents and in between Rhea and Henry just feet away from her crying mother.
"Here – come on" Rheas thrusted the black wand impatiently into her hand. With a deep breath she lifted the wand and mustered up the biggest smile she could.
"Don't worry Dad. I'll save you all" She was sure that he could hear the disbelief in her voice, but this was their only chance.
The fire surrounded them and her smile faltered. Vi could no longer see the loving faces of her parents, just the crimson eyes of their enemy, their screams of pain were masked only by her own of remorse. She made a move towards their fallen bodies but was stopped by the strong arms of Henry by her side.
"VI!" Rhea grabbed the wand and enacted the spell they had spent weeks mastering. The world in flames disappeared from around them, Henry relentlessly holding the broken young girl in his arms.
….
What seemed like an eternity later, Emma finally lifted herself up from her position of self-pity and stood before the headstone with defiance in her eyes. It would take more than just a hell-hound of a deity to push her completely off the edge – although, truthfully, she felt that she was dangling dangerously above it, much like Hook had been simply hours before. This is what she was going to have to tell herself at least until she could breakdown in her own time, away from her family – away from her son.
"Let's go kid" she turned towards Henry who had seamlessly migrated to her side and forced a smile before wrapping her arms around him. Her eyes connected with Regina's who gave her a sympathetic look. It was strange how far they had come in the past couple of years – from trying to kill each other to… well… recently that was still a 'thing' in their relationship, but now they were back on the same side. However twisted and odd that side was, Emma hoped beyond hope that it was the winning one… just for once.
Her grey eyes met the ocean blue eyes of the man she loved and her forced smile filled with genuine appreciation. He was here and maybe that would mean they could finally have that future they'd been fighting for together… of course that would only happen if they got out of this retched place. He smiled a small smile but she could see him wince under the pain that he was obviously still in after the demonic torture Hades had inflicted upon him.
Henry released her and allowed her to step to Hooks side. "Let's go, before darkness falls" She spoke softly, repeating his words. His small smile remained as he nodded making her forget momentarily that her plan to save him had once again gone awry. "Or at least before something worse falls upon us"
As if the gods were to trick the group, they were met with just that. A portal opened violently through the graveyard. The gust of energy made them turn away and raise their hands up to protect their faces. And just a moment later it all stopped.
Emma stood protectively in front of Hook and Regina stood defiantly in front of Henry with Robin by her side, preparing for what ever terror the portal had brought their way. To their surprise, there were no monsters, no evil spirits, just three seemingly harmless people. Emma did not move, knowing that she could trust anything in this place, let alone people brought through portals.
Couldn't even have one moment.
