AN: Hello everyone! This is my first attempt at an OUAT story. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or any characters therein.
Emma's task was nearly complete. Snuff out the light, let darkness reign supreme. With Excalibur in her hands, she circled around the clearing, eyeing the heroes of Storybrooke, all immobilized by her magic.
"You know what to do." Nimui murmured. "Destroy them. Start with that one." She gestured towards Killian.
Emma stared at him for a long moment, conflicted. Was this really necessary?
"You know it is dearie." Rumpelstiltskin said, answering her thought. "The darkness must be the only power to exist. Only then can you be without interference."
"How do I destroy the light?" Emma asked.
"It's easy. You simply rip out his heart, and stab it. The sword will absorb the light." Rumple said, ending with a maniacal giggle.
She looked at Killian, the man she loved. But he didn't love her, not anymore. He had betrayed her, just like all the rest. Fueled by her sudden rage, she lunged forward, taking his heart in one fast movement. She looked at it, surprisingly pure considering all that he had done when he was a pirate. Before he had met her. Before he had changed…
"This is no time to reminisce." Nimui said with a sneer. "He made his choice, he chose to abandon you, to make you feel alone. He deserves to die, as do they all."
Narrowing her eyes, Emma placed his heart on a small stone. She hefted Excalibur, aiming its point at his heart. But then she hesitated. Against her will, her eyes flicked up to meet his. He was staring at her, pleading. A memory resurfaced in her mind, one of the many that she had buried so that they would not distract her. Suddenly she with him in the giant's castle, just after she had chained him. He had pleaded with her, asking him. That was the day that she had realized that she was beginning to develop feelings for him.
Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the vision was gone. She was back in the clearing, she was the Dark One, and her mission was to snuff out the light. Again she hefted Excalibur, and again her eyes flicked up to meet his. She froze, tears suddenly welling in her eyes, a single drop tracing its way down her cheek.
"I can't do this!" she sobbed, lowering the sword.
"Come come now." Nimui whispered soothingly. "You've come much too far to give up now. You must do what needs to be done to set yourself free."
"You're right." Emma murmured, eyes hardening with determination. With an inhuman cry, she tore out her own heart, her face illuminated by its deep red glow.
"What are you doing?!" Nimui and Rumpelstiltskin shrieked at once.
"Doing what needs to be done to set myself free." Emma replied, her voice deadly calm. She set her heart on the ground at her feet. She hefted the sword, and again hesitated, her eyes locking on Killian's. "I love you." she whispered, another tear rolling down her face. Her eyes moved to the others in the clearing, her parents, Henry, and practically every resident of Storybrooke. "I love you all." As she said it, she waved her free hand, returning all of their memories. She then brought the sword down, and as she did, she could hear all of the Dark Ones who ever existed screaming at her, telling her that she was making a mistake, but she didn't care. She knew as soon as the blade pierced her heart, the voices would never bother her again.
AN: There you have it, the first chapter of what was originally going to be a one-shot. Next chapter should be out tomorrow! :)