The Evil Inside

Once Upon A Time

A dark tale of love and hate. Cowardice and bravery. Strength and Weakness. Journey alongside Captain Hook, The Charming's, the Evil Queen, Neal, Belle and The Dark One as they try to save Emma from herself and the Land of Oz.

Emma pulls Hook aside before Pan's curse would take them all away and leave her with Henry. She didn't know why she felt the sudden urgency to tell him how she felt, but she knew if he didn't know she would never forgive herself. He had spoken the truth and now it was her turn.

She looks up into his eyes, "Hook, I know it is too late and that we may never see each other again, but I need you to know that I love you. I should have told you earlier, but I was scared. That all just seems so stupid now. I…"

Before she can finish Hook crushes his mouth to hers. She sighs with relief and returns the urgency of his kiss, knowing that this was their last moment together. He pulls back and leans his forehead to hers, "I love you, Emma Swan. You will be all I think about."

She smirks, "You better." She looks up and her nose brushes against his, "I wish I could say the same."

He closes his eyes and touches her face with his one good hand, "I will be in your dreams, love."

She turns her face into his palm and gently kisses the rough skin, "I hope so."

Regina shouts from the road, "It is time!"

Emma lets out a sob as she turns back towards the road. She takes a deep breath and walks towards her son and her yellow bug. Henry takes her hand, "We just have to hope."

She frowns down at his words as understanding lights his eyes. She looks back up at Hook and smiles once again, "You are a smart kid."

He nods and with one last look at their loved ones they get into the car and take off. The curse overtakes the people and Emma and Henry forget their tears and grin at one another. They were ready to start their new life together.

Snow takes a step outside the castle and breathes in the morning air. She had missed everything about this world and now she only wished that she could enjoy this with her daughter. She grins as David puts his arms around her waist. They watch as people rush around the courtyard, preparing for the arrival of friends.

He kisses the top of her head, "It is hard to believe that so long has passed since we were in Storybrooke."

She nods her agreement, "I was just thinking the same thing." She listens to the voices below her and sighs sadly, "I just want today to go well. We haven't seen everyone since we arrived here. I miss them so much."

He turns her to face him, "Their arrival won't fill the hole that you have in your heart, Snow. I know because I have that same hole. She won't be with them."

Snow wipes at the tears falling down her face, "I just want to see her one last time. To hug her. To talk to her. It just doesn't seem fair that the happy ending we hoped for has never been given to us."

He smiles, "Our happy ending is what we make it and I have to believe that we will see our daughter again. In this world or the next."

Before she can respond Regina burst through the doors, "Could you two stop being all touchy feely and help set up. This was your idea, not mine, yet I am the one stuck giving orders and feeling stressed."

David groans, "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"

She scoffs, "Not in my castle!"

Snow rolls her eyes, "It is our castle. We all agreed to live in peace. It won't work if you two keep arguing. Please."

Regina crosses her arms, "But it is so fun to ruffle his feathers." She shrugs, "Look, I am stuck with you two. That is annoying in and of its self. Let me get my kicks off when I can."

David laughs, "I hate to agree, but I was talked into this arrangement myself. So forgive me if I want to be able to have a little fun. Arguing with her lifts my spirits a bit."

Snow throws her hands up in annoyance, "Whatever! Do what you want as long as you both behave today. I will not have either one of you ruining this reunion."

Regina sighs heavily, "Fine, but you have to help set it up."

They all agree and leave the room. The day feels as if it is taking forever and as the evening grows closer and closer Snow feels her nerves stand on end. She could barely contain her excitement as the first guests arrived.

Neal and Belle stride in and grin as they are greeted with hugs by Snow and David. Regina just gives them a bored smile. Belle looks around the grand foyer, "I love what you have done with the place. It is definitely brighter than the last time we were here."

Snow grins, "Thank you. We wanted something that was inviting and homey."

Neal lets out a soft whistle, "It is impressive." He looks between the three, "How are you all holding up?"

Regina rolls her eyes, "Just great." She gesture sarcastically at the married couple, "They are just amazing roommates and I can't get enough of their company."

Snow glares over her shoulder, "Regina! I thought we had a deal."

Regina shrugs, "Sorry."

The halls start to fill up with more and more people, but Snow was only waiting for one. She was unsure whether he would show up or not considering his travels, but for some reason he was the one that made her feel closest to her daughter. Perhaps it was the love she felt flowing from him every time she mentioned Emma's name. Or maybe it was the sadness that they both seemed to share. It didn't matter. All she wanted was for that link. No matter how small.

The doors open and she practically runs when she sees him, "Hook, you have come."

He takes her hand and kisses her knuckles briefly, "I was intrigued by the invite. I didn't think I was considered one of your close friends, so I dropped everything and rushed to be here." He looks around at the people laughing and dancing, "My apologies for being late."

She waves her hand in the air as if pushing his last words away, "No need. And of course you are a friend. You helped us out many times. Plus, Emma would have wanted us to."

He laughs sadly, "Aye, I thought as much." He looks over her shoulder at David, "Hello, mate. Lovely party."

David raises a brow, "Thanks. I didn't think that you would show up. I owe Regina some gold now."

Hook shakes his head, "Sorry, but I couldn't say no to an invite from the Princess and Prince."

Before anyone can say anything else wind starts to blow all around them. David pulls Snow to his side and raises his sword. Hook reaches for his sword but is thrown back with the rest of them. A portal opens in the middle of the room and a girl with golden brown hair steps through.

She looks around the room as all the people start to rise, "I am looking for someone by the name of Mary-Margaret. Please tell me she is here."

Snow steps forward, "That is me."

The girl walks briskly towards her, "Emma needs your help. She is in grave danger."

Snow gasps and feels her heart drop to her toes, "What has happened?"

The girl shakes her head, "There is no time. Bring as many as you need. We must leave now."

Snow turns to David and he has the same fear lighting up his eyes, "We have to go."

Hook smirks, "Don't think you are leaving without me, mate."

Neal steps over with Belle by his side, "Or us. We want to go, too."

Regina walks to the girl worriedly, "What about Henry?"

The girl turns to her, "He is safe with Glenda the Good. Don't worry."

Regina nods, "Then you can count me in as well."

They all walk towards the portal that was still open in the middle of the room. As Snow watches the others jump through and is about to do so she hopes that this is not a trick and they weren't all jumping to their deaths.

Henry paces back and forth hoping that the others would soon arrive. They needed help and they needed it now. If this didn't end soon then Emma would never be the same. He just didn't know what else to do. He sits down on a bench in the greenest field he had ever seen just as a portal burst open and the very people he had hoped for arrived.

Regina looks down at her clothes. They had changed from her Enchanted Forest attire to her Storybrooke attire. She looks up and grins, "Henry!"

He runs into her arms and hugs her, "I have missed you…well once I remembered who you were."

Snow and the rest are giving their clothes the same confused look that Regina had when she arrived. Snow shrugs, "Well, this is strange, but I will just go with it." She smiles at Henry, "Hello, Henry."

He hugs her and David and Neal. It was such a relief to be around them again that he nearly forgot the dire situation they were in. He closes his eyes, "So, I bet you all have a lot of questions."

Hook quirks a brow in his usual way, "We were just dragged through a bloody portal. Answers would be nice." He looks behind him, "And who is she?"

The mystery girl curtsies, "I am Dorothy. I was someone Emma trusted immensely."

Regina frowns, "Was?"

Henry turns on Dorothy, "You didn't tell them?"

She shakes her head, "No, I figured it would be better this way. I didn't have time to answer a bunch of questions."

Henry runs a hand through his hair, "They should have been prepared at least. Now it will be a bigger shock."

David walks between them, "Can you tell us what the hell is going on?"

Snow looks between the two, "You two are talking as if…if…" She looks around, "Is my daughter dead?"

Dorothy shakes her head, "No, no, not dead."

"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in."

They all turn and gasp when they see a figure in the shadows dressed in red leather from the jacket to the corset to the pants. On her feet she wore ruby high heeled boots. She steps closer and they see her blonde hair curled to the side in a long ponytail.

Snow steps towards her, "Emma?"

Emma smirks, "Hello, mother. Long time no see. You haven't changed at all."

Snow studies her daughter. The wicked gleam in her eyes and the way she walked around them like a vulture waiting for its prey to die, "What is wrong with you?"

Emma throws back her head and laughs, "They haven't told you? How rude of them." She stops in front of Snow, "And how rude of you. That is no way to talk to the Queen of Oz."

Snow tries to take a step towards her again but Emma throws up a hand and Snow is lifted into the air. David runs over to his wife, "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

Emma grins, "I am teaching her a lesson." She drops her hand and Snow falls to the ground, "Listen, you are all new to my land so I will let this pass just once. And people say I have no mercy." She looks at Dorothy, "I expect you will tell them all of this. Immediately."

Dorothy bows, "Yes, your majesty."

Emma waves her hand and chuckles as Dorothy takes off, "I love it when they listen." She turns to the shocked faces of her old friends, "Now, I expect you all to show me some respect. I know you won't kill me. Most of you have loving feelings towards me."

Hook frowns, "What has happened to you?"

Emma disappears and reappears behind him, "Captain Hook. A pleasure it is to have you here." She traces the side of his neck with her finger, "I have a special present just for you." She puts her hand over his eyes, "Close your eyes. No peeking." She waves her other hand and Rumpelstiltskin appears before them, "Surprise!"

Everyone gasps at the sight of someone they all thought was dead. Belle is about to rush forward but Emma waves a hand at her feet so that she can't move, "Not for you."

Hook looks at the man lying in front of him, confused, "How is this a gift?"

Emma steps in front of him with a wicked smile, "Revenge, my love. You can finally kill the man who has caused you so much suffering."

Neal yells, "NO! Emma this is not you! How could you even want that?"

Emma shrugs, "I love to watch others suffer. And I can watch you lose your father over and over again. The guilt you feel for not forgiving him." She shudders, "It gives me chills."

Henry sighs, "Mom, you need to stop this."

Emma smiles down at her son, "Oh, Henry. Why won't you join me? You know I would never hurt you. I love you, kid."

Henry shakes his head, "I can't watch as you torture these people."

Emma nods, "I understand. The Evil Queen has raised you to be too soft. It is a shame, really. You would make such a handsome ruler someday."

Regina conjures up a ball of fire, "You will pay for saying that!"

Emma rolls her eyes and flicks her wrist. The ball of flame disappears and Regina is thrown back, "I TOLD YOU TO SHOW ME SOME RESPECT!" She turns back to Hook, "Are you going to kill him or not? I have been saving him just for you."

Hook takes her hand, "This isn't what you really want Emma. I know you. You believe in a fair trial, love. Everyone deserves a chance, right?"

Emma sighs and gives him a disappointed look, "And here I was hoping that my fearsome pirate had returned, but no. I get to be stuck with the puppy version. Such a shame. We could have been amazing together." She lowers down to the crumpled figure and whispers "Wake up, dearie. You have friends."

Rumple starts to stir and slowly sits up. He looks around with a crazed smile, "Hello, dearies." He lets out one of his usual high pitched laughs, "Did you miss me?"

Emma laughs, "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that he is a little crazy. Have fun with that." She smirks at Hook, "If you decide to be a pirate again, let me know." She kneels in front of Henry, "And if you change your mind about becoming my little prince, let me know."

She disappears and they all share silent, shocked looks. This was the worst thing that could ever happen and now they needed answers.

A/N: So for some reason this story popped into my head and i just could get it out, so I figured why not write it. I like the idea of an "evil" Emma and thought that it would be a fun little spin on the story. Please review and let me know what you think of this story. :)

XOXO