Hell Hath No Fury Like the Devil Scorned

Chapter One

After making his way back from the cavern upon saying goodbye to his brother, Killian returned to the Sorcerer's mansion believing Emma would still be there and when he found her there, he realized she must have been looking for him once he disappeared. He didn't intend to worry her, especially since his disappearance was because he had been abducted by Silver and their old crew from centuries ago, but it saddened him to know he had caused the woman he loved more fear and stress than she needed so long as she and her loved ones remained trapped in the Underworld, also because of him.

Emma heard him come in behind her as she turned around to face him, breathless from her search, and she immediately called out, "Hook, where the hell have you been? First you and Liam left, then Henry ran off somewhere."

The Savior rushed over to him while Killian spoke quietly apologetically saying, "I'm sorry, Emma. You were right about Liam. He destroyed those pages because of a deal he made with Hades years ago… A deal that almost got us thrown into that boiling sea."

"Are you okay?" she asked him with concern as she looked up at him. "Where is he?"

"He, uh, sacrificed himself, but his sacrifice helped a crew we once sailed with," Hook answered despondently. "They finally moved on, thanks to him."

She suspected there was more to the story that he wasn't telling her as she looked him in his eyes and saw a deep sadness behind them, not to be deceiving, but because it was painful, yet she didn't question it and instead she simply inquired nervously, "Did he move on, too?"

Hook paused a moment before he looked back into her eyes as well and then he responded, "He did... but he helped me see the truth before he went. I'm glad you came down here, Emma. Perhaps I do deserve saving after all."

"Does that mean, when this is all over, you're planning to come home?" Emma asked him looking and sounding hopeful again as she moved closer to the man she loved.

"Yes," he replied while he let out a small chuckle when she laid her hand over his chest and he felt her gentle touch. "Everything Liam did was to ensure that I had a future, and I damn well intend to have one."

At last, Killian suddenly pulled Emma into a passionate kiss for the first time since she had kissed him moments before she had been forced to thrust Excalibur through his chest in order to destroy the darkness within them both, and she laid her free hand behind his head until she pulled it down to tenderly lay it over his right cheek. They continued to hold each other close when they finally pulled out of their kiss, then settled for just looking deeply into one another's eyes.

Meanwhile, within the God of the Underworld's lair, Hades finished watching the love scene between the dead pirate and the Savior who foolishly risked her life and the lives of those she loved to try to save him within a glass ball he was holding, as his anger boiled over until he finally crushed the orb within his bare hand, then disintegrated the shattered fragments with a raging flame in his palm.

Hades stood from his throne and began to pace back and forth in frustration while he thought of what to do next, then summoned two of his minions before him as he said to them curtly, "I need you to find the Erinyes. Tell them I demand to see them as soon as they're finished whatever vile deed they're currently up to. I don't care if they're busy tormenting the souls living out in the woods. I'll be back as soon as I see to some other business."

One of the demons who bowed down before the deity nodded and then answered, "Yes Sir, Lord Hades."

Once he finished giving his demands, Hades got into a boat and rowed across the Lethe River, the yellow River of Forgetfulness to leave his lair. His next dastardly plan formed in his mind, but first he needed to speak with a few of the villains under his rule to enlist their assistance. One of his souls would know where to find them.

A short time later, he walked into Underbrooke's diner that stood waiting for Red Riding Hood's old grandmother to join the dead so she could take over for the Blind Witch who owned it now, serving gingerbread, grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as chocolate ladyfingers, which she would prefer if they were made of human flesh instead of the cocoa powder, biscuits, and other normal ingredients she was forced to serve.

"Lord Hades…" she quickly uttered with surprise upon smelling the God with her keen sense of smell when he walked over to stand in front of the counter. "I'm honored by your presence. I wasn't expecting you."

"No one ever does, and that's what gives me the upper hand," Hades responded smugly as he leaned down over the bar and magicked a tall glass of cognac in front of him. "I'm looking for some souls to help me in an endeavor, while I conduct a little business. You have an uncanny knack for knowing exactly where they might be and how to get a message to them. I don't have the time to gather them myself."

She pulled out the bottle from which the drink came from, then set it down in front of him and replied, "Perhaps… if you tell me who you're looking for, or at least who it is you wish to punish today, I might be of more help."

The God smiled as he questioned, "How do you know I'm looking to punish someone?"

"Because you pride yourself in doing so… often," the witch answered, then handed one of her other patrons his own drink he had asked for before the deity walked through the door. "It just so happens, I know of a couple of people who would be pleased to dish out a little retribution no matter who it is. Or are you hellbent on someone in particular? Pardon the pun."

"The more the merrier, although there were a few I actually did have in mind," he responded. "There happens to be plenty of souls down here who would love a chance to make a particular one-handed pirate suffer, but…"

The blind woman smiled as she quickly replied, "Say no more. I know exactly who you mean and who would give their own left hand for the chance. I'll spread the word, I assure you."

Hades finished his drink and set the empty glass down on the counter, then he stood up again to leave while he said, "It's a real shame you'll be out of a job before too long, child muncher. I like you right here where you are. Forgive the moniker. I heard the Evil Queen call you such and I've got to say, it suits you. Keep up the good work."