Saving the Demon

28 YEARS AGO

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Killian lounged in his castle, sipping from his tanker of wine, musing over this grand surroundings. The Crocodile had been one to hoard magic and power, sparing no expense on the luxuries of life. Luxuries that Killian Jones, once the infamous Captain Hook, was now enjoying to the fullest.

300 years, Killian had eluded death to avenge Milah's murder at the hands of that monster. And he had done so, piercing the demon with his own cursed dagger.

But alas, there is always a price.

"Well, you certainly seem to be enjoying the perks that come with being the Dark One," came a voice dripping in condescension.

Killian dawned his most charming grin as he gazed up at the Evil Queen.

"Your majesty, always a pleasure."

"This is how you spend your days? Drinking," she sneered the last word. "Rumpelstiltskin must be turning in his grave."

Killian's grin widened. "He would if he had one, love."

The Evil Queen released a dry snort as she gracefully took the seat opposite him. This eve she was dressed in her usually dramatic dresses, her hair piled on top of her head in a regal bun, a streak of red standing out in her dark locks.

"As much as I enjoy your idle chatter, I have a deal to make with you," she declared.

Killian rolled his eyes as he took a long drink from his tankard. "I'm not in the business of making deals, majesty."

"Dark Ones are always in the business of making deals-and this is one I think you might enjoy," she said with a grin.

"I highly doubt that, love," Killian droned.

"Before you brought Rumpelstiltskin to his untimely demise, he and I were working on something," with a wave of her hand Regina produced her own goblet of wine. "A curse."

"I have the bloody crocodile in my head, your highness, I know of all his plans. Including the one that involves you enacting a curse that will land the lot of us in some ungodly realm." Killian replied dryly. "I can't see why I'd be enthused about such a thing."

"Ever since you killed Rumpelstiltskin all you've done nothing but mope and drink," the Queen scowled. "In this new world, I can give you a new life, a new purpose. I can give you power."

Killian smirked. "I have power as it is, highness. And I have plenty of purpose in my life. Why, right now my main goal is to clear out the Crocodile's wine cellar."

Regina made a sound of disdain. "You're pathetic pirate."

"Watch your tone, majesty. We both know who has more power here. I wouldn't test me," Killian growled, his icy blue eyes glaring into her.

"This world will be destroyed by my curse. I'm sure you'd rather live than become a pile of ash."

"I'm not Rumpelstiltskin, I have no secret ambitions or plans. My main goal has been achieved."

"And what good has it done you," Regina snapped. "Come with me to this new realm. I will give you the power and respect you could ever crave. What do you have to live for here?"

Killian regarded his wine before fixing the Queen with a cold stare.

"I spent 300 years avenging Milah's death, I think I warrant a decade or two of debauchery and drinking." Killian said drolly.

"You are by far the most pathetic Dark One I have ever had the displeasure of meeting," Regina retorted with a piercing glare.

"But without a doubt the most dashingly handsome," he retorted with a grin.

The Queen rolled her eyes, reclining in her chair. "Have you no ambition? No self-preservation? My curse will destroy the land, I doubt even the Dark One could survive such a thing."

Killian grinned as he took another swallow of wine, finishing his tankard. "I'd love to find out. Immortality is a bit of a pain in the ass," Killian's grin faltered, his blue eyes turning hard as he regarded the queen in cold speculation. "Why do you care whether or not I follow you in your expedition? What are you planning?"

The queen simply tilted her head, her long elegant fingers stroking the gem embossed surface of her goblet.

"Think of yourself as a . . . insurance policy," she replied slowly with a coiling grin. "Should Snow and that buffoon of a husband of hers' actually succeed in secreting away that brat of theirs' I'll have need of you."

Killian's brows knitted together, his jaw clenching in irritation. "In what way? I'm not in the business of murdering helpless babes," he growled through his teeth.

The evil queen sipped her wine prettily and gave him her prettiest smile. "Who would have thought a dark one would play the self-righteous act? Fear not, if it comes down to murdering the child, I will take care of that detail." Regina straightened, her expression turning serious. "There is more ways than one that you could be useful to me, captain."

"I will not be your bloody pawn witch," he seethed, his anger growing. The demons in his head cackled, the crocodile taunting him at the edges of his mind.

Weak, weak, weak! They sang.

All at once Killian snapped, and next he knew he was standing, the queen thrown against the wall immobile as he used his magic to strangle her.

"I am not weak!" he bellowed as he glared at the woman.

"Release me," she gasped.

"You forget who I am," he sneered. "The pirate is dead, I am the Dark One. I killed Rumpelstiltskin with his own bloody dagger. I'm not someone you can just order to do your every whim, your majesty." He hissed before releasing his hold on her.

The queen stumbled to the floor gracelessly, coughing as her hand went to her aching throat.

And to the Dark One's shock she began to laugh, the sound echoing through the hall.

"There's that darkness," she grinned. "I honestly didn't think you had it in you."

Killian refused to reply as she straightened, smoothing her skirts. "So, do we have a deal?"

"Aye, I have one request," he said as he reached for the neck of the wine bottle. "You've promised me power, respect. I ask for one more thing."

Regina lifted a brow with a regal flare, a smile lifting one corner of her mouth. "And that is?"

"Make sure that the crocodile's wine collection makes it over," he said with a cheeky smile.

The queen released a sound of disgust before being engulfed by a whoosh of purple smoke and disappearing.

Killian's grin fell from his face as he regarded the empty recesses of the castle.

Alone, alone, always alone, the crocodile sneered.

"I'm just fine on my own," he growled as he fell back into his chair, taking a long swing of wine.

Killian turned his gaze towards the horizon beyond the window, awaiting the inevitable cloud of magic to take him away, to take away his memories. His pain.

"Here's to this new realm, lads," he murmured to his demons.

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I know people are looking for fluff at these trying times but I've always been a more angst kind of gal. I'm already half way through chapter one as it is and am outlining the story. I write before I head to work and hopefully next chapter will be up Saturday.

Please please review. I love hearing readers thoughts and they bring quicker updates.

Also if you have any questions you can you pm here or send me an ask on my tumblr (darkjones-and-darkswan).

Thank you and I hope you enjoyed this first chapter!