A/N: This is my Hades/Persephone AU. It truly is my baby. I understand that this myth is a trigger for some folks, but just know that anything that happens between Emma and Killian IS consensual.


Eons ago, three brothers reigned over the cosmos.

Liam Jones was the god of the sky. He protected over Earth with an iron fist and bolt of lightning always by his side. Davey Jones was the protector of the seas. The ocean bowed to his every whim. It could be calm and serene, but it could also be dangerous and cruel at the snap of his fingers. Liam and Davey surveyed all that was above ground. The third brother, Killian, had no such luck. Killian Jones governed over the Underworld, where the souls of dead traveled once freed from individuals upon their deaths.

Ever since he was given this role at the age of eighteen, Killian had no contact with anyone living, including his brothers. The only connection he had to his brothers—to any of his siblings—was through a magical gazing pool that sat in front of his iron throne. Many a lonely day Killian would have, his only respite being the images that floated in the water of his brothers, sisters and their children. Liam had long ago taken a wife in Belle, the goddess of motherhood. Seeing them together—nay, just seeing his brother happy—left him not only lonely but insanely jealous. Who could ever love man whose sole purpose was to usher the souls of the deceased to his domain? He knew that he was destined to be forever alone.

The image swirled to that of his sister, Mary Margaret, the goddess of the harvest. She kept the crops of the farmers plentiful and the fields well-tended. But this day she looked to be in some sort of frenzy, and Killian was concerned. With a snap of his fingers, he was able to hear what she was saying.

"Where could that daughter of mine be? I leave for one second and she's disappears…"

Of course, she is concerned over her daughter, Emma. Through the years looking through the pool, Emma had seemed to always give her mother trouble. High-spirited, she was. Now Killian was curious as to where Emma could be so he spoke to the pool, "Show me the goddess Emma."

The water began to ripple and a new image formed. What he saw took his breathe away. A girl—a woman—of twenty-two years appeared in the water. Her flaxen hair glowed in the sun; much like the wheat her mother made sure grew for the harvesters. Upon her head lay a crown of flowers, most appropriate as she was the goddess of spring. She wore a dress of the palest of pinks, which flowed in the breeze as it caught in the fabrics. Her skin was like porcelain—fair and soft; and her eyes were the brightest, most luminescent green he had ever seen. Her visage was a light in the eternal darkness of his kingdom. He knew at that moment that she must be his.

Gathering his dark armor forged in the pits of Scarlet, he marched toward his iron chariot. His Nether horses seemed to be eager to stretch their legs, their black coats shining even in the dim light of the cavernous expanse of his castle. Taking the reins after making sure the four horses were in place, he tugged on them. The signal to go had them running… then the running turned into flying. The rocks above him parted, and Killian was almost blinded by the brightness of the sun above. It had been centuries since he had been out of the Underworld, so his vision needed to adjust. Once he was finally able to see without squinting, he shouted to his horses, "Find Emma."

-/-

She knew he mother was probably looking for her, but she could not help but come look at the flowers on this beautiful spring day—especially since it was her duty, after all. She put on her favorite dress to go flower picking in, and then set off in search of the best garden to peruse. She found one in a little meadow, filled with endless varieties of roses, lilies, and peonies. Finding the perfect spot, she began smelling the gorgeous red roses, pink peonies, and white lilies. Emma knew she shouldn't, but she even picked some of the peonies and made a crown for her head. It really was the absolute perfect afternoon…then the rumbling began.

It came from underneath her; she noticed the ground starting to shake more and more. She thought someone must have upset Scarlet, but it was not the volcano that was causing the tremors. Suddenly, the ground split, and she was only just able to get to one side of the canyon before she fell; all she could see down there was darkness. She looked to the horizon and saw a dark figure coming her way. She wanted to run, but shock had her rooted in place. The figure came closer and closer, and she was able to make out that whatever it was, it was being drawn by horses—stark black horses. Moments later, the figure hovered above her shock-ridden form. Whoever it was, she was frightened.

As if they read her mind, a voice from behind the helmet spoke, "Fear not, my lady. I only come to gaze upon your beauty in the flesh." The rider removed his mask, and her jaw dropped. The man was gorgeous. Dark brown hair that was flattened by the helmet was now freed and moved with the wind. Her body suddenly ached to run her fingers through his hair. She could not tell what shape his body might be in because of the bulk of the armor, but he carried it well. His eyes were bluer than any iris she had ever cared for, and there was a scar just under his right eye. Her brain started to function as she remembered something her mother told her about one of her uncle's having a scar under his eye…

"Killian."

"Ah, so you've heard of me?" he answered.

"I have…uncle."

"And what else has your mother told you about me?"

"That you were an ugly cripple that needn't not be bothered or even thought of," she replied.

"Well, as you can see, love, that is simply not true." Killian stepped down from his chariot that hovered in the air and walked slowly toward her. As much as she told her body to step back to get away, she still wasn't able to move. "Any other lies our family has told you about me?" he asked, whispering into her ear.

"Umm…uh…that you fornicate with the creatures of the Underworld…" she answered nervously.

Laughing wickedly, he said, "Now THAT is another lie. I have never and will never do such a thing. In fact I have never done that, period."

Lifting her eyebrow, she inquired, "You're serious? You? A virgin?"

"Why is that so surprising? Because I am the God of the Underworld, women find me repulsive."

"Maybe that's because they have only heard about you, they have never SEEN you."

"Oh really, dear? Tell me, Emma: now that you have seen me, are you repulsed by me?"

She knew what she should say to get him to back up from her. But her mother had always taught her to tell the truth, and she just could not lie at this moment. "No."

A sly smile crept over his face as he said, "Then what do you say to a little trip down to my realm?"

"I don't think I should…"

"Nonsense, where is your sense of adventure?" he asked as he placed his hand in hers.

"My mother is looking for me. She is probably worried…" she said, looking around nervously.

"I know for a fact she is; I saw it in my gazing pool. But I don't think you being gone a little while longer will hurt anyone…"

"I really must go…" but it was too late. He tugged at her arm and placed her right next to him in the chariot. As she went to scream, he covered her mouth his armored hand. "I really wouldn't do that. It only scares the horses." Keeping her mouth covered, he flicked the reins, and they were airborne. Seconds later, the horses shifted to the canyon, and they were falling, down into the darkness.