It wasn't Henry's first trip through a portal but it was still a surprise when the swirling vortex abruptly ended and he felt himself falling through regular air. Amidst surprised shouts he landed hard on a coil of rope and wooden planks.
"Ugh!" He moaned as he tried to get his bearings.
"Captain!" came a shout from his left
He turned toward the voice but before he could get a proper look at the person or where he had landed he was grabbed by his arms and pulled roughly to his feet. Vaguely he recognized the mast and sails of a ship before they spun him around. He had the sensation that he had been on this ship before but hadn't the time to gather his thoughts. Then suddenly he was face to face with the Captain.
Henry's mouth dropped open "Killian?"
The old Apprentice had told him that everyone would be very different in this new world the Author had created but Henry still couldn't believe his eyes. The man looked so much like his mother's pirate boyfriend and yet completely different. He stood tall in white trousers, high black boots and a starched blue jacket with gold trim. Instead of an open shirt and generous amounts of chest hair his vest was buttoned up to his neck; a black scarf intricately tied round his throat. The beard and eyeliner were also gone lending a younger, naive look to his otherwise stern face.
"That's Captain Jones to you boy. Have we met before?" Killian clasped his hands behind his back and looked critically at Henry's jeans and sweater.
"Yes. Well no. Not in this world. But we have met. You…" Henry trailed off, realizing suddenly that he didn't know exactly what to say to enlist the (former) pirates help. Everything had happened so quickly, people disappearing, the old man finding him and explaining what the Author had done and how he could fix it. He sighed. "It's complicated. But I need your help to save my Moms and bring back the happy endings, the real happy endings."
The men holding him laughed but Killian only narrowed his eyes. He waved his hand.
"Let him go." The men released him promptly and backed away. Henry glanced at them and then back at Killian.
"Thank you. Hoo-I mean Kill- I mean Captain." Henry flushed but Killian grinned at him.
"You are most welcome lad. Now come with me." He clapped him on his shoulder and began to lead him to the Captain's Quarters "I would hear your story. It's not everyday a portal deposits a traveler from another realm on my deck. And I have the strangest feeling that we are about to embark on a heroes journey." He grinned widely and Henry found himself grinning back.
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"That doesn't look like the Dark One's castle." Henry turned away from the view of the forbidding castle to look at Killian.
The Captain laughed. This version of the fearsome pirate laughed often. On the deck, around his crew, he was composed and commanding, more like the man Henry had known in Storybrooke. But since they had left the ship and ventured into the forest the facade had fallen away. He reminded Henry more of his charming grandfather.
"It's not funny Captain!" Henry was footsore and hungry and not in the mood to be made fun of. In all the stories he had read about heroes none of them had mentioned how exhausting it was trudging through woods or sailing on a ship for days.
"I'm sorry lad but by your own admission everything in this world is opposite. So you exclaiming something wrong means that it must be right."
Henry rolled his eyes. He was grateful that Killian had taken him at his word and sworn to help him on his quest. It had been surprisingly easy to convince him that the world he lived in was a lie, as if Henry had been confirming something he already suspected. It had helped that Henry had told him that in his other life he was dating his Mom. After all the only thing better than a heroes journey was a quest in the name of true love.
They had decided to seek out Mr. Gold, as the most powerful wielder of magic, he was their best chance to reverse the spell. Killian had thought it unwise but Henry was insistent, leaving him no choice. Henry was banking on Mr. Gold being a hero, having no memory of the Author and being willing to make one of his famous deals.
"I assure you Henry that is the Dark One's castle." Killian glanced at the sky "If we hurry we can make it there before twilight."
Henry let out a sigh but gestured for him to lead on. The sooner he made the deal and brought back the happy endings, the sooner he could take a shower and eat some french fries.
Killian was right they reached the castle just as the sun was dipping beneath the treetops. As they passed through the unguarded gate Henry prepared himself for the encounter. Emma had told him how different Mr. Gold looked in the Enchanted Forest and how slippery he was with his deals. But he hoped that in this version, as a hero, he would be more benevolent than malevolent. They were almost at the door when Killian leaned in to whisper
"Courage lad. They say that she only steals your heart if she wants you for her bed and you are much too young to catch her eye."
His words made Henry 's head whip around "She?"
"Aye the Dark One." Killian gestured to the castle. Henry stumbled on the step and fell. He felt so stupid. Of course the Dark One wasn't Mr. Gold in this reality, everything was opposite. Rumplestilskin was a hero now so he wouldn't have become the Dark One in the first place, which meant that the Dark One could only be….
"Are you looking for me?" Emma's voice broke over him, higher pitched than he remembered and menacing. He swallowed and raised his eyes up her long black gown to her cruel smirk and cold eyes.
"Mom." he breathed
She laughed high and breathy. "Oh try again sweetheart. I am many things but I am nobodys mother." Killian stepped between them, his hand on his sword, his jaw clenching.
"Well hello sailor." Her eyes raked over his form and she reached out a hand to caress his cheek. "Aren't you a tasty morsel." She grinned mirthlessly and dropped her hand to her large necklace lying on her very exposed breasts. She licked her lips slowly. "Normally I would kill you where you stand but your good looks buys you ten minutes of my time." she spun on her heel and strode into the castle. Killian waited before reaching down and lifting Henry to his feet.
"Henry you're as white as a fresh sail."
Henry shook his head trying to force the world to make sense again. "That's not the Dark One. That's my mother. That's Emma."
Killian's eyebrows shot up. "But that means…"
"Yeah. I know."
"Bloody hell" he murmured.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Killian walked slowly through the empty castle following the Dark One's retreating form. Her hips swayed suggestively encouraging his eyes to linger. He snapped them away and glanced at Henry. The boy seemed unable to fully comprehend what was happening. Killian didn't blame him. From their conversations it was clear that Henry worshiped Emma, the Savior and dragon slayer that had broken the curse with a true loves kiss and brought back all the happy endings. After hearing the stories Killian had to admit that he was already half in love with her. Of course the woman they had just met wasn't her, anymore than Killian was the Captain Hook that Henry had told him about. Although he had to admit that she was stunningly beautiful even with the cold darkness in her eyes.
"You have to kiss her." Henry whispered frantically.
"What?"
"It's the only way. True Love's Kiss can break any curse."
"Henry I don't know her. Let alone have true love with her. She's the bloody Dark One."
"Yeah. About that. Why didn't you tell me the Dark One was a woman?"
"Everyone knows the Dark One is a woman!"
The lad rolled his eyes and Killian bit back a retort. Now was not the time to be arguing. "Just stick to the plan. Make your deal so we can get out of here." he whispered firmly before striding into the long dining room. The tall windows to the east let in the last dying rays of the sun. The light glinted in the Dark One's golden hair tinging it red as she leaned back on the table. Her eyes once again exploring his body. He could almost feel her gaze and he wondered if she was using sorcery to make his heart race in such a manner.
"Now, Captain. To what do I owe the pleasure?" her voice thrummed on the last word and Killian felt his eyes drawn to her chest where her long fingers stroked her necklace and the tops of her breasts. His blood began to rush and he pulled his eyes away. Catching her pleased smirk as he turned toward Henry.
"I have come with the boy. He has business with you."
She pushed off the table and stalked to him. "What business have I with a boy?" she asked as she drew close, invading his personal space. She pressed her long fingers into his chest as she leaned in and whispered into his ear. "What I need is a man." her hand drifted south, sending sparks along his skin. With great effort he lifted his hand and caught her wrist, stopping her descent. Confusion flashed briefly in her eyes before she smirked.
"Oh gross." Henry exclaimed snapping Killian out of the trance she had put him in. He stepped away trying not to sway on his unsteady feet. "I don't know what's worse you being the Dark One or me having to witness THAT."
The Dark One laughed, a high pitched fake thing, "If you prefer I can take away your eye sight. Turn you into a toad or a flower perhaps?"
Henry rolled his eyes and Killian had to admit his courage was admirable. "Please Mom you wouldn't do that."
Her green eyes flashed and she turned raising her hand Henry rose in the air suddenly his hands reached for his throat as he gasped for breath.
"Leave him alone." Killian roared as he drew his sword. It flew out of his hand uselessly as he was thrown against the wall.
"I don't know who you are or why you have come but I assure you they call me the Dark One for a reason." Every word she spoke was dripping with hate and menace. Henry struggled for breath.
"You said we had ten minutes. If you have any honor you will keep your promise." Killian gasped through the pain.
For a moment Killian felt the invisible force squeeze him tighter and then it released him. They crumpled to the floor simultaneously and Killian scrambled over to Henry.
"Henry! Are you okay?" The boy was sucking in deep breaths but managed to nod his head. Killian breathed a sigh of relief. "I told you she isn't the Emma you know. There is no humanity in her" Henry shook his head violently.
"No. It will work. Trust me." The boys eyes pleaded with him to believe, to believe that this gorgeous but dangerous creature could be redeemed. The hope in his eyes, even after being almost choked to death, burned into Killian's soul. He had promised the lad he would do whatever was required to bring back the happy endings. If that meant kissing the devil herself, than so be it.
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A/N: This is an idea borne from speculating about the S4 finale being a role reversal (villains become heroes and vice versa) Meant to be a one shot but will now be 3-4 chapters. So if you enjoyed Dark!One Emma then follow for more!
