Chapter 1
Greatest darkness sprung from the truest love.
Emma had to stop Killian before he resurrected all of the dark ones and destroyed everything…including himself.
She went to find Regina. They had regained some of their friendship after restoring everyone's memories but Regina was still hurt, feeling betrayed by her friend.
Regina answered on the first knock. "Miss Swan. Emma."
"Is anyone else here?"
"No."
Emma sighed in relief. "Good, because I need to talk to you."
"About what? Captain Dark One hasn't been seen and I still don't know how we can stop him."
"I have an idea. You remember that promise you made me in Camelot? I need you to keep it now…and you cannot tell anyone."
Regina hesitated, worried and concerned and then stepped aside letting Emma in.
~~~
Belle rushed into Snow's loft apartment, busting through the door.
Snow and David were playing with the baby Henry.
"Belle!" Snow said alarmed.
"I'm so sorry to barge in like this, but I think Emma and Regina have a plan."
David perked up. "That's great! Let's go help them. Henry take Neal to Ashley's. We'll call her to let her know you are coming."
"I'm not sure they want help."
"She's our daughter. Snow and I can help."
Belle hesitated. "She and Regina came into the shop for Excalibur. Rumple refused to tell me what was going on but he seemed to have an idea. Anything with Excalibur though to defeat Hook can't be good."
"David. We have to be there for her. I think she has to kill him to stop him. He's her true love. We can't let her retreat into herself after this or she'll never bring her walls back down."
"Agreed. Belle, do you know where they went?"
"No."
They gathered their things. Snow helped Henry get Neal ready to take to Ashley's.
"Please be careful guys…and tell mom I love her."
Snow hugged Henry close. "Of course."
Inside of what was supposed to be Emma's home with Hook, she and Regina sat at the kitchen table with Excalibur and a vile of squid ink.
"There is no other way?"
"No."
Regina closed her eyes then turned her head to look out of the window. "With your family track record, there has to be some other way. Some hope."
"I am the Dark One. Don't you think if there was a loop hole I would have found it already?"
"I suppose that's true."
"How will you find him? Neither of you can be controlled by this" indicating the sword "anymore now that it's been made whole."
"Trust me. I'll be able to find him."
Regina nods. Silence. Emma gets up a few moments later and goes to her desk. She returns with several envelopes, handing them to Regina.
"You know what to do? You'll be ready when we arrive?"
"Yes Emma. As much as I dislike this plan I'm not dumb. I'll be ready and we will be able to stop Hook."
Emma takes Regina's hand and looks her in the eye. "Thank you."
Emma vanishes in a puff of black smoke and reappears at the docks hidden by a small alley at the cannery. It's sunset. She waits. Eric and Ariel pass by arm in arm. Emma thinks how blissful their ignorance of recent events must be. She only hopes that she can keep it that way for them and the rest of Storybrook.
It's been dark now for a little while when Emma sees a red cloud on the dock near the Jolly Roger and Hook walks towards his ship.
She heads that way but he gets on the ship before she can reach him. She contemplates going aboard, but he knows the ship much better than her and decides to wait for him.
When he does, he spots Emma quickly.
"What do you want?"
"I want to help you."
Hook snuffs at her and continues walking. "What makes you think I would want the help of someone who betrayed me? Someone who lies."
"Because you know that all Dark Ones want the same thing. Once it's done you can go back to hating me."
He stops at the end of the dock just before he is about to take a step onto the ground.
"And your family?"
"Deserve what's coming. They failed me in Camelot. They have their memories back and want to defeat me."
"Alright." He walks towards Emma. So close she can feel her breath on her face. She waves her hand and they vanish in a cloud of black smoke reappearing just outside 'their home' where Regina awaits.
"Now!" Shouted Emma.
Regina throws the vile of squid ink on Killian who freezes. She approaches him with sadness in her eyes and puts the magic barring cuff on his wrist.
"You tricked me again Swan!"
"I won't let you hurt anyone. Regina…"
Regina nods solemnly and Excalibur appears in her hand.
