A/N: Hi, everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I want to thank everyone who has favorited and/or followed this story. If you haven't already, please do! It'll keep you updated and lets me know who is liking the story. I hope you enjoy the chapter! Any reviews or critique is welcomed and appreciated. Now, sit back, grab some rum (never hurts), and enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing from OUAT, though I do have a red leather jacket that's pretty cool. :)


Chapter 2

Storybrooke: A Couple of Months Ago

The bell of Granny's Diner chimes as Emma rushes out the door. It is a blistering cold night, and Emma's senses jump when she sees Killian lounging outside by their table, drinking from his bottle of rum. Despite her best intentions, Emma's anger from his earlier actions escalates. Over the past few days, he crossed lines of hers that no man dared to do in years. He successfully gets under her skin and rekindles neglected emotions. Love and affection slowly bloom again within her solid walls.

"Swan, don't make a man drink alone."

His request is rather inviting, but Emma ignores both the pirate and her feelings. The Savior's walls have always been her protection, yet in only a few days, Killian Jones manages to remove them. Emma chooses to walk away before she crumbles.

"I'm not in the mood for a drink—or a man," she answers.

"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you today," he says as he rises from his seat, racing after her. "Look, I know you feel like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders, but at some point—even though we're quite different—you've got to trust me."

His hook traps her arm. Emma can't escape from his grasp and his misconception annoys her.

"That's what you think this is about? That I don't trust you?"

"Is that not it?" Killian inquires, confusion littering his face.

"Of course I trust you," Emma answers, emotions rising to the surface.

"Then why do you keep pulling away from me?"

"Because everyone I've ever been with is dead!"

Emma hardly believes those words arose from her mouth. She realizes that the outburst brings her pain and fears to the light.

"Neal and Graham—even Walsh. I lost everyone. I—I can't lose you, too."

Tears line the brim of her eyes. Emma Swan—a woman strong, determined, and solid—now falls apart in front of the pirate. The Captain's anger fades away as his face softens. His eyes fill with compassion and understanding.

"Well, love, you don't have to worry about me," he says to comfort her. "If there's one thing I'm good at, it's surviving."


Killian screams in agony. A slicing pain snakes through his torso. Lightning flares as the darkness swirls around him. Trapped and chained down, every time he resists, the restraints become tighter. He no longer dwells in Storybrooke, or any realm he remembers. Darkness surrounds him, impairing his judgment. Killian does not know how long he's been here, nor how long the night intends to hold him hostage.

The darkness invades Killian's body, consuming his soul and annihilating his humanity. It exposes every part of the villain he tries to hide and forget. The deepest abyss of his mind—the place where all of his regrets and fears lurk in the shadows—imprisons him.

The face of every person he ever betrayed, all of the lives he ever ended, and the faces of the innocent children he left as orphans torment him. Killian shouts into the void, but no one hears his cries. He wants to shut his eyes, but the darkness forces them open while it replicates each fragment of suffering he ever inflicted on another living soul. Killian feels every deathly strike, agonizing knife cut, and piercing bullet he ever fired sink into his chest.

The insurmountable pain leaves him desiring nothing more than death. But the darkness refuses to finish its cruel game. It leaves its greatest weapon for last. Soon, images of Killian's first love, Milah, surround him to torture his soul.

"You've failed me Killian!" she shouts. "You didn't save me!"

"No, Milah. You don't understand."

"You never avenged my death! You are a coward!"

"Milah!" the pirate screams at the ghost when she turns away. Killian suffocates as the darkness ravages his body. It blackens his spirit intending to snuff out the last glimmers of light in his heart.

"Killian!" Emma calls out from the void.

"No!" Killian yells, shaking his head. "I know you're not real!"

"Of course I am," the voice answers.

"No! I saved Emma!" he cries. "She didn't follow me. I made sure of that."

"You lied to me, Killian! You said you wouldn't let me down, but you did!"

"Emma!" he wails. "Please—"

"You made a terrible mistake."

The pain crushes and squeezes Killian to the point where he no longer breathes. His blue irises disappear into a pool of black sludge. The darkness consumes nearly every part of the pirate. Only one piece, Killian's last grip on the world, remains.

"No," he wheezes. "I saved you. I saved the woman I love."

His ears ring with the shrieks of the darkness. When his deafness subsides, the pirate hears only one thing: malicious laughter.

"Oh, my poor captain, that's where you're wrong. You sacrificed yourself for nothing, as the thing you want most is something you will never have."

The laughter continues as Killian gasps for his last breaths of air and the darkness devours his soul. His strength flees as he fights a losing battle. Finally, the darkness overpowers him and the last words Killian Jones remembers before he loses consciousness are the most heartbreaking of them all:

"You will never be lovedbecause I never loved you."


Emma feels as though her heart rips itself out of her chest. Her knees buckle and she collapses onto the ground, holding the dagger. It feels like ice against her fingers. She reads the name multiple times, each time hoping "Killian Jones" will disappear once and for all. All she wants is to be at the mansion and in his embrace.

"How could Guyliner be so stupid?" Regina shouts in frustration.

"Regina!" David responds.

"Well, there had to be another way."

"There wasn't," her step-daughter answers. "That thing was going to kill you. Hook saved all of our lives."

"Don't you think I know that?" Regina spats. "Now we get to deal with Captain Dark One."

"There is still good in him," the princess responds. "He would never hurt us, especially Emma."

"I hope you're right. Because I have a feeling that the pirate we know is gone."

While the adults converse, Henry saunters over to Emma, who doesn't speak or move. "Mom, are you okay?"

"He's gone," Emma mutters, staring into the distance. "He's gone, and I have no idea where he is."

"Mom," Henry whispers, "Don't worry. We're going to find him."

"He doesn't even know that I care," she whimpers. "He gave himself up for me, and he doesn't even know that I care."

"Yes, he does," her son assures her. "You love him, and he knows that, which is why you will help him overcome the darkness. Now, come on, let me help you up."

Emma leans most of her weight onto Henry. She stands in shock, as her body goes numb. Killian chose to sacrifice everything for her. Now, she has no idea where he is and what the darkness does to him. What kind of pain does he endure? How long does he have to suffer? Emma's emotions and fears strangle her, wounding her spirit.

"So where is Hook now?" Robin asks. "Do we know where the vortex took him?"

"Well, it doesn't matter," Regina replies.

Emma turns toward the woman. "What do you mean, Regina?" she asks.

"You have the dagger, Emma," the mayor answers. "With it, you can call the Dark One and he will come from any corner of the world, meaning—"

"She can bring Hook back," Mary Margaret interjects.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Robin advises. "Hook is now the Dark One. There's no telling how strong he'll be."

"He would never hurt Emma!" her mother exclaims. "Besides, Emma can control him with the dagger."

"Do you really think she's in the right state of mind to be able to do that?" Regina questions, concern growing beneath her bloodshot irises. She knows its rude, but given all the chaos and calamity that Storybrooke endures, the queen wishes that the town stays peaceful for one night.

"How dare you say that about my daughter!" David shouts, unwilling to stay silent and let someone question Emma's actions.

"What happens if he steals the dagger?!" Robin implants. "He could destroy us. He could destroy the whole town!"

The streets of Storybrooke become a state of pandemonium. Snow and David fervently defend Emma while Regina puts her foot down for Robin. As everyone bickers and argues, Emma does not hear a single word. She locks her heart deep within herself, staring at her reflection in the dagger. A single tear ricochets off of its edge.

Oh, Killian, I wish you were here.

Why did he give up everything for her? What did he see in her that he felt was worth saving? For as long as she can remember, she views herself as closed off from the rest of the world. She lets people in only to push them away later. For twenty-eight years she'd grown accustom to the idea of being alone while telling herself that she didn't deserve to be loved. No man ever sacrificed everything for her like Killian. While she always puts her focus on saving others, Emma knows he channeled his focus into the sole intention of rescuing her.

"Emma, when I win your heart—and I will win it—it won't be because of any trickery. It will be because you want me."

If only you could know how much I want you now.

It is at that moment that Emma decides to fight. She knows Killian would never choose to sacrifice himself if he did not believe in her. She knows there has to be a way to save him. She remembers Gold once telling her that all curses and spells can be broken. Emma will not let the darkness win, for she refuses to lose one more person that she loves. No matter how long it takes, she will find Killian and a way to defeat the darkness within him.

"Everyone needs to shut up!" Emma yells, finally standing up and taking charge. Everyone turns to face her, flabbergasted. "Now, I don't know about you, but I am going to save Killian. There is a way, and I will find it. You can either help me or get out of my way."

"And what if there isn't a way?" Robin asks skeptically.

"There is," Emma replies. "There has to be."

Everyone stands in silence. The alternate realm and defeating Isaac leaves everyone exhausted. Nobody expected another conflict to happen so quickly. Regardless, through it all, Regina never loses her determination, Henry's smirk remains, and her parents' devotion never wavers. As the sound of thunder hums in the distance, they know that time ticks away. Now more than ever, they must work together and prove to the pirate and to themselves that they are the heroes they claim to be. Despite their differences, they all care about Hook by showing their devotion to Emma.

"I'm with you, Mom." Henry nods, taking the first step forward.

"So are we," her mother declares, her arm wrapping around David's.

"I will help in any way I can," Regina promises, nudging the thief next to her. It only takes a few moments for Robin to follow.

"You can count on me, Savior. The Merrymen and I will do all we can to help."

"Good." Emma nods. "Then we start by bringing him back."

The Savior ambles into the middle of the street. She swallows her panic and chooses to be strong. She will be strong for the pirate who always does no less for her. With a muster of her courage, Emma extends her arm and raises the dagger to the heavens.

"Dark One—" she sighs. "Killian, wherever you are, I command you to return."

Her heart beats at a million miles an hour. While she wishes to see Killian return and embrace her unharmed, Emma knows that their meeting will be very different. She prepares herself for the worst, but nothing happens.

"Dark One, come to me!" she tries again. A gentle breeze brushes against her face. The wind's howl is the only answer Emma receives in return. No Dark One stands before her, and it seems he won't arrive anytime soon. Emma's angst and impatience grow.

"Regina, why isn't it working?!"

"Because he's not in this world, Emma," the queen realizes. "I think you just made that pretty obvious."

Emotionally distraught, the Savior forgets the fundamental rules of the dagger. In the past, her cares about them were needless, because as long as Gold wasn't destroying Storybrooke, she never concerned herself to remember them. But now, Killian is the Dark One, and Emma tries to just keep her footing and any of her rational thoughts from crumbling into tiny pieces.

"Then where is he?"

Regina shakes her head. "I don't know."

Emma lowers the dagger with disappointment. Her head swirls. If Killian isn't in this world, where is he? In what realm could he possibly be? The mayor tries to tell her the names of all the realms that once existed, but it only perplexes the Savior more. There are many, leaving her to wonder how long it will take them to find Killian.

Instantly, she knows there is only one person who may know the Dark One's exact location. Leaving her family, Emma finds the strength in her legs to bolt down the street back to Gold's shop, hoping for answers.

With no effort, she rips the door open and stumbles past the hodgepodge of Gold's trinkets and into the back room. As the curtain tears open, she finds Belle caring for Gold on one cot while attempting to make the Apprentice more comfortable on another.

"Emma, what's wrong?" Belle asks.

"The darkness—" she pants, catching her breath. "It's taken Hook."

"So Hook is now—"

"The Dark One," the Apprentice moans, gripping Emma and Belle's attention. The Savior hears her family barging in the front as she kneels down and clinches the Apprentice's hand.

The mighty wielder of magic grows weaker as the color drains from his face. Given its devastating effects, Emma imagines what the darkness does to her captain. Though she has a thousand questions for the Apprentice, Emma knows that his light fades from this world, leaving only a few moments to gather enough answers.

"Where did the darkness take him?" she questions, only to receive the Apprentice's gasps for air in response.

"Emma—" Mary Margaret sighs, resting her hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"No!" the Savior snaps. Ignoring her mother, she tightens her grip around the Apprentice's hand. "Please! You have to help me! I've got to find Hook and—and save him."

The Apprentice's heartbeat begins to dwindle. With his last ounce of strength, he produces a wand and places it in Emma's hand. On his last breath, he whispers, "Light—and—dark."

The old man's grip around Emma's tendrils vanishes. With no heartbeat, her hopes come crashing down. Tears begin to form and blur her vision.

"Emma, I'm so sorry," her mother speaks compassionately

"Don't worry. We're going to find him," her father reassures her.

"And how do you suppose we are going to do that?" Regina inquires. "We don't even know where to look!"

"I might know," Henry states, causing everyone to turn towards the first believer of magic. "The Apprentice told us that we have to find the sorcerer, Merlin. So, if we find Merlin—"

"We have a way to find Hook," Regina understands.

"Well, where is he?" David asks.

"I'm not sure," she replies. "I don't remember ever seeing him in Storybrooke."

"So he's back in the Enchanted Forest?" Mary Margaret questions.

"I suppose."

"All we have to do is find him," Henry declares. "If we do, Merlin can take us to Hook and help us stop the darkness. Then we can bring him home."

"But how do we get to Hook?" his grandmother ponders. "We don't have any beans or portals."

"I can look around the shop and see if Rumple has anything we can use," Belle offers. "Perhaps I might also be able to learn more about Merlin in one of the library books."

"That's a good idea," David replies.

"Well, for now, I think we should call it a night," Regina suggests. "We've barely had any sleep these past couple of days. We'll accomplish more when we're not sleep deprived and able to think clearly."

With everyone in agreement, Robin and Regina leave to find Robin's son, Roland, while David and Mary Margaret head back to the diner to pick up baby Neal. As they close the door, Emma stares into oblivion, holding the dagger in one hand and the wand in the other.

"Do you want me to stay with you tonight, Mom?" Henry questions as he brings his mother back to reality.

"No, that's okay, kid," she says, shaking her head. "I'll be fine."

Though Henry's expression suggests he knows the truth, he says nothing and saunters out the door. Belle then offers to drive her back to the loft, but Emma declines, believing Gold needs the girl more. Instead, the Savior elects to take a stroll and endure her pain in silence.


The birds sing sweet melodies as the sun's majestic rays peek through the trees. The radiant beams of light sting Hook's eyes as he rises from the ground. The surrounding disorients the Dark One. Rage and anger pulse through his bloodstream. After enduring an endless nightmare, hundred's of years worth of pain and regret, all he desires is revenge.

"Hello, Dark One," a high-pitched voice calls. Hook turns in every direction, only to find the figure approaching him from behind.

A dark cloak conceals his face. Though unfamiliar to the pirate, the demon strikes fear into the surrounding animals, as they flee for their lives. It is as if Hook stares at the essence of death itself.

"Who are you?" the Dark One questions. "Show yourself!"

The figure steps forward and lifts up the hood to reveal Hook's greatest enemy: Rumplestiltskin.

The pirate charges forward, impaling his hook into the Crocodile's chest. He leans back when he realizes a hook as dark as night replaces the shiny silver weapon he dawns every day. As the metal tears into his flesh, Rumplestiltskin giggles.

"You can't kill me."

"Yes, I can!" Hook bellows. "You're no longer the Dark One."

"Then there's your answer," he grins. "I am not Rumplestiltskin."

Hook shakes his head in confusion. He listens to hundreds of voices all calling his name, begging for him to embrace the evil and darkness within him. His mind floods with feelings of pain and suffering—evil and revenge. They pervade his senses and permeate his heart.

"Then who are you?"

"I am the voice in your head," the demon explains. "Your guide as you achieve what you have always wanted."

"I don't need your help," Hook snickers, as he plods away from the new aquaintance. However, he does not escape. Several moments later, the dark figure reappears right in front of the newest Dark One.

"You cannot run from me!" he says. "I am always with you, and I know everything about you. I see your pain. No one understands you. Your whole life, you were abandoned, mistreated, and always looked upon as a villain."

Hook's blood boils, and sweat drips down his countenance. "No—"

"Oh, yes," the demon continues. "I saw the way your crew looked at you. Oh, to see the disappointment on their faces when you failed to kill Rumplestiltskin! You let him murder your Milah—"

"No," Hook grumbles. "Stop."

"Oh, but it gets better! I know you've always wanted to forget that moment—to redeem yourself. You wanted to be the hero. But when you had your chance, you gave that innocent boy to Peter Pan. What was his name again? Baelfire?"

"Leave me alone!"

"You've killed so many people—destroyed so many lives. Even though you've tried to redeem yourself, deep down, you know that the darkness will always be a part of you. You will always be a villain."

"That's a lie!" Hook yells.

"Is it really?" The demon laughs. "You've tried playing the hero, but no one's going to save you!"

"What are you saying?" Hook demands, but the figure remains silent. "Answer me!"

The demon crackles, causing nearby birds to launch into the air and fly away. He steps forward until Hook meets the evil in his beady eyes. His stomach churns as he observes his demon's rotten teeth form a ginormous grin.

"Oh, Captain, you of all people should know. A sailor doesn't save a sinking ship. And you, Dark One—you're not even worth saving."


Emma leaves Gold's shop with a melancholy gleam in her eyes. As she ambles across town, the light of the stars disappears amidst the dreary clouds. She hears thunder in the distance, but doesn't quicken her pace. The Savior shoots a quick text to her parents, informing them that she needs some alone time.

Everything feels different. The lights become dim, the air becomes thicker, and the wind feels like knives slicing her skin. But above all, the sense of darkness smothers the town. As Emma passes the diner, she glances at the table—their table, and it takes every ounce of strength for her to not fall apart in front of the partygoers leaving Granny's. She can't stand the sight of their joy and happiness. No one except her family, Regina, Robin, and Belle know about what happened to Killian. The anger and grief in her chest bubbles over. She wants to run away from the world—away from her destiny. Ready to explode, screaming is all Emma desires to do.

Before long, the sheriff finds herself near the docks. Just as she decides to call it a night and head back to the loft, the heavens open the floodgates. Whilst raindrops splash down, she quickly decides to race for shelter and escape the downpour.

The Jolly Roger sits at the edge of the harbor in a lonely state. It's the last place she wants to be, but Emma prefers not to catch a cold while running to her home, halfway across town, in the rain. As the waves of the harbor batter her sides, the Jolly Roger stands proudly, awaiting her captain. Though water soaks her decks and her sails remain tied and secure, she shines like a beacon in the night.

Thunder crashes like cymbals and lightning flashes across the sky as Emma's feet grace her decks. Her hands swiftly unlock the doors that lead into the heart of the ship—her protection from the storm. When she closes them, the Savior wipes sopping wet tresses out of her face to find that the inside of the Jolly Roger appears to be dark and gloomy.

With the doors secure and the rain no longer pelting her skin, Emma shivers from the cold. As she throws off her sweater, a faint ray of light catches her eye. Curious, she roams down the hall and unlatches the door to the Captain's Quarters, finding a tiny candle burning on a table. The scene feels eery. It is almost as if Killian just left to go up on deck only moments ago. There are maps of Storybrooke scattered across the table, indicating Killian must have stopped by with David earlier, whilst they searched for missing residents. As Emma scans the area, she stares at Killian's bed, neatly made. Her fingers shuffle jewels and gold coins from his collection of trinkets. The room breathes of the man who lives there. Every single item and piece of furniture holds his imprint upon it.

It's as if he will come walking through the door at any moment, Emma says to herself.

The woman trembles, as she can't seem to shake off the stinging chill. Desperate for warmth, she lifts the top of Captain Hook's treasure chest and rummages through its contents, searching for any article of clothing. When she stumbles across a certain piece of the pirate's apparel, Emma's heart splinters.

It is one of Killian's leather jackets. As much as she doesn't want to wear it, her teeth now chatter uncontrollably. When Emma slips the jacket on over her shoulders, a familiar warmth engulfs her. It is as if Killian is right next to her, wrapping her in his brawny arms.

"I lost everyone. I—I can't lose you, too."

"Well, love, you don't have to worry about me. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's surviving."

In this moment, the anguish becomes too much to tolerate. Emma crumples to the ground and sobs. She always hides her pain and her agony, even from her parents and Henry. No one breaks through her walls. But with Killian gone, it is as if her world stops and loneliness becomes her unwanted friend. Guilt wracks her body. Killian gave up everything for her, and she couldn't even tell him those three words. How she wishes she could reverse time.

In the depths of the Jolly Roger, more than ever, Emma feels alone. Again and again, she prepared herself for this; always retreating into the chasms of her soul to the point of believing that she can live a life alone. For twenty-eight years, she relied on no one else but herself. Her world forever changed when Henry knocked on her door. While her family shows her the meaning of unconditional love, Killian teaches her how to trust and believe in herself again. Now, more than ever, being alone is the last place Emma wants to be.

"Try something new, darling. It's called trust."

She owes everything to Killian Jones. Because of him, she opens herself up to love again. She now shows more of her vulnerability and experiences both pain and joy. To Killian, she is someone who matters.

"So, you came all the way back here to save my family?"

"I came back to save you."

Emma clutches the dagger in her hand. It is her worst nightmare, but also her greatest hope. With it, she knows her pirate lives and that she will see him again. But with her consolation comes a sense of despair. Killian spent centuries trying to suppress the darkness, and if anyone understands the consequences of its power, he does. When their relationship began, the Savior remembers the pirate vowing never to go back and indulge in his dark desires—even committing himself to protect her from the darkness' ramifications. Now, he fights the battle of his life.

"Wait. If you're afraid of losing your happy ending, that means you've found it. What is it?"

"Don't you know, Emma? It's you."

She will find him, no matter what it takes. Even if he can't remember her, even if he forgets what living in the light means, even if his revenge consumes him, Emma will never give up on Killian. The man she loves lies trapped somewhere in the Dark One, and she resolves to free him the way he frees her.

With determination and hope in her heart, Emma says, "I will find you, Killian. I will always find you."


A/N: Voilà! Chapter two is complete! For the record, I made Killian's transformation into the Dark One a little more evil and heartbreaking, because I personally believe that the darkness' intent was to snuff out the light. In this story, the darkness is going to be a lot more powerful and will affect Killian differently than it did for Emma. Hopefully, you all will like it. Reviews and/or critique are appreciated. Don't forget to favorite and/or follow this story if you haven't already! I'm having fun and I think the upcoming chapters are going to be interesting. So, stay tuned! Until next time!

- C.M. Singer :)