"C'mon, it won't be that bad."

Killian fought to keep a childish pout off his face.

Liam threw his coat at him.

"We just need a few things, little brother."

Killian grumbled, but buttoned up his coat and dutifully followed Liam out.

Liam had been surprised by the amount of food they had been going through lately, especially when it was his turn to cook. Killian just shrugged when his brother questioned his sudden requests for seconds, and he hoped that the older man would not grow too suspicious. Luckily for Killian, Liam accepted it as proof that Liam was getting better at cooking.

When they reached the market square, they were met with commotion. Townsfolk rushed around looking terrified, jabbering at each other in hushed whispers. No one seemed to understand what has happening, but they all agreed that it was bad news. Killian bumped into Ruby and Graham, neither of whom looked concerned.

"It's just town gossip." Graham said, looking wearily at the crowds swirling around them. Just then, Jefferson brushed past them, looking more jittery than normal. Killian wanted to call out to him, but he was swept away into the crowd.

"Everyone, calm down!"

Regina's curt command calmed the frenzied masses down. She stood on the steps to the town hall, her voice magically magnified.

"Please come inside. I have an announcement."

The crowd shuffled inside, whispering their guess to each other, fidgeting while they took their seats in the long hall.

Liam leaned over to Killian once they sat down.

"What do you think it could be?"

Killian shrugged. They hadn't had a town meeting in a long while, and he was a little worried.

Regina stood at the podium, her stern face betraying to emotion. Once the crowd had settled, she cleared her throat.

"There's no easy way to break this to you, so I'm just going to show you."

She whipped a black card out of her bag and held it aloft.

There was a loud collective gasp. Ashley, who was sitting several rows ahead of Killian, fainted, and Ruby, who was sitting next to Killian, rolled her eyes at the scene.

"Yes. We have received a black invitation."

Regina paused to compose herself.

"The tyrant Zelena will invade our town and slaughter us all if we do not pledge allegiance to her."

Killian looked at Liam, whose brow was wrinkled with worry. They'd heard tales of Zelena, a wicked warlord from the city of Oz, who was amassing territory like her life depended on it. She razzed towns that defied her, and those who surrendered were forced into a life of servitude. She was powerful as she was crazy, and though her army was small, its power was amplified by her dark magic.

Regina's lip curled in disgust.

"This green bitch can certainly try," she growled, "but rest assured we will fight back. We have Rumplestilskin on our side, and his magic can match hers."

She raised her chin proudly.

"I have been studying under his tutelage, so there's two of us and only one of her."

The town broke into loud cheers.

Regina called for silence once more.

"So what do you say, citizens? Do we stand and fight?"

The resounding bellow of yes echoed in the hall. Leroy stood up and lifted his pick axe into the air, claiming that they had his axe. Killian was amused by the declaration, wondering what Leroy's axe could do against Zelena's army of flying monkeys. Still, the thrill of the fight, the pride of the town and its people flooded through him, and he joined in the jubilant cheers. Liam clasped his shoulder.

"Come, brother. We have preparations to make."

They hurried back to the house, and Killian headed straight to their parent's room. He moved away the cobwebs and tried not to raise too much dust as he crossed the floor. He knelt down before an old chest, prying it open with his hands as the lock had broken a long time ago. He retrieved his father's swords, two long cutlasses. He wedged them free from their respective scabbards. They were blunt, but not rusted. He lay them down next to him and pulled out a set of bow and arrows. The tips of the arrows were a bit blunt, but the string of the bow was still tight. They would do. Add his own bow and hunting knife, and they had a good amount to contribute to the war effort.

He brought the weapons to the kitchen and laid them on the floor. Liam looked over from his seat at the table. He was making a particularly large net, so they could fire it into the air with the aid of the canons on the walls of the town gate. Hopefully they could capture some of the flying devils, Liam explained to him.

"Great find, Killian. Are they any good?"

"The swords need some sharpening, but that's it."

Liam stood up.

"Here, keep knotting. I'll go fetch the grindstone."

Killian took the half-finished net and sat down. Liam moved out of the kitchen and set about searching for the grindstone. He reappeared in the kitchen, grinning sheepishly.

"I forgot I put it in the shed. I'll be right back."

Killian, half-listening while he tackled a particularly tricky knot, grunted in response. Liam's words only sunk in a minute later, and Killian jumped to his feet, racing after his brother.

"Liam, wait!"

It was too late. As he barrelled through the kitchen door that led to the outside, Liam emerged from the shed, a fire blazing in his eyes. Behind him, he dragged Swan by the arm.

"Look what I found in our shed, brother! A spy!" He spat viciously.

She shook her head vigorously.

"No brother, she's not!"

Liam released his grip on her arm, and she pulled her arm towards her, cradling it and cowering from Liam.

"You know this girl?!"

"Aye. She was injured. I took her in." Killian ducked his head in shame. "She's an innocent girl, brother."

Liam eyed Swan suspiciously for a minute, and then addressed Killian.

"If you trust her, then I will believe you."

He turned around to face Swan, who flinched.

"But just know I'll keep my eye on you."

With that, he strode back into the shed. Killian rushed over to her, and cradled her in his arms.

"Are you alright? I'm so sorry about this." He hoped his words would soothe her. She nodded, and untangled herself from him.

"I'm alright. Just a little shaken, is all. I didn't expect that."

Killian grimaced, feeling guilty.

"Yeah, that was my fault."

Just then Liam returned with the grindstone.

"Hurry up, brother. We have work to do. You, girl. You'll help as well."

She stared after him, and turned to Killian.

"What is happening?"

Killian winced, debating whether he should tell her about Zelena. He didn't want to upset her further. Still, she'd find out soon enough.

"There is a warlord named Zelena, who declared war on the town. Now don't worry!" he said, noticing her look of shock, "we have a strong sorcerer who can stand up to her magic. We'll be fine."

With that, he led the white-faced girl indoors.


Later, when Killian and his brother left to present their arms to the mayor, Emma paced the floor of the shed nervously. Zelena was coming here? She was moving faster than Emma expected. Emma had hoped that she could merely borrow Rumplestilskin, that he would defeat Zelena swiftly and return to the town. Did Rumplestilskin know what she had planned? Was that why he told her that Zelena would move on to Storybrooke? She had hoped he had been bluffing, but know could see he had merely been perceptive. There was a bigger worry at hand though. What happened to Misthaven if Zelena was now advancing here? She choked back a sob. No. Misthaven could not have been destroyed. She refused to believe it.

She stopped moving. She had made her decision. Gathering up her cloak, she tied it around her shoulders. She retrieved her little dagger that she had surreptitiously hidden in a large urn. She would go see Rumplestilskin and take his deal. Killian's face swam into her mind, and she pushed her feelings of guilt away. She was doing it for her family. She hoped he would understand.