Sorry about the delay. RL got in the way. This chapter was supposed to be angsty but it didn't really turn out that way. Emma discovers where she is as do the folk of Storybrooke but is it too late to save the saviour and at what cost

if I could, I would

i'd go wherever you will go

way up high or down low

i'd go wherever you will go

It had taken a while for Emma to get used to her surroundings. She gathered from the hushed whispers that she was a dangerous and powerful temptress somewhere in the depths of the netherworld. No one had actually told her, no-one mere mention of her name instilled fear.

People hang on to her every word, doing her every bidding, offer her everything from lavish and extravagant gifts to the peasants offering her their last scraps of grain (which she refuses, though it may tarnish her apparently evil reputation)

Whilst the lost girl revels in having everything she could ever want, whilst she knows she should feel grateful, happy even. She doesn't, this power, this persona, makes her feel nothing, makes the whole in her heart wider.

She may be different, she may be the only person who chose to come here. That doesn't mean she can chose to leave. She can't trust anyone, hell she doesn't even know anyone's names, not that she can blame them, if they were to give her their name, she would have power over them.

She is trapped. Forever.

They patiently listened to Henry's theory, it was a ludicrous, unbelievable one, even for the residents of Storybrooke.

Henry believed that Emma had been able to control or at least partially control what happened to her after she sacrificed herself, similar to the way a time portal worked.

Sorry lad, how exactly does that help us, she could be anywhere at any point in time.

Henry looked a little scornful but carried on regardless.
I said partially control. The dagger is extremely powerful and holds the potential for great darkness BUT when the dagger is passed on,the new recipient has a choice.

Everyone eyes widened, there was a chance that Emma was alive and she wasn't dark.

"The owner of the dagger can choose to succumb to the darkness or they can choose to fight."

Gasps filled the now full sheriff station. Emma would have chosen to fight, wouldn't she.

"Emma, my, our daughter's alive." Charming stammered. He was now comforting his wife.

"Yes I think so grandpa "

"Where? "He realised his voice was no more than a hoarse whisper.

"The netherworld. "

"What like hell? "

Regina cut in," no not hell, that would be the underworld. The netherworld is different. People there are neither dead or alive, instead they are comatosed. Able to think, feel, the most powerful may even be able to manipulate but they are trapped they can never leave."

"NEVER LEAVE. So we know where Emma is but it doesn't matter because she's trapped. " he exclaimed.

Regina paused before answering, looking at henry and the Charmings, returning to look him, avoiding direct contact.

"In Emma's case it may be different. The residents of the netherworld have no more choice about entering the netherworld than they do about leaving. If Emma chose the netherworld rather than darkness, then she is in a powerful, dangerous position. She chose to be there, so people will fear her. People will also want to her to fully succumb to the darkness. "

xxx

Emma had long since given up on finding a way out. She had searched the entire Kingdom, the entire realm, desperately trying to find anything that could be used to open a portal, no such luck. She'd held on to hope, believing it was the most important thing anyone can have. Unrealistic hope was the worst curse imaginable.

She was the most powerful temptress in the land. Her golden hair, flowing in gentle curls to the small of her back, her emerald green eyes glistening with darkness. She truly was beautiful, she'd never fully embraced her beauty until now.

She tried to at least enjoy herself, each time knowing that one night would be as far as she'd ever go.

If nobody can chose to go to this Netherworld, how are we going to save Emma, he asked, his voice taught.

"We'll find a way, Killian we'll always find a way". He sighed sometimes the Charming's belief in hope was infuriating. He wanted to believe it though.

It's complicated and very dangerous. Regina warned.

"What do I need to do" he bellowed, anger rising

"Killian calm down mate, you need to hear what Regina has to say" that was Robin, an honourable man, one whom he respected very much and had gladly become friends with.

"Yes sorry, your majesty do carry on"

Regina huffed at the mention of her previous moniker but carried on anyway. "Emma performed a ritual in which she became the dark one, but the dagger was left in this realm, meaning, theoretically someone could recreate the ritual and possibly reach the netherworld. "

"There's a lot of maybe's, what if's and possiblies in their regina" Charming remarked

"I know" Regina replied, clearly exasperated.

He sat there quietly contemplating what to do, although his decision was already made.

"I'm doing it. Hand me the dagger"

There was a chorus of yelling and screaming. Charming and Snow walked over to him and the noise gradually lessened

"Killian, I know you we haven't always approved of your intentions with our daughter, but you were there for her and you loved her when we didn't know how. I know you miss her, We all do, but please your our friend too , we can't lose you too. "

He was about to answer when Henry made his way and hugged him, slightly shocked at the sign of affection he hesitated slightly before returning the embrace. "Thanks for making mom happy, you made her smile everytime she thought of you. I know you're going to do this no matter what anyone says but please be careful and bring my mom back. I miss her and I love you dad. "

His voice and heart broke. Dad. He'd never meant to replace baelfire but he loved the lad dearly. He could feel his resolve faltering slightly.

He addressed the brave young boy and the Charmings "Your a smart lad, and you're right. I've got to do this. I promised her I would never stop fighting for her and I don't intend to stop now. I have to go because she saved me from the dark, she believed in me, saw the person I longed to be, the person I could never be until I met her. I will do my upmost to return with her safely. If I am unsuccessful I want you all to know this, I haven't had a family in 300 years, I found it here in Storybrooke. Don't mourn me, I should've died long ago, just please remember me. "

He took the dagger from Regina, her eyes welling with tears. He'd spent his whole life trying to get his hand on this damned thing, now it could quite possibly kill him.

Good Luck

He was surprised to find himself in a throne room. He looked up and was astonished at the eyes that met his own.

There was a chorus of yelling and screaming. Charming and Snow walked over to him and the noise gradually lessened

"Killian, I know you we haven't always approved of your intentions with our daughter, but you were there for her and you loved her when we didn't know how. I know you miss her, We all do, but please your our friend too , we can't lose you too. "

He was about to answer when Henry made his way and hugged him, slightly shocked at the sign of affection he hesitated slightly before returning the embrace. "Thanks for making mom happy, you made her smile everytime she thought of you. I know you're going to do this no matter what anyone says but please be careful and bring my mom back. I miss her and I love you dad. "

His voice and heart broke. Dad. He'd never meant to replace baelfire but he loved the lad dearly. He could feel his resolve faltering slightly.

He addressed the brave young boy and the Charmings "Your a smart lad, and you're right. I've got to do this. I promised her I would never stop fighting for her and I don't intend to stop now. I have to go because she saved me from the dark, she believed in me, saw the person I longed to be, the person I could never be until I met her. I will do my upmost to return with her safely. If I am unsuccessful I want you all to know this, I haven't had a family in 300 years, I found it here in Storybrooke. Don't mourn me, I should've died long ago, just please remember me. "

He took the dagger from Regina, her eyes welling with tears. He'd spent his whole life trying to get his hand on this damned thing, now it could quite possibly kill him.

Good Luck

He was surprised to find himself in a throne room. He looked up and was astonished at the eyes that met his own.

It was a beautiful lass with golden hair and piercing green eyes. It was Emma.

Oh Shit.

Nobody chose to come here. Nobody dared try to enter the Underworld before it was their time. This man was clearly a fool, no doubt blinded by love. There was an air of de ja vu. She knew this man. That was not possible. She'd been in the underworld for eternity.

No matter the sirens would deal with the dashing rapscallion.

He knew he was in trouble when he heard the sweet song, the lilting lullaby. He tried to resist, to fight it, but it mesmerised him. It was too late.

He looked into Emma's eyes, held her gaze for a moment. He knew the risks in coming here, knew it would probably kill him. It was worth it to see Emma again, the person who had forgiven him every failing.

Finally he succumbed to the siren's song.

...

Sorry don't even know what happened. Constructive criticism, reviews welcome