Chapter 21

Word Count 3187

With his hand on the diner door someone braced him back, "Allow me." Mr. Gold said, "Hook entered here moments ago and if Belle is in there I need to protect her."

"No." Peter stated, "You're needed out here where there are more powerful people." He gestured to Cora, "I'll help in there and I promise I'll keep Belle safe."

"Keep her safe Pan. Hook is just as much an enemy of mine as he is yours." Peter nodded slowly just as Gold turned back to the mob of people.

Peter opened the door of Granny's glancing around and finding it empty. He whistled like a robin but silence remained. He heard scuffles and finally a scream. Wendy cried from the back room. "We're in here!" He dashed from the diner into the back to find the children, Belle and Wendy held up by Captain Hook.

Hook laughed as he pulled Wendy close to him the hook tipped towards her neck, "Is it really you Robin?" He laughed taking in the character without his hood.

Peter took a step closer, "I was called Robin once before." He laughed throwing a rock to shatter the light in the diner. "And now I return to my former name." The diner's kitchens' were pitch black as the children moved to scatter from it. "Your time as captain will finally come to an end."

Hook glanced around the room. Bits and pieces captured light but he could hardly see anything. "Peter?" He laughed, "Can it be really?" He hooked his arm around Wendy pulling her closer, "You won't dare attack me now, not when you're true love is at stake." Slowly Peter drifted into the kitchens sticking close to the walls. He kept to the shadows but gazed into them as well seeking the form of Captain Hook. "After all this time you're still trying to defeat me?" Hook swiped with his claw into the darkness.

"Let her go Hook." Peter said from above him, "She is of no use to you."

Hook turned towards the voice with Wendy in his clutches, "She might not be of use to me but she is to you!" He dug his claw upwards into her chest just as a large object bashed against his head. Wendy ran away from Hook and Peter to help the children to safety. Peter lifted Hook by the scruff of his shirt and pressed him against the wall. "You don't know how long I've been waiting for this." He whipped his hand backwards striking Hook across the face and relinquishing his grip around his collar. "Get up." He pulled his long sword from its sheath, "It's time to end this hook." He relinquished a dagger and put the blade in his hand holding the hilt towards his enemy.

Hook lifted his head and laughed, "Still a boy inside aren't you?" He moved to stand and grasped the hilt of the dagger. "You wish to fight honorably but you mustn't forget I'm a pirate." Hook tore the dagger from Peter's hand slicing his flesh. Peter cried in pain and grasped his hand into his shirt; the blood quickly seeping into the cloth. As Hook swung again Peter lifted his blade to block the blow. He struck forward with the tip of the steel digging it into Hook's side. Hook grasped his side and continued to slice upwards with his Hook missing Peter completely.

Wendy turned from the children and saw Peter and Hook in battle. Both seemed slightly wounded as they staggered around the kitchens. Hook's dagger fell to the floor as Peter swung his sword to him. She watched as Hook threw a punch striking Peter hard across the face. "Henry. Get me something like a boom-a-rang.

Henry turned quickly going through drawers of the diner returning with a large rubber band and a paper weight. "What's this for?"

Wendy didn't answer him but retreated back to the kitchens. Hook struck a match and lit a candle on the counter. "I've dreamt of the day I could kill Peter Pan." He moved towards him, "Wouldn't want to kill you without seeing it." He was hovering over Peter ready to strike the last blow.

"Hook." Wendy shouted holding the rubber band between her fingers and placing the weight at the tip pulling it outwards.

He threw back his head in laughter, "Going to kill me with that?"

"No." She said honestly. "I'm going to distract you." Peter lifted his sword and struck it through Hook's chest. He stood from the floor pushing the sword further through Hook's torso. He moved towards Wendy and tried to pull her from the room. "I'm ending this once and for all." She glanced at Peter before turning back to Hook, "You've done enough damage Hook." Tears brimmed her eyes, "You took John from me-," She took a deep breath before she continued, "—and now it's time I avenge him." She pulled the weight back into the rubber band and flung it at the table. The paper weight met the candle on the counter. The candle fell to the floor and set the wall a flame. "Come on." She said as the room slowly caught fire, "Let's get the children to safety." They opened the door to the diner leading the children out. Wendy took one last look as she saw Hook's body set ablaze she turned and closed the door.

James' sword redirected the balls of fire Cora was sending at him. "Everyone move back!" Snow cried pushing the crowd further away from Cora. She lifted her bow and pulled an arrow from her quiver. She sent the bolt at Cora who simply lifted her hand to block the arrow. She turned to Snow and hurled a ball of fire in her direction. Snow's eyes grew wide until the fire hovered in the air before her. She turned to her right and saw Mr. Gold with his hand in the air holding the flame steady. "I knew I could rely on you Gold." She moved away from the flame as he relinquished the hold on it sending it straight into Granny's Diner, which was already set ablaze.

"Rumple." Cora said flatly turning to him, "I never knew you to be on that side of the fence before."

"Try loving someone Cora it might do you some good." Mr. Gold moved towards her as Snow and James continued to usher the citizens of Storybrooke away from them.

She shook her head and scoffed, "I did love someone, and he was just taken from me. My daughter is all I have I left."

"Are you sure?" He questioned, "You never know what could happen, and maybe Regina will find a reason to be good."

Cora guffawed and clasped her chest, "Good? Oh you're so sweet." She lifted her hand in preparation for battle, "Her heart is broken. Surely there is nothing here that will mend it." She threw a ball of flame towards him, "Now try to mend mine."

"Jefferson." Regina stumbled backwards. "Please you have to listen to me."

"Be quiet." He said pressing forwards, "I don't want to hear a thing you have to say." He shouted as Regina fell towards the floor.

Daniel moved to help her but Emma braced him back. "Just wait." She whispered.

"You tortured my daughter." His face broke and the tears flowed faster.

"I'm so sorry." She placed her hands outward, "I'm sorry for everything I did to you—and to her."

His eyes shook in rage as they captured her on the floor in near tears. "You don't deserve to live." The blade tipped upwards into her neck. "Do you hear me Regina? You don't deserve to live." His face frowned, "I should end your life right here. Right now."

Regina whimpered, "Please I'm sorry. I can't begin to apologize for the things I did to Grace."

"Do not say her name!" He cried in rage. "You should be freed from this world. Freed from all of the pain you inflicted." The sword pulled back from her neck, "But that fate would be too merciful. It isn't up to me to decide your fate. You're going to be left with all of this guilt, and this self-hatred. I hope you suffer for all of the things you did to the people here. I hope you wallow in pain just as every single person you tortured did." He turned from Regina and moved to the dungeons before taking one last look at her, "You have to live with yourself now."

Emma took a glance at Daniel before following Jefferson out of the room and into the dungeons. "Jefferson wait." She said taking hold of his hand. "I know what you did was hard."

"But it was the right thing." He said looking up at her, "You were right. Killing Regina isn't up to me. "As they continued down the stairs he looked at her, "Why didn't you try to stop me?"

She shrugged as they reached the bottom of the stairs, "I knew you wouldn't do it." She said. "You might want to kill her, but not at the sake of Grace. You already know what life is without her and I know with her back you won't sacrifice that. Come on let's free these people and get out there." Emma motioned her hands upwards and watched as the doors opened like dominos down the hallway.

"Emma." Jefferson put his hand on her shoulder, "You shouldn't be using your magic like this. Not now when a fight is going on."

Emma smiled as they began to walk down the hallway to help the prisoners escape, "The thing is Jefferson, the water of Lake Nostros made my magic endless. It doesn't run out anymore." She took down the hallway giving instructions for those they released. As they neared the end of the hallway Emma looked into one of the rooms to see a life sized marionette strung to the ceiling. "August." She gaped looking at the puppet. She entered the room seeing the puppet's eyes blink open. "You're alive?" She questioned and placed her arms around him. She pulled back and brought her hand to his face. "Don't worry August. I'll save you now. I believe." She focused on him as a human and slowly she saw as his wooden featured became flesh.

"I told you that you could save him." Jefferson smiled coming into the room and holding August's weight in his arms.

Emma helped untie him and wrapped August's other arm around her. "Let's just get him out of here and when the fights over you can brag about all of the things you were right about."

Together they helped him up the stairs and found Daniel and Regina at the top of the steps. "I'm not sure what's going on out there." Daniel admitted, "But we've been hearing shouts and smoke has been billowing past the windows."

Emma nodded, "Help with the door?" She questioned and Daniel and Regina went to remove the planks keeping the door closed shut. They exited the castle bringing August towards a tree where he could rest. "I'll be back for you once the fight is over."

Emma faced Storybrooke and saw many dead on the ground and the town in flames. "Jefferson, find the children. I'll find the source of the problem."

As Emma turned she felt a hand on her shoulder. "I know that my help probably isn't wanted-"Regina started.

"It is." She said, "We need your help Regina. Some of this happened because of you. Now fix it." Emma turned away from her and dashed into the crowd that was withdrawing from the front of Granny's diner. "Snow?" Emma questioned seeing her mom usher the citizens backwards. "What's going on?"

"Emma." She hugged her daughter swiftly, "It's Cora she's going mad. James killed King George and it sent her in a rage. Please you can't stay here."

Emma shook her head, "This is right where I need to be." Emma moved past her mother into the street where Cora and Rumplestiltskin were dueling. Neither had a weapon in their hand instead were using magic for this fight. Both were using different elements in combos or counters. She observed as the pair fought. They each knew each other's styles well and neither was getting the upper hand. Emma closed her eyes opening a link between her and Mr. Gold. 'How can I help?' she questioned telepathically.

Gold laughed in his head turning the fight around so he could face Emma with Cora's back at her. 'I see you've finally tapped into your full powers.'

'Now isn't the time for that Gold. How do we defeat her?'

This time she saw his smile instead of heard it, 'You know how, just think back to when you were a child.'

Emma shook her head as the images of Wonderland filled her head. When Cora had questioned her and Emma refused to answer she was thrown into an endless maze. There was no exit except for the Queen's. 'How do I put her there indefinitely?'

'We're going to need everyone, Blue, Nova, Regina—everyone.' He continued to deflect Cora's blows whilst sending them her way.

'I'll be right back.' Emma turned from the fight and closed her eyes. She opened the link further bringing in Nova and Blue. She filled them in on the plan and they slowly parted their way through the crowd towards Gold and Cora.

Emma and the two fairies started to send spells at Cora who laughed as she circled her hands outwards sending a bubble of protection around herself. "Did you think you could defeat me?" Cora laughed. "It's going to take a lot more than two fairies and two – well I'm not even sure what to call you."

Everyone except for Emma began to throw spells at Cora but her shield held true. "Your battle is lost Cora." Emma smiled, "You can't hold the shield for much longer."

Cora threw back her head in laughter, "You don't know me at all girl."

This time it was Emma's turn to laugh, "Except I do. Remember I am Alice after all," Cora threw a ball of fire at Emma but she had caught it sending it straight back the ball nearly fizzled before it reached Cora but the spark sent her gowns ablaze.

Cora swatted the flames away quickly before glaring back at Emma. "What are you?" The anger in her voice slowly seeped out, "How can you hold so much magic?"

"Because I'm a product of true love." Emma said. "The most pure magic of all." She reached her hand up and finally opened the link to Regina. 'Regina. If you want to redeem yourself now is the time. Your mother is a cancer to you. Get rid of it. She will harm anyone and everyone including Henry—including yourself, to get what she wants. You need to finish it.'

The crowd hustled around Regina but Emma saw her sticking out like a sore thumb amongst them. 'I don't know if I can do that.' She admitted.

'You have to. Henry won't be in your life if you're like this. He needs strong women, not weak ones.'

Regina's head lifted higher, 'What do I do?'

Emma stepped further forward with a grin on her face. "I think it's time you return home Cora." She said. "In fact I think your hedge's need trimming." Emma lifted her hands high into the air.

Cora laughed "What are you doing child? Trying to create a hurricane to whisk me away?" Regina moved closer to the battle and Cora glared at her. "Are you helping them?" she questioned. "I'm your mother. I'm your only blood left. You think that boy will ever love you like I do?"

Her chin quivered as tears forced their way from her eyes. "I do mother." She held her hands up as Nova, Blue and Gold did the same. The same maze pictured in all of their minds as they formed a circle around Cora.

"You will be nothing without me!" Cora shouted seeing the fate before her.

Regina's hands began to drop but Emma turned to face her, "Don't listen to her Regina. She is here to destroy your happiness not create it." Slowly Regina's head lifted as did her hands. A gust of wind blew through them and in a matter of seconds Cora was nowhere to be found.

"Where did she go?" Nova questioned.

"To her maze." Emma stated. "She'll be there until released, which won't be ever as long as I'm alive." Emma turned to face Regina. "Thanks for what you did, without you we might not have been able to capture her. This is the first step to your recovery Regina. You can be a much better person then you were as long as you let yourself become one." Slowly the town came together around Emma, the remaining soldiers of Regina's, the citizens and those she called family and friends. "There is no reason for war." She started. "Look at us." She motioned outwards as her son, Snow, James and Jefferson all gathered around her. "Look at this town." Ashes fell from the sky as the buildings burned throughout the city. "The only thing we have to fight for now is us!"

Shouts echoed through the citizens.

"What do we do now?"

"Where is Cora?"

Emma placed her hand at her neck gazing at the crowd, "Cora is gone. She won't return." She rubbed her neck and looked at her parents, "I don't know what we do now. This town is destroyed but… we can return home." Emma heard the excitement travel through the citizens, "But this is a world without magic and we come from one filled with it. All of this time I kept hearing 'magic comes with a price'… well why do we pay it? When will we learn that the cost is too high? When your family is taken from you? Your lover? Your own life? Your town? What price will we pay next time?"

"I'm not sure what you mean Emma?" Gold asked his hand clasped in Belle's.

"There are many of us capable of wielding magic, which isn't a bad thing, but- we need rules and limitations. Magic can't be used for everything."

"What do you suggest?" Blue questioned.

"I say we go home." Emma smiled, "With Jefferson's hat I can open a portal and we can all return home. But I'm suggesting we do it without magic—at least without it at our fingertips. We need a council to vote when it's an opportune time for it. We lived in a world without magic once before and now we need to live in one with magic but with rules too."

Snow smiled at her husband and faced the town, "Our daughter is right. We've lived without magic before, now let's do it again."

Slowly a cheer erupted from the crowd. "Go get your hat Jefferson." Emma smiled, "Because we're going home."

A/N Thank you everyone for sticking with this story so long! There is an epilogue coming and then it will be over. I've enjoyed writing this for almost a year now. I never know where my stories will go when I start them and I think this turned into something great. Thanks again for sticking with it and I hope you will check out some of my other stories.