Characters-
DN: David Nolan aka Prince Charming (Charming)
ES: Emma Swan aka The Savior (Swan)
RM: Regina Mills aka The Evil Queen
BB: Blackbeard
JH: Jefferson Hatter aka The Mad Hatter (Hatter)
MG: Mr. Gold aka Rumpelstiltskin aka The Dark One (Rumple)
KJ: Killian Jones aka Captain Hook (Hook)
AP: Amber Philips aka Orion Constellation (Star)
Trade
At the sheriff's station Regina, David and Emma had locked Blackbeard and his crew in holding cells.
DN: That will have to do for the time being. David said to Emma as he handed her the keys to the cells.
ES: I don't understand, Regina you said the barrier is still intact. How could he have gotten through?
Regina shrugged.
RM: I don't know but it would take pretty powerful magic to break through my spell.
DN: Maybe there is a hole or something. David suggested.
RM: Regina narrowed her gaze, Give me more credit than that.
ES: Actually that is not a bad thought.
RM: Excuse me? Lets not forget who taught you how to use magic. I think I know a thing or two about how it works.
ES: No one is doubting your ability, Regina. Although you did just say another source of powerful magic could break through...
RM: I didn't say that, She mumbled.
ES: The Triton contained powerful magic. We all saw it on the ship. What if I when I threw it an opening was created allowing Blackbeard to get through?
RM: I don't know...She admitted, but that still doesn't explain how the hell he got to this world. We know he has not just been sailing up and down the coast this whole time.
ES: No, your right. Emma said tapping her fingers on the desk beside her, Why don't you and David go to the docks and check out the barrier, see if you find anything there. I will stay here and try to get some answers out of our new friend over there, She said pointing through the window to the holding cell where Blackbeard and his men were all crowded together.
David and Regina nodded then left Emma to question the pirate.
ES: Alright buddy, lets chat. She said leaning up against the cell door, What does Blackbeard want in Storybrooke?
BB: My heart's desire.
Emma gave him a curious look.
BB: It was stolen from me by the coward known as Rumpelstiltskin. He did not even have the guts to face me. He snuck off with it like a petty thief in the night who hides among the shadows.
The corners of Emma's mouth turned up in a grin. She knew Rumple would not take kindly to the insult.
ES: What did he steal from you? She asked curiously.
Blackbeard just eyed Emma and smiled.
****Flashback****
The village was always crowded on market day, but it felt unusually crowded to Blackbeard as he weaved in and out of the crowd. People calling out to one another and everyone shouting over each other.
BB: I hate being ashore, the Captain mumbled. He found his way to the street corner where he was to meet a man who could provide him with the the item he needed.
JH: Pssst. The man in a large hat whispered. He poked his head around the corner. The man's gaze darted from one end of the street corner to the other as if he was checking to be sure no one was watching them. Then with great effort to appear casual the man stepped out from around the corner.
Blackbeard watched and had to stifle a laugh because the man appeared to be completely ridiculous, perhaps even mad.
BB: Have you brought what I asked for?
JH: Have you brought the payment I require? The Mad Hatter asked.
BB: Aye.
The Mad Hatter gave the Captain a curious look but he did not further question the pirate.
BB: Can I see it?
The Mad Hatter held out a small sack. It looked as though he was about to drop the sack in Blackbeard's hand but then he quickly pulled the sack back.
JH: Why do you want to go to Storybrooke?
BB: For the same reason you came back here. To find someone, Blackbeard then waved forward one of his men to bring forth the payment.
As the pirate dragged forward the payment the Mad Hatter's eyes grew wide. His knees went weak and he thought he might be hallucinating. He tossed the sack to Blackbeard and made a mad dash across the street to where the pirate stood with the payment.
Blackbeard did not bother to watch the rest of the scene unfold. He opened the sack and poured it into his palm. A small translucent bean tumbled out of the sack.
****Present Day***
At Granny's Diner Amber and Killian sat at their usual table. Amber had ordered a grilled cheese for the both of them, but Killian had hardly touched his.
AP: Are you thinking about Lila again? Amber asked kindly.
Killian smiled a weak half smile as he tried to push the thoughts of her from his mind.
AP: It is ok if you want to talk about it. Amber offered, I can only imagine what you must be going through. Since seeing Blackbeard again after all these years.
KJ: You have no idea, Star. Killian sighed.
She nodded trying to encourage him to keep talking.
KJ: He took a deep breath then decided just to tell her about it, The past is like a ghost. It haunts me. Loosing Lila was hard enough the first time. We were all still like children and our whole family was being torn apart. The only bright spot in all the chaos was that I still had my older brother Liam. Then in Neverland when I watched Lila die, after being reunited with her... He broke off, ... she was all I had left. I had lost everyone.
Amber sat quietly listening. She was not sure what she could say to make him feel better.
KJ: The darkness, it feeds on desperate souls. Loosing Lila the second time brought out that darkness. The darkness that had consumed me after Milah died, and for a brief moment I thought I had finally escaped it.
AP: Milah?
Killian had just realized he had never told Amber about what happened between him, Rumple and Milah... his first love.
Amber did not need Killain to tell her anything. She could hear it in Killian's voice at the mere mention of Milah. Amber knew Killain must have been in love with Milah.
KJ: When I found Lila in Neverland... I started to... I hoped we could could over. I thought if I could free her from that place we could be happy or be a family again and the darkness that consumed me would be nothing more than a distant memory.
Meanwhile Rumple was in his shop. Belle had just gone to fetch them something to eat. she told Rumple about the plan to destroy the Kraken. Rumple was not surprised when he heard the bells over the shop door ring.
MG: I was wondering how long after they used the Triton it would take you to find me. He said without looking up, Apparently Pirates are not very bright considering how many years it has taken you to find me.
Blackbeard growled.
BB: Where is it?
Rumple smiled.
MG: I am sorry, what? He said trying to pull off a innocent look.
BB: You coward! Blackbeard yelled, Give me back the diadem! You stole it from me!
MG: How could I have stolen it if it did not belong to you to begin with?
Blackbeard drew his sword and pressed it against Rumple's neck.
BB: If you won't give it to me then I will have to take it from you by force.
MG: Rumple smirked, Go ahead and take it. He said motioning to the diadem in the case that stood in between them.
Blackbeard rammed the hilt of his sword into the case. The glass shattered and fell to the floor. The Pirate reached in and grabbed for the diadem, but when he did he found he could not touch the crown. It was being protected by a force or some kind of spell.
Rumple had already cast a protection spell over the crown knowing that one day Blackbeard would find his way to Storybrooke and demand Rumple return it. Blackbeard pulled his hand from the case just as the bells over the door to the shop began to chime.
BE: What is going on? Who are you? Belle asked with her arms full of take out bags. She could see that Rumple and the man were in a pretty heated discussion and based off of the shattered glass case she knew someone had lost their temper. She just did not know if it had been Rumple or the stranger.
BB: This is not over coward! Blackbeard warned Rumple before he pushed passed Belle and stormed out of the shop.
At Granny's Diner Amber and Killian had just finished eating. When Blackbeard walked up the path towards them.
BB: Hello again. He said tipping his hat to Amber. He smiled wickedly and kept his gaze on Amber long enough to make her uncomfortable and cause Killian to reach out and grab her hand.
KJ: What are you doing here? Emma took you to the station.
BB: Ah, yes... Your sheriff is quite a lovely woman. He winked, She and I became very close. He said as he dangled the keys to the cells in front of them.
Amber shot Killian a look.
AP: Why are you here? Amber spat, What do you want from us?
Blackbeard raised an eyebrow and smirked at Amber's outburst.
BB: Who are you? Blackbeard asked ignoring her questions.
AP: My name is Amber. She said confidently.
Blackbeard bit his lip and his eyebrows pinched together. There was something strangely familiar about her but he did not know what it was.
AP: Haven't you anything better to do then torment us?
BB: Us? Blackbeard repeated, How have I tormented you?
Amber just pursed her lips together.
BB: We have only just met. I would like to get to know you a little better. He offered.
KJ: She isn't going anywhere with you! Killian snapped then he pulled Amber passed the pirate.
Blackbeard watched them walk down the street then he turned his attention to the Diner. He had never heard of a Diner before.
At the end of the street Amber stopped and turned to face Killian. She wondered if he might turn back and go after Blackbeard. In that moment Killian's gaze fell to meet her's.
KJ: I am sorry. He said, his eyes soft and kind.
AP: It is alright. He is not the first creep to have crossed my path. I can take care of myself.
KJ: I don't doubt that, Star.
The more time Killian spent with Amber the more he learned about her. He found that she was incredibly brave and strong. He had no doubt that she could have handled Blackbeard, but he did not want her to have to.
Amber smiled proudly.
AP: So now that you have defeated the Kraken I guess you' ll want to go back to your ship. You won't need to stay at the Inn.
Killian pulled Amber close and smiled down at her.
KJ: We defeated the Kraken. He corrected, Aye, I can return to the Jolly Roger.
Seeing the excitement reflected in Killian's gaze, Amber could not help but smile back at Killian.
AP: Well then I guess we should say goodnight. She said before reaching up and kissing him on the cheek.
KJ: Goodnight, Star. Killian said when she stepped away from him.
The pair went their separate ways, Killian towards the docks and Amber toward the Inn. The two of them shared the same gushing smile.
MG: Love is an interesting thing isn't it? Rumple called as he stepped out of the shadow of the building.
KJ: Who is in love?
Rumple only smirked.
MG: We are completely powerless against it. It completely controls us. We can not choose who we fall in love with...
KJ: What do you want, Crocodile? I am done making deals with you. Our deal is done.
Rumple nodded.
MG: I have another deal for you to consider...
KJ: Forget it. Killian responded immediately, Anyway since when do you go looking to make deals?
MG: Hear me out, Rumple pleaded as he grabbed Killian's arm stopping him from walking away, There is no denying it now... You and the girl have become very close. I am willing to bet you would do just about anything for her. Go to any length to protect her...
KJ: Is that a threat?
MG: It seems to me that you and I have something in common, a mutual enemy.
KJ: Blackbeard. He whispered as he realized what Rumple was getting at.
MG: You know as well as I that he can not stay in Storybrooke.
KJ: He won't leave until he gets what he came for.
MG: That won't happen. You will have to get rid of him before he goes after everything you care about... starting with Amber. He has already picked up on the connection the two of you share. He will use that connection against you.
KJ: I won't let him near her! Killian demanded.
Rumple smiled at having arrived at the point he was after.
MG: If you kill him then you won't have anything to worry about.
KJ: If I kill him it will stop him from coming after you as well.
Rumple nodded.
KJ: why don't I just let him kill you like he wants then I will worry about getting rid of him. Why should I protect you?
MG: I know who Amber's birth parents are. Rumple said, I will tell you and you can go on being the hero in her eyes.