Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time
AN: Well, we've come to the end of yet another story. This project was quite an emotional ride (particularly in conjunction with 5A), but I really did immensely enjoying writing this version of the characters in this world. I hope everyone enjoyed reading it, even though it was not a happy-go-lucky story. I want to give a big thank you to everyone who has supported this story. It has been a very emotional, and oftentimes heartbreaking, journey for everyone. And it's not over! There's a sequel coming, so stay tuned for that. I want to especially thank everyone who has taken the time to review the The Beauty of the Rain. It really means so much to me when people take the time to do that. I smile every time I see a review and I'm extra motivated to get the next chapter out as quickly as possible. So thank you in particular to: Polkie2, 8abbie8, paupaupi, andria, fox24, jeepgirl1973, in-spirational88, CaptainSammyAngel, DisneyLover590, Victoria Darlin, and TheGladElf. Thank you all for your consistent support and constantly kind words.
Of course I would be completely remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank my very incredible beta, GranddaughterOfCaskettAndTivia. I can't believe we've finished another story already! You are wonderful and so kind and very patient (she's eternally patient with me and I'm very lucky to be working with her!). Thank you so much and I look forward to working on more projects with you in the future.
Speaking of the future. . . That sequel I mentioned is coming out soon, it's a little something to get us through the hiatus. It's called Broken and it's a different take on all of these Dark Swan shenanigans we've been emotionally traumatized by during 5A (and I'm sure we'll continued to be emotionally abused by the show in 5B as well). Anyhow, I hope everyone gives Broken a shot and hopefully even enjoys it. I can promise that it's very different from the show's take. I wanted to spin everything around and turn it upside down a bit.
Thank you all so much for everything and I hope everyone enjoys this final chapter of The Beauty of the Rain!
~ XOXO MAS
How it falls, how it falls, how it falls
Killian's fingers gripped the handle of the dagger so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Standing on weaving legs, he turned to face David, Mary Margaret, Regina and Robin. "She's gone," he murmured, his voice catching at the words. He looked like a lost boy, utterly devastated and alone.
"Emma," Regina murmured, her own voice breaking and tears brimming in her eyes.
"It's going to be okay, Regina." Robin tightened his hold on her.
She spun in his arms, smacking his chest in retaliation at his words. "How can you say that? You don't know that!" She shrieked. "Damn it! Why did Emma do that?"
Very slowly, Snow stepped toward Regina, tentatively pulling the woman into her arms. "She did it to save you. It's okay. We'll find her and we'll help her. We'll get rid of the darkness once and for all," she whispered softly. "I promise, we'll find Emma."
"Snow's right." David's hand rested lightly on Killian's shoulder. "We'll find her Killian. We always do."
"There's no need to find her," Killian spit out through gritted teeth. Shrugging off David's hand and straightening his back, he stated in a clear voice, "Dark One, I summon thee!" Everyone held their breaths, but nothing happened. His voice wavering now, Killian repeated, "Dark One, I summon thee!"
Nothing happened.
"Maybe she's not here," Regina suggested.
"Or she's bloody well ignoring me," Killian spat. "Damn it, Dark One, I summon thee!"
Breaking out of Snow's embrace, Regina rested her hand on Killian's wrist, lowering the dagger before she gently pried it out of his fingers, handing it off to Robin. "Killian, we don't know where Dark Ones go before they're released to the world. She may not be in Storybrooke. Hell, she's probably not even in this realm anymore." The look on Killian's face was enough to shatter all their hearts. "We'll find her, Killian. Really, we will. And this is Emma we're talking about. She's a hero, she's full of light and goodness and it's infuriating how she always does the right thing," she reminded him. "And we all love her. With all of that going for her, and for us, of course we'll find her and save her. Okay?"
With his head bowed, he nodded. "Of course you're right, Regina." He sighed. "We need to tell Henry what's going on. The lad deserves to know. The whole town needs to know that the savior..." he swallowed hard, the words just stopping on the tip of his tongue.
Giving him a brief hug, Regina nodded. "Let's go find our sons, we have to tell them what's happening."
OUAT
In Another Realm
Emma cracked her neck and stood up. Looking around, she scowled. She knew the forests of Storybrooke better than anywhere else in the world and these forests did not belong to her home. "Damn it," she muttered. She glanced down when she felt her fingertips pulsing slightly. Her eyes were transfixed on her hands.
They were so pale.
Naturally, Emma was very fair-skinned. It was something Killian loved. Whenever they got a few moments alone for just a little bit of exploration, he would murmur into her skin how beautiful and flawless she was. This was different, though. She was nearly translucent now. Her scowl deepening, she conjured up a mirror. It hung in front of her as she took in her reflection.
Pale skin. Dull eyes. Blood red lips. White hair wound in a braided bun.
Then she noted her clothes. She wasn't in her jeans, boots, sweater and red leather jacket anymore. She was in leather pants, black heeled boots and a jacket that had the feel of crocodile skin.
Everything registered with her suddenly. She'd taken Gold's dagger and sucked the darkness into her. She'd taken his power. It was hers now. She could feel it thrumming through her veins. It was dark and deep and hot and felt wonderful. Her lips turned up in a feral grin as she flicked the mirror away.
Glancing around on the ground, she scowled, her hands fumbling at her belt and in the pockets of her jacket. Where is that bloody dagger?
"It's not here, yet," a voice sang out behind her.
Spinning, Emma's eyes landed on Rumpelstiltskin, the Dark One version of him at least. "How are you here?"
He laughed maniacally. "I'm not, well, I am, but I'm not. I'm just the representation of all of the Dark Ones. If you don't like it I can be Zoso or-"
"You'll do," Emma cut in, her voice monotone and deep. "Where's my dagger?" She asked sharply.
He laughed again. "Oh, dearie, that's coming. We have so much to discuss." His laughter bounced off the trees around them. "Come, let's start walking, shall we?"
OUAT
Storybrooke, Maine
The town had reconvened at Granny's now that the threat was gone. "She's really a hero," Henry murmured.
Regina nodded. "Yes, Henry, she is, but you need to remember something."
Her son sniffed back tears. "What?"
"When we find her, there's a good chance that she won't be our Emma, she's going to have this darkness in her that we'll have to get out. She may not be the person we love," Regina reminded him softly.
Henry's eyes snapped up to his mother's. "Of course she will be. She's Emma. She's the Savior. She can conquer anything."
Regina was going to reply when Robin came sliding up to their table. "Did you take it?"
"Take what?" Regina asked with a tired sigh.
"The dagger. It's gone. Killian asked to see it and it's just not in my bag anymore. No one's seen it and Killian's going mad thinking Emma may be here," he explained quickly.
Regina closed her eyes. If Emma was here and she had the dagger, then she was in full control of all of her powers and no one would be able to stop her.
OUAT
In Another Realm
"Where are we?" She asked slowly.
"Not yet." Rumple held up a hand. "First, a question for you." Emma raised a brow at him and waited. "Do you feel it?"
"Feel what?" She deadpanned.
"The magic. Can you feel it coursing through your veins?" He asked slowly. She nodded an affirmative answer. "Now, what are you going to do about it?"
"What do you mean?" Emma asked, stepping closer to him.
"That power, that magic, do you want it?" Rumple's voice dropped as he waited expectantly for the answer.
Emma paused a beat. "Yes."
The dagger dropped to her feet.
OUAT
XOXO
MAS