Once Upon A Time Part 2 Chapter 54: A Sister's Love, an once upon a time fanfic

Big shout out to maschmidt2000 for the idea! I honestly was not even thinking of doing this, but the more I thought about it, I figured it would definitely put a different spin on the story. Thanks again!

Down in the basement of the Dark One's home, the Dark Swan enters with Excalibur in one hand and the dagger in the other. Emma walks over to the stone and lays the dagger on top, and then stares at the broken sword in the other before getting distracted by a giggle coming from behind her.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" Rumplestiltskin compliments while sitting behind her. "Both halves finally reunited. You know what they represent, now, don't you?"

Emma slowly turns confidently towards the imp. "Power."

With a sly smirk upon his face, Rumplestiltskin stands up and approaches her. "It's much more than power, dearie. It's history. Excalibur's promise was born eons ago. And now it's time for that promise to be fulfilled."

Emma then stares down, again, at the sword, taking in what has just been told.

1000 Years / Before the Age of Arthur...

As the sun beats down on the desert sand, two men are running from over a hill, clearly struggling to survive. But one of the men looks vaguely familiar. He is recognized as a young Merlin, before his sorcery. The other man's name is Adda, who seems to be paranoid, assuming that they're being chase by something.

"They following!?" Adda shouts in a panic.

Merlin stops running, catching his breath. "No. They wouldn't trail escaped generals into this, much less foot soldiers." Adda falls heavily down onto the sand next to Merlin, who sees something glowing in the distance. "Look, look!" Merlin forces Adda to look up, pointing towards the light. "There it is again."

"It's a mirage, Merlin." Adda exclaims. "There's no water there."

But Merlin refuses to be doubtful. "I would rather find out for sure than lie here and die. Come on."

The two begin to tiredly walk towards the glimmering light, shocked to discover that resting atop a stone is a silver, biblical-adorned cup awaiting them. "That's a gift from the gods." Adda says, convinced.

"We are hardly worth notice of the gods." Merlin says in disbelief.

"The gods could do worse." Adda begins to walk towards the cup to grab it. "But if you don't want any - " As soon as Adda touches the cup, with both hands, he becomes frozen to the metal by magic. He begins to scream as the cup then reduces him to dust, shocking Merlin even more.

Merlin lets out a shaky breath, knowing there's no other choice. "Well, then - " He then steps closer to the cup. "To drink or die?" Before he attempts to grab the cup, Merlin looks to the sky. "With your permission - " He gets down on his knees, staring at the cup in front of him. With heavy breath, Merlin begins to reach for the cup, grabbing it with both his hands. When nothing happens, he is relieved. "Thank you." He says gratefully towards the sky, before placing the cup to his lips to quench his near-fatal thirst. After drinking the water, Merlin falls back against the stone, dropping his hand onto the desert sand. The ground suddenly becomes fertile and grass begins to grow instantaneously throughout the entire land. He looks amazed at what he has done, staring down at the cup. "I have magic."

It isn't long until he is staring out at the forest that will one day be Camelot - Merlin's tower and all. He stands, looking around before looking down at his hand which has left a few blades of grass in his palm.

Camelot / Three Weeks Ago...

Through the blinds of Granny's Diner, Emma is sitting outside in the woods of the Enchanted Forest, twirling together a new dreamcatcher to add to her collection. Avia stands sadly at the window wishing there was a way to help her sister.

Behind her, Killian walks by and over to the middle of the diner where the rest of the group have resided. "So, you can really do it - " David asks. " - take the Dark One dagger and put it together with Arthur's sword to re-create the original Excalibur?"

"I hope so." Merlin says.

"And we can use it to save Emma?" Snow clarifies.

"Perhaps, but I need two things. The magical means to unite the two blades. That's my and Emma's quest." He turns to Regina who is sitting in a booth with Robin. "From you, I need - "

"The two blades." Regina finishes.

"We're pretty much at the open-warfare stage." Robin points out. "Now, getting the partial sword from Arthur won't be easy."

"As long as you're looking at the future, any hints on how?" Killian asks.

"Well, the future isn't exact." Merlin tells him. "There are many parts - "

"Of course." Avia exclaims, turning to them in frustration. "I freed you to save Emma, not risk our lives to get you a stupid sword!"

"Avia - " Snow says calmly to her daughter.

Avia walks over, staring coldly at the sorcerer. "The lass is right." Killian agrees with a hard glare. "You're willing to send us behind enemy lines, but when it comes to specifics, everything's a little fuzzy, isn't it?!"

"Avia, Hook, Merlin is trying to help Emma." David reminds them.

"Is he!?" Avia exclaims. "My sister has been sitting out there making ridiculous dreamcatchers that can pull memories out of our heads, because that's what she does now instead of sleeping! My sister is supposed to be the Savior, not the Dark One! So, how about you do what we brought you here to do and fix her!" Suddenly, magic spews from Avia's hand, causing her to knock over at few chairs, nearly sending Merlin off his feet.

"Avia!" David shouts while everyone stares in shock.

Avia groans out before she begins to walk towards the back of the diner. Nick goes to stop her, but Avia pushes him away. "Don't touch me!" She shouts.

Nick sighs and steps back knowing, right now, he's the last person she wants around. "I'll go check on her." Snow stands and walks to the back.

"I understand." Merlin says to all of them, especially to Killian. "I know what it is to lose someone you love to the Dark One. All I can ask of all of you is that you bring me that sword and that you have patience with Emma. Her kind of power, for good or evil - it is a weight on the soul. And love is a great help, if you can find it."

500 Years Earlier...

Merlin shines a light from his hand over an old woman who needs help.

"There." He says once the process is complete. "You're healed."

"Gratitude, great Merlin." A man says.

"You're both very welcome."

When the man and old woman walk away, Merlin's young apprentice looks at his master. "I think that's it for today." He suggests. But a woman walks by, taking the apprentice's notice. "Wait. I didn't see her arrive. I'll get her to leave."

Merlin furrows his brows, intrigued. "What does she want?"

The young apprentice turns to Merlin with confusion. "Don't you know?" He questions. "You always know."

Unable to take his eyes off the beautiful woman, Merlin steps forward. "I'll talk to her. You head back. Check on the brooms." Unsure, the young apprentice begins to walk away, leaving Merlin to approach the woman himself. "Have you come to see me?" He asks her.

The woman turns, seeming surprised. "You're Merlin?"

Merlin nods with a slight grin. "Not all wizards have long white beards. Please, tell me. What brings you here?"

"My village - " She begins. "Uh, I was in my garden when a masked man rode in. His name is Vortigan. He ransakes towns, burns them to the ground, so I fled on foot to the woods. I looked back from the hillside, and everything was in flames. He had killed everyone."

"I'm so sorry." Merlin says, sympathetically. "Please, allow me to help you. What can I grant you?"

"Revenge." She reveals before retrieving something from her bag. "These were all I had on me when I ran." She shows Merlin seeds from a flower. "They're seeds from the middlemist flower. They only prosper around my village." She explains. "When Vortigan scorched the earth, he could have killed them forever. My best revenge would be for them to live on despite him."

Merlin nods with a smile. "We will plant them here."

"Thank you." She smiles gratefully, following him to the nearest flowerpot. "If the flower survives, at least something other than me lived on." The woman places the seeds into the pot and looks back up at Merlin. "I'll try and pass through again in the spring." She sighs. "I want to see them in bloom."

"Well, why wait?" Merlin asks. He waves his hand over the pot and with his magic the middlemist flowers begin to grow. The woman gasps, astounded. She kneels down and smells one of the flowers as Merlin kneels down next to her. "Stay close. You can come and see them anytime."

"You see the future." She points out to him. "Do I do that?"

Merlin lets out a heavy sigh. "With you, for some reason, I have no idea. I hope so." The woman smiles, bashfully. "What's your name?"

"Nimue."

"Nimue - " He repeats, soothingly, as they both smile at one another.

Camelot / Six Weeks Ago...

Emma is still outside the diner, putting together another dreamcatcher when Merlin approaches.

"Emma." But Emma is too distracted to hear him. "Emma." He repeats. Emma finally looks up, giving Merlin her attention. "Emma, there is a way to make Excalibur whole again." He says while sitting down next to her. "Will you come with me today so we can get what we need? It's not far."

"What is it?" She wonders.

"A spark from mankind's original fire, the Flame of Prometheus. Its heat forged Excalibur, and that's what we'll need to put it back together." Merlin explains. "So, will you come with me to collect the spark? We'll be back by nightfall."

Emma looks intently at the sorcerer. "You look dire. What is it?"

Merlin takes in a long breath before explaining. "When we get there, we will need to deal with the first Dark One."

Emma raises her brows, surprised by this. "The one who wore the mask? The one who killed the woman you love?"

Merlin nods. "The very same. This is not a trivial task."

"I was seeing Rumplestiltskin." She recounts. "Like, a voice in my head. I just got rid of him. And now you want me to let another one in?"

"Yes, and not just anyone. This is the first Dark One, the original, the one from whom all the evil that followed was born."

Emma stares blankly at the sorcerer. "Will we win?" She asks.

Merlin sighs. "I see two paths for our journey, Emma. On one, you resist the darkness and we succeed. On the other, you succumb to the darkness and I do not return. I die."

"You die?" Emma questions. "But - "

"Even immortality has exceptions. A Dark One does have the power to kill me."

"But they won't even be there. Not really." But Merlin stays silent and Emma realizes what he means. "Oh. It would be me. If you died it would be me."

"If I die, it means that you lost your battle and the darkness stained your soul. Everything and everyone that you know will be at the mercy of the most powerful Dark One ever - yourself. No pressure."

But there is pressure, and Emma seems rather perturbed by it.

As Emma prepares for her journey, Killian walks over to her.

"You'll return by nightfall, right?" He asks.

"Yes." Emma confirms. "We go get this spark thing, and then I'm working my way back to you, babe."

Killian smirks, grabbing her hand. "I know when you're quoting something."

Emma smiles, amused. "And I love that you never know what it is. Anyway, with a bit of luck, we can put Excalibur together tomorrow, and then - bam - no more darkness."

Killian nods, squeezing her hand gently. "Be careful, Emma." The two share a long kiss before he proceeds to take a ring attached to a chain from around his neck and hands it to her.

"Whoa." Emma laughs. "Whoa, whoa, whoa."

"Calm down, Swan. I'm not proposing. You know I'm a survivor. This ring is why. I've had it for many years. It's the reason I'm alive. Or it could be. Who knows?"

"You know I can't die today." Emma points out. "I'm immortal now."

"The Dark One is immortal. Emma isn't. Bring her home to me. At the very least, it's a reminder that you've got a piercing-eyed, smoldering pirate - " He grins flirtatiously. " - here who loves you."

Emma laughs, bringing Killian in for another long, romantic kiss. "Thank you. I love you, too."

Killian smiles before walking away, leaving Emma to put the ring around her own neck. She caresses it gently as she looks up to find Merlin staring back at her in all seriousness. "It's time."

Years Earlier...

The middlemist flowers have grown greatly, but Merlin seems sad as he looks upon them.

"Is this some new magic?" Nimue jokes as she approaches him. "Are you frowning them into growing faster?"

Merlin lets out a heavy sigh. "Just thinking. There's a man I'm considering helping. He's tired. He's spent his life tending to others, and now he just wants to marry the woman he loves and grow old by her side. But there's an obstacle."

Nimue scrunches her face in disgust, but knows Merlin is speaking about himself. "He sounds awful." She teases. Merlin stands and looks at Nimue in distressed as she laughs. "If I teach you nothing else, it will be to laugh at yourself. If you want to propose, go ahead." This brings a smile to Merlin's face as he shares a kiss with his love. "Now, tell me about this obstacle."

"Well, you know that I didn't always have magic, but I've never actually said how it happened." He explains as he leads her to a bench and they both take a seat. "It was a gift. I found the holy grail."

Nimue appears shocked by this. "What? The holy grail? You found the holy grail?" She repeats, amazed. "Merlin - "

"I drank from it, and it gave me magic. But it also gave me eternal life. That was 500 years ago." Nimue is speechless; unable to find any words. "I don't age. I don't die." Merlin continues. "So, if I were to marry you, then I would have to watch as you leave me behind. I would rather share a life with you to the end then go on without you."

Nimue smiles, taking Merlin's hands into her own. "If you still had the grail - "

"I do." He quickly says. "It's in the bottom of the chest, in the main room of the tower."

"It's in my living room." Nimue says, astounded. "Wait. There's your answer, o'wise one. Let me drink from the grail. We can live forever together."

But Merlin shakes his head, knowing that's impossible. "I'm so sorry, my dearest, but I've already seen the cost of immortality." He sighs, taking a pink rose from her basket. "Life is made of little moments, precious as diamonds. But imagine there were an endless sea of diamonds. They'd all be worthless. They'd be as common as sand. I do have another solution, if you'll accept it. We take the grail, and we remake it into a sword. Such a blade could cut away my magic, my immortality, and then we can come back here, and we can live normal lives together."

"You would really give up so much?" Nimue questions.

Merlin picks the leaves off a middlemist stem, and twirls it together to make a ring. He then places it onto his true love's appropriate finger and uses his magic to turn it into gold. "For you."

Nimue is touched by this and brings Merlin into a long, deep kiss. "I don't want this moment to get lost in an endless sea of time."

Merlin nods, understanding. "Come." He takes her hand, standing. "Come make the preparations."

The two then run off, joyously, unaware of the cloaked man in a golden mask, watching them. That man being, Vortigan.

Camelot / Three Weeks Ago...

"Okay, what's the plan?" Snow asks as they look down at a map of Arthur's castle that has been drawn up.

"We take them by surprise and go in through the front gate." David suggests.

Zelena, who is laying on top the counter, slaps her forehead, obviously finding that to be a stupid idea. "Well, after our jailbreak, they'll be on high alert." Killian reminds them. "We need a diversion at the drawbridge." Zelena rolls her eyes, sitting up. "The rest of us can climb the wall on the side."

"Are you forgetting?" Regina asks the pirate. "I've got magic. I can just poof into Arthur's bedroom." Zelena scoffs loudly, causing them all to turn towards her. "What?" Regina exclaims, annoyed. Zelena gestures to remind Regina she can't talk. "Well, if you're going to make a scene, you might as well make noise." Regina waves her hand, giving Zelena back her voice.

"Oh!" Zelena sighs in relief. "Thank you. I do love hearing a sensible person talk." She hops off the counter, just annoying them further.

"Spit it out. What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking going in the front - suicide." She says, looking mainly at David. "Diversion - " She turns to Killian. " - Arthur hides the sword. You need it on him." She then turns to Regina. "And you could poof right in front of a blade. Oopsie! You need to sneak in so quietly, no one knows you're there." She whispers the last part.

"How?" David wonders. "Hang glider? Oh, giant slingshot." He mocks.

"If 'Sir-Castic' would let me speak, - " She glares. " - I'd tell you that I wasn't idle during those days in there, playing mute handmaiden at Regina's side." She says, mainly to her sister. "I was plotting an escape."

"I knew it." Regina says, shaking her head.

"And I found a way out. And if I know a way out, I know a way in."

Regina is taken aback. "You're going to help us?"

"Of course." Zelena raises her hand, showing them the cuff around her wrist. "Because you're going to help me. I want my magic back."

Outside the castle, Zelena leads the group to an abandoned tunnel which leads to the courtyard.

"It's a tunnel, abandoned for years." She tells them. "It will take you to the courtyard."

"Well, if it's so good, why didn't you escape through it?" Killian wonders.

"Observe the massive metal gate." She points out. "See, without magic, I'm a delicate thing."

David looks inside, observing. "Well, it leads in the right direction. Looks like your information is good, at least this far."

"Thank you." Zelena says. "Now I've done my part. You can do yours." She glares at Regina, holding up her wrist. "Take off this bloody cuff."

"For all we know, this leads to the guards' quarters." Regina points out, unwilling to let her sister go that easily. "We make it out safe with the sword, then we'll talk. Snow, how do you feel about guard duty?"

"Oh, I'd be delighted." Snow says, sarcastically, earning a cold glare from the Wicked Witch. "We'll chat, have plenty of pregnancy tips."

"Good Lord." Zelena rolls her eyes. "This is worse than being in my cell."

"Alright, everyone." Regina sighs, readying herself and the others. "Let's get this sword."

Regina waves her hand, using her magic to rid of the gate as the men draw their swords, heading back into the heart of Camelot.

Up in Merlin's tower, Arthur lays down the broken sword as he searches through one of the Sorcerer's spell books, putting together some sort of magical ingredients while Guinevere watches.

"These are powerful ingredients, Arthur." She tells her husband. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"We need something to protect us. These people drop from the sky, then they turn on us, freeing prisoners!" He exclaims. "They won't stop until they've taken everything from me." Arthur pours the ingredients into a bowl. "Guards!" The guards immediately walk in. "Infidels are on their way. Call up the reserves. Get every man on the parapet, and patrol every hall. And, you, - " He points to one of the guards. " - give me your helm." Arthur clears the table before taking the guard's helmet and putting it down. "The ladle and the cauldron have special protection spells." He explains to his wife. "This helmet and our friends do not." Arthur takes the ladle full of steaming mixture and pours it onto the helmet, causing it to melt down into a bubbling puddle of nothing. Guinevere watches on, shocked. "Throw this on any stranger you see, and bring me what's left of them." The two guards grab the cauldron and walk out of the room with it. "It will be nothing but teeth and bones. This is war now."

Back at Granny's Diner, Avia, Nick, and Karley have been left behind with Granny and baby Neal. Avia, however, was not thrilled to be left behind to do nothing.

"This is so not fair." Avia groans, kicking one of the chairs.

Karley narrows her eyes at her friend. "Avia, your magic." She warns.

"My magic is the only thing that can probably help right now." Avia sighs heavily.

"My mom has magic, remember?"

"Exactly. Only she has magic. I should be out there helping. But instead I'm stuck in here while they get the sword, and Emma gallivants with the sorcerer."

Karley snorts at this, clearly amused. "Your sister isn't gallivanting. Merlin is going to help save her."

"Don't you think I know that, Karley? I'm just tired of always being left behind. I'm the only who freed Merlin from that stupid tree."

Karley nods. "Yes. So, you did your part. Let our parents do theirs."

Avia looks at Karley in bewilderment. "I can't believe you of all people are okay with being left here."

"I'm not okay. But I'm tired of fighting them about it. They know what they are doing."

Avia scoffs. "Yes. The Wicked Witch of the West is helping them save my sister. I don't believe that for a second."

Karley stands up and walks over to Avia who is now sitting on top of the counter, looking down at the Apollo chocolate bar. "They're going to come back. And Emma is going to be saved. Just like she saved you. We're going to go home and finally live the lives we were meant to live. But, in order to do that, and have it be like before - " Karley look at her brother who is sitting by himself in a booth in the back of the diner. " - you need to talk to Nick."

Avia looks up and grimaces. "No."

"Yes." Karley nudges Avia. "You two have been friends since before I even came into the picture. So he kissed you." She shrugs. "You can't tell me you didn't know he liked you from the beginning.

"He doesn't like me like that. He just didn't want Oliver around. Which he has nothing to worry about now." Avia frowns.

"Avia, are you dumb!?" Karley exclaims quietly. "My brother kissed you. Do you see him kissing me when I talk to a boy?"

"Okay. Gross." Avia scowls.

"Exactly." Karley rolls her eyes. "He likes you. He always has. And, if it helps, he really regrets how he went about everything. He's been wanting to tell you that but you either won't go around him, or he just doesn't know how to approach you. And by the looks of it, we're going to be here for awhile. So, if I were you, I would start thinking about how to mend your friendship with Nick."

With that, Karley hops off the counter and walks to the back of the diner while Avia looks up at where Nick is sitting and begins to ponder everything that Karley has said.

Meanwhile, Emma and Merlin have just entered the village of Oxleigh.

"When I was seeing Rumplestiltskin in my head, he said he would only be with me until I embraced my dark powers." Emma explains. "So, recently, I've been thinking maybe not seeing him, maybe that's a bad thing."

"Have you embraced your powers?" Merlin asks. Emma's silence causes Merlin to stop walking and look at Emma's guilty face.

"I've done some dark things recently." She admits, hesitantly. "I hurt someone - my sister. And if I dig deep down - the darkness is winning. But there's hope, right? You wouldn't be bothering to get this spark if there wasn't still hope."

"There is hope - " Merlin confirms. " - and it's up there." He gestures to a steep hill with his eyes.

"That's a whole lot of up." Emma worries.

"We can make it. The question is, will I come down?"

Emma looks nervous as Merlin begins to walk towards the hill.

Years Earlier...

In Oxleigh of the past, there are engraved stones and un-buried post where bones are seen arising. Merlin and Nimue make their way through, the former with a flaming torch in hand.

"This was my village." Nimue tells him. "My home. Look what's become of it." She then spots a man's skeleton lying against a knocked-down brick wall. "My house was - was right here." She states angrily, but slightly unsure. "Or maybe - maybe it was there." She points to another side. "Oh, it's so different now."

"Sometimes the sole survivor of a tragedy can feel guilty." Merlin tells her as he sets the torch down before approaching her. "In the future, they'll call it - "

"I don't feel guilty." Nimue interrupts. "I feel angry. This shouldn't be the way but those who cannot take are taken. If I had magic like yours, if I had a million lifetimes to hand out power to those who need it and to strike down those who - "

"Nimue - " Merlin quickly steps forward, taking her face into his hands. "Shh. It's been decided." She begins to cry, so he takes her into his arms to comfort her. "Look. In the street, cups."

Nimue looks up, seeing the destruction. "It looks like every household brought out their cups for him. Why would they d - " They both realize what the masked man wanted. "Oh."

"He was questing for the grail and torching down each hiding place as he annihilated it. Will you check the pack and make sure the grail is secure? I've never taken it away from the tower before." Nimue kneels down and begins to look through the pack. "I'm going to perform a detection spell." Nimue holds the grail in her hands as Merlin casts his magic, seeing through a vision that Vortigan is not far from where they are. He gasps. "Vortigan. He's here, over the horizon, the way we came! Hurry!" Merlin grabs the torch and then Nimue's hand and the two begin to run away.

"He's just a man!" Nimue exclaims, stopping. "You could kill him with one magical word."

"If I use magic to kill, darkness will take root inside of me. Nothing - nothing is worth risking that." Nimue looks at her true love with tears in her eyes. "Come." Merlin grabs her hand once more and they begin to run away.

Camelot / Three Weeks Ago...

Inside the palace, David, Robin, Regina, and Killian are out of the other side of the tunnel, their weapons out and ready.

Killian looks out into the open and sees the heavy amount of guards roaming the courtyard. "Back." He tells the others.

They see another set of guards carrying the cauldron of steam that Arthur had brewed up. "You suppose that's for us?" Robin assumes.

"I have a feeling we don't want to find out." Regina says.

"Come on." Killian urges. "Let's keep moving."

"I keep waiting for the ax to fall." Robin comments as they begin to follow Killian discretely.

"I didn't think she had it in her - " Regina says, speaking about her sister. " - but Zelena hasn't screwed us...yet."

"Good thing we're in the shade." Snow says as she and Zelena wait outside the tunnel's other end. "I guess the sun's a problem for you now that you're not green." Zelena, who has her head down and her hands tied behind her back, suddenly lets out a loud sob. Snow rolls her eyes. "Oh, no."

"I'm finally trying to do something to help, and nobody believes me!" Zelena exclaims.

But Snow is unaffected by Zelena's emotions. "It's the hormones talking."

"No! She's always the winner, and I'm always the loser, and she's gonna take my baby!" She shouts, grabbing at her stomach.

This, however, invokes a reaction out of Snow and she slowly approaches the wicked witch with worry. "Zelena." But when Zelena doesn't answer, Snow walks closer. "Zelena." Snow bends down to get a closer look at the witch. "Zelena, are you in pain?"

But Snow gets close enough for Zelena to use her legs and violently kicks Snow to the ground, knocking her unconscious. "Now that you've shut up!" Zelena yells as she gets to her feet, her hands no longer tied together." She quickly walks over to Snow and begins to tie her hands together with the rope that was used on her. "Oh, there's no rest for the wicked."

Years Earlier...

Merlin and Nimue continue on their journey when they finally approach the Flame of Prometheus.

"It's amazing." Nimue comments.

Merlin laughs. "Come. You'll see that's an understatement." He places the flaming torch he was carrying into the ground as the two proceed to approach the flame which sits in a dish in front of an ancient wall.

"Are you sure this will work?" She asks as she takes the holy grail from out of the bag.

"I'm quite sure." Nimue hands the cup to Merlin. "This will give me the life I wish for - shorter and full of love and meaning." Merlin places the cup on a small platform near the flame and then uses his magic to make a small fire fly out and engulf the cup. He twists the flames around, eventually causing them to disappear as the cup rises and melts into a large metal blob. Merlin is able to reshape the metal into something new - a sword that is Excalibur. Nimue appears astounded by her fiance's magic.

But as Merlin is looking at the sword, Nimue turns around in time to face the masked man. "Wait." She gasps.

"What?" Merlin finally turns around seeing the masked man, Vortigan. "There's no more grail, sir. Leave us be."

Vortigan begins to go for them anyway. "He wants the sword." Nimue panics.

Merlin tries to use his magic to stop him but, instead, Vortigan grabs Nimue and threatens her with a spiked weapon to her head. Nimue stares at the weapon, clearly frightened for her life. "The sword will bring you no joy." Merlin tells him. Without hesitation, Nimue elbows Vortigan in the stomach and attempts to escape. "Nimue, be still!"

"I can do this!" Nimue yells as she continues to break free. "You don't know!" She turns to face Vortigan and grabs his masked, ripping it off, revealing his awful, scarred face. Vortigan growls in anger and then plunges his weapon into her stomach.

"No!" Merlin cries out. Vortigan pushes Nimue towards Merlin, causing Merlin to drop the sword and catch his beloved. "Nimue." Nimue, though, is bleeding heavily, and unable to catch her breath. "Nimue? No, no, no!"

Nimue slowly looks up at Merlin as she lays in his arms. "I'm sorry." She whispers before slipping away.

"Nimue?" Merlin caresses Nimue's face before she completely falls back, dead. "Nimue!"

Camelot / Three Weeks Ago...

At the Flame of Prometheus, which no longer holds a flame, Emma and Merlin approach the destruction.

"This structure marks the end of Prometheus' theft." Merlin informs her. "The stolen flame burned on for a great while - long enough for Excalibur to be both forged and broken here." Emma looks curiously at the platform. "This where the first Dark One killed Nimue, the woman I loved."

"What happened to the flame?" Emma wonders.

"The first Dark One took it and still possesses it in the form of a single ember, with the spark deep inside."

"So that's what I need to get. Okay. Bring him on." Emma says, confidently. Merlin hands her the Dark One's dagger and she holds it out in front of her. "My family let you take this?" She asks, surprised.

"I didn't ask permission. You need its power to talk to the first Dark One, to reach all the way back to the origin of dark magic."

Emma begins to focus on the magic of the dagger. "It's buzzing, like ants crawling up my arm." She looks back at Merlin with worry. "Is it safe?"

Merlin shakes his head. "Of course not. Your power is totally unchecked, and I've just handed you the power to kill me." With this news, Emma clutches Killian's ring that is hanging around her neck, needing his comfort. "Now, call on the spirit of the previous Dark Ones."

With shaking hands, Emma begins to repeat quietly to herself. "Take the right path." She, again, holds out the dagger in front of her and it begins to change rapidly from all past Dark Ones' names: Rumplestiltskin, Zoso, Gorgon, and all the others. "It's just in my head." She says to herself. "It's just in my head. It's just in my head." Suddenly, Emma looks up and is frightened when she sees the cloaked figure in the golden mask that she recognized from the dreamcatcher.

"You did it." Merlin congratulates.

"You can see him, too?"

"Yes. Power has its advantages. And it's not a 'him.'" Emma seems surprised by this and looks down at the dagger, reading the name 'Nimue.' She looks back up at the Dark One and Nimue herself proceeds to remove Vortigan's mask to reveal her green and scaled face. Merlin's true love is the first Dark One.

Years Earlier...

With Nimue lying dead on the ground, Vortigan smiles down at the sight with his scarred and disgusting face. With tears in his eyes, Merlin looks up at the man who begins to walk away with Excalibur.

With his magic, he disappears in a cloud of purple smoke and reappears in front of Vortigan. "You killed her!" He growls in anger.

"And now I'm going to kill you." Vortigan tells him.

"That power was never meant to be a weapon!

"Then you shouldn't have turned it into a sword." Vortigan goes to swing the sword, but he freezes as something plunges into his back. He then drops to the ground, revealing Nimue behind him, holding his heart in her hand.

"Nimue." Merlin says, shocked to see her alive. "How?" But Nimue continues standing with the heart out of in front of her. "When I cast the detection spell."

"Yes. I drank from the grail." Nimue reveals. "You didn't tell me what it feels like to be strong, Merlin, to be immortal."

"Nimue, you let me watch you die!"

"I'm sorry about the play-acting, but it was my last chance to remind you what death looks like." She turns to Vortigan who is still struggling on the ground, staring at his heart in Nimue's hand.

"What matters now is that you're holding a man's heart in your hand." Merlin tells her, carefully. "Please, spare him."

"He doesn't deserve sparing!" Nimue spats.

"If you kill, your magic will turn dark. You'll commit atrocities that you can't even imagine."

"This man took my home and my family." She reminds him. "I had nothing to care for but a handful of seeds!"

"I'm not fighting for him!" Merlin shouts. "I'm fighting for you! I need you to be the woman that I know. I cannot bear to watch you become this. I know you feel you've lost everything, but Nimue, if you do this, then we've lost everything."

Nimue cries out, contemplating, before finally making her decision and crushes Vortigan's heart into dust, killing him instantly. The Flame of Prometheus goes out, leaving but an ember as the last of the heart's dust drops to the ground and Nimue's hand begins to turn green and scaly which soon effects her throughout her entire body.

Merlin watches in horror as his true love turns into the Dark One. She quickly grabs Excalibur from the ground and points it at Merlin. "Let's not think about cutting away anyone's magic or immortality."

"Please don't - " Merlin begs. "Don't do this. Nimue." But she does. Nimue takes the sword and bangs it against the edge of the flame's pedestal. "No!" She snaps Excalibur and the dagger's tip flies off and Merlin collapses to the ground, grieving. "No!"

Nimue drops the broken sword by its broken half on the ground. "I'm sorry."

Merlin looks up at his once true love with tears. "No, Nimue." He sighs. "I'm sorry."

Camelot / Three Weeks Ago...

Emma is still holding the dagger with Nimue's name on it out in front of her. Nimue removes her hood. "Nimue." Emma utters. Merlin looks down, unable to look at the woman he loved, who is filled with darkness.

"Yes." Nimue confirms. "I'm Nimue. And you are Emma." She starts to slowly approach her. "How pretty, the first Dark One and the newest Dark One standing as sisters."

"It makes sense." Emma tells a saddened Merlin as she continues looking at Nimue. "You killed the woman he loved because you killed the woman you used to be." She says, now understanding. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asks Merlin.

"I did tell you." Merlin assures her, still unable to look at Nimue. "The creature over there is the first Dark One. It's not the woman I loved."

"It's been a long time, Merlin." Nimue says.

Merlin finally looks up at her with glistening eyes. "I've thought of you every day."

"And now, on your last day, I'll be your last thought. How poetic." She proceeds to move her arm forward, but Emma finds herself doing the same, sending a burst of magic that forces Merlin backwards off his feet.

"Why are you doing this?" Emma asks her. "You loved him."

"Even when you love someone, you have to say, 'No, this is mine. You can't take it away from me.' And if they don't listen - " Nimue explains as she approaches Emma. " - if they try to stop you from being you, then you have no choice. You have to kill them. Oh. And you're doing this." Emma watches as Merlin tries to get to his feet, but then in super-speed she crouches down in front of the Sorcerer and begins to grip his neck tightly with her hand. She begins to strangle Merlin as the vision of Nimue continues. "Because we are one and the same now, all Dark Ones, and we must destroy the threat to us. We must destroy Merlin."

"Emma, please." Merlin begs through his constricted windpipe.

"It's not me!" Emma adamantly shouts.

Nimue bends down next to Emma. "Finish the job!"

"Don't listen!" Merlin pleads.

"He wants you to make a sword to destroy me, to destroy us."

"You can control this." Merlin assures Emma.

"Don't listen to him!" Nimue yells at Emma, who is conflicted on what to do. "He doesn't understand what you and I do. He doesn't understand the power. If you don't kill him now, you'll go back to being powerless."

"Killing is the dark path." Merlin reminds her.

"No! It's power to protect yourself and your loved ones!"

"Let the light win." Merlin struggles to say.

"Kill him!" Nimue exclaims. "Don't go back to being nothing!"

Those words, more than anything, get to Emma. She releases Merlin and angrily stands back up. "I'M NOT NOTHING!" She yells with rage. "I WAS NEVER NOTHING! THE POWER YOU HAVE, I DON'T NEED!" Emma holds the dagger up to the vision of Nimue, allowing the engraved name to return back to her own. "Now I am going to take that ember from you, and you are going to let me." She holds out her hand and summons the ember from the first Dark One. Nimue gasps in pain as the glowing Promethean flame shoots out into Emma's hand.

"The spark you need is in there - " Nimue assures her. " - but the sword you will make has more than one use, and I am not dead yet, girl." She threatens. "You know where to find me when you want me. I'll be right in there." Nimue taps Emma's forehead before finally vanishing.

As Emma stares at where Nimue once stood, taking in what she had said, Merlin stands to his feet and sees the ember in Emma's hand. "You did it." He says, proudly.

"I did." Emma confirms.

"How does it feel to take the right path?"

Emma stares down at the ember in her hand. "To be honest, Merlin, it feels damn good."

Back at the diner, Avia slowly approaches the booth where Nick is sitting. He is reading over the storybook again.

"Writing a story?"

Nick looks up, surprised that Avia is speaking to him. "I broke my quill, remember?"

Avia nods, sitting down in front of him. "Well, I'm sure Merlin could make you another one, if you ask."

"I think it's safer for all of us without it. We seem to be able to get into trouble on our own."

Avia smirks. "True."

The two are quiet for a moment, just staring awkwardly at one another. "Look, Avia, what happened at the ball, I did - "

"I know." Avia furrows her brows. "Actually, I don't really know." She sighs. "Look, let's not make it weirder than it already is. Right now lets just think about saving my sister, and then we can discuss your stupidity when we get back home, okay?"

Nick smiles, but agrees. "Okay. So, does this mean you're going to talk to me instead of yelling at me?"

Avia scoffs. "That's our best form of communication. Why would I stop doing that?" She asks, making them both laugh. "Karley just reminded me that we've been friends for too long to have something like that ruin our friendship. I still don't understand it. But we can come back to it when the time is right and when we are not stuck here."

"You do realize you born here, right?"

Avia rolls her eyes. "And the longer I stay here, the more I miss electricity. Come on." Avia stands from the booth, gesturing for Nick stand, too. "Let's go tell your sister we are speaking again so she'll stop yelling at me."

Nick simply laughs and stands up. "Gladly."

On their way back, Emma decides to ask Merlin about his and Nimue's past.

"What happened after she turned into the Dark One?"

"First, my apprentice and I made sure the sword would be safe." Merlin explains. Merlin is placing Excalibur into the stone with his young Apprentice standing by his side watching. "Then, I created the dagger." Inside Merlin's tower, he is placing the sword's tip into the cauldron. "I tethered her spirit to it so I could control and prevent her reign of terror. But eventually, she got it away from me."

"She put you in the tree." Emma realizes. "She wore the mask then."

"Yes." Merlin confirms. "She took that mask from a man who did her great harm. It's easier to live with the darkness if you can dress it up as vengeance."

Emma places a gentle hand onto Merlin's arm, stopping them from walking. "I realize your heart was broken, but now I know Nimue loves you still. It's all twisted up, but I felt it."

"Thank you." He says, sincerely. "That means a lot to me."

"Too bad you couldn't see her future." The Apprentice says to Merlin as he wipes the dagger clean. "You could have not talked to her in the first place."

"No, no, my boy, no. Never think that." Merlin assures him. "Even now I would live through it again. Life is made of moments and I had the best moments of my life with her." He looks down at the dagger which engraves Nimue's name.

"Is it possible for someone to have the darkness, but use it for good to protect people?" Emma wonders.

"Emma, don't let those thought tempt you." Merlin says, firmly.

"But is it true?"

"Someday perhaps there will be a person who's worthy to hold that much power and not let it burn through to darken their soul. But if we can wipe out the darkness, we'll never have to ask that much of anyone."

"Sounds like we need to find the other half of Excalibur." Emma tells him.

As the rests of the sword lays upon the Round Table with its broken blade hidden, Arthur tends to it with a book and a mace to one side when David, Regina, Robin, and Killian burst into the room with their weapons.

"Foul witch, you've overpowered the guards!" Arthur grabs the mace and prepares to fight.

But Regina uses her magic to freeze Arthur in place, then makes his weapon disappear. "Sword's on the table." Robin points.

"Don't touch it." Killian warns. "It could have protection charms."

Regina walks around the table, towards the sword. "Tell your timbers to stop shivering, Pirate. Nothing in here can hurt us. Arthur doesn't know how to do magic."

Arthur smiles at this just as Zelena walks in with a tied-up Snow by her side. "Hi, guys!" She says, enthusiastically.

"Oh, hell no." Regina scowls.

"Snow!" David yells. "If you hurt her - "

Zelena pushes Snow into one of the vacant chairs. "Oh, Daddy's angry." She says, amused, before turning to Arthur and undoes Regina's spell, unfreezing him.

"How did you - "

"Well - " Zelena interrupts a baffled Regina. " - Arthur was kind enough to remove that constricting jewelry."

"Fine." Regina glares. "I'd prefer an even fight." She summons a fireball into her hand.

"No, don't!" Robin shouts. "The baby."

Regina sighs, disappointed, and quenches the magical flame. "You know, if you treated me fairly for once, maybe I wouldn't turn on you." Zelena tells her.

"Yes, you would." Killian scowls at the witch.

"But I'd enjoy it less." She looks down and gasps at the spellbook on the table. "Oh! Here we are. One of Merlin's cookbooks."

"Is it the right spell?" Arthur asks.

"Oh, yes. It's quite an ingenious recipe for a tethering potion."

"Excellent."

Zelena uses her magic over the incomplete and still wrapped-up Excalibur before smiling widely. "There - you can take it now." Arthur steps forward and grabs the sword. "Cookies are done, and by 'cookies,' I mean that Artie here may have a shorter sword than a man would like, but it can control the world's greatest wizard." Arthur removes Excalibur's wrapping, revealing both its broken end and the name 'Merlin' engraved on the blade. "His plan, but I like it. Happy to help." She smiles, smugly.

"Most obliged, my lady."

"Arthur, please." David pleads. "You can't see a way out, but there is one. You can start over."

Arthur holds the broken sword out in front of him. "Merlin!" He calls out.

"We've all started over."

"Merlin!"

"Emma is worth more to you as the Savior than the Dark One."

Arthur narrows his eyes at the prince, clearly in disagreement. "Thank you, David." He says, sarcastically. "But - Merlin!"

Back in the woods, Merlin is following Emma back towards Granny's Diner.

"Avia, geez." Emma says, thinking about her sister. "She's growing up so fast. Sometimes I can hardly believe - " There's a sudden whooshing noise that grabs her attention, so Emma turns around to find that the Sorcerer is no longer behind her.

In the castle, Merlin appears in front of Arthur, who still has the sword raised above him.

Arthur smiles and points the broken sword at the sorcerer. "Ah, Merlin." He says, pleased. "How kind of you to come when called." But Merlin looks around, utterly confused by what happened. "For your first task, please use your magic to keep these fine people from attacking me in any way."

Merlin proceeds to use his magic to make David, Robin, and Killian's swords to drop to the ground, delighting Zelena. "Wow." She laughs.

"It is done, Arthur." Merlin says. "You can put that down. We don't have to do this. Emma has passed her test."

"Oh, Emma passed the test?" Merlin questions. "How nice for her." He says, amused.

"I have what we need to unite Excalibur and fulfill your legacy. Give me the sword."

"You mean give you the glory? No."

"Glory?" Merlin questions. "You seek glory? Is that really what you've become? I am so sorry I wasn't there to guide you, Arthur. This isn't the man you were supposed to be."

"Oh, I am exactly what you made me." Arthur assures him. "'Look at the half-man with his half-sword, solving riddles from a tree.' I bet you laughed."

"I was trapped, and I put my faith in you. You were meant to be like a son to me."

"Shut your mouth." Arthur commands, holding up the sword. "I was never a son to you. You lied. You told me legend would speak of the great King Arthur, using Excalibur to strike darkness from the realm! Tell me how this was not a lie!"

"Because you will do that." Merlin tells him. "You're a part of doing it right now."

"A part of it?"

"We have what we need. The future is in your hands, Arthur. Give me the sword. We can repair everything."

Arthur lowers the sword, refusing. "No, not everything. This is my charge and my right. I will be known for more than defeating a stone."

"Arthur, you cannot - "

"Be quiet." Arthur commands, giving Merlin no choice but to oblige. "We have intruders." He points the sword to the group. "Make them leave."

Merlin reluctantly does as he is told and waves his hand, making it so Regina, Snow, David, Robin, and Killian vanish.

Storybrooke / Present...

Inside Emma's basement, the Dark One's dagger remains lying on top of the stone as the Dark Swan places its other half next to it.

"Go on." The vision of Rumplestiltskin urges. "It's time."

"Why will you not leave me alone?" Emma asks, peeved.

"Well, how could we? We're here to witness something historical."

"Rumplestiltskin's eyes are fine to look through most days - " Nimue says, startling Emma. " - but I wanted to see this myself."

"You tried to keep me from doing this." Emma reminds the first Dark One.

"Like them, there was a chance that you would use Excalibur to cut away the darkness, but now you can douse the light instead." Rumple smiles at this. "We are proud of you - " Nimue continues. " - all of us."

Emma then looks to see a mass group of every single Dark One standing behind Nimue. They are all wearing masks and their eyes are glowing. Emma grabs a box and walks back to the stone, opening it, revealing the ember. They all watch with excitement as the Dark Swan turns the spark from the ember into a flame, using her magic to contort it into a fireball and then compressing it into a concentrated ball of light. While the light remains in midair, Emma grabs both halves of the sword, sticking them both into either side and allowing the Promethean spark to work its own magic.

When she steps back, the light is gone, and Excalibur which continues to float in the air, waiting for her to receive it, is now complete. But when Emma goes to grab it, she stops. "Merlin." She utters. Emma remembers herself inside the theatre when she was younger with Avia sitting at her side and Merlin, who was in disguise, warning her to leave the sword alone. "He told me not to do this when I was a girl."

Nimue smiles. "And now you're a woman."

"Take the power." Rumplestiltskin adds.

Soon, every Dark One begins to chant 'take the power' through their eerie whispers. Emma stares at the sword before finally taking hold of it, and receiving the admiration of every Dark One who ever lived.

Storybrooke / Present...

At the refugee camp, David pulls up in his truck and looks over at Arthur's tent.

"I'll go in first." David grabs his gun and walks past Killian and Robin, who had arrived earlier to accompany the prince. "You two stand guard."

"And if our dishonest King should put up a fight?" Robin questions.

"We'll make him wish he hadn't." Killian answers.

Inside the tent, King Arthur and Queen Guinevere are enjoying a peaceful dinner with one another, but are soon interrupted when the sheriff walks in. "Arthur."

"David!" Arthur greets him happily. "Good to see you, my friend. Come, sit. Join us."

"Why don't you explain why you lied to me?" David asks, getting right to the point of why he's there. "Why you tried to burn the Crimson Crown."

Tensions begin to rise while Guinevere sits back, looking at her nervous husband. "So, you found me out."

"Yeah, I found out - friend." David mocks, displeased.

"Now, that part was real."

"Ah, it doesn't matter. Not anymore. But I want answers. See, there was a message in there from Merlin. It said there was only one person who could destroy the Dark One, named Nimue." Guinevere continues to look at her fearful husband as David raises his gun. "You tell me who that is." He demands. Guinevere stands and this leads Arthur to quickly jump up and flip the table over, distracting David long enough for Arthur to grab his sword and escape from out of the back of the tent. "He's getting away!" David shouts.

As Arthur begins to make a run for it, Killian chases the king into the woods, catching up to him. Arthur looks back and sees the distance between the two, but as he is looking he trips over a thick root that is sticking out from the ground. As Killian approaches the king, he gets close enough that Arthur makes another move to escape and turns over, kicking the pirate's legs from under him, throwing them both onto the ground.

Arthur manages to get up in time just as Killian goes to reach for his sword, but Arthur stops him by pointing his own at the pirate. "Look at that. Seems you brought a hook to a sword fight."

Killian rolls his eyes. "Actually, I brought a sword, but I seem to have misplaced it." He says, pointing behind him.

"Shame. It's always the simple mistakes that get us killed." Arthur goes to plunge his sword at Killian, but another sword gets into his way, stopping him, and knocks it from his hand. They look over and see Emma Swan standing before him, holding Excalibur to Arthur's neck. "Excalibur." Arthur whispers, astonished. "It's whole."

"Yes, it is." Emma confirms. "But it's not going to help you. This sword doesn't control anyone now." She waves her hand and with her magic she sends Arthur flying backwards into a tree.

"I suppose I should say 'thank you.'" Killian says, standing to his feet.

"You don't need to say anything. Just don't do that again."

"I should apologize for what I said that day aboard my ship."

"For when you refused to accept me or when you said you did not love me?" Emma questions.

"It's a bit more complicated than that."

"Doesn't matter. I'm the Dark One."

"You're more than the Dark One." Killian exclaims. "You're still you. You saved me. That was Emma."

"What do you want from me?" Emma asks.

"I want to help you. And I need your help to do it. Who is Nimue, and how can she defeat the darkness?"

"Nimue doesn't matter anymore. This will all be over tomorrow."

"What will be over?" Killian asks, frustrated. "And why do you need that damn sword?" Emma just stands, narrowing her eyes at her true love, who begins to laugh. "All this power, and you don't even have the courage to answer one simple bloody question. Why do you need Excalibur?" But Emma still doesn't answer. Instead, she begins to walk away. "I know you're still in there, Emma, and I know that despite everything, you always have your reasons!"

"You're right! I do!" Emma shouts. "You want to know why I'm doing all of this?" Emma turns back to Killian with glistening eyes. "I'm doing it for Avia."

And with that, Emma poofs herself away.

Outside Camelot / Three Weeks Earlier...

With the Flame of Prometheus in tow, Emma approaches Granny's Diner and opens the container where the flame glows. She looks at it, longingly, before continuing on inside Granny's Diner where she finds her sister and her friends, along with Granny.

Avia is the first to look up and runs over to her. "Emma, did you do it?" Emma walks closer and brings Avia into her arms. "Did you find the spark of - "

"Prometheus, yes." Emma confirms. "Now we can use it to fix Excalibur."

"Finally." Karley says, relieved.

"Where's the sword?"

Avia furrows her brows, looking at her confused friends. "We don't know." Nick answers. "They haven't come back with it yet."

This surprises Emma. "Really? They should have been back hours ago. Have you seen Merlin?"

"Wasn't he with you?" Avia wonders, bewildered.

"He was, but then he vanished. Something's wrong." Emma worries. "I don't think we're safe here anymore. Granny, let's close up shop."

Granny walks out from the back with her crossbow. "One step ahead of you. Nicholas, lock the front. I got the back." Granny goes to toss the keys to Nick, but they all freeze in place except for Emma, who is startled. "Nick?" She looks at her sister in confusion. "Avia?"

"They'll be fine." Merlin says, stepping out from the back. "Once we're done. I'm sorry for the theatrics. It's not usually my style, but I had to follow orders."

"Orders?" Emma questions. "Whose orders?"

"Arthur's." Merlin reveals. "My wayward pupil has done something I did not foresee. He's tethered me to Excalibur. Arthur has ordered me to re-forge Excalibur into a whole sword, which means I will need your dagger and the Promethean Flame."

"No."

"Then he will order me to kill your family, and Emma, as much as I hate it, I will obey him."

"Arthur has my family?"

"Yes. Because of me. I'm sorry. He wants to make a trade in the heart of the Caledonian Forest in one hour - their lives for the dagger and the flame."

"That's not enough time." Emma tells him. "This is even a flame yet."

"I've seen the strength in you, Emma. When you're ready to light the spark, it will burn. And Arthur will have what he wants. The sword will be whole once again."

"So, I'm just supposed to give up without a fight?"

"Acceptance is a form of strength. I know the darkness lives in you, Emma, but I beg you, please. Do not seek vengeance. Do not make the same mistakes as Nimue."

Storybrooke / Present...

Killian pulls Arthur against the bars of his cell. "Who is Nimue?" He demands. "What the hell happened back in Camelot?"

"I wish I knew. That blonde demon took my memory, same as yours." Arthur tells him.

"Then why destroy Merlin's message? What are you not bloody telling us!?" Killian yells.

"That's enough!" David shouts, pulling Killian away. "He doesn't know anything. He's a king with no kingdom. As much as he hates it - " David looks back at Arthur with disgust. " - he's not important anymore."

Killian walks over to Regina and Snow, who are standing in the back. "Feel any better?" Regina asks.

"I'll feel better when I have some answers." Killian looks at Snow. "Emma said this whole thing was about Avia."

Snow furrows her brows, concerned. "Avia?"

Regina scoffs. "We already know what she did to Avia. She destroyed her sister's happiness for a sword."

"No. This was Emma talking." Killian says, firmly.

"There may not be any Emma." Snow tells him, saddened. "Not anymore."

"She's right." Regina agrees. "This Dark One, she has Excalibur, and she is going to destroy all light magic. Avia has all light magic now."

"So, that's what you think it's about? Emma is dark now, so you think she is set to destroy her sister. Her sister who has been her entire life. Who she has sworn to protect the second Avia came about? Emma hasn't even used the sword."

"Well, obviously, she needs another ingredient to cast the spell." Regina assumes. "So, we figure out what that is. For all we know, she wants to destroy light magic to bring Avia onto her side."

"Emma took that darkness out of Avia to protect her!" Killian reminds her.

"Well, Emma is dark now." David shrugs.

"You can all look at magic spells till you're blue in the face." Killian says, bitterly. "But something happened in Camelot. The only way to help Emma is to find out what the hell it was."

Over at Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop, Rumplestiltskin is examining a snow globe, but his moment of silence is interrupted when Killian walks in.

"Crocodile, we need to talk."

Rumple takes a deep breath, facing the pirate. "Didn't you hear? I'm not that man anymore. Belle, you can, uh - " Killian turns around to find Belle standing at the doorway holding a crossbow.

"Yeah." Belle quickly puts the weapon down. "Sorry, I thought you might be Emma."

"It's a good thing I'm not. A crossbow wouldn't do you much good." Killian tells her.

"Well, best we could manage." Rumple says. "I did have some squid ink set aside for a rainy day, but, uh, unfortunately - " He walks around his counter and open his safe, which is empty. " - she found it."

"Dark Ones are clever like that, clever enough to make everyone believe that they've really changed." Killian reminds Rumple, letting out some of his resentment towards the man. Rumple looks down, guilty. "I need to know what's going on inside Emma's head now. She said she's doing all this because of Avia."

"This isn't about what Avia did. It's about what she did."

"You sure about that?"

"I've seen the look on her face. One that I know only too well - regret. I became the Dark One to save my son. Committed countless sins along the way, convince myself I would atone for them all once I found them. But things never work out the way you think they will. Emma became the Dark One to save her sister. If you want to find out what she is after, find out what she's atoning for."

"And how do I do that?" Killian asks. "I've been looking all over for her. She doesn't want to be found."

"Then you have to give her a reason to find you."

A while later, Killian storms into the Charmings' apartment.

"Avia?" He calls out. "Avia, are you here?!"

Avia comes downstairs, confused. "Killian, what - what's going on?"

"I need your help."

Avia furrows her brows, seeing that Killian is alone. "Where's my mom and dad? Weren't you with them?"

Killian nods. "Aye. But they don't know I'm here. I need your help - " Killian lets out a heavy breath. " - I need your help to save Emma." He finishes, only confusing Avia more.

Camelot / Three Weeks Ago...

Emma is sitting outside of Granny's Diner, trying to light the Promethean spark. But she fails continuously.

"I wouldn't light that if I were you." The vision of Rumplestiltskin appears, startling Emma. "Which as a matter of fact, I am." Emma closes her eyes, perturbed by his presence, while he slowly approaches from behind. "If Arthur uses that to forge Excalibur, he will kill you, and that's bad news for those of us in your head."

"I don't have a choice." Emma tells him. "I need to ignite this spark to save my family. I can't risk their lives." Emma sighs as she continues to try and light the flame. "What the hell's wrong with this?"

"Wrong with it?" Rumplestiltskin questions as he sits next to her. "Or wrong with you?" Emma furrows her brows at the imp. "Merlin said you can only light that when you're ready to let go of the darkness. So, perhaps you're not."

"You're wrong."

"Well, prove it then, dearie. Light the flame. Go on, do it." Emma concentrates back on the spark. "Just do it. Just - Just light it!"

"I'm trying!"

"Emma." Avia comes up behind her sister, hearing how upset she is.

Emma jumps up, looking back at her. "Avia. You weren't supposed to see that."

"Well, I did." Avia says, walking closer. "What were you trying to do?"

"Get this flame lit."

"What do the voices say?"

"That I can't do it. Because I don't want to give up the darkness."

"Maybe you just need a little motivation." Avia pulls out a newspaper from behind her back and hands it to Emma. Emma looks down and sees a house circled in red. "A little project Killian asked for my help in. He claims since I've known you the longest, that I was the best person to help. As much as I'd hate to not be roommates with you anymore, it is kinda weird that you're still living with our parents." She jokes, causing a grin upon Emma's face. "He was looking for a house you'd like so when we get back home - "

"He can ask me to move in." Emma finishes, touched by this gesture.

"He said that the house is a promise, kind of like a plan for the future."

This gives Emma an idea. She hands the newspaper back to Avia, and closes the box of the spark. "You know what? That voice in my head was right. I don't want to give up the darkness. Not yet."

Avia frowns. "But, Emma, you don't - "

"I need to use it one last time." Emma interrupts.

Out in the Caledonian Forest, David, Snow, Regina, Killian, and Robin are all chained up to trees, struggling to break free, but they soon notice Emma, Avia, Nick, and Karley making their way over.

Emma steps up to Merlin, Arthur, and Zelena, while the three teens stand behind her. "I brought the dagger and the flame, but you don't get it until you free my family."

"No." Arthur refuses. "You will hand it over now, or I unleash Merlin." He holds up the broken sword, revealing Merlin's engraved name.

"Emma, please." Merlin begs. "I don't want to fight you."

"No, but I do." Zelena says, stepping up. She turns to Avia and her niece and nephew with a wicked smirk on her face. "Glad to see you brought the rest of the family. I'd hate to see them miss out on watching their mommy die."

"Karley, Nicholas, you should have stayed at the diner." Regina says, sternly, yet fearful of what may happen to her children.

The kids step up to either side of Emma. "Sorry, Mom." Nick shrugs, grinning at Zelena. "We didn't want to miss the show."

Zelena walks closer with smile. "Oh. So brave." She says, caressing his cheek. "You may take after your auntie afterall."

Karley steps in front of her brother, pushing Zelena's hand away. "Don't touch him." She glares.

This only causes Zelena to chuckle as she circles around them. "So, tell us, Dark One. What are you gonna do?"

But Emma doesn't answer just yet, but instead contemplates her next move.

Storybrooke / Present...

"'And then the witch opened the oven - '" Zelena reads a storybook from her cot inside her cell in the hospital basement. "' - stoked the flames, ready to put Gretel inside.' Oh!" Zelena feels a kick. "Felt that one. You must like this book as much as your mom." But Zelena then feels another kick, which is more painful. "Ow!" She grabs her stomach, trying to calm herself. "Okay, steady on." But the kicks intensify, sending Zelena off her cot. "Something's wrong!" She groans out in pain. "Something's wrong!" She jumps over to the door to get the nurse's attention. "Help! I need help! Somebody help me! Let me out!" She cries out.

A short while later, Robin and Regina run in having been called by the nurse.

"What's wrong?" Robin worries. "What happened?"

"A bit difficult to explain." The nurse says as she leads them towards Zelena's cell. "You better see for yourselves."

"Uh, careful." Regina warns before the nurse can open the door. "It could be another one of her tricks."

But the nurse opens the door and they find Zelena standing at the doorway, struggling to breathe. Her pregnancy has been accelerated causing her belly to be in full form. Regina and Robin stare in disbelief. "Well, don't just stare!" Zelena yells. "Help me!"

"How - How has this happened?" Robin asks. "You're only two months pregnant."

"Well, how do you think!? Dark magic." Zelena then proceeds to scream out in pain.

"Whose dark magic?" Regina questions.

"Emma Swan!" Killian calls out as he and Avia walk atop a building.

"Killian!" Avia shouts.

"Emma Swan! Emma Swan!" Killian grabs Avia's arm and proceeds to lead her towards the edge of the building.

"Killian, what are you doing!?" Avia panics as she looks down at the ground below.

"Emma Swan!"

"Killian!"

"I guess we have to do this the hard way." He utters. "Hold on, Avia."

"Wha - What - "

Killian then jumps off the building, bringing Avia down with him. In mid-air, they both poof away in a cloud of smoke and then reappear safely on the ground in front of Emma. "You were sure I'd save you?" Emma asks.

Avia pushes Killian off of her. "I was sure you'd save her." Killian tells her.

"What is wrong with you!?" Avia shouts at the pirate. "I don't want to be here." She narrows her eyes at her sister before turning to walk away.

"Avia, stop." Killian grabs Avia's arm, pulling her back. "I know you're upset with your sister, but we need to know what happened in Camelot."

"You saw what happened." Avia glares at Emma. "She lied to me! She ripped out Oliver's heart and broke mine for her own personal gain."

Emma stares at her sister with no emotion. "I did that for good reasons."

"Then, explain those reasons, Emma." Killian urges. "Whatever you did, whatever you are trying to atone for, we can finish this here and now."

"How am I suppose to forgive the one person who always promised to never hurt me?" Avia asks in disgust.

"Well, it's a good thing I'm not asking for forgiveness." Emma says, dispassionately.

Avia rolls her eyes. "Then why are we here? Can we go now?" She asks Killian.

Killian looks intently at his true love. "There was more than breaking your sister's heart. You said you are doing this for Avia. We already know you took the darkness away to save her. And we also know we freed Merlin somehow, which means we had a way to save you."

"I didn't ask you to take the darkness from me, Emma." Avia looks at her sister with tears in her eyes. "But I did always ask you to tell me the truth. Despite all the other broken promises, don't break this one - " Emma looks at her sister. " - Please."

"You really want to know the truth no matter how awful?" Emma asks.

Avia and Killian look at one another before looking back at Emma. "I do." Avia answers.

"Then there's something I need to show you - " She looks at Killian. " - both of you."

Emma, Avia, and Killian walk into Emma's home.

"I've already seen your home, Swan." Killian rolls his eyes. "Why are we here?"

"Avia hasn't." Emma states.

"And I also didn't ask for a tour. I asked for the truth." Avia reminds her.

"The truth is tricky. Follow me." Emma begins to walk up the stairs with Killian and Avia reluctantly following behind. They soon step into a room - a teenager's room.

"What is this?" Avia asks, looking around.

"It's your room." Emma tells her.

"I already have a room. A room I also use to share with you inside our parents apartment before you turned yourself dark. I don't need another room." She says, spitefully.

Emma shrugs. "Maybe you will one day and when you do, you'll have one here."

Avia scoffs. "Why?"

"See, I didn't just pick out this room, Avia - " Emma looks over at Killian. " - we both did."

Killian is perplexed by this news. "What are you talking about, Swan?"

Emma turns to the telescope that is pointing out the window. "See for yourself."

"Fine." Killian sighs. "I'll play your little game." He walks over and peers into the telescope. "I guess being the Dark One has its perks." Avia steps up to the window to see what he is looking at. "That is a stunning view of the sea." He says in awe. "There's no sight like a full moon on the waves."

"Back in Camelot, you said the ocean calmed you. I thought you might like to see it."

"Why the room?" Avia asks, looking back at her. "What does this have to do with anything?"

Emma looks down at the newspaper that is on the bed. Avia walks up and grabs it, seeing the house circled in red. With confusion, she walks over to Killian showing him. "That's my handwriting." He notices.

"You said this was our future together." Emma reminds him. "Everything I've done has been to keep that future alive."

Avia steps up to her sister, her anger rising. "What do I have to do with this, Emma? This is not my future!"

Emma smiles softly at her sister. "You'll always be my future, Avs. We're sisters. That'll never change."

"Then tell me the truth!"

"I can't tell you everything that happened until it's all over."

"Why not?" Killian asks.

Emma turns back to her sister. "Because if you knew what I was really after, you'd do everything in your power to stop me."

Emma then places her hands on each of their cheeks and they instantly fall unconscious to the ground.

Meanwhile, at Storybrooke General Hospital, the doors swing open and the doctors roll Zelena into a private room as she breathes in and out heavily from the labor pains.

"You have to stay calm and breathe." Robin commands as he follows behind.

"Shut up!" Zelena yells. "I was a fake midwife. I knew the drill."

"Zelena, why would Emma do this?" Regina asks, bewildered.

"I have no idea!"

"Are you sure it was her?"

"Let's just say when the Dark One offers your onion rings - " Zelena groans out in pain, clutching her stomach. " - Ahh! - Don't eat them!"

Regina watches nervously as the nurse wheels her sister into the room.

Inside, a short while later, Zelena is now sitting in a bed, screaming from the pain.

"Someone scream for a doctor?" Dr. Whale walks in, making himself known.

"There is a an angry baby inside of me." Zelena pants. "Get it out!"

"You know, the last time I delivered a baby, you tried to steal it." Dr. Whale reminds the Wicked Witch as he puts his gloves on. "But why try to steal one when making one is so much more fun, right?" Regina and Robin both look at one another with disgust as Whale holds out his hand to Zelena. "Dr. Whale." He creepily introduces himself.

Regina furrows her eyes as she looks at the doctor. "We really need another doctor in this town. And what's with the dye job?" She proceeds to ask about his very platinum blonde hair.

"Oh, so Emma changes her hair and no one makes a fuss, but I get ridiculed? Yeah? Come on. You know you like it." He smirks.

"Ugh! Stop talking!" Zelena interrupts. "Didn't I kill you the last time I was here?"

"No, you just threw me across the room." Dr. Whale reminds her. "I hope that doesn't happen again this time." Zelena simply rolls her eyes. "Okay, all business today. Got it. Uh, let's get those vitals going, get that baby out of you."

Suddenly, Belle and Snow run in. "Everybody get ready." Snow warns. "We have to protect that baby from Emma."

"She's here?" Robin panics.

"She will be soon." Belle says as she opens the spellbook she is holding. "And we found that spell to destroy light magic in Merlin's spell book."

Snow looks into the open book. "The only thing she needs other than Excalibur is - "

"Cries of a newborn child." Regina finishes.

"Well, she's not taking this baby. Not while I'm still alive." Robin declares.

"Regina." Zelena calls desperately to her sister. "Take this cuff off so I can defend myself and my child. Please." She begs.

"You are far from trustworthy." Regina tells her. "But worry not. I'll protect the baby. What happens to you, well - "

Zelena scoffs loudly. "Just do something!" She screams.

Camelot / Three Weeks Ago...

Emma frustratingly watches as Zelena paces around, looking at her family who are still tied to the trees. "So, Dark One, who should I execute first? Hmm? Your boyfriend or your father?"

"You can have the flame." Emma gives in.

"Emma." Avia exclaims. "What are you doing?"

They watch as Emma hands Zelena the box. "Zelena, make sure that's real." Arthur orders.

Zelena rolls her eyes and does so. But just as Emma cleverly planned, it's not. When Zelena opens the box, two binds of tape, printed with the pattern of the Dark One's dagger and Excalibur, shoot out. The tape throws the Wicked Witch back, pinning her against a tree of her own. Regina can't help but smile at her sister's defeat.

Avia, however, is impressed. "Okay. I will not question you again, sis."

Emma looks back at Arthur. "Now you want to give me my family? Or keep fighting?"

"Merlin!" Arthur calls out to the sorcerer.

"Please, Emma." Merlin begs. "Give him the flame. This is a battle you cannot win." But Emma is given no time, as Merlin begins to concentrate his power, shooting a beam of magic at her, which she is forced to do back.

"Stay back, Avia!" Emma shouts.

The three teens stay behind Emma and her magic. But Avia and her parents can see that Emma's power is draining. "I wish you could defeat me, Emma." Merlin tells her. "But I've played this game for too long." And with that Emma is knocked down.

"Emma!" Avia exclaims as she and Nick and Karley try to help a now weak Emma up.

"Merlin, kill her mother." Arthur orders.

Everyone watches horrified to see Merlin use his power to magic a tree branch to form down the tree and wrap itself around Snow's neck. "No!" Avia stands up, and runs towards Snow. "Mom!"

"Snow!" David shouts, trying to break free to save her.

"It's no good." Robin says to Regina as they both try to break free as well. "They're too strong."

"Keep trying." Regina tells him.

"Stop!" Avia continues to run after Merlin, who with his other hand, pushes Avia away with his magic.

"Avia!" David shouts for his daughter, who falls roughly to the ground.

Emma slowly rises, finding her strength. "Merlin, you have to fight it."

"I can't!" Merlin exclaims, trying his best to resist choking Snow.

"You are the greatest Sorcerer that has ever lived!" Emma reminds him. "If you cannot fight off the darkness, no one can."

"Stop!" Avia throws her arm out and sends her magic to knock Merlin and Arthur down, stopping the magic, and causing Arthur to drop Excalibur. The branch dissipates, and Snow is free, panting to catch her breath. "Mom!?"

"I'm okay, baby!" Snow struggles to assure her daughter.

Arthur quickly gets up and grabs the sword. "I said kill her!" He demands Merlin. "By the sword, I command you!" Merlin stands to his feet, struggling to resists. "Kill her!"

The strain to not obey the sword is becoming too much for the sorcerer. "I can't hold him off much longer."

Nick and Karley run over to Regina and Robin to try and break the chains around their wrists while Arthur points Excalibur at Merlin. "You...Will...Kill her."

Avia looks at her parents, contemplating on what she should do. She looks back at Emma who is still struggling to regain her strength. Merlin is still trying his hardest to resist Arthur's commands, but he feels himself starting to give in. Snow and David watch as their daughter finally turns to Arthur, making her decision. "Avia, no!" David shouts.

Avia makes her way over to Arthur. "I will not let you destroy my family!"

Arthur begins to laugh as the girl approaches him. "And you think you can stop me? A little girl?"

Avia shrugs. "I freed Merlin." She starts to raise her hands to use her magic on Arthur, but he waves Excalibur at her causing her to jump back and trip.

"You can't stop me, girl." Arthur laughs. He then points Excalibur at Merlin once again. "Kill them all!"

"Not today, mate." Arthur turns just in time to receive a punch in the face by Killian, causing him to release the sword. Arthur goes to grab it, but Killian steps on his hand. "I know someone else who needs that."

Arthur gives in and releases his hold of it so he can get up and run to a trapped Zelena for help. "Get us out of here." He removes her binds and she waves her hand, leaving nothing but green smoke in their place.

The binds release on the others and David runs over to Snow and Avia while Regina embraces Robin and her kids. "Are you two alright." David asks, looking them both over.

"I'm okay." Snow assures him before turning her attention to her daughter.

Emma finally gets up and makes her way to Killian. "Easy Swan." Killian steadies her, seeing that she is still weak. "You got tagged pretty good there."

Snow checks Avia over, seeing her shirt ripped slightly on her shoulder. "Avia, you're hurt." Avia looks down to see blood seeping through her shirt.

"I'm okay." Avia tells them. "I've had worse."

"But this time it can be fixed." Emma says, walking over. "Hold still." She uses her magic and heals it.

"Thanks."

"No. Thank you." Emma brings her sister into a strong hug. "But don't ever do that again."

David sighs, bringing Avia into a hug, along with Snow, while Emma allows Killian to wrap his arm around her. "You're going to give me a heart attack one day."

Avia simply chuckles, resting her head onto her father's chest, and nods her head at the sword in Killian's hand. "At least we got the sword."

Emma grabs the sword from Killian. "Now all I have to do is light the spark and then we can get the darkness out."

"Well, then let's do it and go home." Killian tells her as he brings her into a loving hug.

Back at Granny's Diner, everyone is sitting around when David makes his way back in with Regina and Robin following behind.

"Well, the woods are clear." He tells them. "Zelena and Arthur must have retreated somewhere far from here."

"I'm afraid Merlin won't be much help." Belle informs them as she looks at a weak Merlin, who is sitting at the table. "Resisting Excalibur has taken its toll on him."

"And Emma?" Regina asks, concerned. "How's she doing with the spark?"

"Well, she said she needed some time alone." Snow answers. "She took it outside." Regina walks away towards the back to go check on Emma while David walks over to his wife and daughter.

"And how are you doing?" He asks Avia, who has her head resting on her mother's shoulder.

"Remind me why magic is a good thing?" Avia asks. "Because it surely takes a lot out of you."

Snow narrows her eyes down at her daughter. "Which is why we don't like you to use it unless you absolutely have to."

Avia rolls her eyes, sinking further into Snow. "Yeah. Yeah. I saved you. You're welcome."

David raises his brows, concerned by Avia's snarky attitude. "Are you wanting us to say 'thank you' because that's not going to happen. You could have gotten yourself killed, young lady."

Avia sits up, letting out a heavy breath. "Well, I didn't. I saved you." She turns to the window to look at Emma. "And the all powerful Dark One. So, yeah, a 'thank you' would be great." With Avia stands and pushes away the chair she was sitting in as she walks to the back.

"Someone needs a nap." Karley whispers as Nick nods his head, silently agreeing.

Snow covers her face and lets out a long sigh, shaking her head. "Some days I just think she moving backwards instead of forwards." She complains.

Belle shrugs. "She's a teenager."

"A teenager who has magic and a sister who is the Dark One." Robin adds.

David rests his hand on his wife's shoulder. "Once we get home, and get the darkness out of Emma, everything will be normal again. We'll have both our daughters back."

Snow turns around to look at Avia who is now sitting in a booth, resting her head against the back cushions, closing her eyes. "I hope so." She whispers.

Outside, Emma is concentrating on the Promethean spark, trying to make the flame, when she is soon joined by Regina.

"Need a light?" Regina jokes.

Emma jumps, startled. "Regina."

"I thought you could use a friend."

Emma sighs. "He's playing with me. He said I can't light it because I'm not ready to let go of the darkness."

"Are you?" Regina asks, frustrating Emma even more.

"Regina."

"Hey." Regina smiles. "No one knows the lure of darkness better than I do. You can lie to your parents, your sister, you can lie to yourself. But you can't lie to me."

"I don't know." Emma gives in.

"Feels good, doesn't it? Indulging every impulse, wielding great power, doing whatever you want." Regina states as tears begin to glisten in her eyes.

"Yes." Emma answers, honestly. "Yes, it does. Is that wrong?"

Regina sighs, grimacing. "Of course it is." She chuckles. "But it's also human. Look, I know you, Emma. It took a long time, but I really know you. And you're not as weak as I once was, so if you're clinging to the darkness, you have good reason, and it's beyond temptation, so what is it?"

Emma scowls, feeling unsure. "I don't know."

"There's a difference between not knowing something and not wanting to admit it. Those walls you put up, Emma - " Regina raises her sleeves and grabs the Dark One dagger. "- it's time they come down." She holds the dagger up to Emma, frightening her.

"What are you doing?"

"Helping you break the walls." Regina simply states. "As your friend, I command you, Dark One, tell me, why are you so afraid to give up the darkness?"

"Once I let it go, I won't be able to protect my family." Emma reluctantly admits.

"That's another wall, Emma." Regina glares. "Now, the truth."

"It is. Regina, please."

But Regina refuses to believe it. "No, it's not. You just have to be brave enough to knock down all those walls you're hiding behind." From afar, David, Snow, and Killian are approaching, having witnessed what's going on from inside the diner. "That dagger can make you look, but you - you have to choose to see. Now come on." Regina pleads. "Come on, Emma. See." Emma closes her eyes, looking away from Regina and the dagger. "Tell me what you're really afraid of!"

"Regina, what are you doing?" David asks, sternly.

"I'm getting answers."

Killian grabs the dagger from Regina's hand. "By controlling her? That's enough." He sets the dagger back down, looking at his girlfriend with concern. "Are you alright?"

Emma doesn't answer, though. She instead grabs the dagger and the spark and walks away. Snow turns to Regina appalled by what she's done. "You really think you're helping her by being cruel?"

"I wasn't cruel." Regina defends herself. "I've been cruel. And trust me, you'd know it." Snow just narrows her eyes at the woman with disappointment in her eyes before turning to where her oldest daughter walked away to. "I was getting the truth. It's not my fault that it's painful."

Storybrooke / Present...

Inside the hospital, Zelena is still in pain, crying as she is in labor. She is panting heavily, trying her hardest to push the baby out, but she is extremely exhausted.

"Push." Dr. Whale instructs. Zelena groans as she pushes. "You're almost there. You're doing great. One more push." Zelena lets out one more push and soon enough the sound of a baby's cry is heard. Robin stands off to the side with tears in his eyes, watching his baby be born. "Congratulations. It's a baby girl."

Out in the hallway, Regina is standing outside the room door, hearing the crying echoes. "I can't believe it's come to this." She says unhappily to Snow, who is standing off to the side. "Am I really helping Zelena?"

Snow walks closer to the disgruntle woman. "It's the right thing to do, Regina. So, are you ready to meet the newest member of your family?"

"Honestly - " Regina sighs, shaking her head, unsure. "I don't know." She walks into the room just in time to see Dr. Whale hand off the baby to Robin. She knocks on the door to get their attention. Robin looks up with a smile. "Robin." Regina smiles as she walks closer.

"Regina. I have a daughter." Robin says, looking at his daughter with so much love.

"That's wonderful."

"Look who's green with envy now?" Zelena says from the bed as she studies the couple.

But before either can react, Emma appears. "Look who's glowing. Congrats." She says, sarcastically, before waving her hand and sending Dr. Whale across the room and into the wall with her magic.

Robin draws his sword as Emma approaches Zelena's bedside. "I will not let you take this baby."

"Not without a fight." Regina adds.

Emma looks smugly at the couple. "That would be a problem if it was the baby I was after."

This causes them all to look confused for a moment, but soon becomes clear when Emma disappears with Zelena.

Out in the hall, Killian runs in, looking disheveled. "It's Avia!" He shouts. Snow looks up at the mention of her daughter while Robin and Regina step out.

"What?" Snow asks. "What about Avia?"

"Emma - " He says, trying to catch his breath. "Something happened with Avia. Emma has her."

Down in the basement of Emma's home, Avia starts to come to. She lifts her head and sees that her ankle is chained. Avia lifts her hand to try and use her magic to free herself, but nothing happens.

"Looks like your magic doesn't work from down here." Avia looks up to see that Zelena is chained on the other wall of the basement.

Avia scowls, annoyed that she is with the Wicked Witch. "Why are you here?"

"Your insane sister sped up my pregnancy, kidnapped me right after giving birth, and separated me from my little girl." Zelena reveals. "And they say I'm wicked."

"Why would she do that? And why am I down here?" Avia asks as she tries to pull on the chain to break free.

Zelena turns to the other room of the basement and sees a table full of potions and spells. "From the looks of things, she's casting a spell to steal my magic."

"Why would she need more dark magic?"

Emma appears, overhearing their conversation. "I don't." She answers. "I'm not taking Zelena's magic. I'm giving her mine instead."

They both stand to their feet, looking at Emma. "What?" Zelena exclaims.

"My plan is not to destroy light magic." Emma says, looking at Avia. "It's been to destroy dark magic - the dark magic that's inside of me."

Avia gives her sister a look of suspicion. "Then why keep it a secret from me? From all of us?"

"Because I knew you would never let me do what was necessary to get the job done."

Zelena scoffs, coming to a realization. "And that's where I come in."

"Yes." Emma confirms. "The darkness needs to be contained in a vessel - you."

"Emma, why am I here? Where is Killian?" Avia asks.

"Killian is safe."

"Then why am I down here?" Avia begins to panic. "What are you going to do?"

"What needs to be done. I'm going to cut Zelena down with Excalibur's enchanted blade, and the darkness will be vanquished forever."

"And that's why you needed my baby out." Zelena scoffs.

"I don't want anyone to get hurt who doesn't have to." Emma exclaims. "There are limits."

"Emma, you can't do this! As much as I hate her, you can't kill her! That's murder!" Avia tells her.

"Avia, she killed Neal." Emma reminds her. "She kidnapped you and tried to kill you and our brother. Not to mention she killed Marian to get here in the first place. Given the time, she will try and kill again - kill our family."

"After today, you can be certain." Zelena spats furiously.

Avia shakes her head, not understanding. "This can't just be about Zelena, Emma. What happened in Camelot?" She asks once again. "I know we freed Merlin because I was able to open his message. Where is he? He can help us get the darkness out instead of - " She waves her hand at Zelena, looking at the witch with disgust. " - this."

"Avia, Merlin can't help us anymore." Emma says, looking guilty.

"Why not? What happened? What did you do?"

Camelot / Three Weeks Ago...

Emma is sitting alone, concentrating on the Promethean spark when Killian approaches. "There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Dagger's right here." Emma tells him. "Regina was going to use it on me. Why not you?"

"What she did was wrong." He admits, sitting down on the log next to her. "I'm sorry it had to happen."

"It's funny." Emma shrugs. "I'm not. She was right. I do know why I'm scared to let go of the darkness. Because of her, I finally admitted it to myself."

"What are you so afraid of, love?"

"This." Emma pulls out the newspaper Avia had given her earlier that day and hands it to Killian. "Our future."

Killian sighs, rolling his eyes, amused. "I see you talked to Avia. Sometimes I forget that girl can't keep secrets from you."

Emma shrugs with a small smile. "Our parents, maybe. But me, no. But don't blame her. She just thought it would help if I knew what I had to look forward to when we got home."

"What are you trying to tell me? That you can't ignite the Promethean flame because you're afraid to take the plunge and move in with me?" He assumes.

"It's not about moving in. It's - " Emma frowns at the thought. " - everything. When I told you I loved you back in Storybrooke, it was because I thought I was never going to see you again. It was the same way with Neal. I could only admit my true feelings when I thought I was losing him - and you."

"Well, I guess it's even worse than I thought. You can't even see any future at all with me." Killian says, discontentedly.

Emma grabs his hand, firmly. "That's not it. Don't you get it? I'm afraid because I do want a future with you."

"You do?" Killian asks, seeming surprised.

"Yes."

"It's been Avia and me all our lives. I'm afraid the minute you take away the darkness, our future begins - yours - mine - Avia's."

"Your afraid that darkness will resume back into your sister." Killian says, practically reading Emma's mind.

"I know it sounds crazy."

"Doesn't sound crazy at all, Emma. I understand your reluctance, but things are different now. You both have your parents, that town, and - " He looks lovingly into Emma's eyes. " - me. I'll make sure that darkness goes no where near neither one of you again. You just have to trust me. The future's nothing to be afraid of." Upon hearing this, Emma smiles, allowing Killian to bring her into a passionate kiss, and finally the flame becomes lit. Killian opens his eyes, seeing it. "See?"

Emma looks down, then back at her true love with a smile.

Storybrooke / Present...

Outside Emma's home, David, Snow, Regina, and Killian approach.

"I don't understand." Snow says, perplexed. "How can Emma destroy light magic using Zelena? And why does she have Avia? What is her purpose in all of this?"

"She can't." Regina answers Snow's first question.

"What is she planning?" David wonders.

"Your guess is as good as mine." Regina chuckles.

"She told Avia if she knew what's going on then she'd do everything in her power to stop her." Killian remembers. "She must be keeping Avia to make sure she doesn't interrupt her plan."

"What are you planning to do once you find Emma?" Snow fears.

Once they reach the porch, Regina turns to the Charmings and Killian with determination and fury in her eyes. "Oh, it's simple. I'm going to show the Dark Swan what dark magic really looks like."

Down in the basement, Zelena hears Emma's footsteps coming from upstairs.

"Do you hear Emma pacing around up there?" She asks Avia, who is still trying to free herself so she can get out of there to use her magic and stop her sister. "You're her sister. What do you think she's up to?"

"We're sisters. We don't share the same brain." Avia glares. "We need to find a way to get rid of these chains before Emma gets back."

"Those chains aren't the problem." Zelena holds up her wrist revealing the cuff that's binding her magic. "This one is. When Regina put it back on, she enchanted my wrist, and I can't cut it off. Without magic, we're never gonna get out of here alive."

Avia turns to the potions in the other room with a small smile when an idea comes to mind. "And yet we do."

"What?"

Avia rolls her eyes. "We are in a room with potions. And since I've had to spend a lot of time with Belle, I also spent a lot of time with her spell books. I can put a potion together to free us."

Zelena scoffs. "And how do you expect to get in there?"

Avia raises her brow at the wicked witch. "I hope you've been stretching in lock-up."

A short while later, Zelena is stretching her arms out with the other end of the chain, trying to grab hold of the table leg.

"Why am I the one doing this again?" Zelena complains.

"You're taller." Avia tells her. "Just toss the chain enough so you can grab the other end."

"Because it's that easy." Zelena groans with annoyance.

"It can be if done right. My obviously not so smart dark sister used a chain entirely too long to chain us up. Unfortunately, the table is just out of our reach. You need to throw the chain just enough to make it wrap around the leg and then you can grab it and pull it forward." Zelena throws the chain a couple times, missing. "Come on, Zelena!" Avia taunts. "Do you want your baby girl to live without a mother?" And with that, after the fifth try Zelena is able to wrap the chain around the leg of the table. "Yes! Now stretch so you can get the end."

Zelena begins to stretch, trying to reach for the chain. "I'm going to break my ankle!"

"Better your ankle than your heart." Avia shrugs.

Zelena lets out a loud groan, but she reaches enough to grab the chain. While she tries to catch her breath, she looks over at Avia. "You don't expect me to pull this table on my own, do you?"

Avia rolls her eyes before grabbing Zelena's free hand to help.

Meanwhile, outside, the Charmings are still arguing with Regina.

"Regina, she's still our daughter." David reminds her.

"We can't go to war with her." Snow adds. "Especially since she has Avia with her."

"If you don't have the stomach for this - " Regina rolls her eyes.

"I'm not going to hurt her!"

"This is exactly why she gave me the dagger. She knew I'm the only one who could do what has to be done. Now, stand back, or I'll make you stand back." Regina threatens.

"No, we are coming with you." Killian tells her. "And we will save Emma and Avia together."

"I don't need saving." Emma exclaims as she walks out of her house with Excalibur in her hand. "You're gonna have to trust me. By the time I'm done with Zelena, you'll all be thanking me, especially you, Regina."

Regina scowls, confused. "And why would I thank you?"

"You don't remember this, but back in Camelot, you helped me admit some things about myself. And now I'm ready to repay the favor. Because deep down, we both know you'll be happier when Zelena is gone."

"Gone?" Regina questions.

"Emma, this isn't you. This isn't the way to do it." Killian speaks up.

"I am Emma." Emma then hits the tip of Excalibur onto the ground, sending magical beams of light into the front yard of the house, giving her parents, Killian, and Regina no time to react before they find themselves frozen.

Inside the house, Zelena opens the basement door and steps out, followed by Avia.

"How'd you know that would work?" Zelena wonders, looking around the house for signs of Emma.

Avia sees the beam of light outside the house. "You want magical tips now, or would you like to actually escape and live?"

"Fair. We'll have to sneak out of the back."

"I'm not coming with you." Avia tells her.

"Are you joking? I help you escape and you decide to stay instead?" Zelena asks in disbelief.

"She's my sister. If I don't stop her, she'll just find somebody else to put her darkness into, and if I leave then I'll never get the answers she's been promising me." Avia explains. "I'm the only one she'll listen to. I'm the only one who can save her."

"And how do you think you're going to save her? I don't think she's in the mood for your help." Zelena says, sarcastically.

"Killian told me Emma stole squid ink from Rumplestiltskin's shop. If I can find it, then I can get her to tell me what I want."

"Well then, you better hope she doesn't find you first. Ta-Ta." Zelena walks away, leaving Avia alone with her sister.

While Emma is busy outside, Avia begins her search. She opens the drawers and begins to rummage through them, but she finds nothing. But then, a painting on the wall catches her attention. It's the hand prints of herself and Emma's when they were found and brought into the hospital. Avia slowly takes the frame down, but she sees nothing.

"Really?" Emma says just as she walks in. "I was trying to help you."

Avia looks surprised to see her sister, but quickly turns her expression into a look of anger. "By keeping me locked up just like our foster homes? Wow, Emma. You really are dark." Avia sets the frame down and immediately sees the bottle of squid ink taped to back. She grabs it quickly and before Emma can react, Avia tosses the substance onto her, freezing her in place. "Sorry, sis. But I had to. It's time for me to save you this time. But for me to do that I need you to tell me what happened in Camelot to make you this way."

"How are you going to make me do that?" Emma wonders.

"I've got some ideas." Zelena says, stepping back into the room, surprising Avia.

"You're still here." Avia says.

"And I see you found the squid ink."

"Why'd you come back?"

"I thought about how you said you couldn't run until you got some answers, and I realized - I couldn't run either - " Zelena steps closer to Emma. "Not without making the Dark One pay."

"Whatever you think you're doing - " As Zelena walks to Avia, Emma's eyes widen at the sight of a knife that Zelena is holding behind her back. "No! No!" Zelena doesn't listen, though. She, instead, plunges the knife into Avia's chest, laughing as she does so.

"I bet you didn't see that coming, did you?" She laughs, stepping back. Avia looks down at the knife, shocked that she felt nothing. She pulls the knife out and watches as the wound heals. "Of course that's nothing compared to the surprise that you're feeling right now." Avia looks up at Emma in confusion, but it seems Emma has given up. "You're saying to yourself, 'I just got stabbed in the chest. Why shouldn't it hurt more? Why am I not dead?'"

"Emma?" Avia begins to panic. "What is going on!?"

"Well, you could take my word - " Zelena looks over at Emma. " - or you could return the memories that the Dark One stole. See for yourself." Zelena holds up a dreamcatcher similar to the one Avia found Regina holding a few days ago that showed Emma ripping out Oliver's heart. "I found this outside."

"Don't trust her, Avia." Emma pleads. "I can explain everything."

Zelena steps back in front of Avia, grinning wickedly. "Do it." Avia tells her.

Zelena holds the dreamcatcher closer, triggering the memories inside. Avia is able to view her memories of when she convinced Emma to return Merida's heart, then when everyone is welcomed into Camelot, and they attend Arthur and Guinevere's ball, followed by her meeting Oliver and then Nick kissing her. Then she sees herself in the barn with Oliver, brushing the horse's hair. Emma watches with saddened eyes as the memories refill her sister's mind, including their victory when Avia used her magic to defeat Arthur and Zelena in the Caledonian Forest. All the events end up leading to the biggest one. Everyone has gathered around inside Granny's Diner, with Emma and Merlin standing face-to-face.

Camelot / Three Weeks Ago...

"Are you ready?" Merlin asks Emma who stands near her sister and her parents while everyone surrounds them.

"Yes." Emma answers.

"Then it's time." Merlin grabs the box containing the spark. "To destroy the darkness once and for all." He opens the box and Emma looks down at it, then back up at Killian who is smiling. Emma then uses her magic to make the spark into a flame. She wields it up in the air and everyone surrounding, watches with joy. Emma picks up the dagger and Excalibur and holds the tip of each towards the flame so that they can be reforged as one.

But they are soon interrupted.

Avia grabs her shoulder, feeling dizzy. "Emma..." She whispers.

But Emma doesn't hear her. She keeps going with the ritual, but their parents feel Avia swaying a bit against them. David looks down at his daughter. "What's wrong?"

Snow looks down as well and sees the blood coming out of Avia's wound. "Avia, you're bleeding."

Before Avia can say anything, she collapses to the ground. Emma finally stops and kneels down next to her parents, looking her sister over. "Avia." But Avia can't say anything. She's turning red, trying to breathe.

"No." Snow begins to cry.

"When did that happen?" Regina asks, seeing the wound.

"It was Excalibur." Emma says. "But it was just a small cut. I healed it."

"I'm afraid it only seemed that way." Merlin tells them. "Excalibur was forged to cut immortal ties. A wound from it cannot be healed."

"What!?" Snow exclaims. "There has to be something we can do! My daughter cannot die from this!"

"Not even Emma's power is strong enough. Nor is my own." He reveals regretfully.

Emma takes Avia's face into her hands. "Avia, you have to hold on. I can't lose you."

"It's okay, Emma." Avia finally says, weakly. "We had a good run." She lamely jokes.

"No!"

Avia looks up at her crying parents. "I love you, Mom and Dad." This only makes Snow cry harder.

"No!" Emma exclaims furiously with tears streaming down her face. "We have fought too hard to stay together! I will not let this be the end! Swan sisters stick together!"

"You saved me so many times, Emma." Avia says as a tear falls down her cheek. "Now it's time you save yourself."

"No!" Emma refuses.

"No?" Regina questions.

"Emma." Killian places his hand on Emma's shoulder.

Emma shoves his hand off, refusing to watch her sister die. "I'm not gonna let her die when I know there's a way to save her. I was able to get the darkness out of her once. I'll figure out a way with this, too."

"Emma, Merlin said it." Killian tells her softly. "There's nothing you can do."

Emma looks up at her parents, who look back at her, devastated. "That's what he said." Emma looks up at Merlin. "But it's not true, is it? You told me how powerful I am. Let's use that power. I can use the Promethean flame to release you from Excalibur, and then I can use it to tether Avia's life to it instead. It could save her."

"Emma, you know what that could do." Merlin tells her.

"Create another Dark One." Regina realizes.

"It will multiply the darkness so that it cannot be destroyed. Not without you paying the steepest of prices."

Emma looks back at her sister. "We've already paid so much. That doesn't matter."

"It will be your final step into the dark." Merlin adds.

"For so long my sister and I were all each other had. I took beatings for her. I ran away for her. I never cared about what happened to me."

"Emma, what are you saying? You just took the darkness out of Avia." David tells his daughter as he holds his hysterical wife in his arms.

"Emma, we can find another way." Snow cries.

Emma shakes her head. "There's no other way. Which is why I took the darkness from her and put it inside of me in the first place. I still don't care what happens to me. She's my sister. She never asked for any of this."

"Emma, you can't do this." Killian tries again.

Emma looks up at him. "If you were in my position and I was in Avia's, what would you do!?" Killian silent, unable to answer. She then looks at her parents. "I know if you were in my place, you would do whatever you could to save either one of us. I'm not gonna let us lose Avia. I will not lose my sister. And I won't let anyone stop me." Emma then disappears with Avia, reappearing in a field of middlemist flowers.

"Emma - " Avia says, weakly. " - don't."

"Avia." Emma cries. "You're going to be okay."

"No, Emma. You can't keep saving me."

"I will always save you." Emma stands, sternly, as she holds her sister in her arms, caressing her cheek. "We're sisters...always. And that will ever change."

"It will if you do this. You fought too hard to get the darkness out of me the first time. You risked everything and put it inside of you. I don't want it back."

"You won't." Emma assures her. "You will fight the darkness like before and I will help you - just like before. We will help each other."

"This is why you're the Savior, Emma. I'm not strong. I'm weak." Avia cries. "Don't let our parents lose both of us."

"They won't."

Avia slowly starts to lose consciousness, closing her eyes and growing paler. Emma begins to cry harder, grabbing Avia's face. "Swan Sisters never give up!" She yells, hysterically.

Emma carefully places Avia on the ground before picking up Excalibur and placing it over Avia as it begins to light up.

Back at the diner, Snow is crying hysterically into David who is trying desperately to keep it together for his wife, but he is slowly losing that battle. Everyone else steps back, looking at the darkness that begins to come out of Merlin's body.

"What's happening?" Robin asks.

"It's too late." Merlin tells them.

Back in the field, tears stream down Emma's faces as she watches the darkness come out of Excalibur and enter her sister. Emma tried so hard to protect Avia and took her place into darkness, but now she has to regretfully put it back, knowing it's wrong, but knowing she has no other choice if she wants to keep her sister alive.

Soon enough, Avia disappears, leaving Emma alone with Excalibur. The name 'Merlin' on the blade changes to 'Avia Swan,' leaving this to be Emma's final step into darkness. A burst of dark magic transforms Emma's attire into that of leather, with her hair pulled back, and bleached.

Emma sits shocked by what she had to do.

At the Vault of the Dark One, the darkness forms from all sides and rising upwards is the figure that is Avia Swan.

Storybrooke / Present...

Zelena is still holding the dreamcatcher up to Avia, showing her the final memory.

Avia looks at Emma in disbelief as Zelena walks away. "I'm so sorry, Avia." Emma apologizes. "But I did not have a choice."

"No, there has to be some other explanation. My sister would not put the darkness back inside of me when she fought so hard to take my place! No!" Avia refuses to believe this.

"Aww." Zelena says from behind a still frozen Emma. "Are you finding the truth hard?" She picks up Excalibur and hands it Avia. "Here. Have a look at the sword." Avia grabs the sword while Zelena waves her hand over it, revealing not only Emma Swan's name, but Avia Swan's name right below it as well. "A glamour spell." She chuckles. "It was there the whole time right under your little nose, and you didn't even see it. And I thought I had a rough relationship with my sister." She laughs. "Ooh, I suppose it's not the Dark One anymore, is it? More like the Dark Ones."

"So, that's why you really saved my life tonight?" Avia realizes. "I was never in danger. You just wanted to keep me, and everyone else, from knowing the truth."

"I wanted to fix it first to make up for what I had done." Emma explains.

"By killing me?" Zelena points out. "How sweet."

"It was the only way to destroy the darkness in both of us. Everything I've done since we got back to Storybrooke was to try to save you, Avia."

"This is saving?" Avia scoffs. "Emma, you didn't just put the darkness back inside me, you made it permanent. I can't get rid of it this time. How could you do this to me?"

"I'm sorry."

"I guess it really will be us against each other in the end." Avia glares menacingly.

Zelena chuckles at this. "Now, tell me. Are you ready to learn what else happened in Camelot?" She asks Avia.

Emma stands frozen in place, with tears in her eyes, unable to save her sister this time. Avia continues to stare at Emma. "But first we have to take care of her."

Zelena's jaw drops with a wicked smile on her face as the two dark sisters stare at one another.