Chapter 107
.
Rumplestiltzkin and Zelena opened the portal to Hell. With them were Alex, Danielle, Karl, and Jack Bauer. Alex was determined to rescue Ben from Hell, Danielle and Karl wanted to protect her. This particular neighborhood seemed like the others, people sleeping on the streets, fighting each other for food. Despite the extreme poverty, there were advertisements for drugs, gambling, prostitution. People who worked for slave wages often used what little they had to feel better, for very brief periods. All manner of death sports were available, giving a very few the chance to escape poverty, and leaving most others to be tortured in the pits. It wasn't long before they found who was in charge of this particular mini-kingdom, Rumplestiltzkin. In particular, this version of Rumplestiltzkin was from a real that some of our heroes referred to as the "Wish Realm." Not only was slavery legal in Hell, but this version of Rumplestiltzkin proudly advertised that he was holding his ex-wife, Milah, as a slave.
.
Alex: So, his entire world, was created by a wish?
Rumplestiltzkin: Well we were all created in some way. The genie wished that Emma had never become the savior, thus snding her to such a world. As near as wer can tell, all the souls of that realm were taken from the, Hall of Souls, given the same memories as our world's counter parts, and allowed to live out what would have happenned if things had gone just a bit differently. Some made different choices, some for the better, some for worse. This version of me, was never redeemed by Belle's love, allowed the darkness to swallow his love completely.
Alex: So is this Milah, your Milah, or his?
Rumplestiltzkin: I don't know, and I doubt it matters to him. Either way, I owe it to her to rescue her.
Jack: Fair enough, let's make a plan.
.
The six of them made their way to the Wish Rumplestiltzkin's palace. He seemed to have made a pretty good life for himself in Hell. No doubt he was still making deals, and giving horrible puishments to those who couldn't keep up their end of the bargain. From what they could tell his soldiers were patrolling non-stop, at least 100. Everyone was eager to prove themselves by killing intruders, or alleged intruders. They came up with a plan, Rumplestiltzkin would simply walk inside and negotiate with his counterpart. If negotiations failed, which seemed likely, his five friends would sneak inside and rescue Milah. The soldiers drew their weapons, but Rumplestiltzkin used his magick to deflect them. They were all afraid what their master would do for failure. A couple of young soldiers simply ran to their master, at least give him some advance notice so he could prepare himself. But the Wish Rumplestiltzkin seemed unconcerned.
.
Wish Rumplestiltzkin: Hello deary.
Rumplestiltzkin: I've come to negotiate for Milah's release.
Wish Rumlestiltzkin: What could you possibly have that I want?
Rumplestiltzkin: I'm sure we could work something out.
Wish Rumlestiltzkin: Perhaps you're right. Let's think about this, you killed Milah. Then, when you were in your world's version of the Unerworld, you condemned her to the river of souls.
Rumplestiltzkin: I owe her a debt, I'd like to repay her.
Wish Rumplestiltzkin: Well as they say there are three sides to a divorce, his side, her side, and the truth. You hurt yourself so as not to leave your child fatherless, and she calls you a coward. You tried to save your son, and she berates you for promising a child you didn't even have. Then she abandones you and your child for that, pirate. I'd say you were justified in your actions.
Rumplestiltzkin: I wasn't, and I want to make amends.
Wish Rumplestiltzkin: Perhaps it's me you should make amends with. You killed me, to save the life of your sworn enemy.
Rumplestiltzkin: At the risk of splitting hairs, he wasn't the same Hook who stole Milah.
Wish Rumplestiltzkin: No, he was my enemy, not yours. But you killed me to save him. Oh, and I know about your friends trying to sneak in here.
.
The Wish Rumplestiltzkin then used his abilities to transport Jack, Zelena, Alex, Danielle, and Karl to this throne room. They were all in guillotines. Rumplestiltzkin knew he couldn't save all of his friends, his only chance was to negotiate for their release.
.
Rumplestiltzkin: Please don't hurt them, I'll do anything.
Wish Rumplestiltzkin: All your experience with deals, and you still think it's a good idea to use the phrase "I'll do anything" with me no less.
Rumplestiltzkin: I'm desperate.
Wish Rumplestiltzkin: "I'm desperate." That phrase is music to my ears. Puts me in a very generous mood. I'll give your five friends their freedom, although as long as they're in Hell they'll be in danger. I'll even let your ex-wife Milah out, let her return to Antarctica. I hear there's even a replica of "Granny's Diner" in Little Storybrooke.
Rumplestiltzkin: What's the catch?
Wish Rumplestiltzkin: I'd say it's a bargain. I'm giving you six lives, for the price of one.
Rumplestiltzkin: One life? You want me?
Wish Rumplestiltzkin: Yes. I'm acquiring you, the same way you acquired Belle. You can sacrifice yourself to save the people you care about. The catch is, I'm going to make you regret it.
.
Rumplestiltzkin looked at his friends, clearly scared about what was about to happen. This was not an easy decision for him, but he knew it was the right thing to do. He just needed to look at their desperate situation, and remind himself why he was doing this.
.
Rumplestiltzkin: Okay, it's a deal. Get out the contracts.
.
Wish Rumplestiltzkin immediately got out a contract, and was not offended when his counterpart looked it over carefully. He wanted to make sure there was no loophole by which the wish version could keep the others in chains. He was also hoping there was some loophole he could exploit later. There was neither, hard as it was he signed. The five were released from their guillotines, and Milah was brought before them. Wish Rumplestiltzkin allowed his counterpart to say goodbye.
.
Milah: Is it true, you got me freed?
Rumplestiltzkin: Yes.
Milah: Thank you.
.
Milah then slapped her ex-husband.
.
Milah: That's for everything you did to me.
Rumplestiltzkin: Fair enough. Belle and Gideon know how much I love them. Just promise you'll let Baelfire know what I did for him. Now go, get to know your grandson.