The sound of the rain was all Emma could hear and she looked up smiling hot chocolate in hand, talking with Mary Margaret. Emma hair was dripping wet and this causing a chill to run up her spine. This sudden shot of ice brought her out of this moment confused, because this had already happened. When Emma first arrived in Storybroke, it was a memory. That was slowly fading, away just as Mr Gold had warned would happen. Suddenly the beeping rang out again and Emma was stunned awake sitting straight up starring at her concerned parents faces.
"Happy Birthday" Mary Margaret and David said in unison.
Only today their tone was a bit off without as much gravitas that it had previously. They already sensed something was wrong with Emma. Buddy sat still on the floor panting, but he didn't jump up onto the bed just looked up at Emma curiously. Emma's heart was racing and sweat was present dripping from her forehead.
"Emma are you ok?" Mary Margaret said.
Walking over to her daughter she placed a hand on her forehead and could feel and immense heat and stress radiating. All sense of concern about today's events faded away and she sat down on the bed beside Emma giving a concerned look back at David.
"What's wrong?" David asked.
"Just a bad dream" Emma said putting on a calm expression.
It wasn't close to been convincing and Emma's eyes were distant, as she now played the deaths of two of the people she loved most in her mind. Ignoring the looks of concern from her parents Emma leaned over to her bedside table and picked up her phone. Dialling her best friends number desperate to hear Elsa's voice, to know it had worked, that she was still alive. Mary Margaret and David shared a confused glance not expecting this when they pictured celebrating Emma's birthday together. They were all silent feeling the tension until the phone reached Elsa's voicemail.
"Elsa, you have to get out of the mansion and when you get this message, call me" Emma said desperate.
Without a word to her parents, Emma lifted the covers marching over to the bathroom. Determined to take on the Witch, making sure nobody gets hurt. The only life that will be lost this time would of the mysterious evil figure appearing from the darkness. However, before Emma made it more than a foot from her bed, she felt her father's grip on her arm. Looking at Emma his expression concerned and frustrated.
"What's going on?" David asked stern.
"Everything's great, I just need to talk to Elsa" Emma explained putting on her best smile "Tell Killian I'll be down in a minute" Emma finished.
Bewildered David let go of Emma and she walked into the bathroom. Looking down at the clothes she had set out for the day. Emma resisted the urge to repeat her mistakes again. Deciding to wear a different shirt and jeans combo hoping that it would make all the difference. Quickly Emma walked back out of the bathroom and headed downstairs. Finding Killian and her parents in a much less secret conversation then the days prior, loudly discussing Emma's state of being. They all had the same look on their faces it was concerned, but also disappointed.
"Hey, I'm fine, I told you" Emma said.
"I know and I don't believe you" Mary Margaret replied.
Emma huffed walking into the kitchen she opened the fridge sticking her head in and looking around, stalling for a way out of this. They had to be so nosey, Emma thought her anger once again surfacing and her hands burning. Gripping the fridge handle hard it began to make a squeaking sound. Would they believe her, even in the world of magic and curses time travel never really seemed possible? Emma still wasn't sure herself if what was happening was real or just a nightmare. The only thing Emma was certain of was she would not let anyone die before the hour was up. That she would face the person who was responsible alone and stop them.
With that resolve in place Emma closed the door of the fridge stuffing some leftover pizza in her mouth. Emma smiled at them and walked towards Killian taking his hand knowing they had somewhere to be. All three of them had frowns but bit their tongues feeling today wasn't the time to pick a fight. Unlike Emma they were unaware of the time limit attached to their concerns.
David reluctantly pulled out Emma's gift continuing with their plan for the day. With a smile he handed the bag to Emma, and she held her hands behind her back for a moment hesitating before taking it. Another piece of her day that was beginning to feel like part of a curse and endless loop of misery. Still Emma opened the gift putting on her jacket with a smile, her shoulders becoming visibly less tense as she slipped into the red leather. Waving goodbye Emma took in a deep breath knowing this next part of her plan was where things got hard. Grabbing Killians hand and holding it tight knowing it would keep her steady as the headed out to the street. Emma suddenly stopped on the sidewalk before getting in the car in and Killian frowned looking over at Emma bemused.
Killian, I need to borrow your car" Emma said straightforward.
"What?" Killian said with a laugh.
However, as he looked up at Emma her expression was serious, and Killian shrugged not seeing the harm in a birthday driving lesson.
Well, you can after we have breakfast" Killian replied with a laugh.
"No this is important; I need to do this now" Emma replied.
"I had a date planned" Killian replied, his voice high and clearly offended.
"I know and it was amazing" Emma replied with an apologetic smile. "What?" Killian said bemused.
"I'm sorry" Emma said. "But there's no time to waste and I can't lose you again"
The familiar glowing translucent shield appeared once more with one notable difference it only surrounded Killian and not Emma. Lifting her left hand up Emma revealed she had the keys to Killians car in her hand. A trick Emma learned long ago from an old friend was the art of pick pocketing.
"Wait no" Killian said banging his fist against the shield that he now found himself trapped in.
"Swan" Killian yelled.
Having only just received her learners permit this was a risky manoeuvre but anything seemed safer then bringing Killian into the line of fire. Emma felt horrible and tears cascaded down her checks as she drove off. Eventually wiping them away from her checks trying to focus on the road ahead, trying to remember the direction Killian had taken. It was hard as most of her gaze was focused on his face, rather than the direction the car was turning. Emma stomach was in knots as she pictured Killian smiling at her from the driver's seat. Mindlessly driving around at this point just hoping to find what she was looking for, notably the journey was already longer than previously. This stress was beginning to overwhelm her, Emma hoped to find something distracting on the radio. A song with an inspirational mantra welcoming her into battle. Turning up the volume all that was playing was an ad for an unknown charity, "Were in this together" the voices chimed. Emma huffed changing to another station which was right at the chorus of count on me from Bruno Mars. Emma was silent listening to the words picturing her family and friends. However, she soon frowned changing the station again this was the last shot of psyching herself up. Alas as the station tunned in once more it just crackled and cut out to silence. Emma lip quivered but she continued not having much choice. As the car drove around the long winding road surrounding by lush tall trees it reached a curve. When the view ahead was clear of tress, Emma could finally see it the mansion up on the hill. Quickly Emma looked down at the time it was only 1130 Smiling to herself hopeful in the fact the hour was already changing things significantly would be to her advantage.
Quickly parking the car Emma headed straight for the front door planning on just barrelling through the mansion. Finding this Witch and ending this. However, the door wouldn't budge, the old-style handle was stiff unmovable and locked. Frustrated Emma began to slam into the door forcing it to budge, her hands burning again as the anger rose within her. It was fruitless the door was solid hardwood Emma felt the world start to spin as the hopelessness of this endless hour swept over her. Starring at the ground trying to figure it out but it all just didn't make sense. Like trying to solve a crossword with no right answer.
In that moment all she wanted was to find someone and have them by her side in this fight. All other entrances where from around the side of the house, a place Emma imagined never visiting again. Tears began to fall now sweeping down Emma's face as she looked at the two paths ahead. Door number one was Elsa's death and door number two seemingly being Killians. Completely without hope and alone Emma felt herself falling into darkness the hate rising in her soul. A gasp quiet and faint, but Emma recognised that voice immediately. Heart racing Emma ran around the right side of the mansion almost slipping on the slick autumn leaves coating the ground.
"No, matter what path I take, this moment is inescapable?" Emma said to herself bemused.
"There always someone there" Emma said as the realisation sunk in, a smile creeped onto her lips as the realisation set in.
"I'll always be found" Emma said louder.
Standing with their backs to Emma was Mary Margaret and David inches away from where Killian was turned to ash. They had frustrated tones as they discussed what they should do and how Emma knew about the mansion. A wash of acceptance came over Emma crippling her thoughts for a moment as she stood still in the archway, entering the back garden. Emma finally realised she could never stop these events from unfolding. Not if she only had half the story the rest could be filled in by her loved ones. Thinking it all over, the whispers and glances shared between her family. Why did the mysterious figure want to kill? To solve this riddle, it would take them all, working together. This clarity also came with the shattering reveal that Emma was about to lose her parents.
"What are you doing here?" Emma asked startling her parents who turned around swords and bow raised quickly letting out a sigh of relief when they saw Emma.
"You really think we wouldn't come looking for you" David said eyebrows raised a disappointed look in his gaze.
"We know something is wrong" Mary Margaret added with a concerned tone.
"I can't lose you, too" Emma said her voice shaking.
"What do you mean lose us, where not going anywhere" David said.
Emma didn't respond looking around for a sign of the inevitable attack all the blood draining from her face. David walked over to Emma recognising her need for comfort pulling her close with one hand around the back of her head. Looking over to his wife for some explanation as to what had gotten Emma so upset. Mary Margaret simply shook her head as lost as David in this moment.
"I keep forgetting I'm not alone, I promise to never forget again" Emma said.
"We need you to hear us, we'll always find you" Mary Margaret said coming closer.
"I know, I know what that means now" Emma replied.
Emma pulled away from them ushering for her parents to follow out to the front back to safety once more. Her voice shaking with fear grasping at Mary Margaret shirt trying to pull her closer.
"But we have to go, she's coming" Emma said.
"Already here" The Witch said appearing from the shadows.
It was too late Emma saw the same flash of green reflected in the vine coated stones surrounding her and looked back to see nothing. They weren't there anymore noting but ashes on the ground just like Killian and Elsa. They faded to dust slowly floating away, Emma was immobile unable to even comprehend what had just happened before her eyes. Coming more out of the shadow the witch cackled seeing Emma's distant shattered expression.
"Come back" Emma pleaded getting down on her knees" no, not you too"
Emma's voice was shaking, and she was failing to breath in unable to believe this was it. After all the curses, monsters and emotional walls between them how was this the end. She lost them the two people who cared about her most. Finally, Emma took in a deep breath knowing one last part of this vicious cycle was about to make everything better.
"They're gone, your all alone" The Witch reiterated. "Just like she was"
"No, I'm not" Emma replied.
Emma stood up straight focused pulling her red jacket around herself tightly. Giving a smirk to the women who had caused this pain knowing it could be undone. Emma simply had to turn back time once more. Standing tall Emma clenched her fists feeling safe with her armour on and hope for the future in her heart.
"I'll never be alone again" Emma smiled "Not really"
Looking over at the back exit for Regina to make her entrance right on que the door burst open, and a frustrated Regina stormed out. Looking at Emma for a moment then to the ashes in front of her. Knowing just by the despair in Emma's eyes Regina knew who it was she'd lost.
"Is that?" Regina said chocked up.
Regina turned towards the witch her anger displayed in her face and she stepped forward ready to strike back with a fireball. Emma held out her arm stopping Regina knowing the best thing to do was head back to the pawn shop now. Reversing the events of the day and started over again.
"We have to go" Emma instructed.
Holding out her hand to a surprised Regina hesitating for a moment before taking it. Not expecting this level of trust from Emma. Just as another trail of green light spurred out towards them, they vanished in a purple haze. Appearing in the middle of the street once more Emma smiled it took three tries and now a fourth, but she was finally confident in what to do next. This confidence washed away most of the grief, but it was still there hanging over her. Like a raging volcano burning her up inside ready to erupt. Before running off Emma had a question for Regina finally realising something she failed too previously.
"Who was that back there?" Emma asked.
Regina took a moment to respond perplexed by this situation much like Emma not able to let herself accept this loss as real. Even more conflicting when Regina had spent many years trying to kill the pair now, they were dead she didn't expect this knot to be in stomach and the anger to incapacitate her like was now.
"Maleficent" Regina replied there was weight to the way Regina said her name with a hopelessness.
"Shit" Emma replied.
Unlike Emma, Regina was unaware this was all about to be reversed, that what they'd lost would be found again. Feeling another wave of guilt Emma walked away from Regina leaving her alone as the tears started to fall down her face. With only the belief that she would make this right, that Emma would see them all again once the hourglass ticked over. She broke into a run once more towards the Pawn shop feeling a sense of calm. Excitedly Emma burst in practically knocking the bell of its hinges. However, Mr Gold wasn't standing behind his desk as he was previously, this gave her pause but not for long. Emma turned around to see the hourglass, but it was quickly concealed by Mr Gold as he stood in front. His stance stern and cold placing his walking stick with purpose on the floor in front of him firmly.
"Emma you can't keep doing this" Mr Gold said sternly.
"Trust me I figured it out" Emma replied. "I can break the loop"
"I won't let you" Mr Gold replied.
Mr Gold was blocking her path to the hourglass and even as the Dark One stood her down. Emma didn't hesitate she couldn't stop, they had to be saved. The loneliness was closing in and Emma's heart raced. The last grains of sand were falling from the hourglass and her hands burned once more. The anger building as her chance to save her family was slipping away. Judgement like this from a man who crossed realms to find happiness's. What gave him the right now to say where the line was.
"No" Emma yelled as a beaming white light encompassed the room.
Raising her hands up she charged towards Mr Gold in desperation. The bright warm beam of light shot out once more and knocked Mr Gold down and Emma leaped over him. Grasping the hourglass with her fingertips just as the last grain of sand fell. Emma flipped it hoping it would be the last time. Regina came bursting into the shop with more veracity then the two times previous just as the world faded to white once more. Regina yelled out to Emma, most of it unintelligible except for one word, Lily.
Notes: Thanks for continuing to read, used some TS lyrics in this chapter was feeling the vibes, please let me know if you liked this storyline :)