Chapter 10

The Dark Defeat

Emma, her kids, her parents, Hook, Regina, Robin and the dwarves walked down main street. They had to find Neal before he cast the spell. Suddenly they saw Mr Gold walking with no limp and carrying Excalibur. They came up David said "you have Excalibur, so we don't need to worry".

Gold asked "what are you talking about".

Hook asked "what happened to your limp"?

"Bae said he wanted a fair fight so he fixed my leg. Good to know even as a Dark One he's honourable".

Emma said "Gold this is important, at any point during your duelling did he pierce your skin".

"Once".

Hook said "but you have Excalibur". He turned to Emma "surely that means..."

Emma shook her head "he doesn't need Excalibur to cast the spell. The only reason the spell's never been cast before was because scarcely anyone can honestly say they've been to hell and back".

Gold asked again "what are you talking about"?

Mary-Margaret answered "we have our memories back and Emma remembers Neal planning to enact the Recall Dark Souls spell".

Gold groaned and Regina said "I take it you've heard of it".

"I was the Dark One for countless years, of course I have. I could never enact it myself because as Emma pointed out the final ingredient is hard to come by".

Hook said "we need to find him before he enacts the spell".

Emma said "we need to spilt up".

Unfortunately Neal had already cast the spell. When they spilt up former dark ones came after them and passed through them. Emma followed Gold into his shop to ask him for the sword while Henry and Tally waited outside. Before she could ask him she heard her children call out for her. She came out and saw two dark ones Tally tried to run around one them to her but one passed through her at the same time one passed through Henry. Then they disappeared and everyone met up again. Regina asked "what just happened to us"?

Gold came out of his shop and answered "I think I know, check your wrists".

Everyone but Emma did as he did himself and they saw something that looked like a cross between a spider and a fly. "It's the mark of Charon".

Tally asked "what is that"?

Henry answered "Charon was the ferryman in Greek mythology. It was his job to ferry souls to the underworld".

Emma asked "and why are those marks there"

Gold said "all magic comes with a price. When the previous Dark Ones came they knew when the moon reaches its peak they'd get sent back. Their only way to stay is to trade places with living souls meaning when the moon reaches its peak we'll be sent down instead".

Regina asked "then how do we stop it"?

"We can't, the underworld is worse than you can imagine. It will make you wish the old stories of fire and brimstone were true. It's going to make you wish for death, then the realization will hit that death has already come and this fresh torture is all that's left".

Tally clutched Emma's leg Emma said "Gold stop it, you're scaring Henry and Tally".

"Good, because we should all be scared. I've been there, I know. This is a fight we cannot win, this is death itself".

"Wait" said Emma, "I'm not marked I could find a way to stop this".

Gold replied "the moon will hit its zenith in an hour. You really think you can find something in one hour I haven't in three hundred years. The only thing you can do right now is say goodbye".

Mary-Margaret, David, Emma, Henry and Tally went to Regina's vault to try to find an escape to their fate. Henry claimed "Grampa has to be missing something, there had to be a way to escape this mark".

Tally said "of course there is, we're the good guys, if we get sent to the underworld it won't be much of a happy ending".

Mary-Margaret replied "the good guys don't always win, perhaps there is no way out this time".

Emma gasped "mom, you're Snow White, you don't know how to give up, hope is in your blood".

Mary-Margaret replied "I do hope, but I don't want to spend what could be our last moments with my nose in a book. I want to make the most of my time left with my family".

Henry suggested "dinner at Granny's, that's what we should do"?

David said "dinner at Granny's, that's a good idea".

Emma looked at her brother in her mom's arms "what about baby Neal, he'll be alone"?

Mary-Margaret shook her head "no he won't, we might not be there for him but he'll still have his big sister".

Emma sobbed "I will not give up on my family".

"Emma, we don't have much time left and time is what's most important, time with those we love. I know you won't stop trying, but in case you can't promise to come to Granny's to say goodbye".

"I promise when the end comes I'll be there".

She hugged each her parents and Henry but when she got to Tally Tally just grabbed a book and flipped through the pages without even looking at them "no" she repeated over and over.

Emma took her hands and said "I know it's scary sweetheart but I won't stop trying no matter what". She stroked her hair "but right now I need you to go with Henry and your grandparents, I need you to be a big brave girl and listen to them". She turned to Henry "you will look after your sister won't you"?

Henry replied "of course, I always do".

Emma smiled "that's my boy". She lead Tally over to Henry to give them a hug. While they were in her embrace she said "I love you both so much".

Just after they left Regina came out of her hiding spot "I see we're giving up".

Emma shook her head "no, not tonight, not ever. Besides I already have a plan but I know my family wouldn't let me".

"And what's that"?

"Do you remember the promise you made in Camelot. To do whatever was necessary to destroy the darkness".

"I don't like where this is headed".

"I need you to keep that promise now. If I defeat the Dark One's no souls will be owed".

"And the part your family wouldn't agree with is that you need to put the darkness into someone and sacrifice them".

"And I already have someone in mind who's death won't make any difference to me".

Confused Regina asked "who"?

"The person whose fault this is, me".

Gold couldn't tell Belle he was going to die so instead he gave her transformation powder to keep herself safe while crossing the town line so she could go and see the world. After she left Regina and Emma came in, Regina told him "we're not going down without a fight, I'm sure there's a lot of people in the underworld who would be thrilled to see you and me".

Gold replied "we deserve it, besides there is no alternative".

Emma replied "I found one, but I will need Excalibur".

"The only way Excalibur would be of any help is...

Regina says "is if Emma takes all the darkness and destroys herself"

"Well" Gold only needed to look at Emma to see that was what she was planning and he went to get the sword. There was a heavy sombre feeling in the air. He came back and held out the sword "Excalibur was always meant to be in the hands of a true hero,"

"That's it"? asked Emma, "without a deal".

"If I don't give you the sword and I have no chance, and if you succeed I live to see another day, this really isn't giving me much thought". As Emma took the sword he added "you're a brave woman. And I know I've only ever said this once before but I'm proud to have you for a daughter-in-law".

"Thank you, now I have one last thing to do before saying goodbye to it all".

While Emma got prepare Regina and Robin went to deal with Zelena who had proclaimed an alteration to their agreement where she had sole custody. Zelena was in the mayor's office relishing in what she assumed would be her victory with colour swatches. Regina and Robin came in "what do you think you're doing"? Regina asked.

Zelena said "just trying to decide what colour would look best on your, or should I say my walls: Kelly, Jade, Pistachio. Oh, I just realised all three of those work as baby names, it's all just coming together". Regina threw the colour swatches into the bin "rude".

"You're not moving in sis" said Regina.

"I know I'm early but before long you'll be dead and everything that was once yours will be mine, and I get the baby".

Robin said "no, you see our daughter deserves her best chance".

Taking out the apprentices wand Regina added "and that's not with you".

Zelena wasn't put off "the withered knob of that sad old man. If memory serves last time you weren't powerful enough to make it work".

The wand started to glow and Regina replied "if my memory serves last time I didn't believe in myself, but now I do, as does everyone else in this town. Now before all this happened you wanted to leave so now that's exactly what you're going to do". She produced a twister that grabbed hold of Zelena.

Zelena screamed "this isn't over, you will see me again".

As she was carried off Regina said "back to somewhere over the rainbow, enjoy Oz witch".

Emma saw her family enjoying themselves as she left a note on the jukebox. A tear fell from her eyes as she mouthed "I love you" before she left. She went to the shore and found Hook sipping rum by the sea. "I knew I'd find you here"?

"Emma "he said coming close to her and saw the tearstain's on her face. "Have you been crying"?

"Even Dark Ones have sorrow, isn't that why you shot Belle four years ago".

"Not one of my best moments, there's nothing quite like dying to make you think of all the regrets you have".

"I know".

"How do you know, you're immortal".

"Doesn't mean I'm completely indestructible" she started crying. "I know what I have to do so I've come to say goodbye. Thank you for being such a good friend and taking care of the kids".

"It was my pleasure". She wrapped her arms around him and he obliged and gave her a kiss. She took a few steps back still crying before disappearing.

Mary-Margaret was about to play another song when she noticed the note Emma left. "Oh no" she said reading it.

Is something wrong" Tally asked.

Mary-Margaret read out Emma's letter "I'm sorry but I can't let you all pay for my mistake and there's only one way I can save you. I should have known the solution sooner from Tally's drawing. It's enough for me to know my sacrifice will keep you safe. Deep down you know I'm right so please move on and find happiness. Tally, be a brave girl, listen to your brother and trust your dreams. Henry, I hope you can forgive me, take care of your sister and keep believing, Mom, Dad, help Henry and Tally grow into the amazing people I know they can become. When I was growing up I hoped if I found parents they'd be worth the wait and you were. Thank you all for being the family I always wanted and know you are in my heart always. Emma".

Henry said "Tally, your drawing there was someone with a sword sticking out of them".

Tally covered her mouth and David said "we have to stop her".

Before they could leave Nimue arrived and said "times up".

They found themselves where the fury had brought Robin. Everyone was there and Neal came forward and said "right on time, the S. S. Purgatory". They saw a small boat coming out of the mist.

Emma came running up crying "no". Once she was facing Neal "I won't let you do this" and she held up Excalibur.

Neal held his hand up and Excalibur transferred to his hand "you had an hour and that was the best you could come up with"?

"Neal" Emma pleaded

"What"? he asked

"I'm not talking to you demon, I'm talking to the real Neal inside, the man I love and who loves me".

"That man is long gone".

"No, he's not, when Gold was the dark one he was dark but he still held a part of the man he used to be inside. He was still a coward, a spinner, and as much as you may think otherwise a father who loved his son. I know there's still at least a trace of my husband and the father of my children left, I know he wouldn't want them dead".

"Of course I don't, I love them too but I promised myself to not let anything weaken me and whatever you love is a weakness".

Emma asked "and me? Neal loved me, I know this, I didn't weaken him, I gave him strength. Fear made him leave me but when the chips were down he was there for me because he loved me. You can't tell me that man doesn't exist anymore"?

"Well this man couldn't care less about you".

"And when will it end"?

"I guess we'll see, you could do the safe thing and never love again like I'm planning to do"?

Gold said "it doesn't work like that, after I lost you I vowed to love nothing else until we were together again, but Belle my heart couldn't help but long for her. I tried to keep myself from loving her but I couldn't I could fool myself into thinking so but never truly could".

Emma realized what Gold was saying she went to stand behind her children. Neal asked "what are you doing"?

Emma said "standing with the most precious reality of our love and I want you to look them in the eye and honestly tell them you want them dead".

Neal couldn't meet their eyes "dad" Tally said "you one time said me and Henry were precious so you and mom would do whatever you could to protect us forever. Now was that the truth or a pretty lie"?

Neal wasn't sure what to say but finally decided on "at the time I meant it".

"But now you don't" Tally started walking up to Neal scaring him making him step back. "When Grandpa Gold let go of you and let you fall through the portal to this world you were so mad at him, how do you think Henry and I feel"?

Henry smirked and joined Tally "remember how mad I was at mom for ripping our Violets heart. I thought I could never be angrier at anyone, I stand corrected. You know I used to wonder who loved us more you or her. She was willing to kill herself for us tonight so I guess I have an answer".

Tally added "mom definitely loves us more, and now I'm wondering if you ever did"?

Neal replied "of course I love you, both of you, and your mom".

Tally said "really, then prove it and cancel our one-way trip to the underworld".

Nimue could see Tally's words were breaking through. She stepped forward and said "enough of this".

She put her hand up but before her chocking spell could reach Tally Emma stepped in front of them.

Neal watched as Emma struggled for air despite knowing it wouldn't kill her he couldn't watch her suffer "stop it".

Nimue replied "you can't stop our darkness".

Neal looked around at everyone who was marked, his children, Emma and then finally Excalibur in his hand. "Yes I can" he held up the sword and all the Dark ones got sucked inside breaking the chocking spell.

Neal held out the sword "Emma, take the sword, the darkness won't stay trapped Excalibur for much longer".

Emma shook her head "no, it should be me, it was my fault".

"No" said Neal. "You chose love, I chose vengeance. You may have made me the Dark One but you didn't intend for me to stay the Dark One long enough for anything to happen. You were strong enough to resist darkness but I gave in. Now let me make up for what I did now by undoing what I did. Let me die a hero".

Emma hesitantly took the sword, she kissed Neal and whispered "I love you"

Neal said "I love you too". He looked over to Tally and Henry "and the two of you as well".

Emma kept sobbing as Neal stood in front of her and a deep breath Emma plunged the sword into him and the sword disintegrated, the darkness came out of both of them returning them to how they were before the darkness took over. Emma saw the cut of Neal neck bleeding again and she cried as Neal died in her arms. Henry and Tally and Gold came over and cried too.

As Neal was taken away on a gurney Emma cried as David and Mary-Margaret held her, Regina comforted Henry and Gold and Tally comforted each other. Henry went home with Regina that night but Tally went home with Emma not wanting her to be alone. The next morning Tally found Emma wrapped up in a blanket. "Mom" she said. When Emma saw her she opened the blanket and Tally joined her as Emma wrapped the blanket around both of them finding comfort in each other's embrace. Tally asked "do you miss dad"?

Emma said "yes sweetheart".

Tally asked "he was a Dark One but died a hero so did he go to heaven or not"?

Emma shook her head "I don't know sweetheart, I don't"... Suddenly Emma heard a high pitched whispering. "what's that sound"?

"What sound"?

"It's like whispering, I remember hearing something like it when..." Emma then realised something "you really can't hear it can you".

Tally shook her head "I can't hear anything".

"Uh oh".

After everyone had been saved by Neal's sacrifice Belle came back to Gold and she spent the night comforting him and they given into their desires. That morning Gold got a text from Emma telling him to meet him at his shop. When he got there she was already waiting inside with Tally. He completely misread the situation, "it hasn't even been a full day yet, funeral preparations should be discussed after a period of mourning".

Emma said "he shouldn't have died".

Gold replied "no, he shouldn't have, he was good man, he will be sorely missed".

"Especially seeing as it didn't work".

"What are you talking about"?

"I can hear it, the dagger, I'm the Dark One anymore but it's still calling to me. You have it don't you".

"Uh, yes" there was no point in denying it so he pulled out the dagger, it was mostly black now and once more held his name.

"You're the Dark One again"

"Had planned on keeping it a secret, didn't think you'd be able to hear it, but then most ex-Dark One's are dead".

"How"?

"When you came and asked for the sword I saw an opportunity. I'd lost everything, soon about to lose my life, immortality by any means was sounding pretty good. As luck would have it I had some magic on hand, with all my years wielding it I knew how to use bottled magic to serve my purpose. So while you thought you were destroying the darkness you were just transferring it back over to me".

"Even at the cost of your own son".

"That was regrettable, but when I put the magic on the sword the idea was you would be the one transferring it not him".

"He sacrificed himself to destroy the darkness and you took that from him".

Gold glanced at Tally and back at Emma and said "you don't poke a bee's nest unless you want to get stung. Be thankful I'm giving you a warning. I must also remind you I now had the collective powers of all previous Dark Ones, including you. Making me more powerful than you".

"Well now you going to use that power and make up for what you've done".

"How do you figure that"?

"Because you might have some of my dark magic but I still have my light magic. I'm willing I can get to Belle and tell her everything before you can kill me, and even if you did she'd see it".

"And what's stopping me from killing you now"?

"Tally, I'm an in-law, you have no obligation to spare me, but Tally is your grandchild, your son's little girl. She has been here and heard everything said between us".

Tally said "I've already lost my dad, if I was to lose my mom, or if anything was to happen to her I might scream your deceit from the rooftops but if you're lucky I'll only tell Belle".

"Well played ladies, well played" Gold finally said. "So what do you want from me".

Emma explained her plan and it seemed pretty straight forward and it would be easy to explain to Belle why he was doing this, now the hard part telling everyone else. Mary-Margret asked "you're going where"?

Emma said "the underworld. I'm getting Neal back. His sacrifice didn't get rid of the darkness, it just got transferred back to Gold".

Hook commented "so the crocodile has his teeth back".

David said "never mind that, Emma, you know how it works, it's a one for one trade. If you save Neal someone else will have to die".

Tally said "Grandpa Gold's good at finding loopholes and mom found one too".

Emma smiled "mom when you enacted the curse you had your heart split into two so dad wouldn't die. I can do the exact same with Neal".

No one said anything for a while then Regina said "it could work".

Emma insisted "it will".

Robin asked "but how does one get to the underworld without dying".

Emma replied "the reason the Recalled Dark Souls spell needed the blood of someone who's been to hell and back is because it can open a gate to the Underworld".

Henry asked "and you think Grandpa will help"?

Hook said "you can believe he wants his son back".

So they all meet up later after leaving baby Neal with the fairies who already had Roland and Baby Girl Hood. Gold cut his hand and let his blood pour into a lake and then Purgatory arrived as they waded over to it Emma said "I will find you Neal, I will always find you".