Chapter 11
The crashing and breaking of objects echoed throughout the temple. Yzma had the mermaids report back after the battle, and the results were not in her favor. Yzma's guard flinched as items slammed magically into the walls. When she was this pissed, it was best just to leave her be.
Yzma started pacing back and forth frantically. She needed to come up with a new plan, and fast. If her calculations were correct, there were almost to the island where Emma was trapped. She started to pace again, and then stopped. A sadistic smile crossed her face. When her thoughts of the island crossed her mind, she remembered one very important detail; the island was surrounded by sirens. Poseidon originally placed them there to lure any sailors to their death and keep them away from his trident. Yzma giggled and retreated to her potions table, picking up the sand dollar once more,
"Oh, Ursula Dear." Yzma oozed. "I have a job for your creatures."
"What is it?" Ursula groaned in annoyance. "You cost me damn near my entire mermaid force yesterday!"
'"I know, but I have a sure way to end them."
Ursula laughed a bone chilling laugh, "Well then, tell me all about it darling."
As the sun rose, the Isle de Murta was in sight. Hope stood and the rail and watched, knowing that soon another battle was about to begin. Her back was still sore from yesterday, but her father's stitching proved to be flawless. She was still dressed in her sweats, tank top and was wandering around barefoot. It was warm, and on the ship, she felt like home. She jogged up to the upper deck where the helm was. As she got up there, she spotted her father on a bench, still asleep. His cheeks were tear stained, and his good hand clutched his cutlass, and Hope knew that the events of the night before had really gotten to him. Stepping out of weapon range, Hope shook her father's foot, trying to rouse him from his slumber.
"Dad." Hope whispered quietly. She shook him a little harder. "Dad." she said it louder this time. "Dad!" Hope shook him harder, startling him awake. Killian brought his hook back, ready to sink it into the chest of whoever dared wake him. As looked down toward his feet, He spotted a green eyed brunette, trying not to laugh.
"Hope Elizabeth," Killian playfully scolded. "It is bad form to shake a pirate captain awake."
"I figured, which is why I shook your foot." Hope chided with a giggle. She extended her hand and gripped her father's hook, helping him sit up. Killian rolled is neck and his shoulders, eliciting a pop from both. Hope sat down next to him on the bench, looking at him earnestly.
"Why did you sleep up here?" Hope asked, not beating around the bush.
Killian shook his head, "You have the tact of your mother and your grandfather."
"Dad…" Hope raised an eyebrow at him.
"Starfish, I watched you almost die in front of me yesterday. You and your brother. I came up here, to deal with my emotions alone. I have a reputation to uphold." Killian smiled at her, "Pirate and all."
"You know, it's becoming more and more clear to me where I get the trait of bottling up my feelings from." Hope rolled her eyes.
Killian let out a laugh, "Oh darling, if you think I'm bad, wait until you talk to your mother."
"Oh, I get it from both sides, that's wonderful." Hope shook her head. "Well, dad I mostly woke you up to let you know the island was close."
Killian nodded and he and Hope stood and made their way to the helm. Killian surveyed the island and how far they were, when Henry joined them on deck. Henry looked at his sister's appearance and let out a laugh.
"Good morning Hopie. Nice outfit."
Hope surveyed her brother's appearance. He still wore the shorts and t-shirt from the night before. "Hey, bite me. Yours isn't much better." she quipped. "Besides, why should I get dressed when I feel at home?".
Henry smiled and put his arm around her shoulder, "Good point."
Killian looked over at his kids and smiled. The fact that his daughter felt at home on his ship made his heart soar.
"What's the plan dad?" Henry questioned, breaking the silence.
"Henry, lower the anchor. Then meet me and Hope in the cabin." Killian responded.
"Aye, aye!" Henry gave an exaggerated salute and went about helping his father. Both his sister and his father let out a laugh as they made their way to the cabin. As they sat around the desk with a tray of fruit of breakfast, Henry joined them.
"Ok my children," Killian began, "Here is the plan. We are going to approach the back side of the island. There are sirens that circle the front of the island were Poseidon's trident resides."
"So, if we go to the back side of the island, then we are less likely to trigger them?" Hope inquired.
"Exactly, Starfish. Plus, the back side of the island is closer to the tower where your mother is being held." Killian grabbed his dagger and pointed at the map. "I will need you two to stay with the ship in case of sirens or more fucking mermaids." He moved his dagger to another area on the island. "This is where the tower is. I will enter through the back and retrieve your mother."
"Wookie prisoner gag?" Henry question incredulously.
Killian let out a laugh, "Not this time my boy."
"Wookie prisoner gag? Like from Star Wars?" Hope echoed is disbelief.
"Tell you what Hopie, after we rescue mom, I will tell you the story." Henry promised
"Deal"
Killian looked seriously at his children, "You are to watch out for each other. Protect each other with everything you have, do you understand me?" Both nodded, never had seen their father that serious before. "Alright then, let's get ready to go."
"Yeah! Operation Rescue Swan is on!" Henry cheered and left the room.
"What is it with him and the operation names?" Hope looked at her father.
"Another story for our return." Killian kissed his daughter on top of her head.
He let Hope get ready first, Donning the same leather breeches, jacket, and boots but this time she had on a teal pirate shirt, one he had especially made for Emma many years go. Her hair was in a braid off to the side, and cutlass in place on her hip. Henry had on his same blue tunic and black pants from the day before, his sword also in place ready to go. Killian rifled around the cabin, trying to find a particular vest. Finally, he found it. Killian scrubbed his face and tried to comb down his unruly hair. As he dressed, Killian put on a fresh black shirt with a high collar, black leather pants, and his necklace of Pirate charms. He put on his thumb ring, his ring that broke his curse, and his silver wedding band. Next came on his vest, the one that was Emma's favorite. The vest was a deep red, with a black floral embroidered design. Killian clipped his sword to his belt and lastly, put on his black leather jacket, that he had been without for far too long.
Hope and Henry were on the deck sparring when Killian emerged about by the helm. The duo stopped and looked, Henry smiled, and Hope's eyes widened.
"Woah." Hope whispered. "Now that's a pirate captain. He looks like the just popped out of a storybook."
"He's back." Henry whispered back with a grin.
"All hands-on deck!" Killian's voice bellowed. Hope and Henry got to work helping their father set sail.
It was time.
Emma was lying on the floor, hands chained to either side. After the episode Yzma had put her through that morning she just needed to lay down and breath. She couldn't imagine this kind of pain at a constant, and then her mind went to Killian. If he had been through this pain for however long it has been, she couldn't bear it. Emma felt her stomach growl, pulling out of her thoughts.
"I would kill for a grilled cheese right now." Emma huffed. "And onion rings, and hot chocolate, and…"
As her thoughts went to food, she could feel Yzma's magic start to overtake her again.
You left them! The voice cried in her head. You Left her like you were left, let her grow up in the same hell as you did!
"I didn't want to!" Emma screamed. "You made me! You stole my family from me, and you made me!"
The magic gripped her tighter, causing her to scream in agony, making her bleed from the inside out.
"No! It's not my fault! You did this you fucking bitch!" Emma screamed again. "You took them away from me! Killian!"
As the magic tightened its grip, shards of magic pierced her skin. Her cries became screams of anguish, words no longer able to form.
The Jolly Roger approached the back of the island in stealth like motion. She drifted through the water in seamless silence. As Killian got them as close as they could, Henry lowered the anchor as silently as possible. It was about 30 yards from the Jolly to the shore, meaning the dinghy would need to be used. Killian nodded, and both children followed him to his cabin.
"Do you have everything?" Hope asked, concern lacing her tone.
"Aye love, Map, cutlass, talisman."
"What do you have for a talisman?" Henry asked.
Killian pulled out a silver chain with a ring on the bottom. The ring was silver with a large black stone. "Is that the ring you gave her in Camelot?" Henry questioned softly.
Killian nodded. "Aye, if that doesn't work, true loves kiss should to the trick."
"Is that the ring you gave her as the dark one?" Hope asked her father, "Henry told me about it."
"Aye starfish it is. I gave it to her then, to remind her who she was, I am hoping that now it does the same thing."
"And if it doesn't? Is true love's kiss a real thing?"
"Aye. The most powerful magic in all the realms. It is the only thing that can break any curse."
Hope nodded and pulled her father in for a tight hug. Killian embraced her back, not sure what to think of her sudden outburst of emotion." You better come back to us," Hope whispered. "Both of you, better come back to us."
Killian kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tight. "I will starfish, I promise."
"Dad it's time." Henry whispered.
Killian nodded and released Hope; he made his way to hug Henry.
"Take of her my boy." Killian squeezed Henry tight. "I love you both."
Henry nodded, "Tell mom we're waiting for her."
Killian nodded and smiled. The trio headed to the deck and loaded Killian into the dinghy. Hope and Henry lowered it slowly. As Killian started to row to the back of the island, cries of anguish sounded from the tower. Hope clasped her hand over her mouth, Henry bit his lip, and Killian rowed faster.
This ends now.