S8, E1: Welcome to the United Realms

Remember Storybrooke, the land first created by a curse of an angry, evil queen trying to destroy a princess' happiness?

Well, now it is much more bigger than that small town that came out of nowhere. Now, the town is part of the United Realms (which is literally most of the realms put together).

The United Realms looks alive as the citizens all rose up to celebrate the day of the Good Queen's coronation. All women, men, and children come to the grand castle, home to the Good Queen and her family, wearing their finest clothes. Everyone is expecting the royal family, and the surprise they are going to hold for everyone.

And one girl of 16 years of age is especially excited.

And her name is Hope Swan-Jones.

She has her father's hair, smile, and pirate nature of wit, loyalty, and way of words. And of course, Hope has inherited her mother's "walls" which she insists she will put down on this special day, as she will conduct the royal surprise for the first time, without anyone knowing.

Except her friends.

"Are you ready, Hope?" A girl much older than her nudges her. If you look at them, you could have thought they were sisters. However, they were aunt and niece, but the niece was the oldest- and she will always make her aunt hear that for the rest of her life.

"Lucy, honestly, I am terrified. Maybe I'll use the walls to hide that at least."

Hope's niece laughed and whispered, "But where the hell is your boyfriend?"

Hope gasped and retorted jokingly, "And where is your girl?"

Lucy Mills got shocked and started poking her. Hope jabbed back, starting a cat-fight.

They both calmed down and Hope said, "You know I don't like him like that..."

"Yet," interrupted Lucy. Hope was about to say something about Lucy's crush, when someone came in and said,

"Hey, what are you whispering about? May I come in?"

A boy came in.

He was as old as Hope, with his unknown but villianous mother's brown eyes and his wooden father's black hair and careless smile. But his eyes, though villianous they would have looked, had the ease and kindness his mom would have had.

Hope quickly said (while elbowing Lucy hard), "Just talking about the surprise. You up for it, Will?"

Wilbur Booth (who's only nickname is called and given by Hope) smiled, "As much as my dad is willing to see your mom. You know how August is best friends with Emma."

"Yeah, luckily my dad is not jealous anymore."

Will laughed as Lucy smiled mischieviously at Hope and Will. The two friends, you can say, poured over the storybook of their families' stories since they became friends. It was the thing that, you can say, bonded them.

"Uh...anyways, I have to go, get ready. I can't go wearing this. It's a bit...horrendous for a coronation anniversary," said Hope, who was wearing a dark red shirt with fingerless gloves and one of her dad's signature black leather jackets. Since she wasn't wearing a dress, it would be bad- and she will be told off by her grandmother, Snow White. Though, Hope thought, her dad will definitely be up for the challenge to let her wear that in the ceremony.

"I don't think you will be horrendous wearing that. You look good in anything," Will said, or rather blurted out. A silence descended between them, before he cleared his throat and added, " I'll leave you be, I guess. See you?"

"Definite. Ly."

Will smiled and left the room. When it became just the two of them, Lucy finally spoke, "I ship it."

Hope whipped her head around to look at her sisterly niece, "You what? Why?"

Lucy shrugged, "He is cute and he is totally into you. Even your dad would agree, I bet."

The swashbuckling girl sighed, "I'll just get ready." Lucy gave her a look. "Hey mate, better safe than sorry," Hope said, still talking about her princessy grandmother. "Go to your mom, I'll get you and search for your crush." She raised her eyebrows mockingly at Lucy and walked to her mother's room.

But she found Hope anyway. Emma Swan didn't look like she had aged for the past 16 years. Her blond hair was still as beautiful as ever and she still wore her red leather jacket, borrowed also by her daughter (who's style is most influenced by her parents).

"Hey, where have you been?" She gave her daughter a look.

"Spended time with Lucy. Everyone else's good?" Hope walked beside her mom as they go to her room.

"Yeah, even Neal is excited. And you know how much he doesn't really enjoy the balls as much as his mom."

Hope laughed at her mother's comment about her uncle, who would also get yelled at if he didn't wear a proper attire (and he is an adult).

"I as well must get ready. Don't want to be too knightly or piratey as Grandma would say," said Hope, who will, in fact, add a sword and its sheath to her dress. As the daughter and granddaughter of the greatest prince/knight and pirate the realms has ever seen, she must contribute, even as a "young lady".

"Yeah...surprisingly your dad won't get yelled at. Mom promised, and he's the pirate," Emma sat Hope down and brushed her ebony locks.

"Mhm," Hope sighed. "Speaking of him, where is Dad?"

"He's at his own room dressing. Killian really missed you."

The loving daughter smiled. Killian Jones did love his child as much, or maybe even more than his own wife. They both thought and even talked the same way. The only major difference is that Hope has walls...and Killian has none, to his daughter at least.

"Lucy is definitely nervous about her dance with you-know-who, and they're only friends," Hope told her mother.

Emma smiled," When they dance, just look at their hands. If they are holding hands formallly, then that's nothing. If their fingers are around each other, ooooooo...that is something."

Hope laughed, "How do you know about this?"

"Your father told me when you became a teenager. I was worried you will like some boys that I despised."

Hope stayed quiet. She never liked someone the way Lucy did to Aladdin and Jasmine's daughter, Alia. Her walls prevented that, as no one broke them like her father does to her mother.

Suddenly, Emma's hand-movements in Hope's hair stopped. Hope looked at the mirror in front of her. Her hair was loose and flowing, except her head was circled by a braid adorned by flowers.

Nice. "Thanks, Mom."

"No problem. Now, let's just figure out how to be yourself and not get yelled at by my mom!"

Two Hours Later

Emma grinned. She was seated at the ballroom where Regina was crowned as the Good Queen...and where Regina also threatened Snow and David's happiness at their official wedding. I hope nothing like that happens again here, she thought, frowning.

"What's wrong, love?" Killian Jones, as devilishly handsome as ever, looked at his wife with concern. "Are you alright?"

Emma sighed, "I just I am worried about Hope. Where is she?"

Killian raised an eyebrow. He knew his wife too well, "I am sure she's fine, Swan. If anyone kidnaps her, you sure well know she'll beat the bloody hell out of him (as she is our daughter.) But I know there is something else...??" He gave Emma a questioning look.

Emma takes her husband's hand, "I am just worried that something bad will happen again in here..." She gave him a look.

Killian understood, "It won't, We both will make sure of it. Remember, we will do this together, always."

"Thanks. But David and Snow sure got into you," Emma laughed, seeing her parents in that little speech.

"Well, as the father of Hope literally, hope speeches do come at ease. And, that little matter of David and Snow being as annoyingly optimistic as ever," Killian rolled his eyes and chuckled at his little joke he shares with his daughter and wife.

Suddenly, something like church bells rang around the ballroom walls. All citizens gather around and sat near the middle, where the royal family will be sitting under the white arches circling around them.

A moment of silence sat around the room as everyone became to notice that some members of the royals (especially the children) are not seated, as usual. This would be considered as a clue for the surprise, but for the citizens -who cared for the royal children as much as their own- this was scary and worring, making them forget about the surprise that is supposed to be held.

And for Hope and her friends, this was very good.

The trio, in their magnificent outfits, took in the children of the citizens secretly. They led them to a corner where many different types of instruments are piled up. Each child took an instrument, big or small, that fits their skill-set as the three friends took the others. Lucy picked up a stringy violin. Will longed for a simple guitar. Hope chose a piano, grand and elegant.

Suddenly, Emma heard a familiar song. She turned to see her child's eyes smiling mischievously at her. Hope got up, arm-and-arm with her friends, and spoke,

"Welcome friends, family, and our great people! We present you a dance that will end with a prize. And as everyone knows, the prize can be...unpredictable...since I will judge it."

The citizens laughed. Everyone knew of Hope's tricky mind and that the prize might not be physical.

"This is a challenge of memories. Dance until your feet hurt. The person who dances the longest wins!" Then, Hope winks, "And sorry for any injuries. We have a great team of fairies that can help you. Have a good night!"

All women and men joyously rose up. Young men asked young women out to dance. Couples held hands with each other and parents showed their children the first steps to waltz. Hope looked around, feeling happy. She did it. It wasn't a huge surprise, but she knew everyone needs happiness with their loved ones.

"I never knew you knew this song."

Hope smiles at her dashing father, "How could I not, when you and Mother danced to this in your first waltz together as Prince Charles and Princess Leia?"

"Well, may as well dance with you," Killian winked at Hope and bowed, "Would you dance with me?"

Hope laughed and took his hand, while Killians hook lightly touched her waist. They easily did the steps of waltz, which Hope had never done with Killian.

"By the way, congratulations on the surprise. Everyone looks happy. Your mother certainly was scared of your disappearance."

"And you? I missed you very much," Hope mock frowned at her father.

"I missed you too, my love. Though, I did give a hope speech to Emma that I was certainly proud of," Killian gave a mischievous grin as Hope shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Suddenly, the song slightly changes, the tone didn't change but the use of instruments did.

"Bloody hell, I didn't get to even talk to you today!" Killian frowned and looked sadly at Hope.

Hope gave him a sad smile, "I can give you the last dance. I promise."

Killian gave a big grin, "Thanks, love. See you." He kisses his forehead and swung her.

Hope spinned and spinned until someone caught. She turned to face the person, male or female or trans. But the face of her second dancer was the most unexpected.

Will blushed, "This is unexpected," he read her thoughts. He took her hand.

Without speaking of their situation, Hope looked around frantically for Lucy and Alia. Have they danced yet?, she thought.

Will looked around too to see what she's looking for, "What is it, Hope?" He clasped her hand more firmly.

"Yeah I..." Hope stopped, suddenly noticing the way Will held her hand. His fingers laced around her own, instead of the much more formal way. Oh man, oh shoot, Hope thought. Does he feel...well what Lucy does?, she questioned, heart pounding. Hopefully not. Then, realizing she used her name, she laughed out loud.

Will looked confused. Hope caught his expression and lied (as she is good at it, because of her walls), "Um..I was just looking for my family. And I saw how happy they looked." It wasn't far off. That lie wasn't what she felt at that moment, but that thought was a pretty close second.

"I am glad it was a success. I don't think you realize, Hope, but we make quite a team," Will gave her a look, which Hope ignored by using her walls. She didn't want to let Will in that way. Not yet, at least.

Before Will said anything else, a crazy giggle escaped. Suddenly, everyone stopped dancing and singing.

"What a happy day!"

A man appeared in front of the crowd. He looked very scaly, like a crocodile. He wore a long, smooth coat and his hair was long and greasy. Everyone knew his name, even the ones he had never made any deals with in his life.

"Rumplestiltskin," Regina, the Good Queen's voice rang out, "What are you doing here?"

"Doing what I was going to do, many, many years ago," the crocodile giggled and added, "Or, to be more specific, 16 years ago."

"Bloody hell," Killian appeared next to Hope, who had released Will from her when hearing Wish-World Rumple, "It's the crocodile, yet again."

Yet again? Hope's mind wondered, what is Dad talking about? Rumple, or even his wish-world counter-part, hadn't come to the castle since 19 years ago.

"Let me tell you about a little prophecy..."

"No," David Nolan and Snow White stepped in, "We do not want to hear of another family member dying."

Rumple giggled again, "But don't you want to know of a possible threat that can be saved, by the prophesied..."

His eyes skimmed through the crowd and, finally, looked straight at Hope.

"You."

Rumplestiltskin crossed over and appeared in front of her.

"The Hope of The Realms."

Hope raised an eyebrow as her parents stepped in front of Rumple. "Do not lay a hand on our daughter," Killian threatened with a sword at the crocodile's throat.

"Oh ho ho ho ho! The great Captain Hook saving his loved ones! Never thought that would happen! Didn't you kill your father? They really shouldn't have named you Killian for nothing."

Killian's jaw muscle tensed, and Hope knew Rumple got under his skin.

"Anyways, I don't want to hurt your daughter. I want to warn her."

Killian and Emma backed away and Rumple looked daggers at Hope' eyes, "Hope Swan-Jones. The Hope of the Realms. The Lightest of the Light. The Darkest of the Dark Ones..."

Hope raised another eyebrow, "I am not the Dark One. What are you implying at?"

Rumple giggled once more (What the bloody hell is up with the giggling, Hope thought), "These are the things you can be, and the start of the prophesy is today."

He stepped back and addressed everyone, "Citizens of the United Realms, there is a Dark One at your midst. And he isn't me."

Worried whispers spread across the room as Rumple continued, "This Dark One can be the first step into finding who Hope Swan-Jones will be. Will she be the Lightest of the Light? The Darkest of the Dark Ones? Or others..."

He waited until his words sank in until he said his departing words, "Hope is the most powerful being of the Realms. Even powerful than the Savior here," He inclined toward Emma, "Let's see what happens...when she finds out who she actually can be...and what she chooses, Light...or Dark."

Rumple disappears in a puff of black smoke. Hope stays there, dazed. Emma and Killian exchange looks.

They have some explaining to do.