The way it had to end

Just another one of my own since requests are a bit thin on the ground just now haha. Based around the idea of Snow being the one to stay in the Underworld instead of Charming.

"You know, I really wish I could say this was gonna be quick and painless, but…" Emma pushed back against her uncle as hard as she could, scrabbling to keep her feet on the solid ground, lest her soul be forever lost in the green waters below. Suddenly, Emma found herself falling backwards slightly.

"I don't promise the same thing." Snow growled. Emma didn't know where to put herself. She saw Killian off to the side, making sure Cruella couldn't get the gun and give it back to James. She made her way over towards him as Cruella hid cowardly behind a barrel. His hook had the power to remove the cuff from her wrist. Only then would she be able to help her mother as she began her face-off with James. But as Emma's magic was freed, she saw this was something her mother had to do alone. She and James were circling each other slowly, not taking their eyes off their opponent.

"So here she is. The true love of my darling brother. Just how is dear old Dave going to feel when he finds out neither his wife, nor his daughter, are ever coming back to him?" James taunted Snow.

"We're both going back to Storybrooke James. Walk away. This doesn't have to end like this. You're my husband's brother. The uncle to my children. I don't want to hurt you, but if you insist on putting us in danger here, then I'll do what I have to do to protect us." Snow warned him. James snorted. How could she, a little woman, hope to defeat him? James laughed manically.

"Well, have it your way then. Really, you're doing me a favour. Because taking away my twin's happiness, that's my unfinished business." James suddenly lunged for Snow. But she saw his attack coming and was able to use his own weight against him. Even so, Snow was too close to the water's edge for Emma's liking.

"Mom!" Emma called out, preparing to blast James back into the water herself.

"Emma!" Snow called, halting her. "Let me handle this." Snow asked, looking deep into Emma's eyes. Emma didn't like it, but she understood. Snow felt like James was her problem. She had to finish this. James looked at her and laughed once more. Their fight continued, both taking turns of having the upper hand. Just as it started to look like Snow was going to win without any need for James to really get hurt, Cruella whispered something to him. Quick as a flash, James whipped out a hidden blade from his sock. Snow looked at it, wide-eyed. So George had taught him to fight dirty. This was it. This could now only end one way, unless he put the blade away.

"James, you don't have to do this." Snow tried to plead with him. James was too far gone. He charged at Snow, blade ready to pierce her with. Snow once again used his own anger and momentum against him, and used it to swing him around and cause him to crash into the water below. Emma rushed to her mother's side.

"You ok?" She asked. Snow nodded, still staring into the murky water below. She took no pleasure in killing her brother-in-law. No matter how dark his heart was. "It's really you?" Snow asked. Snow turned and nodded at her, confused.

"Only last time I saw your face it was right before you punched me in my face. Or I thought it was you, anyway." Emma turned and glanced at Cruella, who was frozen with fear by the barrel. Snow now understood how they had tricked Emma into going with them. Cruella must have used some potion to change her appearance to look like Snow. Snow snarled, heading for Cruella. The former queen of darkness tried to scramble to her feet and run away, but Snow was too quick for her. She grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and slammed her against the barrels. For a moment, Snow contemplated sending her in with James, but she took no pleasure in killing, even if the person could have potentially have had her daughter killed.

"You're going to run away." Snow growled. "You ever so much as look at my daughter again whilst we're still down here, and I will not give you another chance. Do you hear me?" Snow hissed. Cruella nodded shakily. "Good." Snow said bluntly, as she dropped Cruella. She quickly scrambled to her feet and ran off. Snow didn't know what corner she would choose to hide in. She couldn't care less. There had been enough death here for one day. But Snow would not forget what Cruella had nearly caused. She would be true to her word. If Cruella ever caused Emma any harm again, Snow would end her. That was a promise.