How Deep Is Your Love
Chapter Twenty-Six
Inside Killian's mind…
"What the devil are you?" Killian asked with confusion while he glared at his past self and greatest enemy ever since he was finally able to let go of his lust for revenge against Rumpelstiltskin thanks to the woman he was deeply in love with. "How are you here?"
"I'm here because you let me in, Killian," Hook answered as he cruelly smiled at his true self. "The Snow Queen's taunts made you begin to doubt that you've actually changed yourself for Emma's sake. And seeing as you can see and talk to me, you know that you were wrong now."
The true Pirate Captain stared at the vile man standing before him with disbelief as he responded, "No… you're not real. You're a bloody figment of my imagination. You were Pan only moments ago. You changed forms right in front of me, so all I really know right now is that you're not real."
Captain Hook chortled as he slowly stepped forwards until their faces were inches apart and then he replied, "Of course I'm not actually flesh and blood like the weakling lying unconscious upon a hospital bed, but when that vessel of ours finally wakes up after the drugs wear off, it will be me who wakes up in your place. Because I'm stronger than you are. You're not a good man, Killian. Neither one of us are and I'm bloody proud of it, but you…"
"I won't listen to this," Killian interrupted curtly as he turned his back to the other version of himself. "I'm not you. Emma saved me. She made me a better man. I'm Killian Jones again! The man I always should have been, the man my brother Liam always believed I was no matter how many times I proved him wrong."
"Before… or after he died?" Hook taunted. "Should we take a moment to find out?"
Another memory appeared before Killian within a dark cloud, as he saw himself standing back upon his ship wearing his old naval uniform and suddenly watched as a wrapped body was dropped into the ocean, then one of the crewmen handed the third version of himself his brother's satchel while he said with sincerity, "This belongs to you now... Captain."
His past self looked at the man and reached out to take the bag containing the sextant Liam had given him, then stroke the insignia on its top as he whispered sadly, "You'll never leave my side, brother."
"We are sworn to serve the King and the realm," he addressed them firmly, grabbing a torch from one of the men while the entire crew became enthralled. "They sent us to retrieve an unthinkable poison, one that killed our dear Captain."
"Never again shall anyone set sail to that cursed land," he shouted while he rushed to the front of the ship and stood before them beneath the pegasus sail as he raised the torch to set it on fire to destroy it, the sail becoming engulfed in flames until it quickly became nothing, but ash floating in the air around them. "And never again shall we take such orders…!"
The crew began to call out their approval, "Yes! Here, here!"
The younger Jones brother continued more vigorously than before shouting out, "Serving the King, fighting his wars!"
"No!" the crewmen cried out again in agreement.
"That is the way of dishonor!" Killian shouted steadfastly and with anger. "And all you who disagree, flee now or walk the bloody plank! For those who stay will be free men, and I will be your Captain."
The men immediately exclaimed, "Aye!"
Killian looked up into the sky towards the tallest mast, then he turned back to those loyal to him as their new Captain and while the men continued on with their cheers he cried out cruelly, "We'll sail under the crimson flag and we'll give our enemies no quarter. We'll take what we please! And we'll live by our own rules… For that is the best form of all! Our kingdom is corrupt and immoral. They took my brother from me, and now I'm gonna take everything they've got... Starting with this ship! Bring the paint from below!"
"Sir?" one of the men stated in confusion.
"It's time we rename this vessel," their Captain answered firmly as he pulled off his blue coat and finally tossed it overboard while the men followed suit and continued cheering. "We no longer sail as the 'Jewel of the Realm.' We now sail as the 'Jolly Roger.' And when they come for us, I want them to know exactly what we are... pirates! For at least among thieves, there is honor!"
When Killian finished, the crewmen all began to cheer and chant, "Long live Captain Jones! Captain Jones! Captain Jones! Captain Jones! Captain Jones! Captain Jones! Captain Jones! Captain Jones! Captain Jones! Captain Jones!"
Finally the memory faded and Captain Hook turned back to Killian as he spoke again saying smugly, "I think it's safe to say that your brother's death was the beginning of your fall into villainy and if I recall correctly, it felt pretty damn good, didn't it... Captain?"
"I just lost Liam," the good man responded fearfully, knowing that Hook was right at least about that moment centuries ago. "I was angry. I did become a pirate that day. And if you're planning to remind me that Milah's death at the Crocodile's hand and him cutting off my own hand was the moment that I accepted my new role as villain, then allow me to save you the trouble. You're right. I was you. Captain Hook. It's how you're here and how you exist, but what does that have to do with now? I'm not you any longer!"
"How did it feel when you first lost your hand, Killian?" Hook sneered cruelly. "How did it feel when you ordered your men to hold you down while your first mate at the time cauterized the stub left behind so that you wouldn't bleed to death, as you screamed in agony? It was how you felt when you saw Rumpelstiltskin crush Milah's heart while you were powerless to stop him. It was how you felt when your brother was taken from you because of your own foolish choices to believe that demon child over your own instincts. And now… It's how you're feeling inside now because you're having an identity crisis. But Killian, I'm going to prove to you that you're still me. Even if I have to inflict as much pain on you as the King of your own land, your Crocodile, Peter Pan, the Evil Queen, but even more importantly… yourself, inflicted upon you to do it. And waking up, or even your Savior won't be able to help you now. Only admitting the truth and accepting that we are the same can do that. How much more anguish are you really willing to put yourself through? Leave Emma and this bloody town. Figure out who you are without those heroes around to continue to pull you down. Don't you understand?"
Killian thought for several moments as he struggled to keep his darkness from getting him to believe Captain Hook's cruel words, then finally forced his anger down, raised his eyes to meet the other version of himself, and replied, "You're nothing more than the Snow Queen's power manifesting itself to get me to bend to her will. This is another one of her tests. But I won't give in. Do your worst."
Hook smiled and said smugly, "You're really going to regret saying that, Killian. But then, I knew you were going to be stubborn. Where would the fun be if you weren't?"
