Author's Note: Hey everyone, I hope this finds you ready for another chapter of Operation Scorpion. I'm sorry it's taken me this long to get it out to you. I was on vacation and though I took my writing with me I never found myself in a writing mood. Again I'm sorry about the wait, but thank you for sticking with me. Please as always send some reviews my way as we authors live off of them. :-)

Chapter Eleven: Secrets and Lies

Emma slammed her fists into the wall of her invisible prison. She knew what was coming, but she was powerless to stop it. She was about to watch Killian die all over again, but this time it would be by her own hand. She never expected Lexi to place herself in harm's way. But her reaction was the same as her anguished voice echoed all around her. She ignored Morgan's ranting until she felt powerful magic enter her body attacking the Dark One.

"What's happening?"

Emma closed her eyes against the bright white light surrounding her. When she opened them she realized she no longer was staring at bare walls of a prison. The sweet smell of wild flowers greeted her nose and light sparkled off a lake in front of her. She sank to the ground and dug her fingers into the soft grass as tears slid down her cheeks. She curled up on the grass while her body shook from her sobs.

"You will see her again."

Emma's head snapped up hearing the voice. She didn't have to ask who the old man was. She could hear the obcinaties coming from Morgan. This could be none other than Merlin himself. She pushed herself up into a sitting position on the grassy ground. She glared at the sorcerer feeling the same amount of hate she felt for Cruella.

"This is all your fault! My daughter is dead because of you!"

"A daughter you haven't even conceived yet."

"That doesn't mean I didn't love her!"

Merlin sighed and nodded his head. "I know how much you loved her, Emma. It was because of that love she was able to bring you here to Avalon. And while you are on this island you are free from Morgan's control. Until the others locate me you are free."

Emma clenched her hands into tight fists. "Not completely I'm not!"

"Free from Morgan's control yes, but from the darkness itself no. You must continue to fight that desire to give into the darkness like all of us."

"But because of you I have a lot more inside me."

"Yes, but you chose to save Regina, Emma. Now you must choose to remain true to yourself. No one can do that but you."

"How are you even here right now?"

"I'm not really here, Emma. I'm still trapped in my cave prison, but I created Avalon from magic so that one day I could finally destroy the darkness once and for all. I knew you were here and I wanted to reach out to you."

Emma slowly rose to her feet and approached the sorcerer. "Bad idea, Merlin," she growled shoving her hand toward his chest only to go straight through it.

"You're hurting, Emma. It's understandable what you're feeling, but I must warn you. If you continue down this path the darkness will destroy not only you, but Lexi and Liam as well because they will never be born."

"What are you talking about?"

"If the darkness has completely consumed you by the time I'm free then you will die with Morgan."

"You'd kill the Savior?"

"I will if I must. The darkness must be destroyed."

Emma glared as her eyes flashed with anger and hate. "I will fight you. I've done too much good to be killed because of a problem you created!"

"Don't fight me, Emma. Fight the darkness inside of you. That is your enemy not me."

Emma shook her head as Merlin vanished. She knew he was right, but Morgan's nagging voice kept echoing inside her head. "Get it together, Emma."

"What's wrong, Emma? Are you still trying to ignore the truth staring you in the face? Merlin doesn't care about saving you. He doesn't even care about Lexi..."

"Shut up, Morgan! You don't get to speak her name after you killed her!"

"My point Emma, is Merlin has no intention of helping you. You're better off sticking with me."

"As your prisoner? I don't think..."

"No, as my ally, Emma. Think of all the things we could do together. All you have to do is let go of your defenses. Let me into your heart and then we'll be unstoppable."

"Until my heart turns completely black then I die anyway and you'll have my body. That's what you were doing to Gold."

"Rumplestiltskin is a coward. He always has been. It took me coaching him to turn him into the imp he became. You are a natural, Emma. You'll need no coaching from me. You crave the darkness."

"You're wrong. I don't..."

"Don't lie to yourself, Emma. I can sense the desire in you. Give in to it."

Vivienne lifted her head and smiled. "She did it."

Snow frowned as she looked at Charming before turning back to Vivienne. "Who did what?"

"Your granddaughter was successful with Merlin's plan."

Charming gently squeezed Snow's shoulder. "What plan? What are you talking about?"

Vivienne sighed as her features darkened before she forced a smile. "A long time ago Merlin devised a plan with your granddaughter to trap the Dark One on Avalon, and she has done it."

Elsa smiled at the news. "That is wonderful news now we know where to find Emma, but I sense there is something you are not telling us."

"You would be correct, Elsa. I did not want to upset anyone."

"What aren't you telling us, and how did Merlin and Lexi make a plan together?"

"What I didn't tell you is that your granddaughter is dead by the Dark One's hand. And they were able to make this plan when Henry and Lexi traveled to the past through the portal in the Camelot story book. Now we must hurry and find Merlin before it's too late."

"But Emma is trapped on Avalon. Morgan can't hurt anyone there." Snow could hardly think much less comprehend what she'd just heard. Emma must be so devastated having just watched her daughter die.

"True, but your daughter is still under the Dark One's dark influence even if she can't hurt anyone."

Elsa frowned slightly hearing the aggravation in Vivienne's voice. She stepped up to Snow White and smiled slightly. "Let's find Merlin so you can be reunited with Emma." She would wait until they were alone to speak to Emma's parents. Something about this woman they were with didn't sit right with Elsa.

"I don't like being locked up in this cell. It's not healthy for my baby. Please let me out. I promise I won't hurt anyone."

Kristoff glanced at Anna and raised his eye brow. "Anna..."

Anna firmly shook her head. "We can't, Kristoff. Elsa was very insistent on this. We can't let her out."

Zelena pouted at her two jailers. While she acted like a spoiled brat her brain was spinning. She had to find a way out of this stupid prison her sister had put her into. She couldn't put her plan into action until she was away from these Arendelle goodie goodies. She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed as she silently watched the two love birds walk away from the dungeons. Once she was alone she uncrossed her arms, closed her eyes, and concentrated on opening the cell door.

"Wicked always finds a way."

Killian glared out through the window of Morgan Le Fay's castle and tightened his grip on the chain in his hand. He clenched his jaw trying to calm the rage boiling inside of him. His brother was dead, Emma was the bloody Dark One, and now he'd watched his own daughter die and vanish from his arms. He wanted desperately to make someone pay for all the pain he'd been delt. He wanted to watch the Dark One or Merlin or whom ever the bloody hell it was pulling the strings squirm as their life force was slowly and painfully taken away. But for now all he had left of Lexi was the matching necklace she had once worn. It had fallen to the stone floor when she vanished from his arms.

"Killian, you have to snap out of this. You aren't going to do anyone any good. I understand what you're feeling."

Killian spun around on his heel. "You don't know what I'm bloody feeling, Regina. How can you? You know what it's like to watch the person you love die. I just watched my daughter die. That's a bit different."

Regina nodded her head and took a slow breath. "You're right, Killian. That is different, but I still understand the pain. If you give in to your dark desires you'll lose everything. Trust me on that."

"So what do you suggest I do, Your Majesty?"

"Do as your daughter requested and go to Avalon."

"And what are the rest of you going to do?"

"The only thing we can do for now. Rejoin Mary Margret, David, Robin, Elsa, and Vivienne in search of Merlin. You can join us once you've seen what Lexi wanted you to see."

"How do I bloody do that, Regina? I won't know where you lot will be."

Regina smiled hearing the snap from the Pirate. He had teeth she'd give him that, but she also knew he was in pain. She could overlook his rudeness for Lexi's sake. "You'll find us with this." She reached out her hand and gently touched the necklace clenched in the Pirate's hand. It connected Lexi to him and that in turn made it a powerful weapon.

"How is this necklace going to help me find you?"

"I've just enchanted it. Just think of whom you wish to find and it'll whisk you to them. Don't give in to the pain, Killian. We will save Emma, and you will be with your daughter again."

Killian sighed but nodded his head in agreement. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew Regina was right. He unclenched his hand and placed the enchanted necklace around his neck. The moment the two touched they merged magically into one. Killian glanced at Regina, but she shook her head.

"I didn't do that."

"Then how did it happen?"

"I don't know."

"Time is catching up with itself. You give that to Lexi in the future, so it merged with the original necklace." Henry readjusted his sword. He understood how Killian felt. It was a different pain because she was his sister, but they'd spent so much time together in Camelot. She was by no means a stranger to him.

Killian glanced at Henry and read the boy's body language very clearly. He wanted revenge for his sister's death. Seeing the pain etched in Henry's face seemed to deflate his own desire for revenge. He still wanted someone to pay, but he didn't want Henry's heart touched by the darkness. If he couldn't protect Emma's heart he could at least protect her son's heart. "Everything will be all right, Henry."

"Yeah, I know."

"Lad..."

"Look, I know what you're trying to do, Killian. I appreciate it, but I'm not in the mood for a hope speech."

Killian glanced at Regina seeing the same worry reflecting in her dark eyes. "Then I'll leave you in your mother's protective hands. Just know I'm here if you want to talk."

"Yeah, thanks." Henry turned on his heel and walked out of the room without another word.

"That isn't like him." Regina frowned as she watched Henry walk away.

"He's hurting, but he's also wanting revenge. I know that look. We both know where that path leads if he continues down it."

"I know. That's what has me worried."

"All the more reason to save Emma and put this nightmare behind us."

"For once we are in agreement. Be careful on Avalon, Killian. We don't know what you'll be facing there."

"Aye, that I will." Killian took a deep breath as he waited for Regina to send him to Avalon. The magic sent at him wasn't dark as he expected it to be. Instead it was in the form of light magic. Before it reached him he raised an eye brow at the former Evil Queen.

"For Alexis," Regina said as Killian was engulfed in her magical spell. She walked out of the castle once Killian was gone to find Gold talking to Henry. "Is everything all right?"

"Quite," Gold said stepping away from his Grandson. "I was just telling Henry he needed to let go of his desire for revenge. It won't bring Alexis back."

"No, but it'll make me feel better."

"Henry, this isn't like you."

"Well, it's me now. I've changed, Mom. Spending twenty years in Camelot does that to a person. Where are we heading now?"

"To meet up with everyone else and find Merlin." Regina stepped up to Henry and Gold before whisking them away from Morgan Le Fay's castle. She let her love for Robin guide her to the others. When they reappeared the look of devastation on Snow's face spoke volumes. They all ready knew about Alexis. And it appeared they were still in the same cave as when they first separated.

Snow looked up seeing Regina, Gold, and Henry appear out of a cloud of white magic. "Henry, are you all right?" She rushed to his side and wrapped him in a hug.

Henry returned the hug smiling in spite of himself. "I'm fine, Grandma. It's Lexi who isn't fine."

"I know we heard from Vivienne. I'm so sorry about Alexis. Where's Killian?" David laid his hand on Henry's back as he spoke.

"He's on his way to Avalon. Alexis made him promise he'd go there after she died." Regina smiled and walked into Robin's open arms accepting his comfort.

"Emma is on Avalon as well."

Regina looked at Elsa in shock. "What? That's where Alexis trapped the Dark One until Merlin can be found?"

Elsa smiled and nodded her head. "Yes, it was a plan of Merlin to keep the Dark One contained so she couldn't hurt anyone while we search for Merlin."

"Then lets find him and go home." Regina hugged Robin close before letting him go. She wanted to get Zelena back to Storybrook where she could keep an eye on her sister.

Vivienne smiled hearing the conversation. "I think I sense the next location in our journey."

Elsa frowned as she looked around the cave before a wave of invisible magic swept over them. "What was that?"

Snow looked around the cave once everything stopped spinning. "This isn't the same cave. How did we move like that?"

"I would say Merlin is moving us closer to him?"

Henry shook his head as he looked around the cave. "No, this isn't Merlin's doing. He's trapped in a cave somewhere unable to escape. I think this is the first leg of a quest to find him. Here look at this table for example. It's covered in symbols."

Elsa walked over to Henry glancing over his shoulder at the table. "I think Henry is right. These are runic symbols."

"Can you read them?" Robin followed everyone to the table.

"Yes, but it's going to take time for me to sort them into their correct order."

"Then do it, Elsa. The sooner we solve this first puzzle the sooner we free Emma."

"So, how did you come up with this elaborate way to find Merlin?" Robin turned around to find they were missing someone. "Where's Vivienne?"

Henry glanced up from the table and sighed. "She lied and none of us realized it."

"What are you talking about, Henry?" Elsa stopped what she was doing not wanting to continue if it was a trap.

"Remember what Vivienne said before about finding Merlin trapped?"

"Yes, she said she cast a spell to move his location in order to protect him from Morgan." Regina nodded her head remembering the conversation.

"I don't think it was Vivienne at all who did that. I think it was Merlin to protect himself from both Morgan and Vivienne."

"I don't understand. Why would she want to harm Merlin?" Snow was beginning to really not like Camelot.

"It doesn't matter why she wants to harm him. She played us like fools. If not for Merlin's spell we'd be leading her right to him." Regina shook her head in aggravation. How many times was she going to be tricked and fooled like a common...hero. In that moment the power of her statement hit home. If Merlin's spell was intended to keep villains away from him then he must sense she was no longer a villain. That meant she had to stay this course and continue to change her evil ways.

"Then we don't have a moment to waste. Vivienne could be trying to track us as we speak." Elsa returned her attention to the table of runic symbols.

Vivienne opened her eyes as the magic went through her to find she was still in the same location. "MERLIN!"

"You are not pure of heart, Vivienne. You were once a good woman."

"A good woman that you used and took advantage of in order to get what you wanted."

"How did I take advantage of you, Vivienne? I taught you all that I knew. You allowed your greed for more power cloud your mind."

"And my punishment was you entrapping me in the lake surrounding Camelot!"

"It wasn't meant to be for all eternity, Vivienne. You have yet to change your desire for power."

"And you allowed yourself to be trapped like an animal by Morgan."

"Why did you do it, Vivienne? Henry and Alexis did nothing to you."

"Because you loved them as if they were your children. I watched you from my watery prison. And I knew Alexis would be more powerful than even she'd realize once she and Henry returned to this time. I had to get her out of my way."

"And so you felt it necessary to have her die by Morgan's hand in order to trap her on Avalon. We both know Alexis could have done that without dying."

"Yes, I know she could have, Merlin! I wanted you to watch your precious child die knowing there was nothing you could do to stop it. I'm still surprised she was so gullible to believe what I told her, and that she actually went through with it." Vivienne laughed as she looked around the empty cave.

"She thought you were me, and she was blinded by the desire to save her mother. That's all she ever wanted to do, and because of you she was ripped away from her family. But perhaps it was for the best."

"What are you talking about?"

"Ah, you don't know do you."

Vivienne frowned and clenched her hands into fists. "What have you done, Merlin?"

"I did nothing, Vivienne. It was Alexis who did it. You may have convinced her that she had to die to trap Morgan on Avalon thus freeing Emma from her control, but you forgot about Alexis's father."

"What about the Pirate?" The moment the question left her mouth she knew the answer to it. When the others returned the Pirate wasn't with them. "Regina sent him to Avalon because of a promise Alexis made him make. He'll be reunited with Emma."

"And perhaps regain some ground they lost."

"And create those two brats as well. It's no matter for me because if Emma is or is not pregnant all I have to do is kill her before they can leave the confines of Camelot."

"I will stop you, Vivienne. Those children are meant to be born."

"Why? So your precious vision of Camelot can be reborn? The greed of man will forever taint your noble idea of a good and peaceful Camelot."

"We shall see. I will free Emma and not allow you to harm them any further."

"Perhaps, but perhaps not, Merlin. I've laid a seed of doubt in Emma's mind by again pretending to be you. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't try to kill you on sight."

"You have medaled in this far too long. I'm sorry, Vivienne. I thought I could save you as well, but it appears I was wrong."

"What are you doing?"

"Something I should have done the day you found me in this very cave bragging about how you found a way to hurt me just as much as Mordred did when he killed Arthur."

"You can't hurt me, Merlin. Not while you're in your stasis chamber. And once I find you I will kill you."

"Perhaps, but at least I can give Emma's family a head start."

Vivienne looked around the cave not knowing where to expect the attack to come from. She glanced down a second too late at the small glass vial around her neck holding some of the water of her prison as it shattered into pieces. "NO, you can't keep me trapped in that lake!" She swayed on her feet as she was once again transformed from her human form into a mermaid before the same magic swept her from the cave and deposited her into the lake.

Zelena sighed as she opened her eyes to find her jail cell still firmly locked. She yelled as she shook the iron bars with her hand. It was no use depleting her energy on a problem she couldn't fix until she was free of the cursed bracelet on her wrist. She let go of the bars, went back the her small bed, and sat down. She crossed her arms over her chest and began thinking of a new way to get not only free from the cell but free from the bracelet. She didn't have to wait very long before she heard footsteps on the stone floor of the dungeons.

"Hello, Zelena, I know you're dangerous, but I figured you were hungry." Anna smiled sweetly as she opened the cell door.

"Oh, you are so sweet. We're famished." Zelena smiled and gently rubbed her growing belly. The moment the foolish girl stepped far enough into the cell Zelena was on her feet throwing a quick punch.

She was elated seeing she had taken the girl by surprise. The girl quietly crumpled to the ground dropping the tray in her hands which Zelena caught. She couldn't let a good sandwich go to waste now could she? She in fact was very hungry because of the growing baby in her womb.

"Now it's time for me to go to Camelot and see if I can finally be rid of my annoying sister." Zelena reached into the pocket of her shaw and pulled out a small pouch. She opened it and peered inside to find a single clear bean. She was glad she had the fore sight to make the pouch invisible to everyone but her before leaving Storybrook with Robin and Rolland for New York. She had to admit the Snow Queen had done a number on her with the freezing spell, but that's where the bean would come into play had her plan failed. But it didn't and she was able to save the bean until now when she really needed it.

She resealed the pouch and placed it back in her pocket. She glanced at the unconscious girl once more before walking out of the cell and heading for what she hoped would be a deserted beach. She really did care about the life growing inside of her no matter what her sister thought. She had always wanted to be a mother before her quest to take what she thought was rightfully hers from Regina. She had simply forgot until the day she realized she was in fact pregnant. The original plan hadn't been to get pregnant but to make Robin fall in love with her.

Zelena reached the dock and silently cursed her luck. Arendelle was in the middle of receiving a trade shipment. She would have to wait until the dock was empty before she could use the bean to get to Camelot. By that time the girl would be awake and sounding the alarm of her escape. She had no choice but to wait, hide, and then escape through the portal.

Kristoff looked around the palace and frowned not finding Anna anywhere. "Where could she be?" Snapping his fingers, he headed for the dungeons. It was the only place she could be, and he knew how she was when it came to feeding everyone in Arendelle including prisoners. He whistled as he reached the dungeons until he past the guard post to find no guard. He walked faster reaching the cells in half the time it should have taken.

"Anna, are you all right?" Kristoff rushed to his wife's side and helped her sit up.

Anna slowly nodded her head then rubbed her sore jaw. "Yes, but I acted before I thought again. We have to find Zelena before she gets too far away."

Kristoff gently pulled Anna to her feet and rubbed her back before turning her around to face him. She appeared to be fine except for the growing bruise along her jaw line. "It's probably too late, Anna."

"We have to try, Kristoff. This is my fault this time, and I'm going to fix it. You search the grounds, and I'll search the castle. If we find nothing we'll meet on the docks and search there as well."

"Okay, but be careful."

"I will. She won't take me by surprise again." Anna leaned up on her tip toes and planted a kiss on Kristoff's warm lips. "I love you."

Kristoff returned the kiss in spite of his worry. "I love you too, Anna."

Anna smiled as she headed off to search the castle. She knew every nook and cranny of it, and it didn't take her very long to realize Zelena wasn't hiding in the castle. Her gut told her Zelena would be at the docks. She glanced out of one of the castle windows at the trade ship sailing away. Zelena is probably on that ship her mind chastised until she caught a glimpse of red hair peeking out from behind several pillions. Anna frowned wondering why Zelena hadn't sneaked onto that ship, but she shook her head a second later not caring.

"She hasn't left which means I can still catch her."

Anna raced through the castle at top speed. She had to make it to the docks before Zelena escaped. As she ran toward her prisoner she could see her pull something small and clear out of thin air. What is that she wondered as she watched Zelena toss the object into the water. "No, it's a portal maker." She ran faster reaching the dock a second after Zelena jumped into the swirling water. She never thought about her decision as she jumped into the swirling water after Zelena slipping through the portal before it closed up behind her.

Killian glanced around at his surroundings once he got his bearings back. He'd never understand how those with magic travel in that blasted tornado comfortably. He cleared his mind of his discomfort and focused on the task at hand. The island appeared to be empty. Why would Lexi insist he come here?

"This is a bloody waste of my time."

Killian began to reach for his necklace when he heard someone screaming. A smile spread across his face. "You are a smart Lass my precious little girl." He moved in the direction of Emma's voice not sure what he'd find once he reached her. He approached slowly then knelt down out of sight watching his happy ending pacing back and forth, but was it her or Morgan? He got his answer a second later.

"No, I won't give in, Morgan!"

Killian smiled as he rose to his feet. "Swan, it is you."