Chapter Twelve: Revelations

Emma's head snapped up at the sound of his voice. "Killian, what are you doing here? How did you even get here?"

"Regina sent me here from Morgan's castle after you vanished."

"What are you doing here? You need to leave now."

"No, here is right where I'm supposed to be. You need me, Swan. She knew you would."

"Who," Emma croaked out trying to push away the dark desire swirling around inside of her.

"Our daughter Alexis," Killian replied feeling pride swell up in his heart at the mention of her name.

"I don't understand, Killian."

"After you vanished, Alexis lay dying in my arms. She made me promise to come to Avalon after she died. What she didn't tell me was why I needed to come here."

"Alexis wanted you to come here alone and unprotected?"

"She knew you'd be here and clearly free of Morgan for the time being. I'm sure she thought we could help each other heal."

"How can you be so calm right now, Killian? This isn't like you. Our daughter was just murdered by the monster swirling around inside of me. You should be boiling with desire for revenge! All I want to do is rip out a heart and crush it into dust!"

"I'm calm because I'm here with you, Swan. If I can push my desire for revenge out of my mind, then so can you. I trust you, Swan."

Emma cast a worried glance at Killian before shaking her head. "You shouldn't, Killian."

"You aren't going to hurt me, Swan. I know you. You're a bloody hero."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that if I were you."

Killian sighed then slightly bowed toward Emma. "Then give it your best shot, Dark One."

"Killian, what are you doing?"

"It would appear that I'm tempting fate."

Emma shook her head and took a step backwards. "No, I don't want to hurt you."

"Then don't, Swan. The choice is yours to make."

"He's just begging you to hurt him, Emma. Do it! Rip out his heart and crush it!"

Emma clenched her hands into fists as she backed farther away from Killian. "No, I won't hurt him."

"Don't listen to her, Swan. You're stronger than she is."

"I'm not Killian, that's the problem. I love you, but you have to get away from me."

Killian shook his head as he reached out and tried to grab Emma with his hook. She was faster this time causing him to miss her. Undeterred, Killian held out his arms wide as he continued to slowly approach Emma. "I'm not afraid of you. And you can stop bloody trying to push me away. I'm not going anywhere."

"Yes, you are." Emma pushed out her right hand toward Killian sending a blast of magic at him. The spell would send him away from her where he'd be safe until this was all over.

"SWAN..." Killian braced himself for what was coming. He knew he wouldn't be hurt, but he had no way to defend himself. He turned his head and closed his eyes as the spell hit him. When he opened his eyes he saw a stunned Emma still staring back at him. He frowned glancing down seeing something glowing against his skin. He quickly realized the glowing was coming from his necklace around his neck. He watched it fade before he smirked and lifted his head holding Emma's gaze. "I guess Alexis isn't ready for me to leave yet."

"How is that possible? That spell should have sent you back to the others."

"I told you, Emma. Alexis isn't ready for me to leave your side and neither am I. I'm going to help you through this."

"No, you can't, Hook. If you won't leave then I will." Emma waved a hand around herself casting her spell. When the dark purple smoke cleared she saw she was still on Avalon, but now separated from Killian. "Now, he'll be safe from me."

"Until he foolishly comes looking for you. If you think he's giving up that easily you're a fool."

"I'm not a fool, Morgan. I know he's not giving up, but now that I know he's here I can keep moving. When I sense him near I'll move to another location on the island."

"Why stay on this cursed island, Emma? Not when we can go anywhere we want to go."

Emma laughed and shook her head. "Sorry Morgan, but I'm not letting you out of your cage just yet."

Killian watched the dark smoke surround Emma waiting for it to clear. Once it did he cursed out loud. He wasn't expecting the spell to work. Now it appeared he was going to need to go in search of her. The thought brought a smile to his face. She just became a treasure for him to seek, but once he found her he would make sure she stopped running from him.

Hours passed as Killian walked the entire edge of the island. He didn't expect to find Emma along the coast. That would be too easy and for him it would be too boring. No, he expected Emma to be somewhere in the interior of Avalon. He doubted she'd leave the island, but she might try if she felt too threatened. He needed to make sure she couldn't leave the island, and the only way to do that was to find her.

Emma glanced around her camp. She was good at running and at hiding, but there were only so many places she could go. She would need a back-up plan. It broke her heart to think she needed to do something drastic enough that Killian would stop chasing her altogether.

"You could always rip his heart out and command him to leave us alone. Or even better you could crush it and be done with it all ready."

Emma shook her head as she made a small fire. "Is killing all you think about, Morgan?"

"I make those who have wronged me pay dearly for their actions."

"But it seems up until now we've never known of your existence. Whom ever had the dark curse had and used the power."

"It's true I have had many hosts since Merlin killed my body and attached my dark soul to the dagger. It hasn't been until now that I've come so close to being free of my current host. Had Rumplestiltskin not told Belle about me none of you would have even realized the coward was dead."

"Belle would have known."

"Would have known what, Swan?"

Emma closed her eyes and cursed under her breath. "You distracted me!"

"You knew he'd be looking for you, Emma. You can't blame me for that."

"No, but you want me to kill him."

"Yes, I would love to see you punish him for coming after you. I know you want to."

Killian watched the internal battle going on inside Emma's head. The way her body shook in apparent rage gave him pause. Would she truly give herself over to the darkness? He hoped she wouldn't, but he knew how seductive the darkness could be. He would have to approach this situation with finesse if he was to survive unscathed.

"Swan..."

"Stop talking, Hook." Emma slammed her eyes shut as an image of Killian's body exploding flashed before her eyes. No, she wouldn't hurt him. She loved him. He was the father of her children...

"Children you haven't had yet, Emma. And if it's up to Merlin you will never have them."

She hated to admit it, but she knew Morgan was right. If she was going to have her family she needed Killian on her side not against her. Emma smiled seductivley and opened her eyes starring at Killian. She watched his armor crack under her intense gaze. She had him right where she wanted him.

Killian watched Emma's body language change and he swallowed hard. "Swan, what are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing, Killian?"

"No, we are not having a night cap, Swan. Besides I only have enough Rum for today. You can't have a night cap without Rum."

"Why are you pushing me away, Killian? I thought you loved me?"

"I do love you, Emma. It's killing me not to take you into my arms right now."

"There's no one stoping you, Killian."

"Yes, there is, Love."

Emma frowned and placed her hands on her hips. "Who is stoping you, Killian?"

"You are."

"What?"

"It's taking every bit of will power I have not ravage you right here, but this isn't you...not really. The darkness is starting to change you, Swan."

"No, it's not. This is me, Killian. I want this. I want you."

"I have no doubt that you do, Love. My charms are finally taking their toll on that wall of yours, but this still isn't you." Killian took a few steps forward until he was standing right in front of Emma. He smiled as he reached his hand out and touched her face pushing her blond hair behind her ear. "The Crocodile scales are beginning to show."

Emma smiled and leaned into Killian's touch only to pause as his words registered in her brain. "What?" She took a step away from him and shook her head. "What are you talking about?"

"You're allowing the darkness to have a taste Love, and it's starting to show."

Emma placed her hand on her cheek and gasped. Killian was right. She could feel the rough crocodile type skin below her fingers. She remembered how Rumplestiltskin looked from the past. She was turning into that monster. She shook her head as she took another step away from Killian. "I'm a monster."

Killian recognized the look of sheer terroir on Emma's face. He moved with her always keeping her within reach of his hand or hook. He wasn't about to let her vanish on him again. "You aren't a monster, Swan. You're a bloody hero, Love. You always will be no matter how much darkness is inside of you."

"I wasn't always. I was a thief. You saw my beginnings."

"You did that to survive, Emma. I understand that."

"Don't you remember Lily?"

"Aye, what about her?"

"It's my fault she's so screwed up. She got my darkness added to her own. I'm not pure or innocent and certainly not worthy of being the Savior. I can't do this, Killian. Let me go."

"No, I won't give up on you or us. I love you, Emma Swan. I'm not about to lose you too." Killian stepped forward grabbing a hold of Emma and pulling her toward him. He crushed his lips against hers holding on for dear life to the woman he loved. If his words wouldn't convince her of his love then maybe his actions would be enough.

Emma leaned against Killian returning his passionate kiss with one of her own. She couldn't deny her feelings any longer to herself or to him. She loved him and she wanted to be with him no matter if he was in Storybrooke or the Enchanted Forest. She smiled against his lips only to frown a second later. Something was happening to her she could feel it. "What's happening?"

Killian took a look at her and his smile widened. "We may not need Merlin after all."

His words echoed in her head and Emma shoved Killian away from her. "You're trying to take away my magic?"

Killian stumbled then righted himself only to frown at Emma. "What are you talking about, Swan? I'm not trying to take away your magic. I'm trying to free you from this bloody curse. And it was staring to work."

Emma shook her head as Morgan screamed in rage inside of her. "No, you were trying to hurt me like everyone else who's hurt me in my life."

"I'm not trying to hurt you. I love you."

Emma cocked her head as her eyes flashed in anger. She smiled feeling the crocodile scales spreading across her skin becoming apart of her. "Well, I won't let you hurt me, Pirate. This is what I do to those who have wronged me."

Killian barely opened his mouth to protest before Emma was in front of him slamming her hand into his chest. Pain ripped through him as she pulled her hand out holding his beating heart in it. He fell to his knees looking up at her wondering if she would in fact go through with her plan and crush his heart into ash. "Emma, if you think I've wronged you in any way then do it. Crush my heart and be done with it because despite what you think I love you. And I will not stop fighting for you until the day I die."

Emma looked at the beating red organ in her hand. She did it. She ripped out a heart. She truly had become the the Dark One now. No one could stop her and no one would love her now. She glanced at Killian and saw him wince slightly. Her transformation must be complete from the look in his eyes.

"I have your heart in my hand, Killian. It's time to stop lying to me."

"I'm not lying to you, Emma."

"Yes, you are! No one could truly love me like this. Now tell me the truth Pirate, why are you following me?"

Killian slowly picked himself up off the ground sighing slightly. He could feel her command radiating through his entire body. He would tell her the truth not because she commanded him to, but because that's all he had been telling her since he found her on this bloody island. "The truth is what I have been telling you, Swan. Alexis made me promise I would come to Avalon after she died. I didn't know you were here. She didn't tell us that."

"You keep saying you love me. Is it really true Killian, or am I another one of your conquests?" Emma watched the look of pain spread across Killian's face. She didn't need to hear his answer because his face told her everything she needed to know. She quickly shook her head silencing his answer. "You shouldn't love me, Killian."

"Emma..."

"No, don't try to change my mind, Killian. Everyone I love is dead because of me, and I nearly killed you with my bare hand. I do love you, but as long as I'm like this I'm not safe to be around." Emma blinked her tears away as she quickly slammed Killian's heart back into his chest. Once it was done, she waved her hand around the man she loved sending him away from her.

"Emma, don't..." Killian cursed out loud once the purple smoke cleared to reveal he was once again on the Jolly Roger. Her spell didn't work the first time so why did it work the second time? "Emma, you can't do this alone. Why can't you trust me, Love?"

"And she won't do it alone, Killian."

Killian spun around to find an white bearded man standing in front of him. Taking a closer look he realized the man really wasn't standing in front of him at all. It looked like he was a ghost since he could see right through him. "Who the bloody hell are you?"

"My name is Merlin, and I'm the one who allowed Emma's spell to work the second time. Now is not the time for you to die, Killian."

"You're Merlin! Emma is the bloody Dark One, and my daughter not to mention my son are dead all because of you!"

"I know and I'm truly sorry. Vivienne is also to blame for all of this pain."

"What are you talking about?"

"The sacrifice Alexis made to trap Emma on Avalon didn't have to happen. Vivienne tricked her when she and Henry were I the past by taking in my appearance. Alexis had the power to do that all on her own."

"Then why didn't you save her?"

"Because I'm not allowed to interfere."

"That makes no bloody sense, old man! You interfered when you allowed Emma's spell to bring me here!"

"I know and I'll be punished for that action I'm sure, but I couldn't allow you to die not when there's so much at stake."

"What's at stake?"

"Everything is at stake Killian, and your daughter is the key."

"How can she be the key? She's dead!"

"I know. But she isn't gone forever. She is the product of your true love with Emma. And you will need that true love to finally destroy the darkness forever."

"That's why you couldn't destroy it before when Morgan had her own body. You didn't love her."

"That's right. I didn't love her then and I don't love her now, but you do love Emma."

"But I don't have magic you do. That's why we've come all this way to find you. Your apprentice said you were the only one who could do what needs to be done."

"He was wrong. I cannot destroy the darkness."

"Then we're wasting our time looking for you."

Merlin sighed and shook his head. "You haven't been listening, Killian Jones. I cannot do it, but you can with a little help from me."

"What?"

"You shall see, my boy. Rejoin the others and all will be revealed."

"What about Emma?"

"She can't leave Avalon no matter what Morgan thinks. Vivienne thought she was cleaver when she taught Alexis the spell to send Emma to Avalon, but what she failed to realize was I had all ready ensured that once Emma arrived on Avalon no one with dark magic could ever leave it."

"You were planning on teaching Lexi that spell as well?"

"Yes, but I would have made sure she used only her light magic and not her life force to do it. Now pease Killian, rejoin your friends and free me so that together we can free Emma from this awful curse."

Killian sighed but nodded his head in agreement. He wrapped his fingers around his necklace and focused on Henry. A second later he was enveloped in a cloud of purple smoke. When it cleared he was in a cave, but it looked different than the first cave.

"Killian, you made it. How's my Mom?"

"Not good, Henry," Killian replied as he stepped up to Henry and the others. "Wait how did you know I'd find Emma on Avalon?"

"We didn't until Mary Margret told us once we arrived back here." Regina could see Hook was not very happy. The darkness must be taking a terrible toll on Emma, and she was to blame again.

"Where's Vivienne?"

"She didn't travel with us to this new location why?" Elsa watched the muscle in Hook's cheek twitch. He was very angry.

"She killed my daughter and I wanted to repay the witch."

"What are you talking about, Killian?"

"She tricked Alexis by pretending to be Merlin when she taught your sister the spell to trap Emma on Avalon. She's the reason Alexis isn't here now with us."

Henry clenched his hands into tight fists before taking a few deep breaths and shaking his head. He had to focus on saving his Mom first then they could work on making Vivienne pay for her deception. "She'll get the punishment she deserves, but we have to save Mom."

"Aye, that we do, my boy. And saving Emma will save your sister and brother. Now what do we have to..." Killian felt a wave of magic wash over him causing him to sway on his feet. He looked around once the dizziness dissipated to see they were in another cave. "Bloody hell, is that Merlin?"

Henry spun around looking where Killian looked seeing someone trapped in a block of what appeared to be solid ice. He took a step closer toward the ice and nodded his head recognizing the wizard. "Yes, it's Merlin. Elsa, can you get him out?"

"Yes, I believe I can." Elsa held out her hands and concentrated on melting the ice around the old man. She smiled as her magic wrapped around the trapped man freeing him.

Killian looked at David as he approached Merlin from one side. He knew he'd need help once the man was free from his prison. As they both guided Merlin to a rock for him to sit down Killian's mind returned to the conversation the two had recently shared. What was the old man planning?

"You shall see very soon, Killian. I did not lie to you. It will be you not I who saves Emma and finally destroys the darkness forever."

"What? How is the handless wonder going to do that?"

"Regina..." Robin gently squeezed Regina's arm. He understood where her anger was coming from. She blamed herself for Emma's current state. "It's going to be all right."

"I'm afraid we don't have time to discuss this further. They will know I've been awakened any minute and Vivienne, Zelena, and Anna will be here soon. I must complete my task before it's too late. Come Killian, there isn't much time."

Killian raised his eye brow as he followed the old man. "What must I do?"

Merlin smiled looking at the Pirate before him. "I know that look, Killian. You're planning to enact vengeance on Vivienne for killing Alexis. Perhaps, the time has come for her to be punished for all she has done, but be warned it won't be easy. And I'm not encouraging you to attempt such a feat. We've wasted enough time, and not much remains. Killian place your hand and hook in my hands and be silent."

Killian nodded his head as he did as he was instructed to do. "I will do as you wish Merlin, to save Emma, Alexis, and Liam."

Snow glanced at Charming and frowned. She didn't like this one bit. They were told it was Merlin who could free Emma. She knew Killian loved Emma, but she didn't know if she could trust him to save her daughter this way. Yes, he had followed her into the past and did everything he could to protect her, but this wasn't anything like that. It appeared he would be using magic and magic kills.

"You have nothing to fear, Snow White. I will be with him teaching him what must be learnt." Merlin opened his eyes and turned his attention to Snow and Charming. "Your daughter will be saved I promise."

Charming gently squeezed Snow's shoulder and nodded his head. "Thank you, Merlin."

"Now back to you, Killian. It's time to let go of your past which includes this hook. It isn't who you are any longer." Merlin ignored the sudden silent protest and concentrated on his task.

Henry shielded his eyes from the bright light surrounding Killian and Merlin. This would work. He had faith and he believed with all his heart. Operation Scorpion would succeed.

Killian shut his eyes against the blinding light surrounding him. He mentally protested what Merlin had planned. His hand had been returned to him once before and because of Rumplestiltskin's taunts it reverted him into the man he was. He didn't want that to happen again not when Emma's life stood in the balance. As the light faded he saw his hook was in fact gone and in it's place was his hand.

"Now you and I have work to do, Captain. I am not sure how much time we have so come with me."

Killian flexed both hands feeling stronger than ever. He followed Merlin deeper into the cave remembering what the Crocodile said to him once before. The hand was nothing more than a piece of flesh. It was an excuse to fall back into the darkness. But now that excuse was gone. He wouldn't fear changing back because Emma needed him as much as he needed her. He would remain the man she fell in love with.

"And what are the rest of us supposed to do?"

"I guess we wait, Regina. What did Merlin mean about Zelena being on her way?"

"I have no idea. As far as I'm aware she's still locked up tight in Arendelle."

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Elsa didn't like that plan any more than the others she was sure especially since that put her sister and Arendelle in danger.

"Where are we going, Merlin?"

"We're here, Killian. It's time to complete what I've started."

"What are you talking about? I thought you all ready did when you returned my hand."

"No, my boy, that was only the first part. Now it's time to end this nightmare once and for all." Merlin took a deep breath as he placed his hands on Killian's shoulders.

Killian felt a burst of magic and energy enter his body causing him to take a sharp breath. "What are you doing?"

"Giving you all of my power and wisdom, my son."

The soft words caught Killian off guard. What was he talking about? "I don't understand."

"I know you don't, but you will." Merlin focused on his task feeling his energy waning as he did so. It wouldn't be long now before it would be done and he could finally rest. Merlin stepped away from Killian after a final magical burst left him and entered the man before him. "It's done. You now have what you need to destroy Morgan and save Emma." He stumbled before falling into Killian's strong arms.

"Merlin!" Killian caught the old man then eased him to the cold stone floor. "Merlin!"

"You must carry on now, my son. My time is over."

"What are you talking about? Carry on with what?"

"Teaching the next generation our family's wisdom and magic. I leave the task in your capable hands, my son."

"I'm not your son."

"Yes, you are, Killian. A long time ago like you I fell in love. I never married for fear my enemies would target her. Instead it was child birth that separated me from my love. She gave me a beautiful son to fill the void she left behind. But again I feared my enemies so like Guinevere would eventually do I sent my son away for his protection."

"I'm sorry you lost your son, mate. But I'm not him."

"I know you think that you aren't Killian, but I know you are. I knew the moment I first laid eyes on Alexis. I knew she was my granddaughter. I'm sorry this explanation is so short and confusing, but I'm speaking the truth. Have you heard of blood magic?"

"Yes, I've heard of it."

"Good...a long time after I let go of my son for his own safety I cast an enchantment over this medallion around my neck. Only myself or my son can unlock it's secrets. I want you to take it, Killian. You may not believe me but blood doesn't lie. You are my son and one day when you are ready this will be waiting for you. For now it will serve as protection from Morgan until you have learned to use your new gifts."

"I don't know what to say."

"Say you will eventually have an open mind to the possibility that I speak the truth."

"Perhaps one day I will, but I don't know when."

"That is all I can ask for, my son."

"Isn't there anything I can do for you?"

"No, there isn't. I'm just glad I was able to see you one last time before the end. Farewell, my son," Merlin whispered before death took him.

"Goodbye, Merlin," Killian said shutting the old wizard's blue eyes. He gently rose to his feet lifting the man. He wasn't about to leave him in the cave. No, the man deserved a proper funeral for the chance he had given them to save Emma. He carried him to the mouth of the cave glancing at everyone he passed hearing them gasp in surprise.

"What happened to him, Pirate?"

"What does it look like happened to him, Regina? He's dead."

"I see that but how?"

"He died helping us free Emma. Now it's time to bury him and go save her."

"But I thought he was the only one who could save her?"

"No, Your Highness, even if he was alive Merlin wouldn't be able to save Emma because he doesn't love her. The way I understand it only my true love and Merlin's magic is strong enough to destroy the darkness and Morgan."

"And we've clearly lost Merlin's magic," Regina snapped.

"Perhaps," Killian said walking out of the cave. He placed Merlin's body gently down on the ground and started setting stones around him. This would have to do since they had no way to dig a grave.

"He's not making any sense," Robin said following after Killian.

"He never makes any sense." Regina followed after the rest of the group picking up stones as she went.

Once Merlin was buried, Killian looked around at the people gathered. He could feel Merlin's magic flowing through him as he placed the heavy medallion around his neck. It was time to end this once and for all. He wasn't going to allow Merlin's sacrifice to be in vain.

"No, Merlin's dead!"

Killian's head snapped up hearing the voice. "Vivienne, I'd leave now while you have the chance. There won't be any second chances."

"I don't take orders from you or anyone! Merlin's power was mine! Who has it?!"

"Last warning Witch," Killian growled as his eyes flashed in anger.

Vivienne ignored the enraged Pirate and looked around at the group. One of them had Merlin's power, but which one was it? She smiled as her eyes finally fell on the boy Henry. He would be Merlin's choice she was sure of it. "Time to give up Merlin's power to me, Henry." She started to extend her hand toward Henry when a second later her chest exploded in pain ripping a scream from her throat.

"I won't allow you to harm Henry!" Killian squeezed his hand shut and twisted his wrist. He watched Vivienne clutch her chest before falling to the ground dead. "That was for killing my daughter!"

Snow gasped looking from Killian to Vivienne back to Killian. "How did you do that?"

"With magic," Rumplestiltskin replied sensing the magic inside Killian.

"Merlin gave his magic to you?" Regina was shocked to say the least.

"Don't sound so surprised, Regina. Whom else would he have given it to?"

"Mary Margret, David, Henry," Regina answered without a second thought.

"Aye, that's who I would have chosen as well." Killian ran his fingers over the medallion around his neck replaying Merlin's words. He would need to control his anger or he would be the next Dark One by abusing Merlin's magic.

"You won't be in this alone, my son. I will be with you until I'm no longer needed. Don't worry I'm not angry with you for killing Vivienne. I would have done the same thing. We must hurry. I sense Emma is in danger. Zelena is on Avalon."

"Bloody hell...Regina, Emma's in danger from your sister."

"She's on Avalon?"

"Yes, now can you get us there?"

"How do you know that?"

"Regina!"

Regina jumped hearing everyone around her shout. That wasn't enough proof for her to go charging into a trap, but she also knew she was outnumbered as well. "Fine, I'll get us there."

"I just hope we aren't too late," Elsa said as Regina's magic swirled around all of them.