Rating: T
Spoilers: 4x08-9
Summary: Killian has finished collecting magic for the hat and goes to Gold to face his fate. Gold has told him that it is his last day and at sunset he will have to kill Emma using his hook but Killian failed due to a very rare connection. The spell of shattered sight has begun to take affect. A cure has been found but if not administered with one hour, the effects are permanent. Emma has told her parents and Elsa about Killian's heart. Emma and Elsa are fighting Gold. Ingrid turned up but was killed by Gold as Emma and Elsa remembered her. Gold has given Emma a Deal. Emma and Killian declare their love for one another before Emma take the deal and get the potion to work in time to save the town. Gold begins to crush Killian's heart and he wakes in the Netherworld to Liam, Milah and Bae. Snow and David arrive by the clock tower to see Emma in Killian's arms on the ground.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my love for the show. Not beta'd and been up all day to try and get this out.
AN: I had an anonymous review saying that my in-between that Killian is stuck in was very close to another fic out there. It was never my intention for it to seem like that and to be honest I got the inspiration for that place from the chapter Kings Cross from the final Harry Potter novel, of course with my own twist.
Snow was snapped into a light faint green glow, pulling her from the darkness festering within. It was an odd feeling to describe, the best she could come up with was the sensation you get when a drip of sweat that slowly runs down your scalp, giving you chills. This however, she felt through the entirety of her body. As the last shards of glass melted from her soul, she became herself looking into the eyes for the man she loved, immediately regretting all the vile utterances directed towards him during the spell. They had done it, Emma and Elsa had done it. The spell was broken as David involuntarily shivered as his light faded and the glazed look in his eyes dissipated into nothing.
'Charming.'
'Snow.' Her husband, her rock, stepped to the bars, taking her out reached hand and pulled her to him in a tight embrace. 'She did it, they saved us.' Smiles broke on their faces as he pressed a chaste and loving kiss on her lips, in a silent apology for what had occurred in the past hour. Her joy was short lived on the sound of one word. 'Gold.'
'Oh god David. Emma and Killian.' Using his moniker know didn't seem right. 'We have to help, they need us. How are we going to get out.' In the confusion, they forgotten why Emma had rushed off and though she had left a potion to find her, they hadn't thought about how they would get out of the cells. Originally she was going to come back and let them out but that might not be possible now. They both began to shout out for help, hoping anyone outside would hear them. Neal began to scream out having been woken by their own shouts.
A blinding white pulse ran through them. It felt powerful. Even those who didn't posses magic could feel the emotion behind the blast. It wasn't dark but it didn't feel like any of the others they had felt Storybrooke or even in the Enchanted Forest for that matter. The closest thing that came to mind was the feeling as a true loves kiss shock wave but this felt like despair or fear maybe.
The old book that Emma had shown them earlier rattled violently before flipping open to the middle, as one by one the pages on each side snapped back inside, disappearing into the spine till the only thing left was the leather cover and metal bindings. It rose to the ceiling, still open as it slowly turned over so the inner covers faced down before dropping to the floor. As it fell it seemed to hit an invisible body and began to stretch to the contours of it. When the last corners hit floor, it formed a vacuum and tightly wrapped the figure. The leather faded into skin and midnight blue robes. The last part to fade was the mans face. His eyes were closed while he took his first breath. His shoulders relaxed and he opened his dark purple eyes, Snow looked deep within them and she felt lost, like looking into the origins of the universe, far too much information for any one normal person to handle. The more she looked, the more the feeling of overwhelming panic rose causing her to shake and lean against the bars, breaking contact.
'I would recommend not doing that again Lady Snow White, Queen Regent of the Enchanted Forest. Small glances are fine but your mind is unable to fully comprehend the depth of knowledge I posses. You should do the same King James or should I say King David. Though I can see that you have made Storybrooke your home.' The man looked to be in his late forties or early fifty's but the way he held himself cleared showed, like Killian, that he had lived many more years if not several lifetimes. He was a few inches shorter than David with hair and facial scruff that was light grey with black streaks whisping through it, short but still had enough length to move around his face has he bowed at them. The blue roles hung loosely at his side reminding Snow of a man in the Enchanted Forest during a moment she wishes she could forget. They were accented with gold brocade almost oriental in design, a faded golden belt cinched in at his waist holding the many layers of fabric together. As he rose back to standing, Snow could feel the old essence of the man and could feel the strong light magic emitting from him. 'Now I believe we have somewhere to be.'
He waved his hands as doors to the cells opened and the protection keeping Neal safe was lowered. Snow ran out to her son as his shout rang out through the station. Taking him in her arms, she checked him over to make sure he was okay and safe from harm as David joined her, hugging them both, running his hand over Neal's cheek. Turning back to the man, still a little unsettled by his presence, David spoke out, confused by what had just happened.
'Who are you and why where you in that book? What have you been doing to my daughter?' Snow could hear the slight indignation in his voice, recalling what Emma had said about the book before rushing out to find Killian.
'I am the Sorcerer. I have been known by many names over the years by a many different people but you can call me Emrys. My purpose is to level the balance in the world by helping those in times of great depression and ridding evil doers. Take comfort in the fact that I mean you no harm. As for my imprisonment, only one with the potential to become the next Sorcerer could open the book and free me, Emma Swan is such a person.' Snow worried about Emma, she had already had begun to question her ability to be all the things expected of her, the last thing she needed was someone else pushing another label to her. 'I will answer the rest of your questions in time but we are needed elsewhere. I will send your son to a safe place until this madness is dealt with. I assure you no harm shall come to the child whilst in my charge.' Looking at her husband for agreement and finding it, Snow nodded her head placing a kiss to her child's forehead. With a click of the man fingers, they were enveloped in a dark blue smoke appearing by the clock tower, Neal no longer in her arms.
'David. No, David.' Snow took his hand as they made there way to the group. Granny saw them coming, her eyes swimming with tears confirming what she thought to be impossible. Snow didn't hear any sympathies or words of sorrow, all she could see was her daughter, battered, beaten, draped over the man she loved. Her head buried in his neck, one hand hidden beneath her while the other gripped Killian's chest, his fingers interlocking with hers, over where his heart should be. Their bodies curved into each other. The desperate need to hold her child over came the fear from before. David had already moved but was blocked by magical barrier.
'Let me.' Emrys spoke and lowered the shield blocking her path to her daughter as grumbles from Gold further down the street, cause a wave of gasps in the ever growing gathering. The Dark One rose to his feet, shaking his head, attempting to clear it and remind himself what had just happened. Snow could feel the air round them changing, filling with tension and rattling the loose rubble on the ground. 'You!'
Snow and David rushed to Emma to pull her out of the way as the crowd parted leaving a showdown, western style, between Emrys and Gold. Seeing the slight movement as she pulled her daughter, filled their shared heart with relief. Pleading for Emma to get up and asking David to carry her to safety, they were stock by Emma's energy as she pushed them back refusing to leave Killian side.
'You hold no power against me Dark One.' Speaking in a firm yet commanding voice to his adversity, he made no movement to start this encounter, only readying himself for what came next.
As they carried on talking, Gold moved closer, a little fear in his steps. Desperate to move her daughter, though she was unwilling to move, David picked up Snow, dragging her out of the line of fire as Rumple threw a few spells at his new opponent gauging his proficiency in magic after having been imprisoned for years. As David reach the group hovering by the library door, Emrys raised his arms locking them both, along with protection over Emma and Killian, in this space so no others could be hurt.
After only a few minutes it was clear that Gold was no match of Emrys as he easily block each and every one of his spells and curses with very little effort. Rumple called for his dagger, hoping to draw strength from it but it made little difference. Still flailing in David's arms, Snow could see that Emma had passed out again as pieces of rubble glanced over the shield Emrys created. This helped to calm her fraying nerves. As least they couldn't be harmed further. Emrys eventually over powered Rumple, having left himself open to attack. Holding out his arm, the Dark One rose from the ground, limbs stretched out like a starfish, locked in place unable to move.
'I created the curse of the light one as punishment against an old foe, locking her away from her evil ways so she could only use it to help not hinder. It didn't start out as a curse, it was meant to be gift, bringing miracles and hope to the world.' The Sorcerer moved closer the man, with each step he flung his hand in a slapping motion causing Rumple's head to snap as if he had been hit, loosing a little more magic with each blow. 'The first was a woman by the name of Madam Mim, an evil women who dealt in lies and secrets. Many years passed and all was well but unknown to me she reverted to her old ways and began to experiment with the wand that gave her power of the light one. Over time she became corrupted with power so her wand morphed in to the dagger, thus the dark one was born.' He was now stood a few feet from Gold. Ceasing his slapping movements, his hands started to circle each other, drawing power ready for his last big attack. 'After many hundreds of years a former Dark One trapped me a book and I have been lost to the world, waiting for one such as Miss Swan here to show potential. I guess I should be thanking you. Now that I am free, I Emrys of the the nine, CAST YOU OUT!.' Holding his hands out, he pulled the darkness from Gold and he screamed in pain. A black tar like substance oozed out of him and into a ball between the Sorcerer's hands before popping into nothing. Rumple fell to the ground along with his now blank dagger.
Moments Earlier
'KILLIAN'
Everything moved in slow motion as Emma watch Gold start to crush Killian heart. A feeling of loss and despair filled her very being. Without Killian she would have no life to live. Yes she would be alive but be only the shell of the woman she was born to be. Acting on instinct, willing to give everything to bring Killian back to save him, something happened. Her magic flared out, protecting her heart from breaking. A bright white light, like the one she created at Lake Nostos against Cora, blasted out from not only Emma's chest but from the heart in Rumples hand. Gold was blown back, traveling far due to the massive force from the strength of emotion Emma felt at the possible lost of her love. The hat box fell to the floor and cracked, black smoke drifted out and sunk through the ground.
Killian's heart hovered in the air encased in her opaque magic, lightly bouncing up and down. Emma felt faint having used almost all her magic and energy to stop Gold's actions. Feeling the darkness creeping over but unwilling to be parted from her love again, she pulled herself forward, pushing the feeling of passing out to one side, reaching the heart, taking to her chest as she collapsed on Killian, content to know that for now Gold couldn't damage it further.
Sounds of her parents pulls Emma back to consciousness. Still weak, she could barely open her eyes let alone move towards them. She could feel her mothers hands begin to tighten round her arms to pull her to safety, begging and pleading for her to get up. Feeling her body moving from Killian's and not caring who it was, she pushed back, a surge of adrenaline pumping through her to be able to to so. Emma could hear faint voices of Snow getting quieter as she moved away but it was another feeling that caught her attention. A strange voice of an older man filled her head, talking to her. 'Keep down Miss Swan. Hold on to him tight.' She could hear the sound of a fight starting above her, the magical tension thick in the air. Gripping both his heart and his body to protect him from further harm, Emma chanced a quick glance at the heart. The normal bright red light within it from before was almost completely extinguished, leaving only a faint pulse in the middle. Holding it close again she rubbed finger over the crack but with no energy left to heal, she spoke to it, hoping if he was still there, Killian could hear her. Eyes beginning to fuzz and loose focus, Emma drifted in and out of conscience.
'Stay with me Killian. Hold on just a bit more.'
The last remnants of his shackles evaporated leaving Killian the freedom to move around the deck. He could hear the faint sound of Emma voice drifting over the water. 'Stay with me Killian. Hold on just a bit more.'
'See brother, she is fighting this and so should you.' Liam pulled out his old cutlass from his navy days hidden behind the main mast and handed it to Killian. In haste to get back to his Swan, Killian rushed off to leave the ship, strapping it to his side but stopped, knowing this could be the last time he sees these people, his lost family, before his true end. Turning to look upon them, unsure and unable to find the words to convey the torment raging inside. This was both a blessing and a sick joke. There was a time when he would have given anything to have these people as his side once again no matter the cost, but having opened his heart, having found love again, leaving them was becoming difficult. They looked at each other, Neal deciding to go first as he stepped to his once Captain father figure.
'I know our time together has not always been the best, but the task of taking care of my family Killian is now your responsibility. I can think of no other man who will be so devoted to both of them, Emma found her Tallahassee in you so go to her.' Killian had a faint recollection of that word and the meaning held behind it for both Neal and Emma. 'Take care of Henry, let him know is father is watching and always listening should he need to talk.' Killian nodded and drew him into a hug, hoping to show, like at the hospital, that after all this time he still meant a lot to him. Pulling back, Neal looked hesitant. 'Don't be too hard on my father. I know in your eyes he his an out right villain, but he wasn't always. Should he make it through this, all I ask is that you look on him with leniency. There is a good man still in there just buried so far down he doesn't know how to reach it again. Can you do that for me?' In Killian's eyes that was a lot to ask, almost too much to ask.
'I make no promises but if it can be done, I shall do what I can.' Neal nodded and stepped back to join Liam as Milah filled the now empty space.
'Killian my love.' Milah's took his hand in her own as the other brushed his cheek. Unlike before Killian leaned into it without a second thought. She was cool to the touch, her skin still as soft as he remembered. 'I have always loved you. I am glad to have been a reprieve from your inner darkness at the loss of your brother, which knock you so, even if only for a short time in what has been a long life for you.' He smiled at her, tears filling his eyes, hoping to record every feature lost from his memories. 'You showed me what life was about, not adventure nor seeing the world but having those we truly love around us. My only regret is that I didn't listen to you and go back for Bae. I was a shamed of what I had done but you never held it against me. You brought me peace and reminded me how to live again.' Stepping on her tip toes, she place a brief yet loving kiss to his lips. 'I wished for you to find love again and after all these years you have found it. Be strong Killian, hold on and cherish those around you.' They took a moment to just be with each other before she pulled back, letting his fingers slip from her hand.
'I loved you Milah. There will always be a place in my heart for you.' He spoke the words he wished he had said before she was taken from him. It filled his heart to know that at least now he had closure with her.
The last person to speak to him was the one Killian dreaded most. How do you say goodbye to the person who meant most to you. The one who made him that man he was today. The one who taught him about good form, found him after he had been abandoned my their father and gave him a reason to live. Liam took his brother by the shoulder and gestured for him to follow. Taking Killian to the helm, ignoring the questions falling from his lips, Liam bent down and took off the front mounting. Turning the dial hidden within one quarter left, three quarters right and half way left again, he pushing it into the mounting, opening up a compartment that housed a small velvet bag containing the only family heirloom they had left.
'When you get out of this cursed place and should you ever find our ship again, what is inside should be given to Miss Swan.' The look on Liam's face was a knowing one, cheeky and sentimental at the same time. Clapping down on his shoulders, he spoke still managing in this serious moment to bring levity to the situation. 'Remember truth, honor and always good form. You have become a fine man with a story of true redemption. I will always regret not listening to you, putting my trust in a man I had met only a few time rather that a man of my blood. I know I have cause you pain that lingers with you still but know that I am proud.' His smile turned cheeky once again. 'I must say though, I'm quite shocked that your childhood fantasy came true.'
'What was that?' Killian was confused, not only by the sudden change in subject but he couldn't remember to what he was referring.
'The usual, fight the bad guy, save the princess, find true love. I thought they were childish notions but you were never one to give up a challenge.' Pulling him in for one last hug, they became brothers in arms once again.
'Sorry I can not follow you brother, not this time.' Drawing back. 'But we will see each other again. Just not quite so soon.' Taking one last look at the group, Killian left the ship, running up the docks as they faded from view, pulling out to sea. Following the sounds of Emma's voice that still carried through the air, Killian ran, drawing his blade. The fog around drew closer towards him, as whip like strands flickered out attempting to reach and pull him into the nothing. He knew not what was out there but history told him not to find out, anything that felt that off should be left alone. As he continued to run, a light began to pulse in the distance, flashing ever time he heard Emma's voice. The path before him started to climb, rising to the light. Some of the fog ahead congealed together to create unformed assailants attempting to block his way. The first few were not much of a challenge but the higher he climbed the more experienced and harder to defeat they became. Though they were made of the fog, Killian considered them to be figments of those he had failed or mistreated in life. His regrets and failing made real and fighting against him, wanting him to fall back and give up. Loosing his footing one managed to nick at his side, causing him to bleed.
'Can I get no reprieve from this bloody damnation?' Shouting to himself quickly dispatching the one who caught him. He made it to the top of the hill as the black tar from before formed in to something that looked like the Crocodile, giggling in his twisted manner. Lunging forward he never got chance to strike as the entity screamed out, changing form into a giant face rolling in on it's self before landing on the floor, bereft of life. Turning to the light Killian to hear her words and yet not. Feeling suddenly lighter and warmth in his heart he leaned forward and light became so bright he could see nothing, only hearing her last words.
'Come back to me.'
Emma came too again with Snow and David standing over her crying. Elsa stood next to them as she restrains Rumple in ice shackles attached to the nearest building. With no magic left in him they were placed just to keep him from running. More people had come out of they hiding places to join those who had watch fight. Most of the town stood back to allow some of the others to come to the front. Henry, Belle, Anna and Kristoff on one side, Marion, Robin, Roland and Regina from the other, all looking on at the couple still laying on the ground.
Emma sat up, pulling out the heart from under her coat to collective gasps from the crowd. It was not beating but the faint pulse of red light was still there and a little bigger than before. Emrys moves closer to Emma, kneeling down taking her free hand, placing it over the heart while the other hovered over Killian's head while muttering. He pulled his hand way with an impressed look on his face. Standing up he spoke to Emma but loud enough for all to hear.
'Killian was able to break from the Dark Ones control, even though he didn't have his heart because not only are you and Killian True Love's but Soul mates. Your connection is one unparalleled throughout the realms. A connection like this one happen once in a millennial. Emma as you are the product of true love so your heart is protected. When he began to crush the heart, you felt your soul mates pain so you protected it was well, though to be fair you were only protecting your own heart from the pain of loss. Your connection and emotion was so strong that you would have rather given your own life to save his, thus Killian's heart now has the same protection. Only you and him can take or put back each others heart now you have found each other.' Emma look at the man, the feeling she had was similar to the one she felt when handling the book that had lead her this far. This man must be the one in the book.
'The pulse we all felt was an act of true love, so all curses and spells in this town were broken save the Dark One, which is why the lady is no longer frozen and you' pointing at Henry and the others, 'have been released from the house you were stored in.' Bending again to Emma, Emrys ran his hands over her to recharged what very little magic she has left along with the physical wounds she had acquired. 'I would advise against this is the future Miss Swan, had you lost any more you would have died yourself.' Emma couldn't concentrate on anything but the heart in her hand. Opening them to get a better look at the heart, she could see the indentation left by Rumples fingers and the crack that formed down the middle. Emma tapped into her magic, that was now easier to access, and healed his heart but it didn't go back to normal.
'This connection you have works both ways.' He saw the confusion and loss in her face. 'He has to choose to come back, he has to fight. Where he has gone, it may not be possible to get back to you. The curse used to by than man had started to take affect. There is only one way of knowing if he can come back from the in-between. Believe Miss Swan.' Emrys took a step back giving her space as she put his heart back in his chest.
'Don't leave me Killian. Come back to me. I love you.'
Leaning, she pressed her lips to his and kissed him.
My Emrys is based on the look and sound of Jeremy Irons. I think he would make a great one. Lost chapter for the story to date. So much information to get in and yet in my plan it looked to be the shortest. Figures.
Comments feed my muse, don't let him go hungry. ;P