AN: Hello everyone! Here's chapter four. For the sake of the story, (and the fact that I'm really mad at the writers of Once right now) I'm going to pretend the last two episodes of Once didn't happen, aside from a reference or two. Hope you enjoy!
baratta: (It won't let me type your full user, sorry) I will try to update as often as I can, hope you enjoy!
Chambersofmusic: Thank you,I'm glad you like it!
"You know my son?" Davy Jones sounded shocked. "I knew he had not yet passed, but the odds of you knowing him… What is he to you?"
"I love him." Emma stated simply, sadness once again flowing through her. "He and my son were the only things keeping me from completely going dark. I was holding out hope that we could all still have a future. At least they'll have a future now…"
"Your son… Killian's son?" Davy Jones asked, his voice hitching.
"No, he's not Killian's. Henry's father was a guy I knew from a long time ago, before I met Killian. He may as well be Killian's though. They have so much in common. I guess that's probably one thing that attracted me to Killian." Emma smiled sadly. "I hope he takes care of Henry for me. Between Killian, my parents, and Regina, he should get along alright without me."
Emma and Davy Jones both fell into silence, both in their own worlds. Emma had her eyes focused on the deck of the ferry. Thoughts swirled around in her head of everyone she had left behind, all of the people that she loved that she would never get to see again…
"We are here." Davy Jones announced, snapping Emma from her thoughts. She looked up, and gaped at the sight of Hades' palace. She had been expecting a dark and horrid place, made up of fused bone and other awful things. Instead, she beheld the most beautiful castle she had ever seen. It was small, simple, and seemed to be made entirely of ivory. The entire building glowed white, so brightly that she almost could not bear to look at it.
"This is Hades' palace?" She asked incredulously, glancing at Davy Jones. When she did, she gasped. He was no longer a skeleton. Bathed in the light of the castle, he looked like an ordinary man. He was tall, with blue eyes and black hair, and was very handsome. "Oh wow... You are definitely Killian's father."
Davy Jones smirked, an expression that Emma noticed matched his son's exactly. "Come," he began. "Lord Hades is waiting."
They walked into the palace, and Emma's jaw dropped. Everything was simple, and yet so elegant. Then she beheld Hades. He was not even remotely what she was expecting. He sat on a throne of ebony, starkly contrasting with everything else in the room, and he was beautiful. Not handsome, but an otherworldly beauty that would make any other person pale in comparison. He had a slight tan, long, curly black hair, and eyes that were a deep, expansive purple. When he saw her, he smiled, showing his small, white, perfectly straight teeth. "Hello Emma." He said, his voice sounding like he was singing, "I have been waiting a long time to meet you."
"Um, hello, Lord Hades. How do you know me?" Emma asked.
"It has been known for millennia that there would be a great hero who would give their life to see the darkness vanquished. As to how I know who you are, I can read the souls of everyone who enters my domain. That is why I asked my ferryman to let you across the river for free. I could immediately see that you were the hero that the world has been waiting for, and I wanted to personally meet you and thank you. Also, I wanted to offer you a gift." Hades paused, regarding the stunned look on Emma's face.
"So you knew about me thousands of years before I was born?" Emma asked, stunned.
"I did not know it would be you personally, no. But I did know that one day the darkness would end, thanks to a brave, selfless hero. And now you are here, and as I said, I will offer you a gift."
"What's the gift?" Emma asked hesitantly.
"You would be able to dwell here for eternity as a goddess. You have the attributes. You are full of love, and you would be benevolent I'm sure. You would be allowed to stay here, of course, until you-"
"No." Emma said, cutting him off.
"What?!" Hades gasped.
"No. I don't want to be a goddess. I don't deserve it. And even if I did, I wouldn't want it. I just can't-" Emma suddenly stopped, as heat bloomed through her chest. "What's happening?"
"Your family is trying to save you." Hades said with a smile. "Your Killian loves you even more than you know. You have a choice now. You can choose to go back if you wish."
"How is that possible? Magic can't bring back the dead." Emma asked.
"There is one way, which your parents discovered. True love is the strongest magic of all." Hades replied.
"Killian gave up half of his heart?" Emma gasped. "For… For me? Why would he do that?"
"As I said," Hades responded, "He loves you even more than you realize. I can send you back now, if you wish."
"Just one more thing. Can I still request a gift?" Emma asked earnestly.
"Of course Emma. What is it that you want?"
"It's not so much for me, as it is for Killian. And for his father." She turned to look at Davy Jones. "Is there a way that you can send Davy Jones to my world, to see his son?"
"There is a way." Hades replied after a moment. "But it would not be permanent." Hades handed her a small flask. "Have Killian drink this, and he will be able to see his father for a brief time."
"What is it?" Emma asked.
"Enchanted ale, made for anyone who wishes to speak with their loved one after they have passed."
"Thank you. You can send me back now." Emma said with a smile.
"Wait!" Davy Jones called. He strode forward, and wrapped Emma in a tight hug. "Thank you." He whispered, tears in his eyes.
"Of course. I know what it's like to be separated from loved ones. At least with this you'll be able to make things right with Killian." Emma said with a smile.
"Are you ready?" Hades asked.
"Yes." Emma replied with a grin. "Thank you again, both of you, for everything."
Hades smiled. "Now, this may be an unpleasant sensation, but it won't last long. Just don't be afraid. Goodbye Emma." Hades began murmuring in another language, and suddenly, Emma was flying straight up. Straight through the roof of Hades' palace, and towards the jagged roof of the Underworld.
AN: Hope you liked it, the next chapter will be up in the next few days. :)