A/N: Ahh, I can't handle the Captain Swan feels that I've inflicted upon myself while writing this chapter! I can't. xx IFHD
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Chapter 4: Just One Last Time
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Inspired by:
"Just One Last Time"
By: David Guetta feat. Taped Rai
This is the end, Sasha
But I can't move away from you
This is the edge of patience
But you'll prove yourself to me
Still you drain my soul
Even though it hurts I can't slow down
Walls are closing in and I hit the ground
With "there's no tomorrow" echo in my mind
Just one last time
Just one last time
Just one last time
Just one last time
There comes for us too bad
Then we go back to the sound
And I know what I'm supposed to do
To get myself away from you
Oh you drain my soul and...
This is the end, Sasha
But I can't move away from you
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Though the new threat in front of Emma certainly garnered her attention and elicited fear, the young woman couldn't help but seethe with utter contempt. Her actions were now automatic as she gave the pirate's jaw her best right hook. "You bastard!"
Hook was unprepared for her physical reaction. As her hardened fist connected with his face, Emma instantly cursed, retracted her hand, and nursed the self-inflicted pain with her other palm. This is going to leave a bruise, she thought. Moreso for the goddamn pirate, she hoped.
The blow was powerful enough that Hook stumbled a couple of steps back. Given his minor concussion just a few minutes earlier, he found that his balance wasn't exactly in tip-top shape. He gave out a prolonged groan as he spat out some blood. Turning his head back to face his assailant, he nursed his own injury with his hand as he murmured: "Now I know where you inherited that right hook from."
When the throbbing pain slightly receded from her knuckles, Emma stalked purposely towards the pirate, now doubled over and resting his hands upon his knees. To her, that punch was only the beginning. With a snarl, she grasped the collars of his coat and abruptly tugged him towards her. Seething, she inched her face to his. "You're going to pay for this."
"For what?" Hook face screamed of confusion; he then winced at the pain that continued to bubble in his jaw. He didn't bother to shrug the woman off of him as he protested, "I've done nothing!"
For a brief moment, Emma caught it: absolutely nothing. The pirate's face, eyes, and tone of voice were all devoid of anything that screamed to her that he was lying. Her surety faltered for a heartbeat, and she thought she might have missed something, but she quickly resolved: I can't take a chance that I'm wrong about him.
Emma was about to make her emotions towards the pirate known once more in the form of a knee to his solar plexus when they heard Cora sigh exasperatedly behind them. The witch drawled, encircling her hands before her, "I'm sorry. I hate to interrupt, but my companions and I just don't have time for this little drama of yours."
Emma's eyes were intently focused on Hook's blue orbs, ready to physically punish him once more. However, she quickly noticed that his gaze wasn't on her any longer, but on something behind her. The pirate's entire expression screamed of dread with a hint of wonder, his body stiff and unresponsive to her oncoming threat. Curiously, Emma twisted her head back and followed his line of vision. She swallowed hard at the sight that greeted her.
Even in the scant moonlight that burst through the trees, Emma could discern numerous, human-like shapes coming towards them. Between the trees and shrub, they all appeared to move in sync, steadily marching, as though having one mind. Cora stood in the middle of the congregation as calm as could be, merely clasping her hands in front of her as her "companions" surged forward in clusters. Emma's eyes darted nervously around them; she counted nearly a dozen, though she couldn't be entirely sure at this point. Upon hysteric inspection, she perceived that they were all cloaked in black, with the fabric as dull and dark as their movements, and the only things that were visible on their bodies were their blood red eyes.
As the villains drew closer, Emma suddenly felt Hook's arms wrap gently around her waist, as though to simultaneously snap her out of her shock and calm her. Without a word, he then pulled her behind him defensively, his stance now firm and unyielding. She eventually loosened her grip on his collar through this act and surveyed his face in bewilderment. He didn't regard her reaction. Instead, the pirate's expression grew serious, with his jaw clenched and his lips pursed into a thin line, when he took inventory of the new challenge before them.
The enemy drew closer by the second.
Since his deal with Cora was done, perhaps the witch shared his sentiment regarding allegiances. They only had a loose alliance based on a common goal, after all; Hook didn't care for Cora's personal vendetta, and frankly, she probably never cared about his. Seeing as the two of them had enacted their parts of the bargain, he mused, now, she didn't give a damn about what happened to him here in Storybrooke. He growled inwardly at the thought. If the witch wanted bridges to be burnt, then so be it. Nevertheless, despite her newfound antagonism towards him, he managed to plaster a pleasant expression on his face and attempt to unleash his own form of magic. "Now, now, Cora. Don't forget everything that we have gone through." His eyes slightly narrowed as an alluring smile appeared on his lips. The tone of his voice was almost a purr as he finished, "No need to act so hastily, darling."
Cora couldn't help but oblige the captain's suavity of language and action despite knowing the intentions behind them. She gave his body a calculating once-over. "Is that right?"
The pirate stepped forward confidently, arms extended at his sides. "You came here for your daughter." His eyes remained focused on Cora, though, from its corners, he kept tabulations of the minions that surrounded them. "So why not just leave us be, hmm?"
"Oh, don't you worry about my daughter," a laugh fluttered from her red lips, "but, seeing our most recent encounter with Miss Swan in Fairytale Land, I've come to develop a vested interest in her." This time, Cora's steely gaze landed upon the young woman. The lightness in her tone was entirely erased as she sneered, baring teeth, "Let's see how lucky you are in this world, my dear."
Cora signalled a full attack.
Hook's flicker of hope was instantly put out. It wasn't often that his powers of persuasion were unsuccessful - particularly when they were used on women. However, instead of continuing to try and cajole Cora further, he abruptly grasped Emma's hand in his, met her eyes, and hissed, "Run!"
A part of Emma wanted to scream right then and there, 'I'm not going anywhere with you!'; and yet, she thought, what other choice did she have? Perhaps it wasn't even about trusting Hook at this point. Even with a loaded gun, she knew that she didn't have nearly enough bullets to destroy every being that now hunted them through the forest. Furthermore, they had no idea how many of them there really were and how many Cora would yet send.
The two bolted through the trees, bush, and foliage as quickly as their legs could carry them. Thankfully, their eyes had fully adjusted to the dim moonlight and they could now discern their surroundings without the help of a flashlight - which, they found, was quite useful when running away from an army of magical creatures hell bent on obliterating them. At first, Hook had led the way, zigzagging through every beaten path that he could find; however, Emma was quick to realize that he had absolutely no idea where he was going. Instead of continuing to follow the pirate that ran as though he were a headless chicken, she tugged at his hand and panted, "Here! Across the toll bridge!"
Hook willingly followed without a word of protest.
As they reached the creaking bridge, Emma's heart plummeted almost instantly. At the opposite end stood several of the creatures, blocking their intended route of escape.
Waiting.
Emma gritted her teeth. By this point, she was more annoyed than frightened. Why can't I just get a goddamn break for once? There was one course of action that could entirely remedy her frustration, she thought. Instantly, she drew her gun and fired at the enemy one by one.
The action took the pirate by surprise, and he suddenly jerked back. He quickly recovered. "Aim for their hearts!" Hook yelled through the blasts. He winced at the ear-splitting sounds, though kept his proximity to Emma. Seeing her current actions, by her side was probably the safest place he could be at that moment.
It was Emma's turn to willingly follow the pirate's suggestion.
Storybrooke's Sheriff always fancied herself a good shot; and a good shot, she was. However, a gunman - or a gunwoman - was only as good as however many bullets were loaded in the weapon's chamber. It wasn't long before Emma heard the distinct click of her empty barrel. "Shit!" she hissed, placing the gun back in her holster.
Hook's mouth twitched at the situation. He pressed his lips to her earlobe. "I don't suppose you can conjure up more bullets, can you?"
Emma eyed him wearily.
They huddled together, back to back, as more of the hooded creatures advanced. The enemies' movements were slow and calculating now, as though waiting for the opportune moment to strike. During the course of attempting to keep her distance from them with a shaky step back, Emma hissed through tight lips, "Hook, what are these things?"
"An army of the undead," he shared with her through clenched teeth. With renewed vigour, he unsheathed his sword. "It appears that Cora's magic is controlling them."
Emma's mouth became slightly agape. Her voice screamed of incredulity. "You mean...zombies?"
What the hell was this turning out to be, an episode of "The Walking Dead"? she muttered inwardly.
"If that's the moniker that you prefer in this world, then yes."
Whatever the two decided to call them, they were now only mere meters away.
The pirate stood firmly and prepared his sword. Though, before he could attack the first creature that lunged forward, a whizzing sound reached their ears. It wasn't long before they discerned the origin of the sound. The arrow missed Hook's cheek by only a few centimeters before driving itself into the creature's chest. Emma and Hook instantly snapped their gazes towards the direction from whence the arrow came.
At the end of the bridge opposite the coming monsters, Mary Margaret stood erect, poised with another arrow in her bow. Not far behind her was Granny, taking her own shots at the creatures with her continuously loaded crossbow, and David, who had unsheathed his sword in front of him and was prepared to attack.
Hook threw Mary Margaret a wink. "Thank you, milady."
The pixie-haired woman shot back from the distance: "I was aiming for you!"
Neither Emma nor Hook knew precisely whether she was serious or not, but they never had a chance to belabour the conversation.
Heartlessly stepping upon her dead minions, Cora re-emerged from the darkness. She now stood at the opposite end of the bridge from Mary Margaret, David, and Granny and kept her stare at Emma, who continued to defend with Hook at the middle of the bridge. The witch perceived Emma and Hook retreating towards their group. She didn't waste a heartbeat and telekinetically ripped Hook's sword from his grasp. Cora wielded its movement with merely her eyes. Now, it hovered a meter away from Emma and pointed directly at her.
Cora whispered something incomprehensible, as though speaking to the weapon. Then, she called out with a smirk, "Goodbye, Miss Swan."
The sword darted forward.
In a split second, Emma was on the ground, flat on her back.
Her breath was quickly stolen from her lungs at the solid impact. She barely had enough time to react and brace herself, but she somehow managed to thrust her elbows out a little bit to soften the blow to her head. With a greedy gasp of air, she labouredly pushed herself upwards, eyes wide in shock.
Hook now stood before her, his body swaying to and fro ever so slightly. The sword protruded from his abdomen. In slow motion, the pirate's shaking hand touched the blood that freely dripped from his stomach, and then reached for the hilt of his sword. However, just as he gripped the handle, the weapon disintegrated into the air, disappearing as molecules of purple dust. Nevertheless, he continued to bleed and, now becoming light-headed, fell to his knees.
Emma finally found her voice. "Hook!" she cried, crawling to his side in panic. The young woman didn't even notice the tears that had begun to stream down her face. She caught his body in her arms just as his knees gave way. "Hey, you're alright. You'll be alright."
Cora laughed in triumph as she amusedly assessed the scene before her. "Well, well, Miss Swan. It seems as though I can take your heart after all." Her gaze then met the pirate's unyielding stare. The witch sneered, "Killed by your own sword, Hook? I must say that that's quite a fitting end for a pirate such as yourself."
Another arrow came from Mary Margaret's bow.
This time, it connected with Cora's side.
The protruding projectile effectively halted the witch's speech. With a greedy gasp of her own, she quickly ripped the arrow from her flesh, shaking and crying out as she did so. She screamed in rage, staring daggers at her assailants. Mary Margaret and Granny shot two more arrows her way without hesitation; however, Cora was quick enough this time to pull two of her minions in front of her. They took the blows for their master.
In pairs, more creatures lurched forward. Arrows continued to meet their advances and end their undead lives. With a sorrowful look at Hook and a consoling hand upon Emma's shoulder, David passed them and began to deal some damage of his own.
When all of the creatures had been destroyed, they realized that Cora had vanished once more into the darkness of the woods.
Emma cradled Hook's head upon her lap and attempted to stop the bleeding. She ripped away even more fabric of her shirt and applied pressure to the open wound. Despite her attempts to retain her wits, Emma's body shook uncontrollably as the pirate's form stiffened.
Hook continued to sputter blood, his entire body wracking in coughs. As the seconds wore on, his breaths became shallower and shallower, face gritting in pain. In the midst of his bodily reactions, he somehow managed to turn his pale face towards Emma's. Their eyes connected. His shaking hand elevated and found the side of her face. "Despite the present circumstances," he groaned as Emma continued to hold him and try to nurse his wound, "I do not regret coming to Storybrooke for you, Emma."
Emma shook her head, not believing what was transpiring in front of her as well as what had transpired in front of her. At that point, though, she realized what she did believe: "I believe you, Hook."
He twisted his head as far as he could and kissed the palm of her trembling hand. "Killian, love."
With a long exhale, Killian Jones became limp in Emma's arms.