AN: Huge thanks to everyone that continues to leave reviews for this story - you're all bloody brilliant ;)
Sorry this chapter was a little longer to post than planned but hope you enjoy it anyway :)
CHAPTER 13
ZELENA – (name) – Greek variation of Selena meaning 'moon goddess' or Bosnian for 'green'.
"Emma," Charming called to her in concern, only to be cut off by the loud gleeful laugh of Zelena echoing around the small clearing.
When there was no reaction whatsoever from his daughter, the prince stepped forward and held up his sword ready to protect her from whatever the Witch planned next. He glanced over at the blonde and saw that her gaze was still fixed on the fallen pirate.
The vacant expression in her eyes worried him and he placed a hand on her arm then said her name again, trying to reach her through the blanket of shock she seemed shrouded in.
Regina and Robin hurried over to join them, the archer levelling his crossbow while the Queen took on a defensive stance surrounding the broken woman as Zelena approached.
"Emma," Charming said harshly as he gave her a hard shake. "Are you willing to let his death be for nothing? This still isn't over. He'd expect you to fight…and so do I."
The blonde stared at him then suddenly blinked and nodded her head. He felt relief wash over him as the blankness seemed to recede from her eyes. He could've done without witnessing the obvious pain that replaced it but at least she was back with them for now. He had a feeling she would need her wits about her, as would they all.
"My, my, my, so many happy endings to destroy, so little time," the Witch commented archly as she surveyed them disdainfully. Her gaze settled on the prince before goading, "And speaking of time, when is your dear wife going to have that baby of hers? I'm growing impatient to be an only child."
Regina visibly bristled at her remark and stepped forward before Charming could reply.
"You took the words right out of my mouth sister, dearest," she sneered before quickly raising her hands and sending out a blast of purple magic.
Zelena merely laughed as she easily deflected it then sent back a powerful green shot of her own. Regina gasped at the sudden pain and doubled over as Robin rushed to her side.
"Are you all right?" he asked in concern.
"Oh, aren't you adorable?" Zelena goaded nastily, "Don't get too attached to her, dear, she's not going to be around for much longer."
She raised her hands and thinking that she was going to release another blast of magic, Robin levelled his crossbow and let loose a bolt. The Witch's eyes widened for a moment then with a quick flick of her wrist she flipped the projectile and sent it hurtling back towards him. Charming lunged and tried to jerk him out of the way but it wasn't quite far enough and the archer let out a cry of agony as the bolt embedded itself in his left shoulder.
Regina let out a gasp of horror then turned a malevolent gaze on her sister. She could feel the magic raging through her body but knew it wasn't the kind she needed to defeat Zelena. The more she searched within herself for the light, the darker her thoughts seemed to go.
"Focus, Milady, I know you can do this," Robin rasped out through his pain.
Emma couldn't stop the small involuntary gasp she emitted at the familiarity of the archer's words. Killian had said the same to her when she needed it most. She just hoped Robin's belief helped Regina as much as Hook's helped her. Had helped her.
She turned her gaze to the Queen and saw her close her eyes for a moment then open them again and look down at her hands with a smile of amazement that quickly turned onto smug satisfaction. Emma saw the light magic crackling on the other woman's fingertips and despite her heavy heart her mouth lifted into a small smile.
The pulse of blinding magic that burst forth from Regina was enough to knock Zelena off of her feet and send her sprawling onto the ground. The Witch recovered quickly but the expression of rage and shock on her face was almost laughable.
"No! That's not possible," she cried in disbelief.
"Apparently, it is," Regina declared arrogantly.
Zelena's eyes narrowed at this latest development and muttered something to herself. Suddenly the air surrounding them was filled with a dreadful shrieking and a rush of wind. Looking up the small band of heroes saw the sky darken as a large flock of flying monkeys appeared, coming in low and fast.
Emma drew her gun and glanced over at the Queen as the others, including Robin as best he could, readied their own weapons as well.
"We've got this, Regina. Make sure Zelena doesn't get away. You've got to end it before it's too late," the blonde said then turned and let off a couple of shots. She watched one of the monstrosities disintegrate in flames then glanced back at the Queen who was already marching purposefully over to her sister.
Zelena quickly stood up but before she could vanish in a puff of emerald smoke, Regina sent out another blast of white magic and sent her back down to the ground once more. This time, the jolt of her body hitting the grassy floor was enough to dislodge Rumplestiltskin's dagger from her grasp and it bounced a short distance away.
With the light magic seemingly quelling her own abilities, the Witch had to resort to desperately scrambling across the clearing in order to retrieve the weapon but she wasn't quite quick enough.
Rumplestiltskin beat her to it.
Zelena pushed up onto her hands and knees then looked up at the Dark One. For the first time there was real fear in her eyes as he gave her an evil smile. Shaking her head, she slowly stood and began to back away.
"What are you going to do?" she asked shakily.
"Take a wild guess," he replied flippantly with an exaggerated twirl of his hands.
"No, wait," called Regina as she hurried up to them both, "you don't have to hurt her…"
"Oh, yes I do, Dearie," Rumple rebuked with conviction before grabbing hold of Zelena's arm and tugging her to him.
With a flick of his wrist the heavy jewelled necklace suddenly fell from the Witch's throat and landed with a dull thud upon the earth before both he and Zelena disappeared in a puff of red smoke.
A sudden silence fell over the clearing as the screeching of the monkeys ceased. Regina picked up the necklace then turned around to see several of the townsfolk restored to their human selves, including Robin's good friend John who had nearly been decapitated by the prince.
"Where's Zelena?" Emma asked as she approached the Queen and warily looked around for the Witch.
"The Dark One took her," Regina divulged quietly as she held up the necklace for Emma to see. She frowned slightly, her conflicted feelings obvious on her face as she added, "He's back in possession of his dagger."
The Saviour's eyes widened at the implication then her expression hardened and she gave the woman a quick nod before Regina walked away, no doubt to check on Robin. She knew what would happen to the Witch now but Emma couldn't find it within herself to feel anything other than relieved. The wicked woman had taken two people she loved from her; she'd nearly taken Henry too, not to mention threatened her as yet unborn sibling. She knew she should feel some kind of regret for what was clearly in store for Zelena and probably in time she might. At the end of the day, she didn't condone cold-blooded murder no matter how evil the person was but right in that moment Emma simply felt a sense of justice settle over her.
Sometimes people just didn't get to have a second chance.
Not even the one's that worked so hard towards it; that deserved it because of all the good they had done to atone for what they considered their wrong doings of the past.
Of its own volition her gaze sought out the man still lying prone on the ground a couple of feet away. Slowly, she walked over to him and stared down, the pain of Killian's passing suddenly hitting her square in the chest. Sinking to her knees by his side, she reached out as the first of her tears started to fall and gently turned him over. Her hand shook a little as she smoothed his soft raven hair back from his face then trailed her fingers down his cold cheek. He looked so peaceful she realised dimly. She would try and take some comfort from that later if nothing else.
The tears came faster and she roughly brushed them away as she failed miserably to contain the harsh, gut wrenching sobs that had suddenly taken hold. Everything closed in on her making it hard to breathe as she clutched at his shirt and bent her head, squeezing her eyes shut against the pain, the hurt…against reality. Biting her bottom lip, she desperately tried to rein in her grief before it completely took her over. She didn't want to do this now with everyone watching.
"Emma," came her father's quiet voice but she quickly shook her head when he touched her on the shoulder and after a moment he pulled back with a sigh and said quietly, "We should take him back."
"I know," she whispered, not willing to let go of him just yet.
She barely noticed the shift in the air that announced something magical was about to happen until something light but hard bounced off the top of her head and landed with a tiny metallic clink against the top clasp of Killian's black waistcoat.
Looking up, she blinked rapidly and let out an unladylike sniff before hesitantly reaching out to pick up the needle-like object. Holding it aloft she stared at it in bewilderment, a frown appearing on her tear streaked cheeks.
"What the hell is this?" she asked, her voice still too full of emotion as she looked over at the others.
"That's mine, Miss. Swan," said Regina quietly after a moments pause and Emma was shocked to see a little smile form on the Queen's lips. "Zelena took it from me in the Enchanted Forest and I'm assuming that Gold somehow stole it from her and used it on Hook."
"What is it?" she demanded to know.
"It's the answer to all your wishes," the brunette replied cryptically as her smile widened.
Emma felt a prick of annoyance at the Queen's demeanour. She was in no mood for playing games.
"And what exactly does that mean?" she snapped only to inhale sharply the next second at Regina's unexpected reply.
"It means that if I'm right, your boyfriend isn't dead after all. He's merely asleep. The question is…can you wake him up?"
END CHAPTER 13
AN: I'm sure most of you guessed but please let me know what you thought anyhow :)