Ch. 4
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall…" Her long, well-manicured fingernails traced along the expensive gold mirror. Her blank stare bore no feelings or emotions. She was ready for war. Ready to finally get the revenge she so duly deserved.
"Show me where the one Killian Jones falls…" The mirror, which at first had merely reflected her image now started to turn ashen before fogging over. It swirled and sparked to life, following the directions it had been given.
A moment later and the image of Killian Jones appeared. He stood on a ship beside his brother.
And his whore.
"Interesting," Emma muttered. According to Chris, Killian and Russell had jumped realms, potentially even hitchhiking. Yet according to the mirror, he was exactly where he should be. Maybe Chris had been wrong.
Or maybe Chris was working with the other side and was merely trying to keep them from finding Russell sooner rather than later.
It looked like it was time to pay the dear Jones' brothers a visit.
It was like waking up for the first time.
The three of them sat Emma and Sally down and told Emma how to erase herself. Not that she knew what that even meant. They said to feel as if the doors to the world were opening inside her head. That was a picture Emma could hold onto.
She thought of the door, buried in the sand of her thoughts and memories, made of huge and ancient stone, larger than anything she had ever known, waiting for the right words, the right key.
Open Sesame, Open Sesame, Open Sesame!
And she felt it.
Light poured in through the door and she could feel that life, that joy, that brilliance. She could trace their rays from face to face, from the trees, from the ground under her feet. Lovely, living, breathing life. It was a gulp of cool water, a breeze of fresh air, the feel of salty sea air on her face, and it was spinning a web between her and all that she knew to exist—and beyond.
Emma opened her eyes to see three knowing smiles. Sally stood off to the side, machine gun at ready to defend them from any enemies.
"Who are you?"
"We are the saviors of the worlds," they said, expecting her to take some meaning from that. "We disappeared from our worlds and awoke on this planet, a part of this horrid game. A ploy by the creators to destroy us before we could destroy them. All three of us sensed a master here, and we joined together to seek one out. Then we found… you."
"My name is Moana." The young girl that had leaped from the tree extended a hand. "Envy of the Earth."
"I'm Merlin." A young woman about Emma's age spoke softly. Her face was half hidden by her cloak. "Glutton for magic."
"Call me Tia." The other woman finally spoke. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back, glittering in the light of the unnatural world. Her features were pointed and perfect. She held an etherealness that was as unnatural as the world surrounding them. "Lusted by all."
"What am I?" Emma queried.
"Wrath of the worlds," Merlin answered after a moment. "The master of all saviors, and holder of divine destiny."
"How many are there of us?"
"Seven."
"Where are the others?" The question was innocent enough and Emma could only hope the answer would be a simple one.
"We don't know," Tia spoke in a mere whisper, her eyes glancing around to ensure their privacy. "We don't think the creators meant to put the four of us together."
Emma gently nudged them through the web of life, sending golden ripples with her soul. "What is this?"
"It's the Force!" Moana expelled excitedly. "A field that comes out of all life, connecting us. Bonding us."
It felt like the first time Emma held Henry in her arms. "It's love, then?"
"In a manner of speaking." Merlin lifted a rock without touching it. "And it is also a living thing, with its own wills, and its own powers. We can teach you, you know."
"Teach me?"
Moana shrugged. "Well, we're just students ourselves, but there are no better lessons than in the act of teaching, I think!"
Emma pulsed a will for the soil to lift around her feet, and it came up in a black cloud. Her eyes connected with Sally's, who gave a quick nod of agreement.
"Teach me."
Killian was positive that he had now seen it all. He was in space. On a spaceship. With King Arthur and an alien named Ford. Not that Ford looked anything like an alien. Though, Killian had only just learned of the existence of aliens. And space.
It was a very confusing day.
Though Russell seemed to be in his element.
Plans were being made. They were to find Merlin, who was supposed to help them locate the others, including the real Emma, that would ultimately help destroy the creators and bring this whole mess to a stop.
Not that Killian knew who the creators were. He attempted to ask, but the answer was too dizzying and complex for him to understand. They had told him to ask the book. That didn't make things any simpler. It talked about some computer and finding the great question. And the number 42 even popped up.
What in the devil did 42 have to do with anything?
So now he stood off to the side while Russell, Arthur, and Ford discussed the best way to get back to the other edge of the universe. The simple thought made Killian's brain spin.
He was a mere pirate from the Enchanted Forest. Now he was hanging out with the king of the Universe, trying to locate the creators of all worlds.
Were they speaking of the God's above?
Not that Killian was a particularly religious man.
"Maybe we should grab Ofelia." The suggestion was met with silence. Taran blanched. Arthur and Ford stared blankly at Russell as though he were crazy. "She can help! And she'll keep us safe."
"Break into HQ? And risk dealing with Jareth?" The question was laced with mockery. "All for some hybrid that will turn on us at the flip of a hat? Or worse. I'd rather deal with John! Maybe the Black Knight and his infinite stupidity."
Ford nodded his head in agreement.
"Computer, locate Ofelia!"
"No, computer! Don't!"
"No problem!" Beeps, whirling and swooshing followed the lights on the ship lit up brightly in the spacious cabin. "I'm happy to announce I have found Ofelia. Would you like to head her way?"
Killian watched as an image appeared on the large screen of a teenage girl. She was swinging from ropes in a large-ish jail cell. Guards surrounded her numerous cells.
She was what they were so worried about? The young lass couldn't be much older than 15 or 16. And how could she possibly help?
Before Arthur, Taran or Ford could object, Russell confirmed to the ship's computer to indeed head towards Ofelia.
"Don't worry, I have a plan."
The sea was calm, the sails blowing softly in the breeze.
She watched from a distance as the ships drew closer and closer, curious to see what was about to play out. She had been ready to visit the Jones' brothers when she had caught sight of the Revenge and the Dawn Treader inching ever closer to the Jewel. What could the Dread Pirate Roberts possibly want with the Liam and Killian Jones?
Throwing her hand out, Emma sent a blast of energy toward the general area of the ships, wrapping them in magic so that she would be able to hear and see everything while remaining in her bubble of safety and secrecy.
It was always better to have the upper hand.
The Jewel reacted as she expected, hoisting its pirate flag and readying its canons, however, the Revenge was a better ship, able to quickly maneuver around, while the Dawn Treader came from the rear, locking the poor Jewel in without a way to properly fight. It was over before it even started.
"Captain, ships!" Smee's voice rang out as he pointed towards two ships off the starboard side. Liam pulled his spyglass for a better look while Killian moved towards the rail. Two, large, well-equipped ships were headed right for them. They could try to outrun them, but the brothers knew the ships were too close and coming in too fast.
"Milah, go to my quarters, now!" Killian bellowed. He knew any pirate would be interested in obtaining a female companion.
"The Revenge and Dawn Treader," Liam informed his brother. The two paled. The stories of the fearsome captain were well known to all. Not many lived to speak of an encounter.
Killian and Liam Jones' watched on, weapons at ready, along with their crew, as a plank was lowered between the Revenge and the Jewel.
The elder captain of the Revenge crossed slowly, taking his time as he surveyed the ship. The runes had informed him that the light was close, and the only thing remotely close was the shabby pirate ship manned by Killian and Liam Jones. He had heard of the two privateers that flew a pirate flag after turning their backs on their royal leader.
"Welcome aboard, Captain," Liam spoke first, bowing before the elder captain. He had aged well. Killian smiled as the boarding party stepped onto the deck. They had moored themselves to their ship, while the other vessel floated nearby, gun ports open. The threat was clear. They were outflanked, outnumbered, and outmanned.
"Captain Roberts," the elder captain introduced himself.
"Captain Liam Jones, and my first mate, and brother, Killian Jones," Liam answered swiftly. "Is there a problem?"
The Jones brothers were the picture of cool indifference, but on the inside, they were both freaking out. A visit from the Dread Pirate Roberts never ended well.
Roberts surveyed the ship, flicking his eyes over the crew, looking up and down the deck, before returning his attention to the brothers. "Who owns this ship?"
"It is a private vessel," Liam answered.
"Where are you heading?"
"For port. We are looking for work. Hopefully, someone has cargo to transport." Liam answered coolly.
Captain Roberts surveyed the brothers once more, his hand on his sword.
"What of the light? Have you seen it?"
The Jones brother looked at each other quizzically. They hadn't the faintest clue what the pirate captain spoke of. Maybe he had lost his mind at his advanced age.
"Light?"
Captain Roberts turned in a slow circle, surveying the area once again before pulling the runes from his jacket pocket. He tossed them in the air, the question breezing past his lips as they slowly fell into his open palm.
Again, they fell face up.
"I'm going to ask you again, where do you keep the light?" Captain Robert's voice grew low and dangerous.
"We don't know what light you speak of!" Liam insisted.
Captain Roberts huffed in frustration before drawing his sword and moving quickly, slicing through Liam's stomach. He withdrew his dagger.
"Try again." Liam slid to the ground, hands to his stomach as blood started gurgling out. There was a skirmish as the various crews attempted to fight, but Robert's men were quicker, disabling the Jewel's crew with ease.
"We know nothing! We haven't seen a light!" Liam implored, his breath coming out in gasps as Killian stood at his side, sword at ready. Killian wanted to help his brother, but he suspected he wouldn't survive if he did.
"Please, we know not what you speak of, but we will gladly help you!" Killian beseeched. This made the captain pause. His eyes mere slits as he surveyed the younger Jones.
He turned his back to the two brothers, ignoring the gasps from the elder Jones. Rubbing his large ruby ring, Roberts watched as the image of Edmund slowly filled the ruby.
"Have you found it?" Edmund sounded flustered. He was growing older with each passing day. Faster than Roberts was aging.
"No, I'm in the middle of the ocean aboard the Jewel and the light is nowhere to be found."
"Did you use the runes?"
"Of course, and now they are spouting off gibberish!" Roberts sighed in frustration. He watched as Edmund brought their mage forth, calling on him to find the light's location.
"It's close! Stay nearby, it is making its way to you!" Edmund stated excitedly. "Prepare yourself. The light has grown brighter, stronger. It is learning to harness its power and has become distrustful. Use the Jewel to lure it in."
A moment later and Edmund was gone. Roberts turned back to the Jones brothers, a smile upon his lips. Liam lay bleeding out on the floor while Killian stood by his side, pale and shaking.
"If you and your crew wish to live, you will help me."
"We need Lancelot, and Patsy," Arthur insisted, as they neared the planet called Earth, and more precisely, HQ.
"Where are they?" Russell asked as he studied a map of the interior of the dungeons. He knew how to get there, he just didn't know how to get to Ofelia.
Ford and Arthur exchanged a look. Taran sighed.
"They seek the holy grail!" Ford groaned and rolled his eyes as Arthur explained further. Sometimes Ford wasn't sure about Arthur. Taran suppressed a giggle.
"They are at the Cave of Caerbannog where they seek the aide of Pete and Elliot, but it is protected. They are fighting off the most fearsome beast. A creature so vicious no man yet has fought with it and lived. With nasty, big pointy teeth!" Arthur brought his fingers up to his mouth, imitating the creature he spoke of.
"What an eccentric description," Killian deadpanned. Russell laughed, as did Ford, but Arthur merely scoffed.
"It's a rabbit," Taran supplied. This caused Russell and Ford to laugh harder.
"You silly git, afraid of a rabbit?" Killian asked.
"It's no ordinary rabbit. It's the foulest, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you'll ever set eyes on." Arthur explained. "It's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer!"
Russell, Taran, and Ford dissolved into a fit of laughter as Arthur huffed in response.
And once again, Killian found himself wondering just what he had gotten into.
"We don't have time to get Lancelot and Patsy. We're already almost to HQ. We can't waste any more time!" Russell finally insisted.
"That's not true, computer!"
And in the next moment, they were zipping across the earth, headed for the cave of Caerbannog, looking for Lancelot and Patsy, and potentially fighting against the most fearsome rabbit to ever live.