Time to Go pt 8
Killian and Smee return to the Jolly Roger to find it being harassed by the Neverland mermaids. They attempt to bring the poor pirates to a watery grave, but Killian glances over the side of the ship and shows them the Dark Faerie's wand. "You best behave, for your master Pan will not be as lenient as I will be." The mermaids dive under the water and swim off.
Killian turns to the crew. "Let's pull out, lads."
As Killian is about to go to his cabin, he pulls Smee close to him. "What did I say to you that would indicate that I hate the Dark One?"
"You said that she is responsible for taking away your happiness, and that Rumpelstiltskin was cursed to be inside a deep sleep for trying to stop her from taking your hand."
Killian glances at the hook and bites his lip. Confused, aggravated, all things that Killian Jones shouldn't be at the same time. "What else happened?"
Smee is unsure why his captain is asking these questions. Still he answers. He doesn't want to anger Captain Hook, which is a side to Killian that he's been keeping at bay. "That's all. You said you'd exact revenge on her for taking your happiness and for punishing Rumpelstiltskin."
"Yes, I heard you the first time."
As Killian goes down into his cabin, Smee looks around at the crew and they all wonder the same thing: What has happened to Captain Hook?
The ship is rocking hard and Killian is trying to sleep. He wanted to get in a short nap before going to the Enchanted Forest. The Dark Faerie's wand rolls back and forth along his desk. He awakes to screaming up top. "What now?" He puts on his hook and rushes up the steps.
"What is going on here, Smee?"
Waves roll over the sides of the ship and Smee is at the wheel. Killian shoves him away and turns the wheel hard. "Smee, what has happened?"
"A storm, sir."
"That bloody demon Pan."
"Pan, Captain?"
"Aye, Peter Pan. I should have known he'd double-cross me."
"But, Captain, there is no one here by the name of Peter Pan."
Killian cannot manage control over the ship and manage his astounded expression. "Then who controls Neverland?"
"The sorcerer, Merlin."
Killian turns the wheel to the right, hard as he can. A giant wave rolls over the ship and that is the last we see of Killian Jones and his crew and his famous ship The Jolly Roger.
Mary-Margaret has been watching a candle that never goes down, never stops burning. The voice that spooked her before speaks out again. Still unrecognizable.
"It's all right. Speak slowly so I can understand you better. You don't have to show yourself or tell me your name. There has to be a way out of here and I'll find it. I have a home to get to, where I have a son that needs me. My husband is probably dead. My daughter is…"
"The Dark One," the voice says very clearly.
"Yes. Can you help me with getting the darkness out of her? We were told Merlin can, but things didn't go as well as we planned."
The voice laughs. "Merlin can't help you."
"Why is that?"
"Because he isn't the one who made the darkness. He only attempted to control it."
"Go on."
"You've been warned, Snow White. You've already blackened your heart. I wonder which part your prince got."
Mary-Margaret's eyes go wide with shock. "Who are you?"
"Heartbreak seems to follow you wherever you go, Snow White."
"I consider myself a patient woman but you are not making this easy." She tries to blow out the flame but the candle is under some enchantment. It doesn't even flicker. "You are connected to the darkness?"
"We are all connected to the darkness."
"Tell me your name."
"So demanding." A shadowy figure emerges from the darkness around her, comes into the light of the flame. It takes on the shape of Rumpelstiltskin.
"I knew it. You have come out of that coma."
"Not exactly. Whatever question you ask, I will answer." He raises a finger at her. "Know this. If you dare to lie to me, I will tell you nothing."
"I am not making deals with you anymore."
"It's not a deal." The Rumpelstiltskin exterior fades and is replaced by a figure dressed in darkness and smells like a tomb.
"Who are you?"
It shakes off the darkness to reveal a handsome man with dark hair and eyes wearing a black suit. "Oh, it always tingles a little when I do this." He shakes off the last bit of darkness. "This is my true form. You should feel honored, since I never show this to anyone."
"What is your name?"
"I can have many names, but you can call me Mr. D.'
"You're the entity Darkness."
"Yes. I didn't ask to be seen as the enemy for you mortals. You put blame on me because you couldn't handle harnessing dark magic. Boo-hoo. I am forced to show up whenever one of you decides to be all special. It's up to me to give or take, and often I'm doing all the giving and getting nothing in return, except for a bad reputation."
"You said we could do a question-answer thing."
"Ask your question. Only one question."
"What is this place?"
"It's the Dark One's vault."
"She sent me to the vault."
"Don't be mistaken, it isn't just any Dark One's vault. It's the Dark One's vault. It's where my prison sentence was created. This isn't the one where Rumpelstiltskin rose from, was reborn from."
"You need to find your purpose. You need to restore the balance. Find your way back to your version of the light."
"I can't do that. Emma and Rumpelstiltskin have made that impossible. Your daughter doesn't even know how much she craves that power. Even if she is able to break free from it, she will never truly be free of it. None of you understand what has happened."
She reaches out for the man but he recoils. "Don't touch me. You wouldn't want to feel pure darkness."
"We can save you."
Darkness sits down before her. "It's not that easy. Something happened to me when mortals starting playing with magic. There was others before Merlin and his flock of idiots."
"Let me help you."
"Can you? You're just a mortal with no magic."
"Emma. My daughter can help you. She will hear you out, understand what she is doing wrong, and then all will be fine."
"Your daughter is one of the most evil mortals I've ever encountered." He turns away and is about to take on his dark image.
"Wait. It's Rumpelstiltskin that is the enemy."
"No. It's both of them. Rumpelstiltskin was born a coward. Emma was born a savior. It's two of the worst personalities to possess. When you are weak, you crave power so you can overcome your cowardice. When you are already a hero, you crave a way out of it."
It suddenly dawns on her. "Oh, my… they balance each other. That's why he has always shown an interest in her."
"He favors many women, but he only knows of one other woman who is of equal power, who is the only one known to be scared of your daughter."
"Zelena."
"Yes, Rumpelstiltskin and Emma balance each other, and guess what… Zelena is the link in between that brings them together. You have no idea what kind of magic you're messing with. You mortals and your senseless hope quests." He turns away and grins, then turns back to her.
"I don't understand. What makes Zelena so powerful?"
"If I tell you, you might be tempted to kill her, and I can't allow that. That kind of power is so strong, that even I fear it."
Killian arrives on the shores of Snow White's palace. "All of you are to stay aboard the ship until my return. Under no circumstances are you to try and leave. Guard the ship with your lives."
"But, Captain, why do I feel so detached from my body?" Smee asks.
"Stop asking questions and do as I say." Killian plants his feet on the ground and stares down at the Dark Faerie's wand. It doesn't take long for him to be found.
"Just what do you think you're doing, pirate?" Regina asks.
"Your Majesty," he bows low.
"Hand that wand over right now. I knew Tinkerbell couldn't be trusted."
"With all due respect, I don't trust anyone with this."
"You should trust me. Emma has cursed your body and soul. Who knows what can happen when you possess the wand?"
Killian reluctantly hands it over to her. "Can you cure me?"
"It's Emma's dark magic. I wouldn't even know where to start."
"Where's this bloody snowglobe?"
"There's the million dollar question. Robin has gone to talk with Prince James and David. They are going on a quest to find Snow White. I've had to find distractions for Henry so he won't pester me about saving his mother." She points over to the front of the palace and Henry is talking with a pretty girl.
"What has happened, Regina?"
"Storybrooke is destroyed. There is no bringing it back. Not even a dark curse can bring it back. Emma has made sure that we are stuck here forever."
"What is so wrong with that? We are all from here."
"Henry isn't. He can adapt pretty well, but I've grown so accustomed to that Storybrooke, that I miss it."
"I guess I will join James and David on this quest to find Snow White."
"Not just yet. We have to make sure that you can be trusted. Stay here for a few days. I will make sure their little quest is delayed for those few days." She smirks like the evil queen then motions for Killian to head inside.
James and David take Robin for a walk around the great city Midas has built. Abigal leaves the men to do their talking about the monsters, the dangers they will face.
"I appreciate you wanting to bring me along, but I cannot leave Regina."
"Come on, she isn't that far long and you will be back before she starts showing," James says.
"I will talk it over with Regina. What news about the location of your wife?"
"According to James's scouts, they picked up a trail that they believe is Snow's and it's heading towards the Dark One's vault."
"Why would she go there?"
"Probably the Dark One put her there," James says.
Killian paces the hallway and waits for Regina to tell him any update of the situation. To his surprise, it's Robin that comes to him. "Captain. I am in a dilemma. James and David want me to go with them, but I cannot leave Regina alone. What should I do?"
"Go. I will stay and protect her."
"Really?"
Killian nods nervously.
"Thanks, mate. I will tell Regina."
Killian crashes into the side of the hallway. He struggles as the ghostly monster inside him is trying to break free. He starts sweating and runs for a place to hide. He falls into a bedroom. His eyes glow a ghoulish blue. He falls onto the bed.
"Killian. Stay strong. Don't let the darkness take you," Emma says.
Killian looks around but doesn't see her. He continues to struggle.
Emma sits down on the bed and strokes his back. "Shh, calm yourself."
He rolls onto his back and looks up at her. "Emma, take this away from me. I beg of you."
"I shall heal you with a kiss." She leans down to kiss him, but he pushes her away.
"I don't need your poisonous kisses. Take this from me."
"Kill Regina and I will lift the curse from you. Find that snowglobe and destroy it and I will let you return to your pirate ways."
He reaches up for her. "Emma, I don't want that life. That is not how I started out and that's not how I want to end. Let's just forget this dark stuff and go home."
"You will never understand," she says, her face a void. No emotions, nothing. She is a blank canvas for anyone to paint whatever they want.
Regina comes into the bedroom and Killian sort of wonders if she sees Emma, but Emma isn't there. It was an illusion. "There you are, Captain. What are you doing in here?"
"I wasn't feeling well."
Regina walks over to check him out. He moves away from her. "If you want me to help you, then you will have to be a little more cooperative."
"Aye, and you will have to be a little more understanding, Your Majesty."
Seeing that they are at an impasse, she decides to give him some space.