Killian's Inferno

Chapter Five

In Storybrooke…

On the morning after their friends and heads of the town left to enter into the Underworld, everything was quiet and somber, as most of the townsfolk couldn't understand why the heroes had left to go on such a dangerous mission, especially to bring back a man who nearly destroyed them all.

Very few people really knew the whole story of how Hook had sacrificed his life to make things right. They all knew that the pirate was dead, but everything else was left up to their imaginations as to what really happened down at the pond, seeing as everyone who was actually there with him were no longer in Storybrooke to help explain the truth.

Archie Hopper sat at the bar in front of Granny inside her diner as she was serving a slice of apple pie and a cup of coffee to the town's psychologist and former cricket back in the Enchanted Forest, while he finished writing a couple of notes inside a small notebook, then carefully put the book back inside his coat's pocket. As the old woman, yet worthy fighter if need be, placed the plate and cup down in front of him, Archie smiled and nodded his thanks before taking his first bite.

She noticed the look of worry on his face as she spoke up saying, "I realize that we're all pretty much feeling the same way this morning, Jiminy, but perhaps you would like to talk about what's on your conscience, seeing as we all usually come to you for comfort and advice."

He smiled again and then replied, "Thanks, but I'm just sad, for Emma I mean. And for Killian as well. We may not know the whole story, but I know he died protecting Miss. Swan and the rest of us. It never should have come to that."

"No it shouldn't have," Granny answered in agreement. "If you ask me, I'm getting awfully tired of this town being under siege and of losing people we all care about. The next time I see that witch, Zelena, I'll…"

"Did you not hear?" he asked quickly. "Regina managed to send Zelena back to Oz where she belongs. She's gone, hopefully this time for good."

Granny clanked her own cup against his in toast of the good news, then responded, "Well thank heavens for that. Let's just hope that our friends all return in one piece and just maybe this tragedy will have a happy ending after all."

It was then that the seven dwarfs all walked through the door and made their way over to the counter as Grumpy immediately stated, "We need seven pints of ale, Granny. We're celebrating Dopey's return. After the Dark Ones were all defeated, the tree he became disappeared and he transformed back into a man. We figured we owe him a few drinks after we all kind of pushed him over the town line to see what would happen if we crossed."

"This is a diner, not a bar!" Granny replied coolly as she pulled up seven steins onto the counter, then began to pour the ale she kept for special occasions anyway. "And why aren't you lot out at Regina's vault guarding over it like you promised?"

"Don't worry, the fairies are all taking a turn keeping watch," Grumpy answered again as he raised his mug for his own toast to his brothers. "Tinker Bell's taken charge and so far, no one's tried breaking in. I think Hook's body is perfectly safe."

Granny scolded the dwarf as she questioned, "How many times do you boys have to be reminded never to underestimate Rumpelstiltskin? Even with the darkness no longer inside of him, he still betrayed us all and both Emma and Hook paid the price for it!"

Archie looked between the woman and the little men as he responded, "I hate to agree because I try to see the good in everyone, including Mr. Gold, for Belle's sake, but I'm afraid Granny's right this time. Gold has betrayed us all again, for the last time."

"How can you say this?" Belle asked angrily upon overhearing only Archie's last words as she appeared in the hallway, having come into the diner through the back entrance. "You of all people, Archie? I trusted you, all of you, and each of you are in here trying to condemn my husband, after all he's been through with Hook nearly killing him. I am sorry that he died, I really am, but the pirate is the one who betrayed us all in the end, not Rumple."

"Hook made up for his mistake, sister," Grumpy replied remorsefully as he looked over at the young woman. "Now, I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but Hook willingly died knowing full well where he was headed to protect us all, including Gold. He was led to believe that by his sacrifice, he would end the darkness for good, but your loving husband tricked him and now he's dead and Rumpelstiltskin is once again the Dark One. How do you think they were all able to enter into the Underworld?"

Tears came to her eyes as she looked between all those around the counter, seeing that everyone believed in what the dwarf was saying, then she answered, "You're wrong. He was able to open the portal because he had been to the Underworld before, back when he died to save us from Peter Pan. Rumple is finally free of the darkness and he became a hero when he saved me from Merida after Emma sent her after me. He wouldn't betray me again after everything. I trust him. Shame on you, all of you!"

Archie stood from his stool and straightened his jacket as he said calmly, "I'm afraid we all made a big mistake talking about this so out in the open. I'm going to go talk with her, not only to apologize, but also to try to help her to understand. I will see you all later."

"Goodbye, Jiminy!" Doc called out after him as their friend walked out.

"I suppose our celebration's been cut short," Happy spoke sadly. "We should head back to the vault to check in on the fairies."

Grumpy nodded and responded, "If anything, guarding the crypt for the Savior will give us something to do for awhile to help keep our minds off of all this gloom and doom that's fallen over our town. Thanks, Granny."

Outside of Regina's vault…

Mother Superior walked the grounds as she arrived at the crypt and came upon Tinker Bell, who flew down as close to the vault as she could get before the spell around it could push her back and knelt on the ground before it while she laid a small bouquet of flowers in front of her, then bowed her head in lament.

After giving her a few moments of silence, the Blue Fairy stated quietly, "Good morning, Green. I understand from another of the fairies that you've taken charge here. I wanted to come to see you, to see if you might want to talk."

"I'm all right," Tinker Bell replied without standing, though she turned her head to look over at her leader. "I am simply paying my respects to Hook the only way that I can. I've been away for awhile, but when I heard that he had died, I realized that I should return. Storybrooke wasn't initially my home, but it is now and it's thanks to the Captain that I'm here. He turned out to be a better man than I initially believed him to be and I don't think that I ever told him, not really. He didn't deserve to die this way. I owe it to him to make sure that Emma and the others will have a body to return his soul to if they succeed in rescuing him. I won't let anyone break in here."

"That is very kind of you," Blue answered as she helped her sister to stand. "Are the others still around?"

The younger fairy nodded and responded, "Yes. They are walking through the woods close by to make sure that there's no one lurking about. They'll be back shortly. I thought I would take this quiet time to do what I needed to do."

Mother Superior nodded and said sadly, "I have to admit I have had a hard time with forgiving him after he trapped us all inside the sorcerer's hat, even though he wasn't really to blame. I never did apologize to him and now he has given his life for this entire town. You aren't the only one who feels badly for not believing in his heroism until now. If you don't mind the company, I wish to join you. When everyone returns, hopefully with Killian too, perhaps everything will finally be the way our kingdom truly should be."