A/N: Ok folks, this is the show down. We knew that island love wasn't going to last forever but Emma and Killian are strong. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I love hearing from you. I had a few interesting Anons who left me some messages but I think if they read a little further their questions would be answered. I would love to respond to you, you don't have to go on Anon to ask me questions. I promise I won't bite ;-) I hope you all enjoy your holidays if you are celebrating. Be safe, be merry, and all have a good night. There is more to come soon!
Ch. 24
The night was clear and the tropical heat finally started to cool down. It was the perfect night to sleep on the beach. Killian arranged the firewood and Emma lit it using her magic. It was mostly for the light since their climate already kept them fairly warm.
She'd been practicing magic all afternoon and they'd had a lot of fun. She turned the stone Killian found for her in the cove into a healing stone. It took a bit more time to complete it since it was larger than Nairobi's stones but it was too pretty to destroy. She put it into the pocket of her dress to keep it safe.
The island was wild and full of creatures she'd never seen before. Each creature had its own unique gifts and some of them were deadly. Killian cautioned her against touching some of them and he was especially fearful of the snakes. She wasn't planning on touching any of those anyway.
The sea creatures were amazing, especially the turtles. They were swimming close to them when she was searching for coral. Coral would make the perfect conduit for the enchantment stones she wanted to make.
There were also many different types of fish in the waters near them. They caught some for dinner. Killian cooked it over the open fire. The exotic cuisine was so delicious in comparison to the bland food they served her at the palace.
She got the idea to conjure a bow and arrows from the base camp for them so they could have a little fun. She showed Killian how good a shot she was thanks to her mother's training. He wasn't so bad himself. They practiced shooting targets and she also felt it would be good to have a weapon she could use near them. Her magic was unpredictable and if a wild animal approached, a sword or arrow would probably be her best bet.
The moon was approaching the angle in the sky that she needed to create some of the charms. She wanted to create a disguise charm and for some reason the lunar placement was required for the potion to be right.
She also wanted to create additional black magic enchantment stones, like the one she got from Nairobi. She was getting more fearful about her family. She knew Henry was protected by the Dark One but her parents were not. They were alone and she wanted to make them safe from Regina. They sacrificed too much in their lives to be scared any longer. She had to make it right for them. She would make it right for them. If she could find a way to accept her magic this problem would go away.
The coral would be the perfect container for the enchantment stones. It needed to be from the sea like her pearl. She had one piece for each of her parents, one for Henry, and one for Killian. He protested but she wasn't going to lose him and even though Henry had the Dark One's protection she wanted a little insurance of her own. She would find a way to get it to him. She would find a way to get him far away from that evil.
"Ok Love what do you need me to do." He asked.
"Just relax. We are on this perfect island. It's nearly finished. Just have to add these plants." she said smiling.
He nodded, sat down, and lay back against a tree. He watched her work diligently preparing the potion. She was determined and he loved seeing her with this spit fire. She was so different from the little wallflower that first boarded his ship. He could see her strength shining through her porcelain exterior. She was a natural leader and she'd been shut in for far too long. He felt honored to be in her presence. The fire light and the moon above made her glow. She looked like an angel.
The little pot was sitting over the open fire; it contained a boiling liquid from the minerals and other required ingredients. She took the plants and put them into the pot to complete the ingredients. She brushed her hands together to clear away the bits of plant that remained.
"Killian I think I would like your help. Would you hold my hand?" she asked.
He moved quickly to stand next to her and grabbed her hand. He pulled it to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to the back.
"That's hardly work Love." he said.
"Well, I know that Nairobi said that my magic is strongest when you are touching me. I want to make sure to get this right." She said.
"Hmm, perhaps I should hold you." He said.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly.
"There will be plenty of time for that later. I need to be serious." She said smiling.
He groaned when she pushed out of his arms. He laced his fingers through hers and gave her hand a little squeeze.
"Sorry Love, you know the effect you have on me." he said.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek to soothe him.
"I'm almost done and we need to do this now. This one depends on the moon." She said.
He nodded.
She picked up the pieces of coral and she placed them into the boiling liquid. She looked into the book and recited the incantation as it was listed. The pot began to boil wildly and pink smoke poured over the sides of the pot.
"Is that supposed to happen?" asked Killian.
He was squeezing her hand tightly.
"Yes, if it crackles like blue lightning then we know it worked." Said Emma.
They watched as the smoke changed colors from pink to orange to purple and then finally blue with the crackling blue lightning at the end.
Emma clapped her hands.
"Looks like it worked." Said Killian.
She looked into the bowl and there were 4 pieces of shining coral in the bottom. She plucked one out and she could feel the energy buzzing in it. It was warm to touch but not overwhelming.
She pulled a ribbon from her pocket and laced it through the coral. She placed it over Killian's head.
"This will protect you from a dark curse. Please wear it for me. I need to know you are safe." She said.
He gazed into her eyes. She had a little crinkle in the middle of her forehead. He could see she'd been worrying about him. He smoothed it out with his finger and tapped her nose.
"Love, you don't have to worry about me but I'll do as you ask if it gives you peace of mind." said Killian.
"It does. Thank you. The sooner I can find a way to get these to my parents and Henry the better." She said.
He took the other pieces of coral and placed them into his satchel for her.
"What next Love?" he asked.
"I just need to say the incantation over this potion. It's a disguise charm. You drink it; say the name of the person you wish to look like and then spin 3 times counter clockwise." She said.
"I can see where that might come in handy." He said.
"Hold my hand again please?" she asked.
He smiled and grabbed hold. She recited the incantation, " Disquaceous reblano".
There was no lightning or smoke this time but the color of the liquid turned a light blue.
She poured it into little bottles and corked them. He put them into his satchel as well.
"The rest of these are fun. We don't have an immediate need to make them but we could." She said.
He looked over the spells.
"This one turns a mouse into a horse. That could be useful. I suppose we would need to find a mouse first." He said smiling.
"Ok, we can try it. We have those minerals and a few of the plants left." She said.
She began to prepare the potion. He was getting some additional firewood to keep the blaze going under the pot when she heard a loud thundering crash.
"Killian!" she called.
He came running in from the woods.
"I'm fine Love. Are you alright? I thought perhaps a spell went wrong." He said.
"No, it wasn't me." she said.
He grabbed their things and pulled her along.
"Let's move Love. The fire is a dead giveaway to our location." Said Killian.
They moved quickly through the path luckily they had the moonlight over head to guide them as the maneuvered through the brush back towards the base camp. As they got closer the sound of the blasts increased. A feeling of dread was sitting in the pit of her stomach and she could feel her magic prickling against her skin. She gripped his hand tight as she followed along.
When they got close to the shoreline they stopped behind the trees. Emma wasn't prepared for the scene in front of her. She gasped holding her hand over her mouth.
"It's the Evil Queen and she has my parents." Said Emma.
She moved to rush from the brush and he pulled her back.
"No, you can't just go out there unprepared." He said.
He held her close to him. Her heart was beating so fast and she felt like she couldn't breathe. He smoothed her hair down with his hand to try to calm her.
"Emma, relax, get in control, you can do this. Don't let her make you afraid." He said.
She took a deep breath and she peered out again. All of the men were kneeling with their hands held behind their heads. Her parents were seated in front of them with their hands tied and mouths gagged. She watched the Evil Queen pace back and forth with something in her hand. She was smiling. Emma clenched her fists at her side.
"How did she find us?"asked Emma.
"I don't know but it appears my crew has surrendered." said Killian.
The Evil Queen turned towards her location and pointed her finger. She waved her hand and the brush in front of them parted.
"Ah, you finally decided to show yourself. I thought you might be a coward and I'd have to hunt you down like a dog." Said Regina.
She stood firmly. Killian was at her side, his hand at the small of her back. She put on her best stoic exterior and pressed her lips together. She would not give this woman the satisfaction of seeing her scared.
She looked over towards her parents. Her heart sank. Her mother was crying and her father was looking at her shaking his head. Killian grabbed her hand and held it tight.
"I see you are no better than your mother who took up with a shepherd. I should have known to check with the filth in the gutter. That is where you belong. How fitting that your True Love is a dirty pirate." Said Regina.
She tried to rush forward and he held her back. She forced her mouth closed. She had a million things she wanted to say to this woman but she didn't want to taunt her. She wanted to be smart about this.
She felt her magic prickling against her skin and her hair was floating. Killian was smoothing his thumb back and forth over her hand as they were clasped together. He was hoping to keep her calm so she could control her magic.
"You've nothing to say for yourself. Good, I prefer my kill to be silent. I'll give you one chance to come forward and die like a hero. If not I'll start killing them one by one. Your parents last. Although I'd prefer if they watch you die. I do hope it doesn't come to that. I do want them to SUFFER!" Said Regina.
She was moving back and forth like a panther as she continued to taunt her.
"Still nothing, Perhaps your parents aren't enough to tempt you." She said.
She waved her hand and pulled Killian forward. Emma held his hand and tried to hold him with her but the strength of Regina's magic was too great for her to hold him. She forced him in front of her on his knees, cutting off his air. He held his hands to his throat.
"No!" shouted Emma.
"Love, don't let her force you. "choked out Killian.
"Shut Up Pirate!" yelled Regina.
She forced him down into the sand. Killian cried out in pain as Regina twisted into him with her dark magic.
Emma stepped forward out into the open. Dread was flooding her body. She could feel her magic going wild. She looked at her mother. She couldn't say anything but she was shaking her head no. The tears were starting to prick against her eyes.
"Let him go Regina." Said Emma.
Regina twisted her hand again and he cried out.
She couldn't let her do this. She wasn't that weak little girl that was held prisoner in the castle anymore. She was strong, she was powerful, she couldn't let this happen to the people she loved. She needed to save them.
Regina picked him up from the ground with her magic. She was holding him in the air and she approached him. She reached into his chest and tried to pull out his heart.
"What is this? How?"shouted Regina.
Killian was screaming in pain as she tried to tug out his heart.
"I said stop!" yelled Emma.
Regina turned to face Emma and dropped Killian to the ground.
Emma blast Regina in the chest with a flash of force knocking her back into the base camp supplies before Regina could stop her. Killian was lying forward breathing heavy. Emma ran to him and pulled him to his feet.
"Help my parents." Said Emma.
He nodded. She flung off her cape and prepared for retaliation. She ran as far away from her family as she could to deflect the attack. Regina crawled out and climbed to her feet. Killian was untying her father's hands.
Regina tossed a fireball towards her and she dodged it. She ran further to get Regina isolated. Fireballs were flying towards her and she dodged as she was running. She stopped and pushed balls of force towards Regina to create a diversion as Killian continued to free her parents from their bindings.
When she looked over to check on progress she was hit with a ball of force by Regina knocking her into the brush. She felt the evil magic prickle against her own. She pushed back against its force with her own and blew it off of her skin. She quickly got to her feet, she stood strong and she glared at Regina.
Regina's mouth hung open.
"How?"said Regina.
Emma was too fast and she had a ball of force aimed as the words spilled from Regina's mouth. The Evil Queen ducked down into the sand to avoid the hit but Emma was too fast. She continued throwing the balls of force until she saw that her parents were freed.
Regina started to glow green and rose up from the sand into the air. Emma's eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open in shock. She needed to figure out how to do that.
"Nobody defeats me! You will take this curse and you will die." she yelled.
Emma knew she should be afraid but she wasn't. She looked to the moon overhead and she thought of the amazing things she was able to accomplish with her magic. She wasn't going to let this evil take over her kingdom, torture her family, or kill her. Regina tried to take Killian's heart. She tried to kill her parents and she sentenced her to a life with Neal.
She moved forward to face Regina. She cocked her head to the side and pushed up her sleeves. She rubbed her hands together back and forth creating a strong warm fiction. She felt her magic prickling hard against her skin and creating rapid energy. She held her hands together dropped to her knees and closed her eyes. She took all of the energy she had and breathed deeply.
"This magic is mine and mine alone! You shall not take it!" she yelled.
She stood up and aimed the energy directly at Regina. Regina tried to dodge it but it was too fast and too strong. When it hit her she fell from the sky to the sand below.
The force of the blast she sent at Regina was so strong that it sent her back to her knees. She felt the prickling all over her body and then the warmth spread over her faster and harder until finally she felt it in her heart. She looked at her skin and she imagined that it appeared to be on fire. When she looked out to the sea it appeared to be glowing. Suddenly her arms were forced up to the sky and a deep red light enveloped her body warming her completely.
"Noooooooooo!" shouted Regina.
Emma slumped forward into the sand.
"Emma!" called Killian.
He went running towards her passing Regina who was writhing in the sand and screaming in pain.
"Emma!" he called.
She felt heavy and light at the same time. She pushed up to her knees and looked up to see Killian and her parents looking at her with their mouths open wide. She blinked to focus under the light and take in what just happened. Although it was night it appeared that everything was illuminated.
Killian was down on his knees in front of her. He caressed her cheek with his hand and kissed her lips softly. Her eyes were glowing bright green and she had a red light glowing around her body.
She blinked again. She couldn't say anything. It was as if her lips were not her own. She could hear the words she wanted to say but they wouldn't come out.
"Emma, are you ok?" he asked.
He kissed her again longer until she responded. Her lips were urgent and her arms went around his neck pulling him to her. He pulled back to look at her.
"Love, are you ok?"he asked again.
"Yes." She said.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
"No." she said.
He pulled her into his arms and held her against him. She lay her face against his chest and listened to his heart. She remembered the rhythm and his soft kisses. She began to feel normal again with each breath she took, with each beat of his heart. She could feel him kissing her on top of her head. His hand was rubbing softly up and down her back.
"Emma, are you alright?"asked her mother.
The sound of her voice pierced her ears and snapped her back into the reality where she was. She could feel the sand on her knees. Killian's arms were around her and his warm breath was against her ear.
She pushed back lightly to look at him. He had tears in his eyes. She touched his face lightly.
"Why are you crying Darling? Are you alright? Did she hurt you?" she asked.
He began to laugh and touched her face. Her eyes were their normal beautiful color and she was no longer glowing red.
"Emma. Thank Gods." He said with relief and pulled her close.
"Mom, Dad. Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yes." Said Charming.
Snow nodded. Her hand covering her mouth and tears in her eyes.
"Where's Regina!" she called and tried to get up.
Killian held her still.
"She's over there." He said.
He pointed over towards Regina who was lying in the sand moaning.
"Killian, I must." She said.
He helped her to her feet and they walked over to Regina. She was writhing in pain on the ground.
"No no no no no no, This wasn't supposed to happen. How did you do this?" wailed Regina.
She appeared to be aging in front of them. Her hair was growing gray and white. Her skin was wrinkling and she appeared to be getting thinner. Her cheeks were sinking in and her eyes were losing their luster.
"I've accepted the magic that you tried to steal from me. You can't win. I'm not afraid to be who I am." said Emma.
Emma dropped to her knees in front of her. No matter what this woman did she wouldn't wish this pain on anyone.
"Don't kill me. Please don't kill me." pleaded Regina.
Emma looked down at the frail woman in front of her. She could only feel pity for her in this state. She propped up her head on her lap and held Regina's hand. Even though this woman wanted her to die she couldn't kill her. It was not in her nature to kill anyone.
She looked like a haggard old woman. Her magic was drained from her body and Emma knew that she'd finally accepted her magic in full. Her acceptance broke the curse and Regina could no longer hurt them.
"I won't hurt you." said Emma softly.
Killian and her parents were standing around her. She looked up to see their eyes focused on her. Her mother had tears falling from her eyes as she clung to her father. She looked over to see Killian gazing at her with adoration in his eyes. He smiled at her and her heart grew warm as she felt his love surround her.
Emma reached into her pocked and pulled out the healing crystal.
"No, what is that? Don't hurt me." pleaded Regina.
Emma felt sorry for her. Tears were falling from her eyes as the pain enveloped her frail body.
"Shh." Said Emma.
She smoothed the poor woman's hair back. She placed the crystal into Regina's hand and closed her hand over hers. Regina's body relaxed immediately at the contact. Regina began to glow white with the power that was healing her pain. The curse was too strong for Emma to completely heal her. She would be left as an elderly woman. There was nothing to be done about that.
"What have you done to me?"asked Regina.
"It's a healing crystal. I've taken your pain." She said.
"You did that for me. Even after all I've done." Said Regina in a creaky voice.
"I have the power to help you. I could never leave someone in pain if I can help them." Said Emma.
Emma looked at Killian with pleading eyes. He leaned down and helped her pull Regina to her feet. Her father took Regina's other arm.
"We need a chair." Said Charming.
"Paul! Get a chair." Said Killian.
"Aye Aye Captain." He called.
"What will you do with me now?" asked Regina.
"You'll come to the castle with us." said Snow.
Emma looked at her mother and smiled.
"With you?" asked Regina.
"Of course, would you rather I left you here on the island to die alone?" Asked Snow.
"No, but why would you take me with you." Asked Regina.
"You're family." said Snow.
"Chair Captain!"said Paul.
Killian took the chair from Paul and placed it in the sand. He looked over to see Emma kneeling in the sand. She looked like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. He needed to get her away from this.
Charming helped Regina into a seat.
"Majesties, will you excuse us please?"asked Killian.
Snow and Charming looked up at him. Charming looked to Emma and saw the tears streaking down her face and realized that he needed to care for his daughter. He nodded.
Killian took Emma by the hand, pulled her to her feet and lead her down the beach. He wanted to give them some distance from the group and let Emma digest everything. When they were out of view he pulled her close and she sobbed into his chest. She'd been strong for too long. He needed to help his love let out her pain. He smoothed his hand up and down her back while whispering to her until she calmed down.
"Killian." she said in a broken voice.
He cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes. He was happy they were no longer glowing but they were full of tears. He wiped them away with his thumb.
"You did it Love." he said.
He kissed her lightly.
"I did." She nodded.
She hugged him tight.
"We're going to be ok. She tried to take your heart." She said.
"Aye, but thanks to you I'm fine." he said kissing her head.
"We need to get everyone home." she said.
"Aye, we do." He said.
"My parents are going to ride on the Jolly Roger." She said.
"Aye, they are." He said.
She laughed.
"My parents are safe." She said.
"Aye, we all are." He said.
"Are you ok? She didn't hurt you did she?"she asked.
She pulled back to look in his eyes.
"No, you saved me." he said.
"I love you." She said.
"I love you too." He said.
He pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. He held her close and she pressed her body into him. He let his hand run over her curves. She held him so tight he almost couldn't breathe.
"Do we have to go back? I'd like to stay here with you." she said smiling.
"Aye, we do but we can come back whenever you like." He said.
They walked slowly back up the beach towards the base camp. They could see the bonfire in a distance. Killian held his arm around her as they walked. Things could have gone in a completely different direction today. She squeezed into his side forcing him to push out a breath.
"Easy Love." he said.
"I'm sorry, I'm just so thankful that you are ok. That we all are." She said.
"Love, no one is more thankful than me. You were amazing, a wee bit scary but amazing." He said.
"Scary?" she asked.
"A wee bit. You were glowing red and your eyes were lit up." He said laughing.
"I was!"she asked.
"Aye. I suppose that is what happened when you accepted your magic." he said.
"I felt like I was on fire but it wasn't burning. When the blast came out of me I was lost to my magic. It was the strangest feeling I'd ever had. It was you that brought me back. Your kiss made me realize I wasn't in a dream." She said.
"I was never happier to see your smile." He said.
She stopped short when she caught sight of her parents.
"I don't know what to say to them." Said Emma.
"It's ok Love. I'm sure they have much to say to you." he said.
"Alright. Thank you for being so good to me." she said.
"Love, that is as easy as breathing to me." he said.
He kissed her on the cheek and urged her forward towards her parents. Her mother was rubbing her hands together in front of herself nervously. She looked so sad. Her cheeks were tear streaked and she had rough burns around her mouth where she'd been gagged.
"Emma, I.." said her mother.
Emma hugged her before she could say anything. She felt the tears sliding down her cheeks. She just wanted to hug her mother. She knew that nothing that happened was their fault. She could never blame them for any of it. She wanted to put all of that in the past. She just wanted to be held by her mother again, to be home in her arms.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know." Whispered Snow in a choked sob.
Snow hugged her so tight. She could feel her mother's tears flowing against her shoulder. She closed her eyes and just let herself remember what it was like to be a little girl again. She thought back to when her mother would read her a bed time story. She would put her into bed, tuck her in tight and kiss her nose before she left her. She always felt safe after she had that little kiss.
She just let her mother hold her like that for awhile. She just wanted to feel safe and warm. It had been too long since she'd seen her and too much had happened. When she finally broke she saw her father talking with Killian. Regina was sleeping in the chair and Smee was guarding her.
"Mom, I need to get you home. The kingdom isn't safe without you there." Said Emma.
"I know. I'm sure your father has spoken with Killian about it." Said Snow looking down.
"What is it Mom?" she asked.
"It's just, I haven't even properly met him and I feel so ashamed. He's your true love. You may never have met." said Snow.
"Mom, don't be sad. Killian and I have talked about this. If we'd have met sooner I wouldn't have Henry so fate decided when we would meet. It was out of your hands. Let me introduce you to him." Said Emma.
When he caught her gaze she waved for him to come over. He came quickly with her father in tow.
"Killian, I'd like you to meet my mother." Said Emma.
"Your highness." Said Killian bowing.
"Please Killian, no need for formalities." She said.
She pulled him into a tight hug.
"I owe you everything. You saved my little girl." Said Snow.
"I think you have it the other way around highness. She saved me." he said.
He looked to Emma to see her smiling.
"Your father and I have come up with a plan to get everyone home." Said Killian.
"I wish I could use magic to take them home like Regina did to get here. How did she find us anyway?" asked Emma.
"She used this." Said Killian.
He held out the compass with the blood smeared across the front. Snow snatched it from him immediately and rushed towards the water. She quickly soaked the edge of her dress sleeve in the water and wiped furiously against the face of the compass.
"Mom, what are you doing?" asked Emma.
"That compass was tuned to find you by blood. She used your father's and my blood to find you without fail. As long as our blood was on it anyone can find you at anytime. I needed to make sure no one could use it against you again." Said Snow.
She turned the clean compass over to Emma.
"Let me guess, she enlisted Rumplestiltskin for this." Said Emma.
She started to feel her magic prickling against her skin again. She took a deep breath and pushed it down. She couldn't let the anger get to her.
"I don't know." Said Snow.
Emma marched over to Regina with the compass. All eyes were on her and she didn't care. Regina was snoozing in the chair. Her new elderly form not allowing her to remain awake for long periods of time. Emma tapped lightly against Regina's shoulder. Her eyes popped open and she scanned her up and down.
"Can I help you?"she asked.
"Did you get this from Rumplestiltskin?"asked Emma.
Regina looked down and nodded.
"He wants me dead." She said.
"Yes, he does." Said Regina.
Snow gasped at her admission.
Emma was seething. They may have calmed the immediate threat of Regina but she needed to get her son away from the Dark One and Neal.