AN: Hello there!

Welcome to the Underworld!

(Insert evil laugh here)

Thank you to everyone that has continued to support this story (Again!). This story would be nothing but a story and these characters that I had written and imagined to get through multiple COVID Lock-down's. You're support has been anything less than amazing and I hope you enjoy what's left of this season.

This half of the Season 5 we'll see a few new faces and a few we'e already met before.

Anyway onto the chapter!

For reference. I've based Amelia's look from Scarlett Johansson's portrayal of Natasha Romanoff from Captain America: Civil War (2016).

Re-introducing:

Sean Bean(Medici) as Mentor Claudius

Tom Hiddleston (The Hollow Crown) as Richard III

Ricky Whittle (The 100) as Tybalt

Mark Consuelos (Riverdale) as Iago

Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp) as Ophelia

Enjoy :D

Blinking her eye's open, Emma found herself not in the wooden boat surrounded by her family as they were being taken to the Underworld, but instead she was sat in her yellow bug, parked outside an amusement park. Confusion etched onto her face as she sat herself up to get a closer look at her surroundings only for a familiar voice to take her by surprise.

"Hey Emma", whirling around in her seat she was met by the sight of the first man she ever let her walls down with in the backseat of her car with a smirk on his lips having seen that he had taken by surprise.

"Neal?" Emma gasped in shock of seeing her first love in the back of her car.

"Yeah" he answers her "It's really great to see you".

"Where are we? Am I dreaming?".

"No" he tells her "If this were a dream, there'd be, like, talking doughnuts or something weird like that" he tells her as he pushed the empty seat in front of him before getting back into the passenger seat turning to face her with fondness in his eye's "Think of this as a long-distance call from an old friend".

"It's really you" she realizes out-load.

"How's our son?" he asks her.

"Great. He misses his dad." she answered him with a somber face "He's growing up" she adds with a smile that's mirrored by Neal.

"I bet" Neal chuckles along with Emma.

Emma's laughter died down as she wanted to ask him a question "Is this the Underworld? I was on my way to the Underworld".

"Yeah, I know that's where you're headed. That's kind of why I'm here. Don't go, Emma." he warns her as his face becomes serious "Once you get there, it is not an easy place to get out of. I know you're trying to save Hook and Amelia. But trust me on this. This won't end the way you think it will".

"I would have come after you, too. I didn't know I could do this".

"You couldn't have. I'm not there. I'm not in limbo. Not like that other place" he added thinking of the place he had woken up in after dying in Emma's arms in Storybrooke. Waking up in a land , were the white floor matched the sky. He thought he was alone until Romeo of all people showed up in front of him telling him everything was going to be okay.

"Does that mean, that they're there? I can get them?" she say's with the spark of hope in her heart growing by the second at the thought they had found.

"Yeah, they're both there" he tells her.

"Then help me" she pleaded softly to him "I can split my heart and give it to him and Regina can do the same thing for Lia. It could work".

"The Underworld's for people with unfinished business, that isn't me. That's why I'm not there".

"Where are you?".

"Someplace" he answered her "Someplace where I'm happy. I only came here because I care about you, Emma. Stop what you're doing before it's too late".

"I can't".

A fond smile grew on his face knowing she wouldn't listen to his warnings "I figured. But I had to try"Leaning forward taking her head into his hand he places a sweet kiss on Emma's forehead before pulling back only to be caught by her hand on his cheek.

"Neal" Emma breathes sharply.

"I love you, Emma. I always have, and I always will" he tells her before opening the door to let himself out of the bug ready to leave her only to change his mind. He needed to get a message to his cousin. Leaning into the open door he catches Emma's wondering gaze to

Neal stops turning around and leans into the open car door to look at Emma "When you find my cousin, can you tell her something".

"Anything" she breathes out.

"Tell her it wasn't her fault, I knew what I was doing" he tells her "She'll understand what I mean. Tell her, her Dad's with me. He's okay" he didn't wait for a reply as he turned and left leaving the blonde to call out to him as she was taken out of he dream like the way she was taken out of the land where she said goodbye to someone she saw as her friend.

Gasping awake from her dream with Neal, the blonde savior found herself back under the dark sky and in the ferry man's with her parents above her with worry and concern in their face's.

"Emma, are you okay?" Mary Margaret asked her daughter in concern as they helped her sit back up on the boat.

"Yeah, you passed out" David added as the pair fawned over the woman after she lost conscious.

"Yeah. I'm fine" she told them as she sat up on the boat

"Good" Golds voice interrupted the Charming family from the front of the boat "Because we're here".

Apprehension returned to Regina's stomach at Gold announcement as they saw a boardwalk through the thick fog. All she could do is grip her hold on the gauntlets that belonged to her love making sure she didn't lose them before finding her again. Sat between her son's felt like the safest place in the world as they headed right into No Man's Land.

"Mom" Tom's voice brought her out of her deep thoughts of what could be in store for them all in the Underworld as she hugged the leather gauntlets to her body once again "Mom" he called out loader making her jump in her seat.

"Sorry" she breathed to the older teen.

"It's okay" he tells her "Here" he held out his hand towards her looking at his mother's gauntlets, slowly she gives them to him only to look in surprise as he take one of her arms and slips it onto her forearm over the sleeves of her coat, pulling on the strings and buckles that tightened it around her arm.

She didn't say anything as he did the same to the other arm until they were comfortably sat on her forearms, they felt heavy on her arms but fit neither less. She had no idea how the her true love could walk around with these all the time, but then she remembered that she had more or less grown up in them. They felt nothing to her, which what she was meant to feel as she wielded them against anyone who would threaten her or her family.

"We won't lose them that way, until we find her" he adds with determination lacing his voice. He was possibly one of the most determined if not the most out of all of them when the plan was made to come here.

No one even thought to try and deter him from coming, not even his own father could've stopped him. His mothers influence shone right through at moments like these. Even when he stepped up to face Juno all by himself.

A watery smile grew on the Queen's face as she went to take the teen's face only to accidentally trigger the hidden blade mechanism making the teen jump back to move his face out of the way of the sharp blade.

Jumping forward from where she was sat behind the former Queen the blonde assassin quickly grabbed the brunette's woman's arm just in time, she pulled the offending arm down to trigger the gauntlet back into its place as Regina heard and felt a distinct 'click' coming from the weapon under the Duchess's skillful hand as she turned the safety on.

"Remember the safely next time boy" Anastasia hissed at the teen as she settled back down behind the Queen "I will not being blamed if you lose an eye before we even arrive" she grumbled to herself as they came closer to the board walk that would lead them to the Underworld.

To Hook.

To Amelia.

The Underworld

Disembarking from the ferry, the family walked up the boardwalk through the thick fog until they suddenly found themselves walking up Storybrooke Main Street. But it wasn't the same one they left behind. For one the clock-tower no longer stood high above them but it was now broken off it's town and now a pile of rubble in the middle of the edge of the sidewalk and the sky was a fiery orange that hung over the town as lost souls walked the streets.

"I don't think we're in Maine anymore" Regina observed out-load to the group as they ventured forward.

"How is this possible?" Emma ask's Gold as she sees the shell of her burnt yellow bug "How does the Underworld look like Storybrooke?" she adds.

"Your questions are pointless" he tells her "All that matters is, all these people in this Underworld are dead and trapped because they have unfinished business".

Hearing a car engine in the distance the group come a abrupt halt as they look down the street to see a familiar black and white Panther drive past with they assume its owner inside driving "Cruella" Emma shudders out seeing the woman she had killed to save Henry.

"That's right. And she's here because of you" he reminds the blonde "And I imagine there are many here because of all of us. Let's not lollygag" Gold encourages the group to keep moving like a our guide.

"Split up" Emma tells her family "We'll cover more ground".

"Agreed" Regina said as she Robin and Anastasia split off into their own search group as Tom decides to stick with his brother and best friend "The sooner we get out of here, the better" she trails off as she spots a man she recognized from the previous life spray painting 'Closed' onto a shop window before continuing on with Robin and Anastasia either side of her as her former weapon's master watches on to see his former employer walk down the street with one of his former students.

Many Year's Ago

It was the Queen's Birthday and the Black Widow had been dragged out with her and her knights as she visited the local village's to receive gifts from that had come from out of fear instead of love from her people.

Her Dark Knights moved to the side as she walked through them closely followed by her Black Widow as she greeted the peasants with a sickly smile "Greetings, my subjects".

They kept their heads down as she stalked towards them with differing gifts in their hands from fresh baked goods to piece of cloths to appease the woman.

"Your Majesty" a brave woman greets the Queen breathing deeply as she see's the Queen "Happy birthday, my Queen" she say's bowing to her holding out a freshly baked pie in her hands.

Zeroing in on the woman, the Evil Queen stalks towards her, dipping her finger in-between the pastry, scooping it's filling into her mouth to taste it "Blueberry. Not bad. But I prefer apple" she tells the woman as she pushes the woman back into line as the Widow rolls her eye's at the Queen's antics.

She should be used to this now. But somehow as every birthday that rolled by she still managed to surprise the assassin by her theatrics. Every time she would be dragged around to receive the woman's 'gifts', which is why sometimes she would somehow avoid being at the palace around the woman's birthday by pretending to be on a hunt for one of her former brothers or matter in Monteriggioni that had to be dealt with in a timely manner.

But the more time she spent with the Queen, the harder it seemed to when she had to leave.

"Luckily for you, I'm not here for the pie" she tells than as she stalks the line to address the other villagers "The present I want, none of you have. But you will get it for me." she exasperates with her arms " Something even my own Black Widow has failed to get for me" she adds sneering at the redheaded woman under the hood that had promised her the Princess's heart in her first year of working for her.

"Snow White's heart on a plate" she states walking back to the woman with the Blueberry pie "I know she's been here. And if someone doesn't start talking..." She goes to rip out the same woman's heart, but is stopped by a voice.

"Wait. I think I can help you" a male peasant tells them making the Queen to turn to the man and walk toward him "I can tell you where Snow White is".

"Then tell me" she presses the man.

"I want something in return" he returns earning a hearty laugh to come from the Black Widow.

"I say you give a deal he can't refuse, Your Majesty" her Widow tells her joining in on the woman's fun.

"Good idea my dear Widow" she replies to Amelia before turning back to the man "How's this for a deal? Tell me, and I'll kill you quickly instead of slowly" she said before using her magic to choke him "Tell me where that wretched girl is" out the corner of her eye she see's her Black Widow unsheathe her sword to something behind her.

"Behind you!" The woman in question announces her presence with her Shepard Prince and dwarfs making the Dark Knights pull out their swords as she aimed arrow straight at the Queen "I'm right here, Regina, and I won't let you hurt anyone else" Regina turns letting the man who tried to bargain with her fall onto the floor dead.

The Queen replies by producing a fireball into her hand as Amelia takes a step beside her as she pulls out her sword to

"I wouldn't do that if I were you" the Grumpy dwarf tells them making the Black Widow scoff at the hero's in front of them from underneath her dark hood.

"We've got you surrounded" Prince Charming added from beside his true love.

"So, what do you say?" the Princess continued "Shall we end this ridiculous conflict?".

The Evil Queen paused thinking out their predicament, they were outnumbered even with Amelia by her side, she couldn't risk a dwarf putting a pickaxe through her chest just as their plans for their vengeance were coming together.

Blowing out the fireball in her had like a candle, the redhead sheathes her sword seeing that it was no use trying to fight them..for now "You're lucky it's my birthday and I'm feeling benevolent" she tells the Princess summoning a cloud of purple smoke that engulfs her and the Widow back to the palace.

Returning to the palace Amelia and Henry were left storming after the Evil Queen hot on her heels and long dark dress as she stomped her way into her room after their humiliating surrender to Snow and her Prince Charming.

Amelia with her hood down and Henry followed the angry Queen hot on her heels as she stormed into her chambers as she finally came to a stop only to start pacing the room angrily as Amelia made her way to the ornate sofa taking a seat.

"Is this really the way you want to spend today?" her father questions her "Perhaps it's time for a change. Perhaps it's time to give up... on revenge and move on".

"I will never give up" Regina vows as she storms over to her vanity "Not until Snow White's heart is in one of these boxes".

"I know you loved Daniel, but if anyone is to blame, it's your mother" he tries to talk his daughter down "She ripped out his heart so you would become the merciless queen that she always wanted. Don't let her win. Don't let her control you".

"Mother does not control me. I banished her to Wonderland, remember?" she reminded him.

"Until you give up this quest for vengeance, Cora will always have a hold on you".

The Underworld

Iago couldn't help the smirk on his lips as he made his way through Town Hall towards the Mayor's office to the Mayoress herself with the information he had about her daughter. With his hands stuffed into the long dark coat the former Weapons Master of the Brotherhood of Assassin's easily found the Mayor's office to the Mayoress herself.

Stepping into the office the man stopped short of the desk where the woman herself was sat with the back of her chair facing him as he took his hands of the pockets of his coat the address the woman in front of him.

"Your Majesty" he greeted the Queen of Hearts "Your daughter is here" he informs her.

At his news the Queen of Heart turned in her chair to face the snake of an assassin that was looking for any means of gaining power even in the afterlife. He held no honor or integrity, unlike his former brother she had met when she was younger. But he was useful as she found her own assassin in the Underworld, ready to serve her once again.

"Thank you for bringing me this information Iago. I will never understand why my daughter ever let you get killed by her little Assassin".

"Thank you Ma'm" he drawled out, bowing his head to the Queen of Heats sat behind the desk.

"Now tell me. How's my daughter?".

"Looking for her".

With Regina splitting off from the main group with Robin and Anastasia. The other's visited their old haunts looking for the two people they came down here for. Entering Granny's Diner the former Princess was take aback by how different it's Storybrooke counterpart compared. Making her way to the counter she was greeted by Glinda, the Blind Witch behind it who sniffs the air in front of her.

"Is that... I know you. Aren't you Snow White?" she gasps out in surprise "Can you imagine? Uh, well, what can I get you? Do you like gingerbread or children?" the sentence takes the piie haired woman aback on horror to what she just heard "Kidding. But the... the gingerbread's actually not bad" the Blind Witch quickly adds.

"I'm looking for some friends" Mary Margaret tells the witch behind the counter "They would've have gotten here recently. Uh, dark hair, a hook for a hand? Red hair, tattoo on her right arm".

"Captain Hook and the Black Widow?" she gasps in surprise.

"You know them?".

"No, no. But your description's pretty complete. That and the Black Widow was the one to kill me back home" she grumbled out.

Seeing a dead end the door to the diner opens making her look to see David enter only in a different outfit to what he was wearing when they got to the Underworld.

"David" she sighs out noticing the outfit change straight away "You changed" she observes out load "What happened? Is everything okay?" she asks him in concern.

"Everything's fine" he tells her as he approaches his wife at the counter.

"Good, because I'm not. This place is creeping me out" she tell him only to interrupts her rambling as he pulls her towards him by the lapels of her baby blue coat to kiss her full on the lips. Melting into the embrace the former Princess hums into the kiss as she hold him by his waist. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself at how easily he could fool his brother's wife as he pulls away from her.

"I see why my brother likes you" he mused to himself as his words hit her like a tonne of bricks as she quickly pulls further away from him to get a better look at her husbands twin.

"James" she states to the man in front of her.

"Indeed" he confirms relaxing onto the counter next to him "So, Snow White's in town. I'm guessing that means my brother is, too" he says smiling to himself as he reaches over to pick up his coffee that ready to go.

"All right. When you see ol' Dave, tell him there's a new sheriff in town" he tells her "Tell Amelia I'm looking forward to seeing her again" he adds with a wink and a smirk that send shill down her spine before he walks away heading out the back. Just as her real husband walks into the diner catching sight of James disappearing around the back.

"Was that... my brother?" David asks his true love.

"Yeah" she confirms trying to shake the feeling she got when he mentioned Amelia by name and his lips on hers. She had no idea how she was going to tell David about the kiss or have any idea of how Amelia knew of David's twin brother.

The door opens again, this time Emma an Mr. Gold enter, making their way towards them both.

"Mom. Dad. You find anything?" Emma asks her parents hoping either of them had found an clue of where Hook or Amelia could be.

"Uh... there's no sign of him or Lia at the park or the town hall" Mary Margaret tells her daughter.

"This is hopeless. We don't even know if they're here. What if they had no unfinished business?" she voiced to her parents only for Gold to answer her questions, making her spin around to face him.

"Hook died a Dark One, Miss Swan" Gold reminds the blonde savior "And my niece died with possibly more regrets than even all of us combined. Trust me, they're here" he tells them getting tired of their slow progress "Look, I'm finished being a team player. If you want things done, let me do them my way. I may have something down here that can help us".

Letting the man go the Charming family Tom and Henry make enter through the back of the restaurant having searched the Inn per Henry's request to find the family waiting for them.

"Henry. Tom" Emma stated seeing the pair enter the diner.

The teen tried to think of anywhere his mother could be in the Underworld. They had tried their old apartment. The mansion. They had even gone to the docks only to find the Jolly Roger afloat in the harbor next to another ship he didn't recognize, but by the bird that had been carved into the bowsprit he had a rough clue of what it was and who it used to belong to.

The last place was the Hidden One's, but as they approached the bar, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up on end warning hi, of the danger that lied inside the building he was used to walking in and out of to find his mother in her mother upstairs. Changing their minds at his warnings he, David and Henry had turned around to rendezvous at the diner. He had no idea who or what was inside all he knew was that he had to get as far away as he could.

Taking a place at the counter he rested his head against the surface as he let the fatigue of the search wash over him as he tried to muster up more the energy he would need to carry on. Feeling Mary Margaret's comforting hand on his back with David's closely following he didn't allow himself to look at the pair that had been keeping a close eye on him this whole time not wanting to see the look of sympathy of their faces.

"No luck yet, Mom?" Henry asked his birth mother.

"Not yet" she tells him seeing the object in his hand "What's that?".

"I was just checking the rooms" he answered her handing her the key to the room his Dad had been staying during his brief stay in Storybrooke after bringing back from New York.

"Room eight. That was your dad's" she stated out load the significance of the room "You're looking for him?".

"I wanted to let him know I was okay".

"He knows, kid. He knows" she tells him recalling her 'dream' as they were travelling on the ferryboat.

"How can you be sure?".

"I just am" she answers him as her voice breaks "He's in a better place, I promise".

After his brief conversation with his estranged wife in Wonderland through the magic mirror, Henry Sr. found the only person in the Palace that could get a message to Snow White without his daughter finding out.

He easily found her at the apple tree that continued to thrive in the Palace courtyard, out of the dark robes of the Black Widow. She looked content in her surroundings as she made a fuss of her beloved eagle that had perched herself on her forearm. Senu. And by the way the bird would act around the Assassin, she loved her owner just as much.

As he came up behind her, Senu had seen him first as the bird or prey grew excited whenever he was near flapping her wings up and down as she called out to the old man that would sneak her the scraps of whatever feast that had gone to waste in the evenings coming to a stop just as a pair of Dark knights came marching past.

"She is a magnificent creature" he admired Senu reaching out to stroke her delicate feathers as the heard knights armored footsteps hitting the stone pavement as they came and went without a second glance.

The redhead hummed in agreement as she watch the bird attempt to jump onto the man's arm only to stop her. The last time she had made herself conformable on his arm, her talons ripped through his sleeve leaving a nasty cut on the old mans' arm.

He had simply laughed it off as the assassin stood in horror having harmed the Queen's father. But he insisted that the bird did no harm. And promised to keep it a secret knowing what her daughter would do if she got wind of the redhead's 'pet' hurting the man.

Since that day the pair often met under the tree to either speak or simply sit as the man tried to give the woman as much fatherly comfort as he could as she tried to forget the night terror that had woken her up that night.

Once they were alone, he broached the subject on his mind "I understand you know how to get into contact with Snow White" he started gaining her attention.

"I have no idea what you're talking about" she replied coolly stroking Senu's soft feathers as the eagle chirped happily to the attention she was receiving from the pair.

"Do not play me the fool Amelia. I know you've been sending warnings to her ever since you came to the palace".

Encouraging the bird back on a low branch of the apple tree she turns to face the older man "If you weren't the Queen's own father. I'd gut you right here for the insinuation" she tells him through gritted teeth and a hard glare that would rival even his daughters.

"Then how did she know where she would be today?" he retorted "You're the only person except from myself of her movements. I know you still care for the Princess, Amelia. The Assassin within you will always protect the innocent, despite what you plan on vengeance is doing to your heart".

He was right. He was always right. The assassin gulped knowing this was a losing battle "I only told her to stay away. I didn't count on her to bring that stupid Prince of hers and those dwarfs" she vented to the man. She sent the message early that morning knowing what they would be doing that day "What's the message?".

"I need to meet her. Tonight. The only way I can get Regina to stop this absurd vengeance is to talk the Princess into giving up her venture of taking the kingdom back".

"You-" Amelia cut herself off as more guard walked past. Gently threading her arm into his, she encouraged him into walking through the gardens where they would have more privacy. The sight wouldn't alert the guards to anything as the pair would walk the garden's occasionally arm in arm. Coming to a stop in a more secluded part to the garden, Amelia un-linked their arms and turning to face the man.

"You don't think I have tried that before" she started in a hushed voice "Snow is just as stubborn as the Queen, if not worse. Especially since that patetico Prince came into her life. And Regina.." she trailed off "The woman I met those yeas ago is still there. If Cora is as bad as you say. Rumpelstiltskin had only inflamed it, for whatever reason he has to do so".

"I know" he sighs seeing the frustration in young woman's features "But she cares for you child. As I know you do for her".

The words make the redhead pause to look at the man in front of her "Now I really don't know what you're talking about" she tells him putting her hands on her hips.

"Give her the gift I saw you wrapping the other day and the story behind it. Then you'll see how she cares for you" Henry tells her "Will you send the message for me?".

After a beat the redhead answers him "Consider it done. Senu will find her quickly" she informs the man.

"Thank you" he tells the woman in front of him "I really do hold out hope for you as well Amelia. I would be proud to call you my daughter" leaning forward the man leaves a fatherly kiss on her forehead before walking away to leave the assassin to think over his words.

If those girls ever do admit their true feeling for one another, they'll find that all their pain will ease in their hearts for the rest of their lives and their vengeance will soon be forgotten as soon as they find happiness together.

Continuing their search for Amelia and Hook. Regina walked down the street with her love's friend and sister as they search for any clue to the location of the pirate or the master assassin, unbeknownst that their conversation was being listened to by someone who would rather see the redheaded remain in the custody to those she had once seen as family only to hunt them down one by one starting with himself.

"It's uncanny" Robin said to the former Queen "It's so similar, yet so... off".

"Well, when I conjured Storybrooke, it was with the Dark Curse" Regina explained to the thief "Whoever created that curse, looks like this is where they got their inspiration".

"Or vice versa" Anastasia suggested to the Queen as Regina came to a sudden stop as she saw a someone she hadn't seen in years standing in the widow of the shops that lined Main Street.

The blonde assassin must've seen the same thing as she whirled around with her gold hidden blades sliding out of the top on her gauntlets with clenched fists widening her stance ready to face the man who had once taugth everything they knew about the wide range of weaponry they used everyday and used everyday until the day they had left.

Seeing both women stop as he did the same and turned around "What is it? What's wrong?" behind the dark brunette a man stepped out from where he was hiding to face the former Evil Queen.

Robin recognized him from the portraits that hung on the walls in Monteriggioni. He was an Assassin. One Amelia had killed. He almost didn't without the red paint smeared across his face.

"Hello, Your Majesty" Iago greeted the Queen once she had turned around, noting Amelia's gauntlets around the Queen's forearms.

"You" Regina growled at her old weapon's master with bared teeth.

"Iago" Anastasia greeted her old teacher.

"Anastasia Romanova" Iago greeted the younger woman with a grin "It's been longer, tell me how your husband is these days?" she jerked forward to stab the grin off his face only for Robin to pull her back.

"You've been following us" Regina brought his attention back to her "Why?".

"Someone wants to see you, and I was more than happy to comply with her requests".

"Where's Amelia?" Anastasia was the one to ask the question.

"Paying for what she did to us all. Now you can either come with me quietly or I'll make sure your precious Amelia suffers more for her misdeeds like the traitor she is".

As the day wore on and the festivities that had been planned to celebrate the Queen's birthday drew nearer, with the box holding the Queen's gift in sat comfortably in her hands as she made her way towards the woman's chambers knowing that's where she would be preparing for the evening ahead. But even with the return of Senu from finding Snow and delivering Henry's message, the pit she felt in her stomach seemed to deepen knowing she wouldn't be able to join the woman.

A lead had come out of nowhere on the location of Ophelia, she would have to leave as soon as she left the Queen to follow it. Her old teacher hadn't been seen or heard from in the Forest since she had run away. The lead would hopefully narrow down her search for the Mistress of Stealth sooner rather than later.

Her heart seemed to beat harder in her chest as she got closer to the room before coming to a complete stop when she stood in the open doorway as she saw Regina in the reflection sat in front of her vanity mirror putting the final touches to her dress for the evening. She looked radiant in the red and black dress she wore. Hell she would look beautiful in rag's.

Seeing her assassin in the reflection, the Queen was taken by surprise having not heard her enter whirling around to see the redhead that had been by her side for everything.

"Melia" she gasped in surprise seeing the assassin behind her as a rare soft smile graced her lips.

"My Apologies, Your Majesty" she always tried her best to be heard first around the Queen knowing she had the habit of silently entering a room without being noticed.

"No need Melia, we're alone" she told the redhead as she stood up from the vanity to approach the assassin as the redhead stepped into the room to meet the woman close enough for the Queen to reach out and take one of the silver buttons between her finger and thumb t that adorned the set of white robes that the assassin held aside for occasions at the Palace. Her usual darker set was put aside for the night. There was no room for the Black Widow tonight.

"I did leave out a dress for you" the Queen mused to the woman in front of her as her hands moved to the lapels of the tailored robe "Would it kill you to wear it?" the Queen teased her.

"You can bury me in one if you want. Then I won't have a choice but to wear one" she adds with a smirk.

"I'll keep that in mind" Regina's lips quirked up in a half smile "Now what brings you here, you're not here to tell me to give up my vengeance like my father".

"I'm not. I'm here to give you this" Amelia answered holding up up the box to the Queen as her face seemed to light up "Happy Birthday" she wished the Queen "I thought it might cheer you up before you have to face those awfully dull courtiers of yours".

"Thank you" she tells the woman gently taking to the gift from the assassin's safe hands as her gaze met the assassin. Yet again as their eye's met she found herself struggling look anywhere but those emerald eyes feeling that pull that called out to her to forget about the evening festivities and forget the rest of the night with the woman in front of her and never let her go.

"Your welcome" Amelia replied to the Queen as she swore her heart skip a beat or two before the Queen's gaze left hers as she turned to see what the redhead had gifted her.

The assassin had to remind herself to breathe, taking in a gulp of air as she felt her heart restart itself by sure will to live to continue gazing at the woman who not only taken her mind but bit by bit she was taking her heart.

Following the woman, the assassin joined the Queen on the ornate sofa that sat in front of a cold fireplace as she carefully pulled at the neatly tied bow held the box together. She watched closely as she opened the box to reveal the gift sitting inside.

Picking the blade by it's leather sheath, the Queen seemed entranced by the weapon in her hand as her fingers gently stroked the silver handle that he deadly blade. For something that could end someone's life it's elegant craftsmanship was seen in pommel that shaped like an eagle's break at the tip as the rain-guard resembled the birds outstretched wings. Such love and care had gone into its design, it would be shame to get even a spec of blood on it's steel blade, even if it was the weapon that ended Snow White's life once and for all.

"Oh Melia" she breathed out in awe "It's beautiful".

"It was my mother's" Amelia's voice brought the Queen out of her trance to look a her "I'm told that my father gave it to her shorty after I was born".

"An odd gift to give your wife after the birth of a daughter" she commented pulling it out halfway out of its sheath to admire the sharp silver blade.

"It is when you think of it" she agreed with the woman next her "But I think it was the only way he thought he could protect her and I when he wasn't around".

A sympathetic smile grew on the Queen, one that didn't grace her face too many times "Then why are you giving it to me? If it means so much to you".

"Because it's my job" the redhead simply tells her making the Queen smile to herself once again remembered her promise in the carriage.

Amelia watched her face closely as she broke the news she had been trying to keep all day "I also came here to tell you I'm leaving to follow a lead" the smile on her face fell off her face at the assassin's piece of news of her lack of presence.

Regina's face seemed to fall at the news of her lack of presence "A lead came up on Ophelia's location, I need to see it through".

"How long?" she gulped bracing herself for the answer of her next question. The time without her seemed to drag with the redheads presence with her, but they mad a deal she had to see through no matter how hard it was to see the woman leave. She had her own vengeance to find.

"A week. Maybe a fortnight".

"When do you leave?".

"This evening" she tells her.

"Oh" was all the Queen could say in disappointment as she replaced the weapon back in the box it came from.

"I need to go before the lead goes cold. If there was any other way-".

"It's fine" Regina forces herself to say "Only if you don't get yourself killed".

"And if I do?".

"Then I'll find a way to bring you back and kill you myself" at that the Queen pulled the redhead into a searing kiss sealing the promise she had made to the assassin.

Feeling the dagger her love had given to her for her birthday in the pocket of her coat it's comforting weight eased her nerves as she was escorted by Iago and a man that went by the name of Blacktooth to the Underworlds version of the Mayor's office. The same man that was brazen enough to assist her on her search for her stepdaughter for something in return before Snow White herself made her appearance.

She was glad something had told her to take it with her before travelling to the Underworld. But the weight of it didn't stop her from her finger's stroking the intricate metal work on the brown leather gauntlets that rested on her forearms. She needed Amelia's strength more than ever she stepped into her office to see her mother for the first time since she died with her heart back in her chest.

She seemed to be in deep conversation with woman with long brunette in a bikers jacket and low waist skin tight jeans with her midriff exposed by the high shirt she wore with low hung necklace.

"Mother" Regina's voice made the older woman look to see her youngest daughter in the doorway with Iago and the man that Blacktooth behind her "You're here".

"Leave us. Make sure you find her" Cora told the woman firmly. With a firm nod the woman walked past Regina without giving her a second thought as Cora turned towards her as she saw Iago leave the mother daughter duo following the brunette woman that was speaking to her mother just moments ago.

"Yes. I'm here" Cora confirmed to her.

"I had hoped you were okay".

"I know, darling" at that the two women threw themselves at the other collecting the other a tight embrace that was long overdue as Cora held her daughter in her arms "I know" Cora said into her shoulder before pulling back with a chuckle.

"But I do have unfinished business. And that would be you" taking her daughter's arms into her hands to feel the leather gauntlets she had seen on her when her eye's first landed on her. She knew who they belonged to and she knew why she was here.

"You don't have to worry about me" Regina tells her mother.

"I'll always worry about you" she said stroking her hair out of her face "I want you to be happy".

"Then help me find Amelia and Hook and get out of here" she tells her mother hearing her own voice break as she said her love's name out load. The grief felt like another stab in her chest.

Hearing her daughter's love name leave her lips make the older woman gulp as she heard the pain lacing her voice. Losing one love sent her down the path of the Evil Queen, she wasn't sure what losing the assassin would do to her this time as she seemed to focusing all her energy to finding her love once again even in the Underworld instead of the path she knew all too well.

"It's too dangerous" she tells her "You need to leave now".

"I promised my friends I would help" her daughter argued.

"Your friends, your family, they're what's holding you back. Sweetheart, you must do what's best for you".

"I am" Regina insisted.

"No, you're not" Cora tells her "And if you won't, I'll see to it that you do. It wasn't easy, but I've arranged for a boat to take you home. It departs in one hour. Take Henry, take your assassin's own son Thomas, and go before it's too late. Amelia would be saying the same if she knew you were down here".

"Mother. You don't know that" Regina shook her head at her "I can't. Not without Melia".

"You must. I know it's hard to... to put aside all suspicion after how I raised you, but, Regina... do you remember the last thing I said to you before I died?".

"That I would have been enough" Regina answered her.

"You would have been. It just took me too long to realize it. Don't make the same mistake. Go".

"What would happen if I stayed?".

"Sometimes a mother has to do what's best for her child, even if it's reprehensible" at the Cora let Regina's arms fall from her hands.

"Are you threatening me?".

"Oh, no. No, of course not. I never. But there's something I have to show you" Stepping away from her daughter the Queen of Heart waved her hand in the air as purple smoke engulfed her, Regina and Blacktooth out of the Mayor's office to reappear in a cave.

The former Evil Queen look around to see where her mother had taken her in confusion as Blacktooth was stood at the edge of a bridge above a fairy inferno beneath him as Cora and her daughter stood well away from the edge.

"Mother... where are we?" Regina asked her mother seeing where the man stood in the middle of the cave seeing her mother raise her hand towards the man "What are you doing?" to answer her question Cora summoned the fiery inferno to raise from below him to surround him before quickly engulfing him making him scream out in fear.

"Showing you your fate if you don't return to Storybrooke" she tells her daughter as she uses her magic to throw Blacktooth off the edge of the bridge as he was swallowed up in the flames below.

"You... you killed him" she stammered out in disbelief.

"Killed" is, um, a relative term down here" Cora tells her daughter turning to face her "This Underworld, most can only leave it in two ways. To a better place or a worse one" she tells her taking her daughter's head in her hands beofre taking her hands into hers "But you, my sweet daughter, have another option. However, not for long. Go home, or there will be a cost. Someone will suffer" hearing this Regina rulls her hands away from her mother.

"Who?".

"Your father".

She always did as she was told by the Queen of Heart's but now as she stood in her office, Cora was asking for the impossible. The older female assassin listened to what the older woman wanted, she needed to show her daughter that she was only thinking about her, and the only way for her to get Regina to leave this place was to show her that her true love was no longer in any danger in the Underworld. And that meant taking her away from the people she had hurt the most.

"It won't be easy, Your Majesty" she warned the Queen of Hearts voicing her concerns "They won't just hand her over".

"Remind them who really has control over them down here. He won't be happy once he finds out what they've been doing to her".

"Yes, Your Majesty" she agreed bowing her head as they heard footstep's entered the room making them both look up to see Regina, Iago and a man that she knew went by Blacktooth. She hadn't seen the Evil Queen in the flesh since she found her and Amelia escaping the maze years ago.

"Mother" Regina's voice made the older woman look to see her youngest daughter in the doorway with Iago and the man Black tooth behind her "You're here".

"Leave us. Make sure you get her out" she told her quietly before the Assassin silently left the room with Iago swiftly following her. The heels of her boot's scuffed the marble floors as Iago managed to catch up to the female Assassin.

"What did want she want Ophelia" the Iago demanded out of his old colleague.

"Nothing for you to be concerned with Iago" she scoffed at him "Just be a good little puppy and stay out of my way" she told him as she left the town hall headed to the bar she knew Amelia would be.

Across town Mr Gold arrives outside the Underworld version of his pawn shop, looking up he sees the sign broken. After a few moments, he enters the shop, to see a sinning wheel spinning rapidly to itself. Venturing further into the shop and sees the chipped cup and it's matching saucer remembering the moment he had with Belle before he had to leave for the Underworld, promising his return to her after they found Amelia and Hook.

Holding the chipped cup in his hand, the symbol of his and Belle's True Love for each other, he sets it back down and noticed the straw dolls childhood stood on a plinth side by side. Seeing the pair didn't make the man cry this time as they did on Neverland.

Focusing on the reason he was there in the first place the Dark One made his was round the far counter to the picture from that hid his safe from view to find the potion that would in finding Hook and his niece.

"Looking for something?" a voice he was dreading to hear said behind him.

Slowing turning around he is greeted by the younger version of his father, Peter Pan, dressed in one of his own suits with neatly slicked back hair.

"Peter Pan. I certainly wasn't looking for you" Gold coldly greeted him.

"Oh, come on, son. Don't be like that" Pan replies as Gold check under the counter for the potion "Aren't you glad to see your dear old father?" he replied with a smirk playing on his lips.

"Just because you, uh, sired me, that doesn't make you my father" Gold retorted as he steps out from behind the counter and stops in front of Peter Pan "Step aside".

Pan does as he say's and moves aside for his son to continue searching the shop "Keep looking for as long as you like" he welcomed his son "But down here, this is my shop. And you won't find anything unless I want you to".

"Be careful with your threats" Gold warned him.

"Or what? You'll get my granddaughter to kill me again?" he replies "Maybe it's time to put the past behind us. This is what you're looking for, right?" he say's making Gold look back to his father to see he was holding the potion in his hands, before placing it down next to the straw dolls "Go on. Take it".

"How generous. How many strings are attached?".

"No strings" Pan tells him "Rumple, I meant what I said before I died. I do want to start over".

"Never gonna happen" Gold tells him point blank "We sent you here for a reason".

"I miss the world above the tastes, the smells"

"Sorry. You can't go back".

"Not unless I trade places with a living soul" Pan say's "And those people you came down with. They are not your friends. And they are living... for now. Maybe one of them doesn't make the trip back, but your dear old dad does".

"Not interested".

"Not yet" Pan replied picking the vial up to hand to his son "But... this one's on the house for today" Pan continues picking up the potion and holds it out for Mr Gold "A gesture of goodwill... from a father to his children".

Taken aback by his choice of words the Dark One blinks at his father "What are you talking about?".

"Your sister" he starts "Is here".

"Where?" he demanded out of his father.

"Hiding" he answers his son's question "The Black Widow's presence has made the Templar's here weary of her allegiance. Don't look for her son, for it may the only thing stopping an all out war breaking out".

"She'll really do that?" Mary Margaret asked the former Queen as they group gathered in the diner to hear of what Cora had threatened her daughter with "She'll throw your father, her husband, into the fire?".

"Of course, she will" Regina tells her "She thinks she's giving me my best chance. I can't let my father suffer because of me".

"Regina, it's all right" Robin tried to reassure his friends love as much as he could.

"No, it's not" she told the thief "He's here because I killed him. The only way I've been able to deal with that is by imaging he went to a better place, but... he didn't" she let out a frustrated sigh "Maybe I should get on that boat" she voices to the group.

"Yes, you should" Emma spoke up.

"Absolutely not" her father put his foot down "We're not leaving until we find Hook and Lia together".

"It's dangerous here" his daughter argued.

"Which is why we're not leaving you alone" her mother told her.

"Perhaps I can cut through this little family squabble" Gold made his presence known to the family as he entered through the back, with the vial he had taken from his father.

"What the hell is that old man?" Anastasia spoke up from next to Robin seeing the vial.

"This is the way to find your deceased pirate and my niece. The Ale of Seonaidh from the land of DunBroch".

"That's a mouthful" Regina commented eyeing the vial in his hand.

"It lets you communicate with the dead. Pour this over Hook's and Amelia's grave, and we can stop guessing where he is and simply ask them".

"You're saying they have a grave here in the Underworld?" the Prince asked him.

"Everyone down here has a grave" Gold told him "You'll find the cemetery right where you remember it".

"Well, if this works, we could find them both before the boat leaves" Mary Margaret deduced "We could all get out of here together".

"A fine idea. I suggest you all get moving" he prompts them.

"No way" Emma says walking towards Mr Gold "You're coming with us".

"You can do this part on your own" he tells the savior handing her the vial "There's a boat that's leaving soon. You want to find Hook or Amelia? Fine. But I have no interest in exploring this world further. You can meet me there. But that's entirely up to you" He starts leaving only for to try and stop him, but is cut off by Mary Margaret.

"Emma" Mary Margaret let the older man go "There's no time to argue. If there's even a chance that will work, we have to risk it".

Arriving at the cemetery the group were greeted with hundred's if not thousands of headstones surrounding them. As her thumb absentmindedly stoked the soft brown worn leather, as her eye's scanned over the headstones that surrounded them hoping Amelia's would be somewhere they would find it

"All right" Emma said to her family and friends "Lets do this".

As she prepared to leave the palace once again the assassin stood in the stables as she saddled Achilles herself with the supplies she would need for the next week on the road following the lead that she hoped that would lead to Ophelia's heart at the end of her hidden blade.

The redhead was taken out of her thoughts when she heard her name being called out.

"Amelia!" she heard her name being called out as she left Achilles in his stall to find Henry rushing towards her in a hurry. In his en-devour to speak to Snow himself he he and the former Princess were tricked when Cora appeared in his form only to rip her heart out of chest ready to present it to their daughter as a birthday present. There was one person he could turn to correct this.

"Henry?" she called to the man as he approached her in deep pants like he had just run all the way here. Catching the man by his hand the assassin rested a supporting hand on his shoulder as he caught his breath "What happened?" she asked him in deep concern.

"Cora" he starts "She has Snow's heart".

KILLIAN JONES

That was all that was written upon the headstone of the one-handed pirate that had sacrificed himself for his love. Nothing more, nothing less.

Stood in-front of his grave with the potion that would allow Emma to speak to the man she loved in her hand, her family and friends stood behind her as they waited her to sprinkle the contents of the vial onto his grave.

Regina and Robin stood with Henry and Tom in between them with her parents not too far away as the blonde assassin had chosen to continue their search for her sister's own headstone.

"You okay?" her mother called out to her.

"I just hope he is" she told her mother as she steps forward and pours the potion that Gold gave her over Hook's grave. After a few moments, a figure flickers in and out of focus that closely resembles Hook battered, bruised, and bloodied as Regina quickly shielded Henry and Tom from the sight in front of them only for Tom to physically turn his brother around in his arms holding his younger brother's head against his shoulder as he forced himself to look at Hook.

He wanted to prepare himself for anything down here.

Realizing that Tom wasn't looking away Robin turned to face the teen "Don't look lad" Robin said to the seen as he pushed his head down into his own shoulder as he and Regina looked back at the image before them.

"Killian. Killian, we're here to help you" she told the image "We just can't find you. Where are you?".

"Emma... the spell's not steady" Regina told her "He can't hear you" she tells her as she tried to push the thoughts away from her mind. She couldn't help but think Amelia was in the same way after Iago informed her she was with the other Assassin's he had sent to the Underworld herself. It was unthinkable of what they could do to her to get revenge. And to think there were possibly hundreds more waiting in line to do the same to her.

"Just tell us where you are" Emma said to him.

"Something's happening" Robin speaks up as the image starts to move.

"It's not holding" Regina warns the woman again.

"Talk to us. Talk to me" Emma tries again only for Hook to suddenly disappear back into the ground, as Emma falls to her knees in an attempt to follow him "Killian!" she yelled after him "He doesn't know we came for him. We... he doesn't know we're here. He doesn't know that I care".

Mary Margaret Walks closer to her daughter "Yes, he does" Mary Margaret steps forward "And, Emma, we will find him".

"Will we? Did you not just see that?" she stands up from the ground "He's in pain. He's suffering. And look at this place. We have half an hour" she take a deep breath and turns to face her parents "You have half an hour. Cora has a boat coming. You have to take it, or we might all be stuck here".

"If she can arrange a way out, so can we... after we find Hook and Lia" David puts his foot down again with his daughter "We are not giving up on you".

"Regina" she calls out to the woman taking an extra step away from the boys "They're staying, but you should go. Y-You can't see Lia like that" tears well up in the former Queen's eye's as the mention of what she had been thinking when she saw Hook "You said it yourself, if the Assassin's really have her-" her emotions got the better of her as she choke out the last word not being able to say what she was thinking.

"No. I-I.." Regina tried to refuse her offer.

"Take Robin, Henry and if you don't, whatever your father is going to face-".

"It probably looks a lot like what... Hook and Melia are facing" Regina finishes for her.

"So, it's settled" Emma stated "Get them out of here. Get yourself out of here".

Ophelia had no idea how this would end. But she had to get the stupid girl no matter what. Opening the door to the Hidden One's light streamed into the dimly lit bar as she let herself into the building gaining the attention of the man sat at the bar, hunched over a glass in his hand.

"Where is she?" she got straight to the point of her visit.

"I have no idea what you are speaking of Ophelia" Richard answered for the group as she took note of who was missing from the scene in front of her. Tybalt. Claudius and Iago. Leaving Richard to drink alone with bruised and scabbed knuckles clutching the amber filled tumbler.

"Don't waste my time" she spat out at his as she thundered towards the Master Assassin, snatching the glass out his hand she threw it across the room the glass shattered from impact as the marksman simple glared at the woman in front of him "Where. Is. Amelia?".

"Why should I, sister?" he hisses out the last word "You betrayed this Brotherhood for years before we found out about that little bitch and her father" he seethes at her "She should suffer like the rest of us when she hunted us down like dogs".

"Because if Hades found out what you were doing to his VIP guest, we'll be the one's suffering. I guess you didn't get those wound from punching a wall either" she pointed to the cuts in his knuckles. They stung like hell, but the pain was worth it. The look on her face when his fist connect to her cheek was worth waiting all this time in this hell hole "Now, where is she? Or do I go straight to Hades myself".

The threat seemed to strike the marksman as he thought of what the Lord of the Underworld could do to him. Underneath all that pomp, was a coward.

"The forest" he quickly tells the woman.

"The forest? Care to be a little more specific, I'm on a deadline".

"All I know is that she's somewhere in the forest. Tybalt thought of the idea. Hunt her down like she did us. After we grew tired of her in here, we discarded her in the middle of nowhere, only to make chase" he couldn't help the smirk that grew on his lips as he said this "I dare to think even the Lord of the Underworld himself would enjoy inflicting that sort of torment on a soul trapped down here. Especially her".

Feeling her temper rise in her chest in a blink of an eye she grabbed the small blade she hid in her jacket and stabbed it into his back making his groan out in pain "Thank you. For your cooperation" she tells him before turning to head for the door.

"Ophelia! Get it out!" she heard him scream, the place where she jammed the blade it would take him a while to get out himself "Ophelia!" he screamed for the woman only to be ignored as she sauntered out of the bar.

She needed to find Amelia.

Run.

That's all that went through her head as she ran as fast as she could through familiar forest with a swollen shut eye and a twisted knee. At least she wasn't stuck in her 'office' being beaten and cut so many times it stopped hurting. It got to the point where she just wanted to turn everything off. Like she used to do as the Widow. Feel nothing as she killed person after person. Flip the switch as she waited for the next one to come in to punish her for what she did to them.

Her saving grace came in the form of her uncle's cabin, managing to break the door open with her shoulder she made herself at somewhat home as she kept the place dark and hid herself in a corner afraid to fall asleep in case, they found her. that was the closest she had ever come since the first curse to turning everything off, for the thumping in her head to fade away. For the cuts to stop stinging. For her knee to stop aching. For the dried blood to stop itching her skin. For everything to just stop.

But them something happened about two hours ago when she was about to flipping that switch. A spark told her not to. Something had changed in the Underworld. For some reason her mind jumped straight to Regina. Her soulmate. Then to Tom and the rest of her family. those thoughts put her mind at ease as she leaned back into the corner and allowed the memories of the most important people in her life to keep her from flipping that switch.

A creak on the wooden floor brought her out of those thoughts as she froze in place as another planked creaked under the weight of a boot clad foot. She had to bite her tongue to stop the any sound from escaping her mouth as the intruder slowly explored the living room trying to find any sign that she might be in here.

But the fresh mud prints she must've left on the old rug would've told her hunters that she had been there recently.

"Amelia" she knew that voice.

That voice had haunted her for years after she killed her in Wonderland. The one that had told her Romeo was still alive. That they hadn't killed him. Pulling her knees towards her chest she silently prayed to any gods that would hear her for what Ophelia would do to her.

"Amelia" her voice was closer as her footsteps become muffled by the crappy carpet that covered the floor as she carefully shifted her weight "I'm not going to hurt you" she called out to the redhead "I'm here to take you to your family".

What did she just she just say?.

"That's right" she answered Amelia's silent question "They're all here. That annoying little Princess, Romeo was obsessed about, and her husband all grown up now with a daughter. Anastasia. There two young boys with them. One of them if your boy, right? The one you had with your Captain".

How did she know all this?.

"Your Queen is here".

The statement made the assassin's eye's widen in surprise and her heart beat harder in her chest at the news but also made her deeply concerned why would they all be down here. This place was dangerous. Far too dangerous for her son's.

Or that's what the assassin makes her want to think. That she had hope. They weren't here. She just needs her to come out of her hiding place. The older assassin forgot who taught her how to hide. Listening carefully to the placement of Ophelia's feet she envisioned that her former teacher was nearing the front door, from the creek of the wooden floor.

As silently as her body would allow her to be she stood up from her corner bracing herself on the walls behind her. She was going to make her pay for making her think her family was here.

She didn't like this plan, but it was the only one they had to correct his mistake and Cora's deception. With a metal gloved gauntlet the Queen had gifted to her a year ago or so. The assassin ripped the heart out of an unsuspecting knight and placed it in a box that the Queen used to store all the hearts she had collected over the years

"Are you sure this will work?" the assassin voiced to the older man as she met him back in the stables.

"I'm sure" he tells her as they switched the boxes in their hands as the redhead took hold of the box that held Snow heart.

"That wasn't what I was asking".

"Amelia-".

"She won't even forgive you for this Henry. I fear what she would do".

"That is why you must make haste and return Snow's heart as quickly as you can before returning like nothing has happened. Just promise me when you do, you'll be there for her. Even in the darkest of days you'll stay by her side and continue to love her. No matter what. There is still good in her".

"I know" she choked out seeing the mans love for his daughter "I promise" at that the older man engulfs the redhead in a warm embrace that was readily returned by the assassin as tears threatened to fall from her eye's not sure what future that the man held once his daughter found out his betrayal.

"Now go child, we don't have much time" at that the redhead pulled out of his warm fatherly embrace, slipping the box with Snow's heart safely into her saddle before easily pulling herself up onto the horses back. Looking down at the man on the ground the assassin pulled a sad smile on her lips before kicking Achilles forward to race towards Snow and her Prince Charming's camp. Leaving the older Mills man too whatever fate befell him to his daughters rage.

HENRY MILLS

BELOVED HUSBAND AND FATHER

With the clock against them Regina only had time to find her father's headstone. As Anastasia and Tom continued their rigorous search for their adopted sister and mother's. After seeing Hook, it seemed to spur the teen on to try and find her before he left with Regina and Henry.

Sprinkling the potion on his grave she couldn't bring herself look at her father as she appeared before her, not like a grainy image like before but a physical person there in front of her. She stayed silent until.

"Regina".

"Daddy. I'm so sorry" she cried out refusing to look at him "I'm so sorry".

Stepping forward Henry places his gentle hands on her shoulders bringing her into her warm embrace, stroking her hair as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"It's okay, dear. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay" he repeated to his daughter at her sobs racked her body.

"Is it? Am I really forgiven?".

"Of course" he tells her "I love you no matter what. That's what fathers do".

Pulling out of the embrace she makes herself look at him for the first time in thirty years "I'm not sure they do. I think you're very special. I don't understand how you can be so good".

"Oh, I'm not perfect" he tells her holding onto her elbow's as he felt the leather and metal gauntlets on her forearms. He knew who they belonged to without having to look at them "I have many regrets. I don't even know which one is keeping me in this place".

"Well, it doesn't matter. Your suffering will not get any worse. I'm going to see to it"

"No, Regina" he refused "That's I came to tell you. Your mother is using me to get you to leave. But I want you to stay. You've got a job to do... helping Snow White, your friends. Saving the woman, you love" he adds as a he gives her a knowing smile that was mirrored "Amelia needs you. They need your strength. You finally put vengeance aside to be a hero. I'm not gonna stand in the way of that".

"But Mother's going to send you someplace worse" she argued with him "I-I-I can't cause you pain again. Mother made her decision. We both know we can't change her mind. But she's given you a way out. Both of us".

"When you tore my heart out, it was driven by the worst motives. But if you stay, you spread hope. That's the best thing anyone can do. Let your old man see you doing the right thing. Then I truly will not have died in vain" before she could say anything else Henry disappears in a cloud of smoke.

She knew her former student was in this pokey cabin, she just needed Amelia to make herself known. She was running out of time and fast. Cora's deadline was quickly approaching, and the others were too close to the secluded cabin for her liking. She couldn't take all three of them at once. She knew that.

"Amelia please don't make me beg" Ophelia plead to the empty space as she took in every nook and cranny of the living room "Cora sent me to get you, she needs you to convince her daughter that she needs to go back home, there's a boat waiting for her and your son. They won't get on it without you" She paused letting out a frustrating breath "Stubborn bastard's".

She didn't feel the edge of the knife until she felt air around her shift, making knees bend as Amelia's arm swung over her head just missing it's intended target, the letter opener slicing through the air as Ophelia rolled away from the redhead ending up in a crouch, she slowly stood back up ready for the fight the redhead was looking for.

"Don't call them that" Amelia growled out each word with malice as she mirrored her teacher's stance. Ophelia took in the extent of what the others had done to her ever since she found out she was in the Underworld. Bruises covered her face that was littered with cuts from where knuckles had met her cheek's or jaw. One of her eye was swollen shut as dried blood covered her top lip. And Even deep cut across the bridge of her nose disguised the obvious broken nose. She was a mess to say the least.

She was barely standing as she was trying to keep her weight off her left knee, were a tear in the pair of jeans she was wearing was exposing a deeper cut that was actively bleeding. It was fresh. She fell in the woods. Meaning that it wouldn't be long until they found a trail of fresh blood that led them straight here.

"You look like shit, Amy" Ophelia cocked her head to the side with a cocky smile as she took out a knife of her own.

"Shut up" she growled in reply as she jumped forward slashing the letter opening towards her old teacher. Ophelia yet jumped back again and again to miss the blade as the redhead continued her onslaught towards her old teacher until Ophelia quickly out her eight on her back foot before throwing a high boot towards Amelia's armed hand, which landed it's mark, sending the letter opener flying across the room away from its user leaving the redheaded assassin unarmed.

"Let talk about this, like adults" Ophelia breathed out in exertion. Only for the redhead to take the brunette by surprise by running at her at full speed as she attempted to ram her shoulder into the assassin's gut only for the latter to think one step ahead to jump up and grab one of the exposed wooden supporting beams to get height on the redhead and catch her head in between her thighs before twisting them around as she let herself drop from the ceiling.

They both landed on a heap with Ophelia on her back and her legs twisted around Amelia's neck as the latter pulled and clawed at her jean clad thighs to loosen them. in all the years they spent together training the redhead never figure out how to get out one of these choke holds and by the looks of it, she hadn't taught herself how to either as she struggled to breath kicking her legs outs to use as leverage.

"Now, I can let you go and take you to your Queen, awake, or we can stay like this until you fall asleep, and I'll take you to her anyway" she tried to reason with the younger woman only for her to continue her struggle which only made her squeeze tighter with her thighs making her wheeze "Amy, look where you are right now. Tybalt and Claudius are minutes away from finding both of us after you left a trail of fresh blood from your knee and you can hardly breathe, what do you think our chances are of taking on both in your state? Huh?".

The words seemed to resonate with the redhead as she stopped clawing at her thighs and started to listen "I know you don't trust me, but your family are here. Regina is here. They are looking for you, and that damn pirate. Let me take you to them, or I can leave you here at Claudius's mercy".

It took a few second but the taps of yielding were felt on her thigh, they both relaxed as Ophelia untangled her legs from their vice grip on the younger woman. Letting in gasp of air Ophelia sat up to watch the redhead as she slowly pushed herself into a sitting position.

"Good choice".

Finding Snow and Prince Charming's camp was easy enough for the Master Assassin, the had part would be returning her heart without the Princess turned Bandit knowing. Stood high in the trees with the glowing unblemished heart in her hand the assassin easily recalled the lesson the Queen had taught her on how to control an enchanted heart.

On the ground she easily spotted the Princess among her allies and fiance drinking the night away as they 'celebrated' the Queens Birthday, without a care in the world as the redheaded assassin brought the heart up to her lips.

"Relax. Make your excuses and make your way into the forest. Alone" the Princess did as she was told, easily brushing off Charming's concerns to leave the celebrations and walk into the dark forest with the Master Assassin following in the treetops above her.

Once far enough away from their camp the bandit came to stop as she found herself in the middle of the woods with no explanation of why she was there. Her answer came a second pr two later as something heavy fell upon her. Her back meet the forest floor as she felt something being pushed into her chest and then nothing as a figure straddled her waist as a hand covered her mouth to muffle the scream of surprise that escaped her lips to see who had tackled her to the ground.

"Shhh!" Amelia warned her from above her "If your Prince or a dwarf hears you, I will kill them".

"Lia!" she muffled against the assassin's hand seeing her friend, trying to push herself up only to be harshly pushed back down to the ground.

"What did I just say Snow?" she snaps at the younger woman below her with fierce angry eyes, she saw them even in the dark.

Nodding in understanding the assassin removed her hand to stand back up, before lending a helping hand to the Princess.

"Amelia, what are you doing here!?".

"I came here to tell you off for not heeding my earlier warning. My message to you wasn't an invitation to face the Queen, but to stay well away!" she bellowed in the girl in front of her.

"Lia I'm sorry. But I refuse to sit back and let her hurt those people" she argued to the assassin who hasn't stopped helping her despite the battle lines that had been drawn between them.

"And you think I couldn't! I am more than capable of stopping her. Innocent people get killed in wars Snow. By showing up today not only did you put yourself and your allies in danger, but also those villagers. Be thankful her birthday had her in a benevolent mood this afternoon".

"Benevolent" Snow scoffed at her "That is not a word I would use to describe her".

"Scoff all you want Princess. But your actions today have put someone else danger of your stepmothers rage. The only other person in this land that would see to the end of your bitter feud with her".

"We wouldn't have one if she would just give up my fathers Kingdom to me. My Kingdom".

"What good is a Kingdom when the ones you love the most are dead because they died to get it back!" she snaps at the younger woman taking her aback at the assassin's outburst "This war,will have a price Snow White, it just depends on how much your willing to lose, that is something I don't think you'll even be willing to pay".

"Snow! Where are you?!" Charming's voice echoed through the forest behind them. They must've been longer than she thought as they heard the voices of the dwarfs accompany his calling out for the young woman in front of her.

"You had more allies in the palace than you thought you did Snow White. And you might've just lost one this night" no further word was needed as the assassin lifted her fingers to her lips she let out a loud whistle that the Prince would be able to hear, pinpointing his love's location to him.

Turning back to the younger woman she was met by a sad smile upon her face knowing it would be a while until she would see the assassin once again "My offer still stands on the Prince. Even if he looks charming on the outside, there's still a monster on the inside".

Even if he was Jame's twin, he could still be capable of what the Prince did to her years ago. She didn't trust his face for a second.

"There's no need Amelia, he's a good man" Snow replies.

"Goodbye Snow" at that the assassin ran from her climbing up a fallen tree to vault her way up into the trees just as Charming found her with the dwarfs following him, ready to escort her back to camp.

Returning to the palace the assassin sought out the elder Mill's as she made her way towards the Queen's chambers to find out what had happened during the the evening festivities. Her courtiers were no where in sight, which was the first time since working for the Queen she wished for the courtier to make their presence known to her as she checked the ballroom, only to see it cold and empty.

The only good sign she saw of their plan having worked was the sight of the faceless dark knight's body that had been unceremoniously dumped outside, along with the jesters. A good night as far as celebrations went in this palace.

Letting herself into the room the assassin saw the Queen angrily pacing the floor still in her red and black dress she was wearing earlier

"Your Majesty" the assassin called out to the older woman "What happened?".

"He's gone! I can't believe I let this happen!" she continued to rage to herself seeing the redhead here.

"What?" she asked in concern "Who's gone?"

"My father. Cora. She took him to Wonderland. And I can't-" her words caught in her throat as the anger dissipated into despair at losing her father so easily. And to her mother, of all people.

"We'll get him back" she tells the Queen straight away.

"What?" she gasped seeing the look of determination on her face as angry tears threatened fall from her emerald eyes.

"You heard me" she said stepping towards the Queen until she was less than a feet away "We'll get him back. We'll find a way to Wonderland and take him back. Whatever it takes".

Tears glistening in the Queen's eye's seeing the redheads words as she reached up an placed her soft hand on her cheek "Thank you" she whispered out before placing her lips on the assassin's, sealing the redheads promise to get her father back before winding her arms around the woman waist to gain as much comfort as she could in that moment as she felt the deadly assassin hold her together to keep the promise she had made the to the elder Mill's that night. For as long as she could.

With Tom and Henry behind her the former Queen ran back into the fiery cave that her mother had taken her to before to find the woman herself and her father stood at the end of the pathway ready to meet the same fate Blacktooth did at the hands of her mother.

"Let him go, Mother" Regina tells her mother while the teens stood by her side.

"You should be on that boat" Cora told her daughter as she eyed the boy she knew was Amelia's own son behind her. He looked like Romeo.

"I can't turn my back on those I love" the former Queen argued.

"I know that seems like the right choice, but life doesn't work that way" her mother tells her "I implore you, leave this place" she pleaded.

"No, Regina" Her father calls out to her from the edge of the path having heard her words "Stay here. Help your friends. Find Amelia. She's trying to bait you".

"I didn't come back just to help my friends. I came here to save the woman I love after she sacrificed herself for us. I came back to help everyone".

"That's not possible" she refuses "You have to trust me".

"Let him go" Regina demanded out her mother once again.

"Oh, please listen to reason" she pleaded to her daughter "Listen to me. Either way, my time in the Underworld is done. Yours can be, too. Just do what I say".

"Henry. Tom. stand back" she tells her sons as the older teen pushes Henry behind him.

"Please don't force my hand" Cora tells her "I don't want to do this".

"Then don't".

"I'm sorry" Cora uses her magic to command the fire to surround Henry. Rushing forward to save her father she's stopped by a wall of fire that divides her from her father.

"No!" Regina exclaimed at her mother as she turned to face her mother

"One day, you'll understand" Cora tell her before magicking herself away in ploom of purple back to where her father should be all she could see through the flames that stopped her.

"Daddy!" she cries out to him, with tears falling down her face "I'm so sorry" she yells over flames. After a beat, the flames that were surrounding the older man disappears "Daddy?" she goes to go to her father to investigate what was happening, only for him to stop her.

"Stop. Stay there" he tells her "I'm okay" The walkway completes itself in front of him as s bright light appears at the end of the walkway so that he can cross to the other side. Into heaven.

"What's happening?".

"I don't know" he tells her looking into the light "There's... something down here. It's so... it's beautiful. It's where I belong" he turns back to face Regina and walks towards her "I know what my unfinished business was now. It was you".

"Me?".

"For so long, I let your mother get in the way of who you really are. It was the biggest regret of my life. But now... you're free of her. And I've never been more proud".

A sob escapes her mouth as she looks to her father as Henry and Tom step up to stand either side of the former Queen as eyed both boys beside her.

"Hi" Henry greets his grandfather first.

Henry looks at Regina with a questioning look "Is that...".

"This is your grandson. Henry" Regina proudly introduces the pair.

"Thank you, Grandpa" the younger Henry tells him "For believing in her like I do".

"Thank you, Henry" He tells his grandson "For being there when I couldn't. You take good care of her".

Taking Tom by his shoulders the former Queen encouraged him forward to meet her father "Daddy, this is Tom. Amelia's son. Our son".

"She found him" his eye's watered as he looked to the teen who puffed his chest out at the older man.

"She did sir" Tom confidently spoke up to the man he had heard so much about from his own mother and Regina over the last few months.

The older man paused looking over his features as he saw his mother's looks and mannerisms. He saw the redhead in his face straight away while his hair and eye color reminded him of Romeo Montague. He had only met him a handful of times in his life but the teenager before him held a look in him, the assassin once did.

A fighter.

"You look just like her. And just as strong" he tells the teenager "I wish she were here so I can thank her, I owe her everything for taking care of my daughter".

"I'll tell her Daddy" Regina promised him "I'll tell her when I find her".

"Good" he tells her before glancing back at the entrance to heaven "It's time for me to go".

"Daddy, no" she told him as she took both her son's hands into her own.

"I love you, Regina. Never forget who you really are".

"Okay" she says nodding at her father before he turned around and walked into the light as his daughter watched him move on from the Underworld having found his unfinished business.

Once gone, Tom looked over to his second mother preparing himself to tell her the news she had been waiting for most of the day. The reason why he sought her out in the first place before following her down into the fiery cave where she would see her father move on.

"Mom" the older teen called out to his second mother gaining her attention "We found Mom's grave".

AMELIA MONTAGUE

MASTER ASSASSIN

REQUIESCE IN PACE

Her headstone was different from the other's she had seen. It was a marble figure of her with her head bowed covered by her signature hood, her forehead resting between two hidden blades crossed over the other with a few tendrils of her long-curled hair escaping the upon a white marble pedestal,with the Brotherhood symbol engraved at the front.

Frozen in time.

She was flanked by other Assassins in the same pose behind her, a few that had been tipped over onto ground while other's had their head missing from their marble necks.

It was the only statue's in the entire cemetery. How they missed it they didn't know. It seemed to blend into the other hundreds of headstones that were littered in the cemetery.

That's where she found herself next.

The dark brunette found the blonde assassin knelt beside the statue crouched on the balls of her feet with her forehead placed upon the plinth of the figure as a whistle left the younger woman's lips as she awaited Amelia familiar reply only to be met with silence of the vast graveyard.

The former Queen had forgotten she was hurting too. She lost the last of her family. She was here with as much reason as she was. To bring back someone that had meant so dearly to her. Almost sensing her presence, the blonde assassin wiped away the tears as she stood up from her place to round the statue as Regina joined her looking up at the statue that looked like her.

"She was always a poser" Anastasia tells her sister's love next to her "In this life and in the next it seems".

"We'll get her back" Regina tells her. the blonde simply nodded at her before turning and leaving her with the means to be able to see her.

She held the vial of potion that would allow her to talk to her tightly in her hand as she hesitated to pour its contents on her gave. She had promised her father that she would find her, and that's what she was going to do.

"Here goes nothing" she whispered to herself as she pulled the lid off the vial sprinkling the water onto the grave.

After a beat Regina saw her silhouette flickered into shape in front of her as she saw glimpse of the thick red hair come into view as blood covered her blood not being able to lift her head up to meet her eye.

"Come on" she encouraged the image "Come back to me" she whispered to the image as spell flickered out. Closing her eye's disappointment filled her head as more tears fell from her eye's.

"You're here" the voice made her open her eyes as she let out a deep breath into the night. Slowly turning a sob left her mouth as she saw Amelia standing right there in front of her "You're here" she heard Amelia breath out as a tear left her eye leaving a trail in the blood that covered her right cheek.

She looked just like Hook did in the image of him earlier that day, bloody cut's marred her face as a swollen eye lid had shut closed her left eye. Dried mud caked her hair and black leather jacket she wore as she pushed herself out of the arms of the brunette Regina had seen in Cora's office earlier, limping her way towards the Queen, Regina took one toward her until they met in the middle not touching as their breath's mixed until Amelia lean her head forward until she rested her forehead onto Regina's closing her one un-swollen eye as a breathy laugh left her throat until it was silenced by Regina bringing her mouth onto her's sealing their reunion with a long awaited kiss as she took the Assassin's in her hands.

Ophelia looked anywhere but the reunion between soulmates before they eventually pulled apart with wide teary smile on their faces as Regina gently stroked the side of her face, as she saw the redhead try and not wince as she grazed the cuts and bruises that were covered by the blood.

"H-how are you here?" Regina choked out with tears shimmering in her eyes.

"Cora" the brunette informed the former Queen making them both look at her "She wanted to give you her in good faith".

The former Queen's brow's furrowed in confusion as she held onto Amelia's arm, trying her best to keep her on her feet "I-I'm sorry do I know you?" Regina asks the woman who had brought Amelia to her.

"It's Ophelia" Amelia reminded her love "From Wonderland. Remember? " the woman in the long purple robe's that worked for her mother. She did remember.

Turning back to the brunette "Thank you".

"Your welcome. But don't see this as an ally gained just yet" Ophelia tells the former Queen before turning to leave as Amelia watched.

"Come on there's a few people that will be happy to see you".

The reunion between Amelia and her boys were full of tears and painful hugs for the Assassin before they left the cemetery arm in arm. A permanent smile seemed to be plastered on the redhead's face as she had an arm slung over Tom's shoulder as he helps her make the long walk back to main street as they caught her up on their journey here.

The woman was unusually quiet as she pulled her son's head down so she could kiss his crown almost having to remind herself that this was real. They were actually there with her and it wasn't just some sort of cruel figment of her imagination her mind had come up with to ease her through the pain.

Waiting for Regina's return, Mary Margaret, David, Robin and Emma stood at the broken clock tower for Regina to return with the boy's from the cemetery. Anastasia had found them telling them that was where Regina was. At Amelia's headstone. Hopefully, she'd be able to find out where she was in the Underworld.

The group stayed silent as the former bandit listened out for their approaching footsteps only to be taken by surprise to hear an extra pair of footsteps making their way towards them.

"Four" Mary Margaret said out load alerting her husband and the other's as Robin grabbed his bow.

"Mary Margaret?" her husband called out to her in concern.

"There's four pairs not three" she tells the group before running out into the street, they were greeted with a sight they thought they would never see again.

"Lia?!" Mary Margaret exclaimed in shock as Emma's eyes widened in shock at seeing the woman, she killed standing in front of them.

"Hey Snow" Amelia greeted the younger woman as they came to stop, taking her arm off Tom's shoulder. Mary Margaret quickly stepped towards the redhead engulfing her in a painful looking hug as Amelia grimaced in pain "As much as I usually enjoy our hugs, this one really hurts" she groaned out as the Princess held onto her.

"Sorry" the woman squeaked out of the Assassin's arms as Amelia's eye's finally met Emma's shocked one's.

"H-How?" Emma stammered out once her mother let her go and om retook his place to steady the redhead on her feet.

"Cora" Amelia answered her "I was having a lovely reunion with my old family when Ophelia sent her to get me. A sign of good faith apparently".

"I'm so sorry" Emma told the Assassin "I thought-".

"Yeah" Amelia quickly interrupted the blonde's attempt to apologize to her "You said that already Swan" she told the savior "How about we leave the apologies till later".

Emma's face dropped at the woman's unforgiving nature. This wasn't going to be as easy to get the Assassin to forgive her this time as David looked at his wife in concern. She was still bitter around he circumstances of her death, allowing Juno to run havoc in Storybrooke at full power.

"Tell me your father's okay" Mary Margaret quickly changed the subject toward Henry Sr..

"He's better than okay" the former Queen told her as gently wrapped her arms around the redhead waist as Amelia placed a loving kiss to the side of her head having been told that the man had moved on.

"He's in a better place now" Henry finished.

"Wait. That means everyone here..." Mary Margaret trailed off .

"Can be saved" David summarized.

"Every soul in this town has unfinished business" Regina tells the group "And chances are, for a lot of them, we're that business".

"You've all deluded yourself if you think these people are worth your time" Gold said as he steps into the street making his presence known to the group, but not seeing his nieces face in the group of hero's "They're not the dearly departed. They are dead, wretched souls, and I want no part of it".

"Nice to see you again Uncle" her low threatening voice making her presence known to the man taking the man by surprise "I see Juno kept her word for you".

"Amelia" he greeted his niece as her quickly took the look of surprise off his face "Aren't you a sore sight to see".

"What you want doesn't matter" Emma jumped in "I wasn't bluffing... I'm happy to tell Belle about your return to Dark One-ness".

"Our agreement was to find your pirate and my niece get the hell out of here. Congratulation's. You are halfway there with Amelia's return. If you want to distract yourself with this other asinine pursuit, be my guest. I'm out" at that he walks away and leaves the group standing there.

Amelia bit her tongue like she had the last twelve hours with her former brother's as Henry decided to break the tension "So... who's ready for "Operation Firebird?".

"Is that what we're calling it?" Regina asks her son with a laugh.

"You referring to the mythological bird or the muscle car?" Emma asks him as she wraps her arm around Henry's shoulder before leading him away, with Robin taking Amelia arm helping her with the short journey to rest for the night.

Regina goes to follow to group only to stop and look back at the clock-face on the broken tower waiting as the hour hand ticks smiling to herself knowing that she helped her father before catching up to Amelia stroking her arms from shoulder to hand as she lean in to place a chaste kiss to the corner of her lips.

"I missed you" Regina whispered to the woman she loved.

"Me too" she replied Regina took her arm and hand as she helped Robin help Amelia walk away "Don't think I haven't noticed them on you" she whispered into the Queen's ear referring to her leather gauntlets that sat on her forearms.

"It was only to keep them safe until I found you again, you can have them back soon" she tried to reassure her soulmate.

"Keep them for now, I'm not exactly in the best condition to wield them at the moment. Besides they look incredibly sexy on you" she tells her love as a seductive brow grew on her loves face.

Her love could only giggle at the redhead's comment "I think that's the pain talking dear" she tells her before walking ahead of them.

"Calm Amelia" Robin told his friend "You'll have time all the time in the world once your Queen once she splits her heart to bring you home".Amelia felt her stomach drop at Robin's words.

That's why they were here, to bring her and Hook back. They were not going to let her move on like her father. She didn't want to go back. How the hell was she going to tell them that.

AN: Aaaaand we made it! Big first chapter to kick this half of the season off! Well done to whoever gets to this Author's Note (You're Awesome) Woo!

I really wish I could make a Funko Pop Figurine of Regina with Amelia's gauntlets on her arms, with the same outfit in the episode and everything. That would be freaking awesome!

Anyway, like always, thank you for reading. Here's onto the Underworld! Yay!

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