A/N: This fic stemmed from a continued bitterness toward the show for it's lack of emotional resolution for the Dark Swan Arc and a general annoyance of the mishandling of the Greco-Roman Underworld. It is not the Christian Hell and Hades/Pluto whatever you wanna call him, is not Satan. Two completely different mythologies here, thank you very much for coming to my TED Talk.

I'm also (still) quite irritated with how Snow and Emma's relationship was handled-sometimes Snow was the mom Emma deserved and other times she was kind of shit. Same with Captain Charming, David doesn't act like Hook's best friend even though they're clearly best friends.

The little stone-cottage stood out on the vast span of beach-the sea's crashing waves sparkled out front, while deep green wood shielded the back of the small house. The Charming clan cautiously walked forward, out of the mist that brought them there. The Underworld was completely different to any realm they'd ever been to. And quite frankly the Disney film hadn't prepared any of them for the journey.

"Are we sure this is the right place," David wondered aloud.

Snow White heft her quiver a little higher on her shoulder as she looked behind them. The boat they'd taken to get to this island was lost in the fog, but she knew it and its rower were still there.

"The Ferryman said it was here."

Regina snorted, "But how can we trust them? I mean really, they work for Satan."

"Mom, Hades is the god of Underworld-not the king of hell."

Robin smirked at Regina's eye-roll and whispered to her that, "The lad has a point, dear."

Emma huffed and moved forward, "What does it matter? If they say this is where we'll find Killian, then we at least have to look. C'mon."

She led her family to the cottage; each being careful not to disturb too much debris or touch the water. According to their boatman, they were on the island of Ordinary People-The Asphodel Meadows. Each person's designated spot specifically tailored to something they'd find comfortable, but not overly lavished.

First emerging from that mist, Emma had been shocked to find a small seaside house instead of the Jolly Roger, but upon further thought it made sense. After all, Killian found them a house for themselves in Storybrooke. A beautiful, big house for their future. It made perfect sense that his paradise was a quiet afterlife-no running, no fighting, just peace and the sea.

It did, however, shock her to find that it was not Killian Jones who answered the door when she knocked. A young woman, no older than twenty-one (give or take) cracked open the thin plank door, a tiny newborn in her arms.

"Y-yes?" She asked in…huh…actually, Emma had zero clue as to which language that was. The Savior tried for a smile though when she realized how frightened the other woman looked.

"Hi…um…"

Emma looked to her parents for help, but they were just as clueless as she was. The woman shied away even further and started babbling in…whatever language that was. Seeing how much they scared her, Snow stepped forward to try and placate her, but seeing the arrows and bow only made the woman more riled.

"Oh, for the love of…" Regina raised her hand, intent on either magicking the woman quiet or perform some kind of translation spell.

"Mama?"

A man—tall, curly-haired, and broad shouldered—quickly appeared behind the woman. He spoke to her in the same language.

"Mama, what's going on—who are these people?"

"I don't know! They just appeared!"

The man attempted to move his mother behind him.

"No, son! They have weapons!"

The calming smile he gave her sent a jolt of familiarity through Emma, but she couldn't place why.

"Mama, let me handle this—they can't hurt me."

The woman looked ready to argue more, but her baby began whimpering and she relented, sending a glare the Charmings' way.

"Five minutes!"

"Yes, Mama."

When she was far enough in the house, the man turned toward them with a deep frown.

"Who are you? How did you even get here—you're not family."

Emma continued staring at the man—it was bugging the hell outta her, not being able to place why he was so familiar.

Charming cleared his throat, "We're looking for someone—"

"Then ask Hades, instead of scaring the holy hell out of women!"

Regina rolled her eyes, "Clearly there was a language barrier."

The man glared at the queen, who glared back. Snow moved to block his view of Regina and explained that the Ferryman took them there and they meant no harm. The man sighed, muttered that the sailor was always getting into trouble.

"No matter, you must be judged before you can even hope to begin searching for lost relatives."

Emma shook her head, "We're not dead. Someone very important to us was..." She swallowed hard, blinked away tears, "T-taken…we just—"

"You came down here to bring someone back to the Land of the Living and bypassed the rulers of the Underworld?" The man crossed his arms and looked at them all incredulously. "You're mad, the lot of you. We can't help."

He went to shut the door, but Henry grabbed it.

"No wait!"

"Henry!"

"Move aside, boy."

Henry planted his feet firmly and glared at the man.

"There's gotta be a reason he took us here, instead of—wherever Hades is!" he argued, "At least tell us if you recognize the name."

The man looked over the thirteen-year-old; taking in the crease of the brow, the frown, the "I-mean-business" stance. It all reminded him of…he closed his eyes and stepped over the threshold.

"Alright, lad—give me the name and I'll see if I know them."

Henry beamed, "Killian Jones! We're looking for—"

The man staggered back so violently he almost crashed into the doorway. Snow reached out to steady him, but stopped when he flinched. They all just watched, not understanding, while the man took in gulps of air; hand pressed to his un-beating heart. Minutes passed, and no one said or did anything; confused, but not wanting to add to obvious distraught. When the man finally spoke, his voice was full of tremors and his eyes were shining.

"He's dead…?"

A/N: So yeah, that's chapter one. I haven't written anything chaptered in a really long time, so I don't know how long this fic will be-no more than five chapters probably and each chapter will most likely be pretty short, no more than 5pgs. each I think...idk, this chapter was only three pages. Anyway, I hope this was a good beginning, tell me what y'all think.