Killian had an uneasiness to him, a sense of dread as to what was to come, he was home, but this version of the enchanted forest, had everything arranged the wrong way. Walking through the bustling streets of a seaside village, he glared at a monument honouring the heroic actions of the light one. Above the plaque was a stoically posed, statue of the crocodile, smiling proudly, it was sickening. However, home as he well knew, wasn't a place, but you're person. With a sense of purpose, Killian was able to navigate this corrupted world, all the familiar faces, people he held dear to his heart, were strangers. Even Smee looked right past him, when they crossed paths down at the docks. Like he was invisible, a ghost walking through this foreign world, his only hope that his Swan would be different, that she would remember. He just had to find her, find her and the world would be right again.

Sailing solo across a great sea to a small island where a grand castle once stood, crumbled away over the years, his eyes on the tallest tower, as he docked. Aware danger loomed, he circled around the back avoiding the front entrance, it was there he spotted a large vine that crept up the side of the structure. Having experience with climbing, he made short work of it, but it only brought him halfway up. His hands now seeping with tiny red dots along his palms, due to the vines being coated in thorns piercing his skin as he climbed. Able to pull himself into a nearby window; Killian sighed with relief now inside the tower. Heart pounding, he couldn't help but smile, with only the sound of rattling chains on the other side of the door, he knew she was there. A lock was not going to slow him down and he kicked the door forcefully and it rattled. It wouldn't budge it took two more attempts, before it swung open, sending splinters of wood everywhere. Along with a visceral pain through his whole body, the bones in his right foot cracking under this impact.

Killian's screams however where muted by the wailing from Emma, chained to the floor by her wrists she could barely stand up straight. Her hair mattered, the gown she wore was crumbling away. she pulled violently at her restraints trying to get away from him. Her eyes wide in horror, there was nothing, not a slither of recognition towards the man who stood before her. Killian's heart sunk, sure now that the saviour's memories were lost. Her stance almost animalistic, drool escaping her mouth as she continued to scream, eyes wide staring blankly ahead.

"Emma, its ok"

He was careful not to move closer and frighten her further, raising his hand and hook up in an attempt to signal, that he meant no harm. This did not elicit any reaction as she continued to wail, he had a heart stopping thought, what if any memories she did have were of torture. What if all Emma knew of the world was this tower, in this room and the chains that bound her. Hours went by like this, but Killian stayed, and eventually the screaming stopped, while he sat by the door, careful not to impose on her space.

"You've always been brave, making your way through the world alone"

Killian spoke quietly, calmly as she breathed heavy he could sense her anxiety was still heightened, as she sat perched, as if readying to defend herself.

"I know it's hard and you don't know me, but we don't have much time, you need to trust me"

Emma's expression remained unchanged as if his words had no meaning to her. Killian breathed out a shallow breath the pain of his injuries, nothing to the agony of seeing her like this. Not scared or masking as she usually did, just pure terror in her eyes, having never known love or comfort in the alternative universe.

"This may be a fools endeavour, but I guess love makes a fool of us…" Killian stood up careful not to put to much weight on his foot "Your name is Emma Swan you don't belong here, this isn't your life, you have a son, parents, many people that love you... " His voice wavered then he's mind screaming the words, I love you but he did not voice them "My name is Captain Hook, I've got a vessel, I can free you, please come with me"

"Touching, but I'm afraid she's not going anywhere"

At the end of the hall stood a black knight, her voice familiar, it was that of Lily, Killian turned quickly as she charged forward. Grabbing the door, he slammed it shut, but the lock now busted by him, it wouldn't remain closed. Emma had gone stiff, no yells, no rattling of chains, she was frozen in fear and Killian knew why; her guard was a dragon. For the first time her eyes elicited another emotion other than fear, as she watched Killian curiously. While he held the door shut, pressing his body against it, while Lilly pushed from the other side. This went on for a few minutes, Killian grunting in pain, his foot still broken, until suddenly it stopped. There was an eerie silence and Emma stood up, her eyes explained, without her even opening her mouth. Run you need to run now, they pleaded.

"Right then"

Killian agreed with this sentiment letting go of the door he ran down the hall leaving Emma alone. The absence of him left her breathless, watching the doorway were he stood, now empty. Heart pounding, more distressed now with him gone, then she'd ever been. After a minute he returned, axe in hand he didn't hesitate in approaching her now, but she still tried to recoil away, her eyes on his weapon.

"Please stay still, I won't' hurt you"

Now she could smell him feel his breath on her cheek, and although she did not know him, did not even know herself, she did as instructed remaining still. Killian lifted the axe swinging fiercely, he broke through the chains freeing the princess. This seemed to only elicit more fear she shook her head, her breathing became course, as if a great weight was crushing her, she refused to leave her cage. A roar sent a vibration throughout the castle, leaving a ringing in Killians ears. The dragon was loose soaring above the castle taunting them. Killian walked over to the window looking down he spotted his ship below them.

"I'm sorry about this, but we need to go"

Tying a rope to the bolt in the ground that once held Emma, dangling the rest out the window. Killian wrapped his arms around Emma dragging her towards there exit, he was met with less resistance then expected, even as she began to wail once more. With her in his arms, her whole body vibrated in fear, she couldn't fight him off, in this state she could barely breathe. Killian couldn't bare it, an agonised expression on his face, as Emma thrashed against him terrified. Slowly he began to climb out the window slipping down the rope to the ground below.

The heat was unbearable even as they stood metres away from the flames that blocked there path Killian could feel his skin burn. The Dragon screeched again looping back around for another round. Emma gasped as Killian took her hand moving closer to the wall of fire that blocked there path, to the Jolly Roger.

Killian braced himself before swooping Emma off her feet carrying her towards the flames, he broke into a run. Screaming out as he charge forwards, in an attempt to null the pain of his injuries. Jumping through the fire the flames barely singed them, and Killian sighed with relief as he heard the sound of the ships deck beneath, he's feet.

"I did it"

Having left the sail up, anticipating a hairy exit he quickly untied the rope securing them to the dock. With a gusting wind there were off, but the dragon still followed with Emma right in its cross hairs, still frozen in fear. She stood in the middle of the deck an easy target. Barrelling across the sky in a straight line Killian, could see the dragons chest burning red, as the fire inside rose up readying to strike.

"We have to fight, please Emma move"

Killian ran to the cannon arming it to strike but it was too late, Emma didn't move didn't flinch as if happy to let the flames consume her, ending this torment.

"No"

Killian fired the cannon just as Lily was in range, a great fireball escaped her jaws heading towards Emma. Leaping across the deck he shoved her out of harm's way, but the fire struck him, the right side of his leather coat alight, burning the side of his face. Just as the dragon fell from the sky, crashing into the ocean and sending a large wave over the side of the ship dowsing the flames. Emma stood bewildered as she watched this unfolded, Killian coughed shaking his head trying to shake off some of the water, with an agonised expression as his skin still burned.

"You saved me"

For the first time Emma spoke, her wide eyed horrified expression was gone, replaced with relief as they drifted away from the island and tower that had been her prison.

Emma walked down the creaking stairs to the Captain's quarters, every movement was slow, careful her eyes wide as if she'd found herself on an alien planet. The lower deck of the Jolly Roger was scarce, as if it had been ransacked. Killian breathed sharply grunting as he had a damp cloth in his hand, the burns on his face already blistering. Emma's arms at her side she stood sheepish as Killian approached, his hand outstretched waiting for her to take it. Hesitantly she did, he led her to a seat by the window, looking out to the ocean.

"Emma, it's going to be ok now, I'm going to bring you home"

The pain as the left side of his body still burned but the stinging sensation was not the only pain, he felt looking at the lost tired eyes of the woman he loved. Remaining silent as he placed the cloth in the warm water squeezing it. Gently he wiped the dirt and blood from her face, he gulped looking into her eyes, while she stared back.

"I know your scared, this must be extremely confusing, the truth is none of this is real"

Emma frowned in response, still to scared to speak as he moved on to cleaning her hands, her nails bloody, with bruising around her wrists from the restraints. Now she no longer flinched at his gentle touch, letting him clean her wounds.

"You may not feel it now, but your powerful, so powerful.. he made you forget everything about who you are"

Smiling ever so slightly there was understanding in her expression now as she pondered Killians words but she remained silent. Taking the cloth from his hand she rinsed it in the water just as he did, delicately patting the side of his face where his skin still burned, he winced slightly. Leaning in closer, her hand grazed his other cheek, as if compelled she kissed him tenderly, only stopping when he seethed in pain.

When they reached the docks once more, leaving the comfort of the Jolly Roger seemed even ore harrowing then escaping the tower. Emma gripped onto Killian's black leather jacket tightly, desperate to stay in the only place she ever remembered feeling safe and cared for. However Killian's words had her thinking, hoping for a better world, one where she wasn't afraid.

"Take me home"

"As you wish"

The sun bright in the sky, she looked up in awe, having only seen the world through a small window. Voices carried loudly bouncing off the walls of the stone buildings that surrounded them. Emma looked away not wanting to make eye contact with anyone, clinging tightly to Killians jacket, hiding behind him as he led them through the crowd.

"I don't like it, the ship"

Emma stopped walking, whispering her demands so only Killian could hear her, as they stepped off the pier and onto the crowded cobblestone streets.

"No Emma, I have to find your family"

As if summoned by his promise Snow White and the Prince emerged strutting around the corner of tavern ahead of them. Killian found himself speechless once more realising that this world was a cruel twist on fate. The hero's he knew not present, made clear as the villagers around them fled, with the Evil Queen approaching a sadistic grin on her face.

"You aren't where I left you, bad girl" Snow

"No wait please, you don't want to do this" Killian

"Actually, I think I'll enjoy killing you" David

"Who?"

Emma whispered into Killians ear not making eye contact with either Snow or David, her face hidden behind Killian shoulder.

"I'm sorry Emma, there your parents, but there not themselves"

Killian knew from the look in his eyes the man in front of them, was not the loving father, he knew David to be. Now a twisted dark soul, his eyes filled with hate. There was not even a flicker of awareness, that he was about to attack, his already traumatised daughter. The pain of Killians injuries was no longer possible to ignore, he knew in this state he didn't stand a chance in a swordfight against the Prince. With his fate sealed he looked towards Emma with a smile, content just to see her face one last time. Surging forwards on the commands of Snow White, with a hateful smirk the Prince swiftly sent a small blade right through Killians heart. He gasped out a horrible, choked sound as blood spilled from his mouth. His eyes wide, while Emma still clung to him, her lifeline. Her only hope in this cruel corrupted world, fell to the ground lifeless.

"Hook, no Hook"

A magic she should not have access to in a world controlled by the authors pen, surged through her leaving a glowing white, raging aura. The energy was burning sparking from her hands, instinctively she sent a blast of energy at the Princes chest. He flew across the street slamming into the wall, blood dripping out the back of his head. At the sight of this Snow White didn't flinch in fact she smiled, excited by this twist.

"This one's got fight in her after all"

Stepping closer to Emma, whose eyes were wide bewildered by her own abilities, she looked down at her hands and curled into herself slightly, shrinking down in fear. In awe, Snow reached her hand forward, firmly she clutched Emma's chin pulling her closer with a sly smile, as tears poured out of Emma's eyes.

"Maybe you could be of use after all"

The fear remained but in Emma's eyes a fierce anger, hatred brewed as she looked into the hateful eyes of the evil queen. The only kindness she'd ever known in her life of solitude and torture, had been needlessly killed and when he died her kindness, her capability to love died with him.

"Why don't I show you how to channel that power"