Note: Hello all! I know this update is LONG overdue, and I apologize. I've been doing my best to break out of this large roadblock that has come between me and all my WIPs. Finally I just wrote things down that needed to be resolved and got to work. This chapter will be the end of part one. Part two we will see the revisit of the Neverland Arc! There are a few things that I found funny as I read through this.
-Me adding Oz and the WWotW before knowing she was actually coming to OUAT.. My version isn't as WICKED but I perhaps balanced that out with Dorothy!
-Excalibur! As we saw it came to be this season! Once again, I had a secret chuckle.
-And finally, Hook sacrificing himself to darkness and being sent to another realm while saving Emma and her family. Honestly, I'm quite happy with the workings of this fic, and look forward to exploring more in part two! (where the ratings will go up to M) :)
Dis: I don't own OUAT
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Emma woke up surrounded by warmth and the feeling of being safe. Slowly she opened her eyes, lips opening in a small yawn as she stretched her legs and toes. The arm wrapped around her tightened and she smiled as a sleepy sigh fluttered through strands of hair at the back of her neck. Hook was a beacon of warmth at her back, his bare skin pressed against hers, the hairs of his chest lightly tickling the skin between her bare shoulder-blades. Last night had been... Amazing. They had gotten acquainted with each other's bodies, learning every dip and curve with gentle touches and light kisses. Emma's fear of getting pregnant had prevented them taking that final step, but they had done... Everything in between.
Remembering his touch, the feel of his mouth on every inch of her skin, the look in his eyes when she returned the favor: had her cheeks flushing and her thighs pressing closer together. Even now, the damn pirate was moving his splayed hand from its spot on her side, down the curve of her bottom, then back up to her stomach while pressing a kiss to her shoulder.
"Morning, love."
Emma twisted around, pressed even tighter against him, legs entangling, realizing now that they were so close they shared a pillow. She smiled, hand coming up to cup his stubble covered cheek, making his eyes flutter before opening again. His hand came up to gently take her wrist, and press a kiss to the inside of her palm.
"Morning..."
"Sleep well?"
"Mhm..." She brought her hand up to his chest, fingertips gliding through the hair there. "Very well."
Hook made an amused sound at the back of his throat. "Me, as well."
"I don't want to leave this bed."
"Then don't," he answered, hand once again traveling towards her bottom, pulling her closer. "Let us waste the day behind closed doors."
"We could... Or... We could get back to Storybrooke as soon as possible... Where perhaps we can continue where we left off last night..." Hook groaned. "I take that as a yes?"
"Bloody hell, Swan, you're quite the minx." He groaned once more as she crawled out of bed, wearing nothing due to leaving the sheet behind. "An evil minx."
"You love it," she said, bending to retrieve her clothes. Hook propped his head up with his arm behind his head to watch her dress.
"That I do," he answered, right before Emma tossed his pants at him.
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Nick had stayed up with his lover all throughout the night, keeping a vigil over the man that was a shell of the person he once was. Sometimes, between the hateful spew, Nick saw the old Crowe. A part of him believed... Hoped... That Crowe was coming back to him. He also had hope that there was one person that could help him restore Crowe to himself. He found her at the breakfast table, next to the man they had all helped her save, as well as her mother. He still wasn't sure how that was possible, and did not care enough to ask, all he cared about was Crowe.
"Savior Emma?" Emma made a face, nose wrinkling as she put her glass of water down. "May I have a word with you?"
"Of course, and please, just call me Emma."
She stood, hand on the shoulder of the one called Hook, before coming to him. Nick felt the eyes of the man on him and could feel their heat. Quite protective of his love, this man was, and Nick knew how it felt. He'd die for Crowe just as surely as this man would die for his Emma.
"What's wrong, Nick?" asked Emma as her father came into the room. He came to stand by her side and suddenly he was jealous of the Savior who had so many by her side, while he felt so alone.
"It is Crowe... I... I feel like I am getting to him but the pull of Dorothy's magic, even in her death, is strong."
"Aye," said Hook from the table. "Her magic was quite toxic."
"I know you have great magic, magic that is pure, and I was hoping you could help heal some of the damage done."
"I don't know..." Emma bit her bottom lip, suddenly unsure. "I've never really healed anyone before."
"Do you think you can do it?" asked Charming.
"Of bloody course she can," said Hook, suddenly instilling confidence in herself. He rose from his chair now and took her hand in his. She looked at him now, her look of uncertainty dissipating almost immediately. "You can, love, all you need to do is try."
"Okay," said Emma, squeezing Hook's hand. "I'll try."
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Emma had everything she needed to try this for the first time. Her trusty jacket which offered her a form of armor along with the ruby slippers which had somehow turned into leather boots overnight, as of they had sensed she was more comfortable in them than the heels. She also had the support of her parents who believed in her, and the belief from her true love who thought she could do anything. She also had something else, something special that she would have to thank Regina for if this worked.
"Okay..." Emma stepped forward, pouch of pixie dust in her hands, her ponytail swaying slightly. "Hope this works."
"GET AWAY FROM ME WITCH! YOU ARE A FAKE! A PRETENDER!"
Hook stepped forward, the object where he got his moniker gleaming as he lifted it up threateningly. Emma placed a hand on his cuff, steadying him with just a soft touch, and he stepped back. Nick was on the other side of Crowe, eyes now on the pirate as Crowe continued to shout. Emma closed her eyes focusing on her good magic. She thought of love, a tip that had been given to her by many while channeling her magic, and she felt the familiar warmth in her hands. She poured the pixie dust on her glowing hands and focused on the idea of healing, mending, repairing... Then placed her hands directly on the chest of Crowe. The man screamed and thrashed. Charming and Nick came forward to hold him down. Emma felt her body growing tired but she pushed all the more, channeling her magic, her eyes practically glowing with it. Suddenly, Crowe's screaming stopped and so she stopped. Her knees felt weak and she stumbled back but Hook was there to steady her and she relaxed against him, drained but also focused on Crowe.
"Did it work?" asked Nick.
"I don't know," answered Emma truthfully. Charming went to stand back with Snow and the two couples watched as Nick tried to rouse Crowe. "It might take some time. I feel the magic... It's... I think its... Moving? It's hard to explain."
Crowe started to moan softly, eyes fluttering open, bright and clear. "N-Nick?"
"Crowe?" Nick placed his hands back on Crowe's face, cradling it. "How do you feel?"
"Tired, my love, and well... How is this possible? I... I've been screaming for so long... Lost in the black... How did you find me?"
"No matter what troubles you know I will always find a way to make it to your side," answered Nick, bowing his head to press his forehead to Crowe's. "Welcome home." Nick then looked back at Emma. "Thank you. All of you. You have given me a gift that I might never be able to repay."
"Hey, I"m the Savior, it's my job..." joked Emma weakly.
"We will leave you two alone now," said Snow, guiding them out the door.
"Thank you," said Nick once more, before the door closed, so that he and Crowe could catch up on the lost time they could never get back, but were willing to make up for.
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"Glinda."
"Elphaba."
El smirked as she placed her green hands on the banister of the balcony that overlooked the lands. Glinda looked annoyed having her there, disturbing her solace and morning breakfast. Something wasn't sitting right with El, and for some reason she thought Glinda knew the answer. While she had crushed Dorothy's heart, she hadn't slit her throat. For some reason, El had felt like she'd been set up, and looking over at the white witch who had shaky hands while buttering her bread: she knew her suspicions were right. El had an advantage, and had caught Glinda at a vulnerable time. El look ready to battle with her leather attire and sashed dagger whereas Glinda had on nothing but a silver, silk robe.
"I came to speak to you about Dorothy."
"Come to make a full confession?" asked Glinda before delicately biting into her bread.
"You and I both know I didn't do that."
"Do we?" asked Glinda taking a goblet and swallowing a generous amount of what looked to be wine. "Do we really?"
El growled, whirling on Glinda. "Enough with your games!"
A guard peeked out from the doorway and Glinda waved him back to his post before picking up her cloth napkin to dab at her lips. Slowly she stood, her face an icy mask now, hands clasped behind her back while she glared daggers at El.
"I do not know what you are accusing me of, but watch your tongue. The defeat of Dorothy has opened the gateway to a new ruler of the land and-"
"Oh, new ruler? You? Truly?" asked El, hands now on her hips as she gave Glinda a disbelieving look.
Glinda smirked. "Indeed."
"Says?" asked El, her eyes narrowed.
"Says me," answered Glinda. "These people love me, El. I protected most of them from Dorothy, the others were grateful for the grand army of the White Witch swooping in to save the day. Even managing to find the Savior!"
"I bloody found the Savior!" shouted El. "You... You planned this the moment I-"
"Honestly El, who else would be leader? You? Half the people here don't trust you and still believe you killed Nessie, the other half fear you. The witch of the wilds, whose laugh can chill your blood, and whose anger is uncontrollable."
"You don't get to talk to me like this!" shouted El, fire in her eyes. "You did kill, Dorothy, didn't you? Then what? Blame it on me? Oh! And Emma ruined that for you, didn't she? Can't go against the word of the Savior you apparently found!"
"Don't be so dramatic," sighed Glinda.
"You won't get away with this," said El through gritted teeth.
"Darling, I already have." Glinda fluffed her hair. "Obviously you aren't allowed to stay here. I cannot have you scheming for my crown. You may return to your wilds, if you so wish..."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Oh yes! You are! El... You don't belong here... I mean... Just look at you!" Suddenly, El felt her mask start to break, just a little. "You're hideous! A monstrosity! Who in their right might would ever want to follow someone like... Like... Well... You?"
"Shut up..." El's fists were clenched and she turned her back on Glinda so that she could not see the tears threatening to fall. The look of her skin had always bothered her, and she'd been teased for it since she could remember... Glinda was reopening woulds she thought healed long ago.
"Hit a nerve did I? Such a shame... All that work to reclaim the throne for your family..." Glinda took a deep breath then sighed. "Well, this was fun, but I do have some guests to attend to. Oh, and if you even try to warn them or anyone about me... I'll have your precious friends Nick and Crowe executed for treason."
Glinda walked away from El, pausing in the doorway to look at a guard who looked troubled. Apparently he had heard everything and Glinda made an annoyed sound at the back of her throat before flicking her wrist. Light purple smoke engulfed the man and soon he was nothing more than a harmless bug. She looked back at El, who was still facing away from her, and smirked.
She had won. For now. She still had a Savior in her kingdom... And the sooner she left the better.
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"Emma! You are ready for your journey home?"
Emma, Hook, her parents, Ruby, Torak, and the Lemma stood in the middle of the town square. All had a pack on their backs or a satchel snugged over one shoulder. Emma stood with her hand in Hook's, the boots that Glinda insisted she keep on her feet and Excalibur strapped to her hip. Emma had wanted to protest keeping the shoes, but Glinda had insisted, saying power such of those were meant to battle for the side of good: and who better to keep them but the Savior? Emma thought that Glinda was just being overly kind, she had no clue Glinda let her keep them at the orders of a powerful Wizard whom Glinda feared.
"Yes," said Emma, fingers tightening around Hook's, answering Glinda. "I think I speak for all of us when I say we are eager to go." Emma turned her head to and fro. "Has anyone seen El?"
"I'm right here." El came through the parting crowd, her own bag over her shoulder, eyebrow raised. "Got room for one more?"
Stunned murmurs traveled through the crowd as Emma wore her own surprised look on her face.
"You want to come with us?"
"Yes." El looked around. "Dorthy is defeated. The town is in good hands..." El looked at Glinda, eyes narrowed. "Right, Glinda?"
"Of course. But El... Surely you want to stay... Just think of your friends... I'm sure they'd miss you," said Glinda. The prospect of being rid of El was great, but if El spoke of what had come to pass between them, the White Queen would be doing battle with the Savior... A battle she wasn't sure she'd be able to win.
"My friends will be perfectly fine, regrowing their roots in this realm, with no problems now that Dorothy is dead," said El, and Emma was starting to pick up on a hidden tension. "There is no need for me here with someone as good and wise as you leading the people, Glinda. I think it is long time that I go on my own journey... Who knows, perhaps one day I will return, but no where in the foreseeable future."
Glinda couldn't argue before all the people looking to her as leader. She plastered on the smile she'd been great at faking for the longest time and giggled while nodding her head. She'd agree to let El go, but she'd be watching and listening. One wrong move, and El's dear friends would suffer the consequences.
"We will miss you, dear Elphaba, you have helped in the defeat of this realms worst known enemy, and gifted us all with freedom. We will not forget you, and I'm sure all of us wish you well on your next endeavors."
"El!" Nick came through the munchkins and other townspeople, and took El by the shoulders immediately. "Where do you think you're going?"
"It is time I move on, Nick," answered El, looking down.
"Why? We won, you once again can walk in the lands that belonged to your family, reclaim everything that was lost to-"
"I don't want it!" snapped El, making people around them whisper again and she straightened her spine. "That time has come and gone, Nick. This place holds nothing but sad memories. Also, to help in our victory, we promised the cure to the Lemma. I wish to crossover into their realm to assist them." She smiled now, a sad smile but one nonetheless, before embracing her friend. "This is not goodbye I will see you again. No, step back and go to Crowe. You two have a bright future ahead of you."
"El..." Nick nodded before stepping back. "You will return?"
"I will," she promised.
'Maybe,' she thought.
"Now that we have all said our goodbyes can we get a move on?" asked Hook.
"What he said," chimed Torak, bouncing on his heels. "We are ready."
Emma nodded before taking out her last bean as well as the pouch of pixie dust that Regina had gifted to her. There were a lot of people... And wolves... Returning to Storybrooke and Emma needed the portal to stay open longer than usual. She thought of the protection spell, and hoped it wouldn't affect their ability to travel to Storybrooke. Emma supposed that if the portal opened, that meant the protection spell was vulnerable. She closed her eyes, sprinkled pixiedust over the bean, thought of her home and Henry, then tossed the bean down in the clearing. For a while, nothing happened. Snow and Charming looked at each other with worry, and Emma started to wonder if her magic wasn't powerful enough to break through the Dark One's, when a flicker happened. Suddenly, the portal opened and started to widen. She looked to El, who had came to stand beside her.
"Ready?" asked Emma. The portal started swirling faster, a green vortex that had Emma's hair flying wildly along with El's raven black curls.
"Yeah..." El motioned to the portal. "You first."
Emma looked to Hook, and he smiled back at her. Together they jumped through. The others followed quickly behind and soon the portal was closed. Glinda sighed in an almost relief, her largest competition just left. The realm was hers. She clapped her hands and all heads turned to her.
"In honor of our victory, I say we throw a feast tonight! To new beginnings!"
The people cheered, and in that moment, Glinda had everything she ever wanted. From the shadows, a man watched, his hand on a cane. His white hair billowed in the wind and his hand tightened on the cane. For now, this land would live in peace and hopefully prosper. He still felt the darkness, scratching at the door wanting to come in, and hoped that it would stay far, far away from Oz.
And that the Savior was strong enough the defeat it.
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They all landed with a thud on the hard concrete of the town square. Emma winced as her elbows and knees came in contact with the unyielding surface but she didn't register the pain. She was home. Finally home. She looked around and sighed upon seeing Hook and her parents. Everyone else was standing and Emma did a double-take upon seeing El.
"What?" asked El, rearranging her bag over her shoulder.
"Your face..." El put a hand up to her face, and Emma saw the self-consciousness and put her hands up. "No, I mean... It isn't green."
"It's not?" El paused, looking at her hands, and her gray eyes widened. With a flick of her wrist, green magic swirled and El soon had a mirror, and was looking upon her reflection. She wasn't sure what to make of it. She still had her black hair, and her eyes were a light gray instead of black, but her skin... It wasn't green! It wasn't fair like that of Emma and Snow, but a richer color that reminded El of the sunset. "Oh..."
"Magic just recently came to this realm," said Emma. "It is weaker here, and appearances have a way of... Changing." Emma stared at the Lemma. There were still werewolves but their eyes seemed more human, their features not as wolf-like but still that of the beasts they were. "Perhaps the curse of the Lemma will be broken more easily here as well."
"Perhaps it will," said Torak as people started coming out of the buildings, doors opening after having seen their arrival. "Tell us, Savior, what shall we do now?"
Emma was about to open her mouth to answer, but a voice caught her attention. "MOM!"
"Henry!" Emma ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. Her eyes closed as her son's arms came around her. "Hey kid!"
"I'm so glad you made it back!" Henry looked at those behind Emma. "With... Others... Are those werewolves?"
"We have a lot to catch up on," said Snow and Henry went to hug her and Charming as well.
"So do we," said Henry, hands going into his coat pockets while looking over the group. "While you were gone, Robin Hood and Mulan found a way to enter Storybrooke."
"What? Why?" asked Snow, remembering Mulan and how she had helped her and Emma find their way home. She saw a flash of fear in Henry's eyes and she fought the urge to hug him again. "What happened?"
"The Shadow... It's back... And it took Robin Hood's son..."
"Bloody hell," muttered Hook.
"Great," groaned Emma, a slice of feat traveling through her thinking of her son and his safety.
"We couldn't make it one hour before our next crisis," complained Charming.
"They are all at mom's house, trying to come up with a plan, I volunteered to get some food with dad, he's in Granny's now. Apparently... Apparently the Shadow is taking boys and girls of all ages... Mom... I'm scared for what's going to happen."
"Don't worry, Henry, nothing is going to happen to you. Never again."
"The Shadow..."
"We will defeat it again," said Snow, hand on Henry's shoulder.
"Except this time we make sure its dead," said Hook. "Oh! And I also vote on not being sent to another realm to be tortured." Emma winced at that and he pulled her to his side. "No worries love, I'm fine now, remember?"
"Can someone explain to us what is going on? What is this Shadow you speak of?" asked Torak.
"An evil rivaling that of Dorothy," said Hook. "A bloody demon... What of Pan, boy, is he alive?"
"No... He is not..." All heads turned to the man standing on the sidewalk. He held a cane and a sinister smile that made his golden teeth flash. "According to the thief they saw another boy flying, that with a scar upon his face."
"Felix," growled Hook, arm tightening around Emma in the presence of the Crocodile. Hook would die before he let THAT demon touch a hair on her head. "Crocodile... What brings you here."
"Word of your arrival spread fast, Dearie. Now, come, we must no doddle, for we have a demon to slay... And this time... We will slay it for good."
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END
Note: Be on the lookout for Book 2! I have an outline already written out for it! It will have a new title but when I post it, I will make a comment on this fic as well so those tracking THIS story won't miss it in the sea of other fics! In book two we will see:
-The Quest to cure the Lemma
-The Quest to defeat the Shadow and Felix once and for all
-Emma and Hook exploring what it means to be soulmates even more, as well as Emma embracing the power of the Savior as well as the power of the slippers and Excalibur.
-El's struggle to fit in and find her place in SB
-More Regina, and fighting her own demons that rear up from the past, while fighting her attraction towards Robin.
-And perhaps someone or something else will make a surprise appearance in SB!
Lots of twists and turns ahead! Hope to see you in book 2!
"Across the Starry Skies" (WINTER 2016)