Chapter 22

In the Underworld at night, Regina returned to the Charming loft, informing them that Zelena is in with Hades and that Zelena wants to be with him and redeem him.


"Zelena is in love?" Emma asked.


"And not thinking rationally, which for her is a big problem," Regina said.


"We have to stop her. And if you can't because she's your blood, then allow me to," Killian said.


"What? Kill her?" Regina said.


"Well, it's a step in the right direction," Killian said.


"Not helping, Uncle," Naomi said.


"Okay, so we find a way to keep them apart without killing anyone," David said.


"I'm waiting for the better option," Killian said.


"So, what's the plan?" Nicholas asked.


"Well, there's only one person we can trust to destroy the love blooming between Hades and my sister... Our mother," Regina said.



Later at the pawnshop, Mr Gold was in the back room looking over Calista.


"It's me, Calista. It's time for me to fix this. I know how you would want me to do it, how you would want me to use light magic, but I can't. I'm sorry Calista. I really don't want to let you down, but there's only one to save our children. I have to do things my way now," Mr Gold said.


Meanwhile, Naomi, Belle, Nicholas and Emma were in the Charming loft and Naomi was being taken to Robin to hide out in the forest.


"I don't want to go," Naomi said.


"You have to, I know your father won't hurt you, but it's for the safest option," Belle said.


"No, I'm not going," Naomi said.


"We can't make you but okay... But I still want you to come with me and dad to Robin so you know where to meet him if you do change your mind," Emma said.


"Okay, I can do that," Naomi said, Emma nodded and walked over to a picture of her parents and looked at it.


James who was impersonating David walked in with a brown paper grocery bag.


"Emma... Everything okay?" James asked as he saw Emma looked at the photo.


"Yeah, Naomi's not gonna stay with Robin but she'll come with us to know the meeting place and um, I'm just thinking about Mom. I hope she's okay without us," Emma said.


"Okay and I'm sure she is," James said.


"Remember this?" Emma asked as she walked over to him holding a picture of David and Snow.


James put the groceries down and chuckled softly, "Birthday, right?" James said.


"Anniversary, I think," Emma said confusedly.


"Oh, right. Of course. I'm not thinking straight," He sighed, "Being away from her is... It's hard," James said.


"I know. I know," Emma said as she walked back to the counter and put the picture there.


"You both ready?" James asked.


"Regina said the rendezvous point with Robin is a half day's walk into the woods. You sure you have all the supplies on her list?" Emma said.


James picked up the grocery bag and looked inside, "Bottled water, a new blanket, and a lot of baby wipes," James said.


"Father of the year," Naomi sighed, "Wish mine was like you," Naomi said.


Emma put her hand on Naomi's shoulder, "Maybe one day," Emma said.


"Yeah, how many curses will it take for him though?" Naomi said.


"He'll come around eventually, you and Calista are the only ones he truly cares for right now," James said.


Naomi sighed and nodded, "Sorry, let's... Let's just go to Robin," Naomi said.


"Yeah," Emma said as they grabbed their coats.


"Just do me a favour. When we get back, don't tell Snow I forgot our anniversary," James said.


"Well, between all of the curses and the time jumps, who could blame you? Come on, you too Nic," Emma said and she and Naomi walked out of the apartment.


Nicholas got off the couch and walked out after them. James glared as he walked out of the door lastly.



Late on the road near the wood, Emma, Naomi, Nicholas and James who was still pretending to be David were walking down the road.


"How much further?" James asked.


"No further. This is where Regina said Robin would meet is," Emma said.


"Great.  So, what do we do now? Rob from the rich and hope he shows up?" James asked.


Naomi and Nicholas looked at James suspiciously, "Uh, no. Robin will find us," Emma said, confused about his response.


"In the middle of the woods?" James asked.


"David, are you okay?" Naomi asked.


"I'm fine, just confused how Robin will find us," James said.


Robin came walking out of the woods with his baby girl, "Hello... Now everyone needs magic to be stealthy," Robin looked at Naomi, "Hey, I'm, uh, sorry about your mom," Robin said.


"Thanks, I just want this over with so I can be with her again," Naomi said.


James set the grocery bag in front of Robin, "Thanks. Where's Regina?" Robin said.


"Uh, condensed version? Zelena and Hades are on the verge of being the world's worst power couple. Regina's taking care of it," Emma said.


"I should go. She's gonna need my help," Robin said.


"No, no. It's okay. Make sure your daughter is safe," Emma said.


"I'm sure Regina can handle her sister," Nicholas said.


James quickly put a cuff on Emma's and Naomi's wrist before he pulled out his gun, "Siblings. They can be a real pain, can't they?" James said.


"Dad, what the hell?" Emma said.


"Emma... That's not David," Naomi said.


"Cruella gave me some advice... Never face the Saviour and the Dark One's spawn without one of those," James said.


"James. Where's my dad?" Emma asked.


"Oh, he's locked up in the Sheriff's station," They heard a car honk as a car drove up, "I've been trailing him for some time," Robin, Emma, Naomi and Nicholas looked behind Jame to see Cruella pulling up behind him, "Figured when Snow blew this joint, well, that was my chance," James said.


Cruella got our of her car and walked over to James, "Why is everything in the woods with you people?" James chuckled, "Hello, darling. Fabulous job. Mummy's very proud of you and I will show you how much later on," Cruella said as she brushed her nose against him.



Emma, Naomi and Nicholas gagged and looked away in disgust.


"First I need to do something," Cruella said and she walked up to Emma then punched her across her face.


"Ooh!" James said and Emma didn't flinch as she glared at Cruella in return.


"That's for killing me, darling," Cruella said.


"What do you want?" Naomi asked.


"What I want is out of this dreadful place. And if the Author won't do it for us, I have to think of another way. And there is only one man who can do that for us," Cruella said.


"Hades. Why would Hades help you?" Emma asked.


"Oh, he wouldn't, unless I had the right leverage, say, like the child of the woman he loves and the daughter of the Dark One," Naomi stepped back, "Though God knows why. They're terrible things," Cruella said.


"Now. Hand them over," James said.


"Run, Naomi, now!" Nicholas said.


Naomi started to run into the woods, James watched her and went to follow her.


"Not gonna happen, mate," Robin said as he shot an arrow into James's chest.


James pulled the arrow out, "Arrows... They can't hurt me," James pointed his gun at Robin's head, "But now pull of this trigger, well, you're not just a visitor in the Underworld," James said.


Naomi was running through the woods, she jumped over a fallen log. She exhaled sharply as she continued to run.


"Naomi?" Killian called out.


Naomi slowly stopped running and breathed heavily as she turned to him, "Un...Uncle Ki...Killian," Naomi said as she panted.


"What is it? What's happened?" Killian asked as she walked to him then hugged him, "Naomi?"


"Don't be angry... I ran," Naomi said.


"Never, what happened?" Killian asked her again.



Later, Killian and Naomi were running through the forest as they followed one of Robin's arrows that was floating in front of them.


"So, let me get this right. Cruella and evil twin James want to be alive again so they want to give Hades both you and Robin's daughter?" Killian asked.


"Yeah, that's right," Naomi said.


"And you just ran?" Killian asked.


"Uh, yeah I couldn't use my magic then," Naomi said.


At the docks, Cruella and James were holding Emma, Nicholas and Robin at gunpoint at the edge of the dock.


"You know, killing us is not gonna help you get our here, Cruella," Emma said.


"Oh, you're right. But sending you to eternal torment... That's just a juicy bonus," Cruella said.


"I really wish I could say this was gonna be quick and painless, but... No," James said.


James was about to push Emma into the River of Souls but David came up behind him and punched him in the face.


"How's that for quick?" David said.


Emma, Nicholas and Robin ran from the edge as Cruella saw the gun on the ground, she made a run to get it when someone put their foot on it to stop her. Cruella looked up to see both Killian and Naomi.


"I'll take that, love," Killian said as he picked up the sword.


"Not like you can use it, anyway," Naomi raised her wrist showing no cuff, "Now... Shall I show you what the Dark One's daughter can do?" Naomi asked and Cruella took off running and hid.


"Scary... Looks like we're just in time," Killian said as he and Emma hugged.


"Naomi," Nicholas said as he rushed over to her and they hugged.


"Whoo!" James laughed, "Oh, that was quite an escape, David. Quite frankly, I didn't think you had it in you," James said.


"The cell at the station was the last place you should've left me. You don't think I know how to break out of my own jail?" David said.


"So, what? Now, you can swoop in and play the hero?" James said.


"That's up to you, James. Neither one of us wanted to go through what we did. I was angry about it, too. But it doesn't mean it has to end this way. We're family," James laughed, "I can help you move on and I can help you some peace," David said.


"Yes. Yes, you can. Because killing you is my unfinished business," James said and he shoved David against some grates.


"Dad!" Emma said and raised her hands ready to use her magic.


"Emma! I've got this," David said and the two continued fighting, punching each other. David started to win the fight, James was on the ground in front of him.


"Jimmy! Jimmy!" Cruella called out, Naomi looked at her to see her hiding behind grates.


James pulled out a knife that was strapped to his leg, "James, wait," David said as he held his hands up.


Jamea charged at David with the knife, David grabbed him and threw him into the River of Souls then Cruella took off running while everyone else ran over to David.


"Is the baby okay?" Naomi asked Robin as she looked at Baby Hood.


"Yeah. Yes, she's fine," Robin said.


"I told you to run," Nicholas said to Naomi.


"I did," Naomi said.


"You shouldn't have come back," Nicholas said.


"Should've been more clear with your instructions but I'm like my mum, I don't listen," Naomi said.


"I'm beginning to see that," Nicholas said and smiled.



Later in the evening, Zelena was walking up to the diner to have a romantic meal with Hades. After their mother had passed on to a better place, Regina told Zelena to go to Hades to be happy.


Mr Gold walked up to her, "It would appear love is blooming. Ans here was me thinking nothing bloomed in the Underworld," Mr Gold said.


"What do you want?" Zelena asked.


"Came to see a woman about a curse... A pesky sleeping curse, which you gave to my wife," Mr Gold said.


"If Calista preferred eternal slumber to one more moment with you, that's hardly my fault. I'd say her judgement's improving and if you're here because you can't find Naomi, even my death won't allow you to track her," Zelena said.


"See, the thing is I don't think she would've come to that decision on her own... I think you saw an opportunity you took advantage, much like I'm doing now," Mr Gold said.


Zelena scoffed, "You can't hurt me. We made a deal, remember?" Zelena said.


"Oh, I do. Funny thing is, I have another deal on the table, one I hadn't considered taking until you did what you did to Calista," Mr Gold said.


Zelena heard footsteps and she turned to see Pan walking up, "Who's this?" Zelena asked.


"Well, he's what I like to call a loophole. Zelena, meet my father... Peter Pan," Mr Gold said.



"I hear you're wicked. Well, I'm much worse," Pan said before he threw a sack over Zelena's head.


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