Cerulean Flames

Chapter Twenty- Counterparts of Heroes

Hades stood with shadows of figures behind him. Everyone looked closer and saw it had been themselves only darker. They physiques, stances, and distinguishing marks were the same. The heroes and their alternates fought out the battle as Hades was left with Emma-as her magic was useless. He kept a shadow from her.

"You have already seen the darkness you have. I just do not understand why you do not embrace it. I mean...come on, I know you love that power. The feeling of invincibility and-"

"False sense of invincibility and no feeling. It's not a feeling I admire. Why are you after us and not Hercules as he is the reason you are doing this..."

"You see..." He said as he slowly moved closer. "I originally wanted to end his pathetic godly existence but then I realized I wanted more. I wanted something more my own. My own hell on earth. But then I saw her again. My daughter and wanted to protect her-"

"Where is Lily?" Emma asked scared for her friend.

"Ha. That is my business, I am her father."

"Since when? You were absent-"

"That dragon of a woman forced me to. Along with Hercules...she cast me in the underworld, forced to rule it an all its inhabitants. Most of them never shut up. Complaining about their regrets. It gives a man a headache after all those millenniums. Then you come along and I hitch a ride on your power and here we are. But you see..I don't want to end you Emma. I want to show you the power we can both have. Together we can have anything."

"I had everything. You had to come around and ruin it. As I am sure you do with everything. I saw what you did to that village. Those creatures. They were pathetic." She decided to use another tactic. Hades lunged toward her. His hand was into her chest as Killian saw the scene.

"NO!" Killian screamed as he ran toward her. He then remembered.

Emma could feel the heat around her heart as he was slowly melting it.

"Hey hothead!" Killian yelled as he turned and released himself from Emma's chest. He moved toward the pirate who then held his own heart before the fiery fiend.

"You know what this can do, don't you? You know its' not mine and it is the heart of a savior."

Emma was helpless to watch as she felt weak. "This is the only thing that can kill you." A tear ran down his cheek as he looked to her. "But you know it can't be whole."

"You wouldn't..."

"It wouldn't kill her...." he looked down and looked back to Hades. "I am tired of you hurting those I love. After this, that won't be a problem. One step and I'll make you suffer."

Killian looked to Emma who was curious at the scene before her.

"The powder of a savior's heart can end any darkness. It just means the ultimate sacrifice..."

"No." Emma cried out-her voice hoarse from the ordeal she endured. "No!" She said climbing to her knees.

"You sacrificed yourself last time, it's my turn." He said before squeezing his heart tight. "I love you." He said quick before he threw the dust onto Hades and collapsed. Emma screamed and used all strength to run after him. Everything happened in slow motion as she saw him collapse. She ran to him, stumbling to do so before trying to revive him. She screamed as everyone around saw the event. Regina and Henry both tried to comfort her, only to find her to push them away. "This can't be real! No! NO!" She said crying hysterically. Laying her head upon his chest. "There must be a way! There's gotta be!" She rose to her feet and saw Hades had become a statue. Using all her mite, she hit it and it turned into crumble and ash. She then fell to her knees with tears flooding down her cheeks.

"There is one way." Merlin said as he appeared before her in spirit. "But it is risky and there is no telling the outcome."

"I'll do anything. I have to. He deserves a life...please..." She said falling apart.

*Thoughts? What do YOU think will happen next?