Villain or Hero? Part 2: Dark or Light:

Page 38: The Shell:

*Many, many years ago*

*The Enchanted Forest*

"Mr. Smee, clear the deck." Hook ordered while Ursula sang softly as she walked around the boat. "I'd like a moment alone with our guest," Hook said quietly so only Mr. Smee would hear him.

Mr. Smee listened to his captain, whistling to get the crew and Ursula's attention. Mr. Smee motioned for the crew as Ursula just smiled, going back to looking at the sea from the side of the ship, singing with her lovely voice. She was singing the same song from the tavern.

She stopped when Hook walked up to her, looking like he was contemplating something. "I hope you don't mind. I thought your crew might like something to work by..." Ursula began to say, smiling at Hook, who was giving her a chance to follow her dreams.

"Aye. It's beautiful." He sighed, looking down. "I'm afraid I've got something to show you." He added, looking up at her.

She looked worried, but he reached out his hand, holding out the shell that Posideon gave him. "I know what that is... Why do you have that? Please, don't use it--"

"Don't worry. I won't." He said as she looked terrified. "But you must know-- your father gave this to me. He thought you'd return home if you could no longer sing... In exchange for helping him, he offered me squid ink-- a weapon that would finally let me get my revenge against the Dark One." Hook confessed as Ursula's terrified face turned to confusion.

"And you would sacrifice that prize for me?" She asked him, furrowing her brows.

"I know that voice is the only thing you have left of your mother. If I had something left of my love..." He sighed as she looked down, feeling sorry for him. "Look, I may be a pirate... but I have a code. And I promise to never take that voice from you..."

"But that means you'll remain trapped as Pan's servant forever--"

"Not necessarily." Hook said, interrupting Ursula's concern. "You stole that bracelet from your father's vault. I'd wager that's where he keeps the squid ink." He said as Ursula furrowed her brows again.

"You want me to steal it for you?" Ursula asked with a slight smirk, figuring out why he was telling her all of this.

"I'll take you to Glowerhaven and wherever else you want to go." He smirked, looking around them.

"Then, we can both get what we want." She smiled at him.

"Aye. Now, you're thinking like a pirate." He smirked, nodding at her before heading to the wheel of the ship.

*Present day*

*Storybrooke, Maine*

"Mm..." Hook hummed, smelling the fishy air as he walked to his captain's quarters. "I never thought I'd walk this sweet vessel again. Don't you see this, lad... This is your papa's ship--" Hook smirked, holding Sebastian as he looked around his ship, missing it so much.

"Yes, well, you can ogle your ship after you return my singing voice." Ursula scoffed, interrupting Hook as Dream followed behind them with Evangeline.

Hook passed the baby to his wife, then took off his hook. On the end of the hook was some key that unlocked the green-like safe with the gold accents on it. He unlocked it, then reattached his hook. Ursula's eyes went wide when she saw him take out the shell.

"Now, you know the deal-- I hand this over, you tell me every detail of the Dark One's plan." Hook said, holding it up to Ursula.

"And if you don't, then I'll have no problem--" Dream began to threaten, but Hook stopped her by grabbing Sebastian again.

"I think she gets it, love." Hook said, placing the shell in Ursula's hand.

The small shell started to glow as Ursula's singing voice was harmonizing inside the shell like it was trapped.

"Oh, you hear that?" She smiled out of joy.

"Aye." Hook smiled a bit as the glow from the shell started to float toward Ursula.

But it stopped.

"It didn't work..." She sighed, looking defeated.

"Why the devil not?" Hook asked with furrowed brows.

"Because you're wrong, Hook. Villains can't get their happy endings." She sighed, trying not to cry as she scoffed. "I never should have believed you when you said we could do this without the Author..." Ursula sighed, turning to pace, but Dream stood in the way, blocking the doorway.

"I delivered your voice. It's not my fault if your magic can't get it out of the shell. Now, tell me what Gold has planned!"

"Our deal is over. You get nothing!" Ursula scoffed in frustration.

Hook moved to place Sebastian in a basket behind him when he grabbed a gun on the shelf nearby him. "Our deal is not done." He said as Ursula turned, looking at the end of the barrel.

"Killian..." Dream exclaimed, holding Evangeline's head. 

"I have to stop the Dark One. He's taken too much from me already. I'm not letting him take my family away--" He gritted his teeth.

Ursula looked at Hook, then over to Dream, who looked worried. "You haven't changed one bit. Still the same selfish pirate, as always." She scoffed at him, using her tentacle to slap the gun out of his hand. "Never go up against a woman with eight hands, especially when you only have one." Ursula threatened, slapping Hook with her tentacle, which knocked him out cold.

"Killian!" Dream exclaimed when Ursula turned to her.

"Such a shame..." Ursula began to say, but she did not finish. She slapped Dream, knocking her out as well before she could do anything. Before Dream fell onto the wooden floorboards of the ship, Ursula picked up baby Evangeline and placed her in the basket that Hook placed Sebastian in.

Ursula left Dream as she stepped over her, carrying Hook with her tentacles. She did not need to deal with Regina on top of everything.

"Have a nice swim, Captain." She smirked, throwing him overboard the Jolly Roger. Then, she left him.

But something glowed in the water as Ursula walked away. It was a mermaid's tale.

"Don't worry. You can thank me later." Ariel, the mermaid who appeared to help him, resurfaced the water, holding Hook up before he could drown.

~season 4, episode 16: "Poor Unfortunate Soul"~

~1013 words~