Daughter of Darkness || Once Upon a Time

Chapter Twenty-Four | Another Goodbye

❃
|The Labyrinth|
❃

Emma had calmed down after her run-in with Pan enough to carry on a conversation with Liam as they travelled through the Labyrinth, following Mary Margaret. Emma was about to reply to something Liam had said when Mary Margaret stopped. "Um..."

Emma and Liam looked up past Mary Margaret to see a creature that was half-man and half-bull. "Run!" Emma exclaimed. She grabbed Liam's arm and pushed him back down the hallway before grabbing Mary Margaret sleeve so she would move as well.

Liam turned down a hallway they hadn't chosen the first time and ran straight into none other than Mr. Gold.

|The Fields of Punishment|

Belle and Dorothy rode the elevator down and stepped through what looked to be a portal to a hallway that was illuminated by torches. Dorothy went through first, holding her sword out in front of her. Belle lifted a torch off of the wall and followed Dorothy, who was looked down at the ground. "String," she muttered, "why is there string?"

Belle racked her brain for mentions of string in Greek myths. She had read plenty of them while in the Dark Castle serving as Rumplestiltskin's maid. "It was used to lead someone through the Labyrinth, I think," Belle answered. "Which means this is the Labyrinth and someone else is down here. It must be Rumple!"

"Are you sure?"

"Our only chance to find anyone is to follow the string."

"Very well," Dorothy gave in. "Let's just hope that you're right and we don't run into someone not-so-friendly."

❃

"Gold?" Emma asked. "Where are Regina, Cora, and Henry?"

"Can you answer that question while we run?" Mary Margaret added, glancing back in the direction the Minotaur was in.

Before Gold could say anything, a loud growl sounded and Gold rolled his eyes. "You guys found the Minotaur, congratulations."

"Gold, I swear if you don't--"

"Fine," Gold interrupted. "Considering I'd rather not get mauled by a bull and end up in Tartarus." Gold turned and began to walk swiftly down the hallway and Emma, Liam, and Mary Margaret had no choice but to follow.

Gold turned into a room and from where Emma was standing in the hallway, she could hear nothing but shouting. She didn't know who was there, but she didn't feel like putting up with petty arguments.

Gold's voice came from the room, louder than any of those who were arguing. "EVERYONE, QUIET!" After a few seconds of silence, Emma risked entering the room, Mary Margaret and Liam trailing behind her. Emma had expected to see Regina, Henry, and Cora, but she stopped short when her eyes met Killian's.

"...Killian?"

"Emma."

Emma dropped the string and run over to the pirate, practically throwing herself into his arms. Killian hugged her tightly and pressed a kiss against her neck.

❃
|The Fields of Punishment|
❃

Arthur had watched Dorothy and Belle enter the library while following a piece of floating fabric. He assumed they were using some sort of magic they had found in Gold's shop to track down Rumplestiltskin. Arthur looked around at the town from where he stood at the entrance to the library. He had no idea where Zelena might be, but he figured he could convince Rumplestiltskin to strike a deal with him in order to find Zelena. However, he decided it would be best to wait a little while before following Belle and Dorothy into the library.

When enough time had passed, Arthur entered the library and rode the elevator down. He found himself walking into a hallway and following a string that was on the ground, hoping it had either been laid there by Belle and Dorothy or they had followed the string as well.

❃
|The Labyrinth|
❃

A deafening growl interrupted Killian and Emma's reunion. Killian stepped in front of Emma to protect her from whatever the sound might be coming from. Emma glanced around the room, trying to figure out if there were any weapons that could be used to take on the Minotaur. Cora, Zelena, the Apprentice, and a man Emma had never seen before were in the room as well as Gold, Mary Margaret, Liam, Killian, and Emma herself. The only things on the floor were hay and the ball of string and the only weapon-like thing Emma could see was Killian's hook. Which might just work...

"I need your hook," Emma whispered.

"What?!" Killian turned around so he could face Emma. "Are you crazy? You can't take on that thing with just my hook!"

"Yes, I probably am crazy," Emma responded. "But do you see any other weapons?"

Killian didn't answer. He simply removed his hook and placed the cold metal in Emma's palm. "Good luck."

Emma nodded. "Clear everyone to the sides of the room. I'll be back."

Emma walked out of the room, Killian's hook is her hand. She heard the captain shouting orders to move to the sides of the room, but her primary focus at the moment was the Minotaur.

Emma turned to face the Minotaur. The Minotaur saw her and his beady eyes narrowed. He charged at Emma, who jumped out of the way and the Minotaur barreled past her down the hallway. Emma did the same thing several more times until she was standing in front of the room where Killian was. She was praying that he had cleared everyone to the sides.

The Minotaur charged and Emma jumped to the left. It ran straight into the room and rammed it's head against the back wall. Emma jumped on its back and dug the hook into its neck. The Minotaur growled in pain and Emma backed up.

"What exactly is your plan?!" Cora demanded.

"To knock it out so we can run!"

"WE CAN'T GO ANYWHERE!" Zelena shouted. "Your precious pirate and I are STUCK HERE!"

Emma turned to face the witch. "What?"

"She's right, love," Killian sighed. "Hades sealed us in here."

"No." Emma said, as if her words could reverse Hades' magic. "No."

"Emma--" Mary Margaret tried.

"No. Mom, if he can't leave, I'm not leaving either."

Killian glanced back at Mary Margaret and seemed to have a quick, silent conversation with her. Mary Margaret turned to Liam and whispered something. He nodded and grabbed Emma's arms from behind her.

"NO!" Emma shouted. "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME LEAVE HIM!"

Emma clawed at Liam's arms, but he held strong, forcing her out of the room. Mary Margaret picked up the ball of string and turned back to Killian. "We'll figure something out."

Killian simply nodded. "Don't let her get hurt."

Emma continued screaming at Liam to let her go, but both Mary Margaret and Liam ignored her. As the Minotaur opened it's eyes once again, Liam pushed Emma around the corner and forced her to keep moving. Emma could hear the roars of the Minotaur, but when she started fighting harder against Liam, he swept her off her feet, picking her up bridal style and shouted at Mary Margaret to keep moving over Emma's cries.

The Minotaur turned towards Killian and glared into his eyes. Killian backed up towards where the Apprentice and Gold were standing. The Apprentice was about to summon a blast of magic when the beast let out a loud growl and stumbled backwards. It's heavy body dropped to the ground to reveal two women standing behind it, one holding a blood-covered sword and the other had her right hand over her stomach.

"Belle," Gold muttered.

Belle smiled, "Rumple."