Hook's eyes flashed with desire as he plunged the dagger into the Dark One's chest. He already felt the life force of his enemy draining, the imp simply looking up at him, gigging insanely as the blood pooled in his mouth.

"I finally have you now, crocodile." Hook spat as his one remaining hand gripped the dagger tightly and twisted.

Rumpelstiltskin coughed "You'll never be rid of me, pirate."

Hook gasped as the name on the dagger changed to his own, feeling a painful surge of black energy through his body. His body shook, the nausea about to overtake him.

"I'll bet the queen never told you this part, dearie."

"What part?" He seethed, feeling betrayed by his enemy and his Queen.

"You're going to become me, dearie…the very thing you hate the most." The high pitched voice taunted him.

"No, that's impossible. I will never be you, dark one!" Hook's fist made it to his enemy's throat, squeezing hard.

"Good luck with that." The imp giggled as his body disappeared with a flash of blue light.

Within moments, Hook's own body was transported to the birthplace of all Dark Ones, shrouded in the traditional robes. "Why must all dark ones dress like monks?" He muttered darkly as he used his newfound magic to put himself back in his usual tight leather. His whole body tingled as he felt the power surging through his body, not minding the feeling of ultimate power.

He strode through the forest, his body gliding effortlessly through the trees, every sense in his body heightened. The night air brushed against him, but he was impervious to the cold.

"Hello dearie." Rumpelstiltskin giggled, nonchalantly leaning against a pine tree.

"What are you doing here, crocodile? I killed you." Hook unsheathed his dagger and wildly swiped at his enemy, the blade passing through him unharmed.

"Yea, that's not going to work on me anymore. You see, I'm not really here - I'm in that deluded little head of yours. Think of me as your guide, if you will." He said, bowing flamboyantly.

"I need no help from you." Hook snarled as he tried to push past the imp, only to have him appear again in front of his path.

"Oh, I think you do. It won't be long before the voices start. I don't think you're ready for it."

"I'll chance them if it gets you out of my head, crocodile." Hook seethed, then shrieked as the voices of centuries of dark ones flooded his head, knocking him to the ground.

"Make this stop." He panted, gripping his head in a vice-like grasp.

"So pathetic." The imp sighed, waving his hand. The voices instantly stopped and Hook had his breath back.

"What the hell was that?" Hook blinked as he struggled to his feet.

"A little sample of what's in your head. Tell me now, dearie, would you rather deal with them or with me?"

Hook glared at his enemy "Fine. I'll keep you around until I learn how to rid myself of you."

Rumpelstiltskin exploded into laughter. "You are so naïve if you think you'll ever be rid of me. No, my dear, we're stuck together until you die."

"I will find a way." Hook threatened. "But right now I need to have a little chat with the queen."

Rumpelstiltskin tapped his fingers together. "Oh, goodie, I want to see this little showdown."

Hook used his newfound abilities to transport himself to the queen's summer palace. He felt completely disconnected from his body as he landed at his destination, still feeling the after effects of using his magic. The drawbridge and reinforcements were no challenge for him as he made it to the queen's private chambers.

"Regina!" He bellowed, striding through the hall, his coat tails flapping behind him. "I need to talk to you!"

"Yes, yelling - that will show her." The imp chortled, tagging alongside him.

Regina glided into the room, her face breaking into a sly grin. "Why, Hook, you look upset. I don't know why, you finally have what you wanted."

"Is that so?" He growled "Then tell me why I still have my nemesis in front of my eyes?" Rumpelstiltskin giggled and pranced around the room, knowing Regina couldn't see him.

Regina smiled and strolled closer to the pirate. "I would have assumed when I told you where to procure the dagger that you would have known the fine print."

"Save it, Regina. You just wanted your dirty work done for you, no matter the cost."

"And you were more than willing to pay it."

Killian grabbed the queen by the throat and pushed her against the wall. Their bodies were pressed together so closely Regina could feel the dark magic coursing through him.

"You made a grave mistake turning me into the dark one. I now have the power to destroy you." His lips were so close they could almost touch.

Regina laughed, "Oh, dear, you have so much to learn. I never turned you into the dark one, you did that all by yourself. Now, are you going to let me go, or are you planning on taking me against this wall?"

Killian shoved her away roughly. "I'd sooner die than degrade myself with the likes of you." He spat.

"Ooh, that was a good one!" Rumpelstiltskin chortled.

"Shut up you imp!" Hook raged.

Regina couldn't help torturing the pirate "Oh, Rumple's here is he? That must be a torment for you, to see your enemy everywhere you go. Tell me - was it worth it? 300 years of seeking revenge for an end like this?"

"That's where you are mistaken, Regina. This is not the end. Only the beginning." He seethed. Rumple giggled again. "Don't make threat's you can't keep, dear boy!"

"I told you to stay out of this!" Hook shouted.

"He's already wearing you down, already getting inside your head, rebutting every move you make? So typical of Rumpelstiltskin." Regina glowered, knowing full well her old teacher could hear her.

"Tell me, what was it that made you despise your old mentor so much you had me dispose of him?" Hook sneered.

Regina squirmed. She had never told anyone the real reason. I was too personal, too painful, and it was a moment she would carry with her forever. Her trusted teacher had betrayed her in the worst way, and she had never forgiven him.

"You've suddenly gone speechless, my Queen. Tell me, did I hit a nerve?"

"Tread carefully, pirate." Regina bared her teeth at him.

"Oh, I'm the dark one now. Apparently being careful is a little redundant." Hook chuckled.

"Just a little tip for you – that handy little mirror of hers will show you what you want to see if you ask it nicely enough." The imp offered.

Killian strode over to the mirror. "Mirror, please show me why Regina despised the previous dark one."

"As you wish, Dark One." Said the mirror, and obediently went about showing one of Regina's most vulnerable moments. He saw her standing in a white tent over her lover Daniel's corpse, the scientific experiment the dark one had offered to give him life had failed. He saw the younger version of the Queen, crying and shaking, utterly betrayed by everyone.

"Tsk. I can't believe you fell for that Regina. No magic in the world can bring people back from the dead, even I know that one." Hook said mockingly.

"No matter." Said Regina, waving the image of her shame off the mirror. "Besides, there is one final part on my revenge on dear Rumple."

Regina clicked her fingers together, and a large rolled carpet landed in the centre of the room. As it unfurled, a woman staggered out, coughing as she stood up to find her balance. It was none other than the previous dark one's maid, presented to Hook just as Cleopatra was presented to Caesar.

"Belle?" Rumpelstiltskin moved close to the shaking girl, a look of untold rage on his face. He then turned to Regina. "You told me she had died you heartless witch! You will pay for this!" he continued to rage at Regina, frustrated in the knowledge that she would not hear his curses.

"You." Belle trembled, finally making eye contact with Hook. "You killed him! You killed Rumpelstiltskin!"

"Aye." Hook smiled "It appears I did many people a favour." Promptly ignoring Rumpelstiltskin's screams of rage.

Regina chuckled at the sight before her, waving her magic that would prevent Belle from speaking. "Consider her a little parting gift, a gesture of goodwill on my part. After all, everyone needs a pet." She winked.

Hook opened his mouth to speak, but was temporarily distracted by a stream of Rumpelstiltskin's profanities. "What makes you think I want to be saddled with this pathetic wench?"

"Well, if you don't want her…perhaps I could dispose of her." Said Regina, flicking her wrists and causing the young girl to suffocate under her magic.

"Belle!" The imp shouted, running back to the girl before standing helplessly at her side, unable to be seen by his love. "Hook, you must stop this, I'm begging you!"

"Enough Regina. I'll take the girl off your hands." Hook said, trying to remain calm.

"Why Hook, I never knew you cared." Regina lifted her magic and Belle regained her breath before collapsing onto the floor unconscious. Rumpelstiltskin looked stricken.

"I don't." He seethed. "I simply feel like it will be a better torture for the imp to see his love every day and not be able to touch her. If he must be in my head, he'll need to suffer for it." Rumpelstiltskin remained at Belle's side, shooting a murderous look at Regina and Hook.

Regina laughed "Now you're finally thinking like a dark one, pirate. I look forward to our new working relationship, unless you wanted to add a little something to our arrangement?" She smiled, running a manicured finger over his leather clad chest.

"I'll leave that poor huntsman of yours to satisfy you. I wouldn't wish that task on any man, so I consider what he does a public service. Good day, my Queen." He said, bowing in the most sarcastic way he knew how. Using his magic he whisked Belle and himself to the dark tower – his new home.

Author's notes:

Soo… anyone want to see more of this?

Much Love

Lady Eowyn