Epilogue: The Darkness At The Edge of Town

Two months later…

(Thanks for reading-it was fun writing for the Captain Swan ship. I enjoyed it)

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In the past, dark curses and primal spells worked their will over Storybrooke, gleefully wreaking havoc on the lives of the townsfolk. A tapestry of magic has unraveled countless times over this small seaside town, and to this day a force as wild and ancient as any spell hums through the streets. It's an invisible current that stirs and shifts with every passing second, alternating between the light and the dark.

Because in this town, two citizens embody both—One has the ability to harness the darker forces at will, the other wields a light magic so powerful that the air around her sings with its potential.

Tonight, as many nights, the two met underneath the amber glow of streetlamps. They were constantly, inexplicably drawn to each other, inseparable as sunlight and the shadow it casts.

In what was becoming a nightly ritual, the man pulled up in his motorcycle, and revved engine twice, waiting for the girl to come to her window. He had sharply handsome features, short black hair and gleaming green eyes. The girl stood in the window, her blonde hair curling over her shoulders, her dark eyes laughing as she threw open the shutters and waved.

Like some modern Romeo courting his Juliet, he motioned for her to come down to him. She tried to shout something, but he couldn't hear her over the newly-repaired engine. Less than a minute later, she was bounding out the front door and jumping on the back of the bike. He could feel her arms around his leather jacket and smell the lavender perfume that trailed behind her.

He shouted an unnecessary "hold on." She'd been on the back of his bike enough to know how to handle herself.

"Where are we going?" she called joyfully, fastening her helmet.

"You'll see."

He felt her lips plant a quick kiss to the back of his neck as they roared away. The town's lights flew by and faded as they careened along the road at breakneck speeds. Her hands pressed into his chest, and her body warming him as they leaned into the turns together. Over the hills and around the sharp turns, towering trees overhead shook with the crisp night breeze. They kicked up piles of leaves as they headed further into the countryside on a road as dark and winding as a black river.

The streets led them out of town and eventually to an open stretch of ancient highway. He felt her shift slightly against him and knew she was looking at the stars; it's what she loved to do, especially on the night like this when there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

The moon shone brightly over the ocean, and its light illuminating the empty coastal highway. They had nothing but steep turns and unexpected twists up ahead, as though the road itself was unwilling to go deeper into the rocky hills. Half the countryside was alive with the undulating motion of the seashore, the other half was a silent landscape covered with dark forests and black hills. Separating these, a strip of coastal highway wound its way into nowhere, and here the bike roared, a blur amongst the gathering shadows.

He gripped the motorcycle's vintage handlebar, his knuckles turning white as they raced along the coast. The fogged swirled and churned in the amber glow from the headlights. He could smell the ocean, and from time to time he caught a glimpse of silver tipped of waves in the distance. The air was colder here. He could sense the drop in temperature as they followed the winding road higher and higher.

With his hand over the throttle, he drove swiftly over the hillsides. Now alone on the road, there nothing anywhere except a shower of stars above and the sound of crashing waves below. They might as well have been the last people in the realm. Or the of it. The darkness. The chill. The solitude of this craggy, unfamiliar wilderness. It braced him. Emboldened him. For a few minutes he was free of it all, the dark curse winding its way around his heart, the whispers that hissed from shadowed parts of his mind, the ancient power emanating from an evil wellspring…

After several minutes they skidded to a stop on a lonely hillside.

As the motor quit, he heard her chuckle: "You've gotten quite a bit braver, haven't you?" she asked, lifting the helmet from her head. Blonde curls tumbled over her shoulders. She shook them out, running her hand through the feathery strands that turned white against the moonlight.

Killian twisted around in his seat until he was facing her. "Too fast for you?"

"Never." Emma leaned forward to brush her lips against his. She rested her forehead against his, smiling as she felt his arms wrap around her waist.

"You're not getting cold are you?"

She shook her head. "Nope."

"How do you like the view?"

"It's perfect." She looked around, taking in the scenery. They had paused on a stretch of highway that offered a stunning view of the ocean. The moon cast an angelic light on everything. Even the ragged cliffs appeared starlit and gleaming, matching the cresting waves with their glittering granite. The coastline, which she had always thought gloomy and spansive, was smooth as cut glass with starlight shimmering in the hollow of waves.

She took a thermos out of her backpack and poured them some hot chocolate. Killian spiked it with bourbon from his flask and they settled against each other, watching the moonlight shimmer against the waves stretching over the horizon.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a subtle change in Killian's features—his smile faded, his eyes narrowed and began to glowing green against the starlight. She recognized the look. Some dark thought got ahold of him, some secret whispering had him entranced…

"What is it?" she asked.

"The Crocodile. He's getting closer...I can feel him..." Killian replied gravely.

"We can handle Gold."

"Of course we can, Lovely," he said, his voice sounding distant and hollow. He pressed a hand to his heart, grimacing as a sharp pain reminded him of the darkness taking root there.

Without a word, she gripped his collar and brought him to her, her lips catching his for a long, lingering kiss. The darkness that threatened his heart was still present, but for now she could will him back from its thrall. They had yet to find a way to break the dark curse wrapping itself around his heart like black ivy, but she knew it was only a matter of time before it could be found. She would never lose hope. And never lose him.

She felt a sense of relief as his arms tightened against her. He grinned against her and deepened the kiss, his tongue stoking hers, an electric trill sending shivers through her as her breath caught in her throat.

She could taste the bourbon and the dry night air on his lips, an added spice she found irresistible. Soon he was gathering her pliant body to his, their hands began to wander, their mouths lazily exploring each others as she straddled his lap. It was exciting kissing him like this after a ride. It was exciting kissing him period.

"Mmmm…Killian. Can I ask you a question?" she muttered as she eased away. She rested her forehead against his as he kissed a trail down her throat. Green flames mingled with white sparks as they held hands, their fingers intertwining out of habit.

"Yes Lovely?"

"What are we doing way out here?"

He smiled as he stared at her. "I thought it was obvious."

She grinned. "Oh, so you brought me out here to take advantage of me?"

"Yes. Absolutely. Now hold still. I can't take advantage of you when you're talking."

She laughed, shifting impossibly closer. She sipped the hot chocolate and rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the feel of him against her.

"Actually Lovely..." Killian traced her face with his fingertip, raising her dark eyes to his. "I do have a surprise for you."

"So that's why you brought me out here. It was all part of an evil plan...I should have expected no less from the Dark One."

"Sorry to say, but I have many many nefarious plots, the likes of which the Savior could never conceive."

"Do they all involve hot chocolate and motorcycle rides?"

He thought a moment, reaching into his jacket. "Actually yes, a good portion of them do…" He pulled out a bundle of cloth. Unwrapping carefully, he handed it to her.

"Thought you might like it," he muttered, watching her as she studied it.

It was a strange glass orb that fit in the palm of her hand. Inside, silver flecks of crystal had settled against the surface, creating a countless series of spirals that glittered against the moonlight.

"What is it?"

"Apparently it's what happens when lightning strikes sand." He chuckled. "I was aiming for Regina's head and I missed. I found that when the dust cleared."

Emma rolled her eyes, suppressing a smile. Lately Killian had busied himself trying to harness and control his newfound powers. His abilities were limitless, and he found himself buried in his studies, often working with Regina to understand how to best employ his talents. The two argued constantly, but a grudging respect was eventually forged amidst the bickering and insults.

"Thank you. I love it." She tucked it in her pocket and wrapped her arms around him. Dark One or not, it was nice to know he wasn't above bringing her pretty little presents or planning date nights. Vengeful Pirate, Dark One, Evil Villain…and the perfect boyfriend. Who knew? She thought with a smile.

An icy wind picked up and she shivered against him.

"Ready to head back?" he asked, already turning around in his seat. She nodded, anticipating a quiet night curled up by a fireplace, drinking warm brandy, falling asleep in each other's arms…

She smiled as they roared back towards town. She couldn't imagine a better way to end the day.

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Across the town line, a dark force gathers. Its presence is registered in a series of pulsing beats, soft as a heartbeat, strong as waves battering the shoreline. A force as ancient as any spell still swirls around the town line—its invisible current hums through the streets with every passing second. It alternates between two central sources…great darkness or great light. They both arise from the same wellspring, the same magical source. And right now, that source was in flux. Something is churning against the invisible current. A change is coming, the air is thick with it.

Three figures hover near the town line, testing its strength, registering its strengths and weaknesses, drawing in the knowledge the way the ocean draws in the tide.

They crouch low against the invisible barrier, letting the shadows conceal them. Deep, hissing whispers echo around them as they speak in low voices. A woman wearing a heavy fur coat can smell the blood of the Dark One just on the other side. It's a tantalizing scent, a golden tendril guiding her to her final victory. The woman next to her has waves of black hair and large wounded eyes. She keeps to the darkest part of the shadows as she paces along the vast fissures of an endless abyss. Her goal is so close, she can almost reach for it with one of her eight undulating arms.

The third figure straightens his suit and adjusts his scarf. Ingrid's scroll is tucked safely in his jacket, along with the Sorcerer's hat and his wedding ring. For centuries he's stalked the wavering line between waking and dreaming and now he finds himself pacing Storybrooke's horizon, searching for his happy ending. He takes a deep breath as triumphant glean shines in the red pupils of his eyes. Any day now the town line will be weak enough to cross, and the pull of his desire will lead him onward like a current in a black river of blood.

Soon the hunt will be on. The three villains will get what they came for. Their hunger will be sated, and the realm will be lost to absolute darkness.

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The End (for now)

Sequel Coming soon: "Heart of Glass"