Author's Note: This is really just supposed to set up the story. The good stuff starts with the next chapter! This is very AU, although aspects of it will be kept cannon. Some of this will probably seem particularly confusing at first, but I promise it will all begin to make sense soon. I will try to update this as often as I can. Please follow & review!

The darkness consumed every part of Emma. It had done so for the past 10 years but no one noticed it. Emma was too good at lying to let anyone notice it.

It was ironic, really. She demanded truthfulness from everyone around her but she refused to offer it herself.

Pinocchio, Alexandra and Regina understood there was more to the story than just a simple death…but even so. No one really knew. No one would ever know.

And Emma's birthday brought up that sentiment more than ever. It's easier to play normal during the parts of the year where there were no reminders.

Unfortunately, Emma's birthday was a constant reminder of it all. Of that moment that changed everything.

Emma's 28th birthday would be no different from the rest. The joy and the interest would all be a façade.

"You really ought to come and greet the guests now," Pinocchio's words erased the miserable thoughts traveling around Emma's head.

He didn't wait for her to respond. He walked off; she followed.

Emma really did love her friends. An eternal depression does seem to get in the way of certain interactions, but love was still present in her heart. She constantly wondered if everyone would be so loving if they knew how black her heart was. If they really knew why she was so dedicated to her studies-the archery, the sword fighting, and the hand to hand combat-would they continue to love her so much?

Emma curtsied to the Kings and Queens around her. They bowed and curtsied back. Phillip and Aurora were absolutely shining, probably because of the new little one along the way. Their other daughter, Briar Rose, stood in the corner, twirling her hair around her finger whilst talking to Tobias, the son of Frederick and Abigail. He also had a sister named Katherine, who Emma was fond of but was never particularly close to.

Thomas and Ella were the one's Emma truly loved to see. Their daughter, Alexandra, was Emma's closest friend. Thomas and Ella were also close to Emma—even if her parents were in fact better friends with Frederick and Abigail. They had a rather special relationship, one Emma never truly understood. There was something about a golden statue in all of it, but Emma could never convince her parents to share the story. They never shared that story, nor did they share the story of their courtship.

Emma assumed that even the great Snow White and Charming could have their little secrets; after all, she had some of her own. At the very least she knew about the true loves kiss, the one that brought Snow White back to life and the entire warring kingdom to their knees in admiration.

Sickly sweet stories like that tended to bother her.

Her own experience told her that love could never be as simple as a kiss.

Never.

Alexandra and Emma embraced, and Emma shared one of the few genuine smiles actually tucked away in her bleeding dark heart.

The look on Alexandra's face startled Emma. It startled her even more when she rather loudly exclaimed, "It has been far too long since we last talked! Perhaps we should walk in the garden for a spell?"

They walked away without waiting for a response. Emma's brow stitched up in worry.

They only ever walked in the gardens when they wanted absolute privacy.

When there was something desperate to share.

Alexandra grasped Emma's hands as they sat down.

"I don't really know how to tell you this."

"The more you prolong this, the more I worry."

"Rumplestiltskin has returned from exile."

The darkness that had momentarily retreated made its way back, consuming Emma's heart once more. Air suddenly found difficult making its way to her lungs. Or, rather, her lungs had difficulty taking in the air. "Alexandra, are you sure about this?"

"Innocent villagers are found left and right with holes in their chests and the ashes of their hearts sprinkled nearby. We haven't seen a massacre this bad since we took down Cora. I wasn't supposed to tell you any of this-you must not tell anyone I mentioned this-but I had to because…well, I thought you needed to know," Alexandra's voice softened. "I am so sorry, Emma."

Emma no longer knew what to feel. She knew Rumplestiltskin would eventually come back, but she still wasn't ready to know it was finally happening. She wanted nothing more than to kill the bastard, but her heart still tried to fight against the horrid darkness. Did she really want to kill someone, all in the sake of revenge?

Her persuasive, all-consuming black heart said yes. Everything else said no.

Emma felt no need to say anything, so she left Alexandra without a word. She retired to her room until later that evening.

Emma walked into the parlor with a fake sleepiness in her eyes. If anyone asked, she would say that exhaustion had overcome her. She was pleased to see her friends' playing card games. Darkness had no qualms with games. In fact, it helped in keeping her mind off worrisome matters.

"It's really some small wonder that you can gamble, Pinocchio. After all, aren't you supposed to be selfless, brave and true?" Emma laughingly teased him whilst jabbing him in the side. She then proceeded to shove him off his chair and take his place. Pinocchio was like a brother to Emma; they always teased and poked fun at each other. Emma wouldn't want it any other way.

Alexandra pouted her face in Pinocchio's direction and scooted over, patting half of her chair. "Need a seat, Woody?"

"You all are just jealous because I usually win!" He shooed away Alexandra's request and pulled up another chair.

"I wish I would win for once," Tobias's face scrunched up.

Briar Rose patted his arm and snuggled up against his side. "I am sure you will, sweetheart!"

Emma grimaced at the budding romance. Didn't anyone know that PDA made victims out of the viewers?

Emma shook the thoughts out of her head as the group set up another round of the game. She played happily enough, and wonderful, teasing, snarky comments were flung from everyone in all directions for the entire evening. She enjoyed the time with her friends until the clock struck midnight.

Today was the day of yet another birthday ball.

Nobody said anything when Emma left without a word.

Emma and Regina stood near the frame of the entrance, grasping hands. 10 years later, and Regina was the only one who still mourned with Emma on her birthday.

The purple satin dress swallowed Emma up. She couldn't wait for the ball to be over, for her to be able to go back and hide her darkness without needing so much effort.

"Chin up, head high. Don't forget to smile. The day is almost over. You can do this. You've done it all the years before, you can do it now." Regina squeezed Emma's hands.

Emma smiled at the woman with her graying hair, at the woman who had been a second mom to her all these years. Her released her grip and sadly turned away as her parents called her out in to the ballroom.

She walked in, a smile on her face. No matter how hard it would be, Emma would-and could-hide the darkness for the sake of a pretend happy birthday.

The guests applauded and cheered her entrance. She waved to people around her and gave word for the party to start. Bright dresses began to swirl around her.

After many endless conversations, Alexandra finally joined Emma's side…by poking her. Emma squealed and gave her a killer dirty look.

"Oh, dear. Where are my manners?" Alexandra spoke her words whilst trying to suppress her laughter. "I am such a pompous jackass for poking your Highness. Would you like to dance and receive more poking and obnoxious treatment, milady?" She gave into the laughter and held out her hand.

Emma grinned, for real this time. She hid her laughter behind her hand. The two girls guffawed for a few minutes. Alexandra always knew how to lighten the mood. She grabbed hands and they obnoxiously swung around the ballroom, annoying an endless number of guests.

Gasps suddenly swept the crowd. Emma saw her father draw her sword.

She ran through the crowd as the darkness began to slip away, replacing its existence with curiosity. Her father pointed his weapon at someone who was yet to be identified.

"Who are you?" her father bellowed unnecessarily loud.

"A pirate," Emma breathed. The darkness, the blackness completely slipped away in that moment. She'd never seen a pirate before, but she knew he must be one. He had a hook for a hand, messy hair, and really tight leather clothes.

She waved her father's sword away and stared down the pirate. He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. "Be a princess and help a gentleman up." He stuck out his only hand and gave her a smirk. A lot of sarcasm and emphasis was thrown into the word princess.

Emma raised her eyebrows and gave a disapproving look. Cocky. That would be really annoying. He was also probably too attractive for his own good. Emma hated that type of guy. Regardless, she offered her hand to the uninvited guest.

Big mistake.

A spark sputtered inside of Emma, sending a blast coursing through her body. The pirate was completely knocked to the ground, and Emma barreled backwards into the crowd.