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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟖
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄

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"Please tell me you found something," Hook said as they walked into the large dining room in the Dark One's castle.

"We may be in luck," Rumplestiltskin announced as he walked across the room toward his spinning wheel. Everyone watched with curiosity in their eyes as he unscrewed the decorative knob to reveal a small vile. "As I did, this Dark One hid some magic for a rainy day."

No one said a word as Rumplestiltskin removed the cork before sprinkling the magic on his hand. It soon began to brightly glow as a small smirk formed on his lips. The powerful man just stared at his hand until it stopped glowing and returned to normal. It wasn't long after that when Rumplestiltskin opened his mouth to continue speaking. "All I have to do now is get close enough to that Crocodile to rip his heart out. And this whole thing will be over."

"Too late, dearie," a new voice called out, drawing everyone's attention toward the other side of the room to find the Wish Realm version of Rumplestiltskin staring back at them, "already have it. An Author with a darkened heart."

It wasn't long after that when the room began to shake. The smirk on the Dark One's face did nothing but grow as he waved his hands through the air. That caused the books on the table to flip open and dark portals to open up behind them. Roland had to quickly grab Robin and pull her away from her portal to avoid being taken away from him. Everyone had to cling to the large table in the middle of the room to avoid being sucked into their worst fears. Everyone except for Everly, who was unaffected by the spell. Instead, she was keeping her feet firmly planted to the ground while making sure Felix and Cassie weren't taken from her.

Everly's hands were wrapped tightly around their wrists while their other hands were holding onto the table. Screams were the only thing that could be heard over the strong winds, but the Thorne woman simply ignored them. All she could do was focus on not losing her husband and daughter. While her energy was being used to protect Felix and Cassie, Everly couldn't help but think about the rest of her family. They were smart enough to keep the books away from Fletcher, Dawn and Lucy, knowing it would be harder for them to get sucked in. But what about Sam, Katherine, and Austin? And Marci, Will, Jasper, and Lucas? Where they safe?

That lasted for what felt like an eternity before the portals disappeared as quickly as they came. The Wish Realm Rumplestiltskin looked around in confusion while relief flowed through everyone's veins. It wasn't long after that when a loud thump echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention toward Hook. Shock replaced the relief Everly once felt as she stared at the pirate captain lying lifeless on the floor.

"Papa! No, Papa, hold on!" Alice pleaded with her father after sitting down beside him on the floor.

"Alice, what's happening?" Robin asked before kneeling down next to the blonde girl.

"He's dying! Hold on, Papa! No! Papa!"

Everly didn't hesitate to sprint across the room before falling to the ground by Hook's side. Her hands began to brightly glow as she held her hands over the pirate captain. Magic emitted from her fingertips and hit his chest where his heart was. It wasn't long after that when Hook began to take in shaky breaths, but his eyes stayed closed. Despite trying with all her might, Everly knew this wasn't a permanent solution. And by the look on everyone's faces, she could tell that they knew too.

Rumplestiltskin watched from the other side of the room with anger in his eyes. It wasn't long after that when he found himself looking over at his evil alter ego. "This is all your fault."

The Wish Realm Dark One's sinister smirk did nothing but grow as he bowed toward his counterpart. The fury within Rumplestiltskin doubled as he jumped across the table to stand in front of his doppelganger. However, before he could go through with his plans, his Wish Realm self stopped him with a simple flick of his wrist. Now their only chance at saving the realm was being choked by another version of himself.

"Look at you. You're pathetic. So weak," the Wish Realm native hissed as his eyes scanned over his counterpart. It wasn't long after that when the latter was tossed aside as if weighing nothing at all.

"I'm not weak," Rumplestiltskin announced while pushing himself off the floor, only for his doppelganger to force him back down with his magic.

"Could've fooled me."

"You see, what you don't understand is that I am the strongest version of us. Because I...I have evolved," their version of the Dark One declared while pushing himself off the floor. Everly was shocked to see a drip of blood coming from his nose, something she thought was next to impossible. But she quickly pushed that aside and focused back on keeping Hook alive. 

"You have evolved into a pathetic shell of us. But don't worry. You'll soon just be a faded memory," the Wish Realm native retaliated before turning around to face the rest of the heroes, "and I shall be the Rumplestiltskin the world remembers."

Panic coursed through Everly's veins when the Dark One began walking toward them. Roland didn't hesitate to unsheathe his sword while Cassie loaded her bow before they placed themselves between their family and the powerful man. But despite their courage, the Thorne woman knew her children wouldn't stand a chance. Everly just stared at the approaching man while trying to decide whether to continue to keep Hook alive or leave him to die and face their enemy.

Her thoughts were soon cut short when their Rumplestiltskin called out to his counterpart. All eyes returned to the man as he forced himself to his feet and gathered all his strength. Rumplestiltskin just stared at the darkest version of himself for a moment longer before opening his mouth to speak.

"Yes, you are the Dark One. As was I. And I know all our little secrets. Becoming the Dark One was the act of a coward...but I'm no longer that man. You are," Rumplestiltskin announced as he used the table to help him get across the room, "and that weak coward will not be the Rumplestiltskin the world remembers."

A familiar laugh escaped the Wish Realm Dark One as he smirked at his counterpart, amused by his doppelganger's words. "So what's your plan then? Talk me to death?"

"My plan is...to do whatever it takes," the powerful man announced before placing himself between the evil version of himself and his allies.

It only took another second for Everly to piece together what he was saying, causing her blood to run cold. However, before she had a chance to voice her thoughts, Alice beat her to it. "No, the line of the Guardians is gone. You'll never be with Belle."

"I know that. But someone once taught me that you don't do the right thing for a reward. You do it because it's right," Rumplestiltskin responded after his attention landed on Everly, who was staring back at him with uncertainty and sadness in her eyes, "I've been selfish for too long. I've been living on stolen time. Now...I will finally face the unknown."

Before anyone had a chance to react, Rumplestiltskin plunged his hand into his own chest and ripped out his head. He just stared at it for a long moment before his eyes moved back to the Purest Heart. The two of them just stared at each other for a long moment before Rumplestiltskin held his heart out to her. "You know what to do."

Tears formed in Everly's eyes as she carefully took his heart from him. The darkness within it instantly evaporated into thin air the second it was in her hands, turning it bright red. A sad smile formed on the Thorne woman's lips as she kept her eyes glued to the man standing in front of her. "You deserve your happy ending."

The only response she received from Rumplestiltskin was a smile followed by a small nod. That was all it took for the Thorne woman to plunge the heart into Hook's chest. Not even a second after that passed when the most powerful man Everly had ever known crumpled to the ground. The Wish Realm Dark One soon fell to his knees as he stared at the heroes with fear in his eyes. It wasn't long after that when his body turned to dust before he disappeared into thin air.

Hook's eyes soon flashed open and he let out a gasp. Everyone was quick to help him sit up before the pirate captain looked around with confusion in his eyes. It wasn't long after that when Alice broke the silence surrounding them. "Papa? Are you..."

"I'm fine. I'm cured."

"I thought I'd lost you."

"So did I," Hook responded before they got to their feet and pulled each other into a very tight and overdue hug. The two of them stayed like that for another moment before ending their reunion, allowing the pirate captain to look around at those surrounding him. "What happened?"

A lump soon formed in Everly's throat that she had to force away. It wasn't long after that when Hook's attention landed on her. The two of them just stared at each other for a moment before the Thorne woman gestured behind him. "Rumple gave you his heart."

All of the happiness faded from the Jones man's eyes after he turned around to find Rumplestiltskin on the ground. While Hook moved to kneel beside their ally, Felix wrapped his arm around Everly's shoulders and pulled her to his side. She had to use all her strength not to break down in tears. She and Rumplestiltskin had been through a lot together, both good and bad. She never imagined having to let him go. But now that time had finally come and everyone saw how it affected her. Roland moved to stand behind Everly and placed his hands on her shoulders while Cassie took her mother's hand into her own.

No one said a word as they watched Hook whisper something inaudible to Rumplestiltskin. That was until the door opened to reveal Regina walking in. However, the smile on her face instantly fell when she saw the scene playing out in front of her.

"Mom!" Henry exclaimed after spotting Regina watching them from the middle of the room. The Mills man didn't hesitate to get to his feet and race toward her before pulling the brunette woman in for a tight hug. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's all gonna be fine," the Mills woman told her son while keeping her eyes glued to Rumplestiltskin. It wasn't long after that when they ended their moment, giving Regina the opportunity to ask the question bouncing around in her head. "What's happening here?"

"He did it for me," Hook whispered just loud enough for them to hear before getting to his feet and facing Regina, "he did it to save me. To save all of us."

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