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The Orphan Jones	By : RueRambunctious Category: M through R > Once Upon A Time Views: 1480 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT and make no money from this.

Chapter List
- 1-One
- 2-Two
- 3-Three
- 4-Four
- 5-Five
- 6-Six
- 4
- 5
- 6
Mr Gold has no memory of meeting himself in the Underworld, and can think of no justification for requiring a memory potion, but he does remember all references to the waif in the grey dress described her alone.

Gold surmises that means he does something (will do something) that he absolutely does not want to do.

He has a rough idea how long the heroes will stay in the Underworld, and Mr Gold does still have enough magic to return.

But to leave young Iridiana Jones alone here? Where anything could happen?

Mr Gold frowns, thinking back, and rubs his forehead tiredly. ...She got hurt, didn't she? He is sure he can remember something about the girl getting hurt down here.

But if he <i>remembers</i> that, then he can't change it, can he? It's far too dangerous to do that.

Iridiana seems to note his disquiet. She is eerily skilled at that, but it's hardly surprising that she can recognise discomfort when she knows little else.

“What's the matter?” she asks without preamble.

“From what I can remember, this is where I leave you until you've witnessed what you have to,” Mr Gold says quietly.

“I'm fine on my own,” Iridiana says.

Mr Gold gives her a mildly surprised look. “You don't mind being alone in the Underworld?”

Iridiana scoffs softly. “Why would I? Can't be any worse than what I'm used to.”

“I think you get injured,” Mr Gold warns.

Iridiana shrugs, and gives him a look of pure trust. “That's alright, you'll look after me when you come back.”

Mr Gold stares at her for a beat feeling his stomach clench at her open expression. Regina, Zelena, and even Cora had always had walls of mistrust at all stages of their mentorship. Iridiana has suffered just as much as they did, but she is always willing to drop her walls with him.

She believes in him. Mr Gold cannot ascertain whether it is because he is a better man than he ever was before, or because there is a quality to her that guides her trust. It is odd that a child of Hook could remind him so much of Belle.

Iridiana ends the moment with a grin and a wink, turning and giving an unconcerned wave as she trots off in the direction of Hades. “I'll see you later!”

The child is unnaturally chipper and Mr Gold understands that is for her benefit. He leaves in a puff of smoke, wondering how much his wife is likely to berate him for what is surely a severe lack of judgement on his part.

Iridiana glances back at the empty space. Her stomach churns, but her fingers curl into her palms in determination.

She wanders the strange, hellish version of Storybrooke. It looks like someone has laid waste to her hometown and it gives her the creeps.

Her magic feels different here too. She reminds herself that swimming and flying feel very different from walking around, so of course things would feel different down here.

She does not like it all the same.

She supposes she is looking for the early version of her mother, but as Iridiana continues to walk through the eerie town she admits to herself that she would be happy to see anyone familiar.

Perhaps not Robyn. The place wasn't that bad.

Iridiana notices Hades walking into what wasn't quite Granny's Diner. Her heart leaps in relief and she runs towards the building.

Iridiana reaches the door just in time to hear Emma whisper, “You did this.”

Iridiana's stomach lurches, but as she looks around she realises her mother is not looking at her, but instead Hades, who is seated at a booth. Hades gives Iridiana the smallest look of acknowledgement then looks away.

Iridiana scans the diner, recognising the backs of Ruby, Aunt Regina and Grandma Snow.

“Hmm. Guilty,” Hades announces. He stands and comments, “A little water from the Sea of Lost Souls gives the soup a little ...something.” He wipes his mouth for dramatic effect, his eyes sparkling ominously.

“Why would you hurt her?” asks a disturbed Snow. “She was just a sweet little old lady.”

“Hmm,” says Hades coolly, still posturing with the napkin. “Isn't it obvious? ...Because you're trying to help her.”

“And,” Regina snarls, “Dorothy, who happens to be Zelena's sworn enemy. Did she put you up to this?”

“Oh your sister has no idea I'm even here, this is about so much more than that,” Hades declares, his voice growing more dangerous. “Let's call this a teachable moment.”

As the other heroes look disturbed, Emma steps forwards threateningly and asserts, “You wouldn't even be here unless you were afraid we might actually win.”

None of the heroes seem to notice Iridiana and she wonders what she is witnessing. What does her mother believe she can win?

Meanwhile, Hades mockingly responds, “Oh! Yes? Is that so?” He paces around Emma menacingly, whipping out the napkin around his throat as he approaches the puddle of Auntie Em's remains. “So let's see, Savior, because I don't think dear old Aunt Em would agree with you.” He kneels in his expensive suit and wipes up the puddle.

The heroes watch in horror as he stands, picks up a jar, and wrings out Aunt Em into it.

“Citizens of the Underworld,” Hades announces dangerously, “from now on, this,” he brandishes the jar, “is what happens to anyone who deals with these so-called heroes.”

He turns around theatrically, holding the horrible jar aloft. “Who's going to be next in line to ask for their help?”

The diner is silent, and Hades looks around pointedly before making a face. Ruby actually looks right at Iridiana and looks away without an expression of recognition. It twists Iridiana's stomach, even though logically Ruby could not possibly recognise her years before Iridiana is even born.

Hades approaches Emma, still holding the jar, and hisses, “It's hard to be a saviour when no one wants you to save them.”

Emma feels adrenaline race through her body as she reels from the words.

Hades leaves with a smirk, his gaze flickering over Iridiana mildly in a way that makes her skin prickle.

Iridiana stays where she is, and silently steps back as Emma, Snow, Regina and Ruby leave soberly. Iridiana waits, watching their backs, then follows after them silently.

No one notices Iridiana, but the girl has had a lifetime of perfecting that skill. They make their way to the graveyard, fixating on a particular headstone besides which Grandpa David and Iridiana's father stand.

Something seems to be happening between Iridiana's grandparents, one of whom disappears into nothing with Ruby, but Iridiana is too focused on Hook's appearance.

He looks like he's been hit by a truck.
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The Orphan Jones