Prologue:
The Enchanted Forest-Missing Year
"Robin, I'm so sorry," Snow White said as tears dripped down her cheeks.
Regina was dead, and her sister had stolen their child, fully prepared to use this child to rid the world of light magic.
"No, this can't be the end for us…no" Robin whispered, holding his wife's lifeless body.
No one in the room was able to say anything; what could they say to a man in mourning? He had been through this before with Marian and it was the hardest thing he'd ever dealt with.
Until now.
There was something more painful about this moment because of who she was. Regina was Robin's soulmate, she completed the part of him that he didn't even know was missing. This loss cut him to his core because he had promised her that they would succeed, that he wouldn't let Zelena steal their baby. He had promised her that he would get her back home to Storybrooke, to Henry. Henry, the boy he never met but loved like his own son; what was he going to tell the boy when they defeated Zelena and his mother was nowhere to be found? That was if they even defeated Zelena; she was set to wipe away all of their memories in moments.
"It wasn't supposed to end like this my love…I'm sorry Regina. I'm so sorry that I failed you, but I promise that your death won't be in vain" Robin whispered before pressing a kiss to her lips.
Once their lips met, a blinding light filled the room, knocking everyone down. Robin and Regina's bodies were swept up in a cloud of magic so strong that it nearly took his breath away.
"What's happening?!" Snow shouted over the swirling magic in the room.
"The power of soulmates!" Rumple shouted as the cloud of magic dissipated and Robin and Regina were gently placed back onto the bed. Robin held Regina even tighter as he stared into her eyes. As if on cue, Regina took a gasping breath and opened her eyes.
"Robin?" She called out weakly
"I'm right here my love, I'm right here," Robin said, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Robin, what happened?" Regina asked, glancing back at Rumple, for surely he knew what had happened.
"Zelena had informants working for her here in the castle; she was able to slip you a poison that not only killed you but tied her to the baby" Rumple explained
"But…if I died, how am I-" Regina began though she was extremely confused.
"Apparently, our love was strong enough to defeat death" Robin explained, reaching out to cup his wife's cheek.
"But…all magic comes with a price, even the power of true love," Regina said
"I don't know what it is but-"Robin began as the room started to shake.
"Zelena's curse, it's here; everyone brace yourselves!" Charming shouted
Robin held Regina close as clouds of purple and green smoke surrounded them. Zelena had beaten them; she was on her way to Storybrooke to destroy them all. She had already stolen Robin and Regina's child, all she needed were the forged blades of Excalibur and the blade of the Dark One. Once the blades were forged together, she would use it to cut down the baby, casting all darkness into her. Regina's heart ached for her child, whom she never even got to hold. Tears of sadness and anger rolled down her cheeks at the fact that her sister had defeated them. One by one, Regina watched as her friends were ripped away from the Enchanted Forest, sent back to Storybrooke where they would not recall anything that had happened in the last 18 months.
"There has to be something we can do!" Robin shouted over the magic
"There's nothing you can do…well, this is quite the surprise" Zelena said as she approached the couple. She was furious that Regina was alive, but she wouldn't let that show.
"You won't get away with this Zelena!" Robin yelled
"Oh, but I already have; would you like to see your daughter one last time?" Zelena gloated as she drew back the blanket, revealing Robin and Regina's daughter. She was somehow sound asleep, despite the chaos that was going on around her.
"You lay one hand on our child I swear I'll-" Robin began though Zelena threw him across the room.
"He's so annoying; I can't believe you married him," Zelena said mockingly
"Why aren't we in Storybrooke yet?"Regina asked as Zelena chuckled
"Because I wanted to take this moment to gloat in Robin Hood's face, but you're still alive; this just makes my gloating even better . How does it feel to know that our mother kept the wrong daughter? How does it feel to know that I've stolen your baby, and you won't even remember it? How does it feel to know that this is the only time you'll see this child alive? Because when we get to Storybrooke and get Excalibur and the blade of the Dark One, I'm going to use it to cut her down and destroy all light magic. Oh don't cry sis, you won't remember this conversation in a few seconds…I just couldn't resist gloating about how I finally won. Say goodbye to your mummy little one" Zelena cooed at the baby before they were caught up in a cloud of smoke and taken to Storybrooke.
The magic in the room was thick; the pull of it was so strong that it nearly took Regina's breath away. Robin managed to wake up and slowly drag himself towards Regina, who wept bitterly.
"This isn't the end Regina!" Robin shouted, wrapping his arms around her
"It's over Robin, she's won!" Regina yelled over the howling wind as their bodies were lifted from the ground.
"No! She hasn't won; I was able to bring you back with true love's kiss that has to count for something!" Robin yelled back, pulling her even closer to him.
"But-"
"We will find Henry and we will get our daughter back" Robin shouted as everything began to fade into nothingness…
Storybrooke: 18 Months Later
The first thing she smelled was the salt from the sea, followed by the stench of a factory that was presumably nearby. There were birds chirping and there was a blinding light coming from somewhere. Regina Mills sat up, her eyes blinking several times in order to take in the scenery around her. Once her eyes fully adjusted, she gasped in horror:
She certainly wasn't in the Enchanted Forest, she was still in Storybrooke.
"No…that's not possible," Regina said shaking her head slowly. Yes, she was definitely in Storybrooke based on the bedroom she was in. She turned to her left, noticing as Robin slept peacefully beside her. What?! Why was Robin asleep in her bed? There was no way she's sleep with him, not after the way he betrayed them
This wasn't right; she was just standing at the town line saying goodbye to Henry and Emma…
Henry! He was the first thought that came to mind as she pushed back the covers, allowing her feet to touch the ground. When she stood, she was met with an excruciating pain in her lower abdomen and her nether regions. When she placed her hands on her stomach she paused; why did her stomach feel bloated? Lifting her shirt up, Regina was shocked to find that her stomach was drastically different. No longer was it flat and firm like it was before the curse, but it was more round, more pronounced.
"What the hell is going on?" She muttered to herself, moving towards the mirror to get a better look at herself. Her stomach wasn't the only thing that was different; her breasts were definitely larger, fuller and were sensitive to the touch.
Yes, something was definitely wrong.
oOo
When Zelena opened her eyes, she stood in the middle of a rather shabby looking farmhouse. It was far less pleasing than she was used to, reminding her of her father's cabin back in Oz; though it was significantly cleaner. Plus, there was this indoor plumbing that was rather nice and her wardrobe well, that was simply to die for. The best part was that her skin was no longer that horrible green color but was normal looking like everyone else's; a perfect way for her to blend in. Zelena smiled as she glanced around her new surroundings; she had won, she had finally-
Her thoughts of victory were cut short when a shrill cry erupted from a corner nearby. She scowled as she marched towards the offensive sound until she realized it was a baby, but not just any baby; this child belonged to Robin and Regina.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," she said as she leaned forward to pick of the crying child, whose cried slightly lessened as she held her close.
The child was quite beautiful with her dark hair, her tiny button nose, her creamy skin and those eyes, those wide expressive gray eyes. The child was stunning in every way possible as she blinked up at Zelena who grinned wickedly.
"Oh yes, this is definitely a splendid consolation prize," She said with a chuckle as the baby let out a whimper.
"Oh shh, shh, darling…no need to fret; it will all be over soon enough. You see, I'm going to ruin your mum's life and I'm going to use you to do it" Zelena cooed before moving towards the window.
"All we have to do now is wait for everyone to wake up and realize that they aren't in the Enchanted Forest anymore and blame it all on your mother," Zelena said with a laugh, keeping her eyes focused on the world outside.
Yes, things were about to get very interesting.
Chapter 1 to follow…
