Part One:
Hunting the Swan
Panting breaths and frantic footfalls pound through the Enchanted Forest like shocks of lightning as the Savior tears through the trees as quickly as she can. The leaves are thick and form a canopy of darkness throughout the wooded area; the moon presses persistently against the small breaks between foliage—the light slithering in diligently enough to form several tiny strips of an ominous glow. As the trees grow closer together and larger in height all light evades the forest and Emma nearly cries out in desperation, but she continues on even as her body is plagued with fatigue. Her heart beats in unsteady murmurs as her lungs burn and scream in agony, and yet the blonde still never stops—she can't stop. The fear and worry that course through her veins pull her onward as she scrambles over fallen branches and tangled roots. But the Savior's speed quickly falters as the terrain grows gruesome; mud stained black with blood, while trees stand gnarled and choking with smoke.
Collapsing to the ground with exhaustion and an unbearable fit of coughs, Emma clenches her eyes shut as they sting with the putrid smell of death and flames. Placing a hand over her nose and mouth, the blonde sputters and chokes into her palm as she drags herself along the forest floor. After a few moments the blonde's green eyes blink open and she squints through the cloak of smoke that twirls around her and the trees. Removing her hand from her lips, the Savior digs both hands into the dirt as she crawls more quickly, and a sigh of relief flutters in her throat as her fingertips touch the welcoming dampness of grass. As the cold seeps into her bones, Emma scrambles to her feet and takes off in a run. The smoke begins to clear then just as the toes of her boots meet nothing but thin air. Wobbling on the cusp of a cliff the blonde yelps as she leaps backward and nearly falls as her knees begin to quiver. She recovers after a moment, and taking a gasping breath, the Savior hesitantly inches closer to the edge as she peers downward; the sight that consumes her gaze makes her mouth fall open and tears prickle within her eyes.
Below her lays the Kingdom in ruins—everything is black and red with blood and fire. Bodies litter the street alongside the rubble. The bodies of innocent civilians who tried to flee from the Queens wrath—the wrath of a mother scorned. As green eyes drag across licking flames and demolished buildings a whimper tears through Emma's lungs and she tumbles to the ground on her knees. Tears trace her cheeks in an abundance of guilt and despair; she could have done something, she could have saved them, and yet she hadn't. Their lives could have been salvaged by the blonde but she had left them to die due to her own fear—what kind of Savior was she? As the thoughts clawed within her skull her eyes grew cloudy and faraway, remembering what had transpired only hours before.
She had been our riding with her father when the signal of distress had thudded throughout the Kingdom in its shrill, bleak whimpers. Their eyes had met in a combination of worry and terror as their steeds whinnied and snorted in displeasure. Nodding at each other they both dug their heels into their horses' ribs and galloped onward; both racing toward the castle—toward their family. The cool air whipped around her face like a blanket of ice, but she rode on with all the more vigor as her son's face pleaded within her mind. He needed her, and she would be damned if she weren't there for him at every possible opportunity.
Once there, Emma had leapt from her saddle with the speed and agility of a tigress and onto the cobblestone street. Groaning in frustration as she thrust through the panicking people in the courtyard, she finally found a break in the crowd and ran full force to the stables where she knew her mother and son would be. As the blonde burst through the barn doors Henry skidded into her arms and wrapped his own around her waist tightly; digging his shaking fingers into her spine as if to seek comfort from her skin alone. Feeling the child's trepidation, Emma buried her face within his soft, dark hair and kissed the top of his head as she ran her hands over his back in soothing circles.
"She's coming…" he whispered into her chest as his small frame shuddered in fear, "…she's coming for me."
"No, Henry…" the blonde smiled tearfully as she pulled him away from her so she could look him in the eye, "…she will never take you away from me."
Worrying his bottom lip with his teeth the boy forced himself to be strong and nodded in agreement. Emma ruffled his hair with her fingers as she walked past him and towards her mother. Snow stood beside her favored horse and caressed its nose gently, easing the animal into a state of peace. As she felt her daughter approach she cocked her head to the side to look at her; her delicate features were etched in fear. The blonde quickened her step and reached forward, grabbing her mother's hand and pulling her away from the horses and from Henry.
"I need you to take Henry away…" Emma sighed, gripping the hand within her's tighter, "I need to know that he'll be safe — I need to know that Regina won't be able to find him." Taking a breath she peered into Snow's eyes as she silently shook with sadness, "do you know a place?"
"Yes," the brunette nodded, giving her daughter a watery smile, "I have the perfect place."
"Then please," Emma begged, unable to stop the tears from falling down her face, "promise me you and he will go there—I need you both to be safe."
They spoke in hushed whispers as they formed their plan and after only a few moments everything was settled. Begrudgingly, the blonde tore herself away from the hold she had on Snow and scuffed back over to Henry. The boy was peeking out the door of the stables and as Emma set a gentle hand on his shoulder he jumped in fear. Shaking her head in resentment, the blonde dropped to her knees and held her son's small hands within her own.
"Henry, we're going to have to be apart for a little while," as the words brushed against his ears Henry began to cry, "it's only for a little while, kid…I promise." As she pressed him into another hug their bodies shook with sobs as they held each other for what could possibly be the last time. "I love you." Emma finally whispered as she stood and raced back out to the courtyard before she lost all of her resolve.
As she searched the crowd for her father and his guards, the blonde wandered through the quivering people as they tried to figure out how to keep themselves and their families safe. Biting her lip in frustration, Emma swerved through the waves of fleeing civilians as she caught sight of her father. Reaching out for him, he turned to her and pulled her to his side. Just as he opened his mouth to speak a thundering torrent of energy whirled around them as Regina appeared directly in front of them. As her figure flickered to its fullness Emma looked on in awe as shrieks echoed in fear behind her. Narrowing her eyes in displeasure, the blonde looked on at the miraculous change that the dark woman had gone through since the curse had broken. Her black hair was piled atop her head elaborately and her face was dramatically seductive with each sweeping glimmer of finely concocted make up. Taking a breath, Emma couldn't help herself as her gaze ran up the length of leather clad legs and a corseted stomach and bosom. Licking her lips fervently, the blonde balled her hands into fists as her emerald glare met twinkling black orbs.
"Emma…" the Queen breathed coldly as she took a step closer to her prey, "how very, very good it is to see you."
"Right back at you." The Savior dead-panned as her body twitched with fury and attraction.
"Now that the sentiments are over…" Regina began, shifting her gaze over to Charming in frustration; his outraged expression seemingly coaxed her playfulness, "…why don't you be a dear and fetch myson for me?"
"In your dreams, your Majesty." Emma spit as her hand reached over towards her father's sword.
"It seems you haven't lost your rude disposition," the brunette tut as she frowned in mock disappointment, "and I was genuinely hoping we wouldn't have to do this the hard way."
Just as the Queen raised her arm, the blonde pulled her father's sword from his scabbard and took a leaping step forward as she swung it viciously. A menacing laugh reverberated throughout the courtyard as Regina disappeared within a puff of dark purple smoke. As the weapon swung through the colorful fog without hitting anything other than air, Emma screamed in indignation as she threw the sword to the ground. Cursing beneath her breath the blonde kicked at a clump of dirt as her father rested a firm hand on her shoulder, and that was when it hit her—Henry. Widening her eyes in fear Emma turned to her father and gripped his shoulder's roughly.
"Henry…" she breathed raggedly, "he's close, I need to find him!"
"Go…" Charming reassured her as he knelt down to pick up his sword, "…my men and I can deal with the problems here. But you need to be with your son."
Before her father had finished his sentence the blonde was running back into the forest, her legs carrying her at a remarkable speed. She would find Henry and her mother before Regina did, she would, Emma promised herself—even if it killed her.
As the blonde's eyes focus back into the present she can't help but scream inside of herself; not only did she turn away from her people—who needed her—she had also failed in finding her son and her mother. The failure that swells within her stomach burns her and Emma feels another wealth of tears fall from her eyes. Shaking her head, the Savior pulls herself into a standing position intent on continuing her never-ending search for two of the most important people in her life. As she stands, the blonde's body cracks and groans with exhaustion and she nearly cries out in pain, but she bites her tongue and merely carries on. But, Emma doesn't make it far when she feels the familiar crackle of energy vibrate throughout the ground. Stiffening, the Savior perks up her ears as she listens closely to the noises that whisper throughout the trees. The only sound the blonde is able to hear is the distant rustling of leaves tumbling through the wind; her nerves are as sharp as daggers and they pierce through her jaggedly—unable to sate the edge that ripples through her.
Rubbing a hand over her face roughly, Emma goes to take a step but is suddenly thrust backward by vicious fingers pulling at her hair and a firm arm locking around her waist. Struggling against her captor, the Savior kicks and thrusts against the soft form behind her but her pursuer has far greater strength, and the fight dwindles from her body as if stolen. A maniacal laugh rumbles against the blonde's ear and she shivers as she realizes who has a hold on her. Trying to muster the adrenaline to break free, Emma finds that her limbs are nearly limp and she screams in frustration as the hands upon her grow more powerful. As she slumps against the captor unintentionally the Savior feels her heart beat fervently as the fingers in her hair brush the golden strands to one side. Within seconds a devious tongue licks up the length of her throat to her ear where sharp teeth bite roughly at the lobe. Shaking and breathless the blonde can't help but feel a familiar warmth seep into her stomach as a hot, moist breath tickles against her eardrum.
"My son…" the Queen whispers seductively in her dark, rich tone, "…where is he?"
"He is my son!" Emma sneers, jerking away from the woman to the best of her ability, "and I wouldn't tell you regardless."
"Oh, please," Regina scoffs as she nips against tender skin suggestively, "I have pulled greater secrets from stronger lips than yours—I can surely twist you to do as I ask."
"No!"
"No?" The dark woman laughs before sucking on the Savior's pulse point roughly, scraping her teeth over the sensitized flesh. "you have one last chance to provide me with the information about my son, and if you don't…" biting down hard enough to draw blood, Regina's voice lowers and become sinister as she finishes, "…I will have to use force, and you wouldn't enjoy that, dear."
Releasing her hold on the blonde, dark eyes watch in rapt attention as the energy resettles itself back into the lithe frame. Once Emma feels her strength infiltrate through her veins and pound into her muscles she takes off in a run. No matter how far she gets the Savior can still feel the brunette all over her body; her voice scratching inside her brain like a demon and her fingers on her skin as hot as fire. As she darts through the trees the blonde can feel the dark eyes constantly strike against her back like a whip, and Regina smirks devilishly as she cracks her neck from side to side.
"Force it is."
With a graceful flick of her wrist the dark Queen's body thrums with power as magic drips vehemently from her extended fingertips. A sadistic laugh bubbles inside of the brunette's throat to crackle into the night—crashing like a clap of thunder—as her dark eyes sparkle with the control she wields. Emma's boots skid to a halt by an unknown force, and she bites down on her lip as she feels herself thrust up in the air and viciously thrown into a tree. The sickening crack of skull colliding against bark makes Regina's stomach coil in delicious desire; her eyelashes flutter as she snakes out her tongue and moistens her lips nearly tasting the blood that rushes down the blonde's temple.
Held prisoner against the tree trunk, Emma's head rolls limply as she tries to refocus her gaze; green eyes suddenly sharpening and taking in the dark woman who moves towards her. The Queen's steps are calculating and predatory as she stalks across the short distance between her and her prize; the heels of her boots crunch along the dead leaves and dirt as if her very presence makes the forest droop and die.
"Perhaps this will teach you not to question my power in this realm…" The brunette proclaims viciously, but her voice softens as she reaches out a gentle hand and brushes her knuckles against the Savior's cheek. "Oh, how I've waited for this moment…"
"Fuck you!" Emma spits as she yanks her face away from the dark woman's icy touch.
"My, my…" Regina tuts as her eyes flash in amusement, "…such strong language for someone so weak."
"You'll never find him!" The blonde grounds out between gritted teeth. "You won't!"
The time for playful spite is over as the Queen's smirk contorts into a sneer; her white teeth bared and flashing in the moonlight. Sliding her fingers down the Savior's cheek once more she grips the small chin in her hand roughly, snapping the woman's face toward her so their eyes meet. As if like a quickly tightening rope the tension between them becomes palpable as black and emerald glare at one another in challenge. Emma puffs her chest out instinctively as nails cut into her skin with vigor.
"Mark my words, Princess," the brunette seethes, spouting out the title as if it were poisonous, "I will find him."
"I won't let you!" The blonde shouts, pulling against her invisible bonds for emphasis.
"You truly are as dense as your mother, aren't you?" Regina laughs, rolling her dark eyes. "What part of "being captured" don't you understand?"
"You'll never win, Regina…" The Savior announces as she shakes her head, "…never."
"Oh, I will win…and Henry will be mine." Pressing her face closer to Emma's the Queen lets their noises touch and their heated breaths mingle. "But, for now, I will be satisfied with a token for my commitment."
Shivering unwillingly, the blonde lets her body get tangled up against the dark woman's; their chests pressed together tightly as they rise and fall in unison. Unable to take her eyes away from the luminous face that touches her own, Emma merely watches as a swath of emotion runs across the countenance, trying to read it accordingly. But Regina hides her thoughts well, and the Savior merely grinds her fingers into fists as a wealth of fear and curiosity pool within her stomach.
"A token?"
"Yes, dear…" the Queen purrs as she relinquishes her hold on the blonde's face and let's a fingertip trace along a thin neck. "…you."
As the whisper breaks from full lips and caresses Emma's cheek the gentle touch becomes villainous as the brunette wraps her fingers around the throat tightly. The blonde sputters for air as the digits dig deeper against her gullet. As her mind begins to ebb and flow with a haze, the Savior's green eyes widen in terror as a hot mouth covers her own; sharp teeth tearing at her lips while a daggered tongue conquers her mouth—the kiss screaming: you are mine!
A/N: Honestly, I have absolutely no idea where this story came from, but from the moment I began thinking about it I fell in love with the idea. Now, this story is going to get much, much more dark so I hope that all of you who are interested in reading this piece won't mind, if you do I apologize. I think I write best when it comes to dark subject matter, I can just grasp onto it far better than a piece of comedic fluff. So, if it sucks, or if you love it let me know by REVIEWING!