A/N: Hi, so where do I begin? I honestly wasn't going to do a Dark One Regina story because I felt like Dark!Regina... well, Regina has already been dark so I had no idea how to tell this story, but my sister talked me into it and I ended up falling in love with the plot. Anyway, I'm in love with Dragon Queen and Swan Queen so basically this is what this is. Mal and Emma are trying to save Regina from the darkness while Regina is trying to save herself.There are a few mentions of CS and OQ but they're not exactly relevant to this story. This story is 100% Dark Queen (which I like to call her as the Dark One since she's not exactly the Evil Queen anymore), Dragon Queen and Swan Queen with a dash of Regal Believer.
(Rated for future chapters btw)
I'm a bit nervous about this because I've never written Regina like this. I hope it's good.
I don't own ONCE or Regina, Emma, Mal or any other characters. All mistakes are mine. Enjoy.
The Darkness Is All I Have
Chapter 1
She saw the vortex of darkness spiralling towards her but couldn't do anything to stop it. It grabbed a hold of her with so much force she felt like her bones were going to shatter and her organs were being crushed. She tried to breathe but it felt like the air was being physically sucked from her. Her lungs were burning from the exertion of being over worked to take in air.
Her mind was racing. Her life flashed before her eyes like an old movie. Every memory that hurt her, the faces of every person she had ever hurt flashed through her mind and every ounce of anger she had ever felt came to the forefront. This hurt like nothing she had ever endured and she had been tortured on more than one occasion. If it was going to kill her, she wished it would just get it over with.
"Regina..." She looked up at the sound of her name being called and through the iridescent ribbons of black whipping past her face she could see the blonde idiot. The one who tried to take her son from her, the one who broke her curse, the one who brought Marian back and destroyed her happiness. She scowled at the memories and watched the other woman's eyes grow wide with worry. "Just hang on."
No, that's Emma Swan, mother of her son and her best friend. Not her enemy. Not anymore.
She watched Emma inch closer but Hook grabbed her and stopped her. Regina found relief in that. She didn't know what this thing was capable of. As of now she felt it sucking the life out of her... or was it feeding off of her magic? She couldn't tell which. Either way it was weakening her. She tried to focus on breathing but her breath caught when she heard Emma scream something along the lines of 'that's the mother of my son, I have to protect her!' and she saw her push him away. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Robin picking himself up off the ground and charging the vortex again, only to be thrown back another time. Emma turned back to her and started heading towards her.
"Emma, no!" Regina and Snow screamed at the same time. Regina looked over at her once enemy who was being held back by Charming and she's never agreed with her more.
"Regina, you finally have a shot at true happiness. I can't let you lose it. Let me help you." Emma was pleading. Regina shook her head but Emma still stepped closer. "It has to be tethered to a person or it will kill you. Let me just-"
"No." Her voice was raspy and raw. She couldn't let Emma risk her life for her. What would happen to her? This time the savior couldn't be the savior. "Not this time, Emma." She said softly.
Emma shook her head and stepped forward. "I have to. I can't let you... I can't lose you." Her eyes were filling with tears and her lip was quivering. Regina could hear her heart breaking. "Please, let me save you."
Regina pulled her hand back and the dagger appeared in it. "I'm sorry." She said "I can't." She gasped at the pain. "I..."
"Regina, don't do this." Emma said softly as she inched closer. "Please, I love you."
Regina's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. There was a collective gasp behind them but neither of them heard it nor would they have cared. "And I love you. I have for a very long time." She surprised herself with her own confession but if this was the last time she'd ever see Emma she needed her to know. "That's why you have to be protected."
Emma was visibly shaking and the tears were falling freely, she stepped closer but Regina threw her hand forward and pushed her back with a powerful force of magic. Hook grabbed Emma but she shrugged him off. She charged again, this time Regina froze her in place and restrained her with invisible bonds. Emma struggled for a moment. Their eyes met again. A silent plea in green.
"I'm so sorry, Emma." Regina whispered then with another flick of her wrist Emma disappeared in a cloud of deep purple smoke.
"Where'd you send her?" Regina heard Snow scream before she absorbed the darkness. She felt it working inside of her before she felt it consume her and suck her inside. She lost consciousness as she disappeared inside the vortex of darkness and it, itself disappeared as well.
The only sound that could be heard was the sound of the dagger clattering to the ground. Robin sighed and looked at his companions who were watching him with sympathetic eyes. He walked over to the dagger and picked it up. He looked at the blade and his heart broke. 'Regina' was written across it in big bold letters.
"Regina, what have you done?" He whispered.
Emma looked around and realized she was standing in the loft. Regina sent her home to protect her. She groaned with a 'damnit Regina!' Then ran out of the door and down the steps, back to main street. She didn't care that it was a long run nor did she care that her lungs were burning as they struggled to take in the cold night air. She remained unfazed as her legs cried out from the exertion. She had to get there. In her mind she knew she was too late but she had to be there.
She turned onto the street and stopped right behind her parents who were huddled together staring at the place where Regina once stood. Emma felt her stomach lurch and she felt a wave of nausea. She took a deep breath to push it back. She wanted to cry, scream, anything to release the pain of this..
Regina was gone.
They had no idea where she had gone. She was taken by the darkness to only god knows where. They didn't even know if she was alive or hurt. Her heart ached something fierce. She told Regina she loved her and Regina said it back. They loved each other. Why did they wait so damn long? She sniffed and pushed back her tears. Regina would've put her through hell for crying.
She cleared her throat gaining everyone's attention.
Snow ran over to her and pulled her into a tight hug. "Emma, honey, I'm so sorry." She squeezed. Emma knows that her parents heard everything but they were getting better at not prying so they'd wait for her to bring it up. Which would be never. This is between her and Regina.
Not too long after, Charming came and put his arms around both of them. He kissed her hair and squeezed her as well. "Everything will be okay." He said gently. He held her tight as if trying to hold her together.
They all heard Emma and Regina's confessions and she didn't regret it. If that was the last time they'd ever see each other she wanted Regina to know that she was loved and wanted. For the most part everyone was pretending it didn't happen and once again she didn't care what any of them thought.
It happened.
She squeezed her eyes shut before opening them again. "How am I going to tell Henry?"
"Tell me what?" They turned to see Henry walking up. He scanned the group of adults. "Where's mom?"
Emma sighed and stepped back from her parents. She reached for Henry and he stepped closer, allowing her to pull him against her. "Your mom... The darkness... we got it out of Gold but it got loose and grabbed a hold of her..." She trailed off. "I tried to save her but she wouldn't let me... I'll help her. I swear, Henry."
"The darkness that was inside Grandpa?" He asked although he already knew the answer since Emma had just said that. Emma nodded. "That means she's the Dark One now."
Oh shit. That's true but Emma was more afraid for Regina than of her. She squeezed him tight. "Henry..."
Henry stumbled back and he looked as though he was in shock. "Is she going to be evil again?"
"No." She said firmly. "She has us. We'll save her before she does. I promise."
He put his face in his hands and shook his head. "She's come so far." He growled.
"I know, kid." Emma said pulling Henry back against her and holding him tight. The hug was for both of them. She wouldn't let Regina slip back into that life and lose everything she worked for. Emma's the savior and she still owes Regina a happy ending.
Emma spotted something reflecting light out of the corner of her eye. She turned her attention to Robin and saw the dagger in his hand. Since Regina's the Dark One now that means that's her dagger and Emma didn't want him to have control over her like that. She let go of Henry and headed over to Robin, ignoring Hook's concern and waving him off.
"Just see if you can summon her." She heard her mother say as she got closer. She growled internally but knew that that's the only way they'll find Regina.
Robin nodded and held the dagger out. "Dark One, I summon thee." he said gently. Everyone waited with baited breath for a bad tempered brunette to appear in a cloud of purple smoke but nothing happened.
"Why's it not bloody working?" Hook asked exasperated.
"Maybe she's ignoring it?" David suggested.
"She can't simply ignore it." Hook said. "She's a slave to the bloody thing."
"Do you think she survived it?" Snow asked, nothing but pain in her tone.
Emma bristled but Robin spoke up. "She's alive. She's strong." He looked at the dagger again. "I don't understand why it's not working though."
Emma let out a long dramatic breath. Why wasn't Regina responding? She shook her head and held out her palm to the thief. "Give it to me." She ordered as she stepped closer aggressively and Robin looked at her sympathetically.
He knew.
"Here." He said handing it over. "We have to find her. We will find her." He squeezed Emma's shoulder then turned to leave but Hook stopped him with the same gesture.
"We'll find her, mate." He said gently and Robin nodded.
"I hope so..." He said quietly then walked off.
They were trying to pretend that their girlfriends hadn't just confessed to loving each other. If the woman she loved hadn't just been taken by the darkness Emma may have even felt sorry for them but there was no time for it. They had to come up with a plan and quickly.
Emma watched him go then turned back to the dagger in her hand. She traced her fingers over the engraved letters on the cool steel. Her chest suddenly felt tight, she was holding Regina's heart in her hands. Regina was missing. Emma didn't know what was happening to her or even where she was but she did know that Regina was alone and that worried her enough.
Emma turned to her parents. "We have to find her. Now."
Henry looked up at her, his eyes were glazed over and he looked haunted already. "How?"
"Regina's not here and Rumple's unconscious. Who's going to help us?" Snow asked desperately.
Emma nibbled her lip and thought it over. "Maybe-"
"The fairies." David suggested.
Emma nodded. "Yeah... or we can go to someone who has knowledge of and experience with darkness. The only sorceress in town."
"Don't tell me you mean the bloody dragon." Hook sighed.
Snow's mouth fell open. "She would never help us."
"She'll help my mom." Henry said. "They're friends."
"Besides, she owes me." Emma said dryly. She was never one to look for a reward or payment after doing something good but desperate times called for desperate measures. "I went and retrieved her dragon spawn and got my ass kicked in the process."
The Charmings shared a look then turned back to their daughter. "Can we try the fairies first?" Snow asked.
Emma shrugged, knowing she would go to the dragon regardless if the fairies couldn't help. "Fine." She sighed.
"First we should go home and regroup." Snow said looking over at her grandson who was staring off into the night at nothing at all. Emma looked at him and how miserable he looked. She nodded.
"Let's get him to bed."
Everyone nodded. Emma knew she wouldn't sleep. She will never sleep until Regina was safe at home with them. Dark One or not, she still meant everything to her and she needed to know if she was okay.
"Come on, kid." Emma said walking over to Henry and taking his hand. "Let's get some rest." He didn't resist and followed silently.
After sharing a look the rest of the group followed them as well.
Regina felt her body materializing, forming and shaping from the mass of dark magic she had become. She didn't remember much and this is the most conscious she has been since she was consumed by the gyre of darkness but she did remember Emma's eyes. The pain and panic in them. The way her lip quivered and her voice shook when she told her she loved her. Those images are permanently etched into her brain.
God, Emma loved her and she loved Emma back.
Regina pushed that thought aside... for now and refocused. She inhaled, squeezing her eyes shut. She then opened them and exhaled. Her eyes scanned the area around her, taking in her new surroundings. Her eyes widened at the green grass, happily chirping birds and the smell of forest. This certainly was not Storybrooke. It didn't feel like home. She rolled her eyes when it dawned on her where she was.
The Enchanted Forest.
She groaned. She hoped she'd never see this place again. It brought nothing but horrible memories. When she was here, she was heartbroken and lonely and she was slowly destroying herself with her pursuit for revenge. This most definitely was not a happy place and she knew it was going to feel even more like hell with the darkness clouding her heart even more than before.
She knew she was stuck here but when she really thought about it, it brought her great relief. With her in a completely different realm her family was safe from her. Their safety was all that mattered. That's why she couldn't have let Emma endanger herself to save her. Emma means too much to her to even consider it. Her heart squeezed and yearned at the thought of Emma and her admission just moments before Regina was taken by the darkness. Why do they always wait so long?
Sighing, she stepped down from the stone platform and turned back to it. She saw the symbols of an ancient language written on it and recognized it as the door to the chamber where new Dark Ones were born. So it was official huh? She escaped the darkness once before just to be pulled back into it. She worried she would return to her ways as the Evil Queen and the worst part of herself would be resurrected. She often felt the Evil Queen shifting inside of her, waiting to get out but she fought so hard to keep her suppressed. What's to keep her from destroying everything she's come to love? Nothing.
But she's fought it before, so she can do it again, right? She could be stronger than this. She could win.
She stood up and removed the dark red, velvet hood off of her head and smoothed her hands down the cloak.
She then ran her fingers through her hair and gasped in surprise. It was much longer. Almost like her Evil Queen days. The darkness was capturing that, her darkest days. That's the image of her dark magic that it latched onto, judging by the crimson red gown underneath the cloak as well. She huffed and turned to leave. She was sure her palace was still intact since she had protected it again. That Dark Palace harbored such horrible secrets and pain. Her sorrow still drifted through those halls as if haunting her but she needed somewhere to think. She started to wave her hands to teleport but she was stopped by a familiar voice.
"Well, dearie, I guess you don't really need my help." She turned to see none other than Rumpelstiltskin. She rolled her eyes. "It seems you already have your dark magic under control."
She sighed. "What are you doing here, Rumple?"
He giggled. "Me?" He gestured to himself.
"And why do you look like that?"
"Well, I'm not really Rumpelstiltskin. I'm just here to make sure that you use your new power to its fullest potential."
Regina nodded in understanding. "You're a manifestation of the darkness?" She asked. He nodded.
"Precisely."
Regina waved it off and turned back around. "I don't even want to speak to the real, physically there Rumple, so I'm sure I don't want to speak to an apparition either."
He appeared in front of her and she huffed. "Go away."
"How about I appear as someone else?" At that a cloud of gray smoke consumed him, replacing him with a tall, younger, dark haired man with a devilish smile and piercing blue eyes. "Better?" A much deeper voice asked. She rolled her eyes and he grinned. "No?"
She crossed her arms and leaned back. "You're going to have to try harder than a pretty face."
"Oh?" The man said before turning into a tall, shapely blonde, with even bluer eyes and legs that went on forever. Her pink lips curled into a smirk when Regina's eyes wandered her form. "How about now?" Her sultry voice asked.
That seemed to snap Regina out of it. She looked up into the figure's face. "No. Now if you'd excuse me..."
The woman or spirit or whatever grinned wide. "Yes, of course."
Regina rolled her eyes and poofed to her castle.
She appeared in her chambers. She walked over to her chaise and sat. Then with a wave of her hand the wide doors came open revealing an elegant balcony. Sunlight filtered in, illuminating the wide space of the room and bringing it back to life. She looked around the darkly decorated room, covered in dark reds, dark browns and black. She was wise to use that preservation spell, freezing the room in time. Everything was just as she left it.
She gazed out through the doors and had an amazing view of the forest. It was beautiful, it truly was but this place carried some of her worst days.
Man, she remembered spending so much time standing on that balcony all night, plotting ways to destroy Snow White. All of it seemed so foolish now. Given the fact that the girl could outlive anyone and anything.
All of those years wasted.
She found herself snarling and had to push back the anger she felt when she remembered that Emma broke the curse and took her revenge away. She took a deep breath and remind herself that that was not her happy ending. She wasn't happy for those twenty-eight years. She was miserable. She was hurting people and she needed to be stopped.
I wouldn't have been that way if Snow White had kept my secret. Daniel would be alive and I would be happy.
This is all Snow White's fault.
No. It's not. No! Snow is my friend. She's family. We've reconciled.
After she murdered my mother.
First Daniel then my mother. She's determined to take everything from me.
No, no, no. She shut her eyes and shook her head. No, Snow is my friend. I care for her and she cares for me.
She felt her dark magic working inside of her and took a deep breath then released it. She imagined Emma and Henry. Her happiness. The two people who will always care for her and want to protect her. Her family. Where her heart lies. She wanted to get back to them and at the same time she didn't. She could be dangerous and didn't trust heeself. Angry thoughts like the ones she had a few moments ago can lead to disaster and she really didn't want to hurt anyone. She found solace in the fact that they couldn't get to her.
This was the perfect seclusion.
She missed them badly but this is what was best. She wasn't safe. She was even more dangerous than the Evil Queen. She didn't even feel this heavy darkness inside of her, crushing her when she was the Evil Queen but with this . .
Darkness is all she has.
She'll see them again. Someday. But now she had to remember how to be alone.
One week later
She felt the heat on her face, her throat felt dry and she found it painful to cough. The flames were were rising all of the way to the ceiling and she couldn't see a thing beyond them. Her skin felt like it was cooking and no matter where she turned she was greeted with more flames. The walls were made of fire and the floor was pitch black and looked like an endless abyss. It felt as if Emma was floating in midair.
She heard a voice over the crackle of the flames but couldn't make out what it was saying. She shielded her eyes with her hand and looked around but still couldn't see much.
Then she heard it again.
"Emma..." The voice said again. Her ears perked up and she started scanning the room frantically. She knew that voice. The voice she hadn't heard in days. The woman she realized she loved when it was too late.
"Regina?" She screamed. "Regina, where are you?"
"Emma?" She sounded closer.
"Yes, I'm right here. I can't see you."
Suddenly the flames were sucked from the room in a spiral of fire, blowing hot air in her face and causing her hair to fly around her head. The spiral began getting smaller and smaller until it disappeared. She was left in a dark room. It was cold now and her skin was thankful for it. With the crackle of the fire gone she was left in complete silence. All that could be heard was the echoes of her own movements as she shifted, looking around the room and the sound of her own breathing.
A bright, glowing light appeared in front of her and it was blinding. She held a hand out to block a little of the glare and squinted. A figure stepped out of it and she let out a sigh of relief as the figure got closer. She ran over, took the woman in her arms and squeezd her tight. All logical thought thrown out of the window.
"Regina, oh my god." Emma whispered into the woman's dark hair. When she pulled back she looked deep into her dark eyes and before she could even think it through, she kissed her. It was sweet and innocent but her heart fluttered just as she expected it would when their lips met. When they broke away she took the woman's shoulders and looked her over. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Emma." Regina said with a soft smile. She took the blonde's face in her hands and stared into her eyes. "How are you?"
"Missing you." Emma admitted. "Worried sick."
Regina smirked. "Idiot."
Emma smiled at that then looked around the dark room again, wondering how they can only see each other and nothing else. "Where are we?"
"You, my love, are dreaming." Regina's thumbs stroked Emma's cheeks. "And you need to wake up."
Emma shook her head, she knew it was a dream but it felt so real and she wanted it to be. Needed it to be. "No. I want to stay here with you for a little while. It's been over a week since I've seen you."
"You do know that I'm not really here, yes?" Regina asked with a smirk. "I'm your subconscious trying to help you cope with the loss of someone you care for."
Emma bit her lip. "I'm not... it's not... I love you... uh... her..."
Regina nodded. "I know." She kissed Emma again. "But you have to wake up now so you can save her."
Emma nodded back. "Okay, but how? The fairies have been of absolutely no help."
Regina grinned. "Then I guess you know who you need to speak to."
"I suppose so."
"Bye Emma." Regina said with a chuckle.
"Wait," Emma said as she reached up and stroked the woman's cheek. She knew it wasn't real but it felt just as good. She kissed her again.
"Go." Regina said and she pushed Emma's shoulders. The blonde fell back, straight through the floor, into the black abyss.
She fell for what felt like forever but before she hit the bottom she was startled awake. She sat straight up and gasped. She was back in her bedrooom, in her bed. She looked over at her son who was curled up beside her. He hadn't been able to sleep alone since Regina was taken. He's been having nightmares. He wouldn't say of what but she knew it involved his mother as the Dark One. Emma brushed some hair from his forehead. He needed a haircut. Regina had mentioned it on multiple occasions but they could never get around to it.
Henry feared that Regina would go back to being the Evil Queen or a even worse version but Emma knew that the Evil Queen is dead and buried. She's never coming back but he's thirteen. He doesn't understand that and he's stubborn like both of his mothers so there was no convincing him.
She looked over at the bedside clock. It was almost three a.m but she had something that she needed to do. She leaned over, kissed Henry's forehead then got out of bed, suddenly wide awake and started changing her clothes. It was late. She was aware but Regina once told her that villains don't sleep well at night. They're always haunted by the demons of their past or their actions and they sometimes appreciate a good distraction.
And a rescue mission would be a good distraction for anyone.
She shimmied into her skinny jeans and pulled a sweater over the tank she had been sleeping in. She knew the person she was going to see wouldn't want to see her but it should be safe since they shared a common interest...
Regina.
After throwing on her leather jacket she tiptoed down the steps as she pulled her hair into a ponytail and peeked around to see if she saw either of her parents up with her brother; when she saw that the coast was clear she snuck out of the apartment with the skill of a ninja. Opening and closing the door silently. She proceeded to put her boots on in the hallway.
Now if you had told her four years ago that she would have been sneaking out of her parents' apartment at thirty-one years old, she would have laughed right in your face but yet, here she was.
She scoffed as she jogged down the stairs. She really needed to get her own place. Hopping inside the bug, she tried to ignore how much of a bad idea this was. This woman could possibly kill her, in multiple ways. All brutal and painful of course... and Regina wasn't around to save her ass.
The dragon was usually on her best behavior when the queen was around but now Regina's not, so now what?
After starting the car she thought maybe she should have brought her father's sword but it was too late for that. She sighed heavily as she pulled up to main street and passed the last place she saw Regina. Where they both confessed to loving each other. Where Regina wouldn't let Emma save her. She couldn't get the brunette's voice out of her head, how frantic and worried she was for her. She's going to get an earful for sending Emma away to keep her from protecting her.
Well, she can't stop me this time.
Emma pulled up to the bed and breakfast. She got out of the car and closed the door a little more forcefully than necessary but every time she thought of the fact that Regina was so damn stubborn that she wouldn't even allow herself to be protected, it got her all worked up.
That woman.
That beautiful, strong, intelligent, perfect woman.
Emma was in love with the most gorgeous and irritating woman to ever exist and she loved it. She shook her head at that and jogged around to the entrance of the bed and breakfast. She pushed the door open and peeked inside. No one was at the desk, obviously due to the late hour and the fact that no one checks in. She proceeded to tiptoe inside and up the stairs to the second floor. The hallway light was dim but thankfully her eyes were adjusting. She just had to find the room the dragon was staying in and have this conversation quickly before her parents realized she was gone.
Is this really what her life had come to? Sneaking out at thirty-one, so her parents wouldn't know that she was going to ask a dragon sorceress to help her save the woman she loves who so happens to be the Dark One.
What the hell?
She heard a rustling sound behind her and before she could spin around she heard a voice. "Stop right there and turn around slowly." She heard them say.
"Granny." She sighed. She must have heard her sneaking around and thought she was an intruder. Damn wolf hearing.
"Emma?" She heard another familiar voice say. She turned around and frowned. There stood Ruby and Granny. Granny was holding a crossbow.
Are they for real?
"I'm so sorry." Ruby said gently in response to the sheriff's glare. "I thought you were... we're a little jumpy. We have a lot of villains in town currently and with Regina being the Dark One now..." She saw how Emma's jaw tightened. "I'm sorry..."
"Well, good to know that you think the mother of my son is just some raging bull." Emma said crossing her arms. "Luckily for both of you, we haven't found her yet. She's still missing."
"Oh Emma, for goodness sakes." Granny said as her crossbow lowered. "As if we're that petty. Regina and I have reconciled long ago."
"We care about her. It's just the whole Dark One thing. She was evil once you know..." Ruby tried.
"You don't say..." Emma drawled.
"I'm sorry." Ruby repeated softly.
"Yeah, you said that..." Emma sighed. She was exhausted, she missed Regina and she just wanted to get the impending uncomfortable and possibly dangerous conversation over with. She turned on her heels and started heading down the hall again.
"Where are you going?" She heard Ruby ask from behind her. She knew they were following her. She rolled her eyes. They'd most likely call her parents and tell them where she is.
"To talk to the dragon lady."
"Maleficent?" She heard Ruby ask a little too excitedly. She glanced over her shoulder to see Ruby look away with a small blush. "I mean, do you really think that's wise?" Emma cringed at how much she sounded like her mother. "She is one of the most powerful sorceress to ever live and she might be slightly cranky since you're waking her."
"This is important. She can help me find Regina." Emma said dismissively, turning back around and continuing the trip down the hall.
"But..."
"Ruby..." Emma sighed. "Regina is out there, somewhere, alone. I know she can take care of herself. She's tough as hell but I can't help but worry about her."
"No Emma," Ruby tried.
"Stop Ruby..."
"Emma Swan, will you listen a moment?" She heard granny hiss. She turned back around. Knowing nothing they could say would change her mind.
Ruby gestured to a door. "This is where she's staying."
Emma smiled sheepishly as she walked back to them. "Thank you." She said gratefully. Both werewolves nodded.
"Good luck." Ruby said as they turned to leave. Emma nodded and they went back down the hall.
She waited for them to disappear down the stairs before turning back to the door and knocking. Emma was nervous and anxious but Maleficent would never hurt her, right? Emma brought her daughter back to her and she did know that she and Regina were friends, right? The Savior took a deep breath and listened for any movement on the other side of the door but was met with silence. Maybe she actually was asleep. Maybe things change when you're no longer a villain. For a moment Emma wondered if Regina sleeps better now. Then for a fleeting moment she wondered what it'd be like to sleep beside Regina, to pull her against her chest and hold her. The longing nearly knocked the wind out of her.
She tried not to think of running her hands up Regina's delicate curves and stroking her smooth skin. Nor did she dare think of the woman's lips moving against her own as Regina's small delicate hands touched Emma as well. She groaned. She could practically feel the warmth of Regina's body against her.
She needed Regina home.
She waited a moment longer before admitting defeat and stepping back from the door. She would just have to try again later. She only got a few feet away when she heard the door open and a cool voice drift down the hall.
"Well, if you've come all this way and disturbed me at this ungodly hour... might as well tell me what you want."
Emma headed back towards the door and stood in front of it awkwardly. She looked at the woman before her. She was impeccably dressed in a gray suit, her hair and makeup were perfect and her blue eyes were alert. She clearly looked as though she hadn't been asleep or even needed to sleep to begin with. Those eyes glowed and for the first time Emma felt she was in way over her head. The eyes locked on hers and the dragon sighed.
"Whatever it is, Savior, Lilith and I have not been involved." She said dryly. "We've been quite busy making up for lost time. So thanks to your parents... We haven't the time to terrorize the citizens of Regina's lovely town."
Emma frowned as her words sunk in. The other blonde rolled her eyes and started to slam the door in her face but Emma reached her hand out, stopping it. "No. Wait." She said and the dragon raised a brow. She then crossed her arms and watched Emma expectantly.
"Is this going to be a long meeting?"
"I need your help." Emma blurted.
The dragon smirked and her eyes glowed again. "Now why would I help you?
"Because you owe me." Emma said simply. "I found your daughter. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have her."
Mal scoffed. "And if it wasn't for your parents you wouldn't have had to go find her because she would have been with me."
Emma deflated. That was true. She shook her head. "Regardless."
"I'm surprised. I didn't know that heroes ask for payment when they do their job."
Emma shrugged. "I'm cashing in because I really need your help. Besides, you'll want to when you hear what I have to say."
Mal looked beyond amused at this point. This little blonde had a lot of heart, she'll admit that. She could understand why Regina liked her so much. Honestly, the dark haired queen's affection for the Savior was the only thing that kept Mal from snapping the girl's neck where she stood but she was still growing tired of this conversation. "You have two minutes "
Emma didn't say anything. She just reached into the inner pocket of her leather jacket and pulled out a large jagged blade. Mal had seen that before. The Dark One's dagger. How did she manage to lift that from the imp? Maleficent started to say that she had no interest in helping them defeat Rumpelstiltskin when Emma tilted it on its side and thrusted it closer to her face.
Her brows furrowed, her eyes widened and her heart ached when she read the name engraved on it. She reached for it but Emma pulled it back and tucked it back into her jacket. "Regina." Mal whispered.
Emma nodded sadly. "Yes. Our friend is the Dark One. We need to-" she was cut off by the dragon grabbing her by the front of her jacket and pulling her into the room. Mal released Emma, shut the door and flicked the light on.
She looked at Emma and for the first time, Emma saw emotion in the sorceress' eyes. Blue stared intensely into green and Emma found herself unable to look away, it was like she was being hypnotized. "You do understand that you have to destroy her, correct?" Mal asked gently.
Emma's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
Mal sighed and started pacing as she spoke. "Regina has a lot of darkness inside of her as it is but she's managed to suppress it. Now you're telling me that she's the Dark One. As in she has concentrated evil inside of her." She sighed. "That makes her dangerous. She could already burn this town to the ground before any of you could even think to protect yourselves." She raised a hand stopping Emma's protests. "Now she'll have the urge to do exactly that."
Emma looked at the dragon incredulously. This was not going how she expected. "You can't be serious. That is my son's mother!"
"And one of my oldest friends."
"Then how could you even consider hurting her?"
Mal stopped pacing and looked over at Emma with raised brows, clearly surprised by the Saviour's tone. Emma was watching her with so much defiance in her beautiful eyes and a hint of something else. Maleficent recognized that look. That was the same sadness she used to see in her reflection in her own eyes when her sweet little girl was slowly turning into the Evil Queen. When she knew she was losing her and there was nothing she could do but watch.
It was obvious that Emma loved Regina.
Mal failed Regina all those years ago. She stood by and watched as Regina destroyed herself. She let her suffer and be consumed by darkness when she could have taken her away from it. All of it. She could have saved her.
Well, she will not sit by and watch this time and she will not allow Emma to do it either.
"My affection for Regina is exactly why I cannot let her lose herself again. I will not sit by and watch her suffer, Emma."
The sheriff's eyes widened and snapped to Mal's when the dragon used her name. The pain was all over her face. She was telling the truth. "But..."
"Since I've been back I've seen Regina smile. It has been so long since I've seen her really smile. There was a time when her smile was reserved only for me but as time went on and Rumpelstiltskin sunk his claws into her, her smile became dark as the light faded from her. Then when her light was completely extinguished the smile faded away altogether."
Emma nodded. Mal loved Regina too. It was clear. "We can save her, we can bring her back."
Mal smiled at her sadly. "I know having hope runs in your family but this is not that simple..."
"No, my parents and I spoke to the apprentice..." She waved off Mal's questioning expression. "And he said that Merlin could destroy the darkness for good. Do you know him?"
"Merlin?" Mal asked as she crossed her arms protectively. Emma nodded. "Yes, everyone knows of him."
"Then help me find him. Help me find Regina. Help me save her."
Mal fell silent and Emma decided to let her think it over. The older blonde's attention drifted to the window as the night wind blew the thin white drapes gently. Emma's eyes remained on Mal though, trying to will her to want to help her.
Maleficent knew of this sorcerer's apprentice. Lily had mentioned him and told her that he was the reason she knew that she was her daughter. He seemed trustworthy enough and if there was any chance that Regina could be saved then...
No. If Mal had learned anything in her life it was that hope doesn't get you anything but hurt.
She looked back at the young blonde sitting on her bed. Her big green eyes were watching her closely as she worried her lip. Her golden hair was pulled back from her face in a ponytail and it made her look so young and innocent. She knew that there was no way that the relationship that Regina shared with this woman was strictly platonic. The passion in those emerald eyes was doing things to the dragon and Emma wasn't even her type. Aside from the fact that the woman was stunning, there was something about her, almost like a magnetic pull. She reminded herself that Emma belonged to Regina just as she herself did.
Their eyes met again and the hope on Emma's face made Mal sigh heavily.
"Okay. Let's do it." She said with a firm nod.
Emma's brows shot up. "Seriously?"
Maleficent nodded. "Yes." She walked over to the bed and sat beside Emma. She noted that the young woman had a nice natural scent. Not as enticing or seductive as Regina's but it was nice.
"Okay..." Emma said, shifting awkwardly. She was sitting really close to someone who could change into a dragon and it was making her antsy. She could practically feel the heat radiating off of Maleficent.
"But I wonder..." Mal said folding her hands in her lap and watching Emma closely. "What would Mommy and Daddy say when they find out that you came to me to help you retrieve the woman you love who so happens to be their once sworn enemy?"
"I honestly don't care..." Emma said with a noncommittal shrug. She wondered how Mal knew that she loved Regina but she decided not to press it. "We've done things their way and gotten nowhere."
Mal nodded with a small smirk. "Well, first we need to get Regina..."
Emma shook her head. "We tried summoning her. It didn't work. She's... we've searched everywhere."
"That's because she's not here. In this land, I mean." Mal said softly. "But I have a theory as to where she could be..."
Emma's brows shot up. "Yeah?"
"Yes but regardless, we'll need a portal." Mal said thoughtfully. "Are you up for a little trip, Savior?"
Emma looked at the woman beside her. She wondered if she was as worried for Regina as she was. Emma nodded. "Yes."
Maleficent smirked. "Okay." She turned serious. "How did this happen?"
Emma inhaled then exhaled. "It all happened a week ago..."
Thanks so much for reading :). So actually in one of my other stories I had Mal and Emma go on a little adventure and I had fun with that. I like the idea of a Dragon Swan friendship or even Emma seeing Mal as another mentor.
As far as Emma and Mal's relationship is concerned, This story is Swan Queen and Dragon Queen but can be Dragon Swan Queen to a degree (but I'm not sure how far that part will go). All I know is that Dark One Regina would want her Knight and her Dragon, she wouldn't want to choose.
But yeah,
Pls review. I REALLY appreciate them and they help me improve my storytelling and motivate me.
See ya at the next update. :)