Author's note: This FanFiction is centered on Regina and attempts to explain the reason she adopted Henry and the significance of her apple tree. It follows cannon through Season 2 episode 5 (The Doctor), then AU after that. It is assumed that by the beginning of this story a portal now exists between the Enchanted Forest and Storybrooke. Cora does not control the portal, but she knows that Emma has opened it and she is trying desperately to get to it. Several characters from Storybrooke have been selected to serve as a council, tasked with devising a plan to defeat Cora.
Chapter 1: The Council
The council was gathered around a large table in the Great Hall of Snow White and Prince Charming's former palace, now the location of the entrance to the portal. Ruby, Grumpy, Archie, Charming, Snow, Emma, Regina, and the Blue Fairy all sat discussing what could be done to stop Cora and her evil plans.
Grumpy glared at Regina, he still didn't trust her and wasn't sure why she had been invited to the council in the first place. Granted, the woman they were fighting was Regina's mother, but working with the Evil Queen still didn't feel right to him.
Ruby spoke, trying to get the group to focus on the problem at hand, "Now that the portal to Storybrooke is open we have to do everything we can to keep Cora from getting there."
"We should establish a guard here in the palace to protect the entrance to the portal, and one in Regina's vault where it comes out." Charming responded confidently. "That way if Cora does get through she can be stopped immediately."
"Cora's magic is very powerful," Snow explained. "A few guards are not going to stop her."
Emma spoke up, "We need a weapon. Something as powerful as Cora." She addressed the Blue Fairy, "Can't the fairies help?"
The Blue Fairy shook her head, "I'm afraid our magic is no match for Cora's powers."
They all started speaking over each other, the noise quickly grew into an argument.
Regina sat very quietly staring down at the table. Her hands were folded across her lap, her elbows rested on the arms of her chair, and her brow was furrowed as she sat deep in thought. Grumpy continued to stare at her, both of them lost in their own thoughts, ignoring the arguing around them. Then the dwarf broke his silence.
"It should be her." Grumpy's low, gruff voice caused the bickering to stop and the others turned to look at him. His posture mirrored Regina's as he stared across the table at her. The others followed his gaze and understood of whom he was speaking. All eyes were on Regina, as she remained with her head down.
Grumpy spoke again, leaning forward with his elbows on the large table, "She should be the one to face Cora. After all, she is her mother."
Regina slowly lifted her head and met the dwarf's stare. Neither of them moved nor spoke, they remained locked in a silent face off. The room was quiet for a moment as everyone contemplated what Grumpy was proposing.
Ruby spoke first, "She does have powers comparable to Cora's."
"But she has agreed not to use magic," Archie reminded them.
"That's right," Emma confirmed. "She promised Henry she wouldn't."
Ruby was frustrated, "This is bigger than that promise. Cora is threatening to destroy everything we love, in both worlds."
"But we can't ask Regina to face her alone," Snow offered kindly.
Without removing his eyes from Regina Grumpy spoke again, "But this is her responsibility. I mean, it's kind of all her fault."
Snow was shocked by the harshness of his statement. "Grumpy! That's not f-"
"He's right," Regina interrupted calmly. "It should be me."
Grumpy grinned as though he had won some contest and reclined back in his chair. Everyone else was stunned.
Snow was the first to break the silence, "Regina, we can't ask you to do that. It's too dangerous."
"What about Henry?" Archie chimed in. "What about your promise not to use magic?"
Regina looked at him and spoke matter-of-factly, "Henry will understand. This is the best way to protect...everyone. I'm the one she wants, and I don't think she'll expect me to face her like this."
Charming understood where she was going with this, "We can catch her off guard which will give us the advantage."
"Exactly." Regina could see she was winning them over.
Ruby, was on board and was already looking for holes in the plan. "But what if Cora gets past her? We would still need a backup plan."
Regina was a step ahead, "If, for some reason, I feel she will win I'll find a way to destroy the portal before she can get through."
Snow was reluctant to agree. "I don't know Regina, I think it would be better if a few of us stayed behind to help you."
"What could you do? How could you fight her?" Regina spoke forcefully, she was determined that this be done her way.
Snow shook her head, "Why are you so stubborn?" she was almost shouting. "Why won't you ever let anyone help you?"
Regina was set to respond harshly when Emma jumped in, "Because this is her fight." As she spoke she rose to her feet. "Regina has just as much to lose as the rest of us, and she has the best chance of stopping Cora. We'll be ready on the other side of the portal, just in case, " She paused and turned to look at Regina, "But this is her fight."
Regina nodded her head once, grateful, and surprised, that Emma understood and was taking her side.
It was quiet for a moment as the weight of Emma's words sunk in.
"Now, I say we vote on it." She moved her eyes around the table, looking at each person before she spoke again. "Does anyone disagree with the plan?"
The room was silent. No one raised their voice in disagreement.
"Then it's settled." Emma's words rang in everyone's ears. Regina closed her eyes and drew a deep resigned breath.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXx