Leaving Wonderland

A Cora Mills Story

Author's Note: Written in honor of the Once Upon A Time In Wonderland series finale. Takes place during episode 2x9, "Queen of Hearts."

Characters:

Cora, The Queen of Hearts

Anastasia, The Red Queen

Captain Hook

"What shall you have me do?"

"Get me close to my daughter. And then, I'll rip her heart out."

Cora smiled icily down at the brigand kneeling before her throne. As good as a life as she'd made for herself in Wonderland, it would be nice to return home to the Enchanted Forest and finally face off against Regina, who had clearly forgotten who was the more powerful between the two of them.

"Shall we then, Your Majesty?" Hook asked.

"Not just yet," Cora replied. "There are a few things that I need to take care of first. You can wait here."

She waved her hand, magically freezing the pirate to the ground and walking briskly away before Hook could object.

She knew that she wouldn't need to bring much back with her, as Regina wouldn't have dared to destroy her things. Her vault of hearts and her wardrobe from back home should have been intact.

The girl, Cora thought. The girl deserves to know.

Without a second thought, Cora dematerializes into smoke, teleporting to another location.

The Red Queen lounged lazily on her throne. She had a pounding headache and had ordered her guards and servants away so she could be in her own company.

"Hello, Anastasia," came a familiar voice.

The Red Queen jumped, hitting her head on the top of her throne and sending her tiara clanging to the ground.

"Your Majesty!" Anastasia cried, bowing to her teacher. "I had no idea you were coming! Shall I order some tea?"

"Oh, there's no need, my dear," Cora responded, handing her young protégé the tiara back. "I'm not staying long, but this is an important visit."

"Oh?"

"I came to say goodbye."

"What?" Anastasia gasped, shocked.

"I'm leaving Wonderland, Anastasia. I'm going home."

"To the Enchanted Forest?"

"Yes, dear. I have urgent business in our old homeland."

Anastasia remembered what Cora had told her when first they met, that her daughter had disappointed her.

"Does this have something to do with your daughter?" she asked.

"Clever girl," Cora laughed. "I taught you well. Regina sent an assassin to kill me."

Anastasia laughed heartily. "As if that would ever work."

"My thoughts exactly," Cora agreed. "Now, I'm going to remind Regina which of us is more powerful."

Anastasia knew that Cora was her friend, but she didn't want to risk being too personal with her. "I'll miss you."

Cora smiled. Anastasia never felt any warmth behind her smiles, but she knew that she was attempting to be motherly.

"You've been like a daughter to me, Anastasia. I won't be returning to Wonderland. Rule it like the queen I taught you to be. Keep practicing your magic, and remember that you are capable of anything that you're willing to work towards."

Anastasia felt tears on her rosy cheeks and stepped forward to embrace the older woman. "Goodbye… Cora."

It was the first time that Anastasia had ever called Cora by her name.

Cora smiled at her pupil. "Farewell, Your Majesty."

She disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.

"What took you so long?" Hook asked Cora as she approached her throne.

"Tying up loose ends," Cora responded. She wore a black cloak over her gown and held a black handbag. "Succession, mainly. I just made sure that Wonderland will be in good hands without me."

"Great," Hook said, bored. "Can I get up now? My knees are killing me."

Cora sighed and removed her spell.

"Let's go, Hook," Cora commanded. "My daughter is waiting for us."

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