The threat of Gothel and her coven has been gone for months now. After the curse was broken, they fled the town to save themselves from the people. Tiana rose to power again as the queen. Henry, on the other hand, was able to survive the poison put into his heart by Gothel and he has been reunited with his family, no longer separated by the curse. Zelena and Robyn are back together again and even though a curse is still present between Hook and Alice, this world taught them other ways to establish communications. Everyone seems to be doing fine, even Drizella and her sister Anastacia. Night after night, I will watch the people of Hyperion Heights laugh and drink in my bar like nothing happened. Everyone is happy.
It's full night like every other night. I served drinks left and right. I don't mind being this busy. It keeps my mind off things. I saw Rumplestiltskin came in sat in front of me. "What can I get you?" I asked him like he's any other customer. "Whiskey, please", he answered. I poured his drink on a glass and gave it to him. "Where's Zelena?" he asked. I checked my watch. "She should be here any minute. She took Robyn out for dinner", I answered. They have been doing that all week which I think is sweet. I continued working until I felt suddenly dizzy. I held on to the shelves so I wouldn't fall down. "Are you okay?" Rumple asked. I breathe in and out. "Yeah, I'm fine", I answered and then went at the back to take a break.
It's probably just exhaustion from working too much. I can't even feel my feet. I felt my left hand shakes. I don't think this is part of exhaustion from being a bar owner. I lift up my sleeve and saw some dark marks in my veins. I have no idea what it is but I can't risk anyone seeing it. I casted a cloaking spell on my arm so no one will see it. Then I went back to the bar and resumed working. "Feeling alright?" Rumple asked when he saw me back. "Yeah, everything's good", I lied. Everything is not good. I saw Zelena and Robyn arrived. "Oh, thank goodness. I can finally sit down", I declared. They went straight to the bar. "I know. I know. I'm sorry but I bought you your favorite doughnuts so you will not get mad at me", Zelena said while bribing me with foods.
She took over for me as I went to sit down. Robyn gave me a glass of water while I rest. "I think I'll need something a little bit stronger than this", I told her. Robyn smiled. "No problem, Aunt Regina", she said and then left. Zelena and Rumple started talking. I don't know how she's doing it. I can't do that with this kind of crowd. Robyn came back with a three shots of tequila. I looked at her. "I know how you drink", she said and then left. She's right about that. I drank the first shot. I am not much of a drinker before I got curse here but the Roni persona made me an alcoholic in the making. I played around with the straws on the floor with my hand. Magic is present now in this town and unlike in Storybrooke, these people are not afraid of me using magic, probably because they met as part of the rebellion against Lady Tremaine back then. They haven't seen me as the Evil Queen.
I took another shot. I was about to take the third one when I felt a familiar presence. He's here. I looked at Rumple. I know he can feel it too. I got up as fast as I can and left. I went to the back alley where I know he'll follow. I stopped walking. "You know you shouldn't be here", I said. He appeared behind me and put his hands over my shoulders. I closed my eyes. His presence always makes my heart beats a little faster than usual. "Aren't you happy to see me?" he asked close to my ear. I can feel his hand sliding from my shoulder to my arm. "They will come after you", I muttered. His other hand wrapped around my waist pulling me closer to him. "I can't do this", I said trying to refuse him but I can't. He put a gentle kiss on my cheek. "Let's go some place private", he whispered and then took me with him.
I woke up and saw my clothes on the floor. I am not in my place. Lying beside me is Facilier, sleeping peacefully. I got up quietly and picked up my clothes one by one. As soon as I'm done putting them on, I got out of the door without looking back. I can't believe I'm doing this again. I walked as fast as I can. I can't risk teleporting back to the bar and being caught by Zelena. I am just trying to avoid the interrogation. "You're up early", Hook said. I stopped walking. I didn't see him standing by the corner. He walked towards me. "Yeah…I went to see someone", I said and then continued walking. He walked with me as well. "Is that right? I figure it went late because you still wearing the same clothes as yesterday", he said. I am definitely busted. "Okay fine…I spent the night with someone but it's not your business", I said.
We are almost near my bar when I felt something. "What is it?" Hook asked. I looked around searching for where it's coming from but I couldn't see it. "Regina", Hook called. I walked in the middle of the street and saw a dark shadow roaming around Hyperion Heights. "What is that?" he asked. How in the world did it get in here? "One of his legions", I answered. He looked at me in confusion. "Whose legions?" he asked again. "Darkness himself", I answered. I cannot let that thing on the loose. I concentrated my power and let it flow through my hands. It glowed in purple light which attracted the shadow. It's eyes glowed in red, hungry for a kill. It flew fast heading straight towards me. I raised my hand to stop it.
Red and purple lights crashed in mid air. It is fighting me. I forgot how strong these things are. I saw the people coming out of their houses. "Mom!" I heard Henry called but I can't shift my focus right now. If I fail to kill this shadow, it will turn its attention to some other poor victim to consume. I can do this. I raised my left hand as well and let my power out. Just like that, it was obliterated. I stepped back and was about to fall down if it wasn't for Hook who caught me right away. Henry rushed to my side as well as Zelena and Rumple. "Are you alright?" Henry asked. I nodded my head but I can't speak a word. "I don't think she is. Regina, you're bleeding", Zelena said. I wiped my nose and saw blood. "How did that thing get in Hyperion Heights?" Hook asked. "Well dearie, that's something we should find out", Rumple answered.