How the game is played
*So before I begin, I would just like to thank all who have taken the time to read and follow/fav/review this fic. So yup, thanks guys!
Guest asked: Wait so this is during the missing year right?
This is quite AU from the original plot so nope, in this story, Zelena's main intention is to take over the Enchanted Forest, not go back in time, so the Dark Curse won't have to be casted and there will be no forgetting spell or missing year. But I incorporated the idea of how Regina was banished and unable to harm Snow White because of Rumplestiltskin protection spell (S2 EP 10) :D
Anny Rodrigues commented: Funny, they only remember that Regina has magic when they need her.
IKR! Don't worry, this issue would be addressed xD
theevilqueen-ouat IG commented: Loving it so far!
Awww.. Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)
scifigrrl commented: I love this idea for a story! Can't wait to read more. :)
Thanks! Glad you liked it, here's more for ya ;)
Chapter 2:
Regina was furious. Her plan had failed, all her years of detailed planning and plotting had gone to a waste. You are banished. Banished to live alone with your misery… Snow's irritating voice rang in her head, like some malfunctioned alarm beeping every single second, a constant reminder of her failure.
As she paced around the cramped quarters, her lips curled in distaste while she surveyed the narrow room she stood in. It would not have even occupied a tenth of her chamber. Her former chamber. Regina felt a deep tug in her heart, something akin to sorrow. No, she didn't do sorrow; she was the Queen for god's sake, not some baby who cried when her playthings were taken away from her. So what if she wasn't the Queen now? It was just a matter of time before she reclaimed her throne and exact her revenge on the Charmings.
She still had her powers at least; Regina took in a deep breath and willed most of the rage away. It wouldn't do well to have her collapse due to a heart attack before she took back what was rightfully hers. So much pain and suffering she had to endure before she finally got rid of the King, Regina uncurled her hands and stretched out her elegant fingers, freezing a pudgy looking rat in its place. The rodent's black eyes flashed with fear as it the food it carried in its mouth fell to the dusty cobbled ground with a dull thud.
Picturing Snow White's distressed face instead; the evil queen summoned a nasty looking stake into her hands as she levitated the petrified rat midair and with a swift trust, the stake flew past her in one fluid motion, embedding itself deep inside the creature's furry chest, exactly where its tiny heart was.
"Just you wait, Snow White," Regina hissed in satisfaction, before a blinding blue flash appeared before her, causing her to instinctively shield her eyes from the piercing glare.
A split second later, Regina had a fireball ready in her right hand as she lowered her arm to face the unexpected threat. Her mouth dropped open when she realized who the newcomers were. The swirling blue portal behind them disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
"Snow White, what a pleasant surprise. I see you've brought your boy toy along as well," Regina recovered from her shock as her mind rapidly searched for reasons why her nemesis would pay her such an unexpected visit. Perhaps the protection spell had worn off, her heart raced at the prospect of finding ripping out that tainted heart of Snow's, but she ruled out that conclusion when she noticed Snow's true love standing beside the princess, his arm resting on the hilt of his sword. Charming would have never allowed his beau to visit the woman intend on destroying her without the protection spell intact.
"Regina, it's good to see you again," Snow nodded hesistantly, casting a wary glance the faming ball of fire still burning in her step mother's palm.
That glance did not go unnoticed by Regina. Good, at least she still fears my powers; Regina allowed herself a small smirk before extinguishing the flame with a lazy tilt of her hand. "Wish I could say the same, Queen Snow,"
Snow winced inwardly at Regina's biting tone, the title 'queen' a harsh reminder of what had transpired between them just a few months ago. "I have not come to gloat, I…" Snow bit her lips, taking in a deep breath as she felt Charming grip her hand and giving it an encouraging squeeze. Praying that she was not wrong to believe Regina still had a shred of goodness in her, she plunged ahead, "We need your help,"
Regina could not believe her ears. They needed her help? That she could understand, those fools could not run a farm by themselves, let alone a Kingdom. But if they thought she would willingly drop everything and run to help them out, well they could jolly well think again. "Right, like I'll gladly drop everything to give you governing tips because I'm best buddies with you? Oh wait, you banished me, remember?"
"Look, you can either help us voluntarily or we can make you," Charming growled, drawing his sword.
Regina raised a delicate brow, her honey brown eyes flashing with anger. "Enough with this nonsense, if you guys have come all the way here just to threaten me, I'm afraid you have jut wasted your time, and mine," she raised her arm, prepared to transport herself away before those fools could threaten her further. She had enough.
"Wait!" Snow panicked and reached for Regina's arm, latching on for dear life as the purple tendrils that erupted from the former queen's fingertips frizzed out.
If looks could have killed, Snow was sure she would have turned into ashes instantly, given the vengeful look the former monarch was sending her right now. Regina's eyes literally glowed with hatred and fury at the arm digging into her skin. "Let. Go" she grounded out, wishing she could all but blast the woman in front of her into a thousand pieces. Damn Rumplestiltskin and his stupid spell.
Snow shot her fiancée an angry look that said something along the lines of, now look what you've just done, before turning back to Regina. "Please, at least just hear me out will you?"
Regina gave her a mocking once over, inwardly feeling a little please at the desperation she saw in Snow's eyes. Might as well enjoy it while it last, she thought. "You have three minutes so start speaking fast,"
"Thank you," Snow exhaled gratefully, releasing her tight grip on Regina's arm, and then cringing at the red welts she saw. "I'm so sorry… I know this seems really unbelievable but there's a wicked witch from the west called Zelena and she has the dagger that controls the dark one… and she is planning to take over the whole enchanted forest, including our kingdom. Oh and she has this huge army of flying monkeys that has already taken over Cinderella's and Aurora's kingdoms. So we really need your help to defeat her because you've our only hope Regina. So please, please say you'll help us," Snow as out of breath as she stared into Regina's eyes, begging her silently to do good for once.
Regina listened, with some amusement and displeasure as Snow blabbered on while the wheels in her brain whirled. Finally, she curled her lips and looked away from Snow's "puppy eyes". That look might work on her prince charming but please, it was not having the slightest effect on her. She decided to see if there was any truth to what Snow had just told her, closing her eyes and casting a simple searching spell. To tell the truth, she was also slightly intrigued by this Zelena character, she seemed quite… wicked. As she focused on the name Zelena, she could see a clear picture of a green skinned woman standing in front of a cage of some sort… wait, it wasn't just any cage. It was a cage holding Rumple. Regina frowned, feeling a little bit of pity for the imp. Then her frown deepened as images of bloodshed and how Zelena had captured the nobles without even lifting an arm to do so, using the dark one to commit the killings. At last, her eyes few open and she glanced at the ever hopeful Snow White. "Well, it seems that I have finally found my evil twin. Except for the fact that she's a coward who likes to use others as her playthings,"
"So… will you help us?" Charming finally spoke up from the corner where he was standing, feeling a bit ashamed for having threatened Regina.
"Now, I didn't say that I was going to help, did I? Why should I bother to help you out? I can just sit back and watch as this green witch rips you apart limb to limb," Regina's rolled her eyes.
"What if I told you that legend has it there's a black pearl in the heart of the infinite forest that can cast the strongest protection spell ever created?" Snow looked her straight in the eyes, unflinchingly.
Regina wrinkled her nose. She had heard of the pearl and its alleged powers but what good was having the power to cast a secure protection spell when you can't even get out of the forest. "Seriously, are you suggesting that we take a road trip together into the infinite forest and find this so called pearl to save your pathetic little kingdom? What would I gain from helping you? Getting my head chopped off?" she scoffed.
"No," Snow's voice was unwaveringly steady, "Legend also has it that this pearl can remove any protection spell ever casted, even those casted by the dark one,"
"Snow! What is this? What are you saying?" In a few strong strides, a fuming Charming was standing in front of Snow White, his arms gripping her shoulders firmly. "Blue never mentioned anything about this pearl being able to remove protection spells,"
Snow smiled at her true love gently, "that's because then you would have never agreed to this plan," Turning to a stunned looking Regina, she continued, "after saving the kingdom, you can use the pearl to get rid of the protection spell casted on me and kill me if that is really what you wish to do. But please, just help us save our kingdom first,"
To say that Regina was shocked would have been the greatest understatement ever. The pearl could remove any protection spell, she thought, dazed. She had known the rumored pearl was very powerful, but removing a protection spell? Even one casted by the dark one… Eyes narrowed, she scanned Snow's face for any form of deceit and found none. She was further reassured by the upset look Charming was wearing and Regina slowly allowed herself a small smile. Facing the desperate princess, she nodded, "Fine, I'll help you to find this pearl and get rid of the green pest. Then, I shall have your heart Snow White,"
Finally, victory was going to be hers.
A/N: Wow it has been really fun writing Regina so the next chapter and yes I know most of you guys are probably wondering where on earth Robin Hood is but hey, this is an OQ story remember? Hehe don't fret, he'll appear in the next chapter I promise ;)
I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far and do bear in mind that this story is very AU so the stuff that takes place on the show most probably won't be appearing here.
Let me know what you guys think of the story so far! :D