Hello guys! The second arc continues! Regina-centric, you may like this chapter.

The flashback of Danielle's past, all the Storybrooke parts and the present EF part were written entirely by me. The past EF was written by my friend, but I as usual edited it. I must say I truly enjoyed writing this chapter, I made myself smile by some of Regina's quotes. ^^ Hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Disclamer: OUAT goes to Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis; SM goes to Naoko Takeuchi/Toei.


Magic 101. The search for the guardians begins.

Wincosin 2004

Danielle ran to the room she shared with a dozen of other kids, and she fell on her bed. She angrily wiped her tears, doing her best not to yell. She had been grounded once again. It was happening more and more often. Plus, they depraved her of dinner, an educational technique they rarely applied. The nouns of her orphanage were strict, and they didn't like her behavior. They particularly despised how she easily lost her temper. Danielle shook her head, mumbling to herself:
"They don't understand… they never will! I just need someone who would care about me! But it seems like no one on Earth would…! Even my parents didn't need me!"
It's with those sad thoughts that she fell asleep.
Danielle walked in a throne room, where thousands of people were assembled. It was a coronation ceremony, and she would be officially crowned as the heir of her kingdom. She sat on the throne and then, a small tiara was put on her head. But as soon as it happened, the throne room got suddenly empty. She looked around, feeling anxious. Then, she saw a woman standing next to the throne. Danielle felt as she knew that face, but couldn't remember ever seeing her before. The woman shook her head, saying:
"Did you really think that anyone would come to see you? They don't care about you. They already know that you're not made to be an heir. You are nothing."
Danielle covered her ears, as to protect herself from the psychological attack. But she could still ear the woman's words. After a second, she just screamed.
She woke up, almost letting out the scream she emitted in her nightmare. After getting some breath, she approached a window, wondering if she really was that meaningless.

Storybrooke

The town was devastated after the Wraith's attack. Ruby, Dr Hopper, the Mother Superior and the nuns were organizing the help for the citizens, who were still under shock and felt disoriented. Cecilia approached Ruby, saying:
"I guess you need some help here."
"Thank you, Cecilia." – Ruby said with a smile, glad that it didn't bother her daughter to spend time with her – "But don't your friends need you currently?"
"They'll be just fine. They went with David and Mary Margaret talk to Regina."
Ruby cringed slightly from hearing the former Evil Queen's name. Cecilia noticed and said:
"Don't react like that, Ruby."
"And how am I supposed to react? She's responsible for our troubles. Because of her, we lost each other."
Cecilia could see how much that fact hurt Ruby. It saddened her too, but nothing could be changed. She then said:
"Yes, I know. I don't appreciate her action of the past, but she tries to do better. Danielle clearly affected her."
"That's the point." – Ruby said, almost harshly – "If she started to change, it was because of Danielle. But now that she's gone, Regina could return on the path of darkness."
Cecilia thought for a minute, before saying:
"No, I don't think so… But if those tendencies return, we'll do our best to prevent her return to her 'Evil Queen' status."
"Stop chatting you two! People need help now!" – Granny suddenly interrupted their conversation.
Ruby and Cecilia sighed as they looked at each other, and then went back to their business.

Mr Gold was spinning in his shop, as suddenly, to his own surprise, Belle entered. After a short moment, he said:
"I thought that you did not want to see me."
"I did not want, indeed… But, I was worried." – Belle replied.
"Well, the Wraith is gone and Regina… is alive." – Mr Gold commonly exposed facts.
"So, you didn't get what you wanted." – Belle stated.
"We'll see about that."
Then, Belle noticed the chipped cup. She took it in her hands, happy to see that Gold kept it all this time.
"It's my chipped cup… you still have it."
"There are a lot of things in my shop. But this… this is the only thing which I truly care about." – Mr Gold said, taking the cup on his turn – "Now, you must go."
Belle looked at him, slightly confused. Mr Gold added:
"You must go away… because I'm still a monster."
Belle smiled, and as she put her hands on his shoulders, the words that followed really surprised the Dark One:
"Don't you see? That's why I must stay."

At that same moment, David knocked at Regina's door, after what the mayor didn't take long to open. Before even she could say anything, David spoke first, holding the damaged hat in his hand:
"Could you tell us more about this hat?"
"Well, that's the hat which took away our daughters and Rosalie." – Regina replied, almost irritated by the fact that he wastes time with something which has no more use anyway.
"We quite figured that out!" – David said quite harshly.
"We actually expected you would say where it is from." – Mary Margaret said, trying to calm the tension between the two.
"Even if I tell where I got it, don't expect there's another hat like this." – Regina remarked, seeing clearly where it led to – "This hat is quite unique and it has no twin."
Mary Margaret sighed sadly, she expected that answer. Then, Emily spoke on her turn:
"Okay, there's no other hat. But I believe it's not the only existing way to travel between worlds."
"Do you think you can buy those items that easily, at each market in the Enchanted Forest?" – Regina asked sarcastically – "It's very, very rare. And unfortunately I possess none of that!"
After those words, there was a silence. None of them dared to speak, until Mary Margaret spoke again:
"So… you have no suggestions."
"No. I'm as clueless to a solution as you are."
"Isn't it partially due to your lack of magic?" – David asked.
Regina glanced at him, unpleased his insinuation that she could have lost her abilities, which was unfortunately true. She tried do magic several times during last evening, until exhaustion, with no real success. Regina had almost never been that frustrated as she was those last hours.
"I may have some issues." – she said, trying to sound calm – "But it's not for long. Once I get my magic back, I will get my daughter back."
"Along with Emma and Rosalie." – Alex commented, in order to check that Regina did not forget about them too.
"Of course. Now, leave." – Regina said, with a hint of order in her voice.
The four walked away, not without sadness. They had to think of a way to open a new portal. The only person they could ask for now was Mother Superior, who used to be the Blue Fairy.

Enchanted Forest

In the Enchanted Forest, a young Regina was attempting to escape her mother Cora and the wedding to King Leopold by riding away on her horse, Rocinante. Almost free, she was almost outside the king's territory. She could finally live how she wished to, and she would raise her child in the calm, without Cora's intervention. However, she was thwarted by one of Cora's spells and pulled from her horse, as her mother appears behind her.

"I thought we were done with this…" – Cora commented.

"Hello, mother." – Regina said in an unwelcome way – "What other evil do you have in mind?"

"That's not evil, dear. It's a simple barrier spell, so you would stay where it's your place."

"So, I cannot leave?" – Regina asked.

"You can't, without King Leopold on your side. We already talked about that. In two days, you marry him and you become a queen. Then, you can go wherever you want. But for now, you can only with him."

"Mother, I do not want marry the king." – Regina tried to explain once more – "I don't need all this power. I only wish for freedom."

"Power is freedom." – Cora replied, then with a smile added –"Don't worry, I am there, to guide you down the right path."

With those words, both women walked back to Leopold's castle.

Storybrooke

Mary Margaret, David, Emily and Alexandra arrived at the City Hall, where were assembled all Storybrooke citizens. As they saw the Mother Superior, Mary Margaret asked:
"Blue Fairy, do you think there could be a way to open a portal to the Enchanted Forest?"
"Well…" – the former fairy said with hesitancy – "Maybe… but in any case, we need fairy dust, which we don't have in this world."
Their conversation was quickly interrupted, as they heard Leroy shout:
"Horrible news!"
Leroy and other former dwarves arrived quickly, with panicked looks. Leroy said:
"We were at the limits of the town! Sneezy, tell them who you think you are!"
"Stop calling me that! I am Mr Clark, the owner of the pharmacy. What's going on?"
"If you cross the line, your cursed identity will remain your only one." – Leroy explained.
"Returning back to the town does not help?" – Archie Hopper asked.
"If it did work, would I run here, shouting 'horrible news'?!"
Mary Margaret and David looked at each other with worry. It definitely was not good.

Meanwhile, Regina was trying to make a candle flame, but without success. After several vain attempts, she made a decision. She quickly went into the pawnshop, and started to search in a pile of books the one she needed. But she got interrupted by Mr Gold's voice:
"The library is below the clock tower. You closed it, remember? It was back then, when you still had your powers."
"I need the book." – Regina said irritated – "I need it, so I could find a way to bring my daughter back!"
"Now, you got to a point where you need "mummy's" help." – Mr Gold said, wearing a very amused expression – "But, do you think the smell of old pages will help revive the magic? Maybe you should calm down, and it will come back to you by itself."
"I have no time! I succeeded once; I know that I can..! But I just need a clue."
"I have no time either. So, leave the place, please."
"Your 'pleases' have no effect anymore." – Regina replied with a sly smile.
"But I am still not interested in bringing your magic back."
"You seem to have some plans, do you?" – Regina then pointed out, as she started to open a suitcase, which was lying on the counter – "I don't think you're interested by my intrusion in your business."
Mr Gold harshly closed the suitcase and made the book Regina was looking for magically appear in his hand. As he gave it to her, he commented that this magic is very mischievous and that it's "bad for her health". But Regina didn't seem to care, as she went to the door. She was about to exit the pawnshop, but Mr Gold suddenly commented:
"Who would have thought?"
"What again?!" – Regina turned around, without hiding her irritation.
"I'm talking about how you're holding the book. I once said you have nothing to do with her. But now, I see otherwise."
Regina really didn't appreciate those words, but didn't show any sign of it. She hated to be compared to her mother, especially now, when she knew the horrible act Cora committed. Without saying a word, Regina went out the pawnshop. A few minutes later, she was already sitting in her garden, and was about to open her book, as she heard a voice:
"Mayor Mills… what's that?"
Regina quickly closed it, and looked in front of her. It was Alexandra. She then asked, as to derive her attention, even though she knew it was no use:
"Alexandra… what are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to see how you were going. Because I know it must be difficult to lose Danielle… What's that book?"
"It's… it's something which will help me get my magic back." – Regina explained.
Alexandra took it from her hands and after a quick look, the realization didn't take long to come:
"Are you using dark magic again?!"
"No! I mean, yes, it is, but it is necessary! So, I can search for a way to bring your friends back."
"Like this? No, I can't permit you doing this." – Alex said sternly.
The girl almost didn't recognize herself at that moment. She normally wasn't the kind of person to talk back on someone or standing for herself. Her whole childhood, she was a punch bag for her foster brothers and sisters. But it seemed like being a Sailor Guardian gave her some self-confidence, made her a little stronger. Regina, however, quickly reacted to her words:
"Girl, are you deaf?! I said it would help us to bring your friends back!"
"I heard that… But I think there may be another way to wake your magic up." – Alex said, in a lower tone, almost shyly.
"I would be very happy to hear your suggestions..!" – Regina said with sarcasm, expecting that the girl didn't actually have any idea.
But the mayor was proven wrong the next instant, as Alex spoke:
"The girls and I will re-teach you to use magic."

Enchanted Forest

In King Leopold's castle, Regina was sitting with a young Snow White, braiding and adorning her hair with flowers.

"It's beautiful." – Snow said, admiring her new look in a mirror.

"No, you are beautiful." – Regina replied.

Then, Snow White noticed a necklace in Regina's jewelry box, putting it on.

"It's pretty. Where did you get it?" – Snow White asked her future step-mother.

"It was a gift from Daniel." – Regina answered.

Snow White's face became concerned, and she asked:

"Is that the same Daniel… who left you?"

At that sentence, Snow turned around to face Regina, clearly confused.

"He was killed." – Regina added.

Looking away again, the young princess was shocked by this revelation, saying quietly:

"Oh no…"

"He was killed, because you weren't able to keep a secret from my mother."

"But…" – Snow was much more horrified by what she just heard – "But she told me… she told me that she would help you..!"

"My mother corrupts young souls…" – Regina said with anger.

At this moment, the necklace began creeping up Snow White's neck, until it went taut. Regina pursued her speech, as the young girl tried to breathe:

"If you were stronger, it would have never happened."

Regina began choking Snow to death with the bewitched necklace. Just as it seemed like her life was going out of her face, Regina quickly went back to earth, chasing those fantasies away. As Snow White asked where Regina got the necklace, the future queen replied:

"I do not remember."

Later that day in the castle courtyard, Regina was walking with her father Henry.

"Father, you have no idea what mother does to me!" – Regina complained in despair – "She is turning me into herself. I must run away."

"Run away? But tomorrow it's your wedding!"

"I don't want to marry the king! I already told you!"

"Are you sure of that, or are you have cold feet?" – Henry asked his daughter carefully.

"Father, I'm not!" – Regina replied almost crying – "All of this is… madness! I am constantly angry! She is driving me crazy!"

"You should calm yourself down, Regina… It's not got for you, considering your… situation." – Henry almost whispered.

Regina sighed. He was right of course. Her parents for the moment were the only ones aware about her pregnancy. It would have been a scandal if anyone else learned that Regina was expecting someone else's child. The plan was to wait a moment, and then pretend that the baby was the king's. But despite this, Regina decided that she would name her baby after the father, no matter if it's a boy or a girl.

"She just wants to give you everything she never had herself." – Henry tried to justify his wife's action, even though he never approved any of Cora's methods.

"But I don't need this life! I want my own life!"

Henry felt bad for his daughter. The two of them stayed silent during a couple of moments, until Regina asked her father:

"How did she become like this?"

Looking around to make sure no one heard them, Henry finally replied:

"There was a man - well like a man - whom Cora knew before she even met me. He taught her magic and gave her the book of spells. He made her who she is now."

"What was his name?" – Regina asked, interested.

"I don't know. Cora never named him."

Regina then guesses that if the book of spells that Cora belonged to that man, so his name must be written somewhere in it.

Storybrooke

Regina was walking in the direction of the woods, as Alex asked her. Why did she even agree to this? The girl was right; Danielle would not appreciate if she used dark magic again. But in the same time, it would have been much faster and easier. That what was the point of dark magic, actually. It gives you anything (well, almost) you want, no matter the consequences.
"It's exactly what led me to the paths of evil…" – Regina thought for herself – "I think the Guardians are just scared that I become the Evil Queen again. They're not totally wrong thinking that I could."
Regina then shook her head. No. No matter how strong the temptation was, she had to be stronger. She had to, for her and Danielle's future. Regina continued walking deep in thought, as she soon saw Sailor Aqua, Sailor Wind and Sailor Lightning.
"You came." – Sailor Wind commented.
"Of course I did. Did you have any doubts?" – Regina asked in a not so nice tone.
Cecilia didn't respond to this, as Emily said:
"Well, I think we can begin. I remind you the rules: we attack and you try to deviate it."
Regina sighed. Who would have thought that three teens would give her, the woman who casted the Dark Curse, a magical training? But that was necessary.
"You are doing it for Danielle." – she reminded herself.
"We won't be too harsh at first." – Alex said – "Ready?"
Then, Sailor Aqua positioned for her first attack, as Regina prepared mostly her mind. A second later, the Guardian shouted:
"Heavenly River Shine!"
As the steam of water came, Regina had a reflex to lie on the ground, avoiding the steam of water.
"Mayor Mills, you are supposed to fight back!" – Alex commented.
"I know, damn it!" – Regina replied harshly, hating herself for allowing such a stupid reflex – "I'm ready now, send the next steam!"
Alex didn't wait long time to re-use her attack. This time, Regina made her gesture, however it did nothing. So, the water very quickly pushed her about two feet back, but more to it, it was so cold!
"Err… Mayor Mills..? Are you okay?" – Alex asked awkwardly.
The mayor did not reply, she just stood up, glaring at the blue dressed Sailor Guardian. Then, she finally said unnerved:
"My power is mostly fire… So, tell me how I'm supposed to revive it, since your attacks are WATER?!"
Alexandra lowered her head, as she often did when she was grounded. But then, she composed herself and said sighing:
"Well, if it will ease your task, let's try with Cecilia's attacks."
Cecilia quickly positioned herself, and shouted her own phrase:
"Silver Tornado!"
Regina concentrated as she could, but it seemed useless. Finally, a little spark ignited on her palm. Alex and Emily looked at each other, glad that it worked, but the spark quickly disappeared. Frustrated, Regina lost concentration and got projected behind once again, by Cecilia's tornado. Girls could hear her mumble something in anger.
"But it's alright, Regina! You already created a spark, it's a good start!" – Emily tried to reassure the mayor.
Her words had a reverse effect. Regina stood up, yelling:
"A good start, you say?! If I progress that slowly, I may never save Danielle in time!"
The three girls looked at each other, and then to Regina, feeling really sorry for her. She was so worried that she could not be ready in time for her daughter… Then, it tilted in Emily's mind. That was it! She then said:
"Regina... Perhaps the negative approach affects on your magic."
Mayor Mills looked at her, not really understanding what the girl meant. Emily explained:
"You are too much obsessed by the idea that you may not be able to bring her back. But you must think the reverse! You must concentrate on the thought to succeed and that you will bring Danielle back. That she will be back."
"Your motivation to save her must become your strength. Not the fear of failure to be your weakness." – Alex added, suddenly understanding too.
"If we grow stronger every day, it's because of our dream to see all realms in peace." – Cecilia said on her turn.
After a moment of silence, Regina stood up, saying:
"Alright. Let's try once more."
Cecilia then positioned herself once more, before she shouted:
"Howling Wind!"
As the hurricane did surrender Regina, she concentrated on the thought of Danielle being once again on her side. She imagined that they live together in her huge house, spending time together. Short after, a fireball appeared in Regina's palm, after what she did her familiar gesture. The fireball went straight in Sailor Wind's direction. The girl has enough time to avoid the fireball and by doing so, letting the hurricane fade away. Regina had a satisfied and happy smile on her face. She did it!
"Wow, that was very good!" – Emily exclaimed – "Now, let's see if you can face my attacks! Divine Thunderbolt!"
When Emily threw the ball of lightning in Regina's direction, Regina teleported herself. The thunder hit a tree and the Mayor was standing behind the girls.
"Well… I didn't think that I would say it, but… thank you girls. You were very helpful."
The three girls turned around, and a second later, they smiled in response.

Enchanted Forest

While Cora was sleeping peacefully in her bed, Regina stood over her and reached under her pillow to pull out the book of spells. She sneaked off back to her own room, where she tries to decipher the tome. Discovering a name on one of the pages, she made an attempt:

"Rumple… Rumple-shtiltskin? I summon you!"

Immediately appearing, he said:

"That's not how you say it, dearie. But in truth, you don't have to say anything at all."

Shocked, Regina turned to see Rumplestiltskin, reclining leisurely on her chaise lounge nearby. Regina approached him carefully, asking:

"What are you?"

"'What'? What an impolite question, I'm not a 'what'." – Rumple took small umbrage at this.

"I'm sorry… I do not really know what I am doing." – Regina admitted smiling awkwardly.

"That's pretty clear." – Rumple commented, and with a flourish and a bow, he introduced himself – "Rumplestiltskin!"

"And I am…" – Regina started to respond to introduce herself, but got interrupted.

"I already know who you are."

"You know..? Oh yes, because of my mother. People told me that I look like her when she was younger."

Rumplestiltskin studyed Regina a moment, said:

"Really? I do not see it. But that's not why I know you."

"Then how?" – Regina asked a little surprised.

"I knew you long ago, dearie. But I knew this day would come." – Rumple answered – "I waited for this day to come. And I'm so happy we are back where we belong."

"Where's that?" - Regina asked a little confused.

"Together."

Rumplestiltskin was more than pleased by their oh-so-long-expected meeting. He had great plans for that young lady; she would help him reach his personal goal. But more to it, he could feel that she was expecting. He also sensed that it was not an ordinary baby. It had something great within, even though the Dark One could not put a finger on what it was yet.
"I know everything about you, Regina. I held you in my arms, at the time you were a baby. Your family and I have quite a bit of history, both in the past and in the future."

"So, can you help me?" – Regina asked.
"Do you seek for power?" – Rumple took a guess – "Do you seek the death of an enemy? Or perhaps, the death of a friend?"

"No..!" – Regina protested – "I don't want to hurt anyone."

"It's hard to believe you and Cora are from the same family." – Rumplestiltskin commented, taken aback from that revelation.

He then approached her, and caressing her face, he added:

"You are so gentle… but you also have an innate power. You can do so much… if you just let yourself."

Regina turned away, admitting quietly:

"But… I do not know how…"

The Dark One approached her again, as he said:

"Well… let me show you."

Turning her around again, he pointed her toward a tall, shrouded object which has magically appeared behind her moments ago. Regina gasped in surprise, and Rumplestiltskin explained that it was magic, and that magic was what would set her free. Regina shook her head, saying:

"I don't want it this way. My mother does everything with magic, I don't want end up like her."

"No, no, of course not." – Rumple said in a reassuring way – "You don't have to. It will do it for you by itself."

"What is it?" – Regina asked, interested.

"It's a portal between worlds. This one leads to a specific and annoying little world. For me, it's useless. But it's perfect for your goals. You probably won't ever see your mother again."

Regina approached slowly the object, with a sad expression on her face. Rumplestiltskin pursued:

"All you need is a little push. The question is, can you do it?"

Regina was still contemplating the object, still wondering if she could, but more to it, if she should. She then thought that perhaps she should seriously consider this opportunity. As that thought crossed her mind, she felt the baby in her nudge a bit.

Storybrooke

Belle came back from her walk to Mr Gold's pawnshop. The owner of the shop asked her:
"Belle, what's going on outside? It seems like everyone's agitated about something."
"Yes, they are…" – Belle said – "They learned that we cannot cross the town line."
This news made the Dark One uneasy. He asked with an evidence of worry in his voice:
"What do you mean..? Why can't we cross the line?"
"I saw Mary Margaret earlier. She explained me that if we cross the line, we lose our memories of our former life."
Mr Gold then went silent. It couldn't be! He had to cross the line, in order to find his son! Belle noticed that something bothered him, so she asked:
"Rumple… are you alright?"
He immediately composed himself, and reassured his love that he was okay. But as soon as Belle left his shop, to get in his home, he didn't retain his anger. With his cane, he broke several of his glass counters. After a short moment, he calmed himself.
"I will find something… I always do." – he thought – "I waited for fourteen years, I can wait a little more. Meantime… I have another child of mine to deal with."
He smiled a little, thinking about Emily. He knew she was angry towards him for the Wraith, which caused her best friends disappear on the other side of the portal. But in any case, make up with her would be easier than with Baelfire.

Enchanted Forest

In King Leopold's castle, Regina was dressed in a beautiful, shimmering wedding gown. It was almost time for the wedding. Staring off at the balcony, Regina was pulled back into reality by her mother, asking:

"What's this?"

Regina turned to face her mother, who was staring at the large, covered object in the room.

"I'm not sure, it's a gift."

"Perhaps it's a portrait?"

With a sweep of her hand, Cora removed the covering and the moment after, she expressed her disappointment:

"Oh… it's a mirror. It's very impersonal."

Then, shaking her head, Cora cruelly wondered aloud:

"Sometimes, I wonder if people really love you."

Those words really hurt Regina, and after a couple of seconds, she replied:

"I am doing my best, mother."

"Oh dear, I'm sorry." – Cora said, then with a smile led Regina to the looking glass, and added – "You have the whole life ahead you. It's going to be better than you can imagine."

Then, looking at her daughter directly, she pursued in a hushed tone:

"The king is a weak man. The kingdom will be yours. You should start planning your future rule now, signaling those around you where the real power will soon lie."

Regina turned away, asking her:

"Is that what you would do, mother?"

"I would do it, indeed." – Cora confirmed.

"But I have just one qualm: I do not want to be you."

As Regina said that, she lunged at her mother. But a second after, Cora, scoffing, froze her with a magic spell.

"What are you doing? Do you really think it's that easy to get rid of me? I'm going to be with you forever, because I'm your mother and I know best."

At that instant, Regina saw Rumplestiltskin appear in the mirror behind Cora, motioning with a gesture for Regina to push her into the looking glass. Regina, was uncertain a moment but then, with growing rage, screaming loudly, lunged forward and pushed Cora into the mirror, which became a liquid portal. A stunned Cora flied into its maw, catching herself on the frame for just a moment, before she was sucked through. As soon as she disappeared, the mirror shattered. Regina looked the scene in shock at what she has done. But then, she reminded herself:

"I don't care… as long as Cora does not harm my unborn baby."

Regina was riding her horse down a path, as Leopold's castle was disappearing behind her. Then, she heard a voice ask:

"Leaving, are we?"

She looked up to see none other than Rumplestiltskin standing in the middle of the road. She dismounted her horse, replying:

"Leaving was always the idea."

She then gave Rumplestiltskin his spell book back. As Regina turned to leave, he asked her:

"How did it feel?"

"I loved my mother." – Regina replied.

"I did not ask you that, dearie." – Rummle said – "How did it feel to use magic?"

"I doesn't matter, because I will never use it again." – Regina replied, looking away.

However, as the Dark One asked her why not, she faced him again, and admitted both to him and herself:

"Because I liked it."

Rumplestiltskin responded to this with glee, saying:

"You have so much potential. You could unlock it, if you let me teach you."

After a moment, Regina asks to the Dark One:

"But what do you get out of it?"

"Someday… you will do something for me."

He offered her the book once more. Regina accepted, but as she took the book in her hand, she half-asked, half-told:

"I won't become like my mother. Nor will my future child..?"

Turn into Cora's copy was a thought that terrified Regina. But what made her worry more was that her child could follow the path of evil as well. Even if Regina happened to turn evil someday, it would not be as bad as if the little one did.

"That is entirely up to you, dearie."

Regina held up the spell book, considering the offer.

Enchanted Forest, present days

Aurora and Mulan were riding each on a horse. But Mulan attached to hers a long cord, which also attached Emma, Danielle and Rosalie's hands. The three girls were forced to follow them. They definitely were not pleased to be treated as prisoners, but none of them dared to complain. It would only worsen their situation. In addition of that, they felt disoriented, because they weren't in their own world now. Then, Emma finally asked:
"What that's place?"
"It's our home." – Mulan replied simply.
They soon arrived to a small village. People were dressed poorly and the houses were all made of woods. The three girls looked around, and Rosalie commented:
"They must be fugitives…"
"We are survivors." – Mulan corrected.
As Mulan looked away one moment, Danielle knocked Aurora on the ground, and the three girls started to run. But their running was very short, because Mulan used a weapon to knock Danielle from distance. As the girl fell on the ground, Rosalie and Emma knelt to her friend.
"Danielle..! Danielle!" – Emma shouted, as she was shaking her friend to wake her.
But Danielle was unconscious. Rosalie glared at Mulan, shouting:
"What did you do?!"
"Bring them in the cave!" – Mulan ordered to three villagers.
They did their job quickly. They violently pushed Rosalie and Emma in the cave, and they weren't much gentler as they brought the still unconscious Danielle.
"Be careful..!" – Emma said, worried for her friend's condition.
As the men went away, Emma and Rosalie attempted to wake their friend again. Suddenly, a voice from a corner said:
"Do you need help?"
Emma and Rosalie looked up, and saw a woman come out the shadows. After a moment, Emma asked:
"Who are you?"
"I am a friend. My name is Cora."


A/N: Sooo... what do you think? Reviews would be nice.

Young Danielle looks like the little actress Ava Acres, who will very soon play the Regina's role at her childhood.