A/N: Quick fun little note, I make a couple references to some Brothers Grimm fairy tales: Ferdinand the Faithful and Mother Holle. These two tales are really fun to read and I encourage you to do so.
Anyway, still doing a bit of relationship establishment- but there is also some sweet action trotting around the corner. Thank you for reading, and please review!
Her lips stretched thinly across her face with false understanding and concern, but her eyes gleamed with victory as she watched the Sheriff pace back and forth before her cell. Though she remains without magic, Zelena feels power radiating off Emma, pulsating from her eyes and hands as she flings both around in the air, directing her impassioned monologue about Snow White and the self-righteous fools of Storybrooke. She is much angrier than I had anticipated, thought the witch, this will be much easier than I thought.
The feeling of the Savior's magic jumped from her body, swirling around the room- creating a thick cloud, wafting and lingering in heavy folds around Zelena. She inhaled deeply, reveling in the feeling of magic; wishing she could tap into it only for a moment- but that ability is lost to her. No, her revenge must be much more personal… and painful. Her deep inhales were interrupted by the source of the power, light magic, she sneered. It left a foul taste in her mouth that sizzled across her tongue, but then there was something else beneath that nauseating flavor. The feeling was oddly familiar, like recognizing an old friend across a room. Buried beneath the layers of light magic was indeed a growing friend, a comforting friend, a friend that would soon envelope the Savior's light.
Zelena's breath lingered a moment as she let the sensation of dark magic waft over her. It was more powerful than she had ever felt. Dark magic spawned from the persistent hurt and rejection of True Love's child. Oh yes, she thought, the Savior's dark magic. She hummed to herself. It's growing.
….
Regina sat alone at Granny's. The diner was packed with citizens who were finally easing back to life in Storybrooke. The former mayor always found it remarkable how the citizens could adapt to changes to easily. There were always initial moments of panic and anger, but that always seemed to calm after the first few days and everyone would jump right back in without question to being productive citizens. The only change Regina couldn't grapple onto were the subtle expressions of gratitude she would receive from random townsfolk. Having spent the last few decades with swift glances and hurried footsteps, the lingering gazes of admiration and warm reception shown towards her from the very people she cursed simply astounded her. Countless people, some she knew- many she didn't, would nod their heads and smile, others would shake her hand and thank her for her service to the town, and she occasionally received anonymous notes or free drinks offered out of gratitude.
Just as she was attempting to peel one of her grateful admires' lips from her hand, she saw Snow White enter the diner and with a breath of relief, flagged her to her booth. Snow's head cocked to the side with shock and suspicion, but as she saw the admiring fan assaulting Regina's hand- she gave a short laugh and walked over.
"Well if it isn't Ferdinand the Faithful," beamed Snow as she placed her hand on the man's shoulder. He released Regina's hand and turned around, his face receding to a lighter shade of pale.
"Oh… my… word," he stuttered as he clapped his hands around Snow's, "it's… the Snow White!" his eyes bulged and a huge smile spread across his face as he dropped to his knees and began kissing Snow's hand. "My dear Queen Snow it is… such an honor!" Regina rolled her eyes and Snow gave her a sly wink as she pulled the man up from his knees.
"Please, there's no need to be so formal, Ferdinand."
"It's Fred here, but… th-thank you, Queen Snow. Such a privilege."
"Thank you so much, Fred, it's wonderful to see you again." She said warmly as she patted his hands.
"Oh, your majesty, I can't believe you remember me."
"Of course I remember you," she said warmly, "there aren't many who ride a talking white horse." Fred laughed nervously at this.
"Yes, well, we all have our own little tales, don't we? Though some not as famous as others." He said giddily as he nodded his head at Snow and then at Regina.
"Well, Fred, again it is an extreme pleasure to see you again. I wish you a wonderful evening." She gripped his hand firmly once again, his face broke out in a deep shade of red.
"Oh thank you, your majesty. Thank you." He bowed deeply, kissed Snow's hand before turning to grab Regina's hand- but stopped when he saw her hands buried under the table. He gave a deep bow to the former mayor, "Queen Regina, thank you once more. You are truly invaluable." She nodded her head and gave a small smile. Snow sat across from Regina and the two women watched Ferdinand the Faithful stride off in a gossamer blanket of ecstasy to his own table where he began to excitedly recall his experience to the elated faces of his minor fairy tale comrades.
"Thank you," murmured Regina as Snow turned her head back around, "I don't know how you are so used to that kind of behavior." Snow simply smiled at her as she watched the former mayor pull a wet wipe from her purse and wipe the remains of Ferdinand the Faithful from her hands.
"Well, since I'm already sitting here… do you mind if I join you, Regina?"
"Not at all." Replied the former queen. She was hesitant at first, but she reasoned that if any other star-struck citizens stumbled their way, she could easily pawn them off on their beloved White Queen. "How's your son?"
"Oh he's fine. Margine is looking after him," Regina's eyes squinted as if trying to remember if Margine was someone she is supposed to know, "Mother Holle, she was called in the Enchanted Forest." Regina's face turned to stone.
"Oh," she deadpanned.
"You know her?"
"Yes, actually. I'm just surprised she's still living for she was quite old when I knew her. When I was a little girl I ran away from home, I wandered into the woods and found a well. As I was leaning down to fetch the pail for water, I slipped and fell and fell and fell for what seemed like an eternity," Snow gasped, "Don't worry, dear. I'm obviously fine," Snow gave a little smirk as Regina continued, "Everything had gone black and I suddenly awoke in a meadow where I was greeted by Mother Holle. She was very kind to me, but my mother eventually discovered what happened to me and threatened to harm her if I didn't return home. Mother Holle told me I always had a home with her, but I was never able to return. After becoming Queen I dropped one of my apple trees down the well and watched it disappear in the hopes that it found her."
"That is a wonderful story, Regina. You should come see her later," said Snow- her voice brightening at the prospect of reuniting Regina with someone who had meant something to her. But Regina merely shook her head and waved for Ruby.
"Hey guys," the werewolf greeted happily, "it's good to see you finally outta the loft there, new mama." She winked at Snow and then turned to Regina, "Speaking of mama's… where's Henry?"
"This afternoon David joined up with Robin, Roland, and Henry in the woods for archery and they all decided to go on a little camping trip!" bubbled Snow. Regina chewed her tongue in slight irritation for Snow answering for her.
"They will be back in a few of days." Said the former mayor with a small smile.
"Oh that's awesome," stated Ruby before a mischevious glance passed across her face, "Hey… first day of wolf's night is tomorrow. Think I should go mess with them?"
"Do you really think it wise to surprise two overly testosteroned males and a couple of giddy boys with bows and arrows, dear?" Regina deadpanned. Ruby's face sunk a bit before seeing Regina's eyes light up and she noticed the former queen was joking.
"Damn, Regina. Your sarcasm is as powerful as ever," she laughed, "but I definitely see your point. Besides, Roland might be a bit too young for that anyway," she paused for a moment in contemplation, "Oh but I would love see Robin's face. I still have to get him back after last week."
"What happened last week?" asked Snow concerned. Regina snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Ruby and Robin have some sort of ridiculous prank war going on. And after last week, I think Robin's ahead." Smirked Regina raising an eyebrow in Ruby's direction. Snow vibrated and pleaded for someone to tell her what happened. "Oh it's not my story to tell, dear." Snickered Regina as Ruby's face flushed pink.
"I hate that you two are friends," laughed the werewolf, "Between his pranks and your sarcasm, I'm never going to live anything down." Regina simply snickered and Snow sat back with a huff realizing she wasn't going to get the story any time soon. "Right then, ladies. What may I get for you?"
"Is Granny still making the duck dish with the raspberry vinaigrette?"
"Yes, oh powerful sarcastic one, she is."
"I'll have that, dear."
"Make that two," chimed in Snow.
"Comin' right up," Ruby said with a smile and sauntered off to the kitchen.
"Are she and Robin, like, you know…" she whispered to Regina wiggling her eyebrows.
"Come, dear, you know I don't gossip."
"Come ooooon, Regina," Snow slammed her fists on the table, "I've been cooped up with a baby for days, I've missed out on all the news." Regina smiled and brushed the back of her hand casually across the table.
"Not like it's really any of our business, but…" she paused enjoying the look of desperation in Snow's eyes, "yes. Yes they are." Snow clapped her hands together and squealed.
"I knew it," she beamed as she sat back in the booth relishing in her new found knowledge.
"Would it be useless for me to ask for your discretion?" Regina cocked on eyebrow. Snow's giddy face dropped and she suddenly looked guilt-ridden. Regina noticed what she said and instantly felt a twinge of guilt herself for bringing up their complicated history. Though it's on the mend, both women remained touchy about certain things. "I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean it that way." Snow nodded sadly.
"I understand. But yes, I'll keep it to myself… and David of course," Regina rolled her eyes.
"Fine, fine," she waved a hand through the air dismissing the subject. The two women sat in silence searching for a topic of conversation that wouldn't somehow lead back to the past- they both knew that was impossible.
"As much as I miss the Enchanted Forest, I have to say that I am honestly happy to be back here." Breathed Snow glancing around the happy faces that filled the diner. "I feel at home here." Regina internally smiled as she reflected upon Snow's approval of the cursed town she created. As if she knew the former queen's thoughts, Snow said, "I suppose I should be thanking you for the town, seeing as how you built it."
"Well, dear," Regina bowed her head and flicked a few pieces of imaginary lint from her sleeves, "I can honestly say I've never been thanked for a curse before." The petite brunette gave a small laugh. "And I suppose I should thank you for re-cursing us to Storybrooke. As provincial as it is, this town affords certain cleansing opportunities."
"I agree," Snow smiled knowingly, "in Storybrooke we can slowly chip away at our dark Enchanted Forest memories and begin anew." Regina nodded slightly, but avoided Snow's gaze. Ruby saved the moment by arriving with their two heaping plates of food.
"Gotta say this still really weird," she said with a quirky smile pulling her hands to rest on her hips.
"What's weird?" inquired Snow.
"Seeing you two together and not jumping down each other's throats." The two seated brunettes bowed their heads and smiled.
"Well," said Snow looking up at Regina, "I owe this woman my life. She did after all split my heart in two in order to save my husband, plus she saved my child and the town from Zelena." Regina lifted a hand to scratch her forehead, trying to hide the small blush gracing her cheeks.
"Oh yeah, damn Regina… we gotta talk about that whole light magic thing." Said Ruby as she playfully smacked Regina over the shoulder. There was a large crash at the other end of the diner and Ruby rolled her eyes, "How about a night when it isn't so busy, hmmm?" she started shuffling back from the table and grabbed a broom, "Don't think I'll let that go. We gotta get a ladies night together soon. You two, me, Belle, Emma… we have loads to talk about over some stiff drinks." Another loud crash came from the other side of the diner, Ruby growled and stocked away towards the dwarves who started belligerently singing an Enchanted Forest drinking song.
The two women dug into their food, Snow ravenously tearing away at her plate as though she hadn't eaten in centuries. Now that she thought about it, Regina realized that Snow had always possessed a rather unprincess-like approach to consuming food. This must be where Emma gets her atrocious eating habits, smiled Regina to herself as she pecked away at her food. Halfway through the meal, Snow came up for air and after a long gulp of water, sighed with satisfaction.
"I haven't seen much of Emma lately," she started causing Regina's eyes to flick towards the small brunette. She'd been meaning to ask after Emma, but never found an appropriate moment to do so. "She's been spending a lot of time at the station. I think she is just as eager for things to get back to normal as the rest of us." Regina hummed in reply. "Have you seen her much?" Regina glanced up at Snow, her green eyes full of curiosity and hope for answers. She clearly feels something's off too, thought Regina.
"Briefly," mumbled the former queen swallowing a bite, "She came to have dinner with Henry and me once, and I saw her leaving the station when I went to visit my sister." A sudden twinge of anxiety poked at Regina's stomach as she addressed Zelena as her sister. As awkward as it was for her to use such titles, she felt it necessary to personalize the wicked witch in order to aid in Zelena's redemption process. She knew all too well that referring to someone by the name thrust upon them by society only further removed them from humanization. Due to her own personal experience, she reverently refrained from using titles like, "Wicked Witch" and, "Dark One" in an attempt to quell the citizens of Storybrooke's insatiable need to riot.
"How did she seem?" Snow whispered.
"My sister's fine," began Regina, "as uppity and endearing as always." She snorted, but Snow remained stoic.
"I meant Emma," she whispered, her eyes darkening at the thought of the witch who nearly stole everything from her.
"Emma seemed fine," returned Regina politely. Snow leaned in closer across the table, capturing Regina's eyes.
"Really?"
"I suppose," said Regina lifting an eyebrow at the intensity of the forest green eyes piercing her own, "why do you ask, dear?"
"Well," Snow glanced around the diner in search of prying ears and lowered her voice, "she's been acting strangely. Ever since you returned from the barn and locked Zelena up."
"How so?"
"She's been keeping odd hours. For a few nights she didn't sleep… I could hear her tossing and turning in bed when I would get up to feed baby Neal."
"Is that unusual behavior?"
"Oh yes," Snow nodded her head solemnly, "she and David normally sleep like rocks. David doesn't even hear the baby cry at night."
"Perhaps Emma does?"
"That's what I thought initially, but then she started obsessing over Henry's book." Regina's eyebrows stretched upwards and she placed her silverware on the side of her plate, giving Snow her full attention. "I see her late at night pouring over the chapters on Oz. She'll read and reread every chapter, bending the pages and writing notes in the margins."
"Perhaps she's simply trying to understand."
"Again, that's what I thought, but then she said the most curious thing the other day," Snow looked around the room once more and leaned closer, Regina moved slightly to meet her, "she was rationalizing Zelena's actions and said that we had no idea what she's been through." Regina breathed deeply and pondered Snow's words.
"I don't believe that delving into the history of a villain in order to understand their motives is a bad thing. I, for instance, almost wish someone would have done that for me- then perhaps things would have proceeded in a different manner." She sat back and folded her arms across her chest.
"So you're saying that Emma is learning from what happened with you and simply trying to understand Zelena?" Snow asked, her eyes hopeful that this was the only reason for her daughter's actions. Regina also hoped that this was the case, but deep down she knew that couldn't be the whole truth. Especially not after what she had overheard in the Sheriff's station. Emma was opening up to Zelena, confiding in her, seeking solace and understanding.
"Honestly, dear, I don't know." Sighed the brunette, pushing her plate aside and resting her arms on the table. Snow pushed her own plate aside and reached across the table, placing a hand on her stepmother's arm.
"I'm really worried, Regina," the former queen looked into Snow's eyes and saw etched in them, fear and concern. "There's something else." Snow leaned back and bit her lip, Regina focused all her attention on the small woman's words.
"What is it, Snow?" the small brunette sensed the genuine concern that laced Regina's words. She took a deep breath.
"She doesn't look at me the same way," mumbled Snow, "I look into her eyes and I see pain… so much pain, and anger. She barely talks to me and when she does, her answers are always blunt and dismissive. Before the first curse broke, she and I could talk about anything as roommates- then afterwards we had to slowly repair our relationship as mother and daughter. It was all going so well and she even loved me and called me mom until that day at the barn."
Regina considered Snow's words carefully. She too had noticed an emotional shift in Emma, not just behaviorally- but magically. The blonde's instability channeled through her magic and Regina had sensed an imbalance. Ever since the day at the barn, she had been too caught up in rekindling her relationship with Henry that she and Emma had barely even had time to talk. Not that they had grown close since Neverland, but they had definitely reached a point in which they could trust each other's confidence. She had been meaning to seek Emma out to continue her magic lessons, but she admitted to herself that she acted selfishly over the last few days by occupying her time with only Henry. She looked across the table at Snow who sat with her hands clutching her sides, her eyes cast downwards in reflection.
"Emma's magic is extremely powerful," she said snapping the small brunette to attention, "she has gone too long without proper guidance. Just as magic fuels from emotions, the state of whomever holds magic effects it greatly." Snow cocked her head to the side, her face scrunched in confusion. "Take me for example, my magic has always been dark because it came from a place of extreme rage and pain. When we were in the barn and my sister had me in her grasp, I thought of Henry- I thought of…" she stopped suddenly, realizing she almost said, 'Emma,' "I thought of the love I have for him, and how badly I needed to live for him, thus, my magic turned light."
"Are you saying that magic can shift from dark to light depending on emotions?"
"No, dear, it's much deeper than that. The shift from dark to light occurs when a profound change in soul occurs. Releasing grief, anger, pain, and vengeance and filling that void with love and acceptance is what alters magic. It is no simple path."
"Can… can light magic turn dark?" Snow's eyes latched to Regina.
"If the person holds to anger, vengeance, grief- and in my sister's case, envy- yes, light magic can turn dark." Snow gasped and held a hand to her mouth, tears formed in her eyes.
"Do you," she whispered, "do you think Emma will…" she trailed off, unable to utter the words.
"Let's not jump to conclusions. Just because she is upset does not mean she will suddenly be enveloped in dark magic. She is not only the Savior, but she is also the product of True Love- which is inherently light." Snow sighed and leaned back in her seat. "But I believe we have let the Sheriff stew in her own emotions long enough. Since Henry is out of town, I think now would be a good opportunity to resume our magic lessons." Snow nodded faintly, her eyes still drenched with worry as she looked towards her stepmother. Regina knew what she had to do. She took a deep breath and slightly flexed her hand before placing it gently on top of Snow's. The tiny brunette's eyebrows shot upwards as she glanced down at the loving gesture from the former Evil Queen. "Don't worry, Snow," Regina said calmly, "I wont let anything happen to Emma. This I promise you." She smiled warmly at her former nemesis, who returned the smile just as warmly.
…..
"Emma, dearest, you must remember to breathe," stated Zelena firmly from behind the bars. The Sheriff stood before her levitating two office chairs, the third and just flown across the room. She took two deep inhales, but instead of calming- the two chairs began to vibrate. She breathed deeply once again, but just as she exhaled- the chairs shattered into millions of tiny pieces.
"Gods DAMN it!" the blonde screamed as she kicked the nearest desk. She stood with her fists clenched, her chest heaving. "Magic is fucking stupid, I'll never get the hang of it."
"Emma…"
"Just one more fucking thing I can't do…"
"Emma…"
"I'm just a fucking failure, I'll always be a failure. I can't levitate two fucking stupid chairs!"
"SAVIOR!" Zelena's voice filled the room causing shivers to ripple up Emma's spine. She turned to the red head who stood clutching the bars in front of her. The witches face the perfection of calm, but her mountain range of knuckles slowly whitening with impatience. "Relax, dearest." Emma breathed in through her nose and exhaled noisily. "Good. Now, I want you to make the chairs reappear."
"Seriously? I just blew them up trying to levitate them."
"You really need to stop doubting yourself, dearest. You are quite powerful. And I know you don't believe it, but you are much stronger than you think." Emma scoffed.
"Now let's try to repair the chairs, dearest. Hold out your hands and remember the repair incantation I taught you." Emma nodded and shook her hands, cracking her knuckles she lifted her arms forward and closed her eyes recalling the words. The pieces on the floor shook slightly for a moment, but fell back to their positions. Emma dropped her hands and growled.
"Tell me, Savior," Zelena began, she knew Emma was uncomfortable with that title, and used to further her purpose of egging the blonde into rage, "how were you feeling when you tried to put the chairs back together?"
"Uh… hopeful, I guess. I didn't want to fail."
"Oh come now, darling, that's not nearly strong enough."
"What do you mean?"
"There are a whole variety of emotions to choose from. Usually every practitioner of magic has one particular emotion in which they fall back on to perform. Rumpelstiltskin's is regret, Regina's is grief, and mine is-obviously- envy." Emma blinked a few times trying to process Zelena's words, she's never thought of how all the other magical users in Storybrooke channeled their abilities.
"What about Blue?" she asked wondering what the fairy could possibly draw on for her power. Zelena sneered at the thought and instead of answering truthfully, supplied a well-rehearsed lie.
"She uses pixie dust, darling, which is ever so common and low brow. One hardly needs emotions with sparkly dust." Zelena smiled making Emma laugh.
"Okay then, so what's mine?"
"Think about that moment with the filing cabinet, or the one with the fire hydrants you told me about, or just now when the chairs shattered… what were you feeling?" Emma took a moment to think of each event, sifting through all the emotions that had been stirring so deeply in her soul since her return to Storybrooke.
"Huh," she said furrowing her brow. She couldn't believe how obvious it had been, "I think… I think it's anger." Zelena grinned slightly, though on the inside her smile reached through her entire body. Her plan is working.
"Bingo, darling," Said the witch smiling with pride at her instrument for vengeance.
"Anger has always been present in my life. Angry at my parents for abandoning me, angry with my childhood, angry with Neal for abandoning me, angry at myself for giving up Henry, angry that my destiny was chosen for me, angry at everyone in this town always wanting me to fix everything, angry that it wasn't me that stopped you…" Emma shut her mouth. That last admission of anger was something she didn't want to share with the Zelena, but the witch simply smiled.
"You were angry that you weren't the one to stop me?" she said with a small grin. Emma blushed and scuffed her boot across the floor.
"Yeah," she admitted, her head hanging low.
"Why would you be angry about that?" Emma ran a hand through her hair and pulled a chair up to the cell bars. Sitting heavily in it, she sat for a few moments in silence before speaking.
"I know I didn't want to be the Savior, and I still don't- but that was my position in this town. It was my security. I'm the Savior, I stop bad guys and break curses. But it wasn't me who broke this last curse.
"Regina," said Zelena, her eyes starting to shimmer with excitement, she had planned on twisting Emma's thoughts against Regina- but she didn't think it would come up so soon.
"Yeah, Regina," she sighed as she thought of the brunette. Of all the swirling emotions to consume Emma since her arrival at Storybrooke, the one she felt towards Regina was one she couldn't decipher. Or, at least, didn't want to. "Regina broke the curse and restored everyone's memories. And then in the barn, it was Regina who stopped you and saved the day. It was all… Regina." She said with a final deep nod of her head.
"That Evil Queen always seems to be at the crux of problems, doesn't she?" Said Zelena, specifically using Regina's former title. Emma remained still, her brows furrowed in thought.
"I should be happy for her," she began slowly as she moved her hands to caress the sides of her face, slowly rubbing her middle fingers over her temples, "but I find that I'm actually… angry." It was a revelation she had been too scared to admit to anyone, let alone herself. Her feelings towards Regina had always moved up and down like a rollercoaster. She was initially smitten with the former mayor, then she hated her, then she pitied her, then cared for her, then… something else. Zelena watched Emma closely as if she could see each compartment in her train of thoughts.
"The line between love and hate is dreadfully thin," she began as she realized that this moment is to be seized for her purposes. Emma raised her head at the mention of 'love' like it was the word she had been searching for to describe her feelings for Regina, but Zelena quickly doused the flames, "and your feelings toward the Evil Queen is that of hate." Emma's eyebrows raised and she shook her head.
"No, I don't think that's it. I don't think I hate Regina."
"Well do you love her?" asked Zelena. Her icy eyes fixed on Emma; reading every gesture, every in take of breath, each small action went studied and filed into Zelena's mind.
"I… I don't know," muttered the Sheriff.
"Well then that answers the question, dearest."
"It does?" the blonde lifted her head. Her eyes perceived Zelena as a concerned friend, one who only sought to soothe and help, but had Emma been not so blinded by her own emotional turbulence, she would have seen the flicker of malice in the witches eyes.
"If you loved Regina, then you'd know it for certain. Without question, really."
"I suppose…" mumbled Emma unsure of the witches words. Zelena saw her hesitation, and latched on to continue her plan.
"Think about Regina for a moment. She's the Evil Queen, she murdered and tortured who knows how many thousands of innocent people, she murdered your grandfather, attempted to murder both your mother and your father, out of spite for something as trivial as tattle tailing, she cursed the thousands of people she had been tormenting for years to a foreign land- ripping their happiness from them." Emma sat patiently listening to Zelena's words, not quite certain where she was headed.
"But then you arrive," the witch continued, "and you found your biological son in the midst of an abusive relationship."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa… stop right there," said Emma rising to her feet, "Regina was anything but an abusive parent and don't you dare say otherwise. She's only ever wanted Henry to be happy."
"If she only ever wanted Henry to be happy, then why did she perpetually keep you from seeing him, darling?" she watched Emma's anger recede and continued, "If spending time with you is what made Henry happy, then wouldn't she have let you spend time together? Tell me that's not some form of abuse." Emma sat back down in the chair with her arms crossed, thinking very carefully about her next few words.
"Abuse is an incredibly strong word to use in that case," she said looking back to Zelena, "Selfish, maybe, but I wouldn't call her abusive." Zelena nodded and readjusted her strategy, Emma's defense of her sister was slightly unexpected.
"Selfish. There is the word. She has always been selfish and unappreciative. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe she tried to kill you. All so she could keep Henry to herself, regardless of how he would feel losing his biological mother."
"She gave us new memories for New York. That was probably the most selfless act I've ever seen in my life."
"Think harder about the memories she gave you, Emma. Were there any little quirks or traits that popped up in that year that you had never possessed?" The blonde sat still as she contemplated her fake memories. Then her mouth opened slightly with realization. "There we go," said Zelena, "You remember a few things she changed in order to make you more like her." Emma's eyes widened in horror, she had always brushed off those strange parts of her fake memories- but now that she considered it, she felt somewhat betrayed and violated.
"I can't believe she did that," she whispered. Zelena's eyes flashed, her victory was so near she could taste it.
"Not only did she put her influence on your fake memories, but as I recall she worked tirelessly to restore Henry's memories. Regina wanted him to remember his issues with abandonment and rejection, the pain of not being believed during the curse, the agony of discovering that the woman who raised him is a sadistic villain, Regina wanted him to remember these things along with her betrayal when our mother came to Storybrooke, she wanted him to remember nearly dying, being kidnapped and taken to Neverland, tearing his own heart out, having his shadow nearly ripped from him, she wanted him to have the memories of leaving his family behind in Storybrooke, she wanted him to remember all of this and also the fact that the entire last blissful year of his life was all a lie. She wanted her son whom she apparently just wants to see happy, to remember all of the awful pain in his life simply so she could have him for herself."
Zelena finished and watched as her words washed over Emma, she felt the pain and anger rise in the blonde. The Sheriff's jaw clenched, her hands gripped in fists. And now for the big finale, thought Zelena as she spoke once again.
"And she couldn't just stop with having Henry. Oh no, dearest. She had to take everything from you. She had to break the curse and stop me from going back in time. She wanted to be the hero, she wanted to be everyone's Savior. That is why you aren't happy for her sudden epiphany. Because she is taking everything from you, "the witch licked her lips feverishly, "So now, darling, I ask you… is what you feel towards the Evil Queen really love?"
"No," stated Emma through gritted teeth, "It's not." White-hot range swirled upwards from her stomach, scorching through her limbs to her fingertips where little pops of blue simmered across her fingernails. Zelena eyed the color with fascination and awe. She had tapped into Emma's anger… the Savior's normally brilliant white magic had faded to a shade of blue. The colorful tint indicated the rising presence of dark magic, though it wasn't fully formed- it was brewing… growing stronger. Internally she smiled victoriously, sensing her impending vengeance drawing near.
"Now, dearest," Zelena said without letting the small display of dark magic slip by, "feel your anger… think of what makes you angry and put the chairs back together."
Emma stood firmly and stretched her hands out, her body shook with anger as she concentrated on the incantation.
"Aaaah…" said Zelena softly, "Well done, dearest." Emma opened her eyes to find the chairs properly restored. A flood of shock and pride coursed through her veins. "What anger did you hold on to?" Inquired the witch excitedly from behind her bars. Emma looked at Zelena and then back at the chairs before whispering a single word.
"Regina."
