SIX MONTHS LATER
Emma stood outside the town line, wondering if she was making a mistake, coming back to Storybrooke. She had spent the past six months moving around aimlessly between Boston and New York City after making the decision to go without magic to see how it would work out. The voice was silenced only during her waking hours and it exacted its revenge by unleashing nightmare after nightmare when Emma attempted to sleep. This left Emma tired and irritable, and without the sensation of magic flowing in her veins, she felt hollow. She would keep up with this if it kept her loved ones safe, but lately she had been thinking about a sneak visit, where she would be able to see her family without them knowing. She just wanted to see how Henry was doing, whether he was taller or had filled out. She wondered about baby Neal and her parents. And, most of all, she had to admit, she wanted to see Regina. Just looking at Regina calmed the tumult that the darkness and light clashing caused inside her. Emma sighed and stepped over the line.
Eyes shut, Emma fell to her knees on the ground as she felt magic, both light and dark, slam into her. One second, she felt joyous sensations running up and down her veins, the next second a burning pain following. She threw her head back, determined not to scream, and waited until she slowly regained control of her magic. God, she had forgotten how powerful she felt with it running throughout her body. Standing up, Emma waved her hand and cloaked herself with a 'grey' spell, in where she would go unnoticed by people without magic. However, magic wielders were immune to that spell and would see her as if she were not cloaked. Emma was willing to take that risk for most of the people she wanted to see did not have magic. She closed her eyes and poofed to the Charmings' loft.
Landing in the living room, her instinctual reaction was to hide herself, but Emma gained confidence in her cloaking spell as Snow and David did not look up or give any indication that they sensed her presence. Emma grinned; this was cool.
She walked over to baby Neal, who was so much bigger now. He was on the floor, crawling and Snow let out a delighted laugh "You're such a big boy, Neal! Come to Mommy!" Emma's smile slipped as she was harshly reminded that she had grown up without parents and the feeling that she was being replaced by Neal, while ridiculous, was still present. Scowling, she looked down at Neal and a shock ran through her; Neal had stopped crawling and was looking up straight at her. Emma gaped as they made eye contact; that meant Neal had magic. Backing away, Emma took one last look at her parents before disappearing undetected in a plume of grey.
Henry. Emma looked for him at school then at Granny's, but there was no sign of him. She decided to try Regina's mansion next but that meant she'd have to be careful since Regina would see right through her cloaking spell. She appeared behind the hedges in Regina's yard and, crouched, she made her way to the back.
Peering through the bushes, she spotted Henry playing ball with Roland and she smiled, heart gladdened to see Henry. He had grown so much already in the past few months. The way he was interacting with Roland showed his kindness and sweetness; Emma was always amazed that this boy had sprung from her loins. She knew that his upbringing had a lot to do with it, though, and it was largely thanks to Regina that Henry was growing up into the kind of man he should be.
Suddenly she heard Regina's voice floating into the yard, "Henry! Would you and Roland please set the patio table? Dinner will be ready soon." Henry turned to Roland and said, "Come on, kid" before going inside. Emma remained there, heart beating, as she thought about how Regina's voice had sounded. Was she happy? Since Roland was there, it looked like Regina had a new family. Emma felt heavy at this thought.
She looked up at the sound of the two boys returning outside, accompanied by Regina, and her lips parted in shock. Regina's belly was protruding, and she was clearly pregnant. She looked beautiful and, as she moved, it seemed as if she were glowing. Emma stared, entranced at the sight, as her heart swelled with love and longing and for a moment there, she was ready to to make her presence known. But before she could do so, the back door opened again and Robin strolled into the yard. "Daddy!" screamed Roland as he ran and flung himself into Robin's arms.
Emma sank back into her crouch, waiting to see what happened next. Henry threw a small smile Robin's way, "Hey" to which Robin responded, "Evening, Henry." He then turned to Regina and smiled at her as only lovers do and inclined his head for a kiss, which Regina obliged. Feeling sick, Emma closed her eyes and took herself elsewhere, anywhere but where the happy family was.
Tears slid down her cheeks as rage battled with love in her chest. Emma was so happy her family was fine, but so angry that they were fine without her. She knew it was for the best, but she couldn't help the feelings of anger and betrayal running through her. Especially seeing Regina… pregnant. Tears came afresh as Emma struggled with being happy for Regina yet bitterly hurt that she clearly had found her happy ending.
In the clearing where Emma had appeared, near the forest, clouds gathered as Emma slowly lost control of her magic due to the emotions warring within herself. Lightning danced above Emma's head as she wept, and one final crack of thunder revealed a shimmering circle. Emma, mesmerized by this development, stood and moved closer to investigate. She cautiously reached out one arm towards the shimmering circle, and gasped when it disappeared within. She concluded she had created a portal, perhaps to another time or realm. Emma stared at it momentarily before making a decision: fuck it, she was leaving. Gazing straight ahead, Emma stepped into the portal and vanished, the portal closing with a crack.
Regina looked up at the sky at the same time the portal closed, frowning slightly. Something had happened, but she was not exactly sure what. Earlier that day, her magic had started singing to her softly, and she had initially thought it was the baby. But now she wasn't so sure. She realized it must have been Emma, returned to Storybrooke. She knew Emma had crossed the town line, because the day she left was the day Regina's magic had stopped its singing in her veins and just… laid there. She could still use it, but without the joy it usually brought her to do so. She knew exactly when her magic had become so attuned to Emma's; it was after the night they had spent together before finding Lily and Robin in New York.
But now, her magic was silent once again, leaving Regina saddened. Had Emma come and gone so quickly? She sighed, looking over at Robin who was tossing a ball with Roland. She had tried so hard to appreciate Emma's sacrifice for her happy ending, but if she was honest with herself, it was not quite the happy ending she had anticipated. Robin was nice, and she loved him, but she had honestly thought that there would be so much more to love than just nice. At least he had given her this baby, and a smile came to Regina's lips as she ran a hand over her belly.
The smile quickly disappeared as her thoughts returned to Emma, and how different her life would be if the former sheriff was still around. She missed the family that had been slowly forming around Emma, Henry, and herself. She leaned back and closed her eyes, hoping that somewhere, Emma was safe and knew that she was loved.
ONE YEAR LATER from the night Emma was taken by the darkness
"Run! It's the Dark Knight!" was screamed as people crashed into each other, running to safety. Inwardly, Emma sighed as she rode on her horse into the village. Sometimes she thought that people, in their panic, hurt themselves far more than she ever hurt them. She halted in the plaza, sitting silently on her midnight colored mare, who nickered quietly. It made for a majestic sight, the knight clad in armor the color of ebony seated on a magnificent horse that was also of midnight color. All who viewed the Dark Knight felt fear, but what they did not know was that the Dark Knight did not go after those who were honorable and valiant for the knight never gave rhyme or reason for her actions. She would simply ride down her victims and strike them dead before departing in silence.
This was how the former Savior had come to cope with her dual nature. She sated the dark side of herself by killing, but did not corrupt her light nature by senseless killing. Instead, she killed those deserving of her sword. Rapists, murderers, people guilty of crimes deemed too heinous to serve time in jail. She traveled the land, acting as judge, jury and executioner; while she found no joy or pleasure in the life she led, Emma at least was able to maintain control of the darkness. In the time spent in this realm since she had stumbled into it through the portal, Emma had discovered she was capable of traveling between realms by opening portals at will. She also had learned she could time travel, but she refused to utilize that particular skill set as she had learned how she could hurt people by unknowingly changing the future, as demonstrated by how she brought back Marian.
Sitting by the fire that evening, after tending to Queenie, her horse, Emma studied the orange flickering flames as she thought back over the events that had occurred during the time she had spent here, in this land. Angry at how life had turned out for her, Emma had spent several days raging and destroying the forest around her with her magic after arriving through the portal. It was not until she had come face to face with a frightened pregnant woman with two children, hiding from her in a patch of forest that had yet to be destroyed, when she had felt the rage dissipate and realized the devastation she had unleashed.
Abashed, Emma gently knelt down, face level with the two children, fear on their faces, and murmured, "I am sorry for scaring you. I will not harm you." She looked up at the woman, still looking fearful, and continued, "This I promise you. I would never hurt an innocent."
She felt a hand touch her face and she looked back down, at the small girl who was bravely stroking her cheek. "Are you an angel?" asked the girl. Emma smiled at that. "No, I am not. I am too dark to be one." The girl shook her head, "No. You're too beautiful not to be one. You can be a dark angel and protect us from evil!" Emma stood up slowly, and told the woman, "Go. Take your children with you. I'm sorry for scaring you." The woman silently nodded and, taking her children in hand, backed away until they disappeared among the greenery.
Emma ran her hand over her face, sickened at the destruction she had caused. Smoke was still wafting from parts of the devastated forest and it was not until later that night, when she thought back to the girl's words "Protect us from evil," that something occurred to her. She could be the Dark One but still protect others from evil, couldn't she? She could punish those deserving of it to sate the darkness but keep some part of her light intact by not inflicting hurt on the innocent. Letting out a breath at this epiphany, Emma slept better that night than she had in a long time.
Within a fortnight, the Dark Knight was born. Emma had spent the past two weeks bartering for metal and looking for a serviceable horse. She had come across a magnificent black mare, and after inquiring if it was for sale, the breeder had told her that the mare was slated to be destroyed as she could not be tamed. Eyeing the mare's regal bearing and haughty way she looked down at people, Emma could not hide a smile at how much the mare reminded her of Regina. "I'll take her, thank you." The breeder shrugged, "Your funeral," but was left dumbstruck as Emma led the mare out of her stall without issue. Emma threw the breeder a half smile as she declared, "I know how to work with angry, insufferable women, trust me." And so that was how Queenie came to be Emma's.
As for the metal, Emma bartered her services for some of the highest quality metal in the area. The blacksmith had chuckled when she had inquired as to the cost, "You wouldn't be able to afford it, little lady." Emma scowled, "Try me." The blacksmith sighed, "You would need to build me a house to fetch me a price equivalent to the one that this metal deserves." Emma smiled and said, "Done." The blacksmith gaped as she waved her hands and wood came together, forming a house bigger and better than any in the area. "Is that satisfactory, blacksmith?" inquired Emma as she watched with smug mirth the blacksmith's reaction. "Take it. It's all yours," uttered the awed and slightly frightened blacksmith as he made for the house to check it out.
Emma had taken the metal back to her camp and spent several hours using her magic to forge the armor into something comfortable she could wear. The finished product fit her like a glove but did not feel heavy or chafe at her skin. She stood, wearing the armor, and magicked a mirror into being so she could see how she looked. The mirror showed her a woman, standing tall in armor black as the night, blonde curls tied up neatly in a bun. She saw the Dark Knight staring back at her. Emma, feeling more focused than she had in a long time, was ready to set off and see what this land was all about.
A year to the day that Emma had stabbed the knife into the darkness that threatened to take Regina, Emma sat staring silently into the campfire. She had thought more than once about returning to her realm, to Storybrooke. Her resolve to stay away had waned; she had no friends nor family in this land and while she knew it was best she stay away, she wished once again to pay a brief visit. Now that it had been several months since she arrived to this land, she thought it was time to do so. Swallowing nervously, Emma lifted her hands and conjured a portal. As she stood and strode over to the portal, she heard soft nickering. She looked back at where Queenie was standing forlornly, and softly said, "Don't worry, Queenie. I'm coming back. I wouldn't abandon you. I'm just going to check on people who I… care for. See you soon." She lifted a hand in farewell to her beloved mare as she stepped through.
Landing on her feet in the very same clearing that she had left through, Emma took into her surroundings. It was dark and the stars were showing in the night sky. Emma breathed in the cold, clean air and let it out. She had truly missed her homeland. Emma realized that since it was nighttime, the people she wanted to check on were likely asleep, so she would need to wait till daytime. She decided to walk back to town instead of poofing, and she wanted to look upon the town as well. She set off, humming softly to herself.
Regina was sitting on the porch swing in her backyard, looking up at the stars. She hadn't been able to fall back asleep after rocking her daughter to sleep, so she thought she would go outside for a bit as it was not that cold. As it often did, her thoughts turned to Emma; where she was, what she was doing, whether she was alright. Regina hated not being able to do anything but if Emma did not want her help, there was only so much she could do. She watched as a shooting star streaked across the sky, and was startled to notice her magic singing to her softly. Standing up, she looked around wildly. "Emma?" There was only silence and darkness. Regina decided to hell with it and strode into the house, headed to her study where she kept the dagger.
Returning back outside with the dagger, she took in a deep breath and said firmly, heart pounding, "Emma Swan, I summon thee."
Emma was strolling along the darkened Main Street, looking at the clock tower with something akin to fondness, when she felt the grasping and pulling feeling she had only felt once before. She was being summoned. Darkness swirled around her and, as it cleared, she found herself on Regina's backyard porch. Standing still, taking into the view of the house, she stood frozen, not daring to turn around.
"Emma." The sound of her name on Regina's lips makes her slowly, imperceptibly, turn until Regina comes into view. They stare at each other for what feels like eons until Regina breaks the silence, "How are you, Emma?" Emma closes her eyes as it is painfully wonderful to hear Regina speaking to her once again. She opens her eyes, looking at Regina who is no longer pregnant.
"You've given birth."
Regina smiles, love shining in her eyes when she thinks of her child. "Yes, she's beautiful. She's…"
"How's Henry?" Emma interrupted, not wanting to hear more about this baby girl she so wishes were hers instead of Robin's.
"Henry's good. He misses you so much. Do you think you could visit him?"
Emma shook her head, "No. I don't want him to see me this way."
Regina looked at her sadly, "You're okay with seeing me, why not Henry?"
Emma clenched her fists. "You have no idea how hard it is for me to be here, talking to you. There's a war going on inside me. I don't know how Rumple did it, but it's going to destroy me one day. And Henry doesn't need to see that. You don't need to see that either but I don't know, considering you probably understand me the best out of anyone in Storybrooke, Former Evil Queen, beggars can't be choosers."
Regina smiled and sarcastically said, "Glad I can be of use to you, Emma, since you sacrificed yourself for me." She continued, "you really shouldn't have done that, though," the last part said in a pained tone, eyes downcast.
Emma waits a bit before replying, "Regina. I promised you your happy ending." Regina looks back up at Emma, and something in her eyes tells Emma she hasn't quite found her happy ending. Closing her eyes at the emotions running through her and knowing that she needs to leave before losing control, Emma said harshly, "I need to go. Go to your Robin and your family and be happy. I need to hear you're happy, I can't have this be all for nothing."
Regina looked at her, eyes shining with unshed tears, "…Robin and I…" Emma snarled, startling Regina. "I don't want to hear about Robin! Its all I can do not to… not to hurt him. I need to go." And Emma is gone, not hearing the "No! Don't go!" that falls from Regina's lips.