The Dark One
Regina sped angrily away, appalled at the gaul Robin had. Thinking he could order Regina of all people around. Her mind reeled, between anger, then realization that she had just ended a relationship that she had thought at one time was to be her happy ending. Then she thought about what Robin had said.
'You can't be happy with me...or without her?'
'Both.'
Regina swallowed thickly and rolled her eyes. Figures. She was always a glutton for punishment. Of course she would do something as stupid as falling for the savior. She had recognized her attraction to Emma a long time ago, but had continually squashed those feelings down, knowing that would be the worst decision she could ever make. But now here she was. Breaking it off with the man pixie dust had indicated was her soul mate for questioning her resolve to save her enemy. She scoffed at herself, realizing that despite her best efforts, she had fallen hard for Emma.
Regina suddenly felt her heart constrict. He felt like she was in an elevator plummeting to the ground at an impossible rate. She slammed on the brakes, coming to a skidding halt. She pulled her phone out and sent a mass text to the search party.
**Meet me at the library. Now. Emergency.**
The group convened in the lobby of the library, anxiously surrounding Regina for news of why they had been summoned. When Charming rushed in, the last one they had been waiting for, Regina stepped up.
"Regina?" Charming huffed. "What's going on?"
Regina took a deep breath. "I don't know, exactly."
The group looked at her in confusion. "I...felt something. Like Emma is in trouble."
They all looked concerned when suddenly the earth shook. They stumbled around and out the door into the street. As the ground continued to tremble, they clung to each other trying to stay upright. The shaking stopped only to be followed by a shrieking scream, non stop, echoing through the streets.
Mary Margaret looked at Regina in horror. "Emma!"
The group ran up the street to the sound of destruction and screaming. As they came around a corner, the group skidded to a halt at the sight. Emma was standing in the middle of the street, destruction all around.
Regina heard Hook gasp "Swan!" She looked over as Regina's attention turned from the destruction of the town to the one causing the destruction. Emma's jeans and boots were jet black. Her traditional red leather coat was changed to a shiny black one, extending down her body to cascade around her ankles. Her blonde hair was flowing weightlessly around her head, dull and straw like. Her face is what made Regina's heart break. Emma's face was sunken in. Her eyes were dark and menacing. When Regina and her met eyes, she saw that her Emma was gone. All she saw there was pure evil. Regina's heart broke at what had become of the ever optimistic savior.
As they locked eyes, Regina could feel it coming. She saw Emma's lips curve into an evil smirk. Regina stepped backwards, yelling to her companions to take cover. They barely dove behind the closest building as Emma flung a destructive fireball past them, demolishing the building behind them. They cowered in a huddle, trying to figure out what to do.
Snow was closest to Regina and grabbed her shoulder. "What about the town line? If we get her to cross, won't the magic disappear?!" They cowered again as another burst of energy sailed by their hiding spot.
Regina shook her head once, seeing Snow, Charming, Hook, and Henry looking to her for answers. "The darkness has taken her over. It's a part of her now. Sending her over the line could kill her."
Snows hand shot up to cover her mouth in shock.
"Then what should we do?!"Henry cried.
Regina took a few breaths as more sounds of screaming and destruction rang through the air. "Well, I imagine we go to the old standby. There is only one thing that I know of that's strong enough to defeat this kind of magic." She looked at Snow pointedly.
Snow understood what she meant. "True love's kiss."
Regina nodded.
Hook suddenly stood upright and pulled his jacket from his body and tossed it on the ground. "Well alright then. How do you plan on getting me close to her?"
Regina bit her bottom lip and raised her eyebrows. Snow noticed and grew concerned. "Hook," Regina drew the pirate's attention. "Are you sure-"
He cut her off. "Are you seriously going to doubt my feelings at a time like this?" Regina just looked at him, unconvinced. Hook shook his head. "I am quite sure of my feelings, and you heard it from Emma herself. She loves me."
Regina chuckled softly. This man was clueless. "Love and True Love are two different things." She looked at the expectant eyes on her and back to Killian who looked defiant. "If you get that close to her and you're wrong...I can't protect you from the Dark One. And that's what she is, Hook. Are you that sure? Because it could mean your life!"
Killian scooted up to Regina and put his hand on her shoulder. He smiled that cocky smile. "You just distract her long enough for me to get close. I'll take care of the rest."
