As Emma trudged through the thick forest on foot, she found herself conflicted. She was carrying only the provisions her mother—no, Snow White—had packed for her, which included some food, water, and a brief map of her surroundings. On one hand, she seethed at the thought of being dumped once again by a set of parents who had now abandoned her to a strange world for the second time in her life. On the other, there was no way in hell she could have dealt with Snow any longer than she already had.

To top it all off, she hadn't even been provided a horse, so she would have to figure out her way through this obscure land on foot. Emma remained coolly furious. At Snow, at James for not talking sense into his wife,

… at Regina and Henry for leaving her. She should have known. Everyone left. They always left. So what was she doing trying to find them?

She sighed, settling herself heavily on a nearby boulder. The past week had flown by too fast to make sense, and her current mental state wasn't helping at all. It was as though something was inhibiting her ability to see others' point of view, and so she could only act in her own selfish interests. Could only think about how her actions and others' would affect her. Not that that was drastically different from how she had lived her whole life, but Storybrooke had just begun to transform her when everything fell to pieces. And now here she was. Once again searching for answers.

This time as the Dark One.

…

"Mom, where are we going?" Henry glanced up at Regina expectantly. She looked every bit the Evil Queen as she trudged onward through the forest slightly ahead of him, and honestly, the brisk pace was starting to get to the young boy.

Regina had taken the lead as soon as she'd understood Henry's urgency in running from the castle. And the dark-haired woman had been relentless and furious in her pace and demeanor ever since. But now she glanced back, seeing Henry struggling, and forced herself to stop to make them rest for a bit.

"We're going to find someone who can help us help Emma," Regina stated simply. She knew that wouldn't be enough for her curious boy, and was proved right when he looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue. "I know someone who might be able to help us. But we're going to have to proceed incredibly cautiously, Henry. Discretion is key."

"I can manage," Henry scoffed, as if he HADN'T spent the last year organizing and carrying out a delicate operation of his own.

Regina knelt down to Henry's level. She placed a hand on each of his shoulders and looked him in the eye. "Henry, I mean it. We're not fooling around with forces in a book anymore."

"I know, Mom. I knew then, and I know now." Henry sucked in a breath as he, for the first time in a while, met her gaze with a look of trust. "This is real life."

…

Snow groaned as she turned over in bed, clutching her head furiously. She'd gone to sleep the night before with a headache, one that evidently was not going away any time soon. Part of her missed Storybrooke, if for no other reason than the 'modern' medicine. The only other successful remedy for headaches in the past had been her stepmother's soothing, and quite literally magical, touch. Snow shook her head. She didn't want to think about that—not now.

The Queen rolled out of bed and looked outside at the darkness surrounding her castle. It was appropriate, really. It mirrored the darkness that had overtaken her heart. The darkness that had been thrust upon her by that awful woman—the woman who had stolen her daughter twice, no, three times, now.

And if there was one thing she knew, gazing out the window with storms swirling slowly behind her eyes, it was that she would NOT allow that woman to win. No matter what, the Evil Queen would be vanquished.

Even if it meant sacrificing everything.

Even if it meant sacrificing Emma.

…

James sat in his cell, utterly defeated, tortured by his thoughts. What kind of king couldn't even fix his own family? What kind of king possessed a queen who didn't trust him? And a daughter whose childhood he had missed, now turned evil? What kind of king placed his only true hope and faith in the one woman he was supposed to despise—even more, his wife's worst enemy?

James choked back a sob as he buried his head in his hands. A noise made him glance up, and before the king had time to react, the room filled with a blinding blue light. He stood up quickly, reaching for his side only to remember that his sword was no longer sheathed there for protection.

The king backed himself against a wall, palms facing out in defense, as a figure materialized before him.

…

Emma found the cottage she was looking for quickly. Clearly, she needed a guide to help her in this foreign land. And she could think of no one more perfect than Ruby—now Red. Luckily, the woman's cottage had been one of the few places marked on the map that Snow had given her.

She tossed her blonde hair over one shoulder before determinedly marching up to the wooden door. Emma rapped sharply, then burst forth with aplomb. She never had been one for patience.

Emma entered the cottage briskly and found the young brunette she sought frozen in place by a window.

Something inside Emma ignited. Unquenchable anger bloomed in her chest as she surged forth and grabbed the young woman's elbow, guiding her harshly out the door.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Emma?" Red hissed, clearly taken aback by the situation. She yanked her arm from Emma's grasp.

Emma grabbed her again, more firmly this time. Her grip would leave bruises. Red gasped as she noticed for the first time Emma's eyes—how her pupils blended evenly into her irises. It was impossible to discern where one began and the other ended.

The blonde spoke darkly, menacing, "You're going to help me find my son."

"I don't understand. What happened to Henry? And more importantly, why the theatrics? You know I'd help you find him, Em."

Emma met Red's gaze. Once again, the young girl noticed the black in Emma's eyes. She knew something was wrong. So the rumors were true.

"I don't owe you and explanation. You're one of them. Friends with my—with Snow. Part of this kingdom. But you can help me. No… you will help me." Emma struggled as she formed words. She felt weak as she allowed the blackness to structure the sentences for her instead. It was just easier this way…

She turned Red around roughly and marched her down the path in front of the cottage. Red winced at the click as she realized that her hands were now cuffed together. So much for running.

"Now, where would Regina take Henry if she had the chance to escape?"…

…

Regina squeezed her son's body closer to hers as he shivered. She had built a fire to keep them warm for the night—built, of course, meaning that she had gathered some wood and ignited it with the flames that burst from her fingertips. Henry had looked strangely impressed by that, which had made her chuckle. He hadn't seen anything yet.

But even as Regina turned these thoughts over in her head, she knew she had to protect her son from that power all the same. Magic, after all, was what had gotten them into this mess in the first place. Magic had threatened her as a young and innocent girl facing her mother's wrath. Magic had sent them all to Storybrooke where the only thing that had saved her from a complete mental tailspin was her son and, near the end, Emma. Magic had turned her love into the evilest of evils. Magic—power—were not things to be trifled with. And Regina would do anything to protect Henry from their influence.

For that reason, she wished he had not come with her on this journey. She scoffed—like she had had a choice. If not for him, she wouldn't even be here.

Even so, the ex-Queen couldn't help but feel that she was bringing her only love—one of her only loves if you counted Emma—right into the full force of the storm.

…

"Reul Ghorm," James whispered in awe. He cleared his throat, and spoke louder, "Blue Fairy. What are you doing here?"

The fairy tilted her head and floated through the bars to share the same space with the king. "I heard your suffering. What can I do to ease your troubles?"

"Just—just tell me everything's going to be alright." James looked down pensively. His hands wrung together before he raised his eyes to meet hers.

The Blue Fairy laughed tinnily. "Alright? Alright is subjective. But by any standards—no. Things will not be 'alright.'"

James' eyes widened further. He stood, and marched to meet the fairy in the middle of the room. "Tell me!" he hissed. The Blue Fairy floated back a few inches.

She cleared her throat. "Before the next few days are completed, the Evil Queen will unleash a curse. The boy will be injured. You will remain trapped. Your wife's heart will turn black. And your daughter will bring harm to those she cares for most."

"What can be done?"

"Only some of these things might come to fruition were you to intervene."

"Then get me out."

"I have not that power. If you can restore your wife's heart in one day's time, you might have a chance at curbing the future."

"Can you send her to me?"

Here, the Blue Fairy smiled. Finally she was fixed with a task which she could complete. "It will be done."

As quickly as she had come, Reul Ghorm disappeared.

…

Once the situation had been explained to Red, she had an idea of where Regina might have taken Henry. Even if Emma wouldn't allow herself to see it, Red understood that Regina and Henry had left to seek a way to help Emma—to cure her. That knowledge, along with Red's excellent tracking instincts, were what put Emma and Red hot on Regina and Henry's trail.

"Where are they going?" Emma hissed angrily.

Red rolled her eyes. "Really, Emma, do you think you could dial it down a notch or two? This 'evil' thing is really unbecoming on you."

Red felt the sting of the slap before she even saw it coming. She brought her cuffed hands up to rub her cheek. "I asked you a question," Emma bit out in a warning tone.

Red sighed heavily. "Regina is trying to find someone to help you. And I only know one person more magical than she is. Well, one person who isn't bound by law to turn her over to the Queen immediately, anyway."

"Who?"

"Oh, no. That is a question I will not answer."

Emma drew back again, but Red was prepared this time. She ducked quickly, her eyes losing focus as instinct took over. "Listen, Emma, I'm not going to tell you right now. It's for your own good, plus it's not really my place. And you can threaten me and bind me all you want, but I tell you the truth when I say that I could break these chains like threads if I pleased. And I could devour you before you even knew I was loose. My aid and restraint are because I care, but I will not continue to take your abuse. Got it?"

Emma looked stunned.

"Good, now follow me."

Emma huffed furiously as she followed the younger woman deeper into the heart of the forest. This wasn't over.

…

"Henry, stay here." Regina warned again.

"But mom—!"

"No. Listen to me, Henry. I am going to see someone who is evil. Not my kind of evil—the kind of evil that just gets their kicks from hurting people. From tearing love apart. From using one person against another. They will not hesitate to use you against me. And I will not allow us to have any weakness going into this. Nor will I allow you to be collateral damage in all of this. You will stay here. Right here. Next to this tree. And you will not go with anyone. Okay, Henry?"

"Mom, I want to go with you."

"Henry," Regina reached out for her son, pulling him to her body one last time.

"At least tell me who you are going to see."

Regina stood up and squared her shoulders as she faced her destination. "My mother. I'm going to see… Cora."

…

Snow marched into the room with the holding cell, regarding her husband with a disdain that dripped slowly through her body.

"Snow!" James rushed to the bars, eyes betraying his happiness at the sight of his queen.

But the brunette didn't budge.

"Why am I here?" she hissed.

James flinched and withdrew as though burned. Recognition flickered over his features as he recalled another time, another place, with this Snow White. "Snow, it's me. Don't you remember me?"

"Don't be stupid. Of course, James."

The king rushed to the bars, then, angrily. "You listen to me, you selfish woman. Three people, and maybe more, are out there in mortal danger because of you. One of them is our daughter. The Evil Queen is going to release another curse if you don't start…"

"What?!" Snow roared. She rushed to the bars with such venom that James backed off a bit. "You released her. You sent our grandson out into the woods with her. And she is going to conjure another curse? Damn you!" Snow turned swiftly , sharply flicking her robes as they trailed behind her.

She was the perfect picture of an evil queen.

…

Cora smiled as her daughter entered the stone house she had built for herself in the woods. She had been expecting her.

"My darling—what brings you here?" The smile didn't reach her eyes. She couldn't help but notice the hardened look reflected in her daughter's eyes as well.

"You know why I'm here, mother," Regina spat the last word. It tasted like spoiled milk on her tongue. "I need your help to bring him back."

"Why, who dear?" Cora feigned innocence as she poured the tea she had been brewing into two delicate black cups. She snaked around Regina, circling her dangerously, studying her prey.

Regina set her jaw and stared blankly ahead as the name tore from her lips:

"Rumplestiltskin."