I hear my mother's voice linger over me in my office, like her breath escaped from the grave to haunt my nightmare of a day. "Stop being so weak, Regina," she whispers, "It's not very becoming."

I lift my head; my face feels hot as it contorts into an angry snarl and furrowed eyebrows. Heat and impulse boil inside me at her condescending words. "I am NOT WEAK!" I scream, shoving several objects off my desk. I stand and strain my neck to the left, pulling until a satisfying pop is released. A familiar feeling consumes me—I'm in control of my body and yet simultaneously outside of it, a feeling of power and indignation, an insatiable desire. I stand taller, close my eyes, and take a long, deep breath, welcoming the nostalgic feeling, like reuniting with an old lover. My lips curve into an unintentional grin, a smirk, perhaps. One word fills my mind: Revenge.

I'm walking toward my vault in a haze of my own presence. My feet seem to strut to their own beat, refusing to slow down for any person or thing in my path. I could have transported myself to my destination and arrived more quickly, but the aura of my power increases with each quick and confident step. Muffled voices in the distance call for me, question me, but I am too engrossed in my plans to destroy Zelena to yield.

Bottles of potions and books of magic surround me when I arrive at my vault and I find a sick pleasure in the anticipation of finding the right vessel of destruction. I begin with my mother's old spell book, thumbing through the pages, basking in the euphoria of each dark spell I find, allowing my imagination to run free with the most excruciating scenarios for my sister. I stop and sneer as I land on page 766. Laughing, I make my way toward the potions to find the ingredients of the spell entitled: Indelible Demise.

One by one, I carefully test each ingredient and muscle memory takes over as I practice my beloved craft. Such a spell must not be hastily prepared. Each element is integral to the pain I intend to cause. They must be pure and potent. I finish purifying the last ingredient and carefully measure the exact amount—

"Regina?" A soft and hesitant voice interrupts my sacred process. I roll my eyes and slowly turn to address the intruder. "I don't know what you're doing, but I get the feeling it is not a good idea."

Emma. Of course. I return to my work before replying. "You've marred all of my other plans, Miss Swan, I suppose it makes sense that you would attempt it again." I'm unimpressed with Emma's tactics. I'm the most powerful queen in all the realms. She can barely stand up straight long enough to perform her magic. She poses no threat to me. "But I'm afraid you're out of your league here. You'll have to do better than this to stop me," I say, waving a hand toward her.

"I know", she says, "which is why I brought backup when I saw you coming over here."

I face her again, this time more inquisitively to see what she means. She nods to someone in the opening of the stairs and footsteps trail down slowly. Robin appears seconds later with his hands held up in front of him, as though he expects me to hurl a fireball at him as soon as he is in view.

"Regina—"

"HIM?" I march toward Emma, power and rage surging through my veins. "You thought he would be able to stop me? He helped cause this, you ignorant little girl."

She steps back. As she should, inferior as she is, I expect her tobe intimidated. "We thought this might be about Zele—"

"Shut up!" I straighten, letting my presence fill the room. Turning and pacing slowly towards Robin, I decide to explain my plan for him in slow, simple terms. Terms fit for a fool.

"Yes," I begin, being sure to keep my voice low and dark. "This particular spell is for my bitch of a sister. But you're even more of a moron than I thought if you think I will stop there." I position myself before him with strength, my face inches from him. "You, thief, will pay for what you've done to me." A hitch in my breath makes my voice crack and I feel my throat tightening. No, do not be weak. I look directly into his eyes, though mine burn as I refuse to let tears form. "You will sit here in my vault, bound by a holding spell, and you will be forced to watch as I fuck the life out of every man I deem satisfying." His eyes grow wide with horror at my words. My efforts to hold back my tears fail. My anger and despondency overcome me as I resolve to put Robin through the feelings of betrayal he caused me. The image of Zelena writhing under Robin in my dream flashes through my mind. Tears fall down my cheek. I push myself up against him to make him long for me, to fuel jealousy throughout him. I run my hands up and down his chest. "You'll watch me moan, sweat, and scream the names of countless other men as they touch every inch of my body, while I ride them hard… fast…" I let out a breathy, sexual, moan into his ear. He looks away with what looks like anger and hurt. More tears soak my cheeks, but my plan is working and I can't succumb to weakness.

"Stop it. This isn't really what you want. This isn't you." Robin says.

I laugh and step back, turning once again to finish the last touches of my spell. "Like you really give a damn about me and what I want," I say, and pour the finished product into a tube. Emma and Robin have dampened the euphoria I felt minutes ago, but there is still a satisfaction in its completion.

"Regina, that's not fair."

"He's right. This isn't you anymore, Regina," I had almost forgotten that Emma was here. She continues, but I keep my back to her, sealing and admiring my freshly concocted potion. "You can't let yourself back into this place. You've come too far. You are not the Evil Queen now."

I whip back around and throw Emma against a wall.

"Regina! Stop!" Robin yells.

"Shut up!" I yell. How dare she tell me who I am. "I play nice with you, Swan, but you are not my babysitter, not my mother, and definitely not my friend. You have no idea who I am and what I'm capable of. Stay. Out. Of my way."

"No," she replies, and I raise my eyebrow in unimpressed amusement. "You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment and when this powerful rage comes over you it changes you. This is you years ago, not now. If you would just calm down and think about what you're doing—"

I clutch the potion and start walking toward the stairs to leave the vault. I won't listen to Emma. I don't want to calm down or think about what I'm doing. I want to feel good, and this is the best I've felt in a long time. Revenge feels good. I push past Robin at the bottom of the stairs. He grabs my arm and pleads with me to listen to him but I keep walking and head towards the exit.

As soon as I walk outside, I hear several pairs of footsteps in the woods. I turn to my left to see David and Mary-Margaret walking toward me, looking concerned. They probably serve as more of Emma's so-called "back up". I roll my eyes, put the potion in my jacket pocket, and bring my hand up to make myself vanish.

I freeze and gasp for air. My heart pounds through my chest and blood rushes to my head, anxiety suddenly swirls through me. No. Not like this. He can't see me like this.

It's too late. Henry walks forward to pass David and Mary-Margaret before I can vanish. Panic surges through me and I can't move—can't breathe.

He stares at me. His wide, innocent eyes full of shock and sympathy. "Mom… What's going on…"