AN: Okay folks, here we go . . . chapter 8 in our serial tramadey (traumatizing dramatic comedy lol)...everyone ready? Good, 'cuz while this one may be a tad shorter than usual it's one's a big one - get your tissues ready and hold onto your seats! The following chapters are much longer to make up for this one, so don't fret folks! The title is inspired by Linkin Park's amazing new song "Battle Symphony" (RIP Chester, you will be missed!) We really pick up speed now, and things are about to get majorly super crazy. If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact one us either here or on twitter - we love hearing from you guys! Without further ado, let the Battle Symphony of Storybrooke commence . . .


Chapter 8

Battle Symphony

It had been literally hours since Regina had taken off to face the Queen, leaving a very cranky and unhappy Anna with the one person in Storybrooke that Anna really didn't want to be stuck with — Emma. After Regina had gone, Emma hadn't said a word to Anna. The Saviour had been holding on to Anna, preventing her from leaving, when one of those tremors hit her again. Anna snuck out of her hold and tried to run out the door downstairs . . . but she had been unable to leave just like Regina said. In fact, she'd pretty much been thrown back into the house and slammed across the floor by an invisible force. Even more pissed off, Anna sulked back up to her room and slammed her door — leaving Emma alone downstairs.

She called Regina probably a million or more times . . . no answer every time. She left even more text messages. She got absolutely no response. Finally, she just got so frustrated that she whipped the phone across the room in a fit of rage. Pissed now that she'd smashed the screen of her phone, she slammed her iPod into the external speaker and turned up the volume — "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri blasted around the room.

Since then, Anna had been staring at the picture that Mia had drawn for Regina in Granny's the day they went for hot chocolate when Regina was too busy with Robin. She'd noticed it sticking out of her purse on the way back from the dresser where her speaker was. Well, staring wasn't quite the right word . . . she was so focused on it that the room around her ceased to exist. It was just Anna, the music, and that picture. Her hyper—focus on the picture settled her rage and sparked deep, heavy tears. All that time she cried and she cried . . . then sobbed . . .bawled until her shirt was soaked in tears.

The picture that Mia had drawn — quite well for a three—year—old actually — Anna could tell exactly who was who in it. Regina wore a black and purple pantsuit and Henry held his book with a red blob around his neck that Anna could guess was the scarf he always wore. Anna's daughter drew her mother in blue jeans and a t—shirt, and Mia herself in a purple dress with what could only be Mr. Fluffington by the girl's side. They were all holding hands — like a family. No, not like a family . . . they were a family now.

The music and lyrics heightened the anguish all the more . . . Anna had the family she'd always wanted and more now. Not only that but Mia was surrounded by so many people who loved her and would protect her like one of their own — that was everything Anna had wanted for her child since the moment she'd found out she was having a baby.

But now . . . now it was all going to go away. Anna could just feel that Regina wasn't going to survive this. She could feel it deep inside some part of her that was trying to burst out. The image of herself and Mia side by side — both dressed in black. Mia's little hand clasped into her's as they stood in a circle with the rest of the town around a large hole in the ground…Such a dark thought crushed her very soul, but Anna was certain beyond a doubt — Regina wouldn't make it and their new—found family would be ruined . . . Anna and Mia would have to leave. Then it would be back to square one . . .

Teardrops fell onto Mia's picture, smudging some of the crayon—version of Regina. Anna started heaving, quickly trying to dry the image. Trying to fix it made it worse, though — smudging more of the crayon. Anna pushed the image forward on the bed, beginning to cry even harder. She drew her knees up to her chin, hugging herself and rocking back and forth.

More grim thoughts entered her subconscious — she started to believe in her mind that it was all her fault. It was an old habit of hers, but now it was worse than ever. She continued to cry until there were no more tears left to give . . . until she was just perched on her bed, still rocking back and forth like the little orphan alone in the foster home.

"Kid!?" A voice called out. "Anna, there's a call for you — your phone's going straight to voicemail . . . Come on, Anna — open up already!"

She barely heard the voice but nothing could draw her out of her semi—catatonic state. Her jaw unhinged open slightly — as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

"Anna if you don't open this door I'm going to kick it down, I swear to G—" Emma's frantic voice paused through. "Anna? You're not making any noise. What's going on? Damnit, Anna!"

A burst of white flashed through the cracks of the door, blinding Anna but she was too frozen to move. The door flew open and Emma stood in the doorway — the white light was her magic bursting out of her hands.

"Kid, come on what the hell are you doing?!" Emma rushed up to the younger woman, shaking her shoulders. "ANNA!"

Anna was too lost in her dark thoughts to respond. The image of Mia and herself in the black clothes invaded her mind to such a violent degree that it was all that was real to her right now. Her soul darkened, knowing that any minute she'd be told the truth — the truth that Regina wasn't home and never would be.

"Anna, so help me, if you do not chill yourself out I will not hesitate to throw you in the SHOWER! And the water won't be warm either." Emma shook her, still shouting but the words didn't even get to Anna. All she knew was black and alone and empty graves and devastated little girls and dark and lonely and sad and . . .

"ANNA . . . FOR CHRIST SAKE WAKE UP! I WON'T LOSE YOU, NOT MY LITTLE SISTER—"

Something snapped in Anna then — a rage unlike she'd ever known twisting and writhing within her. Her eyes blinked and her entire body trembled outward to the tips of her fingers — like pin and needles pricking her skin.

Emma jumped backward, her hands releasing Anna's shoulders. "Shit! Sorry Anna, I . . ."

Anna shot up off the bed, ignoring the blonde. Her eyes narrowed, pushing Emma's shoulder and the Saviour stumbled back a few steps. "You've got some nerve throwing the "s" word around, you know that!?"

Emma rubbed the spot Anna had pushed, shaking her head. "Wait, what? So now you're offended by a few swear words? Anna, your mouth is literally dirtier than mine sometimes."

Anna laughed maniacally. "So we're blonde and clueless now?!" She stepped forward toward Emma who backed slowly away from her.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Emma was beyond confused "You are not making any sense right now — are you okay?"

"Oh I'm fine." Anna shrugged. "It's you that's losing your mind Emma Swan if you think we were ever, in any way or sense of the word SISTERS!" At the same time the last word was screamed, Emma jumped and the lights in the room flickered.

Emma stepped back again, holding her hands out in front of her. "Look, Anna, I—"

"NO! It's Anna—talk time — Emma the ditcher doesn't GET a say in this one." Anna blurted out. Emma flinched, shock overtaking her expression. Anna let out a short, sudden, burst of laughter. "You know, I feel like we've had this argument before but apparently you didn't get it through your thick skull the first time."

"Anna!" Emma's eyes widened.

"Didn't I tell you not to talk!?" Anna growled. "Sometimes I don't even know why I even agreed to move here — I knew at some point you'd just disappoint me again." Anna could see the guilt on Emma's face — good! She deserved it!

"Now, wait a minute here," Emma breathed. "I haven't done anything to you since you've lived here!"

"That's exactly my freaking point!" Anna threw her hands up in the air. "You invite my daughter and me to live here, saying it could be a fresh start for all of us together . . . and then you hardly say one word to me for months!"

"It's not like I was hiding in my bedroom everyday, Anna — I've been busy. You were there when we told you the truth about this town — what everyone's role is here."

"Oh yeah — the Almighty Saviour's too busy to spend time with two lowly little humans." Anna scoffed, tears leaking from her eyes again. "I've spent more time with your parents and your son and Regina and Zelena and baby Robyn and even your little brother than I have YOU!"

Emma gasped, her hand over her mouth — tears also falling from the blonde's eyes. "That's so not true!"

"Of course it is, and you know it!" Anna snarled. "You only invited us here because Regina told you to — so you could feel better about yourself that you helped poor little Anna and her daughter. Sure, things weren't great in New York but Mia and I were surviving. We would have been fine if we'd stayed there."

"Bull!" Emma countered, pointing her finger. "That little girl deserves so much more than squatting in a dead man's apartment. What if you'd have gotten caught? Do you really want her to be taken away? To be sent to her father — whoever the hell that is!?"

Anna stumbled backwards, catching herself on the headboard of the bed. Emma started to lunge forward to catch her but Anna held her hand out. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" The young brunette gasped, her hand on her heart. Emma stopped, frozen where she stood — a wild look of worry on her face. "I . . ." Anna's breathing became heavy. Unlike with the images of Mia and herself in black that had replayed in her mind on repeat, at the moment all Anna could see was nothing — like a blank screen. Thinking about that night at that party hurt her heart in ways her mind was blanking out completely.

"You don't . . ." Emma trailed off, her voice soft. "You don't know who Mia's father is . . ." Anna looked up, their eyes locking, as tears filled her vision. "Oh Kid . . ." Emma's voice cracked.

Anna's lip trembled, the blank wall of her memories pushing — too far — at her brain. No! She couldn't, she wouldn't . . . Anger coursed through her and she pushed herself standing again. "Mia doesn't need a father." Her voice was dark and low, flat. Her whole body shook as if she would crumble but her steps forward were strong and steady. Her head turned, just a little, and she focused her gaze dangerously on the blonde in front of her.

Emma regarded her with caution, her whole body tense and on defence.

Anna stepped forward with every word — Emma backing up as she did so. "I have given everything up for that little girl — for my daughter. Every second of every day of my life since the moment I found out she was inside of me has been for her. I'm there for my little girl when she needs me. You've been living in a fairy tale too long, Emma. You abandoned your son — just like you did to me!"

Emma's eyes widened and her face grew red in anger. "Our situations are completely different, Anna!"

"Now who's spouting off the bullshit," Anna rolled her eyes. She shook her head, throwing her hands up in the air. "You know what, I can't listen to this." She pushed violently past Emma, almost knocking the blonde over altogether.

"Anna, don't you walk away from me!" Emma turned, running after her.

"Watch me!" Anna stormed down the stairs. "You've run away enough, it's MY turn now!" Anna almost got down to the bottom of the stairs before Emma caught up with her. "Aaagh would you just leave me alone!?"

"Not until you tell me why the hell you're acting this way!" Emma reached out to grab her arm but Anna backed out of her reach.

"You still don't see it and that's exactly my point!" Anna breathed out, tears beginning to gather in the corners of her eyes again. Emma opened her mouth but Anna cut her off. "No — you keep talking but you don't get it. I agreed to move here to give you another chance — so I could prove to myself that I was wrong and you wouldn't just abandon me again but you did and I should have listened to myself right away before I let my daughter get hurt in the process!"

"Mia's fine!" Emma countered. "It's you that's freaking out!"

"Because I was RIGHT!" Anna shouted.

"Would you just STOP, already!" Emma groaned.

"But it's true!" Anna insisted. "You left me in that foster home and went on with your life — you didn't even care what would happen to me! You said you would protect me and always take care of me — but you didn't!"

"You were fine when I left you there, how was I supposed to know you wouldn't stay?!" Emma clenched her hands, waving them around.

"You would have if you'd have stuck around!" Anna let out a deep breath.

Emma growled, pacing around the dining room where they now were. "Urghh you are so INFURIATING!" The blonde grunted again. "Excuse me if I can't predict the future okay! It's not exactly like you've been by yourself, you know. You're thick as thieves with your new buddy "Mayor Mills" so sue me for letting you be — I figured you were happier with it that way!"

"You were avoiding me so what the hell else was I supposed to do!?" Anna put her hands on her hips. "Since I've been here I've bonded more with your parents than you. So why bring me here if you were going to throw me away again?!"

"That is NOT what I did then and it's definitely not what I did now!" Emma shook her head. "You're being unbelievably ridiculous, Anna. I left you at that foster home for a reason — you were happy, why would I mess that up! And it's not like I've been avoiding you here just to go on dates with Hook! I'm the Sheriff and the Saviour I have responsibilities here that you couldn't ever understand!"

"Here we go with the magic crap again . . ." Anna rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

"You've SEEN it with your own eyes, how much 'crap' do you think is going on?" Emma shouted.

"Whatever!" Anna shouted back, still not convinced. "Besides, Regina is the Mayor of this entire town and she STILL makes time!" Anna momentarily froze — as if she was just remembering why the two of them were stuck there together . . . Her heartbeat picked up speed and she started crying more forcefully. "And now she's out there battling with the Evil Queen by herself because you just let her go!"

"Believe me, Kid, I did NOT just let her go!" Emma grunted.

"Ugh, DON'T call me that, I'm not a "kid" anymore! I'm an adult — with a CHILD!" Anna bawled. "One that I take care of — I didn't give her away for someone else to deal with!"

Emma's expression was murderous, tears now falling down the blonde's cheeks too. "You take that back!"

"Why, does it hurt?" Anna laughed, even though she was still crying. "You have no idea what it's like, Emma!" Anna sank back against the wall behind her, holding her stomach. "You gave Henry up — you didn't even name him!" Anna heaved — Emma curled in on herself. "And then he found you — you didn't even have to look for him! When you got him back you had this ENTIRE town behind you backing you up! I had no one! My entire life! You left and I had absolutely nobody!"

"A—Anna . . ." Emma sobbed.

"NO!" Anna cried. "Y—you left me and then my life sucked. That night after we last saw each other in Portland? It was because I was so angry with you and the way my life was I went to a stupid party that I never even wanted to go to in the first place! That night . . ." Anna trembled, her entire body tense. The lights were flickering again. "T—That night may have given me Mia but it was one of the worst nights of my life! And it was your fault I was there!" Anna hiccoughed, barely able to breathe.

"I never meant for any of that . . . I thought you'd be better off without a screw up like me in your life. It turned out I was right — if you'd been around it would have been worse!" Emma leaned over the dining room table, trying to steady herself. She looked up at the younger woman, still crying. "You may not understand it, but I'm the Saviour. I'm fated to die, Anna!" Emma's hand was shaking again, barely holding her up… "Surely you understand what THAT means!? I've been avoiding you because I'm terrified what will happen to you when my time runs out! I can't protect you when I'm gone. I would rather you hate me and move on then fall apart because I failed!"

Anna breathed deeply, her hand still on her stomach. She stopped crying suddenly, though the tears still fell. "Well guess what — I HATE you!"

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?"

The two women froze at the sound of Regina's voice from somewhere behind Anna. Emma looked up, scowling. Anna was still frozen — surely she was going out of her mind now!? Her body and her mind were certain that something terrible had happened to Regina — so how could Regina be here now? Was it all in Anna's head? Was it some so—called magic trick from Emma?

"I leave the two of you for a few hours and this is what happens!?"

Emma straightened, her hand still shaking. The lights flickered again. She let out a deep breath, shaking her head and wiping her eyes. "You know what — I can't do this. Regina . . . she's yours to care for now." The blonde left the two brunettes — one angry and the other just confused — and disappeared in a puff of white smoke.

Anna's anxiety hit a new level. It was one thing to have seen Regina or Zelena or Gold do magic — which she still didn't really believe in. They were these new people who had weird pasts and were from weird lands. But seeing Emma — who she'd known most of her life — do such things . . . Anna let out a deep sob, practically hyperventilating. The thought was just too much — made the magic that much more real . . . made her think that Regina really wasn't there. It was something Emma did just to ruin her life more . . .

But if it were actually really Regina that would mean she was okay and the horribly dark and grim thoughts in Anna's head weren't real and she could have Regina back. Anna finally straightened, stepping forward away from the wall and slowly turning around — she had to know. She had to know if Regina was there.

"Anna!? What's going on with you two?!"

Anna turned all the way around now — Regina really was standing there staring at her, her hands on her hips and looking none too amused with her young houseguest. Anna's eyes widened and she sunk down to the floor. Relief flooded her system but panic and anxiety were overpowering, paralyzing Anna to the hardwood.

Regina's voice surrounded Anna who was buried in her mind. Instead of a tone worry or concern . . . the Mayor's tone was harsh, almost angry. "Why didn't you answer your phone, both Snow and I tried to call you! Emma told me when she answered her phone that you locked yourself in your room? Why would you do that?"

Anna stopped crying, looking up. "Emma knew that you were okay and didn't tell me?!" Anger filled her again and she rose to her feet.

Regina raised her eyebrow. "Well yes, didn't she tell you? I told her to . . ." Regina sighed. "You know what, never mind . . . I should have known." The Mayor let out a frustrated breath. "Right, so . . . as you can see I am very much alive."

Anna's jaw dropped and clenched at the same time. "Do you know how lucky you were!?"

Regina shook her head. "Honestly, Anna, it wasn't even that bad. Whatever was going on here, however . . ."

Anna wasn't listening. "Y—You went off to fight the Evil Queen and left me here — away from my daughter! You could have DIED and I wouldn't have even known about it!"

"But—"

"But you almost did!" Anna screamed at the top of her lungs. "Why the hell did you think sacrificing yourself was going to fix everything?! Like losing you would fix anything — how stupid!"

"Now that is enough!" Regina raised her voice.

"No you know what's enough — this stupid magic act with you and Emma. It's just crazy. And ugh, call a freaking electrician for crying out loud!" Anna grunted, throwing her hands up in the air and storming out of the room. "If there even is one in this town!"

Regina stared after her. "What!?"

Anna rummaged around the kitchen, opening and shutting cupboard doors, drawers, the fridge, the pantry . . . She was making so much noise but she didn't care. She didn't even really know what she was looking for.

Regina followed her in the room moments later, her face scrunched in anger. "Okay, Anna, I don't know what is wrong with you but whatever it is, it needs to stop. This behaviour is just ridiculous!"

Anna still wasn't listening — couldn't even hear the Mayor over all the noise. Finally she opened the wine cabinet under the fridge and pulled out a random bottle — not once looking at what she was grabbing.

"That isn't going to solve anything." Regina hissed, reaching out to take the bottle away.

"I. DON'T. CARE." Anna narrowed her eyes, popping the cork off the bottle and downing a large gulp.

Regina glared at her, waving her hand — a purple smoke cloud enveloped the bottle completely before it reappeared into her waiting hand. The Mayor slammed the bottle down on the island counter.

Anna swore aloud, her tears at full force again. "I really wish you people would stop treating me like a child!"

"Then I suggest you stop acting like one!" Regina snapped. Anna shrugged, pouting. "If I recall you saying correctly, you didn't exactly enjoy the last time you got so heavily intoxicated."

"No I didn't! And it was all Emma's fault!" Anna screamed.

"So I guess you don't need it." Regina said softly. The Mayor took a step toward Anna. Anna tensed, backing up against the dishwasher and sinking to the floor. Instantly the young woman burst into tears. Regina continued to step forward but Anna's sobs grew louder — the Mayor froze.

"What was I supposed to tell Mia!?" Anna bawled, heaving. "I—If something happened to you?" Tears ran down Regina's eyes. "What about me?! Did you even think about all this before you just left!"

"Of course I thought about it." Regina told her. "You and Mia and Henry were all I was thinking about before I left." Regina crouched down and sat on the balls of her heeled boots, reaching out to gently hold on to Anna's shoulders. She waited for her touch to be shoved or shaken away but Anna stayed motionless. "Anna look at me." the Mayor spoke softly. "Anna."

Anna sighed loudly and raised her head up. Her face was swollen and her eyes were red. Her cheeks and neck soaking wet. Regina swallowed the vision down, keeping her voice steady and soft. "I'm right here. Look. I'm fine. Everything's fine."

"Everything is so far from fine." Anna's head fell down into her lap again. "I was so scared. You are not allowed to do that, Regina Mills!"

"What!?" She'd never heard Anna call her by both names before.

"Y—You . . ." Anna's voice was barely understandable though the tears and sobs. "You bring me here, invite me into your home . . . p—practically treat me like I'm your child and actually call my daughter your granddaughter..." Anna heaved. "...and you just g—go and almost get yourself killed!" Anna lifted her head, her face a teary—eyed mess. "You can't . . . you can't just leave us like that! You c—can't . . ."

A few more tears ran down the Mayor's face. She closed her eyes tight to keep the rest in place. She wanted to say more, wanted to insure her reasons for doing what she did. But she knew Anna wouldn't understand. Not in the current state that she was in. So Regina stayed quiet, still hanging on to Anna's shoulders. She debating pulling her closer into her. Allow her to feel that she really was still there — still breathing. That she had survived.

Before she'd entered the house she'd been looking forward to telling Anna all about what happened with the Queen. It was beautiful in a way and Regina really felt proud of herself. In the moment, she'd felt that her family would be proud of her too — Henry and especially Anna. She hadn't lied when she told Anna they were all she thought about before she left — during the fight and after . . . What she'd really thought about was how much Anna had enjoyed that little memory—walk in Regina's head . . . hearing all of her stories. After sending the Queen off to her happy ending, all she wanted to do was be with her happy ending — her family. Give Anna another story to enjoy.

Not only that, but she'd realized that saving the Queen wasn't even the main battle — there were still more people to save for this Mayor. This had only been solidified walking into her house and hearing her Anna use the word hate. The young woman may not be magical, but those traumatic memories and temperament issues that resulted from her terrible childhood could be just as dangerous.

A pair of loud, little leather—patent shoes echoed across the floor and a tiny body collided with both Regina and Anna, whimpering, "Mommy! Gina!" Anna tensed at first but wrapped her arms around her daughter's little body. Mia snuggled into both of their bodies, the toddler also crying.

Regina sniffled. "Mia, dear, where did you come from?"

"Ahem," Someone cleared their throat. "Hello!?"

Regina jumped up — instantly on the defensive but relaxed when she realized it was only the Blue Fairy. She sighed, inwardly rolling her eyes. "Blue — hello." Anna and Mia were still on the floor, crying next to each other.

"I didn't mean for her to barge in — you said to bring the child in an hour. Miss Mia got impatient and ran ahead before I could catch her." Blue apologized. "Is everything all right here?"

"It's fine." Regina replied curtly — she'd never much liked or trusted the Blue Fairy, but she tended to serve her purpose. Babysitting just happened to be one of those. "Thanks again for watching the kids, but I think we're good here."

"Of course." Blue nodded and promptly left.

Regina turned back to her charges, sniffling. Anna was sobbing beyond control again, clutching on to Mia as if the toddler would disappear right before her eyes. Mia was becoming more upset the more Anna cried.

The situation was beginning to escalate out of hand and it was definitely time to put Mia to bed. Anna was in no shape for the task — it would have to be up to 'Gina.' The Mayor bent down and rested her hand on Anna's shoulder. "Anna . . . Anna, it's time for Mia to go to sleep."

"M—my baby girl . . ." Anna sobbed, holding Mia tight to her chest.

"Yes — she's right here." Regina nodded.

Anna gasped out a deep breath. "You can't leave me again — you can't leave us."

"Nobody's going anywhere, I promise. It's been a long day and we all need to get some sleep. Mia, sweetie, let's get ready for bed. Anna you just stay down here until I get back." Regina opened her arms and a sleepy Mia crawled up and wrapped her little arms around Regina's neck.

"Gina read story," Mia murmured, already half—asleep as Regina carried her up the stairs.

"Yes, dear little one . . ." Regina whispered. "Anything for my Mia—bean."

Behind her, she could still hear Anna grumbling about family sticking together and not breaking promises. If Regina had her way, none of them would ever be separated again.


Still holdin' on to the crazytrain? Holding on for dear life? Hope you enjoyed and we will see you all on Friday!