A/N—Aaaannnnddd I'm back. SOOO sorry this took so long. Again, I hope the length of this chapter makes up for your wait. For all of you who have been patiently waiting for this, I cannot tell you what your support and encouragement means. Truly, you are all amazing.
-All I'm going to say about this was it was a BITCH to write. So much needed to happen, and getting everything right was a monumental task. So, I really hope you like it.
-This chapter mostly focuses on Regina and Emma, though there is a moment or two of Charming and Belle.
-I really loved moments in this chapter, and despite the lack of CS, I felt it was one of the better things I've written. I hope you feel the same. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
PREPARE YOURSELF, DARK SWAN IS COMING.
Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.
~Anaïs Nin
Chapter 10: Stages of Life—Adolescence
The forest was eerily silent as the soldiers marched away, so much so that David quickly noticed the change in his wife's breathing. They dodged through the trees as quickly as they dared, hoping to keep the soldiers in their sight, even though they both feared they already knew their destination. From this distance, all he could make out was that Regina was slumped over the shoulder of a grey-clad man and seemed to be unconscious.
Snow's breathing hitched again as they rounded a small patch of evergreen bushes, and David flinched. Turning back to look at his wife, he saw the tell-tale look of guilt and worry in her eyes. "Snow…" he warned, slowing down so that he could address her feelings before they headed even farther into a dangerous situation. "We're going to get her back."
"Are we, David?" Snow responded tersely, with an eye-roll he was sure rivaled her daughter's. He could see clearly now just how red her eyes were and how hard she was struggling not to break, despite the grizzled visage of her disguise. His heart tightened in his chest, wishing for a way to ease her pain. "We just keep losing them."
"Regina will be fine," he answered, knowing that it really wasn't Regina Snow was so concerned about. "She can handle herself." He shuddered at the memory of Regina burning that old woman to a crisp and suddenly this whole rescue mission seemed like a bad idea. Heading into the heart of the Dark One's lair to rescue a woman who had the potential to be just as evil seemed to be tempting fate a bit too much.
"I know that, but I can't help but feel that she wouldn't have been in danger if I had listened to Gold and stayed home," Snow admitted reluctantly.
"Maybe," he agreed. Snow shot him a glare, and he quickly added, "But coming here was the right thing to do regardless. Emma needs to know that we are here for her this time."
"I know, David. I know." She struggled to regain her composure, taking his hand in her own and linking their fingers together as they began tracking Regina's captors once more. "What do you think will happen to her?" She asked, quickening her steps so that she was walking more in stride with him.
He looked out into the forest, noticing the guard detail was nearing the edge of the forest and that there was no question that they were heading in the direction of the Dark One's castle. He wondered why they had immediately gone for Regina. When she had used her magic, they had appeared almost on cue, like they were just waiting around for it. Could the Dark One have already known they were here? Had she been tracking them? Was this all a trap?
David shook away the thought. It wouldn't do to start worrying about that now. They would just have to continue on and take all the precautions they could, and have hope that they would prevail. Hope that his wife desperately needed to find.
"Snow, it doesn't matter. We're going to get her out of there before anything happens," he replied.
"How?"
"We use the mirror to contact Gold. Surely he knows a secret tunnel or two into his castle."
"Okay. That's a good idea," she said, taking a deep breath. He noticed how she steadied herself and refocused her thoughts back on the mission instead of their losses. It made him smile, that despite their hideous disguises, he could still see the beauty inside of her. Before he could stop himself, he reached up and stroked her cheek. How had he ever been so lucky to find someone like her?
She looked up at him in confusion that quickly gave way to understanding as she met his soft gaze. She smiled genuinely (crooked teeth aside), lacing their fingers together, as they both just took a minute to silently reaffirm that they were still in this together, come what may.
Tearing away, Snow reached down into the satchel and removed the enchanted mirror. Swirling her hand over the top, she called Belle's name. Immediately, the image shimmered to reveal the wide-eyed worried face of the librarian.
"Mary Margaret? David? Is that you? I keep forgetting you're incognito," Belle said. She looked tired, but otherwise upbeat. Hopefully that meant that everything was going well in Storybrooke.
Snow nodded. "Yeah. Look, is Gold awake yet?"
"Yes, he is." Belle frowned, looking between the two of them with worry. "Is something wrong?"
Snow's eyes darted up to his and then back to the glass. "Regina was captured," she admitted softly. "We need to talk to Gold."
David couldn't help but see the flash of alarm in Belle's eyes. "Um, sure. Let me just…" she said, and there was some shuffling around before the image in the mirror shifted. Suddenly, they were looking at Gold's face instead of the librarian's.
He glared back at them, stronger and more aware then they had yet seen him. With the glare he was giving them, he looked almost like his old self again. "I must say, I never would have thought the beauty routine in the Enchanted Forest would have changed so much," he sniggered.
Angrily, David grabbed at the mirror, refocusing it on himself. "Now is not the time for your comments, Gold. We need your help. Regina's been captured and taken to your old castle. We need a way to sneak in without being seen."
"Well, dearie. Glad to see things still haven't changed," he sneered.
"What is that supposed to mean?" David growled.
He rolled his eyes, looking bored. "It's the same old song and dance, where I give you my advice, you don't listen, then you end up in trouble and want me to get you out of it," he retorted.
In the background, he heard Belle chastising her ex-husband and, shockingly, he didn't even try to hide the grimace on his face. If David didn't know better, he would have sworn the man looked guilty for his sarcastic attitude. Perhaps he was really trying to change after all.
Apparently, it was enough for him to apologize though. Instead, Gold's jaw clenched, as his wary eyes returned back to the prince's. "There is a way into the castle, if you can find it."
"Tell us," Snow demanded, stepping in close, her demeanor shifting back to the determined young thief that he had fallen in love with all those years ago. David smiled warmly at his wife and wrapped his arm around her. For the first time since Emma's sacrifice, his heart felt light.
As long as they were together, he knew everything would be alright.
…
Regina awoke to the sound of laughter. Someone was having themselves a good chuckle far too close to her for her liking. As she opened her eyes, shaking off the last traces of the poppy powder the guards had used to knock her out with, she found herself (unsurprisingly) in the Dark One's dungeon. Her mouth was dry, her head ached horribly, there was nothing to sit on except some straw, and something down here smelled like it had died recently. Overall, it was a new, and decidedly unpleasant experience to be on this side of the bars. But right now, there were more important things to focus on—like that really annoying laughter.
"Oh, will you please shut the hell up? Nothing can be that funny," she snapped, rubbing at her temples and trying to not breathe in the stench. It was taking all her willpower to go against her ingrained haughtiness in order to not blow her cover. If she remained in her disguise, there was still a chance she might be able to talk herself out of this situation.
Maybe. If only that person would stop fucking laughing.
Regina looked up, ready to bite off the head of the offending party, and saw her own face staring down at her. Well, not her face exactly. The Evil Queen. Dressed to the nines in a sparkling black gown, her corseted breasts shoved up high and her hair twisted up in a complicated coif that made Regina seriously wonder what on earth she had been thinking when she wore that. She was even sporting her trademark sneer. It was disconcerting to say the least.
The Evil Queen gave her an appraising look and started laughing again. It was then that Regina finally looked down and noticed what she was wearing. It was her Storybrooke clothes (pantsuit, heels, and all) and not the corset and skirt of a simple peasant girl that had been her disguised persona. As it dawned on her what must have happened, the first prickles of real fear formed at the base of her spine, but now was not the time to show weakness.
"Oh, I beg to differ, Regina. I'm pretty sure the sight of you locked up down here is just about the funniest thing on the planet." The Evil Queen tittered. "Seriously?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated manner that was most definitely not her own. "You hoped that a cloaking spell would fool me?"
Regina longed to wipe that haughty look right off of the Evil Queen's face (the irony of that thought was not lost on her, nor was the fact that she was currently finding herself to be the most irritating person she had ever met) "Dark One," Regina surmised. "Tired of your new look so soon? I always knew you were jealous of my cleavage."
The other version of herself looked down and cupped her breasts, tilting her head to get a better look at them. "They are very nice, but no. This was just a little joke that I thought you might find it funny." She waved her hand and a pillar of black smoke swirled around her changing her back into Emma, complete with tight black leather pants and some sort of Vogue-inspired crocodile skin jacket. She looked like some sort of runway-model-turned-jewel-thief and Regina couldn't help but tell her so in the snarkiest way possible.
"This is how you use your powers? To play dress-up? What a waste." Goading the Dark One was always a bad idea, but Regina was far past the point of caring. She was cold, thirsty, and really not in the mood.
The Dark One, simply shrugged and stepped closer to the bars of Regina's cell. "Hmm, maybe I'll show you just what I'm capable of. Later. For now, let's talk about you," she said, changing her tone to a fake sort of uber-niceness. "Bit far from home, aren't you? Weren't you happy with your happy ending? Did you come seeking my help? You know, I'm not really in the business of making deals. That's was more Rumple's thing. I'm not really all that interested."
Regina couldn't help but wince. While the words and tone were pure Dark One, the sentiment seemed more like Emma. What did that mean? Had she given in to the darkness? Was this still the Dark One in Emma's body speaking for her? She had a feeling that the distinction was crucial, as Emma might have qualms about killing her, but the Dark One certainly would not.
Unfortunately, there was only one way she could think of to find out.
Dammit, this was going to hurt, Regina thought.
"Please. Like I would ever need your help sorting through my love life. How long did it take you to tell Hook you loved him? You strung that poor puppy-pirate along for years. All because you were 'too scared'. Like I said, pathetic." She carefully watched Emma's eyes for any reaction to her taunts. Because if there was anything that would infuriate the real Emma faster, it was poking into her love life.
Unfortunately, the other woman remained stoic, which oddly enough, gave Regina hope that Emma hadn't yet given in all the way to the darkness. The part of her that was wracked with guilt over Emma's sacrifice rejoiced at the news. Still, that meant the Dark One was in control and the whole situation was beyond dangerous.
"And how long did it take you to admit it, Your Majesty?" She teased.
Regina crossed her arms, shaking her head. "At least I didn't go around pining for the man all over the place and then deny it to everyone. It was always clear how I felt about Robin, even if we couldn't be together."
The Dark One shrugged, leaning back against the far wall of the cavern-like dungeon. "If you say so. Speaking of…I highly doubt that you came here alone. Did your one true love join you on your journey?"
Sensing a trap, Regina drew her lips into a tight line and turned her head away. It wouldn't do to lose her composure now. The Dark One was fishing and she was not about to take the bait.
She sighed, as her lip curled up into a smile, stepping off from the wall and coming closer to the cell's bars. "No, I don't think he did. You would have wanted someone you trust looking after your sister back home. Although, I'm shocked you still trust him with your sister, especially now. Wouldn't it be funny if Robin actually started having feelings for Zelena? I mean, they do share a kid, or they will soon enough. It wouldn't be that strange. Maybe he'll remember the way she felt when he was making love to her. Maybe he's thinking of her when he's with you. Maybe…"
"Shut up!" Regina snarled, instantly regretting it.
The Dark One merely smiled bigger and threw her hands up in mock defeat, backing away once more. "Touchy today, aren't we?"
"What do you want?" Regina asked, lying against the stone wall, using the damp coldness to tamp down the fire in her veins.
The Dark One shrugged, the smile never wavering, but never touching her eyes either. "To have some fun. Are you having fun, yet? I sure am. Why don't you tell me who else came with you so I can invite them along to the party?"
"What makes you think I came here with someone else? Don't you know that I work better alone?"
Emma leaned forward, her hands curled around the bars, "And don't you know I have a thing about lies?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "Oh please, that superpower of yours won't work on me. I'm the Evil Queen. I'm smarter than that."
"Are you challenging me?" The Dark One asked, this time with true mirth in her smile. Her eyes glittered a menacing shade of puce in the flickering light of the oil torches lining the walls. "I'm game. How but a round of Twenty Questions?"
Regina crossed her arms again and remained resolutely silent.
Twirling her fingers around the bar tighter, the Dark One pouted. "Ten?"
Regina turned to the wall.
She heard the woman give a mock sigh. "Geesh, you drive a hard bargain. Five it is then. I'll ask just five questions and I can promise you by the end, you'll have told me everything I want to know."
Sensing a way to spin this to her advantage (and avoid possible death), Regina asked, "And what about me? What do I get if I play along?" Despite what she said earlier, Regina knew that if she could strike a bargain with the Dark One, she would have to uphold it. But she would have to be extremely careful about everything she said or didn't say from now on.
The Dark One's eyes darkened fractionally, as the smile turned more calculating. "Very well. Play along and I'll grant you your freedom. That's what you're wanting, isn't it? Once I get what I want, I have no need to keep you here. Besides, I wasn't really going to give you a choice."
Regina clenched her fingers together into a fist, the nails biting into her palm. What had she gotten herself into? "You know I will never tell you anything."
Looking pleased by her defiance, the Dark One stepped back pacing around the torch-lit cavern, still twirling the magical necklace in her hands. "You don't need to, that's why I'm guessing, or did you miss that part? Shall I demonstrate?" She raised her eyebrow and tucked her hands inside her alligator-skin jacket. "You can consider this question number one. Who came here with you?"
"I won't—" Regina began.
She was cut off immediately by a wave of Emma's hand. "Uh uh. Don't answer that. You'll take the fun out of guessing." Looking like a clichéd version of some sort of hard-nosed police detective, the Dark One stalked back and forth in front of Regina's cell, a deep furrow on her brow. "Now, let's see...I'm assuming you didn't come here to stop me, as you didn't arrive with an army brandishing my dagger, and you came in disguise, so my guess is that you were here simply to spy on me, to try to figure out what I'm up to." She looked up, no doubt trying to discern the truth in Regina's eyes.
Regina very carefully schooled her face into an unreadable mask. It didn't seem to bother the Dark One, though, and she continued on with her interrogation. "It's an interesting tactic, but as we both know portal jumps aren't easy. I'm afraid you've wasted the trip."
Becoming irritated and knowing that she need to distract her from getting too close to the truth, Regina snapped, "Are you just going to keep talking, or is this leading somewhere important?"
The Dark One stopped pacing and huffed, appearing far more like the old Emma than Regina had been expecting. For a moment, it threw her off her game and she almost forgot that she was dealing with the Dark One. "God you're impatient. Yes, I will get there eventually," she even rolled her eyes at Regina the same way Emma did. That wasn't good. It could only mean the melding of the two of them was a lot farther along than she had previously thought.
Guilt hit her hard again. Guilt and an overwhelming sadness. What if Henry found Merlin only to have Emma be completely consumed by the darkness? What if they were too late to bring her back? Henry would be devastated. Hell, she would be devastated.
Regina shook her fears off. It wouldn't do her any good to get distracted right now, and there were far too many dangers to allow herself to go down the never ending path of 'what if's'. The only thing she could do was to keep playing this game to find out exactly what the Dark One was up to. And she needed to show Emma that she had a reason to keep fighting without giving anything away.
The Dark One was still speaking. "I thought you'd like to hear what a villain's monologue sounds like from the other end, but if you really want me to shut up, we can skip right to the end."
"Talking's overrated," Regina added halfheartedly.
The other woman shrugged and opted for a more direct route. "Fine. Where are my parents?"
Regina quickly hid away her shock. How the hell did she guess that her parents were here? "Is that question number two?"
The Dark One leaned forward, shoulders against the metal bars, a hungry glee in her eyes. Regina knew that look meant that somehow she had just confirmed the truth to her. "Yes. I know they're here with you, as you wouldn't be here otherwise. Let me guess, they talked you into it because you felt guilty about what happened to me?"
Fine, Regina thought bitterly. She wanted to play? Then, let's play. "That's question three."
Unfazed, the Dark One took both bars in her hands, her fingers slowly spidering around them, and said in a tone that seemed different than before. It was softer, but with a far more menacing undercurrent. "And here's question four-If you are here with them, that means that Hook and Henry stayed behind in Storybrooke, and somehow, I doubt that. It just doesn't seem like them at all to want to be left behind on such an important mission. I know how desperately they must miss me."
Regina couldn't help the little flinch. The Dark One was far too good at knowing Regina's weak points.
"So my money's on them not being there when you left." Emma/The Dark One (it was getting harder to tell the difference, Regina realized) concluded. She stopped, no doubt reading the truth in Regina's non-answer. "Let me guess, they went off searching for Merlin. They think they are going to find a way to 'save' me from this 'curse'."
Regina noticed that her breathlessness belied her desperation at the answer to the question. She wondered why that was. Why was the Dark One so concerned about where Henry and her pirate lover were? Did she truly fear that they might succeed, or was it Emma's real concern for her loved ones? Either way, it meant the darkness wasn't as powerful as it wanted her to believe. And that gave Regina all the hope she needed.
"Am I correct?" The Dark One demanded.
Regina sat up, leaning forward with a knowing smirk on her face. "One question left."
The other woman stepped back, still holding the bars, her head tilting back and forth like a dog trying to understand its master. "Yes. The most important question." Her smile grew, turning into something that seemed almost…sultry? "Regina, I know our history has been anything but conventional, but surely you must have felt it, this connection we have."
Confusion hit her hard, and Regina frowned deeply. What the hell? Why did it seem like she was trying to come on to her? "I have no idea what you are talking about, but if you are implying what I think you're implying, then…"
Suddenly, the metal bars keeping her in this cage flickered away in a small shower of diamond sparks, as Emma stalked forward. Regina was far to stunned to even move away, as the other woman dipped down, perching effortlessly on her sky-high heels, as the Dark One's presence invaded her senses. Against her will, Regina's blood began to pulse erratically, as she felt completely immobilized under Emma's intense stare.
No, what she felt was different…it wasn't a feeling of being trapped, it was more like she felt intensely drawn to Emma like she had never had before. There was something about the nearness of her, something about the intoxicatingly sweet scent coming from her that made Regina feel as if the magic in her veins was propelling her forwards, like it wished to reach out and join with the magic swirling through Emma. It made her feel dizzy and flushed and…needy.
Emma reached down, softly twirling her fingers into Regina's hair, the closeness of her sending another cascade of sparks through her body. She fluttered her eyes, voice dropping into something soft and unsure. "Do you…do you think it's possible that you could ever have feelings for me, Regina? That you could care about me in the same way I care about you?"
Regina shuddered. What was even happening right now? Everything in her wanted to run, and yet everything in her wanted to get closer, the conflicting desires leaving her both hot and cold. "What?" Regina gasped, pushing back into the wall, nails scraping along the stones as if they could keep her routed in reality.
Not letting up, Emma kept getting closer as her fingers left her hair and slowly trailed down her collarbone, their coldness leaving a trail of icy fire in their wake. Regina couldn't stop herself from closing her eyes, as her body and her magic began to respond to her touch. Her resolve was rapidly leaving and all she could think about was how red were Emma's lips and how green were her eyes.
Leaning in so close that her breath ghosted over her skin, Emma licked her lips, as Regina felt her own mouth go dry. "Come on, Regina," she taunted. "I know you had to have thought about us. Together. I mean, imagine it! The power we could possess. How the people would fear us! We could rule the realms."
And it was intoxicating, those words and the hum and tingle of dark magic once more seeping under her skin. For a second, she was tempted to give in, to just take what she wanted, to feel the thrill of evil again.
Then, a vision of Henry appeared to her suddenly, his voice pleading with her to stay good. And somehow, Regina found her strength and fought her way back. "You…you're delusional," she panted, focusing hard on anything that could ground her and break her from this spell. Henry. Robin. Roland. It took a supreme effort, and the force of all her love, but she could feel the Dark One's hold on her beginning to crumble.
Then, in a bare whisper, Emma traced her fingers softly over the swell of her breasts and asked, "Don't you love me?"
"No! Of course I don't love you. And I never will," Regina spat, the spell (or whatever that was) completely broken. She tried to shove Emma's hands away, but was met with the sheer immovable strength of the Dark One.
Undaunted, Emma peered down at her. Still hovering her hand above Regina's chest, she pouted in disappointment, but there was no real surprise in her eyes. "I had a feeling that would be your answer. Oh well, guess I'll have to do this the hard way."
Without warning, there was a sharp, uncomfortable pain in her chest as Emma's hand entered her and gripped her heart tightly. She looked up at Regina with a curious smile and ice in her eyes.
Not to be intimidated, Regina smirked back, slightly breathless from the pain, but feeling oddly triumphant. "Ha, you can't take my heart! I learned my lesson well after my sister's schemes. It's protected so that no one can remove it but me."
Emma didn't even bother trying to tug, she simply removed her hand from the inside of her chest, like she hadn't really expected it to work in the first place. She merely smiled coldly, and suddenly Regina's moment of victory felt chillingly premature. "I don't need to remove your heart to take it," she declared ominously.
A cold tendril of something flitted across her chest, and Regina looked down quickly, almost afraid of what she might see. For a second, she thought she saw the trace of some sort of black magic, like a small ribbon of ink disappearing into her skin, but then she blinked and it was gone. She didn't feel different, didn't feel dark, but she couldn't stop the unsettling feeling that something had been done to her.
Before she could question it, though, Emma lifted the necklace she had apparently been keeping twined around her hand. The necklace that Regina had completely forgotten about and hadn't noticed its absence until now. "But first, there is something else I need."
"What are you going to do with that?"
Emma's gaze shifted to the glowing pink stone as it dangled from her fingertips. "You really should be more careful with your things, Regina. Didn't Rumple ever warn you that magical items can work both ways?"
"Why do you need that for? It's only use is for cloaking spells, and I thought as the 'almighty Dark One', changing your appearance should be child's play," Regina scoffed.
Emma looked back at her, that curious smirk lifting her lips. "It's not for a cloaking spell. It's for a transference spell." She held the necklace in front of her so that it caught the light, staring at the glowing center as she spoke. "Did you know, that when you keep a magical item on your person for an extended period of time, a part of your essence transfers into it? Granted, it's not much. You must not have worn it long. But I think there is probably enough of a link."
Yet another bit of vital information Rumple left out of her teaching, Regina groaned inwardly. Thank you so very much, you self-serving bastard. "Transference spell?" She asked lamely, a tinge of worry seeping into her words and thoughts. The only thing transference spells she knew about were only used for one purpose…. to take someone's magic.
Well. Fuck.
"Yes, that's what I said," Emma snarked, as if all this was the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm going to transfer your magic into this stone. All of your magic. With it, I'll have just about everything I need to open a portal to back to Storybrooke. And this time, it'll be stable enough so that my new family will be able to cross over with me. See, they were all a bit pissed at being left after the last two curses, and all I had to do was offer them a chance at a reunion and voila!" She said as she flourished her hand in the air, "They were mine."
Regina rolled her eyes. "You mean they became your mindless zombies after you manipulated them and somehow imbued them with dark magic? You know, those tricks might work on those desperate souls here, but I doubt the people in Storybrooke will fall for it so easily. And just how do you expect to even get there? It's not like you can open a portal with just my magic or I would have done it years ago. Why are you so interested in Storybrooke anyway?"
Emma chuckled and shook her head. "Whoa, Regina! And I thought I was the one asking the questions! Fine, you want to hear my evil plan, I'll tell you. It's not like it'll make a difference." She stood up, backing away towards the open doorway she had created. "Portals aren't as difficult as you might think. How do you think I got here? I have both the strongest dark magic and the strongest light magic in my veins. Combine the two magics" she clapped her hands together with a loud smack "and portals are a piece of cake. And as far as Storybrooke goes, I want the same thing with them as I want with every realm. Storybrooke is just the first stop on the journey because there's a few things I need to pick up."
"You mean your dagger," Regina surmised.
Emma turned to look back and nodded, an oddly triumphant smirk on her lips. "Well that…and my son."
The full weight of terror that Regina had pushed away suddenly rained down upon her at those words. Terror and anger. "NO! You leave Henry out of this!"
No one, Dark One or not, would take Henry from her, Regina vowed.
Emma merely smiled wider, as if she found Regina's threats amusing and empty. "Why should I? He's my son, not yours. Not anymore. I'm taking him with me. I have great plans for his future."
"You aren't going to do so much as lay a finger on Henry," Regina seethed, rage pouring from every pore as she stood up to face the Dark One. "Even if I have to kill you with that dagger myself, I will find a way to stop you. And he'll never go with you, anyway. Storybrooke is his home."
"Come on, Regina," The Dark One scoffed. Regina refused to believe this was Emma talking now. She didn't know much, but she knew there was no way Emma could be behind this. She wouldn't want to take Henry away from everyone he loved. But that little voice in the back of her head whispered "Remember New York? She's tried it before."
"Storybrooke was never going to be Henry's true home," the Dark One continued. "He's far too important. He's the Author now. All he needs is a little tutelage and imagine what he is capable of! He's always wanted to be a prince and he's always wanted to have magic. I'll give him everything he desires and more."
Regina narrowed her eyes. "And what does 'The Dark One' get in return, huh? An author who can change anyone's story? Another pawn in your quest for power? Don't you dare try to pretend you are doing this for him!"
The Dark One waved a hand in annoyance. "You will come around someday. Maybe I'll even let you live long enough to see it, to see just what my son can do with a little nudge in the right direction."
"Never!" Regina hissed, clenching her fists and feeling her magic gather within her. The urge to throw a fireball had never been stronger. "I will never allow you to taint my son with darkness!"
"HE IS MY SON!" Emma shouted, the walls of the cavern shaking like an earthquake, sending showers of stones down upon them. Regina covered her head with her hands as the rocks fell.
Then without warning, Emma flicked her hand, sending a wave of dark magic slamming into Regina, forcing her to her knees. She cried out, as she felt it reaching inside her, pulling out her magic, taking it by force. It felt like her body was being torn in two, like she was being ripped apart at the seams. Wave after wave of her magic left her and fed into the stone of the necklace, lighting it up like a Christmas tree.
"Emma, fight this!" She cried, but the wicked gleam in her eye told her that Emma most definitely not listening.
When it was over, Regina collapsed to the straw-covered floor, feeling more tired and drained than she had ever felt in her life. But mostly, without her magic, she felt as if a huge part of herself was simply absent, like there was a hole in the middle of her body.
The Dark One pocketed the necklace, turning to leave. "Thanks for your help, Regina. I'll be sure to send Henry your regards." As the Dark One walked out, she waved her hand and the bars reassembled themselves from the diamond dust scattered around on the floor.
Regina barely noticed. She felt hollow. Worse, she felt weak. Pathetic. Hopeless. Even that boiling rage that had sustained her for so long felt like a distant echo. What was she without her magic? She was nothing. For the first time in forever, Regina felt her carefully controlled composure slipping.
"Emma, please," she begged, unable to care how desperate she sounded.
Without even so much as a glance back, the Dark One turned and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Regina strained to sit up, to find the will to fight, to go after her magic and save Henry. But she couldn't muster the strength to do so much as crawl towards the bars.
Weak.
Helpless.
Worthless.
Having nothing left, Regina fell back onto the floor and let the tears fall.
…
Back in her quarters, the Dark One slipped the necklace on and waved her hand down over her body, her clothes shimmering and changing with magic. Slipping her hand in the pocket of the now purple blazer, she withdrew the other object she had obtained and nestled it to her chest, smiling.
It had been ridiculously easy to fool Regina. Once the so-called 'Evil Queen' (what did that woman know of true evil?) had exposed herself by using her magic, it was a simple matter of tracking her down and getting her servants to collect her. And oh what presents she had brought with her! Not only the wonderful magic-stealing necklace, but a mirror that could communicate with the rest of their pitiful band of heroes.
And the best gifts were yet to come.
With the small sliver of black magic now firmly lodged in Regina's heart, the Dark One finally had the spy she needed. True, Regina wasn't under her complete control, but that wasn't important. The Dark One had all she needed to influence Regina's words and actions to her advantage. And the best part was that no one, not even Regina, would have any idea.
It was laughable at how easy her victory would be.
The Dark One smirked, catching sight of herself in the full-length mirror, as she adjusted her 'costume'. It was almost time. Just a few more pieces to set into place and then all would be ready for the big reveal.
And when it was over, Emma would fall.
…..
"Belle!"
The dark haired woman hurried towards the sound of someone calling out her name, picking up the magic hand mirror quickly. "I'm here," she answered breathlessly.
Regina's image filled the frame, a look of panic on her face.
"Regina! You're okay? Wait, why aren't you in disguise?" Belle asked as loudly as she dared. Rumple was sleeping fitfully next door and she didn't want to wake him. His nightmares, which had started shortly after he had first awoke after the curse, were getting progressively worse. He still wouldn't tell her about them, but she could guess as to what was haunting his sleep.
"Yes, I've manage to escape, but I have no idea where Snow and Charming are," Regina explained, darting looks over her shoulder.
Belle felt a mix of relief and fear run through her. "Rumple gave them directions to a secret passageway under the Dark One's castle. They are coming to rescue you. Where are you?"
Regina looked back, seemingly satisfied that she was safe, as she continued, "Still in the castle, but hiding. How are things there? Any news from Henry and Hook?"
"Nothing yet," Belle answered apologetically.
Regina was frowning deeply, looking very angry. (Well, angrier than her normal expression.) Belle couldn't help but feel for her though, and she did her best to reassure her that everything was fine. "Give them time, Regina. It's only been a few days."
"I don't like the thought of them off where I can't contact them."
"I know, but we knew that the communicating with them in the Netherworld would be tricky. And Killian will take good care of Henry," Belle added with complete surety. "Everything will be alright. They'll find Merlin and be back soon, I just know it."
A curious look flashed in Regina's eyes, but it was gone before Belle could process it. "I wish I could say the same," she added darkly. "Is everything else alright? Zelena? Robin?"
For some reason, though Belle could tell Regina was concerned, there seemed to be any real depth to her emotions, like she was asking because it was expected and not like she really cared. Belle shrugged it off, thinking it must be the mention of her sister causing the sudden shift in her personality. "All fine. I promise. It's been quiet since you left," Bell assured.
Regina rolled her eyes. "I'll bet. Don't worry, though. As soon as I find Snow and Charming, I'm coming back."
"Any luck finding Emma?"
Regina smiled, her lips curling up slowly as if there was some sort of joke behind it that Belle wasn't privy to. "I'll tell you all about it when I get home."
A small shiver raced down her spine. "Be safe, Regina," Belle stated, still feeling odd about the whole conversation.
"I'll be fine. I always am."
The image went dark and Belle frowned. Something was off but for the life of her, she couldn't put her finger on what it was. Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a loud shriek from the other room.
She rushed into Rumple's room to see him thrashing about on the bed, his brow soaked with sweat and his eyes glazed and staring at nothing. The scene tore at her heart and all she wanted was to go to him and hold him in her arms. Instead, she wrapped her arms around herself and hugged tightly, biting her lip as she debated how to help him.
Despite everything he had done, a part of her still loved Rumple. And she could tell that since he was no longer the Dark One, the man she had always believed he could be was trying to come out. Yet, he had hurt her. Badly. And there were just some things there was no coming back from. Whether their relationship was one of them remained to be seen.
Still, no matter what, she cared for him and didn't wish him to suffer. So she told herself that she would help him through this, get him back on his feet, and then confront him about all the pain he had inflicted on her. Until then, she would keep her feelings in check.
She knew that what she wanted, what she had always hoped for might finally be within her grasp. And that was the most terrifying truth of all. Because deep down, she had never stopped loving him, and if he broke her trust again, it would destroy her completely. So she had to be strong, to hide her feelings away until he earned back her trust, and she knew that would be a road just as hard as any they had ever taken.
But she also knew that some of what had occurred had been her fault as well. She was so blinded to his faults that she fell for each and every one of his lies. And it had almost cost Killian his life, not to mention Emma becoming the Dark One. Therefore she had decided that she was no longer going to sit by and be the naïve little wife-y anymore. It was time to stand up for what she deserved.
It was time to be her own hero.
That didn't mean it made seeing him in pain any easier, however, and unconsciously Belle found herself drifting closer to him, her hand gently brushing his sweat-soaked strands away from his face.
"She's coming," Rumple panted, repeating it over and over again, his eyes open but glazed over, unseeing.
Gingerly, Belle laid a hand on Rumple's shoulder, gently trying to pull him out of his sleep. "Rumple?"
"She's coming. She's coming. She's coming," he said, turning his head and staring sightlessly into her eyes.
"Who's coming?" Belle asked cautiously.
"The Dark Swan. She's coming to Storybrooke. She's bringing her army. No one will be spared."
"The Dark One?" Belle asked in confusion. Surely he meant the Dark One, not the Dark Swan. Why had he gotten the name wrong? "Emma? How?"
"Magic," Rumple whispered, his whole body trembling, his eyes swimming back into focus and locking with hers. Gently, he took her hand from his shoulder and squeezed it tight. "Light and Dark entwined. Stronger than both. She will possess your heart, Belle. She will destroy the world."
"How do we stop her?"
His whole body shook, and he appeared far more vulnerable than she had ever seen him before. "We can't. We can't. Only one…there's only one who can."
Belle nodded. Merlin. Of course. So there was hope, then. Henry and Hook would be back soon with Merlin and everything would be alright. Meanwhile, there was a town to protect. She squared her shoulders, finding her inner strength, her inner hero. "What do we do?"
His answer was the last thing she expected. With a breathless gasp, tears welled up in his eyes as fear consumed him. "Hide," he pleaded.
…..
"Wake up, Emma. Wake up, my darling."
Emma snuggled down farther into whatever cloud of unconsciousness she was riding and mumbled a grumpy, "Five more minutes." She was so tired. So very tired. She didn't know if she had the strength to wake up. Whatever she had been doing had completely sapped her. All she wanted was to stay in this beautiful, warm cocoon for a little longer.
Maybe it was the dream. Such an amazing dream. Killian had been there, and there had been kissing and… other things…and she had never felt so safe and loved in all her life.
She could have stayed in that dream forever.
A soft chuckle answered her and a warmth, like the touch of her mother's hand, stroked over her back. "Come on, Emma. You don't want to miss this." But that wasn't her mother's voice.
Who was that?
"Fine. I'm awake," she mumbled, blinking open her eyes, surprised to see only darkness.
Then, the darkness bloomed into light as a rushing, tugging feeling pulled her forward.
Suddenly, she was looking down at her hands, staring at her reflection in a round hand mirror.
What was going on?
Then the same voice as before spoke, urging her to watch something. Only, it wasn't out loud, like she had thought it was, it was in her head. Just as it spoke, though, a wave of exhaustion hit her again, and she swayed unsteadily on her feet. She wondered about how disconnected she felt to her body, as if all her senses were muted and dulled. Like she was swimming through Jell-O.
Emma smiled secretly to herself, picturing Hook holding a bowl filled with a green blob.
"I tried to tell you before, Emma," the voice scoffed, "that you couldn't trust those who claimed to love you. Now I want you to see it for yourself."
Who was that? The answer felt important, but Emma couldn't quite summon the strength in her to figure it out. Not only was her body in goo, but it seemed her head was, too. But she did as the voice asked, tilting her chin down to see a small, round mirror in her hand. As she wondered why she was holding it, it began to shimmer and her face was replaced by a completely different image.
There was a cell, and a dark-haired woman sitting on the ground. Suddenly, two figures came rushing around the corner, stopping in front of the cell.
"Regina?" The gangly, red-haired man asked. He looked down and his glasses slid down his nose.
"Charming?" Regina asked in a startled voice, swiping at something on her cheek. "Where's Snow?"
"Right here," called the older, hunched-back woman at his side.
Suddenly Regina's demeanor changed and fury laced her words. "You idiots! Why are you here?"
The old woman pouted. "To rescue you. I told you…"
Regina shook her head and got unsteadily to her feet, shirking off the man's offered hand. "You might as well take those stupid disguises off. She knows you're here. She knows everything."
"Regina, what happened?" The man asked, pulling something off from around his neck as the woman beside him did likewise. Suddenly, a tall handsome blonde and a shorter, wide-eyed brunette were standing in their places.
Regina turned away them, hugging herself tightly. "Emma was here. She took my magic."
Snow gasped, slowly coming up to Regina's side. "She took your magic? Why?"
Clenching her teeth, Regina seemed torn but resolute. "It was the last thing she needed in order to open a portal back to Storybrooke. She's going to take her army of superhuman magic zombies through it and destroy the town. And she wants to take Henry."
David and Snow both gaped, their faces etched in disbelief. "No. She wouldn't…"
Regina snapped, reeling on the couple. "Wake up, Snow. She's not Emma, she's the Dark One. We need to get back to Storybrooke and get the dagger. It's the only way to stop her."
"I won't use that dagger on my daughter," Snow stated firmly.
Rolling her eyes towards the ceiling, Regina took one step forward. Then two. Until she was hovering above the short-haired woman. "She. Is. Not. Your. Daughter. That dagger is the only thing that can stop her."
Snow stared her down, unafraid. Finally, she turned to her husband, a look of uncertainty in her eyes. "David, I don't know. There has to be another way. Taking her ability to choose away from her seems like the wrong thing to do. And I don't think leaving now is a good idea. I won't abandon her again."
David sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, Snow, but maybe Regina's right. This isn't about abandoning our daughter, but we do have a duty to protect the town from the Dark One. And if Emma has truly given in to the darkness, then I don't think trying to reason with her would do any good. That dagger might be the only thing that keeps her from doing something she will regret."
Reluctantly, Snow nodded her head, though her brow was still creased in an uncertain frown.
"We need to hurry," Regina stated. "If we can get back fast enough we might be able to stop this whole thing."
As the image went dark, the last thing Emma saw was her parents walking away.
And the voice was speaking to her again. She knew that voice. It was the voice inside her, the voice of the Dark One. Only now, the voice didn't seem like an enemy. It felt like the voice of an old, trusted friend.
"See? Do you see, now, Emma? That is what the heroes do. They want to control you, to make you their slave, because now you have darkness inside you and you can't be trusted. They never trusted you. And that is why they put the good of everyone ahead of you. Their own daughter. Their so-called friend. They don't believe in you. They never have," the Dark One whispered.
The words draped over Emma like fine silk, wrapping her in their smooth seductiveness. And man, did they feel good.
"You were right, Emma. The only one who saves you is you. Why do you want to be like them, anyway? What's so great about being a hero? Do you know what being a hero means? It means you are nothing more than a servant to others. Do you know what being the Savior means? It means you're the one they can blame for their piddly little lives going wrong, instead of standing up and fighting for what they want. And what was your reward? Hmm? What did you get out of all of this? A life of hardship and betrayal!"
Every syllable found their mark, etching into her like nails into skin. The pain of her lifetime of abandonment and misery digging under her skin and making her feel raw, exposed. The simmering rage that was caged inside her only waiting for its moment to be unleashed.
And yet, the rage made her feel stronger, too. Because now she wasn't some helpless orphan. She was magical and powerful and a thing to be feared.
"You've sacrificed everything for them-your childhood, your son, even your lovers. All for what? What's wrong with wanting some happiness for yourself for a change? That's not evil, Emma. After the life they forced you into, you deserve to put yourself first. You deserve your own happy ending. I can do that for you, Emma."
While she was listening, Emma noticed that sensations were returning to her, nerves that had fallen numb painfully waking. But as the pins-and-needles tingles receded, she noticed her body felt different. Stronger. More powerful. Like new muscles aching to be tried out. She flexed her fingers, reveling in the sparks of magic shooting across her diamond-dusted skin.
It was mesmerizing. She was mesmerizing.
Why had she been fighting against this so hard? Why had she resisted the pull of darkness for so long? Everything it told her was true. Her parents would never put her first because they were heroes, and heroes always had to sacrifice everything for others because people were weak and pathetic creatures.
"Don't you want to show them how their noble, heroic choices have made you feel? Don't you want to make them for not trusting you? All magic comes with a price, right? Maybe it's time they paid up." That voice wasn't outside herself anymore. That voice was her own; her own thoughts, her own desires.
"Yes," Emma agreed. She was filled with a new sense of purpose, a new direction for her darkest emotions, her deepest desires. They wanted a savior? They would get a savior. One who could bring real peace by removing the biggest obstacle in the way—their free will.
Oh yes, she would still be the Savior. She would bring the happy endings back. But now, they would be her happy endings, the ones she saw fit. But those who resisted would tremble and know the full extent of her wrath. No one could stop her, no one could save her. For she didn't need saving.
And with neither a bang, nor a whimper, Emma Swan was no more.
The Dark One was no more.
In their place, a new woman stood, Dark and Light in equal and terrifying measure: The Dark Swan.
Reviews?
A/N- I am mostly through writing the next chapter, and provide everything goes well, I will hopefully have it up early this week.
Next up: Henry and Hook share a moment, face a monster, and find an unexpected ally.