- Last chapter I post for a week because I'll travel, sorry!
- Thank you SO MUCH to all who keep track of my story! Have a Happy New Year! 3

"FORSAKEN TREASURES"

(Flashback)

In the palace by the mountain, the Wicked Witch was desperately searching for the precious book she needed to get hold of. A special book that encompassed powerful spells and where mysterious black magic was contained to guide those who ventured into the arts of dark sorcery.

The witch had made the palace her new domain as it had been empty for decades and where she had found valuable items for her potion making and curse structuring. Among the specialties in the castle, she had found a marvelous wardrobe worthy of an empress, The Evil Queen's.

"Have you found it yet?" – A deep and low voice resonated from the green gem glowing in the witch's necklace.

"I'm sorry, Master. It is not in the palace." – The witch's voice sounded with burden as she moved her hand over the piece of jewelry resting on her cleavage.

"Then look elsewhere." – The mysterious man's voice was harsh as he made the final order.

It had been centuries since the Wicked Witch started her quest for a valuable item with no success, a magic weapon she had once procured to the family she served. A family with an endless hunger for power, which had started several wars against other kingdoms in the pursuit of wealth and control over the entire realm.

"If only that imp hadn't taken it!" – The Witch complained as her boots tapped over stone tile.

She walked toward the balcony in the bedchambers and in a mist of black her body had quickly turned into that of a tiny winged lady. She was flying out of the castle when a sudden flash of light illuminated the entire landscape, disappearing as quickly as it came. And it was then when she found sight of where she needed to look next. The Evil Queen had made her return back from a long absence, along with several others.

(Present time)

In the Mayoral house, Regina was desperately looking for her beloved treasure. Some of her memories were still taking time to come back but the memory of her mother casting spells from the little book was ever present, just as her own memories of summoning Rumplestiltskin. She had wanted him to teach her magic with the innocent purpose of protecting herself from the heartless mother, until it became more.

Ariel was trying to help her look for the book, just as Henry and Emma were. Meanwhile, The pirate and the fairy were searching in Mr. Gold's pawnshop for the precious item. They found many things in there but nothing that looked like what Regina had described, so they decided to move next to the old library Belle used to attend, but the library was abandoned and they had to break into the building. They looked in every row and every corner for the mystery book but they didn't find anything.

Time was running quickly and there was less than an hour left to find the book and destroy it when they decided to go to the Evil Queen's mausoleum and give it a look, but Regina was already there when they came down the stairs. Bottles and boxes were littered all over the floor as she desperately looked for the book, until Emma dared to open Cora's sarcophagus.

"I think I found it!" – The Savior yelled at the crew.

Tinker Bell, Hook and Regina soon met the blonde, who was looking at Cora's well preserved body with her hands keeping an antique book tight against her chest. Regina was just telling them about a spell protecting the body when Emma tried to grab the book and was shot against the wall with a surge of power.

Emma had fainted after the impact and Hook quickly ran to her side to take her in his arms. He had shaken her body and tried to wake the blonde by calling her name without success. She had been struck with a heavy amount of energy and had also smacked her head hard against the floor on falling. The pirate then went for his last resource and kissed the girl, who opened her eyes slowly and quickly pushed him away as a fireball passed right between them, smashing against the wall.

"What was that?" – The pirate asked baffled.

"Consider it a warning." – Regina answered with a threatening voice.

"Are you okay, Emma?" – The fairy asked as she helped her stand up, looking with confusion at Regina who was already holding the book in her hand.

"I've seen better days." – The blonde said as she slowly walked toward the brunette.

"So?" – Emma asked in a bitter tone.

"I got it." – Regina answered, trying to avoid the green eyes looking at her with displeasure.

They had less then a few minutes left before the clock marked twelve when they made it to the old well but this time Henry and Ariel, who had no idea what was going on, accompanied them.

The redhead was standing close to Regina, as she felt intimidated by the blonde who had been rude with her when they first met. Emma was curious about the Mayor's secretary, since she didn't know her from the previous life in Storybrooke, and she could notice the clumsy girl being a little too affectionate with the Mayor.

Ariel was holding onto Regina's arm in fear as thunders started to be heard coming from the well. She was very scared and had clung to the Mayor seeking protection when Emma came to tear them apart, grabbing the brunette by the elbow and dragging her away.

"What's with you and the airhead?" – The blonde asked heatedly.

Regina's eyes looked at the hand tugging on her arm and then into green eyes, displaying a smug smile before opening her mouth.

"You had your pirate… I had my mermaid." – She answered audaciously.

Black smoke began to rise from the magic well as the women talked. They had lost unnecessary time arguing and now the curse was washing over them, before being able to destroy the black book of sorcery.

They were swallowed by the smoke and when they were able to open their eyes, what they found was a black forest. They were standing next to the magic well and a thick fog surrounded them. They could feel their eyes burn and the foul odor of rotting foliage and dead animals made them gag.

When they were able to get out of the forest and make it to the lands of Snow's kingdom they were greeted by a strange figure. A green skinned woman dressed in a familiar black dress had come to find them.

"Thank you, dear, for bringing this back to me." – The Wicked Witch said as her hand snatched the book away from Regina's hand.

"Who the hell are you?" – Regina asked sharply.

"Your little black fairy." – The witch answered before disappearing in a black mist.