"Let's cut to the chase, shall we, dearie?" Rumple cut in.
Tess and Regina shifted their attention. Rumple pointed to himself, "We want you," he pointed a scaly finger at them, "to fight for us." Tess and Regina simultaneously raised an eyebrow.
"What can we give you that you don't already have?"
"Regina, you're being offered a chance at salvation, don't ask questions," Cora reprimanded. At that moment green smoke appeared in one spot. As it cleared away, a woman with green skin came into view. The witch's eyes snaked over to Regina with a smirk that disappeared as soon as she laid eyes on the Queen. She pursed her lips. "I must say, darling. You were greatly over exaggerated."
Regina's demeanor became stone cold again and she began to resemble the Evil Queen again. The corner of the witch's mouth quirked up. "That's better." She turned to face Granny.
"Now, I'm sorry I'm late, darling but there were things I had to handle." She twisted her head to look at Regina again. "Your boyfriend put up quite the fight."
"As glad as I am to hear about your triumph, I'd like to know why you're here," Tess interrupted. For the first time, the Witch turned her attention to the other redhead, seemingly surprised by the fact that Tess had spoken at all.
"Well, you're impatient, aren't you?" Tess simply popped an eyebrow in response. The Witch sighed. "I don't give information, darling. That's not my business."
Regina was growing exasperated quickly. "Will someone please explain to me why we were chosen?"
Cora, Rumple, and Granny Goodness all flinched at the word chosen, instantly arousing the two women's suspicion. "You didn't choose us," Tess realized.
The Witch laughed. "Sweetheart, don't misunderstand. You are being given an opportunity." She rolled her eyes, scoffing a bit. "Not that I understand why. I mean you're just uncertainties, liabilities," she annunciated.
Again the three flinched. Regina and Tess locked eyes for a moment. They had to get out of there. But they had to get Hook first. They couldn't leave him to die.
Tess flexed five fingers, as though stretching them. Four. Three. Two. "Now." Regina let burst a blast of pure magic. Everyone except Tess was knocked over, who made a mad dash for Hook. The Witch recovered quickly, jumping to her feet and catching Tess with her magic. "Not so fast." She whirled Tess around to face her.
Tess smiled seemingly out of turn. "I could say the same thing for you."
"What?" With that Regina released the Witch's grip on Tess who hit the ground on her knees, squabbled to her feet, and began running back towards Hook.
Granny and Cora were out cold. She could make it. The Witch turned toward Regina. "They told me I wouldn't get to fight you," she sneered, "They lied." Tess was almost there. Just a few more steps, when magic engulfs her once more. It was suffocatingly tight. She was spun around violently, snapping her neck to one side. She turned her head to look at Rumple who was smiling like a maniac. "So close, yet so far," he giggled.
"Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint," Regina smiled. She flicked her wrist and fire erupted in the palm of her hand. She narrowed her eyes at her green skinned opponent then threw a line of flame. The Witch laughed and swatted it away.
"I expected more from you, darling." She tsked. "The Evil Queen has been greatly exaggerated." The fire stopped and the Witch was left looking at nothing. She knit her eyebrows together. "Where are you? I never really liked hide and seek let's settle this like-" She was interrupted by being thrown face first into the wall. Regina walked up behind where she was pinned.
"Cloaking spell. I expected more from you, darling," she mocked. She smirked, seeing the witch's scowl.
Tess struggled against the magic surrounding her. A wicked smile appeared on Rumplestiltskin's lips, stirring the anger already a boiling inside of her. She clenched her jaw. Never lose control. Never lose- "He'll pay for that," he flicked his wrist all to giddily, choking Hook.
"Killian!" she screamed. Tears burned in her eyes. She blinked them back ferociously to no avail. "How does it feel? Being helpless once again. Just not being able to do anything. It almost reminds me of a certain Harvard Graduate." He giggled menacingly. "Well, almost graduate," he taunted.
Tess began to see red from the pure rage that coursed through her veins. She broke out of the magic that held her. Rumple sent blue blasts at her that were taken over by neon green, disappearing. "Don't ever speak of her. Don't ever touch him." Emerald fires danced in her eyes matching the ones sure to form in her hands soon.
She flicked her gaze over to Hook, who dropped, having released him from Rumple's blue hold.
"And so you should," the Witch answered Regina's mimic. "Otherwise that little son of your's might regret it." The witch released herself.
"Don't you-"
"Darling, you're in no position to negotiate never mind order me." She went to move her wrist, probably to conjure something. "Stop!" Granny Goodness' voice cut through fight. Everyone's head snapped to the woman. "It's not worth it," she said, defeated. "They've found their power." She sighed.
"What power?" Regina snapped.
Tess created a ball of energy in her hand and gestured with it. "Why do I have magic?"
"There's a reason we brought you here."
"Don't tell them!" Cora shouts from the ground where she had just become conscious.
"We don't have a choice," Granny argued dejectedly. She turned her eyes to Tess, ignoring the raven haired queen behind her. "You are special, Lutessa, I've always told you that. But there's a reason I worked so hard for you to help me."
"I had a feeling there was more to it than what you told me," Tess added.
"You always were a smart girl. You were chosen long ago to decide the fate of the world. Both of you." She looked at Regina.
"Lower the shield. We're teleporting out of here," Tess ordered.
Cora scowled at her but did as she was told. Tess dropped Rumpelstiltskin, who hit the ground, gasping for breath. She walked over to Regina and put her hand on her shoulder. They teleported out, knowing the information and power that had come to light was more influential than the pair had originally let on.