Emily is currently in the Underworld and avoiding anyone with a former pulse. She is having a minor mental freak out. She is smart in many ways, but nothing could prepare someone to live in the Underworld for all eternity. She has to live with all the crazy killers and the unrevenged villains. She is the only hero in sight because hero's don't die with unfinished business. She was stuck in a world without light until the end of eternity. Now that is a lonely life. She went around to some places that she remembered from the book, but she was still very lost. She didn't really want to go to her grandmother, but she didn't really have a choice at this point.
She walked over to the town hall and decided that her grandmother needed to hear what happened. She went to the mayors office and was not surprised when Cora did that weird, dramatic swivel-in-chair thing.
"Hello, dear. I can see that... Emily?"
"Hi, Cora."
"What is going on? Where is Regina? Is she okay?"
"I can only hope so. I made a deal with him and she gets to go back to the living and I get to stay here for eternity."
"What!? How would she even consider that?"
"She didn't. I saw that both of us were in danger, so I made sure she was safe for the rest of my family. She was taken back through a portal and I don't know what to do at this point. I need someone to help me, and you were the best choice. So what do you say? How about some grandmother and granddaughter bonding?"
"I don't like that you forced her to leave, but I can see that you had good intentions to keep her safe. I actually thought that she would have gotten you out. I would love some time with some family."
"I hated the look on her face. It was one with fear, resentment, and love. I felt horrible, but she needed to be with her family as much as they needed her."
"She is still your mother."
"I never had a chance to get to know her growing up. I shouldn't take that away from Henry. He has been through more than I can imagine and I will not let one of his mothers stay here, while he grows up without one he truly loves. He deserves this happy ending that has his family in it."
"You are family."
"I honestly don't think anyone sees me as family. I was just the child that accidentally found her family. I feel like I took away their safety and now I am suffering from my actions."
"Firstly, this is not your fault. Your voluntary actions had nothing to do with this. Secondly, we should get you settled in. We are both going to be here for a very long time."
Cora and Emily left the town hall and went to this gigantic white mansion. 108 Mifflin. Emily had been in the castle, but this was something that she loved. There were TVs and sinks and running water and electric lighting and so many other things she didn't get to experience. Cora was amused that her granddaughter was so interested in modern technology. They worked together to get a room ready for a visitor. Since Emily was still young for the Underworld's standards, she helped out in the office. The filing was a lot of work because of all people that come and go in the land. Emily was not happy, but she didn't regret her decision. She missed her mom, but would not have kept her in danger.
Cora saw that Emily had magic, and decided to train her in the dark arts. Emily was very good, but Cora knew that she couldn't each her full potential without her light magic. Cora was an unnatural sorceress, so she was not very good with natural magic. It was the price she paid for learning and getting her way. Cora looked at Emily as a second chance and it was working out beautifully. A daughter that was obedient and eager to learn dark magic. It was every parents dream child. Emily was still a little down, but magic kept her connected to her family. She asked Cora how she can communicate with her mother and it was a simple spell, but took a lot of energy. Emily tried the spell and what she heard was heart-breaking.
"Emma! I can't do this. I need her and she is in the most volatile place in all the realms and I left her there."
"Regina, she is going to be fine. She is strong and resilient like her mother. Put the sword down."
Emily froze. She just heard that her mom had a sword and that either meant she was hurting someone else or herself. She had to stop this, so she stepped in and started talking to the one person she needed to talk to. "Mommy?"
When Regina heard her daughter say that in such a vulnerable state, she knew that she had to do something. "Yes, darling? I'm right here. Everything is okay."
"Regina, who are you talking-"
"Mommy, I'm scared. What's going on? Why do you have a sword?"
"I need to come and get you. You will be safe. There is no need to be afraid."
"Don't do it. It is scary and I don't want you here. I am taking care of myself and grandma is helping me."
"Cora is with you!? Emmy, you can't trust her. She is evil and manipulative and she will break you."
"She's the one that helped with this spell. Put the sword down and use other resources. I will be fine. The miasma is no longer a problem."
"It is. Zelena was not the miasma. You summoned something from another living world. Zelena was in the Underworld. You are in danger and I need to get to you. I need to bring you home, so we can defeat it."
"It is my destiny to get rid of this creature. It never said I would come back alive. I can do this, but I can't be worrying about you. You need to stay with the family and make sure they are safe. I can't stand the thought of you or anyone else coming here. Promise me not to kill yourself, or anyone else for that matter."
"I can't just leave you there. It should be me instead of you."
"No. Promise me. I need you to promise me to find a way without killing. Be the hero that everyone knows you are. Be the mother that I need you to be."
Regina's heart sank at what she just heard. She was hurting her daughter because she wants to be free of worry. She was being selfish a d it had to end. "Okay. You win. I will not kill, but you need to be smart and careful about each move you make with my mother. She is a dark person and has never changed."
"I will. I need to go. I am making lasagna with red pepper flakes. Reminds me of you. I love you, mommy."
"I love you, too."
Emily ended the call and was looking at Cora. Cora had a look of worry written all over her face. Emily thought it might be from any of the conversation she spoke out loud, but it was because she was in that spell for far longer than what is usually possible. Cora then knew that she was molding the next all powerful being and that power meant that she could find a way to help her daughter. Emily and Cora went to the kitchen and made dinner. It was a quiet night with a few screams, but nothing out of the ordinary. Emily wanted to study some more magic, so Cora gave her a book of spells to look through. Most of them were useless, but some could be helpful. Emily looked through the whole book and one or two out of the 100 were actually useful. There were a lot about hearts and baby part and all this other stuff that had Emily very worried. She found the spell that allows someone to pull the heart out of someone with a beating heart. She wanted to try it on herself, but she might not have a heart in her because she is dead. Screw it!
Emily reached into her chest and pulled out a odd looking heart. Half of it was swarming with darkness, which is to be expected, but the other half was glowing white. She then figured out that she had half of each of her mothers' hearts. The darkness was a mix of both and so was the lightness. She placed her heart back in it's home and went through the book again. Emily found a magical object that allows her to look like anyone. It was from OZ and it seems like Zelena had one stored in this world. Emily asked Cora about it, but the only thing she found out was that it was protected by Cerberus.
There was a problem with that. Cerberus is the guardian of the Underworld. A three headed dog that does not like visitors. Red glowing eyes and a spiked color signals aggression. She had no idea how her crazy aunt got it with the beast, but she needed to get to it. This object could be sued to leave the Underworld. She could look like someone from the living and use Hades to get back. She thought it was too dark now, so she is waiting until morning to find the dog.
In the living, Regina is still in a frantic panic about her daughter. She has been like this for a while and she is pacing back and forth without rest. She is usually muttering something about magic, but that is all she can think about. Magic got them in and magic will get them out. She was in the throne room and sitting in Emily's throne. She was also holding a tiara in her hand. It was supposed to be given to Emily when she was 10, but since she was given away, it was not something they could give to her. Regina was constantly switching between crying and muttering inaudible words. Emma was getting worried that her wife would get sick. Regina was refusing to eat or drink anything and was about to be ordered to bed rest. Snow saw the distraught look and she would be acting the same way if Emma did something like that.
Snow was actually one of the only people that were able to get through to Regina. A mother-daughter connection also helped. Regina would confide in Snow for some support and Snow was happy to help. She kept telling her step-mother/daughter-in-law to think about what would happen if Emma was there instead. If it was Emma instead of Emily, she would not be as worried because Emma can take care of herself. Snow said that is what she needs to do. She has to trust that her daughter will be safe and cautious. Regina sat there and then started to ask some more questions.
"Snow, what if Emma was there? What would you do?"
"I would be in a similar state, but as you said, Emma is more than capable of survival. I can't even fathom what is flowing through your mind and I am so sorry that Emily is not with us right now."
"I hear her. She sometimes talks to me, but I am so worried. She has ideas that could work, but there is always too much risk."
"She gets that from everyone around her. She is surrounded by risk. Nature and nurture were both involved in making her the amazing... talented... strong willed person she was always meant to be. She was a small town hero and she took risks every time she left her home. She is a survivor, like the rest of her family. It is good that you can hear her. It means that she is okay."
"Her body is still in the dungeon. I don't have the heart to look at her."
"And for that, I am sorry. She said if I didn't do it, she would and I would not let you be mad at her for killing herself. I would rather you be mad at me. I have gotten used to it."
"I would never be mad for what you did. I would have done the same thing and I admire that you respected her wished over your hero instincts."
"We will get her back."
"How do you know?"
"Hope. I have always had hope and it has never failed me. She is resilient like her mom and a hero like her mothers. She is a true fighter and I believe that she will be okay."
"The miasma is still out there. She is in danger and it is because I was stupid enough to not bind her powers when she was conceived. She is the daughter of the two most powerful sorceresses in the entirety of the universe for crying out loud."
"This is not your fault. Nor is it hers. You need to eat something and have something to drink or I am sending Emma in here to carry you to bed."
"Can I have it all?"
"Sure. Take care of yourself and she will be fine."
"I hope so."
Snow left Regina and went to the kitchen. Regina did not like to each much in a general sense, so Snow grabbed an apple and a glass of water. She went to find Emma. Emma was found in the room that used to belong to Emily. Snow saw the most heartbreaking sight. Emma was holding a pillow from the bed and covering her face to stifle the sobs that elicited from her mouth. Emma was looking at this amazing painting of the sunset and her name was signed. Snow carefully approached her daughter and encased her in a welcoming hug. Emma accepted the gesture, but didn't move from her spot. Snow hugged her daughter and then saw a piece of paper eating on the desk. She looked over at it and it was written in a very nice cursive penmanship.
To Mom.
I made this picture because it reminded me of the sunsets. When you were away I was devastated. I was in a tree and I was looking into the sunset. I imagined that you were right next to me and I was so happy. I felt close to you and I knew that I wanted to share this moment with you. I love you with my whole heart and I want you to be happy. No matter what happens.With all my love:
Emily
Snow read the note and she found out so many things in that moment. Emma was sad that Emily wasn't there, but was the rock to help her wife. Emily was an amazing artist and a fabulous writer. Finally, when Emily was away from Regina, she was pained because she lost her mother, again. Emily wanted her to be happy and move on, no matter what. Emma passed out from all the crying. Snow got Emma into the bed and took the picture frame with her. She was going to talk with Regina again.
She entered the throne room and heard mumbling again, but realized it was a conversation. She didn't want to eavesdrop, but she couldn't resist. Regina sounded slightly happy for the first time in forever.
"How are you holding up?||I am okay. Nothing new is happening. I am still sad you're not here. What have you been doing?||Why does it sound like I won't like what you are doing?||You. Did. WHAT!? Emily that is not good. That is dangerous and irresponsible.||I am not overreacting!||Fine, maybe a little. I just don't want you to get hurt. Are there any leads?||The dog. Why?||That BITCH!||I know, I know, but still. Do you think it would work?||Okay, I will ask her. I love you, sweetie.||Alright, talk to you later."
Snow heard everything and it sounded like Regina was happy for once. She didn't want to ruin the special moment, but she had to. Regina deserves the gift because it was hers in the first place. She also needs peace of mind and this may keep her close with Emily. One can only hope, right?
A/N: Please comment about how you want this story to go. I have an ending, but I need suggestions for the middle. I will spin it however you want. I am just having some writers block.
