Emma watched as the various "authorities" argued about what to do with the situation in Regina's kingdom. She stood off to the side only there because her parents had brought her into this inner debate among the various royalties. She was sick to her stomach watching it.
It had been three weeks now since Regina's castle had been taken. Three weeks without any news about what was happening inside of it. She had almost decked a captain of the guard from King Midas' kingdom when he suggested that Regina was probably dead by now.
Emma knew that wasn't the case. She couldn't say why she felt that way, but she knew it to be true. But even alive it didn't mean Regina wasn't in a desperate situation.
She had tried to warn Regina that Zelena was not to be trusted, but Regina wanted to believe her sister was good that she didn't want to listen to anything negative about her. She put her hand in her pocket and felt for the bean that was inside of it – the bean and the ring. She couldn't say why she had kept the ring, but she had cleaned it off and stuck it in her pocket. Each day it seemed she would look at it, examine it, and even put it on her finger. Every day she also thought of throwing it away, but she never managed to.
The bean she was keeping safe and on her all times. Her suggestion that it be used to get into Regina's castle was met with great doubt and in the end no one knew if could be used for that purpose so they decided to end that conversation.
Frankly she was getting tired of all of the conversation.
She kept wondering if she could manage to sneak into Regina's castle without notice to get her. At least it would mean doing something instead of this endless talking. She realized it was a miracle if anything actually gone done in the Enchanted Forest. In fact, she has stopped actively listening to their debate days ago. It was pointless, she realized. None of the kingdoms wanted to take the risk.
Everyone was safe besides Regina so they didn't see the value in waging a war over one person. Besides, they were all sure now that Zelena was back war would be coming to them.
…
Regina followed her sister and mother down to the courtyard. She could only imagine what Cora had in store for them today. Cora had decided that both of her daughters needed updated lessons in magic. Every day they had been drilled by their mother – sleep inducing spells, fire, water, air spells, and every thing else she had taught them while growing up.
With their hearts in her possession and the command that they do as she say firmly in place had made resistance pointless. Yes, Regina could try and resist, but she was biding her time. Her mother had not yet revealed her actual plans. Regina had guessed that this was about finishing what she had started all those years ago, but she wasn't sure that was entirely it.
Cora hadn't interacted with either of them much beyond these little lessons. Still she insisted they eat dinner each night together. If possible that was Regina's least favorite part of the day. Much like when they were kids the meals were mostly eaten in silence.
The first night of this ritual Cora had told her that Kane was dead, killed on the battlefield. Regina had made the mistake of asking about Daniel's ring at that point.
One moment she had been sitting there, the next Cora's magic had her pinned against the wall, her mother's hand gripping her neck – cutting off her oxygen.
"Listen to me. If I ever hear you use that stable boy's name in my presence again I will break every one of your fingers and you won't have to worry about that ring because it will no longer fit you. He was beneath you in every way. I raised you to be a queen, not a commoner. Do I make myself clear?"
Regina didn't say anything just stared down her mother, daring her to just finish it once and for all. She had no real concerns on that account as Cora couldn't kill Regina without killing herself and that was one thing Regina was sure would never happen.
"Tell me you understand," Cora said, releasing Regina's throat.
Regina was compelled by Cora's possession of heart to obey any direct commands.
"I understand," Regina responded.
"Now thank me for teaching you this lesson."
Regina thought about fighting back at that moment, but she didn't. "Thank you mother."
And that is how the days had passed by. When they weren't practicing magic, they were being forced to agree with everything Cora said. Regina was still struck by how young her mom now looked. They were easily the same age, yet those eyes and facial expressions were pure Cora.
They made it to the courtyard to find a man in the stockades under guard. While Regina had stockades, she couldn't recall a time where they were ever used. She chose to deal with problems in a less public manner. Regina didn't recognize the man and for that she was grateful as she could only imagine what Cora had in store for him.
"This man was caught trying to desert my army," Cora pronounced. "It seems he doesn't want to be a part of my grand plan and for that he must be punished. You see my men know what they can expect from me, but you my daughters are unknown to them for the most part so this is your opportunity to show them that you too are not to be disobeyed. We have to have discipline and to have that you must ensure you men are either loyal to you or too afraid not to be loyal."
She approached the man and lifted up his head before dropping it back down. Backing away from him she came to stand in between Zelena and Regina.
"Regina, our man here appears to be a little cold, don't you think?"
Regina didn't answer. There was no point to and if Cora wanted her to answer she could simply force her to do so.
"What do you think Zelena, does our man look cold?'
"No," Zelena said her voice devoid of emotions. Regina was becoming increasingly concerned by Zelena. Cora had several "private" lessons with her and each one seemed to make Zelena grow more disconnected from the world around her. She had tried to broach the subject with her sister, but was dismissed with an "I'm fine."
Not that Cora hadn't devoted one-on-one lesson time with her, she certainly had and she realized her mother now looked at her differently. She was more wary around Regina as if she expected her to do something or fight back. Cora wasn't going to let her guard down, which is why Regina was biding her time – as if she had much choice in the matter.
"You might be right Zelena, maybe he isn't cold," Cora said thoughtfully and Regina averted her eyes to the ground knowing this was yet another one of her mom's games. "Regina, what do you think the punishment should be for desertion?"
She again remained silent knowing that Cora would most likely make her pay for it later.
"What about you Zelena, what do you think?"
"I think someone should have taught you not to play with your food," she said giving Cora and Regina a smile. Regina smiled back. Growing up her older sister was always more likely to make remarks to their mother and suddenly Regina felt in awe of her sister once more.
"What is the point of this?" Regina asked when she saw Cora about to say or do something to Zelena. Cora turned back to her.
"The point is that you two need to learn how to better use your magic, to use it to show others your power," she said. "For instance …"
She said a few quick words that Regina almost didn't catch and then waved her hand toward the poor man who began to scream. Regina took a step back as she witnessed what the spell did. The flesh from the man's hand started to rip off. He was being flayed alive. It stopped almost as soon as it started.
Cora moved closer to the man to inspect her work and then turned and faced them. "Did you both understand the spell?"
Silence.
"Answer me," she commanded.
"Yes," they said in unison.
"Very good," Cora smiled. "Now which one of you wants to demonstrate your knowledge of it first?"
Silence.
"Come now my daughters, you will both get a chance to show me your skill, but one of you must go first."
They both knew Cora would force them regardless, but they had already agreed in private that their only way to resist was to not do anything Cora wanted unless they were under her command to do it. So when Zelena stepped forward Regina could only watch in disbelief as she executed the spell on her own. Flesh tore from the man's other hand and up his arm. Regina looked away but couldn't block the sound of his screaming.
Zelena stepped back into her place, but Regina kept her eyes down – unwilling to look at her.
"Regina step forward," Cora said.
Regina did as told and Cora grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at her. "You are standing a crossroads," Cora said. "Your sister has made the right choice. What will you choose?"
"I will not."
Cora let go of her and moved to stand behind her.
"Regina, use the spell on him until he is dead."
Regina gritted her teeth. She would not do this. She couldn't do it. She felt the compulsion to do as she was told, but she pushed back against it. She would not become her mother's tool. She was no longer that little girl or young woman that her mother could push around. Even as she thought to bolster her strength she could feel it waning. Still she held her ground.
At this point her body was shaking, but she kept her eyes downcast. She had a feeling if she was to look at the man she would do as her mother said.
"Regina, do it," Cora said.
As soon as the second command was stated Regina knew it was a losing battle. She closed her eyes as she called forth the magic. She was crying before the first scream rang in her ears. By the time he was dead, she was on her knees on the ground hating herself even more than she hated her mother.
…
Emma pulled Aaron aside as soon as he returned to the castle. He had left two days a go, he said for a scouting mission. He was due to report to the other upon his return, but she had to know first.
"Did you learn anything about Regina?"
"Nothing directly about her, but I fear this is much worse than we had guessed."
"How so?"
"If the rumors are true we aren't just dealing with Zelena. We are dealing with her and Cora."
"What? How is that possible? Cora is dead."
Aaron shook his head, "I do not know but I heard from two different sources who were in the castle that Cora is in the castle with Zelena and our queen."
"Surely one of these sources knows something of Regina?"
"Only that she is alive, which we had already surmised was the case."
"Damn it," Emma swore. "The other kingdoms, they have no intention of mounting a rescue for Regina."
"I assumed as much from the way the conversations have been going."
"We can't stand by and let Zelena or Cora or whoever keep her captive. There has to be some way to help her."
Aaron had a thoughtful look on his face and Emma knew that he was thinking of something specific, maybe a way to help. "Aaron, what is it?"
"It's nothing. I should give my report to the council," he said starting to walk away. Emma grabbed him again. "Aaron if you know something you have to tell me. I have to do something to help her. All of this debate, these stall tactics, we both know it means they will wait until the fight comes to them. She may be alive but it doesn't mean she is in anyway safe or unharmed."
Again Aaron's expressions showed that he did have something in mind.
"My father once told me that when Regina had the castle built, she had a back door, a tunnel of some sort built as well. It was meant to be a means of escape. But he never said if he knew where it was at or anything. I remembered this a few days ago. My thoughts however turned dark quickly. If this did exist, why hasn't Regina used it?"
"Maybe she can't. Maybe she is in a cell or chained or something. You have to find out from your dad if he knows anything else about it. It may not be her way out, but it could be our way in."
"I will ask him but I counsel you now, don't get your hopes up. This may lead no where."
"No where is what I have here right now so anything would be better."
…
That night at dinner Regina sat to the left of her mother while Zelena sat to her right. The two sisters hadn't spoken since that afternoon in the courtyard. Regina was still sick over what happened. Her mother made her stay there and watch the disposal of the corpse.
"Not hungry?" Cora asked as Regina merely pushed her food back and forth on the plate. She glared at her mother in response but stayed silent. "You can hate me if you wish my daughter but it won't stop my plans."
"What would those plans be? You keep talking about how Zelena and I need to learn more magic so we can execute this plan of yours? Do you think that you can win this time around and bring the kingdoms under your control?"
"You're thinking is quite limited. This world, this world is nothing. There are so many worlds out there ready for the taking. This is merely a stopping point. No, there are other places which interest me more, like for instance your Storybrooke."
Regina threw her fork down on her plate. "Storybrooke. This supposed place that I created and lived in. That is your grand plan?"
Cora laughed. "Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a young woman, let's call her Cora, who recently discovered she was with child. She was naïve woman who was tricked by the father of this child into believing he was royalty when he was not. Now Cora was prepared to give this child up. She had no purpose for a bastard child after all."
Cora looked at Zelena as she said this. "But then one day a woman appeared to her. A woman with red hair and a smile that looked considerably like her own. This woman introduced herself as Zelena and tells Cora that she is the child growing inside her at that very moment. Zelena goes on to tell Cora many things about how she would have another daughter – Regina and that it was imperative that not only that she keep Zelena, but she raise the sisters as full sisters."
"Of course Cora doesn't believe her, but the more Zelena tells her of her magic, of this spell to move through time and how in the future Cora would die later in a place called Storybrooke, she began to not only believe but to plan. You see this Zelena was a fool. She wanted a family and had given no thought to using that family – a family that would have three powerful women in it – to shake the very foundations of the world. So Cora of course befriends this Zelena, learns of her plan to change the past and bring her sister Regina back to this world and its new time line."
"But a mother always knows best so she convinces Zelena to make a few minor tweaks not knowing how much it would really change the time line. Still it had to be better than being unmarried and pregnant by some rogue. After the plan was devised Zelena insisted Cora take potion to forget the encounter. She would remember only the new time line as Zelena changed it, but not the actual meeting of her adult daughter. Yes, they put into place safeguards so Cora would keep the child, still marry the man who would become Regina's father and everything else they could think of to ensure the outcome."
"When it came time to actually take the memory potion Cora didn't, but Zelena, presumably blinded by getting what she wanted, thought Cora had. So as timeline shifted to this one, Cora remembered all."
"I traveled through time?" Zelena asked.
"Yes. You clearly learned some powerful magic in that time line, as did you Regina. You see in that time line you were also queen here, although not here here, you were queen in the White kingdom. They called you the Evil Queen for all the terror you rained down on people. In that time line you are sworn enemies with Snow White, Prince Charming and let's not forget their daughter Emma."
Regina stood up, "I am not going to listen to anymore of your insanity. If you want to throw me it the dungeon or torture me or whatever, just get it over with."
"Sit Regina,"
Regina took her seat once more. Cora waved her hand and two vials appeared in it. She took each one and poured the contents into the glass of wine in front of Zelena and Regina.
"I have put a potion in there that will allow you both to remember everything – everything from that alternate time line," Cora said remaining standing. "You see where we went wrong last time was with your lack of commitment to the cause. Like that man out there you are weak. I need you to be strong. I need an Evil Queen and a Wicked Witch."
She looked at each of them.
"Stand, both of you and raise your glasses for a toast."
They had no choice but Regina was so sure her mother was insane that the potion would have no effect. She knew who she was. She knew her history, her faults. She would never be enemies with Snow and Emma, well that wasn't possible.
"Now drink your wine."