Everyone was on high alert after the monsters faded back into the forest. The castle was on lockdown and Regina's castle was blessed by Artio and Bradement so that no one but those they chose could get in. They wanted to have a safe place for the children to go. They left several of Regina's dark knights behind to protect the palace. Emma and her parents were putting together a plan to get back the dark one. Regina had disappeared again with Artio after the other castle was blessed.

"What do you think she is doing now," Emma questioned.

Snow smiled at her daughter, "Whatever it is I am sure that it will help us defeat Zelena and the Dark One."

Emma let out a sigh, "You're right but I don't think I want to wait. I miss her."

Charming laughed, "Who would have thought that Regina would find herself even more involved with our family then she used to be."

Snow smiled big, "No one. I guess that is how fate works though." The two charmings looked at one another with a twinkle in their eyes.

"Will you two stop being so lovey! I don't want to see it if I can't have it too," Emma complained.

Mal popped into the room at that time, "You should be used to it by now dear." She gave the couple a smile.

"I am but I don't want to see it right now." She walked out of the room.

"Well someone is in a mood," Snow commented.

"You would be too if your dear Charming was missing for over a week," Mal pointed out.

Snow nodded, "You are right about that."

"Have you heard anything," Charming asked.

"No, I have not. It would seem where they have gone I cannot follow."

Lily teleported in, "I can't find them either. Its like they are in another world."

"I'm worried. What if something happened to them and we just don't know it yet," Snow started pacing.

Bradament walked into the room, "I have word that mother and daughter should be here in a few days. They had to do something before they got here."

Regina looked around the place and recalled it from her dreams. She could remember seeing this place as she slept. It was filled with wildlife and mist, life and freedom. It always reminded her to keep going because she could one day have it. She looked around and smiled at it. She shook herself though because they needed to get down to business. She needed a way to defeat the dark one. Rumple the man was easy use Belle or his son against him. The darkness that resided inside was older than anyone maybe even her own mother.

"Can the darkness be defeated," She asked Artio

"Completely killed?...No. In order to have true balance you do need darkness."

"So then what are they other options?"

"Controlling is one. Restraining it is another." Artio stated as she watched her daughter walk around her home.

"Both are not possible. Rumple won't give up the dagger and he has already been released." She stated as if it was an obvious statement.

"Well there is more than one way to control something and there is more than one way to restrain it." Artio said with a smile.

"So you expect me to kill Rumple and take his place? I don't even know where the dagger is to do so."

"I would never ask you to kill him and take his place. You have fought and won against the darkness he created for you. No, I would take his place not you." Artio shakes her head, "It doesn't matter about the normal way the darkness moves from one person to the next. There is another way."

Regina stopped her gazing to look at her mother, "What way is that?"

Artio smiled, "We put the darkness somewhere that it won't be able to use someone."

Regina took a deep breath, "Would Rumple die?" She didn't like the man but she like Belle and the woman has been very helpful since this all started.

"I'm not sure but its the only way I can think of to control the darkness for a very long time. With him out of the way Zelena will be easy as long as you stop holding back."

"I'm not holding back," Regina says sternly with anger in her eyes.

"Yes you are." Artio looked back with just as much fire, "You thought her a blood sibling but now you know that's not possible. Let go of the fact that the woman who claimed to be your mother gave birth to her. You need to be freed of the woman who raised you once and for all. That means you need to get rid of the offspring. Zelena doesn't let herself be held back by feelings. She uses them to get what she wants. You need to do the same. Let go and just let your powers consume you."

Regina turned away from her mother, "I can't. If I do I will be her again. I can't have that, not with Henry and Emma counting on me."

"You misunderstand," Artio moved behind her daughter, "You must let what they have help create flourish. Not what the dark one created to flourish. It has been so long since he was around and you have had many years to love. Let those years of love, past and present, fill you and consume you. Don't let the anger that was in you do so. You can do it."

Regina turned to her mother, "Will you teach me?"

Artio threw her arms around her daughter and held her tight, "Of course."

The Dark one tried to enter into his own castle but was locked out. The barrier had been tampered with and now he was locked out and away from his dagger. He felt the magic and realized that he would not be getting into this place any time soon. He looked to the others, "It would seem we need another plan. I have been locked out." Zelena rolled her eyes and pushed her magic at the force field. For a moment it looked like it might go so Rumple pushed with his own. Then with a burst the group was thrown back.

"I hate my sister," Zelena stated.

"Well dearie if you had a sister that would be good to know," He said as he dusted himself off.

They all looked at him but Zelena is the one that spoke, "What do you mean IF I had a sister?"
He looked at the red head with a smile, "Sorry to break it to you dearie but Regina is not your sister. She is the offspring of Henry and Artio."

"I know Henry is her father but who is Artio," Zelena questioned.

"She is a Goddess and Regina's true mother. Regina is the light one." He said it in a tone of annoyance.

"But Cora said that Regina was her's."

"A spell was placed so that everyone thought that Regina was her's. Artio was hiding the light one in plain sight so no one would find her. Especially in the darkest of homes. Cora beat the girl senseless and cared very little of her husband. No one would think the light one there."

"So now she has some of the strongest magic!" Zelena was outraged.

"If that is all you got out of the dear then you really are off your rocker," Rumple let off a giggle. "Now let us move one so we can get this over with and let the villains have their day."

With each day that Regina was gone Emma felt her heart aching a little bit more. She would complete her duties then go and stay with Henry. Even though Regina didn't give birth to him he was still more her son then Emma's. He would give Emma the same raised eyebrow, or evil glare. He would laugh and it reminded her of Regina. She just needed to feel a little closer to the woman who filled her heart. He was sitting with James on his lap reading a story. Which Emma wasn't sure but she just liked how well Henry took care of his uncle. She wondered if he would want another sibling. Regina and her could always adopt one of the many orphans in the kingdom. She shook her head. She was getting too far ahead of the situation. She needed to make sure Regina wanted to have Emma in her life forever like Emma wanted her.

As Emma tucked Henry in she smiled at him, "You know you are pretty great kid." She sat down and put an arm around him.

He smiled back, "And you're a pretty great mom."

She laughed, "Thanks Henry."

His face got serious, "Is she coming back?"

Emma heard her own worries voiced through their little boy. She gave a brave smile, "I know she will. She has you to come back to."

He nodded then snuggled into her arms. "She has you too ma."

"She sure does Henry." Emma said with a smile. They both fell asleep holding each other hoping for the brunette mother to return to them.