To Jason, yes the danger definitely has no idea what she's up against! I'm still trying to nail the final battle, and it took me a while to plan this one. I couldn't help but put the teasing in, and I was laughing hysterically picturing it.
To rebakathy, here's some angst for you.
To carriemarrie78, good luck.
To Mari, oh no please don't be angry! Like I said, you will all be happy with the ending.
To Ann, here comes the danger :D
To Gizela, OH MY GOD GIRL! Your reviews keep getting more hilarious every time! I was laughing hysterically while on the phone with a very upset best friend! So good news is, you cheered her up!
Yea, I had a fever and you definitely entertained me ;) *clapping* and since you are laughing like a moron, I guess now you know how I feel reading your reviews :D I always look forward to them and smile like an idiot the second I see your name before I even read it.
There will be no doing it on regular basis and permanently, thank you very much :P
I did actually watch Goldeneye, now that you mention it, but it was a few years back and I don't remember it that well. I do however remember the Russian agent! And yes she is ringing LOTS and LOTS of bells in my head ;)
And NOW I get what you mean :P so thank you for spelling it out :P
What did I say about psychobabble about Regina and David? :P
Shouldn't you be trying to hide those horns, sweetie? ;) :P
I love Ariel and Regina's relationship too.
I went back and forth about Henry's talk with Regina and Emma and I felt like I already covered that up in more than one chapter and that if I go into details I will be repeating myself. It may be mentioned in later conversations, but not in great detail.
I was thinking more along the lines of sea breeze perfume? ;)
I am dying for Eureka to make an appearance on the show before I strangle Snow!
"No, when she gets here you will all move out of the house and she won't know about any of this. Hopefully she'll believe that Henry hates me for what I've done and I'll just have to worry about Ariel." she said frantically.
More like Ariel about you...
Yea I know tell me about it.
And I think Daniel will be FAR from delighted, peachy maybe? :P, but I guess we may never find out :P
"I just wish he could see his daughter; my only consolation back in our land was that she was with him." Regina reminisced.
"And now she's with you, we all are, and that is his consolation."
Ok lady, I don't know how you're gonna do that (although knowing you, you have it planned all along;)) but you better bring Daniel back! ;)
And here I thought that I was the author! I guess we do learn new everyday :P :P
No need for apologies hun, but I always love reading your reviews. But since I am trying to finish this story by Thursday, I'm afraid I sometimes can't wait for them : (
They were trying to put lovely images in David's head :D
And David has always been charming;) hasn't he?
Try writing that scene after what we established! I was about to write 'he lunged at her and kissed her passionately' before I remembered that he was actually in love with her daughter, but since I made Ariel the spitting image of Regina, I guess it's not that far off.
Glad you liked the chapter that much and if you hadn't said MORE I would have thought that Aliens kidnapped you or :P
To Barbara Montgomery, I'm sorry for the wait, but luck was not favoring me at all the last few days. SO here's the danger.
To TruEvilRegalxox, I am ready for that too.
It was a beautiful day in Storybrooke, Maine. The sun was out and the winter breeze was carrying the fallen leaves across the streets. Henry sat in his classroom, paying attention to his lesson. Snow was in the teacher's lounge, sipping some coffee and looking over some assignments. Emma was at the Sheriff's station; since people had their memories back, things haven't been as peaceful and boring as before. David was with Ariel at the border; keeping an eye on her as she tried to break the spell on the border, yet again.
Even though he was technically Regina's deputy, they didn't let Ariel get too absorbed in a magical task without protection, out of fear of a surprise attack. And therefore, he would go with her sometimes and keep an eye on her, and relieves Mulan of her shift as well. Regina was at her office as usual, looking over some contracts and finishing off paperwork before the weekend arrives.
It had been four weeks since a very soaked Emma and Snow came barging into the house, with an unconscious Ariel in Hook's arms; four very peaceful weeks. Regina and Ariel moved George and his thug to the cave beneath the library, and kept them there. They sent them food and water, via magic, and had sealed off the elevator shaft with magic to make sure that they don't find their way out and hurt Belle or Aurora.
Ariel kept her promise and tried relentlessly to break the spell on the border, although it seemed futile since people didn't look like they wanted to leave, but she wanted to keep the option open. She had been having extensive training sessions with Ruby to help her turn on command; and be in full control of her actions. She also made sure that she spent as much time as possible with Henry; it's true that George and his thug are locked up, but she didn't want to take any chances. After all, her mother became the Evil Queen and made many enemies, and just because they are mortals doesn't mean they won't try. They all know that Regina can't use her dark magic anymore. She spent most of the time teaching him how to push through magical restraints and deflect magic with a sword. She enchanted Mulan and David's swords so that they won't be affected by Cora's magic, or Rumpelstiltskin's for that matter, as well as a bunch of other swords that were kept in places they spend time in; the stables, Regina's office, the Sheriff's station, etc.
Regina had a piece of paper in her hand, same one she's been staring at for the past 30 minutes. She dropped it and grabbed her coat, before heading out of the office. She told her secretary where she'll be, before she made her way up to the roof. She stood near the ledge looking over the small town; she could easily spot Henry's school from the distance and she knew that his classroom's window faced City Hall. She stood there gazing upon the town that she had created, and the people that she had cursed. She had expected all of them to want to leave the town once Ariel breaks the curse on the town border, and will want to go back to the Enchanted Forrest as soon as her mother is dealt with. But Granny had told her that no one had signed their names in the roaster; so they obviously like their lives here.
Things have been getting better between her and the town's folks; they kept a close eye on her for a while and slowly she earned their trust. They stopped sending death glares in her direction, or snotty remarks. Gold stayed out of her hair; mostly out of fear of getting on Ariel's nerves, knowing that he needs her to get rid of Cora and find his son.
She took a deep breath through her nose, and allowed her chest to inflate as the cold air filled her lungs. She had her eyes closed, holding the breath in for a few seconds, when she felt a familiar presence with her on the roof. She knew who it was immediately without turning around. She released the breath she had been holding, "Hello, Mother."
Cora stood there watching her daughter as she turned around to face her. She expected to see the fear, intimidation and anticipation that she always saw in her daughter's eyes whenever she was present, and was slightly shocked to see that not only were they absent, but that her daughter also seemed at peace, and happy, she noted.
"Hello, Regina. Long time no see." Her voice was sickeningly sweet, and the underlying venom was dripping from each letter.
"I was hoping you will take the hint and make it forever." Regina shot back. Her hands were clenched inside her coat pockets, but they were twitching with magic. Her anger was starting to bubble up towards the surface, along with her motherly protective instincts. She knew that Cora was here for Henry and Ariel. She was praying that by some miracle she won't know about Snow, David and Emma.
"Is that anyway to speak to your mother?" Cora asks sweetly, "especially after such a long time apart, is that any way to great her?" she adds.
"That term is loosely applied to you." Regina hisses.
"Oh, Regina; are you trying to hurt my feelings?" Cora takes a step closer to Regina, and is surprised when Regina holds her grounds.
"I don't think you even have any." Regina retorts.
"My, my. You've gotten bolder and impolite in my absence; thankfully it can be corrected." Cora's sweet act drops and she glares at her daughter.
Regina laughs at her mother's remark, "What? You think I will cry in fear and beg you not to hurt me like I used to as a child. Those days are over mother." Regina yells, "Now, why are you here? What do you want?" she asks.
"What I've always wanted; to guide you and help you achieve power and get your happy ending."
"Happy ending?! You killed the man I love, took my daughter away from me and tried to kill her, repeatedly. How is that helping me get my happy ending?" Regina screamed.
"I was trying to rid you of your weaknesses, Regina. I told you before, Love is weakness. You need not love anything, otherwise you will never have great power."
Regina snorted, "Yeah, when I actually allowed myself to believe that, all hell broke loose. And you know what mother? I wasn't happy, it didn't feel like my happy ending. I was suffocating and I was dying. Power isn't everything and I don't want it. Love isn't weakness, its strength and it is the only thing that lasts, the only thing that makes life worthwhile. I don't need your help or your guidance, nor do I want either." She screamed.
"I see that daughter of yours has softened you up." Cora growled dangerously.
"You stay away from her; your problem is with me." Regina threatened.
"On the contrary my dear; she is my problem. If she's out of the way, you will finally see that I am right and I will help you back onto your feet. And don't worry, I won't hurt Henry; he's still young and can be molded." Cora explained.
Regina's face paled immediately, and contorted with fury jumping out of every detail, and daggers flying out of her eyes, "Stay away from them, mother." Her tone was dangerously low and threatening.
Cora was silent as she looked at her daughter, she suddenly pulled her hand from under her cape and stretched it towards her daughter; hoping to catch her by surprise.
Regina, knowing her mother all too well, released her own magic at the same time, and ducked out of the way of the resulting explosion.
The resultant wave resonated throughout the town, attracting everyone's attention; especially that of Henry and Snow.
Henry looked out the window, and his eyes widened in horror at the sight. He couldn't see any details, but he saw magic swirling back and forth. And he instantly knew that Cora had arrived and she had gone after his mother. He looked over towards his teacher and was about to ask for permission.
"It's alright, Henry. Go, I understand." His teacher told him. Henry didn't need to be told twice, he sprinted out of the classroom, and out to the street; without even his backpack. He ran through the streets and through the gathering people towards his mother's office. He turned the corner towards City Hall, and only then did he hear the sound of heels clicking against the concrete. He spared a glance behind over his shoulder and found Snow sprinting behind him. He ran up the stairs to his mother's office, and found her secretary sitting behind her desk, trying to figure out what to do.
"Call my grandfather and tell him what's happening." Henry screamed, running into Regina's office and grabbed the enchanted sword. Snow hadn't gone after him, and made her way to the roof.
Cora and Regina were still fighting each other, with spells and explosions swirling between them. Cora finally managed to gain the upper hand, and entrapped Regina with her magic.
Regina fell to the floor screaming and withering with pain, as Cora shot surge after surge of magic through Regina's body. She was about to send another surge, when a loud banging caught her attention.
She turned around and found Snow standing in the doorway.
"Well, well, come to witness her suffering." Cora taunted.
Snow's eyes flickered over to Regina. She was on the floor coughing and gasping for air; she was on her back and her face was drained from all the blood.
Snow's eyes flickered back to Cora, and Cora was surprised at the amount of anger in them.
"I guess you'll finally get what you want, Regina. Snow's heart on a platter." Cora said, sending a magical restraint through the air towards Snow.
Regina's head snapped up in Snow's direction, "NO!" she screamed, trying to counteract her mother's magic, but found that she was too weak for it. She was praying that Snow would get out of its way, and her horror multiplied when Snow held her grounds.
Snow saw the magic coming towards her but didn't move; she wanted to distract Cora from Regina for as long as possible, till Ariel gets here. She hated that she was basically throwing Ariel in the line of fire, but she knew that she was the only one who can stand up to her. Seconds before the binding reached Snow, she got pushed to the ground.
Henry ran up the stairs to the roof, as fast as his legs would carry him; especially with the added weight of the heavy sword. He got there in time to hear Cora's threat and see her hurling a magical ball towards Snow. He pushed her out of the way and deflected the ball back to Cora with the sword.
Cora was momentarily thrown back from the surprise –and the shock of her daughter's protest- and stared back at Henry in shock. Henry stood in Snow's place, wielding his sword and glaring at Cora. Snow took advantage of the distraction and sprinted in Regina's direction and fell to her knees next to her.
"Oh, you must be Henry." Cora said, faking sweetness in an effort to hide the surprise from her voice.
"Mom" Snow's voice was frantic and filled with horror and worry.
"Mom?!" Cora raised an eyebrow and cocked her head towards Snow and Regina in surprise, "Oh this is a nice twist in events, isn't it?" she chuckled humorlessly, and took a step towards them.
Henry moved from his place, "Stay away from them." he barked.
"Oh is this any way to great your grandmother?" she asked in fake sweetness.
"You are NOT my grandmother; and this is just what you deserve." He hissed.
"It appears my daughter wasn't a good mother and forgot to teach you manners; good thing I came along then." She shot back.
"She was a great mother and she taught me to give people exactly what they deserve" he seethed.
Cora's expression darkened, before she bound him with magic, "You are just as disobedient as your mother was; and luckily I know exactly how to deal with such disobedience." She said through gritted teeth.
Regina, who was leaning against Snow's chest, felt her heart stop in her chest at the implication of her mother's words; she knew all too well what was in store for Henry. Snow was worried about Henry; but having witnessed one of his training sessions with Ariel, she knew he could hold his own against Cora, at least until Ariel gets here and saves them all.
Cora's brows furrowed in confusion at Henry's grin and smirk. Henry moved his arms closer to his body, and allowed the magic to seep through his veins. He drew it in, channeled it through the sword and pushed it back towards Cora.
Cora's eyes widened in shock, when she felt her hold on Henry weaken, and saw him break free from the restrains and send them back at her. She was quick to absorb it before it knocks her off her feet, and sent it towards Regina and Snow.
Henry was faster than her and jumped in front of it; once again deflecting it with the sword, before jumping to his feet and standing protectively in front of his mother and grandmother.
Cora roared in anger, and it only grew when Henry's grin grew. She suddenly found herself flying towards the wall, when a gust of wind swept her off her feet. She looked up in time to see Charming and Ariel running towards Regina, Snow and Henry. Ariel fell to her knees next to her mother and Charming stood with his sword next to Henry.
"Oh will you look at that," she scoffed, "one big happy family" she finished sarcastically, getting back up.
"And you have no place in it, so why don't you get lost already?" David barked.
"Such hostility." She taunted.
"This is a lost battle, Cora. You won't win, so why don't you cut your losses and leave us alone?" Ariel warned; her voice low and dangerous. She had abandoned her place beside her mother and was now standing partially in front of Henry, shielding him with her body.
"Haven't you learned already my dear, I always win; just ask your father." Cora taunted.
"Not this time Cora." Ariel shot back.
Cora stretched her hand and sent enough energy towards Ariel to dissipate the particles of the entire universe. Ariel deflected some with her magic, while Henry and David used their swords. Cora was about to send another wave, when she found herself pinned to the ground and a pair of yellow eyes glaring at her. Her eyes widened in horror when she realized that she was pinned under a werewolf; whose white, sharp teeth were inches away from her face. She tried to push it off with magic and her horror multiplied when it didn't even flinch. It only seemed to get angrier and pushed its claws harder on her arms and legs.
She turned her head in the direction of the small group and found that Emma had joined her mother next to Regina, while the other three held their protective stances in front of them. Her mind was racing with thoughts, trying to think of a way out of this predicament. She was a 60 year old woman, and she was incapable of physically fighting the werewolf, or the small group. She came here thinking that it would only be Ariel, and she was prepared for her. She knew she would be able to get her daughter under control. An idea suddenly sprung to her mind, and with that she disappeared.
Regina was still leaning against Snow's chest, unable to gather enough strength to stand up, and she knew better than to try after what her mother did. She remembered all too well from her childhood the toll it takes on her body, so she just stayed put. She also knew that this way Ariel will focus on Cora and won't be distracted, and hopefully Cora won't be able to get close enough to rip her baby's heart out.
Ruby immediately focused all of her senses into trying to determine which direction Cora might be attacking from. Ariel kept looking around her, magic swirling in the palms of her hands, anticipating Cora's next attack. She knew that look Cora had on her face, all too well. She didn't give up nor leave; she was trying to take them by surprise.
Suddenly the ground beneath their feet shook and a small explosion erupted at their feet, sending them all in different directions. Snow fell over the edge, and clasped onto the ledge at the very last second. Emma found herself slamming into the wall, with Henry slamming into her. David and Ariel flipped over a few times, while Red dug her sharp nails into the concrete and skidded away. Smoke filled the area and when it cleared, Regina was nowhere to be found.
Evil Cliffy! Let me know what you guys think. The next chapter should be up tomorrow.